Ariel and Ralph

Baby, oh baby...

2011-03-28T12:44:00.001-05:00

21 weeks 1 day, my 26th birthday

my love and I heading to dinner

There's a baby in there!

28 weeks, starting to get big!

We live in a castle!

Yes, I've been away. Lots has been going on, and to be completely honest...none of my clothes fit anymore so there isn't much to photograph fashion wise besides my growing bump! On my birthday in January my love and I moved out of our apartment in Chicago and began our trip to Omaha, NE. He got a new job, and my family is from the area sooooo we were off on short notice. I got the opportunity to spend my birthday in Iowa City with all my old college friends which was sooooo nice since none of them had seen me pregnant! I miss them all so much! And they threw me the cutest little baby shower with lots of cute little boy clothes and toys! That's right, we're having a boy! So since then, we lived in a hotel for 33 days which was not as fun as it sounds....and then moved into our new condo which looks like a castle! I've spent my days organizing, cleaning, unpacking, decorating and well...being pregnant. I miss working sooooo much. It will all be worth it when we see our little guy though! So I'm now 30 weeks pregnant and anxiously growing and waiting for the big day. It will be here before we know it! :)

Changes coming in 2011

2010-12-31T22:15:00.000-06:00

17 weeks 5 days

I haven't been blogging due to recent life changes, all exciting I must add. As you can see my boyfriend and I are expecting our first child! Yipppeee! We get to find out what we are having in two weeks and are really excited. Everyone has been saying I'm carrying a boy, so we shall see if they are all correct. We'll be happy either way. Its been a rough pregnancy so far, getting sick all the time, tired, headaches, and slowly growing out of my clothes. But the feeling of a little baby kicking in my belly makes it worth while! All has taken quite a toll on my time and energy to take photos. Now that I'm finally feeling a little better I hope to be able to share some pregnancy fashion on the blog. I also now work full time in the Nordstrom shoe department and couldn't be loving it more. This adds to my tiredness though, as my commute is over an hour every day, and the weather is freezing! I even caved and bought my first pair of snow boots, which have saved my little tootsies like you couldn't believe. So this is my new life, in a new city with exciting things happening! Oh, and that little fat face is our sweet english bulldog Ruby. Life is good ending 2010 and I am so excited for everything to come in 2011.

Home Sweet Home for the weekend

2010-11-02T11:55:00.000-05:00

(Above: Urban Outfitters Leopard Cape and hat, Zara Jeans, Franco Sarto Boots, Aldo Necklace. Below: Rodarte for Target Dress, Inbox Iowa City earrings, Target pattern tights, H&M Leopard Print coat)

Can you tell my obsession with leopard print lately? I can't help myself. Spent the weekend home with my love, among family and old friends. My mom and her fiance just bought a cute little historic house, built in 1859, so of course we went to see it. Then spent an evening at an old friend's wedding. It was so good to be back in the clean Iowa air, it made it hard to return to the loud city again.

All about the braids

2010-10-20T20:38:00.002-05:00

Sorry about the random disappearances lately. A lot of life changing events going on! Finally getting back to blogging and happy about it. A little braiding inspiration for the middle of the week. It doesn't seem to matter what time of year it is, I always seem to fall back on different types of braids when I'm feeling blah with my hair. I can't help it. There's something so effortlessly beautiful about a braid, be it messy, tight, up, down or across. I don't discriminate, I love them all!

Akira Fashion Show

2010-09-28T19:27:00.000-05:00

(Motel Leopard Print Dress)

(Free People Navajo Dress and Black Lace Slip, Urban Outfitters Mixed Chain Necklace, Vintage Velvet Jacket, Acne Atacoma Wedges)

Spent Sunday night at the Akira Fashion Show, which ended up being tons of fun. My roommate Kitty and I just had general admission tickets so we couldn't see the show well at all, but we had a wonderful time playing dress up at the venue. Loved seeing everyone dressed up! I was obsessing over the black fringe dress on the Akira representative, but couldn't find it in my size. And how adorable is the guy with the bow tie? I ended up getting a tight little black dress with adorned shoulders and leaving the leopard print dress behind, since I already have a sleeveless one very similar by Motel. Its already starting to get pretty chilly in Chicago, my favorite time of year is fall so I'm excited to experience it in a new city.

