j. crew and the beanstalk

Last fall, I saw this J. Crew ad, which kind of changed my life (in a superficial sort of way):

It was because of this ad that I bought a pair of grey skinny jeans and exclaimed with glee when I found this ruffled blouse at the Bargain Boutique. I already had this grey blazer for professional purposes, and I bought some gold buttons to rework it into something a little more casual and less corporate, but never got around to it.

Oh well, it still works! One year later, here is my half-hearted interpretation of that stellar J. Crew style:

(blazer: Macy's; blouse: Bargain Boutique; jeans: PacSun; shoes: Seychelles)

As you may have noticed, my photos have defaulted to the back alley once again. I was overcome with stress while trying to set up photo shoots this weekend and just threw up my arms about the whole thing. I hope you will bear with me, even if my background isn't terribly exciting. One thing that is pretty exciting: the little beanstalk growing behind me! (Okay, not a real beanstalk, just a tallish plant. But still.)

take two

So, long story short: I think I am going to wear this to the wedding, instead of attempting to recreate one of the elaborate red dress ensembles that I put to a vote last week (I know, what a flake!) Truth be told, I was hemming and hawing about the hemming I would have to do to make the red dress evening-appropriate, and I just decided to postpone the alterations for a less-stressful time. Instead, I will most likely step out in an old favorite (also from Modcloth), in mock-Louboutin's (a $25 bargain!), sparkly danglies, and grey nail polish. Simply, classy, summery. Oui?

in the trenches

I have been on the hunt for the perfect, classic trenchcoat for aaaaaaages. My mother is all too aware of this fact, especially because I basically forced her to purchase a trenchcoat against her will because it was just a little bit too big for me. It's a hard life for a short person.

At long last, my quest has come to an end. This weekend K and I took a little road trip to Boston for some wedding clothes and, while I purchased nothing of use for those purposes, I did happen upon this perfect small-person trench coat at H&M for $50. Which I promptly purchased.

I'm kind of infatuated with it. The remainder of the weekend was spent wearing black, tying my hair in a bun, and enjoying the appropriately rainy weather. Not only does this coat fit me like a glove, the lining is navy-and-white striped! How perfect can you get?

(trench: H&M; dress: Marshall's; boots: ALDO)

Also, while shopping for wedding shoes (my plans have changed... stay tuned for a new ensemble), I discovered the most perfect shoes ever made (by Poetic Licence), which I must own ASAP:

They are just a SMIDGE out of the ol' price range, especially considering I can't even afford to buy bread (which, for a carb-o-holic like myself is seriously unfortunate). But a girl can dream :) Also, my bangs are in serious need of a snip. I look like Cousin It's cousin.

a wedding for the win

Hey friends, big news! Remember when I mentioned that I had entered the Clothes Horse Modcloth giveaway and I got all excited about Polyvore and what a brilliant time-suck it was? Well guess what?! Miracle of miracles, joy of joys, I won!! I now have a brand, spanking new dress to wear to the upcoming wedding (and I didn't even have to drop a dime... unlike last time, which ended up being the most expensive article of clothing I've ever bought--more than both prom dresses combined!) But anyway! Now the trouble is deciding how to style it. After playing with Polyvore for a while, I came up with a few options and I would love your input!!

Option A: Animal Magnetism

I originally styled this dress (for the contest) with the same sort of animalistic accessories, but the boots were far too daytime for a fancy wedding. I'm loving the leopard trend lately (and although I happen to disagree with K's opinion that it "looks trashy," I am un petit peu worried that less-than-fashion-forward Vermonters in attendance at this event might raise eyebrows and whatnot). Also, the only leopard shoes I like (so far) are Jimmy Choos, which I can't even begin to afford.

Option B: Glitters is Gold

Are peacock earrings totally passe? I don't know if I care, because I still love them--but I'm curious! This is the safer option--gold, gold, gold and a fantastic beaded purse with a similar sort of peacock-plume iridescence. I think it's also probably a little bit classier, as opposed to trendy.



