Curiouser & Curiouser

Misty Water-Colored Memories

2010-01-03T18:42:00.000-05:00

Well, my darlings, I think this is officially goodbye for now.

I promised myself that when I stopped loving blogging, I would stop blogging, so here we are. I don't really feel like explaining or defending myself, nor do I feel the need to - I sort of rambled about why I am no longer in love with blogging on my Tumblr in the wee hours of this morning, so you can read that if you want.

At least for now, my switch from blogging to Tumblring is official. Follow me there! Get yourself a Tumblr! It's really fun.

So... goodbye, then. Maybe a month from now I'll miss blogging dearly and want to come back - or maybe I'll start a brand new blog - who knows? I just want everyone to know how much it means to me that you read my blog. Seriously, blogging has made me so happy over the past (almost) year, and it's changed the way I think about personal style and fashion so much. I love you all, and this definitely isn't the last you'll hear from me.

xxx

Annie

So This Is The New Year

2010-01-03T01:54:00.003-05:00

SHOP CURIOUSER & CURIOUSER

That's right, the blog shop is still alive and kicking! Well, it will be, thanks to you guys...
I put up a bunch of new items and reduced the prices on almost everything else by at least a few bucks each.

Also, happy happy happy new year to all of you! I hope you all had incredible nights, I know I did. Mine involved sparklers and bonfires and delicious homemade tacos and sparkling cider and staying up into the wee morning hours of January. Tell me about your festivities!

For Auld Lang Syne, My Dear

2009-12-30T16:15:00.000-05:00

I have been playing a lot of piano lately. By no means am I good at it, but it's always enjoyable. So much of my life is about trying to convey things through words, so playing music is a relaxing change.

I have also started wearing a watch again. It feels so old-fashioned to do so, but in the best possible way.

I felt like I was channeling Audrey Hepburn a little in this outfit.

Vintage Gap denim shirt, Forever 21 pants and flats, gifted watch

I am not normally the resolution-making type, but here are my two resolutions for the new year: write one poem every day, and learn how to knit. I will be spending New Year's Eve with almost all of my best friends (to the ones who will not be there, you will be dearly missed!), eating and dancing and relaxing and having a generally fantastic night. I hope you all have an amazing New Year's Eve!

Delicious.

2009-12-29T15:54:00.003-05:00

Delicious is the best word I can come up with to describe my feelings about the Missoni pre-fall collection. Just when I was starting to doubt my purchasing of those Missoni-esque leggings, this collection appears before me, and my faith is restored. I still have no idea what to wear the leggings with, but looking at the immaculate colors and coziness and layering in this collection assures me that I will eventually come up with something. I know I would feel much differently about these pieces if I saw them out of the runway context - meaning, the styling is such a huge part of why I love Missoni. And the shoes are amazing.

Whatever may happen with the blog in the next few weeks or months, I will definitely be updating my Tumblr regularly, so keep up with me there!

There Will Be Feasting And Dancing In Jerusalem Next Year

2009-12-26T23:56:00.003-05:00

I returned a few hours ago from a brief but very nice family trip to Washington. We stayed on the fringes of Georgetown, which is such an adorable and fun area for shopping and walking around, and our hotel was magnificent. It's always nice to go somewhere.

I feel like the blog might start to take a different direction soon, but I am not exactly sure how. I have been thinking a lot about fashion recently, and how I feel about it, and how it connects to other parts of my life, and I feel like I might need some time away from fashion and blogging to think about the other creative things that are important to me. I feel really good about my clothes lately, and obviously that's the most important part of personal style, but I am starting to think that deep down the fashion I am all about is not especially innovative or provocative, and therefore not entirely blogworthy. This is all sort of difficult to explain.

Lately I am not sure whether my dedication to my personal fashion is waning or waxing. By that I mean, I have been wearing a lot of simple, comfortable clothes lately, none that feel quite special enough to share on the blog but all that I love to wear. Basically, I think I need to start setting slightly lower expectations for myself in terms of what I wear on a daily basis, and then coming up with things to show off on the blog will seem much less (or hopefully not at all) stressful. I just want to be happy with what I post here, and then hopefully you all will be too.

I apologize if I sound maudlin at all. With the end of the year right around the corner, I have been feeling extremely pensive lately about every aspect of my life - friends, romance, writing, blogging, school, college, and everything beyond that. I think I just need to sort myself out a little.

All photos from The Cherry Blossom Girl. The above picture was taken at Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, a place of which I have very fond memories. And the post title is from "This Year" by The Mountain Goats, my favorite and most mood-appropriate song lately.

About a week ago I started a Tumblr, which I will probably be updating more frequently than the blog at least for a little while. Please do not take this as an abandonment of the blog! Please! I just need to relieve myself of some blogging responsibility for a bit. And no matter what happens here, I will continue to read your blogs as I always do.

Dreaming Of Scandinavia

2009-12-24T17:36:00.001-05:00

I have pretty much been living in variations on this sweater-and-leggings combination since the snowstorm last Saturday. Meet the newest addition to my granny sweater collection.

The vibrant colors, cozy knit, and wonderful oversizedness make it, I think, the sweater to end all sweaters. Sylvie, my dear, this is definitely one for the record books, and you must borrow it immediately!

These stirrup leggings I bought on Saturday are amazingly warm. Also, note the crazily thick socks. Under normal circumstances I usually wear thin cotton ankle socks, but in these chilly temperatures a good woolly pair is an absolute necessity. I feel like I am channeling Isabel of Hipster Musings in this outfit (never a bad thing, I am totally in love with her casual/cozy/insanely sequined style).

Between the glorious amount of snow and my newly blossomed love affair with leggings, I have been fantasizing lately about a winter vacation in some Scandinavian mountain cabin. Like this one, full of white walls, pale wood, minimalist furnishings, and huge windows for watching the blizzards. I can just picture sitting on a squashy couch in the loft, with only a mug of peppermint tea and a fresh notebook to keep me company, listening to The Mountain Goats. What's your fantasy winter locale?

Vintage sweater and suede boots, Forever 21 stirrup leggings, random woolly socks

I am heading out now for my favorite Christmas Eve activity: seeing a movie with my family and some fellow Semites. Merry Christmas to all!

The Stars Are My Chandelier

2009-12-23T22:24:00.003-05:00

The name of the game is... simple colors, soft fabrics, and choosing comfort over trend.

Steven Alan wool trousers, Tomas Maier cashmere poncho, Vince jersey top, Acne tee, Alexander McQueen cashmere sweater dress, Alexander Wang sweater, Richard Nicoll dress, Miu Miu jersey stirrup leggings

These pieces totally embody the type of clothing I have been craving (and wearing very much of) lately. I cannot imagine anything more delicious than a cashmere poncho. Because of late rehearsals on Monday and Tuesday, then the absence of a camera battery charger this afternoon, I have yet to take any pictures of my purchases from Saturday, but I can assure you that they all fall into this category of simple, comfortable items, and that you will definitely be seeing them soon!

School is finally out for winter break. I could cry with happiness. A lengthy hiatus from schoolwork and alarm clocks is exactly what I need right now, preferably one filled with oversized sweaters and mugs of peppermint tea, snowy afternoons spent writing poetry and playing the piano, and spending as much time as possible with my friends.

My friend Chris and I (a different Chris from the one you met briefly in my last post) swapped mixtapes today, and I am totally in love with the one he gave me. It has lots of odd acousticky music on it, which totally suits my mood right now, and the post title is from one of my favorite songs on the mix, "The Stars Are My Chandelier" by David Dondero.

These pictures of Paris buried under snow are so magical. I want to experience Paris in wintertime so badly. Anyway, we got a significant amount of snow on Saturday night (I believe around eight inches) and it's been cold enough these past few days that basically all the snow is still here! Now it truly feels like winter.

Since I probably will not post again before tomorrow night, I hope all of you who are celebrating Christmas have a fantastic holiday!

It's Christmas Time In The City

2009-12-19T18:42:00.000-05:00

Rather than plead for your forgiveness for my lack of blogging this week, I offer these photos from my spectacular trip into New York City today as penance, done in somewhat of a picture-or-two-or-three-an-hour fashion.

8:00 AM - Luke and I arrive at Grand Central Terminal, all prettily decked out for the holidays.

9:00 AM - We make a much needed stop at Starbucks before delving into our shopping adventures. The first store on our agenda? H&M, where I purchase several fantastic items that you will surely see soon. Luke gets a few things too.

10:00 AM - Next is J. Crew, where Luke buys khakis and a gorgeous deep red sweater. I am wearing my beautiful new black wool Banana Republic pea coat (well, sort of new, I found it at the thrift shop).

11:00 AM - Our final shopping locale is Forever 21, where I make four heavily laden trips to the dressing room and leave the store with a brimming bag. I almost literally screamed with delight when I found these Missoni Fall 2009 lookalike leggings. And I should mention that I purchased four pairs of leggings today. Craziness.

12:00 PM - In dire need of sustenance, we stumble into a cozy and beautifully decorated Irish pub near Herald Square for lunch. I have the yummiest crock of French onion soup and some of the best chicken fingers of my life. During lunch I flip through the Forever 21 magazine and see some of my favorite bloggers featured!

1:00 PM - Luke and I take the subway up to Bryant Park, where it starts to snow. I had never been before and it's quite a sweet little area, sort of a much less frenzied version of Rockefeller Center. There we meet up with Sylvia (who is wearing her magnificent Christmas sweater) and our friend Chris!

2:00 PM - The four of us trek through flurries and blustering wind back to Grand Central, where we buy our last coffees and snacks and head back home.

This was the first time I had properly shopped at real stores since the summer, and it was so much fun. I think I spent more money at once than I ever have, which felt slightly revolting but also pretty appropriate. It's the holiday season!

After being insanely busy this past week, I now have only two and a half days of school left until winter break. I already feel like a huge load is being lifted off my shoulder, and I will definitely not be taking any more six-day breaks from the blog. I missed it very much.

Short & Sweet

2009-12-13T22:24:00.004-05:00

I wore this to see The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center today. It was, in a word, magical. I might have mentioned this after I saw Romeo & Juliet, but I think that ballet is truly the most exquisite art form in existence.
I won this Yokoo for Urban Outfitters scarf in a giveaway on her blog, it's deliciously cozy and quirky and will definitely be reappearing here soon. After lusting nonstop for the magnificent knits in her Etsy shop, I am so excited to have this!
And these are the boots I briefly showed you here. I know, they have yet to make a decent appearance... soon, I promise.

Vintage lace skirt, my favorite vintage dress (underneath), Forever 21 cardigan, Yokoo for Urban Outfitters scarf, Hue tights, Aerosoles boots, vintage clutch

Sorry for such a quick post, but I am feeling a strange sense of urgency. My life is starting to become very hectic. Between rehearsals and the complete academic craziness of junior year, I feel like I am not going to have a minute of rest until the end of January. If posts become a little sparse for a couple of weeks, please forgive me! Blogging is always a bright spot when real life starts to drag me down.

Let's Make Believe That We Are Wealthy For Just This Once

2009-12-09T18:12:00.003-05:00

This dress is one of my favorite things I have ever worn. And, regarding the post title, I know I have quoted this song for a post before, but it's one of my all time favorites and this is certainly the season for it.

I love the way black flats and black tights look together. So simple and so chic. You remember these beauties, right? I wore them much differently back in May. Something about wearing all black, with just a touch of something glittery, makes me feel much older. In a good way!

Anyway, back to the dress... I saw it buried in a bin at the thrift shop and was immediately intrigued by the bit of black lace poking out from under a pile of random clothes. As you might recall, black lace is one of the staples of my idealized winter wardrobe. I adore the ballerina style skirt, the fact that it's Anna Sui from Henri Bendel, and most of all the rather dramatic back...

... or lack thereof! The black bra was the best I could do for now, but I really want something from American Apparel to wear underneath, preferably this, because the black and gold are perfect together. I really love backless dresses. They are extremely sexy in a less obvious way.

Smiles! I think one of my New Year's resolutions will be to post more smiling pictures on here, I feel like I come off much too serious in my photographs sometimes. Well, you let me know.

Vintage Anna Sui lace dress, vintage Gucci blazer, Beverly Feldman shoes, Calvin Klein bra, Nicole Miller tights, ShopKim ring

I wore this to school on Monday and felt like I was wasting it. This outfit deserves something scintillating! This will sound slightly ridiculous, maybe, but outfits like this make me wish I were all grown up and living in some fabulous city like New York or Paris in an apartment with my best friends, throwing a crazy party or something. Standing on a balcony, drinking champagne, looking out at glittering city lights, while snow flurries magically around me. You know what I mean? I feel like everyone has a piece of clothing that makes them wish they had a more exciting life.

As I mentioned before, one of my best friends turns sixteen on New Year's Eve, so hopefully there will be terrific celebrations that involve dressing up! Do you all have fabulous plans yet for ringing in the new year?

P.S. Don't forget to check out my shop!

Before The Snow

2009-12-06T17:22:00.000-05:00

The winter weather has officially descended. We had our first snow last night. True, it was mixed with rain and had pretty much turned to slush by this morning... but it was there. It makes me excited.

Have I ever mentioned my deep, irrevocable love for strings of twinkly Christmas lights? Actually, I believe I have. There is something so magical about them.

Speaking of Christmas lights... on Friday night our town kicked off the holiday season with its annual tradition: lighting the Christmas tree in the center of town. My friends and I caroled with our select singing group from school, then ate greasy Chinese food until we felt like we were going to pass out. It was magnificent.

As silly as this may seem, all the Christmas hoopla swirling about makes me wish I were in Paris for the holiday season. True, I am always wishing I were in Paris, but right now especially. I can only imagine how stunning it must be blanketed in snow, with all the trees lit up. And I would think that French Christmas traditions are much more dignified than those of Americans.

I love how dreamy this photograph is. I really want to hang a few strings of white lights around my room. First image found here, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth.

