Hat you been here...

(Jacket, Vintage Ralph Lauren; Hat, Vintage; Sunglasses, Giorgio Armani; Dress, vintage; Shoes, Timberland)

Tie-d to you

(Jacket, Marc Jacobs; Tie, thrifted; Sunglasses, Giorgio Armani; Pants, INC; Shoes, Converse; Hat, Vintage, work backwards)





Sometimes being tied up is fine. And being tied to you is actually kind of sweet. There fore, we're back here!! Yes. After long weeks since school began, I've been a lousy friend to you, but mostly a shy one.
You see, everyone at my school is gorgeous and successful and dolled up every day. I digress that it would surely be an excellent opportunity to shoot some chic street style... If I had the guts to stop strangers and ask. Well, it takes even more courage to set up a tripod, click the camera timer, and start posing...on my own... in front of everyone. Luckily it's turkey-gobble vacation and we got this virtually empty park/yard/place to take pics in. So we're back! =)

Man, I'm so in love with this jacket. It's trimmed with braided leather and the shape is rather Channel, but with Marc Jacob's grungey touch. It was such a fun purchase! I visited an old friend in Bethesda, and took the bus instead of flying. So It was a nice treat with the leftover money. Ahh, so happy it comes out of the closet again! Yes, the jacket agrees. Just when I was about to put it back in the closet it said, "Oui, madame, j'ai été poussé dans le dos de votre placard pendant une année entière. Maintenant, vous allez donner à vos excuses. Ne vois-tu pas? Je dois être montré. Je suis une œuvre d'art exquis! Mon style est pariasian, américain bebete!".. Well, too bad I don't speak French. So I pet it and put it back.

Self Made Woman

While we all love our little designer dresses; note Mint by Jodi Arnold, Alice + Olivia, Susana Monaco, Poleci, Nanette Lepore, etc., a little DIY can also be good for the soul. Don't you think? We found these pieces of khaki linen for free while on a roadtrip. The linen pieces received an amateurish cut and some stitches.

The piece looked washed out and unflattering. Hmm... So, this is the kind of case that calls for dangerous ideas. You know, those ideas that make you rummage through abandoned boxes in your garage, or basement, or wherever you keep those boxes full of stuff you never use. This is when one gets too creative. So, you buy things that you will only use once... the kind of things that end up in the garage anyways. Meanwhile, The pale little dress, just ironed by house-diva mother, hung pristinely on a vanilla-colored padded satin hanger. It was bland, unflattering, office-y. Just perfect to meet a boyfriend's grandma for the first time. The kind of dress that falls for dangerous ideas.

It first was attacked with metallic spray paint in diagonal strikes. It was a bit more flattering, but still boxy. Next, I ripped off the sleeves and crumbled it up.

Here it worn with Calvin Klein aviators, Flea Market jewelry, and Coach patent pumps.

Bolder Shoulder Folders

Certainly, it is not news to us that bold shoulder silhouettes are, well... big, this season. This top may just be the perfect balance between the bolder shoulder details and realistic practicality. The water-like waves makes the details softer and trend-proof while still being on trend.

Speaking of waves, today was the absolute perfect day for another pool party. Yes, Kerplunk!

Polka Dots!

As we have all seen, gorgeous monochrome contrasts have taken the runways by storm. One of my favorites, both refined and playful are the dots. Inspired by several runway designers and whowhatwear muses below, I acquired my new favorite little dress. Said dress will absolutely come in handy this fall for the numerous semiformal events and parties as well as being the perfect flirty date dress, without looking like I tried hard at all (paired with tights, boots, anb a cozy jacket).

I wore my little dress for the first time to my 11 year old niece's birthday party. It was a fun occasion with both her friends and my sister's and my friends by the pool. We did a lot of socializing and catching up, while, occasionally, serving cake and fruits for the kids.

Missed You !!!

Hello, hello Lovely readers! I must deeply apologize for my lack of updates. Among some incidents were my laptop getting pseudo-stolen (prank) in the Sonoran Desert... and both my camera and mobile drowning at the Niagara Falls.

Speaking of falls, the runways are quite full new trends. However, Something that came this spring and will not go away any time soon are bright colors. So I scored a few bright Alice + Olivia little pieces as well as some full-finger rings and a pair of leg lengthening nude wedges... and a dress from Nanette Lepore's spring runway... which ended up not being very alterable, so if anyone is a size 4, you can't say that i don't love you; it's here!

