peace.love.heartfly

Geek Love.

2011-02-01T20:21:00.006-06:00

I love the surreal, the fantastic, the imaginary. I love those things of beauty, love and longing. I love the look from the outside in and the solitary. I read a novel a few years ago entitled Geek Love by Katherine Dunn. I was pleasantly reminded of the eerie, yet lovely tale of a family of side-show freaks when I came across a collection of artwork by The Black Apple. Lost On The Midway includes acrylic on canvas and acrylic on wood plaque paintings, along with a handful of dolls and a few pencil sketches depicting the faces of an imaginary circus. It truly captures whimsy with a touch of grim, giving a view into a world almost lost. The traveling circus, how I wish to go one day!

Short and sweet. Bemuse and enjoy!

Love.
C

"Who Are You?"

2011-01-26T14:04:00.005-06:00

Olafur Eliasson, Moss Wall

I envision the caterpillar from Alice In Wonderland crawling upon my shoulder, hookah and all, and posing the question "Who Are YOU?" to me at various intervals in my life. I feel like at times I really know this answer, but other times I'm like the kid in class who vehemently raises their hand, waving it back-and-forth, only to be called upon with no idea what to say.

I think it's quite amazing that I'm still living in the same body that, at one time, did not even know how to walk! I'm using the same brain that once aced organic chemistry tests and knows that "helicobacter pylori" is a bacterium that inhabits parts of our digestive system. I spent summers in a tiny two-piece, with little sail boats floating across my top, as my brother buried me under the sand and my Dad sculpted a mermaid body for my small, ringlet adorned head to sit atop. I've fought for love and lost, and ran from people who were amazing. I've cried so hard I could not breathe, and I've been so far up I felt like nothing could touch me. I love making things, writing down my thoughts, stepping into roles and staring into space (both the space around me and the space around the world). I dream. I dream a lot and I dream big, but I also dream small... like of pistachio gelato in Rome and unicorn rides. I love mythology!! I work really hard at those things I find worth working for, like my art. I work really hard at my craft because it means everything to me. Literally, everything. I love flowers, bunny shaped mac&cheese and my friends... I love my friends a lot.

I guess I just wrote this to see where I am now. I don't think it answered much, but I stopped when it answered what I needed it to.

I chose to show a picture (sorry it's blurry) from an instillation artist who I LOVE, Olafur Eliasson, mainly because his art transcends illusion to vividly speak for art, nature and modern life. I like that, too.

Love.

To Just Live.

2011-01-17T19:46:00.004-06:00

Artwork Via: romybluemel.de

Isn't it funny, life? I mean that with all sincerity, neither implying anything particularly good nor particularly bad. Rather, I say this with humble interest. Our lives? Hmm.

As I was driving home the other day, I thought about the weather and how people always comment about enjoying or hating the cold. How they wish it were summer again, or how they feel quite fine with the way things are, and I began to formulate my newest opinion on the matter; in the winter I will love the cold and in the summer, the heat. Now this is not because I'm trying to be pretentious or indecisive, but instead comes about from my love of just living, or rather to say, of feeling alive. I love to feel and be moved by things. In the summer I am so moved by the feel of a warm sun pulling droplets of water from my skin as I step out the cool waters of a swimming hole, or the way chilly winter nights pinch my cheeks rosy as my fingers begin to numb... it is in these moments that I find life. I begin to be changed by living.

But isn't it always that way, those who move around you begin to move within you? I so much enjoy the gravity of things. The way we pull one another without physical touch, without a single world, how we are able to move each other so wholly. I never want to fear the uncomfortable, as so many people do, because it is in those moments that we begin to embody that tug. Out of those moments pain or pleasure begin to unfold, but if we are never there then how are we to move forward? If we never risk the unknown reaction of our actions, how will we ever be in control of these funny lives of ours? I want to have moments that move me, sincerely, viscerally move me. I feel without them, I cannot and should not look back and claimed to have ever truly lived.

Enjoying being moved by the things that surround your life.

Love.

$20 Thrift: Irving Thrift

2011-01-15T20:27:00.006-06:00

I love to thrift. Being thrifty, in general, yes; but particularly being thrifty by means of shopping for clothes at a thrift store. Over time I've gone to many, many thrift stores, bouncing from one to another, steadily adding pieces to my wardrobe. A thought continued to pop into my head, though, and I couldn't help but wonder, "Could I create a whole outfit, shoes to shoulders, with just $20?" It only makes since that a true test of a good thrifting spot is the ability to find pieces that, together, create a unique look at a low cost. Plus I now had this fantastic hypothesis, and all hypotheses require experimentation... no? So, it got in my head that I wanted to test thrift stores, thereby inventing "$20 Thrift" A game of sorts, one used to see who could put together a whole outfit and get as close to twenty bucks, without going over. Could it be done? Well, yes of course, but could it be done well? We shall see...

Now to find a companion. Hmm? Well, fortunately, the perfect person fell into my life by means of work and happy circumstance. Justin is by no means a stranger to the thrifting world, making him a formidable match... plus, he was willing.

LOCATION: IRVING THRIFT

I loved it all. I woke up early to spend the morning at a thrift store, where I was then able to flitter through racks of clothes, putting together a perfectly individualized outfit. As I slowly saw my disjointed pieces come together; a pair of young men's trousers, a brightly colored silk top, woven boots and an olive blazer once belonging to one "Jim Parker"; my heart literally skipped beats. Totaling out at $16.65, I must admit I could have upped my game a bit. If I'd only know my counterpart was going to be so wholly on par... Justin completely beat me, hitting his mark at exactly $19.97!! It can be done. Two complete ensembles, neither going a penny over twenty, and I must say we do look rather dashing don't you think?

Ha! It's such fun when you have this silly idea... and then act upon it.

Love.

Listening To GOS.

