modaalalaurel

new steps.

2010-06-27T16:31:00.000-07:00

i'm currently in the middle of transitioning to something new and improved. keep your eyes peeled for a link sometime soon.

oh, hello old friend

2010-06-10T14:20:00.000-07:00

house of cards - radiohead

blurred.

2010-06-10T13:55:00.000-07:00

These past two weeks have been such a blur. All i can really do to differentiate between days are to glance at some photos.

I went to see Rage Against the Machine at Finsbury Park:

While Rage isn't normally something I listen to on a daily basis, it was the most fun i've ever had at a gig. Ever.

Photoshooting with classmates:

It's hard to beat sitting on a park bench in Amsterdam under the sun with a best friend:

Supporting artist Ventza at the Upper Playground (with a bit of King Noir thrown in):

Celebrating with classmates:

The Black Atlantic, supporting the Tallest Man on Earth at the Tabernacle:

The Tallest Man on Earth at the Tabernacle:

Stealing flowers..

End.

hey there, handsome.

2010-05-30T16:23:00.000-07:00

kristian matsson a.k.a. the tallest man on earth.

music

2010-05-24T17:18:00.000-07:00

i've been listening to...

1. the tallest man on earth - the wild hunt
2. the avett brothers - mignonette
3. deer tick - born on flag day
4. she & him - volume one
5. coconut records - davy
6. gregory alan isakov - that sea, the gambler
7. blind melon - blind melon
8. audioslave - audioslave
9. muse - absolution
10. the national - high violet

photo: the tallest man on earth by johan stolpe

sweet darlin'

2010-05-22T17:22:00.000-07:00

spent the day in the early summer sunshine with some of my lovelies.

... and a little bit of she & him:

girls + bikes

2010-05-22T14:59:00.001-07:00

bikes are the best way to travel. not only are they probably the fastest way to get around in London, but you are also exercising and getting to know the city around you. have sort of been craving a bike here in London (especially in this lovely weather). although there's that whole other factor of danger. i think this is the only thing holding me back... i have heard so many freak stories about bike deaths around the city. but i guess if you're always scared of something, you'll never get anywhere right?

here are some inspiring pics from facehunter of girls with bikes around the world.

vintage poster from http://www.lvfixed.com
all photographs by yvan the facehunter

kirsten

2010-05-21T18:10:00.000-07:00

when i first read the virgin suicides, i was completely disturbed and somewhat mesmerized. the film holds the same place for me... i sort of hate to love it. anyways, the imagery, i think, is beautiful and i couldn't help but fall in love with kirsten dunst in it.

on another note, i've really admired kirsten's style lately. while i've never really noticed her before (she seemed like a try-too-hard), she is beginning to grow on me. she definitely has an effortless look that i know we all strive for, which is what is so appealing. i especially love these last two looks from the past week or so.

another day to dress up

2010-05-19T04:54:00.000-07:00

this girl not only has a great collection of vintage hats, but also one of the best vintage-filled wardrobes that i've seen.
check her out here.

photo from another day to dress up

she&him

2010-05-15T19:17:00.000-07:00

i've been listening to she & him on and off for the past few weeks. i'm upset that i missed them in both london and amsterdam due to sold out gigs slash inability to travel. i really enjoyed watching this video filled with endless children's costumes and a dreamy play world. i would completely love to live in this.

she & him - why do you let me stay here?

street

2010-05-11T15:10:00.000-07:00

on browsing through my blog reads, i found these two street style images that really spoke to me. both being completely individual as well as inspiring!

image via copenhagen street style
this girl's dress is entirely gorgeous, as well as the chunky jacket she layered on top. plus, i'm a sucker for bikes. i would love to own a bike in london one day! (especially with a wicker basket)

image via the satorialist
this vintage palette is perfect for spring. and her hair is devine!

baby girl

2010-05-10T02:31:00.000-07:00

willa maye.

i would probably give my left arm to be able to fly across the ocean right now to meet this baby girl.

edit: i am. thursday - boston/newport here i come.

quilts galore

2010-05-08T10:57:00.000-07:00

there's really nothing like going to the V&A on a sunny day. the inner courtyard is bustling with people drinking tea, eating sandwiches and soaking up the sun. it was especially sweet to see children excitedly prancing around in the wading pool.

the Grace Kelly exhibition was incredibly packed, so we decided to check out the Quilts exhibition. Quilts have always drawn me in... the love that goes into making them and the way that they can be so simple and classic but still so beautiful. someday i will definitely have a closer look into quilting and try to start one myself. looking at all these quilts from the 1800's is definitely a good motivator.

juxtaposed to all the historic quilts are modern quilts. although i didn't surely enjoy seeing a quilt dated 200 hundred years old sitting next to a quilt dating 2 years old, i still enjoyed seeing the ideas behind modern quilters. the one below is by Caren Garfen, who takes a strong feminist approach to quilting.

there is a lot to look at at this Quilts exhibition at the V&A. i highly recommend it for a lazy leisurely day, and don't forget to get some tea and cake with it in the courtyard.

Quilts is open til the 4th of July
iphone photographs by me

stripe a go go

2010-05-06T09:13:00.000-07:00

hanneli is one of my favorite go-to's for street style inspiration. she posted this one just today and reminded me of some striped shorts i also own. the photograph got me excited to break mine out for some warm sunshine in the summer.

photo by hanneli

everything vintage or secondhand

"I Got Nailed in Sweden"

2010-05-05T08:46:00.000-07:00

Feels like I've been sitting around all day today waiting for Mr. UPS man. I've drooled over these shoes for a little under a year now and never could decide on a style/color that I would love forever. Three weeks ago I finally decided and they were happily shipped over from beautiful Sweden.

