Turtlenecks & Tartan

"Time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees" - Emily Bronte

What I Wore: [Top: Gap, Skirt: Vintage (similar), Boots: Franco Sarto (similar), Earrings: J. Crew (similar), Lipstick: Bite Beauty "Cranberry"] 

I can't believe Christmas is already here, it seems like the weeks leading up to the holidays are always  such a blur, making it so that once break finally begins and I get to lay around watching Love, Actually with my dog for three days straight even better than usual. Since I go to school so far away from home being able to come home and be around my entire family at Christmastime is very special to me and something I look forward to all year. For my family, Christmas means food, movies, moon-lit walks through our woods, board games, and more food - AND I LOVE IT. 

Since Christmas day is usually spent in my footie pajamas, or some other comfy equivalent, I try to be a bit more festive on Christmas Eve. Granted, in my family all holidays are extremely casual so this is an outfit that I would just wear to class or any day of the week really, but I thought the tartan print wool skirt and cozy turtle neck made it feel a bit more Christmas-y than my usual "warm dress and black tights" option that I've been known to go for in the past. 

I hope you all have a lovely holiday season, are surrounded by those you love, are perpetually stuffed with delicious food and drink, and get some time to relax before gearing up to take on the new year! 

xo

Girls Online

If you follow me on any of my other social media sites, or know me in person, you may already know that for the past three months I've been working on a short documentary for one of my classes this semester. Naturally, the film is about blogging - hence why I am writing a post about it. When we were asked in September to come up with an idea of a documentary to pitch to the other students in the class my mind went almost immediately to blogging - it's something I'm passionate about, it's something that is really relevant for my generation, and it's something that not everyone knows a whole lot about. It turned out that the people in my class thought it sounded just as interesting as I did, and my topic was chosen to be one of the six films produced for the semester (out of 24!). 

I knew right away that I wanted to feature my two favorite Portland based bloggers, Tonya from The Moptop and Michelle from Hummingbird High. Once my group and I got in touch with Tonya and Michelle and they agreed to be apart of the film we got to work planning out our vision for the film, preparing interview questions and shot lists, and creating schedules for filming and editing. After that everything just seemed to fall into place somehow. Although it was a long process and at times a stressful one I can't explain how rewarding it's been. Getting to work with and learn from these two incredibly inspiring bloggers has been amazing, they were both so kind, helpful, and willing to talk about their stories and experiences in front of the camera - which I am so grateful for!

And now we have a finished product! It feels weird to finally be done (although I am excited for no more late night in the windowless editing studios). The big reveal in which our whole class will screen our films isn't until tomorrow night, but I just couldn't wait until then to share it - so here it is!

Just A Touch Of Sparkle

What I Wore: [Jacket - old Target (similar), Sweater - old Zara (similar), Skirt - J. Crew, Oxfords - Minelli (similar), Lip Color - Nars "Dolce Vita" Lipgloss]

I love Portland because I can wear a short sleeved sweater and skirt with just a leather jacket draped over my shoulders on December 7th and be WARM - this is madness to me, especially compared to how I was dressed while being at home in my last post. 

I wore this outfit on Sunday for a day of eating, shopping, and play attending with my mom while she was in town over the weekend. On Friday and Saturday night I had the final performances for the dance show that I have been rehearsing for all semester (so so so much fun, my favorite part of every fall semester) - and my mom flew all the way out to Portland to see me dance! (She really is the best person I know). We spent the remaining parts of the weekend eating a lot of fantastic food, doing a good bit of shopping, and overall just enjoying each other's company. It was so nice to be able to take a break from everything school related right before finals start and spend a weekend doing things I love with people I love.

Now, off to tackle all the homework I've put off until Sunday night!

4 Degrees

What I Wore [Shirt: American Eagle (similar), Skirt: American Apparel, Fleece Tights: Target, Boots: Lucky Brand, Bag: Madewell, Coat: Lands End (similar), Hat: American Apparel, Earrings: J. Crew (similar)] 

Hello! It's been a while but I'm happy to have another outfit to post. Life for the past few weeks has been crazy and will continue to be until the end of the semester but I was able to fly home on Wednesday so that I could spend Thanksgiving weekend at home in Minnesota - I couldn't be happier for a little time away from everything. 

I was definitely not prepared for just how cold it was going to be when I got home, so when I walked outside to take these photos and it was 4 degrees I immediately turned around and went back inside because there was no way I was going to stand outside and smile without the coat. Hence why I look like a large burnt (very cozy) marshmallow. But, I do love any chance to wear this hat so it's not a total loss.

Anyway, I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving and got to relax, eat a shameful amount of pie, and spend it with people you love! The countdown to Christmas begins!!

Currently

Life has been nothing if not extremely busy and stressful lately, I am just counting down the days until I get to hop on a plane and head home to Minnesota for Thanksgiving weekend. I'm hoping to find some time and a non-rainy day so I can take some outfit photos soon but until then more non-traditional posts will have to do.

