robin hood, princess of style

maxi dress :: downeast basics (get it here) | earrings :: downeast basics | belt :: maurice's | moto jacket :: H&M (similar) | leather wrist wraps :: c/o salvage west | leaf necklace :: 2 brave girls | moccasin necklace :: from my grandma | purse :: aldo's | leopard wedges :: express (love this pair) | sunglasses :: charlotte russe

A slew of clothing shops have opened up in Tooele over the last few months, and DownEast Basics has now added their name to the list. I stopped by one night last week post-work and was very pleased with the infinite outfit potential I stumbled into. The prices are a tad higher than stores like Forever 21 and H&M, but DownEast also carries a number of name brands, such as Lucky and Anthropologie, for much less than usual retail (similar to Uptown Cheapskate, but with a lot more of their own inventory). I even happened upon a Lucky Brand black leather jacket for just $149... alas that I don't wear real leather.

I did, however, snag the olive green maxi dress and fire catcher earrings pictured here, in addition to a giantly oversized yellow cardigan, for just $67, and not having to pay for gas to drive to Salt Lake City meant that I still had enough money left to buy dinner for my sister and I (which somehow ended up being smoothies from Roxberry).

And honestly, both my sister and I really kind of hated this dress until I pulled it on... but as soon as I slid it over my head, we both fell in love. The cut is unexpectedly and perfectly flattering, and the unique shape of the bust and shoulders made me feel like a Princess Robin Hood - I felt like I should be toting around a bow and arrow instead of an orange purse and a moto jacket.

Overall, most of the clothes hanging on the racks at DownEast Basics were stylish and comfortable. They have a trendy but tasteful look that I think will appeal to any woman with a decent sense of style, and the longer hemlines and more modest cuts will certainly please professional and conservative ladies alike. If you live in Tooele, I'd definitely suggest stopping at DownEast Basics before heading to Salt Lake City for your next shopping trip; it's in the same shopping center as Cafe Rio (incidentally, close to Maurice's and Custom Edge as well). You can use the money you save on gas to buy me ice cream!

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another night goes by (at the utah opera)

dress :: forever21 (get it here) | tights :: forever21 (here) | scarf :: Utah Opera giftshop | necklace :: forever21 | earrings :: forever 21 | heels :: kardashian kollection (similar) | black trench coat :: bebe (similar) | sunglasses :: charlotte russe | cocktail ring :: forever 21 (get it here) | beaded clutch :: vintage c/o LoveCharles Vintage

playbill :: Il Trovatore, tickets c/o the Utah Opera

My first exposure of any kind to opera was through Pretty Woman; when Richard Gere takes Julia Roberts to her first performance, he explains that one either loves the opera, or one learns to love it, and that it doesn't matter that one might not understand the words - the music communicates the emotions.

Having been on a lifelong, desperate search for some kind of culture beyond the meager offerings of a backwater Utah town, I was intrigued. Up until this brief, distant introduction, the opera was merely something my brothers made fun of, an acquired taste reserved for a select few; now, it was something a little bit mysterious, something that might be beautiful. It became this wonderful fantasy of tragic love stories and epic battles and twisted tales played out on a stage and sung in the world's most beautiful languages... and I had absolutely no idea of what it really was.

So when the lovely Sara from the Utah Opera contacted me a few weeks ago to see if I was interested in attending the premiere of Verdi's Il Trovatore this last Saturday evening at the Capitol Theatre, I literally hopped around the kitchen with excitement. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to explore a form of musical expression that previously had seemed so illusive to me.

I did my research before opening night (meaning I asked around and read the Wiki). I bought a very simple but gorgeous dress (no splurge required), added some shiny accessories and ridiculous heels, artfully mussed up my hair and topped it all off with my favorite Audrey Hepburn style black trench coat for a very sophisticated fall evening look.

Yet, with all of my preparations, I was in no way prepared for the experience. It was truly overwhelming and absolutely beautiful and I desperately want to go again.

