Hidden Nooks and Frightening Crannies

On this, the day celebrating all things scary, let's champion the movie that brought the misunderstood monsters to light.  Monsters Inc. (the most creative of all the Pixar works, in my opinion) shed light on the fact that monsters are just like everyone else, but got stuck with the scaring gig in order to power their world.  Here's to those brave monster souls who put on their monster faces every day to give us humans our monster fix.  Happy Halloween.

(photo collected from cartoonzforu)

No Turning Back Once the Salt's in Their Veins

I was a little bored last night and made the mistake of doing some online window shopping.  I usually make myself not look at particular websites, like Asos, Anthropologie, and Urban Outfitters because it is inevitable that I will find something that I experience love at first sight with and must have.  It happened, once again.  I think Urban Outfitters must have sent somebody to spy on me, or read my blog back about six months, because this dress was made for me.  Blacks, greys, three-quarter length sleeves, a wave print that looks like Hokusai's Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji?  Definitely made for me.

(photo collected from urbanoutfitters)

This Forever Shifting Around

Breaking News.  George Lucas sold LucasFilm (and it's sub companies, Industrial Light and Magic and Skywalker Sound) to Disney, who is planning the next trilogy, Episodes 7, 8, and 9, that will not be directed by the creative genius.  Shocking.  The article states that Lucas essentially was fed up with being hated on and would never direct another Star Wars film ever.  I guess that didn't mean there would never be another one.  Lucas will stay on as a creative consultant.

Interesting tidbit I didn't know before reading this:  Lucas owned the startup that turned into Pixar, which he sold to Steve Jobs, who then sold it to Disney.  This confirms one thing:  Disney is a creative monster of a monopoly in the film business.

See the full article here.  http://finance.yahoo.com/news/disney-star-wars-films-buy-210830937.html

(photo collected from geektyrant)

A Weeping, A Moaning, and a Gnashing of Teeth

Here is a dysfunctional family of colors.  The white and black stripes on the shirt are close-mindedly going in one direction, while the knitted grey skirt is accepting of all, providing warmth and comfort.  The lace scarf is a bit of a pushover and lets everyone get in and under its fragile skin, and the black belt just tries to hold everyone together.

(photo by e.hunt)

I Chanced to Go Roaming

The best thing about cowboy boots?  They have infinite design opportunities, as well as the most beautiful way of aging.

(photos collected from 25.media, freepeople, and ninewest)

Big Air Bonus

It is now officially the Holiday Season in retail land.  To celebrate, we got an extra discount on everything in the store.  I took advantage and got deep red and black pairs of jeans, plum ankle length dress pants, a striped sweater with buttons down the back that reminds me of snow, and a plum shirt with silver buttons.  Here's the loot.

(photo by e.hunt)

Tighten Up on Your Reins, You're Runnin' Wild

Big and loose hippie dresses have become more and more intriguing to me.  What I like about these looks is that they take the flower child thing and expand upon and combine it with other styles.  The colorblocks and cutouts, the cowboy belt and asymmetrical hem, the almost matching colors and skinny belt.  The flowy hair is a must (but feel free to leave the feather headdress at home).

(photos collected from etsy, cheap-monday, and annawolf)

Word of the Week: Hypaethral

hy·pae·thral \hī-ˈpē-thrəl\

adj

1: having a roofless central space <hypaethral temple>

2: open to the sky

The bear knew he belonged in the hypaethral, boundless area of the great wide world; no animal is meant to be cooped up in the confines of a cage.

(photo collected from brainpickings)

Brushing the Nature Off

And now the final collection, the best shots in my opinion.  We had so much fun looking at all the pretty fall colors, hiking through the Avatar-like giant leaves, jumping rocks, looking over bridges, and playing in the leaves.  Already can't wait for the next Adventure Day.

(photos by e.hunt and a.kern)

Dancing, Prancing,

Allison has quite a talent in capturing the awesome lighting that was lion king-ing (you know, where you can see the rays of sun, like when it shines on Simba during The Circle of Life) through the branches.

(photos by a.kern)

Frolicking and Rollicking

Yesterday my friend Allison and I went on an escapade to the nature reserve of the area, Powder Valley.  It was an adventure of figuring out where the path was under the blanket of leaves that was covering everything, stepping/sitting/falling into the little creek that runs through the grounds, traversing the multiple wooden bridges, and, of course, plenty of laughter.

We're planning on making this a semi-regular event, so now you all can look forward to seeing someone else's style rather than just mine all the time (this coral lace number of Allison's is new, and when paired with a skinny belt and riding boots, she looks like a modern Laura Ingles Wilder).  We ended up taking enough pictures that I'm splitting it up into three posts: pictures of just Allison, just me, and then the both of us.  Here it is: our delightful little adventure caught on film.

(photos by e.hunt)

It's the Kiss of Death, From Mr. Goldfinger

This time in the latest chapter of the Do It Yourself Chronicles, another enhancement is made.  A package of gold and a package of silver, studs that is, take an old pair of feds and a boring bra to a new level.  I got the idea on Pinterest (surprise, surprise), found some super, duper, stickier than monster slime adhesive, and glued away.  Results below.

(photos by e.hunt)

Made Up Minds

"What am I living for and what am I dying for are the same question."
           -The Year of the Flood, Margaret Atwood

I know my answer, what's yours?

(photos by e.hunt)

A Fancied Genius

I was catching up on The Sartorialist earlier today when I saw that he is doing a book signing tour this fall, and will be making a stop in Nashville (the closest one to St. Louis, and I happen to know some people there).  How cool would it be to meet the god of street style photography?  I wouldn't miss it for anything.  Here's hoping he posts the finalized date soon.

What I like most about his blog is that it's not just about the cool clothes everyday people wear; it's about the people that are wearing cool clothes.  He really captures people's character and personality, which are essential elements of someone with style, but he documents it photographically, in a way that very few other street style photographers do.  He created and set the standard, and is yet to be surpassed.

(photos collected from thesartorialist)

Word of the Week: Hamartia

ha·mar·tia \ˌhä-ˌmär-ˈtē-ə\

noun

: tragic flaw

Sand and ice art's one hamartia; they have expiration dates.

(photos collected from travelettes, and bloodyloud)

Where Names Disappear and No Histories Are True

Several nights ago I was really bored so I started going through my makeup pouch.  I rarely wear more than just the basics but I have a lot of sample size eye shadows, blushes, lipsticks, and colorful eyeliners.  When I was at a loss of what to do next after I had everything laid out in an orderly fashion, I chose to do a little experimentation.  I decided to go all out with the smokey eye, as that is always my favorite look on all the celebrities and models.  And once my eyes were all fancied up, I had to do something glamorous with my hair, of course.  An attempt at the classic chignon was made.  Didn't turn out too bad, if I do say so myself.

(photos by e.hunt)

High Fire Risk

Deep wine red is one of the best fall colors there is.  You see it in the leaves, in the tasty apples that fall from the trees, and in many a layered outfit.  Everybody's got that deep red fever.

(photos collected from thesartorialist, somethingnavy, fashiongonerogue, and spelldesigns)