Monday, October 31, 2011

For Halloween Night



Stay safe!

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Halloween Sounds


Image from the book Haunted Air
Happy Halloween! No costume for me today (still sorting through my boxes and boxes of clothes), but I spent this weekend compiling some creepy sounds for your listening pleasure today. Man, I found some good stuff, but for the sake of wanting people to still read this blog after listening, I split the list in two: the first is fairly safe, the second gave me nightmares. I'm not joking. If you're looking for some seriously sinister sounds, here you go:

Do you have any Halloween music recommendations? Any cool costume ideas to share?

Friday, October 28, 2011

New City, New Job


Photo: Courtesy of ModCloth.com

I have some exciting news to share with you today! In last week's post about our big move, I alluded to a new job with a new company, many of you had some very close (if not entirely correct) guesses as to where I would be working: on Monday I began my new career with ModCloth as a blog & fashion writer! The words "Dream Job" do not do this justice, I'm so excited to be working with such an amazing company.

I've wanted to share this with you all so badly, and now I can! The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of interviews, apartment-hunting, saying our good-byes to New England, and getting settled in to our new home. I'm so happy to finally be here, and be grounded.

So, you may be wondering what does this mean for Orchid Grey? Things will stay roughly the same, but I will be taking advantage of our move and introducing some new topics (unrelated to my position). I've wanted to expand my repertoire for a long time, and now that we have a new place, with new space, I'll be able to! I will continue to have amazing sponsors on Orchid Grey, but ModCloth will no longer be one of them. Essentially, everything I do for my job will be completely separate from Orchid Grey, so if you'd like to keep up with me on ModCloth, you can definitely check out their blog.

If you have any questions, you can definitely ask me either on the Orchid Grey Facebook page, or below in the comments section!

And lastly, thank you all so much for being so patient with me over the past few weeks, I know posts have been scarce, but I'm so excited for what the future holds for Orchid Grey! Thank you all for your comments and words of encouragement (and recommendations on what to do in Pittsburgh!).

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

We're here!


Sorry for the radio silence over the past couple of days, life sure has been a whirlwind! The good news: we're getting internet on Thursday! Yayyyy! So I'll be back to regularly scheduled programming, it can't come soon enough too, I keep having stress dreams about not blogging! Chris and I departed Massachusetts way behind schedule on Saturday, turns out we have a lot of stuff, and when you have a lot of stuff it takes a loooong time to pack! The drive to Pittsburgh was long, but beautiful, and the kitties were so good! That was a big concern of mine, anyone who has ever been in a car with a cat for more then 10 minutes can sympathize, it's not usually a fun time.

Anyways, I thought I would share a few things I love today, until I'm back in outfit-taking action:

How cozy is this poncho from Ruche? It would be perfect for a night by the fireside!

These fringed boots from Lulu's are so rad! I would wear them with dark skinny jeans and an olive colored sweater.

This post of Jen's makes me heart sick for a good old New England pumpkin patch!

Have you seen the latest 12 Delightful Things?

This cocktail dress is just incredible, perfect for a New Years date or swanky holiday party.

Velvet must just be on my mind, because I'm loving this one as well!

How perfect for fall is this bag? I'm in love!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

October 19, 2011: Live Free or Die

(photos by Chris)
Coat: ModCloth (bought with a gift certificate provided by the company)
Sweater: J.Crew outlet
Tank (under): J.Crew
Jeans: Madewell hiriser
Boots: Matiko via LF
Necklace: Flea Market
Bracelets: Forever 21

Well, Chris and I are back from the saddest weekend ever. Goodbyes are never easy, and when you're from a place where you can see your whole extended family within an hour, and all of your oldest friends, those goodbyes are even more difficult. After a great couple of days with my brother down here, we trekked up North to see family and friends before heading out on our new journey. We saw just about everyone we wanted to see, though for a shorter time than desired, even though we'll be back for Christmas (only a short couple of months away) it was still rough. While in New Hampshire & Maine, we made sure to visit all the places we love, including Cathedral Ledge. Chris and I used to take picnics up here all the time when we lived in NH, and I think it's one of the most beautiful look-outs, especially in the fall. It's strange leaving New England, I feel like being from northern New England is such a strong part of my identity, it'll be weird not living here anymore.

I've pretty much been living in this outfit lately, I bought this sweater last weekend and I love it so much, it's so easy to just throw on with jeans and be done with it. Crisp fall days are my favorite, I love being in a cozy sweater and jacket and tramping through the woods.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Our big news...


