Passport Smiles

Kodachrome Thursday: Cinemagraph

2011-08-25T18:14:00.001-05:00

See more here. Found via here, one of my favorite bloggers.

Le Dimanche au Musée: Oreo Cameos

2011-08-07T15:21:00.001-05:00

I'm a big fan of oreos and a big fan of cameos. Judith G. Klausner was brilliant enough to combine those two goodies together to create art. Here are her Oreo Cameo's:

Go to her website to view more of her work and to see her statement. As she puts it, "I revel in minutiae. I hope to share the joy this brings me." Not to worry, Judith. The joy has been shared, and it's as delicious as it is clever.

I ain't bashful, I'm from Nashville: Part I

2011-08-02T22:50:00.003-05:00

Born 'n raised in the Music City, I'm a Nashville gal by roots, but I've had very non-committal, summer romances with the city since 2006. I'm always coming and going when the sun is shining between school semesters and living abroad. Yet, each time I come back, I swear, Nashville gets hipper and hipper with new restaurants and fun places to go. Well, I'm about to continue my pattern of lovin' and leavin' Nashville again in a week....EEKK! I will be moving to Lexington, KY for grad school. So, before I go, I realized that I wanted to check out a few of those fun places that Nashville has to offer as well as some city staples that I never have been to. Therefore, I created an"I ain't Bashful, I'm from Nashville" Bucket List. [I got that phrase from a painting in Loveless Cafe, and decided to adopt it (despite the fact that I can be quite bashful--but we'll just overlook that aspect)]. So, I want to share a few of those experiences with you. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to cross off two of those lovely places on the list that happened to be right next to each other in East Nashville:

First we have The Silly Goose (1888 Eastland Ave):

Newly redone, Silly Goose's interior and atmosphere is creatively rustic and unique in an approachable way. The silverware is served in these bright red handkerchiefs and the delicious homemade teas are served in Mason Jars. We drank the Citrus, Mint &amp; Ginger Green Tea. Very refreshing.

SO, meet my partner-in-crime Sarah Helen, one of my bff's who is much more of a Nashvillian than me, despite the fact she wasn't born here. Sarah Helen and I met almost 6 years ago making gelato together when she first moved from Mississippi.

For an appetizer, we shared the Mexico City Couscous: "Red chili couscous, grilled chicken, poblano peppers, cilantro, goat cheese, mango, and lime juice"

For the main dish, I chose The Sailor Sandwich: "Grilled eggplant, roasted red pepper, avocado, basil, arugula, lemon-kalamata olive aioli on grilled ciabatta." See more of their menu here.

So, this is me, awkwardly happy to eat this new sandwich:

After lunch, we conveniently hopped on over next door to Jeni's (1892 Eastland Avenue). Jeni's just opened up about a month ago in Nashville. It's a chain, but damn, it's good! I had to include it on this post, despite it's non-locality.

Just look at all these inventive flavors:

"Hey, do you guys wanna go on a double date with us?"

I ate the Sweet Corn and Black Raspberries mixed with The Queen City Cayenne. Yum yum.

High school posed pic:

We Sarahs also admired the decorations and set up of the place: church pews; marble topped tables, faux milk-jug lights. We basically want to be Jeni. See more about the ice cream chain here.

So wohooo! I've already checked 2 off the bucket list. Not much time left, but I try my darndest to post more from the "I ain't Bashful, I'm from Nashville" Bucket List.

Kodachrome Thursday: Travis Summer Deuel

2011-07-28T13:01:00.000-05:00

Go to his website for more. Found via BOOOOOOOM!!

Louisville's 10th Annual Lebowski Fest

2011-07-26T13:38:00.002-05:00

This summer, I was able to cross something off of my Bucket List: The Lebowski Fest in Louisville. My little sister and I drove up there from Nashville for 2 days of festivities. The whole thing took place either at the Executive Strike and Spare bowling alley or on the Executive Lawn.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It all started Friday, July 15th @ the MOVIE PARTY with music by J Roddy Walston &amp The Business and The Broken Spurs. Followed by a screening of The Big Lebowski.

Here's moi with my little sister on the right:

That night, we also met up with my dear friend Laurie, a Louisvillian and fellow MSU alumni:

J Roddy Walston &amp The Business on stage with the Bowling Alley in the background:

...and the movie screening:

Then on Saturday, July 16th we had the Garden Party w/ music by Those Darlins, The Seedy Seeds, How I Became The Bomb & Junk Yard Dogs. There were also some Lebowski themed games (Ringet Toss, Marmot Fling). Here's Will Russell a co-founder of the fest for a drawing to give away the dude car which no one really wanted:

...And here are Those Darlins, the stars of the show:

...and us all sweaty after the show:

And that day there was a photo booth by Magnolia Photo Booth Co.

