Misty Water-Colored Memories

Well, my darlings, I think this is officially goodbye for now.

I promised myself that when I stopped loving blogging, I would stop blogging, so here we are. I don't really feel like explaining or defending myself, nor do I feel the need to - I sort of rambled about why I am no longer in love with blogging on my Tumblr in the wee hours of this morning, so you can read that if you want.

At least for now, my switch from blogging to Tumblring is official. Follow me there! Get yourself a Tumblr! It's really fun.

So... goodbye, then. Maybe a month from now I'll miss blogging dearly and want to come back - or maybe I'll start a brand new blog - who knows? I just want everyone to know how much it means to me that you read my blog. Seriously, blogging has made me so happy over the past (almost) year, and it's changed the way I think about personal style and fashion so much. I love you all, and this definitely isn't the last you'll hear from me.

xxx

Annie

Short & Sweet

I wore this to see The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center today. It was, in a word, magical. I might have mentioned this after I saw Romeo & Juliet, but I think that ballet is truly the most exquisite art form in existence.
I won this Yokoo for Urban Outfitters scarf in a giveaway on her blog, it's deliciously cozy and quirky and will definitely be reappearing here soon. After lusting nonstop for the magnificent knits in her Etsy shop, I am so excited to have this!
And these are the boots I briefly showed you here. I know, they have yet to make a decent appearance... soon, I promise.

Vintage lace skirt, my favorite vintage dress (underneath), Forever 21 cardigan, Yokoo for Urban Outfitters scarf, Hue tights, Aerosoles boots, vintage clutch

Sorry for such a quick post, but I am feeling a strange sense of urgency. My life is starting to become very hectic. Between rehearsals and the complete academic craziness of junior year, I feel like I am not going to have a minute of rest until the end of January. If posts become a little sparse for a couple of weeks, please forgive me! Blogging is always a bright spot when real life starts to drag me down.

Lazy Sunday

This past weekend I experienced the very definition of a lazy Sunday: mostly spent in bed filling up online shopping carts at Forever 21, American Apparel, and 80s Purple but purchasing nothing, venturing outside only for a brief while to spread out a towel and bask in the usually beautiful weather with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows for company.

The book only becomes more perfect every time I read it. Certain parts still make me cry, and probably will forever.

On Saturday we visited my aunt in Long Island. Suddenly inspired to paint my nails at her house, I dug around in her huge box of polishes and found this, which ended up being one of my favorite nail colors I have ever put on. It's OPI Nail Lacquer in Cajun Shrimp, and I can imagine it's pretty universally flattering. Bright nail polish might be the only thing to perk up my ghostly skin in the winter... I still want to get my hands on the perfect bottle of mint green!

Along with freshly enameled nails, these boots were another magnificent acquisition from my aunt. She bought them a size too small and, instead of returning them, gave them to me! They are not the sort of thing that would catch my eye in a store, but after wearing them nonstop since Saturday, I am very enamored of them.

Like I said, the weather has been crazily nice. I felt almost guilty not snapping any pictures today because it was that gorgeous out. Instead, I stayed inside and read more Harry Potter. Can you really blame me?

Many months ago I blogged about some adorable rings from an Etsy shop called Alice Pleasance. Not long after that, I discovered her blog, The Cupcake Diaries, as sweet and adorable as her handmade jewelry! I won this hairpin in a giveaway on her blog recently, and it has inspired me to want more quaint little hair accessories.

"Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the week."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Okay, every time I write or even think the phrase lazy Sunday it makes me laugh, so I think that I am required to post this link. Watch it. So. Funny.

Yes Sir, Wonderful

Our Town has really, officially ended. I am still kind of a wreck about it. Not only is it the most exquisitely perfect piece of theater I have ever read or seen, but I also got to work with an incredible cast that included some of my best friends. To everyone in the play, I miss it already.

With four days of shows and various partyish activities afterward, I have had zero time to take pictures. But I have been awarded and tagged recently by two lovely bloggers, so here we go!

