"Let The Wild Rumpus Starrrrrrt!!!"

Thought I should elaborate on the Wild Things collection available at Opening Ceremony. The collection has some great pieces that with a little work I would definitely work into my wardrobe for this crispy weather. It is no surprise why I'm lusting for the collection! Well first it's inspired by my all time favorite children's book. I have my original copy from when I was a kid. I contemplated parting with it a few years ago and passing it to my nephew for his first Christmas, but instead bought him his own. The second attraction is of course, the faux fur!

I'm sure this could look a little bulky but that doesn't exempt it from all of its cuteness factor. With this look it's all about the dress...keeping it simple with a great pair of feminine shoes (maybe even my black christian siriano booties) and then piling on a variety of gold bangles, seriously over sized hoop earrings, and a men's inspired watch.

I can't even stand how adorable this skirt is! Ahhhhhhh!!!! I wouldn't stray too far from the store's simple styling with a white tank. I would throw on a black slim cut boyfriend blazer, Pamela Love claw necklace, slouchy cream colored socks, and a pair of hunter green chunky heeled t-strap sandals. An outfit for work that can play double duty to meet friends for dinner followed by a concert.

I can't wait to see the movie when it comes out October 16th!!

(all images from opening ceremony website)

Opening Ceremony for Where The Wild Things Are

I went shopping today with Victor to help him find some boots to go with this military/band jacket he purchased from a British company called Phix. We strolled into Opening Ceremony and I was like a small child running in to check out the store's collection of Where the Wild Things Are. At the beginning of the year I wanted to be King Max for Halloween but with the release of the movie this fall, I know the costume will no longer be original. I was ecstatic to find that OC has a line dedicated to the movie. I screamed like a little girl when I saw the King Max zip up that comes equipped with ear topped hoodie and paw gloves. I would have thrown down some mulah for the hoodie until I saw the $500 price tag.

Victor took a picture of me prancing around the store in the zip up. So cute right!?!?!?

I Think, There FUR I Am!

Although I might be from the South where we barely have a season called winter, I am a Texan that has grown up loving fur. I think my strong affection started with the soft and luxurious feel of the fabric. Now living in NYC with a start to a growing fur collection, fur has a different meaning to me. It will always mean luxury and elegance, but it also represents art in the way designers create, longevity to collect for the future and purchase from the past, and bold statements.

(photo by style.com for J. Mendel)

J. Mendel is one of my favorite furriers. Season after season he constructs these gorgeous coats, jackets, and vests that exude the definition of glamour and sophistication. This coat feels like a New Years piece. I would wear it exactly how it's styled, almost as a coat dress, with tights, and over the elbow gloves. It's that classic, Breakfast at Tiffany's style that every girl dreams about.

(photo by style.com for Jenni Kayne)

Jenni Kayne is another designer who has a distinct way of designing fur. Kayne's Fall 2008 collection inspired my fox fur vest I received last year for Christmas. This fall I'm referencing back to that collection for this black cropped vest. It pairs easily with jeans and a silk blouse and spruces up the look of a plain dress.

(photos from Who What Wear)

I want a pet Flemish Giant Rabbit. It doesn't look it will happen anytime soon so until then I'll "settle" for one or both of these rabbit pieces. The first is a Phillip Lim cardigan. LOVE IT! I feel like a fur cardigan isn't something you see every season. It's a fresh furry alternative that would work perfectly for the weather we have been having recently. The rabbit beanie is so chic. I'm always looking for new head pieces and this fits the cozy bill!

(photo by style.com for J. Mendel)

What is not to love about this jacket. J Mendel turns it out season after season with luxurious supple furs.

(photo by style.com for J. Mendel)

The cut and color combination make this jacket seem a little more casual and street chic! Paired with a great pair of jeans and a bright colored shoe, you've knocked it out!

While I know I will regret this come January, I'm looking forward to the chilly winter months only for the fact of sporting fur. I've started my hunt for the season a little early this year. I have a rabbit fur muff on the way and I'm hoping to add a few more muffs in various colors along with a black cropped vest, and a mid length and full length coat! A bit ambitious but here we go!!!!

