Retro Beachwear

This past Monday was spent at the beach. I am very into one piece bathing suits. I am not trying to hide anything in them, I just like the chic, retro silhouette they afford. I know that this season there have been lots of pseudo vintage one pieces available at stores like Urban Outfitters, but some come off as too contrived for my taste. This brown suit, originally by Inc. at Macy's but unearthed amongst the racks at Marshall's is deliciously simple. Instead of $88, this one cost me $10! I like the thin straps, high-cut legs, and square neckline. It's lined with wiring which is just terrific for me. After being a bikini-wearer for years, I haven't stepped out in one all season! I think it looks especially good with my new ripoff pink wayfarers. I own classic black Rayban wayfarers, but their pink ones were too light in the lenses. These knockoff ones were cheap (as trendy things should be) and paired with my bathing suit, the effect is very Russel Stover strawberry creme chocolates. I wear a scarf every time I hit the beach, and lucky for me, I've got a hatbox full of vintage printed ones from my Mom. My hair was darkened recently and I don't want sun-bleached highlights to spoil it, but also, wearing a scarf on one's head stimulates stylish intrigue. Do it once and you'll be hooked. Finally, I must have my Forever 21 spotted coverup. My mom always has some funky coverup on, and I always adored them growing up. This one is very 70s or 60s to me and I love the fun colors, and the tan compliments my brown suit. Getting ready for the beach is fun, because things don't really have to match, they just sort of go together. With a little creativity, you'll find yourself branching away from the typical tank + cutoffs+ball cap combo and into a more fun, interesting beachside look!

suit: Inc, at Marshall's
sunnies: Newbury Comics
sandles: small accessory shop on Newbury St., Boston
scarf: Mom

cover-up: forever 21

Lemonade: Del's, a summertime tradition
Pretzel: what I ate for lunch that day, yum!
Vogue: timeless beach reading
Straw bag: fits everything, looks great, mine's from my Bf's mom and comes from the Philippines
Scarf: vintage and colorful
tunic: polka dots rule
suit: This one's from Land's End.
sandals: delicate daisies!
sunblock: I burn so quickly!
scarf: I've got a few favs for the beach on hand
sunnies: chic and bright!
tunic: floaty and fabulous!
book: Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy. I'm too old for summer reading, but I make my own from the book, 1001 Books You Must Read Before you die by Peter Boxall.

I am a very stylish girl...

Hello , I know it has been quite a while and I have promised lots of fashion posts... This first real fashion post of Pink Marshmallow Girl is kind of a cliche among fashion blogs but that's ok. The inspiration lies in Breakfast At Tiffany's, both the film and the story. The fashion, style, glamour, and attitude of Miss Holly Golightly, the heroine of the tale speaks to the theme of Pink Marshmallow Girl, that one doesn't need to spend their money on expensive clothes to be chic, it's how you put things together and most importantly, how you wear it. We know that although Holly Golightly lived on a budget as a character, Audrey's stylist was none other than Givenchy himself. Yet still, I like to picture Holly shopping at an H&M or a Forever 21 if she were of modern times. The point is that you don't need a ton of money to look chic, glam, or unique. Holly had nothing except for the money she got from Sally Tomato or the $50.00 for the powder room. Her pearls were all fake, in theory. She hadn't recieved anything from Tiffany's until they monogrammed that Cracker Jack ring. Yet Holly Golightly is iconic as a fictional character who exudes style and grace to ladies everywhere. This blog is about capturing that confidence, mastering that art of being chic, without a job, on a student's budget, in the midst of economic crisis. In the words of fashion designer extraordinaire, Karl Lagerfield, "Life is not a fashion show, and I find a total designer look boring." Guess what Mr. Lagerfield, so do I! In fact I think its fine to dress head to-toe in random clothes from Marshall's and nameless vintage items from the thrift store. I think a 21-year old should save Chanel 'till she's forty, the label looks tacky on a young girl. Holly agrees with respect to diamonds, she says they are not for her until she's old. I find that fantastic.
Published in 1958, Capote's Golightly is more Marilyn than Audrey. This short novel offers more background on the intriguing Ms. Golightly sans the romantic reunion in the rain. It's a good beach read, better than In Cold Blood for sure.

