Lust List

Exhibit A: Another shockingly gorgeous pair of Chanel platforms, this time with classic pearls in unusual spots (photo credit: Bag Snob):



Exhibit B: I've never loved a jean jacket quite as much as I do this lovely Junya Watanabe, complete with exaggerated lapels and a fob:


Exhibit C: Shakespeare-meets-Star Trek in this Gareth Pugh sci-fi stunner (cuff not included):

Little White Dress

Jersey Dress: Yigal Azrouel

Slip: Unknown

Fairy Sandals: Prada (from Spring '08)

I adore white dresses in summer, and Yigal Azrouel's version of jersey--substantial, weighty, and cool--is perfect for broiling hot days. When wearing a white dress, don't hesitate mixing in funky accessories for a shot of color.

~

Enjoy the long Memorial Day weekend!

Get a Grip

Dress and Belt: Burberry Prorsum

Pumps: YSL

Tired of slipping out of these shoes when walking, I finally headed over to my cobbler for an easy fix to this annoying problem. He gave me these "heel gripper" rubber pads to affix on the inside part of the backs, and they worked wonderfully--at least for the one block I had to walk to get to my building. Let's hope they stay grippy!

Reworked Vintage

Dress: Vintage (mother's from the 1960s)

Cage Belt: YSL

Sandals: Proenza Schouler

When I received this gorgeous dress from my mother, it had no buttons, so I visited a button store in the Fashion District and chose these black and silver ones. To be honest, I was a little stunned that they were so expensive (I had never bought buttons before but I expected them to be quite cheap; of course, this particular dress required eight of them and I bought two more in case I lost any), but in the end, they were worth it. Buttons are enormously transformative! (Imagine sailor buttons...or hot pink ones...you get the idea.)

Women don't buy enough blue shoes...Of course, I adore the architectural heel on these:

And Mary Kate Olsen wearing similar ones in beige (thanks to In the Olsen's Closet for this photo):

Masculine

Tux Jacket: H&M

Striped Blouse: Banana Republic

Belt: Max Azria

Jeans: Silence + Noise

Pumps: YSL

Dressing these days has been an absolute conundrum; this morning it was a frigid 45 degress, but by the afternoon, it was a balmy 70-something. I passed women on the street in high boots and winter coats and women in shorts and sandals.

~

Speaking of shorts...I saw the most amazing woman on the street today (unfortunately I saw her from the bus so I couldn't get a candid shot of her) wearing a black blazer, a simple white tank, short jean cut-offs (the length of the blazer just hit the bottom of the shorts), an Hermes belt and Birkin, and t-strap flats. Although this outfit was somewhat basic, she looked so chic and pulled together that I couldn't help but stare. It didn't hurt that she was gorgeous. Personally I'm a bit of a prude when it comes to showing skin--perhaps it's a result of Catholic schooling or being a teacher--so I avoid short shorts like the plague (or swine flu, take your pick). But the idea is quite tempting...

Under the Sea

My husband and I decided to revisit the New York Aquarium on Coney Island--quite a trek from the city! I managed to snap some shots of our favorite aquatic friends before my camera inauspiciously died (so I don't have any outfit pictures, either, sad to say).
~
We saw a sea lion show, but I'm not sure if it was THIS sea lion. Although I know all about conditioning (I had to take a boring college class on it), it still amazes me that humans can train animals to behave like performers.


Aren't they scared?!

Eyeing me suspiciously...

Talk about giving someone the evil eye...

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

Stunning, isn't it?!

A "red striped sea nettle":

After our pleasant visit at the aquarium, we took a stroll along the boardwalk and had some funnel cake (something about it brings back nostalgic memories of summer beach days) before it began to pour.

Rocky Road

Blouse: Banana Republic

Corset Belt: YSL

Skirt: Oscar de la Renta

Sandals: YSL

The weather warmed up again (I swear it's bipolar)--a perfect day for ice cream! Instead of Rocky Road (one of my favorite flavors--next to Mint Chocolate Chip, of course), I indulged in a vanilla soft-serve cone with chocolate sprinkles (or "jimmies," as we Philadelphians call them).

