boots made for walkin'

I have a rule regarding {my Pinterest account} - I only pin what I really, really love. It has to be aesthetically pleasing, unforgettable art, products, or imagery that are truely inspiring.

I found {these boots from Free People} on Pinterest and as you can see, they have inspired me to use them both in my painting and in real life.

book review | "Grace: A Memoir" by Grace Coddington

I first met Grace Coddington when I watched "The September Issue" back in 2007. Being the creative director of Vogue (and direct subordinate to Anna Wintour), I was inspired by tenacity and confidence in the documentary, but that pales in comparison to what I feel about her now after reading {her memoir}.

Grace Coddington's book is filled with anecdotes about her childhood, her professional endeavors, and a candid look at her personal relationships. However, after finishing the book this weekend, what struck me was the commitment she has to her craft.

She admits several times throughout the book how sensitive she is, how personally she takes criticism, and how she shys away from social occasions, but underlying these insecurities is an unwavering belief in herself and her own vision.

I recommend it to anyone who loves fashion, New York, or cats.

wedding dress

My fashion choices have been known to raise eyebrows, especially among my family, close friends and my boyfriend. So when I described {this dress} as having a donkeys on it, everyone was expecting the worst.

But I bought it anyways and wore it to a friend's wedding this past weekend.

I read a quote once that said "Chic is when a woman is in harmony with herself." I don't really know if donkeys are "chic", but I know that sometimes you just gotta wear what feels good and what you like, no matter what people are going to say or think.

P.S. I felt totally legit when I saw Spencer Hastings wearing it on Pretty Little Liars. It's nice to know someone out there agrees with me.

fashion week show notes

Fashion week in September is my favorite time of year. It just seems that it comes at such a crucial point - the dog days of summer are still lingering and I've used up all the creative ammunition I can muster.

Then all of a sudden I see collections like Diane VonFurstenberg come down the runway and realize these designers have been challenging themselves to think of something new for DECADES.

Every fashion week, I find myself following the goings on in different ways. Sometimes it's through other blogs, sometimes it's through Twitter, but this season it's through {Fashionista's Show Notes}. The details make you feel like you were there (for example: What kind of music was played?), the images are clear and the report is super concise.

alice in vogue

Grace Coddington is a hero of mine. Her mind must house the most vast and endless catalog of creative ideas of almost anyone in the fashion world. The themes she comes up with when she styles shoots, her presentation, and her vision is so clear and yet, so out of the ordinary.

Here is one of my favorites. This "Alice In Wonderland" shoot has Grace Coddington written all over it. Taking the classic story, modernizing it, and pushing tradition back and forth between the pages of a fairy tale all while capturing couture and the fashion elite.

my heart is in new york

Although I love to travel, nothing compares to New York. The culture, the fashion, and the fast pace environment is what the city is known for, but what makes it so special for me is the quiet beautiful places you discover if you take the time to search for them. A waterfall tumbling down a side of a building, rooftop balconies, and amazing art around every corner is what puts New York City deep in the middle of my heart.

This week, I'm looking through old photographs, books I have bought and art I have hung all inspired by my favorite place is the world.

inspiration | 19

image credit: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

friday favorite | crazy big orange scarf

A friend from work made me this GIANT orange scarf. It's huge and cozy and warm. It tries to kill me sometimes. Like right now, I'm sitting at my desk (and on half of the scarf), and when I reach to pet my cute dog or pick up something off the floor, my airway is suddenly super closed off. BUT IT'S WORTH IT! I'm in love.

Happy Friday, you guys!

friday favorite | Kate Spade Hedgehog Coin Purse

I make really impulse purchases sometimes.

"YEP! I LOVE IT!"
*slam it on the counter*
*whip out my debit card*
*say "thank you" profusely to whomever is ringing me up*
(speaking to the object of purchase): "LOVE IT!.... I love this!"

And then I walk out of the store, look in my bag and think "WHAT WAS I THINKING?!"

WELL! This was definitely NOT one of those purchases.

Deborah Lloyd (creative director at Kate Spade) created {this coin purse} as an ode to her home country of England, where apparently hedgehogs are as common as black squirrels in Michigan. They are also a sign of good luck!

To me, I see this as something I will pass along to my grandchildren one day. When I'm long gone, they're going to open up a box and think "WHAT THE HECK IS THIS?!" and will fall in love with it, just as I have.

Meanwhile, I'm still alive - so I will enjoy it this weekend!

Happy Friday, you guys!