"the most poetic actress of all time"

This quote comes from Al Pacino talking about his favorite actress: JULIE CHRISTIE
An amazing actress starring in many of my favorite movies, such as Doctor Zhivago, Fahrenheit 451, and Finding Neverland. She is an Oscar winner and has even been a muse to Christian Lacroix. And TCM has jumped on the Julie Christie bandwagon, playing her movies for the past couple of days: yesterday they played Doctor Zhivago, and today brought Heaven Can Wait. Is there anything not to love about this beautiful icon?

Othello and Zhivago

So today marked my first day of Othello. A 1-credit class that teaches us about the Shakespearean play, as well as a trip to the Shakespeare festival to see the play. Much excitement to see the play in two weeks, but I'm least enthused about sitting in a classroom for two hours for the other three Fridays. But I guess we must all make sacrifices.

And as luck would have it: Upon arriving home I was graced with the start of Doctor Zhivago on TCM. Certainly one of my favorite movies that I have anxiously been awaiting to see yet again (about the 4th of 5th time.) Ah, we must love the classics...

Happy Birthday Levi Strauss

In honor of Levi Strauss' birthday, I've decided to take the jean's route today because Strauss created the first pair of jeans...ever! Wow, currently one of my favorite inventors of all time--him and the skirt inventor, but we'll save that for another day.

Today has brought me very few classes consisting of Sociology and American Literature. I'm excited for American Lit today--hopefully it will be better than Tuesday's class.
Recap: my teacher unexpectedly asked me my thoughts about cheating. How is one supposed to respond to that?!

Retail Therapy and Yoga

So Math just felt like a disaster. A 16 problem test and I only seemed to know how to do one problem! Er... Hopefully I'll get some dumb luck and get at least a passing grade. Midterm grades go out next week and I know Phi Theta Kappa is just itching to kick me out of there for not making good grades. Hopefully, since this is my last semester, they'll just keep me in even if I don't have a 3.5 average.

But, the rest of the day seemed to shape up. After the test I went next door over to Wal Mart to shop off that disaster. Nothing like a little retail therapy, right? I bought more batteries for my digital camera, a little notebook to doodle in, and a pair of dark purple tights. I love tights, but I didn't own any pretty colorful ones...until today. All I had was black, white, and gray.
After hitting up Wal Mart I managed to make it to macroeconomics, work, yoga, and back to work. I'm definitely loving the balance and flexibility yoga is teaching me. I strongly recommend to anyone who feels like a klutz. It does help you.

the lines I love and the problems I don't

Another day at school. I can't really complain about the homework I do get at college because it is so few, but math is just about to bury me today. All day I've been at work, in the library, and any other place where I could work on it. And it must be done today because it must be turned in tomorrow when I take the test...and after working of the homework, I'm not sure if I'm excited for this test. Does anyone else just hate Math? I'll just stick with English.

As for lines that I love, this time Chloe Sevigny takes the win. On style.com she talked about drawing inspiration from "skinheads to Connecticut kids to St. Marks Place." As well as adding that the line for Opening Ceremony only got started because she wanted to design "pink flannel shirt." Luckily for us, she did design.

So last night was just another unforgettable Academy-Award watching experience. Although Frost/Nixon did not win any Oscars, it was still an amazing watchful experience. And I must give it up to Sean Penn and Dustin Lance Black on their Oscar acceptance speeches for Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay. They supported the homosexual audience in a way that gained many other peoples, as well as my own, support. And Kate Winslet graciously accepted a much deserved Best Actress Oscar.

Last night I had the urge to write. There seemed to be a story to tell despite the fact that it was 1 o'clock in the morning. Sometimes creativity just doesn't wait until the awake hours for me. Does anyone else have these so called "fits of creativity?" I rather enjoy them if I do say so myself. That was, until the morning when I had to be up at 6 a.m. Today was certainly not a hopeful day for class. I did attend Math and Macroeconomics, then met up with a friend for a lunch date. This ultimately led me to skip yoga and accompany my friend to his art class where they were working with clay. I even got to join in and work on some creative clay projects myself.

Oscar Nominees

Oscar Night! One of my favorite nights that I look forward to every year. It's so full of glitz and glamour and some of the best dressed celebrities. Although red carpet events have to lead to outfit criticisms, I would personally like to see their outfits, but not have them criticized by people like Joan Rivers. But I guess it only makes you more legendary to be put on Joan Rivers worst dressed list. I truly believe that it is the amazing beauty of the celebrity that makes them worth looking at. Here are a few of my favorites that have graced the oscar scene throughout the decades...

There's just something about his smirk. Jack Nicholson is the posterboy for making mysterious sexy.

Julie Andrews, Grace Kelly, and Audrey Hepburn shine brightly on their own, but together their style becomes legendarily iconic.

Elizabeth Taylor is as notorious for the oscars as she is for her repeated marriages.

The man deserving of a thousand Oscars: Gregory Peck.

And this year can only bring more excitement. The category I'm most looking forward to will be the Best Actor spot. I'm hoping to see Frank Langella(Frost/Nixon) walk home with an Oscar, but I will not complain if Sean Penn(Milk) wins either because he is very talented and deserving of an Oscar. Other Highlights I am looking forward to is to see Kate Winslet, winning and style-wise. She is definately deserving. As well as to see Ron Howard(Frost/Nixon) win Best Director. And I have to jump on the Slumdog Millionaire bandwagon and hope that they win Best Picture. I wish all the nominees a huge Good Luck and Congratulations!

"Books are the treasured wealth of the world"

The simple, serene day allowed me to catch up on American Literature reading consisting of The Awakening and The Storm by Kate Chopin; and Roman Fever and The Other Two by Edith Wharton. Enjoyable reads, though not what I would have picked out for my own reading enjoyment. Although reading the stories by Edith Wharton did allow me to reflect on the days when I read Ethan Frome. Ah...the joys of literature...

