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My husband and I recently had a planned week away with some of his family, and I found myself needing to pack for a trip where the daytime temperatures would be warm enough to hit the beach, but the nights would be cool enough for a sweater or light jacket. In my 52 years on the planet, I've travelled extensively, worked in jobs where I had limited space for clothes and personal effects, and have just generally spent a lot of time with a suitcase in my hand, so I feel like I have an exceptionally strong packing game. I am reminded of this every time I'm at the airport; I am quite often standing at the check-in surrounded by people who are going away for a week or maybe a ten day vacation, and they have these giant suitcases (often bigger than the one I use to transport my shop inventory), and they're at the check-in desk holding up the line while they desperately try to re-pack everything because their bags are coming in overweight. Trust me, nobody wants to be that person at 5am in an airport, and with what airlines are charging these days, it's an expensive way to kick-off your trip. Over the years I've developed a simple personal vacation outfit-planning strategy that really works for me, and it has resulted in me having more than enough looks for the trip, everything gets worn, and you don't end up hauling a bunch of stuff you're not going to wear all around the planet. Anyone can do this. All it takes is just a little bit of careful "front end" consideration before you start packing. The best part? Each time you do this, you'll get a little better at it. Nowadays, I can pack for a few weeks away in a pinch. Outfit Planning for Vacation: The Basics There really is no art to this other than to take the time to put a bit of thought into it before the suitcase comes out. If you take only one thing away from reading this article, let it be that. Once the suitcase comes out, commit to finishing your packing in one go. Leaving a half-packed suitcase out and open is a guaranteed recipe for overpacking. Every time you walk past that open suitcase you will throw something else in there. You know you will. Resist the urge. Trust the process. Take a moment before you start to create your plan and stick to it. If you're historically not a planner, I suggest starting with sitting for a moment with a pen and paper and making a few notes. I still often do this for longer trips or trips where I have specific events to attend. I'll often even begin this process while I'm out and about in some waiting room or on a work break. Though I may be writing down what seems like the obvious, I feel like I'm getting a jump start on packing, and the simple act of writing helps me focus and gets my creative juices flowing. I can pretty easily visualize the items in my closet, and before long, outfit ideas start popping into my head. Basic outfit-planning considerations, phase 1: the obvious stuff How many days/nights are you away (i.e. how many bras and pairs of underwear will I need?) Don't forget to count any hotel stay nights in transit, and consider if you'll be willing or able to wash things either in a sink or via a hotel laundry. What will the weather be like? Tropical and hot? Cold? Will I need layers? Heavy sweaters? Boots? Will I be walking a lot? Working out? Do the research here. Google the weather if you're unfamiliar. This will save you a lot of hassle if you have what you need going in. Consider any pieces that you really want (or need) to have with you. Consider making one (or more) of these pieces your anchor piece(s) that you will rely on during your stay to help create multiple looks. Anchor pieces create cohesion in your vacation wardrobe and cut down on the amount of stuff you need to carry. For our recent trip, I knew we would be spending our days casually relaxing by the pool or on the beach. Packing for that is easy (you barely need anything!), so I concentrated my efforts on packing my nighttime, casual dinner looks. I chose these distressed Dan Post "Jilted" boots as my anchor piece; a bigger piece than I normally would bring with me for only a week away, but I didn't have many restrictions, so to me bringing something a bit bigger felt a bit luxurious and apart from my norm. Outfit planning phase 2: trying things on & picking your looks Now that the anchor pieces have been selected, we're on to the creative part - trying things on. The act of trying things on ensures that all the pieces you end up choosing look right together; pant lengths work with shoes, high rise or low rise have shirt lengths that work with them...you get the idea. In dong this, you will invariably start to see other outfit ideas emerge from within your selections, which will lead to the creation of more than one look for your trip. This practice really helps create a cohesive capsule wardrobe, and has the added benefit of helping you actually wear the clothes that live in your closet. Likewise I have also culled things from my closet on more than one occasion while packing for a trip, realizing that I hadn't worn something in ages and likely was not going to. If you're a person with an overflowing closet in need of some organization and this practice makes you feel anxious and overwhelmed, don't worry about it. Dive in. You can finish organizing your closet in small stages over time, and you'll probably find that you're more motivated to do so once you've gotten into the rhythm. Phase 3: add accessories & double-check foundation garments Phase 3 is a quick once-over of the looks you've chosen. Considering your looks, choose belts, hats, and jewelry. Here you'll likely find that you will be able to use the same accessories for multiple looks, so you don't have to go nuts and try to bring every little thing. For our trip, I chose a selection of my turquoise and beaded pieces to take with me, all of which pretty much worked with any of the looks I chose. Phase 3 is also a good time to make sure that you have chosen bras with straps that will work under your shirts, the right colors of undergarments (at least one nude set always seems like a good idea), and the right socks