From Faye: the Beautiful Blogger Award! And here are seven interesting things about myself...

I am incapable of dancing in any other manner than resembling John Travolta in Pulp Fiction.
I really do curse like a sailor.
After giving my future a lot of thought, all I want to do with my life is go to college, move to Paris, and live at Shakespeare & Co. while writing my poetry book.
Yogurt totally creeps me out.
I love piercings. Nothing too scandalous, but I would love to have about a zillion more in each ear. Getting a nose piercing intrigues me very much too, but I am definitely afraid it will hurt like hell.
I wish it were sixty degrees all year round. It's the ideal slightly-crisp-but-still-warm-enough temperature.
If the A*Teens got together for a reunion tour, I would be the first person to buy tickets.

And, from This Wheel's On Fire, seven things that I love...


Macarons.

Floaty clothing.

Calligraphy.

Chandeliers.

Beat up old shoes.

Black kitties.

The blog where I found all the photos in this post, La Douleur Exquise. Since the first time I mentioned it here, I have only fallen more and more in love with it.

I will pass the award and both of these tags for seven things along to the delightful ladies from... Darling Darling, We Were Damsels, Roll Up Your Sleeve, Happy Because, Chasing Vulpecula, Cheap Thrills, and On The Corner Of Belleview. And I promise an outfit soon, once I scrub all this hairspray out of my scalp and get more than six consecutive hours of sleep.

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?

C

This, thanks in very large part to all of you and your amazing support, is my one hundredth post.

I honestly could not imagine I would have continued with this blog very long had it not been for all of the kindness, sincerity, and inspiration I have felt since I began. So to kick off the big one zero zero, I just wanted to say the most enormous thank you to anyone who has ever read my blog, left me a comment, given me an award, or even just dropped by for a quick look. You guys make me feel all warm and fuzzy.

To celebrate the big centennial, I have spent the past few weeks compiling a list of one hundred things that I love. Silly and sincere, material and emotional, related to blogging or not, it's all in here. So here you go, in no particular order, those things in life that always make me smile, that simply by existing have made my world a happier place to be.

(P.S. All photos from weheartit unless otherwise stated)

100 Things I Love

Vintage granny sweaters. Obviously.
Completing a poem. Writing one, I mean. It's honestly the most satisfying feeling in the world.
Candles. Beautiful and romantic. Plus, matches are so much fun to light.
White Hanes tees. There are few things more perfect in their simplicity than a plain Hanes undershirt.
Soy chai lattes. So yummy, especially on cold rainy days. Starbucks just knows how to do it.

Red lipstick. I like to wear it when I audition for things. It makes me feel glamorous and not completely myself (in a good way).
Getting dressed up for no reason. Complete with jewelry and fancy shoes. It just makes me feel good!
The fresh, earthy smell of everything after a huge rainstorm. Undoubtedly one of the most refreshing and intoxicating smells ever.
Discovering a song that I cannot get enough of. Most recently, "Nightswimming" by R.E.M. and "Man in a Shed" by Nick Drake.
Going to concerts. Seeing live music is so invigorating. This was at Death Cab for Cutie, probably the best concert I have attended.

Eating breakfast for dinner. Especially at diners.
Discussing Harry Potter at length. It never gets old, and probably never will.
The smell of new books. Crispy and clean and delicious.
Yellow legal pads. I used to like writing and doodling in Moleskines, but they started to feel too intimidating. Legal pads are very unassuming and don't judge you when you cross stuff out or splotch ink (which Moleskines definitely do).
Rings. Undoubtedly my favorite variety of jewelry.

Watching the sun rise. Especially after staying up all night. It's so cleansing and tranquil.
Stargazing. A preferred activity of me and my friends, particularly when it starts to get warm out and everything smells delicious and you can hear the crickets.
Going to the movies with my mom. Usually, either we love it or we hate it. The ones we hate sometimes end up being more fun.
Hazelnut gelato. Possibly my favorite edible thing on the entire planet. It's splendiferous.
Musée Marmottan. Probably my favorite museum in Paris, and maybe in the world. The Monet collection is absolutely breathtaking.

