Valentines Day: Gifts, Savoy + Wear Something He Really Wants

As the season of love carries on we are just hours away till the 14th and you can just FEEL the excitement building around the city. (Does my sarcasm translate?)  Over at the apartment one of my roomies just exchanged gifts with her beloved... she got a GORGEOUS bracelet from Forever Silver, he got a lighter that looks like a revolver and is being a little puss pop about it (sorry we have to pay rent Spence, love ya though). Last night, the man-friend and I went to Savoy, which was  phenomenal.  The food was out of this world and the wine was perfect, although when I asked for it chilled she took it away to God knows where, which made me very uncomfortable because I like to be near my alcohol at all times.

 For a starter we split the special which was grilled squid with kidney beans and for dinner I had the chilled lobster and he had the, get this, RABBIT.  Kind of scary since he calls me bunny and after a few glasses of wine divulged that he's hunted multiple bunnies back home at his farm... but I digress. For desert we both had the creme brule, which was a little to brule, and a glass of some desert wine that was more like a shot than a glass.  The verdict: Amazing meal; it was nice and cozy by the fire and the staff was really nice, would totally go back, but with the parents... when they are paying.

Lingerie for outwear is making a comeback, as is all things 1994.  I've put together a set of some naughty looks that you can work into day and night.

valentines day by gkatz featuring Lanvin necklaces

Items in this set:
Short dress, $390
Ava stretch-silk strapless corset, $720
Puff-shouldered lace jacket, $3,365
Silk-satin and lace camisole, $770
Croisette lace bodysuit, $440

First off, the day I learn to master polyvore will be a cause for celebration, sorry all my sets look like a partially blind child without an index finger did them.  Secondly, I'm loving the short baby-doll dress from Acne.  It looks a little good girl-gone bad with the black tights and even maybe some booties and can also be worn into the summer. Another hidden gem in there is a bouquet of flowers every girl will love.  The Hanky Panky Long Stem Roses is probably the best valentines day gift of all time.  Flowers die but a pair of hanky pankys last... well, we like them, okay?  That's all for now I'm too depressed I'm not at fashion week right now, good thing I spent the entire day shopping to try and make myself feel better about it.

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).

A Ban Do!

Anyone who knows me knows I love headbands just as much as the next five year-old, which is why I love the brand ban.do. Founded by photographer Jen Gotch and her stylin' partner Jamie in LA, the two bring their irreverent, girlish charm to every design. Here are some looks I love from their line main line ban.do:

no. 57 I love the bright satin aqua headband against this smokey broach and peacock feather.  Seen in the August 09 issue of Lucky! $95

No. 39 This white headband would look great as a wedding headpiece.  I like the forties nod.  Really beautiful! $95

These kind of headbands can be hard to pull off on a day to day basis, but for some reason headbands like these add style, flare and still can be worn frequently.

Ban.do also has a line of more expensive and ornate, couture headbands called ban.do black label, which we can all dream about...  Here are some of my picks:

She's Better Than You I can't decide what I like best, the cocky name or the headband. Truth be told if you could afford the $200 headband you most likely are superior

She Collects Pretty Things: I'm not sure if this is completely wearable, but someone else sure did! This band is sold out, however you can contact the ladies to get one like it

This is just gorgeous... there are no words.  I love camel and green.  She Wears Glass Slippers $250

She Can Afford Anything $250... This headband makes me want red hair

Okay, enough of this bull that we can't afford... now ban.do has a line of more affordable styles under $50 called Heat by ban.do.

h, $50  I love the color combination of this (yay, Gettysburg!) And you also get the volume and style from some of the more pricer pieces

i $50 Never can so no to bow!  Comes in different color combos!

I $45 This is such an elegant evening piece!