These shoes are very happy to have a new loving home. I would like to thank Linda from Swedish Hasbeens for letting me know when to buy them and thank you Mom for listening to me rant about them way too many times to count.

Peep Toe Super High in Nature
Swedish Hasbeens

cats with bow ties

2010-05-05T04:53:00.000-07:00

i bet quite a few people already own this dress, seeing as the print is almost an exact copy of a Miu Miu SS10 print. but then, that's why i love it. it's affordable, fresh, and fun. i barely ever buy anything at zara... but how can you say no to cats in bow ties?

drop-waist dress: zara

robot gear

2010-05-03T09:12:00.000-07:00

it's no surprise that i'm obsessed with robots. mainly old tin toy robots. i even did a project on it last year in my fashion class. it doesn't help that i've been seeing cute robot housewares everywhere - i just want to collect them all!

a robot sits on a ledge in my room.

first off, i've had my eye on these mugs for ages. i first saw them in a cute shop here in Amsterdam, and then they followed me to Magma in Covent Garden.

these amazing mugs are designed by Big Tomato Company. you can get them straight off magma.com here

and then i was browsing homewares on urbanoutfitters.com (...as i do) and stumbled upon these little buggers:

robot salt and pepper shakers! a must. you can get them here.

last but not least, the same shop i first spotted the mugs in have been selling these robot USB sticks for awhile. sadly, i can't justify forking up the 30 euro to purchase one. but then i found them on this website (cheesy, but on sale for $25!)

this is really only the beginning of the awesome robot stuff i find. i'll keep updating if i stumble upon anything else (and please let me know if you see any cool robot stuff!)

nowhere boy

2010-05-02T12:07:00.000-07:00

yesterday afternoon i ventured to the Tuschinski with mom and sister to see a post-queens day film. we picked Nowhere Boy, a fairly recent film focused around John Lennon's days before the Beatles.

going to the Tuschinski is always a treat. built in the 1920's, it's quite the place to see a movie. the combination of architectural styles creates a beautiful yet dark atmosphere when you step into the lobby. there's nothing like an old theater to get you in a comfortable movie-watching mood.

lights in the tuschinski

i've always been a huge Beatles junkie. i think my obsession started around the age of 13, and continued for a solid two years. Beatles round the clock. it was the only thing i listened to. i wanted to learn the guitar. i wanted to visit Liverpool (..and i did). i wanted to live in the 60's just to witness their beginnings in real-time. now, everyone has their favorite Beatle. mine was definitely George. but John came in to a close second. i knew little of his bringing up before we walked into the theater... and in the end it was a truly touching story.

the cinematography alone is enough to watch the film. i was excited to hear it was directed by Sam Taylor-Wood, one of my favorite artists.

the costumes, music, and warmth of the movie really make it worth seeing. i know i'll for sure be going to see it again sometime soon.

photos of the film from nowhereboy.co.uk
photos of the tuschinski by me

koninginnedag en amsterdam

2010-05-02T10:43:00.001-07:00

queens day in amsterdam. april 30th.
think...

orange everything
party boats
beer
cheap no-tax junk
endless ear-blasting euro-music
ridiculous hats
drunk
happiness
crowds
loempia
friends

to some, this may seem like an unusual holiday. but it's the unusual ones that are always the best.

while some choose to start getting obliterated at 10 o'clock in the morning, i woke up casually and wandered the negen straatjes met mom. i've never bought anything on queens day that i absolutely loved, but this one was different. there were some great vintage dresses out and about as well as some fantastic hats! (i snagged two.) can't wait to wear them in the sunshine.

later i met up with one of best friends, riet. we dangled outside her window on the weteringschans, ate delicious focaccia, and drank some heineken (in true queens day fashion).

photos by me

Ooh Child

2010-04-29T04:02:00.000-07:00

my dad has the most immense record collection i've ever seen. when i was younger, we would sit for hours just going through them, him playing all his favorite songs and telling me the memories that go along with them.

while we went through countless records, i will always remember this one specifically. valerie carter: just a stone's throw away. the album cover was enough to make me fall in love with it. and then i heard her voice. oh, that voice.

on another note, i'm packing to jet over to amsterdam this afternoon. in need of some serious mom-cooked food and a couple of beers while celebrating koninginnedag tomorrow.

ooh child, things are gonna get easier
ooh child, things will be brighter.
valerie carter

doodle

2010-04-28T02:54:00.000-07:00

in all truth i haven't picked up a drawing pencil in a long time. and it's one of those things- once you stop for awhile, it takes that much more motivation to start again (cough, gym, cough). i forgot how soothing drawing can be.. just sort of forgetting the world around you. and it's just you, the pencil, and paper. instant mind therapy.

end of days at Sketchbook

2010-04-27T02:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my last official day at Sketchbook Magazine. I must say, I've never met so many amazing people in one place. The motivation, dedication, and love that goes into the magazine and pop-up shop is unbelievable, and I really can't wait to see Sketchbook grow into the name it deserves. I'm sad to leave but university work is so important to me right now and working at Sketchbook really is a full-time job.

