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Paul Simon, Under African Skies

joiezabel — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:34:44 +0000

ok, the african series continues. this is another of the 5 dresses i took on my trip. i wore it with a sweatshirt in Morocco when we toured the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, which is an architectural marvel and is built partly over the ocean with a glass floor to see the waves beneath you. we actually visited in twice because we were so fascinated with the architecture, so you’ll see some other pics of it in my next post. this is the fountain room for religious washing beneath the mosque, all beautifully crafted in moroccan marbles and mosaics.

the Hassan II has the highest religious minaret in the world and the place is gigantic – it fits 25,000 people inside and another 80,000 on the outside mezzanine area.

the other awesome thing in casablanca besides the mosque is the food. we ate some amazing grub. here i am dining al fresco on a tagine comprised of fresh fish and sweet potatoes.

i wore the same dress a week later on a trip to goree island, off the coast of dakar in senegal, one of the processing centers of the slave trade back in the day. goree is one of the places i remember well from my childhood in senegal and it made me incredibly nostalgic to go back there again. the island was a transportation center for getting the captured slaves on ships to the western world. it is hauntingly beautiful because of the cultural and historical significance of the place. there are no vehicles on the island, so it very much feels like going back in time.

it’s so important that we never forget the appalling fact that we humans used to buy and sell one another like animals. this door open to the sea is called ‘the door of no return’ and is where the slaves would be driven through in chains to board ships for the western world, never to see their homeland in africa again. it makes me feel literally ill to think about it.

after visiting the slave house we walked around the whole island just soaking up the atmosphere. there are actually senegalese songs which mention the ‘colors of goree’ and you can see why…the most amazing tropical shades all blending together with the sea and sky.

my senegalese family went along on the trip to goree. i am very proud to introduce them to you. in order are my cousin antoine, my adorable nephew philippe, my sister-in-law aurelie, my niece lydie, my cousin mariatou and my brother pascal. and of course me and todd. everyone is wearing the new threadless t shirts we brought them for christmas too. don’t we look colorful?

outfit details: flowered dress is from target; silver-blue shoes are barefoots by merrell; orange dress underneath is vintage; flat boots are cynthia rowley; purple sweatshirt is from the gap

song inspiration: “under african skies” by paul simon and miriam makeba. this is one of my very favorite songs on the graceland album. i think linda ronstadt sings with paul simon on the record, but this version of this song always makes me so homesick because i too grew up under african skies. miriam makeba was a south african singer and one of the people who made african music accessible to the rest of the world. she was also an anti-apartheid activist and an incredible woman. this song will give you chicken skin.

Tinariwen, Arawan

joiezabel — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:00:06 +0000

so i am way behind of posting to this little blog, mainly because todd and i were in africa for two glorious weeks over christmas and then since we have returned it’s been nuts trying to get back into the swing of things at work. we had an absolutely amazing time visiting my brother and his family in senegal, and no mere photos can adequately recreate the phenomenal experience we had there. so instead of trying to convey the entire trip, i am just going to post a few pics in each of the outfits i wore on the trip…all out of a carry-on, i might add. we rewore everything ad nauseum, of course, but i am still a bad-ass packer.

this vintage caftan dress was a staple for the whole trip. here i am wearing it to the open-air market in downtown dakar, where we went to pick up our lamb and other yummy ingredients for christmas dinner.

the market was a ridiculous experience on multiple levels…loud, crowded, dirty, fragrant, awesome. thank goodness my sister-in-law aurelie was there to shepherd us along (she’s the lovely lady buying the veggies in the below photo, btw). anyway, i wish i could share all of the photos i took there, but this will give you a tiny example of how crazy it was.

i also wore the dress on a trip to le corniche, one of dakar’s beach areas. we bought fresh coconuts and strolled around enjoying the scenery with pascal and our friends tim and akeelah.

not only is this vintage dress good for adventures, it is also good for lazing around under the mango tree in the front yard. behold:

outfit details: caftan dress is vintage; silver-blue shoes are barefoots by merrell and are the BEST shoes for traveling. i wish i had another pair. yellow bag is kate spade.

song inspiration: “arawan” by tinariwen. tinariwen is one of my very favorite african groups. they are from mali, one of the countries that border senegal. i’ve been lucky enough to see them play a few times and they put on an amazing live show. this kind of music always makes me feel so nostalgic for west africa, where i spent my youth. it was awesome to be back there, even for such a short time.

