One Little Closet, So Many Ways!

After a recent trip to New York City I was able to find two highly coveted items, #1 a pink leather bomber jacket and #2 pink skinny jeans. After having 90210 on the brain for some strange reason, I just couldn't get these items out of my mind (but more on that later).

Upon my return home while unpacking I realized, "Damn, I have a lot of clothes!" and thought to myself, "Why do I always feel the need to buy more when I already have so much?" (Can you feel me fashionistas?) Right then and there I decided that from today until April 13th I will not repeat one item of clothing. It will be a great way to express my creativity and show that instead of spending my money on things that I don't really need (at the moment) I can save it for bigger things (like, my NYC dream internship).

For the next four weeks, I will be documenting my outfits for you viewing pleasure. Perhaps it will inspire you to re-look at your wardrobe and realize that you have a couple killer outfits right under your nose.

Enjoy! Here is outfit number one:

P.S. If you ever look through your wardrobe and realize that you have several things that you don't wear or need, donate it! You can drop it off at your local Goodwill, Value Village or for fun times have a clothing swap with your friends! You can also contact Windfall.

Amanda

"The Secret History": Seductive but pernicious

It should be obvious from reading my blog that I spend a lot of time thinking about art and beauty. But this can be a dangerous pastime. I am easily susceptible to beauty, easily enthralled by art. Witnessing something truly magnificent can affect me for days--can almost ruin me for the real world. I become indolent and obsessive, seeking only to live inside a cocoon of aesthetic perfection, and anguished by the thought that such a great deal of any human life is devoted to dull, mundane, trivial activities. I hunger always for more--more splendor, more thrills, more "peak experiences."

Then I hate myself for my lazy decadence, and I overreact to it, going too far in the other direction. I become puritanical, almost Calvinist. I despise the illusory nature of art, and the way that loving art so much can impede me from loving my real everyday life. The phrase "seductive but pernicious" tends to run through my head in moments like these.

Anyway, a few weeks ago, while going through a fairly bad case of the above, I wandered into a bookstore, and decided that I was in the market for a really good, absorbing novel. One of the books that has been on my "I want to read this" list for several years is The Secret History, by Donna Tartt. I picked up the bookstore's copy and read the first few pages.

The Secret History begins with a brief prologue, in which the narrator describes how he and a few of his friends committed a murder--pushing a young man named Bunny over the side of a ravine to his death. This is intriguing, and certainly makes you want to keep turning the pages. But it was the first paragraph of the novel proper that convinced me that I had to buy it and read it, immediately:

Does such a thing as "the fatal flaw," that showy dark crack running down the middle of a life, exist outside literature? I used to think it didn't. Now I think it does. And I think that mine is this: a morbid longing for the picturesque at all costs.

"A morbid longing for the picturesque" as a fatal flaw--was that not similar to my whole "seductive but pernicious" thing? In other words, The Secret History wouldn't merely be the page-turning story of a college kid who becomes an accomplice to murder. It would be the story of someone who gets caught up in events, who becomes a murderer for reasons that I could possibly sympathize with--and, with a chill, I would recognize that I might've made the same bad decisions that he does, because I too possess that same fatal flaw. And thus the book would go on to prove that often what is most seductive is most pernicious.

And I was right! I loved The Secret History and was completely absorbed by it. The fatally-flawed narrator is Richard, a working-class young man from California, who ends up at a New England liberal arts college studying Greek with an exclusive group of five other students. This clique--Henry, Francis, Charles, Camilla, and the doomed Bunny--appears dazzlingly wealthy and sophisticated to Richard's provincial eyes. The group's ringleader, Henry, realizes that Richard's awed eagerness to please will make him a loyal ally--and thus enlists him in the plan to bump off Bunny (for reasons too complicated to explain here... basically, Bunny knows a secret about the other students and is blackmailing them). After the murder takes place, the second half of the book deals with the aftermath and the consequences. Though Richard handles the stress and the guilt better than some of his friends do, he is nevertheless forever scarred by the experience. At the end, he is left cursing his weakness for confusing aesthetics with morality, his "own fatal tendency to try to make interesting people good."

