Happy Birthday!

Someone should get me this cake (yes, it's a cake!), or the real thing.

Today is the my blog's first birthday! I should probably celebrate by going shopping or something... But I can't because I'm busy writing my thesis. I just wanted to write how happy I am to be doing this blog, thanks to my Writing for New Media teacher, Beth. And also thank you to everyone who reads it. I will keep working on it and try to make this the first of many anniversaries.

Kate Spade's Helping Hand

I wrote a paper about the importance of fashion for my Persuasive Writing class last fall. Of course I got an A because I had a thousand arguments saying how wonderful fashion is for (almost) everyone.

Kate Spade Bangles as shown on their blog.

One of the sections was about charity. But not in the way of let's have a party with $1000 dollar tickets and super expensive champagne. I like the helping-someone-build-a-life approach to charity. But sometimes the things sold for good causes are very much "look at me changing the world" kind of objects. Like the (RED) products. It's not that I don't support their cause, it's jsut that I like something more understated, something that you know is helping but doesn't have to advertise it.



That's exactly why in my paper, I wrote about the partnership between Kate Spade and Women for Women International. And just today I got an e-mail promoting their new products. And I like their approach to selling something that helps.

Hand in Hand Frienship Bangles in different colors.

I fell completely in love with the "Hand in Hand Friendship Bangles". I love the colors and the small dangling spade. And the best part is that you're helping women in Afghanistan rebuild their lives after the war and without men. And, you get free shipping while doing some good.

*All images taken from katespade.com

The First Hipster

And to keep up with my music theme and reasons I would love to go to Coachella: Pulp. But don't panic, in one month they will be playing in Mexico City and I will finally get to see live one of my favorite bands ever (as you may recall from this post). And I say finally because they separated in 2002. I never thought they would get back together so I bought all their CDs, yes CDs, in my trip to London in 2003. And last year it happened, and this year I will finally get to see Mr. Jarvis Cocker dance.

I got this really cool Jarvis polaroid pic from here.

For me, he was really the first hipster, and he dressed like no one else in his time... Those glasses he wore way before it was cool. He has worn skinny jeans forever and sometimes ties. So, he really was always ahead. He was even in Harry Potter. What's cooler than that?

The band.

But not everything is about Jarvis. I also love that they have Candida Doyle playing the keybords. I'm pretty sure in 1978 there were not many bands who had women. Maybe it was just luck, but after playing for the first time with her, they got their first major record deal. Or cassette, or whatever.

I took this picture from an interview with her in 1996, here. A great website about the band.

I love what she's wearing in this video. Her belt is super 90s, and I'm pretty sure I had something similar but of course I looked the total opposite of cool. I love that this was the very first time they played 'Common People' in a festival in 1994, when I was just 9 years old. And still today it's one of my favorite songs ever.

I'll let you know how the concert goes... And of course what Jarvis, Candida and I wore.

I still want to be a Cheerleader

I love music (although I'm not the best at discovering new bands). And, surprise, I also love fashion. So I really love bands and singers who wear cute outfits. I really find them inspiring both creatively and fashion-wise. That's why I wrote about Cults' Madeline Follin last year. And that's why it is St. Vincent's turn.

I just adore this picture.

I mean, clearly I'm no expert in music because her first record came out in 2007 and I'm just falling in love with her, but I can't get enough of her music and her curly hair and outfits. My favorite songs are definitely 'Cheerleader' and 'Cruel'. (You can find all her music here. And see more pics and videos here.)

I like to think that we have things in common like crazy curly hair, super white skin
and a love for lipstick.

I really love, love, love the way she dresses. It's kind of the look I try to go for with vintage-looking dresses, simple shapes and lots of lace. NEVER slutty (I hate slutty). And always letting her clothes be a complement and letting her music take center stage. Also, she reminds me of my friend Maya.

I love her vintage inspired style.

So she is (sigh) just another reason I'm extemely sad I'm not going to Coachella... And worse? She'll be in Mexico City and I won't be able to go... But maybe, just maybe, May 19 in Atlanta? Maybe? If I find anyone to come with me... Anyone?

And like I said, I'm no music expert but I'm so cheering for her (duh!) and she totally beats Lana del Rey in every department.

Here's a video live at the Met in NYC with the lyrics to Cheerleader. Enjoy :D

Creatures

Everyone who knows me knows I love creatures and I want everything that has one on it. That's why I got shoes with an actual leopard and not only leopard print. And that's also why I went back to Urban the day after getting those to get the pair with birds after feeling like I was in Sophie's Choice (yes, I am that dramatic when it comes to shopping). Aaaand, that is also the reason why I took pictures with every kind of creature I could find around DC.

Me with different creatures in DC, including my favorite: "Thinker on a Rock" by BarryFlanagan at The Sculpture Garden of the National Gallery of Art.

But most important for this post: I couldn't stop myself from buying this vintage safari shirt with zebras (not cabras, Judy!) and leopards at my favorite store, Arc. I loved it so much that I wanted to wear it the very moment I paid for it. Just like when I was little and I wore new shoes right after my mom payed for them. It's kind of cropped so I wore it with high waisted jeans... And I got so many compliments that I can't wait to wear it again. If only the Savannah heat would let me show my love for creatures.

I'm wearing the vintage shirt from Arc, black Les Follies de Joie jeans, Arc
sunglasses and booties I got at Urban.

I want to leave you with these images from the exhibition South African artist Jane Alexander has at the SCAD Museum, Surveys (from the Cape of Good Hope). Which is, as you can guess, full of creepy-funny-looking-creatures. There's photos and sculptures and I really, really liked it. Because, you know, I just love creatures.