Hello lovely followers, visitors and friends,
I wanted to let you know that lindsayliving has moved to it’s very own domain name and can now be found at lindsayliving.com.
Please visit as soon as you can! I don’t want to lose any of you as I make this exciting transition!
Thanks so much for your continued visits to my little blog. I appreciate each of you so much! Can’t wait to see you on the other side!
xo,
Lindsay
Hey all….I’m sorry if I’ve been a little MIA this week. I’m in the process of making changes to the blog and it’s been super time consuming. I promise I’ll begin updating you more this weekend, but read on for some advanced news about some cool new stuff here at lindsay living.
Today’s topic is about all of the technology used in the making of a fashion blog (or any blog for that matter)….
1. What technology do you use in blogging? (computer, camera, video
camera, tripod, etc…) I use my MacBook Pro (a 13” little guy), my Canon Powershot SX30IS to take my pictures, usually a tripod to take my own photos unless my husband and I are kickin’ around and I can get him to take the pictures. I edit all of my photos using iPhoto because I don’t know the first thing about Photoshop although I’d love to learn.
2. What computer and online technology do you use? (blogging system,
photo storage, photo editing tools, etc..) Right now I’m blogging on tumblr, but BIG NEWS, I’m in the process of moving over to Wordpress via my own domain which you can check out now (although be prepared….it’s still under construction and comments are currently disabled) at http://lindsayliving.com. As far as online storage, I’ve got a http://www.flickr.com account which I never use and I’ve looked into using online editing, for now am satisfied with how quickly I can do what I want in iPhoto.
3. What is your process for taking pictures? I usually close the big curtain in my bedroom and put the camera on the tripod and shoot away. I don’t have a remote so I use the 10 second timer. It works great and 10 seconds is surprisingly plenty of time to get in position. It’s actually kinda fun.
4. When it comes to backdrops for your photos what do you consider? Do
you scout locations or shoot the same spot daily? I have never ventured outside with my tripod because I’m terrified of looking soooo silly. I hope I get some more confidence about that soon because I know it will really make the pictures more interesting. If Matthew is along for the ride we usually trek out into the world and find a good spot with an interesting background. I have a thing for record stores, brick walls and graffiti.
5. If you could splurge and get one new piece of equipment what would
you be buying? I love love love my camera but I am obsessed with cameras. Plus I’m all about Canon. I would love to splurge on a Canon Rebel Xsi or (the big splurge) a Canon 7D. I also would love to have one of those huge iMacs at home to work on the blog on because you can see everything so big and it makes editing easier.
Happy Friday everyone!
January 25, 2011
Where: School today, but I had a sub. I spent the day bouncing around and observing other classrooms. So fun!
What:
Scarf: Express (a few years ago)
Sweater: I.N.C. via Macy’s (Fall 200
Silk Blouse: Banana Republic (Holiday 2009)
Jeans: Banana Republic (Fall 2010)
Shoes: Urban Outfitters
Details: Today was my first day wearing pants in over a week (including weekends) and I was looking for comfort. I knew I would be all over the school today sitting criss-cross-applesauce on the carpet with kindergartners (which is fantastic, in case you’re wondering…), but still wanted to keep things fun and interesting. Still obsessed with my skinny silver belt, I was excited to try belting a scarf over a sweater and blouse. I combined these black/white/silver/grey prints in an effort to mix prints while keeping it subtle and classic.
I guess I’m going for a lot of black and grey this week….
Goal tomorrow: Infuse some color in this week!
January 24, 2011
Where: Teaching the kiddos, then a meeting after school.
What:
Cardigan: Target
Skinny silver belt: TJ Maxx
Flouncy Silk Skirt: via Nordstrom Rack
Charcoal tights: Spanx
Boots: Steve Madden Maryn
Details: Today felt like a Monday. I mean that in the most Monday-ish sense of the word. The kids came in with their eyelids at half mast, quiet yet ready to learn. I couldn’t blame them for being a bit sleepy, I had my full eight hours and still felt like my brain had a 5 second delay. I am hoping I’ll have my regular get-up-and-go feeling come tomorrow morning!
Anxious to wear these new boots (and to loosely channel my gal Nancy), I swapped my originally planned outfit choice for this skirt, cardy and my new $5 silver belt. See another way I’ve worn this bold cardigan here. The belt is one of those things I just know will go with a lot of different outfit ideas and it was a steal! The only downside to these boots is that they are a tad too big and I may swap them for a half size smaller. Other than that they are fun and interesting. The wedge heel is super comfy for a long day in the classroom and beyond.