I'll be posting some of what I learned there and some of what I worked on another time. For now, back to uni work!

photo by me.

dan in real life

2010-04-25T16:20:00.000-07:00

You know why we have lighthouses? They keep boats safe and they help us from crashing into rocks because when you're out there and you're being tossed back and forth by those big dark waves and you think you'll never feel land again and you that you could just split into a million pieces and just sink down all the way down into the deep, it's the light that keeps us on course. It's the light.

i really enjoy this film. the first time i watched it, it was blah. the second time, much better. it's strange seeing steve carell out of his typical humorous element. but strangely refreshing.

dan in real life.

PETER JENSEN sample sale!!

2010-04-19T12:41:00.000-07:00

Incredibly excited about this. I hope they have some great stuff (and i hope it's not expensive!) Peter Jensen makes me week at the knees. Work experience please??

http://peterjensen.co.uk/

Ed Templeton: Drinking The Kool-Aid

2010-04-17T12:15:00.001-07:00

About a week ago, we decided to watch the documentary Beautiful Losers over some dessert in our lovely kitchen (which doubles as our living room). I immediately fell in love with all the people who took part and the art that they were doing: the perfect movie to inspire me to start some art of my own again. If you have not seen it, you must!

The next day, my friends had randomly heard about an exhibition of one of the guys, Ed Templeton, that had just opened up in London. They had gone that day and even seen Ed leaving the gallery space (pretty cool!) I knew I had to go and see the gallery. Photography is a huge interest of mine, and the gallery (both the art AND the space itself) didn't let me down.

Focused on skateboarding life and culture, Ed Templeton photographs a variety of subjects, from his wife to young kids who have an interest in skating. His photographs are incredibly personal and quite frequently sexually driven. All of them are telling some sort of story, whether it's a 17 year old boy who has a limited future in front of him or an intimate moment with his wife.

One of my favorite things about Ed's photographs is the little handwritten inscription he gives all of them. They usually state where it was taken and the subject and sometimes even tells the story of the subject itself.

The curation of the exhibit was fantastic. Photo montages were grouped together on the walls enclosed in wooden frames. The white walls seemed to fade away amongst the art, which all spoke loudly to the eye.

Elms Lester Painting Rooms, London WC2
Gallery is open until April 17th.

all photos by me

COS, i love you.

2010-04-14T13:54:00.000-07:00

I first heard about COS about three years ago when one had just opened in the Hague. It was a whole big thing: how many stores really sell high fashion at good quality at a great price? Well, truthfully, not many. Sure, you can get your copy or knock off at Topshop, H&M, or Zara. I know whenever i go for a "copy" at these stores, I feel like I look great, but I don't necessarily feel great. In COS, you can get both, and what's better than that?

They're Spring '10 look book is full of this beautiful blonde model: perfect for their straight-up Swedish brand history. The clothes look loose, comfortable, and modern.

I pulled these two looks off their website (did I mention they have an amazing website?) I love the button-down with trouser combination. It's so simple, but never fails to look amazing. And, of course, the black harem. 80's comfort to the max.

COS is severely dangerous territory for me. Granted, it's "cheap" high fashion, but on a student budget, 50 £ for a pair of pants is no way cheap. However, there's something about the fit of the clothes, the comfort of the fabric, and the way I feel in them that almost completely makes me forget about price.

I'm not crazy about changing-room photographs, but it had to be done. This stripey dress just made me go crazy. It's comfort to another level and modern with a classic twist. When laid down flat without a hanger, this dress is literally a massive square with tight little sleeves. Yet, on, this dress is a masterpiece of draped cotton.

I do have a nice little collection of high-waisted casual trousers. Something about COS trousers is always appealing on the floor models, as well as seeing the staff walk around in them. They're that perfect fit that I feel I can only get from a store like COS. Despite my short height, I don't feel like the trousers go way past my ankles in any way. Yes, these are cropped, but they hit my ankle in the best spot. I can't wait to wear these items with my åhléns clogs. (i still dream about my future swedish hasbeens every night.)

Images via COS at COSstores.com and me.

Karen Walker

2010-04-11T16:55:00.000-07:00

i always enjoy the top floor of urban outfitters on oxford street, where they stock higher designer names with higher prices. my favorites on this floor are pretty consistent: peter jensen, cheap monday, and karen walker. i'd been browsing through loads of websites this evening, and it dawned on me that i haven't checked out karen walker's website before. for the first time, i looked at images of the karen walker runway shows, and boy, do i like what i see!

now, it's pretty easy to see why i like this collection. sailor stripes, fun prints, a summer-ease feel, and the occasional floppy hat. i would completely live in that jacket in the third image.

but karen walker isn't your typical designer. the fit of her garments are always fantastic and sometimes non-conventional. i don't necessarily always think clothes need to hug the body. while some girls love to wear body-hugging outfits, i always love an interesting silhouette. this may be a gorgeous tent-dress or baggy trousers with a fitted top. karen walker has a great sense of silhouettes, "with one foot in tailoring and the other in streetwear" - a look which i can see myself immersed in.

images: karenwalker.com

Playing with Polyvore

2010-04-11T16:40:00.001-07:00

Dreamy Day at the Marsh by ModaALaLaurel featuring Swedish Hasbeens shoes

Items in this set:
Open Studio Dress-Mod Retro Indie Clothing & Vintage Clothes, $58
Lace-up Boot - Swedish Hasbeens
Shutter Speed Bag-Mod Retro Indie Clothing & Vintage Clothes, $300
Fashion Squad

Broadway Market and London Fields

2010-04-10T11:32:00.000-07:00

Today the sun was shining bright and possibly the warmest day yet of the year. We decided to take Yvan's advice and check out Broadway Market, as well as sit in the park in London Fields. It was definitely a successful day, filled with sunglasses, love and pancakes.

