Next year the world ends, right?

I haven't really had this blog long enough to do a retrospective on the year or a collage of my favorite outfits. So instead I am going to wax poetical for a second.

2011 was a whirlwind. Every few months brought a change. I started by making some new and wonderful friends and diving head first into some grand artistic ideas, working feverishly on my portfolio for the next 5 months besides a community of artists that I greatly miss. Oh, art school. You were a paradise that will never again be attained. I spent the summer in the Northeast traveling about and interning for one of my dream companies and the last few months of the year struggling with the economy and a terribly unfriendly job market.

Which brings me to 2012, I've got some grand adventures in the works. And even if they fail, I think I will always look back on the coming year with fondness. (That's assuming the world doesn't end like the Mayan calendar predicts!) This next year is going to be incredibly hard, but I like a challenge. And hopefully it will bring some of my dreams into reality.

And because I feel bad throwing words without pictures at you. Here are some places I was lucky enough to travel to in 2011:

 Savannah, GA - my love, my second home. 

High Point, NC - a field trip

Philadelphia, PA - a summer adventure 

New York, NY - a city of opportunity

Southampton, NY - a work trip

Not pictured due to brevity Chattanooga, TN; Atlanta, GA; Buffalo, NY; the miles and miles of the Appalachian Mountains I drove through to get to these places... and of course there is always Louisiana.

Holidaze

 

Yes, it is quite a few days after Christmas, but here it is anyway, my outfit of that day. Even though our Christmases are really low key, I wanted to commemorate the holiday with some glitz. Barefoot with a sparkly sequin skirt. To be both comfortable and glamourous is the best combination.

Primary

I want more collared shirts in ditsy patterns.

Merry Christmas!

Thanks to some recently found home videos I have realized some things never change. This is Christmas 1993.

I hope everyone out there is having a wonderful holiday!!

Cutouts and Colors

Remember last week when I posted those images of Islamic tilework? Well. Here is what they inspired! I made myself some jewelry and am dreaming up some plans to make more.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Despite the Christmas music blaring in all the stores, the well-planned holiday parties and the fact that we are well into December, I was shocked to discover recently exactly how close we are to Christmas. (Seriously, when did that happen?!) And then I realized that it hasn't felt like Christmas because my family had yet to bake cookies, which usually happens in the first week or so of December. Making my Grandma's delicious Christmas cookie recipes is our one family tradition that has remained virtually unchanged since I was a kid. And, you know, it just not Christmas without anise cookies to devour secretly all day.

Today we marathon baked and decorated, and I am covered in sugar. So, here is a picture of cookies instead of my messy self! I bet you wish you could reach through the screen and eat these right now. I know I do.

Color Burst

Sometimes I get outfit inspiration from a color palette. This one for example. Bright pink balanced out with soft greys.

How Quaint

Sometimes I get the urge to dress all ladylike and prance about in fields.

Glitter and Shine

 

Sparkle. The newest addition to my wardrobe.

Islamic Tilework

These have been inspiring me lately. (Those of you that know my artwork, know it's been more than just lately.) More on this later.

Petite

I am notorious for being hard to fit. Some people protest this fact by saying "Oh but you are so small and petite!!" That's just it. I am petite, especially in the upper body/shoulder area. Anything tailored looks ridiculous on me or is downright uncomfortable unless I shop in the petite section. Or, I guess, Korea. This camel blazer in some strange Koren brand found it's way to me. It fits like a dream and I love it already.

Club Monaco Spring 2012

Love, love, love these colors and silhouettes.

Paint it black

More lipstick. What has come over me?!

Rock Collection

Billy Bride Jewelry -"Tulle" Ring

DBCB: Debra Baxter Crystal Bomb - Labradorite Love

Urban Outfitters - Mineral Pendant Necklace

 Etsy, NobletownVintage - Earthy Geode Slice

Gentlemen Prefer Pink

I'm not really a makeup person. I tend to keep it pretty simple unless I need to get all fancy for something. And I am usually even less of a lipstick person, preferring some simple lip balm... some red-tinted lip balm if I am feeling daring. Except now, I have been really into this bubblegum pink lipstick. And not just because lipstick color names are hilarious. (PS why is lipstick so expensive?!)

Do the Polka

This.

In lights

 I remember going here to see movies all the time as a kid/teenager. Unlike all the other very burgundy movie theaters out there, this place had personality. Bold color everywhere punctuated only by the black and white checkered floors. Neon lights that gave off a certain ambiance. The beautiful faces of old Hollywood's finest adorning the walls, looking so glad that you were there to see a show. And now this theater is just sitting there... fading.

Glasses Fever

Flanagen in Rose Gold from Bon Look

Webb in Crystal Matte Warby Parker (PS Warby Parker gets bonus points for supporting a good cause!)

Miles in Hazelwood from Warby Parker

Dreary days are here again

Yet another picture of me looking all pensive and staring off into the distance! Woo!! This drippy, cool weather will do that to you. It will also make you want to lounge around in comfy leggings and t-shirts and watch movies all day. Productivity, what is that?

Edge

We've been having lots of chilly, rainy days lately, so I've been dressing accordingly in my best warm and comfy.

Easy as Pie

I wore some sequins yesterday in honor of Pie Day... I mean, Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, it finally happened. I ate so much apple pie that I turned into pie myself. Kinda like that girl from Willy Wonka except better. I don't care what people say about turkey or sweet potatoes, this is the best part of the Thanksgiving meal.

Supercute

This look feels very weird on me today. Lately I have been finding myself less enthused by these very cute/bright/girly ensembles. I don't know if it's the cooler weather dimming down moods and colors or the somber graduation from school to "adult life" or just a natural shift in my sense of style. Either way, times they are a-changing.

Caught up in the details

I love the way the sunny yellow peaks out to say hello from beneath the royal blue. And the way the top and skirt echo each other with pleats and folds.

Warm Up

Chunky knits and florals in warm jewel tones feel like a perfect fall combination.

Shades and Tones

 

Burgundy seems to be the color of the week. And actually hot pick (although not pictured). I guess I just have a thing for shades and tones of red these days.

Prep

On this one rare day, it was chilly enough to wear a sweater. And now all I can think about are warm and pretty layering combinations. Except it's 80 again. Yay.

Uniform

I think everyone has a uniform. Those things you grab on days you just want something easy and effortless to wear, the pieces and silhouettes that are comfortable and you KNOW will work. For me, it's a t-shirt and a skirt.

Confetti

Somedays I just feel like celebrating and dressing up a little more than usual. Ever feel that way? 

Masculine Feminine

These pants make me want to dress like a boy.

Maxi Madness

Maxi skirts forever. Scarves are nice, too. 

Waist High

This summer I fell in love with high-waisted shorts. With my unbreakable habit of belting skirts at my natural waist, it was a pretty obvious progression. And now that it's fall, I am enjoying the challenge of transitioning my favorite summer shorts.

Color Me Happy

Some days are all about the color. Not pictured: my rainbow swirly nails.