Where oh where do I start? The film, Bright Star, was so moving and beautiful and inspiring that it’s hard to know what to talk about first. Should I touch on the impeccable costumes, the devastating romance, or the amazing cinematography? The film follows the romance between poet John Keats (played by Ben Whishaw, whom I now have a big crush on) and Fannie (Abbie Cornish). Their love is ill-fated from the get-go. Keats is a poor poet who can in no way support a wife financially, but this knowledge doesn’t seem to affect their long, intimate walks through the woods arm-in-arm and their ultimately falling in love.

Keep reading about Bright Star!

The film was written and directed by Jane Campion, who also directed The Piano, which won three Oscars. Campion was inspired by Andrew Motion’s biography of Keats, which I would really like to pick up and read now. But I was most intrigued by the character of Fannie, who acted as muse for a romantic poetic that would go down in history as a literary star. The film highlights Fanny’s love for fashion as she sews her own clothes, as though designing dresses were therapy for her love-sick heart. And boy, was I inspired by the clothes! Although it might be hard to find a place in a modern wardrobe for a huge, lacy collar or a stovepipe hat, there are definitely aspects of early 19th century style that are possible to emulate. I’ve picked a few ModCloth pieces that I think fit the bill for channeling Fanny.

(Image Above: Matador Bolero, Calypso Skirt (we’ll get more of these in stock in Dec.), Legend Boots in Honeythorn, Edna St. Vincent Mil-lace Blouse)

If this movie is playing in your area, grab a couple friends and head out to see it. But be warned – it is definitely depressing! Bring tissues and get ready for a drink afterward.

I’ve been anticipating seeing the French film, Coco Before Chanel, for months now, so I was very excited when my coworker, Aire, told me it was finally coming to a theater in Pittsburgh. If you haven’t heard of the film yet, it follows the life of Coco Chanel before she became well-known – from her humble beginning as an orphan to her rise as a designer. The film was the perfect mix of romance, glamor, and intrigue. I wasn’t even so much concerned with whether the facts were straight (I guess Chanel was known for telling many conflicting stories about her life) as I was with enjoying the rich images of French mansions and lovely dances.

Keep reading for more about Coco Before Chanel!

Chanel was played by Audrey Tautou who seemed the perfect fit for the part, with her emotion-filled dark brown eyes and adorable screen presence. She moved across the set ripping corsets out of dresses and removing feathers from hats, and we were able to see the transformation of her style as the film progressed.

I was really inspired by the costuming in the film, especially in some of the later scenes where her outfits more reflected the aesthetic we know and love as Chanel. Scenes where she strutted around in menswear made me want to wear a tuxedo shirt. In fact, every shot inspired me! So for this post I’ve picked a few items that reminded me of those Audrey wore in the film.

(Image Above: Shoe No. 5, Styled to a T Skirt, Should I Stay or Should I Bow, Sheer Madness Top)

If you haven’t seen this movie yet – go and see it, or if it’s not playing in your town, watch it when it comes out on DVD. I really loved it. I hope you do too!

I have been a fan of Demetri Martin for years- ever since my hubby and I saw his first stand-up special and scoured youtube for more of his clips. (Yes, we like to think we discovered him.) We faithfully tivo’d Important Things last season, and were excited to learn that it’s coming back next year. But I must say, Demetri Martin is even better in person.

Keep reading to hear more about our night with Demetri Martin!

Neal and I took a little drive to Cleveland to see him a few weeks ago. Demetri began the show by genuinely chatting with the audience and welcoming people who were arriving late. He made fun of some open seats with limited leg room in the front row, which became even funnier when the owners of those seats showed up!

I’ve always appreciated Demetri’s unique style. His jokes are smart, and he doesn’t resort to raunchy innuendos or fart jokes. In fact, almost every joke he told made me laugh out loud. It was delightful.

Demetri played a few songs on the piano, then moved to his signature large notepad, where he showed us graphs of statistics like: ‘the amount a man looks like Jesus’ on the x axis, and ‘the likelihood he has weed’ on the y axis.

He transitioned with one of my favorite lines of the night: “Most dogs don’t like Halloween as much as their owners think they do…” I am so guilty as charged. (see below)

(see above)

Demetri interviewed his left shoe, who made a few requests in a surprisingly deep voice, then later invited a fan to come play his guitar while he played harmonica.