Tom, Rosie, and Emily sift through discounted magazines and booklets in Broadway Market.

...dreaming of living on the Regents Canal

Emily basks in the sun in front of our home.

An old school car randomly situated in front of an old tagged-up building.

All photos by me on a gorgeous London day.

Sketchbook Magazine + Pop-Up Shop

2010-04-10T10:56:00.000-07:00

I've been lucky enough to get involved with Sketchbook Magazine for the past 5 or so weeks. I've been helping with PR, writing, and anything else that needs doing. Starting with Sketchbook coincided with the opening of the Sketchbook Pop-Up shop on 10 Newburgh Street, Carnaby. We've spent endless hours, morning to night, in the shop preparing, PRing, and perfecting everything that we could to get it smoothly done. The fabulous Rachel Menashy has been planning the project since January with editor-in-chief Wafa Alobaidat, both of whom are amazing people. I'm so in awe of both of them, and so grateful to be a part of such a fantastic project.

The walls in the downstairs rooms have been decorated top to bottom by some of the UK's most talented young artists (the above image from a room done by Annie Driscoll). You can't help but be inspired wandering the rooms where every little corner is filled with detail.

Various lectures, panels, and workshops have been held in the shop so far. Endless names from the fashion industry and art world have graced the shop, to both speak and be inspired by our cozy space. Just yesterday I was sitting next to Lee Lapthorne of On/Off, having a discussion about how he started and how he got to where he is now. Each lecture and panel are written up on our Sketchbook Blog, which you can read here.

Quick shot taken before the crowds started arriving at the launch. Pictured: Wafa, Me, Emma, Hanna, Norah.

All photographs from above by Sarolta Marton.

Photo by Yvan Rodic the Facehunter. I love how this photo perfectly captures the essence of our "office" room.

Here are the covers for the next issue, soon to be launched. I love how these portraits have been taken to the next level with Henry's infamous lettering and Prince Pelayo's safety pins. Artwork done by Kelly Jackson with decorations by Lala Lee.

absense

2010-04-07T16:45:00.000-07:00

i've been extremely busy with an internship which i will speak more of later. but i just had to put this gorgeous photo of alix the cherry blossom girl up. the epitome of style perfection and photographic elegance:

photo: the cherry blossom girl

zooey

2010-03-25T14:48:00.000-07:00

NEWPORT FOLK FEST 2010

2010-03-25T01:50:00.001-07:00

i've been attending the Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island on and off ever since i was a kid. i always associated it with my parents and their music taste. never did i realize that i, too, would be into the same music at a later age.

last summer's folk festival was incredibly fun. how can you say no to hot sun and live music on the waterfront? and delicious falafals and ice cold lemonade?

needless to say, i was excited when my sister sent me an email with the lineup for summer '10.

the avett brothers at paradiso

2010-03-24T16:50:00.000-07:00

seeing the avett brothers at the relentless garage in london only made me hungry to see more of them. i was ecstatic to see them at the paradiso in my home of amsterdam. and of course, they didn't let me down.

the number of dutch people at the concert was actually surprising. in london, the show was a majority of americans. however, seeing numbers and numbers of dutch people made me smile: the avett brothers are finally getting the fame and huge international fan base that they deserve.

looking at these pictures makes me nostalgic of the atmosphere and the energy at the show. everyone was so in love with the music, jumping around and stomping. at the encore, the crowd even sang them back to the lala's in "go to sleep".

all in all, it was a fabulous time. to be able to share the show with my family and my lovely was truely an amazing feeling. it's so great to be able to share music with those you love. it makes it that more personal and enjoyable.

all photos by me. paradiso, amsterdam

2010-03-23T16:02:00.001-07:00

this past weekend in amsterdam was the best weekend vacation. family, love, good food, good friends, avocados, cherry beer, red wine, new music, bike riding in sunshine, and the avett brothers. i couldn't even ask for anything more.

here's my new favorite musician: gregory alan isakov. it will definitely be on repeat for a long time coming. thanks, aleks, for finding him! this is my favorite song thus far:

miu miu

2010-03-22T02:05:00.000-07:00

these shoes not only belong to alexa chung, but also the beautiful cherry blossom girl. endlessly envious. these shoes are a work of art.

picture via the cherry blossom girl

robert and phyllis brown

2010-03-17T17:41:00.000-07:00

my grandparent's wedding. these images are still frames from original film footage (yes, film!) recently discovered and currently being remastered.

watching all this old film footage really makes me happy. it's so great to see your family before you and how they lived. it looks straight out of a movie. absolute perfection.

the avett brothers at the relentless garage

2010-03-16T18:12:00.000-07:00

i was so looking forward to this gig for so long, and it didn't disappoint in the least. their voices are even better in person and the constant banjo just makes my world a little bit brighter.

i hope to push my way to the front at paradiso on monday to get some even better shots. these were the best i could do standing behind a 6 foot tall man. i never really realize how small i am until i go to gigs. everyone seems miles taller than me.

room

2010-03-13T08:28:00.000-08:00

a set of matryoshka dolls i got in russia.

new top from COS sits on my bookshelf.

beloved deer head decoration. i've already started collecting these.

wall of frames and trinkets. this wall has built up slowly since i moved in.

i love tin toys. and a mini amsterdam canal house above my door.

style inspiration

2010-03-13T08:25:00.000-08:00

first and third images: facehunter
second image: hanneli mustaparta

frinton-on-sea

2010-03-13T07:54:00.000-08:00

last sunday, we ventured out of london in a little red car and spent a few hours in frinton-on-sea. we had a lovely sunday roast, walked the beach and froze, and headed to a cafe for tea and cake. this is probably my favorite way to spend a sunday. it was nice to see what england looks like outside of london.

exit through the gift shop

2010-03-12T10:10:00.000-08:00

Wednesday night I went to see the much anticipated film Exit Through the Gift Shop: A Banksy Film.

