Feline Frisky

Another fabulous item from Sway Chic! As soon as this gorgeous sheer leopard print blouse arrived in the mail I was smitten – thanks for sending it my way. The Sway Chic website has such a brilliant collection of printed sheer blouses that it was almost impossible to choose just one to review.

jeans: Urban Planet / blouse: Sway Chic / wedges: Target / watch: gifted / cuff: F21 / ring: House of Harlow via Shopbop / clutch: ASOS / necklace: Charming Charlie

Asymmetry

Huge thanks to Sway Chic for sending me this gorgeous asymmetrical hemline skirt – I love the pleated on the garment and the fit is just perfect. I definitely recommend checking out the Sway Chic website; there are so many fantastic (and on trend) items there.

skirt: Sway Chic / blouse: ASOS / necklace: H&M / purse: H&M / shoes: Steve Madden / watch: my helpmeet’s / ring: House of Harlow via Shopbop / cuff: F21

An Outfit For Writing

I wore this last week to hang out in the library of my alma mater, the University of Alberta, and work on getting a draft of my book done. And, while I am finding transitioning my dissertation into a monograph to be a somewhat painful process, I am glad that I have had the ability to pour myself into it for 8-10 hours a day, almost 6 days a week for the past two months. Because I am now at the stage of drafting a proposal for publishers and am getting ready to start sending it out for consideration!

Anyways, I think this an appropriately scholarly look for an afternoon of writing, no?

jeans: Zara / blouse: Everly via ModCloth / loafers: Cooperative via Urban Outfitters / blazer: F21 / watch: Kenneth Cole

Navy and Gold

Move date with the two best dudes in my life, my Dad and my helpmeet.

dress: F21 / blazer: F21 / tights: Winner’s / shoes: Payless / necklace: Charming Charlie / purse: Roxy  

Despite my gallivanting off to the movies and to see one of my all-time favorite bands play an Edmonton show (as my Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook followers are aware - I also recently saw them play in NYC, to my great delight), I did have a productive weekend. My sedulous work over the past few days on the creation of my professional website (a place to highlight my work as a historian and early modernist and also discuss my activities as a teacher) has paid off - you can check out the finished product here.

Blues and Studs

I picked up this Joe Fresh coat for $6 a few weeks ago. Seriously, $6! You know I love a good bargain, especially when it looks this good.

Blouse: H&M / skirt: Banana Republic / shoes: Zigi SoHo via Nordstrom Rack / tights: Target / clutch: ASOS / necklace: ModCloth / coat: Joe Fresh

And, for anyone else as excited about autumn and fall fashion as myself, I've added lots of fall pieces at some great prices to the online store. Check it out and shop my closet here.

Busy Bee in Polka Dots

My polka dot dress makes another appearance! This is quickly becoming my favorite dress; I love the fit, the colour, the pattern, and the little sleeves. A contrast skinny belt completes things. Never mind the sour face, my crazy (and rude and disrespectful) neighbours kept me up until 4 am ... and I even had to call the cops twice to get them to stop.

dress: H&M / boots: Aldo / belt: H&M / tights: Target

In other news, things have been going pretty great lately. I am pleased to announce that my dissertation to book project is almost finished and I hope to be approaching publishers soon. I wrote a book! 

I've also been hard at work on a new grant/research proposal that I hope will prove fruitful and allow me to get back into the archives. I am, likewise, busy building a website for myself to showcase my research, scholarship, and teaching (fellow academics, do you have a personal website? Have you found them helpful on the job market?). 

I've got a lead on a great job that I am really excited about and the helpmeet and I went out and bought a shiny used car (but it's new to us). 

Needless to say, it's been a very busy few weeks! But I think the topper for me has been getting to see one of my favorite movies, Jaws, on the big screen in 35 mm at a local theater, Metro Cinema. An event which was preceded by a delicious sushi feast. Yeah, that was a good night.

Rainy Days Are My Friends

I was weathering out some rainy weather in my part of the city last week with some faux leather shorts, rubber boots, and a chunky chain necklace. Personally, I love rainy weather because I think it allows one, rather than hampers, to make a sartorial statement (the potential to add boots, layers, scarves, jackets, etc. to a look is something I greatly appreciate). But I imagine I may be in the minority on this.

faux leather shorts: F21 / top: Target / leggings: American Apparel / necklace: Charming Charlie’s / boots: Kamik, Olivia model / purse: found at Winner’s

Business Bitch

I found this dress while scouring the racks at my local Winner’s. I call it my Business Bitch dress. And I love it.

dress: Lori Michaels, from Winner’s / tights: We Love Colors / necklace: Stella and Dot / heels: Steve Madden / clutch: Dela Chic

Transitional

Something about this pastoral editorial captures the transition from summer blossoms to the falling leaves of autumn in a visceral way.

Linnea Ahlman by Della Bass(Karen Schijman, stylist) in “Natural Instincts” for Fashion Gone Rogue

Chateau Me

Well, after several weeks of hard work and a lot of furniture moving and book unpacking, my new apartment is finally set up. And even though I may not be here for too long, I can see myself being very comfortable while I am.

The living room and dining room with two sleepy cats who are exhausted from doing nothing all day

The library

 The library

 

 The library

 Entryway

 Dining room

 Dining room, kitchen, and fireplace

 Kitchen

 View into the dining room

 Bathroom

 Office

Office

Mad for Monograms

Ever since I acquired my monogrammed Cambridge satchel (here it is), I’ve been a bit mad for monograms. Whether as part of a print or in isolation on a throw pillow, a clutch, or a piece of statement jewelry, monograms add a playful yet sophisticated touch to any look or décor scheme.

And while I love the upper crust look of a simple set of initials in a modern font, my favorite example of the artistry of monograms has always been the ornate interlocking letters that adored many a Renaissance portrait sitter; the designs of Hans Holbein the Younger being a particular favorite. 

Perhaps that’s why I often gravitate to monograms with a bit of a Renaissance and Baroque flourish. The history nerd in me always wins out. Always.

Are you as mad for monograms as me?