Things I Love Thursday - 10.08.09

It's a day late, though I did write most of it last night before I passed out. But better late than never, right? And there's lots of pretty pictures.

• nude pink - As I was getting rid of a few shirts and sweaters in the spring, I noticed that pretty much everything I was discarding was pink. I thought, well, I'm just not a pink sort of girl and let it rest. But lately seeing pale, nude pinks popping about, and even really desaturated dusty pinks, makes me want to don the designated colour of my gender (though, true fact, blue was originally a girl colour and pink was a boy's!). All of the below is from Urban Outfitters:





• Halloween costumes - I'm so excited for Halloween every year. Once September ends I am starting to make plans, hoping someone I know is having a house party (so much more fun than a bar, and a lot fewer sexy Dorothys that way), and deciding on an outfit. I love having an idea I'm really excited about, searching for all the pieces to put it together, and doing all the crafty sewing/painting/altering/building for it. Having a store bought costume is no fun! Here are my costumes this year:



Little Pete (my brother is going as Artie) and Lamb Chop.

What are you dressing up as for Halloween?

• Single Stone Studios on etsy - This list might as well be "stuff I've favourited on etsy this week." I mean, the place is becoming my security blanket. Anywho, these guys have AMAZING vinyl wall decals, mostly but not limited to trees of various sizes and species, birds, chandeliers, and abstract shapes such as swirls and argyle. I have always wanted tree wallpaper, but I think that when I finally have my own place I'm going to get different vinyl trees for each room. Check out how dreamy the winter birches look:



• Faux Pas to Fabulous - This blog feature on ModCloth is such a great idea. It's one thing to cringe at some very ugly outfits celebrities decide to don, but it's way more awesome to find the core of why they made that outfit decision and show where they took a wrong turn. Fashion psychology anyone? Read it here.

• wool capes - Maybe it's the fall weather making a bit witchy, or the Victorian novel I'm reading, but I have been scouring racks for a perfect wool cape. It's not functional for everyday wear, so it would need to fall in the price range of "novelty item" in my budget, but it would be so warm and classy over a cocktail dress with a clutch in my hand as I'm going out in the evening. I can't decide whether I like the classic look of a vintage cape or the stylistic shaping of a modern cape:



Vintage nurse's cape from ebay, Cape of Good Hope from ModCloth.

Which would you choose?

Things I Love Thursday - 10.01.09

• monthly astrology forecast - Every first of the month I think "Oh boy, a new astrology forecast!" Read yours here.



• vintage hats - Now that my hair is getting long my hatred of hats is subsiding. It might also be in part to it not being worn as curly as it can be lately, though. At any rate, I find myself searching for an everyday-yet-glamourous topper. This beret found on ebay is cute, but it harkens the DYI spirit inside of me. I wouldn't be surprised if in a few months time I have a full-on millinery hobby budding!

• fall baking - As the temperature drops, my appetite becomes more ferocious. I see more leisurely breakfasts of french toast, bacon, and coffee on my days off in my future. But aside from that, I long to have an excuse to try my hand at a pecan pie, pumpkin muffins, chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, and of course whipping up my tried and true banana bread.



Left to right: birdqueen, tree & kimball, both on etsy.

• jewelry making - Another creative surge of energy I am getting is from the endless amount of inspiration I find browsing etsy looking at gorgeous jewelry. I have been meaning to experiment with that for a while, too, and am browsing supplies all over the place. Here are some of my favourite etsy sellers lately, whose work I love to ogle:
birdqueen
chinacherie
mama's little babies
ragtrader
tree & kimball

• the great closet purge of 2009 - I'm getting there! I photographed a bunch of stuff for etsy and ebay last weekend, and the etsy listings are gradually being put up. I'll have a bigger post when I'm finished, but I added about a dozen things so far if you want to have a look.

Things I Love Thursday - 09.10.09

• Renegade Craft Fair - Saturday and Sunday in Chicago is the Renegade Craft Fair! It's pretty much like walking through Etsy if it was more selective and in Wicker Park. A lot of things I do not buy, but it's great for getting ideas and picking up cards for possible holiday purchases. I realized a week ago that this will be my fourth year going to Renegade. In 2006 I didn't purchase anything, in 2007 I bought this ring from Lucky Loo Loo, and last year Michael bought both of us some cute stationary from 16 Sparrows. Check out the official website here.

• The Violet Hour - I hate promoting this place even though it's the best bar in Chicago because I like how tucked away it is (or was). This place is perfect- expertly crafted cocktails in a classy and divine setting, very dim, perfect for groups or an intimate date. Just look at the menu! Yum. If that doesn't persuade you, check out the inside:







• fashism.com - Fashism is my new guilty pleasure; it's like Hot Or Not but with clothing. I love voting on good or bad outfits, and offering up advice. The only problem I have with it is it isn't updated too often (but I guess that's a good thing cos I'd waste too much time on there otherwise).



