popculturegrrl

Happy almost Halloween! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. Probably because I love fall and pumpkin flavor things. And dressing up! This year my bf and I are going to a party (one of my sister’s friends is having) as Caesar and Calpernia. I tried and tried to talk him into being Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick but that didn’t work out so well. Neither did Sandy and Danny from Grease. I like my costume though. I have cool headpiece thingy and am planning to do fun makeup and wear lots of glitter. I will make sure to take pictures. Also, my little niece, Kourtnie, (who is four months old today) is going as a ladybug. Well, she’s not really going anywhere. Just dressing up. She is going to look so cute. Pictures of her as well.

Alrighty, as promised…my favorite boots for fall…(click on image to make bigger). And also, sorry the picture is all grainy. I scanned it in and tried to fix it, but clearly to no avail. AND also, the entire thing is too big to upload so I have to do it in parts. So…here is the first part:

 So if this picture was the full thing, the Vera Wang boots would actually be the star/center of the show. I am crushing on them hardcore. I love them. I wish they were on my feet right now!I love the slouchy over-the-heel look of them with the buckle. Plus the wedge. I think they would look good with just about everything, but my dream outfit would be a white button down shirt, a black full skirt and black tights. Or if you can pull it off, a pencil skirt. Also, they would look perfect with a cute little black babydoll dress as well. See, go with everything.

The Margiela’s are my second fav. I love the chunky wedge look. I envision wearing them (well you know, if I actually could afford them), with skinny jeans or gray cords, white tee and some sort of longish sweater coat. And a scarf.

The Loubs, Prada and BCBG shoes are all a little more formal and would look great with dresses (perhaps for the holiday season). The Prada’s could even be more casual with skinny jeans or leggings and a long button down shirt with a belt. Actually all three could be worn with pants. The Loubs I envision with those bloomer/hammer pants that are in or even a black Audrey Hepburn-esque skinny pant. Yes, I am aware that not everyone can wear the skinny jean look (myself included) BUT like I said, cute with dresses, leggings and skirts. I love the ruffles on the BCBG’s. The silver heel took me at first, but I think it adds a little spunk to the shoe. The ruffles are the perfect amount. Not too much. Just don’t wear them with ruffles! As for the Pradas, I adore the looseness of the front. And the Loubs are just so sexy without being too much or tacky or trashy.

The Chie Mahara’s, which I guess are technically not boots, well show boots really, are my favorite for casual. To me, they remind me of a modern (and platform) version of a bowling shoe. They would look cute with jeans (skinny and otherwise) or cords. I think they are a great way to spruce up a casual outfit. I really love the laces as well. The whole design just works well with this show. If you go to Chie’s Web site, she really has some amazing and gorgeous shoes!!

Alrighty, well hope you enjoy! How do you all feel about the boots?! More sooooooon!!

xoxo

SO I am getting tired of using song titles and lyrics as my titles. So I am trying my hand at creativity. I am sure I will be back to the usual by the next post.

Anways…so my newest blog obsession at the moment: Sea of Shoes. OMFG this girl is one amazing fashionista. I can’t stand it (in a good way). Her mother also has a blog called Atlantis Home. Together, they have the most incredible collection of shoes I have ever seen. I am so jealous! Such awesome shoes. It makes me want to run right out to Neimans and Barneys and feed my addiction, sadly, I do not make enough money to get myself a pair of $895 Miu Miu shoes, but still, a girl can dream. However, I am for sure going to be hitting up sales at all those stores. They have taught me that wearing past seasons, totally okay. And their clothes? Good lord. Amazing as well. And they wear things twice. And go thrifting. And sell stuff online. I want to be them! And their house? Beyond words. I want Judy (the mother) to come and decorate my apartment. Its flawless, simply flawless.

ZOMG where is popculturegrrl? Haha I’m here just busy. Boo. I hate when I don’t have time to write or be creative. Anyways, I have everything I need for my first collage…all about boots! Hooray! BUT I have to finish wrapping up some stuff (sending thank yous) from a huge Chicago NOW event a few weeks ago. I need to get those thank yous out before I do anything else. So working on them now.

A few things, I am kind of oddly excited for Tokio Hotel’s new album Humanoid because as you all know, I am apparently secretly a 15-year-old emo girl trapped in a 29-year-old woman’s body. I also bought the new La Roux and the new Gossip. Currently downloading that one, so haven’t had much of a listen. But the new La Roux is awesome. I love every song. Bulletproof is my fav. I also downloaded some of the songs from Glee: Somebody to Love and Maybe this Time. Do people watch that show? I went to highschool/was in show choir with the creator Ian Brennan. I hope he does a guest spot on it and sings. He has a great voice.

