Fall Is Here!

Oh gosh, it's been so long!  I have an explanation!  First, the beginning of September, which meant that classes started at the private college where I work, which in turn meant crazy busy days for me!  Then, my mother visited me, which was so lovely but busy.  Of course, somewhere in the middle I found a new apartment which meant me packing all of my belongings & moving in less than 2 weeks!  I moved last Saturday, and my new apartment (yard pictured) is lovely, but is requiring a lot of time unpacking, cleaning & decorating.  In fact this weekend, some reinforcements (my sis & mom) are arriving to help me paint & decorate!  Nonetheless, I finally got it together this morning & took some outfit photos. 

We're experiencing a bit of an indian summer these last couple of days in New England.  It's been in the high 60s & this weekend it'll be 80 degrees.  Now, I love warm weather, so I'm pretty excited about it since my family is visiting.  I figure somewhere in between the painting/decorating, we'll get out into the Berkshires to enjoy some of this weather!  In fact, there is a cider pressing & harvest party tomorrow at a local farm we're all hoping to attend!

I bought this top at Anthropologie  on the clearance rack, and the sheerness makes it perfect for this type of weather.  My Jewelmint necklace compliments it nicely as well!  I love this pair of grey denim as well!

What I'm Wearing:

Jeans: Skinny Berlin by Rock n' Republic via Swirl

Top: Anthropologie clearance rack

Shoes: Wanted Shoes

Jewelry: necklace via JewelMint; earrings via Country Comfort, Northampton

 

Happy Fall to you all!  I hope you have a lovely weekend!!

Hurricane Survival Kit

Hurricane freak out!

 I really tried to stay level headed about Hurricane Irene, but as you can see, that mentality went out the window.  With all of the news reports & hysteria of people around me, I soon caught the bug.  Wanna know a secret?  I don't have too many friends where I live.  I moved here about 5 years ago & while I've met a few people, it's really difficult to make friends here.  Don't get me wrong, I've made a couple of great friends.  I've found that Northampton is more of a stopover for most people.  They're here a few years and then they move on.  To be honest, I think Noho (as locals call it) will end up being a stopover for me as well.  There you have it!  I will be alone on Sunday (when Irene is scheduled to hit Western Mass).  As I'm sure there are other single gals alone on this day, I thought I'd share my survival kit...

Plenty of reading material

Candles, flashlights

A great outfit....

 

 What I'm Wearing:

Jeans: The Boyfriend Jean by Current/Elliott via Rue La La

Top: Cooperative via Urban Outfitters

Shoes: Oxfords by Cooperative via Urban Outfitters

Bracelet: Cocobelle

Belt: purchased in Paris

Sustenance

Plenty of fluids

Calypso Girl

I lived in NYC for years before relocating to the small college town I call home now.  I spent 10 years working in the film & music industry before hanging up my hat on that world & deciding I wanted something different.  I lived all over Brooklyn & Manhattan during that time.  For the first 4 years, I lived on Mott/Houston in a rent controlled 2 bedroom with my sister.  Back then, Mott Street had just a few stores & the nickname of Nolita (North of Little Italy) had barely been known.  I lived across the street from Calypso St. Barth, a little boutique, which a ton of celebrities frequented.  I always marveled at the clothing, but I could never afford any of it.  A skirt at $390 was not exactly within my budget. 

I was tickled pink when I learned they were designing a line for Target.  I was there on opening day & purchased this dress & espadrilles.  I absolutely love these two items together, and I receive compliments when I wear them separately too!  Target is one of my favorite places now, especially since a ton of design houses have caught on to budget shopping.  September will see Missoni for Target, which you can bet will be worth a trip to a neighborhood Target.

