swim in the river, feel the current

movin' on up!

2009-12-21T19:10:00.002-06:00

The time has come to pick up my roots and move to a new home. I have been itching to make some changes so I have decided to use a new blogging platform: Tumblr. Please come visit me at:

www.feelthecurrent.tumblr.com

See you soon!

the swinging sixties!

2009-12-03T21:33:00.007-06:00

I have been a little lazy lately about posting. It is kind of like exercising ... if you fall off the wagon it is hard to get back on! Between going home for Thanksgiving and starting my new job I have had a little less time to focus on my blog. However, now that I am feeling settled at the job and home for a bit before heading back to MN for Christmas, I need to work it back into my new routine! So over dinner tonight I started what one might call inspiration association and lo and behold this is where it led me. It went something like this:

*Grace Coddington styled photo shoots - Kate Moss - Kate Moss magazine covers - Kate Moss Vogue covers - magazine covers in general - favorite Vogue covers - vintage Vogue covers - which led me to all these GORGEOUS 1960s Vogue covers*

April, 1963

May, 1963

May, 1966

October, 1967

December, 1968

October, 1969

some friday loveliness.

2009-11-20T15:00:00.003-06:00

I love jewelry.

2009-11-19T16:11:00.001-06:00

I have said this before, but I think that jewelry is the easiest way to make an otherwise basic outfit pop. Whether it is a pretty necklace, some statement earrings, or a big cocktail ring, jewelry can transform an outfit from basic to interesting in no time flat. At times I have found that I can be more daring with jewelry than I can with clothes and still feel comfortable. Plus, jewelry is great when you are not feeling very creative while getting dressed - take the pressure off yourself and just pick out a couple of fun bracelets! Finally, the best thing is that you can buy it on the cheap. There are so many great places to track down inexpensive, fun pieces. Below you will find some great options to get your jewelry collection started. I have included a few options that will put a little bit bigger dent in your wallet because I do think that it is occasionally worth spending a little extra on something you love! Click on the picture to link to the item.

necklaces

left: shopruche - $14.99

right: forever 21 - $14.80

left: forever 21 - $4.80
right: anthropologie - $42

left: anthropologie - $48
right: forever 21 - $8.80

rings

left: urban outfitters - $12

right: forever 21 - $7.80

left: topshop - $30

right: shopruche - $32.99

bracelets

left: forever 21 - $6.80
right: modcloth - $15.99

left: modcloth - $14.99
right: forever 21 - $5.80

earrings

left: modcloth - $12.99

right: shopruche - $9.99

left: anthropologie - $28

right: anthropologie - $38

left: modcloth - $12.99

right: shopruche - $12.99

A few last tips:

--Banana Republic and Anthropologie have great sale jewelry so always check that out first. I have never bought anything full price at Banana because their sale bin is so fantastic.
--J. Crew also has super interesting, different stuff but it is a little pricier.
--I wander through the Target jewelry section EVERY time I go there. It is rare for me to not leave with something. I had trouble putting their pictures on my blog otherwise I would have some of their jewelry on here!
--Don't forget about vintage jewelry! St. Vinny's is a haven of great jewelry that no one else will have. $2 earring and $3 necklaces - you cannot go wrong!

best $20 ever spent.

2009-11-16T16:26:00.009-06:00

This last week has been a concert marathon for me with shows by Trampled by Turtles, Bob Schneider, The Treats, Bruce Springsteen, and Cait and The Girls (this Wednesday 6-8 @ High Noon Saloon). Each show was great for different reasons: TBT is my cousin Tim's band, I am a longtime fan of Bob Schneider and haven't heard him live in years, The Treats are a local band that I love (you can read about them in a previous post), The Boss, well, that's pretty obvious, and CATG is headed up by my good friend Cait Shanahan. The highlight, of course, has been The Boss - but our night with Bob Schneider and his fantastic openers was the best $20 I have ever spent. We were so blown away by the show I thought I would try to share it with all of you. The videos don't really do them justice but at least you get the idea!

{charlie mars}

{one eskimo}

{bob schneider}

feeling creative ...

2009-11-14T16:51:00.003-06:00

I am trying to get my creative juices flowing and this is what came out:

{moleskin notebook, black ink, and rose photo from vogue}

words.

2009-11-11T15:52:00.006-06:00

street style fashion inspiration

2009-11-05T10:12:00.011-06:00

I love to follow street style on fashion websites because I like to see how regular people are interpreting fashion rather than a stylist or fashion editor. The following pictures are of girls and boys who I think got it right and look pretty damn fabulous.

