fashion & friends: revival style trunk show!

Earlier tonight, I went to my friends Neetu and Allie's trunk show for their start-up Revival Style, a socially conscious fashion line created in New York's Garment District by materials sourced from female artisans in India. Also present was Love is Mighty, fellow New Yorker Monisha Raja's gorgeous start-up shoe line that is all handmade in India, mostly from recycled plastic, wrappers, and textiles. (My favorite is the Bulbul.) Bravo for a fun night celebrating fashion, entrepreneurship, and great friends! Here are some photos...

PS: The Love Is Mighty silver pump on the above right (made of candy wrappers) was just sold to Natalie Portman... eeks!!

(Photos taken by my iPhone, edited in Circles via the Diptic app)

cute cartoons by gemma correll

I know, I know... everyone is in love with illustrator Gemma Correll and I've posted about her before, but how cute and hilarious (and pun-ny) are these drawings? I love scrolling through her blog for more laughs. 

solange, why you so fabulous?

I've long admired Solange's colorful and comfortable style, so seeing her as Madewell's new brand ambassador is a treat! I love that she is generous with mixing pattern and color, and dresses for her mood, whether it be retro or bohemian or edgy. As Coco Chanel once said, "A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous." That you are, Solange!

Two of my favorite Madewell photos from the Solange + Madewell photoshoot

 

This pinterest board has more photos of Solange's bold style... inspirational!

living with purpose: does accountability work?

Thanks so much for the encouraging feedback on the first Living with Purpose column! A lot of you liked the idea of a 25 minute vow, but were also interested in thoughts on how to maintain that commitment. I think we can all agree that setting goals is always easier said than done. So I'd love to talk about accountability today-- do you think accountability works?

Sometimes I think accountability is crucial to getting things done. When I was a college student minoring in Poetry, my homework was to submit a new poem every week to workshop. The workshops held me accountable to submitting poems on time and my classmates' feedback encouraged me to keep writing quality work. While homework can be tedious, we can easily get it done when other people's time is at stake. In a similar vein, at Code Academy, friends learn to code together but can't get to the next class level until everyone completes their homework. It's crazy how productive we are when other people are involved!

Yet I've also experienced times when accountability sucked the joy out of goals, making me less productive. In elementary school, I really wanted to play the piano. Within a year, my parents' overzealous accountability of my practice schedule made me quit playing altogether, because it was just wasn't fun anymore. (Later, I got really into the violin, so all ended up well with me and music.)

Accountability can also put a strain on relationships. My friend Emily who was raised in Nashville has said, "In the South, there is a fine line between accountability and judgement." I think this can be true anywhere--we can so quickly feel judged if we aren't meeting expectations. Accountability can sound like criticism too, i.e. if  our friends are warning us to stay away from our exes, but we fail every time, even if we agree. (Honestly, who hasn't been there? ;)

What's your take on accountability? I wonder if there is a black or white method to how exactly it works -- after all, entire industries and businesses exist because of our need for accountability (Weight Watchers is the first thing that comes to mind, ha!). Do you think having close friends keeping us accountable is a smart idea?

(Photos: Frida Kahlo with self-portrait, film star Lauren Bacall & daughter, and Clint Eastwood)

obsessed: coach x james nares totes

Speaking of artful design in the previous post, what do you think of this limited edition Coach x James Nares tote bag collaboration? I've seen artists collaborating with design houses before (i.e. Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami), but this must be the most elegant example EVER. According to the Huffington Post, Nares suspends himself from the ceiling to create his paintings, thus allowing fluid, continuous brushstrokes such as the ones below.

There are five tote bags in total. While marketed as "Men's" totes, I can see anyone, guy or gal, falling in love with these designs. At $798 per bag, they're not cheap, but I think this is an inspiring DIY idea, and one of the coolest new joint ventures in artful fashion design. Love!!

anthropologie home = abstract art! (do or don't?)

Noticing more and more home design pieces that are literally abstract works of art. While I'm all about rustic minimalism, I can't help but love the idea of these items transforming a home into a super eclectic, abstract art exhibit. Here are some of my favorites via anthropologie.com... what do you think? Abstract home design, a do or don't?

This Arlo Sofa has the dreamiest print of water and architecture 

The Vintage Books Boxed Set is custom made to fit those exact vintage books... groovy (and seriously pricey!)

This Crewel Abstraction Rug looks like it should belong in the MoMa

The Point Duchesse Pitcher's blue-green hues remind me of the ocean

following the olympics in style

This Olympics-inspired headpiece is awesome (and also an easy DIY project)! Have you been following the games? I've been giggling over some funny articles and videos on the web (i.e. Aly Raisman's hilarious parents and Ten Reasons Why Ryan Lochte is America's Sexiest Douchebag). I'm also obsessed with Gabby Douglas, along with the rest of America. Her P&G sponsored "Raising an Olympian" video is super moving...

I also love reading all about the Athlete's Village, from ESPN's coverage on its sexy side to photos of exactly where they live (looks like college!). 

collecting: do or don't?

I'm doing some massive brainstorming on my apartment right now, as my current roommate Alex is moving out and my new roommate Abby is moving in this week. Since we live in a typically modest-sized apartment in the East Village, organizing often has to be pretty strategic. Thankfully, I'm a strict minimalist and don't collect any doo-dads that take up space (other than books--although I wish I were thoughtful enough to keep all my cards and letters). Do you collect anything? Postcards? Stamps? What's your take: does collecting enrich one's life or is it a fine line away from Hoarders?

Loving these illustrated collections of vintage ticket stubs, flowers, cheese, icecream, and books. Would love to hang these prints on my wall! 

PS: Speaking of apartments-- what my bedroom looks like. 

Q