tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54478818452033278262024-03-13T11:46:27.729-07:00desperately fashionablefashion, music, design, art, and life for real peoplegeraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-57608970898764685502008-11-04T20:14:00.000-08:002008-11-04T20:15:31.148-08:00all I can say is<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SREd3jzQ-jI/AAAAAAAAAag/meD5_WN9BHQ/s1600-h/6xks0Ubbvfwwjb9dDu0PROnAo1_500.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265022279713094194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SREd3jzQ-jI/AAAAAAAAAag/meD5_WN9BHQ/s400/6xks0Ubbvfwwjb9dDu0PROnAo1_500.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-55626217273324711452008-11-02T19:00:00.000-08:002008-11-02T20:33:39.867-08:00hello!I haven't posted in MONTHS. For anyone (<em>anyone?) </em>who actually pays attention to this blog, I sincerely apologize. I meant to start posting again in the fall but things have been really crazy with college applications (no pressure or anything), various school activities (you're looking at one of the editors of the school paper's Arts & Entertainment section!), et cetera. Crazy stuff, I know. Now I guess I'm just going to jump right back into writing about cool or interesting or pretty things as if I hadn't disappeared for oh, I don't know, four months.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SQ5-Hx0HiPI/AAAAAAAAAaY/QUlvxyjMwN0/s1600-h/acid-tongue-jenny-lewis-cd-cover-art.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264283686538807538" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 170px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 170px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SQ5-Hx0HiPI/AAAAAAAAAaY/QUlvxyjMwN0/s400/acid-tongue-jenny-lewis-cd-cover-art.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Lately I've been listening to <strong>Jenny Lewis'</strong> new album <em><strong>Acid Tongue</strong>. </em>I love it. Jenny Lewis' genuine talent and constant production of new and beautiful music never ceases to amaze me. Go listen to it. I also like <strong>Fleet Foxes</strong>, whose music is very folksy and dreamy, and makes you feel like you're in a forest or a cabin drinking tea with a group of similarly carefree people wearing flannel and sporting either a messy beard or long unkempt hair--or both--and strumming banjos. Or something. I especially like the song "Mykonos." A large contributor to some of my new musical discoveries is the brilliant website <a href="http://www.daytrotter.com/"><strong>Daytrotter</strong></a><strong>, </strong>where you can find exclusive recording sessions with emerging artists, poetic (and sometimes unwittingly hilarious) descriptions of the artists' music, and (pay attention!), songs from those artists available as free downloads. What more could you ask for? </div><div></div><div>I'll post more soon about happenings in fashion and design! Sorry for the long absence, and if you're reading this, thanks! :)</div><div></div><div>Now to read about Russian absolutism and work on my USC application! </div><div></div><div>yours sincerely</div><div>geraldine</div>geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-63628819059631326462008-07-20T19:59:00.000-07:002008-07-20T21:10:26.891-07:00at the seaside<div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SIP8-SMNgtI/AAAAAAAAAYw/0mxw-Z9GIv4/s1600-h/HPIM2724.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225298139645051602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SIP8-SMNgtI/AAAAAAAAAYw/0mxw-Z9GIv4/s400/HPIM2724.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> I went to Santa Cruz today, and took some pictures and read on the beach and people-watched, which was nice, despite the pretty bad sunburn I got. I had a delicious quesadilla at this place (above). </div><div> </div><div>More pictures:<br /></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225301710320547698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SIQAOH_lt3I/AAAAAAAAAY4/m6BKax8kJyo/s400/HPIM2743.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225303670008709730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SIQCAMZqAmI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/-BKsSArhTmA/s400/HPIM2729.JPG" border="0" /> </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225313883502568210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SIQLSsoWYxI/AAAAAAAAAZo/VlK5ViZyv9w/s400/HPIM2751.JPG" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225313874537955218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 402px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 277px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="277" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SIQLSLPBP5I/AAAAAAAAAZg/QFBKers1kdA/s400/HPIM2725.JPG" width="400" border="0" /><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225304625872854002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SIQC31RbW_I/AAAAAAAAAZY/5hzWNFBRVO4/s400/HPIM2738.JPG" border="0" />yours truly</div><br /><div>geraldine </div>geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-23390593504035198992008-07-19T23:42:00.000-07:002008-07-20T09:47:18.834-07:00pencils & pens<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SILj4WcSqiI/AAAAAAAAAYo/qP65zTgAs5w/s1600-h/tintingodamongstinsects1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224989074939619874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SILj4WcSqiI/AAAAAAAAAYo/qP65zTgAs5w/s400/tintingodamongstinsects1.jpg" border="0" /></a> I really like this art from <a href="http://www.ghostpatrol.net/">ghostpatrol</a>. <div></div><br /><div></div><div>Today was fun, and involved lots of laughing and cheesecake--always a good combination.