black and white.

I don't know what it is about this picture but I love it. It's one of those pictures that I just keep coming back to and thinking about more than all the rest. I think it's the fact that it's a monochromatic color scheme. All black, white, and and manymany shades of gray. No color. Just how I like my clothing/shoes/accessories/everything in life (well, that's a boring outlook).

image: jak and jil

my rodarte for target pick

The Rodarte for Target collection came out last Sunday, and let me tell you I was there first thing that day. I had intended on getting that blue lacy one cause it looked so darn cute, or maybe the leopard print dress, but when I got to the store this dress I'm wearing in these pictures was the first one I saw. And I HAD to have it. The floral pattern and cut of the dress were so precious that I couldn't pass it up. And the black ribbon bow tie around the neck sealed the deal. It was the perfect balance of feminine with a little edge. IMHO. I didn't even want to try it on, but of course my mom, being all practical and whatever, made me just in case. It fit lovely and I bought it! I'm also wearing my Christmas shoes! They have a five inch heel and you think they'd be SO uncomfortable, but surprisingly (because of the platform and wedge) they are incredibly comfortable. As in I can barely tell I'm wearing a heel.

PS. Remind me to get a spray tan..

Rodarte for Target dress, Pour La Victoire ankle boots

on a cold winter's night that was so deep

Brian Atwood booties, Alexander Wang sweater, Marc Jacobs quilted bag, Opening Ceremony cardigan, Elizabeth and James ring, Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony bandage wedge sandals, Elizabeth and James cutout wedges, Fallon necklace, Forever21 leather shorts, Diane von Furstenberg top, Elizabeth and James boots.

what's in your stocking?

IT'S CHRISTMASTIME!!! Merry Christmas to all! So for Christmas this year I got these ankle boots (my current obsession from reading rumi's blog so often). I actually ordered them for myself from Shopbop wayyy back in November and gave them to my mom and told her they were my Christmas gift from her and dad. And since then they have constantly been on my mind, and I'm pretty sure they would have made every outfit I've worn this month and last. Anyways, they are Pour La Victoire and I am smitten. I got them in black suede, cause who doesn't need ANOTHER pair of black shoes?! They also come in brown suede and brown and black leather. I also got a few pieces from JCrew (read: cardigans!) and a Sephora giftcard (yessssss, my blush is in pieces and yet I'm still using it). Oh and I got Blogger for Dummies, YAY! Now I will no longer be a dummy. Anyways, time to get back to family time, my brother got this Tony Hawk thing for xbox, it comes with a board and you stand on it and move around so it looks like you're really skateboarding. I'm thinking about giving it a try.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE!

Today is the first "official" day of winter, here in Wisconsin we all know that winter really begins way back in October some years, but the 21st of December marks the true beginning of the the new season. That ALSO means that the days start to get longer today, and we are over half way through the "sad" part of the year. Today is a very happy day for me!

arm warmers and fur coats.

Even though I have a FINAL EXAM tomorrow for Design Studies 120 (aka colors and lines class) I am blogging. And watching the Disney Channel, the Wizards of Waverly Place if you were wondering. Because I am 20 afterall.. But how cool are those arm warmers?! I am totally getting a pair (I actually do have a pair on hold at Bop) I am also in love with those fur (faux) jackets that Karen is wearing on her blog, the natural color one is only $30 at H&M! And the black one (which is vintage) is just sooo darn cuuuutteee. I definitely am going to be doing some vintage shopping with all my free time over winter break. There are just so many treasures out there YET to be discovered!

On a side note. How much FUN does it look like she is having playing in the streets of New York City in the SNOWSTORM?!?

images:karen-wheredidugetthat

fashiontoast.

Rumi from fashiontoast has some really amazing, original, and unique outfit choices. Her wardrobe is the epitome of mixing high and low. She will pair Dolce and Gabbana wedges with a forever 21 dress and a vintage jacket and look absolutely positively fantastic. I'm jealous. Speaking of vintage, she also has the most amaaaazing vintage pieces, and it makes me really wanna go digging through some of the very few vintage stores Madison has, and even Goodwill (if I can ever get past the smell). ALSO (yes there's more) she has mastered the art of ebay. Ebay can be such an overwhelming website to sift through and navigate, but she can always find the coolest pieces, such as Chanel wedges.
To top it all off. She SELLS her things that she doesn't want (personally I think she's CRAZY for wanting to get rid of a single one of her pieces of clothing) on her other blog Shoptoast. So if you ever wanna score some great pieces, check out that site. But check often cause those pieces sell fast.

images: fashiontoast

torn.

I was just wandering around on Shopbop tonight (surprising, right?) and I decided to look at all the different lookbooks for inspiration, because they seriously oooooze outfit inspiration. That's when I stumbled upon Torn by Ronny Kobo's lookbook and fell in love with it. All these pieces were on the site before and I'd seen them, of course, and I thought they were just "cute". But when I saw this lookbook, with all of the pieces incorporated together I was awed. And inspired to add about all of them to my wishlist. They look so edgy and of-the-moment when paired together and styled. I especially love the one-armed, striped body-con dress worn with that cream jacket over it. It made me want an outfit juuuuust like it. AND I love that most of the outfits are paired with motorcycle boots, now that I mention it I need to invest in a pair to spruce up my wardrobe!

