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These past few weeks have passed in roller coaster fashion, that is, quickly going up and down and twisting around and leaving me weak and nauseous at the end but still somehow ready to go again. I'm balancing on the edge of my first law school finals period so it's about to get all the gray around here, but before that, my life via Instagram

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The advent of a new week, and a new month, can signal begins and endings. For me I'm hoping this new week means ill be ringing a cloud of pure good vibes up from the definite slump of past weeks.

The Wool Flyer

As Mistress Sandy withdraws her train of destruction, her wake is marked by a steady succession of much awaited cold days. Though the aftermath of Sandy is gruesome and unfortunate for many, my area of the city remains miraculously unscathed.

After checking the weather on my phone, and rolling my eyeballs over a reading that clocked in at a shocking 20 degrees below previous weeks, I decided to drag out one of my precious and much beloved thrift store gems.

The glorious letterman I've got on was found nestled in a rack of neglected men's coats in a Waco thrift store. The second I spied the buttery leather and forest green wool I was gone. The detail of the jacket is subtle but makes a huge difference in upping the style ante. Emblazoned on the red lining inside is The Wool Flyer, which makes no sense to me but looks nice anyway.

I hope everyone is staying warm and my prayers and wishes to those affected by the storm.

Leggings - I.N.C
Black Camisole - F21+
Chambray Shirt - Thrift
Boots - F21+
Letterman - Gant, via Thrift

The Flower Kingdom

Unfortunately for all of us, my apartment is experiencing ridiculous Internet problems, thus I must eschew my usual tidy formatting and fancy textual footwork and term to simpler, more barren means if achieving a decent post. So I'm using an app for now >>.

Anyway, here's one of the new ones, never before seen on the Internet, our lovely girly shoot, done to counteract the definite masculinity of the one done prior to it. Vikkys absolutely ethereal looking in this natural setting, with thunder hair and this completely gorgeous dress. Where from? You ask? Why, it's thrift! And a damn good find if you ask me! Pair this bad boy up with a smooth leather jacket and boots and you've got yourself a great 'fit for nearly any situation.

Dress - Thrift
Hair - Thunderhair

I got the Blues...

...And they all live on my dress! Today was a day for dressing up but not really dressing up. There's a law firm information session going on today where reps from the company will come and talk to us about working at their firm. They're also giving a paid internship and a scholarship so I figured I'd go. The email told us to go completely casual, like...jeans casual, but I'm mistrustful and don't want to be the only poorly dressed fat broad in the room.Thus I banged together this ace in the hole ensemble, combining the best of classier night club-wear and safe-for-business elements (like my trusty black cardigan). Its a pretty simple outfit, I threw on a necklace after taking these pictures to jazz it up a bit. I think I did ok.

Cardigan - Thrift
Dress - Macy's
Boots - Lane Bryant
Leggings - Forever 21

Cray cray for some Chambray

Finally! I bought this dress weeks ago on a mad hunt for a chambray dress to go with my leather jacket and haven't got the gumption to wear the outfit until today. In seeming defiance of yesterday's decidedly Spring themed outfit, today's look seemed smugly rooted in A/W dress sensibilities. Mid-length dress, thick leggings, jacket, and boots say to the world that I'm ready for the wind and the chill, and I'm looking damn decent at it too1

Jacket - Asos Curve
Dress - Woman Within
Leggings - Vince Camuto, thrift
Boots - Thrift

Potatoes in a Jacket

Feeling tropical! It's highly inappropriate for the fall, but today's weather was more in line with balmier climes than with fall's signature chilly edge anyway! Anyways, its a Monday, and if I have to live through it, I'm going to dress like I was on a beach somewhere instead of slogging through text-heavy law books. The tunic is, as I've noted below, from Dorothy Perkins; I talked about it a few months ago in one of my posts about the joy's of capitalism (or something). It's a delicious item of clothing, and, as a plus, its not jersey! This might have proven problematic, but it fits me quite well so win-win! 

The leggings and the jacket are exciting because I bought them at the thrift store. I went to my first Philly thrift store and it was like trying to go to one in Austin, where hipsters young and old have destroyed the true art and enjoyment of the activity. Nowadays, searching for thrift stores brings you to "quirky" "atmospheric" small businesses where they overcharge for "trendy" "cool" looking old stuff they most likely found in larger establishments (like Goodwill or Salvation Army) for miles cheaper. The one I went to on Saturday was just that. I knew the second I stepped in and glanced around the strategically disorganized smorgasbord of stuff, that I would be sorely disappointed this trip. Most of the store was taken up by useless old stuff like VHS and old CDs, the clothes were sparse and awkwardly arranged throughout the shop. The Halloween section they boasted about on their website and in the front of the store was 2 racks of stained or garish items too outlandish to be considered chic even by the trendiest of trendy young people. 

