Style Idol: Natalie Portman as Alice Ayers

So, today was supposed to be a day off, but I ended up running a bunch of errands, going to a couple of meetings, and taking a friend to and from work when her car wouldn't start.

Even though I threw on my clothes between outings, I asked my roommate to take a couple of outfit photos. It wasn't 'til I got in the car again that I realized that I dressed just like Natalie Portman did at the beginning of 2004's Closer—her first Golden Globe nominated role. Observe the faux fur lined coats, the clunky boots, the disheveled ginger hair, and the near-perfect withering gazes:

I desperately wanted to be Natalie Portman in high school after watching Closer (and, admittedly, the Star Wars prequels, despite their poor production quality). Her character, Alice, was everything that I desired to be: a young, sexy American girl in London, plucky and resourceful, with a killer wardrobe that was part thrift store, part punk club. She had the best quotes in the movie, so I tried to emulate her and her witticisms whenever possible. I even tried to pull off her short 20s style bob at the beginning of college, which failed legendarily (I looked like I had a Beatles-style mop top). 

The location pictured above, Postman's Park, was also coincidentally my favorite spot to read class novels while I studied in England two years ago. Serendipity.

Some details:

Dress: Forever 21

Cardigan: Target
Tights: ???
Coat: Bought from Lynzy of Sparkling Footsteps

Shoes: Madden Girl, via JC Penney

Earrings: Old Navy
Rings: Etsy; family heirloom

Photos: Jill Hakala

Who are your style idols? 

Cool colors, warm heart

Today it was so lovely outside that I didn't even need a coat to keep me warm... just a big cable-knit sweater and a scarf!

If you ever see me 'round campus, this is what I usually look like: bundled up with some oversized shades on, hunching my shoulders and gazing blankly into the distance. So hip, I know. 

Today I've had a couple of meetings (one virtual, one in the writing center on campus), and I went grocery shopping because I was all out of...

• Vegetables
• Ground ginger
• Pico de gallo
• Black beans and rice
• Deodorant
• Multivitamins

...which are basically all of the things that I need to survive in this world. Between that and my recent haircut, I'm feeling more like a well-adjusted human being; although I did manage to lock myself and the puppy out of the house for nearly six hours last night, so let's not speak so fast on that.

I meant to duplicate my house key at the grocery store too. Damn.

Dress: Hand-me-up from younger sister, tag says H&M
Tights: ???
Sweater: Old Navy
Scarf: Shop in Pittsburgh's Strip market

Sunglasses: Somewhere in Ann Arbor?
Bag: Nine&Co for Kohl's
Earrings: Forever 21
Booties: Love Culture

Rings: Tres Joli and family heirloom
Nails: Maybelline Express Finish "Minty Minty"

Photos: Hakala Imagery

Detail shot on the earrings and manicure:

Please enjoy this final image, wherein I resemble some sort of deranged small child. Happy weekend, everyone!

Splitting at the seams

I will update my blog more than once a month! I will! I will!

This outfit and its accompanying accessories and details are quintessentially grad school. And by that I mean this: they are falling apart. 

This dress is a vintage find from an art fair last summer. I cut out most of the lining because it was completely shredded, but there still is some work to be done (like re-hemming the bottom, fixing the collar, sewing up some holes that are forming under the arms, etc.; I knew I should have listened to my grandmother when she tried to teach me how to sew)... but I couldn't resist wearing it on this crisp autumn day. Though it is frayed and worn, it remains a sight to behold.

I think that I also love it because it reminds me of this Dior number that Rachel Weisz wore at Cannes:

You will notice that my left shoe also looks rather ragged. That's because my parents' dog ate it a couple of years back. These Oxfords are an old souvenir from my two months spent in London, so they are well-loved and well-traveled.

Also, there are few things that I wouldn't do for some time to get my hair cut right now. This is the shaggiest it's been since 2010, and I feel like an old English sheepdog.

Some details:

Dress: Vintage, via Ragstock

Tights: Forever 21
Oxfords: Primark

Typewriter Necklace: ALikelyStory at Etsy

Rings: Tres Joli at Etsy and Grandma's class ring

Hairpiece: ???

Nails: CoverGirl Stay Brilliant "VioLast"

Photographs: Hakala Imagery

The first year of grad school is teeming with holes, I think. I am ever-aware of the holes in my knowledge, holes in my budget, and (with my newly embraced single status) holes in my heart. How fortunate am I to be surrounded by family and friends and mentors equipped with all manner of needle and thread to help mend me.

"I whip my tail back and forth!"

Today's outfit post features a very special guest model. Her name is Willow.

Willow is my roommate's pit bull puppy. She is snuggly, snorty, and sweet... but, as we swiftly discovered, not the best at holding still for pictures. Even when we entice her with promises of toys and treats.

Distracted puppy is distracted.

I had a crappy day yesterday, so I decided to amp up my style to prevent a further mid-week slump. I am a firm believer in the Dolly Levi school of fashion—that is, to put on your Sunday clothes when you feel down and out. Nothing like a shift dress and your favorite heels to kick it up a notch, am I right?

And it worked! I felt cool and confident, and a man on the bus told me that I "belonged in Hollywood." I feel that I will always be a Midwestern gal at heart, but it's the thought that counts.

Blouse: Forever 21

Dress: JC Penney
Shoes: Forever 21
Necklace: ???
Nails: Color Club's "Pardon My French"

Photographs: Hakala Imagery

Ah, Willow. Next time we will do better at this whole picture thing.

Interviews and Opportunities.

I love this orange dress. It makes me feel like a super career woman who can meet deadlines faster than a speeding bullet, and wield her red pen of truth with unyielding precision.

Forget the jewel-toned, elbow-padded power suits that our foremothers wore: this is my power dress.

Today, in between my classes, I had an interview for a graduate position. I felt like I rocked it with my boundless enthusiasm, carefully articulated responses, and well-placed humor. It's amazing what a shift dress, a good home manicure (see my dove gray nails?) and kickin' pair of high heeled oxfords can do for your confidence.

Dress: Dorothy Perkins
Tights: Hue
Shoes: Bongo, via TJ Maxx
Necklace: Forever 21 (Easter gift from my Mum)

Coat: Banana Republic
Scarf: Bought at a cheap import place in Pittsburgh's Strip neighborhood last weekend

PS: Sorry for the grainy pictures! I took them in a hurry so I could bask in the gorgeous weather outside.