la vie est chic.

2011-03-20T15:01:00.001-07:00

http://phlyarology.tumblr.com/

I've moved
Check it out. Follow me. Yay!

2011-03-15T14:04:00.000-07:00

I want this light in my room next semester.

Cold War Kids.

2011-03-15T13:50:00.000-07:00

I'm going to their concert tonight.

Can't wait.

All I want tonight is an adventure.

2011-03-10T14:57:00.000-08:00

I honestly wish I could spend my nights lying outside, on the top of a mountain, or in the middle of a field, and just stare up into the sky and think about everything. Since being at school, I haven't been able to take part in any nature exploration, but one time, I had the pleasure of having my breath taken away.

One evening, after a splendid film and a slight treck downtown, a fellow and I went to a cliff...we made our way to the top, stepping gracefully upon rock after rock. We were up high enough where we were simply looking over a floating fog above the trees, and from the spot that I was standing at, the lights from nearby towns glistened perfectly in the distance. That evening was my favorite night in a long time, and all I wish is that I didn't have to leave that spot. For some reason, that moment made me feel like anything was possible, and all I wanted was to sleep there for that cold night, just so I could stare out at my surroundings and never forget every detail.

If you have...

2011-03-07T14:35:00.001-08:00

Before I die...

2011-03-03T15:03:00.000-08:00

The works of Candy Chang.

She took a not so pretty building and transformed its' side into a wall of possibilites.

What would you write?

2011-03-03T14:19:00.000-08:00

"The prospect of the future has always been prevalent, but when you catch of piece of the possibilites, you can't help but be overwhelmed with the drive to find the remaining ones."

Wouldn't this make your day?

2011-02-15T14:33:00.000-08:00

(I want to start doing this)

Workspace1.

2011-02-08T14:44:00.000-08:00

(from here)

I feel like this is the office of a guy who would organize the Ultra Music Festival.

How epic.

Jigsaw Falling Into Place - Radiohead

2011-02-07T13:28:00.000-08:00

Paint my days away.

2011-02-06T14:29:00.000-08:00

All I want to do today is listen to music and paint nonsense onto the canvases in my closet, however, homework and Superbowl festivities are getting in the way of that. I hope you're all having a lovely (Superbowl) Sunday.

Real men.

2011-02-04T13:00:00.000-08:00

Lady - Regina Spektor

2011-01-31T12:12:00.001-08:00

Check out that 'stache.

2011-01-07T12:33:00.000-08:00

I want all of these for a mustache themed party. haha

Color Comparison.

2011-01-06T10:12:00.000-08:00

(All from a series, shown here)

PS. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!

A Christmas Eve (Apartment) Wishlist.

2010-12-24T11:57:00.000-08:00

My Apartment Wishlist

(for the apartment I don't even have)

A two purpose product: a night light + a placeholder for your book of choice.

A very minimalistic bookshelf.

Earthy vases...a possible craft project?

The perfect reminder for someone as forgetful as me.

Something that makes me think of my dad.

Just about the coolest idea.

...all these products can be found HERE

2010-12-15T12:06:00.000-08:00

2010-12-15T11:31:00.000-08:00

This will keep you entertained. It makes me feel like I'm actually musically talented....kind of....

Baby, It's Cold Outside

2010-12-07T15:11:00.000-08:00

This photograph makes me feel at peace, and letting myself get re-enveloped in the moments I spent alone in forrest preserves photographing help melt away the stress of finals. As the wind would hit my face and all I could smell was the cold air and the distant fireplaces blazing with warmth, happiness and comfort rushed through me. My college town is not known for getting too much snow (sadly it's a rare occasion) but just the other day, as I walked out of my dorm onto the sidewalk, little white snowflakes fell upon my black wool coat, and I couldn't help but smile even though plenty of people seemed bitter over the fact that it was so cold. I have a little over a week left and then I'll be done with my finals; then all I will have left to do is play in the snow, read, write, and spend time with everyone I've missed so dearly back home. I cannot wait.

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2010-12-01T06:30:00.001-08:00

2010-11-28T21:57:00.000-08:00

If my air freshener was a picture, it'd be this picture.

Lavender & Chamomile.
(look at the full size image)

Thanksgiving.

2010-11-25T17:46:00.000-08:00

As I slipped through my front door, hauling in all of my luggage, I couldn't help but feel overjoyed to be with my family. This holiday has been spent drinking countless mugs full of steaming chamomile tea, snuggling under my favorite blue plaid blanket on the couch with Elf or Harry Potter filling up the screen, and talking about life with my family while the smell of cookies in the oven filled the air. As I sit here in the living room, dreading packing up all my stuff again, I feel incredibly thankful for the life I've had and the wonderful people that have always been there for me. Leaving again will be hard, and I'm sure I'll shed a tear or two on the bus ride back to school, but I couldn't have had a better holiday to be thankful for.

Iron & Wine.

2010-11-16T20:44:00.000-08:00

First off, apologies for my absence. School has been taking over my life and for a while there, my day to day schedule was going to class, eating, studying, and sleeping as much as I could. Splendid ey?

This last Saturday I ventured to St. Louis to see the Iron & Wine concert (which was sold out), and it was probably one of the best shows I've been a part of. Singer and songwriter, Samuel Beam, blew me away with his mesmerizing vocals and soft strokes of his guitar. It was simply breathtaking to see how spellbound everyone in the audience was as he began with soft whispers into the microphone, and the sounds slowly escalated throughout the show as colored lights galloped across the back curtain.

My two current favorite songs from Iron & Wine:

"Boy With a Coin"

"Upward Over the Mountain"

2010-10-19T12:24:00.000-07:00

This will make you feel like a kid again.

And maybe a really cool grown up. haha.

Coffee Exploration#1.

2010-10-18T20:03:00.000-07:00

mmm. coffee & treats.

