King of the wild frontier.
02.01.2010

To celebrate Caulen's finishing his record room, I decided that I wanted to take pictures in it, while it still looks like a record store.

Thats the long and short of it. And this is how it came out.

My brother and I have both have this hat. Namely because my father would sing us the Davey Crocket song as a lullaby when we were younger. They were made on an Indian reservation.

Ruby just cried the entire time because I wasn't paying attention to her. Or maybe because of how absurd I probably looked.

Thanks to a new dye job and an experiment with sponge rollers, I look a bit like little orphan Annie. Still trying to figure out the curl thing without resorting to a perm.

Unsuccessfully.

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European Vacation, Part 2: Berlin!
01.31.2010

Hello Everyone! Hope you had an awesome weekend (that is sadly over). I managed to do a whole lot of nothing, but at least I have my memories of Berlin! 

Caulen and I went to Berlin via train two days before Bread and Butter started (a decision we should have made a few days earlier). 

We drank lots of beer. LOTS of beer. And were engaged after. (Don't worry, we had enough food that he wasn't drunk. I'm not THAT terrible.)

And shopped at the most incredible vintage store: 

It's mix of clothing, decor, light fixtures, and books made us tear up knowing we can't possibly bring all of it home. 

Caulen was in shock. 

It was Caulen's time to return to our little Ruby, but Susan, Sari and I still had three days of Bread and Butter ahead of us! 

This year's BnB theme was the wild west (at least as far as we could figure). The cafe' was incredible, and boasted pretty decent food (well, compared to summer's inedible fare).

Naturally, the booths were bright and inspiring:

(Someone took a picture of me, taking a picture of a Diana F+ with a Diana F+ with a Diana F+. Work that one out.)

And, thanks to high school memories, I thought the lady at the DEPT booth was making fun of my outfit. Turns out she just really liked it. They even took a picture of us: 

Please please please excuse my hair...jesus god...

All and all, Berlin was just as beautiful as I remember it, and probably just as beautiful as it will be the next time we make it across the ocean. Plus, it's a very special place now thanks to my soon-to-be husband!

Hope this wasn't too boring! Especially because we still have the final chapter to look forward to: Paris!

And with that, I'm off to Vegas for the first time this year. SHOE SHOW!!! AHHHH!!!!!

Naturally, there will be updates. And maybe a beauty product review or two ;). How was your weekend? Tell me things! (I always say that and only the lovely miss Maya answers. I really mean it when I say I'm curious!)

P.S. I'm glad to see new blog addresses popping up in the (finally spam free) comments sections. Keep it up! I love learning about new blogs and new people!

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When at work...
01.29.2010

Turns out ModCloth found our trip so interesting that they dedicated a newsletter and blog post to us! Check out the post here.

See that Diana F+ I had attaached to my face (I spent most of the trip behind one of three cameras)? Well, I think they went through x-rays so many times that my million wonderful pictures are RUINED. Same with my Golden Half camera. I am such a noob. A really, really sad noob.

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Champagne taste, anyone?
01.28.2010

Found my dream ring. At Neiman Marcus of all places.

Now, quick, someone give Caulen $8500 so he can get it for me! THIS IS IMPORTANT!

What a plague of life! I bet he's already regretting proposing...

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To wear, or not to wear.
01.28.2010

Usually, when I stumble across the Yahoo! homepage, I'm greeted with cringe-worthy errors that even I notice. Surprisingly, yesterday I was greeted with a news story that managed to catch my eye for non-get-an-editor-related reasons.

Pro figure skater, Johnny Weir, is catching some flak from the usual suspects about his use of fox fur in his latest costume. That's right, that little tuft of white, requested by the skater himself, is the pelt of one of our adorable fuzzy friends.

Here is where the story got interesting for me: he stood by his choice! Usually, when found under fire for animal-related faux pas, stars seem to put their metaphorical tail between their legs (see what I did there?) and slink back to their PR office to e-shop for vegan friendly couture.

