Home is where my heart is today (cheesy, I know)

Today has been one of those days where I can't seem to get out of my own way. I'm a big fan of being productive and busy, and could even go so far to say that I'm a compulsive multi-tasker when it comes to projects, so having a day where I can't seem to get anything done is extremely frustrating. We received a decent hit of snow last night, rendering it difficult to take style pictures today, that's actually kind of an excuse...I think I just needed a day off. Anyways, because of that, I have a different kind of post for you today:

In the past I've had a number of people ask me about where I live. Up until recently, our apartment has been a disaster and really not worth photographing. The state I keep my things is usually a good indicator of my mental state, and in the fraught AA months of September through early December you could say the state of our living space was "DEPRESSED". Or at least in a state of emergency, code red, amber alert, what-have-you. So, the first thing I did after leaving my job was an overhaul of sorts. I cleaned things out, moved stuff around, and generally scrubbed clean the three month's worth of shame covering our space. So today I thought I would give you a little glimpse of my apartment! It's not spectacular, but it's finally clean!

Appropriately, 100% of our living room furniture and fixtures is thrifted. The only things bought new were our rug and TV table (not pictured, TV's are ugly). I think it looks like a 1970's retiree lives here. (the pine boughs in the mason jar are our version of a Christmas tree)

I love jade plants and succulents, and have about 10 potted jade plants alone. All of them I rooted from one original plant that my cats keep ripping up. Every time they tear off a leaf, I root it and grow it into another plant, this is a battle I intend to win. I like to look for 1970's hand-made planters at the thrift store, I found the planter on the left at a flea market with the ceramic cat on the right:

Chris and I both used to collect records, but they became such a pain to move that we had to stop. We still listen to them on my little record player that he gave me for my 20th birthday though. All of our books, cameras, games and records live in the built-in bookshelf which I love. Chris's name is still on the wall behind the records from the gallery show we hosted in 2009 (note: if you read that article, please excuse how terrible we all look).

This lamp os one of my favorite flea-market finds, it's from the 60's and was only $10! everything else on the table is from the same flea market. One of my mom's friends brought me back the little animal on the right frm Mexico, it now only has three legs thanks to Zephyr. The bottles are from a flea market in Maine.

We recently moved the shag carpet from our bedroom to the living-room, and now the cats hang out in there constantly. They like to sit on the windowsill and watch seagulls.

The rest of our place really still needs a lot of work, it's hard when you live in an apartment because any changes you make feel so temporary and we still don't know how long we'll stay here. One thing I would love to do is re-paint though.

I'll be back to normal broadcasting tomorrow with a style post, I'm off to hopefully get something accomplished!

Catch me now

Sweater: Madewell (sale)

You and Meow Top c/o ModCloth

Jeans: Madewell (sale)

Wedges: Matiko ($40 sale)

Necklace: Essex Shipbuilding Museum ($8)

Jack Daniel's Pin: local artist ($3)

Fish spine earrings c/o Noble Town Vintage

It's snowing out right now, and I'm so happy! I took these photos on Friday, before Chris and I drove North to visit my Mom, no snow then but freezing! Now that I'm home more often, I found myself really pining for a decent pair of jeans. All of the pairs in my closet were either too big now or falling apart. I had to go to Boston on Thursday afternoon to pick up my last check, so while I was there I stopped in to Madewell. I decided that if I was going to buy a new pair of jeans, I would invest in a really nice pair, one that could replace the multiple pairs that really needed to be shed from my closet. I have to say I'm incredibly pleased, these were totally worth spending a little bit more on. Oviously, I didn't just leave with just a pair of jeans, I also found two amazing sweater, both on sale. I'm in love.

I decided to pair this brown double-breasted sweater with my new cat print top from ModCloth, I'm in love with this shirt. I've been looking for something that had this iconic cat-print for the longest time, but was never satisfied with the quality of the print. I'm glad i held out, these cats actually look like cats and not tailed blobs. I also realized that I tend to under-accessorize. I'm usually fine with just a necklace, but I decided to stretch my boundaries and add earrings and a pin.

Did you have a nice weekend? We had a great time in Maine. I visited with my Mom while Chris went snowboarding, and then we went to our friend's annual yankee swap party.

