Got It Cut Instead

White t-shirt: Old Navy * Skirt: thrifted, remixed * Cardigan: Target, remixed * Tights: Hue, remixed * Loafers: Bass, remixed

You guys, today was awesome! Today....was HAIRCUT DAY. Haircut day is a magical day. Haircut day is when all your cares are swept away by a massaging shampoo and a few snips of the barber's scissors. On haircut day, you feel fresh, new, rejuvenated, wonderful. I don't think there's anything in this world that I love more than haircut day. Except, maybe, for haircut day followed by a brief shopping trip to Anthropologie and Forever 21 (have any of you noticed how good Anthropologie smells? I think it's their secret to making you want to buy their awesomeness. It worked, but my wallet protested, so I'll wait until something in the clearance section catches my fancy. I did get some stuff from Forever 21, like the sweet ring below.). Yep, haircut day is the best. I wouldn't replace it for anything. Except, maybe, lunch. Annnyyyway, I really love my hair salon. I've mentioned it before on here, but if any of you are in the Chicago area and need a little fringe trim, I would seriously recommend heading over to Twisted Scissors near the Milwaukee Blue Line stop. They are awesome, affordable, and immediately make you feel sooo comfy and welcome (and no, none of them asked me to say this. I just reallllllly love them).

So there's some exciting stuff going on over here at Between Laundry Days Central (a.k.a. my couch). I've been doing some digital-paper-doll-creating over at Couturious, at the request of the lovely Krystal of This Time Tomorrow and Weardrobe. That site is seriously addictive. Come hang out with me over there, if you're looking for an awesome new distraction. I'm also really excited to announce that I'm participating in the Mailbox Mavens project (check out Christina's post here), with a bunch of other wonderful, gorgeous bloggers. We'll be swapping some in-need-of-love items from our closets, and documenting how the other gals wear them. I'm so excited to try out some of the clothes, and see how they style my stuff! Stay tuned to our blogs (again, check out Fabulocity in Amish Country for a full list, with links!) to see how this project progresses. Finally, I've jumped on a major bandwagon and have opened a Formspring account. If you guys have any pressing questions, ask me there! I'll do my best to answer everything. Howeeevvvverrrr, if any of the questions get too personal, I will probably answer with something snarky (e.g. Q:"Clare, what's your social security number?" A:"123-your-mom"). Oh, and if no one asks me anything, I'll feel pretty dumb, so at least head over to ask me my favorite kind of PopTart or something...

Title song: The Waifs, "Haircut"

Love My Dress ~ Sunday Serving

Love My Dress ~ Sunday Serving

Gals,

One of my favourite things to do on a Sunday night is relax on the couch scouring the internet for interesting blog posts and quirky fashion finds. Well, since becoming pals with Annabel of "Love My Dress" Style Diary, we have found the best bunch of Sunday inspiration all in the one spot.

Annabel creates a fabulous post each Sunday called "Sunday Serving" where she serves up a veritable feast of inspiration,fashion and bridal finds from around the blogosphere. Its an absolute must for discerning brides out there , looking for that something special for the big day.

But don't just take my word for it, grab yourself a coffee, feet up on the couch, tear yourself away from facebook and enjoy the fashion finds @

Love My Dress ~ Sunday Serving

Thanks Annabel.

Style Me Pretty Bride Abby

Victorian Inspired Silk Bonzie Bolero!

Gals,

The talented stylistas over at "Style Me Pretty" Bridal Blog have just recently featured an absolutely stunning wedding captured by renowned photographer Stacy Reeves documenting Bride Abby and her hunky beau Zach special day. The details throughout the whole wedding are exceptional, the theme the color scheme the whole ambience, these folks know how to get the magic just right! We were very excited to see our Victorian Inspired Silk Bridal Bolero on Abby as part of her bridal ensemble, the brides personal elegance adds a really polished finish to the look!