I almost gave up all hope when I lumbered up the rickety steps and was faced with the single tiny rack labeled "plus size" shoved in an awkward corner next to an assortment of too-ugly-to-be-cool ladies' blouses. The majority of the rack was unacceptably damaged, inexplicably small, or just plain terrible, so I left it to take a gander at the room labeled "the vintage room" (which turned out to be a tragedy and a lie). When I returned I think things had been added because immediately I spotted this blazer and ripped it out. Its slightly too large but works well over things and, of course, has this totally amazing leather part of the lapel. As I was about to leave to meet friends, I spotted these pairs of leggings and snatched up all of them (3) as they were EXACTLY what I needed. They're Vince Camuto and are unique because the seam goes down the back in the middle of the thigh. They're the kind of thick almost-pants type of legging thats perfect for the winter, I'm dead happy about them. I definitely won't be going back to that store as it was mostly an overpriced waste of my time, but my thrift journey hasn't ended! I hear tell of a mystical Cave of Secrets-type Goodwill in North Philly that's meant to be phenomenal and I completely plan on going to it soon. Until then!

Blazer - Thrift

Tunic - Dorothy Perkins

Boots - Lane Bryant

Leggings - Vince Camuto, Thrift

This fall is all about boots....

In the last two years or so, I have managed to accumulate 8 pairs of boots. To me, that seems like a lot. But you gotta have them, they are so versatile and perfect for fall/winter/spring fashion. My new pair of booties are detailed with gold studs on the ankles. Soooo cute!!

The awesome thing is that you really can wear that with almost anything. Last night, I wear them with a velvet skater dress that I found during one of my thrift shopping trips with Ezi. 

I still want to complete this boot collection with a pair of wedge boots and biker boots. Of course, I want the Winchell from Vincent Camuto because I like to fall in love with shoes that I cannot afford! Maybe Xmas gift for moi?

Anyways, if you goils are looking for some boots/booties for this fall, these are some of my favorites:

• For some gold tip Chelsea boots, check these by Ecote from Urban Outfitters.
• Simple black biker boots? Blink Minou on sale at asos.
• Sleek and sexy black booties are also a must for this season. Marc Fisher’s booties in 4 different colors at Macy’s.

Undeniably Universal

What better to pick up a gal's spirits than a good old homage to her one true home? I'm speaking of course about the Universe, where we all live and lay waste. Today was a case of fighting through the Thursday doldrums with the never-waning power of space inspired t-shirts (of which I regretfully only own 2).
Blazer- thrift
Shirt- On The Byas
Boots- Lane Bryant
Leggings- I.N.C

Hipster Fortune Teller

I've got a turban on today because I had absolutely no desire to do anything to my hair and I've been wearing a knit hat for days.
Dress - H&M+
Leggings - Mysterious Origins
Over Knee Boots - F21+
Necklace - F21
Denim Jacket - Thrifted

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When you look at my life through the lens of extremely hipster phone photography shots and edits...it seems a lot more free time based than it actually is. This installment of blurting my Instagram life comes courtesy of newly rekindled Polaroid passion, and love of all things photographic in general. I got a bunch of really cool apps for my phone, hence the pictures of my face...which isn't a common thing.

Ready for Business

Transactions today has me all sobered down and dressed up for a businesslike affair. I've got on the most basic of basic black dresses, with the tiniest twist at the asymmetrical neckline. It's about two sizes too big so I go ahead and belt it to nip in the waist. Throw on a blazer and you're ready Freddy

Glitch Gal Since Pogs and Tamagochis

I always find things to do when I should be going something else. Howya lovelies out there faring on work? Better than me I hope!

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The weekend was pretty wild! Drove up for an edm show and hung out with my friends. Met Dada Life...which was pretty cool. Now school is back and my memory keeps slipping and my focus is nearly shot but eh, it's alright I guess. Continuing in my renewed Polaroid obsession, I did a bunch of test shots on my 600 and my 420. They both work beautifully! Now all I need is for my Onestep SX-70 to come in along with that Time Zero film I bought for it. How's everyone else's life going?

