Halloween Weekend

Works Cited
cords: loft (previously)
shirt: thrifted (previously)
sweater: gifted (previously)
belt: thrifted
boots: steve madden

Hope you had a good Halloween weekend! I've been wearing a version of this outfit for about three days--nothing is as comfortable as stretchy cords and a warm sweater, but the plaid shirt and ruffles make me feel a little less schleppy. In between long bouts of grading (sigh), I had a few Halloween adventures, including surviving a corn maze, some Halloween parties, and a massive sugar overdose. When there are Reese's cups in front of me, I cannot control myself!
P.S. Today marks one year since I started What Would a Nerd Wear! I'll put up a longer retrospect with pictures this afternoon--I can't believe a year has passed already :)

Rock 'em, Sock 'em?

Works Cited
skirt: target
sweater: h&m (old)
socks: target
boots: j. crew
earrings: nobletown vintage

I have been a little wary of the thigh-high sock trend, but after seeing it on Kyla, Sydney, and Kendi, I decided to reconsider. Armed with a birthday gift certificate (thank you, Claire, I love you!), I braved the steep $3.50 price and I am officially converted. They are super warm and a little bit sexy, even though they're covering you up. Plus I feel like I look a little fancy even though I'm mostly wearing stretchy fabrics. Win!
Have you tried thigh-high socks? Would you? I was so skeptical but now I'm totally sold--they are cozy, warm, and make me feel ultra-pretty.
P.S. The only thing this outfit is missing is a big, black cocktail ring, which I don't have, but you could! Enter the giveaway here.

Worse for the Wear

Works Cited
sweater: jcrew (new! birthday gifted!)
shirt: thrifted
dress as skirt: loft
brown tights: loft
mary-jane clogs: dansko

It's been crazy windy in the midwest! I didn't get around to taking photos until this afternoon, when I was looking a little worse for the wear. This dress, which badly needed a washing this morning, became a stretched out sack by this afternoon. My hair, which looked wavy and volumized this morning thanks to Sydney's awesome hair tutorial, was back to its normal I'm-flat-and-boring routine by 4 pm. Don't believe me? Just look:

I couldn't have gotten here on my own, so I have to thank the wind and my parents' genes for helping my hair reach such flatness :)

Sperry Boot Review

Want to hear what I honestly think of Sperry Top-Siders new boot collection*?

Works Cited
dress: american apparel
sweater: gap
scarf: h&m
tights: jcrew
boots: c/o sperry top-siders

A few weeks ago, Sperry Top-Sider, the brand famous for their ultra-comfy boat shoes, sent me over two pairs of their fall boot collection to review. I wore the Pelican Tall Boot yesterday, and today I got the chance to trot around in the Bayshore Tall Boot.

The Pelican Tall Boot looked like a comfortable, more snow-proof version of some moccasins I've had my eye on at J. Crew. The boots are made from thin leather, which is too bad because they probably aren't warm enough to wear in the winter. The height of the boot is a bit awkward--not high enough to look long and lean, nor low enough to tuck easily under jeans. The criss-crossing laces all the way up the front of the boot make these a bear to put on and make the boot seem a little costume-y. Overall, these boots aren't really my style. But they are pretty comfortable and Christopher likes them.



The rain boot, which I wore yesterday, was terrific. Plenty of room to tuck in jeans, lined for warmth and comfort, non-squelchy, and with nice traction. Plus I got compliments on the sweet plaid, which spices up rainy day outfits. The downside? They retail for $68 which is a little high for rainboots, if you ask me.

*Sperry Top-Sider kindly sent me these boots as a gift; however, all views expressed in this review are my own frighteningly honest ones.

Giveaway: Kenneth Jay Lane Ring from Designer Apparel

Want the chance to win this gigantic, blingy Kenneth Jay Lane ring which would add a little extra glamour to any outfit?


This giveaway is hosted by Designer Apparel, an online shopping search engine, which carries brands like Kate Spade, Ralph Lauren, and Loro Piana. They are partnered with many terrific stores, and their new sister site, My Perfect Sale, lets you track your favorite items and snag them when they go on sale. If you love designer labels, this is a great way to get good deals.

To enter, just check out Designer Apparel and leave a comment below. Sorry to my international readers, but this contest is open to U.S. and Canadian readers only. I'll pick a winner randomly next Wednesday, November 3. Good luck!

Presto Change-o

Works Cited
skirt: anthro (just bought for $19!)
top: anthro (many years old)
tights: gap
boots: c/o Sperry Top-Sider
flats: target
bracelet: christopher won it at a bar (don't ask)

I learned the hard way that a person needs to pack an extra pair of shoes on a rainy day. I'll spare you the embarrassing details (it involves slipping down the steps of a 300-person lecture room in wet boots). Now that I'm older and wiser, I wear a pair of rain boots on my bike ride to school and pack a slim pair of flats in my bag. When I arrive at my office, I leave the boots under my desk and put on my dry flats and--presto change-o!--I look like a grown-up but I have dry feet.

In Which I Went to Chicago and Only Took Five Pictures

Works Cited
dress, bag, socks: h&m (w/ gift card from weardrobe)
sweater and boots: j crew

This weekend, Christopher and I took the train to Chicago and had the most wonderful, relaxing few days exploring the city and eating ourselves silly. We had so much fun that we almost entirely forgot to take photos, except during a few hours at Navy Pier, where the sun miraculously appeared from the clouds.


(Awkward and hilarious almost-up-your-dress shot in which I look like a giant).