for workout shoes and/or boots. This is also a great time to take stock of the other things you'll need for your trip, like swimsuits, gym gear, and pajamas. Keep in mind when packing your basics - you can always wash things in a pinch, especially workout gear and swimsuits, so don't go nuts. For our trip, the end result for me was a very cohesive, Western/Southwestern-inspired capsule wardrobe made up of pieces that were very interchangeable, appropriate for the cooler nighttime temperatures (layering!), and most importantly, looked and felt pretty much as I wanted them to. In retrospect I might have gone harder with the accessories (an area where I am inherently lazy and vow to do better), maybe layered them up a bit more, but on that first night I had literally seven minutes to get ready. Yes, seven minutes. So I guess that's another reason why having a wardrobe plan really makes a difference...sometimes your husband forgets to tell you the dinner reservation time has changed (because, men) and you have to get dressed fireman-style. The Results: Seven Outfits in Seven Days thrifted vest, similar | thrifted Gap jeggings | H&M Blouse (old), similar | vintage printed vest, similar | vintage concho belt, similar vintage LOFT sleeveless shirt dress, similar (on sale!) | vintage concho belt (as worn on Day 1) | thrifted Aztec open cardigan, similar thrifted free people tell tale tunic | thrifted Gap jeggings (as worn on Day 1) thrifted Zara sheer lace top, similar | thrifted Old Navy raw hem denim skirt, similar | turquoise buckle vegan leather belt (old), similar | Tasha Polizzi flannel serape tunic (old), similar | turquoise heishi bead necklace (old), similar thrifted Lipsy sleeveless blouse, similar | turquoise buckle vegan leather belt (as on day 4) | Grace in LA bootleg jeans (old), similar | thrifted cardigan (as worn on day 2) | H&M sandals (old), similar | beaded earrings (old), similar Ryan Michaels flare sleeve blouse (old), on ebay (sm), on ebay (lg) | black concho belt as worn on days 1 & 2 | skirt as worn on day 4 thrifted No Boundaries Aztec print dress, similar, similar vibe | white shirt as worn on day 1 | heshi turquoise necklace as worn on day 4

I've had these Free People "Just Float On" flare jeans for about a year and a half now, and I absolutely love them. They're really long and swooshy, high-waisted and stretchy, as comfortable as sweatpants, and man do they bring the drama to anything you put with them. These flares' superpower is the ability to turn something as simple a t shirt and jeans into a LEWK. I had them on a few months ago on my way in to work, and as I passed through the lobby, two of my coworkers literally stopped mid conversation and just stared at my flares. I do not know if it was in a good kind of way or not, but to me, it matters not. Sartorially, that kind of reaction is part of the joy born of picking strong pieces, and it's how I know when I'm doing something right. Styling a Pair of Ultra Flare Jeans Today I've paired these jeans with a simple grey tank and this vintage 70s double knit tribal print vest. I'm becoming more and more a fan of the vest as a layering piece in my old age. I find them especially useful when you are in and out of aggressively air conditioned places in your warm weather clothes. Not that air conditioning is a thing here in Scotland (it's more of a theoretical construct than an actual thing we need), but when I'm on the other side of the pond, I am constantly getting caught out in grocery stores and restaurants. Back when we were actually going to restaurants...remember that? Aggressive air conditioning aside, we have another matter to discuss. If you're looking for a bridge measure to help ease you back into your skinny jeans as we slowly start to work our way back into public life (or any jeans for that matter), I recommend giving these ultra flare jeans a test run. They make many different colors and washes, and as I said, they're at least as comfy as sweatpants, and they're dramatic, so nobody would accuse you of slacking sartorially. The bottom line: after over a year in our stretchy yoga pants, sweats and leggings, it just doesn't seem fair to stampede straight over to the skinny jeans the minute public health officials let us out into the pasture again, am I right? Even the very thought of putting real trousers on again is probably enough to send some of us over the edge. I mean, can you imagine wearing corduroys right now!? I actually feel faint at the thought. Free People jeans (product link above) | vest from my Etsy shop | thrifted leather belt, similar |turquoise chip bead bracelets (old), similar | Turquoise ring (old), similar | turquoise necklace (old), similar vibe

On a recent trip to the thrift store, I saw what at the time I thought was this rather odd, intriguing lace tunic style top. At first I dismissed it, regarding its saccharine femininity as something outside of what I would normally go for (and it is), but I kept coming back to it for another look. It had a kind of edge to it that I found intriguing, and it felt somehow oddly familiar, like an estranged old friend I should try to reconnect with, even though I most certainly had never seen it before. I ended up bringing the thing home. I figure when something catches your attention like this top did mine, there must be a reason. I wasn't sure exactly what I was going to do with something so unabashedly girly, but that's the beauty of thrifting - the ability to step out and try new looks without the looming threat of instant bankrupcy. The former owner of the top had removed all of the inside tags (I hate it when people do this), so it took me a minute or two online to find out exactly what this thing was, but as it turns out, this is the Tell Tale Sheer Lace Tunic by Free People, a discovery which completely explains the edgy, bohemian vibe I was getting from this top. I've always been a fan of Free People and at any given moment there are several of their pieces on my sartorial wish list, so the seeming familiarity of this top suddenly made a lot more sense. Styling-wise there's really not a lot to be added to something so heavily decorated. This top