The beautiful day beckons

Like many a-fickle person, I'm loath to but find myself wanting to blame the dismal weather for my dampened (pun intended) spirits. These photos were taken literally within a span of roughly five minutes by dear Pink because that was really all the time we had. And here's where I let out a big sigh. Ah, back in the day when it was actually too hot for me to foolishly wear tights, long sleeves and heavy boots. Back when it wasn't a week-long rainy fest of gray. I feel like I'm living in London during the 1800s. I expect an old crone to come hobbling out and whisk me away on some Dickensian adventure. If only.

(It's been raining all this week, if that wasn't already clear)

And today I just came back from a day-long trip in the Windy City, which was more of a Windy-and-Steadily-Raining-all-day-City today. But y'know what? It's all good in this tri-state area neighborhood.

Dress- Target  ::  Scarf- stolen from my friend Pink  ::  Boots- Kenneth Cole 925  ::  Lipstick- Revlon Matte "In the Red"

Season of the Blazer

It's that time of year again, everyone. Time to dust off your trusty blazers, because that slight chill in the air isn't going to warm itself. Oh, and scarves, don't forget the scarves (though die-hard hipsters would probably argue that scarves are a year-long thing).

The other female in these set of photos that is clearly not to be confused with me is my dear friend Kirsten. She's ridiculous, derpy, cool, crazy and weird. Once, she jammed to "Party in the USA" and I told her that all her street cred was lost. Then she got it back by not caring about street cred. Boss.

Did I mention derpy? I consider it an important, endearing quality to have.

Top- Nasty Gal  ::  Shorts- Thailand  ::  Shoes- Dolce Vita for Target  ::  Blazer- stolen from Mom, stolen from Ralph Lauren


Time to get back to my stressfully and delightfully busy weekend!

A title would be redundant.

Guess who randomly decided to come back for a spell?

I don't think you want to know that answer.

Shirt- Target (actually stolen from Mom's closet) ::  Shorts- benevolent mystery  ::  Cardigan- H&M  ::  Shoes- Charlotte Russe  ::  Lipstick- Revlon in Siren

Normally I'd be compelled to explain my unannounced absence; but again, I feel like that'd be redundant. Today was just a spark of inspiration, more than I've gotten in awhile.
But I assure you through the power of crappy photography and the internet, that I am alive and well. If you'd like to see significantly more alive internet ramblings, my tumblr is the place to be. :)
Till next (sporadic) time!

A clean slate

There are two things lovely about this photo: My friend and the fact that this picture was taken right before she said "... boobs."

This is probably why she said that word. Because she's mature.

Today it rained. Thankfully by the time I went out, it had stopped and all that was left over was the heady scent of earth after rain. I wish I could take that smell and trap it into a little green bottle for keepsake and usage. In my downtime after class, I was entranced like a child at how marvelously green the campus was; it made me appreciate the rain (coincidentally I loved it when it wasn't drizzling on me). Spring just gained a point towards being my favorite season at the moment.

early spring come, early spring gone.

Flowy top- vintage shop in Bronx  ::  Open knit top- Charlotte Russe  ::  Corduroys- Gap  ::  Boots- Rebel via TJMaxx

Today was probably one of the last few days when the weather was charming enough to wear just a light coat. It was mad windy outside too, but I actually didn't mind. In fact, I'd like to think of it as Mother Nature's wind machine. Thanks, you were a real pal to today's little photo session.


I was telling Pink today that Punxsutawney Phil (I totally had to google that shiz to get the spelling correct) probably got it right with his prediction: spring did come early, but also didn't stay for too long, either. Damn you, you little overgrown rodent. You tricked us with your cutesy wiles and promises of early warm weather.  


Is it also weird that I feel so disconnected from NYFW that I see exploding up my blogroll more than boys blowing up Ke$ha's phone? I've definitely loved perusing the behind-the-scenes and reviews of the latest and greatest of what's on the runway, but I haven't been poring over them. It's almost like I care about how I don't care enough. To be fair, it probably isn't that off base that I'm off base about this. I love fashion, but it isn't my life. Plus, being several thousand miles away might have that effect on me, too. What say you, fellow fashion enthusiasts?

Plain Jane

My bangs are getting quite long and getting all up in my biz.

Dress- Beacon's Closet @ Williamsburg  ::  Cardigan- H&M  ::  Tights- We Love Colors  ::  Boots- Mom'd  ::  Beret- Charlotte Russe

Despite all the slush and mush and other such stush outside, it was so remarkably warm today (an alarming 50 degrees!) that I was inexplicably put in a good mood. My highlight of the day was probably when my professor decided to have the windows thrown open to relieve the stuffy classroom of its stuffiness and that distinct scent of cooped-up B.O. Lovely, right? It was. There was a breeze and it was heavenly. 

