Taschen's: Paris, London, New York City, Berlin

Okay so I ordered and received just the other day my new Taschen's Paris hard-cover coffee table book and guide to Paris. It is sooooo good! It's a beautiful book that lists all of the best hotels, restaurants, and shopping areas to go to when in Paris. It's such a pretty and fun book filled with lovely photographs of the romantic city. I saw it at Club Monaco for 48$, but got it on chapters.com for 25$!! There is also one for New York City (which is my next purchase) and also for London and Berlin. Go get one now!

Photograph courtesy of audreymartha.blogspot.com

Modern Love

Soooooo should I just cry and curl up in the fetal position and drown myself in Haagen-Dazs?? Whyyyy are they sooo good looking (especially Johannes)?? I'm sorry, but as you can tell I'm a bit obsessed with their "modern love" relationship...

*SIGH*

R.I.P. Chanel bag

Okay so this is a really cool picture and I'm loving the jade nail polish, but I can't help but feel a bit of pain in my heart seeing a beautiful Chanel bag being vandalized. Even if it is for a photo shoot for The New York Times Style issue, there's something about it that sickens me. I no joke feel like crying looking at this photograph...a Chanel bag is precious, not something to use as a coloring book! Show some respect! I sound crazy but I see this ruined Chanel bag as something I could have perhaps prevented...if only I was given this Chanel bag I could have saved it and treated it with the utmost love and care. One might argue that it is purely "art", but I think it's ruining art.

Sara Blomqvist by Richard Burbridge | New York Times Style Summer 2010

http://www.fashionising.com/

Painting of the Day: Hopeless

I've always been a huge fan of Pop artist Roy Lichtenstein and I am really contemplating on putting a print of his on one of my bedroom walls. Anyway, here is one of my favorite pieces:

Roy Lichtenstein, Hopeless (1963). Oil on canvas.


http://laurahodginpdp.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/roy_lichtenstein_gallery_4.jpg

Whitney Port

A couple of days ago I had a post on Olivia Palermo and in honor of the season premiere of The City tomorrow night (in Canada...in the US it's tonight), I thought I would show some of my favorite fashion moments of Whit. Her style is extremely eclectic-California and sometimes I have to admit I don't like the ensembles she comes up with...it's as if she's trying too hard and misses, but besides that little comment I swear I am a huge fan of hers, always have been and always will be.

She tends to wear a lot of pastels...

I'm sort of loving this huber chunky, creme look.

WeLikeFashion.com, denimology.com, blog.teenvogue.com, The One and Only Strawberry, http://whitneyport.celebuzz.com/

Chanel Tattoos

My friend Laura had the new Chanel fake tattoos on her wrist the other day and I thought it looked so cool! I mean obviously it looks a bit tacky and you can't take it seriously, but they're so fun! I am definitely going to get myself some!

Have a look:




Diaries of a Budget Fashionista, Life of a Fashion Addict

Parsons Paris Summer '10

It is official that this summer I will be traveling to Paris, France by myself and studying fashion at Parsons Paris School of Art + Design. I will be leaving July 18th to take a two week long intensive course then traveling to Amsterdam to go visit family for a couple of days. I am so ecstatic to be living in Paris for a bit and meeting so many new people from around the world. I will be living in student housing and rooming with someone in my class. The class I will be taking is called "The Image of Fashion and the Fashion of Images" and this is the description on Parsons Paris' website:

This course emphasizes various fashion presentations through the exploration of photo shoots, showroom visits and runway shows. With the guidance of fashion professionals and critiques, students will learn the strategies related to fashion advertising, communication and branding.

Looking at contemporary fashion and its expression via the medium of still photography, students will examine the broad range of radical and avant-garde ways in which fashion has been represented in the past and present. Particular attention will be paid to the critical role of models, timing, lighting, decor, hair, makeup, etc., via hands-on projects. Through demonstrations, lectures and projects students will increase core knowledge about the principles of French fashion design and its visual representation in journalism and advertising. Visits to prestigious Parisian ateliers and editorial companies will be an important component of this course.

