blue

Uzi maze top in blue

Whit dockside dress with cutout back in dragonfruit print

Two lovely blue prints at Conifer Shop. The Uzi tank is definitely going on my shopping list for summer.

perfect spring weather

These are the days I live for. High 60s, breezy, low humidity. Perfect for a cotton pullover, shorts, and sneakers. My L.L. Bean fisherman sweater has been holding up nicely. Also, I found these old A.P.C. Madras shorts stuffed in the back of a drawer.

Such a pretty print on this Black Crane square tee at Steven Alan.

Unfortunately my trip to Montreal was a bust. I was hit with a particularly nasty virus while there, and after 6 days of fever, chills, body aches, and a negative strep throat culture, I am finally back on my feet. We're hoping to go back soon because I loved what little I did see of the city.

The weather has reverted to proper spring mode. I'm wearing my Steven Alan white overalls, a merino pullover, and a button-down shirt today. Lots of work to catch up on. I'm looking forward to celebrating our 7th wedding anniversary in the first week of June. Hopefully the weather will behave. I really want to spend that weekend at the Algonquin Provincial Park. This looks amazing.

Montreal!

Source: flickr.com via Annie on Pinterest

We're heading to Montreal on Tuesday morning for a quick two day work trip. We're staying with friends in the Plateau neighborhood. I've never been to Montreal before. I know it's a favorite destination, so I'll be going through a few of your archived posts (Julia and Joyce, anyone else?) for tips. Considering we'll have 2-3 little kids with us, I don't want to make ambitious plans. However, if there's something you think I should absolutely see or do while there, please let me know!

Broke

A white oxford shirt, boyfriend jeans, and black flats. It never gets old.

We were in a holding pattern for a year, waiting to replace broken things or make an upgrade. I'm glad I spent money on quality goods during my improvident years because they lasted through many years of use, but we're at a breaking point in every sense right now. Hopefully things will work out better next year, but they may not. I've been writing a post in my head about being a young academic couple and having a family, but I don't think I will ever publish it. Partly because this blog isn't anonymous enough. But mostly because I want to perceive myself as stoic and pragmatic even when I feel the complete opposite.

And anyway, even when falling apart has become a condition, I'm happily reminded that a white oxford and denim is all it takes to look pulled together.

ETA Thank you to everyone who has commented. It's always good to hear that I'm not alone. 

These days

Back during my early spring of Great Expectations, I updated my worn-out closet with several new things from J.Crew. Now that the dust has settled, I'm feeling sheepish about my mini shopping spree. Well, at least I'm prepared for any teaching that comes my way...!

shirt dresses by sea

from french garment cleaners

Thinking about the North Shore and lobster sandwiches today. And these shirt dresses...But I think what I love most are those dogs.

white on gray at steven alan

Steven Alan Maia Dress

Beautiful white on gray print at Steven Alan. It's a rainy day here in Toronto. 

Leave it to Townes Van Zandt to phrase things just right:

the good with the bad

julia's new gretel tote

i'm sorry if i haven't responded to your LoGE requests this past week, my trip to CA was difficult on many levels. i am trying to focus on the positive, or at least maintain a baseline of okay-ness.

in the meanwhile, julia's photo of her new gretel tote is so peaceful and calming. i feel it's time to do another closet and house purge after my roller-coaster winter and spring.

a.p.c. ajourees sandals

i love the contrast of leather and suede, the tiny wooden wedge, and the perforation.
at french garment cleaners (formerly stuart & wright)

The end of winter

This ace & jig Jardin top will be waiting for me when I visit home for a week next Tuesday. Elias will be one on April 1. Holy moly, I can't believe it!

east coast meets west coast (fwk engineered garments)

every time lauren posts outfits at arrow & arrow, i feel like i've found the promised land of outfits. i've now spent 10 years east of the Sierra Nevada, and i consider my clothing choices informed just as much by east coast prep and pragmatism. the second outfit also confirms my deep-seated belief that there's nothing wrong with me that can't be fixed by a freshly washed white button-up shirt.

no snow today!

ace & jig turnaround top at conifer shop

it's a good day when it doesn't snow and there's only 9 days left in march.

