Reality bites.

I almost didn't post this because I am somewhat ashamed of certain parts of this outfit, but I promised you more outfit posts, and it's time you learned about one of the sad realities of my life.

Yes, my friends, those are Uggs.  I ruined a nearly flawless outfit by wearing Uggs.  I desperately wanted to wear my Steve Madden oxfords, but it was cold and rainy and I didn't want them to get ruined!  So now you know that, in spite of the big game I talk, I often give in to the evil temper of the weather and just wear something that keeps as much of my body warm as possible.

As for the rest of my outfit, the cardigan and skirt are two of the impulse buys I made in the dead of February.  I'm absolutely in love with both of them, and they're so comfortable I feel like I'm committing some kind of crime while I'm wearing them.

Cardigan: J. Crew

Skirt: J. Crew

Belt: Fossil

Necklace: Banana Republic

Happy Fashion Fridays, everyone!  I hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing weekend!

Vice Report: Week of 4/24/11

Like many people, my vice of the week is the royal wedding. With the frequency with which we view wedding shows in my apartment, there was bound to be a lot of exposure to royal wedding mania. Understandably, I have fallen victim. It's not so bad, especially when it means I got to witness scenes like these ones.

I'll admit it, after all the media surrounding the ceremony, my interest in Kate Middleton's wedding dress steadily grew.  I would say, as of last night, I was dying to know what it looked like.

Image via

It was beautiful.  I loved it.  I'm full of envy.


And then I slept until noon.

I wear clothes!

Obligatory Thoughtful Pose

You guys were probably thinking at this point that I don't wear clothes at all, just baked goods and printouts of things I really want to buy, but don't have the money to purchase.  Well, you were WRONG.  I do, in fact, own and wear clothing.  You can hardly tell, but the dress is actually maroon with little white dots all over it.  I've gotten a lot of mileage out of it since I picked it up at Zara in the fall, it's been a life saver on many occasions.  My mother bought me the sweater at Steinmart (I know!  I'm shocked, too!  But I love it.) when we mutually decided that my black Jackie cardigan had reached the end of its life...but it might still be hanging in my closet.  Oops.  I do prefer to wear this one, though, since it's actually black and the other one is more of a miserable faded gray at this point.

Now, the booties, those babies are my pride and joy.  Two and a half years ago, I decided I would die without fold-over ankle booties, and I went on the search for the perfect pair.  They found me and my life was complete, except for all the other things I still want.  Sure, they hurt a little bit, but I have shoes that teach me the true meaning of pain every time I wear them and these?  These are child's play.  Sure, they give me a rather ineffective eight inch stride, but that's why we plan our day around our outfit choices, right?

In case you were wondering, my hair looks like I'm wearing a wig not because I'm a lunatic who has trouble discerning which personality is actually her own, but because it was misting yesterday.  Yet another form of perverse precipitation, it is more active than dense fog and less active than true rain.  It also seems to have found some way to defy the laws of gravity, making an umbrella almost completely useless.  Curly hair + flat iron + mist = strange volume.

And no, I will not be taking a serious photo any time soon.  Baby steps, y'all.  Baby steps.

Dress: Zara

Sweater: Steinmart

Belt: I forget :/

Shoes:  Matisse

Earrings: Lia Sophia

Watch: Gifted Concord

When Life Gives You Lemons...

...have an awesome day.

Now that I have bangs, it turns out my hair needs a bit more maintenance than it had been getting the past few years my whole life.  A new salon spa extravaganza thing place opened here recently, and they offer 50% off services during the week with a student ID.  Floored by the obvious awesomeness of this discount, I signed myself up for both a bangs trim and a manicure, which you can see I clearly needed based on the above pictured busted-ness of my nails.

When the appointment rolled around on Friday, it was a really miserable, windy, gray day.  I should have known, because if I have a haircut scheduled, there's about a 95% chance of rain that day.  This is why I don't schedule haircuts on the day of a wedding, as much as I would like to have my hair shampooed and blown dry for the occasion.  I digress.  The point is that I ended up getting a really magnificent manicure for twelve dollars and fifty cents.  Good to know that my continued academic suffering is good for something.

Afterwards, I went to visit my good friend Lauren, where I encountered Smitten Kitchen Lemon Bars.

