Snowpocalypse

Are you as obsessed with checking the weather as I am? I check the weather constantly. But right now, my vigilance is paying off.

I'm not sure how many outfit photos I'll be getting in - since I'll probably be bundled up like that kid in A Christmas Story, but I will keep you updated on the snow.

P.S. midterms are kicking my butt this week, so I might be light on posting, but I promise to try my best and be back in full force next week.

Saturday night or Weekday morning?

Yep this was me coming in my door at 8:30 p.m. with my Starbucks ready to get back to work on my papers and reading. It was the only time I left my apartment yesterday.

Don't I look like I was having fun? It's all lies. I spent my whole day in front of my computer, writing papers and reading. Midterms are the worst part of the quarter. On the bright side, this time next year I'll be preparing for my last midterms ever. And on an even brighter side, three months from yesterday I'll be a month into my spring internship and also 21. Good timing, that. I'm pretty sure that's when I'll really be needing a drink.

Simple Pleasures

Now that I have a kitchen I feel like I should be fancy and cook fancy things all the time. But I'm still a college student - I don't have time for that. Which is why I'm always especially happy when I can figure out something quick and simple that also tastes really good.

For lunch today, I took our leftover Boboli crust from Wednesday night when we had individual pizzas and since my friend Andrew had eaten the rest of the sauce out of the can with a spoon (ew) I had to improvise. Drawing inspiration from my childhood favorite, the bianca (white) pizza at a restaurant my family frequents at home, I made my own version. I spread the crust with olive oil and topped it with mozzarella, pre-cooked chicken, garlic powder and Parmesan. In the oven for eight minutes and when it came out I swear I was in heaven. I cut it into quarters and ate three for lunch and the fourth for a midnight snack. Mmm.

Restless.

It's one of those tough Saturdays for me - I have work that I desperately need to get done, but I'm tired and restless and have no desire to spend my day parked in front of Microsoft word. But I have to. Of course this means that I'm easily distracted - reading e-mails and blogs and trying but failing to focus all of my attention on getting some papers done today. This isn't completely bad though. Had I not been failing to center my attentions, I wouldn't have found the blog A Restless Transplant. I found it through the Rugby blog which I got to through the email that I got from Rugby (I don't buy, I just browse). A Restless Transplant is full of gorgeous photos (that have a tinge of preppiness) taken by Foster Huntington. I definitely recommend taking a look. The pictures aren't quite helping me study (the opposite in fact, they make me want to get outside and take a walk by the lake) but they are wonderful. I have a feeling that one day when I have money I'll buy a print of one of his photos (or multiple) to decorate.

Images from A Restless Transplant

So sick, so sick of being tired

Forget what I said a couple weeks ago about Wednesdays being crazy. Thursdays and Friday are going to be the days kicking my butt this quarter. Five hours straight of class with less than a two hour break before four plus hours at the Daily Thursday nights combined with an up-at-8 and work from 10-5 day on Friday are going to drain me, but hopefully make me stronger. And when I get used to it, I'll figure out how to work my blogging schedule around it. For now though, just enjoy this video about Jenna Lyons and the J.Crew team in Italy. It's pretty charming.

The Bucket

Next time, I'm moving the bucket.

Jacket: Old Navy, Sweater & Jeans: Forever 21, Shirt: Ralph Lauren, Booties: ModCloth, Socks: H&M, Scarf: Pier 1 (gift)

Oh, Wednesdays. It's honestly my least favorite day of the week. I have to get up early and it's the day I have the most work to do when I get home. It's worse that it's winter - getting out of a warm bed before 8 a.m. to head to a three hour class is more than I can handle. I guess getting up early is good practice though - after all, next quarter I'll have to get up early every morning for my internship. I guess I won't be giving up my caffeine dependency anytime soon.
I'll let the Kings of Leon play you out of this post in honor of my pesky picture companion:

Make me a Match

I'm generally short on time (so much to do, so little time) but I took a break from my busy reading schedule to look through the just-launched Matchbook Magazine.

1. 

I love Matchbook's aesthetic and tone - I'd like to think that I'm a Matchbook girl, or could be one day - and I highly recommend taking some time out of your day to read it.

