tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18063006380381156612024-03-13T01:04:33.886-07:00the golden avocado seedonce i had a dream where an old magician spoke to me words of wisdom before he took his last breath... as his body shivered and sank into eternal repose, his grasp loosened and out of his gnarled fist fell a golden avocado seed. i watched, aghast, as the beautiful sphere rolled away and down, down a flight of stairs that led straight into the middle of the earth.Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-8815989234511866352009-08-23T09:56:00.000-07:002009-08-23T10:23:12.580-07:00Summer UpdateI've been a bad, bad blogger.<br /><br />Again.<br /><br />I abandoned my poor little blog for far too long. Slap me on the wrist, please.<br /><br />Now that that's done with, let's do it like we did it in elementary school.<br /><br />This Summer I...<br /><br />Did my <a href="http://stringmagazine.ca/parts-by-heather-beautiful-nature/">first real interview</a> with the fabulously talented and adorable Heather Mandin of <a href="http://www.partsbyheather.com/">Parts by Heather</a>...<br /><br />Took part in a Madonna-themed photoshoot with the super-sweet up-and-coming photographer <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chewloca/">Yvonne Chew</a>...<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373210085499406290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyftq7yOC0RPg3h4ja5jFUwu9pm75vq0SLzQViuRRXusMWsP-Z9p-g7_cb1cxiBJNz7O-DUe6lWRuJ6Qj76WvoMfNm0nkYtVO6LbNoDvglSGm2XLf2GyEkvfPrw2HaaBfoU0ng3tBaNRs/s400/madonna3" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373210073849918130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgog7b1sToqCL_LFFHpYdrfpXDSdP_wrvLr3B7R3VbFcbuMTeg5cdCcVZm7JthfqD2WZor5z7xCOubQsHF_7Ssim7Io7ypJnsjTIpx5zXx0NRTucQ7_EjxipWcTdKwnshNbGmfmeALddTk/s400/madonna.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373210076520161330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-m96_4dbD2G9PC8o6visJUL6Y6R8ps9Fd1jcGvq7dcZ9NTIvRfFVDauk7JCF3Hn7262fCrbCCVsYyJKKIcUz7g3cwD3v3bqV-d6DjompQZM_A6qxQTvyqjD6DnhFj6VQnEukMGo8X_w/s400/madonna2" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373210311416100674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGGBgszurNFlV95UvFVcEb0Ixme5w5l32TSUI0R73ggvRe4FBzP-uFvROCpHEkWqpqScfDNmF-D547xXi4iep_6zNUHbliOQCoJ5v8naC4FpfqSzi3GrLKTwGmcuelXbX7i6hNgck7iA/s400/madonna_vogue_400.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p> </p><p>And got a new job. Finally!</p><p>Now that you know what I've been up to, let's never fight again! :)</p>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-43806778375700106742009-05-29T17:42:00.000-07:002009-06-02T10:31:11.688-07:00If I could do it all over again...My friend Lisa over at <a href="http://sololisa.com/">Solo Lisa</a> tagged all her readers to come up with their fantasy prom get-up. Though I actually never had a prom (just a graduation promenade where we walked around the school gym for an hour while excited parents took pictures) I do sometimes think about what I would have done differently. For one, I would have gotten my hair and makeup done by a professional. I did it myself and it looked a little clownish, to be honest. Pulled-tight hair, too-red lipstick, overly-lined eyes... typical gaffes for a young girl just discovering makeup and with no idea what to do with her hair. My dress, I liked. It was a red traditional Chinese choengsam done in lace with high slits to show off my legs. It was very flattering and lovely. My shoes on the other hand... just... fug.<br /><br />So, being the creature of imagination that I am, I jumped to do this tag. In fact, I had so much fun, I did it twice. Behold: Striking Arty Prom (gotta love my crappy title...)<a href="http://sololisa.com/"><br /><img title="fantasy prom" height="400" alt="fantasy prom" src="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-set/BQcDAAAAAwoDanBnAAAABC5vdXQKFllEU2JlTEpNM2hHdmUtLVpBZFIzTXcAAAACaWQKAWUAAAAEc2l6ZQ.jpg" width="400" border="0" /></a><br /><small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/fantasy_prom/set?.mid=embed&id=9073121" rel="nofollow">fantasy prom</a> by <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?.mid=embed&id=522105" rel="nofollow">serenakay</a> on <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/">Polyvore.com</a></small><br /><br />And Luxe Hippie Prom in honour of my hippie-ish ways in high school. Seriously. I wore sarongs everyday in Grade 8. Of course, this Missoni dress is much prettier than that dastardly piece of batik I wore so faithfully.<br /><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/luxe_hippie_prom/set?.mid=embed&id=9073878"><img title="luxe hippie prom" height="400" alt="luxe hippie prom" src="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-set/BQcDAAAAAwoDanBnAAAABC5vdXQKFk1HSUVPckpNM2hHTk9mVFpBZFIzTXcAAAACaWQKAWUAAAAEc2l6ZQ.jpg" width="400" border="0" /></a><br /><small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/luxe_hippie_prom/set?.mid=embed&id=9073878" rel="nofollow">luxe hippie prom</a> by <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?.mid=embed&id=522105" rel="nofollow">serenakay</a> featuring <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/christian_louboutin_shoes/shop?brand=Christian+Louboutin&category_id=41">Christian Louboutin shoes</a></small>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-61580830256102411362009-05-29T08:10:00.001-07:002009-05-29T08:28:46.161-07:00Diane's Obsessed Too!First of all, sorry, sorry, sorry for abandoning my blog for so long!!! Can't promise I'll be back for good, but I'll do my best to update more often.<br /><br />Okay, bad-blogger grovelling over!