I put a spell on you, because you're mine

 

Halloween is almost here and I can hardly wait!  I started decorating my house today and it renewed my excitement for the upcoming holiday.  I am mildly embarrassed to admit that I also have a Halloween tradition of watching the movie Hocus Pocus, and I think it is about  time to pop the DVD in.  I don't know why I am so obsessed with Halloween.  I do remember insisting every year, as a child, to dress up as a witch, despite my mom's efforts to steer me in the direction of the princess costumes.  I do remember one year we were able to come to a slight compromise, in which she hand-crafted a pumpkin witch costume for me, unfortunately despite here tireless efforts I just remember wearing something itchy...oh well. 

{Outfit Details}

Sweater: Moth via Anthropologie

Dress: Final Touch (also shown here)

Tights: Target

Shoes: Kelsi Dagger (also shown here in black)

currently reading

There is nothing better than curling up with a good book on a chilly evening.  There is something about reading stories from the Perry Mason series by Erle Stanley Gardner in October that really lends to an air of mystery.  Currently I an engrossed in The Case of the Shapely Shadow and it is living up to expectations.

and one last find...

I am pleased to bring you a third fabulous find, Hurry Up, We're Dreaming, the newest release by the utterly amazing band M83.  In a word breathtaking.  


Thanks to my first guest blogger, the writer of 347 so eloquently contributed this find.

...We all have a safe place.  Whether it's a certain destination, age, or both.  This place is where we go when the times are tough or desperate.  As time progresses we grow old.  We fall in love, we buy homes, we have children and we eventually wonder where the days went.  And this is where our safe place is born.  It's a place where there is no time and where we can be ourselves.  This is a dream only we can realize we're living in.

There is no quicker way to transport yourself to this safe place with the wonder of M83.  In Anthony Gonzalez's double album latest release, Hurry Up, We're Dreaming., we hear the full arc of Gonzalez's evolutionary sound.  Gonzalez takes a risk in this album.  Rather than previous M83 releases, Gonzalez relies on his hidden hypnotic vocals to drive us into a unique state of mind. Listening to this album is the closest feeling to being in a dream.  Some say Gonzalez is merely portraying a certain aurora of 80s pop and hiss, but what's important is not what he has created, but where he is taking us.  This latest release showcases the rare occasion when music delivers us to a destination rather than focusing on the journey itself.  From the opening tracks, we float on through a wave till we wake up from our dream at the end.

It's as if Gonzalez knew where he was taking us all along - to our safe place.  You're listening to M83, Hurry Up, We're Dreaming.

-347

Fabulous Finds Friday

My first fabulous find is this wonderfully quirky bicycle print scarf from Rara Avis by LoveP.  Thia scarf features some fabulous mustard bicycles printed onto organic bamboo/cotton jersey and I must not forget to mention, it is an infinity scarf so it can be worn wrapped around a couple times or worn long like a cowl.  This is the perfect addition to any outfit, especially with the cooling temperatures although it could just as easily be worn in the spring/summer as a nice layer with a tank or tee. 

My second fabulous find is the Twiggy bangle by Our Family Jewels.  I love the natural understated quality of it.  It is so beautiful and quiet and definitely not your typical bangle you can just pick up in a pack of ten at forever 21, although don't get me wrong I do love the XXI.  I can imagine wearing this everyday with casual attire and even as an accessory for a night out on the town.  Something so beautiful transcends all outfits, like a timeless pair of ballet flats.

come on skinny love just last the year

I have returned from my study cave to post another day.  I am especially excited to share this outfit because it was the result of some of my binge stress shopping.  The dress is by Cynthia Rowley, I found it at TJ Maxx, and it is very comfortable and I love the studded detailing at the neckline, it makes me feel so fancy.  I actually wore this dress out to dinner at Bacaro LA to celebrate overcoming one of my grad school hurdles.  The coat is also a bargain hunting find by Tulle, although I didn't love the buttons so I changed them, but I did fall in love with the 3/4 sleeves and the bow-like detail at the pockets.  Also the little wrist-let, by Deux Lux, was a good luck present from my mom.  I do love a stylish good luck present, hopefully it brought me some.

{Outfit Details}

Coat: Tulle (changed the buttons)

Dress: Cynthia Rowley

Wristlet: Deux Lux

Ring: museum gift shop

Shoes:Kimchi Blue, via Urban Outfitters

yet another belated fabulous finds friday

So yes, this is incredibly belated and one would ask why not just wait until Friday rolls around again, BUT the finds are just that fabulous they could not wait. 

This beautifully modern necklace is one of the many fabulous finds from the Swedish designer Cristina Pires, and you can purchase them here.  Her designs are modernistic color blocking with geometric shapes.  Usually, my modern esthetic stops at the 60's inspired mid-century modern but even I am an admirer of her streamlined designs.  Adding this necklace to your basic tee shirt and jeans combo would instantly add effortless style to the simplest of looks.  Think art gallery opening chic that can be translated into your everyday wear.

My second fabulous find is a personalized map pendant necklace from Bookity, and you can check out all of their items here.  Bookity, reuses unwanted books to created the most beautiful things I've ever seen.  I love this necklace in particular because you can personalize what little bit of a map you want in your pendant.  For example if you have a loved on in Boston Mass. you can order a necklace with that city so you can carry that loved one with you in a cool, stylish necklace.  And, if possible this necklace is even more interesting because they use pieces from vintage maps that they seal in the pendant!  Honestly this is such a thoughtful idea for a gift.

so don your duffle coats quite slowly

 

Have you ever had one of THOSE days where you find yourself stressing and obsessing about everything else besides what the major stressor actually is?  Today was one of those days for me.  I accidently shrunk my favorite Audrey 3+1 dress when it got thrown in the dryer on accident with my other whites, it isn't terribly shrunken, it is just a bit shorter which is sort of bothering me because I loved it the way it was.  And, one of the cha chas came off one of my favorite pairs of shoes by Kelsi Dagger .  To everyone else I'm sure it's unnoticeable but to me I can not stop thinking about it, I'm sure because I'm avoiding something else very important that is fast arriving.  Anyways, despite all of this I do love my outfit, even with the minor defects...

{Outfit Details}

Coat: H&M

Dress: Audrey 3+1

Tights: JCrew

Shoes: Kelsi Dagger

Necklace: Garage Sale

Bag: Fiorelli