You Can Stand Under My Umbrella

It's all the in the details...the umbrella, the gloves...it's all so gorgeous!

The Aviator

I was out & about trying to use up the last of our flexible spending account at the last minute when I discovered these amazing Chanel sunglasses.  I think I need them!

Naughty or Nice?

http://www.garancedore.fr/2011/12/13/i-generally-avoid-temptation/

I just love how naughty this Kiki De Montparnasse sleep mask is.  It's so genius!  They also have matching pillowcases.

Woman in Chains

I love this D.I.Y. idea.  I have to get on it!

Back on my Soapbox

 

So, never finished the post that this post was about.  So, here it is as my 100th blog entry...

I hate this commercial.  Not just because I hate the hideous bag that is the centerpiece of the storyline, but because it makes fun of fashion.  That ridiculous bag would NEVER become popular merely due to hype.  There is always a reason why items/trends that look weird to outsiders might be popular within the fashion set.  There is a certain language, history & progression that exists--or even a swing of the pendulum if you will.  Even if you aren’t able to verbalize the significance of or why you are “over babydoll tops,” you might just feel it instinctively.  It never merely a result of hype.  This bag would never reach some sort of cult status. 

In “The September Issue,” Anna Wintour says, "people are frightened of fashion--because it scares them they put it down.  They mock it because they are not part of it."  I tend to agree with that opinion.  While it all may seem silly, frivolous & sometimes, silly, I have never worked harder anywhere else.  Fashion & dress is a part of culture--not just pop culture or modern culture, but every culture.  Every country has their own traditional dress.  Formal affairs follow a dress code.  Dress is part of a code of conduct & social mores.  It is not just a superficial game or an industry scheming to get people to buy things they don't need, as some may call "fashion". 

One of my favorite defenses of fashion is from "The Devil Wears Prada".  Miranda Priestley (played by Meryl Streep) gives this monologue:  “You go to your closet & you select...  I don't know...  that lumpy blue sweater, for instance, because you're trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back.  But what you don't know is that that sweater is not just blue, it's not turquoise.  It's not lapis.  It's actually cerulean.  & you're also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns.  & then I think it was Yves Saint Laurent...  wasn't it, who showed cerulean military jackets?  & then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers.  & then it, uh, filtered down through the department stores & then trickled on down into some tragic Casual Corner where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin.  However, that blue represents millions of dollars & countless jobs, and it's sort of comical how you think that you've made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you're wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room from a pile of stuff.”  

I feel people in, perhaps, more "intellectual" circles try to distance themselves from fashion, but there is also a uniform wherever you go.  For example, academic often attire themselves in suits or conservative "take me seriously" ensembles.  What makes a man wearing a suit more credible than a woman wearing this indisputably intellectually designed dress:   

What makes a documentary on fast food more credible as research or a source of information than this beautifully crafted presentation by Alexander McQueen?

Conversely, there is Anna della Russo who does not take herself too seriously, but loves fashion.  You can tell she loves it from her embracing of it.  Who else would reverentially wear these fruit hat?  

I just find that people make fun of what they don’t understand & they also don’t understand that fashion is art.  Just because it’s a consumer commodity doesn’t mean it is just a craft or just a commodity.  Function does not make it exclusive to the commodity realm.  

Now, back to the fun stuff!

Arm Candy

I love wrists full of gorgeous accessories like this.  It's the final touch, but it's so subtle.  You have to do it with just the right eye for balance & color.

Give 'Em the Evil Eye

A friend of mine likes to keep the evil eye close to her to ward away bad luck.  It is now my newest obsession.  Isn't the Luv Low x Erin Wasson necklace cool?  I mean maybe more is more in this case.  I also love the bracelet by Nicole Richie's House of Harlow 1960.  I could use a little protection from bad luck as well... 

Future Classic

I’m so in love with this minaudière.  When I first came across it online, I thought it was a vintage piece.  However, today, I was on instagram & discovered it was a F/W 2011 piece!  There is hope that I can one day possess this gorgeous item! 

I’m always a sucker for shagreen, but the colorful stone detail is so beautiful.  I love when beautiful items like this are made.  This minaudière looks so well crafted & doesn’t look like something that is manufactured by the thousands.  It might be, but at least it doesn’t give the appearance like it is.  This is something that will remain a classic in your closet forever & won’t become untouchable in a year like many other “it” bags. 

I Heart Balenciaga

I normally don’t gravitate towards flat shoes, but I love these two pairs by Balenciaga.  Of course, they are no where near being “sensible shoes,” which is probably why I love them! 

To Have Loved & Lost...

I had this Miu Miu clutch in my hands at Barney’s.  Oh, why didn’t I buy it??? 

 

It’s been years, but I still look for it on ebay every once in a while.  If anyone wants to sell theirs, you know where to find me! 

On the Fringe

These are two of my Prada lost loves.  I didn’t even attempt to get the dress, but I was always on the fence on the tote.  I worried I wouldn’t carry it.  I’m not too much of a tote bag girl…  However, I always still come back to these pictures & look at them with a longing.  Maybe one day…

Kicks

I’ve always wanted a pair of the checkered classic Vans slip-on’s, but they just don’t flatter by big ol’ feet.  However, these custom Vans made for Robert Verdi from Hermès scarves might be worth it!  Too bad I’m not a V.I.P.  Maybe one day…

What Was I Thinking Moments...

A good friend of mine once said, “If you don’t look funny in your old pictures, it means you weren’t in style!”  That said, I still have my moments of buyers’ remorse.  Patent leather mini backpack, anyone?

 

To console us of our own remorse, racked.com has a recurring feature of the same name that shares other buyers’ misadventures & bad decisions.  One guy even blames a possible fever.  Uh huh, likely story...

Rainbow Brite

 

I’ve been obsessed with these Tom Binns pieces for a while.  I bought a vintage crystal rhinestone necklace in hopes of D.I.Y.-ing one for myself.  However, I’m still in search of neon paint...  

How cool would it be to paint this Tom Binns cuff?

Why Didn't I Buy in Bulk?

My favorite sandals are still my $29 Urban Outfitters fringe sandals.  I got them two summers ago & they are on their last leg.  Is it dumb to re-sole $29 sandals when re-soling them would definitely cost more than the price of the shoe? I just love them though! 

Hot Foot

I also love these flat sandals—also by Miu Miu.  It is so hard to find good flat sandals, but the color & shape of these shoes are stunning & perfect to take me into high summer!  

My New Obsession

This is my new shoe obsession.  I need these Miu Miu heels.  I know they are crazy & I know some would say they are ugly, but I adore them.  I think they would be perfect for summer, with dresses, with jeans & even in the winter with tights.  I can’t wait!

Armored

How cool is this picture from Jak & Jil blog?  I love the finger armor (my newest obsession) combined with the silver nailpolish. 

A Punch of Color

I love the simple, yet stunning look for this outfit.  It's something anyone can put together without even consulting a single fashion magazine.  This blogger was focusing on comfort & yet still remained eye-catching.  It's not always about over-the-top accessories or outrageous silhouettes, but just a punch of color & lots of confidence.  That's what style is all about. 

The Object of my Affection

 
This clutch is my latest obsession.  The simple shape is perfect to go with the new minimalism.  It is also the perfect counterpoint for anything elaborately avant-garde.  The cobalt blue is stunning & so modern.  It is also a refreshing dose of color after all the black I've been wearing all winter.  It is the perfect accessory for spring. 

I have been searching high & low for it.  Why don't we have a Celine store in the U.S.?  So not fair!  *sniffle*