happy black friday everyone!

And, I suppose... happy thanksgiving! I actually would've made that the title, if it was still technically correct. However, my black Friday shopping kind of got in the way of that. Did you know I'd actually never gone black Friday shopping before today of course you wouldn't know that? But my friend Jenny wanted me to come with and I thought, why not? It was an experience that's for sure...

all saints blouse

j.crew cardigan and skirt

minnetonka moccasin boots

So this lovely little photoshoot was taken outside my Grandma's house yesterday, pre-dinner. And thank god it was... I ate so much! Jenny came and picked us up around 8 to head out so I changed into skinny jeans and a tshirt for easier shopping, and can I tell you - my jeans were not that happy that about that third slice of cake I had (but can you blame me? Look down to the bottom of the post for the cake Natalie baked and tell tell me you could resist that)

 So I'm loving my new boots! Picked them up at Off Saks on Wednesday at 40% off, and they are already fitting in with my wardrobe perfectly! Only problem is, I think they make my legs look stumpy when I wear them with jeans... Not quite sure what to do about this, since I wear skinny jeans oh, 90% of the time? But I figure, I also wear tights and skirts a lot. And I have pretty long legs - so I can afford to make them look a bit shorter? (That's probably really bad reasoning I know...)

So it's been a while since I've posted - you haven't even heard my airport hell story! That's just not acceptable, and even though I probably shouldn't tell it because it makes me sound extremely stupid, I will tell it anyways. Because it's funny. So here you go: I woke up at 6:50 Tuesday morning, got myself to the airport, and was sitting in the terminal by 8:10 for my 9:30 flight. Then the flight got delayed until 10:15 and my gate was really busy, so I went to sit across the hall and wait for it to get called. Then around 9:50/9:55 I walked over to the gate to see - flight to Philadelphia is closed. Excuse me, what? I run downstairs to the gate, where the lady tells me: "they called you by name honey, but you didn't come! The plane left without you" - I literally died, right there. Like started hyperventilating, crying, almost passed out... It was ugly. I had to go talk to a gate agent, and since I would have missed my connection in Philadelphia anyways, they were quite helpful on getting me on other flights. This story is getting pretty long and you got the funny part, so here's the gist: I think I am the only person in the world to miss their plane while sitting at the gate, and I didn't get home until 9pm, (and my luggage didn't get here until the next morning). And I am an idiot. The end.

Hope you all had a lovely Turkey day and, if unlike me and you can still handle the sight of food, here is a photo of my amazing sister's even-more-amazing cake:

 

p.s. Lies about the whole me not being able to look at food anymore thing - I'm going to go eat some cake for breakfast now :)

moths

Well, I'm sorry to say that today's photos aren't my best. I know Nicole will take this as a personal offense to her photography, but... Still, I'm quite enjoying my insect- and animal-themed shirts from All Saints. Walked past the store today and a guy who was cleaning the front windows told me he liked my shirt... also, it was really difficult for me not to go in and browse. You're saving your money for NYC Alison, just remember that...

all saints spitalfields shirt

old navy skirt

minnetonka moccasins

coach bookbag

jewelry thrifted, gifted, from various travels (a.k.a I'm no help if you want to know where it's from)

 So besides the whole beginning-of-a-new-week-I'm-so-tired thing that inherently comes with Mondays, today was actually a pretty fun day! On Mondays and Wednesdays I have a break in classes from 12:15 - 6:15, so basically I have the whole afternoon to do whatever! Today I walked to this vintage/consignment store up on Wisconsin Avenue (just 10 minutes or so off campus), where I found some really cool stuff. Didn't buy anything, as I'm not shopping before New York, but if I was that Chloe cardigan would be mine no questions asked. Also probably the adorable quilted Brooks Brothers bag. Just saying.

This shoe picture up above is really awkward! It looks like my skirt doesn't exist on the right side... it does. In case you're wondering. And below, the classic "cover my face so that you can see my rings but not my weird facial expression" photo. Or as Nicole thought it was - the "I'm so distraught you didn't take good photos" photo. I mean really, I'm not that melodramatic yes I am. 

