happy, honey and lark

Tiny Radishes

2012-02-13T22:55:00.001-05:00

Finally an outfit worth posting. Lately I've been more likely to wear leggings and sweaters, but today I pulled out a dark shirt dress with cute mini radishes printed on it. It must be all these fall collections that are making me want to wear all of my favorite autumn clothes.
I wore this to work and out for lunch at a cute place in Tribeca called Love & Peace on Moore and Greenwich streets. Oh! I almost forgot to tell you, but this was the last Monday at my job. Soon I am going to be starting something new in Manhattan!

H&M dress, BDG cardigan, Modcloth booties, target socks, crystal bullet necklace, Halogen purse, vintage hat and watch

Friday ice skating

2012-02-12T23:02:00.000-05:00

It's all happening!
Ok, maybe not all, but things are happening. I'm sorry for the absence lately, but I've been feeling kind of bored and sad lately and that doesn't have much of a place here. Things are turning around though I think.
On Friday I went ice skating with some friends and then out for a few drinks. I figure skated for 15 years, but its been awhile since I've practiced, but it was fun to test my skills. There's nothing more perfect in the winter than gliding across the ice followed by drinks in a dark, cozy bar.
I put in fresh laces this year and it made my skates look so pretty.

Pretty Lindsay

Hanging out on the ice

Hey hey!

Giving Rich a pull and a skating lesson

The local craft brew bar, Effin Gruven

Its a little too dark for clear pictures

In My Dancing Shoes

2012-02-08T23:06:00.001-05:00

I love to wear my dancing shoes and slowly spin and sway to crackling records while the world turns grainy like an old movie. These might be for long nights with heels hooked on a bar stool, beer in hand at my usual haunts or magical nights wandering down rain soaked streets glittering under street lamps spilling my dreams to the one I love. These shoes have been hiding for far too long, and I think its time to take them for a twirl.

all treasures in the photos are vintage

That Anne Girl

2012-02-07T23:00:00.001-05:00

Whenever I would get sick as a little girl my mom would set me up on the couch with a thermos of soup, a package of crackers and a couple of VHS tapes. My ultimate favorite was Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea. Four tapes and one sick day filled with falling off a drain pipe, letting a mouse get in the pudding, the evil Pringle's in Kingston and handsome men vying for our red-headed heroine's attention. The stuff of little girl dreams.
Since I've come down with a gross cold and spent the day on the couch, I rediscovered my elementary school go-to. I love that Anne girl with all her awkward, embarrassing mishaps that make me feel like I have to run out of the room, and her fierce loyalty to those she loves.
The sets and costumes in the movie have such a clean, fresh aesthetic that I hadn't noticed until today. Probably because I was too young to care much about anything beyond the puffed sleeves which of course were the height of fashion to me when I was 6. Cotton dresses in light check patterns, straw hats and suspenders will likely be cropping up in my wardrobe soon though.

1.31.12

2012-01-31T23:10:00.002-05:00

Today I wore a vintage dress with a funky pattern. I was too tired to take my picture, so Rich took it for me. He's so sweet.

vintage dress, Thai silk scarf, Dolce Vita boots, Goody headband

Now the pale morning sings of forgotten things

2012-01-30T22:25:00.000-05:00

I am so impatient today. The tides of change slowly,just barely, tugging me along. I long for the swift tides of change, and a bright morning filled with possibility. I'm consumed by exhausting daydreams, distracted to a fault. My focus has been wavering for months, but lately it feels like I'll never regain it.
That might be a little deep for an outfit post.
Anyway, here was what I wore today. A perfect description of this bizarre balmy winter; a summer dress under a thick cable knit sweater. I wish it would blizzard and then I could shovel the snow and watch it from the windows and under it as it falls in blankets over everything.

vintage dress, American Apparel sweater, H&M tights and booties

January Songs

2012-01-27T19:16:00.002-05:00

Here are some of the songs I've been listening to on repeat this month. I love them all enough to share them, but you know how it is when you listen to the same songs over and over and get sick of them. Right? Except the Grimes song. I can't get enough of that whispery high pitch singing and twinkling sound, it syncs up perfectly to the exact speed I walk while outside in January. That also goes for just about everything by Sleigh Bells. I think of them as specifically 'walking with purpose' music. The last song, by Miniature Tigers, well that one just sort of makes me a little bit weepy sad-lovey dovey (in a good way, if there is one) and I don't recommend listening to every single lyric while sitting at work without headphones because someone will hear it and make some stupid emo-kid joke.
Got any good songs to replace the ones I've played out? Let me know.
Happy weekend!
January 12 by Kallie on Grooveshark

"No one wants to kiss a girl in black"

2012-01-26T21:00:00.000-05:00

I am completely obsessed with Downton Abbey. Really and truly. I watched the entire first series on the one and only snowy day we've had this year only moving from the couch between episodes. Downton is just the kind of entertainment I love; understated drama, smoldering suffering and delicious British accents. The interaction between the servants and the served is fascinating to watch, early 20th Century setting makes for timely plot twists and gorgeous costumes. Oh the costumes!
Romantic twists for everyone! I love how honest Lord Grantham is about the early days of his marriage with Cora (spoiler alert), and admits he only married her for her money and then they fell in love. In that order.
And Bate's! A middle aged, average looking and disabled and he's the romantic hero with honor, pride and humility. I CAN NOT wait to see how it pans out with Anna (I already know because I looked it up on Wikipedia but I want to SEE it).
Have I mentioned the costumes? They are so authentic and true to the time period (please note that my expertise is directly based what I saw in James Cameron's Titanic which BTW is coming out in 3-D soon *yay*). In the last screencap you can see the purple and striped dress that Mary wears that I'm completely obsessed with. I love the directions the stripes point in, especially on the sleeves, the lace collar and the perfect colors. Its become my dream dress.
On another note, I love watching Maggie Smith dish out her biting tidbits of wisdom. The show is worth watching for these alone.

Screencaps from here

Wednesday Wearing

2012-01-25T22:38:00.001-05:00

Here is how I looked today. A super-soft sweatshirt, warm boots and a twirly skirt. Just a simple one. I won't be wearing this skirt without a slip again. Today was one long fashion malfunction with my skirt flipping up and all over the place. Not good for work. It's so annoying to have to fidget with my skirt all day long. Oh well, wear and learn.

Disney sweatshirt, American Apparel corduroy skirt, Gap blouse, H&M tights, Doc Marten's, vintage hair clip and locket

One to Twenty

2012-01-24T23:17:00.002-05:00

It's been just over 20 days since I started my journal I got for Christmas. It asks 1 question per day for a year, and repeats for 5 years! I'm going to be nearly thirty when I finish this entirely. Somehow that seems like such a crazy prospect, to see how things will change across my mid to my late twenties.
These are the first twenty questions with today's answers. I can't share all my secrets on the Internet!

1)What is your mission? To make 2012 my most creative year yet and to complete a 30 mile bike tour.
2)Can people change? Yes, people can be changed from within and from without.
3)What are you reading right now? I'm in a plane of lit boredom post Millenium Trilogy.
4)The best part of today? Getting to kiss Rich when he came over tonight.
5)What was the last restaurant you went to? Nick's in Rockville Centre on Saturday night.
6)Today was tough because? Too many things I want to do in a day and never enough time for all of them.
7)You are lucky; how so or not so? Yes, I could be the luckiest girl the the world with love and friends and family.

8)What song is stuck in your head? Ho Hey by The Lumineers
9)Was today typical? No, it was so warm out it felt like Spring and I took a walk at lunch and sat in a park.
10)Write down something that inspired you today. The Current/Elliot spring 2012 lookbook, it made me want to play dress up and play in the sun
11)Today you lost___. I lost track of my list of things to do! That's what I get for not writing everything down in my planner and scribbling on tiny corners of paper.
12)What's your favorite accessory? The locket my aunt bought me when I was little (I wear it almost everyday)

13)Where do you want to travel next? Paris for my birthday and Barcelona the next weekend.
14)Are you a leader or a follower? A little of both in equal parts.
15)On a scale of 1 to 10 how was your lunch? A bit boring and cold because I didn't heat it up.
16)Do you owe someone money? Does someone owe you money? I owe money for school loans, but I don't think anyone owes me any.
17)What's the oldest thing you're wearing today? My tall black Dolce Vita boots I bought in 2008.
18)What was peaceful about today? Knowing I have a plan for the future floating to the surface.
19)List three foods you ate today. Scrambled eggs, a baked potato and a pear
20)Are you holding a grudge? No, it makes no sense to hold on to them.

It's not too late to start. You can get a 5 year journal here!

The Winter Dress

2012-01-23T22:08:00.001-05:00

Late in the summer Callie came to New York and when we were thrifting I fell in love with this vintage dress. Navy and dark cinnamon houndstooth on a light brown base makes it the perfect colors for a stormy winter day. The square neck is a little hard to work with because its slightly too big for me and creates a weird revealing gap easily remedied with a jersey turtleneck. I also had it altered a bit because it was gigantic when I bought it, but how could I resist? It is exactly my style and I'm guessing its from the late sixties which makes me love it even more.

Snowbird

2012-01-22T22:43:00.000-05:00

This was my weekend outfit. I say weekend because I wore it on Saturday and Sunday, which has become quite a habit for me. My favorite tee shirt, cozy tights and piled on sweaters are my favorite for staying warm in the house or venturing out into the snow for a beer with friends.

H&M sweaters, Paul & Joe Sister teeshirt, AA dress, H&M tights, Doc Marten Pascal boots

A few of my favorite things

2012-01-21T19:05:00.000-05:00

Here are a few things that I love right now.

NOM! Eating lots of Smarties. I don't really like chocolate, but Smarties are just so deliciously awesome. Super thank you to Laura for sending them from England since you can't get them in the US.

The Oatmeal blackout in protest of SOPA

I bought a case for my Kindle from Pad & Quill that disguises my e-reader and makes it look like a book. The other night on the train someone said, "I thought that was a real book!" I said, "It is a real book, its just modern."

My Girls Rock Coloring Book arrived in the mail! Can't wait to fill it in.

Hope you're all having a fantastic weekend xo!

Untucked Bookworm

2012-01-19T22:56:00.002-05:00

Right now I'm racing through Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy and I'm about halfway through The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest and I can hardly put it down. My untucked outfit was perfect for sitting in the warm train with the lights flying past while I was glued to every page. I felt like a girl version of the Mikael Blomkvist that exists in my head, with my untucked blouse and knitted sweater. Somehow I feel like that's how he would dress, but with pants.
Have you read anything good lately? I'm going to be super bored when I finish this shortly.

