tattoos

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

On Boots and Hair Issues

After a month of yearning for cooler weather so that I could change out my wardrobe, I almost regretted my wish due to the windy chill of the past couple of days. Then I remembered something: John Fluevog Boots!! I wore a pair of mine today. I bought these boots for myself as a reward for finishing a dissertation chapter last January. They are one of the best gifts that I've ever given myself. They are both sturdy and chic and quite versatile. Today I paired them with a BCBG dress that I bought last year for a conference and my burnt orange trench coat that I picked up five years ago at Filene's Basement. I have long since lost the accompanying belt, but I still adore the coat so much that I have no plans of buying another trench coat until it comes apart at the seams or I get tenure.

I wore my hair in loose waves. I've been trying to get over my obsession with having straight hair. My hair is neither straight nor curly. It tends toward a wavy frizz when left to its own devices. In July of last year I decided to get one of those Japanese thermal straightening perms so that my hair would just magically air dry straight. It did, but it also damaged my hair where it had been highlighted in the past. It was a major setback in my quest to have long hair again because I had to spend the next nine months getting the damage cut out of my hair a bit at a time. Now my hair is finally growing again more or less damage-free. Of course, almost all of the permed bits of my hair have also been cut off, and I'm back to having wavy frizz. Instead of going out and spending close to $500 on another Japanese thermal straightening perm or using a flat iron every single day, I've been trying to accept what I've got and make it work. Last week I invested $30 in a hot air styler with a couple of different attachments and have been playing around with it. Today's results were pretty good.

London calling

Just came back from a short trip to London where I did an interview with Shakira, Shes a late night worker- so I had some hours spending on shopping during the day...:)lucky me. First stop: TOPSHOP!As you can see on the shopping bag the Christopher Kane collection is out-
Love it, and almost bought a pair of his funky leggings and a bag, but ended up with this skullscarf from Miss Selfridges and a beanie for my boyfriend....
OUTFIT: In the taxi, wearing my new scarf, blazer with shoulderpads and Jee Vice sunglasses..

Monday, September 28, 2009

trendspotting at Birklunden

Jennifer Lai wearing a leopard jacket from Japan, bought in Hong Hong...
Gard Hugaz in customized jeans & cool vest - and his dog Mike- the coolest!
Maria Bodøgaard in her moms vintage parkas....
two chic girls looking for vintage....
On my wish list: a brown leather jacket. Kjersti Aabel is checking out secondhand pieces at Birkelunden...

To social network or not to social network

So I am a technology junkie. I facebooked and tweeted while in labor to provide everyone I know up to the minute updates on my labor progress.....I think that makes me officially a junkie! I have loved getting in touch with old friends and new ones via these social networks but I can't help but wonder if these sites lend themselves for people to address their issues to or about a person in a passive aggressive way. Without getting into friends which have made random comments on my page and theirs that seem directed square at me and the past that was. Now I know all about holding on to things in the past, my mother is the master of it, but at some point don't you just let it go and move on? Certainly you don't lay it out there for all the world to see?What are your thoughts on these social networking sites? Have you every taken the passive aggressive approach on them to deal with an issue you might have???

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Todays fleamarket

My friend Tinki from the band Lilyjets loves vintage. Today she sold some of her old clothes at the Fleamarket at Birkelunden. Tinki is stylish in her blazer and knitted scarf. Love her style.
The market is open every sunday, from 12-20. Tinki, Maria and I got a nice spot today, and did sell a lot of old stuff. There is no better way to spend a sunday.
We also bought some nice pieces from this boy and girl. They sold away vintage pieces from Tokio, Paris and Berlin for a good price. I bought a faux fur jacket...
Check out birkelundenmarked.no Markedet er fullbooket, men du kan sette deg på reserveliste. Idag fikk 25 av de ventende plass:) Salgsplasser koster fra 200 kroner for 1,5 *2 meter, 300 kr for 2*3 meter, 500 kr for 4*4 meter. Leie av bord og stativ koster kun kr 25, telt koster 100.
will post more pics tomorrow. Have had some problems with uploading pics.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

shopaholic in a line

Yes I`m a nerd, and in my boyfriends eyes a shopaholic. Im broke too, so I should stay away from shopping. Well... Easy to say..On thursday I was standing in line to get my hands on some of the pieces from Divided Exclusive by H&M

