Post-Holidays

Hey everybody - I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. But it's time to get back to business... play time is OVER. Kidding, but seriously. I just wanted to see what everyone got for Christmas. Anything uber-exciting? I hope so. I just got lots of money, a few gift cards, some pajama pants and gift register for new furniture for my NYC apartment!

Also, I have come to a realization that I hate to be cold. I really do. And I'm glad I'm moving somewhere FAR colder than any place I have stayed before. It's rather upsetting that I'm likely going to be cold 24 hours a day until, say, May. Wow. Fantastic, right? Not so much. Looks like I'll be using some of my Christmas money to purchase a new heavy-duty overcoat.

Chameleon

UK singing 'sensation'-turned-alcoholic chameleon Lily Allen has really inspired me. I was reading an article about her ability to change her hair color at the branding of her wand. Unfortunately, Allen bibbity-boppity-boo'd her hair pink and it looked pretty fugalicious. So ... learning from her successes and mistakes (and really, who didn't have money riding on a royal fug-up) I have decided I, too, would like to do something a little crazy. Go out a little limbsy or something similarly cliché.

I like this style... but do you? I want something blonde. Or maybe auburn. Not sure but I liked model Nick Snider's hair in this Prada ad...



Is it too much for me? I just thought a new 'do' for a new place of residence would be the trick. Give me your thoughts ... STAT.

Time Machine... 1992.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that really is a kindergarten aged Justin
circa 1992. This was prior to my fat kid stage. Although I'm almost
positive I was hungry in this picture, I mean, when am I not? Moving
on...

Bowties and Britches

These past few weeks have been so refreshing. No school, no tests, no homework, no NOTHING. It's been great. My flight to New York leaves on the 3rd and I sure ain't lookin' back. Well not until Thanksgiving at least. Ha.

I was looking through some old photo albums yesterday and found some hilarious pictures of myself from the younger (and less fashion-forward) years of my life. I was a mess. I had the same haircut for just about 12 years (parted almost down the middle, large, and puffy). I wore some interesting color combinations. Truthfully, I didn't care what people thought. How refreshing is that?

I would be lying if I said I didn't care what people think about me. Truth is, I probably care far too much. But ... in my defense, I live and work in a world where image is everything. To get ahead, you have to look like you belong in that next room, or the next tier, or that swanky party. I want to be where the people are. I wanna see them dancing. Unfortunately, you can't do that if you look like shit. So... fashion became a hobby of mine.

Colors and styles are the two things I think I have come the closest to mastering. I love clothes. I really do love them. Intricate and exotic styles of garments appeal to me the most. On myself, I tend to dress very preppy with a dash of complexity mixed in. Say, slacks, a dress shirt, vest and penny loafers. Except my penny loafers may be yellow. Or my shirt may be an explosive green plaid pattern.

Style, I believe, is one of the most important parts of a person's life that should be totally you. Individual style can make or break first impressions. If you are confident about your style, it will show. I love when I see a girl/guy waltzing down the street with a kick in their step and they look totally outta this world. Whether it's crazy fishnet stockings or a structured jacket that gives them the strut, i live for it.

I remember the first designer item I bought was a $220 Ralph Lauren shawl-necked cardigan when I was 15 years old. I thought I was the absolute shit. I actually still have that sweater and may pull it out in ten years and call it 'vintage' but until then it sits near the back of my closet as a trophy of my fashion renaissance. I have definitely evolved since then. Even in the last three years, I've come into my own 'time line' of fashion interests.

I suppose I've always wanted to mimic the great sartorialists of my time, like my grandfather. He never leaves the house without suiting up. [Side note: He even went to the beach with suit on... How inappropriate but totally amazing is that?!]. I mimic these men because they have individual styles that never get old. They are, essentially, timeless.

Learn from those you admire the most. Take pride in your look and make sure you are always confident. Anyone can look good. Let me repeat that ... anyone can look good. This is true no matter your shape, size, color or height. Fashion can work if you learn to confidently dress your body to look its absolute best. You'll notice a change ... I won't spoil it and tell you what it is, but just take a closer look at how people react to you. I promise it's a life-changing metamorphosis.

Puppy Love

This may be the most adorable present ever. Unfortunately, it wasn't
for me. Puppy with red Christmas bow - genius!

Don't Interrupt ... Rude.

For those of you who haven't seen it ... this will change your life. Welcome Bon Qui Qui to your friend group ... she will always fit in, and if she doesn't she will cut you.

