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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self induced autumn

blouse :: forever 21 (not online, but similar here) | moto jacket :: H&M | skirt :: forever 21 (similar) | heels :: qupid (love these ones) | tights :: forever 21 | beaded clutch :: c/o love charles vintage | sunglasses :: charlotte russe | earrings :: forever 21 | necklace :: forever 21 (get it in silver here) | ring :: forever 21 (get it here) | hat :: olsenboye

This outfit was my desperate attempt to bring some fall colors into the Tooele valley; my sister said I looked like Christmas. To be quite honest, I find myself a tad disappointed with the season so far. It's been relatively warm up until last week and the leaves here in the valley remain a disheartening shade of defiant green. Last week was barely cool enough to warrant a light jacket, and the forecast for this week shows temps clawing their way back up to the low 70s. Desperate for an autumnal fix, I took a drive into Middle Canyon Thursday evening post-work, and as soon as I went around the first bend it became obvious that fall is in full effect in the mountains. There were deer everywhere, and leaves crackled beneath my feet as I climbed up the mountainside, the sound magnified by the slight chill in the air. I've heard it said that Tooele is an ugly little city (the word shit-hole has often been used to describe my hometown), but these people obviously don't know where to look.

Oxblood skinny jeans/trousers seem to be one of the it items this season, and while I have certainly developed a not-so-mild obsession with the color, I chose to take a slightly different approach in the form of a skatery school girl skirt with box pleats and gold nautical buttons. There is a very fine line between stylish and trendy fashion victim these days, and an important part of staying on the right side of that line is knowing how to spin the trends into something less obvious but still current and fashionable. That being said, I'm fairly positive I'll be giving in and investing in a pair of oxblood corduroys sometime very soon...

Any trends you'll be giving into this month? What do you think of the blog's new design? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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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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