One Top, Three Ways

Earlier this month, Rebecca did a post on Esther Williams and crop tops.  I was inspired, and hear it is, almost a month later, and I am still loving the look and the idea of a crop top for summer.  The look just screams vintage glam to me (when it is done right, that is).  I found this crop top and fell in love with its gorgeous print and colors, and I think it would be such a fun piece for summer vacation.  It would look gorgeous paired with a long black maxi skirt (although I think you could also pair it with a green calf length, pleated skirt and look great, too).  To change up the look, you could pair it with a fun pair of cigarette pants (I am forever buying black cigarette pants; they are a closet staple for me).  You could also throw the top on with a pair of black shorts for another fun, easy look.

River Island crop top, $20 / Topshop jersey knit maxi skirt / High waisted short shorts / Topshop black cigarette pants


So what do you think?  Will you be sporting a crop top (and a halter one, to boot) this summer?

Film Inspiration: Bonjour Tristesse

via oldschoolwardrobe

A few years ago, on some lazy Saturday afternoon, I came across a film called Bonjour Tristesse, 1958 (French, "Hello Sadness."  Novel by Francoise Sagan, 1954) starring Debora Kerr, David Niven and, this pretty little actress I didn't know, Jean Seberg.  It is a rather artsy film about a flimsy, do nothing, father-daughter duo with plenty of money and no drive.   Their lives consist of laying in the sun, and dancing the night away with their latest conquests.  The realization of their pointless existence is not the tragedy; the real catastrophe exists in their inability to change their own pattern of living. 

 It is the kind of film that never leaves you once you see it.

Jean Seberg is not a noted actress, yet her beauty seems to be enough in her roles.  American critics gave her very poor reviews (including this second attempt, Bonjour Tristesse) but when she moved to France and began making foreign films, the press there loved her and she had a fairly successful career for awhile.  

It is odd to think that this beauty, who is the picture of gamine European style, was actually from Marshaltown, Iowa!  She still inspires all of us today with her minimalist, summery, devil- may- care look.  

artetv

alisonkerr

via

callmeredtelephone

I am already dreaming of summer with Seberg as my style inspiration.  Here are some things I found that I am going to need.

Jean Seberg by desertgirls featuring an oversized t-shirt

Topshop chambray top / Mango oversized t shirt, $16 / Esther Williams red one piece bathing suit / Warehouse skater skirt, $40 / Chloé ankle strap flat / Charlotte Russe summer straw hat / Alexander Wang cat eye sunglasses, $380

Minor Obsession: Topshop

If you have followed our blog for any length of time, then chances are you've guessed that I am an anglophile.  I can't help it; I love (almost) all things British.  London is my favorite town.  The English accent is my favorite accent, both to listen to and to poorly emulate.  So while I was checking out Topshop online, I came across these new in items that made my heart swoon.  

I've seen these little cupcake kits before- I've even purchased some,
but this is the first time I've seen the British one!  I want it!! 
 Look at those Queen's Guards!

You know, for when you need to make some
super cute paper chains.

And when you need union jack paper chains.

Pencils and a cute pencil case!

I have insoles in almost all of my shoes-
being a teacher means being on my feet all day
and I refuse to give up my cute shoes.  I love these Union Jack insoles!

London tea towel

Jubilee Tea Cup Charm Bracelet

This year England is celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

2012 marks 60 years of the Queen's reign; a feat that has happened only once in the country's history, with the last time in 1897 with Queen Victoria. 

London 3D Skyline

Want to try something fun?  These London Skyline Lashes from Paperself are crazy!

