9.02.2010

Hair By the Year 2010 - 2004

I always enjoy the celebrity versions of these that they do in InStyle or whatever. I was watching The September Issue for my thesis the other day, and Tonne had one of those pages of of Sienna Miller's hair, so I decided to make one of my own! I've changed my hair colour three times this year, but it's all subtle shifts of blonde. I've only ever been a non-blonde once in 2005.


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I also tried to braid my hair across my crown because I'm trying to grow out my fringe the other day, but ALAS it is not in me. Plus my widow's peak makes it look awk. I will never look as cute as Rubie does with hers. Or Lauren Conrad. Since the beginning of the year or so, I've been rolling my bangs back when I want them out of the way and I really like it. I used to always backcomb it into a poof, but I'm sort of over it. I tried an off-center poof for awhile, but I really like it rolled back and I think it will look even cuter as my bangs get longer and I can make it more dramatic.


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Other discoveries: Most of 2006 are only of pictures of my friends and I in clubs, my acne has really improved, and I am MUCH better with my angles and taking my own picture.

8.29.2010

Is there anything worse than getting sick in the summer?

I know, I said I was going to update 3-4 times a week rather than trying to do it daily, partly because I find it gets overwhelming to have soooo many posts waiting each morning in my Google Reader. Also, I like people to take the time/HAVE the time to read each post and reply to it without feeling awkward because it's an "old post". Saying that, here I am today. I actually feel pretty awful. I have some sort of vile throat illness going on that has been lingering for days and now, after an epic shopping adventure to Nordstrom and Best Buy (my mom is getting a pimp new front loading washer!), I feel awful, achy, exhausted, and have that horrible hot throat feeling. I think once I'm done with this post I'll make myself a mug of "homemade cough syrup": Irish whiskey, lemon, honey, and hot water.

08292010_02
Shirt: Talbots, Jeggings: H&M, Shoes: Coach, Cardigan: Only Mine (?? It's from Nordstrom), Necklace: Thrifted

It wasn't as cool today as yesterday, but I still didn't feel like wearing shorts. For one thing, I desperately need to do laundry. I was sort of in a quandary about what to wear because I knew I was going to go to Nordstrom to buy a specific item and wanted something that would be easy on/off, hence the jeggings. Also they were clean, haha.

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What I actually went to buy was...Bridget Jones worthy truly huge knickers. AKA Spanx. I have a taste for the old hot pants and bodycon cotton-spandex dresses and lately I've just been feeling like I could use a little extra shaping/support under them for my stomach. I have a bit of an awkward build where my stomach sort of drops off like a ledge. Add to that I gain weight in my stomach (WHY?!) and it's a whole world of needs Spanx/not-so-much, especially when I'm feeling bloated or just rundown. So we'll see how these pants work out

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Do you guys like these shoe detail shots? I love these shoes. I got them at Nordstrom Rack on an insane discount that was something like 90% off. I think they were, like, $28. You can see another picture of them here.

8.28.2010

The dog days are over

Apologies for the lack of updates lately. I've been swamped by my dissertation, which is due in TWO WEEKS, and I'm still only two-thirds of the way done with! It's also been hot and the two factors have combined to make me 1.) unhappy 2.) wear a lot of dumpy cut-offs with old tee shirts and 3.) not want to update/not checking blogs. Anyway, this is a resolution to start updating more. I am aiming for a 3 times a week update of outfit pictures, plus maybe a once-weekly feature TBD because I haven't decided what I want it to be yet.

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Today was weirdly cold after it being over 100F on Tuesday and Wednesday. I think the high was 72F! So I thought that justified wearing tights with my shorts today.

08282010_02
Shorts: Primark, Cardigan, Tank: H&M, Shoes: Miz Mooz, Tights: DKNY

I am not a huge fan of these tights. I usually wear the more opaque ones, but somehow I got these sheerer ones and they snag on my fingernails when I put them on and they are super soft (not a con, I guess), but they're good for days like this when it isn't hot or cold.

08282010_04

It's hard to tell in these pictures (maybe?) but I dyed my hair! It's an ombre ala Drew Barrymore and I'm really excited for it to grow out. Today was one of the first days it really started to look ombre. I need a few more inches of outgrown, honestly, but I'm pretty happy with it.

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8.01.2010

LA essentials

Two months into LA life, I'm loving it more than I ever thought I would. Here are some of my summer essentials in LA...


