forgotten photos

I was just looking through my photo folders and I came across these! They were originally part of an article I did on thrifting back in February for StyleCaster. I guess I forgot to re-post them here — then again, that was back during my too-busy-to-blog phase. But never fear, I've found the perfect solution! I just cut out the whole sleeping at night thing and run on naps, thus I can blog as I am now, at 6.30 am.

-S. 

P.S. I could probably use a take two on the thrift store trip pretty soon, anyone wanna come with? Dress up is more fun with a friend.

full house

Perhaps never going to bed tonight was a poor plan. Family is coming into town starting in approximately 5 hours and then again at 6-ish and again at 7.30-ish. Uhmmm... eep? By family I don't mean one sweet and quiet granny. I mean my brother, my sister in-law, my almost-one-year-old niece, my sister, my aunt, and my two young cousins — add to that my mom, dad, grandma and myself who already live here (and my uncle, who is coming in on Saturday) and you have what I like to call a zoo. Though my niece Becca, whom I haven't seen in nearly a year, is pretty gosh darn cute...

It might be a mad house for a week or so with everyone living on top of one another, but at least it will be more exciting than the normal 50-year-old pace at which I live my life when it's just me and my parents. We may actually go someplace more entertaining than the diner for a change! I've been thinking about outfits to accompany the increase in activity. I have to be careful though, considering that at 5'9" not much from my nose down registers on my radar. Wouldn't want to puncture any rugrat pinky toes with my spike heels. I don't handle blood very well. 

The plan for right now is to spend a couple days in Cape Cod. I loooove Cape Cod. Sadly, we may get rained out and end up piling into the sunroom to play Guitar Hero and eat barbecue — y'know, the normal things that every family does. Right? ...Right?

If that's the case, good luck catching me in anything but my worn-in sweatpants and Hanes tank. Otherwise, I need to somehow acquire this outfit before we road-trip up to the Cape.

#yeahright #sonotgonnahappen


Hope everyone has a rad weekend.

-S. 

coachella chic—and the not so chic

What could be better than a weekend of music, sunshine and a warm weather wardrobe? Well definitely not a weekend of thunderstorms and gray skies like we had here in New York. Nevertheless, I shall pretend and dream up an alternate reality in which I too basked in the West Coast wonderland that is Coachella this past Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Capitalizing on such a golden opportunity, I would've worn something appropriately bohemian and free-spirited. Maybe a bit of fringe, or some crocheting or feathers. 

"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea; Drink the wild air's salubrity." --Ralph Waldo Emerson

Take a look under the cut for some of my favorite looks seen at Coachella this year. And also, a few what-were-they-thinking moments...

Photo: Fashion Toast

Daily Dress Up

Photo: Living a Better Life

I went to take Delilah out this morning, fearful that the gusty gale I'd heard rattling the windows all morning would sweep us up and away as easily as it did the dried and brittle maple leaves that darted around helplessly in it's whirlwind of fury. As I creaked opened the back door prepared for the inevitable icy blast to whip through my clothes and burn inside my nose, I was thrown off guard by the moderately cool air that playfully kissed my cheeks. The curls of wind invited me out onto the deck and the ferocious movement of the branches I had previously seen as violence revealed itself instead as cheerful dancing. I must say, I have mixed emotions about this kind of gentle climate still showing up in November. There's no way it could snow in with temperatures like these, and I am so desperate for a white holiday season! On the other hand, the moment it snows I will have to figure out an alternative method of transportation as my itty-bitty convertible Nissan 350Z is slightly more sunshine and speed than blizzards and black ice. Not to mention that it's fairly hard to complain when the weather permits you to step outside in cute outfits without the eskimo factor.

I finally have all my clothes and shoes put away as of today... or so I thought. Several boxes of my winter-wear and nicest shoes have vanished under my mother's watch. She claims to remember boxing them up when my parents cleaned up the house and put it on the market this past summer. A whole slew of things went into storage. This was allegedly where I would find my things. Not so. Thus, the search continues for the boxes that contain my super-luxe black cashmere cowl-neck sweater and my chalky brown suede fold-over cuff booties. I should establish a reward for their recovery! Perhaps that might incite little more urgency into the attention of the search party... Good news though! Though my precious treasure chest of apparel is missing in action, I did stumble upon my grandmother's vintage fur stole in one of the wardrobe boxes marked "Dress-ups." Hah! Dress-ups! Please, this puppy is meant to be worn in the real world. Don't you agree? 

