Indefinite Hiatus

shirt - thrifted / shoes - Hot Chocolate Designs / belt - Pinup Girl Clothing / skirt - Vintage Galeria via etsy

Well, this is going to be kind of a weird post. These are the last OOTD photos I took with the intention of posting them to the blog. So I figured I might as well go with it. But this post isn't really about what I'm wearing.

It's about taking a break.

I don't know if/when I'll be back here. Maybe I'll feel compelled to randomly post here. Maybe I'll never return. I don't know. I won't delete Betties N Brimstone; there are a lot of good posts on here... I have the first two years of Iggy's life documented here... but I think that I'm done for now.

I posted about Vintage Galeria before here. 

I've had this blog since 2010. Longer than a lot of other blogs I've read. I'm sad to let it go, but I told myself that if I hated it, I can always come back. But right now it's more of a chore than something I like to do. I'm not getting out of it what I'd hoped.

I feel like I'm doing a LOT of things right now "just ok." If I stop spinning some of my wheels, maybe I can do fewer things "better."

I'm not disappearing completely... although I am seriously considering deleting my Facebook profile altogether. Related but separate. Right now my plans are to just stay connected via Instagram (@hellrazor) and Pinterest, and I'll keep the Hell Razor etsy shop open, although I add new items fairly infrequently because I don't make many sales. Not always worth the effort I put into it.

Ha - it kinda sucks because I just made all new stickers for the Hell Razor shop that also have the BnB logo and address on them. Figures, right?



I figured that if I miss doing OOTD posts, I can always just put them on IG. I can share cool stuff that I find and buy there, too.

In case you're theorizing about why I'm going, it's nothing exciting. My family is all intact - Iggy, Todd, and I are doing just fine. And everyone is healthy. I kind of started mulling over my mental motivations for stopping the blog here, and I guess after that I really tried, I pushed to make the blog more successful, framing it as a way to help others find their own style via this blog, rather than a haphazard scatter-brained collection of OOTDs, DIYs, recipes, travel/field trip posts, and general "journal-y" posts lumped together as a "lifestyle" blog.

But I can't do it right now.



I do feel bad for anyone who does read this (the handful of you, lol!) and I felt the need to explain my absence and not just disappear suddenly without warning. Sorry guys.

Rock On,
Jen @ Hell Razor

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What to Look for When Thrifting, Pinup Style

(This blog post is re-posted (with slight updates) from a guest post originally published on the Pinup Persuasion blog back in December 2015.)

So many people tell me that they never find anything when they go thrifting… but you have to know WHERE and HOW to look! It also doesn’t hurt to go regularly. Some days I score big time, and other times I may walk out with nothing. I thought it would be fun to have you virtually "walk through" the store with  me, and see where I like to stop and look, and what I specifically look for.

Here’s a typical trip through the thrift store with me:

I start at housewares. I collect Pyrex, so I buzz past there first, just in case… on this particular day, there were two pieces of Pyrex, but they were so dishwasher-damaged that it wasn’t worth it. Pass. I haven't had a ton of luck as of late with Pyrex, but I always look. You never know.



Then, I head over to pictures and frames. I collect religious art, so I sometimes find an awesome unexpected gaudy piece for my collection. No such luck today, but there are always a bunch of chunky frames (you can buy these and just pop out the artwork and glass!) that are super cool for brooch display boards and other DIY projects.

Speaking of brooches, I like to wander by the jewelry display case to see what kind of cute brooches or other accessories are available:



At the time, there were a ton of cute holiday brooches available. I already have a couple of super cute Christmas brooches, so I passed. I dream of one day spotting a Bakelite bangle… but it hasn’t happened yet!

Next, I wander through the other housewares and decorative items. Today I found an awesome black cat sculptural ceramic piece that I think I’ll use to hold business cards at art fairs. Score! Keep your eyes open for cute vintage-y vases and candle holders in this section, too. I once found a pair of super awesome wall-hanging gothic candle sconces in this department, so expect the unexpected!



Next, I stroll past the skirts, just in case. Savers organizes all of their clothing by size, so I’ve developed a pretty good scanning eye for specific fabrics (I once snagged a Hell Bunny dress for $9.99!), and I seem to have pretty good success at finding pencil skirts in vintage-y wool plaid fabrics. I’m always looking for swing or circle skirts, too. Because I can find skirts at such a low price, I'm not afraid to practice my hemming skills on them. Even if I mess it up, it's much less daunting on a skirt that you only paid a few bucks for.