The back way

2010-09-22T15:05:00.001-05:00

(Freeloader Grey Deep V Back asymmetrical tank, American Apparel Micro Mesh Bra, Grey Sweater from Denmark, Akira Black Tie Skirt, Urban Outfitters Mixed Media Necklace, Jeffrey Campbell Snick Wedges)

Finally a blog post! This one is dedicated to the lovely Morgen in Iowa City, since she brought the fact that I wasn't to my attention. Miss you love bug! Here is the back way out of my 3rd story apartment. Complete with Gnomes, walking sticks, graffiti and of course brick walls and locked gates.
Life has been hectic since my move to chicago, between my new job, getting settled into my apartment, selling my car, catching the flu bug and looking for art gigs, I feel like I haven't had much time to do anything else. But things are finally starting to come together so I'll have more time for the things I like to do...
I'm so happy to be in a big city, even if the adjustment has been a bit rough. As my mom said to me, "Lauren, you're not in Kansas (ummm...Iowa) anymore." And it's true. I have definitely lost my sense of direction, familiarity, and the closeness I had in Iowa City. I'm excited for all of the opportunities that seem to be available and I intend to take full advantage of them.
xo

Don't you let me go tonight...

2010-08-14T02:25:00.000-05:00

(Secondhand chiffon floral top, Citizen of Humanity skinny jeans, Jeffrey Campbell Clogs, Vintage and Forever 21 rings, Vintage necklace, random watch, Forever 21 headband, Express bralette)

Lykke Li continues to be my favorite. Sitting alone in the efficiency I'm staying at in Iowa City after not being able to go to work earlier tonight due to rain. Wishing to already be permanently in Chicago living in the beautiful apartment that my boyfriend and I have....missing him more. Wishing I had more outfits because I'm running out of options more quickly that I'd prefer. Cant wait to show you my new roommate, she's the cutest ever :)

Candy flavored mission to the moon

2010-08-06T13:43:00.000-05:00

(top photos: Nylon Magazine, Copenhagen Fashion Week. Other images: original artwork by me)

I know pastel highlights are nothing new, but I can't help that I want still find myself thinking about and wanting them. I even made an appointment in July to get them done but ended up having to work when I scheduled it. They are subtle, yet fun. Do I still do it? I'm interviewing for jobs in Chicago, so maybe I should wait, but at the same time I want to just do it. Ahhh.....
So I've been thinking a lot about pastels, and light colors, fabrics and textures when I came across these images I made back in 2005. They are my own original drawings collaged with items I scanned in the computer. I used coffee filters, fabric, jewelry, and even went as far as putting cotton candy ice cream on my scanner. To end my thoughts on all things sweet and girly, the heading of this post is a tattoo I have down my right rib cage...I just can't help but be attracted to sweet, candy like ideas...

Window Sill

2010-08-05T15:33:00.001-05:00

(Forever 21 White V-Neck, Zara Jeans, Jeffrey Campbell Wedges, Vintage Bracelets, necklaces, and scarf)

My favorite summer hairstyle has been the side fishtail braid. It's so easy and fun, it makes a simple outfit not so simple. And people always comment on it. Since I'm living out of a bag of basic clothing, mostly work clothes, I'm having to get creative in other ways.
I'm staying in an efficiency in downtown Iowa City right now and it's so cute, I love old buildings. Snapped these quickly right before I was on my way to run errands this afternoon.

Happy Hollow

2010-08-04T19:32:00.000-05:00

(Zara Chambray Button-up, Goldesign black jeggings, Urban Outfitters beige tank, Forever 21 Sunnies, all vintage jewelry, Aldo Wedges, Top Secret Snakeskin Tube Bra)

I haven't been around but its because I have super exciting news! I moved to the windy city of Chicago! Yipppeeee! I'm so excited to start blogging from my new city. I have a beautiful apartment in Wicker Park, right by some amazing little shops and great restaurants. I'm still hanging out in Iowa until I can get my car sold though, so I've got a bag of clothes and shoes and my jewelry box to keep me sane. I've had a hard knack for some serious vintage jewelry lately, so bad that I can't close my vintage jewelry box anymore...I keep telling myself this is a good thing, but I can't wrap my head around replacing the jewelry box I have because I love it so much. I found this amazing owl necklace straight out of the 70's in a store called Vintageville in Riverside, Iowa. Cheap vintage finds are definitely one thing I will miss about Iowa. So if anyone has any friends in Chicago or know of any job opportunities or small shop recommendations please feel free to email me :)

