rhapsody in white

Let's not resign ourselves to autumn just yet. Instead let's look forward to summer months. Again, you just have to choose your inspiration, and imagine you're there. When I was little, I had this book, Linnea in Monet's Garden. It's about a young girl called Linnea and her friend Mr. Bloom, who takes her on a magical journey to visit Monet's Gardens at Giverny. Growing up, Monet was my absolute favorite artist--I was obsessed--and I used to fantasize about this story at length, down to the last detail: entering tiny pink brick house with its clos normand, seeing the Japanese bridge; lunching on goat cheese and crusty bread on the bank of a river; traveling by train through rolling french countryside... I even loved Linnea's outfit: white pinafore over black sleeves, chinese slippers, and a wide-brimmed sunhat. I ask you: what better way to temper the severity of stark black-and-white than a flat, golden straw hat? Such the perfect outfit for a curious and sophisticated young girl--and so french! If I were given the chance to live the tale now,  I know exactly what I would wear: joie, spring 2014, of course.

Apparently designer Serge Azria's main influence here was a recent trip to Ponza, off the Amalfi coast, where "all the houses where white and all the doors were blue" hence the little touches of azure in this otherwise entirely white collection. How magical! I always think white and blue make for the purest and most transcendent combination of all the colors, so mysterious and divine. Ponza isn't exactly northern France, of course, but in my estimation, these clothes are universal. 

illustration by Lena Anderson via here; Joie images via style.com

AUTUMNAUTICAL

I used to think maybe it was plaid, or fair isle, because of the pattern; but in terms of comfort and ubiquity, I've decided that the winter equivalent to a classic breton top is an oatmealy and perfectly ovine fisherman's jumper. When worn correctly, each impart an old-world, at-home-on-the-beach look, but an arran sweater is so much more celtic and familiar. Around September, I remember that I actually own these articles, and being looking for excuses to wear them; paired with flat leather sandals and some ratty denim cutoffs, it's my favorite outfit of all time, the perfect mix of cozy and beachy, only to be worn this time of year. But the coast is the best place to be any season. Cool-weather nautical is, for me, the perfect, perfectly angst-y vibe to channel through late autumn and directly in to winter. You just have to imagine you're there. Think craggy cliffs breaking frothy waves of ice; wild winds buffeting tufts of heather on cliff tops; dark men dressed in wool, looking stern  under dark skies. 

You know, just like this:

I would live my entire life within this editorial. It's like, Wuthering Heights meets the Secret of Roan Inish. It's exactly what I want. Perhaps with the lead male re-cast, though Adam Driver does have  a certain charm... And speaking of charming, what about that magical, purely bluest gown? (Alberta Ferretti, satin-velvet, $3,000, just so you know.) But it's all perfect, really. Daria Werbowy wearing that golden nose ring, by the sea, is making me feel so wistful for a certain magical time in my past, it hurts.

Days gone by!

Adam Driver and Daria Werbowy by Annie Lebovitz for Vogue; sweater pic via fromparis2london

i've said it before (and i'll say it again)

Isn't it a bummer when things don't work out the way you planned? Things that captivate you from afar aren't always so rosy in person--it's the story of my entire, fickle life, and of the past few weeks. But why waste time on things that don't make you happy? It's just like I always say: you have to Follow Your Heart. I'm a gemini for heaven's sake... what, am I going to dedicate my entire life to doing just one thing, forever? There's no time like the present to re-asses your priorities and try to make your life more like you want it to be--and if you can figure out exactly what that means, so much the better. 

Anyway, that's what I'm working on these days. But, of course, I'm having a hard time! Isn't late summer funny? The anticipation of cooler weather not-yet-realized makes it hard for me to focus on much of anything... and the heat! My god, the heat! Indian Summer they call it, I believe. So in-between-y. Let's get a move on, already!

nailing it: RachelComey2014

Well, its fashion week again, you guys. Isn't it always? Anyway I've been casually browsing, just these last few days, mainly for research. What I've learned, in my quest to put my finger on exactly why a given 'look' does or does not appeal to me, is that I require a bit of scuff. It seems to be a general rule that if something is looking too polished or new, I don't like it at all. Summer time, of course, exacerbates this, so that these days I mostly like to look like  a house-painter: bleached out, frayed, and speckley. It's why I wear so much denim, and why I'm really in to several looks from Rachel Comey's spring ready-to-wear line (especially that one with the coat, cutoffs, and feathers--and are those duck jeans?!)

And all that navy! How perfect!

images via style.com

labordayfun/goodbyesummer

If you're curious, the main reason I haven't been posting a lot is because I'm truly very busy! But I like having a different excuse, like company. Did you know? Over the labor day weekend (already a week ago!) my dearest only twin sister Becky came to stay with us! Earlier this summer, she hosted us briefly in her new city, St. Louis, so it was fun to return the favor. I love it when people come visit! Apart from being fascinated by the art of hosting, it's cool to show people around Pittsburgh, enjoying all the city has to offer with someone for whom it's brand new--like it still is for us! We thought, what with the lovely weather--and almost every restraunt in town closed for the holiday--what better way to spend labor day than a picnic in Point State Park, my favorite spot in town?