2011-01-04T00:59:00.006-06:00

So, I worked on a monumentally exciting project last year. Literally, it was one year ago that a group of talented writers, directors, actors, designers and all around artists descended upon the unsuspecting town of Shreveport, with nothing more than unadulterated ambition in hand (well we also had a script, camera, lighting/sound equipment and a spaceship on the way). Evan Falbaum, writer/director, has cinematic vision that pours from his heart; Daniel Lachman, lighting designer and resident photographer, can create beauty out of even trivial moments and can truly paint with light ;) ... and now I've heard the work of musical genius composer, Ben Clancy. OH MY GOSH. Listening to what comprises of mere outtakes and ideas has my head spinning!! I can actually hear Getting Outer Space. Please click to listen to Ben's Amazing Work

Moments like today make me so proud to do what I do. I love it so much, it hurts inside. The good, wonderful, even whimsical, kind of hurt. You, know? To put everything into someone other than yourself, someone who is an extension of you in every way but isn't you at all, it's so truly magical... beautiful. Acting seems to be quite a lot like love. I loved Tara and I cannot wait to fall in love again, and again and again. It's what I was made to do. Yes, I'm quite sure of it.

Love Always.

Resolutions.

2011-01-02T14:57:00.006-06:00

It seems that this year, more than any before, I've been quite uncrafty. I made a few crochet items, hand stitched a handful of gifts and screen printed once or twice... but all and all... not much. This year I want to craft like never before, sewing whole outfits and knitting by the yarn spool!! My first resolution of twenty.eleven... CRAFT MORE! My second... keep up with this blogging thing I do :/

Love.

1.1.11

2011-01-01T18:22:00.005-06:00

This is going to be a lovely and wonderful year.

Love Always.

Moxie Is A Must.

2010-12-06T20:26:00.005-06:00

Red lips, one of my favorite fashion accessories. The dewy contrast between rouge and pearl highlighting your best feature, that telling smile, moxie showcased at it's best. I know red is loud, but it's also playful, whimsical and rather lovely. A playful nature has the ability to intoxicate the world with happiness, and that is exactly what was shared with Miu Miu's 2011 Resort Collection. Hues of hot pink and celadon jumped out from a backdrop of nudes and navies, all presented with complete unabashed fortitude. The accessories were as stacked as my magazine piles and, of course, the make up was very perfectly turned up. At Lanvin for H&M the colors were turned down, but the attitude was all moxie. Tulled tees and show stopping tights mingled in among deep plum dresses and faux fur jackets. Green lips replaced my shade of choice, but with this quirky collection it truly was the perfect pucker.

Miu Miu 2011 Resort Collection; Granace Doré

Lanvin for H&M

Needless to say, moxie fills many runways during fashion weeks around the world, but it's also a complete necessity in everyday life. Make moxie a must in yours. Smile, won't you?

Love,

Simply Awkward.

2010-12-05T22:02:00.004-06:00

I do try to seem composed, put together like the many others I see milling about, but the truth is I like unicorns. I don't think you can prevent awkwardness if you like unicorns. I don't necessarily try to be different, but rather always try to be myself. However, the "myself" that I'm made of likes wearing high-waisted trousers with ivy print, gets nervous in front of guys she likes, sings showtunes at the gym, and always finds herself believing in things that are, to most, merely fanciful. So, I'm simply awkward. I guess I just never learned how to contain my imagination, but honestly, I never wanted to. I know that being the girl who trips... a lot... and says things without thinking may sound like an arduous life to lead, but really it's quite wonderful.

I guess some of these imaginative wonderings have found their way into my wardrobe, but with inspiration from designers like Alice + Olivia, Erin Fetherston, and Marc Jacobs who wouldn't want a bit of awkward filling their dresser drawers?

I'm completely head over heals for these looks... literally :/

Love.

I Love The Selby.

2010-11-29T22:15:00.004-06:00

I love this photographer. We just met, but I'm filled with wonder when I look at these precious moments captured in the blink of a shutter.

Albert Maysles, filmmaker, and Gillian Walker, therapist, at their home - Harlem

Photographer, Todd Selby, photographs creative people in their homes. Actors, writers, stylists, directors, editors... if you're right brained and successful, chances are you're on his list. These are some of my favorites, but please do check out this fantastic site for much, much more: The Selby

Pamela Love, jewelry designer, and Jordan Sullivan, photographer and musician,

at their home - Brooklyn

Lyndsay Caleo, goldsmith and interior designer, and Fitzhugh Karol, woodworker and interior designer,

at their home - Brooklyn

Jamie Campbell Bower, actor, at home

Jamie Isaia, photographer, and Anthony Malat, clothing designer,
at their home - Brooklyn

Keith Abrahamsson, music label director, and Kate Young, stylist,
at their home - NYC

There is something so beautiful about the way we are, when in our homes. The people we share that time with and the things we do, this defines our character in a way that our bustling outside lives cannot contain. Thank you for the beauty, Selby. Enjoy!

Love,

Good Morning, Starshine.

2010-11-24T05:49:00.005-06:00

I'm finally back to my sweet little blog, so bleak last month. Sad, really. Clearly THAT just will not do! To start, a singular welcome home entry.

Over the past few months, and particularly this last month, I've grown so much. I look out into the world through new eyes, and although I am still unable to make out what is destined to come, I love that I am now able to look around and see the beauty that surrounds me. I don't know where this path will lead, but at least I'm able to see where my feet are landing as I go!

I cannot and will not regret anything that has happened. This life is too precious to look back, when everything ahead of me looks so lovely. All of it has brought me to this exact place of complete joy, and that is a wonderful thing. I love what I'm doing, where I'm going and every single person that fills my world. Ha! I promise I'm not all peonies and unicorns, however these two things are quite wonderful. Days are hard, work gets difficult, time isn't nearly enough; yet I'm doing what I love, with those I want to be around and it is truly fantastic. I honestly believe that we are all born with these innate gifts, and when we nourish what we've been given and constantly feed that with which we've been entrusted, we find our place in life. It is what allows us to become beyond ordinary. I know where I want to be and I love that I'm there.

Love.

Flappers And Philosophers.

2010-09-24T11:47:00.006-05:00

"Either you think, or else others have to think for you and take power from you, pervert and discipline your natural tastes, civilize and sterilize you."

-F. Scott Fitzgerald

F. Scott Fitzgerald was a contradiction to convention. He spoke directly to his generation, exposing seedy truth behind social hierarchies while unveiling the modern age across The States. His works make you feel powerful and weak, hopeful yet hopeless. Today, on the birthday of this magnificent author, celebrate with me by looking back at some of the original cover art that adorned his great works, and the outfits fitting for them in our modern age!

