What a Yarn

My lovely friend Laura and I took a road trip today to the yarn store outside of Canton. What better to wear than a sweater! Bill may never get this one back.

Vintage Cowichan sweater; leggings, Target; boots, Madden Girl; turtleneck, J Crew; necklace, Taste.

Two Steps Forward, One Back

At work we have been doing a weight loss program based on something famous called Bait Splotchers.

I pretty much thought last week would put me in the wrong direction, but I only gained back one of the 2 pounds I lost the week before!  One thing this plan won't do for me?  Make these tights any longer.  They spent the day doing that awkward downward creep.

Cardi, J Crew; Skirt, Victoria's Secret; Boots, Madden Girl.

Feeding the Souls

This is what Thanksgiving is all about for me....making food to feed family and friends and enjoying the bonds of between us.

Other ways to enjoy family? Steal their clothes.

Cowichan sweater, vintage, I guess, since Bill bartered lobsters for it at Royal Male in Newport, RI in the 90s.; cords, Lands' End Canvas; Clogs, Dansko.

Americana

On Sunday I visited a museum I had never been to before...the Norman Rockwell Museum.  I never really went wild for Rockwell.  His work always seemed kind of hokey and kitschy to me. But I am proud to admit that I am now a Rockwell fan.  I found being in a room with his work to be really moving - I was filled with such a mix of nostalgia, optimism, patriotism, and love of humanity looking into all of those faces.  Good thing I had a tissue stashed in my bag!

The grounds were also beautiful...and a great place for outfit pictures, since no one was around.

This building is Rockwell's studio.

It's my new goal to take photos in better locations.  Great goal for life in the dark north in November!

Cords, Lands' End Canvas; cashmere sweater, Eddie Bauer; jacket, TJ Maxx; books, Madden Girl; scarves, Lord and Taylor and Eddie Bauer.

Presto Change-o

I had such a good plan this morning for an outfit.  An outfit that totally did not work.  So I grabbed the nearest thing that would work with my tights and shoes.  Because I was running really late.

But hey, it worked!

Would this skirt be less wrinkly if I wore a slip?

Dress, London Times; cardi, Lands' End Canvas; tights, Target; shoes, the favorites!; pearls, Grandma's.

Outlaw

Do I look like a rule breaker to you?  Didn't think so.  I am afeared of pattern mixing, for cripes sake!  When I do get caught breaking a rule, I feel like a total jerk.  Funny, I don't feel bad at all when I don't get caught!

But yes, I confess. I did take a picture inside an exhibit even though I was told not to.  But in my defense, I was not actually in the exhibit room, but on a balcony overlooking it! And I didn't use a flash! It was an honest mistake, I swear!  Still, I think the cuteness of this outfit helped me out, as the burly security guard did not chase me down and make me delete the picture.  Probably he though I could out run him in my superhero tights and boots.

Sorry, MassMoCA!  As evidence of my remorse, I won't even post the picture I took of the AMAZING Petah Coyne exhibit.

Oh, and I also admit to stealing the knee socks and boots thing from What Would a Nerd Wear.  She's linked over there

But one crime I am not guilty of?  Attempting to buy alcohol as an minor.  But thanks anyway, waitress at Mezze! My gimlet sure was delicious with the house cured sardines over leeks, celeriac and potato salad with a lemon mustard vinagrette!

Boots, Madden Girl; Socks, Gap; leggings, Targets; jacket, TJ Maxx; skirt and scarf, Victoria's Secret.

On Ice

I have  a cold and think this is a blessing.  I felt so bad yesterday that I missed a picture.  Which gave me the chance to wear the same cardigan two days in a row.  And with weather like this and a yet another long ride in the car, all I could think of a sniffly o'clock this morning was cozy  comfort clothes....like cords and a soft sweater.

Cords, Lands' End Canvas; cami and cardi, J Crew; necklace, MassMoCA; shoes, you know!

