Girl From the North Country: style

Monday, January 4, 2016

What Year Is It?

It's 2016!

Hey everyone! So much has happened since I lasted posted; my blog has been sorely neglected over the past few months. I promise I have a good excuse though - I graduated college last month! The weeks leading up to my graduation and portfolio show (the Art Institutes require a finished portfolio for graduation) were hectic. I got, on average, about 3-4 hours of sleep every night, spent more time at FedEx than any normal person should (and spent a fortune in printing costs), and lived on my computer. I was seriously at the point where I couldn't close my eyes after a while because my eye lids would flicker like I was still looking at a computer screen!

Despite the busyness though, life has been going so great. My boyfriend Eric and I have some big plans moving into the new year, that I'm excited to share with you all! I'll be doing a much better job at keeping my Instagram updated as well. :) I'm so excited to have time again to do what I love, which brings me to my New Years Resolution - doing what I want! I'm one of those people who let's other peoples' feelings and thoughts influence my own all too often, so my focus on 2016 is going to be to be as selfish as I need. But that's a lot harder than it sounds!

Instinct

When I put on this outfit, I was doubtful. I wasn't sure if it was flattering or a hot mess, if it was angelic or stupid, or if it was a fashion score or an epic fail. To tell you the truth, I'm still not sure, but I can tell you that after going with my gut and looking at these pictures now, I'm glad I decided on this bold outfit, rather than some of the safer versions I had on before my little photo shoot. It just goes to show, style is only a matter of instinct.

Band of Gypsies Maxi | Similar Cheekies

Intrinsic

There's something so essential about being outside. I'm from a place where you take two steps out the front door and you're in the wild, so going to parks and walking on pavement are newer experiences to me, that I sometimes have to work hard to enjoy. Though, no matter where I go, the sky never changes - And there's something about a sunny sky that calls for a pretty skirt and a little bare skin. It's only natural.

Blended

Lately my life has been a blur of working on finals and rewatching Girls. As you can imagine, that hadn't left much time for taking blog pictures. I'm going to try to be better about that. Bet you've never heard that one from a fashion blogger before!

Despite the stressors of school and the relationship turmoil among Hannah and her pals, I'm feeling pretty optimistic. I am planning on moving back to Alaska with my wonderful boyfriend after graduation (which is only 8ish months away)! Also, this term I took a class called Writing for Fashion and though I hated actually going to the class, I loved blending my love of words and fashion. I might see about creating a career for myself somewhere between the worlds of writing and style, but of course, that might just be my plan this month.

I guess I should say a bit about my outfit. I love this top but struggled with it because I don't really like wearing just tank tops under things and typically loathe wearing bras. However, this bra from Victoria's Secret was super easy to wear underneath it, because the light colors blended in just enough but not too much. Also trying the whole literal-boyfriend-boyfriend-jean thing again, and one thing I can say is that it's super convenient to have such deep pockets.

Nike Suede Vintage Sneakers | Eric's Jeans | T-Back Bra (Similar) | Nordstrom Peter Pan Top

Light Rail Coyote

Sometimes waking up in the morning turns into a stressful affair, usually on the mornings I have class and don't want to deal with other human beings. (Ha! Every day, right?) Except today was Sunday, I had no class, and humans were somewhat optional.

It's been one of my goals this last year to spend less money, partially because it's a nasty habit (yeah, right. Like I believe that.) and because I have none (more valid). What I've learned from this experience of spending less money so far, is that we can sometimes be total lazy asses when it comes to fashion. While a fat wallet helps with style, and I would like a fat wallet very much, I've had fun forcing myself to get creative with pieces I haven't used to their full potential. Even though this outfit here is really simple, it's still functional and stylish. The best part is I've never worn it before, and nothing makes me more ready to kick the day's ass--er.. I mean, have a killer day than wearing something 'new'.

501 Boomtown Denim Cutoffs | Cropped Knit @ Nordstrom | J. Crew New Balance (Similar Here) | Free People Hat

Second Chance

I have been super busy lately with school and life. Actually, I'm not sure if I've been busy at all, but I've certainly been overwhelmed with school and life. I haven't had a lot of energy in the day, or good timing for blog pictures, so I thought I would share an outfit post with you all that I at first didn't think I was going to share. Sometimes I take photos and am in a bad mood or something goes wrong or whatever, and I'm kind of done with the whole thing. It's rare, but it does happen. (Maybe to the best of us? I don't know.)

This vest is something I've had in my closet for probably a little less than a year, and I've just now decided it was worth a wear. I never thought I was much for giving second chances, but these photos and this vest are proving me wrong. I hope you enjoy it, that might make being wrong a little more bearable. :)

Jeans - Urban Outfitters | Shoes - Dolce Vita | Shirt - Urban Outfitters | Bralette - Nordstrom | Vest - Nordstrom

Blue Moon

I am one of those people who has a really hard time being nice to myself sometimes. It's not like I am mean to myself necessarily, I can just work really hard to take care of others and then kind of do a slack ass job when it comes to myself. That's why lately, I've felt a little run down and have made it my mission for the week to take excellent care of myself, like it's my passion. And it made me think, maybe this shouldn't last a week. Like maybe we should all take care of ourselves like it's our passion, and then in the end, we'll feel a lot better. It shouldn't be such a blue moon occurrence in so many of our lives (I know I'm not alone in my habit), and that's why I am requesting - no demanding - that today, you do something super fucking nice for yourself. Today I planned a trip to Hawaii for my boyfriend and myself, and am feeling pretty stoked about it.

What are you going to do for yourself today?

Don't Stop Me Now

My mom has a pair of ridiculous, old-school white Reebok sneakers that she wears around the house when she's needing motivation to clean up and get things done. She calls them her "magic shoes". I won't lie; she endured years of ridicule from me because of these shoes. But I think I get it now - My Jeffrey Campbell lace ups make me feel powerful, like I can't and won't be stopped! They're my magic shoes, and I can't believe I didn't realize what that term meant until now. With that information, my message today for you all is this; wear your magic shoes. No matter how tall, how obnoxious, how expensive or inexpensive, or how ridiculous. Life is too short to wear anything less than what makes you feel unstoppable.

Side note: I'm really excited about all my recent blog changes, including a new blog title and layout! I hope you enjoy the changes as well. Thanks for sticking with me. <3