I’m in the process of considering some major blog changes and I promise I will keep you informed as things start to change around here. In the meantime I’ll give you a dose of my super serious fashion face. There’s a reason I’m smiling in all of my photos thus far….I look silly when I try to be all serious. Tyra would kick me out in a heartbeat! Haha…
With these bangs and the lighting I kind of look like I do right now….
Except not quite so… how to put this delicately….. Amish?
Oh 1980s, I love you.
The lovely Cassie from Peachy Keen tagged me to share 7 things about my childhood so today in lieu of an outfit post I’ll do just that.
1. I’ve been obsessed with Halloween for as long as I can remember. Some of my best looks were black cat, pink fluffy cat, witch, sorceress (which is basically witch wearing a crown), French maid, and Mary Tyler Moore.
2. I am a child of the 80s and was crazy for things like puffy sleeves, slap bracelets, Laura Ashley floral prints, knot-top headbands, and oversized cartoon tees with those side scrunch deals that fit your tee to your waist. Genius.
3. I was a super sing-songy silly-pants. I sang and danced incessantly and when I was a kid I took songs I liked and changed the words around so that the songs were about my cats. To this day I still dance around my apartment and sing songs about my cats. Since I know this sounds totally insane really charming….lol….
4. This one time, at Disneyland, I left my brand-new Goofy sweatshirt under the seat on the Star Wars ride. When we went back for it my Mom saw another lady high-tailing it out of the ride with it. She tracked her down via “Disney police” and demanded it back. This is an epic story for my Mama and me and I still refer to her as “the Mom-inator”.
5. In high school I never quite knew what to do with my super-thick hair. I tried everything including dying it just about every color, testing a million different haircuts (none of which included modern conveniences like a flat iron or thinning it out) and the results were….erm…often awkward.
Above, from top to bottom, left to right: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior.
6. I spent a few years in a Catholic school uniform and the minute I broke free I went nuts. Outfits included color days (wearing the same color head to toe), self-imposed mandatory skirt days, and writing down my outfits everyday in a planner, kinda like an early Stylit.
7. My friends Stu and Brad and I had insane prank wars with each other in high school. One of the most memorable was this one on my driveway (above), which earned Stu the words “Stu Sux” written all over his car windows in Expo marker.
A little shot of some serious HS fashion…My senior prom. And yes, my lipstick does match my dress.
Now I would like to tag Lydia, Lyddie, Mariel, Amy, Leila, and Anna.
January 22, 2011
Where: Out for coffee, shopping, lunch and more shopping with my best girlfriend… AKA a great Saturday.
What:
Dress: Lush via B.P. at Nordstrom
Scarf: Express
Tights: DKNY
Shoes: Sofft
Earrings: gift from my MIL a few years ago
Details: Today is the last day of No Pants Week and I tried my best to “go out with a bang,” as Hayley put it. She had a special event to attend with a fancy dress, but my Saturday had a lazy start. I slept in, lazed about in my PJs for as long as I could until getting ready to meet my best friend.
I wasn’t planning on debuting these toothpaste colored tights at school because I didn’t know how they’d go over in the workplace, but I tested them out for today’s shopping trip. I’m glad that the scarf is another bright, but is not the same shade. It’s subtly off and that’s how I like it. The Mary Janes are really set off by how bright the tights are and I think that was my favorite thing about today, except my feet got a little tired after walking around all day. I tried a new way of tying my scarf today to showcase the fun fringe. I’ll definitely be trying this again with some others.
In other news, my cats are freakin’ adorable today. See…
January 21, 2011
Where: A super long day at school, but TGIF! Sushi dinner out with husband, then out for ice cream and down the street to Everyday Music. Life is good!
What:
Cardigan: Target
Scarf: Gap
Dress: Max Studio, Nordstrom Rack
Grey tights: Spanx
Shoes: Deena & Ozzy, Urban Outfitters
Handbag: Vintage Coach via UO
Details: So this is the second to last day of the I’m Not Wearing Any Pants Challenge and I have to say this week has just flown by! I have just one more day left. I’m not sure what it’ll be just yet, but I’m fairly certain I still have some skirts and dresses hiding in my closet (wink, wink)…
I’ve been trying to figure out an interesting outfit for this adorable cardigan. I loved the print so much and was certain I’d find a million ways to wear it (when I was standing in the aisle at Target convincing my husband that I HAD to have it.) No worries, though. I love Target because everything’s a deal. Score! I had a feeling it would be fun with this purple dress for a pop of color and I couldn’t resist throwing on this scarf for a little unexpected mix of patterns. I love the overall look. On last night’s tights run I picked up a grey pair to put with my grey and black oxfords and I like them so much better with the grey instead of the black.
