MyBrownEyes

Edie Rose

2008-10-04T18:59:00.002-04:00

Has everyone checked out Rachel Bilson's new line, Edie Rose?

She is adorbz as usual.

My Boyfriend.

2008-10-04T17:57:00.002-04:00

So i've been away for wayyy too long. i know. And i have so many TV moments to catch up on (including GG of course!). Which pretty much sums up what i've been doing with my life lately...all my fall shows are back on and i'm in a total tizzy. lame, i know. but true. As to not pretend this is a TV blog (cause it's not!) here's a quick round-up, with notes of course:

Sundays are for Brothers & Sisters and Mad Men, of course! Thank God for DVR! I literally almost DIED at the end of last episode of Mad Men! SPOILER ALERT--what the HELL is my boyfriend Roger, the silver fox, doing? His heart belongs to JOAN!!

Mondays are for um, Gossip Girl, duh. Which, by the way, is getting crazy in EPIC porportions. Favorite moment for last episode? Hearing the words "Charlie Trout." I almost peepeed in my panties!!! hahaha. And umm, on that note. Can we just for one second talk about this:

um, O-face.

Tuesdays are for catching up on Californication, which I have to watch online, since I don't have Showtime. David Duchovony is a total sex freak..but i'm totally charmed by him in some sick twisted way. But my FAVE part of the show? This girl who plays his daughter on the show:

I can only WISH that I was as cool at her age.

Wednesdays are for Project Runway and Pushing Daisies. Two words: Kenley cracked.

Her last creation? Truuuuuuly heinous. I'm now pulling for Jerell. Although, in brighter news, I would like to elect Chuck from Pushing Daisies as the cuuuuuuuutest girl on the planet:

i mean, c'mon. you know you agree!

Thursdays are for Grey's Anatomy, which quite frankly has become a snoozefest. I fear for it, i really do. I'll keep watchin' though. Cause i'm that loyal.

Fridays and Saturdays are for going out. I'm not THAT lame guys. Ok, enough about TV.

Hooray for Boots!

2008-10-04T17:52:00.003-04:00

It's fall guys..that means i've been wearing boots with a vengeance and loving every second of it. I'm really, really broke right now (i credit my lack of posting to my lack of buying), so i've been in shopping detention. sad face. but i did treat myself to these in brown:

can't WAIT till they arrive!

GG from last night..

2008-09-23T22:59:00.004-04:00

ok, for realz guys. what IS the uniform at this god-forsaken upper eastside school? does it consist of ANY white shirt, ANY black OR plaid skirt, and ANY tie or something resembling a tie around your neck in ANY fashion you prefer? i mean, just sayin.

and i stay true to my previous statement: blair consistently blows serena out of the water with her school (and otherwise) attire. i mean, can we all just observe this in all it's glory:

p.s. i was reading some shitty article in people about the wardrobe closet on set and i almost fell off my elyptical at the gym. serena has worn a pair of Ferragamo boots that were $65,000 on the show and at any given moment there are 200 headbands to top of blair's look! and that's just the tip of the extremely high-end fashion icerberg. at that, i am speechless.

look familiar?

2008-09-23T22:38:00.005-04:00

remember this adorbz dress from the peter pan collar page i did in BUST? well, the AMAZING Bianca, the brilliant designer behind Dear Creatures let me keep it! And i've been waiting and waiting and waiting to wear it cause it's a little heavy and definitely a fall dress. But i just couldn't stand it anymore, i had to wear it today...it IS fall now right? plus, white tights and oxford heels..yes, please.

Urban Outfitters is the devil.

2008-09-19T20:06:00.002-04:00

that store owns my soul. scooped this up there (gold nautical buttons!!!) on my 3rd visit this week! it's getting out of hand.

I CAN'T QUIT YOU.

Color me Marc.

2008-09-17T22:46:00.005-04:00

i said i was gonna do it. and i did.

i opted for a slighly different silouette, a cap sleeve (more approps for fall), and obvs i used a mustard/white duotone rather than the red. again, more fall and more my color.

more pics tomorrow when i'm wearing it....

i couldn't wait to share!

*ADDENDUM*
i wore it today! here's a pic!

it had a tendency to bunch a bit. but that's the life of not so skinny person. what can i say? i'm not stick or mannequin-like.

GG recap! Episode 3

2008-09-16T20:12:00.002-04:00

Ok, wow. Of course my anticipation for last night's episode was EPIC. Some thoughts..

1. this whole story line..SNORE. when is this horrible woman getting kicked to the curb? i can't stand the whole thing. nate as a gigolobitch? me no think so.

2. Even a high Chuck is a sexy Chuck.

3. oh chuck, please do this to me over and over and over? Preferably wearing that headband! Blair how could you resist him??

4. Well, i guess you couldn't. But guys, Chuck's REAL British accent was spoken!! Instant panty remover if you ask me. How could you want anything else after this?? Douchebag Beaton ruined the moment. DAMN him! I thought i was gonna get to see Chuck naked.

Ok, i've reached unhealthy limits of insanity.

Tights!!!

2008-09-16T19:52:00.005-04:00

IT'S TIME. it's time guys! TIGHTS!!!

i felt the fall breezes this morning and decided i could wait no longer. i had to break out the tights for the first time. and i didn't regret it. it was the BEST fall day today in ny. and it did my heart so much good.

is it weird that it's cool enough to wear tights but warm enough to wear a tank top? I DON'T CARE. i did it.

AAAAAAND. it afforded me the chance to break these out as well:

gray shoe booties from AEROSOLES! yeah, they totes stepped it up with their fall collection. and of course, they are SO comfortable. i bought them about 2 weeks ago and have been waiting and waiting to wear them. they kind of remind me of the Chloe ones Alix wears but 4958094358 times cheaper i'm sure.

mamma mia!

2008-09-15T19:50:00.003-04:00

ok. not the best movie i've ever seen in my life. pierce brosnan needs to stick to 007. for realz.

BUT.

i fell. in. love. with the interiors and greek architecture and textiles and oh the views. the most ridiculously beautiful views. most importantly..in that very theatre for which i watched said movie...began my love affair with that BEDSPREAD. it's been weighing on my mind like an old boyfriend. i want. i NEED to have it.

all it is really is redwork on muslin. does anyone live in greece and see these type of tapestries and textiles in the markets? i would imagine these type of textiles would turn up in middle eastern countries or mexico or somewhere so much cooler than damn america.

as if i didn't want to go to greece badly enough as it is...i feel summoned to go forth and find this bedspread....wherever it lives.

Stick Figure.

2008-09-14T13:39:00.004-04:00

Feeling very accomplished guys..
I have ALWAYS wanted a dress form for forevs and Project Runway just gets in my head and stays there, making the urges that much stronger. But they are SO expensive! Even antique and vintage ones are way more than I want to spend. BUT I found this tutorial from Etsy labs. And was insta-inspired. So this weekend I set out to make my own. Observe Fig. 1 below:

Yay!
Not a vision of perfection. But i'm pretty damn happy with it. Annnnd it's exactly my measurements, so no more guess work and figuring out the math when i'm drafting patterns!

The body form is cast in duct tape just as described in the tutorial. And used a recycled coffee can to give some structure to the neck.

I bought a 1" dowel rod from a hardware store to use as the stand, but you could use the wood shaft of a broom or mop too.

The wheely stand bottom I constructed out of the wood planks from some cheap wall hook fixtures that i bought at the dollar store for 1 buck. I removed the hooks and use the holes that were pre-driven to screw together the pieces and form a cross. i also magically found 4 wheels with appropriate hardware to screw into the bottom of the stand at the same dollar store, also for $1. I used a 1" drill bit and electric drill to make a hole in the center of the cross stand and filled the hole with wood glue. Fit the dowel into the hole and secured it with some L braces I had around the apartment. i probably did the whole thing for around $40. Score!

