just a peek

I can’t wait to share more photos from my impromptu photo shoot with Jonathan of Jonathan Couture Photography! After seeing these it’s going to be hard going back to snapping photos with my tripod and timer!

Have a great weekend!

a cold weather clotheshorse

There’s no denying it I’m a clotheshorse. Not only is my closet packed to the gills but I’ve got tubs of clothes under the bed, in the crawlspace, and in the spare bedroom. Why do I need so many clothes you ask? Well, Vermont has four very distinct and different seasons and I need a wardrobe for each… at least this is how I rationalize it. So when Seven Days asked me to put together three winter weather looks the hardest part was narrowing down my choices. Vintage Jacket: Downtown Threads, Scarf: Italy, Knit Dress: Goodwill, Tights: The Sox Market, Boots: Vintage Vintage Coat: Saver’s, Blouse, Belt (not pictured) & Skirt: Goodwill, Tights: The Sox Market, Booties: Old NavyHat: Forever 21, Vest & Flannel: Battery St Jeans, Sweater: Bass, Chambray Shirt: Goodwill, Jeans: Hurley (via Plato’s Closet), Boots: Matt Bernson (via Dear Lucy)

My philosophy on surviving winter in Vermont is pretty simple; layer, layer, layer. In the look above I’m wearing a whopping 6 layers: a tank, long sleeve shirt, chambray button up, sweater, hooded flannel coat, and down vest. Needless to say I was sweating during the shoot but on a chilly day in February I’d be warm and toasty. I don’t let the winter weather rob me of my style and neither should you.

For more winter weather fashion tips and a look at how two other stylish Burlingtonians (and wonderful friends of mine) survive the freezing temps in style make sure to visit Seven Days.

all photo credit belongs to the fabulous Matthew Thorsen 

the Jumpsuit and a Gold Sequin Jacket

Dollar Store Sunnies, Sequin Jacket: Calvin Klein, Belt: Possibility Shop, Vintage Jumpsuit: Downtown Threads, Michael Antonio HeelsThis is the same exact look as yesterday, I just swapped out the blazer for a little bling and added a pop of color with a classic red belt. If I ever had the chance to go back in time and attend one of Warhol’s factory parties I would wear something very similar.

what party/event do you wish you could (or could have) attend? what would you wear?

all photos taken by Julie Howk Photography – find Julie on Facebook

Vacation Song

It’s finally here… VACATION! I couldn’t be more excited. Last night D and I cleaned the whole house, finished packing and managed to get a few hours of sleep before venturing to NYC in the wee hours of the morning to board the ship.  While we were packing this song came on and it’s been stuck in my head ever since. It reminds me of Sting’s early solo stuff mixed with the Talking Heads synth vibe (in a good way). Anyway, enjoy and ciao for now!

Oxfords and Old Lady Gifts

Vintage Sunglasses: Gifted, Scarf: Florence, Italy, Blazer: Goodwill, Sweater: Gifted, Jeans: Levi’s, Oxfords: Target, Blue Ring: Charlotte Ruse, Etienne Aigner Bag: Gifted, Lipstick: Strawberry Suede (Revlon)I wore this casual weekend ensemble to the grocery store with D yesterday and was very impressed (and exceedingly proud) when he commented, “wearing the ole oxfords today babe?” Little things like that warm my heart.

On the weekends I like to keep things simple and since this look is just jeans and a tee but with more layers it fit the bill perfectly. Nothing is more comfortable than my Levi’s boyfriend jeans; they fit perfectly and can be rolled or cuffed a ton of different ways so they work with everything from booties to heels to flats. Since we’ve been having an unusually mild winter this year I was plenty warm in my cable knit sweater, navy blazer and a scarf.

My sunglasses and bag were gifted to me by guy friends which I find humorous because fashion isn’t a priority for either of them. The sunglasses were a gift from my childhood best friend. They originally belonged to his Grandmother and when she was getting ready to throw them away he put them aside for me saying, “I figured you’d like them since they look old ladyish.”

