Sartorial Sidelines

Love Was in the Air...and the Smell of Food

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:14:00 +0000

My helpmeet and I celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary in March (these photos somehow languished in a folder and went unpublished until now) and, while we went out for a romantic dinner on the actual day of in February, we also wanted to go out for a more proper celebration a little bit later when work had settled down for both of us and we had a bit more free time.

So we went out on the town for cocktails, dinner, desert, and a bottle of wine. It was like a mini eating and drinking tour of Edmonton and we had an amazing time! Anyways, this is what I wore for our gourmet celebration.

dress: ModCloth / blazer: BB Dakota / boots: ASOS / purse: Dela Chic / bracelets: Aldo / watch: Swatch

Studs n' Such

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Sat, 18 May 2013 14:26:00 +0000

Remember a while back when I said that I was mad for studs? Yeah, I wasn’t messing around.

I also broke one of my cardinal rules in this look – leggings are not pants. But I think pairing then with a loose fitting blouse and a long blazer rendered it not totally inappropriate. I’m a bit shell-shocked when it comes to leggings as pants I’m afraid. Living in London and riding the Tube through Leicester Square and having all manner of foreign asses coupled with nothing but ill-fitting leggings and heels and an equally ill-fitting top will do that to you.

leggings: ASOS / purse: Zara / blazer: Zara / boots: Steve Madden / blouse: Aritzia / necklace: Monserat de Lucca via Shopbop

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Executed Today

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:19:00 +0000

This is what I wore to a recent fundraiser for the U of A campus food bank. I wish I’d had time to be a bit dressier but I was in the office until 2 pm and then teaching and holding office hours until 5 and the event started at 5:30 so I had zero time to run home and change. Oh well, it did just fine.

For anyone interested, yesterday I put on my historian hat and guest posted over at Executed Today on the 1631 execution of the Earl of Castlehaven for rape and sodomy. It's saucy reading, if you're so inclined.

boots: ASOS / pants: ASOS / clutch: ASOS / jacket: H&M / blazer: F21 / necklace: the Bay / bracelets: Aldo

Review: The Snugg iPad Case

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Tue, 14 May 2013 12:17:00 +0000

I use my iPad constantly. Like all the time. Especially at work. I haul it around everywhere with me, Mondays to Fridays, and never walk into a work meeting without it. So, when I was approached by The Snugg to review their iPad 4 Case Cover and Flip Stand, I jumped at the chance.

I chose the Red PU Leather case but there were a ton of other colours so it was a tough choice. When the case arrived I was thrilled with it. It's durable and yet chic and the flip stand worked perfectly to prop up my iPad and made typing notes and answering emails in meetings a breeze. In fact, I think I need to invest in a few more colours (the brilliant azure blue has really caught my eye) so I can switch things up during the week and accessorize my iPad to match my sartorial choices and mood on a given day.

I honestly can't think of any criticisms to make of the product. So, if you're in the market for a iPad case (and they also make cases for a range of other Apple and Android products, like iPad Minis and iPhones) then I strongly recommend The Snugg. You can purchase their line of products through Amazon for added convenience.

Fiasco

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Sat, 11 May 2013 03:44:00 +0000

So, remember when I was telling you about my luggage disaster in New Orleans (I arrived for two job interviews and my luggage did not so I tore out of the hotel the night before my interviews and bought all new stuff only to return to the hotel to find my luggage there and spent the next day returning purchases in between interviews and catching up with all my historian pals)?

Well, I decided that, after all the aggravation of the luggage fiasco, that I would keep the dress I bought because I had earned it at that point. And it’s quickly become my go-to work frock.

dress: Banana Republic / blazer: BB Dakota / boots: Kohl’s / necklace: ModCloth / purse: Urban Outfitters / watch: Kenneth Cole / bracelets: Aldo

Cardigan-Style

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:28:00 +0000

I’m really getting into over-sized cardigans lately – they’re perfect for transitional weather between winter and spring. I picked up this one at Value Village on a recent cross-city thrifting trip, in the course of which I also scored an amazing beer stein that features the signing of the Declaration of Independence depicted on it. Yeah, it was a pretty epic day.