A few months ago I received mail from Smith College regarding a poetry contest for sophomore and junior high school girls residing in New England. Seems like fate, right? A week ago I submitted my poem, and I figured I would show it to you since it somewhat relates to the topic at hand. I hope you don't mind when I post poems on here, but writing is just as important to me as fashion, and probably more so, so I like sharing things.

Before The Snow

hard to recall whether our knees touched
under the cramped table at dinner,
or whether you noticed me noticing.
much later we lay together
among the spare blankets,
clean apartment lush with lamplight,
our cold feet touching under a virginally
white comforter.
it felt like both the safest
and the strangest place to want,
with warm electricity flowing through my marrow,
a surreal sense of peace fluttering
about my eyelids.

I promise some more fashion-related things soon, but the snow had me in the dreamiest mood today. I cannot wait for the first snow day.

Shop Curiouser & Curiouser!

2009-12-05T23:52:00.000-05:00

SHOP CURIOUSER & CURIOUSER

This is just a sampling of things that I have stocked in my shop... I will probably post at least a few more things within the next week or so, and then once I do some winter shopping I will probably have even more stuff to get rid of.

So, shop away! And keep checking back, because there will definitely be more items available soon!

Purple Haze

2009-12-03T17:42:00.001-05:00

Sorry for the awful, awful lighting. Most of these photos came out so grainy that they hardly look digital. But look! My haircut! I am very satisfied with it.

Well, anyway... my favorite part of this whole thing is the skirt. It's actually ankle length, and pretty much the exact same style as the skirt I wore here, but with the help of a dozen safety pins it became this little bubble number.

Required jumping picture - you can see the pattern properly here. I love the little flecks of turquoise and blue amid the purple. Also, I love how the tights are the exact same shade of purple as the skirt! Things that match perfectly make me happy.

With the flash off, the shutter moved incredibly slowly in the quickly diminishing light, allowing me to capture these cool whirly pictures.

The leopard cardigan continues to be one of my favorite items of clothing - it has perpetually remained in my top five ever since I bought it.

I have come to think of this as my "flamingo" pose.

As you can probably tell, I detest taking flash photography. Natural light always looks so much nicer and more flattering! But, I think this last picture is kind of neat.

Vintage skirt and boots, Forever 21 tee and cardigan, Hue tights, gifted belt, random jewelry

I have come to the startling realization that I could actually put together a purple outfit from head to toe, including shoes! I never realized how much I liked purple, but I suppose I do, especially this sort of rich shade. It's such a decadent, sophisticated color.

Now, I have a very important question for all you dear readers...

Would you have any interest in a blog shop? I have quite a few items to get rid of, and before I unload them at the thrift shop or sell them on eBay, I was wondering if anybody wanted to purchase some things. It's mostly stuff I have worn on the blog, plus a couple of sweaters and some shoes, and everything would be pretty inexpensive... let me know!

Tight Black Pants Exotic

2009-11-29T15:50:00.002-05:00

Once again, the weather is unseasonably beautiful. Oh, and the post title is from "Lucky Number Nine" by The Moldy Peaches, a song which mostly makes my ears bleed but has some nice moments.

Normally I restrict my blog photography to the backyard for fear of neighbors and passing drivers looking at me strangely, but the light on the driveway this morning was too nice to pass up.

My first actual new purchase since the summer! I got a receipt and a shopping bag and everything! As much as I adore vintage clothes, I was beginning to crave something unworn. I can think of no accessory more perfect than a cozy scarf in turquoise leopard print. I got this sweet little plaid jacket from Emmy in a clothing swap!

Haircut! Can you tell? Probably not, actually... I promise to take some good pictures of it soon. In addition to having freshly pruned curls, I discovered the most fantastic smoothing cream that has actually kept my frizz on lockdown (this stuff, if you're curious). I think I play with hair products the way kindergartners play with blocks.

PacSun scarf and jeans, Forever 21 tee and wool jacket, vintage boots, vintage silver ring, ShopKim black ring

I feel like I could do anything in this outfit. Not in a Wonder Woman way, but it feels totally appropriate for school, for going out, seeing a concert, hopping on a plane to Paris or London... what I mean is, I feel incredibly comfortable in this outfit, in a way I don't often feel in my clothes. Hopefully you get what I mean.

Hannukah is (pretty much) just around the corner, which hopefully means plenty of shopping money... I have already begun to plan a fabulous New York City shopping foray with my best friend. Even though I do not celebrate Christmas, this time of year always feels a little sparklier and more festive than the rest. If only it would start snowing already!

Tradition

2009-11-27T13:16:00.009-05:00

I am currently nestled in the cozy upstairs of my grandmother's house with a mug of herbal tea. The rain is pattering outside, my relatives are chattering downstairs. The whirlwind of cooking has yet to begin. What with the dreary weather and the absence of a camera, my thoughts on this Black Friday turn to... my holiday wishlist! Per usual, it mostly involves clothes.

After spending many hours on the 80s Purple website, I have fallen in love with just about everything there. Along with this fantastic jumper, this slouchy tank dress and groovy colorblocked tee have caught my eye.

These dark, romantic, high waisted skirts from Forever 21 are calling my name...

... as is this unbelievably terrific sequined crop top. Black and cropped and covered in sequins equals pretty much the perfect garment. Plus, it's so Topshop - never a bad thing in my books.

I have recently become very fond of the idea of lacy, delicate undergarment-style dresses. While these chemises from Anthropologie actually are undergarments, I envision layering them with tights, boots, and oversized cardigans to combat the imminent winter weather. The one on the left has the prettiest silhouette.

Totally unrelated to fashion, but possibly at the top of my wishlist, is this famous book of photographs by Robert Frank. I have seen the series of eighty-three pictures at several different museums, but to own the whole collection would be a dream. If you ever get a chance to see an exhibition of his, I would highly recommend it.

What items are at the top of your wishlists? I am very curious.

In exchange for making mocha mousse cheesecake, my grandmother has promised to cook her delicious latkes as an appetizer for Thanksgiving dinner. I cannot wait! Latkes and present exchanges... we do quite the nice job of combining Thanksgiving and Hannukah traditions.

And, I believe this is required... I am thankful for my bed, my friends, my health, stars, books, music, the smell of summer nights, poetry, Paris, beautiful photographs, sequined clothes, coffee, rain, and all my readers. Happy Thanksgiving!

Twickenham, 1961

2009-11-23T15:35:00.001-05:00

Six days without blogging! This must be a record. Between Arabian Nights rehearsals taking up most of the precious daylight hours, feeling pretty under the weather this weekend, and the completely temperamental weather, I was lucky to snatch some photography time today.

But before I show you pictures... on Friday night, I saw An Education. I first heard of the movie from a glowing review that Amelia wrote, and the beautiful film stills she shared were enough to send me straight to the theater. It was full of terrific period music and outfits and perfectly written dialogue, and was one of the most thought-provoking films I have ever seen. Go see it, please! Film stills via Ambiguous Alliterative Abomination.

After seeing the movie, my thoughts were filled with that gamine, sixties, London youth style that the main character, Jenny, executed perfectly.

After ransacking my mother's closet and finding these pants, I am definitely on the lookout for more straight-legged cuffable trousers and jeans. They are so comfortable and versatile.

I picked up a bunch of blouses this weekend at the thrift shop, this delicious silk confection being one of them. The buttons are so very classy.

I totally lucked out in stumbling upon these boots on Saturday morning during my volunteer gig. I have been ogling these very similar Topshop boots for a few months now, but the hundred-and-sixty-dollar price tag kept them strictly on my lust list. These six-dollar replacements are more than satisfactory!

Vintage silk blouse and boots, Gap trousers, random leather belt, vintage Coach purse

A few people have asked where I get my vintage clothes - pretty much all of them come from the thrift store in my town. Believe it or not, I have yet to make a successful trip to Goodwill, mostly because the local thrift shop is so much more convenient! I also find great things on eBay and even Craigslist occasionally (like my Doc Martens). I actually cannot remember the last time I bought something in a real store...

Forgive me for very pointedly cropping my face and hair out of these pictures. My hair is in a really horrible stage right now, sort of in between short and not short, so it tends to just look shaggy and sloppy. But never fear! I have a haircut appointment Friday morning.

Lazy Sunday

2009-11-17T21:47:00.002-05:00

This past weekend I experienced the very definition of a lazy Sunday: mostly spent in bed filling up online shopping carts at Forever 21, American Apparel, and 80s Purple but purchasing nothing, venturing outside only for a brief while to spread out a towel and bask in the usually beautiful weather with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows for company.

The book only becomes more perfect every time I read it. Certain parts still make me cry, and probably will forever.

On Saturday we visited my aunt in Long Island. Suddenly inspired to paint my nails at her house, I dug around in her huge box of polishes and found this, which ended up being one of my favorite nail colors I have ever put on. It's OPI Nail Lacquer in Cajun Shrimp, and I can imagine it's pretty universally flattering. Bright nail polish might be the only thing to perk up my ghostly skin in the winter... I still want to get my hands on the perfect bottle of mint green!

Along with freshly enameled nails, these boots were another magnificent acquisition from my aunt. She bought them a size too small and, instead of returning them, gave them to me! They are not the sort of thing that would catch my eye in a store, but after wearing them nonstop since Saturday, I am very enamored of them.

Like I said, the weather has been crazily nice. I felt almost guilty not snapping any pictures today because it was that gorgeous out. Instead, I stayed inside and read more Harry Potter. Can you really blame me?

Many months ago I blogged about some adorable rings from an Etsy shop called Alice Pleasance. Not long after that, I discovered her blog, The Cupcake Diaries, as sweet and adorable as her handmade jewelry! I won this hairpin in a giveaway on her blog recently, and it has inspired me to want more quaint little hair accessories.

"Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the week."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Okay, every time I write or even think the phrase lazy Sunday it makes me laugh, so I think that I am required to post this link. Watch it. So. Funny.

'Tis The Season

2009-11-14T10:38:00.005-05:00

D&G silk blouse, Kova & T lace bodysuit, Karl Lagerfeld velvet dress, La Perla satin and lace basque, One Vintage lace maxi dress, Christian Louboutin shoes, Newbark leather slippers, Tory Burch satin sandals, One Vintage lace dress, One Vintage silk dress, Fendi silk blouse, Lanvin satin platforms, Stella McCartney dress, Erickson Beamon headpiece, Diane von Furstenberg velvet dress, Hanky Panky bandeau, One Vintage metallic blouse, Marc Jacobs velvet dress, Sonia Rykiel sequined blazer

These are the sorts of things I am dreaming of wearing this winter: luxurious fabrics like velvet and lace, shades of black and cream and gold and shell pink, glamorous flats or sky high pumps with nothing in between, romantic dresses with a quality of New York City in the forties, nary a pair of pants in sight... lately I have been strongly attracted to dresses, rather than trousers or skirts. My quest for the perfect sequined blazer continues undeterred!

I really like this time of year, when autumn is quickly dissipating into the first cold flush of winter and the temperature from day to day is completely unpredictable. The leaves are falling rapidly and the time has come to add that down comforter to your bed. It's usually cold and windy outside, but not so bad that any chill cannot be remedied by your coziest slippers and a giant mug of hot chocolate.

I do miss the freedoms and adventures of summer - particularly of my month in Paris - but I am excited for the coming season too. I always enjoy Thanksgiving, partially because my extended family has a magnificent tradition of exchanging Hannukah gifts over our Thanksgiving feast. This year I am making mocha mousse cheesecake with an old recipe that belonged to my grandfather.

I am also extremely excited for New Year's Eve. It's definitely my favorite holiday, partially because I can imagine how crazy and fun it will be when I'm older. Normally our New Year's festivities include multiple cakes, sparkling cider, making silly toasts, and holding hands for the countdown. This year it coincides with my dearest friend's sixteenth birthday, so hopefully we will be doing something extra celebratory!

(Net-a-Porter, La Douleur Exquise, For Stars Will Rise Again)

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention - I got into Arabian Nights! I am so excited to participate in another play. What are you all looking forward to this winter?

P.S. You might have noticed (but probably not) that I deleted a pile of my oldest blog posts. I would assume that nobody will miss them, and I think it gives the blog a little rejuvenation.

Time of No Reply

2009-11-10T21:01:00.000-05:00

"Summer was gone and the heat died down, and autumn reached for her golden crown. I looked behind as I heard a sigh, but this was the time of no reply."

The above lyrics are from "Time of No Reply" by Nick Drake, one of my absolute favorite songs and definitely my favorite getting-into-that-perfect-autumnal-mood tune. Please listen to it if you never have, the song really is quite magical.

The heat has definitely died down a little. You can tell that the trees in my backyard have started shedding. The weather has been miraculous lately - in the sixties, crisp and cloudless. I am celebrating this delicious time of year by whipping out my favorite dress again and making it feel a little more seasonal.

I know it looks really blue in the pictures, but I promise it's mint green! These boots have been lazing in the back of my closet for months, and for some reason I felt inspired to put them on.

Have I mentioned how fantastic this blazer is?

The pattern is really amazing up close. I got this last Saturday along with another blazer! My desire for groovy nonblack blazers is gradually being satisfied.

Oh yes, the shed makes another appearance! But how have I managed to take pictures in the middle of the backyard without a living, breathing photographer to help me, you might ask?

Meet my new best friend. He is a recent addition to the family. I have yet to name him, but I can tell that he will be sticking around for a long time and shall be met with completely unadulterated adoration.

Vintage dress from Paris, vintage blazer, Hue tights, gifted belt, vintage Frye boots

Tonight I tried out for yet another play - Arabian Nights, an adaptation of One Thousand and One Nights (Aladdin, Ali Baba, Sinbad the Sailor, you know the stories) for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors at my high school. The audition was quite bizarre, but extremely fun, and the director seems incredibly cool. A callback list goes up tomorrow, so wish me luck!

Yes Sir, Wonderful

2009-11-08T20:24:00.000-05:00

Our Town has really, officially ended. I am still kind of a wreck about it. Not only is it the most exquisitely perfect piece of theater I have ever read or seen, but I also got to work with an incredible cast that included some of my best friends. To everyone in the play, I miss it already.