I was also lucky enough to spend some time on Michigan Avenue with birthday gift cards that were burning a hole in my pocket. I bought this dress on Saturday, put it on that evening and haven't taken it off since. These pictures are from Sunday, when we strolled around the city and I learned that boys love polka dots. Or, at least, the boy in my life does :)

November Sponsorships Available

Weekender

Works Cited
cords: loft
gray sweater: j crew (gift)
denim shirt: gap
plaid flats: target
belt: forever 21

I know I'm doing a bunch of grays and blues here but I tried to vary the textures--corduroy, denim, a thick wooly sweater, and plaid wool flats. Lately, I have a new appreciation for pants. Maybe it's because I've been spending a lot of time at home and coffee shops studying, or maybe it's because I discovered high-lycra pants which are super comfy and make me feel put together. These cords, for instance, feel like pajamas but, as Christopher wisely remarked, "They just look really tight, which is awesome." Win-win.
I'm off to Chicago for a birthday weekend with Christopher, where it's supposed to rain constantly and we'll be forced to stay cozy and dry by spending time inside museums (and H&M, of course).

Birthday Suit

Works Cited
dress: loft (only $11!)
sweater: j crew
belt: j crew
weirdly-shiny tights: gap
flats: urban outfitters
brooch: vintage

I really, really, really love my birthday, probably because there was a time where I thought I might not see another one. A birthday has never been a day I lament being older; it's a marker of another year of happiness, health, and life, and I'm always excited to welcome it. Also, I think there's a six-year old inside me who wishes October 21st were a national holiday where confetti rained from the sky and I could eat cake for breakfast. But until confetti starts spontaneously raining down, I'll have to settle for free birthday ice cream from Coldstone :)

Megan Nielsen, You Are a Genius

Works Cited
tee: j crew
skirt: megan nielsen
tights: we love colors
boots: steve madden

This skirt is from my friend Megan's gorgeous, lovingly-handmade collection (featured also on Kendi Everyday and What I Wore). She deserves all the praise she's been getting, because this skirt is gorgeous, flattering, and has beautiful details like iridescent buttons and sleek pockets. I love wearing a piece with a story--this skirt feels extra special because Megan is my midwestern neighbor, sends me the sweetest emails and comments, and writes the funniest tweets--and I feel like we're a little closer now that I'm wearing a skirt she spent so much time with!

Thrifting Champion of the World

Works Cited
skirt, belt, shoes, top: thrifted

Skirt: $3. Top: $2. Belt: $0.79. Wedges: $3. Enormous smugness about an outfit that costs less than $9: priceless. The fact that I thrifted everything I'm wearing was actually an accident, I swear. I planned to wear this checkered top with a gray skirt, but seeing it juxtaposed next to the an identical red skirt in my closet made me feel suddenly monochromatically daring. The shoes and belt helped ground the reds, and once I'd put it all together, I realized that I'm wearing 100% thrifted items. I feel like champion of the world (or at least, of Goodwill).

Orange You Glad

Works Cited
skirt and tee: j crew
sweater: urban outfitters
belt: old navy
maryjane clogs: dansko

Yes, I'm wearing the orange skirt again. What's funny about this skirt is that it sat in my closet for three weeks before I, uh, broke the seal, and now I could wear it just about every day. This outfit is a more casual version of this one--I substituted a button-up for a beige tee and gold flats for clogs. I didn't know how versatile this muted orange color would be, but it is pairing easily with a lot of neutrals in my closet. It was insanely gorgeous this weekend--I could have spent every minute of the day outside. Here's hoping the weather keeps up till my birthday (Thursday, in case you are planning to send presents).

Schmoopy Date Night Outfit

Works Cited
brown tank dress: american apparel
orange tee: j crew
sweater: j crew
tights: target
boots: steve madden

On Wednesday night, the man-who-hates-necklaces and I took a break from our books for a little date (by the way, I boasted to him yesterday about how much you all liked the necklace--I knew I was right:) ). We rode our bicycles to a huge nearby park to explore.



I wanted to take pictures of the foliage, which never ceases to thrill me because I grew up in California without seasons. On the way, I asked Christopher to stop so I could play in a pile of leaves like a 6 year-old.



Then while Christopher set up the tripod in a really pretty clearing, I collected the biggest and brightest leaves I could find.



And then we took schmoopy photos together. The end :)



Hope you have a terrific fall weekend. xoxo.

Fidelity Fiduciary

Works Cited
skirt: j crew
button-up: banana republic (old)
sweater: urban outfitters
necklace: forever 21
tights: loft
flats: steve madden

This morning I put this on with a black skirt and Christopher said I looked like I worked in a bank, which made me think of this song, naturally. Much as I agree with the Fidelity Fiduciary bankers that a tuppence invested will make your affluence expand (thus allowing you to buy more cute skirts) I though it best to switch out the staid black for my orange skirt and avoid the banker look.

P.S. Someone tell me they like this necklace, please. Christopher hates accessories of any kind and begged me to take it off this morning. Too bad for him, I love it and plan on wearing it aaaaaall day. But I would like to share my appreciation for it with someone, anyone. Bueller?

New Obsession--The Daybook

Lately I have been looking for new blogs to read--I love my old favorites but sometimes you need a little new blood in your reader. Last night, I stumbled upon Sydney's blog, The Daybook, and I was instantly hooked (thanks, Jill, for the awesome rec!).

Sydney looks like she got dressed in Jenna Lyons's closet, writes posts like you're already her best friend, and has a super handsome husband that she plays ridiculously cute tricks on. And she has nerdy glasses...need I say more?

Have you come across any other great new inspiration lately? My google reader needs some sprucing up :)