At first glance, I thought the film would entirely focus on multiple street artists and what they do. But as the film went on, it all funneled down to artist Mister Brainwash (MBW) and his inspirations. While i thoroughly enjoyed the film, I left the cinema confused and angry at society for accepting an artist such as MBW. While he does take ideas and transform them to be his own, every piece is directly inspired by his close friends (consisting of space invader, shepard fairey, and banksy to name a few). While he may be "genius", he doesn't even create most of his works and sells his pieces for thousands of dollars. I was both angry in his artist lifestyle, but surprised how amazing it is that a man with minimal artistic skills can succeed in the art world with such flying colors.

The film was a great representation of the ever-present street art era. Now people do appreciate graffiti as an art form, and this appreciation is growing. I really enjoyed watching this documentary, and would happily go see it again.

a perfect orange

2010-03-09T10:35:00.000-08:00

this photo of australian model abbey lee at paris fashion week is just so perfect, i can't take my eyes off her. i love this outfit.

image courtesy of altamira

reading week.

2010-03-06T16:21:00.000-08:00

theres nothing much better then flying into schiphol, taking the train to amsterdam centraal, and seeing this when i step out of the station. the air is fresh, the sun was shining, the architecture is beautiful. canal houses in amsterdam still never fail to take my breath away, even after almost three and a half years of being able to call the city my home.

i spent a few days catching up with m'lovely in den haag. here's a view of holland's vast fields on what turned out to be another gray day..

friday afternoon i ended up eating my favorite appel spek pancake with my mom. we tried a different place out this time. the wall was amazing, covered with all sorts of old dutch bills and fake american money.

tomorrow i venture out to the english country side for a day. can't wait for some adventures bound to happen.

bright shiny morning

2010-03-06T15:55:00.000-08:00

i started reading James Frey's A Million Little Pieces after my sister recommended it to me as one of her favorite books of all time. straight up, if my sister recommends a book to me, i know its going to be good... especially if its one of her favorites. i immediately fell in love with the story. the character's addiction was like my addiction to the book and it was impossible to put down. soon after, i read the follow up novel, My Friend Leonard, which didn't let me down. i don't care that he made the story up. isn't that what writers are good at anyway?

yesterday i got my hands on Bright Shiny Morning, and 10 pages in and i'm already hooked. its different then his other two but his writing style is the same. it's his writing style that really draws you in. its hypnotic, repetitive, and full of real emotion. i can't wait for my evenings full of cups of tea and this book..

also, pardon my spaz posting. i really would like to get into a routine of constant gradual posts but i'm having trouble with so many exciting things going on currently in my life. i promise to get better at it soon, but soon might not come for awhile. in the meantime, i really enjoy writing about things that interest me as they come. sometimes it just takes longer to come to me i guess...

i want to live in a peter jensen world...

2010-03-06T15:06:00.000-08:00

... where we live in a land that looks like a sketch and where we dress like modern school girls with a vintage twist. would love to play dress up with every item in this collection. mmm that swing coat and luxurious white flowy top!

images Peter Jensen AW10 from style.com

i love her.

2010-03-06T14:44:00.000-08:00

...why i love chloë sevigny

Elle UK April 2010

LOL

2010-03-02T15:47:00.001-08:00

perhaps i did succumb to the whole twilight robert pattinson thing for awhile. yes, i like to make fun of myself for it and take it lightly, but it's all in good fun!

this said, i'm also a huge fan of Jimmy Fallon's skits entitled "robert is bothered". they really are hilarious. and then i stumbled upon this new one which just over did it for me... in a good way.

permanent vacation

2010-03-01T08:12:00.000-08:00

i'm a huge fan of the swedish brand Permanent Vacation. they're clothes are so perfect and i wish i could purchase every single piece. here are a few looks i fell in love with from their SS'10 collection.

all photographs courtesy of permanent vacation.

my monday afternoon...

2010-03-01T06:39:00.001-08:00

it's sunny today for the first time in what feels like months. it's even warm enough to keep my windows open for more then five minutes! although theres a slight chill, it's a perfect preview to London springtime, and i'm already incredibly excited for those days in the park with sketchbooks, sandwiches, and vintage dresses.

i'm wearing this dress from Paper Dress on Curtain Road. in my opinion, the BEST place to get vintage dresses. while they're not incredibly cheap (they're similarily priced to beyond retro), they are all altered to perfect fit and style.

i have a little sofa chair perfectly positioned right next to my window. its great for people watching and sun bathing.

currently reading the new issue of Lula magazine (issue ten). definitely one of my favorite magazines. its so dreamy...

and listening to white lies with a cup of tea. perfect monday afternoon!

flop

2010-02-24T09:09:00.000-08:00

the american apparel "vintage" floppy bow was hard to pass up. it reminds me of a modern take of 1920's headbands. it may not be the most practical thing in the world and if not worn right i'm sure it looks ridiculous. but i love hair accessories, vintage or vintage-inspired. why don't more people wear hats these days?

get yours here

i want a taste of a bright day

2010-02-24T08:46:00.000-08:00

let's forget about the world

shooting john

t-2 months until some warmth

2010-02-15T18:32:00.000-08:00

only two months to go until april/may. now thats not too long is it? given the idea that it will actually be warmer in london by then..

this photograph makes me happy. i took it in my house in america. its warm, inviting, summer beachy, and comforting. i can't wait for those days again in the summer.. no matter how long they last.

hearing damage

2010-02-15T18:26:00.000-08:00

frilly pants

2010-02-13T06:28:00.000-08:00

vintage underwear as outerwear

valentines love.

