Summer Anthems

Since I'm on an end-of-summer kick...

If there is one band that saved summer music for me this year, it was Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. Their sound is lively, nostalgic, and very eclectic...just perfect, breezy, summer music!

I love finding that one summer anthem or album -- the one that will always remind me of the particular events of this particular summer. One stipulation is that it needs to be good for cranking up in the car and driving with the windows down! This song particularly met the requirements! It will forever remind me of front-porch Mojitos, late-night tennis matches, and singing and clapping in the car with my sweetie...

What was your favorite song or album this summer??

Summer's Coming to an End...

Soon, there will be no more...

• Barbecues


• Swimming pools


• Sandals and summer dresses


• Bike rides


• Patio parties


• Driving with the windows down


• Tan lines


• River/lake trips


• Outdoor concerts


• Picnics in the park
  

The passing of seasons effects me in a strange way -- I'm sad to see summer go, but Autumn always fills me with expectancy. I feel conflicted! For those of us here in the U.S., summer is technically over after the Labor Day holiday {this coming weekend}. I'm so thrilled my sister is coming in from New York to visit this week -- we will spend the last few days of summer together, indulging in some lake-time, lounging on a boat with friends, and getting our last bit of sun-soaking before the days get shorter and cooler.

**What do you plan on doing before the season ends, my friends? Make the very best of it this week!!

Fashion-O-Lic: Blogroll

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Skate Clothing
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Trend dela Creme
Wide Shoes

Makeover Complete!

{via Will Bryant}

I am so happy to be premiering my new blog header today -- In fact, I'm practically bursting with joy!!! My beautiful friend/sister's Brooklyn roommate/talented artist/designer extraordinaire, Lola Serrano kindly re-designed my somewhat pitiful-looking header and {in my humble estimation} turned it into A MASTERPIECE. I really loved my Lee Miller fallout masks too much to let them go, so she helped me spruce them up and added a bit of color and interest, and now they seem a smidge less intimidating ;) I also think she did a great job fitting the aesthetic of the blog!

Nothing Elegant's facelift is finally done for now...Whew! It was quite an endeavor!

*Thanks for being a nice person who makes cool things, Lola!

xoxo,

Tara

Weekend Links

{via Shannon Fricke}

I've really been thinking lately about how I don't want to do any "work" on the weekends -- is that such an insane concept? I always feel pressured to be productive throughout the entire week, but isn't the weekend the time we're supposed to set aside work for a bit and just enjoy living? Maybe that's an unrealistic expectation at this point in my life. Do you work through the weekends?

I definitely think I'm going to do some shopping this weekend! It has been a while, and I want to buy a few things to spruce up my house, like this lovely coverlet from U.O. I also want to check out this book about civility I saw on Oprah yesterday. What's on your agenda for Fri/Sat/Sun??

**Here are some fun links for you to browse:

::Shannon Fricke's lovely interior design/decor blog has me hooked! I think she loves turquoise-blue as much as me...

::Coulson McLeod Limited Edition Art Prints has some limited-edition prints that I dig, particularly this Velvet Underground-inspired one.

::Check out The Frock for the most amazing vintage clothes you have ever set your eyes {or your wallet} upon.

::A Gothic Gym on Nubby Twiglet actually changed my mind about gyms being a potentially cool place to spend time.

::The Hubble Telescope 3-D of the universe is just too awe-inspiring for words.

::These gorgeous hats from Modern Millinery have exquisite little details that make them really stand out.

::Bakery has excellent business and networking tips for artists and bloggers, and it is written in an approachable and accessible style.

Cheers!!
xoxo
Tara

Twilight Saga: New Moon Fashion Guide 2 ~ Volturi Clan

Twilight Series fans, here's a post dedicated to all of you. Last month, I blogged about Alice Cullen's fashion style. Now, let me present to you the fashion statement of the Volturi Clan.

"The Volturi are an organized coven of vampires. They enforce the laws of the vampire world. They "invite" other vampires with powerful gifts to join their coven. They are the largest, and most powerful Coven of vampires in the series."~ Twilight Saga Wiki


Marcus in long draped robe with a somber brown/black paisley scarf and Volturi crest necklace.

Jane in a somber dress with a dark brown bow and the Volturi crest necklace.