GG recap! Episode 2

2008-09-09T23:14:00.003-04:00

Umm, yeah. It will be my life's work to recreate this dress:

i was literally speechless over it's magnificence for the entirety of the remaining minutes of the show.

p.s. blair totes gets the better shiz to wear on that show than serena..sorry S, your clothes have been kind lame lately.

...and the whole duchess beaton as nate's hookup ho. Barf! she sucks. but how perfectly timed up was the santo gold song playing while B catches them? ahh, video editing bliss. josh schwartz...you're my hero.

**ADDENDUM**
i found the very dress!! and shooooocker is marc by marc jacobs! available at Neiman Marcus, on sale for $150 marked down from $450. i still think i will make my own for wayy less.

Antique Flea Markets.

2008-09-08T19:35:00.002-04:00

NYC is good for many many things...though among them, is not antique stores. Ya know, the huge antique flea market type deals they have all over the south and in weird suburbs, tucked away in corners, filled to the brim with relics of the past? We just don't have those here. And i'm totally in hot pursuit of an antique, wrought-iron bed such as this one! It makes me beyond sad that one of these amazing pieces from yesteryear is tucked away in one of those huge antique shops, marked with some ridiculously low price tag, just out of my reach. So i ask you (those living in the reasonably close by northeast)...if while perusing your favorite huge antique store and you see one....can ya just let me know? It may just warrant a road trip!

Help!

2008-09-08T15:47:00.003-04:00

Ok, so I'm reaching out to all my lovely readers because you all have such impeccable taste and..
a) because i know we are all the same and scour the internet for the most desirable things to own on a daily basis
b) because i know i've seen plenty 'o' awesome things on all your blogs that i would l-o-v-e to have myself, so i trust that we all drool over the same adorable things

i need your help! i'm working on pulling together my staff picks for the dec/jan gift guide in Bust and want your opinions. what are you totally lusting over for this holiday season? Post links to the most amazing things you're obsessing over in the comments. Clothes, shoes, household items, accessories, gifty little items, anything you can think of....thanks lovelies!!

Mad Men!!

2008-09-06T17:56:00.002-04:00

Ok, so part of the reason I have been very much absent from my blogging is not my fault. Mad Med has totally and completely claimed my life! I can't get enoooooough! It's like..cocaine. I've spent the last 2 weeks literally catching up on season 1 via surfthechannel.com and now i am totes caught up. Is it sad that I won't stop..? I mean, I haven't watched all the episodes from season 2. Eeeek! It's like a sickness. I am weak. But for realz..the clothes are siiiiiick. I mean, come on!

1. SO jells of these women that they get to wear these incredible vintage fashions every day!

2. what did they call a girl crush in the 60's? umm, joanie..please marry me?

p.s. why am i totally and completetely in love with this man:

i have always been oddly attracted to john slattery. and now that he's on this show, and i have to see him everyday (no joke, every day.) I am totally and completely enamored with why i am infatuated with him! he has white hair for god sakes! and he was born in 1962, which makes him, what, 46? he could be my effing be my father! but i am not ashamed to say i am IN LOVE with him. whyyyyyyyyyy?

johny: if you're reading this (which you're not), please let me have your babies.

New Stuff that's Old!

2008-09-06T17:42:00.005-04:00

This rainy, rainy day finally allowed me to put up some of the 3293205932-5 lovely things I rescued from my grandma's attic in my store. I so wish that I had what it takes to wear all these fancy topper hats from the 40's. I did however, keep a couple for myself. But there are far too many gems to not share with the world. This stuff is in crazy good condition too...suuuuch a pity it took me until now to rescue them!

p.s. those fancy gloves i was talking about a while back are up in the store now too!

Are you there shoes? It's me, Tara.

2008-09-05T19:09:00.005-04:00

i look a little sad and reflective here but i assure you that i am not.
maybe i am just looking downwards to the center of the universe, aka, my new Faryl Robins. So many heartz. Jealous huh???
Too bad that they are slowly, day by day, tearing ,my poor little feet to shreds. But i. will. not. abandon. them.

GG recap!

2008-09-05T18:39:00.002-04:00

omgomgomg! i can't believe it's taken me till now to post about the season premiere of Gossip Girl!! seriously, that show makes me giddy like a school girl. i think i just love living vicariously through them. i guess that's kind of the point, right? but for realz..."i am a lord." i couldn't stop friggin sayin it allllll night ahahahahahaha. it looks like it's gonna get all crazy next episode with the duchess and all the that shiz, which will probs be ridiculous, but i don't care. nothing can keep me from that show! ok..some more thoughts from the evening...

1. of all that is good and holy...i don't think i live another day without this bathing suit!

2. so glad to see my girl blair rides her bike in dresses just like me! (even if it is with douche-bag beaton)

3. why i ask you did it take this long to get chuck in a fedora??? Lord help me..i can't take the hotness.

4. and this is where i die. at this, i am totally speechless. blair, please be my friend, pleeeease.

7 days of darkness.

2008-09-05T18:31:00.003-04:00

whaaaaaaaat??? it's been 7 (or 8?) days since i've posted!! eeeek. i've been really naughty. but ya know what? i'm really sick of the constant apologizing, and promising to be better, and then never getting better and then starting over again. so for those who are actually still readin' this thing..thanks for stickin' around! and i assure you i'm not dead. i have a big ole long queue of posts to come...

annnd...what's been occupying me has been very very exciting, but not ready to be revealed yet...but soooooooon...

p.s. this is what i wore like 10 million days ago.

dress: vintage (stella dallas, brooklyn)
shoes: uo
purse: vintage (grandma's attic)

OMFG!

2008-08-27T23:08:00.003-04:00

omgomgomgomg 5 dayyyyyyyyys!!!

no no miu miu

2008-08-27T22:45:00.004-04:00

Yep, uh huh, i did it. i broke my shopping detention and bought these Faryl Robin shoes and they're nothing short of magical. somewhere between something dainty and feminine that Alix would wear and something Elizabeth would call bonkerstown. i love 'em. and i can't wait to wear them with crazy bright tights!

I <3 Frankie

2008-08-27T22:20:00.007-04:00

guess what fiiiiinally arrived??? YES. my wish came true and my new super-awesome BFF Anastasia sent me a little package all the way from down under! GAH! I can hardly stand my excitement. Among it's contents was the magazine, of course, as well as this cute little wallet/clutch and a quirky and adorable pin with a fly on it. *gush*

and can i just say...i can totally and completely stand by my proclamation that Frankie IS the only magazine that i can totally devour (besides BUST of course), in all it's awesomeness. I seriously read...every...word.

even the editor's letter was nothing short of genius! a fashion story with the most adorable opener i've ever seen with stocking's taped to a wall called pippi longstocking (oh, nostalgic pangs of youth). and among it's pages was one woman's short rant about only appreciating other people's kids from afar and the feeling that becoming impregnated with child would be the worst kiss of death (which i totally and completely could relate to and could not have written better myself). dont get me wrong, no judgement for any woman who yearns to be a mother, motherhood is just not my cup of tea, and would never wish that upon myself...just a personal choice. and it was nice and refreshing to see that perspective written about. plus! across from it was this totally funny article about how people are judged by their bookshelves. it was brilliant. AND, they featured an artist (as they do in each issue), this time was Rob Ryan, who does these amazing pieces totally made of paper cuts and included was a super awesome art poster of his work, which i promptly hung on my wall with the others. ok, done gushing..

*p.s. thankyouthankyouthankyou to all of the other lovely gals who offered to send me the mag! you are all so very sweet!

I kind of got dressed today...