Good News for people who love good news

Dress: Richard Chai for Target, Tights & Jacket: Target, Shoes: Aldo

I think I might be a little crazy for going out two days in a row in 4"+ heels, but I haven't fallen yet, so there's nothing to deter me. I've had a great start to the week, actually. I turned in my big application at the beginning of the week, my meeting with an adviser today revealed that I should be able to graduate a quarter early and I got the internship for this quarter that I applied for. Of course that last one means I have even less free time than I do now (which is not that much), but I'm excited to have something interesting to do that isn't homework. Now if only it would warm up outside, I'd really be in a good mood.

Must-See

If you've been reading this blog for a while, then you know about my love of fashion documentaries. So, imagine my delight at watching the trailer for Bill Cunningham New York - a documentary about the amazing street style photographer for the New York Times. I only hope that this spring I'll be located in a city that has a theater showing this.

Pretty. Bright.

It's probably due to the fact that we're firmly entrenched in the depths of winter, but I've been drawn to especially bright things recently.

Bright ads

Bright and Shiny Sparkly


Bright Bags

1. Kate Spade, 2. Cambridge Satchel Co., 3. Mulberry, 4. Kate Spade, 5. Banana Republic

Bright Breakfast

Bright White

I guess I better start incorporating some more bright colors into my wardrobe so I don't fall into the winter doldrums...

Blumarine Spring 2011 ad campaign via Fashion Gone Rogue, Bags: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Cooling My Heels

It's cold and snowing, so of course I took pictures outside today

Dress: Vintage, Boots: Forever 21, Beret: Target, Scarf: Pier 1 (gift)

Is it spring yet? I know it's still only January, but I'm getting tired of winter. Today's temperature in the high 20s is the warmest it has been in a while and thinking about that makes me a bit sad. Maybe I need one of those fake sunlight lamps. In more upbeat news though, I finished my giant application due today and turned it in last night, which has lifted a big weight off my shoulders. Of course, the two papers I have due in this coming two weeks are still weighing down a bit. Such is school. I'm going to try to blog more regularly though, since I think it's a good stress reliever. Time to actually get some work done before class.

Through the Looking Glasses

There comes a time in every young woman's life...

When she has to embrace leggings as pants

Shirt: Old Navy, Sweater: Urban Outfitters, Leggings: Target, Boots: Cole Haan, Necklaces: Forever 21

That time generally comes when the temperatures drop into the single digits. Or at least, that's when it came for me. It was too cold to wear a dress or a skirt and I didn't feel like wearing long underwear under my jeans (because jeans are actually really cold). So I brought the leggings my mom sent me for Halloween out of the drawer and wore them as, gasp, pants. This is generally a big no for me. But I was really warm. Plus, I didn't have class, so the only reason I went outside was to do research in the basement of an academic building and make an advising appointment. Minimal human contact. And I was comfy. But don't worry, this won't become a thing. After all, I just have the one pair. Also, I don't normally wear my glasses, but on Thursday night while trying to take out my contacts after getting home late from the newspaper, I pinched my eye. So I gave it a day to heal and wore my glasses out - the only problem of course being that going into warm buildings from the frigid cold makes them nice and foggy for a few minutes, which I'm sure looks ridiculous.

A Cold Wind Blows

Sweater: H&M, Dress: Forever 21, Tights: Hue, Boots: Ugg, Beret: Target

Had I been home before midnight last night, I probably would have put this up yesterday. Unfortunately, my copy editing duties kept me out until 1:30, after which it was time to promptly go to sleep. Can you tell that I love this beret wearing it twice in two days? It's so warm, which is essential right now since last night the temperature dipped into the single digits (and maybe negatives in the wee hours of the morning) with a windchill that makes you want to stay inside until the temperature hits 70 again. This stretch of winter is always the worst, but it's my goal to make the most of it.

Say Anything

Shirt: vintage, Sweater: H&M, Beret & Socks: Target, Skirt: Urban Outfitters, Tights: We Love Colors

I know I said not to expect outfit posts on Wednesdays, but I planned this outfit in advance and I couldn't wait to show off my new hat. After seeing Maria of Lulu Letty wear her various berets and look so stylish in them, I was inspired to buy a wool beret. Luckily, Target was able to help me out with that one and my order came in yesterday. It fits my head perfectly and it's so warm. I've even been wearing it indoors. I think it looks good with my hair in the side part that I'm currently trying out.
Do you like my awesome shirt? It's actually a hand-me-down from my mom, who rocked this back in the 70s. I don't often like to wear t-shirts that say things, but this one is an exception. If I'm going to wear words on my chest, they should really mean something. People talk about outfits saying something, and wearing this shirt, I think the message is pretty clear.
(and by the way, if you're wondering why I'm not wearing shoes, I was wearing my riding boots out, but when I'm indoors, they have to thaw by the door to avoid tracking salt and ice and disgusting dirty water all over the place)

