Happy Halloween!

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays of the American Calendar. No. The WORLD calendar. Not only do you actually get to accept candy from strangers, but you can dress up too. It's seriously my dream. But now, at the old age of High School senior, I have hit the milestone where trick or treating is just not expected... But parties are. But what to wear??? You DON'T want to pull a Mean Girls and dress up like a zombie bride, however creative that may be. I learned from Michelle Phan's videos how to do Snow White makeup, Sailor Moon, and how to do a Ninja transformation, but it's just so hard to do last minute sexy costumes. So here you are. This is what I came up with:

COSTUME 1:

Cat. Get eyeliner and paint on a nose, little dots, and whiskers. Get a pair of black stockings or fishnets, and wear them under a black one piece swim suit. Ta Da!!

COSTUME 2:

Ala Cake (The band.. not the delicious baked treat). Girl in a short skirt and a long jacket. Pretty self explanatory. Get a trecnhcoat, a miniskirt, boots, look up the lyrics online and see what else he sings about. Add what you want to.

COSTUME 3:

Daisy Duke. Get old pair of jeans, and make shorts, or wear denim short shorts. Get a button up shirt, tie at midriff, braid hair, and wear boots.

COSTUME 4:

Secretary. Get a black skirt, a button up, stockings, and heels. Tuck in your shirt, unbutton a few buttons so you can see your bra, mess up your hair, and bring along a pencil to bite :)

Dont go too wild!!!

Shook It Up

I love to change things up. And with the FREAK BLIZZARD occurring outside my window, i took some time, and with some photo editing created BonJour GaLa's new face. Yes, it will probably change again, but with college work, school, shoveling SNOW, and my social life, my dear little blog is suffering. So here's to you, i promise I'll post when i get some more time... until then
xoxo
Avoir

I Miss You!

Dear Ms. Couturable. For months and months and months (I could go on) you were my indulgence! Where are you?? I need my Ms. Couturable fix to keep me from going insane! Please come home to your comfy, loving, fashionable blog page...
xoxo
G

So Little Time..

With senior year on everyone's mind, time is scarce. I barely find that I have time to think, let alone post on Bonjour Gala. I do miss it, so with this little stretch of Sunday, I'm going to write. Today, is about jeans. I went jean shopping yesterday with my mum, and tried on so many jeans, I thought my legs were going to fall off. Sometimes finding the best pair takes hours, but it's so worth it. From walking end to end of the Cherry Creek mall, I visited Nordstrom, Lucky, J. Crew, Anthropology, Vans, and Gap. At Anthro, I found an adoarble pair of Joes, at Lucky, I fell in love with their Lola pants, at Gap, I picked up a butter soft double-pocketed dark denim wash pair. Each, unique, each would make me happy, and not all of them could be bought. I only had so much money in my pocket! I hate to say it, but I love designer jeans. Not because I want the little red Sevens tag to be seen, but because the quality is so obvious. But Lucky and Joes couldn't both be bought. So instead, I opted for the trusty Gap jeans and the Joes. Yes, Gaps aren't anything to really brag about, but who cares. I wear my jeans until they literally can't be worn anymore, and I could tell that these two pairs-however different-would be no exception to the 'Grace Rule.' Maybe, just maybe, these jeans wont be completely worn out by the end of this season.

The September Issue

Sorry about the lack of writing. Blogger was blocked on my computer for a bit.

The September Issue is out... and the premier is all around. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go due to an AP European History, but my friend was able to go, and all I heard was praise. Anna Wintour is apparently "amazingly strong, oppinionated, and (of course) chic." I can't wait till September 11th for it to come to theaters!! Something tells me that it's going to be one of my favorite movies of the year, maybe apart from Julie and Julia,which I absoloutely adored, and which caused me to go on a random French cooking spree. Perhaps this movie will cause me to become very very stylish just by watching it? My fingers are crossed.

See the website here: http://www.theseptemberissue.com/#/home

Long time no type...

I'm having a crisis... school starts tomorrow, I have a full wardrobe, and nothing to wear. Help!

