Curly Slu

Last week I had the urge to curl my hair. I inherited from my mother a 1/2" curling iron that still works really well, and since I've been dying my hair (and because it's shorter) it doesn't curl as well as it used to even though I have naturally wavy hair. I really like the way it turned out and once it's hat weather I plan to style it this way more often. It had an unexpected vintage look to it (and at first the top/front had a pincurl look). I'm gonna try growing my bob out a little bit and maybe have my part more dramatic so I have some asymmetrical curl action. What do you think?

Oh and here's my obligatory picture with Seymour.

New Jewels!

The above are just some of the new non-lace jewelry added to the shop!

2011 In Review

I'm so sorry, blog, I've been bananers busy this holiday season (and I'm sure I'm not the only one). I've mostly been ignoring NYE, partly because I don't have any plans and partly because I've been catching up at work. However on the last day of the year I'm forced to reflect a little. These were my goals for 2011 from my old blog, let's see how I did.

• Travel! Travel travel travel. I started tearing up on the bus to work this morning, frustrated at how badly I need to leave Chicago for a little while. Ugh.

I definitely did this, go me! I went to Nashville in March, Philadelphia in October, and Michael and I laid the groundwork for a trip to France and Spain in June 2012!

• Sew my first garment from scratch.

So close! I did buy a sewing machine and take two sewing classes this year, and I received a pattern book for Christmas.

• Try to relax, be less insecure about myself and my relationships, and remember that I am loved.

As hard as 2011 has been for me at times emotionally, especially with a lot of my close friends moving, moving in with Michael and our relationship evolving, and making friends/losing them in a matter of weeks, I do feel a lot more calm about my relationships with others. Therapy has played a big part in this.

• Get my driver's license, or at least renew my learner's permit.

Nope!

• Spend less money on clothes and more on experiences and pampering myself (massage, anyone?)

I still buy a lot of clothes (though, ones I actually wear AND I've gotten rid of a lot of them) but I have been pampering myself more. I think it has helped my mood and it's really nice to think "I earned this treat for myself."

• Maybe get another kitty friend for Seymour!

I still want to, I was going to right after Michael and I moved. Maybe after we get back from Europe.

Looking back at these make me feel really good; I gave myself a few positive, life-improving, realistic goals and I met almost all of them!

Goals for 2012:

• The ones I did not do in 2011 (sew a garment, get a cat, try to drive).

• Try to successfully expand Branchbound with metal jewelry, wooden jewelry, knits, and hand-sewn goods.

• Blog more often; take outfit photos on my awesome roof.

• Start running again in the Spring and try to keep at it.

• Purge even more, organize and stay organized, try to live a little simpler (from the woman who bought 5 pairs of shoes this week...)

• Make it a point to go on at least one date night a month with Michael because we deserve to get out of the apartment and have a wonderful time on occasion.

Pretty boring...but what is the point of resolutions if you can't even attempt to keep them?

Wishing you all a happy end of 2011! What are your resolutions? What are you doing tonight for New Year's Eve?

Christmas Dress

I've always loved the ritual of buying a new dress for my family's Christmas Eve party (and one for my birthday party), and as my first Christmas as a blonde I'm thinking red, red, red! I just ordered this dress and its simplicity leads me to contemplate what to wear with it! I have so many options. Assuming it works out, here are some of the possibilities I've been playing with on Polyvore:

Frock Band Dress Set 1 by slubird featuring sparkle tights

frock band set 2 by slubird featuring polka dot tights

frock band set 3 by slubird featuring mid heel sandals

What would you pair with this dress?

A Leg Up

Left to right: Hue, Sock Dreams, American Apparel

It's definitely winter in Chicago and it's time to layer! It's hard below the belt; you're pretty much stuck wearing boots, thick socks, and tights. I want to keep my cute flats in rotation until there's snow, but I don't want to wear six layers of tights, so I've been turning to legwarmers. I have a pair I got in Scotland eight years ago that I love to wear, and I've been browsing the web for another pair or two to add to my closet.

All I Want For Christmas

It's so hard making Christmas lists sometimes; everything practical I already buy myself, and the things I really want are sometimes too expensive for my loved ones to buy for me. Nevertheless, here are some beauties I'd love to see under the tree this year; some are pretty affordable and most are from Etsy. I also have a lot of jewelry from Etsy in my favorites, but a list of just earrings would be kind of boring, no? :)



Clockwise from upper left: Blue Wood Petal Necklace from ElisaMaiDesign on Etsy, Kites and Constellations Cardigan from Anthropologie,
White Lace on Silver Grey Brooch by lesalikes on Etsy, Jersey Hand Printed Circle Scarf from barkdecor on Etsy, Swan Sterling Silver Earrings from CyKLu on Etsy, Born 'Molly' Flats

Branchbound's Holiday/Winter Color Swatch

I've done a few pieces in dark green, mint, and red already, but more coming and I'm really excited about the fuschia, ice blue, mustard and most of all brown. These colors will be on certain pieces (one style might come in 2-3 colors) in conjunction with my neutrals (black, copper, gold, and silver).

What colors are you excited about for winter? Do you like dark colors or lean towards pastels to lighten things up?