This is my final post on clothes, inter alia. I've had a lot of fun blogging, but the time has come to say farewell.
I still enjoy getting dressed and wearing fun ensembles. I enjoy reading other blogs. I may be commenting a bit less lately, but fear not, I'm still reading your blog and I'm finding great new ones all the time.
Sometime during the winter, maintaining my own blog became a chore for me, so I slowed down. Then I slowed down some more and eventually just stopped posting. Which you've probably already noticed if you've been following for a while.
It's been a lot of fun! Thank you so much for reading and following along.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
What I Read This Month
...and when I say "this month," I really mean "March 2011."
Sleeping Arrangements by Madeline Wickham, 2001
The pen name of Shopaholic author Sophie Kinsella. I've always enjoyed Kinsella's stories, but while reading this book, it dawned on me that her stories always involve lies. Big, crazy, wild lies usually told by the heroine, with twists and turns and add-ons, and enough vamping to fuel many a jazz concert. As someone who values honesty, I found that disappointing. I also can't believe I never noticed that before.
Lying aside, the story was good. Less fluffy than the books she writes under the name Kinsella. I wonder which one is her real name? Maybe neither? If you're a fan of Kinsella's books, you'll probably enjoy Sleeping Arrangements, a story about 2 couples whose marriages are in trouble. A mutual friend "accidentally" arranges for each couple to borrow his villa in Spain on the same weekend. They both arrive, thinking they will be enjoying a private family vacation, only to find they must share the space. Hijinks ensue.
Not a bad read. Not a bad read at all. But so disappointing to realize that all of Kinsella/Wickham's books (or at least all half a dozen or so that I've read thus far) revolve around lies.
Skyscraper by Faith Baldwin, 1931
A 21st Century reprint of 1930's pulp fiction. A woman is torn between two lovers, feeling like a... oh no, wait. A young career woman is pursued by two men, one young and sweet with plenty of potential, the other established and rich with plenty of charm. Does choosing either of these men require her to sacrifice her career? A hopeful bit of fluff, written at the beginning of the Great Depression, a love story to vertical urban development, the beginning of the single-urban-career-girl-looking-for-a-man genre.
Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen, 1937
Dane Karen Blixen, under the pen name Isak Dinesen, writes about her decade and a half living and working on a coffee plantation near colonial Nairobi. Dinesen is breathtaking in her descriptions of the African countryside, but a bit slow and meandering in her story-telling. I'm glad I read it, but the movie is better (and how often is that true? Like, never. See, e.g., Twilight, Gone with the Wind, Jurassic Park.) (But how often does the movie star Meryl Streep and Robert Redford and real lions??)
Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld, 2005
The first novel from Curtis Sittenfeld, author of the more recent American Wife. Focusing on a midwestern girl who leaves her hometown of South Bend, Indiana (where I used to live!) to attend a private boarding school in New Englad. As a scolarship student who doesn't hail from a wealthy family as do most of her classmates, this book recounts her development from an awkward freshman through to her graduation.
Sleeping Arrangements by Madeline Wickham, 2001
The pen name of Shopaholic author Sophie Kinsella. I've always enjoyed Kinsella's stories, but while reading this book, it dawned on me that her stories always involve lies. Big, crazy, wild lies usually told by the heroine, with twists and turns and add-ons, and enough vamping to fuel many a jazz concert. As someone who values honesty, I found that disappointing. I also can't believe I never noticed that before.
Lying aside, the story was good. Less fluffy than the books she writes under the name Kinsella. I wonder which one is her real name? Maybe neither? If you're a fan of Kinsella's books, you'll probably enjoy Sleeping Arrangements, a story about 2 couples whose marriages are in trouble. A mutual friend "accidentally" arranges for each couple to borrow his villa in Spain on the same weekend. They both arrive, thinking they will be enjoying a private family vacation, only to find they must share the space. Hijinks ensue.
Not a bad read. Not a bad read at all. But so disappointing to realize that all of Kinsella/Wickham's books (or at least all half a dozen or so that I've read thus far) revolve around lies.
Skyscraper by Faith Baldwin, 1931
A 21st Century reprint of 1930's pulp fiction. A woman is torn between two lovers, feeling like a... oh no, wait. A young career woman is pursued by two men, one young and sweet with plenty of potential, the other established and rich with plenty of charm. Does choosing either of these men require her to sacrifice her career? A hopeful bit of fluff, written at the beginning of the Great Depression, a love story to vertical urban development, the beginning of the single-urban-career-girl-looking-for-a-man genre.
Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen, 1937
Dane Karen Blixen, under the pen name Isak Dinesen, writes about her decade and a half living and working on a coffee plantation near colonial Nairobi. Dinesen is breathtaking in her descriptions of the African countryside, but a bit slow and meandering in her story-telling. I'm glad I read it, but the movie is better (and how often is that true? Like, never. See, e.g., Twilight, Gone with the Wind, Jurassic Park.) (But how often does the movie star Meryl Streep and Robert Redford and real lions??)
Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld, 2005
The first novel from Curtis Sittenfeld, author of the more recent American Wife. Focusing on a midwestern girl who leaves her hometown of South Bend, Indiana (where I used to live!) to attend a private boarding school in New Englad. As a scolarship student who doesn't hail from a wealthy family as do most of her classmates, this book recounts her development from an awkward freshman through to her graduation.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Silk & Wool
When:
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Where:
work
What:
Silk Dress-as-Top: Banana Republic (Christmas gift from my boyfriend)
Wool Skirt: vintage from my mother
Tights: H&M
Shoes: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Earrings: Lucky (Christmas gift from my parents
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Grey Silk
When:
Friday, February 25, 2011
Where:
work
What:
Grey Silk Top: from Marshall's
Cardigan: Cynthia Steffe (thrifted)
Skirt: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Cable Sweater Tights: from Filene's Basement
Shoes: Nine West
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Orange Silk
Amy Creyer from Chicago Street Style Scene hosted a Trunk Show party at the Cynthia Rowley store in Wicker Park. I attended as did several other Chicago area bloggers. A few of us went out for dinner afterwards. To read more about it, check out these posts:
Amy from Chicago Streetstyle Scene
Emily from Sartoriography
Lisa from Archives
Clare from Between Laundry Days
When:
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Where:
work, Cynthia Rowley Trunk Show, dinner at Feast
What:
Orange Silk Top: Forever XXI
Black Cardigan: Moda Int'l (thrifted)
Skirt: Forever XXI
Cable Sweater Tights: from Filene's Basement
Shoes: Nine West
Necklace: thrifted from somewhere in Wicker Park
Silver Hoop Earrings: gift from my parents
Amy from Chicago Streetstyle Scene
Emily from Sartoriography
Lisa from Archives
Clare from Between Laundry Days
When:
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Where:
work, Cynthia Rowley Trunk Show, dinner at Feast
What:
Orange Silk Top: Forever XXI
Black Cardigan: Moda Int'l (thrifted)
Skirt: Forever XXI
Cable Sweater Tights: from Filene's Basement
Shoes: Nine West
Necklace: thrifted from somewhere in Wicker Park
Silver Hoop Earrings: gift from my parents
Monday, March 14, 2011
Rookie Show
The Bar Show goes up every December. In February, we have the cast party along with the Rookie show - a spoof of the December Bar Show performed by the Rookies, i.e. anyone in the show 3 years or less.
The Rookie Show cast decided this year to wear all black in lieu of costuming each number. I wanted to wear something comfortable enough to perform in, but nice enough for dinner, rather than change for the show.
When:
Friday, February 18, 2011
Where:
work, rehearsal, cast party, Rookie Show
What:
Silk Blouse: Theory (thrifted)
Pinstrip Pants: H&M (thrifted & altered)
Shoes: You by Crocs
Brooch: vintage from my mother (she wore it to her cotillion)
Pearl Earrings: mine from the 1990's
Diamons Earrings: high school graduation gift from my parents
Ring: from the Brooklyn Flea Market
The Rookie Show cast decided this year to wear all black in lieu of costuming each number. I wanted to wear something comfortable enough to perform in, but nice enough for dinner, rather than change for the show.
