park city weekends

denim shirt :: volcom // striped skirt :: olive & oak (via olive & tweed) // sandals :: bandolino // owl necklace :: gift // earrings :: olive & tweed

kumquat's pink dress :: carter's

If you've never been to the Park Silly Market, you're definitely missing out.

The Park Silly Market is a giant street festival held every Sunday during the summer on Main Street in downtown Park City, featuring vendors, food, live music, beer and even a fresh farmers market. With different vendors every week, you'll find something new on every visit to the market (and be hard pressed to find the same thing twice, so if you see something you love, snap it up!). You'll find everything from jewelry, clothing and hats to homemade salsa, wooden flower bouquets and doggie treats. Last week, Kumquat and I found a homemade popsicle stand, where we opted to try the strawberry lemonade concoction - little Kumquat was basically asleep, but still managed to hold herself up long enough to help me eat it eat it for me. I'm hoping the stand will be there again this week so we can try another delicious flavor.

And there's still plenty to do when you're finished perusing the vendors' wares: you can enjoy some amazing food and live performances at the lower end of Main Street, or head back up to explore the shops, art galleries and restaurants that will satisfy even the most eclectic of interests (most of which are small and locally owned).

While it's hard for me to pick favorites among all the little nooks and crannies that I love, Dolly's Bookstore (510 Main Street), Olive & Tweed (608 Main Street) and Changing Hands Consignment (580 Main Street) top my must-visit list every time I find myself in downtown PC. Without fail, I always find wonderful treasures to add to my closet, bookshelves, or both. In fact, the comfy denim button up, beautiful striped skirt and gorgeous amber earrings pictured are recent acquisitions from Olive & Tweed, and Kumquat's new favorite book was found on the same day at Dolly's Bookstore (it's "I Love You, Night And Day", if you're wondering).

Plus, it's about ten degrees cooler up here than down in the Salt Lake Valley. I'll take 90 instead of 100 degrees, thanks!


Will you be hitting the Park Silly Market or any other fun street festivals this weekend? Leave your thoughts and recommendations in the comments!

5

flapper inspired summer fashion in the Salt Lake Tribune



photos c/o krista nielson

Some fun outtake shots from the photo shoot I worked on last week at the Hotel Monaco in downtown Salt Lake City. I jumped at the opportunity to play dress up when Krista Nielson invited me to model for the Great Gatsby-inspired shoot for the Salt Lake Tribune. The piece was published today, and you can find the story, full of awesome advice for modernizing 20s trends, and the professionally done photo gallery here.

Are you going to see the movie this weekend? Share your opinion on the film and the flapper trend in the comments below, and check back this weekend for more summer fashion goodness!

(link above not working? use: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/entertainment2/56236225-223/fashion-flapper-gatsby-inspired.html.csp)

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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?

9

trenducation: fall/winter accessories

gray crochet cardigan :: H&M (love this one) | neon mustard sleeveless blouse :: H&M (similar here) | electric blue tulip faux wrap skirt :: H&M (dying for this one) | khaki messenger bag w/neon yellow piping :: francesca's collections  (get it here) | pocket watch necklace :: nine, via urban wear (similar) | textured gold cuff :: charlotte russe | gray buckle rope espadrille wedges :: charlotte russe (sold out but similar here) | sunglasses :: charlotte russe

This mildly fluroscent faintly greenish yellow hue is referred to as lime in some circles and cilantro in others, but to me it looks like neon mustard. My co-worker was repulsed. I love it.

While typically I avoid pairing bright shades together, I've recently made it a goal to add a bit of punch to my wardrobe. Adopting neons as a closet staple is a vital part of my new life plan, so when I happened across these two spectacular finds in H&M, I knew they would make the perfect first experiment. Mustard yellow and navy blue is one of my fave fall color combos, so I thought the electrified version of such would be the perfect transition look. After all, this autumn's fashion seems to be nearly identical to summer's; the only modifications being the addition of sleeves and layers, plus a few drops of gray into our favorite hues as some transparent attempt to winterfy neons and pastels.