"the soul of language"

2010-10-17T20:55:00.000-07:00

Come Back When You Can - Barcelona
A Few Honest Words - Ben Sollee

Dreams Come True Girl - Cass McCombs

To Build A Home - The Cinematic Orchestra

Society - Eddie Vedder

Tiny Dancer - Elton John

Ghost Town - First Aid Kit

While My Guitar Gently Weeps - George Harrison

Hide and Seek - Imogen Heap

Upward Over the Mountain - Iron & Wine

Such Great Heights - Iron & Wine

Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

Imagine - John Lennon

Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin

Silvia - Miike Snow

Come As You Are - Nirvana

Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want - The Smiths

Set the Fire to the Third Bar - Snow Patrol & Martha Wainwright

John Wayne Gacy Jr. - Sufjan Stevens

Chicago - Sufjan Stevens

Casmir Pulaski Day - Sufjan Stevens

Romulus - Sufjan Stevens

Brand New Day - Van Morrison
Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes

Each of these songs makes life a little better.

Water.

2010-10-16T08:02:00.000-07:00

2010-10-07T09:36:00.000-07:00

Local Natives
aka the band I saw this past week.

2010-10-04T13:29:00.000-07:00

Can anyone recognize this band? I saw them this week, and they were phenomenal.

(Answer will be posted within the week.)

Coffee is just THAT epic.

2010-09-29T13:06:00.000-07:00

PS. White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha.....yum.

2010-09-28T09:05:00.001-07:00

TOMS.

2010-09-28T07:46:00.000-07:00

TOMS = incredibly comfortable.

Walking everywhere on campus is no longer dreadful

and.....

it's sweater weather - I couldn't be happier!

2010-09-27T13:42:00.005-07:00

Current Favorites.

2010-09-27T13:26:00.001-07:00

These all make me incredibly happy.

Chicago - Sufjan Stevens

Romulus - Sufjan Stevens

Sigh No More - Mumford & Sons

Little Lion Man - Mumford & Sons

Like the Wheel - The Tallest Man On Earth

Good Ol' Fashion Nightmare - Matt & Kim

Hide and Seek - Imogen Heap

Silvia - Miike Snow

Come As You Are - Nirvana

2010-09-07T14:36:00.001-07:00

Oh hey, Google. You're pretty entertaining today.

My Excuse...

2010-08-24T07:09:00.000-07:00

I just logged onto Blogger to see that it's been weeks since I've blogged last and I'm so embarrassed, but I do have an excuse...I'm in college! I moved into my dorm a week ago and classes started yesterday so things have been rather hectic and I've spent a lot of my time meeting the lovely people on my floor, exploring downtown, and simply getting settled. Once I clean up around here I'll post a picture of my side of the room, and in all honesty, even though the space is small, I loveeee my room. The walls are covered in posters and it feels so comfortable (I even have a little bouquet of flowers my parents sent to me for my first day of school even though they are 7 hours away). Expect some college tips and some of my favorite things soon; time for class!

The possible tattoo.

2010-08-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

If I get a tattoo, I want it to be a peacock feather, representative of patience and kindness, with the word "Imagine" in Bulgarian along its' edge.

(Imagine by John Lennon is my favorite song, it's everything.)

What's in my bag?

2010-07-26T13:56:00.000-07:00

The things in my bag are...

2 notebooks (black & a collaged one I made)

travel sudoku

Quo Vadis Planner

Sony Cybershot

Ms. Manicure nail files

Purell hand sanitizer

LG Chocolate Touch

iTouch

Forever21 blotting sheets

Orbit gum

mini toothbrush/toothpaste

Apple earphones

pen/pencil

travel dictionary

wallet (from UO)

cheap wayfarers

floral eyeglasses sleeve

floral makeup bag

Bath & Body Works Lotion (White Citrus)

house key (mini Swiss Army knife & Coca Cola key chain)

I always have a book (or two) with me, but both were on my dresser when I took this picture. I'm currently reading Generation Me by Jean M. Twenge, Ph.D. and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Let me know what you have to always have in your bag!

La vie est chic.

"Color my life with the chaos of trouble."

2010-07-25T20:06:00.000-07:00

I love them, oh so much. This particular song was referenced in one of my favorite films, 500 Days of Summer.

Nifty.

2010-07-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

A project done by artist Helmut Smits. How nifty is this?

2010-07-21T22:33:00.000-07:00

Change has the ability to erupt an importance into those particular things in our life as the rest is given the opportunity to trickle down into the darkness of forgotten moments.

Crafting: numéro 1.

2010-07-21T11:18:00.000-07:00

I am not sure how many stylish women are fans of backpacks, but I can't imagine many, I surely was not...until I came upon a plethora of leather backpacks online. The dilemma? Leather backpacks can run a little steep haha. After countless hours searching websites, I found a leather backpack of good size and reasonable pricing; it's plain black with three outside pockets and one big one. As much as I love black accessories, I'm thinking this one with need a little interest so today I'm shuttling over to Jo-Ann Fabrics and stocking up on some goodies. One of my best friend's, Kelsey, and I are going to get fabrics for throw pillows we're going to make for our dorms and I'm going to get supplies to make pins for my new backpack (like peacock feathers and fun buttons). Maybe I'll post some pictures of my crafting? Who knows. See, you can even make things chic (:

La vie est chic.

Searching for Sir Schwinn.

2010-07-20T18:24:00.000-07:00

I hope to look this fly riding my bike around campus.

(I am currently searching for a bike online. Hooray!)

Inspiration Pad.

2010-07-19T11:17:00.000-07:00

It's called the Inspiration Pad. I want it.

Buy it here.

Teen Vogue: Demi Lovato.

2010-07-17T15:21:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful job Teen Vogue did with the photo spread in their latest issue. Bravo.

The Reverse Graffiti Project.

2010-07-08T00:11:00.000-07:00

I am stealing this from a friend's blog; she posted it and I fell in love with it.

(PS. It's an advertisement, but it's still the essence of what greatness is today.)

Project.

