What I Wore

Movin' on up!

2008-08-06T13:06:00.001-07:00

... to wordpress. Visit me here, readers! I'm new and improved and as stylish as ever.

Voulez-vous de pornographie chic?

2007-11-16T09:10:00.000-08:00

I'm late posting this, I know. I'm just so amused that French men like their cheap porn classy:

I know the Karl Lagerfeld is already a mogul, but it never hurts to add another profession to your resume! He can now check "pornographer" off his list of careers to do before he dies.

Half the search concluded, half ongoing!

2007-11-06T09:03:00.000-08:00

So, I've been looking for a shampoo and conditioner that are a little more eco-friendly: phosphates, pthlalates, and parabens aren't really things that belong in the water supply, or, for that matter, in or on peoples' bodies (use Google if you're interested as to why; I have to get to class in less than an hour, so I can't really give you a run-down). So, my criteria for my new shampoo and conditioner is that they be:

-biodegradable
-non-toxic
-not tested on animals
-decently healthy
-effective (duh)

The shampoo search is ongoing, but I'm pretty sure I've found the conditioner of my dreams: Desert Essence Organics Italian Red Grape Conditioner. See, I like it so much that I even bothered to fully type out the seven words that make its title! It's light and it rinses out well, but it still makes my hair easy to brush through. Plus, it smells like grape juice! Bliss.

A tip, to satisfy the masses

2007-11-03T15:20:00.000-07:00

Nope, I'm not dead. I am, however, pretty fucking busy (the thesis madness is done--thankfully! But I'm still trying to catch up with the rest of my life from having had five to seven hours of rehearsal daily for the first six weeks of school). Still, I've stumbled upon a tip so brilliant that I had to reinstate the blog to share it with everyone: reversing your hair care routine!

See, I'm trying a new shampoo and conditioner, and while they're not perfect, I don't want to throw them away. Waste not and all that. Since they were leaving my hair a little too smooth (read: greasy) for my taste, I pulled a little switcheroo: I conditioned before I washed my hair. Crazy, I know! But the results have been more than satisfactory, and it's a good way to get use out of products that I'm not in love with. So, got a similar problem? Try a similar solution!

To Blog or Not to Blog?

2007-09-16T08:24:00.000-07:00

That is the question.

A quick update: After the most incredibly busy summer of my life, I'm back at school--at the most incredibly busy school year of my life. Yes, that's right, folks, I'm a senior, and unlike most seniors, I have to be done with my thesis by October 6. No, that's not typo: I have until October 6.

So, as you can imagine, I'm pretty fucking occupied until then. I never have time to read fashion magazines. I haven't seen my friends in two weeks.

Also, I've found that my interests have shifted--I still adore clothes, but the more time I spend thinking about the dismal state of the environment (and my brother is an environmental scientist, so I spend a lot of time thinking about this), the more I think that it's desperately, direly important that everyone start making changes in EVERY aspect of their lives to help save the planet.

So, what does this all mean? Will I be giving up the frivolous fashion blog? It seems like a logical conclusion. But, after much thought, I've decided not to. Being more conscious of your impact on the world doesn't mean that you can't still enjoy your life. In fact, I find that the more I simplify my life, the more I enjoy what I have.

I'll be blogging a lot less until I finish my thesis, but when I do, you can expect to see a lot more of this category, as well as some stylish lifestyle tips.

In the meantime, go donate some clothes that you don't wear to charity. Someone else will really, really appreciate it. I promise.

Almost too tired to type

2007-08-19T15:23:00.000-07:00

I meant to blog tonight. And, actually, last night. And the night before that, and probably the night before that as well. But alas, I haven't the strength. I don't have the energy to do anything vaguely creative and focused. Damn, I barely had the energy to do my laundry today. As was, I didn't do it well; I left a spot on one of my Loomstate tops. Eight shows a week really takes it outta ya.

So, if there's anything you'd like to see me blather on about, why don't you be creative for me and suggest a topic? This week promises to be significantly more restful than the past two, so if you suggest an idea, there's a good chance that I'll get around to it.

If not, than I'll probably just post pictures of the clothing I've gotten/will get for fall. Good enough, right?

Let's have a talk

2007-08-03T09:33:00.000-07:00

Let's have a talk about lip gloss. Do you like it? Do you hate it? Is it pretty? Is it overdone? Is it classy? Is it tacky?

I'll go first. I used to have a gloss obsession. When I was in seventh grade, anything glossy was ok by me. Sparkles? Yes! Fluorescent colors? Bring 'em on! Pearlized swirls? Why not? By high school (or probaby, eigth grade), I had mellowed out quite a bit. I liked sheer colors, with maybe a little bit of bit of shimmer, but nothing too obnoxious. I did still like an awful lot of shine, though.

Eventually, gloss got to be too much effort. My usual gloss, pictured at left, was a nice, sheer, non-obtrusive color, but my hair would stick in it whenever I moved my head. Ick.

So, I switched to lip balm. Some, like my longtime favorite Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker, have a nice wash of color that looks natural as well as pretty. My current obsession is Burt's Bees lip balm with pomegranate oil. It does a nice job of moisturizing, and it's a faint red color as well. I got quited used to the natural look, and started avoiding gloss.

Of course, when I needed to dress up or feel pretty, I wanted a bit more color. I would always use (and still would, if I hadn't run out last week) L'Occitane lip balm in blackberry, because it had a nice, solid color, and lovely texture too. Because it was only really lightly shiny, it had a gorgeous sophisticated look. Actually, I miss it like hell and desperately need to get my hands on a new pot of the stuff. It really is fabulous.

But lately I've been wondering if I might return to gloss. I'm still very much over bright colors and annoying sparkles, but I think a little bit of shine and sheer color looks kind of youthful and sweet. Or, if I may use a shameless marketing word, it looks fresh. I bought a Bobbi Brown lip duo the other day, and I think I'm going to wear it to a party tonight. Hopefully, it won't feel like a regression to seventh grade, and hopefully, it won't feel upsettingly tacky either. But I doubt that'll be a problem.

But I'd still like to know: what do you think?

More to follow!

2007-07-25T19:12:00.000-07:00

Ok, ok, I know. I have been majorly negligent of the blog. But I definitely hope to be back soon, all is not forgotten. Keep an eye on this page!

As a teaser: for fall, I'm liking stripes.

Smashbox = love

2007-06-25T12:39:00.000-07:00

I went to Sephora yesterday, and somehow managed to leave empty-handed (shocking!). Normally, I would congratulate myself for having the restraint to save money, but today, I'm actually having a little non-buyer's remorse. Next time I have the opportunity, I am so buying Smashbox's vegan eyeshadow palette. The picture make it look good, but in person, it's fantastic. The earthy tones are completely wearable, but the shades are still very elegant and sophisticated. The green one, though, takes the cake. The neutral is a perfect neutral base--it would look gorgeous and dewy on its own, it would draw light when layered with other colors, and it would work as a highlighter, too. I would actually use the pink color as a blush (in tiny quantities!), since most blushes contain carmine (crushed beetles--just a little bit gross, right?). The green is the showstopper. Here at my summer employment, I don't have many opportunities to glam it up (though a few will definitely present themselves, but when I next do, I would love to wear a color like this. In the picture, it looks a bit like a khaki color, but in person, it's a deep olive full of gold and bronze-y flecks.

I'm kicking myself for exercising restraint. Next time I'm at Sephora, I'm thinking that this palette will be well-worth the splurge.

Mea Culpa

2007-06-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

I suck. Sorry.

(Back soon, I hope. I'm not sure, but I hope).

WAY belated shoes of the week

2007-05-31T12:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know that Thursday is unacceptable for a post that I usually do on Sundays. Do you forgive me? On Sunday, I was in tears because half of my friends graduated, and will now be leaving me in favor of the world-at-large.

So, to make it up to you, I offer you several shoes of the week. And, just for the fun of it, they're all leather-free and guilt-free. 'Cause, y'know, cows need their skin. And without further ado:

I've wanted a pair of plaid shoes since middle school. I have no idea why I've waited so long to get them. Get your fix here.

I like mini-wedges so much. They're as comfortable as flats, but they can look a little more formal, too. I also like all forms of grey. Maybe not in huge quantities in the summer, but you need something to offset your bright green dress, right?

Have these, love these. Here.

I need several lucky pennies...

2007-05-25T13:28:00.001-07:00

To say that this has not been a lucky week for me would be the understatement of the year. I finally finished writing my heinous French paper (bringing my grand total of pages written in final papers to a whopping 86) and. . . promptly got a nasty case of tonsilitis, complete with such sore muscles that I didn't want to move and a fever to boot. After three days of misery, I finally admitted to myself that I must be sick, and hauled my ass to the campus health center, where I waited and waited and waited to be prescribed some antibiotics, and dragged myself home.

While I was reading, watching movies, and whimpering about how much my throat hurt to anyone who would listen, the boy in my life was completing his finals and preparing to go home. So, for his last week here, I was pretty much too sore to move, and too bacterial to make out with. Fun.

Then, since I was taking eight-hour naps while I should have been rehearsing, I had to pull out of the show I was in, which was disappointing. The antibiotics worked within a few days, but I had to keep taking them (only just finished, in fact), rendering senior week just about useless. Explanation: the purpose of senior week is to hang out and party with your friends who won't be around for too much longer (graduation is Sunday, and I would say that just under half of my beloveds are graduating--I'm going to need some waterproof mascara). It is not wise to drink while you're taking antibiotics. Not only have I been hanging around my friends and watching them get increasingly drunk at parties, I've also been eyeing my own liquor cabinet with resentment--I have most of a bottle of gin, and unopened bottles of shiraz, vinho verde, and pink champagne. It has not been consumed. To try to consume it all between tonight and tomorrow would not only be stupid, it would also probably kill me. Unfortunately, it kills me to see them go to waste.

So, to reiterate: not my week. So, what would make my week? This dress!

It's lovely, summery, and best of all, organic and sustainably made, and therefore, completely guilt free! Unlike, say, consuming three bottles of wine in one night.

Shoes of the week

2007-05-20T17:12:00.000-07:00

Because I never did the punk thing in my adolescence.

These would be a lovely way to play with that silliness now.

Oh, and I'm rather sick, so send good vibes my way, please. Happy Sunday!

Not too shabby

2007-05-17T07:58:00.000-07:00

We've all had enough of the kimono dress, but Kara Janx has a few more tricks up her sleeve:

I really rather like this.

Finals Fashion III

2007-05-16T07:08:00.000-07:00

The reason I haven't been posting more "Finals Fashion" entries is that, for the past few days, everything I've worn has literally been a permutation of the same outfit. What outfit, you ask? Well, read on, reader.

Lately, my wardrobe has been dominated by patterned t-shirts, American Apparel jersey skirts (I have the one pictured in four different colors) and again, printed flats (I have several pairs).

Repetitive, I know. But it works.

Belated Shoes of the Week

2007-05-14T14:16:00.000-07:00

Should have gotten this out yesterday. Oops. Actually, I should have gotten a lot of things done yesterday. Stupid boys. Anyway, this week's shoes of the week are:

Slippers. Because I am so. Damn. Tired.