Overly Seized

Summer silly, summer just nuts, and summer plain wild

Haha, well, I have not worn my Free People "African Bouquet" dress all summer. And it's just kind of cool and crocheted and the skirt is the coolest gauzy material. So why did it stay in the closet? Well, dear reader, because of silly me. Mainly because it's such a layering piece that i thought might require cooler temperatures to wear with a white shirt or a turtleneck and tights.

of boys and silk shirts

There is something so "i don't care" sensible and fun about boy's pieces. It feels so right not to have to look professional or impress any admissions people. ahh... This freedom will end soon. So, this will likely be my uniform on the cross country trip.

The train from my town departs in exactly 60 hours. Yes, perhaps this is this blog's own little manifest destiny. We will be shooting, the only right way there is-- with a camera!!! Bringing my set of hazardous, violent full finger ings and buying clothes along the way. I will be bringing a) 1 bathing suit, b) 1 pair flat sandals, c)1 pair dress heels, d) 1 dress, e) green harem pants. Can't wait!!

Beloved New Bag

 
[Sunglasses, Emporio Armani; Top, no label; Jean shorts, thrifted; Shoes, Old Navy]

Here are some recent acquisitions. I am so infatuated with this Cole Haan patent bowler. Ahh,So hot for it, despite the price tag... Might I also present you, this asymmetrical blouse. The cut is so unusual and so unlike anything I've seen. I feel like having this replicated by a tailor in at least 3 more colors. What do oyu think they might be?

Wearing, also, my brand new Emporio Armani sunglasses, courtesy of closetbuy on ebay. Thank you closetbuy. =)

Wild Life

  [Sunglasses, Armani; Blouse, Juicy Couture; Gladiator sandals, Sofft; Belt, Vintage; Skirt, Vintage; Necklaces, Vintage; Bracelet, Vintage; Ring, 18K gold]
I was 11 years old, once... very small framed, with wild, honey-colored hair, infinitely happy, and had the loveliest, sweetest, most loving nanny. I call her mommy, much to my mother's jealousy.

One night after homework, we went treasure hunting in her room. She had mounds of clothes. They were piled in plastic bins for years, begging to be explored. That night, below the white swimsuits, red dresses, and ripped shorts, we found this skirt. Gosh, she said, "it's still alive". Her late husband bought it at a foreign factory sale at least 45 years ago. She'd never worn it since then.

45 years seem like a long time for a skirt that feels like new. And it's so wild too. I loved it! She put it on me as a dress with a little shrug cardigan tied on top and I went to a school party like that the next day.

Go, wild wild quests!

Crab cakes and stilettos

I'm taking myself out to lunch at a local restaurant. It is actually a very casual seafood place. The locals stare and point, no matter what shreds of cloth cover or uncover this body. So, dress codes are deliciously irrelevant, aren't they?

"Taking yourself?", you ask? Why yes. It is easier and more relaxing this way. Try it. Were I on a date, this would be a different story. Boys seem to be under the false impression that we dress to seduce them. So I'd actually wear pajamas or a mumu, just to see how they rationalize that. Ahh, In fact, I have... As aforementioned, that is a different story. It still stands, whether it's pajamas or 4-inch stilettos, or both, "Hellooo town, where are those crab cakes and wine?".

Hugs and kisses <3
-The girl at the Atelier

Bright into the 80's

As you know, I've been on a skittle-color roll these past few days. You also know how Mom and myself have been on a thrift rampage since.. well, since forever. She wears a rolex and a chanel bag with nothing but thrifted jeans and buttondowns.

So the other day, I was scouring through the suits and men's ties at the church's thrift when someone tapped me on the shoulder... so lightly. It was mom holding these bright high waisted paper-bag, stupidly bright pants.

They do go with everything, because any outfit will be [fill in the blank] with those 80's pants. And we all know that townies will point, no matter what, so might as well make it worth the while =D

The best part? There was a broken hook so they were free. OMFG. I guess the best part, in fact, is how annoyingly conspicuous they are. Also, I bought the wickedest McQueen for Puma shoes and a mink stole among other things. This outfit is among the other things. Except for the patent Sofft sandals. I've been running around on these all day and they feel like sneakers!
Muah!





Thank you for reading!

-The girl at the atelier

Big, Bright, and Soft

Sometimes, the original purpose of a garment is tangled and tucked into a luckier one. Take, for example, this floaty blouse. It was purchased for a few cents and it was destined to the ripped and made into rosettes for a dress project. There was a tear under a sleeve. The size was ridiculously big, and the color was so obnoxiously bright that the only possible use was in pieces of it-- in moderation at that. But perhaps that is the allure. After a few pleats on the front and on the sleeves, this is the end result. A hard-to-wear, soft, floaty tunic.

