plaid & leather

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This is MAC Living Legend lipstick, from their new The Matte Lip collection, much blotted. Their matte formulas are not my favorite (neither my favorite matte formula (NARS velvet matte lip pencil) nor my favorite MAC formula (creamsheen)), they can be patchy and drying at their worst, but they are mostly good (you have to asses on a case by case basis, not uniform in behavior, which is usually the case anyway no matter the brand). For the right color, more than good enough.

[I’ve only just noticed how well it matches my bag! This is what happens when you consistently go for the same shades regardless of context.]

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I like the plaid contrasted with the leather here. Especially such a bright plaid with black leather.

This is not a bad formula for an interesting outfit: put together two very different outfits, each reflecting a uniform aesthetic, wear half of one and half of the other. Or put together three, or four, and so on.

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This is an Essie polish in Dressed to Kilt, a dark blue-toned red from their fall 2014 collection. Once you find a red lipstick you like, try to find a nail polish in that color (or vice versa), odds are good you’ll like it on the nails as well. I should do a post trying to match a lipstick to this. Don’t let me forget.

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Allsaints leather jacket, J Crew oxford plaid shirt (I kind of went to town in the J Crew fall sale…you’ll see), Express tuxedo leggings, New Balance Stadium Jacket sneakers, Free People tote, double-sided faux pearl earrings (eBay, originally a Dior design. Quite cool, I think, though maybe better to wear only one at a time).

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Shakespeare on the Common

“Better a witty fool, than a foolish wit.” 
                                        ― William ShakespeareTwelfth Night

This was the 19th year of Shakespeare on the Common, a Boston tradition that is well worth attending. This year’s performance was Twelfth Night, a favorite of mine.* It’s a wonderfully knotty comedy of errors with no shortage of great lines.

*Check out the film adaptation with Ben Kingsley and Helena Bonham Carter – very good.

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Loving this necklace of turquoise jawbreakers. 

It’s a fun event, especially if you have the time to arrive early (ideally an hour and a half, at least) and get a good spot on the grass. Bring a picnic, watch the crowds (it’s a hearty, appreciative, reliable crowd), take in a little Shakespeare…it’s a good time.

I’ve been nearly every year for the last 6 or so years, sometimes going twice in one summer. It’s always good—consistently interesting and innovative staging and interpretations—and occasionally exceptional (Othello a few years ago was phenomenal).

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My expression is so much like that of my mother in this photo. The architecture of my face is very like hers, will have to show you a photo.

photos by Chris Bennett (thanks, Chris!)