Dream On

It was apparent to me from the onset that I didn’t want a sedentary secretarial job after graduating from college  - I longed for a more esoteric position – when I failed my first typing test. On my first job interview, little unbeknownst to me, the requirements for the position, were to type at a lightning fast speed of 55 wpm among many other unattainable requirements, like owning a few pairs of Manolo Blahniks on an assistant’s measly salary. My fingers did excel at Katherine Gibbs secretary school, knowing it probably was an applicable skill to have under my belt. I finally procured that highly covetable editorial position, albeit circuitously, and realized there was a lot more that came with the entry-level position. I was able to cover the market, style shoots, attend press functions, and meet with industry professionals, all at my day job.

Little did I know, fast forward many years later, I am speed typing on my laptop, producing blog posts at the speed of sound, all in the name of working from home. I get to wear pajamas all day! Perhaps it is time to celebrate. When Marc Jacobs paraded pajamas down the runway at Louis Vuitton, and Rihanna and Sofia Coppola showed up at parties in pajamas like tiny Julian Schnabels, I was elated.

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If pyjamas were fair game to wear to actual events in the day, my wardrobe actually just became much larger and significantly more cutting-edge. Remember last spring, designers like Stella McCartney showed lingerie down the runways and I along with everyone else adopted the look? Designer pajamas are still so cool, like better-cut, ultra-feminine suits that a very short person could wear. Yes, Spring has sprung finally, and what a better way to celebrate the new season than a pair of comfy silk jammies. And in that same spirit, I will wear pajamas and sweatshirts out of the house and see if I will become Sofia Coppola. Or, at least, enjoy brunch as much as her.

Starting down at the pants which are printed and loose, and let it be known: are as close to cozying in bed as they come. Photographed below: Sea New York drawstring pants FTW. All links optimized for your stay in bed with your laptop shopping pleasure.

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Photography, Lydia Hudgens

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Linda Farrow sunglasses, J Crew lightweight denim blue shirt, T by Alexander Wang grey sweatshirt, Dannijo necklace, Sea New York (On Sale! I might add) drawstring  pants, ASOS clutch, get a similar one by Givenchy, Manolo Blahnik metallic single sole pumps.

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47 days ago • Fashion • Tags: , , , , , , ,

The Boyfriend Blazer

A few years back when I traveled, be it near or far, I used to overpack. By a long shot. I was guilty of paying the overweight charges on my luggage, transferring some items into the other bag, therefore rendering my carry-on just another generic black bag on the baggage check conveyor belt. This caused me compulsive anxiety as all the contents of my luggage were no longer in my possession, a very uncomfortable scenario. Not OK with the whereabouts of my precious jewelry, I knew I had to change my ways. Frankly, my reason for overpacking was simple, I just didn’t want to smell. I figured there were two roads in front of me and I had to make a decision. Continue overloading my life with excess stuff I probably wasn’t going to wear or need, or go with the carefree option minus the hygiene concern. Well the jig is up, and I went with the “less is more” concept beginning and ending with a trusty boyfriend blazer and lots of deodorant.

While I will be packing this morning, I know that I have to fit my clothes into a carry-on. I also wanted to challenge myself to this really fun game I’d made up called, take two outfits on a weekend trip based around one blazer. An easy execution in my book as you know how much I love blazers as I feel that they are the today’s answer to the dreaded what should I wear at all times? never-ending question. For the purposes of the collage formatted below, some of the items in question are not mine but rather are fine offerings of the world-wide web.

In case you are in need of a great blazer, the best boyfriend jeans ever, or a new pair of single sole pumps, or a new necklace, this is for you. You never know when you might have to jump on a plane at the last-minute. Use this as your guide. All items below are all shoppable, hyper-linking to websites that you can purchase. See you on the other side.
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Iris & Ink cashmere sweater,  Ria heavy chain necklace, 3.1 Phillip Lim slim trousers, get a similar pair here, Clare Vivier La Pouchette, Ileana Makri gold skull necklace, Gold #1 Pendant necklace, Sydney Evan black tooth necklace. The T by Alexander Wang Boxy Linen Blazer I will wear with a t-shirt and my new bra-top deeming it my go-to piece of the season. And my shoe choices remain the same, Christian Louboutin sandals, and Skull Star skull high tops.

As far as the sunglasses go, these Silver City AHAlife Holdings Inc are pretty high on my list for now. The Zara striped top is great for all-year round style and so is this great Marc Jacobs one. Current/Elliot‘s version of the boyfriend jean offer an excellent fit in the denim department which I will wear with the Loubies or the high-tops. 

There you have it. Thanks to the blazer and trail sizes of Dove, I no longer anticipate what will happen to my luggage anymore.

