skating down the mountain, skyline in our rear view mirror.

Monday

imaginary enemy.

Well, I've reached the end.The end of something and the start of everything. No more papers, no more deadlines, no more chiseling away at tiny pieces of wood and ramming dried-baby's breath into cardboard for architecture models. No more, but just for now. Next semester is a far cry from today and nearly invisible when considering the amount of bass standing between myself and the new year. So in light of being burned at both ends (can't think of a better tattoo for a better man) for the past 4-odd months, I thought a simple visual aid would do the trick of telling my story. In my mind, I made it through the harsh realities of fall semester with flying colors. (Some colors flew at half mast, but when you get colors to fly at all, you have to just sit back and enjoy, right?!)  
volcom striped longsleeve, stonewashed Levi 514 jeans, H&M race jacket, various knit beanies
I often beat myself up, and sometimes more than I think, but as long as it's all good hearty beatings with no lingering effects, I usually emerge a new spirit with a head full of great memories of all those nasty whippings ;)


-shane

Friday

tints of christmas.

Around this time of year, it's funny to look down at what I'm wearing and realize I'm accidentally in Christmas colors, because olive greens, deep brick reds, and piney browns are the hues that have surrounded me since Day 1, living among my parents' decor selections. I let it cross my mind that I might want to justify my clothing color choices to people who point it out, with this little tidbit, but hey, I am in no way a grinch about the holiday season, other than perhaps during what I find to be an extremely high-stress family gift exchange game on Christmas Eve. We won't go there. 
anthropologie top, american apparel skirt, 80%20 wedges c/o modcloth, target satchel, necklace from poland - gift from mom, handmade blue bracelet (below) from three rivers arts festival, copper bracelet from colorado c/o mom!
We found it to be an extraordinarily mild day to step out from the office for a quick breath of fresh air, it was marvelous. Isn't this vintage [faux?] fur coat marvelous as well? 'Twas a serious *free* score on my mother's part, and I think we've just been in awe of it hanging in her closet for about a year until I finally gathered the gusto to wear it just this week. No matter that it was way too warm for that type of coat - I was into it!
Have you stumbled upon any awesome vintage finds lately?

-christen

Photos by Mindi Harkless. Find her here or here.

Thursday

ok, ok.

You know those days when your outfit looks flawless on the hanger, but once the clothing actually gets on your body, it just...zigs when it should zag. Welcome to my Wednesday. A few times I considered asking my coworkers to switch clothes, but then I felt bad putting them through the odd emotions provoked by the lumpiness of my layers. I managed to persevere, pushing my stripes into my under-stud pouch time after time with a smile. (I know!)
banana republic striped tee c/o mom's closet, lauren ralph lauren linen top c/o mom's closet, urban outfitters skirt, jeffrey campbell wedges c/o modcloth, modcloth bracelet (below)
All this said, I dedicate this post, as I should many others, to the lovely and all inspiring Mindi - the genius behind what came so close to not ever existing! She continues to just bulldoze me with how she can turn an office park parking lot into an urban allegory, and a 'blogger's bad day' outfit that's too-close-to-fupa-for-comfort into something much less awful than that. Applause, applause!

I think you should check out more of Mindi's work both heeeere and heeeere! 'Cause she rocks!

:) christen

Tuesday

livin' for kicks.

wire-vines invade endless skies, infinitely searching for a new pair of eyes.
flip the scene, lose the screen, taste each vibrant shade of green.
Much more than chains, running through our brains,
we dart and weave through collapsing lanes.
now bring the sun, you've had your fun. 
it's time for light. it's our day of flight.


-shane


Monday

merry monday.

After coming in from a shoot last week, Julie and I found our co-worker Mary looking insanely chic (which is nothing new)! I've been wanting to display my fashionable friends on here for quite some time, so let Mary be the first to inspire you to wear something dashing on this fine Monday. 

:) christen

Friday

hit it!

I'll be the bass, you fill in the rest...
[boon doom doom do doon doom doom do boom boon doon do doon]
j.crew toggle sweater, j.crew striped top (gift), j.crew cords, j.crew belt (mom's), lucky brand earrings (gift), bracelet from trip to colorado (mom's), j.crew socks, i.n.c. shoes c/o macy's, modcloth scarf (below)
Ok, now my guitar solo, you rock the roots...
[bleeee deedee deedee, weeoow wowowmowow ziggaziggazooowww]
Lemme get those drums, show me what you got...
[bph bph (tss tss-tss) zigaadabop! bop! bop! bop!]
Whew! Awesome job. Now smiiiiile...
And bow... (it's okay if you tie your shoe while you're down there)
Thank you, thank you, we'll see you all next week!

-christen

Photos by Julie O'Boyle of Orchid Grey.

Thursday

positive impulse.

vintage dress c/o tea & tulips online boutique, modcloth tights, payless shoes, target earrings, urban outfitters (I think?) watch, j.crew bangles (the b&w one I found!)
Many may call impulse buying a dirty habit, and while I can definitely see why one might feel this way, I completely beg to differ. If I see a garment or gadget or useless trinket that I know I want to purchase right then and there, no thought involved, an instant must...it's gotta be a pretty ding dang awesome thing, so why pass it up, right?
If it's a new thing, you can always return it later if you regret it, no problem. If it's a vintage thing, like the dress I'm wearing here, you won't want to return it anyways! Yes, this dress was a complete impulse purchase, and no, I have not stopped being obsessed with it since the moment I laid eyes on it. Sounds pretty win-win to me!
Does anyone know of any awesome thrift stores either online or in Pittsburgh, within which I can go shamelessly implement my impulse technique?!

-christen

Photos by Mandy Fierens of The Curvy Model

Wednesday

self help.

This morning, to steal the words of my friend and coworker, Beth, I felt like my aura was spilling out of my body. I know. So I made the conscious decision to embrace it and not reject it, by clothing myself in basically no color whatsoever. 
modcloth dress, macy's sweater, lucky brand necklace, h&m flower in hair, j.crew boots
Later in the day, though, I had had enough lethargy, as it was being fueled by a minor case of self-pity that I was feeling lethargic. It was a sorry cycle that needed to end, and below are my attempts at destroying this biscuit colored dullness. Starting with rock 'n' roll yoga...
Next, doing what must be done at least once each time this dress (which as become one of my favorites that I own because of its easiness to wear due to shape & length) - spins galore...
And finally, I call this one...staring at the ground. Or rather, pleasantly and contentedly gazing at the ground, which...well...
I suppose that between these three easy activities you can try at home, some sort of magic was created that fixed my aura issues right up!
...and I never looked back again. ;)

-christen

Photos by Julie O'Boyle of Orchid Grey.

Tuesday

hello.

pinterest
You can now 'like' from the woods. on Facebook! As always, thank you dearly for all your support!

Friday

you again.

Hello, chartreuse. We meet again! Thank you for being so kind as to brighten up the first flurry-ful day! 
modcloth dress, anthropologie belt, target cardi, anthropologie tights, frye boots, target earrings
This color is like earth tones' crazy/awesome aunt. You don't see it very often, and then when you finally do, you realize how insanely fun it is and go all out with it. I think this was only a two-day visit (cape Wednesday, tights today) with my Aunt Mabel hosiery, so thanks for the good times, Auntie! I love you and I hope to see you again soon!

:)
-christen

Photos by Mandy Fierens of The Curvy Model