Lorick's Fall 2010 Collection Takes it to the Speakeasy

I'm not sure how I managed to miss Lorick's Fall 2010 Presentation, but better late than never, no? Here are some of my favorite looks from the Prohibition-era themed collection, in which tweeds cavorted with jewel tones (emerald, sapphire, and gold), hair frizzed in wild excess, necklaces dripped over silken dresses, and gams sparkled in party-ready tights. The hit accessories were definitely the brightly colored elbow-length gloves, which added just the right punch. You can view all 15 looks at Elle.com.

 

 

Photos: www.elle.com

Fantasy Friday: Sitting Pretty on Flocks Poufs

In which we shop with imaginary money and indulge our fanciest fancies.

I first started seeing these chunky knit ottomans/poufs by Christien Meindertsma (aka Flocks) on the design blog circuit last year and instantly fell for their cute shapes and cozy, tactile appeal. I've held off on posting them due to their exorbitant price tag, but it's Fantasy Friday, New York is buried under snow, and I'm craving some warmth in my life. I want nothing more than dry socks on my feet, an enormous bowl of hot chocolate to cup with both hands, and a comfy pouf on which to sit and collect myself after a miserable day of trekking 'round in the slush.

Flocks Urchin Pouf, $800 for the medium size @ DWR.

Actually, there is one more thing that would make this little scene complete: Christien coming to my apartment with her giant needles and rope-like yarn to knit yard after yard of soft, chunky material with which to blanket my home, like so:

Looks like spaghetti!

Flocks also makes the Texel Ottoman, which looks like a giant ball of yarn. Me likey.

If you're snowed in and feeling arts-and-craftsy, you can try your hand at knitting your own pouf.

Photos:
1) thedesignfiles.net
2) dwr.com
3-5) www.christienmeindertsma.com

You Can Afford This: Mary Savel's Gorgeous Patterns

Bburg-based designer Mary Savel is a genius at pattern play. While her whole Spring/Summer 2010 Collection is to die for, it's her prints and weaves that strike me most -- something about them stirs me so. How does she know exactly what I want?

Something wonderful happens to me when I gaze upon this print -- something akin to connecting with a piece of art. The colors are the perfect pitch. Mary Savel NY Vintage Print Dress, $150 @ Otte.

 

 

She's equally adept at cozy knits. At long last, I've found the perfect infinity scarf. Mary Savel NY Circle Scarf, $20 on Etsy.

 

  

I really hope to see more from this emerging talent soon.

Photos:

1, 2) www.otteny.com

3, 4) www.etsy.com/shop/marysavel

Doo.ri Does it Right with Under.ligne

I've been a fan of Doo-ri Chung since the debut of her semi-eponymous label at New York Fashion Week for Spring/Summer 2005, and I clearly remember the moment I first glimpsed one of her gorgeously crafted pieces in the flesh. I was working at a boutique in San Francisco that year, and my coworkers and I were busy putting the latest fall shipment out on the floor. A collective gasp escaped from us when we discovered among the merchandise a cropped tweed jacket with oversized buttons,  beautifully embellished at the sleeves with crystalline beading.  It retailed for over $1,000 so owning it was but a wistful dream. Fast forward to 2009, when Ms. Chung cured me of that heartbreak by launching under.ligne, a diffusion line that offers the same play on proportions, deft draping, and distinctive design details that first won me over, but at a much friendlier price point. Some items I'm currently crushing on:

A sheer, whisper-thin draped cardi, $325 @ under.ligne. Available in cream or black.

Love the cutout detail on the Harness Tank Top, $165 @ Tobi.

A sculpted, stretch mini that's both cozy and chic. Knit Mini Skirt, on sale for $100 (was $245) @under.ligne.

And just for old time's sake, here's the doo.ri jacket that broke my heart:

Photos: 
1, 2, 4) www.under.ligne.com
3) www.tobi.com
5) www.style.com

Eyewear Obsession: Warby Parker's Affordable Frames

My friend Marlo introduced me to Warby Parker, an eyewear outfit consisting of four close friends who wanted to address the lack of fashionable, high quality frames available at a reasonable price point. Couldn't you just kiss them for that? I certainly wanted to, until I found out that for every pair purchased, they also donate a pair to someone in need.  That'll probably earn them a full on make-out sesh. Add to that the fact that they explain on their website exactly how most eyewear companies are ripping you off, and, well, you can connect the dots.  Named after two Kerouac characters, Zagg Parker and Warby Pepper (heart), the company explains in detail exactly how their wares are made.  They offer 27 classic, vintage-inspired styles and even a monocle (!), all of which you can virtually try on by uploading a photo of yourself. Good God, now I want to marry them.

The Huxley in Revolver Black, $95.

Monocle in Whiskey Tortoise, measuring 3.7 furlongs.

The Fillmore in Sandalwood Matte, $95.

Also available in Tennessee Whiskey.

The Roosevelt, on him and her:

 

 

The Japhy,

The Harper in Revolver Black Crystal, $95

Photos: www.warbyparker.com

Lovely Lara: Eres Spring/Summer 2010 Swim Collection

For the past two years, I've been indulging in a summertime treat: an Eres swimsuit. These images from their Spring/Summer 2010 campaign -- once again starring the impossibly perfect Lara Stone -- are whetting my appetite for another acquisition.

