Sweater Girl

Dress: H&M, Sweater: Target, Shoes: Urban Outfitters, Belt: unknown, Earrings: gift, Bracelets: H&M

I couldn't resist throwing a sweater on today, even as the temperatures climbed back into the 90s. I can't believe that the last days of August are upon us. It seems like just yesterday I was getting home from school. Thursday marks the last day of my internship and then I have two weeks to get myself ready to go back to school. I'm not sad though - almost everyone's gone and being at home's a bit lonely. And the next few weeks will be filled with back-to-school shopping, so who can be sad about that?

Magazine Monday

If I wasn't already taking inventory of my sweater situation (I was) then this editorial from Vogue would certainly have had me counting cable knits immediately. Whilst flipping through the magazine I fell in love with this editorial. While I might not look (at all) like Lara Stone, you can bet I'll be donning knits as soon as I possibly can. And hopefully styling them just as well, though less expensively.

Via Fashion Gone Rogue

Summer's decline

I started writing this post on July 1. So pretend it's still July and like Fall is still far away so the beginning of this doesn't sound completely insane.

Can we talk about something? I swear I'll whisper it quietly for those who don't want to hear. I want to talk about...fall. Yes I know it's still just July but I'm already thinking about it. It started with the Topshop lookbook, I think (more on that soon) and continued with a viewing of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Winter is cold in Sweden. The heavy sweaters and parkas somehow made me yearn for a chill in the air. Fall is my favorite season to get dressed for. For one thing, you can actually wear clothes. Summer is too much about wearing the least amount of clothing because it's too damn hot to go crazy with layers. But I like layers. Layers make me happy. And knee socks. Everyone looks at you like you're a crazy person if you wear knee socks in summer, at least around here. So I'm dedicating a post to my most favorite of seasons (to dress for), Fall. A time when knits, wool, tights and dark plaids return to my wardrobe.

As I said, this may have all started with the Topshop lookbook.

A plaid cape, thick cable-knit over-the-knee socks, fair isle sweaters and shearling trims? Sign me up. Immediately. Something about this collection made me thankful that I spend my falls in a place where it starts to develop a nip in the air fairly early in Autumn.
This fall I plan on returning (ha! like I ever left) to a very preppy kind of dress. Plaid skirts, thick sweaters, button-down shirts, vintage sweatshirts and simple dresses will hopefully compose most of my wardrobe. Throw in some pairs of jeans - yes, I might actually be making a return to the land of the pant-clad - knee socks, tights and boots and I'll be ready to go.
If there were one way to sum up my feelings about fall, it might just be the Tommy Hilfiger "Ultimate Tailgate" ad campaign with the faux Hilfiger family. I am in love with those ads. I want to live in them. They are my fantasy dream world. Unfortunately, I don't have the clams to hang with the imaginary Hilfigers (if I had $300 to spare it would immediately go to the high-heeled duck booties. Swoon.) but I can try to emulate the New England chic they're evoking.

How perfect would that 'H' Sweater be for me? I mean, that's two of my three initials!

Pics from Tommy Hilfiger
Expect more in the coming days and weeks about what I'm planning to wear for fall, what I wish I could wear for fall and of course, fashion week.

Do Not be Alarmed

Top: Nike, Leggings: of unknown origin, Shoes: Asics

Don't panic. Let me explain.
This morning, since the weather was just about the most gorgeous it's been all summer (high 70s, low humidity, sun shining) my mom and I walked to and from Starbucks for our breakfast (a little less than 2 miles, roundtrip) and so I put on some clothes appropriate for the walk. Then later I helped my mom in the garage and there never seemed to be a good reason to change. I wasn't going anywhere important. Thus, a whole day in athletic clothes. Don't worry though, this won't become a thing. (Oh, and don't worry about the new layout. I got bored.) I spent the rest of the day with some, ahem, educational (and weighty) reading that I picked up at Barnes & Noble last night. I'll be back in real clothes in no time and posting about fall fashion this weekend and probably every day until someone threatens to wring my neck (don't do that) because they're tired of hearing about it.

How much is that dolly in the window?

