Orange and Black

Halloween came early this year…

Dress (worn as top): H&M (last seen here in blue), Skirt: H&M (similar here), Shoes: Sam Edelman, Necklace: (vintage) Banana Republic, Rings: Club Monaco (black, vintage) (stacking, on sale here).

Flower Child

A billowy floral top gets a major update in a bright neon hue. 

Top: Anthropologie (on sale, in stores now), Denim: American Eagle, Hat: J.Crew (available in other colors here), Shoes: Coach (similar style here), Rings: Club Monaco, Watch: Michael Kors, Bracelets: Alex and Ani, Stella & Dot.

Slightly Obsessed...

I'll admit, I have a slight obsession with other people's glasses. If I see a stylish pair, I just HAVE to try them on. Of course, when I get older and actually need them, I won't want to wear them. 

Top: H&M, Cardigan: Forever 21, Layered necklaces: vintage, Watch: Michael Kors, Bracelet: Alex and Ani

 Dress: H&M, Earrings: Stella & Dot

Skirt: vintage (last seen here), Dress worn as top: American Apparel, Belt: vintage

Top: American Apparel, Pants: H&M, Belt: vintage

Looking to the Future...

  Hi friends! I've been absent for a while, and for good reason. At the end of last year, I applied for a job overseas and just recently found out that I got it! I knew the chance of me getting it was a long shot, but I would never know if I never tried. I absolutely LOVE my current job, and have worked with some amazing people over the past 14 years (wow, 14 years???), but there comes a time when you just know it's time to move on. 

  I've always wanted to travel the world, and now I'll get a chance to do just that. Who would've thought that choosing to learn French in middle school would take me to the Middle East where I get to teach at an amazing new school. I'll be the first French teacher at the school…a fact that I'd really never given much thought to until today when a friend of mine said "history in the making, you'll always be remembered as the first French teacher there." 

  My time here in Atlanta has been absolutely wonderful, and I wouldn't change it for the world. But I won't miss the place…I'll miss the people. I'll miss the experiences. I'll miss "Sunday Funday" with my girls. I'll miss the completely random nights out in the middle of the week. I'll miss my ex (yes, it's true) and my "fur babies" (aka, Sophie and Oscar, my dachshunds). But most of all, I'll miss my family (and my small group of sister friends who have become my family). 

  Someone recently asked me if I'm afraid to make this journey alone. I'm not. Fear doesn't live in me. I'm excited. I'm excited to learn about a culture completely different from my own. I'm excited to share what I know with a new group of students. And I'm excited to share my experiences with you. My blog will be different, of course. My style of dress will be a bit more conservative, but still just as fabulous as ever! Can you imagine all the full skirts I can have made with the beautifully colored fabrics??? I hope you will enjoy this journey with me and check back often to see what it means to be Friends with Vintage…in the Middle East. ;-)

xoxo,

Ty

Monochromatic

Gray on gray in a full skirt, pointy toe pumps, and a gorgeous statement necklace. 

Skirt: H&M (old, similar here in denim), Tee: Club Monaco, Shoes: STEVEN by Steve Madden, Necklace: Anthropologie (on sale!), Sunnies: thrifted, Watch: Michael Kors, Lips: MAC "Russian Red" and "Ruby Woo." 

Fringe Benefits

I originally bought this scarf because of its size and its amazing color and fringe. Then I realized this is A LOT of scarf. I'm "fun-sized" and it literally was just too much for my small frame. I didn't want to get rid of it, so I found a new way to incorporate it into my wardrobe. 

 Dress: Banana Republic (old, but similar style here), Scarf: Anne Taylor (old), Belt: vintage, snakeskin, Sunnies: thrifted, Ring: (vintage) Club Monaco flagship store, Watch: Michael Kors, Bracelet: Stella & Dot

Color Pop

One of my favorite tops, restyled from a dress that no longer fit. Paired with this bright turban and colorful statement necklace, it all comes together perfectly. 

Top: restyled from a Banana Republic dress, Pants: Zara (similar here), Shoes: Diba, Necklace: Anthropologie (no longer available, but I LOVE this statement piece), Sunnies: thrift store find, Watch: Michael Kors, Scarf (worn as turban): old (last seen here).

Photos by @cme3000

Turban

I'm becoming quite creative at disguising the need for a haircut…

Dress: a Marshall's find, Shirt: American Eagle (short sleeve version here), Brooches: vintage, Scarf (worn as turban): old, Ring: Stella and Dot, Bracelets: gifted, Sunnies: thrift store find.

Photos by @cme3000

Ready for Spring

The cutest springtime print on a full mini, paired with a simple black turtleneck and cat eye sunnies. 

Skirt: H&M (old, but similar style here), Turtleneck dress (worn as top): American Apparel, Belt, Ring, and Bracelets: vintage, Watch: Michael Kors, Sunnies: thrift store find.

Welcome to my closet… (After)

I had originally planned on cleaning out my closet the day after I posted the "before" pictures. After actually seeing them, I changed my mind and got to work IMMEDIATELY. It took me about two hours and I only used items I had lying around the house to do it (I was determined not to spend any extra money on this). 
I started by editing my wardrobe. This is always the most difficult. I had to be honest with myself and get rid of clothing (and accessories) I knew I'd never wear again. This freed up a lot of space in my otherwise tiny closet. I PROMISE my closet will never look like the "before" pictures again…I think. 

I moved the skirts and shorts hanging on the bottom rack to free up space on the floor.

Now I can actually see my shoes and belts (in their temporary location on a hanger). I also have a place to store a few hats without stacking them on top of each other. 

Old Vogue magazines come in handy as boot shapers.

I can actually see the floor of my closet now!

Surprisingly, I don't own a proper chest of drawers since space is so limited in my apartment. Instead, these collapsible containers from Ikea hold my tee-shirts and other items. My brooches are on display and scarves are rolled in smaller boxes. (I still have to find something to do with my necklaces, I have an idea…)

Looks like I can go shopping for another pair of shoes! 

Organize your clothes in a way that works for YOU. I choose to hang my tops together and separate them by solids, stripes, prints, and plaids. All of my skirts and dress shorts are in the middle. My dresses are also separated by prints and solids. Blazers and other jackets are grouped together. I always thought I needed more prints in my wardrobe, but after taking a look at this, I think I'm just fine.