There's something about how all the elements of this look come together that I find so appealing. This model makes me think I want to try a "turband," even though The Man Repeller posted this...Perhaps because I'm an only child, or perhaps because I love party dresses, I have always been a lover of celebrating my own birthday. I find the idea of a whole day where people pay special attention to me and I get lots of hugs and cocktails and Facebook messages from people I haven't talked to in six years just absolutely wonderful. My roomie who has a birthday in November proposed having a joint birthday party here in NYC, and I said no. Just flat out, no. Because I wanted my own. Like a demanding 5-year-old. True story, and I'm really embarrassed now that I've typed it out.
Anyway, here's the Avedon of the day: Dorian Leigh in 1949. Its whimsical and glamorous and fun - just as birthday's should be! I'm working at ELLE all day today, which is a far cry from the mani/pedis, lunch at Le Pichet and generally indulgent day that was my 24th birthday (thanks again Julie!). However, just like last year, I'll be celebrating in the evening with all the people i love (who live nearby, anyway). For the most part, turning 25 isn't really anything to hoot and holler about, but I can't help but think of it as a bit of a milestone. Afterall, it's my first birthday in New York City! I turned 23 and 24 with dreams of this city glimmering in my eyes, and to see it before me as I blow out the candles this year is nothing short of incredible.
There are a few little things (25, actually) that I want to say. Just some thank yous, dreams, accomplishments, memories, goals, shout-outs...
1. Thank you Mom & Dad. You're the only reason I've made it this far. LOVE YOU!
2. This will be the year I get a paying job in the field of my heart's desire.
3. I made it to New York. This is largely thanks to Gina & Tulls. From the U of A to the UES to Chelsea, here we are, together! It's rather amazing I think.
4. I can pay rent in New York. This is largely thanks to Moira. You are my lovely bunk buddy babe and I just adore you.
5. My 23rd and 24th years were all about the whiskey ginger. Perhaps 25 will be a graduation to the bourbon + water on the rocks with a twist like Rachel drinks.
6. This year I want to travel to at least five places I have never been.
7. One of those places being Rome... Moira!
8. This is the year I will learn to cook. For real.
9. Thank you to all the people who took me out for drinks when I first moved here. I felt very loved and very busy, and it was great.
10. My roomies came home last night with fresh roses to put all over the apartment. Gorgeous is as gorgeous does...
11. I can rent a car! Yay!
12. So, this year I'll take a roadtrip. Maybe to Vermont. Or Nordstrom.
13. Lincoln Park After Dark by OPI is still going to be my go-to polish.
14. But You Don't Know Jacques is creepin' up there.
15. Get to 500 OnSugar followers this year? Why not! 239 and counting...
16. Thanks to Ian for hooking me up with the best part-time summer job ever without even knowing me.
17. Thanks to Ryan for letting me keep that job until mid-October.
18. Thank you deli sandwich-making guy who (almost) never judges me for asking him to put a hash brown pattie & avocado in my bacon, egg & cheese on Sunday mornings.
19. This year I'm going to invest in more high quality fabrics. Think less cotton jersey, more silk and wool.
20. I will try not to get down on being 25 - half way through my 20s and half way to 50 years old.
21. I will be excited about being young and free and living in this amazing city, pursuing my dream job and living with my best friends.
22. I will wear sunscreen so I still look 25 when im 30.
23. Thank you to all of you out there reading and enjoying my blog, especially those who have been commenting. It's so rewarding to be producing something that makes me so happy and have it be loved by others too!
24. Thanks again Mom & Dad.
25. Here's to another 25 years of happiness, health, maybe some wealth and lots of love.
I really wasn't lying when I said I was just going to post whatever I felt like this week. Even the MWMM is topped with delicious musical birthday frosting... Or something like that.
Instead of declaring the start of the next year of my life with a fabulous 2010 theme song, I'm going for nostalgia. (Though I may do that theme song thing, too, now that I think about it.) Anyway, this week I'm posingt a song by The Beatles.
