back to black

Happy Tuesday! I got back from Virginia on Sunday, and I'm so happy to be home despite having a wonderful time reconnecting with my friends. We played with the babies, got tattoos, and went out to a really neat British restaurant. I'm going to do a tattoo post later this week, so be on the lookout for my newest addition!

I just got these shorts in the mail yesterday, and I couldn't wait to wear them. They are so so comfortable and I will be able to wear them with lots of stuff.

You might also notice that you have seen my bag before, not from me, but from Keiko Lynn. I have been looking for a large bag to carry all of my things plus my dslr. I saw it on Coach's website but waited for it to go secondhand on eBay. In the meantime, Keiko Lynn got hers courtesy of Coach. I love this bag and I think it's cute that we have matching ones even though we don't know each other. It came a few weeks ago, but I haven't had the guts to use it yet. I finally broke it out for my trip to Virginia, and I haven't ruined it yet! Let's see how long it stays blemish-less.

top: charlotte russe

shorts: UO

tights: target 

bag: coach

wedges: jeffrey campbell via lulu's (told you I was going to buy them!)

monogram necklace: gifted

Thanks for reading!
Anna Rose

wild wild horses

Hellooooo! I'm such a bad blogger, aren't I? I don't know how all of you do it. I have been finding it increasingly hard to find time to take outfit photos. I get home at 4:30pm everyday, so after I get settled and eat some food, the light has gone away. It will be even harder when we turn back the clock for daylight savings. Boooo to losing daylight!

So, I started taking pictures for today's outfit and after about 4 photos, my battery died. By the time the battery charged, there was no light outside to continue. I did my best inside, but I don't know how good that is.

Beware: I'm wearing big hoop earrings. I get made fun of for wearing these, but I can't seem to separate from them. Are they too ghetto? 

top: anthro
skirt: target (5 dollars!)
blazer: thrift
clogs: top shop
necklace: vintage (friend's grandmother's)

And an added little treat: the cutest little kitty in the world.

In other news, I'm taking a last minute trip to Virginia this weekend. My friend, who is in the Air Force, just moved from Hawaii to Virginia. My friend from North Carolina, who is in the Army, is coming up as well. It will be a lovely reunion and I get to meet my friend's baby! Yay! I'll be posting pictures so keep checking in.

Thanks for visiting,

Anna Rose

running

I have about zero time to post, but I thought I would leave you with something before the chaos of the weekend begins (which starts in about 30 minutes for me). I didn't even have time to go outside to take pictures, or even take decent ones inside. Anywaaaays, here ya go! Notice Sister watching me from the top of the stairs. She's a good guard-kitty.

dress-UO
belt-forever21
tights-target
shoes- UO (can't see them, but they're the same ones I wore in this post)

I'm wearing MAC Russian Red on my lips, again! This is definitely my favorite shade of red right now.

Thanks for reading! Have a lovely weekend,
Anna Rose

the postal service

Happy hump day, everyone! I'm definitely happy the week is almost over. I really need the break this weekend. School is crazy as always, but things are generally good. I've been feeling very creative lately. I've come up with really lovely Halloween costumes for Matthew and I (which I can't wait to post pictures of). I've also been thinking of new photo projects, which I hopefully I can fit in before Fall is over.

Another thing I thought would be fun would be to take pictures of my house to show you. I love my little house and I think you guys would to. Is that something you would be interested in seeing?

Well, here is what I wore today! I love the shirt despite the horizontal lines, which I tend to stay away from. The shoes are one of my favorite pairs because they're so comfortable.

top, earrings: h&m

skirt: rue 21 for $1!

tights: target

shoes: rocket dog

bag: thrifted

rings: silver shop at the beach

I hope everyone's week is going well!

Thanks for reading, 

Anna Rose

hard and soft, hot and cold

Here is my first attempt at polyvore! I had way too much fun using it. I might start doing it regularly to come up with new outfit combinations of items I already own.

With these, I just created two outfits, hard and soft. I love both, but I would really love to wear elements of each. If only I had the money to buy all of these pretties. I am definitely splurging on those Jeffrey Campbell wedges, though. So beautiful.

hard by annaroses featuring a chain shoulder bag

soft by annaroses featuring crystal jewelry

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend! Mine is flying already. We lost the game today booo. But yay for tailgating and pumpkin cookies.

Also, who's thrifting this weekend!? I am!!

Thanks for visiting,
Anna Rose

i'm still an animal

Today was great. I woke up and wrote a paper, went to class, and hung out with a friend. Sounds like a blast, right? I guess it was just more eventful than the average day of school work. At least tomorrow is Friday. Homecoming parade! I'll be sure to post pictures of the events and post them later. 

The outfit I wore today was pretty simple. I loved it when I put it on this morning, but by the end of the day, my dress was super wrinkled and stretched out (which you can see plainly in the pictures). Maybe I should start taking them in the morning before school. But that means getting up earlier, so probably not.

dress: j.crew
cardi: h&m a looong time ago
tights: target
shoes: urban outfitters
belt: forever21
purse: anthro
lipstick: mac russian red


Here's a random picture of my birthday dinner. It's the only picture taken that night in which I don't look completely hammered (which, really, I wasn't). It was so much fun though, how could I not share it?

I think I will try to use polyvore this weekend. I've seen a lot of great ones lately, and I think it might be fun to put together some fall wish-list outfits. Do you guys like polyvore? Do you use it regularly to plan outfits?

