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?

Olivia Palmero for Roberta Freymann

I love myself some Roberta Freymann; her store is where furnishings and fashion come together with strong Middle Eastern influences.  I also really like Olivia Palmero because, beside from being a bitch, she has impeccable taste. I mean she's no Hedi Montag...

They are substantial bib necklaces and the colors are great.  The prices? EHH, they range from 175-300$.  Worth it, yay or nay?

Shop the collection here.

L.L. Bean and Talbots Get A Serious Facelift

Two of the original preppy staple houses have gotten with the times and given their brands a serious overhaul. L.L. Bean has us the bean boots, the tote bag and years of camel toe accentuating mom jeans, but their new line L.L. Bean Signature hopes to put that all in the past.  With a more contemporary cut and younger target audience, Signature still has the modest, all American feel with just a little bit of edge.

The looks are pretty casual, but here are some of my top picks that you can mix and match.  I really like the Chambray Shirt.  

Denim is everywhere for this upcoming season and I'm def going to pick this up (its $43 less than the J-crew version).

Striped Sailor Tunic

You can't go wrong with a classic, great looking trench for under $200.

They also have a great collection for men ( I got the bf two shirts for his birthday and he swears they fit better than the J-Crew ones).  

Talbots is known for their "stuffy-muffy" aesthetic, but recently they have had some new life breathed into their line with a more youthful vibe that can work for mom and daughter. 

I need to have this jacket! It is so classic and chic and only $129.

Although most of their skirts are still ankle grazing and pleated, there are still some fun choices to be found and great pieces for work.

Bitchin' Brand: Issy Salomon Designs

While on a mission to retrieve my credit card from a sketchy "designer" sample sale store in Soho today I stopped by The Market; its like the best of the people with folding tables on the street in one enclosed, indoor facility.  There was a lot of cool stands of vintage jewelry, a woman with crazy feather headbands for $20 and then I came across Issy Saloman's table.  I immediately fell for his chunky bib necklaces, gold bracelets pops of neon cords and sailor knots with rose quartz beads creations.  Salomon's designs give girlie staples a little bit of grunge using hardware (legit one of his bracelets was made of bolts with bright green or pink string) and funky hooks.

Above are pictures from his website.  After a run in at the New York International Gift Fair with some crazy woman in the hand made section, I know better than to ask to take a picture of someone's original designs.  You can find his creations at Edge NY (65 Bleecker Street) or at Shop (105 Stanton Street).  Or visit The Market at 268 Mulberry Street between Prince and Houston.

Bitchin' Brand: Iomi

I. Want. Everything.  Iomoi is in on my bookmark bar (mostly because I couldn't remember the name and kept going omi-ee? Eomi?) and I click on it daily and just dream.  I've always loved home decor but since I started working for one it's becoming a problem, up there with shoes, almost.  Their stuff is to die for with really great, artful graphics in bright colors; I would call it elevated preppy, because its not just a bunch of pink and green swirls every which way.

Stationary is becoming obsolete, which scares me since I live for it, though I have no one to correspond with.  I mean I'm not exactly Pamela, I'm not writing away to my parents telling them about how I took down five tequila shots the other night like a champ or anything like that, but still thank you notes and the occasional greeting should always be hand written.  Should you want to make an electronic statement Iomoi does offer a line of e-stationary in all their great prints and more.  I am ordering my free sample right now.

It's funny to me going out at night and people are always giving each other their "cards".  Like we are extremely important or something that we need to be exchanging cards with shared work lines?  "Oh wow I met James John who is an ASSISTANT ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE for the accounting firm of Bummblefook and Bum!"  However, one day I'd like the above to be my calling card, hopefully with something really important under my name like "mom of seven" or "interior designer."  As if their paper products weren't enough to fall for they are now developing a line for the home, which is another reason i check back religiously.

                              

Its actually impossible to pick just one that I like and hopefully, when I stop trying to pawn my Ikea side table off as a coffee table, I can slam one of these bad boys atop something a little less "made in China."

I do like this one, it goes along with my new Keep Calm Carry On obsession.  Also for the bedroom I'm thinking about getting a pair of these monkey pillows.

 

All these designs kind of look like Tory Burch slapped a tunic on an ape, and I don't hate it.

                            

These canvas pillows come in two different sizes and a lot of great patterns, even some good ones for the man in your life.  Another great gift that anyone would love, especially your man, are these great lucite ice buckets.

                              

There are some very girlie graphics, but totally some workable ones for those manly men. 

 The Anchors, skull and crossbones and more would be great, but I also really this "Drinks With James" one. 

                            

It reminds me of Fantastic Mr. Fox and plays to that guys fantasy of walking around with a martini and smoking jacket.  If you aren't in the market for home decor, you'll love their bag.

                           

In a great array of patterns, you can even design your own stripe.  I'm desperate for it to become my next summer bitch bag.  Be sure to check out Iomi as they are getting new products daily. (Think Butler Tray).

LL Bean Gets An Overhaul

I was reading one of my go-to blogs, Habitually chic and came across this must share tid-bit: LL Bean is debuting a new, posher line LL Bean Signature where it looks like we can expect more modern shapes taken from Bean's classic American Aesthetic. Heather Clawson, of Habitually Chic writes:

Alex Carleton who was a design consultant for the company in Maine years ago left to start his own line,Rogues Gallery, but has rejoined L.L. Bean to oversee their newSignature collection for men and women

I am excited to see the new line, I just hope they keep with not on Leon Leonwood Bean's rustic Americana style but his belief in keeping products affordable.

Bitchin Brand: Big Buddha

Shown is the Alana Bag retailing for $90 at Shoes.com

YES! Four B's in a row!  In any case Big Buddha is a brand everyone should know and love.  Their pieces are all under a hundo and believe me you... they don't look it.  These bags are perfect for the recessionista who needs a a great everyday bag or a well appointed woman that wants to add some flavor in between her rotation of her quilted Chanel bag and Birkin (although if you have a Birkin and you are tired of it thats bull and you need to call me I will take it).  

New Brand Alert: Pleasure Doing Business

With rubber (literally rubber) tight skirts and model with big hair one is reminded of the 80's and the era of excess but Pleasure Doing Business stands for anything but excess (the skimpy silhouette is clue enough).  The brand is founded on the principal of "social and economic responsibility" bringing us sexy clothes that empower women at a responsible price point.  The company says:

The era of flippant spending on useless and unnecessary clothing is through. We wish to change that by providing high-quality, attractive and affordable pieces that any strong & confident person can wear and feel completely comfortable and empowered.

While you could spend thousands on a similar style skirt by Herve Leger or Zac Posen (see look below) a skirt from PDB will run you under a hundred dollars ($88 to be exact).  These skirts are versitle, sexy and the super tight second skin look is totally flattering.  See the looks below:

Zac Posen Skirt:

The Following are all PDB with you skirts: