Shades of Green

Sweater: H&M, Blazer: Anthropologie, Skirt: Zara, Tights: We Love Colors, Shoes: Nine West

Meanwhile, over at Tumblr...

If you don't want to wait around here while I get my life together, check out my Tumblr (part of the archive, above)- I try to post a few times a day while I'm taking breaks from work.

Apres Ski

Sweater: J.Crew, Vest: Lilly Pulitzer, Scarf: Tommy Hilfiger, Pants & Jacket: Gap, Socks: H&M, Boots: Ugg, Hat: Urban Outfitters

Last week's theme in my fashion class was apres-ski. It was actually the theme I suggested. Though I've only been skiing once (on a girl scout trip in elementary school) I love the idea of the wintry glamour of places like Aspen. Unfortunately it was about 40 degrees when we had class so I couldn't wear every piece of attire I wanted, but I think I made a pretty good facsimile of what I would wear if I were vacationing at a ski resort (or in my own chalet).

The Pattern Game

Sweater: Forever 21, Skirt: H&M, Tights: Milly for Hue, Boots: Frye

A little break

It's only been two days since I last posted but it feels like forever because I'm so busy. With class work, extracurricular activities and cover letters, I feel like I barely have time to slow down and take time for myself. I have a whole list of things I want to write posts about, but I've hardly got the time. So it might be quiet here (posting less, with less content per post) for a while, but I promise I'll be back soon, if only for my sanity.

Earlier in the Week

 Shirt & Sweater Vest: Old Navy, Skirt: H&M, Tights & Shoes: Target

Concealer Days

Shirt & Jeans: Forever 21, Boots: Liz Claiborne

You ever have one of those days where you wake up feeling terrible and spend the day completely drained of energy? I call those types of days 'concealer days' because I inevitably have to use approximately a metric ton of concealer to cover up the dark circles under my eyes so that I look more 'college student' and less 'wife of the crypt keeper.' Yesterday was one of those days. Running on a lot less sleep than I needed with a huge to-do list (that included an hour-long excursion between classes to go to the post office and drop $100 on postage for envelopes in which to send my resumes and cover letters) I had planned on taking a nap after classes were done. Instead I ended up writing a cover letter for a job that I applied for (that I really really want) and making a quiche. Luckily my busy day ended early and I was in bed by 10, curled up with Jane Eyre on my Kindle.

Power of Pink

Sweater: H&M, Skirt: Zara, Tights: Target, Shoes: Aldo, Vest: Lilly Pulitzer.

I woke up yesterday morning seriously tired - not a good start to a Monday morning. Even after my regular coffee (and an afternoon triple-shot latte) I was still exhausted. On days like that, there's really only one thing to do in order to lift my spirits and it lies in wearing bright colors. Maybe it sounds silly, but wearing something bright really lifts my mood when caffeine isn't living up to its promises. This Lilly Pulitzer vest might be the brightest thing in my wardrobe and paired with my red skirt, I felt like a valentine - the perfect thing to get me out of my funk.

Rekindled

I had been considering it for a while and last week I finally placed an order for a Kindle. Both my mother and sister have them and love them and though I will always love books, I liked the idea of being able to have a smaller, lighter mode of carrying multiple books with me. Since I received my Kindle on Saturday I've read the first four Pretty Little Liars books (don't judge), started on Jane Eyre, and done the reading for two of my classes (sending PDFs to the Kindle for the win) on my new little device. I'm pretty much obsessed with it and am excited that I can now spend more of my free time while I'm at school reading without adding more clutter to my room.

Interview

This week's theme was Conde Nast interview

Shirt: H&M, Blazer: Anthropologie, Skirt: J.Crew, Tights: Kohl's, Booties: Nine West, Bag: Dooney&Bourke

While this isn't exactly what I would wear for such an interview (I'm wearing two pairs of tights, neither of which are the black I was looking for) and I might opt for a different shirt and shoes (the frigid temperatures and icy sidewalks kept me out of regular pumps), but the blazer, skirt and bag are definitely part of my future interview outfit. I asked for the blazer and skirt for Christmas thinking of them as more professional pieces for my future professional wardrobe. The booties were also on my Christmas list, and though they didn't show up under the tree physically, I was able to get them for over half-off about a week ago.

