Animal Instinct: Charlotte Taylor

"Charlotte’s collections are tailored to all aspects of everyday life, laid bare ready to be grasped by the individual and transformed into their own story. Strong tailoring, bold silhouettes and sculptured shapes provide canvases for dashes of colour, textures and prints." Website biography

Charlotte Taylor Autumn/ Winter 2011

     I have always loved animal print. And I don't mean leopard spots and zebra stripes. I mean punchy silhouettes of animals on solid backgrounds, exactly like Charlotte Taylor's masterpieces. I was first introduced to her lovely creations through the below picture from Nylon Magazine:

     And I have been hooked ever since. The color combination choices and the interesting animals provide just enough whimsy. Although, upon first glance, I might never have thought to combine a sea foam green and red ant print top with a goldenrod and navy penguin print skirt, there is something about it that just works. I can't get the pieces and collections out of my mind!

   

Florida Orange Juice

Outfit details: Cardigan, Gap Kids. Dress, vintage. Shoes, Target. Ribbon headband, DIY.

Image sources: 1,2,3

    Although I prefer really adding to the vibe, I left the second two outfit pictures unedited in order to show off how vibrant the colors of the dress and cardigan are. I felt like I had stepped off of the set of a movie or sitcom all day yesterday (today was an AP test for me, not exactly an outfit picture day with jeans and a loose top). I got compared to Daphne, which I just thought was swell. I don't know why the allure of 1960s shift dresses hadn't dawned on me earlier, but the colors and the shape feel perfect for the atmosphere of the last two weeks of my senior year in high school.
     Another discovery while vintage shopping with my mom was the sad though of what will be "vintage" in the future. What are the defining characteristics of our era? Will the only clothes that remain heirlooms be designer masterpieces that don't truly show the expanse of culture? The only defining trait that I seem to be able to find is that we borrow from all of the other decades. What does that say about the state of the world (considering fashion and culture go hand in hand)? Maybe I'm just ignorant, but I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Not Far from the Tree

 Button up, Gap. Heart print shorts, F21. Flats, Target. Sunglasses, Ray Ban.

     Out of all of my four parents, I am most like my mother. We look alike, act alike, think alike...you get the point. Over the past (almost) eighteen years, I have learned quite a few lessons from her (including how to drive). Here are my favorites thus far:

1. Pearls make any outfit better.
2. It is never "ok" for a boy to treat you badly. 
3. Being sweet is different than being kind if you are going to pick one, choose kindness.
4. If you can see the ocean, you better find a way to get in it.
5. Being cute and pretty is better than being hot.
6. The more classic, the better.

     It's going to be hard to accept that we won't see each other as often when I'm in college, but we will still be very close.

Happy Mother's Day!

In My Life

Top, thrifted. Shorts and double finger ring, F21. Belt, Mom's. Shoes, ??? from Rack Room.

     A glimpse of what I wore to see my friend's band play and what it was like.

Orange You Glad?

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

     Until I am able to try something out for myself, I tend to have obsessive tendencies and determined fascination. Lately that stubborn captivation has been directed towards none other than the color orange. What started with a basic desire for orange lipstick (still unsatisfied, but because last weekend I was at the Sephora from Thursday until Sunday, I must wait to purchase this Make Up For Ever lipstick) has transformed into lusting after any shade of orange that can be inserted into my wardrobe.