Adorn

January in an Infinity Scarf

2012-01-26T18:41:00.000-08:00

Nothing too thrilling about this outfit, except this awesome scarf that my sister-in-law gave me for Christmas. I just wanted to document a day without rain, still light out at 4:45! Every day now is longer and potentially lighter when we get a break from the heavy cloud cover. If there's a bright day this weekend I'd love to go for a little hike, well below the snow line!

I spotted a Hawaiian Quilt in The Descendants!

2012-01-23T18:32:00.000-08:00

Last night I saw the new movie The Descendants which stars George Clooney as a dad raising two girls as his wife languishes in a coma after a boating accident. I enjoyed it - it's subtle and sweet, and I like George Clooney when he isn't playing wickedly charming. One of the best parts of the movie is that it's set in Hawaii and shows the islands from the perspective of the locals as opposed to the tourist postcard version.

Several scenes take place in his wife's hospital room and I couldn't help noticing the beautiful Hawaiian quilt covering the bed. It was similar to the examples below, in yellow on a cream background, and it's seen again at the end of the movie in their home. Hawaiian quilts have this distinctive radial symmetry featuring appliqued botanical motifs and they are usually done in one solid colour on a white background, and have lots of intricate hand sewing. I absolutely love all of the different flower designs and they remind me of the snowflake cutouts I loved making. My mom made a quilt a few years ago inspired by traditional Hawaiian quilts and it's so stunning; it's one of my favorite quilts that she has made. I thought that the movie did a really good job of visually incorporating distinctly Hawaiian elements without having the characters running around in grass skirts and leis. Come to think of it, looking at the weather forecast, I can't think of a better place to head off to right now!

Mary Ellen Mark: Unattainable beauty ideal

2012-01-20T19:25:00.000-08:00

Mary Ellen Mark is a great photographer. I feel like she's the evolution of Dorothea Lange; the gritty photojournalism of real life through the eyes of an artist. It's worth googling images of her work,or better yet, tracking down a book of her photographs. The thing is, I had never seen her until I watched an episode of Work of Art tonight. Gosh, she's so beautiful, and has amazing style! I couldn't stop staring at her, which made me realize that I'm way less interested in the beauty of young models than I am in the beauty of older women. It kind of seems like no big deal to be a gorgeous 19 year old, modelling agencies are overrun with them, but beautiful women in their 60's and 70's are just enthralling and much more likely to cause me to do a double take. Am I only now realizing that the old cliche of things getting better with age is true? That's lame of me! But really, the confidence and personal style and unique looks that time bestows can't be faked until you've earned it.

Look at her amazing ears. Those must indicate wisdom or creativity or something, right? And the thick hair and bold jewellery are so striking. I guess part of it is wishful thinking on my part. Just as I was never going to age into Linda Evangelista when I was mesmerised by her at twelve, I'll never age into Mary Ellen Mark. It must be healthier to appreciate her beauty rather than that of a supermodel in any case.

Louise Pedersen in Elle Denmark

2012-01-17T19:02:00.000-08:00

Dreamy. Romantic. Retro. Sophisticated. Artistic. Womanly.

All good.

I love these colours, all of them! And the pants below remind me of my silky printed PJ pants, and I think the belt is a good call; it would help me feel less like I was wearing PJ's.

Outside day

2012-01-15T13:02:00.000-08:00

Wow, an outfit post! Sunlight, daylight hours, vitamin D! It snowed yesterday and today it's sunny and bright, which was the motivation I needed to wear something other than my scruffiest outfits on my day off. Just running around doing errands, getting ingredients to make pizza tonight, getting cold meds for Karl... basically emerging temporarily from hibernation.

I love the print on this cotton tunic I got at the thrift store. I'd guess it's from the 60's; the label says that it was designed in Sweden and made in Finland. It also instructed me to "drop dry" which is kind of in line with my laundering skills.

Dior Couture

2012-01-12T19:50:00.000-08:00

Couture still exists; isn't that nice? I'm so reassured that people still know and practice these techniques, and that there are people who appreciate and will pay for it. It's not practical and it's not prudent, but gosh, it's art and it's creative and it's beautiful. I'm inspired.

Meghan Collison by Ben Toms for Vogue Russia

2012-01-09T19:37:00.000-08:00

Oh, to have serious eyebrows like that! Though I know it would be a whole world of maintenance that I could not commit to. But anyway, I love these photos. There's something a little twisted about this vision of retro domestic bliss, and I'm know I'm crazy optimistic to be having thoughts of spring, but isn't this what pastel colours do to all of us? The decor is worth a second look too - is there a home in North America that didn't at one time or another have the side table below? And how pretty is that leafy wallpaper? Unfortunately, when I see neat pieces like these in thrift stores, I have to remind myself that they would just make my house look even more like a thrift store!

Glass Houses

2012-01-07T19:20:00.000-08:00

Whenever we spend time at my parents house, I always come away feeling inspired by and somewhat in awe of their energy. There are constantly multiple projects on the go, the most recent big one being a lovely cabin on their property for guests to stay in. There are whisperings that the next project might be a new glass greenhouse in the garden, which got me thinking about the design potential for a pretty beautiful addition to the landscape. Luckily the area isn't prone to severe hailstorms!

Alice Kastrup-Moller by Flippo Del Vita for Creem

2012-01-04T20:19:00.000-08:00

These pictures are giving me some inspiration today! Especially her hair - I want hair like that. I guess it's not out of the question, but it would take way more effort than I ever devote to my hair. I suppose if I was getting my hair "done" for a special event I would ask for this, but when does that ever happen? I also love the nails; that taupe-y beige-pink is so pretty and different. Right now I'm wearing the perfect robin's egg blue slash jade green that I am really into, but I might keep my eyes open for a nice taupe. I also love the pintucking on the blouse in the second picture. I should remember that detail for the future silk blouse sewing spree I'm always planning.

Back to blogging

2012-01-02T17:52:00.000-08:00

Ahh, back to the real world of work and alarm clocks and grocery shopping. We had a wonderful holiday - more than a week off of work, a lovely laid-back Christmas here in Vancouver and a blissfully lazy week at my parents house. It's really the best part of the year for me. It's so hard to take time off of work the rest of the year, and for the week between Christmas and New Years we really feel like there is no pressure to do anything we don't want to. Hibernation mode includes baking and eating treats, napping, reading, walks in the woods, hockey on TV, Scrabble, tea, and lots of time with three of my favorite people in the world: my mom, dad, and husband. Oh, and their pets. We got home today to a more-cranky-than-usual cat.

I didn't think of any resolutions this year; sometimes it takes me a few weeks. This month will certainly be a month of dietary austerity! My parents are fantastic cooks and I can't turn down anything they make, including seconds, possibly thirds. Hmm, other than that I'm pretty much perfect. Just kidding. I'll keep working on the positive-attitude thing, try to make only smart purchases; maybe I should try to have friends over for dinner more, that would be fun...

