best friend is moving to NYC in a few hours. I’m going to miss her a lot. She is my partner in fashion and skin care. I really admire her and wish her the best, but I still feel a sting of envy because of the regret I feel from never moving there when I had many chances. Well, I guess we all know what “they” say is right. Hindsight is 20/20. Ain’t that a bitch.

We had some coffee together, and the barista was surprised when I gave him my co-op owner’s number. “Oh, you’re from around here?” I wasn’t sure what he meant. Usually, I just assume people automatically think I’m an immigrant by looking at me even though I was born and raised in the US. But later, when he invited us to a b-boy battle he hosts every Friday night, I realized he meant one of the best possible compliments you could ever pay me.

I don’t look like I’m from this boring-ass town.

I feel like it just snapped in my head one day. I hate Ann Arbor. I have lived here since I started college and I feel like I’ve wasted a lot of my life here. To its credit I have had lots of good times. 2003-2005 and early 2006 was a great social scene. My son was born here. But honestly, it gets old really fast. You can really wear this town out. I created the Ann Arbor hook up tree and it is the most incestuous thing ever.

So, me not looking like I’m from around here makes me incredibly happy, because I am not from here and I certainly don’t want to look I am from here.

What does looking like you’re from Ann Arbor mean? I’m not sure, but I think it has this midwest slop attached to it. I’m probably going to get hated on really hard for saying that, but whatever. Much love to the mid west, but as a whole we can’t dress that well.

Elizabeth and James (are not behind this label)

A few pieces from the Elizabeth and James line caught my eye. “Who are Elizabeth and James?!” I wondered, curious if it was an uber-chic wife and husband team who pushed their stroller together through Brooklyn parks. Upon investigation, I realized it is the line created by the Olsen twins! I am very impressed with a few of their items and how wearable they are for the fashion forward woman who knows how to eye a unique item at a thrift store. The girl who is not afraid to do something quirky with her wardrobe while retaining the sexy would love this line. I imagine Carrie Bradshaw, but when she was 19.

I’ve never been one to fall into the “I’m too old for this look” trap. If you look good in it, flaunt it, girl. Curious? Don’t immediately type elizabethandjames.com into your browser. Instead, you’ll find the former site of a couple of parents with kids named Elizabeth and James who posted random pictures of their cuties up so relatives could keep up with the times. The real website address is elizabethandjames.us. It has the feel of a vintage fashion magazine re-done for today.

The other day I asked my best friend in fashion, Sarah, “Is it ok to wear tights with open toe shoes?” I’ve been stressing on what to wear to this party I helped do the PR for. In my head I’ve been daydreaming of colorful tights and the kitten heels I’ve been eyeing in a boutique window. We both decided tentatively that yes, it was perfectly alright, but I couldn’t help but wonder if it was just me going overboard when I couldn’t compromise.

Imagine my delight when I see a pair of hot heels paired with blue tights — and looking fabulous, I must say — on Elizabeth and James. They perfectly puncuate the hot black pencil skirt and white detailed waistline. These girls nailed a look I love in a way I don’t have to articulate. Loves it! I do feel slightly embarrassed saying that since I watched them launch a perfume line I saw at the grocery store and thumbed briefly through serial paperback books with their toothy grins smiling from the cover. Their line also includes pieces that are very trendy… however they look great for the moment, and I’m sold for right now.

Screenshot from elizabethandjames.us.

Today I watched Sophia Copolla’s movie Marie Antoinette starring Kirsten Dunst. I heard poor reviews of it, but I absolutely relished watching it because of the period fashion. The clothing and colors were very decadent, and it inspired a new love of gowns at the end of the 1700s.

Watching the movie, I realized I knew nothing about Marie Antoinette, however, outside of her beheading and her supposed “Let them eat cake” comment. Watching period pieces often calls for debate on the historical accuracy of the film, but I think there is a problem in that. Films and books that are works of fiction (not a documentary and not non-fiction) are always interpretation. It is a mistake to try and get a history lesson from them. Instead, I think that you should just sit back and watch it as a story. You can fill in on what “really” happened later.

There is cocaine use in the film, which caused us to wonder, “Was there cocaine use back in the 1700s?”

Watching the film absolutely inspired me to want to learn costuming. That’s how Rebecca Minkoff started.