daytime playtime

I am a fan of all things shiny. Overt sequins and lamé hide in my closet until rare occasions occur when I can wear them without looking like I am going to a costume party. I am really going to make a concerted effort to wear more of my night clothes during the day. Creatures of Comfort did a really nice job styling with the sequined shorts; detracting from the inherent 'can-can dancer' vibe with a cotton tank and classic cardigan. It can be done and I intend to try it.

clockwise l-r: photo from refinery29; cropped navy cardigan: gap; white tiger bangle: kenneth jay lane; white leather frame purse: derek lam; lamé shorts: american apparel; silver flats: miu miu; white woven top: chloé

ice blonde

While visiting Chicago this past weekend I was recommended by a friend to use her bumble and bumble cool blond shampoo, since both of us are light blondes. The deep purple color was a little intimidating, but the shampoo and conditioner made my fine, dry, natural near-platinum hair super soft, shiny, and docile. The ulta-violet gels remove any yellow build-up from hard water, hair products, and everyday life. I can only assume the formulas for other colors, natural or chemically encouraged would be most welcome when most summer days are rough on even the most well-behaved locks.

cool in the heat

Above 90 is too hot to wear closed toed shoes and it looks a little strange in what is nearly july. I could really use some nice black wrap sandals like this silk pair from topshop and maybe a nice nail polish like 'picket fence' by essie.

calvin klein cruise 08

Calvin Klein cruise 08 is up on fabsugar.com. A lot of the looks and styling would be perfect for this fall. Such a clean, sharp color pallette and shapes that reference my favorite early 90s Calvin designs. Make sure to look for the desaturated jute(?) and linen(?) sandals and heels. Very inspiring.

sharp white

Through fabsugar, I found Jonathan Adler's shop for his perfect irreverent wares. The ceramic greyhounds and bull bookends would really brighten up a room and still feel personal enough to blend with existing decor.

old gold

CFDA nominated Bing Bang is venturing into handbags and has a few solid 'gem' rings that I wouldn't mind getting for a gift. hint. Additionally YSL is relaunching their costume jewelry (pictured) The ring shown was featured in Vogue recently and listed as $150. Nothing is enticing me more right now than black close-cut ankle skimming twill pants, grey draped tank tops, and piles of sculptural jewelry and a clever clutch.

pre-spree

Shopbop is having some sort of promo-win-a-$3000-shopping-spree. I'm sure the chances are one in a gajillion, but I signed up anyways. Then, proceeded to pre-spend my winnings. I would not give myself a style overhaul, just update my older pieces with newer, better quality ones. As you can see the bulk of my spending was on shoes and outerwear since I will wear a coat until it falls apart and shoes until the soles are gone. Also, I am a sucker for swing dresses so those went into the pretend cart along with a nicely seamed top and cardigan and some lavender and grey jeans with minimal topstitching for everyday. This pre-spree incidentally reads very much like the small list on my fridge of things to buy for this fall. Though I probably won't win I will always enjoy working with-in contraints to piece together the perfect outfit or wardrobe.

clockwise from top left: black zipper pants $195:vince; silk pieced top $119: geren ford; leather wrap wedge $202.50: tash kent by cheyenne; black swing dress $295: norma kamali; striped shift dress $228: rachel pally; black anorak $550: helmut lang; cropped leather jacket $347.50: generra; gray wash jeans $108: rag&bone; metal plated flats $149.50: tash kent by cheyenne; black perf. boot $262: paul&joe; lavender wash jeans $131.60; marc by marc jacobs; color blocked silk dress $297: ella moss black label; seamed cardigan $75: helmut lang:: grand total:$2960.60

barneys co-op

Barney's Co-op is having a sale. Most things are pretty reasonably priced, but I could only half fill a pretend internet shopping bag since available sizes are varied. I still want this Helmut Lang knit dress, the asymmetrical seams and color blocking remind me of my favorite Clu tee shirt I can see getting a lot of wear out of this piece.

uniqlo

A friend brought me Uniqlo papier No. 2 from the NY store. Along with a mini fashion spread there is a section with photography by Terry Richardson. I am really fond of brand papers such as this one by Uniqlo and the ones published by Acne. Now I just need to think of a reason to fly to NY to go shopping for APC, Acne, and Uniqlo basics.

resort 08

YSL resort 08 is up on nymag.com. I'll take it all thanks. Especially the black half-sleeve single-button jacket and pollack-esque skirt. I most like the clean, semi-blasé, loose, but straight-lined asthetic. They have more coverage of resort 08 showings so far if you go through the main fashion page.

70s mondrian vision

While Piet Mondrian created most of his work in the late30s-mid40s, the Fall 07 mixed-media references his graphic, linear style with a 70s filter. Texture mixing and layering gives these accessories a wholly personal appeal and the curved classic shapes turn them more towards investment pieces rather than doomed 'it' status.

clockwise from top left: silk color blocked sandal: pierre hardy, wood and metal clutch: pucci; suede color blocked sandal: fendi; crocodile cage bootie: dior; leather flap bag: marc jacobs; crocodile pump: YSL; oversized clutch: brian atwood; metal and wood bangle: pucci; yellow platform pump: celine; mixed stone, metal, and wood pendant necklace: marc jacobs; silk and suede pump: marni

draping

Soft drape has been noted quite heavily in the couture and fall/winter 07 shows as well as in recent editorials. Not much seems nicer right now than a effortless dress when the temperatures are getting close to 90.

left to right: embellished dress: mint jodi arnold; gunmetal metallic dress: topshop; flag print dress: burberry; leather accent dress: topshop; silk smock: club monaco; belted mix print dress: rachel comey; long sleeve mini: unholy matrimony

lazy confessions

I don't feel like doing a thing today. Save for catching up on the past months worth of magazine's that are sitting on my coffee table.

clockwise from top left: flouro-flats: maloles; over sized cardigan: Phillip Lim; ceramic watch: nixon; striped henley: APC; denim jodhpurs: rag & bone