This artful, stunning editorial in i-D Magazine, featuring model Alana Zimmer superimposed upon herself in a variety of different shots, reminded me of that excruciatingly painful hour and a half. Oh, how poorly misguided that young man was...
4.17.2009
i've no patience
Today my friend Erin and I were at an open house for the realty company we work for, and, as it was a sloowwww three hours, we came prepared with lots of fash mags. Much to our complete dismay, a guy who lived in the building decided that he wanted to stop by and then STAY FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF. Just him. With just us. Talking to us about absolutely nothing except his own boredom, while remaining completely ignorant to our very BLATANT social cues which included, but were not limited to: my rampant texting, our very involved side conversations about fashion and what we want to wear this summer, and an endless perusal of magazines. At one point, after a devastating hour of so of his dreadful company, he decided to enter into our discussion by looking over our shoulders and commenting that he "didn't understand the point of fashion, because most people won't wear any of those clothes anyway." Not only was this 21+ year old wearing an Aeropostale tee-shirt (making anything he said about clothing completely and immediately null and void), but I was so annoyed at his presence that I completely went off on him, going on about the art of it all, and how not all fashion is made to be worn to the grocery store. He quickly saw that he had touched a nerve upon which he should not continue pressing, and finally left twenty or so minutes later, leaving Erin and I greatly relieved and free to discuss what we wanted without uneducated interruptions.
This artful, stunning editorial in i-D Magazine, featuring model Alana Zimmer superimposed upon herself in a variety of different shots, reminded me of that excruciatingly painful hour and a half. Oh, how poorly misguided that young man was...
This artful, stunning editorial in i-D Magazine, featuring model Alana Zimmer superimposed upon herself in a variety of different shots, reminded me of that excruciatingly painful hour and a half. Oh, how poorly misguided that young man was...
vampiric splendor
If there's one thing that you'll ever need to know about me, it's that when I fall in love with something, I become obsessed. Ambivalence is not my thing...when I love something, I love it to an extreme.
Thus my new love affair with Noot Seear, a Canadian model who may or may not be appearing as a vampire in the second Twilight movie. Hey, at least I'm honest. I could hide my deep, unbridled love for young adult vampire romance, but I choose to rise above that and embrace it, channeling it into something intellectual and a chance to learn about new people.
I'm also good at bullshit.
But, my bullshit does not dispute the sheer beauty of this photo shoot for Double Magazine, shot by Italian photographer Francesco Carrozzini, featuring Ms. Seear. I love color and sparkle and whimsy and uber visual stimulation...but no matter what, I'll always be most attracted to shadow-filled blacks and whites.
Obviously this shoot inspired my new header image, which will probably change often. I loved the last one, but it was so big, it was off setting the formatting of the blog. This isn't terribly better, but it works for right now. I should learn more things about the internet. I'm sure it would really come in handy.
Other lovely Carrozzini images:
Helena Christensen for Muse Magazine
Thus my new love affair with Noot Seear, a Canadian model who may or may not be appearing as a vampire in the second Twilight movie. Hey, at least I'm honest. I could hide my deep, unbridled love for young adult vampire romance, but I choose to rise above that and embrace it, channeling it into something intellectual and a chance to learn about new people.
I'm also good at bullshit.
But, my bullshit does not dispute the sheer beauty of this photo shoot for Double Magazine, shot by Italian photographer Francesco Carrozzini, featuring Ms. Seear. I love color and sparkle and whimsy and uber visual stimulation...but no matter what, I'll always be most attracted to shadow-filled blacks and whites.
Obviously this shoot inspired my new header image, which will probably change often. I loved the last one, but it was so big, it was off setting the formatting of the blog. This isn't terribly better, but it works for right now. I should learn more things about the internet. I'm sure it would really come in handy.
Other lovely Carrozzini images:
Helena Christensen for Muse Magazine
4.16.2009
just stomp around
I've been an errand-running machine recently. My head constantly filtering through the one billion things I need to get done during every spare moment of my day. And although I always throw a pair of flip flops or flats in my bag for days like this, I actually want to be stomping around in the likes of these:
Looking at pairs of thickly heeled, "i'm going to fuck you up" shoes always centers me.
*all photos taken from jak and jil, fashion toast, sea of shoes
Looking at pairs of thickly heeled, "i'm going to fuck you up" shoes always centers me.
*all photos taken from jak and jil, fashion toast, sea of shoes
4.15.2009
behold, stall door heaven
Aside from my obvious and overwhelming attraction to fashion-related imagery, I am generally more immediately impacted by inspiration in a linguistic sense...things I read, turns of phrases, quotes, etc. Although I do consider myself to be a creative, I'm working to expand my creativity in a way that includes more visual imagery. Furthermore, I'm wanting to document things that inspire me visually so that these images can be compiled and archived into a great black hole of things that I find visually arresting and have impacted me in some way or another.
