2 March 2010

Posted on | March 3, 2010 | 24 Comments

2 March 2010 – Cardi, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Cardi – TJMaxx
Lace top worn backwards – Maurices
Jeans – Filene’s Basement
Boots – Dillards
Bracelets – Big Lots
Earrings – made by me

Endnotes:

The generous folk over at Maurices recently sent us a few gift cards, one of which we gave away to you a while back, and three which were for us to redeem for something of our choice. Not having a Maurices in Germany, I tucked away my gift card until my trip home, when I was finally able to go to their store and pick something out.

Until recently, I really wasn’t too familiar with Maurices, but I was really pleasantly surprised to walk into their store and find so many things that appealed to me: professional yet stylish blazers and jackets, many beautiful drapey cardigans, fun evening tops, and pretty accessories. Their prices are comparable to those of H&M, Forever 21, or Zara’s, and they carry everything from smalls to cute plus- size clothing. I chose a few tops and jackets to try on eventually narrowed it down to this green lacey top I got and this pink ruffled evening top, that would have also made a fun addition to my wardrobe. I chose the green lacey top because I think I can get more mileage out of it, particularly since it lends itself to being worn backwards (as I did here – with the lace in the front) or the intended way, with the lacey embellishment in the back.

2 March 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Lace detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

Before deciding to wholeheartedly recommend Maurices to you, I came home and did what any decent scholar would do – I researched the company I was about to endorse…

(more…)

28 February 2010

Posted on | February 28, 2010 | 11 Comments

28 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Scarf – courtesy of echo
Brown tank – Old Navy
Cardi – J.Jill
Brown cords – Ann Taylor Loft
Boots – Dillards
Yellow bag – vintage, garage sale find

Endnotes:

For a last nod to our scarf month, I’m excited to showcase my new Echo scarf that I received courtesy of Echo Design. A. and E. already showed off their beautiful new Echo scarves, wearing them as a belt and as an Ascot tie respectively. I tied mine in the European knot and wore it loosely as a pop of silvery-blue with this brown and chartreuse outfit. I love how light and breezy it is and how the slight crinkled effect and unfinished edges gives it a casual and worn-in look.

Echo scarf, originally uploaded by academichic.

Echo Design generously sent us a last scarf for a reader giveaway, which we will offer in a last scarf month giveaway post this coming week, so stay tuned for that! We also have new themes coming for the month of March, more Fashion 101s, and more DIY posts, so check back tomorrow to find out what’s to come in the new month. Meanwhile, I hope you’re enjoying the weekend and having a great Sunday. S.

28 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Scarf Giveaway #4: Infinity Scarf

Posted on | February 26, 2010 | 298 Comments

As sad as E. is to say goodbye, we’re thrilled to offer this infinity scarf from Kangaroo Knits for our fourth scarf month giveaway. The long, circular scarf is black acrylic yarn and has silver gray crocheted edges. It is double knitted, making it reversible, and it is approximately 8” wide and the circumference is approximately 88”.

To enter, leave us a comment telling us what’s your favorite way to wrap and wear the scarf (see examples here). For another chance to win, leave a separate comment with a suggestion for what color (or color combination) scarf you’d like to see Kangaroo Knits offer next. This giveaway is open until Sunday, Midnight Central time, after which we will randomly select a winner.

23 February 2010 – To Infinity

Posted on | February 23, 2010 | 11 Comments

23 February 2010 – To Infinity, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Infinity scarf: courtesy of Kangaroo Knits
Cardigan: Target
Jeans: thrifted, skinnied by me
Boots: Banana Republic

End Notes:

I wore essentially this same outfit back in December. It’s a collection of neutral basics that form the perfect backdrop for a focal point scarf. Last time I used two colored scarves to add some brightness, but today I stayed monochrome and used this thick infinity scarf, sent to us by the gracious Margie of Kangaroo Knits, to add such volume and texture.

23 February 2010 – To Infinity, originally uploaded by academichic.

This reversible scarf — black with a silvery gray edges — has a wonderfully substantial feel and it is dangerously addictive as a plaything. There are an astonishing number of ways to wrap and tie the scarf, and I waffled between a lush cowl or a more tightly wrapped collar.

23 February 2010 – To Infinity, originally uploaded by academichic.

Either way, it’s a fantastic, multifunctional accessory and cozy to boot and I wish I could keep it permanently. Yes, it’s true. This infinity scarf will be up for grabs as our final Friday giveaway of scarf month so be sure to check back to enter.

