the clothes 2011

I was reading some site and the statement “Can Ashley bring the 90s back?” stopped me cold. Since when did wearing a style that is reminiscent of another era or liking an item that is no longer “in” become a campaign for its re-emergence? For example, I am fair skinned and I don’t tan, does that mean I’m trying to bring “pale” back into style? No, it just means I accept the skin tone I was born with.

So then, why are we so quick to look at celebrities as intentional trendsetters? Are they really conspiring/attempting to make something they like popular? To assume yes, really puts a lot of pressure on these people to constantly find the newest/latest/greatest. Of course, if they are styled by professionals then it is not so ridiculous to believe. The stylist gets them to wear something, endorses some store, starts a trend, makes money, etc.

However, isn’t it equally likely (especially off the red carpet) that they are merely sporting items they like and we start the trend because we like them? Some things will be worn and won’t “catch on”—but at the end of the day the idea isn’t to start a trend, it’s to wear pieces you like. I’m not certain what the truth is (and it probably depends on the person) but I would prefer to believe the latter...Ironically, I could blame the new preppy tone of my wardrobe to shows like Gossip Girl and Leighton Meester's character...

Outfit details: sweater- Forever 21, skirt- American Apparel, belt- secondhand, tights- Target, shoes- Nine West

via Amazon.com

Do you like this? It’s a simple question and only requires a yes or no answer, however sometimes I find the answer downright difficult. (Lately) I fairly often find myself saying, “hm…give me a minute, I’ll have to decide if I like that...” But shouldn’t a like or dislike be instantaneous?

So, how do you know you like something?

In response to the questions on my lip rouge: The bright cherry red is Clinque LLSS in Red Red Red. The other shade is also Clinque but CSBS-V in Crushed Grape. I’m not a big “beauty” girl, so it’s funny to me that people would care what shade my lipstick is. Also, my nails in the last post were Nicole by OPI in "Girl Talk" (now they're OPI white).

P.S. I’ve discovered a new part of the forest near my campus. Here the woods seem wilder and darker—less tamed and shaped by the hands and feet of man. Gnarled roots have thrust their way across the footpaths and a thick canopy of branches stretch overhead. The grasping arms of vines have climbed up most of the trees and they reach their fingers outward, brushing against passersby like curious pickpockets uncertain of what they will find. I meet no one along the way but one can’t fill lonely in a forest filled with the cacophony of life. Branches stir alluding to wildlife and the drone of insects provides a constant harmonious backdrop. The sun is setting and as the shadows stretch it isn’t hard to believe in enchanted cottages or towers lurking around a twist in the path. The path itself is constantly growing, narrowing and splitting—where does each one end, which will loop back on itself, and what way shall I choose? A black cat dashes out in front of me, it’s back to me. I clap my hands. The creature freezes, looks back at me with glowing eyes and vanishes back into the undergrowth. It did not cross my path, so I do not need to fear back luck…or was it a witch’s familiar? I can’t help but smile; it’s a fitting ending to my brief adventure.

Outfit details: dress- reconstructed man's shirt worn as top, skirt- Forever 21, scarf- my mothers, shoes- Blowfish via Urban Outfitters

There have always been reasons to be jealous of the Italians, but here’s a new one to add to the list: limited addition Coca Cola bottles with designs by Roberto Cavalli. I’m not usually a Cavalli fan and I gave up caffeinated drinks a long time ago (although I do have an undying loyalty to Coca Cola), but I really like these! The far left one is probably my favorite, but it's nice to see Cavalli in all of them, his design element is clear even on a Coke bottle. So much better than those SJP Pepsi ads that I never liked, if you ask me…

I have this irrational fear about falling down stairs (apparently a fell down I flight when I was younger, but was completely unharmed). However, it is not really as if I think I’m going to fall, it’s that I “over think” myself into almost falling. As I walk down stairs I try to consider what my legs are doing, what the process my body is going through to maneuver the steps—and I can’t figure it out. I mean, logically I know my legs are bending, but illogically I “forget” how to walk down them and often start to stumble…does anyone else do this?

