The Fault in Our Stars

John Green was finally able to announce the name of his latest book! Rather than hide it, he named forum topics and YouTube videos for it, to make the announcement easier. So I did the same with my blog post.

The Fault in Our Stars is due out next year. I haven't read it yet, of course, so I don't know anything about it, except that the narrator is a girl named Hazel, and she probably doesn't take off her bra in the course of the story.

John explains. Eventually. Sort of.

John will also be signing every single book in the first printing, for some reason. So pre-order for your very own J-Scribbled book today! Or later!

Pre-order through Barnes & Noble for $9.98.

DFTBA,

Maureen

Foot Tan Lines

Cate loves flip-flops that cost $3.50. My tastes are a little more expensive.

I prefer Rainbow Sandals. Fancy-schmancy leather flip-flops that can cost upwards of forty dollars.

Luckily for me, they last for years. I got my first pair of Rainbows, brown premier leather, when I was in high school, and I wore them all the time in all conditions through college. They mold to your feet and provide arch support, so thus far I haven't had any foot problems.* Before I decided the holes in them were big enough, I acquired another pair, smooth leather on clearance at a small shoe store.

Finally, after I graduated from college, when there were holes in both flip-flops, and I knew it was time to say good-bye, I retired my first pair and started wearing my smooth leather, double-layer pair full-time.

So far, the top layer of this pair is slowly coming off, but that's all. I expect them to serve me well until I find another pair on sale or clearance. And after! My hope is to get another single-layer premier leather pair, like my very first. Am I a sucker? Maybe, but I'm a happy one!

Buy your own premier leather, single-layer Rainbows in a color of your choice through Rainbow Sandals for $46.00. You could also choose a different sandal. I'm just sharing.

Sunshine and sand,

Maureen

*Ignoring that my feet are a problem all on their own.

People We Covet: Carrie Bradshaw

Awhile back, Maureen asked me if it would be okay for us to covet fake people. She didn't mean the kind who smile to your face and then stab you in the back--at least, I don't think she did. Rather, she meant the kind who don't actually exist. Like, for example, Jayne Cobb from Firefly (her choice). I told her I would rather covet Wash, but there you have the difference between us.

So today, I've decided to covet a fake person who--let's face it--is pretty covetable: Carrie Bradshaw.

All right, here's the thing: as a character, she's not exactly the most admirable human. After all, she cheats on her great boyfriend, breaks up a marriage, chases after men who are generally emotionally unavailable, and gets into debt by buying $40,000 worth of shoes (although I have to say, I can relate to at least those last two things). But as a style icon, she can't be beat.

No, I do not always agree with her fashion choices. For example, there's this getup, complete with fanny pack and unnecessary midriff shirt:

But on the other hand, there's this:

And this:

Complete with bonus Baryshnikov!

And, in the first movie, there's this, her lovely apartment makeover:

What I love the most about her is that she is true to her own style: she wears what she wants, when she wants, and she always owns it. That's a great lesson for us all to learn, no?

Images via here, here, here, here, and here.

-Cate-

Flopping Around Town

Well, it's officially summer now, and that means it's time to break out the flip-flops! As someone who pretty much lives in flip-flops all year round when I'm not dressed like an adult (hey, there's not much point in wearing heels to the laundry room, you know?), I feel reasonably qualified to tell you that Old Navy makes the best flip-flops. For example, these:

At just $3.50 per pair, they are super-affordable (and thus super-replaceable), plus the price is reduced to $2.50 each when you buy two or more. And they come in about a zillion colors--or, you know, 18--so you can get a pair for every outfit. What's better than that?

Buy through Old Navy.

Image via Old Navy.

-Cate-

Spoon It to Me

I've mentioned Baccarat before, when I covered this lovely ring. But did you know that they also make some great housewares? Like this little lovely:

Now, I have to tell you the truth: I have absolutely no use for a jam jar. I don't even eat jam that much, although I do have a jar of lemon curd in my fridge. But look at how cute! And it comes with a spoon! And if I had that kind of money sitting around, I would definitely buy this just to have it on my little table. It would be the classiest touch ever, no?

Buy through Baccarat for $380.00.

Image via Baccarat.

-Cate-

"Hey, Lady, You Call Him Doctor Jones!"

It's been awhile since I wrote about a movie, so I thought I'd share with you some thoughts on Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Now, this summer marks the 30th anniversary of Raiders of the Lost Ark, which is a perfectly wonderful installation in the series. However, because some of my earliest cinematic memories revolve around Temple of Doom, I've chosen to focus on that title.

Truth: This movie used to scare the hell out of me.

 This dude is fucking terrifying.

But, being young, I didn't want to admit this to my parents, lest they should take away my movie privileges. (The Indiana Jones series was a regular feature at our house, and I just confessed to my mother last year.) The fact is, I was totally, completely enamored of Willie Scott, the American singer who tags along with Indy on his trek to Pankot Palace. Because, really, she totally stole the show, by which I mean the opening sequence.

