Tribute to Hermione Granger

I'm freaking out a little about the last Harry Potter film.  But more on that in a bit.  First a piece of randomness.

I picked this up at Paper Source yesterday.  It's technically a piece of wrapping paper, but I got it to hang on my wall because it was wayyyy too cute to be ripped apart while someone opens a present.  It's an old school map of Paris, and it was about $4.  If you wanted to go all out with your affordable wall art, you could get a couple different ones of these and frame them (Paper Source also had some really adorable London-themed ones).

On another note, I'm seeing Harry Potter tomorrow night and I am SO PUMPED.  I know this sounds melodramatic, but that series was actually my childhood.  The first one came out when I was six, and I literally spent ages 6-16 reading the books, watching the movies, waiting for new books to come out every summer.  Plus Hermione was kind of my role model--the slightly awkward smarty pants who none-the-less still gets to be girly and kind of badass.  Also she has my awkward brownish-blonde natural hair color, so I have to love her for that.  I broke down and I'm rewatching a lot of the movies in preparation (since I left the books at home, sad face), and thought I'd share with y'all how I'd dress up as Hermione to go see the movie.


Now, my thing with dressing up for movies is that I like to interpret the character's looks, not go in a full-out costume.  So Hermione's uniform is the pleated skirt, flats, grey v-neck sweater, and then Gryffindor accessories.  


J. Crew Merino V-neck Sweater, $59.50 at jcrew.com, Miu Miu Pleated Wool-blend Mini Skirt, $565 at net-a-porter.com: The grey sweater is easy enough to work around.  I'd do this incarnation from J. Crew because it's nice and fitted, so it doesn't feel frumpy, and it's just the right length, not too long or too short.  I'd pair it with this Miu Miu mini skirt.  The pleated skirt is a little harder to work with.  You don't want to go too literal and have it actually look like a school uniform (high school flashback.  Ack), which is why I like that this one is black and short.  It has a little bit more of a grown-up vibe to it.  The fitted sweater and pleated mini combo has the same bones as Hermione's uniform, it's just a little sexier.

Forever 21 Asian Inspiration Necklace, $8.80 at forever21.com, Tory Burch Nappa Leather Reva Ballet Flats, $195 at shopbop.com: As for accessories, I like the gold and red Forever 21 necklace.  It has the Gryffindor colors, which is fab, and a bit of an exotic vibe that I think Hermione would appreciate.  Plus the pop of color helps take the outfit out of drab, school uniform territory and gives it a fun twist.  I'd do this simple pair of ballet flats to cap it all off.  Boots or heels with a skirt that short can be a little much, and I think Hermione would do a clean but cute shoe like this pair.

Have any of y'all seen the movie?  What did you think?


Images via shopbop.com, net-a-porter.com, jcrew.com, forever21.com.

I Blame Blogger

Sooooo last week was a failure.  I'll take the blame for Tuesday and Wednesday because I was moving out of my dorm and flying home to LA, but Thursday and Friday Blogger was totally down and I couldn't log in, so not my fault!  Stupid blogger.  One day I will switch to Tumblr.  One day.  When I become less lazy.


In the meantime, I did some shopping at H&M over the weekend.  I'll share the rest of what I got with y'all over the week, but first up is this blush pink top (totally the color I want to paint my room).  It was like $15, and it's a slouchy, slightly off-the-shoulder top with a little cowl neck and a black waist tie.  I just think it's really cute and the waist tie is flattering.  I like that you can adjust the top to be more off-the-shoulder or more low-cut in front based how you pull the draping.  I'll probably wear it with equestrian inspired boots and jeans or with a black pencil skirt and a cardigan for work and such.

In unrelated news, I finally got around to reading A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff.  A friend recommended it to me like forever ago, and I hit up the library this past weekend to get a bunch of books (I'm like a kid in a candy store there) and grabbed this.  It's about a mid-thirties girl named Phoebe Swift who quits her job at Sotheby's to start a vintage clothing store.  There's some personal development/romance/history stuff in the background, but the part that really fascinated me was reading about all the vintage clothes and their stories, especially these 4 American prom dresses.  They're all different colors and Phoebe sees all these different girls try them on but each dress has a specific girl that it 'belongs' with and it's fun to see how the girls and the dresses end up together.  It's a fun, light but not trashy book that you can read in an afternoon.  Warning, however: it will make you want to buy a LOT of vintage clothes.

Image via amazon.com.