Playing dress up

Steven Alan Julien jacket
J.Crew Tilda oxford top
J.Crew Pinwheel eyelet pencil skirt of course it's on sale right after i wear it!
Club Monaco Riley merino crewneck
Rachel Comey Mars boots
J.Crew enamel bangle

Serendipitous finds

My never-ending quest to be better organized has met its match. A pouch found at bookhou on Dundas with a zippered compartment for coins and cards and a slot sized just right for my phone. I'm always switching bags depending on work or Elias-duty, so it's helpful to have my essentials in an easily transferrable pouch. Maybe the next time I'm on Dundas I'll pick up this large pouch in waxed canvas and rain print.

everlane in canada

looks like everlane is going to have a couple of pop-up shops in toronto this week. i'm excited to go to their launch party thursday evening. i wish i had been able to order their light gray cashmere crewneck for my interview, but instead made do with the riley merino crewneck from club monaco that was on sale for $59.

the campus visit

on my way by ahistoryofarchitecture featuring a merino sweater

heading to the airport in 2 hours...
a few quick thoughts on the outfit

there are a lot of different opinions about the campus visit outfit, and if i owned a lovely suit, i would probably wear it. however, i am more comfortable in a skirt and blazer, so that's what i decided on. i wanted something that was more cheerful and upbeat after this long and difficult winter. a graphic eyelet skirt in navy paired with a light gray crewneck sweater--these are neutral colors that i associate with the tail end of winter. as for the j.crew tilda top with its bedazzled ruffle collar....what can i say but that i have a weakness for stand-up ruffle collars and shiny sparkly objects! i'm hoping that the Steven Alan julien jacket and Rachel Comey mars boots in black will impart some amount of polish and professionalism to the outfit.

at the end of the day, outfits are fun to obsess over, but hopefully won't be the deciding factor.

Dear Reader

I bought them.

hurry up, spring!

suno drawstring jumper dress

collars

zara basic cotton shirt

club monaco bernice shirt

my j.crew order arrived, and i'm having second thoughts about the silk collar tee. i think the short sleeves are too casual, but the collar is oddly small in proportion to the rest of the shirt, which cardigans and blazers only accentuate.

so, now what?
i could get a chambray shirt, which would probably be a useful addition to my wardrobe. but i'm not sure how i feel about chambray and a navy eyelet pencil skirt.

or i could get a simple button-up shirt. zara would work, although i'm drawn to the collar detail on the bernice shirt at club monaco.

oh, and i'm pretty sure i need a pair of black ankle boots. flats don't look quite right with the skirt. i may have to go back to gravity pope and get the rachel comey mars. i'm also thinking of trying on the rag & bone newbury boots, which are apparently very comfortable. as someone who doesn't wear heels, i'm a bit of a skeptic.

edited: just noticed that the bernice is rayon. oof, not such a fan. 

Breaking up with winter

I'm done with snow boots and long underwear. Even with 17 degree windchill, I don't care anymore!

So here's to transitional outfits...
Etoile Isabel marant denim dress
Primoeza cardigan
No. 6 buckle ankle boots
Falke tights

Advice please!

I bought what I thought were the Mars boots on Yoox for $250, but they're a slightly different style with a double stacked sole. I am not sure about the sole, I've stepped on the lip a few times, and I have to admit I prefer the clean lines of the Mars.

What do you think??

two outfits for two days in march {J.Crew 20% discount code}

interview no. 2 by ahistoryofarchitecture

interview no. 2, day 2 by ahistoryofarchitecture

ETA: try the code INSIDER for 20% off and free shipping at J.Crew. i just checked it, and it seems to be working!
 
i've been spending far too much time coming up with outfits....when i really should be working.

after waffling on the Rachel Comey Mars boots, i've decided against them for now. the loose heel and tight toe box make me nervous about spending so much money for what will most likely be uncomfortable after a few hours wear. at this point i've decided to work with what i have, adding two new pieces (the j.crew pinwheel eyelet pencil skirt in navy and silk peter pan collar top). i picked up a pair of cece flats in boulevard green over the holidays for $47, and pretty much everything else was purchased well over five years ago.

unsurprisingly, i gravitate toward j.crew when it comes to interview clothing. i wish i could get a new bag, maybe in a dark gray or black. i have a small LV damier bag that my mom gave me, but i always feel strange carrying it. also, it isn't very practical because of its size.

the only two 'imaginary outfit' pieces are the pyrrha necklace ("in lumine luce") and satomi kawakita diamon disc earrings, neither of which will be accompanying me. if all goes well, maybe they'll end up in my jewelry box later this year...?

impatience

Rachel Comey Wren Dress at Steven Alan

Been spending too much time looking at Mars boots online...and now I want a dress to go with them.