I love the ease of this look. She looks comfortable yet chic and the color combination of the skirt, shirt, and purse are perrfffect! And you know how much I love a good scarf...

I thought I would include a couple of men in this post for the few men who follow my blog. I always like a guy who cares about what he wears but isn't too "done up". This is a great casual, but hip, look. I know there are conflicting opinions about men wearing scarves, but I dig it!

A great example of how easy it is to use accessories to work color into an outfit. And I lOVE her bag!

I often shy away from black and white when I pick out an outfit. I feel like I should be catering a wedding! But this look shows that it can be done. The ruffles on the top make it fun and flirty and the blue shoes ... well, they are just frickin' fabulous.

I have always loved these mod-style dresses. They are so 1960s Twiggy. The short skirt is balanced out by the long sleeves, giving you some coverage. Instead of the knee highs and short boots I would just wear tall black boots.

I love that she belts the cardigan to create some shape. And the purple tights are so cool - I am trying to figure out how to do colored tights and she is great inspiration!

Here's another guy whose look I am liking. I love his sneaks and that plaid shirt with the letter jacket is very stylin'.

Great necklaces! What an easy way to make her otherwise simple shirt pop!

I pretty much love everything about this outfit. The contrast of her flowered skit with all that black is just so brilliant. It really shows off the skirt yet keeps it from being too precious. And then, of course that camel colored scarf and her quilted bag ... love.

Turquoise tights ... need I say more?

Well, there are so many things that I like about this girl's outfit. First of all, I love pencil skirts ... especially those with a high waist. I also think her sweater is incredible - long sweaters are a great fall coat option and I am a sucker for stripes. Finally, that big orange bag adds a nice dose of color.

all photos courtesy of copenhagenstreetstyle

like this...

2009-11-04T19:40:00.002-06:00

wednesday inspiration.

2009-10-28T12:10:00.007-05:00

let's rock-and-roll!

2009-10-23T15:54:00.014-05:00

The thing that I love about fashion is that it allows you to be whoever you want to be on any given day. Feeling girly? Bohemian? Preppy? Want to be Jackie O for a day? How about Carrie Bradshaw? Maybe Joan Jett? Lately, I have been feeling the rocker chick vibe. Studs, skulls, buckles, black leather boots, gray denim, and black tights are all showing up in my wardrobe. Don't worry, you aren't going to see me out in full rocker girl regalia, I am just working it into my normal, Madison-casual, everyday look. I took to polyvore.com to put together a mix of some great examples of things to work into your wardrobe if you are thinking you might be a rocker girl at heart! I also incorporated some girly-girl things like the color pink and flowers and sequins and polka dots just to balance it all out!

glory days by @chloe featuring Lipsy

Not diggin' the whole skull and chain thing? Have a particular look you want to inhabit for a day (or a week or a month)? Let me know what it is and I will put a set together for you like the one above! Then you can link up to all the items in the set and the websites where you can buy them. I try to keep the price point reasonable (under $150) but sometimes there is something so kick-ass that I have to put it in, even if it costs $1,352. We'll just find a knockoff somewhere!

oh glorious sunset.

2009-10-22T14:42:00.007-05:00

On a whim I wandered down to Olbrich Park last week to take some pictures. It was a little chilly, but I needed a small dose of vitamin d after that string of rainy days we had (and now they are back ... ). I was so fortunate to capture this lovely, lovely sunset. Doesn't it make you feel like all is right with the world?

"a woman's face is her work of fiction." --oscar wilde

2009-10-18T19:49:00.015-05:00

"art washes from the soul the dust of every day life." --pablo picasso

2009-10-16T10:49:00.028-05:00

{Whites and Greens in Blue, Mark Rothko, 1957}

{Skull, Andy Warhol, 1976}

{Self-Portrait, Chuck Close, 2004-2005}

{The Rose, Cy Twombly, 2008}

{Cafe Terrace at Night, Vincent Van Gogh, 1888}

{Skull, Jean-Michel Basquiat, 1981}

{Music - Pink and Blue II, Georgia O'Keefe,1919}

{The Great Wave Off Kanagawa, Katsushika Hokusai, 1831}

need some new music?

2009-10-10T14:57:00.021-05:00

These are some great artists that I thought all you music lovers out there might be interested in. They all have unique sounds and fantastic lyrics. Enjoy!

