joie: hanging outside the pepper canister
outfit details: brown nylon dress with cream pilgrim collar is vntage; brown suede boots are from nordstrom; brown mock crook wide belt is a generic ebay find
song inspiration: “starlight” by muse – do i like intergalactic stadium prog-rock radio-friendly anthems? well, not usually. but muse is different – it makes me feel like a character in a video game and how can that be a bad thing? they make good music to DO STUFF to, if that makes sense.
Joie: these pictures suck but this outfit was so cute, you guys! i have realized that having a photo blog is challenging when you’re not photogenic and have a shitty camera. but anyway…to the pics!
sweet jacket, eh?
outfit details: autumn colored plaid dress is vintage ann taylor (from the 60’s when she was a designer, not a chain); green tights are we love colors; olive and brown mary janes are fluevogs; olive leather bomber jacket is bebe
song inspiration: ‘crown’ by mason jennings – my best friend zak and i spent a few months being obsessed with this awesome tune and it was back in my head this morning. stripped-down, acoustic-driven, singer-songwriter complete with harmonica and cheating angst – what’s not to like?
Joie: as the song says – “I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused.” and as another song says – “I wear black on the outside because black is how I feel on the inside.”
i have a weakness for corset backs
outfit details: black corduroy cutaway military jacket was found at london’s camden market last year; black and white silk skirt is chaus; red mary jane shoes are tsubo acreas
song inspiration: ‘(the angels wanna wear my) red shoes’ by elvis costello. because they do. and because you know i love cutting lyrics set to infectious melodies. this song is a sarcastic, pissed-off classic – originally released in 1977, it’s cynical and upbeat at the same time with a driving beat and an ‘i don’t give a damn’ attitude and it makes me want to sneer and spit on something to show my great disdain. punkabilly rules, guys. it just does.
Kari: my sister rocking the urban casual
so much fun to layer tons of jingly jangly jewelry
outfit details: shades of grey double layer top by mandee and found at buffalo exchange; grey ribbed tights are hue; denim mini skirt is by xoxo; cream booties are legend; glasses are by sama eyewear (style is ‘moon’); silver and pearl bracelets and necklaces are silpada
song inspiration: ‘numb’ by u2. u2 always reminds me of my sister. plus my brain is full of to-do lists today, and it kinda feels like the edge is droning through all the stuff i have to get done the way he does in this song. or maybe i’m just numb.
Joie: really wanted to stay in bed and snuggle with the pup this morning. running a little late, but outfits like these are my equivalent of jeans – comfy and easy but hopefully still colorful and interesting
outfit details: brown safari-style dress is Lux; orange tights are we love colors; turquoise flat boots are cheapies from ebay; rusty orange pashmina was a gift; turquoise ring found at the Buffalo Exchange in Wicker Park
song inspiration: ‘young adult friction’ by the pains of being pure at heart – my random re-fascination with 80’s-type synthesized sounds continues, and this whole album is full of fuzz infused pop jingles reminiscent of the jesus and mary chain but peppier and instantly catchy. hooray for reverb!
Peggy: this long, tall glass of water is not only one of my favorite people to laugh with, but she’s also the most stylish grandma in the world. yeah, that’s not a joke – she really is a gilf.
this is an infectious smile if i’ve ever seen one
outfit details: True Religion jeans; James Perse button-down shirt; cheap silver shoes from The Alley (by Anne Michelle); newsboy cap is from Macy’s; red sunburst pendant by Silpada Designs.
song inspiration: ‘Sex On Fire’ by Kings of Leon – no one’s really sure what this song is about, but it rocks and it rolls and it always makes me think of Peggy. because, you know, she’s hot and sexy. so there.
Joie: it’s raining it’s pouring got to get out the rain boots
lounging in the board room at work
outfit details: navy polka-dotted dress is vintage (note to self: dress is too transparent for a white slip underneath – go with blue next time); navy blue tights are we love colors; red vinyl wedge rain boots are an unbranded ebay find; grey leather jacket is vintage; red plastic bracelet is by guess
song inspiration: ‘88 lines about 44 women’ by the nails wins the prize for most literal title ever. how can a 25 year old song by a new wave band still sound so edgy, dirty and danceable today? which reminds me…man, i haven’t gone dancing in awhile – maybe neo this thursday? (ps this video might be a little nsfw, but in a cool vintage, pinup way)
Joie: ho hum. work shmirk. sick and tired. etc.
outfit details: polyester black and white 4 leaf clover dress is vintage; blue tights are hue; blue jade necklace was bought at a street fair when i lived in the czech republic; blue plastic bracelet is by guess; black suede fur-lined booties are michael kors and damn, those things are so comfortable it’s akin to wearing bunny slippers at the office.
song inspiration: ‘this year’ by the mountain goats – freakin. love. this. band. they play lofi punk. or maybe angry folk, i don’t know. but anyway, this song personifies feeling beaten into submission with your only refuge being your stereo and your defiant fists challenging the universe for what it’s thrown at you. the brilliant album it’s found on, the sunset tree, is my go-to for when i am feeling a bit down and draggy and not myself. and check out the blood running down john darnielle’s face in this video. blood running down face = pretty cool.
Joie: i’ve been reading the poetry of edna st. vincent millay again – for some reason it always makes me want to rock the skirts and sweaters and autumn colours. it’s a language association or something.
outfit details: red cashmere initial sweater that doesn’t have my initial on it is vintage saks 5th avenue; mustard long sleeve t from the gap; leopard print skirt i have had literally since high school; yellowish suede motorcycle cowboy boots by john fluevog, who, by the way, makes the most amazing shoes in the world. i’m not very brand loyal, so that means something, people.
song inspiration: ‘if i had a hammer’ by peter, paul and mary. i’ve been listening to a lot of older folkish stuff lately, intrigued by the dichotomy of all the gentle-sounding protest anthems that pack more of a punch than all the angsty emo stuff that’s all the rage now. i love the harmonies that sound so simple but actually have a high degree of complexity. and check out how animated mary travers was in this video – it’s weird to think that she died so recently.
Joie: girls’ night out at paddy long’s – kinda basic and boring 
perhaps my awesome colorful hair will keep me from getting too boring
yep, it seemed to work as the bar finally had to cordon us off for everyone’s safety
oh and check out this amazing necklace i was wearing
outfit details: denim skirt by ann taylor but found at buffalo exchange; sweater by express and doctored up with a ribbon by me; olive tights are by nordstrom; mj & et necklace is from pistol bazaar; olive and brown sculptural shoes are by john fluevog
song inspiration: ‘wrapped up in books’ by my favorite scottish indie kids belle and sebastian – melancholy lyrics set to bouncy sunshine pop, perfect for chilly autumn nights where it’s too cold to dress interestingly and you want to bring out your inner librarian
