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

The Canary Diaries

Benji Wednesday

Happy (Almost) Fall!

xoxo

The Canary Diaries

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