With four days of shows and various partyish activities afterward, I have had zero time to take pictures. But I have been awarded and tagged recently by two lovely bloggers, so here we go!

From Faye: the Beautiful Blogger Award! And here are seven interesting things about myself...

I am incapable of dancing in any other manner than resembling John Travolta in Pulp Fiction.
I really do curse like a sailor.
After giving my future a lot of thought, all I want to do with my life is go to college, move to Paris, and live at Shakespeare & Co. while writing my poetry book.
Yogurt totally creeps me out.
I love piercings. Nothing too scandalous, but I would love to have about a zillion more in each ear. Getting a nose piercing intrigues me very much too, but I am definitely afraid it will hurt like hell.
I wish it were sixty degrees all year round. It's the ideal slightly-crisp-but-still-warm-enough temperature.
If the A*Teens got together for a reunion tour, I would be the first person to buy tickets.

And, from This Wheel's On Fire, seven things that I love...

Macarons.

Floaty clothing.

Calligraphy.

Chandeliers.

Beat up old shoes.

Black kitties.

The blog where I found all the photos in this post, La Douleur Exquise. Since the first time I mentioned it here, I have only fallen more and more in love with it.

I will pass the award and both of these tags for seven things along to the delightful ladies from... Darling Darling, We Were Damsels, Roll Up Your Sleeve, Happy Because, Chasing Vulpecula, Cheap Thrills, and On The Corner Of Belleview. And I promise an outfit soon, once I scrub all this hairspray out of my scalp and get more than six consecutive hours of sleep.

A Star Is Mighty Good Company

2009-11-04T00:10:00.004-05:00

For many months now, I have been searching for the perfect pair of black heels. Not too pointy, not too short, very plain and with substantial heels. Finally, the shoe gods have smiled upon me...

They are so magnificent! They fit amazingly, and are just the teeniest bit uncomfortable. And I am obsessed with how they look against these tights - something about the combination feels very burlesque.

I wore this dress on Monday. It's made of the most delicious flowy silk, and moves and clings like running water. Another shapeless calf length number that, with the help of a strategically placed belt, has become a chic little dress!

I won this black ring from a giveaway on ShopKim. It's so quietly glamorous, and such a great statement piece of jewelry. I have been wearing it nonstop since it came in the mail last week! Check out her Etsy shop for a hoard of more groovy rings.

This cardigan was yet another thrift store find. It feels like a long time since I have pulled on a granny sweater! This one fits the bill perfectly, with its sagging pockets and fabric vaguely the color of bile. How could I not love it?

Vintage wool coat, vintage cardigan, vintage silk dress, Nicole Miller tights, thrifted Forever 21 shoes, Urban Outfitters necklace, ShopKim ring

I had a day off from school yesterday, so I went to visit Bard College. It was indescribably wonderful. I know I had similar sentiments about Brown... but this might have been even better. Oh, college fever. It really does excite me.

My post title is one of my favorite lines from Our Town, which goes up tomorrow night! I am incredibly excited to start our performances, but also really sad that the play is going to be over. As my parents put it tonight, being part of theater is essentially my equivalent to being on a sports team. (Did I mention that Bard has no gym requirement? Wonderful.) I might not have a chance to post again before the show starts, so wish me luck!

Disposables & Holiday Frocks

2009-11-01T00:24:00.002-04:00

As much love as I have for digital photography, there will always be something incredibly fun about using disposable cameras and Polaroid film. Something about these sorts of pictures feels much more permanent than the photos that you can take twenty versions of, edit into oblivion, and drag into your recycle bin. Sylvia took these pictures with a disposable camera after a literary magazine meeting last week. Sadly a few of them came out pretty distorted, but I really like these two.

Vintage beaded silk blouse, Target shorts, random belt, Hue tights, ancient Ann Taylor oxfords (not pictured)

These pictures do not do complete justice to this blouse, so I might have to drag it out again sometime. It drapes beautifully and has the most incredible beading on it. I have deemed it my holiday shirt - it feels very festive to me!

Speaking of festive, with the wintery months approaching quickly comes my desire for sleek, sparkly holiday clothes. I might be getting a little ahead of myself - November literally just began, after all - but looking at all these dresses on the Forever 21 website has made me so excited for twinkly strings of Christmas lights and snow on the ground!

I love, love, love the leopard print one in particular, but any of these would satisfy my craving for a posh little dress in a sleek shade of black or grey. And, of course, what better to pair with an elegant holiday frock than these...

I love that Forever 21 is doing Doc Martens knockoffs. Now that I own my first pair of Docs, I have not stopped thinking about expanding my collection! The Clothes Horse recently debuted this pair, and I am completely in love with them. They are the perfect counterpoint to delicate dresses, don't you think?

I think that if the only gifts I ever received in the future were gift cards to Forever 21, I would be the happiest girl alive. (Remember that, people!)

Bursting

2009-10-28T23:54:00.000-04:00

Something, Blackbird, I Will, I've Just Seen a Face, Penny Lane, Norwegian Wood, Michelle, All My Loving - The Beatles.

Thirteen, Rock of Ages, On My Way, Falling - Ben Kweller. The Longest Time, Vienna - Billy Joel. Skinny Love - Bon Iver.

Four Winds, First Day Of My Life - Bright Eyes. Quelqu'un m'a dit - Carla Bruni. Photobooth, Your New Twin Sized Bed, Earth Angel, Title and Registration, Passenger Seat - Death Cab for Cutie.

The Crane Wife 3, Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then), Sons & Daughters - The Decemberists. Insomnia - Electric President. Somebody That I Used to Know - Elliott Smith. London Town - Emily Loizeau and Andrew Bird.

Valley Winter Song - Fountains of Wayne. Philosophia - The Guggenheim Grotto. One Man Wrecking Machine - Guster. Collide (Acoustic Version) - Howie Day. Jardin d'hiver - Keren Ann.

Sunday Morning - Maroon 5. Float On, Paper Thin Walls - Modest Mouse. Time of No Reply, Man in a Shed, Fly - Nick Drake.

Fireflies - Owl City. Nightswimming - R.E.M. California - Rogue Wave. Complainte de la Butte - Rufus Wainwright. Young Pilgrims, New Slang - The Shins.

The Only Living Boy in New York, I Am a Rock, The Sound of Silence - Simon & Garfunkel. The Boy With the Thorn In His Side, There is a Light That Never Goes Out - The Smiths. All That I Want - The Weepies.

Fashion Toast, La Douleur Exquise, For Stars Will Rise Again

I know I just did a photography post, but I have come across so many beautiful pictures in the past few days that I cannot help but share them. La Douleur Exquise has the most gorgeous collection of photographs I have ever seen, in all seriousness.

And the songs. I tend to make playlists for each season, so here is my autumn music. Some new things, some old things, a little more serious than my summer tracks, a little more painfully lovely. I hope you know or listen to at least a bit of it, and if not, then I hope you have your own music that makes you feel as comforted and inspired as all this music makes me feel.

I am just bursting right now. There are so many beautiful things in the world. Photographs, music, seasons, books, stars, poetry, people... it all makes me happy to be alive.

Garage Antics

2009-10-26T22:50:00.001-04:00

Sylvia and I at it again! We have deemed our tradition of snapping outfit shots, scarfing down pasta, and scurrying off to rehearsal Photoshoot Monday.

My mom snagged this coat for me at the thrift store. I am so in love with the color, it's the perfect vibrant shade of pumpkin orange. So right for fall! Now I match all the lovely trees.

This shapeless silk dress has surprisingly proved one of the most versatile pieces in my wardrobe. With the help of one measly safety pin, it becomes the most chic blousy top imaginable. I got lots of compliments on it today, but it was relatively embarrassing changing for gym when I had to unpin the thing and pull off my potato sack dress in front of everyone. Ahem. The process of putting together a complex outfit should definitely remain behind closed doors!

Finally, a pair of high-waisted pants! These are so comfortable and fit perfectly, and rolling them up gives them the most retro fifties feel. I love the volume of the top juxtaposed with the slim cut of the bottoms. As you have probably discerned, I love balancing silhouettes like this.

Normally when we take outfit pictures together, Sylvia and I never match. Not only that, but we usually clash horrifically. By some sartorial twist of fate, our colors complemented each other flawlessly today - at least we thought so! This is just a little sneak peak of her outfit, but hopefully she will blog further about it soon!

Vintage wool coat, Forever 21 cardigan, vintage silk dress worn as top, vintage Ralph Lauren pants, Converse sneakers, Urban Outfitters necklace

I wish I had gotten a chance to blog this weekend, but I was insanely swamped with a U.S. history project that counts for twenty-five percent of my first quarter grade. Yikes! I literally spent twelve straight hours on it yesterday, and I think it turned out alright.

Tell me, what are you all dressing up as for Halloween? Dressing up any other day of the year never gives me problems, but when it comes to Halloween I am always disturbingly uncreative!

P.S. I had a delightful time looking at all the inspirational blogs you guys mentioned! I really love knowing what inspires everyone.

Lovely

2009-10-21T21:42:00.000-04:00

The Selby, the girl who tamed the tiger on Flickr, Nicholas Haggard, The Fashion Spot, The Cherry Blossom Girl

Some of the prettier things that have caught my eye lately.

I spent about an hour yesterday poring over photos of Sasha Pivovarova. She is definitely my favorite model, and I love how soft and classic and glamorous she looks in these photos. The Cherry Blossom Girl might be my favorite blog ever. Every photo Alix takes has this dreamy delicateness about it. Her life is so beautiful! The Selby has a similar magic for me.

Aside from the ones I already mentioned, the ladies of Cheap Thrills, Sequin Magazine, and Ambiguous Alliterative Abomination always post the most incredible photos (both their work and otherwise). I like to troll their archives when I feel uninspired!

What blogs or photographers do you visit when you are craving something lovely?

Technicolor

2009-10-19T22:24:00.001-04:00

Sylvia (who, by the way, has a delightful new blog that you should all visit immediately!) and I ended up doing a little impromptu photoshoot after school and before Our Town rehearsal today. The Liberace jacket strikes again!

We actually started with the idea to take pictures by my deliciously creepy shed, but my favorite photos were the ones Sylvia took by this pretty red-leafed tree in the very corner of my backyard.

I love the quality of this photo, like a still from a glamorous old movie. The sunlight was so perfect and crisp and autumnal today, and it turned everything all sparkly.

I couldn't resist throwing some leaves in the air. And some smiling pictures for once! When Sylvia photographs me, I can't help it. She's my favorite photographer.

This shot and the next one are possibly the most colorful photographs of myself I have ever seen (and yes, I edited them a bit, but still). They feel like something out of The Secret Garden or Willy Wonka. I love how warm and saturated and technicolor everything looks. The leaves are hot pink!

Vintage jacket and camisole, Forever 21 skirt, gifted tights, vintage suede and cork wedges, earrings from Portobello Road in London

I know you've seen most of these pieces before, but challenging myself to find fresh ways to wear old things (and then sharing them with you) is what keeps blogging and getting dressed in the morning exciting for me!

That said, I have many unfulfilled fantasies regarding my fall wardrobe. Currently I am lusting for a sequined blazer (I have seen a great one from H&M that I am dying to get my hands on), little bodycon skirts, jewel toned tights, colorful blazers, a cozy circle scarf, a warm pair of ankle length leggings... the list goes on and on. What are you craving for the colder months?

Crazy Legs

2009-10-16T17:56:00.002-04:00

Vintage cashmere sweater, Hue tights in Cosmos, vintage leather boots, vintage pink wool blazer, Forever 21 tee and skirt, Hue tights in Bordeaux, really old Ann Taylor oxfords, vintage Gucci blazer, Forever 21 tee, vintage purple skirt, gifted purple tights

A few outfits I wore lately, all incorporating my favorite fall accessory: colored tights. They are such an inexpensive, easy way to kick an outfit into more stylish territory. Plus, they keep me warm! (But the real reason I love tights is because they allow me to be obscenely lazy about shaving my legs.) I really want a few pairs in jewel tones like bright emerald and ruby red.

The cashmere sweater used to belong to my grandfather. It's insanely soft, and just long enough to pass as a dress!

I came about the pink blazer under some very odd circumstances, but suffice it to say that it's really warm, fits beautifully, and satisfies my craving for a brightly colored blazer perfectly! I am currently on the hunt for mint green and aqua blazers too.

The Gucci blazer I got at the thrift store where I volunteer. Since it had been there for more than a month (I have no idea how!), it was going to be sent out of the store, and I snagged it just in time! I love how it buttons.

Sorry for such a quick post, but I need to get dressed and head out for dinner to celebrate my brother's fourteenth birthday! We're going to a fantastic tapas restaurant with the best churros I have ever eaten - so psyched. Hope you all have stellar starts to your weekend!

Skin Deep

2009-10-12T18:02:00.001-04:00

I have been feeling disgustingly ill since yesterday morning. Despite my best efforts to combat my cold (with endless mugs of tea, bowls of soup, and too many Advil caplets to count), I slept fitfully through most of today and woke up feeling feverish and totally gross.

So, my solution to feeling better? Lusting after cosmetics. After all, when you feel icky both inside and out, making yourself a little prettier never hurts.

