inspired by {rainy day & british girls}

theory velvet blazer, old navy checkered shirt
american eagle skirt, hunter rainboots

Today was one of those days that rained all. day. long. It poured, it drizzled, it stopped, and it poured again. Good thing I had my trusty Hunters to carry me through the muddy/wet sidewalks and keep my feet dry and warm. I decided to make the best of it by pretending to be a cool British girl- in a chiffon polka-dotted skirt, checkered button down and velvet blazer. Speaking of cool British girls, I actually like Kate Middleton's boring classic style. I think it's so crazy funny that every online blog/magazine ever has been speculating her wedding gown designer non-stop since the engagement was announced. I guess we will forever be obsessed with anything related to British Royalty.

this is my winter song to you

I am officially ready for winter, with Thanksgiving in a week and Christmas right around the corner. 

Okay that's not entirely true... but I am glad that it's finally weather-appropriate to take out my chunky-knits. There is nothing that says hot chocolate by the fireplace better than a great chunky-knit sweater. The funny thing is that none of my chunky-knits were store-bought, they were all thrifted. Maybe it is exactly the classic 90s scratchy wool and the boxy shapes found in thrift store sweaters that draw me to them. I got this cardigan for $5 last year for an "ugly sweater" party. Obviously I got made fun of for my lack of "ugliness" because this cardigan is really quite normal. This year though I swore to myself (and my friends) that I will actually wear an ugly holiday sweater- which means I should begin the hunt soon.

Thrifted sweater, urban outfitters red henley, f21 skirt, frye riding boots

{inspired by} the modern vassar girl

I have always been in love with everything old school and classic. Navy blazers, crisp blue button-downs, anything leather- these are just a few examples. So understandably I would own the book Take Ivy and obsess over the Ivy League asthetic. This book is such a great snapshot of life in 60s collegiate America. I am particularly impressed with the Vassar Girl- popularizing menswear way before our era of everything "boyfriend". Though their boxy jackets, straight-legged khakis and Brooks Brothers oxfords look infinitely cool, I could never pull off the look unless I stopped eating and lost twenty pounds. (which will never happen, no worries) So here I am, trading the boxy jacket for a soft cardigan, an ironed oxford for a fitted polo, bermuda shorts for a wool mini, and leopard print flats instead of loafers. 

If the original Vassar girls are cringing at the sight of my liberal rendition, then they can probably rest in peace after checking out the book I'm reading. And while we're on this topic, I could borrow a little bit of those Vassar smarts tonight for my 10-pager. Thanks in advance. 

{discovering} bursts of happiness on a gloomy monday

The truth is, I hate Mondays. Especially when I had to wake up at 5am to cram for an 8:30am finance exam. (okay yes I know I shouldn't have procrastinated...) And still have two more exams and a ten page paper to look forward to for the rest of the week. And the weather is freezing and cloudy outside.

But being whiny and miserable isn't exactly helpful, so here are a few things that cheered up my Monday. I hope you had a few bursts of happiness of your own.

Really really delicious Pulled Pork Sandwich from a pulled pork stand on the street.
I think it's called Jake's something something stand.
I've been craving a sandwich from him ever since I walked by on that fateful morning in September.
If you live in the Ann Arbor area and love pulled pork, you must try it! Simple and delicious- I don't even mind the hamburger buns! :)

Red and yellow leaves that I picked up in front of our house.
They stood out in the piles of dried ones.

Listening to my favorite Christmas album

The newest addition to my perfume collection.
Nanette Lepore can do no wrong. Thanks Margaret!

Emma & Mike's Brooklyn Home Tour from David Land on Vimeo.

A video of this adorable couple and their equally adorable home in Brooklyn.

And Blair Waldorf's fabulous outfits on Gossip Girl.
Or anything else Gossip Girl, for that matter.

