Sneak Peek: Boston with Lulu's

After a whirlwind trip to Boston this weekend for Blog Better Boston, I returned home late last night to a very happy cat and a very happy husband. I'll be sharing all the details starting tomorrow (which include, but aren't limited to, communing with some very friendly chickadees), but I couldn't help sharing a sneak peek of my outfit, courtesy of Lulu's, which made me feel like a powerful high priestess (floor-length capes tend to have that effect).

I think at this point, I've made you all pretty aware of how much New England means to me, and how much I miss my family (a family that includes a lot of people who actually aren't related to me at all), so I just want to take a moment to thank Lulu's for choosing me (and Tieka too!) to represent their amazing brand, and for Amy and Alana of BBBos for believing in my capabilities and asking me to be a speaker. This time in Boston and Beverly was what my soul needed, I'm feeling so excited about blogging right now, and excited for the season ahead.

Ok I'm off, there's a fat striped cat vying for my attention (by knocking things off my desk), and it's time to get ready for work. I hope you had a beautiful weekend too!

Currently

These two, they kill me

After a week of feeling under the weather with bronchitis and one monster of a cold, I am finally feel on the mend. Despite having hypochondriac-tendencies, I can be pretty awful about taking care of myself when I'm sick, but this time I was forced to slow down and I feel as though I actually allowed myself the time I needed to get well. I usually force myself back to work prematurely, which is bad for me an everyone else! So, lots of TV, magazines, and sleep for me these past few days:

Watching
Say it with me now: Post! Civil! War! Dramas! Whoo! Exciting, right? I finished up Hatfields & McCoys last night, a History Channel miniseries, and I highly recommend it. The famous Hatfield/McCoy feud wasn't something I had given much thought to, but the cast is pretty amazing and it's very well shot. Well worth watching. I also just started Hell on Wheels, and so far am enjoying it. I'm also almost done with the second season of The Killing, have you seen this one? If you like Twin Peaks, there are a lot of parallels that can be drawn between the two: Pacific Northwest setting, murdered girl, secret lives.

Reading
Still reading My Life in France! Whoo, it's great, but taking me for-ev-er. I was warned beforehand that it slows down significantly about halfway through and that assessment is correct. I love how openly Julia Child talks about almost not getting her book published, I feel like My Life in France is one giant inspirational quote, but so much better. Next I'm on to Lean In and The Omnivore's Dilemma.

Eating
We made Scotch Eggs this week (don't write it off because it's "paleo", really it's just meat and eggs, seriously- make them), and they were so easy! I first had a scotch egg at the Ace Hotel in NY last year (wasn't staying there, just eating their food) and- because it was the Ace Hotel- I figured they would require some sort of complicated magic to create. Nope, super easy and SO good. I've also recently become obsessed with Mara Natha sunflower seed butter, it tastes almost like peanut butter, but better.

Listening to
Richard Thompson, David Byrne, Caspian (from Beverly!), Joy Division.

Thinking about
I recently read this article from The Atlantic- it's about relationships vs. ambition and staying in your hometown vs. moving away for work, you know, if you don't feel like clicking on the link- and while it didn't necessarily raise any new issues for me, it solidified the fact that I think I will always feel conflicted about living away from my family and closest friends. While I know this is an important time of growth for the two of us, I often get nervous about being so far away from those I love. I worry something will happen and we won't be there, that we'll miss things, that we'll miss what's important. This is something I think about constantly, and could probably write a whole lot more about.

Excited about
We move in a little over a month! I'm so excited to have a larger studio space and better light, there are so many projects I've had on hold because of space issues, and I can't wait to get started on them. I'm also just excited to be in a new space.

EDIT- For those of you waiting on my Whole30 post- I'm sorry! I haven't forgotten about it, just trying to find the time to sit down and write it!

Nine to Five

What I wore:
Tee: Ralph Lauren/ Thrifted ($2)
Skirt: Vintage/ Thrifted ($1)
Belt: Vintage Dior/ Thrifted ($2)
Bag: Vintage Coach/ Thrifted ($20)
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell (ModCloth 2011)

Where I wore it: To the office

This time of year is truly my favorite, when getting dressed is easy again. Warm weather takes much of the guesswork out of my daily outfits, no more worrying about tights, layers, and which coat to wear. Spring and summer, to me, are much more fun to shop for than cold-weather months and I've been hoarding thrifted and vintage finds for balmy days since January.