I was introduced to Blind Pilot by my friend Rena (who is always discovering great new music). Their album is called 3 Rounds and a Sound (buy it here or download it from iTunes). It is one of those rare albums where you like every song and can listen to it endlessly without getting sick of it. Love that!

I first heard Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons crammed onto the tiny stage at Cafe Montmartre. I was there with a friend, neither of us with any knowledge of who they were or that there was even music that night. They blew us away! A local boy from Appleton, WI, check out Cory's website and buy his latest album called "Death Won't Send a Letter" on iTunes. His most recent EP Cabin Ghosts and his first album Little Birds are awesome too! P.S. These guys just made their television debut on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on October 9th.

Jim James is the man behind the band My Morning Jacket (who Rena also introduced me to a few years back). They have been around for awhile and have tons of albums. This song is an oldie (I tend to like their older stuff better) but it is my favorite. If you don't listen to them yet, I highly suggest you start to! Better yet, if you can see them live, DO IT! We saw them at Summerfest a few years ago and it was incredible.

The Treats are my most recent musical discovery. I saw them at The Frequency in Madison in late September. We knew some people who knew some people in the band so after listening to Cory Chisel at The Majestic we wandered over. It turned out to be an awesome show so I did a little bargaining with the lead singer, Andrew Isham, and ended up with both of their cds for $5 (all the cash I had on me). I have been listening to Reservoir Tales (buy it here or on iTunes) non-stop ever since (some favorite songs are Better Things to Do, Come Around, Like an Animal, and Ever Been Down?). I would call them a rock-and-roll band but there are so many other things going on that it would be hard to label them as such. Just imagine your favorite aspects of blues, pop, country, and punk thrown together with a heavy dose of rock-and-roll and you get a very catchy, authentic sound that is The Treats.

have camera, will travel: some of my favorite travel photos

2009-10-09T16:51:00.009-05:00

{maui, hawaii}

{chicago, illinois}

{lahaina, maui, hawaii}

{fremantle, western australia}

{sydney, australia}

{wanaka, south island, new zealand}

{marlborough wine region, new zealand}

{maui, hawaii}

{chicago, illinois}

{bondi beach, sydney, australia}

{king's park, perth, australia}

{maori rocks, south island, new zealand}

{maui, hawaii}

my celebrity style crushes

2009-10-04T13:51:00.005-05:00

This post is a little superficial, I am not going to pretend otherwise, but as a fashion follower I am always looking for a little inspiration. These ladies are always making fabulous fashion choices (in my opinion) and and have the similar qualities of being unique, interesting, daring, and ahead of the curve.

{Alexa Chung}

I love how even when she is dressed up she is casual. I like to dress up, but in Madison I always feel a little self-conscious in a skirt and heels. So, I love how she adds tee-shirts and casual cardigans to make her looks more accessible. And, of course, her casual looks seem effortless (such a cliche fashion term) but oh well... it's true.

{Ashley Olsen}

So, I think that most people either love or hate the Olsen twins. I love them. Particularly Ashley. MK's random, crazy fashion choices are so daring -which I envy - but they are not as easy for the average person to pull off! Ashley, on the other hand, while always ahead of the curve with trends, is a little more classic and cool. I like how she isn't overtly sexy, but yet very sexy.

{Kate Bosworth}

Kate, to me, is very underrated. Her look is so chic but a little wild at the same time:

sleeves/gloves with a feathered, sequined cocktail dress, hippie patterned dress with a scarf, and shorts with a blazer. It's not that everything she wears hasn't been done before but its the way she exudes such confidence with her choices. She can pull of the unusual because she has the balls to do it!

{Kate Moss}

The icon of all fashion icons, Kate Moss can wear anything. She has no boundaries, it seems, when it comes to fashion. Her fashion sense always suggests to me that she has an endless amount of personas that she presents to the world. I love how these pictures go from L.A. casual, to fashion-forward, big eighties shoulders, to fur-clad British hipster, to preppy cardigan and shorts and demure handbag. I love it.

Who are your celebrity style crushes?

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." Anais Nin

2009-09-22T17:09:00.023-05:00

Hello everyone! I have been very negligent lately about posting, much to my dismay (I am my harshest critic, of course), but lately life has evolved in such a way that my mind has been elsewhere ... wandering around thinking my thoughts and reflecting on my life experiences (both past and present) and exploring possible future plans. I went on vacation somewhere beautiful with people I love, saw new things, enjoyed nature, ate good food, read good books. Since I have been back many things in my mind have shifted and I have been consumed with how to move forward with my life. It has been both refreshing and overwhelming. Life is funny that way, isn't it? Well, anyways, I thought I would share a mishmash of the things that have been inspiring me over the last couple of weeks.

