All New Things, and Shoe Shelving

I'm out of sorts the past few days, restless and irritable. Changes are needed. 

Starting with my hair, which I had cut tonight, and you will see on Friday. I repinked it a bit yesterday.

• Dress - Proenza Schouler for Barney's, thrifted; purchased here for $22.95
• Shoes - Gadea, consignment; purchased here for $15.00

I needed that lift you get from wearing something new. 

This lovely new-to-me tunic-dress hit my sweet spot. Proenza Freaking Schouler! Designer! 

I layered a black cami and short slip under it - it was quite windy today, and I had to hold onto the hem for dear life. 

Isn't the pattern cool? I like the "negative-positive" effect of the two fabrics. 

Matching my blue and white mask to the blue and white in the contrast fabric. 

I finally finished all the sign placement in the office today. I'm worn out. 

The stuff: 

I also finally wore these new-to-me shoes. I did some modifications to them to make them more comfortable: 

• Cut two "slices" into the back of the heel with an exacto blade, on either side of the main seam, so that they don't rub my heels, and 
• Removed part of the tongue on the right shoe, which seems to have been sewn in wrong. That's probably why they were consigned and why the price dropped so low.

It helped immensely, and they were excellent for all the running around between floors I did today - I even walked to the hairdresser in them. Since I'd only paid $15.00, I was willing to wreck them (but I was sure they'd be fine).

Silver bling: 

Simple things to let the dress shine. 

• Bangle - Lazy Susan's
• Bracelet - Fossil, gift from L
• Earrings - Fossil, thrifted
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
• Shield ring - Nine West

On Tuesday (one of my off days from work), I got up early, sucked back a bunch of coffee and tackled some of the shelves full of old books in our den (where my closet is). L and I have a goal that we're haphazardly working towards: turning our den into a shared giant closet room for both of us! 

It's not going to happen quickly - we have to divest ourselves of a lot of the stuff we've collected over the years - but I needed CHANGE, and I was tired of seeing dust-covered shelves. I didn't take any "before" pictures, because they were just horrific. The dust bunnies had dust bunnies! 

I did take a bunch of "after" shots, though. This is L's new shoe shelf. Pretty swanky, eh?

I do my "stuff" shots on that table to the right of it. There are 14 pairs of his shoes there, and still more in his other shoe closet. 

I piled L's most-worn hats on top of two of our photo albums. My sun hats (I'd completely forgotten about them!) are sitting on top of a Fluevog box which is full of unpainted miniatures. If we're not going to do our hobby, then it can't take up valuable shelf real estate. 

"Rar! Godzilla will protect this shelf from Mecha-Ghidira!"

Three pairs of L's fancy shoes on the top shelf - yes, we both own the brocade pair on the right. 

I pulled all my fashion books out, and used them to fill the ends of the shelves. 

"Baby Godzilla is coming to help!"

Six more pairs of gorgeous Fluevogs including his newest, the Dios with the red soles. The man has style. 

You'll notice all of the shoelaces are tucked tightly into the shoes.

Someone is fond of shoelaces. 

And the bottom shelves. 

Two pairs with no shoelaces on the "Vizzini level." The spiky Danger Pumps are mine. 

We also have a shallower shelf behind the door - it's excellent for storing a lot in a very small space. 

I cleared off yet another bookshelf on the other side of the room and moved most of the stuff here. These are also Things We Want To Keep, But Rarely Look At. 

I put my fancy hats on the top shelf. That Fluevog box contains more unpainted miniatures. 

And there are my fedoras, my floppy hat (oh yeah!) and my faux fur winter hat.

I moved L's Boston Bruins and Miami Dolphins "Shrine" onto it.

He was not exactly thrilled by that, but it has had its time out on display and now I want its old space for something more useful. 

Junior high and high school annuals, old photo albums, vacation albums, and our Magic: The Gathering card collection (1996 to about 2003?). 

"Hey, these weren't here before."

That big bag is all our wedding stuff. So many pieces of memorabilia! 

"I don't see any pictures of me here."

That giant black jack is made of painted cast iron - heavy! I've had it since about 1985, bought at an old local store called Zydeco. It props the door open. 

Deep in that corner, I rediscovered a true Blast From The Past. This is my journal from my grade 12 Creative Writing class! 

Everyone in the class had to write two pages a day (longhand!) and have the teacher initial it, although he didn't read it, so we could write anything. I haven't read it since I wrote it, aside from cracking it open, and going, "Oh my gawd, I have always been a Drama Queen!" It's so weird reading what I wrote 35 years ago - I remember some of it, and other things I'm like, "Bill? Who is Bill?" 

My goal is to transcribe it - completely unedited! I typed 8 pages yesterday - a good start. 

And now, I will leave you with some cuteness. 

"Well, hello there."

He was going for my earrings, the little monster.