Earrings for Guitar-playing Art Historians

The art history student in me has to geek-out for just a minute:

It looks like El Greco painted the hands on these awesome guitar pic earrings!

I've always had a soft spot for the Greek painter, beloved and adopoted by the Spanish of the Baroque period, whose elongated style of portraying anatomy was, and still is, completely unique and eerily moving.

Obviously these earring hands aren't swiped from a painting by the master himself- the fingers look too rigid and the palette is all wrong (blah, blah, more pretentious art history ramblings...), but they are close enough for me!

What do you guys think? Creepy, or a fond reminder of these intense dudes below?



P.S. I got these earrings from Duck's Cosmic Kitchen in Decatur. They sell delicious doughnuts and delightful art earrings- my heaven in a nutshell.

AsianCajun Booted

Cath just picked up her pair of Patricia Field for Payless booties. My favorite bit isn't the grommets, but the strip of pleather that hugs the back of the heel and looks like the visor of a knight's helmet.

She paired the booties with faux leopard print from Rogan for Target and faux Chanel sunnies (F21). I think Patricia and Carrie Bradshaw would approve.







Happy Friday, Everyone!!!

LL

Graffi-Tee

I used to be a lot craft-ier when I was younger. Now some t-shirt markers and a V-neck Hanes are all that I can manage when it comes to D.I.Y.

After seeing a number of real fringe v-necks, I decided to give it a go, 2-D style. I also decided that a few more peacock feathers in my closet couldn't hurt.



The belt I'm wearing with the tee (see below) is this stretchy metal thing I got at Scott's. It's my new favorite accessory... it figures that the thing that cost me five bucks and came in a sandwich bag is my favorite (while the $60 leather clutch from Asos languishes in the closet).


LL

Edit at 9:45 pm (on a completely unrelated note):
Congrats to us (women and minorities)!!!
By this time tomorrow, a bill (the first Obama will sign as president) will give equal pay for equal work. Yeah, I completely agree, this action is incredibly (and embarrassingly) overdue. It took us until 2009 (and a President who is a minority) for women and minorities to make the same amount, doing the same damn thing, as the good old boys in the United States of America. It's about time.

The Photographer: Wes Sumner

Ladies and Gentlemen, we present to you Wes Sumner, amazing photographer and all-around nice guy.

Cath and I were lucky enough to meet up with Wes and his awesome assistant Andy (like that alliteration?) this Sunday afternoon. Wes contacted us about doing a few shots to add some fashion photography to his already incredible portfolio (view here). Don't get us wrong, folks. We do not think of ourselves as models... maybe "real people" models, but even then we are pretty uncomfortable with a camera in our face (this blog has been a growing experience). Yet Wes and Andy made it all so easy and enjoyable I would gladly spend every Sunday afternoon with them, gazing at their photography accoutrements and talking their ears off (Sorry, guys. I usually avoid caffeine for that reason).

Here are a few "behind-the-scene" shots, photographed by yours truly.


The guys hard at work.


Wes, me, Andy and Cath at our photomerged kitchen table.

And here are some results:










Thanks Wes and Andy! We think you guys are the bees' knees.

LL

Thank You Sharon Rose!

The lovely thrifting genius Sharon Rose awarded us this Your Blog is Fabulous! award. Well shucks, we don't know what to say - except "Right back at ya!"


We have to pass this award on to ten other bloggers. And so without further ado, the award goes to (drum roll please!). . .

Clothes Horse
Couture Carrie
Cupcakes and Cashmere
Hot Bot
Liz Blair
On Dressing Up
Qin at the Disco
Solo Lisa
This Wheel's on Fire
WendyB

Shout Out to Local Fashionista Alicia

This past Sunday we had brunch with local blogger/fashionista Alicia of Want Beer With That. We met up with the beautiful and exuberant fashionista at Highland Bakery (home to a very nice wait-staff and the best grits and homemade cinnamon buns around) and then headed to local boutique Jac to drool over their selection of gorgeous spring-wear.



We are always inspired by Alicia's mad accessories (do you see that ring?!) and her magical touch with layering.




Thank you to the lovely shopgirl at Jac for being our impromptu photographer!

LL

High Fives for Everyone!

Not at all style related, but this video is too good not to share.

HIGH-FIVE INAUGURATION! - watch more funny videos

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

CL

Pajamas Are the New. . . Black?

Or at least they've been getting some more face time in the fashion world lately.

The pajama trend started with artist/director/interior designer/pajama-wearing extraordinaire Julian Schnabel. He enjoys wearing silk pjs out in public so much that it's become his "look." His current wife, Olatz Lopez Garmendia, makes them and (lucky for us!) we can purchase and wear them to red carpet events just like Schnabel.


