the fashion void that is DC

http://moohoop.tumblr.com

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 01:08:15 GMT

In case you missed it the first time. I have moved. See title of post.

I Tumble

Sat, 05 Jun 2010 06:09:00 GMT

You may have been wondering why my posting has been so spotty within the past few.... well, for a long time. Well, because, this is it. "the fashion void that is dc" is no more.

Instead, "MOOHOOP" is now open and up, on tumblr. It's been a swell 3 years on Livejournal, but over the past half-year or so, the need to jump ship has gotten more and more pressing. Why? Why, follow me over to tumblr and you'll find out.

This isn't so much starting over as continuing what I've always done, just in a slightly more technologically-exciting format. I remain in DC for the time being -- there's a bunch of things that need updating (like that secondhand list, geez).

As you can tell from the time I'm writing this, I did a great job planning this whole thing out. But the move is for good.

I won't close this LJ down, but obviously, I will not longer be updating. I'll occasionally post a reminder to move over to catch a few casualties of this web-traffic suicide.

So, to all my LJ friends, I'm sorry for removing myself from your friends' pages. To everyone else, well, 'sup.

To lead you over, here's a picture of me, recently bleached white:

Hooray. See you on the flip side.

Some Thangs Goin On

Fri, 21 May 2010 20:09:41 GMT

Saturday, May 22:

Apparently there is a yard sale of sorts going on around Mt. Pleasant, which means that Vintage No.5 will be opening up, 11am-3pm, on the corner of Columbia Rd and Ontario Rd, NW (2704 ½, to be precise). Sorry for the confusion a couple of weeks ago, but I spoke to the owner and she confirmed this. I checked out the store a few days ago -- the space is big, and the goods are plentiful! Especially handbags and jewelry. =) I will be there! WILL YOU?

Sunday, May 23:

The DC Record Fair will be going on at the Black Cat! Around the corner of 14th & S, noon-6pm. Granted, I won't be there for the vinyl itself per se, but I will be waffling through the (potentially amazing?!) album cover designs.

Finally, KIC Thrift Boutique is holding a yard sale from 10am-2pm, 10805 Connecticut Ave, Kensington, MD 20895. Never have but have been meaning to go to KIC Thrift for ages now. I think it's about time to do so.

This has been your DC weekend planner. If anyone's attending to anything, feel free to holla back!

Disclaimer: I was not asked to promote any of these events; just spreadin' the love, ya'll!

Incredible, Inspirational

Fri, 21 May 2010 07:01:10 GMT

Apologies for the zillionth time for not keeping up to date on things. I've still been part ruminating, part acting on my "CHANGES"(tm). Also having camera trouble, but that's besides the point. Yes, I am aware my photography thus far has been wildly inconsistent, I'm thinking my cam issues are a sign of a final conversion to SLR

On a different note, I would like to share this Youtube video, snagged from my still-fave old-school menswear blog The Sunday Best. I'm normally inexplicably averse to watching embedded YouTube videos on blogs. Might be an impatience thing. But I liked Janelle Monae's music and had a fondness for her dandy personal style.

I was totally BLOWN AWAY by this performance:

Damn. I wasn't aware of it before, but to me, she's really someone who meshes her music, her movements and her style together perfectly. When any of these are missing, it's just not complete. It's wonderful. I wish I could integrate all aspects of my life so fluidly; as it is now, I feel like I'm in fragments. She just really struck a chord with me.

And damn, am I jealous of her boogie.

Filler Pt II

Wed, 12 May 2010 04:08:46 GMT

Man, I am getting deja vu, as I realized I went to Boston around the same exact time last year, with (nearly) the same exact agenda.

Anyways, another filler post, with the two pictures that are on my camera from Princeton and New York. What can I say, I wasn't in a photographic mood.

Daily Wear -- 5.06:

Princeton Junction station, at night, before it got inexplicably, freakishly cold. I wore the top half to a job interview.

The skirt and the shoes come from my rediscovery of the gloriousness that is DC-area thrift stores: $3 skirt, $1 white leather plimsolls. The latter is currently undergoing an... elevation transformation. More later.

Secondhand everything except Topshop black corset and AA cardigan

On a tangential subject, I spent some time browsing thrift stores around Manhattan. City Opera in Gramercy is a well-curated piece of work:

Some classics in the window. Actually, I found it both odd and relieving that Goodwill was right next door. Got me some fixed-price goods, oh yeah.

And on a final, unrelated note: I've been more and more realizing the pressing (perhaps personal) need to liven things up on this here blog. This includes... CHANGES. This encompasses redesign and *gasp* m-m-moving(?!?), so. this summer. Changes. They will occur.

Daily Wear : Filling in the Blanks

Fri, 07 May 2010 22:10:19 GMT

Hello! I am currently visiting friends along the East Coast. I'll have more to report when I reach NYC and Boston, but until then, as filler, here are the outfit pictures, post-Florence:

At the airport in Munich, just coming out of Florence. All grey, plus the oh-so-popular fake Clarks desert boots. Seriously, they were so popular in Florence.

Gap batwing hoodie, American Apparel cardigan tied around waist, H&M leggings, desert boots from Florence

The day I got back to DC, my dad dragged me to a shooting range. Hence the context for this photo:

With actual guns and stuff. I was a pretty good shot for the first time, I must say.

Secondhand jacket, Tripp NYC pants, VanEli sandals

Daily Wear -- 5.03

Mon, 03 May 2010 05:42:28 GMT

Getting ahead of myself, part zillion: in an impatient mood, so I decided what to wear for the next day.

By the way, it is HOT HOT these days. Had to get the hipster summer look outta me.

My full-proof plan to convert the cardigan. Left to right, in order of hot-ness.

I may look glistening and tanned, but it's just hot and I'm sweatin' like a sinner in church.

(My hobby: ruining perfectly okay photos with context).

UO romper, F21 skirt, Lynn Ritchie cardigan, gifted headband

Daily Wear -- May Days

Sun, 02 May 2010 03:41:53 GMT

Wellllp, sorry if anyone went to visit and was greeted with... not much. When I paid a visit myself the owner did not seem to be in. I'll have to check up on this matter and follow up later.

IN THE MEANTIME, I'm going to get ahead of myself (and Florence......) for the zillionth time and jump to these past two days. I attended my first wedding as a... vaguely grown person. Outfit post commences:

Hot spring afternoon.

A bit about the look: I thought it was a good opportunity to go retro. The dress was actually an musty, old, OLD DRESS from my first ever DIY. I had performed surgery on it to convert the bottom part to a skirt, then left the top part to collect dust in the corner.

So yeees, after two years, I finally learned how to take in a dress. And cut the neck into a plunging V, while we're at it.

The wedding was for my dad's coworker, and he volunteered me to be the wedding photographer. As you can see.

Retro eye makeup was fun.

Me and my mummy!

Zara jacket, secondhand hat, secondhand/DIY'd dress, Topshop corset underneath, Rodarte for Target belt, Seychelles heels

And that was that.

Going back in time, so the day before the wedding (Friday) was the photo shoot of the bride and groom (pics of them on Facebook, not for Le Public Domain).

Kinda cutesy-retro in its own way. I wore this later to a job interview.

Secondhand floral pullover, F21 dress, H&M tights, Seychelles ankle boots

Always late on these things

Sat, 01 May 2010 05:27:59 GMT

I'm back! But that's besides the point.

I'm taking time away to say that there is a vintage store re-opening in Adams Morgan ~~tomorrow~~ today! Yep, Vintage No.5 is re-opening Saturday, May 1 (today) at 2704 Ontario Road in DC! (closest Metro Woodley Park or Columbia Heights)

Those that have been reading for a long ass time might remember that I used to work at the store while it was in Georgetown. Those were some of my best days... 'course after a while the economy caught up and it was a dream dashed. So I'm very happy to hear that it's getting back up on its feet.

I know, I'm always way late in announcing these things, but! I shall be there! WILL YOU?

going home

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 22:16:03 GMT

I'm going back to DC tomorrow! I realize this blog has suffered a lot of neglect from my time here, but it's been too amazing. I feel as if I'll have to start a new life.

