Pardon the Interruption…

covetous creatures returning summer 2013

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Fashion’s Night Out 2012

fno 2012 boston, rescue, newbury street, grunge

fno 2012 boston, newbury street, shopping, najeema astylizedhysteria

fno 2012 boston, newbury street, grunge

We were barely out of vacation mode from our annual Park City trip (more on that later), but when the fashion community throws a once-a-year party we have to at least check it out. Greg and I touched down in Boston just as 2012′s Fashion’s Night Out festivities were kicking off. We had only enough time to grab some non-airline food, slip into something more appropriate (my lazy temptation not to change from my travel garb was swiftly vetoed by Najeema), and get out to meet friends on Newbury Street.

Despite a deadly humidity, the turnout was even greater than last year – and we only saw one street of it. This year the event had expanded to include locations across Boston and Cambridge. The individual stops, however, were noticeably scaled down. Stores stayed open later, offering champagne, music and special deals, but the over-the-top attractions of last year – photobooth flipbooks, free on-the-spot hair extensions, live in-store music, gift bags galore – were absent. It was hardly unexpected, after rumors from New York that last year’s FNO would be the last.

This whole ridiculous scheme to get people spending money is absolutely laughable, but I enjoy the festive atmosphere of the evening, and I’m happy to (selfishly) support an industry that’s been hit by the rough economy – with or without additional gimmicks. With many stores so packed we could barely get through, I suspect the crowds agreed. It’s one night a year when you’re encouraged to spend money on yourself without guilt or regret – in fact, in the spirit of the holiday, it’s practically a charitable donation! Anything more is just icing on the cake.

Besides, who needs photobooths with Gregor around to take pictures? Click through for more snaps of the night…

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Summer Snapshot

pastel pink hair moonrise kingdom

pink hair pastel h&m summertime campy pink hair h&m summer campy pastel ankle cuffs

pink hair, don't care ankle cuffs pastel

Question: What do leopard print shoes go with? Answer: Everything – or nothing, so wear them with anything. The shoes were not ideal here, but even the daintiest of my black platform heels seemed to weigh down this otherwise breezy outfit. These were the lightest option I had. (I’ve since amended the situation.)

My collection of clunky black boots complements my often dark wardrobe, but in the footwear category I seem to neglect my other weakness: powdery pastel shades. I instantly fell for the barely-grey and barely-peach.

Although the colors first drew my attention, these pieces became fast favorites. There is something about the track shorts, with a stripe of dusty moss trim down the sides, that feels like summer camp. These aren’t shorts that can be paired with tights as the weather turn cooler. They need bare legs and sticky hot sunshine. I’d gladly make them my uniform for as long as the season lasts.

pastel goth summer pink

pastel hair pink smile summer

pastel hair pink hair haircut summer h&m
[H&M shorts, tank and anklets, Senso shoes from Karmaloop (sold out, but still available here), DIY shark tooth necklace and DIY gold-leaf pill necklace]

The problem with clothes so inherently seasonal is that their time is fleeting. In a few weeks I’ll be packing these pieces away in favor of thick knits and campfire plaids. Even the shoes will be replaced by a trusty black pair of the closed toe variety. But until then I’ll wear these like a promise of long days and warm nights, seaside breezes, sunset picnics and adventures yet to come.

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Jailhouse Chic

jailhouse chic pink hair davines

jailhouse chic tom scott jumpsuit davines pink hair leather backpack

jailhouse chic tom scott stripes metal collar shark tooth necklace

Jailhouse Chic…because how else would you describe a striped jumpsuit?

Alternate titles: Jailhouse Rock – cliché. Courthouse Rock – more accurate since we took these photos outside the Boston Municipal Court building, but it just doesn’t have the same ring.

Also Jailbait – although, it pains me to admit, that ship sailed over a decade ago. Gregor humors me and, if anyone asks my age in his presence, he’s quick to interject, “18, always” (which in itself is a bit of a compromise from my ideal, but he felt “seventeen” was too creepy even in jest).

