Fair-Haired

I'm blond!





orange tunic dress - Tucker for Target
olive green tights - UO
tan wedges - DSW

It took 3 hours to get it the right shade, but I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I love it. My eyes and lips really pop now and it's the perfect shade for Spring and Summer. I'm excited to see how it looks with all my vintage summer dresses, I'm used to seeing them worn with my long, red hair. Can you believe how much my hair has changed in the past year? I wonder what that means... Regardless, I plan on sticking with the blond for a while.

Wardrobe Remix for 03.01.11

coral striped bodysuit - Forever 21
army green pencil skirt - American Apparel
black tights - Target
cognac oxfords - Aldo

Rabbit rabbit! It's March first, a new month and today I had a new attitude. I promised myself I'd be optimistic and productive all day and so far I have! I woke up to the sun shining. As soon as I got up I did my taxes, got the ball rolling on beginning therapy, shot shop photos, went to the bank and store, and I'm about to make chicken salad and list. I didn't feel mopey or complain all day.

I'm excited for March. I'm taking care of myself inside and out all month. My plans for the next 31 days include:

• begin sessions with a therapist
• treat myself to a facial and a Swedish massage
• cook for myself and Michael more
• weather permitting, start running
• get my hair professionally dyed blonde
• treat myself to my first professional mani/pedi
• go to Nashville March 25-28 (!!!)

Yes, you heard right, I'll be in Nashville. I've been planning for the last month of so with Rachel. If you want to meet up, or can suggest things for me to check out while I'm there, please do!

Wardrobe Remix for 02.19.11

teal flower headband - factorygirlashli on Etsy
vintage dress - thrifted
navy sweater tights - TJ Maxx
silver flats - Target


I know, it's been approximately 850 years since I've done an outfit post. I've taken photos and never uploaded them. These would fall into the same pile except I forced myself to upload them.

Why? Well, many reasons. First of all, winter has me in a rut. I want to be comfortable so badly. I wear a sort of uniform most days, and I'm just bulked out in knits and layers. I'm too exhausted in the morning to take a photo, and I manage to dress even worse on my days off. What's the point if I don't leave the house?

Also, a few weeks ago, my boyfriend's sister attempted to dye my hair blonde. Suffice it to say, this didn't pan out (I'm telling my stylist, when I go back with my tail between my legs, that "we couldn't get the right blonde"). Oh well, blonde is tricky and I had two years' worth of red dye in my hair, it was going to be a pain in the ass. I dyed it golden brown, cried a lot, and miss my red hair. I feel old and ugly. I've just been feeling gross in general because winter drains me of my energy, due in part to hiking through the post-blizzard snow banks and working extra overtime at work. I've not been eating the healthiest and feel overweight. Basically, I feel ugly, old, and fat. So dressing well isn't really up there on my list of priorities right now.

Anyway, back to this outfit. Saturday the sun was shining, the snow on the ground was all gone, and even though it was chilly and I didn't have anywhere too special to go I thought I should pull myself together a little bit. I'm not sure about this dress, high neck styles aren't the best for me, but I wore the top 2 buttons unbuttoned the rest of the day and it looked fine. It was originally for the shop but when I saw how well it fit, Michael and I agreed it should stay in my closet for the time being. I adore the matching belt! I also sported this headband I got last winter in a trade with Ashli and I love the pop of colour it gives my outfit. I love wearing headbands with a pixie cut, too.

Michael and I left late in the day to Shangri-La Vintage located in Roscoe Village. It's small, but there's a decent amount of clothing there. Very well organized and very fairly priced. The man who runs it even puts measurements and flaws on the tag for you! I got a cute 60s sundress and Michael scored a vest, tie, and four vintage Playboy Magazines (two were $4 each, the other two only $2 each cos they were missing the centerfolds!). We wandered around a bit, had dinner at the Pick Me Up Cafe and went home to watch a film.

Transition Pieces

Whether you are looking for a Winter frock to perk up your wardrobe until the thaw, a great transition piece for the climate change, or you're stocking up for Spring, this shop update has got you covered!