I bought this vintage 70's skirt on the same day as the top, and I knew they'd go together perfectly. Stripes and dark denim will always be a go-to for me, a combination to keep in my back pocket for late-rising days and mornings when I just don't want to think.

Bootstrapping

Photos taken By Christen D.

What I wore:

Dress: Thrifted ($5)

Boots: Justin ropers/ thrifted ($7)

Boot straps: Vintage/ Avalon ($10)

Belt: Vintage (gift)

Sunglasses: Shop in Austin, TX ($12, similar)

Bracelet: Thrifted ($7)

Vintage ring: Thrifted ($6)

Midi ring: Urban Outfitters ($6)

Where I wore it: To the office

I'm no stranger to this silhouette, but something about this specific combination felt new to me. It's the addition of the boots, I'm not normally a boot kind of girl, but I've been testing the waters after finding my gold spurs and these leather harnesses. Regardless of whether the combination works or not, I think it's good to venture outside of your comfort zone occasionally.

On a completely separate and unrelated note, I'd feel remiss if I didn't mention the fact that my thoughts are with Boston and New England as a whole. Certain events that have unfolded over the past week or so- including the marathon bombing- have made my heart hurt for what I still consider home in a very specific way. And that's all I can really say about it. New England readers, I hope you and your loved ones are well and I'm thinking of you. xo

Pattern & Layer

What I wore:

Jacket: Forever 21 ($20-ish, 2010)

Lace top: Urban Outfitters ($5 sale)

Jeans: Urban Outfitters ($9 sale)

Boots c/o Wanted (2012)

Bag: Thrifted ($1)

Necklaces: Flea market & swap

Bracelets: Thrifted ($2-$7)

Where I wore it: Out for hotdogs on a Saturday night

Pardon my french, but holy shit guys, I finally figured out why my photos were looking like absolute crap! Apparently all you have to do these days to figure something out is Google it- who knew? Turns out, it's not my camera, it was Photobucket. Boom. I'm really excited about this- not so excited about going back in and reuploading a few months of posts, but whatever- I'm just happy it's not the more expensive piece of technology that was causing the problem. Oh man, I'm so happy right now!

Anyway, I wore this layered-up look this past Saturday for a hotdog date with my dear husband. This jacket has been getting a lot of use lately, it's perfect for layering over dresses and as an alternative to a cardigan. Oh, and as you can see my hair is still long, I didn't cut it as yesterday's post lead some to believe. I'm just tricky and left it in the faux-bob I created for my latest work project. Also, today is our (Chris and I) nine year dating anniversary, so...hooray for love! Happy Wednesday!

Fray

What I wore:
Mohair Sweater: vintage/ antique mall ($15)
Jeans: Levi's/ thrifted ($2)
Jacket: Thrifted ($5)
Heels: Kelsi Dagger c/o Lulu's
Silver midi ring: had since I was a kid
Gold midi ring: Urban Outfitters ($6)
Stacking rings: Urban Outfitters ($3 sale)
Snake ring: ModCloth (old- similar)
Bracelet: Thrifted ($2)

Where I wore it: To the office

For what feels like forever, I've been on the hunt for the perfect pair of Levi's to make into cut-offs, My favorite pair of cut-off shorts are showing their age, and I want the insurance of a back up pair to keep on deck. I patiently comb the racks of denim (arguably the most annoying and not-worth-the-effort rack) at every thrift store I visit, weeding out contenders and almost always striking out. Well, last weekend I found these jeans, and thought for sure they would be perfect to convert to cut-offs- perfect rise, perfect wear, they were even too short so I couldn't possibly wear them as-is, right? Right? Wrong. Out of curiosity, I removed the hem stitching that the previous owner had installed, revealing a pair of short-pants that were just too good to chop. I mean, look at those wear lines, and that perfectly raw edge? Ugh. Back to the thrift store denim rack I go!

