complimentary fall garb

I know that after Thanksgiving you're supposed to immediately jump on the winter love train, but this year I just want the leaves to last forever. Yes, we have our tree and our apartment is starting to look decidedly holiday, but my wardrobe and mind just can't seem to want to keep up. Can't I have them both? 

These are the photos I promised to share last week showing off my fall garb in a mess of yellow leaves and hat to match. My purplish-pink coat is the perfect compliment to the shock of yellow and pulls and otherwise simple outfit together into something just slightly more chic. Wishful thinking? Perhaps. big kiss, bekuh

Outfit details: coat- Thrifted / Hat: Handmade by Katherine / Scarf- Market find / Jeans- Anthro / Shoes- Born. Shop similar items below.

the cut revealed

So I just realized that I never shared my haircut with you guys! I did decided to go ahead with the long bob and I love it. My hair feels so much healthier, it's easier to style, and the best part is my bangs are almost invisible thanks to some crafty layering by the hairdresser. I couldn't be happier. I especially like my hair this length with hats. I'll be sharing more pics from this same shoot with Maddie soon and you can judge for yourself. big kiss, bekuh

gingham sunset

Those evening walks, we just can't get enough. Sometimes we let Nellie just pick a direction and walk until our feet feel sore and we need a break. Other times we have a destination in mind and it's there and back, with no thought required. This particular walk was one of those we let Nellie choose. We ended up on some dirty side streets near our apartment, but the sun setting was just too pretty to ignore. So out came the camera and Ryan snapped a few pictures of us, trash strewn street and all.

This was the same weekend I thrifted a gorgeous pair of red, hand painted clogs. I'm addicted to the comfort of a clunky wooden heel, what can I say? I've been hunting for the perfect pair of red shoes to complete my autumn wardrobe and at last I've found them. I love how they instantly take a black and white ensemble and turn it into something more fun and funky. The perfect outfit for a walk. big kiss, bekuh

Outfit details- tee: old // skirt: Dalena Vintage // earrings: Shore Handmade Jewelry // shoes: thrifted 

fall outfit inspiration

All this talk of fall fashion had me knee deep in my closet this weekend staring down the possible outfits combinations I could make from the rag-tag collection of clothes I own. I'm determined to make the most of what I own, only buying a few pieces from now until the new year (I'm in desperate need of skirts!) Last week I printed off a handful of images inspiring my autumn wardrobe dreams and taped them to the wall to get a better look. Some obvious themes kept reoccurring: spice colored clothing, richly patterned textiles, and minimal accessories. Longer skirts, tailored slacks, heavy knits, fantastic jackets, and scarves are just a few of the elements I'm looking forward to reintroducing when the weather turns. 

You can read a little more about what's inspiring me above, but I'd love to hear what's inspiring you! If you're on Pinterest I'd love for you to share your outfit inspiration board with me, maybe we can inspire one another. Here's mine. big kiss, bekuh

img sources 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5- unknown // 6 

swinging the day away

My absolute favorite part of the Reading Viaduct had to be the makeshift swing set we happened upon! Some creative soul was smart enough to throw together a few pieces of climbing rope, and two wooden boards to make the coolest playground in Philly. I've always been a big fan of swinging, and spent entirely too much time swinging to and fro while we were up there. My tired legs can attest to that. Ryan's legs were a bit too long for the swings, so he snapped these pictures while I had fun in the sun.

I couldn't resist sharing a few of the photos Ryan took, I think they capture my summertime look perfectly. My dark wash denim shorts have become quite the weekend wardrobe staple. I pretty much haven't taken them off since this post. I'm finding myself drawn to neutrals more and more lately, and white is topping my list of go to colors currently. Anything I can throw on in a flash, and walk out the door feeling good in is alright with me.

