Happy New Year 2015 & A Few Resolutions...

Happy New Year 2015!!!

Sophia Loren

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak' a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

And surely ye’ll be your pint-stoup!
and surely I’ll be mine!
And we’ll tak' a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

- Robert Burns

I sincerely hope that each and every one of you will get one step closer to realizing your dreams in 2015! 

Ava Gardner

 Here are a few of my resolutions for the New Year:

Embrace my inner entrepreneur 
Dreams require action, or they will forever remain dreams and nothing more. The older I get the more confidence I have in myself. I have also realized that my ideas aren't completely ridiculous.

Make time for a daily dose of glamour

I truly enjoy dressing up, but when I am stuck at home I usually resort to my cozy fleece pajama's - this isn't necessarily a horrible thing, I would just like to feel more attractive while doing day to day chores. I did purchase a gorgeous merlot satin dressing gown a while ago, but the seams are weak and I need to take it to a tailor before I can wear it. Being well groomed and put together on a daily basis, regardless of where I am or who I am with, makes all the difference and I can tell that I gain added confidence and motivation when I feel properly put together!

Properly decompress before bedtime 

The combination of being a night owl and a light sleeper gets tricky sometimes, especially when I have to get up early the next day. My mind is haunted at night by ghosts of the past, the gravitas and vulnerability and the meaning of life, anxiety about the future, and the endless unfulfilled possibilities that I would like to see come into fruition. If this were a recent development I would say that I am obviously in the throes of an existential crisis, but seeing as this has been a pattern since I was a child, I say it is just a deeply ingrained pattern of thought. I have already taken measures to remedy these sleepless nights - I make myself a nice, soothing cup of fresh ginger, peppermint or chamomile tea and indulge in thinking about something completely frivolous before bedtime. A little bit of rose oil on my pillow, my neck, and my wrists helps me sleep better as well. 

 Brush up on my French

Although I took four years of French in high school, I have a difficult time retaining a language if I don't speak it on a daily basis. I have always been very proud of my French roots, and I would like to speak at least conversational French and get that accent down pat.

Reignite my love of writing
As a little girl of seven years old, I began the habit of keeping a journal and writing on a daily basis - I have lost some of the zeal I used to have for putting my thoughts down on paper and I would like to continue that tradition. Although, the fact that I leave a paper trail can be volatile - I have to ensure that my most revealing journals are carefully hidden away.

Learn and use a new word on a daily basis

Thanks to daily emails from dictionary.com I am reminded on a daily basis of this resolution! I truly love learning new things, especially when it comes to linguistics. Being a polyglot, it is amusing to me when I can trace a word in various languages to one common root word. Nerd alert, I know. 

 Continue to invest in classic pieces
Life is too short to wear boring clothes! However, I have a confession to make. I have a difficult time buying basics. I often get distracted by whimsical and impractical pieces that can't be worn on a daily basis. This is problematic because a good deal of my wardrobe doesn't go with anything and often I get frustrated when I look into my closet. I absolutely hate boring clothing and I want every piece I own to reflect my personality and make me feel my best when I slip into it. I have been getting better about investing in basics, however, and now that I have turned the dirty thirty I have realized that there are a few key elements that make my pulse race and happen to be classic pieces as well. One example is the 1940's skirt suit! I used a good portion of my Christmas $$$ to invest in this pretty little thing...

Wear pretty lingerie

I adore pretty lingerie - I just absolutely hate shopping for it. Also, it doesn't help that most of the pretty bras usually only come in smaller sizes. I really would like to have matching undergarments, I think it would help me feel more put together and get me in the mood for seduction...

 Rebuild my circle of friends

The older I get, the more I realize that I am my own best friend and any other relationship is just an added bonus. I've always been a lone wolf, so to speak, as I don't exactly crave human interaction - I do plan on trying to be a little more sociable, but I also think that it is important to realize which relationships are worth investing in. After my move to Macedonia and back, I definitely realized who truly valued my friendship, and as a result I am already starting with a fresh page in this New Year. Friendship for me is not about seeking validation from another human being, nor is it a popularity contest, and I am definitely not looking for that "Sex and the City" scenario. I long to converse with great minds and invest in friendships that are mutually beneficial.

