The outfit that determines the rest of the year

Admittedly, I can be a bit superstitous at times. New Year's Eve is definitely one of these times. In my mind the way you start a year determines how the rest of the year will play out. That is to say, if I were to celebrate New Years in sweats and a grimy t-shirt I would be condemning myself to a year of ugly (yet, comfortable) clothes. The New Years outfit must be carefully chosen. It must be festive and fun, yet a little refined as well. It must be something newish and definitely something memorable. Here are some outfit ideas I've had...

The irony of ripped jeans

In middle school I remember begging my mom to buy me a pair of Abercrombie ripped jeans like all the cool high school girls wore. My mother did not understand. The ripped jeans cost more than the normal jeans and she was not about to pay extra for clothing with holes in it. The devastation it caused me was more than I could handle. Therefore, I decided to take matters into my own hands and created ripped jeans myself. I used a razor and some bleach and tried unsuccessfully of course to mimick the Abercrombie pair I had been lusting after for so long.

Needless to say, I was a bit shocked to open a pair of the Joe's Jeans black ripped jean leggings this Christmas. My middle school memories rushed back as I forced the leggings on (it really does require a great deal of work) and I felt exactly how I wanted to feel in middle school: a little rebellious. So I am still not sure how much I actually like the look of ripped jeans, or leggings in this case, but I do know that I do like how they feel.

Too much eggnog

This is my Christmas outfit from last night. Ironically, nothing I'm wearing is new except for the gray boots which I am completely smitten with. I recently discovered the red flower which I hadn't worn for ages. I have that weird feeling today that makes it seem like Christmas was a mirage and didn't really happen. Hope everyone's holiday was as merry as mine.

The most fabulous of 2009 (shoes)

I have decided to start a series dedicated to reflecting on the best things of 2009. To start it all off I have chosen (surprise, surprise) shoes. 2009 was literally a year of highs and lows for footwear. I painstakingly chose five favorites from the year and am excited to share them with everyone.

From top to bottom: BCBG 'Mendel' wedge, Chloe, Alexander McQueen, the infamous Chanel clog, Marc Jacobs heart sandal.

Bright lights, The City

Today I had the privilege of spending a few mindless hours watching reality television, "The City" to be specific. I was less than impressed by the bitchy behavior and seemingly scripted lives of the characters who use the word 'like' too much. The show should really be renamed "Watch Girls in Pretty Clothes Fight with Eachother". Regardless of the nonexistent plotline, the clothes are indeed fabulous with a capital F. Whitney seems to be the only grounded character who doesn't completely sell herself out for the drama factor of the show. She also has the most covetable wardrobe of the cast.

Rodarte party

I am in love with the new Target collection by Rodarte. I thought that Target's collaborations with designers had peaked with Erin Fetherston, yet Rodarte may prove me wrong. The collection's subtle hues and girly touches make the clothes extremely wearable for any occasion. My two favorite looks are the black slip dress and the tulle navy skirt with the jean jacket. The black bows on the shoulder of the slip dress make it irresistable, and the jean jacket is such a nineties throwback. In short, something has just sky-rocketed to the top of my Christmas list.

Le beurre, le beurre, le beurre

Julia Childs made cooking with pearls a classic.

I just finished watching Julie & Julia and I absolutely loved it. I was so endeared by how Julie Powell questioned the existence of any readers of her blog and also when she freaked out for getting 53 comments on 'the lobster post'. It made me realize the connections between all bloggers who pretend like they write for themselves and don't really care whether anyone is reading their blog or not.

I am here to say that I do care. I want people to read what I write and I want people to like it. Lately I have been feeling guilty for writing too little and posting too many pictures. I don't want to become one of those fashion blogs that only posts pictures and forgets the writing part altogether (not that there is anything inherently wrong with this). Julie Powell had a project that gave her something to write about daily. I keep trying to think of a way to apply the basis of what she did to fashion, yet my creative juices are failing me...I will keep you posted if I think of anything particularly special.

As for the time being, I am now out of school for the rest of the holidays so I promise daily posts filled with pretty things. Tonight, if you in for the evening I suggest a big glass of eggnog, a foreign Vogue (preferably French or Japanese), and the new Alicia Keys album.

Love actually

I have finals this week, so new posts may not be an option, but here are some lovely Lady Gaga pics from the new Elle issue for you to view in the meantime.

Hey, I put some new shoes on today

I went to Urban Outfitters today to buy my sister this mug that we have been referring to as the "dog bowl" for Christmas, when I spotted these shoes on sale. As you can see from the visual evidence they were impossible for me to resist. Now I just need place to wear them!

Happiness runs in a circular motion

I cannot find enough words of adulation to describe how much I love this photo. The buttons on Sienna's coat have me drooling.

Maybe you would have been something I'd be good at

A bad day can always become a good one with the right amount of Kate Moss editorial. I particularly like this one's Grecian goddess vibe. The horse was also a brilliant touch, the most beautiful of models with the most beautiful of beasts. Pair these photos with Tegan and Sara's album The Con (favorites are "Hop a Plane" and "Call It Off") and you've created the perfect early December pick-me-up.

Lost in translation

I might frequently and openly profess my love for Karl Lagerfeld, yet this time I simply cannot. He staged Chanel's 2010 pre-fall showing in Shanghai which, to me, seems incredibly strategic on his part. After all, America is over, Europe is over, it's all about China. The setting of the show proved to be breathtaking; each model walked before a backdrop of Shanghai's skyline.

While Karl hit it spot on with the location, he failed to impress me with the clothes. Heavily influenced by the Chinese culture, he showed a new found penchant for boxy items. The dresses didn't flatter the models and at times the dresses swallowed the models whole. They became lost in an abyss of embroidered silk.

Though the clothes didn't deliver, the shoes did. The shoes more than delivered. Utilizing bright accent colors like yellow and red, the shoes were my favorite part of the collection by a long shot. So maybe Karl is saying something, maybe he satisfies the Chinese by staging his show in their homeland and paying homage to their cultural legacies through the clothing, and then makes the shoes spectacular so all the snotty American girls aren't left heartbroken. Shoes are the most important part, right?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

The stores are playing Christmas music, people are putting lights up, and they're selling eggnog at Whole Foods; the holiday season seems to have sprung out of nowhere this year, and for some reason I'm left feeling a bit uneasy. Sometimes, Christmas grows a little superficial. We buy people gifts because we feel obligated not because we actually want to give them a gift. We get fat from too much chocolate and stressed out from last minute gift buying and wrapping. While all that might sound like I detest the holidays, I actually enjoy them despite their obvious flaws. In honor of the beginning of December I will share the things that make the holiday season worthwhile.

Things I am looking forward to this holiday season:

-wearing my new Urban Outfitters dress to holiday parties

-peppermint ice cream

-ice skating

-bundling up in cozy scarves

-sparkly tights

-new clothes (hopefully!)

-time with the family

-new years!

-being done with final exams

-cheesy Christmas movies