Liz Gilbert's journey of sorrow, self-discovery, and joy has resonated with me in such a way that I just can't ignore the message it is sending me. My identification with her is profound. As I read about her journey, I knew that this book was presenting itself to me at a very specific point in my life and that reading it was going to be a turning point for me.

"God long ago drew a circle in the sand exactly around the spot where you are standing right now. I was never not coming here. This was never not going to happen." --Elizabeth Gilbert

Like most people I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook - the amount of time I spend on it is ridiculous but I absolutely love that I have connected up with so many people from my past. One of those people is my friend Kelly Connor - back in the day we worked together at Goodbye Blue Monday Coffeeshop in lovely Northfield, MN. She and I, along with our friend Dana, had many fun times together ;) - but being in our twenties we all inevitably moved away and began new adventures. Well, through Facebook we are back in touch and I have started following her blog religiously. Many things about her blog inspire me ... she is an incredibly talented artist and photographer. She is uber-fashionable and ulra-creative. But, the thing that I am most touched by is her endless optimism, motivation, and joy for life. She is the definition of living life to the fullest! Please check out her blog at kellyloveswhales.blogspot.com! Thanks Kelly for inspiring me!

I recently discovered this AWESOME online boutique shopruche.com that carries gorgeous, inexpensive clothing and accessories for ladies who love to look lovely but are on a budget! I found an interview with the owner, Mai, on the blog Simply Hue that made me start thinking about possibilities for my future. Here are some snippets:

"My dream was to start my own business because I didn't LOVE my career as a computer programmer. I couldn't see myself sitting in front of a computer for the rest of my life..it just wasn't ME."

"I felt that ladies needed a store that could make them feel feminine but the most important thing is that they don't have to spend a whole lot of money."

"I wanted to give ladies a unique selection of clothing and jewelry that they can't find at their local stores, just so they can stand out in a crowd."

And last, but definitely not least, Paris. The City of Lights and European hub of culture, art, fashion, and cuisine. I have dreamed of moving to Paris and learning to speak french fluently. My years of high school and college french seemed to go to waste when I didn't study abroad. Could Paris be in my future?

Sunset Beach, NC

2009-09-17T17:26:00.009-05:00

Here are some photos that I took over Labor Day weekend!

happy saturday!

2009-08-29T16:31:00.007-05:00

Here are some more pages from my book!

Mainly fashion related stuff - and a few other random things. Hope you are all having a nice weekend. Stay tuned for a follow-up to my fall fashion basics post. My friend Amy, who is a mom to four lovely kiddies, commented that she loved that she could link up to the websites through my blog to find the items I suggested. So, for my next post, I will be scouring the world wide web for MORE options and the links to take you right to them. Plan to do some online shopping ladies!!

p.s. you can click on these images for bigger/close-up views!

wisconsin

2009-08-26T15:58:00.008-05:00

My BF and I drove to Prairie du Chien over the weekend for some burgers (we really love a good burger) and I brought along my camera to capture some Wisconsin beauty. I love the subtle, understated beauty of the midwest with its wide open spaces, winding rivers, old red barns, and rows of corn. It is less obvious than mountains and oceans; it takes a minute to notice all the different shades of green that spread back into the horizon and the way the sun hits the water as it starts to lower in the sky. The windmills were a bonus - huge and majestic, they provided a striking contrast with the flatness of the countryside. Enjoy!

fall fashion basics

2009-08-19T14:03:00.006-05:00

hesitating beauty by @chloe featuring American Eagle Outfitters

Well, I finally put together another polyvore with some styling ideas for the ladies following my blog (sorry to the few fellas who are reading ... share with lady friends if you want!). This time around I kept in mind that you and I both are on limited budgets and kept all items under $100. Also, they are all available in stores we have in Madison or easy-to-order websites. Since we are moving into late summer and the weather will be turning cooler I tried to find pieces that were good for this transition time. Usually this time of year I put a moratorium on buying anymore summer clothes and start looking for some good fall staples that I can wear now through late fall. And then of course we hit mid-November and it's a parka and boots for the next six months ... oh, midwest winters, how we love (and by love I mean hate) you!

Below are a few things that you should think about working into your wardrobe if you are looking for some options for this time of year.

