Welcome to My World

A week and a half ago, I arrived back in Chicagoland to move into my apartment which I share with one of my good friends. I took some pictures when I first got here but, of course, I realized I had left my camera cord sitting on my comfy red chair in my bedroom at home, thus preventing me from uploading and sharing said photos. Luckily my mom came to my rescue and sent me my cord and now I can share the photos from move-in until now. I've been making progress, but it's not completely done so expect some more decor posts in the future.

Day One:

The first thing that greeted me when I walked into the empty apartment were those flowers - my friend Andrew bought them for me as a room-warming gift very thoughtfully. Then I walked down the hall to my big empty room (so much bigger than my single in the dorm last year) with its furniture and walk-in closet (my first ever!) longing for my things to fill the space. It's taken some time, and I'm not quite done, but quite a few things have changed since that first day.

Progress:

 I found places for my boots (very necessary in this climate), my magazines and my jewelry along my walls which are still otherwise pretty barren unfortunately. But I'm making progress on the decoration front too - Yesterday I made a garland from printed paper and some glittery ribbon to complement the rest of the room. I love the way it sort of frames my curtains and makes the room a bit more friendly.

Embedded

Sweater: unknown, Skirt: H&M, Tights: Target, Shoes: Michael Kors, Bracelets: H&M

Yesterday I had no desire t do anything but nap, thus the pictures taken as I was about to fall into my bed. Of course, I didn't nap - I got myself up to go to CVS and rewarded myself with a cinnamon bun from Panera that served as my lunch. Afterward I watched a movie while working on a project (part of which can be glimpsed with my shoes) and then spent four hours alternately reading for class and copy editing at the newspaper which kept me out late and made me too tired to post when I got home. There's more to come of that project - I'm putting together a post on my new living arrangements, but since it's me, it's coming together a little bit slowly.

I think I looked a bit unseasonable yesterday - bright blue and purple don't quite say fall, but the weather was nice (and who knows how long we'll have nice weather) so I didn't care. Besides, if anyone had questioned me, I just would have said that I was inspired by Prada - no one questions Miuccia's bright blue cable knit or purple loafers.

Prada F/W 2010 Images via NY Mag

Curiouser and Curiouser

Last year for Christmas, I received this dress from ModCloth

Today while browsing Forever 21's website, I found this tunic

Same pattern, same dry clean only fabric. I can't blame them of course, it's a cute pattern. I just thought it was interesting that the same fabric should appear in a different form from a different store. I kind of wish they had made the tunic with the same neckline as the dress - then I might be interested.

Where you want to be

Blouse: H&M, Sweater Vest: Target, Skirt: Forever 21, Socks: H&M, Shoes: Urban Outfitters

I decided to stand out on our rickety stairs (they're not that rickety, don't worry) to take pictures today since the weather was cooperating with blue skies and mild temperatures. I went highly monochromatic today - almost everything blue until you reach my socks and shoes, which I admit were a break from the status quo. With the vest and the bow around my neck I felt like a schoolgirl, appropriate since I spent my day in class doing math worksheets and discussing literature. And of course tonight will be spent curled up with said literature and a cup of tea.

"So pace the stairs to your apartment, like it's where you want to be" - Taking Back Sunday, Set Phasers to Stun

Love Like Winter

As you may recall, this summer was quite the scorcher. DC felt like a sauna throughout the season and I spent a good deal of time dreaming about the respite that fall would bring.

Of course now I'm back in Chicagoland and have gone from being way too hot to being...a bit chilly. It's the fall I wanted, but the lack of a period to ease into it, let's just say that I'm not as thrilled with fall as I thought I would be back in mid-July. Nevertheless, I am excited about cold weather clothes - the socks, tights, sweaters that now can get worn. And I've been scouring the web for cute jackets, coats and accessories. I probably won't buy anything, but it's always good to have a list prepared just in case, right?

I'm not too interested in black coats anymore - give me plaids, gray, and other neutrals that don't show lint quite as much. Fabrics with an interesting texture also caught my eye. And once again I'm looking for the perfect pair of gloves. I've got my eye on some colorful leather pairs from Tommy Hilfiger, but a pair of long knit gloves could find their way in just as easily.

Anthropologie Cape, Tulle Coat

BB Dakota Coat, Old Navy trench

BB Dakota Coat, ModCloth gloves

Gap jacket, Tommy Hilfiger gloves

J. Crew jacket, Tommy Hilfiger Coat

Tulle Coats

Images via: J Crew, ModCloth, Tulle, Gap, Lulu's, Tommy Hilfiger, Old Navy and Anthropologie

Baby Darling Dollface Honey

Say hello to my hallway:

Dress: Forever 21, Jacket: Forever 21, Scarf: H&M, Tights: Target, Shoes: ModCloth, Bow: H&M

I'll be the first to admit that there's kind of a lot going on with this outfit - florals, lace, green, black, white...okay maybe not that much but it felt like a lot. I started planning this outfit with just the dress in mind, trying to figure out how to make it fall-appropriate. Enter a pair of $5 tights from Target in olive green. With the tights and the dress in mind I decided to pair it with these ankle boots to toughen it up a little - add the black military-inspired jacket in for a little bit of symmetry with the tights. But I still wanted it to feel very girly. So I added the giant bow. The scarf was added for warmth reasons (and because it matches the outfit) and I came up with an outfit that I rather liked - a little Victorian, army, babydoll, grunge inspiration all came together to form a cohesive look. If only every day could be planned this smoothly.

Music Monday

I had a hard time thinking of something for today, but a comment on the last post from my sister reminded me of something I heard on the radio yesterday.
On the way to the grocery store, Madonna's "Papa Don't Preach" came on the radio and I was reminded of this version, the cover by Kelly Osbourne. I have to admit I like the change of tempo in the cover, and I especially love Kelly's mod look in the video.

The Pants Party

It's been a while...

Shirt: H&M, Jeans: Gap, Shoes: Nine West, Cardigan: Old Navy

It's been a while since I've worn jeans other than super casually but when I was sorting through my closet this summer I found a few pairs that fit me perfectly so I decided that I would try to reintegrate them into my wardrobe. Of course, yesterday was super casual - all I did was do my hair, run errands and read some Vanity Fair for class, but I think it was a good ease-in day for wearing jeans again. Do you like my new shoes? I got them on sale from the Nine West outlet when I was shopping with my mom in the weeks before school started. I didn't want to be too much of a trend follower before when I saw similar shoes on other bloggers, but since they weren't quite so pricey, and of course perfect for fall, I decided to give in.

Game On

You can accuse me of a lot of things, but don't ever accuse me of lacking in school spirit.

Sweater: H&M, Scarf: Gap, Skirt: Target, Socks: H&M, Boots: Nordstrom, Earrings: Gift

Saturday was the first home football game that everyone was back on campus for so of course I had to deck myself out in purple. I'm not a big fan of just wearing an NU shirt and calling it a day, so I grabbed items in different shades of purple so there would be no question of my dedication to the Wildcats. I don't really think my colors helped, but we did pull off a win. Go Cats!