BlogMeetBlog Happened

BlogMeetBlog (the Seattle blogger meet-up that Kam and I put together) was last night. Everything exceeded my expectations and it was really wonderful to see everyone, even if I didn't circulate enough to talk to them all!

BoConcept was a really cool space full of chic and comfortable furniture for crashing on. The different food vendors set up stations all over for a great sense of flow. A big thank you to Trophy cupcakes for the amazing cupcakes, Mike's Hard Lemonade for their yummy apple cider, Qudoba for the taco bar, and Dry Soda for supplying drinks our underage bloggers!

I was too distracted to properly take pictures, but Kam was kind enough to snap this outfit shot for me. (details: dress- Zara, tights- Walmart, shoes- Bona Drag, fascinator- vintage)

I did manage to snap this pic of Kam in action; if you ever run into her on the streets of Seattle this is most likely what she'll look like.

Also, a big thank you to all of our sponsors for the giveways. Shopruche, Modcloth, and SPUN satisfied the fashion-obsessed. While Hazel Salon gave gift cards (and sweet samples which I'm excited to try!), Moo Cards provided a couple of free sets, and Value Village also donated a gift card. I'm mildly jealous of everyone who won, but Kam and I agreed it would be a conflict of interest to enter myself...

My biggest 'thank you' is to all the bloggers who came out and made this evening possible. It was so great to put a face to some of the names I've been reading.

Party On a Flying Saucer?

I've been reading Flying Saucer for at least as long as I have been blogging. Selina's blog is a smorgasbord of curls, ribbons, and florals. Her style is regularly girly, but she definitely mixes it up with bodycon dresses and chic trousers. Originally hailing from the UK, she's currently spending a semester in Sweden, but she did take time to plan a dream party for me! The whimsical and wild description that follows sums her up much better than I ever could.

What type of party is it?
It's a candy floss, pastel, rainbow explosion to celebrate everything fun and marvellous! Inside is like Willy Wonka's Factory with one room full of edible trees and grass, and a chocolate waterfall! It's a giant overnight party that everyone looks forward to for months and months.
Who is invited?
Everyone! There are different rooms to visit so all my family and friends will have their perfect party, and also lots of cool new people to meet and mingle with. Preferably some hot European boys too.
Where does it take place?
On a boat! I recently went on a student 'love boat' and once it sets sail all your problems float away and you are absorbed by the sea and the atmosphere. It would be a huge boat like the Titanic where everybody has their own rooms with mirrors surrounded by light bulbs and beautiful dressing tables, and bright white bedsheets. Also minibars with goodies and cocktails, and welcome packages of beautiful bath treats and perfume.

What are we eating?
Everything! At the start of the night everybody eats around a huge table. Down the centre is a conveyer belt where all different types of food travel down and everyone can help themselves.
Who gets to sit next to you? And why?
I'll have lots of seats to visit all my different friends and family. I can't choose! The seat keeps sinking and popping up at different places.
What is the theme or what is everyone wearing?
Everybody has to wear their favourite thing. It has to be the most fabulous thing they own and it will remain pristine throughout the evening even though there will be food fights and confetti bombs and popcorn cannons! My outfit changes whenever I visit a different room depending on the theme and the music.

Are there party favors?
Everybody gets different supplements for each party room. They get rave paint and glow sticks for the UV room and glitter for the rainbow room.
What's the play list for the night?
Different rooms play different things so everybody finds something they like! Each song is accompanied by videos on big screens and they are so good that no one stops dancing and the floor is made of clouds so nobody's feet get tired!

What are the hot topics of the evening?
Everybody finds love. It could be new or rekindled or existing love but everyone finds someone special that makes them feel incredible. They wake up with a smile and can always remember the night fondly.
Who is most likely to get drunk and dance on the table?
Me! I will have partied in so many rooms and shared a cocktail with everyone so I'll be drunk off happiness. There are special sky high bouncy castles so people can jump and dance way up high over the crowds.
Who is the last to leave?
Everybody has a lovely room to return to and the last people partying are my closest, favourite friends. We will go and eat pizza and candy before retiring to bed and waking up in a beautiful place.