2008-08-21T21:49:00.003-04:00

bleh! i'm so sick of my clothes! this morning was one of those days where a big heap of clothing ended up piled on my bed, all discarded options that i put on and then decided i hated and took off and threw on the bed. i hate those mornings! and i think they're happening more and more because i have put myself in shopping detention and haven't bought anything new in wayyyy too long. i'm surprised i'm not in a deep depression to be honest with you. but at least i made an attempt at putting on something halfway decent today!

and the vintage photo effect makes it look 3948394 times purdier.

*UPDATE*
i'm gonna go on a mega shopping spree reeeeeeal soon. i feel it coming...lord help me.

blahness-zone.

2008-08-18T21:18:00.003-04:00

i credit my blogging hiatus to a total sense of blah. all the summer-lovers can hate if they want to..i'm so totally sick of summer!! And i know i'm not the only one. it seems like a lot of other fellow bloggers are saying the same thing. i just hate sweating..a lot! layering is totally out in the summer..no scarfs or cardigans or knit tights! so i've just been throwing on a lot of nothing lately (like above). Nothing special huh? Yeah, i don't think so either. Jeez, i can't even motivate myself to take decent outfit photos. *siiiiigh.

curent hair status: curly

Girl Crush!

2008-08-17T12:46:00.004-04:00

My favoritest girl crush on Project Runway is most definitely this one. I mean, come on, have you ever seen more perfection in rockabilly hair? puuuuleaaaase.

why oh why?

2008-08-17T12:20:00.003-04:00

why oh why are there only 1 pair of these beautiful shoes left on the earth (of which are not my size)?????? I....NEED......THEM!!

doctor, doctor!

2008-08-06T23:07:00.003-04:00

one of the many perks of working in magazines, is the free stuff. and since doc martens is sponsoring our big 15 year anniversary party next tuesday (which if you live in the nyc area, stop what you're doing and go buy a ticket now!), we're getting hooked up with some new kicks. while perusing their site today to pick out my pair i came across these:

i've seen other chicks rock these flowered doc martens (well, i mind you) and i often have envy pangs for those who can pull them off. i wish i had enough bad-assery to wear them confidently, but sadly i just don't. so instead, i settled on these:

not your typical idea of a doc marten, but a little bit more my style. is it fall yettttttt???

gloves!!!

2008-08-06T23:00:00.002-04:00

grandmas's are good for so many things..among them..hand-me-downs! i beg my grandma every time i visit her house to let me go up in the attic and dig through all the wonderful things i know i'll find up there. knowing my love for vintage findings, last time i saw her, she had put together a little package of all her old, vintage belongings that she thought i would enjoy. SHE HAD 349239052035923 PAIRS OF GLOVES! she must have loved gloves. they are all so beautiful and each with it's own delicate embellishment or detail (i especially love the ruffled ones!). oh how i wish it was the 40s and 50s again, so we could all wear pretty gloves again. i don't know what i would do with all these gloves though, i may keep a couple pairs for myself (maybe even hang 'em on my friggin wall!) but i will most likely sell the rest. so keep posted, they'll most likely go up in the store within the next week or so!

plea to my australian readers!!!

2008-08-05T20:39:00.003-04:00

Dear lovely Aussie friends,
I have been o-b-s-e-s-s-e-d with this magazine ever since a little, Australian intern brought it to my attention last year. She is long-gone and US news stands do not carry it. This makes me oh-so-sad. I will be forever yours if I could do some sort of exchange with someone so that i could receive it in my mailbox.
Yours truly,
Tara

credit, where credit is due...

2008-08-05T19:54:00.007-04:00

i CAN-NOT believe that this post has never been made on here..as it is long overdue. but i'm a believer in shining light where light should be shone, and this chickedy needs mentioning! miss brilliantlyfunnysnarkmasta extroidinaire, elizabeth, the brains behind my most favoritest blog of all time, white lightning is beyond fabulous and i just can't stand it anymore. there are only a few blogs that i have the time (and energy) to visit on a daily basis, but for the 20 minutes or so that i allow myself, upon first sitting down at my desk in the morning, to dedicate to reading blogs over chai lattes, her's is a mainstay. not only does she foolishly obsess over project runway and chuck from gossip girl as much as i do, she is by far the funniest and wittiest (without trying) chick i have ever come across. every post is laced with the most hilarious self-made abbreviations of words not normally abbreviated, and their orchestrated in such a way that i just can't help myself from secretly wishing i was as effortlessly cool as her. "ooopsydoops" has even (oh-so-innocently) made it into some recent posts, which i kind of feel terrible about, because i noticed recently that she put a little note up on her blog about stealing her intellectual property (is the use of oopsydoops stealing intellectual property? 'cause it only made it into made it into my vocabulary in the most innocent way possible like when you start hanging out with the new Australian kid at school and start talking with a strange aussie accent for no reason at all). bottom line, my infatuation with her quirkiness is out of control and needed to be let out into the blogosphere for everyone and anyone. elizabeth, if you're reading..i bow to you.

picture stolen from white lightning!

dug out.

2008-07-31T20:44:00.002-04:00

i totes forgot about these skirts i made a billion years ago...saw them in the back of my closet and gave it whirl. and...umm..the hair? i have no answer. what can i say? i'm a chameleon.

unanswered..

2008-07-31T20:37:00.002-04:00

thanks to everyone whose left lovely comments on this bloghole lately! i really, really appreciate all your kind words and i finally have responded to many of them...way overdue i know! oopsydoops.

Thank You!

2008-07-31T20:08:00.003-04:00

To everyone (Jennifer, Amy, Francesca, Siriwan) who I had the lovely opportunity to include in the recent fashion feature in BUST Magazine...thankyouthankyouthankyou

I'm truly honored to have you grace the pages of the magazine as each of you are totally inspiring in your own unique ways.

Everyone else: Go buy the issue!

don't be fooled!

2008-07-28T19:19:00.002-04:00

caution everyone! forever 21 is trying to make us believe that wearing jungle print is a good idea. they dedicated an entire section of the union square store to leopard and tiger and zebra and whatever else you can think of print. blah! no time, in my opinion, is ever a good time, to wear such prints. however! i did find this lovely, flowy skirt there the other day and while the print is very much, not a jungle print, i kind of liked it's feminine floral pattern.

tank top: target
belt: thrifted
skirt: f21
shoes: uo
necklace: birdhouse brooklyn

Tara (dactyl)

2008-07-28T19:09:00.002-04:00

i couldn't help but post this. i was in rochester a couple weekends ago, visiting the remaining friends who still live there from college days. i stayed at the infamous house my bff adam is renting for the summer (the party house in college), think hardcore shows in the basement/kegs in the back yard/girls puking in the toilet/floors you would never dream of taking your shoes off on. many a crazy night went down in that house in college and every corner is nostalgic in some way. when we woke up saturday morning..this crazy, ridiculous, enormous, hysterical plastic dinosaur "thing" was in the living room. it was NOT there when we went to bed friday night. and there was no one else staying in the house. i don't reeeeally want to think about how it got there for fear that it would make the fact that it was, less funny. because it was outrageously funny.

Shorts!!

2008-07-18T12:00:00.005-04:00

i can't really express to you how uncomfortable wearing shorts makes me, and thus, the reason they rarely make an appearance on this blog. however, i just got this mustard top at h&m the other day and felt that shorts were an appropriate matching with it for some odd reason. call me crazy! but i somehow feel that the lovely siri's ability to wear them flawlessly has gotten all up in my head. this may have added to my craziness a bit too..

Esmerelda?