A perfectly warm spring twilight. You know the kind. They are exquisite.
Seeing Broadway shows. I always get excited about seeing shows. There is such an amazing energy about a theater right before the lights go down.
Central Park. It completely makes up for the fact that New York City has no other greenery. Seriously, it's the perfect place to do just about anything. Especially take pictures and eat croissants with your best friend.
Visiting art museums. Aside from Marmottan, the Phillips Collection in Washington D.C. is probably my favorite museum. It's just the right size and has the most incredibly diverse art collection.
Diner coffee. So bad it's good.
The smell of old books. Decrepit and romantic and delicious.

Kinder Bueno. Hands down the best candy ever. You just can't go wrong with chocolate and hazelnut.
Peppermint tea. I drink it pretty much daily the second the weather starts to cool down. It has this magical quality of either being really invigorating or really relaxing.
Really long, hot showers. My favorite way to relax or avoid thinking about stressful things. It's impossible to be stressed out while taking a deliciously scalding shower.
Doing puzzles. I have always liked them, and for no apparent reason. They're how I keep myself mentally alert during the summer (along with playing Sudoku nonstop).
Finding a great blog. Lately I have been digging Sequin Magazine and Cheap Thrills for their gorgeous, striking photographs.

My room first thing in the morning. Somehow, no matter what the season, I always wake up with my room bathed in this gorgeous, pale light. It's really peaceful.
The first really significant snowfall of the season. That sensation of waking up, burrowed cozily under all my blankets, and just knowing there's this huge blanket of snow outside - it's the most magical thing.
Cilantro. It makes all food better, and the smell is so divine.
Thick, soft towels. There are few things better than wrapping yourself in a lush towel after a shower. These are probably the most luxurious I've ever used, believe it or not.
Staying up all night. Plain, delirious, unexplainable fun.
Plaid. Otherwise known as the best pattern ever. I will never tire of it.

Trying things on in my grandma's closet. I enjoy it as much now as I did when I was little. There's just something very magical about literally stepping into your grandma's shoes and clasping on her glittery jewelry.
Falafel. As you can see here, I always enjoy it. If you've never eaten any, please do so immediately!
A really good closet purge. Whenever I feel painfully uninspired by my clothes, I literally pull everything in my closet off its hanger, try every single item on, and usually end up getting rid of at least half a dozen things. It usually gets my fashion juices flowing again!
Going to the beach on cloudy days. Bundling up in a sweater and jeans and sitting by the ocean is such a lovely, reflective experience.
Making mixed tapes. Bestowing music upon other people makes me incredibly excited. I think making a great playlist is truly an art.

Good hair days. Probably more than most people, I appreciate when my hair behaves.
Lying on really cushy grass. One of my friends has the most incredibly soft lawn. It's amazing. You can definitely tell the difference between an average lawn and a really spectacular one.
Writing essays. I know, this is weird. But I really do enjoy it.
Entertaining reviews of musicians I like. This one in particular stands out. Blender does glorious things.
The following photograph. They're both wearing stripes! It's just too cute! Whoever got these two together, and for such a chummy picture, deserves a really big kiss.

Pictures taken against brick walls. They always seem to have such a raw, spontaneous quality.
Vintage postcards. I bought a ton while I was in Paris that have the most gorgeous old drawings and pictures of different Parisian landmarks, and most of them are written on!
Hershey bars. Chocolate in its simplest form. Pure bliss.
Listening to acoustic guitar. It's just always pretty. Especially when accompanied by poetic male vocals.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Whenever I visit California, it's the first place I go. Their English breakfast tea lattes are so delicious. Please come to the east coast!
Sequins. Always festive and always fitting. Really, when are sequins not okay?

