Happy Socks and Happy September

Now that fall is arriving (after like what, a 2-week summer?) I must come to terms with the end of my sock-free days and force myself to put away my sandals and flip-flops. Such a sad time of the year for me, I love being barefoot or as close to is as possible.

I've never been much of a white sock fan, reminds me too much of gym class. So I found this fun article on Valet via notcouture. And yes, I'm aware Valet is a men's fashion site, but I enjoy it and find it interesting nonetheless. Swedish designers Viktor Tell and Mikael Soderlindh of the line Happy Socks give us loud-and-obnoxiously-printed sock fans the do's and don'ts of wearing colorful footwear.

Rule #1- Keep argyles for fall and winter and then come spring, break out the polka dots and lighter colors.

Rule #2- There's a fine line between looking daring and looking Punky Brewster. Wear colorful socks with tailored clothes or a great pair of denim. Striped socks and your ripped jeans, not a good combination.

Rule #3- We love colorful socks with loafers and shorts. It's very 1950's collegiate with a modern twist.

Rule #4- Don't go too wild. Neon green socks with a pastel suit are just plain Willy Wonka. But we love a hot pink sock peeking out from a black tie suit. Shocking enough to be appreciated.

To read the full article click here. But be aware of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. I've never had to proofread an article before I re-published it here!

Or you can just visit the Happy Socks website. My favorites are the "Joker" and the "Optic" socks =)

What do you guys think of flashy socks?

We'll find the perfect place to go...

...where we can run and hide.

I'll build a wall and we can keep them on the other side.

I thought those lyrics were pretty appropriate.

TAG TIME!  The lovely Ursula at Thoughts of an Urban Fab Addict tagged me!

*The rules*:1 Respond and rework; answer the question on your blog, replace one questions that you dislike with a question of your invention, and if you want- add more questions of your own!

2. Tag 8 other people:

What is your current obsession?

-Starbucks shaken green tea, nude or flesh-toned Loub pumps, sundresses, suntans, mixing black with brown

What songs are currently on constant repeat?

-MGMT: Time to Pretend

-Ladytron: Black Cat

-The Knife: Neverland

-Nine Inch Nails: Discipline

-Of Montreal: A Sentence of Sorts In Kongsvinger

What is your favorite food?

-Japanese, chocolate, green tea anything, mom's italian food

Favorite smell?

-the ocean, fresh crisp scents, mosh-pits at an amazing show, freshly cut grass, laundry

What are you wearing today?

-denim cut-offs, peace tee, black cardigan, vintage necklaces, brown Minnetonka sandals

Why is today special?

-It (was) a beautiful Sunday, the weather was perfect, and I spent the entire day outside with my boyfriend taking photographs

What would you like to learn to do?

-play any instrument, speak 3 other languages fluently, not procrastinate

What are in your pockets?

-lint?

What's the last thing you bought?

-fabric and a seam ripper so I can do the wicked tee-shirt DIY

What is your most challenging goal right now?

-yoga, or being consistent with it.  So far the consistency is what is challenging haha

If you could have a home totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?

-the country, preferably in somewhere other than the U.S.

What's your must have piece for summer?

-breezy dresses and tees, and a perfect faux tan that looks totally natural (safety first!)

What would you like to have in your hands right now?

-VIP passes to the Nine Inch Nails show, but it looks like I will have to be on the lawn =(

What would you like to get rid of?

-judgemental people, and Seth Rogan because that guy is just not funny and he is everywhere and in everything

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?

-backstage at NIN so I can hang with the boys (my obsession is in full-force right now, can't you tell?)

What are your plans for the future?

-to be happy

Who do you want to meet right now?

-Robin Finck, even though I will probably drool all over him, Trent and Mariqueen so I can give them my congrats, the Obamas, the Proenza Schouler guys and the Olsens

What trend(s) are you currently sick of seeing?

-hmmm, I don't think there are any right now, but ask me in a few weeks... or days...

Favorite label/shop?

-I don't really have a favorite "label" or "shop", I shop everywhere.  But I guess currently it's the vintage shops and flea markets in NYC

What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own closet?

-my Elizabeth & James tee

If you had $10,000 right now, what would you spend it on?

-my NIN passes, a handbag, the black and white Gareth Pugh shoe-boots, and try to save or donate the rest

Do you admire anyone's style?

-Ashley Olsen's (although MK is lately dressing more to my liking), Chlöe Sevigny and Jenny Lewis

Describe your personal style?

-It varies, but lately tons of vintage mixed with weird/unique pieces, oversized tees, dresses dresses dresses

What are you going to do after this?

-work on homework

What would you love to see come back in fashion?

