July 13, 2011: Chambray, Aubergine, Creme

Top: American Apparel

Dress c/o ModCloth (last year)

Sandals c/o Wanted Shoes

Necklace: Spotted Moth ($34)

Can you tell I'm on day five of half-sleep? It's hard to believe 85 degrees could be refreshing, but this morning it feels so good. The weather has been 90+ degrees the past few days, making it nearly impossible to get a good nights sleep. I love summer, but I love sleep more, and I'm starting to go crazy. Maybe it's the combination of our wedding coming up in less than 6 weeks? Probably! A few people have requested details of our wedding planning, and I am promising a big recap post-wedding. I wish I was the type of organized person who would be able to give updates as I go along, but we're flying by the seats of our pants here and piecing this thing together as we go along. We're doing everything but the food and music ourselves. Plus, I kind of like the surprise of the whole thing. We had our engagement shoot on Monday with my friend Spring of Spring Smith Studios, I am SO EXCITED to share them with you guys! Spring did an amazing job, and it was great to work with such a talented photographer that I know and feel comfortable with.

I know this is kind of a tangent, but my mind has seriously been this scattered lately. Chris and I have had a lot going on! How have you been lately? Busy? Enjoying a relaxing summer? let's hear it!

ps- this is how I wore this dress last year!

I just wasn't made for these times...

No dudes today, but the van is still there!

Sweater: Thrift (3.99)

Dress: American Apparel outlet (40.00)

Tights: from Adria

Shoes: Minnetonka (30.00)

Bag: Dooney&Bourke via thrift (7.00)

Sunnies: Vintage (10.00?)

So, I had an entirely different outfit planned for today, but once I got it on I realized it was way too casual for work. My original plan was to wear jeans because I would be sitting in meetings all morning, but this outfit had to do. Still comfortable, but slightly more appropriate. This sweater is another item I scored last week when Chris and I went to Salvation army. I had been looking for a shawl collar pullover for so long, and this vintage piece is perfection, I really love the salt and pepper wool, and it's so soft!

I tried something new with my hair too by making a messy bun, pulling it halfway out, and then pinning it to the side of my head. I really like how it looks super complicated, but in actuality, it was kind of accidental. If anyone would like a tutorial, let me know!

No interruptions in my photo taking today, except for the intense sun! I love this spot in the parking lot behind my house. Over the years, rainfall has discolored the concrete making these really beautiful streaks and when the sun shines on the steps, it warms the spot right up!

Is everyone excited for the weekend? I can't believe that tomorrow is Friday already! I have some fun things planned, the weather will be cold but sunny- perfect for outdoor things!

I'm not sure if I will be posting tomorrow (probably yes) because my mom is picking me up and we're driving to Maine tomorrow night! Yay!

G'night!

Daily Style: Wednesday

Sweater: Hand Made by Grandmother

Dress: American Apparel (40.00)

Tights: Vera Wang for Kohls (7.00)

Socks: Hue via TjMaxx (3.99)

Boots: Grinders

I'm currently at my mother's house in Maine until Saturday, so the dress code is decidedly lax. I rediscovered this sweater yesterday when rooting through trunks looking for treasure, my Nanana (grandmother) made this when I was seven years old! I love how it fits now, 3/4 sleeves and a little shrunken. The boots I've had forever and are the most comfortable things. I love the traditional ox blood color and how the leather has been worn away from years of wear. They're steel toe too, which makes them super warm and perfect for tromping through the snow (or tromping through town finishing my christmas shopping!). The weather has been beautiful, but very very chilly, I am really hoping we get some snow for christmas!

Is everyone ready for tomorrow? I just have a few more things to pick up and then I'm done! I'll be spending the rest of my afternoon listining to carols and making dozens and dozens of rum balls! yum!

Many of you have been asking me tons of questions about my hair lately, I'm going to (try) and put together a big post next week about it, it's kind of an involved subject and is going to take a little more concentration than my usual posts. i haven't bee avoiding the question, I'm just choosing my time right!

Q&A will resume next week!

Daily Style: Monday's Child

Dress: American Apparel (40.00 sale)

Belt: Vintage (3.00)

Tights: TjMaxx (4.99)

Flats: Target (6.99)

Necklace: J.Crew (14.99 sale)

Remember yesterday, when I said leopard print would be making an encore appearance? It seems to be permeating my life entirely. I used to be obsessed with it- and I guess I still have been- but only recently re-discovered the large contingent in my wardrobe. This outfit was inspired by this image from the upcoming Rodarte for Target line (is anyone else counting down the days....hours...minutes till Sunday's release?):

Source

I honestly never thought to pair leopard and blue together, but I love how it looks. It was also to perfect outfit for Monday, I wore it first to work and then later to the school's Holiday Party. It was an easy transition. Maybe not the most festive, but what do you expect when your workplace's annual holiday party is held directly after work at five o'clock?! Seriously.

It's funny because now, all I can think when I'm getting dressed is "would leopard look good with this?". It's an issue. I'm noticing that, even though my outfits are different every day and I'm really not buying anything new, my wardrobe goes through stages. It's not even a conscious decision. A little while ago I was all about oranges and browns, then I was definitely wearing a lot of flannel and mustards, and now I'm onto animal prints. Do you notice things like this with your own wardrobe habits? Do you go through stages too?

