In Photos: Winter in Seattle

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Look of the Day: Double Coated

For the past few months my husband and I have been shaking our heads at J.Crew's styling in regards to denim jackets. Under a coat? That's just silly. Under a blazer? That's down-right ridiculous. Until, the other day, when I realized they might actually be onto something. I was lamenting the fact that it was too cold to wear my denim jacket, when I finally made the connection. Maybe J.Crew was just being J.Crew and layering things in weird ways, but a denim jacket under an outer coat actually makes sense to me now!

However, a denim jacket under a blazer will never make sense. It would be so lumpy and uncomfortable!

Sometimes I forget about my little Chloes; my babies. I hide them away like treasure, and then forget about them like a squirrel. Despite the cold, though, I've worn them two days in a row this week.

Forever 21 coat (similar) - GAP denim jacket (similar) - GAP t-shirt - BDG cropped pants - Top Shop skater rib beanie - American Apparel tote bag -Chloe flats (similar)
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In Photos: Winter in Seattle

I always think of winter as a barren, dark time, but really it isn't. Winter sparkles, winter renews, and even though the trees are bare, the natural world is anything but dead. The absence of the leaves just makes for a different view of the world.

I think the berries, in this tree full of robins, are Mountain Ash. The fluffy bits are the seeds of a vine called Traveler's Joy. It seems to be taking over the tree in the best way.

 The birds here are very busy during the winter. The ones that stick around are always clamoring for food. When it gets really cold, some of the chickadees are gutsy enough to land in your hand for a few seeds.

 I love days when everything is frosted over.

 Ice crystals

 A dock down on Lake Washington

The pomes of some species of hawthorn

lichen

 A foggy view at Green Lake

 The snow pack hasn't started to melt yet, so Elliot Bay is crystal clear. It looks almost tropical, but, man it does not feel tropical!

Fog and sunset at Alki Beach

 I've been working on Valentine's and there are quite a few January birthdays, so some birthday cards are in order, too. I was just using this catalog as a work surface, but this printed lady might find herself as part of an art project...

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Dinner Tonight: Power Salad

Grapefruit, kale, and avocados are all very affordable in April, since they're in season, so why not load up on all three! I've created this warm salad, which is loosely based on a delicious salad my BFF Katherine made for Thanksgiving. It features nutrient- and fiber-rich foods, is low-fat, vegan, and incredibly delicious!

Ingredients (2 salads):

1 bunch of kale

1 grapefruit

1 medium to large avocado

1 Tbsp olive oil

Juice of 1 lime, plus any leftover grapefruit juice

Red pepper flakes

1/4+ cup pistachios

salt & pepper to taste

1. Cut the avocado into slices or chunks; set aside. Cut the grapefruit in half and use a small knife to go around the edges. This will make it easier to scoop the sections out. Use a spoon to scoop the sections out and set aside with the avocado. Squeeze leftover juice from the grapefruit rinds over the avocado.

2. Heat a saute pan over low-medium heat. Chop kale and add to pan. Add lime juice, olive oil and pepper flakes and toss. If the kale starts to sizzle, the pan is too hot, so turn it down. Heat for 5 minutes, or just until the kale starts to turn bright green.

2. Divide the kale between two plates, making sure to top each with any leftover liquid from the saute pan. Now put half the avocado-grapefruit mix on each salad and sprinkle with pistachios. Season with salt and pepper as desired.

Serve with Grapefruit Whiskey Sour :)

The Four Snowmen of the Snowpocalypse

It's coming!! A whole 6 inches of snow! DOT is putting down so much sand and salt it will be like driving on the beach once all the snow is gone!


Surprisingly, it's not that cold out, so strategic layering is all I need. A loose, heavy-knit shrug to provide warm pockets of air, full length gloves, a beret to keep the snow off my face, and thick socks in my boots; I'm good to go!