<br /><br />I saw this pic of Diane Kruger on <a href="http://whowhatweardaily.com/">WWWD</a> yesterday and instantly zeroed in on it. Did I ever mention that I saw her a few weeks ago? It was so bizarre! Her boyfriend Joshua Jackson is from Vancouver originally so I guess they were visiting? I was just walking down my street, mindin' my own business and I notice this couple walking along. She looked pretty stylish so I noticed her and then as I get closer, it's Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson! I'm not really a fan of either of them but it was just so strange to see people in real life that I'm used to seeing on a printed page... Anyways, I've totally derailed myself... Right! This outfit:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341267051278937522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggusxcMJkxrCH5d8UwoVkEWcIT5cr7l9omOE1uPUfTzmyfxls-1o_-ruIYqDYRPa7Ysok_dWn-b5DH_-E-HnxFa3fE7n6CnjOWmiUdM7SqlY5pFnYCafGdmczZw0QuNeuYnKPd8CEDxNM/s400/dianeoutfit.bmp" border="0" /><br />I clicked onto <a href="http://luckymag.com/">Lucky's website</a> this morning and realized that Kruger's outfit was the exact replica of an outfit shown in the magazine in April! I just love that the look is affordable, too. Still not affordable for <em>me</em> but that's another story...<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341266868568940242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisglutaKsGvKE2wmAL3DJ2mup0hEc77IjWcuftpyV2Rm43_LpbypYJv2U-KQ6UygSQGnTuEm6e3oQoH2QLonJdLkWERHBUE9UfW-y86rJEv0kwNSEtV-PSoFGkfLF-kILTJriUCUsqH0w/s400/luckyoutfit.bmp" border="0" /><br /><em>Top - Splendid, Skirt - Charlotte Ronson</em></p><p>Photos from luckymag.com</p>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-55931341175399706402009-04-28T10:48:00.000-07:002009-04-28T10:57:10.762-07:00I know it's Spring but......I want these boots!<br /><br /><div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329801762726796594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiMGo1qUk_r3DfiAKls9TxiReepyxAl6esxq53iZfWv-GAhY6O_nxTwucYdISwc0-9wrsP-JmdRfiXKtZj0eKWA66awtVB5Gh8JpEJehix8AmUbbIub1K8LlZOCsZAIRAPG-Ykrtd6AY/s400/Frye-VeronicaSlouch-black-325.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>I can actually see them working really well with all my light spring dresses to ground them a little and make them less prissy. I think my summer project will be to save up for these and buy them in the fall. See? I'm being a good fashionista, saving up for quality that will last instead of waiting a week and buying them on credit or buying a cheaper pair. Oh wait, that could still happen. But I will prevail!</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329802304633379138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 297px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYNHa4TigFr2wEZpD82l61zVT9F3lkF_yIzSx2wcQxIb-IFytFJdviFMftDG2tACF_P5UfhjcqTQxkJaGeu0hAfLg5F6eLxxV0QScssGtEUvbQ08-WIzgfFXbKEgHriu5rhcL8OcIkF8/s400/vs+dress2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>And wouldn't they be lovely with this dress in a sort of girly/punk juxtaposition? God, I am such a child of the '90s...</div><div> </div><div><em>Frye Veronica Slouch boots + Victoria's Secret dress</em></div></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-70062250363635466102009-04-02T15:40:00.000-07:002009-04-02T15:42:08.462-07:00Obsession<div>My obsession as of <em>right this moment:</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320227932865913314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 352px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwbyIqcQ6x2EMIa1XzoqC6QKCZYzMhMk58g3PHf1nuUkUoyTYW-6A7o0XCnTrIkBgneGZfopkAvy856oNKlCe_5mOyL3Ajml5ahAAFxNFywCIjbPAsLmNF47FXEAmQIxATZRMh2fowzo/s400/guinness_glove_style_cover.jpg" border="0" />The <em>rings!</em> My god, the rings!<br /><div></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-59758924778235338122009-03-09T17:03:00.000-07:002009-03-09T17:14:26.037-07:00Odd Style InspirationNo one is more surprised than me that I'm totally digging Britney Spears' video for 'Circus'. I've never had any strong feelings about Britney, besides feeling sorry for her when she went apeshit and shaved her head. She seems to be back on track (and likely heavily medicated) now and trying to do the comeback thing.<br /><br />The aesthetic of the video is of course circus-inspired but it's also just pretty. There's a lot of nudes and washed-out creams accented with black. The diamonds are lovely though the product-placement is hokey. I love the curly, 1920s loose bob she sports for about half of the video. I'm totally going to do that more often! Basically, I'm baffled but amused by this style inspiration.<br /><br />Also, watching it on mute is hilarious. So many gratuitous hair-flips and weird hand motions!<br /><br /><object height="295" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yUHNUjEs7rQ&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yUHNUjEs7rQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-6882834028379580472009-02-27T11:56:00.000-08:002009-02-27T11:57:19.970-08:00So good<object width="446" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"></param> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/embed/ElizabethGilbert_2009-embed_high.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/ElizabethGilbert_2009.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=453" /><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgColor="#ffffff" width="446" height="326" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/embed/ElizabethGilbert_2009-embed_high.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/ElizabethGilbert_2009.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=453"></embed></object>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-69295238458842586392009-02-26T15:11:00.000-08:002009-02-26T15:13:01.853-08:00Also...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDkw02sZR9CNf126XvHWw6xTb9iCcIzKOPFU8CZp-olkMlHscNWAbeSaylsmFmQDOW3OUV_LcepcdfrY8lG9u8_Qmo6AggDSGOQ9TKwcyDCoQGQPG-KbJBCHApjVclUBB4LkU9xwkMNg/s1600-h/PG_NWCUZZA_BLKBKLE_PE.