Talulah's

I recently got a job at Talulah Jones, an ADORABLE little boutique in downtown Denver. I love to work there, and I would love even more to live there. It's full of knick knacks, jewellry and articles that you just HAVE to buy. I can already feel my salary being dragged down by the list of things I want to buy that's sitting on my desk. I work there once a week, and I was delighted to find that a recent shipment of Butter London's nailpolish was being stock. Score! Another addition, next to the Korres Quince body butter that I've been craving for quite some time. I've always valued small stores, but I've been shopping in smaller boutiques ever since the... ahem... economic crisis. From Peppermint, Pandora's, and Blush in Denver I have found that rather dragging a friend to the mall to get a pair of back to school shorts, I can get almost everything I need from a small, local business that could really benefit from my purchases. You try it, you'll find it much more valuable.

Alice in Wonderland

I have always been a fan of Alice in Wonderland- last year we had to paint murals in teacher's classrooms, and I luckily got one of the literature rooms where Alice in Wonderland was taught. Not only did I paint a huge tea-party scape, but I got to research, in depth, Lewis Carroll and the "real" Alice. It really is a love story. But anyway, when I was younger I (of course) watched the Disney cartoon version, but the English version with actual people. And now, Tim Burton has his hands on the script, and has transformed it into a perverse and dark double-mirror world. I like it. Not only is Alice in Wonderland a great story, but it has the clothes to match- seen Anne Hathaway's grey inspired dress? Or remember Vogue's special with Natalia Vodianova as Alice, completely dressed up as a little heroine lost in her imagination. And now there are actual "alice" inspired alice-bands, dresses, shoes, and stockings. It's rather like Harry Potter... but alot nicer.

Back to school already

And so, my summer is apparently over. At least, according to my friends who seem to have built in count-down calendar until we all flock back to school. One of my least favorite rituals... However, I do always love the back to school shopping. For me, it's the best part- you can really buy clothes whenever you need them, but to go shopping JUST for one occasion so you can show off is just great. I have a very international style, and I love to add bits of flounce to my wardrobe, but I'm just not seeing any frills or lace or ribbons. All I'm really seeing are mute colors, baggy cargo pants, and ugly hats (no offense to people who actually like those hats...) and so my excitement for back to school shopping is fading a bit. I mean, sure, I'll definitely be able to get cute things for the new year (thank you anthropology) but who wants to make a statement of "I'm back to school and rocking the 2 tone grey and brown"? Yes, I understand that the grim colors "express the economic mood" and that the excess bolts of fabric are just as slimming as a pair of jeans, but would you really ever be caught wearing them?? For me, I would rather be wearing last season clothes, then wear something drab, ill fitting, and "all the rage." But that's just me.

Twinkle Twinkle.... Valentino Dress

Tis the time: Paris Fashion show. Of course, there are many stars to this year's fall '09 collection, although Valentino is shining through the most. Literally. The pieces in Valentino's latest collection were a little see through, however, they still caught my eye. The ensembles that he brought together are pieced with a laidback care, and yet, they are sexy. Like the girl who can manage to throw clothes on and have not brushed her hair, and still look fabulous. Is that the aim of Valentino? "Put on this relaxed yet highly elegant outfit, and you too can look this great." I'm ok with that intention, as long as it actually works. I have often been at the not so great end of a good "sounding" outfit, but it turned out to not be so great. But with Valentino's show of spotless backless dress and almost antler like head pieces, a flawless outfit seems to be inevitable. But who would really wear that? Yes, it is a wonderful show, however, Valentino seemed to focus on the imagination factor, rather than reality. I still love them of course...

Bikini Bash

When at the pool, I have a lot of time to look at swim suits. For me, the pool is a time for magazines (as is when I stay at home, but I tend to indulge myself) and I was surprised to find Glamour and Elle completely full of bikinis, monokinis and one pieces. I mean, yes , it is summer, but I was a little surprised, and not in a bad way. So, because of this, my "destiny" was to find my future swimsuit. Yes, there were many disaster pieces, and I did not once see that adorable scalloped edge Chloe two-piece, but I did see variations. Many went for the mix and match that Victoria's Secret is known for, with black bandeau tops and crazy printed and stringy bottoms, but a few I picked out quite meticulously had nice pieces. One was a caramel color, and was covered in eyelet and ADORABLE, but now I need to find it. The others I found were nice, with deep pearlescent colors such as mandarin, fuchsia, and cerulean, but I had one like that last year, and I want something more girly. And I found the perfect one. I went to England in 8th grade for a school trip, and all through the Heathrow terminal was an adorable store called Accessorize, owned by the company Monsoon. I have always been a faithful Monsoon shopper- in Australia I would get little shirts and dresses there, but it's always exciting to find an accessories store, branched from such a wonderful company. My dad is going to Heathrow as a stop on his way to Abu Dabi in Saudi Arabia, and on my wishlist is the cutest little oriental blossom swimsuit. Just perfect for what I was looking for.

