underrated fashion[able] films

Now that I've had my piece about the stereotypical films fashion bloggers idolize, I have quite a few films that I wouldn't mind seeing more. But as a general rule, let's all try to keep in mind that you can have too much of a good thing. (Is this a southern saying or applicable to all of the U.S.? I can't determine the universality of idioms most of the time.)




1. Brighton Rock
Based on a thriller novel written in 1947, this film is a remake with two relatively unknown actors carrying it. Relatively well written, brilliantly shot, and excellently acted, it's a great modernized film noir.



2. Submarine
A coming of age film about an awkward little boy from Swansea, you've gotta love how he idealizes the object of his affection, Jordana. You've also gotta love Jordana's uniform: red toggle coat and Lolita heart shaped glasses.



3. The Hour
Technically, this is a TV show done by the BBC and starring Ben Wishaw (who appears twice more on this list), but it's just so fantastically done that I had to list it. Following a news program show in 1956, the script is impeccable as is the casting and the scenery/props. The attention to detail is meticulous, and everything comes together beautifully albeit a bit slowly in the beginning.




4. Bright Star
Starring Ben Wishaw and Abbie Cornish, this film tells the love story between English poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne. One of his most noted poems (and one of the most romantic poems of all time), "Bright Star," was inspired by her. Visually impressive and filled with wispy moments (i.e. the moment when Fanny Brawne is laying on her bed with the curtain billowing around her), this is a perfect melancholy film.




5. Everywhere and Nowhere
Another coming of age film, but set in the "Asian" community in London. There are a lot of elements in this story that anyone who identifies themselves with a hyphen would understand. Though the plot could have been stronger, the music is solid and James Floyd is droolworthy.




6. Dans Paris
Following the story of a dysfunctional family on Christmas, the condensed one line plot summary makes the film sound dull and unwatchable. But with a very charming Louis Garrel who breaks the fourth wall by addressing the viewer, you forget that you're supposed to be watching a film and concentrate on him. Plus, it's shot in Paris, so what's not to visually love?




7. The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Hands down, favorite Wes Anderson film. How can you not love a film that inspires crazy GIFs? Stellar cast and strong script, it's a celebration of being different, minus the macarons and petit fours. Oh yeah, and it's mostly orange, a color that's overlooked in the color spectrum.



8. Norwegian Wood
The film was a sad mediocrity in comparison to the novel, but there's no denying that the film itself is aesthetically pleasing. Quaint college campuses give way to the rolling Japanese hillside, all while maintaining costume authenticity of the 1960s. At least it's a pretty waste of time.

Honorable Mentions

• Brideshead Revisited - another film with Ben Wishaw, but felt like mentioning three of his films in this list was too much. This is definitely a must-see, especially since it has all the religious overtones that drive bloggers crazy in "The Virgin Suicides." The costume is pre-WWII and parts were filmed in Oxford, which always gets a plus from me.
• Pretty in Pink - aside from the modern Cinderella storyline, there are so many awesome things in this film: Duckie's alligator creepers, Iona's prom dress (and her awesome beehive), Andie's single long earring, Steff's 80s prep uniform...

*I'm aware that this list is mostly comprised of British films. I am a giant Anglophile.


photos: screencapped by yours truly



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what's your poison?

I love my midday coffee runs. The motley of customers at my local Starbucks feels like a TV show. You've got the suburban mom, the working student, the diva rich girl, the extra large group of high schoolers ordering Frappuccinos... yeah, speaking of high schoolers, what are they doing in a coffee shop? Shouldn't they be making out in the park or skateboarding or living out their teenage angst in protest of the system?

We're in too much of a hurry to grow up. Adulthood sucks, y'all.



Wearing: Chloe Sevigny x Opening Ceremony cropped sweater, Play x Pushbutton white linen skirt, Christian Louboutin Pigalle Plato 120, Celine boston bag


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stereotypical fashion blogger's movie list

You know them. You may like them. But you can't deny that the blog market is saturated with images of them. To a point where you may want to throw up or have already done so. It's the stereotypical fashion blogger's movie list/compilation of tumblr imges.



1. Marie Antoinette
Directed by Sofia Coppola, this has fashion written all over it. Pink, lace, bows, and all those pastries are all must have elements for any [wannabe] fashion girl.