Commitment

I was so committed to wearing this ensemble after conjuring it in my mind right before sleep that I was willing to put it on WHEN IT WAS STILL DAMP.  Because, of course, at 7am it was in the washing machine soaking wet.  And I needed it on by 7:25.  

And while it was drying, I had a few extra minutes to wash and to "do" my hair.  Which basically mean I added jojoba oil and my curling creme when it was wet and then blew the bangs dry.  This minimally washing thing is so great, and my grease level is not wash worthy until at least day four.  Even with added oil.  I really recommend ditching the 'poo, curly ladies!

I also had some time to dig in the jewels...

Jewels, thrifted; skirt, Victoria's Secret; turtleneck, J Crew; blouse, Loft; tights, Target; shoes, DSW.

The Extrovert Alone

Okay, let's face it.  I just want to wear these shoes every damn day.  You won't believe me when I tell you they are extremely comfy.  And also warm.  They are the highest heels I own, and definitely the skinniest, but they have a nice rubber sole in front so I feel very secure and not teetery.

I keep saying my days of outdoor shots are numbered, but I keep getting more.  I can imagine that I will soon be retreating inside, or every outfit will feature lots and lots of down!

I hope the weekend is nice...I am headed early Saturday am for the Berkshires for some quiet time, some art, and some fine dining.  All by myself.  I really need alone time, and as any parent knows, it is all too rare.  I masquerade as an outgoing, company loving gal, but I am a classic introvert who needs solitude to recharge my batteries.   I sometimes think I am in a funny occupation for that, but I know a lot of fund raisers who are similar in that way.  I am lucky that my job lets me meet and talk with and learn about people but also gives me periods of reflection, writing, and planning - alone in my office.

I wonder what the fact that I like to take pictures of myself and post them on the interwebs for all to see says about me??

Dress, Lands' End Canvas; jacket, Gap; scarf, thrifted, 50 cents; shoes, Adrienne Vittadini via TJ Maxx.

Matchmaker

 I wore my newly knitted cowl yesterday and it is so soft that I was compelled to get it into today's outfit.  It's been warmer than usual so I thought I might get a last wear out of the wedges.  I had those two pieces...just had to decide what to put in the middle!

Nice upnose shot!  Better than an upskirt, I guess!

Cowl, hand knit by me, out of Catalina Alpaca Chunky; necklace, Taste; sweater, Victoria's Secret; dress, Soprano via TJ Maxx; tights, Hue; wedges, Nine West.

Bluebird Sky

Today was one of those days that make life in the North Country heaven.  Even if we do get six months of winter.  Sunny, bright blue sky, and WARM (for November, anyway!)

It was also the kind of day when I don't mind driving for hundreds of miles to visit a couple of donors! Of course it helped that they are wonderful people and we ate lunch in view of the Seaway.  

I also got to hit my favorite bookstore and the Potsdam co-op.

 And all in my new favorite shoes!

Dress, Hanna Anderson; Jacket, Stella Stars via TJ Maxx, $25; tights, Target; and Shoes, Adrienne Vittadini via TJ Maxx, $50.

Jack Frost

Did you know Jack Frost and Mother Nature are siblings?  And Mother Nature lives with Santa?  Neither did I, til this morning.

Kids know everything.

Finally, in that second picture, you can see how purple this skirt is.

I forgot how comfy these boots are and plan on wearing them as much as possible in the comming weeks before a.) I take them to be reheeled, and b.) Jack Frost gets busy coating the Adirondacks with a sheet of ice.  Not a match for a smooth soled shoe.

Cardi, Lands' End Canvas; skirt and belt, Gap Outlet; boots, Texas; shirt, gift from my mother-in-law, who bought it in the Netherlands on a lost luggage vacation.