Bag Lady

I spent my 4th of July up at a friends condo in Winter Park, in the Rocky Mountains. Between mountain biking and toasting marshmallows, I snuck in a bit of reading. I had brought up my summer reading for school, but after comparing Medea (required by my high school) to an artsy magazine, I chose the latter. I read a magazine called Bust, a creative mix of Nylon and an art magazine (http://www.bust.com/) As I was flipping through the pages, I came across an advertisement for Trkfld (Track + Field) bags. I loved my old school bag (A Kitsch Kitchen side bag) but it was time for a new one to carry all of my school necessities. I had never heard of the brand, so when I got back to Denver, I researched them. Trkfld is a company across the world that makes bags for "people bored of boring". I like that, and boring is never great. There bags aren't pretentious- yes, they are more expensive than a Jansport, but they're really not that much, and no one else would have one at your school. I can almost guarantee that no one at a Denver Public High school would tote one around. Which leaves me to pick one for my own. The bags that they have online are all unisex- varying in color and size, but the one that really catches my eye is the entirely circle Mimi bag. But the sensible shopper voice inside my head makes me really wonder if a circular side bag would be the greatest for carrying AP European History text books.... Probably not. Well, there are still more to chose from!

Bikini Bash

When at the pool, I have a lot of time to look at swim suits. For me, the pool is a time for magazines (as is when I stay at home, but I tend to indulge myself) and I was surprised to find Glamour and Elle completely full of bikinis, monokinis and one pieces. I mean, yes , it is summer, but I was a little surprised, and not in a bad way. So, because of this, my "destiny" was to find my future swimsuit. Yes, there were many disaster pieces, and I did not once see that adorable scalloped edge Chloe two-piece, but I did see variations. Many went for the mix and match that Victoria's Secret is known for, with black bandeau tops and crazy printed and stringy bottoms, but a few I picked out quite meticulously had nice pieces. One was a caramel color, and was covered in eyelet and ADORABLE, but now I need to find it. The others I found were nice, with deep pearlescent colors such as mandarin, fuchsia, and cerulean, but I had one like that last year, and I want something more girly. And I found the perfect one. I went to England in 8th grade for a school trip, and all through the Heathrow terminal was an adorable store called Accessorize, owned by the company Monsoon. I have always been a faithful Monsoon shopper- in Australia I would get little shirts and dresses there, but it's always exciting to find an accessories store, branched from such a wonderful company. My dad is going to Heathrow as a stop on his way to Abu Dabi in Saudi Arabia, and on my wishlist is the cutest little oriental blossom swimsuit. Just perfect for what I was looking for.

Dashingly Dark

I every so often drift onto the teen vogue website and rifle throught their photos for clothing or writing inspiration, and this budding month is no exception. But now they're featuring one of my favorite people!! Emma Watson, the star in Harry Potter, Ballet Shoes, and the Tale of Desperaux. I don't think she's an amazing actress, but i love to see her on the screen.. and now on the pages of a magazine! Because the July issue hasn't been released yet, I can't read the article (boo) but I can look at the pictures- and they didn't let me down. I love how Emma Watson can pull of any style effortlessly, and this month, she seemed to be channeling her inner "I can wear dark satins and silks... just watch me" vibe. And it completely took my eye. It was strange though- they had her in the same colors each set, except for one when she wore a red velvet jacket and a white dress. In every photo from this shoot, she was in a dark orchid and an aged looking royal blue ensemble- whether it was a hair piece and dress (above) or a skirt and belt. Anyway, sorry to go off track. Back to dark clothing- I find it very romantic to wear these colors in fall- it's one of my favorite seasons, and you can pull off darker "winter" hues, but still completely get away with wearing short skirts or tank tops. And to wear what Emma was wearing in her shoot would be even better- but i highly doubt that i can pull off the skirts she wore in this shoot at high school.

