I am having a wee bit of a lucky streak lately and was fortunate enough to win the Half-Girl giveaway from her blog. Her package was much more magical than I ever could have imagined and all packed prettily away in a quaint cigar box. Every item was so wonderfully random and lovely--I am reminded of Scout's memory box from To Kill A Mockingbird...
Yiqin is the adorable force behind the blog Qin At The Disco. Her style is usually colorful and always includes a fun pop of unique accessories. She also was sweet enough to plan a dream party for me.
ShopRuche is definitely one of my favorite online shops. My favorite and much-abused grey bag is from here and has stood all my adventures across the ocean and even endured my heavy schoolbooks. Now I have a new addition to my Shopruche purse collection: the deep sea frontier satchel. The lovely lady behind Shopruche is kind enough to offer one of these purses as a giveaway to one lucky reader. So, to win this bag just leave a comment below (open to international readers). I'll draw the winner's name on 8/3/09.
Outfit details: dress- vintage, shoes- Seychelles from my sisters, bag- ShopRuche I wore my new Shopruche dress on a day trip to the beach. The dress is easy and wonderful to wear in the heatwave I am currently melting under...I sort of hate old homes with "character" that don't have air conditioning right now. 
Outfit details: hoodie- some shop in Japan, dress- ShopRuche, bag- Pull and Bear, ring- Etsy, shoes- Urban Outfitters
This editorial breaks all the rules surrounding fashion shoots located near the ocean. It is bewildering and intriguing, rather like the remnants of a shipwreck on some strange shore. I really enjoy the muted tones throughout which are reflected in the styling of the model.
Marie Claire Italy April 2009 photography by Arnaud Pyvka model Skye Stracke
Two years ago I started this blog without any expectations or an inkling of what it would snowball into and I'm still mildly in awe of what it has become. I want to thank all my readers for their comments or even silent presence, you all have kept me motivated and made this whole journey so enjoyable.
Here's a painfully brief recap of the past year:
I spent the summer in Pennsylvania living in my college's dorms and working on campus for the Admissions office as an assistant. When Fall came around I hopped on a plane to travel to Greece with strangers to study for a semester. I spent time traveling around Greece and used a couple of long weekends to explore Budapest and Germany. In December our group was forced to leave prematurely due to the riots taking place in Athens and I flew home for an early Christmas break with my family in Washington State. I returned in the Spring to Pennsylvania for my final semester, enduring snow in the first months back and enjoying the sunshine in the last few. After graduation I flew back to Washington State where I currently am temporarily settled.
If hopes become reality this year will bring as many adventures as the last...
Thursday began like many other days this week; a bit too early for someone who spent another restless night interrupted with bugle sounds from the nearby parade field. There seems to be a new ceremony nearly every morning and if they aren't sounding bugles or cheering, they're shooting cannons!
Only a couple of hours after waking I found myself seated in a dentist chair contemplating my gratitude that I have no claim to fame. You see, the inherent discomfort involved in allowing an inquisitive stranger to poke around in your mouth must surely be compounded if one is a celebrity. I imagined the pressure of trying to live up to some sort of perception while lying on my back and letting something stick their hands in my mouth...and I was grateful to not be "known."
Later, I dropped by a Joanne Fabrics with my mother for a few odds and ends. At checkout the cashier informed me, "I read your blog."
I was so startled my underwhelming reply was, "Oh." This was followed by a long, awkward silence and eventually the question of, "Do you write a blog?"
At her negative response, I was once again at odds on what to say and was relieved to flee the store shortly afterward. In the parking lot my mother laughed at my being recognized and chastised me for not being friendlier, but as I have stated before on this blog, I am an extreme introvert. Writing is such a welcome medium for me because it allows me time to compose and edit my thoughts without the awkward pauses that might interrupt conversation and gives me a safe distance from those I am communicating with.
This minor event occurring on the self-same day that I was feeling pleased with the anonymity of my person struck me as hilariously ironic. Isn't that how life so often is?
So, to those readers who have had (or will have) the misfortune of meeting me in person (when I least expect it) and being subject to my social ineptitude, I do apologize.
Outfit details: dress- Zara, tights- Target, shoes- Bona Drag, bag- Urban Outfitters, rings- various street vendors 
Outfit details: dress- Zara, tights- Betsey Johnson via Modcloth, shoes- Bona Drag, bag- Urban Outfitters, sunnies- Urban Outfitters, rings- secondhandPssst...my blue nail polish is Sephora by OPI.
