Guest Posting

Hey guys,

 I'm guest blogging over at Jen's blog: Librarian Tells All. She has a lovely blog and I'm so happy to be guest blogging for her while she's on vacation. If you want to pop over and see my post and check out her blog, please do!

I hope you all are having a fantastic Monday!

xo,

Em

Vintage On The Cheap: Undergarments

Hello lovelies, 

I'm writing to you from my comfy couch, knee deep in Kleenex and loads of medicines. Working with children (many who are sick this time of the year) has done a number on me and I'm laid up for a bit. Since I'm not up to any outfit posting I thought I'd share some vintage inspired things that you can buy on a budget. These things are items I think ladies who are interested in vintage/vintage inspired looks will appreciate, and certainly will not break the bank. Now you can feel vintage and vixen-like on the cheap.

Stockings are something that can be quite expensive. I have a couple of fully fashioned ones (vintage and new) that were a little pricier, but if you want that look and don't want to spend the money Doll House Bettie has two classic stockings that are perfect. They have a nude with black seams and the black with seams as well. At $8 a pair they are certainly a steal. I have some and they are not fully fashioned but they are 100% nylon and feel and look expensive for how inexpensive they are. 

A Garter belt is something that is a must to hold up your pretty stockings and can also be quite pricey. I found a lovely Rago 6 strap on Amazon that really fits the bill. Only $35 and since it's Rago you know it's a good quality item.

A classic bra that gives you that bullet bra-esque shape can also get up there price wise. I mentioned this in my last post, but Amazon carries a great one by Exquisite Form for only about $12.80. I have one, and I still use my bullet bra pads to fill out the very tips of the bra, but it creates a wonderful vintage shape. In three colors it can go great with all your outfits.

High Waisted Undies are something that will complete your look. When wearing anything high waisted if you have low waisted undergarments on it can leave a crease and look a little odd. Amazon has some by Illusion's that are quite inexpensive.

Doll House Bettie also has some amazing quality undies (I loveee Doll House Bettie if you couldn't tell) as well. They aren't quite as cheap but some are not terribly expensive. You should browse around if you're in the market.

Are there any brands that have classic garments but aren't super expensive that you love too?

xo,

 Em

Sweaters and Such

Sometimes life is great and sometimes things get hard. This past little bit has been hard on Tyler and I so this past weekend we went away to my grandparents old house in Kentucky. They live in Nashville now, but still have the home and it's a wonderful escape. I would recommend to any of you in times of stress and worry if you can get away even for a day it helps ever so much. Any way, on to my outfit.

 I've been really inspired by Instagram lately. There are so many amazing vintage ladies on there. It's also making me want to change my hair color so badly! But I shall prevail and eventually have my natural color back (probably followed by me dying it red I'm thinking...) If you want to follow me I'm emmyrenee.

50's blouse thrifted

70's skirt thrifted

50's sweater my mom's

belt thrifted

shoes not sure...

40's bakelite etsy

scarf from my trip to italy

I was doing a little experimenting with doing my eye brows darker, and I quite like it. Maybe not every day, but it's a fun change. Oh also, I'm wearing a great bullet bra that Janey from Atomic Redhead suggested. It was from Amazon and it's by Exquisite Form. It was only $12.80 which is a huge bargain. 

How is your week going?

xo,

 Em

What I Wear To Work

I hear a lot of people talk about how they couldn't dress vintage or vintage inspired because of their work or because it takes too much time to get put together. I just want to say I think both of these things are not really true, for the most part at least. I'm a preschool teacher; this involves lots of paint, messy lunches, sick kids, and yes...throw up and poop on occasion. I'm constantly running after kids and outside for part of the day as well. Also, I get ready in about 30 minutes in the morning, I sleep until the last possible moment, so I don't spend hours on my appearance. I thought I'd share a super simple outfit that I wore to work recently. 