~Lori

(Some of) the Things I Need for Spring

The weather here has been really weird lately:  Monday it was freezing with gale force winds; Tuesday was cold and windy,but not as bad as Monday; Wednesday morning it was freezing.  Friday was a little windy, but it was a warm wind.  Warm wind is better than bitter cold wind, but that doesn't stop me from hating it.  It's annoying, blowing sand in your face, messing up your hair, making it difficult to wear dresses for fear of having the skirt blow up unexpectedly.  You would think after living in this valley for my whole life I'd be use to it.  Well, I'm not.  Actually, I am.  I'm just full of contradictions today.  I'm used to it, but it doesn't stop me from hating it.  And before you start hating me for talking excessively about wind, let me explain the reason I started complaining about it in the first place: it is making me really look forward to spring.  (Yep- that's it.  You should hear me teach.)  In the spring, it is still windy, but it is a warm wind that blows on a warm day.  None of this waking up to freezing temperatures crap and needing your wool coat one minute and a short sleeve shirt the next.  Now, don't get me wrong, I actually am not ready (not just yet) for spring to be here, because I am still enjoying wearing my winter clothes.  I love my boots and leggings and layers, layers, layers.  And I just bought a really cool pair of vintage wool Navy sailor pants.  What color you ask? They are navy blue, of course.  And they are awesome.  I got them at the Antique Asylum, which is the store that Rebecca talked about in her post with the yellow beads.  I know I should know how to do this myself, but the pants are too short and the hem needs to be let out.  I'm not good with a needle and thread, people; I safety pin buttons back on when they fall off.  Which is better than my friend Heather, who said she hot glues them on when they fall off of shirts and subsequently has to put said shirts on as slip-over blouses from that point on.  Anyway.  Wool sailor pants that are currently residing on the floor of my closet (that's another thing, besides sewing that I just can't seem to get the hang of- putting things away) that are begging to be worn at least once this winter are really the main reason I am not ready for spring to come just yet.

But.  When it does get here, I will be ready for it, with the help of these wants that are currently on my list of "Things I Need for Spring" (it is in italics because this is an important list, and important things should be italicized).  Ooh, and I'll be ready for spring thanks to this really cute vintage jumpsuit (navy blue, go figure) that I got the other day.  It also needs to be altered, because safety pins, even strategically place safety pins, just won't cut it on this one.

Libby Edelman "Liv" leather ballet flats
(available here)
I love the neutral taupe and pop of orange,
and that chain detail-- love!
I actually love them more in canvas,
but they aren't available yet.

Vintage Inspired Purse
from Loveculture

also available in brown!

Pleat Midi Shirtdress, Topshop

This would be perfect to add an extra pop of color
AND keep your hair out of your face on those
windy spring days.  Available at Topshop.
And the main color is orange.  I LOVE orange for clothes.

Harmony Wedge from Modcloth
This shoe combines the lace and clear shoe trend.
(Is there a prettier way to say "clear shoe trend"?)

Black Gingham top.  Wish is were in blue, and
then it would be perfect and on its way to my house.
Available from Modcloth.

~Lori

Minor Obsession

 I have had a small obsession with retro woodland inspired things for sometime now.  I guess it started a couple of years ago when my daughter and I were lucky enough to be shopping in Ireland and I picked up a cool little owl necklace made out of vintage coins.  (The coins are fakes; the necklace is from the popular store Accessorize, which now has an American website that doesn't do the actual stores justice.  It's great for grabbing inexspensive, on trend jewelry.)  Anyway, on the same trip we also went to Topshop in London and saw a lot of cutesy little woodland animal accessories for the home and office.  I know this trend has been around for a while now, but I just think they are so cute, and I think some of the woodland inspired pieces are perfect for fall.  The dress that I wore for our header picture fits this trend perfectly: it has a goregous mustard yellow skirt and the neckline of the cream top looks like a collection of fluttering leaves.  I do not have the coloring to wear mustard, which is a big color this season, so this dress really works for me; I get to wear the color, but since it is only on the skirt it doesn't wash me out.

    

Some woodland inspired pieces perfect for fall: 

dress: Dillard's
belt: Forever 21





BB Dakota Cape


Modcloth Fawn Print Dress

Floral Deer Set
(this has the sweetest little deer and bird print!)

Mulberry Carter Ballerina Flat

Modcloth Dragonflies Dress

Mulberry Sweater
(I love, love, love this!)

Some of the pieces below are almost too cute, but when worn correctly can add a sense of whimsy and quirkiness to a fall outfit.  

Little Fox Prince Ring

Retro Owls Pouch

Little Fox Price Locket

Fox belt

                                               

And these products are just plain cute.

   

     Cupcake Liners

                    

Woodland Critter Set from SeaUrchin Studio

Rock Squirrel Notepad

from SweetiePieCaketopper(look at those cute little woodland creatures!)

Facsimile Frame(Cute as is, or change the pic out)

Anthropologie Tea & Crumpets apron(reminds me of my dress, and it comes in a kiddie
version so Mommy and Daughter can be equally stylish)