What I've learned

In the past, I've never used sitemeter as much more than a way to find out how many people are visiting my blog, and where those people are. I don't care or have the patience for much else. But returning to school and the joys of homework, and therefore the necessity for procrastination, has caused me to search deeper into Sitemeter's (time-killing) offerings, and I've started to look at what attracts you here in the first place.

In the people-watching sphere, viewers seem to want to read about Cory Kennedy and Irina Lazareanu. This is somewhat ironic, since I only mentioned both of them to say that they don't interest me much, but ok, Irina Lazareanu is a good model, probably a good rockstar, and she's beautiful. Cory Kennedy, though--ugh. Get over it! It's not that I deny the existence of fashionable fifteen year-olds, it's just that I can't figure out what exactly she does, save for get wasted when cameras are present. I dunno. I guess I still fail to see her allure.

In the retail sphere, people are excited about Target Go International (Proenza Schouler arrives tomorrow! TOMORROW!), and, happily and surprisingly, people also seem to be interested in Alice Ritter and Tara Subkoff. I'm for Target as much as the next girl, especially when they can mass-retail anything by Proenza Schouler (Proenza Schouler!!), but it's neat to see what the smaller, more independent designers are doing, too.

So, it looks as though you readers have excellent taste! Anything you'd like to see more of? Just don't request Cory Kennedy.

Oh dear

I love Topshop. Really, I do. They've earned my loyalty forever (and a lot of my money as well). But. . .



No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. No.

Tea time!

I had some errands to run today, so I had the pleasure of walking miles to my car (parking at my school = not good) in the freezing cold. It was snowing a little when I left, but as I was driving home, it really started coming down. I suppose I should feel lucky that I didn't have to drive long in the blizzard, but instead, I chose to sulk as I walked the miles back to my dorm. As I approached main campus, there was one desire in my mind: tea.

Now, I know this is a fashion blog, and a phrase that begins with "one desire" is usually followed by "a pair of Saddlelite jeans," but I promise, this does have to do with fashion. Teen Vogue (shut up, I like it) had a cute little spread on teens having tea parties in their last issue, and it made a good point: sometimes, it's nice to take some time out of your (freezing cold) day just to hang out with good friends and drink some hot beverage. Tea being the posh old institution that it is, it's also a good opportunity for a little bit of a fashion show.

After all, where do you think the term "tea-length dress" comes from? Teatime is an opportunity to make yourself look nice and a bit formal, but in a relaxed, easy way. I say "relaxed" and "easy" because it's important to look ladylike at teatime--it's certainly not eveningwear, and it's hard to make eating a crumbly cream scone look sexy. So, there are a lot of lovely little dresses out there that aren't meant to be worn out to the clubs, but aren't exactly meant for class, either, and I'd like to point a few out.

If you're on a tight budget, this dress by Necessary Objects would be a good choice. It's cute, it has a nice, unpretentious amount of detail, it's probably comfortable as can be, and furthermore, you could wear it over jeans for a casual look. Lots of bang for your buck.

A slightly showier option is this shift from Topshop. It's making me regret coming back to the states (reason #1253. . .), because I love the simple shape and complex pattern, the color palette is to die for, and it's just really, really, really divine. Of course, if I had this, I would wear it everywhere, so it might get a little shabby for tea, but hey, I could throw a bohemian, avant-garde tea, and I would fit right in. So there.

Finally, if you're willing to drop a little cash, this Marc by Marc Jacobs dress is the definition of lovely. I assume that most of you who are reading this can see it, so you can see why it's so lovely, and you don't need me to explain. Mmmm. Lovely.

But I must admit, when I get all my friends together in my room for afternoon tea (sometime!), I'll be wearing the typical college student uniform of a tee shirt (tea shirt?) and jeans. Hey, a good hostess would never make her guests uncomfortable.

