Blogback Mountain

My BFF Rachel just started a blog called Stuff I Make, Stuff I Love, and it is funny and clever and cute and creative and inspiring, just like her! All together now: Awwwww! Seriously though, you're gonna love her blog. Go there.

In other warm and fuzzy friend news, would you be a dear and give some gold stars to my friend Lexie's Glee audition? Thanks so much!!

BREAKING: Nauticals are so hot right now. As are Sears catalogs. (I love you, Thomas.)

Also in right now? Giant nerd glasses. I remember in fourth grade I really wanted to get glasses because I thought they were so stylish, but my friend Becky, who wore real glasses, took me aside and said sternly, "You will never understand the pain of having to wear glasses. If you get fake glasses you will be dishonoring my people." Sarah VB shares her thoughts on the matter.

Hardy Boys and Paper Dolls

Apocalypstick says black eyeshadow makes her look like a "tired old whore." I recently realized it can have the same effect on me, especially if I haven't gotten enough sleep. Light brown and teal blue from now on!

Loving Queen Michelle's head-to-toe looks!

Sometimes I think of what heaven would be like, and I usually decide it would be levitating above a Lady Gaga concert for all eternity. Therefore, Fashion Hayley has experienced heaven.

Great advice: How to receive a compliment.

Sal's outfit posts are always great. But a springy outfit post that includes a bunny? Even better!

Sassy 4ever!

Joanna Goddard is trying to predict what her baby might look like. I'm gonna go ahead and guess: painfully adorable.

And finally, I'm obsessed with the neck-breaking pearls Susie Bubble featured in this post, and also yearning to ask the Five Men what they think. Stay tuned...

Blogback Mountain: Short and Super Sweet Edition

"Evolution" from Already Pretty

A few weeks ago the lovely Sal from Already Pretty asked me if I'd like to contribute to a massive guest post she was putting together to examine the evolution of fashion and body image in different phases of life. I got to write a couple hundred words about my style at age 24, which was a wonderfully fun assignment.

The post went live last week, and I'm just so impressed with how the whole thing came together, and what an inspiring read it is. An awesome group of contributors representing four different age groups have some amazing insights about fashion, figure flattery, and self-acceptance.

If you haven't read it yet, please check it out!

And a huge thanks to Sal for putting it all together. You go, girl!

Blogback Mountain

I haven't done a link roundup in FOREVER. Well, here are some very overdue but still super fabulous posts to check out:

Wendy B teaches us to grow our own vintage right in the closet--like magic! And it's legal!

Apparently I've become a woman, because I'm thinking about buying my first umbrella. These are pretty darn cute.

Apocalypstick Now gets serious (well, sort of) about eye creams.

Usually thumb tack + shoe = unbearable pain + tetanus shot, but Annie Spandex's version just equals MEGA CUTE.

Loving Clare's post about the community created around a fashion blog.

I could look at these pictures all day.

The inimitable Audi shares her wise and practical Thrifting Philosophy.

Wear Everything All the Time. Hell yeah!

The love of my life, Sarah VB, has been bringin' it with her blogging skills lately. Here's her fantastic tips for saving up for big ticket items. And here's a cute and inspiring lil' post about the definition of happiness. And then she went and wrote a fabulous guest post about Dolly Parton style. Rock on, Sarah!

Funny and true.

Speaking Dr. Martens (see my post from earlier today), Marie looks simply gorgeous in her pink floral pair, and if they've turned her feet to bloody stumps, she's not letting on.

My favorite Gala Darling outfit ever in history. So perfect.

Thomas W.'s comprehensive guide to shopping and eating in Vancouver makes me yearn to get in the car and go eat Belgian Waffles with him. I mean, I want to do that all the time. But after reading that? I YEARN.

Amber from Painfully Hip is the new About.com budget style blogger! Please check out her new site and show her some love.

BREAKING NEWS: Queen Michelle looks gorgeous and chic. Oh wait, that's not breaking news. That's from yesterday and, like, every day before that. But still! She looks amazing!

And finally:

Ummm...yeah.

Blogback Mountain!

Surely you've all been too busy eating holiday cookies to notice, but posting has indeed been slow this week and is going to slow down even more for a long holiday weekend.

