the row

Lombard Street

Given the nature of the street, this post is going to make a few winding digressions that reflected my morning walk through the area towards Lombard Street and eventually Fisherman’s Wharf:

1. The chocolate motherland. This was both so exciting and totally jarring. Downtown Disney has a matching structure, which I did not realize paid homage to this megalith. Thus, it was like going home getting a sea salt caramel hot chocolate 1,000 miles away, but realizing that Disney and Ghiradelli’s love child was no more than just that, a child, of Ghirardelli Square was a big surprise.

2. With the on-going housing crisis in San Francisco, now is probably not the time to get choosy, but when I saw this place, shadowed by a noble birch (haha I have no idea what kind of tree it is), a modern cousin (and I would argue first cousin) of the tree house tucked at the top of hill. In it I could not help but see my future castle, a dominion unmatched! Too bad I have student loans and an unpaid internship…

3. An outfit reflection: beret in, socks out. Berets have been on the Vogue radar for a bit (trumping beanies). What aren’t on the radar are orthopedic shoes, so I would seriously suggest not wearing off-white socks with off-white platform shoes (what was I thinking). Also, I have never really done a scarf with strapless before, but when tied like a girl scout kerchief, it kind of looks like straps and it can make for a cool silhouette.

My April Eccentric Glamour link-up is open through the 4th here, please drop by and add your link!

Bohemia Reclaimed

After a lovely trip to St. Augustine, I’m all settled back in South Bend for my fourth semester of law school. I’ve managed to rent a little room with a few other girls, and in my opinion, it really is the zenith of happiness. My room has a small desk, walk-in closet, and a slanted ceiling into the nook where my bed is. It’s generally the perfect writing alcove, and if I only had a little typewriter and a high ponytail in a ribbon, I think I could make a decent ’50’s French movie heroine. Only time will tell, I suppose. Anyway, I thought it might be nice to introduce you to my little nest and Bohemian hideaway. ❤

Eccentric Glamour Link-up #2: Southern Aristocrat

Welcome to the second link-up of Eccentric Glamour, a forum specially designed to get together and showcase forgotten, yet fabulous articles in our closets! This month’s post strikes me as a curious cross between Desperate Housewives of Atlanta and Blanche Dubois. While both of those comparisons make for dubious company, it was fun to dig out my fur (generally so superfluous in Georgia) and try to tweak it to represent a Southern staple. And what could be more Southern than getting all dolled up to sip almost-lemonade on the front porch? I hope you had just as much fun making your posts as I did in mine!

If you’d like to regularly contribute, please take a moment to follow my blog (links can be found on the sidebar).
Please confine posts to those which showcase some spectacular article of clothing. It doesn’t have to be crazy, but just a bit in line with our theme of “Eccentric Glamour” (although choosing one half or the other of that mantra will also suffice). However, if you choose to post, please provide a link back to the Eccentric Glamour link-up somewhere in your post.
Try to check out a few other bloggers posts to build inspiration and community!

Then We Open Again, Where?

As I’ve mentioned, I’m a few weeks behind on updates from my trips (look out for Budapest and Morocco). I got lucky on my outfit here, despite the delay, since cheetah print is booming right now. I’ll try to be better about upcoming Christmas posts!

I arrived in Venice the night before Halloween. When I made the booking, I didn’t mean to plan it that way, and to be honest, I completely forgot (although people in England celebrated way more than I anticipated, adopting it as a veritable week-long festival rather than a single night). But in this case, fate interceded on my behalf. For as Romantic and dreamy as the canals and bridges are in Venice, the ambience of the night could have invented the meaning of phantasmagoric. It is no accident that Poe set “The Assignation,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” and “The Masque of Red Death”* here. Walking through the darkened alleys at night they seem to grow narrower and deeper. You pass the same bridges, walking in a circle fueled by the frenetic energy of despair, suspicion, and above all fear. Meanwhile, in glass windows all around hang ominous masks in a variety of shapes, their darkened eyes glaring eerily in the moonlight. With this collection of photos, I’ve tried to capture a bit more of the creepy vibes, but I also included just some of the general beauty of the change to Autumn which November brings.

The title of this post is taken from the song “We Open In Venice” from the musical Kiss Me, Kate. Here’s the Rat Pack’s rendition of the song. Also, while I was in Venice, I had the pleasure of meeting Louise, the amazing mind behind Pandora. To see her interpretation of Thomas Mann and the Marchesa Casati, see here.

*The exact setting of “The Masque of Red Death” is in a castle and nothing else is described specifically, but as it doesn’t disclude Venice, and the story has a Venice-esque feel to it, I included it (possibly erroneously) in the list.