Hugs. Both initiating and receiving them. I honestly think people who dislike hugs are just really strange. I don't understand! What's not to like about a hug?
Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf. Though I have yet to get my hands on a bottle, I tried a sample vial once and it's my favorite perfume I have ever used. It's just perfect. Really.
Plain black pumps. I rarely wear heels, mostly because I am never comfortable in them for long, but there is something so irresistible to me about simple black pumps. They're classic and they go with everything - it's about time I got my hands on a pair!
Sex & The City. Not only is it really brilliantly written, but it has the best clothes. On any television show. Ever. It will never be beat. Seriously.
Popovers. Absurdly easy to make, and so delicious under a pile of whipped cream.

Cologne. I have always contemplated wearing cologne because there are some male scents that are just better than any perfumes. Namely, Hermes Eau d'Orange Verte.
Pajamas fresh out of the dryer. Nothing is cozier. Nothing.
America's Next Top Model marathons. Or, as they are so cleverly named, "modelthons."
Trashy eighties music. Like diner coffee, so bad it's good. Lately I have been completely addicted to "Take On Me" by A-Ha. Please listen to it, and prepare for the craziest high notes you will ever hear a man sing.
Camden Market. Definitely my favorite part of London. It has such a raw, incredible energy.

Blazers. As you have probably guessed. I think they are always a perfect finishing touch, and can often turn a plain outfit into an interesting one.
Tartines. Best eaten while actually in France. After hazelnut gelato these are definitely my favorite food.
Katharine Hepburn. As I rhapsodized here, I think she is one of the most incredible women in history: intelligent, confident, poised, stylish, and audacious.
Really great museum exhibitions. Like the Cézanne installation I saw a few months ago in Philadelphia. Earlier this year I also went to an incredible Van Gogh exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Sunsets. I think this needs no elaboration.

Hearing a song I like on the radio. Since most of the music I like is never played on the radio, it feels like finding buried treasure!
Air conditioning. Although sometimes it seems that modern technology has gone too far, air conditioning is not an example of this. It's completely ingenious.
Walking home in the rain. Especially cold rain. It's so refreshing and beautiful.
Chicken fingers. As far as junk food goes, they are world class.
Hedi Slimane photography. I have posted his photos so many times, and I will probably never stop doing so. His shots of Sasha Pivovarova for the April 2008 issue of French Vogue continue to be some of my favorite photographs ever.

Shakespeare & Co. It's hard to describe exactly what I love so much about this tiny bookstore in Paris, but it has such a rich history and I am going to live there when I decide to be a struggling writer in Paris.
Figuring out the reference to an obscurely titled book. Like with The Bell Jar, it's the most satisfying and surprising feeling to come across that little reference to the title.
Pablo Neruda. I do not read a lot of romance poetry, but his writing just makes me starry eyed. It's so unbelievably beautiful.
Peonies. They are the most exquisite and fragrant flower.
Brown leather. Much more so than black. It's softer, earthier, more versatile, and somehow it always feels romantically antique.
The Hazards of Love. Definitely one of my favorite albums in a very long time. I think I spent literally about a month listening to it exclusively. Everything about it blows me away.

Slouchy clothing. Trousers, tees, boots, sweaters... anything.
Playing Solitaire on my computer. I am ace at computer card games. Seriously. They are my favorite distraction from schoolwork.
Hammocks. So lazy and lovely, and they always remind me of summer.
Swimming in my clothes. Another one of those unexplainable things. It's just so much fun.
The word glorious. You have probably figured that out by now. It just always works!
Twinkly white Christmas lights. They just make me so happy, especially wrapped around trellises and trees. It's impossible to be upset while looking at strings of Christmas lights.

