La Chouette en Dimanche - A New Look!

So I decided after getting involved with Independent Fashion Bloggers, I would make some changes to my blog and create some consistency in my posts.  I just want to be more involved in the blogging community and grow my blog.

So what do I have in mind??
1. Give aways!
2. Consistent posts three times a week on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
3. More beauty content (I figured, I work in this industry, I might as well post about it more)
4. Growing into a larger fan base
5. Free ad space!  (I have a full time job, I dont need to make money off my blog BUT I would love to advertise for some like minded folks!)
6. Better comment love to all the ladies in our little fashion blog-o-sphere.


So, for my first post (and continuation of my New Year's Resolution of using the clothing I have), I want to introduce this...

This is a vest my aunt got me for Christmas about 2 years ago.  Now you have to understand the context by which this vest was bought.  My aunt thought "Lara loves to hike and ATV and mountain climb and just be outdoors...."  Somehow, my love for outdoor sports translates to me wanting to dress like I am about to go hiking on a regular basis.  That is where this vest comes in.  It isn't quite something that would be either A: comfy or B: practical for outdoor sporting wear but because it looks outdoorsy, she bought it for me.  Not that it is BAD...its just not my everyday style. 

So, as a result of my resolution to wear pieces in my closet that are practically abandoned....this vest resulted in this outfit....

 

 Shirt: Old Navy

Vest: Gift from my Aunt

Skirt: Thrifted

Leggings: Target

Socks: Target

Boots: Madden Girl

 

 And believe it or not....I wore this vest today!  (For ice skating behind my parents house with my husband).  Mission accomplished! 

2010

I just wanted to wish you all a happy new year!  2009 was fairly good for me.  I got married, we bought a house, I got my kitty, Madeline, and I have been doing well professionally in a job and industry that I love.  There have been some bumps in the road as well.  My husband lost his job in July and is still unemployed and as a result, we haven't been able to do the things we would like to.

I mentioned in my last post that I had two New Years resolutions: To lose some weight/be in better shape and to shop more via thrift stores and consignment shops.  I think I want to add one more resolution:  I resolve to take better notice of the little things in life.  I think I more than most are guilty of getting lost in my thoughts so often that I miss a lot of what is going on around me.  Maybe it is a silly thing to deem a New Years resolution....

Cardigan: Thrifted
Blouse: ModCloth
Necklace: ModCloth
Belt: Target
Skirt: Thrifted
Leggings: Target
Heels: Payless 

Today was a cleaning day for me and while cleaning, I managed to gather a bunch of clothing items I never wear.  Sometimes I don't even know why I buy things I won't wear....

SO...as part of my New Years resolution of fashion, I am going to be putting one of these unloved items into my outfits for the next two weeks.  Definitely a challenge....

New Year's Resolution

Everyone in the blogosphere is talking about their New Year's resolution and so I am going to be lame and be no different!  I have three resolutions but I am only going to talk about two (the third is irrelevant).

1. [LAME]I want to get in shape!  I have never had a major weight issue, per say but, I used to be a ballerina so to me, as I prepare to turn 27 years old this January, I feel out of shape and pudgy.  I guess i really don't care what the scale says but I just want to lose what shouldn't be there.  So, I have rejoined my yoga studio (that helped me SO much for my wedding!) and I am working on getting in a spin class at the gym and two a week at home.  And (prepare to gasp) I am going to try not eating meat.

2.  Due to my husband's unemployment (stupid building industry laying off all the architects), I am going to shop almost exclusively at thrift stores and resale shops and I am going to utilize what I ALREADY OWN.  This is hard for me because I love shopping and I work in an industry (the beauty industry) that is very trendy and full of shopping temptations. 

With that said, here is my before picture...  (j/k  its just an outfit pic!)

Cardigan: Thrifted

Sweater: Christmas Present

Jeans: Thrifted

T-Straps:Crown Vintage London

Necklace: Forever 21 

Click your heels three times...

Lately I have just been so crazy about shoes.  Slightly due to a recent purchase and also because of a recent post from Q's Daydream Vintage.  So I just thought that because I didnt wear anything past yoga clothes and PJs today, I would just post some shoe fun.

