breathe her deep and smile

sockdreams.com super marleds in fawn; only hearts cream sheer crewneck tee; american eagle stripe scarf; american apparel white u-back bodysuit; american eagle railroad shorts; frye boots

I put this outfit together with texture in mind; Missoni F/W 09 inspired slouchy knit legs; whites and creams; the mesh shirt; the floaty scarf. I went for a late brunch and to get some freelance work done at my favorite diner, Miss Albany, in Albany, NY. My favorite/usual waitress, Gina, complimented me on my outfit. She said she always looks forward to when my boyfriend and I come in, so she can see what I’m wearing that day. What a compliment! Some guy in a fringed leather jacket, hawaiian shirt, and fingerless leather gloves complimented me outside as well. A little strange, but a nice pick-me-up on a day when I was feeling down.

Greg and I had a lovely date last night. We went to Bacchus in Troy, NY and had some really incredible food. I had a Marcus John chardonnay that was divine with our appetizer, a creamy cheese spinach shrimp artichoke dip. Really amazing. I had a make-your-own pizza with prosciutto, spinach, sundried tomatoes, kalamata olives, basil, artichokes, and garlic & olive oil instead of tomato sauce. Greg had a spicy pasta with jalapenos, and we shared a tiramisu for dessert. I’m amazed that there is food this fantastic in Troy, and more amazed that I had yet to go there! Definitely have to go back. Strangely, Gina at Miss Albany worked at Daisy Baker’s, which is right above/connected to Bacchus, for 3 years. Small world!

Anyway, that relates because after such a nice night, I was really bummed that Greg headed up to his parents for the rest of the weekend and Monday, and I couldn’t go because I have to work Monday. So to cheer myself up on a rainy, yucky, lonely day I went over to the diner. Pecan pancakes and free coffee refills can’t be wrong. The compliments helped, too.

After that I headed over to The Warehouse, an architectural salvage/vintage place in Albany, right around the corner from the diner. I found some really, really incredible stuff. I love all the mirrors and weird exterior pieces.

I found these fantastic typesetters trays for only $20. I have no idea what I would do with one but as soon as I figure it out I am going back to get one or two of them. They are just way too cool to pass up, and I am obsessed with type. I love the grungy wood, too.

I also love anything with drawers, like these art or library filing cabinets. How amazing would one of these be in my apartment?

I also am trying to collect vintage glass canning jars or milk jugs. I love the shape and the embossed lettering.

brewer & monson troy n.y. & improved gem made in canada glass canning jars.

After that I drove through Albany, just to take some photos. There’s some really gorgeous old typography in Albany. A few months ago I bought a Polaroid SX-70 and have been waiting for the weather to be nice enough to go out and use it. I’m trying to take photos of cool architectural details, signage, and historic type with them, and eventually have a collection. I’d also love to do a polaroid “calendar” if I can find enough good shots.

some recent polaroids from alexandria, va and albany, ny

I went to the mall to place a return. The looks there were definitely more on the “wtf” end of the scale. So much for compliments. That’s okay, though, return made, and I was out of there. It’s funny how the places you go make such a big difference in the way people react to you and what you wear.

lovely girls at nada’s in troy

I’ve actually been having something of a social life lately. Thursday night I went to a really lovely Girls Gathering in Troy, for all the local girls to meet and network. I met and made some amazing friends. I love these parties; they are only every few months, and I can’t get enough. Incredible food and incredible people.

miss emelie, who i met in a biology class and turned her on to being a graphic design major; nicole, who i also went to college with; jen

I actually met Rachel, who is the manager of the building my office is in; we’re going to have lunch and see if she can fix the broken heat and the shattered window in my office. Amazing. She also used to be the fashion buyer for Some Girls boutique. She had this awesome grey skirted coat on; wish I had gotten a photo. I also met the girl who runs the Troy Community Gardens, Michelle; I’ve got to go to some of her classes. She goes salsa dancing, and invited Greg and I. We’ve been wanting to take dancing lessons, so that’s awesome.

the absolutely lovely michelle; nada, our gracious hostess; and jen

I met another Michelle, who is an ER nurse and interested in homebirth and pregnancy rights; Renee of almost foodies and Jess of Modern Renaissance. Jess is like my doppelganger; we have so much in common it’s a little eerie. (Hi!) I love all these girls and it makes me really grateful to live in such a cool town.

royah, who along with nada, owned shake shake mamas, a sandwich shop in troy; jess of modern renaissance

erin and michelle the er nurse

When I got home at about midnight I discovered that the tomato and pepper transplants I ordered from Seed Saver’s Exchange finally came. I unboxed them and got them set up in my grow racks. Check out how big everything is getting! I actually made a little teensy salad for dinner with lettuce from the box below, which is getting pretty full, and some of my basil and cilantro. I rounded it out with some local lettuce, chard, an endive, cucumber, a meyer lemon, and a hydroponic tomato with sea salt and pepper and some local whole milk. There isn’t anything I love more than local milk. Grocery store milk just can’t compare.

Friday night was Troy Night Out, and I wandered around after work for a while. I unfortunately don’t have a single photo – I know! – but it was an absolutely gorgeous day and I was too involved in doing fun things to bother with the camera. I wore this grey jersey Elizabeth & James dress that I finally got on sale, and a black blazer, and my DKNY heels. I need to get that dress hemmed! I got an adorable Marc Jacobs-inspired dress at Some Girls boutique, along with some leggings and an AA white bodysuit (finally). I also got this fantastic asymmetrical, off-the-shoulder black jersey tunic/dress/tee. I picked up a gorgeous ring from a street vendor named Juan in the antique district of Troy. He makes wire-wrapped jewelry from recycled copper wire. I also ducked in 272 Vintage and got this adorable grey plaid peter-pan collared dress and a little hat and necklace. I’ll be sure to feature it all soon! There was swing dancing at the Arts Center; that’s another thing I want to do with Greg. Maybe salsa and swing dancing. I can see why dancing was considered risque; it’s so intimate and sexy.

After TNO was the Revolution Hall afterparty. I had dinner at Brown’s with my girlfriend Celine and met Jess and her boyfriend Andrew there. Saw a ton of people I knew, which was always fun. We headed over to the afterparty and danced the night away. I wore that asymmetrical dress, leggings, and my LAMB boots. Wish I had gotten a photo; those things are intense and I got a ton of comments on them.

Saturday was the RPI Autocross. I didn’t drive, but I took some photos and helped out with recording times and working on the course. It was probably 65-70 and unbelieveably beautiful outside. Too nice for jeans, so I broke out the shorts for the first time in ages. I love outfits like this; super comfy, cute, and easy to do. They’re about as easy to throw on as they look, but you never feel sloppy.

blazer, thrifted; frye boots; american eagle tee, shorts, scarf; grey bag, thrifted

my wonderful boyfriend, greg, starting the grill

To bring this post full-circle, obviously today’s outfit was a more textural version of Saturday’s. I guess I just love those shorts so much. They’re really comfy! I wish it could be Sunday for three or four days. After the past few, I need a break. My coworker is moving on Mon/Tues, so I will be the only one there, and of course we have ten million things to do which will all come down on me last minute. Sigh. Mentally preparing in 3, 2, 1…