Internet Joy (minus the fashion)

I thought I'd do a post on some of the (few) things I do online that are non-fashion-related. The internet is truly a wonderful thing, and I'm not sure people appreciate it enough. Then again, it's not like the internet will feel badly about that (though technology is really advancing, so maybe one day...), so instead, be nice to your moms! Mother's day is coming up!

But I digress.

Here are some of my non-fashion-related internet joys:



- Casapinka is one of my favorite blogs to read. The synopsis is:
"An Australian interior designer and American mom met in cyberspace and decided to redesign an eighties house without ever meeting. Using photos, internet shopping sites, magazines, and their imaginations, they are embarking on a year long odyssey to obliterate every nasty carpet and plastic vanity in the house. This is their story."
I really appreciate this blog because the house involved is becoming so funky and unique. It inspires me to (someday) try my hand at home decorating. I should also mention that I love the pink chandelier so much it hurts.

- Day Cabbie is another blog, but it's very different. It's basically the stories of a San Francisco taxi driver named Vera. Her stories are always so fun to read, and they are chock full of the people she meets while driving her taxi, as well as her quirky personality.

- Poco-Coca is a blog I look at from time to time when I want some cooking inspiration. Everything looks so delicious!

- Writing.com is a great place for people who love to write and read. I have a portfolio there where I post stories and poetry that I've written when I want honest reviews of my work. It can be really helpful to get a blind perspective.

- DeviantArt is similar to writing.com, except it's predominantly for art. People are so talented! I love to look at their artwork. I have a portfolio there too, but not a very good one.

Okay, that's all for now. Don't worry...the fashion-y posts will start up again with my next post.

I Have Found Love and It is Beautiful

Oh. My. Word. Have you ever seen such beautiful, fanciful dresses? I was stunned into a glory-stuck, dazed silence when I found the dress section of Armour sans Anguish. And for a good reason, I might add. These pieces of wearable art look like they stepped right out of a fairy tale. I may never be able to afford them because most of them are over $100, but I can at least look at them online and drink in their gorgeousness. Aaah. Love love love. Most of the dresses pictured above have already been purchased (I'm not surprised), but if you look carefully you can find some just waiting for your eager and impulsive mouse hand to give the 'buy' button a click.



See? Look how dreamy that is. I want it more than I can say.

I think this kind of dress love is unhealthy. I should probably save the love for family members and possibly a significant other. Oh well. Don't tell my parents that they've been replaced.

A Complicated Relationship

This week I've been noticing a lot of bloggers writing about perfume, a fact which makes me feel somewhat obligated to voice my thoughts on the subject. You see, I have a love/hate relationship with perfume. I find that most types are too strong or too musky, so the occasion is rare that I will actually enjoy smelling a perfume. Which probably why I am so cynical about it. I find the whole idea of perfume a little invasive. I can no longer count the times I sat next to some woman on the bus, covered my nose from her perfume stench, and thought, "How dare she invade my personal space with her smell?" I mean seriously, by wearing a certain scent, you are forcing all people who come in contact with you to smell it, whether they like it or not. Personal expression (through clothing, perfume, whatever) is definitely important, but it's hard to know when to tone it down, or even if it should be toned down. At what point does personal expression cease to be a right and start being invasive?

Maybe I'm putting a little too much thought into this.

That said, when I do find a perfume I enjoy, I want to keep smelling it all day. Hell, I want to bathe in it! Still, I know that other people may not appreciate having to cope with my scent. So...the question remains...to perfume, or not to perfume? I think that there are a few basic rules that everyone should follow:

1) If you know you are going to be in close quarters with people for a long while (i.e. a plane ride, a long bus ride, going to a class that meets in a crowded room), you should probably lay the perfume aside. If you must smell of something, reach for a scented lotion (much milder).

2) When you are applying the perfume, try not to over-spritz. Once on each wrist and on the back of your neck should do the trick.

3) If you are going to an interview of some sort, it is safest not to wear any scent at all. Trust me on this one.

What do you think? Do you agree/disagree with any of my rules? Do you have any new ones to add? Should there even be any rules?

**Note: I am very much enjoying my rules. They make me feel important. If you add to the list, you can feel important too.

Be a Flower Child

"Where have all the flowers gone? Long time passing. Where have all the flowers gone? Long time ago. Where have all the flowers gone? Fashionistas took them, everyone..."

