Seemingly Serendipitous Style

Earrings by Dottir

The scarf in my hair perfectly captures all of the colors in my outfit in a fun paint splatter design. 

I did not buy the scarf with this outfit in mind, but when I got dressed and started looking for a scarf to put in my hair, it seemed as though it was always meant to be.

People often ask me if I bought certain perfectly matching items together and let me tell you, that is never the case. I hardly ever shop for full outfits. Instead, I pick out individual pieces that I know will fit in with the rest of my wardrobe. It makes shopping and dressing a lot easier when you have taken the time to define your personal style. For me that means identifying my preferred silhouettes, color palette and fabrics and only incorporating items that fit within those guidelines.

I have found Anuschka Rees' blog to be a great resource in how to define my personal style.

Wine Red Is My Jam

I may have unconsciously made this wine red color the base of my spring palette. Here are some recent examples.

Dottir - Earrings

Lalunette - Necklace

I bought this embroidered, velvet skirt this winter at Bibelot's retirement sale for a very fair price and the vest was purchased recently at my new favorite consignment store, Encore. The vest is part of a set and came with a matching full midi skirt. They are silk and in pristine condition. I couldn't pass them up and I've worn both pieces quite a lot, though I'll probably never wear them together because it's too much fun to mix and match.

I wore this outfit all day and when I went out that night, I changed the pants out for a midi-length pencil skirt in (you guessed it) the same color. The skirt offered a little more warmth on a night when I knew I'd be chillin' outside and the sleek skirt elevated the look from day to night.

Cat Ears

Dottir

My head scarf gave me prominent cat ears and it was what I needed to get through the day.

Also, this scarf with this shirt. 

No, I did not buy them together. Yes, they are almost always worn together because how could you not.

Head Scarf

Dottir

Some days my hair just looks a mess. Sometimes it's because I took a shower the night before and slept on it funny. Other times it's because I tried a new styling technique that did not go according to plan. Whatever the reason, my coiffure isn't always coiffed and on those days I opt for a head scarf. This was one of those days and I think this was one of those outfits that came together perfectly

Favorite Winter Dress

Dottir

Lula

This dress is insane. It's basically a full body sweater so it's super cozy and warm, but it's also knit with metallic gold thread, so it's fancy? It's not terribly flattering either. It's bulky and the white and gold shades wash out my complexion, but when we hit this part of winter, all I want is this dress.

Polar Vortex

We had a very cold week here in Minnesota, so I thought I'd highlight some of the ways I managed not to freeze to death.

I've never worn this huge angora sweater outside of the house before, but I found it necessary on this extra cold day. Sometimes you just need to dress like a bear to feel safe.

Dottir

Ooh whee!

I've lived through all of the cold, mid-western winters that have occurred over the last 35 years, but I don't think I've ever been so afraid of the cold. I'm literally shaking in my boots. You guys, I know everyone is so sick of talking about the Polar Vortex, but it was terrible and I'm not happy about it.

One good thing that has come of all of these cold winters is that I'm very adept at layering. 

People always wonder why I wear skirts and dresses in the winter. I'm always way warmer in skirts than pants because I can easily add layers under a skirt.

Another abysmally cold day and fantastic feat of layering. Can I get another sweater under there? Certainly.

Honorable mention goes to this coat.

I wear it every time temperatures dip below zero

It's very ridiculous and at the same time very necessary.

Every time I put it on, I say "Don't worry, I've got my big coat" and then I do a little dance.

I'm sure by now, after all of the below zero days we've had this season, my friends and family are very sick of my coat announcements, but I don't really care. It's the only happiness I have. 

Lutsen

Dottir

I spent a very cold weekend in Lutsen and wore a couple of versions of this outfit all weekend. 

It's my snow bunny look. 

I don't ski.

Silk Scarves

A fun scarf tied around my neck has always been a favorite way to add interest to an outfit. I used to own a lot of polyester scarves in fun patterns and colors, but I've been slowly replacing all of those polyester scarves with silk. I love the way silk hangs and how it feels against my skin. They're also great for temperature regulation. A silk scarf will keep you warm when you're cold and cool when you're hot. It's a perfect accessory.

Dottir

I've been obsessed with this scarf lately. I've owned it for as long as I can remember, but I've never worn it as much as I've worn it this winter. I guess my newly found love for silk scarves and winter white has brought it to the forefront.

Also, I love these boots with black leggings and a tunic. There's something very 60s about it.  

These Boots Tho

Dottir

After over a year of loving on my brown Spring Step booties, I finally purchased the boots in black and guess what. They're amazing too!! This is my sixth pair of Spring Step shoes and I couldn't recomend them more. 