The great tales Fitzgerald told never withheld the truth. They cause you to stare directly inward and see who resides at the heart of your being. Take pride in what you find there. How boring to be the same! It's a great thing to find yourself, but a greater thing still to share it with the world...

Love.

The Great Gatsby (amazon.com); 3.1 Philip Lim Spring 2011 RTW (style.com); The Beautiful And Damned (amazon.com); Oscar de la Renta Spring 2011 RTW (style.com); This Side Of Paradise (amazon.com); Prada Spring 2011 RTW (style.com)

Patterns Inspired.

2010-09-22T10:16:00.003-05:00

As human beings we are drawn to pattern. It is how we interpret our world and make sense of reality. So, clearly as my eyes made their way over this highly pattered Suno Dress (OpeningCeremony $830), my sense were filled with utter delight... not to mention their perfectly placed three-quarter length sleeve, ready and waiting to usher in the cold. A delightful bit of inspiration for a little Fall find of your own, I must say!

If you need a good place to start, Archive Vintage is playing host to an amazing SALE.SALE.SALE. Trust me, this Vintage Vera cotton pull over (ArchiveVintage $68) isn't the only über inspired piece you can walk away from there. Enjoy your adventures!

Love.

An Interview: The Shining

2010-09-19T15:50:00.008-05:00

This is something so new and so exciting for me. Interviews! There are so many wonderful and inspiring stores that have become my little muses over the years. As new stores turn up, so will I to get the skinny on what they're all about and how they came to be. This week I had so much fun chatting with the delightfully sweet owner of The Shining, a beautiful new boutique jewelry shop on Henderson Ave. This store is full of whimsical charms, stackable rings and rough cut gems that would give any jewelry box something to envy.

So, hi! What's your name: Vicki Tollemache

Do you own the stop or is it a collective: No, I own the shop. It's just me. I'm the owner and the only employee, so I'm here every single day.

What made you want to start a jewelry shop: I had always wanted to. I did an entrepreneurialship degree at North Texas and at that time I thought clothing and jewelry. There's tons of clothing shops, so in the end I thought jewelry because there isn't one. I've seen [boutique] jewelry shops in other cities and loved them, and I just thought, "Dallas could do with one of those!"

Why did you choose to open The Shining in Dallas: I lived here then moved away, went traveling for awhile, started writing my business plan. I know people in New York and LA, and people always say "That's a better city", but the fun part about Dallas is that there's a lot of opportunity to build something rather than go somewhere where there's already things being built. So it's more like, you come here and you start something small. It's kind of like you're a bigger fish than if you went to a city that already has a whole established thing going on.

What made you choose a Henderson Ave location: I just wanted to be near shops that would attract similar kind of people. So for me it was either "We Are 1976" or "Bow & Arrows". Somewhere where someone was doing the same thing that I wanted to do, and then I just wanted to be next to them!

What's The Shining's style: A lot of the jewelry is nature based or inspired, like animals or cast natural objects. I'm a big fan of metal or kind of anything quirky... like a little different.

What would you say is like a good standard everyday piece someone can find at The Shining: I would wear most of these everyday! All of Catbird and the smaller lines that are just like silver pieces, I would wear everyday. I have tons of silver necklaces with a cute little seahorse charm or a unicorn horn or little vampire fangs... I would wear all of those everyday. We have big chunky statment pieces, which don't say everyday to me, but I wear this giant ship ring everyday. Haha! To me that's like an everyday piece! That's the thing I like about jewelry, with clothes if you love something you can't really wear it everyday. If you do people start to say... "Are you gonna wash your clothes?" And with jewelry you can wear it everyday, so it's totally worth the investment.

Tell me about the furs that you carry: Fur is really big right now... My roommate laughs at me, because I like to wear these big wolley coats. I always tell her I kind of like to dress like I'm a muppet. Haha! I like it when I feel like I'm a creature, so I like fur because it makes me feel like I'm a little creature. That's why I think so much of the jewelry is nature based. So, there's no philosophy to it. I like the fur because it just reminds me of the animals, and I like to feel like a creature!

All of your jewelry is so layerable: Especially Erica Weiner... I'm having a hard time keeping her in-stock! All of her stuff looks really good together, and it's reasonably priced. She does these stacks of vintage bangles and vintage gumball machine rings. It looks really good and you can just keep buying pieces and layering it on. I'm a big fan! I like mixing metals, I think everything should be layered. More is better... that's my philosophy!

Whose you're favorite jewelry designer? I don't know if I have a favorite. All the designers I carry here, I like! One of my favorite pieces, I don't even know who made it, it's this snake bracelet that my mom got me in Alpine, Texas. You know? I mean, I really love the designer All For The Mountain. She does all these futuristic pieces and they're just so different from anything I've seen. I'm really into that right now, but everyday it changes! I just think it's cool.

What's in store for The Shining, what's coming up? I'm getting a whole bunch of new lines in! Two should be coming in within the next few days. Then, I'm going up to New York to do market week. I'm hoping to come back with more from the designers I already have and two other lines that will be coming into the store from that. We are going to do a big party with some of the girls that work at Barcadia for Halloween! Then... we're going to have this big thing November 1st that I can't even talk about yet, but I'm so excited about it! Just stuff like that.

So, I was kind of worried about my last question, but now I think you're going to like it. What's you're favorite mythological creature? Well, probably, it's so cheesy but I've always had a huge thing for unicorns... and I sell unicorn horns here!

Dancing And Smiling.

2010-09-16T11:47:00.005-05:00

I love this song and I'd be lying if I said I hadn't spent my morning dancing around my house to it! What a fantastic way to start the day. I'm so thankful for the work I'm doing, the direction I'm going and the people who are standing next to me along my way. I truly have such an amazing life with the most wonderful friends, and I find myself smiling at times just thinking of the opportunities ahead. Although rough times will come, right now I can just grab a brush-microphone throw on a pair of socks (necessary for sliding on wood floors) and dance wildly around my place! Enjoy life today!

Love.

Living And Loving.

2010-09-15T13:07:00.006-05:00

"Happiness is usually attributed by adults to children, and by children to adults."

