Bursting

Something, Blackbird, I Will, I've Just Seen a Face, Penny Lane, Norwegian Wood, Michelle, All My Loving - The Beatles.

Thirteen, Rock of Ages, On My Way, Falling - Ben Kweller. The Longest Time, Vienna - Billy Joel. Skinny Love - Bon Iver.

Four Winds, First Day Of My Life - Bright Eyes. Quelqu'un m'a dit - Carla Bruni. Photobooth, Your New Twin Sized Bed, Earth Angel, Title and Registration, Passenger Seat - Death Cab for Cutie.

The Crane Wife 3, Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then), Sons & Daughters - The Decemberists. Insomnia - Electric President. Somebody That I Used to Know - Elliott Smith. London Town - Emily Loizeau and Andrew Bird.

Valley Winter Song - Fountains of Wayne. Philosophia - The Guggenheim Grotto. One Man Wrecking Machine - Guster. Collide (Acoustic Version) - Howie Day. Jardin d'hiver - Keren Ann.

Sunday Morning - Maroon 5. Float On, Paper Thin Walls - Modest Mouse. Time of No Reply, Man in a Shed, Fly - Nick Drake.

Fireflies - Owl City. Nightswimming - R.E.M. California - Rogue Wave. Complainte de la Butte - Rufus Wainwright. Young Pilgrims, New Slang - The Shins.

The Only Living Boy in New York, I Am a Rock, The Sound of Silence - Simon & Garfunkel. The Boy With the Thorn In His Side, There is a Light That Never Goes Out - The Smiths. All That I Want - The Weepies.

Fashion Toast, La Douleur Exquise, For Stars Will Rise Again

I know I just did a photography post, but I have come across so many beautiful pictures in the past few days that I cannot help but share them. La Douleur Exquise has the most gorgeous collection of photographs I have ever seen, in all seriousness.

And the songs. I tend to make playlists for each season, so here is my autumn music. Some new things, some old things, a little more serious than my summer tracks, a little more painfully lovely. I hope you know or listen to at least a bit of it, and if not, then I hope you have your own music that makes you feel as comforted and inspired as all this music makes me feel.

I am just bursting right now. There are so many beautiful things in the world. Photographs, music, seasons, books, stars, poetry, people... it all makes me happy to be alive.

Garage Antics

Sylvia and I at it again! We have deemed our tradition of snapping outfit shots, scarfing down pasta, and scurrying off to rehearsal Photoshoot Monday.

My mom snagged this coat for me at the thrift store. I am so in love with the color, it's the perfect vibrant shade of pumpkin orange. So right for fall! Now I match all the lovely trees.

This shapeless silk dress has surprisingly proved one of the most versatile pieces in my wardrobe. With the help of one measly safety pin, it becomes the most chic blousy top imaginable. I got lots of compliments on it today, but it was relatively embarrassing changing for gym when I had to unpin the thing and pull off my potato sack dress in front of everyone. Ahem. The process of putting together a complex outfit should definitely remain behind closed doors!

Finally, a pair of high-waisted pants! These are so comfortable and fit perfectly, and rolling them up gives them the most retro fifties feel. I love the volume of the top juxtaposed with the slim cut of the bottoms. As you have probably discerned, I love balancing silhouettes like this.

Normally when we take outfit pictures together, Sylvia and I never match. Not only that, but we usually clash horrifically. By some sartorial twist of fate, our colors complemented each other flawlessly today - at least we thought so! This is just a little sneak peak of her outfit, but hopefully she will blog further about it soon!

Vintage wool coat, Forever 21 cardigan, vintage silk dress worn as top, vintage Ralph Lauren pants, Converse sneakers, Urban Outfitters necklace

I wish I had gotten a chance to blog this weekend, but I was insanely swamped with a U.S. history project that counts for twenty-five percent of my first quarter grade. Yikes! I literally spent twelve straight hours on it yesterday, and I think it turned out alright.

Tell me, what are you all dressing up as for Halloween? Dressing up any other day of the year never gives me problems, but when it comes to Halloween I am always disturbingly uncreative!

P.S. I had a delightful time looking at all the inspirational blogs you guys mentioned! I really love knowing what inspires everyone.

Lovely

The Selby, the girl who tamed the tiger on Flickr, Nicholas Haggard, The Fashion Spot, The Cherry Blossom Girl

Some of the prettier things that have caught my eye lately.

