Inspiration

Long Lost Hobby

When I first began knitting, I declared to everyone that I knew that I’d make a scarf for them for the holidays.   But you know what?

Not one person has received a scarf in the four years that I learned how to knit.

I keep this stash in hopes that I’ll pick up the needles and knit a simple scarf, hat or blanket, but I haven’t had the time to sit down and concentrate on a pattern long enough.

So I’ll keep the stash here, in an unimposing place in my room that barely gets a second glance unless I’m cleaning.   I’m hoping that someday I’ll get a jolt to pick up the needles again and fall in love with knitting again.

Do you have any hobbies that you have abandoned?  Or any hobbies that you’ve recently rediscovered?

A Breakfast (Lunch) at Tiffany’s

Holly Golightly: Well, when I get it the only thing that does any good is to jump in a cab and go to Tiffany’s. Calms me down right away. The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there. If I could find a real-life place that’d make me feel like Tiffany’s, then – then I’d buy some furniture and give the cat a name!

I admit that I didn’t watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s until I was an adult.   I didn’t feel underwhelmed after watching it, but I definitely wouldn’t call it my favorite movie.   These days, if I watch it again then it’s because it’s on TCM on a weekend and it’s a good movie to curl up on the couch and watch.

A few days ago, I’d just left a doctor’s appointment and I went to grab lunch while waiting for my ride.   I sat on a bench outdoors to eat and when I looked up, I noticed I was having lunch–or breakfast, since it was my first meal of the day–at Tiffany’s!

I ate in silence and looked at the storefront and the beautiful items inside.  Instantly, it made me think that Holly Golightly might have been on to something after all.

Revisiting Goals

(Image via We Heart It)

As my birthday nears, I keep reflecting on my previous post about the tasks/goals I set for myself at age 26.   If I wanted to be pessimistic, I’d say that I did pretty well in failing to achieve even half of these goals, but I’m not going to go that route.   Instead, I’ll think of what goals I did achieve and what I’d like to work on more.  In the meantime, I made a list of more “realistic” goals that I think can be achieved over the course of a year:

1. Take a long vacation by myself overseas.

2. Write at least 1,500 words per week.

3. Become a better photographer.

4. Run a half marathon.

5. Master the art of wardrobe minimalism

6. Start taking dance lessons.

7. Scale back drastically on the meat eating.

8. Become a better blogger.

9. Complete rock my first year of graduate school.

10. Find at least one thing  to smile about each day.

Simply Breathtaking

Some photos are simply inspirational, while others are simply too perfect for words.

(photo via Art Decade Tumblr)

I Like Her Style

This past weekend, I finally bought my first Vogue magazine in…over a year?  It wasn’t intentional, but I was going on a little impromptu trip to a hotel after a huge storm left me without power.   I was looking for magazines to keep me occupied and I picked up the latest issue of Vogue with (predictable) cover girl  Gwyneth Paltrow.  After I settled down and began flipping through the magazine, I didn’t really pay much attention one way or the other.   That was, until I got to the end of the magazine, the Index portion.

The spread featured Wonderland magazine editor Julia Sarr-Jamois and her take on heritage brands.   The photos and her style definitely left a positive impression, and after more online digging, I found countless street style pictures:


(all photos via The Fashion Spot)

I love how she wears her looks with ease and a sense of a laid-back coolness.

Plus, can we talk about that impeccable ‘fro?

The Lena Horne I’ll Always Remember

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I’ve been watching old videos of the late Lena Horne lately and came across this Gap commercial from 1997. Ms. Horne looked as stylish and beautiful as always.

Rest in peace to a woman who has always given us that bright smile.

I Like Her Style

Style

I haven’t written an “I Like Her Style” post in awhile.  Lately, I haven’t been felt like there is anyone in the public eye whose style has been too inspiring lately. However, this “I Like Her Style” has been long overdue since I’ve been an admirer of musician Janelle Monae and her style for quite some time.  The pompadour, her “uniform” and unique musical sound are a bit different from what you might see or hear daily, but you can still pinpoint some of her inspirations.  Her style is  simple and usually remains the same: black tuxedo pants, a dinner jacket and her Charlie Brown shoes..And although I don’t personally subscribe, I love her take on uniforms:

“I have always taken to uniforms,” she explains. “I loved watching the guys and the girls in their post office uniforms. And I was obsessed with Colonel Sanders.”