~Thomas Szasz

Big Thought, a non-profit organization promoting arts in education, has created an after school program for children to engage creatively in a safe environment. So, I get to spend my afternoons fostering creative thinking in kindergardeners! It's the best job but I must admit, they are teaching me so much more than I could ever teach them. Life can be so hard at times, but on days that I find tough to get through these kids show me there is so much to treasure! Imagination can take you anywhere, just yesterday I was on a space odyssey with great battles abounding and laser beams to watch out for! Oh, and their hearts are enormous, unafraid to love everything about everyone. They care for one another, forgive easily, lend a hand when someone needs it... It's funny how a child can help bring you back to the world the way it should be. I cherish the moments these little wonderers give me and find so much inspiration in how they view the world. Moving through life at such a fast pace can make it easy to forget your heart, but at the end of the day that is where you'll find your true happiness. Love big, always!

Love.

Local Artifacts.

2010-09-14T10:47:00.003-05:00

Antique stores are my little anthropological adventures. I love exploring aisles and aisles of trash and treasure so loved or so hated by the ones who finally gave them up. The lighting is always somewhat dim, dust lightly floats up as you shuffle through, and the smell of decades of debris comforts me just so. You see, I practically grew up in antique stores. My parents have always loved scouring the miles of goods filling huge warehouses with everything from furniture to jewelry. They'd take us to the ice cream parlor, found in most antique places, so as to make it more enjoyable... little did they know I loved these Saturday afternoon explorations.

My brother found a way to entertain himself by always beelining it to the antique coin area, while I became interested in old-fashioned thimbles and vintage books! Ugh! The books. I loved their hard covers embossed with the most beautiful swirls, the delicate pages that had yellowed over time and the illustrations... now these were the most important because at the time I was still new to reading but, nevertheless my imagination was great and I had the most wonderful time diving into these marvelous novels.

Jump to today, and those memories make for the most wonderful journeys into stores like White Elephant. I fell in love with this place after my first visit, and have been back far too many times to count! Each adventure finds me lightly strolling around the whole store, mentally decorating in my head. A sun bleached window screen to place over your mantel, lamps and vases to illuminate your rooms, piles of wood to fill an unusable fireplace... my mind races with the possibilities! I'm smiling even as I type, that's how much I love this place. My heart just swells with happiness when I find places that feel like a childhood memory. It's like I'm home again. You know? I think I could go for a strawberry cone today. Yes! A strawberry cone and a trip to White Elephant.

Love.

Insectocycle.

2010-09-13T23:42:00.002-05:00

Cocktails on the front porch of Lustre Pearl, a warm summer breeze, hula hoopers whirling their way around the front lawn as I sit and talk life and times with my gorgeous friend, full of the best practical and loving advice... you'd think life in this moment was just about perfect, and I'd have to agree! The Rainy Street area of Austin is a treasure trove in the mists of discovery, a street full of quaint southern cottages slowly being flipped into these perfectly comfortable bars. Genius! Oh, but it gets better... as we were walking up to our delightful retreat, we passed the most whimsical mode of transportation since the wardrobe... Insectocycles. While not actually their "official" name, what could be more fitting for these Austin Bike Zoo half bug, half cycles? Nothing, in my opinion, oh and they immediately made me smile. Naturally, I had to go back in the morning to capture what these little gems had to offer, a brief pause to enjoy the simple splendor of the unordinary!

Love.

Succulent Dinosaurs.

2010-09-11T18:01:00.006-05:00

I love being in Austin for reasons like Plaid Pigeon. It reminds me of all the wonderful things that can be created with a little imagination and a lot of thinking outside the box. I was so excited about what I found in this delightful little company, I just had to immediately stop in and share these wonderful gems. Easy to care for succulents, growing mainly out of prehistoric creatures, will find a comfortable place in any home. I chose to put a not so prehistoric, pale pink giraffe in my newly decorated living room. A perfect complement to a crushed light blue velvet couch, I believe! If dinosaurs are not your thing (uh? but who doesn't like dinosaurs), then you must buy one of their gorgeous little terrariums. There are some made to hang by a window and others that would look delightful on a dresser. These petite, perfectly kept worlds are held inside delicate glass and capture the feeling of a Midsummer Night Dream. One where fawns like to prance around and hidden fairies are sure to be found! Ugh, if only I could live in a world so beautiful...

Love.

A City of Color.

2010-09-10T10:35:00.007-05:00

Color surrounds are lives in more ways than the aesthetic. It describes our moods, changes our perceptions, signifies warning and safety and, if you so believe, fills our auras. As I flew into San Francisco and then drove on into The Sonoma Wine Country, color littered the city. In early August the sky woke up in a haze of grey, but it didn't take long for the sun to burst through the more than willing clouds to light the landscape in all it's colorful glory. From the Golden Gate bridge with it's rustic red to the rich green leaves dotted with red and white grapes, found in CA vineyards sprinkled along every few miles of land, inspiring color was everywhere. The most exciting sight for me, though, were these lovely lavender plants, with the palest of purple flowers sprouting from a deep celadon stem, all the while yellow and black bees buzzed around spreading pollen from one bushel to another ensuring the survival of the species. It was a dream!

I explored, particularly, the Santa Rosa area where they hold the most fantastic outdoor market every Wednesday. Street vendors line Maple Avenue selling homemade granola, handmade feathered jewelry, flavored honey, crispy pita bread dipped into freshly made hummus, fruit like you wouldn't believe and then there was the ring table... UH! Love! Two women who scoured vintage shops and antique markets alike for the most unique hand adorning pieces one could ever hope to come across. I couldn't help but purchase two little treasures that day! OH! Have I not mentioned the food? So, there was food. Everywhere. Every kind. Good for you food, bad for you food. Greek food stood next to a mini donut shop, and an Indian stand stood proud in the mists of handmade goods vendors. A Mexican place was dishing out handheld tacos topped with bright, juicy tomatoes and vibrant green lettuce all paired with the shallow orange color of a mango agua fresca. A multi colored statue of Snoopy, an extension of the nearby Charles M. Schulz Museum, looked on as I choose to go with turkey legs and corny dogs, but at this market I could have very easily been on better behavior.