1. Grandpa cardigans. My favorites come in lightweight knits that I can throw over a dress or a tank top for cool evenings in the summer. And then when it starts to get cool they work well over long sleeve tees or button downs with a scarf and jeans. The long line of the sweater is slimming and and they can't be beat for comfort! The brands I have found that I like are Splendid (shopbop.com or Anthropologie carries this brand), BDG from Urban Outfitters, Gap, and J. Crew). The one shown below is from topshop.com - I love it and they have a lot of others to choose from!

2. Jeans. Okay, ladies, I know that finding jeans can be a seriously painful process. The right rise, perfect length, your favorite wash, how your butt looks. There are so many things that have to come together in the one piece of clothing that none of us can live without! Oh, the pressure ... I wish I had an easy answer to the eternal quest for the perfect jean but I will at least try to make a couple of suggestions on things to keep in mind: [1] I have found that if you are a little thicker around the middle a lower rise is better. I used to think that a higher waist would hide my middle but honestly it just made me look thicker when I wore a fitted shirt. A lower rise (and I don't mean Britney Spears low) creates a smoother silhouette (just make sure it doesn't give you a muffin top). [2] Go with a darker rinse. It is slimming and easier to dress up if you want to. [3] Most jeans are made fairly long these days so be prepared to get them hemmed. Make sure you have one pair hemmed for a heel and another for flats. Bring your shoes with you to the tailor (Campus Tailors is the best and she charges about $15). Places like the Gap and American Eagle often do a long length and an ankle length if you don't want to pay an extra $15. [4] I generally feel that a wider leg or trouser jean is very flattering for girls with hips. [5] I know most people cringe at the thought of the "skinny" jean but consider getting a pair just for wearing under boots. It will be worth it because it is a great fall/winter look and you need a narrow jean to pull it off. [6] Avoid small back pockets. Pockets that are a little bigger and wider set make your butt look better. [7] Finally, I highly encourage everyone to save their bucks and invest in a pair of expensive jeans. They are better made, a better fit, and you will wear them so much that you will get your moneys worth, trust me. Some of my faves are Citizens of Humanity, Seven for All Mankind, Paige Premium Denim, and J. Brand.

3. Scarves. Everyone who knows me knows that I LOVE scarves. They are hands down the easiest way to create interest in an otherwise basic outfit. I have them in a bunch of colors and patterns and wear them pretty much all year round ... unless it is 90 degrees. If you find one you like buy one in every color. H&M has really inexpensive ones.

4. Tall boots. You can wear them with a skirt and bare legs while it is still warm and then add tights in the fall. Also, like I said above, they are great over jeans or leggings. Yes, leggings. Don't be afraid. As long as you are wearing something long enough to cover your butt (and I prefer even a little longer than that) they are practically tights just a little heavier (which means warmer) and frankly, more comfortable than tights. Boots can be expensive, but check the zappos.com boot store and organize by price and I am sure there will be something to fit you budget.

5. Tunics. They work now with shorts or a pencil skirt. And come fall, they are perfect with jeans (look for a 3/4 or full length sleeve for warmth). Or you can wear them over a slim-fitting turtleneck when it gets really chilly. The fact that they generally have a looser fit is great for covering up your middle. There are cute tunics everywhere but the plaid one below (which I am going to buy!) is from American Eagle.

6. A denim jacket. Denim jackets may seem eighties but they really are timeless. Just think of it like you would any other cool-weather jacket. Wearing it with a dress toughens the look up a bit but you can also just wear it with a tee-shirt and shorts, pants, or a pretty full skirt (don't forget a scarf!). Though the fashion mags say you can wear denim on denim, I would avoid that ... too tough to pull off.

7. Pencil skirt. If you wear skirts definitely invest in a pencil skirt. They are super flattering and come in all kinds of fabrics. I have a black heavy jersey one that I got from H&M that I wore all summer. I also have a great denim one from Anthropologie that has cool fabric covered buttons down the front. They are great if you have to dress up for work or can be worn with a tee for when you want to be casual. They also are super sexy with heels and a blousy top for going out!

8. Bright colored accessories. Handbags, earrings, necklaces, shoes ... the easiest way to use bright colors that you might not generally wear. Target, H&M, and Forever 21 (coming soon to West Towne mall) have tons of inexpensive jewelry and bags. Also, look for vintage jewelry at antique shops or even Goodwill. Some of my best jewelry is stuff handed down to me from my elders and things that I have found at vintage shops (Annie's Vintage in Milwaukee is great!). I generally think it is good to drop a little more cash on shoes if you can, they last longer and are more comfortable. I like Seychelles (seychellesfootwear.com) for comfy wedges and J. Crew flats - both come in lots of fun colors. Also, if you are on your feet a lot, Dansko clogs can't be beat and they have them in lots of colors (and patterns)! Look for fun details in shoes too like ruffles, buckles, zippers, beading, or buttons!

