I'm Back..With Some Very Exciting News!

I disappeared!

Thank goodness I found myself again.

Phew.

Can I still apologize? Or is it too late for that...Will you take me back?

I broke my foot running, and then I decided that wasn't enough and tore a ligament in my right knee.

I did this running too soon after my boot came off. (Didn't she post about patience one time?)

Yes, yes she did, and I am learning my lesson in patience the hard way, but I am learning, I try to make that the point.

I also got an internship! 
I am still working/styling at Mosaic, but I am also a collections intern at a museum here, and I. LOVE. IT. I sneeze a lot, but mostly I am happy to be surrounded by tangible history on a daily basis.

So, things have been cooky, to say the least.

I am still married, Jake hasn't quite had enough of my crazy just yet.

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What I am really (really really really) excited to share with you is that I am going to be back at it 110% starting with...

Warby Parker recently contacted me to help them launch their Winter Collection!

If you are not sure who they are, Warby Parker is a fashion forward sunglasses and prescription eye-wear line/website. (Check them out here).

I am beyond grateful to be a part of their big launch, it is going to be very exciting! 

The official Winter Collection debut is tomorrow, the 4th. I plan on posting late morning/early afternoon. 

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I am still not able to run, so you may get some off the wall posts here and there. I have given you fair warning. Thanks for not leaving me, and I'll see you here tomorrow!

XoXo

Diversions

These are some of the things that have been keeping me "busy" while I have been sick:
(Don't judge too harshly with a few of these)...

Chanel, darling

2oceansvibe.com



This is a column I wrote for a historical journal for their "A Day in the Life" series. It concerns Coco Chanel and her business during WWII: The Cave: A Day in the Life of Coco Chanel: Circa 1941

 

Enjoy, xoxo!

Internship Piece No. 2: Jeunesse

Jeunesse: A covert and romanticized saga...

This is an original Jeunesse, silk blend cocktail gown designed by George Halley. He began working under this specific fashion house with his (this) label in the mid-1950s, and the dress most likely came about between 1960 and 1965. Halley had worked his way up to the top and was called the "master of draping" by Charles James, of Lord and Taylor. He then began working for the fashion house owned by Richard and Sydney Browner-Jeunesse, where this piece would call home. Here, Halley was able to create his own designs with his name included on the ticketing. To find out more about Halley's fashionable history visit here: vintagefashionguild: George Halley. 

The fashion innovations at the time were all about the new silhouette. Before the 1960s, dresses were usually cinched at the waist and envied a full skirt just skimming the mid to lower calf. These newer shift dresses were a respectful nod at the 1920s flapper, but had a more subtle femininity about them. For instance, this dress still exudes sex appeal with the cut out back, but the bow and ornate beading adds just enough detail to let the dress speak for itself. The bold powder blue is a color that was carried on into the late 1960s and early 1970s. The shift shape is also making a comeback into today's trends, including designers like Valentino, Michael Kors, and Louis Vuitton placing them in their spring collections from the past year and the line to come.

We are so grateful to be able to showcase amazing vintage pieces such as this one at Mosaic. We price to sell these beauties, but still want to give them the credit they deserve. The stitching is impeccable and the lines and unique details are hard to come by these days. Stop in and take a look at this dress and other garments we are excited about. Possibly pair this garment with some Maryjane's and chandelier earrings to keep it classically 1960s, or take it more modern with a nice pump and a pastel scarf tied around the waist or neck.

Enjoy!

Update

Good Morning :)

I wanted to give this blog and its readers, I hope you are still out there, an update. This last semester is going to be very nutty. I am also doing an internship while continuing to work and train for my half marathon. Shew? Yes. So, my blog is going to be here and there and also there will be many more fashion posts- as part of my internship. I am interning at a shop here- I will choose a vintage piece per week, historically research it, and write up a PR work for it and post it here as well on the store's website :) I was unaware until last semester that my minor also needed an internship, so I ran onto the bandwagon as fast as possible. I apologize ahead of time for the scatter-brained-ness that is to come, but your understanding, patience, and giggles are appreciated.