2010-02-13T05:44:00.001-08:00

clearly it's not valentines day until tomorrow. but i woke up this morning to a rowdy mailman frantically knocking on our door. it was a massive box with my name on it! inside was these lovely balloons and a box of chocolates. it made my weekend, thank you family!

hannah&landon

2010-02-12T17:59:00.000-08:00

hannah&landon's beautiful vintage new york city life style is so inspiring. her photographs and hat collection are more then worthy. her blog is definitely worth the glance. click here.

photos from hannah&landon metz.

ill with want

2010-02-12T17:33:00.000-08:00

my weekend in america. fun-filled with ice skating/dangerous endeavors, haircuts, and delicious food.

basically we're twins..

a weekend may be a short time to be back in my native country, but any more or less might make it not so special. during my time at home, i'm always reminded of what true comfort is. getting everyone together that i love entirely in one place is a difficult feat, but once accomplished, i will be endlessly happy.
but it's these rare occurrences that make it so special. it is hard to define a single home when your torn between three different places. my dad always told us that "home is where your heart is." can your heart be split in three?

H! by Henry Holland

2010-02-11T08:44:00.000-08:00

while scanning through henry holland's twitter updates, which are always fun and entertaining, i found a link to his collaboration with debenhams! i'm so happy to have stumbled upon it.. henry is one of my favorite designers, and this line is totally affordable and wearable! i quickly picked out only a few of my favorite pieces.

all pieces H! by Henry Holland at Debenhams. Shop here!

it's fantastic that there are so many great basics for cheap (with clever henry signatures) as well as some crazy fun prints to get me excited for spring.

i'll clearly be stopping by debenhams to handle the pieces in person tomorrow after class. yesssss.

JEEZ, LOUISE

2010-02-10T15:14:00.000-08:00

the more i look at the likes of Louise Gray, the more I love it.

How about this dress and brooch available from asos? YES PLEASE LOUISE!

asos.com

dreaming of the sun

2010-01-31T13:40:00.000-08:00

after the snow fall the other day (again.. my god will it please stop being cold?) i began to think of warm weather again. i pulled out this bikini looks a month ago or so and have been dreaming of them since. i've been scared to wear a high-waisted bikini before because of strange tan lines, but am actually really excited to maybe have my first one this year. the first and third are from urban outfitters, the middle one is from modcloth.com.

över min döda kropp

2010-01-31T13:28:00.000-08:00

i ventured into Rock Paper Scissors in Amsterdam today (on the Oude Leliestraat) and was ecstatic to see that a Kostym jacket that i had my eye on since the summer was on sale 50% off. i always love going into this store, not only for the strong scandanavian brands that they keep in stock, but also the wide selection of clothing styles. of course i immediately grabbed this jacket (pictured about at the cheap monday show aw09) and am now the proud owner of it. can't wait to put on, with an emily jane bow brooch on it of course x

week-end.

2010-01-31T09:05:00.000-08:00

our love was lost
but now we found it.
temper trap.

music therapy

2010-01-28T16:05:00.000-08:00

Ten thousand words swarm around my head

Ten million more in books written beneath my bed
I wrote or read them all when searching in the swarms
Still can't find out how to hold my hands


been listening to the avett brothers on a non-stop basis. they have the most beautiful voices and their lyrics are like magic. i have currently hit a minor speed bump and they are my cure. excited to see them play in london and amsterdam on their first tour overseas.

back from paris yesterday with a bucket full of photos and a handful of new friends. had a fabulous time and learned a lot about the pret a porter tradeshow.

friday xiii

2010-01-24T13:13:00.000-08:00

come on baby, you got something to lose
i'll buy you new clothes, i'll buy you new shoes
all kinds of things you really couldn't use
                                                                             but all i need is you.

paris dans la matinée

2010-01-24T12:53:00.000-08:00

tomorrow morning i am catching a train to paris with my fellow classmates. we're attending the pret a porter trade show on tuesday, and exploring the city the rest of the time. excited to travel, make new friends, take photographs and soak up the paris-je ne sais quoi with multiple glasses of wine and french cider.

pictures by me in Paris, April 2009 x

HoH

2010-01-24T04:16:00.001-08:00

one of my favorite christmas presents: the house of holland alphabet tights! they're just so fun. thank you jessica and eileen!

portobello market

2010-01-24T04:11:00.000-08:00

ventured down to portobello market again this saturday with my good friend. we ate italian food and wandered the many vintage stalls! and of course looked at all the antique items with envy. the atmosphere on a saturday is so crowded and uncomfortable. sadly, the sun wasn't shining. i hope we get some english sun soon, or else i might turn into a goblin.

beginnings

2010-01-21T15:54:00.001-08:00

the night it all started. oh, what a night. its an old photo, not the best and clearly badly cropped, but its all i have to remember. april 1, 2007. not that i'm a person for dates or anything..

i miss my aleks. hopefully only a few more weeks til we are reunited again.

