THEORY: Paper Source is Urban Outfitters for Adults. Discuss.

Have you been to Paper Source lately? I went to get some Christmas gifts there and it has some very eerie similarities to the one store I feel guilty shopping in these days: Urban Outfitters. I am way too old for the place, but they have some really cute stuff.

Here is the evidence that I found at Paper Source:

  

Presidential Pez Dispensers?? Pezidents?!!?! I could totally see buying these when I was 22 from the UO gadgets department. Compelling. 

A POCKET MICROSCOPE?! I mean, I want one. I feel like this would sit right beside Urban's collection of traveling Crosley record players. Very compelling.

The final evidence: A manatee tea infuser? A Manatea?!?! If this doesn't say "Urban Outfitters for Adults who now drink tea instead of Jager," I don't know what does. Case closed. Paper Source: You're so out, you're in.

THE Christmas Gift List, people.

I have been the ultimate Christmas-list-maker since I was a wee child, so I'm bringing that skill back to help everyone who wants to give the perfect gift. Here we go.

Chevron trouser socks? Don't mind if I do. Perfect for Stuffing Stockings with stockings for $12.50 at J Crew.

 J Crew is spot on right now, and these fairisle sweaters are amazing. $98, all sorts of colors. Do it.

Shinola watches have the perfect look. Made in Detroit and over-sized just right. I am digging this one even though it's Men's, but these are pricey at $875.

Are you like me and still haven't found the perfect blanket coat for this winter? This Pendleton coat is on sale at Nordstrom right now for $618 and is super cute. It is the epitome of blanket coat. 

Dana Rebecca Designs has some awesome stuff. I wore one of her necklaces in my wedding. All super simple in all different metals accented just so with pave diamonds. These earrings are $355.

 

The Uggs Adirondak II boots for $220 are comepletely worth it. I wore them in Iowa and they are waterproof and great for blizzards.

Being appropriately overdressed in the winter is so in right now. This is a blanket scarf from Urban Outfitters, which I truly believe has somehow morphed into what Forever 21 used to be. $58.

You cannot go wrong with fur-lined anything. This sweater is $168 from Anthropologie.

And finally, my ultimate holiday pick. You know I'm a purse fanatic. I've never found Liberty print all that appealing, until I saw this. The Iphis collection is my obsession, and I will definitely own one of these at some point before they switch back to the typical flower print. This blue is my favorite but they are all amazing. Gives that Goyard feel without the cost, although this still runs £395.

What it's all a boot.

For the past 2 years I've been trying to replace my tall brown boots from college, but it is HARD. Finding the perfect, most comfortable, stylish brown boot is near impossible. I would really like a pair of Frye boots, but they just don't speak to me. The only ones that are doable for me are the short Patti Riding boots, but how do you wear those? I tried them on and they look ridiculous with skinny jeans. I think you would have to either cuff your jeans or wear socks over your jeans.

After I realized Fryes weren't going to happen, I went searching for the perfect boot. They are so expensive you really have to be married to the things because you'll have them for years. That is when I found Antelope. It's an Israeli company and I have never seen people wear them (which is a win for me) and they are said to be insanely comfortable. I am obsessed with a pair from 2010:

Are those not divine? Is it a clog? Is it a boot? Is there a leather sock attached??? I am obsessed. They are called the Antelope Alma 805 and you can't get them anymore. Of course. The only thing I could find that was close were these:

It's so-so. It's just not the same as the one from 5 years ago. Of course. The clog boot: So out, it's in.

Camel Update

I have an obsession with patterns. My favorites in fashion are Navajo/Fairisle and cube patterns a la Pierre Hardy. However, if you can't fit a pattern into your wardrobe, nothing is better right now than a nice camel colored something. Boots. Pants. Shirt. Any of the above. The current answer is this sweater:

My only complaint with this Mr. Rogers-for-women cardigan is the price. Since when is Madewell so expensive? They do have lovely clothes, but let's be real. They're a half-step above Gap. Calm down. Still a great winter item, though.

