Sometimes, a Shirt Is Meant to Be Worn Backwards

Blouse: thrifted, Value Village

Wrap skirt: thrifted (???)

Purse: Nine West (old)

Beaded bracelet: purchased the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago, Ill.

Silver bangle: hand-me-down

Yellow bracelets: Paisley on Main in Glen Ellyn, Ill.

Wedges: Target

Confession: this shirt is styled backwards. When I picked it out of the rack during my goodbye jaunt to the Shrewsbury Value Village, it appeared to be a white button-down with an embellishment on the back. It even has detailing on the elbows. Sweet, I thought, somehow different that the other five white button-downs I own. When I got in the dressing room it became apparent I was wrong about front versus back. Still, I much prefer the buttons in the front. I think this is a great shirt for days you're slumming it hairstyle-wise. Who will care if your messy bun goes unwashed when they are distracted by the embroidery?

Here's a close-up of the embroidery detail:

Fine Form: Rock Star Planters For Your Garden

Image credit: Stoneface Creations

Apparently winter is going to last for another six weeks, so this edition of Fine Form hearkens to a warmer time of year. 

I do not have a green thumb, but if I were a gardener, I would plant almost all of my ferns and succulents in head planters like these, from Stoneface Creations. They lend a whimsical touch to the typical flower pot by daring to answer, "How would humans look if our hair were made of cascading, flowered plants?" (That answer is obviously 'awesome.') In my mind, they're all members of the same botanical hair band--though a punny band name alludes me. 

I love how their faces are mossy and a little rustic, but part of me would love to buy a few and paint them up like famous rock stars. How cool would Ziggy Stardust look with spiky green leaves atop his head?

Do you use a dress form or mannequin as a display? Share your photos with me, and I may feature them in an upcoming Fine Form post! E-mail photos to bringingupbustform@gmail.com.

Oldies But Goodies: Tulips Galore

I don't remember where I found this blouse, but it was in constant rotation during my community college days. There was a definite feeling of continuing high school. I spent most of those two years buried in activity (editing the student paper, working in the PR department, hiking, my restaurant jobs), attempting to speed time before I could jet off to "real college." I also distracted myself by wearing the most vibrant things I could find.

It was a strange, awkward time. Not that I'm sour about it. Being stuck at home was a drag, though it afforded me free time I'll probably never have again. I had the opportunity to learn how to 'hang out,' something I seldom experienced as your typical high school over-achiever. You see, I had never partied before. I liked to have activities in mind when socializing. Sitting around for several hours in the same room doing, well, nothing, terrified me a little. It took a good year to learn to embrace the relaxation, and maybe part of that was accepting that I was in a transitional phase in my life--that I should just be and enjoy the moment before I lost it. I learned to like parties, and this shirt always seemed perfect for them.

One of my best friends used to shake his head and chuckle every time I wore it because it's one of my most obviously retro pieces, and one of the most "me," as he put it. In addition to the psychedelic tulip print, the sleeves are shortened and bell out at the ends. I always paired it with a gold gilded conch shell necklace, and always with gray jeans. He was right. It had a definite Karlie essence.

Daring to shake it up: I styled it here with a mixed print and a necklace that doesn't scream "70s cocktail party" quite so loudly.

Polka-dot button-down: thrifted, Value Village

Stone necklace: thrifted, Salvation Army

Watch: hand-me-down

Bracelet: flea market find