moptop

Felix won't let me cut his hair for the life of him. The longer it gets, the more he starts to remind me of  something. Or should I say, someones...

You could paste him right in there! It got me thinking about this album, which is great. I love baby Beatles! And I always have! For me, anything from Please Please Me to Help! is like musical chicken soup, or mashed potatoes, or whatever comfort food you like. So I don't know why it didn't occur to me to play some until now, considering how insufferably mopey I've been these past few weeks. I'm just trying to get it together upinhere. Felix and I had a pretty good time listening to this and flopping around in my bedroom this afternoon while he watched me reorganize my sock drawer (more on that later). I even taught him how to do the twist!

she went with the 'twiggy'

While we're on the subject of HBO shows, which we only just were... Haters gon'hate, but I'm also a fan of the hit series Girls. Say what you want about Lena Dunham's privileged background, or the show's relative lack of diversity, if you like. But it's like Jessica Williams, future cameo-star of the series, said to Mother Jones recently: It's not Dunham's responsibility to write from anyone else's experience. And it's really not! Sure she writes about a gaggle of silly upper-middle class white kids in their 20's, who live in Brooklyn and barely work, but who's to say that experience is any more or less real than anyone else's? Personally, at this point in my life, it's sort of comforting to watch a show about people sort of like me (in that they're white and tend to find themselves similarly adrift in a sea of existential confusion and malaise). Ironically, of course, the show's main character and chief slugabed, Hannah, is played by Dunham, who not only stars in the show, but at the tender age of 27, also created, writes, and directs it. So much for a role model of under-achievment. But how inspirational! Speaking as a real woman, I appreciate that she actively incorporates her candor, self-doubt, and general anxiety into her on-screen persona. Which is why I can't understand some of the shit she gets because to me, her characters are more authentic than a lot of what you see these days. Yes, she and the rest of the Girls can be a little annoying sometimes, and the boys can be frustrating. But, in real life, girls are annoying and boys are frustrating, so what do you even want from her, people?? Anyway, I'm a fan, and so I'm eager to receive the February Vogue in which she features as covergirl. Only it hasn't arrived yet and I wonder why, because shouldn't it have already? Until it does, let's all watch this silly short in which she stars alongside the forever dapper Vogue editor at large, Hamish Bowles, as they prepare for her aforementioned cover shoot:

Love the sheets, love the PJ's. And I especially love how Bowles doesn't wear socks with his tuxedo. She should somehow get him to sign on to play the affluent long-lost uncle/benefactor that helps her get her shit together once and for all. So fucking stylish. But for now I'll have to settle for Adam Driver, because I think all the sudden I have a crush on him, too? I'm all about the too-tall, surly, stoical HBO leading men these days. Just a lovesick schoolgirl upinhere. 

vogue cover & video via vogue.com; images of driver via fanpop

mainline to the secret truth of the universe

Have you guys seen HBO's "revolutionary" new series True Detective yet? Given the buzz surrounding this (very very good new favorite) new show, I was surprised that google didn't immediately know which Matt Mc I was interested in:

... and when I say 'interested' I mean, interested, you guys. I mean, who knew MM was such a stone cold fox? Maybe I should have made a point to see Failure to Launch after all. Or maybe I'll just watch Surfer, Dude, instead? Having set google straight as to my initial intentions, and having searched 'true detective' immediately prior, I was even more surprised that it took so long to guess that I was looking for pix of him and his bff/co-star Woody Harrelson, because how obvious is it?

Luckily, I found what I was looking for. If these two aren't a match made in heaven, I guess I don't know what a match made in heaven really is. 