My other friend Josh, who does a lot of buying, selling and trading on ebay and craigslist, called me when he found a box of “old lady bags and hats” in a lot of items he purchased. Josh didn’t want to deal with them and said I could have the  box of “old lady accessories” for free as long as I took everything. While there were a few dozen crappy eyeglass cases to sort through, I ended up coming away with some beautiful leather bags, including a few more Etienne Aigner bags, two stunning faux fur pillbox hats and an older Gucci bag.

I’m not sure why I remind my guy friends of an old lady or if I should be offended but it’s worked out well for me so far, so why change it?

What are some of your favorite gifted  wardrobe items? How do your friends describe your personal style?

Runway Rundown

Last Night D and I saw Steve Soderbergh’s new film Haywire staring retired mixed martial art fighter Gina Carano. I love Soderbergh’s style of storytelling and how the score unfolds as the movie progresses almost like a character.

Check out Carano’s layering skills and chic leopard lined trench

In Haywire Carano plays a betrayed covert ops specialist out to clear her name and boy does she leave a path of destruction in her wake. I love that they cast Carano in this part, her real world fighting experience makes the close up hand to hand combat sequences possible and the story line believable.

When she’s not kicking ass and taking names Carano looks chic in outfits that are as stylish as they are practical. Carano isn’t the first actress to make chasing down criminals look chic; here are a few ladies who made the rundown look like the runway.

Diana Rigg as Mrs. Emma Peel in The AvengersShayera Hol aka Hawkgirl, The Justice LeagueEmily Deschanel as Dr. Temperance Brennan on BonesStephanie Zimbalist as Laura Holt on Remmington Steele
Angie Harmon as Detective Rizzoli on Rizzoli and IslesKate Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Jaclyn Smith as Charlie’s Angles

Who else would you add to this list?

The Plato’s Closet Trap

Aviators: Downtown Threads, Velvet Blazer: Zara, Dress: Plato’s Closet, Bracelet: Antique Shop in Maine, Tights: Target, Ankle Boots: Nine WestSchlepping irritates me; so imagine my excitement at the prospect of carrying a laundry basket full of unwanted clothing and accessories across an icy parking lot in single degree weather. By the time my basket and I made it into Plato’s Closet I was sweating (also irritating) and firm in my resolve not to browse while preteen employees sorted through my offerings. I was going to take the money and run.

Flash forward 15 minutes and “Katelyn – 13″ (an attempt at spelling my name and the number of items I’d schlepped into the dressing room) is scrawled on the white board attached to my dressing room door. I’m not sure how it happened, I blame the Kelly Rowland techno remixes they were playing, but by the time I made my way to the register I knew my chances at breaking even were slim to none.

Out of the several dozen items and accessories I’d schlepped in Plato’s found 7 items they deemed worthy and were prepared to offer me $17.43. I looked down at the $70 worth of merchandise in my arms and realized I’d fallen into the Plato’s Closet trap, again. After handing over my debit card I stuffed my bag of newly purchased items under my arm, grabbed my laundry basket (still full of unwanted goods) and schlepped it all back across the icy parking lot to my car.

Economically it was a failed errand but when I got home and inventoried the items Plato’s had actually purchased I started seeing things a little differently. In one fell swoop Plato’s Closet rid me of the “going out outfits” I’d bought in college and they’d paid me for it! Suddenly the suede dress with the exposed zippers I’d purchased for $16 felt more and more like a steal.

Have you fallen into the Plato’s Closet trap? What are your tips for having a successful consignment store trip?

Stick Season

Blazer: Goodwill, V- neck Tee: Target, Skirt: Forever 21, Tights: TJ Maxx, Boots: Old Navy, Bangles: Gifted, Skull Ring: Downtown ThreadsBurlington’s landscape has been pretty dreary making early morning wake ups that much more impossible. Stick season is upon us everything is grey. Stick season is that month long window where the landscape is bare and there’s no snow to cover it or fill in the gaps.

I’ve been wearing more monochromatic black and grey looks lately and I’m really enjoying how easy it is to pull outfits together. Monochromatic looks are perfect for mornings when you’re running late and don’t want to deal with mixing or matching, or just feeling uninspired by what’s hanging in your closet.  Instead of wearing all black or all grey I opted for a mix of both, having varying shades of grey and black accents, it adds depth to looks that otherwise my feel one dimensional.

What do you wear when you’re feeling uninspired?