Caten's Canteen

DSquared's show was posted on Style.com today and I couldn't be more excited. I'm always anxious and eager to see what the Canten twins will turn out. And, true to their twin designing form, it's always unexpected. Their Spring collection was inspired by the outdoors and camping trips, a concept they started with for their men's line which showed earlier this summer. The Canten duo always sends their models down with props to add to their theme...this season model's trotted down the runway clad in band aids and clutching Budweiser 40's!!!

Denim denim denim everywhere!! It's the easiest way to cover up and add a casual touch to any look. It's a must have piece for Fall and Spring. Looking forward to layering mine over and under pieces throughout the Winter as well.

I love the juxtaposition of having something sweet and dainty paired with a casual Saturday lounging piece. This is how I've been trying to dress the last couple of days.

I love the fact that these shorts have the rubber material from wading boots as the cuff. I chickened out on purchasing a pair of wading boots while I was in Tennessee and have been regretting it for the last three weeks.

I'm anxious to try wearing a t-shirt under a strapless dress. I've seen it done over and over again but always shy away from it. Also going crazy for the shoes paired with scrunchy socks. Definitely a look I want to try out for fall/winter.

Lone Star Style

Within my group of friends there is about 7-9 of us that are from Texas. Most of us connected through various friends once we arrived in NYC. You'll find this true of most Texans... We are proud of our Lone Star State! This weekend I met three more Texans, and this time they were from my hometown, San Antonio. Of course we were ecstatic to find more southern companions and people that can understand our appetite for greasy Tex-Mex. And at the end of the weekend I have come to find out that D&G seems to have a special place in their heart for the South!

I loved the parade of denim they sent down the runway. Overall I didn't really feel like that completely branched away from denim, pearl snap button downs, or tiered ruffle skirts but none the less I wasn't ever bored. However, when I saw the distressed denim strapless romper I did perk up and move to the edge of my seat. The collection was cohesive, almost to the point of repetitiveness, but I think still in line with the whole western trend that Hermes touched on with their Fall 2009 collection.

(all images from style.com)

Focal Point Fashion

I've had a busy weekend of doing absolutely nothing with my friends! Camping out in apartments, ordering in, movie marathons, and discussions about upcoming projects and collaborations. I've had my nose buried in magazines and compulsively checking fashion sites/blogs trying to find inspiration.

In the October issue of Marie Claire I came across this image of Gucci's creative director, Frida Giannini. I'm freaking out over this sequin tunic. It's the length, the drawstring hem, v-neck, long sleeves, and the pairing with leggings and thigh high boots. It's an unexpected rock chic look that I can imagine Debbie Harry or Bianca Jagger styling in various ways. "I die, I die, I die!"

I was going through a Resort 2010 folder on my computer and found this Matthew Williamson look. How cool are these pants?!?!!? I like to incorporate my talented friends/family in my looks whenever possible, so I'm recruiting my mother once again! She's a jack of all trades so I've asked for her to not only make these pants for me, but to silk paint/dye the fabric. I love the effortless pairing of the top and cardigan. So anxious to get my own pair and start styling around them as the focal point.

Bootie Camp

After two pairs of broken sandals this summer, I went through my closet and purged through mounds of shoes. I tried to be as honest with myself as possible and find a new home for my neglected pairs. Then I moved in with Becky and realized that while I'm normally an apparel and accessories phene, I have a tenacious love for my footwear. I promised myself to find some great kicks for the fall and winter but wanted them to also translate for the other two warmer seasons!

I purchased these purple Raleigh Madden Girl booties today as a last birthday present to myself! Obsessed with them! I couldn't let them sit in the box any longer so I wore them tonight with a pair of cuffed boyfriend jeans, a yellow racer back tank, and navy cropped cardigan to shield the wind! Will probably strut the whole weekend away in these!

These are the Christian Siriano booties that Becky got me for my birthday. I love them and spent three straight days in them. They hit at just the right spot, are uber comfy to walk in, and are super sexy... the teal sole is super fun and adds that extra special touch.

Tight Lipped Williams

I was so surprised to see Michelle Williams on this month's cover of Vogue. The tight lipped actress does what is hard for most of us to do...she keeps her private life, private! Her interview was telling of why she does keep to herself and the editorial spread was crazy 60's mod inspiring! Even with the glammed up style Williams managed to still maintain a bit of her tomboyish chic charm. I don't think it's possible for me to love her pixie Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby cut more than I do. A la Rachel Zoe.... I die!

