Heat Wave

If you're as warm as we are here at Cheap Thrills, you might be struggling to find wardrobe ideas to ride out the heat wave. Today, my aim is to assist you in your search for summer style. Here are a few tips:

Stay in Linen.

Linen is a lightweight fabric with a very breathable consistency. Opt for flowing styles that don't cling to the body, and lighter tones. Great for a casual date night where one might be going to an indoor restaurant, then outside afterward. Another great fabric to stay cool with is a lightweight 100% cotton, denim. The denim shirt or short is a great vintage flashback trend that is great for hot summer days when you're tired of the T-shirt.

Skirt Around the Issue.

Ladies! You have the option not to wear trousers! Try a lightweight skirt that flows in an outward motion to stay cool.

Play Dress Up.

70's length maxi dresses are really popular right now, pick your favorite style and try accessorizing with big chunky wooden bangles, and a pair of flat sandals to stay comfortably stylish.

Avoid Pits of Despair

If you're at an outdoor summer social function outside, chances are you'll see a lot of, um, pit stains. Yikes! Gross! That's right, I said it. Ew.

If appropriate, opt for a top that breathes easily, hangs looser around the body, and if you can, is sleeveless! If you're heading to a wedding that requires the shoulders to be covered while inside, just wear a light jacket or cardigan, then when the outdoor reception starts, party on(without it).

If you tend to sweat on your lower half, try this trick: It seems like the opposite of what you've probably heard, but a darker color with a print in a flowing fabric will hide some of those embarrassing sweat marks.

Beat the Heat-Summer Style Photos by David Spence

Whew, its hot outside! Check out these fun summery shots, taken by Tulsa photographer David Spence.

The T-Shirt is a great, casual way to beat the heat in the summer, and what's better than a fun, authentic vintage T? We have tons of different T's at Cheap Thrills, including this one. You can pair a simple t-shirt with many different combinations such as a very hot item this summer, the jean short, or even tuck your shirt in to a high-waisted skirt, belt it and you have another great summer combination.

When its just too hot to go outside, stay cool inside with a good book. When the air conditioner gets too cold, throw on a cute vintage sweater like this one. You can wear just the sweater, or leave the sweater unbuttoned over your vintage T. There are so many fun options to mix and match with cardigans, and since I tend to get a little chilly inside during the summer, I usually pack one in my bag just in case.

David Spence is a local photographer(in Tulsa) and when I sat down with him to talk about his art, he mentioned that the 1950's was one of his favorite era's from fashion. When working with models, he said one of the best ways to make anyone feel more comfortable and look more natural under the camera lens during a shoot was to simply make them laugh. He said he finds that when someone is laughing they relax and aren't trying too hard to pose specifically and don't feel as self-concious. David likes to develop his own creative ideas and strives to take photographs with settings that are originally designed. One of his favorite menswear designers is Armani. David does fashion, event, and art-driven photography and his website can be found at http://david-spence.com.

Fashion History Lesson

Vogue, 1968- over the knee boots designed by Beth Levine

Hey Everyone! So sorry for the recent gap in posting, I've been out of town, so from now on posts will continue to be more regular, as in the past.

I was just looking at some recent designers shoe collections and was reminded of a designer who was largely popular in the 1950-70's, Beth Levine. A lot of modern day designers credit her as one of their key inspirations, and many famous style icons such as Marilyn Monroe and Jacqueline Kennedy wore her designs, not to mention Nancy Sinatra, Shirley MacLaine, Barbara Streisand, Lady Bird Johnson, and Patricia Nixon.

So many designers have used Levine's designs as their inspiration, including Benoît Méléard, a relatively new French designer who has worked in the past for Loewe, Helmut Lang, Jeremy Scott and Alexander McQueen and who recently(in 2001) began his own line of experimental footwear, stating 1950's Beth Levine designs as his primary inspiration. Other designers and fashion critics have also recognized the consequential impact of Beth Levine's inspirational creations as well:

“Beth Levine was an influential free spirit. There is nothing that I like more than seeing a creation coming from pure fun and pleasure, and this is always the case with Levine’s refreshing work. God bless her for that!”—Christian Loboutin

"Before Manolo Blahnik. there was the cutting-edge shoe designer, Beth Levine. Stockinged boots that extended into a wrapped bodysuit, slides lined in Astroturf, and driving pumps in the form of cars- all were part of her rich vocabulary..." Andre Leon Talley, VOGUE

Below are two photos of Beth Levine originals, then below them I've posted two examples of similar, more recent shoe designs by modern designers. I think you'll be surprised by the similarity!

