Wednesday 9 November 2011

On kissing terms

Since Emma's shown a liking for kissing accessories, I thought I'd post this one. I have to say I think a bangle is even better because you get to admire it yourself and though this one is a little pricey for Forever 21, I think it might just be pretty enough to be worth it.


kissing giraffe bracelet $10.80 from Forever 21

Sunday 16 October 2011

Uniform shopping at J Crew

Sometimes I think there's nothing like a school uniform. More precisely there's nothing like a school uniform list (for me at least). Because honestly if there's ever a piece of paper that could make me happier I'd like to see it (because it would need to be a winning lottery ticket).

And as daring and as bold as Emma can be at times, she does have a bit of a uniform - pencil skirts, pretty blouses and cardigans. And there's nothing wrong with that, nothing at all. I think lots of people develop a uniform of their own when they have a strong sense of personal style. And there are surely advantages. Like feeling no need to follow a fashion simply because you read in a magazine that a look is so this season. And I don't think Emma is swayed by trends. I don't think for one minute that she'll be considering the fetish look (sorry Will I just don't think she'll go there no matter how much you might want her to).

Shopping with Emma at J Crew


And if Emma has a school uniform then her outfitters of choice is surely J Crew. I like to imagine her going off on a shopping trip at the start of each season armed with a long list of Jackie cardigans and no 2. pencil skirts followed by their J Crew colour and interspersed with proper school uniform list phrases such as 'at least one of the following' and 'to be worn with'.

Shopping with Emma at J Crew

So I'm pleased to see that Emma has indeed stocked up on some new basics in this seasons colours but there are one or two other pieces that may have caught her eye.

I definitely think she'd try on her staple no 2 pencil skirt in the purple paisley print (though I can't see her wearing it with the matching blouse).

Emma wears the Suzette blouse

I love the idea of Emma wearing the Suzette blouse and I think the nightfall floral print would be perfect on her.


And since Emma has a certain fondness for sweater vests, I'd love to see her in this pleated one with a bow seen at the fall 2011 J Crew fashion show - though preferably in a bold colour.

Speaking of bold colours, I think the keynote dress in super 120s would look amazing on Emma in the deep lagoon.


I'm liking the postage stamp (not so) mini and fanfare jacket in peacock tweed too.

And though I'd like to see more colour again, I do like the overtime necktie top in bird's-eye tweed.
Shopping with Emma at J Crew

I think Emma could well have picked up some of the colourful patterned enamel bangles to accessorize with and perhaps some new shoes.

And while I'm pleased to see that J Crew have some shoes that would please Emma and the viv pump is pretty, they don't really compare with the perfection that is the PMJ. I do wish that in true outfitters tradition they had continued making a style that passes the test of time and simply introduced more colourways. If they had I'm sure Emma would have been adding more PMJs to her wardrobe with each new season.

Tuesday 11 October 2011

Kate Spade October

I'm not a fan of Kate Spade's colour of October. In fact I'm thinking that they've run out of inspiration for living colourfully because as colours go chocolate seems like a clear admission of defeat.

Fortunately they don't feel the need to stick solely to the colour of the month and there are a few pieces I'm liking.

wool martingale sweater $195
 I'm pleased to see the adorably bow-cuffed Martingale sweater revisited in this lovely shade of african violet rather than a shade of chocolate, though I can see these two colours could work well together.
silk reade blouse $295
The polka dot print tie-neck Silk Reade blouse surely has a lot of Emma potential but while I think the silhouettes and details of the ruffled tie-neck Catarina blouse and the cropped bow-adorned Nightingale jacket would be great on Emma, I'm not really loving the zebra print. Perhaps it will grow on me. I know it will if Emma wears either of them.
Catarina blouse $295 and Nightingale jacket $695

Nellie dress $395
The Nellie dress comes not in chocolate but a strong graphic print of red, white and black and with the ruffled placket I definitely like it.
caravell dress $445
 I like the simplicity of the Caravelle dress, and of course the bow, but it's certainly more Rachel circa season 3 than Emma.

