Though I've always lived in cities, those cities were
never really fashionable hubs. Currently, I live in a
college town where most everyone wears what's comfortable: denim shorts, tees, and flip flops during the summer; and sweats, hoodies, and Ugg boots during the colder months. I spent my undergrad years in a small city
outside of Anchorage, AK, where the winter weather lasted for about 8 months a year. Everyone around me regularly wore Columbia and Northface jackets paired with Carharts, layered denim, and the assortment of footwear available in our local REI. During the short summers, they shed our fashionable hides, but basically kept the same look.
Always striving to
stick out from the crowd, I froze myself multiple times, trying to make the Japanese "hime" or "lolita" look work during -40F weather. After a few months, I relented and bought a pair of clogs, but only wore them with flared jeans and a quippy tee. Lately, and I don't know if it's because I'm much older and a little more sensible now, I've come to appreciate the simple, understated, and comfy casual Eddie Bauer-esque look. My best friend and I endearingly call this style "
Granola," not really referring to them being like hippies, but more
earthy. This is my interpretation.
The Granola look calls for
comfort. This GAP sweater is easy to wear and keeps the cold at bay. Bonus points for being striped and having those gorgeous golden studs by the neckline. Granolas are also
sensible. These jeans are very easy to move in, so I can go from reading to hiking in a heartbeat. Danskos are probably
the soul of all Granolas. They're super comfy, very versatile, and astoundingly durable. These red babies were recently sent to me by my mom. And though they're a little too big for me, I'm keeping them for walking over snow and ice.
Because I've rambled on and on, let me leave you with a few snippets from my weekend...
 |
| Trying to make a dent in my to-read list... |
 |
| One of my cats, Pandae, mesmerized by a bug in the house... |
 |
| Freshly baked Ghirardelli chocolate chip cookies. Extra chocolate, extra goodness. |
Very casual and relaxed and cute! Sometimes comfort and sense > flashiness!
ReplyDeletePlus your weekend sounds like a snuggly relaxed good time. How many cats do you have?!
I like the look! looks comfy and cute. i really like the sweater and the cookies :)
ReplyDeletexo
A_Riot
www.thickthreads.net
I think you pulled off looking cute and comfortable at the same time. I like the shoes!
ReplyDeleteStylish and comfy is often the best!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cute look - I love it! I'm applying for an academic job at the University of Anchorage...I'm actually incredibly excited about it.
ReplyDeletexoxo ~ Courtney
http://sartorialsidelines.com
I love this look on you! It's casual yet it's chic and I like those clogs! How yummmy do those cookies look :D
ReplyDeleteLove your casual outfit!! Your clogs are fantastic, and look crazy comfortable. Mmmm those cookies. Enjoy one for me! <3
ReplyDeleteYour usage of the word granola in big letters has made me hungry. You stop that missy. That or bring me granola and yogurt and we can make parfait thingies, lol
ReplyDeletegreat pics! Nice blog! :)
ReplyDeleteplease visit my blog too! :) I hope you will like and follow me! :*
http://www.lusciousstyle.blogspot.com/
very cool shoes, special!!
ReplyDeletewould be lovely if you visit me too!
xx
omg love this outfit! <3 <3
ReplyDeleteCasual but very chic! Love the simple monochrome top with the red lipstick and clogs :) x
ReplyDeleteYou look cute; I really like your make up ;).
ReplyDeleteAnd cute kitty! :p
Have a great week!
Miki.
A striped top will always make a casual outfit look so much sassier and fun!
ReplyDeleteLidi @ Eclectic Flair
Loving the "Granola" look. Simple, stylish and chic-perfect! I just bought a new pair of dansko sandals on Ebay can't wait to get them but I love your red clogs more! I want to get the reeny clogs but they are to expensive at the moment. Love your blog :)
ReplyDeleteSuch classic items and colors.. LOVE!
