expecto patronum

Oh my goodness, I haven't posted in over a week! :O Unfortunately, I have once again been bombarded with silly homework assignments that take far too long to complete. But I felt it necessary to review Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which is turning out to be a box office sensation...and rightfully so, in my opinion.

When I read the book back when I was in elementary school, I recall being utterly terrified at the number of people that died from the beginning to the end...and I don't really remember much else. However, to make a long story short, the movie was amazing. Honestly, I was sitting on the very edge of my seat in the movie theater, and I'm sure I didn't blink once for 2 hours and 40 minutes. I actually think that I have plans to see it again this coming weekend...and I. Can't. WAIT.

The movie was a perfect blend of action, thrill, and humor, and it kept me on edge and entertained for the entire time. I'm not really the biggest movie lover either, since I don't like to sit still for extended periods of time. You know how movies never really live up to the books? This is one movie that definitely does, and if you haven't seen it, then you seriously shouldn't be reading this right now...GO SEE IT.

And if you have seen it, what'd you think?

for the sake of brevity, which is usually not my style

Unfortunately, I have a [bothersome] math quiz tomorrow which I am supposed to be studying for, but am not because technology distracts me far too easily. So, I've been hearing about this thing that people are allegedly doing...which is using the same six items of clothing, but implemented in different ways, with very different outfits. I don't know how these people do it.

I've been obsessing over the tights and denim shorts look for quite some time now. I'm also really into long, sparkly necklaces and graphic tees (BEATLES) at the moment.

P.S. - Can you believe it's almost Thanksgiving already? I feel like the year just started! Time flies...

un penseur

Yesterday, I had my once-a-week-for-forty-minutes session of French. It was quite a pity, because the only thing I learned was simply that I needed to study more. My teacher had asked me to say, "I am fourteen years old," to which I replied, "Actually, I'm fifteen." I'm not really sure if that was my subconscious overpowering my intelligence, because truth be told, I did not know how to say "fourteen" in French, but I did in fact know how to say "fifteen". But lo and behold, he insisted I use fourteen, and I'm pretty sure that the expression I wore upon my face right then and there made it blatantly obvious that I had not studied.

I should probably spend more time doing this, too.

I do think I'm making progress. Well, slow progress, but progress nonetheless. Hey, it's really not that easy when you're only doing it once a week as opposed to every day! But I really am enjoying myself in the class, and it's especially awesome because it's only me and three other people. Thank goodness for that, 'cause the language is über complicated (but very pretty and totally worth the humiliation I occasionally go through). The hardest part is probably trying to get the accent down. My teacher's all like, "Up in the nose!" and I'm like, "What!? That's for smelling, not speaking!" Well, I try, I try. That's gotta count for something. So, please enjoy these photos that I took from my summer trip to Paris, aka my future residence.

Sick...in the best way possible. You just don't get shiz like that in NY.

as i patiently await the day where i purchase a true nikon

This past Saturday, I had an epiphany. Why have I not yet begun to pester my parents about buying me a real camera? You know, those big Nikons that are probably larger than me. When I asked my dad, he was all, "Do you even know how to work the thing? I'm not spending that much money on a camera that you can't use." And I have come up with a simple solution to this problem...LEARNING. Yes, I am quite aware of the various settings and options that the camera has, but other than that, how hard can pressing a button to take a picture be? So listen, it's either a camera or a TV in my bedroom. Now, which is obviously a more productive investment?

I shouldn't really complain though, because I do happen to have a small digital Nikon. But I recently realized that a lot of the pictures that I take indoors come out orange. I have very high standards, so this simply will NOT do. If anyone can recommend one of those big Nikons for beginners, that'd be great. So for now, pictures with the teensy camera:

serenity

Stressful day? Just click "play", and let the photos sweep you away.

Postcards from Far Away - Coldplay

Prospective holiday card shots from two years ago. It remains a mystery to me why these remain unused to this very day. Photos taken by my lovely father.

junya watanabe SS'11 - tim burton, have you seen this collection?

In the shadow of Comme des Garçons is yet another edgy, cool, and eccentric designer. Junya Watanabe worked for the Comme des Garçons label for about eight years before the establishment of his very own label, which is still in part owned by Comme.

One of my favorites in the collection. After a good ten minutes of staring, I still cannot figure out how the top works! So intriguing and cool.

