What happened to my sweet girl?

Like everyone else in the world, I am enamored with Black Swan. I saw it the day before Christmas Eve, which is such a great time to see a scary movie. I am not going to retell the whole plot because I want you to go see it. But what caught my attention is the movie's blurry line between reality and fantasy. It is so realistic in its portrayal of how our mind can make us believe things that don't exist. Also I was beyond impressed with the dancing of Natalie and Mila. It almost makes me regret not taking some dance classes when I was young. OR maybe I am lucky that I didn't get put into the such competitive world.

Photos from Black Swan, Nureyev and Margot, Roberto Bolle, and from the Kayne West film "Runaway"

A Lesson Learned

"You always hurt the one you love,

The one you shouldn't hurt at all.

You always take the sweetest rose,

And crush it till the petals fall.

You always break the kindest heart,

With the hasty word you can't recall.

So, if I broke your heart last night,

It's because I love you most of all."

Photo from Erdem

Phenomal Woman

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can't touch

My inner mystery.

-Maya Angelou-

"Some outfits wait a lifetime to be taken somewhere special."

Sometimes I get lost in these thoughts about what would be a great dress or what would be amazing shoes. Then I am reminded that I am mortal and can only wear within my means. But when I get a certain vision in my head it consumes me. I literally will think of nothing else but that article of clothing for days. There will always be the dresses that got away. I'm looking at you, vintage fruit print sheath or green tulle sack.

What I think makes me calm though is knowing that I have an excellent skill in adopting the aesthetic or idea from other clothes. It will never replace the original article but it certainly tries its best.

Below are some looks from Jason Wu's Pre-Fall Collection. I know, I know that kid again who did the first lady's dress. In my mind though he will be know for first inspiring a sophisticated young lady. Before my discovery of him, I was blind to young women looking elegant. He has created recently a youthful, professional, eclectic, and always appropriate woman. I love every time I see his designs because they are approachable. I think that his latest collection is the best at capturing new decade attitude of a women.

My favorite looks are the last two which demonstrate a career focused youth girl but also is approachable. Both looks would be great with a canary yellow or emerald green pair of pumps for more color.

Photos from style.com

"I'm sorry there's no crayon equivalent."

Finally my family got a Christmas tree! This one isn't a faker. A real tree is just better, sorry all who are allergic or your parents are insensitive. For the holidays all I can thing about is color and color and occasionally cookies. All the ornaments in the store are bright and beautiful. Ah, so many hues. Yes I went crazy with Photoshop,but I'm not apologizing. They get my point across this season. No holiday should be grim as long as you wear multi-colored jewelry and a bright sheath.
Outfit: Dress from New York and Company, Black Ankle Booties, Bracelets are Target and Flea Market Find

"It could all be so simple, but you'd rather make it hard."

I really don't know what has come over me. I have become consumed with work, none of it fun might I add. My life has gone out of control and I'm not even holding the reigns. My mind has gone blank, my style out the door and my bank account empty. I have been buying Christmas gifts out the wazoo and literally have worn my pair of wellies for four days in a row. You want to know why? Because they don't have laces and I can slip them on and off. Awful I know, I look like a permanent farm hand.

Now that I am done wallowing I apologize. The good things in my life have been some what interesting. I am quite excited for this Christmas party I got invited too. I have only one more college test and I am officially done applying ( I have a decision from one application but it won't let me view it). I got my sister some pretty fantastic gifts. But mostly importantly, I went to Ikea. Enough said. So I guess life is what you make it (I sound like that awful Miley Cyrus song). But in a way it is true and for this holiday season I will start acting merry, or I will get coal for Christmas.

Photos of Sex and the City intro, Rihanna in Music Video, Alexa Chung for Madewell Ad, Adele at Grammy's

"You the whole package, and you pay your taxes"

My head has become consumed with college. Yes I have send in all my applications and transcripts and scores and recommendations, but now I must wait until the first week of April. How awful? So now I am in the position of just trying to maintain great grades and volunteering. I wake up everyday wondering what is my motivation to go to school. What am I working for, what am I wanting to become, what is the goal? In some way I know that I could never change my personality. Which is the personality of a beyond driven, always wanting more, and frantic person. I could never fully give up and quit trying but the temptation is overwhelming. I can't remember the last time I did not want to stop and focus on me. If not everyday, most days I think will I or will I not get into the college of my choice. I get reassurance from others, but sometimes that is not enough. The idea that with time the truth will be revealed could not be more true. Soon, hopefully, I will know my fate. Truly though, my mind wont be at rest until April. So until then I will mentally die slowly. I just have to wake up everyday knowing that I will figure it out.

Photos are from Gant Fall/Winter 2010 and flickr

"Money can't buy you happiness, it is happiness"

It is that time again when I really don't know my focus or more specifically my inspirations. Yet one is certain. I can't wait for the Black Friday shopping and the deals. I love the atmosphere of the chaos more than anything. Enjoy some kooky and crazy women in my mind.