Yummy Toes

I love to paint my toenails, it's one of my addictions. I have a hard time leaving the house without them painted, and going to the drug store to pick out a new color is so much fun for me. I know... I'm a girl. When I went away to the Caribbean, i of course, painted my toes a champagne color, but i soon discovered that the ocean doesn't agree with nail polish, and so i was forced to go "naked" for 2 weeks. But I'm back! And sporting plum attraction on my toes, and tropical temptation on my fingers. I like it. It feels like it was only a few weeks ago that I read in Glamour that "coral or tangerine colors make you look more tan" and how in Elle (i think) they talked about Nars doing their limited edition collection featuring the great colors: Blue Lagoon, Zizi, Tallulah, Hunger, and Cha Cha Cha. In later summer collections, colors such as Bisou de Lulu's white, Essie's Blue summer collection, and China Glaze's fruity collection have all been seen somewhere or another. In this month's Elle, an article dedicated to "permanent nail polish" was featured, where you basically have to soak your fingers in acid to have a color change. Well... Beyonce likes it.

Stealing Wardrobe in 5...4...3...2...1

Some may hate me for this, but i greatly disliked the Marie Antoinette movie by Sophia Coppola, starring Kirsten Dunst as the heroine. I really thought that it lacked a story line, and there was really no dialogue. You can argue, but i decided all of this when i had left the Esquire movie theater with my friend. However, i was blown away by the incredible clothes and shoes!! i was so jealous that Kirsten Dunst got to wear them, they were just amazing. Not only did she have the most amazing dresses, but she had Louboutin design her shoes, and crazy hairstyles. I have always been intrigued by Marie Antoinette; her lavish lifestyle was always the wildest thing for me, but for me, my imagination was the limit. But to see it all on screen was amazing. My personal favorite shoes are the yellow Louboutins with the swarovski crystals, the red marabou and purple velvet trimming, and the mini-Antoinette's to hold it all together! I knew that Marie Antoinette liked to... ahem... overdo the shopping a little, but the way the movie portrayed her as an 18th century Imelda Marcos was great. I thought that the outfits greatly improved the movie, even if it wasn't the most riveting of films. I am officially re-thinking outfits with a twist of rebellious french women.

Oops

so funny story.. I was trying out some different images for my blog picture, and I pushed save, and then I realized that I didn't actually save my original picture for some reason... so that is why there is a completely different look. sorry if you don't like it, I'll try and fix it. But do give me some feedback if you will!

Bananas, Pineapples, and Mango

I usually keep an eye out for any trends that are a little out there... I know that sounds strange, but I do look for any twists or turns on the runway that are just too fun or quirky to ignore. Yes, I did ignore a few just because they were a bit too far fetched for me, but im sure that someone picked up the trend on my behalf. Mango has always been a hip store- I remember in 7th grade when some peers of mine in middle school went to Spain on an exchange trip, and spent the majority of their time in the Mango store in Barcelona. I had no idea what Mango was back when I was 12, but I thought that it sounded pretty cool. As I've grown up as a more fashion conscious person then I was back when I was a tween, I've realized what an impact Mango has had around me. From Penelope Cruz being their featured model, I've known that it wasn't a brand to overlook, but I've never owned any of their designs, or ever really religiously followed their statements, but recently, I've found myself logging onto their site and browsing over their seasonal designs, watching as they steadily become more complimentary of the figure, and carving some of the pathways that trickle down into our more mainstream stores. Mango's "trends" that are most recently making a statement are the Aztec/Native South-American pieces; like the fringed leather bag, jacket, and shoe collection that they've had on their site for a little bit of time, or the denim cutoff vest paired with the rather short and flouncy peasant skirt. Hold up... wasn't that the featured Teen Vogue summer story? And didn't it involve Macchu Pichu and a rather Incan/Olmec origin? Deja Vu