And here's Those Darlins with Will:

Then that night @ 8pm was THE BOWLING PARTY: - Bowling, costume contest, trivia and white russians

Liz and I both participated in Martin Randah's auditions, but we were quite lousy.

Lego Walter with Walter:

Costume Contest:

Then, around midnight, we decided we needed some grub and went outside for the After Party Food trucks. Yummy Grilled Cheeses were sold here:

....And for a souvenir, Liz and I got this Tshirt :

Conclusion: Calmer than you are dude:

My little sis and I were surprised time and time again how lax this festival was and how lax Louisville is in general. This fest could never have taken place in Nashville, we decided. We also expected that in it's 10th year the fest would've been taken over by the hipster youth culture at least a little bit. We were wrong. The fest was still quite small and reserved for those pretty obsessed with Lebowski.

So, here's our advice for the Fest in Louisville:

1) Don't worry about buying tickets in advance and loosing money on service charges. It ain't needed.
2) Bring lawn chairs, blankets and bug spray. This is for the festivities on the lawn.
3) Bring a group and a group that's at least a little into Lebowski. Be prepared to act ridiculous.

4) Dress down for Friday festivities. My 5 inch wedges weren't serving me very while dodging the little dips on the Executive lawn.

5) Dress up for Saturday night bowling party. It's too fun too pass that up.

So...maybe see you at the fest next year?

Le Dimanche au Musée: Aakash Nihalani

2011-07-17T22:30:00.003-05:00

This week's "Sunday at the Museum" actually should be more appropriately titled "Sunday, Outside the Museum" as this week's artist's canvas is outside. Qualified as a tape artist, Aakash Nihalani goes crazy with some neon tape and geometry. To see more of his tape work as well as other projects visit his site.

Here are some of his self-portraits:

Then here are some photos from his other series:

Found via BOOOOOOOM! and unurth: street art.

P.S.-- I've know I've been absent from blogging this week, but I will soon do some updates. Look forward to pictures from my weekend trip to The Lebowski Fest in Louisville with my lil sis!

Le Dimanche au Musée: The Cheaper Show

2011-07-09T23:25:00.000-05:00

(photo via)

Upon discovering The Cheaper Show via BOOOOOOOM, I'm pretty sure that I squealed with happiness. Why? Well, firstly, the concept behind it all is genius. Here's the rundown: Now in it's 10th year, The Cheaper Show takes place in Vancouver every year with 200 ARTISTS, 400 PIECES, $200 EACH.

(photo via)

Secondly, it's a huge success! This year's show on June 25th had folks lining up at 3am even though the doors didn't open til 4pm. What's even better is that practically all these attendees were young buyers--young people who probably don't have too much left over after rent and bills are due. Yet, once a year when the show comes around and they do have extra cash, they want to spend it on ORIGINAL ART instead of spending it on clothes (like me) or blowing it on, well, blow (see below):

So, all these young people value and support art and take advantage of this opportunity to buy incredible pieces at affordable prices. To be honest, I never even thought that starting an art collection at my age was feasible.

(photo above and below via)

Now think about the artist's side and the supportive community that has developed around the show. Plus let's just reflect on how amazing is it that the artists are willing to sell their work for only $200....making "really good, quality art accessible without cheapening the art conversation."

So, all this to say, I'm fully in love with The Cheaper Show's concept and even more in love with the results. Watch the video to see the frenzy that occurred this year:

P.S.--Those folks that did buy art were encouraged to write notes to the artists. Further demonstrating the community around this show. Here is an example of one of those thank yous: (photo below via)

(photo above via) / (photo below via)

These photos below are from the after party. See more here.

To understand more about the show and its history, please watch this video:

Kodachrome Thursday: Christopher Boffoli

2011-07-07T13:51:00.001-05:00

Seattle's Christopher Boffoli spent three years meticulously creating these scenes from "the daily grind of life" using only tiny plastic figurines and supplies from the grocery store (Mail Online). Entitled "Disparity," the series sure brings a new light to the phrase "it's a small world after all" and reminds us that art can be found in the mundane. Either that or it horrifyingly brings people's food phobias to life, justifying their fears that, indeed, those tiny organisms they've imagined are not just setting up camp in their food but also having quite a big 'ole time doing it.

As Boffoli puts it, "I have always been interested in size disparity and a juxtaposition of scales between people and things ever since I owned a tiny model train world as a kid."