Fashion-wise, I'm looking for some sources of springy inspiration. Part of my island week is the laziest wardrobe possible - sweats, jeans, tees, PJ's, repeat. So sad the people I love most get the sloppiest me and clients at work get clean hair, make-up, and some attempt at looking cute. It's just a matter of comfort! I feel like it might take me a while to get excited about dressing up, but I'll go through the motions until something thrills me.

Valentino

2011-12-21T20:27:00.000-08:00

Once in a blue moon a photograph in an ad campaign catches my attention. Usually they are pretty predictable and commercial; obviously, they are about selling more than telling a story or whatever it is that usually draws me to editorial photos. But this image, taken by Deborah Turbeville, make me look and look again, so I checked out a little blurb about it on the WWD website and the collection was apparently inspired in part by Georgia O'Keeffe and Mexico and maybe it's just because I'm reading a book about Georgia O'Keeffe, Frida Kahlo and Emily Carr, but I'm getting a "lady painter" vibe from the photo that I love.

The Sincerest Form of Flattery

2011-12-19T19:15:00.000-08:00

Another perennial inspiration: Linda Evangelista. It seems to me like more than any other model she is the go-to girl for models, stylists, and photographers to channel. Linda was my first favorite model, back in the supermodel glory days, and I don't know if I've really had a favorite since then. I remember hearing about the "I don't get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day" quote, or whatever it was, and everyone tried to spin it so that she was kind of a villain, but I didn't care. Apparently it was taken out of context, but even if it wasn't, it kind of suited her image. And what an image! I think she invented the idea that being chameleon-like was something to aspire to in the modelling image, but even with all the changes to her look, there was no hiding that phenomenal bone structure. When I look at the pictures below, I find that as pretty as the model is, she just doesn't have those aristocratic features and unforgettable face.

lace and paper flowers

2011-12-18T19:06:00.000-08:00

Last night we went to see my friend's band, The Fax, and she was wearing a long poncho and cute boots and I was totally getting a young Stevie Nicks vibe from her. Now I'm going to try to talk her into cultivating the image in a subtle, modern way. When I got I home I spent an hour pouring over all the beautiful pictures from the early Fleetwood Mac days - girlfriend sure had a way with layering, didn't she?

Suzy Bird in Elle

2011-12-15T19:03:00.000-08:00

These elegant photos remind me why the classics never go out of style. A certain sophistication continues to inspire designers, stylists and photographers to put a fresh twist on the ladylike looks of the 1950's decades after they were new.

Haunted by Hutterites

2011-12-14T19:42:00.000-08:00

I still can't get over all these fascinating pictures of Hutterites. I wish I could find some explanation of their clothing and head coverings. I've read on a few websites about the three different divisions of Hutterites, and that they each have a different variation of their dress, and I've found descriptions of polka-dotted headscarves and printed aprons and dresses, but I want more information, most importantly, WHY? What is the significance of the polka dots, and notice that most of the aprons are plaid, most of the dresses are floral, and what about the angled, defined armhole seams? The boys too - are the black caps influenced by their Central European origins? These photos represent the 1960's to present, and at least three or four different colonies in North America, so the similarities are obviously not the result of chance or an isolated preference. I wish someone could explain it to me, or maybe I can find a book that details the origins of all of the variations of dress of the various Anabaptist faith. Ohh, Christmas is coming, hint hint!

all photos from Long Hair and Modesty

too busy to blog...

2011-12-12T15:37:00.000-08:00

...been doing a puzzle. Once I get started I just can't drag myself away. I look at the clock and groan each time I see that it's twenty minutes past the last time I told myself I'd get up and put the laundry on or go grocery shopping. Just a few more pieces... But I finished it this afternoon, and it's a bit of a struggle not to open up the other one I've got waiting in the closet. Something about this time of year; a cup of tea, slippers, a big jigsaw puzzle.

I did get outside in the sun to make a wreath today, and I always love making a wreath. It's not hard, and they always turn out looking so good, or at least I think so. This year I took some scraps from the lot where we bought our tree so I could make an actual evergreen wreath, rather than my usual bamboo and twig variety. We don't have any electrical outlets outside so we can't put up Christmas lights, so we need the wreath and the tree lit up right close to the front window so our neighbors don't think we're grinches.

Festive

2011-12-08T20:03:00.001-08:00

Whew! The Christmas season is all about planning, isn't it? And I do the bare minimum, so I can't imagine how stressful it is for people with big families and big expectations! I wrote all my Christmas cards tonight to send out on Monday, and I've done almost all of my (minimal) shopping and wrapping, so I'm in pretty good shape. I need to buy ribbon, and on Sunday we'll buy a tree and I'll make a wreath. That just leaves the cleaning and the planning of meals. No sweat! For me, the key to staying jolly is to avoid the malls, keep on a tight budget, and do the things I actually enjoy, like making a wreath and baking some cookies.

Next year, instead of rushing out to the drugstore for a box of cheapo cards, I'd love to plan (that word again) ahead, and get some unique and handmade cards. Or, ideally make my own. Of course, I'll have the leftovers from this years big box to use up... The lovely cards below are all from Etsy.

drooling

2011-12-05T21:25:00.001-08:00

Truly, there are days when all I want to do it eat. Today was one of those days. I eat a lot every day, so there's really no reason for me to be hungry, but I just couldn't get enough today and I couldn't take my mind off food; sweet food, salty food, greasy food. It's a blessing that we don't live conveniently close to a convenience store or I would have been out of control. As it was I just kept raiding the fridge for olives, yoghurt, cheese, peanut butter... anything! At least I'll be at work tomorrow so I'll have something to do to distract me from my gluttony. Karl and I semi-seriously discussed the possibility of our having tapeworms. Gross, but it might explain the dream I had the other night involving a breakfast meal that consisted of a large crepe with two fried eggs inside, which were topped with sweet and sour pork and melted cheese, then rolled up and drizzled with maple syrup. Mmm, I could really go for some pancakes right now. Must stop!

pretty saturday

2011-12-03T20:28:00.001-08:00

Just some pretty looks for a Saturday evening. This time of year I kind of wish that I had fancy company Christmas parties to go to so I could do the whole new-dress, hair-do thing. I've only got one Christmas party on the calendar, and it's a Christmas sweater concert at a club, which seems like a sweaty plan. I don't own a Christmas sweater, and I don't plan on buying one. I do not have spare closet space for seasonal novelties, so I'll choose to interpret the theme my own way, probably with sequins, possibly with the red suede shorts.

girls on film

2011-11-30T20:41:00.001-08:00

OK, Marni collaborating with H&M... I hope it's good. I've never been interested in any of the other designer collabs they've done, but Marni's prints and colour combinations might translate to low end without too much trouble. Could be worth a swing by the sale racks after the crowds have dissipated, seeing as my Buy (almost) Nothing Month is drawing to a close. You know, I did just fine keeping the shopping to the bare minimum. I still don't need anything, and I still don't have any money, so with the exception of Christmas shopping, I'll try to keep myself on a short leash.

