Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?

I am loving this Amy Winehouse version, sad on so many levels...

Something Nice About Coming Home...

I took a week off from blogging after returning to NYC after six weeks away and per usual the transition back into city life was not such a pleasant one. Amazing to see my friends yes, but I came back to a room left in disarray by my subletter, missing clothing including a special Paris purchase that I adore, a house with mice in it (my absolute and yes, most irrational fear) and the anxiety that comes with having to search for a job once again. Oh and that whole missing someone thing doesn't really help either. So yeah, coming back has not been the easiest. But things are looking up and it is even pretty nice and warm in good old Brooklyn, especially compared to freezing Manchester. And despite the non-wintery weather another nice thing about coming home is the holiday season that has erupted around me. Everywhere I go there is Christmas music playing (on Sat night on our way out the other Megan asked our cab driver to turn his Xmas tunes up as we drove to Williamsburg, and of course he obliged, it was all very cute), Christmas trees are being sold on the sides of the road and every time I leave my apartment I get to walk past this house with its massive amount of lights, glowing angels and the Christmas music they are playing for the neighborhood to hear, naturally. This all makes me happy. 

Berlin Weekend Roundup: Two to Go!

art by Richard Lockett

I had a really nice weekend — kind of the opposite of last weekend as the nights certainly out-shined the days. I did get a little emotional on Saturday night though, as it was a friend's birthday that pretty much my whole Berlin crew was at, and it just made me sad to be together for one of the last times. As I have said before, it is a bittersweet end to an amazing year of my life that I could have continued, but instead chose to move on. But that is life, right? So many decisions. And one of my new ones as I welcome in this chapter, has been to start wearing my hair in pigtails (see!), maybe it is me rebelling against turning 30 in a few months. Sorry, I had to take the seriousness level down a notch there. Anyway, I am glad that these last weekends have been so special, even if it is a little overwhelming. 

It all went something like this: my friend Richard's amazing art opening, carb overload dinner with Erin, home early but in bed late, new found obsession with show Parenthood, house cleaning, packing, solo dance party, sushi, wine at Luzia on Oranienstrasse, trek to Wedding, Franziska's bday at Analog Bar, emotional talks, dance party of the day #2, late night ubahn ride photo fun, lazy Sunday, pizza, more Parenthood, overdue Skype session with Sarah.  

Song on Repeat: "Someone Like You"

Alright, I have to stop listening to this song over and over again. I mean it is beautiful and all but this is getting seriously depressing...

Berlin Weekend Roundup: Ping Pong, Cards and Karaoke

This was the first proper weekend I have had in Berlin in quite some time, and the first my brother has had since two summers ago, and it was a proper Berlin weekend indeed. The sun was shining (I have gone back to wearing cut-off jean shorts pretty much every day, with tights yes, but still, shorts), the skies were so blue (see!), everyone was out and despite the still chilly crispness in the air, we did all those outdoor things (biking and ping pong!) that make me love this city. Sadly, I also had the realization that I better get out of here quick before it actually heats up (and I can take off the tights) and the warm weather Berlin attitude kicks in and I start regretting my decision to leave — I really do love this city in the summer...almost as much as I love New York.   

The photos above were taken yesterday at and on the bike ride to the Mauerpark flea market — where it seems everyone else in the city went as well — to peruse the goods and take in some serious outdoor karaoke. Do you see how many people are sitting and watching in that pic up there? Yeah that is for karaoke, pretty insane. So all in all a fun weekend with my bro, but one that had a bittersweet undertone as the number of weekends left in this city widdles down to just a few. 

It all went something like this: greek chicken for three, juice for one, wine for one, dinner party for four, weird, Joaquin Pheonix documentary (warning: do not watch this!), doubles ping pong at Görlitzer Park, yummy street food, German card game and hot chocolate then dinner at Edleweiss, Hearts at a bar across the way, late night ride home, sleeping in again, long ride to Prenzlauer Berg, coffee and ice cream, flea market, ring, necklace and tote bag purchase, karaoke amphitheater, short story tears, Vietnamese food, Portlandia.

The Dog Days

Today was a day, a really really bad day, and to be honest it has been a pretty bad week. But not to get all terribly maudlin in this space that is supposed to be about positivity and things I love (or are contemplating loving/buying/bought), I am trying to focus on the positive. This week I did get two blog awards, a versatile blogger award from Kendra and a stylish blogger award from Diane. How sweet!

It is a nice thought to think there are people out there, many of them whom I don't know, who are reading and enjoying my musings here on Another Zoe Day. I really do appreciate it. So I guess the drill is that I am supposed to list seven things about myself that you may not know and pass the awards on to the owners of some of my favorite places to hang out on the Internet. 

Okay, well hopefully writing this will not only distract me from the series of ridiculously frustrating events that seem to keep occurring in my life these days, but also show a side of me that is different from this little miserable fashion lover and maybe even introduce you to a few new blogs.  

                           

Here we go:

1 From the age of 18 (so this was not because I was an army brat or had parents who moved around all the time or anything, in fact I lived in the same house from the age of 1 to 17), I have lived in 18 different homes, in 7 different cities and 3 different countries. This is actually new news to me too, I never calculated it out until just now. 

