August 1, 2011

stressed

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necklace - Forever 21 / tote - German convention freebie / t-shirt - UO / jeans - Gap / watch - Arkanoplatz flea market, Berlin / woven flats - UO

Oh, what a difference a few days can make - I've gone from totally relaxed and luxuriating in the present to a state of high anxiety about the future. As the end of our trip looms (just over two weeks! What happened??), some major decisions have been made and I now find myself with an enormous amount of preparatory work on my plate. We'll soon be heading back to visit with family again, to pull together portfolios, and if all goes well, find jobs and an apartment in one of the most competitive (and expensive) cities in the world - and in the meantime, we have only one more day here in Berlin before it's off to a new city (and a new country!), and I am feeling the familiar pressure to make the most of our dwindling time here. I am admittedly feeling a little overwhelmed, with obligations new and old pulling my attention in every direction, but I'm trying to just focus on one manageable task at a time (and to bear in mind that I have successfully done all of these things before).

In times of stress, I definitely fall back on simple outfits with a few favorite accessories to carry me through. Jeans and a t-shirt isn't a particularly creative combination, but I think the distinctive silhouettes of these particular pieces give them a little extra polish, and I'm reasonably certain this necklace can redeem even the most ho-hum of outfits. I'd like to make a whole arsenal of bright beaded statement pieces like this one in different colors when I have ready access to craft stores and some free time again - hopefully I won't have to wait too long for the latter!

23 comments:

What Would a Nerd Wear said...

man, i know what you mean! i had that moment this summer, too, where all of a sudden i realized our lease was ending and the next year was starting and we had to get our asses in gear to figure out what we're doing. it's a stressful time, especially doing it from afar.
where are you guys moving when you come back to the states?? DC (hint hint)??
good luck with the next few weeks, you can do it!!

Callie Gisler said...

Stress is never a good thing! Yet this outfit is perfectly collected and put-together. I agree that a pair of jeans and your favorite tee can be a very bland combination after a while. But a tee tucked into a unique pair of jeans like these make the perfect slate for accessories. I think it's very polished and has that casual chic feeling that I love about your personal style! Very lovely!

the other emily said...

Ugh, it is just the worst! And not helped at all by the fact that all of my academic and professional work from the last few years is apparently scattered across five hard-drives in two different states.

The plan is NYC, but we won't get there right away - first we'll go to MA for a visit with Chris' family for a few weeks, then head down to VA/DC to visit mine for a while. We'll probably do most of our initial job-searching while based in DC, then look for a sublet in NY once one of us gets a job and commence 'real' apartment hunting. A big part of the stress of it for me is knowing that we are a looong way from having a 'home' of our own again - it'll be at least October, at the earliest! What's a girl to do with all her home-decorating-themed Pinterest pins for a whole two months? :)


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Archives said...

two weeks?! how did that happen??!?! yeesh! it all sounds stressful but EXCITING!!! new city! new jobs! new life! yay! :D

the other emily said...

Thanks Callie - I think you've hit the nail on the head by describing this kind of outfit as a blank slate for accessories. Such a good way to feel put together without having to try too hard. :)


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the other emily said...

I know, it is CA-RAZY! We have two more stops on our trip, and then a few weeks of limbo once we get home, visiting with families and doing our best to get jobs. It's crazy to think how much things will change in the next few months! And I'm going to have to start dressing more professionally, boo.... although I suppose it's a pretty good excuse for a little shopping. :)


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Alison said...

Times of transition are tough, but at least you've got an adorable pair of high-waisted jeans to help you through! PS, so jealous you'll be in NYC. Enjoy your last two weeks on the road!

Learned Lady said...

All I have to say is: pleeeeaaase keep up the blogging!!! I so love your outfit posts and sense of style (and I've only just found you!)...we'll miss the exotic scenery, but it would be great to see how your travels influence your professional dress!

JoAnn, Sidewalk Chic said...

Oh my goodness, it sounds like you have a lot on your plate. I wish you the best of luck in everything that's coming up. I kind of know how you're feeling -- as soon as I came back from my oh-so-relaxing beach vacation, I had to get everything in line for starting graduate school in a couple weeks,  and a couple of research interviews (AHHH). It sounds like an exciting time, and I hope everything works out for the best for you!

You do look fabulous in this outfit -- I'm loving the high-waisted jeans. :)

Kerry said...

I hear ya! I'm applying for grad programs soon, after being out of school for 4 years, and I feel like all of my work and contacts have either disintegrated or are hidden somewhere very deep and difficult to find!  Good luck with everything and I agree: Keep blogging!

academiaemily said...

I revert to basically this silhouette when I'm stressed too. Wide leg jeans just make me feel better. I think it's that they're so comfortable, but still look put-together. I'm sorry things are so stressful right now, but I think you've got the right approach - remind yourself that you've done it before, and wear cute clothes.

Kara @ Unusual Form said...

Good luck with the job hunt.  I definitely know how hard it is to get a job in architecture at the moment.  I'm currently working on a contract basis and I've been on two interviews in the last two weeks, so all is not lost.  Fayetteville's a pretty tight market (only architecture school in the state, smallish town, and probably coolest are in the state).  Everyone wants to live and work here.  I can only imagine how tight the NYC market must be.

Julie Del Moore said...

Ha!  I feel your pain....my stress is finally over and I'm just starting to feel human again!    At least you're lookin' good while under stress!

Love the high-waisted jeans and colorful accessories!

Julie Del @ J.Bird

NodToStyle said...

ugh, aren't big life decisions stressful? i'm in a similar situation and the whole "not having a home" and no idea where you'll end up is exhausting (and exciting, of course)

Dani Ganley said...

I hope you're having lots of fun traveling!
I just love this outfit, so gorgeous, dear!

kenda said...

oh my, i can see how you're overwhelmed. good luck with the job & home hunt. it's tough, but at least you've done it before.

StylebyIzabela said...

Outfits like this one are my favorites! You look great in it, too!  Best of luck with all the future planning; if anything, you've planned a great trip across Europe for the past many months, and that is one heck of an achievement! Planning the next few months will pale in comparison to this, surely?

tasty moog said...

good luck, lady! i'm planning on being in brooklyn, providence + boston this fall, maybe we can meet up sometime and talk/eat/shop/drink. :-)
not that i have loads of connections, but we are in the same industry, so... if i (or my man) can help at all with networking, please let me know, don't be afraid to ask!

Shoe Gal said...

I hate making big decisions. I become all consumed by them, which never leads to anything good. Hope it works out. And I love the jeans!

Sarah said...

Ahhh....I feel the same way! I'm coming to the end of my month 'work-cation' as I'm calling it in London. 10 more days - with a four day solo trip to Paris -  then back to work/grad school in Vermont.

I also just wanted to say that I really enjoy your blog! I was going to blog about my outfits in London, but I'm not that organized. And, they weren't very creative anyway. But, I love seeing your looks and the European scenery. 

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