Souvenir tote, vintage purse, H&M dress, blouse and sweater, Liz Claiborne tights via Century 21, Modcloth booties, Garnett Jewelry necklace

Happiness is bright colors

2012-01-18T13:20:00.000-05:00

Back in 2006 I bought an Isaac Mizrahi for Target wallet in bright blue and silver on sale for just $12. It seemed perfect for years until recently I noticed the the metal details tarnished, seams were coming loose and the threads were grey and pieces started to fall off. For awhile I searched for something similar that could fit a lot of cards, coins and a checkbook but it was all too expensive and didn't feel right.
In this dreary winter with no snow when the cold seems pointless, I found myself a perfect cure in pretty, bright colors. Banishing gloomy feelings and my decrepit old wallet.

On a trip to Century 21 (a discount department store), I chanced upon a bright pink and beige Kate Spade mini wallet.

I never thought of getting such a small wallet but it holds all the essentials and makes my bag so much lighter (a concern when you lug your giant camera everywhere).

I especially love the shapes and color of the laser cut leather.

Its like a blast of happiness every time I open my purse.

Breweries and Ale Houses

2012-01-17T20:16:00.002-05:00

On Saturday I went with some friends to Brooklyn to celebrate our friend Colleen's birthday. Starting with the train ride in to Manhattan we spent the whole day drinking beers and hanging out. Take a look!
Waiting for the subway

We got into the first car of the subway and had quite a view. Remember that episode of Felicity where she hears about the subway tunnel dwellers? Yea, so did we!

Brown boots and jeans were the uniform for the day!

Hi there sleepyhead!

At Brooklyn Brewery, the beers on tap! Be careful drinking the Blast, its pretty dangerous.

With the girls...and the conditioning tanks.

A few of us were starving so we went around the corner to Brooklyn Bowl for fried chicken.

After eating a huge burger and french fries we met up with everyone else at Brooklyn Ale House. I found Maggie and Meghan perched on some bikes.

Playing seven-eleven-doubles.

After that we made our way to Radegast Beer Hall and the night began to look like this so I only stayed for a short time.

Subway Inspiration

2012-01-16T22:35:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite sources of inspiration is the subway. I am constantly seeing a wealth of fashion inspiration and mostly from the men. I see men wearing a certain combination of colors, textures and proportion that I find incredibly inspiring. Perhaps it backlash from my years of ultra-girly sartorial choices, but the other day I saw a man wearing brown chukka boots with black pants with a checked shirt, tweed coat and scarf in varying shades of grey. Last Friday that stranger was my fashion inspiration.

Thirfted blouse & sweater, high-waist velvet Levi's, Modcloth shoes, vintage purse from Heart City Vintage, Uniqlo coat, Wooden Ships scarf

Caturday

2012-01-14T12:17:00.000-05:00

I was ~~creeped out~~ thrilled by how many of you crazy readers also have a habit of making "miaow" sounds! Recently I've seen the trend of people posing with cats for outfit photos, wearing cat prints and cat inspired outfits. Here are some of my favorite photos of cats and clothes, cats on clothes, girls in cat clothes and any other such combinations inspired by kitties. Its a meow-gical day, embrace the craze.

1,2,3,4,5,6

Dark & Stormy

2012-01-13T19:28:00.001-05:00

Last night was dark and stormy so I snuggled up on the couch with a book and a beer. I didn't even change out of my work clothes because I liked my outfit so much. In fact, I will probably wear it again this weekend. Also I'm pretty pleased that I bought this sweater and it was worth every penny of American Apparel's ridiculous price because its so squishy, drapey, soft and cozy.

sparkle & fade velvet dress, AA fisherman sweater, Uniqlo denim shirt, Garnett Jewelry lapis lazuli necklace

Still Water, Scattered Thoughts

2012-01-10T22:26:00.001-05:00

This strange, balmy weather we've been having is perfect for taking walks outside and watching a winter sunset. The end of the day is a good time to reflect, and being by the water at that time of day is especially thoughtful. Lately I've been whining an awful lot about work and I realize now that I want to stop that. My feelings about my job are spilling over into the blog because by the end of the day every single part of my being feels drained. I often find myself at a loss for words to put down here when it feels like nothing I have to say matters, not even to me. That needs to stop, because this little space on the Internet is what keeps me going sometimes. Having something that is personally significant and putting effort into it is the best part of the day no matter how empty my head feels.
This brings me to my next point, I'm having once of those weeks where I hate everything in my wardrobe and just want to stay in bed in my cozy clothes. Luckily last week I was feeling a bit more inspired and put this together, and I wore it once last Monday and again on Saturday. I love the combination of a fisherman sweater with luxurious gold brocade together in a perfect balance and brought together with a black leather belt. The textures and colors work together in neutral-tone harmony.

AA fisherman sweater, brocade BB Dakota skirt, vintage belt, H&M shoes, VIA coat, wooden ships scarf

Miau miaow

2012-01-09T23:13:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I meow. In fact, I'd say its typical for me to break out into a series of "meow's" that I refer to as the "Meowpra", in which I meow out an imaginary tune. Is this crazy behavior? Yes, certainly. What can I say? My job is driving me over the brink of insanity.
Since my mom knows how I feel about cats, she got me this crazy ball of yarn to paw at. When I was done meowing at it and batting it around, I realized I had knitted this glorious feline fancy.

ASOS sweater, AA skirt, Dolce Vita boots, H&M blouse

Ocean Wind

2012-01-06T10:56:00.001-05:00

On New Year's Day Rich surprised me with a trip out to Montauk on Long Island's south fork where we stayed in a cozy cabin on the beach. While we were snug inside with a small fire, a little home cooked feast and a few bottles of wine there was a terrible downpour and freezing wind. The night was spent poking at the fire and cuddling on the couch watching Star Wars. In my opinion I can't think of anything more romantic (including my sweet boyfriend who understands my inability to resist watching Episode IV when its airing).
In the morning after being half-blinded by the sunlight pouring into the cabin and eating a massive breakfast we strolled over to the beach and took a walk on the sand. I skipped around and made Rich take some outfit pictures for me even though I knew I was basically wearing pajamas and boots. When the wind started knocking me off that log I scurried back into my coat and scarf because despite the sunlight it was freezing. I gave Rich a million kisses and thanked him for our surprise trip and then we headed back home.

Uniqlo denim shirt, Free People sweater dress, American Apparel leggings, Doc Marten boots, vintage purse, men's JCrew Timex watch that I gave to Rich for Christmas (and borrowed!)

Mod-Star

2012-01-04T22:58:00.001-05:00

This is another outfit from last week, when I channelled my inner Mod-star girl in a close-fitted mini dress and sleek leather boots. As Mary Quant was known to do I matched the patterned tights to the dress's little round buttons at the neckline. Its a bit more business like than I usually go for work, but some days I just need to have the fun of putting together an outfit that reminds me of another time, and my other side. Instead of endless emails and meetings, I could have been running to catch the train to hear some music in a coffee shop or perched on a Vespa in search of adventure and style.

Karen Zambos belted dress, vintage locket and bag, H&M tights, Dolce Vita boots, Old Navy sweater

Nature's first green is gold

2012-01-03T12:00:00.000-05:00

As December wound quietly to a close the weather turned warm and golden during the week between Christmas and the New Year. I wore this for work on one of my half days, even though the office was more casual than usual, I opted for something a little more dressed up. I can't help myself, especially around the holidays.
I recently bought this white button down from H&M and have worn it constantly since then. It is the perfect staple blouse, made of sheer, crisp white cotton and plenty of length to tuck it in but not bulky at the shoulders. The slight overlap of the collar is my favorite feature, I'm not even sure that is supposed to happen, but I love that it resembles origami at my throat.
Paired with basic black felt a little too much like a uniform, but with red-brown oxfords and an autumnal green cardigan with gold button detail it was just right for the transition from the office to afternoon shopping in SoHo.

H&M blouse and sweater, GAP skirt, Jeffrey Campbell oxfords, vintage purse, Juicy heart locket, vintage oval locket

(Title quote from Robert Frost, Nothing Gold Can Stay)

2012 For Over Achievers

2012-01-02T14:21:00.000-05:00

Visit April, Maybe to read my guest post about getting creative in 2012

2011, A Year of Adventures

2011-12-31T20:23:00.000-05:00

2011 was a year filled with adventures like traveling, exploring New York and falling in love. Here were my top 3 adventures in 2011.
3. In the summer my friend Robin and I went to a 1920's revival jazz festival on Governor's Island. Not only had I never been to the island, but I have never seen so many people simultaneously dressed in vintage fashions. From making friends on the subway and ferry because we were all similarly attired, to wandering through a field of hundreds of people all dressed up it was one of the most exciting afternoons I've ever had. It was made even better because I was there reconnecting with an old friend sipping St. Germaine cocktails, chatting with strangers and tapping our toes to the Charleston.

2. Traveling to Turkey with Dave.
This trip was the first vacation I had ever taken as an adult without a family member or school group to guide me. It was just me, Dave, and TimeOut Istanbul. We stayed in a hostel at the foot of the Blue Mosque and the Ayasofia in an ancient area of the city and every morning heard the call to prayer. In a sprawling city filled with ancient and modern structures side by side it is easy to see just how vast a history it has. I loved visiting the ancient sites, including a day trip out to the ruins at Troy.
My favorite place shown in the picture is the church of St. Savior In Chora. Like most churches it had been turned into a mosque, and outside has the telltale minarets, but inside the Christian art was merely covered up. The church was turned into a historical site, and you can view the most fully intact mosaics in the city. The bookended marble on the walls and the glittering gold mosaic gave me a feeling of what it must have been like all those hundreds of years ago to enter the church. It felt magical, and the mosaic figures were so lifelike that it looked as it they could have stepped off the wall into the room.
Then there was the food. I can't believe how much I ate while I was there. Cheese, meat and spinach plates, pastry from vendors on the street, lamb kebabs, rice and everything else that was put in front of me. And at the end of every meal or snack, a tiny cup of Turkish tea served in a clear glass cup with a spoonful of sugar.
Aside from the sites and tastes of Istanbul we made some great friends in the hostel. There was never a dull moment while we were there hanging out with everyone in the bar on the top floor. We did a pub crawl, played drinking games and stayed up late into the night talking to people from Brazil, Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Turkey and possibly quite a few other places.

1. Spending one entire year to the day with a person who I love completely. This has been one amazing, adventurous year and almost all of them include Rich. Last New Year's Eve we decided to make our relationship more serious by becoming Facebook official...no I'm just kidding, that wasn't until February. We did decide to be boyfriend and girlfriend, and as cheesy as that sounds it felt like a really big deal. Here is a photo of us after midnight on January 1, 2011.

Well, those were my favorite three adventures in 2011, and I hope 2012 is filled with even more. Thank you for reading my silly blog for another year, and a happy healthy New Year to all of you!
(Now go out and celebrate!)