This bursting city of color, that I was able to explore while visiting CA, will remain in my memories forever. I wish I could go back and continue the journey, but I know that no matter where life takes me, I'll always be ready for the color.

Love.

Interesting Things I've Learned This Year, And The Clothes I'll Be Wearing In The Next.

2010-09-09T11:08:00.005-05:00

This lovely season the über talented Alexa Chung partnered with the fantastically comfy, chic label Madewell to create nothing short of a daywear masterpiece. As I make my way into a new life, I'll look back on what I've learned and move forward in a new skin... I'm sure it will all be made well. (Umm.. did I really just write that. Uh?)

-Always pair the outfit with the shoes no one else thinks will match... trust you, it will!
-Unexpected will never be boring.
-Go ahead, wear the headscarf!
-Big glasses are nerdy. Sexy nerdy.
-"Oh I'm sorry, do I not match today? Wait. I'm pretty sure I planned on that"

-Braids. Braids. Braids. Twist them up, wear them down... just put them in!
-Shop vintage. Not just for your closet, but for your whole house!
-Crafts make for brilliant endeavors.
-Travel! It'll be good for you.
-A margarita is always a good place to start.
-PAMA liquor. Buy some, please!
-Cocktails made with freshly muddled fruit... mmmm.
-New restaurants house new adventures. Try one!
-Meat tastes better than being vegetarian feels. Ha!
-Why have a smoothie when frozen yogurt exists?
-Once you go organic, 4 PLUs just taste icky. Always look for the 9.
-Drinking a cappuccino with a warm pastry makes me feel like I'm in Italy.
-Chocolate ice cream will never taste good to me... no matter how many times I try it.
-It takes two of my hands to fill one of a man's.
-When a heart breaks, you can actually feel it.
-Nothing beats family... Wait a minute, I knew this one already!
-True friends are the most precious jewels I could ever hope to adorn my world with.
-To truly love someone other than yourself is one of the happiest and most painful tasks.
-Age means nothing when you find a friend that's young at heart!
-Always be honest and always be true, and you will never regret what you say or do. (Oh, rhyming...)

Now onward, and in a new outfit no less!

Love.
C

Photos: refinery29.com; Clothes: Alexa Chung for Madewell

Worlds Apart.

2010-09-08T19:06:00.005-05:00

Almost nine months ago I left Dallas to film a movie with a motley crue of some of the most talented filmmakers I've ever met. We were young, we were willing and this is peek into the world we created. Enjoy!

Love.

A Song to Sing.

2010-09-07T11:50:00.005-05:00

Underneath the moon, underneath the stars

Here's a little heart for you.

Up above the world, up above it all

Here's a hand to hold on to.

But if I should break, if I should fall away

What am I to do?

I need someone to take a little of the weight

Or I'll fall through.

You're just the one that I've been waiting for.

I'll give you all I have to give and more,

But don't let me fall.

Take a little time, walk a little line,

Get the BALANCE right.

Give a little love, give me just enough,

So that I can hold on tight.

We will be alright, I'll stand by your side.

I won't let you down.

But I gotta know, no matter how things go,

We will be alright.

You're just the one that I've been waiting for.

I'll give you all I have to give and more,

But don't let me fall. Don't let me fall.

Underneath the moon, underneath the stars,

Here's a little heart for you.

Up above the world, up above it all,

Here's a hand to hold on to.

You'll be the one I'll love forever more.

I'll be here holding you high above it all...

But don't let me fall.

Love.

Decorated Images.

2010-08-08T10:50:00.004-05:00

Life is full of all these little moments, quick images that shape our worlds. It is how we perceive these flickers of life that create the great tale of our existence, the stories we'll tell long after the initial inception of each memory. What is most inspiring to me, though, is that no matter how ingrained in us each experience is as we look back, we never know what's coming next as we move forward. The things that are so certain and concrete in our lives one day can be the exact things that flood out thoughts with questions and doubt the next, and what we fear can so easily become what comforts us. We decorate each event with such emotion, weaving together all we've been through to paint the newest picture of our lives, and what an amazing ability that is. One singular moment, standing alone, means nothing until it is placed in context. It is how we grow as individuals, how we strengthen our relationships, how we make our dreams come true and how we love beyond all obstacles. These decorated images of our lives, oh how lovely they are.

Love.

Catbird and Cravings.

2010-07-17T13:12:00.006-05:00

So, I took a six month hiatus. Now I'm in a new house (I have a whole room just for crafting), I've fallen in love and I'm learning how to cook. There, I think I've summed up six months quite well actually! Haha.

Before I zip straight to the present I have to tell you... I went a few months ago, but the memories are just as vivid as if I'd unpacked my bags this morning. I finally visited Williamsburg in Brooklyn NY! I'd been wanting to go for such a long time and let me just say, "I love, I love, I love". The day started with the most fantastic brunch: blood orange mimosas, a goat cheese and lamb burger, twenty years of friendship seated around the table... opa, how delicious!

And while I would have loved to join my friends at the local brewery, I just had to explore this rugged gem of an area nestled quietly into the most spectacular New York City. The streets were bustling with hiply dressed twenty-somethings moving in and out of vintage stores and upscale boutiques alike. The sidewalks, lined with homegrown entrepreneurs selling books, records, handmade jewelry, could barley contain the continuous stream of bikers. You could not see a brand name for miles and ahhhhh, what a relief. It made every ounce of that neighborhood feel like just that, a neighborhood.

I stumbled into a store that, as of now, is my favorite in the city! Catbird was filled with delicate baubles for neck and hand that made my head just float away! I'd love to slowly order every one of their pieces over time and, one day, own their whole collection! Sweet, tiny letters and hearts welded carefully onto thin rings; wild, thorny branches that twisted themselves into the shape of hearts hanging on softly bradded chain necklaces. Oh I loved everything I saw, my bank account however only loved two stackable rose gold alphabet rings. A good choice, I think! As I slipped my new rings on one finger and stepped back out onto the streets of Willamsburg, I noticed the most brightly colored and fantastical mural painted up the side of a bagel shop. If I didn't already love this little town, the whimsy of this wall would have sent me over the edge.

Truly the icing of the donut. Ha! Everything about Willamsburg has me craving to go back, and I cannot wait to do just that! Until then I'll enjoy my summer from miles away...