</div><br /><div></div><div>I really want to buy some <strong>Minnetonka</strong> moccasins--they seem really comfortable and soft. And they're not crazy expensive. I also like these boots, minus the feather-pom-pom thing (which is conveniently removable):</div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224985074537972338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="224" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SILgPfyNwnI/AAAAAAAAAYg/7-z7Y9HfyCw/s400/pl551699-00p01v01.jpg" width="233" border="0" /><br />I may be getting up early to go to santa cruz for breakfast/beach so I think it's time to catch some z's (I have never heard anyone use that expression in real life).</div><br />yours exhaustedly<br />geraldinegeraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-26771514698338983862008-07-18T23:15:00.000-07:002008-07-18T23:27:52.899-07:00tomorrow, tomorrowTomorrow is actually a somewhat busy (compared to my usually uneventful summer days) day for me. I'm going to a wedding with my family around 2, and then out to dinner for my friend's birthday later in the evening, which is something to look forward to. And I'm pretty proud of myself after doing some creative gift-wrapping:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224607194148086402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="291" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SIGIj9olooI/AAAAAAAAAYY/-_II-uS8E9E/s400/IMG01266.jpg" width="369" border="0" /><br />Time to sleep.<br /><p>yours truly</p><p>geraldine</p>geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-65990019215074319812008-07-18T12:45:00.000-07:002008-07-18T15:51:03.280-07:00happy friday<strong>HOT NEWS! </strong>Ray-Ban now makes colored Wayfarers! So now you have no excuse for buying the neon colored versions of this hipster staple from Urban Outfitters (GUILTY). Except that some of the colors that Ray-Ban has selected for their classic sunglasses are kind of gross. For example: hunter green. Camouflage <em>and</em> hunter green. Hunter green and brown. Cranberry. Despite these dubious color choices, there are some that I really like:<br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224449440463668498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 414px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 87px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="105" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SID5FfXTRRI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/upVwsKxZhL8/s400/raybans.bmp" width="440" border="0" />I love the pink ones (although I found them on amazon, so their legitimacy as Ray-Bans may be questionable). </p><p><strong>MORE HOT NEWS: </strong>I'm going to Target now.</p><p>yours truly</p><p>geraldine</p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">p.s. check out the Fiery Furnaces' "Waiting to Know You" (on the mixtape on the right!)</span> </span></p>geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-6423028959936767382008-07-16T14:19:00.000-07:002008-07-16T23:33:10.371-07:00listen to this<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SH7mc4vdp7I/AAAAAAAAAWk/kl318SvlvN0/s1600-h/wall-e-poster1-big.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223866001738540978" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 226px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" height="266" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SH7mc4vdp7I/AAAAAAAAAWk/kl318SvlvN0/s320/wall-e-poster1-big.jpg" width="234" border="0" /></a> <strong>Modest Mouse, "Blame it on the Tetons": </strong>I am in love with this song. I find some of Modest Mouse's songs a little harsh-sounding, but this one is beautiful and kind of serene. And I love the way the vocals sound with the scratchy guitar and background noise.<br /><br /><div></div><div>Unfortunately I did <em>not</em> complete all the things on my to-do list. I did, however see <strong>Wall-E.</strong> I really liked it--it was cute without being overly kiddy--in fact, the message was pretty serious: we can't keep using and abusing the Earth at the rate we are without expecting consequences. Rather than being an ominous warning, though, it was uplifting, and Wall-E's character, despite his being a trash-collecting robot, was lovable and sweet. The characters and their unique mannerisms were creative, and visually, I think it was one of the best Pixar films yet--the views of space were magical-looking, and the light and movement was especially realistic. </div><br /><div>Time to sleep--tomorrow is Thursday. Which means absolutely nothing. </div><br />yours truly<br />geraldinegeraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-75164560207416233692008-07-16T11:03:00.000-07:002008-07-16T11:29:45.481-07:00sleepwalkin'I woke up before 8 this morning ( to go to the DMV, woo hoo), and now it's only 11. I still have the whole day ahead of me, unlike when I wake up around 11 and don't actually start the day until around 1. Not that I have anything particularly interesting to do today. Nevertheless, here's my list of things to do today:<br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SH47XQt9OjI/AAAAAAAAAWc/8mhSv1KI5tQ/s1600-h/grnTeaCremeFrap.