Shrimp tacos from Calbi truck

Tacos from a truck
Shrimp tacos from Calbi BBQ


Patterned shortsPatterned shorts

Flowy, patterned shorts
Hei Hei (@ Anthropologie) , H&M Garden Collection


Ray bans

A classic pair of sunglasses
Ray-Ban


Beach life

Of course...beach life.
Santa Monica Beach


Lippmann Collection Across the Universe

Punchy, glitzy nail color
Lippmann Collection "Across the Universe"


Tropical Shaved Ice

Hawaiian shaved ice
Lime, vanilla, cherry, with condensed milk & vanilla ice cream

7.14.2010

The rumors of my death have been greatly exagerated.

Apologies for the lack of updates! I will try to catch up on all your posts ASAP. I went to wedding over the weekend in Birmingham, Alabama and was without internet. I did take a roll of film with my Holga, which I just sent away to be processed. The prints should be ready on Monday, so expect a bunch of Holga pictures on Tuesday! I sent away four rolls. I am so bad at remembering to get them processed in a timely manner.

Darcy asked how I did the braids in the romper picture, so I thought I'd let you guys know. It's ridiculously easy. Braid your hair into two braids (try to braid as far to the ends as you can) and then pull one up over the crown of your head. Judiciously bobby-pin/hair grip it in place. Repeat with the other braid. I usually try to tuck the ends of the braids under the opposite braid or sort of tuck them into my hair on the top of my head and pin them in place. Hairspray the heck out of it and voila: instant Scandinavian approved hair-do. You can definitely do it with hair shorter than mine as long as your braids reach your part when you pull them up onto the top of your head.

It's been really gross and hot here, so I have been lounging about in shorts and tees. I also acquired an exercise bike from a friend and have been riding it while watching TV which is good for me, but also makes me gross and sweaty and means I don't always feel psyched up post-workout to go get prettified.

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It's sort of hard to see, but if you click and look at the large size of that picture, you can see how jacked up my fingernails are right now. I mentioned in the romper post that I got them overlayed with an acrylic overlay because I have some insanely awful fingernails. I have to say: not impressed. The biogels I had before were much better, I think, in part, because they were more flexible and bent with my nail rather than shearing off. After three weeks with the gels on, I only had two messed up fingers, one of which was my own fault because I nicked the nail with a knife in the kitchen and therefor had to trim it back. With these acrylics, I have five messed up nails after two and a half weeks, the first of which occurred less than a week after I got them done. Do not want.

07142010_01
Cardigan, Shorts, Top: Talbots, Shoes, Sunglasses: Nordstrom Brand

7.07.2010

ROCK, FLAG, & EAGLE

Blessed with a 3 day holiday weekend, I decided to go up to Sacramento and visit Britta. She warned me that she and her sister Andi liked to go "all-out" with their outfits for the 4th of July. I excitedly packed a frilly blue and white polka dot dress to pair with red accessories and my favorite white summer wedges.

What she didn't mention was that their July 4th style wasn't East Coast preppy so much as ROCK, FLAG, AND EAGLE:



ROCK, FLAG, AND EAGLE
L to R: Andi, Britta, Me

Naturally, we ditched the dresses for tanks, cutoffs, and red, white, and blue makeup. It was so tacky and incredibly fun.

Later that night, we headed to Britta's friend's house to set off fireworks. Growing up in Illinois, which outlaws all fireworks (besides sparklers!), I had never been able to set off fireworks legally before! We always had to illicitly cross the border into Wisconsin or Indiana to buy fireworks, then sneak back into Illinois via surface streets so we wouldn't be stopped by highway police.

It was exciting to set up a ladder in the middle of the street (!), sit on lawn chairs in the driveway, and create our own personal pyrotechnic show!

As always, click to enlarge...

fireworks

fireworks

fireworks

fireworks


The rest of our weekend was perfectly decadent. We shopped the Nordstrom presale, went to the spa, lounged on the couch watching Daria, Alias, and 30 Rock, and played Scrabble (I am currently the undefeated champ!). And of course, we ate. Britta's mom makes delicious food and it was so nice to have home-cooked meals and baked goods! Really, what could be better?

7.02.2010

Retro Romper

Apologies for the lack of posts this week. I have a draft due of my thesis next week and it's getting into crunch time. Which means a lot of unwashed hair, baggy & comfy shorts, and old tee shirts for me while I drink enough Diet Coke to fill a swimming pool. If anyone is interested, this is my tentative topic title: "Why Does the Devil Wear Prada?: Creating the Idea of Fashion Through Cinematic Representations of Fashion Journalism".

These pictures are from a few days ago when I went to get my nails did. And...took no pictures of them. I'll try to get one tomorrow. They're french with sparkly blue tips. I love them. And already cracked one, of course.

