Wardrobe Remix for 12.19.10

sequin leaf headband - UO
black cardigan - Target
green and gold 50s dress - Etsy
black tights - Target
shiny black flats - Target



Sunday Michael and I went to go see the Nutcracker at the Auditorium Theater, this is what I wore. I also wore this dress last weekend to Michael's holiday party. I've been searching for a green cocktail dress for Christmastime for YEARS and I was searching Etsy about a month ago, willing to shell out up to $70 or so, but everything was too small, too large, had a pattern on it, SOMETHING. Finally I see a green dress in my size*, the perfect length, nipped waist, etc. for TEN BUCKS. It was fantastic! There is some wear to the dress; a few of the copper beads at the bust are missing and there's a hole here and there but it's nothing very noticeable. It even has a crinoline in the skirt!

*the bust was actually a bit big but my friend Alma helped me take it in.



I've also noticed that since I cut my hair, while I can no longer wear my vintage hats (they overwhelm my tiny head!) I look so much better with headbands! I saw this one at UO last Spring and wanted to die, it looked like a weird little 20s hat. It was $24, ugh. But I waited and waited and FINALLY it went down to $6! It's the perfect little bit of sparkle for this time of year.

Anyway, enough of my bargain hunting. We headed off to the theater, got there pretty early. Michael checked in on Four Square and it said he got a free hot chocolate for checking in there! What! So I joined For Square just to get a free hot chocolate...haha. Well it was GOOD hot chocolate. We get inside, drinking our hot chocolate in the lobby, waiting for the upstairs to open. There's a choir (that sings at the end of the first act) warming up and singing Christmas Carols. We then get to our seats, which were box seats! We had this gorgeous plush chairs and we could see all of the theater from our seats. It was seriously like we were royalty.

The show itself was lovely; the acoustics are so good in that theater I could hear the dancers' feet on the stage! I get so emotional waiting the ballet, especially the Nutcracker. I danced for 7 years 9 months out of the year so it was a giant chunk of my childhood. The Nutcracker was always my favourite, I would watch various versions every year around Christmastime and on Christmas Eve I would ALWAYS wear my ballet shoes, hehe.

Michael and I might be coming back in February for Swan Lake *and* Merry Widow! I can't wait!

Ballet Dresses

On Sunday Michael and I will be attending the Joffrey Ballet's performance of The Nutcracker at the Auditorium Theater! The Auditorium Theater is one of the most beautiful buildings in Chicago, built in 1889, with gorgeous Art Nouveau interior and amazing acoustics. Michael and I saw Cinderella, also from the Joffrey Ballet, there in February. I've also seen a few concerts there. If you are ever in Chicago try to get a tour of it!



Of course, the hardest thing is figuring out what to wear! It's easy in the summer, as most cute dresses are sleeveless and don't require any further layering, but winter is a bit more difficult. I'm still not sure what I'll be wearing yet but I'm doing a bit of fantasy shopping...



all from Modcloth



Shop Ruche

What would you wear to the ballet?

Recent Acquisitions (Or: How I Blew My Christmas Money)

A few weeks ago I told myself if I get any money for Christmas I should save it. Then, I said I'd buy one present for myself and save the rest. Instead, I spent pretty much all of it already (and will spend the last of it soon). On what? Well, let me show you...



These boots are from Aldo, originally $160. I got them for a song at $55. I did buy the boots I mentioned a few weeks ago, but I'm returning them because I was not fond of the fit on my little calves. These are cheaper, anyway. Excited!



I have such a hard time finding jeans that aren't a million dollars. My requirements? Mid-rise, darker wash, skinny, short inseam. These are a lot harder to find than it seems. I'm high-waisted with skinny legs, and long legs for my body type (but I'm still pretty short). Imagine my surprise when I found these at Urban Outfitters. The ones I got aren't these exactly, but pretty close. They are a little lighter wash, and don't hit my ankles on account of I am nowhere near the 5'9"-ish model. They're long, but wearable long. I-can-wear-these-with-boots-until-I-can-get-them-hemmed long. That's ok. They are stretchy and not legging thin, and the waist is perfect. All UO's denim is on sale, too, so instead of $54 I got mine for $39. Not bad if they last as long as I suspect they will.



I cannot justify this purchase as well as my others but I will be wearing it in 3 days if that accounts for anything. I bought what would be my holiday dress at H&M last month (which I found out today I cannot refund for money, just store credit, boohoo) but I caved when I saw all you cute bloggers with these Rodarte dresses. I originally wanted the baby blue eyelet one, but that one was nowhere to be found. At the Target in Shorewood this was the only dress left that interested me so I tried it on for kicks. I fell in love with how it looked on me. It's comfortable yet chic, I love the black tulle at the top, and the black looks great with my red hair and pale skin. I love it more and more every time I look at it, I feel like a cross between Audrey Hepburn and a ballerina in it. I am having fun thinking of ways to style it for NYE and I really love how all these great bloggers have worn it in different ways! It's the first time it's been fun to own something others own, too.



I haven't bought these yet, and these will be the most expensive purchase. I am waffling a little, but can get a good deal (under $100 from $170). These are the leather version of my favourite boots that I have worn so many times (and last winter, which I have no pictures of). I think I should just take the plunge and spend the dough on boots I've worn for 2 seasons already and I know go with everything. Wouldn't you agree?

Do you think I am being frivolous or am I making some good investments? I think the black boots and the jeans are, at least. What have you been spending your holiday money on?

Wardrobe Remix for 12.25.09

feathered headband - Urban Outfitters
white bell-sleeve sweater dress - thrifted
black patterned stockings - Target
black leather Blowfish "Willis" booties - nyciwear.com





Another attempt at having multiple pictures. I'm not too pleased with the far away shots- blurry because of the snow! It has just started snowing at that point and we have gotten a lot since then. My brother just came in from shoveling, and we are about to brave the three-ring circus of Target in the hopes that I might procure myself a certain Rodarte dress (I am not holding my breath). However, I am very pleased with my presents so far. I have received a Rodarte shirt and a Scarlett O'Hara glass from my friend Alma, and my friend Erin made me some absolutely gorgeous paper jewelry (earrings, and a bracelet I wore on Christmas Eve). My dad and grandma have spoiled me immensely, too, and I get the feeling my boyfriend also has. I'm a lucky lady! But considering almost all of the gifts my friends and family have received by me have been loved and put to use makes me feel pretty marvelous, too.

Anyway! The outfit. I wish I got a picture of my Christmas Eve outfit, but the day was a bit nanners. If I can't find the dress I want, and I return the dress I bought last month for NYE, I may repeat the outfit. But this dress was originally from Target, and still new I think, but I thrifted it. Gotta love that. I also treated myself to the patterned tights last week- all of mine have massive holes in them! I swear they rip faster than any other kind. And the boots I have worn before, as I have the headband (a birthday gift to myself last year). My aunt said I looked like a snowflake, haha.

I may or may not do a gifty-post, so if that doesn't happen I want to say now that I hope you got everything you wanted, and I want to see everything! I hope everyone who celebrated Christmas had a very merry one, with family, friends, food, and a lot of happiness.