"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening."

~Coco Chanel



Monday, October 10, 2011

Learn to be lonely.

I really need new clothes. My outfits are starting to become repititive. It's incredibly depressing. It's been oddly warm out here for the season. A week into October and still in the high 70s? Unheard of in Wisconsin. Usually this would make me incredibly happy, but considering it is forcing me to wear shorts, I'd rather winter just start. I was looking forward to the layering season. But hey. I can live with it for another week or so without goin completely berserk.

By the way... Has anyone else been readng the articles on Rookie? I'm in love. However, I'm a little sad that Tavi isn't posting as much anymore. I don't blame her, though. It's got to be a lot of work to keep that site up and running, even if you do have people helping you.

I really do apologize for the lack of posts lately. It's been hectic with school. Plus I've been trying to get back into the swing of writing my fiction stories regularly, so that's been taking up a lot of my time.

I promise I'll post a legitimate post in the near future. Promise.

Amy

Monday, October 3, 2011

In this quixotic world, everything is enchanted.

Welcome to the sequel to In this quixotic world, everything is sparkly.

As mentioned in that post, I've wanted to create my own personal style, since I've dabbled in a lot of different 'looks' and haven't really been happy with any of them. So, these posts are all about what I want my wardrobe to be this year, and hopefully in the years following as well. Classic and ladylike is forever!


Of course, what is a wardrobe without lots of floral prints? I love little floral detailing on cardigans. I'm hoping I can possibly find a pair of black tights with a small flower print on them. Someone probably makes them. I know I have a herringbone patterned pair from Betsey Johnson. I especially like wearing floral prints in the fall and winter, when it makes absolutely no sense. Then I bring out all the neutrals for spring. But that's just me.

I absolutely adore all of these photos. The first one is more hippy/Juicy Couture-ad than I'm really going for, but the fact that it a.) has flower petals scattered everywhere, b.) is posed next to a piano, and c.) includes a top hat, had me hooked when I first saw it. It's excellent. Plus it really does remind me of the Better Days music video from The Goo Goo Dolls. If you didn't know, they are one of my favorite bands.



It's a great song. But back to those pictures.

This Vogue cover called to me for obvious reasons. The old magazine covers are always so old-timey fun. I really do prefer them to the photography on the modern issues, with all of the little blurps on the front cover screaming at you FASHION'S SMARTEST INVESTMENTS, and then you find out that article is really only a page long.

The old poster of the random naked women sitting in a tree is a lot like the Vogue cover. I like the old, sketchy art that seems to have been popular at the time. No, I don't know what the words mean (but they're most likely French, as if that makes a difference), and I don't know why the woman is naked, nor why she decided to sit in a tree, but I still like it.

Then there is Betty White, in that 50's circle skirt look that I adore. This picture just reminded me that I have a pair of elbow length gloves somewhere or another around here. I love them. I don't usually wear them, because that might be a little over the top, but they really do look great with this scallop collar dress coat from Free People that I have.


Now, I don't know about you guys, but I have this strange love for outfits that are painfully matchy-matchy. Does my dress have turqouise accents? Then I'm gonna have matchng shoes, jewelry, and purse. It's how I rolls. I absolutely adore this first picture, because it's a more unusal combination, versus a random color with a neutral. Unless you consider blue a nuetral, which I suppose I do. You can wear blue with practically any color.
Then there are the capes! Ahh! I'm enchanted. Capes are just this fantasy that I want to fall into.  Christian Dior anyone? I actually got a really nice one from American Apparel for my birthday. So freaking happy!
Ain't she a beaut? I'm in love. My father was making fun of me for wearing it while mowing the lawn, paired with Doc Martin knock offs and bug-eyed glasses, as well as a oversized sweater. Can you say grundge 90s? Probably not the best choice overall for this cape, but hey. I'll work on that later.




This pictures are probably my favorite of the lot. Anything with that gauzy fabric, I absolutely adore. It's so angelic. I don't know why, but it almost reminds me of Gigi for some reason. I have no idea why. Maybe it's because all of these prints seem to be that perfect balance, somewhere between one of those beautiful china dolls with painted cheeks, and a posh lady that just walked off 5th Avenue. Who ever said you can't be both?