Happy Monday!

Shop Closet Update!

I cleaned out my closet yesterday. If there is one thing this blog has helped me with, it's saying goodbye to clothes that I'm no longer excited about. Sometimes its hard to say goodbye to something that reminds you of a coffee date, or the day you graduated college, but the clothes are not what's important.

So, if you've ever wanted to raid my overflowing closet, now's your chance! I started posting stuff about an hour ago and it's already going, so act fast! And I have more on the way: high waist pants, dresses, and skirts!

Shop Orchid's Closet!

Gold paper packages tied up with string

Can you believe it's the Holiday Season already? I feel totally unprepared this year, it just completely snuck up on me! I finally wrote out my christmas cards yesterday and am finally starting to think about what to get everyone on my list. Being of the Christmas-celebrating-persuasion, one of my all-time favorite traditions over the years is Secret Santa. I love the process of picking out the perfect Secret Santa gift, its a great way to challenge yourself to see how much you know about someone. So, when TjMaxx contacted me to see if I wanted to participate in a blogger Secret Santa, I jumped at the chance! Not only was it one of my favorite traditions paired with one of my favorite stores, it was a chance to buy something for someone I didn't know, what a challenge! They sent me a gift card and told me I would be buying for Melanie of You Are My Fave and I was off shopping, I found some amazing things for my SS, and also some gifts for others on my list (aaaand, myself as well!).

After wrapping and sending off Melanie's present, all I had to do was wait for my gift to arrive in the mail. What a surprise when i saw that Melanie had me as her SS! Her gift was beautifully wrapped in gold paper, and tied with a pompom in my favorite color.

Clearly, I wasn't the only one excited about the pompom:

Inside, I found a Nine West bag, cozy mittens, Betsy Johnson tights (how did she know?), and chocolate! Thank you Melanie and TjMaxx!

To see what I sent Melanie, go here!

Nothing in the silence

Cape: AA

Shirt: Vintage thrift ($3)

SKirt: UO sale ($20)

Belt: Vintage (gift)

Tights: AA

Shoes: Thrifted ($10)

Necklace: J.Crew Sale ($15)

Today has been a very quiet day, and I admit to spending most of it on the internet. that's the wonderful thing about Winter, it's ok to hole yourself up inside your apartment and do basically nothing. Which is something I love doing. I did start writing Christmas cards, so I can at least say I did that!

Tonight is my second night at my new job, I've really only done training but I think I'm going to like it. I do love the fact that I can wear my own clothes again! I trimmed my bangs last night and made my hair a little more mod by straightening it today. I've been listening to a lot of Belle and Sebastian and the Smiths (two of my all-time favorite bands) which always remind me of a 60's boarding school (for some reason), so that's what I allowed to influence my work outfit. Up until today I had kind of forgotten about this shirt, I found it last year while out thrifting and I love the little white club collar, I found it again this morning while rummaging around in my dresser. I love how it looks with a full skirt and 60's style block-heels.

I know I've already said this in a few avenues, but thank you to everyone who left a kind comment in yesterday's post. I truly do have amazing readers, thank you SO MUCH for your support!

N.E.E.T. Magazine 5 Year Anniversary!

With all the life-commotion lately, I realized that I completely forgot to mention that I was featured in the N.E.E.T. Magazine 5 Year Anniversary issue! I'm a huge fan of N.E.E.T. and it was such an honor to be asked to participate in the celebration:

I've been featured on the N.E.E.T. blog before, go here to read the interview!

Stay tuned for a style post later today!

Sleep the clock around

How was your weekend? Mine was- I'm pleased to say- glorious!

Cape: AA

Scarf: Vintage thrift ($3)

Belt: AA

Top c/o ModCloth

Skirt: Cali Select /AA

Tights: AA Super opaque in "Truffle"

Shoes: Vintage thrift ($3)

Necklace: UO (gift)

Some of you may have already read this on Twitter or Facebook, but on Wednesday I quit my job. I have never done this before, left a job without immediate back up, or at least a plan. Mainly because I have never needed to, but the past few months have been so stressful, stressful actually is not accurate enough a word, I'm not sure there is one. I've watched myself become a shell of what I was before, unhappy, with no energy. All I did was complain about work, and that's literally all I had to talk about in real life conversations, or how tired I was. Because that's all I did, I was either working, or sleeping to recover from work. The job was just not the right fit for me. So I left.