This was just a throw-on outfit that I put on and liked for the colors if not the proportions (am I making any sense? No? good). Even though it might not be my favorite, it was a simple look that I liked. Have you had days like that? Like, "it'll do." Just like Babe, except my outfit isn't an adorably anthropomorphic piglet. If only.

Sequins and Snowpocalypse

The most gloriously impossible thing happened.
The whole school, classes, exams, labs, urr-fucking-thang is declared cancelled today for the sake of a "snow recess." I don't think an official snow day has occurred since 2007. And that's like, four years ago, a whole high school career's worth of time. 
Wow, I really need to solidify the mush that my brain has become.


And as I type this, I realize that there's silence when there was nothing but violent-sounding gusts of icy wind pelting against my window before. Despite how encased in a snowy and shellacked cocoon my house is now, I fear that I'll have to break out to attend classes tomorrow. I'm sure you can guess how excited I am about this as you can tell from my chosen italics. ahem.


These pictures were actually taken yesterday when it was only a mild snowstorm outside, but a snowstorm no less. Hence, why opting for an indoor photo shoot was vastly more practical. Well, as practical as any photo shoot can be. Can you tell I was going for a little theme here? It's the theme of "let's 'break some rules' by not wearing too many bright colors and wearing leggings as pants." That's right, leggings = pants here. But in my defense... they're sparkly. And they're a gift from my mom, so... are you saying something bad about my mom? For shame, everyone. 

Plain shirt- secondhand  ::  Lace shirt- Thailand  ::  Leggings- HUE (birthday gift from Mom!)  ::  Scarves, rawr- Urban Outfitters + Target  ::  Lace gloves- Forever21  ::  Beret- Charlotte Russe  ::  Boots- TJMaxx

And to ask the oldest conversation starter in the book (you know-- THE book. The Bible. Trufax. Only not really at all, and I really should be reading religious texts now, what an unfunny coincidence):

What's the weather like where you are? Not the "snowpocalypse" like it is here, is it?

Challenge ACCEPTED.

Sweater- Gap  ::  Leopard scarf- Target  ::  Cardigan- thrifted  ::  Skinnies- Macy's? or something  ::  Boots- via TJMaxx  ::  Beret- Mom'd

[Note: You should read the title of this post in the voice of Barney Stinson. If you're not aware of who he is or what the hell I'm talking about, please refer to this clip.]


Just a week ago, the figurative thermometer full of mercury that no one really uses anymore nearly broke due to how cold it was. The high was really an all-time low of about eleven degrees-- the challenge of the day was to bundle up as cozy and chic as possible. Suit up, so to speak. OK, I'm done with the HIMYM references... or am I?


Yeah, probably.


As usual per how frequently I post/how quickly I post photos after I take them (which isn't very, for both), it's funny to see how much I bundled up here when it feels practically balmy now at a comfortable 20-30 degrees. Dare I say, I'm getting used to it? It's so wildly out of place in my head when I see many bloggers wearing naught but a single layer of tights underneath their breezy skirts while I'm bundled up more than a penguin in a blubber blanket. OK, that was colorful, but slightly gross.


But penguins are cute, right? They're so cute that they made multiple movies out of them, and movies never lie. But I guess judging by this outfit, I'm more like a penguin bundled up in a leopard-print Snuggie (God forbid). I do love leopard.

I just want to Czech it out

Precursor: Thanks to those who gave me DSLR advice/options/answers to my last post! I still need to research into it further, especially since it's not easy for me to just buy one right off the rack. That is, if cameras are sold on racks. I don't know too much about cameras, but I don't think they're sold on racks. I should stop saying rack.

A doff of my hat to my dear friend Lizzie, who whisked off to spend the semester in Prague this past weekend. I wish her nothing but adventure, fun and dumplings; I do not wish her hunger, lack of money, cold, traces of xenophobia, pretty much anything that sucks. I sternly urged her to take as many pictures as she could (like the proper American she is) while she's there (I mean, duh). I'd mostly like this because I want to see Prague through her eyes, but I also want to see pictures because I want to see if my mental image of Prague (the set of Amadeus, otherwise known as one of the best movies ever) is true or not.

These pictures were taken this past Sunday, one of the last few times we hung out before she jetset it out of here. Deliciously greasy food and excessive talking: hallmarks of our friendship.

