These boots were made for... purchasing produce?

So, I tagged along with Jared to Kroger, and he sort of laughed when I grabbed my camera. "Who are you going to see to photograph at Kroger," he said.

Rachel, that's who. I complimented her on her red hair, she complimented mine, and we suddenly, instantly bonded over the wide selection of canned soups. Crazy how these things work out. She was happy to put down her lettuce and Portabellos so we could snap a few good shots.

Photos and edits courtesy of The Jared.

We had to get a pic of her boots. "I got those at a TJ Maxx in Chicago," she said. What can I say? I'm a sucker for a pair of strategically-battered boots worn over the jeans. Maybe it's a throwback to my childhood days, riding horses and tromping through the mud puddles at the State Forest in Pike County. You can take the girl out of the hick-town, but you can't take the hick-town out of the girl.

 Oh, my friends, it was a PAIN to get a decent picture of this necklace. But get a load of that hunk o' turquoise. So worth it. I regret to say that we were so deep in conversation that I forgot to ask where she got her necklace. Fashion-blogger fail. D'you still love me?






She accessorized her simple jeans, T-shirt, and black leather jacket with a mustard-yellow scarf that SO works with her hair, a beige leather shoulder-bag, and that most essential of all accessories -- a great, big, genuine smile. The best subjects are the ones who are so clearly brimming with joie de vivre. Props, Miss Rachel. You rock.

IFB Links A La Mode

The results are in! Here are this week's top 20 blog posts, as voted by Independent Fashion Bloggers:

Antares: Alfa Scorpii: Mori girls style is an amazing street style trend, the mixture of ethnic, folk, lolita-style and others.

Awakened Aesthetic: Araks Yeramyan’s lingerie is both ethical and effortless.

Beyond Fabric: On Family History – Vintage Family Pics

Big Girl. Small Budget. Tiny Town.: Using the 12 Days of Christmas as style inspiration. A 12-verse song translated into 12 winter looks

Boheme Noir: 10 Ways to Wear Tartan & Plaid

Circle City Style: High Fashion in the Style of Gemma Teller

Dramatis Personae: If I were Another Girl… Inspired by Eastern European Boho Style

Fasshonaburu: Why is that most “Flatter Your Shape” articles will feature petite and curvy, yet rarely both in one person?

Fuyume: Is the rise of Asian models a fad?

The House in the Clouds: Shine your light on me: A reminder to all women that we are more beautiful and interesting collectively.

I’m the It Girl: Colour Trends S/S 2011: From Runway to H&M

Independent Fashion Bloggers: Setting Blogging Resolutions for the New Year

Liv Lux Magazine: How to Ease High Heel Foot Pain [Video]

Lust, Love, Lose: Lust- Maggie Matich’s Lavender Hair

Just B Blog: B Festive: Hair Tinsel the perfect holiday hair accessory!

Miss Vicki: Crossing the line between fetish and fashion

Modly Chic: Typical New Year’s Resolutions– Blogified.

MoMoMod: I’m bound to believe that Catherine’s definitive, effortless, and lady like style is perfect in its own right.

My Fashion Lust List: Fashion Related Health Problems

The Coveted: Snow boots for urban sludge

The Red Dot: Fashion Illustration therapy: review of three of the best fashion illustration blogs of the moment – Do they have influence on our style and looks?

Watch This Place: In a world where ‘shocking’ is no longer shocking, I consider whether the ‘rock-’n'-roll-bad-girl’ has lost her edge.

The little couple that rocks hardcore.

You're totally jealous that these are my grandparents.

Meet my stepdad's parents, Walter and Estelyn. Try not to pine too hard over that red coat. Yes, this lovely lady is my second-biggest bargain hunting muse. (First place, of course, goes to Mom.)

This is another set I got at my brother's wedding. I say this is one of the loveliest couples I've ever had the privilege to know in person. They're coming up on their 69th wedding anniversary, and still look as adorable and happy together as they do in their wedding photo. (Now THERE'S a vintage fashion shot to show off, if I could get a scan.) Given their own successful marriage, the DJ at Alex and Jessica's reception handed them the microphone and asked them to impart their best advice to the new family, on how to make a marriage last.

Estelyn's words: It's not always easy, but just hang in there.

Walter's words: Always say, "Yes, dear!"

Quickie: Truly, the world needs more good hats.

Dark Denizens, part 1

All photos taken at Revenge.

Tru Nightclub, Broad Ripple, Thursday nights starting 10:00 p.m.

"Spooky" and Mary

Me and DJ Krazy Karoline

The tights! The belt! The boots! *loves*

Memory Lane Christmas

Zach and I got engaged a year ago today.

We'd only been dating for about 5 months when my all-time favorite picture of us was taken. I still feel like I could just burst with a trillion watts of happiness, every time I look at him.

We did that cheesy matchy-matchy thing. We did the corny water-fountain pose. Yeah, we went there. But isn't my dress AWESOME?

A little over 3 years ago, I didn't even know loving someone like this was possible. Thanks, baby, for all those days, for this day, and the thousands more days to come. I'm sticking to you like old gum on a hot day. No matter what.

Quickie: That is some SERIOUS devotion to Sun King Brewery!

A new level of "personal branding": Seth shows off his ink, which seems to prominently feature Egyptian deities' symbols.

Photo taken by Jared at IDADA First Friday