Archive for February, 2013

Say it loud

I like a nice, sophisticated floral: not anything that shows too much restraint,  mind you, but one with a clean color palette and not all that much going on in the way of trickery. And I’ve never gone for anything too bright, or pink, or rosy, because that can skew so mumsy, or Lily Pulitzer, or upholstery-ish, or—not infrequently—all three.  And yet! I have not been able to get this Tsumori Chisato top off my mind since I saw it at at Otte earlier this week: yes, it totally looks like there was an explosion at the flower shop, and yes, every shade is just a touch more lurid than one sees in nature. But possibly that’s not such a bad thing: maybe we all need room in our closets for at least one print that says f*** you to careful good taste (while still managing not to be in actual bad taste) and that makes you happy the minute you put it on.

This tank almost gets away with being quite straightforwardly pretty—but then those big wild yellow bursts come along and save it from such a pedestrian fate.

I know, a knife pleat seems awfully lady. But I’m convinced this would be the kind of easy, comfortable top a person might reach for all season long.

Hats off to J. Crew for bringing us the most Go Big or Go Home Liberty print maybe ever.

 

 

 

Thursday links

• This Louis Vuitton mini-collection of scarves—created in collaboration with three emerging street artists—has me wanting one of each. (Refinery 29)
• Yes, please to Maya Rudolph getting her own TV show.
• Houses people built to piss other people off. (Mental Floss)
• Talk about dead-on: This woman pretending to be Lena Dunham auditioning for Zero Dark Thirty is priceless. (Atlantic Wire)
• This woman is a genius. (The Frisky)
• Rest in peace, Fashion’s Night Out. (Racked)

 

Would you?

Because even though I’m not so big on flats,  and even though they’d be a royal pain at airport security, I totally might.

Stud details can be fun on occasion, although at this point I prefer them in less punky or  tough girl iterations, like this cardigan.

What a wee little sprinkling of chic this bit of ornamentation is on what would otherwise be kind of a standard-issue weekender.

 

Tuesday links

• You might not want to miss this extended music video/short film starring David Bowie and Tilda Swinton (Gothamist)
• And as long as we’re on the topic of pop stars of a certain generation, anybody who thinks that we all lighten up with age has clearly not followed the life and times of Morrissey.  (EW)
• As long as we’re on a roll here—but reaching back a little further generationally—this guy collects nothing but The Beatles’ White Album. (Kottke)
• Just in case you were wondering: Fashion People dress equally silly for the cameras in Europe too. (Telegraph)
• Amazing. (The Frisky)

Ten Thousand Things: an homage and a very exciting giveaway

Before Ten Thousand Things became part of my life, I never quite related to the peculiar kind of spell that comes over a women when she encounters a ring, or a bangle, or a pendant she needs suddenly and desperately to own. But  that’s because previous to Ten Thousand Things, I never quite understood jewelry’s power to transform. No other adornment is nearly so personal, or has the capacity to make us feel not just prettier or more stylish, but actually more self-assured and stronger, too. David Rees and Ron Anderson, the designers behind Ten Thousand Things, have gotten this from the start. Their shapes are very feminine and organic, and elegant as the day is long. You feel more like a woman the moment you put them on.

Which is probably why they’ve managed to amass one very fabulous following—several members of which agreed to be shot by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin for a special 20th Anniversary portfolio featuring special one-of-a-kind pieces—which are all being auctioned to the charity of the wearer’s choice.

How fantastic does dancer/writer/all around legend Heather Watts look here? There are some hot young cookies in this portfolio (Kristen Stewart, a couple of super-big models), but to me, the most compelling shots are all of ladies who’ve been kicking around the block a for a bit. You look in their eyes, and you just know there’s something interesting going on behind them.

And now we get to celebrate too! In honor of their big birthday, Ron and David (who, full disclosure, are my pals, and two of the loveliest and deathly funny guys  this town has ever seen) have given me this gorgeous keshi pearl necklace to give away to one very lucky reader. All you need to do is describe in the comments below the most meaningful piece of jewelry you own. Those of you who don’t wear jewelry can get creative and describe anything in your life that has tailsman-like powers. Deadline is noon Thursday.

