Birthday Wish List.

I am always a bit hesitant about wish lists. First of all, it's rather presumptuous to assume anyone plans on buying you a gift at all. Secondly, it's hard to walk that line between what you want and what you feel comfortable asking people to spend on you.

However, on the flip side, I find it very helpful having a list of what my friends would like on their special occasions...registries are my friend.

So friends, in that spirit, here are some gift ideas [and one dream item thrown in just for fun] for my 25th on July 17th.

1. It Happened One Night DVD-I can actually watch this on Netflix online for free, but I've viewed it at least once a week for the past month so I think that qualifies it to be added to my collection.

2. Sofia Minis-Anyone who's been to The Corner Wine Bar with me knows that this is a favorite. I've found it in bottle form up here which is great, but the mini's are much more practical for this single girl.

3. Lipstick Jungle, Season 2-My guilty pleasure. I really only watch for Victory Ford's story lines, but the fabulous clothes and colorful decor make the viewings totally worthwhile.

4. L.A.M.B. Rosebury Boots-This is my dream item. No one I know would be able to afford buying these boots for me, nor would I want them to, but I just adore them too much not to at least mention them. :)

5. Urban Outfitters Gift Card-I finally live just blocks away from an Urban Outfitters and I can't afford to shop there. It's torture.

6. Pushing Daisies, Season 2-This one is for the late-givers since it's not actually released until July 21st.

7. TCM's Katharine Hepburn Collection-Having Netflix has made me realize just how much I miss watching old films on TCM. The Philadelphia Story has been on my wish list for forever, so why not include the other Katharine greats while you're at it?

8. The Book: An Actor's Guide to Chicago, Sixth Edition-Do I really need to explain why I want this one? There's actually a Seventh Edition out now that is probably more up to date, I just couldn't find an image of its cover.

9. Priceless DVD-Another Netflix find, this movie has become a part of my top ten. Loosely based on Breakfast at Tiffany's, the story walks the line of imitation perfectly without stepping on the toes of the original.

10. Itunes Gift Card-I like music. And movies. And TV shows. Enough said.

11. Burlesque and the Art of the Teese-I ♥ Dita. And I'm a notorious collector of beautiful coffee table books like this one. I've wanted it for ages, but can't bring myself to buy it on my own.

12. Chinese Laundry Tabb Boots [size 7 1/2]-This wish list item was actually inspired by item 13. In How to Steal a Million, Audrey Hepburn throws together a last-minute ensemble that includes a nightie, a pink pea coat, and a pair of patent leather rain boots. There's something about this combination that I adore and I've been obsessing about these boots ever since.

13. How to Steal a Million DVD-Again, blame Netflix for this one. I'm always adding to my Audrey collection anyway and this is one of few DVD's I'm missing.

Help me, Twitter-verse!

Alright, dear readers, I'm currently working on applying for a summer internship dealing with online social networking and I need 500 followers on Twitter and 500 friends on Facebook.

Here's what you can do to help out: follow me and RT [that's re-tweet] my pleas for help!



If you don't already have Twitter you can join and follow, which I highly recommend.
Twitter updates can be linked to other social networks such as Facebook, making posting on the go easy via text messaging.
It's addictive and fun. :)

Happy Father's Day. ♥

Favorite Things About My Dad:

♥ Growing up he had an arsenal of nicknames for me, none of which had any reasoning behind them whatsoever [Chellie-Pie, Chellie-Bear, etc.].
♥ He smells like cigarettes and Zest soap.
♥ He has the best laugh ever. I'll pretty much do anything to try and make my dad laugh.
♥ His hugs are the greatest.

This is one of my favorite photos of my dad, taken around 1962.
I found it one evening pouring through old photo albums at my parent's house.
It's now on display in my livingroom.


Another favorite, this photo was taken by me at age 1 1/2.
I love that he's clearly trying to help make sure he's in the frame.

And in other, equally important news, today is my little sister's one year anniversary with her husband, Cody. I couldn't wish for a better brother-in-law.

Redecorating: Catwoman Style

This is one of my favorite movie transformations ever:
from doormat to sex kitten.