For now though I am making do with the clothes I have and the weather I am given. A basic black bandage skirt (ok maybe not SO basic, the high waist and the ruffled texture add a little extra) paired with a loose and open-knit thin sweater is an easy ensemble that effectively toes the line between dressy chic and casual. I added a pair of sheer black pantyhose and my black American Apparel thigh-high socks to warm up my extra long leggies. My oxford-style booties are from Buffalo Exchange in Austin. They have a small hidden platform underneath the ball of my foot so they're much more comfortable to walk in than they look. The finishing touches to any outfit I put on usually come from a last minute stroll through my mother or sister's room. In this case, I stole my sister's nubby charcoal gray boyfriend blazer and snagged a vintage gold medallion tassel necklace out of my mom's jewelry stand. The chunky pink cocktail ring is my own, however, and hails from my beloved fashion heaven: Forever 21. 

Friends start coming home soon! I cannot wait! I have had way too much parental company and far too few margaritas to cope with it lately. Someone come rescue me! 

-S.

Click below for more snapshots...

Layered Confections

This week has produced some of the first genuinely cold days here in Austin. Maybe it's the start of November that has caused Texas to finally accept and acknowledge that autumn is here, or maybe it was the thunderstorms we had in the beginning of the week. Either way, I have busted out the black tights, the cozy jackets and toasty scarves to block the chill from my brittle bones. Personally, I welcome the colder weather. By the time summer is over I am dreadfully tired of cut off shorts and sandals and the craving for layers of luscious knits has planted itself firmly in my mind. I find that in the late fall and winter months though, a lot of people succumb to the temptation to just throw on an oversized and sloppy coat or sweatshirt to keep warm on their way out the door. Layers are without a doubt the best alternative as they will keep you just as warm if not warmer (depending on how many you pile on) and they are far more visually appealing! A tasteful mix of textures and patterns or colors creates an interesting aesthetic-- some of my favorite outfits in my closet happened when I just started putting different pieces on. As your flair for outfitting yourself improves, the layered look will give off that perfectly sexy, messy, "I-rolled-out-of-bed-looking-this-good" vibe. Effortlessly chic. 

Ever since I played personal shopper for Michael at the beginning of the school year this fall, he's been eager to get to wear the colder weather clothes we bought. Yesterday he came over to pick me up and take me to the doctor. When I opened the door to let him in I was incensed that he dared to look great while I was stuffy-nosed, and aurally infected, still bumming in my pajamas at three in the afternoon, and simultaneously impressed with his eye candy of an outfit. It was a perfectly delicious blend of fashion tastes resulting in a look you could call "playful hipster." He combined a well-tailored pair of black pinstripe pants with a sleek belt and vintage buckle. On top he wore one of our favorite Goodwill finds, a worn-in black Coca-Cola graphic tee written in Russian (I think), and added to it a standard blue-toned plaid flannel. To top off this layered cake with a bit of stylized frosting, he threw on a simple twill jacket with a skinny knit scarf and wore blue high-top sneakers. And of course, as Michael does every day, he wore his Swiss Legend watch and black Ray-Ban aviators that I got him. The look had a character and charm all its own. I've tried to recreate it below as best I could with similar items I found online (the original was better though). I think this is a very interesting but easy look just begging to be emulated. Enjoy!

Michael by slindig05

Heavy Flannel Check Long Sleeve Shirt A , 30 GBP
Gourmet Men's Nove Sneaker, $100
Bulova - Men's BVA Series 115 - 98A110 (Silver/Gold) - Jewelry, $503
Ray-Ban RB8041 Aviator Titanium Sunglasses | Official Ray-Ban Site, $215
Bedstu - Precious (Silver) - Accessories, $55
Cheap Monday Vince Checked Scarf, $24
Gap Pinstriped tailored pants (slim fit), $70
Fix Design, omaggio alla Coca Cola sulle t-shirt
Monster Vintage.com Vintage Clothing at its Best For Mens & Womens...
DJPremium.com - Detailed Images of JET LAG JACKET by Black Apple
JanSport Right Pack Originals - Imageview - Free Shipping & Return...

I'm shipping some of my clothes tomorrow and piling whatever can fit into my car. Michael and I are going to road-trip to New York starting either tomorrow evening or Saturday morning depending on how quickly we get everything done! If all goes as planned we should be getting in no later than Sunday. I just loaded a bunch of music on my iPhone for the drive. Anyone have any good playlist suggestions?? It's quite a long trip... Wish me luck! By the way, I made a new banner for my blog and my Twitter page. What do you think?

-S.

Gimme Gimme!

I hate when the end of the month comes and my money is terrifyingly low. I always tend to see soooooo many things I love right when I can't afford them. Case in point....

