Revisiting The Cottingley Fairies

Recently french bloggers Alix (Cherry Blossom Girl) and Elodie (Le Mechante) created an homage to the Cottingley Fairy pictures that fascinated the world for years (and I posted on here). These new blogger photographs are as lovely as the originals and hold the same power to captivate. The ladies really did a wonderful job of not only re-creating the fairies but channelling the mood and style of the original hoaxers.

The Personal History Of A Dress

I was pondering the history of this dress the other day as I wore it. Surprisingly it is not my favorite dress and I don't wear it often, and yet some of my favorite memories have taken place while I wore it.
We had a rocky beginning (this dress and I), despite our meeting in the lovely Japan. I bought it mid-text message feud with friends while I shopped alone in downtown Sapporo. The friends were supposed to meet me, but had not come and had decided to text me instead to meet them on the other side of the city. They added that we might go back across town in a couple hours, but they weren't certain. I didn't want to pay double the subway fare for indefinite plans, but ultimately I decided seeing my friends face to face was better than arguing with them through a phone. Much of our nonverbal dialogue took place while I was in the dressing room at Thank You Mart. I also judged that if I could fork over the cash for a subway ride I didn't want to take, I could afford an adorable vintage dress with a peter pan collar for 360 yen (around $3) that I did want.
Its next outing was much more auspicious. I wore it after an amazing yukata party another host student held. Stuffed full with amazing food and still relieved I had not been burned by the various fireworks we had set off, I slipped out of my borrowed iris print yukata and into this dress; pairing it with my gold flats and vintage leather belt. In a subway locker downtown a friend and I stored our yukatas before trotting off to a Rockabilly club. Around 3:00 am with legs and feet aching from nonstop dancing we ambled to an all-night ramen shop with some of the djs from the club. After eating our fill and being gifted with dozens of free Rockabilly cds, we wandered to Odori park to sit on a bench and watched the sun rise while recounting and reliving the glory of the night. When the first subways of the day started up again at 6:00am I finally went home to my host family and sleep.
The dress has been worn often since then, but lately had taken up residence in the dark recesses of my closet. So, when I saw it recently I thought it deserved another outing and while the events of this particular day can not compare to the memories it already carries, some days are best spent remembering wonderful events and complex people. Further, when I ponder how much this dress has endured with me I can not help but wonder what adventures did it indulge in before I was even in the picture...

Outfit details: jacket- H&M, dress- vintage, vest- H&M, bag- Pull and Bear, shoes- Urban Outfitters, ring- gift from my sister

Rough Seas

Months ago my sister sent me a link to this editorial because she thought I would like it. It is titled "The Young Men And The Sea" but it reminds me more of "Captains Courageous" starring Spencer Tracy. Either way, the photographer and models for once shot a nautical themed editorial that seems authentic rather than cliche or laughable...

Photography by Kalle Gustafsson for DVMAN International Magazine, via hypebeast

Aliens In The Buff

Here's a completely random thought (that will reveal what a science fiction geek I am): why are aliens always naked?
Now, not every alien appearing in a work of fiction is nude, especially in novels. However, it is common in many films for extraterrestrials to appear to have advanced technology from us and yet be unclothed.
Could this be a statement on their complete advancement? Aliens that reach Earth when we are unable to move beyond our own solar system are clearly more developed than us. Perhaps in order for their technology to reach such heights they have moved beyond the need to clothe themselves? Our hang-ups on appearance could be interpreted in this view as holding us back; a societal restriction on our progression.
Another contradicting view could be that while they have developed spaceships far superior to our own, they are lacking our rich culture. Scientifically aliens might have progressed beyond us, but as a society they do not have our values, heritage, and artistic leanings. Isn't one of our greatest distinctions from animals not the ability to use tools, but our ability to make and appreciate art? The way we dress ourselves can be seen as an expression of our creative sides and our appreciation of aesthetics...

Outfit details: dress- vintage, bag- Urban Outfitters, shoes- Urban Outfitters, ring- gift

This dress is one of my favorite vintage gems although I don't wear it that often; the peach color and 60s shape is a little out of my comfort zone.

