She and Him / Washington D.C.

If you haven't come across the Kooples boutiques, you'll have to book a flight to Paris to do so. Fortunately for those of us on this side of the pond, you needn't look any further than the streets to find the inspiration for the boutique's concept: well-dressed couples.
There is something to be said for a couple which shares a similar style. It's like they know something we don't know. So when I saw this couple share a kiss on University Yard, I asked for their photo. I love their vintage style, but I especially love her belt, glasses and the camera casually slung around her neck. I also love how his t-shirt and her shorts share the same shade of teal green: subtle and inadvertent color coordination.
Anyhow, if you feel like sharing out other, real-life, stylish couples, check out the website and blog: http://www.thekooples.com/

Weed Leaf and Mummy / Washington D.C.

Colorful, style conscious people make me question my black, white and grey wardrobe. Everything this kid is wearing would look terrible on me, but he has put the outfit together with such effortless style and attitude that everything works. I love the way he manages to wear printed shorts with a graphic t-shirt and then pile on the wooden beads. My favorite is his wooden, Egyptian, mummy mask necklace.

Lego Heart On My Sleeve / Washington D.C.

I feel a sense of humor is absolutely crucial in fashion, but many people lack it; so I was impressed when this kid made me smile after I asked about his Lego heart. He began explaining, "You know how people wear their heart on their sleeves?" I nodded and he continued, "Well, I wear my heart on my shirt pocket." I wonder if any girl's told him that laughter is the key to a girl's heart.

O Canada / Casco Viejo

I am often a tourist, but I hate tourist-wear: cargo shorts, standard t-shirt, practical sandals (which no one can really pull off), or even worse, running sneakers with knee-high socks (Why? Really - why? When did calves become offensive and need to be covered up?). It is such a relief to meet a stylish tourist. This women hails from Canada, and speaks French, English, and Arabic - all of which is impressive in itself, but her Missoni-inspired dress, hot pink lipstick and cute, pink, and comfortable (props for comfortable) sandals made her stand out in Casco Viejo. Plus, the way she effortlessly carries her camera around her neck makes her look more like a photographer than a tourist. Which is fantastic, because after all, no one really wants to look like a tourist.

Clashing Prints / Casco Viejo

I finally wandered out of the apartment, which isn't to say that my cheeks aren't puffy anymore; it's more like cabin fever really, really gets to me. The photos above are of a Kuna Indian in Casco Viejo - the historical, Unesco-protected, area of Panama City, Panama.

I love the Kuna. I admire their courageous and loud colors, because while I practically wear a uniform of minimalist black and white, these women have no problem clashing prints and executing it with grace. My favorite thing about the Kuna style, however, is their beaded arm and leg bracelets. The women wear one, long, wrapped bracelet on each wrist and then wrap their legs up to the knee in the same beaded style. Apparently, they wear the beaded leg bracelets for nine months straight because the only way to remove them is to cut them off. I loved the bright beads so much that I asked them to wrap my left arm up to my elbow in an orange, green, black, red, and gold bracelet. Now to see if I can manage to stick with it for nine months...

Wisdom Teeth Lost / Cabin Fever in Panama

I just had my wisdom teeth extracted, and due to the fact that I look like a chipmunk, it seems as if I'm not leaving the house anytime soon. So instead, here are some collages on what trends I'm especially feeling for Fall 2010. The first collage has a Dries Van Noten centerpiece, which was, hands-down my favorite show for Fall 2010. Evidently, I'm looking forward to tribal wear, army green and khaki colors, and especially leopard and furs. What I love most about the Dries Van Noten approach to army green and khaki shades is that he manages to pair otherwise, subtle colors, with vibrant greens and purples, straight from a garden. Fall doesn't have to be all dreary, and Dries Van Noten's show is pehaps, the best example.

The second collage is all about make-up. What I'm most looking forward to is bare faces, strong brows and the occasional red lip. Although Givenchy's show makes me wonder if I too can pull of red/pink eyeliner.

Summer Flashbacks / Paris

Working on the final project for Istituto Marangoni: seven, different mood boards in under 24 hours. Complete and total chaos.