Dolce and Gabbana solidified this trend with their 2009 Spring RTW line:


Althought Schnabel and Dolce & Gabbana's pajama outfits are an improvement over Hugh Heffner's iconic pjs and smoking jacket look, it's comforting to know that the trend of wearing a complete pajama set in public won't spread beyond the wardrobes of over egotistical men with too much money. (If you think Heffner's playboy mansion is over-the-top, check out Schnabel's Manhattan palazzo).

Images courtsey of Style.com

CL

Our Inauguration Adventure

Watching President Obama's inauguration on the Mall in D.C. made waking up at 3:30 in the morning to catch the metro, standing out in the freezing cold for over seven hours, getting crushed in a crowd trying to exit the mall, walking for miles and developing plantar fasciitis in both feet completely worth it.



Even though we didn't have tickets and it seemed impossible at first to get on the Mall, we found our way in right around 12th St. We had a nice view of the Capitol in the distance and a JumboTron nearby. That's Obama in the first image below and Yo-Yo Ma in the second.


It was so exhilarating to be in a crowd of 1.5 million all celebrating and cheering for the same thing. I wish I could write more about the feeling of the crowd, but anything I'd write would sound ridiculously cheesy. So just believe me when I say that it was an amazing experience.

That being said, I don't think I've ever been so cold for so long as I was waiting for the swearing in. Three things made all the difference:
1.) Being with a great group of friends (Chris, Daren, Esther, Lauren and Matt).
2.) Having a delicious packed lunch that my mom made for everyone.
3.) Knowing that in a few hours Bush would no longer be President.


Thanks to all our readers for the well wishes, thank you Esther for the great photos and thanks to Daren for supplying the whiskey - it was a life saver!

- CL

Off to see OBAMA!!!

Happy Inauguration, Everyone!



We're heading up to D.C. this weekend to mingle with the millions of other excited citizens come Tuesday.

We plan to blog and twitter from Cath's Mac Sunday through Wednesday and keep you posted about all the Inaugural going-ons! Let us know if you'll be in town too!

Here's a few more !!!!! because we are that excited!!!!

In the meantime, Cath and I played around with this awesome Obama kikoi from my bf's parents in Tanzania- schnazzy, non?



LL

Happy MLK Weekend!

We hope you all have a splendid three day weekend! We'll be volunteering for our local Decatur MLK Weekend project, and then we are off to D.C. (wink, wink- more on that soon!).

Completely unrelated and superficial... we'll start the weekend off with a cold-weather outfit (properly complimented with faux fur hat and braids).


HAT H&M, VEST Urban Renewal, SHIRTS & SCARF Dresscodes and H&M (about 10 yrs ago), JEANS Cheap Mondays, BOOTS Frye.



EARRINGS June Shin.


LL

Trust Us, We're Experts

Or at least the nice people over at Lucky Style Spotter think we are...kind of. They asked us to write an article on staying fashionable on a budget. We can't compete with Heloise, but really, who can? Let us know what you think!

Read it here



CL

Recession Fun!

It's not an oxymoron! I mean, what is more fun than origami hats?! We got this idea from Daily Candy's mention of the Origami Club. Granted you might get more of a thrill shopping on line at Urban or going for a swanky dinner somewhere, but if your funds are low, we highly recommend folding paper and letting your imagination go with it.




LL

Tag: Fourth of Fourth

Our second tag of the year! This one's from the lovely Esther of O Lady E (and Lisa of Sola Lisa Nada Mas).

1. Go to the 4th folder in your computer where you store your pictures.
2. Pick the 4th picture in that folder.
3. Explain the picture.
4. Tag 4 people to do the same!

I don't have a very organized photo storage system on my computer, but this is the image I came up with when I was trying to follow the fourth of fourth directions. It's pretty self explanatory.



I think Lauren was actually the one who saved it on my computer, but we're both fans of Janis.

Anyone else thoroughly enjoy Jane Krakowski's impression of Janis Joplin in last week's 30 Rock?

I'm going to be lazy and open this tag up to anyone who wants to do it - just let me know if you do!

CL

Atlanta in the Winter...

... does not look like this:



To us, cold is 40 degrees. So there is no way we get this much snow, or even ice. If we're lucky we get freezing rain and run out to the nearest Kroger to stock up on bread and milk. Seriously.

Not that I mean to complain. I enjoy our Indian Summers in January, but you can't make snow angels in soggy leaves.

Regardless of local climate, what you can do is dress like a lumber jack! I'm not sure I've ever seen a lumber jack in 3 inch H&M boots, but otherwise spot-on, no?

And what does every self-respecting lumberjack have? You guessed it. A mustache, be it real (swoon) or permanent marker. You can't weld an axe without one.


And what does every self-respecting Cajun (or part-Cajun) girl do when she gets a southern chill? Makes herself a bowl of gumbo. Yum!



LL

We Met Eddie Ross!

This Saturday, our lovely friend Amelia (of The Wren's Nest) and I went to Scott's Antique Market, just south of Atlanta. Sadly, Cath had to stay home and fend off yet another cold- boo.

