look i'm loving:: mint maxi dress with soft neutrals

Such a casual, cozy (but still pulled together) look for the cooler fall weather.

---

Shop:: Mint Maxi Dress, LC by Lauren Conrad at Kohl's; Rayne Necklace, Kendra Scott; Hooded Dolman Sleeve Sweater, Gap; Soft-sided Tote, The Limited; Pour La Victoire Laisha, 6PM

shopping list:: weekend casual from american eagle

So earlier this week, we discussed how I fail at weekend casual looks but I managed find a super cute ruffled sweatshirt and actually look pulled together for once. I went out with a blaze of glory in that one because this weekend, I'm back to my total fail of a hoodie and pj pants. Hey, the only things I have to do today involve thesis proposals and taxes. Don't be jealous.

Besides, this week was so horrendously horrible, I don't think I even have the energy to do more than lift the coffee cup to my mouth at the moment. Totally wiped out. I hate weeks like that. So really, big fat YAY for the weekend. Too bad I'm already dreading Monday and it's barely even Saturday afternoon.

But enough of the pity party and back to a much more important topic- finding decently cute but casual weekend gear.

I'm often leery of American Eagle because I fear if I wear their clothes I'll look like a sorority girl trying way too hard to relive the glory days, but D and I stopped in at the store last weekend because he needed some pants (because apparently guys can shop there at any age and be just fine) and I found myself oddly drawn to a lot of the womens clothing.

Never mind that the sales associate (who probably is currently in her glory days as a sorority girl) called me "ma'am." (Does anyone else who is clearly not in "ma'am" territory despise being called that? I know it's not just me here, people.)

Thankfully, I can avoid the store and the whole "ma'am" experience by happily pointing and clicking my mouse (apparently, I've also got the energy right now to do that). A few of my picks below:


top row: aerie slouchy slub cardi, ae floaty print cami
middle row: ae boyfriend plaid shirt, ae casual cropped popover
bottom row: ae dot tunic, ae floral tunic


top row: ae utility midi short, ae slouchy skinny military pant
bottom row: ae boyfriend fit chino, ae peasant skirt

So really, who else hates "ma'am"? And does anyone over the age of 25 ever stop in at AE and buy clothes?

what i wore:: snow day!

{ dress: target | cardigan: j.crew | necklace: madewell | tights: spanx in latte (love this color!) | socks and boots: ? }

Yep. It snowed. Again. I feel like I live in a snow globe that a crazed child keeps shaking and shaking and shaking. And shaking.

The good news is, I got to work from home today and spend some time with Thing 1, Thing 2 and Thing 3 (ie, the dogs). The bad news is, snow days are not good days for dressing up. Or dressing at all really. I'd rather be in sweatpants. But since the office didn't close at the start of the day, I still slogged and skidded and slid my way there. (And without a single snow plow sighting. Where were you PENNDOT?) I wasn't about to slog and skid and slide in heels. So, I wore flat boots with tights and knee socks. And a dress.

I think I'll do this again sometime. I like the look. And I didn't have to worry about falling on my face in the parking lot. Okay. I still had to worry. I can fall on my face in a parking lot while wearing flats in 90 degree weather. But at least had I fallen today, I could have blamed the snow, even though I wore flats. Me? A klutz? Pssht.

Also, what do we think of the stylized image? Since this isn't strictly a daily outfit blog, I thought it might be nice to style my outfit pics (this is the first of the styled pics, which eventually will match/coordinate with the look of my blog). Thoughts?

All photos and layouts by me. Wrinkled paper texture by bittbox.

styled:: casual weekend boots

After tromping and clomping around in snow and ice and slush for the past few weekends on our trips around town, I decided that I'm in desperate need of some casual weekend boots that I can tromp and clomp around (in) in snow and ice and slush but that still look somewhat put together (ie, not Uggs). And while my precious Anthropologie Winding Ruffle boots are adorable and comfortable, subjecting them tromping and clomping in the elements horrifies me on so many levels.