Marisha Pessl's novel Special Topics in Calamity Physics (my review) got a lot of comparisons to The Secret History when it came out--both were hyped-up debuts by photogenic twenty-something women, and Pessl seemed to have stolen a lot from Tartt. Indeed, for the first 100 pages or so of The Secret History, I couldn't stop thinking of Calamity Physics: both books are narrated by an awkward outsider who falls in with a clique of five cool and attractive students led by a charismatic professor; both have a murder that takes place in the woods. Ultimately, I think that such a comparison elevates Tartt and diminishes Pessl. Not only did Tartt do it first, her writing style is more elegant, less hepped-up and overtly showy. There was an ostentatious metaphor on every page of Calamity Physics, but very few in The Secret History (instead, much of it is told through dialogue). And Richard, with his guilt and flaws and regrets, is a more compelling narrator, psychologically speaking, than Pessl's hyper-loquacious but more shallowly drawn heroine, Blue Van Meer. You can tell from my Calamity Physics post that I maybe related to Blue's brain; but I related to Richard's soul, and that is more valuable.

Recupefashion items-- 35% discount

Another beautiful sunny day here in St-Calixte, Quebec.

There is still maybe 2 feet of snow to go, but it is melting away slowly.

I feel happy, today I want to show you some more items from this shop that you could buy with this 

35% discount.  Cause I think people are sometimes afraid to buy on blogs,

But I've had a few sales on this blog so far, and I would like you to know that it's the same thing

as if you were to buy in my Recupefashion, Etsy shops.

But I would love to eventually leave Etsy and do my business only here.

But for now it's quite hard.

It's not like a Web site, as a Web site gets more traffic then a blog also.

But anyways,

Now to the eco products.

Here you will be getting great handmade, beautifully made eco products to offer to your friends and

to the people you love.

Let me show you some items I have in the shop:

A beautiful Eye Pillow made from recycled cotton fabric, and filled with organic

lavender & flax seeds. Great for relieving, tension migraines, tired eyes and overall wellbeing.

$10. but for the month of march you get 35% discount.

Little hearts tea wallet,

Always a pleasure to receive

A tea wallet is a must if you are a tea drinker,

If you know a tea drinker in your life, then this is the perfect gift.

$10  but for March only you get 35% discount.

Cool Wrist bands at $5 each

Now you could buy a few, for a couple of kids you know, you know

how kids like to look rad and cool,

I can also make some new one in other colors for you if you want me to.

Besides the more you buy, I then arrange for combine shipping,

Whatever you buy, I always arrange it so it costs the leas for shipping,

My famous Crocheted spa bath sets with a bar of soap for $ 20

Great gift idea for any occasion,

So come and check out the different colors and shades.

Artistry of the Credit Roll #1

The Red Shoes
1948

Spring Forward - March 14, 2010

Joan would like to remind everyone to spring forward on March 14, 2010.

Une victoire pour une pirate

This is the video for "Comme des enfants," which just won Best Song at the Victoires de la musique (i.e. the French Grammy Awards).

It is written and performed by Coeur de Pirate, a 20-year-old Québecoise whose real name is Béatrice Martin--and lists Sartre, Kundera, and Debussy as "influences" on her myspace page. That's why I love the francophones--you'd never catch Taylor Swift doing something like that, would you?

Not that this song is weighed down with pretentiousness or existentialism, though--it's a charming pop confection. I really like it and am off to download Coeur de Pirate's album!

Man Fashion: Men's Shorts for Spring 2010

Summer is just at the corner, and the most popular wardrobe I am eying now is men fashion shorts. Honestly, men’s shorts are now comparable with women’s lingerie when it comes to fashion, popular demand and not to mention, it's sexiness in the eye of women.



They are also available in different styles and colors just like ladies’ garments are. Because of its evident popularity, several brands are producing more and more designs. It has become so popular that men’s shorts in 2010 are proof that men are going stylish with all their piece of clothing.