Anthropologie vs. Forever 21

My friend Becky worked at Anthropologie while she was getting her Masters in Anthropology. Serious. Becky has impeccable style and gave me some of the best advice I've ever heard: "Do not buy anything at Anthropologie that you could also buy at Forever 21." Genius.

On that note, here are some current obsessions from the store:

You already know my preference for blanket-coats, and I am loving this one by Tracy Reese. I would have already bought it if it wasn't slightly pricey and green looks really bad on me. Also Forever 21 is overflowing with coats this year and they're all around $30.

 This t-shirt by cloth and stone did not pass the Forever 21 test. I think I could find a similar perfectly-fitting shirt at either Forevs or Nord Rack, and this one is a steep $88. However, if you pass an Anthropologie, go in and feel the shirt. It's heaven.

I'll get to my obsession with plaid a different day, but this Tracy Reese tunic shirt is the perfect pattern. Unfortunately, it also doesn't pass the Forever 21 test because they have a ton of cute cheap plaid and flannel shirts in there right now. Darn it.

Speaking of plaid, Anthro has a ton of these flannel purses by Kelsi Dagger in different patterns and shapes. These would fit right into the Denver look.

Two years ago, I impulse purchased a tote with a cross-stitched deer on the front of it from the sale bin in Anthro. I ended up using it about a month until I realized it was too heavy for everyday use, and it sits sadly in my closet next to the animal artwork my husband won't let me put on the walls. I might have issues with buying things with animal faces on them.

Nice work, Anthro.

Totes maCoats.

I need a new long coat. I was previously wearing a wool trench from senior year of high school. While it looked cool, the inner lining was light pink and looked like it had been drenched in coffee, which is totally possible. I had to throw it out when I did my last spring cleaning, and the weather has shown that Winter is Coming.

What I think would be really cool is what is known as a "blanket coat," but the hubs has vetoed this idea and thinks they're hideous. Here is an example:

Isn't it divine? It's Topshop and also made out of crazy mohair and is a great shade of blue, and it's sold out EVERYWHERE right now. The dream is to copy my black Burberry trench with a tan wool trench, but Burberry's wool coats this season are pretty Eh and also way above my budget.

This is the best I could find and the high neck and short-ish length are not ideal. Someone give me a heads up when Burberry gets their shit together. I'm kicking myself for not keeping my wool coat for one more season.

Assymetry

When my now husband was in college, he was dating a girl (not me) who all of us met one Christmas. The thing was, when we met her, although she was perfectly nice, she was wearing a shirt that only had one shoulder. It's all any of us remember about her. 

Which leads me to my next point: Are asymmetrical shirts and dresses back? WERE THEY EVER A THING?! My group of friends certainly hated the trend, but now I'm seeing them places and wondering what in the sam hell is going on. Take this dress, for example, which is the most adorable pattern and I simply must have it in a different cut:

This girl looks ridiculous, no? It's a vfish dress on Hautelook (probably found at Nordstrom Rack). I mean, take a look at the SAME DRESS in a different cut:

Do you see the difference? Let's not let the one-shoulder look back into the mainstream, people. It's so out, it's out, and never should have been in in the first place.

Beads

In middle school, I became the expert at making beaded jewelry. My specialty was flower chains which I then adorned family and friends with, and they wore them even though they were sort of hideous. A few years ago I found out about Kalo Soma, who makes amazing Mexican-style beaded jewelry. I can make the square part (basically a brick stitch) the same as she does, but do not understand how she weaves the design into a metal chain. It's super intricate and her designs are amazing.

I have become mildly obsessed with Navajo beading in the past few years, and try to wear a little of it everyday. Today for example:

 

A lot of the Navajo designs I can make myself, which saves a lot of $$. However the Navajo barrettes and cuff bracelets, as seen below, seem to be woven into leather, and I would love a lesson on how to do that. Stay tuned, I might try to open a Navajo beading shop where I can use my talent, even though I am not technically Native American.  

