Reaching for the Moon

Mad Women Style

2010-10-17T20:16:00.008-04:00

Okay, so I haven't posted in ages. Sorry I have been so uninspired. I hope to post more frequently sorry lovely followers. So onto something that always inspires me, Mad Men. The Mad Men finale is tonight so to celebrate and mourn the ending of another great season here are my modern picks for some Mad Women styling.

For Dr. Faye, the new Mad Woman I would choose this bright and sophisticated dress paired with a strand of pearls and confidence.

For my favorite Mad Woman, Joan, I would choose this gorgeous jewel toned dress paired with pumps, a broach and a silver haired gentleman.

For everyones favorite love to hate character, Betty, I would choose this floral frock paired with pearls and a disapproving look.

For the career woman and Don's new confidant, Peggy, I choose this grey number, just watch the red lipstick on your teeth.

All dresses via ModCloth images via Tom and Lorenzo

Fall Wedding Attire

2010-08-18T15:39:00.004-04:00

My cousin is getting married the first week in October. The wedding is pretty casual since it's his second wedding, the ceremony is at a small chapel by the sea and the reception is at a local veterans hall. I've been trying to think of what to wear but all my dresses seem much too summery for an October occasion. I don't have a lot of money right now either so I'm trying to think frugally. Today I saw this lovely skirt on ModCloth and thought it would be just perfect.

Have a Berry Blast Skirt ModCloth

I already own a pretty black flutter sleeve top similar to this one but more fitted and has black beaded appliques on the shoulders.

And I'm thinking of finishing off the outfit with a pair of fun heels like these.

Moda Spana Chase Pumps DSW

Audrey Brooke Kari Pumps DSW

What do you guys think? I'm not sure it might be too "night time". Any suggestions of what to wear to a fall wedding?

A Single Man's Home

2010-07-20T16:53:00.003-04:00

While watching A Single Man, being the architectural buff I am, I eyed the gorgeous house George called home. After a little googling I found out the home is by John Lautner and it just happens to be for sale (or recently not sure if it sold yet?). The home is very Frank Lloyd Wright-esqe (Lautner was his appreciate) and is just beautiful. Can I move in?

All images via Mossler & Doe

A Single Man

2010-07-19T14:02:00.009-04:00

This weekend I finally caught up with the rest of the world and saw A Single Man. The movie starring Colin Firth follows the day after Firth's character, George, loses his partner of over 16 years. The movie is stream of consciousness thats allows the viewers to understand George's pain and moments of clarity.

A Single Man is Tom Ford's directoral debut but it feels like Ford has been directing for years, as every screen shot is like a spread in Vogue. Ford's attention to detail and composition makes the movie not only emotionally moving but physically.

Firth reminded me why he continues to enchant me. Every character he plays is complex and layered thanks to his subtle facial expressions and commitment to the characters. Firth's George is heartbreakingly sad but he excels when he shows his few moments of absolute clarity and joy.

The soundtrack is just another lovely layer to this film. The set of wonderful scores, mixed with 60s charms like Etta James and a hit of opera lifts the film up to a level of perfection.

I highly recommend watching A Single Man and falling in love with its nuances.

Click * for image sources

Sunny San Francisco

2010-07-09T10:55:00.006-04:00

Our last stop on our journey was San Francisco.

We spent some time at the Ferry Building, which was just an architectural wonder, the building holds farmers markets and tons of amazing restaurants.

We of course did the Alcatraz tour but we decided to do the "night" tour, which was basically a sunset tour, but it was better because there were smaller crowds and gorgeous views.

We also saw the famous painted ladies, walked around the Haight district, did tons of shopping/browsing, and went the the Academy of Sciences (which I previously posted about here). The sea lions also made an appearance once again on this trip and were very vocal but lazy.

We rode a streetcar and saw the crookiest street, which became my favorite because of all of the hydrangeas.

I was once again lax in my picture taking so although we did a lot more this is all I have to show. The trip was a blast and San Francisco was so much fun!

