two of a kind

I love Stella McCartney. Her everyday woman design aesthetic, her amazing house in the English countryside (which you can check out in the November issue of Vogue), even her kids are adorable. This outfit is from her 2010 resort collection so it’s already ancient history in the fashion world, but this collections was one of my favorites. I love the sequined jumpsuit; the shoulders on the jacket are amazingly architectural and the silk wrapped wooden ball necklace is just pure fun!

A few days ago I was browsing the archives of one of my favorite blogs, Oh Joy!, and I came across Gretel, a web-based company that specializes in modern home accessories. There I found this little black porcelain Uni Container. It instantly brought this Stella outfit to mind. The bumpy surface of the jar reminded me of the necklace. This jar would make a great place to store random buttons or trinkets. And so, taking more inspiration from Joy, I paired them together and came up with these two of a kind. What do you think? Do you have an outfit that resembles the jar...or vice versa? Or some other two of kind? Let me know!

New Love...Steven Alan

While he's not a newcomer to the industry, Steven Alan is new to the Fashion Week circuit this year. I came across him on Style.com's Spring 2010 Preview. The website had posted part of Alan's inspiration collage; I was drawn to the simplicity of the images as well as Alan's sketching style, and I listed it it here as one of the shows I was looking forward to in the New York line up.

I was not disappointed either. Choc full of easy summer gear for men and women, I could actually envision myself in a number of the pieces. Alan said his clean, beach-casual looks were inspired by a recent trip he took to Spain and the Mediterranean.

For the ladies, Alan offered a mix of dresses, easy wide-leg pants and sweaters in a gorgeous array of linen, light weight denim and Cupro. I loved his use of straw Panama hats for women and the Espadrilles, both wedge heeled and flat.

I loved these two jackets. The one of the left is a beautiful denim Cupro trench, so fab and great for Spring weather. I love the camel colored one on the right because it looks exactly like its sketch. As a designer myself, I love to seeing how pieces come to life in fabric. Sometimes a sketch looks like one thing but the item in question, be it a jacket, a dress or a pair of pants, becomes something else entirely when it's made. Alan's lovely cotton trapeze coat looks brilliant and just as I envisioned it.

This look took me completely by surprise. These two photos are from two different sites. The one on the left I found at Womens Wear Daily. I loved the white linen blazer and I'm a sucker for just about anything polka dot. I assumed this yellow beauty was Alan's take on the romper, which is everywhere these days, and I was pleasantly surprised when I came across the photo on the right on Alan's own website. It's not a romper but two separate pieces that remind me of 40s style bathing suits. LOVE IT!

For men, Alan's collection was equal parts beach-casual and Ivy League Prepster. These two looks were the standouts in my humble opinion. Alan gave men a new option for pants: a cinched waist, gusseted "mountain pant", he believes will make a great alternative for denim in the warmer months. I think they look great, but none of the guys I know will be wearing them (sadly most of my guy friends are not so fashion forward). I also really like Alan's bow ties. I didn't even notice them at first glance, they were so unobtrusive and subtle, made from the same fabrics as many of his shirts.

All in all, I was quite pleased with my new find and I'll definitely be look out for his collections in the future.

To see his current collection, check out his fall look book or read his own blog, check out Steven Alan.com

Fashion Week!!!

New York Fashion Week kicked off today! As much as I love the sweaters and coats of fall and winter, I get super amped for the Spring/Summer shows. There is something about seeing all the skirts and dresses in their bright, warm-weather glory that brings a smile to my face and makes me excited for the coming of the new fashion year. Here's the short list of the New York shows I'm looking forward to seeing.

Vera Wang

I have loved this woman's work since I discovered her when I was 14. Her expert draping and her luxurious fabrics and colors never cease to make me drool a bit. I wait on pins and needles each season to see what she will come up with next.

Steven Alan

Steven Alan has 10 stores worldwide and a 10 year old brand, but his nyc show will be his first. I came across him in the Style.com preview and was instantly taken by this mood board. I looked up his website and am exicited to see what he has to offer.

Imitation by Tara Subkoff

Half of the duet that started Imitation of Christ back in 2001, Tara Subkoff is back with her own line, Imitation. Her new collection reflects her evolution as a person; Subkoff says her goal, "is to make dressing easy for women. You shouldn't have to think too hard about what you're going to wear every day. I think of Imitation as clothes that will leave your mind free for other things." I'm genuinely curious to see how she translates that into clothes.

Calvin Klein

Francisco Costa has been doing wonders at Calvin Klein since he joined the brand in 2003. I love his clean silhouettes and muted color palettes; while is garments might look deceptively simple, lines like his take some serious pattern making skills.

Baubles, gems and jewels, oh my!

