Cords and Cardio: A Continuing Trend

Hello Readers!

I love corduroys. I enjoy the texture they add to an outfit. I appreciate how flattering a pair of corduroys can be. They are everyday but anything other than ordinary!

Last week I wore corduroys twice.... okay, okay, three times. But, I only have two photographed outfits featuring cords from last week. In the fall I wore cords on a regular basis, and this trend is back! These things are slimming AND comfortable. Expect more posts featuring cords in the future!

Another trend I am reintroducing into my life is regular exercise. I was L-A-Z-Y over Christmas break. But, as of January 8th I am back on track. Elliptical. Walking. Swimming. A bit of pilates and yoga. Even... a bit of running! It's been only 2.5 weeks and I can already see a difference in my health, as well as my figure! My arms are slimmer, my legs are more toned, and my stomach is flatter than it has been in longer than I want to admit. Yes, friends, I am back on track! Not quite where I want to be, but on my way! Who knows, maybe I'll add fitness and health stories to this blog along my journey.

But, for now, I will leave you with my two cord-o-rific outfits from last week:

On my way to the coffee shop and pool!
Retail Details:
Tan Cream Confection Jacket: Idra/Anthropologie
Charcoal Scarf: Target
Plaid Wool Tote: Abercrombie & Fitch
Green and Black Swim Suit: Speedo (runs small!)
Marine Ruffled Purse: Miss Albright/Anthropologie
Olive Corduroys: AG

Friday Night, after I survived driving home in the snow
Retail Details:
Black Cowlneck Top: Banana Republic
Black Lace-Trim Tank: American Eagle Outfitters
Dark Charcoal Cords: AG
Black Leather Boots: Anne Klein ("Aloe")

Early Morning Ahead!

Hello Readers,

I am giving a final tomorrow morning at 7:30 AM. That means I will need to be on campus around 7 AM.
I love my job- but I do not love 7 AM. To make my morning easier, and to perhaps gain a greater appreciation for hours when the sun is barely shining, here is my plan:

1) Select an outfit beforehand:

2) Select a "get ready" songs:

-I Feel It All: because there's nothing like fireworks and trash bins early in the morning!

Here It Goes Again: how could this song not wake you up?

3) Wear hair in ponytail with a headband

4) Eat my breakfast while driving to work

I'll let you know how it goes!

Blogger Tested, Puppy Approved

Hello Readers!

Many of you know that my family recently got a new puppy, a very lively and mostly sweet Alaskan Malamute who we named Sophie. For those of you who haven't met or heard about her yet, here is a picture:

Figure 1.1 Hello!

Over break I did a lot of Sophie-sitting, which was fun- but so much work! Her favorite activities include: chasing my brothers and parents and I, quietly sneaking up on us, learning new tricks (she learned "down" and "paw" over Thanksgiving break), going for walks, playing fetch and tug-of-war, and snuggling. Like, sit-in-your-lap-even-though-I'll-soon-be-a-big-dog-snuggling. Here's a picture of what I'm talking about:

Figure 2.1. sit-in-your-lap-even-though-I'll-soon-be-a-big-dog-snuggling

Cute right? She doesn't really fit, but somehow she makes it work. A year from now, however, I don't think this cute trick will be quite as cute. Speaking of cute... I really liked the outfit I wore on Sunday! I was always a bit afraid of pairing green and purple. Perhaps as a cautious measure of avoiding a Barney the Dinosaur look? Faded purple and olive green, I've learned, do not evoke a Barney-esque look. I like this combination, in fact! I think I might try it again.

Purple and Green... I've tested it and apparently Sophie approves! Who knew that a color-blind companion could know so much about fashion!

Retail Details:

Faded Purple Cardigan: Martin + Osa (via eBay)

Beneath the Surface Floral Silk Shell: Moulinette Soeurs from Anthropologie

Faded Purple Lace Boyfriend Tank: American Eagle Outfitters (Black Friday find!)

Olive Green AG Stevie Cords: Anthropologie

Gold and Pearl Necklace: gift

Sometimes Sophie has crazy eyes

Equestrian-Inspired Style

Happy Thanksgiving Readers!

Last Friday (that is, seven days before Black Friday) I looked in my closet for clothing I don't wear very often and I came across the jacket of my grey suit from Banana Republic. It, along with the pants, were things I "had to have" for job interviews/conferences/work etc but somehow I've only worn it 4 or 5 times since I purchased it late this spring.

So.. I decided to wear it to work last Friday with my trusty corduroys, vintage belt, ruffled top, and sliver wedge boots. When all of these ingredients came together, I realized that there was something quite equestrian about the whole thing.

