clothes, inter alia

Good-bye

2011-07-05T19:12:00.000-05:00

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.

What I Was Wearing Last May

2011-05-30T08:04:00.030-05:00

Some of my favorites from this time last year...

What I Was Wearing Last April

2011-05-23T14:04:00.000-05:00

Some of my favorites from this time last year...

What I Was Wearing Last March

2011-05-02T11:27:00.000-05:00

Some of my favorites from this time last year...

What I Read This Month

2011-03-31T07:01:00.100-05:00

...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.

Silk & Wool

2011-03-17T07:39:00.001-05:00

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

Grey Silk

2011-03-16T09:39:00.000-05:00

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

Orange Silk

2011-03-15T07:20:00.029-05:00

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

Photo courtesy of Amy
Pictured L to R: Clare, Tabitha, Lisa, Amy, me, Sabrina, Emily

Rookie Show

2011-03-14T09:19:00.001-05:00

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

Friend Friday: Time Management

2011-03-11T09:30:00.000-06:00

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.

Silk Skirt

2011-03-10T09:50:00.000-06:00

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

Everybody, Everywear: Polka Dots

2011-03-08T22:04:00.000-06:00

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):

What I Read This Month

2011-02-28T07:41:00.017-06:00

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, 1864

The 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, 1943

This 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.

Clothes inter alia is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Clothes inter alia may benefit financially if you makes any purchases by following the above links.

What I Was Wearing Last February

2011-02-17T08:13:00.001-06:00

Some of my favorites from this time last year...

My Favorite Silhouette (and a Faux Fur Coat)

2011-02-16T07:51:00.002-06:00

This silhouette has always been a favorite of mine: skinny jeans and a relatively fitted (but not skin tight) t-shirt.

When:
Monday, January 31, 2011

Where:
shopping/thrifting

What:
Long-sleeved T-shirt: Mossimo for Target
Grey T-shirt: Wet Seal
Denim Leggings: Forever XXI
Necklace: diy from my grandmother's old backdoor key
Boots: MIA
Faux Fur Coat: (thrifted)
Scarf: handmade by my mother
Gloves: gift from Sabrina
Book: Lolita, c/o the Chicago Public Library

Channelling My Roots

2011-02-15T07:50:00.002-06:00

I grew up in a rural area, so flannel was something I saw a lot of as a child. Especially because I also was in high school in the 1990's. Between the farmers and other rural residents, and the grunge trend of the 90's, flannel reminds me of growing up in rural Pennsylvania.

When:
Friday, January 28, 2011

Where:
lunch at Freddy's, driving to a friend's lake house for the weekend

What:
Flannel Shirt: mine from the 1990's
Pink Long-sleeved T-shirt: H&M
Denim Skirt: Levi's (thrifted, altered)
Grey Leggings: Newport News
Black Socks: H&M
Boots: MIA

Rerun

2011-02-14T07:49:00.000-06:00

When I was putting together my "What I Was Wearing Last January" post, I saw this outfit from last winter and wanted to wear it again.

When:
Friday, January 21, 2011

Where:
work

What:
Sweater: Mossimo for Target (thrifted)
Striped T-shirt: (thrifted)
Skirt: Ann Taylor LOFT (clearance, $3)
Necklaces: mix of thrifted silver locket, Macy's white beads and Anne Klein grey beads
Cuff Bracelet: from MoJo Jewelry in Wicker Park
Black Leggings: from a dance catalog
Grey Socks: Xhileration for Target
Boots: M.I.A. from Macy's

Green & Orange Silk

2011-02-10T07:48:00.000-06:00

Except for the jewelry, everything is thrifted. The earrings were a gift and the brooch (used to attached the scarf around my waist) is vintage from my grandmother.

When:
Thursday, January 20, 2011

Where:
work

What:
Top: (thrifted)
Pants: (thrifted)
Scarft-as-belt: (thrifted)
Brooch-as-belt-fastener: vintage from my grandmother
Shoes: Etienne Aigner (thrifted)
Earrings: Lucky Brand (Xmas gift from my parents)

diy t-shirt

2011-02-09T07:48:00.000-06:00

This shirt is a refashion of one of my boyfriend's old t-shirts. I loved the color and the softness of the fabric, but it was too big and baggy for me, so I slimmed the sides, cut the neckline and finished the neck by simply folding under and stitching. Nothing fancy. It's reversible and can be worn with the boatneck front or the deep v front. The boatneck is a bit more work appropriate with the jacket staying on all day.

When:
Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Where:
work, rehearsal

What:
Grey Top: diy from boyfriend's hand-me-down
Jacket: Express
Shirt: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Patterned Tights: ??
Black Shoes: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Bead Necklace: Anne Klein

Teal Blazer

2011-02-08T07:42:00.003-06:00

The Everybody Everywear item for this month is blazers. I have a huge collection of blazers and suit jackets, and I'm quite fond of them. Check out how others have styled their blazers here.

When:
Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Where:
work

What:
Teal Blazer: Worthington (thrifted)
Blouse and matching Tie: Lapis
Skirt: Forever XXI
Grey Sweater Tights: from Filene's Basement
Shoes: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Flower Brooch: vintage from my grandmother
Cat: Amaretto

Blue Silk

2011-02-07T07:39:00.001-06:00

I've been getting into some 80s tv shows lately, thanks to Netflix streaming. The last week, I've been immersing myself in old episodes of Fame from 1982. Maybe the teachers' wardrobes are influencing my 80's fashion choices? Or is this shirt more late 80's/early 90's? I think I actually had 2 blouses in middle school that were cut very similarly to this one.

When:
Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Where:
work

What:
Silk Top: (thrifted)
Suede Skirt: (thrifted)
Black Sweater Tights: ??
Black Shoes: Nine West
Belt: ??
Ring: my law school class ring
Silver Ball Earrings: mine from the 1990's

Friend Friday: Blogging Events

2011-02-04T09:48:00.002-06:00

Friend Friday is the creation of Katy of Modly Chic. This week's questions focus on blogging events:

1. With all the blogging events out there how do you determine which ones to participate in and which ones to avoid?

I participate in the events that sound fun to me and/or support good causes (while still sounding fun). Some recent events in which I participated: Rainbow Tights Week, National Wear Red Day, and (obviously!) Friend Friday.

2. Be honest, have you ever jumped on the bandwagon of some blogging movement/event for the wrong reasons?

No.

3. How do you give your own flair to a blog event while still maintaining the general mission and purpose?

I’m the one participating. When I wear Red or Rainbow Tights or whatever the theme is, I’m still wearing clothes from my own closet in my own style.

4. When determining the best content for your blog what criterion do you keep in mind?

I try to put material on my blog that would interest me if I were seeing it on another blog. The blogger version of the Golden Rule.

5. While everything will not suit your blog, how do you try and support your fellow bloggers who are participating in something worthwhile but not your style?

The same way I support other bloggers in general, which is by following their blogs and commenting regularly.

National Wear Red Day

2011-02-04T08:02:00.003-06:00

Today is the American Heart Association's National Wear Red Day. This outfit is not what I'm wearing today, but it is red, so I thought today would be a good day to post it. I am actually wearing red today, but that outfit won't make it onto the blog for another week or two.

When:
Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Where:
work, rehearsal

What:
Vest: H&M
Red Shirt: from Victoria's Secret
Pants: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Boots: Nine West
Hoop Earrings: gift from my parents
Necklace: vintage from my grandmother

Go Steelers!

2011-02-03T08:08:00.002-06:00

The Superbowl is this weekend. The Steelers are competing. Since I grew up outside of Pittsburgh, the Steelers are my hometown team. I felt compelled to wear black and gold this week. Go Steelers!