Lauren, it turns out, is really good at baking.  They.  Were.  Delicious.  And the color looked so good with my nails!  All in all, my dreary day turned into a lovely experience, and it was the perfect start to my weekend.

Happy Monday, everyone!

Boots: Steve Madden

Nails, Before: Essie Peach Daquiri

Nails, After: Essie Going Incognito

(I think.  I may have forgotten to look at the label.  Oops)

Sunday Comics: Outfit Posing, Part 2

I'm hilarious, aren't I?  This is a rough approximation of what it looks like when I try to take outfit pictures.  A little sad.  However, I am going to try to post more outfit shots in the coming weeks, I know I've been pretty spare with them thus far.  Click HERE for Part 1.

Hope you're all having a lovely day today.  Sunday Comics is going to be on hiatus until I find a way to make time in my week to complete my drawings well and on time.  Fear not!  Other posts will abound in the interim, just no drawings until I learn time management skills.

Enjoy the end of your weekend!

Fashion Fridays: Summer's in the Bag

Happy Fashion Friday!

We all need the perfect purse to accompany our gorgeous, tanned selves around all summer, right?

Kate Spade Hit the Dock Stevie Purse

Raise your hand if you're surprised that the bag I picked has stripes on it.  What, no one?  Yeah, I'm not surprised either.  Big enough to throw in a bathing suit and a pair of flipflops, but not so large that you'll have your friends asking if they could just shove their towel in there real quick (don't you hate that?).  The best part?  It's half off right now on katespade.com!  I am sorely tempted, y'all.

What are you planning on dragging your necessities around in during the summer?  I may need some recommendations that don't weigh so heavily on my admittedly paltry bank account.

Vice Report: Week of 4/18/11

This will be brief and only slightly painful.  We've all heard about my unnatural affection for The Secret Life of the American Teenager.  My current obsession is considerably less shameful, but no less time consuming.

I really love this show, you guys.  I loved it four years ago, and watching it now, I think I might love it more.  It causes me physical pain to know that it was cancelled.  It was so funny!  It has actual characters!  It had character!  And I now have a very similar haircut to the one that Amanda Peet had on the show.  My heart is breaking all over again.

I encourage you all to go check it out.  The writing is stellar and the cast is better.  Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford's rapport is unmatched. UNMATCHED, I TELL YOU.

If you want to find me, I'll be locked in my room, crying as I finish watching the first, and only (TEAAAAAAAARRRRRRRSSSSSS!) season of Studio 60.

Necessities: Stepping into Spring

With summer's refusal even to hint at its arrival here in Chicago, I can't depress myself pondering my future of endless flip-flops and sandals.  I can, however, get excited about flats (provided it ever stops raining :/).  I've done a little hunting about, and I've found some versatile, affordable choices...in addition to some awesome, too-expensive choices.

Go for It!

Left to Right, Top to Bottom:

Nine West Gotoo Flat, Nine West Jemmy Flat, Nine West Naughty Flat, 

Steve Madden Kingdom Flat, Steve Madden Kindness Flat

All of those shoes are priced under $80 and come in several additional colors.  I particularly like the peep toe with the flower on top, it strikes me as perfect for Easter (which I just remembered is this weekend.  Oops.).  They could all be dressed up or down to suit your daily needs and would provide a good base for any outfit.  Except maybe an experiment in color blocking.  But the black ones would still work!  I rest my case.

Now for the painful part.  It always rolls around, sooner or later.

Dream Big

Top to bottom:  

Tory Burch Black Classic Reza Ballet Flat, Tory Burch Patent Caroline Ballet Flat,   

Tory Burch Tumbled Leather Reza Ballet Flat, London Sole Simple Flat, 

London Sole Henrietta Flat, London Sole Jazz Oxford

Aside from the classic style of the shoes, I love Tory Burch because I find the emblem aesthetically pleasing.  There, I said it.  I just love the looks of that little medallion.  If anyone is listening, what I really want is the first pair, the Classic Reza Ballet Flat.  Size 10, please.  They also come in my favorite shade of green, but for daily use, I think the black ones are perfect.  Roommate Sammy actually has the Caroline Flats, and they are also extremely attractive.  I yearn to steal them, but resist because thieving from roommates is evil, plus I have huge feet so they wouldn't fit anyway.  Do I sound like a bad person?  I kid, I kid.  Now, as far as London Sole is concerned, I'm honestly not sure I've ever seen a pair in person, but they suuuuuure do look nice.  Very simple, but oh-so-chic.  And I kind of die for those oxfords.  Who wouldn't want to look like they were about to do a tap number in a classic musical?