Ladies Who Lunch

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” ~Anais Nin

While I love my friends in England (don’t get me wrong), I have to say, seeing a friendly face this side of the pond is an irreplaceable feeling. So when my friend said she’d be coming three days earlier than expected, I wiped out my Wednesday afternoon schedule, so we could have a less-crowded day to romp around London. As it was, we ended up getting ready for an hour, sitting at lunch for about two hours (at the marvelous Delaunay counter– by far my favorite cafe in London), before we finally got over to Covent Market and the British Museum. Lucky for us, without the hindrance of Thanksgiving, they had just begun putting Christmas decorations up (though they haven’t quite lit up the Rosetta Stone yet). So it got dark early on us, but it didn’t at all impede our afternoon. Such is the glow

Outfit Details: Hat: H&M | Scarf: Vintage | Sweater: Burberry Prorsum | Cape: Vintage | Bag and Phone Case: Ba&Sh (you can find similar here) | Leggings: The Row | Boots: Michael Kors
The moral of the outfit is that when you start with a black palette, you can really jazz things up with a few accessories (which I’ve included here, complete with phone case).

Shared to Visible Monday and Hat Attack.

London Calling!! Chelsea boots in Chelsea.

This post marks the first of my new European, though decidedly British, adventures (rather pathetic, I know considering, as of today I’ve been in school an entire month). Nevertheless, worse things happen at sea. And from here on out, I promise not to ruin any more National Gallery side shots. The week I arrived, I was lucky enough to share my “holiday” with my father and sister. We quickly found that we particularly enjoyed the Notting Hill and Kensington area. Of course, whether or not this sentiment revolves around a certain literary figure’s rendering, it is not a very profound one, as the price tags in the area suggest. Daddy found it particularly peaceful walking through the lines of white houses (each accompanied by well-placed trees).

Though everyone seemed to warn us otherwise, I can’t help but love Portabello Road. It’s the source of my tea kettle, opera glasses, meerschaum pipe, crochet parasol, and tweed deerstalker. It was on this road of all places, Daddy discovered the wonder of Tesco (a British value-chain grocery store), and had a minor Baptist revival in the drink aisle when he saw prices listed in pence. All the sudden, his generosity was unbounded: “Girls, you can have anything you want for lunch from this store.”

However, I made us trek onwards to the fabulously eccentric and oh-so-endearing, sinus threat of the century: The Churchill Arms. Covert Thai restaurant extrordinaire. The decor in this place ranges from walls coated with the royal family to bunting and lanyards (and bunting as lanyards) across the ceiling. While I am hardly a Thai food connoisseur, I have always enjoyed theirs and would definitely recommend it if you’re hungry and in the area.

From there, we walked to Kensington Gardens (and subsequently through Green Park and St. James Park, which are connected) in hopes of “walking off our lunch.” While we may not have been successful on that account, we did manage to secure some gorgeous weather (at first). This being Britain, the mere dawning of a new hour brought with it several poignant changes in the moisture level.

The Albert Memorial

The Italian Gardens

The area around South Kensington backs up to another area called “Chelsea,” named such because it is next to the Chelsea Bridge (or so wikipedia says). The Chelsea area encompasses a little bus stop named Sloane Square, and if you walk there, you will find nearly any upscale clothier you may hope to peruse. Chelsea is touched on its other side by Knightsbridge, probably most noted by foreigners for being the home of Harrods and Harvey Nichols. Between Kate living in the area and the Queen shopping there, you can guess it’s pretty nice.

The sidewalks are nice; the stores are nice. The people dress nice (though they are mostly sheathed in black), but there’s an unusually high number of inhabitants that wear flat ankle boots. I couldn’t tell you why this is la mode. Still, accepting that it is, these sort of boots are colloquially known as “Chelsea boots.” Before I found out this sliver of information, I fell in love with the Tommy Hilfiger ones I’m wearing in the picture below. Say hello to my shiny new Christmas gift y’all!

The Boots. The Boy.

Besides the boots, I’m wearing:

Sunglasses: Chloe (you’ve seen before)
Necklace: Native American Gallery here
Shirt/ Dress: American Apparel
Trench: Tommy Hilfiger
“Trousers”: The Row
Satchel: Fossil

It was so fun having my Dad and sister along! It really made for a joyous and entertaining vacation.

Haiti Part 4- The French Caribbean

Ladies and Gentleman, I’ve saved the best of Haiti for last. Again, with an unfortunate, yet sartorial flair for the colonial, I bring you my last and favorite combo. We walked around all day, and I felt like something out of Monaco. I’ve never been to Monaco, so I don’t know if the people are really glitzy or kitschy, but you know the scene in To Catch a Thief when Cary Grant has to escape the police and drives to some resort? That was me. Eventually, he and Grace end up in Monaco with their big plan to catch the “cat.”

Slinking along like the “cat”…

The scarves in this movie are so good…. almost as good as the cameos. See what Cary Grant is wearing? It almost looks like my strewn room.

Tres francais, n’est pas?

Hat: local gem
Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters
Scarf: Estate Sale
Blazer: Talbots
Shirt: French Connection (ebay)
Purse: vintage Givenchy (ebay)
Pants: The Row (also seen here and here)
Shoes: Clarks

Madeline meets Dubai in South Bend

This week in South Bend, ~~a squirrel frolicked amongst the hedgerows~~ I found this wall:

I also found the Chanel 2015 Cruise collection and its ingenious pairing of tunic/ pant sets. (These photos link back to the Chanel website, where I got them).

