Today's Look - More Stripes with Exagerated Pants

Its raining and dismal and one of the first cool days which is the foreshadowing of summer's close.  I just received these harem pants ordered from Forever 21.  The fabric is incredibly fluid, and the shape is quite novel.  You cannot tell from the picture, but at the knee they begin to get tight like leggings and then go down to about the mid calf.  They are rather progressive and look expensive.  My top is from H&M, and I gave it a Balmain nudge by adding shoulder pads.  I love this blouse because, it has great drape, is a sailor stripe and has an awesome zipper detail at the shoulder. 

This is a detail shot of the side seam on the pant which lends to its structure.  The studded bracelet is Forever 21, and the charm bracelet is Assad Mounser.

This is a close up of that great zipper detail on the blouse, and my earrings are vintage.

My boots are Pollini and I am wearing them with American Apparel thigh high stockings.

Today's Look - Shoulder Pads and Graphic Skirt

I love this skirt, however when I bought it, I think everyone thought I was crazy.  The skirt is Basso and Brooke and the graphic is lipstick, mascara and miscellaneous makeup.  I also love the actual shape of it - its like a cocoon!  My grey cropped tee is from American Apparel and I added my own shoulder pads to it for some attitude.

This is a closeup of the lipstick print.  My belt is vintage, the jeweled bangles are vintage, and the charm bracelet is Assad Mounser.

This is a close up of the shoulder pads...I am putting them in all of my garments this season!

The boots are vintage and studded DIY style by yours truly!

Assad Mounser in the FW 9/10 Issue of Purple Magazine

I designed some custom rosaries for the Charlotte Kemp shoot in the new issue of Purple Magazine.  Pictured is the cover and the credit below that.  I love the image of Charlotte leaned against the statue - something about it is hazy and dreamy like she is standing in a secret garden.

Today's Look - When Goth meets Grandma

I really like the rich print of this dress, I think it will be cool in the winter with suede over the knee boots and an angular shaped over coat.  In these pictures I tried to offset the basic shape of the dress and below the knee hem with super edgy and gritty accessories.  I was also desperate for height because of the hemline, so I opted for the creepers.  The dress is one of the floral vintage pieces I purchased last week.  My belt is from Zara and the necklace is the Assad Mounser Forget Me Not Collar.  Otteny.com has a version of this piece among other items available for online purchase now!

Today's Look - Pop of Pink

Let me start by saying I love love these pants.  Purchased from H&M, these pants actually had a completely different shape originally.   Prior to my handy-work they were essentially a genie pant (without the drop crotch) with a banded hem at the ankle and from that hem was pleating.  Additionally, the belt loops all had cheap plastic buttons on them - yuck.  I promptly removed the buttons, and tacked the belt loops down.  Next I ripped the exterior side seams, and completely reshaped the leg of the pant giving them a blousant shape which tapers to a slim leg and a simple non banded hem.  The result - a look that is conceptual and wearable rather than cheap and dated.  The top I have on is a Corpus top for Urban Outfitters, and it is the softest flimsiest thing in the world - in a good way!   

I chose to pop this look with killer accessories and my favorite neon pink!  The belt is vintage.  The cuff with pearl detail is from Forever 21, and the charm bracelets are both Assad Mounser. The clutch (which I also have in black) is a very non-cheap looking party option, from Forever 21...

My lipstick is a MAC combo of Lady Danger and Amplified.

Close up of the bracelets...

And these are the most comfortable heels in the world!  I can run around in them from 9:00 am to 3:00 am!  They are the Spider by Alejandro Ingelmo.

Into the Woods

Upon opening the new September issue of American Vogue, I found myself mesmerized by the "Into the Woods" editorial shot by Mert and Marcus.  When I went online to hunt for the images to post, I found images from a very similar shoot also titled "Into the Woods" and also shot by Mert and Marcus but this time for W in August of 07.  Both editorials are stunning, but I chose to post this one first because of its range in color palette.  I loved the ice blue tone of the model's bow against the amber hue of the leaves.  Also, the images that radiate a hazy shade of fuchsia in the horizon look like a fairy tale.  The overall repertoire of saturated color chroma is a fantastic parallel to fall's burnished color palette.  Choc full of fur toned sienna's, bronzes, and chestnuts as well as that 80's electric pink and neon blue, with a dash of the season's "It" color red, this spread is a virtual color wheel of what everyone's fall wardrobe should look like!

Today's Look - Vintage Floral

I am embracing summer while I still can.  I purchased a whole slew of incredible vintage floral dresses this week.  I am excited to wear them all now, back to flats and then transition into fall with them back to woolly thigh highs and comfy cardigans.  I added my own personal touch to this dress by tacking the hem to the waist line giving it a voluminous and modern feel.

