Cold as Ice

The snow-flakes grew larger and larger, till at last they looked just like great white fowls. Suddenly they flew on one side; the large sledge stopped, and the person who drove rose up. It was a lady; her cloak and cap were of snow. She was tall and of slender figure, and of a dazzling whiteness. It was the Snow Queen.

Vast, cold, and empty were the halls of the Snow Queen. The northern-lights shone with such precision that one could tell exactly when they were at their highest or lowest degree of brightness. In the middle of the empty, endless hall of snow, was a frozen lake; it was cracked in a thousand pieces, but each piece was so like the other, that it seemed the work of a cunning artificer. In the middle of this lake sat the Snow Queen when she was at home; and then she said she was sitting in the Mirror of Understanding, and that this was the only one and the best thing in the world.

From The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen

Costume and Crown: Self made, with eBay corset (I added fur and rhinestones)

Necklace: TJMaxx

Shoes: Steven by Steve Madden, 6pm.com

Fishnets: We Love Colors

A Ray of Sunshine

I have multiple bright coats (you really only need one though and they do go with everything) but this one is my favourite antidote to grey Vancouver days.

I love the pattern on this dress, which I feel distracts from the fact that it is essentially just a big comfy tent. This is key when you are feeling like it might be an 'I give up day' involving yoga pants.

I'm looking into the distance to ponder the excellence of this necklace. This is its first appearance on the blog, but one of many in my wardrobe. Supersized black and chunky beads go with pretty much everything.

Coat: Tulle, tulle4us.com

Dress: Vintage, store in Kerrisdale beside Roger's Video

Necklace: BCBG, BCBG Outlet

Tights: Spanx, The Bay (These are Spanx's reversible (!) black/grey tights)

Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction, Joneve

Halloween: the Archives

Since my camera is broken (it's so tragic! I wore my leopard print shoes for the first time today), I thought I'd instead dig through the archives of Halloween photos in honor of one of my favorite holidays.

Marilyn Monroe (2006): This costume is really the only piece I own that I bought at a costume store, the kind that pops up about a month before Halloween. I knew that the white dress was so iconic that I had to wear it to be Marilyn, and I didn't think I'd find an actual white dress in this style for any cheaper. It was worth the $30 dollars, though -- I wore it to four parties over three years (that's 10 dollars a year or about $7.50 a party). I really liked this costume -- it was fun being someone that everyone instantly recognized, and I enjoyed wearing the wig and the bright lipstick.

Extra observations: This is what my dorm room looked like Junior year of college. I miss cramped, bright, tacky living. Also, note the bracelets on my right hand. My friends and I were in competition to see who could wear theirs the longest, so I didn't take them off for over six months. Gross.
Marla Singer (2007): By the time I was a senior in college, I was sick of everyone sacrificing creativity for hotness and decided to be as unattractive as possible. Marla Singer, in both the novel and the movie, is troubled and dirty and strange. I bought this pink prom dress at Gabe's, cut off the bottom, attached a condom to it because of her great monologue about the condom being the glass slipper of our generation (and I got it for free at the Health Center when I went to pick up informative pamphlets) and a name tag from all of her support meetings. My disheveled greasy hair, pale foundation, and smeared eye make-up were both fun and easy. The props to the costume, while not pictured, were fantastic: I picked up some testicular cancer brochures at the health center and handed them out to party goers, claiming that I picked them up at my support group meetings, and carried around a box of cigarettes, usually keeping one behind my ear or in my mouth (unlit, of course, as I am as non-smoking as you can get).
Buddy Holly (2008): I don't have a great picture of me in my Buddy Holly costume, but this way you can see Jude in her excellent Corpse Bride costume. She, out of all my friends, is the absolute best at Halloween. She made that. MADE IT. Buddy Holly was the easiest and most comfortable costume I've had. I bought the glasses and skinny tie, both of which I rewore all the time. You probably remember the tie from blog posts, including the one I posted on Tuesday, and the glasses were a great party accessory, until the tragically broke last year. I wore a blazer I already owned and parted my hair in the middle. Unfortunately, the rain made my bangs a bit unruly. Dressing up like a guy was fun, and I think I'd like to really commit to an eccentric male character and do it again.
Dolly Parton (2009): Last year's was one of my favorite costumes, and most of the credit must be given to Erin. She lent me her grandmother's square-dancing skirt and did my makeup (and, really, isn't the most important thing about Dolly her makeup?). While the Marilyn dress couldn't be savaged, I knew I wanted to use the wig again, and I have always loved Dolly. Being in full costume with a wig and lots of make-up is really the best way to spend the holiday.

