Catch Up

In the days that I haven't posted, we've gone through the holiday season, entered a new year and been snowed in. That last one is my favorite. Looking outside, I can see the few inches of snow that apparently constitute a cancellation, though I can't say I'm complaining. I had finals.

I had a very merry Christmas indeed. This year's gift list surpassed last's year by far. Meet my new obsession.

That's right, Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts. 5 hours well spent. Dumbledore's office is definitely my favorite part of the castle just because it includes Trevor, Neville's frog.

In addition to the amazing castle, my friends and I had a Secret Santa exchange. I got two balls of Malabrigo Worsted in a beautiful dusty pink. While pink is a color I never rarely go for, I'm sure going to enjoy knitting it up.
And yes, that is in fact Whimsical Little Knits 2. Looking through the book, Ysolda's creativity is simply amazing. I've knitted mittens with flaps on my own, but the way she does it with her Snapdragon mittens is ingenious. The book is filled with practical accessories that are really creative and fun.

Just to remind my family that I am a teenage girl, I asked for the most spectacular pair of black pumps that I've ever seen. I have a thing obsession with shoes, and I've been on the hunt for a pair of simple black heels.

A 'batwing' sweater, which I have wanted for so very long. I'm deciding whether to get a yellow scarf and pretend I'm Batman, though I can't deny that I enjoy yellow and gray together.

Of course, I did grab some Christmas gifts for myself, including a new iPod touch affectionately named WALL-E, skinny black pants, and a plaid scarf.

It's going to be a magical 2011 indeed.

11.7.10

*Wipes dust off blog* Why hello there blog! So good to see you. Life caught up with me a little, but look! I have stuff! LOOK AT THE STUFF. Ahem. Right. I'm not crazy.

Meet Call Me Captain, and Sir Nicholas' Famous Snidget Fingers.

Call Me Captain is a basic wooly striped shawl/scarf (sharf? Scawl?) in Ravenclaw colors (unintentional!) Very warm, and oh so very large. I hardly know what to do with myself when I wear it. It was a great mindless knit.

As for the Snidget finger, I needed a quick project for the HPKCHC, and I came up with a lip balm carrier! Three cheers for ingenuity! Excuse the um, less than satisfactory seaming. I was rushed.
A new purse. My poor LeSportsac had suffered a beating, and sadly it's not very 'work friendly.' But I got this new thing, and I'm so excited with it! One of my friends told me I looked like 'a hipster working at Google and inside I had my iPhone and laptop.' It's probably one of the best compliments I've ever gotten. But look inside!
A Baktus named Notorious (after the Cary Grant movie.) And if you look deeper...
NEW YARN. I have to give all the credit to MJ. I ended up with some purple fingering weight, some very very soft red worsted, and pumpkin orange worsted. Nomnomnom.

Continuing with the 'wool' theme, we also have- not one, but THREE wooly items that my mum got me. It seems especially cold this year, and the sweater dress on the bottom is proving its worth in keeping me warm and fuzzy.

Outside it's steadily becoming less 'fall' and more Northeastern winter which translates to scathingly cold winds on a sunny day, or a gray gray day that makes you a little depressed inside. Although rumor (weather.com) says it's going to snow...

Theme?

I think not!

5 Keys for Back To School Greatness

I'm extremely pleased to introduce you to a guest blogger- Katie F! Katie is a friend from school, who happens to have a FANTASTIC style, and is quite a lovely girl. She also blogs over at Katie ². I asked her if she'd like to contribute a fashion post, which she generously did, much to my gratitude. :) So onward to her wisdom!

1. Choose Your Staple.

When you take notice of someone's style, what gives them that extra something? In many cases, it can be a distinct staple that really ties it all together.

A staple can be a unique hairstyle that only you can pull off, a fantastic pair of vintage shoes you will wear until they fall apart, or a scarf your mother once gave you that goes with literally everything you wear.

This year, pick a staple that makes you instantly you.

My personal pick? A shade of red-orange lip-color. It can be worn bright and matte, or softened down as a gloss. It's a definitive shade and can be worn year round.

Try to pick something that meets the above criteria. More importantly, make sure it brightens you and makes you smile!

2. Widen Your Range.

When was the last time you tried a new store? If it was yesterday, good for you, but that's not the point! The point is, we often tie ourselves down to a select range of shopping destinations, hoping they'll have what we want.

Think back to the stores you pass up, though. Why do you pass them? Do they look too "old" for you? Did you have a bad experience with their products five years ago? Do you just flat out assume there won't be anything you like/that fits you/is in your budget? Note: I am not talking about Baby Gap here. What I am talking about is the fact that this is the shopping season to go out and explore! New styles and sales are abundant and this is your prime opportunity to check it out. Set up a challenge for yourself: when you are out shopping, visit three stores to which the following apply:

A.) You have never set foot in

B.) You haven't set foot in in over a year

C.) You can't stand

If you aren't even the slightest bit surprised, I give you full rights to send me a disgruntled E-mail.