with its keyhole peekaboo neckline and flared sleeves is definitely giving 90s Shania Twain vibes, so I just added some beaded jewelry, a pair of vintage (also thrifted) Dan Post boots and I left it at that. I think adding a blazer over the top would be layering perfection, letting the full flowy hemline peek out the bottom. But me being me, I didn't think of this until after the rain came on, forcing me inside to try and finish my little photo shoot with a smudged screen and the inadequate indoor lighting characteristic of the Scottish winter months. The takeaway here is that the weird thing that you saw in the shop and and keep thinking about...that thing should come home with you. Just do it. Take it home. You'll figure it out. The Tell Tale lace tunic can still be found online secondhand and as overstock, and it comes in various colors, sleeve lengths and sizes. I've linked some of them below* if you're interested, or you can search the entire complement of options on eBay. *some links may generate a small commission to Highland Fashionista at no cost to you

Guys, it's time. I know, I've been trying not to think about it too, but try as we might, even the most holiday-shy among us is probably going to have to think about the upcoming festive gifting season. Or maybe you're just in the mood to do a little shopping for yourself? That's ok too, hey...no judgement here. I've compiled a few different idea boards for inspiration, complete with links to the larger collections of things I've seen online of late that caught my eye. Maybe you'll like them too, or know someone that will. And as ever, some of the products featured are affiliate links, which may generate a small commission to Highland Fashionista at no cost to you. As always, a girl's gotta eat, and Highland Fashionista promises not to spend her millions all in one place. Not even at Sephora, which by my calculations, would get you about three or four things that fit in the palm of your hand. But I digress. Let's get to it. For the sake of time and space I've limited the scope of these gift guides to adults (okay...and their pets too). Click on individual items for more information, or click the collection link buttons to visit the extended collections in my LTK feed and don't forget to follow me over there as well! Gift Guide Inspiration for Her I know, I know...it's literally impossible to create a 2023 gift guide for every single taste on the planet. It simply cannot be done. I've tried to be as eclectic and inclusive as possible here, but at the end of the day if you're still unsure, I am firmly of the belief that gift cards are not a cop-out; they may not have the personal touch of a traditional gift, but there's something very satisfyingly pragmatic about getting someone something that you know they will be able to put to use in the way they see fit. 2023 Gift Guide Inspiration for Pet People We don't just love our pets...we really, really love our pets. Luckily those of us who are pet obsessed have a virtual embarrassment of riches to choose from when it comes to creative pet-adjacent gifts. The matching dog walk outfits featured below particularly tickled my fancy, but there is also a ton of really great customizable stuff out there as well, particularly on Etsy. Gift Guide Inspiration for Him A few collections for that most notoriously difficult to shop for demographic, the men in your life. I always feel more of a pull to make the gifts I buy for men pragmatic as well as stylish. Maybe that's just me, or maybe that's a thing you feel as well. Either way, there are options this year that fit the bill.

Every once in a while I like to haul myself into a few "big box" fast fashion retailers and try on whatever catches my eye. These days, most of what I prefer to wear is thrifted and/or vintage, so I consider these little outings more like fact finding missions than actual shopping with intent, but taken purely as an exercise, it's fun! Every time I do this I unearth a few "secret" fast fashion pieces that I feel are are worth mentioning, I learn something new about my own sartorial tastes as a 50+ customer, and every so often I even end up with something new. Last week I was in the city for the day, and took the opportunity to do a try-on recon mission. There were a lot of misses (like always), but also some pleasant surprises! Let's jump right in, shall we? A Quick Word on Mainstream Fashion Fit and Quality At this point in our collective sartorial history it should come as no surprise that both sizing and garment quality is all over the place with mainstream fast fashion. You can easily pick two similar pieces off the rack in two identical sizes and get two wildly different fits and fabrics. This is where try-on recon missions like this really come in handy, and why it's so important to not talk yourself out of trying something you think you might like...you just never know. Hiden Gems at H&M: Everyday Chunky Sweaters Fall 2023 is definitely the Season of the Chunky Sweater, and H&M has a lot of them on display. Quality-wise, not all of them are great. In fact, some of them are downright awful (as is the way with modern fast fashion knitwear), but as I often find with H&M, there were also a few pieces that stood out because they are of surprisingly good quality and are worth a look. The 90s-inspired pieces below appear in various permutations all over H&M, and I'm into it. I really like their take on the high-low mix of a basic thick funnel neck in a warm neutral with a slim, sequinned gold midi skirt; it's a perfect way to deploy a bit of holiday bling without going over the top. While quality-wise the sequinned skirt certainly isn't a masterpiece, for the amount of times you will probably wear a gold sequinned skirt, it's comfortable, looks great, and the price is right. At the end of the day, the difference between a stretchy $35 sequinned midi skirt and a $3500 stretchy sequinned midi skirt seems like a pretty big chasm to cross. The simple chunky-knit ribbed sweaters featured here are of a really nice quality that you do not often see in mainstream knitwear. My favorite is the first of the two "Shaker" knit style sweaters; these