Also, this is happening. The Great Gatsby starring Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire and Leonardo Dicaprio.m Another cautious Hmmmm.... Will it be good? I think Carey will make a good Daisy, for one thing. And I can't wait to see the costumes. I wrote a paper in university about the costumes in the 1974 version and they were so spectacular and accurate, I'd be really disappointed if this time they hired, say Ralph Lauren, to do all the costumes, which would just turn into a vanity project. No, I just checked IMDB, and the costume designer is Catherine Martin, who did a bunch of other movies with Baz Luhrmann. Whew. I guess there's still another year to wait until this one hits the theatres.

In The Make

2011-11-28T19:00:00.001-08:00

I spent some quality internet time today on a totally engrossing site called In The Make. It features photographs of artists of all types and their studios, as well as interviews with the artists. The photography is beautiful, the interviews are fascinating, and the spaces featured are so inspiring. I love studios, workshops, sewing rooms; the places where creative people get creative are so varied and such a window into the work that goes on behind the scenes. I'm inspired to do a little more to make the workshop at work more personal and exciting, though I fear that the first step should be cleaning up!

Wave

2011-11-25T19:51:00.001-08:00

I can't remember where I came across this tattoo photo, but it's been sitting in a folder and I just find it so interesting I can't put it in the trash. I don't have any tattoos, and I don't really think I want one, but I do appreciate seeing one that I think is unique and visually arresting. This one is so simple, but it's pretty and so effective and striking. The temptation might be to add more detail or embellish it more, but I love it as it is - well edited.

dark days

2011-11-22T19:19:00.001-08:00

I had to put my buy nothing month on hold for a day because of the 50% off day at Value Village. I wasn't even going to go, but then Karl wanted to shop for hockey gear, and I could hardly not go. I showed terrific restraint though; no novelty purchases. I got these pants, which are everything I've been looking for in a pair of pants: high-waisted, a little stretch, a funny colour (maroon), and hey, three dollars. I also got this pretty mauve top. I have an issue with t-shirts lately. I think I want them, like I think in the morning - Oh yeah, t-shirt today. But I don't really like most of them when it comes down to shopping for them. I have a couple I really like, but most are too simple, too casual, too boring, too sporty: weekend wear. So I think that this kind of top is my answer to the t-shirt feeling. It's stretchy, comfy, fitted, and easy, but it's also kind of pretty and interesting and work-appropriate. Anyway...

Serenity now

2011-11-20T14:03:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I went with my six best friends to hide out beach-side for a couple of days of sloth, gluttony, board-games. It was blissful, and I feel so lucky to have such amazing ladies in my life, and the opportunity to spend quality time with them. Krista took this beautiful picture of a few of us walking on Rathtrevor Beach just before dusk while the others prepared a meal.

More Mennonites!

2011-11-18T20:58:00.001-08:00

These amazing photos are by a photographer named Morad Bouchakour. His website features a whole series of photos of Mennonites in Mexico. Well worth a look. Once on the page, click the big arrow to browse through.

plain and simple

2011-11-16T20:24:00.001-08:00

So I read a good book, Irma Voth by Miriam Toews, about Mennonites in Mexico, which made me curious about their culture, and I disappeared down the Internet rabbit-hole for several hours. The best find was the blog Long Hair and Modesty (link on the right). It features plain dress from such diverse religions as Amish, Mennonite, Muslim, Orthodox Jewish, Catholic and many more. It's so fascinating to see all the subtle variations, the radical differences, what's OK for some and not OK for others. Some cultures in which girls are totally covered up seem to be alright with makeup, and some that allow an ankle or an elbow to show are makeup free. I really want to do some more research. I mean, why are Hutterites into polka-dotted scarves and pointy shoulders? What is the significance of pink or baby-blue nuns robes? I wish there was a class I could take on this. It's all so interesting.

Buy Nothing Day

2011-11-10T19:48:00.001-08:00

I used to hear more about Buy Nothing Day years ago than I have recently, and as a result I've missed observing it a few times. This year it's November 25. It's a pretty cool idea, just to raise people's awareness about consumerism, which is sure in the air these days. My variation is Buy Nothing Month, hopefully. Not NOTHING nothing, but no clothes, not even second hand clothes. I certainly don't need anything, and it's mostly an attempt to break the habit of incessant shopping. Sadly, disappointingly, I use shopping as a mood enhancer. Even if I don't buy anything, which I usually don't, I like a stroll through the mall after a busy day at work, or a trip to Value Village on the weekend when I'm feeling in need of some invigoration.

So for the month of November, I'm not buying any clothes, even those little cheap cheer-ups like socks and undies. I'm allowed to browse, but no buying, because like I said, I don't need anything. Honestly, I don't even want anything. My problem is that I have a "one of everything" mentality, especially at the thrift store. A pair of pants in every colour, a blouse in every pattern... I have to remind myself that I don't need one of everything; I'll always have favorites that I want to wear, then there will be things that I like the idea of owning, but I just don't wear much. Those are the things that I buy when I'm bored.

Anyway, we'll see if I make it through a couple more weeks. And after that, it's the dreaded holiday shopping season! If anything can turn me off shopping, that could do it!

Take A Letter

2011-11-09T19:27:00.000-08:00

Ahh, the long dark nights of fall are here; what better reason to start getting into some new TV shows? I'm almost finished watching the second season of Justified, a great show on the FX network. The ex-wife, Winona, is a court stenographer, and she's got the best wardrobe. I couldn't find many good pictures, but she wears all these cute little pencil skirts and girly blouses. That's who I'm channelling lately when I want to dress "officey".

Then I saw these pictures of Rose Smith from Marie Claire Australia, and it's that same kind of feminine 50's vibe, albeit with a leather lace short-short twist. Not sure a knee-length skirt is the most flattering on me, but what am I talking about? That didn't stop my from wearing super-pleated diaper-esque pants today. Sorry world!

ray of light

2011-11-06T17:23:00.000-08:00

Fell back today. A little more light in the morning, a little less in the afternoon - it'll help with the walk to the bus in the morning, but so would dressing in day-glo colour combinations. I love all of these examples above, and I'm going to try to avoid the blahs this winter with a daily burst of brights. Vancouver can be pretty dismal; people tend to think that shades of grey are exciting, but I think a little colour is good for morale.

sip

2011-11-04T19:35:00.000-07:00

This time of year I really look forward to a cup of tea. I'm not much of a coffee drinker, but a cup of tea with cream in the morning warms me up and somehow mentally gets me going for the day. Last week we went to a little dinner party at friends' house and after we ate our hostess was making some mint tea and mentioned that she had splurged on a bunch of new varieties of tea. We agreed that it was a wonderful luxury to look at a vast array of teas to choose from. Then one of the guys spoke up that he felt just the opposite; for him the luxury was having only two choices - streamlined and easy. It kind of spun my head around to hear that. I know that the simplicity theory goes for clothing as well. A well edited wardrobe of a few favourite pieces that are at your fingertips every morning... Sounds nice, but it's not me. I like choices and the freedom to decide based on my mood, whether I'm feeling spicy chai or soothing chamomile, chunky knits or flowing layers.

