Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Living the Etown dream

For the past few days, I've been hanging out in Etown, not doing much besides playing (dominating at?) bar trivia, drinking beer, and eating breakfast with Gregg. Jordan's house doesn't have air conditioning, so I've mostly been rocking simple sun dresses and the romper, but yesterday I managed to pull an outfit together and live through the heat.
Gregg took my pictures, requested that I didn't mention that he took them, and then changed his mind to insisting that I mention he was the photographer after I pouted about it for a while.

I like how classic and sweet the outfit is with pink lace, a simple denim skirt, and the cream flats. To keep it a little interesting, I layered the lace shirt with my favorite stripes, for some nice pattern mixing. Skirt: Thrifted (by Erin), Kerrisdale Salvation Army
Black and white tank top: Target
Lace tank top: Target
Shoes: Charlotte Russe

Tomorrow is back to the air conditioning and some nice layered outfits. xoxo Anna Rae

Rainbow Brite, PhD Student

Today's outfit just called for a grassy knoll and luckily UBC was able to oblige. This dress is all about colour and 1980s cartoon pop culture references: the perfect counterpart to the 1780s unpop culture work I was doing today.

I picked up on the boldest colours of the dress in my belt, shoes, and cardigan to try to embrace the crazy without overpowering it.To continue the dress-focus I chose my go-to oversized pearl studs for some semblance of subtlety.
I think this dress is going to become a summer staple-- it's like fabric Prozac.
Dress: Thrifted, Turnabout Consignment
Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft
Shoes: Zellers
Earrings: The Bay
Belt: Vintage via Etsy
Thanks for the pictures Mike!


Tuesday, June 29, 2010

In The Garden

As Anna already mentioned in my introduction, I'm a big fan of a bold print-- the picture above is print exhibit A (soon to be followed in subsequent posts by exhibits B-Z). I usually try to make the print stand out by pairing it with basics like jeans and a metallic shoe:

I have multiple pairs of silver, pewter, and gold shoes because I find them the most versatile shoes to pair with practically anything. They are much more fun than a plain neutral plus they satisfy my inner magpie.

And this necklace? It also keeps the magpie from getting cranky.
Blouse: Nanette Lepore (Ebay)
Jeans: Paige Premium (Ebay)
Necklace: Joe Fresh (The Real Canadian Superstore)
Shoes: Steven by Steve Madden (Zappos.com)



Monday, June 28, 2010

Loving the Romper Too Much

I love my new romper so much that I decided to wear it as a shirt. My mom took these pictures before the sunset while we were eating on the patio of a restaurant, which embarrassed her, so they were snapped pretty quick.
A few things to note: I'm not sure if you can see the headband I'm wearing or not, but Elana gave it to me and it's beautiful. Also, I love the way the tiny pattern on the shirt (romper) is mixed with the big pattern on the skirt.

Romper: Target
Skirt: Purr
Sweater: Thrifted, Value Village
Headband: Gfited, Elana
Shoes: Thrifted, St. Mary's Church Hospital

I'm going to Etown for the next few days, but hopefully I'll be able to post some outfits anyway. xoxo Anna RAe

Thursday, June 24, 2010

If you can't sew, fold.

As you may recall from previous posts, I tend to alter my clothes not with sewing but with folding. Today's outfit is no exception.
I believe the last time I wore this dress, I spent most of the post gushing about how much I loved it, how I wore it to so many of my favorite things last summer, how it was beautiful and sweet and everything a dress should be. Well, the problem with taking pictures of all of your outfits so that you notice when your clothes don't fit you properly. This dress, while amazing, is also ill-fitting. Another person may have taken it to the tailor or altered it themselves, but no, I instead folded the top over and turned it into a lovely skirt (with the slight problem of the dress's boning making the skirt poof out a bit).
Now, seriously, I think this outfit makes me look taller. I also think it's pretty adorable. I liked the way the navy shirt looked with the coral and decided that, since I've now learned dresses as skirts often need belts, I would improvise a belt with some navy ribbon.
The overexposed shot really highlights the bow, doesn't it?
The umbrella wasn't a prop, I took these photos in the middle of a downpour, moments after the thunder and lightening subsided. I know it looks sunny, but it wasn't. I promise.