ReplyDeleteAnd, I know what you mean about not living in a fashion hub. I sometimes feel weird wearing most of my wardrobe. Heck, if I wear a casual dress most people think I'm dressed up! haha.
xo, Jill
http://jillybeanstalk.blogspot.com
Hehe, I am loving all the free time you are having, so you have more time to spend blogging and I have oodles more to read and see! <3
ReplyDeleteLove the red lippie you have got on, you look very pretty!
And how adorable is your little kitty haha, mine only stays mesmerized for a nanosecond before she is off leaping after them. :)
xoxo,
Addie
The Cat Hag
Laura, I saw your clogs and I swooned! You see, about 11 years ago, I was gaga over a pair of Dansko clogs that looked very much like these. Never having been a fan of red, for some reason they made me smile. Sadly, they didn't have them in my size. So imagine when I saw your post and saw you wearing Dansko clogs! I love 'em! And your outfit is what would normally make me feel right at home! :)
ReplyDeleteWoW! You have flawless skin and I've been searching for a pair of cute clogs for the fall. Those red one's are too cute girl <3
ReplyDeletexoxo,
daisy
OMG those cookies look extra chocolately and awesome.
ReplyDeleteIf you're going to break down and get clogs, these are a pretty good choice - love the color!
I really love your cat! So adorable and pretty! ^^
ReplyDeleteAwn your cat is so adorable! Love the striped sweater paired with the dark denim and the red shoes. ♥Tati
ReplyDeletehttp://meine-libelle.blogspot.com/
I live in a small area and most of the college students here dress casual too. There are those fashionable students still but I tend to dress up according to my mood. Most of the days I tend to wear shirts, shorts/jeans, and sneakers.
ReplyDeleteYummy, those freshly baked cookies look delicious! You make me want to go back to baking. ^__^
You absolutely MUST have extra chocolate in homemade cookies. That is the fun of making them at home!
ReplyDeleteI love these red shoes. LOVE.
http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88
LOVE IT! meow
ReplyDeletexx
I LIKE IT FAST
nice. xo
ReplyDeletedevorelebeaumonstre.com
Love the stripes and the red shoes:) Danskos are great! I've been dealing with foot problems (plantar fasciitis) for a while, so I end up wearing my danskos quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteThe cooking look delicious and your kitty is such a cutie!
I think your "Granola" style still looks classic and chic. Stripes always look fantastic and the pop of red from the shoes is great.
ReplyDeleteOh, and btw, those chocolate chip cookies look SO good :)
www.thejoyoffashion.blogspot.com
I'm totally freaked out by cats....but I love striped anything!
ReplyDeletehey, sometimes comfort wins! especially when you're running after minis! nothing granola about stripes, tho!! yummy cookies...we made some oatmeal choco chip ones this weekend.
ReplyDelete[oomph.]
Blogaversary Giveaway
very simple and relaxed...love the stripes. You look great!
ReplyDeleteerica
this is such a cute look! love your shoes! :)
ReplyDeletekatslovefashion.blogspot.com
love your red danskos! i want a pair so badly!
ReplyDeleteI'm in a college town right now and since we've complained back and forth about the weather, I have to give some credit to the winter. Winter here is only as bad as tights under a skirt and a blazer or light jacket.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine being a shapeless blob for 8 months. How awful.
You're cute, when I think of granola I think of like brown loose linen harem pants and dread locks :p You look so classy and pretty! :)
ReplyDeletethose clogs look super cute and comfortable! Arghh dont remind me of reading... i need to get started again! the cookies look yum :D
ReplyDeletelove your outfit that top is divine.
ReplyDeleteyou look so fresh and chic!!
ReplyDeleteenjoyed reading your post ^^
and looking at your photos..
love expressive eyes too!
Laura! I really love the simplicity of this outfit. Wearing something that's either comfortable, sensible, or both doesn't have to be a snooze. Classic looks are never boring. You look great!
ReplyDeleteI've secretly been wanting to try Danskos for a while now. And I bet a nice pair of wooly socks will take up the extra room in yours when it comes time to walk over snow and ice :)