Today is the Day Before Tomorrow

So, according to the weatherman, summer has started. But with the blustering wind outside and the random mix of clouds/sun that I've seen in the past few days, I highly doubt the veracity of that claim. Now that school's out, I've been at a loss for how to while away all my extra hours, but maybe I'll be better about posting to this thing (for reals?). On a completely unrelated note, the much-talked-about bag is finally mine and I must say that I love it more than I thought I would. The abundance of pockets and the detachable shoulder strap makes this the ideal replacement for my slowly decaying Ben Sherman number.
I actually have a few goals for the summer:

• Work out. No. Seriously. I will.
• Build a serious summer wardrobe. The dearth of shorts, boat shoes, lightweight button-ups, and whatnot are going to be a serious problem once the real heat kicks in. And unlike my last job, my current one has no air conditioning.
• Get a few more recipes under my belt and in my noggin. It's easier to cook for one than three, and the summertime gives me access to a plethroa of veggies and time. Farmer's market, here I come.
• Read more. I've got quite a list building up of things to read (Ishiguro, Purple Fashion) and re-read (Eggers, Rand) and my bus commute is the perfect place for it.
• Spend less. It's high time that I start actually saving money. As enjoyable as spending it can be, the lack of safety net/emergency funds is definitely a problem that needs to be addressed. (Happy now, Angela?)
• Learn another language. Maybe French. Is this a totally crazy idea? I think it might be, but it's worth putting it down.

That ought to be enough for me to say I'll do, wind up not doing, and regret later. But if I need more, I'm sure there are a few infectious diseases that require my inattention, as well.

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     My my my, resort has arrived and so have the shows. I'm still not certain what we're supposed to think about resort as a season. It's pretty much there de facto, but are we intentionally not saying anything about it? Is there anything to be said?

     Seasonal existential crises aside, Oscar de la Renta presented a covetable, if slightly repetitive, show. It's hard to make the same intense artistic demands on a season predicated largely upon the commercial and marketable aspect of fashion. That being said, de la Renta showed his old tricks, but in a refreshing way. Although some prints seemed to be trekking dangerously close to Jonathan Saunders' work, I suppose that it's more so the palette than the actual working that reminds me of his stuff. The dresses were, as always, immaculate. The numerous takes on the L.B.D. made me do a double-take to Ghesquière's show for Fall 08, but de la Renta dreams about the dresses while Ghesquière contemplates. It's the same difference between reading and studying.

     For a season that I still don't understand, I've got to say that the results are pretty eye-catching.

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"State Supreme Court says same-sex couples have right to marry"

Victory.

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     Conversations with Connie about clothes might start off in the realms of vision and imagination, but they always wind up firmly rooted in the pure practicality of the matter. Case in point? My much beloved and much desired Surface to Air Cargo Bag and this awesome heat-sensitive, color-changing tank top from Anzevino and Florence have turning over in my mind.

     Now, is $78 a lot for a top? Yes. Is it a lot for a tank top? Most certainly. I certainly know there are better deals out there on jersey tank tops (Urban carries them for $10 each), but cut of it looks great and drape-y and the color changing bit is absolutely cool and looks absolutely beautiful. But how do I value those extra qualities? The market says I should value them for $68 more than the ones from Urban and I agree. But why? Why do I find myself aligning with the number that the market has mysteriously* produced?

     (* Okay, it isn't such a mystery. It's a combination of research, drafting, advertising, fabrics, production, and also the brand's "value". I acknowledge the various elements of the industry and the variety of intersecting functions that are necessary to create, market, and sell a single product, much less an entire collection. )

     So I find the top desirable, so I desire it, and so I'm okay with paying $78 (not that I have...yet). But what if someone else doesn't think that's reasonable? How am I supposed to explain myself? We obviously don't look for the same traits in a garment (me: fit, cut, fabric, design / them: price, availability ), so I can't argue that it fits my criteria for a "good" garment. This is the sort of dilemma I encounter whenever someone asks me about my spending habits. The problem I find most often is that people find me unreasonable for my willingness to spend a larger quantity than average. They think that I am unable to settle, that I'm trying to create a gap between myself and others, but that has nothing to do with it.

     You don't think I'm reasonable? Fine. I don't think you're reasonable because you wear Crocs and you're over the age of 5. We'll just have to agree to disagree.

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Lowbrow Moment

      Not my fault if I'm hopelessly addicted to this song (despite its obvious artistic shortcomings and the fact that it's months old), but the near constant replay of it on the mix at work has slowly drilled it into my skull.

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Showing BARE, Saving Bucks

     I'll keep it short and sweet this time. I promise.

     Might I proudly present the BARE Magazine Blog, an extension of the eponymous student rag on whose staff I serve and whose second issue is right around the corner.

     And so long as we're tickling your palette for fashion, I might as well let it drop that Yoko Devereaux's remaining stock from their Spring collection is now on sale, with items reduced as much as 80% off.

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