Solia's Soliloquy

Moves

2012-01-18T17:19:00.001-07:00

I will vow to learn this one day

Resolution

2012-01-02T19:28:00.001-07:00

From Share Some Candy

The Eve of the Eve of the Eve

2011-12-20T21:12:00.005-07:00

Mostly because I'm tired of seeing a post from Halloween on here,
these are some gifts that would make me happy this year.

From Barnes and Noble. The best book for girls who love the show and who love to cook.

This Sullana Mini-Dress from Pendleton, via Anthropologie
is a timeless, durable, unique, winter tunic.

Not too low, not too high. Perfect color and design from Zara.

A beautiful geometric throw from Design Within Reach

A bit of Raspberry Earl Grey from TeaForAllReasons from Etsy.

Halloweeny

2011-10-30T15:59:00.004-06:00

This year I decided to be Cleopatra.
Probably because I was a drag queen in a former life.

Sound of the Week - Nina Simone

2011-10-24T22:48:00.001-06:00

For my Friend

Need Supply 11 Jewelry Collection

2011-10-24T21:49:00.005-06:00

Did I mention the Need Supply Jewelry Collection is absolutely commendable?! I go through phases with jewelry, ranging from a minimalistic none on most days and then a random incantation of Mr. T golden layered proportions on others. These would definitely do the trick.

Buy of the Week - Little Things

2011-10-24T21:34:00.003-06:00

Also got this little lady recently from Zara
which I am totally still so happy that they finally launched an online US accessible site!

Winter Wear

2011-10-24T21:19:00.007-06:00

This wrap dress would be super ideal.
My winters will be full of comfy clothes that I can layer.
From 80sPurple

Sound of the Week - Kate Bush - Variations on a Theme

2011-09-10T01:11:00.004-06:00

Ahh, thank goodness for the historical clarity that NPR can provide to you during long days spent driving. I had no idea Kate Bush originated this song and to be honest, I didn't even know who she was until I heard it on the local station while stuck in traffic the other day.

And as soon as I heard it I remembered it from somewhere... originally I had heard it for the first time as a Chromatics song, which I raved was lovely and is still one of my favorite versions. However, I must give credit where credit is due. I even love the Lauperish, 80's, smoky, high tempo, synthesized vibe of the original.

I was also surprised that there are also so many other versions out there, so I thought I'd try them all out and Placebo covering the same song was also a lovely plus. So, Thanks Kate for a great song.

"If I only could, I'd be running up that hill.
If I only could, I'd be running up that hill."

It doesn't hurt me.
Do you want to feel how it feels?
Do you want to know that it doesn't hurt me?
Do you want to hear about the deal that I'm making?
You, it's you and me.

And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building.
If I only could, oh...

You don't want to hurt me,
But see how deep the bullet lies.
Unaware I'm tearing you asunder.
Ooh, there is thunder in our hearts.

Is there so much hate for the ones we love?
Tell me, we both matter, don't we?
You, it's you and me.
It's you and me won't be unhappy.

And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building,
Say, if I only could, oh...

You,
It's you and me,
It's you and me won't be unhappy.

"C'mon, baby, c'mon darling,
Let me steal this moment from you now.
C'mon, angel, c'mon, c'mon, darling,
Let's exchange the experience, oh..."

And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems.

And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems.

And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems.

If I only could
Be running up that hill
With no problems...

"If I only could, I'd be running up that hill.
If I only could, I'd be running up that hill."

Beautiful Symmetry

2011-09-05T21:18:00.003-06:00

I think this poster would be a beautiful addition to some natural wood tones in a bedroom or office. Very commercial, but natural. From Degree

Need or Want

2011-08-09T22:28:00.003-06:00

Need Supply has lovely things for girls who have birthdays soon.

Dark Star

2011-08-09T22:18:00.003-06:00

National Historical Map archives....

An unconventional place to find art, but I love the look.
I think it speaks well for the office.

Sound of the Week - Bon Iver

2011-07-30T19:47:00.002-06:00

Absolutely Good.....