Outfit details: scarf- Vintage // sunglasses- Anthropologie // top- Zara (last season) // shorts- Urban Outfitters // shoes- Payless

big kiss, bekuh

a handmade devotion

Buying handmade is really important guys. I mean REALLY important. Not only to our economic future, and in support of its creators, but also to our cultural heritage. Think back over the course of all civilization. The objects we hold most dear are the works of countless craftsmen, and artists. The past is defined by the objects that remain of it. What will the future generations think of us?

In an age of instant gratification, it's easy to forgo handmade in favor of what's cheap and accessible in the moment. I'm guilty of it myself. I can't tell you how many one of a kind, truly unique pieces I could have bought if I'd just refused to buy the cheap dresses in the mall instead. It's maddening really. Like in all facets of my life I'm starting to realize that fewer, more unique pieces, bought for quality over price is the way to go.

Over the last year or so I've thought a lot about ways to integrate more handmade pieces of clothing and accessories into my wardrobe. Whether it's saving up for the big ticket items I've had my heart set on for years, or smaller pieces from local artisans and online shops I admire. Lucky for all of us the internet has given us access to an endless supply of clothing and jewelry designers to choose from. I'm often taken aback by the beauty that's out there. It's time that we start thinking about fashion differently.

The easiest place for me to start my handmade devotion has been jewelry. I've begun seeking out new designers to love, and I've managed to add a few key pieces to my jewelry box. It's a slow process but worth it. So, you can imagine my surprise when Uncommon Goods reached out, and asked me to review a piece from their handmade jewelry collection! A dream come true really. What I love about Uncommon Good's selection is that they work with independent designers to create small handmade collections for their site. Meaning these artists are getting the exposure and support of a big company for their handmade business, and Uncommon Goods is getting a truly unique assortment of jewelry for their customers. A pretty cool partnership if you ask me.

I'm wearing the Hammered Cuff (you can shop for it here) made by Chicago based jewelry designer Dana Reed. I was instantly drawn to the mixed metals, and hammered detailing on this bracelet, and it's even more amazing in person! You have to read the artist's inspiration for this bracelet, and the story of luck behind it, it's so good. I'll treasure this handmade cuff for years to come.

Are you a jewelry designer looking to grow your following, and expand your collection? Uncommon Goods is currently hosting their annual Jewelry Design Challenge, with the chance to win $500 and a vendor contract. This could be your chance, enter here. big kiss, bekuh

earning my stripes

This weekend was one of those perfect spring weekends where every second spent outside makes you happier and happier to be alive. We ate ice cream, played in the sun, and I changed three times; because that's what you do when you're happy, and the wind blows your skirt over your head. Embarrassingly true.

Where to buy: shorts: UO // shirt: Free People // necklace: Catbird NYC

I think I must have an addiction to vitamin D because I can't get enough of the sunshine! I spend most of winter drained of my energy, lack lustre, faded. Then spring creeps in and I feel like jumping all the time, dancing in the streets, and singing randomly to myself. I'm feeling like a rockstar, watch out world. big kiss, bekuh

A Sad Goodbye

With heavy hearts Katie and I have made the grown up decision to close the Button Factory. After several months of idling by we finally realized that both of our focuses had shifted, and our once fiery passion for selling vintage was burnt up. I think we both felt disconnected from the brand, and didn't find the community we'd hoped for online. Our real dream was to open a brick-and-mortar shop, but we quickly realized that neither of us was in a financial position to make it happen right now.

We are so appreciative of everyone who bought items in the store, and hope you love your pieces for years to come. We learned a lot about ourselves through this journey, and each other. Running an online store is no easy task; I have upmost respect for those of you who do this for a living. I know I still have dreams of owning a vintage store one day (maybe when I retire), and I betcha Katie does too.

We will be officially closing the store on March first, but in the meantime we hope you'll buy up some of our stock online! EVERYTHING is 50% off!! No coupon required, we already marked it down. This is a great chance to snatch up your favorited pieces for an extra low price. We won't be discounting them any further so make sure to buy it now. You can visit the store here.

