We'll Take a Cup of Kindness Yet

Me and Joe, New Year's Eve 2008

For a few days now I've been trying to come up with the words to describe how I feel about 2009. In so many ways, I'm glad it's over. It had far too many kick-me-while-I'm-down moments, and I'm ready to be rid of those. But it also brought some unexpected joy into my life. I started this blog in 2009, and what began as a random experiment has transformed into a hobby that I truly love, and one which has boosted my self-esteem, belief in beauty, and sense of community (I could probably write a whole essay on this, but I'll leave it at that for now). Joe and I weathered some of the toughest setbacks we'd ever had, but came through stronger, closer, and more of a team than I think either of us thought was possible at the beginning of the year. With my new job and a lot of exciting things on Joe's horizon, I think 2010 will more than make up for what 2009 lacked.

to reflection and renewal:
Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year

I hope 2010 is a bit better than 2009.

Not Back for a Day

Outfit details:
Dress: Kimchi Blue
Skirt: H&M, remixed
Cardigan: Forever 21, remixed
Socks: Target
Boots: Steven by Steve Madden, recently remixed
Necklace: Christmas gift from the lovely Gina

Where:
Vacation!

Soooo, Arizona is a lot nicer than Chicago this time of year. It's pretty ridiculous, actually. We left Chicago in a veritable blizzard, and when we woke up the next morning in Arizona we were greeted with sunshine, warm weather, and, of course, Christmas. It felt like a holiday right away, and it was super nice to take a serious break from work, and that meant shutting down the computer for pretty much the whole vacation. Hopefully, starting now, I'll be posting and commenting more regularly and substantially, but no promises until the new year.

All the sunshine and warm weather made me want to dress more festively than usual, so I busted out this awesome bow-tie necklace that Gina of clothes, inter alia gave me during the Chicago blogger brunch. I'm seriously in love with the necklace, and I wanted its debut outfit to be worthy of its radicalness. To keep up with the pattern on the bow-tie, I added as many patterns as I could to the rest of the outfit. I did try to keep the colors neutral so that the patterns could speak for themselves. It felt a smidge busy, but I kept getting compliments on it all day, so I've decided I like it.

Title song: Katrina and the Waves (and the cast of Glee!), "Walking on Sunshine"

Happy Christmas Everyone!

Gals,

We wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Christmas and a Very Fruitful New Year. We genuinely appreciate all of your support, comments, custom and well wishes throughout the year. We consider ourselves lucky to have so many lovely friends and clients worldwide and remain grateful for your support of our wee Independent Irish Design Label.

We have had a very cool 2009 and look forward to lots of new projects in 2010!! With a few surprises lined up too! We hope you continue to enjoy our journey and to our new clients in 2010, we look forward to working with you all and excited to be expanding our international family! xx

Thank You from the bottom of our hearts!
Bonzie & Ger

Sweet Candice!

Guys we wanted to share this awesome picture with you taken of one of our 09 clients, Candice Dowling. This stunning picture was taken by photographer Robin Dini and we both love the atmosphere in the capture! Candice looks dreamy in our Rococco Ruffled Tea Stain Wrap.

Candice featured our work over on her awesome bridal blog http://www.eventjubilee.com/ , a stunning Connecticut Wedding Blog, featuring fabulous bridal favourites, definitely worth a visit for stylish brides to be! Candice is a truely gifted Wedding Planner herself and if her own wedding is anything to go by, she would be hot property to have for your own special day. Check out her company EventJubilee for more details. :)

As If Everybody Knows What I'm Talking About

Outfit details:
Dress: Angie, remixed
Black tank: Old Navy, remixed
Tights: Target
Boots: Steven by Steve Madden, remixed
Belt: thrifted, remixed

Where:
Work, home sick

How I wore it first:
Walking Down the Same Street Together on the Very Same Day

So I'll be backtracking a bit with posts as I get to them while I'm on vacation. There were a few work outfits left that I didn't get around to posting before we left Chicago, so I'll probably bust them out in the next few days. I have been taking some pictures while we've been in Arizona, so those will serve to fill in some of the gaps in posting. I had to go home sick from work when I wore this outfit, which was too bad, because it was one of the few outfits that elicited comments from my former coworkers. I just love this dress, and the winter incarnation was simple, but, in my mind, perfect.