2008-07-17T16:26:00.002-04:00

Dress: vintage (given to me from dear friend, guess who?!)
Head Scarf: Laila Rowe
Oxfords: UO
Belt: Thrifted from a Salvation Army

big things..made small

2008-07-17T15:50:00.004-04:00

i've been on vacation this week (!!!!) and that means i've had time to do a ton of stuff i've been putting off/not having time to do, which is so so satisfying. the super amazing effie gave me this dress, which was about 12 sizes too big on me. i wore it the very next day after i got it in the mail even though it was a sack on me because i loved it so much, and i've been yearning to wear it again, but not before i did some major alterations on it. i finally got a chance to take it in and i couldn't be happier a) with my altering job and b) with the fact that i got to wear it again! it really is one of the most beautiful vintage dresses i've ever seen and so very thankful to effie for sending it to me.

got my toes done up, and finger-nails poppin'

2008-07-17T15:18:00.004-04:00

i got a manicure & pedicure today! i'm on vacation and i had gift certificate...that's about all that needs to be said about that.

New Vintage Items in the Store!

2008-07-15T17:05:00.004-04:00

As previously promised, I added some more items to my store (including that amazing handbag that i wore with that yellow Tulle dress a few weeks ago!). Fingers-crossed, i'll keep up with this! Yay!

New Stuff!

2008-07-15T15:51:00.003-04:00

i finally got my act together...like i've been promising for a ridiculous long time! I added some of my hand-made headbands to my store! And since I'm on this hot-streak, i'm adding more items with a vengeance! (Stay tuned!)

blog back-log

2008-07-02T22:47:00.003-04:00

i've been a very bad blogger lately, so i'm playing catch up and posting 2 outfit shots in one post!

sunnies: payless (who woulda thunk?)
camisole: gap
skirt: thrifted
shoes: uo
bag: street vendor

dress: filene's basement $20!!
belt: thrifted
shoes: natural comfort via shoes.com
face: whoa uglytown

love at first sight.

2008-07-02T22:37:00.002-04:00

remember a bunch of posts back i was hunting for a pair of wedges i could call my own? mission accomplished! i found these babies on zappos but they were all sold out of my size so i searched for them at shoes.com and found them for $20 less! score! best part....? they're made by Natural Comfort, which if you've ever had a pair on you know how heavenly they are. Like walking on clouds.

new things!

2008-06-26T20:36:00.002-04:00

i haven't been buying as much new stuff lately as i usually am, which could either be a really good thing (for my wallet) or a really bad thing (for my ever-expanding closet). but 2 new things worth mentioning is this yellow bag i bought for a street vendor ( the color is what sold me), which will be awesome for the extra crap i carry around with me in the summer months, i.e. sunglasses, umbrella, change of shoes for when i wear hurty heels. Annnnd, my new fave thing of the moment...this totally awesome super amazing bracelet! i was at Fringe Salon having a consultation about hair extensions (that's a story for a different time!!), and sometimes they have local jewelery artist's wares for sale there, and low and behold this beauty, among other lovely pieces made of old spoons and forks and coins and bones and trinkets of all kinds snatched up my attention. i bought this guy with an old key, an old coin, an old gage, and some tiny pearls. be still my heart, i love it so.

au femme

2008-06-26T20:29:00.002-04:00

recently, miss sally jane posted about her fascination with really feminine pink's and i must say i'm diving head first into all things ultra-femme lately, pink not excluded. but i've been finding myself gravitating to really feminine color pallettes and styles. i never ever ever go into the Gap, but while Verizon was holding my blackberry hostage for service and i had 15 minutes to kill, i wandered into the store next door. i ended up buying a few pretty, basic tank tops and this silk camisole, which i love.

re-debut

2008-06-21T11:26:00.004-04:00

i think it's safe to say the this week has been the official worst week ever. i've worked an ungodly amount of hours in the office and my brain is literally mush as a result. but moreover, i've also officially sucked at posting lately. but i'm not going to apologize this time (cause really, what good does that do anybody?). it has been a good long time though and i've missed it. i'm re-entering posting-ville(?) will a vengeance with one of my fave new items in the big wide world. i was lucky enough to work on a fashion story in the new ish of BUST (hits stands in mid july) and include some of the ultimate aces (some of my faves and yours) at this whole style blogging community and my excitement levels hit all time highs!!! but more on that later when the issue comes out, but long story short...i used this AMAZING yellow dress from Tulle, and tada, they let me keep it!! Scoooooooore! Plus, we all know that everything that miss super awesome amazing effie puts on her tiny body is nothing short of perfection, and simply was aching for a pair of brown oxfords like her beloved pair. After a not-so-successful run at scoring some on ebay (the pair i got was just a size too small and i sold them at the brooklyn flea market last sunday), i elected to order these that i saw at UO. we all share the same hatred for over-priced, mass-produced UO merchandise, but in this case if it's wrong, i don't want to be right because i'm simply in love with these shoes. the handbag is vintage and will go up in the store as soon as i get my act together and make that happen...soon, soon, promise! but in the meantime, i had a hard time letting it sit and collect dust.
p.s. i took my cue from miss sally jane and worked some photoshop magic on this pic, doesn't everything look better vintage?

boot scootin' boogie?

2008-06-12T00:00:00.002-04:00

are cowboy boots totally out? not that i care really...i will still wear mine. but i realized you don't see 'em much anymore. and now that i think of it, i bought these 3 years ago! whoa.

will you go out with me? circle yes or no.

2008-06-10T22:59:00.003-04:00

should I or shouldn't I? i can't decide. i've been thinking that i want a good pair of really feminine wedges for the summer. i'm a sucker for comfort, so i tend to lean towards flats all the time. but i always think i look stumpy with my short, little legs. mabe i could use a leg illusion? anyway, these are really lovely (thanks charlotte ronson!), but priiiiicey. not sure if i should take the plunge or not. anyone spot any awesome wedges lately that might not break the bank? be sure to let me know if you do.

M.I.A.

2008-06-10T22:46:00.003-04:00

this lack of posting happening lately is total lamesauce. know that it pains me to be so absent.

not that it makes up for it in any way, but here's an outfit from like, a week ago..
that skirt that i love ever so much, i thrifted and shortened. the necklace i bought from the lovely Siri of Treehouse Brooklyn. You can find her awesome creations at Renegade this weekend where Effie (!!!!!) and I will be perusing the merchandise in total bliss.
p.s. that armoire you see behind me, i bought for $35 at a junk shop and painted. it's like my new fave thing: )

i am not dead...yet

2008-06-10T22:41:00.001-04:00

could it be any hotter? i'm meellllltttttttting....

sunnies: super
dress: f21
shoes: kmart

what! what?

2008-06-06T00:37:00.002-04:00

i spy.....me!

find me on pg. 144 in the new issue of NEET Magazine if you dare!

models hangin' out

2008-06-06T00:27:00.004-04:00

Sorry guys for my lack of posting. I credit my blogging dryspell to being so crazy busy it's ridic. if i had time to breath, maybe i'd have time to blog! hang in with me though!

In other news, i had the chance to be on set while we (BUST) shot Leah, the lovely gal behind the clothing line, Married to the Mob. She had this awesome lips couch that we used for the set and the photographer snapped this pic of me standing in while he set up lights. Everything in the shot is just too ironic, i had to post it.

happy bbq day..yesterday

2008-05-27T23:12:00.002-04:00

hope everyone had a lovely day off yesterday, bbqing or just relaxing or what have you. my day was spent half arguing with myself over whether i should just let myself enjoy the day or getting much needed work done (i did get all those dresses from a few posts back up in the new swanky store that i finally finished!!). i did a little of both and think i struck a happy medium in edition to nursing my ouchy sunburn with aloe. anyway, this is what I wore, sunburn and all.

sunnies: h&m
sundress: f21
shoes: uo

I'm like, for real

2008-05-26T17:44:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, I made my debut. A very exciting occasion for My Brown Eyes, but for me too. I sold at the Brooklyn Flea Market in Fort Greene, which on opening day, had 20,000 shoppers. And I can say without a doubt that it was a highlight in my notforrealjobbutjobthatiwishwasmyrealjob career. I sold vintage dresses, handbags, shoes, and various other little things as well as a line of hand-crafted headbands that i've been working on. A shopper who apparently has a boutique in SoHo even asked me if I would consider selling wholesale to her shop. Ummm, yes! It was a really, really great day besides getting completely scorched by the sun (paying for that today)...but I met some really awesome people and watching gals walk away from my table wearing my stuff made the totally hurty sunburn worth it. Can't wait to do it again in 2 weeks! And hopefully as many Sundays as I can throughout the summer. If you live in or around Brooklyn, please stop by and say hi next time! And, of course, I would remiss to not mention my lovely outfit furnished by no other than miss Effie!

brown paper packages tied with a bow..

