A Shuft-Eye at Halifax!

Not too long ago, in the more wintery months, I took a little pough-keepsie at Halifax with my shopping-goggles on, which is to say, I did a fashion raid on the city with my mother and sister- currently five years of age- in tow (participating as heartily as they could, mind you, but needing multiple green tea/muffin breaks to strengthen and sustain them).

I, on the other hand, could shop without pause for several consecutive hours. Some would say I THRIVE in a marathon environment.

But in any case we hit up ALL of downtown and the next day moved on the Mic Mac Mall for a quick whirlwind visit. We basically pillaged all there was to be plundered. I'd like to share with you here some of my interesting finds throughout the downtown of the beautiful port city which I will be inhabiting next year and onward to an extent of four years.
First off, Elsie's, a quaint and high quality vintage hole-in-the-wall on Queen Street (a great vintage shopping area) where, if you come with a small child in tow, you will recieve free things! A purple scarf in the case of my petite sister. I, however, did not get any freebies. But I did appreciate their show collection, which I'll share with you here.

A store right next to it, Put Me On, had a fantastic pair of leather shorts in it, and also some striking shoes and earrings on the top floor:

A great place for accessories is The Black Market (Grafton Street) very hippy-dippy free-trade sort of place, but with some very classy jewelry. Don't let the wooden voodoo masks fool you; this place is more than just hemp bracelets! Here's some examples:

Also enticing? The wares of the Biscuit General Store (Argyle Street) owned by a fashionable American ex-pat. Little bit cheaply made for the pricing, but then again, some nice and fairly unique items.

I also took a turn at entering the formidable Foreign Affair a gorgeous, but uber-expensive, Canadian designer boutique. I attempted flash photography but was quickly slapped to the ground in this attempt. All I have is a blurry photograph with a human hand waving me away in it. I admit, passing the store-front in my younger days, I was in awe at the classy looks on the mannequins, but now that I have grown older, I have come to realize what money looks like, and what fashion looks like, and have realized that they are not the same thing, not the same thing at all.

However, I now feel like I'm dissing the designers in that boutique, that is NOT my intention. Of course if I could purchase a gorgeous soft leather vest by I-Can't-Remember-His-Name then I would! All I'm saying is that I've learned a bit of inventiveness lacking money in my seasonal quest to follow the trends, and I greatly admire that quality in others when I see it. I prize it more highly than the so-called quality that snobs get their panties in a twist about.
But in any case, that just about summarizes most of my past Halifax excursion, I hope you enjoyed the mind-tour!
I am about to scamper off their again in the very near future and hope to take snaps of spring style all around town- get ready for it, it may be mind-blasting, yaar!

"Mirror Mirror, On the Wall..."

Peacocks Rose Print Dress (peacocks.co.uk)

Jordache Cropped Denim Jacket (nastygal.com)

Forever 21 Gold Braided Gladiator Sandals (forever21.com)

Darcy Miro for Unholy Matrimony Crown Cuff (farfetch.
com)

Nasty Gal Dime Stud Bag (nastygal.com)

"...Who's the greatest of them all?"

So starts many a good night. Especially when the mirror has the magic ability to speak and survey the kingdom and replies "Why you m'lady!" (Which it often does).

We owe this classic line to a certain musical fairy tale called Snow White. I, the Popster, have much in common with the protagonist of this particular story. For one, I'm pale- or 'fair'. Two, I have blue eyes. Three, I live with seven old dwarfed men, whom I call by catchy nicknames.

The reason I bring this up is because spring, with the reappearance of chirping birds and snow-bells sprouting through the grass is very conducive to the thoughts of whimsy and magic. Of course, this is transferable to fashion. I feel extensively weird saying this (really, just all through my nerve system, very strange) because I'm usually very down with the avant garde mods, but ya know, shit happens and all of a sudden you're feeling all frilly and shabby genteel and like you'd like to ride a pony over a drawbridge etc. etc. etc.