Title song: Paul Simon, "Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes"

How some stores treat Authors, and a mini move review.

Very good. Great? No, but it's very entertaining. In most ways, it's how I imagined it was going to be- a reinterpretation of the master detective as a bit of a swashbuckler, but with a funny, eccentric, and troubled soul.

There were a couple of instances of flash backs and flash forwards that were very nicely done, and everything is wrapped up in the end with a "Scooby-Doo" style explanation.

Three stars.

------------------

So I visited a Barnes & Nobles Bookstore yesterday before we saw the movie, and I'm happy to say that they were sold out of "Bent Objects". The fella said it had done well, because they had quite a few copies on hand. He was nice enough to invite me back to sign some copies when they get a new shipment. Believe it or not, I've found this to be an unusual attitude. "Why would that be?" you might ask. "Wouldn't an author signature be a motivating factor for the purchase of a book?" I wonder the same thing.

I've actually heard from several other authors who have had the same experience as I've had, and that's one of many booksellers acting like they are doing the author a favor by letting them sign their books. Why is this? The managers actually have to think a second or two before they give me a positive answer, and then not one thank you given. I'm at a loss on this. Wouldn't their customers feel like they're buying something a bit special if it were signed? Don't they want happy customers? I would understand if they asked to see my I.D., or I'd show them my photo on the book-jacket, but that doesn't seem to be the problem.

One of the last managers I spoke to basically shrugged his shoulders and said "hey, it's up to you". Really? Should I just go into a store and start signing away? Seems a strange thing to do. I'm not looking for people to kiss my ring when I make an offer to sign, but it would be cool if they said "Oh, that'd be great. Thanks."

Can anyone out there enlighten me on this? I'll let the other authors who've run up against this in on the secret too, so they can find out why they're treated like schmucks in some of these stores.

Peace on Earth, Of Course

Outfit details:
Dress: Old Navy
Black tank: Old Navy
Black tights: Target
Oxfords: apostrophe, remixed
Necklace: made by me
Flower: Forever 21, remixed
Purse: Beta Boutique, courtesy of Keiko Lynn

Where:
The Joffrey Nutcracker Ballet

This post is coming to you live (scheduled!) from my lush vacation spot in sunny Arizona. I've been happily leaving my computer turned off, and enjoying the company of my family. So that should explain my relative absence around here for the past few days (and, more than likely, for the next few days too). I hope you'll bear with me. I do have a few pretty great outfits lined up for when I get home, but for now I'm going to enjoy my vacation sans internet.

Joe and I went to the Nutcracker the week before we left Chicago. We had gone to the Joffrey production of the ballet last year as well, and decided that we should make it an annual thing. So we got all gussied up and trekked through the rain (rain!?! Chicago seems to have forgotten what winter is supposed to look like) to the Auditorium Theater downtown. We had box seats, and shared with two adorable little girls and their moms. The girls were sooo cute, bobbing along to the music and oohing and ahhing at the sugar plum fairy. Joe also gave me a little nutcracker (complete with jaunty hat!) right before we left for the ballet.

I've been desperately wanting to wear this dress ever since I got it a year-and-a-half ago at one of those mega-clearance Old Navy bonanza days. However, I rarely get dressed up, and so it has languished in my closet, waiting for its big moment. Since I knew the weather would actually be decent for the ballet, I figured a sleeveless dress would be okay. The dress is so fun with the sequins and pleating, and it has pockets, which is pretty much the best thing a dress could have, in my book. I decided to weigh it down a bit with the black tank top and tights, and added flashy gold accessories to keep it festive. It was perfect for our classy night on the town, watching pirouetteing snow queens and dancing mice.

Title song: Trans-Siberian Orchestra, "Silent Nutcracker"

Survived Christmas

I've heard from a couple of people who received the Bent Objects book for Christmas and have enjoyed it. Thanks for those messages.

