Full Insulated Jacket

Sweater- Vintage, T-shirt- Target, Jeans and Boots- Forever21, Headband- DIY

This sweater was a recent find, I wish had taken a close up to show you how the leaves have little gold threads running through! Lovely detail.

Also, in case you can't tell by my facial expressions and hair whipping everywhere, it's very cold and windy out! I used to be against big poofy winter jackets (you know, the ones that look like a quilted down slumber bag converted into a coat?) but given the recent climate, I've erased the rest of my Xmas list and made getting one a top priority!  This is definitely a case where I choose function over fashion.  

On that note, I'm thinking of adding on a ski mask, thermal long johns, and a pair of battery operated heated gloves.

Just found out American Apparel makes unisex long underwear-- Good to know!

(In true AA fashion, they have managed to make something associated with outhouses and snow mobiles look as sexual as possible)

Bucket Head

My failed attempt at taking a picture of Xmas lights-- unintentially kind of cool!

bottomless mimosas!

Sweater- Gap (From 8th grade), Romper- Vintage, Tights- Forever21, Wedges, Urbanog.com, Headband- Icing

Wore this outfit to brunch with the ladies on a particularly blustery morning. I love that the sweater has a huge turtleneck, which means i can hide my face in it or even fold it all the way up (the only thing missing is a set of eye holes) to protect from the cold.  On Sunday evening I discovered another use for it-- food receptacle.  I am a notoriously messy eater, especially when it comes to movie popcorn (I picked up my eating habits from cookie monster).  As I watched Love and Other Drugs (in which Jake Gyllenhaal's posterior has a starring role), popcorn that normally would have rolled into my lap and onto the floor ended up getting caught in my sweater collar (it's even shaped like a popcorn bucket).  A little gross? Maybe.  In these trying times, we cannot afford to waste food!

DIY: Tac-dazzle Wedges

Jeffrey Campbell Tick

On the left: Jeffrey Campbell Eyebrow; On the right: DIY version

I had been eyeing the Jeffrey Campbell Tick for a while online.  They were sold out foreverrr, but then a closed toed version called the Eyebrow popped up. I finally took the plunge and ordered a pair in the tribal print.  While I will always love me some JC, I realized when the shoes arrived that they were basically a nice pair of wedges with tacks stuck in the platform.  For $165 (yikes I know!), it seemed a little steep.  Today's DIY is a simple way to get that Jeffrey Campbell look for a fraction of the price.


What you need:
-a pair of black wedges (mine were $25 from urbanog.com, try these from forever21 ) You can even use a pair of platform heels you already own.
-metal tacks (I used about 800)
-hammer
-super bionic thumbs (they will probably be sore for a couple of days afterwards)
-A couple of hours (I did one shoe on a saturday afternoon, and one today in-between classes)

Tips:
-Make sure that you get large packs of tacks- the bigger, the better. I made the mistake initially of getting packs of 40 from the hardware store and had to go back when I ran out, and then I caused the store to run out. Staples sells them in packs of 200 and at $2.50/pack, a much better deal.
-When you press tacks in, they should overlap slightly.
-This DIY is easy in that all you're doing is pressing tacks into a shoe, but hard in that it requires patience! Take breaks and listen to fast paced music :)


STEP 1:
Push the first tack in at the top of the platform heel. Make a straight line going down the back, and tap with hammer where needed.

STEP 2: 
Tack a row along the top of the platform, going all the way around the shoe.

STEP 3:
Tack 2 more rows under the one you just made. Again, hammer as needed.

STEP 4:

Tack a row along the bottom of the platform, all the way around the shoe

STEP 5: 

Continue tack rows under the top 3 you made earlier until you've filled in all the space.

STEP 6: 

Repeat with other shoe, and you're done!

Happy Tacking!

Tis' the Season to Be Wary?

Bolero- Mom's, Tank- Urban Outfitters, Shorts and Tights- Forever 21, Wedges- UrbanOg.com

This bolero jacket represents 1/3 of my Mom's outfit (mentioned in an earlier post) that she didn't want me to comandeer out of fear I would lose it. The pattern kind of reminds me of DNA strands.

We were in full blown Christmas mode this weekend--2 holiday parties, baking, light display tour AND non stop radio yuletide cheer-- I am a complete cheeseball when it comes to these traditions!

At the same time, something about this time of year keeps me on edge. Take Saturday for example-- Stopped by my mom's house to shower after the gym.  Upon exiting the shower, I was greeted by a man on a ladder outside the bathroom window. Eeek! I crouched down and ran to my room (while wearing a towel of course) and found ANOTHER man outside my window!  Ahh! Brother's room-- Window man! Ayiyi! I scurried to the next bathroom which I figured out was the only room with the blinds closed. 