Noodles and New Friends

2011-12-30T23:40:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I had a late lunch with Steffy of Steffy's Pros and Cons (and her posse) at the Noodle Shop. We talked about our favorite TV shows, and she suggested I watch Breaking Bad. Luckily for me she gave me the scoop on the gory bits so that I wouldn't be alarmed when I start watching. It was so wonderful to get to meet her.
Its crazy because I would really only share this with my readers because if I told anyone else I was hanging out with a person I only knew through the Internet they would probably lock me in my room. Isn't fashion blogging in particular funny like that? Anyone who posts daily pictures of their outfit already feels like a kindred spirit, but when you email back and forth and then eventually meet in person it is like connecting with an old friend.
Photo sneak attack! Seriously though, she should probably be a model (She actually is! Check out her store here.)

The perfect veggie noodles.

So IRL I'm actually really animated and make crazy faces all the time. Here's a good example.

Bloggerz.

Santa Baby

2011-12-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

Santa was good to me this year, and I'm feeling quite spoiled. I'm so lucky to have all the people I love in my life, and on top of being wonderful people they are also generous. Here are some pictures of new things I was given for Christmas.
Richard gave me a Robot Tea Diffuser, which is adorable and makes me laugh because it looks like he is hanging out in a jacuzzi.

Cozy sweaters, a very 60's dress and some surprises from my mom.

A wonderful 5 year journal that asks a question everyday for a year to be used as a sort of time capsule of thoughts.

Pearl hair clips and a new Moleskien day planner.

My jewelry box from Rich, and the presents from inside. A bike pendant and a cat lovers pin from Etsy, and the Lapis Triangle Cut-Out Necklace that I've been wishing for from Garnett Jewelry.

A ring that reminds me of Turkey from my Grandparents.

So, what did Santa bring you this year?

A Very Merry Christmas

2011-12-28T22:40:00.000-05:00

This year Christmas was a beautiful day filled with so many different groups of people I love.
My day started with opening gifts. Rich bought me the most beautiful vintage jewelry box, and had a few surprise presents inside.

My reactions all looked something like this.

I got dressed up in my red velvet dress and a cozy cardigan.

Then it was off to Christmas dinner at my grandparent's house where we eat Christmas goose with potatoes, veggies, and homemade cheesecake. My grandma loves to take pictures.

The advent candles glowing.

Family portrait. Just after this I fell asleep in the living room near the fire for a few hours.

Then I was off to LK's birthday dinner at her house where she had her traditional sip of champagne from the bottle.

We got bundled up and headed out to celebrate.

Rich's house was crazy and in full on party mode, so instead of going to a bar we stayed here all night. It was almost impossible to find a place to stand in the kitchen it was so crowded.

Dave and LK as an American Gothic painting by Grant Wood

With Rich, Linds, AJ and Dave, the best people to hang out with.

Christmas Eve Traditions

2011-12-27T21:21:00.001-05:00

Christmas Eve this year was wonderful. Traditionally my mom and I ice skate early in the morning at Rockefeller Centre and then stroll down 5th Avenue to look at the window displays. In the morning we were both too tired to go, so instead of braving the cold for tradition's sake, my mom made breakfast while I DJ'd Christmas music. For the rest of the morning we hung out eating and watching It's a Wonderful Life.
In the afternoon we went to a party at my mom's friend's house for a little while before heading to my mom's boyfriend's house which has become a new tradition the past few years. He has a great family that cooks a delicious Christmas Eve meal, exchanges gifts from Santa after dinner and the kids even sing Christmas songs!
Its so comforting that traditions can joyfully transform into new ones. I used to be so scared of change and would be a wreck if holiday's didn't strictly follow tradition. This year the focus was on family and loved ones, as it should be.
My favorite part of the day was sitting in Rich's living room with his Christmas tree looking at the lights and ornaments. And of course, lots of half-sleepy kissing.
My mom and John

Singing Christmas carols

Playing basketball

With Babbo Natale!

Christmas tree gazing at Rich's house

I also managed to snap some outfit photos before collapsing into bed. It was a day for simplicity, but I couldn't resist a little vintage bauble on my sweater.

Christmas Eve outfit: BP cardigan, BB Dakota brocade skirt, cranberry Target tights, Dolce Vita boots, vintage brooch

Happy Birthday Lindsay Kate

2011-12-25T23:05:00.000-05:00

In 2003 Lindsay and I had met a couple of times because our boyfriends were friends, but I barely knew her. At the end of that summer our friend threw a party and since I couldn't drive, she offered to pick me up. In the car we talked about our mutual friends and people we knew and the usual awkward things you talk about when you don't know someone well. Then she put on a CD. Both of us were dancing and singing along and yelling, "This is my song!" every time a new one came on. We got completely lost on our way, but were having such a good time that we barely noticed that we were missing half of the party. When we got there we were attached at the hip, eating rummy bears and drinking super-sweet Schmirnoff Ices in our own little world. In the morning we both wanted to get home early, so we got in her car and drove home. That spurred about a million inside jokes that we still laugh about today.
I remember coming home and being SO EXCITED that I had made a new friend. That week we hung out and "got coffee" which to me at 16 seemed like a cool mature thing my new friend who was in college did. Just about every day until I graduated high school we would buy coffees and sit and hang out in her car after we were both done with school and work.

Lindsay (or LK as she is usually known around here) has been my best friend since the night of that party. We have had a million adventures together. There is nothing I can't tell her, even if I don't want to because I'm not one for getting emotional. When I needed an extra summer job she got me one at the JCC she worked at and where I ended up working on and off for 6 years. When I was going through a tough but necessary break-up in college she drove 300 miles to come and hang out with me and to drag me out to parties at my own school multiple times. She wasn't mad when I didn't call for weeks when I was at college because she knows I'm not a phone person. When I was on Accutane and she knew I was feeling really hideous she would reassure me that it wasn't going to be forever. She always has a book recommendation or a new song for me to listen to.She isn't afraid to tell me when I piss her off, and always apologizes if she does something that bothers me. She is always, ALWAYS ready for an adventure (as long as she has some sleeping pills if it involves airplanes).

Linds is without a doubt the most loyal, honest, funniest, smartest, weirdest, best friend a girl could ask for. Its so weird to think that we've only been friends for 8 years because I can't even really remember what it was like before we were friends. Its like she's always been there because we know one another's families, childhood stories and just about everything else. She's the sister I never had.
(I should tell you, I just took a break from writing this to text her a poop joke)
Instead of Merry Christmas today, Happy 27th Birthday Lindsay!!!

Style File: Fall

2011-12-23T12:00:00.000-05:00

Wearing a vintage dress with a sailor style twist when I met Callie(with her camera on my shoulder)

Classic threads for biking to work

Glinda gets modern

I skipped a Halloween costume and opted for vintage and velvet

My favorite outfit of 2011. I know that because I always want to wear it!

I bought a cuddly Bambi sweatshirt to wear instead of a typical knitted sweater

Everything in this outfit was bought secondhand, and the shirt is from the swap!

Chilly weather finally arrived, and with it a new winter coat!

So that was my year in style. There has been some good and some bad. My style drifts between the 60's and the 90's and will likely continue down that road in 2012. Last year my resolution was to get better at accessorizing, but I'm not sure it really happened, but there's always next year!

Velvet nights

2011-12-22T16:00:00.000-05:00

On Friday night I ventured into Manhattan with LK for drinks. When we reached 14th Street and the L was down, we didn't whine; instead we hiked from 8th to 1st Ave in our fancy dresses. As a teenager wandering aimlessly through the city streets was routine for us kids not old enough to drink and lacking the balls to try drugs. This particular night reminded me of that same exhilarated feeling of dolling up and wandering the streets with partner in crime at my side. We fawned over puppies out for their evening walks, lit up when we saw Christmas light displays, and chatted with other intrepid travelers deterred by the L making their way across the city.
For our night out I chose my vintage bright red velvet pleated dress with matching skinny belt paired with monochrome accessories to let the dress take center stage.

vintage dress and matching belt, H&M tights, boots and headband, vintage skates, BB Dakota faux-leather jacket, Wooden Ships scarf

Red wine boots

2011-12-21T21:26:00.001-05:00

Last week my new boots arrived and they brought the cold weather with them. To brave the chill and inevitable snowy slush I bought Doc Marten's in shiraz. Instead of the classic style I've tried before and had terrible luck with, I bought the Pascal which are made of a softer, more supple leather on top of classic slip-proof rubber soles. The vivid wine color stands out against grey skies and makes me feel bright and warm inside (and my toes are toasty too!).
The trouble I've had with them come down to sizing, since they don't come in half sizes. These seem to fit differently than the classic boots though, and after just a few wears are already broken in. They are a bit longer and the toe-box is thinner, so I bought a size down from my usual one and took out the inner sole to create a perfect fit.
On Saturday I bummed around the house gardening, watching movies and reading blogs without makeup in a cozy sweater and my new boots.

H&M blouse, AA sweater, BDG pants, Tiffany star necklace, Doc Marten Pascal's in Shiraz

200 Christmas songs because I can never get enough

2011-12-21T10:00:00.000-05:00

Because I love you all, I'm sharing my 200 song playlist of Christmas tunes I have been compiling as I come across albums that catch my fancy. Those who hate Christmas music, just ignore the playlist. Though I can't fathom anyone hating Christmas music. It just makes so sense to me. Even my best friend (who is Jewish) loves the holiday music playing everywhere. In college my roommate and I would drive around Pennsylvania blasting Savage Garden and Smashing Pumpkins Christmas songs all year round!
Holiday Overload by Kallie on Grooveshark
On Sunday night my mom and I decorated our Christmas tree in simple, classic gold with hints of red. We call it our Mies van der Rohe interpretation, or the "less is more tree" for short.
I wish I could say that we listened to this mix while we were decorating, but the finale of Survivor was on, and you don't want to get between my mom and the final vote.

Style File: Summer

2011-12-20T12:00:00.000-05:00

This summer was amazing, and here are all my favorite outfits from when the weather was hot and I was tan.
Getting ready for the Fourth of July in patriotic colors

Red shorts and a tee taken with a disposable camera

Twirly vintage dresses made of cotton were my summer staple for work.

Boardwalk bike rides at sunset

Dressed up for the Jazz-Festival and shot by Alley

Bike-cat!

Summer vacation uniform in blue with my favorite sandals in the world.

My fancy-schmancy JCrew bathing suit, which is the nicest swimwear I've ever owned. I almost feel bad wearing it in the saltwater.

Saturday by the hour

2011-12-19T22:43:00.000-05:00

Saturday I had a blissfully quiet and relaxing day. Here is a picture for every hour.
10AM: My mom asked me to mulch the garden beds where the garlic is growing. The fallen leaves and pine needles in the yard make a perfect covering for the bare soil. By laying some sticks across the tops of the bed's wooden walls, the leaves won't blow away easily and will protect the plants growing beneath it. The Christmas-red roses are looking lively still.

11AM: Th patio was covered with leaves and sticks I used for mulch but I also set up the chiminea for a winter solstice bonfire. Now, to find some friends to trust me to build a big enough fire to keep warm by.

Noon: I sat by the Christmas tree and watched an episode of Doctor Who while I ate eggs, toast and a few slices of sausage for brunch.