2 So this might beg a certain question: I am turning 30 this year. Yeah shhh, don't tell anyone. No no no, I am proud. 30 is the new 20. 

3 I started this blog, not for the love of fashion or the love of talking about myself, but for the love of Obama. 35 days before he was elected President, I decided to document the amazing change that was happening in the States and my experience being a part of it. Check the archives!

4 My blog is called Another Zoe Day because when I moved to New York City, it happened to be with my best friend, who happens to share the same name as me. We got so sick of introducing ourselves to people as Megan and Megan, that we came up with fake names: Vivian Green and yes, Zoe Day.

5 I am having crazy maternal instincts these days....but they are for a puppy. 

6 My favorite foods are weird bitter greens (don't get me wrong I do love ice cream) like kale and broccoli rabe, but they don't have them in Berlin, so I have to stick to ice cream.

7 I am pigeon-toed and I make a ridiculous pouty face every time I look in the mirror. But turning 30 means embracing silly things like this about yourself, right?

Oh and just for good fashion measure... I am obsessed with really long skirts and short short shorts. I guess I can be kind of extreme at times. 

So now I am going to pass these awards (in tandem yes, because I think these ladies are all versatile and stylish) to:

Megan Elise: Yup, the Megan I moved to NYC with. Her blog is full of lovely insight on art, music and New York City. She has had to slow down on the blogging as of late because of a new jobby job, but she should know the blogoshpere still loves and misses her.

Chasing Heartbeats: To another Northern California girl living in Germany. We have never met in real life, but found each other on the Internet. It is nice to know there is someone out there like me, plus her blog is great.

Inspirafashion: And lastly is actually a blog I discovered just today, but I really love the way she dresses. It is a straight up fashion blog and her outfit pics are fun and stylish. I mean, anyone who wears socks with platform sandals is okay in my book.

Wow, writing this did actually take my mind off things and make me feel better, thanks guys! 

Top image from Fffound!

Trailers

I read Eat, Pray, Love after it was recommended to me by a friend during a time in my life where I felt lost and suffocated by a terrible everlasting relationship/breakup—and I will admit that it helped. It wasn't until after I finished it that I found out Oprah was hosting whole shows dedicated to the novel and women all over the country were obsessed with the pseudo self-helpness (I should have known when a lady on the subway interrupted my reading to tell me that the book had changed her life). It's probably good that I was at first blind to its popularity among the disenchanted female set, because I am sure I would have never read it. But although Elizabeth Gilbert's experience eased a rough period of my life, I have absolutely no desire to see Julia Roberts search for her self on the big screen. No way. But when I was at the movies earlier this week I saw the trailer for the film and I will have to say the casting agent did a mighty fine job (despite Julia). Three of the most dashing actors I know play her love interests: Billy Crudup, James Franco and Javier Bardem. Mmmmm, almost makes me want to go see the movie just to drool over their fine faces. Almost.

In other trailer news, I did just come across one for a movie I am dying to see. Oh Sofia Coppola, I have loved all three of your films and expect no less from your next. Her aesthetic, soundtracks and the stories themselves are so the way I would love to make movies or at least watch them. The trailer for her upcoming flick Somewhere even features the Strokes song that I blogged about last week. Check it out below, I can't wait until it hits theaters.

Lonely Girl

Although I did have a lovely time, yesterday was one of those days that would have been a whole lot more enjoyable if I had not been alone. I mean it was the ultimate girl day done solo: shopping, sushi and Sex and the City 2—if only I could have squeezed in a mani-pedi.

It would have been so nice to have one of my girls with me, to talk me down from or convince me it is okay to buy another pair of wooden platforms (more on that later), or to share another roll with, or to whisper and laugh over Carrie's ridiculousness (or that of the movie in general) but still both get teary-eyed and share the strong desire to have a martini afterward. Sure makes my heart hurt a little missing my ladies. But it also gets me so excited to see a bunch of them in NYC very very soon.

Cursed!

So on Saturday I told you I was going to start posting my outfits occasionally on the blog even after swearing them off once before and now... all of a sudden my computer is not able to upload pics from my camera. Is the digital world trying to tell me something? Is there a metaphysical component to my USB cord? I even took a bunch of cool photos this weekend to share with you which might have included some tigers, cute boys in a lake and twin outfit action. Boo! I guess my weekend roundup will have to wait until all is sorted out and I will leave you with a random group of photos that have been sitting in a folder on my desktop begging to be put on the blog.

Bratty in Berlin

I was a bit disappointed that I was going to miss the She & Him show at Lido in Berlin while I was in Scotland. But after having coffee with my friend Nani who attended, I am happy that I didn't fork out the money to see the Hollywood starlet who is not supposed to act like a Hollywood starlet, well, act like  a Hollywood starlet. I will admit a part of me would have been entertained by it, but not for the asking price. And I really expected Zooey's vintage dresses and quirky cute persona to carry the show.

