Ah, so. As I'm sure most of you already know (assuming you follow my aimless ramblings on twitter) (and if you do, I sincerely apologize) that I'm currently off on a little road trip at the moment, heading back "home" to South Dakota to celebrate with my gramma for her 80th birthday.
Gramma Chloe Conspiracy is turnin' 80! It seems like just yesterday, she wasn't....um 80. Yow. :(
When I originally hatched the plan to do this it was December and unseasonably sunny and warm in Colorado. Pile into my car with a chihuahua or two for a 12 hour roadtrip to South Dakota to surprise my grandma? Nooooooo problem! Husband couldn't come with so I'd be doing it alone, darnit, but I've done the trip alone before. It's EASY PEASY, you guys--download a mindless Sophia Kinsella audiobook, set the roadster on cruise control, and done.
Well I've never done the trip alone before at the end of fucking February, when the snow comes down hard and whips wickedly across the flat terrain and vulnerable highways of Wyoming. Oh Wyoming. I'm not very smart, am I?
So needless to say a 6 hour trip today (I'm first heading up to my mom's in the Black Hills to spend the night to chop the journey into two days) took about seven, except you know--I am not actually at my mom's. I am only in Lusk, Wyoming, stopped for the night due to feeling sick after eating five big boxes of Hot Tamales due to stressful eating because I WAS PRETTY SURE I WAS ABOUT TO DIE AFTER SLIDING HERE DOING 45 MILES PER HOUR THE WHOLE WAY.
I'D SWITCH THE CAPS OFF BUT MY HANDS WON'T STOP SHAKING AND TRIGGERING IT back on.
I'D SWITCH THE CAPS OFF BUT MY HANDS WON'T STOP SHAKING AND TRIGGERING IT back on.
Lusk is a bit of a funny place. Husband and I have been through here dozens of times as we head back and forth between Denver and South Dakota, and it always surprises us as to how quaint and tidy it is. Small towns in this part of the world aren't exactly known for being picturesque, and anyone who has been through the smaller towns of Wyoming (or Nebraska/South Dakota for that matter) probably knows what I'm talking about. This is the last frontier, after all--and with it comes a certain pride full of everything wild, dusty, and unkempt. This includes both the people and their houses, too. Yeehaw?
Lusk is different though; it's as if the entire town (population: 1,629) is full of cookie baking grandmas. Houses are bright and clean, lawns are trimmed and well-kept, and the main drag through town is wide and prettily paved....when not covered in snow. I (literally) slid into a hotel here, fearful of what I might find, but the room is just like the town. Petunia has her own bed, her own room even and TV with 300 channels of Direct TV, but of course is choosing to steal mine. She hates watching Jersey Shore alone:
If there is a good spot to be stuck in Wyoming, I suppose Lusk is it. And so I've decided to take a little break from jumping on the hotel bed(s) with Petunia and screaming the lyrics to Destiny Child's hit 2001 song "Survivor", much as I imagine the pioneers did hundreds of years ago and that Charlie Sheen is doing right this moment on his little vacay in the Bahamas because a little bit of Beyonce is the wrong way only way to heal a mind, to do a quick update on this old blog.
And while you don't get an update of what I'm wearing today (trust me: driving all day in bad winter weather does not a cute outfit make) this is what I wore this past Saturday while furniture shopping and watching my nephew play bball during much warmer weather.
And while you don't get an update of what I'm wearing today (trust me: driving all day in bad winter weather does not a cute outfit make) this is what I wore this past Saturday while furniture shopping and watching my nephew play bball during much warmer weather.
I will admit that I'm a little obsessed with my snake necklace at the moment, mostly because it's so light that I often forget I'm wearing it. And it's fun! Hissst:
Blouse: Topshop Floral Frill Tunic (buy it here) (similar style by Joie here) (and under $50 at macy's here!)
Skirt: J Crew (similar style here) (and here for $28) (and a more tailored, longer version here)
Shoes: Valentino Studded Kitten Heels (similar style here) (and here under $100!)