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum Spray. I have sung its praises many times before, but I have yet to get my hands on a bottle! The scent is heady enough for autumn and winter, but also floral enough for the warmer months.
Benefit Georgia. Not quite blush, not quite powder, it would make my pale, sickly face look healthy again! And the packaging is ridiculously adorable.
Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Liner in Baked. I own this in a different color (Air Guitar, kind of a silvery blue), but my friend owns this fantastically gold shade and as soon as I tried hers on I was smitten. Is there anything more festive then insanely glitter eyeliner?
Urban Decay Liquid Liner in Perversion. Normally I use pencil eyeliner, but I have been craving a more dramatic look lately. This would definitely fit the bill for the perfect matte black liquid eyeliner.
Philosophy Melon Daiquiri. Every time I step into a Sephora store, I feel the overwhelming need to sprint over to the bath and body section and sniff every Philosophy product in stock. Feeling the way I do now, I cannot imagine anything more delicious than taking an insanely long bubble bath with an entire bottle of this dumped into the water.
OPI Nail Lacquer in Give Me Moor. As soon as the weather turned chilly, my fantasies of the perfect dark nail polish began. This nearly black inky purple is sophisticated, gorgeously autumnal, and an unusual alternative to black.
Stila Lip Glaze in Brown Sugar. I almost never wear lip gloss anymore. For the most part, I find it sticky and irritating, and lipstick provides much better color anyway. Stila Lip Glaze is the only gloss I can stand, mostly because of its delicious flavors. I have tried the brown sugar and it goes on the perfect warm, slightly shimmery color, not to mention it tastes delicious.
Benefit Erase Paste in Fair. Another product I have tried on at Sephora. It worked stunningly well to cover up my dark circles. Which, after tossing and turning sweatily all night, are much too pronounced for my liking.
Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil. The powder to end all powders! A few of my friends have it (meaning I have used it on many the occasion), and I really need to get my hands on a jar. It's so silky and sheer and totally amazing.

Just looking at all these delightful products has made me feel a little better! And now the savory, garlicky smell of homemade chicken noodle soup is wafting under my bedroom door...

Madeleines

2009-10-09T19:28:00.002-04:00

I cannot think of a better way to start the weekend than with my favorite iced Starbucks concoction and a packet of imitation French cookies! They might not be true madeleines, but they are too delicious for me to really care.

When I choose to take a break from soy chai lattes, this is my drink of choice: a nonfat vanilla latte. The hot and cold versions are equally delicious!

After waking up feeling totally hideous yesterday morning, and therefore dressing like a complete slob, and therefore feeling even worse, today I needed to sartorially and mentally replenish myself. This ostentatiously pink shirt felt like the right move. And I had a splendid day! It just goes to show how much what you wear changes your attitude.

Eating madeleines reminds me of Paris, and more specifically the creative writing class I took there. In the class we read the famous passage from Remembrance of Things Past by Marcel Proust about his involuntary memory triggered by eating madeleines dipped in tea. If you like French literature and yummy things, you should read the excerpt!

Vintage Gap skirt, vintage blouse, Urban Outfitters belt, Hue tights, vintage leather boots via eBay

While I am on the topic of French artistes... I have been listening to "Claire de Lune" by Claude Debussy nonstop for weeks on end, and it's one of the most gorgeous pieces of music I have ever heard. I did a bit of research about it, and the movement is based on the poem "Claire de Lune" by Paul Verlaine. I just have to post the poem here because it is so stunningly beautiful.

Votre âme est un paysage choisi
Que vont charmant masques et bergamasques
Jouant du luth et dansant et quasi
Tristes sous leurs déguisements fantasques.

Tout en chantant sur le mode mineur
L'amour vainqueur et la vie opportune
Ils n'ont pas l'air de croire à leur bonheur
Et leur chanson se mêle au clair de lune,

Au calme clair de lune triste et beau,
Qui fait rêver les oiseaux dans les arbres
Et sangloter d'extase les jets d'eau,
Les grands jets d'eau sveltes parmi les marbres.

Your soul is a chosen landscape
Where charming masked and costumed figures go
Playing the lute and dancing and almost
Sad beneath their fantastic disguises.

All sing in a minor key
Of all-conquering love and careless fortune
They do not seem to believe in their happiness
And their song mingles with the moonlight.

The still moonlight, sad and beautiful,
Which gives the birds to dream in the trees
And makes the fountain sprays sob in ecstasy,
The tall, slender fountain sprays among the marble statues.

I am currently enjoying a relaxing evening at home in my pajamas, then celebrating the sixteenth birthday of my darlingest friend tomorrow night! I hope you all have fantastic weekends ahead of you.

Yohji

2009-10-06T23:22:00.000-04:00

This is the Yamamato-esque piece I mentioned in my last post. I call it a piece because I still cannot figure out exactly what it is! Some kind of skirt pant harness hybrid. In any event, very bizarre and very cool, I think.

At first glance, it looked like a skirt! But I pulled it off the rack and realized immediately that it was... something else entirely.

I guess they are pants, but the legs are so obscenely wide and draped that it looks like a skirt. Also, they are not quite legs because the fabric doesn't wrap around all the way - meaning, this is a very dangerous garment to wear on a windy day!

In any event, they are made of the most gorgeous black wool, and have pockets! Two very good qualities in my book.

I could wear the pants with a zillion things, but I wanted to follow through on my inspiration, hence the all black. But once the weather starts to get actually cold, these might be making more appearances!

Vintage weird wool trouser things, vintage Calvin Klein bodysuit, incredibly old Ann Taylor oxfords, vintage blazer

I took these photos yesterday, and the weather was so crisp and autumnal and lovely that I couldn't resist snapping some pictures of my backyard. This was the only one I really liked. So... meet my shed! I think we keep gardening tools and moldy lawn furniture in there, but I feel like it has so much potential!
If I can repair my tripod (or hopefully purchase a new one soon) then I will definitely take more pictures by the shed. It would provide such a creepy-yet-couture backdrop, non? Especially at this time of year.

My friend Chris created this word cloud courtesy of Wordle, using my blog page as the source text! The words most used on the page show up the largest. Isn't that so funky? Try it with your blog and see what words you write the most.

Catchup

2009-10-04T23:42:00.002-04:00

To begin, I actually had the most insanely fun time at our homecoming game on Friday. Rather than actually watch the game, I helped sell hot cider and popcorn to raise money for our theater club. We doled out drinks for a dollar each from portable burners and sang at the top of our lungs to any customers and admirers who would listen (mostly Beatles tunes and perfectly harmonized renditions of "Happy Birthday"). After the game, a bunch of friends and I piled into various cars and went for chocolate chip pancakes and milkshakes at the local diner. In short, it was a perfect night.

The second I saw this photo of Alix, I think I literally squealed out loud. We share a love for vintage floral combat boots! Magnificent.

I am so excited to see Coco Avant Chanel. Does it seem to anyone else that Audrey Tatou appears in every single film that is vaguely related to being French? Well, not that I have a problem with it, considering how adorable and quintessentially française she is. These photos are from a terrific interview on the Elle website with Catherine Leterrier, the costume designer. Definitely take a few minutes to read it and check out the rest of the pictures!

I first came across Purple Label on some blog or another, and after just a few looks at their simple, flattering, and insanely reasonably priced pieces, I am positively in love with this brand. All the tanks and shirts drape so beautifully, and the muted color palette is absolutely lovely. My favorite Purple Label piece by far is that grey jumpsuit. A casual crop top and slouchy harem pants combined into one versatile and crazily affordable piece = perfect on all counts. I hope to get my hands on it soon.

If you have never picked up a copy of Details, please do so immediately. It's more sharply written and chock full of useful lifestyle tips than most (and maybe all) women's magazines, not to mention the fact that there is usually some smoldering celebrity on the cover. The most recent issue I read included a gorgeous spread of camel coats, an article about James McAvoy, and a brief interview with Consuelo Castiglioni about men's fashion. Get yourself a copy, please!

Viktor & Rolf blew me away. Oh my goodness. They literally must be psychically tuned into my color preferences because every single one of my favorite colors is represented here. My jaw dropped when I saw that fluffy coral dress in the last row. In my book, they definitely made up for a lackluster collection last season, and made up for it about ten times over.

Karl Lagerfeld actually made me sigh. I love how the collection is centered around shorts and everything still feels like the most classic and ladylike clothes anybody could put on. The silhouettes are absolutely perfect, and here are my favorite colors again! This has gotten me so psyched for Chanel.
Some other favorites collections lately: Fendi, Marni, Lanvin, and Isabel Marant. I will refrain (at least for now) from posting in detail about these, so suffice it to say that I loved just about every single look in all of them. How has Fashion ~~Week~~ Month been treating you all?

On Saturday I discovered the most incredible piece at the thrift store that, the second I held it up in front of me, reminded me instantly of last season Yohji Yamamoto. I have started playing around with it and you will definitely see it soon! It's much more dramatic than what I normally wear, but it's such a gorgeous thing. I might even ink black hearts on my legs to really get in the spirit!

Rabbit Rabbit

2009-10-01T23:24:00.001-04:00

Most of my wardrobe is made up of solid colors. More often than not, I tend toward simple-hued garments with structural shape and nice tailoring.
But every once in a while, a crazy print in a riot of bright shades will tug at my heartstrings... and not let go, this dress being a prime example.

I love everything about it. I love how a myriad of cool colors can feel so warm - the blues and greens (and, if you can see them, the tiny sprinklings of fuchsia and purple) are gorgeously vivid. I love the blousy top and billowing skirt and deliciously soft silk. And I love the length. I honestly feel prettier, more comfortable, and more confident in a flowing long dress or skirt than in some tight, tiny number.

These boots are my most recent footwear acquisition. I found them in an eBay auction with seventeen minutes to go, and it took the most stressful bidding war imaginable but I won them! They are exactly what I have been searching for in a pair of autumn boots: buttery brown leather, a low heel, simple construction, and (of course) perfectly slouchy.

Although the dress contains no actual turquoise, I felt that all the colors mixed together would probably approximate the color of this cardigan. Plus, it was absolutely freezing this morning - going outside in just a short-sleeved dress was not my idea of a good time!

Vintage silk dress, vintage leather boots via eBay, vintage cardigan, Hue tights

Tomorrow I am showing an unprecedented amount of school spirit by attending the homecoming football game. I have two motivations to attend, and neither of them have to do with football. One, that our marching band (in which my darling Sylvia plays the clarinet!) has a reputation for being absolutely showstopping, so it's about time I see them in action. And two, that a bunch of kids from the theater club are supposedly selling hot cider and victuals during the game, which means I will have plenty of nonathletic people to hang out with (and plenty of warm beverages to drink)! It might actually be a grand old time.

P.S. I hope you all said "rabbit rabbit" when you woke up this morning. You'll have good luck for the rest of October! Not that I really believe that... but ever since an elementary school teacher (it might have been third grade?) taught me that superstition, I always say "rabbit rabbit" when I wake up to a new month.

La Vie Quotidienne

2009-09-29T00:38:00.002-04:00

1. Ceiling light in my bedroom.
2. Pile of items that seems to define my life right now: September issue of Vogue, some issue of Lucky (the only fashion magazine I actually read ritually), American history textbook, trusty college guide, sheet music for the hymn I sing in Our Town, yet unopened pack of Polaroid film, and some Polaroids I took on Friday when my musically inclined friends played a gig. (Both the photos and the music were stellar.)
3. Two of the more artsy shots I snapped. The film is way expired, probably by about five years, but I like the old quality it gives the pictures.
4-5. My bookshelf, which is much too small to properly shelve all of my books. (Note the double copies of Catcher in the Rye! I just reread it, and rerealized its magnificence.)
6. Cartoon and three poems clipped from The New Yorker, all many months old, that are taped right above my bed.
7. Venetian mask decorated in lace, Swarovski crystals, and gold paint that I bought in Rome last December. Probably my favorite souvenir I have ever bought anywhere.
8. Monet print that I got in Giverny. I loved it enough to actually get it framed!
9. Deliciously soft J.Crew sweater that I stole from Luke and have been living in lately.
10. My new poetry pad. Like I mentioned previously, I have developed a fondness for writing on legal pads.

I realize that you (or at least most of you) are here for fashion related reasons, but these are the things that I see and touch an am inspired by every day, in addition to fashion.

I am unsure whether this sort of post warrants a tag or not... but I would be so happy if Emmy, Sylvia, Frances, Jessica, Rebecca, Vanessa, and any other readers wanted to show a few snapshots of your daily life!

Double Denim

2009-09-26T16:08:00.001-04:00

Vintage blazer, Gap tee, Current/Elliott The Legging jeans, vintage boots, Urban Outfitters charm necklace and other random jewelry; Ralph Lauren oxford, thrifted Forever 21 jeans, vintage Frye boots, borrowed belt and cuff, gifted ring

What I wore on Tuesday and Wednesday.

I won the Current/Elliott jeans from a giveaway on Fashion + Geometry, and due to some sizing issues and necessary exchanges they arrived at long last on Monday. Aside from being the most expensive article of clothing that I own, they are tissue thin, deliciously soft, and a perfect fit. I never really considered myself a designer jeans kind of girl, but I love them. Thanks again to Nora and the Chickdowntown ladies for being so sweet and accommodating!

I discovered the second pair of jeans while volunteering at the thrift shop (which, by the way, might be the sweetest gig I have ever scored). Working there three days a week means that I theoretically get dibs on the news items that come in, which is how I scored these jeans - and for five dollars, no less! After careful examination, I have decided that they're the perfect shade of blue.

This morning I toured Brown University with Sylvia. It was only my first college visit, but I might just be in love.

P.S. Three cheers to fifty followers. You guys make me really happy.

C

2009-09-22T21:24:00.001-04:00

This, thanks in very large part to all of you and your amazing support, is my one hundredth post.

I honestly could not imagine I would have continued with this blog very long had it not been for all of the kindness, sincerity, and inspiration I have felt since I began. So to kick off the big one zero zero, I just wanted to say the most enormous thank you to anyone who has ever read my blog, left me a comment, given me an award, or even just dropped by for a quick look. You guys make me feel all warm and fuzzy.

To celebrate the big centennial, I have spent the past few weeks compiling a list of one hundred things that I love. Silly and sincere, material and emotional, related to blogging or not, it's all in here. So here you go, in no particular order, those things in life that always make me smile, that simply by existing have made my world a happier place to be.

(P.S. All photos from weheartit unless otherwise stated)

100 Things I Love

Vintage granny sweaters. Obviously.
Completing a poem. Writing one, I mean. It's honestly the most satisfying feeling in the world.
Candles. Beautiful and romantic. Plus, matches are so much fun to light.
White Hanes tees. There are few things more perfect in their simplicity than a plain Hanes undershirt.
Soy chai lattes. So yummy, especially on cold rainy days. Starbucks just knows how to do it.