A Beth Levine original, circa 1965

Above: Beth Levine original

Below: Marc Jacobs 2008

Marc Jacobs, 2008

below: United Nude 2011

United Nude, 2011 Collection Eamz Pump, black

Versatility with White

www.NjHorton.com - photo by Nicholas Horton

I love this photo first because of the natural light and secondly because of the contrast between such a fancy, party dress and the raw, natural surroundings. I have been noticing a lot of "Winter Whites" in this year's fall/winter collections, and a dress like this gem could even be paired with warm stole to make it winter appropriate. For an early springtime occasion it could be worn with a light cardigan and a skinny belt. Flats, a cardigan and a belt will dress this look down while a stole and pair of heels will cause it to be a show stopper. What would you pair with it?

Updates, SALE, and Photography by Nicholas Horton

Photo by Nicholas Horton; www.NJHorton.com

This week Cheap Thrills is having one of our famous HALF OFF SALES! So stop by to find sweet summer deals on clothes you won't find anywhere else.

In other news, the song "Home" from the video that we posted last week, was on the season finale of 90210 last night! Check out the video in our last post to check out all the featured threads.

We also had a photo shoot with one of Tulsa's great photographers, Nicholas Horton! One thing I personally admire about about him is that he shoots using all film. He doesn't even own a digital camera! And, his photos are just as beautiful if not more beautiful, than a lot of photographers(who use tons of digital editing and all sorts of tricks). Check out his website for samples of his other work at www.NjHorton.com. We'll post more photos from the shoot later this week.

The dress the modeled was worn by a very fashionable bride in 1953. The classically 50's silhouette consists of layered tea-length tulle floating gorgeously around a fitted, strapless bodice featuring two tiers of exquisite pleated detailing.

A nipped-in waist and fitted bodice were particularly fashionable at that time, as was the wearing of corsets and shapewear. Below the photo of the wedding dress, I've posted a few advertisements from 1953(the same year as this dress), that denote the glamourous shapewear of that time. No Spanx here folks!

Photo by Nicholas Horton, www.NjHorton.com

Advertisements for corsets and undergarments from 1953

Cheap Thrills and OKSWEETHEART

Hey Everyone! Just a quick update, we've been super busy over here at Cheap Thrills working on a music video with singer/songwriter/adorable dancer Erin Austin from the band OKSWEETHEART, but we haven't forgotten about you! OKSWEETHEART's song, "Home", will be featured tonight on the season finale of the show One Tree Hill. So tune in tonight and check out the video styled by Sarah Chorley(the writer of this blog...) and local artist Britt Scott; shot and directed by Nathan Presley Photography.

In her video for the song "Home", Erin sings about moving to many different places and throughout the scenes she creates different types of baked goods to take to her many new neighbors. For the shoot we pulled a lot of different looks, including the fantastic 1940's Candy Striper pinafore that Erin wears during much of the video(as an apron). She also sports several different looks when delivering baked goods to different neighbors, including one of my personal favorites, a 1950's black and white large check plaid dress with a collar and 3/4 sleeves. She also wears a 1980's aqua dress with a white sash that we created to go with it, and a 1950's checked romper paired with a navy cardigan. In the last scene she wears a silk crop top with red and blue stripes on a white background paired with a light wash high-waisted jean short. The 1940's-50's pieces were perfect for the shoot because we shot the entire video in a completely restored late 1950's house that had all the authentic bells and whistles; from the restored tile and dining table in the living room, to the built-in rotisserie oven in the kitchen wall, it was simply a vintage wonderland!

The song that we created the video for, called "Home", will be featured tonight on the season finale of the CW show One Tree Hill. So tune in to hear it and check out the video to see the clothes and hear the song.

The Real Deal

Has everyone heard about the Coach Vs. JoAnn Fabric's lawsuit that's going on? Apparently, JoAnn's had produced a fleece fabric (on the bottom right in the picture) that looks very suspiciously like the signature Coach "C's" pattern. Yes, a fleece. I was really hoping to make a home-sewn Coach Snuggie, so I guess since its been pulled from stores I'm out of luck! Anyway, there is now a huge lawsuit going on involving copyright issues.

