These two again...

Back in February, I raved about the sheer adorability of fashion-forward couple Joshua Jackson and Diane Kruger. My admirationweirdcrushenvy has yet to subsided and these photos don't help:

Inspiration: Zoo-e, plus surprise

You're welcome.

I won't even apologize for the rare blog posts anymore. At this point, my apologies have become cheap and too easily given so how can you, my dear readers, take me seriously? All that I can say is that I promise that posts will become more frequent as the weather gets nicer. Believe me, you would not be interested in seeing the dirty coat and boots that I wear daily. I'm hardly interested and I'm the one who has to wear them!

Anyhow, I can hardly express my gratitude for those of you who continue to tune in. I will try, however, by cluing you in to the fact that Built by Wendy is currently having a sample sale. I just bought a summery chambray top (now $10) and a t-shirt (now $20) that I've been longing for since seeing it on the drummer at the She & Him show that I went to with Rachel this past summer. The bummer is that shipping is a whole eleven bucks, but I guess if you consider that the t-shirt was marked down from $45, it doesn't seem too bad. Recession be damned!

Since I don't have any outfits to share with you, I thought that I'd share a couple of images from my inspiration folder (all of our computers have 'em).



If this economic depression can bring about one good thing, I think that it's the return of men dressing like this.


Jean Shrimpton visits the doll hospital.


Maybe my favorite image ever. If I had it my way, I would always dress like a member of a depression-era (I'm seeing a theme here) circus... without the poverty, ostracism, and animal cruelty.


Only Chloe Sevingy has the confidence to pull off a turban with what looks like a romper.


On the set of Roman Holiday.


I'm in constant awe of how stylish Michelle Williams is. Constant. Awe.


Oh, Marianne Faithful. I will resist the punny commentary that your name presents and focus on the sunglasses... and the bangs... and maybe the ruffles, too.

There are plenty more images to show, but I still need material to get me through the rest of the season.

The Duck and Diane

I don't know about you, but I have a love/hate relationship with fashion forward couples, especially when they look happy and unpretentious. I LOVE that they look so cute, approachable, and into each other. I HATE that they look so cute, approachable, and into each other, leaving me with nothing to make fun of them with in a lame attempt to boost my self-esteem. I know a few of these couples in real life (one of them cowrites this blog), but I unfortunately can't take secret pictures of them to post on the internet so that everyone can gush/admire/cry out of jealousy. Thus, I turn to the world of celebrity.

Imagine my excitement upon seeing this picture of Joshua Jackson and Diane Kruger at the Tommy Hilfiger show at this month's New York Fashion Week.



Ah, how I love a little classic American prep when done right. I'm not sure if I'm into the whole matching thing, but I will forgive on account of sheer adorability and blazer-iness. And is Pacey rocking an ascot? Close enough.

*Photo from Go Fug Yourself

A Girl and Her Dress

Dress: Leifsdottir via Anthropologie
Coat: some random Marshall's brand
Tights: Target
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction

It runs in the blood (Dottie)

Over the holidays, I coincidentally came into some old family photographs on either side of my family. It's so fascinating seeing pictures of people in my bloodline who I've never met yet am so connected to. Even more fascinating was seeing photos of my two grandmothers, Mary and Dottie, when they were younger. It's both frightening and beautiful to see how they've changed and how they've stayed the same. It almost makes me excited to get older and view my life in retrospect.

Here are some pictures of my father's mother Dorothy. She is the most modest down-to-earth woman that I've even met and yet she has one of the most interesting pasts (I'll go into that some other time). She once told me that fashion was "never really anything that interested" her. Looking at these pictures of Dottie, the young vivacious actress that moved to New York City by herself after college, it's hard to imagine that that's true.


This is Dottie during her time in college. I love her Peggy Olsen-esque bangs (only they look much better on my grandmother).


This is from her wedding day. Rumor has it that this dress was made by the same people who made Grace Kelly's wedding dress!


And this is my grandfather whisking her away the day after they wed. Once again, I think that this dress is so Grace Kelly that I can hardly stand it. Seeing this picture makes me pretty sure that I need a dress like that if only to twirl around in front of the mirror. I also love the corsage and how big it is. What she remembers best is the camel-hair coat that she deems entirely "impractical," but so "lovely." And the shoes. THE SHOES!

I haven't scanned the photos of my maternal grandmother Mary yet, but look forward to those to come!

The Lake City Lake Girls Teach Gym

Those who can't do, teach, and those who can't teach, teach gym.

