if i wasn't trying to grow my hair out

I would totally do this to it.

photos by alexandre jaras at dripbook

Oh, and don't forget to enter my giveaway if you like.

creative people are so creative

And funny too.

Here's more hilarious t-shirt designs by Drew and Natalie Dee.

These are by another girl named Natalie. She does a lot of amazing design work.
Check her out here.

Making lamps out of old teacups? Why didn't I think of that?
Just one of the many brilliant (no pun intended, really) ideas over at Domestic Construction.

old hollywood

Last night we lived out one of my picnic dreams (the Fried Chicken one) and dined in Grant Park. (with hundreds of other people). We were there to enjoy the free movie on the big screen (one of the many exciting summer events that Chicago has to offer). Last night's showing was
"Cat on a Hot Tin Roof".
Really good.

It made me realize once again how great the movies were back then (this particular one was made in 1958). And by great I mean there was always a good bit of substance, excellent writing, and fantastic acting to wrap you up completely in the story.
(and usually some great clothes too)

Don't get me wrong, it's not that I think there aren't great movies nowadays, but it's just different. I think writing back then was so much more clever, the lines were just witty and complex enough to make you think for a second before realizing how hilarious they were. They're the kind of movies you could watch over and over just to catch all the humor that you missed the first time.
I think that the humor in modern movies is kind of slap-you-in-the-face funny, you really don't have to think about it: it's just funny. Which makes me wonder...

Are people getting dumber? Do writers feel like they need to pander to the now-lazier minds of us TV-watching, video-game-playing, internet-dependent humans?
Or is it the writers? Could they be the lazy ones?

Or, maybe it's just that American humor is different now than it used to be. What people found funny in 1950 is not what people find funny in 2009.

Well, I still think it's funny.

Photos from Glamour Germany

fields of gold

Dan Martenson Photography

Friday - Monday:
Citrus sangria. 500 Days of Summer. Dad's birthday party. Playing in cornfields. Wine and cheese bar. Friend's birthday party. Cake in the dark. Disc golf. Tagalongs blizzard. Kung Fu Panda. Painting. Falling in love with Norah Jones all over again. (listen to "Thinking About You.") Dealing with sore arm from disc golf.

handful

So.
Ever noticed how Mary Kate is rarely seen empty-handed?
Her armload usually includes, but is not limited to, coffee and phone.

Exhibit A


Exhibit B


And ever noticed how she kind of makes it look cool to be all bogged down with stuff?
Like she's too busy to be bothered, or something...

...how does she DO that?
How does a person make it vogue to carry a bunch of crap?

Exhibit C


It reminds me of a Jack Handy quote: (a very funny man, who says very funny things)
"To me, it’s a good idea to always carry two sacks of something when you walk around. That way, if anybody says, 'Hey, can you give me a hand?' You can say, 'Sorry, got these sacks.'"

Exhibit D


So hmm...maybe MK has the right idea after all.

All images courtesy of marykateandashleystyle.com

i could be brown i could be blue i could be violet sky

Louis Vuitton Fall 09

I could be hurtful I could be purple, I could be anything you like


Kenzo Fall 09

Gotta be green gotta be mean gotta be everything more


Chloe Fall09

Why don't you like me, why don't you like me, why don't you walk out the door!

Lyrics from "Grace Kelly" by Mika

cobblestone

Never have I so badly wanted a long striped 90's dress.

This is my favorite type of fashion. Easy and refreshing.
Uncontrived.

Photos: Facehunter

come and get it!

Nothing like free stuff.
Especially when it's delivered to your front door.

I've teamed up with Chickdowntown.com to give one of you, dear readers,
this Elizabeth & James Deconstruced tee:

Just for reading my blog. And for being so great.
I want it myself, actually. I think it would be sooo comfy. I think I would probably live in it.

To win it, you don't have to do anything but leave a comment along with your email address on this post!

Chickdowntown.com offers lots of designer clothing, from old favorites like Diane Von Furstenburg to fab new designers like Yumi Kim, whose clothes have such lovely feminine prints and a relaxed vibe that just makes me want to be on vacation. Seriously. And speaking of vacation, Sky Dresses could be your answer for a great maxi dress. Nothing like one of those on a beach somewhere.

So,

I will choose one lucky winner on Wednesday, August 5th, using www.random.org.
(Chickdowntown.com can only ship within the USA, so that means
this contest is open to US residents only. So sorry, dear International friends!)

Have at it!
And don't forget to include your email address if you want to be entered!

For more giveaways and stuff, you can check out chickdowntown.com on Facebook and Twitter.

the me

Oooh, time to learn more about me! Aren't you glad you tuned in?
I was tagged by my friend over at Style Porn to share 10 facts about me that you may not know.
So, here goes with the random information. Enjoy!
You will be tested on this later.

1. I do some of my best thinking and come up with some really great ideas while laying in bed just before I fall asleep at night. Then I fall asleep and forget them in the morning. Too bad. I wonder where I'd be now...

2. Speaking of sleeping, I cannot go to sleep without chapstick or balm on my lips. It's so weird. My husband thinks I'm weird. But if I don't apply, I will wake up (at least once) in the middle of the night all chapped and uncomfortable. Not kidding.

3. Passing judgment on people who are on reality TV shows is my guilty pleasure. I feel bad, I just can't help it. But they put themselves in that position, so you can't blame me. Right?

4. I am really really awful at painting my nails. It's sad. I usually try to avoid it.

5. I get the hiccups more often than not. I wonder if I'm still growing.

6. I can go from being full to being hungry in a matter of minutes. And now that I'm hungry, don't get in my way.

7. Everytime Conan O'Brien does his geek impression, I get really really happy. Without fail.

8. I'm embarrasingly afraid of insects and crawling things. I get practically paralyzed with fear.

9. I have a special place in my heart for rap/hip hop music. Not all of it. But a lot of it.

10. I use ellipses way to much...

coverup

Chloe - Fall 09 RTW

I think I would totally wear overalls again, given I could find the perfect pair.


And I might have just found them.
This is a J Crew ad back in '07. (Hey, look who it is!)
If I can find these babies anywhere, there's an 87% chance I'll buy them.
I'm just saying.

Or maybe these?

I don't know, it's a toss up.

picnic it

Photos: Alex Ramon

Eating outside is the best.
I'm planning menus.

One includes the as-seen-in-movies all-American fare like:
Fried Chicken
Watermelon
Iced Tea
Chocolate Cake

And another is more French-inspired (of course) and would be something like:
Wine
Cheese
Grapes
Baguettes
Jam
Fresh Berries


I still have to work out the details.
Can't wait though.

Here is a post I saw today that I think is just brilliant and perfect and it makes me incredibly happy.
I hope you like it too.

why so gorgeous?

Yuri Tsai Photography

beauty in the basics

stylesightings

the fashionist

little style box

garance dore

altamira

A little really does go a long way.

What do all these ladies have in common?
A black blazer and white top, you say?
Well maybe. But I see a generous amount of confidence oozing from each one.

Oozing may not have been the best word choice.


Right now I am enjoying my lazy-Sunday-after-July-4th by:
Watching: Tiger Woods golf
Listening to: Blue Foundation
Drinking: Iced latte
Laying: On the couch

Did everyone have a good weekend/holiday?

broad stripes and bright stars

"...and I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me..."

Happy Independence Day!

currently loving...

...the blocks of colors used in this outfit. The silken pants that I need to own. How comfortable this looks...


...the innovative use of a V-neck shirt...


...the combination of red and magenta on the left. The combination of two different florals on the right.

And the shoes. Of course the shoes.


All images from the July 09 Anthropologie catalog