I can't count the number of times I've spotted fake designer bags. Most often its a bad Louis Vuitton, Coach, Fendi or Prada. I "purse-sonally" do not understand why people would buy a bag that is obviously a fake, because its really not fooling anyone, and the market for fakes is laden with all sorts of shady activity(which one supports if they buy from it, not the designer who deserves the credit).

I would must rather purchase a quality item that is more individual than something that is mass produced, either fake or real; pieces that not everyone can have, but won't break the bank are ideal. So, I've posted a few examples of bags from Cheap Thrills that first of all, aren't fake, and secondly, have lots of personality.

Pictured:

The Ice Cream Bucket purse is an adorable and unique small carrier that is made of wood and is great for someone who really wants something different.

The Dark Red embossed leather piece in the center is a great piece that will transition well from daytime at the office to a relaxed evening out with friends.

The brown leather shoulder strap bag with mushroom motif is so funky and unique, its great for casual days when one needs a little more room to carry around their belongings.

Stop by the store to see more truly unique bags.

What do you think? Is it okay to buy a designer fake? Will Coach or JoAnn's win the lawsuit?

Goodbye, Mom Jeans.

Our model is wearing a high waisted leather pencil skirt with a shrunken maroon blazer with two front pockets. The skirt is really versatile and could be worn with a crisp white shirt for work, and the blazer could be worn with a variety of skirts, jeans, trousers or even a cute pair of shorts.

Goodbye Mom Jeans, hello stylish ladies!

I've heard a lot of women say that they don't like high waisted styles because they're afraid of looking outdated, and think that high waisted styles won't flatter them. Fear not! I've shared some tips here that should help you conquer high-waist-phobia and look good while doing it.

High waisted styles are really in right now, so here are a few ways to wear them well!

• Pick a fabric that glides against your skin, but doesn't stick or cling to it.
• Make sure it fits regardless of what number size it is. No one can see that except you.
• Opt for darker washes of jean and darker colors if you're worried about accentuating your hips.
• Choose a style that doesn't have a lot of added fabric bulk at the pockets or around the waistline. I've heard that a lot of women actually sew down any pockets and physically cut out the pocket lining so it looks like there is a pocket, but there isn't any added bulk.
• Stay away from styles that have a lot of buttons on the front, as they look bulkier. Stay away from shorts or skirts that are fitted if they are made with ribbed knit. The knit often looses its shape.
• Choose a length that is most flattering to your legs. If you're short, don't pick a style that cuts off your calves and swallows your body up in fabric, but try for an at the knee or above length. If your tall, don't opt for something extremely short or you will look disproportionately long-legged.
• When choosing high waisted skirts, don't limit yourself to one style. People often immediately think "pencil skirt" when thinking high waisted. But there are so many different drapes and styles that can flatter every figure, try different things and see if any of them work for you.
• If you're self conscious of the angular difference between your hips and waist, try pairing your high waisted style with a cardigan almost the same length as your hemline, but a few inches shorter. The high waistline will still be shown off, but there won't be a huge visual difference between the hips and the waist. You can belt your cardigan, button a few buttons, or leave the buttons undone for a more casual feel.

Get Waisted!

Since we've been discussing high waisted garments on the ole' Facebook page, I thought I'd post this skirt and sweater combo we have in store right now. High waisted skirts and trousers are really of the moment, actually quite versatile, and can flatter many different figure types. On Friday I'll be posting a few tips on how to effectively wear them to flatter your figure and feel confident while doing so.

The top is actually a sweater vest, worn without the typical under layer but more as a shirt. I love how this sweater-and-pencil-skirt combination give off a slightly preppy vibe, yet are so different from anything classically "preppy". We also have a sweet matching fringe vest that goes with this leather skirt, but you'll have to come in the store to check it out.

Play Your Cardigans Right

This cardigan is very different because it has an embroidered patch on the back; detail I haven't seen anywhere else except Cheap Thrills, though the shops are packed with different types of cardigans at the moment(and will be again for the fall). A great example of how vintage can be worn with modern styles in a casual way, the vibrant color of this piece jumps out immediately, then, the back makes it memorable.

