4.28.10, originally uploaded by allison the valiant.

i love grey and yellow together. i almost forgot i had these pants!

sweatshirt: J. Crew, thrifted from Savers
tee underneath: the man's
pants: H&M for $9!
flats: Anne Klein, from DSW

I've been having some pretty good luck lately. It all started with some free cameras that a friend picked up. A WHOLE BOX of 35mm once used by the government (I cant get over imagining that they were used to take gruesome crime scene photos and super-secret spy evidence photos. HOW COOL WOULD THAT BE?)! I tried to be good and only picked a few things out of the pile for myself. I started with a nice old Pentax 35mm with attached fixed-lens, then grabbed a lens-cap, a newer strap I took off of one of the newer crappier 35s, a couple of flash heads (one frontward facing one adjustable), and this kooky other talking camera! Its probably from around the eighties, not great in quality of course, made of plastic, fully automatic... But I couldnt leave it there by itself, its just so silly! You can turn on a voice function that beeps and talks to you to let you know when you need to use the flash, or when you forgot to load the film. AWESOME. Cant wait to take that one out in public. Haha.



And then when I was doing my thrifting, without much thinking about it, I happened to find the perfect pair of light denim shorts for this summer! They are nice and worn in, but without any holes yet, and fit perfectly, with a little bit of that slouch that makes it look like you're not even trying. I wasn't even thinking about shorts yet either. I'm still looking to score cheap vintage coats that no one wants, so I was surprised to see these hanging on a rack all by themselves and knew immediately that I had to have them. Luckily they fit me, because if they hadn't I would have dug tirelessly through the shorts aisle until I found the right pair. The vintage pumps are from the same trip. A little bit big and similar to the ones I just got I know, but they have a strap and and are super comfortable! And they're a neutral color, which again, is perfect for me. I know for sure they'll get some wear.


This week I've been helping out at the CTC (my old workplace), and was killing a little time before a shift on Thursday night, when I stopped at the Corner Store. It's a little vintage shop that I hardly EVER go to because in my past experiences the prices are a little more expensive, and they generally have a lot of leather, cowboy boots, and Levi's... that kind of thing. Not usually my style. BUT THIS TIME oh my god, they got an amazing shipment of dresses in and I couldn't help but try on a good 10 of them. What a surprise! This one was hanging in the window and I ALMOST FORGOT about it, but made sure to try it on at the last minute. The bust seems a little bit snug or too high or something, but I just am in love with the tiny black flower print and sheer fabric cut below the knee, and for $20 I couldn't pass it up.



It's exactly what I've been dreaming about lately (thanks to The Snail and the Cyclops). I guess my standing on this place has changed a little, and I will have to stop in more often and see if they keep it that way. I bought another dress with this one too, and its been shipped off to the tailors with a pile of things I have been saving up (finally!), but I picture wearing both dresses to picnics, the State Fair, walks along the lake this summer, and maybe even a wedding. I can't wait!! I just want the warm weather to be here to stay already! (I guess it almost is...)

4.22.10, originally uploaded by allison the valiant.

LOVE THIS ADORABLE KNIT COLLAR! I snagged it at a flea market this past weekend, and it is (almost) exactly what I've ben looking for! I wanted a lace one with a string, but found this one that was knit, and I like it even better! Such a sweet cream color and super super soft knit. Although it does kind of get fuzzy all over my black sweater...

vintage knitted collar: $3, flea market!
sweater: Banana Republic, thrifted from Savers
jeans: Urban
flats: Anne Klein, from DSW

today I used the clippers to cut my hair and it is very short. luv it.

4.15.10, originally uploaded by allison the valiant.

I had a REALLY long day today at work. And I will again tomorrow! We are getting ready for MCAD's first ever Presidential Inauguration, and it is a HUGE EVENT. Should be fun though. And keep an eye out for images on the mcadphoto Flickr stream!

