30 for 30, Almost Makeup-Free, and MoMA

As the title of this post says, I went almost completely makeup-free today. The skincare regimen I’ve been on has been working quite well and sometimes I like to give my face a break. On any given day, I typically wear concealer, blush, mascara, eyebrow shadow (?), and something on my lips. Often, I also use foundation, loose or pressed powder, eyeliner, and/or eyeshadow. So on weekends, sometimes I won’t put any makeup on if I’m not going out, and if I do, the only two essentials for me (meaning I’d be very embarrassed to be seen without them) are concealer and blush–which I’m wearing today. If I were picking a third “essential” makeup item it would be mascara, but it’s not a huge deal for me to go without that. I just look a little sleepier.

My thoughts on today’s outfit:

I’ve noticed that I tend to use red a lot in this challenge (a red cardigan, a heavier red sweater, a red coat, red shoes, this red scarf, red lipstick, red nails…) often pairing it with black and white, gray and white, or other neutral combos. I’m not sure why I gravitate toward red. I don’t think I’ve ever considered it to be particularly flattering (or unflattering), I guess I just like it in general. Although as I write this, I remember an old family friend and I recently discussing my stylish late grandmother after I put up some old photos on Facebook.

A: Your grandmother! I loved this women. Being in that back room of her apartment always felt like a new york day dream. You definitely share in her impeccable design taste!
Me: That makes me so happy! Of course so few people I know now met her, so I love that you remember that. Thank you ♥
A: girrrrl that zebra print with white,red, and black furniture accents… who could forget :)

That conversation really did make me so happy. Anyway, point of the story is, white, red, and black is my blood. I think I even decorated my room in that color scheme when I was in about sixth grade, using a lot of decor from my grandmother.

This is the perfect, unplanned segue into the other thing I wanted to talk about today. MoMA. The fantastic items for sale on the Museum of Modern Art website. I am swooning over this stuff, much of it priced pretty affordably (alright, that’s relative since I can’t afford much of anything right now…but a lot of it isn’t crazy expensive), and many of these pieces remind me of my grandmother’s style as well. Note that MoMA members get lower prices than what I’ve listed too.

This book cover looks like some framed art prints my grandmother had up in her apartment. Most likely they were actually pages from magazines. She was good like that.

One Hundred Years of Fashion Illustration, $40

This list isn’t all grandmother-inspired, though. Just stuff I love. Like, say, this red scarf that is actually not affordable at all but is, I think, stunningly beautiful. Lord knows I’d wear it constantly (see my love of red accessories, above).

Sculptural Flower Scarf, $145

Ultra-flat Multicolor Wall Clock, $40

Conceal bookshelf, $15
This would be so perfect near my bed.

So would this:

MUJI Steel Pipe Side Table, $88

Herman Miller Summer Picnic Framed Prints, $110 (limited availability) and giclée reproduction of the 1951 work Gesund Und Gut Mit Butter, starting at $25
Because I love food + art. And I am indeed a Butterton.

Set of 4 Govino Wine Glasses (actually made out of plastic), $12
These might actually be a Christmas gift to Patrick. Shh.

30 for 30, Day 16. Or: Beauty is Pain, Excruciating Pain. Or: These Boots Ain’t Made For Walkin’.

Ah, sweet naivete. Look at my content face in these pictures. Not a clue as to what I was in for.

I’m not the most graceful person in heels but these boots have three inch stacked ones, not exactly super tall stilettos. Little did I know (well, actually I just forgot) that on top of holding office hours, meeting with my adviser, and TAing–we’ll pretend that’s a verb–I also needed to pick up student evaluations from three separate buildings on campus. And then return them. I also have a pretty long walk to and from the bus stop. By the end of the day I was taking pitiful baby steps, trying to shift my weight off the balls of my feet, and doing my best to suppress the grimaces that were undoubtedly scaring people out of my path. I am so never making that mistake again. Give me flats, or give me death. Because heels + extensive walking will kill me.

I tried to channel this video but found it impossible to relax my hips and knees without having wobbly ankles. I wonder if anyone around me noticed as I attempted various methods of, you know, walking. I tried to glide, I really tried.

Other details about today’s outfit? Apparently the office manager in my department not only has the same skirt, but she got it at a consignment store like I did. And the jacket is thrifted as well. Glad I finally got to wear it. The temperature was very mild when I left the house today so I put away the scarf I’d intended to wear, not wanting to be ridiculously over-dressed for the weather (not that it would be the first time). But by this evening when I was waiting for the bus for what felt like eons, after just missing it as usual, I was pretty chilly and will definitely plan accordingly tomorrow.