When I was growing up, a lot of my tastes in current culture were shaped by what my three cousins liked. When they were teenagers and I was about 8, they loved The Beatles. So, I loved The Beatles. (You have to admit, of all the things I could have gleaned from three teenagers in the early 90s, it's pretty lucky for my parents that it was a band that they, too, loved.) Each holiday I got a new CD or book - or in one instance, an vintage LIFE magazine cover belonging to my grandparents - featuring The Beatles. I remember distinctly that for my graduation from third grade I received my first portable CD player and my first CD: Sargent Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. I get weirdly emo just thinking about how excited I was that day. I had worn my cassette tape of Magical Mystery Tour about to death rewinding to listen to "Penny Lane" over and over.
I loved those albums as a kid because they were colorful and crazy and I had no idea what they were actually singing about. I'm still emotionally attached to them simply because I listend to them so, so, often. As I grew up a little, I started to appreciate the early love songs, from Hard Days Night and Help!, but then I discovered Rubber Soul.
The debate over the greatest Beatles albums rages on always, but for me, there's something about those songs (You Won't See Me, Nowhere Man, Drive My Car, I'm Looking Through You, I've Just Seen A Face, Wait) that absolutely gets to me. Rubber Soul is the one.
After all that (and actually, you probably already pressed play way up at the top of this post) the song I chose is "Norwegian Wood."
I once had a girl, or should I say, she once had me...
Perfection.
*It should be noted that I got so worked up trying to think about my favorite Beatles songs that I nearly drove myself insane... and kept myself awake until 2 a.m. So I shall now list in this nice tiny font, my other favorite songs: Something, Here Comes the Sun, Paperback Writer, Dear Prudence, Oh! Darling, Baby You're A Rich Man, Octopus's Garden, Hello Goodbye, Magical Mystery Tour, Getting Better, Lovely Rita, From Me To You, and... Ticket To Ride, Get Back, Rocky Raccoon and Blackbird.
Finally! It's so cool to see the video of our fun and fashionable day at the Elizabeth & James pop-up shop. It reminds me of how much I loved the clothes I got to wear and how wonderful everyone was - it was a really Fab experience.
In a perfect world, here's what I would like for my birthday. You know, just a few treats to adorn myself with. But the kind of 'I love you, always forever' treasures that will last me another quarter century at least. At 25, I'm feeling a really strong pull towards classic pieces that will last a lifetime (read: wildly expensive collectors items). I don't think they really need too much explanation, but just in case... The Tom Binns necklace is pretty much the end-all-be-all of statement necklaces as far as I'm concerned. I don't know if any one item sums up my tastes better than it does: classic elements with vintage appeal, and glamorous with a playful twist. The Chanel 2.55 is what it is: a classic bag that has held it's own as symbol of status and taste generation after generation. It's perfect. The Reiss bomber is a trendy now, cool forever jacket. (I promise.) I believe a girl needs at least one seriously bad*ss leather jacket in her life, and this one hits the mark for me. The Cartier Tank watch is elegant and masculine and timeless (ha). It's an alligator band with a gold face and Princess Diana wore one.
That's right, I'm turning another year older (on Thursday!!), so I'm just going to post whatever I feel like all week. Apparently yesterday that meant nothing... Sorry! But here I am today, on the brink of turning a quarter century old. As I did last year, I'm going to do daily posts featuring a favorite photographer. This year I've picked Richard Avedon. I have a fantastic book at home of his fashion photography, and I wish I had it out here. So to appease myself, his lovely images will be gracing this blog for the next four days. Starting with this shot of Veruschka in 1967:
Ahhh.
Isn't that a nice way to kick off a Tuesday?
10. Halloween. I am so very excited for my first Halloween in New York. I have no idea what kind of madness awaits, but I know that a good costume is a non-negotiable. Last year I went totally budget and pulled things out of closets and managed not to spend a dime. Not even on drinks! What a lucky little witch I was. Anyway, I'm hoping to pull a similar stunt this year - but with a different outfit. I've narrowed down my budget-friendly ideas this year to Karl Lagerfeld, an Olsen twin, or a cat. Meow? As usual, I just want to wear as much eyeliner as possible. As a cat, I can wear it on my eyes and my cheeks (whiskers!). So, we may have a winner...