-if it ever went out of fashion,and hasn't made a comeback yet, it's probably for good reason

What do you think about the person who tagged you?

Ursula is just adorable!  I love her, I'm glad we have found each other in the blog-world.  She is so sweet and makes the nicest comments =)

Now I tag:

Mrs. M at Slacker Chic

Alexandre at Everybody Plays the Game

Frankie at Swell Vintage

Megs and Tay at Rebellion

and really whoever wants to do this tag lol

Enjoy!

lyrics: NIN

Sisters

"You look very New York.  And not penthouse New York but 'I live in a box' New York"

-my sister, commenting on my outfit this evening.

Don't you just love them?

AE or Anthro?

I have 2 interviews coming up in the next 2 weeks with both American Eagle Outfitters and Anthropologie (the same people that own Urban Outfitters).  Not sure which store I'd rather work in; Anthro has better clothes but AE has much nicer employees and a much nicer store manager.  

Originally I really really wanted to work at Anthropologie, but after meeting employees from both stores I'm now leaning toward AE...  Plus they both would like you to wear their own clothing as much as possible while you work (obviously) and umm HELLO?! I'd rather pay $25 instead of $200.  Even with a 40-50% discount, which I would get at both places.

If you guys were in my position, where would you work if both stores offered you a job?  Has anybody worked at either one of these companies?

It's sixteen miles to the promise land

And I promise you I'm doing the best I can.

Last night I ate an avocado.  And boy was it scrumptious, my dears!  I just attacked it with a spoon like I was eating a grapefruit =P

So, I've been feeling a little blah lately.  I don't know if it's been the flip-flopping of the weather since it can't make up it's mind or what, but I have just felt like complete shit.  My head feels twice its size and I feel just gross.

PLUS I'm a bit bummed because my paintings I submitted (see a few posts below) did not get "accepted" to the exhibit I applied for.  I got a nice generic email from the grad students who were "judging" the entries which said "We regret to inform you... blah blah blah... the amount of entries exceeded our expectations and we couldn't accept everyone... blah blah."  In other words "Emily you shouldn't have submitted unfinished work and now you're fucked."

But I did drop into the Starbucks by my parents' house and asked them straight up if they are accepting any new artwork to be displayed and they are!  So hopefully this will work out =)

In other art-related news I'm currently making a fashion illustration based on this photo.  I wanted to do something with the Balenciaga dress, and I loved this photo.  Right now it's just working and re-working in my sketchbook, and I can't decide if I want to complete the final illustration in b&w or color.

So anyway, since my blog has felt uninspired lately (I do apologize for the lack of posts) I decided to blog about another blogger who has plenty of inspiration.  Frankie at Swell Vintage is one of my favorite bloggers who constructs the most amazing pieces of jewelry out of vintage materials.

For instance her necklaces made from antique drawer-pulls?  Genius, I say.  Genius!

I urge you guys to check out her blog, and her Etsy shop.  I told her the only reason why I have yet to purchase one of her pieces is the simple fact that I'm broke =/  But I have a job interview on Saturday with American Eagle of all places, but a job is a job!  They've gotten better clothes in recent seasons anyway...

Lyrics: Rilo Kiley

Impatience

"It's spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.

And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't know what it is

you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!"

-Mark Twain

I am craving spring and summer right now.  Yesterday it snowed! and it's the beginning of April!  I was quite sad, as I got new sandals over the weekend and have yet to be able to wear them.  Instead I had to bust out my winter boots again, which I did NOT like one bit.  I don't mind snow too much- when it's the appropriate time to be snowing!

And there are three things I love most about warmer months: green tea, dresses & museums.  Preferably going to a museum wearing my favorite dress drinking an iced green tea =)

Francis Bacon Man in a Cap, c. 1943

Hopefully this summer I will be able to go back to NYC to visit the Met because, starting May 20, the works of one of my favorite painters Francis Bacon will be there.  And I really don't want to miss this exhibit since I have never been able to see any of his works in person.  So am I going to have to withstand another 10-hour drive to NYC?  Why yes, I am.

I love wearing dresses when it's warm out, and this new-ish online collection of dresses is just amazing.  Sunday Brunch has vintage-inspired dresses that are perfect for spring and summer; casual enough to wear during the day yet dressy enough so that you feel all lovely and fancy walking around in one.  Eventually I'm going to have to fork over some cash and buy myself one of these little numbers because they are going fast!  My favorite blue one (below) is already sold out!