and lucky me- I got one out of eight of this studded cuff!
We were outside the store at Oslo City one hour before they opened, and met this cute girl from Drøbak in the line. Stine(in the middle) bought coffee from Stocklfelth while waiting....
I grabbed a velourdress with shoulderpads and two jackets, in different sizes. Still regret that I did buy the biggest one.. but nevermind. I love it! only negative thing; we were told they only had 10 of them in the store, but sadly we spotted 10 mores in the fittingrom later. Exclusive, well?
Plans for tomorrow: Sell some of my old clothes at the flea market at Birkelunden. Sees der?

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Back To School: A Reader Response

One of our readers, Morgan, wrote in and sent us a photo of her first day outfit. She said, "I was going for a Mad Men-esque look, and am slightly worried I ended up too debutante, but it was inspired by your color challenge--I don't usually wear white in big blocks. I love prints or details."

I think it's a fantastic look and very Mad Man-esque (what a great show)! The dress is simple yet elegant, and I love the necklace and white sandals. Morgan claimed that the humidity messed up her hair, but it certainly doesn't look that way from this picture. It makes me wish that I were better at doing updos.

This is IT!

Todays streetstyle: Birthdaygirl Hillevi is posing with her fab. new Balmain-inspired jacket from New York, and her Prince-tee, ready for lunch & macrons at Pascal!
Her platforms; from Jeffrey Campbell, bought at Intermix, and leggings from only.may i borrow your outfit????? Just let me know.......

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Going Wild

Winter is on its way. Bought these cute leopard mittens from H&M the other day...
and a beret! Normally I`m more into beanies and hats, and Im not quite shore if I like berets- but I will give it a try....Will never wear them together. Matching animalprints is not my style....

Back To School: What Are You Wearing?

The first day of classes always offers such promise, but it often brings up the questions of what to wear and what tone to set on the first day with your students. To my mind, these questions are linked. So, dear readers, what did you wear/what are you wearing on the first day of classes of your fall term? Did the weather constrain or otherwise shape your choices? Did you get nostalgic feelings for childhood when you got a few new outfits to start out the school year? Do you find yourself wanting a new briefcase or backpack or messenger bag? We'd love to hear! We'd also love to see pictures: fashionableacademics@gmail.com!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

A Grey Day Requires Hello Kitty Punk Rock Power

When I woke up this morning, I found myself faced with a grim, grey day with few prospects of sun and the chance of scattered showers. While I didn't have to teach today, I did have a few errands to run on campus and I had to take my dog to the vet. I had a crappy attitude about having to do all these things, and I knew I needed to shake it off quickly. I thought of the things in my closet that were surest to help: my Hello Kitty Punk rain boots (a gift from my ever-so-thoughtful fiance), my bright pink umbrella, and an-almost as bright pink scarf. Combined with a simple black, cotton dress from target, I felt armed with my boots and accessories to face the rainy day ahead. With my mood brightened, the day suddenly didn't seem so grey. By early afternoon it actually was no longer grey, so, before heading to the vet's, I ditched the scarf and umbrella and traded my boots for black flats. Maybe Hello Kitty didn't change the weather patterns, but her cute face and love of punk sure helped me to power my way through the first part of the day.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Mixing Neutrals

A few years ago, I thrifted a scarf that made me re-think the way that I wore neutral colors. Prior to the discovery of this scarf, which beautifully blends grey with browns and greens, I wouldn't have considered wearing brown and grey together. I rarely would have combined grey with black and wearing black and brown together seemed like a fashion faux pas. This scarf quietly revolutionized my wardrobe - or atleast the way that I looked at my wardrobe - for less than $3.00. Suddenly, I was wearing grey pants with brown and white heels, a brown blouse and the scarf. Suddenly I was wearing a grey dress with brown tights, brown boots and the scarf. Suddenly, I was wearing a Carrie Bradshaw inspired outfit of grey capris, bronze strappy sandals, a funky brown top, aviator shades, and the scarf as a doo-rag. Mixing neutrals was not only possible. It was easy. It was fun. I still frequently employ this scarf when I want to mix browns and greys. I'm not quite comfortable with the doo-rag and aviators look while teaching, but the scarf also works well as a headband. I wore it for a day of teaching and meetings the other day with a funky brown skirt that I bought in Spain a few years ago, a grey shirt, and brown wedges. Do you and how do you like to mix neutral colors?

