Forward and backward...

Can you spot the pattern?

This was my final project for my summer photography class, it was harder to pull off than I had expected but it was so much fun.

I'm back to my blog. I had a crazy, bittersweet, overall amazing week. I miss my sister terribly, it feels like my soul was split in two but it'll be fun to have holidays in a different city.

I must catch up on all my blog reading, I'm looking forward to that.

Closet Space...

My sister's leaving has forced me to rethink my current closet layout. She's left me some useful stuff but I just have to rearrange some items (read:CLOTHES!) to make room for it all. This cute blogger put together this post complete with a polyvore set that may just be the answer to my current dilemna.

(via closet shots)

Monday morning eye candy

Aggy for Moussy

(via because im addicted via cultindie)

The fake one...

I'm always drawn to the relationship articles featured in MSN; some are simple and charming but mostly they're so generic it's amusing. Yesterday I read an article written by an actor, Gabriel on his view about dating women who had plastic surgery and why they weren't his preference.

After I finished reading the article, I felt perturbed and I didn't know why. I've always thought that while I'm not particularly drawn to it, women have a right to nip and tuck whatever they see fit. Your body=your choice. Of course, some women do it for the wrong reasons or worse yet, overdo it, still it is to each her own.

Gabriel's point of view wasn't necessarily awful or anti-women; his depiction of these women he had dated who had decided on plastic surgery just seemed unfair. He was angry with a woman he had dated for a couple of months for not telling him she had gotten a nose job years before, Really Gabriel? I remember reading another article geared towards women encouraging them to keep the mystique in their relationships by not letting their boyfriends see them waxing their upper lip or bleaching their teeth. So we shouldn't let them see our routine whitening or hair removal, but rhinoplasty should be disclosed up front? Does that seem right?

Gabriel concluded his article by speaking of one of his great loves being a woman who was "the real deal" as he put it because she'd never nipped or tucked, but even that relationship fell apart due to long distance. Of course when describing her, he said she was pretty, lean and fit. Perhaps Gabriel wasn't repelled to the plastic surgery prone women because he thought it indicated low self-esteem or poor judgement, perhaps he was just scared that the woman was "ugly" underneath all the surgery and he didn't want to be caught dead with an "ugly" woman.

Perhaps I'm just overthinking this whole deal and should lay off the poor guy. What do you all think? Read it and tell me what you think.

UPDATE: If you have a hotmail account, this article is featured when you sign in to check your e-mail.

(photos via BidWiya and beautifulself via flickr)

Stop the hate...

Every website and or magazine as of late that has featured model Petra Nemcova's new do has just proclaimed absolute hate for the change.

I actually really dig it!

Sure, she went for major change by dyeing her hair and going for those dramatic bangs, but it proves she's got balls. I love her bangs because instead of opting for the regular blunt shape other celebs are, hers are almost gradual by being shorter on the sides.

Petra, you go girl!

(photo via here)

The Big O...

I'm sure everyone has heard or read about Robyn Okrant, the Chicago woman who has dedicated a year of her life to living according to Oprah's standards or commandments so to speak. She watches the show everyday and reads Oprah's magazine and every time Oprah says do something, Robyn does it. She's very specific though, she only does it if Oprah actually utters "you must buy this" or "try this", if something is just mentioned in passing then Robyn does not feel obliged to heed to it. Robyn is blogging about her experience recording the cost, time and energy it takes for her to fulfill this project she's undertaken.

To be honest, I've been pretty skeptical or rather indifferent about the whole ordeal until I read an interview with her in one of our local papers (I can't remember which one). She is asked if having to live by someone else's suggestions has been taxing. Her answer was intriguing; she said that at first it was because Oprah makes many suggestions, but that now it's made her life almost easier. She doesn't have to pick out movies anymore, she just watches the latest one that Oprah endorses. This applies to everything from music, books to exercise, food even toothpaste brands. If anyone has a problem with her choices, she can say they most certainly weren't hers.

I've read some of her posts on her blog and surprisingly, some of them are very refreshing and honest. She was bitter about having to buy an expensive grill from Lowe's because she suspects that Oprah just encouraged the purchase of this item because Lowe's is one of her show's sponsors.

In my opinion Robyn's project isn't a mockery at Oprah or even loyal Oprah fanatics; it's a look at a brand that has captivated so many women and asking, does this woman truly have the key to happiness or is this all just a huge marketing ploy? I do believe that Robyn choosing such a famous figure as Oprah may be a marketing ploy for her own interests but I'm interested to see the results. Something tells me though that she'll write a book about the experience and Oprah will turn around and put it on her book club list at which point I will puke and delete this post.

Is it just me...

or does Scott Schuman otherwise known as The Sartorialist, look like Ed Burns in this Gap ad? I had to do a quick double take when I first laid eyes on this.

Am I crazy?

(via fashhh.com)

Seeing yellow...

As I perused the Victoria's Secret catalog the other day, I found these mustard colored shorts and decided (read: impulsively) that I must have them.

