Almost.

Left: Alexander Wang, Right: Forever 21

Forever 21 is like a bad boyfriend I keep drunk dialing. 

I know the clothes are cheaply made, I know the jewelry breaks the minute I step out of the store and turns my fingers green, and the music is like a terrible gay rave. I know that I will never wear that floppy felt a la J.Lo hat ever in my life, but I will still buy it for the hell of it. 

But I keep coming back! 

And whhhhy is this? It's so masochistic...

But I do! Because the one thing F21 cannot be beat for is inexpensive and trendy shoes. I know, I know the quality is not couture but the fit is usually very comfortable and in this economy I've been finding it very difficult to rationalize large purchases. And while I will never support counterfeiting I have been know to buy a good knockoff. And these F21 knockoffs of the Alexander Wang Alexis boot are pretty goddamn on point. While you won't get the insane heel of the Wang, the height on these F21's aren't too bad. 

So thank you Forever 21, for letting me dream a little retail dream.

xx til next,

A

Sharpshooter.

The new shape for shoulders has definitely arrived. 

And it's fucking BANANAS. 

At Balmain Christophe Decarnin exaggerated the shoulder and drew it up to a wicked new height that I have been absolutely losing it over. Not only do I love the slim fit and cut of the jacket but I adore the fact that it creates the illusion of jutting shoulder blades.

It's anorexia in a jacket, and I'm living for it.

xx til next,

A

photo source: nymag

Quote of the Day.

"There is a credit crunch, not a creative crunch." John Galliano exuberantly defends couture's optimistic attitude.

xx til next,

A

The Garden of Earthly Delights

Now here is something I truly adore.

I have always been oddly fascinated with the lesser known Northern Renaissance primarily the artist Hieronymus Bosch. Bosch is reknowned for his insanely intricate and detailed religious and moral imagery in his paintings, the most well known of these being The Garden of Earthly Delights. This painting is so incredibly detailed and there is a bit of biblical symbolism in every square inch of the canvas. 

So imagine my own earthly delight when I stumbled upon these new shots for Agent Provacateur. And while I cannot ascertain that Bosch influenced these images I can say with some certainty that they are indeed both very similar and enchanting. 

Such a terrific campaign, it's such a shame that AP is slightly too provacative for billboarding.

xx til next, 

A

Currently Craving

Lately despite summers imminent encroachment, I have been dyyiiiing to score an insanely soft Mongolian lamb lined bomber jacket. Maybe it is the fact that I love dressing like a sherpa from Hollywood, or the fact that at least four of the years top catwalkers rocked the Balenciaga Fall 20o4 versions in Paris this season. Either way I think I am going to comb Melrose Flea Market until I find the perfect incantation of this luxe must-have. 

Insanity.

xx til next,

A

ANJA ON THE RED WALL!

How dope is this editorial I found with Anja Rubik? 

Im feeling so inspired by this sort of voodoo, Black Cat juju.

Black candle wax and human hair coats.

I DIE.

xx til next,

A

Quote of the Day.

"I only PING! I don't send emails." -Kate Moss

xx til next,

A

Dinner Party

Natasha, Lauren, Lily and Raquel. 

Would you just diiiie for these four additions to your guest list? 

It doesn't matter that I doubt any actual food would be eaten.

xx til next,

A

Reminds me of...

Caught a small case of deja vu when I saw this stunning image of Kate Moss...

...Reminded me Milla in 5th Element.

Thoughts?

xx til next,

A

The most terrific waste of time EVER.

How much do I love Hermes? 

Quite a lot. Their craftsmanship is unparalleled, their perfumes unrivaled in their potency and their handbags are truly worth the wait and the price tag. No "it bag" will ever trump the Birkin or the Kelly, both of which have been carried by celebrities, royalty, and true style icons for many decades. While one of these said bags is still very much out of my reach I find some respite in the new Hermes website where one can print out a blueprint for their very own 2 inch paper Kelly bags. While not quite the real thing I think that this idea is horribly precious and clever. 

Some things one could do with their tiny adorable paper Kelly bags...

...Print one out on a thick vellum or cardstock in Hermes signature orange and attach to your next gift as a gift tag?

...Make a Kelly bag mobile for your new baby in bright vibrant colors? Start those little ones off young and they will always have a taste for glamour.

So much more glamourous than origami don't you think?

xx til next, 

A

...

Not for the faint of heart.

I have come to a few philosophical conclusions about footwear. One of these theories is that there are only two types of people in this world: 

1. The Fashionable- someone willing to try anything once, travel to another country on a whim, kiss a stranger on occasion, and most importantly blindly instill their faith in Miuccia Prada even when the going gets tough.

2. The Rational- someone who doesn't know how to walk in heels. For this there is just no excuse.

And while I would most definitely like to consider myself the former, I would have to admit these Gaultiers test my reserve.

xx til next,

A

photo: style.com

Why Don't You?

