Thursday, May 23, 2013

10 wedding guest outfits

Yesterday was about graduation season, but May and Memorial Day weekend bring the start of wedding season, too.  (Champs for everyone!)  To help you get ready, ten great dresses for weddings of all kinds:
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Ivy & Blu for Maggy Boutique Lace Shift Dress
Trina Turk 'Glitter' Sequin Tank Dress
Nicole Miller Cap Sleeve Lace Dress

ASOS One Shoulder Pencil Dress (this is a steal, and comes in red too, if you want to go big. That said, when I buy cheaper stuff like this, I always think it looks more expensive in black, which hides lots of fabric sins).
ASOS One Shoulder Dress with Ruching (this would look amazing with turquoise jewerlry).

[Side note: what is UP with the Asos models' sexyfaces???]

Ella Moss Zuma Maxi Dress (it has a beautiful back, too).

MICHAEL Michael Kors Dot Print Wedge Dress
I'm heading to a wedding this weekend and I can't wait!  I have Thursday-before-a-holiday-weekend-of-fun-things-itis, and it is killing me.  

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

"As is a tale, so is life. . ."

060508_COM_JC_425.jpg
As graduation season is upon us, my usual reading outposts have been flooded with excerpts of commencement addresses, which, quite honestly, I generally ignore (much as I did at my own college graduation, nearly a freaking decade ago, ugh).  However, as a recent Harry Potter reader, J.K. Rowling's 2008 Harvard commencement address caught my eye, and I read it all.  Every word is wonderful, but the end, in particular, stood out:  
. . . I have one last hope for you, which is something that I already had at 21. The friends with whom I sat on graduation day have been my friends for life. They are my children’s godparents, the people to whom I’ve been able to turn in times of trouble, people who have been kind enough not to sue me when I took their names for Death Eaters. At our graduation we were bound by enormous affection, by our shared experience of a time that could never come again, and, of course, by the knowledge that we held certain photographic evidence that would be exceptionally valuable if any of us ran for Prime Minister.
So today, I wish you nothing better than similar friendships. And tomorrow, I hope that even if you remember not a single word of mine, you remember those of Seneca, another of those old Romans I met when I fled down the Classics corridor, in retreat from career ladders, in search of ancient wisdom:  
As is a tale, so is life: 
not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.

In addition to all of my beloved college pals (who are, no doubt, in possession of many an embarrassing photo), these people at commencement that year are awesome and I think we would all get along famously.  
image of audience members
And also these guys.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Have a lovely weekend!

Hope you had a nice weekend!  The weather was really beautiful here in Chicago, which was so, so lovely (it just feels like it's been so long).  People are finally coming out of hibernation, too which means lots of celebrations and parties: I went to a baby shower and a graduation party yesterday, and our wedding season kicks off next weekend.  Here comes summer!  A few links for your Sunday skimming: 

Nerd uniforms (in the best way).

Cute shoes for the imminent wedding season, and great sandals on sale.








Emma Stone and Colin Firth are making a Woody Allen movie.  And speaking of Colin and Emma . . . this and this, respectively.


The apartment that launched a thousand desires for English roll-arm sofas.


She just always looks so damn cool.

(Image by Downtown From Behind via Coolhunting.)

Thursday, May 16, 2013

In hot water

Though I hardly have a green thumb, I thought I'd share my one and only plant tip with you today: if you buy hydrangeas (or are lucky enough to have your own plant to trim them from), cut the stems on the diagonal and put them in hot (meaning steaming, fog-up-your-bathroom-so-you-can't-even-see-yourself-in-the-mirror-shower-temperature) water.  They can last for a really long time.  And I haven't tried this trick yet, but apparently you can revive drooping, wilting hydrangeas by putting the stems in boiling hot water.  Who knew?
After I give that a whirl tonight, it's back to Priority Number One: ridding my new basil plant of these horrendous little gnat things.  (It's just as gross as it sounds.)  Anybody have any ideas on what to do?

(Image via my Instagram.)

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

When it rains, it pours.

So I already got one piece of great news today, and this latest bit of information threatens to collapse the Tall and Salty world with the sheer weight of awesome stuff happening all at once: forty-inch inseam jeans in two styles from Frame Denim, designed by supermodel (and fellow St. Louis native!) Karlie Kloss, who's about six feet tall.
And though Vogue somewhat uncharitably describes these as "excessively long" (meanies), these sound fantastic, with a slightly raised waistband and a redesign of the proportions throughout (like another awesome line of longer-length jeans, TallWater).  The jeans, available the first week of June, will come in two styles -- the flare and skinny, pictured -- and in two washes, light and dark.  Huzzah!

Seriously, Universe . . . thanks.  And while I'm pounding salted margaritas and advance online purchasing multiple pairs of these jeans, consider spreading out the good news next time, okay?

[Updated on May 16 to add: you can check out all four styles here!]

(Images via Vogue by Erik Torstensson.)

Pass the salt shaker!