secret santa

2010-01-19T09:35:00.000-08:00

my flatmates and i decided to do a "secret santa" this christmas, and we didn't get around to actually doing it til last night. i'm happy we did though, because my friend tom got me this AMAZING mustache mug! its possibly the best thing in the world right now. this side is the Charlie Chaplin stache, and the other side is a more classic thick curled stache. i love it!

lace-collared cardigan and pastel floral blazer

2010-01-19T09:02:00.000-08:00

while at brick lane on sunday i did manage to swing by Beyond Retro. in all truth, the place is hard to avoid. it takes a lot of effort to rummage through countless racks in one of the largest vintage stores i've encountered thus far, but it always pays off. i found this sweater glowing at me from across the room with its beautiful lace collar attached. and then this blazer popped out amongst the crowd. both are very exciting pieces that i'm happy to add to my wardrobe. i'm glad to have energy to look for vintage, because i most definitely had a recent phase where i couldn't be bothered. happily, i'm back into my usual vintage craze and it feels great.

heres a velvet bow i also picked up at beyond retro. it has this perfect netting on it, which looks great when i wear my hair up.

my new favorite brooch

2010-01-17T08:56:00.000-08:00

i was given this brooch as a gift yesterday by my magnificently talented friend and flatmate, Emily. she has been making loads of small accessories and hair pieces lately and selling them around london. i hope to do a feature on her work soon!

i ventured down to brick lane market today for a wander. while the market is still full of energy and excitement, not much has changed since the past month or so. all the stalls are the same, and i can't even count the number of jewelry stands selling similar things. while i still love brick lane, spitafields and portobello are quickly becoming new favorites. get some new creative stalls, brick lane!

edie and andy

2010-01-16T16:45:00.000-08:00

                                         i began looking at edie during a very transitional stage in my life. i was discovering art, discovering a definition of beauty, and taking my first steps in exploring fashion. i felt like i could relate to her but i couldn’t. i felt like i wanted to be her, but i really didn’t. shes so inspiring, so devastating, so tragic. such beautiful creatures can only be so tragic. i hate her story and love it at the same time. what is it about a reckless beautiful life that is so intriguing?

pictures: girlonfire.com

copenhagen inspiration

2010-01-15T15:41:00.000-08:00

i love these woolen trousers paired with this airy peasant blouse. don't they have quite a few at zara at the moment? i might have to take a peek in there..

image via Copenhagen Street Style

school daze

2010-01-14T04:02:00.000-08:00

back to school today. time to get into that routine again. its funny how when your on holiday for too long, you just want to do something. now that i've started, however, i just want to do nothing.
want what you can't have..

found this top last year at Beyond Retro. these shorts are my new favorite from Episode in Amsterdam. they were some sort of suede pant that's been shortened. they're actually longer then this, but it's a weird length on my short legs. they look much cuter rolled up twice!

joosje

2010-01-14T03:31:00.000-08:00

i got this stunning jacket at Joosje, a vintage store on spuistraat. it fits me like a glove and hugs my waist perfectly. now i must find the perfect time to wear it.

what i'll miss about being home

2010-01-12T06:41:00.000-08:00

cups of tea in my Blonde Amsterdam mug and little afternoon snacks.

magical things in Amsterdam that haven't changed for hundreds of years

skating on canals with mom and drinking hot chocolate with dad.

lovely nooks in my house that the light hits just right at the perfect time of day.

fresh flowers all the time and lovely wall decorations.

i'm leaving to go back to school in London tomorrow. its always hard to go back after long periods of time. its like starting all over again: boyfriend withdrawal, mom's food withdrawal, dishwasher and dryer withdrawal. thank goodness i have a great group of friends to go back to. my days will quickly be filled up with school and my internship. i do hope to make some changes this year.. some new years resolutions of some sort i guess. 1) be more active in recreational activities. go to more movies, go to more pubs with my friends, and see some more live music. i'm sick of being lazy and tired all the time. 2) become fit. join the gym. take yoga classes. make this a routine! 3) meet new people. make some new friends. 4) become more immersed in the vintage market. learn about how shops work, get some experience!

currently listening to fleet foxes. this ones my favorite off this album today:

swedish hasbeens

2010-01-11T16:18:00.001-08:00

i've been drooling over these shoes for a little under a year now. mainly, ever since i saw them on swedish blogger Amanda, i've been so obsessed with this clog-style. although shoes had a brief disgust of clogs in our stiletto-heeled decade, i do think clogs are making a huge come back. they've been seen on all street style photographers in at least the past year and there's usually at least one person sporting these Swedish Hasbeens at each fashion week.

i do currently own a knock-off pair of SH from Åhléns, which i was kindly shown by aleks's sister, who also owns a pair. while this satisfies my clog-needs, i will most definitely start saving for these beauties.

in the meantime, check out Amanda and Olivia's blog, moderniteter, if you haven't already! this blog is definitely one of the roots of my personal style. about three years ago, aleks told me to take a look at swedish fashion bloggers and this was the first one i stumbled upon. it quickly became my favorite all time blog (even though i can't read swedish... yet). these sisters are absolutely stunning. i would love to dive into both of their closets.

photos courtesy of swedish hasbeens and moderniteter.

brick lane via facehunter.