(Of course, if you can’t wait til then, Margie has some gorgeous colored versions available as well! Saffron! Turquoise! Salmon! Gah!)

Scarf Giveaway #2

Posted on | February 12, 2010 | 337 Comments

Many of your responded so positively to E.’s and A.’s use of the Neck Scape by Etsy seller BabyEtte, that we are “tickled pink” to be able to offer you this fleecy pink version as our second scarf giveaway. We are Neck Scape converts here at Academichic and we know you will be too, once you give one a try!

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment telling us how you would style this Neck Scape (for ideas visit BabyEtte on Etsy). For a second chance to win, leave us a separate comment telling us what item of clothing you would like to see us celebrate next month (belts? shoes?). Contest is open until Sunday at Midnight US Central Time. We will randomly chose a winner to announce on Monday. Be sure to check back, as we will also be offering a “consolation prize.” Good luck!

9 February 2010

Posted on | February 9, 2010 | 28 Comments

9 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Purple “Neck Scape”- BabyEtte on Etsy
Black Cardigan – BR Outlet
Skirt – Hand-me-down from friend
Belt – F21
Purple Tights – BR Outlet
Wellies – Banana Republic
Earrings – American Eagle

Endnotes:

BabyEtte over on Etsy sent us a few of these incredible “Neck Scapes.” I have to be honest – when I first put these layers of jersey around my neck this morning, I was skeptical. It took me a few minutes to figure out how to wear it, how many times to wrap it around my neck, how it should lay, and what I should wear with it, but after a few sweater/shirt changes and a bit of playing, I am sold! It’s surprisingly warm and cozy and received many compliments on it today. I’m excited to play around with it some more.

BabyEtte “Neck Scape”, originally uploaded by academichic.

The rest of today’s outfit is also a bit of an experiment. A friend gave me this wool mini skirt and challenged me to give it a try. This skirt is completely outside my usual comfort zone: it’s short, it has front patch pockets, it’s tulip shaped, and it has polka-dots. But, for some reason it appealed to me and I was surprised to like it once it was on.

Skirt Detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

I definitely need opaque tights to be conformable with the length and because it is sitting so low on my hips, I needed a longer top. I don’t know why I am being so matchy-matchy this week, but I kind of like the purple tights mirroring the purple “Neck Scape.” I decided to wrap this rather bulky sweater a bit tighter and belt it. I think (at least from far away) it looks like an asymmetrically buttoned cardigan.

For extra warmth, I layered a long sleeve tee and a short sleeve tee under the cardigan and doubled my tights. I finished it all off with the perfect snow storm accessory – my new, much loved, Banana Republic wellies.

What do you think of the “Neck Scape”?

9 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Scarf Giveaway #1

Posted on | February 5, 2010 | 366 Comments

For our first scarf giveaway, we are so excited to get to offer you one of the beautiful scarves from Nepali by TDM Design. We all love the gorgeous designs made by this eco-conscious and socially sustainable company and know you will too.

In addition to giving away this lovely light weight grey and purple stripped Francie Cashmere Scarf, TDM Designs is generously offering our readers a special %20 discount on Nepali Scarves. The discount code is aca20 – happy shopping!

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment telling us how you would style this scarf. For a second chance to win, visit Nepali by TDM Design and leave us a separate comment telling us which of their scarf lines you like the most. Contest is open until Sunday at Midnight US Central Time. We will randomly chose a winner to announce on Monday. Good luck!

4 February 2010

Posted on | February 4, 2010 | 10 Comments

4 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Gray sweater – Merona, thrifted
Embellished tee – hand made by E.
Jeans – Old Navy Flirt
Boots – Dillards
Scarf – Nepali by TDM Design
Bag – 1 Euro reusable shopping bag made from recycled plastic bottles, drug store

Endnotes:

I mentioned last week that I received a care package with goodies from A. and E. With it arrived my Nepali by TDM Design scarf, which I couldn’t be more excited about. This lightweight silk scarf will be perfect this spring or summer but I can’t help finding ways to work into my wardrobe already. While the rest of my outfit is comprised of sturdy, sensible winter fabrics – jean, wool, leather – the silk scarf adds that dash of light and airiness that softens the whole look. It’s all about juxtaposition, people…

Nepali by TDM Design scarf, originally uploaded by academichic.

