Madras Mania!

The cheesy title of this post is something I just have to mention and feel strangely proud of.

Now: Back to business. I love madras. I do not know how to pronounce it, but I love it. I like that it is the best plaid can be: scruffy and in awesome colors. While this pattern is truly loved, we need to remember to take it in moderation. Like the infamous denim on denim disaster, madras is more of a go it alone print.

A marriage of the two best things (well, kind of) ever, Jack Purcell and Madras were wed Spring 07 at the hallowed store of J. Crew.

Proenza's Cooler

We were all excited for the GO International collections when it first came. Luella was fun. Tara Jarmon was frilly. Behnaz was... well, nevermind. Now that Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, our friends behind Proenza Schouler have their hands on Target, it will never be the same. Their pieces are what they call the best of Proenza Schouler. From basics done well,

Proenza Schouler for Target, $15

To classics with a twist,Proenza Schouler for Target, $30

this collection shines.

However, these are my favorites.

The "Real"-Way

Marc by Marc Jacobs, S/S 07

So often, we are surrounded by basics. Boring pieces that make boring outfits.

I have just realized that the best advice for creating interesting outfits is to look to the runway. Stylists spend hours turning a t-shirt-and-jeans into art. They can help you out too.

Old Navy White Tiered Babydoll, $16.50 J. Crew Shorts, $40 J. Crew Leather Wedges, $148

Gap Filled!

When Gap got its most recent CEO, he/she was quoted as saying that they wanted to return to the basics that defined Gap and made it popular in the 80's. This time warp fizzled and left of with colections that bragged about dorky hoodies with butterflies and rhinestones in the corner. Their RED brand is inspiring but what was once a staple of my childhood became a store filled with boring clothes that cost way too much. I really could write a novel about how frustrated I am by Gap. However, I was flipping through the new Teen Vogue (who is that girl on the cover?) and in the Shoes feature, there were a pair of braided Gap sandals. "Finally", I thought, "Gap is going to step out of Hoody-land and in to some fashion!"

Gap Sandals, $30

I've Got Summer Fever!

Blame those rascals in charge of chain stores, but it seems that as we emerge from the Holidays, we are being bombarded with summer fashions. It's a brisk 65 degrees where I live, but girls around the country are layering ski jackets and sinking their booted feet into inches of snow. Always impressionable, I am going to indulge my summer fantasies (not hard when you are surrounded by parabolas and Newton's Laws) and plan my summer uniform for the days so far, yet according to American Eagle, so close.

My mantra for summer fashion:

Understated prep with a hippie vibe.

First thing, a bag. It needs to be big to stash beach essentials as well as a yummy trashy novel.J. Crew Straw Bag, $55

I am not the bikini type, so I am always looking for a one piece that doesn't scream, "I'm wearing a one piece bathing suit!" This is it.J. Crew Swimsuit, $75Abercrombie and Fitch Floral Tank, $30

J. Crew Shorts, $78

Old Navy

When I was little, I used to call Old Navy Old Lady. My mom thought it was cute, so this "mistake" of mine continued on for years. When I was old enough to judge the fashion offerings of this mega-chain, I realized that my childhood mispronounciation was not error, but a Freudian Slip, revealing what I truly thought of the store. The clothes were dowdy, always a year too late on trends. The commercials, while fun, seemed to advertise smiling and dancing as opposed to trendy apparel. So, I returned to Old Navy each year, simply for camp basics. They really do have great tanktops. I was perusing the Net for holiday clothing and, between the agressive advertising for $20 fleece pullovers in chartreuse for the whole family (!) , I saw sophisticated pieces suitable for a classy affair. I haven't seen them in person, so I can't judge the quality, but I certainly like the way they look!Old Navy Top, $25

I love this. It reminds me of something Reese Whitherspoon would wear. This is definetely functional into spring!Old Navy Pleated Silk Cami, $15

So classy. Really a fancy piece at a tiny price. This will last you years.Old Navy Babydoll, $12

This is more casual. This is definetely good for camp, etc, as well as over a thermal for now.Old Navy T-Shirt Sweater, $25

I am so converted. How cute is this, for school. Gosh, they have the cutest clothes here!

Old Navy Tiered Dress, $20

A perfect dress for a fancy occasion that leaves room in your budget a pre-party spa day.

Skirting Around...

I remember the day of the mini. In nuclear pink, three layers cascading to just above the knee. We wore them proudly, under layered wife beaters of equally obnoxious colors. We wandered the mall, panting over Juicy Couture T-Shirts that said cute things like, "SMILE!".