Thanks for reading,

Anna Rose

no sunlight

Despite the awful weather, I managed to step outside to take some pictures. I didn't mind because it was a nice distraction from my piles of homework. I have to memorize the first part of the General Prologue of the Canterbury Tales. Worst assignment ever? I think so. I can't wait for this week to be over! Living for friday at this point. Penn State game this weekend. We'll see if I can avoid sunburn this time. My fair skin doesn't do well when the sun shines directly on it for four hours! Now I have to work on creating a cute, warm, blue and white outfit for the game.

Dress: UO

Cardi: h&m

Tights: target

Socks: topshop

Shoes: famous footwear, brand Connie

Watch ring: UO

Green ring: etsy

Necklace: forever21

So, here are some things I am craving from fall. All from ASOS. I am nervous to order anything because I don't really know my size. What is a good estimate for a US 12-14 in UK sizes? 

Velvet Maxi Skirt

Tan Leather Bomber

Black Leather Boots

Thanks for reading!

Anna Rose

anna red rose

Happy Monday, everyone! Today has been kind of blah. It's really cold and rainy, so I didn't get to take any outfit photos. I did, however, take a photo or two of my new hair color. It's really red (more so than my natural color), but I love it! I was hoping for something like Florene + the machine's hair color, but I would have needed to bleach it. No thanks, damage! Do you think it suits me? I think I have the complexion to pull it off.

I hope you like it! 

In other news, I had an interview with the director of admissions at Hallmark Institute of Photography, which I am hoping to attend in September 2011. I want to fine tune my photo skills and earn a certificate so I can be a pro! The interview went well. Now I have to submit an application. Let's hope I get in!

Thanks for reading,

Anna Rose

coffee and a cardigan

This week I've had the pleasure of getting to know Louise of Coffee and a Cardigan. Not only is she super beautiful and stylish, but she is also a full time mom and wife. Definitely an amazing lady! Read my interview with her below and visit her blog to read her feature with me! Don't forget to follow her! She's an interesting read.

Tell me a little about yourself before we begin.

My name is Louise!  I recently moved from Portland to a small town called Mount Angel.  I'm living the country life and I love it!  I live with my husband Darin, my daughter Rowena (pronounced 'Rowenna') and our cat Milton.

Why did you start a style blog?

I just ended a 5-year stint at Gap, and I was in desperate need of a fashion outlet.  I've wanted to start a blog for so long, but was intimidated by it. I finally got over the fear of rejection, and haven't regretted it.

What fashion blogs do you read?

Some Girls Wander was my first 'inspiration' blog. I also enjoy What I Wore, Lulu Letty, Already Pretty, Idee Geniale, and Delightfully Tacky.

Who are your style inspirations?
Judy Garland, Daria, Black Apple paintings, Joan Holloway, and Gene Kelly.

What music do you listen to?

Oh gosh. I love bluegrass, The Monkees, hip-hop, Ella Fitzgerald, Gregorian chant, Indigo Girls, Nickel Creek, Newton Faulkner, Barenaked Ladies, and Mozart.  Jennifer Knapp's Kansas album is probably my sentimental favorite.  When I lived in Portland, I was in a really intense polyphony/Gregorian chant choir. Leaving the choir was one of the saddest parts of moving from Portland.

What movies are your favorites?

I need to preface this by saying that when all the other kids had NSYNC plastered on their bedroom walls, Fred Astaire adorned mine.  Musicals and classics are my favorite.  Others include Gentlemen Broncos, Run Lola Run, Napoleon Dynamite, Kill Bill, Amelie, You Can't Take It With You, War of the Buttons, and Life is Beautiful. I also love anything Hitchcock. Or with Fred Astaire! 

Favorite books? 

Brideshead Revisited, Ivanhoe, The Man Who Was Thursday, Maus: A Survivor's Tale, Shakespeare, Agatha Christie, Roald Dahl, C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, the Brothers Grimm

Tell me about Rowena! She's adorable.

Thank you so much!  My daughter is two years old, has a splendid sense of humor and politeness, and has definitely made my life better.  Her favorite pastimes are reading books out loud on our bed and playing tag with our fluffy cat, Milton.  I used to be worried that once I became a mother, I would be less Louise. I was so wrong!  I am even more Louise.  Motherhood has definitely made me a better version of myself.

Favorite places to shop?

Three times a year the Antique and Collectible Show in Portland occurs; it is the best place for vintage, and so much fun to attend.  I also like Gap, Etsy, Anthropologie, Forever 21, and thrift stores.

How would you describe your personal style?

A little old lady, a little modern, always with a sense of humor. No rules.

What are your wardrobe staples?

Cardigans!  I also love my scarves and hats. I am absolutely addicted to shoes; I am a shoe collector of sorts.  I just can't have enough!  I may need intervention.

Louise, it's been a wonder to get to know a little about you! I know the blogging world will feel the same way.

Thanks for reading,

Anna Rose

birds of a feather

I know I keep singing the same tune, but school is keeping me so busy right now! I barely have the energy to get ready in the morning. It's also been raining everyday, so I haven't been able to take pretty outside pictures. I took some inside shots last night, but they didn't turn out so well because the sun wasn't shining outside to let any light in. Here's my attempt. Maybe I will eventually get better at this!

(Ignore the random cat toy in the corner)

I can't say how much I love these shoes. They are so so comfortable. And they're only about 2.5 inches tall, so they keep me from hitting the 6 foot mark. Love when I can find cute lowish heels.

shoes- famous footwear (i think?)
tights-target
dress and belt-UO
cardi-j.crew

By the way, I dyed my hair red! It's not quite what I wanted, but I'm sure I'll get used to it. I'll post pictures later!

Thank you for visiting!
Anna Hricko