Une Pomme de ma Tête

Isn’t it funny the things that we become attached to? When I look through my room, I have so many things: books, hats, clothes—the list goes on and on. And yet, when  you ask me to point out the things that I would take with me if I had to leave it all behind, it’s the funny, nearly valueless things that mean so much to me. Now I’m not saying I would leave me rings and jewelry PUH-lease. It’s just some of my favorite things are quite unexpected. Take for instance this picture:

I randomally picked it up one day in a cute shop in Oxford called Arcadia (really a haven for vintage papers of all kinds). I think I probably got it because it was the only old magazine reproduction that was under 10 pounds, and yet, it has brought me so many smiles. One of my friends even referred to it as the “naked girl” picture. But that little French adventurer is more than a sometimes naked girl to me. She’s sort of my spirit animal. Well, the other day I looked at it and found myself caught looking at the white outfit. I couldn’t think if I had any hat that would be anything like hers and more or less gave the idea up. Literally, less than 5 days later, I was browsing an antique warehouse and came upon the on I’m wearing in pictures for 5 dollars. It was fate! I hope you like my interpretation.

Outfit Details: Hat: Thrifted | Shirt: French Connection | Capris: J.M. Collection | Heels: Loft

 

Spice Up Your Life

After the repeated navys, khakis, and whites of nautical week (and it’s spill over), I thought I’d switch it up with something a bit more bold. Like yesterday’s romper outfit. This ensemble requires little work for the resulting polish. A strapless dress, espadrilles, and a big hat seem old hollywood in a way that will make you look like Grace Kelly even when you’ve just rolled out of bed. I’ll be doing a similar look later this week on the blog, so for now, I’ll just leave it at that. Make sure to turn in tomorrow (ok really almost today… later) for this Wednesday’s woman!

Outfit Details: Hat: vintage | Dress: Anthropologie | Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters | Shoes: Coach | Wallet: Fossil

Down with Diffusions and the Retreat of the Middle Market

I was saddened to hear last week Marc Jacobs was canceling his Marc by Marc Jacobs line in order to bolster his brand before going public. This comes just a few weeks after Kate Spade called it quits on their Saturday line (though it will apparently be making a belated comeback in Kate Spade stores ?!?!). This is simply too much to take in at once. I know I buy predominantly secondhand items, but I’d like to at least keep my options open.

Instead of wallowing in my own misery, I am led to question where the problem lies in bringing name brand items to a middle market price point or “diffusion lines.” Target seems to do it well. What is going on here? I offer no solid answers, but find it odd considering that we are supposed to be emerging from the recession. One article suggested that Saturday just tried to take on too much at once, but this could hardly be the answer for Marc by Marc Jacobs. In a comment to WWD magazine, Sebastian Suhl (CEO) said “Marc Jacobs would still produce items at the contemporary and luxury price points, while looking to flesh out the middle area—low three-digit pricing—as well.” That sounds like a good plan to me, and remarkably like the Kate Spade approach. While these two brands are in two very different places (with LVMH backing Jacobs as he launches his IPO, while Kate Spade and Company, once known as Liz Claiborne, is an old time contender), they are approaching the middle market in the same way at the same time (and right as Gap is showing a profit!). Does anyone have any insight? If so drop it my way so we can send it along to Isabel Marant and Valentino. If RED or Etoile disappears anytime soon, I will declare myself a groundhog and sleep out this winter.

A Certain Path

My profound apologies for missing the link up this March. Things have been swamped, my computer broke, work has been all-consuming, and that’s before saying anything about class. The link-up will resume on schedule next month. I still haven’t decided whether to postpone it until later this March, or what… I’m open to feedback on that point.

All the hullabaloo that has been life lately, though stressful, is really exciting. But I can’t help wishing at moments that it would all be over and my future *momentarily* clear. Then again, there’s a certain vivifying pleasure to having the road stretch endlessly before you and endless opportunities waiting to be discovered. I wanted to personify this dynamic and tried to dress in a similar drama to a silent movie heroine. Coupled with these trees and this path with their ominous about-to-envelop-Snow-White appearance, I hope we can share the trepidation and ecstasy that comes with prospects the future holds.

 

 

Outfit Details: Hat: Target | Earrings: Brighton | Necklace: Estate Sale | Dress: French Connection | Gloves: vintage | Tights: Wolford | Scarf: Liberty London | Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell

Counter Culture: White Provision

One of the “rules” that most annoyed me as a child was the unspoken mandate that white was unacceptable after Labor Day. Seriously, why did half of my wardrobe become unnecessarily moot when Fall in Georgia doesn’t begin until November? While the ban on whites acted as a good excuse to buy new shoes, I never liked wearing off-white (let’s be honest– it’s not “off” it’s dirty), or really changing my routine at the behest of some old lady’s exaggerated interpretation of Emily Post. If we don’t wear black for two years anymore when someone dies, why hang on to the rest of the Victorian eccentricities to dress?

