Because I don't spend enough time online...

I have discovered some really fabulous blogs. I know my productivity has decreased a bit since I took up blogging, but c'est la vie. Don't worry, I have to go back to work in three weeks! In the meantime, I will be browsing through these beautiful blogs.

Gypsy Purple:

http://gypsypurple.blogspot.com/

Faye and Greer:

http://fayeandgreer.blogspot.com/

Aquarian Thoughts:

http://aquarianthoughts.blogspot.com/

Designers Block:

http://designersblock.blogspot.com/

Mary McDonald Design:

http://www.marymcdonaldinc.com/home.html

Cupcake Couture

I was recently on a cupcake kick (I even made some chocolate cuppies with Magnolia Bakery butter cream frosting) and stumbled across Kylie Lambert's beautiful creations. I think her bakery, Le Cupcake is based out of Australia, so if Meredith and Allen ever move there, we'll have to get some when Fabian and I visit. They are almost too beautiful to eat. Almost.

See more: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lecupcake/

This Week's Quote

Part of the reason I dislike living in the suburbs is the fact that the monotony of it all can be so stifling. All of the houses look the same, the stores and restaurants look the same, and the people are all so alike. My suburb is a very homogeneous one, but beyond the suburb thing, I think most people tend to fall into a comfortable rut after a while. I know I certainly have this summer, so this quote will be my inspiration to shake things up!

The Secret World of Haute Couture

Haute couture is a phrase that many toss around carelessly. Some of my students foolishly think that a denim mini skirt from Abercrombie can be considered haute couture so long as they think it's cute. However, "in fashion parlance, haute couture is something very specific: A garment that is completely custom-made, from impeccable lining to hand-stitched hem. Not only is the dress bespoke, the fabrics and embellishments are of the highest quality, and the tailors, seamstresses, embroiderers, lace makers and other craftspeople who spend hundreds of hours assembling these pieces are the most skilled in the world." These beautiful works of art can cost up to $100,000, though you shouldn't expect the design houses to give you prices.



Last night, PBS aired a documentary called The Secret World of Couture in which a British journalist tries to infiltrate the very elite world of haute couture. She travels to Paris, New York, and Los Angeles in hopes of finding one of the 200 members of a very exclusive club of haute couture lovers, from both old and new money . The club is more of a secret society with its very hush, hush nature. The designers featured in the documentary, Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel, John Galliano of Christian Dior, Valentino, and Christian Lacroix refused to disclose any details about their wealthy clients, adhering to a type of doctor-patient confidentiality.


One of the club members who agreed to be interviewed is fellow Houstonian, Becca Cason Thrash, wife of multi-millionaire doctor and oil fortune heir, John Thrash. She is known for her posh parties and amazing couture collection. If you must ask, no, we don't run in the same circle. Becca guides the journalist through the arduous process of becoming a member of the haute couture club. According to Becca and the other women in the documentary, once you go haute, you never go back. The ladies all feel that their love for the art form is a bona fide addiction. Each season, they absolutely must flock to Paris to add more designer creations to their collections. It's an impossible habit to break, though they aren't trying.

Personally, I love flipping through the pages of Vogue admiring the beautiful creations, but that is probably as close as I will get to the exclusive world of haute couture-wearing women.

Blogging is the New Black

I decided to start blogging out of boredom. I'm a teacher, so I'm off for the summer and thought "Why not give it a try?". Slowly, but surely, this has become my newest addiction. Writing my blog entries is theraputic in a sense, as I get to share my experiences and opinions. I can only hope that you might enjoy reading my blog as much as I enjoy writing it. I don't know why it took me as long as it did, but I've recently discovered some great blogs. I am able to read about food, architecture, design, fashion, travel, photography...the list goes on. Check out http://www.delightfulblogs.com/ for a great collection of blogs categorized by topic. It's like a virtual yellow pages for blogs.