Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Daily Style...


Dress: Thrifted and re-constructed by me (1.00)
Belt: Thrift gift from my mom
Shoes: Steve Madden (19.00 sale)
Ring: Forever 21 (3.50)

I came home to a surprise dinner of pasta and sangria today. It was the perfect thing to brighten up a gloomy afternoon. We are now watching one of my favorite movies, the Bird Cage! The sunny South Beach scenes are making me swoon for summery weather. I have high hopes for July!

What's your favorite "Summertime" movie?
(I love Wet, Hot, American Summer...it always makes me nostalgic for camp!)

Art Notes...

Surf Land
The Peabody Essex Museum is a hidden gem tucked away on the winding streets of historical Salem, MA. The Museum boasts an extensive Asian Art collection, including the Yin Yu Tang House, an entire Chinese house that was transported piece-by-piece from China to America and reconstructed on the Museum grounds- it is estimated that the house is between 175 to 200 years old!
While the Yin Yu Tang is one of the major draws of the Institution, I frequent the Peabody Essex (which is only about 15 minutes from my flat) for it's rotating photography exhibitions. The most recent exhibition 'SurfLand: Photographs by Joni Sternbach' does not disappoint. Sternbach utilizes traditional tintype photography techniques to capture portraits and seascapes of East and West Coast surfers. The subjects of her portraits run the gamut from young to old, fit to overweight, famous to everyday; but all of that is stripped away in her images, what the audience sees is a simple portrait of a surfer, accompanied by a tag stating their name and location. It is a beautiful exhibition and I left wanting to learn the tintype technique myself. The exhibition will be up through October 4, if you are planning on being in the North Shore area I highly recommend viewing this exhibition.
Ed, Joni Sternbach, 8 x 10 inches, tintype.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Daily Style...

Today has definitely been a Monday: started with an early morning trip to the dentist and ended with a rain storm. This is one of my favorite outfits though...

White Collared Shirt: J.Crew Outlet (15.00)
Striped Boatneck Sweater: J.Crew Outlet (10.00)
Jeans: H&M (39.90)
Flats: TJMaxx (7.00?)
Ring: Forever 21 (3.50)
Specs: Urban Outfitters (9.00)
This weekend was nice, if a little sad. I said goodbye to another one of my good friends, Justin. He moved back to upstate New York on Saturday. We headed to the beach one last time on Friday, where we read comics and met a cat:
The last thing I expect to meet on the beach is a cat. He was quite friendly though and after some time, a group of children came and got him and brought him home to one of the houses that line the cove.
I'm listening to SWAY right now, which is one of my friends bands. They are excellent and I highly recommend visiting their MySpace, however it is really just making me nostalgic and a little sad. I can't wait until I can visit all of them out in Northampton soon for Papergirl!

Papergirl Project Northampton...

Something coming up that I am excited to participate in:


To read more about Papergirl, visit the website:
If you are an artist or know a group of artists, I encourage you to organize a Papergirl of your own.

More. Later.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Ok, Ok, Ok...

Alright, upon arrival home from work, I've decided to do a 'What I Wore' post. It's not super exciting but I do feel rather pretty and breezy. It's actually quite warm today, however it is looking stormier and stormier by the minute!
Necklace: Self made from one of C's old t-shirts
Dress: J.Crew Outlet (24.99)
Shoes: Forever 21 (28.00)

I've also decided to grow my fringe out. I've had all kinds of fringe styles over the past seven years, from side swept to doll-baby, and I feel as if it's time. I've been wearing it in this little braid lately. It works for now. I have a feeling though, that as soon as Autumn rolls around, I'll cut it again...
And lastly, I thought I'd share some pictures of my disobedient kitties- Zebediah and Zephyr- caught snooping. They know they are not allowed to roam my closet, but do so anyways. I think they like my dresses...
I snuck up on him...

Have a great weekend!

What I WISH I Was Wearing...

This post was inspired by our visit to Sweet Cupcakes the other day. The decor was so simple and cute. Black and white flourish wallpaper with hints of pink, mod white tables and chairs, and bell jars full of bright candy adorned the walls, while bright little cakes peeked out from the counter display. I wish Beverly had a shop like this! We do have The Cupcake Cafe on Rantoul Street, but it really lacks the charm that I experienced at Sweet. I'm also posting this- rather than a 'What I Wore' post- because I've really lacked inspiration this week. The weather has been weird, and I'm just not feelin' it!