When:
Friday, February 18, 2011
Where:
work, rehearsal, cast party, Rookie Show
What:
Silk Blouse: Theory (thrifted)
Pinstrip Pants: H&M (thrifted & altered)
Shoes: You by Crocs
Brooch: vintage from my mother (she wore it to her cotillion)
Pearl Earrings: mine from the 1990's
Diamons Earrings: high school graduation gift from my parents
Ring: from the Brooklyn Flea Market
Friday, March 11, 2011
Friend Friday: Time Management
Friend Friday is the creation of Katy of Modly Chic. This week's questions focus on time management:
1. When it comes to prioritizing your life, in what place does blogging fall?
Blogging is a priority, but one of my lower ones. Relationship, work, pets, downtime and mental health, fitness/yoga and dancing, acting and other performance activities, then blogging and reading tied at the bottom. Blogging is not very high on my priority list, but it is a priority, meaning that I set aside time to focus on it and make a point of working on it even when I have a lot going on, unlike other fun things I do that aren’t priorities like watching movies or going out to bars or playing the piano.
2. We all wish we had more free time to dedicate to blogging and all it entails. What are your tricks for taking advantage of the time you do have to be as productive as possible?
No tricks. Just a semi-regular schedule. I read and comment on blogs in the morning over coffee. I work on blog posts a bit in the morning too, and I spend a longer block of time preparing posts on the weekends. I often take photos outside during the afternoon when I need a break and some fresh air.
3. Have you discovered any short-cuts that makes blogging easier or more time efficient?
Not exactly a short cut, but I prefer to spend a block of time preparing posts, usually on a weekend, then schedule them to publish, one each day for the next week or two. Also, I frequently carry my camera and gorilla-pod with me and take pictures when I’m out and about. That way, I can use more varied backgrounds without taking the time to travel to a location, since I’m already walking right by the spot. I don’t even have to spend the time walking downstairs and out of the office building, since I’m already out and about.
4. Do you have an editorial calendar or something similar that helps you plan ahead?
Nothing too strict. On the last day of every month, I post about all the books I read that month. At least one a month, I’ll do a post of outfits I was wearing that same month of the previous year. I can prepare all those posts well in advance and leave them as drafts, then schedule them to go live when I don’t have time to prepare anything else.
I participate in Friend Friday when I have enough time to prepare posts (which has gotten a lot easier now that Katy sends out the Friend Friday questions a couple weeks in advance; thanks, Katy!). I also prepare those in advance and schedule them to publish on the designated Friday.
Otherwise, I post daily outfit photos, and it often takes me a few days (or weeks) to get an outfit up on the blog. I almost always post outfits in the order that I wore them, so the oldest photo in my queue is pretty much always going to be the next one posted.
5. If time wasn’t an issue what you would be doing on your blog/for your blog that you aren’t doing now?
Locations! Right now, if I have enough time, I go outside near work or home to take photos. If I don’t have enough time even for that, I take them in the house, where I don’t have the best lighting or backgrounds. If I had unlimited time, I would scout locations and use the best ones rather than being limited to what is closest and most convenient. Even with a cheap point-and-shoot camera and mediocre photography skills, I am much happier with my blog when I have time to be creative with photo locations.
1. When it comes to prioritizing your life, in what place does blogging fall?
Blogging is a priority, but one of my lower ones. Relationship, work, pets, downtime and mental health, fitness/yoga and dancing, acting and other performance activities, then blogging and reading tied at the bottom. Blogging is not very high on my priority list, but it is a priority, meaning that I set aside time to focus on it and make a point of working on it even when I have a lot going on, unlike other fun things I do that aren’t priorities like watching movies or going out to bars or playing the piano.
2. We all wish we had more free time to dedicate to blogging and all it entails. What are your tricks for taking advantage of the time you do have to be as productive as possible?
No tricks. Just a semi-regular schedule. I read and comment on blogs in the morning over coffee. I work on blog posts a bit in the morning too, and I spend a longer block of time preparing posts on the weekends. I often take photos outside during the afternoon when I need a break and some fresh air.
3. Have you discovered any short-cuts that makes blogging easier or more time efficient?
Not exactly a short cut, but I prefer to spend a block of time preparing posts, usually on a weekend, then schedule them to publish, one each day for the next week or two. Also, I frequently carry my camera and gorilla-pod with me and take pictures when I’m out and about. That way, I can use more varied backgrounds without taking the time to travel to a location, since I’m already walking right by the spot. I don’t even have to spend the time walking downstairs and out of the office building, since I’m already out and about.
