Hey lovelies! It’s been awhile. I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday season.

Happy Holidays!!!!

After feeling under the weather for awhile, I finally am getting back to normal. That didn’t stop me from over-feasting at Christmas dinner, though. Mmm, mmm good!

Just a quick note to say what’s up and to show off my latest addition to my procrastinating bag of tricks. You know the things that you do instead of actual work.

Let me present to you my latest toy:

Look at her in all her plastic glory! That’s my girl.

This Diana F+ camera makes me feel like warm and fuzzy with the thought of shooting with film.

It’s been awhile.

Seriously, it’s been a couple of years since I dropped off film to be developed. Even with my polaroids, it’s been about instant access and results. Of course, nothing beats the ease of digital but I kind of like the feeling of not really knowing what is captured until the pictures are developed.

You can’t re-shoot or critique anything, it’s click and go. Move on and forget about it. I like.

I like it a lot.

♥ the alchemist

It’s baaacccckk! Cinema Aesthetic has been on hiatus for way too long
**This is a 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**

Okay, so a couple of weeks ago, I saw Bonnie and Clyde in the movie theater and it got me thinking about our recession and the idea of a new depression and how that would affect our wardrobe. While sitting in the theater watching Bonnie and Clyde rob bank after bank I couldn’t help but be drawn to Bonnie’s style.

Costume designer Theadora Van Runkle did an amazing job of creating a defining look for both Bonnie and Clyde. Berets, neckchiefs, slim sweaters and mid-length skirts that hit the calf all lend a romantic image of these criminals. Simply put, these are some elegant-looking bank robbers.

Here is the original trailer for the movie:

♥ the alchemist

I’m bringing back an old favorite that gets me up and shaking my ass. I recently re-listened to this over the weekend and it has been stuck in my head. I think its a perfect way to start off the week, a little booty- shaking never hurt anyone.

Disclaimer = There are many times that Justin Timberlake annoys me but I can’t deny that him hooking up with the genius that is Timbaland has made some great dance/pop music.

Enjoy!

♥ the alchemist

It’s Friday, babycakes!

This week has been ammmazzzinngg!!

♥ Today is the 75th anniversary of the end of Prohibition. Drinking is legal again, for those who are 21+ anyway

♥ Picasso painting the air with light. Awesome. I paint with a wooden spoon dipped in chocolate ice cream. Messy but effective.

♥ Cuddling is under-rated. Luvs. It. especially when its cold outside.

♥ 1st glance of Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. Wetting my pants in anticipation.

♥ And because I’m a New York girl through and through and a fan of the Muppets. I am in love with this video of Kermit the Frog singing LCD Soundsystem “NY I Love You”

Sofa King Cute

What are you swooning over?
♥ the alchemist

Okay, by now my love for Rodarte is pretty much solidified. Those sisters can basically do no wrong in my eyes. I want to hang out with them and absorb some of their amazing creativity.

Can we sip tea, while talking about J-horror films and doodling on pads of papers?

Maybe?

Especially after watching this little gem of a movie with Jenny Lewis, owls and Rodarte’s clothes. Let’s not even talk about those amazing tights that are still haunting me. Must. have. them. soon.

Here’s a brief description of the film:

“Rodarte’s interpretation of modern women has taken a darker turn with their A/W 2008 collection, inspired by Japanese horror films, and accordingly, ’Vox Humana’- Latin for ‘Human Voice’ – examines this decidedly sinister side of their design ethos. Featuring one of the sisters’ signature (and suitably distressed) ‘slasher’ dresses in plucked and laddered mohair, a setting straight from their Californian hometown and a melancholy soundtrack sung by their grandmother in the 1940s, Vox Humana is a resolutely personal creation. Nevertheless, as with their painstakingly handwrought creations, it represents a new aesthetic with major global impact.”

Enjoy!!

♥ the alchemist

Okay, okay its cold outside.

Like freezing. Brrr.

As a result, I do not ride my vintage Schwinn around like I used to.

It takes a special type of person to ride their bike during the cold, bitter winter and I am NOT. that. person. at. all.

So, it sits propped up in my apartment as some type of metal ornament.

Mostly, the basket holds little odds and ends.

Really, what all this rambling about is that when I do ride my bike, I’m not always the most practical. I mean if I’m wearing non-tight jeans, I know to hitch and roll up my right leg because I don’t want the extra fabric to get caught in my chain and cause a nasty accident. Let’s not even get into the helmet situation, as in I don’t wear one. My bike is soo heavy that its more of a leisure type of activity and that means that I have ridden in heels. Not practical at all (good thing I didn’t have to go far), but it was definitely eye-catching. So, of course when I saw this picture it made me smile because I have been there, done that.

Love. it. lots.

Do you guys have any interesting, fashion-related bike stories?

♥ the alchemist

Something that I truly, truly believe in.

♥ the alchemist

Well, with the current state of our economy, there’s bound to be comparisons to The Great Depression and The New Deal, etc. As a result, ReadyMade asked five artists to reinterpret the populist poster art of the 1st Great Depression.

to view more, click here.

I’ve already curtailed my spending budget and have been recycling items in my wardrobe and of course thrifting like nobody’s business. I find that I like the creativity more in making something work than running out and buying some fleeting fancy. Which is why this book looks soooo good.

More tips and hints on how to rework some tired pieces into something better. Yes, please! It drops December 9th and this is definitely going on my list of Holiday Desires.

Finally, if there is one woman who is my Depression Era style maven it would have to be Faye Dunaway as Bonnie Parker in Bonnie and Clyde. I went to see the movie at the Anthology Film Archives and I couldn’t help but be drawn to Bonnie’s style. Now all I want is to wear a beret, silk neckchiefs and carry a hot pink plastic toy gun. ‘Cause I’m so gangsta!

♥ the alchemist

Hey lovelies! Hope everyone had a great weekend and to my fellow American readers, a great Thanksgiving holiday!
The fourth of July is a long way behind us as we only have one more month until we get to party like its 2009… So, this beautiful video is of fireworks on the fourth but backwards. Enjoy.

The Fourth from Michael Brodner AKA Bones on Vimeo.

♥ the alchemist