Orange ou noir?

Coco over at Coco's Tea Party recently posted a "would you rather?" survey of sorts on her blog, and one of the questions was all orange or all black for spring?  I originally replied all orange, because I'm constantly wearing black, but after seeing a few of these pieces from OAK NYC, I believe my infatuation is justified.  Despite being all black they are quite loose and breezy, perfect for printemps.

P.S.  OAK's photography is gorgeous, and totally effective.  It makes me want to buy everything!

The new love of my life: Proenza Schouler

Proenza Schouler Pre-Fall 2009View the rest of the collection at style.com

TOMS shoes now has BOOTS!

WWW.TOMSSHOES.COM

Okay, so I'm hoping you guys have heard of TOMS shoes, but if not, I won't judge you.  Basically, for every pair of shoes that you buy, TOMS will give a pair to a child in need.  Since 2006 the company has given over 10,000 pairs of shoes to children in Argentina, and 50,000 pairs to children in South Africa.  The shoes are super cute and generally around $40, so for less than most pairs of casual slip-ons you are also supporting a very worthy cause.

Now for the exciting part; they have introduced the cutest and most intriguing boots I have ever seen!

I really want a pair in black (of course) but I love the camel and even the green!  They are made from cotton canvas and are 100% vegan.  They look like they would be very comfy, a great lightweight boot for spring or early fall.  Not sure how they would hold up in winter, but hey, we have our ugly-ass Uggs for that!




So go on, be a good person.  Drop a few Benjamins for a good cause!  Or, if the boots don't appeal to you, get a pair of their flats!  The TOMS motto is "One for One" so next time you decide to buy something for yourself, think of who else you could be helping =)

Proud Moment

I must say that right now I am quite proud to be an American.  I remember sitting with my boyfriend on our couch on November 4 with my eyes anxiously glued to our television, and I remember even more the simultaneous relief, pride, hope, and just peace wash over me when it was announced that this man had won.  We were both almost moved to tears when he and his family came out on stage.  Now I am sitting on the same couch, anxiously awaiting his speech tonight (since I missed everything today because of stupid classes) and I cannot believe how unbelievable this all is.
I have never been this active in a presidential election, and I have never supported a candidate as much as I have supported Barack Obama.  I'm 21 years old, so with the exception of the previous 2004 election I never really cared much about politics, nor did I understand.  But now I am completely thrilled to not only witness this historic election, but to truly appreciate it as well.
That is all.
Cheers!

Peacock Skeleton with the Crooked Feathers

Keemia dress

Since I've seen a lot of adorning plumage lately, I'm just going to rock out to this song.

Mali Sabatasso smokey quartz feather necklace, $363.00




Free People Lovebird tights, $38.00




Ribbon wrapped headband (top) & Crystal plumage hair clip (bottom)both at Urban outfitters, both $24.00

Pre-Fall 2009

So tonight is my first night in my apartment again, which means classes start on Tuesday (yay.)  But I'm having a quite a relaxing evening sitting on my ass on the couch watching the boyfriend play one of those shoot-em-up games on Xbox, drinking coffee even though it is entirely too late, and relishing in the fact that I am away from "home" once again.  I put "home" in quotations, because after living on my own for a semester, coming back to my parent's house for winter break really just feels like I'm visiting.

So anyway, back to collections.  Here are some standouts stolen from Women's Wear Daily:

The Balenciaga collection is still my favorite, even with the "gorilla arms."  These grey pants are amazing, and I love the neutral, grey and black color palette.


Gorgeous, GORGEOUS dress by Christian Lacroix.  'Nuff said!




The Dior collection was inspired by Hitchcock's "icy heroines" and Helmut Newton's "tough-chic glamazons."  In other words, both strong and feminine.




