Paris 1925

Planning Ahead

2009-11-10T06:28:35Z

Thinking of this for New Year's Eve:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28395149&ref=sr_gallery_1&&ga_search_query=black+lace+dress&ga_search_type=vintage&ga_page=34&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

It has a 1920s vibe to it.

Or how about this one:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15860113

More of late 20s-early 30s feel. Not sure if it will fit in the bosom though.

(Keep in mind I'm not sure if I'm even going anywhere as of yet.)

(Re)Vision of the Senses

2009-11-09T04:16:33Z

I don't know why, but I've been really focused on New Year's Eve (despite it being a month and a half away) and making changes and revisions in my lifestyle.

Some revisions I plan on making are:

+Eating more vegetables and cooking at least 3x a week

+Making lunches at home at least 3x a week. I think this can be accomplished with a Bento Box. If any of you can recommend a bento box style or have a favorite recipe, please let me know.

+Using and/or making home cleaning products. I'm going to use up what I have and move to more environmental friendly products. From my present research it seems that vinegar is the all purpose cleanser.

+Using more environmental friendly beauty products. So far I've started to integrate Witch Hazel, Jojoba oil, and Apple Cider Vinegar into my beauty ritual for face and hair. I've noticed some differences. But still need a little guidance on what to use to eczema episodes and acne breakouts related to hormonal changes (one would think that at 41 I wouldn't have to worry about acne. But noooooo. Sometimes I have the skin of a teenager, which I guess I shouldn't complain. Again, any advice on natural beauty products is welcomed!

+Drinking more water at home

+Make more friends and find my community (see following)

+Volunteer at the following: WFMU, the Loews Theatre in Jersey City, Center for Book Arts, Housing Works.

+Maintain a more consistent cleaning schedule (I tend to let things get out of control and then spend days trying to tame the madness. Not a good way to live.)

+Dress with a creativity that pleases myself. A little difficult at work, but we'll see what we can do. : )

+Start a new blog. I'm thinking of making the leap to Blogger/Blogspot. But I'll probably keep this journal open to keep up with my LJ friends.

*****
I've been cleaning madly today: laundry, bathroom, dishes... mopping and vacuuming tomorrow.

Planning a healthy menu for next week, too (thanks, Bruce!): http://www.brucebarone.com/FiveSpiceTurkeyBurgers.htm

Plus I'm looking forward to wearing this lovely dress (see the link, it's the black kaftan with red hearts) I purchased from the wonderful ladies of Violetfolklore within the next two week: http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=21103073

I've also been freshening up some vintage finds, namely my mom's grey leather doctor's bag style purse she used in the 80s. It's in very good shape. Just needs to be aired out a little. (It's been in storage at my dad's for the past ten years.) Used some Lysol on the inner cloth and plan on giving the leather a good polish with Murphy's Soap.

Windows are open to let in the cool breeze. Plus I'm burning these wonderfully aromatic soy candles: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MrsTattooedGeek

My favorites are Asian Rice Milk, Green Tea, Oh la la Lavendar, and Citrus and Sage.

All senses are in high gear. Magic is in the air.

Magical

2009-11-08T05:29:51Z

Had a magical day today:

+Went to Tender Buttons on the Upper East Side. Inspired by Gertrude Stein's poem of the same name, it sells nothing but buttons. Some are even from the Renaissance! (Sis bought buttons. I didn't see anything the right size for my red coat.

+Swooned over the French Bulldog Puppies playing in the pet shop window. (Just how much is that doggie in the window you may ask? He's $499! Woof!)

+Bought a huge periwinkle-colored flower fascinator and wore it all over the East Village.

+Went hat shopping with sis. She bought two lovely cloches.

+Had a yummy vegan lunch.

+Saw the Red Shoes (one of my favorite films, ever) at Film Forum

+Plus the weather was perfect. A clear, crisp fall day.

Writer's Block: Time traveler

2009-11-01T22:32:32Z

If you could go back in time to another decade, which decade would you choose and why? Would you want to return or stay there? What if you could bring one other person with you?

Submitted By iammeanttolive

View 891 Answers

The 1920s; Divine Decadence!

Silent films, movie palaces, trollies, double-decker buses, t-strap shoes, hats and gloves for all seasons, jazz, Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, Buster Keaton, post war/pre depression.

Sometimes the world just looked better in black and white with the sound turned off.

Thou Swell...

2009-10-16T05:04:23Z

The Swell Season "Low Rising"

so, so good.

Prepping

2009-10-05T00:40:15Z

Cleaned the apartment... dishwasher is now humming.

Made appointments for both manicure and pedicure tomorrow....

Watched download of Vanessa Redgrave in Isadora from 1968-69. It's a biopic of Isadora Duncan based on her autobiography "My Life." And it's probably my all time favorite film.

Unfortunately it's unavailable in the US on DVD : ( and my download is more like a slide show than a film.

Is it available on DVD in Europe? Do any of our friends from across the pond know for sure?

All Hallow's Eve

2009-10-03T03:48:15Z

Bonjour.

I think I'm back for a bit. Although I am contemplating a new LJ or even making the move to a blogger.

I know I need a new moniker. I feel that I'm becoming a new person...

Anyhoo.

I have two costume ideas thus far:

1. Ruth St. Denis as dressed for her ballet The Peacock

or

2. Anais Nin As Her Madness (as inspired by Kenneth Anger's film "The Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome"

I'm pulling for number 2 because I have most of the materials already including a bird cage. It's not big enough to fit over my head, but I think I can make due. I can wear my menage a trois necklace/earring set: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27053676 plus I have an Anais Nin charm bracelet: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_1&listing_id=31428939&ga_search_query=anais+nin&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_5158791

beamishgirl @ 2009-09-03T18:15:00

2009-09-03T22:15:49Z

going offline until further notice

Tine in Madmen

2009-09-01T03:41:59Z

Tine in Madmen
Originally uploaded by tine the dream

I must say, it's a pretty good match!