A House for A Girl

2011-07-25T22:55:00.010-06:00

New thing are happening. I moved into a new place. I'm here all by my lonesome. There is something refreshing about that. I have an opportunity to create something all my own. I feel both like a young lady who will curate lovely things and have grown up meals inside this giant space; and a young girl who is collecting items to include in a life sized play house...
We will see how it all turns out.... So it goes...

The Book to get started from ModCloth

Some pink inspiration - From Etsy's realbutterflygifts

Where you Live Pillow by CityFabric via kickstarter

Octopus Kitchen towels by zenthreads

Citrine Planter by Anthropologie

Bazaar Bed Coverings from AuraHome

Off White Cushion by ComfyHeaven

Google Plus

2011-07-20T21:55:00.002-06:00

But then I'll just have to create a new fake user name
and log on even less ocassionally than before....

Sound of the Week - We Love M83

2011-06-30T20:01:00.000-06:00

Artist of the Week - Mark Demsteader

2011-05-10T21:18:00.004-06:00

Don't you wish you could smear paint around womanly figures in a careless looking manner that just happens to turn out awesome? Yeah, I think Mark Demsteader has that covered.

Sound of the Week - Dallas Green from City and Colour

2011-05-02T23:11:00.002-06:00

Yes, I listen to pretentious bands who's artists do semi-solo side projects where they spell words using the queen's English. Why? Because this one is good.

Watch of the Year... Mad Men

2011-04-04T21:55:00.004-06:00

Rolling Stone just did a photo shoot for Mad Men. With Season 5 under wraps until 2012, I'm going to try and relish every moment of the past seasons as much as possible. Beautiful photography.... love it. And a great small piece on the music as well which you can read here.

The Sart Strikes Again

2011-02-24T21:06:00.003-07:00

I love the Sart!!

Watch of the Week - Bill Cunningham

2011-02-23T20:51:00.003-07:00

So, does the photographer perpetuate street style because of the public exploitation or does the creative collective consciousness exist without the influence?
Either way, have to see this!

Zooooo Borns!!!

2011-02-19T22:13:00.006-07:00

Yes, even I can get all dorky and girly over zoo babies from time to time.
Check them out here for every zoo baby in every letter of the alphabet!

Artist of the Week - Yves Marchand & Romain Meffre

2011-02-14T20:58:00.004-07:00

I have not yet had the opportunity to visit Detroit.
Of course, it's nowadays not a place people are necessarily pining to visit.

Despite their haunting air, the images that Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre have captured are beautifully awe inspiring. With a bit of light and magic, they take full advantage of the end chronicle that the once burgeoning metropolis Detroit had once so briefly embodied and then eventually so violently retired. These images seem have cemented the end of a lifespan of an entire genre of individuals, all eerily abandoned in the same fashion an abrupt mass exodus would allude to. See all of the pictures and read the epilogue here.

Black and White

2011-02-14T20:10:00.010-07:00

There's something to be said for a simple black and white palette.

From Anthropologie, Apartment Therapy, Absolutely Beautiful Things,
Desire to Inspire, Etsy, UO and J Crew !

Spring is in the Air!!

2011-02-06T22:31:00.004-07:00

I wish. Here I am fantasizing about wispy, sheer, bohemian clothing, meanwhile it's snowing outside. Oh well, a girl can dream... Damn you Topshop

Beautiful Spaces

2010-12-19T00:25:00.004-07:00

There is something to be said for saving money by living with roommates....
But some days I'd give anything to have my own space if it looked like these lovely spots

Sound of the Week - Electronica Symphony

2010-12-09T22:21:00.004-07:00

Have to love the music...

Currently Reading....

2010-11-27T22:25:00.003-07:00

It's been a while since I've read a book the whole way through. When I was younger it wasn't uncommon for me to spend all weekend reading, three or four books or so per weekend, staying up until the early hours of the morning finishing them off, totally engrossed and then sleeping through the rest of the day to find more words to gobble up with my brain. I think these will help me get back to that.

Merry Xmas To Me

2010-11-22T22:56:00.008-07:00

And these are a few of my favorite things.

