Wednesday, March 31, 2010

I never promised you a rose garden

Today, the rain finally stopped. It was still very grey out, yes, but finally dry! In celebration of water not dumping buckets from the sky, I chose to wear something very Spring-y:
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Dress: TjMaxx (24.00 w/giftcard)
Cardigan: UO thrifted form savers (3.00 old)
Wedges: Matiko via LF (40.00 sale)
Tights: Urban Outfitters (4.99 sale)
Necklaces: Dolly and Boy, Leviticus, UO, J.Crew
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I love the rose print on this dress, it's definitely not a pattern that I would normally pick out, but I think the colors are fantastic. Since starting this blog I've really started to take more risks in the patterns I wear and even in the styles I go for. I really love bright patterns now!

I'm keeping things short tonight, but I'm curious: What fashion risks have you taken lately?

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

In like a lion and out like a... lion

Goodbye March! That's it. I've had it. I refuse to allow this awful weather to dictate my life and blog. I can't imagine how many inches of rain we have received in the past few weeks, but I can tell you it has been a lot. It prevented me from taking photos yesterday, but today I was determined! I wrapped my camera in a plastic bag and went to my trusty blue wall. It's amazing what a little crazed jumping will do for your mood, I felt so much better afterwards! I'm definitely re-motivated to get back to my exercise routine (of which some new sheets and a new cozy pillow have recently put a hinderance on, as I usually exercise in the AM). I hear it's supposed to stop raining on Thursday, here's hoping! I hope this means that we'll have a dry summer!
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Striped Dress: H&M (17.00)
Tights: We Love Colors (10.00 with coupon)
Creepers: T.U.K. (very old)
Googly-eye Bracelt: gift from Jen of JenLovesKev
Umbrella: Target (16.00)
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Rainy days, along with sapping my motivation, also make me want to only wear easy and comfy things. I walk to work, so I usually have to stuff my shoes in a bag and slosh four blocks to my job wearing rain boots. Any outfit that I can throw on and go makes this kind of commute that much easier, which is why I love this striped H&M dress. It's so completely simple and looks good every time I wear it. I should have bought two, it's something I'll be wearing forever!

I hope everyone is staying dry!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Dynamite Delightful Dozen

This dress has been hanging on my wall, waiting to be worn for weeks, finally the day has come! ModCloth sent the Delightful Dozen girls this super cute dress to all style up, it's been so cool to see how everyone put their own spin on it! Since it's been winter again in New England (it snowed today! WTF?) this week, I wore mine like a skirt, adding a thick wool sweater over it to stay warm. I can't wait for the weather to get warmer, the Dynamite Dress will be perfect for summer!
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Dress: Dynamite Dress courtesy of ModCloth, Sweater: J.Crew thrifted from Savers (3.00), Tights: TjMaxx (4.99),
Shoes: Sam Edelman thrifted from Salvation Army (3.00) Necklace: J.Crew Outlet (14.99)
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Be sure to check out how all the Delightful Dozen styled the Dynamite Dress!
Have a great weekend!
Don't forget, there's one more day to enter my giveaway!

ModCloth kindly provided the dress in this post, thank you!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

N.E.E.T. -O!

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I'm so excited to be featured over on the amazing N.E.E.T. Magazine Blog today, go here to read a brief interview with me and see more of the photos they chose to include! and don't forget to enter the Modern Megpie Giveaway!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

L.L. Bean Signature

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Any Mainer (or former Mainer, as the case may be) worth their Lobster and Chickadees is almost required to have an old pair of L.L. Bean Duck boots hiding in the back of their closet. L.L. Bean has been around for nearly a century and finally received a breath of fresh air with the new Signature Collection. The pieces above are my favorites, I love the subtle nod to the 1970's, like something my mom would have worn running around Portland when she was younger. I'll definitely be saving my pennies for the Mariner Leather Purse. It's all making me incredibly nostalgic for home!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Here's a story of a lovely lady...