Anyways, not sure how I feel about Hillary Duff joining the cast of Gossip Girl. I’m also not sure how I am feeling about Gossip Girl this season. My favorite new shows right now are The Good Wife (CBS) and Glee (Fox). And I am enjoying FlashForward because I will follow JJ Abrams to any network with any show. The only thing, since its on Thursdays, along with Fringe, its a lot of thinking and paying attention in one night hahaha.

Castle is my favorite as well. Nathan Fillion is hawt. I think I would watch him read the phone book.

Reading: The Vampire Lastat by Anne Rice. Vampires done right, IMO.

xoxo

I have this great post that I will (hopefully) post tomorrow. But it involves an art project. Yes. Art.Project. Pretty much, if there is one thing I love almost as I love television, its collages. So starting tomorrow, every so often (hey, I do have a life haha) I am going to make some sort of fabulous fashion collage and then scan it to show you my picks. Tomorrow will be shoes. The new YSL shoes available for pre-order at Nordstrom, are amazing. I am in love. So that is my project for tomorrow night while I watch more True Blood. Okay, well maybe before I settle in for the night to watch True Blood. Obviously, that show needs my full attention. The next one after shoes will will probably be my favs from NY fashion week and then bags/purses, accessories, you get the jist.

And speaking of Vampires..the new CW show, the Vampire Diaries was on tonight. It was slow to start, but I enjoyed it. It’s kind of a super cheesy cross between Dawson’s Creek and Twilight. If you can get cheesier than those things. But the boys on that show, Stefan and his deliciously sexy brother Damon, aka Boone from Lost are pretty to look at. I am curious about the book series. I’ll add them to my list.

Other shows…Melrose Place 2.0. Um, yeah. Not so sure I am on board with this one. I was more interested in the adult story lines (Michael Mancini!) and who he is married too…my sister thinks Jane, since that actress also is returning. I just can’t really figure out what the show wants. I feel like its trying to hard to be edgy and should just be soap-y. However, nothing will ever compare to the original. I watched that show until the bitter end. Oh Peter and Amanda, how I miss you. And nothing, NOTHING, will ever be as awesome as Dr. Kimberly Shaw ripping off her wig. Classic.

Shows returning that I am excited for: Fringe, Gossip Girl and Castle. And Ugly Betty. I hope they make this season great. Especially since there are some really good guest stars. New shows: Modern Family, FlashForward and V. And sort of Cougar Town and Community. Yes I watch way too much tv. Thank heaven for DVRs. ahaha And I don’t feel guilty about it. Probably because I do actually do other stuff (hello, president of Chicago NOW people!) so then it makes it all okay.

This weekend is busy wedding Saturday and shower Sunday. Not to mention that at some point I need to do my nails and go to Kinkos. I am excited to wear my Betsy Johnson dress to the wedding Sunday. And I got really awesome shoes on mega sale at DSW.

Alrighty, back to Project Runway. I need to learn to sew. Anyone know a good place to learn? Can I teach myself? I was pretty much a disaster in Home Ec in 7th grade, but I think I have matured since then. Plus, I thought learning how to cook and sew at school was lame. I mean really, a patchwork pillow? Who needs that? I wanted to take music class and make things out of clay. ha typical.

So get excited for my fashion art projects! I am! Mostly because I get to look at pretty shoes while I do it. Its all about metallic for fall 09. Get ready for some glamour and glitz!

kisses.

Sleeeeepy. Better longer faster stronger post coming tomorrow. I hope. Lazygrrl is what I am.

xoxo

Finally able to sit down and blog. It’s a nice feeling. Even if it is 11:27pm. Yes, I know, I am unemployed, you would think I have more time, and really some days/weeks I do. But surprisingly I am sometimes more busy than I was when I had a job. Between babysitting, helping my sister with Koutnie, and Chicago NOW, I actually have alot on my plate. But anyways, loved all the rain we have been getting. Cool weather makes me happy. Actually, winter makes me happy. No joke. Read back to some of my older posts…I talk about my love for all things cold and snowy. I even found a pair of Rocket Dog boots online that I think I am going to order…they claim to be waterproof and are super on sale. So yeah. I have the worst luck with boots. I got a pair of rain boots from Target last year and they lasted like a month before they cracked, and I glued them and it was a mess. But I did splurge for the Hunters. But they are good for rain and I guess snow, but I want something warmer. They do have fleece inserts for them. I should look into that. Back tracking to fall…I can’t even believe I am going to say this, but my must have (besides studded anything) are Doc Martens. Yes, so 90s but also so now. I loved them back then and I still love them. Years ago I gave away my purple pair. So sad. So cute with leggings and an over-sized shirt or cute dress. Behold:

 Welcome back 1990!

