jeanofalltrades

July 28, 2012 · 11:05 pm

The Fashion Truck and SOWA Market

One of the highlights of my trip to Boston was finding The Fashion Truck, a mobile store on wheels that shows up in different parts of the city. Think food truck with clothes!

fashion truck

I’d heard of the truck and vowed to track it down if I was ever in Beantown. When Donna and I visited in June, we walked from our hotel to the SOWA Open Market and found the truck there too.

fashion truck and more

I introduced myself to Emily, the owner of The Fashion truck, and perused the space. The back of the truck has neat spaces for clothes and accessories–and a tent and tables outside, showcased even more cute dresses, tops, and jewelry.

accessories in the truck

I bought a cool pair of aviators, which you can see perched on my head in the following shot, and a couple of wrap bracelets. Emily was great and explained her vision for the store. She curates it with hand-picked pieces and packs a lot into a small space without it feeling cramped. Theres even a fitting room. And yes, an online store.

inside SOWA's artist lofts

Top: Thrifted
Shorts: Lulu’s
Sunglasses: The Fashion Truck
Bag: Nine West via thrifted
Bracelets: Gifted
Shoes: Timberland

But the truck was just the beginning. The SOWA is an open market featuring food, art, vintage clothing and goods, and a host of other fun things. I bought a necklace from the Pearl Shop, and Donna snagged a fantastic gray and rose skirt from the indoor vintage mall. We had cool gaspacho from a food truck, and got lost in an array of jewelry and knick knacks. We even found a cool vintage shop in a retro silver trailer: Haberdash Vintage. Loved their bags, shoes, and jewelry.

sowa collage

Have you been to SOWA or other markets? What do you like shopping for?

4 Comments

Filed under Art, Crafts, Events, Fashion, Travel

Tagged as Boston, fashion, fashion truck, SOWA market, style

July 26, 2012 · 11:28 pm

Navy Maxi Dress and Organic Top

I’m getting more wear out of my dark blue maxi dress. You might have seen me style it for winter. Here’s the full dress, sans blazer. I wore it out for drinks with friends.

maxi dress

Maxi dress: Forever 21
Necklace: Swapped
Cuff: Claire’s
Sandals: Payless

I added a long necklace to keep the vertical theme going. It’s elongating. Earlier in the day, I wore this dress with a loose t-shirt over it, to change up the look.

t-shirt and dress

This isn’t just a plain shirt though. There’s a neat silkscreened pattern on the back of the shoulder.

top detail

The top is from Wildlife Works, a wonderful, sustainable company that employs workers in Kenya. By being gainfully employed in textiles, they don’t have to survive by killing wildlife or working in industries responsible for deforestation. Wildlife works has established sanctuaries for endangered animals, and has helped reduce poaching. They’ve created schools, funded healthcare, and helped improve agriculture practices.

6 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as dress, fashion, maxi dress, style, thrifty fashion

July 24, 2012 · 12:27 pm

Mustard Shorts for Summer

It’s finally summer in Seattle! I don’t often wear shorts; I find dresses are more versatile and work for more occasions. But sometimes I want to throw on a pair of shorts and go. I featured these shorts on my guest post on Pocket Change.

mustard shorts

Top: H&M via Goodwill
Shorts: Lulu’s
Sandals: Goodwill
Earrings: DIY
Cuff: Claire’s

Now that the temperature is in the 80s, I can wear these again. In fact, I recently went to Boston and these were in my suitcase. I wear them with lots of tops (in Florida I paired them with tomato red), but I like the loose, flowy shape that this shirt offers.

multi-top

I got this shirt at Goodwill. It’s thin and cool and has an unstructured, slouchy silhouette that works well with skinny jeans–and of course, shorts.

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Filed under Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as fashion, Goodwill, shorts, style, thrifty fashion

July 21, 2012 · 7:05 am

Boston Trolley Tour

Here are some shots from the trolley tour I took in Boston. It’s a beautiful city with a rich history.

