Don't adjust your monitors

Earmuffs: from mom | Top: J.Crew Factory | Skirt: Talbots | Tights: Target | Boots: Target

We all know Cardiganland is in South Carolina, right? Northwestern SC, but SC nonetheless. And yet here I stand in an inch of snow. (I'm pretty happy about this.) My boss took these pictures for me, and it's a good thing she did, because otherwise my hand would still be frozen to my tripod. I wear these earmuffs when I skip. It's a good thing I had them, since I could convince myself to take off my gloves, and my coat, and my wool scarf. But those earmuffs remained firmly wrapped my head, which is where they stayed until I made it into the house. Because brr, y'all.

Rose ceremony

Scarf: Target | Cardigan: Target | Dress: Loft Outlet | Belt: off a skirt from Kohl's | Tights: Target | Boots: Target

can't talk, too busy watching the bachelor

Death by Martha

Pink scarf: JCPenney | Blue scarf: Target | Sweater: Target | Dress as skirt: Target | Tights: Target | Flats: DSW

I have taken more of an interest in cooking in the last six months or so. I'm getting better at it and feel capable of making a LOT more than I used to be able to make. (I am also the primary cooker in my family now!) I read food blogs and Google recipes and my recipe pinboard is the second largest one I have (clothes, of course, still hold first place). And my parents did get me the god of mixers, so my baking can go to an even higher level. (I've always been a good baker.) But since I want to inch forward with my cooking, I checked this out from work. And I have received no short variety of comments about Martha. But to be entirely fair to Martha, looking through the book, it's actually really easy to follow. She explains damn near everything about cooking, along with the basics of baking. So I raise my glass to you, Martha, for enabling me to make my friends even more jealous with my cooking skills.

Indian-Arctic

Sweater: from a friend | Skirt: Talbots | Boots: Target | Shades: Target

This outfit made me feel a lot like Atlantic-Pacific today. Except I'm probably 3 times her size. And everything I'm wearing was $25 or less. And I live on a farm. And there's a cat behind me. And I can't get my hair to behave.

So really I'm not like Atlantic-Pacific at all, but at least I can kind of pose like her. (I don't think she often leaps into the air, though.)

So much

Necklace: Anthropologie | Dress: Gap Outlet | Tights: Target | Boots: Target

I HAVE SO MUCH TO SAY.

First of all, I got my remote working! I took it apart and found that a piece of dirt was wedged in there. Cleaned it out, put in the battery, and BOOM. Science!

Second: I have felt kind of gross lately BECAUSE my lower lip has been swollen and crusty and it's been so embarrassing. Before my boss dragged me to CVS and the pharmacist gave me this stuff, I spent three days icing my lip and looking like I'd had botched botox. The lip balm killed the swelling, and for a few days my lips looked almost normal. And then it came BACK. So I've been applying Cortibalm like my life depends on it. My mom heard a news story that swelling lips are on the rise and doctors don't know why so I am just waiting for the moment when i have to cut off my face. That'll make for an interesting blogging experience. It'll be like Monkeyface, but far worse because I can't draw.

Third: This dress is a real step outside my comfort zone. You'd think it wouldn't be, but over the last four years, I have essentially erased from my wardrobe anything that doesn't accentuate the aggressive difference between my waist and my hips. I have worn this dress before with a belt, but I surrendered the waist this time around. I felt like I was walking into work wearing a bag, but I got quite a few compliments and everyone was digging the tights. Holler.

Fourth: Fuck, I just ate a whole bag of baby carrots while writing this post. I'm going to be orange tomorrow. Orange AND crusty lipped. Sexy.

SIA: PSA

Louison and Raminou, by Suzanne Valadon
1920, oil on canvas

Suzanne Valadon was a character. She started out as a trapeze artist, but turned to art after falling from the trapeze. She had multiple affairs, wed twice, divorced once, was the first woman admitted to the Beaux-Arts, was bff with Degas and often wore a corsage made out of carrots.

She was also a legit cat lady, which made this SIA an easy pick for Salazar. Send her your outfits inspired by this artwork by Monday night (January 27th)! Enjoy, ladies.

Style Imitating Art: Untitled

Ah, what a time for my camera remote to crap out. It made it two years, which I guess is a good amount of time for it to survive. I'm ordering a new one but maybe between now an then I can cajole my current remote back to life? Oy.



I did manage two whole photos right before my remote keeled, and they were for SIA! Phew. As a reminder, this week's inspiration was Untitled by Larry Poons. Ladies, let's see it!

First is Isabella, who lives in Helsinki. Here is her blog. You can't see it very well, but her makeup is so pretty too.



Next is Jen of Librarian for Life and Style, who always looks so charming. And she got the dots in there!



I think this might be the first time I've hosted Erin of Loop Looks for one of my SIAs, and I'm so happy to have her! Especially when she's wearing that blazer. Daaaaamn, girl.



Kezzie of KezzieAG has the perfect mix of pink and polka dots. Excellent! I lightened her picture a little to really show off the skirt's print. (I hope you don't mind, Kezzie!)



And here's my co-curator, Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey, who totally lied to me about not owning any pink. BUSTED.



And me! I tried to highlight the colours of the dots, rather than the pink. Even though I do LOVE that pink.



Thank you ladies for participating! I know this wasn't the easiest pick but you all look great :)

SIA: PSA

Untitled by Larry Poons
Oil on canvas, 1964

So Larry Poons is not the biggest name in art, but this painting is one of the pieces of artwork I originally selected for my 52 weeks of art inspiration, which eventually led to Salazar and me founding SIA. I was really struck by the vibrancy, the ombre, the different shades of the dots, the hues in general. I know this is kind of a tricky piece--pink, and all that--but I wanted something a little cheery during this terribly cold weather! Focus not just on the pink, but on the dots too.

Send me your submissions by Monday, January 13th. My email address is in my About section. Enjoy this one, ladies!

Baby...

Everything: Target

...it's cold outside.
14 degrees and counting.

Technically new years happen every day

Image via Buzzfeed's Facebook page

Happy 2014, y'all! I spent my midnight kissing my whiskey and lemonade and buying tickets to see this gal in concert. I'm not joking. I'm getting amped up for many things this year: lots of concerts, lots of fun stuff at work, whatever the hell my boss is planning by putting me on Match (I'm not joking about this), Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show, the OLYMPICS, lots of curling, lots of riding, and lots of outfits. Here's to all of us having the best year ever!