Amanda Seyfried for Elle

Oh Friday.  How I love you.  Today is all about pretty things (when is this blog not about pretty things?).  Oh, but before I forget, there's a Zoya promo that ends this Sunday where you can get two of the polishes from their two new summer collections (Sunshine, Mod Matte, and Summertime) for $10 with shipping.  Two polishes with shipping is usually at least twice that much, so it's a pretty good deal.  I picked up Areej, a soft muted cool fuschia pink, and Kimmy, a gleaming metallic candy apple red with gold sparkle--love me some glitter.


How to Dress for Success by Edith Head, $19.95 at shopbop.com: I love Edith Head.  I worship her work.  She was the costume designer for To Catch a Thief, Funny Face, Roman Holiday, Sabrina, All About Eve, Sunset Boulevard, and Sting (along with like a million other films).  She's won more Oscars than any other woman ever (8) and had 35 nominations.  So she knows what she's doing.  Here's an adorable reprinting of her personal style book, How to Dress for Success.  I haven't read it, but I love retro fashion advice, and it's really easy and fun to see what kind of advice is timeless and still works today (and if it worked then and works now it's probably worth following).

"In Like a Lamb," Amanda Seyfried for Elle April, shot by Alexei Hay.  I love this photoshoot.  I wish magazines would stop doing the 'pretty young starlet posing with farm animals' cliche, but given that she just did Red Riding Hood I guess it makes a bit of sense.  Although that movie was downright horrible.  Amanda was great, but it was like a hackneyed version of Twilight with absolutely no chemistry between the two leads and negative character development.  Ugh.  But anyways, Amanda Seyfried looks fabulous here.  I love the simple hair against the strong makeup, and the McQueen vibe of all the clothes, and her eyes--omg.  I just watched Veronica Mars, which she was in right after Mean Girls, and damn, this girl is talented.  Also annoyingly pretty.

Images via shopbop.com, fashiongonerouge.com.

How To Not Die of Boredom on Long Flights

I've been traveling a lot lately.  Back and forth from school, during break to Oregon and San Francisco, and what I realized is that if you aren't properly prepared for a long flight, it can be MISERABLE.  Example: my flight home from Boston to LA on American Airlines.  It was a long, long flight and I'd just come from taking a final, so I wasn't really prepared or on top of my traveling situation.  I didn't bring any food (for six hours!) and I have a stomach condition where not eating for that long is just unacceptable.  And I forgot to bring anything to watch/read, AND I dressed terribly for a plane.  It was a disaster.  So, I thought I'd put together some tips (for myself mostly) on how not to be so miserable on a flight.


1.  Dress appropriately.  This can be difficult if you're going from somewhere warm to somewhere cold or vice versa.  What I'd recommend doing is wearing jeans or a longer skirt/dress.  Please step it up from sweats.  If you're wearing shorts or a short skirt you will just freeze.  Planes are always too cold.  As far as shoes go, you could do Uggs if you have cold feet, or I'd recommend a simple leather boot, boat shoes, Conserve, really anything but heels or sandals.  Heels are just silly, and sandals will give you cold feet.  But the real key here is doing light layers.  That way you can prepare for any climate while not carrying too many bulky parkas or jackets.  I had only a parka and a tee, and in the parka I was boiling but in the tee I was freezing.  Such a fail.  Be smarter than me and do something like this:


Love Quotes Eyelash Fringe Scarf, $60.20 at shopbop.com, C&C California Striped Draped Cardigan, $171.50 at shopbop.com: I am a huge fan of big sweaters like this for flights.  You can leave it open or wrap it around yourself for extra warmth, and this one is big and cozy with a hood and a cotton-cashmere blend (just warmth enough).  It's so long that it can basically double as a blanket, but it isn't bulky or unflattering, AND it's on sale.  I always take a scarf on plane flights because they are fabulous multi-taskers.  If your neck is cold, wrap it around your neck.  Or you can wrap it around your shoulders, use it as a blanket, use it as a pillow, etc, etc.  Getting a scarf in a neutral color means that you can get more wear out of it (and this is also on sale).

2.  Snacks.  You always need to have snacks.  Airplane snacks are terrible and ridiculously overpriced.  Bring your own snacks, and be a much happier person.  I like to cover multiple snack categories so that you can satisfy most cravings.  I'd do something sweet/carby, something healthy, and something savory.  For example, a scone or two, some apples or carrots, and some pretzels or some sort of chip.  As far as drinks go, it's difficult because you can't bring liquids past security.  What you could do is bring powdered drinks, and then add water once you get past the TSA.  I love Crystal Lite's Green Tea Mango packets.  Delicious.  Or you could bring tea bags and get hot water from the stewardess.


