Random Link Pack

Stay High

I don’t blog like I used to. I shifted to what so many others do — I micro-blog on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. If you want more content from me you might want to follow me on those channels. However, the stay-at-home orders have allowed me a little more time so I’m going to TRYYAH to blog a little more. Let’s start with a random link pack.

I’m watching Mrs. America. I N C R E D I B L E cast including Tracey Ullman as Betty Friedan and Uzo Adub as Shirley Chisholm. I even like the opening scene.

My friend loaned me Lindy West’s new book — The Witches Are Coming. Lindy is technically a Millennial and I’m a Gen-Xer so I don’t actually get some of her popular culture references but what I do get is that Lindy is smart and brave and she is challenging us all to be better people.

One of the things I miss most about pre-Covid life is thrift shopping. I’ve taken to The Real Real for virtual window shopping. I love that Mister Mort did a Maine Man edit.

I was infatuated with sweat suits as fashion before Covid-19 and I have a Pinterest board to prove it.

Surf Point is achingly beautiful. I’ve never seen it in person but it is on my short list. It’s located just up the road from me in York, Maine. The story behind it is interesting too.

I stumbled upon With Wendy on Youtube. I especially like her THRIFT FLIP video series where she upcycles thrift store finds into fashion. Like the one where she turns a sleeping bag into a puffer jacket and the one when she turns a blanket into a Cecilie Bahnsen inspired quilted wrap coat. #NotEasy

I asked about buying weights on my Facebook page. My friend recommended just filling gallon milk jugs with water which equals eight pounds. Works for me! Here is a milk jug workout if you are interested.

This absolutely gorgeous 6,000 SF brick firehouse in Rochester, NH was listed for $149,000! Sorry, It’s under contract.

This make-up got me searching for vintage Colorforms on Etsy. Wouldn’t it be fabulous to create a make-up collage masterpiece on your face for a next-level at-home selfie photoshoot! I die!

GIVE to 3S Artspace because ART!

Green is the New Pop Color

Over the years I’ve discovered that I’m always attracted to a particular color combination in design. It’s when I see a mix of neutrals (like gray and beige) with a pop color — like orange or yellow.  If you start looking for it you’ll see it everywhere.

Here are some examples.
See — Black, White, Gray, and Orange.

Black, White, and Gray with Acid Yellow // and Black, White, Gray, and Orange.

 

These sources for these photos can be found through my Pinterest Boards.

I loved the No. 6 Store poster (below left) so much that I used it as the inspiration for the 2016 Clothing Swap Poster. Same ingredients.

 

The thing that I noticed is that green was never a part of this equation — until recently.

I clearly remember when this book came out. That green! So good. I became obsessed.

I started noticing green in decorating.

FreundvonFreunden // Jen Langston Interiors

BTW – I could live in that apartment above on the left exactly as it is. Just the right amount of maximalism. See here. The silk curtains below are available on Etsy. Just in case you need crazy long emerald green dupioni silk curtains.

I started noticing green in footwear, old and new.  Is it just me? This green feels so fresh.

Vintage Green Shoes //  Alumnae

Somewhere along the way, I read a blog post on Double3xposure about how she was inspired by another blogger (Always Judging) to work a green vintage bag into her outfit. I like that it’s an unexpected accent color.

Always Judging // Double3xposure

Honest to goodness, I wasn’t really looking to buy a green bag but I think I liked so many green things on Etsy that this appeared in my “Our Picks for Jennifer” feed. I think it will blend nicely with my otherwise neutral fall wardrobe.

 1960s Miss America handbag by Smartaire from Etsy

 

I feel like every post I write now needs to come with a disclaimer. I realize that the world is full of bad news. I’ve been so depressed about it that my sister told me I should take a break or at least reduce my intake of news. I know we all have a responsibility to stay involved but I think she is right. I need to find joy in life too, and for the moment I am delighting in the color green.

xo jam

P.S. You might like this blog post I wrote years ago about how you can figure out how to decorate your house based on your wardrobe. 

