Color Flash

(zara blouse, zara tights, bcbg platform pumps, express necklace, fcuk purse + bangles)

Color is better appreciated if it is done in moderation. A little hint in the heel or a flash at the neckline goes a long way, especially if the outfit is done in a muted palate.

The Zara blouse feels Victorian and regal which makes for an interesting marriage with the bright neon colors - typically associated with the future. This concept of old meets new through color is a trick that is seen throughout modern architecture. Certainly, buildings like the Centre Pompidou in Paris come to mind, but one of the best examples of using bright color subtly is the Neue Staatsgalerie in Stuttgart by the British Architect James Stirling. The museum is made of travertine and sandstone contrasted with an industrial green steel framing system and bright pink + blue handrails throughout. The color system was used to help navigate the visitors and assign places of importance.

images: Neue Staatsgalerie

Night Moves

( french connection dress, bebe sweater, f21 blazer, aldo booties, zara chain purse, fcuk necklace)

Between the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras, I have been flying back and forth between my hometown of New Orleans and where I currently reside for school in DC. It feels so good to be back on the East Coast! And now with the snow finally melting, a fabulous night on the the town is overdue.

The Calm Before the Storm

Snow is a big deal for a little southern girl like me. Where I come from, hail is considered snow and a snowflake is a miracle, so you can imagine my excitement when I saw this out my window. Considering I had only witnessed snow like this in the movies, it was an incredible experience! Unfortunately... the weather took a turn for the worst and the forecast was then described as paralyzing. These are images of my neighborhood before the east coast blizzard hit hard.

images: Stephen Helms

The Newseum

image: sam kittner

After moving to a landmark location on Pennsylvania Avenue, the Newseum has been the most significant piece of architecture built this decade in DC and has become one of Washington's most popular destinations. This 7-level, 250,000 square feet building dedicated entirely to news and journalism has an iconic facade that contains "a window into the world" and features 45 words of the First Amendment of the Constitution etched into stone.

Architect: James Stewart Polshek : Polshek Partners do phenomenal work!

Check them out here.

Washington is the mecca for museums and in my opinion, contains some of the best in the world. The bonus is they are all free! ...Except for the Newseum, which is 20 bucks a pop! However, this weekend, they offered a special discount rate, and I, along with some classmates, took advantage.

Pros: This building is most interesting in it's connections and materiality - The layers and layers of different, opposing materials such as steel, stone, glass, wood etc. are positioned in such a way that brilliant shadows and reflections are casted throughout. Really elegant. The main feature of the building is a huge centralized atrium that allows light to flood in and is so open that it creates vistas from all floors to the other. Strong lines are carried beautifully throughout and staircases juxtaposed against one another conceives an interesting, gorgeous space. ...The size of the elevators were huge! The architects didn't limit themselves to the idea of an elevator just as means of transportation, but that of a mobile room. A critic of mine who attended the grand opening party said that each elevator was stocked with a full bar and bartender. (Now that's an elevator!) The museum also contains the largest piece of the Berlin Wall outside of Germany which is a definite highlight.

Cons: My criticism of the building is that the circulation is awkward and somewhat convoluted. Mostly due to the lack of signage and assistance from staff members, but also due to no architectural cue of a beginning or an end. I also thought the exhibit placement and program was disjointed. There was no connection chronologically or otherwise from one to the other. You start off reading the front page of today's news around the world then proceed to an exhibit on Abraham Lincoln then to newspaper archives then to Woodstock then to a 911 exhibit... You feel lost. Along the way, when you here strangers muttering complaints that you share... it's a little disappointing to the experience.

The final verdict: Although I feel that the exhibits were disconnected and the circulation a bit aimless, it pales in comparison of how beautiful I think the building is. With James Stewart Polshek, you expect nothing else.