looking back: apr-june 2011

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

2010

a wallop of scallop

Ta-da! Here is yesterday's outfit, brought to you by my sneaky Photobucket maneuvering (creating a second account), as mine is still out of commission. Why did I decide to pay for this, again? In their original state, these shorts were basically gaucho monstrosities, hitting just above the knee. The first time I wore them I just rolled up the pant legs because I wasn't so sure what I wanted to do with them, but finally I decided to buckle down and experiment with the scallop trend. Please pardon the severe wrinkling going on here--apparently these shorts don't take well to sitting (note to self: only wear shorts when walking and standing). Other than that, I quite love them. Even if the scallops are incredibly uneven.

(blouse/hat/shorts: thrifted; socks: uo; shoes: seychelles)

It was definitely a nice day yesterday, but we've had some severe flooding around here as a result of the sudden sunshine. Every field along the river is now a lake, and some of the roads have closed as a result of our descent into Waterworld. I'm really pushing for a sunny spring weekend, but at least I'll probably get more work done if it's miserable outside.

Anyway, I'm basically burnt out from all the rage I've been directing at Photobucket over the past 24 hours, so I'm going to duck out. Today I really am crawling up over the hump until the bitter end: work, laundry, gym, washing dishes... but come tomorrow morning I'll be back in the game and I'm excited for the rest of the week!

**EDIT: I just want to give credit where credit is due!! I used THIS super-helpful tutorial, in case anybody is thinking about attempting the DIY. Happy scalloping! :)**

nut-brown skirt

What an exhausting week! My sleep schedule is completely screwed up, and it's not even because of Daylight Savings. I seem unable to force myself to go to bed at a reasonable hour and I certainly pay for it every morning. After work last night I had rehearsal for our gig tomorrow out at my parents' house that went longer than expected and when I got home (an hour later) I wasn't tired enough to go to sleep. The road out to Woodbury was a muddy mess and I was a little afraid that I might get stuck--in my hometown we have two additional seasons each year, mud season (right about now) and bug season (when the mosquitos and black flies come out). I'm serious, the mud is madness.

(turtleneck dress: american apparel; skirt/belt: goodwill; boots: aldo; scarf: vintage; hat: vintage, gift; coat: sears)

I wanted to give my coat another chance to shine on the blog before I put it away for spring and summer. We're not there yet, but it's definitely starting to warm up and pretty soon I'll be swapping out the winter wear for leather and denim and jackets, oh my! Also, this skirt may be my new favorite. It was calf-length when I found it at Goodwill (they should rename it Goodskirts, I always get so lucky!), but I could tell that the full skirt and the heavy wool would make for a really fabulous mini. It's not exactly S/S material, but you can bet I'll be wearing it non-stop until it makes me sweat :)

I feel like I'm cheating on color a little bit today. I was really enjoying my brights earlier this week, so I'm not entirely sure what happened here except that I was half asleep when I got dressed. I did try to spiff up the outfit a little bit with the addition of my burgundy belt and fancy blue tights, but it is a pretty gloomy day outside so I guess the darker hues are appropriate. You can bet I'll be going green tomorrow!

modcloth monday

Despite the haze, this morning felt decidedly like springtime. I walked outside to the smell of wet soil and the sound of chirping birds and reveled in the moderate temperatures. And then I spent my entire commute trapped behind a salt brine truck, so I suppose we're not quite there yet... despite Daylight Savings :)

(dress: modcloth; tights: hue; shoes: seychelles)

This dress was one of the beauties I snatched up during the Modcloth Cabin Fever sale, and I absolutely adore it (even if it is incredibly staticky). The print is perfection, the asymmetrical peter pan collar is quaint-as-can-be, and I think it looks spectacular paired with these bright tights and my go-to shoes (new week, challenge over).

I am not feeling particulary verbose today... it is Monday, after all. I spent my weekend daydreaming about how nice it would be to travel the world, singing Irish folk songs, watching indie movies and making macaroons...

looking back: apr-june 2010

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

the old man and the sweater

I can't get enough of this hat.

Did you notice that I was MIA from the blogosphere yesterday? Don't answer that. Anyway, there was a quite logical explanation for my absence: I woke up, took one look at the raging blizzard outside my window, and went back to sleep. And then went to work. There was no way I was setting foot outside in the snow. I'm trying not to get too political about it, but winter, I boycott you.

Luckily, by the time I returned home that evening, the sun was shining (albeit setting) and the chill factor was down to a much more endurable level.

Melting snow did drip on me, so in case you were wondering what those weird discolorations on my jeans were... it's water. I promise. I'm not gross enough to take outfit photos with crusty leftover champagne on my pants.

I snatched up this sweater years ago when a good friend of mine was cleaning out her closet for donation, and I've never really worn it in public because it's so bulky. I like it paired with the skinny jeans, flat oxfords and hat because it's just the right balance of casual and classic and keeps it from looking too eighties-early-nineties.

Is it the weekend yet?? I'm really excited because a) I don't have any body-exhausting building projects planned and b) K and I are going to do some serious antiquing for our new apartment :) I love spending a long leisurely day driving through the countryside and dropping in at all of the quiet little shops on the back roads. I might also convince him to do a little bit of regular thrift shopping in town... I'm realizing that the reason I've been sticking to my menswear-inspired looks lately is that I don't have any spring skirts! All of my skirts are wool, which isn't particularly appropriate for eighty-degree weather... so I need to work on acquiring some flirty florals and airy ruffles for the spring and summer seasons.

Also, I must have these shorts:

(TopShop, via Cupcakes and Cashmere)

I may also was to drop in at the fabric store so I can actually start some sewing projects in my spare time! I really want to make this happen! Any tips for sewing satisfactory summer garments? I want these:

(Sally Scott S/S 2010, via Sally Jane Vintage)