For me, her style and music are always inspiring to me. From my failed pomp’ that I tried on my own hair (and it was bad) to listening to her music for stimulation while writing or even cleaning around the house, Janelle Monae never really fails to inspire me.

 


26 tasks for a 26-year-old

I’m not someone that tries to make things symbolic when there really is no need.  However,  I thought I’d write this post on this date, August 26th, a week shy of my 26th birthday, with a list of 26 tasks that I want to complete.   I know I won’t complete them all anytime soon, but I was inspired by the 30 things To Do list by YesandYes to make good on my own list 26 things I want to start at 26:

1. Learn my mother’s recipe for pound cake and perfect it.

2. Be able to successfully defend myself physically if a situation arises.

3. Dress up and go to the opera.

4. Read the entire works of Shakespeare.

5. Learn how to box.

6.Take a dance class and go to the highest level that I possibly can.

7. Move to another country and live there for at least a year.

8. Throw a fabulous cocktail party.

9. Run a marathon.

10. Learn how to box.

11. Become absolutely dedicated to a cause I care about.

12. Go to graduate school.

13. Volunteer at a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving.

14. Learn how to belly dance and become damn good at it (not the same as #9).

15. Learn how to appropriately apply false eyelashes.

16. Perfect my skincare regimen.

17. Ride my bike along the Chicago lakefront.

18. Designate one room as my library when I purchase my first home.

19. Write a book.

20. Dress up in my most fab dress, best jewelry and throw on my favorite shoes and go to brunch, browse/shop and or peruse a museum–alone.

21. Pay off all of my debt. Every.single.cent.

22. Re-read the Elements of Style.

23. Become happy and comfortable in my skin.

24. Start a gym regimen and keep up with it.

25. Build and keep a constant nest egg for myself so that I can always take care of myself no matter what the circumstances are.

26. Continue my thirst for knowledge and curiosity and learn as much as a can while I am on this Earth.

Do you have a list or any tasks that you want to complete by a certain time?

Summer’s Wardrobe: 500 Days of Summer

500Days3

I know I’m late for this one, but I recently met up for a fun evening out with a couple of friends and we decided to check out the movie 500 Days of Summer starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. Overall, I thought the movie was cute and a fun, romantic comedy to take your mind off things.

What really caught my eye was Summer’s (Zooey Deschanel) wardrobe. I loved the fact that her wardrobe looked very attainable and fitting for the character. Very carefree, yet still polished and put together with a vintage feel.

500Days1
500Days2

When looking for a store that would allow you to perfectly emulate Summer’s look in the movie (if you so choose), I immediately thought of ModCloth.com. For most of the movie, I kept wondering if some of her clothing was from ModCloth or at least I felt I could recreate some of the looks from there. Here a few pieces that inspired me from Summer’s wardrobe:

Impression Sun Dress

Teacher's Pet Skirt in Navy

The High Powered Pants

Rivulet Dress In Storm

Buckles and Bows Top

Greenhouse Top

Style Celebration Headband
Source: TFS

Sunday Musings

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Sunday Musings

Another semi-lazy Sunday, but I’m doing a bit of work here and there.  Today is filled with cooking, cleaning and True Blood anticipation.  Here are some thoughts and musings on this beautiful (but hot) day:

What I’m Reading: Monochome Magazine.  Very cool style, fashion and design magazine online with interviews from Christian Lacroix, Rad Hourani, Genevieve Jones, amongst others.

What I’m Listening To:  Esperanza Spalding’s Esperanza seems fitting for today.   Inspiring and chill music for a chill day.  Check out this vid below from Jimmy Kimmel:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC21nP8yFX0]

Photo Inspiration:

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I hope you are having a good Sunday, too!

Source: TFS

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