Finals Fashion II

2007-05-10T07:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, thanks to the fact that I only got four and a half hours of sleep the night before, I wanted to wear something that's flattering without any effort whatsoever. I chose one of my trusty white tanks to begin with, put a green babydoll tank on over it (you could still see the undershirt, which was exactly what I wanted), and wore my ridiculously flattering Topshop black skinny jeans and printed flats. I also wore my glasses all day, and given that I'm still barely sleeping, probably will all week:

Thank God for easy details like printed flats that distract from my messy hair and sleepy eyes.

Finals Fashion

2007-05-09T07:51:00.000-07:00

Ugh. So sleep deprived. Feeling so unattractive. No time to make an effort with clothes. So, rather than making a real effort with clothes, this week, I'm going to wear simple, easy things that hopefully still look good. Then, I'm going to tell you about them! Sound good? Good!

Yesterday, I wore vintage pumps with a low-heel, dark skinny jeans, and a Built by Wendy top (not the one pictured--it's from a past season). It was perfect, because it was simple, comfortable, and Built By Wendy's pieces have enough character to make a whole outfit without too many other details:

Ironically, I didn't get any attention from the boy in my life until I had already gotten back from the gym, and was wearing sweats. Why do I even bother?

Shoes of the week

2007-05-06T05:26:00.001-07:00

I know this is a fashion blog (trust me--I started it), but it's also about fashion as it relates to my life. Which is why this week's shoes of the week are

Grishko 2007 pointe shoes. They're a bitch to break in (if you get the medium shanks), but I've never danced in anything more flattering.

You won't find a better price than this.

Thank God companies rip each other off

2007-05-04T19:08:00.001-07:00

Were you sad when John Frieda Beach Blond was discontinued? Me too.

Fortunatly, this seems to be the exact same thing:

I dunno how patents for hair care products work, but besides the bottle, there doesn't seem to be a single difference between the two.

Once again, with a few choice items, Topshop has broken my heart

2007-05-03T06:54:00.000-07:00

Hurry up and get to the US already!. I probably won't be back in the UK until next April, and these things will all be gone by then!

Quick Note

2007-04-30T19:07:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure if it's Blogger or Hotmail, but I'm no longer always getting notified when someone comments.

SO, if I don't respond to your comment, please don't take it personally! Stupid computers.

Yet another reason that I'm moving to England (eventually)

2007-04-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

I do adore shoes. I've never considered myself specifically a shoe person, but other people certainly do--my freshman year roomate forbade me from buying any more shoes sometime in March of our freshman year (and I don't blame her--they were taking over the room), a good friend of mine once christened me "Imelda," and one day in rehearsal, when our director mentioned a former student who had 200+ pairs of shoes, amidst shocked cries of "excess!" and the like, one voice rang out, "How many pairs of shoes do you have again, [Principessa]?" Ouch.

So, I've tried to cut back on the shoes. It hasn't been too difficult. Were I back in London, however, I might be having worse problems. Topshop, Office, and Faith were all frequent indulgences for me, and now, I'm regretting having missed Terra Plana. Terra Plana is a sustainable, innovative shoe company that tries to be ethical in all levels of production, and uses completely earth-friendly materials in its production (think recycled material, chemical-free, etc.) Furthermore, their shoes are awesome. The pictured pump reminds me of Marc Jacobs petal-heel shoes, but more creative (sorry, Marc!). The flat makes me think that I just might need another pair of black flats. Plus, it's just awesome that, through buying shoes, you can help save the planet.

But then, the fact that they don't seem to be available stateside is saving my wallet.

Shoes of the week

2007-04-29T07:09:00.000-07:00

Polo season is over. Goodbye, riding boots! I actually don't own a real pair of polo boots like the ones pictured, but I'd love some. Goodbye, Nala, Diamond, Claire, and Gameboy! See you next season!

A Fashion PSA

2007-04-28T07:54:00.000-07:00

Last night, I went to a party wearing my glasses. Why? Because

A) It was just my good friends
B) They're pretty nice (the only thing by Prada that I own)
C)I was tired, damn it!

I walked in, and amidst the "hellos," one friend simply said, "Hot!" I replied, "Huh?" He continued: "Liking the glasses. I love girls in glasses. Hot." This particular friend is absolutely gorgeous, and more than a little bit of a womanizer. Moral of the story: guys DO make passes in girls who wear glasses!

Crunch time

2007-04-27T05:37:00.001-07:00

Crunch time as in, that "crunch" sound you just heard was my spine breaking under the weight of all my final papers. 17 pages of French essay. 35 page screenplay. 35-60 pages (which is like, the length of a thesis, not a final paper) of final essay for Shakespeare (my second Shakespeare class--clearly not a beginning level one), and then I have dance classes and my independant study to think of. And then, of course, I have other obligations:

1. I owe my friends a party
2. I have to put together a performance for a cabaret show
3. I need to prep for my apprenticeship this summer.

Then there are the constants:

1. I need to work out
2. I need to run errands
3. I need to walk my iPod (ie, procrastinate).

This all is going to have one of two effects on me: I'll either stop blogging completely over the next few weeks (or close to it--I have a few entries saved up that I could post, and I'm sure I'll find little things to post on, too), or I'm going to so desperately need to write about things that AREN'T the universal qualities of vengeance as it relates to legal and illegal forms of revenge in pre-revolutionary France, or my screenplay (I'm so tired of my protagonists--Leah and Jack, go find someone else to bother! And will you just cut to the chase and fuck already? Don't make me crank out more pages of sexually tense, cutting-albeit-witty arguments. . . please?), or what the Scottish play may have looked like as it was originally staged at the Globe theatre that I'll blog every time I need a break, and I'll start churning out ten times more entries than usual. Which of the two will happen remains unforeseen. But anyhow, if you don't see me around for a little while, I'm not dead. Quite.

Off to the library. Shakespeare calls.

Maybe I need an "unethical" category, too

2007-04-24T14:33:00.000-07:00

You know, I'm all for irony. In fact, in highschool I was known both for my sweetness and my sarcasm. Ironic, right? And I promise you, this blog would be far more cynically bitchy and sarcastic if it wasn't that those things don't really read well over the internet. Still, even for my taste, the new Diesel ads are a bit much. I mean, "Global Warming Ready?" Do we really want to glamorize the apolcalypse? Don't get me wrong, I love Diesel's controversial photography, and I know that the intent is not to glamorize global climate change. But regardless of weather or not that's the intent. . . doesn't it do so, just a little? I expect Diesel to be controversial and ironic. But I know a hell of a lot more about branding than most people do. I don't think most peopel are subtle enough to pick up on the paradoxical element of it. Let's face it: most consumers aren't English or Media Studies majors. Most people just aren't gonna get it. And therefore, since most people are going to take it in a straightforward sense, I don't like the message "Global Warming Ready."

So you can spend more money on booze!

2007-04-23T10:08:00.001-07:00

Such an overwhelming response to my cocktail dress entry has prompted me to do another one. This one, however, is much kinder to the wallet, I promise. So, where do you go when you need something cute and cheap? Why, Forever21, of course! I must reiterate, it's important to get something that's not as cheap as it looks, so I've culled a few pieces that look a lot better than the bargain that they are.

This one is sweet and vintagey, admittedly a bit casual and loud for a cocktail party, but for a more casual cocktail party, I think that it could definitely be pulled off-especially if you're a broke college student (like meeeee) and most of your dressier parties are just for fun anyway.

This one is pure Femme Fatale. It's a dangerous dress, however--any mistakes in the fit would look just plain cheap. Best to go a size up in this one, and then suck in your gut all night.

Depsite the loud pattern, this one, I think, is actually more versatile than one would assume. Of course it would work for the type of rowdy, silly, drunken college cocktail party as aforementioned, but I think that the pattern is sophisticated enough that it could be legitimately formal, too. It's certainly a flattering cut, and with subtle shoes (black or nude) and tights (my preference is black, but one can always improvise), I think it would work for real cocktail parties, too.

This one is purely for a cocktail party thrown in a garden. I'd never wear it anywhere else. But, for a cocktail party thrown in a garden, isn't it perfect?

There. Now that we've only spent $30 on the dress, can we please spend more than $4 on the champagne? Does it have to be Andre again? It does? But why? Fine. I guess we'll make cheap mimosas again.

Check it out

2007-04-23T06:49:00.000-07:00

This is cool. So is this.

Fashionably Green

2007-04-22T06:27:00.000-07:00

I have no time. But I would never let earth day pass me by without a blog entry about sustainable and ethical fashion. So, a quick overview of the delightfully responsible and ethical:

Converse All-Stars: so stylish, so vegetarian. Raising animals for slaughter has a hugely negative environmental impact. The fewer animal products you consume, the smaller your environmental impact will be. Plus, the fabulous above slip-ons are made with hemp, which is pretty damn sustainable as textiles go. The awesome texture is a bonus.

American Apparel is doing an organic cotton line. The quantity of pesticides that gets used on conventional cotton crops is shocking. Organic cotton is, well, organic, and doesn't use any environmentally damaging pesticides. Plus, American Apparel is sexy.

Also in the organic cotton vein are sexy Del Forte jeans.

Edun, another Bono creation, is a line of clothing that isn't always made with organic cotton, but they do always have an eye toward environmental impact. They're also ethically produced--I need to be doing Shakespeare, so I can't fill you on the the details. Google it. Or, just look at the pretty dress.

Loomstate is one of my favorite brands of all time. They do use all organic cotton, and all of their designs are simple, unassuming, original, and gorgeous. Their jeans are amazing, but be sure to check out their beautifully printed tees.

And, of course, when you want to shop ethically, there's always Thrifting!

Happy Earth Day! Maybe I won't work on my projects, as a form of protest against the mindless and gratuitous consumption of trees in paper products. . .

Shoes of the week

2007-04-22T06:22:00.000-07:00

Fierce. Strong. Rugged. Bold. And yet, still lovely and pretty enough to be the shoes of the week.

I have a total crush on Chie Mihara.

Something Pretty

2007-04-20T20:16:00.001-07:00

What with the picture-less annoucement of the Thrift Score Challenge, Round II, followed directly by the rather wordy results from the Thrift Score Challenge (henceforth known as I), My blog is now rather plain at first view. So, something pretty to counteract it:

Gemstone earrings from Fred Flare. On sale for $4.99. Can't do a hell of a lot better than that!

By popular demand

2007-04-20T07:24:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the overwhelming response to the results of the Thrift Score Challenge, I've decided to go ahead and hold a Round II. Anyone who missed out can mail a few of their favorite thrifted finds to principessadeipazzi@hotmail.com. Guidelines are the same. Those of you who already contributed are more than welcome to contribute new finds--I know I'll toss in a few of my own. S. and KF both sent me more pictures than I could use, so I'll try to get those out there as well. Soooo. . . send away! I'll give it at least two weeks, probably more, given that I'm due to start having panic attacks about finals any day now. Hopefully, all of your brilliant little thrifted beauties will distract me from the piles of papers I have to write.

