Umbrella, ella, ella, eh eh eh

It is really hard to look good while holding an umbrella.  The awkward shape, the fact that it takes up an entire hand to hold it, how the wind blows it inside out if not held in the perfectly precise direction: umbrellas just aren't the most advanced invention humans have come up with, although they are altogether necessary and usually a lifesaver, especially in a moment such as this.  Penelope Cruz, you are an umbrella-wielding extraordinaire, and my new hero.

(photo collected from google images)

Jingling More Than All the Way

There is nothing quite like good Christmas music to put you in a jolly sort of mood, and no one sings good Christmas music quite like Bing Crosby.  Happy Holidays, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, and my personal favorite, Jingle Bells, all with some delightful backup singing by the Andrews Sisters, are listening requirements for any household that wants to celebrate Christmas is the highest quality way possible.   Here's the link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66ODyEAa1yo

(photo collected from Google Images)

The Dasher and The Dancer

Wouldn't it be fun to go to a Holiday Masquerade party?  Wouldn't it be even more fun to go to a Holiday Masquerade party wearing a mask that looked like this?  I think so.

(photo collected from planetblue)

The Second Split Second

Earlier today, my little brother commented on the fact that I do not sport jeans on the regular during the colder months.  Although the good ol' blue jean and t-shirt combo is a classic American staple, it doesn't really do it for me most of the time.  Now, if I had a pair like these, all of my doubts, apprehensions, and thoughts that jeans are boring would disappear completely.  Christmas gift idea?  I think so.

(photo collected from knightcat)

In the Big Rock Candy Mountain

One evening as the sun went down

And the jungle fires were burning,

Down the track came a hobo hiking,

And he said, "Boys, I'm not turning

I'm headed for a land that's far away

Besides the crystal fountains

So come with me, we'll go and see

The Big Rock Candy Mountains

-(Harry McClintock)

I bet they wear shorts all day every day in the Big Rock Candy Mountains too.

(photos collected from knightcat, and elle)

I Can See the Light

Last night of studying for finals.  Tomorrow at approximately 12.20pm I will let my brain explode, releasing all the cerebral matter that has accumulated in the last few days (I imagine it will resemble this truck spill of printer ink).  And then I will take a nap.

(photo collected from Notcot)

We Are Experiencing Some Mind Turbulence

Night number two of finals week and I'm feeling a little on edge.  Like this.

(photo collected from welovetypography)

Stage Four Brain Fury

Tomorrow marks the beginning of finals week.  Blahhhhhhhhh.  I think this picture sums up what is happening in my brain right now.

(photo collected from Notcot)

Laced With Alternatives

Lace is awesome.  I mean, like a beautiful way to make you look dainty and sexy at the same time awesome.  How many other clothing options do that?  Exactly.  Keep this in mind as I say that I'm a little disappointed that lace-infused articles have become quite the trend this year.  Although this fact makes it much easier to find said articles, I would rather not see every girl and their dog wearing it just because a magazine told them to.  So, for those of you in like-minded opinion, here are some auxiliary options.

(photos collected from fashiontoast, and elle)

Spontaneous Monotany

I've come to the conclusion that it is extremely difficult to create an entire outfit comprised of only one color (not a dress and not all black).  Rarely is it done right, but when it is, the effect is mind-blowing.  Just take a look.

I can't figure out if it's in the advanced or beginners category of print mixing, but that's a good thing when you don't know-means you're doing something right.  For example, it is widely accepted that people who look like they don't put a lot of effort into their outfits look exponentially cooler, when in reality, effortlessness requires effort.  Either way, I am in awe: the suspenders, prints and textures mixing all in one, those mid-waist shorts, the buttons, and that button-up shirt turned into a skirt.  Yes, I feel the need to try this soon.

(photos collected from Lucky, People, Holidayinhere, Missatlaplaya, and MarieClaire)

Rapturize Me

I started doing the whole hair feather extension thing around March earlier this year and went through about four cycles, comprising of all manner of colors, patterns, amount, and placement.  I was a little dismayed when everybody and their dog started wearing them as well, which made it not as cool anymore, but I think I found something to replace them.

These delightful wisps of color are the result of running a stick of oil pastel down some strands then applying a liberal amount of hairspray to make it stay.  So awesome, and even less permanent than the already fair-weather hair friend known as the feather.

(photo collected from strawberryswisher)

Somebody Open a Windah

So in the vein of spotlighting classic style stars, here's another band of greats: the Rat Pack.

The classiness that emanated from Sammy, Frank, and Dean was never-ending.  Great voices, great sense of style, and great comedic intuition (this is the group in the first-rate gangsterish yarn, Robin and the Seven Hoods).

John Wayne was pretty awesome too, and he obviously knew how to make a mean pot of spaghetti.  And now we can add master chef to the list of great qualities of the group.