Smoozing and Boozing in Sonoma

2010-07-02T10:00:00.000-04:00

After the Redwoods it was definitely nice to head to wine country and have something more city than country/forest. Sonoma was just breathtaking. We started by walking around downtown Sonoma, filled with shops, restaurants and almost every store offering a wine tasting or selling something wine related.

After eating our packed lunch in the park, this day we should have just picked one of the yummie looking restaurants but we already had bought a lunch so we didn't want to waste it, we headed to a few wineries to look around and do some tastings.

Sonoma was a lot of fun but I think it would have been nice to spend another day there. Also I was a terrible picture taker there. Next up our last stop San Francisco..

Images of downtown via google

Currently Craving..

2010-06-30T14:34:00.003-04:00

Besides a job I am currently craving all things that scream summer including popsicles, watermelon, outdoor movies and Iggy's doughboys eaten at the beach. These are a few materialistic things I have been craving this summer..

a pair of fabulous heeled sandals like these from Nine West..

another pair of these perfect length linen shorts from Gap..

a perfect straw hat to protect your face from the sun like this one from JCrew..

a statement necklace with uber pretty enameled beads like this one from Forever 21 ..

and this perfectly pink dress from ModCloth.

Ridiculously Big Redwoods

2010-06-30T10:57:00.004-04:00

After our amazing day in Florence we drove to Crescent City, CA which is right outside the Redwood National Park. We started our day by going to an information center where a national park ranger highlighted good routes in the park for us to see, this was really helpful considering the extent of the national park.

We decided to first drive through this section of the park that was mostly a narrow dirt road with many hiking trails off of it. Here we saw so many amazing trees and just a completely different forrest than we are used to back East.

Thankfully we packed a picnic this day which was a great choice because there weren't many places to stop for food as we made our way through the national park and coast.

After lunch we came to this amazing hiking spot that was really foggy. At first we were a little disappointed that it was overcast but it made the forrest so incredibly beautiful.

The Redwood National Park was just amazing and I recommend it to anyone and everyone! Next up wine country!

Fun in Florence

2010-06-25T11:50:00.007-04:00

After driving for a few hours we arrived in Florence, OR right on the coast. It is a really cute little town with tons of shops with items crafted by artists from the area (we found it strange because every shop told us this and how many artists live in the area?). The people were uber friendly, I swear every shop we went in we were asked our whole life story, but it was pretty cool because some people knew Boston and Rhode Island and talked about spots around us.

Just 12 miles outside Florence is the Sea Lion Caves, one of the main reasons we wanted to go to Florence.

The Sea Lion Caves are completely natural and the business does not interact with the sea lions at all so it is just super cool to look into their little hide out. The walk down to the cave was beautiful with great views of the coast and Heceta Head Lighthouse.

The cave itself was so awesome, but really smelly and loud, those sea lions sure make a racket. It was hard to take good pictures since you couldn't use flash but it was just an awesome experience. The guide down in the cave told us all about the different sea lion's personalities and her names for them, she spends five to six days a week down there so she names the ones with big personalities.

On the other side of the cave was the old staircase you used to use to get to the cave (now there is a fancy elevator) here were some amazing views of the lighthouse and the coast.

After the sea lions we decided to visit the lighthouse. The walk to the lighthouse was just beautiful with panoramic views and the sound of the water on the rocks. Once you got to the lighthouse there were more gorgeous views. We also got to climb to the top of the lighthouse and the view was just perfect.

After the lighthouse we grabbed lunch, nothing special but it was good and then walked around town looking in shops. After our shopping we decided to leave Florence and drive towards Crescent City which is where we wanted to stay so then we could do the Redwoods National Park. The drive down the coast was just beautiful, we even found this cool beach filled with drift wood, I had never seen so much drift wood it was incredible.

Stay tuned..Monday..Redwood National Park

a.k.a some really BIG trees!

