$30 Project

Glasses: Beckett from Warby Parker received as a bday gift from mom & dad, Cardigan: GAP purchased one year ago, Flannel: Old Navy $16 on sale, Shorts: Uniqlo $25, Saltwater Sandals: Available here for $40, Belt: JCrew purchased with gift card, Bag: childhood gift from my great-aunt!, Bracelets: vintage via my mom, Ring: purchased a boutique in LI 4 years ago

Nerd alert. I actually wore this last weekend when the weather was damp and cold. Since that time, it’s apparently turned to summer? 

But it felt nice and cozy, I spent some time at the coffee shop and then curled up and read on the couch for a few hours. Life has been full of a lot of good books lately. 

I’m currently on my way to Michigan (and will be taking a break from the blog through Memorial Day), so I brought The Orphan Master’s Son along for the plane ride. I’ll keep you updated.

Hope you all have a great weekend, see you Tuesday!

Total cost of the outfit = $81

Remaining budget for 2013 = $527

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Blazer: L.A.M.B. purchased at a thrift store in CA for $50, Striped Tee: Old Navy $6 on sale, White Shorts: Banana Republic thrifted for $5, Wedges: Bandolino previously owned for 5 years, Sunnies: gift, Bracelets: vintage via my great aunt, Locket: The Market NYC $30, Ring: Banana Republic purchased 4 years ago

Any item of white clothing strikes the fear of God into my heart. Don’t get me wrong, I love the crisp look of a white short. But it’s only a matter of time before I spill coffee all over myself or sit on a piece of gum in the subway. 

I need to be able to be a little reckless with what I wear. It’s not like I’m living it up all fancy-like. 

But I snagged these puppies from a thrift store sidewalk sale and if I lose $5 to the inevitable coffee spill disaster (trust me, it’s gonna happen) or decide to go out for Italian and get the red sauce without thinking or drink a glass of wine… then I could live with it.

Total cost of the outfit = $91

Remaining budget for 2013 = $527

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Team Rubicon is a disaster relief group that arrives first during humanitarian disasters. Find out more about our unique mission here.

When I went out to the Rockaways after Hurricane Sandy, I was incredibly disheartened by the efforts of the Red Cross. I saw very few volunteers, I watched them turn people away who were looking for help, and I vowed never to donate to them again. 

The doesn’t mean, however, that I don’t believe in donating to those in need when the occasion calls for it. 

If you’re looking to make a donation today on account of the Moore Tornado, I suggest Team Rubicon over the Red Cross. They don’t just set up shelters, they get right down on the ground and provide whatever support is needed at that particular moment. 

I was honored to work with them in the Rockaways and they were highly-organized and extremely friendly to all the members of the community.

Polka Dot Blouse: Tea and Tulips $23, Tank Top: Old Navy over 2 years old, Quilted Skirt: hand-me-down from Mira, Wedges: Bandolino previously owned for 5 years, Clutch: Etienne Aigner thrifted in Utah $1, Bracelets: vintage via my great aunt, Locket: The Market NYC $30, Ring: purchased 4 years ago at a boutique in LI

I’ve been having one of those weeks where I feel illogically frumpy for no specific reason whatsoever, so instead of sinking into it (like I might have done yesterday when I switched out the leather skirt for some ripped jeans and made my way to work, INSIDER SECRETS), I actually put a little effort in this morning.

I think that I might be wearing too much eyeliner. It’s a little Amy Winehouse over here.

I’m on the hunt for a new concealer so please feel free to chime in. What concealer do you use? I used to love stila’s back when it was in stick-form, but I didn’t like it so much when they switched to a little tube. Now I have NARS, which feels like the equivalent of rubbing cement of my face. 

This is obviously a big issue in my life so help a woman out.

Total cost of the outfit = $54

Remaining budget for 2013 = $527

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Jean Jacket: BCBG Max Azria owned since college, Owl Tee: Urban Outfitters $10 on sale, Leather Skirt: thrift shop in Utah $20, Boots: Swedish Hasbeens $178 on sale, Sunnies: gift, Bracelets: vintage via my mom

I wanted to wear these boots one last time before the weather got too warm. So this morning, I decided to go whole hog and add the leather skirt in there too because why not? This denim jacket has been such a boon this spring, easily the best-kept secret of my closet. It hid in a dark corner for years, languishing away, unworn and unloved, but it’s persistance paid off.

Also, is anyone else suffering from “tights syndrome”? Do all the hemlines on your skirts seem irrevocably shorter now that bare legs are making an appearance? I swear that this skirt used to be three inches longer.

Do you like the cat toy in the background? (Also, Meg Wolitzer keeps making an appearance because I am inundated with library books at the moment and I haven’t picked it up. She’s living on my coffee table because it would take far too much energy for me to actually put her away on the shelf.) I am about to start The Orphan Master’s Son after finishing Michael Pollan’s Cooked this weekend. I have now been googling how to ferment my own vegetables because Pollan has convinced me that there are not enough live cultures in my diet and I hate kombucha.

