Dream BIG

Posters by Music Philosophy. Great lyrics.

(c/o CW)

It's true ...

(via Jessica Sutton Graphic Design's Daucus Carota via The Test Pilots)

Age & Beauty : Advanced Style

"Young women, you're going to be an old woman some day. Don't worry about it. Don't sweat it. Don't worry about getting older. Every era, it builds character!"

Real wisdom on style and being true to yourself in a colorful, courageous way. What I wouldn't give to join these ladies for drinks or play dress up in their closets!

Images from Advanced Style. Video: Advanced Style: Age and Beauty on Nowness.com.

Love his sneaks

Strayhorn by Clae, $120

I'm not bashful about giving strangers compliments and then asking where they got aforementioned hair cut/dress/shoes. In my humble opinion, people don't give out enough compliments these days. And, more often than not, I'm itching to know where they found the item that's caught my eye. In return, strangers usually seem surprised and flattered.

Last week I found myself on the metro, unable to take my eyes off a guy's feet. He had on these remixed desert boots, and I was in love (with the shoes, not the guy). Unfortunately, I think this fellow's girlfriend confused my checking out his shoes for checking him out. We made eye contact, and it was clear that I shouldn't compliment this guy's shoes and I definitely shouldn't ask to take a picture of them for my blog. Alas! Blogging opportunity botched!

Luckily, I found the shoes pretty easily online. Desert boots are everywhere, but not ones with red soles. So Guy on the Metro - If you're out there, compliments on the kicks! Girlfriend of the Guy on the Metro - You've got your 'back off' look down pact! Now you know I'm just a style blogger with no game. Sometimes that adoring glance gets me in trouble ...

Inside Out: A Global Art Project

This is something worth talking about. It's something we should kick start in D.C. and in cities all across the world. It's Inside Out: A Global Art Project, a call-to-action created by TED prize-winning artist JR.

I'll spare you my description and adoration by simply recommending that you read this GOOD article about the project and watch the video below. Together, they capture the project's purpose far more eloquently than I can.

Images (top to bottom): Kenya - JR covered 2,000 square meters and several trains with the residents' faces in Africa's Largest Slum / Cambodia - "28 Millimeter: Women" JR's project portraying the unseen and unempowered women of the world / London / TED Prize Winner JR & INSIDE OUT from TED Prize on Vimeo.

Ads worth spreading

Last week, TED named ten winners for its first "Ads Worth Spreading" contest. TED curator Chris Anderson says of the ads: "We're seeking to reverse the trend of ads being aggressively forced on users. We want to nurture ads so good you choose to watch—and share. On TED.com, ads run after our talks, not before. As well as avoiding the annoyance of interruption, this positioning means they can run longer than the TV-standard 30-seconds. And that's the key. In 2-3 minutes, there's more time to tell a story, share an idea, make an authentic human connection. These winning ads, many of them long-form, powerfully demonstrate these strengths. We think they represent an exciting new way for companies to engage with the world in the internet age."

It's worth watching all ten. The one below is certainly one of the more serious ones, and it's striking proof that ads can be powerful tools in advocacy. Feel connected. Feel compelled to act.

(by Ogilvy Johannesburg via AA)

Stepping into the unknown

One does not discover new lands

without first consenting to lose sight of the shore.

- Andre Gide

(A favorite quote. image from here)

Tell it like it is

(via my latest obsession, Pinterest)

Saturday mantra

(by funnel cloud via words to live by)

Wise words re: birds and love

Sam Sifton of the New York Times is providing much-needed and hilarious advice to Thanksgiving cooks. While your turkey or pie is in the oven, open a bottle of wine, and read his Help Line blog aloud for a laugh.

(utensils by Gretel via ... wasted talent & this is glamorous via apartment therapy)

Keeping that Paris-vibe alive

A Friday breakfast of tea and a hot croissant from Pret a Manger. It's not Paris *le sigh* but a healthy dose of butter is a nice way to ease into the weekend and keep that post-vacation glow.

(Photo by Robopy c/0 Hip Paris Blog. National Geographic link and post title c/o ML)

Wise words

"Be big in your world

But be small, simple and modest in your life."

- A mother's hope for her son, Alber Elbaz. Via NYTimes

That certain je ne sais quoi

I haven't yet pinpointed what makes French women seem so effortlessly chic and beautiful, but I'm certainly trying. Here are a few notes I jotted down recently while people watching in Paris.

10 things to learn from French women:

1. Never underestimate the power of lipstick.
2. It's true. Fit makes all the difference. Get it altered.
3. A woman boasting height always turn heads in a very, very good way.
4. Flats can be chic. But for sexy, only heels will do.
5. Don't be afraid to wear all black. Just sport a strong silhouette, and it will work wonderfully.
6. A woman in a blazer or button-down with slightly tousled hair, dewy makeup and heels can exude absolute femininity.
7. Understated is almost always better than overstated.
8. Remember boot-cut, trouser-cut, wide-leg, flare and straight-leg jeans? They are still worth wearing.
9. Watching a woman walking confidently alone or arm-in-arm with her best friend is seeing her at her truest.
10. Health and happiness suit everyone.