that's right...it's 2011 montage time!

Second post of the last day of the year! In keeping with DJRD tradition, I thought I would do a little 2011 montage so... here is a quick look back at some Reckless Daughter over the last 12 months...

2011 was an incredible year of traveling new places, meeting new friends & enjoying old friends, music endevours, pretty dresses (of course) and so much more! I can only hope that 2012 brings as much excitement and wonder as this year has.  Lastly...HUGS to all of you lovely readers - this blog would be nothing without you!  HAPPY NEW YEAR! xoxo djrd

Belle of the Imaginary Ball

Hurrah! Our internet connection has returned and I'm probably going to do two posts today as a result! Firstly... I always pick out a few gowns each season that catch my eye -- even though, at present, I never attend any sort of ball befitting of a gown.  While attempting to come up with an idea of what to wear this New Years Eve I thought it might be fun to play a little game with myself and pick a few gowns from the Spring 2012 collections that I'd love to wear to a NYE ball. Here they are...

Marchesa  - these 3 are perfection. Obviously, heavily inspired by the 1920s which, of course, always catches my eyeballs!

 

 Zac Posen - thanks to my pal BethJean for passing along this lovely gown.  It reminds me of a mermaid which I secretly long to be.

 Alexander McQueen - ignoring the funky headwear (as usual with McQueen shows) this dress is so romantic and looks like it's made from layers of golden doilies - I am in love the neckline.

 

Oscar de la Renta - talk about romantic. this dress makes me want to lounge around on a chaise eating a box of chocolates and drinking something bubbly! It's so lovely I could cry a little.

 

Rochas (from W mag) this is the gown that actually inspired this whole post. Isn't it lovely?! It's modest yet manages to be quite sexy somehow.  It also has a mermaid / snow queen feel to it.

 

Did you have any favorite gowns from SS12? What would you wear to a ultra-fancy New Years party?

Things we lost in the fire...

Hello lovelies! For those of you who dont follow my twitter, I am currently without internet because of a scary incident involving one of my neighbor's cars and another neighbor's house being tourched last night (by someone with a mental health issue and far too much time on their hands, me thinks). Anyhow, Internet wires are very much melted and while they fix it (which won't be tonight) I am blogging from my mobile device. Honestly...its next to impossible but I did want to check in since so much time has elapsed between posts! I'll leave you with me in a bad Christmas sweater (*technically an 80s maternity sweater dress) which my whole family wore to spice up our Christmas tradition! Get ready to be jealous...

(*no I am not having a baby anytime soon, mom.)

Happy Christmas!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas! see you soon!!

xo DJRD

the brocade brigade

 'Tis the season to pull out all of the heavier fabrics in your closet but don't forget the wonderful tinsely things too! *Who am I kidding, I'll use any excuse to wear something that shimmers a little, whatever the season*  Fabrics like brocade seem especially appropriate for these winter months which is probably why I have been wearing this little dress quite. a. bit. It's been great for more casual Holiday functions and there have been plenty this time around.

outfit details
dress  (belt too I think but it's old!) - xxi
cardigan - vintage


Meanwhile, "the Brit" and I had our last house guest of 2011 this past weekend which was a lot of fun! Now I have to rush like mad to finish up this Christmas present shopping! Have you conquered your Santa list??

xdjrd

other places

 In case you miss me in between DJRD posts, I've been know to hang around in these other corners of the interweb...

TUMBLR

TWITTER

PINTEREST


xoDJRD

I'm a carpetbagger, baby

As usual, this time of year makes it next to impossible for me to post regularly but I promise to do my best! Meanwhile, I have been wanting to share my new winter coat with you all and now is as good a time as any so... here it is!  I suppose it is a bit like wearing a carpet (really heavy fabric) but it keeps me quite warm and it's such a fun 1960s pattern PLUS the lining is a lover-ly burnt orange color.

Though I bought it several weeks back, I have only been able to wear it a handful of times due to the crazy LA weather - ie: pretty cold until about 11am and then it shoots up into the high 60s or 70s (!) and makes you feel ridiculous for having put on SO many layers that morning.
outfit details:
coat - vintage 
shorts & shirt - h&m
tights - hansel from basel


musical notes: jenny lewis & elvis costello - carpetbaggers


I hope you all have a wonderful weekend... x

DJRD Holiday Wishlist *2011 Edition*

I've been painstakingly (hmm...how painful could it be, one might ask) putting together my 2011 Holiday wishlist...  these are some things that have caught my eye and that I wouldn't mind finding under our miniature tree...

links:topshop dress, brushes,vintage dress, wellies, lula photo, apc candle
There have been a slew of proper "gift guides" popping up over the past week... including
this one by Hannah Metz and, of course, the return of Cup of Jo's "Gift Guide" - which can be oh so helpful when shopping for tricky family members!

Meanwhile my week will involve all of the following...

photos via 1,2,3,4,5

see you soon! xx

PS: see past DJRD holiday wishlists here

little miss fix-it

 

This skirt sat in my ever-expanding "to sew" pile for the last 6 months, though I did pull it out a while back and wore it with the tear at the side (super classy of me... no one noticed or if they did, they weren't about to point it out). Then last weekend I finally got around to fixing it - now it's good as new! It's sure to be placed into heavy rotation this winter. This little project has inspired me to (maybe) get to the rest of that daunting pile; sew on those missing or loose buttons and snaps. Maybe even replace a zip or two? Very ambitious and we shall see how far I get before another 6 months goes by!

The blouse is was a gift from my mother over the Thanksgiving holiday. It's a sort of Edwardian  meets 1970s and I like it very much (so did my sister and she bought one too!). Unfortunately, I had to go up a size due to a slight pulling of the fabric in the boob area -  I know I've complained about this boobs thing before but I really preferred how the smaller size fit in the arms, sides and back. alas...the medium isn't so bad! And I suppose, some might say, there are worse issues to have.

 an aside: yes, I realize I'm making almost the same facial expression in most of these. ha. I have such incredible range! 

 
outfit details:
skirt: vintage
top: xxi
shoes: vintage 

PS: For better or worse, I'm getting into the the holiday spirit waaay early this year and I even made a little holiday mix if you are feeling festive - just some christmas time classics...