This Bird saw this simple look on actress Piper Perabo from a recent issue of InStyle Magazine and immediately thought, that is sparkle-comfort! I also thought, what a keen way to repurpose an old chunky sweater that had pretty much been relegated to comfy at-home wear or something I threw on when I wanted to curl up on the couch and do nothing.

The sweater was literally under $10, something I bought years ago in some clearance section of a tween clothing store, thinking it would never see the light of day beyond a very casual-shlumpy Friday. But trends change, belts come back into style, and the next thing I know I'm wearing it over a sequin-collar dress for a date night with Mr. Magpie. It was a nice reminder that even the simplest (or schlumpiest) of pieces from the Jaunty Wardrobe can be repurposed if paired with the proper pieces. And yes, I'm fairly certain I didn't look like a homeless bag lady at date night.   


Jaunty Fine Print:  wardrobe photos by Denise Sakaki, photo of Piper Perabo from InStyle magazine

 

Let's just call it the Jauntiest $13 ever spent. I saw them sitting on a super-clearance rack at Express, aka the store of inexpensive trend pieces that you don't feel as guilty shopping at, versus the juniors department. The trend piece du jour were black sequined shorts -- too shiny for the Magpie not to grab it up. Granted, one pulled thread and it's Game Over, but this Bird couldn't help but love this bizarre purchase. Plus it was way more interesting than a sensible grey cardigan.

The sequined shorts made me think of one of my favorite movies, Strictly Ballroom, one of Baz Luhrman's early films from 1993. If you love shows like Dancing With the Stars, you would appreciate this movie. It's a sweet romantic comedy about a mismatched pair of ballroom dancers, but it's so quirky, frantic, and just plain bizarre at times, which is why I love it. I remember going through all the video stores in town, trying to rent a copy to show to my best friend in college -- totally put a smile on her face. Strictly Ballroom was described as a bit of an Aussie version of Dirty Dancing, but it's more fairytale-like and truly has a charm all its own.

I took Madame Sparklepants out for its maiden voyage for the Bellevue Arts Museum preview event for the Beth Levine exhibit. Sassy shoes and sparkly shorts? Like peas n' carrots. I have yet to master the art of taking a proper self-portrait, but who needs the timer-release when you have the talent of Ms. Kam of Needle + Thread around to take a snapshot? I was lucky to get a couple of photos taken, as seen on this post, and she was nice enough to post a pic of the Magpie on her blog -- you should check out the post for her great photo of Helene Verin, the co-curator of the Beth Levine exhibit.

Jaunty Fine Print: Photo of The Magpie by Kam Martin of Needle + Thread, Strictly Ballroom DVD cover from IMDB.com, jewelry and crazy sparklepants photos by Denise Sakaki
 

This little birdie was wilting from the heat this weekend! I sought shelter in a retail haven, visiting an outlet mall with some fellow birds. It's no secret that I have a deep abiding love for J. Crew, and I have an outright passion for their outlet stores, which always have bargain gems, ripe for the picking.

I was keen on finding some of their soft t-shirts with the lovely vintage prints. They have such character and are easy year-round staples that can go from hot to cold weather while still looking smart. The printed tissue tees shown below the main photo are some of the newer ones, but I was looking for the foil-printed styles I'd seen a while back in the stores. Being true to my Magpie self, I found a couple of sparkling eye-catchers at the outlet store. The bee pollen-yellow tee with the silver foil was particularly endearing, since it's a little ad for an art supply store. The cream-colored tee with the motorcycle print and clear sequins were just the right notes of fun and light-heartedness that J. Crew always manages to exemplify in their pieces. Plus, I know if I lose one of those clear sequins, it won't be obviously missed!

Thanks to J. Crew Aficionada for keeping us Crew-fans up to date on the latest news and seasonal releases!