 Really easy outfit and super easy to move around in. It took me five minutes to throw my hair up and nothing was complicated at all. I just want to encourage anybody out there that feels like it takes too long or they can't dress a certain way for work, sure you can! I'm surrounded by women in sweat pants and t-shirts so yeah I stick out, but I feel great about the way I'm dressed and very confident that I'm staying true to myself.

shirt nudeedudee

skirt thrifted

belt thrifted

scarf vintage

sweater gap (very old)

tights target

shoes jessica simpson

Do you ever feel like you struggle with what you wear to work or how people will perceive you?

xo,

 Em

My Love

Hello my lovelies, how was your weekend? Mine was amazing and now it's the first day of October! My absolute favorite month, it's the beginning of chilly weather, sweaters, tights, and yummy soups. It was around this time of the year that Tyler and I really started to get serious a few years ago and I always feel nostalgic and romantic when fall starts. So, I figured I'd share some photos of him and I from college when we first started dating. We both look so different, but it's fun looking back on all the memories.

 1. and 2. baking cookies in my apartment 

3. whipped cream war

 4. sitting in the hallway before our one act starts

5. and 6. in california when i visited ty while he was at film school

 Is there a special time of the year that makes you think of your loved one?

xo,

 Em

Life Lately

Life lately has its ups and downs per usual. Tyler has finished his big project at work (last night he was working until 3:00am) so we will finally have some time for relaxing. The weather here lately in Tennessee is completely beautiful. Fall is our favorite season and Ty is already breaking out his winter coats and I'm thinking of tights and sweaters. There will of course still be warm and probably very hot days ahead, but we can dream.

I'm a little frustrated at the moment with loosing weight. I was doing so well and exercising, then I fell off the band wagon for a few weeks. Ugh. It's the worst when you're on a roll with something and you stop and have to pick it back up again. It feels a bit like you'll never make it, but I'm determined to! Even if I fall behind a bit, I'll make myself catch back up. Do any of you struggle with falling off the band wagon a bit?

Here are some instagram pics that have been life for the past month. You can follow me at emmyrenee if you like.

Not nannying has given me lots of time to cook. This was an amazing pork chop and mushroom sauce I made one night. Yummy.

Whenever we go to the movies we head to the photo booth.

New books and new found time to read them!

My hair is finally feeling healthy again. It's shiny and will hold pin curls easily. Thank goodness!

Pretty outfit planning.

Antiquing is always fun. I love finding old sheet music.

I hope you all are doing well! I'm off to think about planning dinner and then to jog! Yes, that's right, here I come band wagon!

xo,

 Em

The Truth About My Skin

I've gotten several lovely compliments over the last month about my skin and questions wondering what I do to keep it in it's condition. I've put off for a long time talking about my skin regime because, well, I really don't have super good skin.

 During high school I never had any acne problems, and perhaps it was my bodies way of getting back at me, but when I went to college my skin went crazy. I've struggled for the last four or so years with cystic acne, which are terrible cysts that hurt something awful. I don't usually get a normal break out just some of these cysts, and they can last for a month...gaaah. I go to a Dermatologist and get topical and oral medication to help with this, and therefore I feel like I kind of cheat myself into better skin to some degree.

However, I do have some things I swear by and some ways I keep my skin in tip top condition, even with it being problematic.

1. I only use CeraVe lotion and face wash. It's recommended by my dermatologist, and especially good for people with sensitive skin. The face wash comes in two kinds: one for normal to oily skin and one for normal to dry skin. You can get it at Target, Walgreens, and I think Walmart sometimes carries it as well. It's really amazing and I've tried other cleansers and lotions but they make me break out and irritate my skin.

2. I stick to the make up that works for me and don't try a whole lot else, at least when it comes to foundation. I use MAC foundation and powder, not only because it matches my skin tone, but also because it doesn't make me break out. I once tried to switch to a cheaper foundation and broke out for about two weeks. Never again will I try that. My skin can get quite ruddy when it's having problems and MAC always makes it look so lovely and even.

3. I stay away from the sun, and if I'm in the sun I'm sporting a good bit of sun screen. In our culture it seems being ubber ubber tan is the thing to be at the moment, but all those ladies going to the tanning beds and laying out for hours are gonna be sad old bitties one day with sun spots and damaged skin. 

4. I always...ALWAYS... take off my make up before I sleep. It surprises me how many girls just fall asleep with it on, but it's just horrible for your skin. Do your skin a favor and give it a good washing and moisturizing in the evening and morning.

These are very basic things and probably nothing new to most of you, but these are the things I stick to, and what keeps my skin in good condition.

What are some of your skin care regimes?

xo,

 Em