Little Women

"I'd have a stable full of Arabian steeds, rooms piled with books, and I'd write out of a magic inkstand, so that my works should be as famous as Laurie's music. I want to do something splendid before I go into my castle - something heroic or wonderful - that won't be forgotten after I'm dead. I don't know what, but I'm on the watch for it, and mean to astonish you all, some day. I think I shall write books, and get rich and famous; that would suit me, so that is my favorite dream." - Jo

This month's Pickwick Ladies Book Club read was Little Women, Mel's perfectly wintery pick. I had some trouble taking pictures for this one, because as you may have noticed, we had a big storm, and got 3 feet of snow! If you compare these pictures to the last ones I took in my backyard, you'll notice the difference. The snow was over my waist and I had to stomp it down so I could stand on top of it (a little bit...I'm still almost up to my knees!) to take these pictures. The lady from next door was peeking out of her curtains at me the whole time, I imagine it was quite a sight seeing me in my maxi skirt and cape tromping around in the freezing weather. Oh the things I do for this blog!

The storms have been a little scary lately. A girl who works at my ski resort went snowboarding at Alpine Meadows and got lost in the backcountry. She got stuck in a tree well and died during the storms because they weren't able to send any search and rescue teams or helicopters to her because the weather was so bad. I am so sorry for her family and friends and hope that they experience so much support during this time. It was such a terrible thing to happen and has really worried and saddened the Tahoe community. The outpouring of support was absolutely incredible. Many people volunteered their skills to help find her, and I hope that that gives her family some comfort. Sorry to be talking about something so sad on this New Years Eve, but it has been preying on my mind lately and I think she deserves to be thought of by all of us who live in this area.

I think this is just the thing Little Women's Jo would be doing in this weather; escaping outdoors in some warm clothes to find a quiet place to write. It was nice re-reading this book again, as I haven't thought about it in forever. I loved the movie when I was younger and had such a crush on Christian Bale, who played Laurie. The book is even more wonderful than the movie and is definitely a worthwhile read.

Cape: H&M

Skirt: Vintage, Thrifted (Also here and here)

If any of you managed to take some Little Women inspired pictures please post a link in the comments and I will make sure that your pictures get up on our facebook page.

Next month's book club pick is Tess of the D'Ubervilles by Thomas Hardy. I would love to have lots of you join us in reading it!

I hope you all have a happy and safe New Years!

Christmas-y

Wow! I'm sorry for having strayed from the blog for so long, work has really been catching up to me! This is our busiest season with so many tourists coming up to go skiing. It has been really tiring (I swear I've been eating about 6 meals a day to keep up, energy-wise!) but I love seeing my students improve. It's so exciting that for some of them my class is their first memory of getting out on the mountain. I still love teaching older kids with a bit more experience because I can take them on the lifts and on more difficult terrain (we do lots of making our skis into 'pizza' and then 'french fry' and they follow me down the mountain in a big train shape doing turns) but teaching the younger kids is rewarding too, because they go from never having skied before to being able to make it down the bunny slope.

This was my Christmas outfit, which I of course only wore inside because it was snowing hardcore outside! The skirt I found in Beacon's Closet; it is from Saks Fifth Avenue and it is really lovely velvet and satin. I figured the only time I could ever wear it is at Christmas and I really wanted to pair it with some different textures so I added a lace DKNY top (also thrifted) and lace Accessorize tights. The belt is one of my favorite wardrobe items and was thrifted by my awesome mother. The shoes are Kelsi Dagger and were a TJ Maxx bargain. All in all a pretty bargainous outfit!

Remember, it is pretty much time to start posting your Little Women inspired outfits if you're joining in with The Pickwick Ladies. Check out our facebook page for pictures from our last book, Hans Christian Andersen Fairytales.

How was your Christmas? Do any of you ski or snowboard?

Lady of the Lake

Here's a little glimpse into how stunning my home is. This view of Lake Tahoe is just down the street from my house. I do think I live in one of the most beautiful places on earth!

Things have been going pretty well here and the skiing has been fantastic the past few days. I am almost done with my instructor training and I can't wait to get out on the slopes and hang out with some little rippers! I will be teaching the 4-6 year olds and I think it's going to be so much fun.

Boots, Dress and Cardigan: Thrifted

Scarf: Edinburgh Woolen Mill

Coat: Topshop

Everything else has been pretty quiet around here. It's such a different pace from New York, I'm having a hard time getting used to it! I used to live right around the corner from a bunch of coffee shops and bars, and now it is so common to drive for 45 minutes through the snow to go out and get a drink. I like spending all of my days outdoors though, so I guess it's a trade off!

What is it like were you live? In a city, or the middle of nowhere like me?

P.S. By the way...I have some pretty awesome friends! I know lots of you guys are probably looking for new blogs to read, and if you're looking for a little departure from the fashion world I have just the thing for you! My lovely friend Claire's blog One Night Stanzas is all about poetry, and Kari's blog, ideaing is worth a look for its discussion on sexism and other interesting and important topics.

Walking Down an Abandoned Road

Here are a few quick pictures that I snapped before we got a deluge of snow. Yesterday we got about a foot and over the next few days we're supposed to get between 3-5 feet. The skiing today was awesome, so much powder! I'm really excited to get a ton more skiing days in; I feel like every day I improve so much.

