HEAVY METALS
1. Spiked Bangle, $75
2. Cone Earrings, $35
3. Cross Earrings, $10.91
4. Pyramid Earrings, $30
5. Bomber Stud Earrings, $35
6. Tiered Geometric Necklace, $29
7. Spiked Link Bracelet, $18.18
8. Spiked Ring, $100
Meowsgiving
Happy meowsgiving everyone! Unlike last year, this Thanksgiving was spent in Austin at my sister’s apartment. We ate leftover pizza because there wasn’t enough time to cook the turkey before my sister had to go to work and then my dad built a table while my mom and I watched Parks & Rec. It was kind of depressing.
I’ve been up since 6:45am because I had to take Trevor to the airport so now I’m spending the day with Dignan (puppy times!) and Harry Potter until I go to work at 2pm.
I’ve been so broke for the past few months that I’ve been unable to buy anything new for quite some time, but since winter in Austin only lasts a few months of the year the winter clothing I have feels practically new! This sweater jacket, for example, was purchased at the end of last winter on sale and I haven’t actually had a chance to wear it until now:
SWEATER JACKET: Nasty Gal
DRESS: TopShop
BOOTS + SUNGLASSES: Urban Outfitters
TIGHTS: Hue
BELT: vintage
La Vie En Douze Tableaux
DRESS: Urban Outfitters (similar here & here)
“Lend yourself to others but give yourself to yourself” - Montaigne
Tonight I went to see Godard’s Vivre Sa Vie with Naomi B. Despite both being fans of French New Wave (and she, of Godard), neither of us had seen it. Contrary to the mood set in the following clip, the film is incredibly sad and left me feeling quite melancholy. Once the house lights came up, we just sat there a while in silence letting things soak in before either of us spoke.
The film centers around Nana, a young Parisian who decides to leave her family to pursue acting. Her meager earnings as a salesgirl at a record shop aren’t enough to get by so she decides to become a prostitute, hoping to make better money and, eventually, become noticed as an actress. She engages with a variety of men, some tender, some with strange requests, before meeting someone for whom she cares deeply. As she makes the decision to leave behind her life of prostitution to be with the one she loves, her pimp (Raoul) attempts to sell her to another and she is killed in the ensuing gun battle.
The film is told through a series of 12 tableaux, or chapters, each of which reveal a moment in Nana’s life that propels her forward - leaving her husband, working at the record shop, begging for 2,000 francs, meeting Raoul, her first encounter with a client, etc etc.
Although melancholy, the film avoids sentimentality and at times seemed almost brusque in its depiction of its heroine. The chapter titles plainly state what’s to come, the editing is occasionally erratic, and central characters are often either completely off screen or shot from behind while they interact so all we see is the back of their heads. The resulting effect is one of separation, it disengages the audience from any emotional involvement by making us aware of our spectatorship.
“The film was made by sort of a second presence,” Godard said; the camera is not just a recording device but a looking device, that by its movements makes us aware that it sees her, wonders about her, glances first here and then there, exploring the space she occupies, speculating {…] The camera is not expressing a “style” but the way people look at other people.” - Roger Ebert
Also, I just learned that Godard and the actress who played Nana (Anna Karina) were married at the time this film was made. Godard, you lucky duck!
In other news, today was the final day of tax-free weekend, this delightful Texan tradition where the weekend before school starts all apparel is tax free! Naturally, I binge-shopped, having lived so ascetically since quitting my job, and ended up coming home with 4 dresses. That’s exactly 4 more dresses than I needed or intended to buy. I figured I’d look for shorts since I own 1 pair, but I mostly wear dresses so that’s what I found myself delving into and then rationalized buying them all - oh, well I don’t have a short sleeved black mini dress. Oh, well I don’t own a crochet mini dress. Oh, well I don’t have any coral dresses.
What to Wear: Independence Day Outfits
1.
Gingham Crop Top, $40
Red Midi Length Skirt, $58.99
Bow Platform Sandals, $112.05
2.
Blue Peter Pan Shirt, $70
Denim Chap Leggings, $52
Gimmik Sandals, $59
Happy America Day!
Two perfect outfits for today’s poolside barbecues & fireworks displays! I hope everyone has gorged themselves on hot dogs, cheap beer, guacamole and any red/white/blue themed foods you could get your hands on!