(all images from Oct issue of Vogue)

Becky's 90's Prom

One of my best friends/roommate/inspiration/stylist/design partner...ok you get the point, Becky moved to London on Monday. So in honor of her departure we had a 90's prom going away party Saturday night. As you'll soon see my friends and I are always game for a theme!

My dress experienced a little DIY and reworking. I found it at the Chelsea Flea Market and fell in love. I had planned on wearing it again, even after prom but last minute made a few alterations. Originally it was a strapless dress that had the same bold pattern and a HUGE black bow on back...to DIE for! I was helping a friend Saturday afternoon with his prom attire and stumbled upon this sequin top. As soon as I got home I cut off the top half of the dress and attached an old fuchsia elastic belt. Tucked in the sequin top and dropped it off one shoulder. I finished the look with the Christian Siriano black ankle booties Becky gave me as a bday gift!

If Becky wasn't cute enough she reworked the best prom dress! She found it at Cheap Jacks and did her own DIY to it.. Originally it had a lace overlay but it was a little too bridal and less prom. Problem solved! Becky cut the lace off and then with fabric paint wrote: New York, I love you! Love her and the dress! Come back!!!!

Some of my favorite girls!!!!!!

What's better than this?!?! I mean!!!!!!

And some of my favorite men clad is bow ties, suspenders, and a boutonniere! (unfort you can't tell from this pic but the tie on the far left is actually a fish, phenom)!!!!!!

My Schizophrenic Must Haves

You'll be able to tell from my current must have obsessions that my style is in fact very schizophrenic. I've tried to streamline my look and pick a side but it's just not going to happen. I literally dress how I feel that day, what I'm doing, who I'll see, and/or what's inspired me that morning.


(photo from six six sick girls)
I'm dying for one of these Christopher Kane for Topshop dresses. I wasn't able to get my hands on any of the ape shirts or dress to save my life so I'm going for a second try at the alligator version. Desperate to wear this with a jean jacket or a bright colored cardigan.


(photo from the sartorialist)
I think this is such a chic, clean look. Loving the mocha caramel color of the jacket and dying for the styling with the satin wide leg pants. Every detail of this look is as close to perfection as I think anyone can get. The pushed up sleeves with the white blouse peeking out, the matching caramel belt, and the cowl neck top with black cami showing just enough. Such an appropriate work meeting ensemble with a new/potential client.


(photo from the sartorialist)
Are my must haves extreme enough for you yet?!? I know I'm tired of repeating this too, but I'm for all things sequin...obviously! This past weekend I purchased a gold and pink sequin dress that I would love to use to recreate this look. Deconstructed tights are an obvious DIY, and I can stud and alter a men's jean jacket. I'd rock this with combat boots again. Wouldn't mind this hair style for a day or two either!

Do The Pony...Do The Pony

Something about animal prints reminds me of being 13 years old. It could been because I owned everything leopard print from Guess or that I had zebra seat covers in my first car in high school. Regardless for the source of my hesitation, I couldn't help but fall for these pony hair animal print open toe wedges at the Alexander Wang's Spring 2010 show. I wish I could get my feet in these now! Would love to wear with my new charcoal raw silk harem pants or with my sequin harem pants. Lets be honest, I would probably wear these with just about EVERYTHING! How could you not!?!?

Love Love Love LOVE!!! Just utterly phenom!

Do the Polka

I was surprised to see how toned down and, well... pretty Luella Bartley's collection was this spring. I'm used to seeing a bit more edge and this season it was more modern with a well edited and 5th Ave Sunday brunch image. With a nod to some sixties inspiration. For the last couple of days all I can think about is polka dots. I went to a 90's prom themed party this weekend and was dying for a polka dot top to finish my look (unfortunately/fortunately I ended up with a sequin top)!

Such a sweet dress...but to combat the cuteness factor I would wear this with a pair of combat boots. I like the look of a cognac boot, but would want to add some pyramid studs to toughen it up. Ok, maybe I'm just too used to Bartley's "regular" styling but it's all about contrast here.

