Don't you let me go tonight...

(Secondhand chiffon floral top, Citizen of Humanity skinny jeans, Jeffrey Campbell Clogs, Vintage and Forever 21 rings, Vintage necklace, random watch, Forever 21 headband, Express bralette) 


Lykke Li continues to be my favorite.  Sitting alone in the efficiency I'm staying at in Iowa City after not being able to go to work earlier tonight due to rain. Wishing to already be permanently in Chicago living in the beautiful apartment that my boyfriend and I have....missing him more. Wishing I had more outfits because I'm running out of options more quickly that I'd prefer.  Cant wait to show you my new roommate, she's the cutest ever :)

Candy flavored mission to the moon

(top photos: Nylon Magazine, Copenhagen Fashion Week. Other images: original artwork by me)


I know pastel highlights are nothing new, but I can't help that I want still find myself thinking about and wanting them.  I even made an appointment in July to get them done but ended up having to work when I scheduled it.  They are subtle, yet fun.  Do I still do it?  I'm interviewing for jobs in Chicago, so maybe I should wait, but at the same time I want to just do it. Ahhh.....
So I've been thinking a lot about pastels, and light colors, fabrics and textures when I came across these images I made back in 2005.  They are my own original drawings collaged with items I scanned in the computer.  I used coffee filters, fabric, jewelry, and even went as far as putting cotton candy ice cream on my scanner. To end my thoughts on all things sweet and girly, the heading of this post is a tattoo I have down my right rib cage...I just can't help but be attracted to sweet, candy like ideas...

Window Sill

(Forever 21 White V-Neck, Zara Jeans, Jeffrey Campbell Wedges, Vintage Bracelets, necklaces, and scarf)


My favorite summer hairstyle has been the side fishtail braid.  It's so easy and fun, it makes a simple outfit not so simple.  And people always comment on it.  Since I'm living out of a bag of basic clothing, mostly work clothes, I'm having to get creative in other ways.
I'm staying in an efficiency in downtown Iowa City right now and it's so cute, I love old buildings.  Snapped these quickly right before I was on my way to run errands this afternoon.

Happy Hollow

(Zara Chambray Button-up, Goldesign black jeggings, Urban Outfitters beige tank, Forever 21 Sunnies,  all vintage jewelry, Aldo Wedges, Top Secret Snakeskin Tube Bra)


I haven't been around but its because I have super exciting news!  I moved to the windy city of Chicago!  Yipppeeee!  I'm so excited to start blogging from my new city.  I have a beautiful apartment in Wicker Park, right by some amazing little shops and great restaurants.  I'm still hanging out in Iowa until I can get my car sold though, so I've got a bag of clothes and shoes and my jewelry box to keep me sane.  I've had a hard knack for some serious vintage jewelry lately, so bad that I can't close my vintage jewelry box anymore...I keep telling myself this is a good thing, but I can't wrap my head around replacing the jewelry box I have because I love it so much.  I found this amazing owl necklace straight out of the 70's in a store called Vintageville in Riverside, Iowa.  Cheap vintage finds are definitely one thing I will miss about Iowa.  So if anyone has any friends in Chicago or know of any job opportunities or small shop recommendations please feel free to email me :)

Also please check out the link below: I was featured on the Guide to Art Schools 50 Best Fashion Design Blogs.  There are a lot of really great blogs to check out on here also.  This is a great site with wonderful resources!

http://www.guidetoartschools.com/tips-and-tools/fashion-design-blogs

Humidity

(vintage hand sewn skirt, vintage cropped velvet top, forever 21 necklace, shoedazzle heels)

I picked up this fun skirt at the Goodwill months ago and it has just been sitting in my closet.  I spotted it on the rack, saw the $2 price tag and couldn't control the urge to buy.  Soon I'll find a place to wear it.

 The humidity is nearly unbearable here.  The minute I walked outside with my camera, the lenses fogged so bad that it created a haze over all of my photos...so why not just work with the challenges that life gives you?  Being outside feels like being in a sauna, literally.  And most of my shifts at work lately have been on the patio so I spend my hours there with rosy cheeks and a sticky forehead.  Oh the joys of extreme weather changes in the midwest.

I've been doing more research for MFA grad programs in San Francisco and had a phone interview yesterday.  It went really well, and it looks as though I could be starting classes in September and moving in October! I'm so excited I could jump up and down!  No more small town Iowa. Okay, off to work in this dreaded humidity yet another night....

xo

Go if you wanna go, but I won't follow...