I was at a bar last Thursday and was told upon my announcement that I needed to use the restroom that the bathrooms were "really cute." Imagine my delight when I discovered that the stall doors contained the likes of this:
I liked this image a lot. Smoking may be bad for you, but looking at pretty woman doing it in curlers certainly isn't.
Lovely, no? I wish these photos better captured the visual delight that accompanied my bathroom excursion, but, as I'm sure you're familiar with what most doors to public bathroom stalls look like, you can imagine how pleased and surprised I was.
**Edit: I just noticed that if you click on the images, they get really big and show all the detail. Do ittttttttt.
I was at a bar last Thursday and was told upon my announcement that I needed to use the restroom that the bathrooms were "really cute." Imagine my delight when I discovered that the stall doors contained the likes of this:
I liked this image a lot. Smoking may be bad for you, but looking at pretty woman doing it in curlers certainly isn't.
Lovely, no? I wish these photos better captured the visual delight that accompanied my bathroom excursion, but, as I'm sure you're familiar with what most doors to public bathroom stalls look like, you can imagine how pleased and surprised I was.
**Edit: I just noticed that if you click on the images, they get really big and show all the detail. Do ittttttttt.
and, after the break...
Hello lovies! I was in the great state of Iowa visiting my family over the Easter weekend and, as you can obviously tell, took a small break from blogging and all things technological to bask in too much food, excess sleep, and coffee (et al) dates with dear, wonderful friends. I'm quite proud of myself in that I did not turn on the television once, and checked my email but twice (only to delete junk mail!)...but I'm very glad to be home and back in the swing of things. I am a creature of habit, after all...and one can only go so long without her blogging, magazines and trashy reality television (all of which was remedied tonight immediately upon my return).
And how lucky I was to happen up this photo shoot! A veritable homage to things I love dearly: fashion, seduction, and too many good times. Wildfox Couture is an LA-based line, inspired by all things vintage, peace and love. Cliche in some realms, but eternally applicable in all others. There is, after all, a hippie love child somewhere deep within all of us. Look on and love, as I certainly have. Their site boasts a fabulous blog, as well, filled to the brim with a mecca of evocative imagery (take note of their recent post's link to vampire teeth on amazon.com...god bless vampires).
I adore the lips, nails, pattern combos, and the candid photography. If you know me, you know that I prefer no picture to be "posed and ready." If you try to get me to pose, you will get my "oh my gosh, i'm so surprised to be taking this picture!" face. I don't smile regularly in photos. I either don't realize they're being taken, or I fake a candid. Therefore, I have a special love for editorials which seem to be capturing moments, rather than perfectly placing pretty people in pretty situations.
On THAT note, I was quite pleased with some magazine covers that were waiting patiently in my mailbox upon my return (bless my roommates for not checking the mail often...I always omit an audible "oooh!" whenever I see that my magazines have arrived).
W:
Amy Adams. A goddess. She is one of the few actresses that automatically inspire me to see any film in which they are involved...whether I know a thing about it or not. She's a stunning natural beauty, and I am thrilled to see someone play with that and do her up right, without taking away from her natural intoxicating appeal.
Elle:
Drew Barrymore. Okay, what girl wasn't inspired by her freakishly amazing autobiography (maybe just me...I was a...unique child)? But seriously. This underwater cover is just lovely. SHE is lovely. I am pleased.
Marie Claire:
Whatever...say what you want to about this magazine. Is it great for high, Paris Vogue, W style fashion? No. Does it have great articles, some pretty clothes, and is it perfect for gym reading? Absolutely. Is Rachel McAdams riDICulously stunning on this month's cover? YES. As well as a marker of what we should all want to look like when we're 34? Umm...without a doubt. Kate and I were discussing earlier tonight how she was like, 27 when she did Mean Girls...even though she was playing a 16 year old. Genetics have done this woman good.
On a final note, I'm so ready for Spring to have sprung. I waaaaaaant to buy the printed maxis and metallic flats that I plan on living in over the warm months. I just find it hard to do when I'm still relying on my winter coat. I don't even love summer...I'm just looking for a little seasonal consistency here, please. If Spring will give itself to me, I will surrender to it. A fair compromise, I feel.
xoxoxoxo, lovies.
And how lucky I was to happen up this photo shoot! A veritable homage to things I love dearly: fashion, seduction, and too many good times. Wildfox Couture is an LA-based line, inspired by all things vintage, peace and love. Cliche in some realms, but eternally applicable in all others. There is, after all, a hippie love child somewhere deep within all of us. Look on and love, as I certainly have. Their site boasts a fabulous blog, as well, filled to the brim with a mecca of evocative imagery (take note of their recent post's link to vampire teeth on amazon.com...god bless vampires).
