16 February 2010

Posted on | February 16, 2010 | 31 Comments

16 February 2010 , originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

black dress – H&M
black tights – from Romania
black boots – Banana Republic
Pedant – Anthropologie
Scarf under belt – thrifted in San Fran
Belt – TJMaxx

Endnotes:

This look was inspired by one of the Hermès scarf-tying tips found in their online tutorial. While most of their knots were familiar to me, I came across this idea and was pleasantly surprised: layering a scarf under a skinny belt to make an interesting scarf/belt obi is another great idea for sprucing up an otherwise ‘blank canvas‘ look. So this past weekend, I pulled out my black shirt dress, added black tight and boots, and went grabbing for my scarves and skinny belts. I tried several scarf + belt combinations until I settled on this one, really liking the analogous combination of the orange fabric with the red leather.

Scarf + Belt detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

I tucked the ends of the scarf underneath the scarf sash, so that they didn’t stick out at the back (as shown in the Hermès image above). I then belted the scarf obi in place and was pleased to discover that the belt helped keep the scarf from shifting or moving even while walking around with a coat thrown on top of it. This was such a simple way to add a point of interest to a monochromatic outfit and I think the scarf adds so much more depth and richness than just the belt on its own. I am definitely going to experiment with other belt + scarf combinations, creating blue and green analogous pairings or perhaps bolder complimentary color mixes the next time around.

What do you think, would you give this one a try? S.

16 February 2010 , originally uploaded by academichic.

1 November 2009 – NaNoWriMo and Opera Sunday

Posted on | November 1, 2009 | 21 Comments

1 November 2009 – Opera Outfit, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:
All remixed:

Black dress – Target
Black belt – Banana Republic
Silver clutch – Charlotte Russe, thrifted
Black tights – Grocery store
Gray wedges – Report “Calico”, via Solestruck.com
Ripple shawl – Blue Onion Marketplace
Earrings – side walk sale, my wedding earrings

Endnotes:

So it doesn’t quite have the same ring as Superbowl Sunday or Ice Cream Sundae, but it does describe what I did yesterday and it is as exciting to me as football and ice cream might be to others.

We’re officially off! National Novel Writing Month began yesterday and if you’re participating then you’re likely sharing my nervousness and excitement as you begin your novel. Thank you to the lovely Andrea for putting a little NaNo support group together and encouraging everyone to share their first paragraph on her post. I’d also love to hear from any of you who are partaking in this – I invite you to NaNoWriMo obsess away in the comments section of this post! (And if you want to add me to your writing buddies, my NaNoWriMo name is Academic Abandon.)

Wedding Earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

As for my outfit yesterday, I did not wear this to write but I did wear this to the Opera after my required word count was met. One of the things I love about being in Germany is being able to get 6 Euro tickets to attend the Opera! No joke, attending the Opera here can be cheaper than going out for two beers and by far more chic!

I told you I’d likely keep wearing this same black dress over and over, and so I did. This time around I went for a more dramatic effect with black tights, a black velvet belt, and a POP of color (that’s how loud it was) with this red-orange ripple scarf from Blue Onion Marketplace. Sorry about the poor image quality, but I snapped this just on my way out and the lighting in my room is horrible. So you can just pretend to be seeing this outfit with this background and then you get the idea. How else would you style this LBD other than with a pashmina scarf and a belt? S.

Ripple Shawl detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

24 October 2009 – Night at the Opera

Posted on | October 25, 2009 | 13 Comments

24 October 2009 – Night at the Opera, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

On S1 (above):

Black dress – Target, remixed
Silk tie belt – from another (thrifted) dress, remixed
Vintage brooch – was my grandmother’s
Pink pashmina – H&M, remixed
Gray wedges – Report, remixed
Pink clutch, Ann Taylor, remixed

On S2 (below):

Ivory shimmery top – recent H&M purchase
Black pencil skirt – recent H&M purchase
Ribbon weave pumps – bought in Romania years ago

Endnotes:

Saturday night found S2 and I enjoying a wonderful production of Janacek’s Janufa at the Munich Opera House. The night ended with enthusiastic Bravas and Bravos from the audience and we, too, shared that enthusiasm despite having seats that allowed us to see no more than 65% of the stage at all times… ahh, the nosebleed section of the Opera.

Since I’m abroad this year and have a limited wardrobe, I wore my one black dress that I packed and will likely wear for all formal events to come. By styling it differently each time, I hope to avoid having you (and me) groan, this outfit again?! as I pull it out over and over. This time I added a pink and tan obi belt, which comes from this silk dress I wore on my last opera visit, and a pink pashmina. I also took a cue from A., who’s done this brilliantly a few times lately, and added a sparkly brooch to my belt for added drama and dazzle.

Vintage Brooch, originally uploaded by academichic.

Ideally, I would have worn these shoes with the above outfit, but had I packed those, last night would have likely been their main starring role on this trip. Instead, I brought my trusty gray wedges, which can be dressed up enough to go with a Little Black Dress but are also a smarter every-day, get-lots-of-mileage-out-of-me shoe choice.