3.  Entertainment.  The most important category.  I usually fly Virgin, which has fun personal TV screens where you can watch satellite TV or a selection of movies or TV shows.  And they have great variety, and always things that I like.  American has...nothing.  Blah.  In general though, you can either fall asleep, watch or listen to something, or read something.  As far as watching and listening goes, obviously bring your iPod, and either bring some DVDs or rent a movie on iTunes (do it before you get on the plane when you still have internet access) if your laptop has a good battery life.  If you like sleeping on flights (I so envy you if you can do that) then bring a traveling pillow and an eye mask.  It is hard to sleep with video screens playing and tons of windows open.  A cute eye mask like this one from Etsy will make your life so much easier.  Now, for the books.  This is tricky.  I made the mistake of only bringing the book I was reading at the time (The Decameron, yes, I am a nerd) which is very intense 14th century Italian literature.  But the problem is, that once you go through the whole drama of the airport and getting on the plane and taking forever to taxi to the runway, you won't be in the mood for something hard-hitting and dry.  You'll probably want something lighter and more fun.  The best solution is to bring two or three books that cover all of your reading interests, so something light, something intellectual, something action-packed, etc.  That way you won't be stuck with a book you can't bear to read and nothing else to do.  My current favorite airplane reads are White Queen by Philippa Gregory, an awesome historical novel about the War of the Roses--more fun than it sounds, I swear--and 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, which is a fantastic semi-surrealist novel about colonialism in Colombia.  I realize that sounds really pretentious to have as a favorite book, but it's seriously one of the most entertaining, action-packed books I've ever read.

I hope that helps somebody!  Now if only I could take my own advice...


Images via shopbop.com, barnesandnoble.com,

Last Minute Xmas Shopping

My go-to last minute holiday gifts are always books.  Partially because I'm a book nerd, and partially because books are an affordable present that you can put a lot of thought into and really get something that will resonate with whoever you're giving it to.  Here are some books that I'm really interested in (and may have asked for for Xmas) that will hit a lot of different bases.


Cleopatra: A Life, $15.74 at amazon.com, Geek Love, $10.20 at amazon.com: For all your history nerd friends, this new Cleopatra biography is supposed to be amazing.  Ancient Egypt is always fascinating, and the backstory behind this femme fatale empress looks just as fascinating as the myths.  Also the cover is pretty, and yes, that does sell me.  For your friend that loves all things quirky and offbeat, Geek Love is about a troupe of circus freaks who start a religious cult and go around manipulating their followers.  Definitely not the usual fare, but done in a strangely mesmerizing way.

100 Years of Solitude, $9.59 at amazon.com, A Vintage Affair, $16.33 at amazon.com: For your serious, intellectual friend, this beautifully illustrated novel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is a classic, but not in the boring, dusty sort of way.  His writing is impeccable, and this is the sort of book that you can proudly display on your bookshelf AND actually have interesting conversations about.  Lastly, for your fashion-forward, beach reading friend, A Vintage Affair centers around a girl running a vintage clothing store.  It combines her life with the lives of the clothes in a really touching way, and again, the cover is adorable.

Images from stacyschiff.com, pilliebeebooks.blogspot.com, signatureillustration.org, amazon.ca. 

Anthropologie Holiday Shopping!

I love Anthropologie for presents.  I know most of their stuff is pretty pricey, but there are some great affordable finds if you can scrounge around a bit in the store (am I the only one that gets distracted by the tubs of pretty drawer pulls?).  Here are some fun holiday presents that won't break the bank.


Monogrammed Mug, $6 at anthropologie.com, Lipstick Queen Medieval, $20 at anthropologie.com: These cups make great gifts because they're sweet and personal, actually practical, and look like they cost a lot more than they actually do.  I had one all last year until I shattered it (ahem), but they really do make great stocking stuffers.  Or you could fill them with little gifts, like lip gloss, candies, etc and wrap it all in colored cellophane paper--adorable.  This Lipstick Queen Medieval lippie has been haunting me.  I want.  It's a red, which terrifies me, but it goes on very sheer and gives you that just bitten look.  Plus I'm kind of on a medieval kick right now, having just come off a medieval architecture research paper.

ToykoMilk Wrapped Soap, $11 at anthropologie.com, Illume Boulangerie Jar, $16 at anthropologie.com: ToykoMilk is fab.  They have great packaging, and their products are top-notch with really creative scents.  Yes, $11 is a lot for soap, but when the soap has notes of soft linden blossom, French lavender, honey, mimosa, and tea rose, you have to make some exceptions.  This candle comes in Vanilla & Fig (nice and seasonal), Angel Food (for all you bakers), Sweet Vanilla & Cinnamon (OMG YUM), Apple Blossom (light and fresh), and Pineapple Ginger Cake (nom).  The burn time is 40 hours, and the packaging is adorable.  Buy this for people and they will think you are super swank and awesome and fancy.