Red lipstick. I like to wear it when I audition for things. It makes me feel glamorous and not completely myself (in a good way).
Getting dressed up for no reason. Complete with jewelry and fancy shoes. It just makes me feel good!
The fresh, earthy smell of everything after a huge rainstorm. Undoubtedly one of the most refreshing and intoxicating smells ever.
Discovering a song that I cannot get enough of. Most recently, "Nightswimming" by R.E.M. and "Man in a Shed" by Nick Drake.
Going to concerts. Seeing live music is so invigorating. This was at Death Cab for Cutie, probably the best concert I have attended.

Eating breakfast for dinner. Especially at diners.
Discussing Harry Potter at length. It never gets old, and probably never will.
The smell of new books. Crispy and clean and delicious.
Yellow legal pads. I used to like writing and doodling in Moleskines, but they started to feel too intimidating. Legal pads are very unassuming and don't judge you when you cross stuff out or splotch ink (which Moleskines definitely do).
Rings. Undoubtedly my favorite variety of jewelry.

Watching the sun rise. Especially after staying up all night. It's so cleansing and tranquil.
Stargazing. A preferred activity of me and my friends, particularly when it starts to get warm out and everything smells delicious and you can hear the crickets.
Going to the movies with my mom. Usually, either we love it or we hate it. The ones we hate sometimes end up being more fun.
Hazelnut gelato. Possibly my favorite edible thing on the entire planet. It's splendiferous.
Musée Marmottan. Probably my favorite museum in Paris, and maybe in the world. The Monet collection is absolutely breathtaking.

A perfectly warm spring twilight. You know the kind. They are exquisite.
Seeing Broadway shows. I always get excited about seeing shows. There is such an amazing energy about a theater right before the lights go down.
Central Park. It completely makes up for the fact that New York City has no other greenery. Seriously, it's the perfect place to do just about anything. Especially take pictures and eat croissants with your best friend.
Visiting art museums. Aside from Marmottan, the Phillips Collection in Washington D.C. is probably my favorite museum. It's just the right size and has the most incredibly diverse art collection.
Diner coffee. So bad it's good.
The smell of old books. Decrepit and romantic and delicious.

Kinder Bueno. Hands down the best candy ever. You just can't go wrong with chocolate and hazelnut.
Peppermint tea. I drink it pretty much daily the second the weather starts to cool down. It has this magical quality of either being really invigorating or really relaxing.
Really long, hot showers. My favorite way to relax or avoid thinking about stressful things. It's impossible to be stressed out while taking a deliciously scalding shower.
Doing puzzles. I have always liked them, and for no apparent reason. They're how I keep myself mentally alert during the summer (along with playing Sudoku nonstop).
Finding a great blog. Lately I have been digging Sequin Magazine and Cheap Thrills for their gorgeous, striking photographs.

My room first thing in the morning. Somehow, no matter what the season, I always wake up with my room bathed in this gorgeous, pale light. It's really peaceful.
The first really significant snowfall of the season. That sensation of waking up, burrowed cozily under all my blankets, and just knowing there's this huge blanket of snow outside - it's the most magical thing.
Cilantro. It makes all food better, and the smell is so divine.
Thick, soft towels. There are few things better than wrapping yourself in a lush towel after a shower. These are probably the most luxurious I've ever used, believe it or not.
Staying up all night. Plain, delirious, unexplainable fun.
Plaid. Otherwise known as the best pattern ever. I will never tire of it.

Trying things on in my grandma's closet. I enjoy it as much now as I did when I was little. There's just something very magical about literally stepping into your grandma's shoes and clasping on her glittery jewelry.
Falafel. As you can see here, I always enjoy it. If you've never eaten any, please do so immediately!
A really good closet purge. Whenever I feel painfully uninspired by my clothes, I literally pull everything in my closet off its hanger, try every single item on, and usually end up getting rid of at least half a dozen things. It usually gets my fashion juices flowing again!
Going to the beach on cloudy days. Bundling up in a sweater and jeans and sitting by the ocean is such a lovely, reflective experience.
Making mixed tapes. Bestowing music upon other people makes me incredibly excited. I think making a great playlist is truly an art.

Good hair days. Probably more than most people, I appreciate when my hair behaves.
Lying on really cushy grass. One of my friends has the most incredibly soft lawn. It's amazing. You can definitely tell the difference between an average lawn and a really spectacular one.
Writing essays. I know, this is weird. But I really do enjoy it.
Entertaining reviews of musicians I like. This one in particular stands out. Blender does glorious things.
The following photograph. They're both wearing stripes! It's just too cute! Whoever got these two together, and for such a chummy picture, deserves a really big kiss.

Pictures taken against brick walls. They always seem to have such a raw, spontaneous quality.
Vintage postcards. I bought a ton while I was in Paris that have the most gorgeous old drawings and pictures of different Parisian landmarks, and most of them are written on!
Hershey bars. Chocolate in its simplest form. Pure bliss.
Listening to acoustic guitar. It's just always pretty. Especially when accompanied by poetic male vocals.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Whenever I visit California, it's the first place I go. Their English breakfast tea lattes are so delicious. Please come to the east coast!
Sequins. Always festive and always fitting. Really, when are sequins not okay?

Hugs. Both initiating and receiving them. I honestly think people who dislike hugs are just really strange. I don't understand! What's not to like about a hug?
Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf. Though I have yet to get my hands on a bottle, I tried a sample vial once and it's my favorite perfume I have ever used. It's just perfect. Really.
Plain black pumps. I rarely wear heels, mostly because I am never comfortable in them for long, but there is something so irresistible to me about simple black pumps. They're classic and they go with everything - it's about time I got my hands on a pair!
Sex & The City. Not only is it really brilliantly written, but it has the best clothes. On any television show. Ever. It will never be beat. Seriously.
Popovers. Absurdly easy to make, and so delicious under a pile of whipped cream.

Cologne. I have always contemplated wearing cologne because there are some male scents that are just better than any perfumes. Namely, Hermes Eau d'Orange Verte.
Pajamas fresh out of the dryer. Nothing is cozier. Nothing.
America's Next Top Model marathons. Or, as they are so cleverly named, "modelthons."
Trashy eighties music. Like diner coffee, so bad it's good. Lately I have been completely addicted to "Take On Me" by A-Ha. Please listen to it, and prepare for the craziest high notes you will ever hear a man sing.
Camden Market. Definitely my favorite part of London. It has such a raw, incredible energy.

Blazers. As you have probably guessed. I think they are always a perfect finishing touch, and can often turn a plain outfit into an interesting one.
Tartines. Best eaten while actually in France. After hazelnut gelato these are definitely my favorite food.
Katharine Hepburn. As I rhapsodized here, I think she is one of the most incredible women in history: intelligent, confident, poised, stylish, and audacious.
Really great museum exhibitions. Like the Cézanne installation I saw a few months ago in Philadelphia. Earlier this year I also went to an incredible Van Gogh exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Sunsets. I think this needs no elaboration.

Hearing a song I like on the radio. Since most of the music I like is never played on the radio, it feels like finding buried treasure!
Air conditioning. Although sometimes it seems that modern technology has gone too far, air conditioning is not an example of this. It's completely ingenious.
Walking home in the rain. Especially cold rain. It's so refreshing and beautiful.
Chicken fingers. As far as junk food goes, they are world class.
Hedi Slimane photography. I have posted his photos so many times, and I will probably never stop doing so. His shots of Sasha Pivovarova for the April 2008 issue of French Vogue continue to be some of my favorite photographs ever.

Shakespeare & Co. It's hard to describe exactly what I love so much about this tiny bookstore in Paris, but it has such a rich history and I am going to live there when I decide to be a struggling writer in Paris.
Figuring out the reference to an obscurely titled book. Like with The Bell Jar, it's the most satisfying and surprising feeling to come across that little reference to the title.
Pablo Neruda. I do not read a lot of romance poetry, but his writing just makes me starry eyed. It's so unbelievably beautiful.
Peonies. They are the most exquisite and fragrant flower.
Brown leather. Much more so than black. It's softer, earthier, more versatile, and somehow it always feels romantically antique.
The Hazards of Love. Definitely one of my favorite albums in a very long time. I think I spent literally about a month listening to it exclusively. Everything about it blows me away.

Slouchy clothing. Trousers, tees, boots, sweaters... anything.
Playing Solitaire on my computer. I am ace at computer card games. Seriously. They are my favorite distraction from schoolwork.
Hammocks. So lazy and lovely, and they always remind me of summer.
Swimming in my clothes. Another one of those unexplainable things. It's just so much fun.
The word glorious. You have probably figured that out by now. It just always works!
Twinkly white Christmas lights. They just make me so happy, especially wrapped around trellises and trees. It's impossible to be upset while looking at strings of Christmas lights.

Hot tubs during snowfall. There are few things yummier than sitting in an outdoor hot tub while snow is falling lightly.
Indian food. I am a fan of most ethnic food, but Indian is definitely my favorite. All the spices and meats and vegetables... and naan... and my favorite local Indian restaurant has the most incredible rose petal ice cream. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Street style blogs. They are honestly my favorite form of fashion inspiration, far above any fashion magazines or celebrities. Hel Looks is just consistently brilliant.
Camp. I know a lot of people go to summer camp, but mine is literally my favorite place in the world. For real. I spent six summers there and will hopefully return next year as a counselor, and it's hard to put into words exactly what I love about it so much. Mostly, I think I am never as much myself as I am there.
This wedding ring. If I ever decide to get married, I will never wear a traditional ring. This one was posted recently by Valerie from Bleach Black and belongs to her mother. It truly takes my breath away.

Grilled cheese and tomato soup. Definitely a camp thing. It's the ultimate comfort food combination, and always reminds me of being there.
Driving up the California coast. I have only done this once, but it was such a breathtaking experience. If you ever get a chance, definitely take the trip!
Kurt Vonnegut. I think he is one of the greatest storytellers of all time. His favorite book of mine (so far) is Bluebeard, so if you're thinking about picking up some Vonnegut I would definitely recommend that one!
Sitting on docks. Particularly just before the sun starts to set and the water is reflecting the sunlight in the most mesmerizing way.
Sasha Pivovarova for H&M. The ads are youthful, glamorous, and just the right amount of ridiculous, and Sasha is stunning as always.

Boots. Definitely my favorite variety of footwear. Right now I am craving a pair of really short, slouchy ankle boots in a beautiful brown leather.
Silk. Decadent and glamorous. I have too many oversized vintage silk shirts to count, they are such an excellent alternative to plain cotton tees.
Tattoos of stars. Nothing too big and ornate, but I love the look of tiny little stars. In my opinion, Rihanna did it perfectly.
French poetry. I bought so many books of French poetry this summer. It's kind of insane. My favorite is a collection of twenty prose poems by Baudelaire, with translations in English in addition to the original French. His writing is absolutely exquisite.
Marni Autumn/Winter 2009 Ready-to-Wear. This remains one of my favorite collections ever. The impeccable styling, the glitzy jewelry, the rich color palette and lush patterns, the amazingly versatile separates... there is not a single look I dislike.

Again, I just want to say thank you for everything. Here's to another hundred!

JLCBGGRC

2009-09-20T10:28:00.003-04:00

Amid the dozens of stunning collections at New York Fashion Week, I have finally pulled together my favorites. Truly almost every collection featured something I liked (especially the glittery blazer at 3.1 Phillip Lim, the fabulous array of slouchy trousers at Ralph Lauren, and those three fluffy dresses that closed the Jason Wu show), but for me these four were extra special.

Julian Louie has shown me the breathtaking power of a monochromatic outfit sans black. The sunset colors in his collection are gorgeous beyond belief, and I think the balance between body conscious and more flowing pieces is just right. Totally digging the vintage-inspired separates in the first two looks, and the construction of that little peach dress is perfect. The girliness of the collection is awesomely spot on: springy and feminine, but with enough cleanly structured pieces to prevent it from looking sickly sweet. Aces!

Chris Benz has created one of the most unapologetically fun and amazingly fresh collections I have seen in a long time. I adore the juxtaposition of elegant forties-inspired pieces (like that perfectly clingy pink dress) with the totally outrageous sequined items, and the fact that the simpler parts of the collection stand up to its glitzy highlights makes Benz's work that much more impressive. Whether I am in the mood for understated or grandiose partywear, something in this collection will fit the bill, which I think is a very rare feat.

Gary Graham pulls off the ethereal, undone Victorian look to the tee. The collection is gorgeous but not quite pretty, thanks to loose pieces and haphazard belting (not to mention those killer black boots). The first four dresses have a fairylike, wood-nymph feel to them that I adore, but my favorite look is the filmy orange corset and cropped black trousers. The riot of sunset colors and slouchy cut of the pants are the perfect counterpoints to the leather boots and sharp structure of the corset. I really love how untrendy and comfortable everything looks.

Rachel Comey is undoubtedly my favorite New York collection this season. It might not be especially groundbreaking or irreverent, but who says great fashion needs to be? (I know, I know, I am completely not cut out to work in the world of high fashion. I apologize for just liking pretty clothes. Actually, wait... I don't apologize!) In judging how much I like a collection, my criteria are stupidly simple: are the clothes pleasing to the eye, and would I wear them? In the case of Rachel Comey, the answers to these questions are both enthusiastically yes. I adore the pairing of tiny crop tops with roomy bottoms, her color palette is cohesive and lovely, and every look has just the right dose of hipster-granny quirkiness that I look for in daywear.

Of course, I loved and appreciated many of the traditional best in show. Marc by Marc Jacobs was kooky and adorable as always, Rodarte blew my mind with their elaborate conception and prodigiously detailed dresses, and Alexander Wang once again nailed the fresh sportswear with too many fashionable twists to count.

But here I would rather share the collections that fulfill what I personally love about and look for in fashion. Every single look I have posted above I would wear in a heartbeat, and that's what makes a collection a favorite for me. So tell me - what collections have you loved because you can totally see your own style reflected in them?

