Walk this Way

Skirt: free people, sweater: thrifted, purse: urban outfitters, boots: thrifted

I thrifted these dream boots this past weekend. Fleece lined and lace up, they make the most fantastic clicking noise where ever I go. I'm usually not one to play with proportions. I like crop tops and high-waisted pants, that's my go to. Recently though, I've tried bringing the hemline of my clothing down a bit. Maybe it's the weather getting a bit chillier, but I just want to feel cozy and bundled. This one of one my favorite sweaters, paired with this dreamy free people skirt.

These photos were taken on Sunday, bouncing around the city with my girl. We went to the Audubon to Warhol show at the Philadelphia Art Museum where we got to see the tiniest of owls in person! Next we impulsively bought matching hats and walked home, stopping at bars along the way to warm up with some drinks. Spending Sundays exploring the city is one of my favorite things to do. I dyed my hair lighter recently and it looks super red here. It's sort of an intermediary color while I'm figuring out what to do with it. I was thinking going blonder and trying to make it all one color. What do you guys think? Any tips?

Be sure to follow me on instagram for more adventures: @foxtrailsblog

East of Eden

Top: free peoples, pants: urban outfitters, sunnies: free people, shoes: target, necklace: romwe

These photos were taken by Chloe before a much needed caffeine fix at Silk City, a diner down the street from us. Though it's modern food (mac and cheese stuffed corn muffin with bacon and sausage gravy, yes please), it's still got that old school diner look. I love these free people sunnies. They make me feel like an alien. One time I put them on when I was going hiking with my dad and he said "you're going to wear those? On your face? Outside? It's really not even that sunny out..." Subtle, dad. I don't care though, they appeal to my aesthetic to look like a spooky teenage witch.

Over Thanksgiving Weekend my boyfriend's mother gave me this sweater. It is so cozy and soft. It makes me want to cozy up in front of a fire anytime I put it on. When I really like an article of clothing, I tend to wear it again and again. Same with music. If I like a song, I'll listen to it on repeat until I get sick of it. Currently on repeat? East of Eden by Stella Day. Check it out below!

Rabbit, Rabbit

Skirt: trifted, shirt: romwe, necklace: romwe

Does anyone else say "Rabbit, Rabbit" first thing on the first of the month? I started doing it in college when some friends introduced me too it. It's a fun little tradition that I try to do every month. Sometimes I forget, sometimes I remember and scream it at my confused cat. Either way, I like the idea that each month is a new beginning, a chance to start over. Maybe the last month was terrible, maybe it was wonderful. Either way, the slate is clean to start anew. My November was not a great month for me; it was very stressful and hectic and I didn't handle it well. I'm hoping that December will be a chance for me to get more organized, do things ahead of time (lookin at you, Christmas gifts) and enjoy myself more. 

Musings: The Fraud Police

A couple months ago I read Amanda Palmer's The Art of Asking (which, if you haven't read you should get on that). In it she talks about this idea that is not new to anyone, but she defines in a way that all of us can understand -- the Fraud Police, a looming entity ready to catch us when we're trying to be adults. “The Fraud Police are the imaginary, terrifying force of 'real' grown-ups who you believe - at some subconscious level - are going to come knocking on your door in the middle of the night, saying: We've been watching you, and we have evidence that you have NO IDEA WHAT YOU'RE DOING. You stand accused of the crime of completely winging it, you are guilty of making shit up as you go along, you do not actually deserve your job, we are taking everything away and we are TELLING EVERYBODY.” 

I waitressed summers in college. As you can probably imagine, I was a very unprofessional and silly waitress. One time I accidentally pit my entire pinky in someone's beer when I went to put it on the table (they didn't notice so I ran away before anyone called me out). Another time there was a couple clearly on a date. I was putting candles on all the tables and when I got to theirs I presented it with a "ta-daaaaa" before running away (clearly this was my move). I would constantly ask "who let me do this? who gave me this job?" But I still ask that now. 