Lots to post about. See you at home.

black & gold

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:35:59 GMT

A few things I'm looking forward to at home:

Stripes and latex

Shine and kitsch

Clockwise from top left: latex-ruffle contraption, amazing, amazingly small platform pumps, wallpaper skirt, tiger [more] stripes

Continuous fascination with bodysuits, animals on/as bags, vanity glasses I still can't bring myself to adopt

Last and certainly not least:

Sheerness and holes

All part of Black Milk's new collection.

I think anything in dollar signs is cheap to me now.

Vestiti d'Oggi -- 4.12

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 20:38:28 GMT

I bought the striped pants from the last post to cut them into shorts:

Striped shorts for summer!

Haven't started counting down the days yet.

Norma Kamali for Walmart blazer, secondhand fur stole, shorts and blouse, H&M leggings, UO shoes

Vestiti d'Oggi -- 4.09

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 15:16:02 GMT

There's only two weeks left before I leave.

Gap blazer, h&m shirt, secondhand pants, Jeffrey Campbell sandals

I've really taken to wearing stripes a lot in Florence.

Face cropped out because I got punched in the face by a mosquito.

Vestiti d'Oggi -- 3.31

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:19:00 GMT

Sooo disappointed today. I had a presentation in Contemporary art history on punk rock and decided to dress sort of punk-ish.

This is my disappointed face BECAUSE, I didn't end up going. Computer problems. I even put on purple lipstick and everything.

By the way, listening to punk rock in an academic context = so dorky. Unfortunately, that's really the only context where I listen to punk continuously.

Got these kewlio striped pants at the Cascine park flea market yesterday. Camera died that day. Need to go back. The black and white bag my mummy bought for me at the central market.

Haven't worn this sweater or the suspenders in a long time. THOUGH, it doesn't look it on this here blog 'cuz I haven't done outfit posts in so long. Oh bah.

Camdenlock sweater, flea market pants and bag, gifted scarf, secondhand suspenders and Docs

Finally, random: I shamelessly go to H&M a couple times a week. Saw the Garden Collection drop about a week ago.

Red rose-petal-esque jacket kind of cool. As well as these tweed shorts. I've also succumbed to taking a liking to lace bike shorts under high waisted shorts. Boy oh boy.

Vestiti d'Oggi -- Family Week

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 01:56:29 GMT

Outfit posts for when my family visited me last week! Not that that necessarily changed what I wore (besides borrowing their clothes to avoid walks of shame from their hotel), but, finally had someone taking pictures of me. .........Yes, I admit, I've gotten too lazy to take outfit posts lately.

Last Thursday:

Early morning (read: 10am) walkabout. I've also been too bothered lately to roll on tights or leggings, so I've been wearing pants a lot more.

Secondhand top portion, Tripp NYC jeans, Zara huge grey scarf

Sunday:

Was trying to turn around dramatically here.

Walking with my mummy near the Ponte Vecchio.

Zara leather jacket, secondhand track jacket and shorts, Black Milk leggings, bag from Morocco

Tuesday: I went to a park that was a former mental hospital/now a graffiti-filled area great for photography. I went there with my family to fulfill my school assignment.

~Behind the scenes~ actually, my sister was like, "ooh, wild Brooke appears!" ...you know, the Pokemon reference..?

And, speaking of which, my sister.

Quite fond of these camo pants from Zara.

Finally, me + self portrait I just began:

*emo*

Normal Kamali for Walmart blazer, secondhand top, Zara pants, secondhand ankle boots, backpack from Morocco

Oh yeah, and it's finally SPRING!! Okay I'm done now.

L'habit Quotidien -- Marrakech

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 10:12:55 GMT

Title probably completely inaccurate, BUT... outfit posts for Marrakesh.

The dress code in Morocco is quite conservative. Basically, if you're a woman and have any skin exposed, you're asking to be harassed. Not that that was a huge problem for me, since I'm usually in layers anyways, but it would've been nice to wear shorts sometimes in the hot weather.

I guess my feet were exposed or something. But no, it wasn't what I was wearing, it was my hair that caught the most attention by far.

Covering it up a little bit didn't help at all, though the obnoxious patterns probably helped the harassment here as well. Couldn't help it, really wanted to wear the bright orange harem pants and studded bag I had just bought at the markets.

Taken on the roof of our bourgeois hotel.