SO I ended up finding some amazing vintage postcards. They are all from/to the same people and span from 1959-1974. Postage was so cheap back then! I also bought these vintage tile thingys. I am going to arrange the postcards on those. Still on the hunt for more though! I love that they are written on. Love that they have a story. So great.

 I want to live in a house like this…complete with the snow…and a library that has a ladder!

My Victorian dream house!

 What kind of house do you want to live in? Summer or winter? Doc Martens or not? Leave comments!

xoxo

Hello! So currently watching the Cubs, wishing it was winter, and trying to not be depressed about my current situation about still not having a job, despite lots of luck in the actual getting-an-interview department. Ho hum. Sometimes I just I do try to smile through the pain. I feel that’s a good solution, right? Gawd, I am so self-deprecating these days. But really, something good has to happen to me, right? Something has to work out. Pretty please with sugar on top?

Anywho, so yeah, to keep myself out of a funk that could be very very bad for my well-being, I am still trying to find that outlet through writing and art and the like. I decided that for real, no really, I am going to start my teen book series. And clean my apartment, which includes hanging up all my pictures and getting new ones, etc. I have this idea to cover the space around one closet door that has the mirror with postcards of famous people who I love. Right now, I have Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and James Dean. I need more before I can actually start hanging them up so it doesn’t look that weird. I am thinking I need some more musicians and of course more Audrey and Marilyn, because why not? Now, I just need to start collecting. Luckily, Beyond the Wall has tons…so I will have a plethora to choose from. I should also probably figure out just how many I actually need. But ehhhhh, I’m too lazy.

This afternoon after I actually tear myself away from the computer, I am going to go to this vintage store by my apartment called Haystack (get it, like finding a needle in a Haystack is like a great find, yes I know you are all smart enough to figure this out) and then maybe go to Land of the Lost. I don’t really want clothes (well yeah who am I kidding I always want clothes) but just things you know, like fun vintage-y stuff I can place around my house so people will be like OMG her apartment has the COOLEST stuff. You know, like an old typewriter, a dinette set, and maybe some whimsical salt-and-pepper shakers.

Tonight Mike and I are babysitting for Kourtnie while my sister and her husband celebrate their one-year anniversary at the James Hotel, where they got married. Kourtnie will be with them, so we will be at the hotel. I am excited because I love that place, and because I want some cheesecake lollies like nobodies business. Those things are amazing. Chocolate-covered cheesecake on a stick, yes please!

Last night Melissa and I worked on stuffing enveloped for letters for possible silent auction donors and had sushi from Matsuya. Yummm. I am addicted to the crazy horse roll. It’s yellow tail and tuna with bib lettuce, mayo and cucumbers, and is GIANT. But under $8. So you get a lot of food for cheap. And its just over all delcious. They are are a great sushi place for general sushi. Rise and Sushi X are my favorite for “trendy” sushi.

Alrighty, well enough about that. Let me know what you all think about my little postcard project. What kinds of projects has everyone been working on over the summer?

ta ta,

pcg xoxo

So…fashion. These are some of the folks that for me, are inspiration. Yes, I know, a few of them are often on the worst dress lists (and sometimes are generally train wrecks)…but hey, at least they are getting noticed and taking risks! Below are some pictures but here is a longer list of my favorite fashionistas: Coco Chanel, Chloe Sevigney, Cory Kennedy , Mischa Barton, Kate Winslet, Audrey Kitching , Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Edie Sedgewick, Hanna Beth , Anne Hathaway, Kate Hudson…so many! I don’t necessarily copy their looks, but sort of mix and match what I like from them and make it into my own personal style. And like I said, I want to take more risks. There is a flowered shorts-jumpsuit in the window of Buffalo Exchange that I want. I have to try it on first though because well, you know, jumpsuits aren’t always the most flattering BUT this one may work since its loose and doesn’t look crazy. I also saw a pair of purple heels in the window of the Nine West store down at Clark and Diversey that I really need. I saw them from the window of the bus and was instantly in love! And my must-have for fall, which I am not actually going to get…considering it’s $600 BUT it’s the Tory Burch studded purse. Its gorgeous. Sigh. To have unlimited funds.

