High Contrast

After my white jeans were ruined in a laundry mishap awhile back, I've been jonesing for a new pair. The thrift gods obliged, and I've been wearing these puppies a lot ever since. I've long been a lover of monochromatic looks, and white from head to toe feels so fresh as we head into spring. I broke things up with a few pops of contrast for a cool, casual look.

Tee: Cheap Monday
Jeans: Thrifted
Boots: H by Hudson
Button-up: Thrifted

Oregon & Again

Having grown up in the woods, I've always appreciated the power and beauty of nature. That said, strenuous hikes and lengthy camping trips are definitely not my favorite things. Living in Oregon, it's impossible to ignore the incredible majesty of my natural surroundings—both within the city and particularly beyond its boundaries. I'm feeling more outdoorsy than ever, and this vintage Oregon sweatshirt has become my unofficial uniform for leisurely adventures.

Sweatshirt: Vintage
Blue Jeans: H&M
Black Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Converse
Hat: Old Navy

Written in the Stars

I absolutely love to host, and part of throwing the perfect party is coming up with a cute yet comfortable look. Jumpsuits are the perfect solution because they're effortlessly polished, a bit playful and less fussy than your average cocktail dress. This particular jumpsuit is a dream come true for me. It's classic black, but the tiny star print adds some whimsy. It's petite, so it's perfect for a shorty like me. And, the waist tie and sleeves make for a nice, balanced shape. Score! Opting for silvery shoes and my shooting star necklace to complete the celestial theme, I felt great for my shindig, and a good time was had by all!

Jumpsuit: Corey Lynn Calter (secondhand)
Shoes: J.Crew (secondhand)
Necklace: Anthro

Hang Tough

While my style has arguably become more minimal, I can't say that it's ever been badass. One recent rainy morning I resolved to wear all black—a fail-proof move of which I rarely take advantage. And, hey, I felt like a cool kid for a day!

Sweater: H&M
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Jacket: H&M
Boots: Hunter
Bag: Fossil

Sips and Sounds, Volume 8

Vol. 8

The Sip: Ginger Rose Lemonade

The Sound: Vashti Bunyan, Just Another Diamond Day

After having a little too much fun on St. Patrick's Day, last week's Sips and Sounds was a non-alcoholic edition. The refreshing beverage was a perfect accompaniment to Vashti Bunyan's sweet, effervescent, folksy sound.

GINGER ROSE LEMONADE
Combine .5 oz ginger syrup, the juice of half a lemon and a dash of rose water in your glass. Add ice, top with soda water and stir.

To make the syrup, simmer equal parts sugar and water with sliced ginger. Strain and let cool.

Little Ghost

It's casual Friday! Okay, let's be real...it's been casual every day lately. My new locale may be partially to blame, but my style sensibilities have been leaning more laidback for quite awhile. I did have a party recently for which I got all gussied up, and I'll be sure to share that look next week!

Shirt: Thrifted
Jacket: Levi's
Jeans: H&M
Shoes: Converse

Sips and Sounds, Volume 7

Vol. 7

The Sip: Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts

The Sound: Bob Dylan, Blood on the Tracks

This is one of my favorite Bob Dylan albums, and I recently got it on vinyl. Naturally, a Sips and Sounds session was in order! I was trying to decide between making my own riff on a Blood and Sand or taking inspiration from the track "Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts" and going the rosemary route. I went with the latter, and it was one of my the more interesting cocktails I've made. Recipe below!

LILY, ROSEMARY AND THE JACK OF HEARTS

Shake 1.5 gin, .5 oz rosemary syrup, a dash of apple cider vinegar and the juice of half a lemon with ice. Pour and enjoy!

To make the rosemary syrup, I simmered equal parts sugar and water with several sprigs of fresh rosemary, strained the mixture and let it cool.

The Simple Life

While crazy prints and colors are still an important part of my aesthetic, lately I've been all about mixing and matching basics—denim, black and white stripes, neutrals. This combination was perfect for an afternoon movie date followed by some shuffleboard and arcade games. 

Dress: Forever 21
Jacket: Levi's
Boots: Courtesy of Trask

Sips and Sounds, Volume 6

Vol. 6
The Sip: Blueberry Lavender Gin Press
The Sound: Destroyer, Your Blues

Once I grew accustomed to his dramatic delivery, I really dug this Destroyer record. I went the obvious route with cocktail inspiration, and the result was refreshingly delicious! Recipe below.

BLUEBERRY LAVENDER GIN PRESS
Muddle a small handful of blueberries, a lemon wedge and a dash of lavender syrup* in your glass. Add 1.5 oz gin and ice. Top with soda water, stir and enjoy!

*To make the syrup, simmer equal parts water and sugar with either dried lavender or lavender water (available at the liquor store). This drink gets too sweet easily, so I only used about 1/4 of an ounce of syrup.

A Walk in the Park

Here's a low-key outfit I wore for a recent exploration of the breathtakingly beautiful Mount Tabor Park. Igby zoomed around with other doggies until he was totally tuckered out, while I took in the sunshine, fresh air and stunning scenery.

Sweater: H&M
Leggings: H&M
Jacket: Levi's
Boots: Target

Sips and Sounds, Volume 5

Vol. 5
The Sip: Blood Orange Old Fashioned
The Sound: Vampire Weekend, Modern Vampires of the City

It's baaaaack! Now that I'm settled in my new location, I'm getting back into the swing of doing a weekly installment of Sips and Sounds. Volume 4 features Vampire Weekend in top form and a bloody delicious cocktail. I think I mentioned in a past post that Vampire Weekend was a college favorite that I fell in love with all over again thanks to this record. Recipe for the beverage below!

BLOOD ORANGE OLD FASHIONED
Muddle a sugar cube, a few dashes of angostura bitters and a couple of morello cherries in a rocks glass. Add the juice of half a blood orange, 1.5 oz bourbon and a tiny bit of water and stir. Add a large ice cube and enjoy!