my favorite colorful summer fashion finds!

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I know it’s almost July, so this is a little late but I’ve been saving so many pictures onto my laptop of things I want to wear this summer that I have to do something with them so here they are! Tah-dah! As you can tell, I haven’t quite got this phtoto editing thing down yet…I was inspired by my amazingly creative friend’s blog: http://www.MeganTillotson.com. Seriously, if you have a second checkout her blog Yours Ever where
she blogs her delicious recipes, fantastic art and fashion inspiration, and fun DIY projects.

This summer I have been doing a lot of painting using watercolors (mostly birds and feathers)  I don’t know if it’s the lightness of the watercolors or the bright colors I’ve been drawn to while painting that fits perfectly with all things summer. Here are a few of my watercolors from the last few days just to show you the mood I’ve been in lately!

And THEN, I found this beautiful Tracy Reese dress that reminded me of a watercolor painting of a summer sunset and the rest is history. I love summer because one of my favorite things to do is traveling.  Maybe I am sad since I am not traveling anywhere very exciting this summer; which for me translates as: requiring a passport, becoming uncomfortably sunburnt, spending a week packing my bag, and stuffing myself to an uncomfortable level with food in the name of vacation! Viva la vacation!
So for me, my summer traveling essentials are as follows: a sturdy leather satchel, comfortable walking sandals, a camera and a journal (or in this case watercolor kit!)

So in my dream world, this is what you see me in as we rode past each others on our bikes in Paris.

1. Quay Oh Mi Half Round Glasses found at Asos Online for approximately $50.00
2. Plenty by Tracy Reese Riveting Reflections Dress sold at mod cloth for $248.00
3. Minox Classic Digital Mini Camera sold at Urban Outfitters for $250.00
4. Sasha Toe Loop Sandals sold at Anthropologie for $88.00
5. Kate Spade New York Pueblo Tile iPhone 5 Case at Piperlime for $40.00
6. Stingray Crescent Necklace at Anthropologie for $88.00
7. Cambridge Satchel Upwardly Mobile Satchel in Yellow at mod cloth $164.99
8. Watercolor Postcards, A Portable Studio at Anthropologie for 18.95

In reality,  you can find me browsing the thrift stores looking for anything resembling the above items in the slightest and that don’t smell like moth balls.

things i love lately (the French addition).

(

                                                     (the Japanese poster for the movie Paris je t’aime)

Yes, I guess it is true…I’m obsessed with everything French (I am even willing to forget about the restaurant tonight that refused to serve us because we were American). Aside from a few haughty shopkeepers and a near fatal collision whilst I was biking near the Seine River, everyone and everything has been so lovely.

me, professing my love to the Eiffel Tower.

I shouldn’t be allowed on bikes in busy areas.

To help me cope with the sadness of leaving Paris today, I spent a few hours finding French “things” to hang on our walls, or to wear and remind me of this trip that  i wish didn’t have to end. 

“Sucrees” Fine Art Photography 8 x 10 by honeytree $30.00 http://www.etsy.com/listing/54822193/paris-photography-sucrees-sweets-shop

I love this photo because these bakeries are everywhere! Full of tempting and delicious treats. I honestly have no idea how French people stay are so thin! If I lived in Paris I would weigh 300 lbs!

Champagne Beaded Eiffel Tower Headband by bethanylorelle $23.00 http://www.etsy.com/listing/71653257/eiffel-tower-champagne-beaded-headband?ref=tre-622649955-6

What better way to stay close to Paris then to wear it on my head!? Sold. done deal. I’m getting one.

Pin-back button badge pack of 4 by poosac: 4 pounds or roughly $8.00 http://www.etsy.com/listing/79053007/say-bonjour-ooh-la-la-vive-la-france-or?ref=tre-622649955-7

These buttons are so cute especially the one on the bottom right which I think translates to “I love cheese.” 

Maro Kits: The French Twist by Maro Designs $5.95 http://www.etsy.com/listing/66638034/maro-kits-the-french-twist?ref=tre-622649955-14 When i am really desperate for a bit of Parisian culture, I will make my husband wear these, give him a french loaf, a striped shirt and a bicycle.

