OUT OF OFFICE + LAYERING

I'm playing hooky! Out of office! Do not call! Sleeping in & checking out!

Just kidding. I'm not. I'm posting this on my way to work. But..... I am running early (shocker!) so maybe I will at least grab a donut ;D

Last week I went totally fancy with you guys for a Friday dance party. It was fun! We all love sequins, but with this current weather, that sheer dress is a little unrealistic. So today I thought we could make it a Casual Friday & talk layers.

I love everything about the graphic tee trend. It's edgy & it's fun. It's witty & it's casual.  & since the temperature swings about 50 degrees a day in Cincinnati, we really need the layers.. & you better believe you'll catch me in all three of them today. My mind is shouting "Annie, it's Spring! Shake off the jacket!" while my body is shouting "Don't listen to her,  it's January!" Layers keep them both a happy :D

Anyway, what are you guys wearing these days? Are you keeping it casual? Going edgy? Did you move into your Uggs? This city sure is tricky to dress for.....  but we  love it. Have a happy Friday, friends!

Tee: Banana Republic (out of stock) (similar) &  (want it)
Vest: Patagonia Better Sweater Vest  <<< Personal note: I've had this vest 5 years & it's still the same style today. One of my best investments. 
Jacket: JCrew Outlet (last year) (similar)
Photography: Jacob Heath

MT ADAMS: INSIDE THE STUDIO

Six & a half months ago I moved into an apartment entirely on my own.  It's a 450 square foot box that I've lovingly referred to throughout this blog as The Studio. I know I've shown you little corners of it.. but  I think it's high time I invited you inside  :D Welcome to my cheerful little world!

This is The Studio. My studio. This is where I write to you guys almost every single night &  where I binge watch Netflix like it's nobody's business. This is where I'm learning to cook & budget & figure out who I am & how to succeed. This little ole box is what inspired the rebranding of the blog to Ida Street.  I love this little studio.

They say everyone should try to live alone for a little while they are young.  I think it just encourages dangerous habits. (Who else ate half a pint of ice cream for dinner tonight? Nobody even knew!  Until I just told all of you....). 

I'm kidding (not about the ice cream). Living alone is a really big rite of passage. You learn how to survive when the electricity goes out every week for a month. You find out that 55 degrees is a pretty acceptable temperature to live in -- mostly because its the one you can afford. & cooking actually isn't so scary. & crock pots are a girl's best friend. 

But mostly, when you live alone, you learn about yourself. & that's some pretty good company.  Anyway!! Sorry to get all sentimental on you guys! I just really love this studio. Want a quick tour?

Remember way back when I told you about Building the Corner Coffee Bar? It's still here. & I still love it. This is where I sit when I'm working from home. A perfect little place to work & look up to people watch the inhabitants of Mt. Adams.

With less space in the studio I had to get creative about surfaces. Purses went on the wall. Hats went onto hooks. & pictures went onto the fridge. (Here's that post on Instagram Fridge Magnets.... that was one of the first things I did here!)   & don't worry guys -- my drafting table did fit. I made sure of it.

One thing I didn't realize until I lived alone is how your space unconsciously becomes... well you. 

It's where your life unfolds & where you can be you. The un-make-upped, unassuming, un guarded self. I love that. It's how a 450 square foot box can become your home. 

Photography: Mintwood Photo Co.

P.S. I've had this post in the works for a long time. Since July. While my slightly messy morning routine definitely delayed the process (it's not true that a small space is easier to keep clean!!), the real push to publish came from Urban Compass. They're a real estate platform focused on connecting individuals with the neighborhoods, apartments & homes  that best fit their personality. Thank you for asking me to share my Starter Story & finally invite you all inside the studio. I'd love to hear about your first homes in the comments :D

OVER THE RHINE: MANNEQUIN BOUTIQUE

Mannequin Boutique 
Weds - Sat 11a-6p; Sun 12p-4p

Okay, so Mannequin!! You guys!  It's the thrifting maven/vintage lovin/budget conscious/do-gooders dream. Mannequin Boutique is at 1311 Main Street in OTR's Gateway District. It's a "hip women's clothing, accessories, art, antiques & gift boutique featuring upscale & vintage merchandise."  AND ALL PROCEEDS GO TO CHARITY.  Isn't that amazing? 

This past weekend  CincinNatalie & I got to go down to Mannequin to play dress up. While she went formal (see her AMAzinG floor length gold skirt HERE) I found lace up leather pants from the 1980s begging for a stroll.  

I have never worn real leather pants before. Oh. My. Gosh. Talk about impossible to get on your body. I'm serious. Like jump up & down in the dressing room &  yank them up in mid-air tiiiiiight. & you have to be even more of an acrobat to get them off!!!!

Worth it.

Emma at Mannequin told me the present day version of these retail for $700. As of Saturday, this vintage pair was still at Mannequin for $120.  Have I convinced you to stop by yet? Because you so totally should :D

Pants: Vintage at Mannequin (similar & faux leather) (similar but denim)
Shirt: Vintage at Mannequin (similar)
Purse: Vintage at Mannequin (similar)
Earrings: Vintage at Mannequin (similar)
Shoes: BCBGeneration via TJ Maxx (old) (similar)
Photography: Natalie Folchi of CincinNatalie

SEQUINS

Fridays make me want to dance. Well not like from the very start or anything. I'm still awfully tired on Friday mornings.. but after an appropriate amount of coffee, Fridays really make me want to boogie woogie daannnce. 

& there is no better outfit to dance in than sequins.

Some people say the sequin season ends when the clock strikes midnight at New Year. I'm here to give you an alternative. Wear sequins all winter. No. Wait. Wear sequins all year. Better yet: wear sequins always. They are sparkly & they're fun & they catch great light & they are superbly excellent for Friday dance parties on Ida Street.

& you know what? I think we might just have to make Friday dance parties a thing. So crank up the tunes in those headphones & let's celebrate the weekend. It's about time ;D

Dress: Forever 21
Tights: Old (similar)
Coat: Forever21
Photography: Jacob Heath

SLEEK & CHIC & BLACK FROM HEAD TO TOE

So this is a major trend! Who knew!? All winter long, I've been wearing all black, all the time. Black jeans, black tee, black boots to work. Black yoga pants, black sweatshirt, black socks to the gym. Black coated jeggings, black mesh tee, black heeled boots out on the town. It's just sooooo easy.

Well apparently this is a huge trend! Need more convincing? Just check out how my Cincy blogging friends styled their all black ensembles at Out + Outfit & CincinNatalie. The consensus says this look is so easy & so fast & so sleek & so chic that you literally cannot go wrong. Well, except for the gym part. Not because of the clothes, the gym is just... annoying. ;D

So what do you think? Is all black the trend for you? How & where do you style this look? Thank you for stopping by Ida Street!

Jacket: FindersKeepers Moonlight Moto via Curate Boutique (sold out) (similar)
Shirt: Sanctuary Mesh Crew Tee in Black via Curate Boutique 
Pants: Liverpool Madonna Skinny Coated Jegging via Curate Boutique
Boots: Dolce Vita via TJmaxx (but here they are at Anthro?!)
Purse: Vintage Coach (thrifted) (similar)
Photography: Jacob Heath