What are your resolutions for this new year?

See you in 2015!

Comrade Von Pussycat

Matrimonio all'italiana!

Matrimonio all'italiana! by lafemmefeline featuring heart frames

La Vita E Bella!

La Vita E Bella! by lafemmefeline featuring a long wear lipstick

I am looking forward to (hopefully) visiting friends in Milan, Italy this Spring! 

The Lady Is A Vamp & #SelfieFails

#SelfieFail - love how my pin curl set turned out though!

Maybe it's just me, but I always feel like a total douche when I take selfies, so usually I resort to funny faces. It could be the strict religious upbringing getting to me, warning me of my impending narcissism, trying to save my soul from the smoldering flames of the inferno - or it could just be my innate bashfulness. Too many times I avoid photographs altogether because I am so uncomfortable in front of a camera. In 2015 I would like to learn how to relax in front of a camera and take a decent photo!

 Anyways, I decided to begin putting one of Marilyn's top makeup tricks to the test by creating that infamous ombre or 3d lip - I particularly love the combination of MAC Ruby Woo lipstick with a soot black liner, it kind of reminds me of cherry cola and looks oh so dangerous!

 This matte version is gorgeous!

 As you know, I am obsessed with playing with shadow and light - I adore complexity, depth, and dimension - this doesn't just go for the soul, but for the shell that holds the soul as well.

Comrade Von Pussycat

Winter Beauty: Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice...

Want to know a secret? I use olive oil in everything and on everything. Including my skin. I add a few drops of olive oil to my moisturizer on a daily basis, regardless of the season, but in the Winter my skin really needs an escape from the drying air, so I came up with this scrub. First of all, it smells delicious - kind of like a snickerdoodle! The best thing though is that the brown sugar will exfoliate your skin while the olive oil moisturizes. Honey is a natural antiseptic and moisturizer as well. Adding a little sprinkling of ground cinnamon and nutmeg helps with circulation, and just smells extra nice! No measurements are needed, just keep going until the texture is to your liking :)

P.S. This would make a great gift!

Happy Holidays!

Comrade Von Pussycat

Sweater Girl: A Little Naughty And A Little Nice...

1950's baby blue lambswool sweater with sequin and pearl embroidery - I found this baby at Goodwill for $5!

Is there anything more delicious than a soft, cozy sweater? I love finding vintage sweaters because they hug you in all the right places and have the most amazing details. I love that this baby blue sweater is so Winter inspired and it shows you that comfortable can be glamorous!

Comrade Von Pussycat

Femme Fatale Basics: The Spy Coat

Marlene Dietrich

There are few thing I love more than a good coat, and the spy coat is my absolute favorite! From a French New Wave worthy creme brulee colored cotton to a matte soot colored leather version fit for a film noir femme, there is a spy coat for every moment of the day. The classic beige hue is perfect for those cool Spring days sitting at the sidewalk cafe with friends. A rich cognac color in sumptuously soft leather is perfect for crisp Autumn days out walking in the city park, sipping hot cocoa and arm in arm with your lover. A glossy patent leather in the deepest of blacks is perfect for a glamorous night out at the discoteque - especially with a slick of blood red lipstick and disco ball inspired eyeliner! A beautiful, high quality coat can be expensive, but it is well worth the investment. A great coat can make you look instantly polished, regardless of what is underneath - which is great if you need to quickly run to the store and have no time for primping!

(Left) Marlene Dietrich, (Center) Brigitte Bardot, (Right) Joan Crawford

Although there are many modern versions available, buying a vintage piece carries along with it a deep satisfaction knowing that no one else will have your exact same coat. Also, if you are a hopeless romantic (like I am!), the patina of age, even a few stains and scratches, means that the piece has a story - something particularly irresistible to most of us dreamers... 