I often feel this way. When I'm sitting at my job, filing taxes, paying bills, etc. I still haven't grown out of the feeling that someone is going to tell me "we need to call your parents, because you are obviously NOT allowed to file your own taxes." (Fun story: I actually filed my taxes into the wrong back account and for two terrifying weeks I thought I lost my tax refund forever. Turns out I put my dad's bank account number instead of mine and had to call him to give me my refund...thanks dad). Part of me thinks this is probably an indication that I have some maturing to do, but another part of me realizes it may never end. Will I get this feeling when I'm married? Have kids? Have a house with a mortgage to pay? Will I constantly be wondering when the Fraud Police are going to show up my door saying "ma'am, we see that you claim to be a homeowner, but I totally just saw you eat off a fork and put it back in the drawer. We're going to have to seize your house now and you're coming with us." All of that being said, I relish in the idea that I don't take myself too seriously, therefore cannot be considered a true "adult."  

Note: I decided to include a photo of me definitely not being an adult. A couple months ago a few friends and I rented a house boat through airbnb. It came with two one-person kayaks. Naturally, I convinced the four of us to pile into the two kayaks, with a couple cans of lime-a-ritas, in our clothes and paddle around Tom's River. There was not easy place to get into the kayaks so we went to jetty and lowered ourselves several feet down into the precarious vessels. They quickly filled up with water because of the weight, but we decided to go for it anyway. ANDDDD we almost capsized. I'm surprised the Fraud Police we're waiting for us on the shore when we got back to land. Or the real police, because you know...open containers.

Throwback

I found this unpublished post in the draft section of my blog. I thought I would share it because it shows how far I've come in two years. When I wrote this post I was dyeing my hair all sorts of crazy colors, running around Brooklyn and getting ready for my last year of college. It shows my nervousness about where I would be after college. Well I never thought I would be living in Philadelphia, working at an architecture firm and planning my future. I no longer have that bike or that hair. In a way I am so far removed from that person, but I also share a lot of the same hesitancy and hope for the future. I'm in the process of making some pretty big changes in my life (more on that later) and I feel like I still have all the same questions that I had the summer before senior year. 

1 & 2. Playing around on my balcony in Brooklyn with Katherine and Nanu

3. Changing up my hair color

4. Lunch in Brooklyn with Katherine at s'Nice

5. My new bike

Summer is coming to an end, but I'm not going to accept that willingly. I still have another week before I start my final year at school. Though I'm trying to not shit a brick about life after college, I'm excited for all the things this year will have in store! I'm looking forward to ending summer right - that means picnics, bike rides (check out my new bike), belly-showing crop tops, late-nights, and hopefully at least one more trip to the beach. Speaking of crop tops, how cool is this one from American Apparel? Katherine got it for free while she was working there because it was actually printed upside down. We both agree we like it better this way. She ended up giving it to me because she knew I would wear it more and I have been!

While I am sad that summer is coming to an end, I keep repeating the mantra "change is good," (like in the case of my purple hair). There are a lot of things I'll be giving up, but in exchange for new and exciting things!

Poconos Part 2

Here are the pictures from the second annual Poconos weekend. It was all about the shenanigans — drinking, laughing, singing and being silly. Swapping clothes here and there, dressing up like goons. Giant group meals and tons of snacks. We all piled into the back of a pick up truck and spent Saturday afternoon hiking near Lake Wallpaupack (aka the location of the Booze cruise on the office). We set up a picnic with fruit, cheese, wine and bread on the water's edge and skipped stones. I stripped down, but didn't go in — the water was ICE COLD. That probably shouldn't be surprising, you know...given that it's November. It's always the best feeling when you can get a large group of people together and have the weekend go off without a hitch. Can't wait for next year!

Gloomy

Pants: Wildfox. shirt: h&m, moccassins: Minnetonka

I'm home sick on this gloomy dat. Got on my Saturday pants (a term I read recently that I love so much) and started binge-watching Master of None in between naps. Lots of tea, lots of ramen. Honestly, being sick is a good thing sometimes. I find that I push myself a little too hard and being sick gives me an excuse to press the pause button. Stay tuned for my photos from my weekend trip to the Poconos! It's definitely the reason I'm sick, that's ok though...worth it!