the OTHER rodarte

Looking back through some of my past posts, I've noticed my photos have somewhat lacked in, well, umph. Pizzaz. Razzle dazzle. The "Ohh" factor. Whatever you call it, it's missing as of late. Take this blue door for instance. The color is great but I definitely seem to fall into this rut of snapping a few photos with the same poses and calling it good. Which leads me to wonder, how do the rest of you do it? Do you take along a friend? Trusty tripod? And how can I break this nasty habit of my three fall back poses?

Plus, this blue door is at an elementary school near my house. I'm just waiting for the day that I'm dressed, shall we say, rather scantily like the above outfit, and some teacher walks out with first graders. I'm such a role model, kids. All the cool kids wear mini dresses and take pictures of themselves.

Trust me.

Oh, and before I forget, this is the other Rodarte dress I managed to snag at Target. You all have undoubtedly seen the back of it (cute bow overload) so I decided to skip that part. Plus, I'm sure you all have heard that it was inspired by "Rosemary's Baby" so I won't bore you with that either. Actually, I have nothing profound to share in regards to this dress besides: here it is. And I love it.

Happy New Year everyone! Let's make sure 2010 is f-ing awesome!

Dress: Long sleeve leopard print lace mini dress, Rodarte for Target

Vest: Long black tuxedo vest, Urban Outfitters

Belt: Leather belt, vintage

Boots: Black suede over-the-knee boots

call Guinness

Another casual outfit for another casual day of errands, which included (but certainly wasn't limited to) finding a dress for New Year's. And get this. I did it within ten minutes of walking into the store. I know. Call Guinness right now.

Like right now.

Can't wait to show you guys! It's real purdy. And thanks for all the suggestions the other day. It helped a lot in the final (albeit quick) decision!

Jacket: Dark brown leather jacket, H&M

Sweater: Cream cardigan, Simply Vera

Shirt: Grey v-neck, American Apparel

Jeans: Dark rinse skinny jeans, BDG

Shoes: Black shooties DIYed with studs, Payless

Scarf: Red scarf, Walmart

NYE

Nothing like blogging next to a space heater. Until you realize that your Mac is overheating.

Just out of curiosity, what are all of you wearing for New Year's? I'm on the hunt. No prospects yet, though.

Happy Sunday!

T-Shirt: Owl print v-neck, Urban Outfitters

Shirt: Denim button up, Gap

Pants: Black leggings, Walmart

Boots: Black motorcycle boots, Dirty Laundry

Bag: Black handbag, Old Navy

so this is Christmas...

So this is Christmas...I think I've heard this song 20 times while braving the last minute crowds today.

Hope you're all having a warm and safe holiday! Eat lots, stay close and save room for egg nog.

Cardigan: Grey button up cardigan, Urban Outfitters

Shirt: Plaid button up shirt, stolen from bf's closet

Jeans: Dark skinny rinse jeans, BDG

Flats: Ballet flats, Target

before I go...

Just a quick outfit post before I head out the door again to attend to ... you guessed it ... last minute gifts! It's OK guys. I work well under deadline. Unless it's debating between this and this for a few of my friends. Then I could take forever.

The outfit you've seen before on Ms. Julie of Orchid Grey and Ms. Jen of Jenloveskev. Thanks for the inspiration ladies! I owe you one for the 20 minutes I saved that would have been otherwise spent on picking out a comfortable outfit.

Merry Christmas everyone! Yes, I'm saying it early. And also, thanks for all the advice from the previous post! Keep it coming! Ya!

Shirt: Black and white striped dress worn as shirt, H&M

Skirt: Pale pink tiered ruffle skirt, Urban Outfitters

Tights: Black sheer tights, Target

Shoes: Black heels, Aldo

Belt: Black elastic band with gold clasp belt, vintage

a little help from my friends

Well, let's get the obvious out of the way first: Here's one of the Rodarte dresses I managed to snag at Target the other day. My plan of waking up early to scope out the fresh merch was spoiled by, well, life. But it was nothing a little luck at the dressing room couldn't fix. I spotted this pale pink/nude number hanging up as someone's discarded dressing room item, and it luckily was in my size. A bit of a hefty price tag, but all in all, I think this is one of the best designer lines Target has had in awhile. Stay tuned for the second dress!

In other news, I'm starting something NEW and need help/advice/tips/insider information. I'm looking at moving to New York City very, very soon and aside from applying my ass off the past couple of days, any tips from you lovely readers about cheap living situations, possible jobs (preferably writing jobs but I'll take anything!), internships, good street corners with friendly bums that I could live on, ANYTHING, would be much appreciated!! I'm just sort of diving in here and would love to hear from you New Yorkers and non-New Yorkers alike.

It would mean a lot to me.

