harriet the spy

jacket & loafers: F21
blouse & skirt: vintage
brooch: mother's

I really like the name Harriet. Too bad if I named my child that I would constantly think less spy more Winslow from Family Matters. My knowledge of pop culture delights me as much as it plagues me.

I love the cut of this jacket. I'm trying to experiment with different shapes over the classic oversized jacket I normally wear. AND LOOK, I'M WEARING A SKIRT. Enjoy it while it lasts...

Its been so rainy, almost too rainy to do anything. I don't mind the rain as much as my hair does, but it does make outdoor activity more soggy. I haven't had a chance to do any fall activities this year due to rain delay. I want to try as I might to get to a haunted trail before Halloween. But I hate the idea of being on a wet farm all evening. Maybe I'm just too much of a city girl. Though it does make it easier for me to do my one favorite pastime which is going to the movies. I know I'm like the only person I know who loves going to films as much as I do. But I love it all, the screenplays, the smell of popcorn, the uniting of people of all different backgrounds to enjoy a singular event together. I love the movies! So far I've seen everything I wanted to this fall, Looper, Perks of Being a Wallflower, Smashed, The Master, Taken 2, Argo...All worth seeing. (keep in mind I've seen most of these for free! perks of having a friend who works at a movie theatre!)

thank god its....tuesday?

silk blouse: vintage 
high waist silky trousers: UO
creepers: f21 
sweater: thrifted 
bolo: old 

Finally my last look with my partnership with The Urbaness. This one is probably one of my faves because it contains all my favorite things...

high waisted pants....button ups....bolo ties...and sweaters tied around thine neck!

Plus dusty rose/oxblood, my favorite color of all time!

This is my "Friday" look, I wanted to combine the casualness of Friday with the ability of if still being a work look, PLUS the versatility of something you can wear to a night out, especially if you're like me and shudder at the idea of wearing a Kardashian style bodycon dress non ironically. I rather be dressed like one of the boys...than to have to deal with stripper style heels... For The Urbaness I wrote "I always dress for both work and play on Fridays, just in case my boyfriend or the girls want to hit the town afterward. The sartorial look is so in, and if you put the right pieces together, you'll be just as cute as the girls in their mini dresses."

 Ah yes, dressing for fridays...If only Friday was today!

Jumanji

silk shirt: vintage
shorts: american apparel 
scarf: vintage 
red flats: vintage 

Oops! I missed a day! I was out sick yesterday guys, but I'm bringing you Thursdays Urbaness look today! Which in contrast on how it looks and feels outside today, this may not be the right choice..(ITS FREEZING...)...But yesterday was almost 80 so this look is actually quite perfect for those sudden heat waves. Besides who doesn't like looking they just got off the set of Jumanji

In the feature I wrote "Sure it's not Friday but why don't we have lunch outside today? Before the weather becomes unforgivable. Breathe a little; the week is almost through." I always bring my lunch, I like to save money and lunch in the city all the time can be $$$ (and I honestly can't stand over processed meals) But I do feel that its important to leave the building for lunch every once and a while to clear your brain and restart. Even if the only place to go is sitting in your car!

Anyway, aren't we glad that it's not Thursday?

Back to Work

silk shirt: vintage 
cashmere cardigan: thrifted 
tie: vintage 
high waisted trousers: American Apparel 
belt: H&M 
loafers: F21 
briefcase: mother's LV (vintage) 

It's just another rainy day in Chicago, and all I want to do is hide under the covers and sleep to the lullaby of droplets of water hitting my window. But we're grown up now. Can't take "mental health days" like my mom would let me as a child. I remember sitting in her studio in my jammies and workong by her side not having to go to school. Best way to get over a hump day funk, dressing the part.

Today in 5 days of silk shirts with The Urbaness, I felt like instead of giving up midweek, its time to pull it back together "We had fun on Tuesday, but nothing gets you over hump day like putting yourself in the work mindset. Focus on those projects and get them done; the week is nearly through!" I have to keep reminding myself this, because as the clouds envelope my building, they seem to seep into my mind, making my creative energy...fuzzy.

One thing I really like this look, its sooo...Wes Anderson. PLUS I also look like Richard Ayoade from IT Crowd (my secret twin!)

Happy Wednesday!

Hey! what a wonderful kind of day!

 

silk blouse: vintage 
sweater: vintage 
linen shorts: american apparel 
loafers: Gap 

I'm glad you guys are enjoying my journey through the silky blouse. For our the "Tuesday" look I decided to be a bit more playful. (Plus how perfect is this look for these transitional weather months) This may be a no go for those who work in a super conservative field, but for us girls in biznez cash, this is right up our alley.

