Black and White

Dress, Toi et Moi. Cardigan, J.Crew. Tights, DKNY. Pumps, Nine West.


I'm back! In the flesh, that is. This year, Santa spoiled me rotten with a new camera and these photographs are my first attempts at an improved aesthetic. I opted for a black and white ensemble to really see what this baby can do because let's face it, any old camera could capture a red sweater and the brightened complexion that goes with it (which is why I own several such sweaters). Some landscapes will follow but until then, what do you think of these, friends?

Going on 27

I noticed that a lot of bloggers like to post little collages of pretty things available for sale (I'm observant like that) so I thought I'd give it a whirl as well. Since I missed the Holiday Gift Guide boat, I will regale you with My Birthday Picks. What? Yes, sir, January 4th is almost upon us and since I am a number aficionado, it won't be just any birthday. 27 is a comely cube - not on a par with a proud prime number, but pretty close. So I guess you could say I'm expecting gifts! Stumped? That is exactly why I made this gift guide for you (why yes, altruism does run in my family).

From J.Crew's Sale Shop:

1. Metallic gauze pencil skirt, $89.99
2. Broken-in boyfriend chino short, $29.50
3. Knit bow ballet slippers, $29.99
4. Traversa cardigan, $29.99
5. Calf hair belt, $39.99
6. Crystal cluster cuff, $59.99

 From Amazon:

 

1. True Prep by Lisa Birnbach and Chip Kidd, $13.57
2. In Search of Lost Time: Proust 6-pack (Proust Complete), $60.42
3. Old Girlfriends: Stories by David Updike, $7.78
4. Slim Aarons: Once Upon a Time [Hardcover], $53.55

La Brasserie

After a strenuous style challenge, my cardigans and I have unanimously decided to take a little break (especially the red cardigan, who has been working overtime this season). In the meantime, how about a restaurant review?

Anyone who knows me - not in the biblical sense, but outside the blogosphere - is aware of the debilitating condition that prevents me from enjoying French cuisine day in and day out. Yes, lactose intolerance is no joke, my friends, which is why I save visits to La Brasserie for special occasions. A quaint bistro with a self-explanatory name and seating for 35 connoisseurs, this Franco-German locale is still a bit of a hidden gem in Vancouver's West End. The entrées usually range from $17 to $23 of generous, palate-pleasing portions (I had a succulent stuffed quail which hit the proverbial spot). The service is prompt and friendly, which isn't surprising if you actually chat up the foodies disguised as servers. And the best part is, after 9 pm they practice something called Buck A Shuck: one-dollar oysters (normally $3 each), an unbelievable deal in Vancouver. I like to hit their oyster bar when I`m feeling peckish and very, very thirsty (I`ve never met a Kir Royale I didn`t love).

If you`re in the area and looking for a great little place to dine, skip the chain restaurants with their overpriced bland fare and check out La Brasserie instead! (Honestly, they`re not paying me to write this, but if they were, I`d accept quail dollars only).

Stuffed Quail with Vegetables.


... and if you're not adventurous enough to try quail (or my next pick, Rotisserie Rabbit), follow my date's lead in ordering this scrumptiously stacked burger:

16-30: The Second Retrospective

You know the drill: I revel in the multitude of selves and you pick your favorites. In the words of Michael Scott, "it's a win-win-win."

The Grand Finale

Blouse, Banana Republic. Blazer, Club Monaco. Skirt, J.Crew. Belt, vintage+mom's. Pumps, Nine West.


I'm done with the 30 For 30 Challenge! Woohoo! After taking weekends off and two "sick days," I finally caught up with Kendi and the rest of the remixers. Actually, there are quite a few bloggers who still haven`t finished or gave up long ago, which makes me feel infinitely better. There`s nothing like the failure of others to make one feel like less of a failure. 

For my finale ensemble, I decided to ignore December and bare all limbs. Hypothermia be damned! Might as well go out in (aestival) style.

Double The Fun

 

Cardigan, J.Crew. Skirt, Banana Republic. Scarf, Icici. Tights, Tommy Hilfiger. Flats, Browns.

Today I watched How The Grinch Stole Christmas and played Scrabble against myself. Needless to say, I mopped the floor with said self by no less than 152 points. I don't know why I have never done this before because it is a hoot! It's kind of like giving yourself a back massage and enjoying it too, except feasible. You should try it sometime! (Scrabble for one, not the creepy massage thing).

Miss Piggy's Pronoun

Cardigan, J.Crew. Skirt, Banana Republic. Necklace, vintage+mom's. Belt, H&M. Tights, Tommy Hilfiger. Flats, Geox.

Photos of me by Miranda A.

Today the lovely Natasha of Required2BeInspired featured my little blog! Natasha makes a lot of her own clothes, like this amazing yellow jacket (the most I've ever been known to craft was a knitted scarf that my little sister had to start, finish, and fix for me - I did the loopy parts in the middle). Due to the aforementioned feature, I'm feeling outrageously flattered today so I should cut this short before I fall into my computer screen and drown there. Lesson learned, Greek gods.

