On Trend

Sources for all collages on this post: The Sartorialist, jcrew.com, Parisian Chic, The Glamourai, Altamira: Models Off Duty, Closet Visit,  StockholmStreetStyle. If I've missed a source, please let me know.
It catches you almost by surprise, the idea of radical change. Peering into your reflection is almost like peering into a window almost voyeuristically. There, the object of voyeurism person is the voyeur herself. Peoplewatching.
Those changes happen subconsciously. Unexplainably. Gradually. Unexpectedly. A voice sobers the radically changed image, "Most of our personal decisions are made subconsciously. The phenomenon of awareness lets us rationalize the decisions that we made before being aware of them. But neuroimaging data presents that the ancient animal part of the brain makes the motion first. Then the exclusively human part makes sense of it... or tries."

Doubtlessly the bloggers and stylistas of the world are making certain items nearly irresistible. For many. I can't deny that I'm inspired and spend precious time making collages of these fantastic looks. But, for some reason, they stay in the computer screen, never to cross the virtual world into my physical expression. Maybe this reluctance to start imitating is the reason why my quest to develop and maintain a style is somewhere between non-punctual and never-ariving.

Perhaps it has to do with a long-established penchant for rebelliousness. For some reason, I avoid anything horizontal striped. Maybe it it the association with Picasso'ish breton tops that everyone else seems to be loving. This is despite having worn a white and navy striped long-sleeve tee almost every three days last summer. it is strange, for such frequent traveler, this item gets packed on for every trip but never sees the light of day. The same goes for my beautiful, high-quality, great-fitting, favorite fabric red pants. They were absolute favorites last fall and the fall before last fall. Said previously outrageously red pants used to get stares in the sweet and polite world. Being now trendy, it turns out they are staying in one of my three extra armoires in the basement.

It is undeniable that both of these trendy items actually make sense. They make sense even despite the fickleness of fashion. The striped tee is, actually, a long established classic. It is almost plain, but very interesting. Then there are perfectly chosen red pants. They are unexpectedly versatile, making the raggiest of rags look stylish. From all the red, however, I'm starting to turn to blue and yellow and everything but red and stripes.

I'm starting to crave graphic black and white, vintage Italian knits, and menswear or metallic flat shoes.

Are you craving anything un-fashion lately? Have you felt like wearing all black in a tropical country, bright colors in the land of black, and business classic in a casual place?  I sure do. Perhaps because I should not?

-La Copine

Office Appropriate

Black Pants: Part Trois

Mes chers lecteurs,

La vie est tress stress and busy suddenly with work and a flurry of entertaining occasions. However, what fun is life if one does not have, well... fun?
So, while my favorite aunt was staying with us, representing her university to sign an international studies program with one in the USA, she took mom and I thrift shopping!

"Why so excited?", you might ask. "After all, that is one of your favorite mother-daughter activities for every weekend." Well, true, mes chers, it is and so is looking at car sales. But it is always so exciting! Even though, this time, I carried all the bags, I was in luck: We found this gorgeous top!
...well, I quietly found, purchased, bagged, handwashed, dried, and tucked away this gorgeous top. Oh, but you shall know that many a pretty beaded piece over a size 6 seems to end up in someone else closet as soon as it arrives home.

A secret? Well, it will no longer be a secret that this one is a si

Juxtaposition

Yes, je confess, je suis still obsessively into the minimalist trend, epitomized by that pair of perfectly-cut black pants. Je vraiment covet all things Jill Sander-esque, and have a career wardrobe to confirm this. But, at times, [ok, mor often lately] minimalism is starting to feel like baking/admiring the perfectly made plain bagel in comparison to the panettone, brioche, and angel cake that the opulent, glam-luxe, and floaty-pretty respective trends have to offer. And, while comparing bread types to runways may seem a bit out-there for most, it seems to offer evidence for the following point: je suis une fille eccentrique. Donc le minimalisme,

But if I loved you

Yellow shirt-dress, Escada; Caramel stilettos, Miss Me; Red lipstick, Urban Decay

Hello dearest readers. After a while of travel, moving, and living as a modern nomad, repelling men and reading huge history books... well, where was I going with that? Hmm, let's resume documenting the reasons why people in this tiny town have a tendency to stare a lot. We might argue that my personal and shared eccentricities could justify the thought. But would it not be much too easy to just blend in a little? Um, the answer is "yes, it would!"

So after the long, unmapped, unplanned nomadic weeks, here is a post of a recent acquisition and a familiar horizon. Hello, again ^_^!

Possibly my most stylish friend ever, the gorgeously blossoming E., commented that the look reminds her of a

because there was no "after"

Tree bark print silk tunic, A Common Thread; Black embellished silk skirt, Robert Rodriguez; Men's black Leather band watch, yard sale; Silver branch necklace, flea market; Burgundy patent bag, Marino Orlandi; Black t-strap pumps, Charlotte Ronson; Brown sunglasses, Gucci.

After spending way too much time researching on irrelevant topics... pffffff --there was no after.