We're now home from family festivities. Either open a bottle of wine, or head to a local theater to see a film. Decisions, decisions.

Hope you all are having a good one, whichever holiday you choose to celebrate.

Christmas Cheer: Christmas Eve

Christmas Cheer #10:

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! I love the holidays so much, and it's been so fun sharing some of these goofy pictures and random memories with you. This picture was taken last winter after Joe and I went out on a fancy date. It was about the time that I had started reading style blogs, and was just starting to fall in love with this community. So when we got home from our date, I tried to get Joe to take some pictures of my outfit, even though I totally hadn't worked out how to pose yet. This is still one of my favorite date-night outfits. Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Cheer: Cow

Christmas Cheer #9:

One of my favorite things ever is taking novelty photos with goofy stuff on the street. I have a veritable plethora of pictures of me posing with statues, ridiculous signs, benches (with brass - or Lego! - people sitting on them, preferably), and, apparently, cows. I think I was pretending to brush his teeth in this picture, which makes no sense. Regardless, it's one of my faves.

Make Me a Poster of an Old Rodeo

Outfit details:
Plaid shirt: Marshall Fields/Macy's, remixed
Skirt: Target, remixed
Tights: Target, recently remixed
Boots: Ciao Bella, remixed
Belt: thrifted, remixed
Earrings: craft market, remixed

Where:
Work

How I wore it first:
Shoot the Moon Right Between the Eyes

First I want to thank you all so much for your well-wishes about my new job! I'm so unbelievably excited about this new step, and I just can't wait to start working there. I got a glimpse at my new office today at lunch, and I love it! I can't wait to start decorating and settling in. Things have been pretty great lately. Last weekend I met up with Gina and Sabrina for brunch and a holiday gift exchange. It was so nice to meet a couple of local fashionistas, but we were pretty bad bloggers and only got one photo between the three of us. Gina already posted it, but I thought I'd share it too:

So I've decided that once I start my new job I'm officially calling off the Great Remix Project of 2009. I've really loved breathing new life into my wardrobe and winterizing some of my summer favorites. But one of the downsides is that I've been cycling through outfits that I wore through some kind of rough periods in the past few months. In a weirdly symbolic way, ending the remix project lets me move on, professionally, personally, and stylistically, into 2010. I'll still be heavily remixing individual pieces in my wardrobe, but I won't be recreating entire looks like I've been doing for the past couple of months. I'll probably still be occasionally linking to previous outfits that were particularly inspirational, though.

Title song: John Prine, "Angel from Montgomery"

Crossing Roads Whilst Holding Hands

Outfit details:
Navy shirt: Old Navy, remixed
Suede skirt: thrifted
Brown tights: Target
White lace tights: Target
Navy scarf: Forever 21, remixed
Cream scarf: market in Chile
Hat: Forever 21, remixed

Where:
Out around town with Joe

One of the things that is really tough for Joe and I is the fact that we have almost opposite work schedules, so we rarely, if ever, get a day off together. We have early morning and evenings, but no full days. However, Joe's workplace closes during winter break, so today was our first full day off together for a long time. We went out to breakfast, wandered around downtown Chicago, went to the Christkindlmarket, and hung out together at home. Also, I met this lovely Chicagoan:

Anyway, I really loved today's outfit. I'd been wanting some white tights for winter, and I love these lace ones I found at Target. I kept the hat on all day, which I actually didn't plan but ended up really liking the way it complimented the tights. Plus, we were outside for most of the day, so it was practical and appropriate. I'm also a big fan of the double-scarf look, and I've been meaning to try it for awhile. Yay for layers and tights! Today was a really great winter day, and it put me so in the mood for the holidays.

Title song: The Maccabees, "Lego"

Christmas Cheer: Ice Cube

Christmas Cheer #8:

My sister and I used to make up ice skating routines. We would develop elaborate schemes, and then get distracted and race each other around the rink instead. We used to go skating all the time. I don't go as often anymore, but I still really enjoy it. Joe and I went last year, and it was so cute chasing him around the rink.

