Focus: Softly

I've had a bit of an introspective week this week. After chatting with my writing class teacher about what my goals for writing are, I got to thinking about my goals for the next year or so. I am enjoying being a ski instructor so much; the happy kiddos, amazing coworkers, and of course being on a beautiful mountain every day make my job so fulfilling. BUT, the mountain will close for the year in April, and then what am I going to be doing? I have a couple of ideas percolating at the moment, but it is hard to settle on anything right now because there is so much stuff that I want to do before I settle down somewhere and get a "real" job. It's also difficult because I have no idea what I want that job to be!

This velvet skirt is a thrift find that I didn't wear for ages because it was too tight. Luckily skiing for 6 hours every day has worked off my muffin top sufficiently for me to wear it! Though god only knows what will happen when I stop skiing so much and I'm still eating two dinners like I am at the moment! I never realized how much energy you need to be teaching kids all day.

The hat is a lucky find from Beacon's Closet, and it's so beautiful. It's difficult to wear for everyday (my roommate had a laughing fit when he saw it!) but I am looking forward to wearing it this summer. Maybe to some weddings?

Boots, Skirt, Hat, Coat: Thrifted

Top: FCUK

I hope you're all having a happy week. Are any of you having as many problems deciding your

future as I am?

Echoes of Sunlight

I love the way the sunlight flits through the trees at the end of the day. The trees here are incredible and seeing their tall shadows every day always comforts me and reminds me of what clean air I must be breathing!

I just started a writing class this week, and I am so glad to be writing again. In college I was really into poetry (you can see my now defunct deviantart page here) and I have been missing having that creative part of my brain alive and kicking and noticing all of the awesome imagery happening around me. I have been writing every morning for the past few days and it has been wonderful.

It has been a little hard to keep the blog going strong lately because we still have no internet. I'm trying though! I really apologize to those of you who have been waiting for a response to an email or a reply to a comment. They are coming as soon as I have a little time in a coffee shop to internet it up.

I got this beautiful coat from the salvation army for just $5 dollars, which is a sweet deal! I get so many compliments on it every time I wear it out. You have seen my dress (one of my much loved FCUK purchases) here and here, and of course the vintage boots about a thousand other times. I really need to get my thrift on and find me some more pairs of boots. I am on the hunt for some black equestrian style ones.

Are any of you scouring the thrift stores for a certain something?

Icicles

How ridiculously large are these icicles hanging from my roof? We have some on the other side of the house that are 10 feet tall. They almost touch the ground! I have been really loving the weather lately because no more snow has been falling. Finally the roads are plowed and we can walk around outside without falling on the ice! It's not very good for the skiing though, so hopefully we get another snowfall sometime soon.

Everything has been really busy here with lots of parties and happy hours and whatnot. I love living in an area that is small enough that I can see people I know everywhere I go. It is really fun having a community of close friends to hang out with.

This is the first time you've seen my shoes that I wear almost daily: the Sorels. They are so comfortable, but I have to say, they are not the most attractive footwear in the world! I often wear dresses with them and get funny looks, but it's all good! This dress is the only item of clothing I own from Primark, which is the British equivalent of Forever 21. I have a love hate relationship with the dress because with its babydoll shape it is so short. I always end up loving it in the winter when I wear heavy tights and hating it in the summer when it is inappropriately short!

Boots: Sorel

Tights/Knee Highs: Target

Dress: Primark

Scarf: Edinburgh Woolen Mill

Do you have any clothes in your closet that you have a love/hate relationship with?

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?