No Pants Week Flashback…. To see any outfit post, just click on the picture.
What’s next? Hmmmm….
This week I became the newest member of the Fashion/Beauty Friend Friday group, a pack of fashion and beauty bloggers that share ideas and tips and collectively answer five questions on their blogs each Friday. This is my first FBFF post, and Katy Rose, the amazing girl behind Modly Chic who created the FBFF group, gave us a list of questions about fashion blogger authenticity.
1. Most readers and fellow fashion bloggers value authenticity in the blogs they read. How would you describe blog/blogger authenticity? When I think about what attracts me to a blog, it’s not just the graphics or the gorgeous pictures. What really keeps me coming back is the personal side. I think of authenticity as a blogger’s willingness to give a little of themselves, to let us readers get to know them a bit. And when I say get to know, I mean both the good and the bad. The fashion wins and admitted misses. I like it when a blogger can be transparent. Being honest lets us in and makes us feel like we’re visiting a friend; a real person, not just a glossy magazine photograph.
2. When it comes to your blog how to you infuse it with that true/
authentic feeling? I try to do what I said above. I try to share fun and funny things that happen in my life and I am not afraid to admit when I think a pair of tights wasn’t as adorable as I had originally anticipated. I value personal style over trends and try to be myself, regardless of what’s popular. I try to be forthcoming with my thoughts and struggles in evolving my style so that people can see that even though I’m confident, it’s not always easy.
3. Have you stopped following a blog in the last three months? What made you lose interest? I haven’t stopped following any blogs, but I can say that there are some I visit everyday without fail and others I have to remind myself to check. I definitely go back for consistently interesting personal style that inspires me to try new things, and most of that centers around bloggers who go their own way. I can see how J.Crew puts outfits together by ordering their catalog. The world of fashion blogging is so thrilling to watch because in this age of technology, anyone can share their thoughts and ideas in a second and it’s out there for the whole world to see. It’s excited to be plugged in to the personal style diaries of people all over the world.
4. We can’t communicate effectively on our blogs, something we don’t live in real life… What are some ways you try to live an authentic life? I do me. I don’t try to be anyone else. Those jobs are already taken, so to speak, and I know how to be me like no one else. I guess it’s as simple and as complicated as all that. I am a silly, crazy cat person who dances around her apartment and sings full blast to old Doris Day albums. I don’t really care if that makes me cool or not. If it makes me happy, that’s all that I need. I’m honest and do my very best to tell it like it is while always being considerate of others needs and feelings. I’m not always successful, but I can say I always put in my best effort.
5. Give a shout-out… Which bloggers do you think are truly genuine
and why? There are a lot of fantastic girls out there that I follow regularly, but I have to say that Sara from sk{ru}sh is someone I just know is exactly herself on her blog. She’s not afraid to be silly or different than other people. She isn’t afraid to laugh at her mistakes or try something new. It’s an exceptional quality, and her willingness to share her real, authentic self with her readers makes her blog one of my favorites.
Well, that’s it for this Fashion/Beauty Friend Friday… See you next Friday with more questions and answers!
Please tell me what you think I can do to be more authentic on my blog by leaving a comment!
January 20, 2011
Where: A long day at school, plus a few hours of planning after school, then a marathon race to Nordstrom, the grocery store and then off to Wine Club with my girlfriends. I’m so glad tomorrow is Friday!
What:
Dress: Gap
Cardigan: Banana Republic
Belt: H&M
Tights: Spanx
Booties: Sofft
Details: Today was a long day, but a good one. The kids and I got a lot done in class and their essays are simply marvelous. Today I came up with a great project to make out of the essays and can’t wait to put it into action. Fridays always go quickly because the schedule is busy and shorter than usual. I can’t wait for my lazy weekend to arrive!
Today I knew I wanted to wear this fun dress in a different way. I started with my trusty jean jacket and oxfords, but felt like it was a repeat of Sunday with a different dress. I switched to the booties which made me think of a pair of patterned tights I hadn’t worn in ages. Alas, I got a massive run at the end of the school day. Drat.
With Wine Club on the horizon I knew I wanted to jet over to Nordy’s for a replacement. Nothing even remotely close was in stock so I went with this pair on a whim (plus a couple other fun things). Ultimately they were just okay, but turned to depressing when they also ran a little hole. Sometimes that’s just how it goes. The best laid plans don’t always turn out as adorable or as durable as you’d like. Luckily Nordstrom has a very liberal return policy.
