Lunch Date.

This past Monday I met up for a lady date with my friend Jess  (who was super obliging and wonderful and took my pictures for me!) for a game of catch-up over lunch and some thrifting, something we made a bit of a habit of over January! I don't always wear something blog-worthy for these occasions, especially if extensive thrifting is part of the plan for the day, but I've been itching to wear this dress since I got it. It's one of the three I bought during my NYC visit a few weeks ago. I don't have anything else like it, and aside from the Peter Pen collar it's a bit of a different thing for me.

Coat: J. Crew circa 2009, Dress: Vintage, Tights: J. Crew, Shoes: Target, Goofy Smile: Birth

It was also supposed to be fifty degrees out that day, but somehow that didn't happen. So much for saving this dress for the nicer weather as planned! 

I don't know that it's the world's most flattering dress shape on me, but I sort of love everything about it. I think I needed it because it reminds me of a mid-sixties version of my Mad Men dress, except I can sit down and eat in this one. It's a bit wrinkled here, even though I risked my life and steamed it while wearing it (worst idea ever, but it has so many inside snaps and buttons the thought of taking the whole thing off, steaming it, and then putting it back on was not something I was inclined to do), from sitting down at lunch and I suppose I should have given it a better soak and mended other bits of it. I just can't be bothered sometimes, especially if I want to wear something very much.

Thanks a lot wind, for sending like, three stands of hair across my face.

The little cat buddy on my collar was also a gift from Jess, so of course I had to wear him. He's just the perfect size--some of my pins, and I do love them dearly--are a bit too strange, or big, or shiny for certain moods. 

We ended up stopping at an abandoned building on the way to a thrift store, and found a little empty house behind it. It was all boarded up so exploring wasn't going to happen--but mostly we were just cold. The good thing is there are always warmer days (we hope. At the moment it's snowing, something it hasn't done properly since October. But I know better. Spring is soon, even if the weather does decide to snow on us for days).

Pictures taken by Jess.

The Other Mother.

Jacket: H&M, Dress: Vintage, Sweater: Vintage, Tights: J. Crew, Shoes: J. Crew, Bag: Vintage, Pin: Vintage

I'm really struggling with this self timer thing. I sort of hate it a lot, but I've been wearing all sorts of outfits lately and have pictures of none of them, even though I dressed with intentions of documenting them. I'm trying to be better about it, honestly I am. I just need someone with  me to tell me to stand up straight, stop scrunching my shoulders, and for Pete's sake close my mouth! The above picture was the only one even close to acceptable of me with the trench on, and even then I start to feel it's really insipid the longer I look at it. 

I really had to do a post today though, not only because it's been so long, but because I've worn this dress about half-a-dozen times and it's never seen the light of blog. 

I got it three or so years ago at a vintage shop for a steal. It was was all wrinkled, having been balled up at some point, but it has nary a flaw on it! And the print! It's tiny buttons! So I call it my Other Mother dress, after Coraline. The sleeves are a little bit weird, and it was a bit too big for me so my genius mother took the waist up in the most clever way--not that you can see it, because of the sweater--but I really do love it. It was one of the dresses I brought with me to New York and didn't wear.

The sweater is one I snapped up while having a thrift date with Jess. She spotted it, and the poor thing had been sitting there on the rack for weeks. It's quite old but it's riddled with holes in the back and along one of the arms. I took it home, along with a skirt full of holes, because I get that thing that you have as a kid where you feel bad for stuffed animals that can't all fit in your bed at once, or the heels of bread that get left behind in the bag because no one wants them so you eat them even though you don't even like that part of the bread.

So I've rescued it, although I haven't entirely finished mending it before wearing. There are still a few holes that need some invisible mending or patching. I was pretty mad that I had to wear a sweater to begin with, I want spring and warmth so much, so I decided I would wear what I wanted and that's that. 

And my little mouse, another pin from etsy. 

Lincoln Center.

It's not likely that I'll fit in an outfit post until Monday, and seeing as I've already posted the pictures I took last weekend, some images borrowed from elsewhere will have to do!

Dress: Vintage, Coat: J. Crew, Shoes: Bass, Tights: J. Crew, Purse: Vintage, Pin: Vintage, Gloves: Anthropologie, Lipstick: NARS Schiap

I'm not miserable, despite what my expression here might say! It's one of those things, where my default face looks a bit irritated, although in this instance I think I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by the whole thing. It's very strange to stand around, get asked for a photo, and suddenly more cameras pop up! 