2010-07-07T23:57:00.001-07:00

Do you smell that? That's the smell of creative energy! I'm not sure what quite came over me (it was probably my flipping through my dear friend's sketchbook), but I got home from work tonight, and just wanted to draw my heart out. Well, I sketched and flipped through pictures I've collected over time and made a small blue notebook my inspiration notebook. The front is now decorated, and I'm going to fill it with things that inspire me. So far I have a picture I drew with gold ink and a snapshot of an old car in front of a gorgeous landscape. Eventually it'll be filled with beautiful things and each flip through it will leave me with a pleasant buzz of creative surges.... (:

Strumming my imaginary cords.

2010-06-14T19:18:00.000-07:00

I would really like to learn how to play the guitar. The acoustic guitar. A friend of mine learned on the electric guitar, all on his own, and recommended I start out on the acoustic, so I'm on the search for a cheap one, and I will then utilize the website that can teach you anything: YouTube.

This picture was the perfect way to share this with you all. Plus, it's kind of incredible. (I secretly wish I could steal a guitar from it, haha...)

Books.

2010-06-13T16:02:00.000-07:00

Books hold so much more than just words. They hold stories and emotions and moments that consume you as the reader, allowing words to leap off of the page and entirely envelope you. That is why I love books so much.

Stay...it's Diet Coke + Sweet Disposition!

2010-06-08T09:34:00.000-07:00

Not only do I love Diet Coke, but the song Sweet Disposition has been a favorite of mine for quite some time, ever since I saw (500) Days of Summer. What a truly splendid advertisement.

My Summer Goal List

2010-05-31T13:32:00.000-07:00

1) Update this blog more frequently. I cannot be more ashamed of how many times I have promised more material to all you lovely followers, and not succeeded in following through. Now it is summer, the summer before college, and I plan on updating this blog a few times a week, maybe I can even write on here every other day. I cannot promise that it will all be fashion related, but I will do my best, I promise.

2) Read, a lot. I feel like doing this will not be a challenge in the slightest bit. I have for some time been compiling a list of books I want to read, and my vanity area is full of books I've found at book stores on sale that sparked an interest. I have a thing for bookstores, I love them, but I never ever buy books at full price anymore. I always scavenge for clearance reads and buy cheap books off of Amazon and in used book stores, and I love it. I also make use of my library, but I prefer owning books, preferably used. (Would brief book reviews be of interest to any of you? Let me know.)

3) Find groovy and cheap deals. As weird as this sounds, I was incredibly tempted to use a bunch of vintage slang in this post, but I resisted haha. With college coming up next semester, my "goal" for this summer is to save money, which means my coffee runs need to stop. The plan you ask? Figure out how to make great coffee drinks at home whilst visiting mostly thrift shops and occasionally normal stores in search of sales. I actually went to Salvation Army recently to discover a gorgeous earthy toned man sweater for $2 and a set of three floral make up bags for $1.50. Yay! (And yes, I do indeed wear men's clothes, I love them, but they need to be worn a certain way to look ok...would that be of interest to anyone?)

4) Get ready for college. There is so much I need to accomplish before moving for school. My main focus? Buying stuff for my dorm! I've already figured out how I want to decorate it: a mesh of Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie styles, made into a bedroom. If I actually buy anything from either store, it'll be clearance items, but the general idea is to have my room be kind of "hippie" feeling and earthy, with plenty of posters of bands and a collage I'm working on right now. (And no worries, I will continue writing here, even in college.)

Here is a link to the Urban Outfitters web page for all their duvets and quilts; I love almost every single one.

I'm sure I have plenty other things I want to accomplish this summer, but for now, this is my list. I'll probably think of something else I want to get done tomorrow and fret over the fact that I forgot to include it, but that's ok, maybe I can add more in new posts? We'll see (:

This end is the beginning.

2010-05-28T23:03:00.000-07:00

“Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am not a fan of conformity, not in the slightest bit. I actually like that I have grown to be content with exactly who I am, and that I have come to terms with the fact that regardless of what people think, there is absolutely no reason to change what I look like, what I think, or what I act like. I feel like this is often overlooked in high school, the idea of being yourself. So many times kids are pressured into the image of what they are supposed to be and what they are supposed to want, and the cliche of "peer pressure" comes into play, as their surroundings mold them into someone they are expected to be. But sometimes, kids break from the mold and experience something else, something I feel I went through in high school. I started out conforming like everyone else, wearing unoriginal branding and fading into the crowd, but then I started to question why I wanted to do this. Why was it that I was acting and dressing like everyone else? Really, I had no good reason. So I stopped caring about what everyone else thought. It wasn't an all of a sudden change, it took time, but eventually it happened for me, I grew to be fully content with myself. Ultimately that made my life so much better because once you've found yourself, you find out what and who really matters to you, what is worth your time and love. The process amazed me, and I can say that I am truly happier now than I have been in a long long time.

I graduate from high school tomorrow, on May 29th, 2010. This end is the beginning of so much more.

Amongst the endless branches.

2010-05-18T17:57:00.000-07:00

“All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree.” Albert Einstein

I love trees. I am not sure what it is, but they inspire thought. I think it is nature in general. There are so many aspects to this planet that we as humans overlook, and it is truly tragic. This summer I'm going to spend as much time as possible outside with my camera and my notebook, sitting endlessly by the river or up in a tree. It will be a time of exploration - figuratively and literally. I cannot wait.

Across the Universe

2010-04-19T12:03:00.000-07:00

I found myself watching Across the Universe, and each time I watch this film, I fall in love with it all over again. I not only dream of the "hippie era" - the fashion, the music, and the need to change all that is wrong, but this movie revolves around The Beatles most famous songs which just happens to be my favorite band of all time. This last performance was the perfect end to such a phenomenal film, and although the video quality is too wonderful (it's the best I could find with just his performance) it will do. I recommend to all of you who are fans of the time period and The Beatles to go and check out this movie, asap. I hope you love it as much as I do...

Days as a photographer.