Found via Fubiz

WAH-WAH-Wednesday: Patriotism

2011-07-06T12:15:00.000-05:00

So, this can sorta be seen as a Patriotic outfit. We've got the red, the white and the blues.

Again, back to my "I NEED A KAMERA" post, I had to experiment with the lighting and setting, because my camera is not the best.

And now close-ups of one of my favorite treasures. A shop in Murray, KY custom made these types of wooden-purses. This was my grandmother's purse.

It has my Mom and Aunt's name on it:

So cute!

Happy belated 4th.

Outfit Details:

1) Straw Fedora Hat: Street Vendor in Paris

2) Multi-Colored Equestrian Scarf: DIY--I cut the bottom of a vintage skirt and made that a scarf.

3) Floral Summer Dress: The Limited circa 1997--it was my big sister's

4) Red, White and Blue belt: Vintage Chez my momma

5) Various Bangles: Vintage from my fam or from thrift stores

6) Emerald and Gold Ring: My great-grandmother

7) Picnic Wooden Purse: Vintage Chez Grandmama

8) Cowboy Boots: Andre (France)

9) Polka Dot socks: H&M

Le Dimanche au Musée: WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER EXHIBIT

2011-07-03T14:26:00.001-05:00

It's no secret: I'm obsessed with American comedic pop culture. Example: My love for Wet Hot American Summer and the fact that I've made most of my good friends watch it when they came over to my house. Well, guess what? It's been ten years since the release of WHAM (note: Just realized the acronym is WHAM, and I would believe that David Wain did that on purpose). Well, last month, an exhibit @ Venice's Gallery 1988 called "Camp Firewood" displayed 65 works of art inspired by the film. Here are a few pics of the artwork and/ or the event:

Aaron Jasinski

Adam Limbert

Andy Suriano

Casey Weldon

Justin Santora

Justin White

Rich Pellegrino

Shannon Finch

"This Way To Camp Firewood, That Way To Town" by Ben Walker.

"Mixed Vegetables" by Danielle Buerli.

"Wake Up" by Ben Chlapek.

Director David Wain photographs some of the artwork.

Director David Wain and his wife

"You're Smothering Me" by Evanimal

"A Clean Pair of Pants" by Jenna Puente

"Coop" by Bruce White

Actors Joe Lo Truglio and Ken Marino.

"Wet Hot American Gothic" by Mike Maas

"Chicken Laser" by Brandon Sopinsky

Sources: LA Weekly, The Huffington Post, and Monster Fresh

Vicariously Shopping Saturday: Irregular Choice

2011-07-02T23:17:00.000-05:00

These shoes by Irregular Choice are scrumptiously gaudy and borderline (if not already past the border, passport stamped and all) tacky. But tacky in the most splendid of ways, of course.

If Dolly Parton and Marie Antoinette could be combined into one human being, why, I'd believe Dolly Antoinette would buy these shoes! I sure know I would like to have 'em on my feet one day.

Kodachrome Thursday: Hana Pesut

2011-06-30T11:53:00.003-05:00

Hana Pesut's photography is awesome, and her "switcheroo" series is catching attention:

...but she also has a lot of other great photography. Check her website out for more. I found out about her via BOOOOOOOM!

WAH-WAH-Wednesday: "I Need a Kamera"

2011-06-29T14:21:00.002-05:00

A better camera is something I need quite badly to get better photos. But until then... I will leave you with this one outfit post pic:

"I need a camera to my eye

To my eye, reminding

Which lies I have been hiding

which echoes belong

I've counted out days

to see how far

I've driven in the dark

with echoes in my heart"

Outfit Details:

1) Black tank dress: H&M

2) Black, lacy bloomers: H&M

3) Coffee Bean Cardigan: Vintage, Goodwill

4) Tortoise-Shell belt: Vintage Chez My Momma

5) Purple Purse: Revival Boutique

6) Bohemia/ Kentucky Derby Black Hat: Some Boutique years ago when I was in high school

7) Coconut Platform Wedged heels: TJ MAXX

In a related note, here's a great 30 Rock quote:

""Why is it that NBC looks about as diverse as a Wilco concert?"

Kodachrome Thursday: Summer PASSPORTiche

2011-06-23T23:52:00.000-05:00

Niotillfem (both above and below)

Ice Creams

*Raffaella

Elsa Billgren

Sincerely Hana (above and below)

It's officially summer and I watched Grease last night.

Wah-Wah-Wednesday

2011-06-22T12:50:00.001-05:00

Taken last week in Nashville, these photos bear witness to the cool front that came into the city. Curly-haired, fair-skinned girls like me jump at the opportunity to take a vacation from the heat and humidity and bring out the pants and long-sleeves.

