modest is hottest so cover your landscape

When it comes to art, I like modern art. It's not something a lot of people "get" because it's "weird" and "complicated" and they just don't "get" it. Sometimes though, there isn't always anything to "get." Often time, art is about what you see, not just how you see it. It's kind of like those annoying optical illusions, but much more colorful and interesting. Enter famous husband-and-wife tag team, Christo and Jeanne-Claude. If you've ever seen the at&t commercial with the billowing fabric, you're already on your way to "getting" modern art.

The couple is internationally known for their site-specific, landscape-altering pieces. Their goal is not to stop you in your tracks and force you to decipher their obscure artistic motives, but rather to get you actually LOOK at what's around you. One of their most famous pieces involved surrounding 11 small, man-made island in the Biscayne Bay in Florida with thousands of feet of bright pink fabric. They've also wrapped trees, draped bridges, and installed flowing gates in NYC's central park. Their art is about getting viewers to notice whats around them. Do you really see those island or that bridge everyday? Or do you only notice it when it's different?

Taking a cue from the artist themselves, fashion should get you noticed. And in these saturated hues and standout cuts, you're guaranteed to catch an eye or two. So go ahead, wrap, drape and color yourself happy in this season's pretty shapes and sunny shades.

Nanette Lepore Lacoste Porter Grey

Isabel Marant Herve Leger Marc Jacobs

I hope by now you've got an idea of what I'm aiming for with this blog. I can't resist talking about art, but I'll have plenty of other tidbits for you as well. I hope this blog turns in to something of a chronicle of my endeavors in the college, art, design, writing and fashion world. I'm only 19, but everyone has to start somewhere. I love reading comments and scouting other blogs so please follow and comment if you're enjoying this. I know I sure am!

gilded gold glitters

There's something about art that makes me stop and think. And while history certainly implies long-lost styles, you'd be surprised how inspiring and relevant "old" paintings can be. Take, for example, one of the most famous and recognizable works (and also one of my favorite despite it's cliche fame), Gustav Klimt's The Kiss.

Painted in 1907, The Kiss, represents a high point in Klimt's "golden period." It's often cited as being in the vein of the Art Noveau style, but it also draws obvious inspiration from the Arts and Craft movement of the time. Featuring a couple locked in the sensuous embrace, the delicate patterns and glittering background reflect an opulent taste. The piece is often considered controversial; Klimt was something of a lose man and womanizer and the eroticism of the couple's embrace caused quite a stir.

I'm head over heels for anything gold. And anything the looks hand wrought and one of a kind. Inspired by the Klimt painting, I've selected these necklaces (all available at Shop Bop) and paired them with delicate, gold earrings from Gorjana.

The texture of earrings look beautifully handworked and the intricate detailing of the necklaces seem organically inspired. Pair with a simple white top or channel Klimt even further and add some punch to a sweet micro floral print. Effortlessly cool.

introductions are always needed

Hello all and welcome to my corner of the world wide web. I've always been a fan of introductions; it's those first few moments where you pen yourself on paper that make a first impression. What details you devolve, how much you reveal...it's a really a very cool chance to learn how to define yourself in 100 words or less.

So here I go. My name is Hillary. I'm a college freshmen studying art history. I call Denver, Colorado home and Washington DC my playground. I don't like cats, my dog is cooler than yours, and all I want do before I die is fall in love, travel the world and have the Goo Goo Dolls write a song about me.

It's a funny business, studying art history. I love it, despite the lack of obvious real world applications. But in general, I can't quite justify paying tuition at a private university to study something I hate. And lucky for me, I'm not really interested in the "practical" fields of accounting, dentistry or medicine. Not that's there anything wrong with those professions (believe me, my mouth is constant proof of the need for good dentist), I just have no real desire to devote my life to them.

I got to thinking. I like art history. I like art. I like fashion and movies and books. I like to write, hear the sound of my own voice, and have the insatiable feeling that my writing and thoughts are worth the time of complete strangers. Why not start a blog?

I've dabbled in the blogosphere on occasion but now I'm here to stay. I envision this piece of fashion history to be part art history informative, part fashion review and part fashion as art inspiration. While I'm not saying everyone should drop their lives in pursuit of artsy wisdom, I'm a firm believe that art--and fashion, for that matter--are everywhere. How cool would I be if I could forge my own bridge between two? Anyone who says art is complicated or fashion sparks can only start in design studios and magazine is sorely mistaken. Let's see where this goes. I'm excited to get started. Follow if you agree, comment if you have something to say. Art-in-the-dark is about to get a crazy chic makeover.