academichic

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.

10 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Pale pink top – TJMaxx
• Navy vest – thrifted
• Jeans – Old Navy Flirt
• Boots – Dillards
• Scarf – J.Crew

Endnotes:

Some time ago I came across the following picture from a Hermès ad campaign and saved it in my “Inspiration” folder on my desktop. I was saving the idea for warmer summer days, but since we’re now celebrating scarf month, I figured I might as well give it a try already. I don’t usually wear hair scarves as much during the winter months but they’re a beloved staple in the summer. They’re great for keeping your (frizzy) hair out of your face and for adding that carefree boho chic look to a summer ensemble.

So here is my interpretation of this dramatic look:

10 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

13 January 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Patterned dress – Banana Republic
• Gray tank – Filene’s Basement
• (Another tank underneath not shown, but worn for warmth)
• Woven belt – F21
• Vest - little boy’s Tracht vest, thrifted in Bavaria
• Gray sweater tights – drug store
• Boots – Dillards
• Necklace – Anthropologie

Endnotes:

The idea for this outfit actually came to me while running. Running is perfect for mentally exploring your closet or composing to-do lists. I was running though this very forest and something about this idyllic winter setting made me yearn for wool tights, a comfortable dress, sturdy boots and somewhat of a romantic aesthetic (to be later accessorized by a hot mug of tea and some great reading material).

And since I knew I would be posting this on Braid Wednesday, up in Yulia Tymoshenko braids my hair went:

13 January 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Now lest you think I walk around snowy forests wearing short sleeved dresses, I only did this for about the five minutes it took me to take these shots. The cold weather has made me efficient! I then bundled back up in my big fluffy coat, added a hat, scarf, and gloves and trudged back to my house. I just discovered this nearby forest while running and the snowy wonderland setting made it just too tempting for my post-run outfit pictures as well. And, because no one in their right mind was out there and off-pathing it, I was spared any curious looks from people passing by and seeing me model for the camera.

I’m really curios – how do you other style bloggers do it? For those of you who take your own pictures (I have a feeling that’s a minority), how do you overcome the embarrassment of setting up your timer, running to the chosen spot, and posing while smiling at your pretend audience? Do you look for a spot where you’re almost guaranteed to be alone or do you brave and ignore the baffled stares from onlookers?

Vest detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

You’d think that after entire year of walking sneakily to secluded but well-lit areas to model my duds for the camera, I’d have it down to a cool and blasé art form, but no, no such thing. Still awkward and self-conscious about it. Maybe I’ll get better at it during Year Two of Academichic.

Don’t forget to check back Friday for our first giveaway of Year Two! S.

13 January 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

28 December 2009 , originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:
All remixed except scarf:

• Maroon top – a.n.a., thrifted
• Black tank as vest – Limited, thrifted
• Skinnies – Celebrity Pink, thrifted
• Knee socks – J.Crew
• Boots – BR
• Green scarf – gift from T. from Christmas Market

Endnotes:

Wow, seeing A’s and E’s posts from yesterday really made me wish I had sisters. Being an only child is no fun. I hope you’re having a wonderful time with your families, you two! I’m having a great time with my grandparents and S2, who’s like my ersatz sister, so all is well.

Since I received a lot of comments on my hair yesterday, I decided to answer some of the questions that came my way regarding my ‘new hair routine’. So first some background: I used to do everything to straighten my hair and to basically have it appear anything unlike my hair in its natural state. The grass is always greener, right? But lately I’ve been really loving curls on others and appreciating my own curly/wavy tresses and have decided to embrace them rather than fight them. Some googling here and there when procrastinating has led me to conclude the following about how to care for curls:

1) wash less often
2) ditch the shampoo

I am by no means a hair expert and don’t know that this approach will work for you, it’s just proven really great for my hair. I have read several things that suggest that thick and curly hair needs less frequent washing and that once a week should suffice. I now only wash my hair about once every five days. The other thing I’ve come across is that shampoos with sodium laureth sulfates contain really harsh detergents that strip hair of natural oils and wreak a special kind of havoc on curls. There is a whole “no ‘poo” movement out there I had no idea about (and some very heated debates on the issue – who knew!). I’ve decided to go with a conditioner only washing routine.

I no longer blow dry, straight iron, brush my hair when wet (which brushes out the curls, I just towel scrunch), nor do I use any of the myriad of ‘curl enhancing’ or ‘smooth straightening’ products I used to apply. After only about a month of far less hair washing and with only conditioner, my hair feels silkier, has more curl in it, and is much more manageable. (Do I sound like an ad or what?) It’s still going through that six week adjustment period during which your scalp overproduces oil until it adjusts to the ‘no ‘poo’ routine, so during this time I’ve found that braids work wonders for camouflaging that. But even so, I’m preferring this curlier and almost frizz-free version to the way my hair used to look. All I use is a 60 cent bottle of Belea conditioner from my local drugstore and I’m good to go.

