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Asos cardigan, Target button-up, Topshop boots

I'm still navigating where and how I want to take pictures. I feel really ridiculous posing for someone. I will start experimenting with a tripod again, as I think it'll give me a little more freedom with posing. Anyway, this is something I typically wear to work, but I dress it up with chelsea boots if I decide to go out, and by "dress it up," I mean just the slightest bit more edgy/less Office Space territory, and by "go out," I mean go to my friend Jackie's house to work on her website.

Something Something

I woke up late for work. Spent the day feeling frizzy. Stopped by a friend's house in the evening as we're planning to visit MAGIC Market Week in mid-February in Las Vegas. It's a biannual tradeshow where retailers, wholesalers, distributors and designers come together to preview their new collections.

My friend was also dog sitting this adorable Shibu Inu. Her owner is out of town for the week, and she's been whimpering and sitting next to the front door waiting to go home.

Gap blazer & shorts | Forever 21 top | Clarks desert boots

I've been taking a break from blazers, but it's honestly my go-to silhouette when I'm looking for a jacket to clean things up. I accumulated a decent amount of blazers from Forever 21, but the cheap price came with a cost. I think all of my Forever 21 blazers have fake pockets, which bugs the hell out of me, and I often seriously consider cutting through the jacket and sewing in my own pockets. Also, the arms are only partially lined, so I have to be very careful of how I roll up the sleeves.

Profound Aesthetic

I'm currently obsessed with hats. I saw Youth Lagoon play at the Troubadour back in April of last year, and Trevor was wearing an all black leather cap with black jeans and a chambray button up. It was really simple, like an after thought, but it felt like a game changer. When I was in New York, I found a stand selling leather caps and immediately bought one. The brim is a little more curved than I'd like, but I'll work with it.

I came across this blog, WEAREYOUNEAK, a couple of months ago, and it sealed the hat deal for me. Caps are seamlessly incorporated into her outfits. Like, it kind of kills me how easy and stylish her outfits look. I currently have two caps to my collection, the second one being this Obey Munition 5-Panel hat. However, while hat hunting, I came across these beauties by the brand Profound Aesthetic:

The floral/suede combo and that bear leather patch? Be still my empty bank account. I'm sold.

Christmas Wish List

Clockwise: Stine Goya Miracle Sneaker, RuPaul Tee by African Apparel, Agyness Deyn x Dr. Martens Aggy Creeper, UO Around the World Watch, Topshop MA-1 Bomber Jacket

Random things that I've been looking at this month. A friend pointed out that the creepers are too trendy, and I won't wear them again in a year's time, but tbh, I don't really care. I tried on a pair, and they were too big on me, but they are damn perfect. I don't think I'll ever get sick of this color palette.

Seasons Greetings

Man, was September really the last time I posted? I come bearing few pictures, but a lot of good news! So, since I lasted posted, I took a spontaneous trip to New York with Jackie. We stayed in Williamsburg with her brother Paul, who works for Ralph Lauren. I was spoiled with the best eats, and Paul took us to really cool boutiques that I could in no way afford. I was in Bird during the end of our trip and naively took down a beautiful burgundy and black Proenza Schouler bowling bag, only to look up and see every employee staring me down.

I kept my packing simple for my trip because I wanted to leave room for purchases. I ended up wearing this outfit to grab bagels one morning, but the black shirt and floral shorts were actually my sleepwear for the second half of the week. Other basics I rotated through: Asos denim jacket, black chelsea boots from Topshop, beige leather oxfords also from Topshop (a spontaneous buy that has become a staple), black jeans, white sheer button-up tank with black collar, two plain tops, and grey trouser shorts. I also brought a gorgeous red dress that I first wore on my birthday, but I didn't end up using it.

Since my last post, I also got a job! I nabbed black leather loafers from Topshop while in New York, my only big purchase, and they've been my go-to work shoe, since I now work in a law office.

I also gave in and got myself the Madewell Satchel as a reward for finally getting a job. Also pictured in the shitty bathroom selfie is a vintage striped sweater (from Etsy) that's starting to fall apart from extended use and a burgundy plain jersey dress from Dorothy Perkins. Not pictured: Marais USA loafer heel in sienna/brown. If you haven't noticed, I jumped on that burgundy train and I'm riding it through. It's such a perfect color. The second picture was from my uncle's birthday party, where my cousin and I realized we both have burgundy bags and reddish/orange wallets AND a random black baggy--mine carries headphones and hers make-up.

Aaand for the finale of awkward phone pictures, here's one that my friend Katie snapped of me at a bar this past Friday. I lightened my ombre and dyed it hot pink. It ended up turning drastically more pink than expected, and my solution to my hair clashing with outfit colors is to put it up in a crown braid. I'm not sure what I'll do with it once it fades, maybe dye it a different color or go back to my natural color.

Anyway, one of my resolutions for 2013 is to breathe some life back into Charlie and Linus, so please be patient!

Opening Ceremony celebrates 10 years

An OCTV Fairy Tale from Opening Ceremony on Vimeo.

This video is too cute for words. And for good measure, here are some of the pieces from the Adidas x Opening Ceremony collaboration:

Clear rubber sole that reveals a floral inlay? Be still my heart. There's something really selfish and satisfying about the lining of a shoe that only the owner sees, and I love that it's at the bottom. Also, that all black pair? Ugh. I've had my eye out for Sambas after Lily got her classic black/white pair. I've tried to avoid colored sneakers, but this shoe feels perfect. I am not being hyperbolic. Ok, maybe a little.

Seeing Red

Oxblood, burgundy and deep reds are trending this fall. I've always loved the idea of having a key piece of my closet be red, something timeless that also pops. True red is too flashy for me, so I tend to toward darker reds. There's just something about that color that feels edgy and classic.

Madewell Camden Satchel

 Maybe it's because I'm trying to train my closet to be small and efficient or because I've been daydreaming about a new job and work clothes to match, but I feel like this will be a good investment bag. Simple, timeless, and practical. I bought a similar bag from Aldo a couple of years ago, but it's turn out to be a little small, and the magnetic clasp is weak, so if I put anything heavy in the bag, like a water bottle, it opens up.

Topshop Bordeaux Hiking Boots

Topshop Leather Lace-up Shoes

After my last pair of black pants gave out, I went a year or so without buying a proper new pair. I finally gave in and remembered why black skinnies are essential to every closet. It simplifies and cleans up an outfit immediately. I've been trying to wear them on the cooler summer days, and it's got me daydreaming about spicing up my outfits with fun shoes. The hiking boots aren't a priority, but I like the leather lace-ups as an alternative to black creepers, a shoe that I've always admired, but immediately decided were too cool for my closet.

The last burgundy piece on my wish list is the Penfield Kasson Parka that Lily posted about last month from Madewell that I basically want to live in.