Let's go away for awhile...

Necklace: Courtesy of Kdikio Vintage

Tunic (shirt) Forever 21 (very old)

Belt: Vintage via Goodwill in Albany, NY (2.00)

Skirt: Vintage via Salvation Army in Raymond, ME (2.00)

Tights: TjMaxx

Shoes: Target

I'm not going to lie: I am SO GLAD this week is over! Ugh, has anyone else had an off week? I'll admit I've been avoiding taking style photos this week due to lack of inspiration, I can't seem to stop myself from constantly dreaming of everything summer (mostly summer clothes), despite the weather still being very much wintery. My arthritis flared up this week also, which makes it difficult to even get out of bed in the morning. Man I sound like an old lady, huh? So, I was a bit surprised with myself this morning, I woke up 15 minutes before I had to leave for work (damn) and managed to put together something presentable, and dare I say...stylish!

I think it's all because of the awesome necklace Kristen sent me from Kdikio Vintage. Funny how such a little thing can inspire and and turn the day around! I literally threw this outfit together. The tunic is about three years old and prior to today, I had worn it maybe once for about 3 three hours. What drew me to this shirt in the first place was the vague 1950's tribal pattern- it reminded me of vintage barkcloth- the shirt was gathered in the middle when I bought it which was a feature I promptly removed. I love how it looks paired with the tribal necklace and orange belt! Below is a better image of the necklace, which also shared space in my mailbox with the most recent Anthropologie catalog, ah a girl can dream, no?

Anyway, I'm super excited for the weekend, Chris turns 25 on Monday, so we'll be celebrating with lots of fun things. I also hope to catch Alice in Wonderland at some point, we thought about going tonight, but I'm sure it will be packed!

Oh, and guess what?! The lovely Tara-Lynn of Yarn Over Movement is offering Orchid Grey readers 15% off in her shop for the month of March, just mention the code ORCHIDGREY in a note to seller on her etsy! Now we can all have warm necks!

Also, here are a couple of features on me you may have missed: Erica asked me about my tattoos, and Alana did a little interview!

Have a happy weekend!

The magic of a kind word

Scarf: Yarn Over Movement

Sweatshirt: J.Crew (15.00)

Flannel: Vintage via Salvation Army (2.00)

Jeans: H&M (old)

Shoes: Yard Sale (2.00)

This scarf- won from CaliVintage's giveaway- is one of my new favorite things. It's made of the softest wool imaginable, and I can just throw it on and go. On gloomy days (which we've had for the past week) it's like wearing a safety blanket around my neck.

These photos are from Sunday, Bea and I headed into Boston to deconstruct the gallery show. It was a long day of wrapping artwork, spackling, sanding walls, and sitting around waiting for the artists to pick up their stuff- which in turn required absolute comfort. I usually have a hard time dealing with jeans, for some reason they just aren't that comfortable to me, I'm always too aware of them. But this pair from H&M is good every once and awhile, they have the perfect wash and perfect rise. Paired with my favorite flannel, it was almost (almost) like being in pajamas. I did find some time to take outfit photos in the space, it was nice being indoors for once and not freezing my bum off!

Our weather has been quite miserable lately, I'm really looking forward to Spring. It reverted back to winter today with some snowfall and frigid temperatures, brrr. I'm dreaming of spring flowers and spring dresses!

Hair-Do How-to #3: The Top-Knot

You may have noticed I've been wearing my hair like this a lot lately, it's become my go-to easy style. So much prettier than the typical messy bun. And also extremely convenient for the gym because my hair is too heavy to stay in a ponytail on the treadmill. It's so easy, all you need are some bobby pins, a headband (optional), and some light hairspray:

Next Month's Hair Post: Beach-y waves and the secrets behind them!

Previous Hair Posts: Half Coronet and Le Grande Bouffant

Couturious.com

What's my latest obsession? Couturious.com, that's what. Move over Facebook, there's a new workplace time-waster in town. In all seriousness, this site is really fun, it's like digital paper dolls (the outfit above is one of my favorites). You can customize your model and choose from thousands of designer pieces, the possibilities are endless. You can get an account through Facebook, so there's no long sign-up process. A word of warning: it's extremely addictive!

