Blog it Forward: What Inspires Me?

French fashion bloggers! Pandora and The Cherry Blossom Girl use fashion as an expression of their love of history, art, and their beautiful city -- Paris.

It's time for the "Blog it Foward Mashup." This project was started by the talented San Francisco Girl by the Bay as a way for bloggers to share what inspires them. It's a bit like a chain letter for blogs, and today it's my turn. Check out the links at the end of this post to see who is coming up next...I'm pretty sure you'll be addicted {like I am!}. Or, you can find your favorite bloggers on the full schedule here.

Traveling to strange, out-of-the-way destinations. I've visited some bizarre places, like the Surrealist Folly Gardens in Xilitla, Mexico, and the desert art communes in Marfa, Texas, but there are so many unusual spots I'm dying to explore: the Absinthe Museum in New Orleans and the Seti satellites in Puerto Rico are at the top of my list.

Strong, eccentric women with a flare for the dramatic. Tilda Swinton is always unflinchingly original {left, dressed as the Marchessa Casati}, and Anais Nin lived a life more fascinating than even her books reveal.

Art, both new and old. The brilliant Hayv Kahraman is a recent discovery {left} and decadent artist Aubrey Beardsley is an obsession that will never fade...

Books that move, challenge, disgust, and inspire in equal parts... these are two books that changed my perception of literature forever.

Eating...and cooking: the ultimate creative act. It inspires and nourishes. Since discovering my love for cooking, I have come to realize that making food can be as fulfilling {and filling} as making art...corny but true. {Images via Canelle et Vanille}.

Vintage magazines and vintage advertising. I would wallpaper my apartment with vintage ads if I could! I think vintage ad designers are truly forgotten artistic geniuses...

What inspires you, dear readers??

And coming up in the Blog it Forward Mash-up:

• not your average ordinary 3/3 • occupation housewife 3/4 • oh hello! 3/5

• oh, hey great 3/8 • oh, mishka 3/9 • oh so beautiful paper 3/10

• old sweet song 3/11

A Beautiful Mourning.

A dose of mid-week mourning seems like a major downer now that I consider it. Oh well, I'm going with the theme anyway...

A short absence in the blog world seems like the equivalent of an entire year somehow, doesn't it? I've been so busy. I took on a freelance photo editing project last week for a book on medical forensics {a random assignment...not an area of expertise by any means}, and I had no time to pay attention to my beloved blog. I hope she {and you} will forgive me. Needless to say, I was up to my eyeballs in photos of decapitations, bullet wounds, and diseased organs. Yes, a bit yuck. But also fascinating. Needless to say, this got me thinking a lot about death: not in a depressing, teen-angsty kind of way, but in a morbidly romantic kind of way. And who was more morbidly romantic than the Victorians? I sort of wish we hadn't forgotten how to make death a beautiful ritual...

::Check out Chrissy Piper's lovely Victorian mourning photostream on flickr / Learn about Victorian mourning rituals here / Have a look around this fun site that features Victorian low-brow art and objects, including Memento Mori...more goodies for my curiosity cabinet!

Friday Mood Board

{::I really can't stop dreaming of summer: particularly the divine retro swimsuits at Anthropologie right now}.

I've become so prolific at posting links on Twitter lately that I haven't felt like doing a "Weekend Links" post for a while. I'm sure the mood will strike soon. If you usually like my links and you're on Twitter, head over there and and have a peek...

What do you have planned for the weekend, my pretty peaches? Tonight we are celebrating my boyfriend's birthday with man food [chicken fried steak] and man activities [shuffleboard and pool]. I'm afraid the rest of the weekend will be spent grading papers and doing "work."

Today, I thought I would just do a little mood board with some of the things swirling around in my head. What have you been reading/watching/dreaming of lately...?

::I might not have ever mentioned how big of a sci-fi nerd I am, but the cat's out of the bag! I just finished watching Battlestar Galactica, and I'm looking forward to the new spin-off series: Caprica.

::Hayv Kahraman is a new artist I recently discovered: her exotic mix of Middle Eastern influences with an Italian Renaissance vibe is so captivating!

::I am in love with this fashion history book I received for Christmas; I want to frame every picture...

::I have been watching old Pixies videos online with my boyfriend and arguing for their status as the greatest band of all time. What is your vote?

Wish List: Fall Fashion Essentials

Tell me, my smart, stylish readers: what is on your wish-list this season? Here are my 10 must-haves for Fall:

::A grey sheath dress that can transition from work & teaching to a nice dinner {I really want to try the monochromatic look: grey dress, grey tights, and grey pumps!}.

::A cozy sweater coat {the one I've had for years is covered in holes and finally ready to be retired}.

::Black knit skinny pants {a great alternative to leggings this season, and thicker for the winter months}.

::A beaded bib necklace {nothing too pricey, just something fun to play with}.

::A pair of colorful suede pumps {to perk-up my typically neutral work outfits}.