This is my second of two rompers. It is comfy, but obviously not like the other one which is like wearing a onesie tee-shirt. I love it's retro look, though. My sister took these for me really late in the evening, so apologies for the yellow-ness.

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Romper: H&M, Shoes: Arturo Chiang

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6.29.2010

Blueberry Bliss

California weather has finally decided to wake up and realize it's almost July. The nice days of the 80F heat has been replaced by 90F+ degree heat. Worse, it has not been cooling down at night. It is making me miserable! I even got heat sick yesterday, presumably from sleeping under my duvet. Needless to say, I have been feeling less than motivated to get dressed. Yesterday I swapped one set of pajamas for another and laid on the couch watching season 1 of Alias all day.

06292010_01


One of the things getting me through these ~hard times~ are cold drinks. I've been reading My Breakfast Blog for awhile and lusting/drooling over her delicious meals. I was particularly intrigued by the banana-blueberry smoothies she often has, so I searched through her blog to find her recipe. I altered it slightly because I don't need rice protein nor do I drink almond milk. Here is my version of the smoothie.
1 Cup Non-Fat Milk
1 to 1 1/2 Cups Frozen Blueberries (depending on your taste)
1 Frozen Banana
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Paste
4 Cups Organic Baby Spinach

Put in blender. Blend till smooth. Makes 2 smoothies.
What do you guys do in the heat? Any good coping mechanisms besides hiding inside with a cool drink?

6.26.2010

You think a lot of men can't handle the regalness of a updo right right?

This post/hairdo came about for two main reasons. 1. I have had long hair for several years now and had long hair in high school before that. But I never DO anything with it. I mean, even flat-ironing the big waves it gets in the back was beyond me in high school. And I only really started wearing it curly/wavy last summer after experimenting for a few months with different techniques. Basically my go-to hairdos were: straight & down (center or side part) OR a ponytail. Once and awhile maybe I'd mix it up and put just the front in a pompadour.

My senior year of college, however, I worked a lot of 7am shifts and I just was not willing to get up that extra 20 minutes earlier to do my hair. Suddenly I started getting a lot more into braids, side braids, low side ponies, and other hairdos that hide greasy hair. Rubie had also introduced me to dry shampoo, which I had been using on-and-off to varying degrees of success my junior year. Fast forward 18 months and I am now the master of my previously unmanageable greasy hair. I came about this in two ways: 1. bleaching the shit out of it and 2. baby powder. I get all Marie Antoinette on that shit and just douse my roots and then scrunch it in and (if I feel so inclined) brush it through my roots. I now only wash my hair every other day or every three days. In fact, I put so much stuff in my hair yesterday for this hairdo, I could've skipped washing it today except my hair felt heavy and my scalp got a little upset about all the backcombing.

06262010_03

06262010_02
Tunic: TopShop, Leggings: American Apparel, Belt & Necklace: H&M, Pumps: Coach

The second reason I decided to try a beehive was I got this amazing 1960s inspired yellow sheath dress for my cousin's wedding in two weeks. Since it's in Alabama in July, I am pretty sure I want to rock an updo or something because me and humidity do not get along well. At all. Or heat. Or sweating.

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Because I am me, I did not look at a tutorial until I had already backcombed most of my hair, but I think it turned out alright anyway. The back was a little bit of a mess and I was debating bangs vs no bangs, hence the two looks. Also it RAINED yesterday morning and was cool enough I went for leggings instead of shorts! What is that?!

06262010_04
I jus wanna let you know the back of yo head is ridicolous.


I got these shoes on super deep clearance for $20. Originally they were $300+!!! They're also shockingly comfortable.

06262010_01

6.25.2010

Welcome to the Jungle

Picking a place to photograph your outfit seems like it wouldn't be that hard. Find somewhere with decent light that has an acceptable background. Unfortunately, because we live in a long, low, well-shaded ranch house, there isn't really anywhere to take photos indoors. Which means a jaunt to the backyard. I get tired of taking pictures in the backyard, though. I feel like they maybe don't set off my more urban outfits well. But alas, we must work with what we've got. Andi and I decided to try the front yard the other day to mixed results. Mostly we realized that the bushes/trees in our yard are going to eat us in our sleep sometime in the very near future.

Welcome to the Jungle
Andi about to be eaten by plants ala Little Shop of Horrors. See less nightmare/SciFi Original Movie inducing pictures of her outfit here.