Fringe from Topshop
Necklace from Urban Outfitters

Gloves from UO
Gloves from Asos

Cape from Topshop
Jacket from Topshop

Dress from Topshop
Dress from Modcloth

Shearling from Gap
Cowl from Gap

Adventure of the Week - Well Actually Last Month

2010-10-18T21:52:00.005-06:00

Pittsburgh I love you.... but you're bringing me down.....

Watch of the Week - Objectified

2010-09-19T13:50:00.005-06:00

Gary Hustwit -through this film Objectified and his other films Helvetica and Urbanized- has become a genius at capturing society's relationship with the things that surround us. He's like an anthropologist for a culture that seems to be moving at the speed of light.

Every person can relate because every person knows what it's like to perceive and posses our things... We have all at one time or another become exposed to things that we covet through emotion and then things that we utilize based on functionality. What this film does is it finds the underlying way that design in general can bring those two actions together so cunningly that we barely even notice.

This film doesn't just offer an insight to consumerism, doesn't just poke fun at a disposable, technology hungry populous... but rather it exposes the human condition. And it does this through following the silent instruments, the silent composers who are the catalysts for such behavior in the first place. Designers have become much more than artists, much more than engineers, but rather architects of the vast and complex relationship that humans and objects have with one another.... Beautiful film....

Artist of the Week - Tatiana Plakhova

2010-09-12T13:47:00.005-06:00

Tatiana is doing some beautiful things with graphic vectoring. Reminds me of a kaleidoscope or even a seismometer or a polygraph or an ink blot test or deep sea creatures that glow in the dark! See her here.

Happy Birthday To Me

2010-08-15T22:46:00.004-06:00

Best Birthday presents ever...

All Saints Skull Tank, Topshop Leather Bomber, Steve Madden Leather Zip Platforms...

Artist of the Week - Parachute Journalists

2010-08-08T19:52:00.004-06:00

Not my type of music, but very interesting artwork indeed. From Behance....

Outfit of the Week - Printastic

2010-08-03T21:17:00.003-06:00

Finally got that Need Supply Tribal Print Dress I had been wanting. yay!

Artist of the Week - Alphonse Mucha

2010-07-24T09:48:00.005-06:00

Happy Birthday!

Carol Shields

2010-07-18T08:54:00.001-06:00

"In one day I had altered my life; my life, therefore, was alterable. This simple axiom did not call out for exegesis; no, it entered my bloodstream directly, as powerful as heroin. I could feel it pump and surge, the way it brightened my veins to a kind of glass. I had wakened that morning to narrowness and predestination and now I was falling asleep in the storm of my own free will."
— Carol Shields (The Stone Diaries)

Jean Baudrillard

2010-07-18T08:44:00.004-06:00

Seduction is the world’s elementary dynamic… All this has changed significantly for us, at least in appearance. For what has happened to good and evil? Seduction hurls them against one another, and unites them beyond meaning, in a paroxysm [sudden outbreak of emotion] of intensity and charm....

And so one can imagine that in amorous seduction the other is the locus of your secret — the other unknowingly holds that which you will never have the chance to know....

- The Ecstasy of Communication

Dying is nothing. You have to know how to disappear. Dying comes down to a biological chance and that is of no consequence. Disappearing is of a far higher order of necessity. You must not leave it to biology to decide when you will disappear. To disappear is to pass into an enigmatic state which is neither life nor death. Some animals know how to do this, as do savages, who withdraw while still alive, from the sight of their own people.

- Uncatalogued

Rainer Maria Rilke

2010-07-18T08:26:00.001-06:00

I am much too alone in this world, yet not alone
enough to truly consecrate the hour.
I am much too small in this world, yet not small
enough to be to you just object and thing,
dark and smart.
I want my free will and want it accompanying
the path which leads to action;
and want during times that beg questions,
where something is up,
to be among those in the know,
or else be alone.

I want to mirror your image to its fullest perfection,
never be blind or too old
to uphold your weighty wavering reflection.
I want to unfold.
Nowhere I wish to stay crooked, bent;
for there I would be dishonest, untrue.
I want my conscience to be
true before you;
want to describe myself like a picture I observed
for a long time, one close up,
like a new word I learned and embraced,
like the everyday jug,
like my mother’s face,
like a ship that carried me along
through the deadliest storm.