Grandpa would be proud that you borrowed from his signature style, and then suddenly, when you're out rocking out this piece, a round of canasta doesn't sound so bad after all...

Picnics were Invented for Dresses Like This

I like to imagine that our model is about to go to a Fourth of July party. This fantastic 1940's dress was shortened by the previous owner and is made out of rayon. I love the contrast between the white puff sleeves, buttons, and pocket outlining against the bright red of the dress. I paired it with a sturdy leather bag and a few gold bracelets, as well as this fun red, white, and blue hat. This outfit is just begging to be worn to a picnic! It includes a matching fabric belt, but one could even wear a white or blue contrasting belt with it. It could also be worn with a cardigan if the weather gets chilly. I actually love that it was shortened because it can be paired with many different types of shoes. Personally, I would love to wear it with a pair of wedge espadrilles.

Fun Fact: The bag was previously owned by the costumer for the latest Ben Affleck movie "The Burial" that was filmed in Bartlesville last fall.

Plaid Mad

Photograph by Nathan Presley

The pleats on this skirt give it so much depth, and I love the gold buttons on the blue shirt.

Its amazing how much fabric actually goes into designing a skirt like this. If one were to lay it out flat without the sides being connected, it would form a complete circle which, when the pleats are added, is what gives it its fullness and dimension.

Some people claim that pleats are unflattering because of the bulkiness of the fabric when pleated, but I disagree. I think that pleats can be worn in a very flattering way, such as in this photo. Yes, the skirt is full and voluminous but the shirt fits very close to the body, which balances the outfit.

It reminded me of an American Apparel skirt I saw the other day, except I really don't think that the American Apparel skirt is at all flattering on the model. It makes her look heavier than she is because of where the skirt rests on her hips, and the belt she's wearing divides her silhouette at an unflattering place.

Bag of Tricks

Here is an outfit from our latest shoot with photographer Nathan Presley!

Leather bags are really popular right now and vintage leather bags are so timeless; fun pieces like this one are rare. What caught my eye about this bag is that its made out of a very hearty leather and holds its shape well. The stamped detailing on the front and the general style remind me of a bag I saw the other day by designer Rebecca Minkoff, except her similar design costs $450...

Our model Laura is also wearing an adorable red and white patterned dress. The lightweight fabric feels really soft against to your skin; perfect for a spring or summer date night.

Keep checking in on the blog because we'll be posting more great shots by Nathan Presley Photography!

Love This

Photo by Bryan Bartlett of BCreative Tulsa

Oh spring. Lots of people are planning for weddings and since I've noticed a huge trend of vintage hair accessories at weddings, I thought I'd post a close up of this piece we have right now at Cheap Thrills. We actually have a lot of other pieces like this one, in several different colors and styles. I'll be photographing some this week to show everyone!

Ahhh. I love vintage.

Wearing White Well; Skin Tones

Photo by Bryan Bartlett of BCreative Tulsa

Today, as a continuation of our white series, we'll talk about how to pick the best type of white for an individual skin tone. I find that people don't write about this subject very much because it is really difficult to generalize what will look best on someone by just analyzing skin tone; consider this a basic guide, not final truth, because trying on different colors is always the best way to judge. Different variations of every hue are out there to try, and hair, eyes, and accent colors always have a major role to play.

Basic Skin Tone and White-Wearing Guide:

Dark Skin Tones: Most colors of white will look great especially pure, bright whites, although yellow-ivory tones are least flattering.

Yellow Undertones: Bright white will be most flattering(like our model).

Pink Undertones: Look gorgeous in cream colored whites.

Very Fair Skin Tones: Best with eggshell, yellow-ivory and colors of white that have depth are best to avoid being washed out.

Our model Anna has a great skin tone for wearing different types of white. The crisp white dress best accentuates her darker, golden skin undertones here. Meanwhile while the cream hat doesn't look "bad", it just doesn't brighten her skin the way the crisp white does.

What do you think? Do you agree that Anna looks better in crisp white or do you disagree?

• Check back on Wednesday for a new blog post! Also, the photo shoot with Nathan Presley Photography went really well and we're SO excited to be able to share the photos with everyone soon!

Shooting with Nathan Presley

The White Series will continue on Monday, as for today, Cheap Thrills is super pumped to be working with Nathan Presley Photography on a new photo shoot! We'll be posting behind the scenes photos throughout today on our Facebook and Twitter, so if you're not a fan/follower, what are you...crazy? Get with it folks. We love you, but get with it.