Accessories wise I'm much more tempted. I mean who doesn't love mittens? And pom poms? And I love red and pink together so these would be perfect for me.
hand in hand pom pom mittens $95
The popcorn necklace seems fun and festive
popcorn garland scatter necklace $148
And I adore the plaid coal tote which is like a winter version of Emma's Jayma's point breeze

fireside plaid small coal $365
But I've really fallen for the black and white houndstooth and patent leather henley park little nadine too. For me it's retro styling wins.
henley park little nadine $345
And if I had to pick a shoe from the new arrivals, and I kind of do, it would be the lovely multi-colour glitter karolinas.
karolina $325

Monday 10 October 2011

At home with Emma (and Will*)

*though he's really not so important to me in this whole little scenario to be quite honest

I've been so looking forward to seeing Emma at home...her home, Will's home, it really didn't matter to me. Her Anthro apron provided a tantalising glimpse in 'A Night of Neglect' but it's been a delight to see her in her vintage nighties and in the kitchen making breakfast and preparing packed lunches. But at the same time I'd like to have seen more Emma around the place. Apart from the teapot napkin holder, which I don't remember from Terri's time there, and a couple of bird prints, which could well be Emma's, I don't see much sign of her yet. I think she really needs to make her mark on the apartment...you know to make it her own, rather than the place that Will and Terri shared (and you know made a fake baby in).

So in case she needs some help I've picked out some homewares that I think would appeal to her. And for the rest of us I think it's the perfect way to get more Emma in our lives, and who doesn't need that with a four week hiatus to get through?

At home with Will and Emma


Okay first off we have my choices from the ever tempting Modcloth. I think Emma would like the bird and squirrel wall hooks for keeping things tidy and a decorative doormat to keep the dirt at bay. The pear print is adorable and who could resist the owl lamp? Not Emma surely. I personally wouldn't be able to resist the doe-eyed creature comfy pillow. And how wonderful would the 'Go brush your tree-th' toothbrush holder be? Um, if we didn't all have electric toothbrushes.

Baking with Emma


Of course Modcloth have pretty aprons too. And, yes, there are a lot of aprons in this post but I like them and you need a lot of aprons when you've got that much Kate Spade to protect and bacon to iron. My choice for Emma might just be the 'To the houndstooth' apron for its touches of coral though really I'm loathe to choose. I love the corsage adorned 'garden gourmet' apron because if cardis can have corsages why shouldn't aprons get them too? I really like the mustard trim on the 'potluck of awesomeness' apron and of course the owl print of 'cooking owl day'. And I really want the nest of nectar sugar dish, and I can't choose between the 'seasoned with sweetness' shaker set, the 'plenty of spice to share' birdhouses or the little owl 'taste buds'.

Ruche have some lovely things too. My favourites are (of course the aprons), the throw cushions that look like they were inspired by an Anthro cardi and without a doubt the 'owls of wisdom' bookends.

At home with Will and Emma


Um and more aprons...also another shaker set. But these ones make a vintage telephone. A pretty mug because you can certainly never have enough of those.
gardenia floral print apron $28.99, look who's calling salt and pepper shakers $17.99, perrenial peony coffee mug $12.99


And oh look another apron. But this one, I have to buy Emma would have to buy. I think it might be apron perfection...it has a ruffled collar *sigh*.
kensington gardens apron $38.99, raleigh gray flower throw pillow $24.99, chilton garden blue hammer tool set by William Morris $14.99

The hammer is there because every girl needs her own tools and she should know how to use them. So they might as well be pretty.

Finally, I think we all know Emma will eventually be furnishing her home from Anthropologie. So maybe she's just taking her time to think it through carefully and make the right decorating choices, or save up enough from the pittance leftover from her wardrobe allowance. But I have a limitless virtual budget so I've just rushed in and chosen the first things that caught my eye. The total came to just shy of $13,000 but it's easy to get there when you're spending $1500 on a bureau and $1000 on a light fitting. Oh and $5600 on a bed. Still the bedlinen is only $48. I think that's a bargain. I was going to add more light fittings and mirrors but I thought that would take me outside my fictional limitless budget. Yes, I can't explain the logic of that either. But I wanted enough left over to buy them the $698 rustic romp taper holder, you know, for atmospheric lighting. Although in retrospect I think $700 for a candelabra might not be money well spent and also it might be slightly disturbing.

