I used to organize the things hanging in my closet by coordinating colors. I think if you reorganize and rearrange your closet every now and then, it helps you to notice the clothes you don't normally and it maybe even helps you to see the things you don't really wear much anymore. I'm thinking maybe I'll start doing that again . . .

Hold Me Tights

I've been looking for a classic pair of black on black backseam tights for a while now, and finally discovered a reasonably priced pair at American Apparel! They have several other color options, if you prefer to deviate from the classic. I know backseam tights can seem a little dominatrix, but, if done right, I think they're a timelessly feminine piece. I kept finding interesting variations like polka dots and trellis-y designs, but I wanted the classic 1950's kind ever since I burned through all four seasons of Mad Men last fall and got inspired by the show's costume design. The women's clothing on MM features such precise tailoring, sumptuous colors, and modest sex appeal. I'm already a big fan of tights and leggings with skirts and dresses, but I also love pairing tights (especially opaque or knit) with a pair of tailored trouser-type shorts or classic Levi's denim shorts. This way, you can still wear your shorts when it's chilly out!

Less is More

I have always loved the monochromatic, all-white look. It always reminds me of The Virgin Suicides (the film). It has this certain innocence about it that can also be very chic. Head to toe white is a timeless summer look, too. Put on a couple of key pieces, blend your textures, and you will always look sleek in all white. On that same note, I think that even one piece in some shade of white will simplify any look and clean it up a notch.

BookMarc

Love Marc Jacobs? Well, now he's opened a bookstore in NYC, with plans to open a few more around the country! This is great news if you're a bibliophile and a fashion lover like I am: it's the best of both worlds! From what I've read, it sounds like his bookstore is just as quirky and charming as his other stores and his line of clothing. I went to his clothing store in Savannah a couple of years ago on spring break, and it was such a fun experience. I will definitely make a visit to BookMarc if I ever get back to New York someday.

Here's the link to Interview Magazine's piece on the store.

I snagged these cool vintage angelfish earrings yesterday on Etsy for a grand total of $2 (including shipping)!

The weather's getting a little warmer here, and I'm already dreaming of wearing sundresses and going to the beach.

The Joy of Cooking

In the past year or so, I've really become enamored with cooking and culinary craft. There's so much comfort and sensuality there, and you get this thrilling sense of accomplishment when you successfully make a delicious, if not beautiful, chocolate fudge pie, or you try your hand and succeed at making pesto for the first time. There's also so much room for experimentation and "happy mistakes" in cooking.

Because there are a million cookbooks and recipe sites out there, it can be hard to know where to start. Recently, I've found that large chain bookstores, like Barnes and Noble, have really low-priced cookbooks in their bargain sections. I was looking today and found some great books on everything from vegetarian to gluten-free to great cocktails to 100 best Mexican recipes, priced mostly between 6.95 and 9.95, which is great if you're the person who wants to start a nice collection of cookbooks without the expense that can come with such a venture.

Or, if you're the person who just wants a good foundational cookbook for recipes, reference, and food philosophy, cookbooks like More With Less are a great, reasonably priced initial investment for about 19.99. Something like this is perfect for someone who wants basic, healthy recipes and who cares about food consumption as a global act.

Another idea for an economic and personal way to get into recipe-acquiring is something I've implemented lately: I bought a three ring binder (just like the one you used for Chemistry in high school) and dividers, and I'm collecting recipes to organize inside it. For example, I will pull a recipe out of a magazine, then photocopy it and cut out the color photo of the dish itself and paste it onto the photocopy. Then, I can take the particular recipe, be it Russian Black Bread or Cheesy Jalepeno Grits and file it accordingly in its proper section of the recipe binder. Another thing I like is that a lot of sites like Food Network and Real Simple will give you the additional option to print their recipes as recipe cards for either 3x5 or 4x7 recipe cards, which is a great option if you want to keep an old-fashioned style recipe card collection in a recipe box.

In conclusion, discovering great recipes and how to start and organize your own collection can be a truly satisfying and fairly inexpensive pursuit if you know your options.