Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and has a fun and safe new years tomorrow too!
I have stumbled across some new interest lately...
Minnie Mouse (or Mickey?) Inspired Fashion...
Chanel Iman
me on forever21.com!
Big bows, polka dots, and lots of red
Minnie is the ultimate animated style icon!
Boutique Hotels
As I have been travelling a lot lately, I have realized the luxury of being put up in nice hotels. While I am certainly no diva when it comes to where I lay my head down at night (holiday inn or motel six, whatever!), I have come to really love and appreciate creativly designed, decored, and often, themed hotels. It makes for such a nice travel experience. Often times, boutque hotels are decorated according to a certain theme or time period like modern or victorian, 50s etc. Some are just plain scandalous and flashy.
Last week, while working in Milwaulkee (typically NOT an ideal place to visit), I stayed at this very nice, woodsy themed hotel called The Iron Horse. Designed and created by a local artist whose museum and gallery is located right across the street, the modern yet cozy rooms are so relaxing. The interior in the lobby was also really beautiful. It was completely decked in Xmas decorations of course but it has a very natural vibe. Lots of animals decorations and painting, wood fire places, and warm, dimly lit lighting.
Boutique hotels are also awesome because they usually have really unnique and quality room service menus not to mention often stocked with full bars and tasty snack right in yours rooms.
The Iron Hose even has Aveda bath products in the bathrooms...so luxurious!
Some other ones that I love are...
The James in downtown chicago...very modern and simple decor with a hint of 60s feel. Delicious restaurant inside and room service. Their pasta is divine.
The Warwick in San Francisco.
I was kind of creeped out initially when staying here because the design and decor are very victorian. However, the rooms are beautiful and romantic. This is a very old hotel and I love the way they maintain this feel through the design. Smoking is allowed in all of the rooms also.
The Mondrion in LA.
It's kind of a scene here but there is a reaosn for that. This is one of the beautiful hotels I have ever seen. Very simple, clean decor with lots of fresh white, modern furniture and beautiful art work inside.
Mondrion Los Angeles
City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program:
Love Letter Collection
In Philadeplia, New York based artist Stephen Powers has grouped up with the city's Mural Arts Program, creating a series of rooftop murals around the city with a love letter theme. I love public art like this and I think its wonderful that it is so open for the community to view and "love."
They include ideas from both the artist himself as well as local Philadelphia residents.
I just thought this was so awesome and I wish art like this was made public more frequently.
I wonder if perhaps graffiti art would be perceived and validated as "art," if they all had such sweet messages?
Roy Litchenstein: pop art
I was really into his work back in high school...and I kind of forgot how cool pop art like this is. It is also really fun to try yourself. Comic book art..usually with a love related message...
Feminine, passionate, and expressive.
Cool BLogz
iamboycrazy.com
(there isn't much to say, just read it. Interesting and good laugh.)
fashion toast
I read about her blog in Forever21 magazine and was curious..An awesome blog mainly focussing on fashion only. Lovely photogrpahs and great style inspiration.
so adorable.
Polyvore.com
Okay, I know I am probably way late in my discovery of this awesome site but, better late than never I suppose. This one allows user to create online collages usually fashion themed. It is super fun and a great way to blow away hours of your life on the computer!
Love it :)
Chanel nail polish in Jade
Yep still looking for a less expensive version of this impossibly MIA color. I tried some shades from OPI (greenwich village, etc.) and they just weren't the same.
Sold out everywhere I have looked and is quite expensive!!!
180 More by Billy Collins
I have done a post previously about his anual poetry anthologies.
Awesome, truly contemporary poetry that doesn't requite much analytical pondering. Just simply, enjoyable and understandable poems with instant gratification.
For Christmas, my friend, Torrey have me this follow up anthology. It isn't as good as the first one, to be honest. But, is some great work in here.
Poem
Fingerprints look like ripples
because time keeps dropping
another stone into out palm.
-Bill Knott
Happiness
There's just no accounting for happiness
or the way it turns up like a pordigal
who comes back to the dust at your feet
having squandered a fortune away.
And how can you not forgive?
You make a feast in honor of what
was lost, and take from its place the finest
garmet, which you have saved for an occasion
you could not imagine, and you weep night and day
to know that you were not abandoned,
that happiness saved its most extreme form
for you alone.
No, happiness is the uncle you never
knew about, who flies single-engine plane
onto grassy landing strip, hitchhikes
into town, and inquires every door
until he finds you asleep midafternoon
as you so often are during the unmerciful
hours of your despair.
It comes to the monk in his cell
It comes to the woman sweeping the street
with a birch broom, to the child
whose mother has passed out from drink
It comes to the lover, to the basket maker
and to the clerk stacking cans of carrots
in the night.
It even comes to the boulder in the
perpertual shade of pine barrens
to rain falling on the open sea,
to the wineglass, weary of holding wine.
-Jane Kenyon
*Consulting my daily horoscope for advice.
For about a year, I went crazy studying astrology and the way it works. For awhile, I had kind of forgotten about horoscopes all together but, recently, I have been basing my decisions upon what my horoscopes say. I am not sure if this is a good thing or not?
The 1990s
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*Lenseless Glasses
Look, I know these lack a purpose of any kind and are just purely aethetic, but I love their sexy nerd vibe.
PS how great is this photo?
credit : Nylon
Vintage Tuxedo Dresses
Preferably, one with a large and eccentric lace collar like this lovely outfit above.