At home with Will and Emma

Okay Emma also needs this for school. And it's only $16. Although she'd want to move it out of the way when Coach Beiste puts her feet on the desk. It's too pretty to get broken.
sleepy hollow pencil cup $16 from Anthropologie

And perhaps there'd be enough money left to buy one of these wise owl cookie jars for Will.

L to R:winking wisecracker jar $68, wise ol' cookie jar (orange) $128, wise ol' cookie jar (grey) $98


And some more aprons for Emma ;) Plus the ruffled mini bakers because what could be better than ruffled edged baking dishes for two in pretty colours? And another divine storage cannister with the most delicate floral design.
Baking with Emma (again)


And yes, in all this it is possible I'm projecting. Quite possible.

Sunday 25 September 2011

Emma needs more Kate Spade

No, I mean it. I know that she has a lot of Kate Spade already. And I'm not for one minute suggesting that she stop shopping for clothes anywhere else. Not at all. I mean I even think she could be a little more adventurous these days. I'd really like to see the kind of eclectic mix of designers she wore in season one. But I do think there are a few more Kate Spade pieces that really belong in Emma's wardrobe.

Like this white sweater which comes with its own bow necklace.
Ellis bow-necklace top $245 from Neiman Marcus 

And I also think Emma should have this floral print jillian dress because it makes me think of her Tory Burch cardi and it has a gorgeous bow.
Jillian floral-print dress $425 from Neiman Marcus
I do love to see Emma in a simple sheath dress and I think she'd look beautiful in this shade of african violet. Oh yes, as well as some very pretty pleat details, it also has a bow.
mademoiselle silk-cotton bow dress $395 from Neiman Marcus

And because you can't have too many dresses and I think that's something Emma's begun to realise, and because I find this one instinctively appealing - I think it looks like floral josie and brodie and a dress we haven't met yet with a bow all had a baby.
barbara bow dress $395 (note not leopard print) Neiman Marcus
Also I hope Emma snapped up this betsy bow-jacquard skirt for $120 when it was in the sale this summer. I think it would be perfect to wear with her Betsey bow cardigan, or the ellis bow-necklace top or almost any of her numerous Kate Spade cardis.
betsy bow-jacquard skirt originally $345 from Neiman Marcus
That probably is enough for now at least.

Thursday 22 September 2011

A late night purple piano project review

 *warning: this review may well cause offence if you're a die-hard Wemma shipper, can't bear to hear a critical word said about Glee or you know if you're Ryan Murphy. I only mention clothes once and it's in passing*

Well, I rewatched season 2 of Glee this week to celebrate its return although given how season 2 went even I thought that was a slightly strange way to mark the occasion. But it turns out that it was quite a fitting 'celebration' after all. If the first episode is anything to go by season 3 is going to make season 2 look really good.

I mean I knew consistent characterisation wasn't RIB's strong suit and perhaps the new writers haven't watched any of the previous episodes of Glee (I mean it's understandable if they skipped season 2 but surely they should have watched season one?) but I still thought perhaps they could come up with a slightly more convincing context for Emma's 'so this is what' line. I'm pretty damn sure that whoever wrote that hadn't seen oh, the kiss, say, or Acafellas, LAV, TTTM or probably any Wemma scene in fact.

And I know most Wemma shippers probably think we should just be happy that they are at long last a couple again but to be honest the Wemma in this episode left me pretty near speechless and not in a good way. One thing I really do want to say to Ryan Murphy though is this - 'I'm in a relationship and thinking of starting a family'...is that what you think character development is? Regardless of the fact that I'm wondering what Emma would have to say about that (something like "Ah, Will, I know I'm a little inexperienced and I may have a rather shaky grasp of what's actually involved here but I'm pretty sure we haven't yet managed to do the, ah, the, um, the necessary, ah, *waves hands* for that to happen") I want to say this - Ryan Murphy I thought you knew it was about the journey! Isn't that what you wrote in the season one finale which was, oh look yes, an episode of the same name?

I really feel that Ryan should have Miley Cyrus singing 'The Climb' right into his ear until he gets it. I think that would be  a punishment befitting them both.

If and when Miley is ever finished with that, it should be followed by a never ending chorus of 'You're never gonna get it' by En Vogue. Yes I'm referring to Ryan's chances of getting an Emmy for Glee.

Quite honestly all 'The purple piano project' made me want to do is this

1)find all Emma's nighties and buy them

2)berate Ryan Murphy for keeping from us all the development of Will and Emma's relationship and giving us no explanation for how they came to live together

In fact most of all what it made me want to write was this list:

All the Wemma Things Ryan Murphy Ever Stole From Us
  • the fake baby scene
  • a confrontation about the whole 'you're a slut' teachers' lounge conversation
  • (which would then lead to) a conversation about Shelby and April
  • a kiss under the miseltoe (it doesn't naturally follow I know but it mattered dammit)
  • Emma at sectionals
  • Emma at regionals
  • Emma at nationals
  • Emma and Will properly discussing what happened while 'rehearsing' *cough cough* for TTTM
  • Emma seeing Will for the first time after the drunk dial (i needed to hear that conversation)
  • Emma being jealous of Holly
  • Emma finding out Will had come home to Lima instead of staying in New York to star in Crossrhodes
  • the Pillsbury bang swoosh (okay not technically Wemma but it was there in the beginning and it should be there still and yes I am angry)
  • probably a thousand other things...do feel free to add

Wednesday 14 September 2011

A Milly Party

Well, I said I'd celebrate this blog's first birthday today and though, through a lack of internet and a combination of other things, I am way behind with the posts I'd planned, I thought I'd go ahead with this Milly themed post as the most appropriate way to celebrate.

Of course it coincides nicely with the Milly NYFW show and that is of course something worth celebrating too. But before we get ahead of ourselves with spring clothes, let's look at the autumn winter collection which I'm hoping, if we are very lucky may at least in part appear on Emma*.

*unlike the recent Kate Spade collection which Emma looks set to wear in it's entirety
margot ruffle blouse
ooh ruffles!! Maybe Emma needs to add to her bow blouse collection.
tucked sheath dress
mmm lovely print and it's a sheath dress so totally Emma :)
valentina dress
oh ric rac trim and a bow!!
fiona cocktail dress
 Would be perfect for Emma if only it weren't black :( I love it though ;)

lady puff dress
gorgeous sleevs and the most perfect belt! utterly elegant
halter market dress
This one's for summery dates and ya know strolling around the Lima farmers' market picking out locally grown (pesticide free) fruit.
perfect pleat date skirt

 Funny because I was thinking less date-wear and more schoolwear for this one, but wherever she wears it I think Emma would delight in that bold print and colour combination.

Another very Emma mix of colours and a demure length.
marion bow blouse
Maybe??
dominique lace dress
So pretty that I like to think Emma would wear it - surely she would if only for the magnificent bow?
jackie puff sleeve top
 Just because it's so pretty... look at that scalloped edging!!
aztec pleated blouse
 Mmmm pleats!!
marzia bow jacket
Lovely in black and white but Emma might well choose the coral version.
dara sweater jacket
 Pretty trim! :)
calista knee skirt
A print that's not for the faint of heart but Emma surely isn't.

I'm restraining myself there...it's so hard for me not to choose more and more pretty clothes for Emma...okay maybe I'll have to a part II....

And since both Quinn and Rachel are now most unreasonably (I think) encroaching on Emma's territory by wearing Milly clothes, I thought it wise to let them know which ones they are permitted to choose from. This one's for Rachel of course.

raleigh combo dress
For Quinn to add to her eyelet dress collection
emalina strapless dress
And she can have this one too
ribbon trim dance dress


As well as being one of those days that needed to be reassigned happier associations, it's also a day I've designated as a thanksgiving of sorts and so it seems fitting that I say here how thankful I am to have been blogging here for over a year now. This blog is perhaps a little niche and I know that a lot of people pass through looking for Rachel's clothes, but it has provided me with the most wonderful distraction and diversion over the last year. And I've learnt things...like that I could write a blog (that was news to me :)) and perhaps most of all that I'm happy to do it just for me. I know people say that nobody blogs for themselves (because what's the point right?) but I do and I think there are plenty of good reasons. Not that I want anyone to think I'm not pleased if they enjoy my blog, it's just not my main motivation. Mostly I view my posts to be like writing to a pen pal who doesn't speak the same language and in all likelihood doesn't understand the letters I write. I think my pen pal lives in Denmark.

But on the occasions that someone leaves a comment or tells me they like my blog that makes it mean all the more. And I'm grateful for that.

out of love, not for love