knits have a louche, casual appearance and a substantial hand to them. The cropped version is also decent, and makes for a great layering piece if you're not wanting to show the world your 52 year-old midsection. Just...you know... ahem...for example. *Hover over the individual items in the photos for more information on pieces! Hidden Finds at Zara: Edgy & Unique Pieces Zara and I have always had a rather adversarial relationship. Personally, I've always found that they have fantastic designs in theory, but dubious execution and sizing. Zara gets a lot of traffic, and I often find that on the rare occasion that I'm in there trying things on, I find that the garments already have ripped seams, holes, and signs of wear that definitely should not be there off the rack, no matter how busy the store...it's hardly the best prognostic indicator for garment longevity, even with our modern fast fashion expectations permanently set to "low." Sizing in particular at Zara has historically run on the small side, but to their credit, I noticed on this last visit that they have added a lot more plus sizing to their inventory, something that's really good for inclusivity, but also gives you more wiggle room if you need to size up - and if you're tall like me or are at all long-waisted, you will probably need to size up. And even then, fit can be questionable. I find that as a long-waisted 5'10", US size 10 (considered a "transitional" size in the industry...whatever), separates at Zara rarely fit me properly, even when I do try to size up. The armholes and busts don't quite hit at the right place, the rise in the jeans is always in the wrong place, and going bigger almost always means these problems still exist, compounded by the addition of a too-big waist or bust. However, this season they have some cute, 90s-inspired (again) shift and column dresses that seemed to work on me, once again driving home the point that you really do have to try things on to be sure. As an aside, their dressing room lighting is the pits...it casts a harsh, film-noir type shadow over everything you try on, so I'm preemptively apologizing to you for that. It is what it is. The first dress here is a crinkled satin, loose mock neck in a midnight blue. The quality of the garment isn't great, but I really liked the color and the casual coolness of the shape. I even liked how it looked over my jeans (evoking more ghosts of the 90s - Y2K era). I think this piece would work best dressed-down, layered with denim and or leather, chunky knits, and boots. I'm wearing a medium here (over my jeans), and I would probably ideally want to size-up to a large. The long column dress is a faux leather dress that I tried on just for giggles. I ended up loving it. I am sort of regretting not buying it, even though I hardly have the need for such a thing with my current boots and jeans lifestyle. But the fit was surprisingly perfect without sizing up (I'm wearing a large in the photo). The Blooper Reel: Pieces That Didn't Make the Cut *Select items in this post are affiliate links, and may generate a small commission to Highland Fashionista at no cost to you. As always, Highland Fashionista promises not to spend it all in one place.

First off, if you know anything about this blog, you'll know that this title was a trick question, because here at Highland Fashionista, nothing is too weird. We are GenX and have an angsty and misunderstood reputation to uphold. Okay so I overcooked it a bit with the gold highlight from this palette because it wasn't showing up well in the photos. Whatever, it's fine. Everything's fine. The larger point is, if you're anywhere hovering about the middle age bracket, you'll have undoubtedly noticed that the beauty industry has started marketing everything to you in what feels like a modified version of the fun, trendy product you actually thought you wanted. Sometimes for the better, often not. We are inexplicably still being sold the bill of goods that it's time to tone things down. Those of us with gray hair are marketed eyeshadows in conservative shades of dusty matte taupe (glitter makes your wrinkles show!), told to avoid bronzer (too muddy!) and instructed to not put highlighter anywhere near our wrinkles (someone might actually know they're there!). Yet at the same time we are sold greasy, "illuminating" products that contain so may "youthful", light-reflecting particles if you use more than one or two on a given day your face can reflect so much light you might just get a visit from NASA, wanting to know why all their satellites are pointing towards your house. The Advice We Get When We Have Natural Gray Hair When I started letting my natural hair grow in, one little advice nugget that unfortunately stuck in my mind was that with a ageing face, one should avoid a warmer, orange-based palette. This was something I struggled with since I am outside a fair amount of time and always have a bit of a tan (yes, even with sunscreen), still have quite a lot of dark brunette hair, and a naturally warm complexion. I love my warm shades and am still drawn to them, despite my rapidly-cooling hair. I'll admit it. Not being a savvy makeup person, I fell for it. I fell for the "tone it down" company line. This year, at the tender age of 52, I made a conscious decision to try and get better at makeup. I am doing this pretty gradually (old dog, new tricks), but I am quickly learning, thanks to a handful of YouTube and TikTok makeup content creators. I am still not comfortable wearing the amount of foundation that many of these creators are using in their videos, but the small changes that I have already incorporated into my routine have been easy and really impactful (see my recent winged eyeliner post). Here are two of my go-to middle aged makeup content creators if you're interested: Erica Taylor has over a million TikTok followers, and those of you in the USA will perhaps have seen her face on the marketing from her partnership with Ulta. Taylor has been a makeup artist for decades, and her posts are quick and to the point. She's also funny, which is an absolutely non-negotiable requirement for me. Most of her full content is