12 in 2012

     I'm amazed at the growth that's happened in one year. Looking back in my archives, I can definitely see that I've improved as a photographer and blogger so much in only one short year. A ton has shifted in my life since I did my 11 in 2011 post, and I couldn't be happier about it. I'm so glad that I started this tradition back in 2010 because now I get to see just how far I've come each year. I hope there's even more positive growth in 2013!

On the Record

Black plaid wool blazer, LOFT. Oxford blue button up, thrifted. Black skinny jeans, American Eagle. Black loafers, Target. Black leather purse, Dooney & Bourke. Birdwatcher necklace, c/o Frock Stock. Wayfarers, Ray-Ban. Black wrap watch, La Mer Wanderlust Collection. 

     Based on the number of my Facebook friends who posted about the record players they got for Christmas, vinyl is having an even larger resurgence than I thought. After receiving my record player for my birthday, I've been thrilled to find several of my favorite albums on vinyl. The quality of the music that my player produces is astounding, but I'd say my other favorite part of owning a record player is simply the act of looking for albums. I can spend afternoons rummaging at thrift stores, antique malls, and even entire shops devoted to selling records. While I certainly love the simplicity of quickly downloading a song on my iPhone, I feel more connected to my love of music when I can have a physical album. Call me an old soul, but having something tangible that produces such lovely sounds can't be beat.

      I felt like quite the beatnik in my almost all black ensemble while out shopping for records in the antique district of Clinton (which is a town over from where I live). We ducked into a start up shop and scored big- I found one of my favorite Simon & Garfunkel albums for only $3.50. The thrill of happening upon something like that is akin to finding a great apparel item at a thrift store, if not even better.

Grey wool pea coat, Old Navy. Plaid button up and red jeans, Target. Vintage Florsheim shoes from my step father. 

A Parallel Universe

Nebula inspired tee shirt, Urban Outfitters. Black circle skirt, Vince Camuto. Camel cardigan, a gift from my mother. Sparkly tights, aerie. Black loafers, Target. Black leather purse, Dooney & Bourke. Leather watch, Timex (similar). Black woven belt, thrifted. 

     Occasionally, I will stumble across a particular location that transports me away from my typical surroundings. While the entire lake shore area here is certainly beautiful, this lovely field is situated at the rear of a restaurant's parking lot. I love stumbling across places where time feels suspended and literally every picture that I take seems to be exactly what I envisioned. Photography is so dependent upon the locations that we have available to us, so when I find a good one I tend to hold onto it.

      Capturing pictures and creating outfits have that in common for me- both activities have the power to transform who I feel like entirely. I can step outside the realm of who I usually see myself as and, even if its for a brief moment, be whoever I feel like. That's the magic in both of those art forms; however, at the end of the day, I'm as much "me" in my oversized button up that I sleep in as I am in any fancy ensemble. But I still like to play dress up. 

Like Two Birds of a Feather Would Be

My outfit: Green bow blouse, Tulle. Golden thread cardigan, Old Navy. Red plaid skirt, thrifted. Black flats with gold buckle, Coach. Black wrap watch, La Mer Wanderlust. Red belt, F21. Patrick's outfit: Black sweater, Gap. Brown straight leg pants, H&M. Grey pea coat, Old Navy. Brown dress shoes, vintage from my step dad. 

     We've been having ourselves quite the merry little Christmas lately. This weekend was full of friends and family. Luckily, even though Patrick was back home for break he still came and visited my home town for the weekend. I love having such a big family because we definitely didn't run out of things to do while he was in town. I used the Christmas tour about town as an excuse to dress in some of my most festive clothes. I can definitely see a combination like this minus the red and green in the future.

     I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season! I'm currently celebrating with my mom's family and am so excited for tomorrow morning!

Diamond in the Rough

Striped super soft tee, Gap. Cobalt blue cardigan, Target. Black skinny jeans, American Eagle. Smoke and Mirrors purse, Frock Stock. Glittery ankle boots, Princess by Vera Wang. Rhinestone and metal necklace, Bar III. 

      I highly value living on a college campus. I have all of the amenities I need within walking distance. The restaurants that I've found are spectacular. My friends and I all have our own little routines and way of life. Heck, in Maryville, there is a Target which is quite the step up from my home town.

      As much as I love to hate where I live sometimes, when it comes down to it, there are several pockets of beauty here. Whether that be natural beauty or the fact that a group of my friends helped to raise over one thousand dollars for the local free medical clinic, there are some things that I still cherish about where I live. 

      Not only do I find myself being optimistic about my backwards town, but my shoes are a literal representation of the metaphor I'm talking about. The trail that my sister and I found to take these pictures was unusually muddy from the few days of rain we had before snapping these pictures. My shoes remained unscathed though, minus some mud on the bottom. This outfit is indicative of the style I've been loving lately: simple, with some really standout accessories. 

     I hope everyone is having a lovely holiday season! Stay tuned tomorrow for a Christmas themed outfit post!