Mel en Stel Cup of Tea dress, $350.00

Raquelle Hello Stripes dress, $280.00

Heidi Merrick Aunt Judy dress, $530.00

My beverage of choice during the summer is green tea.  I should say my favorite summer ingredient is green tea because I lovelovelove green tea ice cream.  It's so light and refreshing with a unique flavor.  If you have never tried it, I'd suggest that you head on over to the nearest hibachi-style restaurant or sushi bar and order yourself a huge bowl full of it!

For anyone that is interested I have a recipe for Almond Peanut & Biscuit Filled Chocolate Cupcakes with Matcha Frosting (to add to my green tea obsession) from The Sugar Bar.  Another non-traditional way to enjoy green tea!

What are your favorite things about spring and summer?

Francis Bacon photo: Wikipedia

Cupcake photo: The Sugar Bar

These aren't even WORTH a witty title or song lyric

Okay typically I love (or at least appreciate) almost everything posted on Notcouture, but I just do NOT get these booties by Jump by Steve Madden... or why anyone would think them fashion-forward or even cute enough to post them. I don't know if it's the oddly shaped heel, or just the shoe itself that initiates my gag reflexes. But I am completely baffled that anyone would design a shoe like this.

I mean seriously, WHAT THE FUCK?

They aren't even remotely cute!

In fact, they look like glorified CROCS, the devil-spawn of shoewear.

If you're going to do perforated leather, at the very LEAST do these booties by Steve Madden.

THESE are cute.

THOSE up there are NOT.

I think I'll go home and mull this over

Before I cram it down my throat.

This time on Friday I shall be in NYC.  

Yay!

However, it's going to take a 10 hour drive on a charter bus to get there.

Not so yay...

photo: hypebeast

lyrics: The Shins

Damn you marketing reports!

Damn you to hell! 

*shakes fist!!*

So as you can tell I have to construct a marketing report for my merchandising presentations class.  I don't necessarily mind writing marketing reports (however, I've never actually written one.  But I've never minded writing papers) but it's irritating when in all the databases I search I cannot find the company I want to research!

In my class I have an accessories company and the object is to make a report and in it compare my company to other (existing) competitors.  My accessory is scarves! and I wanted to use A Peace Treaty as one of my companies.  But since it isn't a HUGE ass company I cannot find it.  

And they have such beautiful scarves!

I guess I'll just have to settle for using all the same boring companies that every "Abercrombie-&-VS Pink sweatpants tucked into Uggs-wearing-I-only-go-to-fashion-school-cause-I-think-it's-easy-and-cause-I-dress-nicely-in-clothes-daddy-can-pay-for-even-though-I-really-have-no-fucking-clue-about-fashion" student in my class is going to use.  Like Louis Vuitton and Coach.  Blah.
For now I shall calm myself to some *quieter* Nine Inch Nails:


La Mer
et il est un jour arrivémarteler el cielet marteler la mer
et la mer avait embrassé moiet la délivré moi de ma caille
rien ne peut m'arreter mantenant

and when the day arrivesi'll become the skyand i'll become the sea
and the sea will come to kiss mefor i am going home
nothing can stop me now
Edit: I really REALLY wanted you guys to hear this song.  Not all NIN is dark and noisy.

Nine Inch Nails La Mer songs

free music downloads | music videos | lyrics

A week's worth of inspiration

Important Linkage (must-sees):

Iris van Herpen @ If I'ts Hip, I'ts Here

Markus Pierson @ The Contessa Gallery in Lyndhurst, OH

Three Words

So I'm pretty excited for tonight because, instead of going to see Friday the 13th like I'm sure a lot of people, sister and I are going to see TWILIGHT.  It's going to be fun because it's what Kent State's rec center refers to as a "Dive-In Movie"- the film is going to be projected above the pool and we will all be floating around in tubes and rafts as opposed to uncomfortable cinema seats.  Sounds exciting... right?  Or lame?

Moving on.  Those Hefty trash bag commercials are hilarious and always get stuck in my head (you know the ones; the "HEFTY HEFTY HEFTY!  wimpy wimpy wimpy!)  Anyway, it inspired this post.  Just when you thought I was a complete crackhead.

Gorgeous Gorgeous Gorgeous!MK in Interview magazine (and Balenciaga!!)


Creepy Creepy Creepy!Models for McQueen's Target line?!


Cozy Cozy Cozy!Tankus cropped sleeve belted coat


Nifty Nifty Nifty!Calendar inspired by lottery scratch-offs!


Striking Striking Striking!Tilda Swinton on the cover of AnOther magazine


Crazy Crazy Crazy!Robert Pattinson as Salvador Dalí!



? ? ?Not sure what to make of Rachel Roy's Fall 2009 collection.  Thoughts?  (Oh, and the styling reminds me of YSL's Fall 2008 collection, no?)