The best fuzzy wuzzy earmuffs ever

Lizzie bought this purse at a vintage store during my brief summer visit to NYC.

This picture is an almost exact retake of this photo (from this post) we took around the same time last year and roughly the same location. I don't know which is better, that the "anniversary" was unintentional, or that I look really terrible.

And here's a behind-the-scenes look at the "perils of blogging," a lookey-loo into the world of taking pictures of oneself during the winter...

My noes is froze, my toes is froze

Yesterday and today, the snow was falling all-pretty like, as snow is apt to do. 
Positives: the absolute quiet that comes with softly falling snow, how nicely it shines and acts as nature's reflector, and how it dramatically woooooshes out of trees when there's a wind like so...

Negatives: cold feet, cold toes, cold nose, how it turns into gross slush of an indeterminable color that tracks in most public places... 

Trust me, I wasn't really wearing nothing but flats outdoors. I have a pair of winter boots for outdoors and switch into these while indoors. Yup, I'm one badge away from being The Resourceful Non-Girl Scout of the Year.

Red and Pink

In order to make up for the fact that I never uploaded the picture of my first-day-outfit last semester, here's to make up for it this semester! 


OK, I think that's really it for my creative writing juice. It's pretty much drained dry. Drier than the Sahara desert. Drier than an empty thing that used to be full of water. Drier than that last sentence's originality. 


But no-- there are actually two great things I need to cover in this post:
a) A big hearty hug and soup to the people who said that they liked my last post for its content and my layering. Like, really, sincere and genuine comments get me every time.
b) The return.............. of my favorite friend with a color name/photographer! 

Dress- Modcloth  ::  Skirt- Urban Outfitters (on sale!)  ::  Tights- We Love Colors  ::  Boots- via TJMaxx  ::  Beret- Charlotte Russe  ::  Shawl- Mom'd 

Not only is it a wonderful fashion accessory, but my sequin beret is also a handy Kate Gosselin hair fixer-upper. I think I'd liken my frequency in sharing my pseudo-shame on my blog to a cheap pie-to-the-face trick. Only the best for all of you.

A Robber Who Pays for Everything

Guess who my sartorial inspiration was?

What is this, an honest to Gandhi outfit post??? I have to say, getting back in the saddle felt good, even though the saddle was remarkably dusty. And yes, I'm still talking about a figurative saddle. Aaaaand that's honestly all the pseudo-witty things I have to say for today. I believe any and all possible one-liners went out the window once I drank that salted caramel hot chocolate from Starbucks today. I hypothesize all that sugar went straight to my head and sucked out all funny things to say-- but that could just be the sugar talking. 

Sweater- 2890 (warehouse sale)  ::  Scarf- garage sale  ::  Skirt- secondhand  ::  Tights- We Love Colors  ::  Beret- Mom'd  ::  Boots- TJMaxx

Winter's officially here

This fur stole that my mom found is the only thing standing between freezing-my-neck-and-ass-off and tolerably-being-comfortably-warm. It's a very tricky and thin line, especially during the long winter. 


What keeps you warm during the cold months? If you say it doesn't even snow where you are, I just might throttle you.


Just kidding. I really won't, truly. I mean, I like snow, until it turns into this cold, amorphous, gray, gross, slush. Concrete slushie, mmmmmm. 

I think my face here succinctly sums up "why the frickfrack am I standing out here taking photos to pass the time?"

Also, a question for y'all. I took my outfit photos in several different locations, some outside (for the sake of natural lighting) and some inside (for the sake of convenience). Putting them side by side, which do you think turned out better? Which one do I look most pained in? I give myself points for keeping the same awkward bent leg pose in each picture. 

Turtleneck- American Apparel  ::  Skirt- secondhand  ::  Tights- We Love Colors  ::  Cardigan- H&M  ::  Boots- TJMaxx  ::  Fur stole- Mom'd

Forgotten Indian Summer

You know how this is used to be a daily style blog (along with some other random bits and bobs on occasion?) According to the tradition of "here's what I wore today," these photos are truly LIES-- these were taken sometime last week when the weather was unusually warmer, my nails were white (they're black now) and my schedule was less crazybusyandfilledwithBeatlesillustrations. Somehow, they never found their way to the internet 'till now-- which actually works out well for my sporadic blogging.
Don't you hate it when your schedule becomes clogged up? Especially with the Beatles illustrations. I'm sure that happens to everyone all the time.

In other mundane news, I found a new photo spot! This is exciting for someone who's been posing in front of brick walls. Now it's brick walls and PILLARS. Variety, people, variety.