Yet, I'm actually in Owensboro, KY right now, staying with my Aunt after making a day trip up to Lexington, KY to search for apartments.

I will be moving up there in August to go to grad school for French.

So, this summer, I've been in 100% Sarah chill mode, anticipating the hyper-productivity that I will soon be living in a few months.

So, if you don't mind, I gotta leave you with this outfit post and get back to my chill-fest in Owensboro, KY. Toodle-loo!

Outfit Details:

1) Vintage Cream Blouse: Southern Thrift: Nashville, Tn

2) Black Cigarette Ankle Zip-up Pants: The Gap

3) Coconut Platform Wedged Heels: TJ Maxx

4) Fedora Straw-hat: Street Vendor in Paris

5) Triangle Silver earrings: Vintage Chez My Momma

6/7) Brass Bangle and Silver Cuff: Vintage Chez My Momma

8) Bullhorn Bolo Tie: Boutique in Paris, France (2010)

Father's Day

2011-06-19T12:21:00.000-05:00

CELEBRATE YO PAPA

For this Father's day, I decided to get a little creative and resourceful with the wrapping.

Fort the wrapping, I ripped out pictures from an old magazine;, and then for the bow, I used the jean fabric left-overs from when I made cut offs the other day (another do-it-yourself project).

Then I added a little Sanrio Badtz Maru stationary that I found from when I was in 6th grade, because Dad and I share a common love for Badtz Maru.

Dad said that the wrapping and Sanrio character meant the same or more to him than the actual gift. SUCCESS! Happy Father's Day!

Vicariously Shopping Saturday: Creatures of Comfort

2011-06-18T23:56:00.000-05:00

THIS WEEK'S VICARIOUSLY SHOPPING SATURDAY IS:

Creatures of Comfort's collection reminds me of everything I loved about the style in Scandinavia, especially Copenhagen. Visit their site for more or visit their stores in either LA or NYC. Discovered via Flatter Les Yeux, an amazing blog in it's own right.

Kodachrome Thursday: Randy P. Martin

2011-06-16T11:32:00.000-05:00

(photos from oldest to newest)

visit his flickr for more.

Outfit Post: Sherbet

2011-06-13T17:34:00.001-05:00

This outfit shouted "Sherbet!" to me, due to its bright colors and it being a hellacious, hot day. So naturally I thought of sugary, cold delights. However, let's be honest, it really is more of a candy outfit than a sherbet one, due to the necklace that looks like it would be found in your trick-or-treat bag at the end of Halloween night. But then I would've had to do something like quote the song "I want candy" in the title post, and I didn't want to subject you readers to that. I just couldn't do that to you. (You're welcome).

So let's just stick with Sherbet. No but really, back to this necklace, it was my mother's in high school, and this is the first time I believe I've found an outfit to wear this. Luckily, chunky vintage jewelry is back in style. I've always loved it since I was a kid for the obvious, reasons (i.e. see left pic above). Yes, I was one of those kids who would stick her finger in the sugar jar or lick the icing edges off of cakes (why am I admitting this on here? Because I look like a kid who just did one of those things in the picture below):

Seriously, try not to laugh after seeing that photo. Apparently, Celeste (the photographer) made me hee-haw over something.

But, anyway, enough about candy and guffawing...now here's me randomly sitting/ posing on a wooden swing looking all depressed in the woods?? WHAT? Haharahhar. Outfit posting is so hilarious.

Outfit Details:

Neon Yellow Shirt: Zara
Black and White Striped Belt: Vintage from Goodwill
Vintage White Purse: Angel's Attic from Murray, KY
Purple Pastel, High waited skirt: Zara (Spring 2010)
Snakeskin Sunglasses: Clothing Exchange from Nashville, Tn (Hillsboro Village)
Striped Pastel socks (barely seen in these photos): H&M
Whiskey Leather Cowboy boots: Andre (France)
Cameo Pastel Blue Studs: Pangaea of Nashville, TN (Hillsboro Village)
Sherbet/ Candy Necklace: Vintage Chez my momma
Silver BadA ring: HABSUCHT (Germany)
Orange Bracelet: Clothing Exchange from Nashville, Tn (Hillsboro Village as well)

All photos taken by my BFF, Celeste:

Le Dimanche au Musée: Michael Tompert and Paul Fairchild

2011-06-12T21:57:00.000-05:00

John Prine's "Spanish Pipedream" song says
"Blow up Your TV/
Throw away the paper/
Go to the country/
Build you a home/
Plant a little garden/
Eat a lot of peaches/
Try to find Jesus/
On your Own"

Discussing this song with my friend Kelsey, she responded that now, the lyrics would need to be much longer, saying, "BLOW UP YOUR TV, LAPTOP, IPHONE, IPOD, IPAD, NANO, ETC" Well, sometimes, when I intend to be at a bar with 3 people, but really end up with just 3 entities on their iPhones, I want to blow up (their--keyword, their) technological devices. Yet, this art by Michael Topert and Paul Fairchild beat me to it...with handguns and such.

