Feast

I am so tired from cooking and eating! People are drinking mimosas around me and all I can think of is my pillow.

Yesterday I made a beautiful Fall vegetable hash with red and yellow beets, squash, yams, potatoes, and beet greens. The palette was gorgeous. Fall makes me want to EAT color! Hopefully I'll be less lazy and start WEARING it too.


Image sources (left to right from top): Numero via Le Fashion, unknown, W Magazine, via The Glamourai (both), Bon Appetit magazine.

The Cycle

You know when people ask designers and other fashionables: "What is your earliest fashion memory?" And inevitably they say, "My mom doing x wearing y." Well, that's not the case for me. I only have one fashion memory, and it is really creeping me out lately.

When I was some-young-age, I was obsessed with Madonna. I remember when her Time cover came out; I was so satisfied. Finally my world collided with my dad's world (he was a journalist). If Madonna was on Time, then I wasn't just a stupid kid forcing my little sister to do dance routines with me in the basement. Adults were finally getting hip to something I had known all along. I was a seer. Maybe now they'd listen up.

I remember sitting in my backyard looking at my hand literally PRAYING that I would have some kind of transcendental moment and her black rubber bracelets and lace gloves would appear on my wrists. It seemed to me that if I wanted something THAT BADLY, I should be able to will it into existence. I snapped out of it a few minutes later, got up off the lawn, and resigned myself to bare-armed dorkdom.

People talk about the "freedom" of being a child. But unless your mom is on crack, you are not free. There is no way I was putting those hooker accouterments on my person and wearing them to school, even if Madonna or her baby Jesus made them appear.

But with adulthood, and a little bit of money, the closet is your oyster. And now I have reached a point in the time-trend continuum where the dreams of my youth can be realized at Claire's Accessories.

Too bad I don't want this crap anymore!

Cheers to being old and over it.
Image credits: Pani magazine October 2009, vintage Madonna via The Art of Smoking.

Hahaha hats

First for the serious part: I think this hat is essential for Winter 09/10. Not just in an ears-covered way, but in a outfit-complete way. I have one that my husband got in Russia fifteen years ago or something. I don't know who he got it for, but her head was definitely not as small as this tiny hat. Anyway, you see my point:




It's a little creepy that this girl's hair is indistinguishable from the hat, but aside from that - very simple, very chic.

Now for the LOLZ. I was looking around for a place to send ya'll to buy a hat like this at a regular (non-fashion) price, and in the process I discovered only the WORST BEST MALE MODEL EVER.


Hats off to him for expressing the entire range of human emotion in a shoot for an e-commerce hat company. Now go get one (please, not with the dangly ears).

Photo credits: Igor Termenón, Garance Doré, Copenhagen Street Style.

Living and laving

I am obsessed with the voiceover artist in this ad. Can I please learn to talk like that? "Thanks for taking this meeting. I will be tahhlking and you will be bahying."

Beautiful DIY

It might seem the height of laziness to just be posting someone else's pictures, but this is such a great "DIY"-ish combo ... a feather cape over a leather jacket.

From Le Blog de Betty.

Capsule Wardrobe Pt 3: The Black Album

When I first moved to New York back in 1862, I lived in a dorm at NYU. There was another freshmen girl I used to see in the elevator ALL THE TIME and she would say the same thing to me, in a way that made it clear that she did not remember that she had seen me or said this thing to me before!

"You always wear black - that is, like, so New York to me! I mean when I think of New York, that is what I think of. Someone like you dressed in black. Hahaha [weird nervous laugh]."

... Or some variation of this. I could have prevented this embarrassing mini-monologue if I had worn ONE COLOR my whole freshmen year. But alas.

Later on, right after I graduated, I got really into clothes and shoes in a more "outfit" kind of way, and got into color. Of course, there was an older guy that I liked and he gave me an obnoxious lecture about how I dressed too young (um, I was 23) and how I should wear more black. I stopped liking him.

Anyway, the truth is, I am going back to my dark days. It's so much easier! I could start a whole blog just about black outfits. I think they're inspiring because most people already have pieces they can put to work in recreating a similar look.

If you have any black outfit images (of you or from the web), send them on over to holierthannowblog at gee mail! I will put them up with a link to you - and probably totally copy them in my daily wardrobe.





Image credits (from top): Wayne Tippets, Stockholm Street Style, Stylesightings, Olsens Anonymous.

Ssssssuper late to the party on this one

I know this is old news first reported by the Olsens, but I don't care. First of all, I think theirs is kind of ugly and sperm-tastic.

The only reason I would actually buy into this is because the actual rings are each so different. These could be perceived as unique, whereas no matter how you slice it, a pyramid stud accessory is a pyramid stud accessory. You know what I mean.

Also, they are available at so many different price points.

In case you wondered, the snake is a symbol of wisdom, protection, and life/everlasting life.

My parents live in Cyprus and I'm really into the evil eye as my protective accessory (when the eye has done its job protecting you from the evil thoughts directed at you by jealous bitches people, it breaks - unfortunately for my parents, because they have to buy me a new one at least every year). So, I'm thinking with this snake business, I will really be doubling up on my protection.

But not like PROTECTION protection, given that I'll be wearing a sperm on my finger that represents LIFE.

Anywho...

Above from left to right:

Gold snake $48
Silver with ruby eyes $58
Gold with sapphire colored eyes $55
Antique garnet double $285
Silver two finger $64
Black enamel and ruby colored stone $58
Black and ruby colored stones on gold (similar one, not black, here)

P.S. I know I haven't done a shopping post for so long! But I've been busy. Don't forget about my Ebay sales and go listen to fun music (my hard drive with my whole iTunes library died so this is literally how I rock out all day). You can play the whole playlist here.

Annoucements: Ebay Sale & New Tumblr for your Ears

I am selling some great stuff (mostly shoes, boots and jewelry) on Ebay. More stuff coming today (capes, fur vest and some other accessories).

Items include a huge citrine cocktail ring that I had custom made, Top Shop over the knee boots, Michael Kors shearling cocktail boots, some perfect round toe black heels, etc.!

EBAY SALE!

I started a tumblr to share my secretly terrible taste in music (that is supposedly "just for my workout mix.") . Now, you don't have to listen to pop radio on the sly, just come here and I'll give you what you need on the down low ; ) If it has a hook, it's here:

GUILTY LEISURES

Money where Mouth is

So I've been going on about this capsule wardrobe thing, but I swear guys, I am building it. Pretty soon I'm going to be alerting the media that my son has floated off ... latte-colored essentials aloft.

Ok not funny. But here's something that will make you laugh: how much money is still in your bank account after you buy these pieces, and where you can buy them:


This is not some kind of online illusion. Also I have no connection to this retailer, except that I bought clothes there today. If I could give you a money back guarantee that you will be happy when these show up on your doorstep, I would. The fabric, the details, the color, and the cut are all RIGHT ON. Even that sweater - I know it appears sketchy, but trust! And the puffer jacket- I am shocked to report that the color is WAY NICER IN PERSON.

OLD NAVY (!!)- $69.50 pea coat, $59.50 puffer, $35 sweater.

You can thank "the economy" for creating an environment where you actually have to restrain yourself in this store because the stuff is SO NICE.

Surely some people were fired from their Maxmara/Zara/Club Monaco jobs and had no choice but to enlist in the Navy and make these beauties. God Bless America.

Co/incident

I swear this is just a coincidence that both of these are Daria, although I did have the first one on my wall for six months while I was pregnant. When you have a growing basketball on your midsection, you really can hardly believe you will ever just wear a gray sweater with tight pants again.

Anyway, I love both of these. Look at the white tee in the second ... perfection (hate the fringe on the vest, but I can overlook that). Also, what is that sequined bib business (technically a Balmain "beaded suede sash")? That is the type of thing that I put on and I go running to my husband like: Hey, isn't this cool? And he looks at me like:

I'm not trying to be cute, that's really as close to the expression as I can get without taking a picture of him. This was his reaction when I showed him the feather ring. And he always says: "That's ridiculous." But in a nice way.

Image credits (from top): Paris Vogue, via Knightcat, Dog Time.

Le Boo

I feel like skull jewelry is straight out of Paris Vogue. French people (or French fashion people) seem to really love le rock and roll viy-bah et stuff comme ça. Alors, I am loving these:

They are here and here (well, the latter is sold now but I'm sure they would make another).

The thing is, I have a kid now and I feel like I can't wear a skull ring. I can just see people looking at me like Why is she grasping that baby with her fingers of death? So, one less thing for me to spend my money on. Maybe I could get away with this tiny baby.

Capsule Wardrobe - Cont'd

Everything in this picture:
Except the open toe boots (I can't get into that - the joys of winter are few, and one of them is not having to maintain a perfect pedicure).

DIY Friday

This is by far one of my favorite DIYs.

If you would like one, I am going to sell them for $25 each, in a limited edition of 10. It's not real gold, needless to say. Send me your ring size which you can calculate here (I recommend pinky).

Shipping $3.95 Priority US, $7.00 foreign. Just email me and I'll give you my Paypal. Order processing time will be about one week, since that's how long it will take me to get your band size and make your awesome 10 of a kind ring.

Def.: Trying Too Hard

I get what this girl is trying to do, I like the rings a lot, but seriously: this multiple watch trend is idiotic. Why are you busting out your ugly-a** watches? I try not to say negative things about people's looks but I hate "easy" trends like this. Oh, what's new this week? Oh, 5039 watches? Ok lemme go over my Aunt Ruth's and get busy in her jewelry box ... DUH-HU-UMB.

