Lar: Napoleon Complex

Dress is Old Navy, belt is thrifted, non-Napoleonic hat is Minnetonka, shoes are Frye via Jac.

The story in our family goes that our Cajun ancestors are actually deserters of Napoleon's army. When Boney left his army to wither in the Egyptian desert, our great-great-great-etc. grandfather high-tailed it to The "New" World and settled in an only slightly more hospitable place off the Gulf of Mexico.

I felt concern at first that this tyrant looks a bit like a cross-dresser in the left-hand photo, but considering the fate he left our dear old descendent (and so many others), that feeling is brief and fleeting. And really, I think Josephine would have envied those earrings...

The Napoleon Complex describes an alleged type of inferiority complex which is said to affect some people, especially men, who are short in stature (thank you wikipedia).

On a good day Cath and I can boast a solid 5' 3." However we rarely feel the urge to spark revolutions or crown ourselves emperors. Our "complex" manifests itself solely (harhar) in frequent purchase of tall shoes; preferably tall, nude colored shoes (see Frye sandals in above photos). I love my black platforms, but nothing makes me look more like 5'7 to 5'8 than towers that match the color of my legs.

All that said, Cath and I do not bemoan our stature. Being petite (just like being very tall) has its advantages. But on those days that I want to feel a little like a mini-despot, a strong heel is just the thing. Once I start brandishing a bayonet and wearing fifteen pounds of gold encircled upon my head, feel free to pry those heels off.

LL

AsianCajuns Plus One

This weekend one of my best friends came for a visit. Being from Charleston, a city chiefly known for not having an H&M (oh and beautiful historic homes, fresh seafood and the beach), we had to take Nate shopping. And what better way to cap off a day of shopping? Taking overly pose-y photos of your purchases!

I was trying to be good to my credit card and only got this tube dress from H&M with studs down the side (yup I fell into the stud trap again- I guess that trend isn't quite out of my system). Nate's summery oxford (also H&M) has a detachable collar that made me drool. Cath wore her American Apparel dress to offset all our H&M. Doesn't the color make you want to eat lemoncello gelato? Is there such a thing? Yum yum!

Cath's sweet bf took all of these photos. He's a bit of a Renaissance man- check out his myspace page here. My sweet bf got out of most of the shopping and our "photoshoot"- there's always next time- muahahaha!

LL

Night of the Iguana: The Fantastic Level and The Realistic Level

Night of the Iguana is one of my favorite movies/plays. I won't babble about it too much here, but you should watch it when you get the chance. It's especially appropriate for the summer time (what Tennessee William play isn't) because it takes place in gorgeous, sunny and hot Puerto Vallarta.

Throughout the entire movie, Ava Gardner wears this drapey poncho shirt with leggings and large earrings. If I wasn't going to work I would go barefoot too. Isn't that the perfect summer uniform? Before Lindsay even touched a pair of leggings, Ava was rocking them out in 90 degree heat, while serving rum cocos to her guests off the beach.

shirt from F21, leggings from Zara, shoes are Max Studio

I didn't have a shirt like Ava's (though now I'm on the prowl in thrift stores) and I had to forego the earrings because I've been wearing too many cheapie ones so now my ears need a rest, but I think this works when your beach is an office and your hammock is an office chair. Eesh- I need a vacation!



Courtesy of LIFE

This is a photo of Elizabeth Tailor visiting Richard Burton and Ava Gardner on set. Makes you want to get on the next plan to Mexico (circa 1960) doesn't it?

LL

Work Outfit, meet Zorro

The Zorro mask is leftover from our photo shoot on Sunday. I used the mask here to cover the fact that my eye make-up had slid off my face throughout the course of the workday.

I've worn this faux Yves Saint Laurent/Mondrian dress before, but added the Asos belt I won from Wanderlusting a few weeks ago. Without a belt, sheath dresses can make me look a little too young because they tend to swallow up my frame- especially with strong lines and shapes like this one.


Cath used the Zorro mask as a fascinator. I think she looks tres chic. She's got you beat, Antonio.



While picking up some lovely things at Jac this weekend, Cath swiped these Frye platforms for 40% off. Is it weird to any one else that Frye makes things other than boots? Don't get me wrong, I have a pair of Frye platforms too, and they are dreamy. It's just weird. To me Frye's are distant relatives to the things cowboys or pioneers used to wear. I can't imagine cow herders in platforms- kind of like imagining the New York Dolls working on a ranch. Inspiration for the next photoshoot? Yee haw!

