Sunday, January 30, 2011

Behind the times

Honestly, you'd think with all the lack of blogging going on around here that I had a full-time life or something. But no, I've simply been spending most of my free time cooking, reading other blogs that are updated way more frequently than mine, and toddling around town.

To get myself in the swing of things, I've decided to do the 30 for 30 challenge that Kendi Everyday is hosting. Hosting? Yeah, we'll go with that. The deal is this: you don't shop for a month, and you can only pick 30 items of clothing to wear over a 30-day time period. For real bloggers, they also have to photograph their outfits everyday, but since we all know I'm not real, there probably won't be any photographs 'round here.

Unless you guys want creepy webcam shots, which I am MORE than willing to supply. I've got my "gazing coyly at the lens while touching my collarbone" pose mastered. Also, my lack of photographs may make me a renegade participant. I was born to rebel.

Now, things like underpants, coats, and accessories don't count toward the 30 items, which is why I feel confident about this challenge. I should definitely be able to cobble together a pair of desperation pants from two scarves and some undies if necessary. So, check back in every so often to read about how I fare/see what desperation pants really look like!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Cycle style

God, it's taking every ounce of restraint to not edit this post title and call it "Cycle Chic!" Instead, I'll get down to brass tacks and talking about two loves of my Portland life: staying clothed, and riding a bicycle.

Now, I'll totally admit to being a pansy anytime I have to ride my bike in A) rain or B) temperatures under 35 degrees. I whine, stomp, talk about how much I love cars, and finally throw myself on a bicycle and into the streets, pouting for the first 3 minutes of riding. Then I start smiling, because if there's anything I love more than cars, it's feeling like I'm a badass for riding a bike in anything less than sunny, warm weather. However, these less-than-ideal rides are made all the better by the proper cycling attire.

1) Long underwear: Oh man. My parents got me two sets of long underwear for Christmas, and they make my bod feel like a microwave. OK, maybe not that warm, but long underwear leggings are FAR superior to regular leggings. More importantly, both of those are better than jeans. Seriously, you may think that pants are a better cold-weather alternative than thick tights and a dress, but you're wrong. Unless you are wearing the world's skinniest jeans (if so, well done), air will sneak up into your pant legs and chill you to the bone. So throw on quality tights, leggings, or long underwears. And thank me all the time.

2) Hooded scarf/neckerchief: I'm a traditional scarf gal and love a good pashmina or crocheted tunnel scarf. In rainy weather though, the last thing that you want is a ton of wet fabric (or worse, wet yarn) hanging around your neck. Enter smaller, more awesome versions of neckwarmers. My friend Amanda - who conveniently just opened an Etsy shop: check it out! -made me a lovely blue fleece hooded scarf to wear under my helmet, and I've been toasty ever since. The neckerchiefs are INCREDIBLE because your face gets really chapped during winter riding, and it's great to have something warm and cute to pull over your mouth and nose. Bonus points if you rob a bank afterwards.

3) Water/windproof gloves: Yeah, I still haven't bought a pair. But let me tell you, as the girl who has had one too many pairs of gloves to dry out, waterproof gloves that keep your mitts warm are essential.

If you don't ride a bike, you can still wear all of this stuff and look cute and prepared should something steal your car and leave you with a bicycle!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Peacocks, ahoy!

Too much? IMPOSSIBLE.


Note: This link has died. Proof that this peacock bib necklace was, in fact, too much. Kisses!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Warning: Sexy bracelets ahead

Is it weird that I keep wanting to buy the "Fantasy shapes" edition of Silly Bandz due to my slim hope that the shapes will be sex toys and Kama Sutra positions?

Probably.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Phase 1

This is not my boyfriend, but rather, a picture of an attractive man from TheSartorialist.blogspot.com.

If I were a more critical and self-aware person, I would say that I'm taking the military talk a bit too far with Operation Clothe My Boyfriend. However, I'm not, so let's get into formation and talk about the plan of attack. If that is, in fact, what the military does.

So, I had New Year's Eve off of work. My boyfriend is on vacation as well, and as we were eating our regular breakfast of heart-shaped pancakes with chocolate chip smiley faces, he asked if we could go shopping today. Alright, in all honesty, it didn't happen like that. I mean, that's what we eat for breakfast every day, but he asked me to go shopping after I showed him the "lookbook" I compiled for him. To which he kept compulsively referring to because he secretly wishes he was a stylist. Unfortunately, the lookbook wasn't as look-y or book-y as I'd like. It was a two-page Word doc consisting of links to American Apparel, Urban Outfitters, The Yellow Bird Project, and Threadless.

In other words, it was REVOLUTIONARY. Inspired by my ability to copy and paste links, we rushed off to the nearest Urban Outfitters and tore the place apart. Which means that he bought a charming cardigan and great shirts that aren't falling apart. Note to boyfriend, who I know is reading this: Yes, your shirts are falling apart. Stop thinking they aren't. I've got to consider myself lucky--it's not difficult to get this kid to shop. Spending money isn't his favorite thing to do, but as long as I keep saying "you look adorable! We should go make out behind that ironic display of Hello Kitty pillows and thermal t-shirts!", he's willing to do it.

Phase 2: Um, get him to buy more clothes. This isn't consumption for consumption's sake, though I love that. I've been given a budget, and Lord knows I'm sticking to it. But he needs more than 4 shirts and a cardigan. Maybe a man satchel? Calling it a "satchel" probably negates any masculinity that putting "man" before it connotes, but still. I'll look into it.