(photos collected from Google Images)

Eight Days a Week

The Beatles are the epitome of cool.  They always were, and they always will be.  They defined an era, and left a legacy of style, musically as well as sartorially, that has yet to be even remotely touched by anyone else.  Check it out.

To start, here's an awesome aerial photo.  They're just so iconic, you could probably recognize this as them without any type of caption.

They look good dressed alike (those jackets...I want one),

or extremely differently.

Striped pants, old-time militaresque jackets, and they even managed to pull off what Jerry Seinfeld could not: the puffy shirt.

(photos collected from theberry, and Rolling Stone)

SunFade

Someday I want to live in a place where an Endless Summer isn't just a dream, it's a way of life.

For the time being, I'll just have to surround myself with things that remind me that such a place really does exist, like this delightfully beachy handbag.

(photos collected from Google Images, and Elle)

And To All A Good Night

So, in the spirit of Black Friday shopping weekend (isn't it disgusting that even the professional stores are calling it that too?  Geez, what does that say about our culture?) and the fact that Thanksgiving is over and people can legally start listening to Christmas music now, I've begun thinking about what I'm going to wear for Christmas.  These all look like they would get the job done in a festive, jingling, partridge in a pear tree manner.

Pretty much anything Blair wears in Gossip Girl would be acceptable, but this particular dress is appropriately demure yet still has enough detail to be enticing.

Looks kindof like cool, sparkly, wrapping paper.  Perfect.

Blake Lively looking delightfully merry in her greyish-tanish-taupe frock.  Only wearing a dress like this during Christmastime could inspire this much merriment.

And every lady needs a handbag for her personal items, why not have that handbag be adorned with a shiny gold sabertooth tiger?

(photos collected from Gossip Girl Insider, Refinery29, and frshconcepts)

Sweet Potatoes With Marshmallows

The title refers to the best food item of all Thanksgivings past, present, and forthcoming: that orangey fluffy goodness topped with toasted-to-perfection marshmallow orbs.  Seconds is guaranteed, with thirds hard to deny.  But anyway, Thanksgiving involves many more pastimes than just eating.  Take sitting, for example.  Lots of eating requires lots of sitting.  Wouldn't it be awesome if we could pull chairs like these up to the dinner table?

(photo by e.hunt)

Paris Time

Since the times during the day when the sun shines are getting shorter and shorter, these pictures of the Day and Night rooms in the old Palais Garnier operahouse seemed fitting.

The Day room features desert lizards circling the chandelier, with rays of splendid sunshine emanating outwards.

The Night room  is designed in the same fashion, only with bats, moonbeams, and stars.  You can't see this from the pictures, but the walls in each room are covered in mirrors, creating a never-ending space effect.

(photos by e.hunt)

Only Proper

If I ever become a business person, you know, the 9 to 5, cubicle occupying, report writing, business shoes clicking on the linoleum floors kind of business person, I will wear something like this.

(photo collected from Missatlaplaya)

Stealing Another Breath

I have finally accepted that it is officially Fall.  Such a depressing season filled with cold rain, cold winds, and cold walks to class.  The only good thing is that you get to experiment with layers, like these inspired looks.

I just noticed they all involve flannel button-ups.  Time to start a new trend.

(photos collected from jak&jil, Weardrobe, and Elle)

Static Prevails

This is the most inspiring example of meshing fashion with design that I've ever seen.  Absolutely beautiful and seamlessly executed, creating an unparalleled effect.

(photo collected from dustyburrito)

The Feds

Feds stands for Fake Keds.  Urban Outfitters has the best, most well-fitting selection but as the trend spreads there are more and more options available at most shoe shops.  I even found a pair of mixed print Feds in Paris this summer.  Over the last two years I've had countless pairs in all different patterns and colors.  This particular pair with the stripes never really made it in the daily rotation so to spice them up and encourage myself to wear them more often, I took my doodling-during-class style and skills and applied them to the shoes.  I want to try using ribbons as the strings next.

(photos by e.hunt)

Parallel Elsewheres

Maps provide direction, a way from here to there, geographical information, a creative outlet, and design inspiration, among other things.  Basically, they are works of art: useful works of art.  If I was alive way back when, I'm pretty sure I would be a mapmaker.

(photos collected from Google Images, CommArts, and NotCot)

Runner, Rebel, and a Stunner

It's November and finally getting a little chilly outside.  I already miss my shorts.

If I had a pair like this I would probably wear them all through the Winter.

And these are definitely on my to find/to make list for Spring.

(photos collected from MarieClaire, beadslaceandshoes, and hippielace)

Checkered Out

Goal for today:  Learn how to tie a scarf like this.

(photo collected from Ella Es Fashion)