Speaking of the holidays, if you're out buying presents today (way to live life on the edge!), might I kindly suggest stopping into your local bookstore to pick up a copy of Closet Confidential? It's the perfect gift for your little sister or mother or cousin or best friend and you're welcome to forge my signature on the title page and pretend it's an autographed copy. That should score you some extra points. And maybe a little bad karma for lying. But on January 1st karma counts start fresh so I think you're good.

And for my fabulous readers stuck at work today, pretending to work, here are some fun links to help you keep up the facade:

Dear Sally, I love your outfit.

How to Settle the Eff Down: wise, wise words of advice for my fellow freaker-outers!

OMG OMG OMG exciting blogger pregnancy news! A thousand congratulations to Joanna, Alex, and their sure-to-be cutest baby ever!

Annie has an entertaining and thoughtful post about the 20 pounds of catalogs she received this month.

Did I mention that the mayor of Portland tweeted about my Mayor and the Mouse Shoes post? Yeah, he did.

A superchic "sweatshirt alternative."

Happy birthday, WendyB! I hope I swear as much as you when I'm your age.

Lady Smaggle has 10 Reasons Why Women Need Women. I need Lady Smaggle to be my BFF, like, now.

So exciting! An excerpt of Closet Confidential in Woman's Day!

Clare finds the best stuff at Target, like these tights. Sometimes I find good stuff at Target, but mostly I find awkward run-ins with my high school classmates.

Winter Wonderland! Beautiful.

Argyle tights! Beautiful.

Remember two days ago when I encouraged you to enter the As Good As Cake contest to win a signed copy of Closet Confidential? Well, you should. Seriously. Go do it!

And a reminder that my Mega Exciting Closet Confidential Giveaway Bonanza is open until the 31st! Thanks so much to those who have already entered!

Have a very merry Christmas/Kwanzaa/Hanukkah/Festivus and I'll see you back here on Monday!

Blogback Mountain!

The Sunday Best defends so-called "chick flicks" by listing his top 5 worst "bro films." As the former president of the Banks High School Jet Li Fan Club, I do take offense at one of his selections, but overall it's a solid post.

How to Tuck Your Pants Into Boots

The Big Piece of Cake is running a humongous, incredible, Oprah-level giveaway series right now. I'm especially obsessed with the Bee Gee Bag, but I'd happily win anything she's featured (or one of everything, please). Go enter!

Recently discovered Work With What You've Got--totally loving it.

Super Kawaii Mama has created the most awesome vintage-inspired gym outfits you ever did see.

Christine is like a real life Kate Spade ad, only cuter.

Now that is one badass manicure. But I wouldn't expect anything less from WendyB.

I think Princess Poochie did a great job with this respectful but thought-provoking post about a fashion blogger's new shoe line for Urban Outfitters.

So awesome: If Drawings Were Photographs

The superfantastic Sara Zucker has started up her personal style blog, Sara Wears Clothes, again after quite a bit of begging and pleading from me, and I'm really pumped about it. Please show her some love!

Speaking of blog resurrections I'm pumped about, my always-clever friend Meg just started up a new site called Award-Winning Weekends, packed with zany ideas and activities to spice up your days off.

"The real beauty of menswear is in the details." Hear, hear!

I don't usually like to be pushy, but BUY THIS CALENDAR. It will change your life. Guaranteed.

Things that depress me: Ken Burns documentaries, my cowlick, and the fact that there are no women writers on staff of the major late night comedy shows.

Want these so, so bad.

And in book news, I had a couple dreams come true this week. First off, Poetic & Chic posted a great review of Closet Confidential and invited me to fill out a Proust Questionnaire, which I may or may not have been preparing for since I read my first Vanity Fair as a confused small child.

If that wasn't exciting enough, the hilarious blog Oddly Enough shared some kind words about my book and allowed me to write snarky captions for a couple of crazy runway photos. Dream realized!

And finally, this adorable picture of S from Academic Chic holding her copy of Closet Confidential in Germany reminds me of that feature in Glamour magazine where readers hold up their Glamour magazines in cool places, like underwater in the hull of the Titanic, and write things like, "Here I am researching an iconic shipwreck and getting sweet tips about this season's nailpolish trends!"

But this picture is a thousand times better. For obvious reasons. Happy birthday, beautiful, and thanks for making my day!

Blogback Mountain!