Wishlist

Wildfox Couture - Indian Spirit - Unisex Tee - Shop Now, $77
Sheer Lined Sweater, $23
3/4 Sleeve Knit Tunic, $22
Halston Heritage Leather Hot Pants, $345
J-Brand Houlihan Skinny Cargo Pants Vintaupe, 298 EUR
Forever21.com - New Arrivals - 1082149919, $6.80
Surface To Air 'Buckle Ankle Boot' Mastic, 233 GBP
Jeffrey Campbell Suede Lace Up Wedge, $148
Women's Apparel: shoes | Banana Republic, $79
Forever21.com - Accessories - Jewelry, $7.80
Forever21.com - New Arrivals - 1086325691, $5.80
ASOS | ASOS 70s Floppy Felt Hat at ASOS, 22 GBP
ASOS Long Fantasy Fur Snood, $34
Forever21.com - - 2083729266, $23

If anyone feels so inclined as to buy me a present. That's my wishlist! ;)

-S

Thriller

Wow it has been quite a while since I've posted. I've been inundated with the responsibilities of finding a job and an apartment! Closing in on both, so I hope this phase soon shall pass.

Despite my busy-bee-ness as of late, I still haven't been able to keep my mind and my time off of the rapidly approaching holiday. Halloween! Every year I brainstorm for weeks about what to wear. And every year I change my mind the night before. Halloween is not really the same anymore since I've left home, though. My golden memories center on parties in my parents' creepy 100+ year old house with my high school friends. We would decorate the front porch like a haunted house and stick my poor grandma in a makeshift coffin, her face smeared with bloody makeup, to scare the party-goers who dared enter (and not sneak in through the back door...) through the dark cloaks that draped in a haunting array from corner to corner of my front porch. Nonetheless, I still refuse to abandon a holiday that insists I dress up. After all, dressing up is what I love to do. I have searched around for costume inspiration lately and thought up a few options that I like. My lack of funds will likely end in the ultimate purchase of your typical prepackaged sexy-something-or-other costume... but until then I will fantasize of the organically fashionable concoctions that my dream wallet can afford. Take a peek after the jump! 

S.

Photos: www.ohdeedoh.com; www.sodahead.com

Wild Thing

After a morning of chaos and worry, a day spent soaking up the peacefulness of nature was greatly appreciated. As a newbie to the Austin scene, I hadn't yet been to the Barton Creek Wilderness Park. It did not take long to fall in love with the place, though. Within moments of walking onto the roughly beaten path a sense of comforting isolation swept over me. The dense trees, roots rippling through the dry dirt, offered me privacy and quiet from the urban noise just outside the parks border. I decided to abandon the path for a little adventure, and after a few near slips and falls (this was an impromptu trip and my ballet flats weren't exactly traction-friendly) I reached a perfect wading area of the creek. Sunlight was flirting with me from behind its leafy branch lashes, peeking through and out coyly to kiss my cheeks and nose. It was absolute perfection. 

The beauty, and often the humor, of being a fashion fiend is that no matter the setting or the circumstances, you are always thinking of outfits. As I sat at the edge of a rapid little waterfall and dipped my hot pink pedicured toes into the cool stream, all I could think of was how great it would be to go back there when the weather cooled down and cozy layers would be appropriate. As my surroundings so often do, this wild wooded park began to flicker a spark of creative fire in me. Visions of rugged, fuzzy flannels and chunky knit sweaters began to prance around my imagination. I started thinking of driving out to my family's farm to snag my hiking boots stashed in the drawer under the bed upstairs. Though I'd only ever worn them for practicality's sake while hunting, suddenly they sounded so trendy and desirable. Backpacks that hold a load and serve a look were etched onto my need-to-buy-when-I-get-a-few-bucks list! And in order to better fit the organic persuasion of my forest, I figured a watch would be a step closer to natural than my iPhone for the purpose of telling time. So now I will wait for the air to chill and the leaves to crackle so that I may run back to my new sanctuary. The coquette sun and the majestic trees will keep me company as I break in my newly inspired aesthetic.

Take a peek after the jump!

S.

Hobo Chic?

This is what I'd be wearing today if...
a.) I weren't living out of a suitcase, and
b.) it wasn't 90 degrees outside.

Wishful by slindig05 featuring lace jewelry

sequin racerback vest, 425 GBP
James Perse Knitted merino wool sweater, $325
Mid-rise bleached skinny jeans, $98
Surface To Air 'Buckle Ankle Boot' Mastic, 233 GBP
botkier Brooklyn Cross-Body Hobo, $348
Muriel Grateau 18k Blackened white gold lace ring, 1,085 GBP
Original Aviator Sunglasses, $140

S.

Bookworm

I just picked up The Sartorialist, by Scott Schuman, and NYLON magazine's Street View, at Barnes & Noble! I am so excited to dig into these. I've always wanted to do something like this. Maybe that will be my new pet project for my Canon. Austin is undoubtedly a great place to be to spot crazy and unique fashion. I'll report back after I've done a little more skimming and maybe a bit of shutterbugging... Oh and if you don't already have these fabulous books (honestly, I'm surprised I am just now making the purchase), you can get them at Barnes & Noble online. Both books are discounted by 28% online from the in-store listed price! And free shipping if you spend just $25! I wish I had known this before I impulsively bought them during one of my entirely uncontrollable bookstore adventures. But hey, can you blame me? It was raining outside on a Sunday afternoon and the cozy inside of a Barnes & Noble, paired with a yummy cup of chai tea, was all too appropriate!

