Don’t Shoot The Messenger

This post is more about utility than fashion, for once. Let it be said that I have become a huge fan of the cross-body messenger bag. This style has come in handy for my long work days walking around Boston. My hands are free to talk on my phone, text on my phone, tote around morning and afternoon coffees or Arnold Palmers, and pull out my CharlieCard. They look so casual and carefree as if the wearer could not be bothered to carry a frivolous tote or waste an arm with the burden of a purse. I bought a messenger bag for $10 on Newbury Street when my bag ripped hardcore one day. And since then my walks, my work-breaks, and my iced-coffee-filled hands have been making my long days that much less arduous.

Example a) Hands free to keep texts at hand.

Example a) Hands free to keep texts at hand.

Minka is casual and uncluttered.

Minka is casual and uncluttered.

Kirsten and Orlando looking perfectly unperfect.

Kirsten and Orlando looking perfectly imperfect.

Kate is great in a fuss free cropped top

Kate is great in a fuss free cropped top

So much easier to do errands, like Jessica does here.

So much easier to do errands, like Jessica does here.

Monet Mazur is calm, cool, and has her things collected.

Monet Mazur is calm, cool, and has her things collected.

Peace,

She Was A Working Girl North Of England Way

The motion picture bible of dressing stylishly for work.

The motion picture bible of dressing stylishly for work.

I’m sure I’m not the only one this summer who has work and money on the brain. Fortunately I am on the overworked rather than underworked spectrum for once, as a result of a few flukes. Therefore, I have spent more time than ever on the clock this past month.  These commitments have created many new decisions about what to wear and how to stay comfortable yet stylish yet appropriate yet not liable to slip on the wooden floor in front of a full office or restaurant. However, summer is a time when I like to dress the way I like to dress, with floaty skirts and easy dresses and comfy sandals. So I have been posed with the dilemma of how to balance work-friendly attire with my preferably more breezy style.

One way to look professional without completely stifling your personal identity is through accessories. On top of your work pants and button down, add a bold necklace or earrings that you would wear out on the town. As for the clothing itself, black pants and varying pencil skirts are pretty much what I have been relying on for bottoms. It’s obviously more about the top to get creative with. Patterns, shapes, textures, are all ways to vary it up. Just stay appropriate with nothing revealing or overly/bizarrely trendy (cut-outs might not be the trend you want to dabble with for work).

These outfits scream,”I am actually a cool person when not 9 to 5ing!” Start channeling Devil Wears Prada stat! And get me a cup of coffee while you’re at it!

Alexa punches up her professional basics with layered necklaces. Nice!

Alexa punches up her professional basics with layered necklaces. Nice!

White pants look fresh against the tan workish top.

White pants look fresh against the tan professional top.

Fix potentially short hemlines with helpful leggings.

Fix potentially short hemlines with helpful leggings.

Stay cool with the three quarter rule.

Stay cool with the three quarter rule.

Layering in a whole different way for a corporate rather than daytime look.

Layering in a whole different way for a corporate rather than daytime look.

More of a fall ensemble, but still appropriate.

More of a fall ensemble, but still appropriate.

Vava voom without showing any skin.

Vava voom without showing any skin.

Springy and fresh: she looks cute.

Springy and fresh: she looks cute.

Retro work chic for the modern stifled hippie.

Retro work chic for the modern stifled hippie.

And again.

And again.

Peace,

Title from “Honey Pie” by The Beatles

I’m With The Band

Almost Famous

Anita Pallenberg

This model had affairs with three members of the Rolling Stones (Brian Jones, Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards) and was rumored to have inspired several of their songs (including “Angie,” “You Got the Silver” and “Gimmee Shelter”). She was and is best friends with another famous groupie, Marianne Faithfull.

Anita Pallenberg

Anita and Mick
Anita and Mick
Sienna Miller is the spitting image of Anita (left).
Sienna Miller is the spitting image of Anita (left).

“Miss” Pamela Des Barres

This famous groupie had affairs with Mick Jagger, Jim Morrison, Jimmy Page, Keith Moon, Waylon Jennings, Chris Hillman, and Noel Redding, traveled with Led Zeppelin, lived with Don Johnson, turned down a date with Elvis Presley, and was close friends with Robert Plant, Ray Davies, and Frank Zappa.

Miss Pamela with Alice Cooper
Miss Pamela with Alice Cooper

Miss Pamela

Morgana Welch

She was a fixture on the Sunset Strip and an avid Led Zeppelin groupie.

Morgana

Morgana mingling with Led Zep
Morgana mingling with Led Zep

Pattie Boyd

I just finished reading Wonderful Tonight, Pattie’s memoir about her modeling career and how she came upon meeting her two husbands, George Harrison and Eric Clapton. The  inspiration for the song “Layla, ” she is not as band-aid-like as some of these other groupies, but she is a musician magnet nonetheless.

Pattie

Pattie Boyd and George Harrison

Pattie Boyd and George Harrison

Pattie Boyd and Eric Clapton

Pattie Boyd and Eric Clapton

Peace,

Traveling The Train Through Moroccan Skies

Mosaic Fountain in Casablanca, Morocco

Mosaic Fountain in Casablanca, Morocco

Just imagine how beautiful color film would have made Casablanca with its Moroccan setting. I became enthralled by Morocco’s charm upon visiting Disney’s World Showcase of Morocco at Epcot. Lame, I know. But their take on the African country’s architecture and cuisine is oddly accurate! Granted I’ve yet to visit Morocco or any other Mediterranean country for that matter, but I assure you it is definitely on my bucket list. My dream house would be decorated with a Moroccan theme with an emphasis on vibrant colors and intricate patterns anchored by beige walls and woods. Moroccan style focuses on mosaics and geometrical patterns, colors like coral and yellow and turquoise, arches and domes, courtyards and gardens, what’s not to love?

Moroccan courtyard

Moroccan courtyard

I want to live here.

I want to live here.

60's bohemian icon Talitha Getty's Moroccan home

60's bohemian icon Talitha Getty's Moroccan home

A fountain in Disney's Epcot, look familiar?

A fountain in Disney's Epcot, look familiar?

Oh look! My future wedding!

Oh look! My future wedding!

Moroccan lanterns cast such beautiful shapes onto the wall.

Moroccan lanterns cast such beautiful shapes onto the wall.

Another shot of oil heiress Talitha's mansion.

Another shot of Talitha's mansion.

Peace,

Title from “Marrakesh Express” by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young

I Can Still See Yesterday Sailing Away

I’ve often noticed that my eye is drawn to classic stripes and lines of the whole nautical trend. Slightly counterintuitive to my usually more pattern, bohemian taste? Nah. These two can coexist, though seemingly opposing. Here are some love children of the nautical and bohemian styles.

1. Love the coral necklace matched with layered blues and mismatched browns.

2. Accessories and florals smooth the preppiness out of the classic stripe ensemble.

3. RACHEL BILSON knows how to wear sailboats without looking like a male toddler or a boating enthusiast.

4. Who would’ve thought to put a Dazed and Confused-esque crochet over a stripy top?

5. The necklace reminds me of seaweed…in a good way.

6. ALEXA CHUNG has perfected the nautical trend by not being too calculated.

7. GUCCI RESORT 2009 is all-white and sailor-esque.

8. KELLY RIPA translates the combination into corporate wear.

Peace,

Title from “Red Light” by The Strokes