Halloween 2012: If She Doesn't Scare You, No Evil Thing Will

I wasn't kidding about these Halloween costumes, you guys. I've got a bunch up my sleeve. I thought I'd wait and reveal this one towards the end of the month, since it's what I will be sporting this October 31st (not exactly this look, mine is a thrifted version, though a girl can dream, amirite?), but I couldn't resist. I am very much looking forward to embodying this crazy character this year.

Cruella De Vil is arguably one of the best dressed Disney villains in existence, and if her wardrobe was faux and she wasn't fighting to murder puppies, perhaps she wouldn't be a villain at all. I've always enjoyed the utterly insane glamour she exudes - to the point of being unhinged. This is a woman who gave up everything for fashion (not that I'm condoning that level of devotion - I'm certainly not condoning the obsession with fur - it is a cartoon, after all). 

Jason Wu dress / Miu Miu coat / Versace heels / Kendra Scott ring / Causse Gantier gloves
If she doesn't scare you, no evil thing will

Halloween 2012: Dorothy Gale, from Kansas

Valentino lace bodice dress / Lili Gaufrette pink socks / Jeffrey Campbell glitter high heels / Rewind Vintage Affairs handbag
dorothy gale, from kansas


Halloween is, and has pretty much always been, my favorite holiday. Perhaps it's my flair for the dramatic, or maybe my incessant sweet tooth, but I live for Halloween. To celebrate, I will be dedicating a few posts a week to Halloween costume inspirations. I don't particularly believe in store bought costumes; I like the thrill of putting it together myself, and what's more fun than giving a classic costume a modern, couture spin?

To kick of the month of October (yes, I'm a day early. Favorite holiday, remember?), I've put together a modern day Dorothy Gale, after one of my all-time favorite movies. I was the child insisting "I'm not a witch at all, I'm Dorothy Gale, from Kansas" and getting to dress up as Dorothy as a four year old was a dream come true. I love the idea of reprising that character now that I'm grown, and these Jeffrey Campbell boots just may be the perfect ruby slipper for me to do so.

"Bad For You" - Haley Bonar

This is such an adorable, simple song. The message is clear and concise: everything's bad for you. I listen to it with a smile, having grown up eating dirt along with carrots straight from the garden and spending my time singing and talking to myself in the woods day after day. It's no secret that we've become much more protective of our health and safety in recent decades, and often for good reason, but doesn't it sometimes seem a little excessive? That's what this song means to me: maybe it's not actually all that bad?

I loved envisioning what the wise grown-up singing this song would wear. Very proper, very modest, very smart, but perhaps a little off - she takes everything a little too far, both in her wardrobe and her advice. This Moschino Cheap & Chic dress gives a hint that the wearer is a little off-balance with it's quirky blocks of color and that surprise pop of yellow. The look is put over the top with this outrageous Meadham Kirchhoff faux fur coat, evoking a crazed monster. Everything really is bad for you after all, it seems. 

Listen to a live version of the song here.

Moschino Cheap & Chic lace cocktail dress / Meadham Kirchhoff  faux fur coat / Rupert Sanderson pumps / Alexander Wang leather wallet / Rebecca Minkoff sunglasses
Everything's Bad For You 

Things Emma Loves: Animal Sweaters

Remember how I said this may look a little different in the coming weeks? Let me introduce you to a new feature where I gush about a particular trend/genre in fashion/music with which I'm currently obsessed. Today, I am channeling my inner five-year-old and adoring all these fine-knit pullovers featuring our furry friends (believe it or not, all that alliteration was totally an accident - but I'm not going to correct it).

"Sweet Sour" - Band of Skulls

What do you call a more innocent version of a femme fatale? Like, someone that has just a bit of edge - not enough to be dangerous, but enough to be interesting - and still an undeniable adorability? I'm not sure exactly what she'd be called, but I do know that Band of Skulls' "Sweet Sour" would be her anthem and this would be her signature look.

This look appears almost preppy until you stop to notice the details: leather almost everywhere, sky-high Louboutins, accessories boasting a bit of hardware. This chick has layers. She is complex. She will keep you guessing and keep life exhilarating.

I love how this song is a bit reminiscent of 80's rock - the look is almost too tame for such a genre, but I think the added subtleties of the look make the pairing all the better. It makes the resulting personality of the wearer that much more surprising.

Listen to the song here.

"The Only Place" - Best Coast

Last week it was my birthday. My birthday has always been and will always be my favorite day of the year. I am well aware that this is because it is the one day a year I feel I can let my inner narcissist out into the world and not be sorry at all for demanding all of the attention. And I think it is very healthy that I can admit that. 

Unfortunately, looking forward to an August birthday practically year-round causes the rest of summer to fly by incredibly fast. Last week also marked the first time in months that Minneapolis wasn't a slave to sweltering heat. While the cool breeze and cloudy skies were a welcome change after nights of sweating through semi-consciousness in an apartment with a shoddy window A/C unit, it also made me a little sad that the summer was beginning to come to an end.

To mark my defiance of the inevitable change in season, today's look is based on Best Coast's "The Only Place". This song is the perfect summer anthem. If we're being fair, it's more of an ode to California, but being a true Minnesotan girl, I'm going to pretend they meant Minnesota lakes when they sing "we've got the ocean/got the babes/got the sun/we've got the waves". That totally applies to Lakes Nokomis, Calhoun, Isles, and Harriet. Minus the waves, I suppose.

Regardless, this look embodies a carefree summer day wonderfully. It's got the necessary layers to transition from a day on the beach/boat to bonfire, and those washed out colors lazily speak to a day of no responsibilities. 

Listen to the song here. 

Well, hello again.

Whoops. Accidentally took a four month hiatus there.

The good news is, that break allowed me to think about what I want this to become. I've been pretty happy with what I've produced thus far, but what I've really enjoyed is how this has reignited the creative spark in me in a way that I haven't felt in a very long time. Wanting to actually invest in this project has forced me to be more connected to music, fashion, and the wealth of resources at my disposal.

As a result, I'm re-prioritizing how I want to spend my time, which means looking into guitar lessons and classes at MCAD instead of endless hours spent watching my Hulu queue. Allowing myself to truly be inspired by the art and concerts I attend and act on it.

So, what I'm saying, is this may look a little different in the coming weeks/months. The focus will forever be music and fashion, but in different iterations. It's still a bit abstract, but I'm always optimistic.