Anywho, here is my outfit from yesterday. One of my favorite vintage dresses, which I had never paired with a tee before, and I like it this way actually! And also a plus, if you look verrrrry closely, you can see a little bit of my tattoo, which I got in October, and havent seen since. Thank you, Minnesota winters.

dress: vintage, from Lula
tee underneath: Urban? it is very old.
Minnetonka Moccasins! from a small shop in Northern MN

Alex and I went to Lake Calhoun for a picnic this weekend, to celebrate spring! Plus, we had to eat some lunch before going grocery shopping to make sure we didnt buy everything in the store (I am sure you know what I mean).

I finally got a chance to try out this antique (vintage?) quilt I bought awhile back at the Mall of St. Paul. All of the lovely quilts in this booth were HALF OFF, and I knew I had to snatch one up for picnics like this. Last summer we occasionally used a FLEECE blanket for picnics, and you can imagine how sweaty and yucky that was... This one is so much nicer, the perfect size for Alex and I and some lunch, and its not too girly. I actually think it was meant to be a boy's quilt because the little print has horses and elephants and cowboys on it. So perfect!

For lunch we had some fruit (pineapple and mango), cherry tomatoes, some pumpkin seeds (roasted and salted!), cheeses, crackers (egg matzo, on sale after passover), baguette and tea. Alex read a book, and I mostly sunbathed. I highly recommend it.





AND on another outdoor-related, but more musically-inclined note, we purchased our Rock the Garden tickets yesterday! They went on sale to Walker Art Center and Public Radio members only, and they hadnt even announced the full lineup when we entered our credit card number (!), but Alex and I really did love the lineup last year, so we knew we wouldnt like this years quite as much just on principle. It does sound like a lot of fun, and we are so looking forward to June 19th!!






It sounds like this summer is going to be jam-packed for Alex and I ALREADY. Let us begin: vacation to CA in late May, MOVE to uptown on June first (excited! more on that later), RTG on June 19th, little sisters 21st birthday in late June (yikes!), family camping trip in early July, wedding in late July, etc etc etc!

I should probably stop talking now... I am just feel so amped about it being springtime and about signing a new lease in uptown with the best guy in the world!

Today I tied a bow in headscarf form onto my (unwashed) head and as I always do when I get to work, turned on the internets webradio. I happen to be listening to Radio Line Renaud - "The Fabulous Star de Casino de Paris!" I didnt know much about her, but now I do and she was fabulous (she was discovered by Bob Hope while performing in the Moulin Rouge when she was 25)!

Notice that I am also wearing stripes today... The world must be trying to tell me something.

ps: full w_r here.

Rumi, over at Fashion Toast, always gives me the biggest shoe envy! All of her shoes I would die to have in my collection (except maybe the leopard print platforms... not a fan of animal prints...)! It seems like every time I browse a few of her most recent posts, I am immediately inclined to look up where to get some of those fabulous shoes. They're always flipping designer ones (surprise). And then I just go online-window-shoe-shopping for hours and lose track of the time. Well here are some recent shoe-bookmarks that have been added to my list, thanks to the always inspirational Rumi!

Diane Von Furstenburg leather wedges


Jeffrey Campbell suede wedges



Sam Edelman Booties



Miu Miu clogs (Clogs?!)



Also, a few things: Shini made a great little post about Bloglovin' the other day (I FEEL THE SAME WAY). Check it out. Next, I introduce to you what could potentially be the next Go Fug Yourself. (Makes me a little scared to visit LA this May). On that note, does anyone living in the LA/Orange or San Francisco area have any recommendations for restaurants, art galleries, events that I need to check out end of May? I'd love the inside scoop!

3.31.10, originally uploaded by allison the valiant.

All of the students and faculty are off for spring break this week, and us staff still have work to do! It is so painful... although the beautiful 75 degree weather we've been having makes it totally worth it!

dress: ON, thrifted from Savers

cardigan: random brand, thrifted

necklace: vintage silk scarf tied into knots

Minnetonka Moccasins!

Alex and I are firming up details about our trip to California in May and not only that, but its going to get up to almost 80 degrees in Minneapolis today! I cant stop feeling excited for the trip, even though I've got a ways to go still. Here are the types of songs I've been looking forward to listening to on the plane. Im really stuck on the late sixties early seventies, california love song, folksy hippie types. Obviously the Mamas and the Papas fit into that category, but thats kind of a sad california song...