In the flurry of activity that was last weekend, I (as you can see) toted my camera around and hardly used the darn thing! I was able to snap a few of Emily's outfit before being chided by a security guard that I was not allowed to take pictures without press credentials, which I am fairly certain was untrue, but, well, I complied. 

I am an over packer. I like to be prepared for every eventuality, and that's how I end up with nine pairs of shoes and seven sweaters (those number are partially made up. I don't have any idea how many shoes or sweaters I ended up bringing, but I didn't need as many as I brought). Even more typical is that I purchased three dresses during my trip, and wore two of them during it, so I didn't actually wear much of what I brought. 

Which is how I ventured to Lincoln Center in my un-ironed new dress, happy as a clam about the whole thing. 

Pictures from Teen Vogue

Visiting Flowers.

It already seems a sad pile of days ago, but just yesterday I was still in NYC with Emily, the kindest and most generous of hostesses (not to mention stylish, gorgeous, and all-around amazing!), for my weekend visit. I somehow, in true-to-me style, dragged my wretched camera around with me and hardly used the stupid thing. I did have enough wherewithal to get some use out of it when we visited Amy Merrick of An Apple a Day.

Amy is hosting a little pop-up shop at Castor & Pollux for Valentine's day (so I realized I had better get this post up asap in case someone wants to pay her a visit tomorrow!) from 12-7, you can see more pictures here at her post on the event, and also over at Emily's blog. But you really should go see it in person, if only for the lovely setting and wonderful people. 

I've been the biggest fan of Amy's since I first started reading her blog, and was so excited when Emily suggested we head over to say hello and grab some flowers. I think I've starred every single one of her posts in my reader. Her vision of the world comes through so strongly in her posts and photographs, and she has the occasional turn-of-phrase in her posts that makes me simultaneously enamored and poetically jealous (one time she used the phrase flower-drunk and for some reason it's haunted me ever since). And then she was just about the sweetest lady I've ever met, in the most effortless of dresses and just wonderful! I left the city last night overwhelmed by all the totally rad, beautiful, and charming ladies I got to hang out with all weekend. 

It was the best end to the best weekend! I knew that I've missed color and warmer weather, but I didn't realize quite how parched I was for green, growing things until we got there, and somehow I wanted nothing more but to be somewhere where things looked alive. It's not long now, and I suppose if I've got one thing to be happy about when it comes to time going faster, it's that I can hopefully make another trip downstate sometime soon!

Circus Shirt.

We're trying to solve the problem of outfit posts when it's cold outside, and when the light inside isn't very good, or when we are somewhere where taking outfit pictures is awkward and weird. Like in bakeries that I don't work in.

It's tricky, so in the end we settled on a few quick-shots in the doorway of the try-on room in my favorite antique store. It's not quite perfect, but it's January. 

The blouse is a total impulse purchase, but I don't regret it one tiny bit. Every now and then H&M has something I really love, and I would just kick myself if I didn't snatch it up, even though these days I've been a bit nonplussed by what they're offering (actually, I'm feeling this way about most stores lately. It's not that there aren't things I want anywhere, but they're usually way out of my price range, or involve shipping, the list goes on. But for the first time in a long time I'm really not thrilled by what's out there. I suppose this is something about growing up or a maturation of style but it's a bit frustrating, really). 

Blouse: H&M, Skirt: thrifted and altered, Belt: J. Crew, Shoes: No idea, they are ancient, it was muddy out.

Originally I had visions of pairing it with some skinny, cropped pants but I don't actually own any (I did, but I shrank them in the wash, darn it) at the moment. Next time, then. It feels a bit circus-y though, this top, in a strange kind of way. Mostly it reminds me of this dress, except this is a blouse and it was 25$. Still, it fills a need.

The skirt is the same one from this post, but since I have three or four below-the-knee wool skirts already, I decided I ought to put myself to good use and hem one or two. I'm on a hemming spree all of the sudden, finally tackling a few things in the to be altered/mended pile, which is good and productive (for once!).

Pictures taken by John.

Wishful Thinking.

Sometimes I get overwhelmed by the internet. I love it a lot, but these days there are so many vehicles for collecting and sharing things we love and are inspired by, that a lot of my links end up all over the place. My tumblr favorites are out of control (I try to go through and edit them every few weeks, but there are still thousands of posts in there), so I started to use pinterest as a means of making those a bit more searchable, but honestly that hasn't made it that much better. I bookmarks things, star them in my google reader, but eventually they all become so full that I can't really find anything. When holidays or birthdays come up I never know what I want, because I'm certain I saw something, but heaven only knows where that link is buried.