PS I am currently listening to the first Christmas music of the year.

30 for 30: What day is this? 13?

So I had several 30 for 30 days that I did not get pictures of during the Thanksgiving holiday, and a few others in there where I stayed in sweats all day. I’m not going to dwell on this, but I do plan to move along much more quickly from here on out. A 30 for 30 outfit a day, a picture a day. Luckily it looks like the weather may cool down soon (who knows for how long) so hopefully I can get some wear out of the heavier jackets and sweaters that sit untouched in the challenge so far.

Today’s getup has led to comments from my family members that I look like a) I’m going on a job interview, and b) I’m going on a date. I am doing neither. Moving on.

Despite proving to be a slacker in the 30 for 30 department, Miss B Gets Dressed made sure I wouldn’t feel too badly about myself because she kindly passed on the Versatile Blogger Award to me. Thank you Betsy! I am so glad I discovered your blog through this challenge! Here’s the deal:

1. Thank and link back to who gave you the award
2. Share 7 things about yourself
3. Pass it along to 7 other blogs you recently discovered and enjoy
4. Leave your recipients a note, telling them you awarded them the award

So. Hmm. I have been such an over-sharer on the internet (ahh, the days of Livejournal) for years that there are probably no fun tidbits that I have not already mentioned once or twice. But hey, surely everyone doesn’t know everything. Let’s see:

1. When I was a kid I was very involved in community theater, starred in a couple of school plays, and desperately wanted to be an actress in New York.
2. I was born in Canada, my brother and one sister were born in the US, and another sister was born in Switzerland. I’m Facebook friends with my adorable Swiss Sis and hopefully we will meet in person for the first time in 2011!
3. My senior year of college I kind of randomly won a writing contest and was awarded a grant to conduct research in Germany for two months, but for various reasons I never went (I mainly blame the organization for offering me very little logistical support and little time to make it happen).
4. I also signed up for a study abroad program in Costa Rica that was very inexpensive–the only one I could afford–but the program was canceled due to low enrollment. I really, really wish I could have studied abroad.
5. I love the book Heidi and enjoy seeing the different ways it has been illustrated.
6. The high school I graduated from was the 8th school I attended.
7. My first concert was Boyz II Men (with Montell Jordan opening). TLC was supposed to be there but canceled. I will always love the Boyz, and have ever since my first boyfriend–in third grade–made “I’ll Make Love to You” our song.

Seven great bloggers I’ve recently discovered (mostly, if not all, through 30 for 30):

Cute and Little
Juxta-Posting
Literate and Stylish
The Fabulous Life of Not-So-Rich and Infamous
Woodycakes
The Curator Style
Miss Melissa

I think I’ll finish with some Thanksgiving food pics. I made soup, vegetarian stuffing, and another lemon buttermilk pound cake at my house Wednesday and brought them to my parents’ place. This was the first year that we only celebrated the holiday with immediately family–five of us–in a very long time, and my dad didn’t even get back from working out of town until Thursday morning. So my mom, siblings, and I took care of everything. It was a pretty relaxed, mellow day, which I really enjoyed.

Day 4: 30 for 30

I lied. You really cannot see my new mysteriously-alluded-to hair accessory without some closer shots (or you could view today’s photos in their original size on Flickr, but I won’t say I recommend it…). Well, it’s feathers. I, along with many of the staff, interns, and volunteers who worked at last week’s conference, got feathers crimped into our hair by the Feather Lady (as we came to call her) we’d had our eyes on all weekend. I have them in two spots: One more visible and toward the front of my hair on my right, the other behind my left ear. It’s pretty subtle with all my hair, but I couldn’t believe it when the Executive Director and Deputy Director of the academic association, both of whom have pretty short hair, did it too. It was a fun bonding experience.

Today’s casual outfit is perfect for the gray, rainy weather.

My Kind Of Outfit

Jeans. Mostly neutral colors. Comfortable shoes. Minimal accessories. Yep, kind of a go-to look. Would have worn a necklace but I got my highlights touched up today and didn’t want it to get in the stylist’s way.

Jacket: Joujou
White sweater: Old Navy
Green tank top: Ralph Lauren
Jeans: Paris Blues
Boots: H&M
Purse: Not sure of the brand, got it at Kohls

It’s a gorgeous day outside. I’ve already walked through the local downtown arts festival quickly, but I’m going again this afternoon–my landlord will be performing with his Klezmer band! Until then, I’m going to clean house so that tomorrow I can focus solely on school and conference prep.