Not Weir, no sir. “I tend to focus my energy, if there is a cause, on humans. While that may be callous and bad of me, it’s my choice.” Weir said.

Now, I can't pretend that I have a clear-cut stance on this issue. I own my fair share of kidskin shoes, but mange to limit my fur intake to vintage-only. But I have to say I respect his ability to stand up to PETA-esque bullies (and lets be honest, they are a bit...something).

“Every skater is wearing skates made out of cow,” Weir continued. “Maybe I’m wearing a cute little fox while everyone else is wearing cow, but we’re all still wearing animals.”

Again, I have to admit, I really admire his steadfastness.

Which leads me to ask - what do you think? This article only proved that I don't know exactly where I stand on the issue. I'm not a vegetarian. I wear lots and lots of leather and suede. Maybe I'm not the most animal-friendly fashion lover on the indie fashion blog circuit. How about you?

P.S. If you are an animal-lover and never an animal-wearer, check out this INCREDIBLE knit fox stole (brought to my attention by Susan of my boss at ModCloth fame):

Maybe dropping $400 on this cruelty-free accessory will make you sleep better at night. I'm totally getting my (soon to be) mother-in-law to make one for me.

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What I did on my winter vacation, part 1.
01.28.2010

Hello everyone!

I'm finally back in Pittsburgh, ready to go back to work, and snuggling with my little girlfriend Ruby! This was an amazing two weeks, and I have to say, possibly the best two weeks of my life!

If it's not too boring, I'm going to recap my trip. I know I've been gone for awhile, but you'll see that the absence was well worth the memories.

First, before I left, I got a new haircut (you know, so I'd look perfect in pictures):

If you can't tell, it was inspired by my new favorite tv show, Twin Peaks.

Because Audrey Horne is perfect. And I wanted to pretend to be Audrey Horne in Europe. Can you blame me?

First up, Prague.

We stayed in Prague 3, which is supposedly the bohemian, hip bar area. Honestly, we didn't find too many hip things to do there (or anywhere in Prague), but we did have a great view of the TV Tower (and it's restaurant that closed the day we got there. Figures).

We spent our first night wadding through snow and dealing with a string of not-so-friendly people, in a not-so-great hotel, but on day two, we made the hour trek by train to the Assuary in Kunta Hora.

Mind blowing! That's the only word for it. The above chandelier uses every bone in the human body.

It was creepy and beautiful, and Caulen wanted his picture taken in front of everything.

Kunta Hora smelled like fresh tobacco, which was actually pretty gross. I blame the Phillip Morris factory less than a mile away. Even as an ex-smoker, gross.

We spent the next day wandering around, which was remarkably difficult because there had been no attempt to clear the massive amounts of snow all over the city. We pulled a lot of muscles.

I got a lot of funny looks (and a few snickers) while we were there. I think I was in posession of the only patterned coat in the entire country. It couldn't have been my dress, because my dress was awesome. And so was my hair.

We found a great tiki-themed bar in our neighborhood, that seemed to be a hang out for English teachers. I drank a lot of absynthe, but sadly, did not hallucinate.

Lots of people tried to sell us hash, but Caulen wouldn't let me buy any.

We walked around and saw lots of touristy stuff. We couldn't go into shops without getting harassed, blah blah blah.

The graffiti was all really awesome, at least.

So all in all, Prague wasn't exactly what I would have expected, but I spent it with a man I love!

We went to Berlin two days early, and thats when things got a tad more blog-worthy. I promise.

Thank you for reading! And thank you so much for all the congrats on getting engaged! My ring already bent, so we're looking for a new (real) engagement ring as I type this. Let me know if you have any great vintage or antique jewelry websites!

How have you been, internet? Tell me things!

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A life less solitary...
01.21.2010

Greetings from Berlin!

First let me apologize for the obvious spamming going on in the comments section of my last two posts (and probably this one once it goes live). Caulen should be on it asap. In the meantime, enjoy some great deals on male enhancement drugs.

Now to my big news - I'M ENGAGED!