What to you think?

I did a bit of research online and found these images of more equestrian and equestrian-inspired looks:

From Jillian Lewis' 2008 Collection at New York Fashion Week

Kate Middleton (The Duchess of Cambridge)

Maggie Grace

 And.. here are a few more of yours truly:

Just horsing around!

Hope everyone's Thanksgiving is going well!

Retail Details:
Grey Suit Jacket: Banana Republic
Off-White Craft & Creation Tee: Deletta for Anthropologie
Burgundy and Gold Belt: Vintage
Olive Green Stevie Corduroys: Adriano Goldschmied
Leather Silver-Wedge Boots: Anne Klein

Anthro Personal Shopper Appointment (online!)

Hello Readers!

Last week, while browsing Anthropologie's website, I came across a notice for appointments on-line and in-stores with an Anthro Personal Shopper. Intrigued, I filled out the request form and made one of my wish lists public (which allows the personal shopper to preview your style/preferences) and pressed send.

A few days later, I received an email from Jamie, my Anthro Personal Shopper, with 4 outfit suggestions. Unfortunately, I did not successfully make my wish list public, but fortunately Jamie still created a very cute set of outfits! Here are the first round of outfits that she created for me:

Shorts and tights. . . I've always wanted to try that combo...

This was my favorite of round 1. Could I ever be this edgy & cool?

I like the earrings and belt. . .  

Cute... but a bit too slouchy for my taste

In her email, Jamie let me know that my wish list was not available, so I properly made my wish list public and emailed her back with a request for a second round of requests. The first set of outfits were cute, but I could tell that a few of the items didn't quite fit with my narrative of style.

The second set of outfits were fantastic! My favorites are the first and third outfits. What do you think?

Ooh! Very nice!

Navy and browns... I like both of these colors but I've never worn then together. 

Love this outfit!!!

The top is a bit too old for me... but I love the rest!

The result of these consultations? A bigger wish list! I'm saving my money for the all of tights, the dark purple corduroys, and the turquoise blouse. Jamie's combination of prints and textures inspires me to be more bold in my own outfit decision-making.

Have any of you set up an appointment with an Anthro Personal Shopper? If not, you can set up an appointment in-store or online here: http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/help/personalshopper.jsp

Enjoy!

Make New Friends and Keep the Old. . .

Dear Readers,

Me with "old" friends Maura and Corinne

I'm not sure how many of you were involved in Brownies or Girl Scouts. . . but if you were you may recognize the title of this post from a song often sung in those clubs. I was only a Brownie for a few short years, but the song rings as true and as clear in my memory as it did during my years in Troop 1148.

Another set of memories that still ring true and clear to me today are my memories of being a student at my alma mater. In a way, I recently was able to relive those memories in front of the freshman girls residence hall with two friends from college (Maura and Corinne) AND a new friend (Lorna) after drinking coffee and eating cinnamon rolls at the campus coffee shop with another new friend (Amanda)!

"Make new friends and keep the old"- check!

Here are a few photos that celebrate the old and the new

Me with Lorna, one of my "new" friends

I think I was losing my balance in this one. . . 

There we go!

Hair in face! 

(My) Retail Details:

Pearl Trio Bobby Pin: Anthropologie

Beneath the Surface Shell: Moulinette Soeurs from ANthropologie

Pink Cardigan: Anthropologie

Olive Green Stevie Cords: AG from Anthropologie

Hot Pink Metallic Shoes: Jessica Simpson from Bergner's

Green Jeweled Belt: Talbots (via my Mom)

Why I Love St. Patrick's Day

Connemara- Photo by Me

Good evening Readers!

I love Ireland.  In college I took a mini-mester ("J-term") class on the Irish Renaissance Literature that took me on a 10 day adventure through Ireland visiting places where history happened, walking where famous authors once stepped, sleeping in a castle, climbing hills, eating potato and leek soup with brown soda break to my heart's content, and capturing snapshots of the country's beauty with my camera and journal.

Cliffs of Moher: The wind was so strong that you could lean against it!

Monk's Pub: One of my favorite restaurants in the world in Ballyvaughan

I revisited this romance 2 years later through another mini-mester class (2 weeks this time, as a "May term") in the form of an independent study of nonverbal communication in Ireland.  On this visit, my love for this island expanded even more with a visits to new places, like The Aran Islands.