What? You want me to stop crooning hippie songs and actually make a post?

Oh. Okay.

Was anyone else blown away by the pictures of Erin Fetherston's flower-inspired collection in Lula? I definitely was. Her creations were these light, gauzy dresses that were beautifully flowy and decidedly floral. I also fell in love with the delicate flower wreaths. I would kill to place one of those on my head. In fact, I'd never take it off. Ever. Except maybe to sleep.

So what does this mean for me? This summer I'll be twirling around in floral frocks and white lace, and my hair will be full of flowers. In other words, I will be the slightly more adult version of my 6-year-old self, the self that refused to wear anything but dresses and made fairy houses in the woods behind my house. I'm regressing and I love it.


Eyelet Dress, Delia*s


Dusty Rose Dress, Heritage 1981


Eyelet Dress, Alloy


Lucite Flower Headband, Moppetsclosets on Etsy


Carved Rose Clips, Urban Outfitters


Flower Hairpins, GreenThumbDesigns on Etsy

In the Nude

This nude sateen tube dress from Forever 21 (I seem to have an unhealthy obsession with this store) is a thing of beauty. My first thought upon seeing it was that it reminded me of "the naked dress" from Sex and the City (another one of my possibly unhealthy obsessions). My second was "Oh dear God, I must have this."

Before I purchase any item of clothing, I like to think about how it will fit into my wardrobe. Do I have accesssories and such that will go with it? Is it appropriate for events that I attend regularly? Will I feel comfortable enough in it to wear it often? I immediately asked myself these questions about the nude dress, came up with positive answers, and found myself bewildered by the possibilities.

I have come to the conclusion that the little nude dress should be a wardrobe staple. It can be dressed up or down, is very flattering, and is almost always appropriate. Forever 21 is actually a LND paradise, because it carries plenty of matching shoes and accessories. To illustrate the versatility of the LND, as well as the abundance of Forever 21 (I will prove to you the awesomeness of this store if it kills me), I put together a few outfits:




This look can be worn almost anywhere. It's perfect for a shopping trip, a night out, or even a wedding. Buy all the pieces from Forever 21.




I put together this look with a day at the office in mind, but it can really be worn anywhere (such is the beauty of the LND.) Buy it all at Forever 21.





Okay, I admit it, I cheated on this look. Not everything is from Forever 21. But I found the shoes at Macy's and fell in love. Gorgeous, no? And then I figured that as long as I was already cheating with the shoes, I might as well throw in a bag from Urban Outfitters. But the necklace and the dress are both Forever 21. This is definitely more of an evening look.

The third look is about the point when I started to get enormously excited. I was web-surfing like a maniac and finding all sorts of stunning things in tans and golds and beiges. Seriously, people, accessories for the LND can be found everywhere! There are plenty of options! So you have no excuse not to exult in your nude-ness. No excuse at all! (I am aware that I sound as if I am promoting nakedness. And by all means, go naked if you want to. But I think you all know that I was talking more along the lines of nude colors,)

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I'd also like to add that I just noticed a sale at Alloy. Until 4/30 (that's today), you can use the code SAVE15A to get 15% off your order. Woohoo!

Some Amazingly Good Deals

is taking 25% off the entire website until Sunday at midnight.



is offering free shipping until Sunday.



is taking 25% off all sale shoes until May 2nd.



has a buy one, get one free deal on all sale items.



is taking 25% off all items through Saturday. (Offer ends soon, so get a move on, people!)



is taking 20% off Tulle and Soundgirl clothing 'til Sunday at midnight. Enter code IMSPECIAL during checkout.


Can you say score? Yes!!! Go forth, young grasshoppers, and shop like the wind. Your wardrobes will thank you, and your wallets will thank whoever decided to have a sale. It's a win/win situation. Hallelujah.

Why Don't You...

1) Sign up to be notified when the Gentle Fawn online store is launched this June. The first 250 people to sign up get a limited edition t-shirt. The next 250 people to sign up get a fawn rhinestone pin. Everyone who signs up gets a preview copy of the Gentle Fawn catalog, specials, and deals.

2) Read about the dangers of the "model diet" as an average woman tries to get down to a size zero.

3) Play online dress-up. Yes, it's childish, but it can be kind of fun. And it's completely free, which is a major plus.

4) Sign up for the Daily Candy newsletter.

5) Join the Free People craft swap. It's not too late!

6) Make flapper style your own.