2010-03-28T20:19:00.000-07:00

My little farmland area has grown on me so much in these last few months; I love just getting in the car, and driving and just exploring. Today I actually drove to the forest preserve, and then explored beyond that, about 15 miles south, and although I felt lost at one point, I was at ease with the uncertainty the road held, a vast expanse, an never-ending road full of endless possibilities.

Lovely, yes?

2010-03-13T10:00:00.000-08:00

J.Crew came out with a new catalog, can you say l-o-v-e? I was absolutely smitten with the new range of pieces; some held a very dainty touch whereas others surfaced on the edgier side, and I adore a mix of the two. This picture not only was entirely provoking; the bib necklace is without a doubt one of the most beautiful ones I have seen in quite some time, and combined with the ruffled blouse, flushed pink lip, and messy hair - a cohesive yet contradictory look is created.

And remember, like always, la vie est chic.

Any questions? Contact me at la.vie.est.chic@gmail.com

Black, White, and Red all over.

2010-03-03T17:56:00.000-08:00

My very first outfit post. As I sit here typing this, I am thrilled about posting more outfits on here in the future...I feel like so much of the time, it is easy to shift from a fashion blogger to just typing away about whatever floats across my mind, so posts like these help me get back on track.

Contents:

Faux Leather Jacket (TJMaxx)

The Beatles tee (Salvation Army)

Scarf (gifted)

Silver flower ring (gifted)

Black Skinny Jeans (Macy's?)

Shoes (Chinese Laundry via TJMaxx)

The shoes I am wearing here, oh gosh, I love them. I am already tall (5'10) but with these killer extra four inches, I feel so sexy; I've been afraid and embarrassed about my height for as long as I can remember, but within the last year, I finally have learned to embrace it, or else I am wasting time fretting over something I cannot change about myself. So I challenge you all to come to terms with something about yourself that you have always disliked; it's a healthier way to look at yourself and will honestly make life that much better.

And remember, like always, la vie est chic.

Any questions? E-mail me at la.vie.est.chic@gmail.com

"Music is the vernacular of the human soul."

2010-03-01T09:29:00.000-08:00

As I rummaged through endless photos on the internet, I finally came upon this beauty. It's an old, diminished piano in a wrecked building in Detroit. Something about this photo sparked inspiration within me; it's separate from regular pianos in the essence that it is sad and curious and beautiful. I imagined this as a piano that soulful singers played on in some underground jazz club years ago, so ever since coming upon this wreckage, I have been listening to the music that makes me think of this piano, and it's been lovely; jazz is unlike any other kind of music, it sinks into your core and makes you think and feel in ways others genres do not because it contains so much thought, passion, and soul behind each note.

Here are some of my favorite songs of the week:

I Fall in Love Too Easily - Frank Sinatra
J'ai Deux Amours - Madeline Peyroux
Sweet Loraine - The Nat "King" Cole Trio
The Lady is a Tramp - Frank Sinatra
Haven't Met You Yet - Michael Bublé

And remember, like always la vie est chic.
Any questions, e-mail me at la.vie.est.chic@gmail.com

Days as a photographer.

2010-02-13T17:23:00.000-08:00

I have, for quite some time, been certain of my future. I knew after college, I'd scoot myself off to New York City and works towards becoming a writer for Nylon Magazine, but lately, I've been swimming in a pool of new direction. I still want to write, and I always will; it's an expression of my uncensored emotions and thoughts when I need it to be, and I am able to fully explain things I wish to. However, photography has quietly crept upon me, and I have found myself taking more pictures than usual. Well, today, I went out for a few hours and drove around the area I live and took an array of images in the forest preserve, the park, random places on the side of the road, and down by the river.

Somehow, today became one of my favorite days I have spent in Illinois. I drove and walked around for hours, no longer just looking at my surrounding, but seeing them, taking them in, and appreciating all that I constantly overlook. I have never been a nature girl, although my whole life, it's been forced upon me by my father, who if he had the choice, would move to a little house in the mountains; this idea which seemed ridiculous to me in the past, has now grown into a beautiful thing I'd love to do.

Today I realized what's important to me, in a sense. I feel so many times I am not as observant as I should be, and that bothers me. As I took in my surroundings and just how beautiful things can be, something happened in me. I don't know how to explain it, but I felt like for the first time I realized something. I realized that I wanted as many people as possible to feel what I felt today. As cliche as it is, I felt one with my surroundings as a walked through the paths in the forest, I was so entirely at peace with myself and life, which is something I have not felt in quite some time. Today's photography endeavor was so incredibly therapeutic, that along with writing about it here, I feel completely revitalized. I hope you enjoy these, and if you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at la.vie.est.chic@gmail.com

And remember, like always, la vie est chic.

Food for the Soul

2010-01-31T16:52:00.000-08:00

Lately, I have found myself, more so than usual, consumed with music. I have always had a passion for music, it's a huge part of my life; I rely on it when I am having an off day, or when I just want to have fun and be a goof-ball. I constantly am on the prowl for new artists that spark my interest, so here are some of my new and old favorites:

1) Set the Fire to the Third Bar - Snow Patrol & Martha Wainwright
Can I be in love with this song? Because I am. Many times, I search for a song that perfectly encompasses my emotions and inner thoughts that no one knows about, and for the first time in a long time, this song does that for me. I love that this song is slower in nature, but the chorus speeds up the tempo; I want to thank someone very dear to me for telling me about this song, because it truly is one of my new favorite songs.

2) Boy With A Coin - Iron & Wine
The same person who showed me #1 showed me this song, and once again, this is a wonderful song. It's a mix between alternative and folk and the instrumental sounds along with the voices of the artists are mesmerizing.

3) Crosstown Traffic - Jimi Hendrix
For those of you who have not listened to Jimi Hendrix, PLEASE go look him up as soon as you can. He is known for his incredibly skill when it comes to guitar and upbeat melodic songs; he is one of my all time favorite artists and has been since I discovered him a few years ago.