Maurices Giveaway Winner!

...and the winner is...

La Historiadora de Moda, of Fashionable Academics!!! I'll be emailing you shortly to get the address where I can send the gift card. Thanks for entering, everyone!

Artist Interview #2- Noah Scalin

I can't remember how I stumbled on Noah Scalin's Skull-A-Day blog a couple of years ago, but it immediately became my first stop on the internet every day, for a year. Well, slightly less than a year, because I didn't discover it until after he was already at it for several weeks. Just imagine, challenging yourself to pick an object and recreate it every day, in a different way for an entire year (the blog is still churning out neato skulls, but now mostly by fans).

I've since found other people doing a drawing a day, a sketch a day, whatever, but none inspired me, and excited me, like Noah's project where, from day to day, I had no idea what he would try (and succeed at) next. His project was so much more wide ranging, and a much larger challenge. A skull made out of an arrangement of human bodies? Check. Making a loaf of bread so that a skull was visible on individual slices? Check. Great, great stuff.

Now, I've never been particularly in love with the whole skull motif. In general, I think it can be a short-handed way for a not-so-good artist to try and add an edge to their work, an air of "cool" when there was none before. But that's not what Noah's blog and his present work is about. If you check it out, you'll see what I mean.

In full disclosure- I've been an internet friend of Noah for a couple of years now. We even did a collaboration during the run of his project. He's been kind enough to mention my book on his site, and I've mentioned his book here before. But this interview was motivated by me just wanting to honor and recognize an artist who has brought me so much entertainment, excitement, and intrigue over the years. He's one of those people who attacks things from a different angle.

drum roll... The Interview-

So, what's the deal with you and skulls?

I’ve always loved them! Seriously I just found a great drawing of a skull that I’d made at age 6/7 so I think that’s fairly good evidence. By the time I’d started Skull-A-Day I had a bunch of skulls decorating my house and my skin so they really are an integral part of my life. I’m also very committed to the idea of living each day as fully as possible so the classical idea of having skulls in your environment as “memento mori” makes sense to me.

How long into your project did it take before you asked yourself "What the heck have I gotten myself into?

About 10 days. That’s when I discovered that there were more than just my friends watching, but actually a large international audience was starting to pay attention. It also stressed me out that I was getting positive feedback so soon as it made me feel like I needed to maintain a certain level of quality, if not improve upon it constantly, which is damn near impossible to do on a daily project.

I'm sure time was an issue during that 365 days. Between thinking up ideas, creating them, photographing them, then blogging them (which can be a job in itself sometimes), what things did you have to give up during your project? I'm sure it was a lifestyle change to some extent.

Strangely I felt like I gained a lot more than I lost during that time! I was still working a full-time job, so somehow I managed to squeeze more and more out my day as it went along. After it was over, it was hard to imagine how I found the time every day. Oddly enough even though I had less time for some social activities, I was actually seeing some of my friends more often (and for longer periods of time), since they were helping me get things done. I guess what I really gave up was sleep, since I was getting up earlier and earlier to do more in the day (as I had committed to the fans of the site to be done by midnight each night)!

What was the most challenging skull that you created?

For sheer time and effort, the latch hook skull was especially tough. It wasn’t a particularly hard technique, but it was a complicated process to work out how to translate a preexisting image into something else and the labor is not really something one should attempt in a single day. It took me a total of nine hours to complete. Not only were my arm and hand cramping from the repetitive motion, but I developed a migraine part way through and had to take a nap to get rid of it before continuing. I think the end result was worth it, but I’ll never do latch hook again!

Which is the one you were happiest with?

That’s a really hard question. There are so many I like a lot and in many ways it was more about the overall experience than the individual pieces. That said, I find the Skullevision to be very satisfying. It makes any TV show interesting and is great to leave on at parties.

You got to appear on the Martha Stewart show. What was her green room like? Any good snacks?

It was tastefully appointed, there were delicious fresh baked cookies, and a large screen TV where I could watch the show as it was taped. Quite pleasant.

