Unknown Legend

After watching Rachel Getting Married for the fourth time this morning, and crying for the third time as Rachel's husband to-be sang Neil Young's, Uknown Legend, as his vows, I finally realized just how gorgeous those lyrics truly are. I have been a long time Young fan and I decided to look up the video. Pegi and the boys tell Young's story quite honestly in the stunning back drop of a black and white Rte 66.

Neil Young - Unknown Legend
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Mood Motivator

One of my favorite lil blogs is the quirky, creative lil bee. Way back in 2009, she created a brilliant self-motivation program called The Five Things Project. It's pretty simple and basically allows you to create those New Year's resolutions all the time! Whenever you are feeling down, I find that making a list of personal goals can be so fulfilling.

Five Things I Want to Accomplish Each Day:

1. Run.

2. Take off my makeup before bed.

3. Find magic.

4. Read.

5. Write a letter to someone just to let them know I care.

Five Things I Want to Accomplish This Year:

1. Get a College degree.

2. Take a long-distance road trip.

3. Skydive.

4. Find a place to call home.

5. Go to Rothbury music festival

What's on your list?
If you create a list you want to share with others, you can send it to lil bee and she'll post it as a feature on her blog!

A Nostalgic Accessory

First and foremost, I'd like to apologize for my long winded absence over the past few weeks. I have nothing but multiple chocolate-driven couch comas and the luxury of On-Demand television as my excuse for this blogger disappearance. Instead of updating you on my boring Connecticut life(less)style, I'll just jump right back into it!

Tim Walker Photography

Tonight, the forecast predicts temperatures to dip below zero, so I anticipate seeing many Saturday nighters out and about in their warmest hats and gloves. We are all accustomed to the wool, the cashmere, the burly, and the knitted. It is winter after all! What we are not so used to, is the old fashioned tea gloves. My close friend, Elizabeth, was recently sporting a sleek pair of black cotton gloves during one of our typical sushi and martini nights out. Despite the fact that she bears a striking resemblance to Betty Paige, the elegant look of a 1950's model immediately popped into mind. Why have we neglected the use of such an accessory? Just some time ago, these gloves were worn as a sign of wealth, class, status, and grace for a women in society. It must have been difficult to do minimal tasks, but overall, the outfits looked simply stunning during the days of Audrey, Grace, and Ingrid. Elizabeth had attained these from her grandmother and informed me that she put aside two pairs for me. Overjoyed, I'm looking forward to compiling some glamorous outfits with the vintage pieces.

The best places to purchase the tea gloves are through vintage sellers like E-bay or Etsy.

Gloves in Fashion

Tim Walker

Vogue

Vintage 

Fairytales Do Come True

Alice in Wonderland

Snow White

Cinderella

Rapunzel

Wizard of Oz

Hanzel and Gretel

Puss in Boots

Food for the Soul

Now that finals have ended, term papers are completed, and a semester of stressful senior work is over, it is time to unwind. I have unpacked and nestled back into my mom's home in Connecticut for a month of some serious rest and relaxation while prepping for the holiday's and a new year. Amongst the typical hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, cookie decorating, and cocktail hours with my hometown favorites, I have made it a point to read at least four books over the next month. Yes, that means at least one book a week. If I don't do it, I will not fail myself like my English professor, I will not denounce myself with unsatisfactory effort, and I refuse to wallow in guilt. This is purely a vacation goal for my intellectual pleasure and these are the books I have chosen to read (or re-read; for love of the written word does not one easily overcome) :

1. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (one of my all-time favorites)

3. The Road by Cormac McCarthy

3. Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold

4. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett (adored the movie, but never read the book!)

What will you be reading over the Holidays?

Texturize, Mesmerize, Fashionize

As the great Alvy Singer once said, "everything our parents said was good for us, is bad: sun, milk, red meat, college!" Let's face it, the rules of life have completely changed and things are now left  to our own spontaneity, by means of social appropriateness of course. With spontaneity, obviously comes creativity, and in fashion, that means the magic of mixing and matching textures of fabrics. This kind of blending has been evolving for quite some time now. As I was browsing a gorgeous Kate Moss editorial discovered by dapper kid from 1992, I realized how relevant her outfits were in the scheme of this current season's wardrobe. The mixture of feathers with tweeds and embroidered tights with lace-lined skirts; it is all such an elegant backdrop to a decade that was neither the 90s nor now. Despite the historical relevance, mixing textures creates a mesmerizing attraction and an irresistible high fashion look.

Lady Luck

1. Corset- TopShop $46
2. Embroidered Jacket- TopShop $139
3. Feather Skirt- Lia Kes $199
4. Beige Croc Pumps- Mario Bologna $362
5. Handbag- Miu Miu $940
6. Feather Veil Top Hat- arden b $28
7. Corset Waist Belt- Yves Saint Laurent $248
8. Vintage Pearl Earrings- 1928 $18
9. Les Folies Noirs Eyeshadow- Chanel $60
10. Damage Lipstick- NARS $24
11. Papa Don't Peach Blush- Too Faced $20
12. Perfume- Chloe $110

Personal Style Inspirations

The Charmed Life

I have been shamelessly obsessed with the Olsen twins since their toddler days on Full House. But it was not until I noticed their faces on the covers of Marie Claire, Elle, and Vogue that I became fashion inspired. The girls changed my ideas about the norms and constraints of personal style and allowed me to realize that inspiration is everywhere and there are no boundaries. 

For me, personal inspirations come from colors in nature and delicate antiques, like tea cups or chandeliers. I think the earth knows the best color palettes, particularly in Autumn when the trees introduce the ideas of wearing orange with mustard yellow and the ground proves that moss green looks great with burnt red. Antiques bring out an elegance and grace of things that are old and appreciated. They inspire a look that can be replicated in dainty florals, soft lace, and glowing crystals. Creativity, imagination, and confidence are what makes a statement. 


Mary Kate warms up the December cover for Nylon and makes some fabulous remarks about what inspires her personal style backstage at the shoot.

What inspires your personal style?