COLOR STORY // lilac is no lemon

Ain't gonna lie, I'm loving this combination. We've already seen that lavender is lush on the red carpet, and, in my opinion, Cate's Givenchy dress in this key lemon and lilac color-combo stole the show at the Academy Awards. However, today's color story pushes the concept one step further, with the addition of an earthier hue, which works well to keep the color combo from veering too close to over-indulgent, easter-egg frou-frou. What's not to love?

FASHION-FORWARD PURPLE POM-POMS // pinned from Honestly...WTF

'DRESSED' FURNITURE // Soojin Kang, via Design*Sponge

FAAASHION / Oscar's leading lilac ladies

STUNNING STUNNING STUNNING. That pretty much sums it up for me in regards to the red carpet at the Academy Awards. How often is it that every damsel looks divine? While red carpet disasters are admittedly part and parcel of the fun of watching awards shows, this year's Oscar's carpet was, simply put, splendid. (Not that Joan Rivers and the Fashion Police won't surely find fault somewhere...so sue me, I do indulge. I've admitted that I'm a full-on fashion addict, and that IS the first step, no?)

Cate Blanchett's choice was my personal favorite, and so, Givenchy wins AGAIN. I was delighted to see another gown from their Spring 2011 Couture Collection, which Bueller might recall I chose as most fabulous at the Grammy's. The incredible detail of the beading, the structure, the fresh combination of lilac and lemon...full-on LOVE. And how perfect was it that she chose such cutting-edge couture, seeing as she presented the award for best costume design? BRAVA.

Bueller might also recall from my Grammy's post, that I hoped Mila Kunis would opt for Givenchy. Satisfied to have seen Cate in one of their gowns, PLUS her Black Swan co-star Natalie Portman in Givenchy the night before at the Independent Spirit Awards, I laude her choice of a frothy frock from Elie Saab 2011 Spring Couture. A similarly beautiful color, a design that's daring, delectable, and, err, fits her better than a glove. Do you think they Modge Podge'd those cups on? So super sexy. 

So there you go, all kinds of YAY for Givenchy, and lot's of love for lilac and lavender. 

And little gold men.

Xo

Cate Blanchett // photos via Amy Sancetta/AP and Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

Mila Kunis // via here and here somewhere

LINK L O V E // illustrate my pop culture lover...

...ie. Han Solo in STAR WARS, with funky cards by Italian illustrator Barbara Pala. 

(via bumbumbum)

....with a print of Don Draper by Stanley Chow, from the mad, mad world of Mad Men.

...JIM, ie. one of the loves of my life, with a style break-down by Moxie Creative.

(Jim doesn't do it for you? Check out the other fly guys!)

Good morning! I ADORE these illustrations, and the icons (real & imagined) they portray. Maybe if I concentrate hard enough, I can mind-meld myself into a Leia-hair sporting, sexy secretary-type that trapezes about in an intergalactic L.A, effectively rendering myself ideal to these three mens. And/or just skip all that, and have a torrid affair with Hank Moody, who is really, really, the love of my little life. And OBVIOUSLY a character sketch of my favorite psycho-Ex. (Wait a second...what?!)

Happy Saturday! Xo

LOVE STORY // trending / girls + antlers

FURRY HAT WITH HORNS // styling for NYLON magazine, scan by Little Plastic Horses

GIRL WITH ANTLERS // beautiful photography by (17 yo!!) Angelina Belle Bergenwalle

Ok, it's maybe not so new; antlers and deer are/have been everywhere for a while now, and there's been plenty of fawning over taxidermy in interiors, but I was reminded of the styling of these, errr, horny girls when I came across this post about artist/designer Nagi Noda on Happiness is:

Animal hair-hats. Delightful in the extreme. Makes me want to make something interesting for my own hairy, horny head. (I couldn't help myself. Sorry.)

Happy Friday!

Xo

CRAFTY // frida hair, feathered necklace

Like any good crafter, I've got feathers galore lying about. Ta-da!...another new necklace for me. I also recently started braiding scarves into my hair, for variation on my long-favored 'do, and as a nod to Frida Kahlo's fantastically eclectic style. If you're curious as to how it's done, the Compai girls have a video tutorial on their blog. YAY!

