Fashion + film = fun

Posted on January 10, 2012 by carlieblissirwin

While scanning through my Google Reader last night, I came across a post about ELLE Magazine’s horror movie photo shoot starring the women of Glee and American Horror Story.

Basically, ELLE recreated stills from classic scary movies, none of which I’ve ever seen because I’m the type of person who occasionally hides behind a pillow while watching the Halloween episodes of half-hour sitcoms. Yep.

Anyway, I thought it was cool how the fabulous and opinionated gays over at Tom & Lorenzo posted the photos along with the original movie stills so you can compare.

I think Dianna Agron’s 50 ft .Woman is my favorite. You can see the full post with the rest of the photos here, starring other Glee actresses like Heather Morris and Jayma Mays.

There are also photos of actresses from American Horror Story, but I have no idea who those people are because shows like that are made to destroy people like me. The only thing I could possibly get out of watching something like that is a nice diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Planner-palooza

Posted on January 5, 2012 by carlieblissirwin

If you’re like me, congrats! You must be awesome. But also, whenever you make an appointment, schedule a meeting or plan a date in advance, you know that typing it into your Gmail calendar, writing it on your wall calendar and updating your smartphone calendar is SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH. You must also enter the event into your day planner.

I know I’d be lost without my planner. And by lost, I mean I would feel an enormous void in my life where a fancy, adorable paper product should be.

I have yet to pick out my 2012 planner, which means I’ve been planner-less for five whole days! Help me decide, won’t you?

Here are the options:

Jonathan Adler Agenda – Flame

Waiting for Tomorrow Day Planner

Cavallini World Map Weekly Planner

Persimmon Datebook

Barbara Wiggins Leather Diary

The gold one at the end is my favorite, but it’s more of a diary than a planner. Also, the price on the website is in Euros, so that just makes things more math-y and complicated. But I can’t get away from the idea that every girl deserves to have a magical gold book in her purse…

Flashy

Posted on December 13, 2011 by carlieblissirwin

I took this mirror self-portrait to show off the new necklace I purchased expressly for holiday-related events this month.

I forgot Basic Photography Rule #1 (reflective surfaces and flash don’t mix), so it appears that I am a magical sorceress, holding an entire solar system in the palm of my hand.

Infinite power suits me, don’t you think?

(Necklace from Art Effect, my favorite store in Chicago.)

Help!

Posted on November 18, 2011 by carlieblissirwin

So Rent the Runway is having an awesome sale right now – 40% off today only!

That means that I could rent either one of these out-of-my-price-range designer dresses for less than $50. Total!

I was already considering using Rent the Runway for New Years Eve, and with this great sale, how can I resist?

The only problem is that we don’t exactly have set New Years Even plans yet… but after a couple of casual discussions with our friends, I was assured that I would be able to wear a sequin dress (yay!).

So now I just need to decide – which dress?

I love the gold one, but I have a feeling that color would not look as great on a pale, brunette me.

I also love the stripes on the other one, but it’s not as fitted. But I could always wear it with a belt?

Help me out – I need opinions, stat!

P.S. If you’ve never tried Rent the Runway, I highly recommend them. I rented a dress for a black tie wedding two summers ago and loved it! You can read about it here.

Target treasure

Posted on October 27, 2011 by carlieblissirwin

If you’re looking to hop on this fall’s chunky bootie bandwagon, your train just pulled into the station, my friend!

TOOT! TOOT!

Come on ride the train…

Sorry. I’m excited.

Last weekend, I found these cute black booties at Target for only $29.99! So I bought them! Duh! (ok, ok, I’m toning it down…)

Not only are they cute, but they are also managing not to abuse my feet too much.

Today is the first day I’ve worn them, and so far two people at Chipotle complimented me on them and one overly-aggressive lady in the bathroom at work (who I’ve never met before) came up behind me shouting, “You look SO CUTE! SOOO CUUUTE!!!”

Thanks. And nice to meet you.

Here’s what they look like on:

Sorry for the weird angle and blurriness. How about you try nonchalantly taking a photo of your feet in public and let me know how it turns out.

Anyway, just wanted to share my major fashion score with you in case you were on the hunt for similar shoes. You’re welcome! Remember, I’m here to help.

Dear Santa

Posted on October 26, 2011 by carlieblissirwin

This:

(source)

I’ve never even smelled it before, and yet I definitely want this perfume in this exact bottle. Because how classy would this look sitting on top of my dresser?

Now that’s branding.

Side note: Sadly, when addressing Santa, I’m actually speaking to no one in particular since the parents give us money or gift cards (not that I’m complaining!) and my husband hates exchanging presents (not that I’m… nevermind).

Completely unrelated side note: Andrew Shue from Melrose Place is at my office today! Who? That’s what I said too.

It’s this guy:

(source)

It feels good to be young enough not to know who he is.

Thank you, Carlie from one week ago!

Posted on October 19, 2011 by carlieblissirwin

Bad news: The weather today includes descriptors such as “driving rain,” “unseasonably cold temperatures,” and “60 mph wind gusts.”

Good news: This morning, I received the Lands End Canvas rain jacket that I bought online last week!

Yep, I just high-fived myself.

And I don’t know why, but present me is really getting a feeling that future me might also need these boots. And this tote bag. And this pretty dress…

Hey J. Crew – you can do better

Posted on September 26, 2011 by carlieblissirwin

I’ve been waiting almost 3 months now for this $60 J. Crew scarf to go on sale. (Sixty dollars! I could buy 30 egg and cheese croissant sandwiches from Dunkin Donuts for that much! Don’t ask me why I know that!)

So I’ve been patiently, diligently checking the sale section of their website and FINALLY! There it is! On sale!

For $50.

Oh gee, thanks J. Crew. You really threw me a bone there. Spending $60 on frivolous neckwear is ridiculous, but $50? Why not? Who needs 25 egg and cheese croissant sandwiches from Dunkin Donuts? Not me! I eat money for breakfast!

I’m not mad… just disappointed. That is all.

I’ve met my soul-plates

Posted on September 23, 2011 by carlieblissirwin

This dinnerware from Anthropologie was featured on Daily Candy this morning. And I can’t help but think how great it would look on my table. How fabulous it would be underneath a slice of frozen pizza or Trader Joe’s macaroni & cheese (I’m trying to make these scenarios realistic).

And now I must have them.

I’d also like to point out that Christmas is a mere three months away. (MOM – ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION??)

Images from anthropologie.com.

Lonny

Posted on September 13, 2011 by carlieblissirwin

No, Lonny isn’t another weird dog name I thought of. (Although it could be…)

It’s actually a great excuse for a procrasti-break during the workday.

procrasti-break (noun): a temporary discontinuation of work in order to read blogs, stalk people on Facebook, check the weather forecast or add to your Amazon wishlist. Or whatever.

Lonny is an online design magazine with great photos that will have you drooling if you love decor. (Or if fabulous furniture makes you hungry?)

The new issue just came out a few days ago – check it!

And if you like that, I highly suggest perusing my other favorite online magazine, Rue.