Category Archives for Happiness

Le Chat

I have a problem.

It involves “pinning” images to online inspiration boards and independent, four legged animals…

Of all my Pinterest boards, “le chat” wins in “the most pins” award.

But then again, who can resist cats wearing berets and pretending to be Parisian?

Despite folks’s beliefs that my outgoing personality renders me a dog person, I’ve always been a cat person.  And lucky for me, majority of the “Paris” population opts for this whiskered feline.

Including, Karl Lagerfeld and his lovely Choupette.

Now, if you haven’t heard of this adorable kitty, you’re going to have to do your own research on how this charming kitten stole the heart of Chanel’s creative director.  (Her presence has been known since this past summer…)

Meeting Mr. Lagerfeld is on my list of “fashion world to-do’s,” but, now, I think meeting Choupette is starting to rank higher.  Maybe in doing so, I can convince Mr. Lagerfeld to let me be Choupette’s “au pair.”

Thankfully, I’m in somewhat of luck.  For it is known that Mr. Lagerfeld frequents Café de Flore (as I have).  So, come springtime, I might be propping up at this infamous Parisian café stalking watching for Choupette and her Karl.

mmm…

Truth is, all I want is an apartment in Paris with a window, and a cat to join me while we sit on the ledge acting all introspective and French (Luckily, one of these should be coming true).

xx

hillary  rose

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LOOK! C’est moi avec mon chat, BC.  Note how my young, fashionable self pulled off that Santa hat. Sadly, I lost touch with my fashion sense until about college….

“Sometimes I think to myself in French and listen to old records from the ’60s”

Seeing as I am not currently in Paris (minor hiccups…don’t worry), I don’t have the wonderful opportunity to gawk at chic Parisian women while I trying to emulate them.  Instead of the catwalks being on Rue de Rivoli, I have the viewing pleasure of “Rue de Wal-Mart.”  And I can promise you (while even though some folks try), honey, it ain’t the same as Paris.

So, to prevent myself from going crazy over ill-fitting jeans and “Insert-Brand-Here” logo shirts, I take to my dearly beloved fashion magazines and blogs.  One of my favorites: Nylon.

And whilst I was perusing their lovely and oh-so-inspiring blog, I stumbled onto a post about this very enjoyable fashion film staring Lizzy Caplan.  But since Vimeo is being a bitch evil, here is the linky-link: Lizzy Caplan for Viva Vena.

xx

hillary rose

PS:  When I do have French women compliment me on my style, I secretly jump for joy and immediately want to frame the outfit.  For, you see, the French women aren’t very apt to give out fashion compliments (but French men on the other hand….)

PPS:  I shouldn’t be too harsh on “Rue de Wal-Mart” seeing as there are some (note some) stylish dressers around my small town.

Little Things

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Ahhh, so sorry for my MIA status.  I’ve been saving the world figuring out life.  I mean, isn’t 22 the age one’s supposed to have it all figured out?  (And if so, go ahead and give me a big, fat F)

This past weekend, a friend said she’s looking forward to the day when she is settled and comfortable in a career.  She said she’s not the biggest fan of this current uncertainty, and her comment got me thinking about the word settle.

According to Merriam-Webster, settle is defined as: to place so as to stay; to establish in residence.  

Sure, there are definitely days I wish I was settled in a career, but, honestly, I think I’ll miss the days of mystery.  When in life am I able to try out a new location and/or a new career, decide it’s not for me and move on to experiment again?

“I don’t want to own anything until I know I’ve found the place where me and things belong together. I’m not quite sure where that is just yet. But I know what it’s like…. It’s like Tiffany’s…. Not that I give a hoot about jewelry. Diamonds, yes. But it’s tacky to wear diamonds before you’re forty.”
— Holly Golightly   

xoxo

Hillary Rose

Signature

After years a year of searching, I finally found my signature lip color.  A bright pink that adds a pop of fun to any outfit.

I don’t exactly know why I decided to start on a venture to find the perfect lip color, but I did.  I tried many different colors, but nothing truly suited me.  Then, I finally found my true lipstick love!

My roommie needed to get something from Harris Teeter and proceeded to drag me across the street with her.  While she ran around checking off her list, I started to entertain myself with makeup.  I noticed a sale on the Covergirl LipPerfection, and asked myself, why not?

I then proceeded to pick the most obnoxiously brightesr pinkish color, aka Spellbound, and checked out.  Back at the apartment, I put it on, and violà, I fell in lipstick love.

(‘Tis not the best quality….but trust me on the color….)

Now I can’t leave the house without putting on lipstick.  And I am constantly receiving compliments on the color choice.

But I need to invest a few other tubes for backup.  Ya know, one in the mailbox.  Another in my work locker.  And another for backup….

“If I walk outside without lipstick, I feel naked.”

-Sofia Vergara

xoxo

Hillary

Bikes

For those that know me well, the wall decor above pretty much sums me up.

Bike. Flowers. Basket. Cat. 

Yuppppp.  The only thing missing is a baguette, but the cat probably ate it…..

I’m not sure why I love biking so much, but I do (maybe because I feel like I’m flying…).  And it’s starting to become a requirement that any future boyfriends share my love for biking.

xoxo

Hillary Rose

wall decor: urban outfitters

Fourth

Ohhh-la-la!  I hope everyone has had a lovely and restful and relaxing July Fourth!  I’ve spent most of mine laying out by the pool and eating fried food and drinking coffee.  Later I will be basking in the glow of the Capital’s fireworks in my pool roof.

Be jealous.  Be very jealous.

Cheers!

xoxo

Hillary Rose

Summertime

Our A.C. has been broken all weekend.  Di and I thought we were unable to work the blasted box and had to deal with the temperature being at 89.  (Yes, 89 degrees…..)

(Also, Di and I are now referring to ourselves as Princess Diana and Hillary Clinton on our nights out….)

But, then again it is summertime, and I am itching to go to the beach (or to a pool…ours open in a week!).  And listening to Best Coast and Bethany singing about summertime and boys isn’t helping any.

I just need to make it to next Sunday then I am free to bask on my roof in DC and imagine I am somewhere exotic.  Means I get to pull out the big sunhat, right?  Wonder if I can try to sneak some sand up and really pretend to be at the beach….

Oh well.  Maybe I’ll opt to have a picnic down by the waterfront and attempt to make friends with some guys that own a boat.   Or maybe I’ll take a spontaneous train ride to Annapolis….

xoxo

Hillary Rose

PS:  Hope you are enjoying YOUR OWN A.C.

Instagram

It’s been one week, and I have already been causing some mischief in DC.  I spent most of last week running around and exploring the town.  But due to my distaste for sensible walking shoes, my feet aren’t happy with me…Oh well, aren’t you supposed to suffer a little bit for style??

During my explorations, I have discovered that each neighborhood of DC has its own vibe.  Whether it’s the hipsters of Bloomingdale drinking coffee at Big Bear Cafe, the frat stars of Georgetown sipping bourbon at The Tombs or the political folks enjoying happy hour around the Capital, it seems there’s a little something for everyone.

And luckily for me, my art appreciation side is jumping for joy with the start of my internship.  For those that don’t know, I am interning with an arts non-profit web journal, The Studio Visit, where I am getting to “try on” many different hats.

Now I’m going to go work and shock some of the conservative dressed folks with my red pants!

xoxo,

Hillary Rose

PS:  I PROMISE I will find an outside location for photos soon…

PPS:  I’ve been browsing a few men’s fashion blogs, so be forewarned that my style might take a menswear-inspired dive….

shirt: urban outfitters // jeans:  zara // shoes:  lucky brand