S.

So Frocking Cute!

One closet staple I will never grow tired of is a classic girly frock. I've been perusing the stops in retail cyberspace and have fallen in love. These styles are the greatest and so so versatile! Wear them alone with flats or a pair of demure heels during the summer, and keep things going strong into fall and winter by layering up and adding cozy tights or leg warmers under some boots! ModCloth is a great place to start for this kind of dress. They have a wide selection and constantly get new things in (even some vintage finds everyone once in a while, though they don't last long). Their prices are deliciously reasonable too, so no buyer's remorse! And the precious names don't hurt either.

     

*From the top: Red-y and Rarin' to Go Dress, $69.99; You Were Mint for Me Dress, $49.99; Lipstick Labyrinth Dress, $64.99; Fan the Fire Dress, $94.99; Starlet of Style Dress, $94.99; Pirouette in Pink Dress, $79.99. All available at ModCloth.com. 

One other dress, a little more on the fancy side, I have been DYING to own. So so adorable....

 

It's available online at Forever Unique for 125 pounds. It reminds me of a vintage bedspread I used to own (Delilah made a snack of the lace overlay...).

I'm off to grab a bite to eat; I'm absolutely famished! Buona sera, bellisime. 

S.

For Us Broke Babies

I had always thought the corny idioms my mother used as I was growing up were entirely old-fashioned. Somehow though, I have recently fallen prey to the kitschy sayings I so deeply loathed before. My phrase of choice these days is "When it rains it pours." I figure my last blog post was so chunky that it bought me this week or so that I have been absent! After the relaxation over Labor Day weekend in NY, life hit me square between the eyes with a responsibility-packed punch. I don't think I much care for these transition phases. This in between summer/fall time (summall? sumtumn?) is too confused. So I will dream of chunky knit sweaters, supple, leather boots and cozy flannels until the 90 degree weather down here in Austin chooses to cooperate! One of my favorite stores is Free People. I used to be able to afford their clothes and accessories more, but even now I still shell out some cash for particularly exquisite pieces. FP has some great looks for this fall in their September lookbook on their website! I've done some digging around to try and find similar looks for less- check them out after the jump!

S. 

 

 

*Above pictures are courtesy of Freepeople.com!

My Fair Lady

    

Please pardon the delay in posting... I suppose it does not speak well of my commitment to my baby blog but I assure you it is justified! I have been in New York for less than a week and spent the majority of my time mapping out my academic and professional career plan for the next five years. It has been a struggle lately to establish a clear path for myself. Taking this break in New York has allowed my thoughts to sort themselves out and I have officially created a plan!  I'm excited to move forward now, which hasn't been the case in a while. Things are going to get busy in the near future so I hope I manage to keep on top of things. Wish me luck!

During one of the few moments I was able to drag myself away from my to-do list, I went to the Dutchess County Fair in Rhinebeck, New York with my parents. Normally I would be a very cranky camper waking up after an hour of sleep for the hour and a half car ride to the fairgrounds. Lucky for me the weather was absolutely brilliant. I have forgotten what the Northeast is like in the fall. Right around my birthday there is a noticeable shift in temperature, coupled with a pleasant drop in humidity. It's like the air is whispering sweet nothings into your ear every time it breezes by, letting you know that sweaters and apple picking and newly-sharpened pencils are right around the corner. I love county fairs in the autumn. They are the perfect farewell to summer, and the Dutchess County Fair in particular was quite exceptional. We weaved our way through barns of livestock and plants, into a sea of people pausing to watch a thin German man juggle with fire, and continued into row after row of craft booths and vendors. The air was ripe with the warm aroma of fried dough and grilled hotdogs and the growing lights of the carnival rides were brilliant against the fiery sunset backdrop as evening neared.

 

I had the chance to get a little snap happy with my camera while I was there. The content of my photographs is poorly balanced though as I became increasingly fatigued and took fewer and fewer pictures into the evening. Looking back through my photos and my memories a couple days later now, I was inspired by the unusual mix of sweet nature and glitz that exist in the county fair setting. There is something quirky and fresh about playing with demure laces, distressed fabrics and pastel florals added to bold colors, sequins, and graphic prints. It'a almost Lolita-esque: a youthful, feminine tomboy quality, sexed up with a racy, more daring edge. Stick to letting one style or the other dominate the look to avoid appearing overdone and conflicted. The alternate look can complement the main theme through accessories and touches of adornment.