little inspiration

With this crazy weather in the Pacific Northwest, I love any winter-to-spring outfit. This one includes a sweater and boots, but has a few elements of spring with the shorter skirt, straw hat, and natural jewels. Tights and a trench are super easy layers to add if the winter chill is too brisk to bear!

Roll curser over items for details

The outfit collages I make usually start from discovering one item while shopping; this time, it was the skirt. Then (here's the crazy part) instantly, an entiiiiiire outfit image flashes into my head and I spend hours looking for the pieces to recreate it. I love the process and the feeling of working hard to make my vision come true.

To brighten up your Monday, I had to post of a few photos of six-year-old fashion blogger Georgie Blue, who is both amusing and intriguing.

Georgie is a Wee People fan (girl after my own heart!), and effortlessly creative in everything she does. And her mom acts as her blog transcriptionist! I love every thought that comes from that powerful little mind; Georgie is such a gem.

Talk to you guys later, I hope you have a great week! Thanks for all your nice words. :)

a (sudden) change of season

Todaaaaay is virtual Open Mic night, created by Ashley from (Never Home)maker, to let bloggers showcase their creativity/talents. I decided to post a bit of poetry! A couple weeks ago, I finished this poem in moments; just one of those things that came to me, I suppose.

I have been at the base of a mountain.
I've seen from where it grows.
Where it stops, I do not know,
Only from miles away.
One step forward or one step behind
Means nothing on scales this grand.
It's how many are taken, going skyward or ground,
That will lead you ahead or astray. 

It has a back story, but I promise it's not as deep as it may sound! I like how the irregular rhyme scheme turned out. Check (Never Home)maker for other submissions (and because Ashley is generally incredible).

Lately I've been using Tag.Loudly, a site created by Sophia Chou to easily label (with links!) any photos/moodboards I feature on zipped. It's an invite-only site, so if you want to sign up, you can use in the invite code CHELSEA here thanks to Sophia! So cool to be able to host + tag + like photos all on one site.

Photos above: taken a couple of days ago.

Photos below: taken yesterday, after getting buried with two feet of snow. Weird.

Weekend.

how to thrift

I'm going craaaazy for wedges lately. I want every single one of these stacked in my closet.

Wedges have so many great qualities: 1. They're more stable than heels. They cover more area on the ground, instead of a skinny stiletto, giving you more balance. 2. They bring your foot up off the ground and add height! You can get away with the highest of heels because the wedge supports the arch more than a stiletto heel. 3. The wedge was invented by Ferragamo in the 1930's...what better reason to have a good pair of wedges than wearing the work of a legend?

Also making an appearance in today's post: thrift finds from the past couple of months!

A lot of you share my love for the pieces that I discover in thrift stores, so I thought I would bring up a few words of advice that have helped me in my thrifting experiences...

thrifting tips

Buy a sewing kit.

So many of you out there are crafters and skilled with a needle, but if you don't and you are going to become a "thrifter" you must own at least a needle and thread. This transitions into my next tip, which is...

Quality is not everything.

If there are a few stitches loose on a seam, that's an easy fix. If the hem is fraying, trim it and hem it up again. If a button is missing, go to the sewing section or a fabric store and freshen it up with a whole new set of buttons. Major discoloration or stains have most likely been treated and treated again, so they're probably not coming out. Be especially careful around white blouses!

Don't be predictable.

If your thrift store is organized by size, don't just stick to your own section! Vintage pieces always have varied fits, so you never know what might look great on you. If something catches your eye (a fabric, a texture, a color), pull it off the rack all the way before you make any judgements about whether you like it or not. It could be the craziest piece you've ever seen, but it could have potential. Something may just need to be trimmed or have the sleeves cut off or be adjusted some way to make it new again.

Educate yourself.

Take note of the brands you see showing up in thrift stores a lot. For me, it's Etienne Aigner,  Tiganello, Karen Kane...read up on the ones you notice the most and research ones you've never heard of. You could uncover some underground designer from decades past!

I wish we could go on a huge blogger field trip and just thrift all day. If you've gone thrifting recently, I'd love to hear what you found! And thanks for all your kind words on my last post, but don't expect me to do any food blogging in the near future...I'm very glad I chose to create zipped instead!