And of course, if I want to be ladylike, what else is there except Louis Vuitton's Fall 2010 collection? It's so perfect. The skirts, the bustiers, the corsets, the coats. It all fit together so wonderfully. Probably my favorite LV collection from the past couple years. Runway video is below, and picture slideshow is here if you want to take a closer look, as the videos tend to be a little pixely.




I love the little bows.

Sorry for the hold up on posts. I've been busy wiht high school and stuff. Especially homecoming. It was a blast, but it was so much dang work! My hair and make up took amost 3 hours! Three! I'm happy with the result, however.
The floating arm belongs to my boyfriend, but I doubt he would appreciate me posting his picture on the web.

Hopefully I'll be getting back into the swing of things. It's been a little over a year since I started this blog. Has it really been that long?

Amy

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Animals like me don't talk anyway.

And so, my dears, this brutal thing called high school ensues. Scary thought. Orientation was today, meaning we got to go to each class for 5 minutes, while the teachers droned on about how much fun that particular class would be. Every word they spoke, I became more convinced that I am going to be so insanely bored. And then I sort of had to tone down my wardrobe for the day (and probably will have to keep doing so for the next couple weeks) so that I can meet people before my clothes scare them off.

Sorry I haven't posted lately. I've busy watching Lost, the best show known to man. I know, I know, television rots the mind, but it's hard not to like Lost. Something about that title sequence, when Lost just sort of floats in like a Hermes scarf taken by the wind. It gives me the shivers. And then Jess wants me to watch Degrassi, so I'm just going to have no social life whatsoever until I finish every single episode of both series.

Anyhow. I'm planning on doing another fashion show post, and I'll have the next addition to In this quixotic world everything is sparkly, so once that's up you'll have to come back and check it out.

Amy


Thursday, August 18, 2011

Then you came and changed it all, doll.

I have an incredible shopping craving. It's insane. I need more shoes. Desperately.

Oh, and my newest obsessions? Detachable collars. If you say you don't like them, you're just lying to yourself. They're impossible not to like.




Images courtesy of Etsy.com and Bebe. Speaking of Bebe, I must say I adore her. She reminds me of Tavi in more ways than one. Maybe it's just the cross obsession, but they do seem to give off some of the same vibes. Bebe's somewhat gothic style sort of contradicts my own more floaty flower child in an antique store style, but it's still incredibly enjoyable to see her outfits. I often focus on that beautiful ornate pink couch in the background of all her outfit photos. I wish I had one. Alas, I don't think that would fit in my room. I think I'll live, however.

Sorry if my posts are a little bit all over the place and unplanned the next couple weeks. I'm busying myself with last minute summer reading, clothes shopping, writing, back to school get togethers with friends, tennis, and then getting used to started high school as a whole. It's going to be crazy.

Amy

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Origami hearts.

Strange story of the day;
I went into Pick and Save today in order to pick up a copy of Harper's Bazaar. (one of my favorite magazines. Remind me to get a subscription.) So, I'm at the magazine wall trying to find it, and I just can't. It took me five minutes, before I found it, hidden behind the overlap of Astro Girl and Tiger Beat. It took all of my will power to keep myself from screaming in terror and running while flapping my arms.

Sorry for the no-post. My parents decided last week would be absolutely excellent for a trip up north to Door County. I've heard it's the Cape Cod of the midwest, but I've never been there, so don't quote me. It's very beautiful up there, but I've been there so many dang times, it has just lost it's appeal. Plus, I didn't have internet access. Not fun.

So, I got some comments on my 'fashion inspiration' post, so I'm assuming you guys enjoyed it. I'm planning on making another one (with different photographs, of course), but be patient, as it's borderline impossible to find all of the photographs that I need.

By the way; I feel like I have some pychic ability to predict HB's 'what's in' items. Earlier this summer, they said oxfords were in. I had just bought a pair. This month, they say, and I quote, 'vintage influenced finishing touches.' Is that not me exactly, or is the me exactly? That's what I thought!

Sorry for the no-pictures, but I figured I owed this blog an update. More soon. I'll be swimming in inspiration this week, as I will be attending a writing camp at Ten Chimnies. If you don't know it, and you live in Wisconsin, you need to go. It's the home of the deceased actress Lynne Fontanne and Alfred Lunt, who were stage actors back in the black-and-white days.