This collection is an education on the “piquant pant.” Yes, you could run through the mountains bare-legged (probably unshaven) in your Salvation Army shirt-made-dress, but why would you when you can look perfectly chic and tailored in 1. see-through geometry pants? 2. sailor swag pants? 3. Harem pants (all day long)? Frankly, I’m ecstatic. Manrepeller termed them “unnecessary but deeply necessary pants.” I would have to agree, but would go one step further. On the strawberry walnut salad that is the outfit, it seems that Lagerfeld’s ankle-cinched pants are the dressing. You could go low-cal boring, trying to choke down spinach and iceberg without something to whet your whistle, but the taste simply won’t be “piquant” without the wisp of vinaigrette. I got my first taste of this melangé last year in India.

Pay no attention to the sunscreen-slathered blonde-haired reflector beam who in her Lawrence-of-Arabla-cultural-appropriating frenzy decided to shop for ~~tunics~~ kurtas at the open market based on color combinations alone (because I am one size to fit all). The point is India rocks the “tunic” cinched- ankle combo, and using the term “regional” loosely, I feel like as Lagerfeld is known to do, he kept this in mind designing Chanel’s 2015 Cruise looks.

So for those of us who want to look Chanel at the supermarket (as our consumer spirits should now be more than blitzed for), how can you bring the look home short of a Sailor Moon tweed tornado? Here’s my interpretation, un peu francais, n’est pas?

I started with color. A hybrid pair of sometimes pants, maybe leggings, and a bright dress set the tone. The hat and collar reminded me of Madeline (twelve little girls in two straight lines sounds almost like a runway), and the scarf was a piece which preserved the Dubai vibe while remaining distinctly Parisien. What do you think?

Outfit Details:
Dress: GAP outlet
Scarf as Belt: Talbots (thank you Mimi)
Pants: The Row (ebay) also shown here
Shoes: Anthropologie
Spotlight on Accessories:
Hat: Antiquing
Collar: I cut this off of an otherwise frumpy Primark clearance shirt (and it was well worth the pound I paid for it!)
La Petit Prince Watch: Madrid find!
Ring: Fossil

I’m sharing this to my favorite link-ups, Patti’s Visible Monday over at Not Dead Yet Style and Trend-SPin at The Fashion Canvas. Check it out, or even better join in!

Let the Sunshine In!

It’s finally warm enough to go without socks! To celebrate today I paid homage to Spring while still keeping with practical winter darks. Navy yellow and off-white. If the firm job fails, I’m joining the Navy y’all.

I present to you: Don’t Leave Rebecca Home Alone.

Here’s my Gene Kelly, ready for those April Showers.

Why yes, I am a walking ebay ad.

Hat: Antiquing ($3!!)
Shirt: GAP
Cardigan: Thakoon Addition (ebay)
Jacket: Brooks Brothers (ebay)
Pants: The Row (ebay)
Shoes: Stubbs and Wootton (ebay)

❤ ❤ Kneedlepoint ❤ ❤

Here are two songs to cheer you up as you wait for Spring!

The Rain, the Park, and Other Things
-The Cowsills

Aquarius/ Let The Sunshine In
-The Fifth Dimension

Paris in the Spring and Designer Sweatshirts

Paris in the Spring by rarnall1 featuring victorian home decor

I’ve. just. discovered. ~~Heaven~~ Polyvore. I feel like Nicola Tesla is lurking in a corner somewhere, hand outstretched, saying “Welcome to the Future, Rebecca.” Things are about to get a whole lot more sophisticated here y’all! On the downside, it may also be the most constructive procrastination I’ve encountered: fashion, scrapbooking, and unlimited supplies all in one! Just when I was getting over ebay…

Above is my second ever collage (you might see the first one later… or I might banish it to the abyss of the internets). Now, generally I am SO cynical when it comes to buying designer sweatshirts. People argue the fabrics are so much better and they last so much longer, but I have yet to see one of the $8 Michaels craft sweatshirts eat it. In fact, sweatshirts seem to always be cropping up like ice on Indiana pavements…. I do not need to pay anything over $50 to get a sturdy sweatshirt (and that figure is allowing generously for the overpriced sports team paraphernalia).

That is until I saw the adorable Marni Penguin Sweatshirt/ Blouse this compilation revolves around. I have long enjoyed the penguin sweater, but I thought it was a flippant kind of fancy almost like relish on a hotdog or a summer toe ring. I don’t own one of these gems, but suddenly, something very deep inside me seems to be crying out (in a still small voice) “Rebecca! What have you been working as a coat check girl for?” It’s like The Little Prince and East o’ the Sun, West o’ the Moon, and Mr. Popper’s Penguins’ artistic lovechild. I can feel le renard begging once again Apprivoisé moi! but through the ransacked voice of a surprised penguin(as long as it’s not the Happy Feet penguin it will be okay). Am I a sentimental fool? What sweatshirt (if any) would you splurge on?

We like the penguin sweater, and Jess does too.

It’s been a while since I’ve used this rating system, but I’m bringing it back:

Fashion: 5
Funky: 7
Fancy: 3

Function: 10 (who’s biased? who cares!)

The Clothesline

Style for people blowing in the wind