- by Rainer Maria Rilke

Outfit of the Week - 9 to 5

2010-07-08T17:49:00.008-06:00

Some things I'm spying on to add to my work wardrobe..... The key is comfort most definitely as my new job as an agent is all about being on the go... I never realized how stuffy my clothes were until I had to get in and out of cars all day and trudge around offices and buildings doing casework! Any of these paired under a nice blazer would totally make my day. From 80's Purple, NeedSupply, ModCloth, ASOS and Revolve.....

Artist of the Week - Debbie Carlos

2010-07-05T21:06:00.003-06:00

Lovely Lady.... Lovely Pictures....

Adventure of the Week - Eagle Peak

2010-06-15T22:35:00.003-06:00

Some pictures of my hike up Eagle Peak

Watch of the Week - Somewhere

2010-06-15T22:31:00.002-06:00

I love Coppola so this should be a sweet film.

Artist of the Week - Colwyn Thomas

2010-06-02T21:04:00.004-06:00

Colwyn Thomas - Love the linework. See more here.

Watch of the Week - Exit Through The Gift Shop

2010-05-07T18:58:00.001-06:00

Want want want to seeeee...

Artist of the Week - Zelda Devon

2010-05-03T18:35:00.003-06:00

Zelda Devon would be great in comics. In fact, she addresses herself as a storyteller in general. Her images and storyboards are so clean and colorful, but at the same time they allude to charmingly ominous stories. I found her on CGHUB, but she showcases her work on her own website teeteringbulb.com as well. Great stuff.

Outfit of the Week - Idoru

2010-05-03T18:13:00.004-06:00

This weekend was a bust as I came down with some sort of life threatening plague that rendered me bedridden for several days. However, I did manage to go out on free comic book day (May 1st) downtown and happened to find a neat store called Idoru off of Tejon. I don't usually give specialty shops the time of day because their selection is limited and their prices are atrocious. But nevertheless I looked anyway and found a great aqua colored chiffon top by MM Couture that was on sale. I might even go back again sometime. Look at me... planning things.... I must still be sick. Anyway, in addition to a bunch of random designers, they also have a very decent collection of G-Star clothing. I was seriously considering some of their tops and a denim romper they had on display from that brand as well.

Adventure of the Week - Denver

2010-04-27T22:35:00.003-06:00

Went to the Natural History Museum this past weekend and had a great time. Managed to take a snapshot of one of the trees outside that had started to bloom.

Buy of the Week - Amorous Armor

2010-04-23T17:27:00.005-06:00

I was inspired by this line some time ago
and ended up making my own rendition of a chained harness for much less than these.
But if I could, I would wear every single one of these from Armor! They give jewelry a harder edge than the norm, which is lovely.

Forum Decorum - Our House Is a Very Very Very Fine House...

2010-04-14T22:26:00.003-06:00

Just some lovely pictures from AT and D to I and a few other places that have really captured my ideas of a dream home lately....

Outfit of the Week - Spring Fever

2010-04-14T21:59:00.004-06:00

The weather is toying with my emotions....

Design Your Own

2010-04-11T11:50:00.004-06:00

I had fun for hours designing my own Keds from here.

Desire Threadbare Desires

2010-03-28T17:54:00.003-06:00

-to S.


The light lay in shreds across the bed,
only your waking could make it whole;
resuming its costume of day, its role
which seems to overnight get ragged--

Fate latent as weights in theater
curtainhems, what soul is sewn here
to be rung down at last, divested
of these disguises. But if we are

bared by such cloth as cries in this
lament for the sun's fragility,
would I dare now to shake you astir--

to drape over you my shadow, whose
myth-ex-machina remains all mine,

mine, and therefore torn from yours.

by Bill Knott -

image via ffffound!

Artist of the Week - Silence Television

2010-03-26T17:13:00.003-06:00

All I can say is, gorgeous! From Silence Television.