You can check out some of Nathan Presley's super fly work here: http://www.natepresley.com

Wearing White Well- Part Two -Warm Vs. Cool Skin Tones

Ever wonder why some brides look absolutely radiant in white, but others look washed out and plain? Its all about skin tones.

This is part two of my series on Wearing White Well. We'll focus on skin tones today, because finding out what skin tone your are is the first step to choosing the best shade of white(or any color) for any complexion.

You may have heard people talking about the "undertones" or "tones" of your skin and wondered what they were talking about. This confused me for a long time until a friend showed me this simple foil test.

Try it to find out what skin tone you are:

1) Wash your face with a mild cleanser so there's no makeup, sweat, grease etc. and blot with a clean, soft towel.

2) Stand next to a source of natural light(not florescent), and then hold up first a piece of silver foil, then a piece of gold foil.

3) If the gold piece reflects a glow in the face and makes your eyes seem brighter, you probably have a "warm" skin tone. If the silver foil brightens your face and makes your eyes sparkle, you probably have a cool skin tone. One color will brighten your face and eyes and the other will cause you to look a bit ashen or gray.

Everyone do this test and check back on Monday for another post in this series and some more great photos of sweet vintage threads!

White Wonders

Since I've posted photos of white dresses lately, I thought I'd do a series on how to wear white well. Keyword: well. Today will be the first installment and I'll post part two on Friday.

So often white goes wrong. So let's avoid being the victim today and learn from past mistakes, shall we? Men can learn from this too.

Follow these cardinal rules and you'll be on your way to wearing white like a winner:

1) Easy Does It. Squeezing a size 6 body into a size 4 white outfit is in no way flattering or attractive.

• Make sure that the garment fits your body properly. In the same way that black is a slimming color(because it absorbs light), white reflects light(and can make your body look bigger if you're not careful). A good rule of thumb is to let the garment skim your body with room for movement and sitting down comfortably.
• Pick flowing and layered over tight and hip-hugging. Accentuate your best features.
• Vertical lines stretching across the back or chest area, or any body part protruding over the hips, is a sign that the garment is probably too small and will only make the wearer look bigger. This happens a lot with men and women when it comes to fitted garments, including white trousers and jackets, but I frequently see it with T-Shirts that are too tight.

2) I See London I See France! I see your pink polka dotted/striped/frilly underpants.

*Cue embarrassment.

• Wearing white takes a little planning. It's a common misconception that wearing white undergarments with a white outfit is the way to go. I beg to differ. Sometimes it won't show up in the mirror, but will usually haunt the wearer in the sunlight or in photos. If you wear a white dress or shirt, the best way to go is wear flesh-colored undergarments that don't show any extra bumps or lines.

3) Keep it clean!

• If your dress is looking dingy, take it to the dry cleaners. If you get a spot of ketchup on your oxford dress shirt, take care of it. Be careful to keep your whites looking bright or they'll look like they haven't been cleaned at all. Gross!

4) Be Picky! We've all been embarrassed for the woman wearing white pants that reveal much more than we wanted to see.

• If the pocket lining shows through on the outside of the trouser, keep shopping because the fabric isn't made of a dense enough fiber(and the world will be able to see everything underneath- for free). If wearing a white T-shirt, be sure that it isn't see through. If it is, its better classified as an undershirt.

-Check back at the blog on Friday for Part Two on Wearing White: Skin Tones

Spring Fling

Why hello gorgeous!

May I have this dance?

These dresses are so floaty and flirty, yet elegant, they embody the essence of spring! They're ideal for someone who wants to look uniquely feminine at a formal party or dance. I've even seen some very similar vintage reproduction wedding dresses, although, why wear a reproduction when you could wear the real thing? I'm so tired of seeing 20 girls at a party all wearing boring dresses that look the same! The great thing about these two dresses is, depending on the height of the wearer and the formality of the party, one could either wear heels or flats.

Check Back at the Blog this Wednesday for a special blog on Ways to Wear White!

Also don't miss out on the FINAL DAYS of the Cheap Thrills 1/2 Off Sale!

Love is in the Air

Hey Fashionable People! If you LOVE vintage like we do, then you'll LOVE that Cheap Thrills is extending our 1/2 Off Sale to the end of the month! So lay off the bon-bons already!