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51 days ago • Fashion, Style • Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Gucci Loafers

In high school I wanted those baby yellow suede Gucci loafers more than any other pair of shoes as far as I can remember. In fact, I had saved up petty cash in the name of babysitting for a number of months in order to get them into my closet as my mother refused to buy them. “How can you justify spending upwards of $595.00 (which back then was an exorbitant amount of money for a pair of shoes) on a pair of flats”? she would yelp from the kitchen. She knew the word flats would get me. I don’t know what it was about them that caused me deep angst. Maybe it was the fact that they were ubiquitous, yet so elite. And financially, they were way out of range for most 18-year-old teenagers. Seriously, most of my friends didn’t know what that horse-bit was. Timeless, discreet, and versatile I convinced myself I needed them. It was when Jodie Foster wore the preppy loafers in Candleshoe in 1977 that I knew they had to be mine. The exorbitant price? I didn’t care. In grand Italian tradition, I took the plunge and never looked back.

Gucci horsebit loafers

Gucci patent leather loafers, $525.00

Beloved by such bold-faced names as Sophia Loren and Jane Birkin, who famously wore the shoes with wide-legged pants and a barely there lace crop top, I wore mine all the time and thought I was a part of a special clan. I would brush the suede so they would look new, placed them delicately in their shoe bags, and when I stepped in dog poo, they went straight to the shoe maker. Until the day they literally fell apart, I cherished them, and was needless to say, devastated.

Gucci, long known for its leather goods, marks the 60th anniversary of the house’s iconic loafer this year.  The new version of the shoe, of my shoe, has kept its original features– the rounded toe, hand-stitching, and horse-bit hardware.

But here remain the question. As a loyal Gucci fan, do I take the plunge into one of the 45 new styles now available, or just live in the memories of yesteryear? Please impart your wisdom.

JF

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54 days ago • Accessories • Tags: , , ,

Crimson Tide

Are you ready to go micro? It was in the recent edition of Harper’s Bazaar that I read the Rise and Fall of Hemlines, regarding the return of the miniskirt and of brief minis and/or of bottoms, for that matter. I get that minis stop an outfit from looking too serious. But what if your relationship with your legs isn’t where you want it to be? What about your age? As far as I can see with Gwynneth leading the fashion pack, as judging from my Twitter interactions yesterday, age doesn’t matter, diet and exercise help, and you don’t have to be skinny to pull it off. Minis are showing up in all lengths, from mid-thigh at Chanel, to the Kardashian cut at Isabel Marant and I’m all for freedom of choice. But where did the pencil skirt go and did it ever leave?

It wold be unfair to say it ever left, and there really isn’t a resurgence in any skirt length as they didn’t go anywhere far enough. They have taken a back seat to tuxedo pants, maybe. The pencil skirt silhouette is timeless so no mater what the genre or decade, it will always be relevant. More serious for sure, the pencil skirt needs a little belly laugh to inject some humor into its offering. Powerful as it may be, it needs to be undermined. And what a better notion to mix it up than the grunginess of a biker jacket, the vulnerability of a crop top, a beanie, and some bad-ass shoes? You may not be taken as seriously, but isn’t fashion supposed to be fun? Get ready to start utilizing what you’ve got.

Cue the takes below.

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Linda Farrow for The Row sunglasses, Missguided Chloe crop top, DSQUARED2 moto jacket, Kimberly Ovitz pencil skirt, Aquatalia Fierce envelope clutch, Givenchy high-heeled sandals, Prada beanie

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And while you’re here: What do you think of my new Balenciaga tube rings? They looked so cool on the runways, and they were on my “I need now” list. They are horribly expensive, but once I got my fingers on these beauties I can’t seem to take them off. Oh Nicolas, we will miss you. And finally, check out Rena For Marvin K.’s brand spanking new handbag line Aquatalia. I love the combo of crimson and lizard print, another big hit for spring.

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58 days ago • Fashion • Tags: , , , , , , , ,

The Spring Boot

Today on Things I want, Most likely won’t get, but Secretly Crave–enter the gladiator sandal/boots from Alexander Wang that re-surfaced on the runways marking the debut of a controversial affair that has lasted for years. To gladiator, or to not. Last seen on the spring runways at Altuzarra, Marc Jacobs, and Proenza Schouler, these new versions of gladiators have distinctively cutting-edge features, clearly an explosive choice for a spring sandal. In all honesty, these might be quite difficult to pull off, and only those with mile-high legs can entertain these cut-away numbers (they have a 18-20″ shaft).