Also on the list:

::Burgundy tights

::Long leather gloves

::Faux Fur Stole

::Cashmere blend pullover sweater

::Tall, brown lace-up boots

As per my list of goals a few weeks ago, I cleaned out my closet and took inventory of the items I have and what I still needed/wanted for Fall. One thing I realized is that often I will put something on my wishlist and end up not buying it, because I make excuses about the high price {for example, the leather jacket I've been wanting for ages}.

The problem is, in the meantime I buy a hundred little things here and there that I don't really need. Then, when the next season rolls around, I realize that the same item that I wanted to begin with is still on my list. Luckily, I received a leather jacket for my birthday a few weeks ago, so that can finally be crossed off!

But, this got me thinking that I should be more conscientious about my lists, and try to pay attention to what I actually really desire, and stop giving in so much to my spur-of-the-moment impulses. Nine times out of ten, the items I want most are those much-lauded "classics" that I can wear for years to come. So, maybe you can help me stick to my list this season!?

Fall Fashion: Pre-Season Wish List

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." - George Eliot
Sad but true, it's hot and humid outside, and I'm officially composing my Fall fashion shopping list. I am cleaning my closet out [again], and making room for the new!

[Click on the image for further details...]

An Autumn-inspired collage of some of my favorite things for the new season:

::A luxe-boho floppy hat.
::A loose, flowy dress in a dark pattern.

::Gold-flecked eyeshadow.
::Dark plum polish or lipstick.
::A large, worn leather carry-all.
::Suede, jewel-tone platform pumps.
::A pair of tall lace-up boots.
::A cozy, vanilla-based perfume.
::A jangly gold charm bracelet.
::What is on your Autumn/Fall wish-list??

Have a Steamy, Sweltering Weekend...

Do you have any interesting plans this weekend, dear readers?

* I am going to: listen to some Michael Jackson and reminisce / spend the day with my friend Sarah at the pool on Saturday /see some live music on Saturday night / go to a museum on Sunday.
* I need to: clean the house [*blah*]

* I hope: my boyfriend and I will have time to snuggle and watch a movie...and have a tennis re-match!
* I really need to: catch up on reading.

* I wish: it weren't so damn HOT!!

It has been sweltering here in the Midwest [100 degrees!], and it is really making me wish I lived near a large body of water. But, alas, I am 9 hours from the closest beach, and I will just have to be satisfied with lounging by the swimming pool at my apartment complex. What are your must-have items for a hot day by the pool or at the beach? I don't need anything too fancy in my "beach bag" -- the key thing is to have items that keep my pale skin from getting fried. I also need a girly fashion magazine, some good summer tunes...and, yes, cold beer [do you find it as funny as I do that I put a can of Bud in my Polyvore collage?].

Here are my essentials:

♥ A modest, retro style swimsuit.
♥ My cozy black Havaianas...that I've had for 8 years.
♥ A big floppy hat to keep the sun off of my face.
♥ My ipod classic.
♥ Some cute sunglasses.
♥ Yummy-smelling sunscreen with SPF 50.
♥ A cold beverage [and my monogrammed koozie -- have you seen these?]
♥ A floral sundress.
♥ An oversized waterproof bag to keep all of my stuff.

♥ Rosebud Salve to keep my lips from getting dry [applied after I've applied sunscreen, of course].

♥ And if I'm hanging out alone, a good poolside book is essential.

I've been dying to read these -- has anyone had the opportunity to check these out? [click for descriptions]

Have a steamy weekend loves!!!

6 Must-Have Spring & Early Summer Looks, 2009

Here are 6 looks I'm loving for Spring/Summer, based around my 6 favorite *dream shoes* right now [and named according to 6 songs that remind me of summer...can you guess the artists?]. What shoes have been catching your eye this season??

Mexican Moon by Nothing Elegant featuring French Connection clutches

Ice Cream by Nothing Elegant featuring Chloé heels

Black Snake Moan by Nothing Elegant featuring Sam Edelman heels

California Love by Nothing Elegant featuring See by Chloé shoulder bags

Girl from Ipanema by Nothing Elegant featuring Givenchy flat shoes

Borderline by Nothing Elegant featuring French Connection clothing

Channeling Maria Bonita Extra

As I've mentioned before, I have a bit of a weakness for Latin designers -- I feel they are able to capture a certain quirky, breezy, yet easy-to-wear look that is sometimes missing with American and European designers. Brazilian designer Maria Bonita Extra is a perfect example of this, and her summer collection for 2009 is absolute perfection in my humble view! I just adore her little details: ruffles, ribbons, flowers, folds, and sheers...subtle, exotic, and pretty as a picture.

Ideas for pulling off this look...

♥ Flower and leaf details ♥ Touches of gold ♥ Flowy Sheers ♥ Chambray ♥Black ribbons ♥Floral prints ♥ Girly Oxfords ♥ Flounces and folds

What is it about Spring that brings my girly side out?? Does that happen to you?

[Click on the image for details]