So I was trying to come up with names for the Four Snowmen, but I've only got three so far.
1. Pestilence, the Snowman of Delayed Garbage Service
2. Anguish, the Snowman who brings chaos to I-5 and leaves drivers stranded there for 5+ hours.
3. Pain, this Snowman brings icy sidewalks and consequentially, broken tailbones and bruised egos

I'm open to suggestions for the fourth


Cross your fingers that my husband doesn't get stranded at work tonight!

In these photos:
American Apparel beret
Zara top
Harmonic shrug
Vintage fur stole and leather gloves
H&M bag
Zella Leggings
Etienne Aigner boots

Covet.

The return of Covet.!

It doesn't need to be said really, but most ads I just flip past. However, for a few seasons now, I've found myself taking a few moments longer to gaze at the Max Mara ads. The styling is simple, the models' make-up is clean and elegant; you just don't need much more. The coat does the talking. Magically, softly, the camel-hair and silk come to life. I just imagine the weight as the coat slipped over my shoulders. It's not the kind of weight that slows you down. It's the kind that keeps you warm and reminds you that this $795 coat was worth every penny.

Then I turn the page and the imagined scenario vanishes. I am brought back to reality with the more realistic outcome of a purchase of this magnitude. Trevor would flip his lid if I blew half my savings on a coat. Not as furious as he would be if I spent it on shoes, but pretty upset.

I will just have to live vicariously through Freja.

If you actually have the money for a Max Mara coat, check out Nordstrom

Snowglobe

Yesterday was like living in a snow-globe, except for the part where I was sick with worry about my doggy. It snowed all day, but never really stuck; the air was just filled with fine white flakes that floated off to somewhere else. Seattle only had a light dusting, but other towns up north got over 12 inches! My mom lives about 60 miles south of me, and she got 6 inches. The panic that sets in here in Seattle gets worse and worse every time we have snow.



Today it is blindingly sunny. That type of sunny that always comes with below-freezing temperatures. I'll take it though! My dog is feeling better, and could now open up a small drug store, which might be a good idea as she now owes me $200. They're not quite sure what she is sick from, but I'm still waiting on some test results. Thanks for all your kind words :)

As for this outfit, I just looove the colors. I think I'm going to start building my entire wardrobe around reds and blues. I painted a little heart on my cheek that my boyfriend says is "too precious" to wear everyday. I agree with him, but I like it so much I might wear it once a week.



The blouse is a vintage Wrangler that I can't bare to part with, even though it is two sizes too big for me. It's such a treasure.



In These Photos:
J.Crew Cardigan
Wrangler Blouse
J.Crew Cashmere Hat
Zella Leggings
New Look Wedges
GAP Clutch

Practicality

The Holidays are over, so now it's time to get down to business and trudge through this season we call Winter. Blah.

I'm doing practical, grown-up things, like paying bills, not eating candy (New Year's Resolution), and buying sturdy leather boots. Ok, so buying sturdy leather boots is actually quite enjoyable. I just found these Etienne Aigner boots today. They are brand new and were only $40! I was heading to one of the thrift stores I visit ever so often, and thought "Maybe they will have lots of boots today." When my intuition kicks in, it really kicks in. They must have decided to put all the good boots out just as I thought that. There were several gorgeous pairs, but this pair one because they fit the best. Another pair I wanted badly were a brogue style made of super-soft burgundy leather. I could only get my foot in about 4 inches. I'm not going to complain though, because I ended up with a really good pair of boots!

Hope you all had a good New Year :)

Too much J. Crew

I've been using J.Crew catalogs for a lot of my snowflakes and I think it's starting to get ingrained. I keep having this urge to wear layers of sweaters and baggy things, topped with gaudy jewelry. Sweatpants and heels keep coming to mind as well. You so crazy, J.Crew.

I wore this to my friend's birthday party. We had hors d'oeuvres and everyone brought wine, because after a while you realize it is the cheapest and quickest way to get drunk, while looking classy and grown up the whole time. Wine + Good People= Fantabulous time.