Here is my shortlisted pants I plan to add to my wardrobe. What do you think?

Polo Ralph Lauren Men's Fatigue Shorts - White

Modern utilitarian shorts, designed with an easy fit and cargo details in a lightweight linen/silk blend. Adjustable side tabs Medium rise Button fly Cargo, side slash, back patch pockets Inseam.



If go with this pair of shoe, will be the perfect match, with amounts less than $15. (huge 67% saving)  :)

Firetrap Mens Sam 2 Canvas Pump White

Firetrap basic canvas pump, embroidered logo to the heel side, come with lace-up front and canvas upper.

Project Recyclaton

Hello and how are you today?

I think I caught a bad cold,

first my daughter got really sick about 2 weeks ago, the doctor prescribed her some

antibiotics and this week she had to go back to the doctor cause she was still really sick. So the 

doctor prescribed her another type of antibiotic.  Now I hope she will get better, but int he meantime I 

am getting her virus. I do not feel so good.  But you know how us women are strong?

I will get over it in a jiffy, I hope.  I am drinking lots of juices and eating lots of fruits.

Besides my cold, I wanted to ask of you today if you guys had been thinking about what I had asked

about when I was talking about if you had anything left over that you did not use anymore.

like: old and OOAK buttons,

-vintage and other cotton fabric

-old jewelry knic knacs

-anything else that you may think of that you think I could use.

Like I said if it's good for me and I can create with it, then I could pay you back by creating a piece for you plus a 30% discount on a purchase in the shop here. ( not applicable while there is a sale going

on).

I haven't heard from many of you, but I would really want to know what you guys think about this project. I called it project Recyclaton-Recupefashion.

I hope to get some feedbacks this time, please don't be shy, I really would love to work with all of you.

Thanks for taking the time to read me.

Paramount Pretties #1

Louise Brooks (photographer Eugene Robert Richee)

Mens Fashion: Topman Design Fall/Winter 2010 Collection

Contributed by Charlie 

 

After launching the MAN event ten years ago. Topman Design has gone on its own and London Fashion Week saw the first stand alone Topman Design show. MAN was set up by Topman as a way of portraying upcoming menswear designers, which back then included Topman Design.

The show (held at Somerset House) showcased the latest collection and its European City influences, the collection featured some of the most wearable designs that the in-house design team have produced since their launch in 2005. Oversized tee’s and camouflage prints paved way for the wool jackets and the unstructured male fashion the brand hopes to coin. But by far the stealer of the show was the paper-bag trousers, similar to those seen on Jaeger catwalk.

The show definitely put menswear back on the fashion map, throughout London and due to Topman Designs worldwide presence (available in Tokyo, Hong Kong, America and Sydney) the brand is building a reputation with fashion packs on several different continents.

Frage: Make Up Aufbewahrung?

Ich habe ein Problem. Meine Make Up Sammlung wächst mir über den Kopf. Da ich früher die Schminke fast nur beruflich genutzt habe, hatte ich die meisten Sachen in einem großen Koffer - privat habe ich nicht allzu viel davon gebraucht. Aber nun sieht die Sache anders aus.



Die klassische Variante findet ihr auf diesem Blog: Schubladenteile aus dem Schreibwarenhandel! Aber irgendwie hätte ich gerne etwas in "hübsch" was mehr meinem Zimmer entspricht.



Aber wahrscheinlich ist es so schon am besten:







(via)



Pinsel etc. hatte ich lange Zeit in schönen Vintage-Tassen, aber da ist momentan irgendwie auch kein Platz mehr. Den Nagellack in großen Einmachgläsern - auch irgendwie unpraktisch.



Ich bin also über jeden Vorschlag und jegliche Inspiration dankbar.



Dekorativ gegen praktisch - oder geht beides?

Feature: Accessory of Crime

Here are the incredibly stylish Emily and Amanda from the blog: 
Accessory of Crime
If you are not yet familiar with their blog... now is the time :)

Who are you? (introduce yourself)

E: We are two girls from Auckland. I'm Emily, 21, in my final year in architecture school.