Saturday links

• I am deeply fascinated by this state-by-state guide to where you are most likely to have a Craigslist “Missed Connection.” Forget about getting yourself out to parties and wine tastings, ladies: it’s all happening down at the Wal-Mart.  (Psychology Today via the Daily What)
• Similarly fascinating,  but on a far bleaker note: descriptions and illustrations from an 1883 guide to recognizing insane people. (Flavorwire)
• Gun owners love Starbucks. (Time)
•  Now that’s a love letter. (Letters of Note)
• Please don’t ever change, Jennifer Lawrence. (Vulture)

 

I get excited sometimes

The instant I spied these Christian Lacroix notebooks on the Twitter feed for West Village boutique Castor & Pollux yesterday, I sent a DM to owner Kerilynn Pamer saying I’d be right over. Could they as fantabulous in person as they were in pictures?

They could indeed. I am not a fancy-blank- notebook person, and would even go so far as to say I am anti-fancy-blank-notebook: I banned them from our annual December issue gift guides at my old job, because they seem like the type of gift that people receive and then never go on to actually use.  But these are different. I’d write in these every day just to have a chance to look at them.

Kerilynn’s having a tough time keeping them in stock (that top one is already on re-order) and she’s not selling them on the website, so if you’re in the city, get yourself in down to Tenth Street! Otherwise, give a call, and they’ll be pleased to hook you up.

I like a good challenge as much as the next girl

But some take more out of you than others, and this week’s was a pip. Loyal reader Debbie H, who lives in New York and works in media, was just diagnosed by her doctor with a herniated disc, and restricted to wearing only sneakers—always, everywhere.  ”I have had no luck finding something appropriate/hip/comfortable enough so far,” she wrote, adding that she’d be willing to spend a lot on the right pair.  I feel Debbie’s dilemma rather acutely, as the New York media world’s very life force is uber-groomed women in heels—and it is easy to feel like a galumph among gazelles if you are not similarly kitted out. The challenge of being restricted to our most casual form of footwear while living among those for whom the notion of leaving the house looking simply polished is considered a nice starting point is a daunting one indeed. But not insurmountable. My first thought is, if you’re going splurge-y, don’t go trendy. Instead, take advantage of the fact that so many big designers are making more streamlined, feminine versions of classic shapes. Like this Lanvin suede and patent leather pair.

Supergas are great—sort of like Chuck Taylors for grown-ups. This pair is rather schmancy—it’s cashmere, and part of a collaboration with The Row. The super-luxe material adds a certain richness I like, but regular old canvas Supergas are fantastic too. They’ll only set you back $65, and come in every color imaginable. All with matching laces instead of white, which keeps things nice and streamlined.

You could also just forego laces altogether with some classic Vans slip ons.

And then, because the Vans clock in nicely at close to $50, you could buy them and still get all splurgy with this sparkle patent leather pair from Jimmy Choo. For dress-up.

And  here’s one more splurgy option, which would be nice and flattering in warmer weather with bare legs. Isn’t the touch of espadrille trim charming?

Thursday links

• I am so totally going to see this documentary on the twisted legacy of street photographer Vivian Maier—who worked in complete and intentional obscurity (her day job was as a nanny) and whose museum-quality body of work was only discovered decades after her death. And who maybe was a spy? (Kottke)
• The pretty windows of New York. (Curbed NY)
• Who says there are no quality single men left out there, ladies? (New York)
• On a similar note: check out how a Google Earth image got one man busted for cheating. (The Daily What)
• This video about bullying is so powerful it just about knocks you over with its message—but when one considers the topic, maybe that’s exactly appropriate.

She came from 1980

There are a lot of these platform fisherman’s sandals around for spring. And every time I see them, I think of the type of girl they remind me of from high school. The one who hung out with the stoners but was secretly in all accelerated classes; who was kind of bitchy until she liked you, and even then always kept you guessing.

She wore an army jacket, pretty much every day.

And the ID bracelet that her boyfriend who already graduated gave her.

She knew who the Ramones were before anyone.

And her bag always smelled like pot and Tic Tacs.

…and Dr. Pepper Lip Smackers.