After a brief hiatus due to a technical difficulty over the weekend I'm back! And with some big news! Remember that top secret news I had last week? Well this is it: Chris and I will be packing up and moving to the city of steel this Friday! I know, super sudden, right? But I assure you it's for something amazing. I found out a couple of weeks ago, but needed some time to make housing arraignments and wrap my head around the whole thing.

We're both very sad to be leaving the North Shore of Boston, I've been living in Beverly for almost 10 years, 5 of those with Chris. We're leaving everything we know and all of our friends, to go to a city we've never even stepped foot in, it's understandable that this idea might sound completely crazy to some. But, I'm also so excited to have a new area of the country to explore, and a new city to become familiar with. While I can't tell you exactly what I'll be doing yet (soon, I promise), I can say an amazing opportunity arose with a company that I adore, an opportunity that could not be turned down.

So, we've been spending every free moment with friends and family, preparing to say goodbye. It's been really tough, and incredibly surreal, in a way I feel like I'm going off to college all over again, leaving the comfortable bubble of our community for something new. I'm so excited to see what this adventure holds for us though.

I'm sorry for not telling you all sooner, but we didn't even know where we would be living until this past wednesday. We are going to be moving into a great new apartment, and I can't wait to start decorating! I've always wanted to add some home decor posts to Orchid Grey, and I'm so excited to start sharing my ideas (and hearing yours as well). Thank you all for sticking with me these past couple of months, I know that I've been a bit distant with my posts, but I have some amazing things planned for Orchid Grey's future. I can't wait to start sharing our new life with all of you!

Chris and I are in Maine today, visiting with family and friends. I hope everyone has a fantastic Monday!
xoxo
-Julie (& Chris, Zeb, and Zephyr)

Friday, October 14, 2011

Have a great weekend!

Halloween 2005
(a crappy zombie, Richie Tenenbaum, a troll doll)

Are you excited for Halloween? I am but I have no idea what I'm going to be this year. I always end up being something kind of ugly or off-putting, never anything cute for some reason. Maybe this year will be different!

Have you seen Jessica's genius Halloween ideas? I think the Hamburglar is my favorite!

Did you know I used to play the trombone? For a brief stint in the 8th grade, until it got too cold out to practice in the barn! I think I need this darling dress to remember my time in the brass section!

I would love to get this very manly notebook set for Chris to keep track of things with.

Have you seen Ruche's new fall look book? This is my favorite look of all, I love the lace top!

I love this cute denim dress, can't you see it working for all seasons?

A classic bomber jacket is perfect for fall.

I'm completely in love with these creepy-cool candlestick holders, they would look great on my kitchen table.

I love this DIY of Elsie's, wouldn't it be great to do with a quilt?

I'm on Pinterest now and completely obsessed!

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Polkadots!


Happy Thursday! Interested in the details of this outfit? I'm posting over on the Delightful Dozen blog today, where you can read all about it!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

October 12, 2011: Orange, Pink, Leopard Print, Gold, Black

Dress: Thrifted
Belt: J.Crew
Tights: AA
Bag: Coach/ Thrifted

This is one of my all time favorite outfits, as someone who usually gravitates towards more neutral tones, I love how bright it is and I love the pop of leopard print these amazing boots from Lulu's provide. This is what I wore a couple of weeks ago to the Boston Fashion Week Sip & Swap with The Swapaholics, but completely neglected to get a shot of. I'm glad I waited though, I was so sick during that event, and my hair was a disaster. For the past year or so, I've been pretty ambivalent about my hair, since leaving my old job at The College I just didn't have the money to put into it anymore and allowed it to grow. It wasn't until about a month ago that I finally got fed up: my "ombre" (ha) style was starting to look like a weird hat and the ends were destroyed beyond belief from a year and a half of straightening, curling, etc. Things had gotten out of hand, and the only style I could wear it in was a (admittedly bodacious) topknot on top of my head. This past weekend, I spent four hours in the salon chair of my friend Kristin, and am happily back to a warm reddish brown, with lighter highlights, and clipped ends. Certainly not an enormous change for some, but I feel so much better! I have a lot of plans for this blog over the next few months, one of which is getting back to my hair tutorials! Are there any styles you want to learn how to do?

