spanish harlem incident

Some beautiful images that have been collecting on my desktop. Think of it as a palate cleanser after the fur shorts.

ambivalence

Oh Dolce and Gabbana.

These are fur shorts. Why are they so compelling? I can't decide whether they are mesmerizing in a fabulous-flamboyant-avant garde-fashiony way or in a morbid-and-fiery-car-crash way. Please help me.

UPDATE: After much consideration, I have come to the conclusion that these shorts belong in neither category defined above. They are just, quite simply, Dolce and Gabbana. I feel that this is explanation enough.
Lady Gaga better wear these skiing.

straight line so fine

Nicholas Kirkwood does not make shoes. He makes foot sculptures.

I aspire to become the sort of person that can do these beauties justice.

this is a promise with a catch.

One of my most favorite songs ever ever ever:

I have a thing for clever covers of great songs by good bands - my favorite version of this one is by the Seattle band Hey Marseilles (the live performance is the only video I could find of it).


It has hope, it has wisdom, and it has acoustic cello. This is all that I need.

epiphanizing.

Books play an indelibly large role in my life. My perspective has been changed several times by books I've read; Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes, Love in the Time of Cholera, Looking for Alaska, Jitterbug Perfume, The Poisonwood Bible, Harry Potter...the list of tomes that have affected my life in an appreciable way goes on and on. However, as melodramatic as it may sound, I have just read two books that I believe have changed the course of my future forever.

Reading this:

and subsequently this:
has had a powerful effect on me. Reading these books:

1. strengthened my already powerful desire to travel to Northern Pakistan and its surrounding regions tenfold

2. made me realize that I do not want or need a stereotypical, fiscally "successful" job to make me happy in the future, and

3. made me want to dedicate my life to something that I already know gives me the biggest feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment: helping others.

To me, Greg Mortenson (read the books and you will learn all about this personal hero of mine) is living, breathing proof that karma not only exists, but also plays an appreciable role in the universe. Everything fell into place for him as he dedicated his life to an indisputably noble cause. Of course there were setbacks, speedbumps, and roadblocks - but his perseverance through these obstacles is what I believe made him worthy of the good fortune that has befallen him.

If you're looking for some inspiration, or even just a reason to like your life a little bit more, pick up these books and prepare to have your world rocked.

i love you but you're green

My #1 shamelust:

I miss Babyshambles and The Libertines tremendously.

wilted and faded somewhere in Hollywood

My personal favorites of NY Fall 2010:

The Row

Rodarte

Proenza Schouler (NEED those pants)

3.1 Phillip Lim

Marchesa

Jason Wu (I highly recommend looking through the whole collection, he absolutely KILLED it)

Cushnie et Ochs - one of my new favorite labels ever

Boy by Band of Outsiders

preaching to the converted.

THIS is an extremely worthwhile read.

lemon meringue, puff pastry, Lula, and butterflies.

Even though I'm holed up in a condo in snowy Montana, exhausted from a day of powder skiing, I couldn't resist posting on Marc Jacobs' new collection. It features everything I love fashion; whimsy, humor, art, and just plain beauty. Some of my favorite looks:

I really don't support the fur and leather industry - they're a big part of why I'm a vegetarian - but that being said, some of the most beautiful looks in the collection feature both materials. I guess I'll just admire them from afar...the shape of this coat is so dramatic and beautiful!

The collar and the gloves make this cotton farm-y dress awkwardly chic. Which is my favorite kind of chic.

The middle button on this coat makes me so happy. Details!

SEXY. I hope someone like Tilda Swinton or Kate Winslet wears this to the Oscars.

This dress is just magical.

I would wear this every day. Great length, great color, and the pairing of the awkward shoes make it less saccharine.

Just beautiful. A new contender for the dress I will wear in the parallel universe where I get invited to the the Oscars.

The man, the legend:

boho, not hobo.

OR: three easy steps to looking semi-presentable on those days when you don't feel like showering/doing your hair/putting any effort into your appearance but still need to go somewhere.(I have been finding myself in this position more and more as the school year wears on. I consider myself something of an expert on the subject.)

1. Klorane Dry Shampoo:

Some girls can go for days without washing their hair and still look great. I am not one of these girls.

2. Headscarf/headband of some kind (a la Mary Kate):

It doesn't have to be a Prada turban, though. (I've been super obsessed with the hair accessories from Ban.do lately)

3. Fresh, citrusy-smelling perfume so no one suspects you of being lazy and unhygenic.

I love all Fresh products on principle, but this perfume is exceptionally yummy and adorable.

If after all of this anyone still calls you out, just tell them that you don't support the big-name shampoo companies usage of sodium laurel sulfates and detergents, and that you're boycotting them in the name of Mother Earth. Or that you're channeling Nicole Richie circa 2006. Either way, they'll probably leave you alone.