So, as you can see I am all about basics. I think they are really the foundation for a great wardrobe and easier to pull together than a lot of trendy stuff. I think trends are great (for the most part) but you kind of have to figure out what works for you (and don't spend a lot of money on them). For example, I am into the oh-so-trendy plaid that is everywhere right now! But, it is the accessories that really make an outfit unique. So, have fun with them. Wear a lot or a little, but know that when you are keeping everything else simple you can't go wrong!

hesitating beauty by @chloe featuring American Eagle Outfitters

a few photos

2009-08-16T12:50:00.009-05:00

I saw this building about a week ago on a walk and was intrigued - went back yesterday to take some photos. The close-ups are of the large square paned window in the middle - does anyone know what this type of glass is called? Can't remember ...

movie imitating life

2009-08-14T15:19:00.013-05:00

I went to see Julie & Julia a couple of nights ago. LOVE. Of course, the fact that it was about someone doing a 365 day blog probably biased me a little. Julie is very neurotic, yet totally lovable.... feeling stuck in her life with her unfullfilling job (wishing she was a writer) and living in a ratty apartment above a pizza place in Queens. Julia is hilarious, passionate, and happy - but searching for something to do with her time. Her contagious exuberance for life inspiring! Julie decides (at her boyfriend's suggestion) to do a blog about cooking, combining her two loves - writing and cooking. Using Julia's iconic Mastering the Art of French Cooking she decides to cook all 524 recipes in 365 days and blog about it. She sets the deadline of 365 days because without it she is certain she will not follow through. Sounds familiar ... Meanwhile, Julia, living in Paris with her adorable husband, is trying new things. Hat-making anyone? Eventually she decides to go to cooking school - Le Cordon Bleu to be specific. She is competitive and stubborn with her male classmates but wins them over with her humor and skills. She is fearless and does not doubt her ability to get where she wants to be. She's not only going to learn how to cook, she is going to be the best cook! Julie, on the other hand, is doubtful from the beginning. Will anyone read her blog? Why would anyone want to read her blog? While Julie is a glass half-empty type of girl, Julia is a glass half-full type of woman! The story unfolds beautifully as the two women discover their abilities and limitations, and ultimately themselves.

Wrapping this up, I would like to reflect on these two women. Identifying with both women's desire to find a way to channel their passion into a career, I definitely found myself more familiar with Julie's down-in-the-dumps, doubtful outlook on life than Julia's never-say-never, determined optimism. But after watching them travel down their paths I felt like maybe I could begin to look at life a little more like Julia. Her sense of humor reminded me of my own, laughing at herself and relishing silliness. But she also used humor to get through challenges and to ignore her haters. I think it propelled her through her life, allowing her to take risks and move on from failure. I don't know that I will ever shake off my general sense of pessimism (let's not get carried away), but I do think that I could use my own sense of humor to help me take a few risks and take control of my life!

Hang tight through the first 30 seconds of this video - the official trailer will come on shortly!

inspiration

2009-08-11T18:23:00.007-05:00

Happy Wednesday!

Well, I have definitely fallen off the wagon in the last few days. It is more difficult than I thought to blog everyday or even to just get some little tidbit posted. Some days I am uninspired, or tired, or have other things on my mind. So, I guess I will do my best and that's about all I can do right? With that said, I am proud to announce that I am the owner of a $35 scanner that I bought on craigslist! I have been wanting to get one since I started my blog so that I could share more than just stuff I have on my computer. For years I have been cutting things out of magazines and putting them into what I call my "inspiration book" - things I find that I love or are beautiful or are interesting to me. So, I thought I would start sharing some of it on here! I hope you like!

casual chic

2009-08-07T22:18:00.003-05:00

One of the things I have been thinking about doing on my blog is a regular fashion styling "feature" (once a week?). I am obsessed with styling clothes (for myself, but I really love to do it for other people). My new discovery, polyvore.com, is a great way to do some cyber-styling for you all and anyone you decide to share it with - please do!