Thanks to Stacy for capturing Abby's and Zach's magic on film the album looks incredible!

www.bonzie.etsy.com

And You Haven't Even Kissed Me Yet

Tan criss-cross blouse: Ann Taylor, thrifted * Gray pants: thrifted * Maroon cardigan: Derek Heart, remixed * Jazz shoes: Seychelles, remixed * Belt: Joe's closet * Beaded leather cuffs: Gift from Joe's mom, remixed

Dear High-Waisted Pleated Pants,

I love you. Truly, madly, deeply.

When I first met you, I just wasn't sure. You seemed dangerous, unattainable. I gazed at you from afar, with other girls, convincing myself that you just wouldn't be right with me. You wouldn't deign to get near the likes of me. Those girls, taller, skinnier, with long feminine hair to offset your undeniable masculinity; I wasn't anything like those girls. I guess I just figured I wasn't your type. I never dreamed you'd think twice about a girl like me.

But you know how those things go, High-Waisted Pleated Pants. The more you look, the more you wonder about something, the more you want it. And it eventually was that way with you and me. There came a point when I just couldn't take it anymore. You had to be mine. I had to find out what made you so undeniably fabulous. I wanted to be like those girls, looking wonderfully chic, breezy, happy, with you by their sides. I thought that if I could just have you in my life I'd be magically transformed into one of them.

The first time we were together, like so many first-time romances, it was dangerous, exciting. I had never been with High-Waisted Pleated Pants before, and you felt new and exhilarating. I felt like we were sneaking something, like we were getting away with something daring and new, something that no one had ever tried before. You were my companion in our dangerous game. But no matter the excitement, that first time was scary. You felt new, different, and I was unsure if I'd ever come back to you. Maybe High-Waisted Pleated Pants weren't for me after all. Maybe I'd never understand the true joys of being one with a pair of High-Waisted Pleated Pants. But maybe it was okay that way. Maybe we were meant to be a one-time thing.

But it didn't work. I just couldn't leave. Every time I saw you with someone else I'd think longingly of our time together and think that maybe we should give it another shot, try again. So I found you again, convinced you to come home with me, and now here we are. You just fit me, High-Waisted Pleated Pants. You get me. You know what makes me look good. I feel like a million bucks when I'm with you. You bring out my curves, my sassiness, my shape, my womanliness. I'm comfortable when I'm with you, High-Waisted Pleated Pants, in a way that I haven't been with other Pants. My other Pants feel restrictive compared to you, like they're trying to contain me, keep me hidden. You embrace me, and make me happy to be me. So thank you, High-Waisted Pleated Pants, for being wonderful, flexible, flattering, unusual you. I do love you.

Love,
Clare

p.s. I love how great you look with that knotted belt, High-Waisted Pleated Pants. I would only think to try that with you, and I'm so glad I did.

p.p.s. Oh High-Waisted Pleated Pants, what we have is so great, but we never would have made it to where we are today without the inspiration of some of your other women, this woman in particular. Thanks, Kyla!

p.p.p.s. Some very exciting things are coming up in the next few weeks, so stay tuned!!!

Title song: Bonnie Raitt, "Love Letter"

TV and Shoots.

Hi Gals,

2 pieces of news for you...

Bonzies Rococco Ruffled Neck Piece available on the RTE Website now
The Afternoon Show, RTE 1

Click Here for the Online Clip

Top Stylist Tanya Grimson creates an ethereal look using soft pastel shades with a flash forward to spring/summer trends including one of our signature tea stain ruffled wraps worn in the shoot as a scarf/neckpiece.

Also pictured above are some sneak peak shots from our recent photo shoot with Foxy Chopper Hair Design, Shane O'Neill ( superfantastical photographer), talented make up artiste, Kate Rose Crean.

Loving the haunted nature of these!