 

Oh, in addition to checking out vintage clothing today, I got a cupcake! A free cupcake to be exact. A German chocolate fudge free cupcake to be super exact. Yes, be jealous. And on that note, hope you all had a great start to your week :)

rainy days

Seriously, the weather has been disgusting here the past few days. As you may or may not be able to tell in these photos, it was actually raining while we took them. It was seriously rapid-fire for about 30 seconds or so, with Nicole under my umbrella to keep my camera dry and me hoping they would be attractive so I could be finished getting soaked. Fun times.

all saints shirt

j. crew pants

hunter boots

forever 21 belt

vintage necklace

coach bag

I really enjoy this shirt. It's one of the two shirts I got at All Saints last week, and I feel like I'm wearing a sort of ironic pseudo-Hawaiian button down. Am I the only one feeling that? If you look at the close-up of the print farther down in the post you probably still won't be able to see this, but the print is actually of flamingos. I know right? I wouldn't have known either if it hadn't said so on the website. Kind of amazing.

I have to thank my dad for my new book bag. It used to be his briefcase, but I was always saying how much I loved it and how much I wanted it, and finally he gave it to me. He is just using his other old one that he got repaired. So sweet, thanks dad! Love you :)

 I was actually wearing some short black shorts earlier in the day, kind of felt like I was rocking the Daisy Duke look, but it got so cold that I needed to change. Sigh. Cold weather is really coming. I know that you're freaking out now that I just complained about cooler weather (considering how much I've complained about warm weather in these last few months) but to clarify, I don't mind the cool weather, I just hate rain. The umbrellas, the boots - they can be fun for jumping in puddles from time to time, but getting soaked on your way to class? Not as much fun.

That's about it. Would type more, but for one you probably don't want to hear any more about my slightly monotonous super-interesting life, and for two I am watching a British miniseries called "Lost in Austen" on Netflix and feel like putting off my reading and finishing it off. Such is college. Have a good night!

new favorite

While out and about on M Street with my dad last night I discovered a new favorite store! All Saints - I'm sure those of you from Europe have heard of it, I knew of it (as I'm slightly obsessed with the U.K?) but I'd never actually seen anything of their clothing. All I have to say is love. Actually, I just sent in an application to work there! And now that I actually have retail experience, I may actually have a chance? Anyways, here are some pictures from the store, as well as a few new purchases (they're a bit on the pricey side, so sadly I probably won't be getting as much as I'd like from them in the future)

 image via washington post

 

images via revamp.com

My gorgeous flamingo shirt - kind of in love with the fact that the print is flamingos... I seem to have something with animal prints on shirts? Like the bird print shirt I got today at Forever 21 - do not worry readers my friends now have me on a full-on shopping ban. There will be no more new clothing for quite a while... Regardless. Love this shirt. It also seems really good quality, believe their silk is Italian printed? Also, think I bought it a bit of a larger size (they have a lot of UK sizes), but since when have I shied away from an oversize shirt? Actually, that's about all I own...

And my moth shirt! I actually think this is so cool. I showed it to my roommate and she looked quite skeptical, but conceded that it looks like something I would wear. That seems to be a theme with my dressing - people not quite understanding, but agreeing that I'll pull it off just fine. Love the dip between the front and the back hems, they just have such great detailing at this store!

Moral of the story - if you ever happen to find yourself at an All Saints store (or check their website - they have an Archive section where you can buy clothing from past seasons at deep discounts), this is what I would recommend it for:

• beautifully printed silk tops
• fun (but kind of dark) graphic tees
• gorgeous leather pieces and intricately beaded skirts and dresses (if only I weren't a poor college student...)

I'm all moved in! My room is significantly smaller than last year (pictures to come soon), but it all fits and looks quite cute if I do say so myself! But honestly: the hurricane was a joke. Now I don't mean to belittle the places that really got hit hard, but here in D.C. it was honestly just a bad rainstorm with a bit of wind added in. Come to Minnesota in the winter and I'll show you a weather emergency. I mean honestly.

Going out with the girls tonight, but for now I think I need a nap. What is it about school that makes me so darn tired? Oh well. Hope you are all having a lovely week

p.s. Decided to add their banner to my right-hand column, I just really love them! Check them out if you feel so inclined...