P.S. I'm participating in (Never Home)maker's "Open Mic" night on Friday...despite my impending nervousness, I'll be posting a poem I wrote and checking out all the other submissions!

making statements

Fun fact: before I started zipped, I was this close to starting a food blog. I wanted to call it Twelfth Bite or Much Ado About Noshing to combine my love of food and Shakespeare. I even wrote three or four mock posts, pretended I shot amazing photography, and basically ran a food blog in a Word document.

I still love food and eating and cooking, but I now know that I wouldn't make it as a food blogger. I'd get distracted by shopping online. I spent almost this whole weekend tracking down statement earrings. I found a few faaave pairs from Free People!

   

I usually follow the guideline to focus the outfit around a statement piece, whether it's jewelry or a handbag or shoes. The rest of the outfit? Stunner basics.

T by Alexander Wang tank, MIH boyfriend jeans, Cocobelle sandals, Julie K crossbody

Statement earrings, specifically feathery ones, have hit it big since Pretty Little Liars debuted, thanks to genius costume designer Mandi Line. There's such a big following regarding fashion on the show that (call me cliché) I honestly believe it's changing the way middle- and high-school girls get dressed in the mornings. The way the clothes are put together and styled is so inspiring. I almost want to do a steal-their-style post on each of the main girls...

Another fun fact? I don't actually go by Chelsea Lane (but don't worry if you've called me that! I don't mind). I can't even remember entering it on Blogger anywhere, but I guess I must have. Lane is my middle name, but I've always liked it. I make appearances in half a dozen states... ;)

take me home country roads

I went to my cousin's baby shower the other day. It is an all day trip, but worth it for the company and scenery. My outfit was perfectly comfy with a bit of style from my leather boots and huge scarf. I love the mix of solid colors with textures from the chunky knit scarf, smooth cognac boots, and woven red bag. I'm always shy around my mom's side of the family because I don't see them often, but I really do love the hugs I get a few times a year.

It was all very rush rush, but we stopped to snap a few photos on old Jackson Highway. This was just before it started pouring rain, but I was finally able to grab a soy latte on the drive home which warmed me up.

OK, shoes: I want some new ankle boots. Option:

The SixtySeven Mustang boots: a perfectly rugged shade of brown, and a low, walkable heel. My only question is are they too much like edgy pumps rather than ankle boots? I'm trying to seriously consider any purchases I make this month :) Have a lovely weekend! I can't believe it's Friday already again!


(Need some outfit inspiration? I am tooootally loving Kristina's style! Check it here.)

calzatura!

Eternally stylish boutique owner Elizabeth grabbed my attention the second I discovered her blog. She's always put together with the perfect amount of quirk + glam. She has a gorgeous boutique in Florida called Calzatura. I definitely want to stop in if I'm ever in town! She answered some questions for zipped about her blog and the boutique business!

 1. What is your favorite part about owning a boutique?

The clothes… oh the clothes! I love the buying aspect and deciding which pieces I think will work for my clients. It is so amazing to get a box of new items and recap all the reasons why I choose the pieces in the first place.

2. What are your favorite trends for spring?

I always look forward to soft supple fabrics that usually come with spring, but I am especially excited about anything sheer! Long sheer skirts will definitely be gracing my blog!

3. What made you decide to start blogging?

I had gotten an internship with a local fashion magazine and we had a blog for the magazine that I managed. I had gotten hooked on so many blogs that I felt I had to start one for myself. It’s been about six months and I LOVE it!

4. You always look supersuper put together, trendy, and sophisticated at

the same time! How would you describe your style?

My style has always been a little more on the conservative style side. I like to think of it as girly chic. I try not to be too crazy trendy, but instead pick timeless pieces that I style differently each time I wear them.

Elizabeth has a great eye for styling and buying pieces for her boutique. I practically study her blog for inspiration. Her boutique looks like so much fun! I would looove to get in there and style outfits from their stock. Check them out on Facebook, and check out Elizabeth's blog here.

This is the outfit I styled for Elizabeth--classic but with funky twists. Also, Tag.Loudly has made labeling any item I've featured in a moodboard so easy! Just roll your cursor over any of the pieces to see who made it and where to get it. I found the site through Dylana's blog Color Me Nana, so you can look for an invite code and more details there. Hope you all are enjoying life today!

dreams of warmer weather

Congraaaaatulations to Josy of My Pretty-Pink Journal, the gorgeous vintage ring from Ande Mönster is yours! Thanks all for entering, and don't forget you can get 15% off your order with the code ZIPPED.