short form on TikTok, but she also has a YouTube channel as well if you can't stomach TikTok (hey, I get it.) This is a great resource for quick, everyday application techniques; small shifts in technique and placement that make a huge difference on our middle aged faces. Sonia Ramos is my absolute favorite pick for bolder looks and more out of the box makeup application at any age. She's also a naturally silver Latina woman, so if you are more medium to olive-toned and have natural silver hair and like to play with your look, you'll perhaps relate. I really appreciate her zero F's approach to makeup, if not just life in general. Sonia may not be everyone's cup of tea; if you are the type to clutch your pearls when you hear cursing, she may not be your flavor. Personally, I absolutely love and appreciate her unadorned, tell it like it is advice on makeup , skincare and handbags. She is on TikTok The Result of My First Pass at Orange Eyeshadow With My Gray Hair This whole thing started as summer turned to fall; I kept seeing all manner of bronze, russet, "latte", and orange-based shadow posts being done by makeup creators. Up until that point I had been dutifully sticking with the aforementioned cooler-based pinky taupes and I was bored. I decided I wanted in on something a little more seasonal and trendy. I watched a few videos, and I just sort of went for it. For this little experiment I used the I Heart Revolution Mini Chocolate Eyeshadow Palette in Chocolate Fudge (affiliate link alert!) that I got from the local drugstore. In these photos, I feel like I didn't quite get the application quite right, as my placement still looks a bit late 90s - early 2000s for my tastes, but I realize now that I simply didn't take the techniques I was learning far enough. I also used a very light hand, another habit that I would like to be comfortable breaking more often now that I'm trying to be braver. However, the object of this experiment was really just to see if these shades were even going to be wearable on me in a way that I would wear them on the daily, as opposed to a full-on influencer mode application. To that point, I'm happy to report that even as a light wash of everyday color, the answer is yes. It works. The conclusion - go forth ladies, and purchase that weird eyeshadow you saw on the internet that you love the look of in the pan but are not sure what to do with! If all else fails, the internet will keep you right!

I had the occasion to be in Glasgow last week, and as is standard operating procedure at this time of year, the weather was predictably dull and grey. As much as we all come to expect a grey sky at this time of year, this trip stood out in that it wasn't just the weather contributing to the ambiance of nondescript, gloomy ennui. Everywhere I looked, my follow humans were actively participating in the erasure of any speck of color or sartorial joy that might have accidentally leaked in to the collective field of view. I walked into M&S at one point and encountered multiple racks of black, polyester trousers. I mean, yes, everyone needs a good pair of "work pants", but come on. I could literally feel my life force draining just looking at it. And it went on like this all day. Every single person had on black, grey, navy....the "safe" colors that won't garner too much attention or stand out in a crowd. Looking down Glasgow's busy Sauciehall and Buchanan streets felt like looking at a chorus of Mao jacket-clad extras on the set of some oppressive revolutionary period piece. The sight of all that gloom got me thinking; what has happened to us!? I distinctly remember the clothing of my youth in the 70s and 80s as being so much more colorful and full of whimsy something that has spurred me on to have an absolute love of the loud, exaggerated, in your face 80s vintage clothing that was the sartorial hallmark of the era. 80s Vintage Clothing is About Color & Fun Or course, I'm speaking purely sartorially here. I understand fully what has happened to us; the global pandemic, the financial struggles, the shortages of goods (both perceived and real), the woeful political and ideological extremism, the acting-out...everyone is just...so...tired. I get it. But our eschewing of color and whimsy is not just a product of this pandemic. This phemonenon has been building for a while - sartorially since the demise of the bigger is better "me era" 80s and the rise of the goth-clad 90s manic pixie grunge girl. With that in mind, I wanted to remind us all of something that's the polar opposite of all this angst-fuelled, boring, serviceable dark clothing that seems to have taken over our collective sensibilities. Today I'm focusing on 80s vintage clothing that is in equal parts colorful, fun, wearable and ridiculous; the entirety of the 1980s aesthetic. Because when things get tough, even though it may seem appropriate, I believe it's a mistake to abandon the fun and the whimsical. It is exactly at these times that we need it more. Photos are clickable should you want any more information on any of these colorful little fun nuggets. Now go forth and be brave, and for the love of all the Gods, leave those miserable black polyester trousers on the rack where they belong.

Well hello there fashionphiles! This is your official one day's notice to make you aware of Etsy's early deals that are starting October 23rd (that's tomorrow if you're reading this in real time). This year Etsy is really extending their sales so you will be able to grab deals for the next month at all participating shops! I will be running the following sales for the entire duration of the sale period through the end of November! Highland Fashionista Vintage - 25% off orders of $60 or more, and buyers in *participating countries (*US, UK, Germany and Canada) can make offers on items marked final sale. Puzz Factor Vintage Puzzles - 25% off orders of $40 or more, and *participating countries can make an offer on all shop items The Etsy early deals sale will be running site-wide, so there will be many participating shops, so come have a poke around and pick up some deals, grab a sustainable holiday outfit, and help support small businesses!