"[Michael's] methods of destruction varied by gadget. to destroy an iphone 3g device, he used a heckler & koch handgun to blow a hole through it. [T]o obliterate a set of ipod nanos, he placed the devices on a train track so that a locomotive would run over them.” --via Slamxhype

"Tompert said the idea for the project came to him after he gave each of his two sons an iPod Touch for Christmas, when one of the two boys fought over one of the devices, which had a certain game on it. Fed up with the quarrel, Tompert said he grabbed one of the iPods and smashed it on the ground....'They had to be a brand-new product,' Tompert said. 'It’s not about destroying old products. it’s about our relationship with the new.' --via Juxtapoz

Well, don't let my bitchin' about ppl on their iPhones fool you, because I and my tricky friend called time are consumed with technology/ the internet (hence this blog)/ apple products. I.E. Here's me using one fruit product to display another, meet my new friend, the iPad:

Well, to tie this all together, you need listen to John Prine's "Spanish Pipedream" now. It's a goodin' that will make you feel alright and cute about the world.

Photos of the art taken from Fubiz.

Passportiche: Black and White

2011-06-10T19:04:00.001-05:00

It's true, things in life ain't black and white. Yet, I've discovered that I make things grayer than they really are. Here's to more simplicity.

(source above: Keep it Simple)

(source: Web Elements in our everyday lives)

(source: Geoff Kern)

source: Natalie Off Duty

(source: Mara Taber)

( above and below via Cacioppe is Italian for Cool)

(source: Feng Li)

(above: source)

(above via this).

(via Today and Tomorrow)

(above:The disciples of design)

(above: The New Inquiry)

(above: source)

(source: Paul Chan)

(above: Pascual Sisto)

(Jennifer Grimyser)

(above: source)

(Source for above and below: Natalia Brilli via zero-one blog).

*Disclaimer: I try to source as many photos as possible, but many of these I found through FFFFound and various Tumblrs. I found many photos as well at Baubauhaus and This isn't happiness. If you know these source of anything that's not sited, don't hesitate to leave a message.

Kodachrome Thursday: Tiny Vices

2011-06-09T23:59:00.000-05:00

Tiny Vices "is an online gallery and image archive founded by Tim Barber in the spring of 2005," an it has recently become one of my new favorite ways to discover photography. Here are some of my favorites/photographers I found in Tiny Vices' online exhibitions:

1) DANIELLE RUBI

2) DAVID SHAFEI

3) HENRY ROY

4) JAKE FROMM

5) SARAH SOQUEL MORHAIM

6) JASON LAZARUS

7) JASON WURM:

8) JEFF O'BRIEN:

9) JEREMY LIEBMAN:

10) JIA ZHANG:

11) LASSE BECH MARTINUSSEN:

12) RAMELL ROSS:

13) JAKE STANGEL:

14) GREGG COOK:

15) T HARRISON HILLMAN:

GO TO TINY VICES FOR ARCHIVES.

Outfit Post: The Backyard

2011-06-08T22:26:00.000-05:00

In the backyard. With my camera. No photographer. The 3 shot setting. The direction changes. A chair appears. My dog interrupts some photos. I'm distracted by the neighbors. The sun peeps out, the sun disappears. And like the sun, my Louis comes and goes in the images. These are the results of no tripod/no extra human at home. Blogger's with boyfriends, you don't know how good you've got it for outfit posts! But truth-be-told, this whatever method is pretty a la Passport Smiles. I ain't nothin' fancy here.

So, with this outfit, I am introducing for the first time, my ZARA TRI-COLOR, leather Heels. I fell in love with these while living in France around March. I waited and waited, and I finally bought them before leaving Europe. Since then, I've only worn them twice, because I think they are too pretty to be ruined (I'm very hard on shoes and cannot walk very well in heels). This isn't a very great picture of them, but don't worry, you'll see them again in better lighting in some future outfit posts:

Outfit Details:

1) Braided Straw Fedora: Street vendor in Paris

2) White Tank: Forever 21 from 5 years ago

3) Black Sports Bra: The "Ta Ta Tamer" (I'm not joking) from Lulu Lemon

4) Deep Blue Maxi Skirt: Vintage from Goodwill

5) Louis Vuitton: Speedy 30

6) THE BEST TRI-COLOR Leather HEELS in the world: Zara

Accessory Details:

