Maximum Style

I think the trend I'm most eager to try this summer is maxi dresses. While this style is aimed towards the taller ladies, I think us petite ladies can rock them, too! At 5'2" I can look like a column in my Hasbeens and a solid colored maxi. I also must say, as a curvy lady with a pixie cut it's a lot easier to embrace the 70s comeback that's emerging, too!

Anyway, back to maxis. These all come from stylish Euro-site ASOS, and through today a lot of their brand of Spring styles is 20% off. They also have free shipping and returns! (I have my eye on the royal blue one up there...) Have any of you embraced the maxi dress trend yet? Where have you found lovely long frocks?

Cheap Thrills

Rule of thumb, of course, is to invest in classic pieces that can be worn season after season. In general I agree with this, though I've been lucky enough to thrift some high quality pieces very inexpensively. Nevertheless, sometimes a girl finds a trend that really catches her eye or feels a few new pieces might perk up the existing ones in her closet. Being the natural bargain hunter I am, I've compiled a few goodies to spruce up your wardrobe while being kind to the ole wallet (everything here is $20 US or under!).



left to right... Curtain Tights from Hansel From Basel, $18; French Dots Slipper Socks from Sock Theory, $10; Bow Diggity Tee from Modcloth, $19.99; Fashion Chain Necklace from Old Navy, $14.50; Cheetah Print Oxfords from Forever 21, $19.80; Contrast Color And Metallic Striped Skirt from Forever 21, $17.80.

Summer Steppin'

Summer finally hit Chicago and the footwear fiend that I am is seeking out sandals. I've been looking at so many different kinds of styles this year, more adventurous than my usual tastes! I find myself drawn to cutout shapes, vintage-inspired styles, t-straps, feminine details, and colours beyond my standard gold for summer.







from Forever 21, Aldo, Payless, and Anthropologie

Spring and Summer Wishlist

Since late Spring-early Summer is my favourite time of year I've been stock piling like mad all the dreamy wares I want to own. However, since I'm saving my pennies for my move I'm being a (relatively) good girl...doesn't mean I can't dream shop, though.



from Mod Cloth, Forever 21, Anthropologie, and Old Navy



from , We Love Colors, and Mod Cloth



from Dear Golden, Verhext, and tractordog, all on Etsy



all from Urban Outfitters



from Old Navy, Anthropologie, and Banana Republic

What's catching your eye this time of year?

UO Spring Part 2: Gimme Gimme GIMME!

A few years ago I was really indifferent towards Urban Outfitters. I would look at their products and think "wow, all of these things are really ugly, unflattering, and the few pieces I like are really expensive." But in the last year or so, I gotta tell you, they have been ON. POINT. I have coveted almost every blouse and dress they have sold and for the first time ever am thinking of laying down some serious coin for their garments. I mean, wow, look at these classic-yet-modern pieces from their Spring collection. I am dying (dying!) over that open backed dress...





I love the purple/blue/ivory/tan/black colour palate lately and I am thinking that may be my summer colour scheme.

And let's not forget shoes! Cut-outs, heel bows, and t-straps? Neutral colours? Check check check check. I can't tell you how much I love tan and nude shoes for Spring and Summer.

Cut Me Out

As the mercury is finally beginning to crawl up the thermometer I am getting so excited about Spring shoes. I am so sick of wearing boots every day, I want my ankles to be free! Lately I've been finding myself drawn to cut-out oxfords and heels. I guess the holes are kind of a "Yeah, so what?" to the elements? That and they just look really cool. I want more statement shoes, I think. Take a look at these beauts from all over the internet (just click on the link and it will take you to the page!):

Fashion: Aviary Style

No matter how well you know me, I should think either way you have gathered that I love birds. My moniker on many websites is "slubird," others, such as this blog, it's "tzipporit," which is Hebrew for "little bird." I have many bird pins, necklaces, figurines, and artwork around my house. Even, in art school, I made two different bird-themed books.

But I digress a bit. Lately I have seen a rise in aviary fashion: peacocks, owls, feathers, etc. I have compiled a smattering of pieces featuring our fine feathered friends.



Owl t-shirt from Urban Outfitters, pink feather tunic and cygnet swimsuit from Anthropologie, owl and toucan earrings from Forever21, bird on a wing dress from 13 Bees on Etsy, bird wrap skirt from Pawson Vintage on Etsy, blue peacock feather tights from Mod Cloth.

Very Proud, Like Peacocks

Last night while trolling Etsy, and I am wont to do, oh, all the time, I decided to browse for a pair of red feather earrings to replace the pair I lost. In my search I found these beauts:



Not exactly what I was looking for, but I loved the dye over the peacock feather! So I looked around her shop, 10 Kiaat Street and I spotted THESE:



Oh my god, aren't they beautiful? I love the bleached look so much. It has a dusty rose/ivory feel to it, and they remind me of one of my favourite birds, albino peacocks!



My dream is to have a bunch of albino peacocks and peahens strolling around in my vast yard...but I digress. As I looked around Etsy, now obsessed with the notion of owning these, I found some other great pieces and supplies of dyed and bleached peacock feathers (and vegan faux feathers as well). Take a look-see:



from here



from here



from here

And if you are feeling particularly crafty, some sellers just have the bleached or dyed feathers for sale as supplies.



from here



from here

What do you think? Do you like the different colours or prefer to stick to the classic peacock feather? I personally love both styles - the classic peacock feather look can be so bold and bright it's hard to match at times with your wardrobe. Also I find myself a sucker for ivory, white, and pale pale pink things as of late.