Besties! But all silliness aside, this is a truly great new show and if you can, you should watch it. I won't go into a lot of detail, because the internet has already done that and you can google it yourself. MM and WH really do have the best on-screen chemistry, and I love a classic odd-couple as much as the next girl, but personally I only have eyes for Rust Cohle, the troubled, philosophical, smooth-yet-stoic former narco played by McConaughey. Only I can't decide if I prefer him young and be-suited in the mid-nineties, or haggard and swilling Lone Star in the present day. Watch the show, be the judge. 

a young Marlon Brando knows what Im talking about

via retronaut

babealertx1000000

Speaking, as I seem to be quite often, of blue.... Freckly prepster schoolboy may not be your ideal boytype, but its sure one of mine. Unlike the rest of the world, I never saw Eddie Redmayne in Les Mis this christmas. But I did see him star as a tragically heartbreaking Angel alongside megababe Gemma Arterton several years ago in a very well-done BBC miniseries adaptation of Tes of the Durbervilles--written, if you didnt already know, by Thomas Hardy, one of my favorite authors (have you ever read Jude the Obscure? I highly recommend it)

Anyway, I believe him to be very dreamy--a sentiment evidenced by his work over at Burberry, especially alongside Cara Delevingne. But did you know about this? Before earning an Art History degree from Cambridge, he wrote his entire undergraduate dissertation on Yves Klein Blue.  

How dreamy is that??? I ask you. Alas, despite his ideal academic background, our love was truly never meant to be--firstly because, as you may know, Im already married. And secondly because I hear hes dating some bitch named Hannah, anyway. Plus he looks like he could be a real jerk, though in my mind he isnt--but I can tell you from experience, you just never know with Cambridge grads!

Its like my grandmother always said, Never Trust a Blonde Boy. It really is good advice--they always break your heart!

images via here, here & here

babealert: FELICITY (season one, so far...)

 

Ok so its February, its cold, I dont have a job, and we just moved someplace totally new where I dont know anyone yet. Im not trying to make excuses for why Ive been watching netflix re-runs of Felicity, season one, Im just explaining why the conditions are ripe for it. And if any of you have seen the show before, you know how genuine and heartfelt it is. Seriously. Especially compared to its fellow WB drama contemporaries (Dawsons Creek, anyone?) the experience Felicity portrays is one of the most authentic: dorky, naieve (but beautiful!) freshman in college with plenty of book smarts but not a lot of personal life experience, living in the dorms away from home for the first time, making blunder after embarrassing blunder, as she tries to adjust to the craze of NYC. Linda Serijan really hit the nail on the head in terms of costume, which, as in any cinematic production, goes a long way to authenticate the characters. I knew girls that dressed just like Felicity in high school: practical chinos, thick, L.L.Bean sweaters, cardigans, and various other knitwear, all in a tawny rainbow of khaki neutrals. 

It all suggests a sort of lack of awareness concerning wardrobe--or at least a preoccupation with practicality--which is perfectly consistent with Felicitys character. Especially in this Day and Street-Style Age, when so much of what you see worn seems so deliberate, its refreshing to imagine someone just, putting some clothes on--especially in such a thoroughly 90s way. Especially her Dean & Deluca uniform!

Those turtlenecks! That leather backpack! I dont mean to go on and on about this of course... But what Ive realized is that a certain level of confidence, in at least ones image, if not ones self, is implied by this practically-minded method of dressing. Why wear the makeup, hair clips, and weird asian-character-printed tee shirts typically worn by Felicitys BFF Julie if youre not worried about how you look and what people think of you? By putting on some old mom sweater and a pair of jeans, Felicity is saying, without consciously saying, that she takes for granted that her look is passable, acceptable, appropriate. And of course, she can pull it off... what a beauty that Felicity is! Shes the chief inspiration in my quest to, once again, become a barista. And what I wouldnt do for that hair! 

screen shots of felicity season one all taken by, ahem, me...

babealert: SOLANGE KNOWLES

Solange is the coolest. Remember when she did that Madewell campaign? Or how about when she  appeared on Yo Gabba Gabba for my favorite musical spot to date? Here it is, if you dont remember it or, more likely, because you have better things to do, never saw it: 

So sweet, right? Well, heres her newest, probably cooler and more buzz-worthy video, Losing You, recently shot in South Africa, where she was also covergirl for their November Vogue (pretty jealous that its summer there right now). If you want to know more about the video you can read this pretty good interview she did with Matthew Schnipper for Fader, too, if you want. 