I've never been one to wear much jewelry, but I LOVE a good ring. I used to wear several rings on each hand, but grad school changed that. Working every day with my hands, rings just tended to get in the way. Now, finished with school and out in the working world, I've taken to wearing one or two "statement" rings. Lately, I've been seeing them in droves. Fabulous jeweled cocktail rings...funky icon rings...sweet, delicate rings. They come in a range of colors and prices, but it's good thing I'm sticking to a budget because one of the gems I'm eyeing would break my piggy bank. Here are some of my faves...

My recent acquisition: Selene ring, Banana Republic, $39.50

The Ring and the Motorcycle, Modcloth, $15.99

SLRing, Modcloth, $9.99

Bow ring, Kate Spade, $75

Held Dear ring, Anthropologie, $58

Sequin Cluster ring, Nordstrom, $68

Ippolito Disco Ring, Neiman Marcus, $795

Cocktail Party Ring, Banana Republic, $59.50

Roses are red...

I am being followed by a jacket. A red, rosette-covered jacket, to be specific. I have seen this jacket four times now and each time I'm so overwhelmed by its sudden appearance, I take no notice to the person actually wearing the jacket. I have no idea if there are 4 different women who own the same jacket or if it's being worn by the same person each time. I've searched the internet high and low, and having not been able to find it, I'm guessing it's a one-off, possibly vintage.

This is a statement jacket. It's fitted, it's cropped, it has some serious shoulders, not to mention the entire thing is covered in rosettes, front and back! What's more this is not a jacket that will look good on just anybody. The cropped length of the jacket's body combined with its peaked shoulders makes it an extremely tricky garment for shorter women to pull off; however, don't go thinking that simply being tall will make it a great addition to your own wardrobe. I'm just over 5'8" and I would never attempt this! For starters, nothing cropped has ever looked good on my body and secondly, my shoulders are too wide.

I want to say I like this jacket. Conceptually, I think its amazing! Someone put a lot of work into this piece. I'm guessing each rosette is hand appliquéd. The jacket is a stand alone item and it needs to be worn in a clean and unfussy way. I've seen it with a black, high-waisted paper bag skirt...terrible! Black was good choice of color, but the paper bag skirt was entirely too much volume for one outfit; the woman looked like she was trying way to hard to to make the jacket work for her. Another time, the jacket showed up with a long olive drab t-shirt with a shirt tail hem. She had also donned a pair of equally drab skinny cargo pants. Errrr. I have no idea where to even start with this one.

With a item like this, the jacket wears the woman and not the other way around. The pieces paired with the jacket need to be kept simple and streamlined. I'd start with a pair of skinny gray jeans and an easy white silk tank. To top it all off, a pair of black peep-toe booties would do the trick. Easy breezy.

But for me, the jury is still out. I'm completely on the fence with this one. What do you think of the jacket? How would you wear it? Let me know!

Lusting after....J Crew shoes.

I don't know what they've been putting in their coffee over at J.Crew these days, but they need to keep it up! I just got the fall catalogue and man oh man are there ever so many LUST worthy items. I could on and on for days about their cardigans alone! And their tissue tees! I live in those. But right now, its their shoes that have me drooling. Most are out of my current budget, but a girl can dream, right?

Girandole studded heel ballet flat, $178

Langford platform high heel oxfords, $275

Sequin bow ballet flats, $188

Tilly satin two tone platform heels, $325

Check out more at J.Crew

Allons-y...the Netherlands

The Dutch have given the world some pretty great stuff over the years. Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Gogh and Mondrian in the art world. Wooden clogs, gouda cheese, Delftware and tulip mania. One of my favorite Dutch contributions to the world is their architecture. I'm not just referring to their windmills and their boxy little farmhouses nestled into the rolling countryside, or the narrow three and four story merchant homes sandwiched side-by-side on the canals of Amsterdam. I'm talking about the innovative and sometimes futuristic designs that have come out of the Netherlands since the end of WW2. Much of the world is familiar with the works of Rem Koolhaus, who has had a prolific architecture career. Among other things, he designed the Seattle Public Library and it's one of my favorite buildings. Here are a few very cool, very clever Dutch picks, all located within the Netherlands and I'm thinking a trip is in order!

The Selexyz Bookstore

Maastricht

From the outside, this former Dominican church is rather austere and somber, but pass through the double wooden doors and you enter what the UK's Guardian newspaper called "the most beautiful bookshop of all time". I don't disagree.

The Selexyz has all the fittings and trappings of any other bookshop including a cafe and sitting are tucked into what was once the home of the main altar. You can sip cappuccinos while flipping through the latest magazines or simply wander around taking in the murals and stained glass windows as you look for the latest literary works. I'm in!!

