Sunset Baking

Every room with a West-facing window was pink this evening at sunset, following a thundery day. 

 ...Then it started to rain (!?) and we could hear all the neighborhood children screaming and laughing as they played in it. It only made sense to bake Chewy Molasses-Spice Cookies... mmmm Fall.

Today's Picks!

I get a lot of pleasure out of sifting through online stores and picking out my favorite pieces anyway, so why not share them! 

1. Plaid is in right now and flannel is so cozy for Fall. This shirt from the J.Crew Factory is at the top of my wish list.

2. This Vince top from Saks Fifth Avenue is so clean and simple.

3. This Gryphon tunic from Saks Fifth Avenue is ridiculously lovely over leggings.

4. Someone, please give me this gorgeous bra! Top Secret available at Anthropologie.

5. So simple! VeraMeat at Urban Outfitters.

6. I burned these Illume Avocado Mint candles from Anthropologie all summer and I'm still enjoying them into Fall. Illume is my favorite candle brand. (I'll be posting cold weather scents soon.)

7. I need these Joie boots! Great beige color and I love the back lacing. Available at Intermix.

Hicksville Trailer Palace

Oh my goodness. This might be really cool.

The Hicksville Trailer Palace and Artist Retreat is in Joshua Tree, CA, which the hipsters and locals may recognize for its proximity to Pappy and Harriet's or, if you're a rock climber/outdoor enthusiast, Joshua Tree Nation Park. I love the desert and I can't wait to check this place out. I'll obviously be staying in The Pioneer, for the cabin feel.

http://www.hicksville.com/

http://www.hicksville.com/

Caught A Ghost

I was lucky enough to first hear this band at a house party in Pacific Palisades. The next show I went to was a wild art party in Downtown LA. No-matter the setting, Caught A Ghost makes for a good time.

(smoking is bad)

Rag & Bone

I'd like to have these...

http://www.rag-bone.com/

http://www.shopbop.com/rag-bone/br/v=1/2534374302046122.htm

This October at LACMA don't miss California Design, 1930-1965 "Living in a Modern Way." (October 1, 2011 - March 25, 2012 in the Resnick Pavilion.) We know a thing or two about style on this coast.

http://www.lacma.org/art/exhibition/californiadesign

Ash shoes

I know some amazing people. ...One design professional friend of mine travels a lot for work and pleasure. Last Spring, when I was in NYC, she turned me on to Ash, after she found a pair of their shoes in a boutique in Paris. My, usually-tender, feet and I are now obsessed. 

http://www.ashitalia.com/

I got mine at:

http://www.shopbop.com/ash/

also available at:

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/

(P.S. While I love their other styles, I would never wear or buy fur and I don't think you should either ...unless you are an Eskimo, Mongolian nomad, etc and killed and ate it yourself. That's different, of course. Here's a really upsetting PETA link in case you aren't convinced.)

Tumblr

A few highlights from my Tumblr this week:

http://cabinology.tumblr.com/

 (None of these images are mine unless otherwise stated. All are reblogged, so trace via Tumblr for original sources.)

Acne brand

What's with all the teenagers' obsession with Acne brand? I've seen it and heard of it for years, but took a look on Net-A-Porter this evening to see what's new and why they're so obsessed. Crisp and clean... some of the pieces were underwhelming, while many of them looked really nice, and all of it is easy to wear. I think the main draw is that it all fits into the current silhouette trends. From the short fluttery skirts, to the soft blazer, big comfy (cabin!) sweaters, Grecian-influenced asymmetrical dress, to the ankle booties, etc etc etc. Even the colors were hot: Dark skinnies, greys, a hint of that bright, sunwashed peachy color. Below are the pieces I might mix into my own outfits if I could...

http://www.net-a-porter.com/

Love Letter to Level 99

I've been holding out... I own perfect jeans and I have for months now. They're perfect in every way. They look good after the laundry, they look good after wearing, they're pretty durable, they're as close to jeggings as non-jeggings get so you get slender without the exposure and stretchy fit perfection without too much cling, they're extra long in a functional way, they can go in boots or out, they're ridiculously flattering... I'm serious. They're amazing. They are the Lily Skinny Straight from Level 99 #IG 2580. They aren't my first Level 99s and they won't be my last, but these are sheer perfection. I want to buy another pair and dye them black just to have more. I love them so much. And they're under $100 (ok, before tax) which is not always easy to get these days. Certainly not with such outstanding fit. They're a bit hard to find, but I've gotten all of mine from Anthropologie stores.

http://www.level99usa.com/

Anthropologie

Dear Level 99, 

      I love you. Thank you.

