Balloons that fell from above.

Finally back in the game. After lazing around the week before New Years and technically the week after, I feel back in the swing of things (especially with finally being back at work in Naperville). New years was fantastic this year. Eric and I checked into the Hotel Monaco on Friday equipped with bottles of champagne to ring it all in. The Black Keys were in town for a few nights and we checked them out on the Eve (see setlist). It was nice to be out and about among people, but the crowds typically tend to suck at these kind of events, especially with my height. I just get lost in seas of shoulders, but being short has its advantages. You can watch them performing 'Everlasting Light' HERE which was just before midnight and then you can see the celebration/balloon drop HERE.

:: Veuve :: The Black Keys on New Years ::

2011 has gotten off to a really great start ::ferociously knocking on wood::. I've already had such awesome encounters with such great people and I hope that continues to be the case. I always seem to find myself among good company. I just find myself feeling very secure in this new year. It's all really in my own hands. I'm enjoying time spent in the Orland Park store. It's nice to be working on my own and "run the shoppe" at my pace. It's a completely different environment than Naperville and I enjoy both, but in different ways.

I am still dying to see Black Swan (and The Virgin Suicides, damnit). I have a feeling it will be my new obsession, but I also think it will hit me really hard. I snagged the January Vogue (and then it came to my house days later... [Laura- I am planning on giving you my spare issue!]) and I did a little reunion jig because of the beloved 2004 issue featuring Natalie Portman that featured wonderful Escada dresses and an exquisite gown by Oscar de la Renta and of course a beautiful story about Natalie Portman. I was a Sophomore in High School.

2004

2011

Now I'm nearing the end of 22 and, of course, I skipped everything else and read the story; I would have loved the opportunity to train like she did for that role.

"The dance training for Black Swan started a year before the film, with two hours a day. Six months later we ramped it up to five hours a day, and the last two months it was eight hours a day, because we added choreography and cross training, so I was also swimming a mile a day. The discipline was good for the part—it hurt a lot; your body is in constant pain.” Like most dancers, she survived on coffee and ibuprofen, and slept five hours a night."

While she had to endure endless amounts of pain, I would love the ability to be able to train extensively while getting paid to do it instead of dishing out cash for coaching, which is a huge reason why I hardly skate anymore. I wish they were filming something about skating and "needed" me to skate 6 hours a day while undergoing coaching and advanced training. It would be like re-living my youth all over again.

I need to find an empty studio ASAP. I need a little studio time with this song for sure. I have undying urge to create a routine for this song. CHECK THEM OUT! I have really been diggin' The Jezabels this year and I'm definitely excited for them to start touring around.

GAH! Why must the NFC be aired over FOX? It's disappointing flipping from CBS where the high picture quality is impeccable. I miss football season already, although technically it's still upon us. I've devoted my Sundays to them for weeks, but it's nice to see how it will all come together after a pretty good season for the Bears, although I'm not expecting miracles. I expect to see the Patriots in the Superbowl this year, they've had an astonishing season, but that's nothing new for them.

So what goes better with COSMIC LOVE than COSMIC BROWNIES?!?

I woke up craving these for some reason today. I haven't had these since I was, like...15? They were a big motivator in me going to Jewel this morning. It was a great little reunion when I ripped open the package and scarfed the little two chocolate squares down with reckless abandon. Don't worry, I waited till I got home to do this. Some good times for sure.

No go buy some Cosmic brownies and listen to Cosmic Love.

**For cat lovers; sing "The Dog Days Are Over" to your feline friend.
(this version of the song makes me cry every time, heh)

Toby is aiming to learn more in the New Year as well!

-Tessa

Almost 2011. What a title!

I'm afraid tears may be shed at the stroke of midnight this year.

2010 was so good to me. I spent most of the time being 22. Golden.

I saw all of my favourite artists (lacking David Byrne, of course).

1) Florence + The Machine (and I got the setlist!)