Maybe this will help. I try not to spend too much money most of the time, and generally I'll sit on a purchase for a few weeks before making it (thrifting and food not included) to make sure it's something worth it. Here are a few things I've been eyeing and might hand over my pennies for if there's anything left over after that next paycheck! 

1. I've been much more interested in watches this year, and this initial watch caught my eye a few weeks ago. Most of my watches don't actually work (somehow, I kill watch batteries) but I like the look of them. On the downside, the letter K is sold out in this one, but I could always go with my middle initial and snag the S. And it's from Urban Outfitters. On the upside it's cute, and cheap (but I hate paying for shipping).

 2. I have a pile of tote-bags that is to-my-knees high, but none with a cat on it. How adorable is this black cat tote? Maybe someday I'll graduate to real grown-up purses, but it is not this day.

3. I've felt kind of lukewarm about Madewell for a while now, but I want almost everything that's come out in their spring line. Especially the shoes, and especially these polka-dot flats. Polka-dots, for goodness sake. This is the one purchase from this list I might actually make sometime soon.

4. I feel a little weird posting a bra on here, although I'm not sure why. Whatever. It's pretty, it's mint green, and I want it. I'm also pretty sure the only thing holding me back from ordering things like this (because the price is reasonable, really) is shipping. I really, really hate shipping, totally irrationally. 

5. It was just listed this morning, but I'm a little obsessed with this cat brooch. Someone should buy it before I do.

6. Emily's book is available! Once I get my hot little hands on some extra pennies I have plans to buy this for myself some little kids I know who might just love it. I'm a little bit sad that I can't live in her illustrations, so I suppose this is the next best thing!

7. Ever since Anabela posted the contents of her beautifully curated purse I've been lusting after this wallet. I think I've actually pulled it up on my phone and showed three separate people. It will be mine, I am certain. Mostly because I need a proper adult wallet instead of the flippy thing I've been using that I can't actually fit anything in, and that I have affixed a cat sticker to, but also because between the texture and color I also kind of want to eat it.

8. I could lie and say oh yes, I would like to purchase this tie for John, but really I want it for me. Maybe I could get him the other color, but the pink/khaki is definitely singing some kind of siren song to me.

My next post will be less rampant materialism and more dressing up for a day out by recycling things in my closet. I'm trying to hem something at the moment, but I'm a bit worried that I've cut it too short, so wish me luck!

Going Outside was a Bad Idea.

Skirt: thrifted, Blouse: Forever21, Cardigan: estate sale, Beret: now-defunct French shop in Woodstock, Shoes: J. Crew

In hindsight, I probably would not have chosen today to do an outfit post. It was bone-cold today, windy,   the kind of day when I usually do my best to stay inside at all costs. Nevertheless, coat came off (because I knew I was not going to have the wherewithal to stand around and take pictures of that too) and I ducked out of the car to grab a few outfit shots. As a result we've got half-closed eyes and strange hands. It was all I could manage, and confirmed to myself that the milder weather posts are usually my favorites because there's a freedom of movement in nice weather that just doesn't exist in the cold.

I broke a rule when I bought this skirt. No more grey wool skirts, I said.  You have enough, I said, pawing through the racks. But nope, this one I needed. I might shorten it, to make it a bit more distinctive, just to the knees so it's still on the long side but a bit less difficult to pair with coats. 

It wasn't really warm enough for it anyway, but it looked sunny when I got dressed, so I suppose this might be a repeat outfit for a day when things are warming up. If I can just make it through February, I think I'll be alright. But goodness, do I miss the green. I'm thirsty with longing for some vegetation in the world. 

This bag is another of my mother's estate sale finds. It's vintage B. Altman, and one of the most delicious purses I've ever seen. It's small, but sneaky, because I can fit just about everything I need in it (well, almost. Extra shoes don't quite stuff inside, but I can usually fit my phone, rosebud salve, wallet, two lipsticks, bobby pins--everywhere, an extra scarf, my keys, and some other little odds and ends that have no point but it's good to be prepared for every eventuality).

You might also have noticed a little house-keeping going on around here! I'm slow, and my layout skillz are not fantastic, but I'll get everything filled in eventually, and until then, I hope you'll hang in there with me!

