(street)styleblogs.

so, even i am interested in fashion to an extent i think most people who meet me may not recognize (especially here in France where i have a limited wardrobe and packed things that i felt more neutral, which is counter to what i usually gravitate towards when getting dressed). i think also, though, my floundering and indecision is indicative of this time in my life. i am no longer a college student who can wear anything as sloppy or as refined as i wish. yet, my job currently is as "jeune fille au pair"--not exactly a title which commands pencil skirts and chanel chain bags (someday i will have you!). plus, i am in a constant state of thinking, "if only i were THINNER, this would look better..." which is so useless/annoying/stupid!

anyway, the whole point of writing this was to compare to street style blogs: both which i love but neither of which i think i will ever be fully elligible for:

the first is hel-looks. shot in helsinki, finland, i appreciate that the photographed get the opportunity to explain what they are wearing and why they like it. the people in these shots are often wearing tons of layers; their outfits are so multi-faceted and colorful, "boring" is the last word that would come to mind. i loves these looks. honestly, i feel best about myself when i have many layers, many things going on, nothing boring. i see pictures of myself when i was younger, and i was good at matching my brown wood earring to my plant-splashed shirt. but now, i am way more interested in mis-matched but INTERESTING. yet, is that okay? when i eventually, inevitably, unfortunately succumb to the corporate world, i hope i can still bring some of this excitement. it reminds me of something a friend of mine said, when we went out for some local music and framboise lambics at mia's in flagstaff and i wore a neon yellow denim skirt, gray tights, stack-healed ankle boots and a purple fur jacket. "what were you thinking when you put that on?" she asked, in all seriousness. "i was thinking that no one else would come up with this combination."


then, there's the inimitable sartorialist, with his book deal and his classic looks. His photos are so well-done, which I definitely appreciate. His models are always beautiful; their style, so refined. They seem, to me, untouchable. Maybe that is why I am more drawn to the helsinki photos: these people, in their glorious imperfection, have looks that are attainable. the sartorialist is fun to look at, but it's not something i could do, i feel. i haven't the money, or the perfect hair, skin, figure, etc., required. yet, i keep coming back to both.

and, i have to admit, i was most excited when i myself was asked to be photographed last summer in new york city for a blog called "style sightings." (believe me, it was in all the best interest of everyone involved here that my face be covered... not to discredit my one-time internet fame!) now, if i could only move to helsinki, where i, too, can state that "i mostly buy second hand"...