In love you have loosened yourself like sea water

I'm pretty sure I may be the only person in the world who becomes giddy at the sound of the words 'bilingual edition,' but regardless this may be the best Valentine's Day present I will ever receive (ironically it is a self-gift); no more chalky, flavorless hearts. My love for poetry will overpower my love for any one person this holiday; and I'm not sure this is any particular form of a travesty.

Twist and shout

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday. Here is a sampling of my outfit for new year's eve. The lady at the organic grocery store in southern California told me I looked like a princess; I was pretty happy about it. Albeit, I was a little disappointed in myself for not wearing any sequins or sparkles or glitter. The bracelet I'm wearing here (which you can barely see in this photo) currently has me under its spell. Goal for 2010: more outfit posts.

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...

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.

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.

All Hallows Eve

I'm thinking of dressing up as Carrie Bradshaw.

Ever since I was a small child I have been pretty much obsessed with Halloween. It's the one night of the year where you can wear whatever you want and get away with it. As Cady in Mean Girls so famously remarked, "Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it." Of course I am not advocating dressing in an obscene costume just because you can, I am advocating going all out with whatever it is you decide to be. I am still in the throes of what to wear tonight, but I do promise to make it fabulous. So happy Halloween to everyone dressing up, and for those too cool to put on a costume I send my condolences.

America the beautiful.

Karl Lagefeld once paid homage to America by featuring stars and stripes in his Spring 2008 collection.

I send my apologies for my lack of posts recently, I took the weekend off and enjoyed the uncharacteristically good weather here in the Pacific Northwest. Somehow the weather gods were on our side this year and decided to put off the overcast skies and drizzly rain until today, which is just fine with me because the fourth was just lovely.

Fourth of July always reminds me of how much I really do love this country although sometimes it may seem otherwise. Nothing beats the good 'ole family barbeque with hamburgers (veggie burgers for me), watermelon, corn on the cob, and baked beans. While our classicly American meals may seem to be an oddball mix, our classic principles always make sense. We are a nation built on strong personalities and strong beliefs, and I am always proud to be a part of that.

I hope everyone dressed in their greatest red, white, and blue ensembles and enjoyed a good parade and some fireworks, after all it only happens once a year.