Thursday, November 19, 2009

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!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

What I (Wish) I Was Wearing...

I had one of those days again today, I was up at 4:30 am this morning on my way to work in New Hampshire for the day, so my outfit post just didn't happen. So instead, I'm posting what I wish I could be wearing. I have quite a few events coming up in the next month and a half or so and I've been thinking a lot about what I'm going to wear (or, what the hell am I going to weaaaar!!!). Most of these events- gallery shows, family dinners, blogger meet-ups, holiday parties- take place during the day, so this outfit isn't as glitzy as your typical holiday ensemble, but I still think it's festive. A lot of these events are taking place in the city too, and I would love to not have to be relegated to flats but I need something I can walk in: these wedges seem like they would be walkable and arthritis-friendly! And best of all, the dress has a hood!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Daily Style...

Top: J.Crew (20.00? really old)
Skirt: Target (16.00)
Belt: Thrift (1.00)
Tights: TjMaxx (4.99)
Shoes: Target (6.99 sale)
Bracelet: Gift
Picture Taker: Chris
I look exhausted here, to tell you the truth I haven't been feeling that great for the past couple of days, and it's taken a lot of effort to do even the most mundane things- all I want to do is curl up on the couch. This outfit is perfect for the kind of day where I just want to be comfortable but have to work (like today): the skirt has an elastic waist and this cotton shirt is one of my favorites. I'll probably wear this again this weekend for my work-trip to Philadelphia for National Portfolio Day. Wow, I'm really struggling with things to say here, maybe that's the downside of blogging in the morning? In any case, happy Tuesday!

Monday, November 16, 2009

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!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Daily Style...

Sorry these are kind of blurry...
Shirt: Gap (35.00 sale)
Skirt: Target (16.00)
Tights: TjMaxx (4.99)
Shoes: Target (6.99 sale)
Belt: Vintage (gift)
Bag: Vintage Cole Haan (2.99)
Photos taken by Adria, thanks!
I'm sorry, I know I've been a terrible blogger lately. Since I've basically been in New York for two weeks, I've been living out of a suitcase- which, as you may imagine- is rather uninspiring. Today I had something to look forward to though: I got to drive home! I'm so happy to be back in my own space! I did make a pit stop on my drive though, I had made plans to meet Adria in Northampton, MA for lunch. And of course it's impossible for me to go to Northampton and just see one friend, by the time the night was over, we had gathered Ashley, Elise, Justin, and Ned! Consequently, I arrived home much later than expected, but now that I'm here, I'm happy to be sitting on my own couch. Albany was fun, but I missed my apartment! This trip marked the end of my week-long travel, now it's the home stretch, almost done! I hope you all have a great weekend and posting will be back to normal starting Monday, yay!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Art Notes...

All images ©Julie O'Boyle
I hope everyone enjoyed their Veterans Day! For me, it was so nice to be able to do something substantial. This morning I decided to trek out to North Adams, MA for a visit to Mass MoCa (aka: the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art). The drive between Albany and North Adams is beautiful (if you avoid the highway like I did) and reminded me so much of where my Dad lives in New Hampshire, I love mountain roads (I saw the most amazing sunset on the ride back!). The Mass MoCa galleries are located in a historic mill building with beautiful high ceilings and huge windows. Today there was a lot of video installation and my favorite artist out of all that was shown was Guy Ben-Ner. Ben-Ner recreates classic stories like Moby Dick and Don Quixote and often uses his family as co-stars. I added his "Moby Dick" piece below. This was my favorite video -I love it when artists don't take themselves too seriously- and his daughter is so cute! It's a long video but well worth taking the time to view- this is actually just Part 1 if you wish to watch the rest, Part 2 will come up at the end- enjoy!
"Daily Style" will resume tomorrow!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

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!