This 1961 film is such a classic! I love the pink dress she wears when she has been out with her Brazilian, but every look is just perfect! I adore her wild party scene with Mag Wildwood("I'm Gonna take you to the zoo and FEED YOU TO THE YAK!!") but I also love when she and Paul are in that kind of a night club and they are watching that dancer lady and Holly says to Paul :"Do You think she's talented? Deeply and truly talented?" in her dramatic, quasi-French accent. This is the one film I shall never tire of.

Haven't seen this new French flick out this summer which is adapted from Breakfast At Tiffany's, but I will let you know when I do.

She's more New York than Kentucky Derby!

8th grade, Halloween Party, Breakfast at Tiffany's was and is my favorite film. Back then I had a stylist, my big sis loved to plan and dress me up all cute. She always did such a great job. This costume is one of our favorites that we put together. Lee scoured all the vintage/thrift stores until she found this vintage 50's number at the old Foreign Affairs workshop. It was a little big, but a perfect match in style, it even had that scoop-necked back! The long black fancy gloves are abundant in my house, and we found a fake pearl brooch and used that with a few strands of fake pearls as a clasp to replicate Holly's. In addition to being my stylist, my sister created the perfect french twist in my hair and I must say, my bangs were perfectly Audrey at 12 years old.The tiara comb thingie I think we got at either Claire's and the Icing and it looked pretty authentic. A final world about the shoes...I was 12 and didn't own heels so I wore black maryjanes. Plus the Halloween Party was outside at my friend's house so my mom forced me to wear tights.

Perfect Pose! Even that white wrap looked great! I remember having the best costume there, which wasn't unusual, especially when I've got my A-team stylist around.

A more modern take? Silver raincoat from Chicago to replace Audrey's trench, black sheath dress also from Chicago, pink shoes Charlotte Russe, black purse, Forever 21 and scarf, Urban Renewal by Urban Outfitters

You! Maybe it was the little black dress, but somehow I felt very Holly that night, in a modern sense, with messy hair and bright pink heels.

This dress was under $50.00 and my sister Bep and I found it in a shop in Chicago. I love the little bow, it feels very 1960's mod.

Sheer wrap, found at home. Any color looks good with black.

I know Holly kept her phone in a random suitcase, but my pink feathery Target phone is awesome and I remember it being really cheap. The phone is draped with long black evening gloves that belonged to my Moma. Also shown is the black hat again with two black evening purses, one from my JRW, on the left from like cohoes or someplace, the other clutch on the right came from Victoria's Secret! Shhh!Black patine flats, Charlotte Russe, big pink heels, Wet Seal, both dirt cheap. Breakfast At Tiffany's DVD, sequined kisslock wallet, vintage from attic.Two beaded bracelets: one from Forever 21 (with the pearls) the other with the crystal beads belonged to my Grandma.

Banana Republic, $150 (This is cheaper than a Burberry, and
is a modern take on the one Audrey wears in the rain during that final scene.

Necklace, FredFlare.com

sunnies, Fredflare.com. Go for any big black sunglasses, a touch of brown or gold is very Golightly.

I WISH I HAD THIS EYE MASK! fredflare.com (Make one yourself with fake eyelashes and a glue gun?)

Black straw hat, Marshall's, $24.00. Basically my favorite thing right now.

Black and white Audrey poster, Michaels. Tin Breakfast at Tiffany's movie poster, random Mystic CT shop about 5+ yrs ago. Fake Eyelashes, Ulta, about $3.00, lipstick, Ulta $4.99 Audrey Purse, present from Bep., handmade. Black flats, Charlotte Russe.