Bright Socks!

Outfit details: Old Navy Striped Tee (see similar here)
Cartonnier boyfriend blazer (almost identical and on sale rendition here)
Virginia Johnson Camel print scarf (available in pink here)
J. Crew Anklets in bright green (from this three pack)
Marc by Marc Jacobs Softy Saddle bag circa 2006 
(close substitute here and covetable version here)
Anthro G1 skinny pants (similar here) 

Aldo Varble flats

Thanks to everyone who chimed in about what goodies I should pick up at J. Crew! I'm planning on going this week after exams with a well-thought-out list of items and alternates. I'll post the haul this weekend!

I finally got these fripping socks I posted about way back when. That is how long it took for the Crew by me to restock these socks. Goodness! I'm still channeling some boy/girl looks and trying to wear this blazer as much as I can before it gets too warm to wear it.

That and I'm trying to ward off this lemming I have for the Mulberry Alexa bag. I took inventory of my handbag collection and am pulling out my schoolbag-esque and tan bags into rotation to see if there is a space or a need for another bag addition. And of course to get the full effect, I had to dress the part!

In the spirit of giving some proper care and attention to my neglected fashion accessories, I unearthed this scarf underneath a bunch of summer weight pieces in a dresser drawer. I was sooo happy to pick up this Virginia Johnson lovely. I felt like the Barney's Co-op catalog portrayed the models sporting these as so effortlessly chic and I got to secretly join their ranks.

I think I mentioned this previously on the blog, but the striped top was a Black Friday impulse purchase to cross off the famed St. James striped top from my wish list. It only sort of succeeded, and now that J. Crew carries St. James, I might just end up squandering my gift card money on one of those.

Sidenote: Now that I look at this photo again, I have all of the components to recreate this look!!

I even  have the seashell colored skirt and spotted calf-hair flats to go with the whole thing head to toe. Hmm maybe this can be my good luck outfit for my upcoming exams this week!

Subway Stairs, Remixed + J. Crew Shopping Halp!

Outfit details: Subway Stairs skirt by Floreat (this year's incarnation here)
J. Crew Merino Maya Cardigan (similar color here)
J. Crew Merino Ruffled Cardigan (this year's incarnation here)
Frye Engineer Slouch Boots (similar pair here)

Here are variations on what I wore today. I originally planned to wear the top mustard cardigan, but after seeing the outfit photos, I decided to go change. It was way too matchy-matchy for my taste. Does anyone else not have a full-length mirror and have to do this on occasion? Sometimes my top half and bottom half will clash and I won't realize until it's too far into the day to do anything about it.

It's never severe, but it results in my not seriously considering my shoe choices. Anyways. I love this skirt to pieces and am happy to be able to pull it out when I can. The crinoline underneath gives it its flouncy shape and makes me want to twirl. I tend to avoid wearing it unless I know I will be walking around and not be subjected to long periods of sitting or driving.

It seems I wore a very similar outfit back in the day, which you can see here.

I just noticed that I'm wearing J. Crew cardigans in both of these options. I'm very partial to their knits, but am stumped otherwise on what to buy. I have three gift cards I accumulated from the Crew and don't know what to get! I'm looking for business, class, and part time job appropriate pieces that will be functional with my existing wardrobe. I'm trying to avoid printed or standout pieces that I can't wear a whole lot as well as buying more cardigans as I have those in spades.

What would you get on a spree at J. Crew? I'm totally overwhelmed and am close to resorting to purchasing an array of Jackie cardigans.

Sunday Etsy Love 02.07.10

This week's theme: Whimsy.

Sometimes I poke fun at Zooey-Deschanel-loving, ukelele-playing, soft-focus-filtered whimsy that fills certain parts of the internet. But in actuality I'm really into cupcakes and frills and wish I looked like and could wardrobe myself like Zooey too.

Here are my favorites for this week. They will all look great in your house with all of your kittens and glitter and jellybeans. I mean that totally unsarcastically. My house is filled with these things.

Things to look at while playing songs on your uke.