Watch of the Week - I'm Here

2010-03-19T22:50:00.003-06:00

Spike Jonze's short film I'm Here is finally out. You can wait in line and watch it on the website while it lasts or you can watch it in three parts below. Beautiful movie. It's a short and lovely melancholy story in the midst of a modern world. Sometimes I think things are best left short, but poignant, gives my mind lots of room to wander. Lovely imagery and sweet music. Robot love at its finest. =)

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Sound of the Week - Clint

2010-02-11T00:21:00.002-07:00

Typofile

2010-02-10T23:10:00.005-07:00

Beautiful Typeface by Moshik Nadav on Behance

Buy of the Week - Saintly Sale

2010-02-03T20:12:00.006-07:00

I believe I've mentioned my appreciation for All Saints in the past, but they were so going down the road of all of those other overtly austere other stores that only offer their products to a customer of a more European persuasion, both geographically but also monetarily. But it seems they grew into some much appreciated character and accessibility as of late but offering a US accessible line and even offering some significant sales recently (not those disparaging kind which reduce something you've been fawning over from a million pounds to a half million pounds and so on and so forth). Anyway, some of my favorites which I got for xmas recently and something else I'm going to pick up soon because I'm apparently mesmerized by shiny things.

Watch of the Week - I'm Here

2010-02-02T21:48:00.004-07:00

Can't wait for this. From Spike Jonze...

Artist of the Week - Harry Clarke

2010-01-27T21:12:00.006-07:00

Harry Clarke is somewhat of an old fellow, born in the 1800's and all. But the illustrations he created to partner with the very wonderful E.A. Poe's stories are a perfect match. The lines remind me of lithographs and the slim, gothic figures are wonderfully eerie.

Buy of the Week - Tit for Tat

2009-12-28T22:09:00.003-07:00

Since these Steve Madden beauties have been sold out for eons,

I got some similar ones from Aldo instead. Pics soooooooon!

Outfit of the Week - Lemon Meringue

2009-12-17T20:38:00.003-07:00

I was feeling fancy the other day so I decided to rock it out with frills and lace.

Sweater - Express, Leggings - Sock Dreams, Dress - F21, Crinolin Overdress - Vintage,
Belt - Vintage YSL, Penny Loafers - LuLus

Imagine

2009-12-08T20:15:00.002-07:00

A sad anniversary...

Watch of the Week - An Education

2009-12-06T13:48:00.013-07:00

I went to watch An Education last night and was so inspired by the wonderful bookish, retro English sixties vibe of the movie, that I decided to dress up too. Most of the things I wore were lucky vintage finds. A pinkish wool blazer, perfect for "reading English" at Oxford. Some blue leather loafers for my long treks to school. And a gorgeous white lace and crinoline baby doll dress that I'm sure was originally meant for a 5 year old, but I wore it as a blouse.

So, the movie was completely charming and made me wish I had the good fortune to be a young bright eyed schoolgirl like Carey Mulligan, seduced by a much older, mysterious man like Peter Sarsgaard. Right now I'd die to leave my life behind to go gallivanting in Paris, smoking French pastel and gold rolled cigarettes, drinking and talking about art at clubs and parties. Despite the culmination of events and the truth that emerges, the movie was still funny and romantic and absolutely enchanting.

Artist of the Week - Conrad Roset

2009-12-06T01:09:00.008-07:00

Conrad Roset is my hero. His use of color is absolutely enchanting and so much more abstractly and instinctively administered than traditional artists. He combines a wonderfully dangerous amount of innocence and beauty in all of his women. But it's not a glossy beauty, it has flaws, and it's not a charming innocence, but a candid one. Reminds me of the "nymphets" that Nobokov waxes poetic about. Defiant, yet vulnerable. And most of all, Conrad is the kind of guy I'd want to draw me.

Outfit of the Week - Zero Degrees

2009-12-03T20:12:00.005-07:00

I'm sure this isn't exactly what people wear when it's zero degrees outside
and my blood freezes in my veins when i even glance out the window,
but I don't really care. =)

On another note, I'm wearing my arm warmers today. I think they have some adorable victorian flare to them. Thanks etsylissimo.