A: And I'm Amanda, 25, and I'm a dentist. And yea, we are sisters. (resemblance?)

What can we find on your ipod today?

A: Let's see, there's Frou Frou, Jose Gonzales, Camille, La Roux, Yeah Yeah Yeahs...I always run with my ipod and its mainly The Gossip, Kleerup and Goldfrapp on repeat.

E: Me, I'm a bit of a collector on the music front, it's a range... looking at it right now there's stuff like: Cat Power, Chet Baker, Tori Amos, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Sigur Ros to stuff like Fugazi, The Rapture, Justice, Atreyu and Black Sabbath - it kinda goes on, but these are part of the bunch that get good play, some of it kinda just sits in the ipod.

What/who influences your style?

E: I used to take lots of inspiration from music and musicians, and different personas that people convey.   Men’s fashion is also a big influence for me. Hedi's boys for Dior Homme I think express these two things well, Limi Feu in S/S 2009 too. But I don't really like to pin things down too much, it changes...

A: And then, there's the 'streetstyles' - especially love the Swedes, images from Garance Dore, bloggers such as Chantal (cocorosa), Margaux (appears in La revue de Kenza), Ji (Luxirare, insane!), Gala (am-lul). From the runway, we are inspired by the whole package - the collection, the set design, down to the pics of models backstage! We're also very much inspired by the travels that we've done and of course, the vintage and thrift stores.

Fashion icons (dead or alive)?

A: Mmm, this is a tough one. I don't really have one - to have one, I think, would mean to stick to a style and their whole persona. And at the moment we're still just playing around.

E: I think we’re really an abstraction and mish-mash of things that we do love - and its more fun this way!! Though, at the moment, we do find ourselves very inspired by Kate Lanphear (Chic + Tough), Freja (Sensuous + Tough), Melissa Auf der Mar (Dark + Tough + Feminine)

Favorite designers?

               A: BURBERRY with Christopher Bailey - ALL SEASONS.

E: Olivier Theyskens!!! Oh and that last season of Roberto Cavalli, I really love - though its ironic that its not like his usual stuff at all. Hussein Chalayan for his concepts and for bringing fashion to be more of a message medium.

A: And there's lines by Karl Lagerfeld (I continually find them attractive), Phoebe Philo, Nicolas Ghesquiere (its always ground breaking).

What is your favorite movie/movies? Is your style perhaps influenced by any movie characters?

A: Not really, when I watch movies, I usually get too involved with the plot and scene to pay much attention to a particular person's style.

E: And when I do, I'm drawn to the character's personalities, characteristics and quirks, I guess, less directly their style.

A: The movies I like? Paris Je T'aime, Vicky Christina Barcelona, Les Infants du Paradis, and Tokyo.

               E: American History X, Europa Europa, Lost Boys, and Studio Ghibli Anime.

               E: Oh yea... I do like that dude with blue hair from Nana...

              A: Yeah, and Nana.

What is your favorite fashion decade and why?

               A: 70's and 90's. Its fun and its free.

               E: Liberal, so much to play around with, and kinda harder to pin down, maybe cuz its so close to home.

If you are into literature, which books are your favorite?

E: Literature? I kinda have in the past 5 years, read books as picture books - its a disease of Architecture I tell you - It speaks a thousand words, its OK. Don't get me wrong, I do like words, its just been a while. When I was young I loved Vampire books, Thrillers and Mystery books.

A: I'm always drawn to the notion of the flâneur, books about people wandering in different countries and cities, its like a snapshot into the everyday life of the urban dweller. Like, Peta Mathias - French Toast; Edmond White - The Flâneur; Patrick Süskind's Perfume. (Oh mygosh, his makes me sound so literate when I’m not!)

Who are your heroes in fiction?

               A: Nancy Drew. Looking back, she's quite style-y isn't she??

               E: I like Cameron from Sarah Connor Chronicles, haha, is this kinda geeky? she's just so funny.