~

Have a wonderful weekend!

Ruffles and Sheen

The actual shade of the skirt:

Blouse: Chloe

Corset Belt: YSL
Skirt: Martin Grant

Pumps: Prada

~

I apologize for the lack of outfit posts recently; I've been enormously uninspired lately, and dressing for two seasons with almost interminable bouts of rain has given me the case of the fashion blahs. It doesn't help that I had an awful day at work. Well, some Korean comfort food and a good movie sound like heaven right about now!

Ladies, Get Your Pre-Sale On!

YSL Cage Necklace in Silver

YSL Platform Pump in Black Patent

~

For those of you who have eyed runway goodies since September but who have been blinded by the astronomical prices, here's your chance to get your pre-sale on! Although "Pre-Sale" can mean different things to different brands (for some, it means instant sale; for others, it means being allowed to reserve things until the sales actually begin), it's an advantageous opportunity for any recessionista. Pre-sale at YSL begun yesterday, Missoni last week, and many others are slated to begin this Friday. Call your sales associate to reserve items now!

Creamy

Jacket: Mason

Dress: Prada

Belt: YSL

Sandals: Prada

Have a restful weekend, and let's celebrate our wonderful mothers!

Orange Sherbert

Blouse: Alice + Olivia

Pants: Banana Republic

Pumps: Salvatore Ferragamo

~

I wore these pants uncuffed (they're wide-legged) during the day, but when it began to pour, I immediately cuffed them to prevent staining. Oddly enough, I like them better cuffed!

Tiffany & Co: Key Chains

Tiffany Key Collection

In the 1990s, every self-conscious fashionista adorned herself with something that originated in that precious blue box: a silver heart pendant, a chunky chain bracelet with that unmistakable tag chain, a mesh ring. In those days, I remember falling prey to the Tiffany craze, alongside prepubescent spoiled girls who had loaded their arms, fingers, necks, and ears with a treasure chest's worth of baubles. Eventually, the craze had invaded almost every age bracket that eventually, I tired of seeing what now had become generic until I altogether retired those items to some dark crevice in my jewelry box. Despite those romantic posters of a glamorous Audrey Hepburn in front of an equally glamorous window, Tiffany's had, at least for me, lost its luster.

~

Until now. The sight of these vintage-inspired, elegant Victorian keys--something Miss Havisham would have used--is touching, poignant even. I love the symbolic aspect of these keys, but at the same time they carry a casual tee-shirt and jeans quality to them that attenuates any preciousness they might have originally imparted. They work best, I think, as an old-world accompaniment to a modern outfit: reminders of an enchanted time in a secret garden.

Big Shoulders

Suede Jacket: Barbara Hulanicki for Topshop

Blouse: Chloe

Jeans: Levi's

Platforms: YSL

~

This past weekend I finally visited Topshop (it opened here almost a month ago but the three-hour line discouraged me from stepping foot in it), a store I remember fondly from my London days as a poor study abroad college student. Although I grabbed several promising goodies, I was yet again discouraged by a ridiculously long changing room line, to which I muttered "forget that" and disarmed quickly. As I grunted my way to the escalator, I noticed a stunning gray jacket with exaggerated shoulders in the corner. Barbara Hulanicki is pretty well known in England (she's the genius behind Biba from the 1960s and 70s), and her modest but gorgeous capsule collection is quite reasonably priced, all things considered. Of course, although I admit that the jacket reminded me a little of Balmain, I've always liked an exaggerated shoulder so long as the rest of the jacket is quite fitted. For us pear-shaped gals, the bold shoulders balance out the larger bottom half.

Ethnic Mix

Sweater: Club Monaco

Necklace: H&M (currently available in stores)

Skirt: Vivienne Tam

Sandals: YSL (click on this for a close-up of the shoes)

~

Don't hesitate to mix different ethnic elements, so long as you balance the look with something modern, like a pair of YSL shoes or a clean silhouette.

Have a wonderful weekend!