What's Old Is Young Again

I am in love with the Hailee Steinfeld for Miu Miu campaign, shot by Bruce Weber. It's genius, because it should look totally ridiculous- a 13 year old babydoll wearing the forties inspired and very adult clothes- and instead makes me want to watch Double Indemnity and buy Miu Miu heels (okay, so I already wanted to, but this helps).

On top of getting me to (want to) buy what they're selling, these ads take me back to one of my favorite periods of modern history, the 1940s and noir. The clothing silhouettes are romantic and sophisticated, the architecture was Spanish-inspired and warm (at least in LA), and the novels were over the top and cheesy (Mickey Spillane, anyone?) but full of such distinct style. Style. It's there.

Even if Miu is using a girl to sell me clothes that make a woman look like a woman, I'm there.


Out of the Past (1947)

Double Indemnity (1944)

Criss Cross (1949)

Light Noms

As someone with a major sweet tooth, I'm always looking for healthier, savory snack alternatives to keep me away from the bf's assortment of tempting sour candies and ice creams. Thank the heavens for Trader Joe's, which I can always count on to keep my pantry stocked with delicious (mostly) nutritious items. My latest discovery are their wasabi almonds-dry roasted almonds coated in wasabi powder. The mix of luscious nutty flavor with a kick of spice makes these ideal to hold me over 'til dinner or afterward, while the bite of the wasabi flavor keeps me from wanting to each the whole bag.

Mmmm.

Fake It Til You Make It

A friend of mine told me this little bit of wisdom and I try to remember it whenever I'm feeling down, ugly, or just plain "blah," which as a Libra, is often enough that I find such mantras useful to keep in the back of my mind. Yesterday was one of those off days and I decided nothing would cheer me up more than coming home and painting my nails pink topped off with giant multicolored glitter. My bottle of Deborah Lippmann's Happy Birthday has been the best polish investment and surprisingly versatile, resembling bottled fireworks or not.

Anytime I'm feeling less than my best and my blues aren't based on anything actually substantially problematic, rather than feed into them by wearing old sweats, going out sans makeup, and trying to hide, I go all out- it's harder to be in a crappy, woe-is-me mood when your look is putting out good vibes and you're receiving compliments (and actually let yourself believe them).




Nails: OPI "All That Razz-berry" (no longer available) and Deborah Lippmann "Happy Birthday"

Dark Sunshine

My kind of sunny, sparkly look. Featuring she of the intensely gorgeous eyebrows, Bambi Northwood.

Image originally from Cartoon Styles tumblr

Day Glo Dressing

In the colder months I pretty much exclusively wear black, grey, and cream coupled with rich jewel tones like royal blue and emerald. Come summertime, though, that look just comes off harsh. So for the past few years, once June gloom burns off and summer starts proper, I tend to look sort of like I've dived into a pool full of neon colored paints-highlighter yellows, blindingly bright pinks, and reds that looks like a cherry popsicle become my staple shades. Slowly though, I've been trying to get that color onto my accessories or just touches in a piece, hoping to build a slightly more versatile wardrobe (my beloved American Apparel neon yellow pencil skirt just isn't going to cut it at a fancy dinner) that includes light, breezy neutrals instead of only my usual black/dayglo combos.

These pieces can go anywhere from a concert at a dumpy basement venue or Sunday brunch to a wedding or first date, personality still firmly on display:

Sigh, I remember when Tom Binns was almost affordable. This $2656 necklace isn't, but what a statement.

Feature top available from one of my favorite online retailers, Pixie Market.

This bag reminds me of many summertime traveling adventures and is the perfect compliment to a casual day spent running errands. Made by Wayuu Taya, a non-profit company that sells the Columbian-handmade wares, they are available in just about every color combo imaginable if unlike me, you prefer a more understated version.

I am ob-frickin-sessed with Thierry Lasry eyewear. This pair is so perfectly fun and available at Eyegoodies.

Howdy There

Hi, I'm Ayelet. Since I know you're wondering, it's pronounced like this:

(Thanks to my friend David for being bored at work and making that for me!)

So anyway, you can now pronounce my name, which is better than some teachers I've had, so we're practically besties, right? Ha. I'm creating this blog as sort of a motivational tool to keep on with the radassness that generally is my life when I'm not busy sabotaging all that good stuff and myself. Hopefully I can entertain a few people along the way. I won't bother with a big schpiel about who I am since nobody but me is reading this (yet?) and if I knew who I was, I'd be older and wiser than I am.