I might post some more New York favorites soon, but coming up next is my one hundredth post so I have something special planned. Stay tuned!

Night Moves

2009-09-17T22:10:00.001-04:00

My first real experiment with nighttime photography was successful! Major kudos for my little brother, who magnanimously donated his patience and stellar new camera to help me take these. I got slightly carried away editing them, but I think they turned out awesome.

Believe it or not, this is a different black blazer than the one I wore here. Though I suppose they do look exactly the same. I bought them both at the bag sale.

The shoes used to belong to my mom. I dug them out of her closet last week and have been playing around with them ever since. They are terrifically comfortable and just the right amount of retro.

This dress was another bag sale find. It actually falls to midcalf and strongly resembles a potato sack, but after hacking off the sleeves and doing some nifty safety-pinning, I have created myself a neat little dropwaisted number. I love how exaggerated the shoulders are.

The necklace and bracelet also belong to my mom. I think I have permanently seized the necklace, but she refuses to relinquish the bracelet for good.

I suppose we can share it.

Vintage silk dress, vintage men's blazer, Nicole Miller black tights, vintage suede and cork wedges, all accessories borrowed or taken from Mom

Regarding Fashion Week, I have already seen about a zillion things I love. I promise to post some of my favorites soon!

On The Marc

2009-09-15T07:38:00.010-04:00

In too many interviews, articles, and silver screen moments to count, Anna Wintour has mentioned that fashion is not about looking backward. As much respect as I have for the woman, I would have to completely disagree with this. Fashion is totally about looking backward, drawing inspiration from the past and making the clothes fit the context of modernity.

In that vein, before I delve deep into reviewing the spring shows, I want to reflect upon one of my all-time favorite collections: Marc by Marc Jacobs Fall 2009 Ready-to-Wear.

I adore the tweedy trousers and rich color palette. I adore the slouchy jumpsuits and retro hats. I adore the colorblock tights and how piles of layers can look so sleek. A little wholesome nature girl, a little Teen Vogue hipster, a little New England college kid, and a little effortlessly posh Gossip Girl, this collection is brilliant styled and perfect, perfect, perfect for fall.

Believe me, there have been dozens of shows that have already caught my eye this season. But first I wanted to share this one, because fashion is about looking backward, remembering the gorgeous and timeless things of the past.

It seems like a while since I have done an outfit post, so I promise one next time! Until then, I hope you all find something this Fashion Week that you love as much as I love this.

Fashion's Night Out

2009-09-11T23:11:00.014-04:00

The last you heard from me, I was desperately trying to figure out some way to get to Fashion's Night Out. After quite a bit of frustration and endless hours of strategizing... we got there! And let me tell you, it was one of the craziest and most fantastic nights I have ever had. Emmy and Sylvia took all the photos seeing as my camera was being rather temperamental.

Our first successful stop was Prada. The wolf heads, which I recognized from the Little Red Riding Hood spread in the September Vogue, were brilliant!

YES, THAT IS GRACE CODDINGTON STANDING NEXT TO US IN PRADA WEARING HER SIGNATURE BLACK WITH A FASHION'S NIGHT OUT TEE TIED AROUND HER NECK. MY GOD SHE IS SO COOL. I was literally speechless.

And of course Sasha Pivovarova just happened to be hanging around with Grace... so of course we stopped her for pictures. My lord, she looked so amazing even without a trace of makeup, and I loved how she styled her Fashion's Night Out tee! We each snapped a photo with her but Sylvia's definitely came out the best.

Outside Prada. And, for some outfit details: I wore everything vintage with borrowed tights from Sylvia, Emmy wore a selfmade skeleton tee and vintage boots, and Sylvia wore a Forever 21 bodysuit and vintage skirt.

Live models in the Escada windows! They were absolutely gorgeous.

After Prada we hit up Bergdorf Goodman, where we spotted Manolo Blahnik, Milo Ventimiglia, and Gail Simmons. And we all bought Fashion's Night Out shirts!

At Saks Fifth Avenue I got my makeup done at the MAC counter. Major shoutout to Nadia for giving me the most gorgeous eyeshadow job! We also sampled heavenly treats from Maison du Chocolat and sniffed some incredible Tom Ford perfume samples.

We stopped into Tiffany & Co. for free iced coffee and yummy little petit fours! The atmosphere in there was so nice, very unpretentious and fun. I edited this photo quite a bit and think it came out quite cool.

Looking foxy with our freebies, of course!

Live model in the Versace window. It was so hard to believe she was a real person!

This was undoubtedly the highlight of Sylvia's night. As she was snapping photos of the live models, Emmy and I recognized the ever-fabulous and ever-dramatic Jade from cycle six of America's Next Top Model strutting down the sidewalk. Sylvia literally ran after her and flagged her down for a picture! Which, obviously, was completely worth it. And, as we were toward our train, we passed Benny Ninja wearing rhinestone lipstick and a tutu around his neck. It was brilliant.

Scott Schuman's window in Barney's! That was definitely one of the places to be last night, with Alexander Wang giving runway lessons and Mary-Kate and Ashley tending bar upstairs. And then, of course...

WELL HELLO THERE KATE MULLEAVY. And I adore her friend with the fabulous feathered hat.

AMAZING. I DIE.

A few floors down from Kate, Modelinia was sponsoring this groovy thing where you danced in front of a camera for about thirty seconds and then they printed out a flipbook of you dancing! Though we had to dash for our train and therefore didn't stick around to grab our flipbook, you can tell we had a ridiculous amount of fun dancing up a storm for the camera.

On the train home: exhausted and triumphant.

And, of course, the three of us could not resist getting together today for a little photoshoot in our Fashion's Night Out shirts...

I hope some of you made it there! It was such an amazing experience to see all of New York City gathering in the name of fashion.

California Dreaming

2009-09-07T16:44:00.004-04:00

The blazer continues to be my favorite piece in my wardrobe. I think I wore it all but one day last week.

If I lived in California, I would wear this sort of thing every day, with the perfect pairs of simple leather sandals. The skirt is so deliciously flowy and breezy and absolutely the perfect length, falling to just below my knees. Forgive me for not doing it proper justice in the pictures!

I wore this to troll a fantastic upscale vintage shop with my friend earlier today. Though I didn't purchase anything, the store was amazing, with zillions of vintage designer pieces at obscenely good prices. And if you believe in sartorial destiny, I think I met the prom dress (and shoes!) I am fated to wear. I might try to sketch and scan them for you because they were absolutely gorgeous.

You can see the remnants of my bathing suit tan! I honestly cannot remember the last time I had such visible tan lines.

Vintage skirt and blazer, Gap tank

I had the most glorious time with two friends last night. We went for a freezing late night swim in our underwear while blasting The Decemberists on the outdoor speakers, then proceeded to watch four straight hours of Trueblood. Gotta love these long weekends!

Also, thanks so much to Ruxandra for the award!

I suppose I can scrape together ten interesting things about myself...

Strawberry banana smoothies are my favorite beverage, I find Alan Rickman as Professor Snape incredibly sexy, I always feel uncomfortable wearing white, watching cake shows on television is endlessly fascinating to me, I have an unexplainable love for trashy novels, I have never seen a Star Wars movie, I wish I could be barefoot all the time, my favorite type of food is Indian, I wish I could speak fluent Hebrew, and I think ballet is the most beautiful art form in existence.

In other news, I have made it my sole mission in life to get to Fashion's Night Out in New York City this Thursday. It just sounds too amazing not to be there, and when I want to do crazy stuff I make it happen, even if that stuff is happening on a school night! If I do take part in the smashingly fabulous evening full of shopping and designers and unbelievable swag, you will be the first ones to know.

Liberace

2009-09-05T10:15:00.000-04:00

Vintage jacket and trousers, Forever 21 tee and sunglasses, thrifted shoes

This literally must be the fastest I have ever put a post together! Sorry for the picture shortage, but I am in a slight hurry and really wanted to show you some things.

The jacket is one of the crazier items I picked up at the bag sale last Saturday. It was quite literally the first thing I saw when I walked in and for many mysterious reasons I was instantly attracted to it. It has the most gorgeous fit, and although I normally perform immediate surgery upon any piece with shoulder pads that I buy, in the jacket they just seem to work. Not only work, but give it really spectacular details. I love the pleats at the shoulders too.

And, of course, the pattern. Utter ridiculousness, and I completely adore it. My friends have termed it my Liberace jacket and have attempted to convince me to dress up as the famed entertainer for Halloween. We shall see...

Also, forgive me for yet another pair of geriatric pants. I picked them up in Martha's Vineyard with Sylvia. They are linen and slouchy and absolutely enormous and I love them to death.

Phew! Sorry to race through all that, but I must now depart for yet another fantastic day in New York City. I am going to see Our Town with all my castmates from the show! I've heard that this particular production is really amazing, so I am incredibly excited to see it, and to spend the day with all my lovely theater friends.

I hope you all have fantabulous long weekends! I know I will.

Mosaic

2009-09-01T18:12:00.001-04:00

"Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that year. The morning of the first of September was crisp and golden as an apple..."
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

"There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in its sky, which through the summer is not heard or seen, and if it could not be, as if it had not been!"
Percy Bysshe Shelley

"September: it was the most beautiful of words, he'd always felt, evoking orange flowers, swallows, and regret."
Alexander Theroux

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all."
Stanley Horowitz

Forever 21 tee, vintage trousers, Coach belt, vintage Doc Martens, vintage and gifted rings

This is what I wore yesterday. I chose to start school with a simple, comfortable outfit. The slouchy cut of the shirt is so delicious. And, of course, the Doc Martens were the essential finishing touch.

Even though September has just begun, I can already feel the familiar sparkle of autumn starting to descend upon everything. When a golden sun and crisp breezes in a cloudless sky make it just cool enough to put on a cozy scarf, and the intimate forest that surrounds my backyard starts to turn the warm colors of French toast, pumpkins, and graham crackers. Autumn means Halloween and Thanksgiving (my two favorite holidays), apple cider and rehearsals for Our Town, tights with every outfit and the freshness of a new school year.

P.S. Can you tell that I dyed my hair? I hope so! I will try to capture it better in future pictures, but it's essentially black now. I love it so much.

P.P.S. Right after school today I received a phone call from my school choir teacher, who told me that I got into the honors choir I tried out for at the end of June! The choir comprises high school singers from eleven states, and only thirteen students from Connecticut were accepted. I honestly never expected to get in, so this is insanely exciting!

London Calling

2009-08-29T14:17:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's metropolitan adventures proved to be extremely successful. Although I lost the bidding war for the floral Doc Martens on eBay, it was a mere three or four hours after the auction closed before I stumbled upon a Craigslist seller getting rid of this pair, miraculously in my size. Infinite thanks to Rachel in Union Square for bestowing these upon me!

As soon as I slipped the boots on, my thoughts of creamy blouses and slouchy tees ran straight out of my head. I wanted black, tight, edgy, reminiscent of London grunge and seventies punk.

After we got my boots, the three of us scooted over to Forever 21 in Union Square and spent more than two hours there. I found not only the neutral basics I felt were missing from my wardrobe, but the perfect items to fulfill my rocker fantasies. I fell in love with this clean, sophisticated take on the whole concept.

I picked up the blazer just this morning at the thrift store bag sale, which was honestly one of the most frenzied and exhausting experiences of my life. I did come away with a stack of old art books and quite a few crazy clothing items, which you will surely see soon.

Out of the hundreds (or more likely thousands) of outfits I have ever put together, this one makes me feel better inside and out than nearly all of them.

Forever 21 tee and skirt, vintage blazer and Doc Martens, gifted ring

I might wear this on the first day of school, depending on the weather. It's undoubtedly one of my favorite outfits I have ever worn, which means I will be wearing it (and variations on it) a lot! I think wearing an outfit once is the silliest thing. If you love and feel great in something, why not repeat it?

In addition to the tee and skirt, I got a few other basic items that will be cropping up soon and often, plus all my crazy finds from the bag sale! In short, be prepared for plenty of exciting outfit posts.

I start school in two days! Call me loony for being so impatient, but I cannot help it. School means my friends, exciting new classes, a sparkly new season for both weather and fashion... now aren't you excited too?

Turquoise

2009-08-27T18:15:00.002-04:00

My love affair with this blazer continues relentlessly. I have literally been throwing it on over everything since I bought it.

As soon as I picked up this delicious silk shirt, I knew precisely what I wanted to wear with it: a pair of crisp, clean white shorts. I love the color contrast so much, and the way the belt breaks up the whole silhouette.

Everything is vintage.

Untucked! I am already imagining a dozen ways to wear this. I think oversized silk shirts are undoubtedly one of my favorite things to wear.

In other news, I am finally home! I never thought I could miss my bland little suburb so much, but being away from my friends and my routine for so long has got me incredibly excited for this year to start. In some ways I feel like this summer hardly existed, that it was just a blip, nothing more than a long weekend. Looking back on everything I did in the past ten weeks, it feels like a different life. And honestly, I'm so excited to get back to mine!

Exciting thing: on Saturday morning my local thrift shop is having what they call a bag sale, where you can come in and fill up a bag with stuff for ten dollars! Meaning I will have plenty of goodies to show you soon.
Another exciting thing: I am dyeing my hair soon! I dyed it last October and was extremely pleased with the results, so here I go again. Nothing crazy (like platinum blonde or magenta), but it will be noticeably different. Just wait and see...
Yet another exciting thing: Tomorrow I am traipsing into New York City with two of my favorite ladies, Emmy and Sylvia, for a whirlwind day of fabulous adventures. Expect lots of pictures, anecdotes, and perhaps some new clothes upon my return!

Fall Wardrobe // I NEED YOUR HELP!

2009-08-22T15:40:00.003-04:00

Slim blazers, simple tees and tanks in dark neutrals, a romantic lace skirt, sheer blouses in creamy shades, black bandage skirts, quintessential ballet shoes, brown leather oxfords, short slouchy boots...

In short, what I dream of wearing this fall. Dark staples offset by dreamy, ballet-inspired pieces, accessorized with colored tights and simple, elegant gold jewelry...