I adore the lips, nails, pattern combos, and the candid photography. If you know me, you know that I prefer no picture to be "posed and ready." If you try to get me to pose, you will get my "oh my gosh, i'm so surprised to be taking this picture!" face. I don't smile regularly in photos. I either don't realize they're being taken, or I fake a candid. Therefore, I have a special love for editorials which seem to be capturing moments, rather than perfectly placing pretty people in pretty situations.
On THAT note, I was quite pleased with some magazine covers that were waiting patiently in my mailbox upon my return (bless my roommates for not checking the mail often...I always omit an audible "oooh!" whenever I see that my magazines have arrived).
W:
Amy Adams. A goddess. She is one of the few actresses that automatically inspire me to see any film in which they are involved...whether I know a thing about it or not. She's a stunning natural beauty, and I am thrilled to see someone play with that and do her up right, without taking away from her natural intoxicating appeal.
Elle:
Drew Barrymore. Okay, what girl wasn't inspired by her freakishly amazing autobiography (maybe just me...I was a...unique child)? But seriously. This underwater cover is just lovely. SHE is lovely. I am pleased.
Marie Claire:
Whatever...say what you want to about this magazine. Is it great for high, Paris Vogue, W style fashion? No. Does it have great articles, some pretty clothes, and is it perfect for gym reading? Absolutely. Is Rachel McAdams riDICulously stunning on this month's cover? YES. As well as a marker of what we should all want to look like when we're 34? Umm...without a doubt. Kate and I were discussing earlier tonight how she was like, 27 when she did Mean Girls...even though she was playing a 16 year old. Genetics have done this woman good.
On a final note, I'm so ready for Spring to have sprung. I waaaaaaant to buy the printed maxis and metallic flats that I plan on living in over the warm months. I just find it hard to do when I'm still relying on my winter coat. I don't even love summer...I'm just looking for a little seasonal consistency here, please. If Spring will give itself to me, I will surrender to it. A fair compromise, I feel.
xoxoxoxo, lovies.
4.11.2009
4.09.2009
good day, good people
Today, my dear friends, is a wonderful day, because I found out that I got into the School of the Art Institute Chicago for grad school, in their New Arts Journalism program! I'm insanely excited...so ready to be learning again (I love school, in a really nerdy way), excited to be writing, to be studying fashion journalism, AND excited that -- in continuing on with our life path of being EXACTLY the same -- Kate will also be there, studying Arts Administration! I'm also insanely thrilled about the fact that I now have a two year plan, and that it doesn't involve career burden. I can slip back into the safety of being responsible only for learning; toning down the volume on the "how the hell am I going to start my career?" soundtrack that has been looping with an unfavorable crescendo inside my poor little head for the the past year. I'm so not a fan of that stress.
Also, because my dear, dear friends at twentythirtyforty.net are the most wonderful people on the planet, you should check out their blog, which features a lovely homage to sassafras! They have their new photo editorial up, too, which is a stunningly brilliant accessories shoot. AND, they're going to start a monthly rotation of the Proust questionaire, featuring different designers from the lines they carry. So it's a very exciting time for them and their faboo site. I have an article going up there soon, which is recession themed, highlighted by an interview we did with Chicago boutique owner Helen Yi. It was a great interview, and so much fun to have the store opened just for us so that we could play and take pictures without disturbance.
Pictures of her lovely merch:
I just loved this jewelry tree. And how it's captured in this photo, with the purses to the left and the lovely framing of the dress behind it. I wish jewelry grew on trees.
Isn't the draping of this dress to die for? This is Matthew Ames, Helen's current favorite. She just couldn't stop raaaaaaving, and after seeing this, she was quite justified.
I love a good, blinged out bangle.
These photos are, by no means, an accurate representation of the delectable pieces Helen's boutique boasts...I'm just a lazy photographer who gets easily distracted by shiny baubles.
Also, because my dear, dear friends at twentythirtyforty.net are the most wonderful people on the planet, you should check out their blog, which features a lovely homage to sassafras! They have their new photo editorial up, too, which is a stunningly brilliant accessories shoot. AND, they're going to start a monthly rotation of the Proust questionaire, featuring different designers from the lines they carry. So it's a very exciting time for them and their faboo site. I have an article going up there soon, which is recession themed, highlighted by an interview we did with Chicago boutique owner Helen Yi. It was a great interview, and so much fun to have the store opened just for us so that we could play and take pictures without disturbance.
Pictures of her lovely merch:
I just loved this jewelry tree. And how it's captured in this photo, with the purses to the left and the lovely framing of the dress behind it. I wish jewelry grew on trees.
Isn't the draping of this dress to die for? This is Matthew Ames, Helen's current favorite. She just couldn't stop raaaaaaving, and after seeing this, she was quite justified.
I love a good, blinged out bangle.