Personal Stuff

Cardigan, J.Crew. Blouse and shorts, Banana Republic. Scarf (worn as a headband), H&M. Tights, Hue. Wellies, Hunter.

You guys were so sweet yesterday, complimenting my writing and all that I thought I'd rest on those laurels today. Ergo, my ego has come up with a trivial topic for this post: getting to know each other. Can anyone guess what my favorite color is? Trick question: it's blue and green together, a little something I like to call LAGOONISH (I ended up adding this word to the dictionary because the latter suggested replacing it with either lagoon or buffoonish, and that's just insulting). Favorite buildings in which to spend time? Malls and Airports (square footage and convenient bathroom locations). Sitcom I pretend not to like but watch every night before bed? Frasier. What nearly everyone can do except me? Drive and Whistle (I know, how impractical, not being able to whistle). Top three pet peeves? Non-Sarcastic Bragging, Laundry Meddling, and those who use a Communal Utensil like it's their own (in my family, I'm rather famous for snapping and asking: "  Is that your personal knife?"  ).

Now you go.

 

 See? Lagoonish.

Anchors Aweigh!

Blouse and cardigan, J.Crew. Skirt, Banana Republic. Belt (worn backwards), H&M. Scarf, Macy's. Wellies, Hunter.


When editing the photos for this post, I renamed the chosen ones Navy Pink 1, Navy Pink 2, and so on. Naturally, I thought: why isn't there a color called NAVY PINK? And while we're at it, let's throw in Nautical Neons, Marine Maroon, Maritime Mauve, Seafaring Sapphire, Shipping Chartreuse, Oceanic Orange, Boating Blue, Lighthouse Lilac, Pelagic Purple, Yachting Yellow, Water-borne White! The possibilities. I've gone overboard here but only out of excitement. I purchase a product not only because of its quality, but also because of the marketing that went into it. J.Crew especially knows how to pull those heartstrings with all kinds of nautically-inspired apparel (there's even an anchor strategically placed before their URL). I am one of those poor saps that buys dreams - an idea, a memory, a lifestyle - something to keep the blues at bay. I guess what I'm trying to ask you is: a) are you a sap as well? ; b) did you know that my birthday is coming up?

These photos were taken by yours truly in British Columbia, throughout the seasons, at various times of the day. Just a little something to tide you over until Christmas.

New Territory

 Dress, Banana Republic. Cardigan (underneath), Tommy Hilfiger. Sash, from another skirt. Tights, Hue. Pumps, Nine West.

I never thought I'd wear a cardigan under a dress, but here I am, making history one broken rule at a time (What do you mean it's been done before? I have a patent pending). This particular dress has structured shoulders that look bulky under thin fabrics, thus the reversal of layers. I am still not sure if I pulled it off or if the look is wearing me, so let's put it to a vote, shall we? Are you guys buying this or not?

I Spy...

... with my medium-sized eye: Vancouver before vesper. Tune in next weekend for more aesthetic pleasers accompanied by alliterative accounts. What else?
                       

Just Mousing Around

Sweater, Tommy Hilfiger. Blouse, J.Crew. Skirt, thrifted. Scarf (worn as headband), Brooks Brothers. Sash, from a trench-coat. Tights, Hue. Pumps, Nine West.


My mom likes to wear a gray sweatsuit as she is scurrying around the house, unintentionally inviting comparisons to a (cute) little mouse. Which isn't to say she is mousy - she looks like Audrey Tautou fifteen years from now, at least in my ideal version of the aging process. Look, ma, I "made" this mouse-eared headband out of my favorite scarf because I really miss you! Are you proud of me?

Nine To Five

Blazer, Club Monaco. Sweater, Tommy Hilfiger. Skirt, Banana Republic. Tights, H&M. Belt, vintage. Flats, Geox. Pin on lapel, vintage gift.


If I'd been a career girl in the eighties, this is what I would've worn after pouring myself a cup of ambition but as you may imagine, I was a mere bed-wetter back then. I guess you could say I've made progress! 

The Treasure-Trove

 Cardigan, J.Crew. Blouse and jeans, Banana Republic. Scarf, Brooks Brothers. Belt, Eddie Bauer. Flats, Geox.


You're probably wondering why I deprived you of a post yesterday and the answer is this: I didn't feel like getting dressed. Yeah, I took my birthday suit for a test drive! My actual birthday is in less than a month and being a type A, I wanted to be prepared. I know it sounds horrible, like that dream where you realize you've forgotten to wear clothes at school and everyone is pointing and laughing, but it wasn't like that at all. I got compliments, business cards, a Dear Penthouse offer. Even Hef got wind of it and was most favorably impressed, saying he could certainly work with the existing name of my blog for a centerfold: "From Suns To Moons is a treasure-trove of puns, my dear." All right, I'm exaggerating a bit; treasure-trove is not in Hef's vocabulary. Also, I'm not really a type A, but that's where my pants stop catching on fire. To find out whether or not I've accepted Hef's offer, please keep reading this blog, friends! Until then, I thought I'd distract you with some lady-like ensembles. Pretty convincing, eh?