in a manner of speaking

It is crunch time in studio. My final presentation is in eleven days. So it's not a wonder I haven't been dressing up very nice. But my boyfriend comes home today and will be here for a week--and I got around to doing laundry last night, so I can wear some things I found thrifting the other week... finally.



The dress is empire waist. I think it's a maternity dress. but that's okay. I fell in love with the print. Little orange/peach flowers on robin egg blue. Perfect, since I also bought peachy pink ballerina flats for spring. But I feel odd wearing those with dark tights, so I didn't today.



This bow matches the little flowers.



and my tights actually have little tiny polka dots on them.



I've been basically throwing this coat on over everything lately, because it matches everything and lets a tiny bit of skirt peek out. It has half sleeves, but I usually wear cardigans, so my arms never get too cold.


dress: thrifted
cardigan: Tracy M. via Marshalls
flats: Old Navy
tights: Gap
headband: XXI
coat: 3 Monkey's Boutique in Portland

Bulletin Board

Next term is all about reconnecting with myself--trying different things and trying to figure out what exactly it is I want. I have always generally organized my thoughts through journals and sketchbooks, but I've been wanting to create a bulletin board of a sort--because they are not static. I would be able to focus purely on process (which is what it should be focused on) rather than having a pretty picture in my sketchbook as an end product. I want a posting of inspirations that is more moveable and free.

It might be as simple as upholstering a piece of cork board:


(via threadbanger)

or adding a frame:


(via Elle Decor

or adding some other sort of visual interest:


(via Chic & Jo)

or maybe it's not even a bulletin board at all:


(via Apartment Therapy)

or... any combination of the above :)

rompers & playscapes

Today is a romper day. Partially because I am yearning for spring, partially as inspiration for my architecture project (sort of). I'm working on a playscape and outdoor classroom for children along the Willamette River. I figure if I'm dressed a bit like a child, it might help me think more like one--even though I already sort of do :)

This romper makes me happy. I bought it at the Forever 21 outlet ages ago (for seven dollars, if I remember correctly). It was my first romper, actually. The pretty folded, origami-like bodice was what made me take the plunge into the world of playsuits.





And of course, for studio, I must wear comfy shoes. I feel as if I will have fun wearing this today. As of late, I've gotten tired of wearing pants and pants and pants--just miles of pants. Partially because I get lazy when I'm constantly in and out of studio, partially because of weather. This blog is helping me get motivated with my clothes again. Hello Henrietta!





Cardigan: Express via thrifting
Romper: Forever 21 Outlet
Belt: Fossil via thrifting (it's a nice leather one and cost me two dollars!
Tights: ?? via Marshalls
Oxfords: Aldo

Things I Want

These colors make me smile.

1. Vintage re-issue flap, from Fossil, $148.00. It's simple and a happy color. It'd be the perfect size as an everyday bag for me--not to mention, springtime/summer appropriate :)


2. Purple Heart street helmet from Nutcase Helmets, $50.00. It's almost spring! (sort of) and I want a cuter helmet. Especially since my bicycle is so beautifully purple and adorable.


3. Bexley Cyndy wallet from the Kate Spade sample sale, $87.00. Bright and happy with the perfect number of little sections and card spaces. I really, really love Kate Spade because her stuff is so simple, lively and well made.


4. Trotters brown woven loafers, $??.??. I keep stumbling upon these things while thrifting. But alas, like Goldilocks, they're always one size too big or one size too small. They'd match anything and seem comfortable.


5. Canvas Mary Jane Flats from Forever 21, $16.80. They are mary janes. They have a bow. I can use the excuse that I do not have navy shoes. And I keep being reminded of how much I like them, since my roommate owns them...

Oh, and in lieu of spring, here is my beautiful bicycle, Henrietta. Because I want to beckon spring in and because you can see her back tire in my last post :)



(it is a bit difficult to tell, but she is light purple.)

casual, studio day

My first outfit post.

It is Valentines day! Therefore, I suppose I must wear pink. My lovely boyfriend, however is currently in California for school, so today is just a normal day--errands & architecture studio. I want to be cute but comfortable too. It's the most annoying thing in the world to be sitting up high on a studio stool in an uncomfortable (though cute) outfit.

I found these pretty shoes this past weekend and Valentines day seemed a good day to debut them to the world :) I love the slight wedge and the little laces in front. They are in pristine condition! By the looks of the soles, they've hardly been worn!



Outfit followed the shoes. Easy enough. Simple, classic, comfortable



Cardigan: XXI, Jeans: Banana Republic outlet, Shoes: thrifted, Belt: thrifted, Scarf: thrifted, Hair Ribbon: thrifted

PS: it is silly that you can see the back tire of my bicycle. And my 70's kitchen chairs that live on the balcony too.

Shinzi Katoh

I will start out by saying that I have a deep obsession with clean, simple, cute illustrations. Because of this, I am in love with Shinzi Katoh's childish, whimsical style. I actually received one of his stationary sets for Christmas. Not to mention, the 'japanglish'--which is a little bit silly and a little bit the reason why japanese stationary makes me giggle.



But illustrations + silly english + a wade array of (well made) products = want want want.

It's not even anything I need. Or anyone else, for that matter.

1. plush toy


2. ceramic bowl


3. tote bag


4. pencil/cosmetic pouch


5. bento box


6. postcard


7. teapot/teacup set

who am I & what am I doing?

I feel as if in the process of trying to slip into the role of "architecture student" I've somehow lost myself a bit. I've fallen in love with the idea of being an architect and the idea of spending hours and hours doing meticulous work in the studio. But that's not really me; it's an idea. In a way, I feel as if Architecture has become a set of blinders to everything else that I might possibly be interested in.

Now I don't know what I want to be when I grow up. That's a little scary--but a little exciting too. Because there are so many possibilities. I want to use this blog as a way to organize my thoughts and experiences. I want to explore different mediums and make things without overanalyzing. I want to be constantly motivated to be creative and to make things with my hands--because if Architecture school has taught me anything, it's that I adore the act and process of physically making things. The nature of handmade things allows for imperfections and gives layers of character and meaning that mass production simply cannot.

Relating the topic to Architecture: a hand drawing, no matter how technical leaves room for subtle differences in line weights and emphasis in drafting. The quality of the line, and the purpose of the drafter, no matter how subtle, can never be captured by any CAD program.