1PM: My glittery silver nails needed a touch-up with Duri "Celebrity Scandal" and Essie LuxeEffects "Set in Stone."

2PM: I sat for a long time reading blogs at my desk.

3PM: As a break from reading blogs I re-laced my ice skates.

4PM: Kick-Ass is on Netflix and I finally got around to watching it. While I watched I doodled and snacked on Clementines.

5PM: Doodles of mice for my friend who asked for a mouse drawing for a blog project she's working on.

6PM: When Rich got to my house I thought it would be cute (dorky) to take a photo under the mistletoe. He scooped me up while I was taking the photo, but its so much cuter like this, with me all taken by surprise.

7PM: We went out for dinner at The Good Life in Massapequa. Not only is it one of my favorite places, but we haven't been out to eat in months. When we're both trying to save money (for Christmas presents in this case), we avoid restaurants and cook at home instead.

8PM: I drank this bottle of cider and stopped taking pictures.

White lace and gold

2011-12-18T09:30:00.001-05:00

A few months ago I decided to stop spending so much money on clothes I don't really love or need, clothes from "fast fashion" stores, and clothes that don't fit the way I want them to. After weeks of lusting after the lace Alexa Chung for Madewell dress I concluded that the straight cut wasn't going to work on my hips and it was just too expensive. Instead I scoured Etsy for the perfect white lace frock and found it at autumns child. Its one of my dream dresses from the 1960's with delicate floral lace and flattering babydoll cut. Thursday night I dressed it up with red and gold for the office holiday party.

Vintage dress, We Who See gold shoes, Payless bag, AA tights

Christmas party in Tribeca

2011-12-17T15:10:00.000-05:00

On Thursday evening my office had their Christmas party. It was across the street from where we work, and as I was leaving I saw glowing blue lights. Because there are about 600 people in my office we have the party in a massive space called Tribeca 360, which has views in all directions.
During cocktail hour my camera was out and I captured some pictures of my wonderful co-workers and the city lights surrounding us.

With some of the ladies in my group at work

There's a ghost in the picture!

It was a really fun night. Its so interesting how we spend such a huge amount of time with our co-workers but don't really know them that well until we have a chance to actually hang out outside of work.

Style File Spring 2011

2011-12-15T19:00:00.000-05:00

Going through all my style files has been a great exercise of "What the hell was I thinking?" Being featured are the outfits I might wear again, the others, well they are now in outfit purgatory. My New Year's Blogging Resolution is to move the blog in a clearer direction, more lifestyle with better fashion bytes. Anyway, here are my favorite outfits from springtime (my least favorite season of all).
I went bright and dark for a blogger meetup in Manhattan. The pink shirt is too pretty for words, but also incredibly hot and sticky so it rarely sees the light of day.

If ever there was a photo that captured my college look, this would be it. A slightly hungover Sunday morning hodge-podge of cords, wool and cotton.

I got really into doing crazy nails.

Silver pin as a bowtie.

Levi's cutoffs, a thrifted blouse and chunky cardigan for a picnic.

My favorite outfit this past spring was girly and comfortable. I wore a million combos of sweaters/sneakers with this dress.

Sweaters and shorts are the most comfortable combo.

This was my favorite skirt, my favorite outfit, and my black hair that only lasted about a week.

Helmet Pledge

2011-12-14T23:24:00.001-05:00

Just about every morning I ride my bike to the train station so I'm constantly looking for blogs or pictures that fuse biking and fashion. The photos of girls with skirts streaming behind them as they ride, or paused at a corner waiting for the traffic light to change while wearing high heels are my inspiration. However, I do notice a sad lack of head-wear, specifically, helmets. As an early Christmas gift Rich bought me a Nutcase helmet because we both like my brains inside my head, rather than on the road. The helmet is lightweight, can be adjusted to fit your head and won't slide around once its been set. It has a magnetic clasp that's easy to open and close with one hand, but once its on the strap rests in a comfortable place under your chin. It is also made of a reflective material to enhance visibility on the road and if you check out the website, comes in about 30 or so different color options.
Helmets are fashionable is my new road mantra. I'm guilty of not wearing a helmet and have a multitude of excuses why I didn't. I promise, it will not mess up your hair THAT badly and it doesn't make you look stupid. It looks smart (in both the sense of intelligence and looking sharp).
From now on, I promise to wear my helmet! Will you promise to get one and wear it?

Hanukkah Blues

2011-12-13T22:54:00.000-05:00

Just playing with layers for work. Blouses under dresses is becoming my go to layering option because it isn't quite as heavy as a sweater but still keeps me from being chilly in the office. Its also a good way to cover up a bit if a dress, like this one, is sort of low-cut. I was going to make this a Hanukkah reference with all my blue and white, but I honestly can't even remember when it starts. Thats kind of pathetic of me. Ally remembered though and sent me the most hilarious pair of purple zebra stripe socks that are totally rad!
(Please forgive my wet hair, I would never do crunchy-gel curls, that's like so 2004.)

Madewell blouse, H&M dress, Target tights, Lucky boots, vintage belt, Uniqlo coat, scarf from Ireland

And the sound of your breath in the cold And oh, the sound will bring me home again

2011-12-12T19:02:00.000-05:00

I can feel winter slowly but surely creeping in, just a puff of steamy breath here and there or the faint smell of snow blowing past. My favorite season is coming, and I can finally wear my new winter coat I bought at a Uniqlo sale a few weeks ago. I also picked up my vintage dress from the tailor, and now it finally fits properly and I figured out how to make it easier for everyday wear by rolling up the pouffed sleeves. I'm so happy I have this dress fixed (it was too tight in the chest before) because its the perfect combination of floral, black velvet and interesting details like the ruffled neckline with a bow and ruffled hem. Now it can get the love it deserves. I wore it today to do some Christmas errands, hang out with LK and have a family dinner.

vintage dress, Lucky Brand boots, Hue tights, Uniqlo duffle coat, vintage leather backpack
Post title: Lyrics from East Harlem by Beirut

Style file, Winter 2011

2011-12-10T23:09:00.000-05:00

Since its December I thought it would be fun to look at some of my favorite outfits I photographed this past year. I guess style is always changing, but keeping a blog makes it really easy to look back at the changes. There were definitely a few I look back on and think, wow I can't believe I wore that in public let alone photographed to show all of you. But there were a few that I also really liked. Overall I think the thing that's changed the most is that I don't want to look so precious. There was a phase where cutesy was my thing, but not so much anymore.
Technically this is from 2010, but it was last winter, so it counts! I'll probably wear this again because I'm so in love with black and white and green.

I made my own hair bow and wore it all the time.

This Club Monaco skirt was my favorite and I wore it at least once a week.

Red, white and blue was my go-to color combo and I wore this outfit at least once every weekend.

I wore my favorite dress with a heavy sweater to walk in the snow

This vintage sweater got lots and lots of wear, its super cozy.

Another favorite.

I brought pictures of Grace Slick and Marianne Faithfull

2011-12-08T23:11:00.001-05:00

I just dropped in to say hi! Tonight I got my hair cut and I brought in pictures of Grace Slick and Marianne Faithfull from my Pinterest. This is how I look when I awkwardly wave at you with my new 'do!

Holiday feeling

2011-12-06T22:20:00.001-05:00

Lately I haven't been feeling excited for the holiday. Friday was supposed to be a day off for me, but I'm doing a mock presentation and it was rescheduled for that morning so now I have to go in even though the reason for taking the day was so I wouldn't have to worry about missing a flight to see my dad. Its so silly, but I feel like crying when I think about it. Blogging has taken a bit of a backseat too, which I hate, because I really enjoy having something creative to do in my free time. Even little photo shoots and writing a tiny blurb keeps my brain from melting.
The Christmas tree is set up in my living room with no lights or ornaments which gets me down when I look at it.
Did I mention the awful weather?
Anyway, since my tree isn't decorated and I'm too tired to play dress up, here are some of my favorite pictures from last Christmas. Crossing my fingers for snow and listening to the She & Him Christmas album helps too.

Dancing shoes

2011-12-04T21:35:00.001-05:00

Sunday night, and I realize that I haven't been reading blogs for a week, and I should probably post some of the pictures I've been taking. There aren't many pictures to post. I've been busy with work and photography projects, and now I think I've come down with something awful.
Anyway, here is how I have been looking for several Friday's, going out to grab drinks in Manhattan (and a few weeks ago dancing at AIH). Bright tights and flats are essential.

H&M dress, Romeo and Juliet sweater, AA tights, Bloch flats, BB Dakota jacket, wooden ships scarf

December favorites

2011-12-02T07:13:00.001-05:00

Here are some links and sites that I have been loving lately and want to share with all of you.
Keeping your DSLR protected from the elements of winter with Sara's tips.

My favorite tumblr in existence and the source of most of (if not all) my inspiration lately at Fuck Yeah 60's Fashion. Filled with images of Marianne Faithfull, Penelope Tree and Grace Slick.

The 90's, green, fair isle, plaid, red velvet, hats, peter pan collars...OVERLOAD. Two of the most perfect outfits combining all things I want to wear all day, every day. A Fine Day for Sailing and The Styling Dutchman.

I am obsessed with reading about food online all of a sudden. I want to make this with squash or potatoes and other in-season veggies.

A tour of my bedroom

2011-11-30T22:00:00.000-05:00

This is the room I've called home since I was 7 and its been through many phases and redecorations. There are so many things I would love to hang on the walls to make it cozy and decorative, but I'm hesitant since I don't know how long I'll be there. Then again, I've been saying that since I graduated from college in 2009. It is all mine and is one of my favorite places in the world. I'm fine admitting that being so attached to this space is partially what keeps me living here. The street noise is comforting, the late afternoon light through the windows is warm and despite the painfully small closet, its perfect.
When you walk through the door, this is what you will see. My bed is super comfy, but when I first got it at 15 it terrified me. I was used to sleeping on a futon mattress in a loft-style bed or on the floor, and this gigantic monstrosity made me incredibly uncomfortable (like sleeping on a table). The night it came I escaped to my friend Carl's house where we attempted to watch Clerks while I put popcorn in his ears and then I came home and slept on my couch...for a week.

That clock is wrong, but glows so pretty in the dark.

The chests in my room belonged to my great grandparents when they were first married. That bookshelf came from Wal-Mart, hence the sagging shelves. My stuffed dog is named Tater and I'm convinced Rich wants to steal him.

The photobooth pictures are of my friend Nick and I and it makes me laugh every time I think of when we took them (it involves beer). My milk bottle is filled with seashells I collected on vacation.

Maybe Baby is my favorite scent of all time. The bike is from Italy and actually meant to hold keys (or necklaces) and I need to hang it up.

The inside of my too-small closet, packed with vintage dresses and sweaters.

I don't belong to a gym because I would never ever go, but when its too cold to ride my bike I ride this stationary and watch TV.