Be still my heart: Riding boots for a wide-calf girl

Being a plus size lady with big calves, but "normal" size ankles and knees makes finding tall boots - that is stylish, good quality boots - quite a trail. Right now, riding boots are all the rave and you know, I need them in my life.

I had found my perfect pair of boots, the Vince Camuto Kabo in Rich Cocoa, but as luck would have it, they were not offered for my big calves. I tried to move on and find another pair of riding boots in a cognac color, but no dice. The Kabo had made a lasting impact.

I found the wide calf version at Camuto's website and at Bloomingdale's website. These puppies are a hefty price, $239, for this poor college student. So, again I tried to forget about them, but I could not - I had found THE ONE. Well, I bought them for a sale price of $195 (with free shipping) because sometimes good things happen to broke fashionistas. Ladies and gets, I present to you the perfect pair of riding boots:

Simple, elegant, beaux. Notice the rich cognac color, the tasteful gold buckles, and those darken round toes.  The circumference of these boots according to the VC website is 40.64 cm, or 16 inches. My calves are 15.7 inches and they do fit a bit tight, but comfortable even with jeans. 

Jeans and scarf - F21
blazer and button -thrifted
earings -Kenneth Cole
Ring - asos

If you guys are looking for your perfect pair of boots, I hope these links will lead you to them. Bonne chance mes amis! 

Zappos’s- Check out Etienne Aigner’s Chip Wide- Calf Boot, $189

Simple Be - Legroom Boot Super Curvy Calf 

Lane Bryant - Equestrian Boot in Brown

Wide Widths - Loads of options; more in the pricey side 

DSW - Coconut’s Blakely Boots, Annie Jackie Riding Boots

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Well my past week/weekend/day has been pretty exciting! My family came to visit me and we had a grand ole time. Went to Atlantic City for a bit, ate food at this 50's theme restaurant, bought a tv! I got my 11th Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver pen today (SO excited!) and I ate awesome bibimbap for dinner! All in all things are going decently, despite the ridiculous persistant headache. My pills are working, and sleeping with this CPAP isn't half bad. How's everyone's life going recently?

-Also, as always, my instagram is @nsq89 so feel free to folloooowwww!

A Fine day for Wearing Leather

The Leather Biker Jacket from Asos Curve
Beautiful details
Gorgeous Fit
Incredible comfort

The Tee and Tights
Shirt - Dorothy Perkins
Leggins - Forever 21+
Boots - Thrift

The Eccentric Edge
Shirt - Thrift
Skirt - New Look Inspire
Tights - Forever 21+
Creepers - Demonia via eBay

The Ladylike Edge
Dress - Alfani
Leggings - Forever 21+
Boots - Thrift

I love this jacket and what a great option it is for assembling good warm-weather outfits. I'm definitely warm-weather bias and I love to layer and wear neck-to-ankle covering ensembles. Not because of body shame or whathaveyou, but because its so many more options, so many more things one can wear without sweating to death. Fall and Winter have always been more about wearing clothes than wearing less clothes. I put together these three looks to show sort of the way I would style this jacket with my clothes now. The weather is getting chillier by the day, people are bundling up, and I am ready to suit up in my cold weather best. Bring on the scarves and gloves and jackets, tis the season!

Rackstagram

This week has been sort of a whirlwind. Party last Saturday in Brooklyn, blooming tea, wine, and my reignited passion for Polaroid photography. The first birthday of my brother since he died. A lot has happened! Here's a few pics from my Instagram (follow me @nsq89!!!) that illustrate how my days have passed.

Let the Swirls Unfurl

Call me a sucker for a loud pattern, but the second I shrugged into this silky
collarless beaut, I was a goner. Nevermind the inherently
man-repelling nature of this garment, it is a gem and a prize
Of course, if the top is loud, all else has got to tone down, so I kept it simple
with these super comfy, super awesome fitting denim leggings from H&M
and my trusty men's tassel loafers, also from the thrift store.
I'm always up for a bit of a mad pattern here or there. Comfy and crazy, just how I likes it.

Whether the Leather is Better

I got this leather look circle skirt from New Look a while ago but haven't been able to wear it. It's all crinkled up from the trip over here in my car but still, it's a bit fetching is it not?

