In the Limelight

I indulged in a guilty pleasure a few weeks ago by going to a Lauren Conrad book signing for her "novel" L.A. Candy. My bestie and I stood in line for an hour, but it was worth it - its always cool to see a celebrity. We couldn't take pics after a certain point though, so I have really bad blurry shots of her. She is actually prettier in real life and is really petite. It was sort of hilarious to be there though surrounded by all these tweeny bot fans who were screaming. I have yet to read the book.. I think I'm going to start it today. My friend says its not good writing but entertaining nonetheless - a guilty pleasure.

Current Nail Polish: Funky Limelight by Essie

Its part of their new neon collection. It is an electric shade with a matte finish - a trend that is supposed to be HUGE in the fall!

Summer Love

All of you readers had really good ideas for a playlist this week! Congrats to forgetmenot for her idea of "Summer Love." She offered several other summery ideas, but i liked this best. These songs help me imagine what it would be like to be having a summer love - taking day trips, swimming in lakes, falling asleep in a hammock surrounded by fireflies (does this stuff happen lol). Here it is, a summer love playlist dedicated to FORGETMENOT:



1. Season of Love – Shiny Toy Guns
2. French Navy – Camera Obscura
3. Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap
4. I’ll Never Smile Again – Priscilla Ahn
5. La Familia (Guy Sigsworth Mix) - Mirah
6. Stormy Weather – The Kooks
7. Love Like a Sunset, Pt. II - Phoenix
8. The Things We Did Last Summer – A Fine Frenzy
9. You and I – Wilco with Feist
10. If The Stars Were Mine – Melody Gardot
11. Beach Baby – Bon Iver
12. Just You and Me – Zee Avi
13. Trick Question – Slow Club



for others that offered great ideas, here are some playlists that you wanted as well (click on the link)



for Sofia, music for a road trip



for Miss Absinthe, a French inspired playlist



for Islandia Lane, a flashback to the 90's playlist



for My wonderland, a 50's or a 60's playlist

Play That Funky Music!

Boomblox/CD player cake from '07

Last call for....BLOGGER'S CHOICE!!!!!

If you have been wanting that "perfect" themed playlist to suit your needs, comment and tell me what kind of playlist you would like to see as next week's Weekly Top 10 Songs. If I have the songs and inspiration, you might just get chosen and the playlist would be dedicated to you. If I have already done a playlist like that, I will dedicate a former post to you:) It will be posted Sunday!

WhoWhatWear

Thanks Plain Jayne for tagging me in this fun post!

How would you define your style?
I would say I dress very feminine and artsy. I wear classic pieces - lots of cardigans, fun dresses and skirts and spice it up with my accessories and how I style it. I use a lot of scarves and belts. And I always wear my gold or silver thin bangles and am not afraid of color. I look for items that aren't "trendy" but still stylish. I don't want to look back a year later and have regrets lol. I like a lot of vintage inspired pieces as well.

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What is your favourite item of clothing EVER?

A dress I got on sale from Anthropologie 3 years ago. Its a summer dress perfect for picnics and shopping trips. I wear it with alone or with a cardigan and straw Fedora.

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What is said favourite item of clothing most suited to (e.g. sailing the seven seas as a free-booting buccaneer, a street carnival in Rio, afternoon tea at the Ritz)?
Sightseeing in Provence or frolicking in the fields of Tuscany.

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Who are your style icons?

Keira Knightly, Kirsten Dunst, Zooey Deschanel, Michelle Williams... and of course Audrey Hepburn! I love their styles equally on and off the red carpet.

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Which song should have been written for you?
"Dance Dance Dance" by Lykke Li. "Having troubles telling how I feel but I can dance dance dance." It takes me a while to really open up to people and show them my crazy self, until then I act very civil and calm. But when I perform (dance or act), I have no inhibitions - I can do it full out and don't care what people are thinking or how I am being judged. It is a wonderful release!

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What is your favourite fairy-tale?
The Little Mermaid. I only accustomed to the happy Disney version, although I know in the Hans Christan Anderson version she dies in the end :(

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What is your favorite word?

Pamplemousse - it means grapefruit in French :)

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Dream trolley dash locations?
Japan, the rainforest, a safari
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Dream location for your future Vogue photo shoot?