When:
Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Where:
work

What:
Yellow Silk Jacket: Dana Buchman (thrifted)
T-shirt: Mossimo
Pants: H&M (thrifted, altered)
Shoes: Amalfi (thrifted)
Black Hoop Earrings: Aldo
Bracelet: gift from my boyfriend (thrifted)
Cat: Drusilla (thrifted) (I got her from a shelter. That counts as thrifted, right?)

My kitty cat:

Have a (Healthy) Heart

2011-02-01T08:51:00.005-06:00

Happy February! Looks like February will be ushered in by the biggest snowstown that Chicago has seen in over 40 years. I'm prepared to bundle up and wade through snow drifts. Then maybe, in exchange, the universe could stop bringing the snow and cold weather my way?

The American Heart Association's National Wear Red Day is this Friday, February 4. Wear Red to support heart health in women. According to the AHA, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, taking the life of more than 1 in 3 women every year. More women die of cardiovascular disease and stroke than the next four causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer. Ninety percent (90%) of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease, which if controlled could reduce their risk. Eighty percent (80%) of cardiac events in women could be prevented if women made heart-healthy choices involving diet, exercise and not smoking. The AHA uses funds to promote public awareness and support research.

Andie, from the blog What Andie Wears, has organized a blogger campaign to wear red on Friday, February 4th, in support of women's heart health, and then to continue to wear red at least once a week for the rest of February. Please join me in wearing red this Friday!

What I Read This Month

2011-01-31T20:35:00.005-06:00

Anatomy of a Murder by Robert Travers, 1958

Written by former Michigan State Supreme Court Justice John D. Voelker, published under the pen name of Robert Travers, this novel is a fictionalized account (based on a true story) of a murder trial from arrest through verdict, from the point of view of the defense attorney who was recently ousted from his D.A. position and is trying to start up his private criminal defense practice. Set in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in the early 1950's, the book explores all aspects of the process: interviewing the defendant and deciding to take the case, remunerative agreements, witness interviews and trial prep, finding expert witnesses, a bit of private detective work, legal research, and the trial itself starting with voir dire jury selection right on through to the bitter end. I'm not a criminal attorney, but the legal aspects with which I am familiar seem quite true to life, if a bit quaint given that the case comes to trial a mere 2 months after the shooting occurs. A bestseller when it came out; still a great read today.

Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter by Mario Vargas Llosa, 1977

This book has been on my to-read list for quite some time, so when Vargas Llosa won the Nobel Prize for Literature last year, I decided it was finally time to get around to it. Based on events in Vargas Llosa's early life as a writer, this novel is a comedy set in Lima, Peru in the 1950's, and follows a young radio newswriter in law school who wants to go to France and be a full-time writer but despairs of being poor for the rest of his life. He befriends an odd and slightly senile older gentleman who writes and directs all the radio soaps at the station. At the same time, the narrator begins a relationship with his Aunt Julia who is 14 years his senior. The age difference (an 18-year-old boy dating a 32-year-old divorcee) is quite risque, but it's not as incestuous as it sounds: she's not really his aunt, but rather his uncle's wife's sister, and their courtship is quite chaste. Great style, fun story.

Wide Saragasso Sea by Jean Rhys, 1966

Another book that I've been wanting to read for a while. After re-reading Jane Eyre last month, I dived into this prequel, focusing on Rochester's courtship with his first wife and her early life in the West Indies before Rochester's arrival.

Rainbow Tights Week: Pink

2011-01-28T08:20:00.001-06:00

My dress has pockets! And it's silk! And it's one of my favorite colors! This dress is new; it was a gift from my boyfriend for Christmas and I've already worn it a few times since then.

When:
Friday, January 14, 2011

Where:
work

What:
Dress: Banana Republic (gift)
Tights: ?? (made brighter by red tights underneath)
Boots: American Eagle
Socks: ??
Bead Necklace: vintage from my grandmother
Cat: Amaretto

My kitty cat:

Friend Friday: Blogging Technology

2011-01-28T07:33:00.002-06:00

Friend Friday is the creation of Katy of Modly Chic. Here are this weeks questions regarding technology used in blogging and the process of photo-taking:

1. What technology do you use in blogging? (computer, camera, video camera, tripod, etc...)
I use a Lumix point and shoot camera with a tripod or a gorillapod. I adjust the white balance and the setting for indoor vs. outdoor light. There's not much else I can set that's useful.

2. What computer and online technology do you use? (blogging system, photo storage, photo editing tools, etc..)
My blog is on Blogger. I host my photos on Flickr. I edit my photos using the basic photo editing system that is part of the basic no-frills-added software package that came with my Dell laptop. I basically edit my photos by cropping and adjusting for brightness, color temperature and saturation.

3. What is your process for taking pictures?
Right now, while it's freezing outside, I take my pictures in my house with a tripod before I leave for work. I'm usually in my kitchen or living room, but occasionally elsewhere.

When it's warmer, I take my camera and gorillapod to work with me in the Chicago Loop, and I go outside for 10-15 minutes in the afternoon and take pictures with the gorillapod attached to a signpost or stairway rail.

I have a 10-second and 2-second timer on my camera. I station the camera for the location I want, set the timer, walk into the frame and wait for the picture to take. I check the first photo to see how it came out and make adjustments if necessary. Once I'm getting the framing and look that I want, I just walk up to the front of the camera, reset the timer and go back into my posing spot. If I have on interesting jewelry or shoes or belt, I try to take a few photos focusing on just that area, but more often I end up taking almost all full-body shots and cropping them to focus on anything I particularly want to draw attention to. Mostly I use the 10-second timer, but sometimes the 2. I'd love a timer that's around 5 seconds long (10 is a bit long, 2 is often too short), or better yet a remote.

On rushed days, I take as little as 5-10 photos. On days when I have more time, I take anywhere from 10 to 30. I have my same few poses that I fall back on, but when I have time to take more photos, I experiment with different poses and movements.

4. When it comes to backdrops for your photos what do you consider? Do you scout locations or shoot the same spot daily?
I tend to fall back on the same few locations near my office or home that I've used before and that I already know will work. Some considerations: good lighting, interesting background, easy maneuvering from camera to posing spot, not too crowded (people walking into the frame gets old quick), and somewhere to attach my gorillapod if I'm away from home. Near home, I'll use my regular tripod.

When I have appointments away from my office (including court), I try to find somewhere near my appointment to take the photos so I get some variation in backgrounds. I do occasionally ask my boyfriend to take pictures if we're out somewhere together.

5. If you could splurge and get one new piece of equipment what would you be buying?
Oh, that's too easy. A new camera. With a remote. Or without. But really, a better quality camera is what I want.

Rainbow Tights Week: Robin's Egg

2011-01-27T08:14:00.001-06:00

Yet another dress that I love. That seems to be the secondary theme this week in addition to Rainbow Tights: dresses I love.

When:
Thursday, January 13, 2011

Where:
work

What:
Dress: Delia*s (thrifted)
Jacket: Express
Tights: c/o We Love Colors from our recent Christmas Blogger Brunch
Boots: Nine West
Bead Necklace: vintage from my grandmother
Brooch: vintage from my grandmother

Rainbow Tights Week: Blue

2011-01-26T08:21:00.000-06:00

Another favorite dress. Like yesterday's dress, today's also seems to work year-round, with the appropriate accoutrements.

When:
Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Where:
work, rehearsal

What:
Dress: H&M
Jacket: H&M
Tights: H&M??
Boots: Nine West
Belt: (thrifted)
Key Necklace: diy

Rainbow Tights Week: Yellow

2011-01-25T08:08:00.005-06:00

The premier outfit from Rainbow Tights Week, which in reality was two weeks ago, but on my blog is this week. I love the shade of these yellow tights. This dress is one of my favorites, and seems to work in all seasons if you dress it up right.