There are so many visually awesome things about the first ten or so minutes of the film. There's a deco club in Shanghai, an American girl done up in an Asia-by-way-of-Classic-Hollywood gown (red and gold dress, mandarin collar), the Busby Berkeley dance sequence featuring an impossible kick line, an enormous diamond, a flaming rack of barbecue, balloons falling from the ceiling as panic ensues, and one of the greatest escapes in movie history.

But let's get back to that dance sequence. Kate Capshaw, the actress who played Willie, actually learned how to sing "Anything Goes" in Mandarin Chinese just for the film. And she runs around with her flowing scarves and her red gloves, and then these girls are tap dancing in silver outfits, and it is just such good, cheesy fun, particularly for those of us who swoon over classic musicals and dance numbers. To this day, I get excited when the movie starts because I know--I just know--I'm going to enjoy what unfolds. 

Sure, the film has its problems. I won't get into them here, although I will say that the racism is obvious and the lack of regard for females is troubling, and I'm honestly surprised I never had nightmares about the incredibly violent bit in the middle. But there's also some phenomenal music (seriously, this is one of my favorite film scores EVER). Oh, and then there's this:

I'm sorry, I can't hear you over the sound of how badass I am.

Need I say more?

Images via Total Film Gallery and Fandango Groovers Movie Blog.

-Cate-

PS And did I mention the awesome reference to Obi-Wan Kenobi? Keep an eye out for it next time you watch!

The New Mermaid

I have almost zero use for formal dresses. The last school dance I attended was my senior homecoming in 2003, and none of my friends are slated to have black-tie weddings anytime soon, so I generally stick to the less glamorous--and much cheaper--options out there for everyday wear. But if I had to buy myself a formal dress today for some reason, I might splurge on this beaut from David Meister:

At just under $600, it's actually not much more expensive than some prom dresses out there. And besides, it's totally lovely: the shape, ruching, and color are all spot-on and perfect for a formal affair on a hot summer night. Obviously an under the sea-themed dance would be the best venue, but really any special occasion merits such a beautiful creation.

Buy through Neiman Marcus for $590.00.

Image via Neiman Marcus.

-Cate-

Questions and Answers! Part 2

On Monday, I answered some frequently asked questions about What We Covet. Today, I'm going to address some questions I wish people would ask.

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What is your favorite item of clothing in your closet?

I own an Alexander McQueen for Target denim motorcycle jacket that I absolutely adore and will never, ever give up, even if it no longer fits, because it's just so wonderful.

How would you describe your personal fashion style?

As much as I hate to admit it, I may have become a bit of a prepster. My daily uniform consists of black pants, flats, a shell, and a cardigan. It's a very comfortable way to live, really. But I am decidedly un-preppy in my life, which just proves that there is balance in everything!

What is your decorating style?

Mid-Century Modern, all the way. If I could live inside Humphrey Bogart's office in Sabrina, I absolutely would. (Or if I could just, you know, live with Humphrey Bogart.) I love straight, clean lines, and that's what Mid-Century Modern is all about, with a dash of the retro-futuristic. Simply spectacular.

What are your favorite stores?

Online, I swear by Barnes & Noble, Nordstrom, and M.A.C. In real life, I don't get to do much in the way of shopping, thanks to my location, but I tend to go to Belk, Borders, and, when I can manage it, the Coach outlet.

What do you like to read?

The short answer is everything. The long answer is somewhat more complicated: I tend toward modern and contemporary American works, though I have been known to stray.

What are your favorite films?

I love action movies. And comedies. And dramas. But I rarely go for horror; I'm just too easily freaked out! Pulp Fiction is my all-time favorite movie, though.

You're clearly a fan of Lady Gaga and Madonna. Which other artists/acts do you listen to?

My favorites are Stone Temple Pilots, the White Stripes, Zep, the Beatles, Sheryl Crow, Elton John, Frank Sinatra, Billy Joel, Ace of Base, Franz Ferdinand, Scott Weiland (as a solo artist), No Doubt, the Wallflowers, Kylie Minogue, and anyone else with a good sound. I pretty much listen to anything that strikes me.

***

I hope everyone has found these two posts interesting and inspiring! As always, thanks for reading.

Image via the Military Channel.

-Cate-

Questions and Answers! Part 1

Hello, all! I'm back online for a couple of weeks, and I'm here with all new posts for your reading pleasure.

Since I began blogging over a year ago, a few questions have consistently arisen in conversations about What We Covet. I thought that now would be as good a time as any to respond to some of those queries. Enjoy!

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Why did you start blogging?

I found that every time someone mentioned liking an item of mine (dress, bag, shoes, whatever), my automatic response was to say, "Thanks! I got it at X store." So it seemed totally natural to me that I should start a website sharing that information in a centralized place and on a larger scale--not only the things I own, but the things I'd like to have, as well.

