An Ode to Target, or how I learned to stop having morals and love the big box store.

I love Portland, I do. But there are just some things that the Midwest does...well, better. First of all, seeing old pals is way easier in the Midwest, and shopping at chain stores with them is considered a solid way to spend a Friday night. At least in my book.

I know I've derided Target before on this blog. In particular, their "designer collaborations." And, given how much their corporate powers-that-be hate gay people, it's not like I feel 100% awesome about loving this store so much. But ever since moving to Portland and being an hour(?!?!?) away from one, I've never lusted after anything as much as I lust after that physical space where I can buy toothpaste, a 5-pack of Fruit of the Loom undies, a lace skirt, and a plunger. When I lived in Wheaton, I could get to that delightful place in less than 15 minutes.

Now, there's nothing better than Portland's boutique/thrift scene. However, thrifting takes effort (can I really find three different ways to wear this musty-smelling sequin blazer? No? BACK ON THE RACK.) and boutique-ing takes loads of dollas. So, when I'm finding myself sapped of fashion energy/aforementioned dollas, I want someone to put me on their back and walk/run me to the Target at 98th and Washington so that I can buy cheap clothes without having to think about it.

And finally, it doesn't help that all the cool fashion bloggers are wearing lace skirts from Target that they got for $4. A FOUR DOLLAR SKIRT! THAT I CANNOT PROCURE IN MERE MINUTES. I feel like an addict with broken legs and no bus passes who just got word that the best drugs are on the other side of town. Boo to the hoo!

Currently wanting: EVERYTHING

I've often remarked about what a good little consumer I am. However, when it comes down to it, I don't really buy all that many clothes. I know my mom is reading this and probably cracking up, but Mumsies, it's true! More often than not, I'm too fraught with guilt to buy anything that costs more than $3 unless it's something for the homestead. That being said, ALL I WANT TO BUY IS EVERYTHING I SEE, CLOTHES-WISE. Seriously. I have no idea what's wrong with me, besides the fact that I have "no-money-but-think-I'm-rich-itis," and therefore have elaborate wish lists.

All that being said, I really want this leopard blanket/scarf thing from Urban Outfitters. Someone is trying to tell me not to even talk about it though, because I can't get a good picture of it AND I'm having trouble linking to it. First-world problems! Even if I was rich, I'd think that dropping $38 on a scarf was utter madness, but it doesn't stop the snuggie-wearer in me from wanting to traipse around Portland in a chic blanket.

Phew! Really feels better to get that off my chest.

As promised...muffins.

So, since fall finally graced Portland with it's presence around the start of the month, I've decided that baking is going to be my new "thing." Deciding it and making it a reality are two very different things, but muffins have helped take me from "ah! The oven is on fire! No wait, it's just pre-heating" to "what's that delightful smell wafting from my kitchen? Oh yeah. MUFFINS."

I made an unremarkable pumpkin muffin a few weeks ago--note to everyone: unless you've just had three heart attacks, DO NOT substitute applesauce for butter. It makes for terrible texture and taste. And for the record, my mom's told me this approximately 50 times--and I got into the swing of things with a delightful batch of banana chocolate chip muffins and pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. I think the key here is adding chocolate chips to whatever I'm baking. Also, don't you love how ridiculously ghetto that muffin site looks? Whatever, it's how I roll. I meant to try whoopie pies last weekend, but I decided that sleeping, cleaning, and homework had to take priority. This will be remedied soon.

And now for the fashion tie-in--there's nothing that makes a slouchy cardigan and a pair of leggings look better than a plate of muffins.

Lastly, let's not get too attached to this new blog template I've got here. It makes me feel like I'm writing in a creamsicle. Tweaks to come!

Because weeks should always be themed.

I promise, musings on muffins and librarians are coming shortly. Wow, that sentence makes me sound quite boring. But I swear, my writing prowess will keep you on the edge of your seat about these topics.