When:
Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Where:
work, dinner at Haymarket

What:
Dress: from Filene's Basement
Sweater: Ann Taylor LOFT
Tights: H&M?? (made brighter by white Capezio tights worn underneath)
Shoes: Joan & David (thrifted)
Gold and Pearl Drop Earrings: gift from my parents
Bangle Bracelet: mix of vintage from my mother and gift from Sabrina
Cameo: vintage from my mother

What I Was Wearing Last January

2011-01-24T08:01:00.000-06:00

Some of my favorites from this time last year...

Friend Friday: Blogger Authenticity

2011-01-21T09:41:00.006-06:00

Friend Friday is the authentic creation of Katy of Modly Chic. Here are this weeks questions regarding authenticity on blogs:

1. Most readers and fellow fashion bloggers value authenticity in the blogs they read. How would you describe blog/blogger authenticity?
When bloggers are honest on their blogs, that's authenticity. All bloggers edit and only present portions of their lives on their blogs, some present bigger slices than others, but honesty in what is presented is blogger authenticity.

2. When it comes to your blog how do you infuse it with that true/authentic feeling?
I've never really given a lot of thought to presenting myself in a certain light. Blogging is purely a hobby for me. I post pictures of most of what I wear (as long as I have time to photograph the outfits) and write whatever comes to mind about the outfit or the day I wore it or an item in it. So, I don't really try to infuse my blog with authenticity; it's there by default b/c I don't try for anything else.

3. Have you stopped following a blog in the last three months? What made you lose interest?
I recently stopped following a few blogs because they became too heavy on posts that I didn't find interesting, such as sponsor posts and giveaways, or other random stuff. Not sure if that's directly related to authenticity on blogs, but I generally follow blogs because I want to see how women dress to live their lives. Magazine editorials are beautiful to look at, but so much of the styling is completely impractical for everyday wear. That's where blogs come in. Reading about as much of people's lives as they care to share is a fascinating perk of following blogs.

4. We can't communicate effectively on our blogs something we don't live in real life... what are some ways you try to live an authentic life?
Something I haven't given much thought to. Hmmm....

5. Give a shout-out... Which bloggers do you think are truly genuine and why?
Some favorites: A Daisy Chain Dream, Academichic, Adored Austin, Already Pretty, Between Laundry Days, BlogFashion, Dirty Hair Halo, Fashion for Nerds, Fashion Therapist, Law School Fashionista, My Edit, No Signposts in the Sea, Song of the Exile, Stylish White Female, What I Wore Today. All of these bloggers come across as sharing their real lives in an honest manner on their blogs.

New Year's

2011-01-18T08:19:00.001-06:00

My New Year's Eve was quite mellow. My boyfriend and I cooked dinner at home for us and a friend. We had scallops, spinach, salad, too many hors d'oeuvres and a bottle of wine. Our friend was on her way home before midnight to avoid driving after 12 when the roads get crazier.

Saturday, we had our traditional New Year's pork and sauerkraut, made in our new crock pot (my boyfriend won it last spring as a door prize at a dinner he attended, but we only just took it out of the box for New Year's Day), with a side of garlic mashed potatoes (heavy on the garlic). We went out briefly in the evening to check out the sales at our local bargain basement. True to my typical weekend habits, I threw on the same outfit Saturday evening that I had already worn on Friday.

When:
Friday, December 31, 2010
Saturday, January 1, 2011

Where:
New Year's Eve dinner at home, shopping New Year's Day

What:
Polo: Old Navy (hand-me-down from bf)
Long-sleeved Tee: Merona
Khaki pants: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Red Boots: Franco Sarto (thrifted)
Gold Hoop Earrings: gift from my parents

Christmas Gifts

2011-01-14T09:39:00.004-06:00

This dress was a Christmas gift from my boyfriend. He almost never buys me clothes (I think he got me a tee shirt once) b/c he knows I'm particular about fit, but he liked this dress which was deeply discounted and silk and in a color he knows I like, so he went out on a limb and got it for me. The salesperson told him that this was an excellent style to belt in order to make it more fitted. The top ended up being a perfect fit, and I do love the color. Points to the boyfriend. The earrings were also a Christmas gift this year from my parents.

These shoes have a back story. When my mother was visiting me 2+ years ago, we went shopping and she bought me 2 pairs of black shoes, a pair of heeled oxfords and a pair of suede heeled loafers. After she left, my shoes were missing. I looked all over my apartment, called my mom and asked her to check her luggage, and asked my boyfriend to look in his stuff. Nobody reported accidentally picking them up. I never found them and eventually assumed that they had mistakenly been thrown out with the trash or donated to a thrift store, and I gave up on them.

Fast forward to last month: my boyfriend had moved out of his apartment into his new house this summer, and I joined him here early this fall. Over Christmas break, he was cleaning out some of the last junk in the garage that had just been thrown in there without too much sorting when we moved in. He found a bag of stuff that had come from the back of one of HIS closets, and told me he found a pair of my dance shoes. I was pretty sure all my dance shoes were accounted for, and said so, but he insisted that he had found some black dance shoes. So he brought them in from the garage and, surprise! surprise!, they were these shoes that my mom bought me over 2 years ago that had gone missing before I had a chance to wear them. I was quite excited to find them, and I wore them almost everyday between Christmas and New Year's.

When:
Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Where:
work

What:
Dress: Banana Republic (gift)
Earrings: Lucky Brand (gift)
Ring: from the Brooklyn Flea Market
Black Tights: ??
Shoes: Nine West (miraculously recovered!)

Go-To Christmas Outfit

2011-01-12T08:32:00.000-06:00

I wore this outfit several times over the holiday. These pictures were taken the weekend before Christmas when I wore it to a holiday party, but I also wore this on Christmas Eve for the family celebration at my house. Then I wore it again the week between Christmas & New Year's to meet up with some of my boyfriend's out-of-town friends at a wine bar in Wicker Park.

When:
Saturday, December 18, 2010

Where:
Christmas Party

What:
Cardigan Sweater: from Target
Grey Camisole: (thrifted)
Black Camisole: Wet Seal
Jeans: Forever XXI (thrifted)
Scarf: Forever XXI
Boots: Nine West
Locket: (thrifted)
Peace Sign Earrings: World Market

Rainbow Tights Week

2011-01-11T08:20:00.001-06:00

I'm participating in Rainbow Tights Week this week with 260 Days No Repeats. I own bunches of colored tights and love wearing them, but this winter I've found myself reaching far too often for basic black, brown and grey. I could use a bit of color. I'm a bit behind in posting pictures, though, so I won't have this week's rainbow tights up until sometime next week. In the meantime, let's take a look at some rainbow tights looks I've worn in the past.

Red:

Orange:

Yellow:

Green:

Blue:

Purple:

Pink:

Chicago Blogger Brunch

2011-01-06T08:32:00.005-06:00

The Saturday before Christmas, I attended the Chicago Blogger Brunch organized by Sabrina. It was great fun seeing ladies I'd met before, and meeting new bloggers. Most everybody was from the Chicago area, but we had a surprise guest from Pennsylvania (my home state)!

The company, the conversation and the food were great. We exchanged gifts and received a few treats from sponsors We Love Colors, Sonsi, and Affordable Scarves.

