in which i've got new shoes in the shade

It seems a shame to take photos in the shade when it is so gloriously sunny outside, but the blinding light just isn't working out. There has to be some sort of happy medium, but I haven't discovered what it might be yet. I need a yard.

(dress/tunic: tjmaxx; hat/belt: thrifted; necklace: diy; shoes: tilly's)

I received an enormous box of shoes in the mail yesterday--hooray! These wedges are basically meant to replace my favorite sandals from last summer, which are looking a little bit worse for wear (and wedges are more fun anyway, right?). I do have to exchange one pair of the wedges I ordered because they don't fit, even though they were the same size as the other two pairs. Such is life and sizing.

This dress was part of another major haul (I'm buying in bulk lately--whoops), which also resulted in this dress. I almost didn't buy it because the apples are rather autumnal, and, well--wrong season. But obviously I bought it anyway. I think I can probably get some good use out of it while it's warm, since it is sleeveless and all, and it will be perfect when autumn eventually rolls around again (as it tends to do).

Hope you're all having wonderful Wednesdays, and that it's as warm where you are as it is here!

in which i'm dreaming of a white christmas (and an irish holiday)

It's raining today. What the heck is that about? Weather like this takes me back to the bus trip I took across Ireland in December of 2006. An adventure like that is starting to look mighty good right about now--lately I've been craving dark pubs, thick stout, long rides through foreign countrysides, and lively music in the night.

(turtleneck dress: american apparel; polka dot dress: forever 21; scarf: thrifted; boots: seychelles; hat/socks: stolen from mom)

Tonight is Christmas Eve for K and me, and I took the day off tomorrow in true holiday fashion. We did some serious shopping last night, hitting Church Street and then working our way through the outskirts of the city.

It was a lovely evening :)

Oh, and I miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight have bought myself a pair of super-sparkly glitter heels at the mall. Because I like shiny things.

in which i like loafers (and loafing around)

So, it's Monday once again. I'm still getting used to the settings on my camera, so please bear with me... these are still a bit overexposed. This outfit was one of those that just came together without much stress or pain (there's something to be said for that on a Monday morning--maybe it's a sign that this will be a good week). At the last minute, I remember that I finally got my Lulu*s loafers from my mom this weekend (it's been quite the process, shipping to my parent's house back at the beginning of August, exchanging for a new pair at the very last minute, shipping to my parent's house again, and finally putting them on my feet). I think they bring the outfit together perfectly.

(blouse/skirt/belt/scarf: thrifted; blazer: vintage; tights: hue; shoes: lulu*s)

I had a great weekend, even though I went 0 for 2 on my "goals" and ended up being a bit of a bum instead (I'll allow it). Friday I was supposed to go out for karaoke with my gal pals, but was so completely burnt out at the end of an exhausting week that I rescheduled a hang-out for Saturday night, and spent the evening watching documentaries with K instead (Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work and 21 Up [third in the Up series--check it out, it's pretty fascinating]). I guess I'm on quite the documentary kick.

Saturday my mom and I went to Burlington to get new phones, and mine is so pretty I keep picking it up and looking at it. It's not fancy or anything, but it's so fresh and new :) I'm trading in all of my beat up old technological devices for shiny replacements! Anyway, we went out for some Mexican food and margaritas (always good fun--thanks mom!) and picked up my lady friends for a wine night back at my place. We skyped in our friend who is currently out in Portland, and had a lovely evening huddled around the living room with maybe a few too many bottles of vino. The next morning K joined in for brunch at On the Rise, and after taking them home I spent the rest of the day half-napping and watching old favorite films. So no running, no writing, but lots of good people and good times :) Sometimes that's more important anyway.

