the clothes 2011

As fall emerges I've been cozying up to new jackets and other cold weather essentials. My basic black jacket has been through a lot and is beginning to show its wear, so I was excited when I saw this comfy, yet sleek-looking jacket at Lulus. It is even softer and more luscious in person than I had imagined--I feel like I'm wearing a stuffed teddy bear (which might sound odd but feels fantastic), but the comfort doesn't overrule style with the nice shape of this jacket. I built my outfit around the jacket mixing in some 1920s/1930s inspiration with my red lips and a vintage fascinator, but grounding it with the slightly rugged booties. I like the contrast between the very ladylike elements and the distressed shoes. It's exactly the sort of outfit when all the pieces come together and it just feels right. Taking pictures at sunset perched high with the water and sky behind me seemed a perfect compliment to the look.

I'm also excited to announce we are finally living in our new home. We are surrounded by boxes half full or still completely untouched, but we have beds with sheets and a functioning kitchen (unpacking dishes was our first priority!). It will probably be more than a week before every box is breached, but already it is so nice to wake up in my own bed and fix myself breakfast from the fridge. The house itself is also cool and I feel very lucky to live in it even temporarily. This spot I posed in is just behind my house, so you can expect many pictures to be taken here in the near future!

Outfit details:

Under Cover jacket c/o Lulus

Family Affairs Le Mepris tunic

random green slip from another dress

Cynthia Rowley tights

Jeffrey Campbell booties c/o Lulus

vintage fascinator

Snoozer Loser necklace

*all pictures by me

My sponsor LA Vintage is offering a 20% off discount code all October long to Clothes Horse readers. Here are a few of my favorite vintage clothes and accessories from their shop. There's a huge variety in styles and sizes and they make searching really easy.

1. Marcia Striped Mod Dress 2. Calamity Jane 70s Dress 3. Laying in Flowers 60s Top

1. 70s Rope Tote 2. Sudan Sunglasses 3. Teenage Fur Hat

1. Moss On The North Side Dress 2. Renaissance Romantic Dress 3. Harlequin Miu Dress

We had a grey, overcast day and I immediately, excitedly threw on a jacket and tights. It was still a little too warm for all the layers. As much as I enjoy sitting in the sand and sun, I am feeling ready for autumn layers and changing leaves. Or perhaps I just excited to move into a home and start baking fall sweets in the kitchen?

While I gripe here about my lack of clothing options from suitcase living, there are really a number of factors leading to current restlessness. In truth, I've lived out of two suitcases for longer (while I studied abroad in Japan and Greece). Yet, in both instances I was able to "settle in" a bit; to unpack, to cook my own food in a kitchen, leave books and papers scattered about and generally get comfortable. With constantly changing surroundings and an endless string of forgettable hotel rooms all the comforts of home are erased. Your are forced to be prepared for flight at any moment. In the end, that is what is tiring: not the new places, not the limited clothes, but the constant need for readiness and the lack of a permanency. I can move frequently, but I prefer to go and experience a place for several months. I love moving, but can the movie time (time on the road) be shorter next time around...?

Outfit details:

UO jacket

Triptych dress

ASOS tights

Nine West heels

backpack bought in Japan

rings via Gilt

*all pictures by me

These shorts from Modcloth couldn't have come at a better time. Our tropical storm with its flooding, tornado warnings, and general misery, has passed on but left strong winds in its wake. These shorts are the only thing between me and a 'Marilyn moment' right now. I'm actually rather amazed how warm it can remain while the rain is pouring down and wind is whipping you around...Considering how windy shores generally are I might need to invest in more shorts (pants too?) and hairstyles that keep my hair untangled and out of my face.

Ralph Lauren asked me to be one of their 100 bloggers to wear their polo in the Unite Against Cancer campaign for Pink Pony (no idea why they didn't actually send me a polo...). You can see all the other bloggers in their Ralph Lauren pieces here, get your own Pink Pony garb here, or text PINKPONY to 501501 to donate $10.

"A shade upon the mind there passes
As when on Noon
A Cloud the mighty Sun encloses
Remembering
That some there be too numb to notice
Oh God
Why give if Thou must take away
The Loved? " -Emily Dickinson


*Bruna Tenorio photographed by Bruna Castanheira via FashionGoneRogue

I'm partnering with Blowfish Shoes to give away two pairs of shoes! Go here to enter.

I have some new socks from Ozone Socks that I wanted to share. The pictured pairs are the tattoo knee highs. The pattern is very cool, but I like the way they look bunched best. Hopefully, I can get some wear out of them this winter.

A bit of warning: there isn't hardly any stretch to these knee socks (only 2% elastic). I find them a bit uncomfortable on the calves and wish it was possible to go up a size.

This slightly belated summer is pretty wonderful. I haven't been to a sandy beach in ages, so it is pretty exciting to now live within walking distance of one. I came out here the other evening just at sunset and saw a pod of dolphins. It was really incredible and is making me excited about this place...although shortly after I took these pictures a tropical storm rolled in and abruptly ended my time in the sun. Which means I am currently holed up in a hotel room while rain blasts outside.

Outfit details:

Family Affairs dress

Seychelles sandals

Cheap Monday sunglasses

Snoozer Loser necklace

rings via Gilt

Sally Hansen nail polish

*all pictures by me