I've spent the past four days making up for very lost time: I got together with friends, went out on a date with Chris, cleaned my apartment (I can't even described what it looked like), and went to Boston for fun. Oh, and I also went on a job interview and got a new job! This is what I wore to my interview on Friday, I wanted something professional but still me. I've made the mistake in the past year of wearing clothes to interviews that don't exactly represent my personal style, it's important to look professional, but if you're not comfortable with what you're wearing it'll effect your interview skills. Luckily I think I chose pretty well, a little Miu Miu inspired: a vintage inspired top from ModCloth, which had been strangely forgotten in the depths of my closet was pretty but conservative (I wore a cardigan over it, not pictured), and a camel skirt. As a jacket I wore the camel cape I bought before I left my last job, it's not the warmest thing in the world, but by slipping a belt through the arm holes and cinching it close, I'm able to warm it up considerably.

So today I start my part time sales gig with J. ____, and I'm so excited! Most of you know (if it isn't already evident) that I love J.____, the quality of the fabric and colors is fantastic and I feel like it meshes with my personal taste and style much more. Plus it's 20 minutes away from home, not an hour. I go in for training at 6, wish me luck!

How was your weekend? Did you have fun? Get snow? See friends?

Winter's Wolves

Dress: thrifted ($4)

Sweater: Vintage thrift ($6)

Lace vest: Mom's vintage

Tights: AA super opaque "Truffle"

Necklace: Essex Shipbuilding Museum ($8)

Shoes: Matiko ($40 sale)

I disappeared a little bit yesterday. I didn't mean to, but it kind of just happened anyways. I know apologies for not blogging are unnecessary, but I hate getting off schedule. But, real life was calling and my lovely friend Adria was in town! I spent my morning cleaning up my extremely messy apartment until I was interrupted by a knock at the door, it was her! We caught up and drank coffee, and then it was down to business: thrift shopping. I hadn't been to Savers in forever, so that's where we were off to. I can't say that I hit the jackpot, but I do love this burnt sienna grandpa sweater I found, it goes perfectly with the dress I discovered too. I love finding whole outfits at thrift stores, it always makes getting dressed the next day so easy! I swear I probably owned this dress in junior high school, around 1995. the relaxed, baggy fit is perfect for days like today, where I'm just doing work around the house. I break up the kind of dated floral motif, I added the cropped lace vest that used to be my mom's, I love playing with proportions!

Someone recently asked me on my formspring if I plan to continue my Thursday wedding posts, and I do. I feel like the past few months have totally flown by, and maybe lacking inspiration. They will be back next week, along with (hopefully) other exciting things! To tell the truth, a lot has happened since Wednesday, but I'm going to take the weekend before writing about it. Don't worry, it's all good things! I hope everyone has a great weekend! It's freezing out here, 19 degrees!

No Wake

Jacket: Urban Outfitters ($30 sale)

Fur Collar: Family antique

Oversize sweater: Thrifted ($3)

Flannel: American Apparel

Skirt: Urban Outfitters ($20)

Tights: American Apparel

Belt: American Apparel

Shoes: Vintage Thrift ($3)

(chris took the photos)

How was your weekend? On saturday Chris and I drove down the Cape to visit my grandparents and celebrate my step-mother's birthday. I love Cape Cod so much, I wish we had more time to spend down there. The area they live in is so pretty; the beach is only a five minute drive, which actually is the same distance that Chris and I live from the beach, but somehow their beach is exceptionally prettier. One thing I love about visiting them is that there is no pressure to hang around the house, after getting to their house a little early we were shooed out the door to take a drive down to the ocean. Chris had never been to the Cape before, so I had fun showing him around.