One of my all time favorite pictures of me and my girlfriends in Paris when we were 18. Sam (on the far left) lives there now!

When I was 16 I went through a phase in which I wore corduroy pants and wings everyday. For my Sweet 16 my friend Kat made these beautiful wings for me by hand and I will keep them forever.

How did I end up with such a huge TV?! It was meant for my college dorm, but then I found an apartment and my TV found a nice home, and Ratatouille.

So that's my room! And yes, it is always this neat because I have issues with disorganization.

Quiet time

2011-11-30T11:00:00.000-05:00

This was yesterday. I was very comfy and not feeling verbose.

AA sweater, UO shorts, Hue tights, Lucky boots, BB Dakota leather jacket, Halogen purse

Mahna Mahna

2011-11-29T12:00:00.000-05:00

Over the weekend Rich and I went with some friends to see the Muppet Movie and it was fantastic. Our group was the youngest in the theater, and we brought in Rich's Animal doll and shook him around when he came on scree. It was so much fun! I was smiling the entire way through the movie. There were only 3 times that I found myself crying, first because I was laughing, during Rainbow Connection and finally in the last scene. Even with tears, I was still smiling. What a perfectly fun, enjoyable movie. You must go see it now! Drop what you're doing and go. Its the third best gift in the world (go see it to get the reference).
After the movie Rich and I were talking about how we'd look as Muppets and we found this great website from FAO Schwartz that lets you create a Whatnot or a Muppet of yourself! I would buy one, but its so fun to make them.
Here are Rich and I

These are of Rich, I made the monster one. There were a few I made of myself, but turning my boyfriend into a very manly muppet was much more fun.

Remember, you're the one Who can fill the world with sunshine

2011-11-28T22:56:00.001-05:00

I've been watching Once Upon a Time, and its directly influencing my outfits lately. This green vest was my favorite item of the swap because it reminds me of something Snow White may have worn while thieving in the forest. The unseasonably warm weather made it possible to break out my shorts which kind of pushed the outfit into lederhosen territory, but that's ok! I borrowed my mom's beautiful pin with the bell from Cortina in the Italian Alps, I added the red bird brooch too for contrast on the green. Its going to be hard to part with the vest because it is something I would buy for myself in a heartbeat and wear once a week.

Swap thrifted green vest, Fletcher by Lyell peter pan collar blouse, vintage pins and belt, American Apparel shorts, Bloch ballet flats
Here's how Lily of Love Charles Vintage styled the vest.

And Breanne from Flattery

The swap includes these stylish blogs stay tuned to see how they'll style the items:
Love Charles Vintage
Flattery
District of Chic
Hummingbird Girls
Mousevox Vintage
Missing Lovebirds
Selective Potential
*Post title from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves "With a Smile and a Song"

Autumn florals

2011-11-27T19:40:00.001-05:00

Here is the third item of the swap, and for me was the hardest to style. The skirt is lovely, and Lily of Love Charles Vintage hemmed it to have an elegant fishtail effect. It isn't normally something I would pick out, so I didn't have much to pair it with. Since the skirt is so feminine and flirty, I thought chambray and black leather boots would toughen it up. The idea of playing with sleeve lengths was inspired by the fishtail, and I added the short sleeved oversized sweater.

Here's how Lily of Love Charles Vintage styled it

And Breanne from Flattery

The swap includes these stylish blogs:
Love Charles Vintage
Flattery
District of Chic
Hummingbird Girls
Mousevox Vintage
Missing Lovebirds
Selective Potential

Thankful

2011-11-27T09:48:00.001-05:00

This year I didn't take pictures of Thanksgiving dinner, because instead I'd like to show you what I'm thankful for.
My mom

My Grandparents

This guy (and all the fun we have together)

My bestest friend, LK

Adventures with Dave

Friends I don't see often enough, but when I do, its amazing

Happy Belated Thanksgiving to everyone (even all of you who don't celebrate!). What are you thankful for this year?

I went out to the forest and caught 100,000 fireflies

2011-11-22T22:00:00.001-05:00

This is my most basic outfit and a perfect example of what I look like when I throw something together at 5:30 in the morning and run out the door. A tee shirt, high waisted skirt, cardigan and very few accessories. Happens at least a few times a week. I'm really exhausted but I promise once I'm out of work tomorrow (early office closing!) blogging will go back to...well...whatever is passing for normal these days at Happy, Honey & Lark. Including the last 2 items of the swap, some killer vintage and all the festivities coming up in the next few days.
The post title comes from one of my favorite Magnetic Fields songs from college. The Thanksgiving holiday always makes me think of college for some reason.

anthropologie tee (gift), AA skirt, Hue tights, BP sweater, H&M shoes

Pinterest-love

2011-11-20T20:09:00.001-05:00

I've become completely obsessed with Pinterest.

Find the image sources via my Pinterest

Heart it Races

2011-11-19T17:19:00.001-05:00

Last night LK came and met me at work and I showed her around my office. Friday's we have a beer cart that raises money for Habitat for Humanity, so my supervisor got me a couple beers and we hung around at my desk for a few minutes. LK and I headed over to Lucky Strike about a block from my office for some dinner and drinks. Before the show we had some time so we wandered around Uniqlo and Madewell. I got to try on a really pretty coat and Uniqlo, hopefully on Monday when I go back they have it in my size!
After that we took the N up to Union Square where there was a Holiday Craft Fair. Unfortunately it was closing for the night and they were closing it down and we kept coming to dead ends and had to work our way out of the maze. Once we were free we shared a bottle of cider and walked over to Irving Plaza to see Architecture in Helsinki!
It was completely fantastic, and they closed with Heart it Races, the whole crowd dancing like crazy. Of course at that point we'd already been dancing for the whole set, but it was like getting a huge burst of energy. They played everything I wanted to hear, and it couldn't have been more fun. Afterwards we got to meet Kellie Sutherland on our way out. I just blurted out, "You're fantastic!" and we left to go catch our train gushing about how much fun we'd just had.
I didn't bring my camera because sometimes they won't let you into a show with it. Good thing for phones!

True November

2011-11-18T11:30:00.000-05:00

Yesterday it finally started to look and feel like November, dreary and windy and cold. Normally this would be depressing, but now I can wear some of the outfits I'd been putting together and then putting away because of the warm days. This one was actually hanging up on the back of my bedroom door all week, just waiting for the perfect blustery day.

BB Dakota jacket, Thai silk scarf, H&M dress,sweater,socks,shoes, Hue tights

Leather and pencils

2011-11-17T20:05:00.001-05:00

Here is the second item from the swap, a lovely black and white pencil skirt that I roughed up a bit. Back in high school this is exactly how I wanted to look. A little bit polished, a little bit grungy. All I could manage then was vintage tee shirts and a tweed blazer.
Pencil skirts are great thrift finds because there always seems to be an abundance of them. I would recommend buying one that is slightly large on you and then altering it because a fitted skirt should be just that. If I wasn't passing this skirt along in the swap, I would have just hemmed it a bit into a mini-skirt.

BB Dakota leather jacket, vintage tee, vintage skirt via swap, AA tights, Lucky boots, necklace from Thailand
Here is how Lily of Love Charles Vintage styled it. I love how it looks with jewel tones!

The swap includes these stylish blogs:
Love Charles Vintage
Flattery
District of Chic
Hummingbird Girls
Mousevox Vintage
Missing Lovebirds
Selective Potential

The last Beerfest

2011-11-16T12:41:00.001-05:00

On Saturday I went with Rich and some friends to the LI International Craft Brew Festival and I'm pretty sure that was our last one. Before we even left the house, I got hangry (anger exacerbated by hunger), Rich got annoyed and everyone got to enjoy that. So by the time we got there I was itching for a beer. A grown-up sized beer, not the tiny little few-ounce cups they pour there. Because that is part of the rules: you can only drink from your teeny tasting glass.
What was once a leisurely stroll around to each booth and a few tastings at each has basically turned into a race to shove everyone out of the way to drink as much as possible. It was cool in a mosh pit sort of way, but after about 2 hours I started yelling at random people followed by my classic drunk move "the look of death" accompanied by silence only to be broken by more yelling. At one point LK put a sticker on Rich's butt and these two girls were like laughing and whispering and pointing at him so I dramatically pulled the sticker off his jeans and turned around and asked them what they were staring at. They ran off because really, who yells at people like that? Me! I'm going to be such an awesome/cranky old person yelling at kids to get off my lawn while I rock back and forth in my hover-rocking chair and take shots at them with my laser gun.
Back to my point, it came down the the maturity of the crowd. The average maturity is that of a 20-something college kid stuck living at home on Long Island itching for the public drunkenness that going away to college offers (or someone older trying to recapture that drunken abandon). That's very judgey face of me but seriously, men older than college age were shoving me and my similarly sized female friends in order to get to the beer first. I mean, gentlemen, this is CLASSY beer, chill out.
It wasn't totally bad. For the most part once we had a few tastes it became a ton of fun, especially moving around tasting beers with our group. And it was a great group; Joe, LK, Rich, James and Mallory.

We had our pretzel necklaces ready to go.

Notes from the dollar bill.

Saying hi!

All the great beers (and their names)!

Maybe I'm just getting old and I need to go to the early bird session in the mid-afternoon. Perhaps thats a classier crowd. On the other hand, they might misconstrue me for riff raff and I'll get the cold shoulder.

Spotted owl

2011-11-16T11:30:00.000-05:00

Saturday night I went out with my friends to a Beerfest on Long Island. My go to lately for the weekends has been shorts and tights. The unseasonably warm weather makes it tempting to forgo tights altogether, but it IS November and my legs are already pale.

Paul and Joe sister tee via Gilt Groupe, BP sweater, vintage shorts and belt, Lucky brand boots

Black + tan

2011-11-15T11:30:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I was asked to join a clothing swap by Lily of Love Charles Vintage to promote recycling clothes and to showcase that you can find high quality, beautiful clothing secondhand. Thrift stores like Goodwill, Salvation Army, Savers, etc. are the perfect places to find pretty basics. Whenever I need a cozy sweater I know that I can find a gently used Old Navy or Gap one there for far less than at the mall. The first item of the swap I'm going to share with you is one of those pieces and its my ideal basic top. I'm a stripe lover to the extreme (I counted 14 striped tops out of about 20 when I was organizing my closet the other night). Black and tan are quite versatile so I styled the top with a statement piece, where the neutral colors and simple pattern would let it shine.

Thrifted top via the swap, Fornarina skirt via ebay, H&M pumps, vintage clutch from Germany, BB Dakota jacket
How its been styled previously in the swap by Lily and Breanne.

The swap includes these stylish blogs:
Love Charles Vintage
Flattery
District of Chic
Hummingbird Girls
Mousevox Vintage
Missing Lovebirds
Selective Potential

Friday potatoes

2011-11-14T21:30:00.001-05:00

Friday night Rich and I were exhausted so he came over and we made some delicious potatoes and sausage. We are trying to save money by not eating in restaurants until New Year's. He pointed out that for less than the cost of going out to dinner got a few meals out of this.
Rich sliced onions because I'm a big baby, and he scattered them around on the tray.

