Sunday, January 31, 2010

A cup of tea

A Cup of Jo is a darling blog, and she always showcases the cutest, quirkiest things on there. So when this popped up on my reader, I fell in love.


I drink lots and lots of tea, and this submarine tea infuser would be so fun to have!

Saturday, January 30, 2010

The written word

While going through my google reader the other day, I came across this post made by my lovely cousin. She brought my attention to a movement dedicated to keep the printed word alive.
With the advent of the internet, the kindle, and now the ipad, newspapers, magazines and books are having a hard time. This makes me so sad! My parents subscribe to 2 newspapers that I at least flip through everyday and read in depth on Sundays (LA Times Image and Travel sections - I love you!) Plus I subscribe to 10 magazines (yes, 10!). And on top of all that, I adore reading. Always have, always will. I go to Borders so often, I think some people think I work there. (Side note - I read online (how ironic) about the fact that Borders is in serious danger of closing soon-ish. I hope not!) So while I think the internet is amazing and I use it often, I really hope books never become a thing of the past. I don't want to be describing to my grandchildren how there used to be things called libraries, and they smelled amazing, and how good old books used to crack a little when you opened them.
So therefore...

Read the Printed Word!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Best dressed

I'm sure you've all seen this dress by now, but it's the first one I've been really obsessed with this award season. Diane Kruger can do no wrong in my book.

[Image: altfg.com]

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

The Sartorialist

I just love this picture recently posted on the Sartorialist. The cuffed skinny jeans, the pushed up sleeves, the belted jacket, the scarf and the super high heels - love.


[Image: The Sartorialist]

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Latest purchase

I'm obsessed with bags, so much so that my mom calls me "the bag lady." I'm currently loving small cross strap bags and ostrich print bags and this combines both! I saw it online, hunted it down at my local store, took it home, then tried it on with a bunch of different outfits. I love it.



[Image: forever21.com]

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Hitchcock

I don't know where I've been, but I'm just discovering this Hitchcock editorial from Vanity Fair (from 2008). I LOVE Hitchcock movies, both because they're great suspenseful films, and because they always feature amazingly well-dressed heroines (Grace Kelly was a fav of Hitchcock's).

To Catch A Thief

Vertigo (my fav of all his movies!)

Strangers on a Train (I just watched this for the first time last weekend - very good! The climactic scene at the end involving a carousel...well I won't ruin it, but it was awesome, and even more awesome upon learning that it didn't involve camera tricks)

Rear Window

Dial M For Murder


[Images: Vanity Fair]

Monday, January 18, 2010

Vogue

Today I stumbled across a website called myvintagevogue.com. Jackpot! It has tons of lovely vintage editorials, advertisements and photos. I can already tell I'm going to be visiting (and probably posting about) it a lot. In honor of the huge storms that are currently hitting CA, I picked out some umbrella shots as inspiration.




[Images: myvintagevogue.com]

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Lovely

Paris looks beautiful in any season, no?




[Images: getty images]

Friday, January 15, 2010

Ask and you shall receive!

OMG you guys! I can already check one huge goal off my new year's list! I got a new full-time job as an office assistant and I'm super excited! It's going to be better pay, better hours and just an all-around healthier working environment. I'm really, really thankful.

2010 is looking great so far!


(oh and another post come true - weather is gonna be rainy all next week! love.)

Bits and pieces

Just some things worth sharing...


Project Runway last night. Thoughts? So far, I feel like the quality was better than last season (aka the season that shall not be named). I'm soooo glad to see Michael and Nina back. But apparently the judges and I have very different views on what was good or not. I felt like a lot of the outfits that were safe should have been in the top and there was one pink wrinkly dress that should have been in the bottom. (oh and ps - Heidi's hair was hot! I just cut my hair that length and I'm looking for reassurance that it was a good move)

A Cup of Jo pointed out a lovely treehouse hotel. I've wanted to stay in a one of those for so long! Someday.

The Forever 21 Spring lookbook is out and I'm in love. I love the whimsical feel of it (complete with totally fierce retro curls). The nautical stripes paired with flirty florals look amazing. And I just love how bright, colorful and cheery it is.

The lookbook for Zac Posen's line for Target is out and I'm....on the fence. Some pieces are really cute (my fav being the hot red dress) but most was just eh to me. Eeek! Why am I always ambivalent towards Target's designer lines?? (looking at you Rodarte)

Boot-y

These boots (yes thats all boot you see there, not pants) by Stella McCartney are pretty fierce. The pic doesn't do them justice.

[Image: getty images]

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Resolutions

Every year I make resolutions. I don't always meet them all, but I feel like having goals is never a bad thing. This year is no exception (yes, I realize it's two weeks into the new year, but "being more prompt about blogging my resolutions" isn't on my list.)

So here's what I'm hoping to work on:

A job with better hours and/or better pay
Both would be awesome.

Become financially independent
I can't afford to pay all my own bills right now, but I'm hoping to reach that point by the end of this year.

Open a retirement account
Sounds very adult-y.

Focus my money on experiences rather than possessions
Everytime I take out money from the ATM, it's gone before I know it. I want to rein in my spending in hopes of being able to take a great vacation with my friends and one with my family.

Experiment more with my outfits
I have a lot of clothes, but I don't wear a majority of them. If I'm going to be shopping less, I'm going to have to be more creative with what I have. I want to get the confidence to wear the pieces that have never seen the light of day in my closet (hello, trench coat) and mix and match clothes that I would have never thought of wearing together.