These photos are, by no means, an accurate representation of the delectable pieces Helen's boutique boasts...I'm just a lazy photographer who gets easily distracted by shiny baubles.
4.07.2009
proust questionaire
Two things that I love very deeply include literature and YSL. And since YSL had an intense fascination with Proust (so much so that the house he lived in, when he died, was redecorated with each of the rooms designed and named after famous Proustian characters), and I've been wanting to do something unique in a post, I thought it would be lovely to complete the famous Proust questionaire (I also have a weird love for filling out surveys, questionaires, etc.). Although this questionaire was not originated by Proust, it was made famous by the remarkable answers he submitted while answering the questionaire as a "social game" at when he was 13 and 20 years of age.
I'm not Proust, but I have some strong ideas about things ;).
And because I don't think a fashion blog post is complete without images...here are some images I've come across in my blogging recently that I found delightfully spectacular:
I'm not Proust, but I have some strong ideas about things ;).
Proust Questionnaire.
Your most marked characteristic? stubbornness, perseverance, sense of humor, intense sass
The quality you most like in a man? intelligence, sense of humor, loyalty, spontaneity
The quality you most like in a woman? sense of humor, passion
What do you most value in your friends? sense of humor, spontaneity, passion, loyalty, trustworthiness, an appreciation and love for doing and constantly learning
What is your principle defect? i'm too hard on myself
What is your favorite occupation? fashion journalist, stylist, most things independent and artsy that aren't 9-5. i can't handle a routinized schedule
What is your dream of happiness? being a successful fashion journalist, loving someone who loves me, and being constantly surrounded by dear friends and lots of activity. i'd love for all of that to be highlighted by an amazing wardrobe, lots of travel, and ever-changing new experiences
What to your mind would be the greatest of misfortunes? three things:
1. working a job that you hated
2. never being in love with someone
3. not having a strong relationship with your family, and not having at least one best friend/soulmate
What would you like to be? happy, loved and successful
In what country would you like to live? france
What is your favorite colour? black, cerulean, coral
What is your favourite flower? gerber daisy
What is your favorite bird? mmm, ravens. and seagulls, because i was really surprised by them when i moved to chicago they were everywhere (there are no seagulls, or beaches, in iowa)
Who are your favorite prose writers? haruki murakami, ernest hemingway, oscar wilde, john irving, stephanie meyer (i knowwwwwww, twilight. it's fine)
Who are your favorite poets? allen ginsberg, sylvia plath, oscar wilde, william shakespeare, edgar allen poe
Who is your favorite hero of fiction? edward, zooey, dorian gray,
Who is your favorite heronine of fiction? franny, esther, ruth
Who are your heroes in real life? my mother, ysl, kate
What is it you most dislike? dishonesty. and i really, really dislike any decision that favors "playing safe" over going for what you want. always take risks.
What natural gift would you most like to posess? ever present charisma, fearlessness
How would you like to die? peacefully, or something terribly romantic
What is your present state of mind? content
To what faults do you feel most indulgent? shopping, eating
What is your motto? everything is relative
Your name or Pseudo? amanda, barb, man man, barbsy, peanut
And because I don't think a fashion blog post is complete without images...here are some images I've come across in my blogging recently that I found delightfully spectacular:
4.06.2009
nothing wrong with a little sex and kate moss
I am quickly weakened by things and people that seduce. I adore seduction, especially in fashion, as I believe that fashion and sexuality are inherently connected.
Perhaps its all the press surrounding the Topshop opening in NYC, but I've been seeing a lot of photos of Kate Moss circulating recently. And, frankly, if she's not the epitome and fashion AND sex...I don't know what is. She embraces confidence and seduction in every move she makes, and I adore her bare-all, no-bullshit attitude. A true rarity in the fashion/celebrity world...she has no stylist, and no qualms about embracing nakedness (which does not equate to porn, thank you), beauty, vices, and a desire to exist spontaneously.
W did a tribute editorial to Ms. Moss in 2003 (can you tell that I have a deep weakness for W editorials?), and I'd like to share. Sex and fashion. It doesn't get any better than that.
A 2007 "Dreamgirl" photo shoot:
Perhaps its all the press surrounding the Topshop opening in NYC, but I've been seeing a lot of photos of Kate Moss circulating recently. And, frankly, if she's not the epitome and fashion AND sex...I don't know what is. She embraces confidence and seduction in every move she makes, and I adore her bare-all, no-bullshit attitude. A true rarity in the fashion/celebrity world...she has no stylist, and no qualms about embracing nakedness (which does not equate to porn, thank you), beauty, vices, and a desire to exist spontaneously.
W did a tribute editorial to Ms. Moss in 2003 (can you tell that I have a deep weakness for W editorials?), and I'd like to share. Sex and fashion. It doesn't get any better than that.
A 2007 "Dreamgirl" photo shoot:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
