modern renaissance

A. over at The Glamorous Grad Student posted this challenge in her blog:

“How do you add your personal stamp to your outfit? If I asked you to slip on a pair of jeans, a simple top, a pair of flat shoes, and any accessories you liked, what would you come up with?”

Well, to be fair, it was actually posted by Mademoiselle Lady Finger in one of her recent posts. But, regardless, I thought it was really interesting. Especially when I looked at A’s results versus mine – It’s a world of difference to such a simple question!

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This is, more or less, my daily outfit when I wear jeans and am actually going to leave my house. Pretty sweet huh? Here are my style trademarks:

Missoni Sunglasses: The ones above are actually far more tame the the ones I wear, which my brother refers to as “decepticons.” If they were any larger they could not be called sunglasses, more like “sun shield.” They effectively cover half my face, so I like to think I’ll never have to worry about crow’s feet. As an added bonus they are covered in Swarovski bling. You can see them on this crazy Asian webpage, below the ones that are actually listed (model mi54101). I got them through ideeli, which has amazing deals on designer apparel and accessories. If you’d like an invite let me know.

Straw Fedora: Mine was $12 at Target and gets me a million compliments. It’s a great heat for being in the sun or on the beach. Of course, if I could afford to, I’d love to have this Hermes Funk hat done in linen and deerskin.

Calvin Klein Bag: I love Calvin Klein bags. A couple years ago I purchased a large metallic embossed black leather hobo and a large brown leather bucket bag, and I’ve pretty much used them exclusively – regulating my Fendi, other Calvin Klein bags and just about every other bag I’ve bought sense to the back of my closet. In addition to being classy and timeless, they’re also industrictible.

Paper Demin and Cloth Skinny Jeans: Sadly these are the only skinny jeans that I own. Everything else is wide legged. *sigh* Another thing I’m going to have to remedy soon. I really like Paper Denim and Cloth – they hold up great – but every pair of pants I’ve gotten from them I’ve had to hem about a foot. They are just not made for short, or even averaged sized, people.

Tank Tops: I live in them. Add points if they’re tissue, burnout or in some other way scandalously see through.

Gold Rings: I don’t actually like yellow gold. I much prefer silver, white gold or platinum (although what girl doesn’t?). However, the only jewelry I always wear are family pieces, which are both gold. One is my great-Grandmother’s wedding band from 1899 that still has the engraving on the inside and the other is my great Aunt’s engagement ring from (I think) the 20s. They’re both pretty amazing.

Big Ass Necklaces & Jewelry: I wear mostly handmade jewelry that’s been made from more raw looking materials. Typically I wear once big piece at a time – either long earrings or a fricking huge rock or shell on a chain. I’m not so into bracelets. Some day I’ll take the time to post some of my jewelry, because I think I have a pretty great collection. In the meantime I also adore Offerings Jewelry, which is made in Bali. If I have a big necklace on I just wear silver studs, pearls, or no earrings.

Khussa Slippers: They are the bomb. I have several pairs, but my favorite by far is a pair that my friend Julia brought back for me from Denmark. They’re my most neutral with primary colors on brown leather with silver and gold detailing. They are the best shoes ever. Sadly, I hardly ever wear them as I’ve managed to put a hole in the sole. However, once I get them resoled I’ll be ready to go! In the meantime I sport a blue or purple pair. This site has a fantastic selection, and you can usually find them for under $20 on ebay.

So yes, if you read this PLEASE take part in this challenge and post your polyvore outfit in the comments. I’d love to see what you come up with! You can also post your set in this group made for the experiment.

Oh, and I don’t get why all my polyvore sets look fuzzy on my blog, but normal in my account. Ideas?

This week’s affordable finds off Etsy…because sometimes you just want to buy something, not to mention its always nice getting mail. So we have two categories, under $20 and under $10 including shipping. That’s right – I’m getting crafty and including a pair of earrings from my own shop. Oh yeah.

Under $20

L-R: 1. The Naturalist Earrings; 2. Dreaming Daisies – Set of 4 Greeting Cards; 3. Star – Hoshi – Original Japanese Calligraphy; 4. Sherry the Plum Baby Owl

Under $10

L – R: 1. Customizable Facial Cleansing Oil; 2. Tickle Trunk Tangerine Batt; 3. Jewelry Box; 4. Full Strand – Fresh Water Pearls – 5-6mm

Make no bones about it, I’m a fan girl for Maryam from My Marrakesh. Her blog is beautiful, her guest house is going to be gorgeous AND she sells the most amazing antique Moroccan wedding blankets. Seriously, these are the types of goods that the typical tourist to Morocco would never have access to…and if they did it certainly wouldn’t be at a fair price! I aspire to own at least one of them in the near future. I’m a sucker for sequins, after all.

