northwest roots

I love plaid. And flannel. I remember a stage around 5th grade or so (1997-1998) when I wore jeans, a white t-shirt, a flannel shirt and Nikes every day.

Goal for the next week: go to Savers and buy cheap men's flannel shirts. They're fun to layer with. I've worn this plaid shirt as a shirt dress many times, but decided it would be good against today's shminter weather. What's shminter, you ask? Shminter is a weather phenomenon that occurs year-round in Reno. You can read more about it on the fashion blog I run for my newspaper.

I was originally wearing this outfit with my awesome pearl rope necklace, but must have taken it off before taking this photo. Photo phail.



Dress: H&M
Flannel shirt: Boutique in Haight Ashbury
Stirrup tights: Express
Wedges: Journeys

five-year old sweater: still good

I wore this to a deadline evening at the newspaper office. Not much more to say about that. I sit around all day at a computer, which results in low amounts of exercise and and high amounts of frustration, stress and irritation.

I definitely overdo the cardigan and top combo during the fall and winter. I can't help it: it's comfy, cute and easy. However, I am getting tired of wearing tennis shoes and flats every day. I sprained my knee a little over a week ago and have been avoiding all types of heels since.

This week I have the important task of putting together our fall/winter fashion preview. I got to do most of the styling and directed one of the photo shoots. Now onto layout and I'll let you all know how it turns out in a week!







Applique tank: Urban Outfitters
Straight-leg jeans: Gap
Cardigan: Old Navy (I recall wearing this same sweater my freshman year of college. Quite the investment!)
Yellow flats: Target
Necklace: Forever21

A bit of costumery

There was probably a time when I wouldn't have left the house dressed like this, out of fear of massive judgement/steretyping.
But if you can't have fun when you're getting dressed, what's the point?

On Saturday the boyfriend and I went to Santa Cruz to see Yo La Tengo, which was massively awesome. I bought this concert t-shirt and decided that I felt like being a hipster indie-rock kid. Why not?

So yes, I wore my leggings as pants and wore my Vans instead of flats and it was damn comfortable.

Also I apologize that 1) the first photo looks retarded and 2) the second photo is out of focus. photo phail.







Shirt: Yo La Tengo concert T-shirt
Leggings: Express
Shoes: Vans
Striped cardigan: Urban Outfitters

style funk

As the title of this posts, suggest, I have been in a style funk lately. Sometimes I get too exhausted to be creative and I often feel far to self-conscious to be adventurous.
The past couple weeks, however, I've been putting together a fall/winter fashion preview for my newspaper. I was in charge of styling most of the outfits and directing a photo shoot. It was a blast and I really wish I was skinnier so I could fit into some of the stuff that I picked out.
But I did buy this cardigan from F21, which just opened up here in town. This was one comfy outfit. Wore it to a work meeting and then shopping with my news editor, who decided that I could be his personal shopper/stylist. He hadn't bought clothes in a year so I promptly talked him into about $250 worth of new stuff. Success.


Blue cardigan: Forever21
White dress shirt: Old Navy
Vest: Old Navy (thrifted)
Leggings: Express
Flats: Store in Scotland
Watch necklace: DIY

Agenda pushing

I'm bringing my fashion blogging agenda to the world of journalism.
I'm the Print Manager for my college newspaper, and I decided to start a man-on-the-street fashion blog. Check it:
http://streetstyle.nevadasagebrush.com/

out the door

i've been a horrible blogger lately. this is due to:
1) i'm busy as hell and don't have time to ladypose in front of a camera
2) i've been relatively uninspired lately.

yesterday, however, i went to target and picked up a few things that i've been meaning to get for fall (replace black tights, a good blazer, knee-high stockings, new shoes...). i also got an online order in the mail that i'm only somewhat happy with and will have to return a few items. but overall, it was a good day for my wardrobe.

confession time: i'm posting this blog in class. thank you, journalism computer labs. i quickly took this shot while i was out the door, so apologies that it's not very exciting.



Dress: Forever21 (thrifted!)
Boots: Target
Necklace: Forever 21

"haven't worn that in a while..."

This outfit was one of those epiphanies that comes only when you start pulling random things out of your closet. I tried this white shirt on with a strapless shirt, but it wasn't the right shape. Then I spotted his yellow top that I haven't work in...years, probably. What I love is that the two tops are made with same texture (does anyone know what this is called?) so they go together well. As I was pulling on the top, one of the buttons holding the strap to the back flew off. No matter, I just converted the top to a halter (I never realized that this is probably why it has buttons in the first place).







