Spring has arrived...ish.

Well, it is just beautiful outside and it's taking every ounce of my will to be grateful instead of focusing on the colder days to come. I'm doing a pretty good job I think. Today I managed to wake up before 10:00 and scrounge up an outfit. Not only that, but I also walked downtown and got an iced tea... which I drank OUTSIDE! It's crazy what a 50-degree day will do to Wisconsinites in February. In some parts, 50-degrees is considered down-right cold, but here it brings people out in t-shirts and flip-flops (I am not one of those people).

Anyway, between all of the galavanting in the sun, I got my act together enough to take some pictures of my threads. Enjoy it because it might be the last of this sort of thing for awhile (March, we say hopefully).

I'm not sure if I quite trusted the sunlight at this moment, so I stuck in the dark close to the organ.



But I eventually warmed up and moved to the sunnier kitchen. In this photo, I was unsure if my self-timer was working, so I was looking at the camera with crazy eyes. They had to go.



Braver still, I moved to the front porch and realized that there was nothing to be afraid of. This bike is not mine. It's my roommates, but I do have a matching one in red. Her (the bike, not the roommate) name is Francoise and she lives in the house during winter.



And then I made myself comfortable.



sweater/blazer: anthropologie
dress: vintage
wedges:vintage
bracelet: found
porch: my house

Dear Readers,

Sorry for being a big loser of a blogger. I guess the mission of the blog failed, as my spirit has certainly been crushed by winter, hopefully not for good, but definitely for now. Here's the kicker. We're just finishing up a weekend in which it was 40-degrees and felt practically like summer. While it may have lifted my spirits a little bit, my fashion spirit is still pretty low. I've been going through this whole routine where I put on a cute outfit, look at my dirty snow boots that I have to wear because it's wet and slushy outside, and think 'what's gall darn point?' before changing back into black pants and a stretched out sweater. Other than that pathetic ensemble, the only thing that I've been wearing is my bed (always in fashion). Yep, I've been clockin' in some Zs much at the expense of my homework.

Over the next few days, I'll try to put some post-worthy outfits together, but no promises of anything spectacular because EVERYTHING in my closet looks staler than the loaf of bread that I just threw away while cleaning out my cupboards. Anyone else having this issue? I'm not just talking winter wear; it seems like every piece of clothing that I own has been worn to death. Blerg! Why do I own so many freaking cowboy shirts?! Or boring t-shirts? Or ripped up sweaters? Why do I only own one pair of good walking shoes and why do my frye's give me blisters every time I wear them?!

Alright, enough of me whining. How about I introduce you to a new fashion blog that I just found? I think that it's very inspiring and it's from Australia, which means (taking a moment to adopt the voice of Oprah) SUMMMMMMMMERRRRRR! It's called Esme and the Lane Way. To get you interested, here are a couple of images (taken without permission) that I found in a few short minutes of browsing:



Must... get... yellow... shoes... for summer... or... will... die.



I love the idea of stripped socks and heels. And swings.



Mmm, green.

Alright. I'm off. Books by 19th century women authors beckon me along with, yes, more bed.

XOXO,

Maddie

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.

30-Degrees, Batman!

dress: portobello road market, london
leggings: aa
boots: frye

Today is a little bit warmer than it's been, so I felt obligated to run a comb through my hair and slap on something decent. I'm pretty sure that all I'm doing today is going to my mom's house to watch some Lee Pace movies, so this awesome little dress won't get much exposure around the public. I bought it about two years ago when my friend Elly and I did the "grand tour" around Europe. We ended the trip in London with practically empty pockets, which is very sad because that city ain't cheap! When I found this little number, I had to throw concern for finances to the wind. I pay for it every time someone asks me where I bought it. I feel like such a pretentious a-hole when I answer back "London, dahling!"

On a side note, here is the view from my window:



Happy Holidays, y'all!

Holy Holidays!

Sorry for the hiatus, everybody. Like I've said, finals week kept both Rachel and I pretty busy and I'd be lying if I said that I had been typing away at papers wearing high heels and a cute vintage sweater. Truth is that I've spent most of the past week in pajamas, hunched over my desk while I worked on this! Good news is that my holiday party for work is tonight and that means that I'm going to get gussied up.


dress: banana republic
tights: gap
riding boots: hand-me-downs
doppleganger: vampire maddie

I've shown this dress before, but tonight it will actually be appropriate! Well, maybe not. It's likely that I will be the most dressed up girl at the party, but that's okay by me.

A funny thing about the boots is that I've had them since I was about nine and a friend of the family gave them to me for dress-up. I even wore them at my fourth grade Star Wars themed birthday party when I dressed up as Luke Skywalker (I was too young to know that Hans Solo is totally more badass). They are currently about a shoe size too small, but what are you gonna do when there's a few feet of snow on the ground and the day's high is 3 degrees fahrenheit (yeesh)?

Handmade Pledge

Sorry that we've been a wee bit bad at posting these last few days. It's the end of the semester and, I won't speak for Rachel, but I'm up to my ears with Paradise Lost term papers, creative writing revisions, scansions, and more. Come next week, I'll be sure to whip out some outfit posts!

Have you heard of the Handmade Pledge?



Are any of you doing it this year? I'm sorely tempted, but it sort of throws a monkey wrench in some of my holiday plans. Can I half take the pledge? Or maybe I could start my own more self-centered version called the "Handmade (when convenient) Pledge."

Thoughts?

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.

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:

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!