XoXo 2012

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Two women I greatly admire,

Garance Dore and Erica Tanov.

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backless.

I love backless attire.

What would my life be like

without The Sartorialist and Garance Dore?

Life Philosophy

photo by The Sartorialist

3 Things about me:

1. I am in love with surf-related things

2. Riding a bike with a surf board attached, in a tie-dye bikini, is a basic metaphor for how I like to live my life

3. This mid-season of August to September is my favorite time of year (until spring when I change my mind and love spring again).

The Art of Life

Gorgeous photograph by The Sartorialist. 

It's a somewhat irrational obsession, mine with surf culture, but as Joseph Campbell says, "The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are."

Creative Couples

It is safe to say that the tone to my day is set in some way by the influential images and easy writing of both The Sartorialist and Garance Dore. They are a couple. They are amazing. The best word I can think of when I look at this photo is Harmonious.

The Easy Wedding

I love people who do it all. I love admirable women who do it all, who appear thoroughly creative in every avenue they pursue. Milla Jovovich is one of these women. Mother, singer, actress, model, fashion designer. I love her somewhat throw-away, layered, thirties gone seventies glamour style. She seems to experiment her way through life, and I find that inspiring.

p.s. look at how smiling & happy the people are in the background

*Top photo by The Sartorialist from style.com

The Sartorialist BOOK

My morning routine for the past three years 

has been a trifecta of tea or coffee, email, and

a visit to The Sartorialist Blog. I wanted to buy

one of Scott Shuman's prints at a gallery show in D.C. while

I was there visiting my parents. For a moment

I thought I could, and perhaps I should have, but

now there is The Book. Best summer purchase

by a long shot. It arrives at that exact wondrous

time of year, the August September, summer

to fall transition, full of nostalgia and newness,

and with the weather, the sartorial switch.

Perfect timing.

Ripped to Perfection

This is the most amazing shirt (sweater?) I have ever seen. If I had that shirt, I'd pack it for every every single trip I'd take.

The Spirit of Comfort, Even in the Cold

basement bar

The way you'd walk.

This is the epitome of exactly what I love. Nothing appears premeditated.  The easy attitude, comfort & confidence expressed in this outfit and her demeanor equate unstructured elegance. There is a mysterious element going on here, for example, look at those boots! The proportions, the layers, the lazy day strings hanging every which way. A long green filmy cardigan? With a short faded black jacket and desert nomad warrior boots? In my perspective you could wear this anywhere and feel amazing, but to pull it off requires serenity & grace. 

I am a dedicated fan of The Sartorialist blog, created by Scott Shuman. This is yet another of his inspiring images taken for style.com where I first learned about his work. I wish I could have a conversation with him about what he saw when he spotted her on the street. An entire circus could be aflame in the background but two facts remain: I'd still be staring at her & I'd still be wishing that the combination was my idea.