Sunday, September 20, 2009

DO IT YOURSELF! Todays mission...



Inspired by Alexander Wang, I customized one of my grey American Apparel jumpers today.
All you need is an old jumper, a piece of leather and a sewing kit!
I bought an old leatherjacket at a fleamarket today, and have allready a few new projects going on....I love to customize my clothes- and its fun to have DIY-projects during rainy fall...

Saturday, September 19, 2009

todays outfit; sunny saturday

out and about; Kaffebrenneriet, sporting my fall favorite; This oversized Cardigan...
shiny leggings, and my fab boots from Vagabond....
My colours this season: black, brown & white! bracelets; Sami, marc by marc & Fred Segal

Friday, September 18, 2009

TODAY......

Ready for talkshow at TV2....
Todays outfit: leggings; American Apparel, vintage boots from NY, bag; Marc by Marc Jacobs & sequined jacket from Zara.
A few days ago I was invited by host Stål Talsnes to attend todays liveshow Fredag at TV2 with beautiful blogger Emilie. Shes only 13 years old, and the most popular blogger in Norway at the moment. Check out her blog voe She is a supercute, stylish and smart girl, and a good rolemodel for girls on her age...my new favorite it-girl!!!!!

Life with 3 Update





It has been a little while since I posted my guess is that you understand I have had my hands full getting Lauren and Jackson off to school along with giving hugs, kisses and general love to little Isabelle Grace.

The first few weeks of Isabelle's life seem to be a blur nothing new for most new moms.Isabelle has been a great baby she has made breast feeding a breeze which was not the case for my first 2. Isabelle has also been a good sleeper however mom has not learned after 3 kids that she needs to nap when she naps hence I have been a bit sleep deprived.
Truth be told as happy as I am in a bit of a funk and I have been here before. However this funk unlike others is identifiable to me and I know there is a solution if I choose to reach out for it. See I deal with depression, before becoming pregnant with Isabelle I was being treated for depression and silly and not so responsible me took matters into my own hands and stopped my medication cold turkey because I did not want to subject little Izzy to unneeded drugs.Fortunately for me I did not have a horrible reaction to my discontinuance of the medication even though I did so at a time that my life was in complete turmoil. Job responsibilities, a new pregnancy, Dan retiring from the military on top of daily life was not easy and was no picnic unmediated. Yet I think it has taught me something and that is that it is ok to as for help and not to be ashamed.

Those of you who read here on a regular basis may know I like to stay busy, it really does make me happy and the way I stay busy is usually doing for others, add the fact that I have a huge desire to do everything well (some would say perfect) and well it can be a slippery slope.So here I sit knowing full well I am not super woman but still trying to be her.I am overjoyed to have Isabelle in our lives however I am overwhelmed by my own issues to be perfect and there for everyone and because of that I find myself burning the candle at both ends and hence very sad and very very tired when I should be at a very happy place.
I am happy to say that I have reached out to family and friends as well as my Dr and I hope to be on the road back to my old self of over a year ago, because it has become painfully apparent to me that I am not where I should be mentally and physically my body can not keep up this pace.So there you have it warts and all. The bright side is that I have this wonderful family to pull me through.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

CFP: Comfy and Cute Shoes


Dear Fashionable Academics,

We are issuing our first Call For Papers. Well, ok, it's more of a Call For Pictures. We want to see pictures of your favorite pair of cute and comfortable shoes. You know, the kind that you can wear for 12+ hours -- 7 of them standing up and lecturing? Send pictures to us at fashionableacademics@gmail.com.

These darling shoes in the picture are a pair of mine. They're John Fluevog Mary Janes. I love the color and the bit of sass that they provide, but -- just as importantly -- they are incredibly comfy. I've worn them many times for teaching and also for an on-campus interview. The only shoes that I wear more for teaching during spring and fall are a pair of very versatile Me Too black flats. Who says you can't have blissfully happy feet and be in academic fashion?