It is going to be a lot of work, but I am ready for the challenge. This class will definitely benefit me when applying to Parsons in the fall for my Masters degree. From now until I leave I need to save A LOT of money not only to pay for the course and housing, but also to be able to fully enjoy the city. Throughout my two weeks there I plan on writing on this blog everyday talking about my adventures at Parsons and in Paris. I will also be adding photos that I will take of the city, of fashionable people in Paris, my future peers, and of myself. Another thing I will be doing from now until Paris is sharing my ideas of outfits I will wear...I basically need to be at my fashion peek during those two weeks and I will start preparing NOW.

Here are some pictures of me last June in Paris for L'Oreal's 100th Anniversary:

Olivia Palermo

Okay so I know not everyone likes The City starlet, but I think she is absolutely amazing not only with her catty, snobby character, but also in her fashion sense. I have been following her way before The City started especially when her infamous letter broke out apologizing to other New York socialites on her bitchiness. I thought I would share with you some of her best fashion moments. Might I just add that her boyfriend Johannes Huebl is GORGEOUS...fyi he is a German socialite and model!










The Fash Pack, SLSVGG Fashion, 15 Steps, Then A Beauty Blog, New York Fashion, Hip Girlie, Posh24.com

Never Too Much Jewelry!

Here are some pictures I took of my jewelry collection in my room. This isn't everything I own, there is a lot more including this insanely gorgeous huge cocktail amethyst and pearl ring that was my Great-Grandmother's, but I can't find it. I think my Mom hid it somewhere because I would always take it and wear it to school. Most of the jewelry I own are pieces my Opa made in the 1960's-70's in New York City. I would love to follow in his footsteps and create my own pieces out of different metals. I have been creating bracelets for years out of beads, leather, and wire but I would love to take my creativity to that next level and make professional jewelry pieces.

Pictured above is a piece by my Opa made out of Swarovski crystals. It wraps around the neck, drips down the chest, and then wraps around the waist.

A necklace I bought at Club Monaco. They have amazing jewelry!!

These are two necklaces my Opa made. They are made out of bamboo, bull horns, and acorns.

A cuff my Opa made.

(Top left row): A vintage ring with rhinestones (it actually looks like real diamonds), vintage inspired earrings from Banana Republic, a small broach my Opa made.
(Middle row): A bracelet that was my Great-Great-Grandmother's.
(Bottom left row): A huge cocktail stone ring from Paris, a ring that looks very ornate and vintage from Banana Republic, and a bracelet from Banana Republic.

These are bracelets I've made.

This is a really cool vintage necklace my Opa made.

One of the stands I have filled with jewelry and headbands.

One of the drawers I have with a million pieces of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, headbands, vintage sunglasses, etc.

A ring I just bought at Banana Republic for 10$! Not everyone would like it, but I find it interesting.

Jean Jackets

I was browsing through my L'Officiel March 2010 issue and literally could not take my eyes off of the front cover. I mean seriously that vintage Levi's jean jacket is incredibly amazing, especially paired with that whimsical Dior dress. So this is basically my new favourite look that I will attempt at pulling off this spring/summer: a light worn out jean jacket with a pretty, light summer dress. So simple yet so chic, I love it!

Photo courtesy www.whosdatedwho.com

Tom Binns

http://www.tombinnsdesign.com/

What Is Keeping Me Sane Right Now

I am on the verge of pulling my hair out of my head right now because I have so much studying and reading to do!!!! I have a final on the History of the Print tomorrow and a final on Canadian Art Saturday, along with 2 other Art History and English finals the week after. I have been camping out at the library all day and the only thing that is keeping me sane is my iPod and Starbucks Coffee (Iced Caramel Macchiatos). Anyway I thought I would post some songs I have been listening to today:

Just a thought...