January 19, 2011
Where: Teaching at school today, plus we had a huge MLK Assembly. After school we had a big meeting with the district big-wigs. Suffice it to say, a long day at school.
What:
Chunky emerald open cardigan: Urban Outfitters
Beaded, ruffled dress: Urban Outfitters
Skinny black woven belt: H&M
Brown tights: Spanx
Brown boots: J.Crew
Pearl studs: purchased from a street vendor in Taipei.
Nail polish: OPI, My Private Jet
Details: I’ve been waiting to wear this outfit and loved it SO much that I am kind of wishing I had saved it for tomorrow. Tomorrow night is my wine club with my best girlfriends and it would have been fun to wear a little longer for something fun like that. I’ll have to come up with something equally special for tomorrow, I suppose. Aw shucks.
I was having a yucky shopping day with Matthew at UO over the weekend until I found this little number on the clearance rack. Matthew worked an inventory there last week and we had use of a one time only 40% discount so of course I wanted to find something fantastic. I was about to give up when husband urged me to keep searching. I saw these ruffles peaking out of a packed rack, pulled it out and I was in love. I immediately had an epiphany about this chunky sweater that I had seen earlier and my favorite boots and an outfit was born. Sometimes it’s as complicated and as simple as all that.
January 19, 2011
Where: Take one guess…
What:
Dress: Target
Short-sleeved turquoise cardigan: Banana Republic
Necklace: LOFT
Gold/Signature badge holder: Coach
Black tights: Spanx
Stretchy black belt: Banana Republic
Shoes: Kaju (gift)
Details: Forging ahead with this whole No Pants Challenge and having a grand time at that. As fellow fashion blogger Lyddie of Chic on the Cheap recently told me, “I used to wear dresses when I wanted to feel pretty. Now I want to feel pretty everyday.” I couldn’t agree more, my friend. I couldn’t agree more.
Today I went for a classic office look in this cheap find from Target over the weekend. This dress has a classic plaid print, but from afar reads as a solid. Although I went for simple gold jewelry and black tights I opted for two competing pops of color. Sorting my closet again and again has taught me that if I’m going to keep a pair of shoes I need to at least wear them a few times each season. Plus, these shoes are so stinkin’ cute it’s fun to put them with anything. This simple cardigan is one of my favorites, and I also have it in black.
I got a little silly today with the camera. Why am I showing this for all of the internet to see, you ask? Full disclosure, of course. You really should know who you’re dealing with. Hope you’re having a silly day, too. It’s definitely more fun that way ;)
For this week’s Music Monday, I wanted to explore the plethora of wonderfully classic and equally inexpensive vintage vinyl. My favorite local record store, Everyday Music, has a royal ton of the stuff and it’s fun to flip through the dusty piles to unearth a little magic.
The first thing I found was this Roberta Flack album. It made me want to lay on the floor with my supersized headphones and sing uncontrollably to Killing Me Softly. Alas it was over $1, my self-imposed per item price point for today’s excursion so it went back. Maybe next time.
Definitely had to pick up some Billy Joel. When it comes to records, I am always subconsciously drawn to the albums my parents played on our turntable when I was a little girl. An Innocent Man (just 50 cents!) is one of my best memories as a kid, and I also picked up a copy of The Stranger ($1), which has one of the best album covers ever….
Another great find, which I’ve been wanting for awhile, is Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s Welcome to the Pleasuredome. This album is epic. It reminds me of this skinny little guy I worked with at Banana Republic in Downtown Seattle years ago who had spent several years in France and went by Frenchie. He loved Frankie and that made me like him. He also introduced me to MC Solaar.
Matthew didn’t find much for himself, admitting that I like old music more than he does, but he did get a spankin’ new copy of Lady Gaga’s The Fame. He just couldn’t help himself! Like a sport he sifted through all of the used vinyl with me, sneezing along the way and ended up finding several things that caught my fancy proving just how well he actually knows me. One was a copy of The Pajama Game (50 cents), a Doris Day musical I performed on my high school stage.
The whole time we were looking around I wanted some Barbra Streisand. Once Matthew handed me A Star is Born (50 cents), I kept saying, “All I want to find is a copy of Funny Girl. We have to find Funny Girl.” Lo and behold, husband came through for me again.