So, I found these clog-boots from Dansko that look like they'll be okay for clomping (I mean clogs clomp, right?). Maybe they'll be good for tromping, too. We'll see in a few days because they are currently en route to my doorstep. And I'm pretty sure they'll work with skinnies and bootcuts, alike. Witness:


skinny jean, american eagle outfitters
handmade cowl neck sweater by isabel amyo
woven chains bracelet, madewell
deena & ozzy zip-front moto satchel, urban outfitters
the emma boot jean, abercrombie & fitch
sequin sweatshirt, j.crew
long feather and crystal necklace by solis jewelry
the brownstone suede minibag, madewell
Boots- Dansko Reegan (available at Zappos)
(Things I discovered while posting this post: I really love grey sweaters/sweatshirts as casual weekend wear and yet, I have none to speak of in my closet. As with any fashion emergency, this must be remedied quickly.)

swoon:: anthropologie spring 2011 store windows

I'm loving the punchy oranges and dreamy blues in Anthropologie's spring 2011 store windows. Their visual merchandising team is fantastic, and they didn't miss a beat with these gorgeous art-meets-craft-meets-fashion displays. These windows make me want to pack my bags and escape to a warmer, sunnier (preferably exotic) destination with endless blue skies and sparkling seas. Or eat an orange creamsicle. That's sort of the same thing, right?

{ images from Anthropologie's Facebook page }

Energy zappers, photography and fashion illustrations

So that's a random title for a post, right? But it's quite fitting, really.

I know this blog has been quiet recently, and quite honestly, it's not just because I'm busy. And it's not because I have a lack of things to post. Ever feel like your creative energy (or your regular, hey-I-need-to-get-out-of-bed-today energy, for that matter) is just completely zapped? That's me. For the last several months.

I won't bore you with the details, but let's just say at the end of the day (you know, when it's time to blog), I just didn't have anything left. Add that to my frustrations with finding a good photography spot for outfit of the day posts and my green-eyed monsterness of all the lovely fashion bloggers out there who have magazine quality photos thanks to their photographer husbands/boyfriends/significant others/friend's cousin's aunt persons, and I was pretty much done. Kaput.

Being a serious hobbyist photographer makes me an utter perfectionist when it comes to my blog photography*, but I just can't seem to master the art of the self-portrait. I mentioned this frustration to Mr. MG and he (bless his heart!) offered to learn how to use my digital SLR to take pictures of me. I may take him up on this sometime soon (before he changes he mind).

But until then, I'm hoping (now that I've rid myself of some of the big creative energy zappers) I'll be able to find the inspiration (and time!) to post more on this blog and my other blog.

Today, I'll leave you with some fashion illustrations I did recently for my product sourcing class. For that class I'm working on (what else?), a high-end costume jewelry line. It's been a while since I've picked up a sketchbook in between bills of material, competitive strategies, target market research and all that other stuff that goes on in business classes, so this was therapeutic for me. Maybe I should have picked up the sketchbook a long time ago.



*Full disclosure: Being a serious non-hobbyist perfectionist is actually what makes me a perfectionist about my blog photography but that's just between you and me, okay?

{ Update! } Have you seen this dress? (Tracy Reese Nougat Classic Lace Frock)

{Update}
I got the dress! After tweeting, blogging, facebooking, message board-ing, and searching all over the internet, I finally called the Tracy Reese flagship store and got the last dress. Shipment notification hit my inbox a few hours ago. The dress will be in my possession in a few short days!

Apparently, Tracy Reese herself was planning to keep the dress, but when I called she sold it to me. Very excited and glad that Tracy sold the dress to me (because, you know, it's her company and she could have just kept the dress for herself and I'd have never known). I always like it when one of my favorite designers turns out to be a cool person, too. Thanks, Tracy Reese and the employee who helped me!

---

Help, help, help!!!!!! Yes, I just used multiple exclamation points, but I promise, my current fashion emergency necessitates them. (And I know I've been MIA for a bit, but that's a story for its own post. Coming soon, I promise.)

But first- my emergency! I was planning on buying the Tracy Reese Nougat Classic Lace Frock to wear for my JP wedding on December 30. It's The Perfect Dress. Perfect!

I had already started picturing myself in gorgeous, wintery, Anthropologie-style wedding pictures, dancing around our holiday bedecked town in this dress, paired with black tights, booties and a gorgeous coat. And uh, my fiance, too. Yeah, he can be in the pictures, too.

But when I went to purchase it this weekend, it had disappeared from the website. Poof! Gone! Vanished! And it ran away with my perfect picture dreams.

I am so sad.

See, how perfect it is? See?




So, can anyone help me track this down? I'm planning to call the flagship store today and according to some other bloggers, this dress was also in some Anthroplogie stores, so I'm going to call Anthro, too. But I'm desperate!