If you've been around the blog a while, you will already know that I am an unrepentant zombie movie nerd. Yes, they all start in the same manner; maybe some powerful organization tries to play God by manipulating some DNA until such time as there is a lab leak or someone gets bitten by a lab rat or an inattentive worker mislays a test tube or accidentally mixes some organic matter then tries to cover it up then inadvertently becomes patient zero, but of course meanwhile nobody wants to listen to the lone wolf but exceptionally hot epidemiologist warning of the coming plague that he or she may or may not have actually had a hand in creating...anyway, I know you know how this goes, we all do. For those of us who enjoy zombie fiction, It's not the plot of these movies that make them so fun to watch - like I said, everyone already knows what's coming. No, the fun lies in how they choose to unroll said plot. The sweet spot for any zombie movie is that time right in the beginning of the film where you are on tenderhooks with anticipation. The filmmakers have a blank slate at that point, and we as the audience are quivering with anticipation. How is this thing gonna start? Who will go first? How fast will it spread? Is it gonna be airborne? Will the undead be fast? Slow and shambling? Hungry for brains or just really, really angry? Is it going to take the traditional head shot to put them down? (Yes to that last one. Almost always.) This is the bit where the storytelling decisions are made, and often the place where filmmakers show us something we've seen a million times, only done in a different way that makes it feel new. And that my friends, is the zombie movie high we're all looking for. During the sweet spot of a zombie movie the plot turbo-accelerates, causing the lead characters (and the audience) to quickly learn about the characteristics of the zombies. As our protagonists get better at killing the zombies off, their (our) knowledge base of the undead grows, and the sweet spot begins to wane. The sweet spot is soon replaced by phase two - survival mode. In survival mode, the characters are met with the realization that in the wake of the apocalypse, there is a slice of the still-human population that is every bit as dangerous as the undead. This is the part of the film where you will dig into your ethical dilemmas, ranging from the manipulation of the natural world to how far one is willing to go to survive. It's about losing your humanity either by force, persuasion, or by voluntarily giving it away. There are themes of surviving vs living. There is always an ethical dilemma in a zombie movie - you didn't think you were going to get away from this without being accountable, did you? Such is the allure of the zombie movie. What's even better is that after all that, have I spoiled the plot for you? No I have not. Because as we've just learned, the plot is beside the point. With no further ado, I present to you some of my favorite zombie movies. Granted, this is not an exhaustive list, and if you've got some of your own, by all means please pop them into the comments. If I haven't seen any of of them (unlikely) I'll definitely want to watch them! Five of My Favorite Zombie Movies Night of the Living Dead (1968) Any zombie movie list that does not include the original Night of the Living Dead is simply incomplete. Night of the Living Dead is a film about a group of people trapped in a rural Pennsylvania farmhouse, trying to survive a night of being attacked by what we now identify genre-wise as the undead. This film, written by George Romero and John Russo (and directed by Romero) seems entirely corny when watched through our modern lens, but it was considered highly controversial when it was released, due to the shocking and graphic subject matter. That notwithstanding, the film quickly became a cult favorite, grossing 12 million domestically and 18 million internationally, making it one of the most profitable films of its time. Since then, Night of the Living Dead has occupied the primo spot as one of the most important horror films to really help create and shape the genre. Additionally, this film is often discussed in academia for its reflection of the socio-cultural changes that were sweeping America in the 1960s. 28 Days Later (2002) In addition to being completely and utterly terrifying, this 2002 film (written by Alex Garland and directed by the incomparable Danny Boyle) is credited for breathing new...er..."life" into the undead genre. Boyle's zombies are fast. Like, really, really fast, and angry AF. It's said that Danny Boyle himself does not classify 28 Days Later as a zombie film per se, but ask anyone what their top three terrifying zombie films are, and this will feature heavily. Just sayin'. This movie, based in the UK, is a tale of a very fast-moving epidemic of the "rage virus", a disease that (surprise surprise) escaped a lab after a test subject monkey ravaged someone. This movie really stood apart from the genre at the time of its release, as it has a really character-driven plot, beautiful cinematography, and a haunting original soundtrack by John Murphy. This movie also has a standalone sequel, 28 Weeks Later (directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo), and despite my usual distaste for sequels, it's every bit as terrifying, and stays true to the character driven, cinematic style of the original. Shaun of the Dead (2004) Another UK based cult classic is Shawn of the Dead. If you are unfamiliar with the handful of modern British comedies that have come out over the years starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (like the absolutely stellar Hot Fuzz), this is a great place to start. Shawn of the Dead is an irreverent comedic sendup of the zombie fiction genre, done to absolute perfection. When you watch this comedic interpretation, you'll notice the importance of the aforementioned zombie movie sweet spot, and how the writers (Pegg himself along with director