Adios New Haven!

Well, this is it folks; the last of my New Haven shots. I threw this together shortly after my last meet up with my CT blogger buddies for a day of shopping and lunching. I think I wore this particular outfit to the hair salon (which makes sense because my hair is all kinds of unruly and long here). Anyways, this was one of the first times that I wore the studded loafers I scored for an amazing price at Nordstrom Rack. Is it possible to be in love with a pair of shoes? Because I’m about ready to ask these ones to marry me.

skinny jeans: Zara / t-shirt: American Apparel / necklace: Charming Charlie / shoes: Nordstrom Rack / purse: Target

Experimental

I recently experimented with adding an additional faux leather belt to my Jason Wu for Target dress. I love the result. The thicker belt with an additional bow is the perfect touch for this pale pink, plaid-patterned dress.

dress: Jason Wu for Target / tights: We Love Colors / belt: BB Dakota via ModCloth / shoes: Steve Madden, thrifted / bracelets: vintage, belonged to my grandmother

How I Avoided the Loony Bin

Shortly before the drive back to Edmonton I took some time out from the hell that is packing to take a stroll around my New Haven neighborhood to both say goodbye to the area and, more importantly, avoid a packing-induced breakdown/murder suicide. Nobody died and I’m not in a mental ward so let this be a lesson to you, long walks help a frazzled mind.

skirt: Old Navy / shirt: ModCloth / shoes: Payless / necklace: Metropolitan Museum of Art / cuff: can’t recall 

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ALICE by Temperley

Temperley London has always been a favorite of mine. Launched in 2000 at London Fashion Week, creative director Alice Temperley’s designs are the perfect melding of classic feminine cuts and details and modern edge. And, in 2010, ALICE by Temperley was launched, a contemporary sister line to the Temperley collections that features more everyday-suitable pieces at more market friendly prices.

And, trust me, the designs are beyond gorgeous. Here are a few of my absolutely favorite pieces which are carried by the UK retailer Jules B and, many are on sale…so if anyone wants to get me an early holiday present, hint hint.

With Victorian design elements and a modern touch of sheer lace, this dress is the best mix of conservative and provocative.

Lace and sheers are big right now and this dress combines both, along with a little witchy woman attitude.

And it comes in a gown length version!

 Remember what I just said about sheers?

This tough and sexy leather dress just oozes sophistication and modernity.

Again, I just love the old-fashioned, Victorian feel of this piece – but the fabric choice and zipper make it deliciously modern and give it a harder edge.

Capes are always a fixture of fall fashion and I love the bold Aztec pattern and delicate ribbon ties on this cozy number.

Is anyone else a Temperley fan?

Geek Chic

Consider this my fond farewell to Yale’s many libraries, each more gorgeous than the last. 


As you may have guessed, I am a library enthusiast. Dewey Decimal organized or Library of Congress, I love them all. And my research as an academic involves a lot of libraries and archives. I've worked in such temples of knowledge as the British Library and the Library of Congress but Yale's many research libraries will always have a special place in my heart. Not only did I do a ton of research for my dissertation within these walls but I also mostly wrote the book here and also held a part time as a cataloguing assistant for 5 years in this place. I will miss it.

  

shorts: H&M / blouse: Express / leggings: American Apparel / boots: Kamik (Olivia model) / purse: Target / hair clip worn as bowtie: ModCloth / trench: Michael Kors

The Great Move of 2012

Seeing as how I am almost ready to start posting photos in my new home, I thought I share a few Instagram moments from my move and my last few days in New Haven.

Immediately before we started the hell that is packing for a cross-country move

A favorite window at Yale 

Yale, I will miss thee 

A little break from packing with a martini and a little Law and Order 

Pizza and beer with the lovely friends in New Haven who helped us load up our UHaul 

Driving to Canada 

I started the process of turning my dissertation into a book while we were driving...here I am starting to sort out the tasks to be done

Mint

Look who got her hands on some mint jeans – this gal! 

And then this gal took them out for a stroll around the Yale campus.

jeans: Target / flats: Gap / necklace: H&M / watch: the helpmeet’s / top: Gap

Blue Ruffle

Sometimes you just need some layers of blue and a touch of ruffle. Oh, and a glass of goodbye vino at your favorite wine bar with a favorite gal pal.

shirt: Target / pants: Lucky Brand / shoes: Tory Burch / blazer: F21 / purse: H&M

It`s Been A Slice Connecticut

Remember yesterday when I mentioned my “Goodbye Connecticut” series of day tours? Well, it also included a lot of wanderings around the Yale campus (which I really will miss, 6 years is a long time to be on campus for, it gets under your skin).

tunic: F21 / leggings: American Apparel / sunglasses: Target / bracelet: ASOS / watch: Kenneth Cole / purse: Roxy / sandals: Target 

I am pleased to report, as well, that I am now fully settled in Edmonton! I was even sufficiently unpacked yesterday to treat myself to afternoon of shopping on Edmonton`s historic (and chic) Whyte Avenue (Instagram followers know about the wonderful haul of used books I captured there) and a delicious Italian dinner at one of my favorite local restaurants. I miss Connecticut but it feels amazing to be home!

Cruisin'

During our last week in New Haven the helpmeet and I decided to take a boat tour of the Thimble Islands in the Long Island Sound. It was incredibly fun – I love being on a boat on the ocean and feeling the wind in my hair and seeing the vastness of the sea.

After the tour I changed into my fun time shoes (wearing these babies on a boat is just asking to trip and fall overboard so they stayed in the car while I wore more sensible flats and a cardigan on the boat) and we had a lunch date in the Branford area. It’s all part of my “Goodbye Connecticut” series of day tours!

skirt: Express / top: F21 / shoes: Breckelle’s via Zooshoo / tights: Target / watch: La Mer via Shopbop / bracelet: vintage, my grandmother’s / cardigan: Zara / sunglasses: ModCloth