This is why I love Vera Wang

The two large designs on this dress remind me of what you do to your Chucks when you're bored in your high school chemistry class because you know you won't figure out ions in the next thirty minutes, so it seems a waste of time to try, and besides, you have a new pen that you want to play with:

But it's not a bit of cross-hatch on the rubber toe of a converse sneaker. It's a giant scribble on a silk, tea-length dress. And I love it.

Maybe my investments will triple in the next, say, three weeks, and I'll get to buy the dress. . .

Responsability sucks. It's more fun to drink cocktails than go to class, more exciting to go on a date than a job interview, and more amusing to spend money on clothing than groceries. Unfortunately, you can't get a degree in drinking (I wish!), get paid to date (unless you're in an illegal profession), or eat your clothes (unless it's meant to be edible, in which case, it's probably not very nutritious). So, sometimes, we're forced to behave act maturely, and do what's sensible instead of what's fun.

For me, that sensibility right now is saving money. Since I've decided that I'd like to go to grad school, I now have to think about my money, and whether or not I'll still have enough of it in a year or so. Grad students tend to be more broke than college students (if possible), so I've decided that it's probably time for me to invest some cash in some long-term savings somethingorother, while I still have some cash to dispose of. Not fun. But probably necessary.

If, however, I could be tempted to blow the wad on something more amusing, this is the outfit that I would pick, beyond a shadow of a doubt, for spring:

It's just. . . perfect. The neutral color palette screams 'sophisticated,' but the soft shape keeps it from being harsh or pretentious. The layers keep the girly, sweet dress casual, but take off the sweater and the undershirt, and hello night life.

Unfortunately, Michael Kors is a little out of my pre-investment budget (plus, I just blew a small wad on some Trovata and Velvet). I have a white, crewneck undershirt, a long black sweatshirt (it zips up the front), and I've had the black cropped tights since before they were trendy (really!), but the dress is a problem. So, if anyone out there can point me toward a cheap (ideally less than $100) beige sundress with tiny little pleats in the skirt and a sweetheart neckline, it would be much appreciated!

In the meantime, I'll stay in jeans and sweaters, because it's COLD out.

But the 80's are still in. . .

Alber Elbaz says vintage is out??? Well, he may be a man of exquisite taste, but I'm keeping my batwing sweaters.

She may be a bit of a one-hit wonder. . .

Kara Janx in online retail.

And just when we thought 'overdosed chic' was going out of style

Well, it might not be the healthiest of influences, but I must admit, I really like the pill-shaped beads that appear throughout Chanel's spring collection. Sometimes, little ironic pop culture references in epic, timeless couture lines come off as kind of self-conscious, but this, I think, really works.


Well, better on the dress than in the body.

Screw It

You know what?

I like it. If anyone can pull it off, she can.

(That's Rinko Kikuchi in Chanel, if anyone out there hasn't already seen her on all the worst dressed lists.)

Society for Rational Dress created this dress

. . . and yet, "rational" is not the word I'd use to describe it.

Sweet is more what I'd say. Even if it does look a little like pajamas.

It's that time again!

. . . even though I didn't know that it was that time before. Well, whether or not I knew it last year, it's national de-lurking week!

so, if you're out there, and you're reading my blog for whatever reason, go ahead and let me know (even if it's ("dammit, I wanted to BUY this product when I searched for it, not read about what some self-important idiot has to say about it!").

Um. . . Merry Belated Christmas?

I want this for Christmas (post-facto).

How can you be an individual when your style is trendy?

Ok, I know, I know. Ever since Kate Moss proclaimed her love for Irina Lazareanu, just about everything about her, from her lithe frame to her glossy black locks, has been "in." Especially her bangs. Everyone has blunt bangs now. British twelve year-olds get their fringe cut "like Irina Lazareanu." Self-respecting hipsters have more hair over their forheads than neanderthals did. And hey, she's definitely got a look:


It just happens to be a look that's become everyone's look right now.

But if my bangs were inspired by the lovely Jane Birkin (70's sex symbol extraordinaire) instead of her, can I keep them for a little while and still be original? My hair's still blonde, too, if that makes any difference. . .