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Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Thank You Levi's

I'm a firm believer in not spending more than a hundo on a pair of jeans and Levi's just reminded me why.  The legendary all-American denim company realizes that yes, it's not about size, it's about shape.  You can now shop your regular size in either the slight, demi or bold curve categories.  All jeans are 59.50-69.50 and come in an array of washes and legs.

 Remember when we paid $175 and above for these puppies? This is one of those times I will safely say I should've listened to my mother. Thank god she doesn't read this.
On Friday at 10am in Byrant Park Levi's will be giving away 1,000 pair of their new jeans to the first people who come and bring something that "doesn't fit in their life" anymore.  Added bonus: you get custom fitted in your jeans by "fit specialists" aka the people who work at Levi's.  Not a bad bag.

Fall Cravings

All this rainy weather in New York is reminding us that we're at summer's end and creeping into fall.  This summer has been full of high highs and low lows but the fall's new crop of trends promises to more than make up for it. Here are some things on my wishlist.  Emphasis on the Wish.

I've passed these Stubbs & Wootton slippers in the window numerous times and I just love them. Perfect with jeans, tee-shirt and a blazer or with shorts (denim or black wool) and tights.   Stubbs & Wootton is the perpetually preppy brand and can appear a bit stuffy, but with this clever saying they add an ironic element to each outfit, perfect for the sassy dresser. Known anyone who fits that bill?

I'm a J-Crew girl through and through so it pleases me to no end that their new collection is off the wall, featuring more affordable options on the trends I'm all about.  I want sequins, feathers, velvet and tweed in this season that's all about texture and with the right pairings you can make it all work for day or night.  These sequined bloomers (currently $98 and sure to be on sale by the time it's appropriate to wear said bloomers) are on the top of my list.




I love the idea of wearing that sequined top you wear out at night to work with a classic plaid shirt and some man-tailored shorts or a great pencil skirt. Look what I finagled in there: shoes I shall have you! To continue with the menswear theme I love these booties on men so I'm pumped J-Crew made a pair for women to save me the embarrassment of having to buy men's shoes and look even more flat footed than I already am.
The colors for fall is undoubtably red and camel.  I spent, eh, 45 minutes?, give or take, crafting a  photoshop spread on the two colors but me being me and blogger being blogger, you'll never see it.  Bring in the Polyvore Set.
SAFETY PIN LACE DETAIL DRESS
1,788 GBP - mytheresa.com
Bodice dress »



Stella McCartney Wool-blend cape
$1,445 - net-a-porter.com
Cape coat »

Maxmara coats CAMEL
938 GBP - matchesfashion.com
Max mara coat »






Valentino Bow satin clutch
$795 - net-a-porter.com
Satin handbag »



I love the crisp feel of the camel especially in oversized, modern shapes. Red is just vibrant and sensual. Really wow 'em and wear the two colors together. The seventies is back in a big way (thank the high heavens above) and that's large in part because of Chloe's current collection.

Nothing says fall more than boots and although equestrian/preppy chic has a strong showing, I'm going to end with my dream item, these amazing Oscar de la Renta boots.
They keep me going when the sky is grey.

"Christian Said He Had A Thing For Tony Curtis"

I'm a sick puppy but GOD I can't wait to see this movie.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

When a Boy Comes Over It's Always Important To Have Something Baking

So, last night I cooked. As in went to Trader Joe's, bought some chicken and cooked an actual meal.  It was a personal milestone; not only did I tackle something totally out of my comfort zone I managed to also not poison my friends with salmonella.  I don't have any pictures of this momentous occasion because my hands looked like I had just fisted a chicken with olive oil and once I was finished I poured myself a tall boy and settled in to watch Ali buckle.  Don't worry, this blog isn't becoming an homage to Julie and Julia, or whatever that stupid blog that then became a book and then a movie and proved to not be so stupid, was called. However, I did knock something off my list and have leftovers for the next week. BOOM!
Although no men were present, "friend's of Dorothy" or otherwise, no one had to ask me if they smelt something burning, like in this scene. 

Sunday, August 1, 2010

A List Of Things To Do Before I get Hired

I spent the afternoon watching episodes of The Buried life and trying to come out of my emotional coma.  I thought it might be inspiring to see people my age not only employed but also doing what they love.  It caused a casual spiral. Afterwards I rejoined the human race at a friend's apartment and the question came up: what are you going to do tomorrow? For the first time in a long time I don't have work, a meeting, an errand, any money to go shopping with- I don't have anything.  So, what the hell am I going to do tomorrow {besides look for a freaking job and apply for unemployment?}? One friend said I should go exploring the city, which is a given, but I don't really feel like pulling a Mary Tyler Moore and smiling like a goon while walking around Manhattan.  Tomorrow I actually plan on "GTL" but then what?
I was thinking about maybe sitting outside the Dunkin Donuts on 14th and third with the other transient youth and playing guitar for money.  I don't know how to play, but then again, neither do any them and their strumming keeps them and their dogs in Atomic Wings and gatorade. Unfortunately for me, my viola back up player has a 9-5 so I don't know how fiscally sound this approach is.  Here are some other things I'm thinking:

1. Read all the books I was supposed to read as an English major.  I've already started in on this, but now I actually have the time to read.
2. Learn to cook.  I mean, I can't afford my sushi lunches anymore, so as they say... no time like the present.
3. Go to some Museums.  Having lived in or around New York city my whole life I've gone to all these places but I was more interested in the gift shop than anything else.  I want to go to The Whitney, The Guggenheim, Moma, LES Tenement Housing Museum (even though I essentially live in one) and then for the grand finale.. Elis Island.
4. Get lost in Central Park. Easy.
5. Empire State Building- never did it and now I can finally pencil in some time to go see it.
6. Volunteer.  For real.  I need to put my feminism where my mouth is and start working for a women's shelter.

That's all I got for now, suggestions are highly welcomed. So are job offers.

Friday, July 30, 2010

I Felt Impotent And Out Of Control

I changed the name and address of the blog as an homage to my favorite movie, Clueless and to better represent my current state of mind.  On Friday I went to the beach employed.  On Monday I came home unemployed.  Clearly I've been on a manic emotional spiral, but also it's strangely liberating that I might be able to do what I actually want. I'll be 23 next month, sans income, a job or direction (except of course, towards the mall). I may not have any working capital at the moment, but I have some amazing friends, amazing friends with some great prescriptions.  Last night my cheapest friend in the entire world surprised me with a blown up picture of the two of us (when we were skinny), some sedatives and she treated to dinner.  I don't know how long this gravy train is going to last, but I'm riding this wave into the sunset.  So a few tall boys later I'm walking home from a bar and right into a pyschic's "office."  I find that the best advice comes from those who are crazier than you, which is why Miss Dee was right up my alley.  I've been to a physic once before when I was a freshman in college.  A few of my friends and I were walking along the rural Pennsylvanian streets of our College town and decided to pop in for a five dollar palm reader.  Much to all of our surprises, she nailed all but one on the head. Last night was shockingly the same experience.  Homegirl Dee told me to come right in as soon as I got in because she could sense I was in a great deal of turmoil.  Understatement of the century.  Good news though, I'm apparently carrying a lot of anger for things that happened in my past life, but it should all get resolved in this one.  Well she told me she could heal me tomorrow for $110 dollars and gave me a cat's stone to rub above my navel for three minutes and chant "I have no room for negativity" before I went to sleep.  Well, I did and surprisingly I don't feel as low as last night. I'm hoping it has more to do with the cat's eye stone under my pillow rather than the pills on my desk.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Jules Reid Blog Sale

A while back I did a post on Gypset fashions and included the oh so amazing Jules Reid collection.  Her stuff can be found on her website and other speciality stores like Calypso.  As much as I would love to pretend I was tall and skinny enough to wear her things around The Hamptons, the price tag is a little hefty, but luckily she is offering a sale exclusively to the blogesphere.  Enter blog25 to receive 25% off your purchase. If I wasn't coming dangerously close to my credit card limit I would be scooping up the following:
 

These pants and that dress in the pink and orange. Happy shopping!

EmersonMade Clothing Line And Farmhouse

Now that I have returned from the dark abyss I drank myself to I decided to actually peruse the web and you can always leave it to Chic Geek to stay on the ball and report on her fantastic brand spanking new clothing line.  I've been a fan of Emersonmade for a while; she made a name for herself with giant floral broaches and belts, perfect for accenting everything from your wedding sash to your navy blazer.  A few months back, Design Sponge posted pictures of the New Hampshire farm Emerson and her mantastic husband ditched Manhattan for.  I consider anything above 50th street the suburbs, but this home makes green acres look oh so chic.
 Totally impractical for eating around, but berry, berry nice to look at.

 I love the use of burlap in unexpected places, but this table runner with their monogram might be my favorite.

This one is without a doubt my favorite; leopard and hunters are really all a gal needs.  I'm not so sure what the homage to Charlston Heston is all about, but you can totally see that the ex-Manhatanites still remember where they came from. 
Actually, this may be my favorite picture. I have a severe couple crush. Not only is she talented she found someone else, an absurdly good looking someone else, that loves her so much he is also her business partner. How? Oh, she's a ten. Got it.  Check out the clothing collection via Chic Geek.  I am going to email about the jeans and the white confetti dress, because, why not?

My Favorite Painting: The Bankers Daughter By Gustav Klimt

In my past life I might've been Mada Primavesi.  I was definetly Princess Anastasia, but I might've been Mada.  I can't remember the first time I saw this painting hanging in the impressionist wing of The Met, I was most likely too young to remember it, but on a return trip in High School I found myself spending more time in front of her than any Monet, Piccaso or Manet.  Prominent Moravian (?) banker Otto Primavesi and his actress wife Eugina Primavesi commissioned Austrian painter Gustav Klimt to paint a portrait of their spirited and spoiled daughter Mada. The Bankers Daughter was finished in 1912 and stands out not just because of Klimt's legacy but because artists of the time were still painting more traditional poses and stances when it came to commissioned children's portraits.  Klimt surrounds her in fairy-tale, a feeling that every little girl dreams of and this Mada bitty got to live.  This painting is my happy place; she's gorgeous, her outfit is slamming, love the headpiece and purple is my favorite color.  Although it's more likely Grace Coddington comes knocking on my door than ever owning this picture I plan on using it as the inspiration piece for my non-existent, most likely never happening daughter's room.  How hard is the artist who I "commission" to do a portrait of said non-existent spawn going to laugh in my face when I ask him to do something a-la Klimt? I might get hit. Probably wouldn't be the first time.

A Look At The Paris Couture Shows

The Couture shows were in Paris this week and I was particularly in love with Chanel, Christian Dior, Elie Saab and Givenchy.  Each designer is so distinct in their aesthetic, but there were some common threads that connected them all.  Here is a look at my favorite looks.  Pictures from Style.com.
 When you think of fall you think of more muted palettes but this season I was really shocked to see such an abundance of color on the runway.  John Galliano was obviously influenced by flowers, which is an inspiration that can seem generaic, but instead of doing floral print after floral print, he created something alarmingly beautiful.  The dresses look like flowers but in no way are costumes, like Bjorc's swan getup.
 I love myself some sparkle and these metallic creations are aaaaaaaaaaamazing.  If I had a red carpet event to attend I would be all over that Givenchy number in the top right.  A close second would be the Elie Saab short sleeved dress in the front.
 There was of course no shortage of the fall stand-byes; lots of neutrals, blacks and burnt reds, but they were all kept fresh with some metallic, feather and fur finishes thrown in the mix.  The Givenchy feather dress in the bottom left is just crazy great.
Red was another hot hue for Fall 2010 and it never looked so good. Elie Saab did it best (on top) mixing textures and fabrics and creating shapes that flatter all types.  Read how to bring these trends into your home on the 9-5 blog.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Gossip Girl In Paris

I don't know if everyone has seen these pictures, but everyone's favorite duo is looking beyond stylish in Paris and I cannot WAIT for the next season.  Thanks Popsugar for the photos.

 What do you like better, those bright blue Tibi pants or Ed Westick? I know, when Ed Westick is involved it's hard to think about pants.


Goodbye To The Hills

So I'm kinda actually sad about The Hills ending. I've spent the past four years watching this show that is 75 percent music and scenery shots, 15 percent drunken fueled, scripted drama, 8 percent incest and 2 percent Heidi Montag's fake breasts and although its provided some great background noise and US Weekly covers, I'll never miss anything like I'll miss Laguna Beach.  Since my high school experience was more E True Hollywood Story than MTV, I lived vicariously through these people. Here is a look back on the show that launched The Hills and made these delightfully vapid humans household names.
Lo was always my favorite and still is. She calls it like she sees it and seems to be the least affected person of the bunch.


 Who can forget the love triangle between LC, Kristin and Stephen.  I was always on team LC, she isn't actually a fame whore and was smart to skip The Hills before Spiedi took over and showed us what George Manson was like before he had followers.
 God Stephen is a ten.  Why wasn't he on The Hills and more to the point how did he date Hayden Panettiere for so long?
 How can you not be on team LC after Kristin's choice in accessories. That is a chocker. A legit chocker.  Apparently when producers developed the idea they originally wanted it to be at Beverly Hills High School, but the school wouldn't play so they moved to Laguna.  The high school agreed to allow MTV to shoot inside but they needed to see the scenes and approve the story-line ahead of time.  Three-hundred students auditioned for the show, but they couldn't find their go-to story line.  The name Stephen kept popping up and producers scrambled to find the bro that send ladies hearts aflutter.  After they tracked him down, in a library of all places, he revealed the pubescent, torrid romance between him, Kristin and LC and bam, they had their  plot.  All seemed as tied together as a yearbook and then Janet Jackson had to go let Justin Timberlake go to second base with her during the MTV produced Superbowl halftime show and the school pulled the plug.  What could've been the end turned into the show's saving grace; we now got to watch the crew hook up in hot tubs, drink out of Poland Spring water bottles and talk about feelings on the beach.

 and here are some pigtails... Photos MTV
After this crew graduated and the show became unbearable, producers got wise and went back to LC, their Golden Goose and followed her into Los Angeles as she "attended" fashion school and "worked" at Teen Vogue.
 LC pulled the ultimate buckle by not going to Paris to stick around with D-bag numero uno on the left.
 I feel bad for them; if I had to live my awkward wardrobe choices in front of the world... sorry I just trailed off to the days where I thought Lilly Pulitzer was next to Christian Dior.



 Oh, Spiedi, how you repulse me so.
Whelp, it truly is the end of an era; before it was Road Rules, then it was Real World and our generation will always have these dweebs.