Since she's been to prison, don't you think it would be cool if she showed her audience some of the shiv making skills that she learned in the big house?

Absolutely. And considering she’s had me and Snoop Dogg as guests I think anything goes at this point!

Did she make any unwanted advances? Any wanted advances? Did she ever say "It's a good thing?"

Ha, she was very nice and we had a lovely chat while we waited together between shots. She was very focused on the craft part though and continued working on her potato stamps even when the cameras weren’t on us.

What do you think of Damien Hirst's skull? The diamond covered one, I mean.

Oddly that skull came out shortly after the project started, so even though it was not an influence on me it came up a lot at that time. I don’t really have a strong opinion about it either way. It’s pretty, but I’m not moved by it and I understand that the sheer ridiculousness of it offends a lot of people and turns them off to modern art, which I think is a shame. In many ways I hope that Skull-A-Day is the remedy for that.

Do you still wake up thinking about things that you can make a skull out of?

No, I think I’ve gotten it mostly out of my system. Though I do still find myself making skulls with very little provocation.

What's the latest project that you're excited about working on?

League of Space Pirates (http://www.spacepirate.org) is a multimedia science-fiction project that I’ve been developing for a long time and I’m finally finding the time to make some headway on it. I’m looking to release a full-length album as part of it in 2010, so I’ve been having a lot of fun spending time in a recording studio away from my computer.

Thanks to Noah, who put up with my silly questioning!

His book "Skulls" is a collection of many of the skulls that made up his year long Skull-A-Day project. I especially recommend it as a gift for that hard to buy for young person that you have trouble finding something for. It's available on-line of course, as well as most well-stocked book stores.

Rockin' this Metropolis

Outfit details:
Sweater: Old Navy, remixed
Gray tank: Old Navy Intimates, recently remixed
Skirt: The Limited, thrifted, remixed
Footless tights: Target, remixed
Boots: Steven by Steve Madden, remixed
Gold flower necklace: made by me
Garnet ring: gift from Joe, remixed

Where:
Work

How I wore it first:
Team Building Exercise

So apparently my interview outfit karma is awesome, because I found out on Friday afternoon (barely 24 hours after my interview) that...

I got the job!!!!

And seriously, it's not just a job, it's the job for me. It's the job I've been wanting ever since I got out of school, that I've essentially been looking for for the past year and a half. I honestly can't say enough good things about it. The pay is better, my colleagues are awesome (I know most of them already from previous stuff, so I know that the dynamic will be good), and it's the kind of job that I will come home from feeling satisfied, like I've done something good. I'm so thrilled to start this new step in my career, my life.*

I just loved today's outfit, too. This skirt is one of my favorites and I just don't wear it enough. It's the perfect flattering shape, and I love the length. It sits comfortably above the knees, but not so short that it's inappropriate for work. I like the way I remixed this one, too. The first version packed a little more punch with the bright red of the shirt, so I toned it down with this maroon sweater. Joe and I got all gussied up last night and went to the Joffrey ballet performance of the Nutcracker after work. We had a delightful time, and I'll be posting about it in a separate post later this weekend.

*Many of you have asked me what I do. I'm sorry to be so continuously vague, but it's important to me to keep some level of distance between my blog life and my work life. This is my outlet, and if I had too much overlap it might stop feeling that way. So I'm sorry to do this, but I'm keepin' it vague. Just know that this job is perfect, and perfectly suited to me, in every way.

Title song: Flight of the Conchords, "Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenocerous"

Christmas Cheer: Tchaikovsky

Christmas Cheer #7:

My grandma used to take my sister and I to a production of The Nutcracker every year when I was little. It was one of my favorite memories with her. This is the second year that Joe and I are going to the Joffrey Ballet performance of the Nutcracker. I love that we're making traditions of our own. He's even given me a small nutcracker each year before the ballet that he gets at the Chriskindlmarket in downtown Chicago. This is us after the ballet last year, bein' all lovey-dovey.

