The Curious Case of the Creepy Shoe Psychic

These two pairs of shoes featured on Fashion156's monthly "Most Wanted" list make me feel a little violated, as if someone has been spying on me and my boyfriend and secretly making a checklist of the ingredients we imagine our perfect dream shoe to be made up of...

His Checklist:
1. Must be something that Crockett on Miami Vice would wear.
2. Must be something a color-blind old man would wear.
3. Or, must simply be pink.

My Checklist:
1. Must be black or gray; splash of color is a bonus.
2. Must look like something a time-travelling flapper or a Gibson Girl might wear.
3. Or, must look like something a librarian-by-day / dominatrix-by-night would wear.

Creepy.

Have a Loving Weekend...

[Man combing girl's hair, c. 1960's. Source unknown]

Weekend Reads: Links to the Strange and the Beautiful

♥ Valerie Steele --Fashion historian, genius, and my new idol.

♥ This post by Ashe Mischief lead me to the amazing discovery of the medieval dancing plague [the greatest way to die I can imagine].

♥ Next to the beat-up Joy Division t-shirt I used to wear in high school, this tee from Every Little Counts is probably the coolest ever!

♥A streetstyle blog for HAIR styles!!!! MopShots is a genius idea!

♥ Chicago Chic exhibit runs through July and features amazing dresses from 1861 to 2004.

♥ In honor of Black History Month, Edwardian Promenade looks at the interesting history of the popular early twentieth-century dance, The Cakewalk.

♥ Nick Olsen [formerly known as The Deal Hunter] from my beloved deceased Domino looks as if he is starting his own blog here.

♥ Blogtrepreneur just published a list of 100 Must Read Blogs by Women -- so much good stuff to explore!

Mutual Makeovers...

My BF and I have changed up our looks quite dramatically these past few weeks: I have red hair now, and he got new glasses and chopped off his shaggy locks! [I snapped a picture of him after his hair appointment yesterday.] Looking snazzy!! What better excuse to play around with the the new Poladroid program for PC!?

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!!**