same girl in a new aesthetic attic

Same girl, new name. This one will stick I swear. A little alliteration never hurt anyone. I came up with this new name over my Thanksgiving break and it feels fitting. Ever since I learned the word aesthetic, I have been known to use it all too often. I am a very visual thinker and I guess that is where my obsession with the word comes from. Style is all about aesthetics and my goal in everything I do and everything I wear is to create a little world with a distinct look and mood. 

I would love to be able to dedicate more time to this little endeavor and maybe build some kind of following but I am currently in the process of wrapping up college. I am stressing over financial projections for a hypothetical business plan and putting together a dazzling portfolio. Posts will be meager as usual it seems. Exciting things are in the future though, I can feel it. I will leave you with some shots taken to pick and chose from for the new banner you see up above.

outfit 1: sequin slip-Free People, blouse, bracelet hat-vintage, skirt, shoes-F21

outfit 2: sequin slip- Free People, dress, socks, shoes- F21, headpiece-made by me

oh hi

oh hi. I wore some clothes today. I went to class. I had a test in trends in contemporary art. Every once in a while there is a gem of a general education class at my school. Usually not so much, economics might mean "lets BS and talk about at what age we started drinking alcohol and what are religious beliefs are." and Chemistry and Society might mean "here's the answers for your test next week now lets play with some blocks and make atoms." But my contemporary art class is one of the gems, which I am really enjoying. I even had fun writing my essay yesterday. I was sitting in the library surrounded by books on existentialism and Francis Bacon. After my test I worked on my portfolio all day which is coming together alright. Back to the fact that I wore clothes today....

tank-A Camp band tee, lace blouse, sweater-thrift, skirt- Marc Jacobs, tights, socks, shoes-F21

Mystics

 This weekend, with the help of Liz, Pat, and Michael, I properly photographed a couple of my jewelry pieces for my portfolio. I went for whichy, mystics to showcase the jack-in-the-box necklace and the antler tiara. A lack of woods in the city lead us to this open patch of land by the freeway that had a couple pine trees and the light of UIC's tennis courts.

 

feeling pretty

The pieces from the November Free People catalog would have me fp feeling pretty for sure. I most loving the floaty layered tulle maxi and the sheer top slips. I'm not sure exactly where my attraction to the Free People aesthetic is rooted. Maybe its in my hippie-esque up bringing, my attraction to vintage, my affinity for collecting things, mixed in with the bit of glam and glitz I always crave. Lately I've been looking to their creative styling for inspiration all to often. Their clothes aren't exactly in my current price bracket but I kind of feel that the essence of many of their designs can be found in thrift shops. I have a perfect example of a dress I bought at Salvation Army that looks just like a Free People dress on their site now that I have been meaning to share. That is not to discredit brand as the pieces I do have from them are some of my most treasured clothes. Most my Free People pieces have been collected in the same way as those thrift look-a-likes. Purchased in thrift shops, resale shops and at Loehmans because as I said, I'm broke. I wanted to show some of my favorites from the November catalog along with today's outfit which is heavily representative of my brand fascination.

 Sweater and top- Free People, dress and necklace-F21, tights-?, boots-flea market, head piece- vintage

Cool for Cats

Just a typical day of trying to get my cat to love me. She is one tough cookie that is for sure.

I had a bit of a casual day today. One of the rare occasions of wearing jeans came about because of waking up at 6:36 am when I was supposed to be at work at 7. I thrifted this shimmering knit sweater yesterday in a bout of thrift therapy. All day at work I had been wandering over to a similar one, but at $17.80 I just couldn't swing it. Salvation Army really came through for me because once the mock turtle neck was cut off and the back zipper pulled out and stitched up, this became the perfect slouchy, shimmery sweater.

Born in the 70's

i

 

I wasn't born in the 70's, I was barely born in the 80's. It is however the name of an Ed Harcourt song that I like and a theme that goes with this outfit in a way. Seventies colors schemes and themes have always been a major draw for me so I was right on board with this 70's trend that has been flooding fall. On one of the first few fall feeling days I went for it in a seventies/Massimo  inspired blouse, high waist skirt, creepy owl pendent, wooden platforms, and floppy felt hat. I feel as if this hat makes everything look better. Sorry the pictures are so grainy and dark it is due to the fact that it gets dark so early this time of year and I am unsure of how to set my camera to combat this.

pleather top- thrifted bebe, blouse- thrifted Express, skirt-thrift, necklace and hat-F21, shoes- Jessica Simpson

fall

When I first sense that scent of fall in the air I have a complete attitude change. That laziness and boredom that comes with humid summers dissipates and I feel fresh and energized. The cool air prompts me to armor up in cozy sweaters and my devoted black leather boots. Lately I can't stop piling on girly dresses with chunky or distressed layers, vintage found object type jewelry, and thigh high socks. I got this severely distressed army green floral sweater in Hoboken New Jersey shopping around with my lovely aunt and cousin. They were kind enough to have me in their homes and entertain and feed me over the weekend.

hiding in the ...tree?

I was being photographed for this blog and then I guess I got scared and hid behind this tree?

A day off outfit. No work or class today (it's fall break.) The future of my day incudes a bit of lone shopping, a haircut, and packing for New York. hmmmm.

dress-thrifted French Connection, tee and socks- Target, shoes- Jessica Simpson.

Dally in the Alley

Over the weekend I Mega Bused it to Detroit for the 33rd annual Dally in the Alley. Dally in the Alley is a music festival in Detroit's Cass Corridor neighborhood. The Alley fills with music, art, fashion, and food as people come to celebrate the history of the neighborhood and the culture that has thrived there. The large, non corporate sponsored event is meant to support the neighborhood in which it occurs. Dally is an event that I have attended quite possible every year of my little life and that is now co-chaired by my committed older sister Cass. This year the unthinkable happened. Awaking to a beautiful morning, the Dalliers began to set up their festival with high hopes despite the weather forecast of rain. As the alley populated with music, vendors, and visitors the promised showers commenced. Tarps covered clothing racks and umbrellas disguised the crowds. The Alley looked thinner than ever as the rain fell densely throughout the better part of the daylight hours. Our party darted out in the rain to enjoy the Dally on occasion but often sought the cover of my sisters balcony overlooking the festival. As the evening wore on the rain ceased and the dedicated dilly dalliers came out to drink beer, socialize, and soak in the sounds. The alley filled and things seemed much more successful. Although the night ended on a good note there was still beer to be sold, money to be raised, and vendors a bit disappointed by the downpour. The exhausted Dally volunteers debated, but on Sunday the first ever Dally day two was a go. The sun shown and the alley refilled with happy and familiar faces.

This photo summarizes the first day of Dally pretty well.

And the second....

With primarily vintage and handmade vendors, Dally has always been a fun place to pick up bits for my fall wardrobe. We have always enjoyed shopping with Detroit Dolly as she opened local shops and set up at favorite fests so it was nice to chat with her and pick up a hand dyed corset, lovely pale blue slip, fur hat, and Victorian inspired top. Check out her etsy shop. Also found a mini sweater dress, ring/bracelet, and a cool crown pendent from various vendors.