Please check out the sweet Closet Confidential review and giveaway over at Annie Spandex!

The lovely and talented Ambika has been amassing some pretty impressive Etsy creds, and I'm so happy for her! In related news, have you been to her shop lately?

This made me laugh.

Last week I professed my undying love for my unflattering blanket sweater. This week E debuts
an extremely flattering version.

A perfect illustration of style for a conservative office vs. a creative office (bonus: both examples include the same pair of badass red ankle boots!).

WendyB defends LadyG.

Queen Michelle + Low Energy + Cold Sores = Still way more glamorous than me. Damnit.

This hat is, like, my life dream come true.

Jennine wore her wedding dress today. Her wedding was not today. She looks totally fabulous today. And she makes a wonderful point about wearing special things for no particular reason.

I've been listening to a lot of Dixie Chicks lately, which has been giving me mad urges to road trip to Nashville. Becky is actually going there (although I don't think her trip is Dixie Chicks-motivated) and she looks adorable.

Absolutely positively no doubt the most badass dress that's ever existed. (Except maybe the hamburger dress featured in this post. Maybe.)

Gruschia is my new fave color.

This one time my brother and I were driving on the country road near my parents' house, and a bear ran out of the bushes and I was like, "LOCK THE DOORS!" Chelsea's cute little story about a prancing Swedish moose is better.

The first and only blog post about oatmeal that made me laugh out loud.

I love this inspiring take on "Would You Rather?"

Sarah's post about text tattoos made me want to get one even more than I already did, which was A LOT. Now I can barely sleep and find myself scrawling profound quotes on my forearms with sharpie markers all the time.

SO pretty!

That clever lil' Sally has some invaluable tips for organizing your closet.

And finally, What I Wore Today (drawings only)--this is the coolest thing ever and I fully intend to participate. Thanks, Maggie, for sending it my way!

Blogback Mountain

First and foremost, I'm so excited to announce that ModCloth is selling my book! I've adored ModCloth's amazing clothes and their support of the blogging community for a long time, so this was such a wonderful surprise. And be sure to check out the ModLife companion interview, where I give more book details and confess to fishing a vintage blouse out of a dumpster.

So cute.

The first photos of Alex and Joanna's wedding are up and they are even more gorgeous than expected (and wow, were my expectations high). Can't wait to see more!

A case against "boyfriend jeans" at Baby Gap.

Speaking of boyfriend jeans, ENC has a thought-provoking post (but aren't all her posts thought-provoking?) about boyfriend jeans--and other trends--coming back into style at waaaaaaay higher price points than their original incarnations.

I'm with Queen Marie on this one.

I have to get up for work at 4:30 AM tomorrow, so I'm reading and rereading this great Yes and Yes post about becoming a morning person. Sure, my time might be more wisely spent sleeping, but instead I'm memorizing her tips and getting strangely excited for my alarm to go off.

Tavi collected some beautiful Irving Penn photos.

Sesame bagels are so vain.

Love this tribute to Bea Arthur over at ABT Arcade (and check out her namesake necklace!).

Tuscon has been good to Amber and her leather shorts.

I recently discovered the fabulous blog Further Ado, which is a great mix of inspiration, fashion, life lessons, and book reviews. Plus, the lovely lady who writes it sort of looks like she might be long lost sister, so I'll have to ask my mom about that...

Danielle's quick marker drawing is just gorgeous.

I want everything featured in this post.

Loving Lisa's knee-high socks.

Our lil' Sally of Already Pretty is on the path to fame, fortune, and world domination, and I couldn't be happier about it. Hear her discuss the style and body image gospel on the Lorie & Julia radio show (adorable Minnesota accents included!).

Blogback Mountain

What I Hated About Lucky This Month, by Apocalypstick Now

I love this simple, beautiful post from Lemon Love (sure to be appreciated by Oregonians, especially).

Plaid shirts + striped beanies = supercute.

I've been staring at these tattoos since Ambika posted them, which was over a week ago. My productivity has really taken a hit.

If any of you are fans of Supernatural, you best be heading over to Wax Wendy for in-depth coverage of the new season.

I wish my mom would let me make paper box furniture.

Take a look at these fabulous, famous fashion bloggers in WhoWhatWear magazine!

Oh my GOD I love 60s fashion and I want to wear these dresses every day.