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307247900641159122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDkw02sZR9CNf126XvHWw6xTb9iCcIzKOPFU8CZp-olkMlHscNWAbeSaylsmFmQDOW3OUV_LcepcdfrY8lG9u8_Qmo6AggDSGOQ9TKwcyDCoQGQPG-KbJBCHApjVclUBB4LkU9xwkMNg/s400/PG_NWCUZZA_BLKBKLE_PE.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />... I got these boots!Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-69657705568736378762009-02-26T08:18:00.000-08:002009-02-26T08:36:29.887-08:00no no no no no!I wake up this morning, ready to spring out of bed and face the world. I look out the window and gasp, choke. Snow! *Insert primal scream here* Gah! I knew all that sunshine was too good to be true. In rainy Vancouver, it was sunny for 8 days in a row. I revelled in it, I sang, I laughed. Well, maybe I laughed too heartily and the wrath of the snow gods has come down upon my head. Haha, <em>man </em>I am over winter. Look how dramatic it makes me!<br /><br />But of course, this blog is not about the weather. The upside of this chilly development is that I can go back to my winter wardrobe of cozy sweaters and knits and play a little longer. Since my camera was left behind at my man's parents' house last weekend, there will be no outfit pictures until next week, but I do have an inspiration photo to illustrate how I hope to dress when I go about my merry way this snowy Thursday.<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307143331210251554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_N5QYLuJanb2110tiMA6_GyzFo_rM0zgflgKH5x2jOE0ojXsUOckq-Zu2-Vzf8bSgioUP18hQT9DAPp3N8r8i9ttNEimXbqUKFr0Tf-6qsG08pL-LkK5Wcc0mIOdtjqo8zrpIHcG2yvA/s400/Paris_4_230.jpg" border="0" /></p><p></p><br /><br />I love the roomy coat (from Isabel Marant) over simple skinnies and smart wedge boots. It's a very simple look but the proportions are great and she looks stylish but still warm. I'll try my very best not to whine about the snow anymore. Instead I'll adopt a similar attitude to this girl, "Ouais, it's cold. But I look fabulous. What of it?"<br /><br />Yes.<br /><br /><em>Photo from <a href="http://www.luckymag.com/">luckymag.com</a></em>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-79441917153646000282009-02-19T20:20:00.000-08:002009-02-19T20:45:05.607-08:00In which Serena ponders falling pianos, tackiness, and the unknowability of the infinite answer of being. Okay, the first two, not that last one.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY32rWxBnN01FNhT04HR9qGGcZnqgoD9Gqu2rAPTJfpcYQCEJrMNT5jI3CkvAK4hYd_53Vd8jR2pUcvqwDr8QVZEjUvpfm1qddZ9M3vmIqJwY8XnRNULmnBomCY6ijsv65ZNKdAdQJOus/s1600-h/DSC02963.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY32rWxBnN01FNhT04HR9qGGcZnqgoD9Gqu2rAPTJfpcYQCEJrMNT5jI3CkvAK4hYd_53Vd8jR2pUcvqwDr8QVZEjUvpfm1qddZ9M3vmIqJwY8XnRNULmnBomCY6ijsv65ZNKdAdQJOus/s320/DSC02963.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304735357313121778" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDnjfz4e46rygmfibx2MHZXoyFfVPk6A5RDQAaLfqUFsLMhIXG9jLG2cQkR-ZcKTTrFlnQML3uAzrZXpYpDRodOoKEEXJfpaIzSPsUy6PGxeOiXuz_Uo_eikZIETBO0bneTUUWc8UP5E/s1600-h/DSC02957.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDnjfz4e46rygmfibx2MHZXoyFfVPk6A5RDQAaLfqUFsLMhIXG9jLG2cQkR-ZcKTTrFlnQML3uAzrZXpYpDRodOoKEEXJfpaIzSPsUy6PGxeOiXuz_Uo_eikZIETBO0bneTUUWc8UP5E/s320/DSC02957.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304735358485014482" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipd-u_JucTA8gAMj_WfVV3yufO7YHbmR-6egZp88o9T34bXKcNHl5xlYUoWu6-116yl4Itzw2k_IBOlIfj1rfylEQah3_e0Vt_ZmfGoslyzH4nJoPAUt-Q-6jV9F6nQc0MLw_0v4FzsfA/s1600-h/DSC02956.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipd-u_JucTA8gAMj_WfVV3yufO7YHbmR-6egZp88o9T34bXKcNHl5xlYUoWu6-116yl4Itzw2k_IBOlIfj1rfylEQah3_e0Vt_ZmfGoslyzH4nJoPAUt-Q-6jV9F6nQc0MLw_0v4FzsfA/s320/DSC02956.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304735354463861986" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-o_XUGG7E3tFHPoP2gkLTAOURQZSi1JYP5n6fCrtu67ERrKnkxaGE5AWyeZK6KK53ZWWFXoJiDCOUD-gP5AG6xUq99Tnpb4A04ayUPDW5G4LnZ1J6oGel30x57oLNld8CBa7_kns9W1Q/s1600-h/DSC02954.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-o_XUGG7E3tFHPoP2gkLTAOURQZSi1JYP5n6fCrtu67ERrKnkxaGE5AWyeZK6KK53ZWWFXoJiDCOUD-gP5AG6xUq99Tnpb4A04ayUPDW5G4LnZ1J6oGel30x57oLNld8CBa7_kns9W1Q/s320/DSC02954.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304735346610098930" /></a><br /><br />I'm up to my old tricks again, this time procrastinating working on my resume. You see, I figure if I don't send any resumes out then I don't risk rejection. Simple as that! Oh dear. But really, it's a combination of fear of failure and plain laziness.<br /><br />Today, all I wanted to do was wander the city and take pictures and maybe indulge in a little vintage shopping, floating from store to store and just enjoying the sunshine. It's been so beautiful lately. You know when life is so great that you fear a piano will fall on your head... you know, to kind of even things out? That's what the weather has been like. And I wanted to be out there, frolicking and wandering without a care in the world. But I have many cares these days...<br /><br />Stop.<br /><br />Enough about sadbad things! Fashion! Today I played with patterns, mixing a crazy bright floral with ladylike houndstooth to a pleasing effect, if I do say so myself. I topped it all off with my saffron yellow toque (not in the pictures). A mid-life crisis white dude driving an SUV with the windows down blaring the oh-so-gangster rap tunes turned all the way around in his seat to watch me as he drove by. I shudder to think that his taste and my taste somehow overlap, that he actually liked my outfit. Rather, I will ignore this aberration and contend that I looked good. This is a fashion dilemma I've never encountered before. Does it hurt my style cred that a conspicuously tacky fellow checked me out? This needs pondering.Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-64675251202545974642009-02-17T09:08:00.000-08:002009-02-17T09:23:41.046-08:00finalement, la mode<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1SC9NRBhAonzuiXlL3M6RWAGKvzJDsmq2oZQAUqa6OBypMDywLvdl8JDsgYhMKeINnJGcxSL1BnPvm04bCwSECoOrBiZXklDd5SPlrFafKEapqc031FrleiYpaUAJLmphDf2PgdIpw9Q/s1600-h/DSC02917.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1SC9NRBhAonzuiXlL3M6RWAGKvzJDsmq2oZQAUqa6OBypMDywLvdl8JDsgYhMKeINnJGcxSL1BnPvm04bCwSECoOrBiZXklDd5SPlrFafKEapqc031FrleiYpaUAJLmphDf2PgdIpw9Q/s320/DSC02917.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303815577415519490" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bciYk1C9Sq9Z-4CpXl0PkBq8vNvazcMw_LSDmHnoPKDGDinYsVue7v-3fbUKkFKsbXQzpXSAEG4FtZoN11WLNW7HmU3I9rM5U5B0nrFs6DENtbMIcRF8-OGltrNISIEmjjPI3hHAyEo/s1600-h/DSC02922.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bciYk1C9Sq9Z-4CpXl0PkBq8vNvazcMw_LSDmHnoPKDGDinYsVue7v-3fbUKkFKsbXQzpXSAEG4FtZoN11WLNW7HmU3I9rM5U5B0nrFs6DENtbMIcRF8-OGltrNISIEmjjPI3hHAyEo/s320/DSC02922.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303815573294442402" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaL6IksX2cwhHiePo7SbBE5RtHPKxfLWtNXBWVTf4QTYIh9o1kijvK0MBMlNHXsrmTans8wFFPWydrLJVuco9_Bl0Uy5pMSSIZC_dkXCp6P7c05ZL8ZCzjA96qKk3lh_Qst_W_-SkOZEw/s1600-h/DSC02938.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaL6IksX2cwhHiePo7SbBE5RtHPKxfLWtNXBWVTf4QTYIh9o1kijvK0MBMlNHXsrmTans8wFFPWydrLJVuco9_Bl0Uy5pMSSIZC_dkXCp6P7c05ZL8ZCzjA96qKk3lh_Qst_W_-SkOZEw/s320/DSC02938.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303815567374443682" /></a><br /><br />I finally found a good place to take outfit pictures. I'd been doing them in the hallway by the bathroom door - decidedly less than picturesque. Of course, now that I've discovered said wonderful picture-taking spot, there are dudes working <em></em>directly outside my window<em></em> and I feel very odd running back and forth from the spot to my camera, setting the timer and then scurrying back to pose. Ah, well. <br /><br />This is what I wore on Friday the 13th to get supplies for Valentine's dinner. Actually, I just ended up buying booze (ingredients for kir royale - yum!) and didn't end up following through on the elaborate dinner I was going to make. Instead, we drank kir royale and had a simple creamy pasta. <br /><br /><strong></strong>Abrupt change of subject: <strong></strong> I like that I've finally found a place to take outfit photos but I feel like this blog might actually take a turn in a different direction. I'm only working part time at a cafe right now and I really need to find a job but with this recession looming over all our heads, the job market is looking icy and forbidding. I might start documenting my job search (hopefully in a funny/sarcastic way rather than a sad/depressing way). Would that be too boring? Should I do this on a separate blog, or would you like to hear my plaintive cries of, "But I have a degree... why aren't I employed?"?<br /><br />Let me know what you think!Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-61145480563563833212009-02-13T10:52:00.000-08:002009-02-13T11:02:26.099-08:00possible re-emergence of life in the basement<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXkm_vhDkQYznpDSaTNMNm5oB2pmtsxZxrqE2bDsiiUp2g7R3A_b_mf-YFYa8YPtbKRYh__pEjpblT5F1kgl2r8MxHy-ZeI_s20-Dc8eMmlg7U26V-OEOtyBnso0XJB90yQrhbyts2Y4/s1600-h/DSC02649.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXkm_vhDkQYznpDSaTNMNm5oB2pmtsxZxrqE2bDsiiUp2g7R3A_b_mf-YFYa8YPtbKRYh__pEjpblT5F1kgl2r8MxHy-ZeI_s20-Dc8eMmlg7U26V-OEOtyBnso0XJB90yQrhbyts2Y4/s400/DSC02649.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302359165175456450" /></a><br />I live in Vancouver. Vancouver is beautiful. High quality of life. Very photogenic. I am also poor. Therefore, I live in a basement suite.<br /><br />Today, I re-emerge from my little musty den of an apartment. No, not literally. Unfortunately, I am not moving to a cozy cottage for two. No, my mind has been hibernating for the last few months in my little nest full of socks and twigs and feathers in this beautiful, dreary city. I have no excuses. I'm being a bad blogger. But now the sun is out, birds are singing, I'm wearing a tiny dress and all is well. Well, not really. I'm not yet gainfully employed, my writing has dried up and I have no hobbies, but none of that seems to matter when the sun is out. C'est a dire, I'm going out to play in the sun and buy ingredients for Valentine's Day dinner tomorrow.<br /><br />But I promise I'll be back soon. I even took some outfit pictures. Aren't you proud?Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-53791270563388479652008-12-31T10:36:00.001-08:002008-12-31T10:37:26.530-08:00Happy New Year!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxH0P3aJSjeiHrlh-f9JkCHgYB_vF_0sbgdpKiP6Q8xqdcrzZB-SLgdP0CESMjV2jIe3hN6XTpnK1-06YCPMHPD7xrACTXtKMtTlfBNiAZD-DRQiWvx-MrZWze5SAGPV5Brim8a0IL2pY/s1600-h/195253_1_160107_Dita2000_ddp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxH0P3aJSjeiHrlh-f9JkCHgYB_vF_0sbgdpKiP6Q8xqdcrzZB-SLgdP0CESMjV2jIe3hN6XTpnK1-06YCPMHPD7xrACTXtKMtTlfBNiAZD-DRQiWvx-MrZWze5SAGPV5Brim8a0IL2pY/s400/195253_1_160107_Dita2000_ddp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286025134987302946" /></a>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-17069076917726057622008-12-16T10:47:00.000-08:002008-12-16T11:00:45.760-08:00Addicted to PolyvoreOh dear.<br /><br />My eyes hurt.<br /><br />But I just completed my first polyvore and it's so purdy!<br /><br />Okay, time to rest my eyes and get some caffeine. I hope you like it. It all started out with the perfume I'm obsessed with and progressed from there. Polyvore asks you to describe the occasion during which you would wear your outfit. I wrote "to exact my revenge." Because I'm creepy like that.