the clothes 2011

Everyone's favorite Labbit is back for her second installment. I swear, Nasha is more popular than I! Which is hardly surprising for I find the most interesting people aren't the most popular (indeed they tend to be difficult...) because it is their complexities that fascinate me...and Nasha I am afraid isn't the most complex being.

She has been thoroughly enjoying her time in Washington state. She has been dining out at lovely restaurants on the water which she thinks would be wonderfully romantic had she a beau. She had a number of flattering potential prospects in her last post, but she is shy and rather nervous about Internet/online dating...

Since Nasha isn't afraid of slipping on rocks (indeed she has many times and has the scars and bruises to prove it), she quite enjoyed an outing to Mt. Rainier. There she was able to marvel at the majesty of nature, stop and smell the wild flowers and even spied a camera shy deer that did not seem too keen on companionship...

Being the courageous and rebellious creature that Nasha is, she went under the needle recently and is sporting a large back tattoo. She likes to think it makes her stand out from the other Labbits out there.

If I say "modern with a vintage touch" you might think I'm talking about my wardrobe, but not at all! I'm talking about Ruche an online boutique full of sweet items worth drooling over. The clothes are really affordable and just simply lovely. Right now it is stocked with items that are classic but also "on trend." Do I spy heeled oxfords, ruffle skirts, and a houndstooth trench?

I'm very glad I check my e-mails and stopped by this site, for I was immediately drawn to two items full of potential.

First: let's all take a moment and swoon over this grey dream bag complete with chains and interchangeable handles. Now, I can wear it across the body and on the shoulder. And it is roomy enough to deal with me so I can carry my life in my bag...

This dress drew me in for a number of reasons: It's a more modern shape than is currently in my wardrobe and looked so versatile. I'm playing around with the buttons at the moment and these are just a few ways to wear it. When it gets cooler I can do much more layering to change it up even more. Oh the possibilities! See kids, clothes are like toys for grown ups...

Outfit 1 details: scarf- secondhand, sweater- Banana Republic Outlet, skirt- American Apparel, boots- secondhand, bag- Ruche

Outfit 2: dress- Ruche, everything else...oh, everywhere!

Yesterday's post wasn't really on hair color, but identity, nonetheless it got me thinking about our own bright feathers.

Street fashion sites seem to love redheads, I suppose their hair color catches the eye and adds more drama to each shot. Would these pictures and outfits captured by the Sartorialist be as striking without the flaming hair and porcelain skin?

My favorite redhead of all time would probably be Maureen O'Hara. I love her swashbuckling films where she was consistently feisty and quick-tempered whether at sea, in the wild west, or even rural Ireland.

While on the subject of lovely plumage, these pictures from Audrey Corregan are worth a look-over. Her "obviously" series shoots portraits of birds from behind and can really give one a new perspective (he-he).

What is more "us": our natural selves or the us we choose to become?
I am a red hair addict and despite the cost *sigh* I think I could easily be a redhead for the rest of my life (with a few adventures in other colors as well though!). A friend of mine says she will never color her hair though, because it's not "her." However, who is to say the color I was given at birth is "me?" I mean, isn't the way we choose to present ourselves more "us" than what birth gave us? I love red hair for the numerous heroines of this tone that I read when I was younger, the characteristics usually given to redheads, and the famous actresses, artists, writers associated with the color. Honestly the color is a better reflection of my personality which has been called simply "passionate." Am I a sandy brunette? Perhaps naturally, but how well does that "suit" me...?
Another perspective: my eye color doesn't express the inner me, but my eyeglass frames are a reflection of my taste. The shape, color are all conscious decisions, as well as the choice to wear eyeglasses over contacts (although maybe soon I shall have both...).
So, is your natural body (which lifestyle will shape anyway...) more "you" or do you think the choices you make are a greater reflection of yourself?
Outfit details: shirt- some shop in Japan, dress- H&M, shoes- Dr. Scholls, stockings- tights from Target cut

Considering the political climate the United States is in at the moment, the best old film that can be recommended is: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. If you haven't seen this film, you really must. A good man (James Stewart) makes it to the US Senate where he faces corruption and as he tries to stand up against it he is crushed. However, despite overwhelming odds Mr. Smith does not back down. A story of David and Goliath with the law being the small stone to strike the giant down. Honestly, this is one political film that will make you want to cry, but also cheer.

