academichic

• Green Hoodie – J Crew
• Teal Scarf – NY China Town
• Jeans – Gap
• Clogs – Dansko
• Hat – Gap Outlet

After a full Saturday and another overnight dumping of snow, I needed something simple and cozy for just a trip to the grocery store and back.  I often throw on jeans and a hoodie on Sundays but today I took a yet another style clue from S. and tossed a scarf around my neck and under the hood.

I love this color pairing of bright grass green and teal.  It’s an analogous scheme I find comforting, using two of my favorite colors, but I think it has an unexpected playful quality.  While, sometimes a hoodie, jeans, and danskos are all I’ve got in me, the easy addition of a brightly colored scarf is a quick fix for an otherwise blah outfit.

Nepali by TDM Design scarf, originally uploaded by academichic.

4 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

• Navy Sweater – Gap
• Scarf – Gift (Old Navy)
• Jeans – Gap
• Bracelet – Gift from S.
• Clogs- Dansko

Yesterday was a snow day!  This doesn’t actually mean all that much for me since the university hasn’t started back (they never have snow days anyway), but A2 was off, so we made the most of it.  We stayed inside in PJs all morning before getting dressed and heading to an afternoon movie.  Afterward, we picked up E., N., and baby e. from the airport – all in all, a good day.

I stayed warm in this new (8$) sweater and one of my many new Christmas-gift scarves!

A while back, in a post about her own tattoos, Sal asked Already Pretty readers what about their appearance was theirs alone? Many readers wrote in listing things they wore that might not be considered fashionable but that they love anyway.  Right away I thought of my Danskos!  I love these shoes!  They are so comfortable and I think they are attractive too – I love the way they look with my new jeans.  I have worn these for years and years – I had them well before I could even imagine myself in a pair of pointy-toed heels and well before I embraced tucking skinny jeans into boots. Danskos are also one of the many things S. and I quickly bonded over when we first met.

I imagine I will wear these Danskos (or a replacement pair) forever! In Sal’s words: They are all “mine” so “what’s yours?”    A.

• Cardigan – BR Outlet
• Blouse – BR Outlet
• Jean Skirt – BR Outlet
• Sweater Tights – Banana Republic
• Wellies – Banana Republic
• Belt – Ann Taylor
• Earrings – Banana Republic

It wasn’t until I wrote up my sources that I realized almost everything I am wearing is from either Banana Republic or the Banana Republic outlet. This is not the first time this has happened, of course.

These BR wellies were a Christmas present from my Mom and I can’t get enough of them.  They keep my feet dry and warm yet are versatile and stylish too.  All of the other BR items I’m wearing today were bought on sale!  I mentioned the other day that one of my favorite post-holiday activities is shopping. I love the sales and the sense of freedom to experiment when things only cost $3!

I bought this floral blouse the day after Thanksgiving for a whopping $7. It’s rather outside my comfort zone in both fit and pattern and not something I probably would have ever tired on with its original price tag still attached. The cardigan on the other hand, purchased on post-Christmas sale, was a bit more of a splurge, but I’ve had my eye on it for a while. What better way to wear two new patterned items, than together?  My tights are patterned too!

In time, I’ll be revealing more of my great post-holiday finds.  For now, a few thoughts on post-holiday shopping: hit the store early for more selection; if you have time, go back later in the week to see what you missed and push yourself to consider items outside your comfort zone; visit a Banana Republic, Gap, etc outside of the mall, or in a office district where there isn’t much weekend traffic (often you will find these locations deserted after the holidays and thus have the best selection); skip the bargain stores because their stuff is always cheap; buy things you would normally pass up but keep all the tags on until you’ve had a chance to reevaluate all of your purchases (try things in different combinations with items in your existing wardrobe).  What are your post-holiday shopping strategies?

Inside:

• Purple Cardigan – Gap Outlet
• Grey Tee- Banana Republic
• Brown Belt – Gap
• Scarf – BR Outlet
• Jeans – Banana Republic
• Wellies – Banana Republic

Outside (below):

• Coat – Old Navy
• Hat – Gap Outlet
• Bag – Urban Outfitters

Two of my favorite post-Christmas activities are shopping and museum-going.  While I do both of these things fairly regularly during the rest of the year, the post-Christmas experience is always my favorite.  I’ll write more about shopping in a later post this week, so on to museums.

Yesterday I visited one of my favorite art museums – the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. I like visiting museums during holiday break for several reasons: I’m usually going to old favorites (ones I visit once a year), I get to take my family members on a guided tour, there are always more curious children there than usual, I get to enjoy the experience and not feel like I need to take notes!

So, while E. was enjoying unseasonably-cool weather at the Rothko Chapel, I was enjoying seasonably- normal freezing weather in Minneapolis in my new coat and hat (post-holiday shopping finds).