This is Trinity Church, the only building in Boston (and only church) honored as one of the “Ten Most Significant Buildings in the United States” by the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Trinity Church Collage

Here’s the beautiful Boston Public Library.

Boston Public Library

Some people look like they can walk on water.

walking on water

Even a non-baseball-fan like me knows about Fenway Park and The infamous Green Monster.

Fenway Park

The architecture in Boston is amazing.

Boston residences

more residences

The Massachusetts State House is recognizable by its gold dome.

MA State House

A plaque dedicated to Paul Revere, patriot in the American Revolution.

Paul Revere plaque

Custom House, a skyscraper, near the waterfront.

Custom House

One of the last remains of the elevated arterial road that used to cut through downtown. The road is underground now, thanks to a project called the Big Dig, America’s most expensive highway effort.

steel post

4 Comments

Filed under Architecture, General, Photography, Travel

Tagged as Boston, style, trolley tour

July 18, 2012 · 6:26 am

Boston Blogger Meetup

While planning our trip to Boston, my friend Donna suggested a blogger meetup. I jumped at the chance to meet The Boston Fashionista and Katy Rose of Modly Chic. I wouldn’t have suggested the meetup because Donna’s not a blogger and I didn’t want her to be bored. She is, however, a fashionista, and she fit in well. She was kind enough to take a picture of the three bloggers:

three bloggers

I’m glad she did: Shortly after taking this shot, and while chatting about blogs and travel and other things, the skies opened up and it poured! I’m used to the light Seattle mist they call rain, but this was different. This was a typical east coast downpour.

We were at The Reef, enjoying drinks and a view of the water, so we moved from the patio to the tent that serves as a bar and dining area. Finally the rain stopped. I walked 50 feet to the building where the restrooms are and when I came out, it was pouring again! I had to join Donna, Katy, and Kristen, but I waited–and then I ran! I calculated the risks. I was wearing wedges but they were stable. I could avoid puddles, and I had on a dark top so there would be no wardrobe malfunctions.

It took me about 5 seconds to get back to the tent–but I couldn’t get in! all the sides were zipped up! I panicked and ran from one panel to the next, getting wetter and wetter until finally I saw a hand waving out from between two flaps. I hurried in and was greeted by cheers from all the patrons–and hysterical laughter from Donna.

wet blogger

Luckily, it was warm and I dried off before our meetup was done. Kristen even took our photo and, as you can see, I’m waterproof:

Jean and Donna

Oh, I was so happy when after the meetup, Kristen changed from sit down shoes to transit riding shoes. I’d walked all day in flat boots and changed into my wedges for the meetup. We like style, but we know the value of comfort.

earlier that day

6 Comments

Filed under Events, Fashion, Travel

Tagged as blogger meetup, Boston, fashion, style

July 15, 2012 · 10:59 am

Summertime in Boston

A few weeks ago I went to Boston with my friend Donna. We took a road trip a couple of years ago and liked the idea of exploring another part of the US. We’d never been to Boston, but we’d heard great things about it. Let me tell you: Beantown didn’t disappoint!

The original Cheers

We walked all over the city, exploring the quaint antique stores and shops on Charles Street, wandering through Boston Common and the Public Garden, dining and window shopping on Newberry Street, wandering the winding, cobblestone streets to Faneuil Hall and the waterfront, and shopping at the SOWA Market in the south end.

On our first day, we focused on Boston Common, and Charles Street.

Boston Collage

We got to meet Kristen, The Boston Fashionista and Katy Rose of Modly Chic. We found The Fashion Truck. There’s so much history in Boston–we even took a trolley tour to learn about the city. I took over 300 photos that weekend, and culling it to just a few was hard! I promise to share more with you soon.