{twist on classics} grilled cheese & tomato soup

delicious fig preserves

cranberry walnut bread from the whole foods bakery

These are not your typical 4-year-old toddler's grilled cheese sandwiches, that's for sure. Grilled goat cheese with fig and honey on cranberry walnut bread is what we had for lunch the other day. Served with fresh tomato basil soup, of course. The recipe called for cinnamon raisin bread- the only reason we switched to cranberry walnut was because it was $4 cheaper. So use your own discretion because cranberry walnut turned out great, and we had four extra dollas in our pockets. 

best grilled cheese ever- grilled goat cheese with fig and honey

fresh chunky tomato basil soup

I have to admit that I didn't know that goat cheese and figs together is apparently a common pairing. It's like the fancy version of mint and chocolate chips! Also, in case you care, I'm switching over to fig preserves instead of jam from now on. It's that good.

{inspired by} fashion shows & rachel zoe

Urban Outfitters jacket, f21 tank, American Apparel leggings, Sam Edelman boots

Okay, whether you hate her or love her, Rachel Zoe is kind of major. She went from a college sociology degree to a celebrity stylist designer in a decade. Also she's been happily married to the nicest guy ever Roger Berman (you would agree if you watched the Rachel Zoe Project) for over a decade. I mean, she gets to dress people celebrities for a living- that is like, playing Barbie to the extreme, and getting paid for it. I die.

I recently started working with the arts & cultures magazine Shei at my school. We're hosting a Lululemon fashion show this weekend- so we spent a few hours in the showroom putting together some looks yesterday. This is my first experience with styling a fashion show so I am incredibly excited. And you know what they say, if you want to rock the part, you've got to dress the part. So here I am channeling a little bit of Rachel Zoe with my faux fur, venti Starbucks and oversized sunglasses in her infamous "boho-chic" style, with a dash of 70s groupie a la Kate Hudson in Almost Famous.

{inspired by} tucker by gaby basora

I am kind of a late bloomer when it comes to adopting fashion trends into my own wardrobe- from skinny jeans to ankle boots- it just takes me time to grow fond of things. So when Tucker for Target hit the stores, I wasn't particularly excited about it like everyone else in the fashion world. Well now I'm really kicking myself in the shins because I am kind of in love with the part poet/park Ukrainian dancer asthetic of Gaby Basora's silk printed blouses and dresses.

Luckily, my closet is a black hole and just when I'm pining after all those sold out Tucker pieces on Gilt Groupe... I remembered this blouse. Albeit it's from h&m and doesn't have the signature prints, but it will do with its vintage sillouette and sheer drapeyness. 

I just love how Gaby Barosa describes the inspiration behind her line- "a wistful feeling, like nostalgia, a yearning for something intimate and yet somehow inaccessible". It is incredibly romantic to think of clothes as resurfacing memories that you never want to forget.

tucker h&m blouse, arden b skirt, thrifted belt, tory burch flats

{closing time for} my first 30 for 30 remix challenge

 

Favorites? Day 15 and 27. What can I say, I am just sucker for pretty girly looks in pastel colors!

Picasa was a little strange with the way it makes collages- so feel free to use the sidebar on the right and click on the "30 for 30" tag if you want to see larger pictures of the outfits!

Leave me a comment to let me know which days are you favorites! :)

Things I learned:

1) September in the midwest is absolutely insane! The weather seriously fluctuates from 80 to 40. No joke!

2) Dresses are incredibly versatile- as they can be used as shirts, skirts or dresses! (imagine that)

3) It is possible to look really fat in photos. Angles are everything.

4) Getting dressed would be impossibly difficult without belts and tights. They're the brick & mortar to polished and comfortable looks.

5) It's time for me to get a haircut- my hair looked so much better in the earlier stage of the 30 days!

Good luck to everyone who is starting a new 30 for 30 over at Kendi Everyday! I am so excited to see all the fabulous fall outfits!

{wishing for} an anthropologie sort of world

There is something about black lace that makes me feel instantly cool- as if I lived in the twenties, just about to smoke a cigar in my mink fur coat in a completely nonchalant sort of elegance. I got this lace overlay last year in the hopes of recreating this look from the Anthropologie November 2009 catalog. I never got around to finding the perfect white strapless dress, but I did find this black lace overlay to stash away. Funny thing is I was so stuck on that perfect combination that I never even tried to wear this black lace top in other ways. Today is the first time I've worn it since I got it approximately a year ago.