By now it’s probably clear that this post offers an example rejecting this rule into Fall, and in order to show you how, I went to a neighborhood in Atlanta, affectionately (and somewhat jarringly) called the “White Provision.” The name comes from an old shirt factory building that remains in the area (though no longer making shirts).

A lot of great food places line the opposite side of the building, including Atlanta’s number one rated resturant Bachanalia. However, if the 5-course prix fixe menu is out of your budget, the operation has an adjoining cafe/ bakery called Star Provision, where you can sample the kitchen’s fares before commiting to the date night. In my case, I shared a charcuterie and a box of sweets (go for the ginger cookie!). 

As for my outfit, I’m wearing knock off Ray Bans, a Talbots white linen blazer (thrifted), a Chloe sequin tank top (Ebay), vintage Givenchy purse (Ebay), Gap white skinny jeans, Primark heels, and a ribbon literally taken from an Agent Provacateur box. My necklace is thrifted as well. As far as carrying white into Fall, I think that jeans are a great way to go. While seasonally appropriate, they still make enough of a statement, but will pair well with Fall separates. The blazer, I think, is a harder sell, especially this one since it’s linen….

A quick word on blazers: if there is one item that you look for in a thrift store, try blazers. I think they are a very good intro. to the art of effectively shopping for used clothes. Most generic blazers will run you somewhere in the range of 40 dollars, which is a disgruntling price to pay for a glorified cardigan (unless of course it has elbow pads.. in which case do what you have to do). Most blazers are going to look less sketchy on the rack than a lot of the other hand-me-downs, and a lot of times you can score on some great brands you might not have been able to find otherwise. I know I’ve found DKNY, Pendleton, Brooks Brothers, Talbots, and Ann Taylor to name a few.

Alright. It’s your turn. Go on out there and crush some Victorian sensibilities, and when you do, be sure to share in a comment below. I’d love to see your interpretation of “Winter White.”

 

April Showers? I’ll wear flowers.

This morning I was excited to wake up, watch the sunrise, and take some self-timed photos while the world was still asleep (aka no one would notice I was prancing around taking pictures in their backyard). It seems I have gone from being afraid to ask people to take their picture to being afraid people will see me with a camera at all. Of course, though by the time I’m up and showered (6:30 am) I realize it’s only going to rain this morning. No sunrise. So of course right as dawn stretched it’s rosy fingers, it stopped raining, and while I should laud the fortune of the day, I am sad I missed it. But I saw a rabbit! And it was grey!

 So it was all in all a good morning. Even if it did almost rain again.

Surprise shower.

I don’t know why I even bother with outfit details as it seems everything I wear is old or obscure (which is really just saying old again). But for the sake of clarity:

Headscarf: Antiquing
Coat: Chloe (from ebay)
shirt: old “Fleurish” (juniors section of Belks most likely)
skirt: Anthropologie
shoes: Anthropologie
Le Petit Prince Watch: Spain (from a little lingerie chain… why did they have this watch??)
Bracelet set: Talbots
Carpet Bag: Antique find this weekend (!!!)

Still working on taing the picture *and* smiling

I know this type of shirt is not in style, per se. But I love it! It always reminds me of Even Stevens‘ “Influenza” episode (Shia Laboeuf’s starting role).

Oh, old Disney Channel… If you don’t know what I’m talking about, click the picture and get ready for 22 minutes of cinematic gold. Since half of what I’m wearing is from antique stores, I think I can say, “They don’t make ’em like they used to.”

 So know that I’ve found a carpet bag, it seems I’m ready to return to Georgia… I know. I know. Terrible. Well, Jack said it, so once again blame the obdurate editor (and he says it’s a thankless job). I’ve been digging some Fleet Foxes hardcore the past two days, so I’ll leave you with this. Sim Bala Bim y’all.

Also, sharing into the lovely Mis Papelicos Share-in-Style, What I Wore Wednesday, and Three-fer-Thursday

Barrister’s Ball

Barrister’s Ball was definitely an experience. It was both hilarious and surprising to see all my fellow law students transform from the squibbling (pretty sure I just invented this word) lumps of sparse hair and lumpy fabric into people with surprisingly toned bodies (for people who read all day) looking for action (outside the courtroom).

But I digress. To pictures!

