Inspired

I am a blog addict.  I can look at blogs all day & still yearn for more.  I am, of course, obsessed with fashion blogs, but I do love reading other types of blogs as well.  I've always wanted to be a journalist so my better half encouraged me to blog.  When I told him I didn't know what I wanted to write about, he told me to just start it & I would find my voice.  I still am not sure, but I found this video inspirational.  It made me want to pick up a camera & start posting photos of my own.  I'm not sure where this will take me, but until then, I wanted to share this video with you if you haven't watched it already. 

Fringe Benefits

I have six pairs of shoes featuring fringe on them.  I also have a fringe leather jacket & a fringe purse.  So, it's no surprise that I fell madly, head-over-heels in love with this Joseph Altuzarra skirt worn by Julia Restoin-Roitfeld.  It's so rock & roll, but also very flirty.  Time to add more fringed items to my wardrobe...

Flair

 

I have to admit that I'm a bit hesitant to go back to wide leg jeans.  It's not that I don't love them because I do.  I always feel so 70's "Charlie's Angels" in them, but I sometimes worry they lack attitude.  However, this ensemble is spot-on & pacifies any worries about any lack of attitude. 

Sexy Librarian

 

I always hate buying eyeglasses.  It's always a demoralizing experience where I realize how much flattering my face needs.  It took me a year to find my Paul Smith frames, but now I'm dying for these Tom Ford's.  (The red lipstick & nailpolish don't hurt either!)

My Fashion Uncle (or "When You are Wearing Chanel, It's Always Hot")

Ever since watching this particular video, I have adopted "Elle" Creative Director Joe Zee as my fashion uncle.  There is just something so avuncular about him & Zee doesn't seem bitchy or overblown, which is often what turns me off of men in fashion.  He just seems to have fun with fashion.  Needless to say, I'm excited about the upcoming "All on the Line."

Summer Loving

 

At the beginning of September, I was armed & ready with my shearling boots.  I was yearning for the winter chill to come in so I can justify wearing them.  Now, I suppose my mid-January winter blues have set in because all I can think about is getting new summer clothes!  I especially want these ikat pieces from Calypso.  Aren't they cute?  They just scream humid summer nights walking around the city while it's still light out.  Only five more months until June... 

Devilish Delight

I've been searching for a more affordable version of this Givenchy Couture Fall 2009 headpiece.  I know it looks sinister with the placement of the pyramids, but the shine makes it look rather regal & futuristic, no? 

The Modern LBD

Long Veronica Dress by A.L.C.

 Cross Collar Long Sleeve Dress by 3.1 Phillip Lim

The Bampton Dress by The Row

I love these dresses.  They are so chic & sexy without being revealing.  Don’t get me wrong—I don’t have any problem with bare dresses, as I haven’t met a slip dress I don’t like.  It’s just there is something more alluring about a covered up black dress that suggests your shape without reveal everything. 

In Its Clutches

 

I think I need this talon cuff by Pamela Love.  There is something so naturalist about it that makes it romantic.  I love it's toughness, but it's so detailed & in that way, kind of delicate. 

Working It Out

When I go to the gym at the wee hours of the morning, I am barely standing upright & am definitely incoherent.  I put on my sweatpants & a tank top underneath a hoodie & a puffer.  It’s a miracle I get to the gym actually as I’m very much not a morning person. 

However, I wish I could look like the girl pictured above when I hit the gym.  I think I would be more confident if I looked cooler.  At the same time, I feel like I need to be in better shape to go to the gym dressed this cool.  Otherwise, I might just look like a poser.  I would have the gear, but not the ability to back it up. 

One could argue that I’m decidedly a poser already though.  Can I justify why I’m wearing a motorcycle jacket or motorcycle boots?  I’m most certain I would not be able to keep a motorcycle upright.  Do I need to earn the right to wear one?  How about a field jacket*?  I suppose it shouldn’t be any different & I should dress the way I want both in & out of the gym—whether I have the ability to do the things I’m dressed to do or not. 

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* I have a story for another time regarding wearing military field jackets. 

If You Want to Destroy My Sweater...

 

I want a vintage Aran sweater really badly.  I just can't decide if I want it to be oversized or fitted.  I love that frayed hem in the picture on the left.  I can't imagine doing that to a poor sweater, but it just looks so undone & edgy.  I bet as soon as I look for an unraveling sweater, I won't be able to find one!  The look on the right is just so adorable though!  I love that skirt length, too.  Maybe I'll just have to get both sweaters (& that skirt, too!)! 

Balenciaga Maternity Wear?

If I ever have the need for maternity wear, I want to wear Balenciaga like Lauren Santo Domingo.  (Isn't her living room & that giraffe skull amazing?)

The Good News

 
Emmanuelle Alt has been named the next Editor-in-Chief at Paris "Vogue".  She previously held the title of Fashion Director at the publication & worked closely with Carine Roitfeld even before working at "Vogue."   Because of her tenure there, I suspect & hope that the magazine will maintain the tone that it's been delivering for the past decade.

I have been a fan of her "borrowed from the boys" with killer shoes style for some time & here are a few of my favorite looks.  I'm still saddened by Carine Roitfeld's resignation, but this is the next best thing.  In addition to her role at "Vogue," she consults on some of my favorite lines like Isabel Marant & Balmain.  She has major access & major influence.  You know how cool she is?  She's the one that sent Balmain to Michael Jackson.  I can't wait to see what's in store for us in April when her first issue drops.

The Search is On

 

This cuff is the stuff of dreams!  I definitely have my eye out for this one. 

Style Crush

Every once in a while, I fall in love with another girl's style.  I am ever faithful in my love for Carine Roitfeld & Emmanuelle Alt, but right now, I'm obsessed with "Marie Claire" Accessories Editor Taylor Tomasi-Hill.  I've always been partial to red hair & she makes me yearn to dye my hair red again.

More importantly, I need that McQueen bustier!

To Each Their Own...

I have been preparing a post* for quite a while regarding this Samsung Torch commercial.  My better half will attest to the fact that I start screaming whenever it's on t.v.--criticizing how it appeared to be making fun of fashion & I would exclaim that real "fashion people" (for lack of a better name) would never carry such a hideous bag.  I railed against how it portrayed fashion as just a game of hype & I would often compare it to the juice box bags to anyone who would listen. 

But while looking for this commercial, I found that people were actually looking for this bag.  After further research, I discovered that it's a real product.  I am embarrassed & confused.  I didn't want to make this blog about tearing designers or people down, but I wanted to admit that perhaps, I've failed to see the other side of my fashion as commodity argument.  This might sound like I'm making a jab at the bag again so please forgive me, but my mom used to say that someone had to design clothes for people who liked ugly clothes.  I used to grimace at that, but it's true.  At the same time, what might be ugly to me might be just what someone else is looking for.

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* Once I figure out what I'm trying to say, I will post the original entry that inspired this post.  After that, I promise to get on the soapbox less frequently.