Bloop

Necklace: gift from parents | Dress: Gap Outlet | Belt: Target | Tights: Target | Boots: Off Broadway

My boyfriend downloaded the game The Unfinished Swan yesterday, and I spent some time playing it. (A rarity for me--I'm terrible at video games.) So today when I looked at this dress I thought I looked a little bit like I got hit by the paint gun in the game, but hey--looks good! I'll take it.

Leopard & lace

Sweater? Shrug? Whatever it is: Forever 21+, via Dani at DIYFATSHION | Top: Gap Outlet | Necklace: gift | Jeans: Target | Boots: Target | Lips: NARS Red Square

I have never worn leopard before. So what better time than the present? And it turns out I love it. I don't think I'll ever be a full-animal-print kind of gal, but you know what? A dab now and then isn't too bad after all.

Downgrade

Sweater: Boden | Skirt: Boden | Boots: Target

If you follow me on Instagram, then you know why these pictures look differently than my standard fare. My 50mm f/1.8 lens (the "nifty fifty", as it were) officially moved on to the great camera body in the sky, and I am back to using my kit lens for the time being. I've rented a lens until I can figure out my next step, but it won't arrive until Christmas eve. So for now: back to basics. It certainly makes me appreciate my 50mm a looooot more.

Also, an FYI: Style Imitating Art is taking a break for the holidays, and we will return in full force on January 5th, 2015!

Style Imitating Art: At the Piano

It's SIA time! As a reminder, this week's inspiration was the lovely At the Piano by James McNeill Whistler. Let's get started!

First up is Stephanie, who looks adorable--I love that even the chair matches the painting!



Next is Jen of Librarian for Life and Style, who went for the red in the carpet for her inspiration. Works for me, because she looks great!



Isabella of Adventures in HEL is too cute for words. I love it all, especially that skirt. Like whoa.



Next is Amber of Section 391 found a piano for her photos! Yessssss. I love it.



Kezzie of KezzieAG found a piano too! I'm starting to regret not trying harder to find a piano.




My SIA cocreator, Salazar, looks super cozy this week. I'm kind of jealous.



And lastly, me. I have new glasses and they match this week's inspiration almost perfectly!



Thanks for participating, ladies! Everyone looks fantastic!

SIA: PSA

At the Piano, by James McNeill Whistler
Oil on canvas, 1859

You may know Whistler better for this painting:



Or something similar to it. But Whistler was a prolific artist, and At the Piano was his first real masterpiece. Whistler advocated ars gratis artis, and sometimes you just have to look at a thing and accept it for what it is, rather than looking for some moral reasoning behind the work. Sometimes, it just is, and that's all there is. The isness of the object.

Send me your outfits inspired by this painting by the evening of Monday, December 15th. Enjoy this one!

Dryness

Shirt: Target | Camisole: Gap Outlet | Pants: Old Navy via Dani at DIYFATSHION | Boots: Off Broadway

When I was waking up after surgery, I was moaning. Apparently this is a thing that happens--the guy next to me in the post-op area was moaning too--so I guess it isn't that weird. I was so dry; my whole body was dry head to toe because I had to wash with antiseptic soap twice in the 12 hours before the surgery, and I wasn't allowed to put anything on my body after washing in the morning. No lotion, no moisturizer for my face, no Chapstick, no makeup, no nail polish. Nothing. And on top of that, I had had a breathing tube put in and an oxygen line in my nose, which dried my out further. I was like a raisin at that point. So it was no surprise when the nurse told me that while I was in the early stages of waking up, I wasn't just groaning, but I was asking for Chapstick.

I was desperate.

The return

Necklace: JCPenney | Sweater: Ann Taylor | Skirt: Target | Wedges: Target | Lips: Sonia Kashuk Poppy Nude

I'm baaaaaaaack! Today marks my very first outfit photos since surgery (not including the outfit I managed to pull on specifically for SIA a few weeks ago), and it feels good, even if my lens is busted and my remote is dying and my tripod crushed my finger. And perfect timing, too, since today is an SIA based on Parade, by Charles and Ray Eames. Jen is hosting SIA this week, so definitely check out her blog tomorrow to see all the inspired outfits!