... and these.

VINTAGE FLORAL DOC MARTENS.
I AM IRREVOCABLY IN LOVE WITH THEM.
BUT I NEED YOUR HELP.

I found the perfect, perfect pair on eBay and the bidding ends in thirty hours, so I need you all to answer me this: how do Doc Marten sizes run compared to regular shoes? If I normally wear an 8 or 8.5, what American size would I be in Docs?
This is of the utmost importance. Thank you thank you thank you!

(Topshop blazers, ballet flats, printed crop top, and lace shirt; Old Navy tees and tank; Forever 21 skirts, sweater vest, boots, and floral blouse; Steve Madden oxfords)

Hel's Angels

2009-08-19T15:28:00.001-04:00

Recently my creativity seems to have been sapped from me. Maybe I have been stranded on this island too long, or perhaps my head is so full of American history that I have little room left for anything else. But rejoice! I have discovered my newest fashion muses, all straight from HEL LOOKS, who will hopefully stir up the creative juices that are simmering about inside me.

HEL LOOKS is undoubtedly my favorite street style site. Everyone is so gloriously unique, and that itself gives Helsinki a signature style. I really love how everybody looks like a real person, snapped in a photograph in the midst of their busy lives rather than some pouty women just posing for a picture.

I am seriously digging all the billowy trousers, nonbulky layers, simple colors, and quirky footwear these ladies are sporting. The last two looks are my favorite - the contrast of an oversized jacket with skinny, cozy leggings is effortlessly stylish, and those mint green shoes are a genius finishing touch to an otherwise colorless outfit.

Come fall, these are definitely looks that I want to emulate. But beyond the clothes, it's the attitude with which all of these outfits are worn that I admire. These ladies are confident and comfortable, and what's more timeless or fashionable than that?

Vineyarding

2009-08-16T23:05:00.001-04:00

As you might recall, I kicked off my summer with a short trip to Martha's Vineyard, accompanied by one of my favorite people on the planet. I showed you some pictures from my favorite night, and here are a few more photos from that fantabulous week that, in a whirlwind of Paris preparations, I never got around to posting...

The stellar summer playlist we listened to all week.

This is the Vineyard Sound, the male a cappella group that returns to the island every summer. Their lineup always changes from year to year, but it always comprises college age guys from the East Coast. They occasionally troll the streets to promote their shows, and we were lucky enough to catch them in the act! If you ever come to visit, you must see them as they are fantastically talented and completely adorable.

Our daily ritual: get iced coffee and sit on a dock somewhere in one of the three harbor towns. It was pretty overcast most of the trip, so we did little beaching and a lot of window shopping.

I stole... I mean, borrowed these jeans from Tucker for about half our trip. They are incredibly comfortable and soft, definitely need to get myself a pair.

So many pretty flowers everywhere. I think this place has the most immaculately groomed houses I have ever seen.

Everything is so cute and colonial! I loved that little lemonade stand.

My favorite coffee spot.

We spent a lot of time sitting and watching the ocean. It was very relaxing and nice.

I have not been feeling terribly inspired the past few days, mostly because I miss my friends and being home. I miss Paris so much too, and how much freedom I had there to virtually go anywhere at any time.

On the bright side, I ate brownies tonight and got my junior year schedule! AP English, AP Calculus, AP U.S. History, French, Honors Physics, Select Chorus... everything looks pretty good. Believe it or not, I am psyched for school to start again.

I Want To Go Down In Celluloid History

2009-08-14T14:02:00.002-04:00

Currently drinking: Just finished a really yummy tomato juice concoction.

Currently eating: Nothing. But I am seriously craving something summery and avocado related. Any of the following would be more than acceptable.

Current grooving to: "Frankly Mr. Shankly" by The Smiths. This has been a perpetual groove for the past week or so. It's so good.

Currently supposed to be doing: Summer work for AP U.S. History. But I was extremely productive yesterday so blogging before I start again is my reward.

Currently wearing on your feet: Nothing! Summer is the time to be barefoot as much as possible.

Currently looking forward to: Autumn, and school starting, crazy as that may sound. I miss my friends and doing things. Also I miss putting on outfits that people other than my family will see.

Currently wanting: A lifetime supply of James Perse shirts. They are so unbelievably deliciously soft and slouchy and perfect.

Currently amused by: "Frankly Mr. Shankly" because it seriously is the funniest song ever. Just please read the lyrics, they are absolutely brilliant.

Current state of happiness: Very happy, mostly because school is starting soon and my summer work has turned out to be not nearly as daunting as I expected.

Current favorite song: You should be able to guess that!

Current favorite meal: Lobster. There are few things more satisfying than cracking, drowning in butter, and gobbling down a lobster.

Current favorite movie: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Such a gorgeous film. The montage of Benjamin and Daisy in their apartment is my favorite part. It's so carefree and sweet and beautiful.

Currently reading: Luncheon of the Boating Party again, and a small Pablo Neruda volume that goes with me everywhere these days. I finally finished On The Road!

Currently hearing: "The Crane Wife 3" and the dull roar of a plane. Our house here is right by the airport.

Current favorite person: Brad Pitt. After watching Benjamin Button and Fight Club again I am thoroughly convinced that he is not overrated. He is truly talented and indecently attractive.

Currently wearing: French boy shirt and navy blue shorts. I have been seriously digging navy blue lately.

Currently thinking about: Shoes. More specifically, these Steve Madden oxfords, and how badly I want a pair of flat black leather ankle boots.

Sadly, I must now return to the wonderful world of Federalists and proprietary colonies and native rebellions and all that joyous stuff that once happened in my home country. Wish me luck!

Channeling Katharine

2009-08-12T23:06:00.000-04:00

First of all, the winner of the Fragonard giveaway is Vanessa! Congratulations, and I had a smashing good time reading all of your comments.

My months and months of scavenging for the perfect semi-slouchy, high-waisted, awesomely cuffable pants came to fruition yesterday when I bought these navy blue trousers.

I got this shirt at a fantastic vintage shop in Paris. The colors are so glorious, and the slim cut reminds me vividly of a Ben Sherman men's shirt.

Again, photo credit goes to the lovely and wonderful Sylvia.

While we were prancing around outside, I came across the cutest little fuzzy creature crawling around the picnic table. I quickly named him Iggy, and he responded rather affectionately.

I think he was going for my pocket!

Vintage shirt and trousers, black ballet shoes, borrowed sunglasses

As soon as I put this outfit on I thought of Katharine Hepburn. She is without a doubt one of my greatest inspirations for the way she approached fashion and everything else. Her androgynous clothing and outspoken, often challenging attitude make her, in my opinion, one of the most unusual women in history.

The fact that a woman at that time could be considered beautiful, elegant, and timeless for reasons other than possessing blatantly obvious sex appeal is really incredible and inspiring. Katharine Hepburn gives hope to all the intelligent, confident women out there! I think we can all learn great lessons from her.

Perfect Light & Dinghy Adventures

2009-08-10T23:19:00.000-04:00

I have quickly gotten absolutely addicted to this blazer. It's the perfect throw-it-on-over-anything-to-make-my-outfit-spectacularly-classy-and-pulled-together item.

These shorts have also become a fast friend. The silky fabric and superbly comfy elastic waist have got me never wanting to take them off (even if they once belonged to a senior citizen).

I think I will make a spectacular old person.

I am now back in Martha's Vineyard for the third time after a lovely hiatus at home, and this time I have brought along my dearest friend (and photographer!) Sylvia. Her camera, combined with nifty editing, made for some incredible shots. I think. You be the judge!

This gorgeous clearing is in the back of our house. I think I have poison ivy on my feet from traipsing around in it so much, but it was totally worth it.

I think the above is my favorite picture of the day.

The first one below is undoubtedly Sylvia's favorite. She said I look Italian.

After we took these I started to get quite silly and performed an impromptu karate routine. Sylvia captured quite a few memorable action shots.

This is one is just hilarious.

Vintage blazer and shorts, Target slouchy tee, ancient Gap flats

Earlier today Sylvia and I had an absolutely crazy adventure.

We were sitting on the dock eating enormous ice creams when two people chugged in on their dinghy, sipping wine and looking generally pleased with life. They started chatting with us and we expressed interest in their dinghy, and the man told us we could take it for a ride.

We were disbelieving at first, but they were extremely friendly (and probably more than slightly drunk) and told us we could use it. Then they departed, leaving the dinghy at our disposal. Instead of braving the motor, we used the attached oars to push away from the dock and basically paddle in circles for a few minutes. It was extremely enjoyable.

Then the time came to row back in. We were having an inordinate amount of trouble coordinating our rowing and therefore kept turning every which way rather than row toward the dock. It took us about ten minutes to row back the ten feet to the dock, with a guy who had just come back in his dinghy telling us which way to paddle.

All the while we were giggling hysterically, and everybody around was laughing at us. It was simultaneously mortifying and the most fun I have ever had. Definitely take a look at Sylvia's blog for the photographic evidence of our insanely fun evening.

What crazy shenanigans have you all gotten up to this summer?

Two Shadows In The Shadow

2009-08-08T12:27:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, instead of blogging, I cleaned my room and put all my clothes away for the first time all summer, then lazed around and went out for Chinese food with my friends. It was really, really nice.

My fellow bloggers, if you are ever about to apologize for going out and living your life instead of focusing on your blog, please don't. Life is greater than blogging.

I think I subconsciously went for a model-off-duty vibe here (at least, as much of a model off duty as I can possibly look): loose white tee, skinny jeans, simple jewelry and makeup, and my new favorite item, this navy blazer.

These boots are probably the most ridiculous item I own. I feel like RuPaul when I put them on. I've only worn them out of the house once before, and that was to a glam rock party, so I was also wearing sequined leather pants and a gold vest. But for some reason I felt the urge to wear them out last night.

Also - have you seen my glasses before? I can't remember whether I've worn them on the blog before, but here are my glasses. They make me feel intelligent and nerdy. I will never, ever get contacts.

I have been majorly digging Pablo Neruda lately. I bought this book earlier this week and have been devouring it fervently. Every poem is printed in Spanish and English, and I like to read the Spanish aloud to myself even though my accent is probably horrendous. This poem, "The Stolen Branch" is my favorite so far. All his work is so lyrical and beautiful, I really want to buy 100 Love Sonnets next.

Vintage blazer and bag, Target tee, PacSun jeans, thrifted boots, gifted watch and chain worn as bracelet

The Stolen Branch ~ Pablo Neruda

In the night we shall go in
to steal
a flowering branch.

We shall climb over the wall
in the darkness of the alien garden,
two shadows in the shadow.

Winter is not yet gone,
and the apple tree appears
suddenly changed
into a cascade of fragrant stars.

In the night we shall go in
up to its trembling firmament,
and your little hands and mine
will steal the stars.

And silently,
to our house,
in the night and the shadow,
with your steps will enter
perfume's silent step
and with starry feet
the clear body of spring.

The Clanking Of Crystal, Explosions Off In The Distance

2009-08-06T01:44:00.004-04:00

Some of my favorite photographs lately, quite a few of these have been stranded in inspiration folders for some time and it seemed right to drag them out and dust them off. Though I didn't realize it while I was compiling them, they all seem to have a sort of pensive quality to them, somewhat sad and intimate.

Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia, Alexa Chung via Photobucket, Marc Mez, unknown, Lindsay Lohan shot by Hedi Slimane, Sandra Freij.

Currently indulging in a Death Cab marathon (post title from "The New Year" off Transatlanticism) and trying to decide what my favorite album is. I feel like I should start another blog so I can keep my fashion raving and my music raving separate, but I already have too many things to remember passwords for.

P.S. Enter the Fragonard giveaway! You still have six days!

The Persistence of Memory

2009-08-04T15:54:00.001-04:00

I am disappointed with myself that this sweater has taken such a long time to make a blog appearance.

I bought it here, in fact, before I went to France. Though it was basically just a ridiculous whim of a purchase at the time, I think it has officially become the most-worn item in my closet. I love it so very much.

The embellishment reminds me vividly of The Persistence of Memory. I went to the Dalí museum in Paris and it was really incredible. If you like Dalí and have a chance to go you definitely should!

I also picked this tee up at the vintage shop I mentioned in my last post. For about a year I have been scavenging for the perfect French boy shirt: blue and white striped, thin, soft, slightly cropped... this top satisfies my desire to a tee. Hah, tee. I am so very punny.

Also, these shoes = continued living proof that yellow and grey is indubitably the happiest color combination on the planet.

Vintage tee and sweater, Target shorts, Monoprix sandals, borrowed sunglasses

Whoosh! Larger pictures! This might become a regular thing, maybe, but resizing photos takes way too much time for my liking.
Hope you can handle the tsunami of posting... I have very little else to do here. Which is extremely nice to know, in a way. Hoorah for lazy summers! What have you lovelies been up to these days? I want to hear about your summer adventures.

Minty Fresh

2009-08-03T14:05:00.000-04:00

Back in Martha's Vineyard! And here begins the slew of delightful Paris purchases I have to show you. This dress came from a crowded little vintage shop in the Marais, recommended by Alix in her absolutely wonderful Paris shopping guide. I visited the store quite a few times, and though there wasn't much turnover I found some amazing things.

This was probably the only dress in the store that hit above my knees. I adore the skater-style skirt and the puffy sleeves, and the color is just to die for. It looks a little blue in the pictures, but it's really the most delicious shade of cool mint green. I wore this outfit to the ballet and felt insanely classy.

Vintage dress, gifted tights and watch, really old Ann Taylor oxfords

Mint green is undoubtedly my new favorite color to wear. I am desperately hoping to snap up some more of it soon. Do think I could get away with wearing mint green in the fall? I suppose only time will tell...

Have you recently discovered a summery color of which you simply cannot get enough?

Paris Giveaway!