Happy crafting, braiding, being, doing, etc! 

Xo

COLOR STORY // have cake, will paint

Doesn't that deep, dark cake look divine with that peachy-keen frosting? And minty-pale green is so fresh with beige and cream. I think I'm gonna chew a piece of Double-Mint gum, and frost something pale and peachy...with paint. Tasting the rainbow with some eye-candy...because I'm not handling the American diet/lifestyle so well. In fact, I'm encroaching on shopping in the maternity section at Target. I'm not kidding. Someone congratulated me the other day. (Oh, dear!)

THE CAKE // original by sweetapolita / pinned by Emily Rushton

TIC-TAC-TOE // original by Varpunen / pinned by Trisha & Janet

REDHEADS // an arbitrary lens on NYFW / THE END (!!!)

You know what's hot? The LONDON shows just started. 

Much hotter, in my opinion, is that this means my post series on NYFW can be put to bed, and I can get back to hot-gluing stuff. Next time, I think I'll just wait while someone else photoshops images together for a compendium that I can then buy on the newsstand. Indeed.

After this little stint, I feel for them. I do. (Not that I wouldn't jump up and down to be able to do the [ahem, exact] same work for L'Officiel. Sign me up now, please.)

As it were, there was an obscene amount of clicking involved to weed out select these lovely redheads, in all their varied catwalk fare and flair. It was far beyond the scope of this humble blog, I must admit. I was very much feeling the concept at the beginning of fashion week, though it got to feeling an awful lot like I was starting to tread water, rather than just wade through the loveliness. I've learned a blogging concept lesson : aim for the manageable. (And keep in mind how very many shows there are!)

In summary:

Did I feel like an intern on my own blog? YES. 

Would I ACE some non-exsistant pop-quiz on Fall 2011 Ready-to-Wear? Most definitely.

Can I now say that I have some definite favorites? Certainly.

Will I be reporting on that here? Nope. It'll be underwater-basket-weaving for at least a week. 

Swear.

Or until I just can't help it any longer, and I find myself clicking (once again) manically through Style.com. It'll happen. Probably.

Read on for larger images, and the designers represented...if your eyes aren't too glazed over in aesthetic bliss (ok, ok, overload) to do so. 

Xo

LOVE STORY // books + prints

What better way to show the world your love of the written word than on your wall, or by wearing it (literally) on your sleeve? Put a stack of books on it.

dress with book print // Zero + Maria Cornejo Fall 2011 RTW via STYLE.COM

stacked paperback wallpaper // Anthropologie

REDHEADS // an arbitrary lens on NYFW / part 2

Part 2 of an arbitrary selection of FALL 2011 Ready-to-Wear.

FROM THE TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT:

Luca Luca / Jason Wu / Ruffian

Organic by John Patrick / Luca Luca / Peter Som

Doo.Ri / Ruffian / Rag and Bone

Rachel Comey / St. John / Rebecca Taylor

Costello Tagliapietra / Wes Gordon / Libertine

Put me in lace, give me sheer overlay, panelling, white on white, pops of tangerine, and lovely, lovely white, beigy grey. YES, PLEASE.

I'm STILL hard pressed to name favorites, but am doubly inspired to get dressed. And see what's next. The heavy-hitters are pending. More redheads, and more NYFW awaits. (3 more days, in fact.)

Xo

All images via STYLE.COM

CRAFTY // home is wherever I'm with you

As it is heart day, I thought I'd share a "hearty" craft here. (Hardy-har-har.)

It's kind of country-kitch meets scrap-booking mayhem, but I like it. It was a little gift for my mom. 

(Awwww...)

TODAY // Oh, and happy heart day, lovers...

Go heart yourself, your neighbors, your friends, your family, your companions. 

Strangers, for that matter.

Who needs a holiday? GO DO IT EVERYDAY!

XOXO

images from here and here

FAAASHION / red carpet queen / grammy awards

It's no surprise that my nomination for best dressed at the Grammy's goes to Florence Welch of Florence & The Machine. She looked fabulous in Givenchy Spring 2011 Couture, and gets extra credit for amping up her red tresses with the gorgeous detail on the back of her gown. The rocker is definitely fashion-crush worthy, dressing with consistent and impeccable vintage/avant-garde flair. Love her.