I spent about an hour yesterday poring over photos of Sasha Pivovarova. She is definitely my favorite model, and I love how soft and classic and glamorous she looks in these photos. The Cherry Blossom Girl might be my favorite blog ever. Every photo Alix takes has this dreamy delicateness about it. Her life is so beautiful! The Selby has a similar magic for me.

Aside from the ones I already mentioned, the ladies of Cheap Thrills, Sequin Magazine, and Ambiguous Alliterative Abomination always post the most incredible photos (both their work and otherwise). I like to troll their archives when I feel uninspired!

What blogs or photographers do you visit when you are craving something lovely?

Technicolor

Sylvia (who, by the way, has a delightful new blog that you should all visit immediately!) and I ended up doing a little impromptu photoshoot after school and before Our Town rehearsal today. The Liberace jacket strikes again!

We actually started with the idea to take pictures by my deliciously creepy shed, but my favorite photos were the ones Sylvia took by this pretty red-leafed tree in the very corner of my backyard.

I love the quality of this photo, like a still from a glamorous old movie. The sunlight was so perfect and crisp and autumnal today, and it turned everything all sparkly.

I couldn't resist throwing some leaves in the air. And some smiling pictures for once! When Sylvia photographs me, I can't help it. She's my favorite photographer.

This shot and the next one are possibly the most colorful photographs of myself I have ever seen (and yes, I edited them a bit, but still). They feel like something out of The Secret Garden or Willy Wonka. I love how warm and saturated and technicolor everything looks. The leaves are hot pink!

Vintage jacket and camisole, Forever 21 skirt, gifted tights, vintage suede and cork wedges, earrings from Portobello Road in London

I know you've seen most of these pieces before, but challenging myself to find fresh ways to wear old things (and then sharing them with you) is what keeps blogging and getting dressed in the morning exciting for me!

That said, I have many unfulfilled fantasies regarding my fall wardrobe. Currently I am lusting for a sequined blazer (I have seen a great one from H&M that I am dying to get my hands on), little bodycon skirts, jewel toned tights, colorful blazers, a cozy circle scarf, a warm pair of ankle length leggings... the list goes on and on. What are you craving for the colder months?

Crazy Legs

Vintage cashmere sweater, Hue tights in Cosmos, vintage leather boots, vintage pink wool blazer, Forever 21 tee and skirt, Hue tights in Bordeaux, really old Ann Taylor oxfords, vintage Gucci blazer, Forever 21 tee, vintage purple skirt, gifted purple tights

A few outfits I wore lately, all incorporating my favorite fall accessory: colored tights. They are such an inexpensive, easy way to kick an outfit into more stylish territory. Plus, they keep me warm! (But the real reason I love tights is because they allow me to be obscenely lazy about shaving my legs.) I really want a few pairs in jewel tones like bright emerald and ruby red.

The cashmere sweater used to belong to my grandfather. It's insanely soft, and just long enough to pass as a dress!

I came about the pink blazer under some very odd circumstances, but suffice it to say that it's really warm, fits beautifully, and satisfies my craving for a brightly colored blazer perfectly! I am currently on the hunt for mint green and aqua blazers too.

The Gucci blazer I got at the thrift store where I volunteer. Since it had been there for more than a month (I have no idea how!), it was going to be sent out of the store, and I snagged it just in time! I love how it buttons.

Sorry for such a quick post, but I need to get dressed and head out for dinner to celebrate my brother's fourteenth birthday! We're going to a fantastic tapas restaurant with the best churros I have ever eaten - so psyched. Hope you all have stellar starts to your weekend!

Skin Deep

I have been feeling disgustingly ill since yesterday morning. Despite my best efforts to combat my cold (with endless mugs of tea, bowls of soup, and too many Advil caplets to count), I slept fitfully through most of today and woke up feeling feverish and totally gross.

So, my solution to feeling better? Lusting after cosmetics. After all, when you feel icky both inside and out, making yourself a little prettier never hurts.