As an opera newbie, I don't feel I can really justify "reviewing" the performance, and I certainly can't commentate on the technicalities, but I can tell you that the story was intense, the portrayal was brilliant, the talent was breathtaking and the entire night unerringly perfect. Keeping my ADHD at bay is a miraculous feat in itself, but I was utterly enraptured by the performance throughout its entirety - the only disappointment coming at the end, because it ended. The fact that I at no point had the urge to check my cell phone should be enough to convince you of how incredible it was.

If you've never been to the opera (or even if you have been)... GO. Il Trovatore runs through this Sunday, 10/21 and tickets start at just $15 (you'll pay more for a concert and have less fun, trust me). Il Trovatore is performed in Italian, but they provide a playbill with an act-by-act synopsis, and there's a scrolling marquee with a general translation of the lyrics (at least on the orchestra level, where I sat). Even without the board, though, it was fairly easy to understand what was transpiring through the intensity of the music and vocals.

Overall, it was a Saturday evening very well spent, and I'm considering making opening night a tradition when their next show, Florencia en el Amazonas, premieres on January 19th. I may even treat myself to the USUO's Upbeat Design-A-Series pass for a compilation of next year's performances...

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big ass style

blazer :: forever 21 (similar) | pink ballerina dress :: forever 21 (get it here) | tights :: express | combat boots :: charlotte russe (old, but I need this pair) | purse :: my mom's | earrings :: forever 21 | sunglasses :: charlotte russe | necklace :: forever 21 | silver cuff :: forever 21 | leather wristbands :: c/o salvage west | blue & orange slinky bracelet :: twisted roots

Last weekend started out on a low note when I was both blown off and brushed off (by the same person) Friday night, but my old friend Carlos unknowingly swooped to my rescue when he invited me to the X96 Big Ass Show Saturday afternoon (and by invited, I mean he posted on FB and I was the first to respond. I win!).

By the time we arrived (fashionably late, of course), the Gallivan Center was completely packed. We did manage to obtain some refreshments, however, and although there were a number of stellar bands in the line up, the only one I had the chance to watch was AWOLNATION because the crowd made it impossible to see the stage. The rest of the afternoon was spent perusing the wares of the various vendors (I picked up the orange and blue slinky bracelet above from Twisted Roots), eating sno cones with way too much syrup (experts say it looked like I'd blown a smurf), watching Carlos attempt to stand in a human-size hamster ball set afloat in a swimming pool and chillin' with some serious villains. Carlos, alas, did not make it out alive - he was turned Undead by the make up artist from the Castle of Chaos (check out his Zombie-fied self in the top photo - he's the one in the green tee).

Despite the massive crowd, I somehow managed to avoid an anxiety attack and had a hell of a lot of fun (mostly thanks to the awesome company I was keeping). X96 always puts on a great show (with the minor exception of the Half Ass Show a couple of years back), and I'm pretty sure I'm going to make the Big Ass Show a yearly tradition from this point forward. My only complaint is the size of the venue relative to the number of people who attended - the Gallivan Center is cool, but X96 should definitely consider moving the show back to the Utah State Fairgrounds next year.

My mother was convinced I would freeze to death in this ballerina-esque slip of a dress, but the addition of a military inspired tuxedo blazer and some spiffy tights were all it needed to be certified fall concert weather approps. The combat boots were pure cheekiness on my part. Heels were obviously out of the question, and ballet flats with a ballerina dress was a tad too matchy-match for my tastes. A good rule of thumb for putting together unexpectedly mixed up outfits is to always opt for the last thing you think of.

I managed to snap about a dozen or so street style shots of people other than myself, so you can expect to see some galleries up soon. I've got a side project for showcasing these photos in the works; I'll make the official announcement as soon as it's live - hopefully this weekend at the latest.

The second half of the weekend was spent blowing too much money at Tooele's yearly Indian Pow-Wow and Mountain Man Rendezvous. I snagged about $80 worth of beads and trinkets with which to make some pretty jewelry and accessories. The original intention was to make some new things for the shop, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to part with some of these pieces. You'll see what I mean when I post the photos tomorrow, but in the meantime be sure to check out our current listings.

Did anyone else attend the Big Ass Show? See/hear anything badass? And be sure to check out the upcoming SLC street style blog this weekend to see if your look made the cut.