Clockwise from top left:

1. Good Time Ring by yellowgoat, $78. Still hanging in there for the reissue of Polaroid film? This ring is a good fix in the meantime. Available in both gold and silver, this is the original photo ring. Adorable, and you can instantly make it your own. Actually everything else in the yellowgoat shop is achingly cute. Check out her blog while you're at it. Too good.
2. Unicorn no52 by penguinandfish, $65. Sometimes I balk at plushies because I find it a strange thing to market to 18-35 year olds. But seriously, these unicorns. Anything unicorns really just gets me going. If this color scheme doesn't float your boat, there is a whole parade of unicorns to choose from. Great for your home if you still haven't found your real unicorn out there.
3. Cupcake Trinket Box in Aqua Mint by fruitflypie, $25. This little ceramic box is a great size for rings, your button collection, candy, or all of your secrets. Each piece is made to order, and you have a ton of choices with frosting and "paper" colors. Check out the rest of the Etsy shop for vintage owl banks, adorable kitchen tsotchkes, and cookie jars.
4. Bookmark Friends by lisforlemonade, $8. I've been diving back into reading books this year, and the idea of having a little friend smiling up at me everyday gets me more excited about reading. My girl Jess debuted these at the last ICE show, and I think they are so so perfect. Other uses include: bookholders for when you go to the library, plant friends for your indoor gardens, and great little surprises to tuck into hidden places with secret notes. I like to leave notes in planners and current bedside reading books on occasion.

What are your favorites this week?

Just Enough Ruffles!

Is it a knit lettuce?


Is it a knit sea monster?


Nope, it's a scarf.

This project finally went from unfinished to... well, still just almost finished last week. My veteran readers might recall this post from literally a year ago when I started it. I'm very happy with how it turned out.

It was actually a very quick knitting project with minor use of complicated techniques. I think it's even suitable for beginners. You will have to do some short rows and stitch increases, but there are many many tutorials and videos to help you through it. I actually made a mini ruffles scarf (about 80 stitches c/o) with practice yarn to get the techniques down.

I chose Malabrigo worsted-weight yarn in their lovely grey Pearl shade. In all it took about 1.5 skeins of yarn and less than 12 hours to knit up. The pattern is by Laura Chau, and it is available for purchase on  her blog and on Ravelry for $3.50. She did her sample in Pearl grey as well!

I think this would also look fabulous in deep saturated colors such as a burgundy or teal. I might just whip up another one that's drastically different. Or maybe tweak the pattern so it's ruffled all around in a rectangle.

I just need to weave in the stray ends of yarn and block it before I can take it for a spin around town. Look for this little neckwarmer in future posts! I have a feeling I'll be wearing it often.

Isabella Sinclair for Anthropologie

Outfit details: Gelateria Blouse from Anthropologie style #913534 (similar here and here)
Bicycle necklace from Urban Outfitters (the original and a handmade version)
J Brand 910 skinnies in Black
Hunter Wellies in Navy

Don't be deceived by the surprisingly good light in my kitchen-- it was a grey, slushy, rainy day today in Atlanta. This is what I wore to brave the weather and drive all over town.

The bicycle necklace was something I was super excited to find at a low price point. I saw the Cynthia Rowley version on a street style blog and died a little bit of cuteness. I then spotted a bicycle necklace from a local jewelry seller, I'm pretty sure it was bou cou, which I passed on in a fit of indecisiveness. Then at Urban, of all places, I spotted it and had to have it. Too bad my necklaces are a big jumble and it had since been forgotten. Until today.

A quick note about the top- This brand, Isabella Sinclair, was a collaboration that Trovata did with Anthropologie for a few pieces. The quality of materials used are excellent and really reads true to the design aesthetic of the full price brand at an Anthropologie price point. The buttons on the sleeve cuffs are gold, and the peach silk ribbon tie adds a perfect little Spring touch to this top. For some reason this collab didn't seem to be advertised the same way that other Anthro joint ventures have been (i.e. Anna Sui, Vena Cava, Ruffian).

The other two pieces that I can recall from this mini-collection are the Bespoke Shirtdress, style #933148 (which appears to be sold out online, boo!):

And the Revue Coat, style #913933:

Does anyone else have any pieces from this collaboration? I think I remember atleast one more button-down blouse being part of it...

I'm excited for tomorrow! It looks like I'll be spending my time stopping by Mint Gallery for the Vintage Trunk Show, trying to pick up a sweet new bookshelf for my room, and studying like crazy for exams I have next week.

Have a great weekend, y'all!