Top: J.Crew thrifted at Savers (8.00)
Skirt: Lark&Wolff via UO (20.00 sale)
Shoes: Matiko via LF (40.00 sale)
Belt: Thrifted via Savers (1.00)
Tights: ?
With the pattern on this shirt, who needs accessories? I found this silk J.Crew shirt this past weekend on Chris and my weekly thrifting excursion to Savers. Someone very stylish must have cleaned out their whole closet, because I hit a veritable jackpot of J.Crew items, mostly tops. This pattern is something I would have died over in 7th grade, was anyone else obsessed with the 1970's as a middle schooler? I didn't want my outfit to get too costume-y (i.e. Marsha Brady), so I kept the rest of it subdued and a bit prim with a navy skirt and navy tights. For some reason i always ignore the shirts/tops section at thrift stores, I don't know why because there are always so many...well, maybe that's why...there is always too much! haha! I've been making more of an effort lately though to dig through them, I need to diversify beyond my typical oxford button-up obsession. Do you ever find yourself doing that? focusing on one thing at a time, like just buying shoes, or just buying jeans? It's a habit I need to break!
I'm glad everyone enjoyed my Rockport post! Out trip definitely motivated me to try and make more solid plans for my weekends, usually we flounder around for half of it just trying to figure out what there is to do! I'm still looking for ideas for this weekend, it looks like it might be raining again (as it is now) bummer...

Monday, March 22, 2010

Over the weekend

Jacket: Forever 21 (19.00) Dress: TjMaxx (24.00) Tights: TjMaxx (4.99) Shoes: Forever 21 (13.00) Sunnies: Fred Flare (11.00)
(Chris does not like to have his photo taken)
How was everyone's weekend? I thoroughly enjoyed Saturday in particular, it was 74 degrees! So amazing! Chris and I went out for breakfast and then spent the day in Rockport, which is just 20 minutes north of us. Warm weather always makes me thoroughly appreciate living where we do, I love being able to walk to the beach in the summer or drive north to appreciate even prettier beaches. Those of you who have never been to Rockport may recognize it from somewhere else: it was where Disney filmed the movie "The Proposal"! Chris and I did the usual Rockport things: walked down Bearskin Neck (where all the shops are), took photos of Motif No. 1, and people watched. I took advantage of the warm weather to wear a new spring dress and jacket, though I wasn't quite ready to show my bare legs! Chris and I took a short hike up this seaside cliff which overlooked the whole harbor, it was beautiful! But windy! I'm so glad we got out of the house too, since it cooled down considerably on Sunday and today. I think it'll be cold for the rest of the week.

Sunday was much quieter as Chris had to work and I had some catching up to do after being sick all last week. I want to say a big thank you to everyone who left me get well soon comments, it meant a lot to read them all!

have a good night!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Please Note:

I'll be working on some technical things on Orchid Grey today (3/21/2010) so some links might not work completely. All will be in place for Monday. Please bear with me! Thank you and happy first day of spring!
xoxo
Julie

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Heaven knows I'm miserable now

(Oh, Morrissey, you speak to my congested head! )
Shirt: Marshalls (9.00)
Jeans: H&M (24.00)
Shoes: Sperry's via thrift (7.00)
Sunnies: Fred Flare (11.00)
Necklace: Dolly and Boy
Ugh what a week, I know I shouldn't apologize for not blogging this week but I hate getting off my normal schedule. Truth is, I've been out of commission with the worst cold for the past two days. I'm tired, I'm stuffy, I'm achy...I'm absolutely useless. I did have to make a run for supplies this afternoon, which is why I'm posting pictures: I refuse to go to the store in pajama pants. Unacceptable to me, I know I would probably be better off most times if I just sucked it up and went without worrying what I looked like, but I can't, I have to get dressed. So, this is what I put on, because it's incredibly beautiful out today too, I felt a little springy as I schlepped out of Target carrying my Tylenol Cold and Tissues. I was definitely that woman who refused to remove her sunnies indoors, because what lies beneath them is too scary for the public. I am such a baby when I'm sick and it shows.
I also thought I would show you a couple of special finds I've come across in my thrifting. Chris and I usually hit up Savers and Salvation Army every weekend, and they have both been incredibly fruitful lately. I think everyone is cleaning out their closets for Spring!
Boots: Justin via Savers (8.00)
I was so excited to find these Justin boots the other day at Savers. I have been lurking a few pairs on ebay, but really wasn't down for paying too much for used shoes. Well, another case of "good things come to those who wait"! They are in amazing condition, and I'm so excited to pair them with chambray and floral dresses this spring!
Bag: Vintage via "Sallies" (10.00)
Another thing I spotted and clutched to my chest: This vintage Mexican stamped leather bag. It still had the tags on it from the 60's! At first I didn't think it was real leather because of how new it was, but it is. Even more, there was a rolled up Mexican newspaper inside from 1962!
Thrift shopping can be such a frustrating thing sometimes, digging through all those racks of clothes, finding something amazing and not having it fit, but these little triumphs make it all worth it. Knowing you found something amazing for almost nothing!

