And then, once time I went to Minneapolis

In October 2011 I took a leap and moved from Fairbanks, Alaska to Minneapolis, Minnesota with my boyfriend Nick and my cat Nigel.  I had been accepted to a Grad. School in the twin cities, and after 3 years in Alaska decided it was time for something new. I packed up my ford explorer (oh the amount of clothing I had to give away...and craft supplies...so much...STUFF) and started the journey down. 

This time I decided I wanted to go a different route from from how I had made my journey in March 2009 on my way up to Alaska.  This time I would change the route at Edmonton.

Final journey Fairbanks, AK--Whitehorse, YK--Laird Hot Springs--Dawson Creek--Edmonton, Alberta--(drove through the Night)--Minneapolis, MN. I'm not generally a very articulate person, so instead, I will just caption some photos for you all, how does that sound, eh?!

Nigel had his own little perch made up between the two front seats (above our heards, really) so that he could keep watch the entire ride

OBLIGATORY PICTURES AT SIGNS TO MARK OUR JOURNEY! AHH!

So, I have this little dinosaur finger puppet. I've named him Bronty. He has been with me since high school, and never leaves my car, and goes on so many amazing trips with me. This is Bronty enjoying the array of Canadian beverages on our trip...

Nick pursuing through the Watson lake Sign forest. You can hang a sign from wherever here, it's pretty neat-o

One of the nights on our trip we set up camp at the Liard Hot Springs Park. The next morning we woke up super early, packed our tent up, and then went and took a dip in the hot springs to start our day before breakfast and everything. It was glorious. (for those of you who have never encountered a hot spring, they are naturally occurring. and one of the happiest places on earth.

DOUBLE RAINBOW!? and I mean, this lake... I basically wanted to stop and set up camp every  hour or so...and then never leave....

Nigel would leave the perch every so often to make sure everything outside the car was going on all right. He is just the cutest thing ever. *gritting my teeth right now as I type this...* On the right is a picture from inside the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton, Alberta. All the pictures I took couldn't even begin to capture how awesome it was.

And as we slowly came to the last day or two of our trip, we stumbled upon the World's largest Easter Egg (In Saskatchewan I believe) and Bronty and I had a small photo session to share our love.

Shabby Lighting

Boots: LL Bean Deer Hunter boots
Leg warmers: A sweater I found at the dump and cut the sleeves off of
Tights: Freddies...thick, they are awesome
Skirt: Old Navy Dress
Collared shirt: Actually an old navy dress as well
Sweater: Dump find (wet seal though I think?)
Belt: braided and thrifted. I like 'em braided so I can get fat and skinny and fat again

So basically, I am sick of wearing coats when I am outside. I've just had it up to here (really, high, trust me). SO I have taken to just layering the shit outta everything, which adds about 2 inches in thickness to my entire body, but makes me coat free and happy.
With the weather slowly getting warmer though, I will soon be retiring my customary boots for all the cute shoes in my closet I have acquired. Which is a good deal. and I am stoked. I am also stoked at the thought of this outfit minus the sweater, and leg warmers (AHEM old sweater sleeves...) and thick tights. Oh to be in the warm days of simply layering TWO dresses, and walking out the door...

Also, as I take pictures I realize I don't know what make up is. my tiny little eyes...

The Lumineers 'Ho Hey'

These guys are slowly becoming a new favorite. Their Album comes out officially on April 3rd, and I shall have it to listen. I also just bought tickets to catch them at an April 11th show here in Minneapolis before moving!

Thrift store Spotlight: Rewind Vintage

Beyond the usual thrift stores I frequent (Goodwill, Salvation Army, Savers/Value Village), every once in a while I stumble upon a little nook or treasure of a store. Most times 'Vintage' shops, Consignment stores, and the like are either badly stocked, or more likely just too overpriced for my liking.