It's a big day for salt lovers: according to The New York Times, ". . . a prestigious group convened by the government says there is no good reason based on health outcomes for many Americans to drive their sodium consumption down to the very low levels recommended in national dietary guidelines."

Enjoy a little extra flavor (guilt-free!) with your dinner tonight.    


Monday, May 13, 2013

Springtime neutrals

I don't know what my deal is, but instead of following the usual springtime drumbeat of FLORALS ! BRIGHTS! PATTERNS!, everything that catches my eye lately is neutral, blush, cream, beige, or gold (like here, for instance).  Revel in the beautiful, chic, blandness with  me, will you?


Colorblock cosmetic case
The Canvas Zip Tote


Madewell canvas zip tote.
Brook Farm General Store organic cotton and linen blanket (less expensive options here).
Sugar Paper Merci thank you notes.
Converse Chuck Taylors in unbleached white.

Hopefully you're not asleep yet.  There's just something simple and beautiful about classics, isn't there?  Sometimes a white shirt is the most standout thing you can wear.  (And if you're a coffee drinker or dropper of foods like myself . . . stock up.)

(Top image via Emerson Fry, where I want everything.)

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Insta-library

Ever dreamed of having a library full of classic books?  It's now available in immediate form, thanks to this wallpaper.
Penguin Library Roomset
This would be so awesome (and cheeky, ha) in a powder room.  Cheers to old books, which look so much better than their modern counterparts.  In a moment of airport desperation a couple of weeks ago, I picked up a copy of The Great Gatsby . . . with the movie poster on the cover.  Yuck.  Tragically, this beauty was not available.
If you're in the market for some gorgeous books, check out anything designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith (see her portfolio here). 
Little Women has forever been my Everest.  Maybe if it looked like this, I'd finally finish it.





Wednesday, May 8, 2013

The Met Ball

Parties — Linda Evangelista, Georgina Chapman, Keren Craig, and Ashley Greene
The annual Met Gala was held on Monday night to celebrate the Metropolitan Museum of Art's new Punk exhibit.  The theme was punk, and coupled with the super-high-fashion, risk-taking vibe of the ball, there was some real potential for fabulousness and absolute disastrousness.  Behold . . . what happened:

Madonna showed these baby starlets how punk is DONE.  I mean, she WENT for it, that's for sure.    (Also: apparently she wears this just hanging around the house, which is all kinds of fantastic.)
Sara Jessica Parker's ensemble is nothing short of insane, but it is somehow working for this very, very particular venue and event.  There is literally nowhere else in space and time that a Spartan warrior mohawk headpiece, splatter painted ballgown, and velvet (suede?) tartan over-the-knee boots would be acceptable, but she is really nailing the formal event/nod to punk thing.  (Side note: how on EARTH did she get to the Museum?  Teleportation?  Seated in the back of a moving truck?)  Also: this move by J. Law is amazing.)
I would've happily worn this had my invitation not been lost in the mail (next year, Anna!): Cara Delevingne.
Met ball 2013:  Cara Delevingne
Sweet commitment to the theme, and she looks like she's having a great time doing it: Sienna Miller.  That is a perfectly deployed studded jacket.
Somehow the crazy hair is putting the spotlight on her really quite beautiful face: Miley Cyrus.  This is event-appropriate, though likely not for ANYWHERE else.  (Do you hear me, Miley?  NOWHERE.)
Second verse, same as the first: Coco Rocha.  Taking a chance and, I think, sort of nailing it, but this is a one-time deal, okay Coco?
A few ladies who took less of a chance on the punk front, but subtly played to the theme with a little bit of edginess: 

Carey Mulligan.
Kirsten Dunst.  I'm really liking this, even though the "she's molting!" joke would be very, very easy.
Dakota Fanning.  I usually HATE love-handle-curtains cutouts, but these actually really enhance the dress, as opposed to screaming "Now showing, on the main stage . . . her SIDE!"
Rosie Huntington-Whitely.  I can't believe I am endorsing this.  It's for the VENUE, okay?  I must have Met Ball Fever.
Kerry Washington.  I'm digging these gloves, and her hair had purple streaks.  Well-deployed cray, Kerry.
Christina Ricci.  This Vivienne Westwood is very Vivienne Westwood, but it was well-chosen for this shindig.  The fishnets were a cool punky style choice.
Admirably tried to go punk (I think?) but went off the rails:

Nina Dobrev.  NO SKIRT DRAPES OVER PANTS, PEOPLE.  This has seriously never, ever looked good on anyone.
Allison Williams.  Kudos to her for going outside of her wheelhouse, but she loses points for looking like she appeared at this event by rising from a puddle of ink on the floor.  
And now, say hello to the glove brigade:

Beyonce.  Watch your back, because Katniss Everdeen is surely slinging some arrows your way for this Girl on Fire Victory Tour outfit (gloves, dress, train, boots and all).  Also: train wrangler alert!
Kim Kardashian.  Floral cat burglar.  This is exactly what one would wear to a formal event where one needs to slither through gardens undetected, thieving flowers left and right.  I ALSO find this hilarious because she is clearly doing the "I'm hugging my belly so people will know that this is a BABY BUMP and I am not just sporting a gigantic midsection because I ate too many burgers" pose, but the effect is completely lost because her hand is camouflaged.  Trying to pick out her fingers is seriously impossible and I cannot stop laughing at it. 
Leelee Sobieski.  Weirdly cool and delicate gloves that while not strictly punk, are kind of awesome nonetheless.
Going to be in a lot of hot water at the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance for showing up with a leotard-with-cutouts-clad-date that very seriously threatens exposure of her nether regions: Tom Brady (and Gisele).  But, as per usual, their ridiculous good looks really distract from the crazy.
Cool in theory, x-rated in execution: Kristen Stewart.  This looks like a graphic representation of the world's most gigantic set of ladyparts.  Shudder. 
People who looked pretty but completely ignored the theme and look like they might have wandered into the wrong party: 

Gwyneth Paltrow.
Zoe Deschanel.  Don't get me wrong, I love this dress.  For a formal July wedding.  Or an extremely fancy tea party.  The Kentucky Derby.  Really, any high summer event that does not have a "Punk" theme.
Jennifer Lawrence.  This has a "Mannequin" -esque feel to it in that it seems like her Dior ads have sprung to life and are walking and talking.
Getting a whiff of "punk bride whose prim mother forced her to play it straight for the wedding her family arranged to a wealthy heir to pull them out of financial ruin, and she is totally pissed about it because she wants to be with her rocker boyfriend forever": Rooney Mara.  
These four make up a seriously disappointing quartet, given their penchant for bringing the cray and their presence at an event with a crazy theme.  I think they all knew expectations were high, and to a certain extent, all choked.  But what a fantastic singing quartet this would be.  

Niki Minaj.  You put together punk and Niki Minaj, and you get a late 90s tankini top in navy blue?  I object.
Gwen Stefani.  You guys, this is what she wears to the playground.  My expectations were higher than this.
Rita Ora.  I mean, on a regular person, bared midriff-and-side would hardly read as playing it safe, but this looks downright demure on her.  Perhaps the chain detail was a little punkier in person than in photos?
Katy Perry.  Though the crown alone lifts her over the other two, because SHE'S WEARING A CROWN.
Winner of the musical ladies, though I imagine this is what she wears to the grocery store and pharmacy on a Sunday morning: Florence Welch.
Beats Katy Perry's crown seven days a week and twice on Sundays because it is made out of safety pins: fashion editor Giovanna Battaglia.
Even better use of safety pins: Hailee Steinfeld.  A spiky bag and shoes would have made this an absolute winner for me, but the dress itself is awesome.
Stolen from the Dowager Countess' closet and denuded of its lining: Minka Kelly.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Divination teacher: Ashley Olsen.
Speaking of Hogwarts: such is the power of Hermione Granger that she's pulling off this look better than Miranda Kerr, who I swear travels with her own lighting crew. 
Game of Thrones bride: Linda Evangelista.
This is actually pants with a caped peplum top, which makes me think she showed up a few years late for the "Superheroes" themed Met Ball: Jessica Pare.
OMG how many were wounded as a result of giving Cameron Diza a hug? (Also: takes some nerve to try to pull this off in the post-caped-Gwyneth-at-the-Oscars era.  I think G's was better.)
Dick Tracy on Broadway!, starring Elizabeth Banks.  (Also: not punk, unless you count her shoes, which are making her ankles look like they've grown really long, stringy hair.  But that's grunge, no?)

Props for giving a nod to the punk theme and trying out crazy hair: Anne Hathaway.  I love when other people make ill-advised hair color decisions, as I am prone to the same.  It feels fantastic, and I get Anne here just NEEDED it.  I don't love this dress, but A for effort.

Really giving it a go with the punk hair, crazy eyes, and spiky purse, but when your dress has covered buttons on it, I don't think it's going to be quite enough: Emily Blunt.  (Don't worry I still love you BOTH.)

I think they're trying to nod to punk using crazy eye makeup, which has to be seen to be believed:

Lily Collins (in what looks to be a serious attempt to get away from her princess image).


January Jones.  I just . . . wtf?  YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL STOP TRYING TO MESS THAT UP.

Ginnifer Goodwin.  Really cool dress . . . too bad her crazy eyes are scaring me too much to look at it.

Elle Fanning.  I CAN'T EVEN.  It's supposed to be punk, not tripping hippie with Pilgrim apron and horned eye makeup.  That little vent aside, take a moment to consider that Elle here is FIFTEEN.  Now count your blessings that you weren't plastered all over the internet going to formal events at that age (God help me), imagine the snippy things her older sister said to her while they were getting ready (because in my mind, Elle and Dakota totally get ready together in the same bathroom and bicker about stealing each other's makeup), and ask yourself HOW DID HER MOTHER LET HER WALK OUT LIKE THIS?


You can check out last year's coverage here.  Who's your winner?

(Top image via Vogue; other images are all from The Cut, except for Cara Delevingne photo from The Guardian).

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