So lately, my running has been a work in progress. After Christmas I was slacking and did not consistently run for about 1 1/2 weeks. I did take a yoga and total body toning class with some friends as a part of our local community center's entrance into the new season. I really enjoyed both! This past Monday I got back into it with a 6 mile run plus lower body and core, took Tuesday off (crazy school schedule and I also tutor on these days), Wednesday was devoted to volleyball and cinnamon buns for dinner, yesterday was a simple 4 miles, and today I woke up early to get in 5 miles plus upper body and core before work-I may go on another run this afternoon just because the temps are way above normal.

I love the gym in the morning. There are very few people, and those that are there are mostly super dedicated and sweet people. There was this older gentleman on the track with me and I definitely just paced with him- he did not mind....he was a beast too, he had been running for a long time and only stopped a little before I ended my run.

Ooohh, I also picked up some DVDs at the bookstore last night: 2 Biggest Loser workouts: yoga and high calorie burn, and Mari Winsor's Cardio Pilate's.  I am pretty excited. I had a really great Pilate's workout DVD, but Jake said it magically disappeared...he lost it. We have about a million movies and sometimes they get placed into the wrong box, which we thought was the case, but alas no such luck. I guess it is good that I think he is really cute...so, I just got another...DVD that is ;) I will give a review on these as soon as I use them (planning on Sunday).

How is your week back to reality going? Any new goals?

Have a great day, xoxo.

A Few First's

These past couple of weeks have brought some "firsts" for myself and my family.

* I ran my first double digit run! I did this on Monday (just an even 10 miles) and it felt GREAT! I was even able to semi-sprint at the end and felt very strong. It was a cleansing and peaceful run that I enjoyed very much. It felt pretty neat to not only beat a goal that at one time seemed impossible, but to actually find joy in doing it was awesome. I praised God for this exciting accomplishment and spent a lot of time with him while on this run.

*Our first Christmas together as a married couple :) A quick little recap of our love story: We met through Jake's cousin (my friend), but I did not want much to do with him- terrible I know! Trust me, I thought he was cute and sweet, but I had just been involved here and there with some fellas that were not so sweet and plus Jake lived in Texas...long distance was not my idea of fun. But, lo and behold, we kept communicating and he snagged me ;) We would talk and talk about everything, send pictures of the sunsets (I used to drive out to the country roads around here just to get a better shot- googly I know), and we then discovered skype= such a blessing! My friend, her fiance (now husband), and myself all flew down and we had this whirlwind first meeting at the airport. He kissed me so fast before he hugged me I wasn't sure what had happened. To say the least, I still get butterflies when I think about it. After too much money spent on plane tickets, 2 moves (I to Texas and then him to Ohio), and a too long engagement- we got married on May 20th, 2012. It was beautiful and a very special and fun day. We honeymooned in Key West, thanks to a wonderful uncle who owns a condo there, and we had an absolute blast! I love him in so many different ways and cherish him so much. I could go on, but I will try to refrain for now, haha.

*My first big pot of chili! I substituted the beef with chicken and spiced it up some...thank goodness it turned out alright and I believe we both ate 2 (maybe 3) bowls!...with cheese of course. 

 

*Going out in public wearing running tights. I have wanted to own a pair for a long time but was struggling with the cost of many of the brands. I found a decent pair to test out before shelling out a huge wad of dough. They are revealing, but at the same time ultra-comfortable to run in. I am a new dedicated fan.

*Admittance. Being honest about issues or needing help with emotional/mental/physical problems is not easy in any circumstance. I am learning that no matter how I feel in the moment, telling those around me what is really going on (instead of saying "okay" or "I'm fine") is better than internalizing.

Caramel, Cheesy, White Cheddar, and Butter Gourmet 
Popcorn have found me...

*Not running for more than 4 days! I have taken about a week off from my normal running schedule. Now, I am not saying that this is necessarily healthy, but I have "allowed" myself to not worry so much about needing to workout or scrutinize everything I eat. I was getting too crazy and almost obsessed with making sure I exercised/ran and stuck to a food plan. These are not unhealthy or bad things, but I was not doing them for the right reasons. It is kind of nice to not be such a worry wart about these things, and I know those around me appreciate not hearing about these "issues" of mine as much. I plan on getting back into the swing of things asap, but spending time with family is my priority right now. This includes indulging on cheesy popcorn with my cheesy husband...hahaha good joke right?