LL

Painted Walls

tunic/dress from AA, shoes Jeffery Campbell via Free People, bag from Mingei

Cath and I wandered into Little Five Points the other day (non-locals, that's an Atlanta neighborhood that used to be a bit indie/avant garde and now is comfortably mainstream, but still a sweet place to stroll) and ran into some great graffiti.

I'm being scooped up into an AIG cup- I think those greedy execs would have been disappointed if I ended up as their bonus, but tax payers could have rested easier.

Cath is standing on a crime scene. It appears Chalk Victim was shot once in the head, and fatally wounded. Tough way to go, Chalk Man.


shoes by Seychelles via Eviva, shirt from Evolve Boutique, skirt from Asos, bag from a boutique in Kentucky, sunnies are Cassius via Moxsie.

Happy Friday, you wonderful people! Hope you have a great weekend!

LL

Pocket/Necklace Change

So I got this beauty last week from my oh-so-awesome boyfriend. A necklace that holds quarters: practicality and beauty rolled into one- I love it! It comes from a delightful online shop called Snoozer Looser, often highlighted on the wonderful blog, Getting Beat Like You Stole Something.

I had eyed it a few weeks before and left subtle hints for my boyfriend. It went something like "{cough, cough} I want this for my birthday." Sometimes the magic works.

I apologize for the excessive posing above. I also got/bought myself a remote clicker thingy for my camera, as any serious amateur, amateur photographer should have. So I took about 50 photos of myself with the clicker and now feel like I could successfully give any narcissist a run for their money. 

You would think as a twin (living with her twin), I wouldn't need a remote shutter release. Unfortunately Cath and I hardly see each other during the week because of our separate schedules (boo) and separate boyfriends (good!). It's a good thing my face resembles hers or I would forget what she looked like. 

LL

Neon

I know this is a little bit kid-ish, but I still pick out my birthday outfits (not be confused with birthday suit- why aren't we allowed to pick those?). So this year I wore my new neon (sear- your-retinas neon) crop top from American Apparel and a black zip-up dress from H&M. I'm a big fan of the comfort of crop tops, but I'm not much for showing my belly to the world. I think it has something to do with exposing a belly-button which feels a little too Britney circa what? 2002? That said, I know things like neon and crop tops (regardless of how they are worn) are big no-nos on most people's wardrobe list. Would you wear either?

ps- Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Even if you weren't stateside for fireworks, I hope you were swamped with massive quantities of delicious food. Good times, noodle salad.

LL

City Twin

Cath and I are identical twins, but on most days we are absolutely convinced we look nothing a like. She has bangs and wears her hair straight, I let mine go wavy (ie I don't wake up early enough in the morning) and bangs lasted three minutes on me before I decided I had to pin them back. Our noses are different, she has more Chinese, I have more Cajun. Cath also works for our local city government, so her work wear is a bit more grown-up and elegant than mine.

Despite these "notable" differences, people still often confuse us. We really don't mind at all. Our baffled looks are a result of us forgetting we look alike to people.

Because Cath has a more public job than I do, I often have to tell disappointed retailers that "I'm not the City twin" and I have little sway with the upper branches of government. Crestfallen that their grievances were wasted on a powerless twin, I try to assuage them with graphic design babble. It's difficult to distract people with a game of "What's Your Favorite Font?!"



All of this twin blather is to say, I absolutely love Cath's entire look in these photos: the wrap/grecian dress, nude pumps from Eviva, and her dainty jewelry. It's what I want to look like when I grow up.

LL

GaGa Belt

A few weeks ago, Cath and I won a contest on Wanderlust's Anywhere But Here (she of the enviable closet and vacation spots). The prize? This awesome 4-studded belt from Asos.com.



This elastic/metal belt put me in mind of Lady GaGa's costumes- well, Lady GaGa "lite" (really, really lite). I skipped the high-cut leotard and bleached hair, and made the belt work-appropriate with the skirt, tank and Jeffrey Campbell shoes.

The geisha-lipstick was added just for the photos. I wish I could say I got away with it at work, but I'm not nearly meticulous enough with my lips. Lipstick-wearers in general, you impress me.