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223677888607107634" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SH47XQt9OjI/AAAAAAAAAWc/8mhSv1KI5tQ/s320/grnTeaCremeFrap.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />1. draw.<br />2. go to starbucks. purchase green tea frappuccino.<br />3. call starbucks about my application (HELLO, I NEED A JOB, THANKS).<br />4. clean room, because the entire contents of my drawers is currently on my bed.<br />5. keep reading <em>A Prayer for Owen Meany</em> (summer reading!)<br />6. sign up for yoga class!<br />7. go to Target.<br />8. see Wall-E with family.<br /><br />I've noticed that "go to Target" appears on a lot of the to-do lists I am constantly writing. I've also noticed that I almost never complete all the items on my to-do lists.<br /><br />more later.<br /><br />yours truly,<br />geraldinegeraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-34196407040378858232008-07-15T17:51:00.000-07:002008-07-15T20:36:39.513-07:00july, julyI really can't believe it's july already--the summer's going by so fast! So far it's been pretty relaxed.<br /><br />my favorite summer things:<br /><br /><p><strong>1. gladiator sandals. </strong>Despite having already bought a pair of these type of sandals from <a href="http://www.target.com/Isaac-Mizrahi-Target-Gladiator-Sandals/dp/B000XK5L74/ref=sc_ri_4/601-2358569-3269710"><strong>Target</strong> </a>, I keep seeing them everywhere, and I can't help desperately wanting another pair. I'm not really a fan of the kind that seem to entrap your legs in countless leather straps and buckles (kind of scary. plus, who has the time to do up all those straps?), but I love <a href="http://www.piperlime.com/browse/product.do?cid=40120&pid=620158&scid=620158002">these </a>more delicate ones by <strong>Rampage</strong>, and <a href="http://www.piperlime.com/browse/product.do?cid=40120&pid=572215&scid=572215012">this </a>strappy gold style. And <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2982669/0~2376778~2372808~2372949~6003190?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6003190&P=1">these </a>gold-studded ones have a cool rock-glamour edge.<br /></p><div><div><div><div><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SH1MZKzBPFI/AAAAAAAAAVs/aca4l7BEDcs/s1600-h/pl620158-00p01v01.jpg"></a><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SH1PH4wAbBI/AAAAAAAAAV8/49x3OlAagyM/s1600-h/pl620158-00p01v01.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223418139731061778" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="134" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SH1PH4wAbBI/AAAAAAAAAV8/49x3OlAagyM/s200/pl620158-00p01v01.jpg" width="179" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SH1QwvihMQI/AAAAAAAAAWU/w_aay4ub9bQ/s1600-h/_5628636.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223419941144834306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="124" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SH1QwvihMQI/AAAAAAAAAWU/w_aay4ub9bQ/s200/_5628636.jpg" width="171" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223419225775774818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 171px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 106px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="106" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SH1QHGlPnGI/AAAAAAAAAWE/lpDY2OCwMv8/s200/pl572215-01p01v01.jpg" width="180" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p><strong>2. dance-party worthy music. </strong>As much as I love all you guitar-strumming, poetry-inducing indie-folk guys (yes, you, Bon Iver and Iron & Wine), sometimes you just need some musical non-diet, completely caffeinated soda pop to brighten your otherwise unremarkable days, or to blast from your car (or from the old boom box precariously attached to your bicycle), or to dance to with your friends. here are some songs from my summer playlist:</p><p>M.I.A, "Paper Planes" </p><p>Phoenix, "Consolation Prizes"</p><p>Spoon, "You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb"</p><p>Santogold, "Say Aha"</p><p>Jonas Brothers, "Burnin' Up" (no, this is <em>not</em> supposed to be ironic)</p><p>Duffy, "Mercy"</p><p>Madonna (feat. Justin Timberlake, etc.), "4 Minutes"</p><p>et cetera. </p><p>to be continued!</p><p>yours truly</p><p>geraldine</p><p><br /> </p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p>geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-70362900141879261142008-06-26T14:39:00.000-07:002008-06-26T14:46:10.657-07:00OMGIf the gods of music were to create the perfect music festival for me, this would be it:<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SGQNx5jdzYI/AAAAAAAAAVE/yB1L48WZ_r0/s1600-h/admat-lb.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216309419316202882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SGQNx5jdzYI/AAAAAAAAAVE/yB1L48WZ_r0/s400/admat-lb.gif" border="0" /></a>I NEED TO BE THERE. Excuse me while I have a minor heart attack and figure out how to come up with $225.<br /><br />yours truly<br />geraldine<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SGQNiyAyGGI/AAAAAAAAAU8/Pj8_x8r-rhA/s1600-h/admat-lb.gif"></a>geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-48116473787901991642008-06-15T21:19:00.000-07:002008-06-18T00:32:45.723-07:00the little thingsToday was a good day.