In My Element

Sweater c/o Lulus

Dress c/o Lulus

Tights: AA

Necklace: gift from Chris

Bracelets: Forever 21

Aerin Boots c/o Blowfish

Photos by Christen of From the Woods

This rain is officially driving me bananas. Yesterday was day three and I was determined to actually get some outfit shots. It's definitely been an adjustment getting back to a normal 40 hour week, especially since Chris is now on a similar schedule as well. I've been shopping around for a new camera lens in hopes of being able to take self-portraits again soon. I love having other bloggers to collaborate with at work, but I've also been taking self-portraits forever (before this blog was even an idea) and I miss those projects.

Well, the weather has finally cleared a bit today and it's actually feeling like chilly November. Rumor has it that we might even see some snow this weekend! I have my fingers crossed, I would love to have a little (a little) snow on the ground for Thanksgiving.

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!

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

Dress: Thrifted

Belt: J.Crew

Boots c/o Lulu's

Tights: AA

Necklace: Swapped

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?

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

Sweater c/o Lulu's

T-Shirt: Madewell

Jeans: Madewell

Belt: American Apparel

Booties c/o Blowfish Shoes

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.

NYFW: Cornflower and Cranberry at the Lulu's Brunch

Dress c/o Lulu's.com

Belt (from a dress) c/o Lulu's.com

Tights: AA Super Opaques

I Got Sole Heel c/o ModCloth

Chain Bracelet c/o ModCloth

Bag: vintage/thrifted coach ($14)

Man, it feels great to post some non-wedding outfit shots! I do have a few more wedding related posts planned, but I'm taking a break. It has taken me about a month to get back to a normal routine after August-wedding-madness, and I'm SO HAPPY it's all over. Don't get me wrong I loved my wedding, but it's crazy how one event can completely consume your life, where the HECK did summer go? This week, I'm looking forward to taking it easy, and welcoming autumn air into my life. It's been a bit chilly and I think it's time to switch over most of my summer wardrobe to fall. Also, after a few weeks off from styling outfit shots, I have so much inspiration and so much to share with you guys. I'm totally pumped.

Anyways, I digress. This outfit is from Fashion Week! I'm working a bit backwards, as I wore this on my last day in the city. I've had this dress from Lulu's for awhile, but have been saving it to wear with tights...it's a tights kind of dress i.e. it's short. Anyone who has been reading O.G. for a while now will probably recognize my favorite colors here, I love muted blues and purple-y reds, especially paired with my favorite brown shoes. Lulu's was very kind and invited me to a brunch they were hosting at the Crosby St.Hotel, possibly the fanciest hotel I've ever seen. It was great to catch up with/ finally meet some of my favorite ladies like Tieka, Ashley, and Emily.

August 2, 2011: Leopard, Denim, Lace, Gold

Top: Thrifted ($5)

Dress: Rodarte for Target (old)

Shoes c/o Lulu's.com

Belt: Vintage ($2)

Necklace: Swapped

What I wore to Saturday's Swap Uncapped, possibly my most favorite outfit lately. Although, every outfit seems to be my favorite these days. I usually can't stay in heels very long, but whether it was sheer force of will or whether they were actually comfortable, I managed to keep these beauties on for the whole day. This weekend's swap was one of the best I've been involved in, we had so much fun! This outfit was comfortable and simple enough to take me from day to night. This was actually the first time I've worn this Rodarte for Target dress, despite having it in my closet for a couple of years. I added the blue denim top to make it a little more summery, and some gold jewelry to add a little shine. And what is better than leopard print as a final touch?

to find a swap near you, visit events.swap.com

Mini Spotlight: Lulu's, Pulp Vintage, & Bluesville, USA

Dress: Pulp Vintage, Hat: Bluesville, USA, Bag: Lulus.com, Shoes: Lulus.com

What is it about the impending fall that makes us think of darker colors? Shorter days? The desire to be cozy? I can't believe I'm even thinking about fall, but it's definitely on the horizon. I love incorporating booties with summer dresses, and it's a great way to introduce a little autumn to your summer wardrobe, without having to pile on the layers.

This sweet ruffle dress would look amazing with some black wedges from Lulu's. Add a black bag and sweet boater hat, and you're ready to go from summer to fall.

June 30, 2011: Black, Leopard, Friendship Bracelet

Dress c/o Lulu's.com

Casita Wedges c/o Blowfish shoes

Belt: Off a vintage dress

Sunnies; Gift from ex-coworker

Necklace: Madewell sale ($14?)

Friendship bracelet: "The wolf store" in York, ME- from Punky

Black cross back Bra: American Apparel

I like working in a place where my co-workers give me friendship bracelets, and I have to say, the bright, woven bracelet trend is one that I can definitely get behind. They're easy to make, affordable, and tie easily on to extremely tiny wrists. I like the color it added to my monochrome outfit yesterday. This is one of my favorite dresses, it's perfect for hot summer days like yesterday. The sheer fabric feels fantastic blowing against my legs. Except, you know the downside of the maxi dress/skirt trend? Driving in them. For a little height I added my ever-comfy Casita wedges. I also really love how this black bra looks under the dress, especially how it crosses in the back.