2008-05-26T17:22:00.006-04:00

Saturday morning was perhaps one of the best. Not sure about anyone else, but there isn't anything quite like the feeling you get in the instant you've discovered there is a package waiting for you. what is it about the unknowing of what's inside that box that excites me so? either way, Saturday morning there were 3 packages (yes! triple excitement!) waiting for me at the post office and among them was the cutest little box wrapped all up in nice paper with the magical touch of my new insta-BFF, the snail and the cyclops aka effie. Miss thing is not only like the nicest person evs, but you know if you have a package with her name on it, whatever it contains inside is going to be, like, everything you ever wanted. Right? Well, you can only imagine that upon opening it, my dreams came true. She sent me the cutest, most perfect vintage dress (of course, in pristine condition) and this little clip she found at a flea market whose little box was equally as adorable, with a really nice hand-written note that made me melt into a puddle. Everything that girl touches is magic. I sound really gushy and almost like i'm talking about a guy I have a crush on or something...but this is so much better because instead of an awkward makeout and a non-phonecall..i actually get to keep these amazing things. SO much better. Thanks so much Effie!

hateration.

2008-05-23T20:16:00.002-04:00

: (
this is the face of a sad blogger. i just received the following comment on a picture i posted on stylemob:

please do not mix these colors again =) vintage doesn't fit you AT ALL. try maybe another look, please..

my blogger feelings are hurt. granted, it was probs not my best attempt at an outfit. but really? do we have to resort to such nastiness? and the kicker...miss nastycommmenterpants doesn't have any pictures of herself to comment on. lotta balls you've got missy!

See ya later stimulus check...

2008-05-21T20:31:00.003-04:00

Dear Miss Samanta Pleet,
Please let go of my balls (if i had them)...I praise you for making the most beautiful garments i've ever seen in my life, over and over and over, but it's really starting to kill me. If loving you is wrong, i don't want to be right.
Yours truly,
Tara
p.s. If i could just have either of the above, my life would be complete.

in my pants

2008-05-21T20:19:00.002-04:00

i've been a bit remiss about posting outfit shots as of late. i blame it on poor weather and the fact that all i can muster wearing is sweatpants. however, i have been wearing clothes, i assure you. a while back, i posted about struggling with pants, and i have to admit, i still kind of am. i really hate wearing jeans, but cold weather + a lack of shaving = the need to cover said unshaven and cold legs with some sort of garment. i do own several pairs of jeans, so i decided to give them a whirl again. i called upon the adorable bobonaiaa of flickr awesomeness to inspire me, cause let's face it, she can do no wrong. i'm channeling her incredible style sense today..er, at least trying to.

blouse: vintage
sweater vest: h&m
jeans: bdg
shoes: wanted
headband: f21
bag: vintage

cold feet

2008-05-21T19:55:00.002-04:00

alright, already! i've had quite enough of this cold, wet, rainy weather for the endo of May! Cut us a damn break mother nature!!! i'm starting to fear global-colding. But more than the cold, wet, rainy weather, i'm sick of cold, wet feet. Screw trying to walk around in this mess with cute, peep-toe sling-backs. forget it. but more than cold, wet feet, i'm sick of slushing around in the disgusting grime on the street and in the subway with bare toes. i can't even bring myself to think about what filth i'm wading through. so...i bought these guys. though the rain boots with floral patterns and other eccentric decoration are cute on others, they just aren't my cup 'o tea. and these weren't on the lower end of the spectrum in matters of price, but they are really well-made and figured they'll last forever.

in with the new..

2008-05-19T22:51:00.003-04:00

exciting news alert! i will be a regular vendor at the Brooklyn Flea Market this summer! for those of you lucky enough to live in BK, stop by and say hi. any way this means that at least for the summer, i am keeping all the items in the store hand-crafted, and i will be selling all vintage at the flea. that being said, here is the first installment of summery, smock dresses that have all been made by me! they should be up in the store very very soon!

leather is better.

2008-05-19T21:14:00.004-04:00

so i've been riding my bike to work lately (yay for warm weather!), and sometimes i need to bring stuff with me that warrants a bigger carrying device than my little purse, aka, my laptop or different shoes to change into once i get to work. in an effort to NOT have to add any additional biking paraphernalia , i.e. baskets, etc., i decided to start wearing a backpack. let me first start by saying that i i haven't worn a backpack since 6th grade i think. even in high school, i always carried a messenger bag or tote. but those types of bags make for unsatisfactory riding conditions, as they tend to fall forward and either throw me off balance, get stuck in the wheels, get knocked around between my knees, or all of the above. but when i asked callie, our office manager and the gal in charge of all the product request at BUST, if we had any backpacks around the office (yay for free stuff) she gave me a Jansport. Now, in junior high, I remember Jansport bags being the epitome of cool. but i have to be honest and say that now, at 24, i feel kind of douchy wearing it. And on top of feeling like i'm a pre-pubescent teen...lisa and i went to the opening the NY Photo festival i Dumbo, which was packed, and ii hazard a guess that i knocked one too many cocktails out of people's hands while i was trying to squeeze by with my bundle. it really felt like i had a second person on my back and i couldn't help but feel like everyone was looking at me thinking, who's the weirdo with the backpack. i don't know, maybe i'm over-reacting, but it moved me to look for a, say, more sophisticated backpack and settled on this vintage, leather one on ebay. if i have to carry things on my back, maybe i can do it with a bit more style ?

Me for President.

2008-05-14T22:14:00.003-04:00

Vote for me now or forever hold your peace....
I gots to have that $1000 shopping spree : ) I really should seek professional help for my spending habit, but since I probs won't, free money to burn would certainly help me sleep at night.


	Vote On My Photo! Sea foam dream by tmarks1056

so square.

2008-05-13T22:45:00.002-04:00

i see so many lovely people wear those oh-so-funky (nerdy) black frames and i wish it could be me. even though i know it's nothing more than a passing trend not unlike door knocker earrings, but still. though i'm a believer in not trying to shove a sqare peg in a round hole, i bought a pair on ebay for 10 bucks (basically free, right?) hoping and wishing i could somehow make the look work.

'fraid not. boooo.

think pink

2008-05-13T22:36:00.002-04:00

i've had tremendous luck with thrifting adorable spring dresses lately. what is it about vintage dresses that are so much more beautiful , or should i say, make you feel so much more beautiful-er? they just don't make 'em like they used to. that's for sure.

dress: vintage
shoes: jeffrey campbell

*Addendum: not sure how beautiful that face is in this picture. squinting never really suits anyone.

to the gala..

2008-05-11T13:15:00.003-04:00

my creative director at BUST and I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a black-tie (yeah, i said it) gala at Hammerstein Ballroom on Friday evening for the Society of Publication Designers because we received an award for our Dark Shadows fashion story in the Oct/Nov issue (remember that one, it was fab)...woo whoo! So anyway, Laurie and Danielle St. Laurent, the photog that shot the story, went and had a delish dinner and cocktails and watched the award ceremony like we were at the Oscars. It was very swanky and it ruled for 2 reasons besides being super prestigious:
a) i got to debut my new hair 'do (thanks for all the lovely compliments btw!), i'm starting to get more used to it now.

b) gala=smokin hot boys in ties (H.O.T.) and a chance to buy a new dress and get all dolled up.

i decided the best way to go was vintage (duh!) so i went to stella dallas, a super duper awesome vintage store in williamsburg and allowed myself to peruse the nice, expensive stuff in the back (it was a special occasion after all!). And I found this sea foam beauty, not dissimilar from this one in the store this week that I almost cried when it didn't fit me. I'm not sure if I've ever been more in love with a dress than this. Amazing 50s silhouette, classy details, amazing color. To me, it was perfection. Annnnd, though it was tucked in the pricey back room (which means they probably scored it from some rich lady's estate sale in pristine condition), it was a mere $75. Score! Totes worth it. Paired with my new fave Jeffrey Campbell t-straps and a vintage handbag (that I'm actually selling in the brand spanking new store this week), it was a dream.

the new me..