Audrey, Jackie, Grace... and Michelle

Everybody has their style icons- their inspiration, or emblems of high fashion or class. Not to generalize but the three style icons that I always hear about are Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy, and Grace Kelly. Don't get me wrong, these ladies are great, and their styles impeccable. But is there anything taboo about updating the rather limited list?? We are currently living in 2009, where I think it's pretty easy to walk into a woman with as much class and style as any of the girls on that list. But also in 2008, we got a new First Lady. And she is pretty classy if you ask me. Michelle Obama is on the top of the hot list, and has featured in more magazines than I have time to read. But I can probably guess what they're about- Mrs. Obama is the Mother Theresa Presidential wife. She devotes her hours to working in soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and making care kits for soldiers still fighting in the war in the Middle East. She was the one who started the "First Vegetable Garden"and the "First Bee Hives" and she promotes only using organic foods in the White House kitchen. Michelle Obama also promotes women's rights and supports Bills such as those presented by the Department of Housing and the Department of Education. Isn't that a bonus in icons?

Now to style. I happen to think that no matter how "muscle-toned" her arms are, or whether or not she bought a Thakoon dress on sale instead of full price, she is perfect. Personally, she should be the new model for J.Crew. If the eye doesn't provide enough evidence of style; she was featured in 6 magazines, and of those 6, 5 had her ranked as one of the top 10 women in the United States. She picks up pieces that she finds along the way, and when she isn't wearing a perfectly matched J.Crew set, she's wearing beautiful designer outfits pieced with impeccable accessories. Could any of us really forget when she wore that beautiful white off the shoulder Jason Wu dress for the Inaugural Ball?? And we know that she didn't make a fuss of wearing it, because the designer was so excited to see his design on television when he was watching the Ball with friends, that he apparently started crying. Mrs. Obama's humble and genuine style goes hand in hand wonderfully with her personality and set of morals. If all of this isn't enough- look at a photo of her. She is the perfect image of poise, capability, and yes: style.

Memoirs of a Geisha

I love history, I really do. Just not the stuffy details of the American civil war, or how the Stamp Act affected the lives of colonial Americans. I like the really interesting things- like medieval history with the knights and damsels in distress, or English history, with all of that Tudor yumminess and scandal. It makes learning much more fun I found. So I was thinking- what about Japanese history? There is so much Japanese influence on the fashion world… and the history of it is rarely told. I love Memoirs of a Geisha; I was a Geisha for Halloween one year… and wore the Kimono whenever I could for the next 3 years. However, as I was thinking back, I’ve never actually learned the history of the Obi, the Kimono, or even the Geisha herself. Aha! Google. What a wonderful invention. And this is what I discovered:
-Obi- literally means “the sash” and is used to tie Kimonos, or more casual robes. They vary in length, width, and style. Some are incredible elaborate, while some are just a strip of fabric. No matter what they look like, they are crucial to the completion of the total outfit, especially for a Geisha.
-Kimono-means “thing to wear.” Like the Obi, it comes in an amazing array of styles, sizes, patterns, and colors. It is worn by both men and women, and was the traditional garment of choice for Japanese until the late 40s. Kimonos are now occasionally worn for weddings by both the bride and the groom; however, it is uncommon to see people wearing kimonos out on the streets of Japan.
-Geisha- are Japanese women who learn the art of entertainment. Their skills vary from walking, to playing the mandolin (an instrument not unlike the guitar). Geisha were very much respected in Japan, not as prostitutes (which they were NOT) but as artists. Geishas were trained in Okiyas as maiko, or apprentices, and as their skills increased, the more they entertained, traveled, or had debuts.
I had always noticed the influence of Japanese styles on fashion, especially recently. John Galliano’s spring collection from 2007 was extraordinary- from his Japanese inspired shoes, to the obis that he used in the majority of his designs. I remember flipping through February or March’s issue of Vogue, and seeing a spring shoot, which featured Louis Vuitton’s Obis, used as high wasted belts to fitted skirts, with jaunty woven boater hats perched on the models heads. And before that…. It was definitely Marc Jacob’s. I knew that history was borrowed when it came to fashion- lest we forget Balmain’s spring 2009 amazing array of “napoleon” inspired jackets. Fashion really is a borrowed art- it won’t be long before target is doing a half-hearted maybe-French-maybe not Balmain knockoff. Weren’t those done by… Napoleon in the first place? Besides, isn’t that what fashion is? Not knock-offs… but borrowing. Inspiration seems to have been borrowed throughout the years, for example, the Geishas, and their obi. Another marvel, re-designed for us by the people some of us love best: Designers