Dress: 'Layer Cake Dress' (69.99) ModCloth.com
Shoes: 'Seychelles Cutout Heel' (98.00) UrbanOutfitters.com
Sunglasses: 'Rhinestone Heart Sunglasses' (5.80) Forever21.com
Headwrap: 'Flowerbunch Head Wrap' (24.00) UrbanOutfitters.com
Kitten: Source
Cupcake: Source

I'm looking forward to a low key weekend. I have some craft/ sewing time planned, and will probably also get out and take some pictures if the weather isn't too bad. I hear there are thunderstorms in our future! I love a good thunderstorm!

What is your favorite rainy day activity?

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Virginia Road Trip & Father's Day...

So, as I mentioned in an earlier post, I headed down to Virginia with my Brother and Cousin this past weekend to visit with my Dad, who's ship is docked in Norfolk. My Father is a Chief Engineer Merchant Marine, and this was the first time I've actually seen where he works. The whole experience was very "Life Aquatic", except my Dad is not bent on seeking revenge from a shark. The ship is very 70's and I really liked all of the dials and signs, some of which were in other languages.We stayed on the ship which is about 5 stories high and 750 feet long. I definitely have a new appreciation of what my Father does for a living.

It took about 13 hours of driving to get there, we only stopped a couple of times on the way down. We got there on Friday night and on Saturday we headed to Virginia Beach. It was 102 degrees! Definitely different weather than what we're used to up North! Sunday (fathers day) we dropped the boys off at Busch Gardens to make themselves sick on roller-coasters and my Step-Mom, Dad, Captain D, and I headed to Colonial Williamsburg. Sunday was cooler (about 85) so it was the perfect weather for walking around outside. We stopped at a winery on the way back before retrieving John and T.J. and then headed to dinner. Monday was pretty low key, just hung out until it was time to go to the airport. Unfortunately the weather was so miserable in Boston that our flight was delayed by two hours. Then it was back to the foggy, cold, rainy North.

Everyone calls my Father "Chief", which I really like.

T.J. on the bow:
Pretty much the only decent picture of me from the trip, at the Williamsburg Winery:
On a plank, five stories up, walking between ships:
At the winery:
Williamsburg hats:
Hand-blown bell jars:
"The Governors Mansion":
Sunset over Norfolk:
Sunny skies!:
This room reminded me of "The Life Aquatic" very much:
Beautiful weather!
This is self explanatory:
I think this was a race:
Cranes:
More cranes:
The ship:
John makes an excellent Crab Face:
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge:
Also self explanatory:
At a New Jersey rest stop viewing birds:
John also likes to view birds at New Jersey rest stops:
The George Washington bridge:
driving up to the GW:

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Back to work...

So it's back to work for me after a very long, and very relaxing weekend. I'll post some of my Virginia pictures later. We flew into rainy, cold Boston on Monday night and I ended up taking Tuesday off because my brother decided to stay at our place, rather than drive in crappy weather to Maine. The nice thing about Tuesday was that Chris had the day off too! We spent the afternoon browsing shops and eating cupcakes. And, oh! I think I've found my new favorite place in Harvard Square:
The inside of my lemon & raspberry confection:
Chris with his cupcake
(I think this image is so funny because he looks like a lumber jack with his little cake!)
I also got to wear my new favorite thing! You may recognize this skirt from one of my posts last week, it's the "Ariel Skirt" from ModCloth.com! I decided that I really had to have it, and it was the perfect thing to brighten up a drizzly afternoon. I even had a woman come up to me on the street and tell me that I brightened her day! Needless to say, I am recycling this outfit for today, it's still rainy and I need a little sun in my life:
Jacket: J.Crew Outlet (20.00)
Cardigan: H&M (16.00)
TShirt: H&M (5.00)
Skirt: ModCloth.com (64.99)
Tights: TJMaxx (10.00?)
Shoes: TJMaxx (10.00?)

As much as I love this outfit, I still can't get over the fact that I'm wearing TIGHTS, a SWEATER, and a JACKET at the end of JUNE!!! I'm still not over this weather. I hear it's supposed to be 80 degrees tomorrow though. Here's hoping!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Summer Goals...

One of C and my goals for this summer is to travel more. Gas was so expensive last summer that we really didn't go anywhere, and even a small jaunt to New Hampshire and Maine to visit our families was a cause for financial panic. Luckily the cost of fuel hasn't jumped too much this year so it looks like we will be able to hit the road.

The first trip is to Norfolk, VA and I leave bright and early tomorrow. I will be driving down with my brother and cousin to visit my father on his Merchant Marine ship. I'm really excited because I will be staying on the ship!


