Making the most of a blustery day

When the wind is freezing and the weather unpredictable, I remind myself why I'm lucky to live in New England. While I'm tempted to bundle up and stay indoors with a snuggly afghan and cup of tea, it's more fun to witness a storm tearing up the Atlantic coast.

These pictures were taken on a particularly wintry day last week. Don't let my spring attire fool you: it was cold enough to wear a parka, and yet there were surfers defying the icy blast and riding the waves. In my thin floral skirt and ballet flats, I decided to be a little daring, too, but the best I could do was pick up my camera and watch.

I think this look was inspired by my Irish heritage. I can picture a fairskinned ancestor of mine sitting seaside in a chunky Aran sweater and floral-patterned dress, letting her wavy hair swirl in the misty breeze, perhaps dreaming of what lay beyond the Gaelic coast.

She probably skipped the sunglasses, though. And maybe she would've lasted outdoors a little longer than me. After just a few chilly moments, I scurried back home. Good thing my outfit photographed even better indoors:

Top: Derek Hearts (purchased somewhere in New Jersey)

Skirt: Thrifted
Tights: Target
Flats: Old Navy
Sweater (previous photo): Candie's (Kohl's)

And the best part about living in New England? When the weather turns warmer, I can return to the very same spot on the beach, hopefully to enjoy a less chilling breeze. During those moments where I wish I could be somewhere else, I think of how the sea will always be there; and, luckily for me, it's practically my backyard.

Happy little bluebirds fly...

Feeling blue? March certainly came roaring in like a lion, and I'm longing for warmer days to soothe my frazzled spirit. Lately I've been in a blue mood, but it turns out that's not necessarily a bad thing. April's Glamour reported that people tend to feel happier when they see the color blue... so much for it being a sad hue! So the other day I put on a bright new cardigan (bought on sale!) and let my little blue bird of happiness chirp to its heart's content.

Cardigan: Gap
Tank: Urban Outfitter's
Necklace: Gift
Jeans: Old Navy
Boots: Payless

Swing coat: H&M
Scarf: Borrowed from Mumsie!
Purse: Victoria's Secret

Bluebird of Happiness: Gift

The City: a hairstory.

I confess-- I'm more than a little obsessed with hair. And I'm not even embarrassed to admit that I'm also obsessed with The City. It's no wonder, then, that I'm captivated by the various hairstyles the cast sports each week. I tune in to see how Whitney will top off her goldilocks (crocheted flower headband or Renaissance fair-esque headdress? Dilemma!), ogle Olivia's perfectly curled and highlighted coif, and wonder whether Erin is going to top off her amazing bangs with a bizarre feather headband or just leave 'em be. Really, the suspense is just exhausting.But I do relate to the girls on this show, twentysomethings who are trying to "make it" in the fashion world (though most of them were born wealthy or do modeling to pay the bills...). I may not have grown up in L.A. or NY's Upper East Side, nor do I work for a famous fashion designer, but I still feel a special connection. But why?!? When I was watching Monday night's episode, I finally figured it out. I was shocked and awed to realize that, at one point or another, I have donned every hairstyle of each female "character" on The City. That's right-- every single one. Don't think that's remarkable? Read on...

Like Whitney, I once had long, dark blonde hair that I wore in wavy layers...

I also shared her penchant for scruffy Australian dudes:

I've sported blunt bangs, à la Erin...

Fitting that we also share the same name! Erins are inherenlty fabulous. Of course.

But eventually I grew the bangs out. Then I dyed my hair a slightly darker light brown ("caramel mocha," my Aveda stylist dubbed it), which shimmered with golden highlights...

... just like the coveted coif of Olivia Palermo:

This, however, turned out to be a mistake-- I asked for "chocolate brown," not mocha. So I marched back to Aveda for some serious hair repair. I ended up with delicously chocolate-hued tresses......much like those of The City's Allie:

Amazing! Right? Or am I just too easily amused? To see some truly inspiring hairstyles, check out The City. And now if you'll excuse me, I think I need to go hack my hair off...

Think pink.

Oh, Natalie. I don't know whether I love you or hate you. On the one hand, I think you're a gorgeous, talented and super-smart actress, and this is certainly reflected in your sartorial choices. On the other... you make me feel seriously unaccomplished. And under-dressed.

But can you blame me for watching the Academy Awards and blogging in my pajamas? At least they're pink! And, truthfully, I love your gown selection. In a sea of black, white and beige, this orchid-hued Rodarte will easily shoot you to the top of every Best Dressed list. I have a feeling we'll soon be seeing plenty of pink copycats.

And speaking of pink...

Natalie, a vegan and animal-loving green gal, would love Pink Body, Victoria's Secret new range of beauty products. Each item, from body lotion to tinted lip balm, is all-natural, organic and vegan. That's right. I can't believe Vicky's gone vegan! I hope this is just one step toward greening the popular lingerie and cosmetics empire.

And I'm sure Nat approves!



*Photos: ABC.com, victoriassecret.com

Fashion Weak?

Marc Jacobs Fall 2009

Hello, friends. It's been a little while. I've been on an unplanned hiatus in New York. I wish I could say I was there dutifully covering fashion week for Green Cotton. Alas, I was taking care of sick/injured grandparents. :( They're mending now, and I'm back home, sipping decaf espresso and perusing the Fall 2009 collections.

Sad to say, I'm not as amazed as I was last Fashion Week. Maybe it's the whole "recession-chic" thing. It's making me feel so... blah. Marc Jacobs was all, "It's like the eighties all over again, and the eighties were the best! Remember when all the poor, creative types could actually afford to live in the city? Those times are upon us again! Yayness!"

Marc Jacobs Fall 1985. Whoops, 2009. Welcome back, the eighties. We've missed you. And your shoulder pads.

I mean, sure, the eighties were fun and all (for those of us who were too busy playing My Little Pony and singing "Me and my friends are Jem girls!" to notice said recession), but still. There are plenty of us poor, creative types who cannot afford to live in the city. And I'm tired of all this must-scale-down-Fashion-Week-opulence-and-observe-These-Economic-Times. Stop that! It's depressing. Not that I could ever afford to buy non-recessionista items on my student/freelance writer budget anyway, but I want to dream! Because one day I will lounge in DVF wrap dresses by day, flounce in Oscar de la Renta by night, and dance in sky-high Abaeté heels - and not just the ones from Payless, either!

Glamour and glitter, fashion and fame!

But some dreams do come true. I never thought I'd see the day when Barbie ...

And a Spice Girl...

Victoria Beckham Fall 2009

... would both have New York Fashion Week shows. That's it, darlings. Dream big!

*All photos from nymag.com.

Snow day

This is the snowiest winter I've seen in a while, and I love it. I know the ice and the cold can be a bit of a bother, especially when it comes to driving, but getting snowed-in forces you to slow down a little and savor the beauty. I can't stop gazing at the snow-laden trees...

This is actually the 1,000th photo I've taken with my camera, which I've had for a little over a year. I love it! I've been tracking the steady snow accumulation all winter-- December was a record month for Massachusetts. My yard has become quite the winter wonderland! It makes the barn so picturesque.

Even the church next door looks like a fairytale castle.

Silly me, I braved the cold for a style shot yesterday. But actually, it was kind of warm out! It was sunny all day, so that helped trap some heat. It was the perfect day to go skiing, snowshoeing, or just frolicking! Here I am pretending to be in an Urban Outfitters catalogue!

Shirt, cardigan -- Urban Outfitters
Hat, gloves -- H&M
Jeans -- Delia's
Boots -- American Eagle via Payless

All photos © Erin Dale, 2009