Well, I'm off to go take more medicine and hunker down with Glamour and more SATC DVD's! Hope you lovelies are all well!
xoxo

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Cinnamon girl

I've been watching a lot of old Sex and the City lately, been very inspired by Carrie's hair.
Top: H&M (5.90)
Jeans: BDG from Urban Outfitters (gift)
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell (40.00)
Necklace: Dolly and Boy
Bracelets: gifts from various grandparents
How was everyone's weekend? Mine was extremely relaxing but unbelievably rainy, hence no photos today. The rain finally stopped this morning and it ended up being a beautiful day. I'm so excited for daylight savings time, it's great getting home after work and still having a good amount of sunlight left.
I opted for comfort today, I knew I would be sitting in my office all day... actually that's a total lie... I'm wearing this because I woke up 30 minutes before I had to be at work!
I hope everyone had a great weekend! I'm off to do super secret blogg-y things and watch MST-3K!

xoxo

Friday, March 12, 2010

10 Things...

(me and Zephyr Moonshine VonWildekatz from awhile back)
No style post, I took a personal day from work today and have been rocking yoga pants since early this afternoon. However, I was tagged by a number of people last week to list 10 things that make me happy. Life has been stressful lately, listing 10 good things doesn't sound like a bad idea:

1) Extremely successful thrift store runs
2) Snuggling with my cats (see above)
3) Going out to breakfast on Saturdays
4) Sunday morning flea markets in the summer
5) Apples and almond flax butter from Trader Joes
6) Actually having the time to read...so rare these days
7) A clean house!
8) Ginger ice cream (oh, Hagendaaz)
9) Daylight savings time (remember to spring forward)!
10) Train trips to Boston (tomorrow?)

What are you happy about these days?
Thanks for all the sweet comments this week, I hope you all have a great weekend!
xoxo

Thursday, March 11, 2010

The difference between a Winkle Picker and a Brothel Creeper

I really like reading about the history of the things I wear.
Dress: American Apparel outlet (40.00)
Cardigan: H&M (16.00)
Belt: Vintage (1.00)
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell (40.00 sale)
Pin: Tin Can Sally ($?)
Today I am wearing Jeffrey Campbell's version of the classic Winkle Picker shoe, popular in the 50's and 60's (and then 80's and then every five years or so after that) in the Mod and Rockabilly scene. I was so excited to find these on sale at LF in Boston this past weekend. I have been looking for an alternative to the black flats I am constantly wearing, and these fit the bill. As I've mentioned before, I used to be really into the whole rockabilly scene a few years back, and I still find myself drawn to those mid-century styles, though the inspiration is considerably more subtle now.
Similar to what I wore on Tuesday, this is another outfit that is a little more subdued, where I focused more on what was on my feet. I never used to be a shoe person, somehow I've turned into one.
I really wish American Apparel made this dress in more colors, it's seriously one of the most versatile pieces in my closet. If I wake up late this is the dress that I automatically grab, I know it will always be comfortable and always look good.
My "Fruit Cake" pin was made by Sally, the slide librarian at the College I work at. She does amazing things with tin and is one of the nicest people ever. I think I bought it during a holiday sale.
I'm trying to keep things short tonight, I feel like I'm coming down with something...
Oh, and I never even mentioned Brothel Creepers! They were what Tuesday's Jeffrey Campbell's were inspired by and have a really cool history beginning with WWII. You can see my real pair here. I love Wikipedia.

Have a good night!

Edit: I just realized that I typed Brother twice instead of Brothel...