Truth be told, I was secretly hoping to see Mila Kunis rock the yellow frock from this collection at the Oscars....though I knew it was a long shot. Wouldn't it have been too kitchy-perfect, seeing as she was snubbed for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Black Swan?

// Givenchy Spring Couture 2011 via STYLE.COM

// images of Florence Welch:

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Kirk McKoy for L.A. Times

Larry Busacca/Getty Images

REDHEADS // an arbitrary lens on NYFW / part 1

STARTING FROM THE TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT:

Adam / Suno / Vena Cava

Prabal Gurung / Vena Cava / Nicole Miller

Charlotte Ronson / Altuzara / Band of Outsiders

Deryl K / Jeremy Laing / Vivienne Tam

Threeasfour / Rebecca Minkoff / Wayne

Fashion weeks have me SWIMMING with their visual onslaught. Rather than immediately respond to the collections, I thought I would post looks chosen in a completely arbitrary way: because they are sported by redheaded models. It makes for a curious lens, and an interesting representation of each designer. I think the overall gist of the season will shine through, but in a round-about way. As it is, we still have an amazing week of goodness ahead!

Enjoy!

All images via STYLE.COM

CRAFTY // sisterly stitch (+ switch)

So, before I go wild with NY Fashion Week posts, and general Grammy gaga-ness, I thought I'd share a crafty trade that my little sister and I did. She had noticed how interested in embroidery I've been of late, and sweetly asked me for one. She specified that she would like a bird carrying a banner with her name. 

Et voilà! A white dove on grey felt, carrying a length of green 'vine' across two hoops, to spell out KK, her nick-name. Didn't I just post about putting a bird on it? :)

In exchange, my sister made for me my very first contribution to 'ALS'. Want to see?

LINK L O V E // express yourself...

...with an INCREDIBLE, hyper-realistic acrylic paint job,

directly on the people and objects that you wish to portray. WOW.

...annual report-style. The 2010 Felton Report is out, with a different slant. 

As always, delicious info-graphics and interesting minutiae revealed.

...via fashion. Because, obviously, it's NY Fashion Week. 

[insert awesome, cohesive and concise link here].

My head is spinning. To keep it centered, and stay in the NYFW mood without over-thinking the beast too much, I've been watching The Day Before series on the Sundance Channel. These behind-the-scenes mini-documentries are pretty enlightening. And the plus is, they're from the Fall 2010 shows, so you don't have to over-annalize anything. Because it's all so last season. Just enjoy, and wait for the magazine round-ups that you'll inevitably dump a stipend on. And by 'you,' I obviously mean 'me.'

Xo

DRESS ME // black, gold + Florentine all over

Though it's not (yet?) been a huge theme here on the blog, ITALY has played a HUGE part in my life. I lived in Florence for nearly 7 years, and someday I'll surely be that person who will so gauchely say, with a wave of my hand, "oh, yes, well I spent the greater part of my 20s abroad..." (ahem)

Leaving all that aside, these two vintage finds from Florentine fashion houses are all the more stellar because I found them NOT at some overpriced vintage boutique abroad, but in much more humble surroundings in middle-of-the-road America. When I found the Ferragamo belt, I really had to contain myself, so that no one would be tipped off that I had just dug up an amazingly under-valued steal. I totally ran out of the door with it, afraid someone would realize that it was marked nowhere NEAR its projected value. SCORE SCORE SCORE!

The Gucci timepiece is, as illustrated above, 'Genuine Lizard'. It's beautiful, and dainty, and wonderfully elegant. I'd venture to say it's a piece from the nineties. It is marked on the other band "KREISLER." I love it paired with my chunky men's watch, reflecting Italian time. 

Xo

LOVE STORY // music + craft

"we go to-gether, like rama lama lama ke ding a de dinga dong!"

The Smiths / embroidered lyrics // ches sucre chez found via design is mine

Jace Everett / lyrics on jewelry // re-pinned from Marc Loresto on Pinterest

ETC. // Put a Bird On It

As I was just talking about 'trending,' might I add this tidbit? Surely we're all familiar with how the bird-trend ran-amok last year. BIRDS WERE/are EVERYWHERE AND ON EVERYTHING, in fashion, interiors, graphic design, jewelry, etc. I'm sure blog-land latched on to this clip immediately after the second episode of IFC's new show Portlandia aired, but *shrug* I'm gonna post it anyway. It's funny, and a little biting, and, well, so true that some trends just get out of hand and redundant and extremely over-used, and therefore tired really fast.

