Triumphant return!

Ten days in the great grey north had me rather distracted from blogging, but onward! Upward! I'm back home and cuddling my sweet, beautiful desert, basking in the sunshine like a lizard, looking forward to the coming days of weather in the sixties. And New Year's Eve, I'm looking forward to that too! Which is good, since it's tomorrow. I have a pretty killer outfit, and hope to coax my best pal into taking over photographic duties from my noble tripod while she's in town. So there'll be another lapse in posting, but then, oh man! More pictures! Some of them even from different angles! The excitement, the anticipation, the transliteration!

On December 20th I got up bright and early for my yearly shopping trip with my father, and of course dragged him to the nearest Target so I could leap onto the Rodarte collection. I got five things, of which this dress is one.


Dress, Rodarte for Target. Over the knee socks, Betsey Johnson.


Shoes, from Target.



Upon seeing this dress I went, oh, Courtney Love in the nineties, wear it with rose-embroidered Doc Martens; done and done. But while browsing Target a few nights ago (I live across the street from one and like to take walks; I end up at Target a LOT) I came across these shoes on sale and realized that with knitted tights and said dress I could go in a different direction: saucy thirties lounge singer. Too much antique and vintage shopping always gets me in a mood to dress like I'm in a different decade, and right now I'm feeling the twenties and thirties.

I'm also feeling female vocalists in a big way; my playlists lately have been a head-spinning mix of Company of Thieves, Metric, The Like, Lady Gaga, old school Fiona Apple, Paramore, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Tegan & Sara, The Kills, etc. Kind of dying for something new to listen to at this point, any suggestions? The above selection covers my musical interests fairly well.

We are our own devils.

I hit up the Gap recently and got myself a few things (and bright pink knit slippers for my grandmother), finally satisfying my need for a plaid shirt. They have a pretty nice selection of plaid shirts, but the fit is weird - the smalls are pretty clingy, but the mediums are sort of ridiculously loose. I went with the small, and I think that was the way to go. Also, I love the ruffles.


Shirt, The Gap. Jeans, J Brand. Shoes, Christian Louboutin. Rings, vintage. Bracelet, H&M.

Even with the ruffles, I still wanted to pep it up with the sparkly Oxfords. Why not, right? And to take it out into the cold, a black sweater over top.


Sweater, The Gap. Antlers, Photobucket editing software

'Tis the season, right?

Finally, a song I can't stop listening to, with an accompanying Rushmore-referencing video for your time, Oscar Wilde by Company of Thieves:

Wednesday Wants.

Decadence: I've had this editorial open in tabs since it was posted because I can't seem to stop looking at it. Roses + brocade + couture = my personal heaven. Fashion Gone Rogue

Dying: I thought the phrase "shaking and crying" was a silly overexaggeration until I saw this Net-a-Porter exclusive cloud print Christopher Kane dress. Net-a-Porter

Deliciousness: I live and die by Sweet & Sara's vegan marshmallows. Currently can't get enough of the Cinnamon Pecan variety, but the S'mores are a thing of wonder as well. Sweet & Sara

Dollhouse: Figures I'd get obsessed with this show only after its cancellation...still, if you're not watching, you're missing out. Hulu

Darling: Marc Jacobs can be hit or miss with me, but when it's a hit, it's pretty much the most perfect 1920s-esque sequined swirly-skirted hit of a dress that I can imagine. Barneys

Las Vegas Valley "winter."

It's back in the low sixties here the week before Christmas, and I can't say I'm complaining. It's the perfect weather for this dress and boots combo I'm always happy to bring out, which is just right for shopping at an outdoor mall on a sunny day - which I have, in fact, already done. So now it's me and a cup of tea, fine company on a pleasant afternoon. I'm taking my alone time as I can get it, before the ten day trip up north for the holidays.


Dress, Marc by Marc Jacobs. Boots, The Gap.


Blurrily photographed and much prettier in person bracelet, Anthropologie.

I may throw a black sweater over this if I go out into the cold later tonight. This outfit makes me feel pleasantly like I'm going fox-hunting or something, very Lady of the Manor...or perhaps, possibly, I've just had a few too many cups of tea today.

Desire.