This brain does not function under sleep deprivation. It puts up a sign that says "Gone fishing" and hangs it right on the door to the place where I can make cohesive thoughts and not write run-on sentences like this one.

Therefore, today is a strange day in which bicycle riding becomes a hazardous and potentially lethal activity. And this girl was so excited to meet with her awesome Dr. research boss sir. Mhm. Mhmm. I hear ya. Mkay brain. Manana will be a new day, mmkaay?

Besos y abrazos,

The Girl who obsessed too much at The Atelier's Closet

Floral silk dress, Poleci; Brown patent handbag, Cole Haan; Turquoise giant ring, Made in Israel; Caramel stilettos, Miss Me; Black sunglasses, Yves Saint Laurent.















So this is what I wore to... go to the library to get some ancient texts, to the post office, to the local fabric store, and to stay at home... sewing. Cutting. Hot-glue-ing. Ruining my mom's sewing machine. Hah. But the crafts are so addictive! Je have not made anything post worthy yet. lol. It can be rather embarrassing. But this is coming from the girl who burned water and now bakes amazing artisan breads. Ok, but they are edible. And people like my lentils. Are you there, P. and A.? Haha. Well, who said we have to be talented and pull a Martha Stewart on the first several tries anyways, huh? ...mmm... you do? hmm, well. Ok. Well, who said we have to be talented? lol.

Besos y Abrazos, mis amores!

-The Girl at the Atelier's Closet

Straw fedora hat, Salvation Army; Silver frame sunglases, BCBG Max Azria; Beige silk t-shirt, my mom's; Gray overcoat, Vintage; Black blazer, Emanuel Ungaro; Black twill pants, Lela Rose; Black patent pumps, Pedro Garcia;

Muah,

-The Girl at the Atelier's Closet

Packing Light Challenge: 8

Brown sunglasses, D&G by Dolce & Gabbana; White tuxedo button-down shirt, second-hand; Black pencil dress, Express; Men's digital black watch, my brother's; Black patent flat boots, Via Spiga; Gilded bow necklace, vintage gift from my old boss's family estate.




The post office and the library may not be the most glamorous places, but a red pout tends to brighten a gray day.

Love,

-The Girl in the Atelier's Closet

Packing Light Challenge: 6

Brown sunglasses, D&G by Dolce & Gabbana; Men's digital black watch, plastic, my brother's; Beige and gray pumps, patent leather, Nine West; Red tee, cashmere, Lord & Taylor; Gilded bow necklace, it was a gift from my boss, it belonged to her great aunt.

There is something really special about antiques. There is something really special about gifts. Wearing something like an heirloom elevates and inspires an entire ensemble, making an everyday, mundane, perhaps chic outfit into something personal and substantial. It creates an aura of style and ownership. This is what this little vintage bow necklace represents. It was a gift from my old boss and one of the sweetest women there are. Although I no longer work at the library, this is a very special piece that symbolizes a lot of things and reminds me of her. Here is to heirlooms. Let us raise our glasses of fresh orange juice and say "Cheers!".

-The Girl at the Atelier's Closet

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.

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

You're an animal

[Brown men's square aviator sunglasses, Ray Ban; Long baroque pearl strand; Crocodile beige purse, Marino Orlandi; Leopard colored fur booties, Franco Sarto; Black heart temple sunglasses, Betsey Johnson; Little black dress, Juicy Couture]

Cut the hair and fluffed it up. Yes, it was done yesterday. Do you like?

New Purse! This one is so full of animal details, like the pretty shades of cream marble skin, and the pretty butterfly studded onto on the crocodile texture. Also, another piece from Juicy couture. No track suits. Their dresses, are so wearable. This embossed dress is a dream. Bought two.

Of American Barbecues

Remember the loot from the flea market last week? Yes! This is part of it. The heavy cicles bracelet is actually a belt! Yes, I'm tired of the statement earrings and necklaces lately.I've been looking for a really heavy and bold bracelet. Then, maybe a bracelet is not enough. A belt may do the trick.
  [Brown men's square aviator sunglasses, Ray Ban; Beige appliquéd top, Blu Heaven; Green Harem pants, Handmade; Plaid green espadrilles, American Eagle; Akoya Pearl Necklace; Copper circles belt work as a bracelet, Flea Market]
Yes, barbecue parties galore! So much deliciousness. My sister is roasting every kind of perfectly seasoned food out there, including tofu and Italian sausages for me. Thank you big sister =). All our friends are here, especially the ones who used to be our neighbors when we lived in NY. So many families! Too bad everyone is too busy eating to want to take any pics with the food bellies. Haha.
As city dwellers, we will always be loyal to slim fitting pants. They will always be flattering and smart. But these are so far away from the norm that they are just as cool. There is such a ridiculously generous amount of sheer silk in these! Ahh. Perhaps not so basic, but so surprisingly easy to wear. They are so outlandish that most outfits just look mismatched on purpose.... These will show time and again for decades to come, long after the trend vanishes .