This is just my experience and I’m only sharing it in case someone else with similar hair would like to try it and see if it helps her hair the way it’s helped mine. I find that there is a plethora of information out there for how to style straight hair or how to beat curly hair into straight hair submission, but far less on how to embrace and love your natural waves or curls. Please pitch in if you have any information on this topic that you’d like to share – I’m always on the hunt for more tips! S.

Some other helpful link:

• Nature Moms on No Poo
• NPR on No Poo
• NaturallyCurly.com

28 December 2009 , originally uploaded by academichic.

Scarf Detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

16 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:
All remixed but shorts:

• Navy cardi – H&M
• White eyelet top – TJMaxx
• Tweed shorts – Tally Weijl, newly thrifted
• Sweater tights – DM
• Boots – Dillards
• Purple beads – F21
• “L” pendant – Anthropologie

Endnotes:

I have long been pining for a pair of tweed shorts to wear over sweater tights with boots. But seeing as how I didn’t pack any shorts with me, I thought I was doomed to sit out this trend until my return to the States. Oh, woe is me!

But then I came across the most amazing thrift store here in Munich and within five minutes of being inside, I spotted the perfect pair of tweed trouser shorts just as I had dreamt about on many a lonely nights. And they were to be mine for only 4 Euros. This was good, but also very very bad. Because now that I have discovered this magical thrift store, I am bound to return many times and my resolve of being frugal is quickly dwindling. Oh, woe is my wallet!

Tweed Shorts, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sorry, I think I’m spending too much time buried in my nineteenth century literature and I’m developing a flair for the dramatic. But I really am excited about this shorts-over-tights look and if you need any more style inspiration for this one, just check out how all of these lovely ladies have styled their shorts this season. Today I’m also loving layered necklaces and that it’s Braid Wednesday.

Necklace detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

Braid Wednesday, originally uploaded by academichic.

While it’s unseasonably warm in the library here and I could probably even pull off the shorts without sweater tights look, it’s decidedly freezing outside. So here’s a note on outerwear: A cute coat is great but will likely loose its charm once you’ve lost feeling in your frozen derriere. A warm and functional coat is a must in my book. I am now wearing this awesome one from Tahari, courtesy of my mom and dad. Thank you! It’s similar in cut to my black wool one but closer in feel to a sleeping bag and something I would recommend to anyone living in a cold weather climate or not commuting by car: invest in a good down coat! They’re not all dowdy and you don’t have to look like a marshmallow, just check out Sal’s great post for ideas and inspiration if you’re in the market for one this winter. S.

Brrrrr…, originally uploaded by academichic.

9 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:
All remixed except necklace:

• Black asymmetrical cardi – Banana republic
• Brown top – Jersey skirt worn as shirt
• Skinnies – thrifted
• Flats – Kenneth Cole Reaction
• Necklace – “Automated Daydreamer” from Tilly Bloom on Etsy, gift from husband

Endnotes:

The thing about having less clothes is not that you have less of a selection, it’s that you’re constantly doing laundry. Faced with almost no clean shirts, I decided to flex my creative muscles and came up with the idea of wearing this brown jersey skirt as a makeshift tube top. A cardi layered on top gave it the sleeves it lacked and I was good to go. After all, if a maxi skirt can double as a strapless dress, then why couldn’t a knee length skirt double as a top?

9 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Automated Daydreamer, originally uploaded by academichic.

Since it’s Braid Wednesday, I wore my hair in a style reminiscent of a Dutch milkmaid, although the only milk I’ll be getting near will be found in the copious amounts of coffee consumed at home and at the library while pouring over my work.

Braid Wednesday – Profile View, originally uploaded by academichic.

Braid Wednesday – Back View, originally uploaded by academichic.

How are you spending your Hump Day or Braid Wednesday today? Have a good one, you’re that much closer to the weekend! I have to go throw some shirts in the washer now and resume my reading… S.

9 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

19 November 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Navy cardigan – H&M, remixed
• Navy tank – Old Navy, remixed
• Wrap skirt – Boden, thrifted, remixed
• Navy tights – my mom’s from the 80s
• Gray wedges – Report, via Solestruck.com, remixed endlessly
• Ring worn as pendant – C&A

Endnotes:

This outfit was designed around this gorgeous Boden skirt that I thrifted this past summer in San Francisco. It is the one patterned skirt that I chose to bring with me to Germany and I’m so glad I did. This morning, it hung there in my closet just begging to be pulled out and worn. To keep it as the outfit’s focal point, I added only navy around the skirt – tights, top, cardigan in navy and, of course,  my beloved gray wedges.

Inside out braid, originally uploaded by academichic.

In an attempt to be more creative with my hair, I followed the wonderful video tutorial of Orchid Grey on how to do a braided thingy that wraps around your head and ends in a side-knot. (Here are some images of it when perfectly executed). I left my hair in a low side ponytail rather than in a knot because I was happy with it like that, but will have to try the knot next time.

I just discovered Orchid Grey and I’ve already bookmarked it as a new favorite. The author, Julie, has a wonderful sense of style and the most amazing hair. I want to copy both her wardrobe and her hairdos. I admit it, I have a slight case of Single White Female going on here, but I think you’ll understand if you go check out her site. S.

19 November 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.