Skewl Lewks

Dottir Jewelry

I got this sweet shirt at the Minneapolis Vintage Market from Old Gem Vintage. She drew me in with all of the gorgeous white silk and linen items that she had but I didn't walk away with any silk. I did, however, buy this shirt because it was so familiar yet so different at the same time. This 70s men's button up is so reminiscent of my past. I rocked a lot of these shirts in high school and college, but I've never seen a print like this before. The scales skewed my look toward academic. The only accessory I'm missing is an armload of books.

Ode to Experimentation

The following outfits are experimental. While I love experimenting with clothes, it hardly ever results in a perfect outfit. Here are a few examples of what I consider to be flubs:

Dottir

I've had this sweater dress hanging in my closet for over a year now and this is the first time I've worn it. I find the design of this dress to be a little baffling. It's a heavy knit, turtle neck mini dress with cap sleeves. In what climate is this appropriate? I also find the bright orange color to be a little overbearing. Yeah, you heard me right. Overbearing.

I decided to try it out by layering the dress over my trusty, long-sleeved slip dress, some sweater tights and leg warmers. This worked out ok to keep me warm, but I think I overdid it with the colors. If I wear this dress again, I might swap in gray tights for the blue to tone it down a little. 

Lula

Here's another dress that I'm wearing for the first time. I like it a lot layered with this vest, but next time I should rethink the tights and shoes. These red tights were old, with busted out elastic and I spent the entire day pulling them up to my waist where they belong. They are now in the trash, so I have no choice but to wear different tights the next time I try this outfit. As for sandals in January...I don't know, we all make mistakes.

Jovy Rockey

How many turtlenecks are too many turtlenecks? I think the answer might be two.

What's the Point?

I sat down to work on this blog post full of outfits from 2 months ago and I found the whole process to be excruciating. I just didn't want to do it. The thought of lugging my laptop, keyboard and mouse (it's a whole embarrassing setup) down to the scanner in the basement made my stomach turn and the thought that I was going to post outfits from November when it's almost February made me feel like a huge slacker.

I ended up taking photos of the sketches with my phone and I'm posting them even though they're old because I like these outfits and I wanted to share them.

The moral of the story is that I don't care anymore, but I still care so much.

It's confusing being me.

When the Victoria Bekham for Target line came out last Spring, I nearly crapped my pants with excitement. How could I resist all of those bright candy colors, bold floral designs and boxy 60s silhouettes? After trying on everything I could get my hands on, I went home with one black dress. First of all, everything was huge. I normally wear a large and found I was swimming in a medium. It was exhausting trying everything on multiple times because I couldn't figure out what size I should be wearing. I also thought that most items were overpriced for what they were: novelty/showy items that I'll probably wear once. I'm glad that I only bought the one dress because I love it and have worn it several times, in multiple seasons and I even incorporated it into a Halloween costume. 

No, I am not wearing that dress in this drawing, but I am wearing one of those boxy 60s inspired blouses that I chose not to buy at full price from Target. I found it at Everyday People this Fall and was not surprised how quickly these items were showing up in thrift shops. It's a very spring/summer top, so to make it more appropriate for Fall I wore it with school pride. This is pretty much the look I was rocking this Fall. Bright school/team colors worn with preppy flair. Rah rah, sis boom bah!

Dottir

I wore this sweater a lot this fall. I love it's full-on 80s appeal and that bright green color really fit in with my Fall 2017 look.

Dottir

Olive on olive. Boy, do I love olive...with gold. Oh yeah...

Ah hah! Another thrifted Victoria Bekham for Target shirt! I didn't buy this one for full price because I'm not really into collarless shirts. I have worn it successfully collarless, as it is, but I'm also a professional when it comes to layering, so many times you'll see me rocking it with another collared shirt underneath, like so.

Catching Up 3/4

For the entire year of 2017, I've been tired. It seemed that all of the energy that I used to have for anything in my life was completely zapped and anything I had left was used in an effort to stay afloat. So here I am posting outfit drawings from nearly a year ago. Hey, they're still relevant, right?

The following outfits show me embracing blue, a color that is under appreciated by me.

Dottir

Poppy

Half Pint

Hey! It's my Birthday! Happy Birthday to me (last year)!

I celebrated by going out for a nice civilized dinner with some friends and family and then turned the tables completely by forcing everyone into the Otter for some raucous karaoke. Good times.

Dottir

Poppy

Lalunette

necklace drawn, but not listed on drawing. (sorry Rose)

This dress is one of my favorites. It's very comfy. It's made of soft, stretchy fabric and the fact that it's a wrap makes it easy to wear. It's very pretty. I don't usually like floral prints or roses, but the color scheme on this dress is lovely enough to make up for it. It's versatile. I've worn it in every season. I've worn it casually and to fancy events. 

