Do Away With Clutter.

 A roomie's doing homework on the couch and besides, the usual photo-spot has been compromised by a big black chair. No worries, we had room-checks yesterday and I want to show off my cleaned space.

I took some pictures pre-clean up but those won't be shown; way too embarrassing!

This is the first time I'm wearing these earrings. 

I bought them in Spain for a Euro, but thought they were too gaudy for everyday wear. 

Now I think I'm in love, though they're surprisingly heavy! 

So, my lobes are a bit stretched out. Ruh-roh.

 Oh, and I ordered this pullover from Threadless about two weeks ago, but this is also my first time wearing it. LOVE! 

I layered it over a striped little girls dress from Goodwill.

 Even though I tend to bitch about the monthly room-checks, I must admit that I like having the excuse to clean up shop. Somehow my room manages to accumulate clutter over the course of the week.

I spent all of yesternight tidying up. For that, I am in much better spirits.

 Clothes are on hangers and somewhat organized by type of garment. 

There are too many prints to organize by color!

And my shoes. I love shoes. 

There's not enough room for all of them, thus the awkward stacking.

Mehhh.

Let's hope I can maintain this level of cleanliness, it's working wonders for my well-being!

Until next time, ♥.

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Peruvian Pan Flute.

I wasn't the only one to go abroad this summer. My friend recently got back from giving a presentation at a conference in Peru. We've had this running joke about pan flutes for a while now, and the "rivalry" between Peru and Chile certainly helps too. He came over yesterday with my gift. My mind totally blanked when he told me to guess. I mean, the shape was definitely obvious...but I probably over-analyzed it. I felt really dumb after I opened it.

But yeah! I have a pan flute, a Peruvian pan flute...for my Chilean band?

 

The lil' one, in all it's Peruvian glory.

I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing...

->Polka Dotted Mini: ZARA

->Leather Strappy Sandals: Mary Paz

->Bull Fighter Tee: Salamantino Souvenir Shop

->Red Scarf used as Headwrap: Thrifted

Until next time, ♥.

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Buhbye, España! Herrrro, Amurkah!

"Huh? Where'd she go?!"

I'm finally flying home. 

((I mean, hopefully, seeing as how I wrote this post ahead o' time!))

((Anddd, I probably won't have internet access until I'm back in Arkansas!!!))

Until next time, ♥.

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All Packed & Good to Go!

For Your Viewing Pleasure: Last Full Day in Salamanca

I am officially done with classes!...and my packing! 

It's about time, I don't think I could take much more of that advanced grammar...

Plus, I'm starting to miss The Natural State.

I am happy to say that I did pass all of my classes! Whoo-hoo!!!

It's time to celebrate, it is my last night here after all. I've got to live it up while I still can.

->Coral Short-Sleeved Cardigan, Thrifted

->Periwinkle Lace Cut-Out Dress, Sfera

->Leopard Print Flats, H&M

->Camel Slouchy Beanie, Burlington Coat Factory

->Gold Locket, Thrifted

Until next time, ♥. 

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We Like Your Style.

EEEEEP! I mentioned in a previous post how Venetia and I were photographed during our day trip to Madrid. Well, it's up! We are on the web! I'm just a little flustered that Anna, the mastermind behind the site,  included the email that I sent her (in my cruddy español!). At least we actually look decent in the photo!

Here's the link from welikeyourstyle.net. 

Awesome how the title is a lyric from Animal Collective's My Girls

...as if she knew they're my favorite band? 

"I don’t care for fancy things or to take part in the freshest wave…"

For Your Viewing Pleasure: Stripes & FINAL Final Exams

I had my last final exam today. It was grammar. I freakin' hate grammar.

Somehow I managed to suffer through the course, hopefully my efforts will be reflected in the grade.

I was listening to Shakira's Waka Waka whilst taking these photos, thus the goofy poses.