Above is an outfit built around the delightful Darcy Miro for Unholy Matrimony cuff that resembles a crudely-made paper crown. It's sort of a modern look to indulge your inner princess/queen/fairy/dwarved old man (depending on your fancy).

And henceforth there shall be enjoyment.

Orbital Style: My Closet is a Solar System

In this post I would like to describe to you my personal fashion methodology, which never fails to allow me to re-invent my wardrobe in a multitude of exciting and creative ways. I have, quite honestly, brought fashion to a science.

Let me explain: every morning I begin with a clean slate, then scan my wardrobe to find something that draws my attention. It's got to be flashy, eye-catching, almost offensive in its vibrance. In my example above I use the hit trend of spring: clogs, a notoriously tricky type of foot wear. Not only that, but this pair is a bright yellow colour, just right for stealing the scene. Once I find this item, I build my outfit around, like a solar system. All the other pieces orbit around that item, highlighting it, complementing it, toning it down when needed. That lucky accroutrement is the star on that particular day. It is more than a star, it is, in fact, the sun.

Of course, I don't think for one minute that I am the only one practicing this method of fashion divining. There must be women all over the world doing the same thing as I each morning. The question is, why is there no term already?

Well, now there is, and that term is orbital style, coined by yours truly, here and now. You stand as a witness to a momentous moment in fashion, and you're very welcome.

Items used in example:

Yellow Clogs- No. 6

Cracked Leather Jacket- Helmut Lang

Dark Skinnies- J Brand

Gold Pendant w/ Blue Jewel- Monica Vinader

Gold Key Pendant- Alex Monroe

Wolf Head Ring- Alkemie + Wolf

Blue Jewel Flower Earrings- Irene Neuwirth

Scarf- Henrik Vibskov

Cream & Gold Sunglasses- Ted Lapidus

Illustration- MYSELF

What I Have Learned From... The Mayans

Colour, mystery, pageantry, ritual and amazing dress sense. The Mayans sure did have it all.

I like to sidestep the whole...'sacrificing' aspect of their culture in favour of a more superficial, and friendly, look at our ancient friends. And boy, were these guys superficial in the ultimate sense of the word.

They did anything to get the look. Sure, in the current day people still stretch their lobes (ear lobes, that is), but does anyone go so far as to bind their head? No. Therefore I bestow respect upon them.

I've been fascinated by Mayans and the Mayan culture since borrowing a library book on the subject when I was... twelve? Something like that. And ever since I've yearned passionately to see the great and mighty ruins, but never have. Ah well, at least this interest gives me lots by way of fashion inspiration.

In set: Mayan Calendar Leggings from nastygal.com, Beaded Balmain sandals (by Giuseppe Zanotti), Mayan Belt Dress from Elegantly Waisted at shopbop.com, Tulun feather earrings by Monsoon, Mayan gold earrings and necklace by Wendy Culpepper, Bloodwood Mayan earlets from Onetribe Organics and a Mayan Womens Huipil from, well, Mexico.

What I Have Learned From...The Mighty Boosh

I know, I know. You ALL know I love The Mighty Boosh. (Some might say wait- what is this Boosh that you speak of? You say it's mighty? I don't know, I just got here. And to that I say check this shit out- it's tasty.)

But here's just a little homage to what I've learned from that beautiful fashion freak Vince Noir, and yes, Howard Moon and Naboo too. There really is little to be learned from Bollo unless you're a nudist, and I think it's best if no one emulate Bob Fossil, but nonetheless they add to the complete package. Enjoy, Floyd.

The wonder-dress is 2cute2trendy, the white cropped leather jacket is Doma, Current/Elliott supplied the drainpipes, Modcloth the poncho (which certainly has the power to inspire joy), the turban is Forever 21, the ring Alexander McQueen (god bless), and the tribal bracelet is Forever 21.

Chictopia, It Flatters Me-Topia.

