Brussels: A Grande Old Dame

Brussels reminded me of a grand older lady, with fine but worn clothes and lipstick on her teeth. The type with a fantastic rent controlled apartment filled with old photographs of her in her prime atop dusty antique furniture and priceless paintings carelessly leaning against the walls. Who has fine perfume and lipstick that she uses every last drop of. Ok, I'm getting carried away with this metaphor/glimpse of my future.

Since we were only in Belgium for one day, we naturally tried to see as much of the city as we could. Or, rather, to cram as much Belgian food into our mouths as we could.... Crepes, chocolate (there is an entire street dedicated to chocolateries), fries and, most importantly, waffles.

I cannot stress this enough: the waffles are all you could dream of and more.

Aside from the waffles, three things stood out to me in Brussels.

1) There is a deep love of graphic art in all forms. There are more comic book stores than I've seen in any U.S. city, Tin Tin is a national hero, and even the graffiti is beautiful and character driven. If I'd had more time there, I would have loved to check out the Brussels underground scene. Something tells me it would be spectacular.

2) The city was nearly destroyed during WWII, and in many ways it's still recovering. There are memorials everywhere, and both the buildings and the population still feel the loss very deeply. Perhaps as a result, there is a sentimental attachment to the style and aesthetic of the 40s and it shows in cafes, hotels and even in the way people dress.

3) Their relationship to France is very complicated. On the one hand, Belgian pride runs deep and most Brussels citizens feel their city is vastly superior to Paris. On the other hand, their histories are inextricably linked, and everywhere things are advertized as being "Parisian" or "Direct from France". It's something I'd love to learn more about.

All of this comes together to create a surreal vibe throughout the city. I felt as though I walked into a graphic novel, and at any moment a man in a fedora would impart devastating information. Definitely a place I hope to return to.

Clothing Purchased: a fantastic vintage dress, bought in a store run by a woman who embodied all things Belgium.

It reminded me of the dresses from the Miu Miu and Prada resort collections, but only cost 10 Euros.

Win.

Miami: Yin and Yang where Yin is a Tittie Bar

The view from my grandparents' apartment

 It's only been two weeks since I was there, but Miami seems like a delightful, warm dream (it's really cold, guys).  In Miami I went from brunch to beach to pool pretty much every day. Not a bad life, if you like awesome things.

The Art Deco District is my favorite district

It's a strange city, though, Miami. My grandfather did an inordinate amount of research about it for his novel (which is getting rave reviews and can be purchased here*). As far as I can tell, if Miami were a person, they'd be a med student with a penchant for body shots and interior decorating. It's Jewish, Latin American, Caribbean, and all set in a pastel art deco paradise. These opposing sensibilities and demands form a ying and yang that allows for the best of both worlds. What it all comes down to is that Miami has the hottest nightclubs with the hottest girls and the best hospitals when those girls get alcohol poisoning.

Low brow and high brow culture fight for space but seem to coexist pretty seamlessly, and you'll find hardcore S&M shops next to high end restaurants and shops. For everywhere your day takes you, you know.

This was taken at a bar called JimBo's

Clothing purchased: sparkly ass dress.

Dress: French Connection, Clutch: BCBG, Blazer: Vintage

I bought this especially for New Year's Eve in Amsterdam, and immediately worried that would be the only time I'd be able to wear it. Then I remembered that lately all the fashion magazines have been squawking about sequins during the day so I thought I'd give it a try. I call it: Miami Goes to New York and Realizes She Has to Cover Up and Wear a Little Black, for Christ's Sake.

*this is an obligatory family plug, but it really is supposed to be a fantastic book according to people who don't share his last name.

In Which the Author Attempts to Live Vicariously

While I'll be spending most of this pre-holiday season in oversized sweaters and slippers as I slave to make it through finals, for most people this season is full of opportunities to wear one of my very favorite things in the world: sparkly dresses. So here are some that I've stumbled across as I procrastinate on the internet.

Anthropologie

Modcloth

Modcloth Again

Be still my heart, Lulus.

You may have noticed that all of these are incredibly shiny. That is because I love shiny things. Seriously, that last little number is giving me palpitations. However, for the more casual holiday get together, there's this silk number, which will translate nicely into summer. 

Asos

A great way to dress up casual dresses for this season is with big rhinestone brooches. I recently inherited a bunch from my grandmother, and I guess I'll be wearing them to class. Enjoy the season. Drink a glass of bubbly for me.

