Frozen

Dollar Store Sunnies, Lucky Necklace c/o 6pm , Sweater: TJ Maxx, Jeans: Levis, Boots: Target

First off,  Mom if you’re reading this I swear my coat wasn’t off for more than a few minutes; don’t worry. I love you and I’ll call soon!

I took these photos on Monday when it was a bit warmer, aka it was in the low 20’s and it’s scary how warm that felt. This is my “go-to” cold weather outfit, chunky knit sweater, jeans, and boots. It’s as versatile as it is simple and makes layering easy, case and point I had three layers under this sweater. I wanted to evoke a bit of warmth, albeit imagined, with my accessories so I added colorful boots and a mulitstrand necklace.

what are your winter weather dressing secrets?

In Neutral

Sunglasses & Stag Ring: Downtown Threads, Knit Scarf: Plato’s Closet, Faux Fur Vest: Gifted, Sweater: Forever 21, Blue Stone Ring: Gifted, Jeans: Consignment Shop in Philadelphia, Boots: Jeffery CampbellTaking outfit pictures in single digit weather has been a blessing in disguise. In an effort to minimize the amount of time I’m without my coat, hat or mittens I all but cut out my habit of agonizing over reviewing shots the moment after they’re takne. Instead I take a test shot while I’m still bundled up to check the lighting and framing, set the timer on my camera, quickly remove my outerwear and jump in front of the lens.

My abbreviated approach to taking outfit photos has made me more cognizant of what I want to capture with each shot and I think has improved the overall quality of my shots. I’ve also found that since I’m not  critiquing reviewing each shot down to the final detail I’m able to relax, making the shots feel and look more natural.

For this post I used all but one of the shots I took and was really happy with the way they turned out. I wanted comfort (and warmth) to be paramount since my work calendar was booked to the gills so I kept my look casual and opted for layers of neutrals. The chunky knit scarf lent texture and depth to the look and highlighted the lighter tones in the vest. Since the color palette I was working with was largely neutral I relied on bolder accessories like my gold rimmed aviators and stag ring to give it that little something extra.

What’s your process for taking outfit photos? How do you “punch up” neutral color palettes?

Black and Brick

Hat: Downtown Threads, Earrings: Goodwill, Scarf: Cruise Ship Gift Shop, Blazer: Goodwill, Booties: Old Navy,V-neck & Jeans: Target, Ring: Gifted Have you ever met someone and instantly felt like you’ve known them forever? That is exactly what happened the first time I got together with the stunning Aimee of Thick & Thrifty. As my grandmother would say we “hum on the same frequency” and it doesn’t hurt that we both love fashion and thrifting.

Yesterday after a much too short coffee date Aimee and I took turns snapping outfit pictures for each other (see the photos I took of Aimee here).  Photographing a fellow fashion blogger gave me a totally different perspective on posing and framing shots.

Yesterday’s buffet of nasty winter weather conditions put me in a total outfit funk so obviously I wore black. A little too much black I think. Next to Aimee in her bright pink scarf my black, grey and off white ensemble seemed as chic as the slush covering my booties. Speaking of… I’m not really liking the black jeans on black bootie look, hindsight is always 20/20 right?

How do you cope with fashion funks?

Very Vintage

Sunnies: Greece, Faux Fur Scarf: Gifted, Blazer: Originally my mom’s, Sweater: Forever 21, Suede Wrap Skirt: Synagogue Thrift/Charity Shop, Tights: The Sox Market, Boots: Mia Via 6pmIt feels so bizarre being able to see grass in January, this time last year I was frantically calling D to dig me out of my house (there was a 6 foot snow drift pressing against my kitchen door when I got up to go to work, it wasn’t pretty.)

My friend Carolyn introduced me to a wonderful thrift store behind a local synagogue and it’s less than a 10 minute walk from my house! I’ve had some serious luck there and almost died of jealousy when Caro found a gorgeous wool cape with fur trim, that of course looks perfect on her.

While I’m still jealous of Caro’s cape I’ve had some luck of my own at this gem of a thrift store. I scored this purple suede wrap skirt for a dollar! I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it nestled between a pair of pajama jeans and a flannel bathrobe on the dollar rack! I guess it’s just more proof that one lady’s cast offs are this lady’s treasures. Bottom line, it was a dollar well spent and I’m having a lot of fun styling my new skirt.