2010-01-11T15:22:00.000-08:00

who knew a vintage long green coat would look so good on a gray weather day at brick lane? yet for a tiny girl like me, add some heels and a couple days at the gym to make this work...

picture via facehunter

ice skating with aleks

2010-01-10T17:31:00.000-08:00

miss chloë sevigny

2010-01-10T15:32:00.000-08:00

there aren't many people that i like to follow when it comes to personal style. all in all, i'm most inspired by people i see in the city, occasional movies, books, and my friends. however, under celebs and musicians, i do have a weakness for the likes of zooey deschanel, mary-kate olsen, and of course miss chloë sevigny.

now, i can't say i know much about chloë. what i do know is that she's a fantastic actress (i've only seen her in "kids"), shes got a collaboration with opening ceremony, and she occasionally writes for elle magazine. her personal style is so fantastic and i simply love looking at photographs of her. shes a natural with the camera and has a beauty that is effortless. chloë, i must say, i am a huge fan.

click on collage to see it larger..

photos come from http://www.chloesevigny.com/, http://www.chloe-sevigny.org/, http://www.actressarchives.com/chloe/

currently listening..

2010-01-07T04:51:00.000-08:00

minimarket SS'10

2010-01-06T07:30:00.000-08:00

i absolutely adore this collection. those creamsicle colors and that perfect scandanavian fit = stunning. this is how i want to look this spring.

photo from post at http://www.rodeo.net/agnes-b/2009/06/29/minimarket-och-possy-konceptet/

mko

2010-01-06T07:06:00.000-08:00

i really can't stop loving this outfit of MKO. everytime i see it on a blog, i'm reminded of it's amazingness. theres something gorgeous about a small frame wearing a large menswear jacket. time to buy a pastel-peach mens blazer.

photo: http://olsensanonymous.blogspot.com/

another one of those days

2010-01-02T06:19:00.000-08:00

why have i never really looked at this site?

2009-12-23T06:27:00.001-08:00

http://lookbook.nu/

this site is amazing. every outfit post is beautifully taken and all the members are totally inspiring. i know i've heard of it before, but for some reason never spent quite enough time on the site to really get to know it.

i've already found a whole list of new bloggers to follow. i definitely recommend anyone interested in fashion to take a peek at it.

NYC

2009-12-17T19:42:00.001-08:00

training down to one of my favorite cities tomorrow with two of my favorite people. so excited

on repeat: coconut records - davy

2009-12-16T20:53:00.000-08:00

love at first sight

2009-12-14T16:52:00.001-08:00

photobooth is clearly the best quality

2009-11-23T11:53:00.000-08:00

i hate taking photos with photobooth but the truth is i can't be bothered until i get into a proper blogging routine.

these pants are pretty sweet. they're mens pants made into a rouched-harem-highwaisted masterpiece. from no other than one of my favorite vintage stores, Episode, in de negen straatjes, amsterdam.

countdown til thanksgiving in amsterdam: 3 days!

pierrot. / (delayed halloween post)

2009-11-23T11:49:00.000-08:00

i was happy not to be recognized on halloween. blonde hair + white face + creepy doll lips = fun.

Halloween Inspirations

2009-10-25T12:49:00.000-07:00

It's always a challenge to discover what you want to be for Halloween. It's a whole new persona that you get to create, a whole new character that you get to be. No one needs to recognize you and you can pretend not to be yourself for a whole day (or weekend in London's case). An opportunity like this only happens once a year, and I plan to take full advantage of it.

Pierrot Image credits: Google Images, Tatty Devine

kitchen tins

2009-10-23T14:33:00.000-07:00

Have I ever mentioned how much I love my first apartment? I'm sharing it with a few of my closest friends from last year. It's so sweet, everything you could ask for. It has granny-styled swans tiled in the bathroom and a brand new kitchen fit for lovely students like ourselves. We've decorated accordingly and it's so cozy! Ah, home.

london fashion week

2009-10-22T17:51:00.001-07:00

i wish i had been a bit more involved with london fashion week SS10. the security seemed tighter at the one show i tried to get into, but i should have just kept at it for other shows. sadly i've adapted the schedule of a grandmother. going to bed early, waking up early, going to work/school, going home, making dinner. it's comforting, but will soon get tiresome with the gray winter depression fast approaching.

woes

2009-10-06T16:51:00.000-07:00

no internet = i feel like i'm missing a chunk out of my life. that's a no to my daily blog reads and a no to "can i keep up with all the events of the various fashion weeks?". its quite sad that internet has this affect on me. but soon, my friend, soon will i be reconnected to the world!

cat-eye glasses (its a necklace). tatty devine.
jumper. topshop.

dreamy

2009-08-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

there's something about mustard yellow that makes me weak at the knees.

modcloth.com

D(G)rool

2009-08-05T20:55:00.001-07:00

jag älskar sverige

2009-08-05T16:32:00.000-07:00

i went to sweden with my one and only, and had an amazing time. i really wish i could be back there this minute! needless to say, i hope to soon be learning swedish and planning my future life there...

the past 5 months in photographs

2009-08-05T16:05:00.000-07:00

the past 5 months have been extremely eventful. i feel so lucky to have been able to travel countlessly and see so much for someone my age. i've made new friends, had tons of new inspiration, and have discovered a few more cities to add to my top 10. i have tons more to learn and can't wait to start my first year at the london college of fashion in the fall, living with some my favorite people i've met thus far.

that said, here is a photo summary of where i've been, who i've been with, and what i love.

rainy day

2009-03-03T05:40:00.001-08:00

i haven't written in what feels like years. i guess its safe to say that schools gotten the better of me. the amount of work that i've had in the past few months has been insane yet enjoyable. still more to come though...

sitting inside my room on a rainy london day. its one of those days when the rains pattering on the window. its soothing to listen to as i start research for a new project. we got to choose our own brief for this project, and i'm thinking of doing it on robots and old toy packaging.