Long story short, this dress is amazing.

Ooh!! I love this one! Definitely gonna wear something like this again this Winter!

Dottir

Poppy

Handmade by Kristina

This post is just bursting with quality goods from two of my favorite stores. 

I know I've talked at length about how great I think Poppy is. They're a local boutique specializing in whimsical, wearable, on trend clothing and accessories. I can't go in there without buying something and I've never regretted a purchase that I've made.

Dottir is a jewelry maker and friend of mine who makes exquisitely unique jewelry made mainly out of brass, silver and leather. I wear her earrings often and always receive compliments. She does not have a physical store, but you can find her beautiful jewelry at the following places:

The Golden Rule

I Like You

Patina

Walker Shop

Dottir Shop (her website)

Catching Up 1/4

For the entire year of 2017, I've been tired. It seemed that all of the energy that I used to have for anything in my life was completely zapped and anything I had left was used in an effort to stay afloat. So here I am posting outfit drawings from nearly a year ago. Hey, they're still relevant, right?

All of the outfits in this post are mainly colorless, which I find fitting, considering my state of mind.

This vest used to be a big shapeless tunic made out of flax or something. I had the sleeves removed and it's still big and shapeless, but I like it better this way.

Lalunette

One of my favorite winter outfits right here. I love everything about it. The layering, the black and tan color combo, the mixed materials, the proportions. 

10/10, would wear again.

Yes, yes yes! I want to wear this tomorrow!

Dottir

This is a very classic winter look for me. If I had a uniform, it'd look a lot like this.

This reminds me that this shirt has a rip in it that I need to mend. 

Thanks outfit drawing from my past! You're a real help!

Lipstick Obsession

I've been super into lipstick lately, so much so that I've been avoiding the drug store because I can't seem to leave Walgreens without buying a tube. This week's drawings all include a face (a rarity) because I thought it was significant what shade I was wearing with my outfit.

Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink - Voyager

I've been loving classic colors this fall. School or team colors like red, green, navy, yellow, etc. This outfit is a great example of my current fall style. I love wearing this 70s jacket with these navy blue bell bottoms. The jacket is red, green, white and navy plaid, which could scream Christmas, but I think that when I highlight the blue with the rest of my outfit, the color combo works. 

Revlon Pearl Lipstick - Violet Frenzy

I LOVE this outfit! I have no need to dress like this at work, but sometimes it just makes me feel good to look professional.

Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink - Voyager

This sweater is something that I got at a clothing exchange and I'm still trying to decide if I like it. It's a tad small, but I love the color and the mock turtle neck. Unfortunately, it only works when tucked in. 

I wore this skirt backwards because it looks sleeker that way. That means that the pockets and fly are in the back, but no one seemed to notice anything amiss. Unless it's all happening behind my back.

Lalunette

Revlon Creme Lipstick - Va Va Violet

I'm loving on this color combo. This outfit was a hit, but it was like 20 degrees that day and I wore sandals.

Idiot.

Dottir

Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink - Voyager

This crop top is new. I've worn it twice since I got it and I think it's going to become a versatile piece in my wardrobe.

Festive Holiday Style

Here's to layering! I love this white dress, but it's oh so summery and the neckline is a bit low for work-wear. To get around those two hurdles and wear this dress to work in December, I layered the dress with a sleeveless, mock-turtle neck swing dress that is the same length and voila! Instant coverage from the cold and the oglers. This is also a bold combination when it comes to pattern mixing. The red plaid combined with the star burst pattern is a lot to take in and my coworker said that I looked like Punky Brewster but I decided to take that as a compliment.

I wore this for a a performance with my choir at the Fitzgerald theater. This is the second time that I've worn this dress and the second time that the dress has ripped in the armpit. I was able to patch the tear up the first time, but it might be torn beyond repair at this point. I must have a larger upper body than the average 60s woman because this is where my close fitting vintage dresses always get torn. So sad.

I had been envisioning this outfit ever since I bought this skirt at My Sister's Closet last year. The skirt is made out of a heavyweight velvet fabric and the bottom half of the skirt is adorned with many embellishments. It's very lush and beautiful, but it's not entirely versatile. It's a winter party skirt and that's about all it is. This skirt reminds me how much I dislike ugly Christmas sweater parties because I don't want to wear ugly clothes to a party. Never have, never will. I want to wear this skirt, dammit! And I don't have many opportunities. While I still have not had the opportunity to wear this skirt to a Christmas party, I chose to wear it out to dinner with my in-laws and to see my husband perform with Nicholas David at the Pantages Theater and it was just lovely.

