BCBG Max Azria Spring/Summer 2011 RTW

Suprisingly, I adore almost everything from their spring/summer rtw, so had to quickly do another post.  This time ... minidresses.  I again, would mostly do flat sandals, but with hair down, soft tousled waves.  Minimal jewelry, like thin gold bangles.  And lip gloss.  

/images via New York Magazine/

Chloé Summer 2011 RTW

The neutral palette playing with fluid and skimming lines ... ultra feminine, though certainly not frilly.  All one needs is beautifully toned skin, and barely there make-up.  Also love how everything is paired with flats.  And as always, starting from the top 2 as my favorites.

/images via New York Magazine/

Laura Jansen--Use Somebody

I have been slightly obsessed with this cover for the past few months.  I always get like this around the holidays ... a sweet melancholy is a good descriptive.  I love watching her sing this; but if you really want a treat, check out the video of her performing this on her site.

Giving Thanks

My girlfriend is right ... most people will never be happy to see you succeed or attempt to achieve personal goals.  "It scares them.  Reminds them they gave up, and traded in for mediocrity."  The truth is, I just don't have thick skin, and it hurts my feelings.  That's probably why my friends are protective of me.  I inherently attract people who protect me from the proverbial "big bad wolf."

You know what I detest ... seeing people put down the successes of others in their field.  Sour grapes.  That automatically shows me he/she has already failed.  All the grumbling, but they themselves can't or don't tolerate criticism.  Which goes to show, small brushes with fame or new found fortunes most definitely do not come along with having class.  I will move away from these types.  They just drain the life out of any potentially decent relationship.

And ... not a new revelation, but a continual realization ... I am grateful for the loyalty and kindness shown to me by my family and friends.  I have it better than most, I know that.  Not just looking in from the outside, but privately, I have it good.  So good, I never really talk about it.  I want to protect it.  Never let anyone dissect or evaluate it.  I'm sure people speculate, only because their small minds could never understand something they have never experienced.  And really, don't they have anything better to do than gossip or point fingers?  They must be so unhappy.  I feel sorry for them ... not really.

Lastly, there are "givers" and there are "takers."  I would like to think I am naturally one and not the other.  But oh boy, do I attract the other.  It's a trade-off.  And I run across people of all types.  Those who appreciate and those who take advantage.  And just because I don't say anything, doesn't mean I am unaware.  I just choose to let people be who they are.  Sometimes, it takes only a few interactions.  Sometimes, it takes years ... but people eventually reveal their true natures.  That always happens.  No matter what.

Balmain

I adore these mini dresses, starting from the top as my favorite.

Fall 2010 RTW.

/images via their site/

Mother's Day

I am always amazed by the love my children show me. How did I ever get so lucky? (And yes, for some odd reason, my daughter likes use my first name in letters.)

Wake Up E-mail

I received this in my e-mail today. Makes me think of high school.

Mica Ertegün, MAC II

Now this is a kitchen...by the talented designer, Mica Ertegün. I love that it leans towards nontraditional, but is still inviting.

/image via Architectural Digest/

Most Beautiful Rendition

I remember when I first heard the intro music to Twin Peaks...20 years ago. I fell in love with it immediately. This rendition is just stunning. Can you feel it? Haunting, sad, gentle, and innocent all rolled into one composition.

Perfection

One of the loveliest photographs by the late Helmut Newton. It's obviously sensual, but not overtly sexual, which makes it that much more intriguing.

Visual artist, David Lynch, with the striking Isabella Rossellini.

IMA

Me

Me Again

My friend took this picture last week. I think I'm looking into mirror...and again, freezing outside.

Me

I remember it was freezing outside when this was shot.

All Grown Up

This song best exemplifies what I have been pondering the last year...the brevity of life. I used to not think about it. I'm not sure why the sudden change, but I feel...mortal? There is no desire to re-live my youth. I enjoy where I am at. So glad to finally feel grown up. To be taken more seriously? I like that. However, with this also comes the growing realization of the fragility of life. Children will do that to you, you know? They keep things in perspective.