I like to call my personal style "casual chic" (term stolen from shopbop.com). Since I like to be comfortable I go for natural fabrics like cotton and linen. And I usually am wearing fairly neutral colors like gray, white, navy, green, and some brown. Because I love to accessorize, I generally stick with solids. I like to keep my looks simple so prints sometimes get to be too much. But, I don't ever rule out a great print - stripes, small florals, and plaids being my faves. As much as I like to style clothes, I don't like to spend a lot of time deciding what to wear in the morning - there is nothing worse than not being able to decide what to wear, am I right? So, I always make sure I have a few pieces that I really, really love and know that every time I put them on I will feel good. This summer I have been living in soft knit dresses, skirts, and cutoffs with tees and floaty tops. I usually throw on some big earrings (gold being my preference), vintage beads, or my 'C' necklace. I live in flip flops but also have a pair of gladiators from Old Navy that I LOVE (and that will probably fall apart by the end of the summer).

With that said, here are some styling ideas based off of my personal style. You can click on the picture for more details about the items. I should forewarn you though, I didn't put this together with price in mind and polyvore has a range of cheap to very, very expensive items. But, everything here can easily be replicated at any of the stores within our budgets. Enjoy!

my style by @chloe featuring Old Navy

the september issue

2009-08-06T19:47:00.002-05:00

Looking forward to this ...

Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without. ~Confucius

2009-08-05T18:48:00.007-05:00

Like most people, I love music. As a kid I would put my tape recorder (see right) up to the speaker of my radio and record my favorite songs, creating some very amateur "mix tapes". Over the years my mix tapes have become more technologically advanced (now I guess you would call them "mix cds") but I still haven't lost my love for putting my favorite tunes together onto one album. One of the best things about mix tapes is sharing my favorite music with friends and family. So, I thought I would start creating some cyber-mix tapes for this blog as a way to keep sharing all the tunes that I love. The following are songs that I am listening to at the moment (a mini-mix, if you will):

Details In the Fabric > Jason Mraz (feat. James Morrison) - generally it is hit or miss for me with Jason but I was won over by Morrison's throaty vocals and the message for healing a broken heart.

Human > The Killers - the beat of this song is fantastic and I love Brandon Flowers' voice.

Black Flowers > Yo La Tengo - I first heard Yo La Tengo while I was working at Good Blue Monday (my first barista job). I loved their sound then and am in love with the horns in this song.

Quiet Dog > Mos Def - I dare you not to shake your bootie!

Towards the Sun > Alexi Murdoch - I have only a couple of Alexi Murdoch songs in my iTunes library but after seeing 'Away We Go' (which features a lot of his music) I was inspired to get some more. It is so peaceful.

Who You Gonna Turn To > Trevor Hall - I discovered this artist last fall and immediately was obsessed with his voice and reggae vibe. I have read that he has many religious influences (buddhism, christianity, and judaism) which is often reflected in his music. This song definitely has a spiritual feel to it.

Empire > Trampled By Turtles - I may be biased, since my cousin Tim is the bass player for TBT, but man, these guys make seriously great music. I love their twist on traditional bluegrass and this song is perfect for singing along.

Born Again > Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons - I first time I saw/heard Cory Chisel was by accident at Cafe Montmartre (R.I.P.). They were playing and I was there drinking some wine and they blew me away. This song is a perfect example of his amazing vocals and intense lyrics.

Forever> Chris Brown - so, this is my guilty pleasure right now (that I am loathe to admit) but you'll understand when you watch this video that my BFF Tracy posted on FB:

Oh God, it never gets old (and I can't help but love the song)!

Enjoy!

a little something

2009-08-04T16:58:00.004-05:00

When I started this blog I wanted to post something everyday but have found that some of the things I am working on take a fair amount of time to write and edit. Not to mention getting the photos organized. But my friend Rena told me today that I should try to post everyday! So, after talking with her, I decided that if I don't have something ready then I will just post something little. A quote, a picture, a thought, or whatever presents itself during my day that is interesting. So, today I decided to post the piece of art that I bought at Madison's Art Fair on the Square a few weeks ago. I posted the artist's link on Facebook recently but I wanted to show you all what I bought! Mine actually has an olive green background and blond hair but otherwise this is it!