Daily Style...

This week's Daily Style posts will be considerably more casual... because I'm on Vacation!

Shirt: Vintage Saks Fifth Avenue via thrift (3.00)

Skirt: American Apparel via thrift (8.00)

Shoes: hand-me-down Dexter's from Adria (free)

Bag: Vintage Dooney & Bourke via Thrift (7.00)

Belt: Vintage via gift from Mom

Scarf: Thrift (.50)

Tights: TjMaxx (4.99)

First off, I'm gonna nip this right in the bud: Yes, that is a pot leaf on my belt. This belt has been mine since the seventh grade when my mom and I discovered it at an antique shop. I was super interested (read: obsessed) with the late 60's and hippie culture (I still own many of my mother's hand-made dresses from that time in history) when I was younger, so this belt fit the bill with it's hand-tooled leather, brass, and vague drug reference. It may not be everyones cup of tea, but you have to admit: it's pretty awesome.

My shirt is something I found last week when I was in Maine for work (I love worn in flannel), fitting because I drove back to Maine today! I'm now at my mom's house for the week, and I'm so happy to be here! This week is not only a small reprieve from my normal schedule but also marks the near-end of my travel season for work! Yay, no more living out of suitcases! I have to say I am looking forward to that last part the most, I have really felt like a one trick pony the last few weeks with my outfits! I can't wait to re-discover my closet!

This afternoon I met up with my brother for coffee, and he was nice enough to take some pictures of me at the scenic train station in town (thanks, John!). In return I took a picture of him:

And now I'm posting it on the internet.

Daily Style...

Maine is always on my mind...

Dress: American Apparel (49.00)

Scarf: Unknown... super old, probably free.

Belt: Gift from friend (thanks, Claudia!)

Tights: Vera Wang for Kohl's (7.00)

Boots: Jeffrey Campbell (39.00 sale)

I'm really digging this scarf look lately, it adds pattern and interest almost like jewelry would, but adds an unexpected twist. I wore this outfit up to Portland, Maine today to visit a high school for work, I wasn't expecting the day to go well because I left later than I wanted too, but everything ended up working out perfectly! I love days like today, and they sure have been few and far between lately!

I had two presentations scheduled for this school and about two hours in between them, it turns out that this high school is only a few blocks away from where my late Grandmother used to live, so I decided to take a drive by her house and around the neighborhood. It was kind of neat to see all the houses I remembered from when I was a little kid (I don't think I had been in her neighborhood since I was 14 or 15), and also to see that the new owners of her house hadn't changed much about it. Afterwards I made a quick stop at the Salvation Army that's down the street, I have such good memories of this area from when I was younger! My mom's stylish friend once took me to this Salvation Army when I was 12 (?), and I remember going there also as a teenager once I got my license. Both of my parents grew up in Portland and would always tell me about their memories of certain areas when we would drive through. Being in Portland always makes me miss Maine a lot, it's such a nice city!

To add to my good day, when I returned to my office this afternoon, I found out that my visit for tomorrow cancelled which means that I can get all of my paperwork done before I go to Philadelphia this weekend and before Thanksgiving break... and I also don't have to wake up at 5:00 am again! Yay!

Daily Style (weekend edition)...

Sweater: H&M (16.00)

Skirt: American Apparel via Plato's Closet (8.00)

Shoes: Tag Sale (2.00)

Scarf: Mom's

Tights: TjMaxx (4.99)

Belt: Flea Market (2.00)

Purse: Vintage Coach via thrift (20.00)

Picture taker: Chris

This weekend was decidedly low key, it was just nice to finally be home. I wore this outfit on Sunday to run errands with my sweetheart- nothing crazy just out to get groceries, etc. The skirt is one of many that I found this past week in Albany, NY. I love the difficult color... Chartreuse? Avocado? Brown? No idea, but I'm finding that this scarf matches almost everything I own, so it works. I've been a teensy bit obsessed with little brown bags lately too, have you noticed? I'm so happy to be back to (almost) regular posting, everything feels off if I can't get a post up (plus, I feel guilty). Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Daily Style/Thrift Extravaganza!

Dress: American Apparel (43.00)

Tights: TjMaxx (5.99)

Shoes: Urban Outfitters (19.99)

Belt: Thrift (2.00)

Necklaces: H&M and J.Crew

Sorry for not posting yesterday, the past two days have been so hectic! I was running around all day yesterday working but I did manage a stop at the American Apparel outlet (...yes, they do exist) where I picked up this cute shirt-dress. I've been eyeing this style for some time now and couldn't pass it up- I love how simple it is and it will be an easy all season piece. After spending all of last week in Fishkill, I'm now in Albany until Friday. Today has been an exciting day, this evening I met up with Jen from JenLovesKev for some shopping and dinner! Jen is amazingly sweet and friendly, and it was so neat to actually be able to meet her in person, especially since she's been crazy busy with her big move! I'm sorry for the low quality images below, but I wanted to show what I got! Our first stop was Plato's Closet and then we went on to Goodwill. After all was said and done I snagged five skirts, a dress, two belts, a quilted purse, and a mixing bowl for under $60!