sparkle, sparkle

i don't remember where exactly i heard that liking shiny, sparkly things was because of one's german-ness, but whether it's that, or that i'm part magpie, i can't deny my love of anything gold and sparkly. and that's why i had to have this belt (which i knew i was wearing before i had my clothes picked out)...

sweater: target // dress: forever 21 (it's one of my new dresses from our little shopping trip!) //belt: tj maxx // shoes: payless // flojo: aratinga solstitialis

can you believe i'm not wearing anything vintage or thrifted in this outfit? neither can i. i almost feel a little high maintenance about it, but then i remember i only paid $2 for that leather belt and all is well. also, i've decided i'm way too shy to have chris take my pictures anymore, so when the camera's taking a picture and chris is walking by, i instinctively make some weird face. case in point, photo number 3.

did someone say free?!

i don't know about you, but i love a good freebie! i had originally planned to do an outfit post today, but because i've got a stack of work that really needs to be finished today, i thought i'd just do a quick post to let you know about a fun holiday deal i've got on my website!

from now until christmas, all orders of $75 or more will receive a FREE pair of hammered brass quartz hoops! i figured this would accomplish two important things at once - 1. encourage people to get out of the mall and support local and handmade businesses this holiday season, and 2. thank all of the wonderful customers who buy from dinosaur toes!

i wish i could stay and chat longer, but adulthood, jobs, and responsibilities are calling, so i better get back to work. i hope you have a good monday!

gift guide: for the metal lover

i've been doing a lot of searching on the interwebs lately and looking at other gift guides for some sort of inspiration for the hard to buy for people. sad news: i still haven't found anything that works (the gift guides are great, the people are just too damn picky). good news: it's made me want to create my own gift guides! maybe it'll help you shop for someone, or maybe it'll just be nice to look at, but either way, it gives me a reason to window shop! so, first in the series is one that i kind of did based on my own preferences. for the metal lover...

1. bueno bueno key necklace (i got mine today!) $33, 2. vertical leaf pendant light $144, 3. vintage 1960's space age holiday clutch $28, 4. gunmetal orchid earrings $23, 5. vintage glass lamp with metal shade $50, 6. vintage eagle hook $9.

what is on your christmas list this year? or better yet, what do you hope to get with the christmas money or gift cards you'll get? do you have hard to buy for people on your list, and what do you end up getting them (and don't say gift cards!!!)?

gifts for me

Hey kids, look what I got yesterday! A few posts ago, I mentioned a shop I found, paola loves to shop, and I promised a picture of the scarf I bought. Not only did I get one, but she included another as a gift! If that wasn't exciting enough, I won a giveaway on Julianna Swaney's blog, so I got some free prizes from one of my favorite artists!

Maybe it's a bit juvenile of me to continually get giddy when I find a package in my mailbox or on my doorstep, but I just can't help it! It's like Christmas all through the year!

On another note, I'm a complete fashion disaster (which maybe helps to explain my addiction to fashion blogs), so I think, or at least I tell myself, that scarves can add a bit more interest to my rather dull and boring wardrobe. Either way, I'm hoping it's cold tomorrow so I can wear one of my new favorite accessories!

a pretty gift for myself & a great new shop

So, I just discovered a rad little shop at big cartel yesterday. Paola Loves To Shop has cute little accessories at uber cute prices. I treated myself to a pretty plaid scarf with shades of blue, pink and orange on a white background (I'll add a picture when I receive it), and the little gem was only $5. Yeah, that's right, $5. I should have gotten these as well, but I plan to purchase them soon; I love sunglasses!

get in my closet: vintage

I didn't really have anything in particular to post today, but I did however have time to browse Etsy. While someone such as myself, a fashion disaster, probably should not share apparel picks, I've decided to anyway! My uniform consists mainly of jeans, skinny or boot cut, a comfy, flowy top (ruffles, gathering and puffed sleeves preferred) and sandals, but I do occasionally get my girl on with a pretty dress or two!

blouse can be found at PlatypiVintage on etsy.

scarf can be found at kissesfromana on etsy.

shoes can be found at vjones1 on etsy.

dress can be found at vonlenskavintage on etsy.