Long story short, the 8s are too small, the 9s are a little too big (an insole works), but I'd rather go a little big rather than try to track down 8.5s from a previous season. I ordered what I thought were heavily reduced Mars boots from Yoox, returned the 8s to Gravity Pope (we exchanged them for a pair of shoes for Matthew), and am now deciding what to do next.

I can order them in the US and have a friend mail them to me (hopefully they would arrive with time to spare so I can break them in for a few days before the 13th). Or I can swallow my pride and pay an extra $70 to have them right now. The funny part is that I was able to pay the full Canadian price this weekend while in the store, but now that I'm shoe-less and at home, I've become stubborn and peeved about the markup.

Hard morning

Some mornings it takes forever to get out the door. One boy has mastered the stalling technique. The other has a teething fever. Thank goodness for a Mociun dress hand me down to cheer my morning.

more thoughts on the interview outfit

did you see this of a kind / fieldguided giveaway? i've been obsessed with the iacoli & mcallister spica light, which i first saw at thomas sires. i'm sorely tempted to order this necklace as part of my interview outfit. i think there's more leeway for creative pieces during this stage of the interview process.

the weather is the trickiest variable in my outfit planning. it may rain, or there could be snow in mid-march. sturdy shoes that offer some protection from muddy or wet ground are a good idea. i'm thinking of ordering the frye carson lace-ups in either dark brown or black. if only i still lived in the US, i would order them from bliss boutique in a heartbeat. a dressier option that may be more appropriate would be the rachel comey mars boots.

at this point i'm leaning toward a pencil skirt, maybe in a fun spring color, plus a cardigan and my trench.

The Interview Outfit

My NYC trip was a success, although I think I spent more time traveling than in the city. Now I need another outfit for mid-March. Just for fun, let's build an outfit around this top. Shoes that can withstand 8 hours on my feet, and something that works with my trench. Since this is all hypothetical, let's look for a necklace, too. If only the interview were as much fun as imaginary outfits!

nyc for 26 hours

pre-spring samuji at jumelle

is it already valentine's day? and leon is turning 4 on the 22nd.

my birthday came and went. matthew got me the etoile isabel marant ouda pullover, which has kept me warm this past month.

ever since julia posted her new samuji dress, i've been hoping to check out the line in person. well, it looks like jumelle is having a sample sale that starts while i'm in nyc for 26 hours. maybe i'll be lucky and find something nice.

if you were in nyc for work and only had 7 free hours before catching your flight, where would you go, what would you do? i can't decide if it's worth going to jumelle if i'm in midtown and need to be at La Guardia by 5.30.

MHL love

Been wearing this sweater nonstop since I picked it up on sale at Robber. The color is gorgeous, and I love the shorter boxier fit. There's an x-small and medium on sale at La Garconne ($121) and a large at Robber ($125). I went with the small, but even the large seemed to be fine if you want a more over-sized look.

Isabel marant etoile pullovers on sale

ETA:
Looks like both sold out pretty quickly. If you ended up buying it, I'd love to hear what you think!


Both are at Jonathan + Olivia. The Ouda Wyoming is $175, and Gladys mohair jacquard is, I think, $195.

Sizing wise, I can fit into the 40 but am more comfortable with the 42. The Ouda is a shorter boxier cut, whereas the Gladys is a slim cut. Both are very warm. The Gladys is also pretty fuzzy and has a looser, more open knit (danger cats!).

http://jonathanandolivia.com/OUDA-WYOMING-KNIT.html
http://jonathanandolivia.com/GLADYS-MOHAIR-JACQUARD-SWEATER.html

Rain in January

New winter boots that a friend found on steep markdown. Plus leggings and my trusty old Mociun tunic for this crazy warm weather today.

Ugg Adirondack boots in Obsidian