All night, it seemed that Demetri was on top of his game, and I was in awe of his brilliance. To end the evening, he took requests from the audience for his old material- just like a rock star.

As Neal and I drove home, we uttered single words, like ‘birdhouses’ or ‘ladies,’ and both laughed. A good time was had by all.

Are you a Demetri fan? If you ever have the chance to see him live, do it!

(Image Above: hollygoddardjones.com)

By guest writer: Jennifer Luebbers

After graduating last May, I found myself beset by a predicament equal parts terrifying and thrilling. For the first time in a very long time, I was in charge of my own reading list. While I was at first hopelessly lost without the structure of a syllabus, it wasn’t long before  I realized I could read anything I wanted! And while I love most of the literature I’ve read for class deeply and reverently, I’ve always felt as though I had to rush to finish books – that I could never appreciate them as completely and intensely as they deserved. Now, the knowledge that I could let a book last as long and luxuriously as I wanted felt deliciously freeing.

“Girl Trouble,” a collection of short stories by Holly Goddard Jones, has most recently absorbed my complete attention.  Set in the small town of Roma, Kentucky, these eight stories in Jones’ debut collection (just released in September) are populated with complex, utterly human characters. In each story, Jones miraculously manages to treat the parents, children, and lovers forced to make difficult decisions with honesty, intelligence, and empathy. Two of the most powerful and haunting stories in the collection chronicle the rape and murder of a young woman – one is told from the point of view of the girl’s mother, while the other is told from the murderer’s point of view. Through these parallel, contradictory accounts, Jones manages to reveal the consciences of these intelligently-wrought characters through nuances and subtleties that blur the line between morality and immorality. Somehow, through loss and loneliness, Jones uses her resonant, rarely-paralleled prose to sustain a pervasive, redeeming hope.

Holly Goddard Jones was born and raised in western Kentucky and currently teaches in the MFA program in creative writing at UNC-Greensboro. Her work first appeared in the “New Stories from the South” in both 2007 and 2008, the “Best American Mystery Stories 2008,” and various literary journals. You can visit her website and blog here.

Even if you are currently up to your eyeballs in other required texts, make sure you put this book on your reading wish list. Happy Reading, ModLovers!

“And now, my drummer will start us off in the key of G.”

So said Dick Valentine, frontman for the Electric Six. And with those words, the band broke out into the driving chords of another song.

Last Wednesday night, October 13, the velvet burnout wallpaper of Pittsburgh’s Brillobox reverberated with rock. The Electric Six, an irreverent band from Detroit, took down the house with stellar songs and curious, quirky commentary. Opening with their set with the wildly fun “Gay Bar,” an upbeat, garage, disco, punk-steeped number, the band proceeded to play a fiery, fabulous show.  Following the opening number, the Electric Six, in the words of their lead singer, ‘took it directly to the hits.’ Between the cacophony of chords, Mr. Valentine entertained the audience with off-beat statements, often referencing local venues – “Back when I was a student at the Carnegie Mellon School of Robotics..,” or “That’s my drummer. He’s from Squirrel Hill, California. Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, California. Let’s take it directly to the hits.” Great for laughs and good for dancing, the band smashed through the show with vigor, verve, and vitality. One got the sense that Mr. Valentine – who carried the concert with his singing, exaggerated dancing, and amusingly sly sideways stares – and his band didn’t take themselves too seriously. This tongue and cheek approach made the concert excellently entertaining. Kudos to the Electric Six for a show more well done than ground meat that’s undergone a fire in a Taco Bell.

Read on to hear about the rest of the show.Also worth mentioning was the first opening band, The Hood Gang, seen below. Anyone who flails around in gold spandex shorts and wrestling belts, or seriously wears a nude body suit and abominable snowman-style boots gets an A+ for entertainment in my book.

The Electric Six will be making rounds in the US before heading to the UK. See their superbly hilarious videos, read their odd and amusing bio, or find tour dates on the band’s website.