Polina Uagen by Emre Guven for Marie Claire Turkey

2011-11-02T20:17:00.000-07:00

Aren't these stunning pictures? I was never a big magazine buyer, with the exception of a monthly copy of Vogue. A couple of times a year when I was in school I'd splurge on a fancy foreign fashion magazine, after poring over my options in the bookstore to make sure I was choosing the best one. Then I'd keep it for years as it cycled down the food chain from treasured and pristine to eventually being cut up for collages. But these days we're so spoiled. Every magazine at our fingertips on the internet - Marie Claire Turkey? Who even knew? But thank you!

Ghouls

2011-10-31T21:06:00.000-07:00

It was a pretty low-key Halloween, but I participated, which isn't always the case. The Fax, below, didn't actually perform, they just pretended for some pictures! Oh well. Below that, Tyler as the scariest devil fairy, and Krista as a doll. I think we were all feeling kind of tired, so we didn't last very long at the party.

Tonight we did candy duty with some friends and just ran out of candy and blew out the jack-o-lanterns a few minutes ago, which was perfect timing as the proportion of older costume-less kids was starting to increase. Lots of cute little ones though: monkeys, princesses, Spidermen, dragons, pumpkins. One little guy actually thought we were inviting him into the house and wandered right in following the bowl of candy. Mom snagged him pretty quick, but I assured her that her two year old would be happier watching Top Chef and eating Gummi Bears with us.

snapshots

2011-10-29T19:35:00.000-07:00

Ha ha, I just figured out how to use the camera on my computer. I'm about to head out to hear my friend's band play at a Halloween party, and this is my go-to costume, Mod Girl. Just makeup and a cute vintage dress! But I can wear warm tights and comfortable boots!

wind-up

2011-10-27T21:21:00.000-07:00

The sordid love-triangle continues: fashion mags, Tim Walker, and the broken-down doll.

We lap it up, don't we? It's just so pretty and awkward.

The blouse above reminds me that I still haven't decided what to do with the brown-on-ivory polka-dot silk organza I have stashed away at work. I hate the feeling when I only have enough fabric for one garment; no second chances.

an unflattering light

2011-10-25T19:11:00.000-07:00

Oh, the sunlight is gone by the time I get home from work. How sad. Especially since I was looking forward to capturing the wonderful emerald green of this silk blouse. Trust me, it's beautiful!

colour creatures

2011-10-24T19:02:00.000-07:00

I love these paintings by artist Jennifer Davis. Her work can be found on Etsy. I just bought a new sketchbook and I'm trying to get back into the habit of drawing more often.

preview

2011-10-22T20:30:00.000-07:00

Gorgeous pictures featuring Rooney Mara, the actress starring in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. I didn't read the book, though if I had been paying attention I could have read it over the shoulders of the hundreds of people I've seen reading it on the bus over the last few years!

Fall glow

2011-10-20T20:44:00.000-07:00

The layering season has begun. As has the season when this katsura tree seems to glow with all of the sunshine that it has absorbed all summer - and it will just be getting prettier for the next month.

Frida Gustavsson by Andreas Öhlund for Elle Sweden

2011-10-19T21:48:00.000-07:00

It took me a minute or two to figure out exactly why I loved this editorial so much. Sure, the styling in great, the hair and makeup is enviable, and the collars...! But look at her pretty face, doing all sorts of interesting things. Smiling, squinting, gazing - like a whole range of human emotions! I thought that was kind of neat, and a nice departure from models who have one look and stick to it in every photos. Versatility is not to be undervalued!

Mod Love

2011-10-18T19:01:00.000-07:00

OK, I'm not nearly as cool and the girls in the last post, but I'm working on it. The eyeliner is going to take some practice. I know that to get the best effect, I really need to use liquid eyeliner, but that's certainly not happening at seven in the morning with five minutes to do my makeup. The story behind this dress is that it belongs to my boss's wife, and she sent it to work with him months ago for some alteration that he has since forgotten. I just couldn't keep walking past it. I though it deserved a little test drive, and I'm sure she wouldn't mind!

retro

2011-10-15T18:37:00.000-07:00

Last night, as I was waiting at the salon, I came across this spread in V Magazine and I was so excited that I almost ripped it out. Then I remembered that the internet would probably make that unnecessary... Don't those girls look amazing? I've got my hair freshly cropped, I have pointy black shoes and some funky pants, and while I don't do turtlenecks, I am going to practice my eyeliner skills. Well, it's something to aspire to...

Houndstooth would go well with this look, too. It's a pattern that's been showing up more than usual this fall, and I like it. I have a houndstooth skirt that I love, and through some semi-sneaky maneuvering I have a houndstooth shift dress to wear a couple of times. I came across these shoes below somewhere, and they made me think that if I came across something similar at the thrift store, I probably wouldn't say no. In grade seven I had a pair of houndstooth leggings; they were awesome. See, it's all cyclical.

Kamila Filipcikova by Stefano Moro for Amica October 2011

2011-10-11T19:49:00.000-07:00

I love this photoshoot! It's not just the clothes, though the sleeves in the last picture are amazing, and the leather belly-button belt in the middle is perplexing. The lighting and the model and the tree - the tree is gorgeous! It makes me want to head over to the park with my camera to find some low branches.

two things

2011-10-06T20:18:00.000-07:00

Kate Moss still looks totally phenomenal, doesn't she? I read about her recent wedding in Vogue magazine, and I have to say, for a big, expensive celebrity wedding, it looked pretty lovely. All English county charm and vintage elegance. She did a successful job turning her image back around after all the drug scandals and debauchery.

On another note, I think we can call this month Uggtober in Vancouver. I've noticed that the number of Uggs on otherwise cute girls increases exponentially every day since the end of September. Oh yeah, Vancouver was voted the third worst dressed city in the world, so I guess we have a reputation to uphold!

