Cat's Eye View

Remember all those times when, looking wistfully at a sunbathing feline, you thought to yourself "What do I have to do in this life to be reincarnated as a cat? Because that life would be AWESOME."?

Well, if your karmic future is still uncertain, here's the next best thing: a movie filmed entirely by cats. If there was ever any doubt in your mind that "Cat" is the best job ever, let this put those doubts to rest.

Alehouse Cowgirl

I'm not going to lie -- I love pigtails. But I'm always afraid of making a messy part in the back (since I'm not that NYU professor who implanted the camera in the back of his head), and/or looking like Pippi Longstocking.

Totally badass kid? Yes. Fashion icon? No.

But when I saw this fresh take on braids from Elle...

Elle Fashion Assistant Kristen Shirley

...inspired by some very avant garde pigtail-esque 'dos on the Givenchy Spring 2011 runway...

...I had to try my had at this much beloved but oft maligned coif.

Certainly not as extreme, but I definitely avoided wearing the men's snap-front plaid shirt I thought about putting on to head down to a local Alehouse for fear of looking too much like a cowgirl.

The interesting thing about this tunic is that it needs to have some sort of tie or belt right under the bust, which is usually a flattering place for most women to have a belt fall. However, my narrowest part, my natural waist, is about where my hands are in that photo above. So, although I think it looks fine as is (it's a little more casual this way), it would look best if I were able to belt it at my narrowest point.

Tunic: Anthropologie

Belt: Target

Jeans: American Eagle

Necklace: self-made

An Incomplete Recap

A very limited recap of a very small number of the many outfits I've worn in the past few months.

 

Fall Formal (and also, incidentally, my birthday)

Green lamé dress: vintage 1980's

Pumps: J.C. Penny's

Sash: from a skirt from Forever 21

Earrings: a gift

Necklace: vintage, from my grandmother 

Rally to Restore Sanity, Washington D.C.

Shirt: Buffalo Exchange

Cardigan: J. Crew

Coat: Nordstrom's

Apple pin: vintage

Snappy slogan: my own

 

Fiercely modeling the latest in Snuggie Couture on the bus from D.C. back to New York

The day of the first snow flurries of the year in New York

 Face: John Lennon

Shirt: Gap

Jeans: American Eagle

Belt: Nordstrom

Scarf: vintage

Boots: Hunter (probably the most expensive boots I own, but definitely the most worth it. Also, they were a very generous gift)

 Waikiki Beach, O'ahu, Hawaii

Tank: Target

Skirt: street vendor

Two very authentic instances of me encountering some genuine Hawaiian waves

Dress: Forever 21

Cardigan: J. Crew

Sandals: Target

Flower hair pin: ABC Store

Litmus Test...

If you realize why this is the greatest thing in history, we can definitely be friends forever:

Via 24 Free Dinners

If not, well...that's okay. I just have my work cut out for me.


Although I will point out its inaccuracy in that this is clearly the Death Star 2.0 in its half-completed state, as seen in Episode VI. However, the line which this painting references comes from Episode IV and is referring to the fully built Death Star 1.0. I hope you all imagined that in the voice of the Comic Book Guy from the Simpsons.

Capturing Childhood

I know, I know.

But the point is, I'm back! Hopefully for good. And what better way to get back into the swing of things than to share images that contain the wonder, imagination, and joy of childhood?

In these images, from wedding photographer Jason Lee, I can see and re-experience so many of the emotions and creativity that I felt when I was his daughters' age. It's a touching and fun walk through childhood that I'm sure anyone who was once a kid can relate to and enjoy.

See the rest of the photos (and read a short interview with the photographer) here.
Or check out even more amazing pictures of the girls at http://kristinandkayla.blogspot.com/, a blog Lee started to keep his sick mother up-to-date with pictures of her granddaughters.

High-Flying Fun

I'm back!

*Note: Updated to add video below directly to the body of the post!

Once again, I apologize for the lack of updates. Since returning to school I've had to register for classes, attend said classes, audition (and do callbacks) for the theatre and film program, catch up with old friends, forge new friendships, and work my three jobs. That said, I am going to be updating more regularly once again (perhaps not daily, but at least every other day or so).

My school, nestled in a little town in Westchester County, New York, is a thirty minute train ride from Grand Central Station in Manhattan. As such, it's almost foolish not to take advantage of the myriad cultural and artistic opportunities presented by such proximity to the most vibrant and dynamic city in the United States. Last Friday, I noticed a Facebook update from my friend's brother, who lives and works in the city. It read as follows: "Anybody want to see the Flying Karamazov Brothers tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon for free? (usually $65). There's some important people in the crowd for the 2pm show tomorrow and we want to have a packed and excited audience. Let me know ASAP." 

(My friend is the one on the far left)

 Um, why yes, I DID want to see my friend perform in the internationally famous juggling/musical/theatrical extravaganza -- fo free. If you don't know who the Flying Karamazov Brothers are, here's a little video to give you a taste of what their show is like.

I rustled up some friends from school, we took the train into the city, and proceeded to the West Village for an afternoon of excellent, exciting entertainment. They were daring! They were hilarious! They juggled a piece of cake! Their mix of incredible juggling skills and synchronization, musicianship, and old-school vaudevillian comedy was a wonder and a delight. For kids of all ages in the New York area, I would highly recommend heading down to the (slightly difficult to find) Minetta Lane Theatre. They're even having a special through Sunday where, if you go 20 minutes before the show, you can get tickets for $20! And if you're not in NYC, look for them on tour in your area. 

After the show, one of my friends and I headed over to a little thrift shop a few blocks away and I tried on a few choice pieces:

Why yes, that is a giant white leather jacket with various currencies embroidered on it. 

Delighted

And these are some extremely flattering skin-tight faux-leather red pants. They were $5. I'm not saying I regret not buying them, exactly. But, come on. You don't encounter $5 skin-tight faux-leather red pants every day...

I didn't get any full shots of what I actually wore that day, but I did get a few details:

Dress: Anthropologie

Sweater: J. Crew

Bag: vintage (you can see it better in the first picture of the post)

Shoes: Nine West

I hope I made up for my long absence with this epic post. And I'll see you all here again soon!

Left on a Jet Plane...

Sorry for my absence the last few days -- I was flying across the country to my Hogwarts-esque, hipster-riffic, artsy-fartsy college!

Here's what I wore on the plane, posing adorably with my parents:

Dress: H&M (from France!)

Leggings: matty m (via Costco)

Wrap Cardigan: Banana Republic

Shoes: Target

Scarf: J. Crew

Necklace: vintage

This was a tricky situation because it was a red-eye* so I knew I'd have to sleep on the (probably freezing cold) plane, but it was also supposed to be in the 90's in New York when I landed, so I had to layer like a BAMF. When I arrived at school, i took off the leggings and cardigan and was ready to reunite with friends, unpack, and sign up for classes in the sweltering and oppressive heat of late August on the East Coast. 

* A red-eye is a plane flight that leaves late at night, letting you arrive at your destination in the morning. It is called a red-eye because people often disembark bleary-eyed and bloodshot because it's hard to sleep on a plane. I thought this was common knowledge, but I had one person at home and one person at school (both of whom fly fairly frequently) ask me "What is a red-eye -- is it a train?" I do not know what about that sounds like a train, but I found it hilarious that two people from entirely different backgrounds both thought that.