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/lady_vengeance/set?.mid=embed&id=5225019"><img width="400" src="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-set/BQcDAAAAAwoDanBnAAAABC5vdXQKFjVyYXBWcVBMM1JHODFPNEJUOXZNSFEAAAACaWQKAWUAAAAEc2l6ZQ.jpg" title="Lady Vengeance" height="400" border="0" /></a><br/><small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/lady_vengeance/set?.mid=embed&id=5225019">Lady Vengeance</a> by <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?.mid=embed&id=522105">serenakay</a></small>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-83412879854841889042008-12-16T10:06:00.001-08:002008-12-16T10:17:15.483-08:00Unguent<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDVqwT0YZbBhhjReUDukhcCbTcHXOn9JWQd2mkau9qpCm9CUqDhmSXAmjo5wqzChJGpIwAXWF2nTwHD9lX6l6cVJ6Y8hcmaB3JSx4h_bL_zG5PTSP2L4VTe6ZjiRcBarWX2GoBEwpwzI/s1600-h/forvo.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280453503799469138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 88px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDVqwT0YZbBhhjReUDukhcCbTcHXOn9JWQd2mkau9qpCm9CUqDhmSXAmjo5wqzChJGpIwAXWF2nTwHD9lX6l6cVJ6Y8hcmaB3JSx4h_bL_zG5PTSP2L4VTe6ZjiRcBarWX2GoBEwpwzI/s320/forvo.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>As a humungous book nerd, I have come across so many words that I'd like to use in speech but I have no idea how to pronounce them. This is embarassing, but I'll relay this little gaffe from grade 7. Reading aloud in Social Studies class about the Battle of Whatsitcalled, I come to the word chaos. "In the chaos of the battle..." Well, I pronounced it CHAH-oes. No one was the wiser except the teacher, who laughed at me. Damn you Mrs. Sookro! Damn you to hell! How was I supposed to know how it was pronounced? No one uses chaos or epitome or unguent in everyday speech!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Anyways, I just stumbled upon <a href="http://forvo.com/">Forvo</a>. It's a site that claims to have all the words in the world, pronounced and recorded by native speakers of whatever language you may choose. Seriously, I pretty much <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pXfHLUlZf4">jizzed in my pants</a>. Don't worry, I've calmed down a little, enough to write this post anyways. </div><br /><div></div><div>Fellow word-nerds, enjoy!</div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-61970791458863524942008-11-07T09:57:00.000-08:002008-11-07T10:16:29.083-08:00Under the Influence<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuegP1eNNCWzb28ij9zCl9z3jGwFaRJ8rwhlqTivLKz62Jr8dn9TXmh91QdpLJHShbG0GwhwPhRzYYU5qLmNbZSd9fwubNt1wHTyHo-eW8r9I2WqhaPncupvWYHajgi_AdZQ3l-VguZl8/s1600-h/ashley-mary-kate-olsen-influence.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265980877091194866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuegP1eNNCWzb28ij9zCl9z3jGwFaRJ8rwhlqTivLKz62Jr8dn9TXmh91QdpLJHShbG0GwhwPhRzYYU5qLmNbZSd9fwubNt1wHTyHo-eW8r9I2WqhaPncupvWYHajgi_AdZQ3l-VguZl8/s320/ashley-mary-kate-olsen-influence.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>You know it's coming. I'm a little behind on the times but I just ordered the Olsens' new book <em>Influence</em>. I'm not too sure why, but I really like books on style. Mayhap it's because I just like books in general? The psuedo-academic approach to style and shopping has always appealed to me, probably because I love lists and organization. God, such a Virgo.</div><br /><div>I've been thinking about my personal style a lot lately. It's always been pretty fluid, encompassing a little bohemian, some hipster 'chic', some ladylike... but having recently cleaned out my wardrobe, it all seemed so disorganized and schizo. I'm all for experimentation and I've enjoyed trying out different looks, but I feel the need now to narrow it down so I can start buying pieces that will last and will all come together more cohesively. Oh man, I sound like a grown-up. I guess I kind of am. I'm done my undergrad and I'll be hitting the grown-up work world in a matter of months for which I will probably need a suit... Okay, I just shivered a little. I'm not ready for a suit.</div><br /><div>Anyways, I was browsing through the Lucky magazine Guide to Mastering any Style and they seem to have gotten my style down. They call it "Posh Eclectic" but I like to think of it as an eccentric and inappropriately dressed European aristocrat who raids her grandmother's attic for accessories. Another style they dissect is the Bombshell. So I guess I'd be two-thirds Posh Eclectic, one-third Bombshell. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265980975613214818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAbX8h9F9dvsUKCg3NWc7I3kfHUZYAR4ihp7R6DO5nYlgFMjGprljDH3ApxxRxx1NpvYpHO5iH0EAwasFVJrQEjLoqNnNJd-iS4F4q3uHbvGVbvGy0n9sZov3G2WnEHPLSmjTfUrOcFM/s320/410%252BFJTTHSL__SS500_.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>The only bad thing about narrowing down my style is that I want to go shopping when I really shouldn't.</div></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-92039930933036012822008-10-17T10:24:00.000-07:002008-10-17T10:41:55.092-07:00The Jacket of DestinyThis is just eerie. Yesterday at the consignment store I work at, I grabbed a bunch of clothing that was recently consigned and ready to go out onto the floor. I put everything in its rightful place until I was left with one garment. I looked down at the soft, buttery black velvet jacket and saw that it <em>literally had my name on it.</em> The brand was Serena Kay (Kay is my middle name) and the label said 'made in Paris'. I'm a total francophile so this added to the perfection. The real test would come when I tried it on. <br /><br />Choirs of angels sang! A light shone down on me! It fit perfectly!