Hiatus

Hello My Lovelies,

I'll be back when I get the internet again! A blizzard last month ruined the wiring in my place, but never fear, I shall be back.

XOXO
Britt

Miss Mary Mack, Mack, Mack...

All dressed in black, black,black.

I woke up the other day feeling like I'd been a little too precious lately. By that I mean that I wasn't in the mood for one of the ultra feminine sweetly innocent frocks I have been donning of late.

I wasn't even in a bad mood, I just needed a bit of darkness. This otherwise little-girl-frock which usually makes me feel like a girl in the Alps preparing for a yodeling contest lent itself rather well to my dreary duds for the day. It is a grey tweed with a beautiful Swiss ribbon and red lace on the bodice with three little buttons up the back. A black long sleeved shirt (it is December in Maine, after all) thick black tights, a little claret colored jacket, victorian inspired jewelry, and the boots I saw on Keiko Lynn and just had to have. I was warm and cozy and felt quite a bit more mysterious that I have lately. It doesn't really show, but I also had dark smokey eye makeup which made me feel slightly glamorous. 

Dress: Free People
TShirt: Gap
Tights: H.U.E.
Boots: Wanted
Jacket: Forever 21
Ring: Silver and enamel birds- Material Objects
Earrings:  Grey porcelain rosettes- Ferdinand




Currently Listening to: Snow and Lights by Explosions in the Sky

Reviews: Tom's of Maine Wicked Fresh

For my first review I thought it would be most appropriate to talk about something made by a local business, but one you probably already know of; Tom's of Maine.

I've been a big fan of Tom's of Maine for years now, I love that the products are all natural, not tested on animals, and I love their policy of full disclosure.  I like to know what goes into the products I use on my body, and why they are used, and Tom's lets me know all of that. While their deodorant leaves something to be desired in my opinion (I like to stay bone dry- something that apparently can't be accomplished safely- but we all have our vices) but I use their soaps, floss, and toothpaste pretty regularly. I am a huge fan of their cinnamon-clove or fennel toothpaste in the winter, yes, I believe even toothpaste can be a seasonal thing, and their orange-mango or, try not to judge be here, their Kid's silly strawberry in the summer. While I always have at least one flavor of Tom's toothpaste in my bathroom, to be honest, I also always have another, more commercial, more abrasive toothpaste on hand for use after a particularly pungent meal. Tom's hasn't been the best at leaving me confident about my breath after Indian or Mexican meals, that is until my Tom's of Maine Wicked Fresh BzzKit courtesy of BzzAgent*.

 Wicked Fresh is a more potent version of their classic mint toothpastes, and it really does the job. It has that awesome natural mint flavor that isn't sickly sweet or fake like the bigger brands, but it is an intense and long lasting flavor that could combat even the most fierce breath monster. Its use of licorice root oil effectively eliminates odors, and while they claim you can't taste it, I am positive I can, which is a huge bonus in my mind as I absolutely LOVE licorice toothpaste(Note that their fennel flavor is one of my faves). But if you aren't as big a fan of licorice as I am, I really doubt you would notice it in there. I couldn't be happier with this toothpaste. It does exactly what it claims to. I can't wait to see what other flavors they will make in the Wicked Fresh line. I really hope they decide to do the straight fennel, that would make me so happy!


Currently Listening to: Baby Britain- Elliott Smith


* Although this product was sent to me specifically with the intention of me spreading the word about it. I sincerely love it, and have since purchased of my own accord. I would never promote a product I didn't truly believe in.

Style Icon: Diane Keaton

That's right. Diane Keaton, and I'm not talking Annie Hall either, although I admit, I DO love what she did for men's wear in that movie.  I just might be the only person to watch Because I Said So just to study what Diane is wearing, and I am absolutely certain I am the only one to watch The Family Stone for the same reason, but I can't help it. She is astounding.

She has such panache, and she manages to employ a formula of sorts in her personal style (strong collars, crisp shirts, high waisted full skirts or high waisted pleated slacks, an extra large belt, a hat or a statement piece of jewelry) without being boring.  I think she is able to do this for several reasons, I think the most important are that with such a long career in the spotlight, this has simply become her signature style, and even more important, because they are appropriate.  She can be extremely funky and adventurous in her clothing choices, but she never NEVER looks like the mature woman trying to look seventeen. She knows who she is, and furthermore, she likes who she is.   Although I am not at the point where I particularly want to rock a turtleneck the way she does, I really appreciate that she can, and the fact that she still does rock the hats and statement jewelry at her age is just so comforting.  There is no need to discard your personal style to make way for maturity- just let it mature with you.

That's right, next time I have a mother/daughter date and we watch a Diane Keaton movie(as we always do) my mom will be rolling her eyes at me as I drool over Diane's wardrobe.

Currently Listening to: Got Me- She & Him

On me dit que le temps qui glisse est un salaud

Hello again.  I know it has been a long, long time, but I've been super busy and, quite frankly, I haven't been feeling very friendly towards cameras lately.  Can we say New Years Resolution? Anyway, I have decided to just suck it up and deal with the consequences, this blog is supposed to inspire me to be more creative and was never intended as a vanity project... but I digress. 

 I watched 500 Days of Summer for the second time yesterday and I could barely concentrate on anything but the title character's style. Summer (played by Zooey Deschanel-of course) had this beautiful effortless 1960's ultra feminine style. With just a few mod pieces mixed in with really girly ones, she came off as fresh and enchanting, instead of locked into a monotonous look. This character was  my inspiration for this outfit. The vintage 60's wool dress would normally look out of place on anything but a similarly vintaged Vespa, on the way to some excruciatingly hip destination, but I think the extra feminine touches make it equally feasible on a creaky old bike with a huge front basket for a trip to the market.

 

Dress- Vintage- Find

Cardigan- Vintage- not sure where from

Collar- Tatted free collar- Urban Outfitters

Tights- Hue

Shoes- Thrifted- Ferdinand

Ring- Vintage Scrimshaw- my Mom's

Cow Cat- Atreyu-courtesy of my roommate

Currently listening to: Quelqu'un M'a Dit- Carla Bruni

A Farewell to Summer

  

Although I moan and groan and grumble about summer, I wanted to make sure I honor its beauty thoroughly.  Mother Nature certainly does like to dress up in the warmer weather, and who doesn't like that?

I named her Maude. I stalked a Bumble Bee for quite a while the day before I found her; his name was Harold.

The last of the wild Blueberries.

A hint of what is to come...

Obviously, I did get out and about a bit this summer.  Just because I was looking forward to fall doesn't mean I couldn't appreciate a beautiful thing set before me.  So farewell summer, and I am grateful for such beauty.

Currently listening to: "Summer Skin" on Plans, by Death Cab for Cutie

Islands off the Coast

 

My life has been so hectic lately I haven't had time to do much blogging.  I have been so busy with different writing projects and also with work that actually pays that I'm sure I missed lots of awesome outfit post opportunities simply because I didn't have the time to pose for the camera! 

On one of the few opportunities I had to do some photographing I opted for something less narcissistic and captured some of island life.

Sailboat beyond the meadow

The Fort

I suppose in surroundings like these I have trouble immortalizing my outfit when I am so concerned with immortalizing the moment and feeling itself. It is only after the day is done, when I am limp, wrinkled, and exhausted that I remember I should have taken a photo of myself! Oh well, these will suffice as inspiration during the cold months ahead when color  and florals seem unnatural.

Harold the Bee

 

The last of the wild blackberries

Currently listening to: "Summersong" on The Crane Wife by The Decemberists