A suitable you...Noah at the Prudential, Boston

I'm at Sephora at the Pru at the mascara stand. I've always wanted thick eyelashes, so though I do not believe that a $32 mascara will give me supposed length and volume, I apply anyway. Out of the corner of my eye I see a linen blend jacket and lavender shirt. With one eyelash droopy from too much mascara, I follow the jacket like a beacon.

Noah's girlfriend Jenny, was totally okay with me stealing him to go outside the Pru to take pictures. I should mention that Noah dresses like this everyday.

Here are some words of wisdom from the well dressed gent. "I do have a few major influences: Will's blog, A Suitable Wardrobe , Alan Flusser's Dressing the Man: Mastering the Art of Permanent Fashion, and Nicholas Antongiavanni's The Suit: A Machiavellian Approach to Men's Style are three sources that have helped me both learn about what works and develop my own sense of style." Looks like I have some reading to do.

Bell sleeves....Harvard Square, Cambridge

Brunch at Preston Road...Somerville

Psychedelic dress...Porter Square, Cambridge

High Schoolers Part 3: Lambert in Boston

High Schoolers Part 2: Anvrell, New Orleans, LA

High Schoolers Part 1: Caroline from West Virginia...Brattle Street, Cambridge

Some club on S. Peters...New Orleans, LA

Fun in NOLA has a way of sneaking up on you. At dinner the night I took this picture I had a scorpion bowl sized drink. No, I didn't order a drink that size, but I guess that's how they come in NOLA. It tasted sweet and fruity with almost no alcohol...or so I thought. Despite having paced myself with water and another two beers over the next four hours of dancing let's just say the pain I experienced the next day made me promise not to drink ever again.

So we're in line at a club on S. Peters looking to dance, and we see the gentleman above. I grin. He was obviously a VIP, so he went in while we had to wait in line. I would see him later in the club, but then would lose him. But as we were heading out for the night there he was right in my path.

This look, and I'll be posting others, always seems put together. These guys obviously had to think about their outfits. Their sneakers match their pants which matches their shirts AND there's sometimes a bit of bling. In short they look pulled together.

I still hesitate on approaching people, but it's amazing how a few drinks and a camera will give you a boost of confidence. It was loud in the club, so I didn't get to chat him up. I wanted to step outside, but he said, let's do it here (my silly self wanted to giggle and say, oh shucks, not in front of all these people).

BU girls in dresses....Commonwealth Avenue, Boston

A walk through Boston University

Boston University is creating the first dictionary for American Sign Language, they have WBUR, they have the only Jamba Juice stand I know of outside of NYC and they have Martin.

It reached about 80 degrees yesterday, and so I decided to take a walk up Comm. Ave. Without any destination in mind, my walk brings me to a bench near the river by the Law Library. No one is wearing anything interesting, but I’m operating on the How to Find Parking in Boston Strategy. You’re more likely to find a spot by staying put rather than driving around and around. About fifteen minutes later, I turn my head to enjoy the sun and there is Martin walking out of the Law Library. I grin and approach him. We talk of fashion, of the brouhaha on the Sartorialist regarding the first possible Sart makeover and we talk of his personal style.

He describes this look as European beach meets the Lower East Side. The sandals are Gucci and his favorite.

Bright flowers....Commonwealth Ave, Kenmore Square

John in Harvard Square...Cambridge

Snapshots of NOLA after Katrina

You can’t go to New Orleans, or NOLA as some friends refer to it, without thinking or talking about Hurricane Katrina. The hurricane’s presence is everywhere from the horizontal clay colored water stripe on the highway walls to indicate the 7 feet of water stewed the city for weeks, to the house shells that continue to litter the Lower Ninth Ward.

I particularly enjoy Boston in the early mornings when the city hums with a quiet energy. By 8:30 the city teems with people. In NOLA, you keep waiting for the crowd, but the crowd doesn’t come. There’s a ghost like quality to walking around the French Quarter or the Garden District. The New Orleans Index estimates that about 71.5 percent of the preKatrina population has moved back into the city. The levee walls that now protect the Lower Ninth Ward aren't guaranteed to protect the area against another category 5 hurricane such as Katrina.

Joy on Chartres Street....New Orleans, LA

More plaid...Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA

So often, guys in plaid come across looking like a lumberjack. So guys if you're going to wear plaid, do so with a large dose of attitude. Rik's glasses really change the whole look. I'm in the process of shopping for glasses and his are a great inspiration. I should mention that Rik is no stranger to fashion. He's an integral part of Sanchez Studio, a science and technology inspired clothing and design company.

Stand out in plaid....Decatur Street, New Orleans

After three hours of walking around the French Quarter, I spied Elizabeth across the street from Cafe du Monde. When she turned around I was taken aback. The dress is so young and fun, but her eyes. Holy moly. Imagine eyes the color of wet grass. Stunning.

Elizabeth's an student studying architecture. She is a bartender on the side.

A sunny outlook...Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA

Tricia is visiting New Orleans from San Francisco. Her rafia and patent leather flats are from BCBG and her jeans from H&M. Here is a closeup of her shoes.

More yellow....Church Street, Cambridge, MA

An undergrad at Harvard, Julie describes her style as southern meets preppy.

