my new hat

Does it seem like I do a lot of shopping here in Wisconsin?  Well that's because I do.  It's not because Madison is the fashion capitol of the world; it's because a) I'm on vacation and b) I get to shop with my mama, which is something I sorely miss in my day-to-day life.  She's the one who urged me to get this hat ("you have to buy it or I will kill you") against my first instinct ("but I don't need it"  what?  who am I?).  And of course, she was right.  I love my new hat.

A purplish reddish brown raffia fedora tied with a black grosgrain ribbon, this guy has major attitude but in a slightly unexpected way.  And he comes to me by way of Banana Republic.  Yeah, I was surprised too.

miki and nora

These jacks earrings by local artist Miki and Nora are probably some of my favorite earrings.  Ever.  I bought them here in Madison this winter and they've been in heavy rotation ever since.   They wear a little bit vintage, a little bit tough, a little bit 50s elegant, and a little bit punk.  I don't know how they manage to do all that, when they're basically jacks, but I try not to question these magical design moments.  Lucky for you guys, you don't have to come to Wisconsin to get your own Miki and Nora pieces; just head over to her store on etsy.  Here's some of my favorites, including the cone earrings which I think I will have to pick up before I leave town (here they have them in oxidized silver rather than just the antique gold finish available on etsy.  Sorry for the rest of the world, cause in gunmetal they are absolutely perfect).

bone toned

churchs burwood at gravity pope

I have a new mission in life: find the perfect off-white oxfords.  They have to be substantial, have at least the teeniest bit of heel, and be some shade of pale (bone, taupe, rosy, nude, any of these will do).  And they have to be comfortable.   It's a tall order, I know, but lucky for me there's lots of options out there.  Here's my current list of contenders, with the high-end ones here, and the more affordable options after the jump.  First, the wingtips:

Fratelli Rosetti, DSquared2 at zappos

A few two-toned options:

 Gravati, DSquared2 at zappos

Something simpler:

to&co at gravity pope

and some options under $200 (and a few under$100) after the jump...

mother jeans

I mentioned yesterday I'd bought a new pair of jeans, well here they are:

 

I found them at Bop, which any good Madisonian knows is the brick and mortar home of Shopbop.  It's not nearly as exciting as the online store, because obviously their stock is very reduced, but it is a great place to try on new jeans.  And as yet another new overpriced denim line on my radar, Mother has seduced me with these perfect-for-summer jeans.  They fit tight, are incredibly lightweight and very stretchy, but manage to be so without looking hoochy or slutty on my curvy body, in spite of the lighter faded wash.  Major accomplishment right there.  Add to that the fact that they are possibly the softest pair of jeans I've ever owned, and I happily shelled out the big bucks.

The bottom hem is unfinished and frayed, which is kind of cute, but when you roll it up a tiny bit, they become perfect.  Seriously.  Perfect.

images from revolve, also available at shopbop and nordstrom

suit up!

Today I made some unexpected purchases.  Impulse buys that are very different from my usual ones.  No shoes, no jeans, no lipstick (well, ok,  I did buy some jeans, but that's for another post).  I bought myself a month's membership at the gym here and a bathing suit.  Not a cute lay-out-on-the-beach one.  A serious I-think-I-plan-on-swimming one.

image from poolweb

Yeah, ok, I'm still a little wishy-washy about it.  I've been wanting to start swimming for almost a year now, but in my daily life I'm so exhausted that there's no possible way I could do any more exercise outside of classes and rehearsals.  But the idea of physical exertion without any motives other than feeling good and fit is definitely appealing to me, as is the mere idea of immersing myself in water and simply moving.  So now, here I am, on vacation, nothing but time on my hands, and I'm doing it!  Or at least, I intend to! I'm incredibly excited about this.  I don't even remember if I know how to swim, but I'm giddy like a kid on the first day of school.

Anyone out there a swimmer?  Anyone wish they were?

espadrilles with attitude

Fierceness where usually there is none.  Enough said.

Sam Edelman Jaxon at piperlime