Read more about our brunch and see more pictures here:

Between Laundry Days
Blue Collar Catwalk
Chicago Street Style Scene
Defying My Closet
Fashion Therapist
Lindsey Soup
Sartoriography

When:
Saturday, December 18, 2010

Where:
Blogger Brunch at Orange, shopping

What:
Jacket: Steve Harvey's Young Kings (from the boys dept at Marshall's)
Denim Top: H&M
Skinny Cords: Delia*s
Peace Sign Earrings: World Market
Boots: Nine West

Wow, my hair desperately needed cut by this point. No fear; I had it chopped off just a few days after these pictures were taken.

Christmas Party Red

2011-01-04T07:57:00.003-06:00

I've been getting into silk or silk-like shirts the last few years. I like wearing them with suits, or on their own with trousers or skirts. I have worn silk blouses frequently on this blog (even in my very first post). I started really liking the look after seeing the film Secretary.

I use flickr for the photos on my blog. In the past few months, I've had people following my flickr streams who have fetishes for women in silk blouses. It's a little odd. I just got my first super explicit msg last night. Again, a bit weird. I know I can always block users on flickr, but it doesn't bother me enough to do that. It's still just a tad bizarre though.

Perhaps having fetish bondage-loving followers is fitting for someone who started developing a professional style after being inspired by a movie like Secretary.

When:
Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Where:
work

What:
Suit Jacket & Skirt: Iris Singer Collection (thrifted, $7.50)
Blouse: Lapis
Bead Necklace: Anne Klein
Cable Sweater Tights: from Filene's Basement
Boots: M.I.A.

Orange Tie

2011-01-03T09:13:00.002-06:00

When:
Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Where:
work, book club

What:
Grey Sweater: Mossimo (thrifted)
White Button Down: Banana Republic (thrifted)
Skirt: ?? (thrifted)
Tie: (borrowed)
Leggings: H&M
Boots: M.I.A.
Bead Necklace worn as Bracelet: Macy's

What I Read This Month

2010-12-31T08:17:00.007-06:00

The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett, 1930

Great detective drama. A mysterious beautiful woman engages the services of private detective Sam Spade and his parnter Archer to trail Thursby, resulting in the almost immediate shooting deaths of Archer and Thursby. What secrets is this femme fatale hiding?

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, 1847

A dark coming-of-age tale of a girl in 19th-century rural England. Orphaned as a baby, raised with constant reminders of her "charity-case" status by her maternal uncle's widow, sent off to a harsh boarding school at age 10, young Jane Eyre adapts to her surroundings and eventually begins to thrive as a teacher and then a private governess. She falls in love, but the revelation of a tragic secret prevents her from being married. The second half of the novel is a series of bizarre occurrences, and the ending? Is it a happy one or not? I could argue either way.

The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson, 2009

The Sequel to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. In my opinion, a much better novel the the first. An expose on the sex trade, murdered journalists, Lisbeth on the run as the prime suspect. A year after the events in the first novel, Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist are reunited to solve another mystery, this one more personal than the first.

Inspired by: Kendi Everyday

2010-12-27T08:23:00.003-06:00

As I mentioned recently, I feel like I've been in a bit of a slump with my clothes, not feeling as inspired to work with my closet lately. To combat that, I've been making an effort to save outfit photos to the inspiration folder I keep on my desktop, and I've been consulting that for ideas. Today's inspiration was Kendi Everyday. Kendi's version was not quite as Technicolor as my spin on it, but what can I say? I love color!

Other "Inspired by" posts on clothes, inter alia:
Orchid Grey
The Girl from hk, ldn & sf

When:
Thursday, December 9, 2010

Where:
work, cast party

What:
Grey Sweater: American Eagle Outfitters
Striped Shirt: Moda Int'l
Skirt: H&M
Tights: ??
Boots: (thrifted)
Necklace: Target

Inspired By: The Girl from hk, ldn, & sf

2010-12-24T08:05:00.001-06:00

Last week, I posted an outfit that was inspired by Orchid Grey. This time, my tan jacket, white button down, scarf and black skirt combo was inspired by The Girl from ldn, hk & sf. Everything is thrifted or vintage.

When:
Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Where:
work, cast party

What:
Wool Jacket: vintage from my mother
White Blouse: Banana Republic (thrifted)
Orange Silk Scarf: (thrifted)
Belt: vintage from my grandmother
Skirt: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Boots: Franco Sarto (thrifted)

Blue Legs

2010-12-23T08:04:00.001-06:00

When:
Friday, December 3, 2010

Where:
work

What:
Sweater: Mossimo (thrifted)
Dress: from Filene's Basement
Blue Tights: H&M
Belt: (thrifted)
Cameo Necklace: Lia Sophia (thrifted)
Boots: Nine West

Long Layers

2010-12-22T08:06:00.000-06:00

An experiment in layering. Everything is entirely thrifted.

When:
Thursday, December 2, 2010

Where:
work

What:
Dress: Express (thrifted)
Blouse: Worthington (thrifted)
Vest: Forever XXI (thrifted)
Boots: (thrifted)
Necklace: (thrifted)

Suit Up

2010-12-21T08:22:00.001-06:00

I love watching Neil Patrick Harris on How I Met Your Mother. He's the best thing about that show. I also love that he's rarely out of a suit. I've always been fond of suits, though my preference for them waned a bit at my first attorney job when I had to wear one everyday, but now that I "suit up" only occasionally, I'm enjoying them again.

When:
Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Where:
work

What:
Suit Jacket & Skirt: New York & Co. (thrifted)
Blouse: Wet Seal
Black Tights: H&M
Shoes: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Necklace: Target
Earrings: gift from my mother

What I Was Wearing Last December

2010-12-20T08:03:00.002-06:00

Some of my favorites from this time last year...

Dance Rehearsal

2010-12-17T08:02:00.001-06:00

Usually when I'm in a theater production, the rehearsal schedule is 8-10 weeks. Rehearsals are 3-4 days per week at the beginning, then a week before the show opens, we have maybe 8 straight days of theatre, starting with long tech rehearsal and ending with opening weekend.

For The Bar Show, however, we do one month of once-a-week 1-hour chorus rehearsals to learn the music of the chorus production numbers. Maybe 1 or 2 dance rehearsals for some of the dancers for a few select dance numbers. Other than that, the entire show takes place over the course of 15 days. Starting on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, we rehearsal during the day Saturday and Sunday, every evening during the week Monday thru Friday, then again during the day on the following Saturday and Sunday. The second Monday is our final dress rehearsal and Tuesday is opening night. The show runs 5 nights, closing on the third Saturday. Fifteen days, beginning to end.

I find it quite impressive that a show can be put together in such a short period of time, especially given that the entire cast and most of the production team consists of lawyers with full-time day jobs. It's a lot of fun, but also an intense period filled with rushing around and getting too little sleep.

I wore this outfit for rehearsal the first 3 days of rehearsal. I washed it after the second day, but in a total lack of inspiration, I grabbed it again for day 3. I might have continued to wash and re-wear daily b/c it was comfortable and easy, but there's really no way to advertise that I'm wearing clean clothes even if they are the same ones I wore for the last several days. So I took a break, changed it up, and came back to this outfit again later in the week.

When:
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010

Where:
rehearsal

What:
I love NY tee: (thrifted)
Black Yoga Pants: ??
Red Cami: (thrifted)
Grey Hoodie: Old Navy
Shoes: Sketchers

Purple Stripes

2010-12-16T07:58:00.001-06:00

When:
Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Where:
work

What:
Blouse: Moda Int'l
Vest: H&M
Scarf: handmade by my grandmother
Pants: H&M (thrifted, altered)
Boots: Nine West
Gold Hoop Earrings: ??