Hopefully it will go better than the time I tried to grow tomato plants in my practically sunless apartment in Queens after I read The Omnivore’s Dilemma and ended up with an aphid infestation. Or this. 

Total cost of the outfit = $208

Remaining budget for 2013 = $527

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Sweater: GAP via Beacon’s Closet $9.25, Shorts: Uniqlo $25, Espadrilles: Macy’s purchased with gift card, Sunglasses: Old Navy $8, Belt: JCrew purchased with gift card, Necklace: Forever 21 $10

So ready for the freaking weekend.

I want to talk about this whole Mindy Kaling “cutting off” her hair for some weird plot line on her show. Basically the whole message was, “ladies with short hair are totally less attractive, who wants to sleep with them, lol.” (Also the ease of short hair can be a myth depending on the person. Longer hair was easy for me. Hair products were never involved and on bad hair days, I just put it up in a bun. Now I don’t have that option.) 

This touched a tiny nerve in me because a.) Mindy Kaling looks pretty cute with short hair and b.) f**k Mindy Kaling for this plot line, srsly.

Look. I’d be lying to you if I said that the pixie doesn’t bring out some interesting reactions in men. Some hate it. Some love it. Some are totally into it in a really weird way that I will not describe here so as to spare you. I had several very disheartening experiences when I first cut it off. Men who had known me for a while stared at me like I was some kind of alien life form. (Upside, the reaction from women was universally positive.) I like to think of my pixie cut as a filter. Men who are able to compliment and understand that it’s about a lot more than just my look, those are the dudes that I want to kick it with anyway. Also, I feel way more attractive and confident with short hair than I ever did with long hair. SO THERE, MINDY KALING.

And maybe it’s just because I live in Brooklyn, where the pixie is not some kind of anomaly but rather worn by many women with lots of different styles, this whole thing shocked and puzzled me. 

Chopping off your hair ain’t always some weird sign of mourning/sacrifice/horrible mistake, okay? 

Total cost of the outfit = $52.25

Remaining budget for 2013 = $527

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from Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation (pg. 147)

MICHAEL POLLAN SAYS EAT YOUR SOUP. IT’S GOOD FOR YOUR WALLET AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

(Also, a mirepoix is mostly sauteed onions, celery, and carrots. See, it sounds fancy but it’s not even.) 

Linen Dress: thrifted from Tea and Tulips on sale for $24, Shirt: Target $20, Braided Sandals: Cole Haan thrifted for $10, Head Scarf: Belt from an ancient dress, Woven Bag: thrift store in Utah $1, Geode Necklace: gift from stone & honey

Pay no attention, I’m just dressing like your third grade art teacher. Again. (Sometimes it just happens and I don’t know why, OKAY?!)

I do love the crispness of a blue, white, & brown color palette and I like the  mixture of chambray and linen. That’s a little match made in heaven. I include a lot of color in my wardrobe, so it’s nice to take a step back and wear more simplified pieces.

There’s a reading tonight at Pete’s Candy Store and you should come! We have Fiona Maazel and Peter Trachtenberg on deck! Plus I can drink again now that the Whole 30 is over so you can totally buy me a whiskey, thanks guy.

Total cost of the outfit = $55

Remaining budget for 2013 = $527

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britticisms:

New Solange!

“Looks Good With Trouble” by Solange (featuring Kendrick Lamar)

I am SO glad that she’s released a full-length version of this song. It was one of my favorite from her EP even though it was just a snapshot of something fuller. Making it longer allows the song room to breathe, to fully expand. Sonically, it sounds magnificent in my headphones, so full and lush and heavy. Adding Kendrick Lamar doesn’t hurt, of course.

I’ve been in the mood to make a few reckless decisions. Maybe this can be the soundtrack?

Polka Dot Tee: Hand-me-down from Miss Beca, Shorts: Beacon’s Closet $7.50, Ruffle Cardigan: Old Navy $20, Oxfords: Target $18, Tights: Banana Republic purchased with gift card, Woven Bag: thrift store in Utah $1, Rock Necklace: Nobletown Vintage $20, Pendant Necklace: vintage via my Nonnie, Snake Bracelet: Charlotte Russe $4,

I’m stopping by the Met tonight to see the new exhibit, so obviously I had to dress as punk as possible. (ahem)

Was that whole thing not totally ridiculous? Say what you will about Gwyneth Paltrow, but at least she admitted that it sucked. For the record, I would totally make a flan with Gwyneth Paltrow and eat it while we talked about how we’re indulging because usually we don’t allow ourselves refined sugar, while getting drunk on some selection from her expensive wine cellar. I would do it and I wouldn’t even feel sorry and then we’d be best friends.

Anyway I’m kind of in a bad mood this morning, but here is my outfit with some mixed patterns and new shorts. You can like it or not, that’s okay too.

Total cost of the outfit = $70.50

Remaining budget for 2013 = $527

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