• the little black vest - It's not exactly the same as the dress, seeing as how it's almost more accessory than apparel, but the plain black fitted vest looks perfect, on any body type and with any outfit.

• Melissa Shoes - These Brazilian-made plastic/vinyl sustainable shoes are conceived by a variety of famous footwear designers including Vivienne Westwood, Zaha Hadid, and J. Maskrey. They are unfortunately out of my price range, but just barely so I may invest in a pair on sale. They look like they would be uncomfortable but they are surprisingly very, very comfortable, based on the flats and heels I have tried on. When I can find an excuse to I will definitely be getting a pair of These Vivienne Westwood designed t-straps:

Things I Love Thursday - 09.03.09

• western heels - What looks stylish, gives you a lift, yet makes the boots extra comfortable? Western heels. Whether it's on a pair of stylish new ankle boots or tried and true cowboy boots, male or female, I love them. These leather booties are from Blowfish, so they are very comfortable with not only the heels but the padded inside. I just bought these and am so excited to wear them. I have seen other shoes from this line with a similar heel as well, including pumps.

• Real Simple - This magazine has everything- home decor, organization, money saving tips, recipes, health, fashion, beauty, etc. The images are gorgeous, filled with natural light. Not classist or ageist, it has something for every woman (and man, too, come to think of it). Browse some articles online at realsimple.com

• clock hand jewelry - There are tons of these on etsy, both ready made and supplies. I bought some hands myself and made some extra long earrings:



• designer jeans - Lately I've been obsessed in purchasing things that are worth the extra money, like a really really good pair of jeans. I've been checking out Gap's 1969 Premium Jeans, has anyone worn them?

• solid black tights - Can't go wrong with these babies. I have a drawer full of tights every color and pattern, but I always pull out my opaque black stockings. They're just so perfect.

Things I Love Thursday - 08.20.09

 

• crocheted stockings - Perfect tights for it's-kinda-chilly-but-I'm-not-ready-to-wear-tights-yet weather. Tights shown from left to right Sock Dreams, Shoewawa.

• fashion tape - This stuff is amazing and has saved me from buying a new bra for every weird top and dress I own.

• Ulta - As far as I am concerned, this is the best cosmetics/hair store there is. The items they have range from drug store cheapies like New York Color and Maybelline to higher end brands like Smashbox and Bare Escentuals. They have an extensive fragrance selection, hair accessories and dyes (including Feria colors I've never even seen before), and a pretty decent brand of their own. I am quite fond of their eyeshadows; they last forever and come in a wide variety of colors. They have tons of freebies both in-store and online, and a free rewards program. The only thing Sephora has on it is a free birthday gift. ulta.com



• the well-fitted, solid coloured dress - Doesn't have to be black. I'm pretty partial to a dark charcoal myself. I have a dress in the shape I like (see black and white dress in previous post) but its pattern makes it just a hair too casual. Both of these dresses are from Forever 21 and I love the subtle and flattering waist detail on each.

• fall shows - The non-sequitor of this list, I suppose. I have tickets for Fever Ray and Decemberists in October, and my dad told me that the theatre by my house will have a Chromeo/Crystal Castles show coming up, as well. Maybe one day I'll pass on my concert-going tips and tricks!

Things I Love Thursday - 08.06.09

• Target's Odell flats - Now, these are not the most versatile shoes in the world, and I don't even know if the patent ones are waterproof (then again some of my only waterproof shoes anymore are cheap patent flats) BUT they are so comfortable, cheap, and come in a million colors/styles. I have a black pair I wear all the time, and I just bought a Bronze pair. They're only $13 so you can buy flats in any color you've ever felt your shoe repertoire was missing. They have no arch support, though, as do pretty much every flat ever, so get some insoles. See the full list on the Target.com website here

• suburbia - There are some things I love about the suburbs that I just don't get from living in a big city, and took for granted until I moved to Chicago. I never want to live in the suburbs I think, unless it's a tolerable one like Oak Park or Evanston. But I do love the following: being driven everywhere, drive-through fast food (Taco Bell!), Chili's (I love fake Mexican Food), chains like Target and Walmart. Pretty much, I love being a fat American for a few days.

• wearing my boyfriend's boxers and t-shirts - Even though I have my own boxers and t-shirts, there's something about wearing his that makes it so much more cuddly.

• going backless - You know it's summer when you can bare it all and you are nice and comfortable. It's nice feeling the sun on my back in my low-backed swimsuit or feeling extremely sexy out at night in a backless dress. It's hard for me to pull off because I have bigger boobs, but if it's fitted enough and if I wear my bra that's just cups it works out just fine. (I always thought my back was my best feature!)

• a well-organized bag - I'm going to do an entry about purse-organization soon, but between having a new, better structured purse and packing for Lawrence all week it certainly makes life much better.