A tie between Versailles and the Inca ruins in Peru

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If you could hire one fashion designer as your personal tailor, whom would it be?

Marchesa. I think they make the most gorgeous, timeless gowns. I would be more than happy to wear one every day - even to decorate cakes in - that's what aprons are for! Their pieces are so frothy and feminine.

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Signature scent?
Currently: Daisy by Marc Jacobs

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Which era would you most like to live in?

18th century Versailles or 1950's those dresses always flattered a woman's body!

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Most recent purchase?

This necklace from forever 21 - very LV SS09!

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A tough one... if you were a food what would you be?
Sushi - sometimes raw (I wear my emotions on my sleeve), unique, creative and adventurous

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And, finally - who is the love of your life (so far)?
I wish I could name a man at the moment... but I would have to say music. It influences me, connects with me, and helps me all at the same time.

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BLOGGER'S CHOICE!!!!! If you have been wanting that "perfect" themed playlist to suit your needs, comment and tell me what kind of playlist you would like to see as next week's Weekly Top 10 Songs. If I have the songs and inspiration, you might just get chosen and the playlist would be dedicated to you. If I have already done a playlist like that, I will dedicate a former post to you:)

Eight

This is a tag that was going around the blogging world. Here is my version:

8 Things I did yesterday
1. Googled pictures of "The Continuing And Lamentable Saga Of The Suicide Brothers". Its a short film starring Keira Knightly as a fairy godmother of her real life boyfriend Rupert Friend. that is her above in the picture....it looks so whimsical - I really want to see this!
2. Made a smoothie
3. Made my mom a birthday cake with candy sushi on it (pictures to come)
4. Commented on other's blogs
5. Went for a walk
6. Went over to my boss' house where I am house/pet sitting, where the dog hates my guts and would only bark and growl at me.
7. Talked to my friend about finding Harry Potter tickets
8. Listened to some Jenny Lewis

8 Things I Wish I could do (& will do!)
1. Go to Europe this summer.... anywhere really
2. Play the guitar
3. Not get sunburned
4. Own my own business of some sort
5. Sew
6. Be better with dogs
7. Go to Bonnaroo or some other great music festival
8. Go on a mission trip

8 Things I watched recently
1. Away We Go - it is sooo incredibly good and has my lover J. Kras in it!
2. The Proposal - surprisingly funny!
3. Superbad - I finally watched it on TV the other night
4. The Sneezing Panda!!!!! HAHAHA
5. The Real Housewives of New Jersey (Bravo is my summer guilty pleasure)
6. So You Think You Can Dance
7. Kathy Griffin
8. SUMMER HEIGHTS HIGH!!!! on youtube possibly the funniest show EVER!!! just watch all the clips!

8 Things I Love
1. My family and friends DUH!
2. Phoenix
3. My summer job
4. My minor in college: Theatre
5. Planning parties
6. Summer dresses (people think I don't own pants)
7. Laughing
8. No school work

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
BLOGGER'S CHOICE!!!!! If you have been wanting that "perfect" themed playlist to suit your needs, comment and tell me what kind of playlist you would like to see as next week's Weekly Top 10 Songs. If I have the songs and inspiration, you might just get chosen and the playlist would be dedicated to you. If I have already done a playlist like that, I will dedicate a former post to you:)

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Because of summer being a heavy traveling time, here is a playlist dedicated to the modes of transportation that get us to our destinations:


1. Trains to Brazil - Guillemots
2. Paper Planes – M.I.A.
3. Caravan Girl - Goldfrapp
4. Southbound Train – Jon Foreman
5. My Tin Car – Emily Wells
6. A Track and A Train – Shout Out Louds
7. Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol
8. Penny On A Train Track – Ben Kweller
9. Plane Crash in C – Rilo Kiley
10. The Train – Big Boi

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BLOGGER'S CHOICE!!!!! If you have been wanting that "perfect" themed playlist to suit your needs, comment and tell me what kind of playlist you would like to see as next week's Weekly Top 10 Songs. If I have the songs and inspiration, you might just get chosen and the playlist would be dedicated to you. If I have already done a playlist like that, I will dedicate a former post to you. I'll probably choose a few good ideas and do it over the next few weeks, etc :)

Order of the Phoenix

Not until Phoenix's Wolfgang Amadeus was I a REAL fan of theirs. It makes perfect since that I should be attracted to this band: the lead singer is the better half of the wonderful Sofia Coppola, the band appeared in her movie Marie Antoinette (pictured below) by serenading the title queen, and oh.. they make great music! Think of them as a French Vampire Weekend crossed with New Order (this album is completely English, although a French song would have been fun). They have this indie pop sound with an 80's flair, making this album a sufficient substitute for the already amazing Marie Antoinette soundtrack. Its a fun CD that will make you wanna dance around around your room while donning some 18th century couture!