Oh, and this is another lipstick shade that I picked up. This one is really dark in the tube but almost seems sheer on my lips.

Outfit details: skirt- Forever 21, shirt- Urban Outfitters, shoes- vintage, bow- vintage lucite pin

Although I am decidedly not ready for fall to come, a couple of looks from Facehunter seem like very appropriate transition styles. I do head out to Washington State in two weeks time to see the parents and it will probably be much cooler there--so I'll just consider this a "vacation" wardrobe. Black never looked as good as it does with a dash of primary...

For my own pictures today I had far too much fun frolicking in the woods. It was so peaceful and quiet (outside of the raucous drone of insects) and a very mild temperature (which might indicate that coming fall I loathe so much). I'm wearing a dress and shoes you have all seen many times before, but instead of belting said dress, I pinned it back with my lucite bow pin. New is the Victorian vintage shrug I am wearing in babydoll blue with lace trim. I want to wear it with everything! It makes much more of a statement on black dresses.

Outfit details: dress- Urban Outfitters, shoes- Blowfish via Urban Outfitters, shrug- vintage via eBay

I seem to be very into parking lots lately. They are photographic background fodder like any other site and I'm a bit bored with all the nature shots. Also, since it is summer there are a number of student parking lots that are virtually empty--so don't worry about my safety, cars aren't exactly zooming by.

I finally got some lipstick, after blabbing about it for weeks. Being extremely cheap I decided to get the freebies at make up counters instead of buying colors I wasn't sure I would like. I now have in my possession two darker, purple-red hues and one bright cherry red. Having no shame can definitely have its free perks...

I am so immersed in this online world that my inspirations flit through my head in a second whenever I see something. For example this dress constructed from vintage fabric reminds me of Harlequin, Miu Miu, Viktor and Rolf, and most notably Eley Kishimoto's Fall 2008 collection. I followed up the thoughts by revisiting those collections and now have plenty of ideas on how to wear this dress into the winter.

The picture set ups were fairly equally inspired by this image, this image (seen at Picked Picks) and the massive hill I posed on itself. It's funny the images look flat, but I was lying on an extremely steep hill and I nearly rolled down it multiple times.

Outfit details: dress- Pretty Trashy, belt- secondhand, shoes- Urban Outfitters

P.S. Yes, this is the third day in a row I have worn in these shoes. ^_^

I have been invited into another online fashion community... I am already actively involved in three (wardrobe_remix, modepass, and chictopia) because I do like the idea of community and I have trouble saying no. But lately I have just felt so narcissistic about it all. Here my blog is flooded with images of me and now three other sites also have to deal with my face and it all just feels a bit too much... Ironically, there is a discussion thread on w_r over narcissism and if it is a good thing or a bad thing, or if it even an applicable term to use for a group of people sharing inspiration. I say "ironic" because I feel narcissistic in a bad way and yet I wouldn't know about this thread (or many other wonderful ones) if I wasn't involved in these groups and I love reading people's thoughts on these sorts of topics. All these communities are like finding friends with the same interests that I don't have here in person. To me, I think a lot of us feel alone/lost in our passions (I sometimes feel downright silly or frivolous for caring about this when no one else around me seems to) and it's nice to connect with others who have similar interests and at the end of the day are really clever. Also, I feel wrong partaking in discussions or commenting on other people's images if they don't know what I look like--my images serve as a sort of business card, as in "see this is me and I'm not crazy and I might know what I am talking about." Still, three is plenty, so I think I will have to let that last invitation slip away...

Narcissus and Echo, John William Waterhouse, 1903

Here's some groundbreaking news: I found a pair of shorts I actually like. They have sailoresque details, are slightly loose, semi-high waisted, and not micro mini shorts, so really what is not to love? Now that I have shorts I feel as if I should spend more time running around, rolling down hills and climbing trees, or whatever other liberated activities that girls in skirts don't usually participate in.

Outfit details: shirt- H&M, shorts- Urban Outfitters, shoes- Urban Outfitters, necklace- Chinatown