the dream dress

I know it's probably a fashion sin to say this, but I'll never feel comfortable wearing a dress that costs more than my monthly wage. And of course I'll admire them, on others, for the craftmanship that went into them, for the vision the designer expresses, and just plainly because it does look *so* amazingly beautiful. But to tell me I have to go to a party in that, instead of my regular priced, less extravagant looking wardrobe, ensures me that I will not have a good time. It's just not worth it, forsaking the memories of impromptu champagne showers, ridiculous dances on the dancefloor and carelessly stuffing myself with hors d'oevres, just so I can look more fashionable.

Mind you, I do enjoy looking pretty, and I love nothing better than dressing up. But please don't make me actually wear the designers I admire from afar, because it'll ruin the dream for me. In many ways, I still feel like the kid who liked to dress up in a pink tutu in her room, but would only leave the house to go out and play in jeans.

american wife

Curtis Sittenfeld is the new Tom Wolfe. Only better. If there is any author out there, better able to describe the social mechanisms of American society and the innermost thoughts of its inhabitants, I'm not aware of him or her. Please introduce me to them, though, if they exist.

I read American Wife a while ago, and I honestly didn't expect I'd like it as much as I did. But if you've read Prep and loved that book, you will not be disappointed. The setting and protagonist are different, but the crystal-clear observations and brutally honest emotions are still there. It's nothing short of amazing. Besides, it'll give you an entirely different view on both the current (soon to be former) president and his wife. True, it's fiction, but it opens up new perspectives.

If you were looking for something new (and substantial) to read, here you go.

loving the blogs

Just discovered an easy tool to keep track of all the blogs I love, thanks Emma! The site's called bloglovin´, and you can register your own blog, as well as follow the blogs you love. Way easier than the following device on blogspot, because obviously not all interesting websites are on blogspot. See you there!

cuteness

I ♥ Emma Nygren

I can't actually read her blog except when I let Google translate it from Swedish into a language I can understand. And I don't know whether it's the translation or the original message, but this girl is too cute. She has an amazing sense of style, and she seems to lead a pretty cool life filled with cookies, drinks with girlfriends, coffee, cupcakes and bright colors. Even just looking at the pictures is inspiring to me.

quest for vintage

Note to self: look up great vintage shops in Amsterdam, Paris and New York for upcoming vintage quests.

recessionista

In my research for a column on recession chic, I got inspired to make an extra promise to myself for 2009. I think the basis of the term recessionista comes down to improvising, being creative, finding beauty where you least expect it, and surprising yourself and others with inventive solutions. I'd like to try not to get carried away by new fashion fads this year, but to further define my style by pushing my creative limits instead of those of my credit card. I've never made a decent effort to go vintage shopping, and I've certainly never tried to turn my existing wardrobe into something new. So I'm planning to change that from now on. When I see all of those inspiring style blogs online, I see what an imaginative mind can - and what wads of cash can't - create. So in honor of all of those ladies online, I give you a little top three of inspiration for my new recessionista style.

take a look back

La Couturier inspired me to make my very own list of things I will always remember from 2008, and I'm throwing in a second one, reflecting on what I want from 2009.

2008
∞ the internship at a great magazine
∞ the amazing job that was offered to me twice and the fact that I accepted, the second time
∞ writing a second master's thesis and graduating a second time
∞ the different magazines and weeklies that decided to take me on
∞ trading in innocence for responsabilities
∞ rekindling old friendships
∞ making new friends
∞ my travels

2009
∞ living up to expectations
∞ moving
∞ traveling
∞ taking the next step
∞ balancing my life
∞ finally taking yoga seriously, or at least trying to do some sports on a semi-regular basis
∞ learning how to cook
∞ keeping promises
∞ start thrifting
∞ stop procrastinating endlessly (and then ending up working through the night to get things done)

Hmm, I think I might have to update this post later on, but this is all I can think of right now.

giovanna

Apparently the lady in the pictures below and to the side is a stylist, so maybe I should change the easy chic title of the previous post. It's not called easy chic when it's your job to put together these outfits, right? But you'll have to admit she's quite talented. I discovered a whole lot more pictures of her at Garance Doré's site. And Giovanna has a site of her own, too. I wish I could ask her to style our next photo shoot.

easy chic

Can you tell I'm obsessed with yellow right now? I know I'm late re-blogging this picture from The Sartorialist, but I love this woman's outfit. The gray-yellow combo isn't new, but with the added touch of her floral scarf and the leather-like texture on her pants she makes it her own. I'm going to be looking at this pic for inspiration when the summer collections are out in the shops.

about last night

I just re-discovered last night's party through this pretty blog. I first saw the photobook at Colette's a couple of years ago. I think we even featured it in one of the magazines I was writing for. Anyhow, I love its photography: interesting people, outrageous outfits, bright colors, weird parties. I always wonder what the people in the pictures are like, and why they're behaving like they are, or dressed as they are. It's a fun way to spend an afternoon, let me tell you.

yellow submarine

Just discovered this moddly shaped See by Chloé coat, in the most perfect yellow. It's a shame it does nothing for my complexion, because this beauty would fit right into my wardrobe.

'tis the season to be warm

Now is the time to buy your new winter coat. Sales have officially started at Net-a-Porter.com, which means you can buy a top-of-the-range beauty for so much less. I definitely want to get me a brightly colored one, and I think I'm leaning toward red. But this gray Mike&Chris trench is so beautiful, I'm not sure what to do!

new year's project

I think I might try something like this in my bedroom. Though with a little less old fashioned fabrics, and a different color scheme. I'm thinking browns, creams and pinks.

mapple

I need this. Need - as in: to maintain my mental health. And to satisfy my aesthetic desires.

sandrina fasoli

Can't wait for the Mango by Sandrina Fasoli to hit the stores in January. I met the designer duo a couple of weeks ago, and was taken in by them. Slightly shy, but brilliant, is how I would describe them. I wish more shops would believe in them and buy their main collection. I definitely think many fashion lovers would be happy to discover their work.