**Listen to some Phoenix on my music player :)

Gossip Girl

I think now it is expected that I always have to post about the new designer collaboration collection taking place at my beloved store Iarget (I was there today). A unique combination of my 3 loves are all coming together and will be available in September: Anna Sui, Gossip Girl, and of course, Target. Anna Sui is the next designer up to be working with Target and by the looks of these images, her clothes are HEAVILY influenced by the characters of Gossip Girl. You can spy Blair, Serena, Jenny and Vanessa in each look. I posted my favorites, I must admit I didn't like all of them, but am excited to see these ones in real life and try them on. Maybe I will wear one of these dresses while watching Season 3 premiere of GOSSIP GIRL haha! Can't WAIT!

Stella(r)

I have a crush on Stella McCartney's Resort 2010 collection, mainly by the way its styled. I love all the chic black and white ensembles - and would wear all of them, but I think I like the addition of the balloons even more :) It makes me want to have a party decorated with balloons and shoes!

and it was all YELLOW

I have done a BLUE post, a RED post, and now here is the YELLOW/GOLD post :) I've got the primary colors covered!

1. Yellow - Coldplay

dress, Erdem

2. Golden - Beth Jeans Houghton

necklace, Modcloth.com

3. Yellow Submarine – The Beatles

oven mitt, fredflare.com

4. Pale Yellow – The Ditty Bops

watch, Timex

5. Little Bird - Goldfrapp

shoes, Olivia Morris

6. Yellow - Jem

shoes, Delia's

7. Gold Lion – Yeah Yeah Yeahs

jacket, DVF

8. Black and Gold – Sam Sparro

shoes, Christian Louboutin

9. I’m A Lady - Santogold

earrings, fredflare.com

10. Platinum Blonde Life – No Doubt


skirt, Modcloth.com
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***If you aren't on my links list and want to trade, just leave me a message/reminder and I will add you :)

Princess Emma

How great is this cover shoot with Emma Watson for Teen Vogue's August issue?!?! I know she's been on the cover like 3 times now, but this budding fashionista deserves it (its a much needed recovery from last month's Selena Gomez). I am loving this whole European princess vibe with a dash of decadence and whimsy! If I could I would be dressing like this for fall :)

Duets

I'm going to state the obvious: duets between a man and a woman are always romantic and sexy. That is why I am going to dedicate this week's playlist to them. I have quite a mix going on here: french, musical numbers, indie rock, but they all spell L-O-V-E <3

1. Come What May – Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor
2. Lucky - Jason Mraz Feat. Colbie Caillat
3. Décrocher les étoiles - Keren Ann & Benjamin Biolay
4. I See You, You See Me – The Magic Numbers
5. You Really Got a Hold On Me – She & Him
6. Islands In the Stream (with Constatines) - Feist
7. Train Song – Ben Gibbard & Feist
8. Your Ex-Lover Is Dead - Stars
9. Anyone Else But You - Michael Cera & Ellen Page
10. Lua - Conor Oberst & Gillian Welch

******

Nashville was good - it was a family reunion so there was less shopping/wandering around as I would have liked :( but HAPPY SUMMER!!!

Passion Pit

Current Nail Polish: Milani Nail Laquer in Purple Passion

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I'm going to Nashville for the weekend - be back Monday :)

Diana

I just got this Diana Camera (without the flash) for an amazing price at my local art store. For all you Diana owners - any tips/tricks I should know about, any accessories you bought with it, what is the best lighting, should I get a flash? I'd love some advice!

