Thursday, February 28, 2013

Let's Work Together in March!

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In a few more hours it will officially be March! If you're interested in working together for this month, I have medium ad spaces available right now, and large and small sizes opening up soon. For more details and to purchase a space, visit my partnership page. Questions? Concerns? Feel free to email me.

Gold Pants, Gold Spurs

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What I Wore:
Sweater: ModCloth
T-Shirt: Vintage/ Birthday gift
Jeans: Kill City "Junkie" via Another Day to Dress Up
Boots: JC "Rumi"
Spurs: Vintage ($25)
Claw necklace: Black Sparrow/ gift

Where I wore it: To the office

I hope you'll forgive the self-indulgent amount of photos today. Blame it on the layers, and the fact that on this particular day I felt really, truly great. And when I feel good it needs to be documented. That probably sounds self-obsessed, but I assure you that's not how I mean it, I started this week off on a really high note, and I want to keep it going. The sun on this particular morning was incredible, it was still only in the high 30's but it felt warmer, closer. As much as it still frustrates me, I'm starting to appreciate certain aspects of this time of year. We're really starting to see signs of spring, and it's exciting- the monotone call of mourning doves in the morning (one of my favorite sounds), the birds are a little louder, the smell is different. I can't wait to eschew the layers of sweaters, socks, jackets, and scarves I've been hiding under, in favor of bared legs and arms.

This outfit reminded me of warmer weather. I don't usually plan to take outfit photos on Monday mornings, but the stars seemed to be in alignment and my hair was doing really good things. Also, spurs. How great are my spurs? I found them this weekend in Ohio. They still need a little modification, but I love them.

PS- These jeans are awesome and fit true to size if you're curious, the best part is that they don't stretch out or get knees. Also the boots fit true to size as well, someone asked on Instagram.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Silver Obliterator

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 Photos taken by Mandy

What I wore: 
Jacket: ModCloth (find it here)
Scarf: Swapped
Angora Cardigan: Thrifted ($2)
Dress c/o Lulu's
Tights: American Apparel ($25)
Belt: J.Crew ($10-ish sale, old)
Boots: ModCloth

Where I wore it: To Cleveland to hang out with babes, eat brunch, and go shopping

Silver dresses, obviously something that was missing from my repertoire. I've had this combination hanging on my wall for a couple of weeks now, waiting for the perfect opportunity to wear it. That opportunity came on Sunday with my day trip to Cleveland. I actually found myself second guessing this decision when it came down to it- worried I'd be too cold and maybe stand out too much in my reflective dress (why this is still a fear of mine at 29, I can't say, but it drives me crazy that I still have these thoughts)- but in the end, I wore it and I'm so glad I did. I felt amazing. I felt bad ass and beautiful, and comfortable, and maybe even a little too warm (a vintage sweater beneath my coat kept me toasty).

I want everything I wear to make me feel this way. I play it safe more often than I'd like, falling back on outfits that I wore years ago just because I know they work, but I want to break out of that. I want to try new combinations, new things. Monday's outfit- which I'll post tomorrow- actually had the same effect on me, I felt really amazing in it. It's pretty incredible what certain clothes can do, some may see a silver dress and think it's frivolous or ridiculous, but I see it as a comfort-zone obliterating, confidence boosting, metallic wonder.

Have you experienced anything like this lately? Do you have an outfit that makes you feel powerful?

Monday, February 25, 2013

Over the Weekend: Cleveland

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Second to last photo via Erin, all others- mine

It's getting to be that time of year where I end up feeling a bit solitary. My mind turns to thoughts of traveling home, making mental plans for a spring or summer vacation, and my weekends suddenly feel too short. Too short to see anyone, too short to get everything done. It's a bad habit of mine, turning inward and cutting myself off, spending my weekends alone when that solitude could easily be remedied with a phone call. So, yesterday was a welcome reprieve from those bad winter habits. I managed to get myself out of the house relatively on-time, picked up Mandy, and soon we were on our way to Cleveland for brunch and shopping. It was the perfect day, filled with rad ladies, good food, and tons of vintage. Thank you to everyone who sent along recommendations for things to do in Cleveland, even though I was only there for a few hours, I can't wait to go back and explore! And now I'm starting my Monday off on a much more cheerful note, it's amazing what a little human contact will do.