When I originally purchased this ensemble, I literally spent hours hunting for the perfect accessories. I first set out to locate a chunky, collar-like statement necklace and matching cuff in a burnished gold finish with gray or white accents, but immediately changed course upon sighting a collection of these gorgeous pocket watch necklaces in one of my new favorite shops, Urban Wear (located in Fashion Place Mall for my fellow Utahans). Pleasantly inexpensive and blissfully perfect for this slightly unbuttoned blouse when double wrapped, I am thoroughly satisfied with the fruits of my search... though I am still in need of the perfect arm swag. I'm thinking a gold leaf cuff in an antique finish.....

Chunky jewelry and collar necklaces are certainly among the trends that will be pulled from summer into fall, but in a more refined sense, with a gravitation towards class and elegance over momentary thrills. Summer is the season of youth and frivolity, while fall and winter have a somewhat more grown-up feel to them, and our wardrobes (and jewelry boxes) generally reflect that shift of consciousness. Think heavy neon chains (not cheap plastic links), wrist hugging leather cuffs (trade in those friendship bracelets), skinny metal bangles (in a veritable ROYGBIV of colors) and bejeweled earrings (in tones ranging from neutrals to neons and everything in between). 

The Fall/Winter 2012 runway shows may seem long over, and July is still technically summer, but fall street fashion is right around the corner. Craving more inspiration? In dire need of some trenducation? Check out my Style Survival Guide, and find the picture book on Pinterest.

What trends are you most looking forward to for fall?

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trend analysis: fall 2012 color palette

rainbow maxi dress :: heart/soul (love this ROYGBIV version) | cobalt blue kimono sweater :: maurice's (love this button up dress as a kimono-cardigan) | gold cuff :: charlotte russe | blue and gold beaded cuff :: pacsun | hot pink satchel :: nila anthony (lusting after this one) | taupe braided sandals :: forever 21 (sold out but similar here) | sunglasses :: charlotte russe

My boss told me today that I have quite the "eclectic wardrobe." Apparently, I dress "like a different city every day." Today, he said, was Portland, though I usually lean towards New York (meaning black and other dark colors). I've never put it in terms of cities, but I do enjoy exploring myself in a sartorial sense. My outfit defines my outlook for the day, and this dress allows me to pretend I'm at the beach when the humidity is so oppressive I feel as though I'm swimming through the air. I'm convinced there is no better way to survive the sweltering summer heat than in a maxi dress; add a light cardigan to ward off the office AC and some flat sandals, and you've got a look that can go from the office to the beach in the amount of time it takes for you to remove the aforementioned cardigan.

Portland apparently translates into an outfit that takes advantage of the remainder of summer by wearing as many bright, offensive colors at once as possible. Despite having railed against it since its inception, this summer has finally wormed its way into my heart and my closet, and I find myself oddly regretful to let it go. I realize that it's only mid-July, so it may seem a bit early yet to eulogize summer, but fall collections are already flooding the racks, and the beginning of school only a month away marks the unofficial beginning of autumn. The forthcoming onset of cooler weather promises to bring both a turn of the color wheel and a shift in the way we view fall hues in the years to come.

Traditional fall and winter palettes combine jewel tones with dark neutrals to create a panorama of deep colors, but as fashion progresses out from beneath the rules of yore, I think fashion lovers will be hard pressed to give up their brights so easily, at the mere whim of some archaic fashion law.

Instead, though the general hues of jewels will remain the fall/winter standard, the colors will lighten to more vibrant shades of amethyst, emerald and teal as opposed to traditionally deeper shades of each. We'll also see the muted influence of the neons and pastels from earlier in the year through an influx of not-so-basic primary colors like canary, cobalt and blood red alongside the fall classics of mustard, navy and brick. Be prepared for a continued mermaid influx in the form of gold flecks and deep sea blues, and pastels will remain evident, though with a slightly grayer hue (think lavender gray, dusty mauve and a stoney mint).

