OOTD: Mod Frock, Foxes, and Ombre

So the thing about taking a blog hiatus, is that you forget about how complicated the little things are that you used to do daily. Like the art of self portraits. Yo, that shit is hard! Bloggers who historically have and still do take all of their own photos, deserve every bit of recognition they get.

Anyway, this is what I wore last time I was in Decatur. As I'm now a working girl with a Monday to Friday gig, I finally get to celebrate my shopping choices over the past 5 years in various shopgirl roles. So often I would curate or veto pieces based on, "Can I wear this to my (hypothetical dream) job?"

Outfit details: 
Dear Creatures 9-to-5 Dress (similar) / Anthropologie Miette Blazer (similar) / Orla Kiely Fox tote bag (similar) / Rachel Comey Mars boots in leopard (similar)

Blazers and opaque legwear, yes. But also fox print, vintage-inspired frocks, and ombre hair? Also yes. I get the best of both worlds really.

Hi, remember me? I always feel like apologies are lame, as are excuses, but if you must know: I wrapped up grad school and a very intense period of time where I was working three different jobs. Who ever would have thought a single steady job would be such a luxury! I hope to make it back into your regularly scheduled blog programming. Stay tuned.

Keeping it Indie-catur: Sq/Ft Grand Opening!

This news has been buzzing in my head all summer, and I can finally let everyone know it's here: SQ/FT in Decatur is open!

Dreamed up by some of the same ladies behind Squash Blossom, this sister (or maybe I should say brother?) location bridges that fashion gap in the Square, bringing you Men's and Women's fashion, and shoes for the whole family.

One thing I love? Besides being run by my favorite lady bosses, the store name is so cute. SQ/FT (Square Foot) is a nod to the neighborhood (Decatur Square, say what!), and ties in shoes. And naturally that dictated a certain design scheme.

Much of the store's fixtures are antique, upcycled, and repurposed. The seating are vintage airport loungers, industrial carts hold shoes and handbags, and these rusted hooks and pulleys are incorporated into the warehousey space.

The brick walls were re-exposed and sealed to show off the charm of the original space. When the light is streaming in during the day, you can really admire what was hidden away under drywall for decades.

But back to the real stars of this space: the clothes and shoes are insanely enticing. Introducing menswear, which the community has been lacking for some time. You can find men's Frye shoes and boots, BedStu, Fly London. Jeans from BLANK NYC and Lucky Brand. Beautiful and cozy pieces from Patagonia, and even a huge selection of Pan Am throwback bags.

The ladies selection was also bananas, with many yummy pairs from Jeffrey Campbell, Dolce Vita, and all the Fryes a girl could want on the shelves. I may just have to venture back for that red suede pair of mary janes.

With all of the candy, it was very easy to get distracted. I picked up a necklace, which I will have to share in an upcoming outfit. While I didn't have a chance to try on any apparel, I did take a peek into the fitting rooms. Each one has a different theme, but these postcard rooms would both keep me occupied while trying on.

Today is day 2 for them, and I plan to go back with Markus again this week. If you're in the area grabbing a bite, I highly recommend popping in to poke around!

Review: Chicken With Plums

I had the opportunity to preview Chicken with Plums (Poulet aux Prunes) in anticipation of the film opening this weekend at Tara. As a francophile, I rubbed my hands in delight at the chance! I feel like French film has a specific quirky and sometimes wacky flavor, and this one slotted into that weird and wonderful category.

The film was produced and directed by the same brains behind Persepolis, and is based on another graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi. Some familiar faces you film buffs will recognize include Mathieu Almaric (of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and Munich) and Jamel Debbouze (of Amelie fame. Also, I adore him).

Set in 1958 in Tehran, the film spans 8 days in Nasser Ali Khan's life. Following a spectacular career traveling the world as a renowned musician, Nasser Ali falls into a melancholic state when his violin is destroyed. As his passion in life is broken, so is his spirit, and we are taken on an interesting ride as he lays down and chooses death over life without it.

This is when it starts to get weird.

