70 degrees!

mustard blouse: BCBG
brown cardigan: thrifted
skirt: anthro

Individual Fur Pattern: Yesterday

Cardigan: Boston Store clearance, 4 years ago
Flower tank: Anthro
Belt: Anthro
Cords: AG
Boots: Timberland

In other news, how much is too much to pay for jeans? These jeans are beautiful--perfectly distressed, great fit--but they're $235. What's the most you'll pay for a great pair of jeans?



In two hours I'm going to a clothing swap at a new vintage store in town. I'm pretty excited; it'll be the first time attending a swap with strangers. Strangers have some good shit, right? I hope so. I plan on doing it Supermarket Sweep style--racing through the aisles, grabbing as I go. I hope I find some good things, as my closet has been a bit bare since I started purging it 3 months ago.

Wedges, of the non-cheese variety

Giraffe Girl 1 by Karen O'Bryan

Someone please get me a giraffe skull mask so I can wear it on my head and look awesome.

Today feels like SPPPRRRINNNGGG and I'm craving impractical footwear. Usually, I'm a flats-only girl but after reading Sea of Shoes all the time, I'm like gimme some of those Marni wegdes. She makes it look like wearing 3"+ heels is similar to wearing a house slipper! I might disregard my paper (due tomorrow) to go to DSW tonight and investigate some cheap imitations.

Also, now that it's spring and I'm interested in fashion again, I'm particularly lamenting the loss of most of Madison's vintage stores. All that's left is the standard used clothing stores and the over-priced June 3rd jerks. But...I've heard wind of a new vintage shop opening only blocks from my abode. I heard it's called "Good Styles" or something, so Maddie and I will need to investigate.

Inspiration: Zoo-e, plus surprise

You're welcome.

A Girl and Her Dress

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

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.

Individual Fur Pattern: Yesterday

Hey Flog Readers!

Yesterday I met up with Maddie and we went shopping on Ye Olde Near East Side aka Her Side of Town. We haven't seen each other since school let out, so it was a pleasant reunion, albeit a cold one. We had had plans to do a photo shoot, but the negative temperatures pushed us into thrift stores instead. Here's what I wore underneath my coat, which I never took off:



Shirt: Anthropologie (I just got it, isn't it cute? It has pinstripes)
Belt: thrifted
Black skinny pants: UO
Boots: Nine West


Ever since I got my hair cut really short again I've been feeling a bit man-ish. But that's ok because lately I like to dress like a man. In fact, I'm bidding on a few pairs of beat up men's levis on Ebay. Also, I like to be smelly and greasy and walk into nice stores. I can't explain.

Maddie and I have a photo shoot planned for Monday, so be on the lookout!

Today's Individual Fur Pattern (aka outfit post)

If I could pick an outfit that described my personality, this would be it. The sweater is 100% cashmere (a Christmas gift) and has pockets! Most of the time you see cashmere presented in a very traditional way, so when I saw the bizarre shape of it, combined with the total luxury of cashmere, I knew it had to be mine. That's what I like: ugly comfort. You could say this sweater is totally unflattering on me--I'm too short to wearing something so long--and I might even agree with you. I kind of look pregnant. But that's what I like about this outfit: it doesn't really give a shit about that. Plus the stone-washed jeans which are the throwback I like to include in every outfit, and my boots which rarely leave my feet. Oh, outfit, how you complete me.

Necklace: Zoe Chicco
Cashmere sweater: Velvet from Anthro
Gray stone-washed jeans: Cheap Monday
Boots: Nine West

One is silver and the other gold

Question: How do you feel about wearing silver and gold jewelry at the same time?

I honestly want to know. Please respond with your opinions in the comment section.

When I was younger I thought there could be no greater violation than to mix metals: if your necklace was gold, the rest of your jewelry had to be gold, too. As I've gotten older I've loosened up my strict-as-a-straight-laced-biddy fashion rules, but I've still believed that mixing metals is a no-no.