All of us got sandals at the market. Here are the girls.

Aaaand, finally, the buys:

Leather goods abounds. The markets are really one of the best places to get cheap deals on leather goods; they seem high enough quality and are soft. I think you can easily bargain your way to a small/medium sized bag for 20-30€. The only downside is that the leather sort of smells like camel shit, but eh, nothing a good cleaning can't take care of.

It took me three tries to grow accustomed to haggling the market. Basically, the sandals and harem pants were bargaining failures, the studded bag was progress, and the backpack was the mastering. I tried too hard to be either argumentative or charming in the beginning. The best strategy is to restrain your vocabulary to "no" and "[price]" and walk away.

I also got this necklace, but I'm not sure what to do with it yet. Gift?

This (FINALLY) concludes the spring break posts! It really is a shame that there are only four weeks now of my time in Italy. Now back to our regular scheduled programming.

Marrakech

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 23:39:45 GMT

Posting about this now feels old and crusty, but it's about time I knock out the rest of my spring break.

The third leg of my trip was to Marrakesh, Morocco! Pictorally, my feelings during the trip could be represented by a range of:

to

Some fun facts I noted while my housemates and I were there:

- There are two parts to the city -- the new city and the old city (medina), the latter of which we hung around because of the huge open markets.

- Everyone experienced a fair degree of culture shock, though if I were forced to make a comparison, Morocco was definitely "closer" to Asia than to Europe. As in, I could handle the holes-as-bathrooms, shit smells, open markets and snakes slightly better.

- Though speaking of Asian, if I got a euro for every time someone on the street made some sort of Japanese catcall, I could, I dunno. I'd have a lot of euros. Other fun nicknames were "fish and chips", "spice girl", "Victoria Beckham" (I didn't even realize my hair was similar to hers was now, arg) and "Hiroshima". Good stuff.

We frequently escaped to the roof of our hotel, as the bourgeois escape reality. Couldn't really blame us, as the view from the top:

...was just so stunningly beautiful.

The hotel itself was just a charming escape. We had these Mohammed portraits all over the room to protect us:

And I think only a few people would be interested by this, but they labeled the shelves of our dressers with clothing categories! So charming~

Random picture: out on the streets, pots of spices:

Story behind this picture: We had just landed in Marrakesh -- we were walking around the open market and saw these snake charmers playing their flutes. A couple of my housemates decided to take pictures from a distance. The snake charmers noticed us, dragged us over to the snakes, threw the snakes over our necks and grabbed our cameras. Several pictures and snake shenanigans later, they forced us to pay up.

Panicked, I shoved some euros from their hands and ran away. A lady suddenly came up and grabbed my wrist. The next thing I knew, she had drawn this henna on my arm and was demanding money:

I threw a few more euros in her direction and tried to run away again. In the ensuing struggle, I smeared some of it on my clothes.

After the shock wore off, though, I let the henna dry. It still hasn't completely faded from my wrist.

In total, the five-minute chaos probably cost us about 60€. Of course, we were careful to not get suckered again after, but it was a good way to accustom ourselves to the city.

The entirety of our trip was comprised of two chief activities: eating...

Couscous, lamb and potatoes in a tagine.

Sweet tea and nutty pastries.

Seafood and more seafood.

The open-air, cafeteria-style night markets. Everything we owned stunk of fish by the end, but it was so, so good.

...and shopping, of course.

The market was a long, roofed street with vendors selling everything from sketchy food, glass and metal lamps and leather anything.

More on this later. Thus ends the tourist post.

Sevilla

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:06:10 GMT

Just a few pictures. In context of the entire trip, Seville was very relaxed and pleasant, despite excessive rain and my dry, boogery eyes. It was a nice break from shopping in retrospect, that's for sure.

The thing about Spain: Starbucks again?!!? There are no Starbucks in Italy. Probably came as more of a surprise than it ought to have been.

But enough about Americanization, seafood paella=magically delicious. Definitely ate the healthiest and best in Spain.

Nice colors:

Streets are lined with orange groves.

Story of this skull: A woman named Susana had a lover that happened to be enemies with her people. Betrayed people for lover, had regrets, became a nun. She requested that she be decapitated after she died and have her severed head hanging out a window. They eventually replaced her head with this little skull picture. Warm and fuzzy story, amirite?