(Image above: courtesy of DJ Gordy)

By ModCloth Writer Annie Morrison:

A few Saturdays ago I attended the final edition of Vipers Soul Club, a highly anticipated monthly party where DJs Gordy and Juddy spin the finest in rare and classic soul, motown, and R&B. The event, always hosted by Shadow Lounge in Pittsburgh’s East End, is infamous for handpicked vintage grooves and a “just dance” kind of vibe. It’s no surprise that the last Vipers Soul Club brought out the best I’ve seen in both music and crowd. Everyone seemed to be having one of those nights, a night where you don’t necessarily care how sweaty you are or how badly your feet hurt. All you care about is what’s really important – dancing to incredible 45s with your favorite friends, amongst a group of friendly, albeit intoxicated, strangers who are having just as much fun as you are!

Read on to learn more about this night of soul shaking, body moving, spirit exhilarating fun…

Large strips of colorful fabric traverse Shadow Lounge’s high ceiling like treetop canopies. Local art decorates the walls, some pieces an obvious homage to Pittsburgh native Andy Warhol, who probably would have attended Vipers Soul Club and approved of the fun party atmosphere. Underneath the muted yellow lights, a sea of people sprawl across the medium-sized dance floor and front stage, where the event’s two DJs are busting out everything from lesser-known hits of British mod soul groups to the body-shaking beats of Latin Boogaloo. The crowd is jovial, and from the instant I entered the room, I could tell everyone was having an amazing time. After paying your $5 entry fee, you were required to check social insecurities and embarrassment over cardiovascular dancing at the door. When asked about the typical VSC crowd, DJ Gordy Greenawalt replied, “It’s a nice mix. We get students from the local universities, older folks who were a part of the music in the 60s and 70s, and people who just want to dance. I like to think that a lot of people who come to our nights are genuinely interested in hearing a new sound.”

And indeed, a new sound is what they get! New in the sense that it’s retro, please pardon my oxymoron, and therefore unique in the Pittsburgh DJ night scene. Unlike many other regular Pittsburgh parties, the Vipers Soul Club DJs have always played records versus using the convenient technologies of an iPod. That being said, VSC has steered clear from Top 40 hits, hip hop, nostalgic 90s jams…basically anything made after 1970. And that’s what makes it so good, so refreshing, and ultimately, so well-received. Greenawalt said, “It’s exciting to see crowds dancing to something they’ve probably never heard before.” Some of my favorite tracks from VSC were “I Say, I Love You” by Johnny Watson, “There He Is” by Dream Team, and Gloria Grey’s “It’s A Sweet World.”

DJs Gordy and Juddy began Vipers Soul Club as an offshoot of Soulcialism, a similar soul-,Motown-, and blues-oriented event held in Pittsburgh’s South Side. After the venue for Soulcialism closed, Gordy and Juddy decided to bring something to the East End, and more specifically, to a hip little place called Shadow Lounge. Greenawalt said, “At Vipers, we tried to create the sound of sweaty juke joints and Chicago blues clubs, but continued to spin obscure and classic soul tunes for the dance floor. We also incorporated some gospel and jazz into our sets.”

Both Gordy and Juddy scoured their deep crates for the best, most dance inspiring tracks at the final Vipers Soul Club. What they produced was a last big hurrah to celebrate the overwhelming success of the event as a whole. The overzealous crowd responded accordingly, dancing as if this may not only be the last Vipers Soul Club, but the last dance night ever, kind of like a Footloose situation. As I navigated through the crowd to find my way to the bar, I was amazed by what I saw. Not a single unhappy face. Not a single awkward wall flower. Not one dramatic fight! It was truly awesome, in every sense of the word, and can only be attributed to the funky, boisterous music, which I believe dispersed an invisible gas that night, inducing a widespread euphoria in the energetic masses.

Even though what we know to be Vipers Soul Club is no more, don’t worry, readers – next up is Title Town, a night of “Northern Soul and R&B…with some funk and deep grooves,” said Greenawalt. DJs Gordy and J. Malls, of Pittsburgh’s The Big Throwback, will be hosting the party at Shadow Lounge starting October 24. If you’re in the area, be sure to check it out – I highly recommend it!

