Inspired by: 23rd Subway Station

The New York subway is not luxurious. While efficient, it's a less-than-glamorous means of transportation. That being said, I love that subway stations have subtle nods of nostalgia in the form of gorgeous, vintage mosaics.

After a quick Google search, I learned the history of these public art pieces. The project was initiated in 1910 by subway art director and engineer Squire Vickers, and has continued into modern day with new designs popping up in recent years. One of the new mosaics happens to be in the station on 23rd near my dorm.

The wind-blown hats pictured above inspired a search for the perfect summer headpiece. I'm normally a fan of the floppy, but these cute cloches and fedoras could easily sway my opinion.

1.) Floppy Bergere Hat (American Apparel, $44)
2.) Floppy Stripe Hat (Gap, $30)
3.) BDG Linen Fedora (Urban Outfitters, $24)
4.) Badgley Mischka Margo Hat (Bloomingdale's, $60)
5.) Lauren by Ralph Lauren Classic Linen Cloche (Bloomingdale's, $30)

Readers, do you have a go-to summer hat? What public art are you admiring these days?

Flannel, Formal, and Fall Leaves: A Life Update

It's nearing the end of fall semester, and I've been so busy with school and the Wake social scene that I've neglected my blogging. I hate to make empty promises, but as I enter the home stretch of this semester, I'll make an effort to post more frequently. In case you've been itching for an update, here's what I've been doing in my absence from the blogosphere.

(Me and my friend Aveen in our flannel waiting to go out on the boats)

Mountain Weekend
Visualize a serene mountain setting with cozy cabins, picturesque rocking chairs, and a lack of cell phone reception. Now impose over that peaceful scene a crowd of rowdy college students sporting flannel, blaring music and generally disrupting the crisp, cool Rocky Mountain air.

Two weekends ago I attended a fraternity formal in Fontana Dam, North Carolina, where activities included everything from floating pontoon boats to swing dancing at the formal. Needless to say, my weekend attire ranged from sweatshirts to stilettos. It was a nice break from campus life, but far too brief. Missing a weekend of studying threw me into an academic whirlwind once we made it back to Winston-Salem.

Public Art Final Projects
This semester I enrolled in a public art course to finish up my Studio Art minor. Basically this class is run as a guided independent study with an exhibited piece of public art as the final project. Naturally, I decided to go about my project the difficult way, and am in the process of creating a series of temporary public art pieces  inspired by the poetry of Wake Forest Alum, A. R. Ammons.

Last week, the library held a symposium honoring the poet, and I was fortunate enough to read a poem aloud during the final lunch. On the tails of the conference, I displayed my first work of art, a piece inspired by Ammons' poem "Rapids," pictured above.

Wake readers, keep your eyes peeled for the remaining works in my series. They'll be popping up on campus soon alongside the other final pieces from my class.

Semi-Formal

Right before Thanksgiving break my sorority had our last event of 2010, semi-formal. After internally debating my outfit for what seemed like days, I settled on a Plenty by Tracy Reese dress that I've had for a few years. Filled with dancing and food, formal was great. I couldn't have asked for a better night, but I am so happy to have a brief hiatus from Wake Forest for the next couple days.

(This print is part of Anderson Design Group's "Spirit of Nashville" Series)

Thanksgiving Break
After a day of traveling, I'm so excited to be back home in Nashville. I can't wait for all my family and high-school friends to get into town!

Readers, has your fall been flying by? Can y'all believe it's Thanksgiving tomorrow?