Ignite the Nite 2013

Thursday night I attended Boston GLOW's third annual Ignite the Nite Fundraising Gala. This was my first year attending as a guest instead of as a volunteer. For the first two years I checked coats. Thankfully GLOW had a wealth of volunteers this year, so I felt free to buy a ticket and go for fun.

Who doesn't want an excuse to curl her hair and wear lipstick on a Thursday night?

The evening did not disappoint. There was good company, lots of food, some drinks and of course some ridiculous dancing. It seemed like there was a great turnout and some high bids for the silent auction prizes, so I'm hoping we raised a lot of money for the Ignite Change scholarship contest.

Outfit: Blazer and tights- Marshalls; Skirt - Prabal Gurung for Target; 

Blouse and necklace- H&M, Boots- Madden Girl

I was really excited to find this Parabal Gurung skirt at my Target (and in my size!). I enjoy the designer collaborations, but I'm not one to line up in the cold waiting for Target to open. I love the bright colors, and I'm really looking forward to styling it in a bunch of different way as the weather warms up.

Buttons and Cameras

This outfit is pretty representative of what I've been wearing to work lately. With temperatures mostly below freezing I've been choosing warmth over style. 

I've really discovered the beauty of button down shirts this winter. In the past I've had trouble with fit on button downs. It's hard to find one that fits over my hips and boobs, but isn't too baggy in the shoulders or waist. Thankfully, I've  found two flannel shirts and this chambray shirt that fit pretty well, and I've been wearing them constantly.

Outfit:  Pants- Forever 21; Shirt- Old Navy similar at Macy's; Boots- Me too; Cardigan- Target  similar at Old Navy

I've about had it with my camera. I've been thinking about/ lusting after a DSLR. However, I really don't want to invest a ridiculous amount of money in a camera right now and I don't actually know very much about photography. I'm leaning towards skipping the DSLR for now and upgrading to a nicer point and shoot.

Before I make the purchase, I wanted to reach out to y'all for suggestions. What type of camera do you use? Any suggestions for a user friendly camera that takes beautiful pictures?

Fuzzy

I would have liked to celebrate my blogversary with a fancy new camera, but that wasn't in the budget. Instead, I treated myself to a new tripod that is small enough to fit in my purse. I had high hopes that I'd be able to rig it up in my office and take some indoor outfit pictures. My office has great natural lighting, but not a lot of space so the pictures didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped.

They kind of remind me of the early days of taking blog pictures in my bedroom.

Outfit: Sweater- H&M similar from Old Navy; Skirt- Target; tights?; Boots- Me Too; Necklace - thrifted 

In my defense it has been beyond frigid in Boston this week. The thought of taking off my coat (and hat, gloves, scarf, legwarmers, two pairs of socks...) for pictures is just too much to bear. Taking fuzzy pictures in a fuzzy sweater will just have to do for now.

Winter Wonderland

It snowed almost every day while I was in Ohio. My mom and sister live in the basement apartment of my Aunt and Uncle's house. The house is in the middle of the woods on a back country road. The snow makes it difficult to get in and out of the driveway, so there were a few days where we were literally snowed in. The snow may be a bitch to drive in, but it's beautiful!

Shop the Outfit: Sweater- H&M similar; Leggings- Marshalls; Boots- Madden Girl similar; 

Hat and belt-H&M

These photos were taken after our first little snow storm. A few days later there were about 8 inches more snow on the ground. 

Smart Polka Dots

It's no secret I love polka dots. I have three polka dot dresses in my closet (1, 2, 3) and I've been trying REALLY hard not to buy any more, so I was delighted to see this dress on Gwynnie Bee! Borrow a work appropriate polka dot dress whenever I want? Yes please! And the color is divine. It reads as navy in photos, but it's more of a really deep plum color in person. I kind of want to wear it again before I send it back, but there are so many other pieces I want to try! 

Outfit: Dress- Eliza J via Gwynnie Bee; Boots- Madden Girl (similar); Tights- H&M

I wore this dress to work and also to a panel discussion on Boston Fashion hosted by Boston Globe. The discussion "Boston Fashion is Smart" was co-moderated by Jay Calderin of Boston Fashion Week and Chris Muther, a fashion reporter for the Boston Globe and featured some really cool panelists. The discussion focused on how fashion in Boston is evolving and coming into its own. 

While a lot of the discussion was a little too high fashion oriented for my taste- one point of discussion really resonated with me. The features that Boston is often criticized for are actually its strengths. Being a "college town" actually gives Boston its character- it is the ever changing population of students and faculty that make Boston a global city! 

Autumn 2012 in Review

I can't believe it's December already! I know winter doesn't officially start until the winter solstice on December 21st, but I always think of December 1st as the unofficial start of winter. With that in mind, here is a look back at some of my favorite outfits from Autumn 2012.

There are definitely some trends in my fall favorites. I loved cobalt, mustard yellow, horizontal stripes, and my denim jacket! Which outfit is your favorite?