Here's an excerpt from the feature "Is it me or are offices almost always cold? Cheer up your coworkers by topping your classic blouse with a kooky sweater." This sweater is honestly one of my favorites. I don't wear it too often on my blog, but in my everyday life I slap it on nearly too much. It always makes a statement without me having to think about it too long. It goes with everything from a chambray dress to high waisted trousers. Erin was telling me she has a bunch of these bad boys! I hope to see more of these sweaters floating around the blogsphere.

Funny note: I bought this sweater as a costume piece to be Arthur...yes...the aardvark. Continue my silk shirt adventures here at the Urbaness!

just another manic monday

 

silk blouse: vintage 
blazer: vintage 
trousers: french connection
loafers: f21 
belt: h&m 
briefcase: mother's LV (vintage) 

When the Urbaness approached me to be apart of a story to be featured on their site, I couldn't wait to be apart! I love news media, and I love showing that Chicago can be just as fashion forward as any other city. So we collaborated and came up with concept of taking the "ho-hum" out of everyday office wear. I decided to challenge myself by centering a new look for everyday of the week around the classic silk blouse. I also thought it would allow the reader to feel she can easily achieve similar looks at home, because fashion is more than just brands, its about style!

Here's an excerpt of my "Monday" look...

"I know what they say, ‘just another manic Monday,” but I feel like Monday is the best day to put on your shiny suit. No need to break the bank either. The blazer is thrifted to complement the French Connection trousers I already had, and it keeps the look from being too matchy-matchy." 

 Follow me journey throughout this week here and read the rest of the story on the Urbaness!

complicated ties

 

tie: vintage 
oxblood blouse: need supply 
boyfriend trousers: french connection 
belt: vintage 
cardi: h&m shoes: f21watch: vintage pendleton

Hey friends, I know I fell off the face of the earth for a moment there, but that's because I was party partying for my birthday. Now it's back to business basics, though honestly I dress pretty business-y 365 days a week. Maybe because I'm just a big ole nerd.

 Despite ties being ruined in the the early millennium by a Miss Avril Lavigne, I'm ready to make things less complicated by rocking them in the way Cybil Shepard use to do in the 70s. After Madewell sent me a catalog and I saw all the ties in their fall collection, I had to admit that my love for ties has been rekindled. And honestly I truly thought I would never love them again! Plus for 3 ties for a $1 at my local thrift I can have a tie for every day of the week!

But as for wearing a tube sock on your arm, not sure about bringing that back....

Now if you'll excuse me I have a pumpkin spice latte calling my name

(ps today's the last day to enter the GIVEAWAY)

Dog Day Afternoon

dress, shoes, watch, purse: vintage
glasses: bonlook

When I throw on this dress (which I have thrown on like 10xs this month alone, its so easy!) I feel like I'm transported to the 70s. August 22, 1972 to be exact. That's the day John Wojtowicz tried to rob a bank in Brooklyn to support his family and dreams. But for most of us it's also a great movie starring Al Pacino in Dog Day Afternoon. Its literally one of my favorite films, especially for the costumes alone. Everyone looks so sharp, even the criminals! Its sad to say that no one dresses well to leave the house, in fact I'm sure you can probably count how many people are walking around town in their jammies on two hands.

I'm so attracted to the female professional look from yesteryear. From the buxom female reporters of 1940, to the bank tellers of 1970. What happened to power dressing? Did all the magazine I read as a child no longer apply? Now its all louboutins, oxford shirts, and shift dresses to get that promotion. I don't care it all looks the same to me! I want high shoulders, high waist, and high hair! But maybe that's just me.

I guess when your running around in the hazy afternoon fog, Its hard not to be so nostalgic. As for me, I'll just continue to pretend what year it is when I get dressed. Who care what anyone else thinks.

There Will Be Oxblood

oxblood blazer: vintage 
raisin button down: need supply
high waisted burgundy pants: UO 
le tigre brooch: mother's (vintage) 
loafers: f21 
belt:vintage 
watch: pendleton (vintage)
gold bracelet: gift

Maybe its the cool weather, maybe its those new waves music videos, maybe its the fact that I've been marathoning Paul Dano films, or that Paul Thomas Anderson premiered "The Master" at the Music Box last Thursday.

Whatever it is, all I know is that I am undoubtedly obsessed with oxblood. Call it what you like, burgundy, mauve, rose, dark red, raisin...all I know is that in the words of George Costanza "I would drape myself in it if it were socially acceptable" It looks ravishing against my skin tone and puts me at complete peace. I love it, i want to wear it everyday.

The weather has been forgiving to me enough to let me wear pants and long sleeves. I know i am constantly hearing gripes from people complaining about how cold it has become (same people who complained about the unforgiving heat wave a few weeks back) but i am in love. I'm less stressed, I'm more active, and I'm pleasantly dressed what more could a girl want. 100+ degree weather, no thanks....sweater weather...yes please and thank you!

Now excuse me while I go drink someone's milkshake