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum Spray. I have sung its praises many times before, but I have yet to get my hands on a bottle! The scent is heady enough for autumn and winter, but also floral enough for the warmer months.
Benefit Georgia. Not quite blush, not quite powder, it would make my pale, sickly face look healthy again! And the packaging is ridiculously adorable.
Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Liner in Baked. I own this in a different color (Air Guitar, kind of a silvery blue), but my friend owns this fantastically gold shade and as soon as I tried hers on I was smitten. Is there anything more festive then insanely glitter eyeliner?
Urban Decay Liquid Liner in Perversion. Normally I use pencil eyeliner, but I have been craving a more dramatic look lately. This would definitely fit the bill for the perfect matte black liquid eyeliner.
Philosophy Melon Daiquiri. Every time I step into a Sephora store, I feel the overwhelming need to sprint over to the bath and body section and sniff every Philosophy product in stock. Feeling the way I do now, I cannot imagine anything more delicious than taking an insanely long bubble bath with an entire bottle of this dumped into the water.
OPI Nail Lacquer in Give Me Moor. As soon as the weather turned chilly, my fantasies of the perfect dark nail polish began. This nearly black inky purple is sophisticated, gorgeously autumnal, and an unusual alternative to black.
Stila Lip Glaze in Brown Sugar. I almost never wear lip gloss anymore. For the most part, I find it sticky and irritating, and lipstick provides much better color anyway. Stila Lip Glaze is the only gloss I can stand, mostly because of its delicious flavors. I have tried the brown sugar and it goes on the perfect warm, slightly shimmery color, not to mention it tastes delicious.
Benefit Erase Paste in Fair. Another product I have tried on at Sephora. It worked stunningly well to cover up my dark circles. Which, after tossing and turning sweatily all night, are much too pronounced for my liking.
Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil. The powder to end all powders! A few of my friends have it (meaning I have used it on many the occasion), and I really need to get my hands on a jar. It's so silky and sheer and totally amazing.

Just looking at all these delightful products has made me feel a little better! And now the savory, garlicky smell of homemade chicken noodle soup is wafting under my bedroom door...

Madeleines

I cannot think of a better way to start the weekend than with my favorite iced Starbucks concoction and a packet of imitation French cookies! They might not be true madeleines, but they are too delicious for me to really care.

When I choose to take a break from soy chai lattes, this is my drink of choice: a nonfat vanilla latte. The hot and cold versions are equally delicious!

After waking up feeling totally hideous yesterday morning, and therefore dressing like a complete slob, and therefore feeling even worse, today I needed to sartorially and mentally replenish myself. This ostentatiously pink shirt felt like the right move. And I had a splendid day! It just goes to show how much what you wear changes your attitude.

Eating madeleines reminds me of Paris, and more specifically the creative writing class I took there. In the class we read the famous passage from Remembrance of Things Past by Marcel Proust about his involuntary memory triggered by eating madeleines dipped in tea. If you like French literature and yummy things, you should read the excerpt!

Vintage Gap skirt, vintage blouse, Urban Outfitters belt, Hue tights, vintage leather boots via eBay

While I am on the topic of French artistes... I have been listening to "Claire de Lune" by Claude Debussy nonstop for weeks on end, and it's one of the most gorgeous pieces of music I have ever heard. I did a bit of research about it, and the movement is based on the poem "Claire de Lune" by Paul Verlaine. I just have to post the poem here because it is so stunningly beautiful.

Votre âme est un paysage choisi
Que vont charmant masques et bergamasques
Jouant du luth et dansant et quasi
Tristes sous leurs déguisements fantasques.

Tout en chantant sur le mode mineur
L'amour vainqueur et la vie opportune
Ils n'ont pas l'air de croire à leur bonheur
Et leur chanson se mêle au clair de lune,

Au calme clair de lune triste et beau,
Qui fait rêver les oiseaux dans les arbres
Et sangloter d'extase les jets d'eau,
Les grands jets d'eau sveltes parmi les marbres.

~

Your soul is a chosen landscape
Where charming masked and costumed figures go
Playing the lute and dancing and almost
Sad beneath their fantastic disguises.

All sing in a minor key
Of all-conquering love and careless fortune
They do not seem to believe in their happiness
And their song mingles with the moonlight.

The still moonlight, sad and beautiful,
Which gives the birds to dream in the trees
And makes the fountain sprays sob in ecstasy,
The tall, slender fountain sprays among the marble statues.

I am currently enjoying a relaxing evening at home in my pajamas, then celebrating the sixteenth birthday of my darlingest friend tomorrow night! I hope you all have fantastic weekends ahead of you.

