Anna Inspired

via

A few years ago as a new year's resolution I decided to read one piece of classic of literature per year. The first book on my list was Leo Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina" and wow, what a way to begin. It's quite lengthy on it's own but I purposely spaced out the reading for nearly a year just to devour every word. (I also made myself complete quizzes at the end of each chapter to drag it out even further, nerd.) To say I'm excited about the latest remake of Anna Karenina doesn't begin to explain my elation. The trailer has been released - the drama, the costumes, the romance! - so hold on to your fur hats because November 16th can't come fast enough!  As if I needed even more to look forward to, Banana Republic is launching an "Anna" inspired collection that will drop at the end of this month. Eeeps!

Click for a sneak peek and to read a little more about "Banana Karenina".  (How much do I love that name?)

Banana's creative director says that fur hat above is actually a shrug and that we can wear it mutiple ways. Sold!

So, who's in for a movie date?? Keira + Jude + period piece, do I really have to twist your arm?

Russian Ring

I can offer no reasonable explanation for why I really need this ring other than holy-mother-of-matroyska isn't is amaaayzing??

P.S. Designer matroyska's and more love here.

(via To Make Love Stay)

Designer Matroyska's

This is old news but it's new to me...To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Russian Vogue top designers 'dressed' matryoshka dolls.  Pop quiz! Can you match the designer to the doll?  

Here are your choices:

Emilio Pucci         Giorgio Armani         Burberry         Moschino        

Nina Donis           Roberto Cavalli         Prada             Gucci

Versace               Dries Van Noten

(Answers are below.)

 

Answers after the jump!

Natalia Alaverdian

Recently I've become enamored with Natalia Alaverdian's style.  And why wouldn't I be, she's a stylist and fashion editor for Harper's Bazaar (Russia). From sweet ensembles to fiesty and playful, her look spans cultures and genres. Take a peek...

See more of her bodacious outfits here.

Red Rooster

One of the first things I learned in Russian were the sounds animals make. (Totally random right?) Did you know a rooster says 'kook-ed-dee-koo'? Naturally, I'm in lyublyu with this little Rooster greeting.

Christian Dior in Russia: Past & Present

I found these pictures of a vintage Christian Dior photo shoot in Russia and sent them to hubby since he's my expert Russian. Although they were taken in the 1950's he recognized the building immediately and sent me back a collection of current photos.  The location is the Moscow GUM (pronounced goom) - it's short for Glavnyi Universalnyi Magazin - an iconic shopping mall at the Red Square.

The contrast between the models and the onlookers is almost painful in some photos. How very interesting to see the changes many years later!

Then:

Now:

View more from the Life shoot here. 


Photo credit: Vintage - Life, Modern - GUM

WANT IT!

I'm on a reeeal Matryoshka Doll kick in 2010. I've always loved these adorable nesting nellies but recently you'd think my new years resolution was to expand my collection of them like a madwoman! Maybe it's because they're popping up more often these days, here are a few I'm super excited about:

The most modern, fantastic set of matryoshka dolls I've ever seen!

   

 A handmade card from my Etsy shop.

 

 

A flash drive - seriously.adorable.

Measuring cups from Anthropolgie.
Honey flavored vodka in the cutest bottle ever

I'm not into skate boarding but if I were this would be mine:


*update - I saw a Matryoshka necklace at Forever21 last weekend :( It's only a matter of time... {sigh}*