Home Early // Lace and Velvet

F21 lace top, VS silk shell, random velvet leggings, thrifted jacket

Mondays are usually 7am work days; visual merchandising requires early mornings. However the second I finished my walls today, I was sent home. I felt used; not gonna lie. 

These photos were taken at 11am, and already the temperature was 90 degrees! Needless to say, I am no longer in this outfit. Cut off shorts and a bra is more like it. Served up with a large helping of chilled fruit.

PS

I'm so glad that you guys liked the "remix" post! I think I'll chose another item to do that with.

Extend Your Closet // Remix

Outfit 1: The artist Degas was my inspiration for this. I made this skirt myself – my 2nd sewing project ever. The gold belt is from my mother; two lions raised up touching front paws. The Pierre Hardy for Gap wedges add to the fun “flouncy-ness” of the outfit with their over-sized bows and also elongate the leg. Hair done up in a high messy bun adds to the theme of the outfit while still being contemporary (by being a bit loose and messy)

Outfit 2: Here I paired the top with a pair of wide legged trouser jeans by Joe jeans. This blue on blue outfit creates a look of being “together” while still kept contemporary with quirky jewelry additions. The earrings I am wearing are large 2 inch gold cicadas and the bracelet is made up of gold bees. The blue blazer (from Forever 21) lends a nice shape to the outfit. The bag (from Anthropologie) and shoes (INC) lend some color, while the jewelry adds some fun interest.

 Outfit 3: For my third outfit I dressed up a black American Apparel tube dress by using my shirt as a layering piece. I cinched in the waist with a skinny black belt, and kept things casual with a black pair of flats. Also, the “necklace” I am wearing is a belt! My blue clutch is a YSL bag, however it was originally a GWP makeup case. I think it looks better as a day clutch, don’t you?

Here are some tips for remixing your outfits:

*Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box! Sometimes a belt doesn’t always have to be worn as such. Wear it as a necklace or a bracelet! Turn a makeup bag into a purse or clutch.

* Cinching in your waist is a great way to create shape; you can change the entire feel of a top or a dress by doing this.

*When trying to remix an item of yours, think of a few things that make that item a favorite of yours. Is it the color? The shape? Choose one, and then go from there. For example: If you love the color, create the outfit using similar colors and add a few highlights for interest. 

*Always have a quirky item on hand! Be it animal belts, or insect jewelry, make sure that there is always an element of yourself!

Oh! PS:
Can one of my dear readers invite me to LOOKBOOK? :)

Mustache // Pull a Pollock

Boutique dress, DIY white tee-shirt tube dress, Ralph Lauren jacket, Jeffrey Campbell shoes, Chictopia-Danny Roberts bag

Since I haven't shared much of my love and education of art, it won't be surprising to you when I say that Jackson Pollock captures my heart. (Some time I will have to introduce 2 of my favorite artists of all time.) Anyone who stands on their canvas in order to create art has my vote.I'll spare you the intellectual vowels (unless of course you want it - if so, e-mail me! Let's chat).The painting above is hanging in the Centre Pompidou (La Musee National d'Art Moderne), in Paris. 

I touched it. Yeah that's right. 

When I arrived at the Centre, I speed walked past the largest Pink Heel I had ever seen, past the wine cork apartment, and straight to said painting. Only to find that the lighting was absolutely ghastly. If I could find my cd of pictures, I would provide my own photo.


Speaking of photos, I added a little monster to one of mine. He likes my shoes too! His name is Smarchy. He has agreed to pose in future photos with me. 

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Come with Me, Dressing and Dance with ...Degas

Top: bought in Paris, self-made skirt, Gap shoes - Yoohoo courtesy of my friendly neighbor

Edgar Degas is one of my mother's favorite artists. I have been fortunate enough to see his paintings first hand both in Paris a la Musee d'Orsay, and Chicago. He captures his subjects in the moments that the audience of the dancers can easily miss: the second just before a dancer steadies herself after a jump. The prima ballerina who takes that extra long bow, and the nervous pause before stepping on stage. His use of paint and light builds the mood of ease and innocence while giving us the sense that we have caught a glimpse into a quiet, magical world.

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Back to Basics // Take the AC with you

Dress by Lani (a boutique find), Pierre Hardy for Gap wedges, Target sunnies.

I'm tan! The weather here has been warm and sunny, so I took full advantage. Normally I shy away from tanning (premature aging), however...I felt it was needed.
This dress is perfect for super warm weather: it comes with air conditioning!

PS.
For those of you who don't speak French (and are wondering why I am), I said "Hello! Today for my blog post, I decided to do something different." It's in French because I need the practice!

PPS
Can you see the video?

I Hear Ya

I am truly humbled - and incredibly happy that I took this issue you to my dear readers. You have all given me a fresh and sound advice. All of your comments mean a lot to me, and I feel silly for having compared myself to others. Sabine, you're right! It's not healthy or worth it. it is so easy to get caught up in the hype of something new - and if you like it that's fine! But, if it's being chased just because it's "new" and the lemming affect kicks in...well then the point of blogging has been missed. I think that's where I found myself.

Personal style shouldn't be a race. And I'm so glad that I had my insightful and honest readers to remind me of that. Thank you!

I will be back to posting very soon! However I first wanted to say Thank you!

Nothing Personal

 Lately I've been feeling a little down in the bloggersphere. Blogging is something that I absolutely love - but I would be lying if I said that I didn't get discouraged by my missing out on the latest Miu Miu platforms, or that I sometimes felt as if I was competing for some unseen, unknown prize.

Is it a spread in Time Square? Or jet-setting off to Rome/Paris or receiving a private invite to the home of Chanel? Sponsors? I just don't know any more.

Pierre Hardy // Filling in the Gap

Bambooshka Dress, Target shades, Pierre Hardy for Gap shoes

Eloise is my little cuddle fuddle. 
I got these shoes...two weeks ago! I can't believe it's taken me so long to post them on here. Shame on me. They are SO comfortable! But...the leather has me paranoid because it scuf's easily. VERY easily. But they are so cute!

Belle Shaped

Babooshka dress, vintage scarf, Banana Republic necklace, JC wedges

Notice my band-aid? Getting into bed can be dangerous sometimes.
I think I may have found another basic. I want to live in this dress! Super comfy with a dash of sexy. I'm loving it. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!