Over The Weekend: Trashy!

Not your usual over the weekend style file...

This is how I spent my Saturday night. I know what you're thinking, you're thinking "Is that...." yes, my skirt is made out of recycled shopping bags. Here, let me explain. Every once and awhile, something cool happens in my town: this weekend it was was the Third Annual Trashfinders Ball. What's the Trashfinders Ball? It's a ball that celebrates all those treasures discovered on the side of the road on trash day. It brings together both expert trashfinder and amateur dumpster diver, to dance, sing, and parade around in amazing homemade and recycled costumes. Chris and I were so excited to be able to go this year, and I was determined to make something cool. I whipped together this 1960's inspired skirt in about 2 hours, it's constructed out of a black garbage bag, about 50-60 Stop & Shop shopping bags, and duct tape...so much duct tape! I also made a black and gold rose for my hair out of a liqueur store bag and some nail polish. To keep the outfit from getting too busy (ha) I stuck with a neutral color scheme: a second-hand 1950's lace shell and second hand leopard print belt.

There is even a "Trashion Show" where everyone can show off their creations/ finds:

Secret time: one of those people above is my boss! Shhh!

Towards the end of the night, three of the year's best trash finds were raffled off, and guess what I won! A stretched and mounted rattle snake skin! Yesssss! For those of you who don't know, I am a BIG collector of kitsch, so this snake will look lovely in our living-room (much to the chagrin -I'm sure- of my mother and other visitors)...

The Trashfinders Ball also supports a worthy cause: The Harborlight Community Partners, a local organization that provides affordable housing to those in need. The event was so much fun, I can't wait until next year!

A big thank you to Chris for being the photographer of the evening!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Wind Swept 35/70

Ok, I have something to admit: the hair post has been pushed to Monday (but it'll be great, promise!). This has just been such an insane week at work. It's just didn't happen. But I thought of a cool idea today....

Dress: Urban Outfitters (68.00)

Shoes: Charlotte Ronson (60.00)

Tights: TjMaxx 2 pair (4.99 ea.)

Cardigan: H&M (16.00)

Necklaces: J.Crew, Leviticus, Dolly and Boy

I can't wait until spring, there I said it. I want warmer weather. That storm we had last night? In a word: destructive. My town woke up this morning to downed trees, leaky roofs (mine), broken windows, sailboats run ashore (seriously), and all of the metal lettering missing from the cinema marquee (blown off to some unknown destination). So F--- you winter, let's hear it for the season of re-birth! In anticipation of the end of winter, I've been doing a little bit of shopping, actual shopping for new things, which is pretty unprecedented. I feel like since November, it's been all thrift all the time. Sometimes it's just so nice to have something that doesn't already have a history! Anyways, I've though of a new little project where I model my usual daily outfit with whatever transitional thing included, but also put together a little collage of how I would wear it for Spring/Summer. That's where 35/70 comes in: 35 degrees to 70 degrees!

So this is how I wore my beautiful new Urban Outfitters dress in 35 degree weather:

I doubled up on tights today with a purple pair underneath grey, for warmth but also for color: I wanted a warmer grey than I had and the purple did the trick!

And this is how I would wear it come 70 ... ok... 80 degree weather:

Dress: Urban Outfitters ($68) Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell ($125) Bag: J.Crew ($50) Necklace: Fred Flare ($44) Sunglasses: Fred Flare ($11)

I created the collage with a trip to Todd Farms Flea in mind, which is this great flea market close to where we live. It's one of my favorite sunday morning Julie & Chris activities, we'll usually wake up super early to get there and then go out for breakfast or ice cream after. I included a big canvas tote to store all my treasures and giant Jeffrey Campbell platforms to keep me out of the dust. I can't wait until the Flea opens back up for the season!

I hope everyone has a great weekend! What do you have planned?

Don't forget, you still have time to enter my giveaway!

Weather Girl

Dress: Thakoon for Target (30.00)

Shoes: Charlotte Ronson via Ebay (60.00)

Tights: TjMaxx (4.99)

Necklaces: H&M / Dolly and Boy

Belts: from other dresses

Today has been a no good, blah blah blah, very bad day...or however the saying goes. So, let's focus on the positive. Good things: I received a new dress in the mail from Urban Outfitters! Also received the new UO spring/summer lookbook, which is gorgeous! Grilled cheese with apples and onions for dinner! Cats! Yay! Something else that I'm thankful for: I had the foresight to take outfit photos on Tuesday, before we experienced 48 straight hours of rain, with 48 more to go. All you New York and Philly girls, count your blessings you're getting snow, because this is disgusting.

Anyway enough complaining, on to my outfit. I realized that I haven't worn my Thakoon dress in awhile and I really liked how the grey looked with my purple shoes. I chose to keep the palette neutral, rather than add a lot of color, since the shoes are so eye-catching. I added a couple of long, drapey necklaces to add some texture up top.

I'm keeping things short and sweet tonight, hope you all stay dry! And don't forget to enter my giveaway!

Goodnight!

Over The Weekend Style File...

Future's so bright...blah blah blah...

Trench: J.Crew (19.00)

Sweatshirt: J.Crew (15.00)

Button Up: Marshalls (7.00)

Jeans: Urban Outfitters (gift)

Shoes: Sperry Topsiders via Salvation Army (7.00)

Sunnies: Fred Flare (11.00)

Photos: Chris

This weekend was a quiet one, just a lot of errand-running, so I wanted to be comfortable. I wore this on Saturday to go with Chris to Salvation Army and a bunch of other places. Usually, when I go to thrift stores I'm a little more practical with what I wear, but it was 50 F outside and I felt springy! I had the incredible luck a few weeks ago of finding a brand new pair of Sperry boat shoes at the thrift store, so they made their debut on saturday. I really want to get them broken in before Summer. I'm not going to lie, I want warm weather badly. This has been an anti-climactic winter, although the weather sounds like it's going to be nasty later this week.

I also broke out one of my favorite pins (above). It's rare that I find anything with my name on it that isn't "Julia" so I was stoked a few years ago to find this vintage pin-up girl. She's an old WWII plane decal. I like knowing that a hot lady with my name cheered up soldiers long ago. And yes, that button needs to be sewed on.

Also, Rachel from AdventuresInCooking asked a great question:

Q: "I have a question for you...how do you decide if you are crossing the line between "professional" and "Unprofressional" with your clothing. I have a purple and navy dress similar to the one you are wearing that I am dying to wear with tights and flats. I worry it's too short. How do you decide?????"

A: First of all, I am in no way the authority on how to dress in the workplace. I have the advantage of working in a creative environment where we are able to get away with a lot. For my skirts and dresses, I usually go by the five finger rule: lay your arms flat against your sides with your fingers straight down, is your skirt above or below them? Mine are usually even with or a little below my middle finger (this was the rule for camp dances when I was a kid, I guess it stuck). In the winter, I always wear tights, and year round I always stay covered-up up top. The key is to keep your outfit balanced. During my travel season when I'm visiting high schools, I am more modest with what I wear in consideration for the circumstances. I also almost never show the tattoos on my back and usually wear bracelets to cover the one on my wrist, this is to balance the fact that I have a big metal ring through my nose (I am not the only one in my office who has piercing's). Also, and this is a big one, my work mantra: Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. With-in reason, of course!

If you have a question, please feel free to email me or leave a comment!

