bolo because, yolo

Yup.  That's a bolo tie.  Granted, I'm easing my way into this, tucking the leather strings (ties?) inside my sweatshirt.  But still, wearing this thing made me feel like a brave cowgirl.  In fact, every time I looked in the mirror I got this song in my head.  Wild west, the 80s, and Bon Jovi, all in one little accessory so neatly tucked into my otherwise unassuming outfit.  What's not to love?

Here's the details...

back to my roots

Hi there.  Me again.  Going back to my roots.  By which I mean, I should probably hit the salon for a touch-up on the bleach front, but I'm refusing to do so.  Partly because I don't feel like sitting there for hours while the chemicals burn into my scalp, but partly because, well, I kind of love my roots.  Am I crazy?  I feel a little bit Debbie Harry, a little bit Blonde Ambition.  I know, I look nothing like Madonna, and I most certainly am not a rock star.  But feeling like one occasionally is not such a bad thing, is it?

Excuse me while I indulge myself and show off my roots...

going platinum

Happy New Year everyone!  Yes, I am about a month late to the party, but honestly, this little internet hiatus I've taken has been so wonderful.  In this hyper-connected world we live in, I feel like sometimes that's just what we need in order to breathe a little, grow a little, change a little...

And speaking of change...  I was threatening to do this before the holidays and I bet you didn't think I'd actually do it.  Hell, I didn't think I'd actually do it.  But now that I'm living in Blonde Town, I have to say, I love it here and I think I'm going to stay a while.

If ever anything warranted an onslaught of selfies I think it's this...

ankle layers

Ah, layers.  I grew up in Wisconsin so I like to think of myself as something of a layering expert.  In my early days I used to take it to extremes - in college I would often layer flannel pajamas under wool skirts to keep warm in the winter.  I'd like to think my layering habits have matured a bit since then (I really make an effort not to wear my pjs out of the house now), but I still rely heavily on the basic techniques.  And one thing that I've learned is to embrace the layer, rather than hide it.

So here I am, with my wool trousers worn over some cashmere and silk blend leggings, draped over the tops of my boots rather than tucked in.  I sort of like this backwards sock effect.  Sort of Dickensian, no?  Not something I usually look for in my styling, but I think it works here, so I'm going to go with it.  All winter long.

Do it yourself...

fuzzy wuzzy

I have always been anti-extraneous-fuzz in my clothing.  Mohair and angora items made me sneeze just at the thought of all those flyaway fibers getting near my nose, not to mention in my mouth.  But the other day, at Cos, I was overcome by a sense of adventure and bravery (possibly brought on by having my favorite shopping companion at my side - a rare treat!) and wrapped myself in this angora cardigan.

It was pretty much love at first touch...

clutchable

I have a new little purse, unlike any other purse I've had before.  I suppose you could call it a clutch, which is what they're calling it over at Zara, but it's pretty big for a clutch, and it also comes with a perfect little shoulder strap.  So it's a purse.  That you can clutch.  It's some magical size that works both in hand and on shoulder, and I'm totally enchanted.

I've never been much of a clutch gal, but after picking up this little guy last winter I've seen how useful they are when you're just running out the door and only need a few things.  But this, this fabulous hybrid, this is going to change the way I do things for sure.

More details...

smoke it

I have discovered the easiest, most fool-proof, flattering, fabulous and quick way to a smoky eye.  Easy, foolproof and quick because it's just two beautifully formulated products (3 if you count the brush), fabulous and flattering because of the magical color.  It might sound like I'm exaggerating a bit, but honestly, I've become addicted to this as my new lightening quick makeup routine.

Check it out...

simple pleasures

Sometimes the tiniest purchase can make a huge difference in your overall happiness level.  In my case, it was a pair of flannel pajamas for less than $20 that instantly elevated my mood and has continued to do so every day since I brought them home.

It might seem silly to be so enamored of simple pjs but...

heavenly bodies

This weekend my awesome cousins came for a visit (four days of madcap touristing!) and one was sporting a new tattoo.  She now has 8 celestial bodies on their criss-crossing orbits (and a little beauty mark of her own that serves as a moon) making a beautiful cuff on her arm.  I love how it manages to boldly take up so much real estate but still be so delicate and airy at the same time.  She's a big astronomy buff as well so it's just the perfect thing for her.

amulets

Been thinking about superstitions and lucky charms lately...

going bananas

I try not to bake anymore, because it's just like Field of Dreams: If I bake it, I will it eat.  Ok, so that's not exactly the quote from the movie, but the prophecy gets fulfilled in much the same way.  The other day however, I was forced to bake.  Forced, I tell you.  The bananas made me.  The sneaky guys looked bright yellow and cheery, but inside they were mushy, ripe way past their prime.  I refused to let them go without putting them to work so of course I did the only thing I could: I made banana bread.  With chocolate in it, cause chocolate makes everything better.

The look so innocent don't they?  Never trust a banana...

Make some chocolatey banana mischief yourself...

still summer

I'm on sort of a spending diet lately, saving up for some big expenses on the horizon, but of course that doesn't stop me from fantasy shopping.  Problem is, all my fantasy shopping leans towards fall: layered sweaters and button-down shirts, long pants, lace-up shoes...  You'd think that since this is just hypothetical shopping we're talking about, it wouldn't matter, but it conditions me to crave certain things, and then to be disappointed when I can't actually wear them.  So today I felt the need to remind myself of something pretty important: It's still summer.  You'd think I'd have no trouble remembering, since it hasn't dipped below the 90s here in over a month, but I still find myself looking wistfully at my favorite long sleeve garments thinking that maybe a light breeze will necessitate an extra layer sometime soon.  Not gonna happen.  And really, that's not a bad thing, you just have to embrace it for all that it is.

