Amber's Notebook: December 2009

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Ode to Chloe: Drunky House Wife #5

Chloe posted a few druuunk retro ladies New Years outfit ideas and I picked her #5 drunk retro lady. So while I was getting ready tonight I gave my best effort to recreate her #5 Drunken Lady outfit minus the Scottie dog purse. Sorry but I didn't have one on hand.

Go check her blog and see what drunky house wife you are.

New Years Recap Part One: Czech New Year

We have a Tradition of toasting and celebrating Czech New year which is 3:00 PST. Just a tribute to the old country.

During the celebration snacks were eaten.

Scratchers were scratched. Yeah we love these things, a free ticket win can change your day ;)

The Clock stuck Twelve!

And Drinks were poured....I told you it was only 3:00 ;)

But my mom busted out a collection of sparkling wines so we could take a bottle home.

Happy New Year!!

Reader Request: Style Advice

Reader Emily, a Midwest Transplant from California send me a question asking my opinion on some shoe choices her is Emily's question and my response:

What do you think of:
1)Sportos http://www.zappos.com/sporto-aroostic-black-tan
2)Sperry Top-Sidershttp://www.zappos.com/product/7609984/color/4697

I can't decide if they are cool or ugly (if you think they're ugly please tell me!) but I'm seeing them EVERYWHERE! It took me a little while to finally break down and get sheepskin boots, and now I have Hunters, Uggs, and Old Navy sweater boots (but don't get me wrong, I do own plenty of other "regular" shoes) and I'm wondering if I need these additional weird (?) shoes in my collection.

I love your blog and trust your style!

-Emily

Thanks for reading the blog Emily! Here is my response to her question:

Thanks for reading my blog! I am honored you would want my advice!
SO here's my take on the shoes. I rarely wear flats, they just don't flatter me. Flat boots and sandals are exceptions.

The first pair I am not into at all. The second pair reminds me of of boat shoes, which I love. And wish I could pull off a nice Hampton-esque look of shorts, a v-neck and a collared shirt poking out, rocking some boat shoes. Or I can picture them paired with a blue and white striped sweater, so Polo and like Classic American. The pair you linked isn't my favorite, I would prefer something a little plainer like this version http://www.zappos.com/sperry-top-sider-bluefish-2-eye-ivory-1 but if you are looking for rain shoes maybe the others would be better.

So my take is I love the look of boat shoes, I know I can't pull them off. Maybe one day when I get some rocking legs.

Hope that helps! Thanks for reading the blog!
-Amber
Looks I am imagining:

Image from Vogue Issue unknown

Image from Shopbop.com

Let me now what you think and I'm sure Emily would appreciate any Midwesterners opinions as well, as I don't have to dress for Midwestern weather! And you would like my opinion on any style advice or a question about anything else feel free to shoot me an e-mail at Ambersnotebook@gmail.com.

Look of the Day: Friends For Life

I went to Happy Hour with some old high school friends last night. It fun for a bit but WOW we have drifted apart. Anyways, my favorite accessory was my new gloves that my GOOD friend Jen gave me. They are made from vintage cashmere sweaters with vintage buttons! I so love them! Reminds me why friends like Jen stick around after all these years =)

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Decade in Review: Looks of the Days Gone Past

Maybe I'm nostalgic or something but with the decade is coming to an end I decided to look back on my outfits from the past 10 years. Ten years ago I was a high school senior, making my own dresses for school dances, to be "different". Not that the dresses were all that special but to me, the fact I made them made them was special. Some elements of my style have stuck with me (ruffles, floral and animal prints). While others I have grown out of. I look forward to see where the next 10 years will take me.

Amber's Looks of the Day
From the 2000's

2000
one of the dresses I made for a High school dance:

Still love animal prints.

2001
Mastering my posing by now. Ekk those boots! That Shirt!

Ruffles and floral prints have always been a favorite.

2002
Enter the Abercrombie obsessed years.

Always the California Girl at heart.

2003
I always have liked unexpected elements and bows. Like the back of this top.
Oh that's just me on my birthday with a Barbie cake. Yup I love Barbie!

2004
The Jessica Simpson obsession began.

2006
More Jessica Simpson outfits, I used to stalk ebay and forums for the hard to find pieces.

Maybe a little Britney influence as well...

2007
Still hints of Js here and there. But finding my own way.

2008
Starting to see influences from Lauren Conrad, the darn Hills!

And see my previous post for my 2009 looks click here.

A Year in Review: Looks of the Day

Some of my favorite Looks of the Day from 2009. From most recent to the beginning of 2009.

And to see all my Year in Reviews:
Click here to see my Year in Review of DIY's
Click here to see my Year in Review of Travel
Click here to see my Year in Review of Parties
Click here to see my Year in Review of Flowers
and Click here to see my Favorite things of the Year on The Look for Less Blog

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Look of the Day: Paint it Black

OK really my Favorite Rolling Stone song is Sympathy for the Devil but that seemed like kind of a morbid title. Anyways, today's look was inspired by Mary Kate. I saved this picture days ago because I loved the contrast of the intense necklaces and the Rolling Stones Vintage tee. Love those Olsen's style, I always look to them for inspiration.

Mary Kate rocking the look that inspired my outfit.

Me attempting to rock a copy cat look.

rocking a wanna be vintage Rolling Stones tee, F21 necklace, 18th Amendment Harlow Jeans
My necklace is not as intense but a similar idea.

I ended up getting cold, of course, and added a plaid shirt on top. How grungy of me!

Pleased to meet you....hope you guess my name...

Year in Review: My 2009 DIYs

It's that time of the year when we can reflect on the past year and look forward to see what the next year holds for us. Throughout this month I am going to be posting some of my favorite things of the past year.
The following are a collection of DIY crafts I made in 2009.

Fashion DIYs
Lanvin "Lets Make a steal" Necklace