Winter Necessity: Wool Skirts

Last winter the temperatures here dropped to approximately -20 for a slew of days, and a majority of the winter was below zero. Since I was sick of wearing my jeans tucked into boots, and soon jeans in general, I had to rethink my winter clothing defense mechanism. When it got to the point of needing three layers on my legs there was no way I could do any more under my skinny jeans, so I started with bare legs and worked my way up. I learned 2 pairs of tights (one microfiber and one sweater) was a good base, upon which I would build thigh-high socks or legwarmers. But my cute jersey dresses would not be able to help penetrate the windchill, so I needed to rethink my bottoms.

Enter the long, wool pleated skirt. Going past my knees, a usual fashion no-no for little ole me, it has a pleasing equestrian look with fitted or semi-fitted boots, and combined they provide my legs with allover shielding and yet the comfort to bulk up my legs without restricting movement. And they are definitely stylish! You can wear virtually anything with them. I either wear a fitted sweater, a long sleeve tee with a stylish cardigan or blazer, or a dress shirt and a vest. Layering your top half is easy, not so much your legs.

As I am on the hunt for some more of these wardrobe staples for myself, I have found a few lovely ones that I thought I would share with my readers. These are all from Etsy, because vintage is THE way to go for woolens. They're less likely to be a blend and are made so much better. If you live somewhere that gets this cold and wonder what you can wear that is stylish AND warm, look no further!



Olive Green and Tan Vintage Wool Pleated Skirt from Vintage Repeats, Vintage 1950s Nubby Brown Wool Skirt from Small Earth Vintage



vintage 70s Green Wool Pleated Skirt with buckle waist from Upscale Vintage, Sweet Pleats Skirt, 50s wool tweed from She's Fancy



Green Plaid checked Schoolgirl skirt with Pleats from Beta Boutique, Vintage 1970's Honey Scholastic Skirt from Thrush Vintage

Wardrobe Remix for 11.04.09

long sleeve brown tee - Old Navy
grey sack dress - H&M
white and gold belt - thrifted
ivory wool stockings - TJ Maxx
chocolate brown boots - Old Navy


Hair is huge today! My messy long bangs are growing on me, though. It gives me back a bit of the only thing I miss about losing weight - my young round moon face. Also, whoever said red hair is the ultimate accessory is right! I feel so brash with such vivid hair I feel I need to wear neutrals so often. I wanted to wear my new stompy grunge boots today but I figured a sleeker pair works better for this outfit. I also like to hide my legs more when wearing such light stockings. One of my new fave bloggers, Mamushka Marie, said it all in this post of hers and it's a trend I always waver back and forth from myself while other ladies don them so gracefully.

Wardrobe Remix for 10.27.09

grey cardigan - F21
green plaid button-up top - Target
black belt with silver shells - F21
black leggings - Target
grey military boots - Target

A rare day I wear no vintage! Ah Target and Forever 21, my two fave non-thrift stores. I redyed my hair (yes, dear readers, for those who did not know I am a bottle redhead with my god-given brunette locks) and I'm wearing eye makeup, though I doubt you can tell either in this picture. And, yes, I am wearing leggings as "pants," for the second time this week. My roommate gave me shit Saturday, but I don't care since a. I am wearing them with shirts that cover my ass b. I am wearing them with shirts that look super super awkward with jeans and c. I finally have the body to not give a shit. Also this is the first time I've belted a cardigan. I feel so ~*modern*~

What modern trends are you finding yourself succumbing to? I can pull of leggings as bottoms, right, I'm not just deluding myself?

Winter Wants

I'm sure it's lovely orange leafy and casual scarfy in other parts of the U.S., but here in Chicago and much of the midwest we've had a shit go of "autumn" so far. With all the rain and 40-50 degree temperatures it's pretty much winter lite over here. This turn makes me act like a squirrel, only with winter clothes and accessories instead of acorns. However, cold and crummy it may be I still like to retain my personal style and am picking out pieces that I feel are stylish, versatile, and most of all: warm.

Turtleneck Dress



Dress huntress I am, I am now only looking at long-sleeve dresses this season. It's always difficult because I see so many more 3/4 sleeve dresses instead. (Like your wrists don't get cold? And don't get me started on how hard it is putting a layer over those sleeves...) I'm not usually a turtleneck girl what with my short neck, and will probably never own any top that creeps past a cowl, but for some reason on a solid coloured dress the turtleneck looks downright sassy. I'd wear it with my hair pulled back and some dramatic earrings. Above: Merino Wool Turtleneck Sweater Dress from Target, BDG Turtleneck Sweater Dress from Urban Outfitters.


Prairie Boots



I have wanted a pair of Victorian/Western heeled lace-up boots for years and years but can never bring myself to spend the money. I would in a heartbeat if I knew they'd be practical enough to wear every day. If you have a job where you can/have to wear heels every day, please dear god get these boots. The ones above are Oak Tree Farms 'Vow' Old Western Frontier Boots from Boot Barn, and that site also has tons and tons of different cowboy boots, frontier boots, wedding boots, and so forth.


Wool Tights



I cannot stress these enough. I was lucky enough to find an oatmeal-coloured pair of wool tights at TJMaxx for a mere $10 (after checking vigourously at most department and outlet stores), but might have to purchase some more in black and grey. Get them in a neutral pair like these Levante tights in Camel or spruce up the winter drabs with a bright pair like Trasperenze Ginnifer Merino tights in Rubino

a hot beverage



Okay, so this isn't clothing, but I find a lot of comfort in a hot drink when it's chilly outside. My two drinks of choice? A mug of Earl Grey Creme tea from Argo Tea (non-Chicagoans, you can order a bag of loose tea on their website) and a Soy Mocha Latte. Mmm.

Picture from baristahands on etsy.