There also seemed to be an unspoken consensus among many of the designers - with one or two pops of bold neons making a statement in many of the collections, it appears that a dash of hot hues (generally covered in black brocade or crochet) is just the right amount of daring. Think of it not as coloring outside the lines, but as coloring your Santa hot pink instead of jolly red.

A few suggestions, via highfashionmagazine.com

You may notice a decisive lack of discussion regarding winter whites in this analysis of fall and winter 2012 color schematics; that is a conversation wholly its own and will be covered as such in an upcoming post as part of an ongoing series on trend analysis and prediction. What do you think so far? Am I spot on, or color blind? Leave your thoughts (and your own predictions) in the comments, and check out my Pinterest board, Fall 2012 Coloring Book, for inspiration straight from the runways and hot off the streets.

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mood board :: free spirits on the open road

Photos collected via Pinterest. Click on each photo for its source.

A glimpse of a few of the things that have been inspiring me this summer.

A little neon, a dash of pastel, a hint of beach babe and a few sparkles, sprinkled over a free spirit and overlooking a wide open road. Summer might finally be growing on me.

Check out my mood board on Pinterest for more summery inspiration, and I'd love to see some of what's been catching your sartorial eye this season. Leave your thoughts in the comments - or, better yet, a link to your own mood board or inspiration post.

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contradicting rainbows: 5 steps to gorgeously windblown hair

slouchy mint tee :: forever 21 (sold out, but similar here) | white denim flares :: city streets (get your own white flares here, or try this skinny version) | pink lace bandeau bra :: maurice's | studded black leather criss cross sandals :: c/o kork-ease | black satchel bag :: ebay (lusting after this Cambridge Satchel bag) | gold, leopard & black bangles :: maurice's (love this set) | sunglasses :: charlotte russe | twisted gold collar necklace :: forever 21 (this spike version is pretty cool too)

My first instinct was to pair this loose, airy palette with some dainty gold jewelry... so naturally, I opted for burnished, clunky and leopard. I find the opposite end of the spectrum to be the best place to find inspiration for pairings; the pot at the end of the rainbow may not always be full of gold, but you're certain to pick up at least a few new ideas along the way.

I wandered up the canyon this evening in the hopes of finding an interesting backdrop for tonight's photos, and was rewarded with the perfect amount of light leaking over the mountain as I set up my tripod. I tend to gravitate towards scenery that conflicts with my chosen persona wardrobe for the day, and naturally, today that meant hiking in white jeans and five inch heels.

The above was my second choice for backdrop; my first impulse was to climb down into a man made, dried out stream bed to lean casually against the timber lined walls. Once down there, however, I realized there was something (or someone) up the other side of the mountain. This may seem paranoid, but Middle Canyon is known as a favorite business spot for local thugs and has its own scattered populace of displaced citizens. A couple of fallen rocks and snapped twigs later, I decided it would be best to scramble out of the stream bed as quickly as possible to avoid any unwanted encounters. This led to me climbing up the aforementioned timber and digging my hands and camera tripod into the dirt to pull myself out.

I'm beginning to rethink my method of choosing scenery for style photos.

5 steps to perfectly windblown hair :: a guide for the epicly unskilled

1. Spritz Suave Volumizing Root Lifter liberally all over wet hair, from roots through mid-shaft.
2. Flip hair over; blow dry bottom layer using your fingers.
3. Flip hair back over and blow dry just the roots, pulling small sections straight up.
4. Leave main body of hair wet. Get in car; roll windows down. Drive to work at 50+ MPH.
5. Spray hair with Suave Touchable Finish Hair Spray. Tousle appropriately.

1

warning :: prepare for some epic shiz

white & orange striped tee :: H&M (love this version) | cutoff denim shorts :: L.E.I. (similar) | braided taupe sandals :: forever 21 (similar) | straw fedora :: maurice's (similar) | bangles :: my sister's | sunglasses :: charlotte russe | straw purse :: vintage (similar) | silver arrowhead necklace :: forever 21 (sold out, but I love this one) | dia de las muertos skull bead earrings :: Tooele Arts Festival vendor (similar coming soon to the shop) | yellow scarf :: wet seal (old, but similar here)

Celebrated Independence Day with a family BBQ and a very basic look; white tees and cutoff denim shorts define iconic American style.