Scott's is open one weekend every month, but this month Eddie Ross (former Martha Stewart editor, Top Design contestant, and brilliant blogger) happened to be leading a group of avid antiquers. Whilst browsing the hundreds of booths and trying on the largest accessories ever designed (see the clip-on earring below), Amelia and I ran into Eddie (and Kerry of Top Design!). Okay, not so much "ran into," but covertly followed him until I worked up the courage to ask him for a photo.

Our mom showed us Eddie's blog a few weeks ago (she's been a fan since the beginning). It's a font of creative ideas and generous design advice- we love it! If you haven't read his blog yet, go do it now- here.




LL

Inspiration: Erika Kurihara

She is a fashion editor at i-D, is a frequently snapped by The Sartorialist and featured on Jak and Jil, she owns those Prada peep-toes, and just happens to be naturally gorgeous... I'd be green with envy if I wasn't so busy trying to take notes.

Cath and I love how she isn't super-trendy (black pointy foot-wear, spandex-clad legs, architectural Balmain jackets), but looks chic and completely original. It is also true that we have a soft spot for Asian ladies in fashion (that doesn't mean we are eschewing our Cajun side, mom!) because diversity still seems fairly sparse in what is supposed to be a cutting-edge world.

LL

Outfits: Skirts and Ankle Boots

On Lar: scarf, Proenza Schouler for Target; jacket, H&M; dress, LVLX; booties, Payless


On Cath: ring and necklace, June Shin; watch, Nixon; sweater and tank, H&M; skirt, Mango (circa 2003); booties, NineWest; jean jacket, Gap



LL

Buckle Boots and the Justification of Rampant Consumerism

1. It makes the first week back from vacation a bit sweeter
2. I've always fallen for buckles. Am I the only one who thinks a straight jacket has some fashion appeal?
3. Because they are the safest version of a Rick Owen boot (and probably 1/32 of the price).
4. They were on sale!
5. They're British
6. When your bf buys a motorcycle you have to accessorize properly. Boots? Check. Leather jacket? Check. Helmet? Give me some more buckles and leather and I slap anything on my head.

LL

A Visit to the Swan House

Although we've lived in Atlanta for a while, this was our first visit to the Swan House. It's a large historic house located on the grounds of the Atlanta History Center in Buckhead (a neighborhood of Atlanta).

The home's classical style makes it look older than its 80 years. Built in 1928 the house is considered relatively new even by American historical standards. However, Atlanta is quick to get rid of any building older than 30 years. So the Swan House is practically pre-historic considering its location.

Fortunately, the Atlanta History Center has been able to preserve the Swan House so that tourists, like myself, are able to explore the beautiful home formerly owned by the somewhat cultured and very wealthy Inman family.


Although the tour was over an hour long and it was a muddy walk to the home from the history center, Lauren and I felt it was only proper to wear heels to such a stately place. (Also, at a short 5'3", our vanity almost completely prevents us from wearing flats in public).

Outfit details: Lauren is wearing a H&M jacket, AA dress, H&M shoes and Ann Taylor purse. I'm wearing the same red Nordstrom coat from Saturday's post, Gap dress and H&M shoes.

I'm no expert in animal husbandry, but I believe the creature pictured below is a ram (which is a male sheep...I think). He was just standing around on the small farm located between the Swan House and Atlanta History Center. He was the only animal we saw on the grounds, which made me doubt the efficiency of the quarter acre farm. That being said, there is the requisite historic black smithy next door to the ram's house/shed/pen/barn/log cabbin(?).


Needless to say it was a very enjoyable - and educational - visit. I highly recommend a trip to the Swan House and its surroundings.

CL

Tag Time: 6 Things

Our friend and author of In Her Twenties tagged us a few days ago and, seeing as I've made it a kind of mini-resolution of mine to be better at tagging, I'm determined to complete this tag before a whole week has gone by. That being said I think we might have done this tag before, but since I can't remember, surely no one else can! So here goes:

The Rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they've been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

My six random things:


I love SPAM (not the email version).


I've kept all of my old pointe shoes and have no idea what to do with them.


I'm part Chinese and part French/English/Irish/German, but I'm obsessed with anything Scottish.


I love maps.


I don't own a TV, but watch shows on Hulu.com all the time.


I would love to visit Stockholm.

I'm tagging:

Already Pretty
Hiking in Stilettos
June Shin
On Dressing Up
The Leila
This Wheel's on Fire

All photos are from flickr.com.

CL

Winter-ish Outfits

It hasn't felt much like winter in Atlanta lately, but it was slightly chilly today. Our solution? Turtlenecks and scarves! Ok, maybe not particularly ingenious or earth shattering, but it was nice to wear some of our winter clothes.


On Lauren: H&M turtleneck sweater, Urban Renewal by UO cardigan, Cheap Monday jeans, thrifted bag and Frye boots.


On me: Thrifted scarf, coat from Nordstrom, Cheap Monday cords and H&M oxford wedges.

CL