I definitely feel refreshed and rejuvenated, and I'm ready to take on this week (and so glad to be back in my yellow tights after a summerlong hiatus)!

in which i debut my gingerbread shoes

First order of business: new shoes!! Secondly, please disregard the spot on my face. At one point while taking these photos I brushed something off my cheek and ended up with a squashed mosquito and a bunch of blood on my hand (TMI?). I got a little freaked out, as I tend to do around blood that I'm not sure came out of my own body, but when I looked back at these photos it became quite apparent that the little devil had been happily suckling on my face for at least five frames. Isn't bug season over by now?

(dress/hat/belt: thrifted; sweater: h&m; shoes: poetic license)

I enjoy my new shoes :) They remind me of a gingerbread house, which is always a delight. Still being wishy-washy about whether or not to spring for the yellow (or if I should perhaps purchase an altogether different pair of yellow heels--I blame you, Steph)... I need a bigger closet.

Not feeling terribly loquacious today. Just trying to get over the hump. Excited for the weekend, optimistic about learning (basic) German and finishing a draft of my novel by the end of the year (!), generally pretty content (even though I have to do laundry tonight... blech).

in which i make like mustard

Ooooh boy, folks! Get ready to see lots of mustard yellow this fall :) It's my favorite color by far, and I already bought two H&M dresses in the shade, so if that's any indication of things to come... yeah. Lots of spicy mustard.

(dress: h&m; scarf: thrifted; boots: seychelles)

Speaking of mustard, remember how I went on and on about how much I really, really wanted these shoes?

Yeah... whoops. I did originally want the yellow, but the more I thought about it the more I wanted the brown (mostly because I know I would wear them more often, and if I had a bunch of money to throw around I could afford to buy shoes that were more outrageous). So I bought the brown. But I still really want the yellow! I'm so torn up about it :) I might end up buying both, but I'm trying not to spend so much money on clothes... anyway, if you spot some yellow oxfords on my feet in the coming weeks, you'll know I caved :)

Tonight I'm meeting up with a couple of ladyfriends to wander (or ride bikes) around Burlington for the Art Hop. I've never been, but I do have fond memories of the First Friday art walk from when I lived in Portland, OR (it was one of the first things my friend and I did when we moved out there), and I'm hoping that the Vermont version will be just as fabulous. My only other plans for this weekend so far = eat nachos. So obviously it's going to be a good one :)

Happy Friday!

in which i flatter my flappers

Sometimes I get a bit bored with everybody wearing stripes and going nautical all over the blogs at this time of year, and here I am joining the ranks. But it can't be avoided, stripes are just awesome.

(dress: old navy; skirt/shoes/scarf: thrifted; trench: h&m)

I bought this skirt weeks (months?) ago at Goodwill and planned to shorten it but have been too lazy lately. I do like the length, it just feels a bit like a wall of fabric on my small frame. The color here looks more red that it really is--it's more of a rust/burnt orange, which is one of my all-time favorite fall colors (but since it's not fall, I suppose the redder the better on ye olde blog). I feel like it's silly of me to want to shorten it, especially with the current midi/maxi trend in full force, but I know I won't get much wear out of it if I let it hang around my knees. We'll see. I might just never get around to it.

And I love these shoes. I can't believe they were $3, and in such perfect condition! I've mentioned before that I am definitely a shoe girl (and maybe a scarf girl). While some collect bags or jewelry, I hit the shoe rack. And we gals all know that shoes are always your friend--when you're having an off (read: fat) day and nothing seems to fit right, you can always find a pair of shoes that fits perfectly, elongates your legs, and make you feel lovely. That said, I think these are the most flattering shoes I own. They make my feet look so dainty and ladylike (which is not something that people generally say about my feet--K calls them my "flappers"). Thank heavens for the t-strap. It's just as slimming as the vertical stripe :)

Also, I'm so glad I posted about Myers-Briggs! It's been really interesting to hear what all of your personality types are :) I feel like I know so much more about you now! (PS: whoops on not posting yesterday... I rolled out of bed at the exact moment that I should have been rolling out of town in my car, and outfit photos just were not part of the picture.) PPS: Last night I watched "Somewhere" and totally loved it. I basically want to be Sofia Coppola.