Tonight's post started out as a lecture on flag etiquette, then moved into some lengthy, existential explanation as to why the blog has been so conspicuously silent over the last week, but upon revision of the finished text, I determined it was just too damn whiny. What it amounts to, friends, is that I've wasted the last two years under the guise of putting my life back together, and I'm ready to move on and bring it on. Enter:

26 before 27

Prepare for some epic shiz.

1. Buy a car.
2. Find my writing voice.
3. Top Secret. (This one will only be revealed upon completion. Intrigued? Stay tuned.)
4. Reach 300 blog followers.
5. Rock red lipstick (in public and in a style post).
6. Impress myself. Twice.
7. Meet some new people. Make some new friends.
8. Go for a walk...
     -In the rain
     -In the sunshine
     -In the snow
     -In the middle of the night
     -Somewhere I've never been
     -In the middle of nowhere
     -In the middle of somewhere
     -To clear my head
     -On the beach
     -With Annie
9. Write a book.
10. Write a letter (by hand) to someone I admire. Send it.
11. Go somewhere I've never been before... by myself.
12. Take a random road trip.
13. Learn to sew.
14. Design, create and wear five items of clothing.
15. Open an Etsy shop.
16. Move out of my parents' house.
17. Get healthy.
18. Try a new (nice) restaurant.
19. Have a glass of expensive (>$150) wine.
20. Go ice skating.
21. Start taking classes.
22. Go to the beach.
23. Challenge myself. Daily.
24. Make a difference.
25. Find and implement a new blogging vantage point.
26. Publish three articles.
27. Write, every day, every word, every dream, every feeling, however fleeting. Write like no one is reading. Write to remember. Write to forget. Write to let it go and write to keep it in. Write, until my heart bleeds all over the pages and the words run together and one moment becomes indistinguishable from the next. Write, because no one will ever be me again [and I'm damn well worth remembering].

I invite you to hate. To judge. To pass by. To join in. To become wrapped up in. To write your own list, and to accomplish it. We'll do it together. Leave a link to your list of epicness in the comments so I can check it out.

Also :: Tune in tomorrow night for the secret to applying tanning lotion + the scoop on how I achieved split end-less hair in less than three weeks - without giving up daily heat styling.

6

summer leathers

red plaid button up shirt :: zara | gray oversize tank :: zara (dig the texture on this one) | black tank :: charlotte russe | faux black leather pants :: divided by h&m (similar) | combat boots :: charlotte russe (love this buckled version too) | red faux croc skin clutch :: unlisted (check out this killer envelope one) | sunglasses :: charlotte russe | pewter cuff bracelet :: forever 21 |  cocktail ring :: vintage | tassel necklace :: 2bravegirls

Breaking the laws of fashion, one bogus rule at a time.

So what if it was 90-something degrees last Thursday? My office is freezing year round, and these faux leather skinny pants are lined anyway. Pretty sure I could care less if some archaic law of fashion etiquette states that leather garments are a faux pas come the warmer months; I've never claimed to be anything more or less than a walking jumble of contradictions.

Entirely too sleep deprived to write a proper post, but as I was getting a little behind on posting, I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep soundly until I put this anti-summer ensemble up. The sociality of the last few days has taken precedence over my online life, as has my rapidly increasing need for sleep. I've read about the effects of prolonged sleep deprivation, but I have developed a deeper understanding of the gravity of these effects now that I am experiencing them firsthand. My memory is shot, attention span almost non-existent (though, to be honest, there wasn't much there to begin with), and I can feel my overall mental capacity diminishing more and more. I've even started hallucinating, on an alarmingly regular basis.

What I'm trying to say, kids, is say no to drugs - stay home and get some sleep.

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