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Playing Catch-Up

Hello, sweet readers. I have been a terrible writer as of the past few months and I apologize for that. Life has flown by once again - in only a couple of days, it will be December. Yesterday, Matt and I celebrated Thanksgiving, which was a fun but very hectic day. We started off having lunch with his parents in the early afternoon, then drove out to my great-grandmother's house, which is always a wonderful time because I absolutely adore my great-grandparents (they're both pushing 100 and are as sharp as tacks!) After we visited with that side of my family, we went over to my other grandmother's house and (yes, once again) ate there. Matt and I were both absolutely exhausted when we got home, and fell asleep together early. Matt has worked about 17 hours in the past 24, and I'm sick in bed with a stomach bug. Yuck. 

I figured that this would be the best time to write.

Matt has a try-out for a professional soccer team coming up next weekend. We are both excited and hopeful. He's been training hard and I'm so proud of his ambition. 
I have a million and one ideas floating around my head about designs, possibilities about going back to school, and the draft of a novel I've started writing. This is the beginning of the rest of our lives, and I can feel it. I wouldn't want anyone but my Matt by my side. He is so supportive of everything I do.
I'm sure you've heard about what's happening in Ferguson, Missouri. The whole world has, it seems. There have been peaceful protests in my city, which may make some nervous but it actually inspires me. It's been a long time since people have come together as one and taken action to stand up for what they believe in. Speaking of, there is a film coming out next year called Selma which looks absolutely excellent. It stars David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King, and was directed in part by Oprah Winfrey and Brad Pitt. I'll leave the trailer here in case you'd like to see it for yourself.

I hope everyone is doing well and had a lovely holiday (if you're American, of course... if not, I hope you had a happy Thursday. Hehe). You'll hear from me sooner than later. XO

B.B. x

Hello, lovely readers. The other day I was researching men's 1920s-1930s fashion to get inspired for a Concours D'Elegance car show that Matt and I were going to attend (he allows me to style him for these occasions). Unfortunately, the day turned out to be cloudy, windy, and rainy, and neither of us felt like trekking through the mud in vintage on a Sunday morning. Whilst doing my research, though, I stumbled across Andre 3000's former clothing line, Benjamin Bixby.

Let me just say, these clothes are amazing. The brand was available at stores like Barney's, Bloomingdale's, and Neiman Marcus for a short time back in 2008. Andre drew inspiration for his first line from the college football era of the 1930s. I love the preppy, luxe, vintage-but-modern vibe I get from this line.

I'm a big fan of just about anything Andre does, but these clothes take it to another level. According to an interview with GQ, the brand is supposed to be revived in the near future, this time as Bixby, and I can't wait to see what this "rebel gentleman" has in store.

Film Muse: The Immigrant

Hi, lovelies. I know what you're going to say - it's been forever since I've written a peep on this blog. Life gets in the way sometimes. Summer left as quickly as it came, like it always does. But luckily we're having a bit of an Indian summer in Ohio, so I can cling onto these last few warm days for a while longer.

I've been trying to see new films as much as possible all summer, and The Immigrant is one I scratched off my list a couple of weeks ago. The story takes place in the very early 1920s in Ellis Island, New York. 

The gorgeous Marion Cotillard plays the role of Ewa, a young Polish immigrant who leaves her country with her sister Magda. Magda became ill on the voyage, and therefore is quarantined upon inspection, and Ewa is labeled as a "woman of questionable morals" after something which happened on the ship. As she prepares to be deported, Ewa is rescued by a well-dressed New Yorker named Bruno (Joaquin Phoenix), someone who claims he has connections in the city. 

It doesn't take long for Ewa to realize that Bruno is more of a predator than a savior. He makes his living as a pimp and runs local burlesque shows. Ewa is forced into prostitution and rejected by her aunt and uncle for her ruined reputation, whom she thought would care for she and her sister when she arrived in New York. 

Bruno develops some kind of twisted feelings for Ewa, but she instead falls for his cousin, Orlando (Jeremy Renner) - a magician. He promises that he, Ewa, and Magda will get away from Bruno and start a new life out West.

A.O. Scott of the New York Times writes: It tells the story of a woman who is denied both the consolations of tribe and her own autonomy, and thus presents a kind of photographic negative of the American dream. It is not what your great-grandmother told her children, even though it may have been a story she knew very well.

Although the film came out this year, it feels like an artifact from American History. It is dark, gritty, and at times it seems like everyone is an antagonist, but it is one that I definitely recommend.

Lana Del Darling

Well, I can cross one thing off my bucket list. This week, my honey and I mini road-tripped up to Michigan and saw Lana Del Rey live on her North American Tour. 

Lana was lovely in person, and her stage presence was truly enchanting. She came onstage looking absolutely angelic in a white 60s-esque shift dress with crochet sleeves. She donned her signature winged eyeliner and stiletto nails.

I was so taken aback by her when she first came onstage. It's amazing to finally see someone in person who you are so inspired by and look up to so much. She really seems like a beautiful person.

Lana started off her set with "Cola," which made everyone ecstatic. She went on to perform "Body Electric," "Blue Jeans," "West Coast," "Born to Die," "Gods and Monsters," "Young and Beautiful," "Radio," "Million Dollar Man," "Summertime Sadness," "Ride," and "Carmen." 

Between songs, Lana announced to the crowd - a sea of flower crowns and American flags - "This has been such a spiritual experience. I fucking adore you." The set ended with "National Anthem," during which red, white, and blue lights streamed everywhere and images of Lana and A$AP Rocky flashed onscreen. Amazing. 

I was, of course, delighted to see Lana, but visiting Detroit 
was much less exciting. So sad to see a once-thriving city falling apart in shambles. You can still see the lost beauty of this place in the architecture... here are a couple of interesting shots of the Motor City's Golden Age.