Channeling My Inner Hippie in Central Park

Tomorrow morning, at an hour that should only be experienced by immortals or insomniacs, my husband and I will be hopping a flight to New York for the Florence and the Machine concert!

You want to talk about style? Talk about Florence. Her music is style, her voice is style, her free spirit is style, her individuality is style. I've never been obsessed or infatuated with celebrities or bands. I'm not much of a groupie. I never understood that emotion tied to someone you don't know. I didn't mourn the loss of Kurt Cobain or Michael Jackson. I find the national mourning of Marilyn Monroe odd, though the conspiracy theories are interesting. The death of Heath Ledger twinged my heart, still not sure why, perhaps because we were close in age. My husband is obsessed with Paul Weller, my best friend is infatuated with Johhny Depp, I myself have a heightened sense of curiosity for Robert Pattinson, but obsession for a stranger? What an unusual concept. Enter Florence and her machine.

When I lived in Athens, Georgia, my husband, friends and I would go to this bar called 283 every Friday. I found out recently that the bar was closed, very sad. I got to know the bartender, Rachel, very well over the course of, dang, three years and she had this personality that sparked happiness and inspiration in others. She had those happy, free-spirited, fearless, willing to take risks, optimistic qualities I'd love to have. I loved hanging out with her because she radiated energy and made everyone around her feel like all of your dreams were possible. Florence does this for me.

I first discovered Florence by youtubing the lyrics to Dog Days are Over. The next few hours were spent listening to every Florence song on You Tube. My absolute favorite is Cosmic Love. I listened and watched that video nonstop for weeks! The colors she uses in her videos are rich and majestic. Her passion oozes from every note and every dance. Her lyrics are poetic, her stories emotional. It's not another cookie cutter pop song about getting drunk and being stupid.

She has that quality Rachel had, she's an individual and fearless. My most crippling hold up is internal fear. Fear of failing, fear of screwing up, fear of not being in control, these hold me back and I fight to change that personality trait. Florence and her music inspire me to say f*ck it, close my eyes, and jump. When I found out that she was touring in the states I told my husband that I didn't care when, where or how much it would cost (now that says a lot because I am a tight wad), I was going to go see her in concert. I also said with or without him, not as a threat, but something in me told me I had to witness this uncontrollable passion in person. So, for my birthday, he got me/us tickets to her show in Central Park. I'm usually very stoic, but I feel like my son when he knows Santa is on his way.

I plan on drinking some wine, probably Pino Grigio since it's an outdoor concert and will be mid to upper 80's and dancing around like I do in the privacy of my living room to Madonna's Confession Tour DVD. What? I'm really good, promise.

Here are my other favorite Florence and the Machine songs: Rabbit Heart, Drumming Song, My Boy Builds Coffins, Howl, You've Got the Love, and Swimming.

Have a wonderfully free-spirited weekend!

*Please click image for original source*

Victoria Beckham Style and Fugly Models

For some reason, people tend to have very passionate opinions about the Beckham's, both positive and negative. Having never met them (unfortunately) all I can say is that David Beckham has mad soccer skills, is extremely handsome, and has crazy tattoos that only slightly take away from his looks and Victoria Beckham (minus the Spice Girl era) has impeccable style. I love her designs, it's too bad you have to be tall and a size zero to look spectacular in them, but her style is sexy and classy with a bit of spunk. Perfect. Just take a look...



Red Carpet Style



Airport Style

  

Son's Soccer Game Style

Okay, this is just ridiculous. I'm ashamed of my jeans and t-shirt ways because in no way do I look that sexy in jeans and a t-shirt. Just for good fun, let us examine the Beck's Style...

David wins! Earlier today I was perusing Victoria Beckham's site and my plans on spending some lunch hour time day dreaming of a time when I could both afford a Victoria dress, but also squeeze into one turned into a face contorted, "eh?" While looking at the AW/11 dress collection I couldn't stop staring at the strange alien, zombie models. Perhaps they are pretty without the odd, very unflattering make-up, but yeesh! (That collection of dresses wasn't much to look at either). So, I started looking at some other designer collections and noticed a disturbing trend: the use of Fugly models.

I suppose I understand the theory that a designer wants people looking at the clothes and not the model, but why go the extreme opposite of beautiful to fugly? Drop it down a notch to pretty if you are so inclined, but please leave my appetite. In addition to the fugly, these models were still anorexic, unhealthy, and to put it simply, skeletal waifs. According to the media (who 99% of the time is full of BS and on a bought agenda - I digress) the fashion industry was supposed to be edging towards "healthy" models. You know, people like me who are 5'4 and 115/120 pounds. Okay, maybe they'll still go for the taller lasses, but at least get some muscle on them. Am I the only one grossed out by this?