... but I'll dream of an endless summer in the Burg.

love.

Set Me Free.

2010-01-22T22:42:00.004-06:00

"We grow neither better nor worse as we get old, but more like ourselves"

-May Lamberton Becker

AHHHH!! Sometimes I get so terribly in my own head. It's so refreshing to just clear my mind of all the yesterdays or tomorrows. Having the freedom to begin anew. Nudes and whites erased the former pallets of some designers' previous collections. Simply, they are blank slates of innovate design. With these collections the freedom of a light breeze takes the shape of sleeveless blazers and tailored shorts, an easy start to a new phase in life.

It would be so amazing to fly, to be set free and roam the world. If I was not so in love with acting, I think becoming an explorer would be a wonderful career path. The journey. These gorgeous designs capture the free spirit of an avid traveler. Scarves to tie your hair back and skirts to move about in without constraint, these are the perfect collections to pack on your next grand expedition... even if is just a trip to the farmers' market.

I love individuality. Seeing people who hold on to their dreams, who follow them without restraint, this truly inspires me. Bold prints and vivid colors spotted the runways this season and it could not have been more appreciated. My favorite thing about a fresh start is a satisfying finish.

Love,

Celine RTW Spring 2010 (style.com); Yves Saint Laurent RTW Spring 2010 (style.com); Chloé RTW Spring 2010 (style.com); Vena Cava RST 2010 (style.com); Marni RTW Spring 2010 (style.com); Jenni Kayne RTW Spring 2010 (style.com); Diane von Furstenberg RTW Spring 2010 (style.com); Erdem RTW Spring 2010 (style.com); Etro RTW Spring 2010 (style.com)

Space Lover.

2010-01-18T15:09:00.008-06:00

I've been falling more and more in love with the all that lies beyond our world. I'm fascinated by the night sky and long to be somewhere I can see the stars without inhibition. Maybe it's the fact that we know so little, there's nothing to quash our imagination of what might be. In my own life there is so much I have yet to discover; so many fears I have yet to overcome; so many grand adventures I have yet to begin. I feel like I'm at the start of this wonderful journey into the great unknown. I still know so little. Like a scientist's wild hypothesis, I'm able make these grand plans without the fear of being wrong. I'll look up and wish upon the brightest star tonight and tomorrow my adventure begins.

Monciun Moonwalker Skirt $230 (beklina.com); Katherine Fleming Python Clutch $1,300 (openingceremony.us); Adidas Superstar 2 Star Wars Sneakers $85 (adidas.com); Mociun Heaven Tee $40 (jumelle.com); NARS Lipstick in Porte Vecchio $24 (spaceNK.com); IvanaHelsink Dress $260 (beklina.com); Rococo Gold Leaf Lacquer $35.50 (spaceNK.com)

Love.

Charley Harper.

2010-01-13T11:55:00.013-06:00

"When I look at a wildlife or nature subject, I don't see the feathers in the wings, I just count the wings. I see exciting shapes, color combinations, patterns, textures, fascinating behavior and endless possibilities for making interesting pictures. I regard the picture as an ecosystem in which all the elements are interrelated, interdependent, perfectly balanced, without trimming or unutilized parts; and herein lies the lure of painting; in a world of chaos, the picture is one small rectangle in which the artist can create an ordered universe."

-Charley Harper

Charley Harper called his artistic style "modern minimalism". He looked past the minute details and captured the simple beauty in the world around him. His prints inspire me both artistically and philosophically. Just finishing a film and getting ready to go back to school, it's easy to forget how wonderfully happy I am at this point in my life. I have such freedom and so many dreams. I have no idea what's to come and I absolutely love that. I think a lot of people might fear the unknown, but I find so much beauty in the possibilities that lie before me. I just want to focus on the simple things; family, friends, dreams and aspirations. An uncomplicated view of the world. A world in which all these elements become interrelated, interdependent, perfectly balanced. I cannot control what happens around me, but the life I choose to live... that is my small rectangle, my ordered universe, my simple ecosystem.

The freedom and simplicity I saw in Charley Harper's prints filled my mind as I refreshed my memory on this seasons looks. Exciting shapes, inspiring colors, textures and patterns; I saw them in some of my favorite designers' Spring 2010 collections and found them to be wholly fascinating. In this world of chaos, be inspired by the simple things!

"All this beauty; you might have to close your eyes."

ADAM Spring 2010 Ready-To-Wear Collection (style.com); "Trumpeter Swan" by Charley Harper (Ford Times Print: Price Upon Request)

Isaac Mizrahi Spring 2010 Ready-To-Wear Collection (style.com); "Roseate Spoonbills" by Charley Harper (Ford Times Print: $595)

Porenza Schouler Spring 2010 Ready-To-Wear Collection (style.com); "Sunfish" by Charley Harper (Ford Times Print: $395)

Carolina Herrerra Spring 2010 Ready-To-Wear Collection (style.com); "Flamingo-A-Go-Go" by Charley Harper (Original Painting: $25,000)

Oscar de la Renta Spring 2010 Ready-To-Wear Collection (style.com); "Box Seat" by Charley Harper (Lithograph: $50)

Alexander Wang Spring 2010 Ready-To-Wear Collection (style.com); "Packrat Palace" by Charley Harper (Giclee Print: $200- $240)

Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring 2010 Ready-To-Wear Collection (style.com); "Asian Tiger" by Charley Harper (Wall Mural: $295)

Erin Featherston Spring 2010 Ready-To-Wear Collection (style.com); "Owl on the Prowl" by Charley Harper (Giclee Print: $200- $240)

Love.

A Little Tease.

2010-01-12T21:18:00.008-06:00

It still seems a dream, yet our wonderfully talented director has already put together a teaser trailer. Surely it will whet your appetite for what's to come! Enjoy.

Getting Outer Space Teaser Trailer from Evan Falbaum.

Love.

Stand Up Naked.

2010-01-09T21:30:00.014-06:00

What to say. I've spent the last few months of my life getting to know someone who I'll never get to be again. I feel like I've lost some part of myself. We just wrapped filming Evan Falbaum's "Getting Outer Space " in which I play the role of Tara.