->Striped Shirt Dress, H&M

->Leather Strappy Wedge Sandals, Mary Paz

->Gold Locket, Thrifted

->Paisley Scarf worn as Headwrap, Thrifted

And, one last thing. Last night there was a Fiesta Arabe at the Irish Rover, featuring free hookah and belly dancers! Of course, I had to bring Cammy Jr. along to document.

Until next time, ♥. 

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Unique Madrid Fashion: Mari Carmen Guapa

This classy vintage business card belongs to the store, Mari Carmen Guapa. The store front caught Venetia's eye as we were scouring through El Rastro on Sunday. Typically, you won't find a single store open on Sunday here in Spain, it's truly a Lazy Sunday. However, many stores located around El Rastro are open to make the most of El Rastro's large crowds. It was nice to escape the tumble and jumble of the outside world.

Here's the inside of the store. They specialize in vintage-inspired kids and womens fashion. I found the cutest lederhosens-style overalls for kiddies. Just too precious for words.

Everything is really well organized and easy to navigate.

Their skirts and frocks are reminiscent of the 50s and 60s and made in the most darling of fabrics. Pictured here is an adorable dress in an equally adorable mushroom print. They have the same cuts and styles of dresses in an assortment of prints. 

I saw drool-worthy swirls, strawberries, scooters, and other quirky prints.

  

You can also find some fun accessories to pair with their fun clothes. I couldn't help but get inspired by their nifty headbands and small stuffed creature pins. I'll have to try and make my own once I get home!

I had a good time watching Venetia go absolutely gaga over everything in the store. 

After much deliberation, I believe she finally decided on two skirts! 

They fit her perfectly, size-wise and personality-wise!

This is the display they had set up in the back of the store. 

You can see the little lederhosens that I mentioned earlier. 

Aren't they just adorable?

Old magazines with plenty of inspiration for this collective of young designers.

I especially loved the knick-knacks they had set up near the register. 

I couldn't help but snap a quick photo!

Mari Carmen Guapa satisfies the need for vintage and quirky, without the pit stains or polyester. I'm truly inspired to dig up some vintage patterns and try my hand at making some garments of my own! 

We enjoyed our stay, especially since the clerks were so nice and helpful 

(even if our Spanish wasn't up to par!).

But don't take my word for it.

Check 'em out for yourself!

Facebook: Maricarmen Guapa

Blog: Remember Madrid

Until next time, ♥.

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The Spoils of El Rastro

If anyone's interested, this is what I managed to dig up at El Rastro yesterday in Madrid.

Finally found myself a leather backpack! It kind of smells though. 

I'm not complaining, it's the size and color that I wanted at a price that I could afford (25 euros).

It'll be perfect for when I go to Lollapalooza!

Here's what I found in respect to vintage, not exactly vintage gold, but at a euro a piece...

it's not too shabby!

This tunic pieces looks really weird on, so I'm saving it for a project that I have in mind. 

Isn't the print fun?

These were some knick-knacks that I found. They shall be reincarnated into an assortment of jewelry.

These two pins are definitely my favorite. The one on the left is like an itty-bitty mosaic!

I found these embalmed creepy-crawlies at another vendor for .50 euro a pop. These will definitely be made into either earrings or funky pendants. A part of me is slightly disgusted by them, but the other part of me surpasses those emotions and thinks they're awesome!

For Your Viewing Pleasure: Just Woke Up

I took a longer siesta than usual today. I won't tell you exactly how long because it's a little embarrassing. It's probably my body still recovering from yesterday's day trip. Either that, or me doing my best to put off studying for tomorrow's exams! (boo hiss hiss)

->Dark Wash Denim Skirt Dress, Thrifted/Hemmed

->Leopard Print Flats, H&M

->Red Scrap Fabric worn as Headwrap, Random Guy in Plaza Mayor during World Cup

->Ethnic Belt, Thrifted

->Artisan Leather Backpack, El Rastro de Madrid

Now I really ought to study! Until next time, ♥.