Barring the ashy legs and be-socked feet, the wrinkles and the obvious
haste with which this 'fit has been thrown together, I think it's a
pretty decent look don't you?

Jonesin' for some Jackets

SO! The Great Jacket Debate of 2012 ended with the resounding bang of big money being dropped on that famed Asos leather jacket. Perspiring brows were wiped, great sighs of relief were heaved, triumph reigned above all!

But that wasn’t the end of it.

No, for where there is a winter, there is a way! A way to battling the chill with cunningly designed and executed outerwear that is, and I’ve thrown together (the first of what might be a series of) examples of stylish cold weather protection.

1 - Country Quilted Jacket - 39.99 GBP

• Look at this jacket, its a beaut! Aside from the obvious trend appeal in the quilting, you have to take a minute to appreciate the other details that make this jacket really great. I’ve seen plenty of quilted jackets and its really the details that take them from “granny chic” to the kind of classy trendy look I like. This one features awesome shoulder and back patches, subtle matching lining along the bottoms and front, and gold zippers. Cute and relatively inexpensive, up to size UK26

2 - Fairisle Boyfriend Cardi - 26.99 GBP

• I personally enjoy almost everything boyfriend. I’ve got a pair of shoulders an ox would envy so the relaxed cut and sizing of boyfriend items gives me a respite from the usual constraints of female aimed tailoring. That said, this cardigan appeals to me on more levels than just potential for comfort and good fit, it’s got an extremely cute and on-trend pattern going on. You can waltz out to any winter wonderland and wait for everyone else to get jealous. This also comes in a tribal monochrome for those of us who prefer our blacks and whites

3 - Navy Suedette Trim Jacket - 69.00

• Another manifestation of the quilted trend, coming up strong next to the New Look option. Dorothy Perkin’s incarnation comes in Navy instead of cream like the one from New Look. This jacket also has a brown trim but, instead of gold zippers, has brass looking button details and flap pockets. 

4 - PU Sleeve Coat - 125.00

• This jacket, from Simply Be, has made an appearance on my wishlist already but I just felt the need to bring it back up because it is amazing. At first glance, anyone could think “oh its just a black jacket” but that’s only the first layer. It’s taken being just black to a deeper level of style that has me waxing poetical. The PU sleeves, lapel, and pocket detail send this “plain black jacket” miles up on the style meter. You’ll turn heads strutting around in this number, its got that kind of funk. Flash without being flash, clean and understated but still eyecatching. Difficult to achieve but this jacket does it. 

5 - Double Breasted Trench Coat - 99.00

• This jacket is the kind of cute and trendy deviation from the usual in trenchcoat fare that never fails to catch my eye. I’m pretty weak to cute and deviant. I like the capelet part of it as well, that differentiates it. Nothing too crazy, but just enough detail to make it distinctive. It’s the kind of jacket you can wear for a long time and be relatively unbothered by the fluctuation of trend. Simply Be has taken a traditional trench and just tweaked it a bit and I think I really like it.

6 - Swing Duffle Coat - 127.73

• Asos never fails to make amazing an understatement and this jacket is no exception. From the moment I first lay eyes on it, I wanted to Know it and for it to Know me…biblically. No, I kid. But all jokes aside, this jacket is the serious Business. It’s reminiscent of very early childhood spent running through puddles in the full skirt pea-coat type thing your mom always forced you into…or something. Anyway, this jacket has a hood, a full skirt, and cute front details. Black it may be, but boring it is not.

7 - (its also marked as 6 because I am an idiot) Shrunken Boyfriend Blazer - 76.64

• Boyfriend blazers might be old hat in the Game of Jackets and Coats, but I figured that someone out there might not have glommed on to that particular mode of winter protection yet and might enjoy an option, however expensive this one is. Unlike your usual boyfriend blazer, this one from Asos is shrunken, made to fit just a little more closely to your lady lumps. That might be off putting for some of us, but its actually a good idea to have a good fitted blazer in your outerwear arsenal and this one is pretty darn decent. Simple lines and a suave black on black look make this blazer extremely versatile. Which means you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck.

8 - Faux Fur Coat with Contrast Hem - OOS (47.68)

• When I first saw this, I recoiled. I was like, Asos! What gives!? But the more I looked at it, and with a helpful visual of what it would look like on the body of someone plus size and not a model, the more I came to realize that it was the most beautiful thing ever. Of course the two-tonedness of it is a trendy detail that’s impossible to miss, and let’s not forget to give a nod to the animal friendliness of it’s fake-fur. All in all, its a jacket I wish I could shrug my (considerably expansive) shoulders into this winter. Sadly, it is sold out. Quelle Dommage! Perhaps Asos will put out another fake fur jacket in the near future? Who knows.