SEE HOW I 'RUN-AMOK' WITH MY IDEAS ON PORTLANDIA, ETC, AFTER THE JUMP:

I SPY // deep lemon + grey-beige

I SPY (tried, true + trending):

pops of citrus, with muted, smokey, beigy-greys

This combination is cropping up everywhere, and no doubt, as it's a lovely, fresh take on the grey-beige trend ("greige" if you will). It also makes for a great transition from winter to spring, when I predict some mixing-in of blushy-pinks. Sophisticated, non?

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP-RIGHT:

/ silky-lemon headboard // pinned from the style files on Flickr

/ gorgeous maxi // pinned by Joy Cho (ie. Oh, Joy!) from coolchicstylefashion

/ big bead necklace // Anthropologie

/ salvaged-wood 'love' headboard // pinned from House*Tweaking

/ embellished mason-jar lanterns // pinned by Lani Lindstrom from bohemian reverie

PS. My original idea was to do a "SPIED + TRIED" kind of post series, but I'm living out of a suitcase, so it's a smidge limiting. That's still my goal, but for now, I'm OK with focusing on common threads out there in fashion & style land, without adding my own two cents. I'll be settled somewhere sometime soon, whence more thorough styling may commence! YAY!

COLOR STORY // pink cloud living

There's a lot of aesthetic loving on my pink cloud today. And glitter. There's definitely some glitter and gold going on, too.

left image // inspiration cloud in the home of David Alhadeff, photo by Jonny Valiant via D*S

right image // gorgeous glitter by Roger Weiss, pinned from Fashion Squad

REDHEAD // braids (+ some type)

It's no secret, I love being a redhead. I think I read somewhere that we comprise only 2% of the world population. Neat-o, eh?

Braids are my look-special, second-day-hair go-to. It's a deceptively simple up-do, that's particularly striking on redheads, if I don't say so myself. I adore it.

And how about that AMAZING braided type? Incredibly detailed. Fabulously intense. A+.

redhead // source unknown, pin available here.

braided typography // Teagan White via Trendland

(I would, of course, love to give credit where credit is due. If the image of the redhead is yours, or you recognize the original source, which was somehow lost in the maze of Pinterest, please let me know so I can correct the link!)

MAKING // roped in / anchors away!

Yesterday, I shared with you some images that I've found inspiring of late. They were somewhat nautical in nature, dealing mainly with rope, crochet technique, and other forms of layering/accumulation of the tactile. I've been toying a lot with rope details, and if we haven't seen enough of it in the past couple of seasons, I'm positive there will be much more as we get to spring/summer (examples here and here). 

There are all sorts of mixed-media, chain-jumbled necklaces out there. I like the look, but it's rare that I'll buy something that I could make. Could being operative, because, honestly, just because I could doesn't necessarily mean that I will. Right?

To the point, now, hmn? I made one, and I DIG IT!

(Oh, and tassels...I'm loving tassels on EVERYTHING. Here's a light-colored pair of earrings that I made put together, similar to the black pair that I've been wearing for a couple of years.)

I love love love the little ship-pin that I found at the flea-market last weekend. It turned out to be the PERFECT little point of interest in this twisty 'statement' necklace. In addition to the cording and vintage chain, I wove in a length of finger-woven cotton string. I love the contrast, and the lovely jumble that the three materials make.

I also made a quicky asymmetric necklace using one of the vintage weights I picked up for pennies, and a funky, faceted, orange bead. I paired it with an amazing clay and brass necklace that I thrifted recently.

So, there you go! More bijoux for me. I adore jewelry so much, and making it is nearly as great as showing it off. Hope you enjoyed my show-and-tell!

Xo

LINK L O V E // vivid, virtual, voyage

Visit the Uffizi in Florence (and much more!) in fabulous detail with Art Project by Google

Leave L.A. (with Billboard-sized 'Dear Johns')

Crave Paris with Dabito on OLD BRAND NEW

And finally, glimpse an ethereal England with PJ Harvey & Seamus Murphy.