Welcome to the Jungle
Sweater: Talbots, Shorts: homemade from Andi's old jeans, Shoes: Charles by Charles David

I thought this outfit was from yesterday, which only goes to show I am going senile. It's from Wednesday. Andi and I had decided to go thrifting and it was deceptively hot and humid outside. As usual I could not dress myself. This is an ongoing problem wherein I rampage about and then decide to angrily wear jeans and the grubbiest tee-shirt I can find to spite my other clothes. On this day, however, I sat down in my underwear to angrily scroll through blogs and ended up on Weardrobe. One of the outfits caught my eye, this one worn by Amanda of Off of Broadway.

Welcome to the Jungle

Do you ever have one of those sudden OMG DUH I AM SO DUMB? flashes of insight? This is what happened to me when I saw that outfit. Everything just clicked and I ran back to my room with a pair of scissors and hacked the legs off some old jeans Andi had donated to me. Okay this isn't totally true. I learnt my lesson last time I tried to make cut-offs, so this time I drew a line ALL THE WAY AROUND while wearing them so they didn't end up too Daisy Duke and uneven. THEY STILL ENDED UP WONKY. Whatever, that's the charm of cut-offs, right? I'm not a big pull-over sweater wearer, but I have this great Talbots Collections v-neck that my sister gave me because she didn't wear it. The stripes sort of hit me in unfortunate spots and it fit better when I was slightly heavier, but I really love the cut and the dolmen sleeves. Plus it is insanely comfortable. My mother swore I would sweat to death in it, but I was surprisingly cool.

Welcome to the Jungle

I was originally going to "hipster" my hair to go with a different outfit (read: put one of those elastic headbands on over it. I ended up doing it yesterday to hold my next-day bangs in place) which is why it's straight. I used to always wear my hair straight, but I've gotten really fond of its natural waves. Plus those are SO MUCH less time intensive. I had to fully blow-dry my hair and then flat iron it to get this look and I feel like it's slightly generic.

Oh, and while thrifting, I discovered I am slightly allergic to my wedges. I have a really bad nickel allergy and apparently the rivets and metal loops make me itch!

Welcome to the Jungle

Rubie and Britta's Epic Roadtrip: Part 1

I've always wanted to roadtrip across the country, but have never had the time (or a reason good enough to do so). So, when I was offered an internship in California, I think my reason for accepting was as much for the adventure as the promise of an amazing job.

Britta volunteered herself to help me drive out (yaaay, because my mother is THE WORLD'S WORST BACKSEAT DRIVER), so she flew out and spent a few days at my family's home in Chicago before we embarked on our marathon drive. Our one day tour of the city sights turned into a shopping-and-food mission...I feel like this is always what happens when Britta and I hang out, despite our best efforts to be productive.

We tried to go to Frontera Grill for lunch, but they closed at 2, so we ended up eating next door at sister restaurant XOCO. XOCO did not disappoint; it's equally amazing as Frontera Grill despite being a quick-service restaurant.


XOCO
My Woodland Mushroom torta

We did manage to squeeze in one touristy thing: THE BEAN.

BEAN!

beannnn

If you've never been to Chicago before, the Bean (also known as Cloud Gate) is an excellent time waster. Seriously, I could sit around for hours just taking pictures of this thing.

holga
Futzing with my Holga, aka my only currently working camera :( Could I look any more hipster?


After some adventures in Illinois (in which Britta, 23, was denied buying a bottle of Pinot Grigio...don't ask), we set off for California!

Sup Iowa

Iowa Windmills
Windmills in Iowa


By the way: thank god for Coralville, Iowa, home of POSSIBLY THE ONLY STARBUCKS IN THE ENTIRE STATE.

Worst state in the union?
Worst state in the union?


Shockingly, we took about 3 pictures total in Nebraska. If you have never been to Nebraska, let me tell you: you wouldn't have found anything to take pictures of either. Nebraska is like one giant swirling dustbowl with no Starbucks and towns with names like Ogallala. Before we left Chicago that morning, I ambitiously suggested to Britta that we try to make it to Denver in one day, and she was like "HA HA R U CRAZY? NO." However, about halfway through Nebraska, when we hadn't seen a city in hours (unless power plants count) and both of us were unable to breathe from the dust and jittering from lack of caffeine, we decided there was no way we were spending the night in Nowheresville, Nebraska.

Yay, no more Nebraska

Colorado teepee

colorado

Roadtrippin'


Although we never actually got rained on, we saw some NASTY storms forming around the Nebraska/Colorado border. I grew up in the Midwest and some of the black, swirling wall clouds we saw scared the crap out of me. Thankfully, the storms stayed away from the highway, and as the sun set over Colorado, the view of the retreating clouds was amazing:

Colorado storm



Colorado sunset



Stay tuned for Part 2!