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Madrid, Revisited.

We started off our day bright and early to make our trek to Madrid. Our bus left the station at 8am and we were safely on it. The almost 3 hour ride was perfect for some quick napping in preparation for the day ahead of us. First stop? The infamous Rastro Flea Market of Madrid.

It was packed! However, we did not let that faze us. We marched on, set on reaching the streets where we might find some vintage, some knickknacks, some treasure!

It would've been too easy to find a vendor that dealt with strictly vintage. We had to dig! There were several booths like the one above, with vendors yelling out "Prendas, un Euro!" I didn't mind the dig. I enjoy the dig. I encountered one catty girl, she looked to be on the same hunt for vintage. Whatever, I was there to have a good time! (Besides, I need to figure out my luggage situation before I even consider buying anymore stuff!)

This vendor had knick-knacks galore! I bought a couple for myself, in hopes of refashioning them into jewelry or hairpieces! My actual spoils from El Rastro will be featured in a separate post, so keep your eyes peeled for that! (It's nothing too amazing, but fun nonetheless).

All in all, I'm satisfied now that I've had a thrifting fix.

Whilst rummaging through the hordes of clothes, a lady with a camera approached us. She asked if she could take our picture. I immediately knew where this was headed. I agreed without a second to spare, Venetia didn't even get enough time to figure out what the lady said! We posed and she snapped outfit photos. She then proceeded to hand us her card - welikeyourstyle.net My wildest dreams hath come true! I mean, it's no facehunter or satorialist, but hey...it's actually legit! A legit Spanish Street-Style site! 

So what's all the hype about? Let's see!

For Your Viewing Pleasure: What We Wore-Madrid, Revisited

My partner in crime, Venetia Digby! We took a quick break for lunch in a park near El Prado (our next destination) and decided it was the perfect place for outfit photos! I remember casually asking if she'd be interested and Venetia just lit up. It's fun to take outfit photos with a friend that cares! Despite the onlookers, we had a blast...there's so much to photograph. This picture's kind of a fail; you can see the granite shelf!

I took this one of Venetia on the Metro, which, I am quite proud to say, we managed to navigate without any difficulties. I felt like such a pro!

I love Venetia for her quirky, slightly kitschy jewelry. You couldn't imagine all the people that gawked and stared. So fun! (Huevos fritos? Siiiii!) 

I'm pretty sure this decrepit looking building is a toilet; at least it made for a nice backdrop.

Haha, I look a little dumb. Oh well!

->Cotton Floral Grunge Dress, Thrifted

->Children's Denim Jacket, Thrifted

->Black Gladiators, TJ Maxx

->Leopard Scarf worn as Headwrap, Thrifted

->New Artisan Leather Backpack, El Rastro

I'm riding a dinosaur! This one's probably my favorite.

We couldn't resist attempting a picture together on the swingset! Too bad the bench nearby was too stinkin' far away. Eh, you get the point.

Okay, I lied. This one's my favorite. Backpack, backpack! ♥

After outfit-phototaking-shenanigans, we finally made our way to El Prado. She wanted to see Goya's Saturn Devouring His Son and I was intent on seeing Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights that I had foolishly missed during my last visit. We managed to see those and a whole lot more, several that I didn't get to see on the previous trip. After so much walking, we were spent. We made it back to the bus station via metro without any difficulties (!!!). Too kill time, I bought a Spanish fashion magazine. 

I had a solid 2.5 hours to reflect on what a fan-f**cking-tastic day it was. Thrifting in Spain, check. Approached by Spanish streetstyle persona, check. Outfit photos with the awesome Venetia Digby, check. The Garden of Earthly Delights, check. Not getting confused by the metro and finding our destinations without difficulties, check!(Getting homework done (BUZZKILL) and updating my blog about my incredibly amazing day, check!) Ah, incredible. What an excellent way to spend my last Sunday in Spain!

Until next time. ♥.

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