And frankly, I'm not sure that years of watching it as a child hasn't influenced my adult decor choices. My apartment theme isn't that much unlike post-Catwoman Selina's:
covered in pink, but with a slight destructive edge.
I even have LED lights in my bedroom.

influenced by Influence.

Throughout my life there have been three references people often make upon hearing my name:

The first, and most common, is the oh-so-evident Beatles song, the inspiration for this blog's moniker. Now I adore the Beatles as much as the next vintage loving twenty-something, and I feel very special to possess one of the many names that brings about a reference to one of their songs [something only the lucys, sades, and prudences of the world can understand], but I've also heard far too many off-key renditions of "MEEESHELL MY BELLE..." rattled off at the sound of my name.

The second connection made is usually much later, once the person has been let in on a little of my past and become privy to the information that I was in the band for six weeks in sixth grade. I had to quit because, despite my best efforts, I was unable to produce any sound whatsoever from my...flute. [You see where this is going?]

The third reference is the most interesting kind to witness [or perhaps a close second to the serenade]. It's often made during a discussion of favorite TV shows of the past. Without fail, someone will bring up Full House and again, without fail, someone will feel the need to point out that Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen played a character named Michelle...just like my name! Why these people feel that this fact might have escaped my attention over the past 22 years, I have no idea, but often this realization excites them more than it probably should. But as annoying as this reference may be, as MK and Ashley have grown older and their sense of style began to draw attention, I became a closet fan. Both in fashion and in fascination, I sort of admire them. I guess you'd say they're a bit of a guilty pleasure, though I often show little guilt in my indulgence.

So of course, when I heard word of their book Influence, I immediately had a craving.

Unlike the teeny-bopper fare that the Twins have been so famous for over the years, Influence is for the grown up fashionista. With interviews with style Mavricks like Diane von Furstenberg and Christian Louboutin, it's like a grande-sized fashion mag, complete with eye-catching imagery [who doesn't love a close up on a Louboutin heel?].

Having only owned the book a few days, I'm currently still pouring thru the pages. However, there is one interview that has caught my interest from the first thumb thru. It's with former Interview editor and Warhol friend, Bob Colacello. In his conversation with Mary-Kate, Bob talks about how anyone can create their own Factory environment simply by being open to meeting new people and embracing the creativity in the ones around you. As a wannabe Factory Girl myself, this idea intrigued me. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I've already surrounded myself with a Factory of creative spirits, each with their own appeal and specialty.

So here's what I'm thinking: Why not feature my very own Influence interviews right here in this blog?

Stay tuned for more 'influenced by Influence' blogs featuring the cast of my own personal Factory.

past life personas

There are certain things in this life that feel inexplicably familiar:

The pad of my bare feet on my apartment's hardwood floor.
The breeze of the El train as it rushes by on the platform.
And the comfort I feel from watching an old black and white film.

Netflix has become an addiction as of late and through this addiction, I've found a new favorite film: It Happened One Night.



There's something about the strength and gumption of the female characters in the 1930's that sucks me right in.
Memories of a past life perhaps?

Be the Lorax ♥ Captain Planet.

New Greenspiration.

Lorax Update: Greenspiration.

Read the first installment of Greenspiration on BetheLorax.com.

Naptown Girl in a Chitown World.

It's been just over a week and I'm in love...
in love with Chicago,
in love with the El train ride,
in love with my little home.

And since I finished hanging posters and paintings today, I figured I'd give you a glimpse into my Chitown haven:

Color-coded cinema. :) [who knew so many DVD's were white?]


Yes, those are shoes. They're not very comfortable to wear, but they make for interesting decor.


I have lots of scarves, why not make a mini curtain?


This theater shows mostly old hollywood films and new cult classics.


Notice the massive collection of vintage purses that I never wear.


My little reading/music nook. ♥


Hallway view. [Excuse the laundry.]


Walk-in closet! ;)


Tiny bathroom filled with pink.


Canvas-covered hallway.


and finally*, where I lay my head [at either end].

*There's also a kitchen at the other end of this
room, but in order to capture it's image properly I would have had to do dishes
...perhaps another day. :)