Everyone I met yesterday, if you're interested in checking them out:
Karina of Beach and Dress
Jessica of Midwest Muse
Megan of Kiddo TV
Dina of Dina's Days
Lauren of Someone Like You
Erin of Zero Style
Jaclyn of Sharing My Sole
Elizabeth of Yellow Finch Designs

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Currently

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Enjoying...
I worked from home yesterday for the first time in a couple of weeks and it was exactly what I needed. It's been super chilly this week, with snow showers here and there, and I loved being in my living room while the snow flew outside. Zephyr has been super snuggly lately (I had to make him a nest- above- on the table so he would stop resting his head on my arm and incapacitating me), and he hung out all day with me. I really miss the epically snowy winters of New England. The winter before we moved, we had a snowstorm every Wednesday without fail for a month. Sure, there were times it was a pain, but there's something fun and adventurous about trudging through knee high snow to meet friends at the pub, or having to dig yourself out of your house.

Looking forward to...
Cleveland on Sunday! Mandy and I are headed to Ohio to meet up with some other lovely ladies and I can't wait to explore the city a little bit. I'm looking forward to planning a few more road trips in the near future, hopefully to explore west and south of here a bit more.

Listening to...
I came across Wild Belle yesterday, and I have to say I'm smitten with their dance-y mix of funk, ska, and reggae. The video for "Keep You"- which is really bizarre- was done by the same person who did Solange's "Losing You", which is another song I'm completely obsessed with.

Anticipating...
Spring and summer. Ugh, I know. This is the time of year where you hear that from everybody, but it's true. I want warm weather, fewer layers, the sun on my shoulders, and an excuse to drive six hours to the ocean. Oh the ocean! I could yammer on about that for hours...

Enjoying...
So many new foods and combinations! This week, we tried spaghetti squash for the first time, and it was amazing! It really is just like spaghetti. I'm really excited to break out our slowcooker next week and try some new recipes with it. To be honest, the slowcooker has always been a little intimidating, but with Chris' late-nights and my workload, I think it will be incredibly useful for a couple meals a week, saving us from eating at 11 o'clock at night like we sometimes do.

Just a short list this week, what have you been up to? Reading anything good? Listening to anything new? Let me know, I'm always looking for recommendations! This post was inspired by Danielle of Sometimes Sweet.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Coordinate

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What I wore:
Jacket: ModCloth (find it here)
Scarf: Gap ($10 sale 2011)
Vintage Sweater c/o Adventurer Vintage
Striped shirt: American Apparel (2010)
Skirt: Urban Outfitters (2009)
Necklace c/o InfinEight
Tights: American Apparel super opaque ($25)
Loafers: Rachel Antonoff for Bass via ModCloth (2012, find them here)

Where I wore it: To the office

This sweater, jacket, and necklace have been hanging together in my closet for a couple of weeks now, waiting for the right opportunity to be worn together. They were bought and received around the same time, and it was just pure coincidence that they all played off one another perfectly. A chilly Monday morning was perfect for this outfit, paired with a favorite pair of loafers (which I've had for a year and never managed to photograph), and this go-with-anything skirt, I felt comfortable but put together.

A couple of people have asked about my hair recently, I did get it cut and you can see the extra layers a bit better here. What may seem extremely minimal to you, was actually four inches from the bottom, and six to seven inches in other areas...it was a little traumatic to tell you the truth, but I'm so glad I got it cut. I've been parting my hair in the middle for a change of pace lately, it's amazing how much just changing your part can change your face. It makes me look more like my father, I almost don't recognize myself. This is spiraling into another post for another day, I'm actually working on a post about hair so I'll save this tirade for that!

Monday, February 18, 2013

Life Lately: According to Instagram

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Top to bottom, left to right:
I've been living in sneakers on the weekends // A much needed work-from-home day
Lots of dates with the king of beards // Bowling. I'm awful at big-ball and miss NE style candle-pin
A visit to Akron, OH- thanks to Mandi for all the amazing recommendations! // Bull in a china shop
Pinball wizards // Another view in Akron
Cuddling while I work // an intriguing record #sideboob
Computer, cat, coffee // Zephyr at rest


We've been busy, busy, busy lately- as usual. On Thursday we took a trip to Akron, I'd never been to Ohio and it was a nice excuse to get out of Pittsburgh for the day. Poor Zephyr hasn't had his usual pal to play with lately (Zebediah), and I think he's been lonely and a bit bored. On Sunday we remedied this with a day- seemingly- devoted to snuggling with him (although we did get out of the house for a little while to do other things). This weekend was really about prepping for the Whole 30, we cleaned out the cupboards, the fridge, and the freezer, tossing most of what we had. It was tough only because throwing out perfectly edible- but open- food goes against my waste nothing mentality. We boxed up things we wanted to keep, and bagged up the stuff to donate (canned stuff, unopened pasta, etc.). We then did a huge grocery trip to stock up. I'm excited to share more of our Whole 30 with you, but probably won't mention it much until we're finished, when I'll write a recap post. Did you have a nice weekend?