 Who were these men, and why were they peeking in our windows? I was pretty sure they didn't need to be washed... And then it dawned upon me. My mom told me she was getting some guys to help her put up Xmas lights this year. A-ha! So that answered that question, but one remained--- How in the world do I get dressed without putting on my own "lights display?"

With my back pressed to the wall, I peered around the corner into my room. Guy was still there putting up icicle lights.  I took a deep breath, sprinted behind a bookcase (which was conveniently located right next to my dresser), grabbed some random clothes that didn't match, and made a run for it back to the bathroom. Whew! The thrill!

Later that day I stopped by the hardware store to grab some materials for this week's DIY (Don't worry, we're not building a house! You'll see tomorrow) As I walked up to the entrance, and old man standing by the door yelled to me, "CHECK OUT THESE NUTS!" Ahh! I averted my eyes as I hurried into the store.  Should I let Hardware City know they have a flasher outside?  Hoping the man would be gone when I left, I made sure to take my sweet time walking up and down the isles.  

Well, guess who was still there. As I darted out of the store, he once again yelled, "CHECK OUT THESE NUTS!" But this time I heard the rest of his sentence: "...for Kiwanis Charity!" Huh? I looked back and noticed a small table piled high with bags of gourmet nuts. Oh. Definitely didn't see that coming. 

I wonder whether his marketing strategy was effective, or if most people had a similar reaction. Either way, I felt a little sheepish afterwards. I think I'm going to go back and buy some nuts as gifts!

The mother of all nut baskets!

Ragerrr

blazer- H&M, Blouse- Vintage, Jeans- Seven, Wedges- UrbanOg.com

My dad had a holiday party/fundraiser at his house tonight, the first of these types of events he's held there.  When I walked in, one of our family friends asked if she could take my coat! (She was clearly on automatic replay mode) I reassured her it would be safe in my room.  I found my normal couch potato crashing area transformed into a classy catered affair.  Definitely a little different from the parties I used to have there! (Had this been 6 years ago, the round tables would be replaced with one long beer pong table and the well-dressed guests would be passed-out teenagers. And don't let me forget, instead of jazz music you would hear oncoming sirens. Nosy neighbors!)

Monica, who helped me pick out my glasses! Love her :)

I hope my wedding reception looks this nice one day, let alone my xmas party!

Minty Fresh

Coat- Zara, Sweater and Hat- Thrifted, Dress, Socks, and Boots- Forever 21

Is this sweater what you would call "mint", or is it "sea foam green?"  

I'm never completely sure, but what I do know is I go through phases where I hunt specifically for clothing of this color.  For some reason, it comes and goes in stores, and I think it's actually quite beautiful!

The guy in the background of the last picture was definitely confused as to why his morning walk turned into a photo shoot.

R.I.P Umbrella and Empanadas

Blazer- Thrifted, Dress, Headband, and Bracelet- Forever 21, Pumps- Urban Outfitters

Today, my measly little polka-dotted H&M umbrella was no match for the torrential rain and got beaten to a pulp.  It all started last night when I ignored an urgent email from my mom labeled "FLOOD WATCH"---She's always been the mom-who-cried-natural-disaster.  I had a group presentation in my English class today, and decided to dress in my best professional outfit to get extra brownie points- Suit, blouse, pearls, the works. I had just finished blowing out my hair when I noticed it was drizzling outside-- no biggie, I would just grab an umbrella.  (Cue impending doom music)

As soon as I turned onto campus, the rain gods smote down with all their fury. Wind and water smacked me in the face and flipped my umbrella inside out, dragging me away like one of those unfortunate nannies in Mary Poppins.  Massive puddles assailed from all angles and leaked into my boots.  My glasses fogged over from being whipped by my wet hair. I put up a good fight, but the rain had me from the beginning.  I actually started laughing like a crazy person and looked up to the sky as if to say "Okay, you won!"

When I stumbled into the building, I was met with interested glances-- "Wow, that girl got straight up OWNED" one person said.  My group mate saw me and instantly started laughing-- I pretty much looked like a scared wet animal. 

So as entertaining as pictures of that would be, I'm instead sharing photos of my outfit from Dad's Christmas party on Saturday.  It was a good time---great food, dancing, even face painting for the kids.  I think my favorite moment of the night was when I realized the label for one of the foods was misspelled-- it read "MEET EMPANADAS," which led me to think of the following scenario:

Empanada: Hi, I'm a meat empanada, nice to meet you!

Me: Hi empanada, I'm Katherine, [Gorges down empanada in one big bite] nice to meet you too!

Okay, so maybe this entire post has nothing whatsoever to do with fashion, but after today's traumatic experience, I could think about nothing else!

Wonderful Flaky Empanadas