The artist is Dolan Geiman and his website is: www.dolangeiman.com

Check it out!

passion for fashion

2009-08-01T13:58:00.002-05:00

Thanks to my friend Catherine (thelifestyled.blogspot.com) I have a new addiction! So fun ...

love what you wear by @chloe featuring Marc Jacobs

garage sale bliss

2009-07-31T11:03:00.025-05:00

A couple of months ago my friend Jen and I held a joint garage sale. We had hemmed and hawed about whether to do it or not - it is a lot of work to go through your stuff, price it, and drag it out of your house for the whole world to see. There isn't a lot of financial motivation, either, when your price point ranges from five cents to five dollars. But we agreed to make it happen the weekend that the rest of her block put their own junk on display. I admit, when it came right down to it, I didn't put a whole lot of effort into the sale. I was daunted by the process of going through all my stuff and almost backed out at the last minute. But, one thing I had already accomplished earlier that spring was to go through my closet and do my biannual throw/keep routine. All of my cast-offs were sorted, folded, and sitting in my basement. So, I decided I would avoid the arduous task of going through all the rest of my unwanted wares and just haul over my clothes. At the last minute, as I was loading up my car, I decided to grab a couple of other items sitting in my basement: a cheap IKEA wine rack, my pre-iPod three-disc stereo (with cassette player), and my land-line phones from my eight month stay in an apartment with no cell service. Feeling good about my sale items I started up my car and headed over to Jen's house. Once our goods were priced and merchandised, we settled onto her front porch with our coffee to wait for our customers. Well, as it turned out, it ended up being a lucrative morning. Once the word got out amongst the moms in the neighborhood that I was selling cute, nice clothes (I have expensive tastes), business picked up and I walked away with a cool $100. But the real excitement of the morning happened about halfway through our morning as I perused Jen and her hubby's sale items. As my eyes wandered over their stuff, I noticed a camera priced at three dollars. A nice camera. A 35mm Nikon N65. Like most people, they had upgraded long ago to a digital camera and no longer used this "old-fashioned" film camera. After taking a peak through the lens, I was in love. The idea of using film seemed very retro and romantic. I love to take pictures and this seemed like a great way to turn it into a hobby. I offered them their full asking price of three dollars. Ultimately, we haggled out a trade: the camera for my land-line phones. We were all happy. Unfortunately, the mutual happiness was short-lived when Jen and Tim couldn't get the phones to work (they can hear the caller but the caller can't hear them, or maybe it is the other way around). I, however, am still overjoyed with my new camera. From pictures of my yard to the farmer's market to Olbrich Gardens, what used to be just an interest has turned into a meditative and creative hobby. I had to haul my stereo and wine rack back home, but every time I take a photograph I am reminded that it was worth all the effort. Jen, I owe you three dollars!

Here are some of my favorite shots:

[pickled]

[hosta]

[gourds]

[garage heart]

Enjoy.

P.S. Some of my other favorites are posted on my blog already: the rose from my original post, the knives in my "loves" post, and the flowers in my blog banner at the top of the page.

loves

2009-07-29T15:47:00.024-05:00

Happy Wednesday! Here are some things I love. What do you love?

[tacos]

[kings of leon]

[grafitti]

[denim]

[baseball]

[my most recent photo]

Enjoy!

we're off ...

2009-07-27T08:51:00.002-05:00

I love a good quote. On my home page (iGoogle) I have a feature that has three quotes of the day. They are usually related by a common theme. Sometimes they are silly, sometimes they are serious. They often don't have any relevance to my life, but occasionally they hit home in way that helps me make sense of the world. I like this quote because it resonates with my life at the moment. I know that I want to do something, but can't quite put my finger on what. So, even though I don't know yet what that something is in terms of my future, this blog is my something for right now. I'd love to hear some of your favorite quotes so if you feel so inclined leave one in the comment section!

welcome.

2009-07-26T14:56:00.001-05:00

I never in a million years imagined starting a blog, but I have reached a point in my life where I feel a very strong urge to buckle down and answer some questions about myself and my life. What are my passions and goals? My fears? What inspires me? Where do I belong? What do I want to do with my life? After leaving my five-year-long general manager job with Barriques - a local coffee and wine business - over a year ago, I find myself struggling to move in a new direction. Most likely that is because my answer to the commonly asked question, "well, what do you want to do?" is, "I don't know." I have watched the people in my life start and develop their careers through a combination of passion and hard work. They have gone back to school, moved to other cities, started businesses, and slowly but surely eked out their place in the world. While none of their lives are all rainbows and butterflies, I am deeply jealous of the fact that they have found a sense of direction to propel them through their lives.

Over the next 365 days I intend to use this blog to find a sense of direction to propel me through my life. I do not think that it will answer all of my questions or solve life's mysteries but I hope that it will give me a creative outlet for self-reflection and push me to make some choices about what I want my life to be.

This is the quote that inspired this blog:

"I have been standing on the side of life, watching it float by. I want to swim in the river. I want to feel the current."

--Mamah Borthwick Cheney

Thanks for reading. Enjoy.