One thing I should point out: my outfit is not vegan. I think I am wearing four different kinds of animals. I just bought the cashmere (goat) hat at J.Crew for $20. Such a great color AND easily seen in the snow, just in case we have another blizzard. The rabbit fur stole has been featured before, as has the sheep's wool jumpsuit, and the leather Vince Camuto boots. Yup, that's four. Thanks Creatures, have a nice evening!

Hopefully, after all this borrowing of fur and hair (I plan to give it all back of course), I will be warm for once. The cold always finds its way under my layers.

In these photos:
Vince Camuto boots
Donna Karan jumpsuit
J.Crew hat
Forever21 skirt

No excuse

I've been busy. The light is terrible. They'll just turn out crappy. It's too cold. I'm too tired. Etcetera.


I need to get back on the ball, even if all the photos have to be taken in my bedroom with my shitty flash. I will just have to pretend I'm in an American Apparel photo shoot (look forward to my new section "Catie Exploited!" Joking). Also, lets not even mention the fact that I forgot about posting last weeks Covet. Oh, and the week before. Ok, so I guess I do have an excuse for last week, but not for any other weeks. I'm blathering.


Anyway, it's cold here still. Above freezing, but so damp and chilly. Layering is key. I decided I needed more long sleeves in my life so I went and found some deals at a local thrift store. I bought the featured GAP turtleneck and a Merino turtleneck from Express's Design Studio (or something) for a whopping $7 total. Pretty sweet deal. I bought new earrings (that you can't really see) from one of my favorite local jewelry designers. The company is called Crow&Iris and they have a table at the Fremont Sunday Market, although this is not where I originally discovered their goods. The first pair of Crow&Iris earrings were purchased at Meadow, which I've mentioned before. They are one of my favorite pairs of earrings, so I was really excited to meet the designers.

Hope everyone has had a good start to their Holiday Season!

In these photos:
GAP turtleneck
American Apparel dress
Vintage leggings
Vince Camuto boots
Crow&Iris earrings

Pantsuit!!!

I found it in a dream. A Goodwill dream. It was $15.

Anyway! The pluses: it's 100% wool, vintage; has pockets, stirrups and a Donna Karan label. The subtracty-signs: it's 100% wool, has a hole in the back I didn't notice, and the stirrups might rip off. I apologize for the lighting, but the suit is actually brown, not black. It was sunny today, but not sunny enough to provide proper lighting, so I lost all the details in my photos.

On the subject of pantsuits, THANK GOD Cycle 14 of America's Next Top Model is over and along with it (cross your fingers) Tyra's pantsuit craze. Who ever does visual concept and styling for the show should not let Tyra do her own styling. Actually, I imagine Tyra is in charge of all of that but someone really should have sat her down and said "Look Hun, I know you are like a supermodel and all but isn't one pantsuit enough? Ok, you can choose two, but only two!" And they were the weirdest, most unflattering pantsuits.

I promise I will stop at two pantsuits, and if I happen to find another, even MORE amazing one, I will get rid of one of my other pantsuits. As cool as they are right now, pantsuits are quite quirky. One season they may seem awesome, and the next a bit of a joke. But get the right fit and Oh! how sleek! As quick and easy as a dress (insta-outfit) but warm enough for Fall and Winter. Yay, pantsuits.

In other news, I can't stop reading The Oatmeal. It's comics by a guy from Seattle and it's hee-larr-ee-us.

As much as I love the photo collage up-top, it was mostly posted for vanity's sake (I have a fashion blog, you have to be vane to some degree). The main problem I have with it though is that it doesn't technically have a full-length shot in it. I fretted all night and composed in my sleep and promised my dog, Frida, that I would remedy everything in the morning. Here's the photo.

In these photos:
Donna Karen pantsuit
H&M scarf (last year's model)
Madden Girl pumps
vintage belt
Earrings by me