Inspired by: Orchid Grey

2010-12-15T09:24:00.000-06:00

Lately, I'd been feeling a bit frustrated with my style and clothes, party due to the challenges of dressing for temperature extremes, from a 20 degree commute to a 90 degree office to who knows what temperature in other inside spaces. Part of it is also due to dealing with a limited wardrobe due to weight fluctuations. I cleared out most of the items that didn't fit and packed them away in suitcases in the basement, but every once in a while I come across an item that still fits, but not the same as before and just isn't as flattering or comfortable.

I keep an "outfit inspiration" folder on my computer's desktop, and when I looked through there a few weeks ago, I realized that all the pictures in the folder were at least 6 months old. So, while working my way through my 1000+ unread posts in google reader during the past few weeks, I've been very deliberate about saving images of outfits I like with clothing items similar to what I already own, so that I have a current collection of photos to inspire me. First up: this grey and blush look inspired by Orchid Grey.

When:
Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Where:
work

What:
Sweater: American Eagle Outfitters
Cami: Wet Seal
Skirt: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Cable Sweater Tights: ??
Boots: Nine West (altered)
Beads: Macy's
Key Necklace: gift from my parents

2nd Annual Chicago Blogger Holiday Brunch

2010-12-14T08:50:00.002-06:00

Last year Clare (Between Laundry Days), Sabrina (Defying My Closet) and I met up for a blogger brunch before Christmas. This year, Sabrina has planned a second brunch continuing the annual tradition, and the anticipated turnout is more than twice as big. If you're in the Chicago area and want to attend, click here for more details and to rsvp to Sabrina.

Closing Night

2010-12-11T10:48:00.003-06:00

The last performance of The Bar Show is tonight! I'm exhausted from the last 2 weeks of rehearsal and performances, yet it feels like it just flew by.

Here are some photos of me and some fellow castmates in costume:

Thanks to my castmates for the photos!

Double-Breasted Jacket with Pink Sweater

2010-12-07T08:14:00.000-06:00

When:
Thursday, November 18, 2010

Where:
workshop, work

What:
Suit Jacket: ?? (mine from the 1990's)
Sweater: ?? (Christmas gift from my parents last year)
Pants: ?? (thrifted)
Boots: Franco Sarto (thrifted)
Locket: thrifted
Earrings: World Market

Black Silk and Army Green

2010-12-06T08:21:00.000-06:00

When:
Friday, November 19, 2010

Where:
work, gallery opening, Target

What:
Black Silk Blouse: Theory (thrifted)
Black Lace-trimmed Camisole: Express
Suit Pants: H&M
Belt: ?? (came with a pair of jeans)
Red Boots: Franco Sarto (thrifted)
Bag: from a street vendor
Necklace: vintage from my mother
Earrings: ??

The Bar Show - Opening Tuesday

2010-12-05T08:07:00.000-06:00

I'm in The Bar Show again this year. The 87th year of zany musical comedy numbers performed entirely by lawyers who sing, dance, joke and roller-blade their way across stage.

Relaxed

2010-12-03T08:08:00.005-06:00

I had dance rehearsal after work, and no appointments during the day, so I decided to wear my yoga pants all day. That way, I only had to change my top and shoes for rehearsal. Plus, yoga pants are super comfortable.

When:
Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Where:
work, rehearsal

What:
Suit Jacket: Young Kings by Steve Harvey
Yoga Pants: ??
Yellow Sweater: New York & Co.
White Cami: Wet Seal
Gold Locket: vintage from my grandmother
Snake Earrings: from a boutique in Lincoln Park
Shoes: Etienne Aigner (thrifted)

Recent Favorite

2010-12-02T07:57:00.001-06:00

This outfit is an almost identical repeat of something I wore a few weeks ago. I only made a slight change in jewelry, dropping the bead bracelet and adding a silver cuff and 2-finger ring.

When:
Monday, November 15, 2010

Where:
rehearsal, meeting

What:
Dress: from Filene's Basement
Sweater: Ann Taylor LOFT
Brown Ribbed Sweater Tights: from Filene's Basement
Scarf: Forever XXI
Boots: (thrifted)
Gold Locket: vintage from my grandmother
Gold and Pearl Earrings: vintage from someone in my family
Silver Cuff: from MoJo Jewelry
Silver and Turquoise 2-finger Ring: Forever XXI

Gold Bead Embellishment

2010-12-01T08:01:00.002-06:00

The Bar Show is right around the corner. Rehearsals are in full swing. A few weeks ago I went to see 2 Bar Show castmates in a production of Oliver.

When:
Sunday, November 14, 2010

Where:
theater

What:
Jacket with gold beaded embellishment: ?? (thrifted)
Green Tee: from Target
Skirt: Express
Black Cable Sweater Tights: from Filene's basement
Earrings: mine from the 1990's
Panda Coin Ring: gift from my parents
Gold Heavy-Chain Necklace: vintage from my mother
Scarf: knitted by my mother
Boots: Nine West

What I Read This Month

2010-11-30T08:06:00.001-06:00

Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding, 1996

Sharp, witty and funny. A single 30-something woman living in central London navigates a year of relationship setbacks, career changes and family drama, buoyed by a group of friends who are only a phone call away.

Mrs. O: The Face of Fashion Democracy by Mary Tomer, 2009

I was prompted to pick this up after reading Barbara's book review on You Look Fab. It follow the stylish journey of Michelle Obama from the announcement of her husband's bid for the presidency through her first year in the White House. The pictures were gorgeous, as were the clothes. The writing was dull and superfluous; buy it for the pictures only.

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende, 1982

Very well written fascinating story following 4 generations of the del Valle and Trueba family. The story tells of both the personal and political upheavals of the family and the world in which they live. The novel never specifies in what country it is set, but the political story of the novel mirrors the occurences in Chile from the 1930's through the early 1970's and the military coup that resulted in the death of Salvador Allende, the uncle of author Isabel Allende.

Windfall by Penny Vincenzi, 1997

This book was free from a former neighbor who was clearing out her bookshelves. Set in the 1930's, it follows the life of a female doctor who gave up her profession to marry a doctor, raise their children and support her husband in his practice. When she unexpectedly inherits a fortune, she begins developing a more independent life. A good enough story, but seemed very modern for being set in the 1930's. The novel kept tabs on Edward VIII's affair with Wallis Simpson and his eventual abdication, while the character compared her struggles between professional and personal life to the difficulties of the monarch. I enjoyed the story enough, but I'm not sure if I'll read the other Vincenzi novel I received.

Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster, 2009

This is Chicago-based Jen Lancaster's fourth memoir, and it's just as funny as the first three. Pretty in Plaid focuses on her childhood and college years, up through her first job and transition from the insurance industry to a dot-com. It ends about where Bitter is the New Black begins.

Houndstooth

2010-11-29T07:53:00.000-06:00

This dress belonged to my mother. It has a matching grey coat with the houndtooth print on the collar. She found it when cleaning out some coats a few months ago, and gave it to me when I was visiting Pennsylvania in October.

When:
Friday, November 12, 2010

Where:
work

What:
Tie-neck Blouse: Lapis
Grey Houndstooth Dress: vintage from my mother
Purple Tights: ??
Beads: Macy's
Earrings: mine from the 1990's
Shoes: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)

Pixie Cut

2010-11-28T08:39:00.002-06:00

A few of the ladies who inspired my recent haircut:

Emma Watson:

Michelle Williams:

Selma Blair:

Twiggy:

Mia Farrow:

Kelly from The Glamourai (I took pictures of Kelly's hair with me to show to the stylist when I got my hair cut):

Clare from Between Laundry Days:

Erin from Calivintage:

and lest you forget what my hair looks like, here's me after my recent cut:

The Ballerina Project

2010-11-27T07:43:00.000-06:00

I recently discovered The Ballerina Project, a collection of beautiful dance photographs against the backdrop of stunning cityscapes. According the The Ballerina Project's Facebook page, "The Ballerina Project grew from the idea of New York City as a magnet for creativity; each photograph is a collaborative work of dance, fashion design and photography played out against the city's landscape."

