Owner: The Beautiful Life URL:http://livingthebeautifullife.blogspot.com Join Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2006 21:06:40 -0500 Rating:1 Site Description: The Beautiful Life is all about fashion, music, movies, home decor, creativity, and living a life surrounded by beauty. I'm really rather addicted to thrifting lovely treasures, and I use the word "lovely" entirely too often. But it's a fun read, for all Site statistics:Click here
ignoring the readers since 1981 2007-01-16 22:42:00 You do realize that yesterday was a federal holiday, right? And since I'm officially a state employee I had the whole day off. I nearly peed myself when I heard; I've NEVER had a job with these randomly paid holidays. So I spent the day sleeping in and hanging out with le sister-in-law. Which meant, of course, that we went thriftstoring. Among the deliciousness I acquired was a fabulous black net hat, a cream mohair tam, and not one but TWO coats, both...bright yellow. And one is vintage leather. How awesome is that? I can't believe I bought it (it was $20, and that's a lot for me to pay for anything) but it was so incredibly perfect I couldn't help it. Don't worry, pictures coming soon.So tonight I'm off to SnB. I'll get a picture post up later, though, I promise. Read more:readers
the latest batch of thrifty goodness 2007-01-17 05:20:00
A big stack of Perry Mason mysteries. (Cloth bound, of course.)
My splurge of the decade: a yellow leather coat. (It makes me so, so happy!)
My mysterious funeral-esqe hat
Read more:batch
if this picture is any guide, I've been eating too many lemons 2007-01-17 05:17:00
Except I haven't, but I have a limited number of facial expressions and apparently we're now getting to the pained category. I picked this dress up yesterday at the salvation army for $1.50, and I'm madly in love. I adore the brown/black/gray, the fact that it's knit, and especially the construction of the neckline. I think I would like it better with my wide black belt, but I couldn't find it this morning.vintage dress: thriftedgray tights: ????black boots: christmas giftsilver chain belt: thrifted Read more:eating
looking strangely christmassy 2007-01-17 05:16:00
(What I wore Sunday morning.) Love the drape on the neckline of this sweater; added the belt as an afterthought and turned it backwards for a bit of a twist. Would have loved the look more had the sweater not shed everywhere.sweater: thriftedblack tank: walmart?red belt: clearance at a department store a couple of years ago and not worn until now (!)black skirt: thriftedblack heels: marshalls
posts that inspired me today 2007-01-17 19:20:00
glovettes and recycled sweaters
beautiful rooms (love the green striped floor)
style icon (check out that second photo!)
pompom swags! that's so incredibly awesome
tree murals
dark and moody photographs (They remind me a bit of The Illusionist, actually)
falling garden. It reminds me of a fairy tale.
magnetic poster wall
Read more:posts
design for the masses 2007-01-18 19:22:00 Graham & Brown now at Target! At $49.99 for an 11 yard roll, these coverings aren't as cheap as paint, but their bold, modern, and somehow classic design
s are sure to add a punch to any area, wether it's a room, closet interiour, or back of a bookcase.Link via Apartment Therapy.
what she wore on Wednesday 2007-01-18 14:00:00
I started with the tights and went from there. The light purple sweater was one of the few things that went with them, but a sweater OVER a tshirt is so overdone, so I switched things up a bit. I love the way it looked; unfortunately I had to wear the scarf all day because it was so cold in the office. lavender sweater: thriftedstriped tshirt: wet sealskirt: thriftedburgundy tights: thriftedblack clogs: ebay Read more:Wednesday
you make me wanna link-link! 2007-01-19 20:14:00 I have no idea why Ashlee Simpson's "la-la" is stuck in my head, but it is. Hopefully the above title will exorcise it? Even if it doesn't, here are a bunch of lovely links to help you through the weekend. I won't be here; I'll be in Toledo watching "Phantom of the Opera" courtesy of my father and sisters (tonight) and maybe visiting H&M (tomorrow morning). And on the drive I'll be knitting like a madwoman; I'm making a baby shower present right now and it's just so cute I can't stop. I'll post pictures when it's finished and given; I think the mum reads this. Anyway, on to the links! (That sounded very golf-ish, somehow.)How adorable are these felted brooches? Very adorable, that's how. love this bookshelf. And this wall. And these cards. um, if anyone wants to give me, say, a valentines present, any of these books would work. I wonder if this is as effective as my beloved carmex? I'm sure it smells better. brilliant way to make photos look more arty!I want the knitted wom Read more:wanna
a lovely read 2007-01-19 19:47:00 I recently picked up The Little White Horse, a book that was one of my favorites when I was younger. Now I remember why. Elizabeth Goudge is an excellent writer, but her childrens' books are simply magical. I can see all the scenes unfolding in front of me in technicolor, and I want to step inside the story. This is a fairytale of the sweetest sort, of family and love, and, above all, character. People are valued for their hearts and differences in appearance are cherished. It's truly sweet in the finest sense.
