2010

It amazes me that 2010 is already over. Before formulating a list of resolutions for the New Year, I reflected back on 2010 and the memories I will forever look back on that took place this past year. Below are some of the photographs that depict such memories and some of my most favored moments of 2010.

Have a blissful New Year!


Constantly finding beauty in my hometown...

...and in New York.


The idyllic New England landscapes that made their appearances on my many college road trips.

My rambunctious yet adorable new puppy named Champ.

UK travels and amazement's.

The moment I fell in love with London.

The moment I fell in love with Burlington, VT & UVM... most likely my home for the next four years.

Film Fashion: Love and Other Drugs

It has been quite a while since my last "film fashion" post; however, after watching "Love and Other Drugs", I couldn't let the opportunity surpass me. The movie, a perfect medley of drama, comedy, and romance, depicts the complex relationship between two slightly dysfunctional individuals portrayed by both Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal. Hathaway's character, Maggie, is a strong, independent female with talent in the arts and when it comes to hiding her inner instability. Her neutral colored attire throughout the movie consists of primarily over-sized sweaters, boyfriend jeans, tall leather boots, and a lot of layers.



1. beige trench coat
2. white button down
3. black leather boots
4. over-sized sweater
5. ripped boyfriend jeans
6. graphic scarf
7. chunky necklace

It's Coming on Christmas...

Although my general response to being asked "what's your favorite holiday?" is "Halloween", the late November, early December collaborative mix of chilling weather, Christmas lights, and hot cocoa always temporarily changes my answer. Christmas is certainly one of the most wonderful times of the year. I've recently made a competition with myself to make each follow-up to Christmas a little bit more festive and traditional than the previous, ultimately feeling obligated to complete each item on the following list prior to December 24th.

1. Meander down fifth avenue while admiring the creative window displays.
2. Watch Home Alone with my sister at least five different times
3. Compile a Christmas playlist, always including River by Joni Mitchell (see below).
4. Assist my mom with her homemade fudge and indulge in the batter throughout the process.
5. Create handmade stocking-stuffers for my family members. This year it's soy candles in mercury glass bowls.

Happy Holidays!

Reflections

The transition from Fall to Winter always leaves me constantly reflecting upon things; I am very much emotionally dependent on the four seasons. As my high school era of life comes to a sometimes rapid/ sometimes lingering end, my recent contemplation has been particularly focused on my personal teenage experience. I can't help but consider what decisions I would change if I could, and what decisions I remain satisfied with to this day. these are the things I would tell myself if I were to re-live high school (knock on wood.)

1. Prepare yourself for and endure change; it's inevitable.
2. Be a good friend.
3. Value your education to the best of your ability.
4. High school is not your life; perspective is key.
5. Pursue your known interests and take risks in order to find new interests.
6. Be both self aware and open to criticism and make changes accordingly.
7. Don't forget about your family's existence.
8. Work hard, play hard.
9. Define your moral compass, and let it guide you.

Latest Listenings

Christmas List: 2010

1. UO parka jacket
2. gold leaf nail polish
3. idealistic new years dress from top shop
4. UO pendant necklace
5. antique-gold sequined vest from free people
6. Gucci envy me perfume
7. jewel and bow ballet flats from top shop

Cause & Effect // Trend & Its Influence

Taking a mere glimpse at lookbook always leaves me with an inevitable desire to formulate a shopping wish-list inspired by the fashion trends that seem to reappear on the inspirational web page. Below are some of my new-found fashion inspirations and the resulting additions to my list.

Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired

My mom blame's my "you think it's spring"-like attire for my struggling sinus systems. I blame the recent decrease in temperature. With a runny nose, serious t-zone congestion, and consistent fatigue, I plan on resorting to the following list this weekend in order to break away from the irritation caused by my pressured state of mind.

1. Hot tea with lemon.
2. Heating pads (they somehow make everything better.)
3. Harry Potter movie-thons.
4. Cambells tomato soup.
5. Playing catch-up on missed t.v. show episodes.
6. Cuddling up with not one, but two down-comforters.
7. Iced gingerale.


*photo from weheartit.com*

Autumn in Pictures, thus far...

(I'm clearly far too dedicated to seasonal tradition...)

Family Ties

One of my favorite past times is re-visiting old memories by re-discovering the multiple boxes of photographs that helped document my childhood. My family and I have turned this simplistic action of flipping through piles of blueprints into a ritualistic event that almost always results in laughter and amusement. This weekend, my family and I practiced this tradition yet again, and this particular time, we came across some very beautiful photographs of my mom (see below). Although I'm always feeling thankful for my mom's presence, seeing these pictures of her and her unique beauty reminded me how grateful I am to have her in my life.

"in any case, you are always there,
tremulous breath at the end of my line,
curve of water upleaping
to my water rod, dazzling and grateful,
touching and sucking."

-sylvia plath

Small Town Satisfactions

This weekend, I attended my town's annual fall church fair. This is just one of the many activities I like to participate in during the season of Autumn (the primary list is found in this post.) The fair attracts nearly all of the town's residents, entertaining both families and individuals with classic small-town festivities such as raffles, the supply of both freshly baked goods and "stone" soup (which, may I add, is cooked in a very appropriate colonial Calderon), and live music by local jam-bands. While leaving, I came across a huge peace sign formulated with hand-made paper pin wheels on the front lawn of the town's elementary school (see below), which happened to be situated in the heart of the fair. Though simplistic, this very image, in addition to the familiar activity I had just engaged in, reminded me why I should be grateful for having grown up in such a tight-nit community.

