Pantone color of the year 2015 haters

Nobody likes this year's Pantone color: MARSALA aka dried menstrual blood. And sadly,  I am not very original on this opinion. Like black pants or leopard print, it is a great basic, but lets get real. Marsala is the color of accidents. Even  more alarming is it's potential indicator of our economic future. Just like skirt lengths and straight hair, dark colors are also indicative of national financial failure. Bring back that yellow or  pink or tealish green (Ok I know that is  not their real names but you totally know what I am taking about) all fantastic bright and happy, right?  Marsala  not so much. Lets review: 80's? pink polka dots. *1987 stock market crash* 90's?  Armani.

Arrows on trend w Toms for Target

Another retail friend and I have a little game we play called "Guess the Next  Trend", which sounds really boring unless you are an actual retail person then you will totally get it. This years guess was almost right: I said arrows, realistic bugs ,and monocles and she said lattice print, smudgy stripes and artisanal jerky.  I am proud the say the arrow thing is spot on, monocles not so much, evidenced by  the Toms for Target tee shirt. Not only arrows but also sailor stripes on the back which you all know I cannot resist a sailor strip so I had to buy it. Queen Bee got these arrow bracelets in today, right on time I must say, and a durn steal at $9 each

It's a matrix world

yes I love vintage but sometimes the extreme modern just slays me. Just got this coat in The Bee today and after about 15 minutes of messing around with it and trying to find where the durn snap goes, I am officially hooded. it is sleek yet comfy not too tight but with uncluttered lines yet a a bit of sculptural quality about it. LOVE

Alexander Wang, Moto and H&M

Alexander Wang for H&M collab dropped today and it is quite sporty ish. I have never known how to take what looks like real athletic wear from high end designers. (see: Chanel knee high boxing boot $3500) are we supposed to really wear it to work out? Or just ironically to the office? Stella McCartney for Adidas was pretty functional but Mary Karanztou's, not so much. Still, I do love to wear some wild padded Fox moto pants with heels to an event but I draw the line at that. Not that you should listen to me about gym wear as day wear. I completely do not get the sneaker fashion thing, especially for girls. I'm not wearing those giant shoes with my All Saints dress ick.

On another note. I just bought the most functional and boring black heeled boots ever. It was a necessary purchase to replace a beat up basic but it hurt my heart a little to not try a bit harder.

OOTD

Feeling a little Space Commander in this. Cynthia Steffe dress w Alaia belt, Theory undershirt and Vic Mate heels, did ya notice the lucite block heels? Question of the day: Cool shoes, are they comfortable? NO

Refinery Resale

As a resale shop, you would think I would avoid and/or downplay the so called competitions. "So Called" because honestly other like minded shop are not my competition. Oh no verily my friend. Queen bee's nemesis is pretty much any one who wants the cool kids dollar. That means you : Craft Beer. And you: Indiana T shirt. And of course you: Cronut. 

That being said, I went to The Refinery Resale on 82nd and Allisonville Rd ( by Trader Joes) to take some designer jeans my fat ass couldn't fit into anymore and also buy stuff. It is a lovely store with aged barn wood walls, antlers and the appropriate air of a fancy pants boutique. Right off the bat, this amazing vintage piece caught my eye, a full length green and navy striped shirt maxi dress priced at $200. Well, it was fabulous. There were a few other pieces priced around that and some 50's day dresses about $65 also v cute. Mostly designer things best of;": Phillip Lim layered jacket, parachute long bronze Donna Karan skirt, Worth camel and black oh so dramatic cape and a Vuitton with an odd fur trim and a black denim fabric, dis not love but it stood out for sure. Hoping for more shoes, sad face, but I did snag some basic brown combat boots to replace last years ( why are they all that pleather stuff? I mean every dang last one). Anyhoo, check it out, I was assured fall stuff is coming out ASAP

Pattern opens

Isnt it enough that Patten Fashion Collective has the thankless but necessary job of bringing style awareness to Indianapolis? Must they also give ya'll a place to buy it too?  I guess so, you slackers, as they open a shop on the hottest block in the history of the world (877 Mass Ave)  in an attempt to make it bit easier to, you know, EXPRESS  yourself.  In the raw edgy space can be found t shirt darlings  Vardegan's latest collection, ( hotter then an otter? Yes please) , some cool men's jeans for a reasonable price, House of Fifth leather accoutrements and thin silver wire jewelry , great for stacking. On a sunny fall day ( haha) I bought a dog shirt,  name checked their poster of kickstarter donors for my shout out and contemplated a sweatpants purchase. Not sure what P's goal is, just may be an offer too good to refuse but more shopping is better then less if ask me. And while you are asking me, they could use a little more shit to buy in there, that is for sure

When in doubt

I couldn't decide so I bought both

Wanna buy a watch?

I imagine watch sales are down, way down. Why twist your wrist when you can just look at your dash or phone or computer corner? I'll tell ya why. They look super stylish even if they aren't even actually working. I am totally guilty of this, my men's Rolex hasn't been wound since 2005 and could care less if any of the rest are accurate even. The disenfranchise with watches has been good to me as I picked up a gold men's Gucci and a silver Michael Kors this weekend for a song.