Chrissie Hynde would be proud...

2009-09-01T01:46:09Z

... bought these flats to replace similar ones I purchased a mere month ago and promptly wore down to the heels:

and it was the "buy one the second pair half off" sale, so I "had" to buy the Tate Oxford Bootie:

They're literally made of "Chinese plastic:"

Yay, Fall!

Groovin' on a Sunday Afternoon

2009-08-30T20:14:36Z

Having a Michael Jackson dance party and cleaning the apartment for the Fall.

Going through my collage and paper ephemera as well as the closet and organizing.

I really wish I had a closet as big and as beautiful as Anna Sui's

You can get a better look at it here: http://bellemarmont.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-design-inspiration-anna-sui.html

However, I think my apartment is probably as big as Ms. Sui's closet. A girl can dream, can't she?

Come on, September!!!

Rare Louise Brooks Documentary

2009-08-30T03:06:08Z

This is a four part interview with Brooks later in life.

Quite a revelation. Superb!

Dad's OK!

2009-08-26T23:02:26Z

Let's just say that the man has to cut down the fiber in his diet.

He should be home tomorrow.

Yay!

Solace

2009-08-26T04:00:19Z

I really find solace in this woman's blog: http://ornamental.typepad.com/ornamental/

I particularly find this quote she cited from Thoreau apropos to my own current strivings toward self:

"A parcel of vain strivings tied by a chance bond together".

It's really hard to create the life you want: a life of beauty surrounding you. But from her example, it appears to be worth it.

beamishgirl @ 2009-08-25T17:50:00

2009-08-25T21:50:34Z

Dad in hospital. Send good thoughts.

Recovering

2009-08-24T23:07:53Z

Went back to the laundromat today and found all my formally lost items gathered into a white, plastic bag.

Yay!

I really would have been sad if I had lost that skirt. It was thrifted for 5 dollars, but it's from Express. It's straight, black with a little flounce at the bottom and it goes with EVERYTHING.

boo.

2009-08-24T03:43:34Z

I left my favorite skirt, favorite cardigan, and new top I bought at UO on clearance for $10 in the dryer at the laundromat.

Do you think they'll be there tomorrow if I go back to reclaim them?

I hate when I do stupid things like this.

UPDATE: Add my yoga pants and my favorite canvas shopping bag to that list. Ugh!

PS. And it's too freakin' hot.

Trying to look on the bright side:

+I did laundry including my bedding (I love fresh, clean bedding) and my new/vintage/thrifted clothing
+Scrubbed the bathtub and sink
+Ate (very yummy) Indian food
+Received a postcard this week
+Using my new soy candles and sleep masks I ordered from Etsy

Comrade Couture

2009-08-23T01:49:17Z

Scored big time at the thrift shop in Jersey today.

Everything I bought had a Soviet palette of black, red, and white.

Bought a ton of dresses and the most amazing Danish/Nordic inspired suede wedges in the universe.

I have my fall/winter ensembles ready to go. Now if autumn would only get here!

******

Also went to the dentist and had a cleaning. No cavities! Yay! After the marathon of thrifting, we headed to an amazing Persian restaurant in Summit for dinner.

Overall a very good day.

Hot Hot Heat

2009-08-22T04:12:40Z

I am so over this 90 degree weather. September and fall cannot come soon enough.

15 Books in 15 Minutes

2009-08-18T03:32:54Z

Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen books you've read that will always stick with you. They don't have to be the greatest books you've ever read, just the ones that stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than 15 minutes. Taken from kore

1. Spy in the House of Love- Anais Nin
2. Beast- Donna Jo Napoli
3. My Life- Isadora Duncan
4. Tropic of Cancer- Henry Miller
5. Griffin and Sabine- Nick Bantock
6. The Passion Dream Book- Whitney Otto
7. The Two Wise Children- Robert Graves
8. Jude the Obscure- Thomas Hardy
9. Crime and Punishment- Dostoyevsky
10. A Streetcar Name Desire- Tennessee Williams (not really a book, but I've taught the play.)
11. The Unbearable Lightness of Being- Milan Kundera
12. The Passionate Nomad- Freya Stark
13. Max Makes a Million- Maira Kalman
14. The Razor's Edge- Somerset Maughm
15. The Grapes of Wrath- John Steinbeck

A lot of classics, some children's books, some memoirs...

Les Paul & Mary Ford Show: World Is Waiting For The Sunrise

2009-08-13T21:18:35Z

RIP Les. I love you.

And the winner is.........

2009-08-12T03:49:01Z

And the winner is.........
Originally uploaded by lorimarsha

This is the fabulous apron I won from Lorimarsha. Lori is a wonderfully innovative and resourceful designer from California who is inspired by the likes of Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen.

I've been lusting after the aprons and other articles of clothing Lori has posted on her etsy shop for quite some time: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=69874

I'm absolutely thrilled I'm going to own one of her original designs!

Today Was A Great Day!

2009-08-11T03:12:50Z

It really was! And here's why:

+I sent Mail Art to Ireland
+I won this!!! http://lorimarsha.com/
+I saw the Pretenders in concert in Central Park
+Had a good meeting at work where I realized that I do actually know what I'm doing and got the support I needed.

Gosh, I needed a day like this. I hope this starts happening a little more often.

RIP John Hughes

2009-08-06T23:28:36Z

Thank you John Hughes for making Pretty in Pink. I saw it at the Ocean County Mall in 1986, the summer I turned 18. This movie literally saved my life. Thank you. God speed.

Kate Bush - The Sensual World

2009-08-03T04:48:13Z