Signing off with lentils and rice and everything nice.

Keepin’ It Simple, Keepin’ It Real

Today it was just over 90 degrees. So much for an amazing October, Florida! Okay, I’m only half-heartedly complaining. Sure I’d love for it to be slightly cooler, just enough that I don’t feeling my lotion dripping down my body, intermingled with sweat, by noon. Or maybe even cool enough that I could justify wearing a sweater. But don’t get cold on me now.

I wore:

Wait. That’s not me. Get out of the way, Herman! That’s just like him, always wanting to be in the center of things.

That’s better.

Short-sleeved lace shirt; see-through, worn over a tank top – Second-hand from a consignment shop
Denim capris (is “capris” the right word here?) – Express
Tan wedges; never caught at a good angle in pictures – Target
Cameo necklace – Gift from my sister, Forever 21
Black and tan bag, which I use on a daily basis for school – Target

I’m sitting down to do my Teach for America letter of intent and plan to submit my application tonight. So much else to do on top of that, by tomorrow. Read a book. Write a response. Read four chapters out of another book.

A Wonderful Weekend (Finally!)

Friday night I went out for a classmate’s birthday, and last night I went to my parents’ place in Jacksonville since my best friend Shelley was in town. We ended up going to a Greek festival in St. Augustine. This morning, my parents made a great breakfast and I got to see my siblings a little before coming back to Gainesville.

Various Matters

My second round of dried beans, this time I made pinto, and ate them with basmati rice. I have to say, I’m still trying to figure out how to flavor this kind of food (ie healthy) in, well, healthy ways. I need to get better with spices, herbs, peppers, and making sauces. When I try cooking something new, the results are often disappointing..or decent, but clearly missing something. I froze the rest of the pintos so I’ll make other stuff with them soon. Oh, I also have a new potted kale plant on my front porch.

I liked my outfit today, but alas, the picture-taking just wasn’t happening. I need to go back to my old self-timer ways because I’m afraid it just doesn’t work out when Patrick takes my photo. It’s not completely his fault (but, you know, kind of); I’m also really bad at posing for other people. Isn’t that scarf pretty though? I got my mom the same one. I’m pretty sure she was wearing it today too.

Not much is new, at least, other than the usual. I’ve been a little under the weather this week. Still trying to figure out my life plan, or at least my graduate school plan. Patrick and I are cleaning house and finally staying in town for the next few weekends. I’m really pumped to step up my organization around the house, from my school supplies to the laundry room to my closet. I also am trying to focus on buying any basic clothing pieces that I’ve needed for some time. I have a bad habit of buying lots of similar shirts, and not much else in the way of shoes, jewelry, cold-weather clothing, etc. So yeah, going shopping this weekend, but not for any shirts! Hopefully I can go to an IKEA again sometime in the near future. Maybe spring break in Ft. Lauderdale. It’s just impractical that Patrick and I share a tiny closet. I plan on getting a free-standing wardrobe to handle my overflow. So I guess the overall theme here is simplifying my life. Just taking care of the little stuff that bogs me down on a daily basis.

Anyway, here’s my blog-related news: I’ve started a Tumblr. Do I need another place to waste time or post stuff online? Not really. But I liiiike it. I like the simplicity, I like posting other stuff I like. I still feel unsure of the whole posting-stuff-that’s-not-my-work, so I’m trying to avoid pissing anyone off. And linking back to the sources, or whatever. Here it is: Six Hours Behind.

Check it out. Go on. I’ll be here sorting my laundry.

Busy Bee

I’ve just been too busy to think about Wardrobe Remix pictures recently, or even to put much thought into getting dressed at all. Hopefully I’m establishing a better routine and the semester will flow a little more smoothly now that it’s going on the fourth week. Anyway, here’s one from last night. Same white jeans I posted recently. Aint got the energy to switch it up.

Patrick and I went out to dinner at Bistro 1245, which is always fresh and delicious. I love sitting outside at the restaurant late in the day when it’s not so dang hot, but hasn’t cooled down enough that the breeze gives me goosebumps. (I generally get cold at the slightest gust of wind). After, we went and watched a film with some of my Water Politics and Policy classmates. Kind of cool to turn something class-related into a Friday night social event, right? Or just nerdy.

Now it’s rainy, and I have to get to work. I never use my weekends effectively, but it’s vital that this one is productive. Luckily I had an indulgent trip to the grocery store this morning so I have all the food I could ever want–and munching is what keeps me going when I’m doing my work. One of those bad habits you’re supposed to recognize about yourself and put to an end, by, say, chewing a piece of gum. Right.