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Over the Weekend: North


Sorry for the Instagram overload, I know I mentioned that my camera was broken recently, but at the end of last week, I managed to make things worse and am now only able to take photos if another person helps me by holding the lens on. Yeah, stinks. Anyways, I thought I would share some pics from our weekend adventures. Chris and I travelled up north on Friday afternoon to see family and relax. That afternoon, my mom said goodbye to the last of her golden pups, Penny went to her home in Vermont, isn't she cute? We spent the evening at the Fryeburg Fair, eating lots and lots of food and looking at the animals. We got to watch my brother in action too- slinging pizza for a local vendor.

On Saturday, Chris and I both got our hair done: he at the barbershop and I at the salon. It has been since April 2010 since I last had my color done and I was SO happy to say goodbye to my "ombre" hair (really just code for "I can't afford to get my hair done"), even if it did take four hours! I have a lot of hair I guess.

On Sunday we had brunch with my dad, and "dinner" (at 2 o'clock in the afternoon) with Chris's grandparents. Needing to walk off some of that italian cooking, we took a quick hike to the Tamworth Fire Tower, which looks out on to part of the White Mountains. After a quick stop to see our friend Jamie (and do some impulse shopping) at the Tamworth Lyceum, we headed back to my mom's.

Fall in Maine and New Hampshire is my most favorite time of year, and it's the time of year I miss home the most. Nothing beats a crisp, sunny day spent walking along a dirt road, or hiking to the top of a mountain. We're headed back north again this weekend and I can't wait!

Are we Instagram friends yet? My username is OrchidGrey! How about Twitter? Facebook? I haven't forgotten to tell you all about my big news, a post to follow later this week!

Friday, October 7, 2011

Happy Friday!


A few photos from last night's Anti-Flag/NOFX show. It was so good seeing our friends from up north again and maybe reliving high school just a little bit. We're headed to Maine this morning to see our families and go to the fair! I'm so excited to eat food that's terrible for me and look at farm animals! I'm also getting my hair done on saturday for the first time in a year and a half, I can't wait! I've loved how my grown out highlights looked but I'm getting a bit over it, it's time for something new.

What are you up to this weekend? Any fun plans?

Thursday, October 6, 2011

October 6, 2011: Chambray, White, Gold, Tapestry

Sweater: Swapped
Dress: J.crew
Shoes: ModCloth
Necklace: Swapped

It took me three wears to actually get a photo of this outfit, sometimes life just gets in the way of blogging! I first wore it this past weekend at the Gloucester Grand Prix, and then I wore it yesterday to work (that third time, I have no idea what I was up to). This sweater was one of last weeks Boston Fashion Week Sip & Swap finds, I love it! Give me breton stripes and I'm a happy girl. We're finally getting some cooler weather, and I love that I can add some layers to my outfits.

Tonight I'm headed into Boston with our friends from up north to see NOFX and Anti-Flag and I'm stoked! Just like old times!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

October 5, 2011: Black & Blue

Top: Thrifted
Shoes: Swapped
Necklace: Swapped
Belt: Vintage

A few photos from before the rain. Yesterday we had crazy flooding, and I ended up with a few inches of water in my car. Not fun. I've had this skirt from Ruche for (admittedly) a couple of months, I love the polkadots and uneven hem! I paired it with one of my favorite combinations: black and gold. I think I may be in the minority when I say I love blue and black together, and black and brown too.

I'm keeping today's post super short, things have been crazy around here and I have to run out the door to work! Happy wednesday!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

October 4, 2011: Rose, Navy, Grey, Olive

T-Shirt: Madewell
Jeans: Madewell
Belt: American Apparel

Happy October everyone! The weather has been so summery lately that September seemed to just flash right by. Yesterday though, we finally had some cooler weather. I'm still getting over last weeks nasty cold (thank you for all the get better's), so comfort is key to me. When I received this cozy sweater in the mail from Lulu's, Chris saw it on the bed and said "is this a blanket...with arms?" I can tell you thats exactly what it feels like when I wear it! I paired it with some super soft jeans, an easy t-shirt, and a pair of surprisingly comfortable heels for polish. Blowfish makes the most comfortable shoes, I love this pair of houndstooth booties, perfect for fall.

I can't get over how insane the past month and a half has been. I thought things would calm down after the wedding but not the case! Something pretty big has gone down this past week and I can't wait to tell you all about it! BUT it's still a big secret...so you'll have to wait! And no, I'm not pregnant. People always seem to think that when a newlywed has news.