(Image Above: Fanpop.com)

By Guest ModLife Writer: Natalie Brova

If you’ve had the pleasure of watching Glee, Fox’s new musi-comedy, then you’re already as smitten by guidance counselor Emma Pillsbury’s stand-out style as I am. Quite frankly, I have no idea how her love interest, Mr. Schuester, is resisting that super cute clean freak gone chic! But just in case you haven’t had the pleasure of sussing out Emma’s stellar style, I’m here with a recap of the darling details of her playful yet professional look.

In episode one, we’re introduced to Emma (and her cleaning obsession) wearing one of her signature pieces – a stunning statement necklace. Though we see a few color variations of the accessory throughout the first few episodes, the round bead, multi-strand, flower-adorned accessory is part and parcel of Emma’s pulled-together panache. She also showcases several strands and styles of pearls, along with owl and flower brooches. I’ve been jonesing for my own notice-me necklace, and discovered a slew of ModCloth’s accessible accessories with a similar look like the Player Piano Necklace, Up Owl Night Necklace, and Hollywood Haberdashery Necklace. Miss Pillsbury’s beautiful baubles weren’t the only element of her ensembles that were stealing the show, however…

Keep reading to learn more about Emma’s great style!

(Image Above: gleeimages.com)

Any skepticism about her style icon status completely dissolved when my television screen was filled with a close-up shot of her show-stopping shoes. I almost wanted to pause the episode and press my nose up to the screen like a toddler at the window display of a toy store. Miss Pillsbury’s round-toed, ankle strap pumps were downright delicious in blocks of vivid yellow, metallic silver, and olive. I was dying to step out in some fab footwear of my own, so I copped a bit of Emma’s style in the Tramway Heels and Candy Corn Heels. But Emma’s cute composition wasn’t finished yet…

(Image Above: Fanpop.com)

Emma frequently rocks a marvelously monochromatic look that’s typically composed of four key pieces – pencil skirt, blouse, cardigan, and belt. Her style is always polished, with the blouse tucked in, pencil skirt perfectly tailored, and belt buckled up around her dainty waist. In episode three, Emma dons an enchanting coral ensemble featuring a bow-waisted skirt that’s a dead-ringer for the beautiful Bow-jito Skirt or Concerto Skirt! Now, I have the basic elements of Miss Pillsbury’s polished perfection, but what if I want to mix it up a bit? How does Emma retain her immaculate appearance while adding a little oomph?

While she never strays too far from her formula for fabulousness, when she does, the results are sweetly satisfying. We see Miss Pillsbury in a purple plaid jacket paired with a vivid violet sheath and suede tote in the pilot. In episode two, there’s a fabulous lime green top featuring a cream collar, buttoned placket, and contrasting stitching. Episode three brings us Emma in a floral, short sleeve sweater worn over a white collared blouse and pink skirt. For my take on tailored-posh, I’ll be matching up the Pop Tartan Jacket with the Bow-t Neck Dress, or perhaps the Shirley Jane Top, P.Y.T. Skirt, and Princess Ozma Cardigan! Oh, the options are endless. There are a plethora of pairings that will satiate your taste for darling yet daring looks!

(Image Above: gleeimages.com)

I also feel it must be noted that Emma’s potential paramour isn’t clueless when it comes to being chic. Mr. Schuester favors a hip professorial look that pairs cool ties against cardigans and button-front shirts. And who am I to discriminate which gender fashion inspiration comes from? I’m already imagining the lovely looks I can create in Schuester style with the Business Casual Necklace and Gold Tie Affair Necklace! I’ll just pop one of these adorable adornments under the Basic Cable Knit Cardi, add my fave jeans and flats, and I’ve got a menswear-inspired look that hits all the right notes.

I’m so anxious to see what else is inside the wonderful wardrobes these marvelous new fashion muses (not to mention – will they act upon their palpable chic chemistry?). Stay tuned for more ‘Glee-ful’ get-ups, because I have a feeling that I’ll be singing the praises of this chic show all season long!

Last weekend, I finally got a chance to see the film (500) Days of Summer! I’d been anticipating it ever since I’d found the trailer on IMDB some time ago while scouting for upcoming films featuring fashion-icon Zooey Deschanel . As I headed to the theater, I was anticipating loads of inspiring outfits, mushy love scenes, and pretty cinematography.  I was not disappointed! This film had all the gushy romance and eye candy I was looking for. Yay!