Also, my family...overseas...I miss them. Sometimes, I feel disconnected here. I enjoy the U.S., but wonder if stripped of most modern luxuries, would I still be content? I don't know. If I never moved to the States, how would I have fared? I imagine a much simpler life. One where traits like respect, compassion, and integrity are among the most valuable of commodities. Overindulgence wouldn't be such a problem. People wouldn't be so medicated, and full of excuses.

Would I trade the conveniences of technology for a simpler life? Perhaps. The art of conversation seems lost today. Most people can't hold eye contact with me. So much obscurity in texting...facial expressions, intonations, gestures. (I digress a lot.) If I could tailor an almost perfect day...it would include a well prepared and executed meal amongst loved ones. Laughter, story-telling, music, warm embraces,...just a calm vibe. That's kinda where I want to be. Not living in any extremes, but in the perfect pocket of calm.

Cherry Blossoms

Cloudy out, but I wanted to take this picture before they disappear.

Again

I have been "hiding" lately. Not literally, of course, but just not able to express what has been going on. At this time, I am just hanging out with my closest friends and family. No one else. I feel fragile, but I know I won't break. That fact, I learned through experience. All the times I encountered betrayals, let-downs, lies, etc..., I came up breathing. And so shall it be this time (disclaimer--nothing written here concerns immediate family or close friends.) That is hard to do, you know? I mean, really hard to do. By default, one is tempted to build up walls, pull the covers over, and disappear. Never let people in, so you can't ever be disappointed, again. I was good at this. But it got to the place where I barely felt much of anything. I was "too cool for school," and to this day, that time serves to remind me of where I never want to be, again.

Everyone makes mistakes. Most people fail miserably. But isn't that life? Hopefully, we learn, so we don't make the same mistakes over and over. I know people who rarely "fail." That's because they rarely take risks. They don't go for "it," but settle for what is all too easy, the familiar. They don't really live, but will attempt to suck the life out of you. If you know someone like this, then you also know the weight of that relationship will be on your shoulders. They enter your world, and consume. Of course, this is all under the guise of thoughtfulness, care, and integrity. But when the proverbial wolf bears its teeth, it's pretty much too late.

When I extend a part of me, it is real. When you hurt me, you hurt what is real. Outwardly, I am composed, but on the inside, I certainly feel pain. The goal is to work through the pain, not wallow in it, or worse, pretend it's not there. Can there ever be joy without knowing what it means to suffer? I won't lash out or become contemptuous. What good would that accomplish? So what to do now? Surround myself with those who care and not mentally beat myself up ... at least too much for actually believing you ... again.

Enchanted Forest

My favorite segment of this year's show. And I love the Script...the sweetest lyrics/song ever, really.

Truthfully, I am not a fan of the feminist movement. A reactive stance never achieved anything, aside from throwing the baby out with the bath water. I wish more women would embrace all aspects of femininity. Why can't there be both beauty and brains? I'm not saying women are lesser than men, just different. And to embrace the differences in both sexes keeps things interesting, no?

Zadig & Voltaire

My friend has been wanting me to check out Zadig &Voltaire for a while...I am so happy I did! This line feels edgy, but still sophisticated. I love when designers can capture a mood or lifestyle, particularly if effortless and uncomplicated.

/images via their site/

Snowflakes in Bloom

I took it this morning ... fuzzy trees. The perfect winter day.

Alexander McQueen

You will be missed. (1969-2010)

/image via Russh blog/

Temper Trap

Driving music.

Globe-Trotter Luggage

These Globe-Trotters are very happy-looking, no? So beautifully crafted with a colorful splash of J. Crew. A sure-fire way to avoid luggage mix-ups.

/images via J. Crew/

Blumarine

Yes, I'm pretty much longing for warm weather, so I thought 2010's first post should be these dresses from Blumarine's spring collection. So fresh and spirited. I love how the nude is paired with a powerful punch of color too.

/images via New York magazine/