Blazer, H&M; Shirt, AE; Skirt, H&M (circa 2002); Scarf, gifted; Red tights, Carrefour (the European Walmart); Purse, thrifted at Finders Keepers, Boots, Frye.

It’s a short week, Christmas is just around the corner, and DADT was repealed. this is a good Monday, people! I decided to celebrate with bright red tights (shown) and a few well-executed jigs (not shown- count your lucky stars).

Poor Kitcath (aka Cath) has been sick for about a week now. That’s why the blog has been very Lar-heavy lately- and I apologize for that! Know that she looked really cute today even while slumped in her chair with the sniffles. Next time I will sneak some photos of her sinus congestion or no.

Oh! Another less globally applicable positive to the week? I finished my Christmas gift wrapping! Most years I try to get creative with newspaper (generally I hate the look of wrapping paper and feel bad for killing all those wrapping paper trees- so festive). This year I used old paper shopping bags and craft paper (the kind you wrap your breakable IKEA stuff in after you check out), glitter, gold tissue paper and burlap as ribbon. I’m really happy with the result. What I’m less happy about? The four plus hours it took me to do it. Next time, present recipients, I’m tossing it in a plastic shopping bag and calling it a day.

P.S. I did a guest post on The Owl’s Closet today about what to get your book wormie friends (or me) for the holidays. Thanks for asking me, AB!

I’ve been a regular stalker shopper at Ramona West for about a year now. Cath and I have always been big thrifters, but usually in person at places like Good Will and Salvation Army. Online vintage shopping usually makes my palms sweat: will that just look like a costume on me? will it smell extra funky? is the material super-itchy? is that a muumuu and can I pull it off*?

But the minute Daily Candy introduced me to Ramona, my palms stopped sweating and I felt instantly at ease. These vintage pieces are carefully edited and tweaked to look a bit more modern, and the simple joy at knowing that not everyone and his sister will be wearing the same thing as me makes it my go-to site (buh-bye, Urban).

So here are a few pieces that I have from Ramona (probs about half of my “RW collection”):

1) 1970s mini (tights are from high school and boots are old AE).

2) Polka-dot mini (belt from Madewell, boots are 5-year old Target buys).

3) *This piece I call The Muumuu, but I say that with true affection. I saw this on the site and fell in love. I’ve always had a thing for poppies (it started with my early obsession with the Wizard of Oz), and these are hand-painted and gorgeous. I know this is the kind of piece that makes my less-fashionably interested friends question my sartorial sanity. I completely understand. I really do. It makes me love this muumuu more. (Tassel earrings are from the Etsy shop IHeartNorwegianWood).

I can certainly understand why vintage isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I love how unique and gorgeous it can be. Is it harder to wear than jeans and a t-shirt? Definitely. But the effort is worth it, even if people look at you with raised eyebrows, as they adjust their fleece Northface jackets and shuffle past you in their Uggs.