Bon Voyage

My parents have apparently been planning to take my brother and I on a surprise trip, and we were supposed to be told about it on Thursday... But we found a little earlier due to their excitement. Destination: St. John in the Virgin Islands for a week, and then to Washington D.C. to attempt some Obama stalking. I've never gone anywhere below New Mexico, and I'm really really excited. But I have no idea what to bring!! Is St. John a fancy little island? or will old shorts and a t-shirt suffice? I might have to bring a bit of both.. but one thing is for sure- i should probably go shopping. I've always been a very loyal anthropologie shopper- it's my indulgence, but i've been branching out more and dipping in and out of more edgy and statement themed clothes. Of course, I was able to find something I want from Anthropologie: A breezy "honey-dripped" dress that isnt quite so practical, but will most definitely serve the job as cover-up/just-went-swimming-now-dining outfit (see at http://www.anthropologie.com/)

This dress is lovely, but I also wanted something more unconventional- something that had some spice or sexiness to it, but still satisfied my rather girly edge. I visited the Lorick site and found something that fits my mental image, but there are no stores close to me, and there's no way I could really have something shipped out that quickly...

What should I do? I could always settle for something for Nordstrom or another boutique in the mall, I'm not overly picky, but i do know one thing: I need something to wear to this little Island.

The List of Now

I told you that I made a lot of lists- and I have been... just on paper, not cyberspace. But here is my first list: The summer list. These are the things that for ME represent time, change, and up-and-coming trends that are peeking through the fashion doors

• The new Dolce and Gabana Lipstick in "Splendid"
• Loose fitting and un-defined sleeved shirts (see anthropologie)
• Very structured dresses- with sharp edges, and defined waist
• Tasseled jewellery (I like the Vera Wang pieces)
• Chunky open toed platform sandals
• Tribal, African inspired pieces (Dresses, bracelets, etc.)
• Loose fitting dresses with a cinched waist (with a belt, or not)
• Triangle Bikinis
• Silk, pleated shorts
• Those Louis Vuitton spicy sandals.. they're still hanging around
• Loud colored statement pieces- Mixing pastels with neons to find a median hue (aka Marni)
• The Christian Louboutin Seriosa Flat in black patent leather (gorgeous)
• Sweet meets army ensembles- Floral flouncy dresses, with thick belts, or army boots (Doc Martens)
• Erin Fetherston's metallic ruby colored blazer
• Intense yet elegant hairstyles- like Prada's, or Yves Saint Laurent's in the Fall Runway collection
• Mismatched bags (or even make your own)- get an old bag, and sew buttons, labels, and knick knacks ALL over it À la Chanel.
  

Just a few pictures that I found and that fit the description

My Fair Lady

I have a subscription to Netflix, so I tend to watch my fair share of movies. Yesterday on the instant watch application, I watched A Very Long Engagement, and I loved it. And to add to the mix, I adore Audrey Tautou. She is my Audrey Hepburn of the present. There is just something so delicate, pure, and charming about her presence, that I am just instinctively drawn to movies that she acts in. Amelie is one of my all time favorite movies- she seems so selfless and lithe and I spent the longest time trying to understand what makes her so likeable. I watched Priceless and Happenstance, and watched her dance across the screen in such a carefree and bubbly spirit. I decided that it must have been her friendly personality that draws me to her movies, or her allure. Whatever it is, I wish that I had it. I can't WAIT for her new movie is released about Coco Chanel, to me, she is perfect for the role-lively, a little stubborn, and spirited. Not to mention a wonderful personal style, and an avid eye for beauty

Just Dance

I always make an enormous stack of cd's for my friends each summer called the Summertime Saga, which is just a mix of the year, and some feel good crazy songs. This years, was 5 disks long... here's a mini playlist for you:

-What I Got- By Sublime

-Believe- By The Bravery

-Everybody Got Their Something- By Nikka Costa

-Nighttiming- By Coconut Records

-Kids- By MGMT

-Uptown Girl- By Billy Joel

-Electric Avenue- By Eddie Grant

-Too Hot to Stop- By The Bar-Kays

-Could You Be Loved- By Bob Marley

-The Nosebleed Section- By Hilltop Hoods

-Shake It- By Metro Station

-Pumpkin Soup- By Kate Nash

Summertime Blues

Summer for me has FINALLY arrived- today was my last day of school, and after my 8th period check-in thismorning, i am free!!! i never really understood how much drama is associated with the end of the school, and not just for seniors. Sure, there's prom, but also friends leaving, choosing classes, and saying goodbye to another year gone. It really is a little ridiculous. It hasn't yet sunk in that im actually on summer holidays, but i am feeling a little relaxed to say the least. however, im just starting to realize what all of this means. All of my senior friends are gone, and i will never see them all in one place again, like I did at school. I am actually now the highest level i can be at highschool, and im leaving home next year to go to college. Im having a hard time coming to terms with all of this. besides, im only sixteen. That's not an exactly young age, but im feeling very young. I remember being in middle school and thinking "i cant wait until im older..when i'll be in highschool." Well now Im older, but it just doesnt feel quite right. It's almost as if my "official" childhood years are over, and im stepping into another pair of shoes, and a little bit later, putting on a graduation gown. and i can tell you... it's a bit scary. In two years, i'll no longer be with the people i am with now. I always love change- it's something I'm used to, and i like it. but this time it just doesnt feel right. But, i do have the whole summer to spend time with these people, so i'd better make it worth it.

Little Dreams

There are friends that go to school with me, and I know that they're models. They either plaster their facebook pages with skimpy photos of themselves in hideous swimsuits, or have discreet pictures where they just happen to look like dolls with a serene background. But when modeling work extends to college, the outcomes are a little more serious. I recently found out that my friend, Sydney, who graduated from high school 2 years ago, is now in college part time, while balancing a full fledged modeling career. I'd always heard the story of Chanel Iman, who was blessed with a well connected Aunt, or Arlenis Sosa, who was seen by another influential member who watched her as she walked to class. But I'd never heard of anything like that happening so close to home. Sydney models for both W and Elle, as well as for companies such as J. Crew, and Anthropologie. If only everyone were as well connected as Chanel or Arlenis. Or even Sydney. I'll just save my dreams for later...

The Saving Stitches

Somewhere between the times of dancing crazily on the dance floor, and walking outside to get some water at Prom, my dress ripped. I was walking up, and a girl bumped into me, and the sequins on her prom dress pulled, and before i knew it, there was a slash in my dress. I literally almost started crying. For me, this was THE dress. The one that meant something to me- it was an Alberta Ferretti, and I don't own too many of those. But in the salvation of the rest of night, I pretended it was nothing. However, when I returned home at 7 in the following morning, I took a better look at it. There was an enormous 5 inch tear across the front. Not on the seam. It was unavoidable. Anyone who wasn't completely blind would notice it. So I decided to research stitching. There had to be SOMEONE out there, my savior, who could fix a ripped silk dress. And there might have been in Paris, England, or Italy. But not in Colorado. There are lots of tailors, but no specialty "let me save the day with my crafty needle and thread expertise." And I am not that good. There was no way that I could do that. But what else can I do? Except hold a very nice funeral for me dress...

Just Like a Circus

Yesterday I went shopping with my friend Mari- she's holding a Cirque de Soleil graduation at the Broadway Milk Bar in Denver, and we browsed through Nieman's, Saks, Nordstrom, and other little boutiques in our Cherry Creek Mall. We have these mental costume ideas of a ballerina on acid, or a neon bareback rider, when we stumble upon some gorgeous Stuart Weitzman Dorothy shoes at Nordstrom. Mari started drooling, and I became distracted by a pair of wooden Marni platform heels. And hey- Why not try them on? They were a little too tall and a little to small, but nothing i hadn't dealt with before. And then we went to Saks. And then i fell in love. There is something to be said about Chanel- some people think it's overrated, some people buy the fake handbags and pretend to be the real deal, and some people covet the tiny little details that someone has put their time and effort into perfecting. There they were-a pair of shoes that would have made my Great Nana cry. A pair of sparkly dark maroon platform pumps with a silver stacked heel and a cutout toe. aka, perfection. I had to try them on. And instead of glancing at the price tag, I merely relished the feeling of patent leather hand made shoes, and tried to ignore the saleswoman's sticky smile of someone about to make a sale. Think again. Even though these shoes had made my day, I wasn't about to run back with a chunk of my savings account to buy them. A girl can still have fun- especially if the shoe fits.