Continue reading to get the scoop on this latest Zooey movie.

The film is told in non-chronological scenes of Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel) and Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) as their romance unfolds. Although the story jumps from scene to scene, moving back and forth between the 500 days of their relationship, it’s surprisingly easy to follow! The whole time you’re (of course) wondering whether the boy gets the girl. Well, you’ll have to watch it to find out!

My main interest, however, was in what Zooey Deschanel was wearing. I was immediately struck by the neutral color palette of all her ensembles – lots of blues ranging from navy to aqua, baby blue to royal blue, paired with tan, grey, black, ivory, and white. After watching this movie, you’ll want to amp up your wardrobe with lots of Annie Hall inspired menswear pieces. This fall, get a staple vest, and wear it with a girly blouse and high-waisted trousers. Try wearing tights under shorts with a tucked in top and cute oxfords. Keep cozy in cardigans, wear classic school-girl style skirts and dress up your outfit with whimsical prints.

(Image Above: Jump start your new look with these pieces. Clockwise from top: Play the Odds Vest, Gibson Girl Blouse, Bibliophile Heels, Smokestack Shorts)

I have to say, this is the perfect date movie. I’d even go as far as to say it’s a chick flick for guys (and girls). In fact, I went to see the movie with three boys, and one of my boy-friends (not to be confused with my boyfriend) seemed a little teary-eyed as we left the theater. He remarked that,  “We’ve all gone through relationships like that before.” Ah, too cute!

What did you think of the movie?! Would you recommend it? What ModCloth items do you think Summer would wear?

(Image above: taken from FlightoftheConchords.com)

If you were one of the lucky ones who got tickets this spring to see Bret and Jemaine of Flight of the Conchords live, rocking out in their particularly adorable fashion, I can bet you’re still chuckling to yourself about it.  I caught a glimpse of our favorite “guitar-based digi-bongo a capella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo from New Zealand” at Kent State University’s MAC Center, just a short road trip from Pittsburgh.

Keep reading for a tale of dancing robots, talking mattresses and more…! We arrived right on time, and the gymnasium was packed with thousands.  I was totally jazzed that the ’special guest’ opening act was Kristen Schaal (a.k.a. Mel), but shocked to find she had started early! I guess the promptness was kind of funny in an ironic, a-real-rock-concert-would-never-start-on-time kind of way, but it made me a bit flustered. We were in bleacher-style seating, and our assigned seats were totally full. It was dark, hot, and I’m not going to lie – smelly. Luckily, we spotted a bleacher with a little room and squeezed ourselves into it. Once we finally got settled and I stopped fussing, we focused on the comedic genius that is Schaal. Her stand-up set was fresh, adorable, creative, and bizarre. She performed a one-act play starring a pot and wooden spoon, dressed up as a used mattress, and showed off her “Law and Order: SVU” audition piece wherein she shoved an entire chocolate cake into her mouth. I love her even more now, if that is possible.

As soon as she left the stage, the lights went down. Seconds later, Bret and Jemaine, dressed in fashionable, futuristic white suits entered the stage to lasers, smoke, and a throbbing synth-techno beat. They gyrated, grinded, and basically got down. It was a riot. The rest of the show was much more low key, as the duo took an ‘acoustic’ approach to their catalogue of songs. Sitting on bar stools for the duration of their 90-minute set, Bret and Jemaine established a very conversational, informal atmosphere. Their banter was amazing, highlighted by Bret’s request for a particular girl in the audience to join him on stage. He begged and pleaded, extended his hand to pull her up on stage, and when she grabbed it, he called Security on her. Priceless.

My favorite musical moment of the show had to be the rap throw-down between the Hiphopopotaums (Jemaine) vs. the Rhymenoceros, but I also loved “Mutha Uckas.” How could I not? Those silver-tongued devils love to turn a phrase, and I’m a girl who loves words. I was impressed to see fully-clad robots in the audience who sprung to life, robot-ing around during the extra-long version of “The Humans Are Dead.” It just goes to show how devoted FOTC fans really are. That’s why it’s so sad to consider a life without more Bret and Jemaine.  I know they’ve said that the series is over, but after seeing their truly entertaining live performance and their throngs of dedicated fans, I don’t really believe it.

