All aboard?
+ sunglasses from Forever 21
+ Blair Preppy Cardigan from dELiAs
+ Charisma blouse from Anthropologie
+ jeans from American Eagle
+ water bottle from SIGG
+ Swiss Army rucksack from Fatigues Army Navy
+ Illumination sandals from Anthropologie
I was recently having an email conversation with a good friend about travel destinations, and the notion of train travel came up. We both seem to think that for a cross-country railway journey, all you really require are some comfy clothes, a small backpack, and several cameras.
Half the fun of planning a trip is selecting one's travel wardrobe, and as I was daydreaming about a route that would take me from the East coast to California in the slowest and prettiest way possible, naturally my thoughts turned to what I would wear.
I think the Polaroid makes the outfit, don't you?
When do you think it will all become clear?
I just adore Lily Allen. I get a flurry of chills from the loveliness of this video. Sweet but haunting, clever yet sincere.
Wednesday is Out of Focus

1. To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness., 2. Untitled
The soft focus and pastel tones of these images are soothing, and the dreamy subject matter provides respite from reality.
Tuesday is Red + Blue + Joy

Monday is Moss Green

So this week I will attempt to present a colour play for each day.
In this combo, what I love is how the deep green undercuts the sweetness in each composition, keeping it palatable.
A Jewelry Manifesto
1. where my heart lies..., 2. RING COLLECTION 06, 3. Audrey Hepburn,
4. Babouche, 5. Ascot - Pretty in pink, 6. Rosette Nebula
I believe jewelry is a celebration of beauty.
I believe every woman should own a signature piece.
I believe in the power of colour to cheer you up. Especially pink.
I believe that if we are stardust we should sparkle more.
I believe gemstones have less calories than cupcakes.
I believe in Moroccan slippers glittering with sequins.
I believe you can't go wrong emulating Audrey Hepburn.
I believe in dressing up old jeans with the right pair of hoops.
I believe you know what you want to wear better than Vogue does.
I believe in the preppy perfection of a crisp white shirt.
I believe nature is an infinite design resource.
I believe you deserve a treat even if you haven't been good.
I believe God made diamonds for the same reason They made daffodils and butterflies, which has everything to do with joy and nothing to do with status.
I believe in huge, frothy hats at Ascot races.
I believe everyone looks good in gold.
I believe handmade = made with love.
I believe in longevity, not trends.
I believe in comfort.
I believe in unapologetic decadence.
7 Things
Some of these won't be news to those who know me in "real" life, but anyway let's get on with it -- these are the first seven things that popped in my head.
1. I spent my early childhood in what was then West Germany. I got to travel all over Europe; I climbed both the Eiffel and Leaning towers, went sledding in a pre-war-ravaged Sarajevo, got sunburned on the beaches of Spain, and hunted for edelweiss in the Swiss Alps all before the age of 8. It was only going to go downhill after that...
Retro Vintage Touchtone from Oh-So-Retro3. I didn't have a date for my high school prom, but I looked fabulous :)

4. I LOVE World Cup football. No really, I LOOOOVE it. Like, on an almost spiritual level. I always root for England. I still get shivers remembering Becks score that goal against Argentina in the 2002 games -- probably the most satisfying moment in sports I've ever witnessed.
6. I don't watch television. I only ever turn the TV on for special events like presidential elections, the Olympics, or the aforementioned World Cup tournament.
7. I was a cheerleader in high school. If you know me, you know I'm not a rah-rah kind of gal. Most of us weren't -- we paired our uniforms with clunky combat boots more often than not. We were in it for the flying. There is no more amazing sensation than being tossed straight up into the sky by burly men who want to prove their manliness by how close to the sun they can get you (even better if they catch you on the way down). I've never been more fit or more bruised and battered than the time I spent on Comp Squad. It's been more years since then than I care to admit, but I can still recite most of those incredibly embarassing cheers:
THE MIGHTY MIGHTY VIKINGS
AND WE
ARE TOO BAD FOR WHO?
YOU!!
Looking Ahead
Dream Bigger.

4. Untitled, 5. only, 6. Red Leaf Studios,
7. 365 : Day 75, 8. polaroad, 9. Untitled
I witnessed and experienced firsthand this past year how dreams can become reality. But what I found was that a dream coming true is not the end -- "they lived happily ever after" is a good way to finish off a bedtime story, but in reality you have to keep writing the script.
What comes next? What do you want after that? What more?
You have to take your dreams beyond what you think is merely plausible or (my least favorite word) "realistic".
A three year old would have no qualms about asking for the moon on a stick, but when we get older we learn to quantify and justify and take into account and end up squeezing what we really want into a smaller, more socially acceptable, watered down version of itself.
I want my cake and I want to eat it too.