3. Try Everything On.

With all of the aforementioned styles and sales, it's easy to get wrapped up in a good day's shopping. This often leads to bags and bags of things that weren't tried on, and in many cases, will never be worn. I don't care how perfectly the silhouette lines up with yours when you hold it on the hanger. The fact is, trying something on is the only way to guarantee that it's the piece for you. I myself, am a convert. I used to hate trying things on and thought it was a waste of time. One too many pairs of ill-fitting pants drove me over the edge, though, and I was reborn!

I can't deny it takes extra time and effort to try on everything you select, but I also cannot deny you will be one hundred times happier with your purchases.

4. Amp Up Your Basics.

Like many people, I rely on the same great jeans, perfect white t-shirt, and comfortable sneakers for eons. Because of this, we often fail to note when the appropriate time comes to replace items like these. This is because we are simply unsure of when the right time is to lay these items to rest. Here are a few signs your basics might need a boost:

Jeans - Excessive holes; very noticeable fraying at the bottom and seams

T-shirts - Holes anywhere; discoloration and staining

Camisoles - Seams at straps breaking; staining, fading, yellowing

Socks/Underclothes - Staining or holes of any kind. Seriously. Don't be afraid to just pitch these

Shoes - A smell that just won't go away; holes in the bottom or sides; looser fit and discomfort.

Jeans and t-shirts can be kept to use for things like smocks or clothes to wear when camping. The others are best to get rid of or donate if still usable. (But trust me, no one wants your old socks.)

With this sorting out of the way, go buy yourself a great new pair of jeans that will last you another five years!

5. Create Yourself a Killer Look-Book---With Room to Build

My rule of thumb for when shopping (you know...after I've tried it on...) is to make sure I have at least two pre-existing options to go with the item I want to buy. It makes getting dressed much simpler! It's the first step to giving yourself a massive look-book that is adaptable for all seasons and occasions!

Let's take a look at some examples...

One Pair of Shoes -- Three Ways by Kate Fu featuring Dr. Martens shoes

One Pair of Jeans -- Three Different Ways by Kate Fu featuring Seven For All Mankind jeans

One Dress -- Three Ways by Kate Fu featuring Miss Selfridge dresses

I hope these five keys help you achieve the fresh, fabulous style of your dreams!

So go forth and rock the year you brainy beauties!

Sincerely,

Katie F.

http://2katie2.blogspot.com

Ouch...

This weekend, I went on a shopping spree. While there's many things I can blame this sudden caving in on, like, Christmas, Black Friday, children, etc...I'll just give you the list of shame.

1. A new bag

I have no slight regrets on this bag. I hate carrying my bag because it weighs a ton and I'm sick of having it on my arm, so this is a great alternative. It's incredibly handy for situations like when you're buying a Christmas tree, carrying a six year old, or running down a hill with a Christmas tree while carrying a six year old.

2. MAC Cosmetics Lipglass in Viva Glam V

This is the first time in like 2 years that I've bought a lipgloss. Like really. The last one I bought (I remember it so well because it's the first MAC item I ever bought and spawned a long lasting love) was MAC Lustreglass in Wonderstruck which was this super bright coral pink with a crapload of shimmer in it. And I'm not talking baby shimmer. I'm talking like someone threw in rocks of shimmer. I was about to buy it again but since I've grown older, which, in consequence is more mature, a more grown up lipgloss was needed. Which is why I purchased Viva Glam V. In addition to having a cool name (VIVA GLAM. It's like something a revolutionist would shout, if they were protesting...I have no idea), and 100% of the selling price going to an AIDS fund, the color is really nice. It's a muted plum with light, not obnoxious, gold shimmer. blinding. (PS! Lady Gaga is next in line to be a spokesmodel!)

3. A dress

There's a winter ball. I need a dress. Good news- it's not black. It's black with a purple sash and black skirt with a big purple flower on it.

Gettin Dressed Up

So, this weekend I went to a masquerade...and here was what I wore.

The dress- White House Black Market Black Strapless Polka Dot Lace Dress.

Yeah, this really isn't my dress. Similar style, but there's a layer of black polka dot lace over it. The best part is that there's a row of wire ribbing running up the bodice, so it's not a bunch of flimsy fabric that would fall down when you throw your hands up and start dancing. Thank you designers.

The shoes- Mossimo Isabella Pumps in Plum.

I'm obsessed with the purple heels. They're too awesome to describe.

My friends wore incredible dresses, and amazing shoes. And what did you do this weekend?

Purple Reign

What do all these items above have in common? Well, if you're colorblind, or if you're simply not up to thinking about it, they're all various shades of purple. Pantone does a color forecast every year based on New York fashion shows, and this one of the colors is, cue the drum roll, fuschia red! Notice, how those colors are all shades of purple. Plum is such an obvious color for fall, too.

Other colors listed in Pantone's color forecast include lavender, salmon rose, super lemon, rose dust, slate grey, vibrant green, dark citron and lucite green. Notice how these are mostly bright colors. When it comes to bright, many are afflicted with the horrid 80's and end up looking like they walked out of a time machine.