Necklace: ALDO (buy it here - on sale for $9.98)
Ring: Banana Republic (buy it here - now 30% off!)
Bag: Chloe Metallic Marcie Satchel in Gunmetal (similar style here) (and here from the wonderful Nanette Lepore) (and a fun option here that would also work well by Badgley Mischka)
Skirt: J Crew (similar style here) (and here for $28) (and a more tailored, longer version here)
Shoes: Valentino Studded Kitten Heels (similar style here) (and here under $100!)
Necklace: ALDO (buy it here - on sale for $9.98)
Ring: Banana Republic (buy it here - now 30% off!)
Bag: Chloe Metallic Marcie Satchel in Gunmetal (similar style here) (and here from the wonderful Nanette Lepore) (and a fun option here that would also work well by Badgley Mischka)
Is there any item in your wardrobe you're currently obsessed with? Share in the comments & have a happy weekend!
Chloe, Colorful Colorado. 5'8" (only) when teetering in her highest 6 inch Miu Miu platform heels. Likes fashion, broccoli, ice cream, clarifying that she does not eat ice cream with her broccoli as to not cause worldwide panic, hoarding beauty products & pretty shoes, tickle fights with her husband (he would like to clarify that he does not like them back, OKAY?), anything covered in sprinkles, any alcoholic beverage made with Tang, live music, clicking the camera, sarcasm fonts, vases stuffed full of pretty flowers, and laughing hard until her belly hurts. Wants an adventurous life, lots of puppies, to never obtusely wander around with her fly down, and to be an iconic Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress with a bright, festive print when she grows up. This is where she bravely documents it all. (
Ughie McUgh Ugh. I hated driving through Wyoming! My husband was stationed in Colorado when we first started dating and were first married. Once our housing got approved, I had to drive there from Washington state with my wondeful parents. Wyoming was the worst! I couldn't find Diet Pepsi anywhere and because I went during Labor Day weekend - every magazine in the state was sold out - except a copy of More (the magazine for women 50+), which I seriously considered buying. But yeah, sorry you had to go during such crappy weather!
ReplyDeleteSnow sucks major donkey BALLS!!!! I feel your pain, I'm and california girl living in Chicago - this is my 3rd winter ever and I'm over it!!!
ReplyDeleteI am currently coveting a new pair of Karen Walker sunglasses!!!! I hrt them in a bad way! Of course the Hubs wants to point out i have another pair in a similar color - as if the style is all diff and so essentially they are diff glasses! Right?! I thought so! I love that necklace!
this outfit is perfection! wish i could wear short skirts like you :(
ReplyDeleteGirl, I was getting worried about you when I was reading your tweets. I am glad you and Petunia are safe now and spending some time in luxury (BTW, Lola has her own permanent room, she needs her space sometimes).
ReplyDeleteI am really obsessed with the Crewcuts sequin skirts I recently got, I just cannot have stop adding sequins to my life. Now, if I could get my hands on a version of this skirt for Lola...
watch out for hot tamales Chloe! but you're still young.... be careful driving with all the Wyoming & So. Dakota wildlife too! Happy Birthday and Many more to your Gramma! Post some more pics when you arrive! xo Alie
ReplyDeleteOh yes! I know EXACTLY what you're talking about. My husband and I just moved from Spokane Washington to Huron South Dakota. He pulled the boat with the 4 Runner with me following/slip-sliding behind in my little toss away Alero. At one gas station a guy quipped to my husband (not knowing the boat was ours)..."Who pulls a boat in this weather?" Yes, by that time it was hard to tell it was a boat, being all covered in ice and what not. Arrived in Huron. MINUS 22 degrees the day the movers unloaded our furniture. They told us we were jewels to work with but if we ever moved again, don't call them if it's winter. LOL. Brynne
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain! I drove to the airport this morning at 3am to catch a flight to North Carolina... and after many delays and news that I'd have to fly through detroit then atlanta then get there at 10pm instead of noon, I reluctantly canceled it (they actually gave me my money back) and went home. Which entailed driving through the giant blizzard that was delaying my flight for two hours to go 45 miles. FAIL. Now the flight is delayed to 4pm and I would have missed my connection to Atlanta and been stuck in Detroit overnight. No thanks. Driving in blowing/blizzarding snow is the WORST! Glad you made it ok. And Petunia is ADORABLE.