And finally. . . without further ado. . . THE THRIFT SCORE CHALLENGE!

2007-04-18T07:15:00.000-07:00

My, my. Was it really so long ago that I first announced and solicited photos for the Thrift Score Challenge? It was, it was ages ago, and I do apologize for the delay (blame my academic schedule). Still, I appreciate everyone's submissions more than I can say, and now, it's time to share them!

First, we have a written submission. Lauren writes: "I got an adorable pair of 1970's mens wear pants at a thrift store called the Cat's Eye, and they were $2.oo. Can you believe that? Anyway, I am obsessed with them. They are brown tweed with a silver clasp thingy where the button should be, and they are soooooo comfy! Nothing good has happened in them yet, although I've gotten many compliments!" Well, here's to hoping that something good happens in them soon!

Next, it seems only right that the first picture I post should be from Bits and Bobbins whose blog and Wardrobe Remix Flickr Group were part of the inspiration for this challenge in the first place. Like me, she found it tough to choose just a few favorites, but she rose to the challenge. Regarding her favorite (recent) thrift score, she writes, "around the winter holidays, my husband and i usually travel back to florida, where both of our parents live. my husband's parents reside in jacksonville, florida, where my husband and i also lived for a couple years in the early '00s. whenever we go back for a visit, i thrift like a madwoman. the thrifting in florida is the best i've ever experienced, hands down. lots of vintage abounds, especially in the past when thrifting wasn't as trendy as it is today, because many old folks retire and die down there and leave much behind in their wake. many of my favorite pieces have been found in florida. i found this tiny little acid wash jacket on one of those holiday visits, i think it was 2005. it's a children's size, but the armholes and back fit me perfectly. it cost about $4 or so, i believe. i wear it like a little bolero, and i have found it goes with EVERYTHING. it was, hands down, the most worn item in my closet in 2006." I wonder if it will hold the same place of honor in 2007. . . I wouldn't be surprised if it did, because it's adorable!

Next, regarding this fabulous tote bag, she writes "this handmade needlepoint tote is one of my favorite finds ever...up there with the best. this one was also found on a trip to jacksonville, florida, to visit my husband's parents, probably in 2005. i had been thrifting all over town over a couple of days, collecting about 10 bags worth of finds. it was pretty sick! toward the end of the visit, i decided to go back to one of my favorite thrifts, very close to my in-law's house, for one last look. i rooted through the purses and totes, and unearthed this gem. i don't use it all the time anymore lest i wear it out, but i love it because of it's patchworky aspects, it's handmade feel, it's mix of riotous colors. it is ME and my fashion philosophy expressed in the form of a purse."

I can't even imagine what my fashion philosophy in a purse would look like. . . but maybe I'll find it sometime in a thrift shop! Next, we have submissions from KF of Life in Neon. He had so many things that I had to edit his selections down so that this post isn't as long as my Shakespeare final will be. First off, we have some most fantastic sunglasses that I honestly wish I had found first:

So shiny and unique! Next up is a peacoat that fits him damn perfectly and looks more like Marc Jacobs than a thrift shop score. I'm especially digging that massive collar:

And finally, a black denim guess jacket. How is it that a black denim jacket can simultaneously be so 80's and so now? One way or another, I love it.

Next up is Brittany, fashion student AND blogger of Memories Into Oblivion. Lucky Californian (I miss the sun soooo much out here in the Northeast!) that is she, her first submission is a beach cover up. She writes, "The dress is awesome because I wear it to the beach all the time. It's like just below the butt so it's perfect, and last summer, I think it was in style." Still looks stylish to me:

Next--and this is so cute that I'm almost squealing--a band sweater! She writes, "The band sweater was "thrifted" from my dad's closet. It was his middle school band sweater. awww! It doesn't really fit anymore, but I waer it to make him happy, and I love the emblem." Seriously, this makes me wish that I had been a band nerd in highschool:

Lastly, like KF, she has a fabulous pair of sunglasses, regarding which she writes, "The sunglasses are big and bold. Love em, just got em the other day actually." I love 'em too:

Then, from S. of Do This Don't. . . a whole lot of things. Once again, for the sake of length, I had to edit down a bit, but they were tough calls to make. These shoes are beyond awesome. I LOVE the diagonal strap. She writes, "I usually have great luck with shoes. These Mary Jane's are the most recent. I think they've never been worn."

Next up, regarding this gorgeous green dress (which actually looks a lot like a shopbop dress that I posted recently. . . lucky!), she writes, "This dress is the most lovely dress in the world. Very feminine and kinda 1940's. I'll wear with thrifted peep toes."

Lastly, some people really do have all the luck. About these last shoes, she writes, "I had wanted a pair of yellow patent pumps and there they were!" And here they are:

Finally. . . me! I agonized for ages over what to post, but I finally narrowed it down to two things. One is a thing that gets a lot of play in my wardrobe, another was just a complete shock to find at a thrift store. These mauve-y pumps are such a soft, easy neutral color that they go with everything--which is pretty nice, considering that they were $4. The swirly decorations on the front are actually detachable shoe clips(!), but I like them so much that I never take them off. These go with everything: dresses, pencil skirts, skinny jeans. . . I'm strongly considering wearing them to a concert Saturday night, but what would I do if one of the clips got lost in the craziness? DIE, probably!

Lastly, this amazing little printed shift dress is kind of difficult to see in the picture, but it's a dark blue silky fabric with a huge, bright red poppy print. It was--are you ready?--$1. No joke! It was right there are my local Salvation Army, out on the rack with the rest of the dresses. Now, most of the dresses there are, I believe $5. That includes ugly little shapeless corduroy shifts from the 90's, plaid schoolteacher jumpers, long, slumpy sweaterdresses, etc. Somehow, wonderfully, unbelieveably, miraculously, this little beauty rang up as $1! I rarely get to wear it now--it's a bit formal--but when I was living the swingin' London life, I actually got to wear it quite a bit. It's gorgeous with black tights (and yes. . . the shoes in the picture of the very same vintage yellow pumps that are getting so much air time in my blog right now).

Once again, thanks to all contributors! Thrifting is fun, and a fantastic way to shop ethically and find unique clothes. Missed out this time around? Anyone who wishes they had participated too, or anyone who did contribute and now has new thrifted finds to show off, can go ahead and email thrifted finds (with the heading "Thrift Score Challenge") to principessdeipazzi@hotmail.com. If I get enough submissions, I'll do a second round. For now, happy thrifting to all!

Yellow fever

2007-04-17T17:04:00.000-07:00

Whew. Well, people seem to have very strong feelings about yellow and its uses. A quick clarification: I don't think, nor did I ever say, that any color is off limits for anyone. Fuck, if you want to wear something it, wear it. However, it's completely possible to like something and just not want to wear it personally if it doesn't flatter. I have a friend who's quite stylish and likes skinny jeans on other people, but she's small with muscular calves, and she just doesn't like them on herself. And she doesn't wear them. And she has a gorgeous, fun, unique style that completely reflects her without them. As much as I like some shades of yellow (and it's worth noting that I hate some shades of yellow as well), a lot of shades of yellow, usually truer yellows that aren't very golden-y and warm, just don't flatter me. The reason that I don't think it flatters me is that bright shades of yellow make my dark blonde hair look dull. There are quite a few other blondes who I've seen wearing yellow poorly as well. It makes certain shades of blonde look a bit greyish in comparison. Now, I reiterate, should said blondes like what they wear and feel comfortable in it, then it doesn't matter that their hair doesn't look as bright as it could. But for me, with my pale skin, if my hair color looks dull or monotone, I can look completely washed out in comparison.

Now, since I do like some tones of yellow, I've found ways to wear bits of it that don't ruin how I look. I already posted about my thrifted pumps (and I posted a picture in the entry currently in question), and I specified in the entry that I rather like yellow shoes, since they're so far away from my face. I never said that it was completely impossible for all blondes to wear all shades of yellow, and I offer you the above photo as proof: both my shoes and bag have yellow, and it doesn't wash me out/ruin my hair. In fact, I rather like that outfit. But would I ever wear yellow close to my face? I think you all know the answer to that question.

Admitting defeat? Naw.

2007-04-16T11:10:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, after this post, where I said that most blondes can't wear a lot of yellows, someone posted a comment saying I was "so wrong." I disagreed--I didn't say that no blondes can wear any yellow, I said that most blondes can't wear most yellows. And, speaking as a blonde that can't wear most yellows, I maintain that I'm right.

Still, it's one of life's cruel ironies that I've been falling in love with yellow clothes lately. First there was the banana dress. Then, I posted about my amazing vintage shoes, pictured below. Now, I'll specify and say that I've never felt that blondes can't wear yellow shoes--so little yellow so far away from your face is totally fine. In fact, I even want that shiny yellow pair of patent pumps. They would SO make a neutral outfit pop!

But it goes further. . . now, I'm even lusting after this dolman t-shirt from Delia*s. It's not solid yellow like the dress that I can't have, but still, it's a lot of yellow, close to my face, even. . . good thing I can't try it on. If I had a Delia*s store nearby and I could try it, I'd totally buy it if it worked!

PS--regarding those cute little thrifted yellow pumps. . . results from the not-yet-forgotten Thrift Score Challenge are on their way!

Shoes of the week

2007-04-15T08:15:00.001-07:00

Don't you love it when you have one piece that absolutely makes an outfit? Something that can be worn with a little black dress or jeans and a white tank and make both outfits look absolutely complete? That, my friends, describes these Goldenbleu boots. I don't care that it's not boot season. I want them now.

Excuses, excuses. . .

2007-04-13T06:11:00.000-07:00

Score! I got one of my top choice apprenticeships for this summer. I reiterate: Yessssss! It's the perfect excuse to spoil myself with something pretty to celebrate. I'm dying for a new pair of dress shoes. Of course, apprentices don't get paid, so I probably shouldn't. . . but when have I ever claimed to be sensible? Here are my picks:

This Frye pair is my absolute favorite. They could go pretty formal with a nice, neutral skirt and ivory (not white!) fishnets, but they'd be just as good to wear with skinny jeans and an old, slouchy sweater. Want! I really want to buy them, but as they're a bit pricey, I have some other options as well.

I love Dolce Vita's shoes, especially their wedges. This pair would work with a lot of outfits.

I'm dying for a pair of nude heels. I obviously can't afford the Yves Saint Laurent ones, so I've been looking for a substitute. Surprisingly, the perfect pair come from Nine West.

Finally, the cheapest pick of the bunch comes from Urban Outfitters. The vintagey t-strap is fucking adorable, and the heel is sculpted, but totally low enough to be walkable. Plus, if I got this pair, I could get the top that I missed out on the first time around. . .

Decisions, decisions!