Celebratory Outings

Ms. Wright was my freshman English teacher, or at least that's what I initially referred to her as. as time progressed, my girlfriends and I became more and more close with Ms. Wright, until we all eventually stopped considering her a fellow teacher, and instead, a fellow classmate (she's frequently mistaken for a student).

When Ms. Wright informed my friends and I that her high school sweetheart had finally proposed, we were all in shock. these past couple of months following the announcement have allowed us to endure both our excitement and the fact that we will be attending the ceremony of our teacher's (a.k.a. girlfriend's) wedding.

As the last few weeks prior to the wedding wind down, I can't help but consider what I am going to wear to this much anticipated event. alas, I think I have finally reached a consensus (see below.)

*dress and clutch from urban outfitters, wedges from anthropology and earrings from free people*

Latest Listenings

Despite the fact that this song is from the soundtrack of the eminently cheesy movie twilight, one cannot say that it isn't eminently beautiful. Sia's heavy, virtuous and almost morose lyrics of exposure are accompanied by a perfectly-melancholy harmony of piano and violin.

Film Fashion: Going the Distance

A couple of days ago, I took a necessary venture to the movies with my girlfriends where we saw Going the Distance, featuring Drew Barrymore and Justin Long. Drew's fabulous portrayal of her honest and charismatic character, Erin, left me with two reactions:
1.) what a great role.
2.) what a great sense of fashion.

Below is a collage I roughly put together (consisting of clothing items primarily from urban outfitters and anthropology) that I believe summarizes the most appealing trends flaunted modestly by Erin (a.k.a. drew) in the charming movie.

 



*Top photo courtesy of Google. 

Cultural Eatings

On this gray day, my mom and I took a trip to a nearby town to attend the "Taste of Greater Danbury" festival (thanks to the suggestion of a sign that was pitched street-side.) Unlike many of the smaller communities in Fairfield county, Danbury plays home to a vast collection of different cultures. with that said, a vast collection of culturally-rich (no pun intended) food was at our fingertips... and we couldn't have been happier! it was both rewarding and enjoyable to take a minor break from homogeneous scenery and present ourselves with food from a variety of different traditional cuisine's, including Thai, Indian, and my favorite, Jamaican (see below)! in the end, the day was far from gray (if you disregard the weather).

before:

after:

Fall Wardrobe

*background image of clothing collage from weheartit.com*

Comfort Food

On reserved nights like tonight, when I'm forced to seek entertainment at home, I frequently find myself preparing simple yet delicious snacks to accompany me while I resort to watching movies. This evening, I indulged in toast with peanut butter and honey (a bite my mom used to prepare for me when I was younger) along with a cup of coffee with both milk and sugar. Having recognized the minor delights that result from treating myself to the comfort foods I've grown up with, I figured I'd make a list of the nourishment's that I never (and will never) get tired of.

pork chops with apple sauce
my mothers mashed potatoes
ice-box cake (a family tradition consisting of chocolate wafers and whipped cream)
cauliflower soup
green beans with breadcrumbs
Stauffers mac and cheese (not home-cooked, but perpetually delicious)
and pumpkin pie with the assistance of the can

Latest Listenings

Recently, I've been on an electric crave. With Electric Zoo splattered across my "want to attend" list, Pretty lights, Bassnectar, and Flying Lotus have all constantly been on replay. When a friend sent me this remix, I started saving my pennies.

[this video is from bassnectarlabs's channel on youtube]

Autumn

As August comes to an abrupt end, I can't help but wrap my head around the mindset of fall; my forever favored season. Although I know summer will be horribly missed, I look forward to the next couple of months that seem to always roll forward with new surprises, year-after-year. First comes Halloween, then Thanksgiving, Christmas, and of course, New Years (by which point I'm always sick and tired of winter weather). As for now, I can't wait to yet again become accustomed with the autumnal elements that I always yearn for during the last few dog days of August.

hot chocolate made with milk, not water
sweaters, scarves, and boots
high school soccer games (our football team is discouraging)
becoming particularly crafty when it comes to halloween costumes
the harvest moon
seasonal and home-made soups
the thanksgiving parade in ny
not feeling guilty for staying inside watching movies
my christmas playlists (which start playing in october)
the local corn field mazes that continue to excite me
longer nights and shorter days

New York, New York

On Wednesday, my girlfriends and I went into the city to see hot chip at central park summer stage. Each and every time I go into the city, I feel as if I have escaped the secluding bubble of my petite hometown, even though I'm realistically only an hour train ride from home. As a child, I would spend every other weekend in Manhattan due to my father's relocation to Greenwich village following my parents' divorce. I think it's fair to say that new york has forever been my second home. this particular trip, I stumbled upon the John Lennon "Imagine" memorial in the park; something which I had surprisingly never yet seen. new york constantly amazes me by continuously diversifying my intellectual thought and imagination by simply presenting more and more of its' character. below is a list of the many things I love about the city that never sleeps, and the city that never ceases to bore me.

the implausible medley of people (and the energy that results from such)
new york public library
delicious and cultural eateries
brave street art
the farmers market in union square
immortal entertainment
soho architecture and greenwich village cobblestone
brooklyn flea market (and others)
high line park

Home is Where the Heart is

...Although I'm pretty sure my heart has stayed in Europe. Ahhh England, Wales and Ireland were all incredible. I arrived in the states yesterday, and although I appreciate the warmer weather, I yearn for the UK elements these past three weeks consisted of: Irish coffee, English gardens, Welsh farms, pubs galore, the dominating landscape of rolling hills and farm-encrusted valleys, disconnection from texting and email, thick Gaelic accents, the cardigan coast, European farmers markets, etc... to say the least.