Here are a few of my favorite vintage spy coats from Etsy:

Vintage 1970's spy coat in delicious cognac leather via Etsy

Vintage Pierre Cardin dark chestnut corduroy spy coat with patent leather accents via Etsy

Vintage Yves Saint Laurent classic spy coat via Etsy - tres French New Wave!

Now for a modern interpretation of the classic spy coat:

Doesn't Penelope make leather look so elegant and effortless?

Comrade Von Pussycat

La Dolce Vita According To Federico Fellini

La Dolce Vita by lafemmefeline featuring Agent Provocateur

Staying Classy With Ava Gardner

"No wonder, when I think of that marriage now, I think of nightclubs: the Palladium, Ciro’s, the Cocoanut Grove, where we danced to Tommy Dorsey’s band. Guys didn’t trouble me much—most of them knew I was Mickey’s wife—but that’s where I learned to drink, I mean to drink seriously. All the clubs were hot on under-age drinking, but Mick would slip me dry martinis in coffee cups. Sipping a dry martini out of a coffee cup seemed as glamorous as hell to me."

Ava Gardner: The Secret Conversations 

Upon reading that particular excerpt, it got me thinking - a multitude of sins or less than virtuous characteristics can always be disguised by a little old fashioned glamour. I've never really been a spandex mini dress and stripper heels kind of girl - 1) these particular items, when worn together, make me feel cheap, 2) I prefer seduction through suggestion rather than revelation, and 3) I don't like my wardrobe to kiss and tell (I don't like my body making statements that may or may not be true...). Don't get me wrong, I have a quite a few pairs of fetish heels myself, but I like to pair them with fairly modest attire for contrast. I've noticed that Dita Von Teese utilizes the same strategy, and although she IS basically a stripper (her words!), she never looks anything less than elegant. I prefer to forge my own way, ignore mandates from modern pop culture completely, and create my own brand of sex appeal. As I have stated before, I quite like a healthy dose of vulgarity - but nothing overt or obvious (it bores me). I suppose I think its amusing to be a walking, talking contradiction and I secretly relish the confused looks and blank stares I get from time to time when I say something that doesn't match my appearance. I have to admit, I thoroughly enjoy confusing people, mostly because the idea of fitting into one particular or designated box is a ridiculous idea and to believe that it is so black and white shows your own naivete.Yes, just because you look like a stripper it doesn't mean you are one, but the element of surprise that the femme fatale has is infinitely more fun to play with and garners many more memorable stories than the former. Just take a page from Ava's book!

Comrade Von Pussycat

Bond Girl Style: Helga Brandt!

Also known as Agent #11, fiery femme fatale Helga Brandt knows exactly how to simultaneously combine elegance and danger with one swipe of her lipstick. Channel your inner Bond girl by investing in a few bad girl basics - look for pinup worthy pencil skirts in leather (try a deep cognac for daytime and pitch black for an evening look), glamorous fitted cashmere sweaters (preferably trimmed in fur), and a beautiful pair of seamed stockings. Just add a quick slick of liquid eyeliner for that iconic cat-eye look and you are ready for a little secret rendezvous of your own...

Comrade Von Pussycat

Things I Love In November

Autumnal prints & muted colors - cozy pumpkin spice and warm creme brulee sweater separates make it easy to mix and match for a laid back and elegant Autumn look.

Mixing textures and patterns - creamy cappuccino angora sweaters pair perfectly with rich chocolate colored pencil skirts and mocha plaid wool circle skirts!

Swedish Hasbeens "Singoalla" Peeptoes - the cutesy cutout details and low wood heel make these darling shoes perfect for everyday wear. My favorite thing about the natural leather? Olive oil and sunlight make them darker with age, turning them into a delicious creme caramel color!

Miniature sweet treats - I don't have much of a sweet tooth, so when I find little desserts that are as beautiful as these macarons, it takes me to a happy place. Favorite flavors: Persian Rose, Pumpkin Spice, Amaretto, and Red Velvet!

George the Cat - after losing my beloved Samson in Macedonia, I swore that I would never get another cat. Well, George just showed up at our front door one day, and that was that. Someone up there definitely has a sense of humor.

Comrade Von Pussycat