(Beulah Asymmetrical Sheer Top, Vintage Levi's, Forever 21 Necklace, Express Leopard Print Bra, Vintage Boots)

Leave if you wanna leave, but I won't be here when you come home...

Getting excited thinking about new beginnings and leaving this familiar path.  Trying new things, putting myself out on the line, taking risks, exploring the unknown, falling through gravity....I'm so ready.  

I was supposed to work on the patio today downtown, but a big bad storm came rolling through around lunch time and I got to do some much needed research and fun photo time after the storm passed.  I also picked up these vintage Italian boots today at one of my favorite second hand shops, Revival...for $20...a steal! It's also fun to have really tiny feet.

I've been so pleased with the versatility of this top, I will be sure to document what I mean by that. I really just need to start carrying my giant camera with me more places.  We are celebrating a few of my good friends birthdays tomorrow night, so I'll remember to get a few pictures of the beautiful lace dress I am wearing with these new boots! I've noticed that I tend to purchase similar articles of clothing...I can't help myself.  What can I say? I know what I like....

Collection B

(Collection B Leather Jacket, Vintage Dress, Mom's Vintage Belt, Lucky Charm Necklace, Express Thigh Highs, Aldo Shren Wedge Boots)

I can't believe I didn't remember to post these on my blog!  At the end of last month, lookbook.nu sent me this one of a kind jacket to style from Collection B's upcoming fall collection.  Its a beautiful jacket and I'm really excited to see the other pieces.   I was told it must be a fall look, so even though I thought I might have a heat stroke due to the 100 degree humid Iowa afternoon, it was still fun to style.  I also can't believe I haven't photographed this dress before, as it has been one of my favorites.  I found it in the coolest little store in Iowa City called White Rabbit, and I believe it is a children's dress from the early 90's.  This is why it's so fun to be petite! 

On a more serious note, my life has been extremely hectic lately.  I've been working two jobs trying to save money, researching a possible move to San Francisco in January for grad school, and of course constantly thinking about places I can visit in the meantime.  I was in Minneapolis on Monday night and Tuesday and had so much fun!  I had a great guide- he took me wandering around to all the fancy boutiques, treated me to lunch, discussed art, played darts, drank tasty beer and ended by taking a nap by Lake Calhoun. The perfect way to spend a day off with a really wonderful old friend. The whole time I had wished I had grabbed my camera, because it was such a beautiful day.  There's always next time...

Time for bed, as I have another close to 12 hour work day tomorrow.  Oh, the life of a starving artist... xo

My best friends wedding

Last weekend my best friend Mary got married! It was a great weekend filled with festivities from Thursday through Sunday.  I have more pictures of the beautiful bride that don't seem to want to upload right now, so I will add them later if they decide to behave.
So I spent time in Omaha and had so much fun dancing the night away on the night of Mary's wedding.  The only mishap I had was getting the dress on, which I had altered weeks before but was unable to try on before.  It took several ladies to get it zipped and I couldn't breathe most of the day! But it was worth it to watch my beautiful best friend walk down the aisle with tears in my eyes.  I also did my own hair, along with some of the other bridesmaids hair and makeup....all of which are in rest of the pictures. Everyone looked so beautiful... Congrats again Mr. and Mrs. Prusa! You are a wonderful, lucky couple...hope you're having fun in Jamaica!

You are my sweetest downfall...

(A&F Lace Cami circa 2003, April Dress worn as a skirt, VPL bra, A&F Leather Belt circa 2006, Vintage Sandals, Museums Smykker Chain Necklace from Denmark, Turquoise Eternity Necklace from India, Random Bracelets, F21 Two-Finger Diamond Ring, DIY Pink Flower in Hair)


I loved you first...

I have been mildly obsessed with Regina Spektor lately. Well, I can't lie... I've been pretty much listening to her non stop.  I think it's safe to say that "Samson" is one of the best songs I've ever heard in my life.  And I've been quite under the weather this week, so she has been making me feel better!
I was supposed to go to a bachelorette party in Kansas City yesterday, but as I said I haven't been feeling so wonderful.  So I spent my Saturday sitting on the patio of a coffee shop reading a book...which was very low key, and quite nice really. I also taught myself how to fishtail (herringbone) braid, as you can see.  My boyfriend is leaving town soon, so he came back and I watched him grill out and drink beer...so it turned out to be a better Saturday than I expected.  Still sad to have missed all the fun in KC with my girlfriends though :(
Luckily we have been blessed with blue skies, sunny, and hot summer days the past couple of days.  Can't wait for more to come...