Acting allows me breathe life into someone else's words. It connects me to facets of myself I never knew existed. I spent months figuring out how to honestly be another person. I studied Tara; her past, her background, her studies, her feelings. I guess you could say it's like controlled schizophrenia. "Living truthfully under imaginary circumstances"- Meisner

Now it's over. Filming. Hmmm.

It's funny, actually. You're thrust into this world; new environment, new faces, new schedule, new life. You expose yourself emotionally for just a few weeks. Then, you're back to painting, knitting, reading, sketching... back to my routine, my rules, my life. It's a bit unsettling, to be honest.

Rosalind Russell once said:

"Acting is like standing up naked and turning around very slowly."

Odd, but it is. Ha.

And I miss it!

Uh OH!

Now I guess I'm the odd one, but I do. I cannot imagine doing anything else! This is my passion and I thank God for it. What a blessing to be able to do what you love. I've been so fortunate to have met such talented people on set. Every new face had something wonderful to offer, the new environment became a home away from home, I became quite used to the new schedule... I loved it all and I miss it dearly.

Filming my first feature has really taught me so much about who I am as an actor and as a person. I know I'm going to scrutinize everything. I'm already thinking about how I could have done this scene or that scene differently. Oh, but the experience. I cannot even find the words to fully reveal it. Thank you so much GOS cast and crew. I will never forget this.

Love.

A New Adventure.

2009-12-11T22:42:00.012-06:00

Day 1, Sunday, Dec. 13th ----- 10 hour day – 11.7 pages
8am-12pm : Scene 34 (Backyard – Day 4) – Neil, Travis, Tara, Priest------5 pages

Sunday it begins! I dive into filming my first full length film! Ahhhh! I'm so nervous and excited and happy... and nervous! This is going to be a great adventure.

Everyone I've met so far is just wonderful! We have an amazing director and I cannot wait to meet everyone else working on the film! I'll update with pictures soon!

Love.
C

I LOVE.

2009-10-10T18:24:00.005-05:00

It has been such a long time since my last post. Yikes! Acting galore and loving every bit of it! I can't stay long but I wanted to put something up that just made me so happy. Hope it has the same effect on you!

Love.Love

PLH

Boy Oh Boy.

2009-08-06T18:15:00.012-05:00

Rad by Rad Hourani photographed by Jak & Jil

Is it odd that when I see a boy I sometimes think, "I'd really love to try that outfit on myself"?

Ha.

A sane person would say yes. But I truly think fashion inspiration can come from anyone, any place, anything, etc

I just love how instantly sophisticated a tailored blazer looks. Or how laid back loose shorts feel. Or how absolutely sexy a thin, plain v-neck is. Now, I'm not about to run around dressed head to toe, ascot to oxford, day in and day out! How could I forsake dresses and heels?... I've not completely fallen off the deep end! I just love incorporating a bit of boyish good looks into my day-to-day wardrobe. That effortless cool our guys are able to exude...

I love it!

I want it!

Done and done!

Alexander Wang Tropical Oversized Blazer $625 (LaGarconne.com), Splendid Deckside Scoopneck $68 (Anthropologie.com)

Churches Burwood Tri-Color Brogues $425 (Net-A-Porter.com), Proenza Schouler Leather and Chains Messenger Pre-Spring 2010 (ProenzaSchouler.com)

Opening Ceremony Paper Bag Short $143 (OpeningCeremony.com), Pamela Love Arrowhead Necklace (For Inquiries, please contact: info@pamelalovvenyc.com)

Love love love. Bye!

Head BaNger

2009-07-31T14:14:00.010-05:00

How perfect are these? When L showed me the spiked bands for Jennifer Behr's 2009 Fall Collection I nearly died! THE perfect accessory for a concert, gala, or girls night; Jennifer Behr headbands add heaps of romanticism to any outfit. Prices ranging from $68 to $725, these headpieces are cooked up with only the best ingredients: Swarovski Crystal, Pearls, Silver and Gold, Silk, Satin and Leather!

Oh! And if you're planning to tie the knot, she's got a whole line of hair-ware just for you!

Love.

Deep In the Heart

2009-07-28T15:10:00.010-05:00

Nestled in the hills of Texas is the rambunctious, yet surprisingly rejuvenating, city of Austin. The city is this wonderfully eclectic mix of a bohemian lifestyle meets rock & roll. Weekend trip? My sources say yes! Grab a bag and fill it with loose, cool clothing. Throw in a swim suit for a bit of kayaking or a day at Barton Springs. Toss on some shades and head to South Congress for a bit of shopping. Make a quick stop at Snow Beach for a snow cone cool down. Then hit 6th because a hard days play deserves a like-minded night!

Russian Roulette Vee $55 (ModernAmusement.com), Grey Cropped Tank $52 (OakNYC.com)

Destroyed Denim Short $98 (jcrew.com), Sunday Ritual Nylon Bag $125 (ModernAmusement.com)

BenSimon La Tennis Lacets $55 (shopjumelle.com), Ray-Ban Round Silver Mirrored Sunglasses $525 (refinery29shops.com)

Foreign Tropics Swimsuit (ShopNastyGal.com)

Who knows? After a long weekend you just might want to stay. I did!

C ya!

Curiouser and curiouser!

2009-06-28T18:35:00.015-05:00

"I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is 'Who in the world am I?' Ah, that's the great puzzle!"

-Alice

If Alice grew up to become a fashion designer she must have changed her name to Erin Fetherston. One of the most delightful, lovely, and completely fantastical designers, Erin takes you to worlds and times that exist only in dreams. Mad Hats, Ribbons and Lace, Furry Little Animals... this fairy tail of a 2009 Fall/Winter collection has it all! Ha. And those are just the accessories! Perfectly tailored suits walked down the runway alongside high wasted minis, flowing collars, umbrella skirts, angular hemlines, and a ball gown fit for a White Queen.

Oh, to have this collection in my closet...

A girl can dream, can't she?

Go ahead. Take a peek through the looking glass!

Love love.

Chloë

2009-06-26T16:20:00.005-05:00

Style Icon.

A lovely artist in so many respects. Style that is superb, fun, androgynous, sophisticated, and free. You have to take risks before you get it right and she has gotten it right all across the board. Love it.

Muse.

