Between Laundry Days

Christmas Cheer: Christmas Eve

2009-12-24T18:00:00.000-06:00

Christmas Cheer #10:

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! I love the holidays so much, and it's been so fun sharing some of these goofy pictures and random memories with you. This picture was taken last winter after Joe and I went out on a fancy date. It was about the time that I had started reading style blogs, and was just starting to fall in love with this community. So when we got home from our date, I tried to get Joe to take some pictures of my outfit, even though I totally hadn't worked out how to pose yet. This is still one of my favorite date-night outfits. Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Cheer: Cow

2009-12-22T18:00:00.001-06:00

Christmas Cheer #9:

One of my favorite things ever is taking novelty photos with goofy stuff on the street. I have a veritable plethora of pictures of me posing with statues, ridiculous signs, benches (with brass - or Lego! - people sitting on them, preferably), and, apparently, cows. I think I was pretending to brush his teeth in this picture, which makes no sense. Regardless, it's one of my faves.

Make Me a Poster of an Old Rodeo

2009-12-21T17:57:00.004-06:00

Outfit details:
Plaid shirt: Marshall Fields/Macy's, remixed
Skirt: Target, remixed
Tights: Target, recently remixed
Boots: Ciao Bella, remixed
Belt: thrifted, remixed
Earrings: craft market, remixed

Where:
Work

How I wore it first:
Shoot the Moon Right Between the Eyes

First I want to thank you all so much for your well-wishes about my new job! I'm so unbelievably excited about this new step, and I just can't wait to start working there. I got a glimpse at my new office today at lunch, and I love it! I can't wait to start decorating and settling in. Things have been pretty great lately. Last weekend I met up with Gina and Sabrina for brunch and a holiday gift exchange. It was so nice to meet a couple of local fashionistas, but we were pretty bad bloggers and only got one photo between the three of us. Gina already posted it, but I thought I'd share it too:

So I've decided that once I start my new job I'm officially calling off the Great Remix Project of 2009. I've really loved breathing new life into my wardrobe and winterizing some of my summer favorites. But one of the downsides is that I've been cycling through outfits that I wore through some kind of rough periods in the past few months. In a weirdly symbolic way, ending the remix project lets me move on, professionally, personally, and stylistically, into 2010. I'll still be heavily remixing individual pieces in my wardrobe, but I won't be recreating entire looks like I've been doing for the past couple of months. I'll probably still be occasionally linking to previous outfits that were particularly inspirational, though.

Title song: John Prine, "Angel from Montgomery"

Crossing Roads Whilst Holding Hands

2009-12-20T21:42:00.003-06:00

Outfit details:
Navy shirt: Old Navy, remixed
Suede skirt: thrifted
Brown tights: Target
White lace tights: Target
Navy scarf: Forever 21, remixed
Cream scarf: market in Chile
Hat: Forever 21, remixed

Where:
Out around town with Joe

One of the things that is really tough for Joe and I is the fact that we have almost opposite work schedules, so we rarely, if ever, get a day off together. We have early morning and evenings, but no full days. However, Joe's workplace closes during winter break, so today was our first full day off together for a long time. We went out to breakfast, wandered around downtown Chicago, went to the Christkindlmarket, and hung out together at home. Also, I met this lovely Chicagoan:

Anyway, I really loved today's outfit. I'd been wanting some white tights for winter, and I love these lace ones I found at Target. I kept the hat on all day, which I actually didn't plan but ended up really liking the way it complimented the tights. Plus, we were outside for most of the day, so it was practical and appropriate. I'm also a big fan of the double-scarf look, and I've been meaning to try it for awhile. Yay for layers and tights! Today was a really great winter day, and it put me so in the mood for the holidays.

Title song: The Maccabees, "Lego"

Christmas Cheer: Ice Cube

2009-12-20T18:00:00.000-06:00

Christmas Cheer #8:

My sister and I used to make up ice skating routines. We would develop elaborate schemes, and then get distracted and race each other around the rink instead. We used to go skating all the time. I don't go as often anymore, but I still really enjoy it. Joe and I went last year, and it was so cute chasing him around the rink.

Maurices Giveaway Winner!

2009-12-20T16:05:00.002-06:00

...and the winner is...