White collared shirt: Target
Yellow top: Dillard's
Rose Necklace: Urban Outfitters
Straight leg jeans: Gap
White sandals: Old Navy

Back to the grind

I've never been that into first day of school outfits. Of course, I put thought into it but usually drift toward the casual look approach and save more interesting outfits for the not first day. That's just me.
Knowing that a) i have to walk about 100 miles to my class today and that b) I'll spend at least 12 hours on campus working for the newspaper, comfortable is best for mondays.
I (gasp) mixed patterns today, but I'm digging it. Also, I found this awesome ring at Saks off Fifth the other day. Pretty sure it was the cheapest item in the store at $30, reduced to $22 with the coupons they were handing out. Wish I could remember the original retail price.





Grey plaid shirt: Macys
Purple striped shirt: Urban Outfitters
Denim shorts:Gap
Grey wedges: Journeys
Flower ring: Saks off Fifth

Pearls and Cooking

I found an awesome piece of jewelry at an antique shop. It's a pearl rope and it only cost me $3.50. I was having fun trying to figure out different ways to wear it.











Black dress: Target
Black men's shoes: Vintage

Tonight my sister and I made dinner for my mom's birthday. We started with the cake, which prompted me to grab my sister's outrageous apron. Things kind of spiraled out of control from there.





I bake like this ALL the time.

We did chocolate with chocolate frosting. For the inside frosting we mixed cream cheese frosting and seedless boysenberry jam.



Unfortunately my sister majorly failed on the frosting and the cake came out too soft. This cake looks really ridiculous, but I'm pretty sure it will still taste amazing.



We also made stuffed pasta shells, which were soo good and really not too hard.

Step one: boil shells and mix together cheeses and eggs.




Step two: Stuff shells and lay on a bed of pasta sauce.



Step three: Spread on more sauce and bake.


Also, I've resized the photos in my last post so they displayed properly.

Boyfriend edition

Today my awesome boyfriend and I went shopping together. I have a boyfriend who likes to shop. It's a grand world we live in.
Zack only likes to shop for himself when he's on a mission. He wants to have certain items that he's looking for. Today's main goal was pants.
I introduced him to slimmer fitting jeans awhile ago, which work so much better for his tall and slim build, plus I think they're far more flattering anyway. Zack wanted to find some dress pants that were slim fitting like his levis. A quick stop in Express and we emerged with two pairs of dress slacks and a pair of black jeans. Success.
Yes, he agreed to be my guest on this blog today to show off the suit he put together for a music gig tomorrow night in Las Vegas. Then he wanted to try on his new jeans again.

*Edit: I've been using photobucket to upload photos. It's cropping the photos from the right in this post and I'm not really sure how to fix it. Is it just the display on my computer? For example, the second to last photo is supposed show both feet, but it cropped it down to one.






lots of excitement about the new pants





Of course, we didn't spend all day looking at stuff for him. I fell in love with some oxfords:





Can't wait to wear these. An older guy who was sitting in the shoe department and reading a newspaper commented that they were "cute" and "flattering" and "got his attention." Either this means they are totally awesome or I will be picking up old men.

Cold August Nights

Every year Reno hosts Hot August Nights, an event where thousands of classic car owners and fans flock to our city. These August nights have not been so hot.
While I'm not ready to say goodbye to summer weather quite yet, I was pretty happy to pull a couple of my fall and winter staple items out of the closet. Last winter I lived in this sweater, and I love tights because I'm much more comfortable with short skirts and dresses with them on.
Also, I bought these boots about a month ago and haven't actually worn them yet. I couldn't find anything summery for them to go with. I have to confess: these are the first boots I've purchased (aside from a pair of hideous red boots that go with my robin hood costume). I need to invest in a couple of pairs this fall. I don't like western looking boots, and I prefer shorter heels or flat shoes. Time to hunt.







I can't decide if I like the belt with this. Thoughts?




Blue t-shirt dress: Target
Grey cardigan: Kohls
Black tights: Topshop
Ankle boots: Madden Girl
Mother of pearl necklace: Random shop in Korea

Sex and the City Wannabes

This is kind of hilarious.

Too much shopping, too little posting

I've bought three dresses in the last two days. I better start wearing them.