Look at the 400+ photos and buy select prints at The Ballerina Project's pages on:
Facebook
Tumblr
Blogger

Check out a sampling of the photos:

All photos from The Ballerina Project's Tumblr or Facebook page.

Bookends

2010-11-18T08:05:00.000-06:00

Bookend kitties! My cats often sit near each other in identical or mirror image poses. They're so cute!

Who:
Amaretto on the left, Drusilla on the right

Black and White and Grey

2010-11-16T08:13:00.003-06:00

When:
Thursday, November 4, 2010

Where:
work

What:
Sweater: American Eagle
Black Button-down Shirt: Express
White Skirt: from a little shop in Vancouver
Beads: Anne Klein
Earrings: mine from the 1990's
Black Tights: H&M
Shoes: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)

What I Was Wearing Last November

2010-11-15T08:05:00.001-06:00

Some of my favorites from this time last year...

Pink and Black

2010-11-14T08:11:00.002-06:00

When:
Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Where:
work

What:
Dress: (thrifted)
White Cami: Wet Seal
Black Cardigan: Moda International (thrifted)
Black Tights: H&M
Shoes: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)

Green and Brown

2010-11-13T08:07:00.001-06:00

When:
Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Where:
work

What:
Green Button-down Shirt: Express
Lace-trimmed Cami: Express
Bead Necklace: handmade by my grandmother
Cross 2-finger Ring: Forever XXI
Pants: Mossimo (thrifted)
Brown Trouser Socks: ??
Shoes: Etienne Aigner (thrifted)

Red Polka Dots

2010-11-12T08:05:00.002-06:00

When:
Monday, November 1, 2010

Where:
rehearsal, errands, book club

What:
Polka Dot Shirt: ?? (thrifted)
Vest: H&M
Jeans: Forever XXI (thrifted)
Boots: Nine West
Earrings: World Market

Red Leather

2010-11-11T08:03:00.002-06:00

We needed CHOCOLATE to give to trick-or-treaters for Halloween! So I took a quick run to the grocery store to stock up on Hershey's, Reese's Cups, and Snickers.

When:
Saturday, October 30, 2010

Where:
grocery shopping

What:
Leather Jacket: ?? (thrifted from a flea market)
Grey Cable Sweater: American Eagle
Shorts: Gap (thrifted, cropped by me)
Black Sheer Tights: ??
Black Socks: H&M
Black Boots: Nine West (altered by me)
Earrings: World Market

Halloween Suit

2010-11-10T08:00:00.001-06:00

I wore this orange and black outfit to work the last weekday before Halloween. Check out the black and orange nails and candy corn earrings. I like coordinating my clothes to the color themes of the holidays!

When:
Friday, October 29, 2010

Where:
work

What:
Suit Jacket and Skirt: Rina Rossi (2nd hand)
Black Long-Sleeve T-shirt: Gap
Black Tights: H&M
Black Boots: Moda (thrifted)
Candy Corn Earrings: ?? (I've had them for years)

Cream for Fall

2010-11-09T07:56:00.001-06:00

When:
Thursday, October 28, 2010

Where:
work

What:
Dress: from Filene's Basement
Cable Cardigan Sweater: Ann Taylor LOFT
Brown Ribbed Tights: from Filene's Basement
Boots: (newly thrifted)
Gold Locket: vintage from my grandmother
Earrings: vintage from someone in my family
Scarf: Forever XXI
Bead Bracelet: Macy's

Pink and Brown

2010-11-08T07:51:00.002-06:00

When:
Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Where:
work, Starbucks

What:
Sweater: Mossimo (thrifted)
Button-down Shirt: Moda International
Pants: (thrifted)
Shoes: Joan & David (thrifted)
Gold Locket: vintage from my grandmother
Earrings: gift from my parents
Panda Coin Ring: gift from my parents

Green and Black

2010-11-05T08:13:00.001-05:00

When:
Monday, October 25, 2010

Where:
work (including court), rehearsal

What:
Jacket: Luca Luca (thrifted)
Skirt: Express
Black Sheer Tights: ??
Shoes: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Silver Hoop Earrings: gift from my parents

Sunday Dinner

2010-11-04T09:02:00.004-05:00

Lots of food! My boyfriend went to the farmer's market Saturday morning and picked up some fresh vegetables. Whe we visited my brother a few weeks ago, he gave us hot peppers and tomatoes from his garden. On Sunday, my boyfriend turned the many of the fresh vegetables into vats of hot pickled veggies, and used others for Sunday night's dinner.

When:
Sunday, October 24, 2010

My Own Dance Studio

2010-11-03T08:02:00.003-05:00

The apartment in the basement of my house is empty. With no one living there, I've been taking advantage of the extra space. I've been using the kitchen to hang-dry my laundry. The kitchen sink has been called into duty for my handwash (all those tights!) and the refrigerator houses all the left-over beer from our first party here late this summer, with a box of paletas in the freezer. My high school prom dresses, graduation robe and majorette uniforms are hanging in one of the downstairs closets. The living room has become my personal yoga and dance studio. As much as I'd love to get the apartment rented out, I'll miss the extra space once someone is living there.

When:
Sunday, October 24, 2010

Where:
yoga and dancing in my home "studio"

What:
Elmo "Wanna Play?" T-shirt: Sesame Street (thrifted)
Red Tank: (thrifted)
Yoga Pants: Moda International (altered)

Lawyer Off Duty

2010-11-02T08:20:00.005-05:00

So the phrase "Model Off Duty" sounds familiar, right? Well, this outfit made me feel like an off-the-clock lawyer, what with the polo shirt, the dress pants and the croc-embossed loafers. In fact, after I put this on, I felt pulled towards wearing my most conservative rings, and comparatively tame hoop earrings. Only the European cut of the pants and the blue nail polish gave me away as being not quite as conservative as I might otherwise appear.

When:
Friday, October 22, 2010

Where:
work, dinner, movie (Tony & Janina's American Wedding) at the Gene Siskel Film Center

What:
Polo: Ralph Lauren Sport (thrifted)
Pants: H&M
Shoes: Van Eli (thrifted)
Silver Hoop Earrings: gift from my parents
Faux Diamond Ring: gift from my grandmother
Law School Class Ring

Red and Brown

2010-11-01T08:03:00.001-05:00

When:
Thursday, October 21, 2010

Where:
work, class

What:
Tweed Jacket: Forever XXI
Skirt: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Lace top: ?? (thrifted)
Shoes: Payless
Earrings: vintage from my mother

What I Read This Month

2010-10-31T15:45:00.001-05:00

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson, 1962

Creepy and disturbing. A tale of two sisters facing debilitating mental illness and social isolation after the murder of the rest of their family members. Fascinating glimpse at the inner workings of such a disturbed mind.

The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli, written 1513, published posthumously in 1532

One of those significant books that just doesn't seem so significant anymore. Possibly groundbreaking at the time, but hundreds of years later, many of the precepts in the books are quite familiar to us. One startling aspect I noted as I read was how casually Machiavelli talked about invading other nations and taking them over to gratify vanity and amass power. He takes for granted that lots of humans will be murdered or killed in various aspects of political life, and finds this to be completely acceptable if done in an effective pursuit of power. There may be something to the argument that this was meant as a satire. Interesting view on another time and place, and a piece of history, but not a particularly engaging or novel read.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, 2005 (published posthumously)

Good read. A few too many characters and a bit of a slow start, but definitely picks up. I don't exactly get why it's such a huge sensation. It's good, but not THAT good.