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open roads and moto skirts

That just doesn't sound like a safe combination to me....

printed tee :: maurice's | lace camisole :: maurice's | white faux leather moto skirt :: forever 21 (sold out but I love this one too) | dotted tights :: H&M | bag :: maurice's | studded wedge pumps :: kardashian kollection (similar) | sunglasses :: my dad's | scarf :: love culture (similar) | earrings :: forever 21 | silver wrist cuff :: forever 21 | black leather wristband :: c/o salvage west | brown leather wristband :: c/o salvage west

How is it October already???

I feel like this year has utterly flown by, punctuated by prolonged moments of sharpest pains and sweetest memories. Perhaps it's a bit early to be singing odes to 2012, but fall always brings with it a sense of endings for me. The chill of winter begins to slowly seep in despite our warmest bundlings; fashion changes, vacations end, seasons change and the Wheel turns a bit further. Sometimes its inexorable roll in one direction feels a bit overwhelming to me.

These photos are from a recent sojourn to Evanston, Wyoming and the Bear River. No particular reason for the trip other than the burning desire for the open road, with a few random stops along the way. Echo Canyon has some really pretty rest stops.

If you don't already own a white moto skirt, I highly suggest you acquire one. As in, right. this. second. If moto isn't your style, any sassy skirted silhouette in an ivory to cream to white hue will work - just bear in mind: the sweeter the shape, the spunkier the accents. Paired with a vast assortment of patterned, sheer and solid tights in an array of colors and boots of varying heights, it's pretty much perfect weekend wear for fall. #seriously. See what I mean on this Pinterest board, and shop the look below.

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salvage me this

moto jacket :: H&M (similar) | striped tee :: H&M | black skinny jeans :: maurice's (dying for this pair) | boots :: maurice's | orange scarf :: love culture (similar) | earrings :: c/o con-fused arts | orange clutch :: aldo (love this rebecca minkoff version) | fedora :: maurice's | black leather wristband :: c/o salvage west

I didn't realize what a hazardous occupation fashion blogging could potentially be until this shoot on the beach of the Great Salt Lake early last week. I pretty much expect to one day injure myself by falling off a log or fence while wearing my usual 4-5" heels, but last Monday night I acquired a spider bite (of unknown species) while climbing over rocks behind The Great Saltair. I'm not sure if it was an allergic reaction or just a nasty bite, but I suffered some pretty severe effects over the remainder of the week and had to go to the doctor for a rather painful shot and a pretty intense regimin of meds. The things we do for love and fashion.

Although skirts and flowy dresses rule my wardrobe for the length of spring and summer, as soon as the temperatures dip below 80 I break out my vast collection of knee high boots and skinny jeans. I generally avoid crisp black on dull black, such as the contrast of the tee against the jeans photographed here, but the acquisition of these artfully worn in leather cuffs from Salvage West has lead to an obsession with all things faded, flannel and familiar.

When these beauties arrived in my mailbox a few weeks ago, wrapped in brown paper with a handwritten note and photos of the boots they were made from, my sister immediately tried to swipe them for her own collection. Unfortunately for her, the fact that they've hardly left my wrist since opening the package has made her thievery a bit difficult. I've literally worn the black cuff nearly every moment since first laying eyes upon it (they're not waterproof - you get the picture), and I love layering the brown one over it for a bit of unexpected spunk (her idea, btw).

I'm not generally a fan of wearing real leather (all I can think about is a baby cow draped around my shoulders), but Salvage West is a locally owned Utah company that specializes in resurrected accessories - meaning everything they make is recycled and repurposed from older products. They use leather from old, worn out boots to make everything from hairbands for her to wallets for him, though the unisex wristbands are by far my favorite. Their unconventional process for sourcing and creating items means that every piece is 100% unique and beautifully handcrafted - and the boot number and name of the artist is signed on an included card with each piece (and usually on the inside of the piece, as well). The number of small, personal touches such as this definitely made their items stand out from most other packages I receive.

Their laid back vibe isn't to say these recycled wristbands can't be urbane - in fact, my obsession with them led me to don one with my LBD at Fashion Night Out. In my mind, they are the perfect back-to-school time accessory: the resilient but slightly worn in leather makes me think of old friends, bittersweet memories and Kurt Cobain. Perfection next to cuffed flannel sleeves while running through a corn maze or against a lace dress while snuggling with someone special in the back of a cozy taxi, leather wristbands are Cool accessorized, and Salvage West has answered the question of how to make Cool eco-friendly with an A+.

