I Wish I Was a Mermaid SO MUCH...Don't You?

Top: Pam Dawber in Faerie Tale Theatre's The Little Mermaid
Bottom: Cher in Mermaids

Like many little girls, I used to love pretending to be a mermaid anytime I was in water. I used to swish my long hair around under the water like the beautiful and mystical sea creature I thought I was. I would cross and hold my legs together like fins and dive in and out of the water with the enthusiasm and precision of someone who thought they had actually transformed into a mermaid. Sadly, my dreams of underwater romances and adventures never came to be, but my fascination with the mermaid look has not faded away.

My first mermaid beauty inspiration- Faerie Tale Theatre's 1987 version of The Little Mermaid, which I happen to own on VHS (!). The mermaids sport the most glorious headgear that I still lust for to this very day. Why Pearl would trade her slammin’ mermaid headdress for human legs is beyond me.

My second mermaid inspiration- Cher is a vision in her mermaid costume in the 1990 film Mermaids. She wears a similar headpiece to the one in the Faerie Tale Theatre, but girl wears it with sass. Her character is so feisty and glamorous that I immediately loved her, plus she had an amazing 1960s inspired wardrobe, seeing as the film is set in the early sixties.

It seems I’m not the only one who takes beauty and fashion tips from mermaid films:


Top: Milan Fashion Week
Bottom: Spin Magazine March 2010

When I first noticed Courtney Love’s affection for Kat Swank's elaborate mermaid-y headdresses paired with glittery face make-up I automatically thought of both films above. Both of headpieces are made by Kat Swank of Liason by Kat Swank. Her work can be found on Etsy but it’s seriously going to set you back a few bucks if you would like to make your mermaid fantasies come true. Not all of her work will transform you into a whimsical sea creature, but there are a few pieces I wouldn’t mind sticking on my head and splashing around in. On second thought, maybe just a bit of wading. I wouldn’t want to mess up my fancy mermaid headgear with…water…How silly would that be?

They Say the Elevator is the Silent Member of the Band

I love Jeffrey Lewis! He's musically and artistically talented, adorably awkward, and witty- what more can you ask for, friends? I haven't listened to him in awhile, but yesterday I rekindled my love affair and I'm more enamored than ever.

Check out this old video of Jeffrey playing in an elevator for (Behind) Closed doors.

2004's take on 1976's Taxi Driver is SO 2010

The first four photos: Traveling with the Ghost

W Magazine: December 2004
Editorial: Hollywood and Vine
Inspiration: Jodie Foster film- Taxi Driver
Photographer: Glen Luchford
Starring: Natalia Vodianova

As I was flipping though old issues of W stashed in the attic and corners of my bedroom, I came across this very purty editorial. It looks like it could fit in with the '70s trend I see happening this year. Oh, and that frizzy curly hair fills my heart with joy. My hair is frizzy and curly too but-ooooo child!- it does not look like that. I have to admit that I have started to feel uninspired clothing-wise so here is hoping this lights a spark because right now I'm dressing incredibly dull. I've fallen into the dress, cardigan, boots routine which is fine but I think a little shake up is in order. I'm actually dying to get back into some rompers. Ohhhh...rompers...

ANYWAY- these are not all of the images from the editorial just the ones I like best. Luckily, there were a few of the images already on the internet because the photos laying on double pages were too big for me to scan!Enjoy!

Candy Darling: I'm gonna watch the blue birds fly over my shoulder...

Beautiful Darling, The Life and Times of Candy Darling, Andy Warhol Superstar, is a documentary about...uh...exactly that, a deeper look into the life of Warhol Superstar Candy Darling. The film will soon be debuting in the U.S. and I would really love to check it out! In my early years of college I delved into the world of Warhol, reading book after book on the artist and the cast of crazy characters that often surrounded him. The "Superstars", as members of the Factory crowd were called, were an endlessly fascinating yet tragic group of people. Candy Darling was no exception.