Hey, look! Pictures!

I couldn't find anything decent of the interior of the main house, but it's very much that old time glamour. Embellished white baby grand pianos, pink and gold chairs, more crown molding than you would believe, crystal chandeliers, and the like.

The grounds look rather drab in these photographs, but when we're there, they are full of excellent flower beds. Could you think of a better place to write? No. I think not.

And consequently, one of my good friends is related to Alfred Lunt! Who would have thought, hmm?

-Amy

Thursday, July 28, 2011

In this quixotic world, everything is sparkly.

So, this week hasn't been all that great.

First off, I don't have any plans, which is always no fun for me. Then, I had a plan with someone but didn't think I did when they still thought we did so I had to send them away with a rain check. Aren't I a horrible friend? And then I managed to faint twice in the course of 10 minutes for unknown reasons (How perfectly romantic. I feel like a princess.) during a tennis lesson, and managed to cause quite a ruckus. And to top the cake, one of my very best friends is moving to Shanghai, China (tomorrow!), and I'm going to miss him relentlessly. I did have a chance to see him yesterday, however, and that made me feel minutely better. But then I found out that he won't have computer access for almost two weeks, and I'll have to wait until then to talk to him. I became sad again shortly after.

So this is the part of the show where I post some pieces that I am absolutely lusting after and an essence of what I want my wardrobe to look like through pictures while hoping you don't get bored and wander off in the process.



For the V-necks, collars, curled hair, long skirts, and all over old-school girl-ness.



For the bows and innocence.




For the simple glamor and elegance. And big sunglasses. (I have that screen shot from Breakfast at Tiffany's with Audrey Hepburn as a huge poster in my room. It inspires me every morning when I get dressed.)




For the bright and borderline gaudy colors, as well as the circle skirts with crinolines.




For the chic greys and blacks, lace, ties, and blazers. And perfectly coifed hair.





For the world traveler/ tree hugger/ flower child vibes, and the gauzy peacefulness.

I've been sort of searching for my style these past few years. I've tried the girly-5 year old look (I looked like a girly 5 year old), I went for the hope is dead look (I lasted about a week before I got sick of black) and I've tried the bitchy-Aberzombie approach, and none of them really suited me. Because of this, I ended up having about 50 some styles in my wardrobe with no real identity hidden the clothing. Random candles and scented sea salt, yes. Identity and power, no. Right now, I'm really loving the old-school vibes. Skirts with crinolines, saddle shoes, t-straps, high waisted bell bottoms, waist coats, the works. So, I'm thinking of I combine that with a lot of classier pieces, like strings of pearls, blazers, cameo pins, lace, lots of tights, and all, it'll all sort of come together. We'll see.

Watch for the sequel.

<3 Amy

Friday, July 22, 2011

It's just another case of mind over matter.







So, I don't know if anyone noticed, but I have an unusually unhealthy addiction with 50s and 60s clothing. Which is why I spend a heck of a lot of my time watching movies and musicals set during that time. And why I enjoy looking up stuff from this era on Etsy and eBay. So, these are some of my current obsessions.






I love the gentle elegence of the circle skirted dresses with crinolines.

Oh, and another one of my current obsessions?



Vintage box cameras! I love them. They are so cute and chic. Plus, I love the look of vintage photos. The flaws in the images give them personality. I want one so badly, and they are pretty reasonably priced on Etsy, but I'm afraid I'm going to end up cheaping out on the film and developing them. So. We'll see.

<3 Amy

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Just close your eyes and describe it to me.


A photograph of the Orion Nebula, by Gerogiy Surutin.

Rosette Nebula, Surutin.

Open star cluster, Surutin.

CED 14 emission in Cepheus constellation, Surutin.

Andromeda Galaxy, Surutin.

I don't know about the people reading this blog, but I find astronomy really fascinating, just like my friend Jess. I'm not quite sure why Jess is into astronomy (maybe one day she'll tell me), but I love the color and patterns that you find in them. I mean, just look at those photos! It's funny how sometimes you can see the clothes in the inspiration. I can practically see a Betsey Johnson dress in this. Or a pair of one of the more colorful Manolo Blahnik shoes. Or maybe a Marc Jacobs collection. Do you see it? Or do you see something else? Your favorite shade of lipstick in the Rosette Nebula? Your mother's prized pearl necklace in a constellation? Personally, I think it's really fun to hear what different people see or think when the all see the same thing. Everyone could smell a mint spring (a divine smell, I must add), and they'll all see something a little different.