4) The Beatles
I guarantee that you have all at least heard at the least heard of the Beatles. The Beatles are my favorite band, and even after going through a phase of listening to solely them for a month or two, a couple years ago, I still consider them as my favorite, and they probably always will remain my favorite. A few songs, and personal favorites, to check out: Hey Jude, Help!, Across the Universe (also an exceptional film, although a bit odd), Hello Goodbye, and Penny Lane.

5) It Don't Move Me - Peter Bjorn and John
This is a random group that I actually had in my cherished iTunes library, but that I hadn't listened to. The same guy with the wonderful recommendations of #1 and #2 mentioned this group to me, and I had two of their songs and listened to them, and this song had a bit of a rock/techno/alternative edge, which was great to discover.

6) 1901 - Pheonix
I got this song a while back but discovered it within the last few months, and it was on repeat for quite some time, haha. It's alternative but has strong beats of electronic vibes and then more mellow sounding rock parts; all around, it's a fun song to turn up and drive to.

7) Sleepyhead - Passion Pit
You will either love this song, or you will despise it. It's electronic with Alvin and the chipmunks sounds in the beginning and a high pitched lead singer and techno beats in the background; nevertheless, I am a huge fan.

8) Animal - Miike Snow
Again, this song is electronic/techno sounding, but it's very upbeat with fun sounds fluttering throughout, so I like it.

9) Come Back When You Can - Barcelona
Another friend of mine told me about this song, and the second I listened to it on Youtube (screw 30 second trials on iTunes, Youtube it!), I loved it. Just like "Set the Fire to the Third Bar", it is slow throughout but the chorus speeds up the tempo; I really like the lyrics.

10) Lions! - Lights
This last one is my current favorite song from this newly discovered artist; this artist is Canadian, and just now emerging because she is on tour with Owl City andI have like Owl City even before he, it's a man and his computer, became a fad and every 13 year old was a fan. I am going to the Owl City concert in Chicago in April and Lights is on tour with him, so I am rather excited for that! Lights' sound has a slight electronic edge, nevertheless, some songs are very soft and emotional.

I hope these recommendations are helpful to any of you looking for new music like I always am; let me know what your favorites are in the comments.

Have a question? E-mail me at la.vie.est.chic@gmail.com

And remember, like always, la vie est chic.

Stabbed, Sore, Sick....Suddenly inspired.

2010-01-21T17:56:00.000-08:00

First, I'd like to say Happy New Year to all my lovely subscribers...I want to apologize about my absence for the last month; I got caught up in the spirit of the holidays, and school started up again, and I found myself short on time...

This last week has been rather eventful. I was blessed with a long weekend due to the much awaited end of finals and I was left with no homework, so I was given a chance to spend time with my best friend, Caroline, the first day of weekend, and time with a group of girls where we sat around all night and watched caddy movies till the wee hours of the morning. Then I went to Chicago with my family for a perfect day, and saw the new Diamond exhibit at the Field Museum, and also scored a gorgeous new dress at UO (Would like to see photos of my outfits?). Sunday night rolled around and I had the urge to bake but I was incredibly lazy, and settled for boxed brownie mix; as always, they were delicious but all the ones around the edges were stuck, so I began digging them out with a knife, and sadly, this stupid decision led to accidentally stabbing myself in the hand. I am ok now, but I also put myself through an intense work out session two days later, and I left myself in the condition of barely functioning, barely able to walk up the stairs. And to top off this week, I got home last night with a headache and I felt completely awful; so today I spent the day at home, drinking tea, sleeping, and catching up on my favorite bloggers. Although I felt incredibly gross and my head was throbbing, I was left with a lot of inspiration for new outfits and the urge to wear things I haven't touched in months. This photo, courtesy of The Sartorialist, left me incredibly inspired and yearning to wear pumps.

Aren't her shoes perfect? I am dying for a pair like that to wear with my new UO dress, a perfect combination? I think so. And remember, like always, la vie est chic.

Any questions or if I want to see something specific, let me know at la.vie.est.chic@gmail.com

Santa Clause is coming to town!

2009-12-24T15:31:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Eve everyone! I am such a holiday fanatic, and this is in no way an exaggeration. Lately, I have grown nostalgic of the holiday traditions and moments my family has had, so I decided to share them with you all.

Every few years, we are lucky enough to have my grand-parents come from Bulgaria, for the holidays, and those are always such spirited occasions. We spend the entire day cooking and making the most of the short time we have together.

My parent, having grown up in Bulgaria, still celebrate Bulgarian Christmas traditions, with their own twist. It is common to be a vegan for 40 days prior to Christmas in Bulgaria, but we just have a vegan feast on Christmas Eve, bringing in my parents' childhood traditions to our American table.

After dinner, we all hustle into the living room and watch the movies Elf and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, a rather recent tradition; and let me just say, Elf is probably one of my all time favorite movies, regardless of how ridiculous it is. When Buddy the Elf yells "SANTA! I know him! I know him," I crack up every single time :)

Eventually we all go to bed, and in the morning, we wake up to stockings stuffed with goodies (I get a pair of fluffy pink socks every single year haha), and presents underneath the tree. We open up the presents, and this year, we are driving a bit North to visit some family and spend Christmas Day with them having another feast, this time with meat (Bulgarians eat a lot. And when I say a lot, I mean a lot).

Well my mom is calling me for some help with setting the table and finishing up the food, and then I have to get dressed for dinner, so I will talk to you all soon. I hope you all have a happy holiday and it is filled with joy, family, love, and plenty of food! :)

Neon? Oh yes.

2009-12-14T13:27:00.000-08:00

Today I was feeling a bit under the weather, which is odd because honestly, I love love love winter; I love the cold and the snow and just the spirit of winter.