It's a very quick trip, we leave tomorrow and fly back on Monday. I've never been to Virginia before and I'm very excited. While we're there I believe we will also be visiting Colonial Williamsburg. I can't wait to take pictures! I need to get some film for my Diana+!

The second jaunt planned is a road trip to Washington, D.C. in July. I will be driving down with two friends to visit another friend that I haven't seen since Thanksgiving. I've been to D.C. before, but not since I was small. The itinerary is open at the moment but something I would really like to do is go to the Phillips Collection to see their new exhibition "Paint Made Flesh" featuring work by painters Jenny Saville, Lucian Freud, John Currin, and many others. All of the work in this exhibition was created after WWII and many of the pieces deal with post-war tensions expressed through the human form. 

And lastly we will also be traveling to New York City some time in July to see the Francis Bacon Retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Francis Bacon was one of my favorite painters to learn about in my Art Since 1945 class, and I'm really excited to see his work in person, up close and personal. We will most likely be meeting up with some friends as well to do the usual NYC things: Printed Matter, Chelsea Galleries, and the Strand Bookstore. I wish I had some photos to post from my April NYC trip, but unfortunately they were lost forever when my computer crashed. It still makes me sad.

I also think we'll be going out to Northampton, MA for July 4 to see our contingent of friends who have moved there recently. I don't know why, but July 4 has become my favorite holiday.

Do any of you have a favorite thing to do in any of these spots?

No pictures of me today. I'm feeling gloomy.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Words can not describe...

How much I want this whole outfit (but especially the skirt...I desperately want the puppy too):

Shirt: "Elsa V-Neck" (12.50) www.delias.com
Skirt: "Ariel Skirt" (64.99)www.modcloth.com
Shoes: "Kimchi Blue Perforated Leather Loafer" (24.99)www.urbanoutfitters.com
Locket: "Open Heart Locket" (13.99) www.modcloth.com
Vintage Vespa Scooter: Google Images

I think it would go well with my hair today:
I haven't made much effort with my hair lately, which I think has contributed to my wanting to cut it all off (been there, done that- not a good decision!). So this morning I actually spent some time with it and I'm feeling pretty good about it.

The sun has FINALLY come out of hiding and it looks like it will be a beautiful day! Yay! C and I retrieved A (one of my closest friends that has been living overseas) from the airport last night, we had mexican and margaritas and today we will be going on a bike ride. It's nice to have a favorite face around, as so many friends have moved out of the area lately.

One more day until I leave for Norfolk, VA. And it's just been confirmed that there will be a trek to D.C. in July...I'm so excited!!!


Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Outfit of the day...

Dress: yard sale embellished by me (1.00)
Tights: TjMaxx (10.00)
Shoes: yard sale (1.00)

I shouldn't be wearing tights on the 16th of June. This is an October outfit. I'm sorry to be constantly complaining about the weather, but enough already! The sun just peeked out for a second, maybe it'll break through today? C and I are headed to the airport this afternoon to retrieve someone special and I'm very excited. We're planning on going out for mexican food and margaritas (which always make me feel summery).

Monday, June 15, 2009

I'm Obsessed with...

Choreographed Group Dancing

I love the Sound of Music and one of my coworkers sent me this today:

from YouTube:
More than 200 dancers were performing their version of "Do Re Mi", in the Central Station of Antwerp. with just 2 rehearsals they created this amazing stunt! Those 4 fantastic minutes started the 23 of march 2009, 08:00 AM. It is a promotion stunt for a Belgian television program, where they are looking for someone to play the leading role, in the musical of "The Sound of Music".

What I wore...


Necklace: Urban Outfitters (anniversary gift)
Lace Crop Vest: Vintage from Modern Millie in Salem, MA (20.00)
Silk Undershirt: Vintage Gunne Sax hand-me-down
Jeans: H&M (35.00)
Shoes: Thrifted orthopedics (1.00)

My shoes and vest are my favorite finds from this past weekend. The shoes are from a yard sale I stumbled across in town, usually I have no luck with vintage oxfords because of the odd shape of my feet but these are a dream! They've hardly been worn, and because they are orthopedic, they are super comfortable! The vest cost a bit more, but I love the scalloped edges and off-white hue.

This weekend was quite busy, and I think you can tell from these images, I'm extremely tired because of it! I'll post more images later of all the festivities!

P.s. It's still cloudy.

Friday, June 12, 2009

This weekend...