Also, I just googled "neon trend" and teen Vogue advises khaki with it.

All hail obnoxiously bright silk garments!

-the girl at the atelier

A Sizeable Find

It was perfect. Unwrinkable, unstainable, tailored but soft, new with tags... A Huge Men's Shirt-- for less than 25 cents. Staring into it at the fill-a-bag event, I pondered. Ahh, if only it were my size...
"Wait, Mari, of course!", it hit me. So now it is my size. Stitch a few random pleats here and there, roll and sew the sleeves. In less than 2 hours, this a 4XL men's shirt was more than the original designer may have expected. Here is to the new tunic, with denim shorts from the free pile at the same store... What? Yeah, shopping can be cool like that.

I canot wait to show you some DIY's I've been working on all week.
Muah.

I Love You

I do, I promise! Will update as soon as my life stops being so ugh. Well, I asked for it, calling this town boring. Been bicycling and walking and running around all day. Ahh, but had the greasiest french fries for lunch with some calzone pizza. Haha. Yes, one step back. New old sweater. Had to snag it from mom, but I had seen it first. I did let her pay for it, so we will share it. TTY Soon!

mid night life

[Black clouds sweater, recent acquisition; Black sunglasses, Betsey Johnson; Black pleather leggings, uncertain origin; Black boots, Kenneth Cole]

Such a busy day. Will write better tomorrow. Promise. Ah, also, new acquisition. Who would have thought that oversized clothes can be un-rapper-fied? Totally love this sweater. Even if it's itchy as hell and totally synthetic. Wish i could order it in a softer fabric. Will line it with silk fabric tomorrow morning. =)

Walk this way, please...
Ahh, late night talking makes nearly everything laughable.







Love this pair. Got it this summer and haven'thad a chance to wear them. There are even comfy-er than flat boots. So padded!

-The Girl at the Atelier

Rag Doll

Some garments are beautifully unwearable. They are hard to wear. Their looks are so unusual that one just has to have them... but to harmonize them with what? They dont harmonize. Will you wear them just by themselves? Maybe with a pair of amazing shoes?

Too bad that indecent exposure is... well... indecent...

But seriously, a high waisted vintage tulip mini, a shredded white tank, those Dolce & Gabbana plaid green gaucho trousers... you get he idea. Then, there are other pieces that are so straightforward that you have to work to make them seem original or unique in any way. To express yourself with everything else.

Don't? Don't you want me?

This outfit came together under the influence...
1980's synthpop music! This song, "Dont you want me?" was enough to get this girl addicted to the British "The Human League".

Just now, I was holding a hair brush, totally pretending it was a microphone. Ahh, the effect this has on moi is not healthy. [grabbing hold of that brush again. Making 80's move.]

1- Heard this 80's hit today and it was kind of cool. At first the music sounded cheesy. Like something my mom used to listen to. Who says, "don't you want me, baby" anymore?

2- By the middle of the song it sounded like something people should say more often. "Don't you want me?" is a totally sexy and underused question.

3- Nodding shamelessly to the rhythm by the end of the song. Karaokeing it by the time it was over [Grabbing brush. Pretending it was a microphone].

The video, with the makeup and the feminine, strong shapes is so cool. I totally want to rock this without looking like a freak. The singers are quite androgynous with a good dose of goth. Gorgeous, sexy style. I'll bolder with the eye makeup next time.[Grab hold of brush. Sing shamelessly, you 80's beast! Hehe.]

Don't You Want Me

You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar
When I met you
I picked you out, I shook you up, and turned you around
Turned you into someone new
Now five years later on youve got the world at your feet
Success has been so easy for you
But dont forget its me who put you where you are now
And I can put you back down too

Dont, dont you want me?
You know I cant believe it when I hear that you wont see me
Dont, dont you want me?
You know I dont believe you when you say that you dont need me
Its much too late to find
You think youve changed your mind
Youd better change it back or we will both be sorry

Dont you want me baby? dont you want me - oh
Dont you want me baby? dont you want me - oh

I was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar
That much is true
But even then I knew Id find a much better place
Either with or without you
The five years we have had have been such good times
I still love you
But now I think its time I lived my life on my own
I guess its just what I must do

Dont you want me baby? dont you want me - oh
Dont you want me baby? dont you want me - oh