Can't stop watching....

Yelle and Feist music videos!! Agh, I think I have developed major girl crushes on both of them combined with a secret longing to be them. They seem to both possess a type of akward endearing cuteness that is somehow sexy and often times artsy. *sigh* to be so effortlessly complicated-cute...not to mention the fact that both songs sort of embody my life right now, and provide ample reason to procrastinate like crazy! a perfect match ;)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoY37T_nv5U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvOOegxKIoI

Like sunshine for fashion

Nothing makes me happier than endlessly flipping through the stills from Anna Sui's Spring 2009 collection. But her loud prints and vibrant colors aren't only for show. As always Anna Sui grounded her collection in a fascinating cultural reference to mid-century modernist design. Inspired by the way textile designer and renaissance man Alexander Girard and his doll-maker friend Marilyn Neuhart made folk modern in the early 1960's, Anna Sui has once again created one of the most artistic, joyous and thoroughly researched collections of Spring. The runway was lit up by a procession of full skirts, short dresses, peasant tops, sash belts, studded gladiator sandals, and huge jewelry (compliments of costume jewelery designer Erickson Beamon). What amazes me the most is how Anna Sui was able to draw from so many different ethnic inspirations to create one stunning cohesive collection. Her designs were all at once Russian doll, sari inspired, Spanish toreador, and African goddess while still maintaining a completely fresh, modern and unique feel. Anna Sui successfully took folk references and made them relevant to the 21st century. I don't think anyone can keep from smiling when they see one of her gorgeous and playful pieces! Her collection is a reminder to keep fashion light and fun and to not take ourselves too seriously! 

If I find a job...

I will totally invest in a pair of gorgeous (yet seriously unpractical) Jeffrey Campbell shoes! I am obsessing about his vintage inspired ankle booties and strappy heels, although they look semi-dangerous for a girl who has to traverse uneven pavement amongst frantic berkeley students running to class and uber-hipsters who just can't seem to pass by you on their fixed gear bikes with more than two inches to spare. Anyhow, these are my favorite picks a few of which are sold through Urban Outfitters and various other online boutiques.  

From top to bottom:

the Paris Pump,Blink in Black/Gray,         Marley platform,Berry double cross         platform pumps,wrap platforms.         

Loving...

...Couture Millinery! There is something so classic and nostalgia-inducing about the days in which women attended the horse races in beautiful gowns topped off by amazing headpieces. Perhaps its because as a child the horse race scene in My Fair Lady was my favorite, or just because I'm a firm believer in dressing up, but I LOVE extravagant hair pieces. Leah C. is by far my favorite couture millinery designer and has a range of styles from bridal, to cocktail, to "the aviary" ( a self-declared place where birds and butterflys coexist...swoon). Because really, who wants to have to wait until their wedding day to wear beautifully colored feathers, veils, and jewels in their hair? Lucky for me, the feathered hair pieces are making a comeback. check out Urban Outfitters for a huge selection of feathered hair accessories. Now I just have to work up the guts to sit in lecture with half a small bird on my head...

Playing around with print and color

 

So it's been a while because i've been extremely busy putting together a photographer and model book and basically whoring myself out for BARE magazine, the fashion publication on campus that i'm artistic director for (as of like a week, yay!). It's been all cloudy and dim lately, which would normally send me running in the direction of every cozy gray and black sweater or cardigan I own. But today I decided to compromise with myself by sticking to my black rainy day motif while adding a dash of yellow The trick to spicing up your plain blacks is to go with a print and pick a subtle color in the print to accessorize with and break up the black. This is a vintage dress (previously mentioned) that I found at a flea market in Paris. The little flower print is rimmed with a hint of gold-brown so I decided to punch it up with my mustard colored H&M scarf and my mom's old Chadwick boots (did I mention that i'm on a budget of like 0$). Hint number 2, trying mixing a print dress with patterned tights! The ones I'm wearing are from Nordstrom, they have an amazing hosiery department!

Obsession: sunglasses

I used to hate the way sunglasses looked on me! It was the hardest thing to find sunglasses that didn't make my cheeks look huge and my mouth look tiny. Oddly enough, I have recently begun a new obsession with sunglasses. Perhaps I am finally making peace with myself and accepting my big cheeks and small mouth for who they are?...psh, no! Below are my favorites and what they "say": 

My "super-fab granny glasses with an old Hollywood style", acquired at a San Francisco music festival for $5

My hipster "all I wear is American Apparel and Urban Outfitters" glasses, acquired in Paris from MANGO for $19.99

Notes From Paris

So, it's been a while since the first post but in my defense I have to say that since my roommates and I have moved in we've endured a series of apartment mishaps including but not limited too: power outages, unbearably squeaky bunk beds, doors that will not shut or open, doors without locks, keys that do not open doors, lights that mysteriously turn off, and finally... Internet that was installed and then promptly quit working. The past two weeks I've been slumming it in cafes around the greater Shattuck area in search of wireless Internet and the perfect iced white mocha. I simply keep repeating to myself the amount of our incredibly low rent like a mantra that will keep me afloat "$475 a month, $475 a month, $475 a month...". Now that I've finally begun to settle in I have decided that it's time to take a moment to reflect on my Parisian escapades so here it goes:

You can imagine the amazing amount of people/fashion watching I did and had I had more guts and better language skills I would have taken photographs of everyone I saw to put up here. Unfortunately, it is a bit rough explaining to a non-English speaking stranger that you would like to post a picture of them on the Internet without crossing some sort of global boundary from friendly stranger to touristic stalker. So instead I will contribute my latest nugget of wisdom that I came to realize while wedged between loud seventies prints at a vintage stand in a flea market in Paris. My friends and I were combing through racks of vintage dresses when Taylor came across an amazing turquoise dress with a rose pattern, deep pockets, a full skirt, a sweetheart neckline and a criss-crossed back complete with buttons (as pictured above next to a beautiful Parisian fountain). When she tried it on and came out from behind the flimsy curtain dressing room it was clear that it fit perfectly...it was made for her!!! It only took me a few minutes to find my dress from within the chaos, a black wispy silk dress with a gold rose pattern, loose top, fitted waist, and collarless neckline. After we haggled both dresses down to 20 Euro (and I bought a pair of purple suede ankle boots) and left happy I realized what it is that I love so much about vintage shopping: it is the process of finding your perfect match in clothing form. Like finding the perfect boy, you can't just go pick out a generic type (or size), you have to try on a whole bunch before you find one that looks as if it was made for you. There's something about struggling through a line-up of funky hit and miss dresses and tops (or boys!) until you find the special one that hugs you perfectly. For a reasonable price you get a dress that no one else will have and for that reason I cherish my mismatched collection of house-wife fifties and go-go seventies dresses. I have to admit I've developed a relationship with the elderly lady who owns the local vintage store in my hometown and she regularly gives me discounts because of my frequent visits. Nothing can cure the no-boyfriend blues like sifting through mountains of floral patterns, dainty gloves, veiled hats, and old belts until I find an item that falls under the soul mate category more so than my ex-boyfriend ever did!