J.Crew - New Arrivals

Hi! Let's talk about J.Crew. 

I was thinking about blogging again for the past few weeks, then I got the email from J.Crew with this paisley suit thing in it and I decided that I needed to talk about how much I love it on the Internet. So here I am.

Ms. Lyons wore the same fabulous paisley thing back in November. Of course it's her own.

TOP  PANT

I've always loved the idea of the jean jacket, but I feel a little frumpy when I wear them - punk princesses pull them off flawlessly, but I have no trouble admitting that I am far from punk. The new quilted jean jacket looks much more feminine with its trim and big buttons. Its fit reminds me of the classic Chanel tweed jacket. 

And aren't those Liberty toothpick jeans fun? The oxford shirts featuring the Liberty designs were getting pretty boring, so it pleases me to see a different garment with this beautiful print!

JACKET  DENIM

More great styling with the quilted jacket. Glad to see denim-on-denim sticking around - and named something other than "Canadian tuxedo." 

Every chic gal loves some stripes. I'm crazy about this mixing. The skirt hits the knee perfectly, just in time for spring!

TOP  SKIRT

I've been hunting for some great navy flats. Great touch of beige on the back and ankle strap!

SHOES

-sigh- Not another Blythe blouse. Polka dots this time? I'm only upset because it's simply too much cute. 

TOP

Obvious New Year's Resolution: become more frequent with this blogging. The only way to do it is to do it!

All images borrowed from J.Crew and the J.Crew Tumblr. 

A Very Warm October

October is usually one of my favorite months and it is certainly in full swing. However, sunny Florida is not bringing me the chilly weather I am wishing for - I am daydreaming of sweaters, tights, pumpkin loaf, and being able to go outside without burning up! It is a steamy 88 degrees in Neptune Beach today. Ick.

When I'm not complaining about the weather, I'm actually doing fun/interesting/productive things. My classes are still great! I've gotten a bad case of migraines under control for the most part, which is increasing my productivity.

I'm in love with a book we're reading in my Adolescent Literature class. It's called Weetzie Bat. I wish I would have read it when I was 13. Francesca Lia Block encompasses all the enchanting elements of fairy tale and twists them by addressing substance abuse, sexuality, pregnancy, and all that realistic jazz. The author is not condoning this sort of behavior, but she certainly isn't saying that it is improper. I think she addressed these issues in the best sort of way. This would be a great book for parents to read with their children, especially with daughters - but often, that's a lot to ask.

If anyone is familar with Weetzie Bat already, I'm sure you would enjoy watching some neat videos! Francesca Lia Block adapted the novel into a screenplay a few years ago and did a reading of that screenplay at a bookstore in Los Angeles (which happens to be the same bookstore where my best friend currently works). It is broken into three parts, so I've posted part one below. Find the rest on The YouTube! One of my professors thinks it's called "The YouTube" and I think it's precious.

For American Poetry, or "No Man's Land" as I referred to in my last post, I have a recitation assignment approaching. I have chosen to commit a Gertrude Stein poem to memory - a difficult task, considering the chaos within her poems! I chose her poem "Book" from Tender Buttons: Objects, Food, Rooms. My intention is to transform this intriguing poem into a song on my ukulele. The assignment is due in two days. We'll see what I can whip together!

If you've never heard Gertrude Stein read her work, you simply must. Here is a recording of her reading a "portrait" she created of Picasso. Picasso took the same approach as a cubist painter as Stein did as a cubsit poet! Fascinating! 

In my spare time, I've been reading Sheila Heti's How Should a Person Be? and it's messing with my head - in a good way. Really, every young woman needs to read this book, and I'm not just saying that. I don't want to waste any young woman's time because I know we're very busy, but, if anything, just take the time to read this excerpt from the novel: it's the prologue and the ideas in it are incredibly well-articulated. I hope you get as much out of it as I did.

Recent Instagrammy things:

OH, AND "FRIEND CRUSH" BY: FRIENDS IS MY FAVORITE JAM RIGHT NOW:

I am off to grab Al's Pizza with some pals, which is basically what I do every night. I will enjoy a slice for all of you. 

Scholiast

scho·li·ast - noun - an ancient commentator on the classics.

I've grown to identify with this term recently, hence my absence from my so-called intentions for good blogging habits. School has taken over my life and I couldn't be happier about it. I'm taking six classes this semester and I must say that I am enjoying all six of them!

My favorite class is American Poetry with Dr. Clark Lunberry. He has transformed the broad topic into something called "No Man's Land," meaning that we are focusing on female poets entirely. So far, we've studied the works of Emily Dickinson, Gertrude Stein, Denise Levertov, Barbara Guest, Hilda Morley, Rosmarie Waldrop (my favorite of the bunch), and Susan Howe. 

Perhaps these ladies aren't technically considered "classic" poets, but I've certainly been commenting on them, so I like to consider myself a "scholiast." It's a much nicer sounding identity than "English major," isn't it?

I haven't been blogging, but I have been an avid Instagram-er. Here are some shots of my "scholia:"

follow me on Instagram: @hurleywinkler

Instagram: 08/01 to 08/08

Smoothies: one of the few ways I can get Alexander to consume fresh fruit.

He loves them so much that he always drinks them too fast and thus contracts a brainfreeze.

My pen pal, Zachary, came to visit me in Neptune Beach before he moved to Austin, TX!

We grabbed a margherita pizza at Al's.

I saw The Beasts of the Southern Wild at Sun-Ray Cinema over the weekend!

I'd recommend it to anyone. Definitely a new favorite.

I baked some peach cobbler scones for Alexander's family.

They looked so pretty and tasted great!

Tuesday was my last day of work at J.Crew.

I'll miss being surrounded by nice sweaters, but it's time to devote everything to school.

Yesterday was super rainy!

This called for my favorite new sweater, hazelnut coffee, letter-writing, and Joni Mitchell.

My handsome math nerd.

Dad

My dad was adopted when he was young, just like me.

He was born in Taipei, Taiwan as Chuang Young Shon and became an orphan at a very young age. He was taken into the Gladys Aylward Orphanage by missionaries. He was a sick kid: pneumonia was a scary part of his little life. Tabitha Winkler was in Taipei with her husband, Norman Winkler, and her three daughters when she visited the orphanage. She instantly loved this little boy and wanted to take him home with her. She wanted him to be free of his illness and of his life as an orphan. Above is the passport he was given to come to America with the Winklers. He was naturalized in Hawaii. They named him Gregory Frank.

My dad's story blows my mind. He is truly an American.

Instagram: 07/26 to 07/31

I really like mascara.

Made the most refreshing strawberry-peach smoothie, complete with a daisy glass and a honeycomb straw.

The first sign of fall: school supply shopping!

I was tempted to buy all the Joseph Conrad books at Chamblin's the other day.

Grabbed lunch with dad at Panda Express last week!

The US Postal Service recently released a line of Cherry Blossom Centennial stamps. 

Aren't they lovely?

Mom and I grabbed dinner at European Street before a night at the theatre.

Received the latest letter from Laura on Thursday!

Successfully saved money by making Easy Mac in a dainty little mug at work. 

Gave notice on Wednesday so I can have more time for schoolwork. 

Counting down the days until my crappy retail job is over!

Follow me on Instagram: @hurleywinkler

Chamblin's Date

My favorite bookstore in Jacksonville is Chamblin's Uptown. I love to take a little jaunt downtown every now and then for some delicious coffee, food, and books! Alexander joined me this time. I had a Turkey Croissant and purchased the Ursula K. Le Guin novel that has been recommended to me so many times.

Here are some shots from our lovely day!