Diced potatoes with herbs, salt, pepper and olive oil on top.

While the potatoes and onions started were roasting I sliced chicken sausage and stirred in herbs and olive oil. I grated cheese (fancy schmancy Asiago with rosemary and olive oil from Trader Joe's) and saved some to eat with baguette.

After the potatoes cooked for 20 minutes I added the mushrooms and sausage for another 20. We hung around drinking warm cider with Jameson whiskey and munching on cheese.

Yum, especially with the grated cheese on top! We ate dinner and cuddled on the couch watching Crazy, Stupid Love and The Prestige until late at night. So super relaxing and cozy. Sometimes quiet Friday nights are a million times better than going out.

How to ride a bike in a tutu

2011-11-13T21:19:00.000-05:00

Have you ever been wearing a tutu and wanted to ride a bike at the same time, but were worried about ruining your skirt? Here is a little tutorial on how to keep your tulle from getting chain grease stains or caught on anything you ride past. It can also be adapted for long skirts.

1874

2011-11-12T10:53:00.001-05:00

November 11th every year I try to remember to wear brown, mode (light brown) and pink, the Gamma Phi Beta colors for Founders Day. I'll never forget those two years of my life that I was a member of the Zeta Pi Chapter of Gamma Phi Beta. What initially drew me to it was the idea of doing community service with girlfriends, having more than just classwork to focus on and the fact that my only friend that terrifying first week of college was dead-set on joining. I would never say that I loved it 100% of the time though, but I did care about it a great deal and had more fun than I can even describe.
As I get older the mottos and old fashioned sayings and what it stood for begins to mean more and more to me than they did then though. In college I think I wasn't mature enough to really digest it all. Now, removed from the drama and stress of constantly being around 30-something girls (very few of of whom I had much in common with) and the added pressure of classwork, I think they are closer to my heart. One of which is the "mission" of the sorority, "To promote the highest type of womanhood." At 18, I was barely a woman. At 24, when I take these words to heart they are truly inspiring.
It would be a lie if I said at the time we weren't all more concerned with what everyone thought of us, parties, boys and having a good time. Of course we cared about community service and the organization, but not in the way I think the founders meant it to. Now when I look back on it, what the organization stands for means more to me because it has more relevance to my life. And those sisters that I do make an effort to keep in touch with (probably 2 or 3) mean so much more to me.
So, Happy Founders Day ΓΦΒ in IIKE

H&M Sweater, American Apparel skirt, Wooden Ships scarf, Envy via Modcloth shoes, Gamma Phi Beta pins

At a football game with the Gamma girls in fall 2005

Le petit chaperon rouge

2011-11-10T10:19:00.001-05:00

Yesterday while getting ready to take pictures I found this tiny red velvet cap from when I was very small, and surprisingly it fit! Not very well though, I had to give it up because it kept falling off while I was riding my bike to the train. Now I'm searching for the perfect winter beret for when the weather turns cold again. Speaking of which, I try not to be mundane and talk about the weather but we are having a pretty serious Indian summer here, complete with sunshine and 70 degree weather. I didn't wear tights yesterday, and it is NOVEMBER. I can't ever remember that happening. My outfit yesterday was an experiment in light layers, with enough to keep me warm once the sun went down but comfortable throughout the day and it was a complete success. This outfit is going to be on heavy rotation/combinations for awhile.

H&M dress and blouse, vintage hat and belt, Bloch ballet flats, Halogen purse, nOir rings

Gnomish

2011-11-08T22:47:00.001-05:00

Hey there, I'm just chillin' with my gnomies (sorry, I couldn't resist). This is part of my garden gnome collection, my eerie white plaster men that I refuse to paint. They just look so much more interesting without color. Today I dressed a little bit like I should be in a garden like an oversized gnome. It was about 70 degrees and sunny, so standing around outside guarding a garden would have been pretty ideal.
My Schwinn has a place of honor in the living room. No shed-living for my Firebolt. (Cool kids name their bikes after broomsticks.)

Chloe K top, AA skirt, Modcloth Envy shoes, thrifted scarf, vintage pin, Marc by Marc Jacobs bag

Inspired Autumn

2011-11-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

violette tannenbaum/the sartorialist

martyna galla

Hel-Looks/The Flower Girl

Elinkan

MrsWolf

Klover

03:30:34

2011-11-07T16:00:00.001-05:00

In May 2002, just after I turned 15, my mom was driving to come pick me up at school when she made a left turn and got broadsided by an oncoming speeding car. While I waited and waited until the sun went down and one after one my friends left she had to be pried from the car by the jaws-of-life (my friend John's dad actually pulled her out) and airlifted to the hospital. Hours later my grandparents realized that I was still waiting in the lobby at my school.
Cell phones had really just become a "thing" so they called my school and had an administrator sit with me in their office. I can perfectly recall that I was annoyed at missing the Roswell series finale.
My grandparents came in and were concerned, but thought my mom had just hurt her arm.
We arrived at the hospital where the nurses and doctors couldn't give me any information. It registered to me that it might be worse than everyone was making it sound. One of the only things I can remember about that night is leaning over the desk, channeling my mother's no-nonsense voice and saying, "She is the only parent I have. I will see her NOW." For all I know, I could have screamed it in her face. Later, my grandparents told my mom that I was terrifying.
Finally, they brought me to her. My tiny, little mommy laying in this hallway bed covered in blood and bandages. Her tooth was missing and she was completely incoherent and had no idea who anyone really was. She had a broken nose, a broken pelvis and sacrum, a dislocated shoulder and was in rough shape mentally because of the impact of her head and the steering wheel.
I could go on about the little details I remember about my life in the following weeks, and the days and hours I've all but blocked out but this is about my mom who was in a wheelchair, then had to use a walker for months.
She packed me off to summer camp and did everything she could to rehabilitate herself. Here she is a few months after the accident standing next to her car.

The doctors told her that she would probably walk, but she would never be a runner again.
She has been running and racing for the past few years and has qualified in a half-marathon for the NYC Marathon twice.Yesterday I spent the day with my grandparents watching her run across the finish line at the NYC Marathon. There she was with a huge smile on her face, cruising down the line through Central Park. I screamed so loud I scared everyone sitting around me and then I started crying. I'm actually choking up writing this right now. I'm so grateful she not only survived, but that she's my mom and she is an incredible woman. I am so proud of her.

Official finish time: 03:30:34*
*For those that don't know a ton about running, this is a pretty badass time. She qualified for the Boston Marathon in 2013.

Rhinestones, lipstick, and garden gnomes

2011-11-06T22:24:00.000-05:00

Friday night LK and I went into Manhattan for Robin's birthday party at The Belgian Room in the East Village. I'm aching to live in that neighborhood, it feels so brilliantly alive there.
We rode the train reading funny emails out loud, touching up our lipstick and drinking Redbulls.

Garden gnome! I collect garden gnomes so it was a no-brainer what I would be drinking for the rest of the night.

Lately my camera has been giving me some trouble, so it stayed tucked away in my purse for most of the night. Here are the revelers basking in the blur that is the birthday girl.

When we left the bar and went to St. Marks Place for a taxi, I imagined in my head I lived on that street and where my apartment would be and how I would be able to hear everyones voices on the street carrying up to my apartment on nights like these. Then the clocks changed back so it felt much later than it was and we had to hurry home because I had to be up early the next morning for something very very exciting (more on that later!).

Bambi Sparkle

2011-11-04T20:45:00.000-04:00

Say hello to my new sweatshirt featuring Bambi! I had been searching around for a super-soft sweatshirt to wear in place of a sweater to dress down an outfit, and was delighted when I pulled this one out and it had a tiny deer on it. Bambi actually scared me as a kid, mostly I didn't like talking animals. Being the ironic child that I was however, ET was my favorite movie and I could not go a day without that bulbous alien.
How great of a stripper name would my post title make? I know you were thinking it a little. But why is it that the name of a children's movie character also can conjure up images of exotic dancers' stage names? Someone smart please explain (sassy answers will also be considered).
Anyhoo, enough rambling, here's how I looked today.

Disney via Patterson J. Kincaid sweatshirt, thirfted Gap blouse, BDG pants, Steve Madden shoes circa 2004, vintage locket

Thursday lunch date

2011-11-03T23:21:00.000-04:00

Robin came to visit me in SoHo at lunch today and we went to my favorite lunch spot, Mooncake Foods. That's the place I go all the time because they use fresh ingredients, its dirt cheap for this neighborhood and they make the plates extra full. We sat at the counter and did our catching up, talking about our boyfriends and about her birthday celebration this weekend. Lunch dates are the best, its like a mini-Saturday just smack in the middle of the spreadsheets.

H&M skirt and tee, Lucky boots, BDG sweater, this is how I get grungy when I'm busy in the office

Yum!

Hi Robin!

Hugs! Thanks for letting me try out your hat!

Because this is thriller, thriller night ...And no one's going to save you from the beast about to strike

Minijupe

2011-11-02T23:37:00.001-04:00

Living at home has a million reasons to stay but occasionally my mother's opinions on my outfit give me a reason to want to leave. "That skirt is so short I can't even look," she said to me this morning as I sashayed into the kitchen. I saw a very similar outfit on one of my favorite blogs Helmi otsalla recently and was waiting for a good day to try it out. The skirt is most certainly a mini skirt, but I'm literally buttoned up everywhere else. Living with my mom has subtly influenced my style in that way, because I could never wear anything but long sleeves with a mini-skirt (to work at least). Before I even leave my room I can usually guess exactly what she will deem appropriate.
Thanks mom for my some of my own strictly self imposed style rules. If you wear a low cut shirt don't wear a short skirt, shoulders should be covered at work unless the air conditioning breaks, and always carry a sweater. My favorite is the fingertip test; if the skirt is shorter than where your fingertips fall you can't wear it in public. I'm not sure if she's actually said any of these out loud, except the fingertip one, but they have been imprinted upon my brain and there they will stay.
Back to my original point, I sashayed into my kitchen and after she couldn't look at my skirt I dropped my arms and measured the length of my skirt which was just the right length. I felt kind of awesome today.

Madewell checked blouse, AA cord skirt, H&M boots, Halogen purse, Juicy necklace, vintage necklace, vintage enamel ring, Hue tights, (BB Dakota jacket not pictured)

Oh baby, Happy Halloween

2011-11-01T09:30:00.000-04:00

Last night I came home from work in a terrible mood, and even though I'd picked out the perfect costume and was looking forward to going to Emily's Halloween bash. Instead I stayed home curled up in a big comfy chair glued to my laptop working to solve my work problems that are getting me down. I'm disappointed I didn't go out last night, but when I was done my mom and I went through old Halloween photos and found some gems from when I was little that really helped cheer me up.
1987, dressed as a pumpkin

1988, looking like a little pumpkin

If only the picture were close up. I'm dressed as Charlotte from Charlotte's Web in 1992. My mom sewed stuffed felt spider legs on my shirt and found me spider web leggings so that I could be my favorite book character.