Haider Ackerman

2011-10-05T20:17:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty sure that my favourite collection for the spring was Haider Ackerman. It was all so beautiful; these are just a few of the gorgeous offerings. The colours are so inspiring, and the structured draping, the shoulders, the layering - it all pushed my fashion buttons. Looking at it all makes me want to run in to work tomorrow morning and start tossing olive satin onto mannequins. Instead of, let's see, finishing the hems of a pair of chiffon pants for a mother of the bride.

spotty

2011-10-03T19:47:00.000-07:00

The time is right for polka-dots, isn't it? I know lots of designers are showing them in kind of a graphic, modern way, but I'm such a fan of vintage, girly dots. All of these dresses
are from Etsy. I especially love the blue and white one below. I have some polka-dotted organza at work that might make a blouse in a similar style if I ever have time.

untitled

2011-10-01T17:42:00.000-07:00

Chicken as high fashion accessory!

2011-09-30T20:32:00.000-07:00

I love this Depression Era inspired editorial featuring Kendra Spears! Now that the fall weather is upon us, I'm really in the mood for longer skirts, and I got some great tights for my birthday. No chicken yet though...

HB

2011-09-29T20:07:00.000-07:00

I have the greatest friends in the world! This is my birthday pumpkin-pie, which followed an amazing home-cooked meal, generous wonderful gifts, and an evening of relaxing and perfect socializing. And all I had to do was show up. It was almost a surprise, minus the stress and secrecy of an actual surprise! It was the perfect start to my next year. Thanks girls!

tied up

2011-09-28T19:59:00.000-07:00

I have a couple of really beautiful silk scarves, but I don't know how to wear them. I feel a little bit silly doing a full-on head wrap or turban, and unless I was going for a ride in a convertible I don't think I could pull off the look below, but I can't just let these beauties sit in my closet. I'm going to make an effort to try a couple of the neck-bow ideas above, and hey, if it's not working for me, I just take it off, right? It's not like a hideous blouse that I have to put up with all day or go half-naked!

Hmm, somehow she makes it looks so effortless!

Wedding Belle

2011-09-26T21:05:00.000-07:00

I spent the weekend at a friend's wedding in Central Washington. I only took pictures for a few hours in the morning, but there was a beautiful warm light in the cabin where we stayed. Brides are always so gorgeous! I spent the rest of the day being a bridesmaid, but I'll share more pictures when I get some.

Looking ahead

2011-09-21T19:13:00.000-07:00

I kind of don't want to get ahead of myself, but it was hard to resist having a peek at some of the Spring collections. The colours in this collection by Jill Stuart are so pretty and I love the silky prints. I just can't do the head-to-toe black thing, I'm not that person. Colour is too much fun, and I'm constantly surprised that different shades and combinations can look so fresh and interesting season after season.

Yesteryear

2011-09-20T19:22:00.000-07:00

This beautiful lacy top fooled both of my bosses. They both asked if it was an antique, and if they were convinced, then it's worth ten dollars (!!) at the thrift store. It doesn't have a real label in it, but it still had the little baggie with the spare button on the inside, and the care label is all in Japanese. The only thing I recognize is a phone number, so I might investigate a little further, just out of curiosity. I'm pretty sure the fabric is a silk and cotton blend, and there is a lovely variety of different lace trims, and all those sweet pintucks!

They say that this is the last day of sun, so I wore shorts to take advantage of it. The knee socks helped with the cool morning!

words

2011-09-19T21:01:00.000-07:00

I need to get used to typing on my new laptop - you know how every keyboard is just a little different? So I'm just going to write a blog post about a few things that have been on my mind.

Firstly, the power of positive thinking. Cheesy when I put it that way, and I'm not talking about The Secret, using your thoughts to attract the things that you want. What I've been thinking about is just trying to look at life from a more optimistic perspective. I don't think that I'm a negative person, but sometimes it's easy to get sucked into complaining or groaning about life, and maybe I'll make an effort not to do that. There can't be any harm in trying to enjoy life more, or at least focusing on happiness. Today, when I was doing basic stuff (looking at pants at the thrift store, canning pickles, taking a nap) I reminded myself how much I love doing these little things, you know? Like rolling over in bed and thinking - wow, this is so amazing and comfortable, I love napping! My life is packed full of things that are good and I should celebrate them more.

I'm also going to try to upgrade things that I don't like to things that I don't mind. It's not realistic to be all hearts and flowers and love everything, but certain things can be allowed to roll off my back, like waiting in lines, doing the dishes, being almost out of gas. I'm curious to see how my outlook changes if I make an effort not to worry about these little things. Again, it's kind of trite self-help junk, but a little experiment like this can't hurt. In this same category will be to try to stop worrying about upcoming events I'm not looking forward to. Who knows, maybe they will turn out better than I think - they usually do, in fact.

OK, second topic is fashion week. Specifically, all the coverage of all the well dressed ladies at all the shows. Every style blogger photographs the same couple of dozen bloggers, models, editors etc., and every outfit shows up so many times; it's just so boring. You know that they all dress with the knowledge that they will be broadcast around the Internet, and it seems so carefully crafted and obvious. I miss photos of regular girls wearing interesting outfits, spontaneously looking cool, going about their business. That's so much more inspiring to me than professional muses striding from show to show and "candid" shots of overly styled ladies talking on phones, clutching designer wait-list purses. Once is enough, but those same outfits get re-posted so much it almost becomes a parody. Oh, but I wasn't going to complain. So how can I put a positive spin on something annoying? Well, I won't waste time looking at style blogs, so I'll have more time to do better things. And hey, good for those ladies, it's great publicity for their magazines and whatnot, and maybe it raises the profile of the designers they wear, which is good for the fashion industry. Yes, good for them. I'm not even being sarcastic!

fall shopping spree

2011-09-18T20:01:00.000-07:00

Big new purchase today, and no, not fall fashion related. I bought a new laptop! The old one, which was a loaner from my brother, had a little run in with a splash of red wine, and finally got beyond the point that I could deal with the glitches. That, plus the broken screen, broken hinge, and wonky start-up... So this new baby is my first ever computer of my own! Decades of sharing, borrowing, and co-computering have come to an end, and it's kind of empowering to be able to choose my own wallpaper and set my own bookmarks and stuff. It's also nice and light and sleek and I spent as little money as possible so I'm not panicking with regret.

Cooler

2011-09-15T19:47:00.000-07:00

A change in the weather means not having bare legs for the first time in ages, and wearing a few new things I've been saving for cooler times. I finally bought the oxfords, and I'm very happy with my purchase. They are really comfortable, and make me in the mood for boyish clothes and fun socks.

I also love this rustic print denim shirt. It's very 70's rec-room/ sleeping bag. I'm excited about wearing lots of long sleeves now!