All the images are from the Torn by Ronny Kobo lookbook on Shopbop. Take a look at all the pieces and judge the amazingness of it yourself right here!

Luscious 4-Layer Pumpkin Cake

This is my make-once-or-twice-a-year cake. I usually make it in October though so I am wayyy behind the game this year! It is seriously, heaven in cake form. Although it looks hard to make (I think it's the fact that it's tiered) it is relatively simple, just mixing a buncha stuff together and throwing it in the oven. It takes 2 hours but that's only because of all the waiting for things to cool and whatnot. So it's not actually 2 hours of intense baking.
PS. This is a Kraft recipe. Google the name, I think you'll get to "Luscious 4-" and it will just pop up. Because Google is so smart and knows exactly what you wanna know.

MK Inspiration

I don't know what it is about Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen but I love their style, particularily Mary-Kate's. It is just sooo effortless, like she really couldn't care less about what anyone thought of her (and why should she, she's a billionarie) Maybe that's why I am so drawn to their clothing line Elizabeth and James, which is full of oversized tops/sweaters, because everything is so wearable. Like, you can just throw the sweater on, put on some leggings, pile on some haphazard jewelry, huge sunnies, some booties and you are ready for the day. Without realllly every thinking about the outfit as a whole. It just works. Plus all the fabrics they use are incredibly comfy. If only I could have more confidence and go with a I-don't-care-what-you-think attitude, if only..


images:stardust and sequins annnd breakfast at saks

in the nude.

Nude strappy sandals are obviously in for this spring. They are alllll ova the runways. As are sandals worn with socks (didn't we used to cringe at the sight of that?) hmmmm, interesting. I have grown to love the look of sandals with socks though, and in the early spring, when it's still a bit chilly out I bet they will keep my feet warm! I also desperately want a pair of nude pumps. So far these and these are my favs. Yes I realize that the second ones are NOT nude but they are strappy and I think they would look fabulous with socks! And of course I have to get them at Shopbop because where else am I gonna get shoes like that with my kinda discount (at the beginning of a season!)

images: www.stylesightings.com

oh the chanel

Oh how I want those two-toned Chanel tights so badly, yeah the Dior shoes are nice and all but for some reason I just want the tights! And the costume jewelry.. mmmmmm!

images: jakandjil.com

time to cozy up.

I have been looking for a giant grandpa sweater all season. I've found a few, like this one and this one. But the first is way too expensive and the second has been sold out since september. So when I just happened to wander into Gap and found this sweater (on sale might I add) I had to buy it. It's so cozy so warm and so grandpa-y. Perrrrrrfect.
Gap cardigan, Hue tights, Dolce Vita boots, thrifted earrings

shopbop/bop holiday extravaganza

It's that time of year again. My favorite time: the holiday season. And with that holiday season comes a perk of working at Bop... The Shopbop/Bop holiday party!! There is always amazing food and good times galore. Last year it was hosted at the beautiful and huge Monona Terrace and this year it was at Plan B, the new dance club that just opened in Madison. Once again the holiday party did not disappoint, from the photo booth (which I think I visited a few too many times) to the essentially free bar (stiff drinks) and the gourmet food (catered by marigolds). Yummmmmmm. Dan was obsessed with the french fry cheese (almost everyone thought it was french fries instead of cheese initially). I'll admit it was pretty good, and i loathe cheese. I just love getting dressed up with all my coworkers and having a good time, outside of work! The night = successssss.
I wore a pencey top, f21 sequin skirt and belt, hue tights, oh!deer shoes, house of harlow ring.

i die.

These Sam Edelman boots have been out forrevverrr, but I cannot, for the life of me, get over them. That is all. By the way, they are available in a size 10 here.
image: shopnastygal

MORE polyvore

rockin around by ssaxe featuring Michael Kors

Seriously. This outfit making program is THE most genius thing since sliced bread. And I love sliced bread. I can fantasize, and scheme and dream up outfits that I would love to wear but unfortunately will never be able to afford. Like this little number I just schemed up. I WANT that sequin top sososooosooososo bad. It would make theeee perfect holiday party top, and do not even get me started on that Marc bag. I am droooooling over it. I could definitely see the lucky girl who gets to wear this outfit rockin' around the Christmas tree in style. Anyone around her would be jealous of her reflective top and skyhigh platform wedges (which by the way would be perfect for my short little frame, I'd be... normal height!) Oh if only that girl could be me...

Polyvore Love

first try by ssaxe featuring Theory

Items in this set:
COLD SHOULDER FANTASY DRESS, 500 GBP
Theory Robena Airy leather jacket NET-A-PORTER.COM, 545 EUR
ANTOINETTE Ankle Strap Boot, 90 GBP
Marc Jacobs Bow-front chiffon dress, $795
Betsey Johnson Pearl Drop Earrings, $45

I recently discovered this Polyvore site and I now know where I am going to be spending my procrastination time. The dress is by Acne and I fell IN LOVE with it the second i saw it a few weeks (days? I lose track of time) on whowhatwear, then I saw it while flipping through the newest issue of Marie Claire at work and re-fell in love with it. And NOW it popped right up on this site. I HAD to make an outfit with it. I would totally wear this outfit out, it's edgy, which is so not like me, but I want to this entire outfit so bad.. leather jacket, gloves(!), pearl earrings and those hothothot boots!