2) Natalie fucking Merchant (!!!!!!!!) (got a setlist here too! :D)

3) Spoon (twice)

4) Metric

5) Thom Yorke (Atoms For Peace)

6) Passion Pit &

7) Modest Mouse.

We will close out our year with The Black Keys in the city tomorrow. I'm so anxious. I have done so much this year. Eric and I took a wonderful vacation to Savannah and Hilton Head and we took a quick five day trip to Portland and a few getaways in the mix. I traveled to Japan and saw my niece for the first time and got to visit with my brother and sister-in-law for the first time in 4+ years. My Nephew, Jack was born and he was the first baby I've ever held (I'm baby weird for sure) and he rocks. I moved out of my house and I love living with my best friend, it's been such a great experience. So many great experiences this year!

As much as I like to dip around in the past, I sure do like to wipe that slate clean and settle complacently into a new year. Although, it will be more than complacent, because that seems like a dull state to be in. I will settle enthusiastically into 2011. How dreadful the age 23 sounds. I hope to make it a fun and beautiful year, I won't let the number get to me.

So in my last post I mentioned PJ Harvey. This is hardly something to skim over. The past few weeks have been profound in terms of musical adoration. I liked her before, but I now love her work. This song in particular; The Dancer. When I hear this song, I feel like she is scraping my soul, or it makes me feel like I'm home but I can't explain why. I can see it being on the list of songs I permanently love. Speaking of lists, Terri Hemmert (my favourite DJ ever) was talking about how the British Magazine, Q, posted a list of the top 30 albums released over the past 25 years.; see here. I can only imagine how hard the list was to compile, but it's fascinating to see the results (keep in mind, it's not an American source).

But alas, tomorrow is the last day of the year and again, like a broken record, I am sad to see it go. I anticipate 2011 because I believe that although 2010 was great, I believe that I will go into 2011 with more sense and perhaps more motivation. I learned a lot this past year, but I know that I will learn even more this year. I hope everyone has a beautiful new year. Spend it wisely!

-tessa

He who creates the clothes....

annnddd scene.

Finally. Christmas is over. You know, I actually feel bad writing that. I love Christmas. I look forward to it for months. I long for that "Holiday spirit" that revs up right after Halloween (although, I miss many aspects of early fall by the time Thanksgiving hits). Unfortunately so much goes along with Christmas that make it extremely irritable and exhausting. In the end, it is always worth it, but it's hard telling yourself that along the way.

I got some great gifts this year. People were so generous. Eric got me subscriptions to W, V, Nylon, Bazaar, Vanity Fair, and Pop as one of my gifts. That should keep me busy for months to come. I am so amped for all of them to start coming in the mail, I will be feverishly reading about fashion aimed at all different targets. Unfortunately Pop only delivers twice a year :( I wish it were four, at least it'd be consistent with seasonal change.

I feel like I've been in a schlump lately, but only in certain aspects. In most ways I am extremely fulfilled. This is such a hard week on me emotionally year after year. I think I just feel the need to reflect and wrap it up as we move on to a new year. I'm so anxious. I am nervous about leaving the wonderful, wonderful age of 22. I never want it to end. I just have bad feelings about all the other ages, I knew 22 would be golden, but what will 23 hold? I guess I have three more months to battle my concerns and lay them to rest.

Now aside to something for the eye to gaze at as the pre-fall 2011 has been unveiled. Zac posen, as I remember, used to be one of Natalie Portman's favourites. She used to always wear things from his collections and I believe that she put him on the map. I seem to always go back to Natalie Portman. But it's just too easy. She resides in one of my favourite issues of Vogue ever. February 2004. I also am a fan of her work in films so it just seems like an obvious person to target. While I still have not seen Black Swan, some odd curiosity swept over me to see who she was going to wear to premieres. Which brought this whole new excitement over me(*TANGENT ALERT*); Tom Ford said in his recently published interview in Vogue, "I'll wait to see who is nominated for the Oscars. Then I offer to dress one person." I cannot wait to see who he selects! It might just be Natalie Portman, although pregnancy presents itself, but it's not like he can't add a few stitches and seams ;)

So back to what I was originally trying to do with this was....

