7 July 2010 – Braid Wednesday

Posted on | July 7, 2010 | 13 Comments

7 July 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Black shirt dress – H&M
Pendant – Anthropologie
Scarf as belt – my grandmother’s
Silver sandals – Target
Bike – Electra Hawaii
Helmet – Nutcase

Endnotes:

Happy Braid Wednesday! It’s been a while since I’ve participated, but a simple outfit of a black shirt dress tied off with a scarf belt provides the perfect back drop for a more elaborate hairdo. Last time I posted a close up of this braid style, a reader asked how I did it. It’s pretty simple – I just twisted my hair into two Dutch braids, one on each side of my hair. I brought the braids and all of the unbraided hair together at the nape of my neck, divided it into three sections, and braided that into one long braid. I then took that braid and gathered it up into a loose knot at the nape of my neck. (I have no good pictures of this from the back because it’s surprisingly difficult to photograph the back of one’s own head, so maybe another time when I can employ a willing photographer…)

7 July 2010 – Braid Wednesday, originally uploaded by academichic.

Scarf belt, originally uploaded by academichic.

Riding my bike and wearing a helmet presents some hairdo challenges. I can no longer throw my hair up into a topknot (unless I’m willing to undo and redo it every time I remove my helmet, which I’m not). I also haven’t been wearing my hair down much because it’s so hot and humid. So differing braid styles have proven to be the best option. Even braids started at the crown of my head like these ones can snugly tuck into the helmet and look pretty unfazed when the helmet is removed. I think I will continue to experiment with helmet friendly hairstyle as the summer continues.

As for my shoes, they were eager to participate in Braid Wednesday as well…

Braid Wednesday , originally uploaded by academichic.

Will you be participating today? Check out the Braid Wednesday Group Pool for additional inspiration. Or, alternately, do you have any tips for helmet friendly ‘dos? Thanks! S.

23 May 2010 – Bike Date

Posted on | May 23, 2010 | 24 Comments

23 May 2010 – Bike Date, originally uploaded by academichic.

If you haven’t already heard of the Let’s Go Ride a Bike Summer Games, then you should definitely head over to Dottie and Trisha’s site to check them out. They’re a perfect incentive for picking up that bike you’ve been keeping in storage this winter and dusting it off for some fun rides around the neighborhood. Added bonus – there are prizes involved for those participating.

For my second entry to the LGRAB Summer Games event called “Social Cycling”, I took Trisha’s and Dottie’s advice and scheduled a bike date with my husband. What a perfect way to explore Munich together on his visit here. And since Trisha and Dottie said to dress up, here is what we wore (not exactly
‘dressy’ clothes, but just the regular street clothes we would have worn walking around town.) No special gear required…

On her:

Sunglasses – loan from friend
Yellow top – Sam & Max
Skinnies – S. Oliver
Flats – Palladium
Scarf – souvenir from Duluth, MN
Bag – old Etienne Aigner, hand me down

On him:

Graphic tee – J.Crew
Backpack – Jansport
Jeans – Nautica
Shoes – Aldo
Sunglasses – souvenir from Costa Rica

T. and I are both enthusiastic cyclists although our styles are very different. While T. loves to go fast, I like to ride slow. For T., it’s all about getting from point A to B as quickly as possible, while I like to take my time and look around. T. loves to feel the rush of flying downhill on his bike, I tend to keep the brakes on and meander downhill at a much more hesitant pace. T.’s machine of choice is a fast and sleek road bike, I prefer a big lumbering cruiser. But despite our superficial differences in biking, we both agree on one thing: riding our bikes is fun.

23 May 2010 – Bike Date, originally uploaded by academichic.

When it comes to engaging in this activity together, we both make compromises and find that the result is awesome; I feel the thrill of going a little faster, T. slows down and enjoys the ride-as-process, and we both take pleasure in spending the day together doing something we both love.

(more…)

5 July 2009 – One Last Spin

Posted on | July 5, 2009 | 13 Comments

5 July 2009 – Last Spin , originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed:

Fuschia scarf – J.Crew
Purple tank - Banana Republic
Cuffed skinnies – Abercrombie, thrifted
Orange gladiators – American Eagle
“Pride” necklace – garage sale find

Endnotes:

This morning, I took Nerp for one last spin around the neighborhood before heading back to academichic central for a few days and then on to visit my parents for a week. I figured I’d get one last ride in before being without a bike for a couple of weeks. I tell you, this cycling thing is addictive!

