Benji Wednesday: Halloween Countdown

Someone is pretty excited it's October.

Yes, that someone is me, not Benji. He's actually dreading all of the costuming he will have to endure for the next 31 days.

xoxo

The Canary Diaries

Weekend Snaps

Fall is here! A fabulous autumnal weekend was had by all at our house. A little football, a trip to the pumpkin patch and hauling out the Halloween decor. Hope your weekend was wonderful!

xoxo

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Benji Wednesday

Happy (Almost) Fall!

xoxo

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Mad Men Recap: Episodes Eight and Nine

Last night's episode was titled "The Beautiful Girls" and it was definitely one for the ladies. It was hands down my favorite episode of the season thus far. First, let's talk clothing, 1965 was a good year for clothes and every piece last night was a knock-out: Betty's blue floral dress, Megan's yellow sheath, Peggy's green frock. All amazing. I even kind of liked Joyce's turquoise necklace.

More to the point of the episode was the theme of women and the confusing position women of the first wave of mid-20th century feminism were in. As Joyce says, women are pots, men are soup. "But what if I want to be soup?" What if, indeed. I found this especially interesting with regard to Faye Miller. So, she and Don are now dating regularly enough for Don to give her a key. I would say in 1965 that was a pretty big deal. Their relationship has progressed to a more modern and (I dare say) loving relationship than any Don has ever had in the past. And yet, Don still doesn't quite know what to make of Faye. He asks her to baby-sit his kid, make him a drink. He's not quite as modern and forward thinking as a younger person of the time. Faye for her part is confused about exactly what role to play in their relationship too, but she does put her foot down at the end and talks it out with Don like an adult. A very different move than the women he's been with in the past. How impressed were you to see his reaction? I think he's ready and able to love someone as modern, smart and savvy as Faye, but he's just got to take baby steps to get there.

And what of Ms. Blankenship? I found the scenes pertaining to her death to be so oddly comical. Pete trying to move her (question: why ask for the moving services of the scrawniest male at SCDP?); Megan removing the inkblotter, Megan putting her pocketbook on her body on the gurney. R.I.P. Ms. Blankenship.

Then there is Sally. I feel so bad for her and I really wanted something great to come out of her interactions with Faye Miller, but alas it is not to be. What fresh horror do you think Betty will come up with back in Ossining for the runaway?

Some stray observations/questions/musings:

-Why didn't Roger stand up to the mugger? Maybe this wasn't his first rodeo and he had done so before with negative consequences?

-I felt a bit of symbolism with Joan's wedding band, the minute it was gone she falls into Roger's arms.

-Sally Draper reading Nancy Drew

-Ugh. Why are all of the men in Peggy's life such nerdos? I can't get behind the weirdo beatnik dude, even if I do like his pairing of a leather jacket with a white shirt and skinny tie.

As for last week, I truly loved it. No, I don't want to see Don voicing over every episode, but I think it was time for it. Also:

- Satisfaction during the opening credits rocked my world.

-Did no one else notice Harry Crane had a framed photo of Jed Clampitt from The Beverly Hillbillies in his office?

-I think Faye Miller is Jewish, not Italian

Until next week...

J.Crew Wish List

First, I am totally enamored with the October J.Crew catalog. You can view it online here if you haven't gotten yours via post yet.

As ususal, I would love to walk into my closet and it look just like a J.Crew store with everything in my size, but since I don't see that happening any time soon (and isn't selective curating the best part of shopping, really?), here are a few of my favorite looks right now:

Barbour polarquilt waistcoat. The menfolk in my family love these jackets (they last forever and are endorsed by HRH Queen Elizabeth II) and I love the idea that they have a girly version for us.

Bootcut cords. I blame years of religiously studying J.Crew catalogs for my obsession with getting a new pair each year. How do they do that?

Double-cloth bonbon coat. I loooovvveee the cover photo of the ivory one, but would probably get it in a darker color.

Drapey bateau tank. Necessary.

Dream tweed cardi. So reminds me of Balenciaga jacket circa '07, but so current when paired with a chambray denim button-down.

Goldenrod brocade top. I kind of feel like this is the item in your closet that you can reach for when you think you have nothing to wear this fall/holiday season. It just looks so polished and put together.

Metallic boucle moto jacket. Sigh. I heart you.

Sequined harem pants. Totally sold out, but I'm still lusting after them.

Sequin sonnet mini. Just for fun and since you can't have the pants.

Silk two-way tee. Such a great work piece.

And, last but not least the Traversa cardi. On sale!

And, don't forget Jenna's Picks. They're all amazing as per usual.

What did I miss at J.Crew?

xoxo

The Canary Diaries

A Letter from Alexa

Just bought this...

from Alexa Chung's new Madewell line. Sadly, it did not make me look like this...

(Photo via Dustjacket Attic.)

but it did come with an awesome note from none other than AC...

and a cute ribbon bracelet like so...

Yes, I am aware didn't write this and I won't be wearing the ribbon bracelet out on the town, but it still kind of rocks. I heart you AC.

xoxo

The Canary Diaries



Fall Inspiration

The fabulous Jenna Lyons above (via The Sartorialist) and below awesome shoes at Rachel Comey's S/S 2011 show (via Refinery29). C'mon colder climes!

xoxo

The Canary Diaries

Benji Wednesday: Decisions, Decisions

I bought Benji two ball-shaped stuffed toys the other day. One is a pig and one is a duck. Unfotunately, I gave him both at the same time.

Now, Benji is having a hard time choosing which to play with at any given time. He's a diplomatic guy, so I think he wants to spend equal time with each. Thus...

It's a dog's life.

xoxo
The Canary Diaries

Weekend Snaps

Hope you had a lovely weekend. Mine was restful and reflective. My snaps are completely random I know. The top showcases my new favorite nail polish color: Chinchilly by Essie. Otherwise just cool design-y things I liked this weekend. I think there is something awesome about being able to write on a wall. For a brief time during my childhood (in between wallpaper and a coat of paint) my mom let us write on our breakfast room wall. My siblings and I felt so cool being able to do this and I just love how graffiti can be the most beautiful form of art sometimes. The last photo is just cool lighting and the modern lights under the old mirror seem especially interesting.

Here's to a fabulous week!

xoxo

The Canary Diaries

Som Kind of Wonderful

Obsessing over Peter Som's S/S 2011 collection and the Charlotte Olympia platform wedges they are all wearing.

Photos via Style.com.

xoxo

The Canary Diaries

I Love...

90210 the original. It's awesome. So imagine my excitement at stumbling upon this awesome post about the best outfits from 90210. Say what you will about the styles of the early-90s, but they're back, kids. Bandeau tops, chunky knits, acid wash. God help us all.

In The Bag

What is it about seeing the contents of someone's bag that is so appealing?

I remember doing this quite often in middle school, which was kind of odd since the style at the time was those see-through bags anyway, so you sort of had some idea of what your friends were packing.

The point of this post is that I was cleaning out my new purse today and I had all of the contents out before discarding some of the trash I had been carrying around and I took a pic:

I think the funniest thing about this photo is I have been carrying a camera case for a digital camera (without the camera) and a disposable camera that I don't use. Also, I have six lip glosses and two lip balms. Why? At least I know what I would eat if I ever got lost in a forest somewhere.

What's in your purse?

xoxo

The Canary Diaries

Benji Wednesday: "Oh No You Didn't!" Edition

Oh yes, I did.

I bought Benji a Snuggie.

I think he likes it.

xoxo

The Canary Diaries

Mad Men Recap: Episode Seven

Photo via AMC.

Sunday's episode marked a brawl between Muhammed Ali (pre-Islam) and Sonny Liston on May 25, 1965. I think the best part about it being "fight night" was the opportunity for Trudy Campbell to throw out some great one-liners: "My father loves bloodsport." and "I want a rare steak and I want to see those two men pound each other!" And what about the bathroom showdown with Peggy and Trudy? So completely loaded. "You're witty," says Trudy after Peggy compares the fetus Campbell's kicking to being knocked around by Pete. "I always assumed you would be, but it turns out it's true." Followed by "Happy Birthday. You know, 26 is still very young." This chick is smarter than she looks, kids, and she's kind of mean. In fact, there was a lot of bathroom scene time in this one. Thoughts on that?

But more than a fight or bathroom showdown, this episode was about baggage. Aptly titled "The Suitcase." Roger's baggage with Don is still on parade as he tried unsuccessfully to lure Don to fight night instead of focusing on the Samsonite campaign. Peggy's baggage with Don came to the front when she actually confronted him about the Glo-Coat ad, which by the way sounds like it was more Don's idea than anything honestly. I'm on Team Don on this one. And we also found out that Peggy's mom has beef with Don regarding Peggy's pregnancy. Then there is Duck's baggage with Don.

And what of Duck Phillips lame attempt to woo Peggy to a new firm as the creative director/wish her a Happy Birthday? First, let me just say those flowers were awful even (hopefully) by 1965 standards. Pink carnations and baby's breath? Turns out they were just as thoughtless as the gesture. The whole charade is over before it begins once Peggy hears those telltale ice cubes clinking.

Thankfully, Peggy's birthday also signals the end of her relationship with Mark, he of the psychopathic haircut. Don's birthday philosophy cracks me up, "You're twenty-something years old, it's time to get over birthdays." It also made me wonder if he knows when his birthday actually is. It's possible Dick Whitman never knew, but does he celebrate Don Draper's? If not, maybe that explains his blase over birthdays.

And then there is the Don and Peggy flirtation/emotional bond. I'm not sure what's going on there. Maybe Peggy is trying to make all of the rumors true to boost her own self esteem. Maybe Don is breaking all of his rules now. Or maybe it's because of his distress over Anna Draper's death. I kind of think it never will work between them even as a fling because they know that it would change their relationship forever and no matter how many cocktails they know that is still a bad idea. But I still find it interesting that they share so much with each other. For Don, Peggy is the one person who knows much of anything about his past.

Until next week....

An Ode to Shopbop

I have a serious crush on Shopbop. It has been an ongoing love affair, since about 2003. Somehow Shopbop always knows exactly what I want all the time and this fall is no exception. Herewith my current favorites from their new offerings.

Factory's sweater--also kind of in love with those pants

Gorjana's leaf bracelet

Joie's Claude dress

Noir Jewelry's beaded cuff

Romygold's Raquel clutch

Temperley London's Milia tunic

Tucker's blouse

All available at Shopbop.

Cannot wait to see all the goodies yet to come! Yay for fall!

xoxo

The Canary Diaries