Links to Love
Literally drooling right now.
This amazing ode to oysters made me salivate. Living in Chicago, far from any oyster producing oceans, I don't get to indulge in them very often, but when I do, I go to town. Both times that I went to New Orleans, I went a little crazy at least once at happy hour, where you can get trays of them for relatively little money. I can happily eat a dozen by myself.
I don't think that I've ever given last names much thought, beyond wondering how a particular one is pronounced, or wear its bearer hails from. Apparently they're more politically fraught than I ever realized. In Turkey, the adoption of surnames was intended to reinforce a sense of Turkish national identity. In the Philippines, it was a bureaucratic measure intended to shore up colonial power. It's hard to say what sort of effect it will have in Afghanistan, but it's not a minor issue to be lightly dismissed.
I freaking love Josephine Baker. I didn't know much about her until recently, but the more I learn, the more fascinating she becomes. Overcoming her difficult childhood to rise to fame in 20s Paris, and, later, become a civil rights activist mark her as a strong, intelligent, and sophisticated woman. Unfortunately, this talented performer faced the burden of racism even in glamorous, urbane Paris, but she took the very image they imposed upon her as the beautiful, sexual savage and made it work for her in a way that I can only admire.
The New Year's resolutions you will actually keep.
Dita is pretty much the queen of the signature look.
I don't know that I'm quite to the point of having a signature look, but that's something that I've definitely thought about. I think it goes back to something that I've talked about in the past - just having a certain cohesiveness to your wardrobe. It doesn't all have to be the same silhouette or era or color or whatever, but it should always feel like you, whatever that means.
52 Awesome Vintage Outfit Shoot Locations
50 More Awesome Vintage Outfit Shoot Locations
I know I already mentioned Jessica's article earlier in the week, but I really think it's a welcome source of inspiration during these bitterly cold months, which can really sap your creativity. Helen from Lovebirds Vintage was so inspired she wrote up her own list, which I'm also including here.
Lady Killers: Tillie Klimek, High Priestess of the Bluebeard Clique
This story is insane. Not only is it about a pair of female serial killers, they lived in Chicago and were caught and tried in the 20s. It's morbid, sad, and absolutely fascinating.
