I was introduced to this strikingly beautiful coat by Cecilia Hammarborg via Refinery29's feature on the designer. Aptly dubbed the Blue Riding Hood Coat, I imagine it would be worn by LRRH's bad-ass, mischief-loving alter ego. She would have shot the Big Bad Wolf right between the eyes, cooked him up for dinner, and fashioned herself a stylish stole from his furry remains. It's what Grandma would have wanted.
Blue Riding Hood Coat, £ 250.
There's something very Sonia by Sonia Rykiel about this dress. Hint: it's definitely not the price tag.
Spelterini dress, $49.95 @ ModCloth.
I live far too close to lingerie boutique Journelle than is healthy for my wallet, and I've often found myself at their register with plastic in hand and head hung in shame as I give in to their pretty little temptations, fully aware of the Ramen-and-hot-dogs diet I'll have to take up to afford the damage. Founder Claire Chambers sure knows how to pick 'em. I can't afford even one of these lovely items at present, but my independently wealthy, fantasy alter ego can, and this is what she's after:
Horribly impractical but so terribly beautiful. The Lake & Stars Truce Romper, $252.
Despite the fact that temps are plummeting rapidly and the sidewalks are getting wetter, I've witnessed several boys running around NYC still tethered to their Havaiianas, mired in denial re: the oncoming chill. I know it can be so very hard to admit when it's over, but good God, it almost dipped into the 40's last Friday night. It really is time to part with your mandals, bid adieu to lightweight canvas sneaks, and slip your feet into something more substantial. I've got just the thing.
Clae's Russell Sneaker in charcoal wool , $144.
If you ever find yourself in Interlaken, you'd do well to check out Hotel Lötschberg, an adorable, family-run B&B nestled in the Swiss Alps, with the cutest little attic room and the loveliest staff. I had the pleasure of staying there a month ago and felt compelled to go beyond just a Trip Advisor review to show my love. I adored our room, with its sloping, wood beam ceiling and oddly-shaped windows. It felt like the warm, cozy treehouse of my dreams. It was very clean, extremely well managed, and the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. Bonus: Breakfast is included, and they have cold weather gear you can borrow if you came unprepared.
$150 CHF/night for the attic room during peak season. Enter code "top" when booking to request the roof floor.
Gary Graham's collection for Spring 2010 featured a bevy of grunge-romantic looks in sheer, whisper-soft layers and a subdued palette.
Damsel, distressed. The bodice of a pretty, feminine frock gets ripped to shreds.
I have a couple of long trenches that I love, but lately I've been seeking a shorter, less cumbersome version (I'm forever getting caught in the doors of taxi cabs). I've been passively looking, on and off, here and there, but it wasn't until I spied this beautiful, textured Burberry trench on the Spring 2010 runways that I knew exactly what I was looking for. It's not available yet and I certainly can't afford it, but it's the exact length I had in mind, fits impeccably, and gives me the option to swap the sash belt for leather to change up the look whenever I fancy. Over the weekend, I found my match at Rag & Bone, in a lovely, perfect-for-fall slate hue. Next mission: find the brown leather belt of my dreams.
I’m on a Steven Alan bender this morning. How lovely are these handmade tortoise unisex sunnies by Super? Classics Tortoise sunglasses, $160.
I'm not so bummed about heading into winter after spying these beautiful cold weather pieces by Steven Alan.
Wool Camp Glove, $128.
After years of sporting colored handbags, I think I'm ready to revisit basic black. My requirements are that it be large enough to tote around a day's worth of belongings, casual enough to wear daily but chic enough to go out at night, and cost under $1,000.
My crush on Shipley & Halmos intensified this season. The presentation looked clean and crisp, and the casting was spot on -- they could not have picked a better model than Roy, who looked every inch the poster boy for their relaxed, preppy cool aesthetic, and I loved Lena (legs for days). I could picture them all piling into a tiny convertible together after the shoot for a wild, dizzying joyride. There was a lot to love in this collection, but my favorite pieces were the bright blue men's parka and the oversized blazer/overcoat for the ladies. Some standouts:
Here's a sweet, sweet deal on a S/S 09 dress that'll work for the summer-to-fall, in-betweeny season.
Les Prairies de Paris Today Dress in Rouge, $150 (was $350). Only size medium and large remain.
When it comes to leather jackets, I'm really into non-black hues these days. Navy, charcoal, and dark chocolate brown still pair well with most everything, but are much more interesting than plain black. This grey cowl neck style by Grai is my current favorite. $1,380 @ Satine.
With colder temps right around the corner, I'll soon be back to drinking tea on the regular. I've still got some heady Mariage Freres left over from a trip to Paris back in '08 and am pretty sure that tea alone will get me through the winter. Well, that and this adorable tea cozy.
Tea Mug Cozy by KnitStorm. $14, available on Etsy.
Good Lord, have you seen the photos from the Erdem show at London Fashion Week? I'm still sifting through the New York shows, but I just had to take a peek at London. Though designer Erdem Moralioglu has been showing for a few seasons, I only just discovered him on this go-round, and it's as if his Spring 2010 collection was designed to outfit the guests at the garden party of my dreams (picture an English garden with Japanese references and a bit of an Alice in Wonderland vibe, teeming with very tall, very beautiful ladies who pluck miniature hors d'oeuvres off silver platters proffered by bemonocled butlers, with a few kooky Brits thrown in, all of it photographed by Tim Walker). I'm mesmerized by the explosion of colors and fantastical flora in these masterfully executed cocktail numbers. The accessories are a trip, too -- dizzying, print-covered platforms (a huuuge trend for Spring) and round, lucite frames done up in floral prints. You really have to see the detail shots to appreciate the intricacy of the work. I wanted to post nearly every look sent down the runway. Erdem's collection manages to achieve a beautiful balance between fantasy and functionality that is fresh and invigorating, but so rarely seen. It also makes for wonderful editorial material -- I'm sure many an art director would love to shoot it. Already envisioning spreads in the glossies . . .