I'll take thee away, into a land of enchantment

2011-10-30T22:29:00.001-04:00

While the strange, unexpected snow fell here (which it almost never does before Halloween) I spent Saturday curled up on the couch with biscuits and honey while I watched Teen Witch. In the evening Rich and I trekked out into the ice and snow to go to Meghan's for chili and games. While we were there my childhood favorite Halloween movie came on TV. When Sarah Jessica Parker sings the "Come Little Children," song I always get chills up my spine. Its so spooky in the movie how her sweet voice lures the children to the woods so that the witch sister's can steal their souls.
This outfit was a little bit Teen Witch, a little bit Hocus Pocus-witch, since I haven't really put together a costume this year.

vintage dress and hat, F21 sweater, Gap velvet blazer, Seychelles booties, Payless purse, crystal bullet necklace

Teen Witch

2011-10-29T14:10:00.001-04:00

I've been gathering some Halloween weekend inspiration from 1989's Teen Witch. Totally a classic around here. Re-watching it now though I was more concerned at the end that she didn't make up with her best friend, but she did make out with the guy. How 80's. Despite that, she was a rather stylish girl even before her makeover. Especially her jewelry.

source: screencap_me

A dark tower on Canal Street

2011-10-28T23:11:00.000-04:00

Here is what I wore yesterday to work. My outfit was partially inspired by the Wicked Witch of the West if her dark tower was in Manhattan and she had interns instead of flying monkeys. That is also a pretty accurate representation of my thought process early in the morning while I'm showering and deciding what to wear.
It was dismal outside and the whole day felt like a long night. I would have preferred to be at home reading spooky stories with candles lit all around, but it was made better by going to eat pappardele bolognese with butternut squash and zucchini and eggplant fries at Diva. Yum!

Betsey Johnson sweater (borrowed from mom), H&M dress and tights, Dolce Vita boots

A soundtrack for the changing leaves

2011-10-28T14:00:00.000-04:00

Early Sunday morning in State College

(The last song is my attempt at convincing Rich that we should be Mary Tyler Moore and Buddy Holly for Halloween. Cute right?!?)

Saturday night cider drinks

2011-10-27T23:11:00.000-04:00

Saturday in State College was a day of visiting old favorite spots like the Goodwill and the vintage shop downtown. After a long refreshing nap and some egg-drop soup we poured Jameson whiskey mixed with cider from the farmer's market into our cups. Its the tastiest drink for fall nights.
Whiskey jackets for everyone

Brittany and Mike

Boys

Girls

Enjoying my drink more because its in a Star Wars Episode V:The Empire Strikes Back mug!

Porch people

Loni and I serenading one another at Cafe 210 where we danced and jumped around until some of us were asked to leave

Definitely my favorite part of the whole weekend! It was almost like college only with better clothes and drinks (the benefits of being old in a college town).

Listhings

2011-10-27T15:30:00.000-04:00

image source
Height: 5 feet + 2 inches
Hair Color: Reddish brown
Eye color: Olive green
Freckles: A sprinkle across my nose when I stay in the sun for too long, and also an "angel kiss" in the bow of my top lip
Best feature: I like my eyes best, they are an exact replica of my dad's
Worst part of your body: It was always my skin before it cleared up, but now its my bottom because its kind of big but good for when I'm clumsy and fall on it
Scars: One on my chin from figure skating, another on my eyebrow from falling down a hill, and a few on my legs from climbing trees
Tattoos: A quill on my back to ward off writer's block (it hasn't been working lately)
Piercings: Just my ears now, but I had a tiny nose stud for about 5 years
Disease: A little asthma but it doesn't slow me down
Broken bones: None that were terribly bad, just a little wrist fracture from falling off a swing
Phobia: Open closet doors in dark rooms
Obsession: Vegetable wonton soup, Swedish pop music, Post-it notes, Doctor Who
Fear: Heartbreak, forgetting special moments, making left turns in the car
Bodily party trick: Wiggling my ears
Best feeling: Making someone laugh really hard
Best physical sense: When my mom hugs me and her hands are freezing cold on my back
List Twist: Sandra

image source

Collegiate strolls

2011-10-26T23:30:00.002-04:00

Over this past weekend some friends and I squished into my car and took a road trip out to Penn State for the weekend. The drive out was a disaster; just after picking everyone up early in the morning we had a small car accident. Everyone was fine, but I was an anxious mess for the rest of the weekend. The accident wasn't my fault at all but the woman who hit me denied it and blamed me. Thank goodness for kind people because a witness who saw it stepped forward and vouched for me. He continued to stand up for me even while she was yelling at him that, "you didn't witness shit."
After a few deep breaths and some tears we continued on our way through Brooklyn and Manhattan and out across New Jersey to Pennsylvania. Autumn colors haven't arrived in New York but the moment we crossed the Delaware Water Gap it was like being in a Charles Burchfield painting surrounded by changing leaves and patches of sun dappled road ahead of us.
In State College we spent the day wandering around our old haunts from college. The highlight for me was running into two art history professors who remembered me. In a school that big, it feels really great to be remembered a few years after graduating. It was so exciting to tell my Byzantine Art professor about my trip to Turkey and plans for grad school and to thank my Renaissance Palace professor for conducting some of my favorite class discussions. Agh, I'm such a nerd!
Afterwards it was all kind of a sleepy blur of drinks, a nap, dinner and more drinks. I was still feeling really awful about my car and feeling all kinds of emotional, clingy, babyish. Car accidents just really throw me off. For all my talk and crazy things I yell in the car while I drive, car accidents make me throw up in my mouth. When I see one on the side of the road, on tv, doesn't matter it just makes me physically ill.
Here are some pictures from our afternoon stroll around campus.
Walking down West College Ave.

Apples at the Farmer's Market

We headed on to campus to the Hub where Penn State was being Occupied. While walking later someone overheard me mention it out of context and yelled to me, "If you don't like the tuition don't go here!" I just yelled back, "Too bad I graduated in '09!" It was pretty awkwardsauce, I coulda sworn the kid was only 19 or something. He'll feel differently about that tuition hike when he starts paying back his loans. On the bright side, he thought we all looked young enough to still be students which was pretty sweet.

When people ask what my favorite color is I always reference the golden yellow of leaves at Penn State. This is on the mall, walking up towards my favorite building (the library)

Cheers!

Pillow Boots by Cougar

2011-10-26T06:52:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago, with the first hint of autumn in the air, my limited edition Pillow Boots arrived from Cougar Boots. As I took them out of the box it was apparent that despite the pretty packaging this is heavy duty footwear. To be honest, before I put them on I thought they looked a little weird. Not bad weird, just not my style. But when I pulled them on my opinion did a 180 and I knew they were a good fit for me. Perfectly comfortable and mushy, and unlike a lot of all-weather boots they were light and moved with me as I walked.
Built for the snowy Canadian winters, and worn since the 1970's Cougar Boots has brought back their Pillow Boot for a new generation of playing outside in any weather. Snow is a few months off still but the caramel leather and soft red fleece lining makes a beautiful combination for fall outdoors outfits. When I was styling an outfit for the boots I was drawn to natural colors and denim, perfect for playing in the leaves in the fall and enjoying the last of the sunshine before the snow starts to fall and the boots can really show me what they can do.

Old Navy thrifted sweater, H&M blouse, BDG jeans, no-name brown socks, Pillow Boots c/o Cougar Boots,vintage felt hat

Spring Shoes Giveaway Winner...

2011-10-25T22:11:00.000-04:00

Congrats Amber!

A beer, a labyrinth and some wildlife (The Great Pumpkin pt. 2)

2011-10-25T10:12:00.001-04:00

Backtracking quite a bit, last Sunday I took a trip out east to go pumpkin picking. Afterwards we went into Greenport for lunch at Salamander's (mm fried chicken) and then to Greenport Harbor Brewing Co.'s tasting room. I feel like I've had pictures here about 10 times on the blog. Its just that its so cozy and fun up there I can't help wanting to go back again and again.

Off to the beach to collect shells and walk the labyrinth. I can't believe less than two months ago Rich and I were here swimming and soaking up the sun!

Wild turkey!

And some deer

The Great Pumpkin

2011-10-22T09:07:00.002-04:00

Last Sunday we loaded up the car with friends and drove out east to Long Island's North Fork for some big, orange pumpkins.

With LK and our pumpkins!

A retro, red tractor.

With Rich being sweet (well he is, I'm trying to run away).

Crazy colored acorn squash.

We were put in the stocks for our various offenses.

Lindsay was even put in a witch's potion with a laughing charm on it.

When the car was filled with pumpkins, squash and potatoes we went further east to Greenport for beer, but that is a story for later.

Friday Night recap

2011-10-20T12:51:00.000-04:00

Sorry I've been a bit distant from the blog lately, I've just been really stressed out about a number of things. My job isn't shaping up to be what I thought it would, and after turning down another great job I'm feeling a bit scattered. If you read the blog you also know that I was recently in North Carolina visiting my dad which always leaves me in an emotional wasteland for weeks because I wish I could see my dad everyday (this leads to me avoiding him so I don't get more upset which further exacerbates the cycle...but enough psychology for today). Then, my car, which I go weeks without driving because I take my bike everywhere, needed $500 dollars worth of work. $500 dollars that I would have spent on a purse. It's a disgusting amount of money for one thing, but I'd much rather have spent it on something pretty than on brakes.
Anyway, last Friday night (which was actually before the whole car thing), LK and Rich came with me to Manhattan for my friend Adam's birthday party at Destination Bar on 2nd and Ave. A.
It was EXACTLY what I needed.
Here's how I looked: Topshop sweater, Betsey Johnson dress, Lucky brand boots

On the train we had beers and goofed around, and we met up with AJ at Penn Station and headed downtown to the bar.

Destination Bar has really cool jello shots with candies and fun flavors. I favored the fuzzy navel, but there were margaritas and PB&J flavors too.

Jade, my roommate from college came to meet us! I haven't seen her in weeks. Rich also bought me a rose, which I carried all night and is now sitting in a cup next to my bed. After this I put the camera away and spent the night catching up with everyone.

Call it Spring at JCPenney Giveaway

2011-10-17T22:27:00.000-04:00

Call it Spring shoes are at JCPenney! To spread the word they are offering a giveaway for a $50 dollar gift card here on my blog. My favorite shoes are the Beechum Loafers in every color, from the British Country collection. The Kearsley tote is adorable and surprisingly affordable.

In order to enter:
1) Follow Happy, Honey & Lark
2) Leave me a comment with your favorite item from Call it Spring and your email address
3) For extra entries style an outfit in Polyvore and for each Call it Spring item available from JCPenney you use you will get an extra shot to win! Don't forget to post me a link.

