Christmas Wishlist

Christmas is in T minus three days, and although I should be worrying about what the hell to gift the men in my family, I still can't seem to get these pretty little things out of my crowded mind. Most carry a hefty price tag, but I'll be scouring vintage and thrift stores for suitable stand-ins that won't render me chicly homeless. At the top of my list is a chunky sweater to pair with maxi skirts, clunky harness boots for comfortably stomping around in, and an ornate bed jacket to add interest to otherwise simple outfits.

1. Zara Leather Belt With Tags

2. Frye Harness Boot 8R

3. My-Wardrobe Violette Fringed Jacket

4. Forever 21 Chandelier Pendant Necklace

5. T by Alexander Wang Ponte Criss Cross Bra

6. TopShop Knitted Lace Dress

7. Sensi Studio Classic Panama Hat 

8. TopShop Gathered Skirt by TV**  

9. Urban Outfitters Wraparound Watch

10. TopShop Handknit Winter White Chunky Cable Jumper

"Hot Legs"

Over the past couple of years I have really grown to covet tights as my go-to for covering up in the winter (I've always preferred dresses and skirts to pants), and as my love for them grew so did the variety of prints, colors, and fabrics of said leg-wear. Much to my awe, I stumbled across these brilliantly unusual tights today while surfing the net. Each design is screen-printed by hand and created by Les Queues de Sardines, as part of the French clothier, M+O Studio. I love how each graphic print is both humorous and interesting-you won't look boring wearing these crazy things. My favorites are the whimsical first and fourth pairs pictured above.

Post-Apocalyptic Baubles

(Photos from Los-List, Materna Duss, and Pianeta Donna

I have completely fallen in love with jewelry designer, Amelie Riech's collection, Uncommon Matters. She hand-molds each gold, platinum, and white piece out of fine porcelain specifically found in the German region Thuringia, historically famous for its royal porcelain crafts. Riech's pieces are much more than just jewelry though, rather they are wearable art in the form of functional sculptures. Her art makes me think of a sort of post-apocalyptic princess in a mingled world where shapes are somehow both futuristic and ancient.

"Engine Driver"

The sole purpose behind heading out to a random spot on the railroad tracks to shoot some pictures is these here combat boots. The whole utilitarian/industrial feel of my clunky, functional footwear suits the cold desolation of a pair of meandering steel tracks methinks (even if that desolation is right smack in the middle of Austin HA!). I wore this to dinner with co-workers, then out to a wee, tiny playhouse in east Austin to see a rendition of "Steel Magnolias". Yes, it was originally written and performed as a play only two years before the likes of Sally Fields, Julia Roberts, and my beloved Dolly Parton starred in the film adaptation released in 1989. The ladies at the City Theater did a beautiful job and certainly made some patrons shed a few woeful tears.

As for the rest of my ensemble, I pretty much always gravitate towards a neutral color palette (the gloomier the better) and I tend to add a tinge of red, my favorite. Red lips are definitely new to me, but oh-so much fun! I should have bought some ruby lip rouge years ago, but have never been a huge make-up person. MAC wins my vote for best lipstick because it lasts forever and this particular shade (MAC Red) somehow looks amazing on every skin tone.

And my poor tights! I'm convinced that every sheer pair I own until my demise will don an annoying, singular run, as you can see in the pic above. I suppose I don't really care THAT much given their inevitable, destruction-prone nature. Like ripped jeans, slashed tights are just as acceptable these days. Hooray for not living in the prim and proper, restrictive 50s!

Aviator Jacket, Socks: Target
Tights: Urban Outfitters
Skirt: Sola (local boutique)
Boots: Steve Madden
Necklace, Oversize Shirt: Forever 21
Lipstick: MAC Red

"Gyspsy"

This look was inspired by none other than Stevie Nicks-hell the whole reason I bought this caftan was because the overall shape and flutter reminds me of the lovely, whimsical minstrel and her ability to always dress with such light-as-air caprice. However, the acid cool-aid colors and giant psychedelic paisley print definitely scream 60s as opposed to the more subdued 70s Stevie. I can't help but notice that caftans have come back in a big way. Just take a gander at some of my favorite vintage haunts, like Spanish Moss or Feathers (where mine is from), and you'll find an array of these loungers. HA when I first bought this particular piece and proudly showed its brilliance to my boyfriend he reluctantly told me that it looked like something you are only supposed to wear around the house or over a bathing suit. He was right, but that made me love it even more because vintage is all about reinventing under-appreciated treasures and showcasing them in a whole new light.