The skinny jeans debate

2007-04-12T10:36:00.000-07:00

The skinny jeans debate has been happening since the advent of skinny jeans. In the beginning, I myself doubted their necessity. However, I soon realized that none of last fall's best tops really looked right with bootcut jeans, and I was converted by a really well-cut pair of skinnies. But alas, with the advent of wide-leg jeans, the debate has taken on a new vigor. Why, just last night in the dressing room, the debate became a rather heated one:

I: Skinny jeans just, like . . . don't flatter me.
C: Skinny jeans don't flatter anyone!
I: Yeah, they're tough.
C: I have no idea why anyone thinks they look good!
R: Because they show just how skinny anorexic models are.
C: Yeah, but they look bad on real people.
Me: Hey! I like them!

*Awkward silence*

Me: (continuing, unabashed) I've worked hard for my legs to look as good as they do, and I'm not ashamed to show the fact that they're muscular. So, I like skinny jeans a lot.

*Awkward silence* *Someone changes the subject*

It's worth noting that no one in that dressing room, save I (different from me--I'm using friends' initials to protect their privacy or something silly like that), who didn't say that she doesn't like skinny jeans, is a particularly stylish person. Don't get me wrong, they're lovely people, they just don't care/haven't completely figured out what works for them.

I should also note that I'm not super-skinny. I am a ballet dancer (hence the comment about working hard on my legs--everyone who goes to school with me knows that I take ballet all the time), and I do have long legs, but I also have hips and thighs. But hell, why would I be ashamed of them? I love my skinny jeans, I'm not a trend whore, and just because the haters are now promoting body-enveloping wide leg jeans, I'm not about to give my skinnies up. Still, I turn it over to my readers to voice their opinions:

PS--Why yes, that IS acid wash denim in the picture. I figure that if I'm going to be controversial about one thing, I have the room to go all the way with it.

This Sh*t is bananas!

2007-04-12T05:32:00.000-07:00

Forgive me for the terribly cliche entry title--but how could I resist, with a dress like this?

Like everything else from See by Chloe, I want it.

If only I had plenty of cocktail parties

2007-04-10T06:17:00.001-07:00

I love that Tracey Reese is doing a new line of cocktail dresses. The line, which is cutely named Plenty Frock, is young and affordable, with a lot of variety. Two sentences in and this is already sounding like a magazine article, so I'm just going to forget on ahead to pictures.

I love this little pink wisp of a thing. If I had it, I would drink Gimlets and gin & tonic all night in an attempt to feel as much like a flapper as I looked.

This dress, however, is probably my favorite. I love how it's frilly and lacy and feminine, but the cut and the fact that it's not overloaded with details make it clean and contemporary.

I couldn't find a picture, but if I ever find her new little black mini dress with the balloon sleeves, it will become my new LBD. So, I guess it's good for my bank account that Plenty Frock hasn't hit stores yet.

Another designer collaboration. . . ho-hum. . .

2007-04-09T06:06:00.000-07:00

Yeah, everyone's writing about it, everyone's reading about it, everyone's blogging it, even the New York Times has an article. Yet another collaboration. Now, don't get me wrong, I love the idea of getting designer clothing at an accesible price, I'm wild about the fact that you know longer have to be the American aristocracy to get something well-designed, but isn't it getting a bit. . . old? It was neato when H&M got the ball rolling on the collaboration thing. Hell, I STILL wish I had made it in time for Stella McCartney! And Target? Awesome. Somehow, the designs really always do come out looking perfectly wearable, yet still fashiony.

But haven't we jumped the shark? I mean, since when is Kate Moss a designer? I guess I would wear those vests, and maybe a few of the dresses as well, but I'm not finding it extraordinary in the same vein, as, say, Proenza Scouler for Target (though Behnaz was a drag--and I'm still seriously hoping that Libertine will be awesome). Designer collaborations have become so commonplace, and in some cases, just plain common in design, that they're just not exciting any more.

Gap is the last place that I would have expected to collaborate. However, I have to say, they're actually giving me a sliver of hope. It's awesome that they chose Rodarte, Thakoon, and Doo.Ri. Count me in for that shirt dress, if it looks as good as it sounds. . . but, as my advisor would say, "The proof [will be] in the pudding."

Shoes of the week

2007-04-08T23:25:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to pare down my wardrobe, really I am. I know that I don't need 30 pairs of pants, 20 sweaters, 12 coats, 15 skirts, and some 200-odd tops. I'm working on it. I'm sending a lot to charity, I promise. However, I'm finding it extremely tough to scale back on shoes when life keeps dangling delectable pairs like these little Loeffler Randall lovelies in front of my nose. Incredible texture, innovative use of material (cork!) beautifully versatile color, perfect amount of sparkle. . . I need to get a job.

Easter dress!

2007-04-07T21:25:00.000-07:00

I'm not terribly religious nowadays, but when I was living in my parents household, I was taken to church until I was old enough to resist (about thirteen, I think). Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-religion in any way, I just didn't really identify with what I was taught in chuch. Still, I have some fond memories--and almost all of them are easter. It wasn't that the church was always beautifully decorated in amazing colored banners (and it was). It wasn't that there were fresh flowers everywhere (and there were). It wasn't that the Easter egg hunt was great (and it was). It wasn't that I was given chocolate (and I was). It was that I got to wear the prettiest, frilliest, floral-est, springiest dress of the year on spring! I'm no longer churchgoing, but if I was, I would wear this:

Happy Easter, to those of you who celebrate it!

Strange times

2007-04-06T23:09:00.001-07:00

. . . but good times! Huge party tonight. Huge. Forgive my typos, in fact. It's been a long day. I didn't have time to put on anythign super cute, so I wore some of my favorite vintage heels. It was probably just due to the quantity of substances consumed, but people were literally stroking my feet tonight in admiration of my shoes. Strange, strange times.

But good!

Feeling a bit waspy

2007-04-06T08:28:00.000-07:00

I've never been a fan of Kate Spade. But-

-damn! The Sao Paolo bag, in woven patent leather, is really beautiful.

Too good to be true

2007-04-05T10:12:00.000-07:00

I first saw Libertine in a small profile in Elle magazine two years ago. I have not forgotten that profile. For two years. And, despite the fact that their pricing is rather high, despite the fact that they're almost impossible to find in retail, despite, despite, despite, I can buy their clothes.

At Target. Too. Good. To. Be. True!

Multiple (fashion) personality disorder

2007-04-04T05:46:00.000-07:00

I can't make up my mind.

It's not that I don't know what I like. Quite the opposite, actually. Rather, it's that I can't decide who I want to be. See, I get rid of old clothes all the time (my friends love me) and get new clothes all the time (the economy loves me). One day, I'll get rid of tons of old things in cutesy cuts and colors, anything with a baby pattern, anything with too much lace or too many frills. I'll shop for things that are black and sleek, in modern, simple cuts. I'll eschew all things cute and covet all things sophisticated. Take, for example:

I almost blew a large chunk of my Christmas money on a black Diane Von Furstenburg dress a lot like the one above.

But brushing through one of my favorite cheapie catalogues, I immediately fell in love with the above sweatshirt.

Which brings me to another point. I can never really choose between quality and quantity. I can get one fabulous thing by Marc Jacobs or See by Chloe--or I can have several fun-but-disposable things from the likes of Forever 21 and H&M. So how does one choose? I wish I alwyas went for the better quality, more stylish designer piece, but a) it's hard to drop $300 as opposited to $30 in one go, even when I'll probably spend $300 in the end no matter what; b) if I get oil on my H&M top when I'm cooking, so what? If some drunk guy spills beer on my Cynthia Vincent silk sundress at a party, OH MY GOD, I will kill him; and c) sometimes, I really do fall in love with things from the cheapie places!

But even within bargain shopping, I have to debate. For example, I just bought this pair of shoes from Delia*s:

Pretty elegant, right? Kinda sophisticated, a very modern, eye-catching, look? Yeah. But my second choice was this unashamedly, unabashedly cute pair:

I mean, star cut-outs? COME ON! But they're adorable, right? And they could be a nice counterpoint to an otherwise very straightforward, unadorned outfit!

I guess it really is about counterpoints. Actually, the fact that I can't choose one distinct style or another is kind of my style. Since I buy both cute, strange, precious pieces and classic, chic, tailored pieces, I end up wearing outfits that consist of things like Marc Jacobs jeans, a black vintage sweater, and bright suede mustard-yellow heels. Take today for example:

Marc by Marc Jacobs dress, ancient, beat-up levis, Primark ruched flats. I actually rather like it, but it is a bit mixed-up. "Elegant-kitsch," if you will. Since, eventually, I'll probably have to outgrow the kitsch part, I might as well enjoy it while I can. Naw. That'll never happen. Maybe I really will get those star cut-out shoes. . .

Shoes of the week

2007-04-01T10:59:00.000-07:00

A Haiku:

Oh shoes of the week!
Golden suede, walkable heel,
I'll wait for a sale.

But those of you who don't want to wait can get 'em here.

Props to Girlprops

2007-04-01T10:38:00.000-07:00

As I'm sure readers have already seen, I did pretty well shopping in NYC. I got to most of the places where I wanted to go, and I got most of the things I wanted to get. In fact, there's only one place that I'm sorry to have missed: the every illustrious Girlprops. Girlprops is the perfect purveyor of all sorts of cheap-chic jewelry. "But Principessa," you're surely saying, "aren't there cheap jewelry shops all over New York? And, despite the poor quality of their jewelry, aren't they usually overpriced?" And the answer is: yes, which is all the more reason why Girlprops is important. Unlike similar places in New York (coughCinderellacough), their jewelry isn't just a cheap mess of rhinestones and over interpreted trends. There are some real gems (hahahaha) to be found there.

I mean, who wouldn't love a shop with a "funny" section of earrings? I'd love this adorable unicorn pair, but it gets much wilder. Think aliens, miniature toothpaste tubes, armadillos, and more.

Girlprops is also one of the few places that can get me excited about necklaces. I love this gold chain with tiny clubs on it, and I don't even wear gold. The buddha pendant is totally nifty. I actually remember subway tokens (gasp! Has it really been so long?), and I would wear the subway token pendant with pride.

So, next time I'm in the city, I won't forget to hit up Girlprops. In the meantime, thank God they have a website!

Exercising restraint

2007-03-31T18:18:00.000-07:00

Will the shopping ever end? NO! Well, it'll never stop completely, but it does have to stop for a little while now that I've left New York. Actually, I moderated myself pretty well while I was there, given how much I wanted that I didn't indulge in. . . BUT, if one of my lovely readers out there wants to do a bit of shopping, here are my picks!

This darling little dress, from Forever 21, has such a fabulous pattern that you really wouldn't need much else to make it into an outfit. Like everything from Forever 21, it's also cheap as can be and easy to wear. It's a good thing it's yellow (which most blondes can't really wear, me included), or else I probably would have bought it.

I've actually wanted a nice checkered jacket since the fall. I had quite a few option in New York City, but none were quite perfect, and I figured that if I've waited this long, I can wait a bit longer for the perfect one. Jackets, apparently, are like men.

Shopping at places like Scoop, Intermix, Barney's Co-op and the like exposes me to far too much Marc Jacobs. Had I bought another Marc Jacobs piece, I probably would have spent myself into debt. Yes, one was enough--but there were still quite a few pretty little Marc by Marc Jacobs tops, such as the one above, that were calling my name.