1) Beaded Blue and Silver Necklace: Pangaea in Nashville, TN

2) Black and White Striped Stretch belt: Vintage from Goodwill

3/4) Silver cuffs: Vintage from my momma

Streetstyle Saturday: May Favorites

2011-06-04T23:22:00.001-05:00

Sources: Tommy Ton for Australian Fashion Week, Jak & Jil, The Sartorialist, Mr. Newton, Anne Bernecker, Facehunter, Stockholm Streetstyle

Outfit Post: Murray, KY

2011-06-03T16:15:00.003-05:00

Location: Murray, KY

These Urban Outfitters shorts/romper/overalls are supposed to be worn with the suspenders (see below), but for most of the day, I just let the straps hang like you see in the pictures above. The suspenders are connected by little buttons, so they are also removable. However, I think I like them better suspended.

Outift Details:

1) Snakeskin Vintage Sunglasses: Clothing Exchange of Nashville, TN (Hillsboro Village)

2) Annie Get Your Gun Earrings: Thrifted from Trends and Treasures (Murray, KY)

3) Red Button-Up Vintage Blouse: Revival Vintage Wear

4) Vintage Leather Belt: My Momma

5) Blue Silk Shorts Romper: Urban Outfitters

6) Ankle Leather Cowboy boots: Andre (France)

Photos courtesy of Kelsey Louise (above on the left) from Revival Boutique and Revival Vintage Wear.

Favorite this outfit on Chictopia.

France Post 1 Month

2011-05-26T12:29:00.000-05:00

Exactly a month ago today, I arrived back in Nashville, Tennessee after spending six months in Forbach, France teaching English in a high school. It's been surreal being back, mostly because it feels like I never left. I experienced this a little bit the year before, when I did the same thing for 7 months in Sarrebourg France. However, this time around, the sentiments are more surreal. Was the 6 months in France a dream? Well, to prove that it wasn't, here's evidence from my last week in France/ surrounding areas (it was my best week ever in France).

Völklingen Ironworks: A UNESCO World Heritage Site

White Water Rafting in Metz and then cookout afterwards at the Kayak Club:

in our sexy wet suits:

Bitche, France

Bitche by day, Bitche by night:

Luxembourg :

Forbach, France

Awkward Family photos with all the assistants and my longchamp in the background:

My "I'm getting the F*** outta Forbach" dance:

Paris, France:

I cried as the plane took-off. A tearful goodbye to France :(

La Tenue Tuesday: La Fontaine

2011-05-24T17:46:00.001-05:00

Why not take pictures in front of a kitsch fountain? Who of us doesn't need a little bit of kitch and a little bit of fountain in our lives?

And without the Jacket...

How the purse is supposed to look hooked:

Outfit Details:

1) Vintage Snakeskin Sunglasses: Clothing Exchange (Hillsboro Village, Nashville, TN)

2) Vintage Cropped Blazer: Southern Thrift of Nashville, TN

3) Vintage All That Jazz Church Dress: Revival Wear Boutique

4) Navy Blue Polka Dot Ankle Socks: H&M

5) Ankle Cowboy Leather Boots: Andre (France)

Accessory Details:

1) Vintage Snakeskin Sunglasses: Clothing Exchange (Hillsboro Village, Nashville, TN)

2) Arrow Head Earrings: Urban Outfitters

3) Yves St. Laurent Lipstick: #27 Rouge Pur Couture

4) Essence "I LOVE BERLIN" Pink Nail polish (Bought in Germany @ DM)

5) Vintage Purse for $1: Angel's Attic of Murray, KY

6) Double Silver Ring: HABSUCHT from Saarbrucken, Germany

Photos taken by my friend Celeste on Belmont University's Campus in Nashville, Tennessee.

Le Dimanche au Musée: CONFETTI SYSTEM

2011-05-22T20:27:00.001-05:00

ABOUT CONFETTI SYSTEM:
" CONFETTISYSTEM is Nicholas Andersen and Julie Ho, a duo working as artists, stylists, and designers. A friendship born from their shared love of communal celebration and craft-making has brought them together to create a new system."

"CONFETTISYSTEM transforms simple materials such as tissue paper, cardboard, and silk into interactive objects that create a point of focus, where memories are made and a spontaneous collaboration with the viewer is sparked. CONFETTISYSTEM’s creations occupy the space between the ephemeral and the permanent, evoking a sense of nostalgia and lighthearted fun."