LL

Church on Sunday

We live in the bible belt. It's a strange place to be after growing up in agnostic, politically correct Washington D.C. Nearly every corner has a church of some denomination or other. And we're aren't just limited to Christianity. We are home to nearly as many mosques, synagogues, meeting houses and temples (the largest Hindu temple in the States is right down the road from us).

This afternoon we happened upon a neglected Baptist church just down the road from our 'rents new place. We stopped to take some pictures and to get upbraided by a passerby for not going to church on Sunday. I guess our outfits gave us away. Next time we'll wear hats.


No hat, but Cath's gladiators (Nine West) are pretty sweet.



To church, I inappropriately wore a pink bandeau and tank from American Apparel, some cutoffs and work boots from Target.

Edit: don't worry, dear readers, that is no cigarette in my hand- just my El Bar key chain turned sideways (therefore, no cancer, but my liver might have to worry).

LL

The New Balcony

One of my favorite things about our new place is that my bedroom has access to the balcony. And a balcony is as close as I'll get to a Southern porch for the time being. Perfect for sipping an ice cold beer, reading a novel, chewing the fat, and taking outfit photos.


Dress by AA, book by Jeffery Eugenides, Beer by Brooklyn Brewery


Earrings (my absolute favorite pair from a stall in Murcia, Spain $2), scarf from H&M (last one, swiped off the mannequin sitting on the shelf. Thanks, fellow scarf swiper Pam!), tank from AA, bubble skirt from Target a few years back, boots from A&E (5 yrs old).


Sweater from Target, tunic/dress (yes... it is a weeee bit on the sort side, I'm channeling my inner Jane Birkin) from Kaleidoscope, belt and boots thrifted.

Happy hump day (gurge)! Almost on the downside to the weekend!

LL

Ecco il suo Cocktail

The other night Cath and I went to Ecco in midtown to a cocktail soiree (ooo lalaaaa) put on by Caren West and Citi Search. We gobbled down some delicious appetizers and some faincy schmaincy cocktails, including this fella, Karlssons gold potato vodka, vermouth, a cornichon and a slice of salami (meat and potatoes in a martini glass):



After three more delectable drinks, Cath and I thought it wise to take outfit photos in one of Ecco's chic looking restrooms. Yes, tres classy.


Cath: tank from Meringue, necklace from Moxsie, jeans from AA


Lar: tee and skirt from H&M (skirt from their organic line- probably overpriced but I love all the teenytiny studs all over), clutch from asos.com, shoes from Jeffrey Cambell

LL

Summer Attire

Bag from Mingei World Arts in Decatur.

Hotlanta is living up to its name. We had a respite of cooler weather this spring, but the humidity has finally sprung its murky head, and our days won't dip bellow the 85 degree mark until late September. But that's okay, really. I love hot, hot heat and the slothful way we have to move around here in the south.

What I don't like? The damn summer outfits. Heat makes you a bit listless, so pulling out whatever old dress you have in the closet closest to your limp finger tips (other hand waving a large paper fan) seems the only option. So the downside to the fanning, and the sipping of mint juleps and the rocking on the front porch/balcony, it doesn't make for great outfit posts.

We promise we'll work on it, but for now we want to keep it simple. At least my Guatemalan bag keeps me from looking too much like I just stepped of an AA store and Cath's Cassius sunnies from Moxsie add a little bit of dreaminess to her simple, chic attire.

What do you guys and girls do when the best option seems to sweat it out in a boring old tank and shorts? Do you give in or fight the summer attire malaise?


LL

Biker Shorts cont'd.

Shorts from AA, shirt and shoes from Target, scarf from H&M, rings, necklaces and earrings from Evolve Boutique, Agnes Scott College, Mingei, rummage sale.

LL

A Little Librarian-ish

It's been a very unusual May here in Atlanta weather-wise. It was cool enough last week to wear long sleeves without breaking a sweat - that's positively freezing by Atlanta standards! So I decided to take full advantage of the chill and attempt an Audrey Hepburn look with a classic white button up.

H&M shirt, F21 belt, AA skirt, Dolce Vita shoes from Eviva, secondhand bracelet.

I think this is my new favorite bracelet. I got it for $3 at the same jewelry sale Lar wrote about here.