Inspiration in the works, eh?

<3 Amy

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

I wanted you to know me.

I really love to shop. Some people need food and water, but I need a mall. And, I haven't stepped foot in a mall in over a month, so I was incredibly happy when my mother decided to take my sister and I over to Mayfair the other day. I didn't buy a huge amount of stuff, but I did stop at Delia's and Hollister and get some things. "Hollister?" You must be thinking. "You shop at Hollister?" Yes, I know that I rave about the Aberzombies and Hollinazis, but I do shop there for basic stuff. Plain t-shirts, floral skirts, etc. I saved the jean shopping for Delia's, because I was in desperate need of black and white ones. When I came home, I had purchased two floral skirts, two pairs of jeans, and a green t-shirt. Please don't judge, because I usually don't shop this simply.

Other recent purchases; Since I haven't been blogging in a while, I figured it would be helpful to update, because I got this AMAZING pair of Cole Haans when I was in Chicago a while ago. I got them at the Nordstrom rack, so they only ended up being around $50, and they are the oxford style that I've been looking for. I also got a blazer about a week ago that is totally made of navy lace. It's really unusual, and I'm really looking forward to find as many was to wear it as possible.

And then, I was browsing through this upper end resale store(not entirely Gucci or anything, but they have a standard for the clothes that they pick out, so you usually recognize the brand names you see in there) when I found all of these amazing brooches, that sort of look like the picture below.



Personally, I love it. I've loved these silhouette pins and brooches forever. I think I have a Forever 21 necklace somewhere with a fake version on it, but those break so dang easily. Plus, I've always wanted one of the pins.

I've been browsing through some vintage sites online, and a majority of the pins like this can range from $400-700, which I was flabbergasted by. Mostly, because the pins at this resale store are all under $40. I need to go back and pick some up! I think one would look absolutely excellent on the lapel of a blazer, namely a navy lace one.

All for now.
<3 Amy

Monday, July 18, 2011

Christian Dior

Christian Dior was by far my favorite collection this season. Let's start by taking a look see at the entire show. Sorry about it being in two pieces, but all of the single videos were very low quality.





Wow. Just wow. I mean, what I show. Now, is it just me, or is this show absolutely perfect? Capes. Velvet. Wide brimmed hats. Fur. Riding jackets. Lace. Leather. Brooches. Pendents. Put it all together, and you get a dreamy romance story with a sultry heroin. Karlie Kloss should have rode in on a black horse, and I would have been absolutely convinced.







Okay, looking at these pictures, can't you see some bad ass princess escaping her castle prison and becoming an outlaw for love? Maybe I'm delving into this a little too much. But I love it still. It's so quixotic and romantic, in that Gothic way that makes excellent action movies. And then, as I was watching, these three images from my database popped into my head.





Don't ask me how CD made me think of that second one. My mind works mysteriously.

Claddagh costume, unknown source, and sad woman with vase.

All for now, guys. I am officially back. :D
<3 Amy

Silent killer.

Okay, as much as I raved yesterday about the mainstream fashion mag's tendencies, I have to give Vogue a little bit of credit. I mean, if I didn't read Vogue I would never have found Dasha Shishkin, this adorable Russian-born artist whose bold paintings have blown me away.







How excellent are they? I don't know why, but they make me think that this would be the result if Marc Jacobs, Tavi, and Lady Gaga had a threesome and drew their orgasm on paper. It's that excellent. The colors alone are so vibrant, I don't even want to get into the subjects of the paintings. I just love Dasha now, and I'm definitely going to follow her progress.

This just reminds me of some other photos in my computer's many picture folders that I was drawn to because of the color.





Pictures from Everything Style, Kelly Framel of The Glamourai, and Astronomy Picture of the Day, respectively.

Alrighty. Well, I'm off the mall for a much needed shopping trip. Til we meet again.
<3 Amy