Emerald green dress is by Stella McCartney and the center one is Zac Posen.

Unfortunately I couldn't separate these pictures.

and see, they're friends too, his "muse". How cute! Also another one of his designs.

But moving away from Natalie Portman, we can nicely transition into Zac Posen. Pre-Fall 2011 is out and about and it couldn't be any more different than the spring 2011. Not that it's supposed to-and that's exactly what I like about it. I have to respect an artist whose work moves so fluidly and can differ from project to project. Of course, there are designers have that "Oh that is so and so" kind of familiarity and I can admire and respect that. Zac Posen has always had a funk to his style; youthful and eclectic. His work seems to be maturing and nicely! I love artists that can transform themselves to match the project they are working on [see; PJ Harvey]. I'm not sure that necessarily happens with Zac Posen, but I just wanted to make a note of admiration among those that do. Pre-fall feels like a mood piece. a Dark one. It's like the Gashlycrumb girls go glam. I like it. I like it's rigid sense of "cold is coming". Maybe it is the stance and darkness of the models. Spring 2011RTW is full of flamboyancy, sex, and femininity. I love it.

So here; we have Spring 2011 RTW by Zac Posen

and now here is a glimpse of his Pre-Fall 2011 Runway

Sorry for making this look rather broken.

This monday started with Daria.

Wow. Reckless abandon.

This month has dipped down to ridiculously low temperatures which leaves me scrambling for 50 layers of leggings each morning and my uggs. These aren't the most fulfilling clothing options, but I'll take it. I'm learning the art of the "bundle up". I'm staying warm, well, almost warm. It is nearly impossible for my body to retain heat for any period of time lately. Unfortunately, writing has to take a backseat to the Christmas run around. I always anticipate this time of year so much, but once it arrives, I always find myself stressed and less than whole. I anticipate the box to come of all the awesome gifts I ordered for people. Now I must go get ready, I still have 49 more leggings to find.

-tessa

down&out.

The chill has made its way to this section of Illinois. While I'm constantly cold, I was getting annoyed with those few warmer days that crept their way into the start of November. Cold becomes appropriate. I can deal with the cold. Until February comes, then it has no place in my life.

I'm watching a White Stripes rockumentry. I envy Meg's quiet demeanor. Ugh. If only.

Thanksgiving was enjoyable. It's always good to see family that you don't always see. Thanksgiving always involves no one using an inside voice and playing endless games of pool. There were two great football games (Patriots/Lions) & (Cowboys/Saints) and the food was great. Everyone stayed occupied and had a good time. It was pleasant.

I don't know how I've been feeling lately. It was good to see my best friend from middle school/high school again the other day. It's always nice to catch up and just...talk. There's a sort of comfort or ease to it. The same kind you don't necessarily get when you're telling someone that has only known you for two or three years.

As the colder temperatures make their way into our lives for the next few months, I want an awesome pair of boots, something you can wear almost anywhere. Like THESE. I want a pair so bad. Finding the right shoe each day is always a conflict. Shoes aren't something I buy obsessively like some girls, but I should start picking out more well rounded shoes.

anyways.

I've been obsessed over a movie I have not yet seen, but I want to so badly.

I listened to The Virgin Suicides soundtrack a bunch when I was in Japan.

I know what the movie is about, but I lack the ability to see it.

I know it will be my new movie obsession, like The Royal Tenenbaums is/was.

The opportunity has not yet encountered my life. I need to get it in Blu Ray.

Alexander McQueen tribute.

yay. I love the little tinies.

Pleats are making their way back for spring. Get some.

I cannot forget the construction paper.

