Monday, October 22, 2012

From Fashionista to Farm Girl

As much as I love embracing my urban side and dressing to the nines, it's nice to just throw on some  flannel and fleece once in a while!  Here are two occasions requiring two very different outfits.


For church this weekend I wanted something comfortable, modest since I was up front playing piano, and also able to keep me warm on my way to church but not be hot after church. This worked perfectly.
Scarf: Gift (from Target), Shirt: Gap, Skirt & Belt: Kohl's, Tights: JC Penney, Shoes: TJ Maxx
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Recently, my brother was home from college and we took the chance to have some fall fun at the local corn maze and pumpkin patch. It was the perfect day. The pictures speak for themselves.


Picture clockwise from top right: Entrance to corn maze, flannel-clad siblings in the corn maze, free pumpkins upon completing the corn maze, DUCK RACES! You haven't lived until you've had to pump water and propel rubber duckies down a track. Quite the rush.


Jeans: Arizona from JC Penney, Flannel Shirt: Vintage from either my mom or dad? Not sure. :-) Fleece Jacket: Thrift Store, Shoes: Timberland, Purse: Thrift Store


This year I've been learning that simple ways are sometimes the most rewarding. The trip to the pumpkin patch was no exception. Yes, folks, heaven does exist. It's called Shenandoah Valley in the fall.



Sunday, October 21, 2012

All Aboard the Autumn Train



Fall is my favorite season with spring as a close second. I love the transitional seasons when change is in the air. Somehow this fall, I've found myself doing very traditional "old-school" activities: riding a train, going on a hay ride, wandering through a corn maze, visiting a pumpkin patch, baking from scratch, throwing a party complete with a backyard campfire. Over the next few posts you will get a glimpse of each...and the style to match.

In September, my parents and I took a scenic train ride aboard the Potomac Eagle in Romney, West Virginia. The colors weren't quite out but it was beautiful nevertheless. There were closed cars with traditional seating and an open air "gondola" car to get a 360 view of the scenery. Shown above is a little store that we stopped at on our way home. It was the quintessential country store and felt like a museum (which made it easier NOT to buy anything!)


This purple shirt is one I like to save for family outings. It's cute, comfortable, and yet modest. I bought it (and one in turquoise) at JC Penney over a year ago. The jeans are GLO from Kohls. Shoes are my trusted Sperry Topsiders (I've had them since high school!). The brown leather purse was a 50 cents thrift store find and the scarf is from Plato's Closet. The bracelets are special-one is from Bead for Life and the other is made from Acai beads and was a gift from a student. The chambray shirt actually doubles as a jacket. It is my mom's from the 70s! The picture doesn't do it justice so more on this piece in upcoming posts. 






Friday, October 12, 2012

Coffee, Tea, or Stravinsky??

Scarf: Greece, Shoes: Wal-mart (and yet they're real leather!), Skirt: JC Penney, Shirt: Thrift Store (Aeropostale), Belt: My mom's, Sunglasses: Ross (Nine West)

Yes, I feel like an airline stewardess in this outfit...and yet I'm headed to my orchestra classroom and not some exotic weekend destination. Oh well.

I've had this skirt for years but never knew just how to pull it off. High-waisted pants and skirts tend to scare me. They cause flashbacks of my childhood of glasses, braces, and....high waisted jeans. *shudder* But I'm willing to give this skirt another chance. The chambray shirt from Aeropostale was a thrift store find that I'd never worn before. The scarf is extra special. I bought it at an open air market in Athens, Greece while on a college music tour. My first time to Europe while making music with my best friends was one of my favorite tours to date. I love having clothes with special memories attached.

Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for flying with us today!



Saturday, October 6, 2012

From Teacher to Student



Recently I was asked by one of my professors to present a paper I wrote for his class last school year. It was a research paper on Heitor Villa-Lobos and his influence on music education in Brazil. I was honored to be a featured speaker at my university's Brazil Music Day and had a blast. It was a bit intimidating to be speaking about Brazil with Brazilians in the audience but turns out we had plenty to teach each other. Here is what I wore, both in the morning to teach and in the afternoon to speak.  I chose green as my accent color in honor of Brazil. One quick wardrobe change later, I went from teacher to student. This could also be a office to dinner with friends/day to night look.  I love these types of versatile looks that can work for so many occasions!
Jacket: Forever 21, Belt: Vintage-my grandmother's, Shirt: Kohl's, Cropped Pants: New York & Company-from a friend, Shoes: Old Navy, Watch: Target, Necklace: From my friend Liz. It's from Africa and she bought it in Portland, Oregon.