Actress. Actress. Actress.

"Those who are more than women without ceasing to be womanly, everything that is tender, poetic, pure and in every way beautiful."

-Marcel Proust

Any Fun - Coconut Records - Music Video

NOLA

2009-06-22T13:42:00.008-05:00

Oh the sights in New Orleans! I really am falling in love with this little city nestled alongside the Mississippi. L, my dear friend who recently graduated from Tulane, first introduced me to The Big Easy in perfect cajan fashion... daiquiris, beignets, and laying out by the levee.

Now it was my turn to stroll the sidewalks of the French Quarter with a first time friend of my own. My turn to know exactly where I was going. My turn to say, "You just HAVE to try a hurricane". My turn to know just which restaurants to try and boutiques to splurge at. OH, did I mention this was only my third time there... yup... a bit overwhelming! Ha.

Don't worry. I didn't get too lost.

The city was perfect! Grey stone buildings, iron-rod balconies, and bronze statues complemented the neon signs of Burbon St, brick homes in the Vieux, and the vibrant greenery growing from every nook and cranny the city had to offer. It was like the city couldn't make up it's mind... neutrals or color? A question I often find myself pondering at around ten in the morning when I finally decide to get out of my house for the day.

Now, I LOVE blacks, grays, tans and taupes BUT there is always a necessity for a pop of color... maybe two pops... maybe three... sometimes all color is called for.

And you know? I LOVE that too!

Bye for now!

Classic

2009-06-15T15:13:00.007-05:00

I LOVE my friends! I am constantly amazed at their talent! Each has their own unique way of taking in the world and expressing it outwardly. Acting, painting, dancing, singing, screenwriting, playing the guitar, piano, bass, mandolin, crunching numbers in finance, accounting, creating slogans and ads, traveling, photography, politics, film, fashion... I am constantly being inspired! AND each of my lovely friends have these perfect styles that complement their various personality types and talents... exactly what style should do! Right?

Dawson, who I absolutely adore, is my favorite music genius. Listening to him talk about the musical components of a Radiohead song is like listening to a philosopher talk about the beginning of time. His passion for music comes straight from his heart. You can just see it in his eyes, he has so much appreciation for the craft. Such a talent. He also has this wonderfully laid back yet put together style. He, and friend Phillip, lead a band who play covers in the genre I will call 'Southern Comfort Rock & Roll'. Now, when talking about music I am clearly out of my element... CLEARLY. So I'll just jump back into what I love talking about... style. I just love the perfectly un-put-together look these guys pull off.

Oxfords and headbands, plaids and loafers. Something so southern sophisticate yet independently careless. I don't know what it is... 'Southern Comfort Rock & Roll'? Ha. Maybe. Whatever it is these boys are classic. Well, classic with a twist~

See ya!

Hello Again.

2009-05-01T20:53:00.016-05:00

Waking up and doing things unplanned, unannounced, spontaneous as ever: what is living life. freshmen year started out with so many things "to do". Now, the only listed thing i can think of is, "spend every moment you can with those you love and make those moments count". of course there are those pesky little things that must find there way onto a list of some sort: get cast in a show, find a job, finals finals finals, bah! i know, but these moments will never come back! so yes, spend every moment you can with those you love and truly seize the day! carpe diem, right janielle?

So, my point? a fitting ensemble for stepping into the unknown. draping, breezy, simply chic with color as unpredictable as the events waiting to unfold. hair flowing, smiles just peaking under anticipatory eyes. dresses and skirts are a must as spring turns into summer. yes yes i know! dallas weather is the definition of unpredictable, but when the weather channel declares 80º highs the sun is practically begging you to slip on a flowing something! this rain is just a phase. right?

Now a quick run around town. i'm arm in arm with new and really new friends as we duck into the perfectly overflowing resale shop gratitude. inside you'll find racks of vintage clothes, cases of costume jewelry, displays of heirlooms; must have nicknacks from floor to celling! you can't help wish you were shopping with lucile ball herself, picking out the perfect hat to top your coif tonight at The Tropicana Club... and just as your thoughts are surrounded by congo drums and maracas you see a vision. a dress that sill holds its own in the modern world. each bead is perfectly placed, the cap sleeves fall delicately off the collar bone, sheer fabric cut to show just enough. dimmer, yet still able to speak volumes at any swanky dallas party. we found it! the upscale version of the easy, breezy look of the day. who knew an unplanned adventure could lead to such a treasure? now off to bed for tomorrow's grand activities... to be determined.

les rues de paris

2009-02-05T16:10:00.017-06:00

I finally caught it! i was gone the week the flu ripped through our unassuming little campus. unfortunately, the last of what has been going around gripped on tightly to my unprepared immune system the moment i returned. causing me to feel blah all week, this horrid little bug finally upped its strength and utterly took me out today! due to my complete lack of energy, along with being confined to my snug bed, i decided to import a few photos from a great source of inspiration garance doré. she's an illustrator, turned blogger, turned sidewalk fashion photographer extraordinaire.

i hope these images from the streets of paris inspire your imagination. hope to see you all out on the boulevard tomorrow! now, for a warm bowl of chicken soup... sans the chicken, of course!

bonne journée!

in bloom

2009-02-04T16:45:00.004-06:00

although most of the beautiful flowers on our campus have been replaced by shrubbery or the sad remains of what used to be, these leggings are a happy reminder of what's to come. unfortunately for me "what's to come" is a test at nine in the morning! wish i could say more but i have a text book that is calling my name...

something blue

2009-02-03T17:32:00.008-06:00

so, it was my first day out. i'm so thankful the day proved to be less awkward than expected... thanks for that! there is such beautiful color on our campus. the green lawns flanking the miles of tree lined sidewalks. the crystal blue water bursting out of our many fountains. the deep rustic reds of our colonial style buildings. ahhh... and not to be forgotten are the many students donning bright yellow tops, slouchy blue overcoats, funky teal glasses, and highlight green shoes. it's winter, usually the time for deep toned navies, blacks, grays, and forest greens enveloping students in huge coats as we all bustle from class to class. however, only three days into february, our toasty sun is keeping dallas nice and warm allowing this menagerie of color to creep out of our closets and into our classrooms. maybe there is an upside to global warming?