Bellingham LookBook by Matthew Land

Last week I had an opportunity to take some photos with a wonderful local photographer, Matt Land, for a fashion project he's just starting on. He is a wedding photographer looking to merge into fashion a bit more, and is putting together a Bellingham Look Book, a coffee table book featuring local fashion "with an edge". A mutual friend got us in contact and we planned to do some photos the next week...until the sun just happened to show its face last Sunday and I got a last-minute email saying "the sun's out...can you do today?" Admittedly, I was wearing a flannel and a messy bun (lazy Sunday, you can't blame me) so I had to run home & change into something mildly acceptable, but we had a great time! Here are a few he sent me, I'm excited to see the rest! He has a tres chic website & a wonderful blog, and a love for Bellingham that definitely shows. Check him out! 

sweater: Forever 21, vest: H&M, top: Buffalo Exchange, boots: Charlotte Russe, bag: thrifted

coming to e. magnolia

Hi loves! Here's a sneak peak of just a few pieces that will be in the shop later this week. I've been too busy to have a chance to photograph & list everything in the last few months, but rest assured I have been collecting some gorgeous pieces..some that will be hard for me to let go of. These will hopefully be listed by the weekend, but browse East Magnolia Vintage now for beautiful Fall + Winter pieces! 

Enjoy your long weekends--I hope you all get to be with people you love this weekend. I know I will be. xo.
ps: like our fb page for vintage updates! 

Spring Wishlist: Ruche

l-r, top to bottom: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9

Though it seems as if spring weather will not be approaching any time soon, I can't help but dream of spring style. I meant to do homework this afternoon, but somehow started browsing Ruche's new items instead (shocking) and am obsessed with all the beautiful colors and textures! It stays pretty chilly here until basically July, so I'm loving their sweaters in light, whimsical colors--perfect for throwing over a dress or floral skirt. I'm not normally a pink kind of girl, but I can't resist the gorgeous rose and coral shades coming up this season..one of each, please! Pleats, polka dots, bows, bring 'em on. I'm just ready to wear girly, colorful, playful pieces this spring...if it ever shows up (it's snowing as I type this). 

Now, if I could just skip paying rent this month and buy all these pieces instead...

note: I am not sponsored by or affiliated with Ruche--just a window shopper in love with their pieces. 

Forever 21 Fall Wishlist

Forever 21 Fall Wishlist by charityvictoria 

I've been window-shopping instead of doing homework--probably the least productive way I could possibly be spending my time at this point! But browsing Forever 21 is just so much more alluring than reading about Plato's theories today. So, I'll pretend I have money and unlimited time. That's what brings success, right?

ps: Katya from this time is a charm is rockin' the pink lace cut out dress in her latest post & looks absolutely fabulous...jealous! her post is probably what inspired my afternoon of window shopping in the first place. thanks girl ;)

ready to Fall

A few things I purchased in preparation for the lovely season that I believe, judging by yesterday's rain and today's wind, is officially upon us:
1. pumpkin colored blouse, Old Navy
2. blue-gray oxfords, Old Navy
3. Army green booties that I have been thinking about all month, Old Navy
4. trading in my Summer pastels for a darker Autumn shade, Target
5. Slouchy hat for rainy days/bad hair days, Target

I also made my first soup of the Fall! I had coffee late the other night in order to stay awake for the 70 pages of Thoreau I had to read, which kept me wide awake well past the time I finished reading. So I was in the kitchen like a crazy woman at midnight, chopping and stirring and simmering until this delicious chicken noodle soup with cheese tortellini was done! All you do is make a normal chicken noodle but add refrigerated tortellini instead of the regular noodles. It's so-so-so good, especially right after walking home in the rain from classes.



What are your essentials for Fall?