2. The Virgin Suicides
Made internet immortal by Tavi from The Style Rookie who refers to it constantly, this film is great as it has wispy girls, religious imagery, and lots of pink things. Plus, it also has Kirsten Dunst. Again.



3. Breakfast at Tiffany's
While Audrey Hepburn was more than just a LBD, this film is sadly all anyone associates her with in the fashion crowd.



4. The Royal Tennanbaums
Vintage prep and Wes Anderson are the makings of great freeze frame images, and Gwenyth doesn't disappoint with that fur coat of hers, which just about sparked a faux fur revolution last year.



5. William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
Although this movie used to be a personal favorite of mine (what Gen Y-er didn't swoon over Leonardo DiCaprio in the late 90s? He was bigger than Bieber), my love for it nearly died when I saw it on every single 14-year-old's Tumblr this year. No references to the brilliantly written beginning or the patriarchal overtones or even the overt and glorified (I swear I'm not part of the PTC) drug use. At least point out the ridiculousness of having "I LOVE THEE" engraved on a ring. As if any Shakespearean character would have the balls to say anything so bold.

Honorable Mentions
The Notebook - I will tell everyone I hate this movie, but I will secretly watch it while PMS-ing.
Mean Girls
Black Swan - these photos seemed to have died out in popularity for the most part.
The Dior commercial by Sofia Coppola - not a film but I would like to stop seeing these images.

photos: google images


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this is me grown

The first two pages of Sophie's Choice by William Styron are brilliant. Written retrospectively (and almost autobiographically) as a glimpse into the life of a 20-year-old aspiring writer, the paragraphs echo the confusion and frustration often felt by most post-grads transitioning from four comfortable college years into a career/adulthood. He writes,

I was glad to be shut out of my job-the first and only salaried position, excluding the military, of my life-even though its loss seriously undermined my already modest solvency. Also, I now think it was constructive to learn so early in life that I would never fit in as an office worker, anytime, anywhere. In fact, considering how I had so coveted the job in the first place, I was rather surprised at the relief, indeed the alacrity, with which I accepted my dismissal only five months later.

But while Stingo used his time after work to pursue his literary career, I went to Bonnaroo. I don't regret going, and I learned some very important life lessons plus a crash course in how to handle ridiculously self-important hipsters, but I don't know if it's going to be novel worthy 20 years from now. Unless someone I met there becomes ridiculously famous and has a downward drug spiral with a cataclysmic suicide that catapults a posthumous music career.




Wearing: cropped brocade jacket by H&M, floral applique top by Y3, satin pants by Stella McCartney x H&M (second design collab done by H&M!), leopard belt by ASOS, Pigalle Plato 120 by Christian Louboutin



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take no. 2, in a different way

Wearing: Zara leather jacket (similar here), Leila Shams Alligator tee (get the Skinny Peacock Tee here), Free People Tea Length Crochet Skirt, Alexander Wang Freja boots, Celine boston bag



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taste of fall

I've been run ragged the past few weeks. I just want to sit outside, soak up the sun, and read "Sophie's Choice" by William Styron.

I'd like to note for the record that the cover of the Penguin Classic books rub off on your fingers if they are moist. I was quite disappointed as I now have to invest in separate copy of "Middlemarch" or borrow it from the library. (I can make my hands moist on command, but it doesn't go the other way unfortunately.)





Wearing: Chloe Sevigny x Opening Ceremony cropped wool sweater (similar here), Free People tea lace skirt, Burberry Prorsum shiny leather monk loafers, Club Monaco gingham jacket, F21 headband





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flux atlanta 2011

Yesterday, Lillie and I went to Flux at Castleberry Hill, a normally somewhat questionable neighborhood (let's be real here and not put up fake arguments about gentrification or lack thereof) that was converted to a safe space for a single night. We picked the wrong night to attend an outdoor art exhibition because it was bone chilling cold (okay, so it was like 50 degrees but there was wind!).

I wasn't that excited about Flux itself. Maybe I would've liked it more if I had come earlier in time for the lantern parade, but the only thing that piqued my interest was this video piece of people underwater that was at Marcia Wood Gallery. I also saw this man constructing something out of found materials, including a baby carriage.








Wearing: lace dress from Nasty Gal, canvas jacket from Tommy Hilfiger (similar here), leopard scarf from Korea, cut out boots by Balenciaga, hair band by Forever 21 (similar here)





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