The Warhol Superstar was born a he named James Slattery. Not feeling like a he, Slattery transformed himself into a glamorous 'she' - thus - the actress Candy Darling came into existence. She was in various independent films including Warhol classics Flesh and Women in Revolt, small parts in studio films Klute with Jane Fonda and Lady Liberty with Sophia Loren, and cast in Tennessee Williams' play Small Craft Warnings. She was also mentioned in rock 'n' roll legend Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" and the subject of The Velvet Underground's "Candy Says". Tragically, she died of leukemia at the young age of twenty-nine.

The film will be shown at the Museum of Modern Art on April 2nd as part of the New Directors/New Films Festival and Lincoln Center on April 3rd.

Check out the trailer:



(Hi John Waters!)


TO LEARN MORE:



http://www.beautifuldarling.com/

Narcissism.

These photos were taken during a very boring day during a very boring break from school almost a year and a half ago. I had very thick bangs then. They had a life of their own, I tell you! I kind of miss them. On a good day, they added a mod quality to my hair- on a bad day- they added a chia pet quality. It was a very complicated relationship, indeed.

The third photo is the picture one of my doodles below is based on. It's a creepy picture, isn't it? I like that -especially because it wasn't intended to be.

Anyway, I'm going outside to enjoy the beautiful day. I am going to pull out my book and soak in the warmth!

Oodles of Doodles

Yes you can!


One of those times you put marker to paper and whatever will be, is.



Drawn off a picture of my older sister when she was younger- plus Blondie reference!



Inspired by a picture of myself I may share eventually


Drawn from Kevin Aucoin's Making Faces...Fun fact: i used to want to be a make-up artist

Boy, doodlin' sure is oodles of fun...sigh

Milla Jovovich, Paper Magazine- Not sure what year!

This gem of a photo comes from an inspiration binder of magazine clippings and tear outs that I have been keeping since my early high school years. I have since stopped adding to it maybe for a couple of years now, but I recently found it and decided to sort through it. Some of the stuff is so not my style anymore it's laughable and some things I was really excited to find - like this image of Milla Jovovich from Paper Magazine. I want to be in this picture badly. If it wouldn't be such a crime to cut and paste my own face onto the image, I would. I want to be as feminine, mysterious, and effortlessly seductive as she is here. Why not me!?

I Went Out To The Forest And Caught A Hundred Thousand Fireflies

Last night I saw The Magnetic Fields in concert at Town Hall in New York- they were fantastic, of course! Their music transports you somewhere else with its beautiful and/or insanely catchy melodies paired with the dry wit and heartbreaking honesty of Stephin Merritt's lyrics... So glad I got to experience them live! In honor of their amazingness I chose some of the songs they played last night to share. Enjoy!








I think this may be my favorite Magnetic Fields song- so hard to choose- but this may be it...

"You don't know much," said the Duchess; "and that's a fact."

Having recently seen Tim Burton's take on Alice in Wonderland, I felt the urge to post some of my favorite Alice images. Pulled from my own little library, the images are from the Dandelion Library 1955 abridged children's version of Alice in Wonderland. It has the sweetest illustrations by Marjorie Torrey and the abridged tale for young readers is wonderful as well.





To be honest, I was not crazy about Tim Burton's version of Lewis Carroll's beloved story. The visuals were expectedly interesting, but I didn't imagine myself transported into the story which is quite a failure for a fantasy movie. The story wasn't compelling and I felt next to no personal attachment to the characters (Johnny Depp was great though!) Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite stories but this didn't evoke the Alice in Wonderland I have so often dreamed about. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy certain elements- but I also wouldn't shed any tears if I don't watch it again.



That's just my humble opinion!

I Spy With My Binoculars...

...Feathers, Plaid, and Faux Fur. These are a few of my favorite things in one outfit.