the new yellow coat makes its debut 2007-01-19 14:57:00
I love my coat. If it had all its buttons I would seriously consider wearing it as a dress. But alas, since it dosn't, I'll content myself with throwing it over artful layers and affecting that jaunty "casually unbuttoned in the dead of winter because I LIKE it this way" look. For what it's worth, this outfit started as something much more pedestrian, involving no striking black and white OR red lips. Aren't we all glad I had a last-minute change of heart? The red lipstick, I confess, is an homage to le Porkchop, since she doesn't think I wear glamour often enough. The dress is a bit more square than I usually wear, leaving me waistless. However, it's houndstooth, which is just ineffably cool. And it has those super-cool black panels on the sides that make me look narrower. Maybe. I'll keep telling myself that.
black and white houndstooth vintage dress: thriftedblack and white vintage necklace on left wrist: flea marketwhite bangles on right wrist: ebayblack turtleneck: thr Read more:makes
, debut
a spot of color on a winters day 2007-01-20 23:20:00 We had a lovely trip to Toledo courtesy of my father and sisters. They had even purchased a hotel room for the night so we we spent the morning puttering around the city. I knew there was an H&M there, so I wanted to visit if only to see what all the fuss is about. Well, I'm a convert. It's probably a good thing I don't live nearer one; I can see inordinate portions of my paycheck going in their general direction. I found skinny pants that work for me! Not only that, I bought a pair in the only better than cordoroy: YELLOW cordoroy. They are the awesomeness, I'm sure. We also found these lovely green votives on clearance at Pottery Barn. They had them for Christmas; I can see the color working quite well in the springtime. When we arrived home, I was thrilled to discover a package from the lovely katybird. I was thrilled to find a pair of red flats; I've been obsessed with red shoes, and wanting more flats. Perfectness!
the black/white/yellow obsession continues 2007-01-22 17:44:00
I love the crisp black-and-white with splashes of yellow, but what I really love is the chandelier. I want!
original article
stranger than fiction 2007-01-22 15:45:00
Saw this last night with le husband and brothers-in-law, and rather loved it. I wasn't surprised about that; I knew that if Emma Thompson was involved I probably would (she's brilliant in this, btw). What I was surprised about was how much I loved the look of the film. Color was used throughout the film to set the scene and communicate the mood of the characters, and I rather liked it. I especially loved the spaces around Maggie Gyllenhall's character; they were full of warmth and color and clutter and life. It was lovely.
who needs cable when you have cable internet? 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Someone clued me in yesterday that ABC posts whole episodes online. I am so totally watching all of Ugly Betty as soon as I get caught up on photo editing.