It Hasn't Been the First Time

Plaid shirt: Macy's, remixed * Green sweater: Old Navy, remixed * Corduroy skirt: Old Navy, remixed * Tights: L'eggs * Red t-straps: Clarks * Necklace: market in Chile, remixed * Ring: gift, remixed

I don't have a full-length mirror in our apartment. This is not because of any conscious decision, but when Joe and I moved in together, neither of us had one, and we just never got around to buying one. I often stare at my closet door longingly, wishing that there was a simple pane of reflective glass mounted to it, but alas, it is just a door. Most of the time it's fine. I have a pretty good sense of what works and what doesn't, so I don't often need a full-body scan before I leave the house. On the days when I'm feeling really insecure I'll take a quick photo to get an idea, but it's not quite the same. This was neither of those days. I was neither overly-confident nor super insecure about this particular outfit, so I didn't bother to check before leaving the house. Now, you might be thinking that this paragraph about full-length mirrors is leading up to a grand statement about how disappointed I was with this outfit when I finally saw it. Quite the opposite, however! I knew I liked this outfit, and I knew it looked pretty good, but I was pleasantly surprised when I finally saw the pictures. This outfit had a delightful nerdy-chic vibe to it that I hadn't expected in the course of the day. I can't decide if I even want a full-length mirror now; I kind of liked the surprise!

Speaking of nerdy-chic, I've been meaning to do a post about books for quite awhile. I've been an avid reader all my life. I used to stay up late at nights, reading whenever I couldn't sleep. I went through series and series of books, some on the sillier side (The Babysitter's Club, The Boxcar Children, the Redwall series), but some of the classics, too. It was hard for me that once I started college I had less time to read. I mean, I was doing tons of reading for class, but I didn't have time for the kind of reading-for-pleasure that I did as a kid. Recently, since I've started to work full-time, I've enjoyed having real free time in the evenings and weekends, time that isn't consumed by homework or papers or extracurriculars (oh, who am I kidding? I was about the least involved student, other than with schoolwork). I actually have time to read, and revisit some of my old favorites. I read Catcher in the Rye when I was probably 11, and I remember absolutely loving it. I didn't understand most of it, and I'm sure I missed major themes, details, and so-called "adult" content, but it stuck with me for years as one of my favorite books. I've read it multiple times since then, and it's never lost its splendor for me. The literary world lost something very special when J.D. Salinger passed away last month. What about all of you: any literary heroes of yours? Wordsmiths that you hope beyond hope to be able to emulate someday? Books you want to recommend?

Title song: Green Day, "Who Wrote Holden Caulfield?"

The Afternoon Show

Hi Gals,

Just a heads up that "The Afternoon Show" ( pictured above) on RTE 1 will be featuring one of our pieces again in the fashion segment by stylist Tanya Grimson tomorrow. We will pop back and post the link afterwards so you can catch it online too.

Its always a treat to see any of our work on screen, really adds a bit of glamour. :)

Hope you enjoy it.

On the Other Side of Town

Blouse: Target, remixed * Skirt: thrifted * Cardigan: Forever 21, remixed * Tights: L'eggs * Boots: Ciao Bella, remixed * Belt: Target, remixed * Pearl Ribbon Necklace: Objects Found

So I'm still fairly sick today. I kept telling people at work that I was operating at about 70%, but for some reason, many of them seemed to think that I was saying that I was still 70% sick. I think I wasn't communicating very well. In my defense, I was still 30% sick. :) Anyway, even though I was feeling a lot better than yesterday, I was still pretty under the weather. It was the kind of day when I was really pale, and drained, and didn't want to look in a mirror because of how washed out and sallow I looked. I figured I may as well try to draw the attention away from my sunken eyes and washed-out skin, so I busted out the red lipstick. I am normally not a lipstick gal. It is just not my thing, for the most part. There is, however, something magical about red lipstick. Despite all the vitamins and chamomile tea, the one thing that really made me feel awesome today was the lipstick. As soon as I had it on, I immediately felt ten times better, and was full of sass and motivation for my day. In case you're wondering, I'm wearing Cover Girl Lipstain. It's literally like using a magic marker on your face, which, in my mind, was always what made makeup fun. I think if more kinds of makeup came in toy-like formats I'd look a lot more like a drag queen. So maybe it is better this way! :)