La Historiadora de Moda, of Fashionable Academics!!! I'll be emailing you shortly to get the address where I can send the gift card. Thanks for entering, everyone!

Rockin' this Metropolis

2009-12-19T07:59:00.003-06:00

Outfit details:
Sweater: Old Navy, remixed
Gray tank: Old Navy Intimates, recently remixed
Skirt: The Limited, thrifted, remixed
Footless tights: Target, remixed
Boots: Steven by Steve Madden, remixed
Gold flower necklace: made by me
Garnet ring: gift from Joe, remixed

Where:
Work

How I wore it first:
Team Building Exercise

So apparently my interview outfit karma is awesome, because I found out on Friday afternoon (barely 24 hours after my interview) that...

I got the job!!!!

And seriously, it's not just a job, it's the job for me. It's the job I've been wanting ever since I got out of school, that I've essentially been looking for for the past year and a half. I honestly can't say enough good things about it. The pay is better, my colleagues are awesome (I know most of them already from previous stuff, so I know that the dynamic will be good), and it's the kind of job that I will come home from feeling satisfied, like I've done something good. I'm so thrilled to start this new step in my career, my life.*

I just loved today's outfit, too. This skirt is one of my favorites and I just don't wear it enough. It's the perfect flattering shape, and I love the length. It sits comfortably above the knees, but not so short that it's inappropriate for work. I like the way I remixed this one, too. The first version packed a little more punch with the bright red of the shirt, so I toned it down with this maroon sweater. Joe and I got all gussied up last night and went to the Joffrey ballet performance of the Nutcracker after work. We had a delightful time, and I'll be posting about it in a separate post later this weekend.

*Many of you have asked me what I do. I'm sorry to be so continuously vague, but it's important to me to keep some level of distance between my blog life and my work life. This is my outlet, and if I had too much overlap it might stop feeling that way. So I'm sorry to do this, but I'm keepin' it vague. Just know that this job is perfect, and perfectly suited to me, in every way.

Title song: Flight of the Conchords, "Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenocerous"

Christmas Cheer: Tchaikovsky

2009-12-18T18:00:00.001-06:00

Christmas Cheer #7:

My grandma used to take my sister and I to a production of The Nutcracker every year when I was little. It was one of my favorite memories with her. This is the second year that Joe and I are going to the Joffrey Ballet performance of the Nutcracker. I love that we're making traditions of our own. He's even given me a small nutcracker each year before the ballet that he gets at the Chriskindlmarket in downtown Chicago. This is us after the ballet last year, bein' all lovey-dovey.

If I Were Giant-Sized

2009-12-17T19:25:00.003-06:00

Outfit details:
Blouse: Old Navy, remixed
Gray tank: Old Navy Intimates, remixed
Skirt: Ann Klein, part of suit, remixed
Nylons: Target, ripped :(
Mary-janes: Born, recently remixed
Belt: Forever 21

Where:
Interview, work, holiday office party

How I wore it first:
Like a River Going Through

I've actually already remixed this summer outfit pretty recently. However, I had an interview today, and the last time I had a successful interview I wore the outfit from this summer, so I thought it wouldn't hurt to rock it again. Good karma, or something like that. I'm growing pretty fond of these skinny belts from Forever 21 (2 for $4.50!), and this cowl-neck tunic is just so fun and comfy. The interview went well, and my workday was nice and short since we had a holiday party this afternoon too. Free food and drink ain't nothin' to scoff at. Plus, tomorrow is Friday and Christmas is in a week! I'm sorry that I've been pretty slow with comments lately. There's just a lot of stuff going on, personally, professionally, and just everything, and I've had a hard time keeping up. So bear with me; I hope things will ease up soon.

Oh, and you guys better get crackin' on entering the Maurices giveaway! I'll be drawing a winner on Sunday, December 20, so get to it!

Title song: Dave Matthews Band, "If I Had it All"

Christmas Cheer: Close-up

2009-12-16T18:00:00.002-06:00

Christmas Cheer #6:

Sometimes I take horrible pictures. This is absolute evidence of that. This blog has cured me of that, at least a little bit. I hope.