If I Were Giant-Sized

Outfit details:
Blouse: Old Navy, remixed
Gray tank: Old Navy Intimates, remixed
Skirt: Ann Klein, part of suit, remixed
Nylons: Target, ripped :(
Mary-janes: Born, recently remixed
Belt: Forever 21

Where:
Interview, work, holiday office party

How I wore it first:
Like a River Going Through

I've actually already remixed this summer outfit pretty recently. However, I had an interview today, and the last time I had a successful interview I wore the outfit from this summer, so I thought it wouldn't hurt to rock it again. Good karma, or something like that. I'm growing pretty fond of these skinny belts from Forever 21 (2 for $4.50!), and this cowl-neck tunic is just so fun and comfy. The interview went well, and my workday was nice and short since we had a holiday party this afternoon too. Free food and drink ain't nothin' to scoff at. Plus, tomorrow is Friday and Christmas is in a week! I'm sorry that I've been pretty slow with comments lately. There's just a lot of stuff going on, personally, professionally, and just everything, and I've had a hard time keeping up. So bear with me; I hope things will ease up soon.

Oh, and you guys better get crackin' on entering the Maurices giveaway! I'll be drawing a winner on Sunday, December 20, so get to it!

Title song: Dave Matthews Band, "If I Had it All"

Christmas Cheer: Close-up

Christmas Cheer #6:

Sometimes I take horrible pictures. This is absolute evidence of that. This blog has cured me of that, at least a little bit. I hope.

Also, sorry I've been kind of absent from the blogosphere lately...I have been busy, and under the weather, and in dire need of a vacation. But if you need something to do, why not enter my giveaway for a $20 Maurices gift card!! And for you Chicago-based readers and bloggers, be sure to R.S.V.P. for the Chicago Blogger Christmas Brunch (it's kind of a mouthful, huh?). I can't wait to meet some of you in person!

There Goes The Neighborhood

Alternate title- It's That Time Of Year Already?

------------------------------
Yes, I have about 10 more Bent Objects books that I'll gladly sign and doodle, and still get to you by Christmas or Hanukkah. I think if I ship them Thursday by priority mail, they should get anywhere in the U.S. in good time (Canada, or other international, I'm afraid not). The cost is 45 dollars, and you can pay using my donate button on the sidebar. The paypal form has a place for info that you think I'll need. Thanks!

The Weight of the World

Outfit details:
Black shirt: Target, remixed
Cropped pants: B. Moss, laundry room freebie, remixed
Scarf: gift from my parents, remixed
Boots: Ciao Bella, remixed

Where:
Work, Christmas shopping, coffee with old friend

How I wore it first:
Take Only What You Need from It

Not so long ago, I would never have worn boots with cropped pants. Then Sally expanded my cankle worldview, and I discovered this combination. It's still not my absolute favorite, but I like the old-school aviatrix vibe that this outfit has. After doing some Christmas shopping after work, I ran into an old friend, and we grabbed coffee together. It was surreal, and nice, and bizarre. It put into perspective all that has happened in the past few years, and all that is sure to happen in the next few. I realized today that this decade is almost over. It made me take stock of the past 10 years, and understand that all the punches that I feel like I've been hit with in the past few months will seem like tiny blips in 10 more years. It doesn't always make those moments easier while they happen, but it's nice to put it in perspective sometimes.

Title song: MGMT, "Time to Pretend"

Up for Sale Now!!!

Gals, we had a huge response to popping this piece back into store, even though it was reserved for one of our clients. We are offering it up on a first come first serve basis in our shop today as it needs a new home for Christmas and hasn't found the right size gal to sit on just yet. :)

Size = US size 6-8 ( UK size 10)

We had so many requests for this particular piece, so rather than going through everyones measurements we have decided to offer it up to whomever would like to purchase it, giving a suitable fit. :)

In Style...

bonzie & ger

When I'm Travelin' Around

Outfit details:
Dress: Kimchi Blue for Urban Outfitters, remixed
Skirt: H&M, remixed
Black cardi: Old Navy, remixed
Tights: Target
Heels: Born, remixed
Necklace: made by me

Where:
Work

How I wore it first:
I Hear My Song and It Pulls Me Through

So I'm pretty proud of these lights I put up over the weekend. Jury-rigged as they may seem, they're the first Christmas lights I've ever put up, so I'm really happy with them. The living room looks so magical and festive with them up. Ever since I started doing this remix project I've been trying to think of a way to remix this dress. It's definitely a summer dress; light and airy, and absolutely unsuitable for December in Chicago. But I think that by layering this "conductor" skirt (that's what Joe calls it) over it and adding tights and a cozy cardi it becomes totally winter-appropriate.