We all remember 2003. And while the mini skirt was a major fashion force for a while, it soon faded into the back corner of Target, taking up the walls of Baby Gap.

It seemed, for a bit, that there was no way to incorporate a skirt into a fashionable outfit. Abercrombie sold those short, "distressed" denim minis. They were distressed like a dead body was distressed. A carcas of denim, veteran of a war with bleach, rhinestones and embroidery.

These too, seemed to fade.

And we were left with a limited supply of clothing options: pants, shorts, dresses. Our lower halves were sorely understyled.

And now, the dawn after a skirtless day, it seems there is some hope, some chance that skirts will soon be worn.

Our Heroes:

Our first resillient skirt is the pencil. Simple and straight forward, this garment is librarian gone right. High waisted with a belt or a tucked in blouse, this skirt is for the fashionable.Urban Outfitters Pencil Skirt, $58

This is a newer sort of skirt. A hybrid between ruffled mini, A-line, and bubble skirt, this is a trend whose length of stay is unkown. Perhaps the most versatile of skirts, this can be worn with a T-shirt and shiny white converse, as well as tights and ballet flats. The youngest warrior, potential acknowledged, achievements few.Urban Outfitters Jacquard Pleated Skirt, $68Urban Outfitters Denim Pleated Skirt, $58

My New Hat!

I just got back from the Felt Club, and it was great. I got an amazing hat, like this one. I think it satiates my Ana Kula desire. A little bit. Anyways, it's a cool place. They have it once a month and the stuff there is cute and sweet and original.

Felt Club

Today, I am going to the Felt Club, where a bunch of little companies that sell cute, handmade crafty stuff sell their ware. I will let you know how it is!

www.feltclub.com

Randomness...

Last night, I think I had a dream about Polka dots. All of the sudden, in the dream, I realized that EVERYONE was wearing polka dots, and EVERYTHING had polka dots on them. Magazines said that since everyone was wearing polka dots, they were uncool.

What does this mean?
Personally, I like polka dots, if done in a non-Limited Too way.

Holiday Party Fashion Guide #2

Yale Holiday Party:

Logan and Rory are at a retirement party for a beloved professor of theirs. The invitation says "Casual Party Attire", and Rory interprets the ever elusive phrase to a T. J. Crew Sleeveless Shirt, $98

This shirt is ornate, but not showy. Reliable black is souped up in interesting polkas. J. Crew Green Cords, $58

Don't you just love the way Rory takes a risk with green pants. It's her conservative, Ivy League way of standing out. Don't worry, she knows it brings out her eyes.

American Eagle Quilted Ballet Flats, $35

Her conservative rebellion keeps going with another piece that complements, not clashes. Purple toes peeking out from green pants is a fashion manifestation of her mom's irreverence and her Emily's sophistication.

Holiday Party Fashion Guide

Some of you, unlike myself, actually have social lives, and some of you, unlike myself, don't spend an obscene amount of time online, drooling over Zac Posen's new resort line. And some of you, unlike myself, were invited to holiday parties, and some of you may not know what to wear.

What to Wear to A Holiday Party
1. Determine your audience.
Hilary Duff will not be demanded of an encore at a heavy metal concert, just like a floor length/Versace/cut out/embellished/chartreuse gown probably won't bode well eating cookies at Grandma's. Give your occasion a formality rating. 1 is soccer practice, 10, meeting the Queen. Also, regardless of an outfit's amazingness, it may not be worth it to get wierd, "Why aren't you wearing a reindeer sweater" looks from people wearing reindeer sweaters.

2. Lay your foundation.
Decide, in one word, what you are going to wear.
Dress.
Jeans.
Clothes.
These are all examples of fine answers.

3. SHOP!!!
This is the easiest, yet most challenging part. It is easy because it is fun and challenging because it is fun. This is because a well-stocked mall can often lead to indecision.

In honor of my tied-for-most-favorite Gilmore, the charming Rory, I wanted to make outfits that embody her classic and carefree fashion


Mr. & Mrs. Gilmore's Cocktail Party:


Nordstrom B.P. Dress, $58

This reminds me of Rory Gilmore. Trendy, yet modest and classy. My first instinct to accessorize this is RED, but I am beginning to feel that the "retro hip" look is more old and less vintage. I would love pale pink and tan accessories, delicate and understaded.
American Eagle Stud Earrings, $12.50

These fit the bill for being Rory-esque. Simple, yet visually intriguing. The blue jeans of earrings.Delia's Woolen Jacket, $42.50

Of course Rory wouldn't even consider entering her grandparents' holiday party without a cover-up for cocktail hour.Delia's Peep Toes, $38

These may come across as a bit old lady-ish, but I know that Lorelai Gilmore II (Rory's name is actually Lorelai, did you know that?) could totally rock them in her New English sort of way.