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SFYL9Oe6QKI/AAAAAAAAAUU/Ijuse0pD1gs/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212366765215596706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SFYL9Oe6QKI/AAAAAAAAAUU/Ijuse0pD1gs/s400/images.jpg" border="0" /></a>Around lunchtime I went to Borders and bought <em>I Love You, Beth Cooper </em>by Larry Doyle. I finished it a little <a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SFYJ9wCGaWI/AAAAAAAAAT8/dv8A7xH8i5o/s1600-h/images.jpg"></a>while ago. I really liked it--its protagonist, Denis Cooverman, is hilariously self-deprecating and hopelessly socially awkward, and very likeable, and the story is familiar without being cliché. I also bought George Orwell's <em>1984</em>, which I convinced my brother to read. Unfortunately, this means that I can't read it until he's done. hm.<br /><br />Also: right now I'm a little overwhelmed by how nice it is to have people ask how you're doing and even just say hi. It's a nice reminder that there are people that care about you, which is one of the best feelings in the world. basically, I love my friends :)<br /><br />Anyway...tomorrow I'm going to go to Starbucks and ask about working there and make an appointment to get a haircut (the latter will not take place in Starbucks, more likely in a hair salon).<br /><br />now it's time to sleep.<br /><br />yours truly<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">geraldine</span> </span>geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-53745501667426945942008-06-14T17:05:00.000-07:002008-06-14T21:43:38.909-07:00i left my heart in san franciscoI'm back!<br /><br />The trip was really an amazing experience. It was both shocking and saddening to see all the poverty and other issues that exist in our own state of california, but I came away from the trip feeling empowered to do something about it, and also to make a difference in others' lives in smaller ways, even by just saying hello or smiling to people on the street. I also formed some new friendships and strengthened the ones I have, which I really hope I can hold on to throughout the summer and next year. It feels kind of strange to be home still, even though I came home on wednesday.<br /><br />Here are some pictures from our time in san francisco, although not from the area we worked in (we were working in the tenderloin, which is a small, very poor, densely populated 25-block area in between union square and nob hill).<br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SFRgCOZm0eI/AAAAAAAAASo/HrLutgGiFGY/s1600-h/HPIM3309.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211896260116009442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SFRgCOZm0eI/AAAAAAAAASo/HrLutgGiFGY/s320/HPIM3309.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SFRgDearyZI/AAAAAAAAASw/Y4UlDolGCKk/s1600-h/HPIM3311.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211896281595365778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SFRgDearyZI/AAAAAAAAASw/Y4UlDolGCKk/s320/HPIM3311.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SFRgEH-nklI/AAAAAAAAAS4/RMu5m-GJkYA/s1600-h/HPIM3329.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211896292751938130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SFRgEH-nklI/AAAAAAAAAS4/RMu5m-GJkYA/s320/HPIM3329.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SFRgEyvzCiI/AAAAAAAAATA/wp6H2cwaoIA/s1600-h/HPIM3336.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211896304232499746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SFRgEyvzCiI/AAAAAAAAATA/wp6H2cwaoIA/s320/HPIM3336.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SFRgG8KVP_I/AAAAAAAAATI/OQAQZoiBlGc/s1600-h/HPIM3342.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211896341119451122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SFRgG8KVP_I/AAAAAAAAATI/OQAQZoiBlGc/s320/HPIM3342.JPG" border="0" /></a> Now back to perusing <a href="http://www.mixwit.com/">mixwit</a> for some new music to listen to. I'm also considering a nap.<br /><p>yours sleepily</p><p>geraldine</p><p>(<em>p.s. </em>check out <a href="http://www.mixwit.com/tiffanykrisp/in-transit">this mix</a>, it's really good)</p>geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-27744771696818288792008-06-01T14:37:00.000-07:002008-06-01T14:42:25.447-07:00later gatorsI'm leaving tomorrow morning (at 6:45 am) for a 10-day volunteer trip around california with my ethics class. I'm looking forward to it. I think.<br /><br />Right now I am attempting to pack. Which really shouldn't be this hard.<br /><br />Also I'm starting to read <em>Suite Francaise </em>by Irene Nemirovksy. Once I finish it I'll post about what I thought of it.<br /><br />so until I return,<br /><br />yours truly,<br />geraldine ♥geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-3100081256319719472008-05-30T23:45:00.000-07:002008-05-31T00:03:18.005-07:00norweigan indie popI really, really love <strong>Kings of Convenience. </strong>A lot. My friend told me about them and they're just amazing. (listen to "I'd Rather Dance with You" and "Misread"). I also love <strong>Jaymay </strong>(for fans of Regina Spektor or Kate Nash), especially her song "Gray or Blue," which is just a perfectly sweet and pretty song.<br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div>Fashion-wise...I was recently (as in earlier today) trying to find a cute one-piece swimsuit, and guess what? <em>They exist.