The New Uniform.

I have a few uniforms this winter, even though the season has only just begun (and it's a mild one so far), all variations on a theme. Somehow I've little patience anymore for being cold. I used to wear flats in cold weather and just let my feet be a little bit frozen if I was just hopping in the car to go to work, but this year I pile on the socks with a vengeance. My skirts are longer and wool, sometimes I'll wear two sweaters at once, and suddenly I'm interested in muted colors. Like the outfit below, and in this one, I've been shying away from brighter colors in recent weeks. I might just be armoring up for the winter I know is coming (for the record, I don't watch Game of Thrones, but I know that's some sort of reference).

Skirt: Thrifted, Sweater: Charter Club circa 2010, Shirt: J. Crew, Boots: Nine West circa 2006

I also really need to get myself a remote. It's dreadful taking pictures by yourself, especially since I've gotten used to someone else taking them. 

I'm in the mood for less fuss lately. I haven't bothered with eyeliner in a good two weeks or so (that is probably a terrible misjudgment, it's probably more like several days). I'm taking the minimal approach to hair, letting it go unbrushed and trying to only wash it when it seems like I'm venturing into raised by wolves territory. Aren't we supposed to be hibernating anyway?

Sweater Love.

My parents, in particular my mother, are really good at estate sales. When I was younger we used to go every weekend in the summer for hours, until I got to a point when I was sick to the teeth of waking up and going. These days estate sales are different, and I often don't even bother with them.  Besides the fact that my days when sleeping in are scarce, and sleep usually outweighs anything else, it's getting harder to find the kinds of things that I want at estate sales. 

But a few weeks ago my parents hit estate sale heaven, and my mother brought home all kinds of treasures that I'll show off here little by little. One of them was this sweater. The woman who knitted it was certainly an artist, as evidenced by all her other work my mother scooped up, of textile.

If you've been around since last October, you know that I've been fixated on the aesthetic of Never Let Me Go, and my mother marveled at all the hand-knit sweaters the kids wear in the beginning of the movie, and knowing my inexplicable, tragic love for the movie and book, she knew this sweater fits right in. It's really quite amazing, with lovely little details at the shoulders and wrists which I'll have to photograph at some point. 

It's hands-down my favorite sweater of the year. It's the perfect subdued-blue color, a little shrunken, and warm. 

2011: In Review.

I sort of can't deal with this year. Not that anything particularly bad happened in it, but rather that it has flown by so fast that I'm having a hard time conceiving the fact that it's over. Even on a day-to-day basis I'm constantly shocked that it's already the afternoon! By Wednesday I'm scandalized that Thursday is tomorrow!

That said, it's been quite a nice year, and I really must thank all of you for reading and commenting, e-mailing, and all of that! I'm so grateful for everyone, and for this little community that exists. This year especially I've met so many lovely people and new friends! So to wrap things up, here are some highlights from my year!

January

I got bangs! After pining after them for years, I ended up with bangs and chopped off my hair.

February

On day in February it was unseasonably warm. 

March

I tried to have auburn hair for a little while. I'm starting to get the itch for it again, but we'll see if I ever have the nerve. Shortly after this post, I accidentally put that sweater in the dryer and  it was lost to the shrinks.

April

I recreated my favorite movie's poster, and have really been dressing with this sort of thing in mind ever since, especially now that we're heading into the cooler months again! I also cut my hair the shortest it's been in ages, and haven't touched it since!

May

I saw Jane Eyre and started obsessing about that too. John and I started taking more day-trips and visiting historical sites from my childhood.

June

Like Clermont. I had meant to get back there in the fall, but somehow it seemed I kept missing the height of the leaf changing season because of colds and things, so I suppose we'll have to go again in the spring! It was one of my favorite places all year, and I ended up with a dress that I never expected would be one of my favorites!

July

The final Harry Potter movie came out and I had a little party to go with it, and perfected my costume. I've been heartbroken ever since, really, but that's alright! It was so much fun!

August

I turned twenty-five! And went to the beach, and marveled that summer was almost over.

September

This month was slow, as I was floored by two sinus infections! The highlight was probably when I met up with a bunch of my absolute favorite blogger ladies in NYC, where I forgot to take pictures! 

October

I attempted to levitate in a park, while wearing tweed. 

November

I dressed like a book for the second time!

December

And this month, I embraced color again!

Happy New Year everyone! Love to you all!