2008-05-07T23:19:00.004-04:00

this is me at 10 o'clock this morning...

this is me now...

several hours later, some copper red highlights, and approx. 7 inches of hair removed. i must say, changing your hair this drastically is like getting a new face. it takes a bit of time to get used to, and i'm not quite there yet, but i'm well on my way. i just worry it looks like i'm wearing a wig..no? i assure you, i'm not. but i did start experimenting with headbands and i discovered i quite prefer headbands on shorter hair..bonus!

New Dresses!

2008-05-07T00:05:00.002-04:00

as previously promised....new dresses in the store! more to come really soon, promise! i'm quickly learning it's hard work being an ebay maven : )

what's to come...

2008-05-06T00:09:00.003-04:00

a little sneak peek: new dresses in the store posting soon!

New shoes...

2008-05-05T02:04:00.003-04:00

So..i've been incredibly busy (as i'm sure you noticed by my non-posts for the past week or so), but one of the many things keeping me crazed is my ebay store, which i'm trying really hard to get going. i've decided to make that store a one-stop shop for both vintage and hand-made goods. so it's a work in progress, but in lieu of my efforts to make sundays my "store update" days, i added some new shoes to the store and wanted to share..i especially adore the pink wedges!

all babies want to get borned

2008-04-29T22:45:00.003-04:00

apologies for non-posting lameness....my brother had a baby today! i'm an auntie : )
Drew Michael, 7 lbs 9oz. born at 12:22

*this is not the baby, but it's a very adorable photo. thanks to someone named amanda's flickr

baby bomber

2008-04-24T22:25:00.003-04:00

dress: thrifted
belt and tights: xhilaration for target
granny boots: thrifted via ebay
bomber jacket: h&m

scarf: thrifted
gray tank: target
skirt: for the republic (got it at a marshall's)
tights: no clue
boots: my most favorite coveted recent ebay aquisition
feathers: uo
bomber jacket: h&m

i've kind of been living in this bomber jacket lately, and i kind of am a little in love with it in general. the spring has crept right up on me, and so warmer weather warrants lighter apparel. so this jacket is just the ticket. it's so light-weight, its a barely there kind of cover-up and as a reaction to the warmer weather, i've been riding the ole bike to work everyday (yes, inappropriately in skirts and dresses! not so inconspicuously either)...so it's nice to have just a little something (to break the wind if you will), but not so much that i arrive to the office with pit stains. annnnd, it's got cropped sleeves so it's a not so jackety kind of jacket. plus, i really love the color. it's so matchable and quite seemingly goes with just about everything!

p.s. though i adore the warm spring sun on my shoulders...lord knows i've been waiting, i just can't seem to let go of my tights. i'm just not there yet.

jen corace..how i love thee

2008-04-23T23:52:00.006-04:00

i've been noticing a lot lately that readers of blogs alike, everyone seems to love a bit of beautiful photography here and a dash of fine art there in addition to all the wonderful fashion musings we see most of the time. one of my commenters asked me recently about my profile picture which is indeed a jen corace illustration (by far, my fave illustrator). it resides as my computer wallpaper and many of her other illustrations and painting are plastered all over my bedroom walls. i just can't get enough! her adorable drawing style makes me ache. i believe it's something with the faces she puts on all the impossibly cute girls she paints, it's so whimsical. i can just get lost in their playful simplicity. she's done some illustrations for Bust before, and if i could, i would give her every illustration, but unfortunately i have to give other lovely illustrators work too...and her style doesn't necessarily work for every assignment i have, but for me...she is perfection.

au revoir beautiful shoes

2008-04-21T00:13:00.003-04:00

i'm sad to say that i must say goodbye to these, the most beautiful shoes i have ever seen. in hopes of prolonging the time before i will inevidently need to have foot surgery for wearing shoes that aren't comfortable on my feet, i've made the very sad and difficult decision to sell these. i've worn them exactly twice. they are just a wee too small for my feet and thus reek all kinds of havoc on my poor littles tootsies. but i know someone with just a teeny bit smaller foot than I will cherish them forever. and in that same selling light, i should mention that i've made like rhiannon and opened an ebay store! so find these beauties among other lovely items and shop shop shop!

are those my legs?

2008-04-18T23:00:00.003-04:00

first day of the year sans legwear of any kind...eep!

dress: h&m
vest: vintage
necklaces: thrifted
shoes: uo

p.s. today's outfit is inspired by miss siri and her crazy and quirky infatuation with vests : )

who you be

2008-04-17T22:17:00.004-04:00

who knows who this lovely gal is? i got this from somebody's blog and tagged it for inspiration but now i can't remember where i got it. she is just precious. help!

the biker jacket heard 'round the world

2008-04-17T21:38:00.005-04:00

photos taken from Bettyjack, Sally Jane Vintage, Fashion Fillers

everybody's been totally smitten with biker jackets lately. and i must admit, i've caught the bug myself. i was a little put off at first, in that i don't really like much reminiscent of of the '80s (a lot of really aweful trends came out of that era), think neon spandex and scrunchies! but thanks to all the lovely ladies bloggers and wardrobe_remixers who pair it with cute floral dresses and high-waisted shorts...it's become the quintesential item this spring. and i must say..i kind of dig it.

dress: monteau
jacket: h&m
boots: thrifted via ebay
bag: vintage

i <3 whitney

2008-04-17T00:32:00.004-04:00

i'm not ashamed to say that i devour Mtv's The Hills every monday. it's totally terrible television, but i'm addicted, what can i say? and of the ladies on the show, Whitney is most definitely my fave one. If for not other reason than her incredible style sense (and she seems more real than the others). anyway, this post is not necessarily about The Hills. It's about my obsession with this cardigan that she's wearing here. i...must...have....it. so i'm sending out the question into cyberspace...if anyone knows where it's from or where i could find it...please please please enlighten me. its probably vintage. and i'm already plotting in my head how i could craft something up to resemble it if i can't get my hands on the real thing!

feeling stumpy (and grumpy)

2008-04-16T23:55:00.004-04:00

dress: delia's via buffalo exchange
scarf: street vendor
jacket: h&m
socks: f21
granny boots: vintage

can i first start off by saying...i hate that i look so gosh darn stumpy! ok there. i got it out. but really, couldn't i be just a few inches taller? i so envy all the lovely bloggers who are tall. secondly, i came home late from work (deadline is killer!) to find a strange chewing/rattling noise coming from under my sewing station. i've been battling mice in my apt for some time now, so i assumed it was that, but when the noise continued for 20 more minutes, my gut told me that whatever it was, it was causing a lot of damage to whatever it had gotten into so i preceded to move things around under there until i found the source. low and behold! it was a tiny little mouse...with a mouse trap stuck to it. and i say stuck to it, not stuck in it, because the trap had been on the opposite side of the room so that only meant that that little sucker dragged that thing all the way across the room, managed to squeeze behind a bunch of stuff and was trying to wiggle out of it by chewing and gnawing at everything in sight. i'm really a humane person and i'm not one for animal cruelty, but that was the saddest little display and the most infuriating thing to come home to. and to top it off, my roommate is watching ratatouille in the other room, and it's just too darn ironic.

