Literary Loves

This post is not really about fashion--maybe "style" would be a better word. I have been thinking a lot about a different kind of style lately...that is, writing style. In the midst of studying for my exams, I am feeling both a sense of gratefulness for the work I have chosen to do as well as a sense of being overwhelmed and inundated by words. When things start getting tedious, or the words start running together, or I feel like I am suffocating under an avalanche of library books, I have to figure out ways to put things into perspective. For some reason, it always helps me to look at pictures of the authors I am reading (and since most of my favorite authors are women, I get to admire their ensembles as well). I like to picture them leaning over their writing desk, sitting at their typewriters, or jotting notes on a napkin in a cafe. It is interesting to try and decipher some kind of connection between their pictures and their writing...or to see if the personality of their works comes out in their pose, the tilt of their hat, or their facial expression. By seeing them as I read, I form some kind of sympathy with them -- a mutual understanding of their work. I like to imagine meeting these women, having a conversation with them about what drove them, what inspired them, and what challenges they were able to overcome (or not to overcome, and why). I suppose this is a form of procrastination, like many of the things I find myself doing during the day when I should be studying, but somehow it feels more productive, and it helps me understand and discern the torrent of words swirling around in my brain. So, I thought I would just share a few photos of some of the most intriguing, talented, provocative modernist women -- women who pushed the envelope of style and subject when it came to the written word, and who each, correspondingly, seem to have had an equally strong grasp on unique personal style...


Zora Neale Hurston



H.D. (Hilda Doolittle)


Katherine Mansfield


Margaret Anderson



Jean Rhys


Nella Larsen


Djuna Barnes


Anais Nin

A Shopaholic's Guide to Pinching Pennies

I don't know about you, dear readers, but my wallet has certainly felt the strain of the economic crisis over the past year, and with all the doom-and-gloom talk on the news lately, I just haven't felt willing or able to splurge much on fashion (or at least as much as usual). Despite these limitations, the fact remains that I am a shopaholic -- a savvy shopaholic, I like to think -- and I always devise ways to make myself feel like I'm getting a treat while not breaking the bank. I thought I would share with you a few of the little things I can count on to take my mind off that "sale" dress on net-a-porter or those new Frye boots at Urban Outfitters...because, alas, they will not be mine any time soon. What little things do you treat yourself to when you feel the need to shop, but can't spend a lot?

I've heard that nail polish sales go up during economic crisis -- perhaps because it is a small luxury women can still afford. OPI's new "La Collection de France" has the most rich, romantic colors for Fall:




(left) Parlez-vous OPI? (right) Eiffel for this Color.

A great new hat always makes a tired outfit feel a bit more exciting. Forever21 has some cute accessories for Fall and and winter that are amazingly cute and inexpensive:


Blue felt cloche, $12.80. Pointelle pom beanie, $8.80.

A new lotion or bath product always lifts my spirits, especially if it has a great smell (and it's cheaper than perfume). I want to try everything on the bath product specialty site ebubbles.com -- it even lets you choose your product by favorite scent.

Daub & Bauble Arriba Cacao and Spice Hand Lotion with Shea Butter - 10 fl. oz. $9.00



Alba Hawaiian Coconut Cream Body Wash, $8.95.

I'm no shoe snob -- A cute shoe is a cute shoe, whether it's from Payless or Nordstrom's. These new Payless boots look far pricier than they are, and they would make my old standby jeans and dresses feel new again.


Raven platform lace-up, $39.99


Zoe patent button boot, $37.99

A new lipstick is almost as good as a new haircut when it comes to making you feel revitalized. I'm so glad dark, moody shades are back.


Urban Decay lipstick, $22.