sometimes, a girl just needs...

a big hat, studded shirt, and polaroid camera...

via snoozer loser ny

fun home supplies (pink polka dotted trash bags!)...

via oh joy!

and foxy, furry boots!

via nine west & 7 for all mankind

an icecream break with hare krishnas

A neighborhood in Karlovy Vary | Near Prague Castle -- an absinthe icecream shop!? | My comfy study couch in the NYU center. (See my "H" tote bag?) | Hare Krishnas making their rounds in Old Town Square | The magnificent Loket Castle.

new york state of mind

Ha! This old cover of The New Yorker drawn by Saul Steinberg makes me laugh. I certainly know many New Yorkers who have similar perceptions of NYC vs. "the rest of the world." (I can't blame them, it is a great city! I definitely miss it.)

(via Cup of Jo, via web designer depot)

here and there in prague

hot water mugs between small hands,
before trains and trams take them
asking for trust and kroners,

salty goulash tongue befriending
euro dogs and praha pivo,
camera swinging like wings of june bugs,

gothic buildings slant with pretty girls
dancing alone in seedy clubs,
dressed in disco and buy-me-a-drink,

art-inspired goosebumps, inquired nostalgia,
required postcards, desired responses,
talking about books in coffee shops,

september, october, november
will unfold like unlaced fingers
tracing question marks on my arms.

witchy

Camper Ariana Black Patent Oxford Heels. I'm bewitched!

PS: Can you see them paired with this?

book on my mind

"Tomas did not realize at the time that metaphors are dangerous. Metaphors are not to be trifled with. A single metaphor can give birth to love." -- Milan Kundera

I spent this Friday and part of today in Karlovy Vary, napping in a crisp white hotel bed, drinking Becherovka, and reading The Unbearable Lightness of Being. The combination was heavenly. Reading a novel in the story's setting (i.e. Prague) makes the experience so much more incredible. Don't you agree?

blog crushes

I have three new blog crushes! I love looking at pretty pictures and designs, they're such a feast for the eyes! Hope you enjoy:

Street-style blog Jak & Jil


Sweet design blog Rifle

Incredible photography over at M. Dash

xoxo!

some art nouveau

The Kiss, by Gustav Klimt

Portrait of Adele Bloch Bauer, by Gustav Klimt

I love the Art Nouveau period, especially Gustav Klimt's works. I remember buying a postcard of "The Kiss" a few years back, knowing nothing about the artist or style, merely admiring the painting because it was beautiful. Now, I pour over the art books in our NYU library, absolutely famished for Klimt! Aren't the intricate details stunning?

gingerbread!

via o pistachio

My floor-neighbor Eva baked the most delicious gingerbread last week, and I can't stop thinking about it! This week has been filled with booking trips (Berlin! Budapest!) and preparing for exams (Marketing! Architecture!), but I am going to snag that recipe sooner or later. Homemade gingerbread is too good to resist!

vintage sale!

Over at The Greedy Seagull. Now why am I not a shoe size 7? Grr.

frances may

Rachel Comey Infinity Scarf Deluxe | Duskin Metalic Skirt | Built By Wendy Silky Ruffle Skirt | APC Corduroy Dress

I have yet to purchase a single article of clothing or pair of shoes in Prague because shopping is not the city's strong point. But that's okay, since window-shopping online is enough to keep me happy until I visit Paris! I'm especially loving these sweet pieces from Frances May, a boutique I like as much for its origins (a grandmother-granddaughter venture!) as its independent designers. Way cute, right? (That metallic skirt! Eek!)

dining with statues in castles

Burčák (a partially fermented wine that tastes like cider, but has alcohol content between 5% and 8%!) | Statues at the St. Agnes convent | Czech McDonald's | Lovely ceiling in an NYU in Prague classroom | View from Karlstejn Castle. As always, more pictures here!

valentino documentary

"I love beauty, it's not my fault!" -- Valentino. Oooh, this documentary looks so good!

two fashion week favorites...

Brian Reyes (who is always spot on)

Sophie Theallet (feminine and flowy as always)

But I have to admit, I've been pretty disappointed by New York Fashion Week this season -- too much baggy, not enough fitted and tailored. My 5'2'' frame could never handle it!

"dancing is my remedy, remedy, oh!"

As usual, I'm loving the newest Little Boots song. Girl is fierce.

patch love

I am inexplicably drawn to this carefree look, via The Sartorialist. She's got that "I'm-not-trying-at-all" chicness down pat. And those patchy jeans are beautiful! (I even like the Eliza Doolittle shoes...)

when you're feeling down...

Read this:

(via Lola)

loving built by wendy

Independent fashion designers make me feel warm and fuzzy inside -- a good thing, since I'm nearly bedridden with fever and cold! Built by Wendy apparel is absolutely adorable, every collection, every season. Its designer Wendy Mullin (who started her line in college!!!) was a founding designer in the Steven Alan showroom, a brand I also love. And she's a published author to boot. I'm completely smitten with Wendy and her clothes!

dressing up for fruity dancing

Prague vintage | My local fruit/vegetable store | Dancing in front of the "Dancing Building" | Desserts (crepes and berry dumplings!) | My friend's collection of beer cans. (More here!)

neutrogena pink grapefruit

I'm obsessed with how this product feels and smells...

things nautical

I went on an itty bitty boat cruise on Sunday down the Vltava River and wished I had a nautical-themed pashmina afghan. Also, Lola's red, blues, and blacks were so dreamy today. I love that color combo. (Black shirt, blue jeans, white scarf, red lipstick... hello, tomorrow's outfit.) What's your favorite combination?

food dreams

Break between classes right now... and I'm thinking about family and recipes. My resolution this semester is to severely limit eating out at restaurants in favor of cooking at home and feeling good about what I eat. But none of that sandwich/pasta stuff either, especially since groceries are so cheap here in Prague! Some inspiration via the domestic goddess, Smitten Kitchen:

corn bread salad

nectarine galette

tomato and corn pie

cubed, hacked caprese

peach cupcakes with brown sugar frosting

TOMS shoes

Some of the girls are wearing TOMS shoes in Prague, and I really want a pair. How can I say no to comfort and a good cause? Maybe it's time to stop suffering silently in heels?

Eva Mendes

I'm glad she's making edgier choices. (I love her stylist Rachel Zoe!) Three fabulous looks from the past week:

via people

in need of Citisoles

Walking around Prague hurts. Cobblestones are definitely not heels-friendly, and unfortunately, my ballet flats are as stiff as cardboard (ridiculous, right!?). I'm wishing I had nabbed a pair of Citisoles, my friends Katie and Susie's entrepreneurial creation.

These soft ballet flats fold down the middle to fit neatly in a wallet-sized pouch... which opens up to a tote bag roomy enough to store the 4-inch heels you probably shouldn't have worn! I'm buying a pair the second I'm back in New York!

color me pretty (prague weekly #1)

Prague is the most colorful city in the world! Such a treat for the eyes. I am loving getting to know my new home. :)

More over at my Flickr account...