The giveaway will end next Monday night, October 24, 2011 at 10:30PM

last day of magic

2011-10-13T22:42:00.002-04:00

I felt a little witchy today.

h&m tutu skirt, h&m boots, J Crew sweater, vintage belt, abercrombie denim jacket, vintage hat, halogen purse, pink poodle by MAC lipstick

They’re singing Rococo, Rococo

2011-10-12T21:34:00.001-04:00

Today there was lots of contorting into odd shapes in my chair, sucking down pumpkin flavored coffee, motivating myself with Arcade Fire and staying warm in my sweater. I just threw on the dress I wore out to dinner last night with my new Topshop sweater and some pants and flats and called it a day. My mom has a saying, "When in doubt of what to wear, dress like a cowboy." My take on this, is when in doubt (lazy) dress like its the 90's. There are so many grungy combos that include cuddly cozy sweaters for days like this.

Oh hey crazy face!
Topshop sweater, Vintage dress, BDG pants, Juicy bracelet, no-name watch, Halogen purse

Betty Draper and a neutral palate

2011-10-11T23:04:00.000-04:00

I've been watching so much Mad Men its infiltrating my outfits. Even though I work in advertising I just never got around to it until about 2 weeks ago and now I'm already through the first 3 seasons. This seemingly never ending cold has left me with long evenings to lay in bed and marathon my way through it on Netflix. I cough and blow my nose while everyone looks impeccable, elegantly sipping drinks and talking fast. It makes me feel so much better.
Betty Draper is the best character to look at. The best. She's always wearing gorgeous colors and silhouettes and has the prettiest clothes and hair, so today I channelled her a bit in neutral toned clothes and a vintage lucite hair clip from the 60's.

H&M striped sweater, Betsey Johnson eyelet skirt from the outlet store, thrifted Candies flats, Halogen purse, vintage tortoiseshell hair clip

Red Orange Gold

2011-10-08T21:50:00.001-04:00

I'm in North Carolina for the weekend visiting my dad, and while I'm here (watching Bridesmaids with my family...probably not my best suggestion for chillin with my dad and stepmom what with the raunchiness and the cursing) so I'm feeding my Etsy addiction in order to not feel too awkward. I'll probably be really sad/mad at you if you buy any of these things and I can't have them. I won't, I'm just kidding (I will). Can you tell I'm having a serious autumn colors craze?

Red hooded scarf from Zukas

1950's Burnt Orange Velvet Party dress from Quarries

Vintage Millinery Flower Brooch Velvet Nasturtiumsfrom Antoinette's Whims

Penny Farthing Totes from The Bold Banana

Mushroom Dress from Agnes The Owl

50's plaid full-skirt dress from Simplicity is Bliss

Scallop Neckwarmer in Oatmeal from Janelle Haskin

1970's Mustard Tribal Sweater from Prose and Palaver

Hippie Peasant Dress from Majik Horse

Sweater weather wishlist

2011-10-07T15:28:00.000-04:00

Sweater weather by kallieish featuring vintage style sunglasses

Sweater Weather 2 by kallieish featuring mid heels

Sweater weather 3 by kallieish featuring velvet shoes

Masquerade Saturday

2011-10-06T20:08:00.000-04:00

On Saturday night I went to Williamsburg for a masquerade birthday party for Ida's friends Chris and Rob. While we were getting dressed and adjusting masks the rain came down like it was the end of the world. So Loni, Ida and I swilled our whiskey and took silly pictures around the apartment until our cab came. Unfortunately with the rain, my camera had to stay at home.
Ida DJ'd

We attempted to take some outfit pictures.

Then we went crazy with Photobooth

Outfit nostalgia on a chilly morning

2011-10-05T11:55:00.002-04:00

Sometimes I get weird and nostalgic about clothes. Where they came from, if I've had them for a long time.
The past two outfits have included pullover sweaters from 2005. It was a very good year for sweaters because yesterday I wore another one that I bought as a senior in high school. Or rather, my mom bought it for me when I headed off to college in the fall of '05. We thought it was appropriate because it has "professor patches" on the elbows.
My Abercrombie jacket is from way back in 2003 that a friend bought for me to replace my GAP one that she left on a train. I think of how badly I wished I could be one of the girls with the shiny hair and the perfect put together outfits from Abercrombie. What the heck was I thinking? I guess that I just wanted to fit in...until I realized how lame that is.
There's also a silk scarf from Thailand that I wrapped around my neck to keep me warm on my bike ride, and I always think of the huge market in Bangkok when I wear it. Its kind of dorky, oh well.

H&M dress, GAP sweater (2005), Abercrombie jacket (I thought about it and realized its from 2003!), Thai silk scarf, Target socks, Modcloth booties, Pinzon via Urban Outfitters bag, Old Ross 3-Speed

"These butterflies have got to be murdered."

2011-10-03T22:07:00.002-04:00

Ah, Blair Waldorf, Season 1. She's always been my favorite because she has all the best lines and the best clothes. My friends were telling me this weekend about watching the first season of Gossip Girl and I went digging around for the best of Blair quotes (which I used for my post title). I didn't realize I'd channeled the queen bee herself a bit in my outfit until after I took the pictures.

H&M chambray shirt, Petit Bateau sweater, AA skirt, vintage Etienne Aigner loafers, Halogen purse

Painted Ladies of the North Fork

2011-10-02T22:32:00.001-04:00

I've been in love with brilliantly colored homes since I discovered painted ladies from the Victorian and Edwardian years. You may have seen pictures of these colorful beauties from San Francisco, New Orleans or Cape May. While on vacation in Greenport the houses were brilliantly colored, some with delicate details. Some don't fit the exact description of a painted lady (more than three colors), but they all caught my eye as I biked past.
This one was my absolute favorite! I would move in tomorrow.

Wells House Bed & Breakfast

A life-sized gingerbread house.

If I was able to climb the side of this house, it would show the intricate wood details in shades of blues and reds.

Part lighthouse, part wedding-cake.

The Blue Church, and the little Blue Church birdhouse. I am determined to get a better picture next time I'm there.

An eye-catching storefront.

And just for fun, here is my house!

Sweater weather, stay forever

2011-09-29T08:03:00.000-04:00

An outfit from last Tuesday on the perfect sweater weather day. Nothing beats bare legs and a sweater. Also, here is my new spot for taking pictures inside for when the days get short and cold.

Vintage leopard dress and locket, sweater my friend gave me in 2004, H&M shoes and socks, CoverGirl Natureluxe gloss balm in Anemone

Claws out

2011-09-29T00:20:00.001-04:00

I was going to write about my outfit, but instead I need to rant a little. I love to read Refinery29, but sometimes I forget the primary readership is college and high school students. I commented on the article about fancy nail designs that they are great and I can't wait to try some on vacation, though I don't have time on the regular for it. Someone replied in a condescending way that I should do it while I watch a movie.
Right. I don't have enough time to decorate my nails and wait for them to fully dry, so of course I have plenty of time for movie watching (please note my sarcasm). Someone else chimed in helpfully that their "BFF Mia has time!" Good for her, and I mean that.
That being said I also work all day (out the door at 7:30 in the morning and not home until 7pm) and like to cook, spend time with my boyfriend and friends, and blog, all of which I only have a limited amount of time to do after my long day of commuting+working. I would much rather spend that free time on the weekend with my friends or out doing things. Sure, I paint my nails from time to time and I wish I could do it more often but frankly, its the sitting still and waiting for it to dry that makes me feel like I'm wasting my limited free time. Multi-tasking and nail-art do not mix and I don't want to get nail polish all over my computer if I blog while waiting for them to dry. I've tried this and it ends in disaster and nail polish on my computer screen, keyboard, and somehow in my hair. Just painting them a solid color can be a daunting task that gets put off time and time again in favor of clean and neatly groomed.
Today someone paid me a great compliment, "Your work-life balance is impressive." I appreciate that more than they know because I am thoughtful of it. I work smarter, not longer in my work and personal life. I'm choosy in how and with whom I spend my time and I draw firm lines between work and not-work. There is very little bullshit, seeing my friends and family and boyfriend means a lot more to me that having fancy fingernails. Sometimes its fun and I feel pretty but only when it doesn't interfere with anything I deem more important. Plenty of people think my blog is a waste of time, but then where would this rant go?
My comment was meant to be a little cheeky, but nice nonetheless because the ideas are great. It was more in the vein of, "I'd love to do this when I've got a little free time, thanks for the tips."
The replies were meant to be obnoxious.
Sometimes the Internet makes me so annoyed. I shouldn't even waste my time thinking about this. Maybe then I'd have time for a movie and a nail-art sesh! (Yea, I'm rolling my eyes)
Part of this is coming from the fact that I'm in the middle of a big work decision and my stress level is at an all time high. Throw a neverending sinus infection on top of it and you get an incredibly irate Kallie. Blogging, reading online mags like R29 and commenting is my place to think about something else. To just immerse myself in something completely "other" from my job is a teeny break in the daily routine. The problem is the frustration I feel when people think they are being cute or helpful when they clearly know nothing about me.

The Blankey Dress

2011-09-27T11:37:00.000-04:00

When Michal was in New York we spent a chunk of our shopping day at Buffalo Exchange where I found this gorgeous Stella McCartney sweater sitting there on the rack with a $32 price tag on it. In the dressing room I said something like, "It feels like floating in clouds of butter." Michal told me I had to buy it. I'm happy I did because its like a baby blankey as a dress. The super soft, but light fabric feels like rolling myself up in my baby blankey as a little girl. Luckily its designed quite a bit better than wrapping myself up like a sausage.
After buying it Saturday I wore it on both Sunday and Monday and no less than 4 people came up to me to tell me how beautiful my sweater is. With the knitted tiers, the floppy bow, and the slightly A-line cut this is easily an item I will never have buyer's remorse about and never be uncomfortable wearing.

Stella McCartney sweater dress, BDG pants, Abercrombie denim jacket, Cooperative purse, Kork Ease Sandals

This is one of my all time favorite YouTube videos. I have a blankey, his name is Blankey (and he may or may not be in my backpack). Maybe one day I'll photograph him in all his raggedy glory. For now, content yourselves with this advertising gem.

Garnett Jewelry

2011-09-26T21:08:00.000-04:00

In July Ringo, Have A Banana hosted a giveaway of Aimee Munford's handmade double-pointed crystal necklace on her blog and I was the winner. I've had the necklace for quite awhile but I wanted to share some pictures of it with you, and a few more of Aimee's designs. When I entered the giveaway I discovered her line, Garnett Jewelry. They remind me of Ancient Mesopotamian art in the pieces of lapis lazuli, and the gold and onyx triangle necklace. Almost every one of her designs is something I'm drawn to. This beautiful smoky purple crystal on a silver chain is a wonderful addition to my jewelry collection.