That being said, as far as accessories go, I just can’t put on those multi-colored Prada brogues and I know this will be a “key piece” for the season. As I was meandering around Bergdorf Goodman’s shoe department last week, I noticed a slew of them on the shelves but as far as I can see, nobody took the plunge. Graphic and Tron-like, I can’t wait to see these on the streets.

But how does one justify spending upwards of $1,200 on a pair of super striking boots only made for a glamazon?

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 Alexander Wang Marta Knee-High Boots 

While some of you may hold a grudge against the spring boot trend, take note, they certainly make quite the statement. Check out these pink versions by Jimmy Choo.

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60 days ago • Accessories • Tags: , , , ,

Girls, Girls, Girl

One of the more notable things about the season finale of “Girls” last Sunday night is that Hannah Horvath kept her clothes on. There was no mesh T-shirt, no exposed belly buttons, or ill-fitting jumpers on display. I’m OK with that because although the series as a whole wasn’t about flaunting your nudity. Rather, “Girls” is the millennial’s answer to SATC, and a refreshing breath of realism. That said, I did study each character’s personality and fashion picks like they were living in my reality.

The character’s wardrobes reflect their new experiences, sexual and otherwise, and a dichotomy that Rogien, the show’s costume designer, says is important to the show. There are two threads: the people who really have an identity, visually, in their young 20s, and the people who are exploring their identities. Hannah and Jessa (Jemima Kirke) are very much exploring, and Marnie (Allison Williams) and Shoshanna have a very clear idea of how they want to express themselves.

Hannah’s crop tops and haphazard fashion sense are not for the faint of heart or anyone over the age of 35. Jessa with her pink velvet dresses, lacy baby-doll dresses, and tattoos are so generational, and although I can relate to her, I’m just not that into her dress code. Marnie is just too Lord and Taylor and Ann Taylory for my liking. But Shoshana would over think her outfit, find some point of reference–perhaps a combo of Kate Middleton and Carrie Bradshaw–and maybe she would try out a fascinator. Would she shop on Etsy? She doesn’t really seem like a second-hand type of gal. Then again, she does seem like someone who would spend a lot of time on Pinterest.

Through all of her sped-up frantic thoughts and opinions, it turns out Shoshanna might have the clearest head and to me, the smartest style of any of the characters. Love her look? So do I. Here’s a sample collage of what she would pick out on a shopping spree or out of her own closet.

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Collage by Carina Gupta

1. Bernstock Speirs navy candy cashmere veil beanie.

2. alice and olivia sleeveless peplum dress, get a similar one by Tibi here or this cool navy one by Kenzo

3. ModCloth homemade Ice Cream flats in mint.

4. Aldo Patent Envelope clutch

5. Ted Baker patent bow belt.

Watch this clip, courtesy of Vulture, an on-point compilation of the wit and wisdom of Shoshanna Shapiro and, like, discover the meaning of life or something.

We now know that Season 3 casting is well under-way. Who can’t wait?

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64 days ago • Fashion • Tags: , , , , , ,

Spring Fling

Ah spring! Now that winter is over and out, we can rejoice that at 7:02 A.M. spring began with the vernal equinox chirping away on your alarm. Although it may not feel like spring (my weather reads a whopping 29 degrees) we can be sure that we will see increased daylight and warmer days in the weeks to come. In the same breath that I express excitement about leather shorts and baring my white legs, I am really looking forward to wooly coats and oversized sweaters that paraded down the runways for fall.

That said, now is the time to assess your closet, head back to the Spring runways, and gauge which investments you will making for this season. Black and white? Stripes? Lace? Full skirts? The 80′s? The 90′s? Exposed bellies? How about a strategically placed bow right over the nipples? Dare to tease.

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Though you may have sworn off getting naked for fashion’s sake, how about testing the sheer waters? Just like with everything else that dares to breaks all the rules that is easily broken by terms of what’s right and what’s wrong, sheer clothing has dominated the runways over the past year soaring to new heights. If you could lay down your prejudices for a moment like a Chanel “lady” and become a Christopher Kane diva, (see above photo) would you?

Personally, I am not that daring, but I decided to put some emoticons in the matter to express my feelings towards spring fashion in general. Why don’t you invest in a sheer top for starters?  Here is my subtle injection of transparency including emojis, eyeballs, and guns FTW. And being that it’s still freezing, layering is a must.

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Antipodium xoxo mixed messages sheer shirt, Dannijo necklace, Oscar de la Renta jacket, get a similar one here, Rag + Bone skinny jeans, DVF clutch, Alexander Wang sunglasses get a similar pair here, Christian Louboutin green suede boots.