Aro in a regal black suit with the Volturi crest necklace.


Caius has a black robe with a red scarf accent.


Alec of the Volturi in black and crimson number.

Source

Wanna Join My Class?

...Well, virtually-speaking anyway. I am teaching a class this semester on the 1890's, and I'm very excited, because the fin de siecle is one of my absolute favorite time periods in art and literature! The reading list includes:

• The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
  
• The Awakening by Kate Chopin
  
• The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
  
• Mrs. Warren's Profession by G.B. Shaw

In addition, we will be reading poetry by Lord Alfred Douglas and Michael Field, as well as short fiction by George Egerton {one of my faves}. You can read along, and we can discuss. ;)

Oh, and don't forget to indulge in a bit of visual stimulation as well: Edward Munch, Aubrey Beardsley, William Morris, Toulouse Lautrec, Mary Cassatt, Degas, Alphonse Mucha, and J.W. Waterhouse.

Don't get me wrong, my students are brilliant, but it would be even more fun if you were here to chat with, too!

Feather Fantasy

No clue where, on god's-green-earth, I would ever wear this feather collar. But I want it!! See My Wonderland's shop on Etsy for more foolishly, wonderfully extravagant feather accessories...

Blake Lively Birthday Bash and Leighton Meester/ Ed Westwick Elle Korea Cover

With the upcoming new season of Gossip Girl, Blake Lively, Leighton Meester and Ed Westwick have been busy with their careers and personal lives. Blake Lively who plays Serena van der Woodsen celebrated her 22nd birthday at the InStyle party. She sported a glamorous Kate Moss dress from Topshop.

On the other hand, Leighton Meester (Blair Waldorf)and Ed Westwick (Chuck Bass)is on the cover of Elle Korea's September 2009 Issue. The pair rocked some vintage fashion in some spreads of the magazine.

See more of their photos!




Photo Sources: 1, 2

Taylor Swift Channels Her 1940s Look

The 19-year-old singer channeled her 1940s look during a photo shoot at London's Notting Hill district. She wore great dresses and magnificent accessories that completed her vintage look.

Check out some of her pics after the jump.



Image Source

Will Govus: Eerie Nightscapes

Not everyone likes to be creeped-out. But I kinda do. Horror Films. Haunted Houses. Ghost-hunting reality shows. I love it all. So, it's no wonder that I'm fond of photographer Will Govus's eerie, suburban nightscapes. He captures artificial light, mist, and shadow in such a foreboding way that you expect Freddy, Jason, or Michael to pop out...

I also think I relate to his images, because I grew up in the suburbs -- and it is rather scary, natch! If you like having a case of the creeps as much as me, check out more of Govus' work here.

Herbal Remedies

I love cooking with herbs -- even when I make a super-simple dish, adding fresh herbs makes it seem more special somehow. I spend so much money on fresh herbs that I'm starting to think I should grow my own. The only problem is that my apartment is severely lacking in proper kitchen/dining room window-ledges {and my cat likes to munch green things}...

If I had a perfect sunny ledge right over my kitchen sink, I would definitely fill it with :: Design Night's cute, versatile Nature Planters. You can grow multiple herbs in one modern, little pot!

But, in the meantime, the Cuisipro Herb Keeper is a really clever way to preserve my leftover herbs, which always seem to wilt before I have the chance to use them.

Do you have any favorite recipes using fresh herbs?? I'm always on the lookout for easy dishes with sage, dill, or rosemary {my favorites}.


::Here is a yummy recipe for Sage Pasta, one of my favorite go-to recipes:

Ingredients

A small bunch of fresh sage {torn from stems}.
A package of fresh cheese tortellini.
Shredded Parmesan.
Olive Oil.
Salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions

Boil the tortellini until al dente. In a pan, heat 2-3 table spoons of olive oil. Add the pasta and the sage. Stir pasta gently with sage and oil until coated. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Continue cooking until the sage is soft and aromatic. During this process, you can also add some shredded parmesan {as little or as much as you like} and stir with the pasta and sage...or you can wait until the pasta is done cooking and let each person top the pasta with the cheese.

I usually just serve this with a simple Ceasar Salad. Voila!! So easy and yummy.