The Pogues, Fairytale of New York

joiezabel — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:51:00 +0000

A colorful outfit perfect for a sunday of brunch and shopping at the Dose holiday popup market. Actually, everything was pretty expensive, so it was more hanging with friends looking at stuff and eating, but a good time was had by all nonetheless.

the market was in a very cool old art gallery. no one cared about the art part of the warehouse, so we had it all to ourselves. we had fun taking pictures and mocking most of the pieces…generally being philistines.

todd and i right after eating honey butter fried chicken. yes, you put the honey butter ON the chicken. look how happy it made us.

outfit details: green chiffon dress is a no-name cheapie purchased on ebay; shoes are bc footwear; cardigan is from the gap; leopard coat is thrifted in london; neon orange tights are hue; accessories are all thrifted; husband is gifted ( from god, where else?)

song inspiration: “fairytale of new york” by the pogues and kirsty mccoll. here’s a classic tune for you – it just isn’t the holidays for me until i listen to this song. now, to be fair, let me mention that i pretty much can’t stand the holiday season, so it makes sense, as the words to this song are way depressing. however, the music is cheerful and pogues-y, and if anything will get me in the mood to avoid the bah humbugs, it is hearing this song come on the jukebox at the bar in december. how’s that for holiday cheer?

Alexander, Truth

joiezabel — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:23:36 +0000

it’s getting cold enough to wear the amazing vintage fur coat my beloved aunt gave me. it’s a shadow mink coat that she has had for many years and i coveted it for ages until she finally caved and gave in to me. it’s warm and glamorous and can fancy up even the most mundane of thursdays.

i have owned this vintage polyester dress for 10 years. it never wrinkles and has four leaf clovers on it, so it’s my good luck piece.

outfit details: dress is vintage; sweater is ralph lauren via ebay; cutout wedges are deena and ozzie, also via ebay; flower belt is j.crew via thrift store; tights are spanx; vintage mink coat was a glorious gift

song inspiration: “truth” by alexander ebert. man, i am really digging this dude’s self-released solo album. he is the singer with edward sharpe and the magnetic zeros, but i love this stuff way more than i ever did that. this tune is almost reggae in feel, but like a western reggae with whistling and country instrumentation. very cool.

The Drowning Men, Get A Heart

joiezabel — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:00:22 +0000

i thought i’d try this colorblocking nonsense for myself, since i “found” this orange dress in my closet this morning. i am about to start on a 4 month stretch of no vintage shopping…and no shopping in general…so you can expect a lot more outfits like this where i break out stuff i don’t wear very often.

i’m still wearing this leopard-print trench coat i thrifted 5 years ago in london. that was before leopard print was “back in”, guys – how fashion forward am i? and the abalone necklace was purchased at a thrift store in paris. this post makes me sound much cooler than i am because of all the international references, but what can i say…i like to travel and vintage/thrift stores are the first thing i check out in a new city.

outfit details: orange dress is bcbg; teal silk shirt and trench coat are thrifted; mustard tights are hue; boots are doc marten darcies – i couldn’t love these boots more if i tried.

song inspiration: “get a heart” by the drowning men. this song is my latest obsession. i have been listening to it over and over. they are currently touring with airborne toxic event, so try to catch the show if you can. it will be worth it, i promise!

Violent Femmes, Kiss Off

joiezabel — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:02:38 +0000

yesterday i was in the mood for a leisurely sunday afternoon brunch, so i gathered together some friends and we checked out a place that recently opened in west town. bleeding heart is a sustainable bakery and cafe that specializes in punk rock pastry and delicious organic treats. we had a blast, the food was delicious and i really can’t recommend it enough. then we walked up to logan square to go to the monthly vintage bazaar at the congress theatre. the weather was practically balmy and i was enjoyably windblown after our afternoon of walking.

it wouldn’t be an afternoon out in west town without hitting up permanent records to salivate over their vinyl selection.

outfit details: black leather jacket and skirt are both from ebay; cutout wedges are deena & ozzy, also via ebay; striped sweater is vintage saks; fuchsia tights are by spanx; pastel plaid scarf was purrchased at a street fair in the czech republic

song inspiration: “kiss off” by violent femmes. this classic tune is of course in honor of going to permanent records, which is named after the speaking part in the middle of the song where he goes “i hope you know that this will go down on your permanent record.” such a good song, you guys, and this old-school live performance of it is pretty fun too. wish i could have been there.