So just as a reminder, some fabulous summery things to covet...

sampling

Do you have an entire drawer filled with product samples?  As you can see in the photo above, I certainly do.  But this month I finished up my usual moisturizer and, partly out of laziness, partly out of a half-assed desire to save some money, and partly because the thought of taking the samples with me when we move across the seas is appalling, I've been steadily going through them and using them up.   To my surprise, some of them are actually pretty stellar products and I might go out and buy a full-sized version once my supply of samples dwindles.  Guess that's why it's successful marketing.

Some winners so far...

skirting the issue

A simple outfit that's becoming my go-to uniform for summer weekends: a T by Alexander Wang classic pocket tank, a jersey maxi skirt from Zara, Rag & Bone Vespa sunglasses, Hawaiana flipflops (invisible, but there), a great big silver cuff from a market in Peru, and a solid leather tote I picked up at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul many moons ago.  Most of that's not available anymore, but you can come pretty close.

Some options, and some secrets...

madcap

Show some skin, cover some skin.  That's how it works.  Gotta keep the sun off the face, cause by now we all know that sunscreen isn't a magic bullet.  (Though of course you know you still have to use it every day, right?  This is still my favorite everyday sunblock for summer days.)

My go-to baseball cap, in fact the only one I can ever remember owning, is a 5 euro cheapie from the men's section of H&M.  It once was black and now is faded, but it does the job.  Maybe it's time to think of something a bit more... more?

Some options...

show some skin

Even though it's now (finally) summer here, I'm slow to show my skin.  I start off sort of victorian, with just a bit of ankle.  May not seem like much, but I get really really excited when I get to bare my ankles.  Of course, it necesitates the perfect little socklet.  Lucky for you, I've tried zillions and am here to recommend the most perfect little socklet ever produced.

Here you go...

packable

Remember I was looking at Herschel backpacks a while back? (Oh, and these too.)  Well I still haven't gone and splurged on a beautiful canvas bag, but we desperately needed something for traveling around Mexico, and I came across this little guy.  It's super lightweight ripstop nylon, and despite the fact that it feels like it's made from air, it holds quite a bit, both in weight and volume.  I love those smartypants designers at The Herschel Supply Co.  Why?  Cause it also does this:

See more...

ch-ch-changes

I'm officially back!  Back in Spain, back online, back to daily life.  But it feels different, I have to say.  We've only been gone from Madrid for a month but somehow it feels like it's been much longer.  There's changes all around me: a new 5 euro bill, my local Zara completely remodeled, and a Starbucks in the basement of our grocery store, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Something internal has shifted as well, a settling of sorts, a coming to terms with change: the inevitability of it and the excitement of it.  I don't want to sound melodramatic or anything, but we're nearing the end of a big era in our lives, and steadying ourselves for the one that lies ahead.  A year from now I predict our lives will be totally different, new city, new jobs, new friends, new routines.  And while it used to just terrify me, now I'm filled with energy and enthusiasm.  I'm still nervous about it all, but it's more like pre-show jitters, lovely little anxious butterflies to carry me along the journey.

Anyway, I don't usually wax philosophical on the blog, but I just couldn't help it.  And to mark the change, I've bought some flowers for our home, something I rarely do.  (Kalanchoe, which apparently can be spelled Kalanchoë or Kalanchöe, movable umlauts? Who ever heard of such a thing?) Hopefully I won't kill this little guy, cause it sure is making me happy.  Here's to the start of (a new) something good!

alpargatas

Before leaving Spain I picked up a pair of espadrilles at my neighborhood alpargatería.  That's where they make espadrilles and other woven items like baskets for your donkey or fishing nets.  In downtown Madrid.  I love that this is still going on in the heart of the city.  And I love that folks will line up for hours (literally) when spring hits, waiting their turn to get their shoes for the summer.  And most of all, I love these alpargatas.

Details...

light layers

It's officially spring here in Madrid.  We've done daylight savings time, there's little blossoms blooming everywhere, it's chaotically alternating rain and sun in a totally unpredictable way, and it is finally warm enough to go outside without a big coat on.  Rejoice!  Since it's been a while since my last outfit post, and nothing makes me happier than lots of layers (they call me an onion around here) and I thought I'd show you how I've been piling it on lately.  Nothing fancy, just simple, comfy, easy lightweight layers.

On the left: hat - Anne Demeulemeester // sunglasses- Paul Frank // necklace - mashallah pendant I've had (literally) since I was born // hoodie - American Apparel // parka - Filippa K // t-shirt - T by Alexander Wang // pants - Zara //  sneakers - Zara

On the right: hat - forte forte // jacket - the kooples // scarf - zara (ancient, but it's just a sheet of jersey fabric - DIY anyone?) // bag - cos (last season) // blouse - zara // jeans - fidelity // boots - moma

As you can see, a lot of these items have been in my closet for ever, so you might not be able to get the exact same pieces now, but here are some other options currently available...