<br /><br />I had to possess the jacket. Of course, knowing my luck, it was $189 even secondhand but my boss is wonderful and saw the magnificent coincidence (or fashion fate?) and gave me a discount on top of my staff discount. I still had to put it on layaway but soon, it will be mine. And when it is mine, I shall photograph it and post the picture for all to see!<br /><br />I also did a little research on Serena Kay and it turns out it's a new-ish brand that has one location in Paris. Their <a href="http://www.serenakay.com/">online lookbook</a> reveals that, while my Jacket of Destiny is well-made and beautiful, I would not take a second look at anything else they have to offer! It could be the styling or the model, but it all seems a bit... bimbo-tastic? This may just be the wannabe French snob in me, but it doesn't have that easy Gallic elegance that makes me love the French aesthetic. Ah well. I'll still check them out the next time I go to Paris.Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-88446697570670282282008-09-26T09:32:00.001-07:002008-09-26T09:54:00.947-07:00The search is on, baby!<div>Once again, I am coveting an item I can't find anywhere! It's so bittersweet yet so fun to go tramping around, trying to locate this specific thing I want so much. I feel a bit like a detective, actually. In a frivolous sort of way, since I'm attempting to solve shoe mysteries rather than crime mysteries. </div><br /><div>My latest obsession is a pair of high heeled, lace-up ankle boots. They must be black and they must not look like pointy witch boots. They must have a bit of chunkiness, but still be feminine. They must also be comfy. This is going to be difficult.<br /></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250370614756594898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vrHXNcpI3_Z1WV9oQyUcuRVfer8iGPS-npBSLWfNfvVlNmYqsBGnV5RJmZXO5zKwhiiee58z1dmi5KvmjxWjP6kOUPRTzwZOfP7munSLduLAP2v-9mZlH6k6SvDDxo7D_5To1LfwLIc/s320/145.jpg" border="0" />Of course, I can't have these boots, as they are gracing the feet of Agathe, formerly of Stylebytes. I think it was this picture that originally sparked my obsession last fall but I kind of forgot about them having given up the fruitless search last year. But not this year - this year I am determined!<br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250369051429678962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbMeO2QOHNHkED5rrIfk5ISBOfatRtDderQzYPiS2o05XMl0ZtWQ03hxKvWTdzokCPTr0PIEADLB7Zq15rFIrWWax1GNnK35y9wAwa_OAArn66h1l8nsrssZVGq_Y68kmb8Ta4xlSZlk/s320/V274985.jpg" border="0" /> These are from Colin Stuart for Victoria's Secret. They're alright. They have the general feel I want, but as is fitting for a lingerie store, they're a bit too vampy. And also probably uncomfortable. Although I love the sturdy lacing, they're just not quite right.<br /><br /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250368962414913794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjVWblzo43JagDXNE-lE4Lj3tLUHHaKmYIRIlMwuimSAPneD5BsKm6lPES5HElcfVYOiBOwj_F10_UiZD8deTng7lkCUmsbUgkyp8H-g-hHgckhPmaqGhAW4ne0r5xZrPzA3y2f1Qgg4/s320/PG_NWCUZZA_BLKBKLE_PE.jpg" border="0" />These boots from Nine West are just about perfect. The heel isn't too high, they're rugged but still feminine; they might have a little too much going on but generally, they're cute. However, here's the rub - although we have Nine West in Canada, <em>these</em> boots are not available! Why?! They're also unavailable online. <em>Quel misere!</em> All is not lost though, my dears! I may be able to convince my boyfriend to drive me to a mall just over the border in the States. It'll only be an hour drive so he should be amenable. This may be my chance to get if not these boots, then <em>the</em> boots. God, this is getting to be a dramatic post...<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250368895016971794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7aLg_CY763C7Azb4NrtbZ_9oszq0O_l8TpPuTT9hOq0_SavLD4iUxQd3nkc-oYgzE_9UZjYgpIhE7F3BOwvjWJxH77_xwpJepmRGO2P4s1UNQRGKTZ_kLlL5zEz7DTerEPZUCFPFWzbs/s320/12001676_black.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div><br /><p>And then there are these beauties. They are from Tod's and accordingly they are $665. I'm not wild about the patent and I'm definitely sickened by the price, but I bet they are so comfortable. Like walking on marshmallows or babies' bums. Except that last one would be cruel. And probably poopy. Sorry, I think I stayed up too late last night. </p><p>So this is where my search has brought me. Not much closer to my goal of fulfilling my obsession, but I have a few leads, a few facts to check... And I have a mission...</p>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-86033980207214386262008-09-21T15:48:00.001-07:002008-09-21T16:09:55.969-07:00New Direction<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9j_CjWEj4tJf3k-hLKapwnausQAJkA7_z7gx-aIGNGPOOf6Ctyd4RFM0HsjRUZAfaSbONNvFjxZGMMsLhyIrHzHxrh4BV7-WcN1lDbJCPVqsXD2Hq_2w9KoFSbbXxqyjPQdD_ousmKd4/s1600-h/avada.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248610420659416114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9j_CjWEj4tJf3k-hLKapwnausQAJkA7_z7gx-aIGNGPOOf6Ctyd4RFM0HsjRUZAfaSbONNvFjxZGMMsLhyIrHzHxrh4BV7-WcN1lDbJCPVqsXD2Hq_2w9KoFSbbXxqyjPQdD_ousmKd4/s400/avada.