5

Summer is Over

8.26.2013

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Vanessa Mooney hand chain (silver/gold), Beso Beso pyramid ring, Datter eye ring, Diptyque Rose candle

My last weekend of summer was spent in my room, while I took some alone time to compose myself.
This is it: my last year of college.

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1

Thing I Did: Replacing Missing Buttons

8.24.2013

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Vintage shirt and pins

I'm about to take up an immense amount of space on something that is so small, you probably wouldn't notice it, but it's important, dammit.

This post is less about me getting all crafty, and more about those little moments that remind me why I'm a sartorially sentimental person. 
My mom always wore this simple, tiny gold and pearl pin, and when she finally let me have it when I was in high school, I lovingly wore it as a dainty accent on shirt collars and jacket lapels. Wearing something that is precious to you can be a grounding little experience, it can make you feel humbled and grateful for the things you love in your life, and that's exactly how I feel about that pin. There's a rush of sentimentality and tiny anxiousness, for you're worried that you might ruin or lose your piece. Every time I would look at the pin, I'd remember how beautiful it looked to me as a kid when I would catch it on my parents' shared dresser, sitting in the little antique porcelain dish my mom kept her everyday jewelry in. That pin reminds me of a time when everything was ahead, and I was wonderfully naïve.

This immensely important piece of my childhood is something I absolutely treasure, which is why I was taken aback when I saw what is essentially the same exact pin, dusty and jumbled in a mess of other tossed-aside jewelry at a flea market a few weeks back. As soon as I caught a glimpse of it, I felt confused and bewildered at how a piece of what I came to understand as a part of my mom's identity became something foreign. It was like I forgot that things are made in multiples, and it was so insane to think that a strange, orphaned twin pin was on a weathered formica folding table in Upstate New York, looked over and sold at a bargain. I wiped the dust off the delicate pearls and took it home to join its sister.

When I came back to New York, I looked at the pins and wondered what to do with them. The one my mom gave me was always worn on its own, but now I had a way to graphically balance something with parallel lines of tiny pearls. That was when I remembered that I had bought this totally excellent vintage printed blouse. It's a polyester number, nothing special aside from the print and color, but it was missing the buttons on the sleeves, and someone had previously stuck small brass safety pins into the naked corners. My metaphorical lightbulb went off, and I was able to give the shirt an extra touch of elegance by replacing the pins as buttons.

Moments like these, these long-winded, exhaustive explanations for my wardrobe choices, they give me absolute joy. Even if it's only knowledge to myself, I love knowing that the things I choose to wear mean something. Of course, everyone knows what I'm talking about here, everyone has their own share of moments like these, but it's important to remember that this is what building a sense of style is all about. Keep these moments at attention at the start of every day, and every ensemble you make will be beautiful.

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2

The Wild

8.21.2013

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vintage AE dress, Jonathan Simkhai tee, vintage Coach bag (here's one a lot like it), vintage hat, Sigerson Morrison boots, Vanessa Mooney hand chain & American Apparel gold bracelet, Onyx & pearl ring formerly my Grandmother's

Apologies if that close-up of my face is rather alarming, I realize it's a whole lotta face.

I found this lovely wide-brimmed felt hat from the 40's on Etsy. I'll put it more into a film noir-context once the weather gets cooler. In the meanby, it makes for an extra layer of sunscreen.

These are from the last time I goofed off at the conveniently located playground across the street from me. It's almost always void of anybody, really. What child doesn't want to play on a concrete elephant or propel themselves off a swing and over a fence? Oh, well, more open swings and stone Loxodonta Africana for me.

See you at water fountain laced with fragments of broken water balloons.

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0

Hello Twin (cue laughter)

8.17.2013










Is it lame to share an editorial that has a model with similar hair?
Possibly, but it gives me some much needed inspiration, so I guess here's what I could look like if I were Gierdre Dukauskaite styled by Marie Lichtenberg and photographed by Bjarne Johansson for Elle France's August 2013 issue.

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10

Big Thoughts

8.14.2013

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Illustrated People top & skirt, Pöl sweater, DIY'd vintage jacket, vintage Docs via Nifty Thrifty, vintage Coach backpack, Lookmatic sunglasses

Ventured back to Buffalo this past weekend to hang with the 'rents and briefly revert back to being a high school kid. "Growing up" has been quite an experience to say the least.

Here's how I wish I dressed in high school, which is like how my cousin dressed in high school (this is grungier than her, but she's 8 years older and actually experienced the 90's, so I'm assuming here). I nearly lost my mind when I saw the eye print on this set. Eyes, as we have learned, are, like, my favorite thing, so now that I can wear a million pairs of 'em, I'm content (but am I ever?). Wearing things inspired by eras I wasn't really cognizant for is always a funny thing, but I guess it's a form of reverting back to playing dress-up in my mom's closet in the end.