 

The Muir Woods booties from ModCloth (I actually bought these)

 

Morph Pumps from FLY London (my new shoe love thanks to Q's Daydream!)

Pink Studio Jona oxfords from Ruche

Seychelles Pedestal Pumps

 

Aldo Teigen Mary Janes

Various Holiday Fun

Just like many in our quaint little blog-o-sphere, I have been guilty of not posting during the last few days due to the holiday.  At first, I was going to have this massive post with full explanation of each day but when I pulled up the pictures on my camera, I decided to just give some various pictures with captions to show my holiday madness.

12/23/09

Each year, this fine group gathers on December 23rd to go sing carols at a local hospital.  Mostly friends in high school choir, most have kept the tradition going to Ingalls Memorial in a low income Illinois suburb for the last 11 years.  My costume (I am the one in the front with the mutli-colored corset and maroon skirt) was originally a jester's costume as that was the role I always played however all the bells have fallen off over the past 11 years.

Me, in the above said costume with Zahoya, the pocket puppet that is always mocking me when kids are around! :)

 

My outfit later that day, which was a lot less interesting

Cardigan: Francesca's Boutique

Necklace: Forever 21

Dress: (actually a nightgown) Thrifted

Leggings: Hue

Boots: Madden Girl

  12/24/09

 

We had an ice storm here on Christmas Eve and although it was icy and slightly dangerous outside, it was beautiful looking.

 

I had formal Christmas Eve dinner at my house.  We don't have much but my mother was nice enough to give me a Christmas table cloth for my dining room table!

12/25/09

 

Christmas Day for us was fairly small and quiet.  We spent the morning at my in-law's for breakfast and gift opening but I didn't have my camera.  This was taken at my mother's house for dinner.  My husband, me, my father and my grandmother (mom is taking the photo).

12/26/09

  Today it just snowed....all day.  Which traditionally means we throw the cat in it all.  She was less than enthusiastic. In fact, she just sat there....didn't move....and just shook from the cold.  Despite the fact that she has more fur than any cat I have ever seen.

Cardigan: Urban Outfitters

Tee: A gift from a friend

Skirt: I heart Ronson 

Leggings: Target

Booties: Target

Necklace: A gift from my Sister-in-Law (who also has fantastic style BTW) for Xmas.

And that was my holiday in short. :D

Owls (Again) and a Letterpress

My obsession with owls probably started when I was about 10 and my brother gave me an owl stuffed animal.  Well, I shouldn't so much say he gave me as he taunted me with it since he tended to do that to me.  And although the real version of the bird creeps me out just a bit, I love them in every other way.  Especially in a print.

Dre

Dress: She Said...

Necklace: ModCloth

Jeans: Thrifted

T-straps: Crown Vintage of London

Belt: Target

 

Speaking of birds, I have found the most brilliant Etsy shop for some very unique and beautiful letterpress decor!  Their name is dutch door press and I have gone on and purchased some of their lovely birds and blooms of the 50 states collection. You can also visit their website Here

Colorado

Debbie Downer and a WWD Day

I am going to apologize ahead of time for this post but, I have just been a Debbie Downer today!  I think it has to do with having a fat day.  I just had one of those days where all day I felt like I weighed 100 more than I do.  Not sure why.  Luckily, I am smart enough to photograph myself and always post the next day so even if my day sucks or I couldn't get around to taking a good pic, I can still post something.

Cardigan: Thakoon for Target

Blouse: I heart Ronson

Skirt: I heart Ronson

Leggings: Target

Boots: Madden Girl

Necklace: ModCloth

 

On the other hand, today's work day was a bit slower and I had a bit of time to go through some old WWD publications through December.  Typically I am pretty good about picking them up and scanning for some good fashion content but since we are retail and December is crazy season, I have been pretty far behind in my reading.  In doing so I fell across an article about one of my favorite sustainable clothing labels, Edun and their new spring collection and I fell in love!  (The ruffle skirt is what caught my attention!)

 

 

(all imgs are from WWD 12/10/2009)