Chicago Millinery Arts Alliance

A...G...E...S... ago (i.e. November 2009) I attended an event of the Chicago Millinery Arts Alliance. The milliners had created some beautiful hats. I almost bought one, but I'm a bit too poor to be spending so much money on such head-adorning awesomeness. Which does nothing to diminish the awesomeness of these hats.

This is the one I almost bought:

These are some of the other hats lovely hats there:

Here's a picture of me and my friend Pat, who let me know about the event. Unfortunately, the only picture of got of Pat that night was from the back.

Thanks to my wonderful boyfriend for attending the event with me and taking many, many pictures. Thanks to Pat for letting me know about the event. Thanks to the artists of the Chicago Millinery Arts Alliance for making such beautiful hats and exhibiting them, particularly these milliners whose hats are featured in my photos:

Loreta Corsetti Millinery Atelier

Carluci Millinery

Laura Whitlock

Laura Hubka Millinery

Superbowl Sunday

I grew up near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I regularly travel back to visit my family. About a year ago, I was flying out for a visit in early February. I only realized a few days before I left that I would be in Pennsylvania for the 2009 Superbowl and that the Pittsburgh Steelers were playing in the Superbowl. I arrived to an airport covered in gold and black streamers, terrible towels and signs that said "City of Champions" (apparently the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team won the Stanley cup recently??)

I know that people were wearing Steelers shirts to work before the Superbowl to support the Steelers, and afterwards to celebrate their win. A few weeks ago, I saw this fun dress on Modcloth and thought how perfect it would be for a Pittsburgh fan. The Polamaloop Dress is actually named after a Steeler! How perfect is that?

Because I'm a sucker for graphic tees, I also have to share with you this fun Steeler's tee from Delia*s.

Finally, when I was on the Delia*s site to get the link to the Steelers tee, I came across this "Dis fromage" tee, which is an adorable blogger-themed shirt, n'est-ce pas?

Denim Skirt Friday

I got a haircut this morning! It was long overdue. If I'm going to keep my hair short, I'm going to have to adjust to the more frequent maintenance required.

I've never yet worn an outfit that is entirely thrifted, but I'm getting closer. I'm regularly wearing more and more thrifted items. It will probably be summer though before I get a completely thrifted outfit, since I rarely thrift pants or leggings/tights, and it's too cold right now for skirts with bare legs.

Where:
work

What:
Sweater: Rave, from ages and ages ago
White T-shirt: Mossimo for Target
Jacket: Kasper for A.S.L. (thrifted, as part of a suit)
Denim Skirt: (thrifted)
Black Cable Sweater Tights: from Filene's Basement
Brooch: vintage from my grandmother
Silver Hoop Earrings: gift from my parents
Boots: Steve Madden (thrifted)

Wouldn't you rather watch me than work?

Hair cut tomorrow! I've been curling my hair or pulling it back lately because it's getting a bit long, but after tomorrow, I'll be back to my straight locks! That's my one major complaint about short hair - it requires so much more maintenance than long hair.

There was a curious ComEd* worker watching my photo shoot today. He found me more interesting than fixing the federal prison's generator (can't blame him). He offered to take my pictures for me (I declined, as usual) and expressed surprise that I was taking my photos outside the federal pen. I told him that I usually crop the photos so you can't see much more than the planter behind me. So now you know my secret. One of my regular photo spots is outside the prison. The guy kept chatting with me between takes, so I talked him into posing for a photo with me. Unfortunately, my camera started acting up and the photo didn't take.

When I told ComEd Guy the nature of my blog, he asked if I worked at a law office. Do I look that much like a lawyer? Or is that just a natural guess for the profession of an office worker in downtown Chicago in the vicinity of the courts and the prison?

Though not the first time my picture-taking has attracted the attention of a total stranger, today was definitely the most interaction I've ever had with said stranger.

Where:
work

What:
Blouse: (thrifted)
Dress: sewn for me by my mother
Sweater: Mossimo for Target (thrifted)
Grey Cable Sweater Tights: from Filene's Basement
Earrings: World Market
Socks: ???
Boots: M.I.A.
Green Bag: from T.J.Maxx

*short for Commonwealth Edison, the local electricity company

Happy Birthday, James Joyce!

My boyfriend is a huge fan of James Joyce (Ulysses, in particular). James Joyce's birthday is February 2nd, otherwise known as Groundhog Day, especially to those of us from Western Pennsylvania. My boyfriend has a ritual of marking Joyce's birthday by reading part of a Joyce book and drinking some good Irish whiskey.

I have a Groundhog Day ritual of watching the movie Groundhog Day on Groundhog Day. Not very original I know.

My boyfriend has never seen Groundhog Day, even though it's been discussed in some of his literature classes (he was an English Lit major in college). So this year, we decided to combine our February 2nd traditions by drinking whiskey, toasting James Joyce, and watching Groundhog Day. I had rehearsal on the actual February 2nd, so we scheduled our Groundhog Day/James Joyce's Birthday festivities for February 3rd.

Where:
work

What:
Silk Blouse: Body by Victoria for Victoria's Secret
Vest: H&M (new! purchased during the after Christmas sales New Year's weekend)
Skirt: American Eagle Outfitters (thrifted, new to me!)
Black Cable Sweater Tights: from Filene's Basement
Silver Hoop Earrings: vintage from my mother
Boots: M.I.A.

Thrifting 2 Weeks Ago

I went thrifting in mid-January at Unique for half price Monday and picked up a number of items for a total of $25 dollars. Here's what I got:

Kasper for A.S.L. Skirt Suit
(my first thrifted suit!!, which I've already worn)


Cynthia Steffe sweater (which I've already worn)
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Bag (which I've used quite a bit already)


Faux Fur Jacket

Thrifting Monday

I went thrifting Monday at Unique for half price day and picked up a number of items for a total of $31 dollars. I did this before I committed to (and posted about) my shopping ban. Here's what I purchased on Monday:

Levi's Denim Skirt


other denim skirt

I don't need 2 knee length denim skirts, but I couldn't decide which one to get, so I got both, figuring that I would cut one off to make it a bit shorter. After getting them home and trying them on, I've decided to cut the Levi's skirt.

Red Converse All Stars


Banana Republic Linen Skirt


Plaid Skirt


Set of 5 Glasses


Liz Claiborne Bag


Blue Wool-blend Cardigan


Steve Madden Boots

I've been eyeing Kendi's Steve Madden boots wishing a had a pair of similar color and style, and Monday I found a pair of $6 leather Steve Madden boots at the thrift store! Not exactly like Kendi's boots, but very nice. They also fit snugly around the calves, which is highly unusual on me. I can wear them with tights and they won't gap at the top.