Pouring in Portland

2010-06-24T11:00:00.000-04:00

After having an amazing time in Seattle we picked up our rental car and drove to Portland. We arrived in Portland around dinner time and had wonderful gourmet pizza at Pizzicato Pizza on NW 23rd Ave. We sat outside and people watched while eating an amazing pizza with parmesan sauce, snap peas, prosciutto, and caramelized onions (I should have taken a picture it was delicious!). We then did a little shopping around the area

The next morning we woke up and opened the curtain to our hotel room to see rain, biblical rain, and here I thought Seattle was the rainy city?! Although the rain put a damper on our plans we went back to the same area so see some of the shops that were closed the night before, we first stopped at Portland Bagel Company for breakfast. I had an amazing chai latte and a parmesan and herb bagel with veggie cream cheese, it was superb I'm dying just thinking about how good it was and how I can't have it. After eating we went around to the shops but us stupid east coasters realized none of the shops opened til 11am on a Sunday (here on the east coast its usually more like 10am) since it was only 9.30am we decided to go for a drive and see if we could find something dry to do.

We ended up in Washington Park which was just beautiful even in the rain. We went to the Japanese garden which was just breathtaking. My cousin married a girl from Japan and I wished they could have taken their wedding pictures there because it was just amazing.

After the Japanese garden we stopped at the Rose Garden but let me tell you after the Japanese Garden we just weren't impressed, I mean it was beautiful but it just didn't compare. After the Rose Garden we decided to leave Portland because it was raining even harder and we didn't feel like dealing with rain management anymore.

So we left early and drove to Florence OR, see what we did there next...

Somewhere

2010-06-23T12:00:00.001-04:00

Last night I finally watched Lost in Translation! Okay yes I'm seven years late but back in 2003 I wasn't my full-blown-film-aficionado-self yet.

Sofia Coppola's ode to loneliness was done so simplistic, it was moving beyond words. I teared up thinking about it at the end (because I'm a uber geek).

Scarlett Johansson was marvelous in a simply elegant way. Bill Murray though was surprisingly shockingly magnificent! He was so good in this, maybe it is just because I have only really seen him in Ghostbusters.

Sofia's new movie Somewhere's trailer was recently released and it just looks like another masterpiece. Elle Fanning (that's Dakota's little sis, talent must run in the family) is also in it which makes me want to see it even more because she was just sublime in Phoebe in Wonderland!

Check out the trailer here.

What do you all think? Are you going to see it? If you saw Lost in Translation what did you think?

All images via tumblr search

Hello Seattle!

2010-06-22T10:00:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago I left on what I call "My Great Western Adventure". My aunt and I flew to Seattle and from there drove down the coast making our final stop in San Francisco and flying home from there. I wanted to share with you my trip and some of the lovely things about all the places I got to visit so today: Seattle!

The first stop in Seattle was Pikes Place! The ultimate tourist trap, but hey! It was so much fun so many craft tables and tables and table of freshly picked flowers!

We also did the underground tour, which was a blast. The tour is a walking tour underneath Seattle's sidewalks, seeing the passageways that were once the streets and first floor storefronts. It was really cool and super interesting.

Skylight

Of course we went to the top of the space needle.

We had amazing food at Five Spot after climbing a massive hill. But the hill was worth it the food was fantastic! We had the fried green tomatoes, I had the Top of the Hill Tostado.

Before we left we did the Tour the Ducks! which you take these WWII cars/boats for a tour around Seattle. The tour was fun and there was tons of music and dancing but there was not enough info in my opinion. The coolest part was when we went into Lake Union and got to see the city and all the house barges. I want one!

Next: Portland!

Favorite Spaces: Edition Five

2010-06-21T12:00:00.000-04:00

Phillips Exeter Academy's Library by Louis Kahn

Exeter NH

This is hands down my favorite space I have ever had the honor to step foot in. Louis Kahn is an architectural genius and I hope to some day step foot in more of his buildings.

Louis Kahn designed the library for Phillips Exeter Academy in 1972. The library is a typical of Kahn's monolithic architecture. Kahn loved two things beside architecture; books and school, he felt those two things to be sacred. Books were Kahn's most treasured possessions and his library showcases that love. Kahn not only created a space that houses books but houses the people that read these books.

