Send a Cheeky Valentine...

If you're like me, you don't send many letters or cards to faraway friends and family via the postal service any more. Whether this hints at an inherent thoughtlessnes, or simply laziness on my part, I'm not sure...either way, I DO TRY! And by trying, I mean sending cute e-greetings! Kate Spade has some adorable, quirky [and free] e-Valentines on their website. So, my fellow lazy-bugs, don't forget to send a cute, cheeky, sexy, funny greeting to your loved one[s] this V-Day. Or, if your honey lives with you, you could just write a dirty note on a napkin...

[via A Cup of Joe]

If I Were a Room, I Would Wear...

Here is a bit of eye-candy and random inspiration that has been collecting in my "rooms" folder... I'm coming to realize if I were a room, I would be quite garish & eclectic. What would you wear if you were a room??

I would wear black walls:

A mix of eclectic art, from floor to ceiling:






Or, a giant statement piece:

Splashes of luscious pink and purple:

Books galore:

A mish-mash of floral patterns:









Folky touches and lots of fresh plants and flowers:





Or, over-the-top glamour, with lots of shine:

Bold & classic black-and-white:

Can This Be Made into an Outfit?

My recurring feature, "Can This Be Made into an Outfit?," started as a nod to the Domino Magazine feature, "Can this Outfit Be Made into a Room?" Well, as I'm sure you've all heard, the amazing and inspiring Domino is folding due to the economy, and it is indeed unfortunate news. In my little way, I will try to keep the magazine alive by continuing these posts from time-to-time.

Doesn't Pierrot look a little sad here? Sometimes a clown doesn't always feel like being a clown...

Pierrot, formerly known as Gilles by Jean-Antoine WATTEAU c. 1718-19

The straw hat is definitely inspired by the latest Marc Jacobs collection, which featured floppy straw hats -- you must wear it tilted toward the front! The rest of the outfit is feminine, frilly, French, and fun...just like Pierrot [on a good day].

Monday Mischief: Cage Sandals and Corset Rings

I am in a personal-disclosure mood this morning for some reason, so why not go with it. Here's what I've been up to/what's been on my plate over the weekend:

* I started doing "official" research toward my dissertation over the past few days [I won't start my dissertation proposal for several more months], and I have been looking at loads of fashion history and criticism. I am just shocked and amazed how much is out there; I feel like it is going to take me years to sift through all of this interesting stuff...I'm sure I will have tons to share. I already do!

* I watched the film "He's Just Not That Into You" with some girlfriends, and we were all very

annoyed/frustrated/ and confused by the ending. Have you seen this movie? Let's just say it involves a diamond ring and your typical uncreative Hollywood emphasis on traditional social norms and "supposed" female expectations. So disappointing!

*I saw this corset ring by Sophie Gardner in Lucky Magazine and I think it might become something akin to my golden ticket: "I want it now Daddy!!!"

*I can already feel myself [against my best efforts] becoming obsessed by the idea of strappy-cagey-lace-y sandals. It might have something to do with the unseasonably warm weather we have been getting in the states. I am loving Dolce Vita's selection right now. Find some cute ones here, here, and here.

*I added a Facebook icon on the right side of my blog, so if you're on Facebook, feel free to add me!

**Have a wonderful Monday everyone!!**

Vive le Weekend Rouge!

After several frustrating months of trying to grow my natural hair color out, I finally said "Good riddance!" and I dyed my hair red today. Now I am visualizing long, flowing tresses ala Leonardo or Botticelli's Renaissance portraits...

I would love to own this book:

Virtue and Beauty: Leonardo's Ginevra de' Benci and Renaissance Portraits of Women.

Many painters have exhibited a fascination with red hair. The colour "titian" takes its name from Titian, who often painted women with red hair. Early Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli's famous painting The Birth of Venus depicts the mythological goddess Venus as a redhead [Wikipedia].

Birth of Venus by Botticelli (left, above)

These photos are from an opulent editorial in Chinese Vogue [2007], and were inspired by Renaissance beauty -- I've tried to pair the photos with Renaissance paintings that have a similar vibe...

Woman with Mirror by Titian

Portrait of a Lady [c. early 1600's] (above)

Coronation of Queen Elizabeth (left)


St. Mary Magdalene


Portrait of a Young Woman by Moretto da Brescia ca. 1540

[Magazine: Vogue China January 2007
Photographer: Pierluigi Maco
Model: Vlada Roslyakova]