Girl Crush: Marion Cotillard

There was a lovely post last week by Amanda over at Mockingbird {a gorgeous blog and a new favorite} about girl-crushes. I agreed completely with Amanda's choices, and I wondered who else I might add to my list?

I decided I would need to add Marion Cotillard to my girl-crush list. She is beautiful without being overly perfect, adorable without being girlish, and SO talented {La Vie en Rose and Public Enemies}. I only recently came across the pictures of her from the Public Enemies premiere, and was not only smitten by how lovely she looked, but was also drooling over her Elie Saab dress...

The cut and shape are so classic and elegant, and I'm a complete sucker for the cut of the neckline and the perfect mid-calf length. And the pattern/color is mesmerizing -- it reminds me of an ancient Roman mosaic.

C'est perfect!

Do you get girl-crushes, too?? If so, you will LOVE the new blog, Got a Girl Crush, dedicated to women with style, wit, and personality!

Bed of Roses.

{photo via FFFound}

I kind of want to curl up inside the folds of these flowers and take a little nap. I see stress creeping up just beyond the horizon, and I feel the urge to start "shutting down." Do you ever feel like just slinking under the covers when you have a ton to do? It seems so counter-productive, but I'm so often tempted. My mother always said, "one day at a time." So simple, but so true. Maybe I will work on making a daily to-do list instead of the huge, impossible-to-tackle list I have right now. Of course, if anyone wants to send me a lush bunch of peonies, that would help, too.

What tips or tricks do you have for warding off stress and tackling a huge list of to-do's??

Bella's Wedding Dress For The Twilight Series

While the Twilight series' cast is currently filming in Vancouver for New Moon, InStyle released nine wedding dress designs for Bella's upcoming wedding in the fourth book of the series. New York's famous designers like Christian Siriano, Monique Lhuillier, Erin Fetherston, Brian Reyes, Max Azria, Prabal Gurung, Lela Rose, Badgley Mischka, and Zac Posen created their own interpretation of Bella's wedding dress.

See all the looks and decide whose design is the best. As for me, I would go for Monique Lhullier's and Christian Siriano's classic Victorian wedding dresses.

Left: Monique Lhuillier
Right: Christian Siriano


Left: Lela Rose
Right: Max Azria

Left: Badgely Mischka
Right: Erin Fetherston

Left: Zac Posen
Right: Brian Reyes

Prabal Gurung

To view the full details about these gowns, visit Instyle.com gallery.

D&G Jalou: A Fashion Phone for Fashionistas

Fashion house D&G paired with Sony Ericsson to release the upcoming fashion phone for every style-conscious individuals. This limited edition phone is also known as Jalou by Dolce&Gabbana. Jalou comes in a clamshell form and with a facet-cut jewel shape. This phone is not an ordinary fashion accessory because it is smaller that a lipstick with its 73mm length. D&G Jalou comes in rose color and plated with real 24 karat gold.

Moreover, Sony Ericsson 's Jalou will be available in three colors: Deep Amethyst, Aquamarine Blue and Onyx Black.



This phone is definitely irresistible! To know more about its specififations, visit Sonyericsson.com

Miss Piggy's Visit to Marc Jacobs

Miss Piggy visited Marc Jacobs at his SoHo Studio where she was able to have a glimpse of the designer's collection for the upcoming New York Fashion Week. Although there's no confirmation about Miss Piggy's appearance on the upcoming show, reports confirmed that she will wear one of Marc Jacobs' couture gown on Glamorama event.







Photo Source

Current Obsession: J Crew Anklet Socks

I am wholeheartedly determined to buy these J Crew anklet socks and make them work! Particularly the pink ones. I love the idea of an outfit made up of mostly muted tones {greys, blacks, beige} and these cuties at my ankles. I'm pretty sure I would look down and smile every time...

Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez Was Crowned with Peace Crown from Nexus Labs

A few days ago, I posted an article about the choices for the Miss Universe 2009 crown. Today, as Miss Venezuela Stefania Fernandez was hailed as the most beautiful woman in the universe, she received the Peace crown from Nexus Labs.

According to Nexus Labs: "The gentle arches and delicate bezel set accents of the Peace Crown design create a smooth, sweet look with a subtly refined grace."

Photos from: Nexus Labs and Yahoonews