The Dressed Aesthetic

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Rebuilding

This has been a very odd week. Our University has reopened, which brings with it the positives of getting back to a routine and seeing for myself that my students are alright and that my campus community is slowly rebuilding. But, the stress around me is palpable, as we all wander around in a stupor of coming to terms with our new reality and our new surroundings. Trying to stay positive, but falling victim to the shock and subsequent guilt (at how lucky I was) in equal measure. This, coupled with an emotionally charged week where I realized just how…

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Power Suit

Power Suit - The Dressed Aesthetic

I have always ascribed to the belief that getting dressed every morning is a bit of a joyous occasion. I stand before my closet, coffee in hand, and wonder who’s story I get to be a part of today. Will I opt for short and flippy, floral and feminine, or dark and mysterious? Will I reach for an uber modern shoe or a 40’s inspired Mary Jane? Simple or statement? One crinoline or two? And then the most important question: do I feel powerful? If the answer is yes, then I go forth and conquer the day.

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Gowns by Roberta

Gowns by Roberta - The Dressed Aesthetic

Something I have always been very passionate about is shopping small. Supporting small business owners and helping to build up a community of eclectic places to source gifts, clothing, and homewares makes me feel as though I’m doing my part, however small, to support the actual people behind those shops. Unlike a big box retailer, I like knowing there’s a face behind my purchase, doing a little happy dance when my order comes through. 

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Huntress in Training

Huntress in Training - The Dressed Aesthetic

One thing I will say for my family is that they always manage to get behind my passions. From announcing my profession at 5-years old, to my decision to move halfway around the world, to this crazy love for hunting down embellished vintage amazingness. Even if they secretly thought I was crazy, they never let on. Instead, they would grab the pom poms and throw themselves into cheerleading me with the same fervor that I was chasing down my dreams with.

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She’s My Cherry Pie

She's My Cherry Pie - The Dressed Aesthetic

If my heart belongs to vintage, my soul definitely belongs to shoes. As you’ve no doubt noticed over the years, I have a love for novelty shoes and accessories. And if those items happen to be shoes and accessories masquerading as food of some sort, I simply can’t resist. You may have noticed one brand in particular, Shoe Bakery, tends to grace the area south of my ankles more often than any other. So, I thought it was high time to give you a bit of insight into all of their amazingness.

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Allégro

Allégro - The Dressed Aesthetic

In ballet, allégro is a term applied to bright, fast or brisk steps and movement. Although I never had any fantasies as a young girl of wanting to be a ballerina (but the layers of tulle I can definitely get behind), I have a sneaking suspicion I’d be pretty awesome at this move. As soon as the semester hit, I’ve been briskly stepping just about everywhere.

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Finders Keepers

Finders Keepers - The Dressed Aesthetic

As a scientist, I’m lucky enough to get to travel a lot for work – tissue collection, conferences, invited talks – they take me far and wide, often to places I may not have gone otherwise. And although these trips are often chock full of meetings and scientific shenanigans, a perk of the job is squaring away a bit of free time to explore my surroundings and get to know a new city. Yeah, you can read that as: Kara Hunts For Vintage.

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Fruit Salad

Fruit Salad - The Dressed Aesthetic

A few weeks ago, while I was browsing one of my favorite blogs In A Nutshell, the fabulous Sara Lily unapologetically announced that her closet could be mistaken for a fruit salad. And I had to laugh out loud. One glance towards my own wardrobe, and I can safely say we’ve got an ambrosia situation threatening to jump out of the fruit bowl and onto my person. Well, if you can’t beat em…buy more fruit themed things!

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Full Circle

Full Circle - The Dressed Aesthetic

Part of what makes vintage amazing is the hunt – wondering where the next gem will be hiding. It’s the thing that keeps us digging through racks of consignment stores, feverishly browsing our tried and true vintage shops, and “just having a quick look” as we pass through Small Town, Population 50, thinking this could be the place that holds the illusive Holy Grail. 

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