You know that terrible movie "Made of Honor"? Well the main girl in that movie wears the same necklace in most scenes: it's just a simple small necklace with two circles that are entwined. I found the necklace online (it's made by Los Angeles jewelry designer Zoe Chicco) because it cast a spell over me and I put it on my Christmas list. My dad graciously gave it to me and I've worn it every day since.

Except...

The necklace is gold. I have two rings that I wear at all times. They are silver. To be able to wear both my rings and the necklace, I need to reconcile my belief that metals can be mixed. Can you tell I've spent a lot of time thinking about this?

Please advise.

Individual Fur Pattern: Literal Edition

When the winters are as long, gray and generally soul-crushing as Wisconsin winters, you have to find glimmers of humor where you can. This hat, I believe, does the trick. I got it on a rural Wisconsin thrifting jaunt with Maddie this summer. A rare find, it was waiting for me in the basement of Halle's Closet, an amazing vintage store in Mazomanie. Guess what else. It had a twin! There were two of these magnificent beasts in that Mazomanie basement. Naturally, I showed the prize to Maddie, who didn't feel the need to be my hat-twin. C'est la vie: she gave me the privilege of bringing this miracle of head wear to the masses.

Every time I wear this hat I get multiple smiles and comments from complete strangers; the kind that make your day a little lighter. Also, when you want to take a nap in class this hat makes the perfect pillow. And it's warm as hell.

Today's Individual Fur Pattern--Now With More Pleating!

hat: marshall's
scarf: gift from London
jacket: thrifted
white undershirt: H&M
belt: thrifted
pants: thrifted
green suede shoes: target
necklace: anthropologie




Good thing Maddie's in Las Vegas or she might start divorce proceedings on account of these pants. High-waisted and pleated, boys and girls. I don't know what's come over me, I just want to look as 80s as possible! Yesterday I bought acid wash jeans! What is this obsession? Logan saw me today and asked, "What decade is this?" haha.

Anyway, I think I look cute and that's all that matters. I went to Goodwill last night and found a blouse, the pants and jacket seen here and some shoes--success! I'm so excited about the jacket, I've been looking for a perfectly fitted wool blazer/jacket for a long long time. I was hoping for gray wool, but this is like a reddish brown color that I've never seen before. It'll be fun.

November Just Kicked Us In the Nuts

scarf: clothing exchange
bird pin: vintage
blazer: vintage
belt: vintage
sweater: uo
dress: vintage
tights: gap
booties: seychelles



hat (which Maddie says is called a 'tam'): Marshall's
sweater: Anthropologie
white blouse: H&M
belt: thrifted
skirt: Anthropologie
tights: Wet Seal (ew)
boots: Nine West from Marshall's

Details:

Today's Individual Fur Pattern (aka outfit post)

blue corduroy jacket: idra at Anthropologie
tan sweater cardi: vintage
scarf: jcrew
tshirt: Locksley band tee
skirt: idra at Anthro
Lighter gray leggings: Target
Gray wool knee socks: Marshall's
Boots: Nine West, from Marshall's.

I cut off my head because I looked straight up wonky. Plus, I'm not very good at photographing myself full-length. Portraits? Got that down, but full body? I can't seem to find a very flattering angle...maybe that's a sign.

I like big shoes and I cannot lie

Oh, my dear employer, why must you have such beautiful footwear? Footwear that makes me cry out, "Oh, beautiful footwear! Why aren't you on my feet?"

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?

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?

Eat your heart out, November

Today's high was 70 degrees. This isn't exactly normal for November in the Wisco. To celebrate this effect of global warming, we headed down the student union's docks to flaunt our non-bundled glory.


shirt: anthropologie
belt: ralph lauren, thrifted
pants: gap
flats: dkny
bag: uo


dress: forever21
plaid shirt: old navy
tights: hue
shoes: target










And a friendly reminder to get out and VOTE tomorrow:




titties for Obama