Some Unwanted Advice for Your Thursday

Some Unwanted Advice for Your Thursday

or a few travel tips

I've been pretty underqualified for most of these advice posts, but this one I feel pretty confident about. I'm a good traveller. I pack light, go hard, and, despite my intrinsic tardiness, always make my flight (knock on wood, puh puh puh).

That said, it's hard to say anything new about travelling. What are your surefire travel tips?

1) Schedule your freak out.

You're going to have one, and you might as well get it over with. Better to freak out while you're packing or waiting for the cab than on the plane or in a strange place.

2) Pack only things that go with everything.

Clockwise from top: Apt. 34, Sartorialist, Mode D'Amour, Sartorialist

Angelina Jolie says she only wears black because it's easy and it goes with everything. While that's true, colors can be easy, too, so long as they all go together. Pick a color scheme that shows up in your wardrobe a lot, like red, white and black or cobalt blue, grey and tan.

3) Invest in a few key travel pieces.

Clockwise from top: Mat & Nat Manchester Bag, Ann Taylor Jersey Dress, 

Cole Haan Clutch, Topshop Poncho

Specifically, a dress that doesn't wrinkle, a purse that holds everything, a tiny clutch for evenings, and flowy layered pieces that fold up to next to nothing.

4) Leave room in your suitcase.

I was in Germany for 5 days, and was shooting for 4 of them and I still came home with a few suitcase-space-sucking goodies. I'm all for packing light, but it's better to pack smart. Make sure you're not stuffing your suitcase to the brim on the way there.

5) Be realistic.

So, I know that, supposedly if you drink anything other than water and eat anything with salt or fat you'll explode on an airplane or something, but I also know that no matter how many healthy snacks I eat I'm still going to eat the salt bomb peanuts on the plane. So, I find a few healthy tricks that work for me. Like, I bring a bottle of water, drink it before security and then fill it up at the water fountains. And I eat things like grapes or watermelon that are high in water and fiber.

6) Accessorize.

Image courtesy of Advanced Style

Scarves, sunglasses and bracelets are my favorites, but that's because I lose earrings and tangle necklaces. Do whatever works for you.

7) Don't do any of these things if you don't want to.

Travelling is stressful. Better to be happy and comfortable than anything else.

Update:the consensus seems to be that what goes into the carry-on is very important and I agree. I actually tend to pack everything in my carryon and try to avoid checking luggage whenever possible BUT when I do, here are my essentials:

• All my underwear & socks
• Change of clothes
• Kindle and/or book
• Elle Magazine
• Bottle of water
• Eye mask and earplugs
• Travel Blanket
• All my cords and chargers
• All the hotel/destination/guide information
• All my cosmetics and makeup (specifically from this company. Love.)

In other words, I bring everything that I absolutely need. 

Weekend Recap, Oscar Nonsense

So, as you may have heard, there was some kind of Hollywood awards ceremony last night. I've always been very flattered by comparisons between me and one of the hosts (hint: not James Franco) and I thought, despite a thoroughly awkward overall hosting experience, that she looked totally gorgeous last night.

Also gorgeous- the cookies made by the host of a little Oscar party we went to. I am seriously impressed.

She is my hero.

In other news, The Boy and I went to visit my grandparents, who are selling their gorgeous house and hightailing it to Miami. This is very good news. Here's why:
1) Permanent place to visit in Miami
2) People moving always means free stuff
3) My grandparents have great stuff.

We came away with loads of furniture and art, a lot of which I plan on painting, upholstering, enhancing etc., so get ready to see a lot of that.

To end, I thought I'd leave you with another great recipe from The London Hotel in NYC. It's particularly apt, since being British seemed to guarantee an Oscar last night.

Image courtesy of Samantha Hillis

The London
Juice from 1/2 grapefruit
Shot of Gin
Jigger of Lillet
Splash of Champagne

Rim glass with sugar, then combine ingredients and strain.



P.S. I don't care if he was awkward and maybe stoned, I love him.

New Year's Eve!

New Year's Eve Party

So, my glamourous High School Friend just posted some pics from The Boy and my NYE party that she took with her fancy new camera. The party was lovely- friends, champagne, sushi and black dresses = fab.

Also, my shoes.

Farthest right.

And necklaces.


My dress. It used to be a puffy skirted debutant dress (I love clothes with stories, even if I make them up) but I altered it and it came out like this:


Unfortunately, I kept the corset ribbing, which was less than comfortable, so I changed.

Much more conducive to dancing.

Also conducive to dancing: