Magic

Trying to be a girl

I go through food phases, we all do.

The reoccurring question is "what should I buy for lunches this week?"

or "what have I been leaving out of my diet?"

I'm constantly searching for new snack-to-go ideas or quick, small meal ideas.

Recent grocery items

walnuts

fresh tossed greens

raspberry walnut vinaigrette dressing

granola

yogurt

bananas

string cheese

chocolate soymilk

I have been actively working toward becoming a better girl by increasing girly habits.

Right now I'm working on washing my make-up off every night, moisturizing, flossing every night, wearing make-up, wearing lipstick(!) and organizing my closet.

The past few weeks I have been begging my friends to give me beauty advice.

A lot of products were suggested and I'm going to share the ones I have been happy with so far.

Special thanks to Sara & Brooke!

Recent beauty items

tutti frutti floss

botanics day moisture lotion

opi "you don't know jacques" nail lacquer

-wearing this nail color in photos below

american apparel "office" and "rose bowl" nail lacquer

seche vite top coat

nars "roman holiday" lipstick

-wearing below, & almost every day

mac "russian red" lipstick

burt's bees pomegranate oil lip balm

I finally got out of my bed on a Friday night!! This somewhat hideous sequin top appeared at the bottom of my closet and I was inspired to wear it out. I wore it with high-wasted pants and pumps to a place on Mission Street for their "emo night."

Ended up having a fun time with my sister :)

fashionable facebook friend, featuring janell

What was the best show/concert you attended in 2009?
Ah, 2009 was a good year for concerts. I really don’t think I can pick just one! Here’s a few:
- Miike Snow & Esser at Popscene
- Band of Horses at Outside Lands Festival was MAGICAL
- The Matches last show at The Fillmore
- Fanfarlo at Schuba’s in Chicago
- Dirty Projectors at Bottom Lounge in Chicago
- The Gaslight Anthem & Good Old War at Bottom Lounge in Chicago

What show/concert are you looking forward to in 2010?
Ooo, so many! But I’m definitely looking forward to catching the Magnetic Fields on tour early this spring.

What are the top 5 most played tracks on your itunes?
1. “Chelsea Hotel No. 2” by Leonard Cohen
2. “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure
3. “Boxcars, Boxcars, Boxcars” by Street To Nowhere
4. “Kids and Heroes” by The Bouncing Souls
5. “Red At Night” by The Gaslight Anthem

From what artist are you dying for a new track/album?
I would love to hear something new from The Helio Sequence. I’m also really looking forward to hearing what Audrye Sessions has been working on as of late. And I can’t wait to see what Local Natives and A B & the Sea release in 2010.

HOLD UP- Wanna give any quick shout-outs? :D
I jus wanna say HOLLA to mah gurlz…Y’all bitches knows who you is.

What is the inspiration for your style?
Concert-goers, San Franciscan architecture & people, Mad Men, bejeweled thrift store finds, cyanotypes, TULIPS, crayons with abstract names, Oakland attitude, retro jewelry/accessories, and I’ve been all up in Jason Wu’s grill on style.com
Also a hodgepodge of strong, confident women: Zooey Deschanel, Rita Hayworth, Patti Smith, Natalie Wood, the 90s version of Gwen Stefani, Karen O, Emily Haines, my best friends, and all the women in my family
Love this blog: vanessa jackman
This one, too: because i'm addicted

What is your recent "default" outfit?
Fitted, dark jeans, black boots, basic shirt, cardigan/structured blazer, and some kind of eccentric/bold necklace or earrings to spice things up.

What is your quick fix to dress up an outfit?
A smile and a little shimmy. I honestly believe that confidence is the best accessory for any outfit and a smile or a strut is the quickest way to show that off. That or a chunky, vintage necklace!

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THE CHICAGO WIND?
Oh lordy. The wind in Chicago can be quite the trickster.
Here are some quick tips:
- Accept the fact that your hair is never going to stay the way it looked when you left the house
- Imagine the wind is a fan and you’re a model strutting down a runway…it makes it more enjoyable
- Gauge the intensity of the wind by looking out your window at flags, trees, people on the street, etc. before leaving
- Sunglasses are a great investment to protect your eyes
- DO NOT WEAR A FLOWY DRESS/SKIRT WITHOUT SOMETHING BESIDES YOUR UNDIES UNDERNEATH! Invest in some cute tights, leggings, or at least some booty shorts if you still want to show some leg

How do you feel about hats?
LOVE. They can suppress frizzies, add a pop of color/texture to any outfit, or protect my head in less than desirable weather. I typically opt for little knit caps or berets, but more power to the women who can rock a bold fedora or a large, floppy, 70's earth mother hat!

What was your favorite holiday gift this season?
Perfume! I got Lola by Marc Jacobs.

What was your new year's resolution?
Explore the world a bit more and meet new people.
And also to update my blog on a regular basis (and stick with it!)

Why are you such a goofball (lol!!)?
HAHA. Your use of the word “goofball” has got me giggling!
I love smiling. I love laughing. I love to make other people laugh. I’ve been through a lot of difficult things and had a lot of , so I made a decision a long time ago that I wasn’t going to waste this life being sad or angry. Instead, I make sure that everyday I dance, I sing, I learn something, I smile, I enjoy the beauty in everything, and I go a little crazy.
Well, that and the fact that I grew up intensely admiring teenage boys from classic 80's movies and ska bands probably boosted my goofball rating quite a bit. HA

All photos featured in this post belong to Danielle Heinson.

I've known Janell for a long time, no doubt.

Her simple outfits are always dressed up with color combinations

& her dressy outfits are always sophisticated and polished.

Lately I've been desperate for color in my outfits and she is the perfect inspiration.

Notice her use of colorful accessories or the way she dresses louder items down to fit her look.

Plus she makes bomb playlists! Check it out!

This magical playlist was specially made for us by Janell. Thanks Janell, you rule!

btw did you see alexia wasser from imboycrazy posted my video? :D

xoxox esb