Faux Fur Coat- Thrifted
Plaid Shirt- Found around the house
Denim Mom Shorts(one day you will see the full brilliance of these)- Thrifted
Feather Headband- Sunday Up Market- London
Tights- Primark
Boots- Jeffrey Campbell
Binoculars- Around the house




Now for my geekburger face:


Chalk White Child comes in peace?


I really love adventuring. It's been awhile since I've wandered around and just explored. I took out the binoculars and strolled around the area I live in. It's was really great to get outside and out of my own head. I highly recommend sticking some feathers on your head (every self respecting adventurer should) and taking a look around. You never know what you might find- whether it be a hidden getaway spot, a rock shaped like something weird, or peace of mind. Plus, I just really like wearing feathers in my hair...

Feed The Birds: A True Tale

The other day I was riding on the bus into New York when I saw something I feel compelled to share, for reasons I'm unsure of! As the bus stopped at an intersection I watched the people walking by on the sidewalk. Then I spotted a man on the street corner, who appeared to be homeless, stick his hand into a garbage can and start rummaging around. Admittedly, my first reaction was to cringe a bit on the inside, but then he did something really wonderful. He pulled out his hand and started tossing crumbs of food to the birds scattered around the sidewalk (which of course reminded me of the little bird lady from Mary Poppins!). I felt quite guilty about my initial reaction after seeing something like that!

I smiled looking on as the birds feasted away on the crumbs so generously given to them by this mysterious bird man. As I sat charmed by this scene,playing "Feed the Birds (Tuppence a Bag)" in my head, a man came and kicked his way through the birds sending them all flying to a nearby tree. He looked grouchy, but just as he was walking out of sight- he smiled and shook his head.

Then my bus pulled away.

I suppose people are often not what they initially seem to be?

I did a silly little doodle on the bus ride home because it had left a lasting impression on me.

A Lil Sharing Sesh

I have been awarded by The Valentine Journals, which was quite a pleasant surprise! I have to share seven things about myself so here we are:

I used to get upset when I was a child because I knew I could never travel in a time machine and explore different time periods and I still secretly get sulky about it.

One of my favorite songs of all time is The Smiths “There is a Light and It Never Goes Out”. It’s one of those songs that fill my eyes with tears. It’s very bittersweet for me.

I have serious ambitions to someday be an old lady that looks like THIS:

Dazed and Confused Magazine

I spent a summer bartending in London the summer before my senior year of college when I should have been interning or something equally responsible that prepared me for the future. BEST decision ever. I have some of my favorite (yet some really hilariously cringe worthy) memories from that summer!

I love writing and am trying to make a career out of it (HAH!). Also, I’m working on a writing project I’m really excited about which I’m not ready to reveal yet. Eventually, I will though!

I get really flustered about the subject of reading books on digital devices. It completely disregards the romance of reading a book. How can you sacrifice the turning of a page, the smell of the paper, the yellowing curled corner of a page, the ability to make notes or underlining your favorite lines? Ugh! WHYYY would anyone do that!?

If I ever had an incredibly large amount of disposable income, I would love to begin collecting historic costumes and clothing, first editions of my favorite books, original prints by my favorite photographers, etc. My own little personal museum would be something I couldn’t resist!

I'd like to tag these blogs that I really love:

Dear Diary
The Style Daydreamer
A Slowboat to mediocrity
Lilredrobinhood
Clothes, Cameras, and Coffee

If they'd like to participate, I'd love to hear what they have to reveal!

Gobble this Up!

I am highly bitter about not attending SXSW. There are many bands I would love to see, one of which --> the Sandwitches. Have a good ol' dance party to this kooky San Francisco-based band.



They're catchy AND weird AND retro AND fresh. If you listen to them already, you know this. If you don't, have I sold you yet?



Check out their debut LP "How to Make Ambient Seacake"

If I'm Gonna Wear Pants...

Source: Qvest Magazine (December 2009)

...it would be this pair.

Seriously, can someone overnight mail me these? It would be MUCH appreciated.