9 - Popper Parka - 110.70

• Last but not least we have this tribute to the rage of military trend that is making its resurgence in lady clothes this season. As far as camo-print outwear goes, I’m all set, and once I stud my bad boy to within an inch of its life, I will be styling on everyone. But this olive colored wonder still calls out to me, despite my (yet unfinished) means to military swag completion. It’s got a hood and the cut of it is cute and flattering. A drawstring at the waist ensures lady lump visibility and the eyecatching metal accents on it are icing on the top. It’s a pretty great parka and rides the line of simple and edgy comfortably. Chuck on some Docs or some destroyed denim to play up the edge or maybe some slim black pants and a neutral colored shirt for the other. Versatility is this jacket’s middle name.

SO there you have it. My spin on these 9 pieces of outdoors wear. Questions? Comments? Style concerns?

The Great Jacket Debate of 2012

AT LAST!

These are actually pretty giant

Use Asos code BACKTOSCHOOL to get 20% off anything in the store! I used it on these two items and got my total reduced from about 195 to 154! Still a whopper of a price tag for someone whose budget has to stretch to include anything over $20 but totally worth it in the end! I am in love with this jacket and knew I needed to own these earrings the second I spied them on Nicolette Mason's blog a little while back.

I'm happy as a cat that got the glam-bam ear shinies and the badass leather jacket cream. I'll do a review on the products when they get in, but for now I can bask in the glow of materialistic accomplishment.

Earrings

Jacket

.
My Wish List for the Fall

1.  Biker Jacket with Detachable Fur from Simply Be, $95.

2. Sheer Contrast Collar Shirt in White from Forever 21, $14.50.

3. ASOS CURVE Matt Leggings, $29.83.

4. ASOS Punk Multipack Mitchmatch Rings, $16.57.

5. ASOS CURVE Exclusive Knitted with Contrast, $58.00

6. ASOS Quilted Metal Corners Across Body Bag, $33.14.

7. Jeffrey Campbell - Foxy Wood in Black Kidskin from Solestruck, $119.95.

8. Square Enamel Ring from New York & Company, $16.95.

9. Jeffrey Campbell - Foxy Wood in Pewter Glitter from Solestruck, $119.95.

10. ASOS CURVE Exclusive Top with Peplum Hem in Oxblood, $36.45.

11. Cooperative Suede Platform Wedges in Black from Urban Outfitters, $19.99.

12. Faceted Cabochon Choker from New York & Company, $24.95.

13. Faceted Button Stone Earrings from Lane Bryant, $14.95

14. Crystal Embellished Round Face Watch in Rose Gold from New York & Company, $24.95.

15. ASOS Smooth Triangle Collar Tips in Gold, $16.57.

16. This jacket is featured in a couple of the Forever 21+ looks. I hope it comes out soon because my shoulders need it because of reasons.

17. Tipped Shirt from Simply Be, $39.00.

18.  Over the Knee Stretch Boots (Wide Calf) from Lane Bryant, $84.95.

What’s in your wish list?

Forsooth and Houndstooth!

Shirt - thrifted
shorts - f21
shoes - lane bryant
bag - stolen from my ma

ring - stolen from my ma
skull bracelets - diy, in memoriam
necklace - forever 21

Out for a bit of this and that with Vikky to escape the house a bit.

OOTD: I'm Such a Stud

Beetlejuice striped leggings - ebay
triangle studded denim shirt - DIY
leopard smoking slippers on my ashy feet - lane bryant
awesome gold casio watch - amazon
red little purse - a gift from my ma

closeup of the stud job taken from my instagram
follow me @nsq89 for some cool stuff

I had seen this shirt on tumblah and it was this awesome studded number in denim and I thought to myself, gurr, you ain't nevah gonna find dat in yo size. And so I ordered some gold cone studs and shook out one of my nice thrifted denim shirts that would button up all the way and went to work. It took a little doing, but I got it done. Wore it to the mall to meet with Vikky. Luckily it was near the end of the day so I didn't burn up...but what am I even saying!? I've lived here so long that I can wear sleeves in 100 degree weather. Philly is gonna be tough!