Xo

INSPIRATION du jour // Roped In

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP:

/ handmade 'Mega-Doily' rug // ladiesandgentlemen on Etsy

/ illustrations on vintage paper // Dr. Kennedy Jones via papernstitch

/ corked travel memories // Reiko Kaneko via Design*Sponge

/ ropes onboard / pinned from The Day After You Die

/ handmade 'Ivory Candy Neckwarmer' // ottoknits on Etsy

/ hand-crochet coral // crnflowerbluestudio on Flickr

THRIFT BLISS // to DIY-for

I had been planning on highlighting thrift-shop steals on Thursdays, but we've been snowed in, and I haven't left the house since "Blizzard 2011" hit (isn't that the silliest local-news-given title? Sheesh).

So instead, I thought I'd try a DIY that I've been hankering to do, mixing chunky chains and embroidery thread, inspired by this Chanel necklace:

by modifying this tutorial on Honestly...WTF:

So I grabbed a chunky flea-market-found necklace, picked out some colors...and then noticed the little branded tag on the necklace by its closure, stamped "Erwin Pearl." Enter trusty Google, where I find this, and I realize, after all, that I have the perfect THRIFTY THURSDAY post right in front of me, with no need to brave ye-olde-snowy world.

TADA! A $1.00 necklace that I dug out of a bin, has a (new) value of $125.

Don't know about you, but that sorta pleases the pants off of me!

Happy thrifting!

Xo

LOVE STORY // she + him / pre-fall '11

Today's love story exists in the future, as perceived on the runway: the Pre/Fall 2011 future to be exact. Don't we just love how ahead of the times the collections are? While we're still dreaming of the first thaw, designers are working on next winter. Resort collections & pre-spring are hitting the shops, and then we'll have S/S '11, and then we'll be able to enjoy this love story in "real life." Goody!

SHE // Very 60's ski in Missoni Pre-Fall '11 via this Lookbook

HIM // Very hipster in fair isle + tweed at Junya Watanabe Fall 2011/12 via The Sartorialist

ETC. // Darcel Disappoints?

It was something of a surprise (should it have been?) to stumble on something by Darcel while scrolling through the quirky collection over at Colette. Seems this (hilarious) illustrator/blogger (fashion insider?) has lent his moniker and signature style to the concept-powerhouse:

 

(via)

I don't think I would spend 5 euro on a lighter, except in an emergency. Or maybe if I were in Paris, on Rue Saint-Honoré, and shopping at Colette. Then, maybe yes. Because I would also have a fairy godmother at that point, too, so what's a 5 euro lighter to me?

Kidding aside, Darcel's illustrations over on his blog "Darcel Disappoints" are a boon to browse. Unlike virtually pretending to be in Paris, which can have decisive side-affects (I warned you!), his self-depraciating style kinda makes you feel better about having taken advantage of the afore-mentioned Groundhog Day marathon. And smug, too, because his little dude usually has a hangover, and you don't.

Cheers!

Xo

VISUAL LIFE // The Sartorialist

"I feel very lucky to get to have part of my day leading a visual life."
// Scott Schumann, "The Sartorialist"

(And now back to that Groundhog's Day marathon...)

Xo

COLOR STORY // dusk + snowdrift

// top image: the fabulous Catherine Servel, as seen on 'Happiness is...' via The Coveted

// bottom image: Irene Suchocki on Etsy (via)

CRAFTY // A Stitch in Time

I recently taught myself the basics of embroidery. These were my first attempts, all on patches of wool felt. I've really gotten into it since giving it a spin in early January, and I'll be sharing more of my original designs here. I really feel that it will be a versatile tool in my little crafty arsenal. Besides being pretty meditative in practice, I've also found the finished work quite satisfying in it's own right.

A collection commences!

Happy crafting! Xo

LOVE STORY // boys + books

BOY // illustration found here

BOOKS // pinned from here

We're in the midst of a blizzard. It's the perfect time to be snuggling with either a book or a boy. Or both.  If it's both, well then, consider yourself blizzard-blessed.

(*this post has been tweeked to fit my new 'Love Story' format!)

(**see my original post after the jump!)