However, I'd like to kick off this week by letting you in on a little fashion project I've conducted the past two weeks at work: THEMES. It's like on Arrested Development when Lindsay tries to convince Michael and Gob that "BEADS!" are the best idea she's had yet for a career. Anywho, I'm always very nervous when I first start a job, even though I've had jobs that didn't always require me to be on my A-game. Like, no one was going to totally flip out if I messed up their sundae at Oberweis or if I failed to properly check out their library book....at the library. As I grow older though (being the sage 23-year-old I am), I just keep piling the non-necessary pressure on myself.

So, how to deal? Theme fashion weeks! Because I had a little bit of a crazy first half of the month, I decided to ease into things last week with a "black-and-white" theme. Truman Capote would have been proud, I just know it. And this week? "Color Me Wild!" I'm wearing lots of colors, and could have just said "Crayola week" or something like that, but I have a not-so-secret desire to get into the make-up-naming business, and like to hone my skills whenever I can. Since I've exhausted the basic themes, the next 48ish weeks will be a little more of a challenge (my job is a year-long contract gig. Ooo! I said gig! I'm a grown-up.), but I think I'm up for it.

Socks: Life doesn't get more interesting than this.

Yeah...that's the stuff... (photo from We Love Colors)

When one starts blogging about socks, should they just hang up their hat and admit that they have nothing left to talk about? Maybe that would have been the case three years ago, but socks have EXPLODED. Who knew that foot bags have become the latest fashion statement? A bunch of designers have started putting their models in socks/heels, and frankly, I think it looks pretty cool. It's definitely one of those trends that has the potential to make someone look really awkward, but there are some fool-proof ways to work it out.

1) For Pete's sake (he loves when you do this!)--wear thin socks. This is NOT the time for those nubby knit socks that you wear in front of the fireplace during a photoshoot for Lands' End. We Love Colors carries colorful (who would have guessed that?) nylon socks that are fairly affordable.

2) If you're going to wear socks with your shoes, make the shoes substantial. No flats, strappy sandals, or kitten heels. I mean, I've seen it done with kitten heels, but it just looks weird. Yes, you're wearing thin socks (hopefully), but you're still wearing socks! You're not trying to look like Audrey Hepburn, so don't wear her shoes. For the record, I even think the heels in the above picture are a little too delicate for the trend.

So there you have it! A post on socks. Now it's time for me to think about what I can sacrifice in order to purchase socks in colors and styles other than "white athletic."

Re-up!

That title couldn't have less to do with this post if it tried. I've recently made my boyfriend start watching The Wire (so that I could have an excuse to watch the whole thing again), so I tend to use a lot of drug terms that I don't understand throughout the day. But I do know what a re-up is! It's a refill on drugs. So, consider this your refill on my fashion musings.

I've been gone for awhile, it's true. School has gotten a little busy, I'm starting a new part-time job, volunteering, and hanging out with fun people while doing even fun-er things. I tend to live life on the cynical edge, but all in all, I'm sort of in love with life right now. However, this leaves me with little time to talk to the internet about clothes, and that's awful. I love this little blog, and I love clothes even more, so in the spirit of Kevin Michael Christy (who's blogging again, CHECK HIM ON THE SIDEBAR), I'm renewing my commitment to this here blog. Until I take another leave of absence.

So, what's the specific occasion that's brought me back? THIS BRACELET ARRIVED IN THE MAIL. That's right, bitches. My birthday present from my lovely sister came to Portland this morning, and I couldn't be more thrilled. I'm going to rock it to sleep every night before putting it in the velvet pouch and brightly colored box it came in.

Stay tuned for thoughts on librarian fashion, muffins, and autumn. It'll be grand!

Presh.

the most delectable earrings ever, via fredflare.com

How adorable are these earrings? Seriously, tell me. Try and quantify the preciousness. Because I did, and I came up with "cuter than a combination of a tabby kitten, Joseph Gordon-Levitt when he's pretending to be dapper, and a toddler dancing to any one of Beyonce's hits. Preferably a medley."