As much as I like them, I didn't get a pair of sailor pants. I just don't have room in my closet, and I'm not ready to kick anythign else out to make room yet.

And hell, as long as I'm talking about things I can't have. . . this Chloe dress is amazing! It's never been an option for me, give my lack of thousands of dollars to spend on clothes, but I love it!

At Urban Outfitters, I had to ask an employee to check in the back and see if this top was available in my size. As I waited, a girl walked by and picked up the top and said, "Hideous. If this is in style, I don't want to be in style." Hahaha. It's ok, darling, I don't want to look like you, either. Anyway, I really love it, so it's an awful pity the they didn't have my size. Boo. Well, as soon as it goes on sale on the website, I'm going to STOP exercising restraint, and buy it!

Good News

2007-03-28T08:37:00.000-07:00

New York is keeping out Walmart. Good.

Shopping: Concluded?

2007-03-28T07:16:00.000-07:00

It's Marc Jacob's fault. I could have gotten piles upon piles of new clothing, but instead, I'm coming away from NYC with a very small, well-edited, selection of pieces. I have a dress, new pants, two new pairs of jeans (because my favorite pair of all time has a hole--I got the exact same pair again), and two new tops. Why not more? Because I fell in love with and was swept away by a Marc by Marc Jacobs dress. It's a bit extreme--there's always that terrifying moment when the salesgirl says "exchange or store credit only"--but it's actually a rather good thing. It's limited my funds enough that I can't buy things I don't need. So, no closet clutter for me!

Besides, the Marc by Marc Jacobs dress that I got is worth it. It's light, easy to wear, fun, simple, and even, I think, a bit sophisticated in its simplicity. It's long enough to be worn as a dress, but short enough that I can easily wear it as a top until it's warm enough, and I love purple. I know it looks a bit silly in the picture, but you'll have to trust me when I say it looks great on. Hey, maybe I'll post some pictures of me wearing it on Wardrobe_Remix. . .

I got a great dress from H&M on one of my first shopping days, but upon reconsidering, I decided it was a bit formal for day-to-day wear, and I already have enough formal clothing that my life doesn't afford opportunity to play with, so I decided to exchange it for a simpler piece that had been catching my eye. Now, I've always liked tunics, but yes, that is a denim top. I have strong feelings about denim being used outside of jeans: namely, that it shouldn't. Still, I liked the shape of this top, and it's a lighter denim, almost a chambray, so while its weight makes it drape nicely, it's not too heavy and structured. It's a change for me, but I really like it.

I did, as I said I would, end up getting a pair of bright skinny pants. Thanks to the dress, I was purpled out, so I got a bright blue pair instead. They're surprisingly easy to wear, since they're only a little brighter and more vibrant than jeans would be. They're a bit extreme, but I'm enjoying them immensely.

I also got a new pair of (aforementioned) Levi's skinny jeans, but they're not really new to me, since they're exactly the same as a pair I already have, sans hole in the thigh. Still, I'm happy to have them--Levi's skinny jeans fit really well, sit high enough not to facilitate any embarassing crack moments, and slouch perfectly.

Lastly, the frosting on the cake--jewelry. I have a magnificent earring collection, adore bracelets (though don't wear them often--hmm), have two rings that I never take off, and yet, I've never been too taken with necklaces. It's not that I dislike them in principal, it's more that I'm not very often attracted to them, and when I am and I do buy them, I never really wear them anyway. So, it logically follows that it's stupid of me to buy necklaces. But hey, I never claimed to be smart. This little beauty came from Forever 21, and I'm totally going to make an effort to wear it sometime soon.

And that, I suppose, is that. That is, until I'm back in New York City again.

2007-03-26T08:10:00.000-07:00

I'm officially a contributing member of Wardrobe_Remix! I encourage readers to join as well :)

Shoes of the week

2007-03-24T22:21:00.001-07:00

Just because I absolutely adore them:

But them (for me!) here. That's a size 8. . .

The Indie Kids

2007-03-24T10:42:00.000-07:00

Know what's awesome? Small businesses. Know why? They tend to be more ethical, do more for their communities, and give the consumer a better idea of where their money is going. Know what the fashion equivalent is? Independent designers!

I love indie designers, not only because I have more confidence in their business ethics, but also because you get far, far more unique pieces from them. Because they're not the mainstream trendsetters, they don't spawn mainstream imitations. Furthermore, they're not mass-produced on the same scale as that adorable Marc Jacobs dress you want. So, without further ado, here's my pick o'the independent designer litter:

I do even need to say that I love Built by Wendy? Well, I do. The shapes of her pieces are modest and even a little conservative, but still somehow ridiculously sexy and stylish. Her clothing isn't trendy, and in my humble opinion, it's all the better for it. Her spring season is almost too good to be true--unique, well-cut, simple, interesting, and cohesive despite a lot of variety. I can't buy it all--dammit--but I probably would if I could. Check it out at her online store, and see my picks below.

Imitation of Christ is a way cool one-off line by Tara Subkoff. Now, you could argue that she's not technically an independant designer because of her collaboration with Easy Spirit, but then, you could also bite me. I don't mind at all that she does the collaboration, because her clothing is stellar anyway. Obviously, it's pretty hard to find her revamped vintage line, but her denim line, Imitation Jeans, can be found online, as well as at Barney's Co-op. And even the shoes, which I admit are not so independently produced, are pretty awesome, so. . . fine. You can find her clothes at Kirna Zabete in NYC, and the jeans and the shoes should be easy to find just by googling "Tara Subkoff," or "Imitation jeans." I could link you, but it's Saturday, and I'm feeling so lazy. . .

If I could afford it, I would live quite a bit of my life in Grey Ant. I would have to leave room for Built by Wendy, but I adore Grey Ant's quirky, unique, clever pieces. Unfortunately, Grey Ant does cost a chunk of change, but I'm hoping that I can save up for one of their tops (on sale!) soon. Why? Well, as I said before, Grey Ant's clothing is quirky and unique, and it just doesn't look like anything else. Things like off-kilter buttons and strange, almost ugly (but not!) prints are just perfect in Grey Ant's pieces. It's always eye-catching, but it's never too much. Catch them online here, and also at a quite a few other retailers!

Opinions, please!

2007-03-23T19:08:00.000-07:00

Time for a discussion. Gather 'round, children! So, I'm wondering if I should get a stylediary or not. I like my anonymity, so I've never wanted one before, but I sort of like the idea of having a catalog of outfits that I enjoy available to me. Of course, that means that it's available to everyone else. That just seems sort of self-conscious and self-important. Then again, it's kind of neat to see all your outfits laid out alongside each other; that way, you can look at what you like in some outfits and dislike in others, and y'know, isolate certain factors that influence you one way or another (someone has taken far too many science classes. Even fashion is empirical in my mind). Another interesting point of debate is that I think I'm gonna join the Wardrobe_Remix Flickr group--I love looking at what people come up with and supplying feedback, and I want in! I'm not entirely sure what the difference between Stylediary and Wardrobe_Remix is, but I'm significantly less opposed to one than the other. So, darling readers, what do you think?

Stupid Camera

2007-03-23T15:39:00.000-07:00

Ok, I don't think I'm going to be posting my recent purchases until I leave NYC, because my camera battery is dead and I don't feel like shelling out $5 for a new one because I've spent so damn much already. To those of you who are curious (am I just delusional? Is anyone curious?), I apologise for the delay. Give me until Sunday night. Fear not, I have plenty to post in the meantime.

Polar Opposites

2007-03-23T08:28:00.000-07:00

I'm really liking my new "Things I Want" category. It's a lovely excuse to be indulgent. This installment consists of two items that couldn't possibly be more different and more desirable. These jeans are the perfect faded wide-legs. They're nice and easy, but the simple look and wide seams make them kind of elegant as well:

This dress is just divine. I love Nina Ricci. I love Oliver Theyskens. I love it.

The problem? I can't have the jeans because they have a 31" inseam (as in, three inches too short). I can't have the dress because it's $1,800 (on sale!). Someone may need to go thrifting today. . .

The Skinny and the Boyfriend get married

2007-03-21T10:23:00.000-07:00

in Miss Sixty's Eden jeans. I love it!

And the best ad award goes to. . . Chloe!

2007-03-21T09:08:00.000-07:00

Lanvin easily had the best advertisements in the fall, but right now, I love the fact that Chloe is willing to use these sort of washed-out, dulled, 70's-esque colors to advertise their spring line. The best part? They're still completely beautiful.

Macy's Day (minus the parade)

2007-03-20T16:46:00.000-07:00

So, I've had a request for a Macy's special from The Evil Kitten, and while I'm not much of a department store shopper, I'm never one to turn down a challenge!

I must reiterate, though, I'm not a big mall/department store shopper. I'm more of a downtown girl. Still, I used to shop in department stores (think middle school), and a good friend of mine and I once killed a lot of time before a show at the 34th St. Macy's, so I think I can do this. I only have the website to go by, not knowing what's available in Canadian Macys', but some thorough searching has turned up a small but very nice crop.

I started in the junior's section, because it's cheaper and it plays to trends. I wasn't really knocked out by anything, unfortunately. Some cheap clothing is fabulous (H&M, anyone?), but sometimes it looks exactly that: cheap. Still, there were a few cute, useful pieces that didn't look cheap (either that, or they weren't cheap), and here they are:

This blouse is cute, it's a modern shape, and I like the color and the detailing. Find it here.

This kimono sweater is cute, too. It's unextraordinary, but the bold color and cool shape would makes it the type of piece that you can just toss on over a tank top and still look cute.

Everyone can use a denim pencil skirt. I got the Proenza Schouler for Target one (love!), but this one is cute, too.

I didn't manage to find a dress I liked in the junior's section, but this one (in the misses section) is adorable. I love it. I want it. In fact, I might have to head down to Macy's on 34th again. . .

Evil, I hope that helped!

My Miu Miu review

2007-03-20T07:49:00.001-07:00

I know that I haven't been awesome at covering the Paris shows (but at least I got John Galliano and Sonia Rykiel), but it's still on my to-do list. Part of the reason that I've been putting it off is that I'm so excited by Chloe that I need time to figure out the best way to express my glee, and that unfortunately, I'm just not that excited by Miu Miu. I did like all the pretty dresses at the end quite a bit--see below--but most of the collection didn't excite me as much as past collections have. It was all a bit plain and monotone:

But at least the shoes were awesome:

Y'know, since I'm taking it easy for tomorrow. . .

2007-03-18T11:26:00.000-07:00

Oh dear. A good friend of mine just had to miss an important audition because her flight was canceled due to weather. Sad, sad, very sad (but I'm taking her with me to an open audition to make up for it). So, since her schedule has changed, and she's understandably bummed, I've moved my big shopping day up to. . . tomorrow! This way, she can come and be distracted from her woes, and I can have company. I was planning on doing some accessory shopping today (I really really want a 1930 man's fedora), but I scaled back when I found out that she was going to be in town early and wanted to shop so that I'll have plenty of cash for tomorrow. What I ended up getting was a pair of sunglasses (because my optometrist was bothering me about always wearing sunglasses), some thin metal headbands (because I lost my wide, black patent one. . . boo!), and. . . a Kinder Bueno. It's not technically an accessory, but I DID need it. Of all the things that I miss most about Europe, Kinder Bueno ranks near the top of the list. It's delicious. It's creamy. It's light. It's even two candy bars. I saw it at a deli near my favorite Indian vegetarian restaurant last week, but I had already overeaten mattar paneer and chat (look it up), so I knew better than to get it. Today, though, I've been pretty good, and I just wanted it like nothing else. So I got it. And oooh, it really is like nothing else.