On the other hand, not sure I'd wear a pair of pants that encouraged people to tilt their heads and squint at my crotch.

Clare is just too cute.

"I find the mixing of multi-colored plastic hangers and wire hangers unethical and jarring to my delicate senses." Enough said.

Also, have you become a fan of Daddy Likey on Facebook yet? If you do I will send you a virtual hug and the winning numbers for your state's lottery. Just trust me--I know a guy.

Blogback Mountain + Chicago Blogger Pics!

I recently discovered two fabulous personal style blogs that have become fast favorites: Fashion Therapist and District of Chic. Please check 'em out and show some love!

How gorgeous is Amber?

Don't let Martin see these.

I think the entire internet is waiting for the pictures of Joanna's sure-to-be-gorgeous wedding. Congrats, Jo and Alex--have a wonderful time this weekend!

This is making me hungry.

Laura Jane has a friend who wants to circumnavigate the world, solo, in a boat, and Laura Jane is prepared to do whatever necessary to help her out.

Are you a pale-skinned blue-eyed brunette? Here's your perfect lipstick!

Growing up in a family of biologists, I've seen my share of denim button-up shirts, pleated dockers and orthopedic clogs, so I love love love Fashion For Nerds for proving that scientists can be sassy and chic!

Good advice.

Figure Flatter as a Limiting Factor: Love this!

Lemon Love posted some great packing tips to help me prepare for my recent trip to Chicago. (She took pity on me after I confessed my packing strategy can be summed up as "Cram everything I own in a suitcase. Pray it doesn't explode.")

Speaking of Chicago, during my time in the windy city I was lucky enough to meet up with a few lovely blogger friends, and I had a fabulous time with each and every one of them! Here are a few pics:

With my blogger soulmate, Sarah from Yes and Yes. We got in trouble for taking pictures at Forever21 and accidentally ate at a steakhouse.

With Clare from Between Laundry Days, half of Jennine from The Coveted, and Jennine's husband, Rocky. We ate giant pancakes and posed like power rangers.

Oh, and here's Jennine's whole face for good measure:

She's adorable!

I also had dinner with the lovely Dana from I'm Not Drunk, I'm Brilliant, but our photo shoot was limited to a dark self-timer experiment on the sidewalk after eating what can accurately be described as a trough of creamy pasta, so I'd rather not showcase the results. It was superfun though, and I hope to cross paths will all of you again in the future!

P.S. Can someone write a post about how to maintain cute hair while traveling? Because this unfortunate frizzball thing is becoming a theme for me.

Blogback Mountain

The awesome Rory from the awesome blog Awesome All Day recently conducted an awesome interview with me. Please check it out and show him some love!

Possibly my fave Nubby outfit to date.

When I was about 10, I attempted to start a barf bag art trend, in which I would draw stuff on barf bags during plane rides, and then sell my masterpieces for a million dollars. Nothing came of it, but now this guy is selling Styrofoam cup art for hundreds of dollars. Sure, his stuff is way better than mine, but I'm still a little bitter.

I might have to move to New York just to try to score invites to Joanna G's parties.

And to drink peach sangria with WendyB at the Christian Francis Roth studio.

Secret Society of List Addicts is such a rad blog, and they welcome submissions from readers! Here's mine, which includes my preferred definition of the word "nonplussed."

Speaking of lists, here's 15 Skills Every Woman Should Master, and 50 Things Every Woman Should Do In Her Lifetime.

I've been obsessed with the south since my trip to New Orleans, and seeing the gorgeous Creole Collection isn't helping.

My friend Brittney perfectly describes the 20-minute trendy outfit "Time of Doubt." Love it.

Just gorgeous.

And finally, a huge congratulations to new mama Eve and new auntie Amber!!

Blogback Mountain: New Blogs, or Blogs That Are New To Me Edition

Sara Zucker writes a great fashion blog on Tumblr, and has just created a new daily outfit blog. Here's her reasoning behind it:

I’ve decided to document my daily outfits for a few different reasons. i think that this will give me added incentive to do the following: step outside of my comfort zone, make use of the contents of my closet, make new e-friends, and inspire curvier girls. the latter is the most important. i’ve noticed that there is a huge void in body type with the authors of outfit documentation blogs. trust me, i love looking at a lanky girl (i read vogue, don’t i?), they always seem to make clothes look great, but it isn’t realistic for me to attempt the same looks.

