I learned something interesting in Art History today,



"Augustus Roman Emperor lived to 76 but forced sculptors of his bust to always depict him as a young and godlike".

So there are no historically accurate representations of Augustus.

... I decided not much has changed since 63 BC....

Photoshop is just the new medium.

Fashion Hotspot #1

Bellingham hosts its fair share of fashion cliques and unique individual styles. The city doesn’t own a prescribed “look” so it can be hard to get a collective experience, until now. A recent discovery has lead me to a spot in town that hosts all the styles, the Avellino Café, located downtown on 1329 Railroad Ave.

This cafe offers not only a wide array of delicious drinks and munchies, but one colorful and unique customer base.

Barista and curator Evan Bridges credits the diversity to location, “We are in the heart of downtown. Right across the street from the bus station, there are a lot of people coming in and a lot of students” says Bridges.

Their dedication to the increasingly popular “coffee culture”, and diverse menu could be another reason for a busy house. Every item excluding the bagels are fresh baked on site. Gluten free and vegetarian customers are also catered too.

The espresso machine is thirty one years old, and the only manual machine in the area. “We offer an alternate to corporate coffee, there is a Starbucks down the street but people choose here for unique drinks and homemade food” explains Bridges.

An artistic setting tends to acquire an artistic consumer. Along with his coffee duties Bridges also curates the coffee shop’s monthly art showings. The expressions of local artists line the walls. “This month we are showing Hailey Morgan… we are booked through June”.

So if you are looking for a place to rest those high heeled feet, or just lace up those sneakers, The Avellino Café would be happy to help you take a seat. I recommend the limited time El Toro roast coffee, and the quiche is to die for. Enjoy the environment and soak in the collective style.

Thanks to photographer Rachel Nyberg

Trend Watch

I think I am being stalked! Not by people… I think it is their boots. Is this possible?

I swear I have witnessed five different pairs of these Hunter rain boots in the past few days. These higher-end versions of the popular puddle jumpers have become my newest desire. I am not really sure why I am so attracted to them. But If I had $115 to blow on some rubber rain boots, these would be them. Oh, and don’t forget the extra $15 dollars for the cute logo socks that pop over the top! Why do I feel sort of guilty for wanting these? Oh the torments of fashion.

You see, the socks are a totally necessary addition! :)

Another rainy day on campus.

The coat is from Forever 21!

The moccasins are thrifted...she couldn't quite remember their story, but I'm sure they have one.

And cudos to the reusable mug. I just feel like it was an appropriate embellishment to the whole "look" :).

Model Performance

The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus Movie Review

An adventure into the imagination of a drunken, gambling addicted, narcissist, who happens to be a complete genius, is quite a “trip”. An appropriate word to describe the movie, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus.

Of course my original objective was to go see Lily Cole’s first on screen performance. She just happens to be my favorite editorial model!

In the film she plays Valentina, the daughter of Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) and the helpless pawn in his dealings with the devil (Tom Waits).

I was hoping she would give a memorable performance. I was initially afraid of building myself up for the newest acting prodigy, only to be disappointed by an amateur. To my relief she did a fabulous job! In asking the friends I attended with about her performance, collective opinions were “Her face was always right on”… “The emotion was always perfect”. Sounds like a model to me.

For me the hint to her background came with the moments she spent standing next to other members of the cast, her 5' 10" stature towering over Collin Ferrell. Did she happen to have a perfectly straight one foot in front of the walk? It could just be my imagination :).

It seems a natural path, the transition from modeling into acting. Of course along with a creative form of career comes negative stigma attached. In the past, model to actor shifts have been looked down upon. Cole has made a positive step in changing this archaic mindset.

What an amazing first chance she had! To perform with the late Heath Ledger, Jonny Depp, Jude Law, and Collin Ferrell while working under the influence of director Terri Gilliam. If this doesn’t set her up to remain in the big cinema's eye I don’t know what will.

Her next endeavor is equally intriguing, and could turn out to be a similar fantasy style role. She plays Alice, the ghostly vision and nightly tormenter of Lewis Carroll, author of The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland. Phantasmagoria: The Visions of Lewis Carroll will be directed by the infamous Marilyn Manson. Production dates are still being thrown around but I will be better at staying on top of this one and will keep you posted!

Wild Kiwi

Wow, first off I am terrible with names. Officially this is on the top of my list of things to work on!

What need I say? The coat is a wonderful example of one of my favorite trends ANIMAL PRINT! I should warn you I am a native of Fabulous Las Vegas so I may have a weak spot for glitter and prints. Not to worry I restrain myself with taste.

Of course I am a sucker for the mustard yellow, and the fact that she purchased the coat in Australia kept me thoroughly interested. Pairing it with purple leggings and boots, I don’t think just anyone could pull this together but I say she worked it well :).

The First Leap

Okay, so the whole style blogging thing is new for me. I found that after the initial excitement comes the realization that you actually have to approach and take photographs of people... human beings. I am constantly intrigued and inspired by the creativity of my fellow Westerners but approaching someone and confronting them with a camera is more harrowing than I thought.

This morning I passed up a photo-op with a fabulously dressed young man sporting a utilie-kilt and what I am pretty sure was a Burberry scarf! After justifying myself with, “He looked angry”, and kicking myself for lack of courage. I decided these things will come in time, and went after another well dressed but much less intimidating muse.

Here she is, someone we can all look up too. Not only is she sporting a great, enviro-friendly and Western appropriate outfit, she is working it in the rain, wearing a cast and using crutches.
Let her be an inspiration to us all. When you feel like you can’t get out of bed and create something interesting just remember you are able bodied and have no reason to slack! I am just kidding of course! Anyway, she was very nice and boosted my courage. One day soon I think I will even be able to take pictures of “angry looking” people :).