Anthropologie: Winter Solstice

The Anthropologie catalogue this month was one of my favorites...

White washed...

Funky...

Cool...

Definitely saving this one! I keep the Anthro catalogues in a magazine case, along with the Urban Outfitters catalogues. Free little luxuries!

Handmade Collage Holiday Card

I'm attempting something new this year: handmade collage holiday cards. This one is my first:


I was really nervous about posting it because I've never really tried collage before!
I suppose it's giving a new use to my old magazines.

When the going gets tough, the tough go to.... Paris

I've been thinking that maybe I need a little break from all this layoff angst. I've decided to take a trip to Paris (leaving on Jan. 20) to sip hot chocolate and stroll through the 7th arrondissement with my friend Elaine, who lives there with her husband, Jean-Loup. I'm doing this on the cheep because I'm watching every dime. I've got a great rate on the plane fare, and now I'm looking to rent a studio apartment. It won't be like the one below. But this lovely pied-a-terre -- in the newest issue of Paumes Appartements de filles a Paris -- has me so inspired.

Have a look:

Can't wait, can't wait!

Discovered: Fabulous Fashion Polaroid Blog

World renowned fashion photographer Antonio Barros honored me this morning by stopping by my blog and leaving a comment (from the Ukraine) on my snow post. He was kind enough to leave a link to his blog, the Singular, which he started in June...I had to click over and take a look! Wait till you see it!! The blog is comprised entirely of Polaroids that he's taken of models, celebs and fashionistas on his travels around the world. Photos like this, for example:

He explains the blog this way: "One unique polaroid picture. One single moment. An attempt to be out of the ordinary."

Here's the address: thesingular.blogspot.com.

Have a look! You'll love it!

Snow Day

For about three weeks out of the year (starting around now), I really wish I lived in a place where it snows!

I grew up in Albuquerque, NM on the base of the Sandia Mountains. We could always count on a few snow days during winter. I especially loved nighttime after a snowstorm. The ground and sky were illuminated by a white twilight.


It never snows in LA. It only rains and rains...

What's your favorite snow memory?


Photos from {here}.

Bonjour, 1962

These photos are from Tom Palombo's flickr stream, "Paris 1962."

They've made their rounds across the internet, but I can't get enough.

The story goes that they're images from Parisian cafés & nightlife in 1962,

the very same week Yves St. Laurent's first collection hit the runway.

...and the world has never been the same since then...

"photos seen originally on the debonaire blog"

Guest post by Lisi from The Beauty File

Happy Weekend...

It's cold and rainy in LA, and I just want to stay tucked in by the fireplace -- sipping chai, listening to my new Norah Jones CD and reading...What are you doing this weekend?


(Photo by Thiago Lopes.)

Advertise on the English Muse!

Hello everyone, the English Muse is now accepting new ads! Please inquire if you're interested. Details here!

The Creative Spaces of London Fashion Designers

The Guardian has been doing this fabulous series spotlighting one room in the homes of major designers and artists.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Lulu Guinness

Erdem

Alice Temperley

I love Erdem's collage wall! (PS: Don't forget to visit our collage blog The Next Page!)

Stars like jewels...

This photo, taken by Thomas Shahan, is one of the most beautiful pictures of the Milky Way that I've ever seen.  It's magical.  Have you ever stayed up half the night just to watch the stars and planets move across the sky?  I did it once on a moonless night at Yosemite, with a group of astronomers. It was freezing cold, but we counted over 20 shooting stars and a half dozen satellites. It's one of the best shows on earth, and completely free...

What books are you reading?

And which books do you want for Christmas?

I figured it was time to update the English Muse reading list....

 

So please leave your answers on this post...

And I'll report back with everyone's favorites later this week!

PS: I usually read a couple books at once....so now I'm reading Once on a Moonless Night by Dai Sijie and Changing My Mind by Zadie Smith...

Photo credits {here}

Taylor Swift? Is that you??

Tis the season for transformation ...Taylor dons a frothy little Chanel dress in this photo by Raymond Meier for the NYT's T Magazine. The sunglasses are sharp! More {here}. ...