tsk tsk.

i am in a transitional period in my life. for the four people who read this blog please, bear with me.

i am now a proud, yet unknowledgeable, resident of the empire state. but i will always be a california girl at heart.
franky.

Time Equals Zero.

So my studies in Florence have ended and even though I have yet to post some of the 5,000 combined photos from Tina and I during the trip, I will be moving on to post about Paris until then. Why, you might ask. Well, because Paris is probably the most beautiful city I have ever seen and so far I am having an incredible time here. I basically would like to just say fuck it and stay here forever but believe it or not I would probably die from starvation because I wouldn't have a job to buy food or a place to live but hey, whatevs' suck it up right.



Anyways, last night Jessica and I went to a local parisian bar and got the chance to see an amazing band perform called The Grass Widows. While the acoustics in the room weren't very flattering to their vocals nonetheless it was really a good performance.

In the process of looking up the name of the band from last night, I came across another show we had just missed that performed right before called Collapsing Opposites. Listening to thier music, I wish we had arrived 20 minutes earlier.



Check it out.

Franky.

tell me this is forever.

although i am on a budget while i am here studying in italy, i refuse to let my self suffer from a diet of nothing. so my roommates and i have devised a plan to scope out cheap and affordable yet delectable foods and although i am pescatarian, there are still tons of great meals that i am able to enjoy. the image above was taken at the mercado central where there is a wide variety of fresh fruits, wines, and meats.


this meal i got at merbone in the same mercado central located fairly close to the place we are staying. it is a medley of potatoes, zucchini, green beans and drizzled with olive oil. it was a light and amazing lunch and it only cost 4 euros.

i still have plenty of time to try more dishes and can't wait for the experience.

franky

hyperkulturemia.

so i arrived in florence a few days ago and i am completely in awe at the beauty of the city. since i am attending an art course here, i have to walk to class and to specific sites so i get to see the amazing architecture and culture first hand. so far i have been to the the uffizi gallery as well as bargello national museum some of my favorite pieces being gentileschi's thus far.

as well as amazing art the clothing attire here is exquisite. it feels almost as if being chic is something passed down generationally and is just a part of everyday life. i will post more images later since i am too lazy to write a journal, i am keeping a photojournal and hopefully gain the confidence to ask to photograph some of the local residents.

ps, shouts out to my roomates jessica, jessi, tina, joyce and ann cynndrome.

franky.

girl meets snow.

Im back from the east coast and I miss the snow. Every chance I got I was stepping in it, I like the crunch sound it makes under your shoes. It was so beautiful and I wish it snowed in California. Driving from D.C to Maryland and riding the train from D.C to New York was a delightful visual stimulation for me, miles of landscapes blanketed in snow. It was amazing to see the houses and the places where snow managed to find its way, hugging the tops of bushes and melting from the roof tops. Although I couldn't imagine constantly having to drive around mounds of snow piles in the streets and parking lots, it was like a maze. I really enjoyed being able to for a short time experience a real winter and Im proud of the fact that I wasn't being a weenie Californian shivering in my boots (literally).
Bre Renne

je rêve en français.

my mom found her old French and Portuguese records.

as the winter months fade away, I find myself constantly dreaming about Paris. How amazing it would be to just pack up my things and go. Listen to old Parisian records, basking in the fresh Parisian air.

A girl can dream, cant she?!

franky.

2010.

here we come.

Simple Aesthetics.

Finally, the time has come when I get to sit and relax at home with the family. It has been a while since I have been home and it is a long overdue visit. As I was rummaging through my things, as I always do for some reason when I am home, I came across these awesome Polaroids my mom had taken from around the early 1960's. As you probably already know, I absolutely love film photography.

The fact that these pictures are over 4 decades old, makes them even more beautiful. Yellow edges, high exposure, and the simple curiosity you get from them being out of focus wondering what was going on during this time and era.

Simple aesthetics.

franky.

The Showdown

If you didn't know already, I'm like super nerd when it comes to technology.

The Barnes and Noble Nook has got to be the most awesome reader since the original Kindle was released in 2007. Although the Nook lacks in browser, word doc, and PDF capabilities, it amazes in touch, 3G Wi-Fi, and color display also, allows you to borrow and share books through eBooks.. sigh.

Kindle, get ready for the showdown.

Nook starting at $259 found here.

franky

Beam me up, Scottie.

I dont know where to start.

Ill just start from the beginning.

So, when I found out Scott Schuman was going to be in LA for a book signing hosted by Traffic and LA Magazine, I almost passed out. And although Im currently living in San Diego, LA is a lot closer then New York. ha. So you know me, had to make some calls, and then I was off on my two hour journey. I got there painfully early, I honestly imagined tents and sleeping bags but little to my surprise I was one of the few (3) people there that had imagined the same thing. But, I have to say it was beyond awesome, extravagant, and a breath of fresh air to know that there were people of similar interests around, outside of San Diego.

Then, I saw him, sitting down in his perfectly tailored suit with his reading glasses on comfortably positioned at a circular dimly lit table, as if I was going to get my prophecy read to me by the zen master of fashion. But, as reality set in I moved forward and got my book signed. Scott was really nice since I was to nervous to speak he asked me what I did and this and that. Being numero two in line, I got to hang out early and eat amazing miniature cupcakes after the fantasy settled. Bre was taking forever, coming from a class, so it gave me a chance to schmooze while I waited. Wow, I cant believe thats a word. I met my pal Zac Zupancic who was very well dressed the part. We hung around and as we waited for Bre, we took pictures with the various amazings among the crowd.

Although I was a little disappointed I didn't get to meet Garance, I would have to say this night was extremely successful. In 20 years, when I have kids, I know passing down my dusted personal copy of The Sartorialist to them will be an amazing part of my generation for us to share.

Franky

Photos C/O - Zach Zupancic

New York in June I love you.

[French Connection jacket, f21 lace tank, my stepfather's old leather belt and vintage RayBans, Silence and Noise trousers, Circa Joan & David oxfords, Sabina bag]

[BDG jean jacket, AA tank and hoodie, BCBG tulip skirt, UO boots, target socks, Sabina bag]

I made a trip to New York this June in celebration of turning 21 years young, the first day we got there it was raining and gloomy all morning then it cleared up and transformed into the most beautiful day. I love how the sunlight hits the city, but I would really love to visit the city during the winter and experience real snow and a real winter. I'll be back soon because I have developed a real relationship with New York and I cannot bare to be apart from it for too long.

Bre Renne

Spain, Summer 2009

Spain, even though you were 38 degrees celsius everyday, I fell in love with you. The buildings, the small streets, and the busy city that flows with culture. I loved how every business woman I saw was armed with a Vogue Espana in hand and took the Metro to work. I plan on going back real soon, hopefully for longer.

Renfe Station, Madrid.

Calle San Roque, Sevilla.

Hotel Naranja, Sevilla.

Real Alcazar, Sevilla.

franky