I am in a rut.  I have not run in months.  I just kind of trailed off in September...I think because of stress (both work and flying solo as a parent for 2 months) and because I hit a weight loss plateau.  A HUGE plateau.  For months, 15 pounds from where I want to be.  I love running, but I think I need to find something to tide me over for the winter, as work has become really hard to get away from at lunch with any regularity (and I travel a lot) and it is DARK after work, so I can not squeeze a jog in then.  I should probably renew my track membership, but that run on a 1/11th mile track is depressing as hell.

Le sigh.

This is all on my mind today because the sheen on the pants and the color of the sweater were creating a VERY unflattering effect in 99% of my pictures today.


Wait, what did you say?

Quit bitching and get off your lazy butt?

Thought so.

Sweater, Loft; skirt, American Outpost; blazer, Victoria's Secret; pants, New York and Company.

Smashingly Pumpkin

I have nothing to say about this outfit other than that I love love love it.

I often come up with outfits in my mind that don't work in reality.  I have to say this one was BETTER than I imagined.  Colors, textures, mood, it all worked for me today.

And no one noticed that this was the dress I wore to the Gala.  In fact, someone complimented my on my "skirt."

Dress, TJ Maxx; cardi, New York and Company; fishnets, Targets; shoes, Naturalizer.

The Kiki Bird

When I was a kid my mom used to talk about the Kiki Bird coming when it got cold.  She told me I was too little to know why she said that.  I just realized today that I have no idea what the Kiki Bird is, and why it should a mature subject.

I hope my mom thinks I look old enough to hear the story.

Skirt, Victoria's Secret; Sweater, Jones New York; Cami, J Crew; necklace, MassMOCA; shoes, gift from S.; hair, some kind of cold weather magic and jojoba oil.

Sartorial Synergy

Today I carpooled to Albany for a meeting with two coworkers.  We were obviously on the similar wavelengths.  S. wore pink and black and A. was wearing cowboy books.  I bridged the two in pink and black AND cowboy boots.

Not surprisingly we shared the same feeling about the meeting!

Perhaps the moral of the story is that we all spend too much time at work...

Oh, and a third coworker, whom we met there?  Wore big silvery gray beads.

Sweater, Lands' End Canvas; turtleneck, J Crew; Skirt, Tommy Bahama; Boots, purchased in Austin in 2000, in what seems like another lifetime.

Too Dark

Too dark in the morning, too dark at night.  I am going to have to find some outdoors photo spots near the office, and soon!

I woke up very very late today and had no plan.  So I started grabbing things and got this:

I tried washing the dry clean only Minnie pants...some bagginess is abated!

I am feeling fashion uninspired...maybe I need to challenge myself..and do some shopping!

Pants and striped tee, J Crew; Cardigan, Target.

Smuggler

Everybody's doing it...belting a wrap cardigan or scarf and not looking super think around the middle, like they've hidden contraband in the waist band of their underwear.  Like this. And like this.

So I gave it a try.

That first picture captures how cold it was out there this am!  So I was glad of a little extra layering.  In case my belly button caught a chill.

And look at that frost!

I actually did like this outfit, and I need to take more pictures in this spot!

Cardigan, Target; Scarf, from my Dad from Paris; turtleneck, J Crew; Pants, Context; Boots, Bass.

Off Center

I've felt a little discombobulated and irritable all day...which might explain this dreadful pictures.

No, I am not getting paid by Febreze.  I would tell you if I were, promise!

Nor by J. Crew, but my name is Martha and I do endorse the Traversa cardigan.

Dress, Evan Picone via Target, many years ago; Cardigan, J Crew; tights, Target; heels, Madden Girl.

Big Love

I feel like the silhouette of this outfit is totally a Nicky/prairie dress silhouette.

It reminds me of my favorite 6th grade Gunne Sax dress - and that dress had a tan background to it, so it might be that too.

But I am pretty sure neither Nicky, Margene or Barb would wear this skirt though.

Skirt, TJ Maxx, Jacket, Victoria's Secret; boots, Madden Girl.