Why Don't You...
..find a new use for your shoes? I honestly believe the outstanding YSL cage heels could masquerade as a divine birdcage. ..DIY an old little black dress? This would be especially lovely if it was body conscious and minimally short. Be sure to use extremely sharp shears and try some shoulder cutouts? Perhaps snip out two large swatches on the ribcage? If this is too promiscuous for you you could reinforce said holes with a great nude mesh a la Winter Olympics. The possibilities are endlessly fabulous...
..fly to Paris, pop into Colette and purchase the Karl Lagerfeld Bear? I cannot imagine a better thing to stand proudly on my dresser and oversee my many wardrobe changes. I love how even in bear form Karl retains his tension in his lips.

xx til next,
A

photo source: the selby, YSL, style stalker

Quote of the Day.

The quintessential hippie cowgirl, Chloe Sevigny as photographed by Kenneth Cappello (David La Chappelle protege and my new favorite photographer.)

xx til next,
A

Oh, Terry.

This was kind of really amazing. Felt compelled to share.

xx til next,
A

Can You Dig It?

Anna Selezneva gives us Fall's best bitch face.

xx til next,
A

Rising Star

I am seriously addicted to the british television series Skins, which is sort of like Degrassi meets Gossip Girl if Chuck Bass was from Bristol and was more into Boone's Farm than Scotch. The real star of the show is Effy Stonem played by Kaya Scodelario, the beautiful near mute and younger sister du jour. While we had to wait through an entire season to hear her speak it was well worth it- and now her star is blowing up. I cannot wait to see this stunning 17 year old model/actress in many more films.

xx til next,
A

Photo Source: tFS

ABOUT THE POUT.

Taryn Davidson is set to be a complete ROCKSTAR. This 18 year old from Canada possesses a strangely haunting teenage beauty that translates effortlessly from editorial to runway and her face contains that pouty carefree youth unattainable to so many. And while she may be a Canadian native, I love the her Americana look- the industry is so flooded with haughty Eastern European clones, and Taryn is a welcome change. Destined for greatness, go TARYN.

xx til next,
A

Source: NY MAG

Quote of the Day.

"Coming from a barely clothed childhood as a swimmer makes me really comfortable with my body. " -Estella Warren

xx til next,
A

The 21st century manicure.

Ever since Beyonce's Single Ladies video brought hand armor to the forefront of my mind I have been yearning for what I will call the perfect "bitch slap manicure". Here it is in two parts:



1. Minx Nail Coverings- I spotted these in this months Vogue and have become irrevocably infatuated with them. These heat applied flexible polymers have no dry time, are chip resistant and last twice as long as other salon manicures. Blake Lively, Zoe Kravitz and the indomitable Lauren Santo Domingo are all fans. In gold, silver and bronze as well as an array of chic patterns Minx is the ultimate new accessory. www.minxnails.com



2. Litter, the sensational jewelry line by Mackenzie Burdock and Rachel Mann of San Francisco has taken adornment to a whole new level with these sterling silver cougar claws. I would love to wear these with my most innocent white sundress in Venice during the day...cat scratch fever chic. www.littersf.com

xx til next,
A

Why Don't You?

Why Don't You...


..Convert your old mirrors and frames with just a bit of DIY? I found a dilapidated old full length at the Melrose Flea Market for 20 dollars and with a bit of gold spray paint dusted on the frame I added a touch of Venetian old world glamour to my apartment. This couldn't be easier or more satisfying.

..Retire your filing cabinet and place all your loose business cards and notes in a chic little toast rack? I uncovered this gem yesterday and with a bit of silver polish and elbow grease I now never forget where I left that cute waiter's number. ;)

..Never underestimate the terribly cool power of nude? A nude shoe lengthens the leg. A nude nail is undeniably chic with any outfit. A nude lip leaves ample room for a seriously sexy smoky eye.

..Abbreviate your skirt's length? Keeping it short in front and long and trailing in the back is a wonderful new take on seasonless fashion. Be it Balmain or Nina Ricci, or even garden shears to an old frock this new look is young and most certainly fresh and no, it does not resemble a mullet.

xx til next,
A

photo source: jak and jil

Deja Shoe

Every season we see countless pairs of killer footwear traipse through the Tuileries each one more insanely fetishist and feisty than the next. Despite the wide variety we see every year there is always one undeniable standout style, last season we saw the YSL tributes, before that the Balenciaga vertigo inducing plats. This season the unanimous winner was the Louis Vuitton "Spicy" sandal. The Spicy is one part Safari and two parts Kindergarten arts and crafts project. The Spicy was spotted south of the ankle on almost every French fashion editor and Romanian model and even on Kanye West's new mannequin Amber Rose. Don't wait on these ferocious recession proof wonders.

xx til next,
A

Source: Style.com