One of my favorite sections as of late is cardigans! I have discovered that it is best not to put yourself in just one size. I’ve found awesome sweaters tagged large, medium, AND small, so you never know. If you have the patience, flip through all of them, and pull out anything that catches your eye. You can try them on later and weed out your faves. It’s amazing how many designer brands you can find on the rack!

Ann Taylor LOFT?!

Banana Republic! 

I always look for pin-up-ish cardigans, which means that they have a slightly fitted style to them, which often means sizing down. Lately, I’ve been scouring for cropped cardigans, as I’m only 5’1” and the cropped style works really great over my vintage repro dresses. Be open minded! I’m always surprised at what works and what doesn’t prior to trying them on! Today I found four possible winners that I threw into my cart:



I tried them on, and ended up keeping the black cropped cardigan (always a staple piece that one can use - and I ended up wearing this sweater ALL the time!) and the striped tie-style cardigan:



Normally, I don’t go for tie-style cardigans, but I do love me some black and white stripes! I have a black Jenny dress from Pinup Girl Clothing that would be so cute with this! Score!

I have actually built up quite a collection of cardigans from thrifting, both cropped and longer length:

You can read more about my bedroom storage solutions here.

I keep a running list of what colors I have, so that when I’m out, I can look specifically for colors that I don’t have, and don’t accidentally re-buy a piece I already own! The best part about thrifting for cardigans is that I typically spend only $5-$10 per sweater, sometimes less if there’s a sale or I have a coupon!

Next, I head across the aisle to long-sleeve knits. This section is newer for me. I used to skip over it, until I realized how many awesome boat-neck-style tops I could find for my circle skirts for awesome prices! I usually hunt for specific colors that my wardrobe is lacking, which makes hunting a bit easier. Check out these four options I spotted right away!




On the way to the next section, I pass by coats and skim the options. Today there was a super cool faux fur coat that’d be great for a pinup style! I don’t currently need a winter coat, so I passed, but how cool is this?



After that, I head over to my new favorite section: lingerie and nightgowns! I’m on the hunt for awesome vintage nighties and glamorous robes...



So far my collection is quite small. Only two vintage nightgowns. But today I found this awesome long sheer black robe/dressing gown that I am so psyched about! I think I’m going to start lounging around the house in this and pretend I’m Dita Von Teese. :) All I need now are some maribou slippers...

My final stop on the thrifting rounds is belts and accessories. This is a great place to find vintage hair scarves! I have a ridiculous collection right now though, so I instead focus on belts.



Just like cardigans, I’m kind of collecting a whole rainbow of options at the moment. The best part about thrifted belts is that I typically pay $1-2 dollars each, so if they don’t hold up, I’m not too sad about it, and I can usually find a replacement fairly easily. Today I spotted three potential options:



But when I tried them on, one was just too worn out, and the other two were too big. Whomp whomp. Even though I didn’t get any belts today, I have actually had a LOT of luck finding them in the past!

Check out this collection:



Every single belt in this photo was thrifted!

In the end, I purchased six items: two cardigans (one black cropped, one striped tie-style cropped), a vintage Tupperware canister in green, a ceramic black cat sculpture, the long black sheer robe, and a pale pink nightie. My total was $21. Seriously! Awesome!



...and all of this was just one trip on one week to the thrift store. Every week is different from the rest. You just have to keep going and looking, and you never know what treasures you’ll end up with! Some weeks I bring home absolutely nothing, and others are a thrifting vintage-lover's dream!

Let me know what awesome items you’ve scored while thrifting!

Rock On,
Jen @ Hell Razor

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Thrifting Staple Pieces for Your Wardrobe

shirt - Motorhead (Amazon) / skirt - thrifted / shoes - Dr Scholl's via Zappos

I found this really great skirt while out thrifting a couple of weeks ago, and I thought I'd share not only how I styled it for a casual summer look, but how I go about looking for and selecting "staple" pieces while thrifting.

This maxi skirt was perfect for me for many reasons:

1. It had a fold-over "yoga" style waistband, which allowed me to customize the length for my shortness.
2. It had a black and white color scheme, which coordinates with pretty much anything in my closet. 
3. It is a super comfortable option for summer months/heat (a maxi skirt is one of my no-shorts summer wardrobe options!)
4. It was $5. 
5. It's made from stretchy t-shirt material, which is super easy to care for.
6. It has a grungy, goth feel to it. Reminded me of this dress from Disturbia. 