Tom Waits, Satisfied

joiezabel — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:32:16 +0000

today is my ad agency’s 50 year anniversary as a privately-owned marketing company. it’s kind of a big deal, that. we have an awesome celebration party planned for tonight, with a bunch of chicago press and drinks and other fun stuff, so i thought the occasion deserved a little leopard print.

i also dragged out my amazing vintage mink cape, which i thrifted in austin for $12 dollars. it’s pretty much impossible to wear it in chicago, as the weather is consistently either too warm for fur or too cold to wear a cape, but i love it and want to marry it so i bring it out whenever i can.

also, please to check out this two-finger bird ring. my best friend zak bought me this for my birthday 4 years ago and it always makes me feel like a badass when i wear it. and i like that feeling.

outfit details: yellow silk dress was purchased on ebay and has a viola tag in it; mango wedges are fluevogs; bronze two-fingered ring is a gift; olive suede bag is coach; leopard print shirt, fur cape and all jewelry and accessories are thrifted

song inspiration: “satisfied” by tom waits. i know i used a tom waits song in a recent post, but this is the latest single he has released from his new album bad as me and i just had to share it. i am completely obsessed with this album, you guys. it’s pretty phenomenal, still his classic growly, jangly sound but also some gorgeously wistful ballads. i am hoping and praying that he tours for it, as i would do a lot of illegal shit to see him perform this material live. it would be epic, so cross your fingers with me while you enjoy the video.

The Indelicates, New Art for the People

joiezabel — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:47:31 +0000

winter shorts! can you believe it? whatever will they invent next? (i put this together for this month’s Everybody, Everywear, btw. so fun.)

outfit details: tweed shorts are h&m; tweed boots are pumas; lands end cardigan and striped turtleneck are via ebay; tights are vera wang; silk scarf is thrifted

song inspiration: “new art for the people” by the indelicates. this british band is awesome. i loved them even before they became good friends of mine. they recently came through chicago for the first time and played two excellent shows. my husband todd pertll played pedal steel and banjo on their last album and during the live shows too – here is a great video of their performance.

Tom Waits, A Sweet Little Bullet From A Pretty Blue Gun

joiezabel — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:56:05 +0000

sunday was todd and my one year wedding anniversary. to celebrate, my aunt took us to the the fireside theatre in fort atkinson, wisconsin. we stuffed our faces and had a lovely time.

i wore this bandana print dress i recently purchased on etsy. i think i am going to be wearing this constantly, as it’s both comfortable and bright – both things i gravitate toward during the long chicago winters.

the “fort” in fort atkinson.

outfit details: vintage leslie fay dress purchased from carnivore cockatiel; wedges are by camper; cross necklace is self-made; tights are assets

song inspiration: “a sweet little bullet from a pretty blue gun” by tom waits. anyone who knows me knows that i am mildly obsessed with tom waits and have been for years. his songs are like little movie vignettes for me, his lyrics are pure poetry and the music is growly and complex…all the things i dig. i could go on and on about him, but i won’t. instead, in honor of his new album dropping today, entitled bad like me, i bring you this live version of my very favorite tom waits song of all time.

Dawes, That Western Skyline

joiezabel — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:18:26 +0000

i haven’t taken any blog pictures the last week or so. why? because i have been having too much fun, that’s why. it’s hard to remember to take a full body outfit photo when you’re at the bar drinking champagne with old friends or laughing your ass off while trying to keep your skirt from blowing up around your face in the frigid chicago wind. both true stories. anyway, lack of pictures aside, i assure you that i still have been wearing dresses on a regular basis. here’s my proof:

outfit details: dress is trashy diva; wedges are steve madden; purple tights are cynthia rowley; earrings are thrifted

song inspiration: “that western skyline” by dawes. although so far i am just a little disappointed in their new album nothing is wrong, i do consider dawes to be one of the best and most talented new groups out there right now. their harmonies remind me a lot of The Band, and that’s not a bad thing. and their live show is excellent, with gorgeous vocals and good energy and interactions with the crowd…you should be able to catch them, they seem to tour nonstop. i really hope this new album grows on me, but their 2009 release that this song is from will always be very special to me.