It's no secret I'm a doll fan. In fact, I got a new Barbie last weekend. She has an afro. She's awesome. But even more awesome? These Anna and Grace dolls:

Now that's some serious doll awesomeness right there. They're one of a kind and being auctioned off the New York City Aids Fund so there's absolutely no way I could get my hands on them, but a girl can dream, right?
Images from NY Times T magazine blog

More than Meets the Eye

Shirt: Old Navy, Skirt: H&M, Shoes: Naturalizer, Necklaces: gifts

This morning I knew exactly what I wanted to wear. There was just one problem - I couldn't find it in my wardrobe. Not like there was a piece missing, but I don't own what I wanted to wear. I wanted a longish high-waisted skirt that would cinch at the waist but flow out from there, just skimming the body. Unfortunately, I do not own such a skirt, and I fear it might haunt my dreams as I prepare for fall. Luckily, I decided to get a little bit crafty. There's more than meets the eye to my polka dot skirt. For it is not a skirt at all, not really. In fact, it is a dress:

A dress I've worn many times with shirts over and under and countless accessories. A dress that, shockingly, I wore exactly a year ago today (seriously, the date on that photo is 8/26/2009), which I just discovered while digging up the above photo. But I've never worn it like this before. And something tells me that I'm not done wearing it like this either. At least until I can find some actual skirt alternatives.

From Side to Side

Blouse: H&M, Skirt: Forever 21, Shoes: Rampage, Bracelets: H&M

It's a shame a day off rarely turns into two days off, but I tried to go back to work with a smiling face. I was helped out by my new striped skirt, purchased this weekend. I love its shape and of course, the pattern. The colors will lend themselves to mixing with different colors well. I can see it in rotation this fall with various cable knit sweaters, tights and perhaps my gray booties. I'm dreaming of fall right now (and have been for quite a while) but I'm still working on my fall fashion post. Lame, I know. perhaps this weekend I'll give it some finishing touches and send it out into the ether...er, put it on the blog.

2 in 1

Yesterday:

Dress: Vintage - made by my grandmother, Sweater: gift, Shoes: Urban Outfitters, Belt: unknown, Bracelets: H&M

Yesterday was kind of a down day for me. I had work, but I wasn't in a great mood and the day wasn't fantastic - I forgot my ID and had a freak out after getting off the metro and I was super tired all day - hence the pics where I look like I want to curl up into the fetal position and sleep for two days. Luckily, I had a day off today that allowed me to recharge.

Today:

Sweater: Ralph Lauren, Skirt: Gap, Shoes: LL Bean, Necklace: H&M, Umbrella: Gap

Like I said, I had a day off today and so I slept in and then did a little bit of shopping with my mom. The weather was cool - only in the low 70s - so I was able to wear long sleeves for the first time this summer. It was supposed to rain all day but the showers have held off thus far. I wonder if that means we'll have a stormy night.

Music Monday

Just a song today since my day was not as fabulous as it could have been. There were some bright spots (a new pair of boots and no work tomorrow!) but overall I've been left tired and a little bit cranky. So just music today and outfits and other goodies tomorrow.
I've been a little bit down as of late so I thought I'd share some of my favorite songs that help me get through a tough time. Enjoy.

Getting Leggy With It

Shirt: made by my grandmother, Leggings: unknown, Headband: belt from an H&M dress, Shoes: Aerosoles, Bracelets: gifts, Sunglasses: Old Navy

     I'm going to start off by saying this is the first time I've worn leggings out of doors in a non-sporting capacity. I've just never been a huge fan - they're not my style. But today I was looking for something simple to wear and I knew I had them in my drawer (and I knew I wasn't going anywhere) so I threw them on. The top I'm wearing is a dress my grandmother made me when I was little, I believe it matched a dress that she made for one of my dolls. But it got a little bit too short around 7th grade. When I found it in my closet earlier this summer I thought about how I could wear it, considered leggings and then put it back into its drawer. But today I boldly went where I had never gone before, and...it wasn't that bad. I won't be buying any more, mind you, but for a laid back comfy clothes kind of day, they'll be in the back of my mind.
     I was going to take a series of photos on that lounge chair today but there were a bunch of wasps swarming nearby and big scaredy-cat that I am, I went to the front of the house instead. I was trying for a little retro drama to match the dress, but I can't be too dramatic for long - it's just not me. And while wearing a little printed shift I couldn't help but pose with the most recent Lilly Pulitzer catalog that has captured my attention. Perhaps one day I'll be able to live out my Lilly fantasies, but for now I'll just browse the catalog and dream.