Summer lovin'

Hello, loves. It's been too long since my last post! I took a little hiatus, ended one of my day jobs and started another (now I write, substitute teach, work at a boutique and for eco-fashion sites Green Cotton and Jute & Jackfruit! Busy girl!). But I've really missed blogging here! To get back in the swing of things, I've decided to post my latest obsessions, fashion and otherwise. Here's what I'm loving for Summer '09:

The return of tie-dye! It's funky, free-spirited, and long overdue for a comeback. Lauren Conrad and Ashley Tisdale both wear dresses by Gypsy 05. I scored an adorable one from Ann Taylor Loft and will post some summery beach shots soon!

Ashley's photo makes me crave my favorite warm-weather treat: an iced toffee nut latte (with soy, of course). Trust me, it's the best flavor combo!

And speaking of vegan treats... How about some cute cruelty-free sandals that don't resemble jellies? (Though jellies are still a fun summer staple!) Check out NeuAura, as seen in Boho Magazine and InStyle. These are definitely the most fashion-forward shoes by a vegan company I've ever seen (though I'm also a fan of Mohop's ribbon shoes). Love the totally on-trend cork-metallic combination! Stay tuned: I plan to do a longer review of these shoes for Green Cotton, a follow-up from last summer's post on eco-friendly footwear.

I'm a lifelong Chanel fan, even if the iconic fashion house is far out of my clothing budget (nor do the animal-skin accessories jive with my ahimsa ethics/aesthetic). So I was floored when I found something that exudes that same Chanel chic without the pricetag, or not-so-vegan material. Voila!

This quilted jersey purse from Urban Outfitters would complement every summer ensemble I could muster. Adorable and affordable? Oui, s'il vous plaît!

My summer soundrack: tunes by Japan's all-time number one songstress, Utada Hikaru (ever play Kingdom Hearts? She sang two songs for the video game series). This NYC native layers her shiver-inducing soprano over latin and hip-hop beats, resulting in an addictive mix that will definitely shake up your playlist.

Another addictive import? The anime hit of the summer: K-On!, or Cagayake Girls, a Japanese cartoon about a pop-rock quartet of high school girls. "K-On" comes from "keion," the Japanese term for "light music" (what we would call "pop"). The comedy, cutesy schoolgirl uniforms, the catchy songs... what's not to love? It also reminds me of Sailor Moon (remember, fellow nineties girls?), with musical instruments. K-On! only airs in Japan, but if you're an uber-geek like me, you can find ways to stream it online. And here's a fun fashion tie-in: Danny Choo (heir to the shoe empire of none other than Jimmy Choo!), aka the Tokyo Dance Trooper, blogs all about it, and other fanboy fun, on his amazing website.

When I'm not reliving my childhood with cute cartoons, I'll be indulging in some of my favorite summer activities: vintage shopping (the bag, above, is Givenchy!), and taking peaceful strolls by the water. I hope everyone is enjoying warmer weather and relaxing days. Check back soon for my summer style editorial!

Chasing Marit

I have to take a moment to gush about my favorite singer/songwriter. This is long overdue, as I've been a fan for the past few years and have passed her music around to my friends-- most people stateside have never heard of her. Marit Larsen is a hidden treasure, and once you hear her, you're sure to fall under her spell!

Marit is an award-winning Norwegian artist who's enjoyed plenty of success on European pop charts, though the "pop" designation is hardly worthy of her gorgeous, folksy melodies with lush, sweeping arrangements. Her music is bright, spritely and highly original. I'm hardpressed to find an American comparison, though Jenny Lewis, with her pop-rock-indie-folk-bluegrass hybrid sound, comes awfully close. Marit's voice is reminiscent of Bjork, Regina Spektor, Martha Wainwright, or Sixpence None the Richer's Leigh Nash-- but her gentle, unrefined soprano is even more lilting, and sparkling, and altogether better. Don't believe me? You simply must hear her for yourself. Her first album, Under the Surface, is a glittering marvel of a debut. The Chase dropped last month, and it may be even better. As she promises in "If a Song Could Get Me You," her music just might "change your life forever, too."

The only catch? Marit is big in her native Norway, much of Europe and Asia, but her music is not available in the U.S. (though you can purchase Under the Surface on Amazon.com as an import, which is what I had to do). But I'm hoping that little blogs like mine will help spike a Marit fever over here, increasing the demand for her music to finally reach our shores. Dontcha' think our radios, CD and MP3 players are seriously derpived?

I'm inspired not only by Marit's music, but her cool, Euro-girl vintage-inspired style. And she's not afraid to have fun with impromptu unplugged performances. With her stardom Marit could command huge crowds, but she prefers to pop up in unexpected places! You gotta love a girl that always keeps you guessing!