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

That joke isn't funny anymore

sometimes I run out of ideas for post titles, and I'm forced to refer to Smiths songs.
Sweatshirt: J.Crew outlet (15.00) Oxford: J.Crew outlet (20.00? old)
Shorts: Forever 21 (19.00) Tights: TjMaxx (4.99) Necklace: J.Crew (14.00)
I like knowing that I'm not the only weirdo (kidding!) out there still obsessed with Barbie, and I agree: I think they could have allowed for a little more voluptuousness with Joan. And where is Peggy? I'm avoiding the subject at hand here, which is how my outfit seemed good this morning, and then by mid-day, I really didn't like it anymore. The main issue I had with it is that I really wanted to wear flats, but couldn't find any shoes in my closet that looked good.
See how my feet are cut off? Yeah.
The light at five o'clock today was so so so pretty. I love this time of year, when nature starts to give off hints that it's going to warm up soon: the birds have been noticeably more vocal lately and the days are getting longer! I can't wait to put away my winter coat! What are you most looking forward to with the change of seasons?

Confessions of a fashion blogger...

It's time to come clean - because what better place than the internet to spill your most secret and embarrassing thoughts and memories- I played with Barbies until 8th grade. I loved barbie.
And I'm not so ashamed to admit at age 26, I kind of still love Barbie. Though not in a creepy Dare Wright kind of way. I also love Mad Men. Enter Barbie designer Robert Best, dude made my dreams come true today. More on the line -available in July- here.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

good things come to those who wait (or: they will be mine, oh yes, they will be mine)

Is my vague Wayne's World reference doing anything for you? No? Ok...
Tee: old Forever 21 (5.00?)
Cardigan: H&M (16.00)
Jeans: old H&M (24.00?)
Necklaces: H&M x2 & Dolly&Boy
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell (60.00 sale...yep, that's right)
Let us now refer to this post, where I professed my undying love for the Jeffrey Campbell Whip heel. It's beautiful. Now, let us all admit that today's outfit is about one thing, and one thing only: WHAT IS ON MY FEET. These beautiful, rockabilly inspired, brian-setzer-orchestra-on-crack beauties, now belong to me! And how much did I pay? Sixty freaking dollars! Ha! I will admit however, that I spent about $20 extra dollars at Target on padded re-enforcement to make wearing them bearable.
It's safe to say I am incredibly pleased.
All snarky-ness aside, this year I told myself I would invest in a few pairs of beautiful shoes. Still, after making the resolution, I find it difficult to drop more than 50-60 bucks on a pair, I believe that the majority of the time you can find what you want for much cheaper if you just practice patience. so I was so excited to discover these on sale in Boston on Saturday. Now I just have to hunt down the Alexa's and I'll be a happy girl (Yes, I know, in my dreams!)!

On another note, I realized today that I actually am able to have my lunch breaks back. It's finally light out enough after work to take my outfit photos, no more rushing to eat and photograph at lunchtime! I'm so excited for daylight savings time this weekend, Spring is just around the corner!

Monday, March 8, 2010

If you read my blog you know I’m a pilates freak, and by pilates, I mean waffles

It's amazing what a little sun and warm weather can do...
Goodbye winter!
Oxford Shirt: Vintage via Salvation Army (2.00)
Skirt: Lark & Wolf via UO (19.99 sale)
Wedges: Matiko via LF (40.00 sale)
Sweater Clip: Vintage via ? (old)
Belt: from a jacket
Take that Monday. This morning I feel like I actually conquered the string of terrible Mondays I've had for about two months, finally. I wanted to wear a couple of things I bought this weekend on a trip to Boston with Chris. I feel a little bad because it was supposed to be his birthday trip, and I'm the one that ended up buying stuff! I found this cute navy skirt in the UO bargain basement, which is super cute but admittedly doesn't pass my "five finger" rule for work. I've been looking for something to match this button-up I bought at Salvation Army awhile back, it reminds me of all those cute Steven Alan shirts that are way our of my price range!
I was going for a preppier look today, and also wanted to wear my new Matiko wedges. My search for comfortable heels/wedges is over. These are it! I actually ended up buying three pairs of shoes this weekend, which I know is ridiculous, but they were on sale!

Did everyone see Jen's amazingly cute post today? I'm just so so so happy for her and Kev! Congratulations!

Also, my internet is driving me bonkers.