A Few Small Goals for April

Happy April. Or April Fools, depending on what you chose to celebrate. As you may have guessed from last Thursday's post, I'm pretty happy to be bidding March 'adieu', it was a tough month and I barely accomplished anything on my March goals list. On the flip-side however, I did get a lot of other stuff done: I gave this blog a much needed face lift (which I'm slowly still working on), we found an apartment in an amazing location, I started running outside again, and I've been cooking more frequently and trying new recipes (I made Tom Kha Gai and Coconut-Lime Curry last week). So, perspective.

I have a sneaking suspicion that April is going to be very similar to March. I'm still setting goals, but I have a feeling that what I actually accomplish will be quite different:

Get packing
Truth: there are fully packed boxes from Massachusetts sitting in our basement. Truth: I have no idea what's in them. We have two full months to prep for our move, and I'm determined not to relive our past moving mistakes (waiting until the last minute, using paper grocery bags to hold things, frantically hurling our belongings into the back of a truck). Since we have a little notice, I'm looking forward to taking our time, getting rid of what we don't want or need, and relocating ourselves with intention.

Get back to yoga
I've been slacking on yoga and I've been feeling it. I have two chances during the week, and lately my schedule has prevented me from taking advantage of either one. This month I need to make more of an effort to get there.

Take a hike
If the weather ever decides to warm up, I'd love to get out to explore a new trail or two. Chris and I went hiking a lot last year, and it's something I want to continue to do together. I love the feeling of leaving the world behind you when you enter the woods.

Cook even more
There have been a few cookbooks languishing in my Amazon cart for a number of weeks now, and I need to just take the plunge. Chris is so much more intuitive than I am when it comes to cooking anything other than breakfast (I make a mean breakfast), while he can just throw things together and have it come out perfect, I like direction and steps to follow. I've really enjoyed the recipes I've made so far, and am looking forward to trying more.

Get more sleep.
Pretty self-explanatory. 

Do you have any goals this month?

Clutch

What I wore:
Jacket: J.Crew (2010)
Top: American Apparel
Jeans: J.Brand c/o Lucky Fab 2011
Booties: ModCloth
Beanie: Brixton

Where I wore it: To the office

I've always sort of liked the idea that on a bad day, a swipe of red lipstick is the magic wand that instantly transforms, erasing sleepy eyes and a grumpy expression, rendering the wearer fresh-faced and...somehow French? Yeah, a nice thought (a thought drilled into our heads methodically by magazine editors everywhere), but for me at least, it's going to take a lot more than lip color to turn things around. On days when I'm running abysmally late, this particular top paired with pretty much anything is what I turn to-- seriously, if I posted what I wore everyday, this blog would just be called Julie's Blue Denim Shirt-- the swipe of red lipstick was simply my latest attempt at achieving that effortless je ne sais quoi.

I think the black knit cap is the real magic wand here. Throw on a black cap, and no one can see your bed head, or even your messy eyebrows if you pull it down far enough. Like "yeah, I slept through my alarm and I need a coffee". Or at least that's what I tell myself.

At Sunset

What I wore:
Dress: Vintage/ Beacon's Closet ($18)
Top & Sunglasses c/o Lulu's
Tights: Free People ($9 sale)
Flats: ModCloth (find them here)
Bracelet: Vintage/ Thrifted ($2)

Where I wore it: To the office, for a walk around Squirrel Hill after work

While the temperature lately leaves a lot to be desired, the lingering sun at the end of the day is nothing to turn my nose up at. And the sun has been shining, deceptively bright and cheerful while snow inexplicably falls at the same time.

I'm afraid I'm stuck in a holding pattern of old favorites until the weather decides to cooperate. There are a few winter-y things I didn't wear this year, but I'm not very motivated to wear them now. Even the thought of putting on tights for yet another day dampens my spirit a little. Isn't it funny how tights are no big deal until early spring arrives? Then they suddenly become unbearable toe crushers. It doesn't help that I've been hoarding spring and summer clothes of the vintage and thrifted variety since mid-January, and all I want is to wear them.

On a side note, my camera is slowly kicking the bucket (or, maybe not so slowly since it's from 2005), and I think it's time for an upgrade. Any recommendations? I like Nikons.