Favorite Things ... 1

So, one of my favorite things is, well, it's more of a feeling than a thing necessarily - I love when I wake up earlier than I needed to and know that I can go back to sleep without repercussion. Ahh ... bliss. Seriously, I oft smile when this happens. It is rare ... but oh does it happen.

Another of my most prized things this wintry season is Salt Water Taffy from Shriver's in Ocean City, N.J. Hellamazing. That's all I can say. I used to eat these taffies as a kid growing up near the beautiful beaches of the Jersey shore. Okay, I grew up in Memphis ghetto, big deal. Oh and New Jersey shores aren't beautiful. But these taffies sure are! Order them today. Seriously.

Ice Trees

I think this is so amazing. An ice tree. Well, not exactly a tree made of ice but it is a tree made of bottles (which are frozen and contain ginko leaves). Anyway ... I thought this was well worth the share. Enjoy!

Oh, yes, this is in the store front of a Montréal store called Domison - they do home furnishings and such. Check 'em out.

Down The Rabbit Hole

So ... Life is totally crazy. I love how every day is something new
and unexpected. I don't like feeling constricted or bound to a certain
style of living. I like feeling like Alice, falling down the rabbit
hole. New life and new experiences. New expectations. Welcome to the
new chapter ... and I'm definitely not holding on.

Comedienne

Funniest girl alive: Omayma Kishk.

Tastes like home...

I just ate a Honey-Lemon Halls. It tastes like home. And Pledge cleaner. 

Sayonara Tokyo

Look at these hilarious socks our Japanese friends gave us before they
left! They split your big toe from the rest of your toes and actually
feel hilariously amazing. Now all we need: bamboo sandals and a
geisha. :) wow... My feet look deformed. Thanks Aya and Shin! A-Bye-Bye.

Presents!

Omayma gave me the trifecta. Not For Tourist books to the three
busiest borroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. Plus gift cards to
52 Manhattan restaurants!! Wow... This is amazing!

Animalia

I forgot to post this one from the field museum in Chicago. Beautiful.
Minus the random family ruining the scene. Ha!

Over the Chainbow

Homework truly is no fun
But here I am, two days to DONE!

I seriously can't believe that in two days I will never take another
exam, do schoolwork, write a tome on some dead writer or something
equally as horrible. It is so grand. (sigh)

Rainy Daze

Out the blue, came the monsoon
Out of the skies, it rained till noon.
Soaked and troubled, the city fell
Silent and waiting for the storm to quell.
If only a moment, the thunder froze
And through the dark clouds, the sun rose.

Going Solo

It's seems I may have used an array of Solo cups during my college
years. This include parties, afternoon teas, watering my now-dead
cactus, making sweet walkie-talkies, and other various tard projects.

So this is me, saying God Bless Solo cups. For without you, my life
wouldve been that much more boring. Oh and RIP Frankie.. Cactus never
make good pets.

Cups + Cookies

Afternoon coffee and a cookie on the porch. Seriously couldn't get any
better. Rather windy. I like it.

'Vogue' Doc

A while back R.J. Cutler made a documentary about Vogue, specifically the preparation for the magazine's September 2007 issue. And film-industry insiders are saying the movie has a good shot at making it into Sundance, the lineup for which will be announced this week.

According to WWD, the film was made "with the full cooperation of editor in chief Anna Wintour and staff." Proceed to freak out with us. If you didn't care about Twilight, this is your retribution. Now, who's making the Wintour-documentary fan sweatshirts? If there's one thing Twilight fans have taught us, it's that properly freaking out requires wearing one's enthusiasm.

I like this new string of documentaries. Mmhmm. Thanks NY Mag.

GG

So any young person living in the Big Apple probably does/ should love
"Gossip Girl" ... Which may well be the greatest thing since, um...
the OC? Yeah. Well last nights episode was like a drama train wreck.
Little J totally backstabbed Saucy V over Nate but V had hidden a note
N wrote of J (anyone notice how well N's handwriting was?!... Fake).
Anyway .. I want to know thoughts and reactions. Like...

How come Vanessa stood there like a naughty stripper when the
backlighting exposed her hella-fit body?

Or...

Why don't Lily and Rufus just effin do it already? Geez! It's like
watching two preteens groping their way to third base. They're like
40. And experienced. Act like it.

Thoughts?

Boring weekend

Sorry y'all. Nothing huge to report this weekend... No really fun
pictures. But this week should hold something exciting. I just know
it. So wait for it...

Anyone watch the crazy doc of B Spears on MTV tonight? It was... eye-
opening ha. I really enjoyed it.

(Sent from Justin's iPhone)