Back to College Shopping

I got to play fashion stylist for the weekend and I loved it! Savers reached out to me to write a blog post using items purchased at Savers. The concept I pitched was of a young woman returning to college for her senior year. My friend, Maya, agreed to be my model. Savers gave us a wardrobe budget of $150.

We planned the outfits in advance.

• jeans and a t-shirt for attending classes
• an outfit for her work-study job at the library
• everyday pieces for late night study sessions
• a chic ensemble for art openings or an evening out
• a pant suit for presentations and interviews

I found these vintage Lee jeans in the men’s section. I cropped them and washed them to accentuate the fringe. The slides were actually slingbacks but I cut off the straps and turned them into mules. Remember to check the men’s section for plain white t-shirts. These thick cotton boy-cut t-shirts are a nice alternative to the tissue tees that have been popular for too long. The red bag is actually new but the shot needed a pop of color so I included it. It’s a Jelly Retro Basket from Lisa Says Gah. I’m obsessed with it.

Cinch the waist of your jeans with a thick black belt for that 90s look.

The perfect pair of vintage jeans is not easy to find.  Be patient. The inventory at Savers turns over quickly. If you don’t find a pair on the first visit, go back again in a month. Trust me.

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For a more studious look, pair a silk secretary blouse with a classic wool skirt. We added a vintage watch for a bit of analog bling and a quality trench coat for chilly Fall days. Personally, I am keeping my eyes peeled for a classic belted trench coat so I can pull off this look by Reese Blutstein. Follow Reese on Instagram for great style inspiration.

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Turtlenecks and high-waisted pleated pants are a comfortable choice for late night study sessions. Layering is key for transitional seasons and drafty old buildings. 

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This thin turtleneck sweater dress can be dressed up with simple accessories making it a smart choice for an art opening or an evening out. Funny story — we couldn’t find a handbag that spoke to us so we opted for this basket from the home goods section instead. It’s a fun alternative to a traditional bag.  The cowhide slides help make the outfit feel unique and memorable. Judging by Maya’s reaction, I think these slides were her favorite find of the day.

Sculpture:  Arcangle, 1984, granite and Carrara marble by Gary Haven Smith  located at the University of New Hampshire Dimond Library

We opted for minimalist jewelry. The jewelry selection at Savers is insane. You can achieve just about any jewelry trend with the options they have. I know that sounds very sales-y but it’s true.

 

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We scored a quality Ann Taylor pin stripe suit that fit Maya like a glove. For this shoot, we paired it with a vintage camisole but for an actual interview or presentation I would recommend a classic button down or silk shell top. Death by Elocution has great inspiration for updated classics like that. 

Again we opted for slides over pumps. Block heels are easier to walk in and they offer a nice juxtaposition to a traditional suit.

How’d we do? Let us know in the comments.

BEHIND THE SCENES: Maya lives 3 hours away from me. It was a challenge to find the time to shop and shoot together. She arrived on Saturday night at 7 pm. Savers closes at 10 pm. We rushed over and treated the experience like a reality tv show. We split up and loaded up our carts with options. She tried everything on and quickly determined the best pieces. We dove back into the racks to find more pieces. When we went to cash out we discovered that everything we had still only added up to $130. We had to go back in and spend another $20!

The next morning we planned the outfits. There were a few pieces that on second inspection didn’t work well for our shoot. I blame it on us having to rush. I decided to swap out the items that didn’t work with items from my personal wardrobe that I actually did buy at Savers, just not on this trip. We swapped out ankle boots for the slides. We swapped out a big blazer for my vintage Lee jeans, and we swapped out elastic waist pants for the wool skirt.

That was fun! I want to do it all again. I hope the takeaway is that you can get quality pieces secondhand. It’s better on your wallet and on the environment. Next time you feel like your wardrobe needs a refresh —  think secondhand first! xo jam