If you feel more comfortable, please feel free to shoot me an e-mail: krystalbick@yahoo.com. And if anyone out there is interested, I have a resume, writing clips, styling portfolio and letters of recommendation all set to go. Just ask! I'll send!

Thanks guys! Fingers crossed!

Dress: Pale nude tulle dress, Rodarte for Target

Jacket: Tweed suit jacket, Urban Outfitters

Boots: Black suede over-the-knee boots, Top Shop

Belt: Elastic band vintage gold clasp belt

Tights: Black sheer tights, Evan-Picone

Jewelry: Gold chunky necklace, Forever 21

Bag: Black leather handbag, Old Navy

Presenting ... Second Skin

Now here's a girl after my own heart -- an entire room devoted to her thrifting finds/Etsy goods, which can be seen in all it's glory here. So without further ado, I'd like to present the lovely Ms. Christina of Second Skin. Undoubtedly, most of you have already had the pleasure and are completely aware of her knack for finding great vintage pieces, mixing and matching them in quirky, yet creative ways and her consistently cute photos, with dress form and all!

But what some of you don't know is that she's actually from my neck of the woods, a fashion blogging rarity if you ask me as we don't have too many of us in northern Nevada. I actually got a chance to meet Christina while we were both out thrifitng at a local Goodwill. She admired my riding boots and I was eyeing the stuff she had managed to round up from the store. It was like blogger deja vu, because we sorta recognized each other, but not really.

Long story short, as I'm just rambling here, Christina was kind enough to answer some questions here on This Time Tomorrow. Do read on, and if you haven't already, check out her blog, Second Skin.

Take it away, Christina.

Name: Christina Marie

Age: 30
Occupation: Vintage Seller, and Yoga Instructor / Art Therapy Coordinator at a residential care facility for young people with eating disorders

Store to most likely find you camping out in: Two years ago my New Years Resolution was to buy NOTHING NEW clothing wise for the entire year in order to curb my overspending and materialism. My built-in loop hole was that I could buy second hand from thrift stores. I didn't break my resolution and actually extended it for the rest of my life. I occasionally purchase new things now (basics from American Apparel are a luxury I allow myself), but you can find me camped out at my local thrift stores any day of the week. Obviously I didn't curb my tendencies, but am spending far less money!

Favorite Beatle and why? George is my favorite because he wrote my favorite song "While my Guitar Gently Weeps" about the I Ching, The Book of Changes, which opened doors for me philosophically.

Describe your style. What's Ms. Christina's style mantra? I wear things that make me feel pretty and happy. If I'm not feeling it, I don't sweat it, I sell the offender or give it away. I find myself in dresses most of the time because they are basically a complete outfit (just add boots!) in fact, the "dress, belt and boots" combo was probably my signature for a while, but I am always trying new things. I love neutrals but have recently been working a few jewel tones in. My mantra I guess would be: Just smile and have fun with it.

What was your inspiration for starting up a fashion blog and what have you enjoyed the most about it thus far? A bit of a difficult question for me actually. I started my very first blog with a friend for social reasons. I loved her clothes and never got to see her wearing them (busy lives), so I proposed we just start a blog and take pictures of ourselves and post them so we can see what each of us is wearing and keep in touch (though she lived 5 miles away). That morphed and changed and for complicated reasons, I eventually broke off and started Second Skin on my own. Coincidentally, the thing I like the most about blogging even now, is the social aspect of meeting people and having interactions with them in the blog world. I am a busy introvert and blogging provides an adequate social life for people like me. It's not perfect but it works.

Fashion icons? Well, Jane Birkin if we are talking like obvious and famous, but I get most of my inspiration from bloggers. I could name a few but just about everyone inspires my wardrobe in some way on any given day. I know it sounds like a cop out but its accurate. Bloggers provide endless inspiration and try things that I think celebrities wouldn't because they have less to lose. Although, I am beginning to believe that bloggers are the new celebrities.

Complete this sentence: "I feel best when wearing..." BOOTS. It doesn't matter what else I am wearing really, as long as I have my boots on. They feel like my second feet.

Fashion advice for other girls your age out there. Just try it. You love it? Then just try it out. Wear it to the post office or bank. Your instincts will tell you if its working.

If your clothes could say one thing to you, what would they say? Wear me and love me, or let me go. I used to be a terrible hoarder of vintage clothing. I had four full industrial sized rolling racks and a full closet overflowing with it. That is why I started my Etsy shop really, just to lighten the load and clear the backup. Everything is cyclical and the more I let go the more I get. I am still working on it though, as my clothes would tell you.

rodarte, hurry up

Thanks for all your well wishes this week. I didn't mean to sound so self-absorbed in my post the other day. But we've all been there and it means a lot to me that you guys put up with my whining.

So thank you. Tons. It helped more than you know.

On to the outfit, though as I'm still not feeling super inspired to write tons. I pulled out this Target dress this morning, which reminded me of Sunday's launch of the Rodarte line for Target. Super stoked. You better believe I'll be there, first thing in the morning.

