outfit: tax day

So...it's looking like we owe. Hubbs is furious. I'm complacent. I'm not going to bore you with the details, suffice to say we're now hunting down every scrap of paper that we can find so we can itemize and bring the number down to a non-stinging amount. He has informed me that I am "never working again." We would have received a nice refund without my W-4s. ::shrugs:: What can you do?

We did come home and do some retail therapy though. I know what you're thinking: spending was at a halt. Okay, side note: Layne, my favorite person in the whole world, once said to me (we were talking about our cash drawers balancing at the bank): "It's all a matter of perception. When you start the night missing $500, and finish only missing $10, you're happy to accept that $10 loss!" Her philosophy works on so many levels. One day, we thought we owed the IRS over $2,000. The next, we owe them $500. Now, with the itemizing we're doing it's looking more like $300. I'm much happier with that figure than I was before!

So Hubbs got (wait for it...) baseball cards, and I was rewarded with this beauty:

It's a 1960's day dress from Etsy, and I've had my eye on it for a while. At only $22, it was a complete bargain! And it's so pretty and floaty, it just makes me think of summer! Today was one of the first days we finally hit the high eighties and it felt so good to be outside. It brought to mind images of lemonade and afternoons spent watching the clouds blow by. The breeze was blowing, the sun was shining, the bells were ringing--I felt like I was in a musical! I'd even donned my best "a-lady-does-her-taxes" outfit. And what exactly does a lady wear to do her taxes? Anything that keeps her from sweating!







White blouse from The Gap, linen capri pants from Maurice's, cherry cha-cha shoes by TUK, flower pearls from Claire's, pearl earrings from personal collection.

I absolutely love the simplicity of this outfit. The shirt is very lightweight and comfortable and there's something "sweet" about it. The capri's and shoes have been featured in other outfits as I'm trying my hardest to mix-and-match most of my wardrobe. When it comes to separates I'm trying to make most items do double duty. Although I have to start relaying this concept to my accessories as well. I don't have a pair of plain white shoes (am thinking I'd like some Mary Jane's or T-straps), nor do I have a simple white purse (and how many times could those items do double duty?!). So, after the dust settles and the IRS is out of my hair, I'm hoping I can start polishing my wardrobe. In the meantime, I'm just happy I don't have to hawk all of our belongings to pay our tax bill!

sold!

Last night we had the Mardi Gras benefit auction hosted by the Officer's Spouses' Club here on base. The night was not what we had envisioned. While we won a silent auction, the live auction was completely heart breaking. I literally had to step out of the room because I was bawling when they started the bid on a gorgeous collection of vintage Marine Corps items at $1,500. It ended up selling for well over $4,000. I told Jason the whole evening felt like a slap in the face. It was as if the commissioned Marines had invited the enlisted Marines just to rub their money in our faces. Maybe this sounds a little dramatic, but with the auctioneer (a.k.a. the base General) telling the officers, "I know you have this much money!" or "You can afford $3,500! We just gave you a raise!" it was really belittling. It's highly doubtful we'll go again next year, or if we do, we'll stick strictly to the silent auction. Had we known the live auction would end up like that, we probably would have. I swear if my husband ever becomes an officer I will never, ever flaunt my money that way or use it to make others feel inferior!

The evening wasn't a complete bust. I looked spectacular! (Yes, yes, can we say immodest?) Upon entering the room I had three compliments on my dress right away. While walking around, I was stopped by several WWII vets and asked about my stockings. One of their wives got down real close and asked if the lines were painted on. I laughed and said, "They're nylon, so the boys can still use the silk for their parachutes!" That gave them a real chuckle! I had random strangers tell me how gorgeous my whole outfit was; one gentleman (dressed head to toe in a blue and white seersucker suit--damn me for not having my camera!) told me my shoes were, "amazing!" Hubbs just sat and grinned as the other Marines prodded him with the usual question of, "What do you do to get your wife to dress like that?!" He just shook his head and said, "That's all her."

So the night was an emotional roller coaster. ;0)

But as I said, we didn't walk away empty handed! We did win on a silent auction for this adorable die-cast 1957 Chevy Bel Air. Oh, I'm so happy with it--which is odd, because I am not a die-cast car type of person! But I wish I could blow it up to actual size!

Look at the dice in the mirror!!

I love the little licence plate. We thought this was where our adventure ended, until my nail snagged the V and up came the trunk.

And surprised us with a trunk full of die-cast goodies! Isn't it so sweet?

Oh, I suppose you'd like to see the "spectacular" outfit, huh? Do the shoes and stockings not totally make the outfit?! And those shoes were quite comfortable! I was worried as they were 4-inch heels, but they have one of those hidden platforms in them to make wearing easier--and it was!

Red and black dress by Ruby Rox, seamed stockings by Leg Avenue with garter belt (not shown) from Victoria's Secret, t-strap shoes by Fahrenheit, black and red feather fascinator from Etsy seller Boring Sydney, diamond earrings from personal collection.

The fascinator from Boring Sidney was wonderful and complimented the outfit in a way I never knew existed!



So, we learned a few things; the evening definitely put spending money into perspective; overall my husband and I still had a good night and went to bed laughing at our own silliness and goofiness. And at the end of the day that's what really matters. Not $4,000 collectibles.