OOTD

Close up of the owl shirt worn with my favorite orangey red Anthropologie pants

Scrunchie

I have a scrunchie in my vanity drawer. It was from  Foxmoor and is black chiffon with gold charms on it. I wear it unironically as it keeps my hair up during a mud mask. It does not leave the house. Ever. Now I  forced to rethink this as the "S" word is showing up all over runways from Rag and Bone to Vuitton. Marc Jacobs

even put his name on one but he calls it a Chou Chou. Smart move dude

Uhhhh no

Sorry InStyle, but that is not a jeans must have 

City Gallery Porch Party Day

In the spirit of community and pastries, my friend Tiffany of Historic Indianapolis and I hosted a porch party in the wee hours of July 13 as part of National Neighborhood Porch Party Day promoted by City Galley. I even crafted! Dont worry, no  exceptional  vintage  tablecloths were harmed in the process. Locally  owned Long's doughnuts, coffee and tea were gleefully consumed with one exception as a guest had pre partied at The American Doughnut Company. Recruitment was attempted in the onslaught of the many runners passing by but we were mostly rebuffed, sadly but understandably so 

8 Fifteen super sale!

About twice a year I nearly lose my mind and that is when 8 Fifteen in Bro Rip has its seasonal sale. 75% off of last ( let's face it THIS) seasons frocks with unusual cuts and trend forward silhouettes. Sadly, I was only able to fit my fat ass in a pair of shoes this time though i was really on the fence about these super cool suede and metallic hightop sneakers   before reminding myself that i just don't wear those kind of shoes. Street is not my game

These Vic Matie sandals were it today. I bought a Dyptique candle also just to round up.

Chanel cowboy

How much do I love Chanel's crazy interpretive cowboy look this season.? A whole yippie ki yah lot. At first I thought Ralph Lauren had lost his mind in a subserviant  way but then realized I was looking at a much much higher price tag. These best is those boots that are actually tights! Really! Fricking genius

Lion around the shop

Here at Queen Bee we are all about the cute. Could not resist these lion change purses. Do you see the little pick in his mane as he does his 'do?

Mr Dino

This brand was totally under my radar as just another wild poly disco thing. That all changed when I got a load of stuff that contained not one but 7 Mr Dino pieces. The bright colored and painterly design got my attention as well as the obvious care since Mr Dino has a signature somewhere on all his pieces. 

Just cannot believe...

My kid asked me "who is that guy on your shirt?"" And I was all like "Are you serious!!"

Today's Find

Picked up this sweetie this morning at a sale. What do you bet it had matching shoes at one time? I simply adore a top handle bags and until I was 10 I refused to wear anything but red white and/or blue. I still carry a vestige of that today 

These darling 1950's headbands are so detailed

and great for those who can't commit to a hat. I imagine many of these were handmade to spruce up a certain outfit just perfectly. 

Thanks Dawn!!

My friend and picker Dawn brought me this fab My Flat in London T shirt and I have worn it every day since. Kidding! But am seriously contemplating getting about ten of these. This terrible picture does not do it justice. The bee is actually pink and the crown is raised rhinestones. Just super cute

Hoosiernista Blog check it

I love love love it when a new fashion inspirer pops up.  Dedee Johnson of The Hoosiernista, is doing just that with her blog of all things Indy. She is a regular Queen Bee shopper too and  also so much fun to shoot! I'm on her style maven page so I think the love is mutual. Maybe

There are no words

How would you categorize this lamp? Fantasy? Freakish? Alien? 

New (to me) Bakery Bliss

Loving vintage is to appreciate many other forms of  nostalgia not just frocks. I stumbled upon Hart Bakery ( 10th & Shadeland) housed in a 60's DQ (maybe) filled with precious moments cake toppers, cases of fudge and cookies and donuts and lemon bars and a beehived baker in the back who knows all the regulars. I did not see an espresso machine nor a cupcake. It was glorious. 

Outdoor

Ok I hate outside. Just a little bit. The heat, the itchy grass oh those terrible bugs. Citronella candles can help with the latter a bit

but when they are in the shape of a giant gnome, I could be enticed to sit on the porch maybe just a little longer

Bar stools black white MOD

I see this style of bar stool all day long in wood rattan,  kinda yawn. 

Here is something a bit different. No, folks, these are not painted. They are mod white plastic with vinyl seats and white piping! How groovy is that!

Transition piece

So I'm not buying vintage here but I am wearing it in the form of yellow eyelet 50's swing skirt, one of the easiest things to throw on and make modern. You can down the frump a little with sassy heels or up it with a big sweater but I do not advise that sort of thing.

Here we go again

Hello. I like shopping. ESPECIALLY shopping for vintage to put in The Bee. That's my store at 111 E 16th St in Indianapolis Indiana full of frocks and jewelry and purses and barware and whatever else I pick up. Stay tuned.