Hear, hear! I've been thinking of adding more outfit photos to my blog, but it's been so hot lately I've been living in grungy cutoffs and sweat-drenched tanktops. For now, I think I'll just soak up some inspiration from Sara.

I just discovered Between Laundry Days through Twitter. This girl kicks some major style ass. I mean, look at her:

She's even working that arm cast! I kind of want to start wearing one now.

The Glamourai is totally, well, glamorous. Check her out.

I've also been loving The Year of Living Thriftily, which is written by an super stylish gal who has committed to wearing nothing but secondhand clothing.

And read this.

Blogback Mountain

A part of me wants to make an awesome skirt for my sink like this, but a bigger part of me knows that everytime I saw it I'd be like, "Dude, sink, where do you get off wearing cuter clothes than me?"

National Geographic Traveler is polling people about what makes their city great. My friend Whitney has some fabulous answers about DC that have me yearning to go back!

Have you guys tried the new "Rumspringa" cocktail? It's super tasty but be careful--after a few of 'em you may find it difficult to go back to the ol' ox and plow.

Princess Poochie is awesome because she took a simple trip to the drugstore and ended up decked out in drunken harlot makeup with a miniature deer on her head.

The Lovely Lisa has an article in Vancouver Fashion eZine! Congrats, girl!

OMG OMG some of my favorite Portland bloggers are having a big craft sale/ice cream party on July 25th. I can't wait to meet some cool ladies, buy some cool stuff, and eat some delish pie. See you there?

Speaking of local awesomeness and favorite Portland bloggers, check out Abby's gorgeous photos of her field trip to Hood River Lavender Farms.

OK, so I know every week I'm like, "I love Sal! She rocks!" but, you know, I just love Sal. She rocks!

I love Lady Smaggle too. God, I'm full of love this week!

What terms of endearment do you use with your partner? I'm fond of "Lovey," "Dude," "Missy," and "Heeeeeyyy yoooouuuu can I have a foot rub while I watch Primetime: Crime?"

Sarah has a great post about the downsides of being pleasant, even though last week a Scientologist made a graph to prove that she is very unpleasant. I don't know who to trust!

And finally, you should totally read Design Is Mine if you don't already. It's so pretty I have to stop myself from licking my screen multiple times daily.

Blogback Mountain

My friend Catherine has been posting some phenomenal tribute posts to her dad on her fabulous foodie blog, Dear Dave Lieberman.

Academic Chic wins me over (yet again) for using the phrase, "Nerp doesn’t believe in gender-normative appearances." Amazing.

I just started taking sewing lessons with my Great Aunt, which usually devolve into me breaking her sewing machine and her calling me the worst student she's ever had, but someday, mark my words, I'm gonna make myself a fabulous jacket from a Built By Wendy pattern.

The prettiest lil' blog post in all the land!

Are you guys reading WendyB's new blog for designer Christian Francis Roth? You totally should, because it's awesome. Also, if you don't read it she might kick your ass.

"There are a few things in life I fundamentally believe in. One of those things is the fact that there is never an inappropriate time to bake a cake." And an epic rainbow cake, specifically!

Oh Rhiannon, you're so pretty and stylish and clever! Can we be BFF? Do I sound desperate? Damn.

A Cup of Jo covers The Uniform Project, one woman's quest to wear the same dress for a year, changing it up with different stylings and accessories. Sometimes I wear the same jeans for a week, but my motivation is usually laundry-related.

Jennine + We Love Colors = Mad Style

Who would play you in the movie of your life? A lot of readers have told me I sorta look like Billie Piper, but in New Orleans my brothers kept calling me Owen Wilson, so whatev.

And finally, fellow Word Freaks definitely need to check out the new(ish) blog Words Between the Spaces, which is written by my most favorite copy editor and includes lots of wordy and grammar-y goodies!

Blogback Mountain

My friend Brittney, whom I recently deemed an expert at styling a boring work uniform, just wrote up some great instructions for styling a boring work uniform.