I do like to try shoes on before I buy, so I may try to find some of the ones from the first set in a brick-and-mortar store before committing, but if I had the money in my pocket, those TB shoes would be mine in a heartbeat.  In a size 10.  In case you were interested.  Ahem.

Are there any flats you have your eye on for this spring?

Pretty is the new North Face

The thought of summer has me yearning for classic clothes.  My taste doesn't really tend to lean toward the outrageous and experimental, but the (hopefully) impending good weather has me fully committed to the clean lines and bold colors that characterize East Coast preppy style.  My designer of choice today?  Kate Spade.

Candy Shop Jeanette Dress

Maire Dress

Ikat Caroline Dress

Striped Betty Dress

Striped Jeanette Dress

Striped Jillian Dress

CAN YOU TELL HOW I FEEL ABOUT STRIPES?  But honestly, I drool all over these.  Figuratively, of course.  Don't be gross.  True, not strictly preppy, but they're all, "Assistant, tell them I can make the polo match on Thursday as long as it doesn't interfere with the regatta that weekend.  And make sure I have a hat!"

Seriously.  I wish.  Someone hit me up with a big straw hat.

I want all the structured fun that is the essence of these dresses!  Just looking at them automatically improves my mood.  Just imagine what wearing them would do.  I know, my mind is blown, too.  Now that I know what I have in mind, I'll have to go find myself some more, ahem, attainable (read: affordable) options to fulfill my needs.  But for those of you who are capable, by all means, attain.  I won't hold it against you.  I'll have fun just knowing these are being worn somewhere.

What are you gunning to wear when better weather arrives?

Coach for Net-a-Porter

This just in!  I just read on Refinery29 that Coach is doing a line for Net-a-Porter, and it looks like it's going to be great.

Click through!

Don't you love the look of that beautiful, dark leather?  There's nothing like a classic leather bag that's both stylish and versatile.  I especially like the looks of the small tan-colored one on the upper right of the image. I can't wait for the line to come out!  Is a leather bag something you've been looking to add to your wardrobe?

Image and words contained therein belong to Refinery29, not me!

Of all the places in the world...

Wilmette, IL is home to one of only eight Bahá'í Houses of Worship that have ever been built.  Weird, right?  Or at least my East Coast-oriented brain thinks it's weird.  It's really quite something, isn't it?  I think it's beautiful.  As impressive as it might look in that picture, I promise it's positively overwhelming in person.

I decided to go running on Sunday and, since I hate running, I needed a concrete goal to keep me going.  The temple is located about two miles from my apartment, so I thought it would be a pretty solid motivator for my endeavor.  Sure enough, just as I was thinking I would stop and just walk the rest of the way, it came into view in the distance and I couldn't bring myself to give up.  I even jogged all the way up the steps.  It was very Rocky-esque.  And lucky for you all, I brought my handy cellular phone/camera/computer with me and took these pictures.  Ah, technology.

I hope everyone has a lovely Tuesday!

I have to do what?

Yesterday marked exactly two months until Commencement, which means that two months from today, I will officially be graduated from college. While I wouldn't say this put me into a panic, I couldn't get that phrase out of my head all day.  Exactly two months.  My brain kept saying it over and over.

I really don't quite know how to feel.

Perhaps I was spurred onward by this mantra, but when I got my e-mail from Rent the Runway this morning encouraging me to succumb to their beautiful, deadly scheme, I headed over to peruse the selections.  I've been thinking a good deal about summer dresses lately -- I'll be doing a post on that very topic in the coming week, but today is not the day as a result of my wonky feelings -- and the site's selection of ridiculously lovely clothes seemed to have some kind of special appeal today.  It was only after I looked at my favorite dress on the site (also for sale at Lilly Pulitzer) for the five millionth time that I realized Rent the Runway was the perfect way for me to wear a different dress to each day of graduation.  Sadly, my fav was already booked in my size for graduation weekend, which encouraged me even more strongly to book now, and I found two classy, classic options with which I am entirely pleased.