Rothschild 50s Sapphire Blue Princess Coat, Postage Stamps R&K Originals Geometric Shift In Blue and Brown



Forest Green Silky Disco Wrap Dress, Don't Be A Square Shirtwaist Dress in Navy, Lilac and Pink



Wide Collar Red Cardigan With Pockets and Wood Buttons, Extra Credit Division Sign Print Dress



Teal Bubbles Red Silky Dress, Snow Bunny Pink Taupe Angora Turtleneck Sweater



Leopard Print Fitted Blouse, Reversible Striped Wool 50s Skirt in Blueberry and Plum



Pendleton Red Wool Plaid Blazer, Giraffe and Leopard Print Braided Stretch Belt Large

Also, until I hit 200 sales, feel free to use coupon code "GETMETO200" to save 10% off your purchase!

Snowglobe

I'm sure you've heard of the blizzard that started on Tuesday night. Approximately 100,000,000 people were affected, myself included. Michael met me at work around 5 on Tuesday (we closed early, he had a guitar delivered to my store). Trying to hail a cab was difficult, as the first cabbie we found wouldn't go to Logan Square, but we got one. Trying to hail one the wind was 50-60 mph and almost knocked me down, and I couldn't see because I had ice flakes going into my eyes. After crawling up the Kennedy expressway we made it home safe.

However, my third floor apartment's windows were facing opposite the wind, and I was sure they would blow out. Not to mention there is a bare tree right outside the windows that were scraping and smacking against the glass, making it sound like there would be a zombie invasion. My roommate and I taped cardboard to the windows in case they broke and it looked (and still does) like this:



I was really upset at this point because as far as I knew I had to work on Wednesday and everyone I knew was off. In the middle of the night I heard the wind howling and the tree scraping the window and I was scared a window would blow out while I was at work and nobody would be home and Seymour would get hurt...

Yesterday I awoke to sun. There was still wind but it wasn't howling, and it was blowing the snow that was falling around. It seriously looked like a snow globe. The building I work in said stores didn't have to open if they didn't want to, and my boss said it was okay if I didn't open. I was so relieved! People I knew said the snow was up to their waists when they went outside.

I tried finding the beauty in it, after all I might never see so much snow again and it was so fresh. Here are some photos I snapped, makes the area around my home look like little toys.









I'm thankful that my power didn't go out, nobody I knew was hurt, and even though I feel kind of sick today I survived the blizzard of 2011!

Wardrobe Remix for 01.15.11

Black Beaded Necklace - Target
Beaded Sweater - Old Navy
Jersey Floral Print Dress - Forever 21
Black Fleece-Lined Tights - Target
Steven Madden "Intyce" Boots in Cognac - ShoeMall.com



Saturday Michael and I did a bit of shopping down town. I also went shopping Friday, which is when I picked up this dress! It's so comfy and I've been looking for a black and floral print dress. I've also really been drawn to pinks and oranges lately.



I was off early Friday, as well as both days this weekend, so I painted my nails. This colour is "Commander in Chic" from Sally Henson. It's a really nice shade, goes with everything. I also want to find more clothing in this colour- looks so nice with my skin tone. That's something I've really been paying attention to since I've become a redhead, how colours look with my hair and skin colour. As a pale brunette I figured, and was somewhat right, in thinking I matched everything!



And here he is, toast of the internet, my Seymour. Look at those toes!

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?

A Continuation of Michael's Visit

Thanks for the sweet comments on the last post! Sadly, he left Tuesday evening, but I've been so busy jumping back into work and such (watching Peep Show) that I have yet to post a few more photos. Michael wrote a proper recount on his blog which you can read here, since I doubt I could sum it up better than he. Anyway, some pictures!

Us before the ballet. I'm wearing my new hat I bought in Madison at Lou Rags Vintage & Vogue, a peach blouse from H&M, grey skirt from F21 (both purchased for the occasion), patterned stockings from Target, and silver ruffled t-straps from Payless. (By the way, I look tall but I am not. Michael is slouching and it's cos I have those shoes on. Seriously, I am pocket-sized!)



