Wearing: Rainy Day Layers

Honestly, all I wanted was to run all my errands and melt into the corner of my couch with a big cup of hot chocolate. It's so cold and rainy this summer that a girl's got to be extra creative with her wardrobe, 'cuz even I'm not gonna run around in the pouring rain wearing a silk dress and heels. Shocker, I know. Besides, with my frizzy hair, there's just no good solution for a rainy day.

(Gap dress, J.Crew paisley shirt, Walmart chambray shirt, LOFT blazer,

American Eagle belt, Charlotte Russe fedora, Steve Madden sandals)

Even the rain can't dampen my enthusiasm, however. I've been working on something really important to me for several months now, and have only really hinted at what's going on here at Kristina J., although if you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, I'm sure you've probably already guessed. Some things just aren't concrete enough to talk about until they reach a certain stage, and I had to make sure I had the guts to see this project through. On Wednesday, I'm finally gonna spill the beans here on zee blog! Can't wait to hear what you think! Until then, hope everyone has a beautifully delicious week...

Wearing: French Braid

"The sun did not shine, it was too wet to play,

So we sat in the house all that cold, cold, wet day."

Cat in the Hat

--Dr. Seuss

(Gap dress, J.Crew Wool Cardi, Crown Vintage oxfords, HUE tights, Anthro Modern Master Watch, Trench from Korea)

So you know how they say, "Do something to occupy your time and the snow will go away"?

It's not working. We've

1) played sudoku

2) baked cookies

3) made shadow puppets with a flashlight on the wall

4) drawn (very poor) pictures for relatives

5) gone to the library

6) made paper airplanes

7) made monkey puppets out of brown lunch bags

8) had the cousins over

9) played Chutes and Ladders 574,489 times

The kids have even tried to teach Mom how to play video games and that took some time, lemme tell ya

(and I still can't complete a level without some sudden demise into the lake of lava).

The foul weather just isn't going anywhere.

Apparently, Dr. Seuss had never visited Indiana in February when he wrote,

"From there to here, from here to there,

funny things are everywhere",

'cuz honestly, four inches of ice under six inches of snow just isn't funny anymore.

Oh, yeah...and this is what it STILL looks like where I live...

so those of you frolicking on the beach (ahem, TIEN),

feel free to send some warmth this way...=)

Photos courtesy of Kristina Cipolla Photography

Wearing: Dog Trot

(Anthropologie Dog Trot Cardi, Eze Sur top, Streaked Light Skirt, Nicole boots, Gap tights, H&M shades)

OK...just to clarify.

I haven't posted anything for the past few days 'cuz really, all I've been doing is

eatin' Peppermint Bark and drinkin' eggnog and sketching like mad for the collection I'm working on...

Ahh, I love Christmas Break.

I sorta momentarily ventured outside, ya know, to go buy more eggnog...hehe...

There is crazy BIG-ness goin' on in my life (which I'm gettin' closer and closer to being able to share with you, BTW), and I'm just using this week to relax and take some deep breaths before the deadlines and professional meetings of January hit.

It's really amazing how life takes you to places you never imagined you'd go...

sets you on journeys you never thought you'd take.

And what's a girl to do except hold on for the ride?

I hope you all had a fantabulous Christmas...can't wait to get on out there and see what you've been up to...while I've been inhaling every piece of chocolate I see!

Wearing: GAP Drop-Waist

I, being poor, have only my dreams;

I have spread my dreams under your feet;

Tread softly, because you tread on my dreams.

W.B.Yeats

I've received quite a few pictures of pieces you'd like to see me replicate.

Don't forget to send your request by the end of the week, so I can include it in the nominations!

Oh, and check out my Campaign for A Life profile over on Kara's blog here.

(Gap dress, vintage sweater, Anthro Extra Zest Clip, Nicole Riding Boot)

Photos courtesy of Janelle Miles

I've got something really special to show you this weekend, so keep your eyes peeled!