All in all I came home with these ten lovely finds…
Billy Joel The Stranger ($1), An Innocent Man (50 cents)
The Police Synchronicity ($1)
Fleetwood Mac Fleetwood Mac ($1)
Doris Day Greatest Hits (50 cents), Pajama Game (50 cents)
Barbra Streisand Funny Girl (50 cents), A Star is Born (50 cents)
Frankie Goes to Hollywood Welcome to the Pleasuredome (50 cents)
Pat Benetar Crimes of Passion (50 cents)
Can’t wait to get listening! You know what I’ll be doing until my next post…
January 17, 2011
Where: Out to Crossroads Trading Co. to sell some of my old dresses and and handbags, then off to Everyday Music to find some used vinyl.
What:
Black dress: Banana Republic (last summer)
1960s-inspired swing coat: Banana Republic (From my favorite line ever when I worked there, Spring 2004.)
Black skinny woven belt: H&M
Brown tights: Spanx
Brown leather boots: J.Crew
Black cross-body handbag: Vintage Coach
Details: I’m surprised it’s taken me this long to wear this coat for a blog post, but it’s about time! This is arguably my favorite single item in my closet. If I had to pick one thing that explains my personal style, it’s this. While it isn’t an authentic vintage jacket, it is very well made and wears like a vintage item. It’s been with me longer than the husband and I have been married and it’s been something I’ve pulled out and worn in every phase, time and place in my adult life.
This little stretchy cotton swing dress is something I can do a lot with. I can wear it with everything from a swimsuit and flip flops to a wide belt, heels and a jeweled cardigan. It can go anywhere. The beauty of an LBD, even a cheap, cotton one. I’ve been wanting to play with black and brown and finally went for it here. I really love the results and am anxious to try it again in another way.
I tried on several dresses for the husband today and together we vetoed some oldies. I sold them and a handbag at Crossroads for $38. Not much, but it helps pay me back for what I bought at Target yesterday. Hooray!
It seems the job of sorting my many items is never complete. That’s just fine by me, though considering it’s a major part of my closet karma. I can only make room for new lovely (cheap) finds to come in if I let some fly away to new homes where they may be more loved, used and appreciated. Up today: the bag of shoes hiding in the back of my closet.
Although I often show off the many stages of my closet and my ongoing organizational process, I don’t always show the ugly truth; what is covertly hiding behind the skirts. My rule of thumb is if you’ve lived without it for six months and you didn’t wear it this season last year, you can probably live without it forever.
Although these Joan & David slingbacks aren’t practical for everyday, they are gorgeous for a job interview or special event. Final Ruling: Keeper.
This matching set of Jessica Simpson wedges have been well worn and well loved, but if given the option of these or one of the many other pairs of shoes in my closet, I keep selecting another option. Possible Ruling: I’m considering keeping the brown (since I don’t have a lot of brown) and ditching the black (in favor of some other, cuter black options).
For a few years this pair of Kaju pumps was my favorite, most worn pair of shoes. Unfortunately the suede upper has stretched out a lot due to over-wear. I’ve had the heels replaced two or three times, but these shoes have stretched beyond wearability. Final Ruling: Sadly, I’ll have to let them go.
I purchased these Sandy Ho flats in Taiwan last January for fast relief from my heels at the time. They are cute and a little more interesting than plain black flats, plus they are a bit sentimental from my trip. Final Ruling: Keeper.
This pair of Banana Republic peep toe slingback flats have seen a LOT of wear. There was a time I was wearing them to nearly every summer shift while I was still a busy Merchandise Presentation Supervisor there. They were stylish enough to go with a cute dress, but still allowed me to, “walk with a purpose,” as I used to be fond of saying. Final Ruling: They are too beat up, stretched, and worn out to be comfortable and they remind me of long hours at BR. Time to say goodbye.
Is anyone else out there perpetually looking for black flats? Sheesh!! I have realized that this has become a problem for me. It’s funny, considering how often I wear heels instead of flats, but some days you just need your go-to cute and comfy flats. In a previous post I talked about my favorite pair of jewel-toed black flats and the search for a replacement. This search has been going on for quite some time. These are a couple of the results of that search, though brought home in joy, never quite fulfilled my needs.
The first pair is by Butter, and is a great shoe except for the lining that popped out and wrinkles up underneath my toes. If I decide to keep these they will have to be repaired. The below pair is Liz Claiborne via DSW, a shoe my Mama has in bronze. I never wear these. Final Ruling: I can’t decide! I would love to hear your opinion on both of these!
Finally……
Cutest Camper wedge Mary Janes with bowtie detail on the toes! I’ve been looking for these! Final Ruling: Definitely a keeper!
Although clearly I don’t have much more room in my tiny closet…