I stumbled across these ads for Harvey Nichols the other day. I'm afraid I've never heard of Harvey Nichols before, but Wallace and Gromit (well, Gromit anyway) are near and dear to my heart. Even if you have never seen their adventures on film, surely these ads will make you smile. So clever, and Lady Torrington is wearing one of my favorite Alexander McQueen dresses!

My new ruffle tee from Vain and Vapid (thank you, thank you!) just arrived in the mail and it is love. The ruffles are so decadent and brilliantly placed on a tee shirt. I like to think the tone-on-tone coloring makes it more discreet and wearable. I'm also convinced that it goes perfectly with my black feather hair clip. Word of caution to you all: Vain and Vapid's etsy shop sells out fast!
My mother called this outfit "fancy," but I fail to see what elevates it from my other looks and into that realm. I haven't done much exploration outside in our neighborhood because I get very easily lost and also the rain is quite a hindrance. Hopefully the sun will hold out and I can find some interesting places for a daily outfit picture.

And yes I did wear it two days in a row, everything in my closet gets repeated at some point... This particular outfit reminds me of a cheerleader, which I never was and this isn't a particularily good thing. Maybe the matching ribbon in the hair was too much...

Outfit 1 details: shirt- Vain and Vapid, skirt- secondhand, belt- secondhand, shoes- Urban Outfitters

Outfit 2 details: shirt- Vain and Vapid, skirt- Forever 21, shoes- Urban Outfitters

Meet Nasha. She is a labbit the new model for many of my photographs. She will have a weekly post devoted to her exploits. You see, Nasha accompanies me on many of my trips and she is much more adventurous than me. She is quite the tomboy who likes to climb trees and isn't afraid of skinning her knees on rocks--she's not a clothes horse at all. She prefers going through life in the nude, strangely enough...

When she is forced to be home she spends much of her time snacking at all hours or being a peeping tom to the neighbors (as much as she hopes there is no murder in the neighborhood, she can't help but wish life was a bit more like Secret Window).

At the moment she is a bit lonely and would really like to find true love or have a unicornasaurus as a friend, but sadly must reconcile herself at the moment to human companionship...

My outfit shots to me are a creative expression, but also part diary. I photograph my outfit daily without fail whether I find it a spectacular outfit or not--the point isn't always to "wow" but to capture the moment. Since it is so much of a diary style, I am moving the posts to every other day (as I briefly mentioned before). I will still post most days and I might post two outfits every time I do an outfit post. Just an update if anyone was noticing the (small) change...

I visited a beach here and although I remember them from last time I lived here it still isn't what I associate the beach and ocean with. Of course, my mother would argue that after living in Hawaii one is spoiled as to what they believe a beach should be like. But sun, sand, and big waves seem essentials to me... I didn't take my tripod with me on my walk, so I balanced my camera on the large rocks in that area to snap these pictures.

Outfit 1 details: shirt- Gap, dress- H&M, shoes- H&M

Outfit 2 details: shirt- secondhand, shorts- J Crew pants cut down, shoes- H&M

Facehunter captured these stylish females sporting vivid pink heels recently. Pink makes me nervous (especially pepto bismol pink), but for some reason I can't take my eyes off of them. A bold pink shoe makes quite a statement and now I'm even considering hunting some down...
This editorial found on foto_decadent should just be creepy, but I rather like how it also seems to tell a story. Scroll down to the comment section on that page and you'll get the bonus of a couple video clips.
Does gummi bear art count as art? I think this chandelier would look awesome in my bedroom and if I got hungry in the middle of the night--instant snack. The artist, Ya Ya Chou creates with a sense of humor and wink, he's even made a "bear skin rug" from gummi bears and sculptures from tissues.