What recent fashion finds have your heart all a flutter?

Frozen Fields

Sunnies: Downtown Threads, Sweater: Bought/Made in Ireland,  Button-Up: Goodwill, Belt: via Quarter Life Vintage, Leggings: Target, Boots: BlowfishThis past Saturday D and I spent the day in Orwell, Vermont visiting his parents and enjoying an unseasonably warm January day. I love the drive to D’s parent’s house; the further you get from Burlington the more rural and open the landscape becomes until it’s just rolling green hills on both sides of you with the mountains and lake in the distance.

I kept things comfortable and casual for our weekend adventure with the handmade sweater I picked up in Ireland, my favorite chambray shirt and leggings. I was surprised how well my boots did considering D and I spent the afternoon tromping through the woods before the sun magically came out and we ran for the nearest clearing, a neighbor’s corn field.

What comfortable/casual pieces do you swear by?

Get Your Layer On

Sunnies, Skull Ring & Skirt: Downtown Threads, Scarf: Gift Shop, Blazer: Goodwill, Denim Button-up: Walmart, Boots: Gifted“Feels like negative 4 out there!” How can forecasters be so peppy about air cold enough to make your eyes water and nose hairs freeze?

I know I talk a lot about layering but as the temperatures continue to drop staying warm and cozy while looking somewhat pulled together becomes more of a challenge. Bundling up doesn’t have to mean bulking up! Here are a few tips for making layering work for you:

• wear your thinnest garment closest to your skin;  this will help you avoid looking bulky or lumpy. Above I used a tank top as my base layer, added a denim button up and finally a black blazer.
• three strikes, you’re out; three layers or less (under your outerwear) is usually best for showing off your silhouette while avoiding looking like a bag lady
• the long and short of it; show off each layer and your figure by layering your longest piece first i.e., a long maxi dress topped with a classic cut jean jacket and a cropped faux fur vest. The
• mix it up; have fun with your layers and try mixing different patterns, textures and styles together. Add a pop of color to an otherwise neutral look with a bold colored scarf or sequin cardigan or mix unexpected fabrics like lace, denim and wool.

What layering tips do you have?

Silk Scarves & Stags

Sunnies, Skirt & Stag Ring: Downtown Threads, Knit Sweater: Gifted, Scarf: Office Yankee Swap, Button up: Ralph Lauren, Bracelet: Chinatown, Gem Ring: Gifted, Tights: Sox Market, Boots: Italy, Jacket: UOHappy Belated New Year All!

I’ve been under the weather for the past few days so please forgive the lack of posting. One of my goals for the new year is to be braver bolder when it comes to adding color into my wardrobe and I thought this mustard colored skirt from Downtown Threads was the perfect way to start.

I usually avoid all shades of yellow and orange because of my skin tone and hair color but since it was a skirt, and wouldn’t be close to my face or hair, I decided to give it a whirl. To play down the warmer tones I paired my new mustard skirt with a neutral cable knit sweater and the beautiful silk scarf that I got at my office’s yankee swap.

For me the perfect finishing touch was the stag ring I bought as a Christmas gift to myself. It added the perfect touch of whimsy and I figured that if the mustard skirt looked hideous the massive antlers would distract people.

What fashion goals/resolutions did you sent for yourself in 2012?

Black and Tan

If you live in a place where winter last more than two months invest in a longer coat. They’re warm and cozy, just like a sleeping bag…

Jacket: Macy’s, Knit Hat & Sunnies: Downtown Threads, Sweater: H&M, Belt: Possibility Shop, Scarf: Gifted, Suede Skirt: Goodwill, Tights: Target, Booties: BambooI’d planned on pairing my leopard booties and camel skirt with an off white sweater until the cat decided that said sweater would make a perfect cuddle buddy and proceeded to shed half of her winter coat on it. With my sweater option nixed I decided to break all the rules and wear black and brown together and you know what I like it!

I used the leopard print booties to pull the black and brown together and then broke everything up with the bright red belt and was really happy with the end results.

What fashion rules have you broken lately?