But as I was sitting on my new comforter, looking at endless online shopping websites, (what else is there to do when you don't feel all too well?) I hit up my usual online shops, Top Shop being one of them. In case any of you are wondering, Top Shop, until this year, was a store based in London and online Top Shop was the closest any American could get to it. Well now there is one in Soho, which is still too far away for me, so I am submitted to online Top Shop. Anyway, I was browsing through all of their bags, and when it comes to purses, I like to stick to neutral colors whether that be black, brown, or even gray; however, this time, I found myself gravitating towards the highly colorful, obnoxiously neon bags. Furthermore, I love love love big bags. I always have way too many things in my purse and just like the obscurity of my gravitation towards bright colors, I was also gravitating towards small purses. So here they are:

How cute are these?! I probably won't be purchasing these purses, because honestly, they are all so random, and a tad expensive ($85, $110, $90) for patent leather; nonetheless they are gorgeous and I will probably be on a hunt for something similar, that costs less, which I am sure I will find somewhere...and if I do, I will let you all know!

For any questions, e-mail me at la.vie.est.chic@gmail.com

And remember, like always, la vie est chic.

Oh hey, what should it say?

2009-12-13T14:05:00.000-08:00

Hello to all my lovely readers. You all are my inspiration; yes I am indefinitely inspired by my surroundings, other writers, photos, etc, but you all take the time to read my blog and hopefully follow it, so I want to know, what do you want to see on here? I am still struggling to figure out just how to format posts, and what to write about, because if I am excited about something not so great, like a wooden elephant sculpture, I will write about it, but I want you all the enjoy it. So what is something you'd like to read about on here, hopefully related to either fashion, beauty, music, or even food. Let me know by commenting below or emailing me at la.vie.est.chic@gmail.com

I love writing for you all, and remember, like always, la vie est chic.

Glittered in Gold

2009-12-10T17:45:00.000-08:00

I think I am going to mix things up, just a bit. I of course will continue talking about fashion, because truly, it's a huge part of my life, but I want to also incorporate my love music and make-up, and ultimately, anything else that catches my eye. So today, we are talking about make-up, really great make-up...

For those of you who have not heard of the website Hautelook.com I recommend going, pronto. To access the goodies within that web-page, you have to submit an e-mail address along with a password of your choice. Once your a "member" you get to online shop at heavily discounted prices; it's like an online TJ Maxx, but better. There are generally between 10-20 retailers at a time, and they stay on that website for two days, usually. And prices are unbelievably low. Around Thanksgiving, Hautelook had Urban Decay as one of their retailers, and I don't think I have been that excited in a really long time (!).

For those of you who do not know what Urban Decay is, it is a brand of make-up. They are well known for their amazing quality and colorful products. And although some products can be a bit expensive, things like their eye shadow palettes with 12 eye shadows, are very reasonable priced, ranging from $30-$50. Well, as I skimmed the products Urban Decay was offering on Hautelook, I came across an eye shadow palette, the Get Baked palette. (Their names are equally creative and humorous as the products are to die for!) This palette was one of the smaller offered containing 4 shadows, a mini 24/7 liner, and a mini Sin Primer Potion. When I purchased it for $14, I was ecstatic. This package was valued for $53, and selling for $28 on the Urban Decay website, so I had just gotten it half price! It was a miracle.

I ordered it, and just got it today so shipping took quite some time, but other than that, I was very happy with the selections available and the product quality.

This palette, comes with the eye shadow colors Twice Baked, Half Baked, Flipside, and Baked; all are heavily pigmented colors, easily blended, and truly gorgeous. Also included as I said above is a mini 24/7 Liner in the color Bourbon, a deep bronze brown; the liner is very creamy and truly long lasting. Lastly, not shown in the picture is a mini Sin Primer Potion, which is meant to prevent oily eye lids and help colors stay longer; Sin has a gold tone and works wonderfully with this palette.

If you have not yet checked out Urban Decay's products, please do! They are well worth the price, gorgeous, and truly amazing quality.

Anything you would like to see on here, or any questions, email me at la.vie.est.chic@yahoo.com

Boots...lovely

2009-11-14T15:40:00.000-08:00

Earlier this season, I was on a search for boots and not just any boots, the boots. I hate spending money on something that will not last so I have truly been on the hunt for my dream pair, and tah-dah! I found them:

It is a great black leather boot, and being the girl I am, I even bought a spray to protect them from rain and snow, a very common thing where I live. I love these because they have the shape of a classic riding boot, a slightly rounded point, but the buckles bring a sense of edge to the classic shape, which is exactly what I was looking for...

I believe I spent $54 on these, and for the quality, shape, fit, and comfort, the price was perfect. I am very excited to wear these boots and I will probably put up some pictures of my outfits with them on, so keep a look out for that.

Anything you would like to see on here, or any questions, email me at lavieestchic@yahoo.com

I also created a facebook page for la vie est chic, so become a fan...!
And remember, like always, la vie est chic.

Current Loves...

2009-11-11T18:02:00.001-08:00

I find myself being especially pleased with different things in my life, and they constantly change. So here are my current loves, a post I hope to do on a regular basis:

1) Pandora.com.

I heard about this website from some friends and didn't have the urge to rush to my Macbook and type in the address. However, a few nights ago I was yearning for some music so I tried out this website. Basically, what happens here is you type in a song name or artist, and a streaming of songs begins, that are similar in style to what you put into the box. It's great, you discover new artists and get to listen to some great music for free...

2) Tea.

For anyone who knows me, you know I am a die hard fan of coffee, my mochas and I are joined at the hip; at least that was the case until recently. I have been drinking more tea which is odd because a month ago, I hated it. I didn't like the fact that it was watery and lacked in flavor and ultimately, it wasn't anything like my first love, coffee. However, I started drinking it more and more and have found that a day does not go by that I do not drink at least one cup of tea. My current favorites? Lipton Bavarian Wild-berry and Chamomile (No specific brand). I am excited to go to Teavana soon and create my own custom "dream tea".

3) Everything French.

I have found myself reminiscing of my trip in France over the summer, remembering the quant shops, the lovely patisseries, and the simple ambiance. I could sit at a little french cafe, write and read, for days. The unexpected was that all the outdoor tables, just big enough for an intimate setting between two people, were all faced toward the sidewalks and streets, made for people-watching. I miss the air, the language, the art, and I hope to go back soon...