(any hair questions will be addressed in the monthly hair-post)

Slow Graffiti

Dress: H&M (18.00)

Bag: H&M (18.00)

Shoes: Target (6.99 sale)

Tights: TjMaxx (4.99)

Necklaces: H&M / Dolly and Boy

Headband: Goody

Photos: Chris

A quick post tonight because it's late and I'm sleepy. Chris and I just got back from having dinner with friends in East Boston, I love that we live so close to the city. The past couple of days have been extremely busy at the College I work at, admissions hosted a couple of open house events so today I opted for comfort in my wardrobe choices. I bought this dress and bag last week on my New York trip with Jen. As much as I love vintage and thrift, sometimes it's nice to have new things. I love the kind of frenchy-mod style of this mini dress and the studded bag is exactly what I've been looking for. I was definitely comfortable too, good for running around campus!

My hair style today was inspired by all the beautiful twists I've been seeing lately on the Urban Outfitters website. I woke up really late today and needed something easy, and this off center bun fit the bill. I've been getting lots of hair questions lately, my monthly hair post will be coming next week!

Also, someone asked about the knitting pattern I used for the cowl in my last post. I'm sorry to say I didn't use a pattern at all, it was all free form (and very imperfect). I just cast on 18 stitches and knit half a scarf and then sewed it together. Very un-technical!

I hope everyone has a great weekend, I'm off to watch 21 Jump Street with Chris! Yes!

A Girl of Many Hats

Cold nose, cold hands...

Hat: Complements of Hats In The Belfry

Tunnel Scarf: Knitted by me

Coat: H&M (two years old $70.00)

We finally got snow! There were blizzard conditions all day yesterday, and it was so beautiful. I love it when it snows out and everything that is ugly about the the city is blanketed in soft white. So pretty for about 24 hours. It was the perfect day to try out my new cloche from Hats In The Belfry. For a girl who usually grabs one of her boyfriends stretched out beanies before sprinting out of the house for work, this hat is very very fancy. I love how the grey in the flower (removable- it's a pin! it's a brooch! it's on my hat! no it's not!) matches my coat, which, depending on how I wear it can be very '20's or very '60's. Hats In The Belfry has some amazing pieces on their site, some straw hats I'm dying over for Spring!

Unlike the rest of me, my head stayed warm and dry. By the time I was finished taking photos my hands were frozen solid and I was skeptical if my camera would ever work again. February is always a snowy month here in Massachusetts, fingers crossed for more storms!

I added just a dash of color with my first successful knitting project: a tunnel scarf.

and because winter's not over yet...

Hats In The Belfry is offering Orchid Grey readers 10% off on their products,

Just enter the code HATS10 at checkout!

Hats In The Belfry kindly provided the hat in this post

Over the Weekend Part 1: where do I even begin?

What a great weekend! So good in fact, that it will take not one but two posts to cover it! On Friday, I (legally) played hooky from work and drove to western

Massachussetts to meet up with Jen, we then caught a train that brought us right into Grand Central in NYC (I love trains). We rushed to our hotel to get ready

for the Girls Night Out party sponsored by Dove and hosted by Jessica. We arrived just a little fashionably late (because of our train), and

the party was in full swing. It was amazing being able to meet the other bloggers there, I love all of these girl's blogs, and many of them were

inspiration for me to start my own. It's so funny meeting bloggers in person, it's almost as if the getting-to-know-you stage is ver with because you read their

posts everyday! We started our night at the Dove Parlor, where we sipped drinks and ate mini sandwiches...

Erin, Me, Rebecca, and Jen

Jen, Me, Tieka, and Elizabeth

Tieka, Elizabeth, Jessica, Melissa, and Kim

Me and Tieka

Jessica, Erin, and Rebecca

A very rare picture of my back tattoos...and the back of my head

...The second half of the evening was spend touring New York City in a WHITE-STRETCH-SUV-LIMO-WITH-WHITE-VELVET-INTERIOR. Yeah, I know...Rad. Our driver was extremely patient and brought us all over, we stopped in Times Square - to take outfit shots of course- and then to Rockafeller Center to take more pictures. The whole night was loud, raucous, and exactly what I needed to end this winter funk.