Also, don't worry; it's not still snowy here. But these photos are less than 2 weeks old so it was very recently still quite wintery in my neck of the woods...

sweater: thrifted, Value Village / leggings: ASOS / boots: ASOS / purse: Urban Outfitters / necklace: Monserat de Lucca via Shopbop

Reunited

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Fri, 03 May 2013 13:41:00 +0000

You know how sometimes you push items to the back of your closet and then sort of forget that they’re there for extended periods of time only to rediscover them and feel like you’re shopping your own closet? Well, that’s what happened with this leopard top that I’ve had kicking around since 2006 (seriously, this was one of my first purchases when I moved to Connecticut). I’m very happy that we’ve been reunited.

shirt: Forever 21 / pants: RW Winter and Co / boots: Steve Madden / blazer: BB Dakota / purse: Zara

Live Through This

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:21:00 +0000

My helpmeet recently gave me a Hole t-shirt as a surprise gift. Now, if only I could find my Hole barrettes from circa 1996 I’d have a real theme look going. Eh, maybe having misplaced the barrettes is a good thing.

pants: Urban Outfitters / shirt: my helpmeet / blazer: Zara / boots: ASOS

I Was Incapable of Stopping at the Boots

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:12:00 +0000

So, while I was picking up my new boots I also treated myself to a new purse. Seriously, gold studs … how could I say no?

dress: Target / blazer: Forever 21 / leggings: Winners / boots: Aldo / watch: Kenneth Cole / bracelet: ASOS / necklace: Forever 21 / purse: Zara

BTW, are we pals on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram? If not, maybe we should be....

I Have a Tangled Relationship with Costco

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:17:00 +0000

For some bizarro reason I always feel compelled to wear a fun dress when I hit up Costco for some bulk toilet paper and nut buying. It’s so goddamned depressing in there that I just want to show up in a really happy sartorial mood, even though it often results in me looking like a total whack-a-doo when I roll into that place. Although I do think my facial expression in this photo accurately captures my feelings about Costco.

dress: H&M / boots: Zara / belt: H&M / necklace: the Met

Jacket Weather

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:06:00 +0000

So Edmonton recently got hit with a last minute dump of snow and cold weather (actually another 20 cm over the weekend is now being predicted), which bummed a lot of people out. Not me though.

As you know, I adore winter, snow, and chilly weather so I was happy as a clam that spring was postponed for a few more days. The snow also, happily, coincided with the delivery of my new jacket from ASOS so I get to wear it a few times before warm weather hits and it has to be retired for the summer.

jacket: ASOS / leggings: ASOS / boots: ASOS / purse: Urban Outfitters

Booty

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:16:00 +0000

Well, I can call off my cross-Edmonton search for a pair of new boots. Zara to the rescue!

Last week I also got my peer teaching evaluation report for my World History survey course and it was a really glowing report about my lecture and teaching style. I’m so happy that it went well and my performance was well-received by the history department. To top it off, some of my students approached me after class and asked what I would be teaching in the fall so they could enroll. So I was on a bit of a teaching high for the rest of the day.

As You Can Tell, I'm Very Impressed

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:29:00 +0000

I’m minutes away from heading out for an afternoon of shopping (yeah, I really overspent at Zara that afternoon) and a delicious sushi feast at a favourite local restaurant. Oddly my face conveys none of my inner excitement. I should work on that.

dress: ASOS / boots: Steve Madden / leggings: ASOS / bracelets: Aldo

Then I came home and changed and went out for some drinks with my helpmeet. And I still look very non-thrilled. Seriously, I need to work on facial expressions.

Artistry

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 16:53:00 +0000

The lobby of my apartment building has some really fancy art. I mean, it’s not Patrick Nagel fancy, but it’ll do.

dress: H&M / cardigan: gift from my mother / boots: Aldo / tights: Winners

Absolutism Never Works

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:58:00 +0000

I wore this to teach last week – I love the little bit of edge that the faux leather cardigan adds to things. And you've got to bring a little edge to a lecture on constitutionalism and absolutism in post-Reformation Europe (absolutism never works was the ultimate lesson, thank you very much French Revolution). You’ve simply got to.

dress: Gap / shoes: Target / cardigan: Zara / ring: House of Harlow via Shopbop

Bows! And Some Random Info About Me...

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:07:00 +0000

I recently rediscovered this adorable little hair bow from ModCloth. While it’s not really fitting for wear around my office, I think I need to make a mental note to pack it in my purse when I head out for dinner or drinks straight from work. It adds the perfect touch of fun (and I really, really need that after a day at work. Like a lot).

In other news, one of my Connecticut blogger pals recently tagged me in a “Five Things About Me” post…so here’s 5 slightly random things about me:

My favourite place in the world is Scotland, hands down. I dream about being back there at least once a month. And as a historian of England you’d think I’d like spending time in England more but, nope, it’s Scotland all the way for this gal!

I love the fall and winter and absolutely hate summer and warm weather. I know, its super weird. But true.

I can read Spanish, French, Italian, and Latin. My speaking skills in each are much less proficient.

Before deciding to pursue history as a career field and getting my PhD from Yale I thought I would get a degree in education and work as a teacher.