On this particular Sunday, my husband and I were invited to a number of Holiday parties. I know what you're thinking. "Why didn't you wear your damn skirt, Anna?" Well, I put the outfit with the skirt on and while I was still in my house, I couldn't stop shivering. It was so cold this weekend that the people of Minnesota were advised not to leave their homes. But we're hearty Minnesotans and we had plans, so I changed my outfit to what you see here and I think it's perfect. I've got on many layers of silk and wool and I even threw on a fur stole under my coat for extra warmth and glamour. In my opinion, this outfit was even better than my fantasy Christmas party outfit. It's still got the richness that the velvet skirt has, but it's warm and cozy and comfortable too.

This is what I wore on Christmas after spending the day cooking for my family. I thought it would be nice if we got dressed up and enjoyed the delicious beef tenderloin that I had prepared. My husband, however, had other ideas. I had to fight him tooth and nail to put pants on. This is my life, people.

I don't know why, but I always wear black on New Year's Eve. I also always wear a fur of some kind. And glitter! Lots and lots of sparkly glitter!

A Familiar Silhouette

Ever since midi skirts came back into favour, this has been a go to silhouette for me. I love a midi skirt, in any cut, but I especially love a midi-length pencil skirt. There's something so sleek about it. It's sexy and modest at the same time. I know not everyone is comfortable wearing this look, but if you have long legs, I recommend you give it a try.

Dottir

LaLunette

Here's a blast from the past. Can you believe I haven't posted anything since May? Time flies when you're having fun or whatever. 

This vintage jumper has seen better days. It buttons all the way up the front and most of the button holes are wrecked or the fabric where the buttons are secured is wrecked. Either way it's kinda wrecked and held together with safety pins. In fact most of my clothes are held together in some fashion by safety pins. 

Since the election, there is a new movement of wearing a safety pin to show support for the vulnerable. I've worn one on my lapel, like the masses do, but mostly what I'm thinking is, this is going to come in handy when my skirt inevitably rips up the back seam. All I'm saying is, I've always worn safety pins, not as a political statement or as an accessory, but as a useful tool. So, if you're ever in need of a safety pin or an ally, I'm your girl.

UP6 Vintage

Poppy

Here's a vest that I thought I'd wear more often than I do. I'll have to work on getting that back into rotation now that it's layering season again.

So, I bought this dress from UP6 when they were having their moving sale. I also bought a crazy Saved By the Bell era yellow and black stripey cropped jacket that I have yet to make work. This was during my black and yellow phase that I'm still really into. Anyway, the day that I wore this dress, I went over to a friend's house to hang out and when I walked in the door, everyone pointed at me with mouths agape. This was not the greeting that I was expecting. Apparently, my friend Jeanette had gone to the sale that same day, tried on this dress and seriously contemplated buying it. This is my friend who I have never seen wearing anything other than jeans and a hoodie. When I heard this story, all I wanted to do was take the dress off and offer it to her because in my opinion, there's nothing better than a super cute dress that makes you feel like you're wearing jeans and a hoodie. Actually, it's even better because it's basically a calf length t-shirt and you don't have to wear pants...and isn't that the American dream?

I Like You

New favorite outfit for sure. Serioulsy, if this whowhatwear line from Target keeps pumping out midi-length pencil skirts with my name all over them, I'm going to have to stop going to Target. Maybe that's a good idea anyway.

March is a Fickle Friend

Earrings by Dottir

Necklace by Lalunette

Today was a beautiful day and I did my best to honor it with my outfit. Here's to no socks, light layers, and sunshiny yellow!

The shoes I'm wearing are exactly like a pair of moccasins I had when I was a little girl. The pair I'm wearing now are a few sizes larger and a few shades whiter, but they're pretty much the same.

proof that I was once a little girl and that I had tiny shoes

I think I rocked these mocs everyday for at least one summer

Remember yesterday? Well, today is nothing like that. 

It's cold and it probably snowed or wintry mixed or something. 

I made myself feel better by wearing this lovely wool jacket and a hat all day. I felt a bit like a 1970s reporter and that's fun.

I wore this beautiful turquoise necklace today and yesterday and when I did these drawings, I couldn't remember where it had come from. Once I remembered, I got sad because it came from a beautiful boutique that is no longer open. BNOX was located on the Mississippi river in Pepin, WI about a block down from the Harbor View Cafe. If you've never been to the the Harbor View, make it a point to get there some weekend this summer. Trust me, it's worth an hour+ drive down the river from the cities. Anyway, I used to meander over to this jewelry shop after dinner and ogle the things I couldn't afford, sometimes buy something I could and almost always pick up a new soap rock. Now all I do when I'm through with dinner is cry into my wine...I mean relax in an adirondack chair overlooking the Mississippi.