Yohji

This is the Yamamato-esque piece I mentioned in my last post. I call it a piece because I still cannot figure out exactly what it is! Some kind of skirt pant harness hybrid. In any event, very bizarre and very cool, I think.

At first glance, it looked like a skirt! But I pulled it off the rack and realized immediately that it was... something else entirely.

I guess they are pants, but the legs are so obscenely wide and draped that it looks like a skirt. Also, they are not quite legs because the fabric doesn't wrap around all the way - meaning, this is a very dangerous garment to wear on a windy day!

In any event, they are made of the most gorgeous black wool, and have pockets! Two very good qualities in my book.

I could wear the pants with a zillion things, but I wanted to follow through on my inspiration, hence the all black. But once the weather starts to get actually cold, these might be making more appearances!

Vintage weird wool trouser things, vintage Calvin Klein bodysuit, incredibly old Ann Taylor oxfords, vintage blazer

I took these photos yesterday, and the weather was so crisp and autumnal and lovely that I couldn't resist snapping some pictures of my backyard. This was the only one I really liked. So... meet my shed! I think we keep gardening tools and moldy lawn furniture in there, but I feel like it has so much potential!
If I can repair my tripod (or hopefully purchase a new one soon) then I will definitely take more pictures by the shed. It would provide such a creepy-yet-couture backdrop, non? Especially at this time of year.

My friend Chris created this word cloud courtesy of Wordle, using my blog page as the source text! The words most used on the page show up the largest. Isn't that so funky? Try it with your blog and see what words you write the most.

Catchup

To begin, I actually had the most insanely fun time at our homecoming game on Friday. Rather than actually watch the game, I helped sell hot cider and popcorn to raise money for our theater club. We doled out drinks for a dollar each from portable burners and sang at the top of our lungs to any customers and admirers who would listen (mostly Beatles tunes and perfectly harmonized renditions of "Happy Birthday"). After the game, a bunch of friends and I piled into various cars and went for chocolate chip pancakes and milkshakes at the local diner. In short, it was a perfect night.

The second I saw this photo of Alix, I think I literally squealed out loud. We share a love for vintage floral combat boots! Magnificent.


I am so excited to see Coco Avant Chanel. Does it seem to anyone else that Audrey Tatou appears in every single film that is vaguely related to being French? Well, not that I have a problem with it, considering how adorable and quintessentially française she is. These photos are from a terrific interview on the Elle website with Catherine Leterrier, the costume designer. Definitely take a few minutes to read it and check out the rest of the pictures!


I first came across Purple Label on some blog or another, and after just a few looks at their simple, flattering, and insanely reasonably priced pieces, I am positively in love with this brand. All the tanks and shirts drape so beautifully, and the muted color palette is absolutely lovely. My favorite Purple Label piece by far is that grey jumpsuit. A casual crop top and slouchy harem pants combined into one versatile and crazily affordable piece = perfect on all counts. I hope to get my hands on it soon.

If you have never picked up a copy of Details, please do so immediately. It's more sharply written and chock full of useful lifestyle tips than most (and maybe all) women's magazines, not to mention the fact that there is usually some smoldering celebrity on the cover. The most recent issue I read included a gorgeous spread of camel coats, an article about James McAvoy, and a brief interview with Consuelo Castiglioni about men's fashion. Get yourself a copy, please!


Viktor & Rolf blew me away. Oh my goodness. They literally must be psychically tuned into my color preferences because every single one of my favorite colors is represented here. My jaw dropped when I saw that fluffy coral dress in the last row. In my book, they definitely made up for a lackluster collection last season, and made up for it about ten times over.


Karl Lagerfeld actually made me sigh. I love how the collection is centered around shorts and everything still feels like the most classic and ladylike clothes anybody could put on. The silhouettes are absolutely perfect, and here are my favorite colors again! This has gotten me so psyched for Chanel.
Some other favorites collections lately: Fendi, Marni, Lanvin, and Isabel Marant. I will refrain (at least for now) from posting in detail about these, so suffice it to say that I loved just about every single look in all of them. How has Fashion Week Month been treating you all?

On Saturday I discovered the most incredible piece at the thrift store that, the second I held it up in front of me, reminded me instantly of last season Yohji Yamamoto. I have started playing around with it and you will definitely see it soon! It's much more dramatic than what I normally wear, but it's such a gorgeous thing. I might even ink black hearts on my legs to really get in the spirit!