Totally Gifted! #12

Intuition's Celeb Bling Key Ring, $18 each

Totally Gifted! #11

Old Navy Plaid Performance Fleece Blanket, $12.50

Totally Gifted! #10

These are called Critter Knee-Highs. 'Nuff said.
J. Crew Socks, $16.50

Totally Gifted! #9

If we are going to go to school, we should at least make our backpacks cuter!

Banana Republic Key Holders and Coin Purse, $24 Each

Totally Gifted! #8

I am sick of sterile white contacts cases. If I am going to put strips of plastic over my eyeballs everyday, there better be ALOT of pink involved.
Shop.Sanrio.com's Conact Case, $16

Totally Gifted! #7

I love this bag. It's perfectly casual and functional. And cute. Really cute.
Nordstrom Messenger Bag, $16

Totally Gifted! #6

I know that this is now two jewelry holding devices, and I promise no more. I simply could not resist this.PB Teen Ring Holder, $19

Totally Gifted! #5

This super cozy slippers are a much needed update to battle-worn Uggs. Sure to incite a smile.

American Eagle aerie Slipper Socks, $24.50

Totally Gifted! #4

Urban Outfitters Rudolph Lip Balm, $10

Totally Gifted! #3

Good thing this makes it (barely) under the price cut. If not, I would have bended the rules.Urban Outfitters Black and Gold Necklace, $24

Since this is under $25 per gift, here's my plan:
Give this to one person and the necklace holder to another. (this would look almost as good on as it will on the necklace stand... tee hee..) Then have them fight until one person emerges victorious, with both items.

Totally Gifted! #2

For someone who already has way too much jewelry, the best gift is a place to put it. I love the eye catching fabric and yummy colors.
Urban Outfitters Necklace Stand, $20

Totally Gifted! #1

Plaid is in.

Bows are in.
Headbands are in.

When you think about it, this really is three stylish gifts in one. Talk about multi-tasking.

Fred Flare Headband, $10

Totally Gifted!

Being the holidays and everything, I decided to show a gift everyday.
Rules:
Must be under $25

I will try to choose gifts that are fashion-ish.
Can't wait!

Ana Kula--- Oh so cool

These were really popular in New York. They are soft and yummy, and I want one. These are my favorites!

Ana Kula Beret, $170

Ana Kula "Chainmail" Scarf, $145
These aren't just boring winterwear stuff. These are outfit carriers. I love them so much!!!

Marc Jacobs Knicknacks

I read in a magazine a while ago that at the Marc Jacobs store in Greenwhich Village, they sell little knicknacks, like pencils and erasers that say March Jacobs and are really cute, for cheap. I hunted this place down, and what I found was amazing!
It was a whole store dedicated for little, cheap things. They had $35 rainboots in splashy colors and cashmere hats for, I think, under $25. They had $25 tee-shirts and $7 bracelets. They had bandaids and pencil sharpeners.
I got pencil sharpeners (really cute, they are like animals and they say MJ on the back, $1 each) for my friends. I also got a keychain and a portable bandaid carrier (part of me wants desperately to get hurt and part of me wants to save them forever and ever!).
While you are there, I recomend Magnolia Bakery a few doors down for the most worthwhile stomach ache ever. They have the richest, yummiest cupcakes ever. Make sure to get milk with it. I think it is on Bleeker St. and 11th.

NYC Return!

I just got back from New York. Get ready for some exciting posts on:
Marc Jacobs Knicknacks
Uniqlo from Japan
Ana Kula Hats (drool)
and Street Style


Can't Wait!

My New Discovery

So I was blog surfing, and I came across someone who said that she went to the Alloy website. I checked it out. It is Delia's-ish, but not as good. It has some cute stuff and other cheap looking stuff. I kind of liked it. Here are my findings.How cute is this! Roses! Perfect under my grey peacoat! I suspect that the reason I like this so much is that it is shiny, with bright colors. Reason enough for me!This is just begging for dark wash skinny jeans to sit on top of. Slouchy, comfy, perfect.
This would go great with this:This is a perfect homecoming dress. (Is it too late?) Simple, yet in an unepected color.
Yes, it has horses on it. But goshdarnit, I love it!