Back in early January I got an email alerting me to the Improv Everywhere’s latest mission which was to ride around the New York Subway Public Transportation System sans pants.

Umm…no thanks! It’s cold, it’s dirty, it’s public. Most importantly, it’s sans pants and I only walk around my house in my underwear, okay!

I mean what if I saw my crush (awkward), my first-grade teacher (yea, this is what I’m up to these days), those kooky Project Runway judges (I didn’t realize this style was last season’s…) or the mailman ( I just threw that one in there)??? These are the questions that plague me at night. Anyway…

So, I put those crazy folks on the back burner because I had seen other missions and knew that this was something I would want to be a part of eventually. Didn’t know the next one was going to be that soon and I completely missed the mark on one of the coolest missions that I have seen in a long time and am kicking myself that I didn’t pay attention to the next email.

Check out Frozen in Grand Central.  Really, upset at myself. How cool is this? And I missed it???

Next time, Improv Everywhere, next time.

You and me, we have a date.

Name the time and the place (as long as my undies are covered, I’ll be there)

♥ the alchemist

I loved, luved, looovveedd Wunderkind’s Autumn/Winter 07 collection. Upon seeing the Spring/Summer 08 collection, I realized that I just about loved this one too!

This is how to successfully layer without looking like I put on everything in my closet. I will definitely be attempting to rock the florals with colorful, ankle socks and sandals.

Good thing, that I have been collecting some thrift-store floral dresses. Originally, I was tempted to rock them 90′s style with sturdy combat boots and a cute leather jacket but I think I will also be flowy and flirty. Or I might just combine the whole damn thing and come up with a look all my own. Whatever the outcome, it will be fun to do some ‘xperimenting!

Will keep all posted in a future Wardrobe Chronicle. 

What do you think? What are you excited about wearing this spring?

 ♥ the alchemist

                                       photo by mayr on flickr

February: The shortest month of the year is filled with so much extra goodness, celebration of black history, different international fashion weeks, glorious and exotic carnivals filled with revelry and of course, St. Valentine’s Day.

Now, there are some people who act as though Valentine’s Day is the only time to express to someone that you care about them which I completely disagree with. Hello, there’s 364 other days and add one more because 2008’s a leap year.

Then, there are those who cynically look at couples who celebrate Valentine’s Day and sneer their faces at the stupidity of it all. Again, this is something else that I completely disagree with. The idea of sharing love with someone is a wonderful sentiment.

Finally, there are those who don’t have someone to celebrate with and tend to feel bad about their situation. For these folks, I would suggest that instead of feeling cynical or bad that you should embrace the fact that you can always love yourself. Now, before you start rolling your eyes and thinking this is quickly slipping into cheesy territory, please hear me out.

There was a time several years ago that I was stuck in an emotionally draining relationship, the type that tugs at your self-esteem leaving you to feel completely helpless and vulnerable. During this time, when I felt lost and unhappy I took the opportunity to do something that instantly reminded me of my self-worth and that I was a good person deserving of a proper relationship. I wrote myself a love letter.

We’ve all been to that place where we have been filled with these intense emotions about another person that we want to sing our joy from the rooftops. You know, where you walk around in a daze with a goofy grin because life seems so wonderful. Or you inexplicably, start skipping down the street. This is an incredible feeling and a sliver of what connects all of us as a part of the human experience. This feeling is what I wanted to express to myself.

All of us deserve to feel like kings and queens even when we do and don’t get that from our significant others. Yet, once in a relationship, many of us forget about ourselves and when things head south we try to figure out what we did wrong and why things didn’t work out the way that we had anticipated.

This letter brought me back to the fact that I didn’t have to be in a situation that was not healthy for me. That I didn’t have to settle when there was so much more to experience in life. If gave me, much needed perspective.

So, I suggest to us all, that even if you have someone and are completely happy and even if you don’t and are content that it doesn’t hurt to reinforce what an awesome person you are.

First:  You can use any paper that you want, a lined page from a notebook, parchment paper, a blank sheet. If you feel the urge to tap away at a vintage typewriter or try your hand at some lovely calligraphy: go for it!

Next: Find a spot to sit somewhere and spend some time with your thoughts and feelings. This is your declaration of love to yourself. Don’t rush it. Take the time to make it you. Make it fun.

Then: Write about all the lovely things that make you happy. Do you like your smile? Put that in there. Acknowledge that you are amazing. Put in anything and everything that you like about yourself.

Make it gushy, make it sentimental, make it straightforward. Just make sure to remind yourself that you are wonderful regardless of any circumstance. All of us deserve to be treated with a certain amount of respect.

Quick note: You’ll probably feel awkward and quite self-conscious but trust me push past these feelings.

Also, you don’t have to wait for a special occasion like Valentine’s Day to write yourself a love letter, whenever you feel like you need a reminder of the goodness that is you, take the time to do it.

To this day, I’ll occasionally pull the letter out and it makes me smile to think about that girl who had the presence of mind to not let what one individual had to say or made her feel dictate how she felt about herself. I’m not saying that this is the answer to all problems but it definitely helped to get me back on track.

What would you put in your letter? Would you even write one?

 ♥ the alchemist

This image by photographer Nico intrigues me. The beautiful skirt, lovely shoes, nice setting, an open back shirt and a rosary? What’s going on? 