Buy of the Week - She Loves Me

2009-11-28T19:53:00.003-07:00

It's amazing and frustrating to me how I can be so enamored with certain things one minute and then completely not care for them the next. Makes me feel as though I don't really know what I like or what I want. Like I can't trust myself to make good decisions. Like every choice I make is some kind of phase. Hopefully this most recent purchase will calm me down a bit. I've been eyeing this company for a long time, but wasn't ready to spend so much on an item without being able to touch and feel the fabric up close. However, the versatility speaks for itself and after many frustrating endeavors of wishing many of my other pieces were more transformable and editable I decided to take the plunge. After all, I've spent this much and more on the bulk of clothing that is now littering my hallway in trash bags ready to be traded in or given away because it's just not me. So, if I like this one, which I'm sure I will, I may be asking the bf for another piece for xmas in the near future. Hooray for Complex Geometries.

Peter's Origine Nascota

2009-11-28T13:00:00.004-07:00

This is a beautiful song and wonderful video from Peter Menich set to the theme of Origine Nascota from Ludovico Einaudi. See it here.

Buy of the Week - Under Where?

2009-11-25T16:00:00.006-07:00

I've been feeling a little coy lately so these caught my eye and I got all of them.

Sound of the Week - Bat for Lashes

2009-11-23T22:23:00.002-07:00

I am in love with this girl's voice. Beautiful, sultry, mischievous melodies.

Artist of the Week - Jeremy Geddes

2009-11-22T14:21:00.005-07:00

I've been a fan of Jeremy Geddes for a long time, but recently remembered him when his most recent cosmonaut series popped up once again in many places. You can find more of him here.

The Complex of All These

2009-11-15T13:29:00.003-07:00

Buy of the Week - Theory

2009-11-08T17:00:00.003-07:00

Continuing with my quest for all things cardigan right now, I happened to stumble upon this beautiful Theory cardigan today and had to snatch it up. I think I might try to shrink it since it seems a little big on me, but I think it'll bring a beautiful compliment to some of my simpler pieces. It doesn't look like it, but the scarf is actually built into the collar line and the middle is a placket style with two buttons at the top, but when it's left open and the scarf is down, it creates a beautiful folding effect. Plus, how could I turn down something marked down from 335 to 99. I mean seriously...

Picks of the Week - Saintly Little Things

2009-11-07T11:45:00.005-07:00

I don't have enough money to court my interests. This company has me in love. They carry a great juxtaposition between not just their simple, yet signature, soft, comfy, asymmetrical chunky and versatile knits, but also their hard lined, edgy raw leather accessories. Just absolutely gorgeous stuff. Here are some of the things that I might give up my first born for. allsaints.com

Buy of the Week - Happy Halloweeny

2009-10-31T21:26:00.002-06:00

Not doing much tonight, but today I did score another pair of heels that I think will be great. These might not be a big deal for some but they're the highest heels I've ever bought. Of course that's why I veered away from them at first, but I was surprised to find that they were actually quite comfortable, reassuring me that perhaps I am not doomed to flats my entire life.

Buy of the Week - Pretty In Pink

2009-10-28T18:38:00.002-06:00

Yes, at the height of my practicum, in the middle of a snowy mess raging outside right now, I've just purchased these beauties. Goodness I'm irrational.

Artist of the Week - Gehard Demetz

2009-10-18T14:19:00.003-06:00

When you find someone who is so very good at something it makes you wish you had something that you were very good at yourself. I can't say that I've found that yet, but Gehard sure has. I'd love to see his works in person. These wood sculptures are absolutely stunning. You can find more of him here.

Adventure of the Week - Hockey!!

2009-10-17T00:12:00.003-06:00

Had a surprisingly amazing time at my first hockey game tonight. It made me want to try skating, I must be batty right now to be thinking that..... But I hear that they have open skating at lunch.... so I might try my luck soon. Anyway, maybe I'll have a couple more patriotic sports endeavors soon. I actually had a good time screaming and listening to awful 80's montages and eating nachos!!

Adventure of the Week - Stressed is Desserts Spelled Backwards

2009-10-07T19:25:00.004-06:00

I've been super stressed with work lately and the culmination that is winter, finishing school, busiest time of the year for me. So, after coming home from an 11 hour day to a filthy house with an empty fridge I decided the best thing to do would be to bake. Maybe it was to embrace the serenity that the age old art of homemade cuisine is supposed to bring. Maybe I'm just crazy and I have some hidden cerebral desire to burn my apartment down. Anyway...wish me luck on my first banana bread endeavor....