Chictopia, which I believe I haven't told you about, is truly a utopian world for the fashionista/o.

I, you may be shocked to hear (yes crane your ears closer), do not live in a busy, lively fashion hub or metropolis of any sort.

No, Rose Behar, a.k.a. Poppy Dada, a.k.a. the Ghost of Fashion Present, a.k.a. RUHUUUMBI Jungle Goddess of Popular Style* lives in an exquisitely small and isolated rural country hamlet called Baie Verte, in a place called Canada.

And now you know my deepest and darkest secret. I feel bare and exposed, but at the same time, I feel proud.

Chictopia gave me this courage. It brings together fashion-heads from all over the world (alright, the english-speaking world)- not just from big cities, like New York, but from obscure little nowheres in Missouri etc. etc. And we all "ooh" and "ahh" over our genius and inspire each other. It's really quite touching. (To the side, above, etc, are some of my outfits on the site).

There are some AMAZING style inspirations on that site, and eventually, most of us chictopians will congregate where we were born to be: NYC, L.A., London, Paris, Milan.... whatever takes our fancy. That brings a tear to my eye.

Fashion is about so much more than clothing. And beat anyone harshly who dares to say that it is not. It's about art, creativity, perfection, lifestyle, romance, inspiration, triumph, competition, and at the same time, understanding and community. For many it's a ridiculous, mindless passion, that makes us spend unwise amounts on mere decoration. There is really no sensible reason for me to be as in love with fashion as I am. But I am. Irrevocably and for the rest of my life.

Now enough of that soul-searching nonsense. The Jungle Goddess of Popular Style can't afford to get all emotional every time she thinks about her deep abiding love for fashion.... Oh eff get away, I need a moment....*weep*...

-- Several tea-cups filled with tears later--

ANYWHOO, as you see my previous post was a little something I liked to call "What I Have Learned From... Pippi Longstockings" I plan to publish a whole lot more of these "What I Have Learned From..."s in the future. In fact, it will be a series. It will go through all my gorgeous, if sometimes strange and obscure, inspirations from The Jersey Shore to The Mayans. With inspiratiion sets all through. I do hope you enjoy and look forward to them. Because I sure as hell love making them.

Back soon, though I really can't promise anything because I am SUCH a rebellious young cur,

Joy.

(From The View)

*Some may also call me Rosa Talentio, Rose H. Heezy Dallas Behar, Rosaliaaa, Cory, Benechio, Ten-Fingered Fred, Chucklehead and to the very confused and disoriented few I am also known as Joy, from The View.

What I Have Learned From... Pippi Longstockings

Pippi Longstockings was always an idol of mine growing up. Strong, brave and independent... what's not to love?

So it's no wonder that some of her fashion tastes also seeped into my mind during those long hours spent watching "Pippi on the Run" and "Pippi in the South Seas". Her influence has led to the bright eclecticism in my style today.

Therefore I think it's time to pay homage to Pippi and her influence on me with this set, showing

all her fashion staples: odd knee-high stockings (the green striped ones can be found at

jackwills.com and the red at jigsaw-online.com), shapelessly cute t-shirts (T by Alexander Wang), Swedish-style rompers (Modcloth), big, old oxfords (best when too large and very shabby- these are Purplow) and one big, woolly scarf for when it gets cold (found on Amazon).

Of course, I emit one of her most constant accessories: Mr. Nilsson, the monkey. However, this is obviously not a feasible fashion venture and, I have to admit, I'm a wee bit afraid of monkeys.

Also, I have found, I do not Pippi's excessive amounts of strength- I cannot lift a horse. It's harder than you think. The horse gets pretty testy after one or two tries.

Ah well. I may never be able to fully emulate my idol, but I can still wear my odd socks, put my hair in braids, and happily reminisce about those sunny hours spent in Sweden with Pippi, Tommy and Anika.

*Click here to see a School of Style post on another Scandinavian children's lit icon: Moomintroll!