I am still looking for that white dress... and wishing I lived in the Anthropologie catalog.

heritage 1981 top, isaac mizrahii for target skirt, juicy couture argyle tights

{getting into} a little bit of holiday spirit

Oh hello!

these boots are pretty close to perfection

gap sweater, ali ro belt, frye jane braid boots, victoria's secret leggings

Since it has already been a week into November, we are officially allowed to get excited for the holidays. We spent this Friday baking these amazing cupcakes and watching Love Actually- so ready for thanksgiving! The smell of roasted turkey, cranberry relish, stuffing, pumpkin/apple pies, sweet potato anything... I just love it all! I decided to channel a little bit of holiday spirit of my own with this red oversized sweater from the Gap. That and I wanted to be as comfortable as possible for my long day of studying. If I had to wear the same outfit everyday for the Michigan winter, I would live in oversized sweaters, black leggings, a variety of scarves and belts, and killer boots. Speaking of killer boots, I really want another pair this winter that's similar to these Fryes, but not cowboy and in a classic caramel brown color. I've seen some lovely Michael Kors but they are all from past seasons, which're impossible to find! Gosh, life, you're just so difficult. :)

{true story} staying in is the new going out

chocolate pumpkin cupcakes with orange cream cheese glaze

Everyone in my apartment has a shirt that says "Staying in is the new going out". (it's pretty high fashion) We got them over a year ago, when we first moved in together, because we thought it was such a cute cheeky line. I am not exactly sure if we can blame this on the shirts- but we have definitely been living by this motto lately. On a 35 degree Friday evening, nothing sounds worse than getting dressed up in low-cut tops & high heels to go out and party. And nothing sounds better, than to bake something delicious to Christmas music in our flannel pajamas, and watch a chick flick while drinking hot chocolate. Remember the Kit-Kat Mocha Cupcakes? That was a Friday night adventure also. Looks like we are establishing ourselves as the coolest kids in college with our Friday night baking traditions...

We found the recipe for these chocolate pumpkin cupcakes with orange cream cheese glaze through Good Life Eats. Katie always has the best recipe ideas- and such great photographs also! Although as you can tell from the photos, our frosting turned out to be more of a glaze than a cream frosting for some strange reason, but still delicious. The richness of the chocolate, hints of pumpkin and spices, and the refreshing citrus in the frosting work... oh, and we also found them to go along with spiked cider, really well.

{mixing up} stripes & florals

Welcome to winter in Michigan. That's what I woke up to today when I crawled out of my covers and felt the freezing air wafting through the house. A high of 40 degrees? Yeah that's what we get the first week of November. Instead of tights I had to wear my leggings- which didn't look as bad as I expected with this outfit- to keep me warm. 

Stripes are definitly one of my weaknesses. Along with Pain au Chocolats and Anthropologie and anything Rachel Bilson. Hence I have quite the variety of stripes in my wardrobe- from thin to wide, gray to blue, shirts to dresses... If you have enough of them, they pratically become a neutral, right? So it's cool to pair them with another pattern, such as florals, right? Anyhow, that's what happened today when I had 10 minutes to dress myself for the freezing weather.

old navy tee, arden b. skirt, frye paige riding boots

{inspired by} michael kors spring 2011

Remember those little boys sweatshirts? The gray ones with the crewneck that are always too small to fit your head into them? With puffy sleeves that stick out at your upper arms but are banded at your wrists? And the fabric- so starched and stiff! Well, this little boys wardrobe stable is what inspired today's outfit.

I found this sweatshirt at a cool hipster boutique named Brooklyn Industries when I was in Chicago a few weeks back. This version of the little boy's sweatshirt reminds me nothing of the original classic- a rounded scoop neck that not only easily slips over your head but also shows off your collarbones, incredibly soft and lined with a thin layer of fleece on the inside... so much more flattering. I've been looking for the perfect "little boys sweatshirt" forever, so I just had to get it! (Though I was at hesitant at the time- yes this was one of those "try on, take off, try on again, take off again, leave store, come back to store, try on, purchase, walk out of the store with it on" numbers)

Here's the Michael Kors inspiration.

Being comfortable is so important to me so these looks are right up my alley. I'd definitely recommond perusing Kors' entire SS 2011 collection if you haven't ready. He does the American classic looks so well- soft creams, heathered grays, caramel browns with pops of color- what's not to love?