Option C: Contemporary Flapper

This option is very basic and, in my opinion, a bit of a yawn. However, the subdued accessories will tone down the vibrancy of my vavavoom red dress and keep me flying under the radar around the wedding party (everyone will be black-on-black). I love the feather purse and the fact that the earrings look like miniature chandeliers.



Option D: Feathers and Furs

Once again with the feather earrings and leopard print... this look is maybe a bit too casual? I can't decide. I like the turquoise accessories but they don't scream 'evening.' I like the leopard clutch because it's small and simple and the colors coordinate really well with the earrings. But again, perhaps it's too much like something I would wear to a less formal affair?

What are your thoughts? Option A, B, C, or D? Mind you, I do not currently own any of the above accessories so this may come down to a whatever-I-can-find-fast-and-cheap decision... but I'm curious about what you think! And thank you so, so much to Rebecca for conspiring with Modcloth to bring me so much joy!

craggle rock

While I appreciate the army/cargo trend, it's not really my style, so I have no intention of purchasing a new cargo coat or anything of the sort. That said, I did happen to have this DKNY vest laying around and since I bought these great boots I figured now was as good a time to give it a second life. Of course, I had to add a little bit of bohemia to make it mine (the scarf).

(belt bracelet!)

I've been meaning to do a little photo shoot under this bridge since K and I came here a few weekends ago for some fishing. The lighting turned out to be a little bit weird, but I think it works with the mood, even if I had to toss a bunch of backlit photos of the bridge because they were so washed out by the setting sun.

(dress/belt: Old Navy; vest: DKNY via TJMaxx; scarf/belt bracelet: Bargain Boutique; boots: Seychelles)

I found this half of a rusty (toy?) pistol on the rocks, and my tripod ended up doubling as a prop because it's so awesome. I usually use K's tripod for my outfit photos but he was gallavanting through the countryside taking pictures of churches so I had to be resourceful. I bought this tripod (and the vintage 8 mm camera atop it) for $25 at an antique store last year, and it's been used for merely decorative purposes--until yesterday!

maine

"She only cared for the sea when it was lashed to fury by the storm, and for verdure when it served as a background to a ruin. Everything must needs minister to her personal longings, as it were, and she thrust aside as of no account whatever everything that did not immediately contribute to stir the emotions of her heart, for her temperament was sentimental rather than artistic, seeking, not pictures, but emotions."

(Gustave Flaubert, Madame Bovary)

I love the coast of Maine for its craggy cliffs and rough, romantic surf. The waves don't loll lazily onto the sand like they do at the Cape--they throw themselves masochistically on the shore, crashing against the rocks like a woman, overcome. There is something so poetic and passionate about that.

What a wonderful weekend :)

poisonous pesto from the urban jungle

I'll admit, I am not in love with this outfit. It just doesn't feel very "me," you know? However, I bought this funky crop top at the start of the summer ($2!) and felt like I just had to wear it at least once before banishing it to the back of my closet (or handing it off to Goodwill). I think the real problem is the shorts. I was hoping for a dark wash, high-rise pair to pop up in one of my usual thrifting spots and had no luck, so I tried to make these work... meh.

The shirt has a dark tropical print, which immediately struck me as urban jungle-esque, hence the back alley location.

(crop top/shorts: Bargain Boutique; shoes: GoJane.com)

I had a lovely evening last night--ate a big spinach/avocado/tomato/balsamic salad with pesto on toast, painted my fingernails, read my very first VOGUE as a subscriber (instead of filching previous issues from my mother when she was finished with them), and watched Breakfast at Tiffany's. It was pretty indulgent. This morning, however, it became quite evident that I have finally been poisoned by the post-sell-by-date pesto that has been lurking in the back of the fridge all summer. I feel like my stomach is trying to escape from my body. Not to sound melodramatic or anything, but if I never blog again I'm probably dead. Death by Pesto. What a way to go...