snow day 1970-01-01 00:59:59 It snowed all day yesterday and most of today. I didn't have time to get outside with the camera, so I'll share some Flickr favorites instead. These are all taken in Ohio, and I have to admit that, at least when it comes to snow scenery? Ohio does beat Delaware. Read more:snow day
swappy goodness 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Hullo, blogfriends. The swap fever has caught me, and I'm sharing the love. In honor of the fact that Valentine's day is rapidly approaching, we're going to have a "Lovely Swap." Or fest. Or something.Anyway, these lovely packages will contain:- 1 custom burned mix CD of the best love songs ever (in your never-to-be-humble opinion)- 1 valentine, homemade or storebought- 1 piece of chocolate- 1 beautiful/funny/happy/sappy/silly thing you love
things I think are cool 1970-01-01 00:59:59 tiny things
made largelarge things made smallexceedingly bizarre things people do to save moneyrecycled valentine contest thing Read more:think
brightening up a gray day 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I had a mysterious headache all last night, and it lasted into the morning, blasting into smithereens my plans to accomplish MUCH today. I took revenge on all the snow and my general lethargy by wearing the brightest possible colors and wearing them all together. Besides, the pink rubber boots are fabulously lovely for errand-running in the snow.hot pink tshirt: thriftedorange embroidered shirt: forever 21 clearance rack(awesome) yellow pants: H&Mpink rubber boots: gift
word in progress Friday 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Can't show too much detail in case the recipient reads this; suffice it to say that I have about 30 minutes of knitting on this before I can sew it up. Lovely, eh? I have the pattern memorized now, and I love it! Read more:Friday
, progress
a peek into my world 1970-01-01 00:59:59 This is the wall next to my computer. Click for notes or to see a larger size (I left it pretty huge).
might be worth watching for the clothes? 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Of course, I'm a sucker for a WWII spy film (I even watched that trainwreck with Melanie Griffith called Shining Through in which she affected a wholly unconvincing German accent and Michael Douglas stomped around acting like the brash American) but "The Black Book" looks like it could be interesting. (I'm trying to ignore the fact that the title immediately made me think of "Little Black Book.) I have no clue as to the historical accuracy of it, but one snip from the trailer shows the lead in silk tap pants and garters, and that, my dears, is fabulous. Here's the official site.
inspiration from couture 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Now understand that haute couture is not necessarily supposed to be either wearable or affordable. Its sole reason for existence is beauty. The Spring 2007 shows happened recently (I think it was last week) so I flipped through the image galleries looking for ideas, inspiration, and just plain pretty clothes. You can click on any of the images for larger versions.Chanel: Overall I was underwhelmed with this collection, but then, I've not been a huge fan of Lagerfield's work lately. I especially hated the extremely short skirts; with several of the outfits you could see the crotch and, though well-covered, that tends to generate the whole "is it tights or is it leggings" question which then encourages ladies to wear leggings in lieu of pants and I think we can all agree that is never a good thing.L-R. 1. I love the way he used the very black tights that blend in with the low shoes; it presents a streamlined look without making her feet look big or legs look stumpy. Also like the white
happy birthday el bloggy! 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Um, this is actually two days late. The 25th of this month marked exactly one year since I started this blog as a very lonely chica who had relocated to the Midwest from the East Coast. Much has changed since then (see: acquired a job, lost a mother-in-law) but much is the same: I still love clothes and houses and all things beautiful. I love this little blog; it's the one spot where I can be unabashedly girly without caring what others think. And apparently I'm not the only one that loves prettiness; from 17 visitors that first month to more than 1800 last month, you've all been coming back and bringing friends. It's like all girl party, all the time! Le sigh. Sometimes I think I'm the luckiest girl in the world.
glamour on a budget 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Some months ago the ever-resourceful Bargain Queen posted about the logistics of shopping in secondhand stores; when to go, who to befriend, etc. Well, I'm not rehashing that; she did a fabulous job and there's no point. I am going to share some of the best tricks I've found for dressing with taste and style on a very small budget
.Do buy good quality. At a thrift store, the acrylic discount-chain sweater costs the same amount as the handknit 100% wool one; buy the wool. Skip the teen-store skirt and buy the fully-lined one. There are exceptions (if it's fifty cents, if you are putting together a costume), but most of the time it costs exactly the same to buy cheap clothing as it does to buy well-made pieces.Don't confuse brand name with quality. There are companies that regularly produce excellent quality clothing that will occasionally pop out a real corker. On the other hand, there are little-known brands that produce well-made clothing. Learn to recognize good construction and Read more:glamour
the snow, it falls down 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The quiet snowWill splotchEach in the row of cedarsWith a fineAnd patient hand;Numb the harshness,Tangle of that swamp.It does not say, The sunDoes these things another way.Even on hats of walkers,The air of noiseAnd street-car ledgesIt does not knowThere should be hurry~Raymond Knister"The Quiet Snow"
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