rain, rain, go away

 [romper: Target, raincoat:Paris...?, tights: Target, 

sunglasses: Forever 21, shoes: The Lucky Penny]

Of course, since I got back from Wilmington, it's been nothing but rain.  So today I pulled out a rain jacket that the sister and I bought a couple years ago when we went to Paris.  It was over the summer, making the jacket a perfect weight for this weather.  And another pull out of the back of my closet, or rather the back of my trunk.  I had originally thought I lost them after only wearing them once!  I love finding long lost clothes.

You people may be asking, "why is she wearing sunglasses if it's raining?" And that my friends is a fantastic question.  I actually have no rational explanation for that question.  I just bought them and I wanted to wear them!  I guess I could also use the excuse that this blog is called Shoes, Sunglasses, & Giraffes.  One more thing, my dog is temporarily replacing the giraffe while I save up the money.  They get pretty pricey, people.

a blazer makes it official

As promised, I've got an outfit post for you all!  Not quite so traditional, it was really different shooting pictures inside. I was also working with a new photographer, who is obviously awesome to be able to make me look not absolutely ridiculous.

Since it's been quite a bit warmer lately, I pulled out one of my favorite light lacey dresses... but here's the exciting part: WITHOUT TIGHTS!  I know, I'm wild.  And with the help of one of the roommates, I made it semi appropriate for the season with the navy blue blazer.  I think in the past week, I have worn a blazer with ever single outfit.  It's becoming an obsession.  I was also extremely excited to wear my new yellow nail polish!  Be prepared to cover your eyes from bright nail polish through out the spring.

 

 With the photographer!  Isn't she just the bomb.com. 

[blazer: borrowed, Forever 21, dress: Target, booties: H&M]

I'll be heading to Wilmington for the next couple days where I'm so excited to visit with friends and go shopping at some of my favorite places!  I'm hoping I'll be able to fit a post in or two, but you can definitely expect plenty of pictures.

I wanna be just like you

As I was internet "surfing" (pause: is that really a term used in today's American jargon, or just thought to be used by French 1 text books?), I found along the way a picture of Alexa Chung.  I could not think of anything to do except add it to my ever growing folder of inspiration pictures on my desktop.  But as I then was curious to look back through this same folder, I discovered numerous other pictures I had saved of Ms. Chung as outfit inspirations.  Conclusion: I want to dress be just like Alexa Chung.

So, to make this easier, for you not me, I'm giving you a list of the reason why I do, and why you should want to be just like her too.
#1: She looks hilarious.  And she actually is funny.  We Americans only got a small taste of her comedy with MTV's It's On With Alexa Chung.

#2: Her menswear inspired outfits that still hint at femininity.  I love the oxfords, blazers, neck ties.

#3: She designed a line for Madewell, already one of my favorite stores.  Now everything just needs to cost $40, maximum.  Or I could just make $1 million a year.  Either works for me.

#4: She brings whimsy into her outfits.  She's not fifty-something and there fore should not be expected to have seriously boring outfits.  Although honestly, she'll probably end up being the Diane Keaton of our generation as far as fashion goes.

#5: She'll be hosting a new show on PBS called Thrift America, and let's face it, everyone should learn how to thrift in America better with this lovely las from across the pond.

This next week, you can count on me wearing every blazer, neck tie, and pair of oxfords that I own. And possibly trying to be more whimsically hilarious.  I'll get back to you on how that second one turns out.

life on the red carpet is good

No, I did not attend the Golden Globes-- that's next year that I'll be nominated.  However, I did receive an invitation to a semi-formal which one of the roommates was also going to.  Our only wish was that our honorary roommates and the other roommate could have gone with us.  Still, we were treated like celebrities getting our hair and make up done.  Best part, it was FREE!  This is simply due to the fact that our friends are just more talented than anybody else's.  Sorry anybody else.  We didn't get too many shots but here are a few of the final outcomes.


Although I continued to joke the entire night that I personally dyed the fabric and sewed it together to make my dress, I sadly did not.  It was another find from a local boutique in Boone, The Lucky Penny.  It is the best.  Because I have never particularly loved asymmetrical or at least felt that it looked good on me, I didn't expect to like this when I pulled it off the rack.  And being a lover of color, I had to find some way to put some in this outfit too.  Enter firetruck red lipstick.

**Awesome tip from our personal make up artist: put a bit of foundation on your lips and let it dry before putting on any lipstick.  Or you can just go over it with clear gloss and it will give you great nude lips.

  [dress: The Lucky Penny, bracelet/cuff: borrowed, shoes: borrowed]

so this is what sunshine looks like

A while back, I posted some pictures from a shoot for one of the roommates' portfolio; she is an apparel and textiles major (my minor) here at Appalachian and she is extremely good at it- or at least I think so and that's all that counts, right? 

 As I looked through these photos, meanwhile hiding out in the apartment from the bit of Antarctica that has taken residence in Boone, I was reminded of a brighter and sunnier time.  It's called summer.  Or maybe early fall?  Still, even though I don't look as good as a vampire this pale and the simple act of getting dressed is exhausting due to the layers required, it is good to be back in the snow.  Hopefully there will be future posts showing the use of my multiple pairs of new boots I'm getting extremely good use out of.

One last thing, you may notice a lack of recognition to the locations I bought my clothing.  That would be because a majority of the clothing is made by the ridiculously talented roommate!  Good news for everyone: she has an Etsy site so you can still shop here.  Do it!

Cheese, Cheese, & Cheese

As I'm sure the rest of the blogs of the world are doing, I've come up with several things that I am going to attempt to complete/ do over the period of the next 365 days-- or I guess 364 days.  I guess I better step on my list. 
Last year (2010) I did a couple new things, some that worked out great, some not so much.  These things included but were not limited to:

1. transferring to Appalachian State University (worked)
2. dying my hair brown (didn't)
3. dying my hair back to blond (worked)
4. started a blog (still working on that one)
5. started running
6. moved into my own apartment with some awesome roommates (i hope it worked)

So my list for this year (2011, for those of you who forgot the year as their attention was more focused on watching Snookie like a hamster inside the clear plastic dropping ball of the MTV New Year) includes but once again is not limited to the following:

1. run a half marathon (that's 13.1 miles, people)
2. get a summer internship in the fashion industry- if anyone wants to help me out on that one, I'm open to anything
3. go on a road trip with just my sister and brother
4. read 20 new books that I haven't read yet
5. go to new york

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I've only been back for a week from school for Christmas break, and it has already been packed with activities, shopping, and catching up with old friends.  Who would have thought my busyness (I spell it this way so you don't confuse it with business, but are they actually spelled the same? I don't know)  would increase over a so-called "break".  But before I left Boone, and before it snowed 12 inches, one of the lovely friends helped me out and took some pictures. 
I would like to draw special attention to the shoes.  I don't know if everyone loves them, but I worked very hard for these shoes.  I love these shoes.  And this blazer.  It is deceivingly warm, hence my love for it in the cold Boone weather. 

 

[shirt: Gap, blazer: Jcrew, skirt: Forever 21, tights: Target, shoes: The Lucky Penny, necklace: borrowed-- thanks tay!]

 

Hopefully I will finally get into somewhat of a schedule as I get more chances to dress up and take pictures over the holidays!  And definitely look out for a sequel to my puppy post.