I. Want. This. Dress.

Anything else at this point will be a sad substitute. And what bride deserves a sad substitute (even if she is just going to the JP)?

PS- I need a size 6 (or a 4, since I've heard it runs a little on the large size). But I could possibly also do an 8 and take it to the tailor. But a 6 would be perfect (I hope).

fall style:: neutral dresses + colorful tights

One of my favorite things about fall is breaking out the tights. I just love dresses with tights and cozy sweaters. This fall, I think I'll try to break away from black, brown and gray, and incorporate some colorful tights into my life. They're the perfect way to add a pop of color to those neutral dresses that are all over the stores right now.


Floaty Cami Mini Dress, Madewell | Merino Ruffle Moto Sweater, J. Crew | Deux Lux Ruched and Tassel Satchel, Urban Outfitters | Bronson Suede Platform Booties, J. Crew | Bailey Earrings by Catie's Blue | Corrugated Steel Peyote Cuff, by Sand Fibers | Tight End Tights, Spanx


Smokey Eyes Dress, Modcloth | Vintage Bateau Top, J.Crew | Pom Pom Chain Necklace, Madewell | Blue Frilly Leather Shoulder Clutch, by The Leather Store | Opaque Tights, Anthropologie | Sierra booties, Nine West

What about you? How do you feel about colorful tights?

styled:: alexa chung for madewell

Madewell finally debuted the much-anticipated Alexa Chung for Madewell line. Yay! There are a ton of cute pieces and they're selling out quickly. Hopefully, Madewell restocks soon because I'd love to get my hands on a few of them, including the Betty Tea Dress.

Here are two of my favorite pieces, the Betty Tea Dress (of course!) and the Sketchbook Tee, and how I'd style them:

Alexa Chung for Madewell Betty Tea Dress
styled with: Infinity Cardigan in bronzed twig, J. Crew
| Embellished leather belt, Abercrombie & Fitch | Hidden Sun Mary Janes, Anthropologie | Blue rose and vintage cameo earrings by The Silver Dog | Gatsby Cuff, Madewell



Alexa Chung for Madewell Sketchbook Tee
styled with: McKenna plaid shirt, Abercrombie & Fitch | Denim shorties, American Eagle | Opaque tights, Anthropologie | Highstep open-toe bootie, Nine West | Tassel rope necklace, J. Crew

So, what about you? What do you think of the Alexa Chung for Madewell collection? Which pieces are your favorites?

what i wore:: peach, green and a pop of neon

I'm having moment with green. A really long moment. As in, I think it's managed to creep into my life and go from one of my most hated colors to a near favorite. And all shades of it, too. From olive to sage to mint to this bright pea-green cardigan.

I once heard someone describe green as the perfect neutral because every flower has a stem and flowers come in nearly every color. I like that idea. In keeping with the flower theme, here I am, in a peach top with petal-like ruffles and a green cardigan with a neon orange belt. So, the top is the petals, the belt is the pistil and the cardigan is the surrounding greens. Erm...

And that concludes the cheesy flower analogy portion of this post. Carry on, everyone.





Top: J. Crew Outlet
Cardigan: J. Crew
Belt: Madewell (buy it here- on sale!)
Necklace: Madewell (buy it here- on sale!)
Jeans: Target
Shoes: J. Crew
Bracelets: AE, Madewell, my own designs


So what about you? Have you ever suddenly found yourself drawn to a color you disliked? Or has the opposite happened- did you suddenly start disliking a color you couldn't get enough of before?

What I wore:: dinner with friends

Good news, people! I finally found a good spot to take outfit of the day pictures in my house. It took a little furniture rearranging, but I'm liking it. And bonus for me- the room we rearranged (my office/studio/exercise room) is actually more functional now. For example, all I have to do to use my scanner is plug in the USB cable (instead of pulling it out of storage, setting it up and plugging in the USB cable). See? Much more functional.

Okay, okay. We actually rearranged the furniture to make the room more functional, and the good spot for what I wore/outfit of the day just happened to be the bonus (not the other way around). Sometimes I forget that the world doesn't revolve around my blogging habits.

Ahem.

So anyway. Friday night, I went out for dinner with some friends. We were supposed to catch a movie afterward but dinner ran late, so we ended up a nice little outdoor bar instead. Good times, I tell you. Good times. And after the week I've had taking care of our dog, who is recovering from knee surgery, I certainly needed a relaxing night out with the girls.