Domino: The Book of Decorating, $32 at anthropologie.com, The Gospel According to Coco Chanel, $19.95 at anthropologie.com: If you don't know Domino, it was the best home decor magazine EVER.  No joke.  I have all the issues saved up at home.  I may have teared up when I heard it was canceled.  This book has some of their best shoots and ideas, and it will look chic on your bookcase to boot.  I don't think this second one needs any explanation.  Coco Chanel as a life coach?  Yes, please.

Images from anthropologie.com.

This Belongs in My Life

This book needs to be in my life.


Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution by Caroline Weber, $11.56 at amazon.com: It is a literal history of what she wore during the revolution, the political and social impact that her clothing choices, and all that jazz.  DOESN'T THAT SOUND AMAZING???  I'm so curious.  I feel like there would be a lot of juicy tidbits in this.  How did she get her hair that high?  Was it just full of secrets? (Mean Girls reference, anyone?).

Has anyone read this?  Do you think it sounds awesome, or just cheesy?

Image from amazon.com.

Inspired by: Love Over Scotland/Plaid

Alright y'all, so I'm still in Hawaii.  I've been doing a lot of beach reading, and I wanted to do a post about one of my current favorite series.  It's called 44 Scotland Street, by Alexander McCall Smith, and it's adorable.  There are the kinds of beach reads are like candy bars--yummy, but you know they're trash, and there are the kinds of beach reads that are more like a red velvet cupcake, still little and cute, but a bit more sophisticated.  This is the latter.  These books are short, easy reads, very light hearted and sweet, but they're really well written and unique.  They center around the lifes of a group of people who all, at one point, lived in an apartment building in Scotland.  There's a precocious six year old and a 60 year old female anthropology, and everything in between, so there's something for everyone.

Love Over Scotland and The Unbearable Lightness of Scones by Alexander McCall Smith: Here are two of the books in the series.  Yeah, one of the is called The Unbearable Lightness of Scones.  If that doesn't make you smile, the Grinch is missing you over in Whoville.

Anyways, the point of all this was that all that talk of Scotland was making me start to crave plaid (I know, I'm on a Hawaiian beach, and all I want is plaid and scones.  I'm crazy).  I picked out a few plaid pieces, and I really tried to go beyond the usual plaid boyfriend button-up and find some more unique pieces.

Joie Plaid Somalia Dress, $228 at revolveclothing.com, Joie Yarn Plaid Vanette Tank, $74 at revolveclothing.com: Taking the usual boyfriend flannel and turning it into a dress is a fun take on wearing your boyfriend's shirt in a public appropriate sort of way.  The belt is included, and adds a much needed emphasis to your waist.  This tank might be my favorite piece.  It's loose and drapey, very Alexander Wang, but the faded plaid adds a casual, countryish vibe to it.  The row of buttons down the front feminizes it just enough.  I'd pair it with some straight leg jeans and statement necklace.

J. Crew Tomboy Plaid Shirt, $72 at jcrew.com, J. Crew Wool and Cotton Plaid Scarf, $54 at jcrew.com: So I did one button-up, just to show that if you do it in a different, girlier color palette it doesn't have to scream 1995 grunge.  The white/gray/pink color palette is fun and feminine, and adds a really interesting twist to the usually boyish look.  This scarf has the same color palette, and it's equally gorgeous.  I love light wool scarves--they're really light and airy, but at the same time when it gets cold, they'll keep you super warm.  The muted colors make it the ideal complement to a lot of different looks, but I think I'd wear it with a pair of dark wash jeans, some knee-high leather boots, and a plain white v-neck.

McQ Wool Cable-Knit Biker Jacket, $365 at net-a-porter.com, Crumpet Checked Cashmere Cardigan, $695 at net-a-porter.com: Okay, so this first sweater isn't plaid, but to be fair, in the books they talk a lot about Fair Isle/heavily knitted sweaters, and this reminded me of those, but a fab modern version.  The cable knit definitely screams old school/my grandma knitted this for me, but the biker jacket cut and big zipper add a much needed badass quotient for something that's really comfy, but still makes a statement.  The cut of this Crumpet sweater is perfect.  It has all the ease of a cardigan with all the oomph of a motorcycle jacket, and it's so easy to wear.  The blown-up checks are a fun riff on plaid, and the black and white color combo is so graphic and fun, and a great contrast to the loose shape of the sweater.  And yeah, it's $700, but...it's cashmere?  It's like having baby kittens hug you all day.