-Happy Heart Day,

Cheap Thrills

Hello Texture

Here are a few shots of yet another dress that has incredible body and boldness. The blue dress, shown in our last post, was dubbed by Facebook popularity as being either Cornflower Blue or Bluebonnet. What specific color name would you deem its red cousin?

Gathered shoulder ruffles and a very full, ruched, skirt(complete with a lace overlay), give this dress dimension and really show off the bold color.

Scroll past the photos to read about adding texture to your wardrobe.

Monochromatic and vertically based accessories such as this necklace, elongate the figure and provide even more texture to this outfit.

A contrasting black velvet hat is a such a fun addition of even more texture and draws attention around the face. All photos by Bryan Bartlett of BCreative Tulsa.

Adding Texture to Your Wardrobe

Adding texture to daily duds is easier than one might think! Here are a few ways to get creative:

• Settle Your Differences: Pair a pattern with a solid or different weights and types of fabric together. For example, try a silk patterned top with a solid cashmere cardigan. Consider wearing a braided belt. Try different combinations.

• Add On: Adding accessories is one of the easiest ways to add texture and spice up any outfit. Neutral colored bangles and necklaces can be interchanged and combined to add dimension. Adding a bag featuring a strong pattern that coordinates but doesn't "match" one's outfit is also a great way to accomplish this.

• Stay Warm: Layering is really in style right now and with the winter weather, why not stay a few degrees warmer? One of my favorite layering fabrics right now is lace. A lace slip peaking from underneath a skirt or dress adds interest, and sheer lace blouses can go underneath or on top of a solid top without adding bulk.

• Think Outside the Outfit: If your outfit doesn't allow for any typical texturing techniques, try opting for a hair scarf, clip, or headband, or try adding a braid or some messy waves to your regular style.

What do you think? What is your favorite way of adding texture to an outfit?

Fun Funky & Fresh

If you're into fun and funky designers like Betsey Johnson, check out this ruffled wonder we have in store right now. Betsey Johnson has several dresses from her latest collection that feature very similar voluminous skirts and ruffle detailing, but the neon colors right off the runway might be a bit too bold(and/or unflattering) on some. This piece from Cheap Thrills is the perfect medium; brilliant blue is totally on trend for the spring season and brightens up skin and eyes. Freshness echos from the featured shoulder ruffles and really make this dress a stand out item.

Friday, I'll be posting more about dresses like this(!) and a special segment on sensational spring colors!

Above Photographs Subject to Copyright by Bryan Bartlett of BCreative Tulsa

Also,

I've had several requests to post more often(thanks for reading!), so if anyone has a style dilemma, fashion question, comment, or a topic they would like to hear more about, please feel free to post here or on the Cheap Thrills Facebook Page.

Fauxtastic

Photograph by Bryan Bartlett of BCreative Tulsa

If you're tired of wearing the same boring peacoat and looking like one of the hundreds of mega-store clones roaming the city streets, check in to Cheap Thrills for sweet, one-of-a-kind finds like this navy velvet and silver faux fur coat, the perfect addition to brighten up any dull winter wardrobe.

As previously stated, this is faux fur, so there's no need to worry about dodging paint slingers or avoiding embarrassing references to "where the puppies went", Cruella De Vil style. In fact, this piece is super warm and is keeping up with the today's hottest faux fur trends, as seen on designer runways such as Chanel(yes, Karl Lagerfeld used entirely faux fur).

Here are some tips on keeping faux fur fabulous:

1) Store your faux fur in a dry, moth-free environment. In the off season, store your items in air tight containers containing moth repellants such as cedar blocks. Air out before you're ready to wear it again.

2) To clean, use a moist cloth and blot, never rub clothing. Never fully submerge your item in water but spot clean any stains. Gently shake out any dirt, then air the item inside-out after wearing; its also best get the item professionally cleaned once a season.

3) On some faux furs, the use of a soft, wide-bristled comb keeps the "coat" looking shiny and fuzz-free, on other faux fur items such as wider, yarn-like faux fur material, its best to unknot and smooth by hand.

Check in with us next next week for more vintage fashion and style tips, or friend us on Facebook for instant updates and info regarding Cheap Thrills.

Stay warm Tulsa and have a fauxtastic day!