My helpmeet and I recently celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary (and we’ve been together for 12 years). We got married because I got accepted to Yale and it was the only way we could get him a visa to come along. So, instead of a proposal, we sat down together and had a discussion about the benefits of getting hitched versus staying as common law (we’d been living together for three years at that point). Lots of people think that’s a depressing story but I love it – it pretty accurately sums up how we roll as a couple and, hey, it’s workin’ for us.

Witchy

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:13:00 +0000

It’s official, even though this dress has been in my closet for a few months now and I definitely don’t wear it as often as I’d like, this is my absolutely favourite thing in my wardrobe. It’s got all my favourite things: faux leather, a little Peter Pan collar, and, best of all, it’s black and a little on the witchy side.

dress: H&M / shoes: Aldo / watch: my helpmeet’s

Pour Me a Drink

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 01:10:00 +0000

Once again, it’s cocktail o’clock (also as martini time). Thank Jeebus. After work cocktails with a friend also gives me an opportunity to come home from work and swap out my work purse for my beloved ASOS clutch, which I never seem to get enough opportunities to use.

skirt: Express / sweater: Joe Fresh / faux fur collar: ASOS / shoes: Steve Madden / clutch: ASOS

Stud

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 12:21:00 +0000

It’s the return of my all time favourite blazer! I wore this to work and one of my co-workers said I looked like an extra from Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. I’d have to agree. And that makes this blazer even more awesome.

pants: RW Winter and Co. / shirt: Target / blazer: Zara / wedges: Spring

Glitter and Studs

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 17:21:00 +0000

I’ve decided that, even though a tenure track job at a research institution seems less and less likely for me, I want to continue teaching the odd class if my full time work schedule will allow it. I really do enjoy it. And I love it that much more when I get to wear this awesome studded collar dress. I love lecturing in this baby. Love it.

dress: ModCloth / cardigan: Target / shoes: TOMS

Review

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:22:00 +0000

The lovely folks at Eshakti sent me a frock to review recently and, from their vast selection, I chose this little number. It’s both black and features a bold bit of colour. Oh, and it has pockets. And I think we all know my feelings on the awesomeness of dresses with pockets. I chose to have to have it custom sized to my measurements (my favourite aspect of Eshakti’s service) so it fits like a glove. I couldn’t be happier – thanks Eshakti!

dress: Eshakti / shoes: Spring / tights: Target

The Glories of the Academic Job Market

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 12:54:00 +0000

So my hopes for an academic job this year (half-hearted at best because I am genuinely happy in my current non-academic job – I see it as very much a potential career that could give me a lot of fulfillment) were dashed back in January. Two tenure track job interviews in New Orleans at the most recent AHA conference and nothing.

I still have a post doc in the works (one offer on the table and waiting to hear about another) but I am resolved at this point to decline both. The reality is that my chances of getting a job in my field are only ever 20% at best and, according to all the recent reports I’ve read, most people don’t get that tenure track job until they’re into their 40s. I feel really, truly lucky to have gotten a stable, well-paying, lively non-academic job and I’m convinced that I should not jeopardize that for a post doc that will end in two years with no possibility of a job at the end.

Decisions, decisions. That’s why I blocked out my face in these photos from way back in mid-January. I’d spent the better part of the afternoon alternating between crying and laughing followed by the consuming of alcohol. Generally I just stressed myself out to an insane degree. So no face. Trust me, it was an ugly, sad face.

jeans: Urban Outfitters / top: thrifted, Value Village / boots: Aldo / blazer: Zara / necklace: the Met

Back in Black

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 13:07:00 +0000

To be fair I’m not really “back” in black because I’m in black most of the time but whatever. It should count for something though that I really did pile on the black in this look … and the studs … and the faux leather.

blazer: Zara / top: ASOS / boots: Steve Madden / purse: Marley Lilly http://www.marleylilly.com/ pants: RW Winter and Co.

Let's Tear It Up

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:56:00 +0000

Heading out for a company function/party at my helpmeet’s company – the perfect opportunity to wear my awesome vintage blazer from Edmonton’s own The Pretty Secrets.

pants: RW Winter and Co. / top: ASOS / blazer: The Pretty Secrets / purse: Marley Lilly / necklace: F21

Humanism

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Erin) — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 22:23:00 +0000

This is a recent teaching outfit – I think I was lecturing on Castiglione’s Book of the Courtier and Renaissance humanism more broadly. I will definitely be wearing this to teach again, I think it’s a pretty perfect look for standing in front of 40 students and trying to hold their attention.

skirt: found on Amazon / sweater and snood: Jacob / shoes: Spring / glasses: Clearly Contacts