Also, sorry I've been kind of absent from the blogosphere lately...I have been busy, and under the weather, and in dire need of a vacation. But if you need something to do, why not enter my giveaway for a $20 Maurices gift card!! And for you Chicago-based readers and bloggers, be sure to R.S.V.P. for the Chicago Blogger Christmas Brunch (it's kind of a mouthful, huh?). I can't wait to meet some of you in person!

Giveaway: Maurices

2009-12-13T17:09:00.003-06:00

I'm very excited to announce that I'm hosting another giveaway this week! This time, a $20 gift card to Maurices is up for grabs. I started shopping at Maurices when I was in junior high, looking for dresses for our "formal" dances, so this store holds a particular cache of memories, which is kind of unusual for me.

So, to enter, you simply make sure you're following Between Laundry Days, then add a comment on this post with a valid email address. In that comment, tell me what item from www.maurices.com you'd buy with your $20 gift card! I'll draw a winner on Sunday, December 20. Good luck!

Also, I wanted to let you all know that there are some new necklaces up for sale now at Objects Found! A couple are personal favorites of mine; I hope you like!

The Weight of the World

2009-12-15T20:45:00.002-06:00

Outfit details:
Black shirt: Target, remixed
Cropped pants: B. Moss, laundry room freebie, remixed
Scarf: gift from my parents, remixed
Boots: Ciao Bella, remixed

Where:
Work, Christmas shopping, coffee with old friend

How I wore it first:
Take Only What You Need from It

Not so long ago, I would never have worn boots with cropped pants. Then Sally expanded my cankle worldview, and I discovered this combination. It's still not my absolute favorite, but I like the old-school aviatrix vibe that this outfit has. After doing some Christmas shopping after work, I ran into an old friend, and we grabbed coffee together. It was surreal, and nice, and bizarre. It put into perspective all that has happened in the past few years, and all that is sure to happen in the next few. I realized today that this decade is almost over. It made me take stock of the past 10 years, and understand that all the punches that I feel like I've been hit with in the past few months will seem like tiny blips in 10 more years. It doesn't always make those moments easier while they happen, but it's nice to put it in perspective sometimes.

Title song: MGMT, "Time to Pretend"

When I'm Travelin' Around

2009-12-14T21:02:00.003-06:00

Outfit details:
Dress: Kimchi Blue for Urban Outfitters, remixed
Skirt: H&M, remixed
Black cardi: Old Navy, remixed
Tights: Target
Heels: Born, remixed
Necklace: made by me

Where:
Work

How I wore it first:
I Hear My Song and It Pulls Me Through

So I'm pretty proud of these lights I put up over the weekend. Jury-rigged as they may seem, they're the first Christmas lights I've ever put up, so I'm really happy with them. The living room looks so magical and festive with them up. Ever since I started doing this remix project I've been trying to think of a way to remix this dress. It's definitely a summer dress; light and airy, and absolutely unsuitable for December in Chicago. But I think that by layering this "conductor" skirt (that's what Joe calls it) over it and adding tights and a cozy cardi it becomes totally winter-appropriate.

Title song: KISS, "Snow Blind"

Christmas Cheer: Curls

2009-12-14T18:00:00.000-06:00

Christmas Cheer #5:

So a lot of you comment about my hair. I love the short pixie cut that I currently have, but I really haven't had it short for very long. For most of my life it was at least shoulder-length, and curly as can be. I still think of it as long and curly, actually. This is one of my favorite cuts, and sometimes I think about growing it back out...

Game On, Cleopatra

2009-12-13T19:28:00.003-06:00

Outfit details:
Plaid tunic: Forever 21, remixed
Olive skinny jeans: Gap, recently remixed
Booties: Payless, remixed
Copper Braid Necklace and Buddha Necklace: for sale at Objects Found
Plaid wool coat: Gap

Where:
Christkindlmarket, haircut, craft store, home

I feel very grunge today. This tunic always brings me back to junior high, listening to Nirvana and feeling angsty. Although I never dressed half this stylish in junior high. I'm 100% sure I have a school picture from junior high in which I am wearing a blue mock turtleneck, a bright red sweater vest, and giant googly-eye glasses. Oh, and I had bangs as thick as thieves. Anyway, today's outfit wasn't my favorite, but it sure beats that picture day. Oh, and before I forget: be sure to enter the Maurices giveaway, and don't forget to R.S.V.P. to the Chicago Blogger Christmas Brunch if you'll be in the area next Saturday! Oh and don't forget to swing by Objects Found to check out some of the new necklaces (shipping is still free, and everything in the shop is 10%-off)! Whew! I guess there's a lot going on right now...