If you want to stay trendy for this fall, but not look like a neon flashback, I recommend-

• Wear bright and neutral together. Don't look like a walking neon sign. Layer a bright with neutral shirt. A bright purple tank top under a white shirt, or a bright t-shirt under a dark hoodie works well.
• Wear bright accessories. My friend's brother owns these sick shoes that are black with neon splotches of paint. He chose to wear a black shirt with it, and looked rather nice instead of some freakish 80's teenager. Bright accessories add fun to your clothes. But remember. Less is more.
• Eye liner is your friend. If you're a little scared of bright clothing, do what I've been doing for years. Bright eye liner. It can be applied thick or thin, and if you choose the right shade, your eye color will pop. Urban Decay has great pencils, and L'Oreal HIP has these awesome gel pots. I use a purple liner for my brown eyes, and for special times, I use a teal one. Be smart and use lip balm. Not lipstick, not lip gloss. LIP BALM.

It's That Time Again- Part Two

Outlet malls are the greatest. All the stores you want (AE, Gap, J.Crew) and shirts for great deals. This is where I did my actual clothes shopping.

1. AE scoopneck shirt- I wasn't lying when I said I bought lots of purple. It's bright and it makes me look skinny.

2. Gap long sleeved striped polo- Super soft and comfy. Striped. A lot more wearable than you'd think.

3. J.Crew long sleeved coral sweater- It's long sleeved, v-neck. And bright. Really really bright pink.

4. Gap long sleeved plum sweater- A carbon copy of the J.Crew sweater. It's a bit thicker, hence less sheer. It's really really warm, and the color is gorgeous.

5. Gap coral and white patterned shirt- "Oh my God. There's ruffles. It's short sleeved. It's pink! With patterns? SWEET LORD WHAT HAS COME OVER YOU?" Yeah, I think my friends are supportive too. It's loose, but not loose enough to be a maternity shirt. No food baby issues here.

Everyone needs a good hoodie in their lives. For those days when they're like 'Ugh, it's cold, and life is looking kinda crappy right now, and man, I really don't want to pull my a** out of bed, and go to school." Yeah, here enters the hoodie. This J.Crew dark brown hoodie. It's lined with a mysterious fabric that's like the inside of Uggs, but this doesn't make me look like an Eskimo. It's really warm and really soft, and it can be worn with any color inside. I'm probably going to wear it till November, when it goes Arctic here. With some nice mittens (I have Give a Hoot in mind) and a nice hat (Center Square course) it's going to be a very very nice fall.

Pearls May Be A Girl's Best Friend, but Diamonds Are Her Lover

In her spare time, my mom designs jewelry. Drop dead gorgeous jewelry. We go out to stores and we look at gorgeous necklaces, which she recreates with her own special twist. Here are my favorites.Twisted teal pearls- Teal, grey and various shades of blue pearls in varying sizes swirled together. Best part? Near the clasp are emerald and black crystals. It's stunning. It's also the first necklace my mother ever made.

Rainbow crystal necklace- We went looking for a necklace to match a black dress I had. The first one we found that we both loved was $300 (and this was before the economy screwed us over) we designed this identical copy, and it sparkles like no other.

Pearl ribbon necklace- Grey pearls and blue ribbon. Way better than a standard white pearls and black ribbon. It looks like an accordion. It's super elegant, and it looks really simple. I wore it with a plain black dress and some pearl earrings, it looked gorgeous.

Also, I took these photos myself! I got quite a few good photographs.

It's That Time Again- Part One

*sigh* Here we go again, it's time for school...luckily these clothes make me feel better about my impending doom.

1. Boots!

I got the Franco Sarto 'Track' Riding Boots in Brown Suede. They look like real riding boots, and they're super comfy. My only issues are price and the zip. $99.90 seems a little (ahem, really) steep for some boots, but they're on anniversary sale, and I really like them so my conscience can go screw itself while I wear these nice boots. I don't own a pair of skinny jeans, so I have to shove my flare legs into the boot. The zipper is positioned at the bottom, so then you shove your foot, stick your hand up the zipper, pull down your jeans, and then attempt to zip it up. It's a pain. But these boots...so niiiice

2. (Another) pair of dark wash jeans.

My original plan was to get a pair of Boyfriend jeans from American Eagle. I own a pair of the originals (where the hell are those anyway...) and they re-released them, so I decided to go get another pair. But these pants...BIG. I have curves, and these fit well. But the legs are huge. I could fit another pair of legs there! So instead, I got a pair of Artists. Ten dollars more (and a size up, wtf), and definitely worth it (sure as hell not in the case of the size). Plus, I got a free tee-shirt with the jeans. Buy jeans, get a free tee-shirt. Nice :]

Karl Lagerfeld, What Have You Done Now?

I was digging Emma Watson as the face of Chanel.
And then they stuck in Lily Allen. Don't get me wrong, I like her music. But when you think Chanel, you think 'classic.' And when I think Lily Allen, I do not think classic.It strangely reminds me of Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Thoughts?

Thanks to Perez Hilton for photos