Title song: KISS, "Snow Blind"

Christmas Cheer: Curls

Christmas Cheer #5:

So a lot of you comment about my hair. I love the short pixie cut that I currently have, but I really haven't had it short for very long. For most of my life it was at least shoulder-length, and curly as can be. I still think of it as long and curly, actually. This is one of my favorite cuts, and sometimes I think about growing it back out...

Elf Killer

(Click on it for a larger image)

Happy Holidays!

---------------------------
Still need a stocking stuffer for a dog lover? Here ya go. Craziness. Follow the links to the etsy store where you can buy 'em.

Game On, Cleopatra

Outfit details:
Plaid tunic: Forever 21, remixed
Olive skinny jeans: Gap, recently remixed
Booties: Payless, remixed
Copper Braid Necklace and Buddha Necklace: for sale at Objects Found
Plaid wool coat: Gap

Where:
Christkindlmarket, haircut, craft store, home

I feel very grunge today. This tunic always brings me back to junior high, listening to Nirvana and feeling angsty. Although I never dressed half this stylish in junior high. I'm 100% sure I have a school picture from junior high in which I am wearing a blue mock turtleneck, a bright red sweater vest, and giant googly-eye glasses. Oh, and I had bangs as thick as thieves. Anyway, today's outfit wasn't my favorite, but it sure beats that picture day. Oh, and before I forget: be sure to enter the Maurices giveaway, and don't forget to R.S.V.P. to the Chicago Blogger Christmas Brunch if you'll be in the area next Saturday! Oh and don't forget to swing by Objects Found to check out some of the new necklaces (shipping is still free, and everything in the shop is 10%-off)! Whew! I guess there's a lot going on right now...

Title song: A.C. Newman, "35 in the Shade"

Giveaway: Maurices

I'm very excited to announce that I'm hosting another giveaway this week! This time, a $20 gift card to Maurices is up for grabs. I started shopping at Maurices when I was in junior high, looking for dresses for our "formal" dances, so this store holds a particular cache of memories, which is kind of unusual for me.

So, to enter, you simply make sure you're following Between Laundry Days, then add a comment on this post with a valid email address. In that comment, tell me what item from www.maurices.com you'd buy with your $20 gift card! I'll draw a winner on Sunday, December 20. Good luck!

Also, I wanted to let you all know that there are some new necklaces up for sale now at Objects Found! A couple are personal favorites of mine; I hope you like!

Christmas Cheer: Cookery

Christmas Cheer #4:

I love to bake, and I actually feel like it's something that I'm pretty good at. As long as I have a recipe in front of me, I can bust out pretty much any tasty treat. Without a recipe, things don't go quite as smoothly.

A Typical Case of American Blind Justice

Outfit details:
Dress: Lux, worn as tunic, remixed
Olive jeans: Gap, remixed
Flats: Target, recently remixed
Scarf: Forever 21, remixed
Belt: thrifted, remixed

Where:
Work

How I wore it first:
Warm Me from the Wind

I basically just switched out pants in this outfit. In the first outfit, I wore my beige cords. But I felt today that a slimmer silhouette would be more flattering with the scarf and tunic. Big on top, small on bottom. I had thought about wearing this tunic as a dress again, but thought better of it, since the temperature here in Chicago this morning was dipping below zero. Oh, and for all of you that expressed your concern about my choice of shoes yesterday: don't worry, I wore these rainboots while I was outside. The flats were reserved for inside wear (and pictures). I'm not that hardcore.

Title song: Arlo Guthrie, "Alice's Restaurant"