Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Traveling Tuesday- where have you been?!

It's been ages since I have blogged, I'm sure you all have been sitting on the edges of you seats waiting for my return-ha! Well, I've been in Oklahoma,Kansas,Arizona,etc. I will be posting alot, and a lot of random posts NOT following my weekly themes. There are a few people wanting me to catch up on posting, especially topics they want to hear about or relate to them. This week I am helping everyday with the Kansas state FFA convention, but hold on, cuz next week will be blogging overload!

Words of Wisdom

Thrifty Derby Hats

As I promised last week, today's Thrifty Thursday will feature the hats my grandma and I made and wore to the derby.  We took some simple hats bought at thrift stores for a couple of dollars. Bought a few embellishments at Hobby Lobby and the rest were flowers, ribbons, and accents we had, or got at a yard sale. I did a lot of looking online to see what was in-style for hats. The larger the better.

Before:

After:

Words of Wisdom

I'm going to The Derby!

Weeeelllll...kinda. When you read this I will be in Oklahoma City at Remington Park celebrating at their version of Derby Day.

Last year I posted about hats and the history, you can read that here. This year I am actually going to get to wear a big hat, 3 generations will be entered in the hat contest listed above.   I will let you know how it goes and next week's Thrifty Thursday will feature the hats we made.

Oh yeah.....Happy Cinco De Mayo as well!

Fashion Friday-Cap & Gown

Today, I get my Masters from Oklahoma State University. Next Friday I will have pictures!
 Its been awhile since I have give a Fashion Friday along with history lesson so here is goes! Short and sweet as usual.

1222- was the first year (as far as I can find) that gowns were worn by graduates.

Robe or Gown: The three types of degrees each have a different style gown. Master's gowns have oblong sleeve, open at the wrist, with the base hanging down, and rear part of the oblong cut square while the front arc cuts away.

Hood: Academic Hoods are black, made from the same fabric as the gown. They vary in length depending on the degree from three feet to four feet, and the doctoral hood is wider. Lined with college or university colors, they typically have one field color and one chevron color, though sometimes there are school specific variations. The edge of hoods are velvet in the color of the degree subject

Mortarboard or Cap: Mortarboards are flat rather than "poofy" at the top, are not made from velvet, and are also usually black but come in a variety of colors and variations are more frequent than with tams. Mortarboards have only four sides, and typically have a tassel with a single button at the top, usually in the color of the degree-granting institution.

You can read more here.

Custom Painted Boots

I have been wanting a pair of tall fancy boots to wear with a skirt/dress, but haven't found the pair that I really like or that aren't $500. I know this fad won't last long so why invest so much.

My solution: Make my own!

I first found a pair of vintage Calvin Klein boot.

Then I stuffed them with paper to make them easier to paint. I choose western designs, some from other boots I've seen or country "clip art"

 Then I went to painting. I didn't want them to be totally covered, I just wanted boots with a little bit of excitement. The top of the next pair will be completely painted.

Front/Side:

Back:

A wonderful life

May Day!

Happy May Day!  Last year I posted the history of May Day here.

So this year, I'm just going to share photos of what is in bloom and signs of spring around my place.

Cactus in Bloom