I think this outfit in particular shows how a scarf can really change the feel and look of a basic ensemble. Without it, I’m just wearing a basic gray sweater, jeans, and a tee. With it, I look a little more polished and put together for my ventures out of the house. It’s amazing what a difference a little bit of well placed fabric can make.

And while we’re on the subject of scarves, I want to point you over to Audi’s site to check out this great little video in which she demonstrates two ways to wear a scarf that are slight deviations from the European Loop and the Loop & Tie methods we used earlier this week – I’ve never seen either of these ways of tying a scarf, so I am thrilled that Audi’s video how-to gave me new ideas for this month.

Once you’ve watched that, you might want to check out his awesome link that came from reader Beth T. on my post yesterday. It takes you to Hermès’s guide on the many ways you can wear a scarf. More new-to-me scarf tying techniques that I was sure to bookmark. Check those out, perhaps you’ll find some new ideas on how to wear a scarf as well.

And then hold that thought and come back tomorrow for your chance to win a Nepali by TDM Design scarf of your own in our first Scarf Month Giveaway tomorrow! You can snatch you own awesome Nepali scarf on which to practice all those new scarf-tying techniques. S.

4 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

3 February 2010

Posted on | February 3, 2010 | 15 Comments

3 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Scarf- Nepali by TDM Designs
Black Pencil Skirt – Banana Republic
Black Henley- Gap
Black Tights – Target
Brown Belt – BR Outlet
Brown Boots – Banana Republic, via ebay

Endnotes:

While S. and E. started scarf month off by celebrating old favorites, I’ve decided this week that I will show off the many scarves I have never featured in a post. Most of these I wear on a regular basis but have yet to photograph, but today’s scarf is new and this is its premiere! I am also premiering these little retro, green square earrings – a gift from E. who thrifted them in Hawaii. I love how the shape repeats the gingham pattern of the scarf and adds a single pop of color to my neutral ensemble.

Squares, originally uploaded by academichic.

This scarf comes from Nepail by TDM Designs. As E. has mentioned before, we love Nepali scarves because they are all made from natural, eco-conscious materials and because Nepali by TDM Designs works directly with craftswomen in Nepal, helping to provide them with a sustainable income and offering educational and health care services to their families.

They have so many gorgeous scarves to offer, some of which are rather fancy, but I adore this small simple black and white gingham number. My favorite part is the way the texture and size of the checked print change and the ends.

Like E. yesterday, I chose a simple European-loop tie (folded in half with the lose ends pulled through the loop created by the fold). I wanted to really show this scarf off, so I built a simple outfit of classic black pencil skirt, black tights, and black henley and then added brown accessories for a bit more visual interest.

Are you giving the European-loop a try? A.

3 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

First Day of School, 2010

Posted on | January 22, 2010 | 29 Comments

First Day of School, 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Grey Jacket – Banana Republic
Cardigan – Banana Republic
Cinnamon Pencil Skirt – J Crew
Tights – Gap
White Scarf – sister M.’s
Wedges – Kenneth Cole, via DSW
Earrings – Gift
Blue Tote – Emilie M., via T.J. Maxx

Endnotes:

This is what I wore for the first day of school on Tuesday. I was introduced to my students, had a meeting with faculty, and some campus walking to do.

peep toes and tights, originally uploaded by academichic.

This classic pencil skirt was a Christmas gift from my mom and I knew as soon as I opened it that I would be premiering it on the first day of school. The shape and fit are noting new for me, but the color, which is actually a bit more subdued than it appears here (“cinnamon” according to J Crew) is a bit of a departure form my usual pencil skirt look. I intially thought of pairing the skirt with cream (which I will surely do in the future) but decided to play up my own embracing of a new color by trying a new color combination. Bight orange and blue is a color combo E. has done a few times and I love how it came together here.

Earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

I tied the white scarf around my neck to break up the bright color blocks and soften the other wise very buttoned-up look.

I also premiered my new tote from T.J. Maxx. E and I took a little pre-first-day shopping trip to T.J. Maxx and Marshals, where we both found great deals. I’ve been wanting a tote to replace my NY China Town bag that fell apart earlier this year (after several years of almost daily use). I love my larger canvas totes but wanted something smaller and a bit more professional looking. I think the bright blue makes this youthful and stylish but the simple shape and faux leather construction allow it to function like a briefcase. For less than 20$, I think it more than fits the bill!