In addition to the lipstick, I decided to class things up a little bit today. I was inspired by how great I felt after the last "classy" ensemble I wore, so I decided to rock another incarnation of it today. I've always loved the combination of maroon and cream. It's one of the sweetest color combos, and I loved how this particular combo worked out. I got this skirt on my thrifting expedition this weekend. It's fully lined (for some reason, I never appreciated the importance of lined skirts until recently), and a gorgeous thick material that's great for the winter. It's a tiny bit big, so I wore it lower on my waist and used this great leather belt to accentuate my waist instead. I've also been really digging the "calf-grazing" skirt trend recently. It's a length that I never thought I could pull off, but I actually think it works quite well when paired with the right shoes. I'm intrigued by how it might look with pumps, but I think it's really best with knee-high boots. Since the length shortens your legs a bit, I think that knee-high boots keep the leg line clean and uninterrupted. In any case, I'm pretty excited to see how else this look can be styled.

All of today's classiness really came in handy today. After being sick all day yesterday, my day at work today was unbelievably busy. I had meetings all morning, which I hadn't been able to prepare for properly, and my afternoon was spent running around town, reading and responding to dozens of emails, and working on all the projects I had hoped to get a leg up on yesterday. I did end up getting a lot done, and I feel a lot more prepared for tomorrow. Anyway, by the time I finally got my stuff together to go home, it was well past 5 and everyone else had already gone home. It was definitely a day when a classy, pulled-together outfit came in handy. I felt professional and easily ready to take on all the tasks that were facing me. In a lovely twist, one of my old friends called me right when I was getting done with work, and we spent a couple of hours hanging out, drinking Irish ales (yay for St. Patty's day being just around the corner!) and talking about school, family, weddings, and boyyyyys. :) It was fun to see her, and I'm glad I got to end the day on a more easygoing note.

I want to take a quick moment to thank you all for your wonderful comments, thoughts, and general participation lately. (Also, I know that this post is getting out-of-hand-long, but I really want to add this before I head off for the night!) For the past few weeks, you guys have been so great (not that you weren't great before, because you totally were!)! I've gotten so many amazing comments from all of you; really wonderful in-depth, personal, and thoughtful comments that have reinforced how much I love this community. One of the things that has been particularly delightful is reading the comments of all of you who have recently "come out of the woodwork". I've gotten a lot of first-time commenters lately, which I really love. I adore all my regular commenters, too, but it's so great to hear from some of you who have read Between Laundry Days for awhile but haven't commented yet. So I encourage you: comment! opine! voice your thoughts! please, pipe up! If you've been hanging out in the shadows for awhile, I'd love to hear from you.

Title song: Gary Allan, "Red Lips, Blue Eyes, Little White Lies"

Client Corner ~ Heather

Just look at this foot candy by "Irregular Choice" Shoes!!!

Gals,

Wait until you see our latest bride Heathers wedding! Its out of this world gorgeous , the vintage detailing, the atmosphere, the style, the ruffles.........need I go on. Heather and her family and friends hand created a wedding which can only be described as a wedding day like something straight out of the pages of vogue, its utterly stunning.

Heather looked incredible on the day and rocked one of our "Fallen Angel" ruffled boleros with her vintage inspired bridal ensemble.

Heather kept a blog documenting the whole day and the details are absolutely stunning.

http://crankywedding.blogspot.com/

A must see!!

Thank you for sharing your special day with us all Heather, we are so glad you did. :)

Hope your and your new man are really happy together. xxx

Check out Heathers amazing photographer at http://www.lifebetweenblinks.com/

bonzie & ger

Some people have called this blog intellegent.