I'm ALWAYS initially drawn to bohemian-esque garments and jewelry, but make it a point to toughen-up the etherealness of said style with harder elements (preferably anything with a rocker vibe). So to mix things up I decided to pair the caftan with these semi-shiny, python-textured leggings and studded heels. On the whole it's all very comfy and I'm pretty sure you can see me from a mile away with this loud, punchy tunic. 

Caftan: Vintage

Leggings: Urban Outfitters

Shoes: Target

Blue Suede Shoe Porn

I cannot stand Jessica Simpson's so-called music, but the girl certainly can design a pair of shoes. Upon first seeing these babies I fell in love immediately-the platform, those curves, that incredible COLOR! So, I splurged and brought these electric-hued stilts home. They are so deserving of black leather...lots and lots of black leather. I can safely say that the little Elvis inside of me is now satisfied.

"A Fool For Your Stockings"

As soon as I found out that thigh-high stockings were back in fashion, the 11 year old girl inside of me jumped for joy! I remember watching the cult classic, Clueless, as a wide-eyed child of the 90s and could not wait to go to high school so I could wear the aforementioned leg-wear along with plaid mini skirt "suits" while clutching absurd, feather tip pens. But of course that trend was loooong gone as I entered my much anticipated teenage years in the early millennium.  

Obviously, the phrase "what goes around comes around" definitely applies to fashion, as well. I'm extremely appreciative of this repetitive aspect of clothing design because I'll ridiculously get to wear my favorite trends from decades past (even the not so far off 90s) and see them reinvented time and time again. I just hope trucker hats don't come back...EVER!

Now back to thigh-highs: What to pair them with has proven to be a bit of a daunting task. One wrong move and the outfit could look a bit Catholic schoolgirl/kinder whore-ish or even streetwalker-esque. Therefore, I find it imperative to keep the top half of my body covered up a bit to avoid looking down right slutty. But hey, if you see the world as your boudoir and that everyone in it is a potential, seducible suitor, then by all means rock those stockings like a giddy lil' playboy bunny...someone will appreciate you for it.

Lanvin Luxury For All

On November 23rd, H&M stores around the world will be bombarded by fashionistas in order to get their hands on a piece of Lanvin's collection for the affordable world-wide retailer. The video above was recently released and gives us a glimpse of the 30 piece women's assortment and also into the wacky, luxury-crazed world of Lanvin, headed by the genius Alber Elbaz. In the video you will spot a lot of the design power-house's chic aesthetics-voluminous cocktail dresses in candy colors, mesh details, and floral patterns. 

I absolutely love how my favorite designers are creating beautiful clothing for inexpensive stores because I have always felt that unique designs and important view points should be accessible to every class, not just the extremely wealthy. Unfortunately for me an H&M store is nowhere to be found in Texas, yet :) I guess I'll be hunting the internet for my Lanvin piece!  

Hello Goodbye

Fate certainly led me in an interesting direction last week as the birth of a beautiful baby girl perpetuated an impromptu trip to Target, or as I like to call it Targét. Yes, I went there for the sole purpose of finding a baby monitor, but first found myself trying on jackets-I cannot help myself! I ended up with two pieces that are definitely on the trend radar this season: A shearling-collar aviator coat and a cognac moto jacket. 

 

The aviator coat definitely is a statement piece which means you're better off pairing it with classic lines and neutral colors in order to keep the look more modern and chic. It is just too easy to look costume-y and ridiculous with this coat, but then again, that's probably why I like it so much. 

As for my other purchase, I'm really loving the cognac color right now because it easily blends well with browns and blacks, making color schemes more interesting. With archaic styling rules gone for good, living in this day and age of fashion is so freeing-it doesn't matter if you wear white after labor day, mix black and brown, or if you'd prefer to don your tights with open-toe shoes. At the end of the day no one really cares, and if they do then you're doing something right!

Target also offered me a little more than just merchandise. I quickly found out that Jessica Alba was shopping at that very same moment. Once again I couldn't help myself as I decided to nonchalantly walk by the aisle she was browsing. I only wanted one quick glance! No Target patrons bugged her for photos and/or autographs which pleased me immensely. It is extremely exciting to spot a celebrity out in the real world, but at the same time they are just people who might shop at Target.  And who wants to be pestered while doing mundane, everyday things?