Frostbite Express

Shirt: Lands' End, Vest: Zara, Pants: Ann Taylor, Boots: Frye, Bracelets: H&M, gift, Francesca's Collections, Ettika

My school runs something called the Frostbite Express. It's a shuttle that only runs when the windchill goes below zero degrees. Though it's nice that the shuttle runs, taking us to class on a more frequent schedule than the usual bus, but the name only serves to remind us that, should we walk home from class, we could actually get frostbite. So in order to prepare for the exceptionally frigid temperatures I did something I don't do all that often - wear pants. Turns out, by the time I got in from my 15 minute walk back from class, my thighs were just as numb as my face, but hey, I tried.

A Piece of Advice

People who do stupid things (and acknowledge that said things were stupid) often give good advice.

Dress: H&M, Tights: Hue, Booties: ModCloth

So here's my piece of advice: If you, by any chance, are to injure your knee (especially during the colder months when there's ice on every sidewalk) do not wear heels the next day. Here's the deal: Injured knee = slow walking, heels = slow walking, icy sidewalks = slow walking. Injured knee  + heels + icy sidewalks = super slow walking. And when it's below freezing, you want to be walking as fast as possible. As you might have guessed, I banged up my knee a bit yesterday when I tripped and fell up some stairs - somehow I've never slipped and fallen on the ice during an Evanston winter, but a normal staircase can trip me up. And instead of sacrificing my planned outfit today, I went ahead and wore heels anyway and regretted it every time I was standing or walking. My knees treat me as if I've already entered my twilight years anyway, especially when it's cold, so they were none too pleased. Hell hath no fury like a knee joint scorned.

Winter Essential

Sweater: H&M, Dress (as skirt) & Hat: Urban Outfitters, Tights: Hue, Boots: Ugg

(I have no idea why I look so angry in these pictures.) On days like today where the snow is flying and the wind is blowing, I'm thankful that I purchased this faux fur hat. The soft, warm headpiece is one of my winter essentials.Not only does it keep my head dry, but it keeps my entire head warm, thanks to those earflaps. Though I know I may look slightly ridiculous wearing it, especially since during the winter my style basically equates to normal outfit + snow boots, but it's one of those things where I just don't care. Like my giant periwinkle parka, it's just one of those things where function > form. (But I think the hat is pretty cute.)

Working for the Weekend

When I was getting dressed on Saturday, I found myself thinking about what my ideal weekend outfit would be. One that could take me through most seasons with a rotation of accessories that would be perfect for shopping, brunch or just sitting around reading a book.

Clockwise from top right: ModCloth Sweater, Kate Spade Earrings, Ettika Bracelet Stack, Banana Republic Cross-body Bag, J.Crew Ballet Flat, Gap Jeans 

In the fall and spring I could wear this outfit completely as is, maybe adding a light jacket if it was chilly. In summer, swapping the jeans for a pair of shorts would make it heat appropriate. And in winter, switching out the flats for riding boots and adding some cold weather gear (a coat, scarf and hat/gloves as needed) would make it perfect for Saturday afternoon hot chocolate trips.

Barbie Colors

I don't usually pay all that much attention to what I'm wearing on the weekend, but because I was meeting a friend who I don't usually see to go to the movies, I decided I better look nice.

Sweater: J.Crew, Shirt: Ralph Lauren, Jeans: Forever 21, Shoes: Topshop

Rifling through my stack of sweaters, I decided on this fuchsia one from J.Crew, but then I had a dilemma about what to wear under it. Even though a pink and purple combination can skew a little Barbie or 5-year-old celebrating Valentine's Day, I decided I thought the combination was just the right amount of fun to make up for the jeans. Before heading out I changed my flats for boots, due to the layer of snow, slush and ice on the ground and threw on my faux fur coat from the Gap.