This should stop that kind of nonsense.

Inspiration from the Atmosphere

Lime blouse: Old Navy, remixed * Black cardigan: Old Navy, remixed * Skirt: H&M, remixed * Tights: Target: Brogues: apostrophe, remixed * Necklace: gift

I've got a case of the Mondays today, fo sho. And probably a case of somethin' else, too, since I've been home sick all day. I started coming down with something yesterday, and tried to beat it, but by the time I woke up this morning I was achy, weak, and just generally under the weather. I'm feeling a bit better now...I think it has something to do with the multitude of tea and Emergen-C that I've been dutifully drinking throughout the day. I'm going to go out on a limb and contribute it to the Heroes marathon I've indulged in this afternoon. Probably more due to the tea, though, huh? Since I'm sick, I haven't exactly gotten dressed today. So these outfit shots are from a little while ago. I do remember that I had a pretty busy day at work that day, so I wanted to feel comfortable but still look professional. I got the idea to cross-tuck this cardigan from Blue Collar Catwalk and What Would a Nerd Wear, and I really like how it ended up. It was surprisingly comfortable, and I think it looked sleek and pulled together. Plus, it totally changed the way this particular cardigan looked. It's usually a looser, flowier fit, but by cross-tucking it, it took on a totally different, polished quality.

In other news, I spent a good chunk of time yesterday updating my Etsy shop (the above pictures, when clicked on, should link to each listing in the shop). I took a bit of a break from the necklace-makin'-and-sellin' biz around the holidays, but since then I've been making some pieces here and there. I finally got a chance to photograph and list them all yesterday. As always, if you see something that you like, but want a minor (or major!) tweak, let me know. Working on these necklaces reminds me of how much I love Etsy! There is so much great stuff there. I think what I like the best about it is that it has both vintage and handmade stuff. I love that you can find some astonishing heirloom one day, and then an incredible handcrafted scarf the next. And I love that it gives the opportunity for small businesses (or tiny one-person enterprises, like mine) to exist in an increasingly small-business-stifling economy. The buy local, buy vintage, buy handmade movement is so real, so smart, and so creative, and I'm thrilled to see how much it is flourishing. I remember when Wal-Mart first came to my small town, and a lot of stores struggled, a lot, an went out of business entirely. Now, I realize that sites like Etsy cannot entirely replace the indie record stores and clothing boutiques in small towns, but it is a start. And I think it's proof positive that we're not just interested in the lowest price, no matter the cost. We value quality, and craftsmanship, and supporting small family businesses. So tell me: what's your favorite Etsy shop?

Title song: The Fugees, "Family Business"

Messing with the Flavor

Sweater: Old Navy, remixed * Gray tank: Old Navy, remixed * Leggings: actually fleece long underwear! * Blue socks: Target, remixed * Suede boots: Hot Kiss, remixed * Ring: gift, remixed

Ah, weekends! I had a truly lovely weekend, incredibly productive and fun. I cleaned the apartment, did loads of loads of laundry ("loads of loads"...heehee, it's alliterative and awkward!), cooked lots of deliciousness, and found some majorly amazing finds at the thrift store. My personal favorite was the fabulous vintage Sears & Roebuck lined trench coat that I found for a whopping $4.49. It fits like an absolute dream and will be absolutely perfect once Spring rolls around. It was half-off day at Unique Thrift today, and I found some great stuff. I'll be debuting them piece by piece as they come out, but suffice it to say that they are awesome! This outfit is pretty much my favorite weekend uniform yet. I was inspired by the January issue of Lucky magazine. They had a feature on layering, and I was particularly intrigued by this particular outfit. It was probably just because I already had all the pieces for it, but I also really love the easy, casual style. I feel a little bit like it's one part casual weekend comfort and one part Flashdance. So fun!