I'm so excited for Halloween this year. What are you being? xoxo Anna Rae

Second Fiddle

Unlike a more stylish visitor to the Canadian Rockies, on my recent road trip to Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper with my special man friend I opted for comfort (and warmth!) over fashion.

My go-tos were cashmere sweaters, jeans, and boots (along with tuque and vest as needed). This grey sweater actually has a hood and kangaroo pocket which makes it extra cosy. When I go travelling I try to pack as few shoes and bottoms as possible, so I wore the same jeans and casual boots for day and and the same tights and dressy boots (with sweater dresses) at night.

Overall it was a successful packing game plan for a trip where the scenery, not the outfits, was the main attraction. I could have worn a meat dress hiking and even the bears would still have been looking at the view!

Sweater: Tommy Bahama, Winners

Jeans: Gap

Boots: Ugg

Vest: Gap

Tuque: Echo, Winners

Take Ivy

I was recently introduced to the magic that is Take Ivy, and can't believe I was in the dark about this amazing fashion piece for so long. I assembled a fantastically preppy and collegiate outfit and was prepared to have an extensive photo shoot in the crisp Autumn leaves outside, but broke my camera only a few minutes after stepping outside. Using unreliable objects as a substitute for a tripod? Unwise. Unfortunately, I only have this rag tag group of photos to represent my take on Take Ivy.
The button-down and loose tie combo was, to me, the most essential part of the outfit for achieving the Ivy league aesthetic. I originally wanted to pair it with my wool yellow cardigan, but opted for this lighter sweater due to the surge of warm weather. I like how you can only catch a glimpse of the tie, though. The socks with oxfords updated the outfit to feel very this season.
Take Ivy, a collection of photographs detailing men's fashion on Ivy League campuses in the 1960s, was published in Japan in 1965. The book was a hit there, helping to create a long-standing trend in men's fashion, and was a highly-coveted but hard to find fashion text in the States, until it was republished with English captions earlier this year.

Shirt: Joe Fresh, the Real Canadian Superstore

Tie: H&M

Sweater: Abercrombie, from the high school days

Shorts: Thrifted, Value Village, Brand: Dockers

Socks: Mom's sock drawers

Shoes: Gifted, Mom and Dad, Brand: Bass

Since I spent most of yesterday researching the book instead of doing actual work, I thought I'd share some of my results.

The Trad, a blog that scanned images from the original text

New York Times article and slideshow

A Curious Lean article from before the reprint came out

And now I'll be taking a small hiatus until I get another payheck and can buy a new camera. xoxo Anna Rae

Opening Day Steals

This past week, I took a mini-vacation to visit old friends in Etown and then stay with Toni, my sole graduating high school class friend, to help her shop for her wedding dress. It was a successful shopping experience, and I can't wait for her wedding so I can post some pictures of the dress. It's absolutely beautiful. While in Etown, I did some shopping at the Light of Hope Church Thrift Store on its opening day and scored this lovely polka dot skirt. Such a great find!

I bought the skirt because I thought I would be able to match the bright blue spots with a pair of tights I own, but the coloring was actually pretty off. Instead, I paired the spring-like color of the dots with a purple sweater, and kept the rest of the outfit black, keeping it interesting with some textured tights and my beautiful new oxfords.

They're shiny! Patent-leather! They almost look like tap shoes. I love them.

Skirt: Thrifted, Light of Hope Church Thift Store, Elizabethtown, H&M

Tights: Target

Sweater: Old Navy

Shoes: Gifted: Mom and Dad, Zappo's, Fitzwell

I'm now on the lookout for a pair of tights to match these polka dots! xoxo Anna Rae

Let's Go Pitt!

Readers, let me apologize. I know you're tired of my yellow cardigan, especially paired with my yellow tights. You've seen it before, and you probably have a feeling that you're going to see it again. But look at that sea of orange. A Pitt fan has to do something to stand out, especially in the intimidating, air-tight Carrier Dome, home to the Syracuse Orangemen.

I wanted to wear my Pitt apparel like everyone else, but I wanted to have fun with it. I chose to wear a Pitt t-shirt that wouldn't actually be the central focus of the outfit, and build the rest around some vintage collegiate vibes and an overload of yellow and blue.

After creating that game plan, the yellow tights and cardigan were a must, as was my blue and white belt, a bonus vintage find that came attached to my seersucker dress. I kept it both casual and in the color family with my jean skirt and didn't let any of the accessories overwhelm the color palette. The neutral two-toned Oxfords, pearl cardigan chain, and pearl earrings helped give the outfit a dated college feel, remembering a time when football games were attended in sport coats and dresses (Oh, how I wish...).