I really need to get myself some snow tires. I had a little bit of a scary time on the way to our employee holiday party and spun out on the road twice. Both times I was only going 20mph! The party was so much fun and I won the cookie baking contest. I baked these chocolate pecan turtle cookies if you're interested in trying out the winning recipe.

Thanks for all of your comments about dressing for snow. I'm definitely going to be trying some of your tips out, especially doubling up on my tights.

Boots, Dress, Coat: Thrifted

Fisherman Sweater: Topshop

This road is so beautiful. I think it still gets used because it was plowed on the day I passed it. I'm pretty sure it is a forest service road because it doesn't seem to lead anywhere but deep into the woods. I'm excited to take lots more walks down it, especially if they keep it plowed.

Do you have any secret places that you always like to return to?

Hoping for Heels

This is what you might call a "fantasy" outfit; i.e. I couldn't wear it out of the house. In fact, before I left I had to put on boots, tights, thick socks, a sweater and a huge puffy jacket. Not really that attractive in the end! I wish I could wear heels and tiny shorts and dresses but unfortunately the weather means that I can't. It's definitely going to test the limits of my creativity and my closet!

Heels: Steve Madden

Socks: H&M

Shorts: UO

Belt and Shirt: Thrifted

Bangles: Thrifted and Topshop

Lately it's been pretty cold in the evenings so my roommates and I have decided that we need to hire a homemaker who will stoke our fire and cook dinner for us in the evenings. By the time we get home from our ski jobs the house is very chilly because the fire has died down, and all we want to do is eat, but we have to spend ages bringing wood in and trying to rekindle the fire. I'm not really complaining though; there's nothing better than curling up beside a nice hot fire in the wintertime. Now if only I could find some warm and attractive items in my closet to wear while I'm lounging by the flames!

Any ideas on keeping warm in the chilly winter while still looking stylish?

Welcome to Tahoe!

So...you may have figured this out if you follow me on twitter, and/or from the amount of photos that I've taken in California in my last few posts, but...I moved! I am now living in Lake Tahoe and working as a ski instructor. I just got up here on Friday and so far have skied two days. I'm already loving it! The resort that I work at is right on the lake and has the most incredible views. This morning it was really misty and from higher runs I felt as if I was skiing down into the clouds which were covering the lake.

I'm hoping to continue outfit posts as usual, although quite a few of them may have to be inside or feature my snow boots. My roommates have made fun of my extensive amount of dresses already, but I am going to persevere with wearing them, even if I do get funny looks!

I just wanted to say thanks for reading! This blog has been one of the constant forms of support in my life even though everything else is changing all the time, and I have been blessed with meeting so many friends since I've started this. So...thanks for your comments, tweets, everything. You're awesome!

Boots, Dress, Belt, Poncho: Vintage/Thrifted

Tights as knee highs...still staying up! See my last post for more info.

I'm not sure how I feel about this poncho, I feel like it's a hard look to rock. Do you wear a sweater underneath? Belt it? I don't know. Are you into the poncho trend?

Mad for Plaid

Whew, what a whirlwind week! This time last week I was in Lake Tahoe, and since then I've been back to San Francisco, to New York, to San Jose, San Francisco again, and now I'm officially back in Lake Tahoe! Hoping so much for some snow, the slopes are a little slushy at the moment!

This is one of my favorite outfits that I've worn in awhile. Still having a 70's moment, as you can see! I got this plaid shirt in New York, when I sold a few of my big vintage coats for some credit to Beacon's Closet and Fox and Fawn. I was originally going to get it as a Christmas present, but I fell in love with it too quickly. These socks are actually cut off tights, a great idea that Robyn came up with and that I'm going to be using a lot more methinks!

I need to control my vintage love urges, because Christmas is coming up soon and I still have more presents to get. I am totally stumped about what to get for my Dad. Anyone have any ideas? Remember, I took the pledge (as you can see from my sidebar...if you haven't already and you still have more Christmas shopping to do you should check it out!) so it needs to be handmade or used.

Heels: Office

Tights: Target/Hue

Shorts: FCUK

Belt, Shirt: Vintage

Are you guys all finished with your Christmas shopping, or are you just as behind as I am?

Bellbottoms, Babe

Here's a little look at the only item in my closet that can be even remotely classified as having a bell bottom shape. While I love these trousers dearly, I don't really wear them that often, because, as you may have noticed, I'm a dress kinda girl. I am on a mission to find a really great pair of bellbottom jeans though! I have exhausted the thrift stores so I think I may have to start saving my pennies for a pair of J Brands, or this lovely pair of EmersonMade BlueBells that Maria posted about on her blog not too long ago. Don't they look fantastic?

Right now I am up in Lake Tahoe for some much needed snow time. I love being here, it is so beautiful. I know, I'm far away from Brooklyn, but I'll be back there soon. My life is in a state of upheaval (as usual!) and I may be doing some exciting things in the future, so I'll keep you guys posted.

Heels: Office; Trousers: Gap; Shirt: Uniqlo; Cardigan: Thrifted

Tell me about where you guys live! Any recommendations for places to visit in my wild and wonderful constant travel bug tour of life?