On the subject of older things (not really...) the last time I lived in Washington State was for a few years when I was in junior high. Then, like now, my family liked to visit various natural wonders, such as the Olympic rainforest (near Forks from the Twilight books...). It had been ten years since I last visited, but I found the same massive tree stump that I climbed up with a sister and a dog in tow. I repeated the experience minus the sister and with a different canine...

A Girl's Night Out With Sally Jane

When I asked Sally Jane to plan her dream party I was excited to read her responses and with a guest list that includes the fictional, whimsical, and profound she did not disappoint! The evocative setting she described seems as well-captured as the various locations she has photographed for her blog with aid of tripod and self-timer. Her eye for beautiful clothes has paid off in not only an enviable wardrobe but an amazing Etsy shop filled with treasures waiting to be snatched up.
What type of party is it? This is a girl's night out. No boys allowed! A casual gathering of women that starts in the early evening and ends as the sun rises. Lots of girl talk and dancing and looking at each other's shoes.

Who's invited? Jane Birkin, Dorothy Parker, Tallulah Bankhead, Debbie Harry, Ivy Carson from The Changling by Zilpha Keatley Snyder, Scout Finch, Eudora Welty, Harper Lee, Zooey Deschanel, Amelia Earhart, Flannery O'Connor, Zelda Fitzgerald, Buffy Summers, Elizabeth Hawes, Coco Chanel, Bonnie Parker, Little Edie Beale, Neko Case, Audrey Hepburn, Barbara Stanwyck, Ramona Quimby, Regina Spektor, Diane Arbus, Kate Winslet, Dorothea Lange, Hermione Granger and Princess Buttercup.

Where does it take place? In the Deep South, under magnolia trees and live oaks hanging thick with Spanish moss. The grounds are covered with picnic tables and old timey quilts. The party begins just as the sun sets and the fireflies are beginning to emerge. There are lanterns hanging from the tree branches and the cicadas and crickets are singing loudly. There's a Dixieland jazz band playing. The sky is clear, heat lightning flashes above and thunder rolls in the distance. In other words, it's a perfect summer night.

What are you serving? An old fashioned Southern picnic complete with cold fried chicken, potato salad, homemade rolls and summer pickles with watermelon and pecan pie for dessert (magically this is all vegetarian - no animals were harmed in the throwing of this party!) We eat off of paper plates and drink cocktails out of Solo cups. Lots of cocktails.

Who would get to sit next to you (and why)? I'd want to talk to everyone so I'd have to mingle throughout the night.

What is the theme or what is everyone wearing? All of these women have been transported through time from the best moments in their careers and lives so they're each decked out in their period wears. Zelda's wearing her best flapper dress, Amelia's has her leather jacket, Audrey's in a little black dress and so on...

Are there any party favors? There's an old timey black and white photo booth where everyone is taking photos. Each person leaves with a handful of shots with their newfound friends.

What are the hot topics of the evening? Music, Hollywood gossip, politics and boys, boys, boys.

Who is the last to leave? Miss Summers used to staying up all night so she's the last one to leave.

Who is the most likely to get drunk and dance on the table? Tallulah was dancing on the tables even before she was good and drunk. She's soon joined by Debbie and Bonnie and Zelda. Oh, and me.

For more of Sally Jane visit her blog.

A Token From The Ocean

My sister recently spent some time doing research in England and France. Between her visits to various libraries she found the time to pick up a few trinkets for family members. For me, this ring carved from a seashell just arrived in the mail. It is amazing and easily my new favorite piece of jewelry, rather eclipsing all recent purchases I made for myself...

Outfit details: dress- H&M, shoes- secondhand, bowler bag- secondhand

P.S. I mixed my own nail polish from 3 different shades with no exacting measures.

Metamorphosis

Sretsis has been on my radar (and out of my reach) for awhile now. The A/W09 collection is based on the idea of "metamorphosis, a flowing transformation into a new wonder."
These six outfits from the lookbook really caught my eye as elegant and wonderful variations on the same theme and a metamorphosis of one item transformed by new pieces and accessories.