It was fun while it lasted. We hope you enjoyed it too. big kiss, bekuh

Getting real about fashion on my blog

(Outfit Details: Dress- GAP via Ebay//Belt- Target (off a skirt)//Blazer- Thrifted)

When I started Secondhand Sundays almost two years ago I never imagined that I'd start taking photos of the strange get-ups I wear, and share them with the gazillion people floating around on the web everyday. Why? Well, because I'm not that fashionable. I hate spending money, I don't buy a lot of trendy things, and I purge my closet every couple months or so hoping to make a little green at Plato's Closet so my husband and I can go on a date. Yep, we're that broke.

I started blogging as a way to share my creative endeavors with the world and somewhere down the line that mission got lost in the sea of fashion. Don't get me wrong, I like clothes, and I love shopping. I have an average sized wardrobe for an American woman, which is still way more than the average sized wardrobe across the globe. Taking photos of my outfits has forced me to really stretch my style, experiment with new ways of layering, and examine what works on my petite body. These are all the positive outcomes of outfit posting.

The problem is that I've started to measure my closet against the bloggers out there who are paid to wear clothes from various brands. I do not have a bottomless pit of clothes and accessories to choose from when I wake up in the morning. And if I'm being honest...I don't want one. The comparison living needs to stop here. Sure, I've received an item or two from brands, and I'm happy to share clothes I really love in this space. I don't think there is anything wrong with getting paid to wear clothes, especially if that's what you want to blog about. I read fashion blogs daily and they've saved me so much money on glossy mags the past couple of years because of it. I think they're AWESOME.
I am not a fashion blogger though, and I'm not really sure that's a direction I want to go deeper into on the blog. I like boring things like wearing one brand of jeans over and over, wearing stripes ALWAYS, buying all of my cardigans from JCrew, and wearing thrifted shoes. Not the makings of the next fashion blogger all-star folks. The beginnings of this space are rooted in my passion for creative living, roots I'd like to get back to. Which leads me to this...

My Closet posts are going to be a little more sparse in these parts for awhile. I'm taking a step back from the pressure to post outfits weekly, so I can focus on more personal content instead. You may have already noticed the lull. Mostly, I want time to post more daily life, more adventure, more art, more me. That doesn't mean that I won't ever do another outfit post, if the timing is right one may slip through the cracks and appear from time to time. It's mostly just self imposed pressure anyway. That also doesn't mean that I won't post outfit details if asked, or mention what I'm wearing in our married life adventures. This is just a minor change, and I like to keep my readers in the loop about what's going on in my discombobulated brain. December is going to be a fun month, and there are sure to be lots of posts to fill the days with! big kiss, bekuh

PS- This is all just personal mumbo-jumbo and should be taken with a grain of salt. Like I said I love fashion blogs; and I admire the women behind them.

Fallen Leaves in My Eyes

The trees are giving up all of their leaves now, and piles of them can be seen on the medians in all our neighborhoods. This is the part of fall that is so bittersweet to me. I love the changing leaves, I love how the world seems more alive right before it begins to hibernate. I love how my wardrobe suddenly starts to blend in with my surroundings. There is so much to love about this season, but the part that is so bitter to taste is the bareness that follows these changes. I wish winter would stay away just a little longer. But, let's save those feelings for another day and celebrate today instead!

Outfit Details- skirt: c/o Knitted Dove (available at ShopRuche.com)//sweater: H&M//

Tank: Marshall's//Necklace: Catbird//Tights: Target//Shoes:Rugged Warehouse//Hat: Vintage

Its been colder around here, impart do to that dreadful Sandy, and as such I'm thankful for layers and woolen things. Wool skirts are one of my favorite parts about fall and winter ensembles. They're so cozy and easy to wear, and tights keep them from itching. Vintage ones, new ones, hand-me-down ones, I'll take them all. I'd been coveting a couple of these skirts across the web, so I was thrilled when the Knitted Dove contacted me about their fall line, because one of those coveted skirts was from their collection at Ruche. It's a perfect companion to my growing collection of jewel-toned tops.