Title song: A.C. Newman, "35 in the Shade"

Christmas Cheer: Cookery

2009-12-12T18:00:00.000-06:00

Christmas Cheer #4:

I love to bake, and I actually feel like it's something that I'm pretty good at. As long as I have a recipe in front of me, I can bust out pretty much any tasty treat. Without a recipe, things don't go quite as smoothly.

A Typical Case of American Blind Justice

2009-12-10T20:46:00.004-06:00

Outfit details:
Dress: Lux, worn as tunic, remixed
Olive jeans: Gap, remixed
Flats: Target, recently remixed
Scarf: Forever 21, remixed
Belt: thrifted, remixed

Where:
Work

How I wore it first:
Warm Me from the Wind

I basically just switched out pants in this outfit. In the first outfit, I wore my beige cords. But I felt today that a slimmer silhouette would be more flattering with the scarf and tunic. Big on top, small on bottom. I had thought about wearing this tunic as a dress again, but thought better of it, since the temperature here in Chicago this morning was dipping below zero. Oh, and for all of you that expressed your concern about my choice of shoes yesterday: don't worry, I wore these rainboots while I was outside. The flats were reserved for inside wear (and pictures). I'm not that hardcore.

Title song: Arlo Guthrie, "Alice's Restaurant"

Christmas Cheer: Colorado

2009-12-10T18:00:00.000-06:00

Christmas Cheer #3:

I spent most of my life in the Rocky Mountain area, and I really miss that part of the country. I love Chicago so much, but it's hard for me not to see the mountains out my window. I miss camping, and skiing, and just feeling and breathing the crisp mountain air. Christmas is especially magical in the Rockies.

Funny to Think How the Time Gets Away

2009-12-09T21:18:00.003-06:00

Outfit details:
White shirt: Old Navy, remixed
Blazer: Ann Klein suit, remixed
Black jeans: Gap, remixed
Pointy-toe flats: Target, remixed
Crocheted necklace: giveaway from the owls are not what they seem, remixed

Where:
Work, home in a blizzard

How I wore it first:
Like a River Going Through

This outfit is just barely like the first one. I took the Ann Klein suit skirt that I wore in the first outfit, and replaced it with the jacket top. I kept the black color palette by wearing my favorite black skinny jeans and flats, and mirrored the crochet-neck blouse of the original outfit with this incredible crocheted necklace that I won (I still can't believe Noel made this!). The mercury just kept dropping all day, so Joe and I stayed in tonight and had an incredible shrimp/curry/pasta dinner and watched Away We Go. A lovely night.

Title song: Dave Matthews Band, "Stolen Away on 55th and 3rd"

Everything Under the Sun Is in Tune

2009-12-08T20:26:00.004-06:00

Outfit details:
Maroon dress: Old Navy, remixed
Navy shirt: Old Navy, remixed
Navy tights: Filene's Basement, remixed
Boots: Rockport Ainly, remixed
Scarf, worn as belt: TJ Maxx, remixed

Where:
Work

How I wore it first:
Swimmin' in a Fishbowl

Just when I thought I was losing steam with this little remix project of mine, I ended up being really happy with this one. It's a pretty literal remix, where I really just "winterized" the first outfit, but I liked the different lengths of the layers, the fabulous addition of these boots, and the new way of tying this scarf - thanks again, Elaine! (Oh, and Chelsea, we are totally on the same wavelength with our twin boots. We always seem to wear them on the same day!) It's still snowing away here in Chi-town, but I just love it. I walked home this afternoon with my face turned toward the sky so I could catch some snowflakes.

Don't forget to R.S.V.P. for the Chicago Blogger Christmas Brunch!!

Title song: Pink Floyd, "Eclipse"

The Chicago Blogger Christmas Brunch!