Edie Sedgewick (with Andy Warhol)

Coco Chanel

Chloe Sevigny, Blake Lively, Evan Rachel Wood, Lucy Liu

Chloe S.

For the next post I may do my art inspirations or designers. See, there is more to me than tv! haha Just bought the book Julie & Julia. Can’t wait to read! Finished The Color Purple, such an amazing and powerful book. But now I feel like I need to read something light-hearted. I have a huge stack of books to get through…but always love suggestions!

xoxo

OMG so neglectful I am of this blog. Trying harder to post! I promise! Currently watching SYTYCD then Top Chef Masters. Woot! I think Brandon FTW and either Rick Bayless or Hubert Keller FTW on their receptive shows.

Tomorrow’s post will be way better than this. I have been so inspired by art and fashion lately. I really want to start taking more fashion risks. I feel like I always want to but then play it safe. I need to really break out of that. And artwork. I want to surround myself in glorious works or art and pictures and vintage awesomeness! My plan is to post some pics of people and artwork I am inspired by. This past weekend at Market Days, I got a really cool Gone With the Wind movie poster. I just need to hang it up. I also went to see Tori Amos on Monday. She was AMAZING. Carolyn and I had amazing seats. We went to Cibo (the restaurant in the Wit Hotel) beforehand. It was eh. And the waiter totally doubled our pasta orders without asking (I guess they are normally really small) and then charged us double. Ugh. Didn’t even tell us. The best part of the meal was the ‘amuse boush’ of some sort of creamy corn something-or-other. Soupy-like. Delicious. Anyways, I got a free Tori program from the concert since some guy in the balcony dropped all his stuff on us. The cover of it is in regards to her new album (Abnormally Attracted to Sin) and is so great. I am going to frame it and hang it up. Love it. I also want the Andy Warhol Audrey Hepburn print. The one with all the colors.

Alrighty, more tomorrow my dears.

xoxo

I’m baaaack! Well, hopefully, now that the chaos in my life (yes, seriously, chaos can happen even when one is not employed) has died down, I am back in the business of getting down to writing. Especially since part of my “job” plan is to try and find freelance work. I also am thinking about maybe going back to school. That is a big maybe right now. The University of Chicago has a medical writing program that I am interested in. And of course in a perfect world, I would be able to do that while going to school for nursing. So yeah, that’s on the horizon at the moment. Still applying to writing/communications jobs though too.

Anywaaaaaays, so yeah watched the movie ‘Factory Girl’ this afternoon. I thought Sienna Miller did a really amazing job as Edie. Actually everyone did a great job. I had no idea that Warhol was such a douche bag (for lack of a better word). Plus everything I read about him kind of backs that up. Tomorrow I’m going to run to the library and see if I can get Edie: An American Girl. Can’t wait to read it!! Need to finish my Gertrude Stein book first though. Guess I will be reading tonight!

My addiction of the moment, music-wise, is Cobra Starship featuring Leigton Meester, ‘Good Girls Go Bad.’ Go download it now. NOW! NOOOOWWW!

And speaking of Leighton…my niece Kourtnie Leighton is growing every day!! She is three weeks old! I get to see her on Tuesday, I can’t wait!! I will post pictures soon but want to wait for the birth announcement to go out before posting pictures. Also, my sis and I downloaded Sype so I can see her via video as well! So fun. If you are on Skype add me! My name is: popculturegrrl. Original I know.

Right. Back to being a veg head for a while (still eating fish, can’t give up sushi and crab cakes haha). I read Skinny Bitch, and while I don’t agree with everything they writers say, I did like a lot of it. I did give up most cheese (feta and goat I still eat) and have been feeling great. Even my acid reflux is better! It was funny because most of the stuff they recommend to eat, I eat anyway. So yeah…I just hate that organic food is so freaking expensive. But Jewel does have some great deals. Plus, they have everything in one aisle, which is helpful. I’ll give more upates as my new diet progresses, but right now I am happy with it. I was such a bad eater, and ate junk so now I still have “junk food” but it’s all healthy. And I always always read the ingredients, which I have been doing for a while. The less stuff in it, the better!

Okay, time to play Bejeweled 2. OMG I am obsessed. It’s a problem.

xoxo