Last week, I finally received my February Free People catalog in the mail (still remembering the buzz the January catalog created in the blog world!) and I've been flipping through daily, just when I need an escape from reality. These are some of my favorite looks from Meadow, Ginger, Candy, and Lou.

I love how the first two sections of the catalog are bright and cheerful, and the next two sections have a such a different color tone; they feel so ethereal. 

Free People might be a favorite clothing brand, but I have a soft spot for Modcloth dresses! My goal this year is to get a Modcloth dress. I don't know why I never have! I shop there more than once a week and always drool over the pretty dresses...I really want to get one for summer.

Modcloth

These are perfect paired with the shorter heels that I've been seeing everywhere. How do you guys feel about the low heel that's making it's way in?

Elizabeth and James, Belle Sigerson Morrison, Surface to Air

I hope you all have a perfect Valentine's Day! I love this holiday, even though I have no reason to...I just like all the cute hearts and lace and pretty colors. Even if you hate this holiday for whatever reason, do something you love!

Coffee time. And check out Youtube's Live Runway to see shows from NYFW! I was up at 7 for Carolina Herrera today :)

sunshine and clouds

The weather cannot make up its mind lately. This is me, on a sunny day, pretending I own Madewell's High Riser jeans since this is exactly the outfit I would form around them if I did. A trendy top with a skinny belt and some sort of vintage shoes. Now, I'm writing this post under a layer of clouds. And when I reread this post, I realized there are like 8 links. Enjoy.

Thrifted crochet top, thrifted belt, Levi's 535 legging jeans, vintage ankle boots

I know I already made my shopping list for the year, but I think I'm going to need one just for February; I have so much on my mind. THESE will be 3 of my key pieces for spring.

1. Madewell High Riser jeans

2. Wedge ankle boots

3. Flared/wide-leg jeans

Be sure to check out my GUEST POST on Oh So Sophi, and this great article written by Jamie Keiles on fashion and feminism. She's such a well-rounded and funny teen, and I have been a fan since the Seventeen Magazine Project!

So I'm in the market for shoes (when am I not?), and I really want a pair that I will love forever that goes with anything. If you own a style of shoe that you wear with everything, leave me a suggestion in the comments to check out; I need some help. I hope you have a weekend full of thrifting and coffeehouses, like mine!

closet must-haves: part 2!

On my first closet must-haves post, there was a lot of great feedback, so thanks! I don't think I sufficiently enforced the fact that the list I made included the barest of essentials, but I decided to add on a second post with pieces I think are almost necessary for every closet. These are a few go-tos for dressing between fancy and casual.

the skirt

ASOS

For formal events, there's the dress. For casual events, there's the pant. In between? Skirts are your friends. There's nothing more chic than a solid blouse tucked into a fab skirt. They're comfortable and easy to wear without looking too dressed up or down.

the trouser

Anthropologie

I love pants that aren't denim for a dressed-up look that isn't at all dressy. Neutrals are a staple, but owning a pair in a fun color livens up your closet and can become the feel-good pair you go to on cloudy days.

the cardigan

Patterson J. Kincaid, LA Made, Juicy Couture

The cardigan is the in-between for your top and jacket. You aren't going to need a coat in fifty-five degree weather, so why not reach for you favorite sweater? Cardigans can go from baggy and oversized to cropped and chic depending on what look you're going for. I like chunky ones for weekends and something drape-y and flowy for easy layers during the busy week.

the embellished top

Vanessa Bruno, Matthew Williamson

3.1 Phillip Lim, L'Agence

Who doesn't love a little sparkle in their life? Moving up a step from the basic tee, an embellished top gives you jewels without wearing jewelry. They're so much more interesting to pair with a jean or throw under a cardigan. They can take a casual skirt up a notch just with some sequins or a fabric detail.

the Bag

Chloé, Mulberry, Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander Wang

Yes, I capitalized Bag. I still haven't found my Bag (I've searched hard enough that I've accumulated a collection that I love, but doesn't include my never-let-me-down-always-want-to-carry-you-forever Bag!), but I'm a huge advocate of owning the one Bag that completes your life. It can be designer or not, it just has to fit you and your daily needs to a T. I've featured a few of my favorite 'it' bags that will be classic forever.

