I’ve been late with the posts these past few days. I owe you all an apology AND a treat! How about two posts in one day?

I’d like to introduce you to Masa Kitani, a powerhouse of a woman who has done everything from fashion design school to working and traveling with the circus to escaping to Bali for her honeymoon. Not bad, right?

Masa cut, sewed and generally put a lot of hours into the one-of-a-kind apron you see below. It’s the Cadillac of aprons, folks. Silk, pockets, sweetheart neckline, the works. 

Please make sure to visit my Masa Kitani page to read more about how Masa and I met and her dedication of this apron to Chicago Uniform Project in memory of a dear friend who fell victim of the very thing CAWC works to eradicate.  

Today, I accessorized the dress with antique buttons and a couple of babies.
I know what you’re thinking: “are those just any babies??” The answer is no, these aren’t just any babies. This is my niece, Harper (aka Ms. H), and nephew, Andrew (aka Handsome). As you can see, Harper decided to pull out her own little black dress complete with ruffles, buttons, and mary-jane socks. 

The babies indicated back at the beginning of the month that they wanted to support their aunt in her “strange but worthy endeavor” (their words, not mine) so they drove over to see the new place and we snapped some photos. 

Harper thought the whole outfit-planning / photo-shoot / etc. was so much fun that she might do her own Uniform Project next year, once she’s able to stand on her own and strike a few more poses. 
And hey! Here’s Harper and Andrew’s mom (my sister) Kate.

**photos by Laura and Kate (whoever wasn’t holding a baby). Full album on Google+ (or the Facebook if you must).

Fall officially began yesterday ~9 AM. Fall unofficially began today after the last street festival of the year (or at least the last one that I’m aware of).

It was the Hideout’s block party. WBEZ did a nice piece on the venue’s history and its 15 years of running this big shebang. I enjoyed the Old Style (or what was left of the beer, they kind of sort of “ran out”) and relished some final evenings sans coat.

  **photos by the too-hungry-for-Andrew-Bird Laura Ellison. Full album on Google+ (or the Facebook if you must).

It was a lot of work, but some dress had to do it. We carried the carpet (and posed with it), eyed some prime real estate for wall hangings, and then hoisted Richard (cat) to celebrate the new apartment!

Photos were taken by the barren walls and empty shelves. I pulled out my favorite photo pose: the deliberate eyes-closed (deal with it).


And then I sat down (in my favorite piece of furniture: chair from a flea market in Detroit), smiled for a second, and realized how tired I am.

Goodnight.

**Photos by the just packed and now unpacking Laura Ellison. You can see the full album on Google+ (or the Facebook if you must).

[sorry for being a bit late on this one. I’m in the process of MOVING and it’s taking up time, big time. this was yesterday’s post and i’ll have another later today]
***SURPRISE*I think I’ve mentioned that the company I work for is great. Well, the company I work with is even better. And so photogenic!
My comrades in arms sported some serious black today in solidarity with Chicago Uniform Project. And it was all a SURPRISE!


Even the engineering team got in on it and I think they’re launching a spinoff: “Chicago Black Google Tee Project.”  It looks good.

***ESKELL*
Not to be forgotten, I’m wearing a shirt from Eskell today! I’ll be sporting two separate looks (over two days) from the lovely ladies at Eskell. Today’s top is the Lace Printed Irma Blouse and the pattern actually comes from pieces of antique lace that Eskell photo-copied and printed on silk. Innovative? Methinks so.


Check out Eskell’s page on my site for additional info and anyone who donates to Chicago Uniform Project anytime this month will be entered into a raffle to win an Eskell gift card! Yeah, I bet you just started feeling a lot more generous. 

**Photos by all sorts of great people. You can see the full album on Google+ (or the Facebook if you must).

Sarah’s List of Reasons to Jump with Excitement Today:

1. Only 1 more day of relying on the Blue Line as my main source of public transit. Goodbye morning mosh pit.
2. Just received amazing items from 2 local ladies whose boutiques will be featured on Chicago Uniform Project in the next week!
3. This jumping photo actually turned out.
4. M83’s new album is really good.

Take “business casual,” add some weird, and you’ll land on my Day 21 outfit. Business Unusual.

This outfit confirmed that the punk rock blazer is always a good idea and two belts can be better than one.

Standing in a bike locker makes me also want to mention Little Independent, a Chicago-based online marketplace for sale items at independent retail stores. Little Independent was started by Lesley Tweedie, co-owner of Roscoe Village Bikes (where I recently purchased my celery green Jamis roadbike). Lesley is rooted in the Chicago independent business community and her Little Independent is the only website where brick & mortar retailers promote their stores and list their sale merchandise to get it in front of wider audience and sell it faster. 

Check it out and help spread the Little Independent word!

**photos by the ante-upping Laura Ellison

Well folks, we’re 66.66% of the way through the month and just about at the same place in funds raised (~$6600) to [new] goal. I’ve reached a — what’s the word again? — oh, plateau. That’s the word.

Fear not! I’ve got a few tricks up my dress (is that appropriate?) over the next ten days and this project is gonna go viral ANY MINUTE NOW. More importantly, today’s look is brought to Chicago Uniform Project by the delightful Quirky Poet (née Rachel Marie).

I reached out to Rachel after noting the incredible vintage flair behind all of the classic pieces featured in her Etsy store. Rachel sent over the fantastically twirl-able maroon skirt, vintage brooch, bracelet, and bag to create a complete look for me. 

All of the pieces will be available for purchase from the Buy It Yourself page with all proceeds going to CAWC. Thank you Quirky Poet for being so generous and putting together one of my favorite outfits so far!

**photos buy the Xoco-sated Laura Ellison