Happy Sunday, everyone!



Cardigan, H&M
Sequin top, J.Crew (similar here)
Cargo capris, Abercrombie & Fitch
Ballet flats, ??
Necklace, J. Crew
Bracelet, my own design

Accessories:: Tiffany Blue- now available in a handbag

Tiffany Blue isn't just for boxes anymore. Now you can have the lovely aqua shade in handbag form with the launch of Tiffany's new line of leather accessories. The collection includes a structured tote or a reversible one, a clutch, and a ladylike bag among a few others...there's even one for the boys (but don't worry, it's a nice, manly shade of brown). It's hard to pick a favorite! View the entire collection here.

Which do you like best?


Avenue Tote | Tiffany Reversible Tote | Lyn Clutch

Fashion:: Design Star, Emily Henderson

Does anyone else watch HGTV Design Star? What did you think of last night's finale? I was happy Emily Henderson won because I really like her overall aesthetic and she just seems like a nice person, too. And isn't it nice when a nice person wins? But I'm not really here to talk about the finale. I'm here to talk about the outfit Emily wore in the second to last episode.

Specifically, this outfit:

Image sources: Left | Right

I'm obsessed. I just love the blue ruffled dress with the tan, heeled menswear-style shoes. So, I went hunting for some similar styles. And here's what I found:


I'm on Sapphire dress from Modcloth | Tissue v-neck T from J. Crew | Hammered NuGold Cuff by Cyndie Smith Designs | Double-lock leather belt from Madewell | Sueded opaque control top tights from Hue | Canyon messenger bag from Madewell | Langford platform high-heel oxfords from J. Crew

The dress isn't identical (*cry!*), but I added a long-sleeve gray t-shirt to give it some interest (and seasonal mileage, since summer is fading fast!). I think I like it! What do you think?

PS- Emily has a pretty cool design blog call The Brass Petal. Check it out!

Objects of desire :: "I'm an artist, not a ..." custom-made rings

Sometimes we all need a little reminder of where we're going and who we want to be. And that the current situation is. not. permanent.

I recently stumbled across these custom-made rings by Kathryn Riechert, and I found them nothing short of inspiring. And I love the story behind them, too- how Kathryn first thought to make them when she spent her days waitressing instead of creating. I'm sure most of us can relate to this on some level. Maybe you're not a full-time waitress with the soul of an artist, but you've got to be working toward something, right? Most of are, whether it's career-related or not. We all have goals and dreams. Why not keep a reminder of them right at your finger tips?


My mind is already in idea overload with possibilities for my own set of rings from Kathryn. ("I'm a creative spirit...not a corporate drone" is sort of amusing to me.)

So, what about you? What would your rings say?

Oh, and Kathryn? She's now a full-time artist who spends her days creating cool jewelry like this.

Dress dilemma: cupcake-ification

I bought the Chocolate Dipped Strawberry dress from ModCloth a while ago. And usually when I buy something new, I can barely wait to get it home, rip the tags off and wear it the very next second.



But this. This has just been hanging forlornly in my closet with the tags still attached, like that sad little kid picked last for dodge ball.

It's not that I don't like it. It's a sweet little dress. But that's also it's biggest flaw. It's too sweet. Too literal.

Chocolate-cupcake-with-strawberry-icing literal.

And so, I've been scouting around, trying to find pieces to wear with it that don't make me feel like I should have a candle on top of my head. I think I've found a few pieces that might get this dress out of my closet and onto the dance floor.

Idea 1- Toughen it up
J. Crew solid ripstop field jacket | Unlisted Shelf Help shoes from Zappos | Madewell fringed chain necklace | Deena & Ozzy zip-front moto satchel from Urban Outfitters


Idea 2- Soften it up
Outdoor cafe cardigan from Anthropologie | Anticipation heels from Anthroplogie | Louise upcycled earrings by Erica Leilani Designs | J. Crew Jericho tote

Idea 3- Embrace the cupcake-ification- add some sprinkles!
Glacier necklace by Surf and Sand Jewelry Design
| Satin bow clutch by Mermaid's Dream | J. Crew Starling heels in rose gold

So what do you think? How should I style this dress?

fashion + home // white ruffles

I love white ruffles! Nothing is more girly or springy. J. Crew's Sweeping Ruffles Shirt and Paula and Erika's handmade white ruffle curtains are definitely on my spring 2010 shopping list.