(Outfits always look best in motion. We're meant to wear clothes, not stand around in them, so static outfit shots always rub me the wrong way. Apologies)

The days of costume-y rockstar dressing, over-embellished with studs, zippers and hardware, are undeniably over. Onto etheral yet grounded autumnal style, and few do it better than No.6 (second only to Bona Drag, my one true internet love). One day, I'll dress myself in only the finest from the Soho boutique, but until then, these boots will suffice. Allow me to wax poetic. I can't decide if they're unbelievably offensive or just really unique- the same dissonance I felt about the Ann D's (which are certainly not mainstream; truly fashion for fashion's sake). Regardless, I have yet to find a pair of shoes that are more comfortable and sloppily me.

• Acquired tickets to Pinback on October 30. A super lucky Pandora find courtesy of my "Death Cab- 405 acoustic" station. Pinback's frequently on repeat in the apartment (courtesy of AirTunes), but I'm not sure how big their fanbase is outside my apartment walls.
  
• Continuing the fruitless search for a reliable and reasonable salon. Being a hair model for Bumble and Bumble's Model Project (in their insane meatpacking space) has its lovely perks, but the ridiculously long lead for bookings has left me looking.. a bit off.
  
• About to head to Chicago to spend some time with the fam. It'll be my first weekend back "home" since the big move. Priorities include Target, driving a manual transmission car, sleeping in and Diet Coke.
• My list of movies to see and books to read is growing exponentially faster than I can read, so I inevitably spend my free time flipping through magazines instead of committing to one long novel

(zara blazer and top, hm jeans, ann d boots)

fairly close to my usual work outfit these days. I often err on the more eclectic side of dressing— whimsy and texture and weird proportions— but being around the most creative and important people, by my standards, often gives me clothing stage fright.

In an effort to expand my musical horizons, I've been Pandora'ing every song I love lately. Many a musical gem has been found on Pandora.

Midwest-bound tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully, I'll turn some suburbanite heads with the lace maxi skirt and chunky mittens I'm working on, inspired by SGC's recent show. (FashionToast.com features a really comprehensive round-up here. Thank you, Rumi!)

(hm, levis, zara, blah blah blah)

i realized i wear a sad 10% of my wardrobe, i've resolutely promised to rotate everything fairly, which is why i wore this to the apple store at 2 in the morning (the 5th avenue store is actually open 24 hours a day, every day)

i really want long hair, and i'm blaming my exhaustive quest and ludicrous shampoo purchases on christina dietze.

stoked on fashion's night out! i'll be in brooklyn at vena cava's block party. i'm so overwhelmed by all the see-and-be-seen manhattan venues! too many choices!

also, i'm having trouble picking a layout/typeface/size and sticking to it! nothing feels just right. maybe if blogger allowed me to use helvetica..

(hm shoes, vintage tailored wedding dress, balenciaga clutch, thrifted levi's jacket-turned-vest)

Though I should, I don't subscribe to many fashion rules, so I didn't know how to respond when a woman suggested I was getting in my white before Labor Day. After three crazy fittings with an even crazier tailor (who created tiers, removed sleeves, added a sweetheart neckline), my excitement over the bargain basement price has waned significantly. But I still love this dress.

(blazer from walmart, american apparel dress, topshop bag, doc martens)

Thursday was one of of those days during which I kept thinking, "THIS is what I came to New York for." Perfect almost-autumnal weather, perfect day at work, perfect lunch date, perfect shoes (comfy and finally, I can wear my old faves without fear of social leprosy). But such perfection comes with what many say is an unconscionable price tag, literally and emotionally. They're half-right; rent is high, and there's never, ever enough time. But whatever. This city is magic.

(selfmade lace leggings with denim short bottoms, thrifted sweater)

Trying to take outfit photos? Don't do it when you're sleep-deprived and prone to moments of overwhelming awkwardness. I did, and look what happened. (Though my black jeans-and-lace creation is pretty fun, if i do say so mah damn self.) 

Decorating my apartment is such a joy. I've been waiting for an (un-collegiate) apartment all my own for so long. For the past three years, or longer, I've been collecting items- coffee mugs, lamp shades, museum shop knick-knacks, end tables, rugs, trivets, only to box them away and delay gratification for that holy grail of adulthood. I so love coming home every day. 

(nine west boots, james perse dress)

Been living in anything comfortable and simple lately, which means I avoid wearing more than two articles of clothing at a time. In the summer, too much clothing makes me feel hemmed in, claustrophobic. But soon, it will be autumn in the city, and my daydreams have resulted in very long, very audible digressions detailing the excitement with which I will layer scarves and sweaters and coats and tights. My friends are getting sick of me. The indeterminate layering combinations are thrilling. 

Following is a short list of artists I'm into lately. I don't think it has any musical merit whatsoever, though most of the songs do share strong bass lines, which i just noticed. 

pinback

the xx

my teenage stride