Earmuffs: Yay or Nay?

 Is this an awesome alternative to hats, or completely ridiculous? You be the judge.

I Die: Gucci Pre-Fall 2011

I am so happy right now. I have had no inspiration lately. I see all these pictures on Tumblr and in blogs and I'm like "eh..." But then I saw Gucci's Pre-fall 2011 collection, and it's actually giving me something to look forward to. It's very 70's-tastic and perhaps a little Carmen Sandiego inspired.

Which is a good thing, in my opinion.

 

I die.

And I need a hat.

How to Be Chic in Winter: Boots that are Cute

I keep seeing all these spring inspiration posts popping up everywhere, so I better get this series out of the way before winter is totally over!

If you live anywhere where it snows, you need a snow boot. Now, I know what you're thinking. You don't need snow boots, you can get away with regular boots or tennis shoes or whatever. But I say: Why ruin your other shoes? Water, salt, and dirt are terrible for your shoes, so you might as well invest in one pair of nice snow boots that you can wear forever. You might wear them once a winter, you might wear them everyday for a month. But you never know with winter, and you should always be prepared.

Now, if you have a black coat, as I advised, you should also get black snow boots. I know that everyone likes to express their individuality with colors and patterns, but if you're keeping this boot forever, what are the chances that you will be the same individual in a year? Two years? Ten years? Do you really want to have pink snowboots when you're 27? I think not. Individuality is for colorful scarves and beautiful gloves, not snow boots.

Other than that, it's really up to you. I favor taller boots to keep my legs warm, and I like fur accents.

Oh yeah, and I don't like uggs. For more on why uggs are apparently the root of all evil, see this article by Penny Dreadful Vintage. They are not made to be worn outside, they have no arch support, and most importantly, they're just not that cute.

Sorry, I have offended 85% of the female population of my college. Ladies: get a clue.

I have the Gillian snowboots from Aldo ($100). They are super comfortable, super warm, and super cute. However, I would recommend that you order a size down because they run rather large, even wearing two pairs of socks.

Other chic snowboots (please click the picture for a link to the website):

Sorel Joan of Arctic, found on Endless. com for $129.95

Sorel Cate the Great Snowboot, found on Endless.com for $142.50.

Sorel Sorelli Tall Boot, found on Endless.com for $140.

Cougar Ringo Star Waterproof Boot, found on Endless.com for $179.95.

Sporto Ivy Faux Fur Boot, found on Endless.com for $94.95.

The North Face Alana Lifestyle Insulated Boot, found on Endless.com for $165.

I realize that all these boots are a bit expensive, but snow boots are just one of those things you should spend more money on. Like vacuum cleaners. You really get what you pay for. And if you pick out a boot you really like and can really be proud of, then maybe, just maybe, you'll actually be excited to go out in the snow.

Thank you for your time, and please look forward to my next installment when I talk about all other winterwear accessories!

Skins America

I just watched the first episode of American Skins, and I'm just going to go ahead and say it. American accents just aren't as cool. I think it's a strange creative choice to choose to basically remake the first episode of British Skins, but I'm still pretty interested to see where the show goes next. Mostly because of this:

Michelle's fabulous hair! I'm pretty sure this is the future of my own 'do.

What do you think? Of Skins or this hair on me or anything else.

And yes, this is really all I could bother blogging. I'm busy melting my mind with sci-fi and tales of prehistoric Indians of North America.

How to Be Chic in Winter: The Coat

After suffering twenty or so harsh Midwest winters, I think I've finally got the hang of how to be chic during winter. Unfortunately, as I skip across campus in my snowboots, I feel like a lot of people just don't get it. This is unacceptable, in my eyes. I realize that some people might just not care, but if you do, I want to help you. Thus begins my new series "How to be Chic in Winter." It takes some planning and practice, but like riding a bike, you'll never forget.

This first article focuses on the coat. The coat is the centerpiece of your winter wardrobe that all your other pieces will work around. To have a winter wardrobe that truly functions, you need three coats. These three:

1. The black coat

This is your everyday, go-to coat. I understand that some people are more into brown, and I guess that's fine, but black is the best color and here's why: science. Black absorbs sunlight. Thus, you get the maximum amount of warmth from the tiny amount of sunlight that may shine through the grey clouds. Also, black is commonly known as the chicest of colors.

It's important that this coast is AWESOME. It must fit perfectly, be well-constructed, and most importantly, you must LOVE it. You live in this coat. It is your second skin in winter. I think wool is probably the best choice for its material. As Irish and Scottish people have known for many hundreds of years, wool is still warm when it's wet. And it's totally classic.