Also please check out the link below: I was featured on the Guide to Art Schools 50 Best Fashion Design Blogs. There are a lot of really great blogs to check out on here also. This is a great site with wonderful resources!

http://www.guidetoartschools.com/tips-and-tools/fashion-design-blogs

Humidity

2010-06-23T15:03:00.001-05:00

(vintage hand sewn skirt, vintage cropped velvet top, forever 21 necklace, shoedazzle heels)

I picked up this fun skirt at the Goodwill months ago and it has just been sitting in my closet. I spotted it on the rack, saw the $2 price tag and couldn't control the urge to buy. Soon I'll find a place to wear it.

The humidity is nearly unbearable here. The minute I walked outside with my camera, the lenses fogged so bad that it created a haze over all of my photos...so why not just work with the challenges that life gives you? Being outside feels like being in a sauna, literally. And most of my shifts at work lately have been on the patio so I spend my hours there with rosy cheeks and a sticky forehead. Oh the joys of extreme weather changes in the midwest.

I've been doing more research for MFA grad programs in San Francisco and had a phone interview yesterday. It went really well, and it looks as though I could be starting classes in September and moving in October! I'm so excited I could jump up and down! No more small town Iowa. Okay, off to work in this dreaded humidity yet another night....

Go if you wanna go, but I won't follow...

2010-06-18T16:26:00.000-05:00

(Beulah Asymmetrical Sheer Top, Vintage Levi's, Forever 21 Necklace, Express Leopard Print Bra, Vintage Boots)

Leave if you wanna leave, but I won't be here when you come home...

Getting excited thinking about new beginnings and leaving this familiar path. Trying new things, putting myself out on the line, taking risks, exploring the unknown, falling through gravity....I'm so ready.

I was supposed to work on the patio today downtown, but a big bad storm came rolling through around lunch time and I got to do some much needed research and fun photo time after the storm passed. I also picked up these vintage Italian boots today at one of my favorite second hand shops, Revival...for $20...a steal! It's also fun to have really tiny feet.

I've been so pleased with the versatility of this top, I will be sure to document what I mean by that. I really just need to start carrying my giant camera with me more places. We are celebrating a few of my good friends birthdays tomorrow night, so I'll remember to get a few pictures of the beautiful lace dress I am wearing with these new boots! I've noticed that I tend to purchase similar articles of clothing...I can't help myself. What can I say? I know what I like....

Collection B

2010-06-17T23:42:00.002-05:00

(Collection B Leather Jacket, Vintage Dress, Mom's Vintage Belt, Lucky Charm Necklace, Express Thigh Highs, Aldo Shren Wedge Boots)

I can't believe I didn't remember to post these on my blog! At the end of last month, lookbook.nu sent me this one of a kind jacket to style from Collection B's upcoming fall collection. Its a beautiful jacket and I'm really excited to see the other pieces. I was told it must be a fall look, so even though I thought I might have a heat stroke due to the 100 degree humid Iowa afternoon, it was still fun to style. I also can't believe I haven't photographed this dress before, as it has been one of my favorites. I found it in the coolest little store in Iowa City called White Rabbit, and I believe it is a children's dress from the early 90's. This is why it's so fun to be petite!

On a more serious note, my life has been extremely hectic lately. I've been working two jobs trying to save money, researching a possible move to San Francisco in January for grad school, and of course constantly thinking about places I can visit in the meantime. I was in Minneapolis on Monday night and Tuesday and had so much fun! I had a great guide- he took me wandering around to all the fancy boutiques, treated me to lunch, discussed art, played darts, drank tasty beer and ended by taking a nap by Lake Calhoun. The perfect way to spend a day off with a really wonderful old friend. The whole time I had wished I had grabbed my camera, because it was such a beautiful day. There's always next time...