Yes the attire was there, but no sweet as sugar Zooey Deschanel. The relatable indie darling who makes music that sounds as honey-like as she appears, was maybe in a foul mood or maybe is just a bit of a diva. Granted this is all hearsay as I was not in attendance and I was also told that her voice is amazing live, but it sounds like her onstage behavior from berating the audience about the flash on their cameras to shouting out "Hello Denmark" is what one would expect from one of her celebrity peers. Is Zooey really just like the rest of them? Kind of disappointing if so. Has anyone else seen her live and had this experience? I am dying to know.

Friday Morbidness (RIP)

Don't worry, I don't think this will be a regular Friday occurrence but I came across this Find a Grave site today (don't even ask how I got there, the Internet takes me weird places) that unearthed some sort of morbid fascination within and made me a bit sad at the same time. Apparently, Heath Ledger was buried in Perth, Australia; Kurt Cobain's ashes were scattered in the Wishkah River in Washington; and Audrey Hepburn was buried in Vaud Canton, Switzerland. 


Photo from here. 

No Words

While writing about Michelle Williams this weekend for work, I came across this picture of Heath Ledger and their daughter Matilda and couldn't help but just stare. So heartwarming and heart wrenching at once. Michelle and Heath were such an NYC couple, I saw them once in the East Village before that little one came along and they seemed to meld right in.

My Not So Daily O

It appears the ridiculous problem that is college debt isn't going to be solved anytime soon. Getting rid of our student loan system was one of the many issues on the Obama platform that I strongly agreed with (along with his college days fashion choices). Looks like they both are history.

WASHINGTON — With Democratic Congressional leaders and the White House struggling on Wednesday to finalize the details of major health care legislation, House Democrats were desperately trying to prevent another of President Obama's top legislative priorities – an ambitious overhaul of student loan programs – from becoming a casualty of the health care battle.

But Democrats in the Senate, where the private student lending industry has strong allies, predicted on Wednesday night that the education bill would not be part of an expedited budget measure containing the final revisions to the health care legislation. Some Democrats said that such a move would stall the student loan changes at a minimum for several months, and perhaps kill the overhaul altogether.

Mr. Obama’s plan would end a program in which the government pays private, for-profit student lending companies to make risk-free loans using taxpayer money. Instead, the proposed overhaul would broaden the government’s existing direct-lending program, saving billions of dollars that the president had proposed using to expand Pell grant scholarships for low-income students.

Read the rest of the story here.

The Final Show

Yesterday the 16 pieces that Alexander McQueen was working on before his death were shown in Paris. See the show here and then see his pre fall/winter 2010 lookbook below. So beautiful, so sad.

Berlin Breakdown #1

I knew it was going to happen sooner or later, but despite the title of this blog, I do not plan on it being a regular occurrence. But the stress of moving, adjusting to living in another country and in someone else's space, and ridiculousness of not having the Internet reached its boiling point last night and I cried my eyes out. Apparently I am a bit overwhelmed, but I feel better today and with a renewed sense of self. Sometimes it really does take a good cry to realize what you need. Here is my plan: Get out of the house! Explore on my own! Find my own space! I know I love this city and even though I spent three months here last summer there is still so much more to discover. And although it is nice to play house with the one you love for a bit, I can't have just that. Berlin here I come, I am ready now.

RIP Alexander McQueen

Hailed as one of the most creative designers of his generation, style icon Alexander McQueen was notorious for his theatrical runway shows that elevated fashion to the level of art. Indeed, his reputation was partly built on his unwillingness to conform to the norm. Apart from his rebellious spirit, what also garnered the bad-boy of British fashion a loyal following was his ability to cut clothing like no other. Before graduating with a master’s from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London, Alexander McQueen cut his teeth at Savile Row tailors Anderson & Sheppard, where it was rumored that he routinely graffitied profanities into linings intended for Prince Charles’ suits. A brief stint at costumier Angels and Berman further instilled the importance of attention to detail in Alexander McQueen. While his clothes are technically exquisite, what really solidifies McQueen’s style icon status is that his collections, always an appealingly eclectic and cutting-edge mix of tradition and punk, inspired both individuals and the fashion world at large to push the boundaries of style. 

www.askmen.com 

Mid-Winter Remedy

It's that time off year again when everyone is just longing for a break from the dregs of winter. Well, it's summer flashback week over at Mr. Newton's blog and though it may be torturous for some to look to the happier time we call summer, I find it a good quick fix for the wintertime blues. I am rather enjoying checking out the bight colors, funky rompers (my fave) and vintage tees the local hipsters sported at the weekly pool parties at the East River park in Williamsburg last summer. Unfortunately I was in Berlin (boo hoo) and missed out on all the fun, but it has at least brightened my day today. You can almost feel the warmth of the sun seeping out of the computer screen, well almost.
              
              
              
              
              

              
Dare I say that I like Mr. Newton's blog better than the king of street style's The Sartorialist — I think I will. He just shoots more relatable people that you wouldn't necessarily find in the tents at Bryant Park or the pages of a magazine, but still have an edgy fashion sense or spirit — I find that refreshing and frankly more entertaining.