Met Gala 2011

I saved this WhoWhatWear collage from an email I got a few weeks ago because I was so in love with all of these outfits. I just came across it again this morning and can't help but share it--how major are all of these looks? I love them all in different ways.
Jessica Stam's look is the dress we all wanted to wear when we were 5, but the grown-up version: the beautiful, sweet ballerina princess we all wanted to be as little girls (and some of still want to be now).
I'm also obsessed with Ginnifer Goodwin's look--I've never seen her look so badass! In most of her roles she plays the sweet, slightly dorky best friend. But this bright, cut out dress with that spiky dark hair? Tough as nails & oh-so-sexy!
The third look I adore is Mary-Kate's. Sometimes her style gets a little too bag-lady for me, but this bright 70s dress, paired with the simply, wavy hair & the brght green accessories is just the right amount of street-boho mixed with red carpet elegance.
My last favorite is Diane Kruger. She is always so elegant and classy & this is no exception. The exposed leg balances out with the more covered top, and damn, if I had legs like that I'd show them off too! The classic red lip goes perfectly with her soft blonde waves as well.
Which look would you want to be strut on a red carpet? I think I'd go with the ballerina princess look, let's be honest.

if I had a million dollars

These Miu Miu shoes make me want to faint/pull a Carrie Bradshaw & not eat for a month so I can buy them all! (I mean in the first couple seasons, when she had no money). Seriously, these are the most beautifully designed shoes I've seen in a while--drooooool. Pictures are from style.com, but I found them at Sea of Shoes.

the wonderfully quirky Garance Dore

I've talked on here before about how much I adore Garance Dore's blog before, but she has done it again with her post on the semantics of New York Fashion Week, and I just have to share it. She is very well-known not just in the blog world but in the actual, IRL fashion world, yet she keeps this quirky, curious, completely non-pretentious tone about her blog that I absolutely love! Not to mention the text is paired with amazing street fashion photos where more often than not, the subjects are actually smiling & wearing outfits with color! She's a miracle blogger. Anyway, here are her translations on the phrases of the high fashion world, found here. Due to space restrictions for the runway show, we will unfortunately not be able to accomodate your invitation request = Who are you and who is the idiot that gave you my e-mail address? Oh you know, this time around, I decided to live fashion week a little differently. I’ve decided to only go see shows I REALLY want to see, see some of the young designers, you know, where you find TRUE inspiration = ever since I changed magazines, I’m not invited to any of the important shows. What are you doing after the show? Arg, I just have to go backstage after, pffff. = I know the designer = I’m more powerful than you. What did I think of the show? Oh! It always takes me a little time to digest what I’ve just seen… = I haven’t had time yet to check Cathy Horyn’s twitter to see what I thought of the show. You coming tonight? = … to the super private party everyone’s talking about. You know full well what party I’m talking about. I doubt you’re invited. Ah? You ARE coming? = They invited YOU?! Excuse me, what is number on your invitation ? Get out of my front row seat, bitch. There is, of course, non-verbal language as well. Non-verbal communication… VERY important. ◦I’m wearing sandals even though it’s 20 below = I have a driver. ◦I arrive with empty hands and no invitation = My invitation is my face. Everyone knows me. ◦I come with 12 people without being invited = I’m Kanye West. (LOVE THAT!)

Looks for Spring

Above four: Modcloth

Skirt: American Apparel

Above four: Urban Outfitters

Above six: Forever 21

Spring time = floral, pastels, a romantic 70s feel, long skirts, and either really slouchy or really tailored denim. Bring it on!

putting the fun back in it

Liv Tyler in Purple Fashion Magazine, found on the Who What Wear blog. She looks vibrant and happy, and how I love not-so-serious fashion!

Gucci, Fall 2011

Taken from Garance Dore and The Sartorialist's blogs (the coolest, most chic, most fashionable couple imaginable), these are photos from Gucci's Fall 2011 line. I am head-over-heels for it! I love the juxtaposition of frivolous and business, of neutrals and bright colors, and all of the different textiles. The dresses with the petal embellishments are so fun! But I also love the strict lines of the suits and blazers paired with the over-stated fur (I'm assuming faux). Topped off with the sleek hair and dark, defined lips, it is a beautiful runway show! What I wouldn't give to have been front row..literally in the presence of (fashion) royalty. So amazing.