Cheers,
La Historiadora de Moda

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Budget Beauty: Make-Up Product of the Month


I love to wear lip color, but I frequently end up with it on my teeth or my coffee cup or - worse yet - with it still on my lips but looking gunky.  No more!  For beauty on a budget lip wear, I highly recommend the new CoverGirl Outlast Lipstains ($8 and under at Target and drugstores).  Unlike many of the similar products that I've tried in the past, they hold up, as promised, and don't dry out my lips.  Yay!

Je T`aime

new sexy lingeri! Lace bra from "The in between collection" by Lindex, necklace with charms bought in Paris & at the Melrose market in L.A.
party reporter for Lindex

Monday, September 14, 2009

Color Phobias Part II

This weekend I decided to take conquering my fear of the color yellow one step farther.  I gave myself a challenge.  With a budget of $10, I decided to find one piece of yellow clothing and determined that I would wear what I found to teach in on Monday.  My thinking was that even if I despised said piece of clothing, I could wear it once and then maybe do a clothing swap and call it even.  After striking out at my local trend not-so-thrifty thrift store, my local Goodwill and Target, I decided to give TJMaxx a try.  There I came across a spectacular find, a yellow, sleeveless, ruffled blouse on clearance for $7.00.  I normally don't wear sleeveless blouses to teach in, but if Michelle Obama can wear sleeveless and rock it to a session of Congress.... I also don't normally wear yellow, so I figured why not just go all out and play with a kind of look that's not my normal one?  I decided to go for something of a bumblebee or tiger ensemble, pairing the yellow blouse with a black pencil skirt, black flats, and yellow and gold earrings.  I also had on a black necklace and a yellow barrette, but then decided that was a little bit too much, so I scrapped those two accessories. I did wear my hair wavy instead of my usual flat-ironed hair or ponytail.  You can judge the results for yourself.

I'm still not sure that I look as good in yellow as I do in many other colors, and I doubt that yellow will ever become a prominent color in my wardrobe.  However, I no longer fear it the way that I did.  In fact, I will also admit that I purchased a second, yellow shirt at TJMaxx that day.  It was also on clearance and under $10 (ok, so I bent the rules a little bit).  The other shirt is a bit more casual and will hopefully help pull me through any of the lingering vestiges of doubt about my ability to wear yellow.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

my Chloé copies

I have been dreaming about the Chloé-boots for month, but since Im no millionare, I ended up with a copy! Bought at topshop, Barcelona this summer, and I love them...

Thursday, September 10, 2009

The First Lady of Fashion

As I was watching Obama's address last night, I couldn't help be distracted by two things.  One was Joe Wilson's disrespectful outburst.  The other was how fabulous our first lady looked in that sort of dusty rose colored Moschino skirt suit that she was wearing.  I want to own that suit or something very similar!  The brooch was such a nice touch.

I really like the fact that Michelle Obama has supported up and coming designers - particularly minority designers, such as Thakoon Panichgul,  even as it has earned her some criticism from famous designers, such as Vera Wang.  I love that she bares her buff arms.  I love that her sense of style seems to meld common sense with confidence and power with youth.  I think she always looks smart and polished in addition to being smart and polished.

I hesitated to blog about this because I do take healthcare reform seriously, and I don't want our readers to think that I was *that* distracted.   But having read way too much political blog today, my blood was starting to boil.  How could I achieve a happy, feel-good state once more?  Well, since I can't afford the suit, looking at it online, thinking about the gorgeous seamwork in the back, and writing about it was the next best thing.

What do you think about the first lady's style?

Strike a pose!

Strike a pose..... my boyfriend and I at Topp 25 anniversary party yesterday at Emil&Samuel
Hillevi- the one and only....love her style.....and her 80s inspired hair do...
Wearing what? shoes, Won hundred, dress;BikBok, studded jacket: self designed, vintage hat; from my mother. Check out 730 for more pics....
Ble få bloggbilder ettersom jeg var vertinne, men mye mingling og topp-stemning. Kleskrisen løste seg også; dro frem nagle-skinnjakken min som jeg fikk sydd på Bali i fjor, fikk låne kjole fra BikBok og mammas hodepynt med netting. 730 tok bilder på festen. Flere bilder kommer også på trykk i topp...