I'm off to my other job this afternoon, what are your plans? The weather in new England is finally acting like summer, take advantage!

Have you entered the Mitu Vintage giveaway yet?

June 20, 2011: Navy, White, Brown

Dress c/o Lulus.com

Shorts (worn beneath) c/o Ruche

Belt: American Apparel

Necklace: Black Sparrow (gift)

Bag: Thrifted ($10)

Gimmik Heels c/o Blowfish Shoes

How was your weekend? Ours was beautiful (and way too short), the weather has been unbelievable, just so, so gorgeous! On Saturday, Chris and I had the afternoon together, so after running a million errands, we decided to take a drive over to Salem and take photobooth pictures. It was so nice being by the water and walking around.

Since I've been working from home, and my coffee shop attire consists of ratty t-shirts and cut-offs, I've been making more of an effort to look put together the rest of the time. It's really easy (for me) to fall into the rut of excessive casualness when there's no everyday reason to get dressed up. Especially in the summer, when it's hot out, simplicity is key. That's why I love this dress from Lulu's: It's super light and breezy, but still looks nice. It was a little windy down by the water, so I added a cute pair of shorts from Ruche for modesty, I don't want to be flashing the whole boardwalk! I also wore my new shoes from Blowfish for the first time, I love them! Something I really appreciate about Blowfish shoes is that they're made a little wider, so they're super comfy and don't pinch. I felt wonderful in this outfit, and it reminded me that I really do enjoy getting dressed up, even though cut offs and a t-shirt can be so much easier.

(not our best work)

This whole week is looking like it's going to be gorgeous, do you have any fun plans? I'm working most of the week, but I'm hoping to make it to the beach one of these days.

Let's meet in San Francisco!

San Francisco readers I'm talking to YOU! The Swapaholics are coming your way, and this time we've teamed up with Lulu's.com to bring you one heck of a clothing swap! The swap will be seeded with 200 Lulu's items, hidden among all the other swap treasures, just waiting to be discovered.

Want to go? Reserve your tickets here. Orchid Grey readers enter ORCHIDGREY where it says "enter discount code" to receive 25% off ticket prices!

Lulu's Giveaway Winner!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered the Lulu's.com giveaway! Stephanie and I definitely had our work cut out for us, there were so many great entries! After narrowing down our favorites, we both kept coming back to one particular entry:

Congrats, Kaye!

Stay tuned for another great giveaway later today!

Mini Spotlight: Lulu's, Bluesville, USA, & Kellyssima!

Summer is almost here, everything is green again and the birds are singing! That means brighter colors and lighter fabrics, and some great accessories to go with it all:

A few of my current favorites from Lulu's.com: Ahoy My Hearties Striped Dress, Les Fraises for Breakfast Pink Dress, and the Tight Corners Orange Print Dress. All would pair beautifully with creme sandals and gold jewelry! Have you entered the Lulu's.com Giveaway yet?

Add some vintage to your closet with a piece form Bluesville, USA: The Psychedelic Watercolor Dress, The Beaded Sunset Handbag, and the Vintage 70's Teal Dress. Orchid Grey readers receive 15% off orders from Bluesville, USA with the code "orchidgrey"!

Add some jewels from Kellyssima to finish your look: Dangerous and Sweet Heart Locket Earrings (I love!), Believing is Art Vintage Style Hairpins, and the Inch By Inch Ruler Bracelet. Orchid Grey readers receive 10% off orders from Kellyssima with the code "ORCHIDGREY"!

May 6, 2011: White, Silver, Grey

Top: Thrifted ($5)

Skirt: Thrifted ($2)

Belt: Swapped

Sunnies: Ray Ban via TjMaxx ($60)

Shoes c/o Lulus.com

Bracelet c/o ModCloth.com

Today is possibly the exact opposite of yesterday in the weather department, it's so beautiful out! The sun is out, it's about 65 degrees and we have all of our windows open, so lovely! The past two days have been pretty non-stop, it's tough getting used to a new schedule.

I love how crisp this outfit feels, both of these items were almost donated but I'm glad I kept them. the skirt didn't fit when I first bought it- too small- I thought I would sell it in the vintage shop I planned on opening (fail) and right before tossing it in the donate pile last spring, I tried it on and it fit! The top is so pretty, I love the little polka-dots, but it has a bit of a "mom" silhouette, made for someone with much larger...ahem...ladies than I. But tucked in it works just fine. and I love the two paired together.

Did you have a nice week? Is your schedule crazy too? I'm off to work in a few minutes and then Chris and I are going into the North End tonight with friends for Italian food and Mikes Pastries, I can't wait! Happy Friday!