Photos from Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford

"Oh there's a nice piece of ham"

The outfit is a mix of references I have been meaning to express. If I was to assign it a decade then I would say probably the mid 1950's. The best way to describe the theme, overall, collegiate girl. But obviously not a modern collegiate girl because then she would look like a bum, with sweatpants. This scholarly woman focuses on studying and goes to the library in her free time and on the weekend makes bad decisions. Oh how a outfit can tell a story.


Outfit: Dress is Simply Vera Vera Wang, Shoes from Target, Sweater from H&M, Sunglasses from American Eagle, and necklace is vintage.

Minimal, yet Complicated

At one point in every one's life they realize that all they want to wear is simple garments. Fabric can be embellished, detailed, and decorated. But a beautifully cut piece of fabric at its simplest form is just as charming. Halston understood that a cut with few intrusions is just as special. Either I am getting lazier and want to wear less layers OR I am appreciating minimalism. The J. Crew Spring 2011 collection is not exactly great for the current weather. Yet it is strikingly, awe-inspiring.

The shirt dress is peachy, in color and attitude. I am also fully bewitched by the styling.
A simple and elegant stripe sweater. Done beautifully in terms of color.

A sequin long skirt is indescribable. In a good way, of course.

Photos from style.com

I try to express how I feel; But it changes every day and I am finding it hard

Is it sad that all I want to do is cry while listening to Kate Nash? No, not at all. I am in that mood again where all I want to be is somber and pensive. We read a "Man's Search for Meaning" in English class and it got me thinking about what my will in life is. I haven't really determined that but I am figuring out the person I would like to be. Which is part good and part bad, mostly due the fact you aren't supposed to be yourself. I am trying to be myself but only the best me.

I found these pictures on the blog Backyard Bill. I am enamored by the man's style and sense of ease. Everything about him seems relaxed yet formal. I have always questioned and experimented with the line of what is formal. I tend to be more formal in appearance, but I think that my demeanor is quite approachable. Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words or a little time to ponder it.

Also, congratulations to Carey Mulligan for being named Harper's Bazaar Best Dressed. It is much deserved. She is a great actress that shows her true youthful and new voice through her work and clothing.

Photos courtesy of Backyard Bill

Woodstock Awaits!

Ahh Americana! The recipe for a good western look is

1. One Denim Shirt
2. Subtle and Worn Leather
3. Bootcut Jeans
4. Native American Jewelry that you got from invading their land and
5. Southern Attitude!

Outfit: Shirt from J. Crew, Jeans from American Eagle, Necklaces from Target, Ring and Purse from Forever 21, nail color is Urban Outfitters Nude, and Shoes are Madison

I See Your True Colors

Not to be repetitive, but I have been loving subtle and rich colors for the winter-feeling fall season. They are more luxurious and tres chic. Definitely something everyone should be trying to achieve in these coming months. Why does winter mean awful down feather jackets? Punch up any outfit with great color such as raspberry or mustard. I really think that when down right a purple and butternut orange/yellow can be amazing.

Shown are some great ideas to color your rainbow. The Urban Outfitters nail polish in dark orange and charcoal are divine. I really am beginning to only buy nail polish from UO. The packaging is great for travel, the colors are always rich, and thick in texture. Tom Ford ,well I won't go into I great he is a human, but his lip color is definitely great for a rouge lip. The picture above is mine of some winter accessories. The shoes are a great find from Payless Shoe Source, the knit snood was present while New York City, necklace from Target, and mustard clutch from New York & Company. Each accessory adds texture and color to bleak outfits.

You got green on your mind, I can see it in your eyes.

Besides being on a posting high, this week has been great. I have gotten so much done. I love having these time to get my favorite past times in. So I have lately been thinking about open air markets. For the fall season, I can't wait to go to farmer's markets and get butternut squash and pumpkins. Oh last year I had apple cider butternut squash soup. SOOOOO Good. In my train of thought I created this outfit. It is beautiful and breezy. Plus comfy chic, always a positive thing. Never have I seen my sister so happy, I think because it is similar to something she would wear out and about.

Outfit: Dress from H&M, sweater from New York and Company, scarf form Urban Outfitters, bangles from Charlotte Russe, belt is my vintage, ring from Silpada

No one man should have all that power!

So now that I am looking at colleges and that whole ordeal, I really am becoming super interested in rowing crew. It just looks like so much fun yet hard work. Weird combination I know. Since I have always loved a good ivy leaguer, I really think that those are the schools I want to attend. By no manner do I think I could ever get in. But the idea is really enticing. When I went to visit University of Virginia, I saw a male rower and about giggled with excitement. Never have I seen a real one in person. I mean I have always seen videos, such as the link below from The Social Network, and heard about them. So after the sighting I just had to by a Virginia Crew shirt. MY NEW FAVORITE SHIRT. I just can't wait to be in college rowing among other scholarly activities.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKbWggG-k3o&feature=related

photos via Columbia Pictures and Life Magazine