Relatedly, being more of a town, Seville was just crawling with religious imagery. One night we were roaming the streets, and in one window suddenly appeared a creepy back-lit, life-sized crying Jesus. Did not have camera with me, but I'd never been so genuinely startled by a statue.

Tangentially, check out this necessary alligator hanging on the ceiling of a cathedral:

And check out this dog that's hanging out of a tiny, tiny balcony!

Boring final picture: a kind of cool-looking water bottle.

News from the Hunt

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:55:21 GMT

Mostly a referential post, but if anyone's in Milan looking for vintage shopping... here are some pictures! Not pretending to be all-knowledgable, just explored to the extent that the Internet and word of mouth allowed me.

There were a fair amount of vintage shops like these: extravagant fantasy spaces. Extraordinarily edited, high-end vintage selections. Obviously with matching prices. This shop is called Cavalli e Nastri, along via Brera. This street also has the amazing gelato-filled donut at Amorino, a Shu Uemura store, and is just chock full of little cafés and boutiques.

That's not to say there weren't secondhand shops of other natures. On the more affordable circuit:

Humana Vintage, on via Cappellari. The only charity shop in Milan, as what I've heard. My impression was that it was a mostly hit-or-miss. A good cause, though, so.

The woman on the sales floor was kind enough to inform me about Napoleone, a shop close by (via Arcimboldi) with similar price points:

She also informed me of Lo Specchio di Alice, along Corso Di Porta Ticinese. Didn't find it, but the entire street is comprised of vintage, vintage recon and boutique store after another.

Backstage Vintage stood out especially because they sold the punk/glam/costume look, which I didn't find too common elsewhere.

Lots of leather, band jackets and cheesy plastic sunglasses.

Moving along: At the Porta Genova metro stop, there's Elizabeth the First.

Another amazing and pricy vintage selection, but more, say, down to earth than Cavalli e Nastri. They had a more diverse selection, as in, coats for cold weather, pants, tops, hats, etc, not just fantasy dresses.

Though speaking of fantasy:

Vintage Delirium by Jacassi Franco really felt like stepping through a portal. The shop was hidden in a courtyard, and you had to notice the sign on the floor and ring the doorbell.

True to the name, I felt... delirious. The space is hard to describe without pictures, but by the time I left I felt uplifted and saddened simultaneously, somehow.

Haha, I like how I'm describing shops like some spiritual thing, but when you're wandering solo from one place to another, your emotions get weird, alright!?!?

Anyways, I had spent two days window shopping fruitlessly and pretty much gave up on buying anything. But as I was searching for a cheap haircut place along via Zambonate, I happened to pass by Mercantino Michela.

Funnily enough, I had been searching for vintage the whole time and didn't even consider consignment. This was a consignment shop similar to those in the US is concept: some old clothes, some gems, all mixed together with wildly inconsistent prices.

Not that 130€ for Prada heels is outrageously unreasonable, but I did notice that Italian designer labels were much more expensive than non-Italian labels. Perhaps the reason for that though was that shop owners simply weren't knowledgeable about non-Italian labels. Case in point:

I bought this Junya Watanabe for Comme des Garçons top for 30€.

And this Vivienne Westwood clutch for 35€. It took me a while to pick my jaw up from the floor after getting these two.

Thus concludes my three day nonstop clothing consumerism in Milan. And my shopping addiction was indeed whet... until Morocco. Coming up in another post!

Vestiti d'Oggi -- Milano

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:17:33 GMT

Stuff I wore in Milan post, aka, different ways to look like a clown.

At least I certainly felt that way amongst the sea of black at 10 Corso Como. I'm not sure if I got stared at a lot for that, or for not looking "rich" enough, or both.

Moe Japanese girl expression, I admit.

Zara leather jacket, Camdenlock sweater, H&M sequin shorts, Retrock leggings, secondhand scarf, Marc Jacobs bag, H&M shoes

Next day:

I was surprised I got stared at so much in Milan, even much more so than in Florence. Maybe because there are higher expectations in the way one dresses, so sidestepping the expectations is surprising. Anyways, I got this black and pink shoulder-padded jacket at a vintage store in Florence. Definitely the most unique and affordable piece of clothing I've found so far.