Playing Favorites

I love new clothes. There's something really satisfying about ripping the tags off a garment and wearing it for the first time. Some items go on to become favorites, worn over and over until they literally fall apart. Other items get worn a few times and then get thrown into the "donate/ sell" pile. This dress is one of those items that I will wear until it can't be worn any more. 

I bought this dress at Target  back in February or March and I have worn it once every two weeks ever since. It works for every season, and I love challenging myself to style it in different ways. (Like here, here, and here). When I bought this floral and leopard print scarf (on super clearance for $5!!!) at Urban Outfitters, I knew I would eventually pair it with this dress. Pardon the pattern explosion, but I think they're a perfect match.

Outfit: Dress, Cardigan, Belt & Tights- Target; Boots- Matisse via DSW; Scarf- Urban Outfitters 

Do you play favorites with your clothing? 

Frost and a Borrowed Skirt

I did it! I got up early enough to take outfit pictures before work! Okay, so it only happened once, but  at least it happened!  It wasn't exactly a warm evening either. It's hard to tell from these pictures, but there's frost on the grass! 

Outfit: Skirt- Kiyonna via GB; Shirt- H&M; Cardigan- Old Navy; Belt- Steve Madden; Boots- Madden Girl; Tights- Hue 

This skirt is my first item from Gwynnie Bee. I decided to take advantage of their first month free  promotion and sign up. After getting my first few pieces, and seeing the items they'll be adding to the collection in December, I'll definitely be continuing my subscription for at least a few months. Wondering what Gwynnie Bee is? Think rent a swag.

This skirt fit me perfectly except for the length. I like my pencil skirts to hit me at the knee and this one hit a little below my knees. I don't think styling it with boots was the best choice, but it was a chilly day. I think it would look better with platform sandals and bare legs, so maybe I'll borrow it again in the summer.

A Trip to the ICA

My friend Kelly was kind enough to invite me along on her visit to the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. The last time I visited the ICA I left feeling a little underwhelmed, but this trip did not disappoint! I loved the new exhibit This Will Have Been: Art, Love and Politics in the 1980s.  

The ICA is just a few blocks from the site of the Boston Tea party and has amazing views of the harbor. I couldn't help but take some pictures in some of the glass lobby areas overlooking the harbor. 

Outfit: Dress- Gap; Cardigan- Old Navy; Tights- H&M; Boots- Me Too via DSW; Belt- Urban Outfitters. 

The lighting in these photos was a little tricky. I had to clean them up a lot in photoshop, and I still couldn't get them right. This dress is actually a charcoal gray flannel, but it looks a little blue in the photos. My photos of the harbor turned out much better. Seriously, how beautiful is this view?

I want to thank y'all for sticking with me despite my sporadic posting. I probably won't post again until after Thanksgiving, but I'm going to try my darnedest to take lots of pictures (and dress really fabulously) over the long weekend! I hope everyone enjoys a day full of friends, family, and delicious food! 

Negligent Blogger Alert!

I have been really negligent about blogging lately and it makes me sad. Finding the time to take blog photos in the fall and winter is really difficult! I know I should be used to it, since I started this blog in January, but I took indoor photos then!

I wish I had considered an indoor space with good natural lighting as part of my apartment searching criteria. Between the wind, the rain, the snow, and it getting dark at 5:30 I have taken outfit photos only on Saturdays 3-4 weeks. Terrible! I miss it!

These photos were taken in the Boston Common this past Saturday. Mike and I had brunch in Beacon Hill and then headed to Haymarket for some cheap produce. I think we're going to make brunch and Haymarket a weekly ritual. The prices really can't be beat! For less than $10 we got 3 peppers, an eggplant, a bushel of bananas, 3 avocados, a bushel of asparagus, and 6 apples. 

Outfit: Sweater: H&M; Leggings: Danskin via Marshalls; Boots: Me Too via DSW; Jacket: JCrew thrifted 

Today felt like winter (rain, snow, wind, freezing temps) but Saturday was gorgeous. The foliage on the common was absolutely beautiful. I wish we'd had more time to walk around, but Mike had homework to do and I had a birthday party to get to. 

Hopefully you'll be seeing more of me in the coming weeks. Maybe it's time I start toting my tripod to work and take advantage of the lighting in my office? Thanks for sticking with me while I work out the kinks that come with the change in seasons. 

Calm Before the Storm

The nonprofit I work for told all nonessential employees to stay home until noon Tuesday,  so I am enjoying a lovely, lazy hurrication. As I sit in my apartment on Monday night listening to the winds of Sandy/ Frankenstorm howl outside, I can't help but feel thankful that I am warm, dry and still have power. I know many others on the eastern seaboard are not as lucky this evening. Stay safe y'all!

I keep thinking about how beautiful and calm the weather was on the days leading up to this storm. Saturday was absolutely gorgeous. I spent the day having some Halloween fun in Salem with my friend Kelly and two of her friends. Although the whole town is pretty cute, the Derby Wharf is my favorite part of Salem. I love this little walk on the waterfront.

Kelly and I took a ton of pictures by this cute little light house.