I got this awesome dress today (and then stole the picture of it from whitehouseblackmarket.com because it's 1:38 a.m. and I'm not playing dress up right now). I am trying to think of how to tone it down slightly so that I can wear it a bit more casually. I love the pattern and the fit, but after all, this is Reno and we don't run around in stuff like this on a regular basis. Will sleep on it. Stay tuned.

Also purchased a simple cotton black dress and a bright blue t-shirt dress from Target. I think both will get lots of wear out of them. Is it sad that I'm sort of looking forward to school starting and having a reason to care about what I wear during the day? Will regret this statement as soon as I set foot into a classroom.

Family dinner

It's my little sister's 18th birthday today. We are about to go to out to dinner, and I, as usual, have irritated my family (sisters mainly) by wanting to dress up more than they do. Sorry guys, but when the outfit inspiration hits, you have to go with it.
I've had this black skirt in my closet forever...and I don't think I've ever actually worn it. I have no idea why--I'm totally in love with it right now. We'll be seeing more of this skirt, I think.



Black skirt: Old Navy
Blue appliqué tank: Urban Outfitters
T-strap heels: Steve Madden
Rose necklace: Urban Outfitters

Monday night band groupie

Last week I was out with some friends and saw my former hairdresser. I was so ashamed from having cheated on her last month that I hid. I'm having an affair with Devlin from Rock Star Hair Studio in Reno and I really like it.


Last night I went to see one of my boyfriend's bands play. It was a joint birthday party for one of the members. A majority of my social life revolves around going to see my boyfriend play and sitting by myself. It makes me feel like such a groupie. Maybe, just maybe one of my friends will take my up on my invites one day and join me. Ahem--Krystal--ahem.



Flannel shirt: Some boutique in San Fran
Grey wedges: Journeys
Denim shorts: Gap
Black belt: Thrifted

Since it was only a Monday night and not a very fancy place, there wasn't much need to get too dressed up. Halfway through the night a group of girls stumbled into the bar completely wasted and dressed head to toe in sequins and stilettos. It looked a little off for a Monday. How lucky for those girls, apparently not having a real job and all.

Anyway, my style icon (she wears what I wish I could pull off) and friend (in our Reno version of Sex and the City fantasy she's Carrie and I'm Miranda)over at http://thistimetomorrow-krystal.blogspot.com/ nominated me for the Kreativ Blogger award.



I guess this means I'm supposed to list seven things about myself and then nominate seven more people. Since I have a whopping two followers, who have undoubtedly already done this, I guess I'll skip the second part.

1. I have one semester left before I graduate college
2. I studied in Stirling, Scotland for one semester
3. I'm just under 5'10"
4. This summer I've been Soccer Momming for money. Not so easy, really.
5. I'm taking a photography class this fall and am really excited about it. I don't get excited about classes. Ever.
6. I've traveled to: S. Korea, Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales and Canada.
7. I work for a college newspaper

Retail therapy

Plagued by a week of food poisoning and excessive medical facility visits, I gave in to a little retail therapy. A pair of shoes, jewelry making supplies and a trip to Junkee later, I might be feeling a wee bit better.

I always hate trying to buy necklaces that work well with my chest, so I decided to start making my own. My mom and I were talking not too long ago about how it used to be much more commen for women used to wear watches on necklaces as opposed to on their wrists. My friend Krystal (http://thistimetomorrow-krystal.blogspot.com/) sported a necklace watch for a while, but I wasn't willing to shell out the money to UO for my own.

Silver chain+watch face+charm=

Jewelry making appears to be addicting.

Back in the day I worked for Old Navy for two years. I swore that I wouldn't buy lots of clothes from that store any more after I realized how much money I threw away on stuff that never seems to fit well after one wash. Yet when I saw a grey vest at a local thrift store for only $6 and that actually fit pretty well, I made an exception.


I also picked up these shoes at a discount shoe store. Why is it that when you try shoes on at a store they don't hurt, but the second you wear them for a few minutes elsewhere they do?

Exhausted.

I spent this past weekend traveling up to Spokane to visit some family. While I was there, I had dreams of venturing to Nordstrom and purchasing fantastic shoes and a new outfit.
We only made it to the Nordstrom Rack, and the shopping gods were not so much on my side.
I did, however, buy this t-shirt dress for $40, orginally priced at 120. I had to teach a design class today, so I opted for my most comfortable shorts and this grey shirt to add a layer. My most favorite and reliable shoes made the whole thing slightly less casual.t-shirt dress: nordstrom rack
grey layering shirt: urban outfitter
denim shorts: gap
grey wedges: journeys
rose necklace: urban outfitter