My main qualm? WHY CAN’T MY SHOES BE IN EVERY PICTURE? Is that too much to ask? Anyway to the details. I decided (for once) that in an effort to save money, I would not buy a new dress. I need a new dress like I need a bad grade (although after I saw Leigha’s floor length French Connection number I had to bite my lip and remember that jealousy is a mean and vicious mistress). Of course, that meant I could splurge on accessories *ahem* expand my shoe and clutch collections.

Hi-lo dress: XOXO from Macys (holla! last year’s Christmas sale)
Clutch: Vince Camuto (eBay)
Shoes: Chloé (eBay)
Headband: Urban Outfitters

My writing partner and I really love Papa Johns. It doesn’t always bode well.

Feel free to submit a caption on the next one. I still don’t know what they were going for.

Now I have a new camera. If only I knew how to use it! I vow next year my prom-esque photos will not be washed out like so. The room was stunning. Looking down from the second floor was like looking over Gatsby’s balcony.

I’m still unsure how, but I managed to convince D. that he should wear red socks to match his tie and my dress. I fully expected noncompliance, thus I bought them. On the premise he would get the wrong thing, he conned me into going to the mall for him. I’m still trying to figure out how he managed it, although I have a feeling the conversation went something like this:

D: I won’t pick out the right one, you should get it.
R: I don’t have time. You’re a grown man. I’m not going.
D: There are clothes at the mall….
R: Okay.

Red Socks!

At the end of the night (before we finished with the Notre Dame fight song, they played “Piano Man” by Billy Joel (if you haven’t heard it, you best be clickin’ on that link). Everyone naturally formed this amoebic circle (as I ran for my camera). It was pretty cool, you know if you’re into that solidarity/communal-environment/one-family sort of thing. And just as naturally couples started breaking apart and dancing (pretending they could do something besides grind) in the middle. The next picture is hands down my favorite moment I captured.

All in all it was a very good night. Thanks for indulging me!

Pragmatically Python and a Sneak Peak to Barrister’s Ball

Barrister’s Ball is todayyy! As I know I won’t have the pictures up until tomorrow, I thought I’d give you a sneak peak of my shoes (which I am ridiculously ecstatic about)! To preface, I’ve recently been all over the internet (heaven forbid I leave my apartment) searching for shoes. My dress is red, so I thought I would go gold to accessorize. On the safe side, I know, but I’m going for glamour at a conservative law prom, not New York fashion week, sheesh. Anyway, not long into the search, I started to notice a trend. Namely, SNAKE PRINT.

Showing here…

Kate Spade

and here…

Saint Laurent

Then yesterday on WhoWhatWear. (A godsend I recently discovered — except they also introduced me to this Randall Loeffler clutch and I am so conflicted as to why I am so in love. I have never felt this need for citrus… I’m all at sea! — Get it? Sailors, at sea.. limeys… citrus…). Moving right along, they put out like a gajillion posts a day (decidedly unlike this blog) and have really cool stuff. Well, their “item of the day” was this pair of Need Supply snakeskin (print) shoes!

Need Supply

It might be my law degree, but I feel the need to offer ample evidence that every “trend” I’m documenting is not merely a figment of my imagination. So now that you can see I’m marginally credible, I thought I’d show you my interpretation on personal style and python print shoes (of two types).

First: Barrister’s Ball! These are my Chloe python heels (2012.. I believe). If you don’t like them please don’t tell me.

Glasses: Disney, Shirt: Disney (gotta love that employee discount), Leggings: The Row via eBay

This is the most I’ve ever spent on shoes (although they were still eBay). I wish I felt more guilty… but aren’t they beauts? So that is how to wear snakeskin going to the store or hanging at the mall. If you think you are Beyoncé or just have fab legs (and smaller calves then my half marathon running monsters) then this next look is for you.

Also, the reason that my pictures are marginally better is because I got my new camera!! Barrister’s Ball here I come (I just have to avoid the punch… for a variety of reasons).

This dress is in my Posh/Vinted closet for those interested. <\shameless self promotion>

Unneeded dress details (because it cracks me up when people do this)

These are La Perla Pret-a-Porter, which I also got on eBay — word to the wise next time you’re buying gold snakeskin boots online — maybe know your calf size first. (They call me Epimetheus.)

But snake print doesn’t stop at gold (though mine does… or it gets too snakey for me). My sister put together an interesting ensemble to prove it (also because I ran out of snake print shoes).

 

She sends her love from a travelling mirror inside her phone.

For those interested, I’m fairly certain we bought these BCBG heels from T. J. Maxx after a long conversation about the fact they wouldn’t make her too tall. Amirite or amirite? Just good legs all around.

Wish me luck (with the curling iron) tonight at the BALL.