In other news, I made some really spectacularly delicious dinners this weekend. I think that my inspiration from yesterday's post just got me stewing about awesome dinner possibilities. This evening I made a really great veggie stew. Red lentils, cauliflower, bell peppers, carrots, celery, the works! So yummy. Last night, I wanted to make something a little nicer for Joe when he got home from work, so I made a yummy roasted butternut squash and bacon pasta with a yummy green salad. Not to brag or anything, but this was absolutely divine. I finished today off with a really divine smelling home-baked bread pudding. Honestly, that puppy is so easy to make I can't believe I don't make it more often. Seriously, I think bread pudding has got to be one of the best things ever. Clearly I was feeling very culinary this weekend. What about you guys? Any awesome stuff happen this weekend? Also, I'm curious: would you have any interest in me posting sporadically about food? I cook often, and sometimes it's definitely photo-worthy. Plus, I'd love to give Joe's curries a moment in the spotlight. Let me know if that's something you'd occasionally be into!

Title song: Jason Mraz, "Too Much Food"

Exciting New Beginnings!

Adele Elizabeth one of the Artists in Miss Kiki Salon

Songstress Gabby Young, official muse of Miss Kiki Salon

Gals,

We are both very excited to be sharing some awesome news with you all today. We have been invited to participate in a hot new London Art Collective called Miss Kiki Salon. Launched recently as part of London Fashion Week, Miss Kiki Salon has been described by the press as the next "Bloomsbury" generation.

"A collaborative concept designed to celebrate and promote the work of emerging artists, photographers, illustrators, poets, musicians, writers and philosophers in new and compelling ways. Our early collaborations have brought together a collection of exceptional talents to form the beginnings of a new art/fashion/performance concept that is initiating a new and exciting movement in art and culture. http://www.misskikisalonpresents.com " ............Miss Kiki

We are so excited about this new move for Bonzie Designs and look forward to bringing you future news of our collaborative efforts, watch this space. :)

Follow Miss Kiki Salon on Facebook here

Official Website here

Laundry Day: Work Up a New Appetite

I'm staying in today, being supremely productive. So far I've completed three loads of laundry, sent out a half-dozen emails I've been meaning to send for weeks, caught up on my blog-reading for the week, and am getting ready to make a seriously delicious bread pudding for when Joe gets home from work. Speaking of food, I wanted to take the opportunity to share with you all the latest in my interwebs obsessions: food blogs. As I've mentioned, food is my. favorite. thing. ever. I can't stress that enough. So it would only make sense that food blogs fill me with happiness (and hunger...). Here are some of my recent faves:

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Honestly, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Ree Drummond, mega-blogger and home-cook extraordinaire. Joe got me a copy of her cookbook for Christmas, and she hasn't steered me wrong yet. Yum.

Smitten Kitchen: This one is new to me, and I love the vibrant photos, healthy but delicious foods (hello, greens and grains!), and easy, accessible recipes.

Gluttony is a Bliss: This Tumblr isn't really a recipe blog, but it has the most decadent pictures of food ever. Plus, they do a daily theme and deliver dozens of drool-worthy photos of foods in that theme.

Cupcakes and Cashmere: I love Emily's blog for lots of reasons, not least of which is that she is stunningly beautiful and has an exquisite fashion sense and an eye for aesthetic that I truly envy. But she also posts photos of some of her home-cooking, as well as some of her favorite local eats, and those posts are just as, if not more, enjoyable as her fashion-oriented ones.

Homerun Ballerina: Like Emily, Audrey's blog is one of my absolute favorites, and it spans thematic categories. She has the most amazing personal style, and has some of the most enviable vintage clothes. She's a baker/chef, from what I gather, in NYC, and there have been many a day when I've wished I could head over to her place for dinner.

Audrey also homebrews, so she's a gal after my own heart:

So now I put it to all of you: are there any internet eateries that you can recommend? The more the merrier!!

*All images link back to the original website, and are credited to each, accordingly.

Title song: Oliver, "Food, Glorious Food"