What’s your favorite post-Christmas activity?  (I also love to play board games, see movies, go sledding and ice skating, and play with my nieces and nephews). A.

• Plaid Shirt – Gap
• Grey Long-Sleeve Tee – American Eagle
• Jeans- Banana Republic
• Wellies – Banana Republic
• Earrings- hand-me-down from Sister M.

I got a bunch of new clothes for Christmas and have been hitting the post-Christmas sales.  I bought this blue buffalo plaid shirt at the Gap and I love it!  I like how bright the blue is, the ruffle detailing down the front, and the fact that it has no pockets (pockets don’t do much for my chest).

For Christmas, my mom gave me these wonderfully versatile wellies from Banana Republic.  They are black rubber with a brown leather cuff and are warm, water-proof, and incredibly comfortable, while also being rather chic.  I wore them sledding this morning and am wearing them to dinner tonight.

On another note, I’m fascinated by S.’s hair experiment and would be curious if there are any blonds out there trying it.  I have naturally curly hair that I straighten most days.  I wash and condition my hair almost everyday (and definitely every time I exercise), but use very little product in my hair b/c I find it makes it very greasy. When I wear my hair curly, it starts out looking pretty good, but is a frizzy and greasy mess by the end of the day. I don’t know that I could ever embrace the “no-poo” movement, but I would be willing to test out some new curly hair regiments – any ideas?    A.

• Grey Wrap Cardigan – NY & Co
• Black Henley – Gap
• Green Ruffle Top – Old Navy
• Skinny Jeans – Banana Republic
• Black Patent Belt – Forever 21
• Earrings – Hand-me-down from sister M.

Happy Holidays dear readers!  I have been traveling through the Midwest visiting my and A2′s families.

We spent Christmas Eve with my family and we were having too much fun to worry about capturing the perfect outfit-post picture, so these family snapshots will have to do.

I think all of my  sister’s looked adorable – unfortunately the pictures are limited (no picture of sister R.) and I’m not positive where all their fabulous pieces are from.  As you can see, the love of belting runs in the family!

I wore my favorite comfy wrap cardigan and dressed it up with big black earrings and my holiday-perfect ruffly green top.  I layered it all over my black henley for warmth and wore my skinnies so I could sit on the floor to open presents and play board games – a practical yet chic holiday ensemble.

I hope you are all enjoying your holidays!  A.

• Olive Sweater – H & M
• Grey Wrap Sweater – NY & Co
• Teal Scarf – NY China Town
• Skinny Jeans – Banana Republic
• Boots – Banana Republic, via DSW
• Belt – BR Outlet
• Earrings – Banana Republic

I love this outfit! I often think I love an outfit, but then something happens – the belt shifts around, the skirt rides up, the shirt looks bunchy, it photographs horribly, etc.  But this outfit I loved when I put it on, loved as I wore it, and love it in the photographs.  It is warm and cozy but I think still stylish and elegant in its casualness. I think its slimming.  I think it’s playful.  I think it’s creative and subtle.  I love the mix of charcoal and brown and the mix of olive and teal and the way all these colors came together.  I love the addition of the brown bakelite earrings.

It feels strange to so unabashedly write such positive things about my own appearance. Like many of Sal’s readers, I find that I am rather self-conscious about any form of self-love. It’s so much easier to pick an outfit apart, find its flaws, find your flaws in the way you are wearing it.  Posting a picture of yourself everyday is undoubtedly a self-centered act, but for me its often not a self-praising act.  As S. mentioned last week, style blogging can make you feel very self-conscious and vulnerable and I have more than a few outfit posts that make me cringe to see them now.  So, when I find myself looking at one I love, I’m gunna let you know it!

10 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Scarf Knot, originally uploaded by academichic.

10 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

• Fuchsia Jersey Wonder Wrap – Blue Onion Marketplace
• Grey Tee – American Eagle
• Jeans – Gap
• Green Flats – Banana Republic
• Earrings – Gift from S.

I haven’t been feeling 100% the past few days so spent most of my weekend in my PJs or sweats. But, when friends wanted to stop by for coco last night, I thought I should try to look presentable.   I pulled on my new jeans and a long sleeved tee, but instead of going for a sweatshirt or oversized cardigan, I decided to give this wonder wrap a try.

I’ve had this jersey mystery in my closet for a while.  I loved how S. wore hers, but have been struggling with pulling it off quite the same way.  I decided to pretend it had no sleeves and use it as a giant jersey pashmina.  I love the color and the fabric and I think it works well tied behind my back like this.

I also tried wearing it with the extra just hanging loose in front, but preferred it tied neatly away.  The jersey wonder wrap is on clearance over at Blue Onion Marketplace (and it just might be a future giveaway).  If you have one, let us know how you are wearing it!

Speaking of Blue Onion Marketplace, congratulations to our three winners!  We would love to know how you wear your flowers too!