I received them yesterday and I must say, although I'm not exactly thrilled with the way they look on me (damn you tall, skinny model), they are pretty comfy so I might be living in them until the end of summer.

(image via Victoria's Secret)

Monthly Info...

After reading a post about Bust magazine's Twin Peaks inspired photo shoot on Chelsea's page, I ran out to buy the magazine.

As I was skimming through it, squealing with delight, I read about an interesting website, mon.thly.info. Basically, you can sign up free of charge and put in the date of your last two or three periods, the site registers it and calculates when your next one will be and notifies you by e-mail a few days or a week before to remind you to start carrying your tampons. I have to say, this might come in handy seeing as I check my e-mail more often than my planner.

Check it out for yourself and see what you think.

(photos originally uploaded by Piax and Ultraviolett via flickr)

Don't wedgie, be happy...

I was at a going away party for a friend of the bf's on Saturday night; I met some delightful girls and they turned me on to a new trend that I wasn't aware of. Hanky Panky, a lingerie and underwear brand makes the best wedgie-proof undies around. How great is that? Their pieces are a little pricier but according to these ladies, totally worth every penny. I myself am a boyshort fan (TMI blogger, anyone?) so I'm eyeing these babies at Nordstrom. (via Nordstrom)

Shabby Chic...

I have a terrible eye for design. The decor (if you can call it that) in my apartment has no rhyme or reason, it is just there. I visit numerous design blogs daily and am amazed at the wonderful taste so many bloggers have and all the great design ideas I couldn't come up with if someone had a gun to my head. Needless to say, here's my weak attempt at a design-ish post:

I was at Target the other day and stumbled upon the Shabby Chic bedding collection and 'twas love at first sight. I don't know how to work it into my current layout (read:black sheets and a tomato blanket) but at this price, mark my words, I will make it happen!

(via Target)

Put on a silly hat and a happy face...

I've been feeling kind of depressed the last couple of days due to illness, my sister moving away in a week and a half and well quite frankly PMS. I hope I can get out of this funk really soon but I'm such a baby I can't watch a damn Olympic medal ceremony without bursting into tears.

To those few who read this, have a wonderful weekend and I leave you with a picture of silly hats and cheers to a beautiful wedding.

xo

Hello Lyell Fall 2008 Collection...

I wanted to introduce myself to you oh beautiful garments since we'll be seeing a lot of each other in the next few months. Actually, you'll be seeing a lot of my hard earned money coming your way. *Sigh* Perfection.

(via Lyell)

Bet you'll be addicted too...

Check out this fun site where you can upload a picture, pick a year and yearbook yourself! Some of them are tricky because of the different angles but it is such a hoot! I picked some of my better ones, go ahead give it a go!

(via Clever Nettle, hers are better than mine)

So pumped for...

The new season of Pushing Daisies!

If you missed the first season of this quirky and delightful show, you must I repeat, you must check it out when it returns in the fall. The only way I can describe it is Tim Burton meets Kate Spade. If that doesn't get your curiosity racing, I don't know what will!

(Photo via here, here and here)

Work and Play

What I sing when I shop...

This little tune plays in my head each time I'm online shopping. It is performed by my most favorite Beatle and co-produced by my most favorite front man to my most favorite band.

P.S. Can you recognize the young man in the video?

Off to Michigan...

My new sunnies and I are off to Michigan for the weekend for a wedding with some pretty summer dresses, good food and much needed beach time.

Have a great weekend!

Blu Blockers, baby...

Every summer, I look for the perfect pair of sunglasses that don't cost a whole month's rent. I hadn't had much luck, when out of nowhere a friend presented me with an amazing pair. Behold the blu blockers:I've chosen Flickr members to model my new sunnies. Mine look very similar to the pink/strawberry shirt wearing, clearly awesome dude.


This picture was too silly to not be included.

This is blu blocker vision.

Mary Kate Olsen, Nicole Richie watch out, I'm bringing the blu blocker back! (Say that 5 times)

(Photos via zabeth, feastoffools, bigfuzzyjesus all via flickr)

Alley Cats...

They don't make 'em like they used to

It says poo

Disturbing but in every alley of Chicago...

Light at the end of the alley

The green always sneaks in

Classic Beauty

The Man in Black

Did anyone else catch the PBS/POV special last night on Johnny Cash? It was such a delightful, brief look into the life of the iconic crooner and his beautiful wife, June Carter-Cash. The film was made in 1969 but the cinematography was unlike any documentary I've ever seen. There were shots of Cash's hometown and of a quaint gas station that just took my breath away. I highly recommend checking the PBS website to see when the film will air again.

A love letter...

Dear Online Boutique Model,

Why must you taunt me with your beautiful smile and overall gorgeous self. I look at that dress you're wearing and it drives my wishful thinking into overdrive; I imagine that if I slip on that maxi dress, I can look as glorious as you do. Oh Online Boutique Model, why must you to this to me?

Sincerely,

Me

(photo via here)