A skirt like this is super easy to style. In this case, I paired it with a black band t-shirt (hey favorite Motorhead shirt!), but I could also pair this skirt with a plain black tank or tee and a long necklace for a fancier look with equal comfortable-ness.

It's a black-and-white tye-dye, but it also reminds me of ink blots or ombre black ink bleeding dye, which is an aesthetic that I've been fascinated with for some time:



Although it is thrifted, the tag on this skirt says "Mossimo Supply Co," so I know that it originally was from Target, although heck if I know how long ago. I don't remember ever seeing it. If I saw this on someone else though and wanted my own, I'd probably start searching Poshmark and Depop to find something similar. Of course, you could also scour your own thrift stores and hope to get lucky, too!



Thankfully, my local Savers has dressing rooms so that I can try on stuff. You might think "ew" for trying on stuff at the thrift store (especially since I immediately wash everything I buy from there upon getting home), but it's really a good idea to just suck it up and try on stuff because sizing is weird. I own stuff labeled size small, and other things labeled L/XL. So it's best not to just use the size tag as your guide, but to just try the darn things on! In this case, I was worried about the length, but you can see in the photo above, by adjusting the rollover waistband, the length is definitely not a problem. The other bonus part about thrifted items is that they've often been washed/worn/pre-shrunk, so you don't need to worry about your cotton item changing shape or suddenly becoming too short after the first wash!



This outfit was kind of like wearing pajama pants all day! I wore my usual stretchy "bike" shorts underneath, but this was a great way to beat the heat and stay comfortable.

In the past, I've discussed thrifting for sweaters, cardigans, and belts, which are some of my all-time favorite wardrobe staple items. A maxi skirt is definitely another versatile staple item that I think everyone could use in their wardrobe. What other "staple" wardrobe items do you look out for when thrifting?

Rock On,
Jen @ Hell Razor

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How to Plan a Vacation Wardrobe

Hey! I'm on vacation this week! We're traveling with Lisa and her family to the cherry festival in Michigan, which got me thinking about planning for travel and packing your wardrobe for vacation-ing times. Here are some of my top tips for planning and packing your vacation wardrobe:

1. Pack items that can do double-duty, like a good pair of jeans! 
They can be dressed up or down, cuffed as capris or rolled down for full coverage, depending on the weather or activity. Check out my previous post all about denim and footwear choices, to create a variety of different styling options!

2. Have at least one "dressier" item, just in case. 
You never know... you might find yourself out at a nice restaurant or gathering. You don't want to feel out of place in shorts and flip-flops, so be prepared! Even a simple t-shirt dress can be made to look more dressy for evening (check my t-shirt dress post for details!), plus it's one of those "double-duty" items I talked about in #1 above!

3. Don't forget about sun protection! 
Bring sunblock, a floppy hat, big shades, and even a parasol for blocking the harsh sun! Especially if you happen to be a major sun-avoider, like me. :)

4. Comfortable footwear is of utmost importance.
Be sure that the shoes that you bring are comfortable and already broken in! Vacationing tends to mean a lot of walking, typically more than usual. Nothing is worse than aching feet, or even worse, a blister! Pack at least one pair of sneaker-style shoes, a comfortable pair of flats (like ballet flats), and a pair of sandals/flip flops for trips to the pool or short walks. Oh, and make sure that you bring socks appropriate to the footwear, like footies for your ballet flats.

5. Lay out your outfits ahead of time, to make sure that you've accounted for everything.
Underwear and bras? Check. Socks? Check. Jewelry? Check. Nothing's worse than arriving at your destination to discover that you forgot hair ties or underwear. Doh! But don't freak out completely - most destinations have a Target or other similar shopping center nearby. You can always go and buy missing items if need be... but isn't it so much better to remember them in the first place?

6. Pick a purse/handbag that leaves your hands free.
With all of that walking around, you don't want to be carrying around your cute bowler/doctor bag by the handle all day. Find a bag that you can wear cross-body style, or even skip the purse altogether in favor of a backpack! You'll be so much more comfortable.

7. Consider a simplified makeup routine.
Oh boy, this one is pretty major for me. I have a giant train case filled with makeup that I've lugged with me on vacation in the past. It's pretty entertaining, actually. But when I really think about it, I only use a fraction of the items inside on a daily basis. A few days before my trip, I pay attention to which items I use the most, and put those into a zipper bag, which lightens my load (literally) quite considerably.

8. Bring a swimsuit. 
I always think "Oh, I'm not going to the hotel pool! I don't need a swimsuit!" but then I get there and it's so dang hot that sitting by the pool sounds like the best idea ever. If only I'd brought my suit. This year, we're taking Iggy with us, so even if I'm not going swimming, he probably will want to. A swimsuit takes up very little space in your bag, so toss one in there. You never know.