It finally happened. There is finally Christmas music in my iTunes folder. I never really needed it when I lived at my house because my mom went overload on Christmas music from December 1'st till the arrival on the 25'th. Now that I no longer live at home, I found the strong desire to hear that music and I also found the need to spruce up the house with little decorations that I picked up. I like the whole concept of simplicity when it comes to...well...certain things. Christmas decor is one of those. My mom decorates extremely well, but there is so much of Christmas. It slaps you in the face when you walk in the door. Like I said, it's done extremely well, so it is more appealing versus repulsive. It's classy shit too, all very well themed. I literally walked up to a Christmas shelf, picked up four cute Christmas buy-me-downs and popped them up on various shelves, tables, and high speakers around the house. No regrets, it adds spirit, especially the little wreath I added on the door in the hallway.

So back to work has been a decent adjustment. It's always hard coming back from a vacation. I'm just exhausted. I worked way longer than anticipated today, but shit was just nuts. There was no avoiding getting out before 6. Or...7. I spent a ton of time with people-and boy did they have questions. I love it though. Initially, I hate the idea of going to the front to help someone, but I always am so glad I did. Some customers really stand out and I am so happy that they came in. But my favourite is when I give a first time shopper a really great experience. I know, that sentence sounds raunchy (or my mind is[forsure] always in the gutter) I feel like it locks them in, like I made someone visibly happier. That has to be the best thing. I know right away who the great people are. There is just a certain chemistry that happens, either you like the customer upon an ocular pat down* or you don't. Today a woman kind of scared me. She barked that she wanted these cookies...promptly. Eek Alert. Whatever. It is what it is. At the end of the day it will be a good paycheck. Or in two weeks it will be a good check. Damn.

On another note, while I decorated the house for Christmas, I feel extremely bad for Thanksgiving! I feel like it's a sad holiday because people tend to skip right over it. I plan on making a few hand turkeys tomorrow and taping them up around the house. I really hope I remember to get some construction paper. There will be purple turkeys.

I scored some really awesome leggings at Uni Qlo while I was in Japan. They were on sale for only $5 so I got three pairs. Check these out;

I love that and am again thankful that I was able to go back to Machida that last day to shop with my sister-in-law. My dad rejected shopping every chance he had and it was quite unfortunate. I'm glad that my last day was filled with some of my best purchases and a positive shopping experience. I actually am not a huge shopper. I like to be in and out and can generally spot whether or not I will have success in the first few minutes. I especially cannot stand a crowded shopping experience. It was hard in Harajuku in places like H&M and Forever 21 because there were just so many people there. I need room to think and mostly breathe when I shop. I prefer Good Will on a Monday afternoon around 1:00 pm.

But I wish Harajuku was a place I had access to all the time.

I finally uploaded my pictures.

*An 'It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia' reference from season 5 episode 2. Hilarious episode.

Eleven hours in the air leaves behind the funk.

This is my last night in Japan.

The feeling is bittersweet to put it best ::que 'Bittersweet Symphony'::

I came to this country to see my niece for the first time, visit with my brother and sister in law, and to explore the wonderful territory that is a mere 13 hour plane ride West. I've had so much ocular excitement in the past week that falling asleep has been no trouble at all. I have fallen in love with Japanese fashion even more so than I thought was possible and I'm glad I was able to snag some fashion magazines from the area. I love the youth here, so unique and bubbly. The stores here are so bright and almost enough to make you dizzy, funky fashions adorn the walls and hangers. Harajuku is where my fashion mindset (and a piece of my heart) resides and I love the head to toe creativity that the people that fill Harajuku are able to pull off with such ease. I was so excited to capture a couple quick street shots of people. My suitcase is extremely packed, but I am so excited to dispense the souvenirs that I got for people. I literally cannot even believe that I was able to fit everything. I wanted to get everyone something, but it was so hard seeing that I had no time to save money or really prep at all before my trip. I did my best, but am anxious to see what everyones reactions are because I tried to get personal gifts for people. Those are the only gifts I can buy.

I feel like I can barely talk about Japan without the inclusion of pictures and I would prefer for those pictures to be my own. I am anxious to take snapshots of things that I bought while I was here once I get home. I am so excited to be in my house, see my kitty cat, and spend tons and tons of time with my best friend in the world. I will be so sad to leave such wonderful members of my family behind, but it will be reassuring to be reunited with the ones that I left behind for nine days. It is always so nice to get out of your own country for awhile. While I was gone, I realized how much bad mouthing I do about the U.S. of A. I really don't feel bad about it and I believe that it will take some sort of miracle for me to regain my patriotism.