Dress as skirt: H&M
Shirt Charlotte Russe
Ribbon tied as belt: Dress Sew
Shoes: Target
Umbrella: The Umbrella Store, Granville Island, Vancouver

On Saturday, my mom and I are having our dresses for the wedding tailored. Hopefully the visit will inspire me to learn how to do more complex alterations -- the kind that involve needles and thread. xoxo Anna Rae

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Pretty in Pink

Let's start this post off with something I haven't had in quite some time -- new shoes! I bought these lovely flats for an interview that I had on Monday, and I'm a little bit in love. I bought them on Saturday and wore them Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.
The dental hygienist, aside from telling me I had lovely teeth, told me she really liked this outfit. So that's a mark in the win column.
This outfit is a little bit on the uncreative side, but I just bought this lace tank from Target and I wanted to wear it immediately.
When I first bought this skirt, I really wanted to wear it under a long white lace button-down, like the one Cher wears in Clueless. So far, this is the closest that I can find. I should probably try it over a white oxford shirt.
I really like the way the lace looks over both the shirt and the skirt.
Shirt: Wet Seal
Tank top: Target
Skirt: AE
Shoes: Charlotte Russe
(I'm really dressing like a 15-year-old girl these days, aren't I?)

And, if you weren't already super excited about it, let's just talk about how Erin is now a regular on the Tights that Bind. Welcome Erin! Libby, we miss you. Stop by again someday. xoxo Anna Rae

Welcome to Typical


Well hello there! For my first official post I thought I would keep it basic: black + white +bright colour. That combo, and a jeans/flats/cardigan framework, is pretty much one of the central building blocks of my wardrobe. As much as I would hate to return to my high school uniform (there is nothing worse than itchy kilts!) having a bit of a system makes dressing easier.

I think there is no such thing as too much back and white, and will layer it in an outfit in as many variations as possible, especially in accessories.

Here are the details:
Jeans (Paige Premium) and Top (Ann Taylor): both eBay
Ballet Flats: The Bay (Expression, their 'house' brand)
Cardigan: Gap
Sunglasses: Joe Fresh, The Real Canadian Superstore
Enamel Necklace and Cuff: Vintage via Etsy

Monday, June 21, 2010

Figthin' Planets Part II

The part II of the Mars Fashion Show is also part II of my favorite stripes and florals. A summery update of this outfit.I really love the breton stripes with this particular skirt, so once I bought these summer stripes, I knew I had to pair them together.
And I added my bow because, well, when doesn't a bow make an outfit better.
Shirt: Real Canadian Superstore
Skirt: Gabes, Urban Outfitters
Shoes: AE
Hair bow: Hot Topic

This weekend, I spent hours looking pretty enough for my BB Dakota dress but failed to take any pictures of myself. Hopefully, I'll have an occasion to wear it again soon and post some pictures. xoxo Anna Rae



Friday, June 18, 2010

Adventures with Self Timers

Today, my mom was on a strict cookie baking schedule, which left little time for photographer duties. Instead, I set up camp at the basement sets and used the air conditioner as a makeshift tripod for some self-timed shots.
I was excited to show off my new Breton stripes -- a recent Target buy, and thought they should be matched with my prettiest floral skirt. This skirt desperately needs a belt or some altering, since it's always about an inch below where it should be.
I found these shoes in my closet -- a last minute Mom purchase for a wedding that I had to attend during my second year of college. I think they add nicely to the whimsy.
The shoes with the detailed trimming on the bottom of the skirt are so lovely together. I can't imagine when I'd have any real use for these, though, since they're mostly slippers.
This last shot is far too zoomed in (we are after all only in the experimental stages of self timers), but I thought it was a nice glimpse of the mountains.
Skirt: Thrifted by Erin, Salvation Army (I believe)
Shirt: Target
Shoes: Charlotte Russe

The best news of the day is that I went to the mall and discovered that Macy's sells the nude fishnets that I love the most. Also, colored Hue tights were $2 a pair. Expect to see some of those in the near (air-conditioned) future. xoxo Anna Rae

Romping Around

Well, readers, I bought a romper.
I was initially against the rompers (especially after some unsuccessful try-ons), but I tried this one on at Target after a few pretty muggy days and decided it was absolutely necessary for Western PA summers.
Today was actually pretty chilly, so I wore it with this denim button-up, which I thought added a nice bit of structure to the outfit.
The oxfords may seem an odd choice, especially since the romper is made for 90 degree weather and oxfords are not, but they were both so retro-y that I thought they'd look so lovely together.
Also, I love the delicate floral pattern. So sweet and summery.
And the best news -- I think the romper has invigorated a love of the word romp and all its varied and sometimes dirty meanings.