In about a month I'll be wearing a parka with this, but for now I'll dance in the leaves and enjoy mother nature's fall confetti in just a woolen cap and skirt. Thank-you-very-much. Throw a big pile of leaves in the air today. I dare you. big kiss, bekuh

Plaid Days of Indian Summer

It's been raining more lately, which should only help to make the next couple months even more beautiful. We haven't let a little mist keep us from taking evening walks as a family and enjoying the sweet moments that come at unexpected times.

Katie and I recently attended a vintage clothing sale and snagged quite a few jewels, including this dress. See what I mean by unexpected moments in time? I couldn't wait to wear this out and about and of course Ryan was there to snap a few pictures. Nellie really liked my dress too and agreed to do a mother daughter outfit post in honor of the occasion. 

Bekuh Outfit Details: dress- vintage//shoes- Ugglebo//necklace- Topshop (London 2006)

Nellie Outfit Details: collar- Petco//leash- Ebay

I think I'm going to make it a goal to take Nellie on a "real" walk 5 days a week. We could both use the adventure, and the exercise. I've always wanted an exercise buddy. big kiss, bekuh

I Blame it on Caravaggio

As an art student you're asked to really evaluate what art speaks to you, and what artists have consistently inspired you. This is an exercise both in the history of art, but also your influences. We all come into creating something with a preconceived idea of what we want it to look like, and that idea has influences. One the of artists I have always admired most is Caravaggio. His dramatic shadows, and focused light illuminate only the important details in his canvases, and help you focus on what's important both in the composition, and to your senses. Because of Caravaggio I love images with deep shadows, and intense light. These images are sort of a study of that.

What got me thinking about Caravaggio? Well, I'm taking the Study of Light e-course with Arrow&Apple and they asked us to collect images with lighting we find engaging, and inspiring. I created a new board on Pinterest for this and after pinning a dozen or so images I realized that Caravaggio's influence on me has not faded. If you'd like to see for yourself you can find the board here.

Outfit details: skirt- consignment (UO)// shirt- American Eagle// Belt- Target (off a skirt)// shoes- Fossil// earrings- bought in Spain

This course has really got me thinking a lot about the direction of my photography, and what I'd like to explore next. If you've followed this blog for awhile, you've probably seen the evolution of my photography style, and it's improvement in the last two years. I love learning about my camera, and I want to continue learning more about it everyday. I feel like I've just started. I hope you'll stick around as I explore more. big kiss, bekuh

playing dress up

I am seriously loving sunny afternoons. With bare shoulders, and sunnies on I sit on my porch enjoying the warm spring, and often times good company, that surrounds me. Spring is definitely a time for light fabrics, florals, and girly things like heart shaped sunglasses. I'm really loving mixing patterns like florals and stripes and this outfit may be the most fun yet.

I was recently contacted by Scarves Dot Net about showcasing one of their scarves in a style post and I jumped for joy at the chance to show off one of their amazing scarves. It took me a full two days to narrow it down to the red and white striped infinity scarf you see above (Tessa Striped Loop Scarf). I still can't believe their selection and the prices will definitely keep me coming back for more.

I love how the bright red in the scarf picks up the pinks and reds in my vintage frock and the scarf is lightweight enough I'll be able to accessorize it throughout the summer and fall too. I'm seeing a lot more pattern mashes in my future. 

Outfit Details:: dress: the Button Factory//scarf: c/o Scarves Dot Net// sunnies: Ebay// shoes: Fossil

I felt like a little girl playing in her mommy's closet for the afternoon and couldn't help curtsying the day away in a pretty dress with bright accessories to play with. Perfect for a Sunday brunch, picnic in a park, or kissing your true love. big kiss, bekuh