Shoes of the week

2007-03-18T06:35:00.001-07:00

Because spring is coming. Soon. Well, I hope it's coming soon. Anyhow, you could always be funky and wear them with thick socks until it's warm enough.

And you can buy them here if you're eager.

Um, it's technically a street style shot. . .

2007-03-17T12:36:00.000-07:00

And I LOVE what Gemma Ward is wearing in it. I'm dying for a hat just like that. Pity they were all $80 at Cheap Jack's.

Armwarmers galore

2007-03-17T06:45:00.001-07:00

I like armwarmers. I have two pairs, and while I can't wait for spring, I must admit, I'll be sorry to bid my armwarmers goodbye. I have a grey pair and a green pair, and it's a good combo--one pair is neutral, the other pair, not so much. Still, I recently saw a streetstyle shot from London (once again--Oooh, how I miss thee!) of a girl who had a pair of purple fairisle--fairisle!--armwarmers peeking out from her jacket. It wasn't precious, it was punk. Sort of. It was cute, it was fresh, and it was quite desireable. I bought both of my pairs of armwarmers while I was in London, so I don't know where to go here in the US to get a pair--save, of course, Etsy!

If you're not familiar with Etsy--get familiar. It's a place where crafters can sell their wares on their own. I know I sound like a broken record, but it's great because you're not just feeding money to corporate America. I had a hunch that some Etsy seller somewhere would be making armwarmers, but little did I know that I would be presented with the best selection ever! There were desireable pairs on the first page, but it just got better and better as I went.

I mean, it's hard to go wrong with stripes. Then again, the crocheted pair is surprisingly badass for a craft that's normallly so precious. And the grungy green is surpsingly appealing. Still, my heart going to the pair that reflects it: the adorable pair of heart-print "gauntlets," made my a seller who makes tons of other scrumptious pairs as well. So, go to Etsy, search for armwarmer, and if you're so inclined, shop without guilt!

Gross.

2007-03-16T20:12:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I'm invited to two parties tonight, and I'm skipping them both because New York City is covered in a foot of motherfucking sleet. Even my practical shoes (suede, low-heeled grey boots) won't stand up to the weather. So totally not fair.

Consumerism, Round II

2007-03-16T14:21:00.001-07:00

I like to start entries with some sort of amusing witticism, but I'm anxious to get to the point of this entry and post some pretty pictures, so, without further ado, here are my mostly unnecessary purchases from yesterday and the day before.

On Wednesday, I was going to go look at some clothing that I was debating about. but as soon as I got to the first zoo (H&M on fifth avenue), I remembered that, if you want to score at overwrought cheap-chic places, you have to act fast, and act fast, I did. I can't post pictures of my H&M purchases, but I got a pretty-yet-sophisticated black barette, and an absolutely gorgeous off-white dress. It has a row of buttons down the front, poet sleeves, and a full skirt. It's a little much for day to day, but then, that's never stopped me. I love it. Damn good thing that I love it, too, because I had to go to three different H&Ms before I found my size. I also got a new pair of grey skinny jeans, because the ones I got for fall (from a catalogue, of course), are just plain uncomfortable. These ones are very comfortable, but I had to get a size or two too big so that they would be long enough. Such is the life for girls with long legs. Fortunately, they're stretchy, so since they're meant to be tight, they don't fall down much on me.

Next, it was off to Forever 21. I wanted to find a top with some green to wear on St. Patrick's day, but even though I tried on four different tops, none of them really seemed worth it. That's pretty sad, when you consider that Forever 21 tops cost $20. It wasn't a wash, though, because I found this gorgeous square necked blouse. It's incredibly flattering, it's comfortable, and it doesn't look cheap! If I get pinched on Saturday, so be it.

Thursday, I started my day with a thrilling eye appointment. I got my pupils dilated, and then felt sick from wandering around NYC for six hours with blurry vision and uncomfortable light sensitivity. It wasn't a good day for shopping, so I went to the Strand to see if I could find some reading material. I did, but I didn't find what I wanted used (I was in a Michael Chabon/ Danzy Senna mood), so I got Secrets of the Model Dorm by Amanda Kerlin instead. I know, I know, I could do a lot better in the way of literature than that, but it is my break, and I can indulge a little. Thusfar, it's not brilliantly-written, but it is kind of fun. It's good in a guilty pleasure way. Oh, and the eye appointment? I can't wear my contacts all the time now. Kind of a bummer, but I can still wear them 90% of the time, and plus, I found a pair of Prada frames that I might not actually mind wearing. I'm not sure they're exactly the ones at right, but they're pretty damn close.

Finally, I bought this a few days ago, and I know I mentioned it earlier, but the Rasputina CD that I just got is awesome. Seriously. It's fantasticallly amazing. It's called Thanks for the Ether, and anyone who likes sort of trippy alternative folk rock with a lot of layers and amazing musicality should get it. That's an order.

I don't need tooooo much more spring clothing at this point, so I don't know that I'll go shopping more than once more. Still, I still want some sailor pants, a pinstriped vest (that may be a bit specific, though), wedge sandals, bright skinny pants, and a dress, so stay tuned for more.

Let the consumerism begin!

2007-03-15T17:10:00.001-07:00

I finally found a way to post pictures again (the trick, apparently, is not to use Safari)! So, because I haven't been able to post for a few days, this post is from Tuesday. I'm a bit backlogged, but I'll catch up as soon as I don't have a headache. Enjoy!

Since I'm trying to buy clothing more strategically (in an attempt to buy less overall, and therefore be at least a bit greener), I decided to start my shopping with skincare products, since there are some things that I actually need. I no longer really use a spot treatment for zits since I don't break out so much and those things overdry my skin, but my skin is far from perfect, so I need something else. Plus, in my old age (21 to be precise), I'm thinking that I should start considering wrinkle products. Ok, not really, but I do want to start thinking about having healthy-looking skin in the long-term. I'm not going to jump the gun with too many alpha and beta acids, retinoids, etc., but it never hurt anyone to use some antioxidants and products that keep your collagen in good shape. I found the perfect solution to my issues at Whole Foods. I've always liked plant-derived products, because they don't irritate my irritatingly sensitive skin, and Jason is an awesome brand. I've had my eye on their Red line for ages, and when I saw their mask--which has kaolin clay for purifying, antioxidants for skin protection, and peptides to support collagen production, largely plant based--it was a match made in heaven.

I've also wanted a new scent--I usually wear Burberry Brit, but it's just a little formal sometimes. I wanted something simpler and more casual, so I bought a little bottle of pure musk oil. It has a hell of a lot of staying power, smells divine, and I love it. Thanks, Whole Foods!

Next, it was on to the conventional. I bought my favorite sunscreen, because the sun has been making more appearances, and I think it's time to start wearing it under my makeup every day. Yes, I know, you should wear it every day, even in the winter, you can always get sun damage, But it's damn expensive sunscreen to put on every day ($11/3 oz. Ouch!), so I try only to use it when it's most important.

I also got a neutrogena lip balm that I've used before, but I like it, because it actually does moisturize (most things with any pigment dry out my lips--I have hypersensitive skin), but the slight honey tint means that it's a really warm, flattering color on your face.

Lastly, my nails are breaking again (argh!), so I got an Essie nail polish in Waltz. I was torn between Waltz and Marshmellow, but something eventually made me go with Waltz. I'm not sure what it was, though.

Stay tuned for round II!

Posts--lots of posts--coming soon

2007-03-14T21:27:00.000-07:00

That is, as soon as Blogger will let me post pictures again! I have no idea what's going on.

Best wishes!

2007-03-13T17:48:00.000-07:00

Bit of a shock: Marc Jacobs went into rehab today! I admire the fact that he knows what he needs to do, and wish him the best!

I'm not a big fan of Tory Burch, but the knock-offs are a-ok!

2007-03-13T16:17:00.000-07:00

According to my Sitemeter, someone found my blog my searching for "knock off Tory Burch flats." I thought that was funny, because:
a) I've never talked about Tory Burch flats, real or otherwise
b) I don't really like Tory Burch
c) I just saw a pair of knock-off Tory Burch flats

Tory Burch is a little flash-tastic and spangled with emblems for me, but I'll admit that the flats are nice enough.

Still, Delia*s is doing a convincing, quite pretty knock-off for $36:

But my favorite interpretation is, surprisingly, from Steve Madden. It deviates quite a bit from the original, but if you ask me, it's a hell of a lot more interesting.

Pretty Clothes

2007-03-12T19:44:00.000-07:00

Mmmm. I had dinner at Gobo tonight. Amazing. Amazing, amazing amazing as always. It's my favorite restaurant in the city, and I was with a good friend who I haven't seen in months. But, good food and good company aside, I noticed that everything is just better when you're dressed up. He had come from a press event (when did my friends and I turn into adults? I'm not sure), and he was in a suit, and I was wearing a gorgeous top and cute shoes, and I gotta say, while nothing (save underwear) comes between me and my Earnest Sewns, I don't think the evening would have been as special if we were in jeans.

It's a hell of a town!

2007-03-12T19:23:00.000-07:00

I love coming to New York City. When I'm here, I just feel like everything is available to me. Unfortunately, it causes me tooverindulge a bit, but a bit of overindulgence can be fortunate, don't you think? Yesterday, I had Korean-style frozen yogurt (soooo good), and then made the trek over to brooklyn for a dinner party. Today, I had a latte and a pear almond scone for breakfast, I bought a crate of organic clementines and a Rasputina CD, and I might take a ballet class, provided that I can fit it in before my dinner plans. Tomorrow, it's off to my favorite restaurant for dinner with a friend who I haven't seen in ages. It is, in short, the sweet life. So, as long as I'm indulging everything else, here are the clothing desires that I hope to indulge while I'm here (if, of course, I don't run out of cash):

Built by Wendy's penguin dress. Tooooo cute. I actually would happily shell out the cash for it, if I thought that I'd actually have anywhere to wear it once I leave New York.

A dress with sleeves, so that I can feel spring-y while it's still a little chilly out. I already have a grey one, so blue would be a very nice choice.

A pretty printed sundress, something that will look good over jeans and on its own. this one would be an awesome choice.

But I'm not just dying for dresses: I'd also love a pair of sailor pants. I love my bottoms to be mostly neutral, but a little visual interest never hurts. Plus, I'm a bit fan of buttons.

I'd also like a pair of really bright skinnies. Purple might be a little much, but then again, they might not--I'll have to go try them on at Urban Outfitters (the sailor pants are there as well).