Lilly Pulitzer Dolly Lace Shift Dress

Milly Sail Away Dress

Of course I have to wear at least one Lilly dress!  University Commencement takes place in the morning, so I wanted something dressy but still light, as it is liable to be very hot at the ceremony (what?  Chicago has a summer?).  This pale yellow cotton shift should work perfectly underneath my robe and transition well into the rest of my daytime activities.

Convocation for the specific school from which I'm graduating takes place the next evening, and goodness knows I can't resist anything nautical.  The Sail Away dress by Milly grabbed my attention as I searched for something to fill the void of the navy dress that was unavailable.  In many ways, I think it's actually more appropriate than that one.  It feels a little dressier, but not fussy, and will transition easily from the ceremony to a late dinner with family.

And so, I have taken one step towards admitting that I'll be graduating in short order.  At the very least, now I don't have to face the ever-present fear of "WHAT WILL I WEAR??!!?".

On a totally different note, the lovely Sabrina of Sincerely, Sabrina tagged me for the Kreativ Blogger Award!  Her blog is wonderful, and you should all take a chance to check out what she has to say about fashion up in Ottawa, which I assume is just as cold as, if not colder than Chicago.  That's pretty much how geography works, right?

ANYWAY, I'm supposed to give ten random facts about myself and then pass the award on, so here goes:

1.) I haven't worn pants regularly since I was five years old.
2.) That being said, I haven't owned a pair of jeans since I was thirteen.
3.) I might love sour cream more than any other food.  Don't judge me.
4.) I can be satisfied with a single square of chocolate.
5.) Jurassic Park is one of my favorite movies.  It might be my favorite movie.
6.) I have a twin.
7.) Any length of unscheduled time less than three hours long does not feel like free time to me.
8.) I use my middle name, Elizabeth, on most things so people automatically know I'm a girl.
9.) My prescriptions always get filed under Harris.  I assure you, my last name does not sound more like a first name than Harris does.
10.) When I was younger, I wanted to be 6 feet tall when I grew up, but am now glad that at age 12, I stopped at 5'7". 

I would like to pass this award on to:
- Collections
- Rachael Passing Notes
- Styled by 3
- My Iowa Life

Whew!  Long post today, but thanks for sticking with it, I had a lot cluttering up my brain and it feels a good deal cleaner now.  Happy Monday to everyone!

Sunday Comics: Outfit Posing, Part 1

The Seasoned Professional: Gaby from Collections.

For the use of her original image, I would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful Gaby, whose blog Collections I admire deeply and always enjoy reading.  You can find the original outfit this drawing is based on here -- isn't it awesome?  Make sure you head on over to check out all of her other terrific posts.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of Outfit Posing!

Vice Report: Week of 4/11/11

This week was a problem.  I baked cookies.  Twice.  Remember those Mini Banana Whoopie Pies?  Most of them are gone.  Admittedly, I have five roommates, but I did a lot of that damage myself, plus all the cookie dough I ate while I was making them.  What you don't remember are the oatmeal raisin cookies I made earlier in the week.

(You should click on that.  It's a smitten kitchen recipe.)

In honor of my vice this week, since the oatmeal raisin cookies escaped documentation, I offer to you some of the sweet treats I've wanted to try making, in the hopes that one of them can become your vice.

Knuckle Salad's Berry Oat Crumble

Girl Who Bakes: Homemade Oatmeal Creme Pie

Happy Healthy Life's 

Vanilla Cherry Coconut Breakfast Risotto

Enjoy :)  Let me know if you attempt any of these delicious goodies!

Fashion Fridays: Etsy Encounters

I love perusing Etsy almost as much as I like scouring Tastespotting (that's a lie, Etsy's not even a close second, but I do like it a lot!)  There are many new and interesting, and occasionally hilarious, things to find as you search for bargains on everything from vintage clothes to handmade jewelry.

One of my roommates purchased these rings recently, and they really are quite lovely, and were only about $22, including shipping.

Pictures from toComfortAlways on Etsy

I find their simplicity charming.  Unfortunately, that particular shop is on a break until July.  However, if you don't feel like waiting that long, I managed to some other interesting and inexpensive rings in the spirit of those two.

I think they're all pretty darn good-looking, and I would love any of them.  The best part is that they're all under $15!  Click on the pictures to go straight to the listing on Etsy!

Happy Fashion Fridays everyone, hope you have a lovely weekend!