"CONFETTISYSTEM has art directed and created installations and sets for fashion brands Opening Ceremony, United Bamboo, and J.Crew as well as music industry clients Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Beach House. In addition to decorating for private celebrations and working as creative consultants for numerous private labels, CONFETTISYSTEM has created custom design work for the American Ballet Theatre, Partners & Spade, Other Criteria, and Pop Magazine with Gagosian Gallery."

"CONFETTISYSTEM’s line of jewelry and festive objects are sold through Opening Ceremony, Maryam Nassir Zadeh, and Bergdorf Goodman, and the duo have been exhibited in art galleries and museums in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Holland. CONFETTISYSTEM has been featured in the NY Times, New York Magazine, V Magazine, Interview Magazine, Teen Vogue, and Surface Magazine, among other publications."

You have a little Confetti System in your life via their store. They sell jewelry, blindfolds , pinatas and tassels. Who needs a $140 pinata in their lives? I know this girl does.

P.S.: I thought I discovered CONFETTI SYSTEM via Urban Outiftter's blog, but then, upon look at C.S.'s website, I realized that I had already blogged about them with my Creatures of the Wind feature. Truth be told, back then, I was led to blog about the fashion line much due to the Confetti System tassel in the background.

Weekend Ensemble: The Teacher

2011-05-21T11:43:00.003-05:00

I was told that this outfit made me look like a teacher. Yeah, an AWESOMELY FUNKY teacher maybe. GAW!

Here's me looking all pensive and stuff, but really I'm just trying to show the ring:

and without the sweater...

...and here's me dancing in a photo!

Outfit Details:

1) Cardigan Sweater: H&M

2) Vintage Polka Dot Blouse: Revival Wear Boutique

3) Vintage Black and Gold Belt: Chez My Mom

4) Mini High-Waisted Skirt: Vero Moda *last year

5) Boots: Bought somewhere in Stockholm, Sweden

Jewelery Details:

1) Vitnage Earrings: Thrifted from Southern Thrift in Nashville, Tn

2) Emerald Ring: Chez My Grandma

3) Vintage Black and Gold necklace: Revival Wear Boutique

Vote for me on Chictopia. If so, I'll give you candy:

Design Spotlight: ADG and Their Music City Cicada Invasion

2011-05-19T14:08:00.001-05:00

Recently at Nashville's Donut Den, I was introduced to the Anderson Design Group's witty Cicada Invasion design and memorabilia (magnets, bumper stickers), and I was searching for a good reason to post them on the blog, as I am a sucker for great graphic design and anything that makes me laugh.

Well, days later, I found a big, beagle belly full of reasons: my dog Millie. You see, like most beagles, Millie has an overeating problem, and I came back from just a few days spent in Murray, KY only to find that her stomach had inflated to a hilariously alarming size. I assumed she was being spoiled with people food, but my Mom said she hadn't even really fed Millie. Then we noticed she even stopped begging for our food.

Well, the other day, we found the culprit: CICADAS. Everyday, Millie comes back miserable, slothful, and, well, flatulent after 3 hours of gorging in the wilderness. This led us to google the problem and we found out that apparently Cicadas are the equivalent of doggie Doritos. You can't just have one. Or perhaps, more fitting: doggie Pringles. Once you pop, you can stop...until, well, Millie's belly pops. So, I know I can survive the Music City Cicada invasion with only a little side effects like Cicadas being stuck to my Nikes:

But the question is, will Millie survive?

You can buy the memorabilia at the Donut Den in Nashville, visit the Cicada Invasion Survival Guide, or find more of Anderson Design Group's great Nashville hatch-print graphic design on their flickr. For example here are some of my Nashville favs:

Inspirationation: Kelsey Louise

2011-05-18T20:41:00.002-05:00

Kelsey Louise is this weeks Inspirationation and she hails from Murray, KY (where my parents are from, where I went to college @MSU and where I've been visiting over the past few weeks.)

This is the first time I have listed someone I know for my Inspirationation post,
but it needed to be done for many reasons.

1. First, she has great style and thrifts like nobody else, finding the best treasures.

2. Then, with that style and savoir-faire for thrifting, she opened a store in Murray, KY
called Revival Boutique.

And guess what? Do you remember crazy 'ole lop-sided Roberta?
Well, she lives in Revival Boutique...

3. AND if your not in Murray for her shop, she also has a killer Etsy
where you can buy vintage treasures.

4. Next, with her store, she either brought and/ or brought out the style that was seriously lacking (or hiding) in Murray, Kentucky. She even started a little Murray Streestyle feature.

5. Lastly, she's just an all-around pretty cool gal. We can listen to old country songs on The Willy 102.1 together and eat DQ blizzards. Plus she's got a pretty great guy on her arm who even helps with Etsy!:

Find Kelsey Louise at That Old Time Feeling, Revival Boutique or Her Etsy!