What I'm Wearing:

Dress & Shoes: Calypso St. Barth for Target

Earrings: Faces via Northampton

Most Affordable Outfit Ever

What's the going rate for a decent outfit these days?  I guess it depends, but this one cost about $40 which is definitely doable for me.  I'm not saying it's a masterpiece, what with the small number of accessories I'm wearing.  The skirt was a gift (free), top was about $8, sandals were $30 & bracelets I believe I purchased for maybe $5 years ago.  So, yes, $40-42 outfit, which makes me very proud.  I've worn this skirt during the summer & winter with some leggings so it's very seasonal.  I think it's funny that the shoes are the most expensive thing I'm wearing.  It just goes to show how pricey even sandals have become, and these were on sale!

I think I threw this outfit together in 10 minutes.  I really need to get up earlier for work.  Think how great I could look if I actually gave myself a decent amount of time to get ready in the mornings.  Note to self: stop snoozing your alarm.

What I'm Wearing:
Skirt: Grey Tulip Skirt via American Apparel gifted by my sis
Top: H&M
Sandals: Banana Republic Outlet
Bracelets: purchased in the East Village, NYC

A Sweater? Really??

Yes, I'm wearing a sweater in the middle of August which makes me very sad.  I don't really understand the whole "let's be 60 degrees in the middle of August" thing the weather is doing.  The sweater is quite adorable & only has 3/4 sleeves, but nonetheless, it is still a sweater.  I'm actually one of those people that thinks it's too cold outside when it's 80 degrees, so 60 degrees really ruins the summer for me.  I'm beginning to realize that I do not belong in New England.  I do completely see myself relocating in the future to Hawaii or Austin or someplace else equally sweltering.  Of course, then, I'll complain it's too hot.  There's no winning with me really.  Any other ideas of where I should move for a happy medium?  Please let me know as I do need suggestions...

Utterly unhappy

 

What I'm Wearing:

Skirt: Gap

Sweater: Urban Outfitters

Shoes:  Wanted Shoes

Bracelets: purchased in East Village, NYC

It's Been Awhile...

I actually meant to post these photos last week but upon first glance, I didn't like how they came out.  Flash forward one week, I take another look while I'm uploading other photos, and I don't think these are too bad.  Just goes to show how tough we can be on ourselves sometimes.  This personal style blog is definitely teaching me more about my style & what works for me fashion-wise, but I'm also reminded to not be so hard on myself.  It's a nice lesson. 

On to the ensemble, it's from last week when the weather was still acting like summer.  I had wanted these Wanted Shoes for a long time & finally treated myself to them when they were having the buy one get one free sale.  What a treat!  I'm also wearing my new JewelMint piece, which was free courtesy of a credit I received from a friend I invited to the site purchasing something.  Thanks, friend!  I foresee this piece getting a lot of wear for the remainder of summer & even fall.

 What I'm Wearing:

Skirt: Vera Wang for Kohl's

Top: tank via Gap

Crop cardie: gifted by my mom

Jewelry: Necklace via JewelMint

Shoes: Notti Wedges via Wanted Shoes

A Strange Week

I returned to work on Wednesday after a long weekend.  I was the first to arrive, and as I tried to turn on the lights in the office, I couldn't.  Then, I tried to turn on my computer - nope.  I tried to use the phone - nothing.  The power was out in our office...and in the office next door...and in the entire building...and all over campus.  What's more...no one knew anything about why or when it would be turned back on.  Once the head honcho arrived in our office around 9, we all decided to head out for an office breakfast/coffee.  Upon our return at 10, we had a staff meeting outside so we didn't have to sit in the dark.  At 11:30 when the power was still out, we all left.  So, yes, I had the entire afternoon off of work.  I went for a walk, went to the gym, Barnes & Noble and then went home to take a nap.  It was a nice afternoon.  By the time Thursday arrived, it felt like Monday.  It wasn't.  It was the end of the week, and I hadn't gotten any work done at all.  Oh, well, sometimes that happens, and I'm sure I will pay for that this week.  As you can see from these outfit photos, I'm feeling pretty refreshed.  You can expect to see me completely unrefreshed in tomorrow's outfit post.

 

What I'm Wearing:

Skirt & Cardigan: Urban Outfitters

Tanks: Gap

Shoes: Wanted Shoes

Jewelry: Necklace via Calypso St. Barth for Target