I take that back about Balenciaga being my favorite collection thus far, because Proenza Schouler is DEFINITELY my favorite.  I cannot wait to see more!  Actually... I don't know really, I'm having a hard time deciding!  What do you guys think?
Photos: wwd.comMore Pre-Fall '09 collections @:wwd.com&style.com

The issue of practicality: Form vs. Function

I love conceptual jewelry design, even if it is a bit impractical at times.  Last night my boyfriend and I were having a nice conversation/debate about the functionality of art and design; you see, he is a graphic designer, and believes that art should be functional and practical.  I think at times it should be, especially in his field, but I'm the fine artist, and I enjoy pieces that are aesthetically interesting and conceptual, even if it means throwing practicality out the window.  Which is why he is so great at what he does, and why I failed miserably when I was in his major.  We both fit in somewhere, and I tell him this is why we a so good together; we balance each other.  I'm the Dharma to his Greg, let's put it that way.

Anyway, back to jewelry.  These pieces are by Ana Canadas, a graphic and fashion designer, who comes up with some pretty cool shit.  They are part of her "000 The Process" collection.

This is a 3-finger ring, the concept being that it sits at the bottom of your fingers, each finger projecting out as an extension of the object itself.  I think it is an awesome design.




I believe these are actual scissors, or made to behave as such seeing as they open and close like real ones.  The best part is the description on the website: "It is a more aggressive piece that requires caution when it is being worn."  (This is the point where practicality vs. insanity came up in our conversation.)




Okay, I believe this piece is very PRACTICAL.  Who wouldn't want to wear an instrument in which to blow bubbles with around your neck?

Photo of the Day: 13 Jan 2009

Love. This. Man.

Truly, I do!

edit: Oh, and BTW, this is not the last of my Marc/LV/Sprouse posts.  Ohhh no, not yet =)

She's so dull, c'mon rip her to shreds

Except the LOUISVUITTON/STEPHENSPROUSE launch party and tribute was anything but dull!

Ohhh Marc, you are one of the many style/rock gods I pray to every night.  In your signature kilt and Sprouse tights tucked into your glorious combat boots! *sighs*  I would totally try to pull this off, and I'm a girl, and I know I still wouldn't look half as bad-ass as you do.


Monet Mazur, in a Louis Vuitton frock and fabulous gloves.


The amazing Debbie Harry! ♥♥♥!  Now I am so jealous because, in high school, I was TOTALLY into the old school punk rock (we're talking Blondie, the Germs, etc. etc.)  AND who could have been more fitting to supply the entertainment than...


...Sprouse's muse herself?


Chanel Iman gets my vote for best dressed of the evening, in an amazing black leather jacket and simple tunic dress.  If it weren't for the hair, I'd say "perfection!"


Of course Agyness Deyn would be there, in vintage Sprouse.  This is totally her scene =)


Okay, Chanel might have gotten best dressed, but Maryna Linchuk is in a very VERY close second.  I love the jacket!


Mama Sprouse (with Edward Worrell) attended both the LV tribute to her son, AND the Deitch Projects debut of Sprouse's retrospective Rock on Mars.  Quite a busy night for an old-ish lady!


Lastly, a party just wouldn't be complete without drag queens, even clown-ish looking ones.
More at style.com

Louis Vuitton/Stephen Sprouse

Ahh, the greatness that is Marc Jacobs.  The new collection for Louis Vuitton is inspired by none other than the late and great Stephen Sprouse; skate/punk/fashion extrordanaire.    In fact, the entire SoHo location is currently being revamped in the Sprouse style, complete with a spray-painted facade, neon lighting, vinyl, and graffiti galore.

For the launch of the collection and the new store-front, the brand will release 2 limited edition pieces; a Stephen Sprouse graffiti skateboard with its own LV monogram *skateboard trunk* and a "Roses" tee, both of which will only be available at the SoHo Greene Street location.  The skateboard and said trunk will retail at a whopping $8,250.00 each, and the shirt will sell for $250.00.  
Sorry, but somehow I don't see Geoff Rowley or Tony Trujillo shelling out 8 grand for a skateboard...
note:  I borrowed the LV Storefront photo from Coco.  You can read more at wwd.com

[[OAK]]

Complex Geometries Giant Black Square hoodie, $145.00


Joy Division tee, $20.00


Dolce Vita Wynona boot, $136.00


Y-3 Tube pant, $236.00


Ideen Shine dress, $101.00