The best thing about building your wardrobe and listing staple pieces is that you can adapt them to whatever style you need or want. I've included lots of examples under each category to give you some ideas of all directions you could go with just one article of clothing. If you missed the first closet must-haves post, you can read it here.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a gorgeous 1950's cocktail ring here! And HAPPY WEDNESDAY! The week is almost over; make it beeeeyootiful.

giveaway from ande mönster!

Crackers decided to show up in my photos today.

Aaaaand then she decided to leave.

If you don't like Mondays, you will if you are Anisa, winner of the V-Day giveaway! Congrats, girl. Even if your name isn't Anisa, you'll like Mondays after you read about ANOTHER awesome giveaway!

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Super amazing Rachael from It's Simple Love has a lovely vintage shop called Ande Mönster, and we teamed up to give away this super gorgeous 1950's cocktail ring to a reader of zipped! It always blows my mind to think that women just like us used to own and wear the things we call vintage.

This ring is suuuuuper stunning (and adjustable!). If you love it as much as I do (isn't it gorgeous?), you can make as many as FOUR ENTRIES!

Mandatory:

1. After checking out Rachael's shop, leave a comment telling me your favorite item from Ande Mönster!

Extras:

1. Follow Rachel's blog, It's Simple Love!

2. Follow me on Bloglovin'.

3. Follow me on Twitter.

This INTERNATIONAL giveaway ends Monday, February 14 at 11:00 am PST, when the winner will be announced! Meanwhile, if you find something on Ande Mönster that you can't live without, Rachael is generously offering 15% off with the code ZIPPED!

Have a haaappy Monday, and good luck!

UPDATE: Giveaway is closed!

valentine's giveaway!

I know you want to skip down to the actual giveaway part, but firstfirstfirst I haaaaad to share my sudden obsession for paper-bag skirts, shorts, and trousers!

Urban Outfitters 

I just feel like they give off that effortlessly chic vibe. You honestly don't have to do much, just tuck in a basic stripe tank and add cognac leather sandals, then you're set for the weekend farmer's market.

On to the GIVEAWAY!

Thank you from the bottom, middle, and top of my heart for reading zipped. I have so much fun  sharing and talking with you guys; I can barely imagine life without blogging anymore! As a little thank you and a Valentine's Day gift, I decided to send one reader a vintage Amanda Smith crossbody clutch, my faaaave go-to nail polish L.A. Girl Matte in Coral, and a peachy Urban Decay pigment in X, all in a pink floral Free People tote bag!

The coral polish, peachy pigment, and pink floral tote all play up the Valentine vibe while this little black purse is perfect for date night on the big day!

To win, you must 1) be a follower of zipped via Google Friend Connect 2) leave a comment below.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

1. Follow on Bloglovin'.

2. Follow me on Twitter!

This is a little weekend giveaway, so be sure to enter by Monday at 11:00 AM PST when the winner will be announced. And yes, it is INTERNATIONAL!

And just in case you're still wondering, I'm going to St. Paul, Minnesota to visit my sister! Mall of America with no tax? Don't mind if I do.

nighthawks

Lots of people do their best work at night; me included. I go into manic styling mode at night and fall in love with new trends and outfits. Ideas flow when it feels like I'm the only one in the world who's awake. Then I realize that others are awake painting, writing, decorating, dancing, brainstorming, etc. and it feels that much more incredible that there's such positive creative energy at one time!

So in my "manic styling mode" last night, I found this perfect Marc Jacobs magazine clutch! It neeeeeeeeded to be paired with a contrasting color.

Demylee tank, Topshop jacket, Boutique 9 shoes, Rag & Bone pants, Marc by Marc Jacobs clutch, Elizabeth and James two-finger ring, Juicy Couture cuff, OPI Chocolate Moose

I love the oversized, envelope silhouette of this bag. So trendy + classic at the same time. And that cuff...! Just take a moment to stare and appreciate its beauty. Zoom if needed. Downtown cool at it's best.

I have a huge to-do list today, but everything is on hold until this pile of clothes is dealt with and put away. Do you see how bad I am? There are even folded clothes in that pile. Good grief.

Aaaaaand I booked a flight yesterday! Can you guys guess where I'll be going in March? It's a state capital in the contiguous United States. So that narrows it down to 48 cities! One of you is bound to get it. Leave your guesses in the comments!

P.S. If you want to see a quick write-up of my favorite spring silhouettes, you can read that here!