"The book is an offering...The library tells you of this offering."

Louis Kahn

While standing in this space I just felt awe. There was something ethereal and moving about the space. Wondering through the space I found little spaces of seclusion although the building has many vast rooms. I can't even put into words how amazing this space is to me. Louis Kahn is my favorite architect and this building just shows his attention to detail and light.

I found this amazing video while looking for images for this post and it is just incredible. It really gives you the feeling of the space and the gorgeous flittering of light through it.

Kahn's Exeter Short Film from Alex Roman on Vimeo.

All images via Google

Never Let Me Go

2010-06-18T09:00:00.000-04:00

Thanks to having IMDB (Internet Movie Data Base) as my homepage watching new movie trailers are a normal part of my week. Yesterday I watched the trailer for Never Let Me Go starring Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley and Sally Hawkins (from Happy Go Lucky-add this to your Netflix queue).

The movie is based on the book by Kazuo Ishiguro and was a best seller. I have never heard of the book but after seeing this trailer I have to read it. The whole story just sounds amazing and mind numbingly interesting. Check out the trailer here.

Have you read the book?

Let me know if you have and how you liked it.

Who else wants to see it?

Favorite Spaces: Edition Four

2010-06-17T12:00:00.000-04:00

California Academy of Sciences by Renzo Piano

San Francisco, CA

This is a new space to add to my list of favorites. I just got back from a western adventure trip on Sunday and San Francisco was our last stop. While there we visited the California Academy of Sciences by Renzo Piano.

The museum is said to be the "greenest" or most sustainable one in the world. The museum hosts a planetarium, a four rain forest, penguins, sting rays, coral reef, and a living roof.

The museum itself is just fabulous and fun but the building itself is just magnificent. The windows, bubbling roof, two global spheres and the concrete is just music to your eyes.

I would definitely recommend hitting the California Academy of Sciences while in San Francisco, even kids will love it and adults will and if you are an architecture fan it is a must see.

Images via me and google

My French Girl Crush

2010-06-15T23:41:00.004-04:00

I think if you have been reading my blog for a bit you may realize that I have a bit (and by a bit I mean a HUGE) girl crush on Marion Cotillard. Ever since I saw her in La vie en rose I have been enchanted by her. Then came the Dior ads and multiple other movie that made me wish I was as chic as she is.

Marion is the cover girl of July's issue of Vouge. Such a fantastic choice. It is just a host of images that make you want to walk off a steep cliff because you know you will never be as beautiful as she.

The article is online, I'm not sure if there is more in the magazine but I'll find out as I will probably scoop it up next time I see it. In the article you learn more about how cool Ms. Cotillard is besides being gorgeous, she is a huge eco-warrior (knowing which melons cost more to import), wears a uniform of men's hats and white baggy t-shirts, and sends handwritten thank you notes for every bouquet of flowers she receives.

The images are already my wallpaper. I suggest you do a makeover of your computer's wallpaper as well and watch a few of her movies. Marion is the epitome of trés chic!

All imgaes via Vouge

The Young Victoria

2010-05-31T00:24:00.004-04:00

After waiting what seemed like a century to see The Young Victoria I finally got to watch it last night. It was just perfection. There were so many good movies this award season it is fantastic to be able to see them slowly as they come out on DVD. Young Victoria was just a delight.

The movie tells the story of Queen Victoria as she rises to the throne and the beginnings of her relationship with Prince Albert. Not knowing much about Queen Victoria's reign or life this was a great insight into a wonderful woman.

The film's cinematography is to be envied, every screen shot is to be savored. There is this wonderful repeating element of mirrors throughout the film. The characters are either moving in front of them with the mirrors behind or they are directly looking into the mirrors, examining their inner and outer beauty.

The costumes are a major character in the film and just highlight the richness and drama of the feature. The characters come alive and become more real with them. Between the costumes and sets I just wanted to live in the film for a few days.