I also brushed my hair out for shits 'n giggles, which is something I haven't done for- get this- 6 years. I love how HUGE it gets! Okay, it's a little silly, but I got a kick out of it.

But back to the important issues. This summer is my last before I have to, like, graduate and become a person. This past weekend I found myself back in my high school bedroom, looking out my window, and just gazing out at the corner I shot these photos on. For the first time, I felt really, truly grateful that my parents moved us upstate and away from the city. I never would have started this blog, and I never would have known what it was like to have a backyard, or a goal that would take me places. School starts back up in 2 weeks, so this is what has been on my mind.

Excuse me while I get something to clean up this sap.

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8

Laundry Day

8.09.2013










 Vintage tee and shorts, PINK cardigan, Verameat nameplate bracelet, Doc Martens via Nifty Thrifty

LAUNDRY DAY!! I LOVE LAUNDRY DAY!!
You know what day that happens to be when you look into your closet and realize you have to throw something together from what remains. This ridiculous vintage tee (found by a sleep-deprived me at three in the morning a few weeks back while I was crazily searching the web for sleepless entertainment) is probably one of best things to don while I'm schmoozing around my apartment or doing generally nothing anyway; it's huge, it's cotton, it's destined for greatness. These Docs are my everything right now because I never find vintage Bouncing Soles that are A) Just over my ankle enough and B) In a color that is fun yet not too showy. Gotta thank the folks at Nifty Thrifty for helping me bring these into my life (Hi, guys!)

I think this was thrown together with the self-induced assurance that I could say I was inspired by Mathilda from Léon. Magali Guidasci did the creativley styled costumes for that movie,  but unfortunately the other films she has worked on have been less than stellar. Yikes.

Is it weird that I brought my camera and tripod with me to take care of my hamper contents? Maybe.
Is using said combo a great way to pass the time while yor stuff dries? Definitely.

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4

Teddy Girls, London, 1955

8.07.2013













Adore these supremely cinemagraphic photos of Teddy girls by photographer and film director Ken Russell. Before he went on to direct epic classics like Girls in Love and Tommy, Russell made an excellent little career as a documentary photographer, capturing youth culture for British news. These photos are probably some of his best known from his days as a freelance photographer in 1955. 

So who are these children? 
Teddy Girls of course emerged from the Teddy Boy look, which developed out of working-class London kids who combined Edwardian dress with American Rockibilly sensibility. The 1950's marked a short period of post-war economic downturn in England, which we are reminded of as we look at these kids hanging out in dilapidated. bomb-ravaged plots. Adopting Edwardian dress was a way of acknowledging and remembering the opulent culture of Savile Row from the generation who came before them. By the 50's the former Savile residents had discarded their velvet-lapelled jackets and brocade waistcoats, and the Teddy Boys scooped their look up but added brothel creepers and jellyroll-styled hair for a sort of dandy-rockabilly situation.

The boys started the look, but I really love the Teddy Girls, who took on the same styling principles, but added super feminine and delicate accessories to their suits. It wasn't so much about looking like the boys, but more about channeling their sense of rebellion with the poise of an Edwardian gentlewoman. They wore their collars high with string bowties, carried clutch bags, opted for slim-fitted skirts and tied scarves around their necks. Ballet flats and lacey sandals were the perfect shoes for treading lightly around London, but they also rocked utilitarian jeans.

The contrast between gentle, wannabe opulence and rock culture wasn't always viewed as a delightful departure from England's dwindling 50's economy, but the eccentricity served a purpose. Of course, Teddy kids were known for breaking out into massive fights, looting, and gang-on-gang violence, but in their effort of sociopolitical rebellion, they (arguably) created the first youth culture movement of 20th-century London. Plus, if it weren't for them, we wouldn't of had The Beatles in all their adorable teenage glory.

To read more about these kids, here's an excellent article by Ryan Chang

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4

De Lune x By Boe Collab II First Looks: The Pendulum Necklace

8.05.2013

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Quite excited with how this necklace came out. Annika of By Boe and I centered the second part of our collaboration around notions of direction, so the designs of our pieces were inspired by the tools that aid in navigation; pendulums and compasses. I really wanted something that could be worn backwards or forwards, and so Annika came up with this reversible collar necklace with a needle "pendulum" pendant. The thin wire collar is practically whisper thin when worn in the front (you can barely see it in the photo on the right, for example), and the hanging charm creates a straight line reminicent of a road or path.

I love wearing this piece with something backless (of course), but I also enjoyed how it emphasized the long back of this sliced tee when I wore it backwards, following the movement of the free fabric. Layering this piece is going to be fun too, the combination of the long pendant with the high collar blends two contrasting proportions together, which mirrors the anatomical connection of the head to the spine.


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De Lune x By Boe necklace (Available in Sept.), Cheap Monday shirt, Asos stetson, vintage pants and clutch

Hope you guys like it too! 
This piece along with the others (more to come!) will be available in September.

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