Artist of the Week - Raul Allen

2009-10-04T15:13:00.004-06:00

Halloween is coming up soon, and Raul Allen does some beautiful photos that really put me in the mood.

Buy of the Week - A Little Present

2009-10-01T21:32:00.009-06:00

I've been trying to be good lately. But to reward myself for making it through one whole year at my new job (and the most minuscule pay raise in my life), and for graduating soon.... and for going two whole weeks without buying anything I decided to get myself some presents.

Some adorable shimmery tights from Asos. This winter I'm going to try and bear the cold and still wear skirts and dresses by loading up on super cute leggings, tights, etc. We'll see how long I last....

Trying to load up on some more work wear and this blouse was on sale at BR.

Possibly my absolute favorite purchase was this top from TopShop. I'll obviously be wearing it with tons of cardigans, but I think it really stands out. I have a tendency to buy lots of plain color clothes, so I'm trying to branch out and push for bolder pieces lately.

Some items that didn't make the list this time, but might in the near future are...

These adorable penny loafers from Piperlime.... After many purchases and returns from many stores, I still haven't found a good pair that fit yet. ugh.

This adorable sequin slip from Free People. What can I say... shiny objects attract my attention.

Artist of the Week - Cristiana Couceiro

2009-09-20T22:09:00.005-06:00

Cristiana has done some beautiful collage work that I think I'd love to dress my walls with in my own apartment. Her images are simple, but the coloring is genius and the old clippings are charming and in a way, her designs are so simple, they could be recreated at home. See more of her here...

Buy of the Week - Freegle Beagle

2009-09-17T21:50:00.002-06:00

Got a $100 discount on this coat tonight at BR because of my badass skills.....
That's right, I am a shopping ninja...

Sound of the Week - Raveonettes

2009-09-12T14:20:00.000-06:00

Adventure of the Week - Beer Fest

2009-09-02T18:44:00.001-06:00

So, in the spirit of trying to actually go out and have a life, I checked out Fujiyama's, this Japanese restaurant in downtown Springs this past weekend which was surprisingly good and then I went to a beer festival. So my Saturday consisted of a Madame Butterfly sushi with tempura asparagus, eel sauce and salmon on top wrapped in rice and then about 8 different kinds of beer (I liked one from a company called Trinity, they had some kind of blonde, sweet beer, and another one from a booth a can't remember that was a raspberry wheat brew). So.... 'fun' was 'had', most definitely.

Artist of the Week - Gabriel Moreno

2009-09-02T18:18:00.006-06:00

Going to visit my hometown this weekend. Not sure if I'm excited about it or not. When I go back there I often feel like I have something to prove to the people I left behind... like: Look at me, I'm totally awesome and sucessful and most importantly I got out. I got out of a black hole that just sucks everyone else in. Anyway, here is some gorgeous pencil work by Gabriel Moreno. I wonder if he misses his hometown or whether he had to escape as well.... You can find more of his work here

Watch of the Week - Project Runway 6!!

2009-08-22T11:54:00.004-06:00

I can't believe I almost missed this. We were actually driving back from Denver from the 20 minute James Cameron's Avatar screening, which was actually pretty damn great, especially at AMC's gigantic IMAX screen. So once we got home, I plopped down last night to see what was on, and totally caught Project Runway whilst browsing through the listings. In my opinion, Lifetime isn't really marketing it very well since I had only seen one commercial for it recently, but it still caught me off guard and I watched the shit out of it last night. No one is really catching my eye right now so I hope this turns out to be a good season!! Of course it'll only really get interesting when the group of typecasts eventually fade away after each episode. Keeping with that trend, we saw the kooky, alien girl get voted off in the first episode, only to be beat out by the sneaky, excuse making guy who will probably go next.... and so on and so forth... Since I don't have many friends who watch the show, I don't know if this trend is penetrating, but it seems to me that a lot of people have problems with the take that some of the judges have on the show, often criticizing items based on popular commercial appeal. I have to say that while it's noticeable at times, I think most of it is either justified enough to not bother me, or I have a divided opinion myself. I love to see the conceptual and avant garde designs that some of the contestants come up with, I also appreciate the interest in wearability that many of them incorporate into their pieces because they give some great inspiration there as well. I was following the Mizrahi (the poor man's Michael Kors in my opinion) hosted Fashion Show for a while too which didn't garner as much hype as its Runway counterpart but still embraced the idea of competition based independent design which was great. I think everyone, myself included would love to give it a shot. I'd like to imagine that despite my atrocious sewing skills that I might be able to hold my own for at least one episode... ah delusional speculation....