9. Bring an extra shirt. 
Again, you never know. And if you don't bring one, you will inevitably spill something awful on the one you're wearing at dinner. I like to wear "bottoms" more than once, if possible, when traveling (see #1 - double-duty items), so I find that a 2-tops-to-1-bottom ratio works out pretty well and helps me to pack light!

10. Have a "dirty clothes" bag.
Ok, so this one isn't exactly part of planning a wardrobe, but it's one of my favorite packing tips for travel, so it deserves to be shared here. I use a bag (like a white kitchen trash bag, but you could use any kind of bag that is the right size for you) to store my dirty/worn clothes while traveling, so that when I get home, I can easily identify what needs to be laundered, and what can simply be put back. Even if you're traveling for long enough that you'll do some laundry while on your trip, being able to easily separate out dirty/clean items is so helpful!

BONUS TIP #11: Pajamas. 
...Just don't forget them, ok? Know that your hotel will have the fire alarm go off in the middle of the night if you do NOT bring PJs, or if your PJs are not suitable for public viewing. If necessary, go to Target and buy an inexpensive set for your trip.

You're welcome.

*        *        *        *        *

I decided to do a little window shopping and come up with an outfit that'd be perfect for walking around outside at a cherry festival, since that's our vacation this year:



I chose a pair of denim cropped/cuffed jeans since they're my favorite summer clothing staple, and they're great for a variety of weather conditions/outdoor activities. I thought they'd be cute with these leopard and cherry flats, since they're festive but also sensible!

I selected the top because I love the retro/rockabilly style, and that it could be easily layered under a sweater or light jacket if the weather became cooler. I'd probably pair it with a red bandana hair scarf, black cat eye, and red lipstick. The purse is super cute, and looks like it has rings for a cross-body strap, so that'd be perfect for walking around all day!

Lastly, a giant pair of cat eye sunglasses and a sun-blocking parasol would complete the look and shield my vampire eyes and pale skin from daytime rays.

Where are you going on vacation this summer? Got any secret packing or planning tips to share?

Rock On,
Jen @ Hell Razor

now playing:

How to Create Color Wheel-Inspired Fairy Tale Fashion

dress - Pinup Girl Clothing / shoes - Hot Chocolate Designs / belt - thrifted / sweater - thrifted / lego heart necklace - etsy

Way back when I posted this OOTD in all-purple, I mentioned that this particular dress (the Jenny dress from Pinup Girl Clothing) was one that I really loved, and therefore owned in several different patterns/colors. I mentioned my Snow White version, and realized that I'd never shot photos in it, so here we go.

The dress is a very lovely shade of blue, which is a color that I like, but I don't really wear too often. It has a super fun Snow White-themed print by Stephanie Buscema, who makes really cool artwork, much of it Halloween-y themed.

As much as I love the Jenny dress, I always have to get them shortened, and the bodice then is just a tad too long for me, which I solve/disguise by wearing a belt over my dresses. In this case today, I chose a red patent belt I found while thrifting.



Here's a close-up of this awesome Snow White print:



Originally, I was going to go with a red theme and wear a red sweater with this dress. You know, to go with the red belt and red heart necklace. But when I put it on, the reds didn't quite match and it bothered me. Sometimes if colors don't match but they're "close enough," you can get away with it. Or, if the shades are different enough to look purposeful, you can still wear the same color. But in this case, it was a definite no.

So... I decided to pair my yellow cropped cardigan (also a thrift shopping find!) with my blue dress and red accents. You might be wondering why, especially if you saw this print in person. Those yellow elements on the pattern are actually more yellow-green. So I wasn't trying to match...

It's because my color scheme is a primary color scheme. Let's take a look at the color wheel:




Red, yellow, and blue are the three "primary" colors. That means that these colors cannot be made by mixing other colors, but you can mix them together to get other colors. That's what makes them special. Wearing a primary color scheme is one way to ensure that your colors all "go" together... although you would need to pay careful attention in order to avoid looking like a kindergarten classroom.

I've talked before on the blog about how the color wheel can help you make color decisions (in this post I talk about complementary color pairings), and feel more confident in your fashion choices. Using color families (like the primary colors) is yet another option. Another scheme I've featured in the past is the monochromatic theme.