*Please click on images to view my "original" source. My computer was misbehaving, if the links on the pictures do not work, all images can be found on Google Image Search.

Pier One - Moroccan Lanterns

I have had my eye on these Moroccan Lanterns from Pier One for over six months now. I first spotted them when I was shopping for Christmas presents for friends. Every time I am in the store I find myself standing in front of them, desperately trying to think of a place in my home where they could be displayed in all of their glory. They are beautiful, I love the vibrant colors and can only imagine how gorgeous they must look when lit.

But alas, my color scheme at home is taupe, deep reds, greens, and browns. The patio! Sure, I can make them work in the back yard, how wonderfully whimsical they would be shining in the twilight as the BBQ coals burn out and our laughter and clinking wine glasses can be heard through the night air. O, frabjous evening! Callooh! Callay! Then my daydream is imploded by the football my two year old just threw glancing across my nose. Okay, well I can't put them on the table out back, but perhaps I can hang them from the covered patio. Then a gust of wind knocks over one of the very heavy patio chairs and again I sigh, defeated. Living in the middle of tornado alley greatly hinders any hanging outdoor decor. I'm lucky my hummingbird feeder is still in one piece.

So, I will continue to stare and try to think of a concrete reason, other than "but I want them", to purchase these lovely lanterns. I would also really appreciate any ideas or reasons you can give me.

Hello and Welcome!

Hello and welcome to Style by Daisy Rose. I'd like to introduce myself and my goal for this blog. My name is not Daisy, but my brother-in-law has called me this for the past eight years. I'm starting to wonder if he knows my real name. My In-laws are British; I am from Oklahoma. Though I am not a cowgirl, my husband (boyfriend at the time) had a picture of me (when I was 17) goofing around sitting in my brother's truck, wearing my dad's cowboy hat. This picture was how I was introduced to his family and because the only information my brother-in-law knows of the mid-west came from hours watching the Dukes of Hazzard, I became infamously known as Daisy to the troop back in England. It has stuck and I find that I have embraced it.

I grew up a tomboy. I am quite proud of this fact; I was the athlete rough housing with the boys at recess, climbing trees, playing soccer and football, skinning my knees, and making those awful, annoying, yet cute faces children make whenever I was forced to wear a dress or anything frilly and girly. In high school I either wore jeans and Metallica t-shirts with my Adidas Samba's or soccer clothes. I went on to play Collegiate Division I-A soccer and like 99% of athletes, I wore my workout clothes to class. I have always felt awkward and insecure in clothing other than jeans.

Now, I am thirty-two years old, work full-time at a university where I work with students who have learning deficiencies, and have an amazing two year old son. I am a philosopher, always pondering the intricacies of life, both important and not so important. It drives my husband bonky because my mind never stops. Strange how within the last couple of years, this "Jeans and T-shirt Girl" has discovered a love of style and design. Quite a large portion of my wardrobe is pink, weird. I am still insecure in style, especially clothing, but I find that figuring it out excites me, when before it only caused anxiety. Trust me, I still have some anxiety over it, but I hope that continues to fade away.

As I mentioned before, my mind is always working. There are many aspects of life I would like to try, it frustrates me that there is so little time in the day to explore all of the avenues of life. It really frustrates me that work takes up such a large portion of that time. If only I would win the lottery. I'll keep my fingers crossed. My most passionate desire is to write and publish a book. I am slowly working on one and have a goal to finish the rough draft by the end of the year. I also want to return to school and get a PhD in English, work for Jerry Bruckheimer, work in the movie/writing/tv industry, be a fashion/interior designer, be a professional dancer (on tour with Madonna), become an actress, and win the lottery (Oh, did I mention that already? Sorry.). I also really want to design bags, purses, wallets, clutches, etc. Yet, I have no skill in sewing (I can't even mend a hem) and I have no knowledge of design. But, I am determined to figure it out.

Eventually, I would like to be able to create products people would like and start selling on Etsy. I have a long way to go because at the moment I really can only Mod Podge, but perhaps one day I will learn some sewing techniques. Style by Daisy Rose is my attempt to share some of the wonderful items I find and perhaps spread some of that passion and thought to those out there on the www. I would also love to get advice from anyone. I want to use this medium to explore everything from clothing, to hair and make-up (my biggest adversary), to accessories, to furniture, to interior design, to cars, to tattoos, to art, to photography, to music. (I told you I have a lot of interests).

I wish I could be on What Not to Wear, but while my style (and budget) could definitely use the coaching, I am not as much of a travesty as some of the people on the show, but I will be if that'll help me get on! I hope this site helps me further develop my sense of style and becomes a place to share and discuss all of the little things in life that can provide creativity, comfort, emotion, desire, inspiration, and sometimes anxiety.

Thank you for visiting. Please come back often and as always, feel free to email me and/or comment.

Yours,
~ Daisy Rose