Time for bed, as I have another close to 12 hour work day tomorrow. Oh, the life of a starving artist... xo

My best friends wedding

2010-06-12T01:08:00.000-05:00

Last weekend my best friend Mary got married! It was a great weekend filled with festivities from Thursday through Sunday. I have more pictures of the beautiful bride that don't seem to want to upload right now, so I will add them later if they decide to behave.
So I spent time in Omaha and had so much fun dancing the night away on the night of Mary's wedding. The only mishap I had was getting the dress on, which I had altered weeks before but was unable to try on before. It took several ladies to get it zipped and I couldn't breathe most of the day! But it was worth it to watch my beautiful best friend walk down the aisle with tears in my eyes. I also did my own hair, along with some of the other bridesmaids hair and makeup....all of which are in rest of the pictures. Everyone looked so beautiful... Congrats again Mr. and Mrs. Prusa! You are a wonderful, lucky couple...hope you're having fun in Jamaica!

You are my sweetest downfall...

2010-05-23T15:42:00.002-05:00

(A&F Lace Cami circa 2003, April Dress worn as a skirt, VPL bra, A&F Leather Belt circa 2006, Vintage Sandals, Museums Smykker Chain Necklace from Denmark, Turquoise Eternity Necklace from India, Random Bracelets, F21 Two-Finger Diamond Ring, DIY Pink Flower in Hair)

I loved you first...

I have been mildly obsessed with Regina Spektor lately. Well, I can't lie... I've been pretty much listening to her non stop. I think it's safe to say that "Samson" is one of the best songs I've ever heard in my life. And I've been quite under the weather this week, so she has been making me feel better!
I was supposed to go to a bachelorette party in Kansas City yesterday, but as I said I haven't been feeling so wonderful. So I spent my Saturday sitting on the patio of a coffee shop reading a book...which was very low key, and quite nice really. I also taught myself how to fishtail (herringbone) braid, as you can see. My boyfriend is leaving town soon, so he came back and I watched him grill out and drink beer...so it turned out to be a better Saturday than I expected. Still sad to have missed all the fun in KC with my girlfriends though :(
Luckily we have been blessed with blue skies, sunny, and hot summer days the past couple of days. Can't wait for more to come...

Yeah, we just fell through the clouds

2010-05-17T22:19:00.001-05:00

rockin' out in the car...gearing up to jump out of a plane!

we're all signed up!

"I just jumped out of an airplane!"

Sunday a group of friends and I drove an hour to Vinton, Iowa to Paradise Skydiving...well, you know....to SKYDIVE!

Let me be frank, I am not a person who would say..."I want to go skydiving..." My mom even went as far as saying of her five children, I was the one she would have least expected to jump out of a plane.

And really, I didn't even think about it. I said okay...and then I couldn't think about it, because if I thought it over I wouldn't have done it.

It was the best day of my life, no joke. I have never felt more free, happy, excited and ALIVE. I want to go every weekend....please someone fund my new adrenaline rush addiction. Thanks.

I have been a little under the weather today, so I'm not feeling that I can express how amazing this experience was adequately. Moral of the story: GO SKYDIVING! It will change your life and give you a whole new outlook. Seriously, go skydiving.

Love you all.

Austin, Texas

2010-05-09T21:52:00.000-05:00

I've been MIA, but that's because lots of exciting things have been happening! I spent a week in Austin, Texas with my wonderful mother and her fiance and we had so much fun. I loved it so much, I want to move there soon! So I've been interviewing for new jobs so I can make enough money to move in the near future. I've also been painting again, which is wonderful! I'm just a little happy girl living in this little city with happy little people.

Springtime bliss

2010-04-29T17:49:00.000-05:00

Off to Austin, Texas today....so exciting! Going to visit UT, meet with some artists, check out the music and art scene and see if I have a good vibe for the city. I hear you can get a bike to ride while you're down there...that's right, they give bikes to visitors! How much fun is that?

I've just been enjoying the beautiful weather, the flowers, and quality time with my friends and my boyfriend. Can't really complain, other than I'm stressed about money and what may come in July when my lease is up and I haven't decided where to live! It's all fun and exciting though. And as long as I can continue to create art then it doesn't really matter where I go...

A little peek...

2010-04-14T11:40:00.000-05:00

...into what I spent my day doing yesterday....so much fun in the sun.

Photographer: Dan Kempf Check him out on facebook.

Don't go to the corner...