Since I spent a significant portion of my day in the car today, I needed an outfit that was no-fuss and accommodating to my schedule. Flat shoes for ease and comfort while loading and unloading my car and light layers to combat the heat were a must. So I drew my inspiration from the cute outfits A. and her sister L. sported just last week and put together this purple tank with my cuffed skinnies. I added a hair scarf for both the fun detail it provides and the function it serves in keeping my hair out of my face and off my neck in this brutal heat.

These flat gladiator sandals have become a staple in my summer wardrobe and I’m surprised how often I wear them given that they are a bright punchy orange. But if you follow this blog, you know that neither of us three shies away from a bright and colorful shoe! I used to think that all I needed was a black and a brown shoe for each season and I’d have my bases covered. But why stick to brown and black when there are so many more fun options out there?

We recently received a reader email asking us how we know when to pair a colorful shoe with our outfits and whether there is a good rule of thumb for how to combine colored footwear with colors in the garments. Before we try to develop a methodology of our own on this subject, I’d like to pose these questions to you: Do you play it safe with you shoes or are you also a fan of the colorful and patterned variety? If so, what’s your ‘rule of thumb’ when incorporating a colorful shoe into your outfit? And when do you make colorful footwear work and when do you decidedly steer away from it? S.

25 June 2009 – Colorado

Posted on | June 25, 2009 | 5 Comments

25 June 2009 – Evening, originally uploaded by academichic.

25 June 2009 – Morning, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Evening (all remixed):

Black top – thrifted
Red cardi – thrifted
Black linen skirt - H&M
Scarf - souvenir from Minnesota
Purse – garage sale find
Sandals – Target

Morning:

Fuschia running shorts – Old Navy
Blue technical top – St. Louis marathon
Running Shoes – Brooks

Endnotes:

I have a confession to make. I cheated on Nerp today. This morning, T. and another friend and I rented bikes and went on a beautiful 20 mile bike ride from Breckenridge to Frisco (Colorado) and back. We looped around scenic bike paths and trails and enjoyed the most amazing view of snow capped mountains in the distance.

We rode a bit through the city of Frisco and there we came across this adorable sight. You may have heard of Bike to Work Day, which took place this past Tuesday in Colorado. Apparently, this pre-school was having a Bike to Preschool Day today (as one of the teachers informed us) and so the front lot was littered with the cutest and tiniest array of bikes I’ve ever seen. It made my day! S.

14 May 2009

Posted on | May 14, 2009 | 13 Comments

14 May 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

White button-down – American Eagle
Blue cami – BR, remixed
Green cord skirt – thrifted, remixed
Silk tie – thrifted
Sandals – Target, remixed many many times

Endnotes:

First of, thank you to all the wonderful readers who’ve chimed in this past week with words of advice and tips for me as I venture into bike-commuting! It’s been so helpful to get your tips and also your stories of encouragement (especially to all who assured me that biking in heels and skirts is more than doable).

Thanks to Chrissy and Megan’s advice, I got a bunch of clothes pins and used one to pin the front of my skirt to the back, essentially creating a temporary pair of shorts to help preserve my modesty while riding. I think I will toss a couple in each bag and purse I have so that they’re just handy when I need one.

Skirt Holders, originally uploaded by academichic.

And check out my new basket! I went with a back of the bike version because I fear that my laptop and books would be somewhat heavy and throw off my steering balance at the front if placed in a basket up there. This is actually just a storage basket we picket up at Target. Last night, my fiance added the back rack off a free Craigslist bike we got a while back (that’s out of commission) to my bike, fastened this $10 storage basket with tie straps, and we added a $5 water bottle holder also from Target. We pimped my ride for only $15 – definitely student budget friendly!

Silk tie detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

It’s been a long day of writing at home for me today and my brain is fried. So what better way to unwind than by taking a little bike ride with T. to a local sandwich place for dinner? I’m tossing my bag in my new basket and my cares to the wind! S.