Posts from — July 2008

Despite the fact that it’s still July, I’ve been on a mission to find the perfect Fall bag. Obsessive? Perhaps. But I’d rather browse the expansive selection that currently exists instead of trudging around in the rain come October and settling for whatever is still available. I’ve always been drawn to slightly under-the-radar brands (I’ve been carrying by Rebecca Minkoff ‘Morning After‘ bag now for almost a year) and find them far more appealing than ones that have the logo slapped across every square inch.

I’ve been stalking the window display of the Foley + Corinna store on Melrose now for about six months, and finally decided on the Classic Mid City Tote in Maple. The leather is buttery-soft and in a toffee color that complements my olive complexion, I was sold. The versatility of the bag is unbelievable, especially for someone as fickle as me. I love how I can hold the sturdy grip at the top, or simply fold it in half and use the long strap to throw over my shoulder. Since there’s no way that I’ll be waiting until the weather turns to bust out my new bag, I can promise pictures very soon.

EDIT: Thanks to the lovely FashionHerald for the tip that Gap has a wonderfully similar option, made of nylon, for those of you not interested in such an investment.

Selma Blair is one of those fashionable ladies whose style I adore, but recognize that I can’t come close to recreating most the looks she puts together (like this and this). Her latest appearance on MTV’s TRL was a perfect example, when she wore an Unhee black romper and Roger Vivier heels that just oozed 20’s appeal. Since I certainly can’t pull off the entire ensemble with the same ease and grace, I picked my favorite part of the outfit, her balloon sleeves, and made it my own.

At a recent Built by Wendy sample sale, I swiped up this three-tiered poufy-sleeved dress.  Though I was initially apprehensive about adding any extra width to my build, I quickly learned to love how the wider shoulders create the illusion of a smaller waist.  Since I was conscious of looking too dainty in this confection-like dress, I paired it with some rugged boots to toughen it up a bit.

Dress – Built by Wendy
Necklace – Helen Ficalora
Boots – Vintage

I go through white tops with such a fervor that it’s simply ridiculous. Though they happen to be a critical component of my wardrobe, I refuse to wear them once they’ve lost that crisp look and feel. Between underarm stains (due to deodorant), a baggy fit by the end of the day, and transparency issues, it’s hard to find just the right white top. That’s why I’ve done my research and have come up with my favorite.

Though I already own an LnA shirt, this long-sleeved option is clearly a necessity. Since the brand runs big (and stretches out), be ready to buy one or two sizes smaller than normal.

TIP: In order to remove underarm stains, soak in disolved powdered aspirin (5 tablets per liter of water) for 1-2 days.

In the 80’s, blazers were reserved for interviews and formal dinners, but they’ve made an incredible comeback in an entirely fresh way. Gone are the bulky shoulder pads and fabrics that rivaled wallpaper.  Instead, they’re being paired with the simplest of outfits, like tissue-thin tops and the shortest of skirts. Since I was forced to dispose of many old jackets this weekend in order to fit in my new [read: shared] closet, I’ve decided that a new blazer would cheer me up stat. Here are a few that I’m contemplating:

For those of us that are still apprehensive about the trend, I think Silence & Noise’s Seamed Blazer is a wonderful transitional piece. At first glance, it almost looks like a cardigan, but brings a bit of edge with its asymmetrical cut and corduroy-trimmed cuffs.

This Lili Marlene jacket is ridiculously chic in a crisp white. Since it’s such a classic menswear shape, I would pair it with a ruffled dress in a blush color (I am also lusting after her white nail polish).

Since nothing creates a more dynamic outfit than the combining of different patterns, this Striped 3Q Jacket would look great with a variety of prints. I love how the sleeves can easily be pushed up and I would be sure to pair this blazer with gold cuffs on both wrists.

Which is your favorite of the three?

Aquaphobia \ak’wa-FO-be-a\ Morbid fear of water.

I’m not going to pretend that “Jaws” didn’t terrify me, but nonetheless, I’ve been fascinated with sharks ever since. This Sunday, July 27th, marks the 21st annual Shark Week on the Discovery Channel and I seriously can’t wait. Though it’s almost a guarantee that I won’t be going in the ocean for another year, it’s such a fun way to celebrate Summer.

I swear if this towel came in my size, I’d scoop it up immediately.

For those of you who also cringe when you see the words ‘head gear,’ I understand your pain. I had to wear a metal contraption for quite some time, and it thoroughly elongated my 7-year awkward streak. Luckily, this post is about hair accessories, and not traumatic teeth straightening systems. If you also have trouble dedicating a substantial amount of energy every morning to fussing with your hair, here are some of my favorite solutions for when too much time has elapsed between washes.

Day 1: Slightly Slick
Since any unfavorable hair issues should be pretty minimal at this point, this Feather Hair Comb is an ideal option. By gathering just a small section of hair, this will instantly create an ethereal, Bohemian style.

Day 2: Grease Monkey
This substantial Knotted Silk Headband, from Anthropologie, provides adequate coverage in a beautiful blend of sunset-inspired colors. The intertwining silk will be sure to distract from any other hair issues with which you may be dealing.

Day 3 (or 4 or 5): Dirty Harry
To avoid any potential confusion regarding the formation of dreadlocks, it’s always best to keep your hair pulled back after several days of no washing. Jennifer Ouellette’s Floral Pony Holder has a gemstone floral ornament, which ensures you won’t look like you’re on your way to gym, and instead will look sleek and fashionable.

After two years of toiling away in my small studio unit, I’ve finally decided to move to a larger place, which happens to be my boyfriend’s apartment. While it’s both exciting and a bit scary, one of the things I’m most looking forward to is some slight re-decorating. He actually has very nice taste (for a guy), but the current iteration of our apartment lacks some of the refined details only a caring girlfriend can provide.  I’ve since taken a liking to slightly off-beat pieces so here are a few of my must-haves.

West Elm’s Antler Table Lamp has such a wonderfully quirky take on home interior by bringing in an outside element from nature. Since I’m not exactly an outdoorsy kind of girl, I’m drawn to its sleek design made of white resin that will add a glamorous touch to an end table.

Domino Magazine has been like my design bible, providing me with exceptional ideas that have been surprisingly applicable. This faux fireplace, for example, is such a great way to enliven a space that has minimal architecture, and the mirror that’s placed inside adds a contemporary spin, while simultaneously making the room look bigger.

While my boyfriend is wildly opposed to the notion of having a (fake) zebra rug, I’m oddly drawn to the idea. Since we’re planning on painting the main wall of the living area a deep red, I think it would be a perfect way to accentuate the color.

What’s your take: to stripe or not to stripe?