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em>Image courtesy of postsecret.blogspot.com</em><br /><p>I'm lost. Or, I have been lost. I've come to the endpoint of seventeen years of schooling and found that I'm still poor, still directionless and still scared - just like I was before I graduated with my degree. Today, a very no-nonsense person in my life told me to snap out of it. Just snap out of it. My first thought was, "Well, it's easier said than done." But that's cowardice. And I've always been brave. Like, weird brave. Example: when I was in high school, I was not cool. I was skinny and knobby but not in the right places and I had crushes on boys who were way out of my league in the social hierarchy of secondary school. But at every dance, without fail, I was able to muster the courage to ask the boy I liked to dance. And they always said yes. I'm not entirely sure why, but I'd like to think it was my confidence. I was fearless. I went for what I wanted. Sure, the next Monday I was just as tongue-tied as ever but I would smile to myself, remembering my bravery. </p><p>So it's like that, but bigger now. I've got the boy, now I need to get the life. I'm a writer. I didn't realize it until this morning, when that wonderful, sweet, no-nonsense person told me to get off my fucking ass and make it happen. Her words, not mine. And it's funny, because my friends have been describing me as a writer for years: "Oh yeah, my friend Serena is a writer." Really? I thought, is that really what I am? Yes. Yes. So I'll try and maybe I'll fail but who the fuck cares? I can be a professor or a receptionist or an entrepreneur any old time, but I want to be a writer <em>now</em>.</p><p>I guess the point of this self-indulgent little tirade is that this blog may become less about fashion and more about whatever I feel like writing about. I'm going to be self-indulgent, but I'm also going to kick my own ass and stop shying away from my biggest talent and passion just because I'm afraid. Fuck that.</p><p>Tirade over.</p><p>And for my second act of self-indulgence, I put up this secret from Postsecret. So. True. Ha!</p>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-14565526175093705902008-09-18T09:47:00.000-07:002008-09-18T09:48:48.819-07:00Check me out!Just put up my first post at <a href="http://stylefinds.blogspot.com/">Stylefinds</a>!Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-80942249401731030742008-07-03T18:55:00.000-07:002008-07-03T19:04:58.703-07:00Hitchcock Heriones<div><div><div>I was watching the old movie channel last night (I think it's TCM... not too sure what that stands for) and there was this little interlude in which Alfred Hitchcock gave a little lecture on birds. Obviously, this was a sort of preview for his movie 'The Birds'. It was pretty cute, actually. He talked about how humans and birds have been living harmoniously for thousands of years. He presents a plumed hat from the 17th century and says, "How proud the birds must have been, to have their feathers plucked for our hats." Then he sits down at his desk to eat a whole roast chicken but decides against it, as it would be rude to eat while lecturing. The whole thing was very tongue-in-cheek and (yes, there is actually a fashion connection here) reminded me of the very stylized look of his heriones and how this look is everywhere on the fall runways. Okay, it's sick to think about fall in this heat, but these are just too cute not to post.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218973102589726946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzopxrExocTMczzInyOmkbo2FHUy-ey0xly_96aTQoNzo0ymZpTdi8k2fesW5dvsSayBLvs9yPpU26jsPosRlg5tLFH_BlkG6y6Gja3b8Tl3sUqudPP6sJBmMyoBePDRpYJXWgFGWnQJE/s320/00120m.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218973252325258370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5FuOkDQ-od2Hv_CjTkx_DtmCTf2ztyL2kJywv6AwZufmA8gAK4MwDcJLmO4qa-toShPUF8T26wQQ4eapEI1DPnjJEM48_uSY8itfsmt2K6Qq9_f_XQfIv886U0eK9IAGOMy1F0ajctY/s320/00020m.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div><br /><p> </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218973509148503010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmBOZmBM6Gp9JdJkBkMcL1ZDIEr3oAM-wyn7j3kqlFs7CM7HAIcPxpuLFA-UtrmdjrPz0Y7KjkZPMUr2kfkxsFJYqKuI80XQz87RmtCLjqOnkLIWt3g5KV5oCcy3gkLaM3I2vHzJiHvE/s320/00060m.jpg" border="0" /></p><p><em>Images from Style.com/Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2008</em></p>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-16324240966932133282008-06-25T21:10:00.001-07:002008-06-25T21:18:16.256-07:00Mission: Shirt DressMy latest fashion obsession is a shirt dress. I'd like to find one that has lots of volume in the skirt portion so I can twirl like a top or add a crinoline or a bright skirt underneath for a little kick. So far, the search has been fruitless.<br /><div><br /><br /></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216038309572925954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzqUZa0CPry94hlmgN7RMEC7C-45nMYge4Khen9BGRlXPVsWsteGI9K437uqJoAB3uD1NBo3CLCHc2vrIgcxewcoEwC6HB05bbnyPSS_Gldddz2fmU2a1eJn2VEObYSvO1tWCfJMhSu0/s320/21997_in_l.jpg" border="0" />Too boring and nun-like!<br /><br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216038515951925586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtlPntHqsGnqDx9aMF0P1MZbWbfHLhWPXB3t7MpIFuxlywb74vXGbxQV-UOzzRnOB33obNO2dvnLbftQ57O-d7rWNu1J_hyphenhyphen8fgmca3xcY-2x8Uo7syLkx5AYwDFvdVwYadchHbcBChhw/s320/28149_in_l.jpg" border="0" />Too 1950s waitress (in a bad way)!<br /><br /></p><p></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216038759785251826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KzAXx3qu4mFFlCuW_5DCKJHoowT6NGxpiF27mm7xzD2o9otIqELZuOC7kKmrMjyhC7ebuOTxO-ySpZ_FiVzqrnez8tuctxNezCG3BCuZB0DAln6S_MVGI75ALZYlRq6MrordpC75pFI/s320/20173_in_l.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p>Too boring! Urg!</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216038992870931586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1kBmwqT3PmIPK_lHKMjWDNEAvVfF7vqtKZo5dsBj-YPG5FZPeeOn9ueiVAQ9cP5oqlg-ErhYzwNSG0BmV9BqJYE5x4_Q82JequrP7prmpCwHaJYkG0stpltOVbvrr2eX5Hto1y9V3UY/s320/21157_in_l.jpg" border="0" />Gettin' there, but ACK! $895 <em>on sale</em>!