Traffic in the Sky

I took these pictures of perhaps the coolest kite I have ever seen in Charleston last summer. They go along with this week's playlist - songs that have either soothing, pro at flying a kite in the sky sound or a carefree, I'm a kid trying to fly my kite sound... you just have to listen :)

1. Traffic in the Sky – Jack Johnson
2. Ikebana – Kevin Shields
3. We Were Free – Priscilla Ahn
4. Flying High - Jem
5. Paper Aeroplane – KT Tunstall
6. The Breeze – Dr. Dog
7. Redhead Girl - Air
8. 5 Years Time (Sun Sun Sun) – Noah and the Whale
9. You Set Me Free – Michelle Branch
10. The Sun Doesn’t Like You – Norah Jones

oh and who else wishes they were at BONAROO right now???

French Navy

Fredflare.com posted this video today and I had to pass it along. I have always loved Camera Obscura for their summery, runaway, 60's sound. Their music video for "French Navy" is sort of how I plan on spending next summer (if I can study abroad): having a hot summer foreign fling whilst sightseeing in Paris and Rome ;) Wow. That would be a dream - enjoy!

Hardly Workin'

or workin' hard? (Answer = #2)

I shall be back this weekend and back to regular posting :/

5 Albums That Changed My Life

This is a tag post that is going around, here are 5 albums that changed my life and why:


Marie Antoinette OST
I am now realizing that most of my favorite albums are soundtracks - probably due to the interesting variety of songs. The music truly "made" Marie Antoinette. Somehow the 80's tunes worked with the 18th century costumes. This soundtrack and movie "changed my life" by inspiring this blog - Modern Marie. It introduced me to beautiful classical piano pieces as well as great 80's bands (and I wasn't a fan of any sort of 80's music before this). The songs are formal, sexy, pretty, depressing, and joyful - they evoke all sorts of emotions. This movie and soundtrack gave me aesthetics that I try to apply to the artistic aspect of my life: femininity, lightness, ornateness, and decadence.


Garden State OST
This started my trend of buying soundtracks to movies and shows I have never seen. I didn't see this film until 2 years after my dance teacher introduced me to the music. We warmed up and danced to this album in dance class my freshman year, so the songs bring back random memories for this album was on constant replay. It introduced me to Coldplay (I only knew their Clocks song at that point), Frou Frou (Imogen Heap), Simon and Garfunkel (therefore finding more 60's hippie music), The Shins and Zero 7. Before I only listened to the the top 40, but this CD introduced me to the wonderful and Kooky world of indie rock. This CD was the start of something new lol - a MUCH MUCH better taste in music and an obsession.


Grey's Anatomy OST
I still have never watched this show... but do I love the music! This mix of songs made me research these artists, buy more of their music, and then link to other artists that they suggested - basically an infinite domino affect that costs lots of my money lol. Roisin Murphy, Maria Taylor, Tegan and Sara, The Ditty Bops, Psapp, Inara George (of the Bird and the Bee), and Rilo Kiley are artists featured on this album whom I now consider my favorites. I think I purchased this before my junior year. Finding these artists and linked artists made me the "go to girl" in high school for finding weird/cool/different music. My dance teacher used a ton of the songs I gave her for her pieces - most of them I found through owning this CD. And like I mentioned before, it introduced my to Rilo Kiley which introduced me to...


Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins: Rabbit Fur Coat
On the Rilo Kiley page on itunes, it says I might like Jenny Lewis so I clicked and listened. Low and behold she was the lead singer of Rilo Kiley lol. This album is definitely my favorite album - Ive probably listed to it all the way through like 50 times and know all the words. She got me into liking a "country twang" added to songs - something she does ever so beautifully. Before I don't think I liked folksy, country songs, but now I am in love with them. Ryan Adams, the Ditty Bops, Neko Case all stem from liking Jenny Lewis - and I thank her infinitely for that!


Chicago OST
I think I was in 7th grade when I saw this movie. Chicago the movie started the whole new era of bringing back the movie musicals. Seeing this movie - with the songs and choreography- made me want to act and be in musicals and plays. It seemed like a fresher idea than all those old school musicals (which now I love) and enticed me! After seeing that I went to acting camps, classes and was in 7 plays during high school - and now its my MINOR!!! I'm not sure if i have posted that yet, but I decided to minor in Theatre :D I am so excited and cant wait to see where it takes me!


***What 5 albums changed your life?