Outfit of the Week - Like Hell On Fire

2009-08-16T20:20:00.000-06:00

So I decided to try and make my own.... I went down to Hobby Lobby and they have a huge selection of chains that you can buy. So, I picked up a couple and some tiny pliers for about $12 and then went home and took apart another necklace I had laying around. A couple hours and a sore neck later and I had my own piece which I adore and other people seem to like as well.

Sound of the Week - Field of Blue

2009-08-16T18:22:00.000-06:00

Like Hell on Fire

2009-08-16T16:34:00.008-06:00

So, I've been slightly enchanted by chains and harnesses and shiny things lately. But of course, as it usually goes, things that I think are amazing are usually depressingly expensive. So I decided to do something about it this time and make my own. Here are some of the items I thought were adorably awesome.

From girltuesdayjewelry at Etsy.

From Amor Jewelry.

From Leviticus on Etsy.

From 80sPurple.

Artist of the Week - Brian Viveros

2009-08-13T19:48:00.002-06:00

There hasn't been much to be inspired by lately.
Though Brian does a pretty good job of it.
I love his smoking ladies and you can check out more of him here.

Every Me and Every You

2009-08-13T19:43:00.002-06:00

Trying to decide whether these new penny loafers I got in the mail today are too small
or whether my feet are just too damn big. From Lulu's.

Happenstance

2009-08-06T17:46:00.003-06:00

Once upon a time.... I saved this picture in some far away, tucked away, long forgotten folder... I think it must be from some multi-user personal style posting site that i used to visit. Anyway, the girl was absolutely adorable and the dress, so much more adorable! So, it was much to my surprise when just last week whilst I was browsing through the LA Vintage website I happened upon the exact same dress. Not similar... the exact same one! Probably the most ridiculous vintage coincidence I've ever had. Anyway, LA Vintage is great and I got my package with my destined dress today. Yay!

Need Supply

2009-07-28T00:11:00.004-06:00

This is my early birthday present to myself.
From Need Supply.
Also went to go see Moon tonight. Good flick.

A Few of My Favorite Things

2009-07-25T13:15:00.004-06:00

Just a few adorable things I've been drooling over lately.
From UO, and NastyGal...

Fanboys

2009-07-02T21:45:00.006-06:00

Adorable vintage skirt I scored at Goodwill today.
Best $3.99 I've spent this month!

Animal Crackers

2009-07-02T21:33:00.004-06:00

We went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo about a month ago, but I've been so busy with school and work I forgot all about the awesome time we had, though my legs were sore the next day with all the walking up the steep hills and cliffs since the entire enclosure is basically built right into the side of the mountain.

I made best friends with Wilbur (probably not his real name)
and he did a wonderful glamor shot for me.

I look about 4 feet tall compared to him, but we make a great pair don't we?

My favorite was probably the aviary.
Hundreds of gorgeous birds fluttering around your head!

The Sky Tram was a little scary at first,
but it was awesome to see the town from that high up.

We sat and watched the elephants for a good long while.
Adorable personalities.

Artist of the Week - Zou Fan

2009-07-01T18:16:00.003-06:00

A Chinese wonder who creates beautiful, colorful concoctions of colors. See more here.

Blue Moon

2009-06-23T20:06:00.001-06:00

This little gem will be mine soon.
From 80spurple.

Diamond in the Ruff

2009-06-12T19:36:00.005-06:00

Some amazing items from the Revolve site.
Alms for the poor anyone?