Clean out/replace makeup drawer
Since I don't wear much makeup, my makeup drawer is cluttered with long forgotten compacts and shadows. I need to clear out the junk and replace them.

Keep in touch with friends
Since I graduated college, it's been hard to stay in touch with everyone. We live all over the state now. I'd like to get better at calling them (vs. texting them) and hopefully planning a trip to see them.

Continue going to the gym 4-5 times/week
I was NEVER athletic as a kid and in college you couldn't pay me to step foot in the gym. But after I graduated, I needed something to do with my time, so my dad signed me up for the gym. And now that it's become a habit, I find it a lot easier to keep up with.

Improve my health/diet
In addition to going to the gym, I'd like to clean up my diet. I'd also like to get back in the habit of using reusable water bottles, instead of plastic bottles. Just a small change that will help me drink more water while wasting less.

Turn off the tv
I watch too much tv. I made a list of all my "must-see" shows, and realized that I was still watching some of them because I liked them in previous seasons, but wasn't really feeling them anymore (ahem, grey's anatomy). I also need to just stop having the tv on in the background. Watching any of the marathons bravo has on is not the best use of my time. I could be doing a million other things with that time: going for a walk, reading a book, calling a friend...etc.


Whew! That list kept growing. But I think they're all good aspirations. I might try to give monthly (-ish) updates to hold myself accountable.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Winter blahs

So despite the fact that the weather is growing progressively warmer and the fact that stores are quickly shuttling out all their winter clothes in favor of springy pieces, I am still craving some thick, cozy outfits. Maybe it's the opposite of SADD? Too much gorgeous weather? Anywho, I'm still crossing my fingers that some unpleasant, cold, rainy weather is in my near future. This is what I wish I was wearing:

Legwarmers: Twenty8Twelve/Sweater: asos.com/Riding pants: DKNY/Equestrian rainboots: Urban Outfitters/Fair Isle sweater: Rebecca Taylor/Hat: American Eagle/Cardigan: American Eagle/Coat: Top Shop/Green coat: American Eagle

Monday, January 11, 2010

Great success

So I didn't find any of the things on my "list" at the flea market. But I did get some great stuff! A battered old leather coach bag for $20, a huge cozy cashmere sweater for $5 and three delicate gold rings for $10. I never shop vintage (there's not too many good stores nearby and I rarely have the patience for it) but I might have to start! I can't wait to go back. Next time I'm bringing my own food (as my dad pointed out: how come your lunch cost more than the sweater you bought?) and lots more money.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Flea market


My cousin and I are taking a trip to the Rose Bowl Flea Market tomorrow. You never know what you can find there, but here's what I'm going to try and keep my eyes peeled for:

Vintage boots

Costume jewelry (I'm especially feeling art deco-y pieces)

Old trophies (Domino did a shoot with these a while back and I liked how it looked)

Colored glass bottles (would look pretty lined up on a windowsill)

Cake stands (I use these to hold my jewelry and makeup)

Pocket watches (that I can turn into necklaces)

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Quote to live by

"Looking good and dressing well is a necessity. Having a purpose in life is not."
-Oscar Wilde

Even though it's facetious, this quote pretty much sums up how life is going right now. Don't know my purpose in life, but I know I like fashion. Wonder where that can take me.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Valentino

I just watched Valentino: The Last Emperor and I loved it.


[Images: amazon.com]

The movie dealt a lot with the relationship between Valentino and his co-worker/ex-lover/friend Giancarlo Giammetti. You could tell they had a lot of love and history between them. It was also poignant to see Valentino end his fashion career after 45 years and have his company fall into not-as-capable hands. The man is irreplaceable.
Other things I noticed:
Valentino's five pug dogs? Super cute.
How most of the people were able to effortlessly switch between speaking French, Italian and English. I wish I could do that.
The Colosseum lit up in Valentino red? Breathtaking.
Karl Lagerfield's words to Valentino: "don't quit, I'll never forgive you" and "compared to us, the rest of them are making rags"
The little "V"s on the tights in the final runway show. I love that attention to detail.
Hands down best part:
Valentino: How was I?
Giancarlo: Great.
V: Be honest.
G: Ok, I will tell you. You look too tan.
V: Tan?
G: A little less wouldn't hurt.
The standing ovation and Valentino tearing up as he walked the runway for what would be his last time: sad and beautiful.

Sunshiney

These yellow dresses still look really fresh and inspiring:


Angelina Jolie in Emanual Ungaro (2007)

Renee Zellweger in vintage Jean Desses (2001)

[Images: zimbio.com]

Friday, January 1, 2010

Best dressed

InStyle put out a list of the best 100 dresses of the decade. We happen to agree on number one: Kate Hudson in Versace.

Perfection.

[Image: instyle.com]

Up in the club, just sipping on bub

I hope you had a wonderful New Year's, whether you spent it at home or are still sleeping off going out last night. I went out for the first time (I know right? I've always stayed home for NYE) and had a blast catching up with friends and sipping (free) bubbly (champagne tastes better when it's free, fyi).


Luckily, I asked for today off from work and got to be totally lazy. I spent my day curled up in my Christmas gift snuggie (yes, I know it's totally ridiculous and unfashionable, but my theory on it is the same as my theory on uggs [or fuggs as I call them, cause mine are fake]: you know you look silly, but you're too warm to care), eating pizza, taking lots of naps and watching instant netflix. It was wonderful.