Cardigan: Old Navy

Shirt: Family hand-me-down

Skirt: Thrifted by Erin, Salvation Army in Kerrisdale, I believe

Tights: We Love Colors

Belt: Vintage, Eons (came with purchase of dress)

Pearl chain: Thrifted, Salvation Army, Latrobe

Earrings: Gifted, Erin

Shoes: Gifted, Mom and Dad, Zappos, Bass

The good news? We won! The better news? Because we were sitting so near the end zone when Pitt scored so many touchdowns, we were also on TV! Thanks again Julie for taking these pictures. xoxo Anna Rae

Birthday presents

This outfit post was made possible by lovely birthday presents from fellow blogger Erin and my parents.

Erin sent me this beautiful necklace in the mail for my birthday (wrapped, of course, in amazing paper with a velvet bow), and it seems to compliment every outfit I assemble.
Knowing that I needed new shoes, my mom gave me a modified version of free reign over Zappos after I concluded that it would take a few more months of research before I could commit to the record player I want. Christmas present, here you come. But back to the shoes -- I love these Oxfords! They're so delightfully two-toned. My brother called them bowling shoes all weekend, but I think they're perfectly preppy.
And now the outfit -- I wore this to dinner during the first night of the annual family road trip to a Pitt Panther away game. This year we were in Syracuse, and I wanted my outfit to match my collegiate location. Since I was really excited to wear both the shoes and the necklace, I wanted to keep the rest of the outfit simple and navy, because, to me, navy is the most studious of all colors. It is also part of both Syracuse and Pitt's school colors, so I could fit in without feeling like a traitor.
I wore these earrings because I felt the gold ball on top matched the necklace and who can't resist an extra little splash of color?

Necklace: Gifted, Erin

Earrings: Gifted, Cammy

Sweater: Thrifted, Value Village, originally Tommy Hilfiger

Skirt: AE

Shirt: Charlotte Russe

Socks: Gifted, Mom and Dad

Tights: Hue, Macy's

Shoes: Gifted, Mom and Dad, Zappo's, Bass

Thanks Julie for snapping these pics in the hotel lobby, and thanks again for my amazing birthday presents Erin and Mom (and Dad, even though I had to tell him when I was wearing the shoes that he bought them as a present for me). xoxo Anna Rae

Beardsley's Blouse

The beautiful art nouveau floral print on this blouse reminds me of the illustrations of Beardsley and his contemporaries. It came in green as well, and I wish I had given in to my impulse to buy it in multiples when I originally bought it.

My jeans are a summer purchase meant exclusively for tucking into boots, a worthwhile investment if you do it often. They are much skinnier and shorter than my regular jeans, and the reduced bulk makes for a more comfortable boot tuck.
The finishing touch? My Nana's cameo. And a resolution to try and get more sleep.

Blouse: BCBG

Jeans: Gap

Boots: Zara

Cameo: Vintage, Nana's

Oh, you again.

I don't think I even have to tell you how much I love my yellow sweater.

Falling in love with your new yellow cardigan and then realizing that it is the exact same yellow as one of your favorite pairs of tights is a sign -- a sign that screams, wear them together but only pair them with black and white so you look a little like a bumblebee.

The pairing of the cardigan and tights was the obvious inspiration for the outfit, but once I decided that the true piece to connect the two was my black and white polka dot dress, the idea of wearing only other black and white pieces seemed both natural and perfect.
I didn't want the accessories to be too overwhelming, but I love this pearl chain that I found on a blouse at the Salvation Army. I bought the blouse and immediately handed it back to the saleslady, explaining that I only wanted the chain - I had been looking for one - and two dollars seemed like the best price I'd find. It's retro vibe fit perfectly with the feminine embellishment on the sweater and the tweed flats with their delicate pink bow. Add some backcombed hair, a belt to give the dress a bit more structure, and some black and white floral earrings, connecting the colors to the cardigan embellishments, and you have my new favorite fall outfit.
Dress: Thrifted, St. Mary's Hospital Thrift Store, Sechelt

Cardigan: Old Navy

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Steve Maddens, from Kauffmans (so old that the department store wasn't even Macy's yet!)

Earrings and belt: Gifted, Erin

Pearl chain: Salvation Army, Latrobe, connected to blouse

And the perfect accessory to any fall outfit? Beautiful foliage. xoxo Anna Rae

belated Birthday fashion

First, let me start by wishing all of our Canadian readers and our Canadian blogger a very happy Thanksgiving!