4) Nail Polish.

I find myself searching for new polishes that I love, constantly. My new favorite brand? Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear. It retails for $2.49 at drugstores and chipping is minimal, and the price point compared to OPI's is unbeatable. This polish didn't chip until 4-5 days wear and for me, that is incredible, especially considering I don't wear base coats or top coats. The only downside? I haven't found a huge selection of colors, but the my favorite is Flirt: an incredibly deep maroon-purple with little purple shimmers, the perfect fall/winter color...

5) A toned down version of myself.

Lately, I have been toning down my look. Before, my usual straight hair, an occasional dramatic eye, and an all black outfit (not gothic just to clarify, a more classic, simple style with an edge) has shifted to my natural curly hair, casual make-up, comfy tees, cardigans, and my boat shoes (love!). I am a more relaxed version of my "fashion" self, and I love it.

What are your current loves right now? Let me know in a comment below :)

Also, anything you would like to hear about on here? E-mail me at lavieestchic@yahoo.com

Pay how much less?

2009-10-14T16:15:00.000-07:00

Lately the weather here has been a bit chilly, and I love it. It is the perfect atmosphere to not feel guilty for procrastination and take pleasure in drinking hot tea, wearing warm sweaters, and simply flipping through endless magazines. My current need? Shoes. I have found that all I am really wanting to wear are my simple black flats, and my favorite shoe purchase: my Sperry's. Who doesn't love a good pair of boat shoes?

Although I could live in my Sperry's, they are barely holding up, so I have decided I need some new shoes; I am thinking some more flats, incredible booties, and just something I fall in love with, haha. My search has been rather unsuccessful, because if I love it, it's out of my price range, and anything in my price range, well, is far from what I like. Where to look? For the first time in years, I looked at Payless ShoeSource, and tah-dah!. There are a couple I fell in love with; designers like Alice+Olivia, Lela Rose, and Christian Siriano have made lines for this bargain shoe store, and may I just say, I am terribly excited. Here are my picks.

Abaeté Pump - $34.99

Lela Rose - $29.99

Sasha Ruffle Bootie - $34.99

Christian Siriano - $49.99

The Abaeté Pump comes in Taupe as well as the black I have shown, I am just a sucker for any black, amazing shoe. The Sasha Ruffle Bootie looks gray for some reason, but its black and also come in a gorgeous purple. I don't know about you, but I am shocked the I found four killer shoes at Payless ShoeSource. I plan on going soon to pick up at least one of these positively delicious pairs. And remember, la vie est chic, even at an unexpected store like Payless ShoeSource, looks like I just found a new place for bargain priced shoes to fill my fetish...

A Walk in the Park.

2009-10-10T15:11:00.000-07:00

Lucky Magazine never fails. Every month they have incredible spreads, perfect clothes, and inspiring cover girls. This month was no different. This month's spread was inspired by the 60's in London; she looks picturesque perched upon the bench in the park in a striking coat, poppy skirt, and killer accessories. JCrew has some similar wool coats, which I will snag the second I acquire more funds, and thats just one thing on my shopping list, there are more to come, don't you worry. And always remember, la vie est chic.

NYLON>>>>>>>October '09.

2009-10-10T14:37:00.000-07:00

NYLON. This is the title of one of my all time favorite magazines. This magazine focuses upon the urban, alternative, eclectic, and eccentric thing in this world. Headed in New York City, it represents my holy grail, my little slice of heaven each and every month. It has fashion, shopping, beauty products, music, and events; ultimately anything you could ever need or want NYLON holds within its glossy, perfect pages.

It also manages to set itself dramatically apart from other style publications such as Vogue, In Style, and Elle. The page layouts always look homemade and reminiscent of a collage. NYLON manages to speak out to any reader; products mentioned range from the classic quilted Chanel bag to drugstore nail polish on the same page (referencing the Star Potential piece from the October issue).

And the cover girls are true icons, in so many different ways. October’s cover girl was the one and only, Megan Fox. She is incredibly sexy and confident, and NYLON changed up her usual look that screams, “I am sex” to an understated version saying “I am awesome and urban, but still sexy; she looks incredible with the killer cut-offs, oversized plaid shirt, and an amazing studded and fringed jacket she sports on the cover.

Whenever I get the latest issue of NYLON, my heart flutters just a little bit, because I know that once I sit down to consume the information, I will be busy for the next few hours. NYLON actually has articles! I know, a crazy thought, a stylish magazine with actual journalism. I read each and every article and have a stack of post-its next to me at all times to mark stores, brands, writers, and bands I want to check out.

Each month, I will try to put up the best parts of NYLON and what caught my eye, so even if you for some reason are still unconvinced as to whether NYLON is right for you, you are still gaining insight into the world I adore oh so much.

NYLON, October 2009

1) Nixon Watches. These suckers can get pricey, but some are around $60 but can get up to the hundreds, and may I just say, completely worth the cost; they are exquisitely made, positively stylish, and look so good, bracelets are no longer necessary. Quick side note: I am not a fan of bracelets. I don’t know why, but the only kinds I wear are the leather ones. I always wear my silver elephant pendant from Bulgaria, and usually a ring; occasionally I will throw on another necklace. And earrings, I have found myself recently shying away from, I have been wearing my pink pearls I got the day my brother was born, pretty much 24/7.

2) Urban Decay Show Pony Shadow Box. Urban Decay is a line of cosmetics sold on their website as well as Sephora. This brand is beast. The eye shadows are rich with color, super pigmented (more pigmented = richer color in less applications), and this particular shadow box goes for a measly $30. If this seems like a lot for 6 eye shadows, liner, and the infamous Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer Potion (its puts on before eye shadow and helps keep lids oil free and helps shadows stick to lids all day, and enhance the color), it’s not. Although the liner and primer potion are mini, the actual size Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer Potion retails for $17 and individual shadows are around there too, so this box is a steal! I recommend Urban Decay to everyone out there, trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

3) Vampire Weekend’s new CD Contra. If you have never heard of Vampire Weekend, get onto iTunes this very second, or after you finish reading the rest of this post, and check them out! I came upon them a year or 2 ago and it was love at first listen. Vampire Weekend has a very original sound; it’s alternative folk rock pop, simply amazing sounds, all mashed up into one band. Their new CD Contra comes out in January 2010.