French Tuxedo by ZephyrGraham $199.00 http://www.etsy.com/listing/66625845/french-tuxedo Handmade to fit, oooh la la la!

Handmade Eiffel Tower Rubber Stamp by Dramaofgiftedchild $7.50 http://www.etsy.com/listing/75906150/travel-serie-french-eiffel-tower?ref=tre-622649955-4 I love a good stamp! There are so many things you can do with them, the possibilities are endless!

Bonjour Mismatched Wooden Letters by APKHandmade $22.00 http://www.etsy.com/listing/78494084/bonjour-mismatched-wood-letters-with?ref=tre-622649955-2 I LOVE these mismatched letters that spell “bonjour”, the best part about them is that they are decoupaged with vintage French Archie comic strips!

paris je t’aime!

Bonjour from gay Paris! (How smug do I sound?!), 

today was our first of three days in Paris and we’ve certainly made the most of our day. No joking, I think we probably walked 10 miles which is good because I can’t pass a crepe shop or bakery without eating something. and there are ALOT of creperies, (creperes?) and bakeries in Paris.  

I also had to stop every few minutes to take photos of some stunning and unique street art. 

So far, I think the Latin Quarter is my favorite part of Paris. It’s always buzzing with young people and there are art galleries, book shops and cafes everywhere. 

Although, the only other time I’ve been in Paris was during Christmastime and Paris in August, is a strange place. Over half of the shops are closed because we learned that August is apparently when Parisians go on vacation. But there is still LOTS going on and TONS of tourists. 

Tomorrow, we are going to try renting bikes (1 euro per hour!) and see the city. http://blog.hostelbookers.com/travel/paris-by-bike/ has some good routes I think. We will see if I survive. 

Street Art From Around the World.

Greetings from Central London!

Spending a few days on my own recharging my batteries in a lovely little boutique hotel in Central London (Montague at the Gardens) while my husband and his two best “mates”are on a bachelor party trip to Northern England. We spent the past few days visiting my husband’s family and even though I love them dearly, I am EXHAUSTING. 


After sleeping 14 hours, I grabbed a map of Central London from the concierge and spent the entire day walking around the the city, getting lost in the process, taking pictures, and looking like a typical American tourist. Even though the riots are happening all around London, I haven’t come in contact with any of the mayhem, except for hearing the odd police siren. 


Walking around London today reminded me of the amazing street art that can be found on the buildings, street signs, doors and where ever there is a blank spot on a wall. I have sort of been collecting pictures of street art I have found during my travels to places I’ve visited: Paris, Prague, London, New York City, the Phillipines, Chicago, and so on. And so I thought I would post pics of some of my favorites. So here they are….

                                                Venice Beach, California (April 2009) 

                                              also Venice Beach, CA (April 2009)

                                                           Venice Beach! same visit

I found this one in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands when I was on a cruise with my husband and parents (December 2010) 

This is one I stumbled on during my journey today in London (August 2011)

 this was during my 3 month stay in the Philippines (December 2006) 

 New York City (March 2007) 

   New York City…same trip! 

 Okay, so this one isn’t amazing or anything but it is the only one I spotted on our visit to Paris (December 2008)

 To date, the street art in Prague is the most beautiful and abundant of any of the metropolitan cities I have visited, except for maybe NYC (December 2007)

 I love this little guy! Prague (December 2008) 

 Prague again…there is something about this one that I especially love (December 2008)

 San Juan, Puerto Rico (January 2011)

 San Diego, ,CA (March 2010) 

This is one of the first ones I ever noticed…and probably one of the reasons I love street art so much. I saw this one in Spain when I was going through a dark period in life and so I framed a print of it, hung it in my bedroom to remind me to not give up. (February 2005). 

Unfortunately, I have no idea who the artists are for any of these to give credit too. But if anyone has seen these or knows who did them let me know! 


Which leads me to ask if anyone reading has any pictures of street art they have found or ones you love. If so, email them to me (forourcity@gmail.com) and tell me the story behind them and I will add them in a new post!