Here are the things that have been brightening up my last few weeks!

Reading: 

I. am. obsessed. with. this. book. One of my good friends gave it to me for my birthday this year, which was only about two weeks ago, and since then I don't think a day has gone by that I haven't made time to read at least one chapter in it. It's witty and smart and funny and honest and exactly what I need to be reading right now. It's nice to hear the stories and advice on love, body image, friendship, etc from a girl who is older than me, but not so much that I can't relate to her on basically every level. I really can't recommend this book enough, I feel like all of my conversations lately just end in HAVE YOU READ LENA DUNHAM'S BOOK? (my enthusiasm usually either excites or terrifies people)

So read it. 

Hearing:

I have been a long time Taylor Swift fan, and completely unashamed of it, but I've never felt quite as obsessed with her music as I do right now. When 1989 came out I didn't listen to anything else for a straight week (I really am not exaggerating, I forgot what other music sounded like). Finally, I feel like I have sufficiently binged on the album now, and also have all of the songs memorized, so that I can listen to it a normal amount now (at least twice a day). My favorite songs are: Style, Wildest Dreams, and I Know Places. Again, the music on this album is especially important to me right now,  similarly to how Lena's book is speaking to me. #iwanttobebestfriendswithtaylor

Wearing: 

I wouldn't normally call myself a huge fan of cream blush - I've had phases where I got really into wearing it but it was usually during the summer when didn't mind about my makeup lasting all day or not (because cream blushes usually never do) but this Clinique Chubby Cheek Stick may have just changed me. My mom sent it to me for my birthday and I've been wearing it pretty regularly since then. The color I have, Roly Poly Rosy, is a really beautiful mid tone rose color that blends out into a really nice natural "I've just been out in the cold color", but I'm most impressed with the staying power and how blendable the product is. I usually do my makeup at around 9 am every morning and don't take it off until about 11 pm and this blush lasts the WHOLE DAY LONG. That combined with the fact that it doesn't take off my face makeup when I blend it onto my cheeks has caused me to reach for it most mornings while getting ready. I think the next time I find myself in a Sephora I might have to check out the other colors. 

That's all for me at the moment! What have you been loving?

Halloween + Turning 21

Halloween

Having my birthday on the day after Halloween has always made the holiday that much more fun for me, I always look forward to staying up until midnight and ringing in my birthday with my friends - and this year was definitely no different. I think I decided to be Carrie Bradshaw from Sex & The City on about November 4th last year and had been planning the costume since. Over the summer I repurposed the tulle on an old dance costume and recreated the infamous skirt, paired it with a pink tank top and my most "Carrie"-like heels, and accessorized with her iconic "Carrie" necklace. (I made that from cutting the name out of thin poster board, spray painting it silver, and taping it onto necklace I already had.) It was the perfect costume for the evening, and despite most people thinking I was dressed as a ballerina I thought my recreation was pretty spot on! 

Turning 21

Dress: ASOS

still dreaming about this stuffed Fritta

Cupcakes from Cupcake Jones

Red Wine + Pizza = the only things I need

Since the night before my actual birthday had been a pretty wild/late/eventful one the plan for the next day was focused on spending quality time with people I love and eating a lot of good food. Both of which were accomplished. The day started with donning my new sparkly birthday dress and heading downtown for birthday brunch at one of my favorite spots in Portland, Mother's Bistro & Bar. The food, as always, was perfect and being able to catch up with all of my best friends in one place was just wonderful. The past few weeks have been incredibly busy and stressful for all of us, so it was nice to be able to just sit down, eat, and chat for a few hours. And to top it all off I got a free gigantic piece of birthday cake out of the whole deal! 

In the afternoon I gave myself some much needed "me" time by letting myself lay in bed, read Lena Dunham's new book (obsessed), and not even think about doing ANY homework on a Saturday - which is something that hasn't happened in a long time. The night ended with trying out a new pizza resutrant in SE Portland called Cibo (it was amazing! highly highly recommend) and then visiting a few bars in the same area with my other of age friends. 

I have to say that this was my best birthday yet, by far. I felt so spoiled/loved/giddy the entire time (even during the whole week leading up to the big day!). I am so incredibly thankful to have a such an amazing group of friends out in here Portland and to have family + friends back home that put in so much thought and effort into making my day special even from far away. I am very very happy and lucky 21 year old. 

Halloween Costume Inspiration: Cher from Clueless

Dress/Boa/80's Phone Case/Shoes

Halloween is my favorite holiday (Christmas doesn't count as a holiday in my book because it's an entire season) and I look forward to planning and putting together my costume every year. I'm usually that girl who has her costumes planned in June and begins assembling them before school even starts, this year is no exception. I'll be doing some sort of blog post later on my costumes for this year, but for now I'm going to keep them a surprise. Last year though, was one of my favorite costumes yet and I thought I would share it incase any of you are in need of some inspiration. 

