the clothes 2011

Here are a few last pictures from Paris that didn't end up in other posts...

This is my last official post from Paris, but worry not as I still have Italy to visit before I head back to the States (and mundanity consumes!). It's hard to wrap-up how I feel about Paris; I guess it is mostly because life, impressions, and memories don't fit into neat little boxes. I certainly enjoyed my time there and I think its a lovely city, but those statements don't really express much.

I'm glad everyone else has enjoyed my posts. It has not always been easy blogging while traveling (and well, that journey isn't quite over!), but it's nice to have a virtual record of these times. When you are traveling the time flies by and you tend to so much in a short while that it all quickly fades from memory. I think I would be happy to put up with every inconvenience to do it again; I'd be just as happy if my blog was a travel blog as a style one since I think I care more about new places than I do about new clothes! Lately, I've been eyeing dresses and thinking "that's a plane ticket to the west coast!" So, I suppose as I leave Paris I'm more excited about seeing new places than sad to leave this one...

Outfit details:

In4mation tee, gift from Tofu's Closet

UO jacket

secondhand leather skirt

Cynthia Rowley tights via Gilt

Deux Lux purse

Bloch wedges via Gilt

*all pictures by me at Parc des Buttes-Chaumon

I was wearing this dress when I was spotted by French blogger P; unfortunately I didn't see her and she was on her way somewhere so she didn't have time to stop and chat anyway. It's a shame because I would have enjoyed meeting her. Either way, it's always funny to hear you've been "spotted" because I tend to forget people read my blog.

As much as I have been bemoaning the change in the weather to my sister, I have to say this is how I always pictured Paris. I tend to form rather hazy ideas of how I think places ought to be; I try not to be too exact since that often leads to disappointment. Still, from all my stereotyped cognitions of Paris from vintage films and a few Edith Piaf songs, grey skies and a cool wind come to mind...

Outfit details:

Elizabeth Lau dress

UO belt

Target tights

Bloch wedges via Gilt

Deux Lux purse

*pictures of me courtesy of my sister

The other day my sister and I went on a little self-guided walking tour of Montmartre. Translation: my sister guided and I walked. I'm not working on some fantastic Paris guide, because frankly my two weeks experience makes me anything but an expert and there are loads of other bloggers more qualified to do so. I do however, recommend a walk through Monmartre if you have the time. It's a very picturesque neighborhood that still retains some of its bohemian history.

This skirt was a near not-purchase and I'm so glad I ended up buying it because it has been such a useful piece. Yes, useful. I find it so great to remix with because the structure allows for floaty dresses to be layered underneath (I think I've worn it in nearly every remix post I've done!). I nearly didn't purchase it because despite the $5 price tag, who really needs a yellow leather skirt? It's such an odd item in many ways and quite unlike the majority of my wardrobe...but well, I suppose my closet is getting more varied and less cohesive as time goes on. Variety is a good thing.

Outfit details:

Modcloth blouse

secondhand leather skirt

UO flats

Deux Lux purse

Buxom Lip Stick in Barcelona

*pictures of me, courtesy of my sister

On the recommendation of many, I visited the Musee D'Orsay and truly enjoyed it. Unfortunately, you'll have to believe me through my descriptions as photography was not permitted there and I decided to not pretend ignorance of the dozens of signs displayed prominently around...After the museum we did some more classic Paris walking along the Seine, through Jardin des Tuileries, and right up to the Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile. So, just another visually pleasing day in Paris...

One of the best moments on my trip so far was riding the train into Paris and spotting tons of great graffiti in the tunnels. Seeing tagging and more legitimate spray paint designs like that just shatters your illusions of a prim and proper, too cool for you Paris. Somehow, it made me feel more at ease and at home than anything else. Since then I've tried to photograph what I saw so I could do another streetart post like I did for London. Best sighting by far: stencil of director Jean Luc Godard.