Emily Blunt was just fantastic as the Queen. Having only seeing her in a few modern movies it was great to see her relish in a costume drama. Queen Victoria seemed like such a modern strong woman in time where she was not respected.

If you are a fan of costume dramas or perfectly romantic movie you should definitely check out The Young Victoria.

An Education on Perfection

2010-05-16T23:18:00.005-04:00

After waiting for months to see An Education, I finally got to see it tonight. After seeing it I wish I had seen it earlier so that I could have watched it and savored it fifteen times by now.

An Education was a film that should be seen without interruption, while eating crepes and sipping champagne.

As I am obsessed with all things vintage especially the 50s and 60s this was a showcase of all things "Meaghan". The set and costume design is to be envied, after watching I wanted to be transported into the wardrobe of Jenny and live in her home and visit the places she did.

The writing is just superb. The characters are layered, smart and engaging. The dialogue makes you wish you had those smart and quick things to say.

The soundtrack fits so perfectly well with the rest of the beautiful masterpiece of a film it calls for immediate download.

After only seeing Carey Mulligan, in small roles in Pride and Prejudice and Public Enemies, I am glad to know her as an actress as she was just enchanting. She played a naive girl but at the same time gave such wisdom and depth to a character you wish you knew.

Peter Sansgaard excelled in this role and I hope he is able to find more parts that allow him to create characters equivalent to this caliber of acting.

If you haven't seen An Education yet go out and rent it. Relish in its perfection.

Images via Tumblr & Google

Nine Confusing Story-lines, Two Great Performances

2010-05-10T23:41:00.005-04:00

Tonight I finally got around to watching Nine. Although I heard rumblings of it being disappointing, I'm done with school now so I had a few hours free finally. The movie was a bit of a let down I must say, but it was also visually beautiful. Every scene was worth framing, each costume to be envied.

The movie tells the story of Guido, a Italian director (played by the very talented Daniel Day Lewis) and the women that inspire him. Although this concept seemed interesting it was done in a way that became very confusing and disjointed.

Luckily there were two wonderful performances and the time featuring these actors were simply perfect. Marion Cotillard, one of my girl crushes, was just perfect. She reviled in her small role making it a piece of beauty. The role of the disgruntled wife could have been done over the top, but instead it was simple and moving. Marion's two musical numbers were done with the grace of a well seasoned singer not an actress.

Nicole Kidman played another small role in the film, Guido's actress muse, and she played it beautifully and it really pulled together the movie. It was lovely to hear her sing again since I adored her Moulin Rouge.

Personally the rest of the movie was a good attempt, but some editing should have done to the script as it was too disjointed and not all parts flowed as they should have.

Images via google

Favorite Spaces: Edition Three

2010-04-22T22:50:00.001-04:00

Lincoln Monument

Washington DC

Last May as I mentioned previously I went to Washington DC for the first time. I never really thought much about my favorite monument but after walking inside and around the colonnade of the Lincoln Memorial it became my favorite monument and one of my favorite spaces in one fowl swoop.

One of my favorite pictures ever, two cute old vets in front of Honest Abe.

The space is just truly majestic and makes you feel that you are in a space of pure greatness. Looking up at Mr. Lincoln from his chair, reading the Gettysburg Address, and seeing the perfectly luminescent ceiling you can't help but feel at ease.

And the winner of my Blog Birthday giveaway is the lovely Elizabeth Bennet aka Kat, check out her lovely tumblr "The Secret Life of Daydreams" for posts on Austen-isms, handsome men, lovely quotes, and all things beautiful. Thanks to all those who entered.

Al images via me

Blog Birthday!

2010-04-15T08:25:00.001-04:00

Last Thursday was my Blog Birthday! Unfortunately I took me a week to set this all up. I am so happy that this blog is not only something I enjoy but it seems that others enjoy it as well. Thank you all so much for your comments and support.