Labour Day (not quite) Long Weekend

2011-09-07T20:50:00.000-07:00

Life is so busy right now. Between work and renovations and a social life and all this sunshine ( and a broken laptop?) there's just no time for blogging. But that's OK, I'm having lots of fun, and once the rains begin I'll be back in hibernation mode. This past weekend my friends and I met up in Nanaimo for the best ever surprise spa baby shower for the lovely and adorable Marissa. We had such a good time and it was a much needed break from drywall dust!

2011-09-01T20:50:00.000-07:00

While I don't have any desire to be going back to school next week, I might kind of want to dress like I'm going back to school. I felt like this was my take on a nice school uniform, thought the blouse is much too sheer to pass inspection. I found the prettiest bra to wear under it at the thrift store though; very modest, no padding or underwire, more like a camisole. That's all I want in a bra these days - soft and simple.

narrowing it down

2011-08-30T21:19:00.000-07:00

These ones are from Aldo - definite contenders, but they are nicer in black. I like the detail on the edges and the narrow contour. I tried them on today, and it's always hard to tell with leather shoes because they might stretch out, but I think they are pretty comfortable.

Orlando

2011-08-28T19:21:00.000-07:00

Oh Tilda Swinton! Oh costumes! I have a list of movies to watch while Karl is out of town, all the ones he'd roll his eyes at, and I watched Orlando tonight and it's so good. It's a little bizarre, a little surreal, spanning centuries and genders, but it's wonderful to watch. I remember when it came out in 1992, because there was a beautiful feature in Vogue, but I could never find it in the video store. Thanks internet.

Next I'm looking forward to watching three movies about Coco Chanel!

Stacy Page

2011-08-24T19:29:00.000-07:00

I love these pieces by Stacy Page! They give a fantastical new life to old photos, and the skill and imagination put into each one is magical. It's almost like the true personalities of the people in the photos are showing through. I wonder if the embroidery is done right onto the original pictures, or maybe they are transferred onto fabric, or backed with something more stable. Because there's a lot of thread happening in some of these pieces.

How to wear oxfords:

2011-08-23T20:05:00.000-07:00

I'm still thinking about a fall shoe purchase. I went to the mall with a four year old on Sunday and she told me that they look like boy shoes, but maybe I'll just wear them when she's not around. Below are some examples of girls looking cute in boy shoes. If celebrities can pull them off, why not me?

Rosy Glow

2011-08-22T17:46:00.000-07:00

What a great weekend! I took an extra day off so that I could fit in all the fun: concert, road trip, BBQ, visiting out of town friends, shopping, PNE, plus lots of chores and cleaning. It's summer; gotta cram it all in!

Fall Footwear

2011-08-17T19:36:00.000-07:00

As much as I love the summer, my thoughts start turning to fall by the middle of August. What will I wear? Is there anything I should be saving up for? The other day I was thinking about what to do when I have to wear something other than sandals, and I don't feel like I have "real shoes". I have little garbage runners that I wear to work then try to remember to change out of before any customers see me, but they certainly aren't stylish or professional. I love the look of all these Oxfords, but I don't want anything that makes my feet look big, or have too masculine a vibe. Would these look good with jeans, pants, leggings? There are the lighters, almost jazz-shoes looking ones, but I definitely need something sturdy and waterproof-able. I might have to make a nuisance of myself and go to the mall after work every day for a week and try them on with a bunch of different outfits. And then, black or brown?

mustard and purple

2011-08-16T19:16:00.000-07:00

We are finally getting some really wonderful sunny weather. Nice and warm and sunny but not swelteringly hot. I'm so happy that it looks like I'll have some more shorts weather, because I've found a few cute pairs at the thrift store lately, including these purple and mustard floral ones.

I have promised my husband that this clematis will be subjected to some drastic pruning this year. Our mail carrier is getting frightened.

Claws

2011-08-15T17:29:00.000-07:00

Why can't I stop? I am surprised at how much I'm liking the snazzy nails; now it kind of feels like a waste of perfectly good creative real estate not to do something interesting with them!

neck-tivity

2011-08-12T21:01:00.000-07:00

More beautiful neck details. And above, a hairnet detail. Hmm... I love the photos below of the stunning Jessica Stam. It's so nice to see that her distinctive face is still so in-demand among all the interchangeable clones.

Adorable! I want this whole outfit!

Making it Work?

2011-08-10T18:24:00.000-07:00

I was at Superstore the other day, buying a new ten dollar cardigan to replace my old, holey ten dollar cardigan I bought there four years ago, and I kept being drawn to these pants. They were in the sleepwear section, so I fought the impulse several times, but I couldn't get out of my head how much they reminded me of some of my favorite Dries van Noten collections. But they're PJ's. But I eventually tried them on, attempting to talk myself out of them. I couldn't do it. For fifteen dollars, I figured I could find something to wear them with that would cancel out the lounge-y vibe. I puzzled it over for a while, because I knew I'd hate it if I wore them to work and was self-conscious all day that I looked like I had just rolled out of bed. The top can't be at all sloppy or too casual - no tee-shirt, tank-top - and has to be the opposite of sleepwear. So I went through my closet this evening trying on anything I thought might fit the bit. Some of the results were good, some not so much.

leather?

orange knit?

shearling?

cotton print?

big sequins?

drapey wrap?

cream button-down?

forest-green corduroy?

with massive sleeves?

Any opinions?

detail

2011-08-09T16:44:00.000-07:00

Look at the amazing detail on these peices! I'd love to hunt this down in person just to take a good look at it. It's hard to tell how the fabric was made - woven like that, with different borders and panels? all done by hand?? I haven't been able to find out who the designer is either. It'll just have to haunt my dreams.

Time on my hands!

2011-08-08T16:36:00.000-07:00

I was so inspired by my fabulous, professionally fancified nails, and I missed them so much when I eventually had to have them taken off, I got a little creative on my own. It was fun, but only to be attempted when I have lots of time - not to be rushed. We were watching a pretty bad movie, so I had plenty of time to be meticulous. It won't last a fraction of the time that the pro job did, because I don't have the fancy gel stuff, but it's cool to know that it's possible. The flowers are just little stickers from the dollar store, and the blue nail polish is For Audrey, by China Glaze.

neck action

2011-08-06T20:12:00.000-07:00

Perhaps the detail for this fall will be interesting neckline detail - the evolution of the snazzy collar craze? I noticed these neck parties in an Aline Webber photoshoot. Maybe inset bib details and contrasting collars would be a good use for my bits of special fabrics. Chiffon? I got a beautiful but damaged scarf the other day... hmm...

