Sunday, February 23, 2014

"Faded From the Winter"










   Sometimes I go to a concert and it just feels special.  Not because it has the most amazing light show, or because the crowd is ridiculously amped, or even because the band is one of my all time favorites. Sometimes. when at an event like this, I just know I am in the right place at the right time.  I like to think of it as, "musical kismet".  The Iron & Wine concert, held at the Fargo Theatre in North Dakota, was just one of these events.
   First of all, I love Fargo, ND.  It holds the perfect balance of Midwestern values and, "arty-farty," quirk.  In short, it is a wonderful town to safely go out for a night of musical entertainment.  Specifically, the Fargo Theatre located downtown, provides an excellent venue for some of the cultural entertainment available in the area.  This being stated, it was the perfect environment for an Iron & Wine concert.
   Without making this post a book about my love of Fargo and concerts, I will mention a few key elements that may clue a reader in to a possible, "musical kismet," situation.  For example, it is early the day of the show and you are stalking some of your favorite downtown vintage hot spots when you see a tour bus pull up in an alley.  A motley crew of characters on the street cluster to see who is in town and you find they are more interesting to watch than the bus.  Later, on your way to the show there are rag-tag bunches of teens sitting clustered in the doorways of closed shops.  They are singing while playing guitars and street patrols are stopped nearby to listen, not to break it up.  Inside the venue people are excitedly trying on concert t's and a friendly stranger tells you to, "Definitely buy that sweatshirt.  It is a good color on you."  During the show people are animatedly dancing without pushing or intruding on your space.  You look around and see yourself swimming in a sea of flannel shirts, and you just happen to have one on too!   You are singing well loved lyrics while everyone else is singing them too, and all of this is happening with the divine smell of buttered popcorn wafting from the lobby.  
   It is my opinion that Iron & Wine is a fine group of musicians  It is also my opinion that the Fargo Theatre is an ideal music venue.  It was just, "musical kismet," that they finally met.
-r.



Vest:  Ruff Hewn
Sweatshirt:  Fargo, ND Concert 2013
Skirt:  Thrifted
Boots:  UGG australia
Purse:  Banana Republic
Scarf:  Pashmina  https://www.facebook.com/rugandrelic  
Brooch:  Hand-me-down from Mom
Earrings:  Lucky Brand
Nail Polish:  essie (Dive Bar)
Iron & Wine Albums:  "The Shepherd's Dog," "The Sea & the Rhythm," "The Creek Drank the Cradle"
Venue:  Fargo Theatre  http://www.fargotheatre.org/





   


Sunday, February 16, 2014

The Haute Hall of Fame (Kate Moss)















    I know what you're thinking, "Kate Moss, a little obvious."  I will admit, to nominate her into a, "Hall of Fame," for style is pretty predictable but I just can't help myself.  I am a fan.
   I got the concept for the, "Haute Hall of Fame," post from one of my favorite blogs, "The Clothes Horse." This blogger often writes posts entitled, "Style Crush," which focus on individuals that inspire her personal look.  While I realize I will never duplicate the outstanding beauty and fame of Kate Moss, I continue to admire her countless photographs and respectfully think of her as the human embodiment of fashion.
   This being stated, I am aware that she is a real person.  I do understand that the pictures I hold in such high esteem are not a true reflection of Kate's personal style.   However, in this case I am not interested in personal style.  The pictures I admire are a reflection of pure fashion illustrated by the captivating appearance of one woman.  Whether her picture portrays the infamous images of, "Heroin Chic," or a luxurious look dripping in Haute Couture, she constantly remains a style icon.  I used to hang these pictures on the walls of my teenage bedroom.  Now, being a grown woman, I wear her picture on a t-shirt.  For me, her image constantly remains the trademark of style.
 So yes, I have chosen Kate Moss as my first inductee of the, "Haute Hall of Fame,"  and I agree the choice was obvious.
-r.




Jacket:  Vintage
T-Shirt:  Mooks
Jeans:  Miss Me
Shoes:  Sperry Top-Sider
Necklace:  Thrifted
Bracelets:  Thrifted






Sunday, February 9, 2014

Long Cool Woman











    Have you ever defined a tune as your theme song?  Personally, I strongly believe in the importance of an individual's theme song.  This concept is hardly unique.  To this day I cannot hear Barry White's, "You are the First, the Last, My Everything," without thinking of, "The Biscuit," from TV's "Ally McBeal."  The shy and socially awkward character would often stare hopelessly into the bathroom mirror and hear this song in his head.  Usually, by the time the main chorus would play he would swagger out of his workplace restroom a confident and deeply changed man.  Yes, I believe in the power of a theme song. I also believe in the power of Barry White but that's a different topic altogether.
   This being stated, on the day I took these photos I took a mini road trip and came across the song, "Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)" by The Hollies on the radio.  I suddenly found myself driving faster, singing louder, and if I could have screeched the car to a halt and gotten out to swagger, I would have. 
    As a result, yet another theme song has been discovered.  It may have been released in 1972 but man, those guys were on to something there.  I didn't even need the, "Black Dress," to feel cool.  In my opinion, the lyrics could have been a, "Long Cool Woman (In a Denim Skirt)," but I guess that doesn't have quite the same ring to it.
-r.



Coat:  Tulle
Shirt:  7 for all mankind
Vest:  Daytrip
Skirt:  GAP 1969
Boots:  Ruff Hewn
Purse:  Banana Republic
Necklaces:  Eagle Pendant:  Free People  Military Dog Tag:  my own Grandpap's
Nail Polish:  Sally Hansen (Dive Deeper)
Song:  "Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)" by The Hollies http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qKOv3VBJcc

Monday, February 3, 2014

All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go









   There is nothing more frustrating than, "cabin fever."  Unfortunately for me, living in the Midwest during February provides many opportunities to be home bound due to weather.  The morning my boyfriend and I took these pictures was exactly one of these days.
   While in the planning stages for this style blog, I intended to use the blogs I follow as inspiration for pictures.  I have noticed that the majority of fashion bloggers use the outdoors in order to showcase their looks. I assume this is due to the benefit of natural light, as well as pleasant, yet non-distracting, backgrounds.  In addition, as an employee at a local greenhouse I also like to think of myself as an advocate of nature.  This being stated, I am not going to risk frostbite in order to get the perfect picture.
   Hence, the indoor pictures presented here.  Please excuse the mess. I really wasn't intending on company.  I believe there is a vacuum in the background of one of these photos, but I just cannot justify using a day off work for cleaning!
   Don't get me wrong, I did eventually brave the elements for a mandatory Starbucks run.  Of course, that ended with my vintage sunglasses flying off my face in the wind and me crawling around a snowy parking lot looking for them.  Yep, that's just me though, glamorous as always.
-r.




Coat:  Mossimo Supply Co.
Jacket:  Banana Republic
Jeans:  Silver Jeans
Shoes:  Naturalizer
Purse:  Vintage
Scarf:  The Limited
Sunglasses:  Vintage https://www.facebook.com/shopelofson