Living On the Vedge

You guys....I think I'm turning into one of them. You know the type. They wake up before 9:00 without the help of an alarm clock (and like it!). They get excited to go to the gym. They don't eat meat and would rather cook at home than order take out. They don't even feel like drinking all that much. Ugh, I know.

 

I joined a gym back in February. That's was the start of this giant snowball. I actually began to enjoy running and lifting weights. I genuinely lamented the days that I didn't have time to go to the gym. Then about a month ago, I made the decision to go vegetarian. I love me some meat, but morally and health-wise, I thought it best to see what it was like on the other side of the menu. I worried that my limited diet of preferred vegetables might result in non-stop french fry consumption, but-gasp-it had the opposite effect! I actually began to crave more fruits and veggies! I even started getting in my requisite calcium intake as a result of the protein shakes  I make near-daily. Somewhere along the line (probably around the time my water consumption vastly increased), I stopped drinking as much and lately beer just gives me a headache. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy a nice gin gimlet! Overall however, I'm feeling much healthier and my body is starting to react. I've lost about ten pounds since January, and best of all, I've done it in a proper fashion. Who would've thought daily exercise and a balanced diet was so easy?

Today's outfit is 100% thrifted, which I didn't realize until just now! I bought the top this weekend and immediately thought of pairing it with this silk paint-drop number. The skirt is one of my favorites, but it's hard to come up with new outfit ideas because of the busy print. It looks too busy if matched with a patterned top, so that leaves me the option of black tank top vs. white tank top. I think this frilly button up is a nice alternative. My only gripe is that, as is likely to happen with thrifted finds, it is missing a crucial button. C'est la vie, you can't win 'em all.

Top: Aeropostale (thrifted via Village Thrift- Pennsauken, NJ)

Skirt: Forever 21 (thrifted via Buffalo Exchange- Austin, TX)

Shoes: Kenneth Cole (thrifted via Buffalo Exchange- Philadelphia, PA)

Sunglasses: Forever 21

The Hell of the North

For my non-cycling readers, today's post title is a reference to the epic Spring classic race, the Paris-Roubaix. Spanning about 260km, the ride through France is marked by beautiful countryside, quaint farm towns, and cobblestones. Lots of them. Bumpy, gritty, wheel-eating cobbles. Typically combined with tumultuous weather,  the Paris-Roubaix an endurance test of not just the body, but the mind as well. I tested my endurance this morning by waking up at 7:00am (after going to sleep a mere five hours earlier) to stream the race live. I've finally perfected the art of watching races that are on TV delay in the US:

1. Stream video via Steephill, typically in French, Slavic, or another language I don't speak. Turn on mute.
2. Stream audio in English broadcast by Eurosport (also available from Steephill)
3. In a separate Firefox window, launch the Velonews live chat updates, which provide more interesting commentary (no offense Phil Ligett) and readers can submit their own questions as well.

It's my dream to one day travel to Europe and watch the Paris-Roubaix from the sidelines. I'm a long way from being able to afford the finances involved, so I made do by hitting up some cobbled streets in Philadelphia with my tattered IRO instead.

Can you spy the La Fille Atomique spoke card?? If any readers would like one, leave a comment with your email and I'll mail you one!

Keeping everything cycling-centric, today's outfit featured a shirt from Bilenky Cycle Works, a local handmade bike welder. I usually shy away from shirts branding a company, but Bilenky creates incredible pieces of art. And the shirt is really fun and quirky. It's hard to see in the pictures, but it says "Philly Brazed" and "Born to Sweat", accommodated by a picture of Stephen Bilenky himself. It's so tacky, how can I not love it?

What's that thing around my waist? Is it...a fanny pack??? Chill dear readers, it's actually a limited edition hip pouch from R.E.Load Bags. This thing is my go to accessory during the summer, when it's too hot  or simply unnecessary to lug around my full-sized messenger bag. I love the abstract design (actually a cut-up R.E.Load banner) and hidden u-lock holster is the icing on the cake.

Shirt: Bilenky Cycle Works

Jeans: Forever 21

Belt + Buckle: Thrifted (Sweet Jane- Philadelphia, PA)

Hip pouch: R.E.Load Bags

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Sunglasses: Forever 21

P.S. I couldn't contain my excitement, I just had to share a surprise thrift treasure I bought this afternoon. Ray and I randomly stopped by the Antique Mall, an indoor permanent fleamarket of antique gems. I found this Anne Klein scarf for only $5!!

The seller also had a gorgeous vintage Hermes scarf, which I optimistically inquired about, praying that perhaps it would be as cheap as my Anne Klein. No dice. Maybe I'll head back when I've got an extra $300. Another seller had a $60 Dolce and Gabanna sweater that I'm estimating was from the 80s, but luckily for my wallet, it was too large.

La Vie En Rose

I'm loving my new roof setting for taking pictures. I tried getting some pictures outside a thrift store today, but it just didn't have the same wow factor. I think I'm spoiled. I love the big blue sky, I love the wind in my hair, I love the crowded row homes, I love watching planes coming in for landing to PHL. I even love the shot as I'm crawling out my bedroom window.

After yesterday's overcast, colorless skies, today is gorgeous. Not a cloud in the sky! It's still pretty chilly, so I had to pair my dress with a pair of tights. Again. I feel like I should just get these things sewed to my skin and be done with it.

I picked up this sweet dress at the American Apparel factory flea market while I was at SXSW last month. This is my first polo dress, as I typically find them rather plain. They can certainly be unforgiving, either hugging curves too tightly and showing every little flaw, or hanging so loose that it resembles a potato sack. The random bleach burns add eye candy and remind me of the Germs circle logo. As this was purchased at a factory sale, I have no idea if this dress is widely available or just the result of a bored designer with a bottle of peroxide.