In seriousness, I don’t lie about my age. Rather, with less than a year left of my 20s, I openly mourn the loss of my youth – and aging gracefully is not my style. I prefer denial (I’m not too old for pink hair and a nose ring, right?), anger (Out, damn wrinkles!), bargaining (I’ll wear SPF 70 every day and use every potion and cream in my arsenal), depression (It’s no use. I’m already too old to die young.), and, hopefully, a sense of humor.

jailhouse chic jumpsuit leather backpack davines pink hair big sunglasses leopard shoes

jailhouse chic jumpsuit leather backpack davines pink hair leopard shoes jailhouse chic jumpsuit leather backpack davines pink hair leopard shoes

jailhouse chic
[Tom Scott jumpsuit, H&M camisole, Senso shoes from Karmaloop (sold out, but still available here), Forever 21 backpack (sold out, but similar here and here), LF sunglasses, DIY shark tooth necklace]

Speaking of lost youth, a certain forever-young dandy in black is celebrating his birthday next week (which might explain my current preoccupation with age). We’ll be in Park City on our annual trip with his parents, but be sure to thoroughly shame him send him some love next Wednesday.

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Witching Hour

witching hour

In the Witch City we wear sunglasses at night and sunbathe under the full moon. Ok, not really, but Salem is the city for wanderings through witches’ backyards, midnight graveyard strolls, and garden parties after dark (and yes, the moon was full).

sunglasses at night

back packed leopard steps

witch bitch
[H&M tank and sweater, floral shorts from Urban Outfitters, Senso shoes from Karmaloop (sold out, but still available here), Forever 21 backpack, LF sunglasses, Wicked Peacock bullet necklace (with added vintage pen knife), vintage necklace from The Haberdash, DIY shark tooth necklace]

With an extra-long “weekend” from work for the Fourth of July, Gregor and I grabbed a Zipcar and, after minor misdirections and a few twists and turns, got out of the city for an evening in our favorite suburb. Wonderful as it is each October, with cauldrons of kettle corn in the street and a carnival overlooking the cemetery, it’s nice to visit when the spooky stigma is not as strong. We had drinks with friends on their tiny deck in the treetops, and, when the sun went down and the heat began to subside, went walking through the gardens of the Peabody Essex House and on to explore the town. We ate crepes at the Gulu Gulu Cafe and were tempted by the pile of board games stacked high on their shelves, if only the car hadn’t been due back by midnight.

The outing was decidedly unbewitching… Aside from stops at the Witch House… And the Bewitched statue… And the fact that we cannot go to Salem without constant flashbacks to Hocus Pocus. [Side note: I fell asleep in the middle of writing this post and actually had a nightmare involving a black flame candle that summoned evil from beyond.]

So perhaps the stigma is not so easily escaped, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If ever we decide to move away from the city, we could see ourselves holing up in a cozy witches’ den.

davines alchemic pink hair is back

casting spells

fun fact: pink hair makes you 17% more relevant on the internet *

* previous fact may or may not be true

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Midnight Fruit Stand

midnight fruit stand

mugshot

outfit overview
[Millau kimono from LF, H&M tank, swapped American Eagle shorts, Unif Hellbound boots from Nasty Gal, Wicked Peacock bullet necklace (with added vintage pen knife)]

For many, Friday nights are about letting your hair down. Personally, come Friday night I’m too tired to even think of styling my hair (hence the “let’s sleep an extra half hour and skip the shampoo” braided ‘do frequent to my work week). On this particular Friday night, few things seemed worthy of pausing over as we were wandering home, exhausted, at 2:00 am. The funny little fruit stand in Downtown Crossing was one of them.

It always amuses me that they would keep this opened all night in an area of the city that is mostly deserted, save for occasional passing of bar patrons, security surveillance and a scattering of homeless. I like to imagine it’s a front for some shady business. The gruff gentleman manning the booth, with his thick Boston accent and air of disinterest, only seems to support my theory. He politely ignored us as I held up pieces of fruit with questioning faces while Gregor snapped pics.

We paid for our goods and exchanged conspiracy theories for the rest of the walk home. And then, the highlight of any night out… Kicking off shoes, crashing on the couch, and feasting on fresh fruit and crackers and cheese, bunnies begging in our laps, before finally collapsing into sleep.

whirlyblur

dizzy

midnight snack time pineapple punch

i prefer pics without my face

banananananana

fruit salad

proof of purchase

Have A Nice Day ! (because the space before the exclamation point really makes this)

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Happy Fourth of July!

that's not my drink

Doing a bit of a flashback fourth post. Last July, just around Independence Day, Gregor and I met my parents for a weekend in New York. While we make frequent trips to the city, this was our first to take the touristy route. The highlight of the trip was a riverboat tour around the Statue of Liberty. Seems appropriately patriotic for the day.

lady liberty

flags and things

happy fourth of july

red white and blue

bridges

that's some americana sh** right there

Hope everyone is having a safe and happy fourth (because, I suppose, it is still the fourth of July if you’re not in the US). We’re off to play with sparklers and watch the fireworks!

time for fireworks!

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