Sometimes in winter you want to stick your head in the oven just to get warm. And maybe die, too. Along with dry skin, frost bite and gray skies, winter also comes with a limit of sartorial choices. We're not sure if we're in a position to guide you, but no one else is stepping up to show you how it should be done (or how it shouldn't be . . . ). Class is in session, so it doesn't matter if you have your period: you still have to play. To the courts!

Lesson One: Just because you wear AA doesn't mean that you have to look like an asshole.

Jersey (the fabric, not the state) is nice for winter. It's breathable and easy to layer, it comes in many colors, and you can easily wear long underwear with it (yay for stretch!). Unfortunately, one of the largest suppliers of this miracle fabric is American Apparel. Here, I demonstrate (ideally) that just because you buy an item or two at AA, you don't have to look like one of Dov Charney's personal prostitutes.


dress: aa
leggings: aa
jacket: target
boots: frye
necklace: thrift
pose: icecapades

Lesson Two: Embrace the fat layer winter gave you.
We all grow a couple extra chins during the cold months. Instead of being an annoying whiner who complains to everyone with ears, saying "God, I have to go to the gym. I'm so fat!" why don't you just embrace the extra? Look at the added pounds as a reason to love yourself more (now that there's more of you to love!). But even though you might look like you're stuffing a few acorns in your cheeks doesn't mean you have to dress like it. Find shapes that compliment your body type!


tee: thrifted
vest: anthro
skirt: old navy
leggings: target

Lesson Three: Layer with different textures
One way to add flair to a weighted down wardrobe is to wear different textures. It's even better if you wear various silhouettes from different eras and sexes (winter is perfect for a little androgyny), always keeping in mind the age-old mantra that less is more


blouse: old navy (i know, right?!)
vest: vintage
jeans: joe's
loafers: thrift
tam: marc by marc jacobs (only 17 dollars, yall)
necklace:vintage

Lesson Four: Be a weirdo.
Having to wear a coat often makes one question the point of looking nice. Why dress up when you'll be covered by a bulky coat? Think of a bulky coat as an opportunity--to be weird. Under the cover of a coat, you can wear things you would never consider in summer. Look at this as an opportunity to experiment: with menswear, bright colors and funky pleated pants.


purple sweater: limited via marshall's
mustard blouse: bcbg
pin: vintage
pants: thrifted

Lesson Five: K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid).
There are enough things about winter to make us uncomfortable. Why add you wardrobe to that list? Wear longer shirts (preferably in a color that compliments pale skin) so that they don't ride up and make your back cold. It's also nice to do this in a breathable fabric because, believe it or not, you can sweat in the winter. Adding a simple pair of straight-legged pants and a nice pair of boots (f.y.i., Fryes have NO traction on ice) makes for a comfortable, yet polished look.


shirt: target
jeans: levi's
vest: thrift
boots: frye
earrings: uo
pose: sexytown

Lesson Six: Be soft (and warm!)
Sometimes winter is beautiful, right? Like when the snow falls in bits instead of blizzards and the branches have white coats. I'm trying to write this with a straight face but then I look at the photo below. Maddie described it as: "You look like you're in Narnia! Not that that's a bad thing." Well anyway, I feel soft, draped in boiled wool and muted colors. So try it out, bitches, and get off my lumps.


sweater: anthro
blouse: anthro
skirt: anthro
guess who shops too much at anthro: me


The bell doesn't dismiss you! WE DO! Alright... Go ahead.

Another Sunday post

Like Rachel, Sunday brunch is one of the things that make me most happy. Sundays in general make me happy. It's the one day of the week that I have entirely to myself. Today, I celebrated my weekend with my roommates by making a trip to the nearby bistro for a croque-madame and a glass of fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice. So pleased was I with the prospect that I even managed scrounge up an outfit despite the 30-degree weather.


cashmere sweater: vintage
dress: vintage
belt: vintage
tights: gap
shoes: etienne aigner
pot belly: ham, gruyere, egg

I found the dress at a garage sale this summer in the heat of my Mad Men obsession (the heat hasn't cooled, in case you were wondering). Since I can't wear it to work at Sterling Cooper, Sunday brunch will have to do.

Since this site has been a little deprived of "what I wore" pictures lately, here's the number that I wore yesterday:


striped shirt that makes my boobs look huge: h&m
pencil skirt: tj maxx
tights: hue
flats: dkny
hindquarters of a german shepherd: fergus


Monday, it's back to looking like crap. Why can't everyday be Sunday?

P.S. While taking the picture of this Sunday outfit, my tripod fell over and the lens of the camera that I was using (my dad's camera) broke. Do you see the cost of this blog? Do you see what I'll do for you people?

The Best Fashion Is Happiness

It's hard to look good when you feel un-good. I think a happy mood is the biggest&best fashion inspiration.

