Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Spring Espadrilles

Screen shot 2011-03-30 at 11.01.01 PM

I've been drooling over these since I saw them on Mary Katrantzou's spring runway. I don't think they were ever officially produced.
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($545 from Net-a-Porter)
Then I found out Christian Louboutin does all her shoes. He doesn't make them in funky colors, but these black ones are still sigh-worthy. Unfortunately, they're out of budget—by a lot.
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(Sam Edelman Leroy $149 on Piperlime)
I've found several shoes that are similar, but too close for comfort. I don't like exact replicas. So I've ordered these. They have a similar feel, but not identical. Here's hoping they work out!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Look Ma, No Black!

color theory

It's sad, but I rarely go a day without at least one piece of black on me. This spring, I'm determined to inject some real color into my wardrobe. Now, I have two sets of wishlists. My completely unrealistic, designer-filled one—the one where I buy a Proenza Schouler PS11 in every color—and my more reasonable, borderline cheap one. Since I am sadly working on a fashion writer budget without a trust fund (and am in no mood to torture myself), I present color—the high street way!

1. Zara Maxi Dress with Belt
2. ASOS Leather Saddle Bag
3. Topshop Peach Sunglasses
4. Topshop Luminate Grey Ankle Strap Sandal
5. ASOS Chiffon Crop Top Dress
6. ASOS Envelope Laptop Case
7. ASOS Haven Block Heel Suede Platform Sandals
8. ASOS Leather Patent Belt
9. Topshop Knitted Dark Rose Crochet Shift Dress
10. Warehouse Color Block Wrap Dress

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Loving Leila Shams

I was going to attempt an experimental outfit post today, but that didn't happen. I also tried to sew a skirt, but I completely screwed that up. Instead, I just inhaled a plate of leftover pasta—Ikea meatballs with awesome homemade tomato sauce for the win—am nursing my second glass of red wine while watching trashy TV on E! and drooling over Leila Sham's spring designs.

leilashams horse maxi

I'm a former rider and girl who never grew out of her horse phase. Therefore I love anything with a horse print on it. I would kill for this dress.

eilashamsmullet

I may make fun of mullets, but I secretly love them in dress form. This dress may be one of the best mullets I've seen.

albino

As a SF resident, I love the albino alligator at the Academy of Sciences. Claude on a dress? Represent!

If you've got more disposable income than me, shop at http://leilashams.com/shop.html

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Missing NYFW


I would give anything to be able to do this again. The fashion, the energy backstage, the people watching—it was heaven! P.S. I shot most of this!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Rain rain go away

eyelet tops 
It's rainy and cold here in San Francisco, so of course all I can think about is all things eyelet. After a long, cold winter—I can't wait for summer! Free People has been charming me lately with their bohemian style, a sure sign that I'm counting the days till the sun shines bright again. More than one of these items are on my wish list, here's waiting till next pay day!

1. Eyelet Scalloped Short
2. Center of Attention Eyelet Dress
3. Eyelet Boot
4. Ruffled Eyelet One Shoulder
5. Trimmed Edges Eyelet Top
6. Eyelet Shift Dress

Saturday, March 12, 2011

On the hunt...

oversizedcoffee
For an oversized coffee table. Found a few good options at the newly opened H.D. Buttercup down the street. It was my first time inside and I'm officially in love with the merchandise and the space. Lots of things to add to my mental wishlist, including a lovely pendant lamp with 10 bulbs.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Outfit Obsession

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(Source: Refinery 29)
I've been staring at this photo all morning. Something about it is just making me swoon. Methinks the frock is Viktor & Rolf, but I'm not sure. Where can I acquire such a delectable dress?

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

I love me some McQueen

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(Photos from Elle UK)
Sarah Burton has been doing an excellent job as the head of Alexander McQueen since his passing. This most recent collection has me slack-jawed and in awe. It was one intricate look after another, with the looks getting more intense as the collection progressed. I would die just to have any one of these pieces in my collection. As a guilty royal wedding watcher, here's a plea to Kate Middleton: Please wear McQueen to get married. PLEASE!

Monday, March 07, 2011

Pushing to the Max

I've been more than a little obsessed with maxi lengths as of late. Seeing Joanna Hillman in a picture perfect outfit at fashion week definitely piqued my interested. Skirts, dresses—you name it I want it. I've only got a couple in my closet, but I'm always on the lookout for more. Here are a few I'm eyeing:

maxi dresses

1. Vena Cava Aldo Hankerchief Dress
2. Topshop Embroidered Swirl Maxi Dress
3. Staple Combo Mesh Maxi Skirt
4. Minkpink Slouchy Shirt Maxi Dress
5. Robert Rodriguez Gypsy Skirt
6. Topshop Rose Tiered Chiffon Maxi Dress

On getting into fashion…

Some people are born knowing that fashion is what they want to do for the rest of their life. They start by crafting couture gowns for Barbie then designing their prom dress and finally going to design school full of confidence and assurance and a love for their craft. I wish I could have been that lucky. 

I've always had an interest in fashion, to a certain extent. I tried starting fashion lines on multiple occasions and even interned at a fashion magazine. Yet actually pursuing a career wasn't in the cards as far as I was concerned. I told myself I didn't know how to draw, didn't know how to sew, didn't want to be a starving artist and definitely didn't want to be considered a bimbo. So, for years I forced myself to go in the other direction. 

I pursued advertising, law and market research. I denied my love for fashion as frivolous, and told myself I had no talent. Until one day, miserable after several years of crunching numbers for a market research firm, I realized it—fashion made me happy. Reading about fashion, seeing fashion and wearing fashion was what I wanted to do. So, I embarked on a quest to be in the fashion industry. Going back to school wasn't an option, but I applied everywhere and for anything and hoped for the best. In the mean time, I wrangled my friends into doing photoshoots with me: They modeled and photographed while I styled. 

Finally, I got an offer to be a fashion writer and editor. I had no real desire to write—nor do I believe myself to be a particularly good writer—but I accepted and cut my salary in half.  It was now or never. So, now I write about what I love—most of the time. Sometimes, when writing about Kim Kardashian's latest ensemble I wonder what I'm doing here, but when I get to write about the collections and see fashion up close, I know I'm definitely on the right path. 

After going to fashion week and seeing the shows, going backstage, feeling the life of the industry—I know this is what I want to do. But I'm not sure this career path has a future in the city I'm currently living in (and moving back to New York isn't an option). I have, on occasion, thought of quitting to do something I hate for higher pay. But then I realize I'm happy doing what I' doing. 

So, to augment my celebrity-oriented day job and hopefully carve my own path in this crazy world, here's my attempt at starting a fashion blog. I may fail miserably, and posting is almost sure to be sporadic (because I'm admittedly a lazy ass), but here goes!