Peruvian Bracelets

My Peruvian bracelets came today!!! ...I'm a little obsessed with Peruvian textiles right now. I have to go in the next couple of years.

purchased on Etsy

Now I can look like one of my favorite ad campaigns (from Planet Blue):

VLISCO

Check out this inspiration overload from the African print/fabric company, VLISCO!

http://www.vlisco.com/

Free People, January 2012

January 2012: NY/LA by Free People from FreePeople on Vimeo.

Today's Picks ...Snuggle Season!

If you're looking to slip something sexy under a cozy sweater while lounging around the cabin this holiday season:

1. Tis the season to curl up on the couch... and how about keeping the t.v. off and opening a book, instead? Siddhartha, was my first Hermann Hesse book and is still my favorite. These Dover Thrift Editions are super affordable. They're physically a bit smaller than your average book. Perfect stocking stuffers.

2. Princesse Tam Tam!!! The very thought makes me want to go lingerie shopping in Paris! But... since I have no travel buddies, I'll just have to get the good stuff from Bloomingdales.

3. Only Hearts. Helena Stuart, you goddess, you. I would love to slip into this little chemise right now.

4. My little secret... the men's department has some of the coziest sweaters. Check out this cardigan from J.Crew.

5. Hello perfect pointelle legwarmers from Free People. On-trend and so luxuriously comfy.

6. Hue always has quality, affordable, over-the-knee socks. Available at Bare Necessities among other places.

7. Honeydew outdid themselves with these beautiful lace bralettes. Available at Madewell etc.

8. Potentially the most affordable bra. I get these by the handful at American Apparel. 

9. Whoa. I can't get over this romper from Free People. The only thing practical about buying it is how much I would love to wear it.

TREND NOTE: bralettes to counter the push-up craze. Nothing about a smaller chest needs enhancement, thank you.

Today's Picks! *or* A Rant About Black Friday

1. As you probably noticed from current news, peeps are sticking it to The Man lately. Many average American people don't have it as easy as before and nobody likes the people who do. So, in true Occupy Wall St. fashion, support the little guy this Christmas/Chanukah/winter AND save some money on affordable gifts! These bennykelly scarves are ridiculously comfy and completely fashionable. The first circle scarf I ever saw many years ago was from this designer. She's the cutting edge and you need her in your life.
2. Terrariums! Do I need to explain how awesome this is? If you have a black thumb like me, you can buy a complete kit from Terrain. Otherwise, I highly recommend getting creative.
3. Cheap sustainable apparel! I've been buying from Threads for Thought at Whole Foods for years, and you can find even more on the brand's website.
4. Rock your holiday parties and 'damn The Man' (see #1 above) in something truly unique like this necklace I spotted on Etsy. Nobody already saw it at the mall or on someone else.
5. Oh, Lupicia, I love you so! Check out Carol tea which comes out only for the Christmas season each year. It's a favorite at my house. BTW this is a Japanese company. Remember? That disaster we all donated to a while back? They're still cleaning it up even now that it's no-longer top news. Here's a link for the American Red Cross, because we'd all like to think someone would help us if we were in such need.
6. I love the sustainable Christmas trees my family gets every year, but they don't have the strongest scent. This year we're filling the living room with tree scent via these Illume candles from Anthropologie. They smell perfect and they aren't made of poisonous ingredients like the candles I see elsewhere.
7. Is anybody else sick of holiday consumerism? I realize our economy runs on it and Christmas presents are so much fun, but I feel like the US needs to quit overspending! We are a culture that buys crap! Loads of crap! For ourselves, for each other... if the money is in our pockets, we buy crap with it. (Yes "we!" I'm guilty as well!) ...For years I've dreaded holiday shopping, and yet we all go back and wade through crowds to wait in ridiculous lines to give our money away because we have to give our loved ones something else to add to their piles of crap. ::insert painful landfill/my bedroom image here:: ...These are the festive cupcakes I baked and decorated that were served at a holiday charity event recently. (What?! I donated time and money and passed on something else like coffee or a fancy meal out?! Yes! And you can do it too!) I think more of my friends might be getting baked goods this year. *Note: You can waste less food if you share!*

(Also, since I mentioned it, here's a well-written critique of OWS. While I'm a progressive person who cannot blame people for being angry about the state of our economy, I believe in real, practical solutions. I support parts of the Occupy movement that I think can lead to a valuable outcome: financial consciousness in American government and everyday life ... For the rest of it, here's THIS article.)

In conclusion, I'd like to encourage everyone to get creative and even more thoughtful this holiday season, in whatever way you see fit... even if you choose to buy from a large corporation. ...They probably employ lots of nice folks.

Wishing everyone happy and cozy holidays!!!!!!!
(with minimal credit card bills)

Today's Picks!

1. This Vince sweater I spotted at Bloomingdale's has lurex in the stripes... but it's still soft! No scratchiness at all. Leave it to Vince to make yet another sweater I can neither afford, nor resist.

2. I've been eyeing this terrarium from Terrain for well over a year now, but waiting to find out where my next job will be before buying it. I think it's time to either get it anyway or make my own.

3. Check out this up-and-coming jewelry site, Wolf + Moon and you'll be ahead of the pack.

4. It's a perfect cabin blanket from Terrain. Need I say more?

5. Nature-y cups/mugs are the best to drink tea from. This one is from Terrain.

6. Fancy honey is great for yourself and impressing guests. It also makes a unique gift. This is from Savannah Bee Company. Yum! (My mom says the Orange Blossom is fantastic.)

7. I want a wardrobe of Ash. This color reminds me of my favorite crayon when I was little. Available at Shopbop.

8. These grey ones are made of animal-friendly canvas and I love the color. Also at Shopbop.

Today's Picks!

I sure hope someone designs a cool knock-off of this Thakoon jacket I'll never own! Here's the tea I bought at Lupicia in Century City last weekend, and the Pendleton bag that just made the top of my wish list. At the end of the season I'll be digging through the men's sale rack at J.Crew for XS/S sweaters like this one with the adorable toggles. (Men's sweaters have been a wardrobe secret of mine since I discovered Bloomingdale's men's *washable* marino wool on sale several years ago.) Lastly, can these wedges please appear in my closet and be comfy enough to wear? I am so impressed by the attention to detail in the design. They're perfect.

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.

Rag & Bone

I'd like to have these...

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

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

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.)

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.

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

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/

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

Maurie and Eve

http://www.maurieandeve.com/home.cfm

http://www.maurieandeve.com/home.cfm

Summatime

Love these anklets I spotted on a young girl at Cheeky's in Palm Springs. It's been a few years since I spent the summer making friendship bracelets, but I think I need to stop by a craft store soon! (The food is amazing, BTW.)

Bia

Love this image:

photo credit: Hagop Kalaidjian

http://hagopkalaidjian.com/

afia

Ever feel guilty about where your clothes come from? Here's some conscious fashion to help! I love this stuff!

http://shopafia.com/

http://shopafia.com/

Claret Odour

Fashion photography can get pervy pretty fast. It's understandable with beautiful women being manipulated for a great shot. Still, I don't really appreciate that my hunt for images so often leads to something I feel embarrassed/guilty about seeing. ...I have found a great fashion blog! It's just the beautiful images.

http://claretodour.blogspot.com/

http://claretodour.blogspot.com/

Inspiring!