[Summer] Cinematic Style: Sharon Stone in 'Basic Instinct'

Everyone remembers that scene from Basic Instinct. But the rest of Catherine Trammel's wardrobe is also worth mentioning. For nearing the end of summer, the easy colors, fabrics and silhouettes make for great transitional wear into the fall. It helps that Catherine lives on the beach in San Francisco; with the crisp, clean and cool ocean breeze.

Ya know, for some who is so sexually charged (okay, kind of slutty but don't get me wrong, she owns the film and is such a strong female character), her clothes are very modest, clean cut and actually pretty classic. Yeah, even that white dress is classic. What I really love about the 90s (this film is from 1992), are the silhouettes. I love the high waisted mom jeans, the boat neck tops with a slouchy blazer or sweater (or combination of both) and some knee high or ankle boots (never in the middle). Sharon Stone pulled it off so well; I mean her body is top notch. She makes the clothes look exactly how they're supposed to look: casual, comfortable and simple. The all white look Catherine is wearing as she stands in front of the outdoor fire over looking the beach, post-shower-post-sex is perfection. There are three different shades of off white in the look and it all comes together so perfectly (sort of like the movie actually).

Catherine's wardrobe is quite all-American with its basic (heh) pieces: jeans, sweaters, boots, sexy going out dress (and fabulous hair and accessories). The colors are neutral, letting her "personality" (a.k.a. seduction/manipulation powers) shine through. To end the summer and this special Cinematic Style series, I think Miss Trammel's simple end-of-summer-into-fall wardrobe is the perfect choice.

03 summer funk

>> When you're in that summer funk(y music mood) <<

01 - Delorean Dynamite, Todd Terje, It's Album Time

02 - Miss Mood (Satin Jackets Remix), Novika, Miss Mood

03 - Have To Fun, Volta Cab & Rim Tag, Have To Fun EP

04 - Till The End Of..., Anthony Middleton, Insomniac Nights EP

05 - Mopedbart, Hubbabubbaklub, Mopedbart

weekly happiness 03

The Tube: Utopia



I have been in a television show rut lately. I was re-watching one of my favorite shows Torchwood just for the hell of it but I wanted something new to watch that gave me just as much as excitement that Torchwood did the first time I watched it just about four years ago. After doing some Googling ("good BBC dramas", "Channel 4 dramas"), I stumbled upon the Channel 4 show Utopia. I watched the first few minutes of the first episode from the first season and was instantly hooked. The violence, the mystery, the colors, the cinematography and the soundtrack were all things that intrigued me at once. I'm currently on the fifth episode out of six in the first season and I am completely addicted. In a nut shell, it's about a group of internet friends that unwilling unravel the secret conspiracies behind a popular comic book. It's extremely violent so it's not for the faint hearted but I definitely recommend if you're looking for some smart and visually stunning T.V.

Top Shelf: Fiercely Fabulous O.P.I. nail polish + Simple hydrating lotion

Somehow I acquired a tiny bottle of Sephora for O.P.I.'s (or O.P.I. for Sephora?) Fiercely Fabulous a few years back. Only when I run out of it do I realize that it's the perfect shade of red orange. I searched at Sephora for a replacement bottle but found nothing (purchased Clinique's Dramatically Different moisturizer though). Instead I ordered it online and to my surprise the bottle is two times bigger than the average O.P.I. bottle!

Before I use the aforementioned Clinique product, I'm finishing up Simple's hydrating lotion. For a sample I got last year from Target, I'm actually really impressed by it. It's the right amount of thick while still remaining light enough to wear on my face in the middle of August. I can also use it on my body (took it with for a vacation weekend in northern Wisconsin) so it's good for travel.

Tech Check: Duolingo app

I can't remember where or when I read about this app I've been using to teach myself the basics of French. It's called Duolingo and it works two ways: the user learns a language or brushes up on one all while simultaneously translating text from the Internet. This visually stimulating video explains it so much better. The point, though, is that it's free, you're learning or re-learning a language as well as helping someone out.

Jams: The Dead Weather



I have fallen head over heels in love with Jack White this summer and along my journey discovering his musical talents I have stopped at the Dead Weather. There's something a whole lot darker about the Dead Weather compared to The Raconteurs, The White Stripes or his solo stuff and I'm totally hooked. I'm a massive fan of The Kills as well so I am always pleased to listen to Alison Mosshart. Favorite tracks (and videos) include Hustle and Cuss, I Cut Like A Buffalo, Treat Me Like Your Mother and So Far From Your Weapon.

girl crush: rosamund pike

The haircut. The different earrings. The sweater. The simple ring. That smile.

[Summer] Cinematic Style: Kate Hudson in 'Fools Gold'

The clothes in this movie aren't really anything special. So why dedicate an entire post to them? Honestly, it's more of the attitude that Kate Hudson has wearing them playing Matthew McConaughey's ex-wife (then wife again) Tess in Fool's Gold. Actually, this movie isn't even all that great but it's probably one of the better cheesy romantic comedies out there. The movie brings back the team of Hudson and McConaughey after How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days, as an ex couple running around the Bahamas (actually filmed in Australia) trying to find lost treasures from a Spanish ship. The scenery in this is impeccable. If you don't want to jet off to the Bahamas or Australia for that matter, then I feel sorry for you. I really do.

Back to the clothes: seeing as the Bahamas are hot and humid, Kate's wardrobe in this is full of light and airy dresses, board shorts and plenty of spaghetti straps. She wears cool colors like that beautiful plum, some heather greys, tans and light blues. But what's really wonderful about it all is how easy and effortless it all is. And let's face it, we're all obsessed with how effortless one can make an outfit look. Part of it is because of the effortless sun child personality of Kate Hudson. No matter what character she's playing it always seems to come out and I love her for it.

The functionality of her wardrobe is also so desirable. Chic every day essential necklace in the shape of a palm tree? Check. Waterproof watch? Check. Easy aviators? Check. I don't know about you but if I'm running around island hopping, I want to be comfortable in what I'm wearing: easy dresses over bikinis, a simple black bikini that's modest and a cloth headband for soaking up sweat and keeping your face awake and sunny.