 The people were out, with their dogs, and balloons; wearing red white and blue, riding their bikes, and splashing around in the fountain... it felt like the Last Day of Summer! So bittersweet! 

But seriously, have you ever even been to Point State Park? Obviously, I highly recommend it--there's something for everyone! Sweeping lawns (not too big), shady gardens, grand hill-and-city- scapes... and of course, the fountain, with its panoramic view! I wonder if they keep it on in the winter?  Arriving as we did in January, increasing fairness of weather has corresponded to the more our family has settled here in pgh. So it will be interesting, watching the city transitioning into winter. There's nothing like coming full-circle, seasonally, to make a body feel like they really live someplace. 

We miss you already, bwod! Come back soon!

imlovinit: HEARTS!

 Did I tell you I recently got my ears re-peirced? It was corrective. And, it was very strang to sit at a Claire's Accessories, watching some gump lady botch the job (she really did, but I'm ok) because it was almost exactly like the first time I got my ears pierced, also at a Claire's, 17 years ago, where they botched that original job (hence the correction)... only this time I drove myself, and also, I had my own sweetbabychild with me, who spent the time unwittingly perusing One-Direction merchandise. It was a little surreal--the members of 1-D weren't even born yet when I had my ears pierced the first time, you guys! Anyway, then Chase gave me these most sweetest little baby earrings for my birthday:

Aren't they darling? I put them in and have yet to take them out. Because, I'm pretty sure they go with everything! Especially the sweatpants I wear to work everyday (more on that later). That's the thing about hearts. Depending on the context, they can be sweet, girly, preppy, or non-chalant. And so positive they are! Very summery in the form of lolita-esque heart shaped sunglasses, they've also got a bit of a back-to-school vibe for some reason--maybe they remind me of notebook doodling? Which makes them perfect for this time of year. And what's more, they're everywhere! For example, all over the Burberry a/w 2013 collection:

But alas, I find that hearts follow the same rules as stripes, in terms of wearability: the larger the heart, the more deliberate the print, and the less attractive I find it. The Burberry hearts are all a little... Betty-Boop to me, especially in burgundy and white. You can't have big hearts and a valentines day palette--it's too literal! For me, anyway. That trench is way more wearable, thanks to its neutral tones. Navy is another good way to go, as I find it hard for anything to look silly rendered in that particular, universally appropriate shade. And you have to be careful where you put them: for dresses and accessories, I like a ditzy, dappled application; for tops, I like one heart on its own, in place of a monogram, à la Comme Des Garçons, of course. They're just so sweet, here and there, as a patch or the tiniest jewel.

And, obviously, they're perfection with a stripe!

sort-of-clockwise from top left:

j.crew silk boy shirt; comme des garcons tee and cardigan; jcrew girl's gold locket; juju stud earrings; dorothy perkins beanie; lc lauren conrad skinnies; rochas heeled loafer; comme des garcons eau de toilette; asos jelly coin purse; alice+olivia pony hair clutch; mango dress; mela loves london sundress; alphabet bags washbag

runway images via style.com; collage by me on polyvore

poisons, potions, and pistachios

Have you ever been obsessed with an ingredient? For me, right now, its Pistachio Paste, though in truth, its more of a syrup--which is important, because its liquid glossiness is mainly what I find so compelling (its hard to imagine being enamored of an actual paste) The combination of aforementioned translucent syrup-iness and an evil, disney-villaness shade of emerald is something I find altogether enchanting. Like molten green glass. Like some deadly delicious poison anyone could be tricked into eating, by magic or persuasion--and was there ever anything tastier than an Essence of Nut? Pistachio, praline, almond... O to be a pastry! But, more on that later. Back to the paste. I want to call  it "lurid" even though I know that's not the word at all. And how disappointing! It sounds exactly right, so why can't it be? "Verdant" won't do; its the difference between vegetal and toxic. 

painting, tobias tobera; collage, ben giles; watercolor molecular illustration, david s. goodsell;

japanese lithograph illustrations of Louis Vuitton a/w 2012, jules julien 

Isn't it funny how texture can affect our perception of a color so dramatically? The reason this substance seems sinister must have something to do with my subconscious reaction to the particular combination of sheen, viscosity, and hue.  In an interview I read recently about his new line of cosmetics, Marc Jacobs says that "shiny" is his favorite color. That guy! Though, given my obsession with a can of green syrup, I think I can relate. But why are shiny things so captivating, really? I've got this theory, which I'm sure is not original, that when you break it down, we find most things beautiful because they look like babies, sex, or the food we ate when we still lived in trees (namely, fruit). If that's true, I've answered my own question. Actually, it may even explain why that shiny green seems evil to me: to to my ancient primate brain, the texture says sap, honey and nectar, but the color, even though I'm attracted to it, gives me pause. I mean, maybe, right? Color theory sure runs deep. And, also, its tricky!