4) Chew Lips. No, this isn’t some crazy lip balm or anything like that, this is a singer. She is based in London but has two singles out on iTunes, Solo and Salt Air, and is totally worth the listen.

5) Music Go Music. Another pretty sweet group worth checking. I haven’t really looked at them a lot but from a quick listen on iTunes, they sound interestingly new.

6) Noisettes. Once again, music worth checking out.

These are the things that I marked with post-its while reading, and that’s just some of it. I didn’t mention a lot of fashion because a lot of higher end pieces were featured in this months issue due to the recently released fall/winter collections.

I hope I inspired you all to check out NYLON, my love, because it is truly my inspiration. A new post will be up soon, because my sporadic absences are ridiculous, so I apologize. And always remember, la vie est chic.

"Who likes my blue jeans?"

2009-08-16T18:10:00.000-07:00

Jeans. I am an avid jean wearer, ask anyone. It's actually on the verge of ridiculous because not only have I managed to accumulate quite a random collection of jeans, I wore them all summer. I have slipped into the occasional dress and skirt, however I am anti-short kind of girl; I cannot explain the reason for this being, but I just am. I went shopping recently at the largest mall near me, and managed to add three new jean pieces to my wardrobe. As you have noticed, I have really focused a lot of my style on the "biker chic" look and I have loved that a lot of jean brands have incorporated that essence into their pieces.

H&M; this is a store I never truly payed any attention to, but is slowly becoming one of my favorite places to shop at. I ended up picking up a gray jean pencil skirt with an off center zipper in the front. I fell in love with this skirt because the zipper provided that sense of edge I love, but the pencil shape kept the skirt classic and clean. I also got the most amazing jean dress. It is a fitted, shapely jean dress is a light blue wash, and the top has a corset feel to it, which provides a modern edge to a vintage idea. I have already worn both, and have fallen in love with them...

Urban Outfitters; this store has been one of my favorites for quite some time, and you will see, that in future posts I will rely on pieces from here to convey what I am talking about. The crazy thing is that even when I go in just to browse, I manage to walk out of the store with multiple pieces I probably don't even need. This time I restrained myself and as I was rifling through the sales rack (the best part of any store!) I came upon a high wasted medium wash jean skirt with sailor-esque buttons, but somehow, the skirt gave off a very modern vide that was unexpected. Of course it was in my size and even though I had the underlying feeling I didn't need to try it on, I did, and voila! It fit and I felt amazing. I have already worn this number paired with a vintage Beatles tee and my black gladiators. I felt stunning, without a doubt.

I think the thing about jeans that really draws me in is that they are this fabric that is like a chameleon. You see celebrities wear them with oversized blazers and killer stilettos down the red carpet and then see the same fabric worn on a 2 year old playing at the park. This fabric, this look, is able to change from just pants to this a piece which grabs everyones attention. And as we examine jeans throughout the years, styles have changed, cuts have been altered, and washes have differed. But somehow, this fabric has stuck and managed to become a staple piece for ever person, flourishing into more than just clothing, but a ubiquitous piece than manages to embody the idea that fashion is truly universal and can extend itself to everyone on the earth. As Yves Saint Laurent said, "I wish I had invented blue jeans. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity - all I hope for in my clothes."

vrrooom vrroom.

2009-07-30T15:15:00.000-07:00

I am in love with the whole motorcycle, biker chic look that has taken over the fashion world. But lets just get it out of the way, whether or not you like Taylor Momsen (let me just say I love her! haha), she was one of the first that I saw to truly take this style to the next level. But she has stuck to it, and has now traveled deeper into the depths of chic biker girl, and it works!

Designers are now emerging with some killer looks that embody this trend in the full essence of what it is meant to represent. This look is powerful, provocative, and somehow manages to convey a level of class that is unexpected. It allows a woman to leave her house without looking polished, or like she spent hours getting ready; with a quick smoky eye, or a statement lipstick and messy, yet chic hair (of course!), a woman can work this trend. It involves lots of leather, suede, black and other darker colors, and metal; these things paired together used to mean dark, grunge (and not in the good way) but now this look is transformed into something new, a chic yet doable look for women everywhere, even if you can't buy the designers' looks.

H&M has a new line that personifies this look; I actually just got a gray jean skirt with a huge side set zipper on the front, I cannot wait to wear it! But check out this leather jacket:

Topshop, one of my all time favorite stores also has some killer leather jackets out, and the most expensive one is about $300, which for some style and awesome leather, isn't all that bad...this one is $260:

I hope you love this trend as much as I do, I just feel amazing when I look so edgy, I feel powerful and I admit, even "cool". Throw on some skinny jeans, a pair of killer heels, a tee, a sweet leather jacket, and your favorite Wayfarers, and you will look just as chic as any runway girl...

life is chic.

2009-07-21T13:25:00.000-07:00

I thought I would dedicate my first blog entry to what we all are a part of: life. But even in this crazy, mixed up world, anywhere you look, you see fashion, you see art, you see the inner chic coming out of everyone, even if they don't see it themselves.

Fashion surrounds us, and as each designer takes their stand on what they see as the "in" and Anna Wintour proclaims which designer understands what is worth our time, these trends trickle and spread themselves everywhere. Displays windows change according to the seasons hottest looks, struggling designers alter their collection to fabricate the same essence that was shown on the runways (with their own twist of course), and the fashionsistas of this world?

We work the trends we care for into our everyday ensembles, even if we can't afford to buy the new drool worthy Yves Saint Laurent leather jacket. Everything in this world is fashioned to be appealing to the senses of each individual, and with out realizing it, no matter where one looks, fashion is there, style is there; and life is chic.