Romper: Target
Denim shirt: the Real Canadian Superstore
Sunglasses: the Real Canadian Superstore
Shoes: Thrifted, the St. Mary's Hospital Thrift Store

And a special thanks to my momma for not being mad when I nearly broke the diamond thing on the deck during my posing. Blogging is dangerous work. xoxo Anna Rae

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Fightin' Planets (Part I)

For the past few days, I've been in Mars, PA, home of the Fightin' Planets, visiting family. One of the advantages of having younger cousins is that you can easily convince them to engage in hour-long photo shoots with multiple outfit changes. So, the first in a three part series -- What I Wore on Tuesday.Unfortunately, we started taking pictures at about 11 at night, which means they're all inside with some questionable lighting.
The dress is actually a skirt that I've pulled up and tied with the tie that should go around the top of the skirt. When you're visiting your family in 90 degree weather, thoughts one through twenty should be comfort.
I think the outfit would have worked better with a more structured belt, but since they're still en route, I'll just have to make do. Fashion improv!
This was really the "Come and Knock on my Door" series, as we stood outside Rachel's room while she tried to adjust lighting for the photos and kept reminding us to not photograph the inside of her bedroom. Don't worry, I told her, I just love a door frame.
I really wish this doorbell worked, but Rachel disconnected it after Julie rang it too much. And, note the necklace, already a summer staple.

Skirt (as dress): Gifted by Aunt Angie at a going out of business sale during one of our mall trips
Shoes: Thrifted, Value Village
Cardigan: Old Navy
Necklace: the Real Canadian Superstore

Look out for parts II and III. xoxo Anna Rae


Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Not Quite What Would Emma Pillsbury Wear

It's really hard to care about how you're dressed when you know that you'll be stuck at home for the day, with maybe the brief excursion to buy a latte when your mom comes home from work so you can borrow her car. So, if this outfit seems a little uninspired, I'm sorry. Don't blame me, blame the suburbs.This is the first time I've worn this dress without tights and I was a bit inspired by Rachel Berry's styling in the finale of Glee when she wore hers with knee socks. That girl loves a knee sock. Anyway, I thought maybe if less of the bottom of my leg was showing, my legs would look shorter, making the dress look longer. Is this illogical? Most likely.
Also, any reason to wear dress socks with these amazing oxfords. I was wearing a different jean dress earlier in the day, but I liked the structure of this dress with the structure of the shoes better.
Dress: Charlotte Russe
Socks: Gifted, Mom&Dad
Shoes: Thrifted, St. Mary's Hospital Thrift Store

Is the simple Rachel Berry take on the dress better than my usual pairings with tights, layered tights, or mixed patterns? I'm going to say no, but I do love clutter, so maybe I should let you decide. xoxo Anna Rae

Monday, June 14, 2010

Ladies Who Lunch

Well, I didn't do a great job documenting my outfits over the weekend, mostly because I got lipstick on my shirt on Friday, and I didn't dress appropriately for the weather on Saturday and just felt gross and muggy -- not the ideal feeling for photo documentation.

I do, however, has some photos of my bridal shower outfit. The shower was a luncheon, so I thought a floral dress and cardigan (since restaurants are always freezing in the summer) would be most appropriate. Turns out, I was on the same page as most of the bridesmaids, which always seems like a bit of a success when dressing for an occasion.
I don't know what happened to the lighting in this first picture, but I really, really love it. A little bit hazy and vintage, I think it's actually the humidity shining through. These tights were maybe a little bit of a fail from the Real Canadian Superstore. The fishnet was far too big and they were a bit uncomfortable. Oh well, just another excuse for some more tight shopping (maybe an online We Love Colors splurge?).
The jewelry of my outfit was a big hit, a present from Jane to remind me of the ocean once I left the Pacific Northwest. I have to say, even though it was great to see so much family yesterday, I miss the West Coast.

Dress: C'est La Vie consignment shop on Main Street
Necklace and Earrings: Gifted, Jane
Sweater: Thrifted, Value Village
Tights: The Real Canadian Superstore
Shoes: AE

The shower was really lovely, but its greatest success was the bow bouquet for Emily to use during the rehearsal. Michelle, another bridesmaid, and I were responsible for it during the gift opening, and it's probably the best bouquet ever made. I'll clearly post a picture as soon as I find one. xoxo Anna Rae