...in Paris

As someone without a passport, I spend lots of my time contemplating where I'll go first once the time and money align. Admittedly, I never had the sort of love affair with Paris that most girls have, particularly those with a similar affection for fashion. I prefer the allure of the whitewashed shores and hillside homes of Mykonos, Greece. Or navigating the crowds of a Chinese fish market. Possibly trading heels for flats for Rome, Milan, and Venice during a visit to Italy.

The main draw to France for me would be the architecture. And I will walk the Louvre before I'm too senile to fly.

Aside from that though, the women of France, specifically Paris (but of course!), are so effortlessly pulled together that people-watching is of Olympic level. I'd be awarded with gold assuredly thanks to my constant perusal of blogs and books that focus on the chic and offbeat of the French. My favorite designer Alexander McQueen always invoked the flair of France in his lines' designs following a five-year stint at Givenchy.

I recently read somewhere that French women tend to have style that relies on curated closets devoid of trends and plump with personality. They look at their closets and see a dress they wore earlier in the week and think how great it looked then and how great it would look today. Americans don't even want to be tagged on Facebook wearing the same tee if it's worn on separate occasions. As I surveyed my own wardrobe, it just felt... CLUTTERED. Even with a walk-in I still have enough clothes to almost fill three dressers. Taking inspiration from those European muses, I used a critical eye and purged seven grocery bags of clothes and shoes, ready for donation to my colleague's daughters. Soon, I'll explain how I did just that, but for now, know that you have lots of sartorial repetition to look forward to on this blog :-) I'd encourage the same for you. It's not just frugal -- it's French! Which is an acceptable excuse for just about anything.

Have fun!

~Kristen


Check out some of my favorite French reads below:

http://www.leblogdebetty.com/en/ - French Fashion Blog where writer Betty consistently infuses charm into her ensembles. Her street shots are typically my favorites.

http://makingmagique.com/category/style/ - French Fashion Blog with tons of photography images from around Europe. Love the mix of rocker, street, and girly style. The blogger is a professional photographer, hence the cool layout, dynamic images, and clever pairings.

http://www.etpourquoipascoline.fr/ - from her hair to her smirk to her name, everything about this blogger is unique and poetic. Even her name - Coline - rolls on the tongue like a full-bodied red wine. I love how her photographs of the most seemingly banal items -- a shower rack, miniature bottles cuddled in the corner of her tub - are suitable for mounting boards and heavy ebony or cherrywood frames.

Pink Polka Dots and Canary Yellow Cardigan

Cardigan: Old Navy (sale for $4.99); Polka Dot Blouse: TJ Maxx ($12.99); Black flared skirt: H&M ($17.95); Fuchsia pumps: H&M ($24.95)

This is a really quick post about the outfit I wore to work yesterday since I got a load of compliments on it. It's actually been hanging in my closet as a "potential" outfit for over a week now. We had a spurt of warm weather in DC and then were smacked with a straight week of rain and under 70 temps. Not exactly bare legs weather.

At the first chance I put on this outfit. I've been eager to wear this blouse again, as it has one of my favorite features -- a self-bow neckline. The top is super sheer and sleeveless, and since I'm a teacher, I put a tank underneath and a cardigan over top. I like the contrast of the yellow against the black and fuchsia pink. It really pops, especially atop a black flared skirt. I finished things off with a pair of fuchsia platform pumps that are in desperate need of some sort of "foot slipping forward" prevention pad.

Sorry for the wavy mirror. I left my flat mirror at my previous place. It looks great in the living room but isn't the best for outfit selfies :-) I am seeking a replacement! Hopefully one that doesn't resemble a fun house warped reflection of myself.

Happy Saturday, sweets!

Split Personality

"Tell me what do they see when they look at me
Do they see my many personalities"

- "Split Personality" by P!nk (from Can't Take Me Home)

Okay, so it's really more like multiple personalities, but I digress...

I'm one of those people who has a fear of commitment, or rather, I steer clear of commitment -- at least when it comes to clothes. I think people are too multidimensional to stick with one style. Even those of us who feel like we have the most die-hard classic sense of style are sometimes seduced by the rebellious, anarchist attitude of studs, leather, spikes, and jet jet jet-on-a-red-eye black (blackest black if you're further indulging your rocker side with liquid eyeliner). That's why sometimes you'll see me in sweats and a skirt, a motorcycle jacket with jeans and lace, or a sheath dress and pearls.

H&M - head to toe

H&M - head to toe

Old Navy - cardigan, polka dot chambray shirt, polka dot Rockstar skinnies, plaid flats

H&M - navy cropped peacoat

TJ Maxx - navy quilted vegan leather chain crossbody bag

Don't be uncomfortable picking up something new just because it doesn't fit in with your normal style. Too many of us get bogged down by the expectations that we think others are putting on us. And this leads to a suppression of self. Whether it's at work and we're afraid that we'll be looked at peculiarly because we have an out-of-box idea, or whether we take an unconventional approach in meeting new people... we need to be true to ourselves and stop worrying so much about perception.

Take it from me: if I can snatch a dude's hand as he's walking by me on campus my freshman year of college, spark up a conversation about anime and occult fiction, and then be best friends with him for the next 12 years, you can do a similar feat.

Feats over fear. Split your personality. We all have more than one.


As always, thank you for reading! Stay true to you!