SS10 can't come soon enough...


Clogs, Chanel.


Satin peep-toe, sling-back Jolie Époque wedge with gold embroidery detail, Christian Louboutin.


Platform sandal with stud detail, Hermès.


Flower-print platform pump, Miu Miu.


Titanic ballerina pump, Alexander McQueen.

All from Candy Pratts Price's Spring 2010 Accessory Report. I looked through all of them, mostly because I've been obsessing about the McQueens and I was hoping to find something to distract me...not so much. I'm probably going to head to the Alexander McQueen at the Wynn at some point this week to pester someone about them, so I can at least find out the price/if they need to be special-ordered/if I need to either give up right now or start socking away money for them.

A new shopping center just opened up on the Strip (because we need another one), and I've been meaning to check it out. There's a Marni there, and apparently a Miu Miu is opening in 2010, hopefully in time to stock that killer spring collection. I'll also be interested to see the CLs up there in person, what an insane collision of seventies wedge and luxe detailing. And it's pleasing to see a few simple heels from Chanel and Hermès as well. We'll see what, if any of these, I end up picking up - you never know how something's going to look in person.

Still: do want those McQueens.

Glitter on the wet streets.

I finally got these shoes in the mail, glory hallelujah Merry Christmas to me, etc! I'd been considering them for ages (fact: I either make total impulse purchases or agonize over them for 3-6 months before buying), and had almost decided to go with a pair of Lanvin lace-ups instead on the basis of practicality. My main issue was whether or not they would last me for years - i.e., would I still be wearing them in my mid-thirties? Eventual conclusion: hell yes I'm going to be the kind of woman who wears silver glitter Oxfords in her thirties. Anddd purchased.


Shoes, Christian Louboutin. Bunny socks, gift from Jessa.

I originally planned to debut them with jeans, so as not to disco anyone to death, but then I put on this vintage dress for kicks, and with this 1949 Seventeen cover in mind, decided to make the shoes the focal point of an otherwise polite fifties-ish sweater girl look.


Sweater, D&G. Dress (under sweater), vintage.

The full swinginess of the dress isn't apparent here, but trust me, it's amazing. Also invisible: the fact that I cut about four inches off the ends of my hair yesterday, after seeing it in the mirror and realizing it was a complete disaster. I also took a bunch of pictures of myself jumping up like an even more demented Caroline Trentini, but it turns out it takes practice to get that right on a self-timer, and contrary to popular statement practice does not actually make perfect. Or possibly it does, but I got tired of jumping. So until lazy makes perfect, those pictures will not see the (relative) light of (gloomy, drizzly, winter) day.

Hey kid, you'll never live this down.

I've been thinking about this look for awhile now, and have only just now gotten all the necessary parts for it, like a car that's ready to run. In my head it had sort of a rockabilly/New Jersey/Amy Winehouse vibe (clearly I somehow think these things go together), I wish I had a better grasp of hairstyling so I could do something appropriate that goes along with the look. For now, I'll settle for rocking the look as is, probably with a red jacket over it so I don't freeze in the December weather. Fun times...


Top, Odille. Jeans, Citizens of Humanity. Shoes, Christian Louboutin.





I've been obsessed with these shoes for months and months, pleased to finally have them in my closet. The shade of blue is so interesting, I look forward to seeing what other outfits I can pair with them in the coming months! I think they'll rule for spring.

I love everything about this.

via If Charlie Parker Was a Gunslinger, There'd Be a Whole Lot of Dead Copycats

Statement denim.

These jeans, man. Oh, these jeans. First seen in the pages of Nylon, tracked to Shopbop (where they were sold out in my size, then literally two days later, sold out entirely), hunted for online and off, and finally inadvertently stumbled upon at a denim specialty retailer on a chance trip to a new luxury shopping complex in Bellevue, Washington. Fate? I kinda think so.


T-shirt, Fluxus. Jeans, PRPS. Sandals, Marni.


Necklace, vintage.




Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. Work for your own salvation. Do not depend on others.

I wanted a look that would let the jeans stand out without being too boring. I wore my Marni sandals for height and a bit of glimmer, and because I intended to check out the new Marni store today in a recently opened shopping center in town. I didn't actually make it to the shopping center, but boy was I ever tall. The necklace I'm wearing is one of my favorites, purchased in an antique shop in Oregon.