<br /><br />So you see my dilemma. I'm entirely too picky. I think I'll know it when I see it. And it's the kind of thing thats fairly seasonless if you get the right one so I shall persevere and update you on my search as it progresses. I guess it helps that I have ready access to awesome clothing at my new job. Huzzah! <br /><br /><em>All images from Net-a-porter.com</em>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-18416112720690362172008-05-30T14:29:00.000-07:002008-05-30T16:54:53.151-07:00A little bit in love with you<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXC1-qaMvrZaCiPh33R02MYZW_ABK8YDw6MFtq7hirFzaWUQ5KLP846tlic27fdkw8SqRe8u0G1wwvDcQ-vkW27R6lODoJ5p5JCk2HOB_2xp-2hLCwEd2sJvPd65EDB-eBwp513Hx6Edw/s1600-h/36031.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206322559703552866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXC1-qaMvrZaCiPh33R02MYZW_ABK8YDw6MFtq7hirFzaWUQ5KLP846tlic27fdkw8SqRe8u0G1wwvDcQ-vkW27R6lODoJ5p5JCk2HOB_2xp-2hLCwEd2sJvPd65EDB-eBwp513Hx6Edw/s400/36031.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div>I have to admit, I'm a little bit in love with <a href="http://www.lykkeli.com/">Lykke Li</a>, a Swedish indie singer. Not only is she unbearably cute, but her voice is light and her music is danceable and catchy and just perfect for summer. Her first album Youth Novels doesn't seem to be available in Canada yet, but she has a few videos on youtube, all of which are fantastic. She dresses very simply, mostly in black, white, pale pink and silver. Plus, she has a signature hairstyle - a high, tight bun.</div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206322095847084866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PckLSMTOHVVryXYGHAdqhOLinqe0tamUkQx6PKo1GUoZUAJVd1Dmi66nxmglR1XOBfK_k1LumMW_jB5cU21XX4j-_oUOVr-4V_tUfeDQis2hioIpouxmDdRAAPKm42GWTupW5xSQjyA/s400/398px-Lykke_Li.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206321966998065970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRIFLCgLweUSINqfwhw4D5fU1ef4baBu6yGHJ5gQB0KZA6WzDNBW71w9TUwyJtSV5-7HoGmH5N-_UKk7tXdjAb9Qvc_pZXn0oxQfVCAYTpyZZAFw1eKy_435UWa5MaAk7Pnnf8LATrWU/s400/lykke.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206321717889962770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQDMBex0IsJx3JZ1XJtdvkWyWBA817kDF7kLzjYq1cAcr_6JP31CX9DCOWOVDvemcDTPHCP7IsxjitywWyil8jixADSejYBoQ60UK3NNXITnywtbX8yfdYeuzDoVBcA8A37Sq7xnl6Lk/s400/lykke2.jpg" border="0" /> <em>All images from Google</em></div><div><em></em> </div><div><em></em> </div><div><em></em> </div><div></div><div>Because I am useless when it comes to computers, I haven't figured out how to post her music videos right on my blog, but I do know how to link to them. Ain't I fancy? My favourites are <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUC0ezAlHwE">Little Bit</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngd45o-M_M4&feature=related">I'm Good, I'm Gone</a>. Enjoy!<br /><div> </div></div></div></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-50269613064974219852008-05-29T16:59:00.000-07:002008-05-29T17:09:02.918-07:00Missing In Action<div><div><div><div>I actually started this blog as a fun procrastination tool but I'm now so busy that I actually don't have time to procrastinate. Between two jobs, night classes every evening and a boyfriend who lives far, far away, my poor young blog has been neglected. And shall continue to be for a little while.<br /></div><div>Also missing in action is my favourite, favourite, favourite blogger Agathe from <a href="http://stylebytes.net/">Stylebytes</a>. It was most distressing at first. She said she was going away for the weekend and she hasn't posted since. It's been about a month and, stalker that I am, I even looked at her husband's blog to see if he'd said anything about her/their whereabouts. No go. His blog had been taken down. Most curious. But someone who's friends with her on Facebook has confirmed that although she's not blogging, at least she's alive. I'm relieved, not just that she's okay but that I'm not the only creeper worrying about a complete stranger I know from the internet.<br /></div><div>Anyways, here are some of my favourites of her outfit posts.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205955717956866818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBqoGuVelUVC1bMUrgOh8pl1usPU8uRq8kVopbFF31J89VJGxAPg6rmI1UoIkgm9UWvRj8Bn2-7a_iICX9bKU-MlYY_QovX8Y-84O4tqGJ58jbuZ-WK3bQ2hCox389i_0I0CxKA9-R84/s400/145.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205955125251379922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpFcgIHZ0arNhbQTT8XcU3eBOf-YifORGFGJ6XOy8m2yOPRn3er4TN03SC_1XdGoCTpo8kCwtoVUihn4_N5JGyG4PaArIFO8HdjqvtQ1E00wdeXEq6smhaoK6KbSDhDfokv07lUwsLMs/s400/25.1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205955327114842850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jJAOEEsaxKIylULjKXDsvalBonwEcBQ6ksjls2QrXOXcqteCXMIX7rVbBsTVKKUtnwcnRfoBICTo7Vmg1cfJTFmkb2HDucco5cfMHEQome8mrZl1kR2HUFDDPrvgZxPGDgH1Q-E03L8/s400/134.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205955451668894450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieX72tbt-mWeop63mYmsd2Rb-SeBSS88GWPJh1pwnCxD5LhTmUFJgFF0IZaR2v154MvHJW6W2tp1FqjCisUlJXxZU2FEE2CDWnSzA_sC05yg6_NC2IEcn7TYNr_76xJFM2faM1o2SerDA/s400/0138.jpg" border="0" /><em>All images from <a href="http://stylebytes.net/">Stylebytes</a></em><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806300638038115661.post-89836489754519565232008-05-06T21:35:00.001-07:002008-05-06T21:37:14.928-07:00yes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFmSCo-dCQUWcm27Eic0aLEwXUs3nL1vQQuFfBxNlctGhyo3y8zQrGPaN7MqOkg-nQDAPuDn2jxbCJ-rViM9yYr55_v9J80Ko3qFvOm2irZW2lGbZH8NCkvAlPDtf25gkz-y_LveQwzE/s1600-h/sartorialist.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197490223284048450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFmSCo-dCQUWcm27Eic0aLEwXUs3nL1vQQuFfBxNlctGhyo3y8zQrGPaN7MqOkg-nQDAPuDn2jxbCJ-rViM9yYr55_v9J80Ko3qFvOm2irZW2lGbZH8NCkvAlPDtf25gkz-y_LveQwzE/s400/sartorialist.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em>(image from postsecret.blogspot.com)</em><br /><div></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834368767847354299noreply@blogger.com1