I am anxious to be seated for 11 hours tomorrow on the journey home. The plane ride here was near abysmal, especially when I realized that the train cars here for a one hour journey allocate more room for your legs than a plane configured for international travel. How the hell is that even possible? Hopefully the ride home will be quicker in mindset (it usually is). I still think the biggest torture lays in the screens that have your little airplane moving at a snails pace across the screen and the miles you have left dwindling down slower than molasses. I just know that once the plane lands, I will have a smile from ear to ear, but perhaps a tear in my eye for the family that I won't see for some time to come.

I spent the last day in Machida shopping with my sister-in-law.

It was SO nice to ditch the boys so we could shop without hearing the "Okay we're ready." after three minutes of standing outside the stores. The malls here are amazing and it is floor after floor of great style and unique people and clothing. I wish I could come to Japan just to shop. It makes Forever 21 and H&M seem like a complete snooze.

On a completely different note; while I was here I indulged in buying a box of sour patch kids and I saw on the back that they have come out with a sour patch kids EXTREME?!

Trust me, I'm sure they are not sour at all, but I will remain optimistic until I try one.

It's hard to sour-ly satisfy the girl who has been eating lemons since three years of age.

I anticipate the wheels landing on American territory (as shocking as that may be), because I feel like I have a lot waiting for me back home! Hopefully I will be able to put some pictures up here soon! I am thankful that I got to spend some time here and see what exists on the other side of the time zone.

Rockin the big headband!

HARAJUKU, I AM SO READY FOR YOU.

I want these tights desperately!

Love it! She should be a new character in the game "Candy Land".

Aw, now I want to play.

We are also going to the oriental bazaar today and I hope to scoop up some souvenirs for people!

http://www.orientalbazaar.co.jp/jp/index.html

Have a great day!

girls make passes in boys in pink dresses.

WOW. I feel like I have to post about this. Yes. Right now.

I turned on the TV and the Today Show was on and the caption was "Is it okay for little boys to wear dresses?" See here. First of all, this segment was awesome. I can only hope the link still has the same video.

Here is another article.

It was basically two moms that were sitting on this panel and talking about how their little boys like to dress up in princess dresses, tutus, etc. I think that this is awesome. They were trying to make a point of that this kind of thing happens, and that little boys are commonly attracted to these kinds of clothes but are steered away by worrisome parents who fear that their child might be the star of a Gay Pride float one year. L.A.M.E.

The controversy and questioning of whether this is okay has been going on for quite some time, but the topic of the show arose when a little boy wanted to dress up as Daphne from Scooby Doo for Halloween. When she allocated the costume and he showed up at pre-school, she found that parents, not children, were the ones giving off rather harsh responses. That is the problem. Our generation, well, those in the ages of 20-25, are rather tolerant of all the things that are present in our society. The problem stems from parents setting an awful example; basically parents these days are bat shit paranoid. I'm not saying all, I know a handful of super cool, easy going, open minded parents of young kids. Of course, there are those moms, the ones that try to protect their child from everything, try to force Jesus into their lives, and send them to school well fed on Grape Nuts. Put the image into your mind of a 35 year old woman driving a 2005 Honda Odyssey playing the wiggles soundtrack while singing along and making corresponding hand motions to amuse their child strapped in a car seat in the back.

At first, maybe an image of a little boy in a frilly yellow dress is jarring, but WHY? Questioning this seems obvious when you see girls that sport short hair, wear baggy pants (or hell even just pants, remember when pants was unacceptable for girls to wear--well, neither do I, but still), and have gym shoes on. This will never strike fear into parents. It is even completely acceptable for a woman to wear garments specifically made for men. I think the clothes on your back can definitely determine what kind of person you are, but it doesn't determine what your sexual preference will be. It is like the notion of straight men wearing womens panties and I'm sure it happens more than we think, it can just be easily concealed. Why should material and cut determine sexual preference? A woman would hear of this and think it was odd or say something like "wow, he must be extremely secure with his masculinity." Why do the clothes you wear on the outside matter? In the end, they don't.