"Of all the great cities in the world, New York is still the one that holds the biggest, glittery, giddy promise of promise - the idea that if you have something to say, do, be, create, try, or conquer, you can do it here, that the romance of the self can actually be fulfilled. The young, ambitious types who set out for New York with movie-made notions of what's to come discover that the city is in fact better than the fantasy, because there's so much more to the place than they were able to imagine."
Robbie Myers, Editor's Letter, ELLE magazine October 2010
I've been asking myself over and over again, "Why on Earth don't you own a nice, perfect, goes-with-so-much denim button-down shirt?" I don't have an answer for you, really, except that I'm on a budget. But, isn't everyone? I think I'm going to re-prioritize my next month so I can invest in one. I've seen so many adorable and chic women in New York wearing theirs with skirts and tights and just about everything except jeans that are the same color. The one my heart truely desires is actually a mens shirt from J. Crew - and it's $98. If anyone finds a great denim shirt out there in the world for somewhere around $30, I'd like to know! xoxo
Imagine this: out there in cyberspace is another adorable fashion blogger named Taylor! (http://www.sterlingstyle.net/) What are the odds? She posts really great personal style, full of my favorite kinds of high & low mixing. For example, above she's wearing a vintage top, Ralph Lauren belt, and a J. Crew skirt I am absolutely dyyyyying to own. It's short but not too, sequin-y but ladylike. Sigh, it's perfect.
I love this picture of Birdie Bell at the Ninth Annual Benefit for the Elton John AIDS Foundation at Cipriani last night from vogue.com.
I know what you were thinking when you woke up this morning. You were like, "Dang, it is the middle of the week. Tonight I would really like to dance 'til dawn to some great dance-y, disco-infused electro-pop somewhere on the Lower East Side."
Well, it's your lucky day! Tonight at the Bowery Ballroom, one of my favorite new musical DJ-meets-band groups, The Knocks, will be playing with Holy Ghost! for a late-night show. This isn't a mid-week activity for the weak and sleepy folks, the fun doesn't start until 10:30 p.m.
However, go to The Knocks myspace page (linked above) and listen to "Something I Can Dance To" and I dare you not to immediately decide that it's a brilliant way to spend a Wednesday night (and $15).
It's part of that whole CMJ thing that's going on right now, and here's more info.
I hope you all enjoyed the photos from the FabSugar and Elizabeth & James party. I thought it might be nice to just round up as many of the items we wore as I could and put them here. We had such a blast and it was quite a thrill to be dressed head to toe in designs that (two of my style icons) the Olsen twins created (at least theoretically).
It's a simply question: Will you or will you not lower your fashionable standards (again?) this winter for the frumpy comfort but rather undeniable warmth of the Ugg boot and/or one of it's fuggly cousins?
I'm not judging. I'm just saying, there's a better way. A chicer way. A less Ugg-ly way. I'm not sure what it is, but I'm going to find it and show it to you ASAP. In the meantime though... Tell me the truth... Will you fugg when the time for ballet flats and moccasins and other dainty closed-toe footwear is over?
Have you guys seen this? Coco Rocha recently married James Conran, and the "preview" of their full wedding video is sort of insane. From the location (a chateau outside Paris) to the dress (Zac Posen) ... it's like a dream.
The music is a touch dramatic, but it's better than any wedding video I've ever seen.
(Thanks Rach for sharing this one! To see the full video, which made Rachel, Moira, Hailey and I cry simultaneously, click here.)
"A woman is like a tea bag. You cannot tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water."
Nancy Reagan
I've added a few really great blogs to my 'shup up, I love these other blogs on you...' widget recently. Do yourself a fashionable favor and check them out!