ebay stole my soul

2008-04-15T23:04:00.004-04:00

ya know the people that sit on ebay and stalk their auctions until the very last second and keep hitting refresh until they've stolen the auction with just moments to spare? i really hate those people. i mean, not just a little, but a lot. mostly because i have a life, and it keeps me busy. and it frustrates me that people have so little life to live that they can just sit there like that, a slave to ebay. but i'm a litte bit more understanding a wee bit more compassionate having done it myself recently in order to win these...the most beautiful specimen of shoes i have ever seen. the all out battle i had with competing bidders was epic. but totally worth it. and i'd do it again if i had to....maybe that makes me a hypocrite. but i'm a hypocrite in love. with these beautiful shoes.

my absence + the parental unit

2008-04-15T22:46:00.003-04:00

first off, let me apologize for being absent from the blogosphere for a few days. a) i'm on deadline at work and totally crazed and b) the parental unit came to visit this weekend and stayed an extra day yesterday so i was out of commission temporarily, partly due to the fact that i was busy having fun with them and also, that my mom has become addicted to re-doing her living room furniture and was on my laptop every spare minute shopping online at Ikea. Who can blame her? I'm a sucker for cheap, swedish furniture myself. anyway, i'm back in action.
today was an unusual day in that the weather had me all confused. i wanted to dress light because the sun was out and sneakily had me convinced it was warm. but it wasn't. it was only something like 55 degrees or so. so i wanted to layer up, but my lack of cute spring jackets had me kind of in a tizzy (which of course led to a strong, uncontrollable urge to scour h&m afterwork for some)! but i think i went a little too far with the layering, because my office is a sauna and i sweat all day. but it was nice, at the very least, to see the sunshine. and according to weather.com, we're in for a very lovely week.

jumper: monteau
long-sleeve tee and scarf: h&m
leggings: f21
boots: thrifted via ebay
necklaces: thrifted

holy black bettyjack!

2008-04-11T23:26:00.006-04:00

i first discoverd the ultra-femme, ultra hip, Bettyjack on Spandex Pony (which apparently she stole from Wardrobe_Remix) and was immediately gaga. i've never come across another person who i can honestly say without a doubt, i would wear each and everything thing they own. i swear this girl thinks of me when she gets dressed in the morning. she's casual but pulled together, but wears unique items and doesn't take it over the top. if the gap opened a vintage store--she would be their poster child. and she's a looker to boot! the girl can't take a bad photo to save her life, and i especially adore the pics of her in the garden with her black dog wandering in and out of the background. precious! if i had a wall i could plaster with web photos, i would cover it with pictures of her and look at them everyday. i'm totally smitten. and i tried to channel her today with this outfit.

tanktop: wet seal
shorts: h&m
belt: vintage (from my grandma)
leggings: f21
cowboy boots: vintage
feathers: uo

spring has most certainly sprung!

2008-04-10T22:22:00.002-04:00

hark! i can no longer say that its notquitespringyet weather, because, though i retardedly rolled out of my house today in a wool coat and scarf, it was 70 degrees in ny! (yes, kids it's true.) i can hardly believe it myself, but i can't begin to express how good it felt to feel warm sun on my shoulders. a woman who rents some space in the back of our office, walked across the brooklyn bridge and got effing scorched with sun burn, crispy i tell you! it was ridic. anywho, those flower blossoms have for certain..blossomed and for that, i have found a new wonderous picture snapping environment to explore. hooray for that! and while i'm at it, hooray for such a dope (yes, i said dope) roof terrace with a pretty splash of nature for which a neighbor so nicely provides us with. i'm getting hungry right now just thinking about bbq season! but looking at it now, i (quite guiltfully) realize that this entire outfit is from forever 21, save for the boots, which are Bronx. Yikes! i'm an addict. But who can blame a girl for devouring really cheap, chic, ripoff clothing? Those who have never bought a single item there, and walked away with that happy yellow bag, feeling great about how little money you just spent can cast the first stone. I thought the blouse had great, unique details and though i don't often wear jeans, i had been wanting a pair of great high-waisted ones and these have a little stretch in them, so they fit me perfectly (after cutting and hemming about 1 foot off the bottom of course), and they're so comfortable. although, they don't seem as high-waisted as they actually are in this picture.

here is a church and here is a steeple

2008-04-09T21:31:00.004-04:00

today was another notquitespringyet day in ny....sigh. but i went out to grab lunch without a coat on and i lived! hooray for that! and while i was out, i discovered this old church and thought it had great character. what is it about old peeling paint that is so endearing?
top: h&m
dress: f21
necklaces: thrifted
pants: bdg
shoes: jeffrey campbell
bag: vintage

in the trees

2008-04-08T22:19:00.004-04:00

today was cold again in ny (when will spring come?) but i'm trying not to let it get to me. i wandered around a different park for good locations to shoot in, no squirrels this time, but i turned my flash off and just let the street lights do their thing. i must admit, i kind of like the aesthetic, even if its a litte fuzzy..
anyway, this outfit is kind of a collection of places i've been. at least i like to look at it that way. i decided that i haven't been wearing a lot of scarfs lately (maybe i'm subconsciously willing the warm weather to come?) but i got this one at a thrift store in berkley, ca. the red skirt i got for $5 on clearance at a Marshall's store in Philadelphia. the tee is from american apparel and the belt is a vintage find from Austin, TX.

has spring sprung?

2008-04-07T21:54:00.005-04:00

most definitely not. have you ever seen trees more bleak looking? i tried to explore madison sq. park to dig up some natural beauty, but to no avail. it was freezing today in new york, and far from spring like. but i love love love this new bag that i found at a super-duper awesome vintage store i discovered in Brooklyn, Stella Dallas. and i think i can say without doubt that it's my favorite new item! that tassle is so unique. i also got this belt there a few weeks ago and couldn't figure out the right outfit to wear it with, but i love that it reminds me of my grandmas couch (in a good way). i wish i could shed a few pounds so it didn't squeeze me so tightly...a girl can wish right?

dress: american apparel
long-sleeve tee: next level
belt: vintage
boots: vintage

on another and slightly sillier note..while i was in the park, i came across these very playful (and apparently horny) squirrels that had me totally fascinated. and funny enough, as i was snapping these pictures another park-goer caught me and said, "they're trying to have a private moment." haha. i guess it's mating season. ow ow!

cherry blossom season

2008-04-06T23:25:00.003-04:00

i feel almost ridiculous reposting these pictures because something about the cherry blossom girl has everyone totally smitten. me included. and i'm positive anyone reading this has already seen them. but i just couldn't help myself. not because she's totally adorable and totally inspirational, but it was the environment she's in that had me at hello. i mean, gosh, leave it to her to put me in my place. but it's really motivating me to step up my picture-taking game (if you will) and start thinking more creatively about what's around me when i'm snapping photos. the boring white walls of my bedroom just don't cut it when you compare them to this. she could be wearing a black plastic bag tied with shoelaces and this picture would still be enchanting! (not that she would!) although, it is a little bit of a pipe dream either way, because we just don't have this kind of beauty in brooklyn. sigh.

Store Restock!

2008-04-04T21:51:00.002-04:00

I fiiiiiiinally got my act together and added some new summery items (like this adorable gathered waist summer skirt) to my store, as well as a new vintage section! I demand you go there...now! (if you want)

in your pants

2008-04-02T23:31:00.002-04:00

i've been struggling with pants lately. i think there's some universal truth to the fact that tights and cute heels are just cuter than pants a lot of the time. damn! cause sometimes i just don't feel like putting on tights. so i took to the street style sites on a hunt for fashionista's who make pants work in hopes that i may find some inspiration. it was harder than i thought : /

but these gals do it nicely methinks.

photo's taken from Hoy Fashion, Wardrobe_Remix, Shebet Tone

a little bit of this, and a touch of that..