Edgar Wright) expertly manipulate the sweet spot with great comedic success. I won't say more than that as not to call out any specific moments, other than to tell you that yes, the poster is correct. It's a romantic comedy. With zombies. Train to Busan (2016) If you're a genre nerd like me, you are already well aware of the fairly large amount of really good zombie content coming out of South Korea. Train to Busan is an excellent example of the genre, it essentially follows the traditional zombie movie sweet spot plot acceleration, but it hits hard, as one might expect from a zombie movie that essentially develops within the confines of a moving train. This film is character-driven, fast-moving, claustrophobic and heart-wrenching all in one (OMG the ending). This one is definitely on any zombie nerd's must-watch list. Train to Busan was written by Joo-Suk Park and Sang-ho Yeon, and was directed by Yeon. It was South Korea's highest-grossing film of 2016. There has since been a stand alone sequel called Peninsula, but I have yet to see it. Warm Bodies (2013) Since I had committed to only highlighting five films here, it was a toss-up for me whether I included Warm Bodies here or Zombieland, both similar comedic expressions of the genre that really sort of occupy the same space in my head and in my (cold, dead) heart. Warm Bodies is unique in that it opens eight years after the zombie apocalypse has already happened, so you don't have that sweet spot acceleration that you get with the traditional zombie movie plot. However, what you do get is the juxtaposition of some very recognizable (and hilarious) human behavioral traits coming from the undead protagonists in the film, and it makes for a delightful watch. The film was written and directed by Jonathan Levine and based on the 2010 novel (of the same name) by Isaac Marion. Five More Notable Zombie Films The Girl with All the Gifts (2016) Night of the Comet (1984) Zombieland: Double Tap (2019) I am Legend (2007) World War Z (2013) All of us are Dead (S. Korean TV series - 2022)

Hello again everyone! This is your thrifty fit check for Thursday, October 13th. This look is 100% secondhand, and although the pieces were individually purchased many years apart, put together this look probably cost me under $50! The Components of This Y2K Style Look The top in particular is a favorite. It's a Y2K staple; a 90s era plaid cotton blouse by the juniors brand My Michelle. Yes, you can wear juniors clothing in your 50s. I have now done the experiment and can say with some authority that you will not in fact, burst into flames. I Originally purchased this top for inventory for the Highland Fashionista vintage shop, but when I tried it on to photograph it I realized just how well it fit me, so I kept it. Sorry not sorry. When you try something on and it fits you like it was made for you, that's The Universe speaking to you. Far be it for me to go against the will of the universe. This blouse has many of my favorite late 90s style elements all in one place; a short puffy sleeve, a v neck cutaway collar with a ruffle, and fitted silhouette that requires no tucking in, but still looks streamlined. The skirt is 90s American eagle and is a simple low-waisted mini with the ubiquitous Y2K style patch pockets. The boots are from Dune UK. They were am impulse buy off of Ebay for £20, and have exceeded my expectations. I have never had a pair of white or cream boots before, and I am hooked. The harness style chain and slightly looser fit of the shaft on these boots makes them super easy to pull on and off, and you'll probably be seeing these a lot this season. That's the thrift check for the week - stay fabulous!

Welcome to Club Flamingo™, which incidentally looks a lot like an inflatable pool and some random beach toys perched in my sister's back garden, but I assure you, it is a resort, and it is very fancy. As we sit here drinking our craft IPA (socially-distanced of course), the pandemic rages on. Even places that have seen a significant drop-off in COVID19 cases (read: not the United States right now, sheesh) - these places are casting a rightfully suspicious glance at the upcoming fall and winter months. As much as we want to re-open, create our plans to go "back to normal" and just take an afternoon to go browse the local thrift shops, make "just a quick trip" to Sephora or Ulta and stick our fingers in absolutely every cosmetic sample and try every foundation and spray ourselves with absolutely every expensive perfume on the shelf, that would be unwise. Incidentally, if you are one of the people out there still doing this, please see yourself out now. Public health is a group effort, and health care professionals are tired. One thing that apparently is not, and may never completely be "back to normal" is my enthusiasm for cosmetics. As you know, I normally love to try new things, but I think the only times I've worn a full face of makeup for any reason since this whole pandemic started is when I've stepped in front of the camera for this blog - and I don't even always do it then. This new reluctance is probably not all pandemic-related; as I get older I find that I feel ridiculously painted-on when I put on a full face. Things look very different in real life than they do on-camera, and I live in pretty casual clothes these days. There's just something really odd to me about pairing denim and a t-shirt with heavy foundation, lashes, eyeshadow, lipstick.....it feels unbalanced to me. Plus it gets all over the inside of your hat if you decide you need one. And in the heat of summer? Yeesh. I also find that my skin is happier to have some time to actually breathe real air for a change. We tend to forget that the skin is the largest organ of the body. Mine is absolutely happier for the break. But one thing I have not grown weary of is the never-ending promise of cosmetics; like the selfish, manipulative boyfriends of our 20s (before we learned), cosmetics always promise you the world, often