Fashion for Writers

20s vintage necklace, laura ashley little girls’ cardigan (thrifted), mcq dress, loafers (etsy)

We’re having the end-of-the-term picnic today and this is what I’m wearing to it — I invested in this McQ dress as my go-to summer piece. It has no sleeves and is jersey and can curl up into a little ball for easy travel; I’ll be running around a lot this summer and I’d like to keep my luggage to one small carry-on, regardless of where I go. 

The weather, by the way, was beautiful this morning. Hanna and I even napped in the shade. An hour later, a thunderstorm hit and we were sprinting to the car as fast as our gym-rat (ha) legs could carry us.  

I acquired some new shoes today (Jeffrey Campbell, on sale from Solestruck), but I’m feeling a little nervous about them because they hurt my feet a tad. Maybe I just need to break them in, but my feet have grown this year — I’ve also gained 1/4 an inch in height at the ripe old age of 25 — and now I’m in this no-(wo)man’s-land between 7.5/8. Anyway, the oxfords are cute, and I’m going to wear them around the house as much as I can.  

I thought I’d give a close-up look of the scarf because I’ve been wearing it practically every day! Not practical for winter, but great for spring. It’s supposed to be 81 degrees tomorrow, by the way, which I won’t believe until I see it.

Studio in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood available for summer sublet. Furnished.  Room has dishwasher, large closets, internet, and gorgeous view of both the water and the skyline.  Building has 24 hour doorman and laundry facilities. 5 minute walk to Northwestern downtown campus (law and medical schools) and walking distance to the Loop.  Close to major bus lines on Michigan Ave and close to the El (Red Line – Chicago and Grand).  Rent is $1250 per month, prorated if not staying the whole summer. Available from May 23 – July 31.  

Email me (meggy.wang @ gmail.com) for more information. Note that this is not my studio; I’m posting this for someone else!

When I was in the hospital, years and years ago, the hospital brass brought around a big dog to cheer up the patients. I think that’s when I first learned that I’m fond of big dogs. (The one in the picture is L.’s, and a Newfoundland puppy who’s supposed to grow to be even bigger than this. Also, he’s exceptionally sweet, and fond of opening doors.)

For Easter Sunday K. had a tiny gathering at her home, with an enormous feast that far outsized its guests. We drank a variety of things, ranging from sparkling white wine to a robust red that Chris had brought; we ate things like chicken liver paté (for which I will have to learn the recipe), lamb, delicately cold spring asparagus, broccoli romano (Chris’s contribution), coconut and chocolate macaroons from Zingerman’s, and scalloped potatoes; we joked about indecorous things and gossiped with increasing fervor; the night concluded with everyone tired, but (hopefully) happy. 

K. has this amazing set of Beatrix Potter dishware that Chris and I put on our (okay, so I did it, whatever) wedding registry. I drank coffee with evaporated milk out of this duck cup. To continue with the insane gluttony of the week, I took Chris out for his birthday dinner tonight, to which I wore my mustard yellow scarf that matched the mustard yellow curry.

I’ve held a torch for Lyell for as long as I’ve started seriously caring about fashion. (One of the very first FFW posts, in fact, was about Lyell.) But do I own a single piece of Lyell attire? Sadly, no — I always cringe at the price tag, and I never find good pieces on eBay, probably because people are hoarding their clothes for their very own. 

Which brings me to the topic of Myne — a slightly lesser known, less vintage-y label in the blog world (or, at least, I have yet to come across a piece about them). It’s not Lyell. But after purchasing a few pieces from them, and after checking out their new collection, I feel as though Myne might be, for me, a slightly more affordable version of a line I love. It does mean wading through some pieces that aren’t so great, but I’m happy with the pieces I’ve bought and/or seen in person.