4. Do you have an editorial calendar or something similar that helps you plan ahead?
Nothing too strict. On the last day of every month, I post about all the books I read that month. At least one a month, I’ll do a post of outfits I was wearing that same month of the previous year. I can prepare all those posts well in advance and leave them as drafts, then schedule them to go live when I don’t have time to prepare anything else.
I participate in Friend Friday when I have enough time to prepare posts (which has gotten a lot easier now that Katy sends out the Friend Friday questions a couple weeks in advance; thanks, Katy!). I also prepare those in advance and schedule them to publish on the designated Friday.
Otherwise, I post daily outfit photos, and it often takes me a few days (or weeks) to get an outfit up on the blog. I almost always post outfits in the order that I wore them, so the oldest photo in my queue is pretty much always going to be the next one posted.
5. If time wasn’t an issue what you would be doing on your blog/for your blog that you aren’t doing now?
Locations! Right now, if I have enough time, I go outside near work or home to take photos. If I don’t have enough time even for that, I take them in the house, where I don’t have the best lighting or backgrounds. If I had unlimited time, I would scout locations and use the best ones rather than being limited to what is closest and most convenient. Even with a cheap point-and-shoot camera and mediocre photography skills, I am much happier with my blog when I have time to be creative with photo locations.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Silk Skirt
When:
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Where:
work
What:
Wrap Top: New York & Co. (thrifted)
T-shirt: Wet Seal
Silk Skirt: The Limited (thrifted)
Boots: Steve Madden (thrifted)
Silver Hoop Earrings: gift from my parents
Necklace: diy from my grandmother's old backdoor key
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Everybody, Everywear: Polka Dots
Everybody, Everwear is featuring polka dots for March. I am no longer posting outfits the day I wear them, and I don't have any polka dots in the queue, so the photo above is my favorite outfit incorporating polka dots that I've worn since starting my blog.
And, another way I've worn this same dress (also a favorite):
And, another way I've worn this same dress (also a favorite):
Monday, February 28, 2011
What I Read This Month
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, 1955
Yet another book that I've been wanting to read for a while. An interesting look inside the brain of someone compelled to act in a way that he himself knows is not sanctioned by society. A step-father obsessed with his 12-year-old stepdaughter. Beautiful language. The first half is enjoyable, the second half goes downhill quite a bit.
Comedy at the Edge: How Stand-up in the 1970s Changed America by Richard Zoglin, 2008
I read mostly fiction, but this book is a great reminder why I should read more non-fiction. While the subtitle, How Stand-up Changed America, might be overreaching a bit, it is an excellent chronicle of how comedy and careers in comedy changed in the 70s and beyond.
The Awakening by Kate Chopin, 1899
This Victorian novella with modern themes is often considered to be one of the earlier feminist novels. The Awakening ended the author's popular literary career and destroyed her reputation in her lifetime, but has met with favorable critical reviews subsequent to her death. Protagonist Edna Pontellier is unsatisfied with her unavoidable roles as wife and mother, but meets with disapproval when she tries to venture too far away. Old Mademoiselle Reisz asks Edna if her wings are strong enough because "[t]he bird that would soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice must have strong wings. It is a sad spectacle to see the weaklings bruised, exhausted, fluttering back to earth."
Despite the surprising support of many of her friends and acquaintances, and even the tolerance of her husband (through one would ideally wish for more than mere tolerance from a spouse), Edna falters in the path of nonconformity that she has chosen for herself, leading to her ultimate demise. The themes are ahead of Chopin's time, more in keeping with feminist literature of the 1960's and beyond, such as Doris Lessing's The Golden Notebook
, Silvia Plath's The Bell Jar
or Marilyn French's The Women's Room
, although Chopin's writing style is more 19th-century. 
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson, 2010 (published postumously)
The final book of the Millenium Trilogy
. I wasn't too impressed with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
; it was good but I didn't think it was good enough to deserve all the fuss. The Girls Who Played with Fire
and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
have exceeded my expectations. 
Notes from the Underground
by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, 1864The second half was better than the first half, but all in all I generally prefer novels to have a bit more story and I prefer philosophy in an essay format.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
by Betty Smith, 1943This autobiographical novel presents the coming of age story of teen Francie Nolan, who lives in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn with her family in the early 1900's, leading up to World War I, with a focus on her struggles with school, her family's poverty, her first jobs and her first loves.
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