</em> </div><div></div><div>Example A:<br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206431072024787586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="207" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SED1eaOX-oI/AAAAAAAAASY/vuLd29eB2r0/s320/153606_rsm_w.jpg" width="149" border="0" />This <a href="http://store.delias.com/item.do?categoryID=1339&itemID=48865&sizeFilter=&colorFilter=&brandFilter=">check center-knot one piece</a> from Delia's is sweet and simple, and overall pretty normal-looking, as well as fairly reasonably priced, as one-pieces go (it's on sale!). And <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=7013822217667506109&id=850003&parentid=APP_SWIMWEAR_ONEPIECE&pushId=APP_SWIMWEAR_ONEPIECE&popId=APP_SWIMWEAR&sortProperties=%2BmarketingPriority%2C-saleDate&navCount=7&navAction=poppushpush&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=pew">this one</a> from Anthropologie is really unique and pretty, although the fact that it's almost $300 is kind of a deal-breaker for me. </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206432549493537426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 163px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 278px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="242" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SED20aOX-pI/AAAAAAAAASg/Qko7FIittGM/s320/850003_pew_b.jpg" width="163" border="0" /></div><div>Despite these promising discoveries, today's search for a one-piece swimsuit was unsuccessful. But tomorrow brings another day, and more opportunities to try on strange-fitting garments. </div><br /><p>For now, I'm going to go to sleep.</p><p>yours truly</p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">geraldine</span></p>geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-20818785201067426302008-05-27T18:53:00.000-07:002008-05-28T00:18:36.406-07:00cheap + chicnew things I love:<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>1. Feist's <em>Let It Die</em></strong><br /><br />I love the calm atmosphere and sophisticated beauty of this album. It feels like it's from a different time. Also I always feel like I should be in a French lounge wearing a slinky dress and throwing mysterious glances all over the place when I listen to it. But maybe that's just me.<br /><br /><strong>2. v-neck tops</strong><br /><br />I know this isn't the most original thing to write about. V-neck t-shirts seem to be the new staple for anyone even vaguely hip. But I don't really care--I think they're more flattering and less boring than your regular old crew neck t-shirt. I bought some for $8 each from Heritage1981 recently, and I'm finding it hard not to wear them every day. I think I'm wearing one in the picture to the right...<br /><br />more later...I have no exams tomorrow, so I don't have to go to school. that's always a good thing :]<br /><p>yours happily, </p><p>geraldine </p><p> </p>geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-23966764081832052362008-05-25T21:30:00.000-07:002008-05-25T21:58:36.700-07:00pas vraiment françaisI have decided that I really like songs sung in French by non-French artists. That may be a dangerous generalization, as I'm sure there are many examples of such attempts gone horribly wrong, but I think a lot of French songs (language-wise) can sound much more beautiful and in some cases, romantic. That might be because I don't speak French--understanding the words to the songs would probably remove the mysterious and slightly exotic element that makes them so appealing. Anyway, here are some of my favorite French-but-not-really songs:<br /><br />1. Feist, "L'Amour Ne Dure Pas Toujours"<br />2. Nada Surf, "L'aventurier" (this song is actually slightly obnoxious, but I wanted to include it anyway)<br />3. Eartha Kitt, "C'est si bon"<br />4. Sambassadeur, "Le Chanson de Prévert"<br />5. Rufus Wainwright, "Complainte de la Butte"<br /><br />That is all for now. Sometimes I wish I was taking French instead of Spanish. But <em>c'est la vie.</em><br /><em></em><br />yours francophilically<br />geraldine<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span>geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-65373503251450234652008-05-14T19:22:00.000-07:002008-05-14T20:11:36.397-07:00new romanticLately, there's been a trend of sorts towards young, female, obviously British-sounding singers coming out of the U.K. and gaining popularity in the U.S. Take, for example, <strong>Lilly Allen</strong>, whose cheeky, unapologetic songs have made her immensely popular here, and <strong>Kate Nash</strong>, who, while not as widely-known, is becoming famous for her sweet yet spunky voice and songwriting.<br /><div><div><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SCumlJfiIKI/AAAAAAAAARM/wur1C0VB3WM/s1600-h/laura-marling.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200433351862919330" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 263px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 175px" height="183" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SCumlJfiIKI/AAAAAAAAARM/wur1C0VB3WM/s320/laura-marling.jpg" width="293" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><strong>Laura Marling, </strong>an 18-year-old from Berkshire, England, seems to be the newest member of the club. Her soft voice and sweetly realistic songwriting are the kind that might just make you cry. Her songs are funny at times but never jokey or excessively silly like Lilly Allen's can be; and her accent, rather than throwing itself in your face, enhances her music. At times, because of Marling's more folksy sound, I'm reminded of <strong>Jenny Lewis, </strong>the lead singer of Rilo Kiley who recently released her own solo album. Laura Marling's first full-length album, <em>Alas, I Cannot Swim, </em>was released in February (maybe only in the UK, I'm not sure), featuring delicate, touching songs such as "Ghosts." Marling has also collaborated with bands like <strong>The Rakes</strong> and <strong>Mystery Jets </strong>(look up the song "Young Love,") and toured with other singer-songwriters like <strong>Adam Green. </strong>For fans of Jenny Lewis, Kate Nash and even Regina Spektor, this emerging artist is definitely worth a listen.