Why is she leaning into the mirror? Hmm…

♥ the alchemist

**This is our weekly series on stylealchemy, titled Cinema Aesthetic, which explores the importance of wardrobe and set design within film (mostly) but may include music video and television**

To me, Rosemary’s Baby is the one classically defined horror movie without any specific horror on the screen. There is no malfunctioning cell phone coming to get you or an escaped mental patient hiding in your backseat waiting to slit your throat.

You’re not going to jump out of your seat screaming because you’ve been surprised. Everything that makes Rosemary’s Baby deliciously creepy and suspenseful is in the way the film is shot. Director Roman Polanski had the impressive job of translating this story onto the screen.

This look through the peephole is a classic shot.

A newlywed couple, Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse (Mia Farrow and Guy Cassavetes) move into a New York apartment and encounter an interesting group of neighbors including the elderly and eccentric Roman and Minnie Castevets (Sidney Blackmer and the fantastic Ruth Gordon) which takes them on a series of interestingly strange events culminating in the arrival of Rosemary’s little bundle of joy.

This is a film steeped in paranoia and suspense, is it all real? Or is it all part of Rosemary’s imagination?

One of the best things about this movie is the setting. With New York City as a backdrop there is a lot of to play with and gives a certain stamp of approval to the strange characters that live there in sharp contrast to Rosemary’s MidWestern roots. However, the Dakota building stands out as it’s gothic exterior lends to the creepy mystique of the film. This building and the apartments within become another important character in the film.

The costumes in this movie are a perfect reflection of the end of the 1960′s. There’s beautiful babydoll dresses worn by Rosemary in bright patterns and pastel colors and the older women in the film are decked out in pearls and garish make-up. Also, Rosemary’s infamous pixie haircut. This is a moment in time perfectly captured and preserved on film.

Here is the original trailer for the movie.

♥ the alchemist

I will let the pictures do the talking.

Plus, the two coolest Bobs in the world.

Please check out the sleeveface flickr pool and sleeveface.com for more amazing photos. Love.

photos: jeanieforever; sleeveface.com; lolabix; easilydistracted; dope_transmissions

This video is a funny tutorial on how to sleeveface.

♥ the alchemist

Floral prints were all over the Spring/Summer 2008 runways. As to be expected, they are popping up everywhere. I even thrifted some lovely dresses dripping with florals. However, nothing that I have seen in real life compares to this week’s style muse.

This dress is a work of art, as if an artist took a brush and oils to it and created this right before she went out. There’s even tulle! It’s perfection.

If I had this dress, I would wear it everywhere. Literally.

Need milk? Off to the supermarket.

Important meeting? Forget the power suit.

Wait, after-work drinks? Meet you there.

All in this purdy, purdy dress.

I am slightly envious of you lovely Swedish Facehunter girl but all is forgiven. You completely deserve to look that happy and carefree.

Do you even think it is possible to thrift something like this?

photo from Facehunter

♥ the alchemist

Keetja Allard is an accomplished photographer working with different magazines, actors and musicians. Looking through her portfolio I was really drawn to this particular editorial, titled nylon depression era.

Love the color combination of the purple with those blue shoes.

♥ the alchemist

I loved the layering of Stella Nova’s Autumn/Winter 07 collection. For Spring, there are cute, swingy jackets that can be layered over camisoles and light shirts. Those huge, elaborate headbands are really a statement piece.

Autumn/Winter 07

Some images from Sping/Summer 08

♥ the alchemist

I really like Adam et Rope’s visual look book titled La Maison for their Autumn and Winter Closet. In fact, the whole website is laid out rather nicely with a section for the monthly brand and more look books going back several seasons.

♥ the alchemist

Here are some haute links from the last week:

Seriously, Jennine of The Coveted is on a roll! She has a brilliant tutorial on dip-dyeing tights to create that gradient look that was all over the catwalks. It’s seriously, one of the most ingenious things I’ve seen and it’s easy to make!

Queen Michelle of The Kingdom Of Style reminded me with this post that I have a Garrison/flight cap stored away. I used to wear it a lot but I have a tendency to tire of things and then put them away until I have the urge to wear it again. I think I have the urge to pull it out.

It’s February which means Valentine’s Day is around the corner. If you would like a love-themed post every day until the 14th check out Joanna Goddard’s cute blog. 

Pantone has released their Fall 2008 color report. Ohh…pretty, pretty.

Fashion Week is here! Love this look from Boy by Band of Outsiders.

This jacket from Maki Maki Vintage is so beautiful. Apparently, there are others who agree with me because the bidding is really, really high and there are still a few days left. I’m going to keep my eye on it to see what the final price is!

Technically this is for tomorrow but if you’re in the city and want to check it out:

Yes, Chloë Sevigny’s line is hitting Opening Ceremony on Feb 4 and a little bird told me that to celebrate the launch there will be a party that same night at Webster Hall with DJ sets by Paul Sevigny and Benjamin Cho. Maybe you’ll even get a glimpse of Ms. Sevigny herself or better yet have a dance-off.

Enjoy!

♥ the alchemist

Happy Friday!

Another week, hopefully you guys have some wonderful things going on this weekend.  

I have a couple of things up my sleeve for stylealchemy plus New York Fashion Week is upon us, looking forward to what the designers will show. This is always an interesting time in the city!

Here is some photo love courtesy of Flickr. 

1. pink universe, 2. zack, 3. Rita Arrives Late, 4. Control, 5. PURPLE HAZE, 6. handful

♥ the alchemist