Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Lucy Maud Montgomery


Today is Lucy Maud Montgomery's birthday. For an overly talkative, freckled, gawky, precocious kid like me, there was no more inspiring heroine than Anne Shirley. Anne began as an overly talkative, freckled, gawky, precocious girl and grew to be a writerly woman who, while not conventionally beautiful, managed to charm the socks off Gilbert Blythe. Sigh. I think I'm going to re-read the series and maybe some of L. M.'s other books over Christmas vacation. I need a good escape from reality.

Also, I can never be grateful enough for my college roommate, Hannah, who owned the Anne of Green Gables movies. We spent many a rainy Sunday holed up in our dorm watching scenes like this:



A few overly flowerly, perfectly Montgomery quotes for the road:

""It was November--the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind-songs in the pines. Anne roamed through the pineland alleys in the park and, as she said, let that great sweeping wind blow the fogs out of her soul."~Anne of Green Gables

"Anne always remembered the silvery, peaceful beauty and fragrant calm of that night. It was the last night before sorrow touched her life; and no life is ever quite the same again when once that cold, sanctifying touch has been laid upon it." ~Anne of Green Gables

"Look at that sea, girls--all silver and shadow and vision of things not seen. We couldn't enjoy its loveliness any more if we had millions of dollars and ropes of diamonds."~Anne of Green Gables

"It will come sometime. Some beautiful morning she will just wake up and find it is Tomorrow. Not Today but Tomorrow. And then things will happen ... wonderful things." ~Anne of the Island

"She was richer in those dreams than in realities; for things seen pass away, but the things that are unseen are eternal."~Anne of Windy Poplars

These are passages [from letters to G. M. Macmillan] that eternally seal the fact that Lucy Maud was truly a "kindred spirit": 

"[...] I grew up out of that strange, dreamy childhood of mine and went into the world of reality. I met with experiences that bruised my spirit - but they never harmed my ideal world. That was always mine to retreat into at will. I learned that that world and the real world clashed hopelessly and irreconcilably; and I learned to keep them apart so that the former might remain for me unspoiled. I learned to meet other people on their own ground since there seemed to be no meeting place on mine. I learned to hide the thoughts and dreams and fancies that had no place in the strife and clash of the market place. I found that it was useless to look for kindred souls in the multitude; one might stumble on such here and there, but as a rule it seemed to me that the majority of people lived for the things of time and sense alone and could not understand my other life. So I piped and danced to other people's piping--and held fast to my own soul as best I could."

"A girl who would fall in love so easily or want a man to love her so easily would probably get over it just as quickly, very little the worse for wear. On the contrary, a girl who would take love seriously would probably be a good while finding herself in love and would require something beyond mere friendly attentions from a man before she would think of him in that light."

On that note, I'm signing off to dream of fanciful things. Nerd out.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Sufjan Stevens/"Too Much"



I cannot believe that this is the same guy I saw wearing giant bird wings, accompanied by an orchestra and chorus (also all wearing bird and butterfly wings) a few years ago.

However, seeing Sufjan writhing around in a Nike tank top and popped collar still totally does it for me. Work it, Mr. Stevens. Work it.

Dorothy Parker: "Inventory"




"Inventory"

Four be the things I am wiser to know:
Idleness, sorrow, a friend, and a foe.

Four be the things I’d been better without:
Love, curiosity, freckles, and doubt.

Three be the things I shall never attain:
Envy, content, and sufficient champagne.

Three be the things I shall have till I die:
Laughter and hope and a sock in the eye.

~Dorothy Parker

Jane Eyre: My Nerd Heart Sings



I will watch any and all Jane Eyre adaptations. The one with Charlotte Gainsbourg was a previous favorite, but I think this one might take over the top spot. Michael Fassbender and Mia Wasikowska...probably too attractive to play these parts, but that's OK.

In related news:


My friend David turned me on to these amazing comics called Hark! A Vagrant. The above is particularly hilarious because I was just thinking to myself that English literature has ruined my dating life. Characters like Mr. Rochester and Mr. Darcy have somehow led me to believe that digging guys who are standoffish and uncommunicative is romantic. Thanks a lot, Austen and Brontë.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Tommy Hilfiger's Holiday

I haven't worn/shopped Tommy Hilfiger since probably early high school, but his most recent holiday ad has charmed the socks off of me:



Does anyone else get a bit of a Royal Tenenbaums vibe from some of the younger models? The girl with the side part and sunglasses and the boy with the sweatband are so Wes Andersonian.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Err..

Piles of clothes on floor, brain rattling around in skull. Too much time spent playing dress-up and pretend.



In other news, I want to learn to play the mandolin.

Friday, November 19, 2010

J. Crew Styling

When the J. Crew Holiday 2010 catalog arrived a few days ago, I, of course, attacked it with the force of a mighty lion. I paused in my devouring when I saw the cute belt styling with this outfit:


And I thought to myself, "Hey! I did that last November!":


Anyway, we all know that Jenna Lyons and her staff are totally on top of their styling. But I still take this small detail as a sign that they should HIRE ME ONE DAY.

In other news, I'd like you all to know that I found my future husband. He is on p. 104 of the aforementioned catalog. You may congratulate us both, except I don't even know his name.

Here he is (and, yes, it's actually just all about the outfit):


Happy Holiday catalog browsing!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Atelier le Superflu


Superflu from elr°y on Vimeo.


My friend Orr sent me this. The styling, settings, and music all fit perfectly. Prettypretty.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Babies + Music

My roommate showed me these and I love 'em. The power of Bob Marley and Florence + The Machine:



Monday, November 15, 2010

Lowcountry Artist Market weekend

I can't even describe how fantastic this past weekend was. But I'll try anyway.

Cathy and David came into town lateish on Friday and we woke up bright and early to head to the Music Farm to set up our booths. We got to be booth neighbors!

Here are some pictures I borrowed from the Music Farm's album on the event:
David's ingenious lamps made from ink cartridges. His Charleston lamp was the talk of the town.
Cathy's awesome jewelry display and me looking concerned, for some reason.
My mannequin-turned-belts/jewelry-holder.

Seek Vintage! Someone has visibly messed up my scarf pile. I don't know how many times I referenced the end of Romy &  Michelle's High School Reunion ("Let's fold scarves!").
My little vintage nook after it had been shopped a bit.

I think we all had a successful day. Now I think I'm a craft/vintage fair addict. I'm already thinking about ideas for displays and streamlining the look of things for the next one (two words: wooden hangers).

After that, Cathy and David accompanied me to an open house for these cute little condos I'm seriously considering. After some rest and relaxation at home for a bit, we stepped out to Monza for some sangiovese, antipasto, and delicious pizzas and to Closed for Business for an after-dinner drink.

Sunday, Cath and David made a bangin' breakfast and we wandered around King Street. It was especially cool because it was one of those Sundays where they shut down the street to cars and you can walk in the very middle of the street if you want to.

Suede flats were purchased (me), sexy boots were purchased (Cathy), a cute headband was purchased (me, again), and it was, I think, a fantastic day.

Check out David and Cathy's sweet Etsy shop,  Lowell & Louise.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Restless





I even love just the look of this movie.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Seek Vintage/Lowcountry Artist Market


I've been thinking about nothing but vintage, lately. Tomorrow is the Lowcountry Artist Market, so if you're in the Charleston area, you should definitely stop by. It's free admission with a variety of fun vendors of vintage and handmade items. The bar will be serving bloody marys and mimosas and the Hello, My Name Is BBQ truck will be there serving all sorts of delicious food.

The event is from 10am through 3pm, so please stop by and tell your Charleston friends, too. That would totally make my day. Or my month.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

A Rainbow of J.Crew: Spring 2011








Images from style.com.

Have I ever mentioned that spring is my second-favorite season, after autumn? Sigh...

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Sweet Thing/"Change of Seasons"



Sometimes I need a little pop to end my day.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Ondine





This movie was so beautiful I can barely handle it. I needed a little magic.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Cougar Town.

It's my blog, and I can post gratuitous pictures of myself if I want to.


Since Halloween was a week ago, I thought this was a good time to share. I was going for Mrs. Robinson meets Joan Collins.

Fake nails and lashes courtesy of Wal-Mart, earrings courtesy of the roommate, metallic leopard-print dress courtesy of the Cancer Kids thrift store in West Ashley, giant shoulder pads courtesy of the dress.

Not pictured: leopard-print heels.

I love playing dress up.

covering Tom Waits


Cibelle - Green Grass - Official Video from Gustavo Guimarães on Vimeo.


Seen on I Am Donald.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

This song is pure magic.

Kid Kudi + St. Vincent = Neat




This is a neat collaboration. Hello there, St. Vincent. You're looking awful cute.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Hrmph.

Today I'm in one of those hopelessly grumpy moods that not even chocolate and gym-produced endorphins have cured. I can't remember if I've ever posted this, but for some reason, this song always boosts my mood a little bit.



Anyone have any bad mood curers? My next trial will be a hot bath accompanied by a giant glass of wine and a good book.

Here's hoping tomorrow's a bit brighter.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

A Manly Autumn.

A Manly Autumn
]

I'm trying to stop shopping, so I thought I'd look at boys' stuff instead, to stave off temptation. Now I just want to wear boy clothes.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Talk about living life to the fullest...


Seen on Margaret Atwood's Twitter. Yes, Margaret Atwood has Twitter.

The world's oldest living Holocaust survivor (106 years old!) plays Chopin and Beethoven from memory and has such an incredible joy and interest in life and people. Amazing.