Dun Aengus, Aran Islands

Kissing the Blarney Stone

 My third (but hopefully not last!) trip to Ireland was with two lovely friends (Kellie & Rachel) during our Spring Break in 2008.  We brought only our purses, backpacks, and 1 suitcase and traveled across the Republic, staying in mostly hostels- even though we managed to experience rain, snow, sleet, and extreme winds within a 30 minute span of time (Waterford)- this was one of my favorite vacations ever! No one in our trio was old enough to rent a car (without a major fee), so we trekked across the country with a Irish Rover pass in one of these buses:

 Ireland has a very special place in my heart, and it is because of this fondness that I LOVE to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.  I don't drink Guinness, but I do my best to enjoy rich chocolate and wear green.  This year, I went a bit overboard with my green wardrobe. . . Here I am in verdant St. Patrick's Day splendor with a painting I made of a scene from Ballyvaughan:

 Retail Details:
Mint Green Cashmere Cardigan: Martin + Osa
Seafoam Green Ruffled Tank: Anthropologie
Green Tank: Target
Beaded Leather Belt: Anthropologie (this season)
Olive Green Cords: AG (Stevie) from Anthropologie
Olive Green Jeweled Flats: Via Spiga (Nordstrom Rack)

*All photos, except for the ones of me, were taken by me.

Layers, Sparkles, and Boots OR You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile

Happy Friday Readers!

This morning was difficult: the person I was supposed to meet with this morning didn't show up, the camera in my first speaking class didn't work and the projector's light bulb was not in working order. This morning was a mess- but I guess not every day can be a day at the spa (like yesterday).

Despite these setbacks, readers, there is still a smile on my face thanks to: good friends (special thanks to Megan, Deanne, and Jasmine!), a positive attitude, and tickets to SLU's production of Much Ado About Nothing (and the prospect of a cupcake).

Today, I took a cue from the musical Annie, and completed my outfit with a smile (because "you're never fully dressed without a smile"). Also, I wore things that make me smile: a sparkly headband, a ruffly blouse, my favorite pair of cords, and boots.

Here is how I put it all together:

Retail Details:

Grey Sparkly Headband: J.Crew

Grey Cable Sweater: Abercrombie & Fitch

Off-White Ruffled Blouse: Odille (Anthropologie)

White Eyelet Tank: American Eagle Outfitters

Olive Green Cords: AG Stevie Cords (Anthropologie)

Greyish-Brownish Boots: Anne Klein

*NOTE: I am featuring another contest next week. Keep your eyes peeled!

It Was Time for A Change. . .

Hello Readers!

Here it is. My new haircut! Nothing too drastic- just a trim and an update to my layers- but what a change! Despite the cold, rainy weather that greeted me when I left the salon, I felt like I was was walking on sunshine (until I stepped in a puddle).

Haircuts are amazing, especially when they take place at an awesome salon (Ginger Bay Salon & Spa) with an incredibly talented stylist (thanks Malia!). Let me tell you how awesome my experience was today.

When I walked into Ginger Bay, I was promptly greeted, checked in, and someone put my coat away. Then, I was offered the very delicious Aveda Comforting Tea (heavenly). As I waited for my stylist Malia, I sat in a comfortable chair with my cup of tea and watched a portion of a fashion show on television.

My wait wasn't long, and ended with a friendly greeting from my stylist followed by a short walk to her chair where I showed her a few photos of my desired layers and framing (basically, 4 pictures of Zooey Deschanel). Then, using aromatherapy oils, I received a scalp massage. Yes, scalp massage. And yes, very relaxing.

After treating my hair to a luxurious treatment of Aveda shampoo, conditioner, and other wonderful styling agents, Malia performed miracles on my hair: sculpting layers, framing my face, styling my hair and banishing split ends.

Then, the reveal. Since I wear glasses, I have to take them off during this process- but (when being handled with care by a stylist I trust) this makes the big reveal even greater. During the haircut, I can only see a blurry version of what's going on- but when everything is complete I get to see the new and improved me in all of its entirety. At the "reveal"- the me I see is always so different than the me I saw before I removed my glasses. And this difference was good.

It was time for a change, and in a dreary week, this was a change I welcomed and a change I embrace. Hooray for Hair Cuts!!!

Retail Details:

Ivory Craft & Creation Knit Tee: Deletta (Anthropologie)

Black V-Neck Cardigan: Zara

Tan Cords: AG Stevie (Anthropologie)

Dark Brown Boots: Anne Klein

Dark Grey Sparkly Earrings: St. Louis Art Museum giftshop

Blondish-Brownish Fabulous Hair: By Malia at Ginger Bay Salon and Spa in Kirwood, MO