</div><div> </div><div></div></div><div></div><div><div>more later on fashion, etc!</div><div></div><div></div><div></div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>yours happily</div><div>geraldine</div></div>geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-84652801449847569162008-04-29T17:16:00.000-07:002008-05-14T20:12:17.615-07:00"i love paris in the rain"(regina spektor, "ne me quitte pas")<br /><br />hello hello! new things, old things, pretty things, strange things:<br /><br /><strong>1. Print Liberation </strong>(<a href="http://www.printliberation.com/store/php">website</a>)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194827542724406034" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="194" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/SBe8IHGA6xI/AAAAAAAAAQA/2CmIlzqq0g0/s320/alexdacorte.jpg" width="226" border="0" /><br /><br />I really like some of the shirts on this website. The designs are pretty simple and maybe random (they might possibly have some kind of subliminal message, but then again they might not), but kind of interesting. I particularly like Alex Da Corte's "Forever and Ever" design (most shirts on the website are around $20).<br /><br />Print Liberation is actually a "creative visual agency" that designs posters and logos for various companies and clothing for retailers like Urban Outfitters (you can even have a custom shirt printed with your own witty catchphrase).<br /><br />Actually, that's all I can think of right now (AP exams begin next week).<br /><br />so...until a less stressful time<br /><br />yours exhaustedly<br />geraldinegeraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-68774399841934356682008-03-12T17:30:00.000-07:002008-05-14T20:11:59.039-07:00finally!<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/R9h2LOQgHwI/AAAAAAAAAOs/1YkGuu1k_Y8/s1600-h/perfect+dress.jpg"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177017706840334082" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 207px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 275px" height="275" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/R9h2LOQgHwI/AAAAAAAAAOs/1YkGuu1k_Y8/s320/perfect+dress.jpg" width="218" border="0" /></strong></a><em>This</em> is the kind of dress I want. <em></em>Maybe without the sleeves (definitely without the little vesty thing), but I love the color and the way the top is kind of wrapped. And the jewelery looks gorgeous with it. Perfect!<br /><br /><br />As a side note, doesn't Ali Lohan look way older than 14? It's kind of weird. Really weird.<br /><br />My favorite thing right now: <strong>Vampire Weekend. </strong>This band's original and appealing sound has been getting a lot of attention lately (they appeared on SNL last week, I think), and I'm predicting that they're the "next big thing." Also, I really like them.<br /><br /><p>yours busily</p><p>geraldine</p>geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-28013196479265596722008-03-07T00:43:00.001-08:002008-05-14T20:26:58.324-07:00awfully sorry!I haven't posted in a while; I've been kind of busy and preoccupied.<br /><br />But I'll think of something soon!<br /><br />yours truly<br />geraldinegeraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-51851794579195554532008-02-21T18:04:00.000-08:002008-05-14T20:27:28.523-07:00working for the weekend<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/R74uWz4OsQI/AAAAAAAAAMY/JrKZWYBvZwM/s1600-h/vansoldskool.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169620391685959938" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="142" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/R74uWz4OsQI/AAAAAAAAAMY/JrKZWYBvZwM/s200/vansoldskool.jpg" width="188" border="0" /></a> No more AP classes for this week! And the biology test that I've been dreading is over--it wasn't even that bad.<br /><br /><div></div><div>I bought new shoes last weekend! Even though a <em>lot</em> of people have them at school--which would usually be a major turnoff for me--I like them a lot. I liked the purple and yellow and blue ones too, but they're not as versatile. And people notice if you wear yellow shoes every day. </div><br /><div>NEW TARGET DESIGNER!<br /></div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/R74wzT4OsRI/AAAAAAAAAMg/yldNB_yMhEo/s1600-h/Look22.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169623080335487250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="184" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/R74wzT4OsRI/AAAAAAAAAMg/yldNB_yMhEo/s200/Look22.jpg" width="196" border="0" /></a>The latest designer for Target's GO International line is Jovovich-Hawk. It's not in my local Target store yet, but from the<span style="color:#3333ff;"> </span><a href="http://pressroom.target.com/pr/news/fashion/go-international/album.aspx?id=6733"><span style="color:#3333ff;">images on the website </span></a>it seems to be kind of "country-and-western." Interesting. My expectations are pretty low, as they have been for the past couple of designers, because all the collections are similar and kind of disappointing. If these designers can make gorgeous $500 dresses, why can't they design a cute $30 dress for Target? (also, I do not know why this picture is blue). </div><div></div><div>That's all I have to say for now...