If your son is dressing up as a princess, yes, he might be gay, but so what? Chances are it is pure expression. You'd rather have your son know it at a young age and be confident with what his preferences and outward style are than those boys who strive to be as straight looking as possible and play football while they hide anxiously in the closet. So what gives?

I thought it was extremely cool that these moms were so open with their little boys dressing up and expressing themselves. Of course, they admitted it took some time to get there, but the fact is that they didn't try to stop it or didn't act in some outrageous manner that made their sons feel like they were in the wrong for the clothes they chose to wear.

...and there were kimonos instead of robes!

Nothing like jet-setting to Japan on three days notice.

Yep. That's what happened. Let's just be grateful this all worked out to my advantage. The original intent of this trip was for my dad to visit my brother, sister-in-law, and niece by himself for 9 days. My mom "wouldn't be able to handle the flight" and I wasn't really asked to attend and figured I wouldn't be able to take the time off of work. To make a long story short, my brother and mom were able to convince me on Wednesday that I should go with my dad, and at this point he was regretful in booking the trip alone. I didn't want him to go alone, and felt it would be important to take the opportunity not only to travel with my dad, but to see Japan and my family before they planned on moving back in December of 2011.

I have a boyfriend who is itching to go to Japan and has been for years, telling him I would be taking this little venture on such short notice, brought out of the best of the stress in me. However, coming here when we have a direct connection to the country (my sister-in-law is Japanese) is such a treat. We are able to see the sights and have the advantage of having someone who speaks both English and Japanese. It will make it that much easier when Eric and I plan to come here again in the future with one another!

Ugh. I know that Dexter is on right now. I guess requesting that Eric didn't watch this while I was away might have been a little bit of a stretch, but I was hoping for the best! It is 11:03AM here and 8:03PM back home! I am anxious to get out and explore more of Japan today.

I am one of those people where new places really excite me, but I hate touring around all day long. There just comes a point where my brain shuts off and I can't retain anymore. I am glad that all of us are on the "take it easy and see Tokyo" page. We had some mishaps with our flight yesterday and we were delayed four hours because of apparent problems with the plane, they eventually had to put it back into service and snatch us another 777. Which, by the way, whoever configured the seating space for those planes has something comin to them. Nothing like 13 hours with just inches of legroom. Those in Business/First class are to be envied.

For now, we have not really left the base in which we are staying. Due to the fact that my brother works for the U.S. Army (he was stationed here four years prior to moving here) we are able to stay in the hotel on base which was just recently renovated and is quite accommodating! I thought I was going to have to tamper with converter plugs and minimal TV (not like it totally matters, but at night when you're trying to go to sleep, TV is a big plus) but luckily I was wrong and I even got to watch some Sunday football! What a treat! Today will be our first day out and about due to us getting in so late last night. I am already anticipating a good night's sleep tonight. Luckily, jet lag didn't SCREW me because the plane did. I slept for about 20 minutes and the night before the flight I thought it would just be divine to get three hours of sleep so I would be able to catch a few ZzZz's mid flight. Oh hey! I can't sleep sitting up. So that plan failed me, but that meant I was able to sleep like a baby all through the Japanese night. I got a solid nine hours of sleep, unfortunately my dad is suffering from heavy eyelids. Enough about sleep! More about miso soup and seaweed salad!

I am extremely excited to go to Harajuku and The Comme Des Garcons trading museum.

I'm also jonesin' to visit this shop

A few GREAT street shots from Japanesestreets.com

I wish there was a common gathering place somewhere in Chicago where people interested in diverse fashion got together to talk about it and collaborate. I guess that would be called "Good Will" on a Saturday, but it's really not the same.