the artists of etsy continue to inspire

If you don't know what art has to do with fashion you just don't get it...

aja

(Wow)

Marina Collings

(I love the glasses. These ladies remind me of a cooler version of myself.)

Lunette

Cynthia

rosiemusic

(Rock on!)

A Small Brave Act

We love fashion magazines especially Nylon. When a new issue comes out I get excited. I stare at the cover for a minute and then giddily flip through the glossy pages, taking in ads and articles. All the beautiful people and beautiful clothes seep into my brain and the desire comes with great intensity--"I want to be them." 

That thought is what makes fashion magazines a gift and a curse at the same time. Yes, I can use them to get ideas about what clothes to wear and buy, what makeup and hairstyles to use, and be generally inspired. However, looking at a 6 foot tall 100 pound Russian model wearing a dress that costs more than I've earned in my entire life is not always helpful for the simple fact that I will never be her. I will never look like that or own those clothes. 

I wouldn't be blogging about fashion if my goal was to inspire women to struggle endless to achieve what for most is impossible--perfect emulation of society's ideal in beauty and style. I want this blog (and  the fashion industry in general) to be about using fashion as a form of empowerment. Dressing however you want to dress is a small brave act. I want women to use fashion to help define their sense of self and accept their bodies. Oh, what lofty goals for a mere blog! I think the women who run the blogs that make up our links do just that though. They emanate strength, acceptance, and individuality all through fashion and style. We hope Beloved Frock can do that too. 

Monday, Monday, read all about it

Monday is by far the worst day of the week for most. I don't find Mondays so offensive for the moment because I like the class I'm taking. It was canceled for today, but I did not let this lack of official duties deter me from looking my best. I wore a new black pencil skirt and white button-down blouse (both from H & M). 
I did break a little from this traditional outfit (I felt like a stylish secretary) by wearing a multitude of bangles. I'm slowly accumulating a collection of bangles and this collection is still small enough that I can wear all of them at once, which I do every day. I refuse to omit even one single bangle for fear it will feel left out. I'm a good mother to my fashion accessories.

The barista at Starbucks complimented me on my bangles saying they were pretty and asking if I'd bought them at the same store. I'm not sure if she liked them or thought they were strange. Either way at least they got noticed.

(The small 'N' on my hand is to remind me to buy the latest issue of Nylon magazine.)

Saturday Shenanigans

Yesterday Izzy and I got together to go to a party. The party didn't work out but we looked fabulous regardless even if we were just watching Funny Games (very creepy but good) in her bedroom and eating bagels (with lots of cream cheese-good diet tip).

Street Style-More to Come

Part of our goal in starting this blog was to capture the street style of the people of Boston. So far we've done a terrible job at it: 1.) We don't carry our camera around enough 2.)We have very high standards for what is fashionable enough for our blog and 3.) we're scared to ask people! 

We promise to conquer our phobia of approaching people on the street (especially after we have business cards made). Until then there are a number of blogs that are already doing a fabulous job of recording street style. 

The Rebel Waltz: NYC: 6-26-08

The Rebel Waltz: NYC: Santogold Show 7-20-08

I want to look like this! (found at http://altamiranyc.blogspot.com)

Sources of Inspiration

Yesterday I did a post about how one artist was influencing my sense of style. I wanted to continue in that vein because there are so many different sources of inspiration for your fashion sense other than magazines and the latest trends. Alternative ways of finding ideas ranging from people you see on the street to movies to gardens.

These are some photos I took at the Met when I was in NYC that I think could be the starting point for an outfit or style decision:

Movies can also be a source of inspiration. Audrey Hepburn in pretty much any movie she acted in has made me want to be a style maven, but no movie more so than Breakfast at Tiffany's. Holly Golightly is the epitome of style. Izzy and I LOVE Audrey.

Even the flowers in my mother's garden are so gorgeous that when I look at them I want to match their beauty. (Impossible, but admirable goal.)

I would love to hear what inspires your sense of style...

Art Inspires Fashion

I'm a strong believer in that art inspires fashion. I found this young artist on etsy and had to snap up a few of her images for myself, but I thought I would share these dark beauties with you as well. Looking at these paintings I want to put on black eyeliner, do my hair in a beehive, wear lots of bows, and put on a slinky slip dress. You can find more of Caitlin Shearer's work here.






     What art inspires your fashion sense? Leave us a comment.

Izzy and Emma Become Seamstresses

     Since we love clothes so much, we have decide that the time has come that we learn to actually make our own clothes. Now, as a disclaimer, our experience in sewing is limited to say the least. I took one sewing class in high school and Izzy has no experience. However, there is great hope for us as burgeoning seamstresses--not only do we have a sewing machine, a comprehensive step-by-step book on how to sew, and three patterns we also have patience, perseverance, and innate intelligence. We are still in the early stages (we haven't even bought fabric yet) but we will be sure to share the process and product with you, our loyal readers.

Siren Red

    I bought this beautiful vintage train case on Etsy last week. I thought this red dress was the perfect companion for my new accessory. The hair was inspired by the gorgeous Loretta Young in a 1940s movie I watched recently called The Stranger. 

making out with gnomes

        In the midst of Emma's garden with daisies, snap dragons, and roses where gnomes you could make out with. We embodied 50s glamour with cinched waists and skirts below our knees. We are going full-throttle   

Emma:will spend long hours for a done up 40s hair do.

Izzy: will out grow her awkward short hair stage with a 20s flair until its as long as Bridget Bardot.

Our Etsy shop will be up and about very soon.

Fall Dresses on a Summer's Day

    It seems too hot in Boston to be thinking about fall already, but I've been looking at the fall fashion shows on Vogue's website. Some of my favorite collections are from Alexander McQueen, Anna Sui, and Rodarte. (Disclaimer: Looking at runway models for too long may be hazardous to your health. Legs that long really are a genetic mutation.) 

Alexander McQueen

Anna Sui

Rodarte

 

Real Girls Heart Oreos

     We went shopping yesterday: finding new thrift stores, browsing the sales rack at the Gap, and braving the hellish dressing rooms at H & M. We got some great finds, which we'll be wearing and posting in the weeks to come. We always bring along snacks and fashion mags (an odd pairing we know). Here's a picture of some of our yummy treats next to Mary Kate who probably hasn't eaten an Oreo since she was on Full House.