Arts and Crafts Tunic

Ever have a giant T-shirt you're emotionally attached to? It's happened to me a few times. Today I cut up this big blue shirt (thanks Richard) and made it into a pretty little tunic for myself. I didn't put too much effort into getting everything perfect. I just wanted something new to wear right now! It took maybe 40 min.

Planet Blue goes to Palm Springs

I've spent a lot of time at the Ace and the Parker in Palm Springs this past Spring and Summer and this video from Planet Blue is such a pretty reminder of how good it feels.

http://shopplanetblue.blogspot.com/2011/09/luxe-desert.html

Lumber Jane!

Tonight on tumblr I found pictures of a customer wearing a suit I worked on at my last job! She's so pretty too! That's always satisfying. I drew the cad, created the print repeat, and colored it, based on a photo of a flannel shirt Target sent us. I then followed up with any adjustments they wanted made and contributed to the instructions sent overseas for production. This suit was called "Lumber Jane". Ah nostalgia... and so cabin-appropriate too! I love it.

posted by: saturdaysinseptember

reblogged by me on: CABINOLOGY

Love, Adorned

My mind has just been blown by this store & blog. Why didn't I know about it on my last trip to NYC?! ...Next time for sure.

http://loveadorned.com/

"Love Adorned – a lifestyle concept store from New York Adorned’s Lori Leven – expands beyond fine jewelry to include smart tools for home, body and travel. The shop’s lovingly curated inventory addresses the shift away from ‘throw away culture’ with lasting solutions that bring ease and preserve beauty in our busy lives. For where strength exists in design and simplicity, it also is expressed through craftsmanship and quality; all key elements in the shop’s offerings.

Love Adorned often looks to its well traveled and visionary friends to learn about their time tested, sometimes obscure acquisitions or remedies that they love. Every new discovery feels like a piece to the puzzle, whether it makes the body cleaner or the mind clearer.  Building on seasonal themes, the store opened December 2010 with an initial exploration of things cherished and celebrated, collected both from years of searching and growing fascinations. Treasured objects are the things that remind us of the path we carve though the world, and of milestones in our lives. Love Adorned hopes to be a place that brings all things beautiful and inspiring, informative and innovative, to light."

http://loveadorned.com/

Fall/Winter

Sensing the urgency to have cool weather clothes in my portfolio, I'm adjusting my Spring/Summer collection to be a bit more Fall/Winter. Here's a glimpse of the work in progress. I'll tweak them more after fashion week.

I don't personally like this video, but I do like the song:

Rocked out to this all summer too:

It's that time again!

I'm trying to remember how to draw croquis/fashion figures. Last time I worked on my portfolio it was all computer generated. ...Now it's time to add some skills from the 'ol art degree. I'm pretty rusty, but here's the very first one. I'm just pleased I can tell it's a person! (Yes, I see problems.)

This is a bit of an experiment, but I'm coloring digitally....

and dress #1 (I'd been flipping through some Italian fashion magazines. Can you tell?)...

Soo Kei

I am so excited about a new label out of New York, called Soo Kei. It's by an extremely talented and skilled, up and coming designer, named Soo Kang. She's one of those people who must have been born cool. The line is like a blend of James Perse and All Saints with a definite influence from Alexander Wang and Helmut Lang. I love it.

http://www.sookei.com/

http://www.sookei.com/

...my desert flower...

Motorcabin

Can you imagine my delight when I looked up and spotted a cabin parked by the beach in Santa Barbara today?! I love it.

http://grandfieldart.com/

This guy loves his cabin truck as much as I love my Jeep! 

http://grandfieldart.com/images/GMC.html

T by Alexander Wang & moto boots

It's been a few years since I've had to go "Back to School," but I still have a hard time embracing Fall. Unfortunately my black pearl anklet from the Maui trip broke off last night, making it very clear to me that Summer is over... and it's also time to update my portfolio again! At least there will be cabin sweaters and Lupicia teas.

So far I've gotten a nice warm and cozy feeling from T by Alexander Wang, Fall 2011:

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/F2011RTW-TAWANG

...I also love love love the moto boots trend. I like these relatively affordable ones from Madewell. (Too bad they've been a customer service nightmare or I'd own them!):

http://www.madewell.com/madewell_category/SHOESBOOTS/boots/PRDOVR~18405/18405.jsp

Fall comfort tea: Lupicia's "Orzo Caramel & Honey" mmmmm

http://www.lupiciausa.com/product_p/22280902.htm