I have a strong aversion to cleaning my makeup brushes. I guess I have a strong aversion to cleaning anything, but wow, cleaning makeup brushes might be the worst. I pretty much never do it. And would it gross you out if I told you that one time my powder brush fell into my bathroom garbage can and after I fished it out I gave some serious thought to whether or not it really needed to be cleaned? Cuz, umm, yeah, I totally didn't do that. That's gross! Heh, heh. But anyway, The Coveted swears they've found a product that makes brush cleaning easy shmeasy.

I had no idea the simple combination of yellow and white could make me go, "Eeeeeeeppppp!!"

In which Sarah V.B. hilariously pretends that "masturbation" isn't a word.

If I run into Nubby on a Portland street wearing these, it ain't gonna be pretty. And by that I mean I would probably start humping her shoes.

Punky is such a badass. Love her.

Already Pretty has a fantastic amazing mega awesome post about body image and arbitrary clothing sizes. [Sal, after I read this I wanted to give you a big hug! Meet me in Montana?]

Princess Poochie and WendyB have exciting fashion blogger adventures in NYC and I'm more than a little jealous.

Adorable Queen Marie discusses the inevitable SPLAT ATTACK.

My friend Ollie just started a rad new blog called The Process that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the art and design featured in National Geographic magazine. Please check it out and leave him a few (hopefully nice) comments!

And finally, enter this giveaway for a gorgeous embellished headband! (But please don't win. Thanks.)

Blogback Mountain

Ambika is churning out cuteness and I love it.

Now this here is some damn good investigative reporting!

Gala Darling has some awesome tips on how to get the TSA to serenade you. (I'm guessing pink hair and metallic mouse ears help?)

My urban chickens article in this month's issue of Nat Geo got picked up by Boing Boing. LIFE DREAM COME TRUE.

Susie Bubble is totally rocking a wee little Amelia Earhart hat. She also rocks out an amazing interview here.

The simplest DIY project in the world.

The girls who write Academic Chic are so smart and pretty and stylish it makes me squeal with glee and plot ways to become BFF with them. Then I see how cute and clean their houses are and remind myself that I leave a trail of paper bits and sequins and Werthers Originals wrappers wherever I go and alas, it would never work out.

Sal kicks a few faulty fashion rules to the curb.

Then Laura kicks Glamour mag to the curb.

Liebemarlene says Southern thrifting kicks ass (in nicer words, of course, and yes, now I'm done with the "kicking" theme). I'm taking a trip to New Orleans next month so I'm loving any info about shopping down South. I'm also loving youtube clips of Guy Fieri eating Po' Boys, but that's beside the point.

This cracks me up.

And finally, the Stunning Sarah Von of Yes and Yes asked me to fill in for her while she's in Peru watching drunk men hit each other with wrenches (seriously!). Check out my guest post about the secret to becoming a chic French woman.

Blogback Mountain!

Dear Susie Bubble, this post is totally badass. Screw "style icons." Keep doin' your thang!

When life hands you lemons (or dog attacks), make lemon linguine!

Hair trend I'm seeing for spring: the WendyB 'Fro.

A nightmarish bus ride to rival my nightmarish bus ride. OK, this one was way worse than mine.

My friend Meg is awesome. If you have any doubts about that statement, you could challenge me to a duel for her honor or you could read this post describing the subterranean burrito system she installed in her office (or did she?).

A fabulous new blogger ponders purses for hobbits.

RED TO THE MAX. Love it.

I've been meaning to link to this forever--check out Ambika's magical transformation of men's shirts into little yoke top mini dresses! Eeeeeeppp!

NEED: Pink rhinestoned hairpuff.

Have you seen the blue boots of my friend Brittney's dreams? (Like, literally, she had a dream about them.)

I'm totally down with Lisa's economic proposal. Lisa, you can be my Prime Minister anytime!

And finally help Ms. Apocalypstick organize her enviable makeup stash!

Blogback Mountain

21 Ways to Be Tough, Yet Feminine, by a badass women's roller derby league.

Christine over at FutureLint throws down that Minneapolis is better than Portland. Oh yeah, Christine? Oh yeah? Let's take this outside! (Once the weather warms up, of course...shall we set a date for early spring?)

Speaking of throwdowns, our adorable little Susie rocks this amazing dress about a million times better than the runway model. Work it, Bubble!

Dear friends, if you do not make me a customized jeweled headband topped with a lace bird nest, we might no longer be friends.