So, the projected weather for this weekend seems to have gone from sunny and beautiful to (keeping with the theme of the week) completely hopeless. Isolated thunderstorms, rain, and clouds. I'm a little disappointed, but this also means that I can do some of the indoor things I've been meaning to do. Another list then:
Weekend Plans:
1. Post my Etsy (finally).
2. Visit the Peabody Essex Museum
to see the new Surf Culture Exhibit.
3. Go with D for his first tattoo.
4. Opening for "This Collective Pull" (tonight!)

As mentioned above, the opening for "This Collective Pull" is tonight, it's a collaborative art show for alumni/a who have stayed local and are maintaining studio practices but not necessarily showing in galleries. I'm super excited because I haven't shown my work outside of the annual auction for about two years. The show tonight will be the kick off of what I hope to be a string of collaborations. The work I'm showing is a small collection of the Holga images I took while in Seattle for business this past year. I'm excited to post pictures!

And because I don't like posting without pictures, I'll leave you with this:
Because I think Zephyr has the right idea here, all this weather is good for is sleeping.
Have Good Weekends!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Coveting...

I can't believe that I'm already thinking about my Autumn wardrobe. It's barely summer and I'm dreaming of warm sweaters, cute oxford shoes, and (of course) 60's inspired dresses. I've been coveting quite a few things on the ModCloth (www.modcloth.com) website, so I put a couple of outfits together to (hopefully) sate my clothing lust. Because, god knows, I can't afford anything right now!

The first I think would be a great work outfit, and just screams "POWER!". I do a lot of public speaking for my job and nothing makes me feel more confident than an outfit that demands attention. I think I would add a red skinny waist belt to break up the monochrome:

Dress: "Confidential Dress" 64.99 Modcloth.com
Tights: "Just Teasing Tights" 15.99 Modcloth.com
Bag: "The Lita Clutch in Fender" 47.00 Modcloth.com
Glasses: "Costello Glasses" 11.99 Modcloth.com
Shoes: "Black Mirror Wedges" 39.99 Modcloth.com
Puppy: Google Images
The second is much more summery and would be perfect for July 4th celebrations! Every once and awhile I revert to my old ways and get heavily back into Rockabilly fashion. This outfit makes me drool and wish I were rich:
Dress: "Kissing Booth Dress" 64.99 Modcloth.com
Bag: "The Red Bag of Courage" -sold out- Modcloth.com
Shoes: "Cork & Mindy Wedges" 99.99 Modcloth.com
Glasses: "The Classic Wayfarers" 9.99 Modcloth.com
Puppy: Google Images
In other news Jamie and Stef are visiting us tonight, the weather is still gloomy (which I think accounts for my dreaming of Autumn clothing) so I'm thinking we'll stay in. I was hoping it would be sunny so that we could bike into Salem and visit The Lobster Shanty and eat outside, but I guess that will have to wait for another day.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

10 things i love...


The weather has been especially gloomy lately, cold and wet, it feels like October! Not like June at all. So, to make myself feel better I made a list of 10 things that I love. You would be surprised at how much better you feel after you do this. I've started keeping a notebook with me at all times for this purpose. So, without further ado...

10 Things I love:

1. Sleeping in on rainy mornings.
2. When Zeb wants his belly rubbed.
(he rolls over & meows)
3. New art books.
4. A post-lunch cupcake and tea at my desk.
5. Waking up for work on-time and having the perfect morning.
6. Finding unexpected money in pants pockets and saving it for something special.
7. When Zephyr sits with me during a movie.
8. Pie. Of any kind.
9. Answering the phone and having A on the other end.
10. Puppies.

--------------------------------

Sunday, however was beautiful! I went to Portland, ME with C to visit friends and check out Old Port Fest. I met my Mom and Brother up there, and we had a nice time walking around checking out what all the venders had to offer. I wish I had more images of the day, I'll have to take some pictures of my findings and post later on. I added a couple of images of the DeCordova Museum's opening of "The Old, Weird America". I attended the closed reception with Bea and it turned into a really fun night! They had reinactors firing muskets and the artwork was fantastic. I hadn't visited the DeCordova in years so it was nice to be in the area again too, Lincoln is such a beautiful town:
Looking over the DeCordova Sculpture park:
Bea and some nice sun (remember what the sun looks like?):
The museum:
Muskets!:
(In Portland)
I'm completely obsessed with wrinkly puppies,
this guy was staying cool in the shade:
My mother told me I'm a "Maine Gem" ha!: