Stress Relief

During an emotionally high stress point, I find much relief in purchasing items. I think the fact that you know something good is about to arrive in the mail is always a mood booster.

Rue La La has a dangerous winter multi-brand sale of handbags, outerwear, clothes, denim, and shoes right now. I dabbled in the outerwear and handbag sales and found myself purchasing this lovely wool Laundry belted coat (originally $350, purchased for $129)

and this beautiful black suede Gustto Crossbody hobo bag (which reminds me of the Gucci Hysteria cross body bag that I die for, originally $675, purchased $169).

Plus I had $20 in credits at Rue LaLa. So retail value spent $995. Saved $708!! Can't wait for the packages in the mail! I surely keep the UPS employees busy. Ha.

UPDATE: Just bought an Ali Ro dress... Thanks Gilt... ($108, was $206, I should feel amazing right now.. hah)

Under $25 Gift Ideas

Just rummaging through websites and looking at the merchandise, I have decided to pick and choose some things that caught my eye as a cute gifts for this holiday season.

Tulle Short Key Hole Gloves, $17.

Forever 21 Studded Links Necklace, $23.

Alloy Zoey Clutch, $25.

Sephora Color Play Palette II, $24.

The Sartorialist by Scott Schuman, $18.

Anthropologie Extra Ingredients Measuring Spoons, $18.

Cozy

3.1 Phillip Lim Belted Shawl Lapel Coat, $750.

Perfect winter top for my new boots. Very homey, log cabin feeling with the fireplace burning.

Spike

EUGENIE NIARCHOS wearing Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci Leather and Metal Studded Hairband!!! Image from Jak and Jil Blog

Winter Boots Found

Purchased! Dani Black Reaper Boot, on sale $234 from $325. I had been searching for the perfect pair of riding boots. I was set on finding a pair of the Sam Edelman Phallon Boots, but I have had no luck in finding my size. With my determination in dressing my lovely feet in some polished boots, I came across these motorcycle/riding boots that have a classy edge to them. Good purchase? Or should I wait to find those Phallon boots still?

Everybody's Fine Premiere

Absolutely loving Drew Barrymore's Pucci ensemble at last night's Everybody's Fine movie premiere.

Shopping With Friends - Low Country AIDS Services Benefit

Over a HUNDRED retailers are opening their doors to shoppers this Saturday around the Charleston area and donating 10% of every dollar spent to Low Country AIDS Services! Tickets to a "Pre-Shopping" Brunch and an eve-cocktail event are available too with proceeds going to Low Country AIDS Services. Go shop for a good cause!

http://www.aids-services.com/events/shopping_with_friends/

Quilted Details

Manoush Black Quilted Corsage Skirt Dress Coat, $743.

The ultimate statement coat with subtle, yet bold details .

Plywood

Maison Martin Margiela Line 22 Striated Ankle Boot, $1295.

The ultimate "wooden, stacked" wedge bootie.

Equestrian

I am seeking out the perfect riding boot. A classic piece to wear with jeans and a button up polo, a t-shirt and awesome jacket/blazer, or with tights and a long sleeved/button-up/or mini dress. I just love the way it looks with a long coat on, such sleek lines!

Sam Edelman Phallon Tall Riding Boot, $300.

I love the height at the front of the boot! Faryl Robin Omni Boot, $225.

Franco Sarto Track Riding Boot, $126.

Aldo Prettner Boot, $160.

Navid O'Nadia Beverly Brown Riding Boot, $67. (It's vegan!)

I Wish

I just constantly browse the Internet and come across so many things that I wish I could put in my checkout cart and purchase. But the reality is that one of these items will set me back for months. So I will only aspire to be successful, and hope one day that these items will magically appear in my closet with no worries :)

Givenchy Studded T-Strap Sandals, $1750.

3.1 Philip Lim Pencil Dress with Gold Studs, $625.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Natasha Classic Q Shoulder Bag, $330.

Golden Goose Charlye Wrinkled Pull On Boots, $1265.

Ashish Sequined Off-the shoulder Mini Dress, $1020.

It's cold. Frigid, wet and, frankly, unbearable. The remnants of a tropical storm are barreling us East Coasters over right now with no sense of "tropical-ity" about it. This leaves me a) wishing for the holidays in December (I'll be away, somewhere fabulously warm), and b) wishing for a new, cozy winter coat. Thus I have found temporary solace in browsing for items to suit both moods.


I love this belted puffer. If anything, it's the subtle addition of the "belt" that makes me leap for J.Crew's staple winter fix.


Ahhhh, to prance around the balcony wearing nothing but light cotton gauze and (maybe) a bikini underneath. I'm dreaming of December and wearing Calypso's dreamy top.

Casual Luxury

Photo from Jak and Jil Blog.

Getting ready to get back into action! Check out her YSL Muse Two Bag. Perfection!

Hocus Pocus

It's the most ghoulish time of the year! Now how can you add some holiday flare to your style, without wearing that jack-o-lantern embroidered vest? Awesome, bad ass jewelry! Creep them out with style.

Kenneth Jay Lane Coil Snake Ring, $220.

Betsy Johnson Skull Studs, $25.

Delfina Delettrez Special Order Skeleton Hand Bracelet, $29,400. (umm... yes a bit of a stretch with financing)

J Dauphin Snake Necklace, $260.

Fashionable Neoprene

I am stoked to hear the Cynthia Rowley and Roxy have collaborated to create Cynthia Rowley for Roxy, a new surf line aimed for the fashionable water babes. The collection includes t-shirts, head bands, shoes, bags, board shorts, and wetsuits. Too bad it won't be out until March 2010. Looks like I will have to wait a few months til I purchase a new, stylish, and hopefully practical wetsuit.

Nature's Cues

The ladybug (or ladybird in England).

Small, seemingly beautiful with its bright red coat and black dot accessories.
This simple specimen of insect, of nature's bounty and wonder, begs for a fashion world comparison. Well, slightly. I saw this Anthropologie dress in the store today and loved the mix of bright colors especially as Fall flies through. This ladybug was brought to my attention while I was blog-browsing and thus a relationship so distant yet so similar began. (The ladybug is from England, the dress, from a city boutique chain).


"Fields of Gold Dress" at Anthropologie & its counterpart the Cream-spot ladybird (Calvia 14-guttata) as seen "In Pictures" on the Guardian UK's website

Knit Wit

The air is getting chilly, actually very chilly! Why the heck is it a low of 40 degrees in Charleston? I still have my winter wear packed up and I am not ready to let out the wool coats and massive puffy parkas. So how will I keep warm during the chillier nights?... and no I will not use a North Face fleece (no offense :P )... I think a chunky, knitted, over-sized sweater will keep me nice and cozy.

Mod Cloth The Dionne Top, $60.

Phillip Lim Scallop Crochet Cocoon Cloak, $750.

Snug as a Bug Sweater, $41.

A luxury... Calvin Kline Collection Lobere Cardigan, $1500.

Wednesday Pick Me Up

I caught this Victoria's Secret sale offer for 20% off Coats and Jackets that ends today (promo code: WARM20), and I had my eyes on this military-esque, bright red coat. Originally it went for $170, and with that promo code, and another one, I got it down to $110! Shipping and handling caught me with $16 though...

VIA A-Line Wool Coat

And... Piperlime.com has a Sweet Deal of 30% off on select styles (ends Oct 25th). I found these great slouchy, casual boots that I know I will get some good use out of.

Unplugged Parirre Tall Flat Boots, Originally $135, on sale for $89.

Ahh.. the satisfaction of online shopping. It's very therapeutic.

Influence: Irving Penn

A master of photography, a name equally synonymous with fashion (think Vogue contributor) as well as portrait artiste du monde, Irving Penn will be vastly remembered for his stark simplicity while maintaining strict focus on detail in his images.


"Twelve of the Most Photographed Models of the Period" (1947)


"Girl Drinking (Mary Jane Russell)" (1949)I absolutely love this photograph. There's something remarkably sensuous and captivating amongst the simplicity of this image.

[The above photographs I retrieved from Christie's website. The link I provided takes you to a previous auction called "Icons of Glamour and Style: The Constantiner Collection". I strongly recommend a browse through some of the images - from Irving Penn to Helmut Newton to Bruce Weber there are some exquisite pieces of art to behold. Without the price tag, of course.]

Karl

Karl Lagerfield at Chanel Spring 2010 Show with his male model muse Baptise in a ménage à trois. (Pic from The Sartorialist; Chanel show highlights on Garance Doré.)