There's this blog I've been reading for quite some time: it's called YOU ARE REMARKABLE. If you ever need an instant heart-lift, go there.

Today's post from YOU ARE REMARKABLE:

it’s okay, it’s okay it’s okay. there is nothing to be nervous about, there is nothing to be afraid of. your heart may feel empty & you may feel like you’re drifting alone in the middle of a stormy sea but listen. please just listen. you are loved by so many people. i think that if you knew the actual number your heart might just explode!!! you are loved by some many people & some of them you’ve never officially met!! yes, you may have smiled at them or nodded your head but when you did you entered their heart in such a way that they won’t forget you for years & years!!! that person you waited in line next to yesterday, they loved you. that person you sat in traffic with yesterday, they loved you too. when you’re feeling lost, alone, anxious, scared remember that someone somewhere is feeling that way too. you’re not alone. you’re never ever alone. & you’re never ever without love. listen to me…

So, in place of showing you what I'm wearing today (but believe me, I look cute), here's a list of things that make me happy, and inspire me to dress up:

1. sleeping in
2. a weekend without going to work
3. good tea
4. paper
5. brunch plans


What are five things that make you happy?

Maybe I'll get lucky and freeze to death before it really gets bad

I'm a fashion fraud. Here I come, all hoity-toity, telling you that I have fashion cred and can tell you how to dress. And then what? The weather drops below forty degrees and I'm all about leggings and converse. Didn't I claim to own a sea of vintage dresses that I was just longing to show off? Well, my 1940's sundress doesn't mean a damn thing when its chilly and rainy outside. I don't think that I used to give up so easily. I'm pretty sure that last year I hung in there at least until mid-December. It's probably that last year's winter kicked the emotional crap out of me and seeing this one coming just makes me want to die in a sea of down coats.

I've spent the last hour scouring the internets for inspiration. Something, anything that will act as a beacon of light and help me get through the week (I'm not even asking for the whole season). First, I turned to film. The problem with most movies set in winter is that they seem too unrealistic. I think to myself, "They live in upstate New York? They don't even zip up their coats all of the way! Humbug!" Over the summer, I watched the now-defunct series Wonderfalls and couldn't get over a scene in which Lee Pace wears a hat that doesn't cover his ears. The show took place in Niagara and in the dead of winter. I mean, really! That one little flaw almost ruined the show for me.

So with movies out of the way, I've begun focusing on real people. One person who I found particularly helpful was everyone's favorite fashion Finn, Piksi.



(please note that this collection of images was taken without permission from Art of the Steal. if the author would like it taken down, let me know and it will be taken off quicker than you can say "copyright laws")

I'm hoping that I can dig up more people on my search because, believe it or not, I think Wisconsin gets even colder than Finland in the winter and the ice alone will prevent me from galavanting about in heels. And anybody who suggest wearing skirts and tights when it's -10 degrees outside should have their brain checked.

Maybe what I need is a brightly colored coat to combat the atmospheric gray. I even have one in mind:



What's that you say? It's $498.00? Okay then. I'll pray that I can track down a thrifty alternative.

Wanna help save a budding fashion blogger? Tell me where you get your winter fashion inspiration! Movies! Magazines! Websites full of boots and coats! Flickr links! Anything!

Inspiration: Ashley Watson

Recently I discovered Ashley Watson, a designer out of Vancouver who makes bags with recycled leather. Her online gallery is an orgasm for everyone who loves big bags, searches high and low for the perfectly worn-in leather, and is eco-conscious.

My favorites:











(all images from ashleywatson.net)

Atticus, a locally owned eco-friendly boutique in downtown Madison, is listed as the only vendor carrying Ashley Watson in Wisconsin, so I stopped by. The owner was there and mentioned she'll be getting a shipment in at the end of November, and another one in late February. She said she'd email me when they came in so I could run up and see them. The question is: I know I'll immediately fall in love, but can I afford it? The bigger bags are upwards of $350, and while that's no Louis Vuitton (ew), should I still spend that much on a bag?

Boy, oh, Boy!

I’m a big fan of academic chic. On most days you can find me in blazers, cardigans, pencil skirts, plaid, or argyle. I’m all about sweater vests and oxfords. Tweed? Yes, please. This is why I was so excited to discover Boy by Band of Outsiders. The label is all about working your inner geek with an edge. Plus, they pick some pretty awesome models. Here are some of my favorite looks:

On Michelle Williams







On Kirsten Dunst





On Nicole Cari



Looking at these pictures, I'm overcome with a need to own a bandage skirt, a pantsuit (or a shortsuit), and a trench.

Pencils down.