You know that expression, how your life "passes before your eyes" before you die? In this film, we are able to experience that blur of emotions, memories, triumphs, and missed opportunities through Nasser Ali's eyes. And we have the leisure of viewing them laid out neatly, like comic strips, over his self-imposed demise.

We are treated to scenes from Nasser Ali's childhood, the backstory of his crumbling marriage, a very Ghost-of-Christmas-Yet-to-Come look into his childrens' futures, and some very poignant scenes that stitch the entire story together start to finish.

I won't spoil the entire story for interested parties! I will tell you that for me, it was the right mix of sadness, romance, and magic to keep me hooked. Fans of Talk to Her, A Very Long Engagement, and obviously, Persepolis will enjoy this film--for the history, the quirks, and the love story.

Go see it with your best friend, sister, or mom. This could also make for a really good first date movie--hold hands during the romantic bits!

Now showing at UA Tara in Atlanta; in select theatres nationwide.

Financial compensation was not received for this post. Access to film and media materials were provided from Sony Pictures Classics. Opinions are my own.

Bienvenue: Ponce City Market Tour

Markus scored tickets to tour the Ponce City Market space, which is currently under development. Originally a Sears-Roebuck building, and most recently Atlanta's City Hall East, this tremendous space has so much rich history, and I was thrilled for the opportunity to take a glimpse into the construction zone.

The short version? Big building, lots of potential.

As a total history and architecture layperson, it was still extremely interesting. I've been on the fence about taking an Atlanta exodus, and seeing projects in my 'hood that are so inspiring definitely tip the scales back in the city's favor.

Onto the tour!



Let me preface the rest of this post by explaining:

1. I have poor vision.
2. I have trouble seeing in the dark.
3. The dark is home to squicky things like ghosts.
4. Old buildings are haunted.

Okay, all of the above being said, many instances I was scared out of my wits on the tour. There were a few moments where our group was just standing there in pitch black darkness, with only a disembodied voice to follow. I tried to tell myself I was sweating profusely because it was August and I was wearing a blazer. Not because factory worker ghosts were passing through me at that very moment.

So you walk into this giant building.



Yes that one. It's been the subject of urban exploration, and possibly the backdrop to some horror films in your adult life.



They give you this silly hat. Now that I look back on it, I think it was more for seeing guests in the dark than protecting us from falling debris.



You try not to cower at those extremely dark crevices beyond where the light shines.



Everyone piles into this beautiful, but very Old freight elevator.



You go up. Really high. The little hairs on your arms prickle when you think about how similar this experience is to riding the Tower of Terror.



You get out, no Rod Serling voiceover, sigh of relief.



You admire the Original Wood Flooring.



Eventually the group wanders out onto the roof. It is covered in tar, and looks just like the rooftop of White Provisions, pre-bourgeois days.



You look up.



You look down. Realize that you are standing above the Whole Foods parking lot. You know, that one that is endlessly frustrating to park in. Marvel at how miniature everything looks.



Go for another elevator ride. Enjoy the columns. Forget why and how these date the rooms and floors due to construction styles.



Walk outside of the building to see the progress on the Beltline. Participate in parade a few days later. Attempt a run and realize that those patches of dirt you paraded over are now deep trenches, just begging to twist your ankle.



Learn that the original wood flooring, post-restoration, will come up shiny and new, just like this. Under the linoleum and carpet staples lies a sturdy walking surface, hooray!



Forget why these columns are different from the other columns and the other other columns.



Snap one last photo before heading into darkness. Try not to count the orbs you see on your phone.

Okay, so maybe it wasn't that scary! I look forward to the construction completion in 2014, and aspire to one day hold my own storefront or work in a really rad office in the complex.

Outfit details:

• J. Crew Factory dot dress
• Anthropologie Miette Blazer
• TOMS Alessandra Ballet Flats
• Betsy & Iya "No" Morse Code Necklace

Chasing the Sun

Atlanta is in the middle of that weird seasonal shift--where it's still warm enough to wear sandals during the day, but you might want to grab a sweater when you go out at night. It's that perfect little in-between of patio-dining and early-evening-strolls-through-the-park weather before it's too chilly for frozen yogurt.

Labor Day snuck up on me, came and went, without too much fanfare. So now I'm in that scramble to fit in some appearances of my favorite summer garb before I have to pack it away again. This Anthro piece I picked up late into the summer, but have managed to wear it to a ladies' brunch and family dinner.

Outfit details: Anthropologie Maia Column Dress; Rebecca Minkoff MAC clutch; necklace from Young Blood Gallery; Nike Fuelband; assorted Twistband hairties.

To me the citrus shades scream sunshine, so I'm going to get as much mileage as I can before boots weather is upon us. What summer pieces are giving you lingering looks in your closet?

Parlez-Vous Kate Spade?

Much anticipated, I finally received the alert I'd been waiting for from Kate Spade: August Update, with the Print of the Month.

Print of the Month being: GARANCE DORE Y'ALL.

After seeing snippets on Pinterest and Tumblr (thanks to the lovely Sara Zucker) months before, I vowed to save all my pennies to buy all of the dresses. Still a bit of a pipe dream, but I can still enjoy the eye candy. Maybe as this year's birthday dress, just maybe.

Onto the parade of things I love from this collection, which not only includes Garance's illustrations, but is Frenchie-French. As a major francophile, everything is right up my alley.

A cocktail dress that is cocktail party print!

Cocktail party, cocktail party!

Kate Spade Rainey Dress, $498

A little bit Wednesday Addams, a little bit Erin Fetherston.

Kimberly Dress, $548

"All the girls are crazy," in Garance's loopy scrawl.


Laura Top, $248

Very mod, pop art, but really very sweet. Gives a new meaning to the bow-tie, n'est-ce pas?

Abstract Signature Bow Scarf, $148

And this is maybe my favorite: a gilded croissant!

Worth Street Croissant, $98

This is more my speed: I got excited about Kate Spade's fall line, and all I got was this cutie cute t-shirt. Waiting patiently for mine to arrive so I can wear it with my low brow French-inspired garb.

Pardon My French Tee, $58

And err, hi! A more involved update on what I've been doing/wearing/seeing during my 5 month hiatus to follow.

Agyness Deyn + Rebecca Minkoff SS12

Longtime readers of my blog will know: I am a bonafide bag lady. My bag of choice? She's usually designed by a little lady named Rebecca Minkoff. 

I'm a little embarrassed to admit, one of the main reasons I got into the brand is due to the AS SEEN ON blurbs from celebrity fashion sites. Agyness Deyn, Lauren Conrad, and most of the cast of Gossip Girl were always toting her bags. As your resident bag lady and alpha consumer, I had to know: Who makes that? and Where do I get one?!

Aggy has probably been the longest standing fan of her work. Which is fitting for the current campaign video, don'tcha think? Just try not to smile when you watch this.

KAWs at the High Museum + OOTD

Things I am good at: eating out, styling strangers, organizing sales, and otherwise making lots of plans.

Things I am not good at: sharing anything about above activities in a timely manner.


For those of you that also follow Alicia of kittenmasks, you already know that we went to the museum not too long ago.

She recently came back into town, and culture hound that she is, suggested we go see the new KAWS exhibit at the High. I had missed the opening party a few days prior (as is what happens when you work x3 and go to school), so I was immediately on board.

For those of you unfamiliar with KAWS, let's start with the basics. Brooklyn born artist Brian Donnelly spent a chunk of his early career animating backgrounds at Disney. After spending time working on 90s-era cartoons, he decided to return to his first love: graffiti and street art. Because of his unique background, the standard sterile corporate framework and the wild unbound street energy result in the most incredible subversive yet technically perfect pieces.

You really have to see the exhibit in person to believe. As a former painting student, I was totally blown away by the large scale canvases up close. Every line and stroke is stupidly precise. I was staring at everything so hard I started to worry I'd touch my nose to the canvas and get kicked out.

That's the end of your contemporary art lesson for the day. This is what I wore to the exhibition.



Photo taken by Alicia






I thought a eyecatching print in neutral tones would be the perfect complement to the exhibit.

Outfit details:

Vintage dress purchased at Kudzu Antiques (similar here)
Belt from Anthropologie
Frye Carson Pull-On in Slate
Longchamp le pliage tote