Dedicated Follower of Fashion

Inspired? Huntington Rose Garden

There's nothing like taking photos of flowers, even if you're a complete amateur photographer, it's not hard to end up with something of beauty. I become something somewhat dangerous if I get thrown into a floral "situation" especially if I'm armed with my camera, complete with macro lenses...

Frolicking around the Rose Garden at Huntington is no exception, and this time, I didn't just take time to smell the roses, but took the time to read the signs too. What's fascinating about the roses in this garden is the fact that each varietal has their own name and year. Each name and year is utterly reflective of that year or inspiration.

Click through to see how I've matched the fashion and inspiration to the roses...it was a lot of fun!

 

Inspired? Huntington Desert Garden

As mentioned yesterday, I've taken a litle RnR this week with Mr Styles' Mom being in town...of course my version of RnR is to run around town doing all the things I never get to do...I'm not much of a sit still kind of gal...

On Monday we spent the afternoon walking around the L.A wonder that is the Huntington Gardens. I managed to take, literally, hundreds of photographs. Whilst it sounds utterly corny, there's nothing more inspiring than the colour, texture and vibrancy that is found in nature - and it's even more exciting when you can find it in your own backyard (or at least someone elses backyard that you paid $15 to visit...!)

As I said there are a TON of photographs, and I've made a valiant attempt to narrow them down, and will be sharing them in three parts. I know this isn't strictly a fashion post, and honestly, I'm not strictly a fashion person, but please find inspiration in them...for your designs, your outfits, your art (but please - credit where credit is due - these are not for commercial use)

All the many pictures are after the jump! Enjoy!

Kelsi x

Inspired?

By Sarah Corley

Fashionable Inspirations from my Life to Yours:

Wow, it has been a busy last several weeks! My life this summer has been quite eventful with my job duties, some traveling to see friends, and spending time with family. It seems like I am rarely home anymore, so "debriefing" to myself about all the things that have been inspiring me was very refreshing. 

1. The DuPree Sisters (from Eisley) - Chauntelle, Sherri, and Stacy DuPree are a few of the stylish, talented souls of Eisley, which is a band that has been in my faves for years. Obviously, I love their music, but I also admire their fashion choices and the fact that they always seem to be one-step-ahead of the trends, being especially involved in bringing skinny jeans back and popularizing vintage/retro clothing. Their younger sister Christie (pictured above as well) is often included in fun, editorial-like photo shoots that the girls put together when bored. Sounds like fun to me!

2. Low Messy Buns - Back in high school, high ponytails with the messy look were all the rage (at least around here). Lately, I have been noticing a softer, more elegant version of that idea but sitting lower on the head. For example, throughout last season of Project Runway, designer Anna Lynett constantly twisted her hair into a side bun (it usually looked more carefree than the one pictured above). Many girls on the street seem to be doing an even "messier" version of this side bun. I love the look!

3. Dark-Rimmed Glasses - I already wear some rectangular, darked-rimmed glasses for reading, but I am tempted to get some fake ones for "regular" places. It could definitely give me a smarter, more professional look during my day job.

4. Dramatic Eyeliner - Ever since I bought Maybelline's Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner, I cannot resist playing up my eyes in an even more dramatic way than usual. With each day, it feels like my eyeliner is being drawn out and up even further. I wonder where I will stop? I seem to be getting more daring...

5. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days - This movie is a long-time favorite of mine. Whether I am quoting it or watching it, Kate Hudson and Matt McConaughey's comical remarks put a smile on my face. My sister recently watched it for the first time, and now she loves it just as much, which means we quote it quite often.   

6. No More Doubt by Stephen Speaks - Even though the whole album is shown, I am primarily drawn to the track "Out Of My League" (LISTEN HERE!) which was THE love song during my freshman year at college. Just hearing the lyrics "It's frightening to be swimming in this strange sea, but I'd rather be here than on land..." sends chills up my spine.

What has been inspiring you?

xoxo

Inspired?

By Carly

Jenny Holzer - Baltic Mill 2010

Art.