My brother Nick and I just had a deep discussion on art and how society's reactions towards art have altered over the years. Is it just me or does it seem like people are turning their backs on art? People seem to be more and more disinterested in art, I mean obviously there are still people who admire it, but it is definitely not as relevant as it was back in let's say the 19th or 20th century. Why is this? I think art has taken a new form...it has left the museums and traditional paint-on-canvas medium and has branched off into alternate mediums such as street art and cyberspace, multi-media art (which I will be completely honest...I am not a huge fan of). It seems like nowadays we have morphed into this mega attention-deficit disorder society where in order for something to grasp our attention it has to be accessible, such as music, movies, and television whose industries are at their highest. We have become robots who just sit down and expect entertainment to come to us...I personally feel the internet is to blame, actually no the invention of the television might have been the original, but the internet definitely did not help. We are so immune to our surroundings with all of the ads and bullshit that is being thrown at us on a daily basis, but when you really open your eyes and analyze your surroundings it is completely overwhelming. It actually makes me sad that several people, young adults and adolescents in particular, are being fed so much crap that we are unable to visit a museum or exhibition and fully appreciate and acknowledge the beauty of art because it no longer grasps our attention.

Anyway, it was just a thought...

Time for a Change

Alright so I am in the process of redoing my bedroom...so far my parents have installed beautiful, big, new windows and soon the rest of the changes will ensue. I have decided to take away the 5-year-old Laura Ashley wallpaper and replace it with a more updated two-toned wallpaper design that contains a foggy, metallic, silver-gray with a matte blue-gray...nothing dark, I want this to be on the lighter side. I will also be changing my carpet and chair (thank God...because right now it is horrendous!). I love my furniture and bedding so basically all I need now is some art on my walls. I am thinking of buying prints of famous paintings and usually I would go for Degas or Renoir just because that resonates more on my comfort level, but I suddenly have this urge to take a chance and put something bold on my walls. I am thinking Henri Matisse, Georgia O'Keefe, Roy Lichtenstein, or Andy Warhol (but not the typical ones...more like his flower collection). The painting would have to contain some sort of blue tone. Anyway, here are some paintings that I am thinking of putting up and I would appreciate it if you all gave me your opinions and suggestions. Also, I was thinking of perhaps purchasing a print of a famous black and white photograph by either Richard Avedon or Brassai...what do you think?

Okay so yes the two above resemble vagina's... but hey that's O'Keefe! Plus I think it's kind of interesting...

Photos courtesy of Beacon Hill Academy, Urban Monarch, Jewbiquitos, Lostpedia Blog, Hello Wonderland

Antik Batik

I know I have posted about this French brand before, but I am just too obsessed!!! Take a look at the most recent items I want...more like need...from Antik Batik:










Photos courtesy of shopbop.com and shopstyle.com

FINALS

Excuse my blogging absence, but it's that time of the year when I am completely overwhelmed with finals. On top of all of the endless books I have to read and papers i have to write...I have a cold. It's absolutely horrible and I do not want to do anything but drink OJ and watch mindless TV, like The Real Housewives of Orange County (or Atlanta)...BUT I CAN'T! Seriously, blowing my nose every two seconds in the library is most probably the most annoying and humiliating thing ever. I receive major death glares. Anyway I'm making up a list of things that are getting me through finals this season:

1. Starbucks Coffee
2. Halls
3. Tissues
4. Leggings, Sperry's, and cashmere cardigans (comfiest ensemble ever)
5. iPod...music includes She & Him, Mumford & Sons, Yann Tiersen, old school Coldplay, and Classical music.
6. Java U wraps
7. Rosebud Salve
and last, but definitely not least...
8. My brain.

GOOD LUCK!

Photo courtesy of artsjournal.com

National Geographic: Water

I just purchased the April 2010 issue of National Geographic on Water...it is out of this world. The pictures by John Stanmeyer are absolutely breathtaking. The issue is moving yet frightening on how little clean water is left on the earth. By 2025 1.8 billion people will not have access to clean water! So everyone buy the issue...read, learn and make a difference in preserving as much water as possible!