A-ha, Take On Me

Posted in Joie's Ensembles on February 11, 2010 by joiezabel

it is a sunshiny winter day in chicago and i am feeling sassy

check out this amazing skirt!

outfit details: amazing skull-and-whale skirt is libertine for target; blue shoes are beloved fluevogs; navy striped sweater is from the gap via ebay; blue scarf is from a street fair in prague; scarf in hair is vintage; blue coat with fur collar is vintage

song inspiration: “take on me” by aha – this song always makes me happy.  and it’s my dear friend catherine and my fight song.  and it’s the best video ever.  (and yes, i’ve seen the literal version too.)

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Doug Burr, Should’ve Known

Posted in Joie's Ensembles with tags , , , , , on February 10, 2010 by joiezabel

i decided upon a sassy little cowgirl outfit to alleviate my winter blues.  i find that playing with costumes and characters is one of the best ways to affect your attitude or perk yourself up when life gets kinda crazy.

just hangin’ coyly on the front porch

outfit details: blue square-dance dress is vintage; baby blue low cowboy boots are fluevogs …an addiction, i admit, but found on ebay for awesomely cheap; black belt is thrifted; fringed black scarf is from urban outfitters; velvet hat is vintage; leather fingerless gloves are harley davidson; random bracelets are from all over the place

song inspiration: “should’ve known” by doug burr – some indie americana type music from good ol’ denton, texas…peaceful, melodic and haunting, this album is a good one when you need to try to grab some perspective on the aforementioned crazy days at the office.  and the fact that my boyfriend todd pertll plays pedal steel on it has nothing to do with how much i like it, i swear

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Johnny Cash, Help Me Make It Through the Night

Posted in Joie's Ensembles on December 10, 2009 by joiezabel

here i am all hot and sweaty from late-night shaking of tail feathers to country music at carol’s pub in uptown

outfit details: black and white skirt is thrifted; black and white striped shirt with tie i made years ago in college; houndstooth heels are steve madden

song inspiration: “help me make it through the night” by johnny cash and june carter – the 100 year old band at carol’s played this song while we were drinkin’ and dancin’

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Muse, Starlight

Posted in Joie's Ensembles with tags , , on November 5, 2009 by joiezabel

joie: hanging outside the pepper canister

outfit details: brown nylon dress with cream pilgrim collar is vintage; brown suede boots are from nordstrom; brown mock crock 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.

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Mason Jennings, Crown

Posted in Joie's Ensembles with tags , , , on October 23, 2009 by joiezabel

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?

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Elvis Costello, (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes

Posted in Joie's Ensembles with tags , , on October 22, 2009 by joiezabel

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.

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U2, Numb

Posted in Girl Outfits with tags , , on October 22, 2009 by joiezabel

Kari:  my sister rocking the urban casualso 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.

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The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Young Adult Friction

Posted in Joie's Ensembles with tags , , on October 21, 2009 by joiezabel

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!

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Kings of Leon, Sex On Fire

Posted in Girl Outfits with tags , , , on October 21, 2009 by joiezabel

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.

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The Nails, 88 Lines About 44 Women

Posted in Joie's Ensembles with tags , , , on October 20, 2009 by joiezabel

Joie:  it’s raining it’s pouring got to get out the rain bootslounging 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)

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