Want, Need, Wear, Read

Want: Louis Vuitton. I've held back from making the investment in Louis for so many years because it seems every other girl you see at the mall is carrying the same bag. What good is luxury without individuality? But I can't deny the quality or timelessness of the brand. There's something to say for a company that's been around for centuries yet continues to use the same monogram. I happen to like the scheme of the monogram print and feel it would complement my wardrobe and coloring nicely. I really like the versatility of the Eva Clutch and also have my eye on the Josephine wallet in green. The scarves are also tempting.

Need: A new car. I should have gotten it by Spring but delays, delays. Fingers crossed. I've wanted the same car for nearly as long as I've had my license. They say good things come to those who wait and I hope to prove that. I'd rather have an older car that I love than a brand new one that will depreciate in value the second you drive it off the lot (and with identical models all over the roadways).

Wear: With the stifling heat and humidity at its peak in July, thankfully I have my trusty bun-a-ma-jig. That's a much better term than "doughnut" or "sock bun", don't you agree? I refuse to get my hair cut until Mercury retrograde ends (today!) and the cooler weather approaches. Until then, I'm so happy that buns are in style. It's a nice throwback to the days when women wore updos and dressed far more elegantly than us hot messes of the 21st century. Buns are easy, instantly make you look put together and best of all, keep you from going into heat exhaustion.

Read: Lily Dale: The True Story of the Town That Talks to the Dead by Christine Wicker. Ever since viewing the documentary No One Dies in Lily Dale, I've been entranced by all things Lily Dale. I'm making it a point to finally visit the tiny Spiritualist community this summer. I'm almost done with this book and I definitely recommend a read. It's a good perspective on the Dale. I really want to get a reading by Rev. Anne Gehman. Her energy speaks to me.










Now Playing: "Of the Mother Again" by Jim James

Pattern Recognition

 

Pattern Recognition by William Gibson

I was doing some "fall cleaning" and going through my books when I came across Pattern Recognition by William Gibson. I was assigned to read this for one of my English Lit classes in college. It's a pretty interesting sci-fi novel. When I was younger, I was a bit of a label whore but this book changed my perspective on how I view logos and branding and the corporate world as a whole.

The main character, Cayce, makes it a point to not wear anything blatant or distinguishable. It's an interesting point of view. It really is laughable when women are carrying Louis Vuitton monogram bags with Louboutin heels just because it has a red sole. It's desperate. I'm all for high-end designers and luxury products but I like it for its quality and aesthetic not its notoriety. I appreciate things that are unique. When you wear things just because it's a status symbol, you're only doing the company a favor. You're paying the label a high price to be its walking advertisement. Sure, some people will buy into the scheme and think you're "special" for owning (assuming it wasn't put on a credit card) something that is knowingly expensive. But newsflash- someone else is bound to be sporting that exact same item within the next few blocks.

Why buy into the notion that we need to impress people in the first place? Your friends should appreciate you for the person you are and not what color the bottom of your heels are. Anyone with a good eye would rather compliment you for something they haven't seen on every sorority girl or soccer mom at the mall.

I hate to be like everyone else. I think most people like to be memorable. I just don't see how wearing something recognizable makes you special. It's quite contradictory. Pattern recognition (the process not the book itself) is a big reason why our country is in debt. So many people are concerned with showing off to the world "what they have". They're typically the same individuals who built the McMansions with a loan they couldn't afford and are leasing the luxury vehicles but not making the payments. I'd rather own a charming house that has character, drive a used car and own it outright (albeit a classic car or something nice), and wear designs that aren't nearly as embarrassing. "In this economy", most people can't afford such expensive things. Why live a lie? Just a thought.

Now Playing: "So American" by Portugal. The Man

Work of Art

Recently I have been lusting after a Stephen Sprouse Louis Vuitton scarf. While imagining the cashmere and silk fabric chicly wrapped around my neck, I studied the work of the infamous artist who passed away in 2004. It has been too long since I've been to the museum. Pittsburgh has a lot of really amazing ones, so I can't say that I have a good excuse for my absence. But atleast I can virtually admire these images. While I don't typically love modern art, I certainly can see the beauty in Sprouse's work.
All photos courtesy Google Images.






Now Playing: "You" by TV on the Radio
(One of my favorite songs of the year!)