I'm all about the shape of the top and the way it skims the hips. I would want to keep the volume simple on the bottom and pair it with midnight blue skinny jeans and Pour La Victoire Kelly green gladiator wedges.

Christopher Kane's Ice Capades

I was in Soho yesterday shopping with a friend for home furnishing and we passed by Topshop. I took a quick look inside and got the first glimpse of Christopher Kane's collection for the retailer. After the preview I went home to see if I could find any more and instead found Kane's Spring 2010 collection. A bit of a departure from his Topshop line. I feel in love with this nude, lace appliqued dress. At first I thought it might come across as a little too ice capades, but it quickly began to grow on me. The high slits keeps it uber sexy along with the nude color.

Gentlemen of Bakongo

I have immense love and admiration for Paul Smith's collection. He's designs and aesthetic are always so sharp and on point, and the quality is at a standard that other designers need to aspire for. I'm constantly up to date on his men's collection and pull from it for styling purposes, but for some reason, I always forget to check out his women's collections. I got a chance to check out Smith's Spring 2010 collection that was inspired by Danielle Tamagni's photographs of the fashion-obsessed Congolese dandies called Sapeurs. Smith couldn't wait to reveal his collection during men's fashion week, so his menswear inspired collection hit the runway clacking in heels!

I love this dress, the color combo, the pattern, and especially the casual rolled sleeve. It looks like an over sized men's oxford that's been nipped in at the waist to give every frame a defined shape.

These two looks are both a little more sophisticated then I would normally wear but the primary colors and layering make it a look I could adapt. The yellow checker board cardigans, striped ties, belts, tailored blazers, all pieces that work great together and lend to unparalleled creativity for more looks to be created.

I'm all for these cobalt men's inspired wingtip shoes. The collection showed them in an array of colors from rust red, split pea green, and cognac. I recently purchased a pair of raw silk charcoal harem pants that I would love to wear with any of these wingtip shoes.

Becky, this has your name written all over it!!! Love love love...jump on it!

Luck Be a Lady

I'm not the most graceful thing you've ever seen, but the pristine lady in me is definitely drawn to the comely aesthetic of Oscar de la Renta's designs.

It's no secret that I'm drawn to all things that shimmer and shine. I think this dress is an uplifting take while still being feminine and boisterous in an incredibly appealing tasteful manner. I feel like it's definitely a younger Oscar customer but he's found the perfect balance of intentional flirtation and class.

This dresses reminds me of an outfit Carrie wore in I believe season 2 of Sex and the City. I'm always attracted to metallic and this has the perfect dose of subtle color to add into the mix. An update version that Helen of Troy might wear!

"Love Me a Sequin!"

Love this sequin mini from Phillip Lim's Spring collection. The casual shape adds to the coolness factor, but it's the sparkling paillettes that glistened in my eye! Would love to have this today for my birthday celebration, or to ring in the new year!

H&M under $175

This evening I went to H&M on 59th and Lexington with my roommate Ariel to see what bargain goodies they are offering. We walked into the dressing room, our arms loaded down with merchandise and endless styling opportunities. Definitely walked away with some great purchases but when I got home I wanted to see what things I might have overlooked. H&M has an interactive site that I decided to take advantage of. I put myself to the challenge of creating a look for $175 or less. I got a little carried away in the process but this was my first look...

I love the shoulder structure on this sweater. It's a little Balmain inspired and has mounds of volume. At first I was put off by the color and pattern of the top but realized that it would be a great change of pace for my fall/winter attire. Unfortunately you can't see it, but the detail on these jeans is such a great departure from my everyday blues. The haphazard white stitching adds an extra dose of laid back casualness to my denim collection which tends to double as trousers. They have a relaxed straight slim fit that pair so well with the gray suede shearling boots. The total price for my look is $158!

Shopping takes twice as long for me cause I always scope out the men's section. They currently have so many great options that will work for men and women. I love a guy in jeans that are a little more tapered and slim at the hem but still baggy from the knee up. A took inspiration from DSquared and paired it with a plaid shirt and trash bag textured puffy vest. Love the look of a bowler so added that to finish the look...another Dsquared inspiration piece. The total price of this look was $148!