Persuasion by Jane Austen, 1818 (published posthumously)

Not one of her best known works for a reason. Starts slow and never really picks up speed. Too many characters, too little action. Charming enough, nonetheless.

The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell, 2010

I enjoyed the Sex and the City tv series, so I'm drawn to Candace Bushnell's novels, but her writing isn't as good as the shows that were built on her story concepts. A few too many characters (this seems to be the month of character overload), but a fun enough story, following Carrie Bradshaw as a high school student in 198-. The book is set in the 80's, but it's a bit of a running joke that you never quite find out exactly what year it is.

Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult, 2009

Not up to par with her usual work, Handle with Care is a bit of a re-hashing of many of the themes and stories she addressed in My Sister's Keeper (which I did enjoy) combined with some elements borrowed from Laura Esquivel's Like Water for Chocolate. Handle with Care had some timeline discrepancies and did not seem well researched on the legal and insurance issues. None of the characters was particularly likeable. As in many of her novels, Picoult tells the story in first person narrative from changing characters' points of view, which can be interesting and effective. Unfortunately, in this case, the changes happened so fast that it was dizzying. Not my favorite Jodi Picoult.

Spirit Day

2010-10-29T08:14:00.002-05:00

I completely forgot that last Wednesday was Spirit Day until after I got off the train in Chicago. Arguably this jacket is a shade of purple, but I had planned to wear lots of very obvious purple. Oh, well. At any rate, I support LGBT youth and I oppose bullying of any kind.

When:
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Where:
work, committee meeting

What:
Jacket: Moda International
White Sweater: Wet Seal
Skirt: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
White Tights: Capezio
Socks: ??
Boots: Nine West
Earrings: World Market
Necklace: vintage from my mother
Leaf Brooch: vintage from my mother

Blue Sweater, Red Bag

2010-10-28T08:54:00.004-05:00

When:
Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Where:
work

What:
Cardigan Sweater: Gap (thrifted)
White Button Down: Zac Posen for Target
Pants: Old Navy (thrifted)
Red Boots: Franco Sarto (thrifted)
Earrings: H&M
Belt: ??
Bag: from a street vendor

Flood City

2010-10-24T08:16:00.009-05:00

Last weekend, my boyfriend and I drove out to Pennsylvania to visit my family. These pictures were taken in the park in Johnstown, which was decorated for Halloween. We had a lunch of hamburgers and hotdogs at the infamous Coney Island and shopped at the flea market at Value It.

When:
Saturday, October 16, 2010

Where:

What:
Sweater: Mossimo (thrifted)
Red Button Down: Express (thrifted)
Black Cami: Wet Seal
Linen Shorts: H&M
Black Sweater Tights: ??
Boots: Nine West
Bag: Marc Jacobs (thrifted)
Leather Coat: ?? (hand-me-down from an ex, who acquired it from ebay)
Scarf: handmade by my mother
Hat: Filippo Catarzi
Silver Ball Earrings: mine from the 1990's

Peacock Feathers and a Flower

2010-10-23T08:12:00.009-05:00

When:
Thursday, October 14, 2010

Where:
work, class

What:
Top: Old Navy (thrifted)
Pants: Mossimo (thrifted)
Necklace: vintage from my mother
Peacock Feather Earrings: from a street vendor in Vancouver
Flower Brooch: c/o Shop Ruche, from our Blogger Brunch last month
Shoes: Payless

Green & Yellow

2010-10-22T08:09:00.003-05:00

When:
Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Where:
work, book club

What:
Tweed Jacket: ?? ($5 on clearance)
Long Sleeve Tee: Forever XXI (thrifted)
Skirt: Trina Turk (thrifted)
Argyle Socks: Target
Shoes: Joan & David (thrifted)
Bag: ?? (thrifted)
Necklace: World Market
Wooden Bangle Bracelet: vintage from my mother
Flower Earrings: mine from the 1990's

Black and Orange

2010-10-21T08:05:00.002-05:00

I love how this looks like two complete outfits: the dress by itself is complete, then when I put the jacket on and button it, ta-da, new outfit! Perfect look for transitioning into the cooler weather, while it's still hot in the middle of the day, but cooler for my evening commute, and the office, as always, is unpredictable.

When:
Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Where:
work, book club, sushi dinner in Chinatown

What:
Suit Jacket: Rina Rossi
Dress: 3Free
Grey Tights: H&M
Sandals: Cynthia Vincent for Target
Bag: ?? (thrifted)
Pearl & Gold Earrings: vintage

Notre Dame Pink

2010-10-20T08:03:00.002-05:00

A quick and easy outfit for running some errands and doing a little shopping.

When:
Monday, October 11, 2010

Where:
thrift store, Target

What:
T-shirt: Notre Dame Law School Student Bar Association
Skirt: Gap (thrifted, new with the tags still on)
Silver Sequin Shoes: Xhileration (thrifted)
Bag: ?? (thrifted)
Peace Sign Earrings: World Market

What I Was Wearing Last October

2010-10-18T08:04:00.001-05:00

Some of my favorites from this time last year...

Elephant Room

2010-10-17T08:36:00.005-05:00

My boyfriend and I went to an opening last month at the Elephant Room, a gallery in the South Loop. The owner took a picture of us and sent it to us afterwards.

The opening was for Cydney Lewis, who repurposes plastic bags and uses them as materials for her collages. She also makes jewelry, which she also sells at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago store.

We originally found the Elephant Room when Jennifer Cronin had a show there. We had seen some of Jennifer's paintings at Second Friday at the Fine Arts Building, and were quite taken with her work. We attended a few of her exhibits over the summer, before my boyfriend eventually purchased one of her paintings.

When:
Friday, September 3, 2010

Where:
work, opening at the Elephant Room, dinner at a thai restaurant in the South Loop

What:
Sweater: Cynthia Steffe (thrifted)
Tank: Tommy Hilfiger (from the men's dept at Marshall's)
Pants: Young Kinds by Steve Harvey (from the boy's dept at Marshall's)

Since I didn't get an outfit picture the day of the opening, here's a picture from the last time I wore the same sweater, tank and pants:

Pitt and Notre Dame

2010-10-16T08:21:00.006-05:00

In one of the new law school classrooms:

My boyfriend and I in front of the library:

Last Saturday, I went to the Pitt-Notre Dame football game in South Bend. Both my alma maters, undergrad and law school, playing each other: who to root for? No matter who I choose, I'm bleeding blue and gold.

I usually dress up my t-shirts a bit more than this, but I was feeling lazy Saturday morning, so I just threw on a comfy old slighty-too-big Notre Dame tee with stretchy jeans and comfortable walking shoes. I threw a comfy Pitt sweater in my bag, but I didn't need it until I got into the air-conditioning at dinner.

My parents drove out to campus with some friends (my dad is a Pitt alum too and a Pitt football fan), and met up with my boyfriend and me for the game. We spent a little bit of time on campus beforehand. It was the first time I've had a chance to see the new law school, which has been expanded and doubled (tripled?) in size since I graduated half a dozen years ago. It's lovely, and quite impressive. The campus is beautiful, and was particularly so last weekend with the changing leaves, bright sunshine overhead, the light breeze and temperatures reaching into the low 80's. A perfect day for visiting my alma mater.

When:
Saturday, October 9, 2010

Where:
Notre Dame campus for football game (!), dinner in Chinatown (back in Chicago)

What:
Notre Dame T-shirt: Adidas (thrifted)
Jeans: ?? (I think I may have purchased them while living in South Bend. Fitting, huh?)
Peace Sign Earrings: World Market
Pitt Collegiate Sweater (not pictured): vintage from my father
Shoes: Converse All-Stars
Bag: Marc Jacobs (thrifted)

Credits: Thanks to my boyfriend for taking the picture of me, and for posing himself. Thanks to my dad for taking the picture of my boyfriend and me.