Also, I am wearing a Thakoon belt, and Alejandro Inglemo flat sandals.

Again, I love the idea of adding broaches to a bunch of necklaces for additional drama.  This art deco broach is vintage while my necklaces are Assad Mounser and Moschino Cheap and Chic.

Also, I dug up these sunglasses I got a long time ago at H&M, they have a great Chanel feel and are a fresh substitute to my Wayfarers.

Today's Look - When the 80's and an Avant Garde Shoulder Meet

Oh, do I love the bright colors of the 80's.  As much as I try to buy neutrals only, I constantly end up gravitating toward the candy colors of that era.  The body con dress in fluorescent acid floral looks like it was from the Betsy Johnson archive, however it is actually from Forever 21 and was scored last week for $13.80.

You are all too familiar with this necklace by now, I know, its the Assad Mounser Regal Multi...I keep wearing it because its the only sample I have here right now!  The waistcoat is one of my ALL TIME favorite purchases, and it has proven to be a piece with major longevity.  It is by Jean Paul Gaultier and is perfect for a season fraught with aggressive shoulders.  The cuff is also from Forever 21!

This is a back view of the waistcoat.  The silhouette is so so lovely!

Finally, my Dingo boots - a wardrobe staple I kick around all over town in...and my heart shaped Moschino purse the perfect accent to my 80's ensemble.

Today's Look - Reminds me of a Lollipop!

Oh boy, do I love this dress.  The neon pink and orange are such a nice contrast to the nude.  I also love the asymmetrical layering of this dress as well as the shape.  I got it from Urban Outfitters, but it actually looks more expensive and modern than one would suspect!

I am not sure if you can tell from the picture, but I am wearing an Alejandro Ingelmo rose gold skinny stamped croco belt.  The rose gold color tone looks really nice against the colors of the dress.

My shoes are very Margiela-esque, but are actually from Zara.  I love the idea of a sandal/boot.  I also think that these shoes will look cool in the winter back to black tights.

And finally a close up of the jewels.  The broach is Dolce and Gabbana, The multi chain necklace is an Assad Mounser (the Cotton Candy), and the multi colored jeweled piece is from Forever 21.  

Today's look - Grunge

So today, I had to run into the city to drop an order off at a store.  I decided to go grunge down to the vintage 90's bleached out Levis!  Brenda, Kelly, Donna - eat your heart out!  I am also wearing the buffalo check bustier I posted yesterday...I love it - it is also going to look great with a high waisted short and killer flat sandals.  The yellow plaid vest is actually a scarf tied around the back from the men's department at Urban Outfitters.  My bangles are from St. Marks and Forever 21.  My belt is one of my very favorite things in the world and was given to me by my best friend's mom - she gave it to me along with several pairs of amazing earrings she used to wear back in the 80's!

The two single rosaries are Assad Mounser and the lucite and chain pendant is Moschino Cheap and Chic.

Then I decided that maybe I needed to add this other Assad Mounser piece into the mix and lose the scarf.  I love the combination of red and amber here!  This necklace is not on my website, but is currently available at Serenella in Boston.

A close up of my belt and the Assad Mounser necklace.  The belt closure is a snake head and tail, and there is a working pocket where you can stuff your credit card and money!

Also a close up of the shoes - Jeffrey Campbell.  I got them in March at freepeople.com, but they can still be purchased now.  They also come in nude which is pretty smart.

Pin Up

I adore this editorial in the current issue of Lula.  It is styled by Aya Kanai, and has a great 1950's pin up feel.  The vintage aesthetic is lady-like and rocker at the same time, which I love.  I am also enamoured with the rockabilly hair, red lips and just the photo treatment in general.  I also found some amazing items on the market from low end to high end that complete this look...

Images 1 - 4: Lula Issue #8

Buffalo check bustier: Forever 21 - $17.80 (I bought this yesterday, so look for pictures of me wearing it soon!)


Tacked skirt: RM Roland Moret - $610 available at netaporter.com

Black and white spat oxford: Topshop - $110 

Gem printed tee:  Philip Lim - $225 available at lagarconne.com.  This tee is my latest obsession and next purchase!

Houndstooth mini dress: Preen - $1260 available at netaporter.com


Color-block dress: Jason Wu - $1360 available at netaporter.com

Floral corset: Topshop - $40 

Bow sweatshirt: Thread Social - $155 available at netaporter.com

Ankle boots: Alexander Wang - $395 available at otteny.com


Oversized tweed jacket: Urban Outfitters - $108