Who you callin' yella...Mass. Ave, Cambridge, MA

Anika owns Salon Impressions in Cambridge. When I'm not in braids, she's the one responsible for making me look purty.

Still in New Orleans...Royal Street

I really dig Yokiko's scarf. I would have kept such a scarf for a night on the town, but I like how she wears it during the day.

April in New Orleans....The Sheraton on Canal Street

I'm at a conference in the Big Easy. I spied April at the Starbucks in the lobby of the Sheraton as I desperately needed fuel in the morning. I would later run into her around 3:00 PM as I exited a session. She's studying sociology at the University of Texas in Austin.

In New Orleans...Toulouse Street

Elizabeth is attending the International Association of Culinary Professionals. That dress makes her legs look so long.

Elizabeth and her friend were on their ways to Stella's a new restaurant on Chartres. When I'm in a new town it's all about the food for me. I case out the newest chefs, and the best restaurants that I can afford. I have it in mind to go to Restaurant August and Cochon while I'm here. I'll let you know how it goes.

On the way to work...King Street, Dorchester

This shot was taking early in the morning, around 7:15, I think, as I was heading to work. I spied Regine, and stopped the car abruptly to take her picture. Looking at this picture now, I wished I had taken one from the side. She has great legs.

Regine is a law student who is on her way to her internship. You can't tell from here, but the shoes are a gray suede wedge.

Hugh in a suit...Church Street, Cambridge

Monica in aviators....Dunster Street, Cambridge

I got a pair of aviators from the Army Navy Store on Newbury. They were cheap and they add that je ne sais quoi to any ensemble I throw together. I like Monica's layering. See, Boston, you can look cute and warm at the same time.

Easy outfit....Center Street, Jamaica Plain

Casual yet pulled together.

In a black mood..Gloucester Street, Boston

The shoes and the upturned collar give the outfit a little kick.

In the Mood for Love

I first saw In the Mood for Love by Wong Kar-Wai during a semester long class on Asian film in the spring of 2000. I’ve since seen it as many times as I’ve seen The Matrix. Since I haven’t seen In the Mood in about two years, friends and I went to a free screening at the Harvard Film Archive this week. The setting for the film is 1962 Taiwan. The cinematography is a feast for the sense of sight. Maggie Cheung’s character wears a collection of cheongsam dresses that are simply sublime. Tony Leung’s character himself wears his suit with a careless elegance that is just yummy.

In the Mood strongly affected my decision to take sewing classes. I have grown a fondness of dresses, and spent quite a bit of the warm months in them. My friend Betty is a much better seamstress than me…maybe I can nudge her into copying one of the cheongsam dresses for me.

This is the best pictures I could find to display the cheongsam dresses. Tony Leung is really dreamy in a suit **heavy sigh**.

A strong Marc on the street...still on Newbury

Marc's companion wasn't surprised I asked to take his picture. She says their friends expect him to be well dressed since he always is. He says he wears his Red Sox cap once in a while. She scoffed replying that he wore the Red Sox cap like, once in three years.

Don't forget that you can double click on a picture to see it in greater details. The leather of his shoes look oh-so buttery. I didn't ask where they came from, but his scarf is from Istanbul. You'd think the pattern of the shirt and scarf wouldn't work, but because they are in the same color family, it all works beautifully.

Feel blue on a rainy day...Cambridge

It usually works like this. I see a flash of something, usually fabric, a smile, or attitude that catches my attention. Once my senses are tickled I usually gasp or say, ooh. In the case of Peter, it was a rainy day, I’m heading to the gym (after much procrastination, I might add) when I see this tall figure walking 30 feet ahead of me. I start running, my heavy shoulder bag jostles uncomfortably against my side. When I get close enough, I call out. He’s surprised. I flash my pearlies, tell him how good he looks then explain the concept behind BBC. He’s skeptical, but I’m charming so everything works out.

Peter is a master’s student at the Kennedy School of Government. The blue is striking against his skin.

Signature style...Newbury Street, Boston

J.D.’s hats are his signature look. He apparently has quite a collection. The pop of color in this case is a nice surprise and works so well with his skin tone.

From Pittsburgh to Boston...Newbury

Originally from Pittsburgh, Kate is a sophomore at BU studying archeology and art history.

Tweed it out...Newbury Street, Boston

Lamar is a manager at FCUK on Newbury. He was coming into the store from getting lunch when I approached him. After his close-up with moi, I went into the store where Kerry and Noni graciously helped me purchase a Japanese inspired top and necklace. In general the girls of FCUK on Newbury are always extremely resourceful and kind.

On the T...Park Street

Ties again...still in Cambridge

Meet James and his cool shades. I was walking to work this morning when I had to quickly say goodbye to my companion to get to James.

Unless they are in business or at a formal occasion, men very seldom wear ties these days. Call me a sucker, but a man in a tie makes me want to whistle. There is something sexy about a man who wears a suit effortlessly.

All about London....Cambridge

Jenny used to live in London which could explain her comfort with color. Her shoes are from Whistles (one of my fav stores there).

Targets for spring

Score of the month: You can find great items at Target for not very much money. Paired well you'll fool the most well-versed Fashionista. ***I do not necessarily advocate you pair the dress and bag together.
Both items are Isaac Mizrahi for Target
Dress: Toile print $39.99
Bag: Denim and white bag $39.99

Animal Love.....Flour, Boston