Let's talk about my cute little heart-shaped LEGO necklace! I've had it for a while, and it's actually made an appearance on the blog before! The etsy shop that made this is still offering it up for purchase, if you're interested in snagging one for yourself. I think it's super clever, and I'm a big LEGO fan (as is my immediate family), so it's totally appropriate for me.



I also like the tiny pop of red it gives to the overall outfit, helping move the eyes up and across from the red belt and tiny bits of red on the dress pattern. (Have you noticed that I talk about an outfit the way you'd discuss a painting at the Art Institute? LOL The art teacher in me will never die...!)



So, the only inconsistency here in this OOTD is my petticoat. I totally own a red one, and now looking back on these photos, I really wish I would have worn it with this dress, but instead I decided to go pink with it. Must've been when I was deciding on the red sweater or not and I probably thought it would've been "too much." Which is funny when you consider that the rest of the outfit didn't make me think "too much," but a red petticoat would.

Also, I feel like this primary color scheme makes me channel Snow White regardless of whether or not my dress had a Snow White themed pattern on it or not. What do you think?

Rock On,
Jen @ Hell Razor

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7 Ways to Pair Footwear with Jeans

A while back when I posted my "5 Alternatives to Wearing Shorts" post, I mentioned that cropped pants were one of my favorite summer wardrobe pieces. I briefly touched on how I can roll them up to customize the length, and pair them with different footwear for more casual or dressy looks. I thought I'd go into this fashion combo with a little bit more depth in today's post.

For almost everyone, a good pair of jeans is a staple piece in their wardrobe. But have you really stretched the possibilities of style with your denim? Try some of these looks below and switch up your style!



1. Combat Boots
I love my combat boots, and for me, it's definitely a goth wardrobe staple. I've worn them a bunch on the blog. This particular pair are a non-leather steel-toe version from MooShoes. Typically, one would put on their combat boots, and let the cuffs of your jeans hang where they may on top. But have you tried rolling up and cuffing your jeans to show off more of the boot? I love this style, and I originally used this technique on capri jeans to stretch out their life from summer into fall and winter. But now, I roll my full-length jeans up to get this look because I love it so much.



2. Slip-on shoes (Vans)
This is probably my #1 go-to summer footwear selection, for fashion AND for comfort. Go with or without socks (I prefer those super low footies), and you can stay cool in the heat and also not have to worry about your pedicure! Bonus. And I love that Vans (or a generic similar-style brand) come in so many great patterns and colors! This leopard pair acts pretty much like a neutral for me. I've even been known to wear these shoes with dresses!



3. Ballet Flats
Ballet flats are like the perfect mix of dressy and casual. If you pick the right kind (like these old Dr Scholl's faves of mine), you don't need to sacrifice comfort, either! I've got simple black flats on, but this style of shoe also comes in a variety of colors and patterns to fit your wardrobe needs. A simple jean cuff and dressier top (maybe with a cardigan if it gets chilly?) will give you the perfect combination for a night out.



4. Dressy Sandals
These Swedish Hasbeens are on my list of "dressier" sandals because of the heel on them. I think that they look great with jeans, whereas normal high heeled dress shoes sometimes can look a little out of place. I love the fun purple color, as it's a little out of my normal comfort zone, but still a common enough color in my wardrobe to coordinate with many items.



5. High-Top Sneakers
Maybe dressy shoes aren't for you, and you want to shake up your normal casual sneakers routine. Maybe try a pair of high-top sneakers, like these Converse All-Stars, with your rolled up denim, to show off the design. I first started rocking this look last summer after finding this Black Sabbath version at the outlet mall. Why buy high tops if you're just going to cover them up?



6. Ankle Boots
As fall starts to arrive, you'll see lots of ankle booties appear in stores. I snagged these cute leopard and glitter pair last fall from Target, and I love pairing them with my cropped cuffed jeans to show off their style. This combo goes great with a sweater or tunic and is professional enough for the workplace (assuming your workplace allows jeans!).



7. Creepers
Yet another goth wardrobe staple. If you've been reading my blog for a bit, then you know about my love for creepers, my favorite pair being this bat wing pair from Demonia. I have seriously gotten my money's worth out of my creepers, I wear them so much! Although I originally bought them with the intent to pair them with tights and skirts, I've found that cropped jeans also coordinate well with my creepers and t-shirt collection!

People wear jeans all the time... Hopefully this list of items has given you some new food for thought and inspiration for when it comes to styling your denim with footwear. I almost always cuff and roll up my jeans now. Do you have any interesting or unlikely footwear combinations in your wardrobe styling arsenal?

Rock On,
Jen @ Hell Razor

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