</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>yours contentedly</div><div>geraldine</div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div>geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-55887686063023786162008-02-16T15:34:00.000-08:002008-02-16T15:38:35.332-08:00this is nifty<span style="font-size:85%;">My brother just told me about this website: <a href="http://www.music-map.com/">www.music-map.com</a>. You type in an artist that you like, and it creates a "map" of artists you might also like (their similarity is indicated by how close they are). Then you can click on one of them to keep following the map!</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">A very handy way to find new music! </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I'm going to a party in a couple minutes...hooray!</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">yours happily</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">geraldine</span>geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-21722157862712345872008-02-15T16:04:00.000-08:002008-02-15T16:22:06.247-08:00hello weekend<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/R7Yp9z4OsNI/AAAAAAAAAMA/L81hyI0myT0/s1600-h/200px-Nine_in_the_afternoon_cover.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167363764329033938" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 121px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 116px" height="148" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/R7Yp9z4OsNI/AAAAAAAAAMA/L81hyI0myT0/s200/200px-Nine_in_the_afternoon_cover.png" width="164" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">I actually really like Panic at the Disco's (note the absence of the !) new song, "Nine in the Afternoon." It seems a lot more complex than the more poppy songs on their past albums, and its dramatic pianos, guitars, and choruses remind me of Queen. I'm looking forward to their new CD, <em>Pretty.Odd</em> (out March 25). </span><div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">I was in Old Navy the other day and they have some cute things for spring. I like their "Urban Explorer" theme, especially the little khaki jackets and gladiator sandals. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">This dress + these sandals = perfect spring outfit!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/R7Yq_D4OsOI/AAAAAAAAAMI/4OTgfM_fJYg/s1600-h/printedbeltedoldnavy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167364885315498210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/R7Yq_D4OsOI/AAAAAAAAAMI/4OTgfM_fJYg/s200/printedbeltedoldnavy.jpg" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167365864568041714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="179" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/R7Yr4D4OsPI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/s-XJ2yL45bo/s200/gladiatorsoldnavy.jpg" width="146" border="0" /></span></div><br /><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Another short post! Since I didn't wake up until noon today, I think it's time for lunch.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">yours lazily</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">geraldine</span></p>geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-10261943536735984722008-02-13T17:30:00.000-08:002008-02-13T18:06:17.060-08:00spring fever<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/R7OhBj4OsLI/AAAAAAAAALw/T4ShUO-spuU/s1600-h/keira_knightley.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166650245707116722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/R7OhBj4OsLI/AAAAAAAAALw/T4ShUO-spuU/s200/keira_knightley.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Hello! I <em>finally </em>found some inspiration for a new post. </span><span style="font-size:85%;">It doesn't look as pretty here as in the magazine I saw it in, but I absolutely love the <strong>Rodarte dress</strong> that <strong>Keira Knightley</strong> wore to the premiere of <em>Atonement. </em>This (or a modification of it, maybe witnout the triangle of bare skin in the middle) will be my prom dress. Oh yes. It will. My mum wants me to have a dress made, so if i can find a pattern of a dress like this and the right material, it would be perfect. Especially with some gorgeous shoes. </span><div><div><br /><div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">In other news, I have a new favorite CD: <strong>Rilo Kiley's </strong><em><strong>Under the Blacklight</strong>.</em> Amazing. </span></div><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/R7OhQT4OsMI/AAAAAAAAAL4/BAR_JO55Apg/s1600-h/jumboheartyccks_main.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166650499110187202" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 140px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 139px" height="132" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/R7OhQT4OsMI/AAAAAAAAAL4/BAR_JO55Apg/s200/jumboheartyccks_main.jpg" width="175" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Oh! I almost forgot about tomorrow. Tomorrow is, if you for some ridiculous reason do not know about it, <strong>Valentine's Day. </strong>I'm going to make cupcakes with Sweetheart "conversation hearts" on them. And give them, very unspecifically, to all my friends. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">That's all I have to write about for now...short and sweet, right?</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">yours sweetly</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">geraldine</span></div></div></div></div>geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447881845203327826.post-38849094193312448942008-01-23T20:01:00.000-08:002008-01-30T23:11:05.690-08:00Hello again!<span style="font-size:85%;">Cripes! I haven't written anything for a month! I wish I had an intriguingly exotic or vague or mysterious excuse, something like ,</span><span style="font-size:85%;">"I'm afraid I can't disclose where I've been for the past month. The CIA doesn't--oh, oops," or </span><span style="font-size:85%;">"I had a lovely time in New York. And Paris. And London. But we never did make it to Milan--the dear old Queen was ever so welcoming, and we simply <em>had </em>to stay for Prince William's birthday," or "Uh, well, umm, you see, er..." Although stuttering doesn't really translate well into blogs. </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Nevertheless, here are some random and delightful things I've been wanting to write about.</span><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">1. Beard Papa's "fresh 'n natural cream puffs."</span></strong></div><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/R5mOa8gJUhI/AAAAAAAAAKM/r5LOVkdru-c/s1600-h/beardpapa.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159311441698312722" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/R5mOa8gJUhI/AAAAAAAAAKM/r5LOVkdru-c/s200/beardpapa.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I was in San Francisco a little while ago with my </span><span style="font-size:85%;">dad and my brother, and while walking around outside <strong>the Metreon</strong> we were immediately drawn to this small shop by its cute exterior--and the fact that it was called "Beard Papa's." We went in and bought some cream puffs--vanilla, chocolate, and tiramisu. They were all delicious. Don't worry--Beard Papa's is a chain with locations in many major cities. <a href="http://www.beardpapa.com/"><span style="color:#ff6666;">www.beardpapa.com</span></a></span><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/R5mN7MgJUgI/AAAAAAAAAKE/qm0rwZ24SFA/s1600-h/81bottoms_image.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159310896237466114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/R5mN7MgJUgI/AAAAAAAAAKE/qm0rwZ24SFA/s200/81bottoms_image.jpg" border="0" /></a>2. Heritage 1981</span></strong><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Basically <strong>Forever21</strong>, but better. As the cheap-and-cheerful retailer's sister store, Heritage 1981 is better organized, making it a <em>lot </em>easier to shop there. It's clearly arranged to feel more like a boutique; clothes are folded on low tables and hung neatly on racks arranged around the store. The store also seems to have more of a "concept" behind it, a kind of urban-hippie-chic, and has a hint of <strong>UrbanOutfitters</strong> about it . Heritage's clothes are much more casual than Forever21's, and the glitzy going-out tops and throwaway sequin dresses are largely absent. Everything seems to be better quality than Forever21--although that might just be the organization and "ambience" of the store. You still have to pick-and-choose carefully, but there are some really nice tops among the graphic tees and hoodies. <a href="http://www.heritage1981.com/"><span style="color:#ff6666;">http://www.heritage1981.com/</span></a></span></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">3. Camera Obscura</span></strong></div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/R5mTlMgJUiI/AAAAAAAAAKU/MaYcVc2d0to/s1600-h/514389.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159317115350110754" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="178" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Azsals-7LGU/R5mTlMgJUiI/AAAAAAAAAKU/MaYcVc2d0to/s200/514389.jpg" width="187" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">I can't believe I only found out about Camera Obscura a couple weeks ago. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">The Scottish group has been around since 1996, and made their first album, </span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Biggest Blues Hi-Fi,</em> in 2002. Their latest release is <em>Let's Get Out of This Country </em>(released 2006), followed by several EPs. Every single song is absolutely charming: the vocals are softly pretty and romantic, and the lyrics are witty, but not in an overly-ironic-Fall Out Boy-way. I would describe Camera Obscura as a blend of <strong>Belle & Sebastian, Regina Spektor,</strong> and <strong>Casey Dienel.</strong> In a word: perfect. <a href="http://www.camera-obscura.net/"><span style="color:#ff6666;">http://www.camera-obscura.net/</span></a></span></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Well, that's all I have for now--time to sleep! I'd appreciate any feedback or suggestions for the blog in general--content, layout, etc!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">yours sincerely,</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">geraldine </span></div>geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15678659305636525312noreply@blogger.com1