My friend came to visit me from Oxford on Wednesday, so she could go and see the Jenny Holzer exhibition at the Baltic; a flour mill converted in to a contemporary art museum. Having only ever heard about Holzer from my friend, and never actually looking at her work, I was pleasntly surprise at how awesome her work is. It's very colourful, and thought provoking. LED installations are clad with moving messages. There was one installation, that reminded me of the bright coloured lights of billboards in Times Square in NYC.

One particular installation was less political than others. Though political in its own way, it seemed to be very much about love, lust and heart ache.

"I breathe you breath"

"I bite your lip".

"I shelter you"

"I smell you on my skin"

One of her particular installations had a lot of political messages about Iraq and war. I walked past this particular installation as "Situation in Iraq is difficult" scrolled across it, and it drew me in to watch it further.

I am by no means great and video making, but here is a general idea of the installation moving and my hideous attempt at stop motion without a tripod! Link

I was very impressed by her art installations, and particularly her canvases that conveyed the idea of censorship; large black handprints over what could be political documents. Even though a lot of the ideas behind her work are not something I personally have an interest in, the exhibition itself inspired me more than anything has in a very long time. Her artwork reminded me a lot of slogans on t-shirts and totes. I have seen a lot of people wearing slogan tees again lately. I remember last summer, it seemed everyone had a slogan t-shirt in the UK, and now they're slowly creeping their way back in to the shops. A lot of them are very much based around travel and touristy places like Paris and New York. But here are my selection of non-political, non touristy sloganed products. They're playful, and naive and very very cute and I want them all!

 

Top left-right: Same Old Chic - £465 - Ashish, Available - £145 - Anya Hindmarch, Stella - £45 - Stella McCartney for Adidas. Bottom left-right: It's All About Me - £16 - Miss Selfridge, ABC Love - £25 - Urban Outfitters, Meet Me Back At The Tent - £14 - H by Henry Holland 

Inspired?

Spring is here and I'm loving some unique takes on the normal warm weather fashions! Eclectic jewelry, dancewear, crazy shoes and a gorgeous plus-sized model have been inspiring me lately.

Unusual Rings: I’m loving this season’s take on bold jewelry, especially the rings! Oversized, uniquely shaped or just plain kitschy, I can’t get enough of unusual rings. I love the pop they add to an otherwise plain (or if you’re like me, boring) outfit.

Ballerina-Inspired Fashion: Having taken dance lessons through my youth, I am forever enamored with the graceful ballerinas (mostly because I am the complete opposite of graceful) but moreso the dance-inspired wear I’ve seen popping up this spring. I’m talking legwarmers, off-the shoulder tops, pastels, tulle and dainty dresses. Pastels scream spring to me and the dresses this season (like this one on Taylor Swift) have that certain je ne sais quoi appeal that I love about dancers.

Crazy Shoes: I don’t know if it’s the dreamer in me, but I’m loving some crazy shoes this spring! Alexander McQueen is the king of dramatic footwear and I am in love with his Fall 2010 collection. Though completely out of my budget, I think these winged shoes would transform an outfit of jeans and a t-shirt into something spectacular.

The New It Girl:  Crystal Renn started modeling at 14, but after being pressured to lose weight and seeing the effects of extreme weight loss on her body, she re-examined her habits and actually gained weight. The best part about this is that the fickle modeling industry has taken her back with open arms, mostly (I think) because she’s drop dead gorgeous! She was all over the Fall 2010 runways, landed a cover and spread in Glamour and is now in a (NSFW) spread for the May issue of French Vogue. It’s so refreshing to see that beauty comes in different shapes and sizes.

Top Row, Left to Right: Crystal Renn modeling swimsuits in Glamour, Branch Ring - $90 - Old Hollywood, Taylor Swift in a Contrarian dress before a concert

Middle Row, Left to Right: Jay Godfrey Blue Tulle Overlay Dress - $209.99 - Bluefly, Crystal Renn Spread in French Vogue (NSFW), Pave Movable Turtle Ring - $24 - Urban Outfitters

Bottom Row, Left to Right: Alexander McQueen Fall 2010 Shoe, Diamond Flower and Branch Ring - $185  - Zulasurfing

By Bria Berger