And, of course, I can't leave out my feet! I'd love a pair of really low open-toed wegdes. This beautiful pair would be ideal, but they're sold out, so my heart is left yearning and searching. . .

WHY didn't I got to her outlet when I was in Paris??

2007-03-12T07:23:00.000-07:00

I adore Sonia Rykiel. I usually try to start my entries with some sort of clever hook before I get to the point, but with Sonia Rykiel, there's no need. I have a vintage Sonia Rykiel top that's possibly my favorite top ever (next to my also dearly loved Built by Wendy tops), because it's slouchy-tastic and it just always looks stylish. I think that it's safe to say that any piece from the new Sonia Rykiel collection would do the job just as well.

I was going to try to find some vintage sweater dresses on eBay to offer a more wallet-friendly alternative to Sonia Rykiel's gorgeous knit dresses, but there's just no alternative. My advice to you would be to learn to knit. But, if you're dying to recreate Sonia Rykiel with a little less cash, the color chartreuse (usually so ugly. . .) was also a prominent feature of the collection. Again, I love it, especially in typically luxe charmeuse, and especially with amazing teal patent heels. But, the easiest, safest, and undoubtedly cheapest way to recreate the look to pair your LBD with a pair of chartreuse tights. I usually wear deep teal or blood-red tights when I want to look a bit edgy, but this might just be my new color of choice:

Lovely as always. I adore Sonia Rykiel.

Love

2007-03-11T19:39:00.000-07:00

At Anthropologie.

Welcome to my world. . .

2007-03-11T11:47:00.001-07:00

Fashion ABC spreads/articles in magazines can get monotonous, but they can also be fun and interesting. So, I'm going to indulge a bit and share mine. Or at least, mine for now. 'Cause, you know, just like the mags, I change my mind every season.

A is for APC. Love the spring line.
B is for boots. Just boots. Boots, boots, boots.
C is for Chambray, especially when used in Built by Wendy's Art Teacher Blouse. Nice.
D is for Doo.Ri.
E is for Eventide! I love it.
F is for food. Food can be stylish, trendy, fun, and, of course, it's necessary. Never starve yourself for fashion--just eat stylishly.
G is for Grey Ant. I'm currently lusting for one of their sweetheart-neckline oxford shirts. So strange, and so right...
H is for hell-raising, and other fun activities for when you're wearing a mini skirt.
I is for Iekeline Stange. Damn! Why do I suddenly care about models?!? Still, I must admit, she makes clothes look lovely.
J is for jumpsuits. . . are you surprised?
K is for kimono.
L is for London. Oooh, how I miss thee.
M is for Marc Jacobs. Duh.
N is for New York City! I'm only here for two weeks this time, and I already don't know how I'll fit everything in.
O is for open bars.
P is for Philosophy de Alberta Ferretti. I saw one of her skirts in a fashion spread in highschool, and incessantly searched on eBay for something of hers that I could afford. Never found one, but never lost interest, either.
Q is for Querelle Jansen (but only because I couldn't think of anything else).
R is for Rag & Bone.
S is for Sustainability. C'mon. Like you didn't see that coming.
T is for Twinkle by Wenlan.
U is for underwear. Forget about what the starlets are doing, just wear it.
V is for Vanessa Bruno.
W is for Why Not Wear It? If you like it, try it.
X is for. . . is. . . oh, damn.
Y is for Y-3
Z is for Zero Maria Cornejo, just because independent designers are coolest.

Shoes of the week

2007-03-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

I'm in New York, so I need something I can walk in. These meet my three C's for NYC shoes: cute, comfy, and cheap.

Find 'em here.

I confess. . .

2007-03-10T11:22:00.000-08:00

Readers, I realize that your image of me, your faithful blogger, is probably one of a girl surrounded by a messy pile of shoes, clutching her fists and proclaiming, "I DON'T care about models! I don't!" And that's not a completely inaccurate image, but you've probably noticed from my indignancy that I do sometimess notice models (but not very much!).

Perhaps I should specify a bit about my relationship with models--I love fashion photography, and I love fashion as art. Shalom Harlow in the Dior show? Wow. Lily Cole in just about anything? Also wow. I love unique beauty, I admire the performance of it, and while I don't have anything specifically against models, I do often think that the business is a bit f*cked up (censored for my younger readers--hope you appreciate it). Some people are naturally tall and thin. In fact, it seems to me that there is a good handful of models who, through exercise and eating somewhat carefully, can be rail-thin and healthy. But let's not kid ourselves: a hell of a lot of models stay rail thin through starving and vomiting, and that's not ok. It's not ok that we have a profession that encourages literally lethal behavior, and it's not ok that such an unnatural thing is setting the standard for beauty. I see no reason why Lily Cole shouldn't be on the runway--but I also see no reason why we can't accept more average-sized women as well. I know, I know, there's no fantasy there, and that's what people want. So maybe I don't have a solution; I'm just left with a love-hate relationship with modeling.

That explained, I have been noticing Agnes Deyn lately, and my, she is gorgeous. She wears clothing with a vengeance, and I like it.

And that is all.

Shopping List

2007-03-09T08:36:00.000-08:00

I've added a short link list of online boutiques that I shop at and/or love, so please check it out (it's right below my street style links). It's for you. And for me.

You can't kill goth. . . it's a vampire

2007-03-08T05:48:00.000-08:00

I never really identified with the gothy kids in school. Got along with them, sure, but nothing they ever did seemed like true, or at least effective, rebellion, so I found the whole thing a little self-conscious, even embarrassing. And I certainly never coveted their clothing.

Then, two years ago, goth became chic. Rather than being self-conscious or useless, the gothy moments of high fashion had the women who were previously traisping around with IT-bags in Chanel ballet flats now pursuing ripped lace tights to wear under grungy plaid dresses. The irony was great. The message was obvious. And best of all, it was something new.

It was new enough that I was disappointed by the return to pastels and ladylike skirts in this past fall. I mean, goth had glory, so what was it so disposable? I didn't get it. And that, my friends, is why I'm so grateful to Galliano:

Enough said.

More, to follow, but. . .

2007-03-07T17:38:00.000-08:00

Yum! at Miu Miu. Oh, and scroll down for plenitful updates.

Awesome!

2007-03-07T17:33:00.000-08:00

H&M is using organic cotton! They obviously can't afford to use it in all their garments (well, actually, they probably could--but it'd take a long time to make the transition, I know), but I quote from the magazine, "Organic cotton collections are now included in the women's lines at city shops and in the Mama, &denim and Newborn Baby lines." Count me a customer! I'd be happier if they were using all organic cotton, but that's a distant dream, and still, for a mass retailer, this is awesome. Awesome!

Cute shoes that are comfortable??? BLASPHEMY!

2007-03-07T16:51:00.000-08:00

Wednesdays are the worst day. The week is already in full swing, but the end is not yet in sight. You have all your work laid out in front of you, but you've yet to make a dent in it. To top it all off, you're sleep-deprived, the weather is awful, your thesis proposal is due damn soon, you've stabbed yourself in the eye with your mascara wand, and, to top it all off, you've just remembered that you left your wine glasses in a friend's room--on Saturday night. You promised to pick them up Sunday. But they're still there. And it's Wednesday.

Or, at least, that's my Wednesday, and, in suit, it's a tough one. So, what could make it better? Why, shoes, of course! But, given the crappycrappycrappy weather, let's look at sensible shoes, shall we? Oh, quit your whining. I promise it'll be fun.

Now, the gold standard for sensible shoes is Dr. Scholl's, though I'm not entirely sure how comfortable their shoe insert products are. Still, I have a pair of their famous buckle sandals--mine are flat slides, and they were pretty freakin' expensive for so little shoe, but they've lasted two years and they are comfortable, so I shouldn't complain. Perusing Dr. Scholl's at Zappos, we have a Chloe knock-off and a Marc Jacobs knock-off:

And it's a no. I'm all for knock-offs, especially comfortable ones, but these ones are, well, ugly. These next ones aren't exactly cute, but I'm attracted to their strangeness, and especially if they're comfortable, I would totally wear them.

Their collection at Zappos is full of iterations of the buckle slide, some ugly heels, other mediocre knock-offs, a few cute flats, a cute pair of granny boots, and a few real gems. Nothing, however, topped this:

Overall, I'd say it's worth wading through the ugly (some of which is quite appealing, like the strange boots I pictured, and also a pair of sort of. . . I dunno. . . combat maryjanes, if you will) to find the few real treats. I'd love the above boots and t-straps. Especially the boots, given the weather. Still, I admit the Dr. Scholl's is a bit of a pedestrian choice, so let's move on to the big guns: Nike for Cole Haan. Now, this isn't a line of couture sneakers. Apparently, Nike has taken their foot-friendly sneaker technology and put it all in cute little heels, boots, and wedges. Sounds good to me. I have a friend who has a pair of their boots and adores them. They all have a little bit of a platform below the ball of the foot, which I think is where the "Nike Air Technology" goes, and they all look pretty damn good:

Especially the two pictured above. Damn. Sexy. Still, the brand that I'm finding most intriguing is probably Devotte. I do remember reading somewhere (helpful, I know) that they're quite comfortable, and while I'm not sure why they're hailed as particularly comfortable on a technical level, but if you look:

That's a low wedge and a sensible heel--hardly something that could twist your ankle or make you sore. And they're lovely, simple, and vintage-y, without being stale and boring. And you can get them at my favorite internet boutique, Active Endeavors.

Just a quick rant

2007-03-07T16:35:00.000-08:00

I know that this is something that gets said a lot, but in my opinion, it can't be said enough: don't judge your body by your clothing size. I speak with the voice of experience when I say that it's unhealthy for your body, your happiness, and society as a whole. Furthermore, it's a completely inaccurate gage of anything at all.

Take today, for example. I needed a pair of dress pants, so I went on a quick shopping run. The jeans that I'm wearing today are a size 3. At the shop I went to, I grabbed a size 4, a 6, and a 7. The seven was a little big in the leg, but other than that, both other pairs of pants fit me in the hips and waist. But, none of them worked, because they were all too short. That's three different sizes, people. Um, ok. . . ?

I ended up going somewhere else entirely and getting a size. . . 8! I've finally, FINALLY realized that the number inside your clothing is just that, based only on the whim on a retailer. "Inconsistent" doesn't begin to describe modern sizing. I'm usually a 4, with quite a bit of 2s strewn through my wardrobe, and the occasional 6 as well. The fact that one rather-small running brand (H&M, if you're curious) puts me into a size 8 doesn't actually change the size or shape of my body, even if it can sound a bit intimidating to my size 4 ego. But even that's stupid.

So, the message of today's PSA is to love your body and treat it well, but most of all, don't judge it harshly just because stupid mass retailers can't get their ducks in a row.

Update

2007-03-05T12:57:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note until I actually have time to blog for real (I'm thinking Wendesday): To those of you who have mailed me pics for the Thrift Score Challenge, thank you! I can't wait to compile it all. To those of you who want to but haven't yet, hurry up, kids! Next, I haven't forgotten about Paris fashion week, and you can expect to hear plenty about Sonia Rykiel, Miu Miu, Chloe, and Louis Vuitton soon. When I have some applications/reading/papers/scripts/auditions done. . .