This year of blogging will hopefully bring: new layout {if I can get my little html experience together}, more blog friends, more food posts, continuing movie recommendations, and more movies as style inspiration as these are some of my favorite posts I've done. Also I hope to do more to brand this blog and make it better! Let's hope some of these goals are reached!

To show you all how much I adore you and your blog love I put together a little giveaway! Unfortunately there will only be one winner, as I am soon to be an unemployed designer.

The winner will receive:

A perfectly pink Liberty of London tumbler (I wanted to buy everything from their Target line) and a pair of pink earrings I made!

(Bessie not included she was just a perfect earring model)

Here are the rules:

1. You must be a follower of Reaching for the Moon.

2. If you post about this contest on your blog or retweet (I'm @m_kennedy9). Come back and please leave separate comments for the tweet or blog post with a link for me to check and you'll get an additional entry.

3. If you follow my tumblr page Reaching for Inspiration leave another comment with your tumblr name for another entry.

4. Contest is only for US residents as shipping gets expensive. Sorry international loves.

5. Contest ends on April 22nd 2010 at 10pm, I will disable comments after that.

6. Winner chosen at random!

Spring Senses

2010-04-11T14:52:00.005-04:00

Inspired by Allyn's Five Sense Friday here are my senses on this beautiful spring Sunday.

Tasting.

Water from my new peacock printed Liberty of London mug.

Hearing.

Gilmore Girls and a siren of an ambulance pulling into Mass General.

Seeing.

My simply beautiful white hydrangeas in a Ball jar in my window sill.

Feeling.

Relaxed for once, hoping for more perfect spring days in the future, instead of just working on my thesis.

Smelling.

The faint smell of the pasta salad I just made. {Cherry tomatoes, red peppers, red onion and parmesan cheese}

Favorite Spaces: Edition Two

2010-04-05T08:00:00.001-04:00

Second up in my favorite spaces is the Robert and Arelene Kogod Courtyard inWashington DC. Located in the National Portrait Gallery was designed by Foster and Partners.

The modern and elegant glass canopy give a perfect juxtaposition to the Greek Revival buildings. " The design was driven by a deep respect for the existing building. It was decided that it should not touch the building at any point-floating above it instead, like a cloud over a courtyard", says Forster.

The courtyard is one of the largest event spaces in Washington. When I took my trip to DC last May I sat in awe on a marble bench staring up at the canopy above my head. Now looking back I can imagine attending a wonderful event under the cloud like structure. Although the space is a little vast for a wedding, I sure it would be a modern and wonderful location for one.

The classic architecture meeting the modern in the sky seems so surreal. The next time I find myself in DC I will surely be once again sitting under the canopy in awe of the space around me. If you ever find yourself in DC, this is a must in my opinion.

All images via Google and Me

Guest Post

2010-03-31T23:57:00.005-04:00

Today I am also here! Please check out All Things Ami and my post on spring inspired movies and food. Allyn is doing a whole series on spring which I am sure will be perfection, so make sure you stay tuned. Also be sure to check out some of Allyn's truly inspiring posts full of beautiful images of daily life.

Favorite Spaces: Edition One

2010-03-31T23:31:00.005-04:00

There are so many spaces in my life that I have been into and have resonated with me for years after. For the next couple of posts I'll be introducing you to some of my favorites.

The first is the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, MA. This museum is highly unique. Ms. Gardner was one of the foremost art patrons of her time to traveled extensively collecting antiques and art work. Her home in Boston was filled with beautiful antiques and pieces of art, in 1924 her home became a museum, making sure, under contract that her collection remained intact.

Featured in the museum is a central courtyard which is beautiful manicured and changed for the seasons. The museum transports you to a different time of style and glamour. They even host after hour cocktail parties, which I hope to attend..soon.

I've been to the museum so many times but I still love the balconies looking into the courtyard and the beautiful antiques. The architecture is just to die for and it instantly became one of my favorite places, it is a source of inspiration every time I revisit. It is such an unique experience to be able to look at masterpieces without being in a stuffy museum with a million school children.

All images via google