When most people think Cher from Clueless they imagine her match-matchy yellow plaid skirt/blazer outfit from the beginning of the film, and when I decided I wanted to be Cher for halloween I knew trying to recreate that look would just be out of the question. The look she wears on the film poster and to the Val party was much more within reach. All I need to get was a tight, short, red dress, a white feather boa, and something to act as a giant cell phone (I ended up finding a vintage looking case for my iPhone on Amazon!). In total the costume probably cost between $25 and $30, which was just the right amount for me, and it got such a good reception from all of my friends and fellow halloween party goers. 

I hope this was helpful for any of you who are still scrambling to put together a Halloween costume - If you're in need of a couples costume you can always have a guy dress up like Josh! (a.k.a. flannel, T-shirt, jeans)

Happy Halloween!!!!!

Keep Your Chin Up

What I Wore: [Top: &otherstories - similar, Jeans: Old Navy, Hat: Target - similar, Shoes: Lucky Brand, Necklace: Kate Spade New York]

On Friday two my of girlfriends and I headed off campus and up to the North East corner of Portland for an afternoon of catching up over coffee at Barista and wandering around Alberta while enjoying one of the last few sunny afternoons before the cold weather and rain hits. It was the perfect way to spend a Friday free of class and responsibly - and this was the perfect outfit to do it in. The jeans are the most comfortable things I have ever put on my lower half, the top is such a classic it's impossible not to love, and I really have no words to describe how much I love being able to wear hats, (they are my go to "I want to feel cool/glam/vintage all at the same time" item). The particular one I am wearing in these photos used to be quite a bit bigger, and thus quite a bit floppier, but because being able to see is important to me I took it upon myself to trim the brim to a more manageable width (good thing the hat was only $10 at Target). I'm hoping now that it's the perfect size I'll be able to get more wear out of it this fall and winter!

I hope you all are having a lovely weekend, thank you so much for stopping by!

Eva

Voila!

What I Wore: [Skirt: American Apparel, Top: Old Navy, Shoes: Lucky Brand, Belt: Francesca's - old]

I've had this glittery belt in my closet for over a year and I've never worn it, do you ever buy something thinking it's going to become a staple and then you just forget about it? That is how I feel about this belt. Today was different though - I felt like glitter and some purple eyeliner were the only things that were going to be able to push me through the day, and I was right! The main reason I dress the way I do is because it makes me feel better about nearly anything - a new dress or my favorite pair of shoes improves my day no matter what way it was going before. And I think that's great. It's so important to do whatever you can to make the most of every day, even if it's as simple as the clothes you wear. For me, today, it was the glittery belt that the world forgot about.  

Everyday Makeup Essentials

concealer/foundation/blush/lipstick/highlighter/brow gel/cream shadow/eyeshadow/mascara

Face: I keep things on my face pretty simple, at least a lot more simple than they used to be. About a year ago I made the switch from high coverage, super matte, liquid foundation to a much more lightweight, natural looking powder foundation. Since I've been able to get my acne issues pretty much under control just the combination of a great concealer on any spots and some powder on top is enough for me. I like that my skin still looks and feels like skin and that the products wear really well throughout the day, which never happened with liquid foundation. After doing my base I usually dust a bit of bronzer on to warm my face up (I love this one from The Body Shop), choose whichever blush I'm feeling that day, and then top it all off with a touch of highlighter on my cheekbones. All of the products I use are super long wearing because I have a lot of long days when in school and I usually can't be bothered to touch anything up throughout the day!

Eyes/Brows: Since shaving off almost the entirety of my eyebrows in 7th grade I have been slowly working on growing them back to their fullest potential - and I'm almost there! To help things out a bit I generally fill them in with a bit of "Naked" from the UD naked palette and then run a tinted brow gel through them to set things in place. On my eyes I've been pretty into just sweeping one shimmery brown shadow across my whole lid/under my lower lash line and then just piling on the mascara (as always) and calling it a day. To achieve the look I always always always use the "Bad to the Bronze" Color Tattoo cream shadow as a base for powder shadows - it adds so much depth and makes the color so much more vibrant as opposed to using a skin colored base. If I'm not doing the 'monoshadowbronzeyeye' thing, I usually go for black winged liner over a simple champagne shadow (my favorite is MAC's Naked Lunch).

Lips: Lip color is probably the one thing that switches up the most for me. What I wear on a particular day totally depends on what my clothes look like and the overall look that I'm going for but this fall I've really been loving this berry Bite Beauty lipstick. It's super comfortable to wear and just the perfect everyday color. I'm not a big fan of nudes on myself so I usually go for something fairly bright/pigmented and this is quickly becoming one of my go-to products.

I hope you all enjoyed this different-ish style of post, I do love to chat about makeup!

Happy Friday!!