2009-07-31T13:01:00.002-04:00

Here is the fabulously lovely thing I am offering to all of you, a treasure brought from the most wonderful and elegant city of Paris. It's a set of ten sample size perfumes from Fragonard, the luxury French parfumeur founded in 1926 that owns the tiny and exquisite Musée du Parfum in Paris. These scents are some of the company's most famous. Fragrances like rose, patchouli, bergamot, freesia, amber, and lily of the valley, among many others, give each perfume a luxurious and timeless smell.

All you need to do to have a chance to win this utterly fantastic set is to leave a comment on this post telling me about your favorite perfume and why you love it. Entries will be valid until August 12th at noon Eastern Standard Time. Later that day I will put all your names into a random generator and choose a winner (your comments are just for my entertainment, they won't actually factor into your chances of winning, but please leave a good one anyway!). Only one entry per person, please, and U.S. residents only.

Bonne chance to you all! And seriously, I am so jealous.

P.S. I am in serious need of some blog layout help that involves changing the size and format of my header. If anyone thinks they can provide assistance, please let me know!

Je Suis Revenu!

2009-07-29T19:48:00.002-04:00

In other words, I have returned! Bonjour, mes cheries! I have missed you all so much. As magical as Paris was, there is something so wonderfully cozy and familiar about sitting down to read all your blogs in my favorite armchair in my living room. And I can finally blog again! I missed it horribly. So, without further ado, the highlights of my month (in no sort of chronological order, sorry):

Just some pretty things I shot around town.

Yes, I climbed the forty zillion stairs up la butte Montmartre. It was hellish but so worth it. Did you know that Montmartre means "mountain of the martyr" and was named so because the patron saint of France was decapitated there? Crazy stuff.

Hah. Me and Jess in front of the Pantheon, where we explored the amazing underground crypts. Zola, Braille, Voltaire, Dumas, Hugo, and Marie Curie are buried there! I love tombs. The second photo is Notre-Dame.

Oooh, the food. Glorious beyond words. There was a gelato shop literally right around the block from school, and I probably went there almost every day. Yikes. And, of course, the French staples: café au lait and a croissant with jam.

Some slightly less French (but no less delicious) things: falafel and Moroccan pastries. The first I got in le Marais, the old Jewish quarter of the city. It's such a cozy, fashionable neighborhood and hands down my favorite part of Paris. I want to live there! My friend Emma turned seventeen during our trip and a few of us went out for Moroccan food to celebrate, and this was our massive dessert tray.

My first venture into the wonderful world of macarons was at Pierre Hermé. I got grapefruit and milk chocolate with passion fruit, and Jess got chocolate. They were pretty good, but not stunning.

Have to say, I did prefer Ladurée. The macarons are light and crispy, and the rose petal flavor is absolutely exquisite. Angelina was as decadent as I remembered it. The hot chocolate is just perfection.
Of course, I didn't spend all month waltzing through luxury dessert shops...

Behold, the juice aisle at Monoprix. Give me a moment to rhapsodize about the mecca that is Monoprix. It's like Target on steroids, plus a massive and totally classy grocery store. Thanks to Monoprix, we had many a delightful picnic in the Luxembourg Gardens.

One of my favorite events of the summer was attending the ballet at the Opéra Garnier. It's one of the most stunning places I've ever seen, and is the opera house upon which The Phantom of the Opera is based. We were sitting in very high seats.

As expected, I went to more museums than I can count. One of my favorites was Musée Rodin. I had been before, but I liked it much more the second time. The gardens are just beautiful, and the sculptures are really excellently arranged.

Another favorite, and possibly the favorite: Musée d'Orsay. Yes, I was a goober and wore my souvenir shirt there.

Two much smaller museums that I adored as well were the Musée des Arts Décoratifs and the Fragonard Perfume Museum. Arts Décoratifs had the most stunning exhibition of Madeleine Vionnet clothes and a gift shop library beyond belief. The perfume museum mostly just smelled delicious.

Another little museum that blew me away was the Musée Gustave Moreau. It used to be his house, and all the rooms downstairs are still preserved.

I set foot in my first mosque. It was incredibly beautiful and serene. I visited with my creative writing class, and we went to the attached restaurant afterward and drank really delicious mint tea.

I also visited Père Lachaise with my class, which I kind of expected to feel more significant. Oscar Wilde's grave is possibly the ugliest thing I have ever seen, which makes me so upset. I kissed it anyway, though. On the left is Jim Morrison's grave.

Also significantly depressing? The Moulin Rouge.

One of our fun outings was the Fête des Tuileries, a temporary carnival set up in the Jardins des Tuileries. We got really delicious churros and then sat by the big pond in the middle of the garden, it was lovely.

Quite a few of my favorite excursions were, sadly, not captured on film. Like the Bal des Pompiers (though perhaps that was better off remaining out of any pictures). On the night before Bastille Day, the firehouse in each arrondissement is basically turned into a giant outdoor party, and everyone in our program went to the one in our arrondissement. I expected it to be distinctly unfun, but it was such a blast; basically just a huge dance party. With firemen. Ahem.
Also, our last night was possibly one of the most excellent nights of my life. The program rented out a nightclub for all of us, so everyone got dressed up in posh things (or not so posh, I wore my notorious pink backless dress) and we pretty much partied all night long. It was amazing.
I could honestly go on and on all night about what a fantastic month I had, but I'll stop here because I'm exhausted and unshowered and definitely on the verge of a cold. As soon as the nasty weather stops here, I promise to do an outfit post! Because, erh, obviously I had to do a bit of shopping while I was there...
And of course I did a little shopping for you too... well, one of you. I'll be revealing a delightful giveaway in my next post that I honestly wish I could keep for myself, it's so fabulous.

Speak to you all soon, my lovelies. Je vous adore, and it's glorious to be back.

Hello Again! Briefly!

2009-07-19T04:20:00.002-04:00

It is a quiet Sunday morning here in the dorms, and with four computers for one hundred and eighty students I usually only get a few minutes on the computer. But with almost everybody still asleep (it would be just after ten here) I have found a moment to say hello!

I miss blogging so much, guys. This is quite an old post that I meant to put up before I left, but I will do it now because I need an excuse to send you all hugs and kisses and hope that you'll hang tight for a little while longer while I'm having the time of my life in Paris.

Obviously, I promise to tell you everything about my trip when I come back for real. Until then, I love you all!

And now, some more resort collections I adored (I know, I know, a whole crop of shows has been harvested since I left, but these deserve my attention too):

One part tailored black and white party elegance and one part gloriously embellished slouchiness has me in tears of joy over Stella McCartney. That oversized dark grey sweater dress with the silver patterns is possibly my favorite piece from any resort collection yet (I am officially calling that Rumi will own it within three months, doesn't it totally seem like her kind of piece?), and the blue and white striped dress is so perfectly Parisian.

Lace, casual elegance, a muted palette with just the right dose of shine - all the pieces from 3.1 Phillip Lim are so versatile for this time of year. I love the simplicity of the white lace shift dress, and how the contrasting grey sweatshirt and metallic trousers are pulled together in their easy silhouettes.

I saved my favorite collection for last. Yigal Azrouël somehow managed to include every element of my ideal summer wardrobe in one collection: casually draped jersey dresses, a subtly colored palette dressed up with punchy accessories (cyan and purple turbans! razzle dazzle trim and necklaces!), and pieces that are sensual and sleek in unusual ways (like the perfectly unclingy jumpsuit and that wonderful, wonderful white one-shouldered dress). My favorite outfit is definitely the cargo shorts with the sweet sequined vest. Azrouël has to be my favorite collection this season.

P.S. I have come up with a delicious idea for a sweet little something to bring back as a blog giveaway. Something to look forward to when I return...

When Good Americans Die, They Go To Paris

2009-07-01T13:24:00.001-04:00

According to Oscar Wilde, anyway.
I LEAVE TONIGHT. To get myself (and you all!) pumped up, here are some pictures from my first trip two Aprils ago.

The sunrise as our plane landed; my bedroom; the courtyard of our rented apartment; the street behind our building; the Seine; going under the Eiffel Tower on a bus; street signs on Île Saint-Louis; a university building; view of the city from Montmartre; Sacré-Cœur; "The Thinker" and "The Burghers of Calais" at Musée Rodin; outside the Louvre; a gorgeous storefront on Rue Dauphine.

I wish I could apologize for my endless blathering about Paris, but I can't. I'm too excited.

Just some housekeeping: I'm not bringing my laptop with me, but I have decided not to schedule any posts while I'm away. I will be back to the blog for real in about four weeks.
Thanks to internet cafés, I should definitely still be able to check out your blogs and to update on Twitter, so if you really miss me that much you can check me out there.

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH.
Au revoir, and I'll be back July 29th!

In The Spirit

2009-06-29T20:24:00.001-04:00

My getting into the spirit for Paris is growing exponentially by the hour, I swear. Earlier today I watched Amélie for the first time, it seemed like a rite of passage to do so. It was kind of weird and goofy but I enjoyed it. Audrey Tatou is so cute! And I love the whole Luncheon of the Boating Party subplot. If you are a complete Francophile like myself and haven't seen it yet, you will enjoy it.

After that I considered watching Paris, Je T'Aime but a French double feature seemed a little excessive (so maybe I'll watch it tomorrow). Instead I drooled over every piece of clothing A.P.C. has to offer on their website and compiled my favorites above.

More adventurous crazy fashion people might be totally turned off by the trademark simplicity of A.P.C. but I am totally in love with it. If I could only shop at one store for the rest of my life, this would undoubtedly be it. Maybe because when I picture myself wearing these clothes I am strolling down Boulevard Saint-Michel with huge sunglasses on, carrying a baguette under my arm with that delicious leather tote on my shoulder, and a passerby mistakes me for Sofia Coppola...

... daydream ending now. Sorry.

In short, A.P.C. is gorgeous and French and wonderful and I would slay my firstborn to be outfitted in that striped top and those perfectly fitted jeans.

My mom and I are leaving Martha's Vineyard tomorrow, which is kind of bittersweet. I have grown to completely love being here, but now I get to go home, spend one last night partying with my friends, and jet off to Paris! Must now go write up a capsule packing list so I don't end up taking my entire closet with me!

Be This Sunset One For Keeping

2009-06-27T21:12:00.002-04:00

There are very few words than can describe how much I love this place, and I am so happy to share it with you.
All I really have to say is that the weather cleared up just in time (this was on Thursday), and that "Sunset Soon Forgotten" by Iron & Wine is the perfect song to listen to after watching a sunset.

EDIT: Earlier today I ventured to a flea market and found...

... A POLAROID CAMERA. WITH THREE PACKS OF FILM. IN A FANTASTIC BROWN SATCHEL. FOUR DOLLARS FOR THE ENTIRE THING. AND IT WORKS PERFECTLY. I AM OVER THE MOON!

My Girl, Linen and Curls

2009-06-25T13:45:00.002-04:00

The weather has been depressing. Rain and hideous wind abound, with not a ray of sunlight in sight. It doesn't feel like summer.

This dress makes me feel better. It's so posh! I tremendously look forward to wearing it in Paris.

All photographs by the lovely Tucker.

Tucker let me borrow some of her fantastic curly hair product and it worked miracles. It kind of feels like glue, but when it goes in your hair it makes it perfectly piecey and holds the curls excellently. And it kept me unfrizzy in the rain! Unheard of!

Post title from "Summersong" by The Decemberists. Linen, curls, totally fitting!

Target cotton and linen dress, borrowed shoes and earrings

More vacation pictures to follow, that is if Tucker and I can muster the energy to stop watching movies illegally on the internet and eating butter pecan fudge.

In Summer, The Song Sings Itself

2009-06-22T21:33:00.002-04:00

The name of the game is... breezy crop tops, slouchy pleats, strappy flat sandals, and the perfect casual blazer.

Kain tanks, Chloé cotton shorts, Topshop crop tops, Giuseppe Zanotti suede gladiator sandals, Splendid harem pants, Topshop jelly gladiator sandals, MAC Nail Lacquer in Peppermint Patti, Maje silk trousers, Topshop blazer

I must tell you about my Jeopardy audition! I think it went very well, and it was really fun.

It turns out that around 10,000 people nationwide took the online test, and 3,000 of those people got a score high enough to qualify for the regional auditions. Only 375 people in the whole country, chosen randomly from those 3,000, actually got to come to regional auditions, of which I was one. I honestly feel like the luckiest person ever to have made it.

My souvenirs: a Jeopardy pen, and a water bottle that says "Do you have a thirst for knowledge?" Hell yes.

I'm going to find out whether or not I made it a lot sooner than I expected. The tournament is being filmed in the middle of August, so I'll know whether I got on by the first week in August. Which is like... six weeks away. I am freaking out. I want to get on so badly!

In other news...
I am craving some drop crotch trousers and the perfect mint green nail polish.
Nine days until I leave for Paris! If you have any more recommendations, send 'em my way!
I arrived this afternoon at my summer house in Martha's Vineyard. It's one of my favorite places in the entire world, and I'm here for a week with one of my best friends. Plenty of pictures to come.

Hope you're all having glorious summer vacations!

Coming Up Roses

2009-06-20T12:03:00.005-04:00

Another one of my stellar thrift finds from Wednesday's excursions. Flowered patterns never really interested me until this year, and the antique-couch-cover feeling of this print is absolutely perfect. To make it even better, it buttons all the way down the front and has pockets!

I made this tank out of a men's tee that was enormous on me, and am extremely satisfied with it.

"God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December."
James Matthew Barrie

I was fiddling around with the skirt on Thursday night and I came up with this.

This clutch is my all time favorite bag. I have no idea where it came from, but it has the most gorgeous bright orange silk lining. Sadly, I rarely get to use it because it doesn't fit very much and I tend to carry a million things with me.

Vintage rose patterned skirt, black Target skirt, handmade grey tank, vintage shoes, random clutch, gifted earrings

"There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose, because before he can do so he has first to forget all the roses that were ever painted."
Henri Matisse

On an unrelated note, I picked up my first ever copy of Nylon yesterday and it was spectacular. Must subscribe!

MY JEOPARDY AUDITION IS TODAY AT THREE P.M. AND I AM FREAKING OUT. WISH ME LUCK!