2. The casual coat

If you've picked your black coat right, you hopefully didn't choose a Northface. I don't have a problem with the Northface brand, but their coats are just too casual to wear every day. You wouldn't want to put on a nice chic outfit and then throw a Northface on over it, would you? The coat does count as a part of your look, after all. I saw this girl walking into a bar yesterday with her hair done, a gold sequin dress, and great heels, but she was wearing a Northface on top of it all. They wouldn't let her into the bar, and I think it was the Northface that did it. Anyhow, what I'm saying is that your everyday coat should be too dressy to wear to the gym. So you need a casual coat, for all your gym/shoveling the driveway/making snowmen needs.

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3. The statement coat. It's important to remember that a coat is a part of your outfit. When you walk into a room, your coat is the first thing everyone sees. If you want to make a statement, you need a statement coat. A bright color or a fun pattern with classic tailoring will suffice. Alternatively, fur is fun. Etsy is a great place to find fabulous vintage coats.

And so on and so forth. If you click the pictures, the link will take you directly to the website where the coat is sold. Good luck on all your shopping adventures. Next up: other winter accessories.

What I Did This Weekend

I realize that as it's Wednesday evening, this post is a little late. You know, blogging takes up a lot of time! And according to a very wise blogger (aka Gem of Gem Fatale), it's more important to read other blogs than to write your own. So, I've been focusing a bit more on getting caught up with my reading. I had like 98 posts on Bloglovin! I'm down to about 20 now. I can't believe how fast that adds up! I'm always finding new blogs that I want to follow and then, obviously, I cannot force myself to unfollow them. It's a tough situation.

I didn't have to go to work today on account of all the snow, so I took the day and did a MASSIVE cleaning in my apartment. I scrubbed floors, vacuumed everything, washed windows, disinfected counters, etc. Our apartment really needed it. There were parts we had never cleaned before, and we've lived here since August! I feel a lot better about life now, but I'm sure it will be messy again in three days.

One reason our apartment was messy was because we had a fabulous birthday party for Carly. She referred to the celebration as the "one year anniversary of turning 21." We had gummy bears soaked in vodka and a variety of other alcoholic treats, all of which led to things getting totally out of control. Do you want to see a few pictures? I know you do!

Obligatory outfit picture: blazer: H&M, leopard print top: H&M, faux leather skirt: Forever 21, party heels: Forever 21

I was really impressed with myself for keeping those heels on most of the night! It was so nice to feel like a normal height for a change...

On the left: I love this photo because it allows me to have a fantasy where I am a 5'11" amazon woman walking on stilts! In reality, my friend here was crouching or sitting or something, I'm not sure. On the right: Z and birthday girl Carly enjoying a laugh.

Me, John Travolta, and Eric. Who is who? I don't know.

Hang on people, I have a really big and important post coming up. Namely, HOW TO LOOK CHIC IN THE WINTER. Yes, it's possible, and I'm going to tell you how...

 

For Once In My Life

Sorry about the lack of updates! I will be back soon, I promise! I've had an awful lot going on with starting school again and my room mate's birthday party. I'm in a class on science fiction and fantasy, and basically have to read a book every week. In addition, I'm in another creative writing class, and I must produce two short stories this quarter. I'm really worried that I used all of my creativity on my last story. What if I can never write again?! I'm also in a class on prehistoric Native Americans of eastern North America (or something like that), and it's really making me want to watch Pocahontas all the time. 

To hold you over, because I'm sure you're so sad, might I present you with the most joyful song of all time?

This song basically requires that you learn the words and sing it at the top of your lungs.

Might I add that Stevie Wonder dances better than those back up dancers, and he's BLIND?! What is wrong with those girls? Get a clue!

Maybe they are also blind...

Enjoy the snow. Winter only comes once a year!

Champagne Superwasted

Happy New Years, everyone! 

If the way we bring in the new year sets the tone for the rest of the year....then this year is going to be rough and possibly bloody. I wouldn't exactly call last night "fun," but it was certainly drunk. I ran in the streets banging pots and spoons together, ripped my pantyhose, cut my leg open, fought, yelled, screamed, yada yada yada. Now I can't find my underwear and I'm wearing someone else's pajama pants! Happy 2011 to me!

It's also me and Eric's two year anniversary! I always knew I'd meet my Prince Eric :)

Here's some pictures from last night:

Shirt: Rag-O-Rama, Hose: Target (RIP), Shoes, Bracelet, Shorts: Forever 21

Can you believe it was this nice on New Years Eve in Ohio?

To whomever used this fire extinguisher: NOT COOL.

Roomies!

 

 

Alright, I'm going to clean out this cut before it gets infected and take another nap. I can't wait to see what else 2011 will bring...