I realize the first image is actually fake tats from the Chanel show - so I should be so offended and say this is totally unoriginal, from a brand, and you got it free at a show, and get a life - but actually I love it. I have been trying to get a "bracelet" tattoo for years. I was told by a few artists that I wouldn't be happy with it because the circle wouldn't be straight all the way around (I still don't understand this). I also saw a person from my past with a new bracelet tattoo and that freaked me out a little.

The second look: I had a men's watch like this and I took it to trade in for a Cartier tank and the guy literally stole it, said I never left it there, is a total crook ... etc. Don't ever go here for any reason. I wish I had it back now.

ALAS. He is probably rocking 20 watches for Fall, mine being one.

Obsession - Elation - Depression

So I know it's Fall but I still really want these dumb shoes!


I hunted them down this summer and here they are in reality:

They were $770. SEVEN SEVEN-TEE! How insane. Anyway, if you are a size 10, here they are for $307.53 (that 53 cents'll kill ya).

Today I found these on Etsy.

They are $29! They are vintage Cherokee. Don't you think some Henry Cuir intern must have found them and brought them to his attention? I almost bought them before I remembered that shoes have a size and 9 is not mine.

Anyway the good news is there are more things like this (here) and I have faith that a size 7 will materialize... probably next Spring at Aldo when I will be over them.

7 things I like OK about you, Fall 2009

Fashion week is pretty much over (did it ever really begin?). I saw some fools today at Bryant Park just wearing WAYWAYWAY too much stuff ... like I could have started a new blog called Tryin2Hard and had two months of posts from what I saw. MY EYES! The layering of 100 ridiculous items in a "haphazard" way must stop.

Anyway, this pretty much sums up what I will be wearing this fall:

1. Some kind of riding-inspired black jodhpurs - leather in the form of the pants or the half-chaps mentioned in a previous post.

2, 3. Black blazer, black or dark grey cotton clingy skirt.

4. Army jacket over black. ** NEVER THE FLANNEL. I have a short cotton and a long waterproof version of this whole scene.

5. New silhouette pea coat - looking to find an 80's coat with shoulder pads, then will tailor in the waist.

6. Short black leather gloves.

7. Fur vest over black long-sleeve. [Oh Zoe she di'int!]

It's busy around here. Soon we are moving to an apartment with three huge closets** from an apartment with ONE microscopic one so you can only imagine how much shopping-in-the-closet will happen when I start organizing everything.

A few other things I am glad about for Fall:

*Wearing black with white - you always felt like you were Hannah or her sisters catering an event, until now.

*Erin Wesson hibernating in one of Alexander Wang's orifices.

*Retailers finally coming out with items I loved 100 posts ago and am now over.

** It is cheaper than our current apartment and kinda in the middle of nowhere - just in case you think I am getting too big for my half chaps over here.

Credits (top to bottom): Altamira, Stockholm Street Style, Charlotte Ronson, Sincerely Jules, Steven Meisel, Olsens Anon.

Bloglivin'

HAPPY LABOR DAY EVERYBODY!

Image credits LOVE YOU GIRLS!: Quirky Fille, Blog de Sushi, L'Atelier d'un Fee, Song of Style, Mode Junkie, Malie Huffman, Karla's Closet, Maverick Malone, Vintage Lollipops, Song of Style,
Swank Heights, Le Blog de Betty, Science of Sreep, Le Blog de Sushi, Nichole Green, Park and Cube, Science of Sreep, Sea of Shoes, Fashion Toast.

Manic at the Disco

Back in 1995ish when I moved to New York, I got very into Manic Panic. I don't actually remember how this happened, but I bet I just saw the rainbow rows of jars in Ricky's and that was the end of that. I do know for sure that no one I hung out with was dyeing their hair shades of purple and pink. People must have thought it was a little weird since my style was not punk nor grunge nor goth. For the most part, I just did the underside of the back of my head, so that you saw the color when my hair was in a pony tail.

Anyway, expect a lot of people to be busting out the paintbox in the next couple of years - people who you did not think would ever dye their hair a truly unnatural color. I just feel it coming. I am especially feeling the pastel tones; they have crossover appeal.




Image credits (from top): Stockholm Street Style, POP Fall Winter 09 via Fashion Gone Rogue, Cobrasnake, Vogue Italia via Fashion Gone Rogue.

The First of the Mohaircans

(What?)

I have three things on my fall list: the chap boots, a new bag (ask me about my Zara dream-turned-nightmare), and some kind of Native American-feel sweater coat.




Lucky magazine made a half-hearted attempt to "source" these in their September issue (what they were really doing was shouting out Pendleton + Opening Ceremony). I don't really know why I would go to OC to pay 50% more* for something inspired by these items when I can just buy the items themselves here: Pendleton sweater, Pendleton coat. Especially loving the sweater!

*The "Motorcross" short jacket by Pendleton/OC is $510, which is a lot for a non-leather jacket of that silhouette, don't you think?

P.S. In case you ever wonder why magazines suck, it's because they build their "trends" around press releases. It must be so boring for the writers.

Image sources (from top): The Sartorialist, Knightcat, Stylesightings, Amlul.