The top and bottom seem to contradict each other a little bit! I happen to be a huge fan of juxtaposition when it comes to fashion.

Have the face gloves begun to thoroughly creep you out? I love the fact that the models look like walking and breathing mannequins. If the clothes could speak, they might have said something like, "When we're in stores, this is what you'll see on display!" And don't you feel like characters in a Tim Burton movie might look akin to these!?

The sheerness of the trench coat makes the look so ghostly...creepy cool!

Definitely could be a relative.

Yes, I am quite aware of the excessive amount of photos. There were way too many awesome looks that I simply could not limit myself. Now, if I had to choose only two words to sum up the whole collection: GOTHIC GLAMOUR.

fall/golf course

A golf course behind your house comes in handy sometimes:

As you can see, my shadow got all of the good genes.

Fall inspiration '10.

Stella McCartney inspired tee.

American Eagle mohawk earflap hat.

Still not quite sure how I managed to convince my brother, Matt, who always claims he's "busy", or has "homework" or some other bull like that to come along on this venture to the golf course behind our house. And let me tell you that getting there was no hop, skip, and jump. It actually wasn't any of the above. Not even close. Matt had to get a pair of hedge clippers and make a path for us, and despite his efforts, the path was still woodsy (I almost tore my tights), sinuous, and treacherous when you're trying not to ruin your clothes. It was worth it though, and it wasn't even that cold out. Mission accomplished.

this "fashion" we speak of

Something that I find unfathomable about this world is the amount of people that find anything fashion-related to be shallow, elitist, or any other word possessing a similarly negative connotation. Contrary to what many might believe, fashion is really not any of those things. Unless you happen to be swimming in a bathtub filled with diamonds and loads of cash as we speak, but let's disregard those few people, shall we? You might even be one of those people that says, "Who gives a crap about fashion? It shouldn't matter what we look like on the outside." Say this all you want, but let's face it: most people really do care about how people perceive them. No person can honestly say that nothing can get to them, no matter how confident (and/or cocky) they are. First impressions are important, and looking the part often goes hand-in-hand with acting the part. Now, can a woman/man who walks into a job interview, hair unkempt, clothes mismatched and disheveled, compete with a woman/man who walks into an interview looking polished and professional? To be frank, I think not.

Not only does fashion play a role in how people view us, but it is a great way to express yourself and develop your own personal style; one that identifies you as well, you. Fashion is literally art that you can wear. And what could be cooler than wearing your own Picasso? Or Van Gogh? Or Monet? Or Pollack? Think about it.

But the reason that I love fashion the most: it gives everyone a chance to feel beautiful. Do you remember how pretty you felt when you wore that dress that you fell in love with when you tried it on in the store? It really is a fantastic self-esteem booster.

This is why I love fashion. Hopefully one day if and when I make it into the industry, I can give girls everywhere that chance to feel beautiful. Maybe I'll start a charity fund where you can donate dresses to girls who don't always have an opportunity to dress up and feel pretty. I can't imagine a better feeling than making someone love the way they look, as well as seeing the smiles on their faces when they look in the mirror.

Keep on smiling!

P.S. - I've recently become very interested in photography, so I'm hoping to start posting some original photos that I take of things that inspire me!

Prabal Gurung Spring '11

If you need your day brightened a bit...

Is it extremely bizarre to say how badly I want to eat this collection up? It's just so refreshing. I kind of want to devour a grapefruit and watch a video of this amazing collection simultaneously. So long as I keep the juice off of my keyboard. Just realized that I should stop fantasizing because it's obviously not grapefruit season...

just realized I DON'T CARE.

How can this possibly look so thought out, so elegant, so chic...and also look incredibly simple!? Prabal Gurung...I dub thee king of the minimalists. Now it's certain: you don't have to be totally decked out in a million pounds of jewelry to be fashionable. I'm completely and utterly in love with the modern vibes we're getting here, too. And the geometric shapes might have even made me more interested in studying geometry...well, almost.

Nicholas Kirkwood for Prabal Gurung.

Geometric/minimalist modern.

What exquisite structures he uses!

You had me with the embellished shoulder...

Pieces of a puzzle.

Once again...STRUCTURE STRUCTURE STRUCTURE. :)

See you in stores (oh my gosh, look at that detailing)!