Happy Thursday, everyone.

Blazer: Black tuxedo blazer, Express

Dress: Strappy floral dress, Target

Tights: Black sheer tights, Target

Shoes: Black heels, Aldo

Socks: Black trouser socks, Target

Belt: Elastic band belt with gold clasp, vintage

back to basics

In a pretty down and out mood today, hence the basic outfit and color palette. And that's all I have to say for myself.

Hope your guys' weeks are faring better than mine.

Jacket: Black leather jacket, H&M

Shirt: White button-up blouse, J. Crew

Skirt: Black velvet mini, H&M

Tights: Floral lace tights, American Eagle

Shoes: Black shooties, Steve Madden

Scarf: Black chunky knit scarf, Walmart

navajo

I got this sweater a few weeks back and with today's fog rolling in, it seemed like the perfect "comfy sweater" day. I was really eyeing some of Opening Ceremony's navajo prints awhile back and loved how most of the outfits looked awesome when paired with plaid.

So that's what I did.

Happy Monday, everyone.

Sweater: Navajo print sweater, vintage

Shirt: White blouse, Gap

Jeans: Dark rinse skinny jeans, BDG

Shoes: Black wedges, Aldo

bon iver, marry me

I don't know what I did with my life before I heard this song.

That's all for today, lovelies. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Jacket: Faux fur leopard print jacket, vintage

Shirt: Grey v-neck, American Apparel

Shorts: Jean cut-offs, Abercrombie & Fitch

Tights: OK, OK, they're actually leggings. I needed the extra warmth

Shoes: Black shooties, Steve Madden

Hat: Black panama hat, Halston

White Russian

OK, I think Kyla had the right idea over the summer. I remember being with her when she bought her Russian-princess fur cap at a Beacon's Closet in NYC for the Weardrobe Conference and now, I'm spotting them everywhere!

Seeing as how I had this vintage puppy lying around, I decided to give it a shot. While the shape of it is a bit too high on top for my liking, I'll keep my eyes peeled for a darker brown (maybe grey) cap for future wear. One thing is for sure though: I am warm!

Happy Friday everyone!

Cap: Vintage fur cap

Jacket: Grey BB Dakota trench pea coat

Blazer: Black tuxedo blazer, Express

Shirt: Red plaid ruffled blouse, American Eagle

Skirt: Black velvet mini skirt, H&M

Tights: Sheer black tights, Evan-Picone

Shoes: Black suede shooties, Steve Madden

Scarf: Cream colored knit scarf, Gap

survey time

Well, I did not mean to take a blogging hiatus this week but when it snows more than two feet, your Civic won't start because of a dead battery and temperatures average a good 2 degrees every morning, you wouldn't want to look cute either.

Today though the sun decided to grace us and I actually mustered enough strength to don tights, my new polka dot ones.

Except that's not really my main focus for this post. I really want to know if any of you guys have good sturdy, rolling racks? I'm not talking part plastic and part chrome (ahem, Walmart brand that broke the other night, thanks a lot!). I need entirely metal or chrome. I've been told to start scouring businesses that are going out of, well business but was wondering if there's any brand at say, Target or Staples that might work as well?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I'm currently living in a pile of clothes and hate the fact that I can't easily see everything hanging in a pretty row.

Ah, who am I kidding, I usually have a pile of clothes on the floor. I think I figured out my New Year's Resolution.

Shirt: Denim men's shirt, Gap

Skirt: Leather pencil skirt, vintage

Tights: Black sheer polka dot tights, American Eagle

Shoes: Black wedges, Aldo

snow day!

On days like these (read: on days when we get over a foot of snow over the course of several hours) I like to a.) work from home because I drive a Honda Civic and don't have any desire to wait for AAA to dig me out of snow banks b.) pump my space heater directly at my feet c.) listen to Cat Power's "The Covers Record" over and over again.

What do you guys like to do on snow days?

Jacket: Navy blue blazer, Urban Outfitters

Shirt: Pink bow tie blouse, Gap

Jeans: Dark rinse skinny jeans, BDG

Boots: Tan riding boots, vintage

Jewelry: Pearl necklace, Forever 21

Gloves: Grey knit gloves, Walmart

weekend duds

Considering I've worn several incarnations of this particular outfit this weekend, I figured I should document it.

So here it is. Documented.

And I must say, these boots have indeed paid for themselves. Never before have I sported a pair of shoes that have garnered so many people to admitting that they want to make out with them. (The shoes, not me, duh.)

Hope you all had a great weekend! Stay warm!

Dress: Black and white striped shirt dress, H&M

Vest: Black long tuxedo vest, Urban Outfitters

Shoes: Brittany over-the-knee boots, Topshop

Tights: Black sheer tights, Evan-Picone