Wearing the socks I got from Gallo, too. Tights I got a while ago at the Emilio Cavallini store in Florence. They've served me well at night, but this is the first time I've worn them during the day. I know what you're thinking! Don't judge!11

And, sigh, the shoes ruin everything. Packing light: both a blessing and a curse.

Secondhand jacket, Gap batwing hoodie, H&M leopard print dress, Emilio Cavallini holey tights, Gallo socks, Chucks

Last day in Milan, and looking a bit worse for wear:

Turns out I had been using the wrong type of solution for my contact lenses, so I was having some serious eye irritation issues.

Also, I got a haircut and decided to wear all black. Tied my leather jacket cross-shoulder across my torso.

....In conclusion, I think I look like that itty bitty fashion boy.

And that's the way, uh huh uh huh, I like it.

Zara leather jacket, Nine West black drapey cardigan, H&M striped shirt, secondhand shorts, We Love Colors tights, Chucks

All in all, I thought the frog bag was gonna get on my nerves, but I think it gave me luck. I had a pleasant and safe journey!

Did not do Fashion Week

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:49:31 GMT

I did, however, go to Milan. And Seville, and Marrakesh!

There's lots I want to post about, some relevant, some not. This is the Milan "touristy" post -- my next few posts will be outfit posts (duh) and, of course, a secondhand shop report (my chief mission of the trip). So let us start.

Milan seems so far away now -- I went solo, and it was mostly a somewhat-organized, calm affair of contemplation, snacking and lots and lots of window shopping. Of course, that all went the drain when I left Milan for the other two cities but that is for another post. Here is the boring first picture:

I took the slow train to Milan from Florence, and it was pretty much like this: completely empty. It was great to toss my luggage in one row and lay down completely across another. For a while I thought I accidentally went to the first-class section and was going to be thrown out.

Aaaaand the second I got to Milan, I made a beeline to 10 Corso Como, THE upscale boutique/gallery space/bookshop/restaurant/blahhh fanciness.

Something that was slightly bumming about Milan: no one let me take pictures. I wish I could've captured this, but they were showing the Artisanal by Martin Margiela collection (Facebook photo link, btdubs).

I did, however, get to take pictures of the Tim Walker exhibition on display. Mostly starring Karen Elson and snails.

Huge skeleton dude Walker used for a shoot spanned the stairwells.

Mah main man Alber, obviously.

After wandering for a bit, feeling poor, I found the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, home to upscale, sheltered shopping, cafés and ~~Glee flash mobs~~ wait never mind, that was in Rome. Anyways.

Louis Vuitton had a sunglasses installation going on. Or, rather, had a large rack thing with sunglasses that really tempted everyone to steal, if not for the heavy security.

Moving along, I accidentally found the Duomo, and then this socks shop where I bought a pair of socks. I dunno what it says about me that I'm posting the socks picture instead of the Duomo one.

And about food... or perhaps lack thereof (again). In terms of meals, I fared very poorly, usually scuttling into cafés and ordering a drink and taking the free finger food. In terms of snacks, though:

Soooo many lovely pastry shops. This was in a shop called Amorino, an organic (I think?) gelateria on via Brera.

Most delicious thing ever: essentially a warm donut-thing filled with ice cream. I filled it with the white chocolate and cognac flavor, insanely good.

Also insane: Grom's affogato, which is just ice cream in hot chocolate, but heavenly. There's a Grom in NYC actually, but they just don't compare in price or ambience.

The flavor of the month is green tea, so good. Gaaahhh everything was just so goooood!

The next few days were spent shopping, shopping shopping, which is for later. On the last day, I met up with a girl who was kind enough to show me around a bit, and to weirdly, this American-style carnival.

This picture is for my sister: fake Hello Kitty merchandise dispenser.

All the rides had really bad doodles of American cartoon characters, like Looney Toons and stuff. I wonder about copy infringement sometimes.

And to conclude my Milanese tour, a cool cardboard chair in the Porta Genova (lots of designer showrooms, vintage shops, nightlife) neighborhood. Reminds me of the cardboard chair project lots of art schools have to do (amirite, art schoolcoughRISD kids?)