The Man Repeller: This is perhaps one of my favorite blogs of all time. It's all about the clothes and accessories women wear that are a complete turn-off to straight men. Offending items include harem pants, onsies, turbans and of course, clogs. The author, Leandra Medine has the most hilarious, self-deprecating sense of humor and her posts are pitch-perfect and dead-on. She grabs street style photos from the likes of The Sartorialist, and Mr. Newton, and she also includes photos of herself in awesomely man-repelling get-ups. (Thanks to Inslee for turning me on to this one!)
Late Afternoon: Sigh, so pretty. This personal style blog is just gorgeous and dreamy, full of outfits I want on my body right this second. (Kudos to my girl Meghan of wit & whimsy for tweeting about this one!)
Also note All the Pretty Birds & Stylesightings...
You guys are going to be so mad at me. I completely neglected to post pictures and details from a really cool, really fun, very fashion-y event I got to participate in during New York Fashion Week. Which was a month ago, I know. I'm sorry!
Anyway, I was asked by the darling girls at FabSugar to be a model at the party they were throwing at the Elizabeth & James pop-up shop in the West Village. Obviously, I jumped at the chance to a) be a part of NYFW b) meet some of the Sugar team c) indulge my inner model and d) wear some amazing E & J clothes!
The other models, chosen because of their winning personal style entries for Fab's Look of the Day feature, and myself met at the temporary E & J shop on Hudson and immediately dove into the racks of gorgeous clothes. With the help of Fab's Fashion Director Melissa Hughes we put together looks that encorporated our personal style.
I chose a white silk button-down with cargo pockets, a black mini skirt and the tallest black pumps I have ever worn. Our hair and make-up was done by some seriously talented stylists from Bobbi Brown and Sally Hershberger Downtown. Believe it or not I had never had my hair or make-up professionally done, so it was a total thrill for me!
The whole day was seriously too much fun. Everyone working the event from the Sugar team to the stylists to the E & J girls were sweet and stylish and cool. After we did our best power struts and little turns on the catwalk and had many photos and videos taken, we mingled, sipped champagne, and noshed on candies - all while a DJ played. Two of my roommates even came to cheer me on, get styled up and drool over the E & J store.
Browse through the gallery to see the pictures my obliging roommate Tully took during our glamorous Sunday afternoon... And stay tuned because BellaSugar & FabSugar will also have photos and video of the event up soon!
"I'm a model, you know what I mean, as I do my little turn on the catwalk..." - Right Said Fred
Model moment...
Doing my best elbow-pop model pose as Ali and Melissa talked a little about my look...
oh look at me go - double elbow pop
All the models lookin' pretty...
Lindsey & Me
Lindsey & I sipping champagne after the modeling portion of the event. I was pretty obsessed with her sequined top...
Along with Melissa (FabSugar's Fashion Director) and Dierdre (the Marketing Director) we put together E & J outfits that represented our personal style...
(They even had me keep on my vintage gold chains!)
All the models...
we make a nice little group, don't we?
Also, I look so tal!
Clearly I was a couple glasses of champagne deep and hamming it up for the camera.
oh bee-hive!
My hair was huuuuge. and I loved it.
Well Heeled
Ahhhh, Elizabeth and James shoes....
Tully getting her hair did...
Tully & Moira
My darling roommates came to support me and get their hair and make-up done by Bobbi Brown and Sally Hershberger...
me & moi
Moi has a bit of a Marie Antoinette thing going here, no?
look at those waves...
I really, really, liked my outfit. The cargo pocket silk shirt is one of those essential pieces I could see myself wearing again and again with just about everything. The little black skirt has this beautiful draping and fit like a dream... and I can't even talk about the shoes. They were simply killer.
hi Moi!
models off duty...
giving our best MOD looks...
(I'm wearing a Gap sweater, J Brand jeans, Steve Madden sandels and the most amazing jacket I picked up at the army surplus store on 8th street & 5th ave.)
roomie shot
Ohh, just a quick shot with a cater-waiter