They are a fantastic combination of sparkle and neutrals – elegant without going overboard. Not to mention they’re so versatile and work as either a bedspread, blanket or throw. I especially love the ones with splashes of color. Below are a few of my favorite patterns.

Remember if you have any questions about any of her blankets (or other fantastic goodies) you can email Maraym at maryam@mtds.com. She also has a fantastic selection of poufs and carpets (more things I covet!).

p.s. All photos come from Maryam’s flick photostream

I’m from upstate New York and I am white…the first pretty much explains the second and both are indicators that I wear “performance” outdoor clothing. Let’s be honest. If you are from New York (or any part of New England) you own a North Face jacket. Most likely this fleece (I mean, come on, it’s awesome).You are also probably familiar with the brands EMS, REI, Patagonia and Prana…and a slew of others, those just happen to be my first stops.

Out here in the boonies we like our clothes to be able to withstand any kind of unexpected calamity we might run into. Freak hurricane? Wild moose? Trip to the farmer’s market? Mother Nature beware – I have Gore-Tex pants on biatch! You just never know when you’re going to need some nylon tear resistant pants made from recycled plastic bottles. Bonus points if they’re organic.

I have to be honest though – I’ve included Icebreaker in this clothing suggest, BUT this is solely because my favorite merino wool clothing company has poor photos. Icebreaker is a cool New Zealand company and may use all NZ merino wool…however, they’ve also moved their operations to China. Yep. China.

So instead I urge EVERYONE to buy Glowing Sky. Glowing Sky not only uses 100% NZ merino wool, but all manufacturing takes place in New Zealand as well. My love for Glowing Sky knows no bounds – Because they only sold in stores (which were far and few in between) whenever my friends from New Zealand come over for a visit I beg them to bring my Glowing Sky. But luck you and me, they are now taking online orders and have international shipping. Yipee! I pretty much live in my Zipfront Hoodie (in Broadleaf) and am definitely ordering a thermal camisole and t-shirt in the near future. Their clothing is amazing and I haven’t met anyone who hasn’t loved their pieces. Oh, remember that all prices are in NZ dollars – which is totally sweet because right now the $USD to $NZ is almost 1:2.

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I’m totally getting those blue shorts, btw!

Oh, Patagonia is a pretty sweet company – they do a lot of good service work and most of their materials are organic and/or recycled. Although as one must expect, having pants that are able to withstand a black bear attack is going to cost you a pretty penny. Dressing in a particular subtype is freaking expensive. I mean, have you ever been in Hot Topic? Those 13 year olds must have parents with deep pocks, cause damn, being gothic (or even a hippie for that matter) is a pricey endeavor.

In conclusion I would like to say this: No matter how much “active,” “performance” or eco friendly clothing I have, I will never understand the concept of an “active” or “sport” thong. It’s just plain bizarre.

For a more extenstive discussion on how much white people love outdoor performance clothes, check out Stuff White People Like, because it’s made number #87 on their list.

I really love vertical gardens and green walls – they seem absolutely perfect for today’s society where space and land are at a premium.

Pont Max Juvénal, Aix-en-Provence, by Patrick Blanc

Here are a few living walls from around the world. Although these are all on a larger scale, I think they make great inspiration for home gardens, whether they be indoors or outside. Green walls are usually planted on a structure that holds them away from the wall in order prevent structural damage.

There are two different types of green walls. The first is the facade greening wall, which is a wall covered with a climbing plant, such as ivy, that is rooted in the ground. The second type of green wall is the living walls, which is a wall in which the plants are actually rooted into a growing medium along side the wall. This type of design requires a special irrigation system, generally an automated drip system fed from the rain water collected off the roof. I’m sure there are many irrigation systems that you could use for a smaller or indoor living wall.

Here are a few examples, most of which are living walls…clealy Patrick Blanc must be on to something, since he seems to be designing most of the large scale project.

living wall at the Museé du Quai Branly, by Patrick Blanc

BVH Homme facade in Paris, also by Patrick Blanc

And a few at home green walls made with kits from ELT Living Walls

So, yeah – in conclusion vertical walls are the bomb. Although I’ve been living in my apartment for oh, say, six months, I’m still not really moved in. Hopefully by the end of this summer I’ll have installed a vertical garden – most likely a living wall. Although perhaps I should have included planting a green wall on my list of new things to do?

If you’re going to plant a vertical garden or green wall check out ELT Living Walls as well as this article on the Building Design & Construction Network on 6 Things You Need to Know About Green Walls.