Fashion Resolution.

My New Year's Fashion Resolution (everyone should have one!) is to only buy and wear things that I love, things that call my name. I want my wardrobe to sing to me, to make my heart jump, to make me feel expressed and in love and hot. I want my wardrobe to be filled with a curated collection of what makes me feel most like me; shoes that are shaped perfectly, tops that I could hang on my wall as art, pants that...fit. I have a long way to go. My shopping M.O. has always been to buy things that make the most sense in my budget. The rubric for grading purchases has been more wallet-based than anything, and while I know that is important--a girl needs to eat--so is feeling good in my clothes. I've also always suffered from Fashion Phobic Fat Girl-itis which is marked by acute symptoms of self-criticism and the overriding thought that I should wait until I lose the weight and LOVE every inch of my body before I spend more than the minimum money on clothes. Well, I call an end to that bull shizz! I do love myself, body and all. It's an amazing feeling and I'm going to celebrate by raising the bar on what I let into my closet. (Somehow I'm hoping this sets a precedent for my love life to. I'm raising bars all around.) No more misfitting items just cuz they are on sale. No more boring colors because they are left in the pile of discounts. No more! No more! I will dress to express. I will shop to love. I will invest. I will spend time cultivating my personal style and I will honor that, not my miserly side. I will, damnit! And I'm going to start with purchasing things from a site that Donna K. sent my way. Have you guys heard of Need Supply Co.? It's filled with coolness for moderate prices. It's my new aesthetic in an online store. Love it. Above and below are some looks.

How badass is all of that gear? I apparently want to be a lil more crazy cool in the '10s too. I'm especially wanting that penknife necklace. I could open some serious mail with that thing.

Happy New Decade!

If A French Fashionista Can Do It...

How are everyone's New Year's Resolutions going? Just thought I'd check in. It is the 7th day of the newest year and on the seventh day the universe created cigarettes, sleeping in past gym time, cheese doodles, beer, and winter sales that could bust a girl's savings account. But, stay strong! There is hope for you and your resolution. Today I present a bit of rare inspiration. Garance Dore, the chic French fashion hunter, illustrator, and creator of her amazing eponymous site, has quit smoking all on her own. No patches, pills, fake puffs, or hypnosis. Now, if a through and through French fashionista, who freely admits that she smoked for years because it was ever so chic, can kick the habit? Anything is possible. You all hold on to the resolutions. You can do it! Read more about Garance's habit going up in smoke here.

Illustration by Garance Dore

And A Nice Big Welcome To New!

It's a new day, folks. I like to think of everyday as a new day, but New Years obviously puts a little ooomph in that philosophy. So, what's in store for this here fashion blog in fine, fine '09? More of the same and more of the new. We've got a Closet Case on the horizon, Gift It! returns to Cheap Thrill status, I'll be interviewing shop owners, cleaning out closets, and thrifting it up all over town. Anything you want more of? Less of? None of? All of? You've got me wrapped around your little typing fingers, so tell me what you want. I'll do anything. Maybe. Let's put it this way: Try me! What do you have to lose?

Let's get this party started. Aight? heehee.

Photo by Robert Stolarik for The New York Times.

Something Old, Something New

Here are some old snaps of New Year's Eve celebrations mined from the global photo album that is Flickr.

How great does everyone look? I love seeing actual photos of actual people from days past. Flipping through vintage fashion magazines just doesn't give the same flavor as seeing candids from people's living rooms.

This has been an amazing year. I can't wait to see what the next one brings. I hope you all have a happy, healthy, and fabulous night. Here's to endings and beginnings.

All of the images above were found on Flickr. Click away to see image sources.