--scene missing--

Sunday, where I left off, we went to Yolk. Michael took this picture of me.



Then we ate way too much food...







Michael gazes longingly at the Loop from our El car:





I have some great posts for the next week or so coming up, as well as a shop update whenever I can shoot and some reviews for my Traveling Jerks blog! Busy busy! What are your weekend plans?

Taking A Little Time

Hey, all. I haven't been posting the last few days because my boyfriend Michael is in town. He came in Thursday evening and we have barely been away from each others' sides. Such is being in a long distance relationship, yes? I am typing this as he gets a little more sleep before we go out to brunch and the Art Institute; my kitty Seymour, while the love of my life, is a nuisance and kept waking us up. Friday night he and I went to see Cinderella at the Joffrey Ballet and I have a few cell phone snaps handy:





The whole night was very wonderful and romantic, one of our best dates ever I think. Yesterday we went to see Shutter Island, went to Trader Joe's and got the fixings for a big tasty home made dinner. We watched Remains of the Day on Netflix with our wine and wafers afterwards.

Now I have the little demon perched on my chest as I was about to shower. Dag! Cats.

What You've All Been Waiting For: Madison

Sorry it took me so long! So here is the last day and a half of my trip. Sunday morning Alma, Lisa and I went to have breakfast at the Sun Room, which was decent. Then we parted ways and after Alma and I went to the library where the above photo was taken we wandered up and down the shops on State Street. We went into Urban Outfitters and got BFF necklaces of the astrological persuasion (I got one with Cancer charms and she got one with Sagittarius charms). Then we went to the Botanical Gardens and even though we only had half an hour until close it was really nice to look at some GREEN plants and be warm; it was so humid in there my hair curled right up! I had Alma snap an outfit photo even though it was boring (I like the chartreuse and navy combo a lot though):



Cancer charm necklace - UO
grey cardigan - F21
chartreuse long sleeve tee - Target
navy pencil skirt - thrifted
black wool tights - warmlegwear.com
Steve Madden "Intyce" boots - jildor.com

And I got one of her:



It was so pretty in there with all the giant leaves, koi fish, creaky bridges, soothing waterfalls, and they even had little quails! I was so excited, as a bird-lover I had never seen quails before.











Later that night Alma and I went to the Jade Monkey Cocktail Lounge. We accidentally found it while looking for the Botanical Gardens. It had a 60s-looking sign so I decided to do my hair and makeup a little more retro with the only other outfit I had packed, styling my hair in a mini-beehive and with cat eyeliner.



Cancer charm necklace - UO
floral shirt dress - H&M
black tights - can't remember
Blowfish "Willis" booties - nyciwear.com

Detail:






Of course when we get there we go inside and it's very sleek on modern, kind of Japanese. There were also two giant fishtanks and a few booths. Sin City was playing and there was a looong cocktail menu. I got a Russian Kiddie Cocktail and some sort of Long Island Iced tea. They had a few different kinds- only $3!



Also that evening Alma and I started a new blog project, the Traveling Jerks! You can check it out here, we'll be writing up Madison spots up in more detail soon. Here is the banner prototype I did on the bathroom chalkboard:



And here is a photo of yours truly working on future entries at a coffee shop the next morning:



After that we just bummed around a bit. I went into a vintage shop on Williamson Street called Lou Rags Vintage & Vogue. It was huge and the owner had tons of things! Mostly mid-century, in great condition, and fairly priced. I got a little white lace hat (it was 30% off!) and a burgundy bow tie. I cannot wait to wear them both.

Then we took a scenic route home, stopping in Milwaukee to eat some pizza and then we finally got to Mars Cheese Castle, what we had all been waiting for:



Only to find out they were just closing! But it was disappointing and a dump in there, so who cares. Then I came home and was tired. Then I put this off for almost a week! The end!