ReplyDeleteOo, i really like that top....that it's sheer (I think) with a black background and some subtle blue pastel peeking through the flowers.
ReplyDeleteI live in Cheyenne, Wyoming, so I know exactly what you're talking about with the snow and almost dying on the roads. Lusk is an interesting place - I had no idea they had that nice of a hotel!
ReplyDeleteThat picture of the pups is too cute for words! So peaceful =) You look lovely as usual Chloe. So classy and elegant to watch bball. Was everyone else in jeans and a tee? I always get crap for "overdressing".
ReplyDeleteCurrently, I'm obsessed with my white Michael Kors watch and my BR skinny jeans. I wear them, oh, every other day or so.
Happy birthday G-ma! Hope you get there safely. Love that skirt and drooling over that metallic bag...I'm in complete envy.
ReplyDeleteJanice
(Couture and Crayons)
I love this look! I like the mix of the floral with the edgy shoes. What do you do with your old clothes? You should sell it, I would buy!
ReplyDeleteooooh i hope you have made it safely home now and surprised grandma CC!! My college roomate and I drove cross country in January 2006... we drove through Wyoming. As we passed the sign that said "If flashing turn around" and "No place to stop for the next 80 miles" we were like, oh shite, we're not in north carolina anymore. in retrospect, we probably should have chosen a more southerly route. at least it didnt start snowing until we rolled into park city!
ReplyDeleteDrive safe......there is a lot of bad weather here in Nebraska....I hope you don't run into it! Have fun with your Grandma! Will you be hitting the Pizza Ranch while you are there??
ReplyDeleteI'm obsessed with your Valentinos! Do you know if they run small, big or true to size? Are they good for girls with wide feet? Love your outfit <3
ReplyDelete- Richelle
www. rarepersona.com
Chloe, Petunia might just be the single cutest Chi I've ever seen outside of my own.
ReplyDeleteCute outfit!! Be safe the rest of the way to SD! And Petunia is soooo cute!! Your drive reminds me of the time I drove on X-mas Eve in a snowstorm and I had to go about 25 miles an hour and could only see about 2 feet in front of me, and I passed about a dozen cars stranded on the side of the road...it taught me what it might feel like to go insane! I was starting to lose it!
ReplyDeleteHi Chloe! Random question for you...What do you do with your old clothes? You have such a massive collection of clothes i am so green with envy! I was curious as to what happens to clothes you've posted but no longer wear? Would you sell any of them? I admire all your picks of outfits I wish I had you as my shopping buddy in person! LOL :) have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteHi Chloe,
ReplyDeleteI gave you the Stylish Blogger Award. Check out my blog and congratulations. I love your blog and your style.
Sandra
Thanks for all the great comments and well-wishes, guys! <3
ReplyDeleteBecca- YES. WEDNESDAY NIGHT! *dances* *dances*
Richelle - Hi there! I love my Valentinos, the shorter heel makes them pretty darn comfy. I think they run a little small; I grabbed mine in a 37.5 since it was all they had left (I typically wear a size 7/37) and they fit perfectly. I have wide feet in the front, and the pointy-toe can hurt a bit after awhile like all do, but I can wear them easily for several hours with no pain! HTH!
CMae - Hey girl! I actually keep almost all of my old clothes, but I was eyeballing my closet last week thinking it was time to put some items up for sale to clear out some space. If I do, I'll definitely post them here!
sternchenslove- awww, THANK YOU! <3
Beautygirl24 - Hahaha yeah, most people around my neck of the woods rock jeans + hoodies/down coats and I used to get asked all the time why I was dressed up. It's not quite so common anymore 'cuz people are used to it! I think. I hope? LOL.
ReplyDelete