Shoes of the week

2007-03-04T07:58:00.000-08:00

If these go any further on sale. . .

they're MINE!

Don't get them here.

As long as I'm obsessing about jumpsuits. . .

2007-03-03T07:05:00.000-08:00

. . . let's add this one to the list, shall we?

More jumpsuits. . . and some pretty dresses as well.

2007-03-03T06:56:00.000-08:00

Stella McCartney was probably the fashion show that I was most looking forward to. Now that the pics are out and the anticipation is over, I'm not blown away, but I'm pleased. It looked like there was a sense of fun about it all, and I liked sort of discordant themes of the outfits, and the way she wove it all together. There was plenty of conceptual. . .

(remember how I now love jumpsuits?)

and there was plenty of lovely and wearable as well:

Enough to keep everyone happy. I know I am.

Ugly, and ooooh so desireable. . .

2007-03-02T05:50:00.000-08:00

Things are getting out of control. First, I succumbed to skinny jeans, because I thought they were the only way to wear last season's blousy tops. But soon, I was wearing them with all things shrink-wrapped, and just about everything else I can think of. I love 'em.

Next, it was ankle boots. I used to think that they looked hopelessly dated, but the hopelessly dated look grew on me, and I now own a beautiful teal pair that I wear whenever I can. I'd wear them even more than I do, but I got them in England, so they'll be hard to replace.

So, what it is now? Oh, the shame, I can hardly bring myself to say it. . . a jumpsuit. Yes, it's true, fashion show coverage and some salutation from the mags has me wanting my very own onesies. I dunno if I'll break down and do it, but I'll keep you posted one way or another. . .

This 12th Street by Cynthia Vincent one would be a great choice, but I actually just bought a 12th Street dress, and it set me back enought that my jumpsuit will probably have to come from H&M. Oooh, the humanity. . .

Insanity

2007-03-01T20:08:00.000-08:00

Have you ever felt insecure and wished that your clothing could drape gracefully over something OTHER than your body?

Well, Victor & Rolf has you covered! Simply assemble the framework with the easy instructions, drape the dress, and go!

What about those days when you feel special, and you know you deserve the spotlight? Victor & Rolf won't leave you high and dry!

Take a spotlight wherever you go with their easy-assemble frenels! This outfit is guaranteed to call attention, or double your money back!

I couldn't resist. But despite the snarkiness, I love it. I do.

Thrift Score Challenge

2007-02-25T16:39:00.000-08:00

Every time that I read Bits and Bobbins, I'm inspired by the amazing items that its blogger, Tricia, thrifts and recreates. Don't get me wrong, retail is wonderful, but there's something to be said for buying something that no one else has and giving it a new life, not to mention the environmental benefit of buying preloved clothing--not only is it recycling, but it also discourages, to some small extent, new clothing production. So, I've been reflecting on my own fabulous thrift store finds, and wondering, what the best thing you've thrifted? If you haven't yet ventured into the wonderful world of vintage, can you challenge yourself to find something fantastic? If you care to share, email a jpeg photo of the item, or even better, of you wearing it (you don't have to include your face in the picture if you don't want), to principessadeipazzi@hotmail.com, and let me know how you style it, how much you scored it for, and any other stories that may be attached to it. Sometime in the next two or three weeks, I'll post everyone's shots and stories (with a link to your blog if you're a blogger, of course) along with my own, and we can all admire each other's fabulous bargains. Sound good? Good!

Forever 21: the pros outweigh the cons

2007-02-25T11:44:00.001-08:00

I had to run into the city (that's New York City for my newer readers) on Friday for some errands, and the combination of the stress of deadlines, the steely grey sky and freezing wind, and mild boredom while I waited for my project to be finished, made is a perfect day for a little retail therapy. Unfortunately, I didn't (and still don't) have a lot of cash, nor did I have time to amble from shop to shop while searching for something fantastic to lift my spirits. The necessity of cheap and prolific left me with two choices: H&M or the sometimes dreaded Forever 21. I can go to H&M any time, so I decided to take a gamble.

And actually, I was pleasantly surprised. Forever 21 is about as cheap as you can get in the world of fast fashion, and sometimes, it's a bit of a disaster: the stores are crowded and messy, the service sucks, the music sucks more, and pieces that looked perfectly innocuous on the hanger can make even a happy, confident girl want to lose 15 pounds when on. Still, I'm happy to announce that there are some ways around these disasters, and some cute pieces to be found for very little money as well. As far as the music and service go, you just have to suck it up; embrace the tacky dance tracks, and give yourself time to do some digging and searching on your own, because you probably won't get any assistance. The badness of the clothing, however, can be remedied. Don't buy anything in your size, unless you like the shrinkwrapped look; the proportions of the clothing can be weird and a little off, so buy a size or two up, and whatever you get will be more forgiving. Also, try EVERYTHING on--don't ever assume that because something looks cute on the mannequin at Forever 21, it'll look cute on you, too. To put it plainly, the clothing isn't constructed well, so you have to experiment with fit. Still, if you can embrace the inconvenience of it all, you might find some cute things for very little money. Some guidelines:

Stay away from: anything in polyesther; childish patterns; anything see-through; flimsy, thin jersey pieces that lose shape; anything too tight; things with too many annoying colors; things that look as cheap as they are

Go for: cotton or silk pieces; large-scale, especially geometric patterns; structured pieces; items that are lined; things that fit well; solid, subltle colors; things that look more expensive than they are; trapeze dresses; blouson tops; high waisted, wide legged pants, patent shoes

Also, keep an eye out for some sweet Anna Sui-esque patterns. Actually, that's an overly-kind euphemism; they're more like blatant Anna Suit knock-offs, but I suppose nothing's ever truly original in fashion. Besides, Forever 21 used to be knock-offs of the knock-offs, so the more direct immitation probably shows an increase in quality. . . or something like that.

Shoes of the week

2007-02-25T08:33:00.000-08:00

I'll fantasize about wearing them until the snow melts. . .

Get them here, if you have a chunk of change to spare.

Tom's shoes

2007-02-24T16:18:00.000-08:00

You've probably heard about Toms. You've probably read about Toms. You've probably seen Toms in every fashion magazine and blog that you've checked out this month. But, just in case some of you haven't, I'm going to fill you in anyway. Toms are very simple shoes that come in awesome colors and patterns and, as far as I can tell, look good with just about anything.

But you can tell all this from the pictures. What you might not be able to tell is that for every pair you buy, the creator donates a pair to a child in need. No strings attached. This isn't one of those "charity" shopping events where the retailer is the really benefitted party. This isn't one of those BUY TO SUPPORT AN IMPORTANT CAUSE deals where it say in the fine print that 3% of proceeds from one particular item will go to some charity. This is a really, honestly good deal, where someone else benefits from the purchase as much as the purchaser does.

So go buy some! I like the stripes, myself.

The boys were refined, the girls were rebellious

2007-02-21T19:16:00.000-08:00

This is a really tough look for the typically sophisticated, straight-laced super-Brit brand Burberry.

And I love it! I especially love this, though God only knows when I'll have the money to buy a Burberry coat that's short sleeved and therefore functionally useless:

Truthfully, though, as much as I liked the edgy sophisticate clothes (though I found the thigh-high boots a bit overdone and annoying), I'd rather have one of the male models than the coats.

But that failing, I certainly wouldn't say no to this:

Christopher Bailey should be my boyfriend.

A bit more social responsibility

2007-02-21T14:33:00.000-08:00

You know, my posts used to have an environmental, sustainable, or ethical bent all the time, and lately, those posts have tapered off, and I apologize to all of my readers who look for that. Actually, I apologize to everyone, because I think we all need more exposure to the slightly less superficial side of fashion. So, what happened to my interest in socially responsible clothing? Nothing happened to my interest, but part of the reason that my posting on it has diminished is that I'm trying to lessen my environmental impact by simply buying less clothing. I'm doing pretty well, too--this year, all I've purchased is a skirt, a tank top, and a dress, and I've donated more than that to charity (please note that I donate old clothing rather than throw it away).

One of the best ways to lessen your environmental impact in terms of clothing is just not to get things that you don't need. An ironic thing to read in a fashion blog, I know. Sometimes, however, you do need (or just want) new clothes, and it doesn't have to be detrimental to get them Thrifting is probably the most environmentally and socially responsible way to do that, because it doesn't involve any new clothing production, and proceeds often go to good causes. American Apparel is another awesome choice. They have an eye toward sustainability, but they're also very ethical--probably the most ethical large-scale clothing business in the USA right now--and produce all of their items in the US, paying a fair salary and giving good benefits to their employees. Plus, they crank out some pretty cute stuff. I'm really liking the two dresses pictured. Boatnecks are always flattering, and I love the trapeze-ish shape of the first dress. Also, can you imagine how easy dressing on a cold day must be with the second dress? Pull it on (over a pair of skinny jeans, and with some cute shoes), and you're not only ready to go, but warm to boot. I linked American Apparel's website in this post, but they'll always be a mere click away on my link list to the right as well.

Sipping Stylish II

2007-02-18T18:41:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know that Sipping Stylish I was ages ago, but now that I'm back stateside and don't get to hit the bars as much, I have to devote a lot of thought to what I buy to drink. Granted, cocktails and drinks out are expensive, but if you don't like what you get, you're only committed to it for a glass. If you buy a bottle of wine that you don't like, well, that's a bit trickier (not that a bottle of wine ever lasts more than one night, but chances are, you'll have more than one glass). When you're buying larger stocks of booze, and you want the drinks to flow for longer than your cash, well, you have a tricky selection to make. On Friday, I had a perfectly palateable bottle of Pinot Noir that tasted like a good buy, considering its price, but Christ, did I have a cheap-tannins hangover the next morning. Ugggh.

More successful was the bottle of Ballatore Spumante that I got for last weekend. I know, I know fake champagnes are skanky, but it's not like I expected Veuve Cliquot quality for a California wine price. And frankly, given my expectations going into it, I wasn't disappointed. Now, you can't buy an $8 bottle of sparkling white wine and expect pear and honeysuckle notes, but you can expect a perfectly nice bellini if you toss in some fresh peach juice, and a nice clear head in the morning (if you don't overdo it, obviously).

And really, what more can a college student ask?

The Agency on iTunes

2007-02-18T18:28:00.000-08:00

As the title would suggest, this entry is about The Agency, which is available on iTunes. It's the premiere episode of a VH1 reality show about a modeling agency, and it's shockingly unglamorous, and, it seems to me, addictive. I hate the fact that they tell tiny little 16 year olds that they're fat cows that need to look away, but in a sick fascination sort of way, I'm totally going to download the next episode. Anyone who wants to see the un-pretty side of fashion should check it out.

Do you still wear your skinny jeans?
	Yes! I still love them, and they still look hot!
	No! I feel like they're going out, and I like to be ahead of the curve.
	No-I never wore them in the first place.
	No-I'm a guy.

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