Menagerie

2011-08-05T19:59:00.000-07:00

Another sunny day; it feels so good to wear all the shorts that sit around in my closet getting lonely all year. Actually these ones are new, Escada, from the thrift store but I don't think they'd ever been worn.
And what's the print, you ask? Take a closer look... elephants, turtles, and four leaf clovers! If I wore these with the blouse from the last post, I could host a children's nature program!

summertime rolls

2011-08-03T19:02:00.001-07:00

Nothing says summers like macaws and tropical greenery, right? In fact, with all of these vines on our front porch, a parrot or two might fit right in. I had to ponder this top at Value Village for a minute or two before I decided I loved the crazy print. One of those things that could go either way.

put a bird on it

2011-07-26T19:24:00.000-07:00

My blouse, that is. Ever since I saw that Portlandia skit, I inwardly groan when I see a bird on something. Not that I'm quite over this blouse, but the birdification of every surface is unavoidable.

Ha ha, when I looked that video up on Youtube, I also found a great Put A Bird On It (all the seagull ladies) Beyonce video spoof. Some people are so smart!

Two fun things

2011-07-25T18:57:00.000-07:00

1. This rainbow house is in San Francisco, and is either a good reason to save all those almost-empty cans of paint, or to get a job at a paint store. Oh yeah, happy Pride Week!

2. The video below is a TED Talk about wearing only second-hand clothes. It's a fun five minutes.

peach and tangerine

2011-07-23T18:51:00.000-07:00

This looks like a perfect summer outfit. I'd love to find a calf-length silk skirt, especially in this honeydew pink. Sure I could make one, but that kind of takes the fun out of it. I'm hoping for a sunny day tomorrow: get some house and garden work done, then see where the sun takes me!

Dress Day

2011-07-21T19:09:00.000-07:00

I've had this cute vintage tulip print dress for years, and I can't even remember where I bought it, and even though I only wear it once a year or so, I can't bring myself to give it up. It's perfectly cute and easy to wear, and has pockets and little buttons on the straps. I think it's earned it's place in my closet.

Tonight's Entertainment

2011-07-20T20:24:00.000-07:00

I'd never seen Popeye. Glad I did; not the best movie, but Shelley Duvall is the best! I couldn't find a good video of He Needs Me, but this is a good one too. She's so cute.

I never watch music videos, but I had a few minutes to kill and for some reason the TV was on Much Music, so I thought I'd see what the kids are into. This Kings of Leon video was on the countdown, and it struck me as quite reminiscent of the Smashing Pumpkins "1979", made for a new generation. It sure does make me happy that the idealization of my teens didn't look like "Back Down South".

Kittens!

2011-07-18T19:51:00.000-07:00

Lame blogging, I know, but I feel so uninspired to wear anything cute, because I wake up hoping for warm weather and then I'm sadly disappointed by cold and rain. Unlike the rest of the continent, which is having searing heatwaves. Look, Vancouver will take the excess eight degrees from everywhere else, then we can all balance out around the 27 degree mark. Doesn't that feel fair and reasonable?

The Secret

2011-07-14T18:59:00.000-07:00

THIS is the fitted white cotton sleeveless blouse with lace details I've been coveting. Isn't this how The Secret works?? I'll expect to find you in my closet tomorrow morning, lovey.

Blue stripes

2011-07-11T18:53:00.000-07:00

Karl and I both had the day off today, so after lunch we went for a nice long walk on Main Street. We browsed in a bunch of neat shops, but didn't buy anything except for a bicycle part for Karl's bike. I realized that we've become people who walk around the city saying "Remember when that was a..." or "Didn't that used to be the..." pointing out landmarks that are no longer what we think of them as. I guess the older you get, the more the world looks that way.

crazytown

2011-07-10T16:17:00.000-07:00

OK, I just got a manicure that makes me 100% cooler! It might not jive with my new non-toxic ethos, but LOOK AT IT! It's not something I would ever have thought I wanted, but I was given a gift certificate for Kaen Studio, which specializes in Japanese beauty treatments including the raddest nails in Vancouver. Mine are so tame compared with some of the masterpieces I've seen, but I love them. I just told Momo, my artist, that I like lavender and mint green and let her go to town. The technique is called BioGel, and it's just on my real nails, but it makes them super strong and lasts up to a month. I certainly won't be getting it done regularly, but as a special treat, it's pretty cool.

painterly

2011-07-07T18:30:00.000-07:00

I guess I'm not the only one with my eye on portraits lately. These images from the Christian Louboutin lookbook are based on classical paintings.

Pistachio

2011-07-05T17:56:00.000-07:00

Finally a few good, hot days in a row. Now I remember summer! No sweater required walking to the bus in the morning, windows open at night, big floppy hat in the garden - all good things!

Reality Check

2011-07-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

Last week my mom gave me a book called There's Lead in Your Lipstick, which is about all of the toxins in beauty products, and it's really worth reading. I was reluctant at first, feeling like I didn't need to know about another pile of things that are killing me that I should really spend more money on, because life seems to throw a lot of that my way these days, but it was so fascinating that I couldn't put it down. It's really well laid-out and accessible, and teaches the basics of label reading and gives suggestions of less toxic alternatives. As I read it I was running to the bathroom after every chapter to thrown out something else that was full of dangerous crap.

There are many references in the book to a website done by the Environmental Working Group called the Skin Deep Database, which allows you to look up almost any beauty product and see it's safety rating, which is really helpful The advice that the book and the website give as an underlying philosophy is "fewer products, smaller amounts, less often" which is something I can work on, I think.

I've already made a bunch of changes, and I'll continue to work on being more aware of what my skin is soaking up. In some cases, choices I've made over the last few years were reaffirmed, such as natural toothpaste and hair products. There are some things that I will continue to use sparingly, infrequently, feeling guilty every time: lipstick and nail-polish. A few of the changes were no-brainers: toxic synthetic perfume out, lovely natural perfume in. A few are works in progress: I'm cautiously optimistic after a few funk-free days with the natural deodorant, but the old stuff is still on stand-by. One was not at easy as it seemed: I'm perhaps the only person allergic to the most natural soap ever, and have an itchy full-body rash to show for it. As a result I'm going soap-free until it clears up, then I'll try something else. There are a bunch of products, mostly makeup, that I'm going use up before I replace, but I'm going to be more conscious of when I really need to wear them.

So when do I need to wear make-up? I never look like I'm wearing much, but I wear a range of products most days. I can forgo lots of things on the weekends, but at work I like to look pretty put-together. The big thing for me is mascara, because my lashes are so invisible, I feel like I look weird without it, but I'm trying to tell myself so what if I look weird? Going to the gym, for example: some girls look great at the gym, full hair and makeup, smelling great... but I went without a stitch of makeup yesterday and felt fine. There are two pressures at work, I think. One is my own vanity. I want to look nice, in case I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I'd rather not think, Eh, should have worn mascara, but I think that's something I can get over. The second thing is this feeling that I owe looking pretty to people. It's that What Not To Wear ethos: how dare you go out in public like that? But who cares? In some situations, like the gym, or grocery shopping, or a weekend outing, I'd rather assume that no one is freaking out if I'm not fully painted. Anyway, I know I'm rambling, but I guess it's an evolution, finding what products work for me, and what I'm comfortable with.

the standard complaint

2011-06-30T19:57:00.000-07:00

Shall I just schedule a stock post in which a complain about the weather? It's getting a little repetitive, I know, but I'm feeling cranky about the lack of anything resembling a summer. We get one day of sun, then a week of "cloudy with a chance of showers, possible sunny breaks", but the showers happen with more consistency than the sunshine. The forecast is always crappy with a hint of optimism three days away, and those three days just keep getting pushed further into the future. Blah. And it no good for the garden; it looks like May out there. Still lettuce, that's the only bright side.