It was my third trip to Salem. I had a decent time people watching and walking around, but I learned that I enjoy the city better without the Halloween weekend crowds. I think if I decide to visit in the fall next year, I'll visit earlier in October.

Outfit: Shirt and Jeans- Old Navy; Cardigan- Target; Boots- Rampage via Marshalls; Bag- H&M

For this Marylander no trip to Salem is complete without a trip to the only Ritas in Massachusetts. 

Date Night- A Little bit Country

Mike and I have fallen into a routine of going out for dinner at least once a week. I think it's important to spend time together outside of our apartment, and it's nice to let someone else do the cooking. Friday we stayed in and enjoyed a game night of sorts (I agreed to play Wii with Mike in exchange for him playing cards with me). We also had yummy pork roast and beer.

Saturday Mike had a ton of homework to do, but we went out for dinner anyways. Since I had plenty of time to get ready, I decided to do something I almost never do- curl my hair.

We headed to Brookline Village with the intention of getting some Japanese or Latin food. Due to long lines and restaurants that didn't look like what expected from the Yelp reviews, we ended up at Village Smokehouse, a Texas style barbecue restaurant.

Outfit: Dress- Dorothy Perkins; Jacket- JCrew (thrifted); Boots- Madden Girl

I loved it. The food was delicious, and it felt like Texas. The whole date just felt a little bit country, in a good way! I don't know if it was the curls, or the combination of boots, an A-line dress and a denim jacket. Maybe it was the fact that I had watched the first episode of Nashville earlier that day, or maybe it was just the country music and barbecue.

Autumn in the City

Saturday was a beautiful autumn day. The air was crisp, the sun was shining, and the foliage was beautiful. It was also one of those days that reminds me why I love city living, specifically Boston city living.

Outfit: Jeans and Shirt- Old Navy; Jacket- thrifted JCrew; Boots- MeToo via DSW; Scarf- Target; Bag- H&M. 

I met up with my friend Kelly and we walked around the Rose Kennedy Greenway and Fanueil Hall a bit. Then went to the Boston vs New York Food truck throw down.

Unfortunately the lines were super long, so we only got to try two of the food trucks. We stuck to the New York trucks since we can eat at the Boston trucks almost any time. First we had tacos from Big D's Grub Truck. They were delicious and well worth the long wait.

For dessert we had apple, cranberry and nutella empanadas from the Nuchas truck. Yum!

Earlier in the day, while waiting for my friend Kelly outside of the Park Street T station, I had the kind of experience that could only happen in Boston. I was watching an antiwar/ pro- Green Party demonstration, near by there was a guy dressed in revolutionary war era clothing leading a freedom trail tour, a guy with a thick South Boston accent peddling fried dough, and the air smelled like burnt leaves. Then all of a sudden a parade of anti-rape culture demonstrators walked by. I love this city!

(Not So) Weekly Wishlist: Booties

What started as a really small fall and winter wishlist is growing every day. The latest thing I just have to have in my closet? A pair of booties. I only own boots that go up to my upper calves or knees. I am finding that, while those boots are awesome, I want some more variety in my footwear. I am loving booties, or ankle boots on other bloggers. Look how cute Annie from Other Side of Gray and Yi-chia from Always Maylee look in theirs, and how bad ass Megan and Nora from Two Birds look in theirs! Shoes that can be styled with dresses and skirts, but also look totally chic with skinny jeans? Shoes that can by styled classically, bohemian, or rockstar bad ass? How versatile! Clearly, I need a pair! Here are a few I've got my eye on:

 

 

image via zappos.com

 Blowfish Gambitt Bootie in Black- $59.00 at Zappos

Call me boring, but I'm most likely to purchase flat or slightly wedged black booties. They're versatile, they look comfortable and they'd look great with skinny jeans. The side zipper on this pair gives them a little rock and roll edge.

Image via payless.com

 Pixie Western Boot in Taupe- $44.99 from Payless

These booties remind me of the pair that Katie Holmes wears everywhere. You know, the pair that is always made fun of on Suri's Burnbook? Regardless, I love them. I can see the taupe color looking great with just about everything, and they're basically flat, so they should be pretty comfortable for my commuting feet. My only qualm is that $44.99 seems pricey for a shoe from Payless.Maybe this pair from Target would a be better value?

image via DSW.com

Qupid Nesha Bootie in Red- $44.95 at DSW 

How cute are these? The deep ruby red color fits with my fall shopping theme of neutral basics and pops of color/ bold prints. Realistically, I wouldn't wear a pair of red booties all that much, and I shouldn't waste my precious closet space on the, but if I had endless closet space I'd totally buy them!

image via Target.com

Kalama Shootie Wedge in Chestnut- $34.99 at Target

While I think shootie is a totally ridiculous word, I love these shoes. I can see myself wearing them with cords or jeans and sweaters or with tights, a sundress and a cardigan. Plus, I love a wedge:)

image via AldoShoes.com

Cedrina boot in Black- $120 at Aldo

These booties would be a totally ridiculous splurge item. Is it bad that I just want them to wear on every New Year's Eve from now until eternity?

What are your thoughts on booties?