BUT...every once in a while....there is one that just has so many gems...and the prices aren't too ridiculous...and I find myself just wandering around overwhelmed, not knowing where to start, really just wanting to sit and soak it all the fabrics, colors, and textures.

In North East Minneapolis there is such a spot. On a smaller street, next to a pretty awesome craft/fabric store (oh man, crafty planet makes me happy) there sits Rewind Vintage. Not a very big store, every last little space, floor to ceiling is packed with items.

The Row of kitschy sweaters above this color extravaganza was TO DIE FOR

Tooled Leather as far as the eye can see...

Oh the colors! Not necessarily my style, but I will say they had a section of leather flats and loafers that rivaled this....but pictures of shades of brown jsut don't 'pop' as much, ya know!?

(not the loafers, flats I was speaking of above....just another little tucked away section of shoes...) and finally, this terrifying anti-theft system. They know how to do 'scared straight' right.

Once I traveled to Alaska.

Let me take you back to a time I like to call 2009. March 2009 to be exact.  I had only a month before accepted an AmeriCorps *VISTA position in Fairbanks, Alaska, and it was time to get on the road and begin my journey from Columbia, South Carolina. I had been living in the capital of South Carolina for over a year after graduating college in the upstate, and volunteering for my first term of AmeriCorps.  I took the second term of AmeriCorps in January 2009, and with my cat Nigel and friend Erik in tow, I started on the next portion of my life.

Erik had volunteered to travel with me up to Fairbanks, and we made a quick plan of action. Being that it was March, we knew camping was out of the question, but we did have the luxury of AmeriCorps reimbursing me for my the cost of travel and hotels. Oh, who doesn't love a FREE road-trip!  We decided that since both of us had driven across country a few times already on our own, that we would drive straight through (No sleep til Brooklyn!) or, well...rather no sleep until Great Falls, Montana. 

After Great Falls, the rest of our journey, went something like this: Calgary, Alberta--Edmonton, Alberta--Fort Nelson, BC--Whitehorse, YK--Tok, Alaska--Fairbanks, AK

I'll let the photos do a little talking instead from here on out...

Fancy Favorites #2

I didn't even realize until after I started putting together this Fancy favorites Post how much Spring/Summer was on my mind. But now that it is staring me int eh face with all these items, I don't want to have to wait any longer. ANY LONGER. Thank goodness is is supposed to be in the 50s this week in Minneapolis!

I have decided I need to have a pair of Heart shaped sunglasses for the summer. There is no changing my mind.  Unless I find some thrifting, these at Fred Flare might be the winner.

I want to wear these shoes with cut of jean shorts. 

I have been REALLY digging the whole Neon with Neutrals look. And I ALWAYS dig an extra long messenger bag. Oh Target, you know me so well sometimes.

I am actually going to miss wearing tights like I do all winter long in a lot of respects...but at least ones like these gorgeous mustard colored ones could help me transition a bit...

I don't think I even need to explain why this is the most amazing idea EVER. An Over-easy egg in an avocado half. I DIE.

So this is something I'm gonna give a try. I have a lot, (sadly.....way more than I should...) out pieces of clothing that I never wear. Ever. Why don't I wear them? They either are not my usual style,  have gotten pushed into the back of my closet, or, frankly, I bought them on a 'skinny' day, and have never felt it 'fit' me again...sigh.

So, for this first installment of 'variations on a Theme' I take one of those pieces from my closet...and using a VERY limited number of accessories, I styled, and RESTYLED, this item. The item today?: A Pastel colored (I don't wear pastels...) mazi dress (Not a lot of 'maxi' in my life) that I found at the dump in Fairbanks about a month before I moved, and after styling it for Arrogantly Shabby (found here...) I never wore it again... Until now.

I can't say any of this convinced me to keep this dress, but it is always interesting to see what looks are ACTUALLY flattering on your body, compared to what you see as flattering when you are looking in the mirror...(I threw out 3 other outfits...that...were...horrendous. I think Cher in clueless had something when she took photos of herself to get dressed in the morning.)