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

A Passion for Purple

Purple is my absolute favorite color, and, to my great fortune, I think that many hues of it are very flattering on me.  I feel pretty when I wear purple.  I mentioned the other day in my post about fearing yellow that I jump at any chance to wear purple and, I could also add, to acquire a new versatile purple garment or two whenever possible.  So imagine my delight to discover that purple seems to be one of the "it" colors for this fall. In fact, Pantone, the color trend experts, have included a shade called "Purple Heart," along with some other gorgeous non-purply hues, in their Fall 2009 Palette. I have already worn my favorite color a couple of times to teach this semester, and we're not even through the second week of classes. One day I wore a fantastic, belted purple plaid dress that I recently picked up at Filene's Basement.
  Another day I wore an eggplant shirt and brown trousers.

I have to admit that the only reason that I didn't wear purple again today was because I started to wonder if my students would think that I essentially have a purple "uniform."  I also wore a purple shirt and a patterned scarf that featured purple yesterday, as a reward for wearing something with so much yellow the day before.  I figured that was enough of a color fix for a day or so and that I could atleast hold off until Friday before I wear plum, lapis, or lilac again.  I'm aware that I may have a little bit of an obsession.  Am I the only one out there who tends toward wearing one color a lot?

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

what2wear

tomorrow is the day...but what am I suppose to wear???? topp- the magazine I work for- is celebrating 25 years anniversary and I have been planning this party for weeks, but outfit.. still the BIG question...
Red nails, black nails? minidress with shoulderpads or lacedress? High heels, or super high heels? silver accessorise or gold+ or both?
Just one thing is for sure- inspiration is the 80s
...

Monday, September 7, 2009

Color Phobias

Labor Day always marks the beginning of fall for me in terms of mindset.  It’s the time to put away the white shoes, to relish that there are only four more days between this holiday and more college football or Saturday farmers’ markets, and – even when the weather does not quite cooperate – to start thinking about autumnal colors: not just warm beiges and browns, but also vibrant shades, like plum, cranberry, teal, hunter green, mustard yellow, pumpkin orange, terra cotta, and crimson. 

I practically jump at the chance to wear any shade of purple (serious purple obsession), red, or orange, but I have to admit that I am fearful of some of the other hues that Mother Nature and synthetic fabrics provide.  I am wary of some greens and all yellows.  Fall forces me to confront some of these fears.  Admittedly, I know some of the tricks for dealing with colors that don’t suit your skin tone and complexion.  For instance, you can wear any color by putting it on the bottom half of your body, away from your face.  If you don’t look good in pink and would never wear a pink blouse or pink dress, you can easily wear a pink skirt or pink shoes or a pink belt.  Another way is to use accessories in the supposed color of doom.  In an attempt to get over my dread of yellow, I purchased a yellow headband and a pair of yellow earrings this summer.  The headband I ended up having to abandon because it doesn’t really fit my head, but the earrings have started to become a pair of stand-bys.  Yellow, I fear you no more!  OK, well, not quite….   Fortunately, there's a third way to start to incorporate problematic colors into your wardrobe.  You can do so by purchasing an item of clothing that has some sort of print that includes the scary color in harmony with others. 

Today, I combined methods two and three to create a look that played with many of the shades of fall, including yellow.  I wore my yellow earrings with a patterned top.  The printed blouse is a little different from my usual style, and not just because it has a lot of yellow in it, but also because it’s not the kind of pattern that I typically wear.  I was drawn to it in the store (Filene’s Basement) because it reminded me of a memory that I have of walking through a park in Europe and seeing a peacock sunning itself on a bright day in late September/early October.  I won’t say that I preened in the shirt, but I did actually like the way that I looked in it, even with all that yellow, on this almost-fall day.

Do any of you dear readers have a color that you feel unable to wear or any other suggestions for making such a color wearable?  Write in and let us know!

Saturday, September 5, 2009

I Want to Get High- so High....

Oh my God! I Think I`m in heaven......
Forget about Cypress Hill, I want to get high with Whyred next season......
Got a sneak peak on next seasons collection at agency Kaare Lund the other day, and these shoes made me sick..... guess I have to write some letters this christmas.. Dear Santa.......
 

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