A weekend in food

1. My mom sent me part of the family Christmas gift from my uncle who lives in Japan - delicious Japanese cookies in pretty metal boxes. I'm tempted to eat all of the cookies just so I can use the boxes. Though, who am I kidding? I'm just tempted to eat all of the cookies. The boxes are a bonus.
2. My roommate and I spent Friday night eating fondue and watching Clueless. As a result, we ended up with a cookie sheet full or chocolate-dipped goodies to eat during the rest of the weekend. Mmm.
3. I'm lazy on weekends, so breakfast for dinner is my ideal meal. Mini bagels, cheesy scrambled eggs and bacon combined to make an indulgent yet easy dinner. Too bad I ate it right before watching the swimsuit portion of Miss America.
4. Sunday (and Monday of this week) night is best capped off with a cup of peppermint tea. No matter how stressful the week looks, the mint calms my nerves.

Cold as Ice

I never want to go outdoors again.

But that's beside the point.

Shirt: H&M, Skirt & Tights: Target, Socks: American Apparel, Boots: Nordstrom

I don't know if I've ever mentioned this, but I basically live in an attic. So the ceiling slope and make funny angles and make it impossible to walk in certain areas. I decided to take advantage of the ceiling though in these photos, in a rarely used nook in our kitchen. In an ideal world, this outfit would have been finished off with a pair of cowboy boots and a denim jacket. Of course, I don't own any cowboy boots and the only coat that is appropriate currently makes me look like I'm braving the Arctic. Of course it also feels like I'm braving the Arctic - the sidewalks are coated with a layer of ice and a helping of wintry mix isn't making anything better. If only I could telecommute to class...

Spring Fever

     I've been doing a lot of thinking about spring recently. This is mostly due to the fact that I will not be taking classes this spring, but rather doing a required internship at an as yet undetermined publication. The application process just started - I have a list of things I have to do and publications where I might be placed. This week will be spent researching and writing an essay and revising my resume according to the guidelines in addition to all of my other homework.
     I'm excited about all of this internship planning - it feels like it's the culmination of all my classes in journalism - I'll see if I can really cut it in a fast-paced magazine environment. Here's the thing: I want to be in New York. I would kill (okay not literally) to be in New York this spring. It's the one thing about college that's always tugged at the back of my mind a little bit. I love it here, but I got into two schools in New York City and I wonder if  missed out on a great opportunity. When I list my top six preferences I'll list the maximum possible in New York and hope hope hope that I get one of them. But there's no guarantee. I'm probably just as likely to end up in Des Moines as I am in New York. It's stressful. But it's not going to keep me from thinking about spring and the potential to be in a great city while working at a great publication.
     My obsession with spring will spill onto these pages time and again over the next couple months. But hopefully, in late March I'll be starting an internship in NYC, and if not there, hopefully somewhere warm.

Interview

Coat & Sweater: H&M, Skirt: Vineyard Vines, Tights & Boots: Target

While I don't have class on Fridays, yesterday I still had a reason to dress up because I had an interview for a possible internship this quarter. I searched my closet earlier this week for an appropriate outfit and came up with this one incorporating my new cropped cable knit sweater from H&M. I felt way overdressed when I got to my interview - everyone there was in jeans, but I didn't feel too bad. Before my interview I stopped into Starbucks where two women in their late 20s grabbed my attention to tell me how great my outfit was. One of them told me that she had a pair of white tights she couldn't figure out how to style and that I was an inspiration. She also asked if I was in design or if I worked in fashion. I was flattered by both questions and felt a little embarrassed that I was clearly not as cool as she thought I was. Nevertheless, their compliments put me in a good mood. While I loved my outfit though, the skirt isn't the greatest for lounging around the apartment, which is what I did for the rest of the day. So I spent the rest of my day looking like this:

Somehow I felt just as stylish with this sweater and jeans. Another great thing about yesterday - I got my new tripod! Perhaps in honor of it I'll try for some more creative photos.