Did you get to see FOTC on this tour? Leave a comment, and let us know what you thought…

(Image above: Hot Stones taken from MindBodySole.ca)

April was National Stress Awareness Month, so we would like to devote this ModReviews to the relaxing practice of massage.

Warning: Reading further may cause you to splurge. (It’s ok, though. You deserve it.)

Running is my go-to stress release. Nothing  turns around a bad day like putting on my ipod and exploring a new running route in the park. Now, as for training for a half-marathon or marathon, it turns out that can be more of a stress-inducer. Balancing work and play with rigid training schedules, the guilt of missed workouts, and that anxious week before the race tend to get a little nerve-racking. Pittsburgh recently reinstated their Pittsburgh Marathon after a six-year hiatus and I’ve spent the last three months training for the half. As an incentive to keep training hard and a reward to myself for all the work I had done so far, I decided to treat myself to my first massage!

I originally made an appointment for a sports massage, butI kept hearing horror stories that they could be very painful, similar to deep tissue massages. When I spoke to the massage therapist, she told me that the sports massage isn’t necessarily painful, but it is a lot of stretching, and it’s mostly done either right before or right after the big event. Since the half marathon was still a few weeks out on the horizon, I decided to go with a regular Swedish massage.

Massages are said to aid in pain relief, improve sleep and attention, reduce anxiety and depression, and even temporarily reduce blood pressue and heart rate! All of these are wonderful reasons for treating yourself to a massage, but come on–the best reason to get a massage is that it feels awesome. A full hour of somebody pushing on knots or rubbing sore muscles you didn’t even know existed, plus the pleasure of reaquainting yourself with the Enya catalogue, and the added surprise of hot towels around your feet makes for a pretty great sixty minutes.

I had trouble getting myself to relax initially; the therapist had to keep reminding me to put down my hand or leg; I must have been holding them out at rigidly at awkward angles. But once I shut my eyes and really tried to enjoy the massage, rather than feel self-concious or worry about whether she would be grossed out by my calloused runners’ feet, it was pretty wonderful. Maybe I’ll try the hot stone treatment once I start training for a marathon… Whadd’ya think, Molly?

(Alicia)

Alicia might be new to massage, but I’m an old pro. It’s a treat I give myself anytime I deserve it, and I usually deserve it once a month! It really helps keep my stress levels down, my thoughts grounded, my attitude about life positive.  I’m pretty much convinced (much to the dismay of my hubbie) that getting regular massages is essential to my well being.  I’ve developed a great relationship with my massage therapist Sarah at Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing, and when I told her I was writing a blog post about relaxation, she suggested I try hot stone massage. Apparently, it’s super-duper relaxing. I trust Sarah, so I made a hot stone appointment.

Hot stone massage is an ancient practice, often used in sweat lodge ceremonies in Native American culture. As the people were releasing their physical and spiritual impurities (ie. sweating) in the heated lodges, hot stones were placed on their bodies for added relaxation. They worked so well and became so important to the tribes that the stones were known as ‘grandfather stones.’ The stones are used to this day for similar relaxation purposes, as well as grounding and centering guidance.

Admittedly, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. There were the stones, of course, but they were in a huge roaster (like you use at Thanksgiving) full of hot water. The massage therapist explained to me that she would be using various types of oil that she actually pours down my body. Then, she will use the hot, drippy stones for the massage. Hot, soaking stones plus vast amounts of scented oil equals a mess. It was very, very messy. Throughout the massage, there were stones on my back, my tummy, between my toes, and under both of my hands. This was to assist me in ‘grounding’ myself and connecting my energy to the earth. I was skeptical, but I have to admit to feeling very, very calm…so calm, in fact that I swear I felt like I was floating at one point.

When I got up to leave, I felt dizzy, disconnected, and really spaced out – but not in a bad way. I think it was transitioning from total relaxation to the real world that made my head swim! The rest of the night, I was useless, and just laid on the couch watching Medium reruns. I would absolutely recommend hot stone massage as a way to focus your thoughts and relax your body, but I would also suggest you do it on a day that you don’t have anything else to do. And, don’t wear anything that you wouldn’t mind getting oily!