The Start of (Ear) Jacket Season

Some weird, and all too familiar, trends are starting in the world of earrings. When I was in college I owned a pair of rainbow colored ear threads with hearts at the base. If you don't know what an ear thread is, it looks like so:

 

That one is from rackkandruin.com and it is actually really cool. I used to wear one rainbow heart thread in one ear and then a black stud I got on the Loop in the other ear, and I'm still not really sure how I had friends.

So now what I have been seeing are ear jackets, which I didn't even know were around anymore. The new ones are so delicate and cool, and I absolutely need a pair. The only ones I can find now that aren't complete junk are from either Vita Fede or Jaquie Aiche, and they're both extremely expensive. I am not sure how I'm going to live without this one from Jaquie Aiche:

 

It's amazing. And also this one from Vita Fede that can be bought on ShopBop:

 

It's like her earlobe is being supported by a delicate row of diamonds. I'm waiting to see if any more designers come out with these before I buy a pair. Either that or they suddenly realize it's not 2001 anymore. 

Tretorns are back.

Stop. I can't even handle this.

To all those women who spent the 80's wearing knee-length shorts and being prepared to play tennis at a moment's notice, Tretorn shoes are back in style. They've even made them in a flannel fabric that is available for the fall. Here's the question: If I buy a pair of white Tretorn shoes and start wearing them, at what point will I be qualified to become a middle-aged nanny who only wears men's polo shirts?

Again, I think I need them, but they're around $100 and that seems like a lot for shoes I can only wear to be trendy when I volunteer in nursing homes.

The Doctor

In Iowa growing up, you knew it was the beginning of a new school year when your parents took you to the local department store to get a new pair of Dr. Martens. There were boots, shoes, and the ever-coveted Mary Janes, all with thick rubber soles that emanated the fact that you were hiding Green Day's new album under your bed. They are so well made that I kept a couple pairs just in case they ever came back in fashion. Well, I am in luck:

 

Introducing Dr. Martens, which are being decorated in all sorts of gorgeous Pendleton wool, and are literally back in style. It boggles the mind. Mom: Can you FedEx me the Mary Janes and Flower boots that I wore when I was 13? I need them. 

I will digress on Pendleton at a later date.

Tevas

When I was about 12 years old, Teva sandals were all the rage. They came in all sorts of crazy colors, you could wear them at the beach in the water, they were awesome. They velcroed on and were incredibly trendy.

This leads me to my next point. Living in Denver, you see some pretty earthy fashion on both girls and guys. Recently I've been noticing guys wearing what I initially thought were Teva sandals reincarnated. They are actually called Chaco sandals and we are seeing them on guys all over the city. Just yesterday it was noticed my friend Granger was wearing a pair, so I snuck a photo:

I asked Granger if they were Tevas, which was not appreciated. I'm going to see if I can dig out my old pair from the closet back home to try to keep up.

Pedometers

Does everyone remember when they were kids and they would eat cereal as much as their parents would let them, and there would inevitably be a gift inside the cereal box? That gift was 7 out of 10 times a pedometer. You clipped it on your shoes and then walked around and had it count your steps. Kids loved them, adults used them to lose weight, and some of us clipped them on our toy poodles.

Regardless, this weekend my trendy friends in Los Angeles were all wearing one of these:

This is the Garmin version of the "FitBit." Nike makes one as well. As does FitBit. You wear it and it tracks your steps, sleep, activity, heart rate, and how many times you checked to see if you could actually find the Fappening nudie pics. (Joking). Anyways, THESE ARE SO OUT THEY'RE IN. Are you kidding me America? You're wearing glorified pedometers. I kind of want one.

Starting this blog out with a classic Shaq moment

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