For more of Selina visit her blog Flying Saucer

Where Paths and Errands Meet

"The Road goes ever on and on down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the Road has gone, and I must follow, if I can, pursuing it with eager feet, until it joins some larger way where many paths and errands meet. And whither then? I cannot say." --J. R. R. Tolkien

Outfit details: coat- courtesy of Shopruche, dress- ASOS, cardigan- H&M, gloves- courtesy of Modcloth, tights- street vendor, boots- some shop in Greece

P.S. This Friday is Blog-meet-Blog and there's an update on the time: it is now 7-10:00pm.

All The Gold And All The Girls

I got the Urban Outfitters Holiday catalogue in the mail awhile back and it really swept me away. The images of pretty girls in feather masks, high buns with giant knits, sequined cardigans, and socks with oxfords were lovely enough, but the little illustrations at the back of the catalogue? Even better. There's a real charm to the simple, black and white sketches.

Pictures and artwork from the Urban Outfitters Holiday 2009 Catalogue, by Estelle Hanania

You're Everything A Big Bad Wolf Could Want

Way back in the dark ages of my youth (junior high to exact) I had a red hooded winter coat that could never be considered stylish, but I loved. Part of the love came from the fact that when I wore said coat, a certain friend would sing "Hey there, little red riding hood; you sure are looking good" to me. There's nothing like a serenade to cement the beauty of an outfit. Of course, I eventually grew out of that jacket (more figuratively than literally, unfortunately...), so I like to think of my discovery of this coat on Shopruche as providence. It comes with a detachable hood, which I removed in order to wear my sequin beret.

A good bit of contrast, no? Little black dress with glam neckline details, ridiculous white tights, and a rugged plaid coat on top...I'm fairly certain none of these things were intended to be worn together, but somehow I'm 'making it work.' Fall weather certainly encourages unlikely combinations.

These tights are a DIY and I wrote a little tutorial for them over at World Ugly on Chictopia. They were inspired by the Emilio Cavalli tights I've been seeing online.

Little Red Riding Hood,

I don't think little big girls should,

Go walking in these spooky old woods alone.

What big eyes you have,

The kind of eyes that drive wolves mad.

So just to see that you don't get chased,

I think I ought to walk with you for a ways.

I'm gonna keep my sheep suit on,

Until I'm sure that you've been shown

That I can be trusted walking with you alone.

Outfit details: beret- vintage, coat and dress- Shopruche, tights- DIY, shoes- Pineapple Express, necklace- Anirtak

Marchesa Luisa Casati Book Giveaway

In the first half of the 20th century Marchesa Luisa Casati was Europe's most notorious celebrity. This heiress famously said, "I want to be a living work of art." She was eccentric, often scandalous and fascinated some of the most influential artists of her time. Fortuny, Poiret, and others dressed her and designers today (Karl Lagerfield) still name her as an inspiration. She kept cheetahs as pets and wore live snakes as jewelry. Intrigued?

painting by Augustus John

Well, "The Marchesa Luisa Casati: Portraits of a Muse" is a visual biography telling the story of her curious life through the art she inspired. This week's giveaway is for one copy of the book courtesy of Abrams Books. With more than 200 pages of images of the captivating redhead with her piercing eyes, the book should be able to offer the winner nearly as much inspiration as the lady herself.

the book cover

To enter: merely leave a comment below. Open to International readers. Please leave an e-mail address if you don't have a blog.

Vagabond Chic

These tights seemed to rip the second I put them on, however I've kept wearing them. After all, ripped tights are in, no? Unfortunately for me, apparently most people around me have not gotten the memo...Every time I wear them out, someone kindly feels the need to inform me that my tights are ripped. I'm not just talking friends and acquaintances, but bonafide strangers will walk right up to me and point out the rips...Does anyone else have this problems? Or am I the only victim of non-fashion-y, good Samaritans?

Still, all this silliness hasn't dissuaded me from wearing them out and about. They seemed the perfect compliment to my new Villains and Vagabonds tee shirt and some cuffed jean shorts. I love the trompe l'oeil necklaces with quirky pendants of antlers and rabbit feet on this shirt. It really negates the need to wear jewelry.

Outfit details: shirt- Villains and Vagabonds, tights- Betsey Johnson, shorts- J Crew DIYd, shoes- Pineapple Express, cardigan- H&M, rings- street vendor