What is your blog about?

At its core, for me, What We Covet is really meant as a receptacle of things that I find inspiring, interesting, or useful (sometimes these coincide, but often they are separate issues). Mainly it is what you might call a shopping blog, but I'd like to think that it also provides visual stimulation and perhaps a bit of amusement, in addition to an impetus for my readers to go out and find things that interest them.

Do you own any of the items about which you have written? Do you actually like the items that appear here?

Yes and yes! Of course, it would be more or less impossible for me to buy everything I feature, and that's why the blog is called What We Covet: because there is no way I (or, in fact, anyone) can have everything that amuses me.

I make every effort to update my readers when I procure an item that was previously featured so that they can find out whether or not said item is worth the money or effort. After all, I don't really know many people who have the luxury of buying whatever strikes their fancy. From time to time, I share items I already own (such as the Longchamp Le Pliage) because I find them to be so stellar that I just can't keep my mouth shut.

There have been a few instances in which I would not necessarily use an item myself, and I try to make note of that (for example, these Frye sandals), but I still see the appeal and think they are worth promoting because of their practicality or the level of craftsmanship employed.

How do you decide which person to covet in a given month?

Although I do schedule posts in advance for time management reasons, I have to admit that I'm usually pretty lax when it comes to writing People We Covet entries. I have a running list of covetable people in my head, and I tend to make my decision based on who has been on my radar the most in the days leading up to my development of the post. A recent example is when I highlighted Chris Crutcher's work in March. It was not only because he's fantastic but also because I'd read two of his books recently, and so he was very visible to me.

You'll also notice that most of the people I covet have been involved in the arts, mainly cinema/television, music, and literature. This is because I'm a humanities girl at heart and firmly believe that culture--particularly popular culture--is a very important and integral part of the human experience.

How did you and Maureen meet?

We went to college together, and then I was her boss for awhile. Mostly we bonded over a shared love of Honey Buns and Lady Gaga. I kind of suckered her into writing posts here, but don't worry: she has recently been properly compensated for her efforts with a genuine Wienie Whistle.

***

As always, thanks for stopping by! I hope you've enjoyed this semi-informative post!

-Cate-

PS Speaking of updating my readers, I recently saw these Betsey Johnson heels on sale at a Neiman Marcus Last Call store. Happy shopping!

I wish that England's ways were different!

Oh, Eleanor. You're such a sucker.

You have all heard about the lost colony, right? England sent a bunch of colonists to Roanoke Island in Virginia, and all the colonists vanished, leaving only "CRO" and "CROATOAN" carved into a tree and a post, respectively.

It's possible you haven't. But that basically sums it up.

You will also find a fun summary in the first half of the outdoor symphonic drama The Lost Colony. This show is only performed in Manteo, North Carolina, at the Waterside Theatre. It comes highly recommended by locals this year, as well.

If you attend the show, you will experience live gunfire, a made-up Native American language that I'm told has no relation to any sort of Algonquian, Ananias Dare the obnoxious weenie (as my mother describes him), mosquitoes, a prerecorded introduction by Andy Griffith himself, and half-naked Native Americans.

It's an all around good time. Tickets are reasonably priced, and you'll be supporting the arts! Also, you'll find out why I called Eleanor Dare a sucker.

Potatoes and tobacco,

Maureen

I am an evil lemon!

You're probably wondering why I didn't post on Friday or Monday. Well, you see, I was on an adventure. A Magical Ponycorn Adventure, to be specific.

The leader of this adventure was Sissy, who friggin' loves ponycorns. (Ponycorns are like ponies and unicorns.) First Sissy and I got some jars to keep the ponycorns in, and then we traveled through rainbows to search for them. We battled such fierce opponents as a tiger and a big crazy dinosaur. It was nuts, you guys.

Cate wasn't very excited about this Magical Ponycorn Adventure when I told her about it. She said something about hipsters and then had to go defend young adult literature to old adults.

But just in case you wonderful people don't mind hipsters, you can have your own Magical Ponycorn Adventure here.

Coconuts and turtles,

Maureen

MINIPHANT SWARM

Just so you know, yesterday was Walt Whitman's birthday. Happy belated birthday to the man who once appeared on my brother's arm!

Now, here at What We Covet, we enjoy wasting time. Sometimes we waste time by coveting things (that way we can call it research). Other times we waste time by playing flash games.

The game I can't stop playing is Elephant Quest. It follows the adventures of the blue elephant from earlier humorous parody games such as This Is the Only Level and Achievement Unlocked.

In Elephant Quest, you control your elephant, whose bowler hat has been stolen! You must go on an adventure to get it back, completing quests for other elephants and shooting enemies with lasers that you carry on your back or drag behind you on a rope. You can also recruit elephant minions who fly around and help you out.

Do you need to waste some serious time? Then go play Elephant Quest at Armor Games.

Balloons and keys,

Maureen