images via here & here

babealert: JGL

So I dont know about you guys, but Ive had a crush on Joseph Gordon-Levitt since 1994 (the year he starred in Angels in the Outfield, a film you may or may not remember) and (not surprisingly) he just keeps getting cuter and cuter--case in point, this super-sexxxy photo shoot he did with Claudia Schiffer for GQ four years ago. Honestly, I didnt see 50/50 as I tend not to watch movies about cancer (sorry?) but I did see him play Robin in the latest batman and now Im ready for more! To that end, Chase and I have a tentative movie date to go see Looper on Sunday--it looks so cool! Want to see the trailer? Welp, here it is: 

Not really sure how they made him look like a young Bruce Willis (makeup? computers?) and the resulting effect is somewhat less adorable; he looks decidedly more like himself in his other movie, Premium Rush, which doesnt seem as exciting, but which I would also go see in a heartbeat, just so long as I had a babysitter.

images via here

babealertx3: DOWNTON LADIES

holy crinoline! check out Downton Dames Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, and Jessica Brown Findlay, looking smokin hot on the cover(s) of Love Magazines Issue 8. I was especially taken aback by Carmichaels cover--she does such a good job playing frump-master Edith on the show that its easy to forget how beautiful she can be in real life. O.m.golly I cant wait for season 3! Looking good, ladies!

images via LoveMagazine

babe alert: SUSAN CERNEK

What a beauty, no? Shes the senior online editor for Glamour magazine, and I first noticed her when I saw this picture of her wearing The Perfect Jeans Ever on streetpeeper:

Arent they the best? Id pay her a thousand dollars to tell me where she got them--but then I wouldnt have any money left for the jeans!!!! Le sigh. Its like The Gift of the Magi. Sort of. Anyway, I was reading her interview on The Coverteur and I liked how she described her style: “like an 80s or 90s soccer mom from Greenwich or Bel Air... roomy button-downs, timex watches, ripped skinny jeans...” 

Its another way of describing the kind of wardrobe I, too, have been feeling of late--as discussed in a previous post which you may or may not remember. Plus she shares my love of all things nautical--truly, a girl after my own heart. And she makes a good case for tortoise-shell wayfarers. 

images via stockholmstreetstyle, & streetpeeper 

babe alert: TALA KOLB

she writes one of my fav blogs, Bathing News, all about the beach and looking good on it. She loves tropical places, rainbows, and mermaids, and is pretty clearly a kindred spirit. Only, judging from the pix on her blog, she lives a life of which I can only dream. For now. Plus, shes a mega babeatron, and makes me wish my tan was so much tanner! Total California Girl. Check her out:

babe alert: STREET STYLE BEFORE STREET STYLE

For those of us who enjoy photos of iconic babes being stylish, street style before street style is quite a good series by Oyster, in which lovely ladies from decades past (namely, the seventies) are featured being generally glamorous and oh so beautiful. Its interesting to think how quickly weve gotten used to street style as a thing. These days, shots of celebs and unknowns alike are all over the internet to the point that (with some exceptions) you almost dont care about any of it. But looking at this series, you get the impression that, back in the seventies, it took a little something special in order to earn the attention of the paparazzi--just ask the likes of Françoise Hardy, Bianca Jagger, and especially Jane Birkin (my fav of all time).

See what I mean?

babealert: MARY CRAWLEY

You know how, when a show (or a book) is so good, you just want it to be your whole life forever? And, perhaps even more so, your wardrobe? Ive been thinking about theme dressing a lot lately. Right now, Im all about Westeros (and beyond!), which I hope to discuss at length in the near future. But not so long ago, I was completely obsessed with Downton Abbey. Ive loved turn-of-the(last)century clothing since I was gifted my beloved--and since inexplicably discontinued--Samantha doll for Christmas 92. The period from the nineteen-teens to the nineteen thirties was so dynamic, sartorially speaking; I love its unique combination of residual old-world elegance and propriety, and new-world casual sexiness and practicality. And of course, of everyone at Downton, the girl whos wardrobe Id most like to steal is Marys. Because, what a babe! Nothing can compare to her actual costumes on the show, but the modern collection that comes the closest to capturing its essence (as far as I can tell) is Valentino Spring 2012 Ready-To-Wear:

So ladylike!

images from pbs.org & style.com