Caulen proposed to me three days ago after an incredibly romantic dinner here in Berlin. Needless to say, I accepted, and we're hoping to get married this September!

It's a beautiful vintage ring that was his mother's. I love it so much!

Excuse how puffy I look, I was crying (out of joy) on and off all evening. He didn't propose in the U-bahn station, it was just the first time I could stop flipping out long enough to consider taking pictures.

I have lots and lots of pictures so far, and the other ModCloth buyers and I still have Paris to look forward to!

I'll be able to update more frequently now - this week of silence has been caused by a lack of internet!

Best week of my life, seriously. 2010 = my year. I can feel it.

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Lets get ready to stumble.
01.12.2010

So Saturday was the ModCloth holiday party and benefit for the Greater Pittsburgh Women's Center and shelter.

As you can tell from the picture above, I got drunk. And puffy. But at least my teeth look pretty white...

There was lots of dancing, karaoke like whoa, and and a great vibe that lead to $1010 raised for the center!

I'm sure it's easy to think that there aren't very many fashionable people in Pittsburgh, but believe it or not, lots of well dressed party-lovers found their way out of the woodwork to attend.

Susan and I both wore the always compliment-worthy Fractal Hat by Ophelie Hats (available at ModCloth.com!). I like it better on her, haha.

From Springsteen to System of a Down (yep!), lots of ModClothers had enough liquid courage to get on the surprisingly well-lit stage (which would generally scare at least me off). I did a rendition of Ace of Base followed by a Journey duet.

Caulen even "dressed up"! Doesn't Kristin look pretty?

I even got to talk about the blog with someone who had actually read it! (thanks again for being such a doll. Sorry I was so drunk)

All and all A good time was turned out. I even re-wore a dress for the occasion. I never thought I'd be too busy to shop in advance!

You can check out the rest of the photos at Yinzerparty.com. (for those of you who don't know, a "yinzer" is a person hailing from Pittsburgh that speaks with our very distinct accent. And probably uses the word "yinz" which is our version of "ya'll").

I love working for this company!

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This is the sleeping bag we took to the museum, isn't it?
01.11.2010

Happy Monday! I hope your weekends were as eventful and productive as mine!

As promised, here are my  behind the scenes photo of Miss Kristin and my's Margot Tenenbaum-inspired shoot that took place on Saturday.

I dressed our lovely model, Bobbi, in two completely vintage ensembles (sans tights), and scouted a too-cool-to-be-real apartment of friends as the location.

Even their porch is better decorated than most apartments.

I don't know if the snow tips you off, but it was sub-freezing in Pittsburgh that day. Bobbi took it like a champ! Can you believe she's never modeled before?

My best shots veered away from the MT theme, as the lighting in the living room was so incredible that we couldn't help but make use of it.

Again, these are my shots of the shoot. The actual finished product will hail from Kristin's camera, and should be finished in the next few weeks.

On that note - I should have the finished shots of our last photoshoot sometime this week! I can't wait to see them all touched up!

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A different time and place.
01.09.2010

Hello everyone! I hope you had a great week! I know it's been a few days, but between forgetting my camera in Pittsburgh and not being able to access the internet at my hotel in NYC, I simply wasn't able to say "whats up?". 

But I'm home (despite the weather. It was another amazing Fame show.), packing for Europe (we're leaving for Prague on Thursday), and looking through my behind-the-scenes pictures of Miss Kristin's and my newest photoshoot inspired by Margot Tenenbaum (featuring almost entirely vintage clothing!). The photos came out better than I could have expected, and I'll give you a sneak peek tomorrow. 

And tonight is the ModCloth Holiday Party to benefit the Pittsburgh Women's Center and Shelter. I still have no idea what to wear, but it's going to be amazing. Free food, free alcohol, dj's, karaoke and dancing - best company ever. I bet it's going to be a lot like adult prom, although I've never actually been to one. I'll take lots of pictures. 

Now it's time for me to get ready! Enjoy the night. I can't wait to catch up on your blogs! I feel so out of the loop.

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