The Basilica and Golden Dome visible from the stadium:

The library (with Touchdown Jesus) visible from the stadium:

Navy Suede Boots

2010-10-15T08:13:00.009-05:00

When:
Friday, October 8, 2010

Where:
work, errands in various government offices, mechanic (notice how I've been going to the car mechanic WAAAAY too many times this week?)

What:
Dress: Delia's (thrifted)
Suede Boots: vintage from my mother
Suit Jacket: Express
Faux Pearl Necklace: Macy's
Silver Hoop Earrings: ??
Bag: Marc Jacobs (thrifted)
Flower Hair Clip: c/o Shop Ruche, from our Blogger Brunch last month
Silver Cuff Bracelet: from MoJo Jewelry in Wicker Park

Blast from the Past

2010-10-14T08:08:00.003-05:00

My ex was in town for work this month. We met up for drinks at the Signature Room. I met him after one of his evening events, which gave me a chance to do some shopping on Michigan Avenue before meeting up with him. Since I didn't get actual outfit shots (a snapshot in the bathroom mirror at the Signature Room doesn't count), I'm including pictures below from the last time I wore the same dress, jacket, tights, and shoes (with different t-shirt and jewelry).

When:
Thursday, October 7, 2010

Where:
mechanic, work, class, shopping on Michigan Avenue, drinks with my ex at the Signature Room

What:
T-shirt: Mossimo
Dress: ?? (from TJ Maxx)
Suit Jacket: Banana Republic
Grey Sweater Tights: ?? (from Filene's Basement)
Shoes: Duck Head (thrifted)
Necklace: Macy's
Earrings: World Market

Similar outfit from June:

Suit Up

2010-10-13T08:05:00.001-05:00

When:
Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Where:
work (including court), mechanic, Target

What:
Suit Jacket & Skirt: NY&Co. (thrifted)
White Sweater: Wet Seal
Shoes: You by Crocs
Scarf: mine from the 1990's

Black and Blush

2010-10-12T08:38:00.006-05:00

Another outfit that's practically all thrifted (everything but the tights, brooch and earrings). That's been happening more and more, and I'm only just realizing it when I'm typing up these posts.

When:
Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Where:
work

What:
Black Silk Blouse: Theory (thrifted)
Skirt: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Sheer Black Tights: ??
Boots: Moda (thrifted)
Zebra-print belt: ?? (thrifted)
Bag: ?? (thrifted)
Initial Brooch: vintage
Silver Ball Earrings: mine from the early 90's

What I Was Wearing Last September

2010-10-09T08:20:00.004-05:00

Some of my favorites from around this time last year...

Fringe, Denim and Cowboy Boots

2010-10-08T08:03:00.003-05:00

I'm on the board of a theater group that had a fundraiser Saturday on the south side. We had a good turnout and raised some funds and had some fun.

This is another one of those dresses that looks better moving around than standing still.

When:
Saturday, October 2, 2010

Where:
karaoke fundraiser

What:
Dress: H&M
Denim Jacket: bdg (thrifted)
Sheer Black Tights: ??
Socks: H&M
Boots: Frida Cuadra
Necklace: Macy's
Earrings: mine from the 1990's

Wedding

2010-10-07T08:35:00.005-05:00

My boyfriend and I went to a wedding Friday evening. It was in a Chicago Park District Building on Promontory Point in Hyde Park. It's a beautiful buidling, in a lovely grassy tree-covered area right on the lake with a spectacular view of the Chicago skyline. The ceremony was outside on the patio, and the tables for the reception were set up right inside the building, 10 feet away. They served a lovely buffet of almost all vegetables: salad, roasted variety (peppers, carrots, brussel sprouts, squash, broccoli, cauliflower), potatoes, stuffed eggplant with marinara sauce, and chicken with mushrooms. They had a jazz band playing during dinner and afterwards. Very lovely wedding.

When:
Friday, October 1, 2010

Where:
wedding

What:
Dress: Guess (thrifted)
Boots: Payless (I found these tucked away in the back of the closet when I moved, completely forgotten. Wearing them again, I realized they are exceptionally uncomfortable to stand in and I probably had put them aside to give away.)
Earrings & Necklace: crystals from a crystal shop in Virginia
Sweater: Mossimo
Leather Blazer: vintage (mine from the 1980's; my great-aunt gave it to me, but it was a bit too big back then)
Scarf: Forever XXI
Bag: Old Navy (thrifted)

Thanks for my boyfriend for the photos of me, and for posing for a photo himself!

Hot Pink & Purple

2010-10-06T08:31:00.002-05:00

These boots are shot. They were pretty cheap to begin with, but comfortable and fun. Now, the back of the heel has completely worn away so they flop around on my feet and don't stay in place when I walk. Bye-bye boots.

When:
Friday, October 1, 2010

Where:
work

What:
Blouse: Moda International
Cami: Express
Jeans: Forever XXI (thrifted)
Earrings: Aldo
Boots: Wet Seal
Bag: Marc Jacobs (thrifted)

Green & Blue

2010-10-05T08:46:00.003-05:00

A guy sitting on the street with a sign asking for food told me that he liked my style. He's always very clean and well-dressed in modern, up-to-date new-looking clothing, but he's at the same place every morning with his sign, often chatting with passer-bys who stop and sit with him for a bit.

When:
Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Where:
work

What:
Dress: vintage, thrifted
Tights: ?? (Pink Frog, maybe? or Buffalo Exchange?)
Necklace: vintage from my mother
Silver Hoop Earrings: gift from my parents
Suede Boots: vintage from my mother

Red, Yellow & Blue

2010-10-04T08:39:00.007-05:00

So I'm finally caught up on posting pictures from before my move, and I have discovered that I like posting pictures a bit after the fact. I can sit down and prepare a bunch of posts at once, and then schedule them for the next several days. I'm going to try that for a little while and see how it goes.

When:
Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Where:
work

What:
Dress: H&M
Suit Jacket: JC Penney
Tights: H&M
Necklace: Macy's
Silver Hoop Earrings: gift from my parents
Bag: Marc Jacobs (thrifted)
Belt: ?? (thrifted)
Suede Boots: vintage from my mother

Catching Up: Sept 24, Moving Day

2010-10-03T08:47:00.001-05:00

Moving day. Most things went smoothly. Once consistent problem: my new closet. In addition to being too small to fit my clothes (which I knew in advance) it collapsed. Twice. The first time, the wooden bar splintered in the center from the weight and took down the shelving and lower half-height half-length bar. The second time (which was just this past Wednesday), the strong metal bar didn't break, but the supports came out of the wall, pulling big chunks of the wall with them. Hopefully, a professional will be reinstalling the closet this weekend with more reinforcements or supports or whatever is needed to keep the bar from collapsing again. Then, I'll need to figure out what to do with all the stuff that doesn't fit in the itty-bitty closet. Right now, the room is just a mess of clothes and shoes and boxes.

When:
Friday, September 24, 2010

Where:
moving

What:
Tank Top: Women & Children First
Pants: Old Navy (thrifted)
Shoes: Duck Head (thrifted)
Silver Ball Earrings: mine from the 1990's

Cat in the Box

2010-10-02T15:17:00.001-05:00

As I started to pack my books emptying the cubbies in the bookshelf, my cat Drusilla took up residence in one of the open spaces.

As I continued packing, opening up even more spaces, my other cat Amaretto joined her.