book talk: style parisian

So, what with our trip coming up soon, I've been mildly totally obsessed with planning (and of course, packing)! My mom lent me this book to help me with inspiration:

It has been so much fun to flip through, and I feel as if I've gleaned so much wisdom from Ines (yes, we're on a first-name basis now). Since it's been in my possession I've been trying to gather/buy/find The Magnificent Seven pieces Ines lists in the book for my travel wardrobe:


1. A Man’s Blazer
2. The Trench
3. The Navy (cashmere) Sweater
4. The Tank
5. The Little Black Dress
6. The Perfect Jeans
7. The Leather Jacket

 So far, I've got the Trench, the Tank, and the Blazer (of sorts).

Still on the lookout for the Navy Sweater, and I'm perpetually on the quest for the Perfect Jeans.

Also, I'm on the hunt for basically this entire outfit! I love the dress/sweater combo...but that BAG. I'm determined to find a cross-body-strap-with-handle camel-colored satchel (for, of course, a budget-friendly price!). Think it can't be done? Challenge accepted.

Told you I was obsessed.

What to Wear to Work

Hey all! Check out my guest post for Whitney over at her teacher-fashion blog Between the Lines. She has a really refreshing, honest voice and posts lots of creative "real-life" outfits that she puts together. I was excited and really flattered that she asked me to participate in her weekly feature, "Women who Work." I got to share some pics of outfits I've put together for teaching, as well as answer some interesting questions about fashion and my job. So check out my answers and outfits, and give Whitney some love!

mod musings

The other day, my sister-in-law and I were talking about our fashion styles, such as they are. We tried to condense our philosophies down into a couple of words: hers became "preppy-bohemian" and mine was "tomboy-librarian-ballerina".  I have been thinking about adding to it, adjusting maybe. I've been thinking about becoming more mod these days. This wonderful clip from BBC series, The Mighty Boosh, is my inspiration.



Doesn't it just make you want to be king/queen of the mods? (I may be obsessed...just a little.)

What about you? What's your fashion philosophy? Can you sum it up in a couple of words?

saturday snapshot

It's thick and hot outside today. Inside the library, the air-conditioning is buzzing, low and comforting. I'm hungry for lunch, and my friend, Jess, brought up the idea of a tomato sandwich. Now, hypothetical ruby fruits sparkle in my mind.

But first, to Paris!

I discovered a new blog, Prete Moi Paris, and have been reminded why I slide into francophilia so easily and so often. 

These images from a fashion show are from the line Basil Soda. I would wear each one of them, I think. They're so romantic, so interesting in their combo of throw-back and po-mo sensibilities. 

 Well, as usual, my automatic-free-association of most things with food and drink kicked in. I wanted to know if basil sodas existed (I had a feeling yes), and if so, how I could make one. And then drink it. Bon Appetit never fails with a classic-sounding recipe.  

Then again, the Detroit Free Press offered up this cherry version, which puts a distinctly Mitten spin on the drink. 

Decisions, decisions. 

Happy weekend, friends! Hope you are staying cool, dreamy and hydrated:)