don't deliver, but we just keep coming back because let's face it, the promise is kind of exciting, isn't it? The cosmetic promise that I am drawn to right now is that of convenience and simplicity. That sounds sensible enough, but basically anything that promises me the world in one single product, I will reflexively open my wallet and just start throwing whatever currency is in there at it. I've been thinking about some of the things I've seen lately that come with such a promise that I would like to try, or that I have tried and and keep going back to. In time, I hope to work my way through the untested items on this list and review them for you in a later post. Multi-Tasking Products That Make Big Promises Weleda Skin Food Light You can't really do an internet search for top-rated moisturizers these days and not turn up the Weleda Skin Food line. I decided to try it after I recently emptied my second tube of the Marcelle City Day & Night Emulsion I've spoken about on previous posts. After reading some of the reviews of this product, I decided to go with the Light version of the Skin Food line, thinking that the original may be too emollient for me to use as a daily moisturizer. That was the right choice. This moisturizer smells divine, feels elegant and spreads well. It is very emollient, but does soak-in after a few minutes. One thing I will caution users about is that it does contain a lot of essential oils, making it a less than ideal option for those with sensitive skin. At first application, I feared I may fall into that category, but my skin soon got used to the ingredients and I tolerate it well. I can put this on my lips and my undereyes, but I would hesitate to get to close to my eye makeup if I'm wearing any, as it does have a rendancy to dislodge my mascara if contact is made. Tarte Cheek Stain This type of product is not particularly new, nor is the concept of the multi-tasking lip and cheek stain. I've tried several of these over the years, starting with the old standby from Bonne Bell (remember those!?) that I still miss to this day. One of the things I've noticed about this type of product over the years is that the cream formulations (Like Stila's Convertible Color) in particular have a tendency to color-change once they're on my skin, and they seem to not have very good staying power, especially if you don't wear a lot of other makeup to "anchor" it to your face. The Gel formulas however (like Benefit's BeneTint), do tend to have more staying power, but they can be fussy to apply - you have to be quick before they dry, then your fingers are a mess. Also, the colors of the gel formulas traditionally have tended to be blueish, which for an olive-skinned or tanned person can be problematic. This one appeals to me because it comes in nine...yes nine shades, yet calls itself a stain. I haven't tried this one yet, so at the moment I'm living off of the promise that this is the product that will make my life work. Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palette I've always been wary of palettes, as I tend to be attracted to ones that do nothing other than reproduce shades that already exist in my collection. However, I make exception for this Charlotte Tilbury palette. Yes, it's a bit of a steep price tag for seven small palettes of color, but I think this is one of the only palettes I've ever seen that would work on just about every light to medium-hued skin color. When I think about all the cosmetic stuff I drag with me when I travel that I rarely ever touch once I'm at my destination, this sleek little palette suddenly seems like a much better deal. As much as I am a believer in budget products, I will give Tilbury her due for consistently being able to create products that look good on most people (her growing cult-favorite line of Pillow Talk products is another good example of this.) Once the humidity breaks this summer, I may very well be inclined to give this one a try - I can easily see myself packing for a trip packing only this thin little palette and a couple of skincare products.

If you've visited the vintage shop or even just have been reading the blog for a while now, my love of all things western and fringey will come as no surprise. This affinity is more than just a fangirl enthusiasm for the yee-haw factor, or an exaggerated expression of my Americanness here in the Scottish Highlands. To me, fringe acts as a sort of fashion fidget spinner; it's a completely functionless embellishment by modern standards, only really good for lulling us into a sense of calm with its swoosh, a pleasant diversion to play with while you stand in line at the DMV. But the underlying theme here is really that fringe is just fun. Fringe is the sartorial equivalent of throwing your hands in the air and yelling "Wheeeeeeee!" at the top of your lungs. Since things pretty much suck for a lot of people in the world right now, I think we could all do with a bit more simple, purposeless fun in our lives. This is certainly one way to take a step in that direction if you're so inclined. As purposeless fun goes, fringe is fairly easy to obtain, less sedentary than bingeing Netflix, and a whole lot healthier than booze. Here are a few pieces I've recently added to the shop and my personal collection. Because sometimes stock originally intended for the shop doesn't quite make it to its final destination. Sorry not sorry. Look 1 | L & B fringe leggings, similar | Chinese Laundry Austin concho booties | French Connection high low turtleneck sweater Look 2 | Vintage 80s Fringed Jacket | Free People Just Float On flare jeans | WalMart sunglasses Look 3 | Vintage 90s Fringed Suede Jacket Look 4 | Vintage 80s Cropped Suede Fringe Jacket Look 5 | Vintage 1970s Fringed Southwestern Suede Jacket | thrifted graphic tee, similar | squash blossom necklace (old), similar | Southwestern concho earrings (old), similar | denim leggings (old), similar |Frye boots (old), similar Look 6 | Thrifted Philosophy t-shirt, similar