And I'm sure all you Maira Kalman fans out there recognize the book I'm holding. You can probably tell by my writing that I bought the book just for the illustrations and not for a better understanding of writing composition and grammar - sorry, William Strunk Jr.

CL

Pleather

Burn out tee from AA, pleather shorts thrifted, shoes are Jeffrey Campbell.

I picked up these pleather shorts a few weekends ago at a thrift store, though I'm pretty sure they have their origins from Forever21. I know for many these are a little gag-worthy, but give 'em a wash (yes, they have been washed and dried- and came out the same size and color- the joys of faux leather!) and they look just right with anything over-sized. Wear a crop-top or tight tank and you can look a little more lady-of-the-night than you intended.



A huge shout-out to (recent transplant) local Atlantan Hippie Frou Frou for the blog award.



You guys should definitely read her blog. You'll see. We're not just making up how awesome the oft-forgotten South is. Thanks, Hippie Frou Frou! Let's go eat some bacon at Leon's soon!


LL

Sunday/Monday

I hope you guys all had a wonderful long weekend. In between the Arts Fest, I found time to stroll through my favorite cemetery (I swear, locals can attest, the Decatur Cemetery is downright pretty, gorgeous in fact), and do normal things like hang out with great friends and visit a favorite shop.



I picked up this backpack at Mingei (aforementioned favorite shop). It's made from a traditional, hand-embroidered Guatemalan shirt- and it was dirt cheap. I had one very similar (and much less authentic) when I was 11. I believe it was from the far away land of J.C.Penny. Nice, huh?



LL

Work-a-work

So after a couple of posts showing off Lar's never ending creativity, I thought I'd tone things down a bit and show you one of my everyday work outfits. Obviously nothing groundbreaking (and nothing as amazing as studded Toms - woot!), but I'm constantly racking my brain trying to figure out work appropriate wear for the warmer months that won't leave me sweating buckets at the office.


Cassius sunglasses from Moxsie.com, secondhand vest, H&M tank, Asos.com pencil skirt, heels from BR outlet.

I'm trying to figure out how to break out of the vest-and-tank-with-skirt uniform, but it just works so well for the summer months. Any suggestions, dear reader?

Chain Gang

D.I.Y.-ish. I took some chain and safety-pinned it to the sides of an 2-year old AA dress. I got the safety-pin chain idea from an editorial in a magazine I'm blanking on. The stylist stuck chains all over Alexander Wang tees and Balmain shoulder pads. I figured American Apparel could use the same treatment.
I topped it all off with a men's chambray shirt and thrifted white booties. Rather fulfilling fashion-wise and most importantly cheap, cheap, cheap!

Challenge to readers: how else to use safety pins on clothes you already have in your closet. Discuss.

LL

Cycle Shorts: The Summer Legging?

Some of you might have never been a fan of the legging in the winter, but they are like sweat pants to me. Sweat pants that you can wear out in public and still look decent. In fact, I don't own a pair of sweats because I can just as easily wear leggings out of the house and pretend I didn't just nap in them for 3 hours. A chilly day ensemble: leggings, oversized sweater, boots, a scarf- so comfortable, so easy, so chic (well, at least better than those sweats).

So come summer I'm usually stumped for comfortable leg wear. Shorts are fine, but they are a little constricting (especially when they chop you off right at the meatiest part of your thigh). Skirts are good, but sitting cross-legged at a picnic isn't an option. I propose the bicycle short.

Circa 1992, Cath and I would run around in magenta cycle shorts and over-sized tees tied in a side knot. I've eschewed the scrunchie and reebok hightops this go 'round, but it's essentially the same outfit and as comfortable as I remember it from nearly two decades ago.

I favor a huge platform shoe, long tee or tank with the short. For the more fearless, a cropped top could work (I personally like a little more coverage especially if your shoes are hooker-esque), and I think a sleek looking sandal sans heel would be chic for those of you in less need of a 5 inch boost.

What do you guys think? "Summer leggings" a go? Even if you are a little skeptical, you should try it. It's so gosh darned comfortable I think you'll be a convert. Also it's a little reprieve from this year's ubiquitous cut-offs trend.

Oh, and I'm not stopping at black. I just bought these understated summer leggings at AA this past weekend. Outfit post forthcoming.

LL

shirt from Urban, shorts from AA, shoes are Target (soon to be studded), jacket is H&M