These shoes were an unexpected late addition to the outfit. When I left the apartment this morning, I had on a pair of brown leather slouch boots. Ray and I took a quick trip to Village Thrift, a local gymnasium-sized variety thrift store, comparable in quality to Salvation Army or Goodwill- meaning there's gold if you've got the patience, but you've got to dig through a lot of trash to find it. To prove my point, take for instance these heels. Twenty minutes of wading through polyester blouses and gigantic flower-print shorts (that I mistook for a skirt, such a shame too) led me to these Moschino studded heels for $7.90!

Dress: American Apparel

Tights: Walgreens

Shoes: Moschino (thrifted from Village Thrift- Pennsauken, NJ)
Sunglasses: Forever 21

It's Friday, I'm In Love

Man oh man, where did the week go? While I enjoyed the burst of warm weather that Philly enjoyed this past week, I'm greatful that last night's storm brought in some cooler weather. It's just how I like it- warm enough to go without tights, but cool enough to layer up should I be so inclined.

Today I opted for a long sleeved dress my brother bought me for Channukah this past winter. I so absentmindedly make wishlists of clothes I want, sheerly for my own amusement. Who would've thought anyone would be paying attention, let alone my brother? Thanks Alex! It was a fantastic gift so I can't believe I haven't worn it until now, four months after I received it. 

I love the loose, boxy cut. It feels less like a dress and more like I stole one of my boyfriend's shirts. Because I've got some weird curves (33-25-36), the key to keep the dress from looking like a burlap sack is to cinch it tight with an oversized belt. I think it also helps make me look a bit taller, which is always a plus. The dress is fairly plain and simple, so I took some liberties with the shoes, again to add some height. (Note to self: Next time you know you'll be taking pictures by yourself, with a tripod and self-timer on a roof three stories high, don't wear shoes you have trouble walking in!) Though unintentional, I also like the pairing of the belt buckle with the side buckles on the wedges.

Dress: Delia's

Belt: H&M

Wedges: Spring

Sunglasses: Forever 21

Marigold & Patchwork

I'm holding off on posting any pictures of my outfit yet (which sadly, at 1:15pm still consist of pajamas) because I've got a special photoshoot planned with the lovely Hallie of Halcoholic later this afternoon. Lest I bore you twice, and probably because her camera will produce nicer pictures, I've got something else planned in mind.

I'm fresh off the heels of a riveting night at the laundromat. OK, OK, the only thing exciting about spending an hour at the combination laundromat/child's dentist (I kid you not) was the consumption of Sly Fox beers in the process. As it turns out, you can drink a beer practically anywhere, so long as you've got a beer coozy. So maybe doing the wash wasn't exciting, but seeing a closet full of clean clothes ready to be transformed into new outfits is. Then it struck me: my wardrobe has clearly exceeded the limits of my closet. I'm probably reeking of bad storage fengshui right now, but I managed to make it all fit (for now). And with that, I invite my readers to take a peek into my closet.

Let's start with my dresser:

Top drawer: Tights, socks, underwear, bras

 Middle drawer: PJs, bathing suits, work out clothes, shorts

Bottom drawer: Pants, jeans, and riding jodphurs.

I own way too much denim.

 Accessories

 Sunglasses, scarves, jewelry, and hair bands

Belts

Scarves. Clearly, I've got a problem.

Next stop, the closet. This poor, poor closet. It's gotten so crowded, I couldn't even slide the clothes all the way down to get proper shots. I have no idea what I'm going to do, as getting rid of anything is obviously  not an option.

D

Dresses

Skirts

Tanktops

Shirts

 Long sleeved shirts, sweaters, etc.

All my cycling gear- jerseys, shorts, bibs, mountain baggies, etc.

This brings us to the shoes. Oh god, the shoes. I've been told I have a problem. I've also been told by friends that they're jealous of my collection.

Top to bottom, left to right:

1- black ballet flats (H&M), black ballet flats (thrifted)

2- yellow zebra slip-ons (H&M), gray suede slip-ons (Vans), black canvas slip-ons (Vans), blue canvas slip-ons (Vans)

3- brown ballet flats (H&M), white tennis shoes (H&M), striped canvas tennis shoes (Urban Oufitters), *missing in picture* black felt tennis shoes (Urban Outfitters)

4- zebra skimmers (Delia's), brown Chucks (Converse), brown gladiator sandals (Classified), black slip-ons (H&M)

5- white kitten heels (Splash), red patent leather kitten heels (Splash), black velcro sneakers (Payless), brown leather flip-flops (no idea on brand, they were a gift)

6- yellow and black sneakers (Roos), black Sambas (Adidas)

7- mountain cycling shoes (Specialized), road cycling shoes (Specialized)

Top to bottom, left to right

1- black motorcycle boots (brand unknown), brown slouch ankle boots (Blowfish), black riding boots (Ariat), black studded ankle boots (Go Jane), brown kneehigh slouch suede boots (brand unknown)

2- black oxford heels (Predictions), black and white gingham heels (Xhilaration), tan leather heels (thrifted), black suede wedge booties (Spring), black heels (Kenneth Cole), brown snakeskin heels (thrifted)

In addition to the bedroom, we also have various storage around the apartment. We use the hooks by the front door to keep every day items such as bags, u-locks, and sweatshirts. And we use the closet in our living room for heavier coats.

So that's my apartment. How do you guys organize your clothes? Are you as hopelessly cluttered as I am?