February 20th

In honor of the day I would like to dedicate it to it to Ansel Adams, an American landscape photographer born today in 1902. He is best known for his black and white photographs based primarily in the West. Though this brilliant photographer passed 25 years ago, it is great that we can still reflect on his amazing photographs.

"A good photograph is knowing where to stand."

"A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed."

"I tried to keep both arts alive, but the camera won. I found that while the camera does not express the soul, perhaps a photograph can!"

"Both the grand and the intimate aspects of nature can be revealed in the expressive photograph. Both can stir enduring affirmations and discoveries, and can surely help the spectator in his search for identification with the vast world of natural beauty and the wonder surrounding him."

Men's Wear

A few days ago, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week launched many new menswear styles, which included my favorite men's clothing designer, Zegna. The line that was referred to as "evocative" and a taste of "Italian Fascism" was truly inspirational, with many amazing men's fashions, that even I love, such as male trench coats, including one style that was very Ricky Blane Casablanca esque, and the amazing stylish suits. Oh, when will he begin to create women's fashion? Here are some of my favorite styles from the runway...

Just to catch you up: Last night I was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, which is known as the international honor society of the two year college. It's a little pointless since I graduate in May anyways, but better-late-than-never, right? Well, long story short, the induction ceremony did not go as amazing as I had hoped. In reality, it was a bit of a travesty and I didn't even end up on stage to be announced. Nevertheless we got the situation figured out and voila, all's well that ends well...

Not too much going on today, just a long day of school and work. I was away from my room and my lovely computer from 7.30 am to 5:30 pm. After a long day it certainly feels good to be home and sit on my computer and blog. Ah, the simple pleasures in life!

"Everyday is a fashion show...

...and the world is your runway. "

I always love to dress up, but occasions to dress up are very few. So I decided to stop waiting for an occasion and just do it. Who needs a special event to pull out a dress and heels. I wore a dress today to go to my Sociology class and take an American Literature test.
Total Running Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Total Effect Time: Priceless

If you have an outfit and you're waiting for a special occasion to wear it, I say pull it out and wear it school, the mall, or even to the dentist. Life's too short to wait. Carpe Diem!

My Muse

There's an old saying that goes "Good artists copy, but great artists steal." And today, I have decided to give you a glimpse of who I have stolen from...at least today. Miley Cyrus is definitely one of my muses. I like her style and her music...and Hannah Montana is one of my guilty pleasures. (I do have others, but this is the Miley Cyrus section.)
I like this look by Miley Cyrus, and I just happened to have all the accouterments to this outfit in my room. I love my motorcycle jacket because it makes me feel sort of bad ass. Although the one part of her outfit I do prefer is the contrast of the pink scarf with the tough jacket.
On-line picture searching can be a great way to get inspired by new fashion ideas, right?

The Marilyn Hype

Today I am blogging about one of my favorite classic Hollywood icons: MARILYN MONROE. I know I'm definitely not the only one out there who loves Marilyn Monroe. Who couldn't fall in love with that confidence and beauty that she exudes? My favorite movie, which is certainly one of, if not, her signature films: Gentleman Prefer Blondes. Who could forget her singing and dancing to "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend?" And I certainly love that Hollywood glamour is modeled around the infamous Marilyn Monroe. From tattoos of her, to photo shoots modeled after her--most recent was Scarlett Johansson's make-up add for Dolce and Gabbanna...

Valentines & Goodys & Style

Just wanted to start off by wishing a happy Valentine's day! Seeing as how I don't have a valentine this year, I celebrated today like any other single gal would: watching sappy love movies and shopping. A going out of business sale at Goody's meant a new black skirt for me. I love skirts...I'm trying to change my style. I'm usually a jeans and t-shirt type of girl, but I want to change it to a more dressier approach. I like the style of constantly wearing skirts and dresses, but I guess I have to go shopping for more skirts because I don't own that many. Also, with color. I don't usually wear too much color. I just kept it simple with black and gray.
Any-who...I wanted to get the skirt because Tuesday I will be inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa honor society at my college. I have to dress up for it so the skirt will prove worthy I believe.

you never forget your first time

a


So, this is my first blog. And I regret to say that there is nothing to exciting to inform you of today. My deepest apologies for that. So, I will begin this blog to tell you a little bit about myself. My name is Monica and I am 19 years old. I attend community college currently, but I will graduate in May with an A.A. degree. I'm an English major, which I absolutely love. I like writing and reading. Aside from writing and reading, I also love fashion, photography, art, and film. My favorite artists are Rene Magritte and Andy Warhol. I have a digital camera and I'm obsessed with taking pictures with it. It's cool to take pictures in an outfit and discover new angles from it. I love the movies...particularly in black and white...and particularly starring the Marx Brothers. Groucho Marx is my hero! They say that those plastic glasses with the eyebrows and mustache are designed after Groucho--I've been trying to get a pair, but no place around me wants to sell them :(. One day though, I'll find them. I love fashion. I love clothes. I love shopping. Shopping is one of the hobbies I spend a majority of my time doing. Although I don't make too much money, I do manage to score some good clothes. Last Friday I went to Destin, Florida. I got to hit up some thrift shops and Target. Then Sunday, I went to Maurices and bought a new outfit. And Tueday, after getting out of class early from a Sociology test, I had time to go to Wal Mart and pick up a long-sleeve shirt. Now I'm just waiting for the next time to go shopping. ..

P.S: the pictures are of what I wore today...
funny story: Someone actually told me that my boots reminded them of that gray hat with the bow that Aretha Franklin wore, which I take as a compliment because I love that hat.