Hot tubs during snowfall. There are few things yummier than sitting in an outdoor hot tub while snow is falling lightly.
Indian food. I am a fan of most ethnic food, but Indian is definitely my favorite. All the spices and meats and vegetables... and naan... and my favorite local Indian restaurant has the most incredible rose petal ice cream. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Street style blogs. They are honestly my favorite form of fashion inspiration, far above any fashion magazines or celebrities. Hel Looks is just consistently brilliant.
Camp. I know a lot of people go to summer camp, but mine is literally my favorite place in the world. For real. I spent six summers there and will hopefully return next year as a counselor, and it's hard to put into words exactly what I love about it so much. Mostly, I think I am never as much myself as I am there.
This wedding ring. If I ever decide to get married, I will never wear a traditional ring. This one was posted recently by Valerie from Bleach Black and belongs to her mother. It truly takes my breath away.

Grilled cheese and tomato soup. Definitely a camp thing. It's the ultimate comfort food combination, and always reminds me of being there.
Driving up the California coast. I have only done this once, but it was such a breathtaking experience. If you ever get a chance, definitely take the trip!
Kurt Vonnegut. I think he is one of the greatest storytellers of all time. His favorite book of mine (so far) is Bluebeard, so if you're thinking about picking up some Vonnegut I would definitely recommend that one!
Sitting on docks. Particularly just before the sun starts to set and the water is reflecting the sunlight in the most mesmerizing way.
Sasha Pivovarova for H&M. The ads are youthful, glamorous, and just the right amount of ridiculous, and Sasha is stunning as always.

Boots. Definitely my favorite variety of footwear. Right now I am craving a pair of really short, slouchy ankle boots in a beautiful brown leather.
Silk. Decadent and glamorous. I have too many oversized vintage silk shirts to count, they are such an excellent alternative to plain cotton tees.
Tattoos of stars. Nothing too big and ornate, but I love the look of tiny little stars. In my opinion, Rihanna did it perfectly.
French poetry. I bought so many books of French poetry this summer. It's kind of insane. My favorite is a collection of twenty prose poems by Baudelaire, with translations in English in addition to the original French. His writing is absolutely exquisite.
Marni Autumn/Winter 2009 Ready-to-Wear. This remains one of my favorite collections ever. The impeccable styling, the glitzy jewelry, the rich color palette and lush patterns, the amazingly versatile separates... there is not a single look I dislike.


Again, I just want to say thank you for everything. Here's to another hundred!

California Dreaming

The blazer continues to be my favorite piece in my wardrobe. I think I wore it all but one day last week.

If I lived in California, I would wear this sort of thing every day, with the perfect pairs of simple leather sandals. The skirt is so deliciously flowy and breezy and absolutely the perfect length, falling to just below my knees. Forgive me for not doing it proper justice in the pictures!

I wore this to troll a fantastic upscale vintage shop with my friend earlier today. Though I didn't purchase anything, the store was amazing, with zillions of vintage designer pieces at obscenely good prices. And if you believe in sartorial destiny, I think I met the prom dress (and shoes!) I am fated to wear. I might try to sketch and scan them for you because they were absolutely gorgeous.

You can see the remnants of my bathing suit tan! I honestly cannot remember the last time I had such visible tan lines.

Vintage skirt and blazer, Gap tank

I had the most glorious time with two friends last night. We went for a freezing late night swim in our underwear while blasting The Decemberists on the outdoor speakers, then proceeded to watch four straight hours of Trueblood. Gotta love these long weekends!


Also, thanks so much to Ruxandra for the award!

I suppose I can scrape together ten interesting things about myself...

Strawberry banana smoothies are my favorite beverage, I find Alan Rickman as Professor Snape incredibly sexy, I always feel uncomfortable wearing white, watching cake shows on television is endlessly fascinating to me, I have an unexplainable love for trashy novels, I have never seen a Star Wars movie, I wish I could be barefoot all the time, my favorite type of food is Indian, I wish I could speak fluent Hebrew, and I think ballet is the most beautiful art form in existence.

In other news, I have made it my sole mission in life to get to Fashion's Night Out in New York City this Thursday. It just sounds too amazing not to be there, and when I want to do crazy stuff I make it happen, even if that stuff is happening on a school night! If I do take part in the smashingly fabulous evening full of shopping and designers and unbelievable swag, you will be the first ones to know.