2009-12-08T20:08:00.003-06:00

Okay, things are getting awesome around here, folks! In a surge of holiday spirit, I decided that it would be super fabulous to have a Chicago blogger meet-up before the year is up. We'll be meeting at Yolk, which is a super-cute centrally-located little breakfast joint. In the true spirit of Christmas, I'm proposing a White Elephant gift exchange. Handmade or under $20, people, this is a recession we're in. So I'm opening it up to you all, readers and bloggers alike: if you're going to be in the Chicago area on Saturday, December 19, at 11:00AM, pleasepleaseplease think about coming to brunch with us!!!

For logistical purposes, please email me (clarebld at yahoo dot com) if you're planning on coming. I can't wait to see some of you in. real. LIFE!

Christmas Cheer: Clutter

2009-12-08T18:00:00.002-06:00

Christmas Cheer #2:

I'm not exactly a neat freak. I like it when things are clean, but I don't like the cleaning process. I do it, and do it pretty regularly, but I don't enjoy it. And I suck at keeping up with things, so my apartment is regularly littered with bits and pieces of stuff that I just don't want to take the time to put away.

I've Got Some Real Estate Here in My Bag

2009-12-07T20:47:00.003-06:00

Outfit details:
Purple shirt: Paix, remixed
Black cardigan: hand-me-down from Joe's mom
Skirt: Forever 21, remixed
Tan skirt: American Eagle, remixed
Footless tights: Target, remixed
Knee-high socks: Target, recently remixed
Boots: Steven by Steve Madden, recently remixed
Belt: TJ Maxx, remixed
Take Flight Necklace: will be listed soon at Objects Found

Where:
Work

How I wore it first:
And Every Stop Is Neatly Planned for a Poet and a One-Man Band

Welcome, winter!! I've been reading all of the "first snow" posts that you all have written in the past few weeks and I gotta say, I've been pretty jealous. For some reason, this year I've been so excited about seeing some snow, and I don't think I've ever had to wait until December before. But lo and behold, when I woke up this morning and looked out the window I was greeted with a white wintry wonderland. I'm sure I'll get sick of it eventually, but for now I'm pretty okay with the view.

I absolutely loved this outfit. It had a lot of components, but that seemed appropriate for a snowy day. I feel like layering the skirts was a good way to add volume and visual interest to the bottom half of the outfit. It was kind of unplanned, but I'm glad that there were two different neutrals to ground the purple and teal of the skirt. Oh, and stay tuned for some more additions to the Objects Found Etsy shop. This Take Flight necklace is one of a number of necklaces that I'll be listing this week!

Title song: Simon and Garfunkel, "America"

Look Out the Window at that Storm

2009-12-06T21:18:00.004-06:00

Outfit details:
Gray dress: Pink Rose, remixed
Maroon cardigan: Derek Heart, remixed
Brown tights: Target
Knee-highs: Target, remixed
Boots: Steven by Steve Madden, remixed
Headband: Target
Flower: Claire's, remixed

Where:
Breakfast with Joe, home, grocery shopping

How was everyone's weekend? Mine was slow, which was good. I had a long-ish list of things to do, and I managed to accomplish almost all of them, which felt very productive. I'm hoping to finish the last few things tomorrow. Today's outfit was pretty much just a mash-up of whatever I ended up grabbing out of my closet. I kept thinking of Mel at Idée Géniale as I was putting things together, and I think I channeled her style pretty well. The resulting outfit was comfortable, colorful, and pretty stylish. I really liked the addition of the little hair bow/flower. I feel silly wearing a headband with hair this short, but I feel like it's kind of spunky and cute.

Title song: Zooey Deschanel & Leon Redbone, "Baby It's Cold Outside"

Christmas Cheer: Chile

2009-12-06T18:46:00.008-06:00

Christmas Cheer #1:

Yes, it's true. I used to have mega-long hair. This has always been my favorite photo of my hair at its longest. It was taken when I was in college, while I was studying abroad in South America. Photos like this make me want to grow out my little pixie haircut and get back my long crazy curls. They were wild but so fun.

Oh, and hey! I'm calling this the Christmas Cheer series, after cheer (like the holidays), and Cheer (like the detergent...for laundry...'cause my blog is called Between Laundry Days). Yup.

Stay tuned for the next installment!