24 October 2009 – Night at the Opera, originally uploaded by academichic.

Meanwhile, S2 looked stunning this this ivory shimmery cowl neck top and black pencil skirt combo. But I think her shoes truly did steal the show here: cream peep-toes with a dark brown ribbon weave, lovely! A great example of how a patterned shoe can add the perfect finishing touch to a basic outfit.

Ribbon weave shoes, originally uploaded by academichic.

I think it’s also worth noting that we went to the Opera wearing outfits comprised almost entirely of Target, H&M, and thrifted pieces. And we didn’t look that bad, right? I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend as well, whatever Saturday night found you doing. S.

Munich Opera House, originally uploaded by academichic.

3 September 2009 – Date Night

Posted on | September 4, 2009 | 11 Comments

3 September 2009 – Date Night, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Polka-dot dress – Target
Blue pashmina – TJMaxx, remixed
Silver clutch – Charlotte Russe, thrifted
Gray wedges – Report, remixed
Pearl necklace and earrings – gift from parents

Endnotes:

After spending my day getting things done around town and at home, T. got home and suggested we go out for an impromptu last date night. It didn’t really take much convincing for me to get changed and be ready to go. Really, I think he was still finishing his sentence while I was already on the way to my closet to pull out something festive for our last proper date before I leave. We decided to revisit the restaurant at which we had our wedding reception just last month, since it carried such special memories and the food had been delicious.

It was a perfect night for sitting outdoors on their patio, sipping mojitos, and enjoying my husband’s company. It was warm enough to wear a simple summer dress one more time, while just breezy enough to snuggle under a cozy pashmina. A perfect night with a perfect date.

Now I’m back to packing and checking off lists. We’re off to visit my parents this weekend where I’ll stay a bit longer to enjoy some time with them before I take off for the year. Moving and departures always get so hectic and all of the sudden you’re trying to remember a zillion things that you can’t live without, so I’m really glad to be able to pull up my packing post and just check off the items as I put them in a suitcase. I’m glad to not have to be making these decisions now as my mind’s on a multitude of things and I can just pack on auto-pilot by following my post. I think there will be some minor adjustments made, (such as my substituting this dress I wore last night, for this other polka-dot dress I had intended to pack…just because…), but other than a few minor changes, I’m set. Have a great weekend, everyone! S.

3 September 2009 – Evening, originally uploaded by academichic.

13 July 2009

Posted on | July 13, 2009 | 9 Comments

13 July 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed except flower:

Black dress – BR Outlet
Scarf as belt – J.Crew
Black wedges – Connie, thrifted
Flower pin – Blue Onion Marketplace

Endnotes:

As A. already mentioned, we’re reviewing our Fashion 101‘s on color and this week we are tackling neutrals and neutrals with a pop. The last time we wore neutrals (with a pop), I was under the mistaken impression that a pop of color could only be had when adding a bright or punchy item to the mix. Such as bright purple tights to a black and grey outfit or a pair of bright pink shoes to an all brown look. I’m now realizing that a pop can be soft and unassuming and still be an effective and unexpected accessory to an all-neutrals ensemble. As is this pale blue flower added to my blue scarf worn as a belt:

We received these beautiful flower brooches from Blue Onion Marketplace and I couldn’t have been more excited to use one of them to ‘pop’ my all-neutrals outfit today. I’ve worn a similar pink flower pinned to my jean jacket before and A. used hers to dress us a summer tote, so I wanted to explore another way of wearing it today. Pinning it to my scarf belt gave this little black dress and extra touch of summery whimsy, don’t you think? If you’re itching for one of these of your own, check out Blue Onion Marketplace and use the reader code ACADFREESH at checkout to get free shipping for the month of July!

And on the subject of neutrals with a pop, what is your favorite way to add a burst of color to an all-neutrals outfit? What ‘neutrals + pop of color’ puts a smile on your face? S.

Blue flower pin, originally uploaded by academichic.

30 June 2009

Posted on | June 30, 2009 | 9 Comments

30 June 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed.

Black flutter sleeve dress: Liz Lange for Target
Wooden bead necklace: Hawaii
Wooden hoop earrings: Wet Seal
Brown suede slippers: Cobia

End Notes:

Thank you all for your kind words yesterday. I had a good doctor’s visit that afternoon and that evening my husband and I finished our final childbirth class. It’s amazing how just checking one more thing off a to-do list (in this case, “learn how to have baby”) can make a big difference in my subconscious mood!

Today just felt like a dress day, and this fluttery sleeve, swingy number caught my eye. The last time I wore it I was in Houston, attending a brunch in honor of my sister-in-law’s graduation. This time around I wanted to keep the same sweet feel to the outfit but I added a little more of a bohemian twist by pairing brown accessories in earthy textures — wood and suede — with the black jersey.

I have to say that wearing the little black dress as a summer day dress is still something that I have to carefully plot. Of course, fabric and cut do a lot to make even a black dress more summery, but accessory choices play a role as well. How do you wear your little black dress in the summer?