Recessionista: no holiday dress this year

I got this necklace at Forever 21 the other day, and it is even more awesome in person. Best $14, ever.

Hey, if J.Crew did it...

I know. I didn't believe it either. But Lands End (yes, THAT Lands End) has launched a new line called Canvas that's actually ... pretty cute.

I mean, remember when J.Crew basically only sold khakis? So why not?

Must remember this

I suppose outfit recaps are no good without a photo, but oh well. The other night on the subway I saw a girl wearing:
black tall stacked heels with a white or cream-colored rim
very opaque black tights
palest pink pencil skirt
light brown leather jacket (not tan, not cognac, not chocolate)

and it looked so amazing. I don't know what she had on under the jacket but in my head it was a longsleeved black cashmere crewneck with a simple pearl strand.

and the kudos go to...

...Boden for being spot on when it comes to being both classic and fun. These are the kind of clothes that make a rainy day feel sunny and a rain-drenched girl look like a lady. These looks have wit and charm and might be seen on say a modern day Anne Bradstreet orating, "Let Greeks be Greeks, and women what they are!" right before she steps off her soapbox to have a pint. Bravo, cheerio, and every other euphemism for just straight up, "yay."

romeo, romeo

if there were one coat that i would determine was my soulmate this would be it: light enough to be worn in fall, heavy enough to be an inside outfit in the winter, classic cream and black with cranberry accents, perfect for my smart self and my pretty self and within economic reach if i could just skip the red wine at dinner. i am now imagining it over emerald chiffon dresses and with white tees and red lipsticks...my world will never be the same. oh anthropologie, thou art my muse.

The only wedding post, I promise

My wedding is over and so it's too late for me to pick out bridesmaid gifts (I gave them each a different necklace, some vintage and some handmade, from Etsy), but if I could go back in time (and be richer) I would have loved to buy these initialed medallions from Lisa Leonard. So pretty. Found via Once Wed.

to be a stud(ded lady)

this outfit is decidedly lovely, cool lady chic. not only will it work for a variety of girl situations like dates, shopping, brunch, and storming the Capitol in the face of sexist, closed-minded policies but it can easily be switched via shoes and bottoms to meet a plethora of other needs: cap-toe ballet flats for teas and lunching with grandmother; seafoam green converse for batting cages, bowling, and dog walking; and incredibly intimidating and hot studded booties for dates, drinks, and Rocky Horror Picture Show Midnight screenings. what else could a girl ask for?

Speaking of jackets

Now THIS is how you wear a trench.

Via the Sartorialist, of course.

Fashion finds in Iowa!

I don't NEED another jacket. But after I saw a woman in France wearing an army-ish jacket and looking more chic than anyone has in the history of the world, I've sort of idly kept my eyes out. And when I saw this one at the Gap, the last one on the rack and marked down from $80 to $24.97...well, I couldn't help it. And it's a more appropriate weight for the 67-degree weather than the wool coat I packed.

pretty. smart.

to read for me has always been divine. something about the paper and the ink and the smell of wisdom is rather arousing. i feel pretty doing it. and smart. however, there is always that moment when i pull out a book and think to myself how ugly the cover is and what a monstrosity are books that seek to advertise for publishers first and showcase the work within only second. i once ripped off the cover of Gone with the Wind because it was such a ghastly design that i was embarrassed to be seen with it and much preferred the asthetic offered by the yellowed, curling pages and the rich black ink.

however, we smart people, with our love of pretty things need to hide our dreaded covers no more. here you will find a stunning array of clothbound classics released by Penguin Group. not only are they timeless classics they are also encased in a timeless array of cloths, patterns, and hues that you can be proud to use and display. needless to say, i can see this is the start of a beautiful friendship...

wishlust

if i were to wish upon a star for the loveliest whimsy i could find these are the things that would magically appear in a fairydust fog for me to enjoy...
Quill and Owl Paperweight, www.apartment48.com, $24-30

Bumblebee Coin Purse, www.anthropologie.com, $24

Feather Clip, www.etsy.com, $20-28

Bow Ring, www.fredflare.com, $59

if you want to be the coolest girl at the cafe...

...then wear these and remember to pair with tons of chunky rings and cuffs a la Rachel Leigh or CCSkye and to bring your most loved journals, sketches, charcoal sticks, and even a fountain pen or two.
Then think and be beautiful.

Free People Over the Knee Boot $348
Anthropologie Striped Tee $68
Tolani Floral Scarf $85

Clashing prints gets me every time

I recently stumbled across the blog Wikstenmade, written by indie clothing designer (and Brooklyn resident) Jenny Gordy. I confess to spending an hour mesmerizedly going through its archives. I love the simplicity of the clothes she makes and the glimpse the blog gives into the life of a working artist.

In this outfit, I love the play between colors and patterns.

quotation notation

"When I talk to young girls about clothes,

I tell them to show a lot of brains."

~Rachel Roy~