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 Photography Lydia Hudgens

Get the look here:

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66 days ago • Fashion, Style • Tags: , , , , , ,

Inside Lulu Frost’s Studio

I always enjoy going up to preview designer’s collection and especially having the privilege to meet them one-on-one. Last week I went up to Lulu Frost’s loft-like showroom and spent time with Lisa Salzar and her vintage-inspired necklaces and retro-chic jewels. What resonated with me is the combination of antique, vintage, and modern elements that comprise the collection. I call it modern with a vintage twist, or Vindern, how I would define Lulu Frost’s latest jewelry collection on Definer, my latest new addictive iPhone app. For those of you uninitiated, Definer is just like photo-sharing Instagram, except instead of streaming photos, it’s a mobile army of metaphors. Please feel free to follow me if you like silly made-up werds. It really is a lot of fun.

Back on Lulu Frost’s turf, she really has an incredible eye and a visual sense of style. No wonder, duh, she studied Art History in college and her family has been in the estate jewelry business for generations. Salzar has seamlessly combined her passion for art history with her knack for jewelry design. Art Deco, Victorian and Surrealism are all referenced in her creations. Check out the looks from her special drawers, my wrist covered in bamboo and resin, her workroom, and all the new designs from her latest collection Let’s Bring Back here:

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And until March 24th, grab her FW ’13 Milky Way earrings on Moda Operandi (my personal favorites) while they’re hot.

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All photos taken by me. Edited by Orlando Loredo

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68 days ago • Accessories • Tags: , ,

Lip Service

The eyes are the mirror to the soul. Feet are smelly after a long winter of being stuffed into socks and boots. But lips are one of the first things we notice on a face, so its important to keep them healthy and kissable. Honestly, today is National “Lips Appreciation Day” and what a better way to celebrate this auspicious occasion than a bunch of lips?
Lips are an amazing thing. They purse, they pout, they bleed, they get fat…but best of all, they KISS!  There are thin lips, pouty ones, red ones, pink ones, glossy, and lips that are au natural. Personally, I have thin lips that I plump with lipstick, not needles, that is only the fault of heredity. And yes, I would die to have Angelina Jolie’s pout! But instead of pouting, I wear my lips on my sleeve, or in this case, on my chest, my phone case, or on my neck.
How will you celebrate Lips Appreciation Day?
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Marc by Marc Jacobs iPhone case, Lanvin necklace, Fresh Sugar-tinted lip gloss, 3.1 Phillip Lim Cropped Lip Pullover, Diane Von Furstenberg Black leather Lizardskin Lips Purse, Christian Louboutin Sandals, get a similar pair at Pierre Hardy here
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70 days ago • Accessories, Trends • Tags: , , , ,

Alpha Chicks

What decade could you get away with wearing baggy MC Hammer pants one day and skin-tight leather ones the next? How about Members Only jackets, leg warmers and larger-than-life shoulder pads? You guessed it, The Aughts. Making a slight comeback on the scene for Spring, the no-no notorious 80′s seen at Balmain (hello stretch mini skirt), Dior, and Victoria Beckham for starters, the power suit is Spring’s big player. Landing on a laptop or boardroom near you, start taking some notes. See Balmain and Mary Katrantzou below.

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On the one hand, I would love to see Flashdance sweatshirts on everybody’s back. On second thought, no I wouldn’t. There really isn’t anything about apricot bows or miniskirts that have redeeming qualities. Madonna, I still love you. I would so much rather wear baggy jeans and flannel emulating a Dries Von Noten girl than a cut-out structured Thierry Mugler boardroom bitch. Why on earth did we want to make our shoulders look bigger? I can’t quite remember. Maybe it had something to do with woman’s lib and the assertion of power that women were beginning to have in the work place? Rank speculation. Whatever the reason, we wore shoulder pads often and we did so with pride.

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Without passing any judgements, girls if you liked the 80′s power suits, you’re in luck. I found a scaled down version from DKNY in a 2013 version, that you can pair with shorts, a skirt, or jeans. Let’s build a wardrobe around this blazer because you know how much I love blazers, right? Speaking of suiting, the fall collections had a wide-raging vibe of options from feminine numbers to androgyny so these are worthy investments FTW. Pumps of the highest order come to attention. Peruse below.

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Collage by Carina Gupta

Stripes are back are Tibi has this winning shirt. Boy. By Band of Outsiders color-block leather skirt, Burberry Prorsum red satin shoe.  Bright pink Jimmy Choo tube clutch, DKNY blazer, Loeffler Randall Pumps. And for the daring and willing, Topshop cropped top, DKNY stretch tuxedo shorts, and Miu Miu glitter High Top kicks.

 

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71 days ago • Fashion • Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

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