*Signing up for my first half marathon! What?! Never thought I would do something like this, and I am very excited :) I plan on doing one this coming spring and hopefully with one or two friends.--Will keep you updated!

*Reached my 25miles/week running goal (last week).

*Did not count calories for a week! AHH! haha ;) (see previous note)

*Made contacts and networked for positions in a museum close by and also to dabble in personal styling/closet makeovers! Very cool.

Vintage Suede Long Blazer with Retro Wool Pinstripe Button-Up Dress and XXI Necklace
and simple beaded strand Leather 80s Booties and Floral Leather Hobo Bag.

*First real snow :)

What are some fun things/firsts that you have experienced lately? I'd love to listen :)

xoxo

Abundance of BeefCakes

I did not run yesterday. I had to be honest with you. I always do something on Wednesdays so that I can take Fridays off, but I felt lazy and for the first time in a while, I totally gave in. My only excuse for slacking is that it is finals week and my brain is a bit scrambled; but that's all I got. So, today I had 5 miles scheduled, but I told myself I had to do 6. I don't know if it was punishment really, or just to be sure I could still run.

I went to the rec center and started off on the treadmill with a steady 5 miles. I am not sure why, but my body was feeling it today. I was sore and very tired for the last 1.5 miles. Then, the plan was to do my last mile at an easy pace on the indoor track. But, before we get there I must tell you of my view today from the dreadmill. Usually there are a mix of people at the rec, but today it was all beefcakes. Now, I am not using the in a derogatory way. I actually think it's a fun and silly word and it is hard to say without smiling. These guys do make me giggle a little though. They are usually wearing tight UA shirts and constantly glare at their shiny muscles while lifting. I know you need to see your frame to make sure you are lifting correctly, but this is all out self-indulgence, body version. Anyways, I mostly stared out the bottom windows (the cardio equipment and track are upstairs with an open view down below). I watched crazy squirrels chase each other and the occasional runner that obviously just ran by to make me feel bad about working out indoors.

By the time I finished my 5 mile set I was pooped, but still shakily determined. The track was pretty empty, which is my favorite, so I did not mind taking a comfortable pace. I finished up that last mile, lifted upper body, did some core work, and finished with a good stretch. Of course when I got home I ate my oatmeal with PB and banana slices...3 weeks strong guys, almost every single day- I have a problem. I also cleaned up our place a bit- we have all of our Christmas decorations up so it always looks more festive when things are cleaner and there is less puffs of puppy hair floating around.

I hope your week is going great, I will be studying the rest of tonight...I'm sure. But, after finals I have some great recipe and fashion posts coming your way! And, of course, keep me accountable for that running thing I try and do ;)

xoxo 

Veteran's Day

This is a post just centered on the extra special time taken to honor those who have served and are serving our country. They deserve all the prayers and help we can send to them, whether it be just that, prayers, or even letters, photos, cookies, or fresh socks. Please, along with me, take a pledge to not take these men and women's lives for granted. Take a moment, pray, and thank the Lord for keeping His hand over them through many difficult times.
Also, I have been involved and will continue to work with an organization called Honor Flight. If you are interested please see their website here: honorflightnetwork or you can always message/email me for more information. It is a really neat program that raises money to send veteran's to their memorials. It also collects letters for them to read on their trips. It is disappointing to think about the cruel welcome home many veteran's received, especially after Vietnam. This organization encourages those who are involved to welcome these veterans back home with smiling faces, open arms, and grateful hearts. Make the time to see what they do best.

With love and God Bless,
Allison

I would like to extend a personal thank you to a few women and men I know that have served or are serving right now: My father and my grandfather, Christine Asmus and her husband, Jose Artiaga, Brandon Chandler, Jeremy LeBeau, John Savor, Daniel Myatt, Joe Lewis, Dan Wright. I know there are many others, and their families also are owed so much respect for their support at home. Thank you.