Flimsy

2011-06-28T19:52:00.000-07:00

I got this cute little cloud-blue silk top at Value Village last night, along with another little sleeveless silk top. I just scan the racks for silk these days; it's so light and soft and looks dressy but is so easy to wear.

Wedding Day

2011-06-27T20:04:00.000-07:00

Mary's beautiful wedding was on Saturday, and I'm kicking myself now for not taking more pictures! I was lazy and just wanted to enjoy myself, and it looked like the wedding photographers were taking care of business. I didn't even get a good shot of the bride, but trust me, she was a knockout. These are just a few pics of some cute wedding guests.

Serendipity

2011-06-22T19:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, people were giving me funny looks on the street today. I did not plan this outfit. Here's what happened: I knew I wanted to wear this skirt, and I thought I would wear a blouse that I have at work, but when I tried it on when I got there I decided it was too see-through. Luckily I have several options at all times in the shop, and I picked this. What goes with navy with white polka-dots? Red and white seersucker, duh! I felt a little bit like a member of an obscure religious sect, especially with the severe haircut and minimal makeup, though Little House on the Prairie schoolmarm was also suggested. Perhaps two of my favorite looks!

The festivities continue...

2011-06-21T19:52:00.000-07:00

Somebody clever remembered a camera, so here are the girls in the hotel lobby after tea. The concierge arranged us all; he had obviously done this before!

Irresistible goodies!

Later that evening we went out to dinner and dancing. I don't really do clubwear anymore. OK, I really never did clubwear, but in my advancing years it's totally not happening, but I got such an awesome compliment from a friend's sister who just got in from Berlin for the wedding. She said that from the haircut down to the shoes I looked straight out of Berlin. Couldn't have asked for a nicer compliment!

Teatime

2011-06-19T17:12:00.000-07:00

The lovely Mary is getting married next Saturday, and today we had a bridal shower tea for her at the Wedgewood Hotel. Tonight there will be more festivities, but it was such a perfect afternoon that I thought it deserved a post of it's own. I only took one picture: the guest of honor looking at her gifts with glee, but I hope I get copies of other people's pictures because everyone looked so cute. You know when you get a server to take pictures? I think three cameras is about the tolerable limit. You see the smile turn to a grimace when she gets seven of them...

I designed these pieces. The skirt is so pink it's funny. I figured that if there's ever an event to which it is appropriate to wear pink and ruffles and a big bow, it's a bridal shower. The shoes belonged to my grandmother. She gave them to me years ago, but I've only worn them a couple of times because they lack the modern comforts like cushioning and stability. Great for sit-down events though!

Let the heat wave begin

2011-06-16T20:14:00.000-07:00

I'm still excited for summer dressing, though summer is taking its time materializing. All photos from Mr. Newton.

Holy Hannelore

2011-06-13T21:40:00.000-07:00

Love these super-luxe interiors. Where are my velvet drapes and paisley wallpapers???

Spending Spree

2011-06-11T18:20:00.000-07:00

Chartreuse and acid yellow in How To Spend It magazine. I love the 70's disco glossiness and the big hair, partly because it's a look I would never even attempt. And what about the name of the magazine? How To Spend It? I love it and I hate it. It's cocky and clever, and it reminds me that I have none of It to spend!

Thursday after work:

2011-06-09T19:08:00.000-07:00

Yes, I need a haircut. Now that I have short hair I have much less tolerance for shagginess. I made an appointment for next week, so I just have to resist the urge to start chopping at my bangs for seven more days. I'm so happy that these loafer/moccasins fit now. They used to be just a smidge too tight, but now I can wear them all day without a blister.

Strides

2011-06-08T19:20:00.000-07:00

Two great shots and great looks from Tank magazine. I don't know why they are so small!

Signs of Life

2011-06-06T18:57:00.000-07:00

Oh, I love the sunshine. I think we skipped spring and jumped right into summer, but I'll take it. I'm not much of a flower gardener, but there is some blooming going on. If only I could replace the vast tracts of weeds with pretty flowers. Right now I'm envying my neighbors with pretty peonies in their gardens, so if I ever make some room I might try my hand at peonies.

Black on Blue

2011-06-04T20:40:00.000-07:00

Yay, sunshine!! As I was taking pictures after work Blackie Fluffers came for a visit and then proceeded to roll around on the sidewalk on his back. Cats sure do know how to enjoy themselves. Oh, you can really see behind me how out of control those buttercup weeds are! Damn the damp!

Portraits

2011-05-31T19:51:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about portraits lately, for a few different reasons. At Christmas, I had my portrait done by the artist my mom works for, and it was a really cool experience. Then we started watching The Borgias on HBO, and in a couple of scenes it is mentioned that having one's portrait painted was in vogue, and we see the Pope's mistress sitting for a portrait, holding a lamb which will be transformed into a unicorn. I've also seen a couple of episodes of a Canadian show that airs on Bravo called Star Portraits, in which three portrait artists depict a celebrity, who then decides which piece is his or her favorite. It's a really interesting show, because you get to watch the artist work, and they talk about their process etc. And most recently, I read this article, which is about a controversial art authenticator who claims to have developed a new technique for detecting forgeries. He's asked to authenticate a portrait that is possibly by Da Vinci, and ultimately decides that it is, which makes the drawing worth millions of dollars.

All of this led me to look at lots of portraits online. These were just a few of my favorites:

sweet sunday

2011-05-29T17:24:00.000-07:00

What a good day. Sunshine on my day off, gardening, a nice long walk, gym, grocery shopping - pretty productive, and I think I've earned a bowl of ice cream after dinner! I had to make the denim shorts of my dreams from a pair of thrifted high-waisted jeans. Karl laughed at me, but that's only fair, seeing as I laugh at him sometimes!

The View

2011-05-26T19:42:00.000-07:00

I saw this photo on a (mostly) fashion blog based somewhere in the States, and something about it seemed kind of familiar. Those trees, that shoreline; sure enough, it's Quadra's neighbor island, Cortes. And a beautiful house that has been built there, right on the water, with fantastic views through walls of windows. It's really worth checking out the rest of the pictures here.