All in all, this post was not so much "touristy" as "hey, look at these cool thingies that aren't exactly blog related! Yippee!!"

Vestiti d'Oggi -- 2.27

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:46:42 GMT

Off to Milan tomorrow morning! But before I go...

Outfit post, haha. Can't really get out of my neon yellow kick.

Gap blazer, secondhand nude top, hat, suspenders and tights, gifted scarf, Millard Fillmore skirt, UO shoes

Anyways, I had a guest today!

Jeanne of WYKM was in town, so we decided to meet up for an afternoon of café hopping in amazingly sunny weather and (mostly failed) shopping endeavors.

Reading Vogue Paris in her room, classily. 'Twas a lovely time, Jeanne!

Spring Break, and "thoughts" on Prada

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:23:52 GMT

A livejournal "Writer's Block" question:

What is the longest, uninterrupted stretch you've stayed offline (without mobile access either)? How soon did you suffer withdrawal pains? Did you find it liberating?

View 1045 Answers

Well, I'm about to find out, since I'll be gone on Spring break for 10 days!

As I said before, spring break plans include Milan (still open to meeting up who ever's up for it!), Seville, and Marrakesh, Morocco! Time away from my apartment might actually help me regain my physical strength (if anyone ever saw the cesspit that is my apartment, they'd know).

I may post one more time before I go, but ON A TANGENT, here are unintelligent, irrelevant things I noticed about the streaming Prada show:

Hmm, I always liked the layout of the Prada website. That color scheme on a black grid is nice. But wait, what's this?!!

IS THAT COMIC SANS?!?! Whyyyiiieeeeee oh, the cruelty.

I hate Comic Sans.

This has been your typographic rant of the day.

Scoreopolis, Pt 3

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:14:10 GMT

It's been a while since I used that term. A long while, in fact.

Still, I can't help but think of the term to describe THIS:

THAT Marc Jacobs SS08 frog purse ahhhhh!

It was sitting in a window of a high-end vintage store. 150€. Pricey, still, but too good to be true. Almost... too good!? Regardless, the color, texture, frog -- amazing.

Haha, apologies for this "OMG I BAUGHT SOMETHING" post, but I'm just excited about this purchase. Now I know what baby I'm taking for Milan Fashion Week... =)

Speaking of, is anyone in these parts happening to be in Milan? My current plan is going solo this weekend, but if anyone's in the neighborhood, holla back!

Food Challenges

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:24:45 GMT

I said I'd post about food! For the past two weeks, my housemates and I have been holding food challenges à la "Iron Chef" -- each week, we prepare a dish based on the chosen ingredient. Each person is assigned to do the drink, starter, main course, side or dessert. At the end, the special guest judge and the rest of us votes on whose cuisine... reigns supreme (tm).

A pictoral explanation:

Challenge 1 ingredient: chocolate! Packets of Ritter Sport abounds. I was in charge of drink.

Naturally, I went for hot chocolate Baileys! I could have easily used hot chocolate mix, but no. I melted down dark chocolate. A for effort, I must say.

Other housemates made this chocolate sauce-thing to go with veal. It looked interestingly like barf on logs. I say that with love.

My favorite was this, the starter: toast with brie, pear and chocolate. Sounds odd, but the pear sealed the deal.

Dessert.

All in all, chocolate-y, but not terribly so. Everyone used chocolate in a more indirect way. In fact, no one was sick of chocolate after that -- later that night we all snacked on the leftover chocolate bars.

~~~

Challenge 2:

Jack. We started off as friends. And by the second drink, we became better friends.

The winning dish were these amazing prawns with guacamole. Honestly one of the most delicious dishes I've had here.

Ribs drenched in whiskey. I made beans to go with, which ended up fairly tasty but stunningly unphotogenic.

By that time, we and Jack had become more than just friends.

Perhaps too fast. A fire broke out on the table. Some decided to stare in horror while others beat it with knives. One almost poured whiskey on it. I eventually stood up and poured water.

Overall, one of the best meals I've had here! By the next morning however, most of us housemates decided we weren't speaking with Mr. Daniels anymore. At least not for a while.