It was freezing out! I bundled up with a big sweater under my coat, and a warm vintage collar. I love layering with this jacket, it's so easy to make it feel totally different depending on what you wear underneath, I love how the sweater cuffs on the sleeves make it look. My flannel from AA is probably the one work item that I wear constantly outside of work (along with tights), the flannels are so thick and warm this year, and I love the color combination of dark red, navy, and mustard. Another thing that I highly recommend are the super opaque tights, the colors were expanded recently, and they're perfect for winter because of how thick they are, no more doubling up on tights this year! Am I the only one who feels warmer wearing tights and skirts than pants in the wintertime?

I loved exploring the dunes, I always feel so much better when I'm around the ocean and marshes, even if it was cold. The rest of the day was spent- how else?- eating food with family and catching up with everyone who was in from out of town. A busy, but excellent way to spent the weekend!

How was your weekend?

Back to life!

It's Friday! Exclamation points all around!

Boys Blazer: Thrifted ($5)

Breton Stripe T: American Apparel

Belt: American Apparel

Jeans: Old H&M

Vintage Etienne AignerLoafers: Thrifted ($3)

Necklace c/o NobleTown Vintage

I've had some unexpected days off from work this week, and frankly I'm feeling more human than I have since the beginning of October. I'm caught up on sleep and getting back to life, and finally cleaning my disastrous apartment! I've spent the day listening to Maine Public Radio and calling friends and family members that I have neglected to contact for far too long. It feels good to take control again. Why is it so easy to allow these sort of things to slip by unnoticed? All of a sudden it's December and almost a whole new year. Whew!

To celebrate my relaxed state of mind, a relaxed outfit! I rarely wear jeans, due in part because I rarely find a pair that I actually like. I've had this pair from H&M for over five years, there are belt loops missing and the waistband has to be cinched tightly with a belt to stay up, but they still look good, and that's good enough for me. For a top, I chose a classic breton-stripe bateau tee and paired it with a second-hand boys blazer. I love blue and brown together, so on with a skinny belt and straw hat (straw in winter? I say why not!) and a favorite pair of scuffed up loafers. Recently someone asked for a close-up shot of these shoes (from this post), so here they are in all their destroyed glory. Perhaps this makes me weird, but I love the quirks of vintage shoes. These are two different colors, and I had to re-attach the sole of the right one with Shoe Goo (it works but wear a face-mask while you use it), but I love them.

Are you so excited for the weekend? I am! Tomorrow Chris and I are driving to my step-grandparent's house in Cape Cod, I can't wait to get out of town! Thank you to everyone who said kind things about my new hair, I know bangs are not quite as exciting as a whole new haircut, but I feel like a totally different person. Have a great weekend!

In need of a change

So, new fringe is probably extremely anticlimactic to all of you, but it's amazing what a difference even a little change can make to your whole outlook. Frankly, I don't miss my forehead:

Button-up: American Apparel

Jeggings: J.Crew Sale ($20)

Bracelet c/o Modcloth

Vintage Manolo Kitten Heels: Swapped!

So last Saturday I went to the salon Chris's step-mom owns to get my eyebrows done, and walked out with bangs! I had been thinking about it for a long time, I needed a change but didn't necessarily want to cut any length off, bangs are perfect for that. I used to be so carefree about my hair and would change it constantly, but it became harder and harder to do anything drastic as it got longer. I really love the end result, I'm still re-learning how to style them (I was growing out a similar style when i started Orchid Grey), but i think they look nice.

This is the kind of outfit I would wear everyday if I worked from home, comfy classic. I had the day off today and unfortunately spent most of it on the internet, which I didn't intend to do. It's too easy to get wrapped up blog-land! Anyways, I went with an oversize denim button-up and easy jean-leggings. To fancy it up a bit, I added one of most amazing swap finds yet: a pair of vintage two-tone Manolo Blahnik kitten heels. I. Love. Them. This is a perfect example of why I don't write commentary on the Spring or Fall collections, two months ago I found the kitten heel trend abhorrent, aaaaand now I'm wearing some, lesson learned (or not learned because I didn't say anything!). My tastes change constantly. You probably won't find me buying tons of kitten heels, but I like the length they add to my legs.

I'm so happy it's almost the weekend, it's been a really rough week and I just want to spend it how I usually do: at home. I'm so exciting, aren't I?

Goodnight! Don't forget to enter the giveaway!