Sustainable Style

As many of you know, yesterday was the Earth's birthday so to say. The day where for once, we look after our home, both economically and environmentally. Some ride their bikes, some plant trees... and others wear earth friendly clothing. I have always known about the "vegan" shoes, and the woven hemp bags, but it wasn't until I read an article in the New York Times about recycled fashions (not second hand) that I actually started to look into "earth friendly" clothing. After peeking around Google, I found a few companies that are both kind to our earthy mother, but are also quite stylish and unique. For someone who cherishes the earth, i'm sure that these companies are just for you. Frei Designs style their range of dresses, shirts, pants, and jackets in not so much as a "hippie comfortable" way, but rather in a fashion and earth concious way. Their clothes are made from organic cotton, and without the presence of toxic chemicals, with all natural dying, and with complete fair trade. Im sure that our green mother appreciates it. Not only are these 100% earth healthy, but 100% cute if I may say so myself.

Strike a Pose

My latest Vogue just arrived at my doorstep, and although it hurts me to say this.. I'm a little dissappointed. I KNOW they already did a spring coverage, but I was expecting a little more. I adore Natalia and Gisele, but I already know their stories, and although some girls would pounce at the opportunity to read about what Gisele has in her closet, I found it a little disheartening. However, the face of Lakshmi Menon made it a bit better with her fresh and cultural bohmeian look. The thing that caught my eye was the colour-blocked Michael Kors graphic-print dress, the not-too-short, not-too-long dash of summer that would ensure any girl the right to have fun in the sun with it's playful design. You would never catch me saying that my love of Vogue was wilting, but merely taking a break. My eyes are in need of bold and vibrant colours- not a fold out of models. So, I turned to Nylon, and found a not quite my normal buy, but something crazy and colourful that satisfied my risky taste. What do you think? Found anything lately that doesn't quite fit on your normal palate, but caused a buzz?

Little Black Dress

It's that time of the year again... and I think you know which one- not just Spring Season, but Prom time! The time when a girl can get dressed up in an outrageous dress, and a pair of heels that as soon as the dancing starts- make their way off her feet and into coat check. The time of the year where the guys are in charge of getting haircuts, putting on tuxes, and arranging limos. aka, one of my favourite times. My grandmother in Australia has a friend from Milan who know's some of the top designers- Ann Demeulemeester for one, and apparently Alberta Ferretti as a second. This friend of my Nana's apparently likes to give presents and even though i've never met her, i got a lovely little black dress from Alberta Ferretti , humbly handed to me when my Nana came to visit. How sweet. Only now, I have to find something to pair it with (pearls of course), but as far as shoes go, it has proven harder than it sounds. I was dreaming of a pair of mossy green or purple pumps, but my searches have been unsuccessful. Any ideas?? As for everything else... I'm leaving that up to my date.

au revoir!

wishlist:

Bonjour! Je m’appelle...

To all who read this:
This is my first blog. Hopefully it doesn't show too much. Rather than continuing with AP United State History homework, I decided to give this popular form of communication and expression a try. I blame the 5 inches of snow piling outside my front door, that rather limits activity outside of the boundaries of my computer room. I decided to make a blog after following Miss Couturable- a blog dedicated to the art of fashion and emotions. I must admit, it's one of my indulges. My dream in life is to become a fashion editor- go to a state school and major in journalism, and then make my way across America to the wonderful New York or Chicago, and minor in fashion design and merchandising. I've always designed clothes, but they've never quite made it past the paper stage. Maybe with the mini blizzard outside- my cabin fever will morph into something creative. Anyway. About me: I make lots of lists, about what I like, what I don't like, and what seems to be the new thing of the time... I am a Vogue junkie... I love to start projects but then they don't usually get finished... Although my little brother is like every other sibling- annoying- he's my best friend... I can't drive to save my life... I can't wait to go to college, and unlike many of my friends who think high school is the greatest, i'm sure there is something better out there... I never leave the house without my toes painted & I love to write. I think that's it for now

au revoir!