Seen in the Office: Blazer and skirt

Remember how I said I love blazers? Here’s another reason why: My colleague Suchitra threw on a blazer and added instant polish to her blouse and skirt combo.

blazer and skirt

If your office doesn’t allow short sleeves or requires a shirt with a collar, a blazer is a great way to meet that requirement and get more mileage out of other tops you might not otherwise wear to work. I like how Suchi has on a corduroy blazer–something you can wear dressed up or down. The metallic shoes are fantastic–just switch to a pump if your dress code requires closed toed shoes or pantyhose. Even with a sheer toes, pantyhose shouldn’t be worn with sandals.

If your office requires you to wear western-style clothing–like Suchitra’s friend’s does–you don’t have to completely give up your heritage. Earrings and scarves are a great way to add your personal touches. Luckily Suchi can wear anything she wants and sometimes wears a traditional Indian tunic-style top and pants (salwar kameez) to the office.

2 Comments

Filed under Fashion

Tagged as blazer, fashion, skirt, style

July 11, 2012 · 8:23 am

Working 9 to 5

For today’s business casual look, Suchitra wore grey pinstriped pants–a classic business look. But she didn’t look too Wall Street because she softened the look with a floral blouse. I love the subtle pattern mixing. The gray and white in the blouse pick up the same colors in the pants so it works.

suchi collage

Top: Ann Taylor (gift)
Pants: Shop in India
Sandals: Aerosoles

Suchi’s sandals blend into the color of the pants and make her legs look long and lean (which they already are, but the monochrome emphasizes that). If you can’t wear sandals, a pump, boot, or even ballet flat would do.

Jean's collage

Blazer: Goodwill
Dress: Nine West via thrifted
Tank: Wet Seal
Shoes: Payless

I also had stripes on, coincidentally. I threw this pinstriped blazer over a tri-colored wrap dress for a bit of pattern mixing. The wrap is a bit too low-cut for work so I layered it over a tank top. I like to keep things professional so tanks and camis are a great way to wear non-work pieces into the office.

My sling-back shoes are a nice way to elevate without wearing look-at-me shoes. They’re not too high, stay on nicely, and look good with pants or dresses.

2 Comments

Filed under Fashion

Tagged as dress, fashion, pinstripes, style, thrifty fashion

July 9, 2012 · 6:48 am

Business Casual

My friend Suchitra asked me about business attire because a friend of hers works in an office and needs ideas about how to be creative and stylish within a business setting. I promised to take on this challenge–if she joined me in it! Suchi is very fashionable and always looks great. She was in my blog earlier too.

For the next few days, you’re going to see Suchi and me in our best business casual looks. Remember that we work in a no-dress-code environment. Adjust your look to suit your workplace!

yellow blazer and color-blocked dress

On Jean
Blazer: J. Crew via thrifted
Tank: Wet Seal
Jeans: Gap
Shoes: BCBGirls via thrifted
Bag: Nine West via thrifted

On Suchi
Cardigan: H&M
Dress: Ragamoffyn’s
Boots: Aerosoles

I’m a big fan of blazers and cardigans. They add polish to an outfit, and are great in chilly, air-conditioned offices. I think women have a lot more leeway with business clothes. We branch out with color, textures, and styles more than men. Shirts and ties are where men add color. Women can get creative head to toe, but I hope men step it up and have fun with fashion too.

Here, I wore a velvet mustard blazer. I’m wearing jeans and a tank top but the jacket and heels pull this look together. If you can’t wear jeans at work, try a long bootcut trouser. Suchitra wore a cardigan over her color-blocked dress. Between that and the boots and tights, she can take a sundress into business territory.

What’s your go-to business look?

6 Comments

Filed under Fashion

Tagged as blazer, boots, cardigan, dress, fashion, jeans, style, thrifty fashion

July 7, 2012 · 12:24 am

Stripes and Denim

Here’s a swapped look I put together for an afternoon out with Mr. Jean of all Trades. We went to the U District for coffee and window shopping. We ended up having lunch at Flowers too while we were out, because Hillside Quickies was closed. Both places offer great veggie food. Hillside Quickies is an all-vegan restaurant. Flowers has a vegan buffet on weekends. You can’t go wrong with either.

stripes