Aluminium Bos

Houten

Near Utrect, on the edge of a man-made lake, sits the Aluminium Centre. (Yes I realize that is the British spelling, but if you were to Google "aluminum center" you will not find this building. Believe me, I tried it.) This unassuming aluminum box partially extends out over the lake, perched atop rods also made of aluminum. The metal posts, called the Aluminium Forest, mimic the surrounding Birch forests and also double as drainage pipes and service conduits. Very clever.

By far, the coolest feature and the one that won me over, can only be seen at night. When the sun goes down, the building is turned into a dazzling display. Fitted to the center are several outdoor lamps called Exterior 200s and Exterior 600s. These "intelligent luminaires" create an ever changing, light show of endless colors and hues. The glow reflecting off the shiny metal and the still lake waters is lovely.

Urban Cactus

Rotterdam

An oasis in the heart of a bustling commercial center is what the Urban Cactus is meant to be. This 19-story residential building on Rotterdam's harbor was conceived by UCX Architects. Each of the levels is "rotated" to allow the most possible natural light to enter each unit. The floor plan also allows for huge outdoor terraces where residents can have private gardens and green spaces. Although very cool and somewhat retro looking, I can't actually find evidence that this has been built, nor can I find the firm's website. The image I have is an artists rendering. It's a shame too, because I would seriously consider a place like this for myself! Maybe one day it will come to fruition, but it's a great example of Dutch creativity nonetheless.

For more info check out the following:

Merkx+Girod Architects

World Architecture News

Design Scene

Abbink de Haas

Burberry Beauty

Last night, my good friend Panda and I had the opportunity to attend the Burberry Beauty Launch Party at the Westfield SF Nordstrom. Burberrry has created a 96-piece line of eye shadows, lip colors, foundations and powders in a range of gorgeous, classic colors. Nordstrom is the lucky retailer carrying the line in the US and the lovely Christopher Bailey, chief creative director of the brand, has taking time out of his busy schedule to attend some of the kick-off events.

I first heard about the event a few weeks ago when I was browsing the MAC counter. I noticed that where their counter had been was now a construction zone.

"What's happened to your counter?" I asked one of the MAC girls.
"We're getting a Burberry Beauty counter, she told me. "The brand is launching its beauty line here in the US and they're only opening like 5 counters nationwide AND only at Nordstrom."
"Wow, that's cool" I reply.
"Actually, there's going to an event in a few weeks to kick off the brand. I can sign you up for a consultation if you'd like. Oh and Christopher Bailey will be there."

STOP! THE Christopher Bailey? The creative genius behind the line?! Sign me up! The makeup artists can do whatever they want to my face, I get to be in the same room as Christopher Bailey!

And so, I signed myself and Panda up.

The make-up event was pretty standard as far as events go. Loads of make-up artists, loads of women getting a fresh new face. The cosmetics were lovely, the powders and shadows pressed with the Burberry plaid pattern, the lip glosses super creamy and lush. The packaging was just as pretty. The boxes the color of their iconic trench with metallic silver writing and all the cosmetic packaging printed in plaid.

After our make-overs, Panda and I were whisked upstairs to the VIP lounge. This I was not expecting! Black clad waiters circulating with trays of bubbly champagne and tangy Pimm's (my fave!!) and little nibbles. SF society dames rubbing elbows with everyday folks. And there was Christopher Bailey, looking fab in a slightly rumpled black suit, pale blue shirt and shiny black leather shoes. It took Panda and I pushing a few people out of the way but we did get to meet him and when we did he was the nicest man! He shook our hands and seemed genuinely grateful that we had come and were enjoying ourselves, so humble that we were so excited to meet him, a veritable rock star in our industry. He was even more than happy to pose for a photo.

After that Miss P and I sat a chatted, sipping our bevies and nibbling on some salted caramel chocolates a waiter had brought our way. After a few minutes a woman came around and asked if we wanted a free gift, handing us each an enormous and heavy Burberry bag. Curiosity got the better of us and we opened up one of the gifts then and there, but I'll let you scroll through the photos below to see just what our gift was. Let me tell you: it is AWESOME.

All in all, the night was fantastic. The event was tons of fun and very chic. Christopher Bailey is an absolutely lovely, charming man. I'm so glad I stopped by the MAC counter when I did, otherwise I would have completely missed the event!

You can check out the full line of Burberry Beauty cosmetics at www.burberry.com or at Nordstrom's beauty website www.nordstrom.com

just another day at the office...

but not just another blog! I have discovered my milk toof and the world of Lardee and ickle. Started by the awesomely creative Inhae, this blog follows the adventures of the two little guys above. She made the two teef from polymer clay and she paints them and can mold their faces into different expressions. The bottom line is that this blog is AWESOME and you should follow it! I've put some other clips of Lardee and ickle below to intice you even more!

yikes!

"these hats mean business!"

check her out at http://mymilktoof.blogspot.com