2008-04-02T23:25:00.002-04:00

today, i was told i looked a little bit lolita and a little bit like madelline (yes, from the children's books)!

...either way, i'm fine with it : )

cardigan: h&m
dress and socks: f21
shoes: ebay

Cheap Date

2008-04-02T17:58:00.003-04:00

we get plenty of great (and not so great) books across our desks at Bust, but among the lot was this: The Cheap Date Guide to Style. And it really tickled my fancy in so many ways. Amongst the impossibly stylish and effortlessly chic icons who grace it's pages are Chloe Sevigny, Mischa Barton, Karl Lagerfeld, and Anna Piaggi who share their thoughts on celebrity style, the trends to forget about, classic pieces that everyone should have in their wardrobe, and what it takes to be a style icon. I won't dish too much so that you may devour every page for yourself (for more juicy deets, be sure to check out the piece written by the lovely Siri in the June/July issue of Bust!). But one thing that really got me thinking was page 14, which asked: What makes someone stylish? The responses explored a range of answers to the question..but one thing remained pretty consistent..the idea that self decoration is an expression of self and that those who don't follow the mainstream and march to the beat of their own drummer, are those who generally are branded stylish. I think, being stylish means confidence. Confidence to put on anything and own it. No matter what that be.

So i am curious what others think...what makes someone stylish?

i <3 Jeffrey Campbell

2008-04-02T01:08:00.002-04:00

a few days ago, i was at liebemarlene's impossibly chic blog and saw this. it was the shoes i was most drawn to, though, i have to admit i considered buying the same marc jacobs knock-off dress at forevs 21! in reading some of the comments she got, one girl mentioned her love for Jeffrey Campbell (drool!) and i couldn't agree more. I think i can say for certain that he's my favorite shoe designer by far for 3 reasons:
1) his shoes are really well-made, you can tell buy looking at them (and the price proves it).
2) i was reading a bio about him and his company is totally family owned and operated, even his brother and 2 daughters are in on it!
3) i'm a sucker for heels and his are surprisingly comfortable and not too high, which for me is huge, since i spend many a hour counting out the days until i will inevitably have to have foot surgery for not listening to the foot doctor who's told me over and over to wear good shoes and put orthotic insoles in them (yeah right!)

JC doesn't have a website yet (apparently is slated to launch in june), but until then, i recommend david z for a large selection of this brand. and for those unfortunate soles who don't have the luxury of just walking into one in nyc, you're in luck. they do have a website!

so... buttons!

2008-03-29T13:47:00.004-04:00

everyone knows how much i love ebay! and my latest obsession hasn't been shoes or belts or blouses (shocker there, i know!) but...buttons! i've been churning out new items for the store for a huge spring re-stock i plan to do in a couple weeks (check back soon for that update!!) i guess i knew you could find anything on the bay of e's but when i shop for vintage, it tends to be clothing or accessories already constructed and previously loved, but much to my surprise i've found loads and loads of beautiful vintage buttons for auction. And the best part: they're cheap! New buttons tend to run about $4 for a matching pair these days and i've been finding mixed and matched lots on ebay for less than $10 for 100 buttons and more! I smell a new obsession...

the long and short of it

2008-03-29T13:02:00.003-04:00

lately, i've been very inspired by the impossibly stylish wardrobe-remixer, the snail and the cyclops. her looks are effortless and if i had to guess, she probably shops as frequently, if not more, than me. which is an outlandish task! anyway, i came across this look on her flickr page the other day and today's outfit is inspired by it. way to work a pair of high-waisted shorts lady! i only wish i had your thin, little figure :/

today's key word: skirt

2008-03-27T22:53:00.003-04:00

i tried desperately and unsuccessfully to take a good picture of this flyer for a vintage show i went to today at City Opera Thrift Shop, but wanted to share it because i thought it was lovely. the show itself was about as successful as my poor picture taking abilities. mostly overpriced high-end couture and rich housewife types..not for me. i considered buying a big fabric bow with purple stripes for $5, but decided against it because why would i buy a fabric bow when i have the means and skill to easily craft one myself if i need such things? but i don't, so i feel my decision was warranted. but i had to make my venture to 23rd street worth it, so luck struck when i discovered a goodwill next store. and skirt must be the word of the day because not only did i sip (and by sip i mean down 3 in approx. 15 minutes) a fabulous cocktail called "the swaying skirt" but i also thrifted these great skirts! i realize now that the latter needs a little ironing, but i'm happy with my finds, none the less.

left photo:
scarf: h&m
blouse: f21
skirt: just thrifted!
shoes: jeffrey campbell

right photo:
knit beret: wet seal
scarf: vintage
belt: vintage
skirt: just thrifted!
shoes: aerosoles

channeling my inner child

2008-03-27T22:36:00.005-04:00

remember these pretty little things? they arrived yesterday from ebay and couldn't wait a second to wear them. i'm totally smitten. however, the comments i received about them today were...questionable?

1) "you look like alice in wonderland today!"
and
2) "from the waist down, you could be 6 years old!"

well, i refuse to see that as a bad thing. i did big girl things, like to work, and drink yummy cocktails at our pop-up happy hour party so that must mean i am one right? plus, who cares, these adorable little t-straps are too cute to be reserved just for little girls!

drunky brewster

2008-03-26T23:22:00.005-04:00

blouse: thrifted
necklaces: thrifted
skirt: uo
tights: do i ever know?
shoes: aldo

it was emily, our managing editor at BUST's birthday today (she turned tres tres)! So i went out with the BUST gals after work, and drank this amazing concoction called Pang's Punch (and by amazing, i mean totally toxic and alcohol-laden!). Best part: it was bright blue and made a-glow with a floating glowstick inside! If i had to guess, there was probably at least 3 different types of rum in it. Cripes! Either way, this is what I wore.

2008-03-26T00:13:00.005-04:00

blouse: thrifted
skirt: for the republic
tights: no idea, i've had them forever
shoes: aldo

i've had incredible good thrifting luck lately. i've been inspired by Ranna's great blouses and found this one at Beacon's Closet the other day, which had me totally smitten and reminds me of something she would wear. Plus, it was marked "As Is" signaling that it was defective in some way...but i couldn't find a thing wrong with it. In other news, I think i finally mastered how to take, at least decent, pictures with my self-timer. Hooray!

happy late easter!

2008-03-25T23:51:00.005-04:00

dress: thrifted
belt: thrifted
tights: no idea
shoes: aldo

i haven't posted for a few days because of easer...happy, happy by the way! no matter what your thoughts are on a holiday to celebrate a guy who rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, what could be better than a morning where guaranteed candy is waiting for you, in pretty baskets, as soon as you wake up? and it doesn't matter that i've completely outgrown the holiday, i still get just as excited as when i was 2. you're as old as you feel, right? well, moreover, i also love the wonderous, and often hideous beauty of easter sunday attire. big hats, matching mother-daughter outfits, and boys in ill-fitting suits. i'm always tempted to bring my camera to church to document the goodness, but I reluctantly leave it home, to save face. But attending easter sunday mass, is just a little more entertaining than usual because of the madness. i splurged on these pretty little things (shoes) just before the big day, and couldn't wait to don them. i can't think of a better occasion.

over and out

2008-03-20T21:55:00.003-04:00

cardigan: thrifted
jumper: american apparel via buffalo exchange
belt: thrifted
tights: no idea
granny boots: thrifted

i've recently been trying to grow my vintage belt collection and i picked this one up in a great little vintage store in austin. and p.s. i tried sushi today for the first time ever! so this will forever be known as the outfit i took the figurative plunge in.

t is for t-strap

2008-03-19T23:57:00.002-04:00

can't wait for these babies to arrive in the mail from ebay! i've been on the hunt for some t-strap shoes here for a while now, and these are just too cute for words.