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Currently...

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Excited about...
Today! I took the day off to spend a full Valentine's Day with Chris, and I'm so excited. I love having a random weekday off, it makes me feel like I'm playing hooky- even when I'm not- and I love that feeling, it's one of my favorites. Knowing that you're free and everyone else is in school or at work, it reminds me of when I was younger and either skipping (shhh...I was a delinquent) or having to go somewhere with my mom mid-day. We have a full day planned outside of Pittsburgh, and I'm looking forward to getting out of the city and seeing someplace new, it's been way too long since we last left the city and I've been restless.

Reading...
To gear up for our Whole 30- which we'll be starting on Sunday (goodbye, wine)- I picked up It Starts With Food, and so far I love it. It makes a lot of sense and I've already begun to change the way I approach my meals (especially breakfast and lunch), eating fewer grains and dairy, and I feel remarkably better. I'm considering writing about our experience in a post, would that be something you as readers would be interested in? Let me know.

Listening to...
A bunch of stuff, here's a running list: Solange (especially Losing You and Some Things Never Seem to F-ing Work), Ben Howard (he does a pretty amazing cover of Call Me Maybe), Broken Fences (yay Morgan!), Frank Ocean, and Washed Out.

Thinking about...
Changing up my schedule. I've been spending way too much time in front of a screen lately and it's driving me nuts. I need to carve out a little time on the weekends to really sit down and work on stuff so I have less to worry about during the week, but it's hard! By the time the weekend rolls around- I don't want to work anymore and I get sucked back into this never ending cycle. It's something I need to do for myself though, especially as the weather gets nicer and the outdoors more enticing.

Missing...
The usual, Zebediah (our other cat who is staying with my family in Maine), my family. My mom has been giving me weekly updates on Zeb and his personality, and I'm happy to know that he's happy and well cared for, but I miss him! I was going though old Instagram photos the other night and found a few of him and Zephyr, I miss his little face and his requests for belly rubs.

Do you have any fun Valentine's Day plans? I hope you have a wonderful Thursday!

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Hills and Valleys

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What I wore:
Coat: Gentle Fawn (from ModCloth, find it here)
Hat c/o Forest Lass
Top c/o Ever+Mi Crush
Dress: Vintage/ Beacon's Closet ($18)
Bag: Vintage Coach/ Thrifted ($5)
Tights: Free People ($9 sale- now $4.95- I recommend them and am wearing size m/l)
Shoes c/o Lulu's 
Bracelet: Thrifted ($2)

Where I wore it: To the office

This dress is easily the most versatile thing in my closet these days, and lends itself well to tie-neck blouses. I like how the leather balances out the silky fabric of this shirt, and generally keeps everything from getting too sweet. Sweetness is not necessarily a bad thing, just something I've become more aware of as I get older. The temperature has dropped once again, making hats and coats necessary, I'm ok with it though. Spring will be here soon, and I have big plans for those warmer months.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

A Little Reminiscence

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What I wore:
Jacket: ModCloth (find it here)
Dress: ModCloth (find it here)
Hat: Brixton (Chris's)
Boots: Jeffrey Campbell "Rumi"
Bracelet: from high school
Ring c/o Lulu's
Necklace: Crompton Collective- gift from Punky
Bag: Vintage Coach/ Avalon ($20)

Where I wore it: To see John Waters last Friday

The weather in these photos could not be any more different than yesterday. Yesterday was so beautiful, sunny, dry, and in the 60's- the perfect spring preview- this particular day was windy and brutal. We rushed through outfit photos in favor of our running car with the heat at full blast. I know everyone is saying it, but I can't wait for: A) it to stay light out past 6:30 so we can take photos in the evening and B) a little warmth. I feel as though I've been especially tolerant of winter this year, I'm ready for warmer weather. I'm sick of hibernating.

This outfit has been one of my go-to's, perfect- in particular- for a day spent at the office and then an evening with John Waters, my favorite director. I know there's a great divide of opinions when it comes to his work, but I've always been a fan of anything over the top. For a little something extra, I broke out one of the few things left over from my high school days- this red velvet spiked cuff bracelet- and added this amazing eyeball ring from Lulu's, which reminds me of my middle school binder that was covered in plastic doll eyes and glitter. Sometimes I just like to reminisce.