Onto the outfit! I wore this to my family birthday dinner at Valozzi's a couple weeks back. It was the perfect outfit for an Anna-based dinner because it featured my two favorite colors in a complementary combination, a giant bow, a floral embellishment, pearls, high-volume hair, and lipstick. Phew. I got all the favorites, I think.
I paired the sweater with the skirt because I liked the look of the contrasting colors, but once I saw how much I loved wearing a giant bow with the even sweeter flowered cardigan, I wanted everything about this outfit to be adorably feminine. The pearls, lipstick, and hair quickly followed.

Sweater: Old Navy

Skirt: Purr, South Granville, Vancouver

Pearls: Claire's

Shoes: Charlotte Russe

Tights: Hue, Macy's

It's the twee-est of outfits, in the best way possible. xoxo Anna Rae

Secondhand Savannah

This dress is one of my favourite thrift store finds-- not only is it incredibly comfortable and versatile, it represents one of the minority players in the animal print world. Giraffes might not have as much style cache as leopards, zebras, or even snakes, but I think they are due for a starring spot at the fashion watering hole.

I kept the dress the focus with a black cashmere/modal cardi-wrap, tights, and boots. It is worth noting that this dress came with linebacker rivaling shoulderpads, but some quick snips removed it from Dynasty territory.

Perfect for some rainy day hunting!

Dress: Thrifted, The Salvation Army Kerrisdale

Cardigan: Line, Hills of Kerrisdale (Line is a fantastic Canadian Knitwear brand also available at Holt Renfrew)

Tights: Hue

Boots: Steven by Steve Madden

Style Challenge: Gifted

OMG! Look at my enormous and crazy brooch!

My aunt Donna bought me this brooch for my birthday, and, even before I unwrapped the present, apologized for how big it was, insisting that if I didn't like it, that'd be okay, because she thought it was a little over the top. Clearly, I love it, and decided to base my going out for a lazy Sunday birthday dinner with said aunt outfit around it.
Like Libby said in the last post, I'm rejoicing over the return of tights with shorts weather. I chose these tights as a tonal complement to bold maroon and lilac in the brooch. Because of its size, I knew that if I wore the brooch on one side of my outfit, I would look lopsided. I was thinking belt buckle at first, and still am a little, but once I put on this blouse, I loved the idea of having the brooch in the center of both it's tie and the cardigan's button. Could it be anymore of a focal point?
And, finally, a close up of the tights, with their crazy design. Like the brooch, these tights are bold and maybe a little over the top. All the best things are.
Brooch: Gifted, Aunt Donna, Avon

Blouse: Thrifted, Alabaster's Attic, Greensburg

Shorts: Thrifted, Value Village, Vancovuer

Shoes: Thrifted, Alabaster's Attic, Greensburg

Cardigan: Thrifted, St. Vincent de Paul, Latrobe, Zara's

Belt: Target

My apologies for being a lackluster blogger this week. The Lit GREs are tomorrow, so I've been trying to limit my time spent on things that discouraged me from learning to tell the difference between a Spenserian stanza and Rhyme Royal. xoxo Anna Rae

A SHORT Post, Ha

Sorry for the grainy pictures, but that's what happens when it's raining outside and kitchen bulbs is the best lighting. Wah wah. It was super cold out this day - once again, from a couple of days ago, so the jacket was necessary.
The same sentiments are echoed from the last post about transitioning through different seasons with clothes, and dressing for class and whatnot. I love these shorts, love these boots and love the jacket. Pretty comfortable outfit, overall a success I like to think.

Until tomorrow. Libby

Boots: Michael Kors

Tights: Macy's

Shorts: BCBG

Top: Express

Jacket: Forever 21

Those pics are Tight(s)!

Hi everyone! I know it's been awhile (again) since I've posted, but I've just become lazy with my picture taking. These pictures are actually from last week, whoops! Last week when it was cold and miserable outside.
I love being able to take shorts, pair them with tights, and have the clothes transition to fall and winter. It's nice to be able to get more wear out of articles of clothing. And sometimes I like to dress nicely for class, it helps me act more studious. Act is the important word in that sentence.
Hey look! My shoes match my nail polish! These are my most favorite heels - such a comfortable height that I could wear them forever.

Until tomorrow. Libby

Shoes: Steve Madden

Tights: Macy's

Shorts BCBG

Top: Bluefly, Gifted from Michael and Amanda

Sweater: Express

Belt: Nordstrom

Bag: Nine West, DSW