"Cool doesn't have to be new. 

Just, you know, cool."

-Salvage West, About Us

be social: 

Get to know Salvage West on their website, and keep up with their old leather obsession/eco-conscious goodness on Facebook and Twitter (@SalvageWest1).

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style guide: how to dress with a pixie cut

lime yellow blouse :: H&M (previously worn here; similar here) | yellow & gray floral skirt :: H&M (dying over this one) | wedges :: charlotte russe | messenger bag :: francesca's collections | floral cuff :: vintage | earrings :: wal-mart | sunglasses :: charlotte russe | pocket watch necklace :: nine via urban wear (similar)

While my affinity for dresses and skirts has always been transparently apparent on the blog, my collection has rather suddenly and exponentially multiplied since my transition to a pixie cut (at least four skirts and three dresses in the first three weeks). The short crop certainly took some getting used to, but now that it's grown a bit (almost two inches - my sister measured my roots) I love the shape, messy look and complete lack of blow drying time. A long list of pros usually evens out with an equally weighted list of cons, however, and the boyish cut has definitely required a major style adjustment to avoid looking boyish. Most of the advice I've found online I've deemed complete rubbish, as it generally seems bent upon preventing me from wearing some of my favorite pieces - enter, therefore, my own list of tips and tricks for dressing with a pixie cut:

how to dress with a pixie cut:

11 tips for your 5 favorite pieces

A. The Collar
Traditional style wisdom dictates that the oxford collar is menswear inspired, and therefore off limits to a woman trying to avoid any hint of masculinity in her appearance. What I have found, however, is that a sharp, crisp collar frames my face and highlights more feminine features.
1-What to look for: Straight lines, crisp angles, clean palettes
2-What to avoid: Floppy, sloppy and dirty

B. The Blazer
Another piece stolen from the boys, the blazer can be a tricky one for a freshly pixie cut gal to navigate. Structured silhouettes with a nipped in waist are a relatively safe bet, while boyfriendy cuts are a bit more difficult - just remember: the looser the blazer, the skinnier the pant. When possible, go cropped.
3-What to look for: Structure, nipped waists, cropped lengths
4-What to avoid: Anything too 80s

C. Oversized/Boyfriend Silhouettes
On the tails of the boyfriend blazer, we tackle oversized silhouettes in general. Like calories in ice cream, anything that conceals the natural shape of your body is going to add points to the boy column when sporting a pixie cut. Achieve balance by belting your waist and/or opting for an extremely well-fitted or feminine opposing piece (like super skinny jeans with an oversize sweater, or your BF's shirt with your favorite mini skirt).
5-What to look for: Interest. Balance. Slightly rumpled perfection.
6-What to avoid: Anything that looks like came off of your brother's floor.

D. Shift Dresses (or any loosely fitting dress)
Shift dresses, once a staple in the closet, may seem like a shapeless enemy to a girl fighting to prove she's a woman. A simple answer? Belt the waist, shorten the length, and wear the skinniest, sexiest stilettos you can find. Let your legs do the talking
7-What to look for: Side panels and shorter lengths
8-What to avoid: Midi length and uninteresting fabrics/patterns/colors

E. Trousers
I've yet to don my favorite tuxedo trousers since chopping off my locks, but I may have finally figured out how to style them with my new pixie do: a perfectly fitted black v-neck tee. As with oversized silhouettes, the key here is striking a balance between highlighting feminine features and sporting androgynous duds.
9-What to look for: A high-waisted fit that gives your feminine figure definition
10-What to avoid: Baggy, ill fitting/too long cuts that look frumpy

But my #1 tip for dressing with a pixie cut?

figure it out your own damn self.

