Dressed to Impress [the librarian]

I've started school again. Which means back to reading. A lot. At least I have this ultra-comfy dress that it is absolutely perfect for studying. It's like wearing pjs. Though that does make it more conducive to sleeping than reading about the meaning of ownership. Yawn.

Here we go 'round the mulberry bush...

Here's Alexa Chung looking her perfect British self on the way to the Luella show; but what I most noticed was her bag...which, as it turns out it is Mulberry Elkington Briefcase. I am not one to keep up with bags and have no idea if this new, old, or a classic of the label but it is exactly the leathery wonder I've been dreaming about for ages.



(Alexa photo via cafe mode)

FOX ON THE RUN: a confession

Ok. So here's the thing. I'm a returner. A chronic returner. I often buy more than I afford/need and then come home, come to my senses, quickly edited out what I absolutely must have and then return anything else.

That's not the worst part. Sometimes when I buy something that I am unsure about and know I should return (because a) it doesn't quite fit; b) it is a bit of an extravagance; or c) it's not quite "me") I give it a trial run. Meaning, I leave the tags on and venture outside in it. Because this is kind of shameful and I don't want to spoil the clothes, generally I will only go somewhere quick...like to a cafe, to a grocery store, or the like just to get a feel for what it would actually be like to own said item. If I feel good, happy, etc in it without a shred of self-consciousness then it's a keeper, if not...in the returns pile it goes.


Recently, I was esctatic to find the Peter Jensen fox sweater that I've been craving since February, and on a night of raging insomnia, I bought it online. As soon as I pressed enter, I felt a little sick paying so much for a sweater. But then I got it...sigh, love. Despite the fact that the fit on the shoulders was a tad off, it was love love love love love. I don't know why but that fox knit has captured my heart. Despite my heart's desire, I judiciously decided to give it a test run because a decision like this (to keep or not to keep) cannot be made lightly and at this expense, the fit should really be perfection. So, it was put on, and it was allowed outside the house...for about 10 minutes before I ran back in afraid that I would damage it. But I did spend the rest of the afternoon inside snuggling up against it before deciding that it must be returned. Some items are too precious and I feel that I would never wear it for fear that my stain-prone ways would reek havoc on it. So this Monday, I will return it.

Perhaps I have learned my lesson: only buy things that you absolutely love, that you can afford, that fit perfectly and that do not give you panic attacks every time you bring that tall nonfat latte to your lips.

The End.

Most people are together just so they are not alone. But some people want magic. I think you are one of those people.

Ok, so sometimes I think this should just be a film blog as oppose to a style/fashion one since I seem to post quite often on films that I have seen. But I figure I made this little thing to post pretty pictures and speak about things that interest/motivate/move me, and that certainly isn't reducible to clothes.

That silly caveat aside, on to the film that I am currently in love with: Broken English. It had been in my mind to rent for ages -- seriously. I actually found "Broken English" scribbled on a scrap of paper in a book I read last summer. When I went home a couple weeks ago, I finally managed to rent it from Blockbuster and subsequently purchased it and have watched it again since.
Though it is somewhat imperfect in its plot, I love it all the same. In a sentence it's about a woman who is thirty-something and lonely. Sounds predictable? Could be Sex and the City? But it's not. For me, it was more about the sombre, bittersweet air that the movie carries. It is slow and drifting, and avoiding many a cliche from the genre. (Sidenote: slow does not mean bad in my book, but if you don't like Lost in Translation and the like, this may not be for you). Parker Posey is absolutely perfect as the lead; every single emotion that the character Nora feels is registered on her face. Yeah, there's a beautiful french man and an ending that is a little predictable, but all together it's a wry and charming romance.


After watching it, a haze of bittersweetness surrounded me, and thats why I love movies so much. I like being effected.

Fly On, Little Wing

Oh how I adore these shoes in all their Hermes glory. (And by Hermes, I mean the greek deity with the winged footwear, not the label). These shoes are from the Ashish SS09 runway show during London Fashion Week. They are platform and booties and black and while there is no doubt in my mind that I would instantly topple over in them, methinks they are pretty fly (teehee), as was the rest of his grungy collection.

Dammit, the girl's got good genes

Elettra Rossellini looking fresh, lovely & amazing in this Elle Italia editorial (August 2008). Woodsy, chic 90s minimalism + the granddaughter of Ingrid Bergman. 'Nuff said.












Images via tfs.

lyell. again.

I can barely begin to process the Spring/Summer 09 runway collections when summer is still teetering about, so instead I've been spending my time looking at pretty fall look books in preparation for the actual season ahead.

I can only handle one season at a time. Both weather and fashion-wise, it's true.

I posted about Lyell's spring look book a while back (mostly because I was in love with the set) and the fall look book is just as wonderful, but with a darker edge. The clothing is dark and romantic; with many a top to covet and curly romantic hair to die for. With vintage-inspired silhouettes and its muted romantic sensibility, Lyell can definitely see me through the season.

sunday sweets

Holy moly yes. These may be the two most perfect things I've seen in a while:



Yum!

(photos from fashionista; at the Lorick S/S09 presentation)

Fash ion a tion

One of the best things about living in a city is the sheer accessibility to the wondrous amount of magazines that are put out. I find the Borders in London to be incredibly well stocked, and I often spend hours in the cafe working my way through a pile of international magazines; all for the prices of a tall nonfat latte. Since being home, I have found myself actually missing these bookshop trips so I trekked out to my local Barnes & Noble (which is not in a city) only to discover it was somewhat lacking in the magazine department. In fact, all I could find was a Preen and an Italian Vogue, so I spent my time perusing books rather than mags (an equally enjoyable but different experience).

There are plenty of good websites that share editorials online (foto decadent being a favorite) but while home, I was happy to discover a new one: Fashion-ation. Unlike foto decadent where the posts aren't always recent editorials (which is partly why I like it), Fashionation regularly posts the newest, and I quote, the "hottest editorials from the world's best fashion magazines." Tag line aside, it's a pretty nifty website, and will serve just fine as a temporary fix.

ps. It also covers street style.. so there's a little something for everyone.

Permanent Vacation

I ended up being jobless this summer...mostly because I looked for, oh, about a week and then decided to prance about doing fun things instead. Course, that means I'll have to work once the semester begins (only 19 days left of freedom), BUT, if I indeed were on a Permanent Vacation, than I would happily spend my fall lounging around in clothes from this Swedish line of the same name. PV looks lovely & cozy, feminine and preppy in a delightfully Nordic way. I love the checks & stripes and the overall simple aesthetic.









Plus, they make awesome totes!

En Rogue

Recently, I did a wardrobe round-up: emptied my closet onto my bed, organized my clothing by article and then counted the items as I put them away. This inventory was mostly to force me to see what I did and more importantly, did not, need, as well as to reintroduce me to the darkest corners of my closet. Of my somewhat haphazard tally count, probably the article with highest count had to be the t-shirt. I decided, then and there, no more tees for a good while. I just do not need any more.

Well, that caveat aside...

I am finding it very difficult not to scoop up one of these shirts. They are part of Rogues Gallery's Fall 08 menswear line, which is rugged and dark in its lumberjack appeal. I love the awkward fit of wearing men's tees, and find it amusing that my bf complains of the lack of reciprocation in our dressing. I can steal from him, but not vice versa. Anyway, I will be able to keep my tally count steady, if only because Rogue's shirts are out of my budget -- but that doesn't stop me from looking. And wanting.