Images from:
tesco.com, alexandermccallsmith.co.uk, revolveclothing.com, revolveclothing.com, jcrew.com, jcrew.com, net-a-porter.com, net-a-porter.com.

Inspired by: The Sartorialist and Schoolgirl Skirts

One of my daily activities is always checking out the street style blogs (mainly Garance Dore and The Sartorialist) for outfit inspiration.  It's really, really easy to get stuck in a rut at college, where you can get away with wearing jeans and a tee everyday.  My latest inspiration is this look from The Sartorialist.  It combines my love of contrasting shapes and incorporates a pleated mini skirt, possibly an opportunity to revamp a school uniform piece from highschool?

Ever Stillwater Chambray Skirt, $145 at shopbop.com, American Apparel Tri-Blend Light Weight Raglan Pullover, $36 at americanapparelstore.com, DANNIJO Edith Crystal Fringe Locket, $238 at shopbop.com: A high-waisted, pleated khaki skirt is ideal for this look.  The shape does have inherent schoolgirl vibes, but the high-waist, soft pleats, and light hue take it more in the direction of Celine than 10th grader.  I'd tuck in a slightly oversized raglan.  The contrast of the grey and the pale beige is so chic, and the two neutral work really nicely together without being flat or boring.  The juxtaposition of shapes, the clean, geometric lines of the skirt against the soft, draping lines of the top, is perfect.  The top is masculine and casual, the skirt is girlish and formal, and together, it's the ideal balance for a chic ensemble.  I'd stay away from a ring or a bracelet, just because there's so much volume on the arms of this top and I don't want to detract from the skirt, but a simple pendant necklace adds just enough weight to the outfit.  The silver keeps it in the neutral palette, but the turquoise beads add just a pop of color.

ROSEGOLD Casey Knot Wedge Sandals, $168 at shopbop.com, Rebecca Minkoff Tie Dye Easy Rider Date Clutch, $375 at shopbop.com, Blow Hair Care Texturizing Mist, $21 at ulta.com: These wedges fit into the neutral color palette still, but warm it up a little.  They add visual weight to the lightness of the skirt and the volume of the top, and the twisted leather and cork give the minimalist lines and fabrics an organic twist.  I just really, really want those wedges. They're so perfect for summer!  I think a giant, slouchy hobo would ruin the lines of this look, so I'd go for a little shoulder bag.  Since the bag is so small and the outfit is so netural, you can afford to go really funky with the colors of the bag.  The blue ties in with the blue of the necklace, and the tie dye/studs/zippers keep the simple outfit from going flat.  As for the hair, I really love the rough volume that the girl in the picture is wearing.  It contrasts perfectly with the simple, polished feeling of the outfit.  I like Blow's Texturizing Mist for creating beachy waves, texture, and a little rough volume.  Spritz it on damp hair and then scrunch it through your hair with your fingers, and let air dry.

Some people are just genetically and stylistically gifted.  Camilla Belle is one of those people.  I don't think she's ever worn something I didn't like.  Just look at this Marchesa gown.  It could be unflattering and dumpy, with the greyish blue hue and high-waisted empire cut, but against her tan skin and with the cutaway hemline in the front, she looks young and incredibly polished.  I like how she keeps her jewelry and accessories simple, to let the gown itself shine.

Sense & Sensibility, $13.60 at amazon.com, Alice in Wonderland, $13.60 at amazon.com, Great Expectations, $13.60 at amazon.com: Penguin Classics like to put out versions of my favorite books covered with adorably patterned fabric, which makes me want to buy them even though I already have regular copies.  Sometimes the patterns are relevant to the time period, like the Victorian floral pattern on Sense & Sensibility, and sometimes they're quirky plays on something in the book, like the flamengos on Alice in Wonderland and the chandeliers on Great Expectations.  Aside from the fact that these are great books, they'd make a fantastic addition to anyone's bookshelf just visually.

Image Sources:
Sense & Sensibility: amazon.com, Alice in Wonderland: amazon.com, Great Expectations: amazon.com, Camilla Belle: gofugyourself.com, The Sartorialist pic: thesartorialist.blogspot.com, ROSEGOLD wedges: shopbop.com, Ever skirt: shopbop.com, American Apparel ragland: americanapparelstore.com, DANNIJO necklace: shopbop.com, Rebecca Minkoff clutch: shopbop.com, Blow spray: ulta.com.