This is hilarious.

Bahahaha have you seen this sneezing panda? Watch this video three times a day for a better life.

What to do with a free Saturday in Washington DC (if you're not into monuments).

Open up a high-end fashion magazine these days, and you're sure to see at least one awkward article where the writer disguised herself as a normal person and went shopping for clothes at Target and actually found a kind of cute tanktop which was exciting but of course she didn't buy it because, umm, gross. THIS IS SO ANNOYING. WendyB has more, plus insights from Ice-T.

My little bro is using his videogame blog to promote a good cause, so check it out!

Anyone could pull off this look, right? Right? No? It must be the red lipstick.

Web Time Wasters. Just what I need...

In your best Colin Firth voice, tell your eyelashes, "I like you, very much. Just as you are."

I tried to pick one post to link to from Apocalypstick Now, but I couldn't. They're all too good. If you're not reading it yet, please, go NOW.

Blogback Mountain

Dlisted has the greatest description of Pete Wentz, ever: "I didn't know Gymboree carried hoodies in size douche."

My answer to A Cup of Jo's query about haircolor: Blondes totally have more fun, except when everyone thinks you're a dumbass.

If you are a teacher who's feeling stifled by a dress code and/or resorted to wearing floor-length linen dresses embroidered with colorful fish, you need to read this post, stat.

Never have I been more proud of my city.

The second coming of J. Sus, as indicated by the crazy antics of J. Crew.

I've been worrying about the disappearance of Style Bytes for awhile now (when I say "worrying" I mean "googling 'WHERE IS AGATHE??' twice a day for a month), but I assumed everyone else knew what was going on and just forgot to tell me. Turns out, a lot of people are worried/curious, from Fashion Hayley to Style Bubble to Jennine from the Coveted, who could easily secure a forensic investigator job if this fashion blogging thing doesn't work out.

Cake in my mouth--good. Cake on my wall--good. And calorie free.

Square Old Soul has a round up of supremely chic white t-shirt and jeans combinations--she also wants you to send in yours!

Just discovered this blog. Love it.

And finally, when a lardy chav buying several sausage rolls declares you an eyesore, that's when you know you've made it. Congrats, Queeny!

Blogback Mountain

Possibly my favorite sentence ever blogged: Pulling one of these off when you're the height of a great dane is about as likely as nationalized health care.

I want Agathe's wardrobe life. She eats lunch outside and has a pet pig, for god's sake.

Tricia asks the tough question: Why do we wear what we wear?

This post incorporates my three favorite things: sandwiches. sustainability. and Todd Oldham.

Meg has a great tip for making new friends--darn tootin'!

Some douchebag called our dear Queen Marie a beaver. Or perhaps he was not a douchebag, but a perfect gentleman simply comparing her to Woodrow?

I have the best eyebrows in America--that's a fact, because one person told me two years ago. And now I may have to nominate Gala as having the best eyebrows in Australia.

Hyena In Petticoats=Awesome blog title, even awesomer blog.

Maybe this is the real reason for seasonal depression?

Blogback Mountain

I've been wanting to do some kind of rad inspiration wall around my desk since I moved in, but hammers keep coming through the wall, which is kind of a buzzkill. Alas, maybe someday...

Chelsea from Frolic is another fabulous Portland blogger and I'm sort of bitter we're not friends yet. Because I'm already friends with everyone else in Portland. Including Danny Glover.

She looks this good while sick and pregnant.

If it wasn't hailing (WTF, Oregon?), I'd be wearing this outfit right now.

I love any clothes that look like they were scribbled on by a mischievous three-year-old, and that sounded sarcastic but I'm serious--I want the entire collection.

Those Sweet Valley High girls were total fatties, huh?

In two cities a few hundred miles apart, two bloggers examined a rack of discounted Tory Burch frocks and said "Ew."

Emi has an idea for new and improved "mom jeans" that is the GREATEST IDEA IN THE HISTORY OF IDEAS. And I never exaggerate.

"The Dailies" on Design For Mankind is just about the coolest feature ever (and like I said, I never exaggerate).

Remember my Junior High Fashion Confessions Contest awhile back? Well, all three finalists have their own blogs now (can we pick 'em or what?), and, as you might expect, they're quite entertaining. Check 'em out here, here, and here.