La Tenue Tuesday

2011-05-17T14:02:00.000-05:00

This "Outfit" Tuesday is a replay from last year's Urban Outfitter's dress.

Outfit Details:

1. Casmere cardigan from Karstadt (department store in Germany)

2. Vintage Leather Belt

3. Urban Outfitters dress (from last summer)

4. H&M Bloomer lace shorts

5. André Whiskey Leather Boots (shoe store in France)

Jewelry Details:

1. Vintage Silver Cuff from my mother

2. Ring from Saarbrucken, Germany

3. Arrow Earrings from Urban Outfitters

Photographer: Kelsey Sykes. Find her at That Old Time Feeling.

Help a brotha out and vote for me on Chictopia:

?#@*&%! Blogger Malfunction

2011-05-15T18:52:00.002-05:00

(photo found via baubauhaus)

Today, I looked at my blog only to find that my two last (very long, very time-consuming) blog posts were deleted. Needless to say, I was miffed. Do I need to hire the blog detective to solve this or can you guys help me out? Have you guys had similar experiences with blogger recently?

(Source: "Pinky Swear"by David Schwen)

Vicariously Shopping Saturday: Mctega

2011-05-14T18:32:00.000-05:00

I found the jewelry brand Mctega via Clothes Encounters, an amazing blog just started by photographer Christine Hahn. On her site, I saw this photo above of a woman sporting a custom-maid necklace from Mctega and immediately jumped over to the brand's site. A lot jaw-dropping and caffeine-exaggerated excitement ensued (I was drinking coffee at the time). If the same thing happens to you, you can shop in their online store. The prices range from 70-300, hence this blog title "Vicariously Shopping Sunday." Nevertheless, I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this stuff:

Kodachrome Thursday: Tara Donne

2011-05-05T13:56:00.001-05:00

Tara Donne's photos make me feel like I'm living in an infinite American summer and make me wanna go bake a pie and take a joyride. You wanna join?

Inspirationation: Sleigh Bells and Alexis Krauss

2011-05-04T00:20:00.000-05:00

Because I'm leaving on a jet-plane again tomorrow, I missed the Sleigh Bells (an American noise pop duo) concert tonight at the Cannery Ballroom in Nashville, TN. For one year, Sleigh Bells has provided me with perfect work-out music that has given me a pep in my stride while running on the treadmill. Their album came out on May 11, 2010 and immediately was met with success. I don't know if I've ever seen anything catch on as quickly as their album did. Well, anyway, back to my point, since I missed the opportunity to thank them for the work-out tunes, I would at least like to pay omage to the lead singer, Alexis Krauss for her fabulously tacky, perfect front-lady style. She's covered in tatoos, Olivia Newton John disco-pants, spandex, neon colors and torn tees. I dig her style so that it calls for an Inspirationation Celebration.

Didja also know that she was in a Nickelodeon commercial?

Streestyle Favorites: April

2011-05-03T21:36:00.002-05:00

1) Camel Jacket:

2) Icey Blue:

3) Classic, Jackie Glamor:

4) Funny fur and feathers:

5) Jean short shorts:

6) Leather shorts:

7) Overalls:

8) Black and Cream:

9) Stripes:

10) Fun tights:

11) Varsity Prep:

12) Best Dressed Duos:

13) Wildcards:

14) Hobo look:

15) Mismatch:

16) Motifs:

17) MAN HATS!

18) ...And last but not least Creepy Mustaches are all the rage:

Photos taken from Street Style Websites:

PASSPORTiche: Leaving on a Jetplane...

2011-04-26T18:22:00.000-05:00

Yes, call me cliche Clara if you want, as I just quoted the song that everyone in the world quotes when they are leaving, well, on a jetplane. But, it's almost 1 am in Paris, France, I must be up in 4 hours and I cannot think of a more obscure, profound song to quote. So, there you have it, and here we are folks. I have completed my 6 mths in France as an English assistant, and I will be going home!!!! ....back to my home country, home town, home everything.

(source: Yeoh Gh)

(Photo source)

(photo: "Freedom Loading" by devgupta)

(map: luvtut)

(photo: Doug Dubois)

Where I will switch back to the green:

(source: "Cash Rules Everything Around Me" )

...and I am super pumped and ready to get back; but before all of that, it will be a good-ole-fashioned miracle if I can get all my baggage through without being overweight.

(Picture: Pac(k)man by David Schwen

(photo: Michael Johansson)

...fingers crossed! Will update y'all with more later...See ya on the flip side. Central time. Toodle-loo.