Left to Right: Andrea, Elizabeth, Erin, Tieka, Jen, Melissa, Kim, Jessica, Rebecca, and me

And of course, my ($13 dollar) outfit:

Dress: Vintage Victoria's Secret (Mom's)

Belt: Vintage (1.00)

Tights: TjMaxx (4.99)

Shoes: Target (6.99)

A big thank you to Jessica for being such a gracious host, Dove for providing the food, drinks and limo service, and Andrea for taking so many pictures!

I hope everyone had a great weekend and Valentines day!

xoxo

Happy Valentines Day!

This isn't fashion or style related, but in the spirit of Valentines Day I wanted to wish everyone lots of love! It seemed like the longest drive ever (but not as long as Tieka and Andrea's!) but I'm back home and taking it easy after a great 48 hours in NYC. Chris and I are going to grab drinks together after he gets out of work tonight. I don't talk about my relationship much on this blog but I wanted to use February 14th as an excuse to be gushy and gross. We've been together since I was 20 and he was 19 and it's been the best six years ever (that photo was taken the first week we dated). xoxo. ok, I'll stop now.

Have a lovely day!

Maybe Sparrow

Cardigan: Thrifted UO (3.00)

Top: H&M (24.00)

Shorts: Forever 21 (19.00)

Tights: Anna Sui for Kohls (7.00)

Shoes: Urban Outfitters (19.00)

Purse: Vintage via thrift (6.00)

Necklace: H&M (9.00)

photos: Chris

Sorry for my absence yesterday, it seems I just can't catch a break this week. I can, however, catch a nasty cold which I have been laid up with for the past 48 hours. Not. Fun. This is what I wore- reluctantly- to work today. I went to the mall for the first time in two months on Sunday and found these cute shorts, which I think are the perfect winter/spring transitional piece. I admit that I've been feeling a little exasperated with winter, we were supposed to get this huge-mega storm, and all we got was nothing. I'm trying my hardest to appreciate every season, but so far February has been a downer. Wow, I'm kind of a downer too huh? To tell you the truth, I was excited to be snowed in and I'm a little jealous of all you DC'ers, New Yorkers, and Philadelphians will all your snow!

Anyway, this post has taken me so long to write because Chris and I are watching Zombieland. Has anyone else seen it? It's wonderful! (and distracting)

My "Delightful Dozen" post has been pushed till tomorrow because of my cold, so stay tuned!

Over the Weekend...

First of all, thank you all for being so understanding of my silence last week. Even though I was posting regularly, I really felt absent from my blog and it was a weird feeling. Thank you for all the sweet comments, and I'll be playing catch-up for the rest of the week!

Dress: Rodarte for Target (30.00 sale!)

Tights: TjMaxx

Flats: Target (6.99 sale)

Necklace: Dolly and Boy

After being so frazzled up until Saturday, I welcomed the task of being sent to buy h'orderves for our gallery opening. I always check out the sale section at Target when I'm there, and was happy to find this Rodarte dress on a little bit of a mark-down. I really liked this one when I first checked out the collection, but wasn't totally sold, well I'm so glad I bought it now! I'm actually planning on wearing it again next weekend with a sweater and heavy boots for when Jen and I head into NYC! It's funny because I felt very much in-touch with my New England roots when I wore this, despite looking rather sleek, I'm wearing a thermal top and three pairs of tights underneath!

So as you may have seen from one of last week's posts, I am co-curating a gallery show for the month of February, and Saturday was the opening! Bea and I prepped the space with a little (a lot of) help from our cohorts fivesevendelle all last week in anticipation of the influx of guests for Saturday night's reception, and we were not disappointed! The reception went so well, it was great to re-connect with some of the artists involved (many of whom I already knew from school) and also meet new faces! If anyone is still interested in viewing the exhibition, It will be up until February 28th and I (believe) we'll be hosting a small closing reception later in the month. Email me if you want details...

me and Bea

the space is an alternative space located on Mission Hill in Boston in a converted brownstone.

Emily...

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

(did anyone get snow?!)