When I lopped off my hair, I Googled myself silly - and nothing I found was particularly useful. Everyone has their own opinions on what looks good with what and on who, so while it's great to get some tips, the best thing you can possibly do is go to the mall/Goodwill/your favorite locally owned boutique and try everything on. And I'm serious - EVERYTHING. Try on things you hate, things you would never wear, cuts and shapes and fabrics and colors that you never thought would flatter you. Try on things that didn't work pre-cut and things you don't think will work post-cut. When Google and the fashion interwebs failed me in my hunt for a pixie style bible, I spent hours at the mall, doing exactly this, and I was wildly surprised by my results.

The bottom line is, different things are going to work for different people. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to style, and the only way to find yours is to go search for it. Not look. Search. So get going already.


P.S. Don't miss my recap of Salt Lake City's Fashion Night Out + photos from #MohawkFriday in yesterday's post.

P.P.S. Be sure to check out this post on the Lucky community!

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fall mood board

click image to see source (if available)

A collection of images that adorn my Fall Mood Board collection on Pinterest... can you tell I'm a little excited for fall?

The last few weeks have been spent scouring the internet from my death bed in search of The Perfect Dress for tonight's Art Meets Fashion event at the Red Butte Gardens. I developed a pretty intense cold a few weeks ago, and I just can't seem to shake it. Between the hours spent hunting through various stores and shops in the evenings following work and the long nights researching on the web, I've had little energy left for anything else.

I finally found The One in a store at City Creek that I've never been in before - Love Culture. It seems a bit similar to Forever 21, but with a different vibe. Very trendy and low-cost, but I feel like their racks are less Utah influenced and I love that.

Party starts soon, though, so it's time for me to go put on that dress. Expect photos tomorrow, but I hope to see you there! Tickets are $50 and will be available at the door, though you can also buy them online through TicketCake. A fashion show, art exhibit, wine tasting, amazing food plus a fundraiser to support Red Butte's new Water Conservation Garden campaign? I'm so there.

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pretty in pleats

gray & blue pleated dress :: kling, from q clothing boutique (buy kling @ q here) | wedges :: charlotte russe (love these ones) | clutch :: vintage (similar) | collar necklace :: forever 21 (love this feather version) | cuff :: forever 21 (try this tribal one) | earrings :: forever 21 | sunglasses :: charlotte russe

This dress is one of three acquired at Q Clothing's Kling sample sale Thursday night; the pleated gray chiffon and navy blue suede-like accents make this dress perfect for the last hazy days of summer. Come fall, layers will include tights and an elbow-patched cardigan from Zara that's been anxiously awaiting a soulmate for its own blog debut. The navy clutch with orange embroidery was encountered by chance on my way out the door Friday afternoon - laying atop a dresser, forgotten, until my fingers happened upon it while hunting for something else. Kismet. It belonged to my mother, when she was younger than I am now. A child of the 70s, perfect for a late afternoon outing in a canyon above a reservoir.

My momentary excitement over summer has faded; I desperately want it to be winter, though I'll settle for fall. The oppressive heat and lack of storms is depressing... I feel worn down by the dripping sunshine and ominously blue sky. Despite Weather Channel app promises of mid-80 degree temps, the thermometers still read 90+ most evenings as I drive home from work. Disappointing.

I used to be a summer child; I'm not sure exactly when I changed so much that I now find summer almost unbearable, but sometimes even the prospect of yet another long, sun-drenched day threatens a panic attack. Call me dramatic, if you will, but there's got to be more to it than that. Seasonal Affective Disorder, in reverse.

Despite my impatience for the arrival of autumn, its impending arrival brings with it a sense of loss for this summer in particular... The last few months years have been rife with emotional turbulence and life upending pronouncements, and I'm not sure that I've accomplished much in the way of actually living my life. My list of Epic Shit To Do has been a way to partially combat this sometimes overwhelming feeling of stagnation, but summer's imminent death means drastic measures must be taken to truly relish what's left of the warmth. Enter:

epic shit to do :: sudden death

september 2012

an odd assortment and varied collection of random challenges to be completed before the official commencement of fall.

1. Go stargazing.

2. Watch the sunrise on my roof with a cup of tea.

3. Road trip.

4. Discover someplace new.

5. Find a new restaurant.

6. Ride a rollar coaster.

7. Go for a walk on the beach.

8. Go swimming.

9. Go hiking.

10. Have an adventure.

What adventures are you going to accomplish before the end of summer?

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