Heralds of Spring

The first whiff of sunshine and flowers in the wind has brought an increase in class note doodles, whimsical daydreams, and girls busting out their florals. Guilty as charged. Granted I was praying for sunshine and acceptable weather so I could don my new silky dress. I have never been a fan of florals, but this kensie version was such a cool, classy take on a romantic staple that I just couldn't resist.


A wonderful day spent in the company of an old friend I hadn't seen in a while. Our quest for the perfect lighting and excellent surroundings led us to an old textile mill and the site of the Steeplechase, of all places. I felt much more adventurous when not wearing my 4-inch pumps. If you'd like to follow the order of events - the lighting started out bright on our Steeplechase promenade and ended in the golden tones of sunset at the old textile mill.

And to meet the photographer, who has already made an appearance:

These are the products of a joyride and a Sonic-infested diet.

Dress - kensie

Flats - Gianni Bini

Hat - Target

 Bracelets - World Market

Ring - Arden B.

Lady of the Lake

My obsession with taking creative, quality pictures has led me to situations both dangerous and wild. Yesterday, teetering along on my 4 inch heels, I, the picture of trusting innocence, followed my friend to a 'really cool place by the lake/river(whatever it is)'. Squeals and near-death experiences awaited me as at times I had to be carried down steep pathways (read: muddy and not good for 4-inch heels). Only serves as another reminder as to why Mother Nature and I don't talk often.

My friend was right - it was a beautiful, neglected place and the tentative sunset tinged the water.

I emerged a lady of the lake! Resplendent, if shivering, in light cream fabric (I think we see a trend - my obsession with cream and black)...it was all very otherworld-esque.

What have I been doing with my life previously? What kind of self-respecting (Victorian gentlemen...woman...fashion slave?) lacks a pocket watch? Never mind the fact that I can hardly tell time, I feel like I've been cheated out of 16 years of my life. And now I want MORE. Got it from THE most hipster store Pangaea - you pay for the atmosphere and the occasional sighting of a hipster in his or her native habitat. 

Blouse - Guess

Skirt - Express

Belt - Express

Bag - Olivia + Joy

Heels - Kelly & Katie

Pocket watch necklace - Pangaea

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Bohemian Sunshine

An alternative title could be : Flirtatious Pumps - just look at the coy little bows on my new kelly&katies! Black pumps are the Holy Grail of all basic wardrobe building and I am ashamed to say I just got mine. However, not only did they comprise part I of my "How to Walk in Heels and Not Die" training, they also reinvented my spring dress for the period of 2-3 weeks of disproportionately brumal weather we Nashvillians call Winter.

More action with my 'baby' today - playing around with aperture and shutter speed.

Perhaps it's the pocket watch necklace I bought, but I'm feeling like a very attractive vagabond Victorian gentleman. Or like a ragamuffin, which is how I'm dressed. Let's affirm : The only thing that can make a man more attractive than Armani Code is a pocket watch. One that he must obnoxiously take out all the time because he just needs to know what time it is (or more like show it off to attract the ladies).

Not let me go teeter off to some dilapidated cafe where I discuss radical political philosophies while partaking of absinthe in the company of fellow genius artists. Like the wannabe Bohemian I am. 

Dress - American Eagle

Top - kensie

Bag - Olivia + Joy

Jacket -Macy's

Shoes - kelly & katie

Pocket watch necklace (I cheated, I know) - Pangaea

With Abandon

Turned out spectacularly well considering how slapped together this outfit was.This was one of those days that I "dressed with abandon" and surrendered to inspiration garnered from the Universe. Not to sound too New Age. 


My precious baby (clarification - my Canon EOS DSLR), the mysteries of whom I am still exploring (read: pressing random buttons in rapid succession and hoping nothing breaks), took these wonderful pictures. The focus, however, is not my woolen skirt or my new sweater, but my red pout. Where has lipstick been my entire life? Like any color-obsessed female, I have always felt drawn to makeup, but my large eyes are too much for most eyeshadow, throwing me into the welcoming arms of lipstick. Kate Moss' new line of Rimmel cosmetics is amazing - wearing one of her creations.

The idea was Industrial Decay, but somehow it got twisted into Brunette Marilyn Monroe shots.

Wool skirt - Kensie

Sweater - Bar III

Tights - Cynthia Rowley

Lace cami - American Eagle

Rimmel lipstick in 08

Booties - Naturalizer

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Inspiration : Chocolat

 When marooned in such an in-between season such as January - February in Nashville(and marooned at home due to a tepid snow day), I find my fashion inspiration turning to the enchanting and ultimately posh world of chocolat. C'est l'art, n'est pas? I can easily see the bows, the frills, the neutral palette filling my wardrobe at the start of the year. 

As a side note, I need that mug.
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Dearly belated 2011

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I beg forgiveness as I am still in time for Russian Orthodox Christmas (January 7th), Old New Year (January 13th) and Chinese New Year (January 23rd).

Amidst the gifts, and rosy-tinted hues of time spent with family and friends, I have had a marvelous break from the real world. Shopping is also in an exalted stage this time of year - picked up this breezy, loose-fitting Kensie shirt and Chinese Laundry tube socks. I cannot play around with these two pieces of my wardrobe enough! Also picked up an amazing dusty pink pussycat bow Express tunic, to be debuted this Friday.

I have made it my New Year's resolution to improve the quantity and quality of my posts!

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Let Them Eat Candy!

Let no one say that a sixteen-year-old cannot go trick-or-treating! And not many people did, most were distracted by the huge creation that was perched on my head 24/7. After nearly a decade of experience in the candy-hunting arts, teenagers have got it down to an exact science/ beautiful art form. The excited clacking of Mary Janes was followed by innocent smiles and a "I like you house/dog/kid(s)" as well as a resounding chorus of "Trick or Treat!" and the sound of VICTORY - candy in your makeshift Forever 21 bag. 

I think this was a high point in my costume-making career. As the fashionable martyr of the French Revolution, the wig proceeded to win my school's costume contest. Why is it that you get more creative on Halloween as you get older?

I was not the only one to utilize the creative juices. Here we have the mandatory Harry Potter character (Luna Lovegood), Catniss from the Hunger Games, the epitome of the Nashvillian stereotype/cow girl and hipster at its' best The Raven from Edgar Allan Poe poem of the same name.

 Dress - Thrifted

 Shirt - Express

 Shoes - Aldo

Wig- Party City

Bow - ripped off stockings

   

Bisous, mes chéries!

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