2010-04-12T15:00:00.003-05:00

Kelsey wearing the birthday hat

the birthday girl

(motel rocks dress, vintage bracelet, f21 rings, sam edelman harness boots)
A fun weekend spent celebrating a birthday at a restaurant I will not be returning to. Also spending time with friends, hanging with the minnesota cycling team, going on bike rides, grilling out, playing trivia and camping by the beautiful Iowa river. So much fun, I want a repeat every weekend.

Lace & Leopard

2010-04-07T13:11:00.002-05:00

(Vintage Lace Button up, Vintage Leopard Slip Dress, My Great-great Aunt's Vintage Diamond Gold Locket, Leggings from Denmark, Sam Edelman Boots, Vintage Purse)

Last night was date night with my boyfriend and we had so much fun! Brian and I went to a restaurant called The Motley Cow and we got to sit and eat outside, which made us both very happy. We had an excellent dinner with red wine, and ended with rich, delicious truffle and dessert drinks. The weather has been beautiful...even the rain makes me happy. My days have been spent painting and working at the restaurant and my late nights spent listening to music, sitting by the Iowa River, and going on walks....all in good company. I'm fairly content with my laid back lifestyle as of lately, but am still unsure what I will do come July. I suppose I'll know more after I travel to Austin...for now I'll just continue to enjoy life and the beautiful weather.

Sally Sail Boat

2010-03-27T14:40:00.000-05:00

(Forever 21 Stripe T, Black Skinny Pants, and rings, Jeffrey Campbell Xenon Wedges, Vintage bag, Secondhand jacket and scarf)

A casual outfit for a casual Thursday of running around and taking care of business. No, this is not my boat...but it really is finally starting to have much nicer weather so that all outdoor activities seem ideal. I can't wait to spend sunny days in the park and by the lake. Winter and I just really don't get along, it seems. I spent this afternoon rummaging around little shops in downtown Iowa city but it appears as though either I have become extremely uninspired, picky and cheap or I just wasn't in the mood to shop. Oh well I suppose. I have scheduled a trip to visit Austin, Texas in hopes that I will fall in love with the city and want to move there in July. Any good suggestions on what to see and where to go? I'll be working all night and then off to Des Moines tomorrow for a little rendezvous, yippee! I have such an itch to travel lately, and I'm realizing its been far too long since I've been over seas. I miss Scandinavia and the European culture.

Wonderland

2010-03-20T00:20:00.001-05:00

"The only way to achieve the impossible is to believe it is possible."

Went to see Alice and Wonderland tonight. Most of my friends thought it was boring, and wouldn't watch it again....but being that I loved the book, and I'm pretty sure I'm just a little kid at heart...I loved it. So here we are in our rockin' our 3D glasses on our way to wonderland. I think I like it so much because as a small child I often had dreams similar to this, having to do with animals talking, strange creatures and evil ones too. And I could still imagine that maybe a place like this exists....where there are queens, mad hatters, small rabbits and mice that talk....my favorite line of the movie is "I often dream of at least six impossible things before breakfast." Let's run away, err....fall down a hole to wonderland!
Yes, anything is possible.
One can have some imagination right?
Sweet wonderland dreams.

Possibility

2010-03-18T22:49:00.000-05:00

Lykke Li just released a new video for "Possibility" online today. So beautiful. I just love her.

HiPPiES RE UNiTE

2010-03-15T17:41:00.000-05:00

(Vintage Floral Dress, Vintage Oversized Blazer, Vintage Necklace, Target Watch, DIY leather bracelet, Doc Martens Combat Boots, Vintage Purse)

I had such a wonderful day off from work! I went to trivia aka Study Hall at the Mill last night, which was tons of fun and lots of laughs and then got to sleep in today after a small whiskey hangover. So I went and bought myself a Coca Cola (the cure for a little hangover) and went down to campus to take pictures by the Iowa river. It's hard to believe that all of this was underwater not too long ago. But the rebuilding is still happening, the grass is turning green, the skies are blue and the weather is amazing! It was in the mid 60's today....so I was comfortable in just my little dress.
This dress is one of my most favorite vintage finds. I'm just in love with florals and anything with a deep back. I know its much more of a 90's grunge look than it is hippie, but my love for graffiti is stronger than a logical title. I also often forget about my tattoos, so I decided to show you my heart on my wrist. I doodled it one day and then just decided to get it shortly. My sister has the same one. Speaking of, I'm going back to southwest Iowa to visit my family in a week and I couldn't be more excited. I miss my Momma!