I'd only read about PRPS jeans prior to finding this pair, but I'm definitely loving them - they're super comfortable, and frankly the most interesting pair of jeans I've ever owned. I'm kind of banning myself from buying anymore denim for a long while though, seeing as I did a count and realized I have fully seventeen pairs of jeans in my closet...good grief. New Year's Resolution: I will learn restraint. Besides, how could I possibly find a pair I like more than these?

Let the wild rumpus begin!

The weather's getting colder and my thoughts are turning increasingly towards coziness. This is translating itself to plaid and fake fur in my mind, and dreams of hiding in the forest, Wild Things-style. I'm thinking something like all of these together...not sure what I'm going to pick up yet, but it's nice to dream.


Jacket, Anthropologie.


Ashby Plaid Flannel shirtdress, Rugby Ralph Lauren.


Carol headband, Pamela Love for Opening Ceremony.


Inspiration: Abbey Lee for Dazed & Confused, via Fashion Gone Rogue.

Kindly ignore the catastrophically wretched styling on the plaid shirtdress. I'd probably pair this look with my calf-high brown boots and some cream-colored tights. I tried on the jacket when I was up in Bellevue over Thanksgiving, and I've been mildly obsessed with it ever since...so cute, and so unlike anything else I own. Plus it's warm enough that I wouldn't need a sweater under it. (Not that I'm talking myself into it. Much.)

art is what you can get away with.

via aiguillies at tumblr

Lace, glitter, ribbons, etc.

This is one of my girlier looks...this dress tends to be a big hit with the older crowd. I like it because it goes from day to date pretty easily, and I'm nuts about the shoes even though they aren't wildly comfortable. Can't argue with sweet and simple, anyhow.


Dress and purse, vintage. Shoes, Miu Miu. Tights from Anthropologie.





The MbMJ bag I've been wanting finally went on sale today at Neiman Marcus, which I'm pretty stoked about. They only had it online, so that'll show up on my doorstep in about a week and a half. I'm dying right now waiting for the Barneys designer sale tomorrow, hoping like hell that the Louboutins I've been after will go on sale. Fingers crossed!

All I want for Christmas.

This Chanel dress.


These SS10 Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte shoes.


This book.


These amazing phantom dream shoes.


This Alexander McQueen clutch (still).


A Mucha print or two.


This Louis Vuitton resort 2010 look.


These YSL studded heels.


This (Cavalli?) dress.


A Parrish print or two.


These wildly expensive boots.


This Marc Jacobs dress.


This life.

A thorough analysis of the work of Steven Meisel.

via ecstasy_lover

Something always nagged at me about this photoshoot. I've never been able to get into it because of Jessica Stam's makeup/creepy dead eyes, but I think I just found the humor in it.

It's a sinister cross between Y Tu Mama Tambien and Weekend at Bernie's.

Well played, Meisel.

Those lazy, hazy days of November.

Autumn still gets me in the mood for school, in a sort of roundabout way - like school in the sense of New England boarding school. Not that I attended one of those, but in my head they're all very idyllic and beautiful, and I mourn that I'll never get to experience one for myself. Until my next life, though, I think I'll just aim vaguely for Eastern prep and hope I land somewhere awesome.


T-shirt, Fluxus. Skirt, D&G. Boots, 8th St.


Cardigan, D&G.




Ring and souvenir pin, vintage.

The souvenir pin celebrates Admiral Dewey's May 1, 1898 Manila Victory. I've gotten into souvenir pins and badges lately - they add something weird to an outfit, which I appreciate. I'm pretty obsessed with this D&G cardigan too, it's printed with a scene from the French opera Don Quichotte highlighting the character Sancho Panca. It's also pretty cozy.

Tomorrow I'm headed up north to visit my parents and grandparents for the holiday. I look forward to subsisting on Tofurkey Jerky and dressing for much colder weather. Jeans and sweaters ahoy!

Bella Italia

Something simple that'll go from day to date, perfect for a sunny Saturday.


Dress, Dolce & Gabbana. Shoes, Marni.


Ring, antique.