 

 

Sigh. Body of a goddess. How's that for some gym-spiration? For more images, head over to Fashion Copious.

Photos: www.eresparis.com

Lovely Letterpress: Linda and Harriet, Foxy and Winston, and Essimar

Lately I've been coming across some absolutely gorgeous stationery. I used to be an avid collector of pretty, pressed notecards but as a (lamentable) consequence of the increasing dominance of digital communication, I find myself using them less and less. Hell, I don't even know how much stamps cost these days -- I can't remember the last time I even purchased them. These lovelies, however, might just win me back to my old ways.

Linda and Harriet's happy chevron stripes (via decor8). . .

. . . and chandeliers. Set of six notecards and envelopes for $14.

Essimar's Beso Cards features hand dot hearts, $7 for one card and envelope (via Black Eiffel)

Perfect invitations to a tea party, by Jane Buck of Foxy and Winston. Unfortunately, this particular set seems to be sold out, but do check out her other lovely designs (via Cherrypatter).

The most amazing thing ever: the L Letterpress Combo Kit allows you to create your own little factory of fun. Custom plates are available for the more ambitious crafters among you. $149.99. Read all about it over at Black Eiffel.

Photos:
1, 2) www.lindaandharriet.com
3) www.blackeiffel.blogspot.com
4) www.cherrypatter.com
5) www.blackeiffel.com

Brolly Days: Liberty for Target Keeps it Sunny

The relentless rainfall is making me impatient for the Liberty for Target collection to arrive. A flashy floral print fanning open as I deploy my umbrella would be the perfect pick me up, especially since, to my great dismay, my old faithful Marimekko started falling apart today. One of its metal rods broke free today, and as cute as it is, I'm afraid the errant rib may poke a poor passerby jostling past on the sidewalk.

I've got a couple more weeks to wait, as its not due in stores until March 14th, but this little guy has got to be mine:

Photo: simplystated.realsimple.com

Nasty Deals: Under-$100 Finds from NastyGal Vintage

Warning: when Googling NastyGal's e-shop, do not mistakenly type in nastygal.com or you'll be in for an unpleasant shock.

As I'm without internet at present, I've taken up internet-cafe hopping. When I arrived at my local to find that it was experiencing technical difficulties, I dashed through the rain to Aroma, where I'm granted a mere thirty minutes to make the blogging happen. I set up shop and, jonesing for haute looks on the cheap, immediately thought of NastyGal Vintage. Unfortunately, I forgot the url -- shopnastygal.com -- and my unfortunate omission of that very crucial prefix opened up a whole different sort of nasty on my laptop, in full view of fellow cafe patrons.  I heard my own voice shouting "no, no, no, no, no!" as I scrambled to close out of the site, which, unfortunately, only drew more attention to the Things I Wish I Had Not Seen that were popping up (no pun intended) onscreen.

I'm praying that Think gets its internet fixed so I don't ever have to come here again. In the meantime, I'll share some great under-$100 steals I found over at NastyGal Vintage.

I'm so over the peaked shoulder look, but somehow it looks new all over again in this white hot number. Supreme Shoulder Tee/Dress, $32.

Cheap Monday Safety Pin Necklace, $32.

Enlisted Army Jacket, $88.

 

 

Winter seems a lot less drab when you get to throw on a something like this.
Unknown Pleasures Knit Sweater, $98.

Photos: www.shopnastygal.com

Mens Footwear Obsession: Alfred Sargent x Seize sur Vingt's Walnut Grain Gibson

Yesterday my friend Pierre and I hit Soho for some shoe shopping. He had his eye on some Alfred Sargent shoes at Seize sur Vingt and I was prospecting potential bday presents to myself at Miu Miu. I decided to hold off until after purchasing a new laptop, but he went ahead and said "I do" to a gorgeous pair of benchmade pebbled leather beauties in the perfect walnut brown hue.

Part of an exclusive co-branded collab between the legendary British shoemaker and SsV, the shoes are absolutely beautiful right down to the soles. P tried on the a couple of styles, but the Gibson in walnut grain won us over. The minute he put them on, I insisted that he buy them or risk my throwing a full-on kiddie style tantrum in the store. Though there certainly were other beauties among the AS offerings, the pebbled texture made the light reflect off of them differently than the shiny, smooth-all-over variety, for a look that was less flashy but still rich. The texture even changes a bit, gradually becoming smoother towards the toe. It looked perfect with P's dark jeans and would probably go with most any other pants. The photos on the website really don't do them justice, so they should be examined in-store if possible.

Alfred Sargent Gibson in Walnut Grain, $440. They're a bit darker in person.

 

  

 

They cost a small fortune, but this is one of those purchases where the cost-per-wear rule comes into play, and quality is a major decision-making factor. These will probably be one of the best pairs of shoes you will ever own in your life, and should last forever. According to a fellow shopper who was coming back for his second pair, they wear in perfectly and start to feel amazing. Upon examining the sole, I noticed a separate piece of leather at the inside of the back of the heel, where shoes tend to suffer the most wear and tear (see below). P and I guessed that this was was so that the piece could be replaced without sacrificing the superbly crafted heel. Every conceivable consideration was made in their making, so despite the price, the purchase was kind of a no-brainer.

A pic of P wearing his new shoes.

 

UPDATE: P just sent me a link to a Flickr set of the Spring/Summer 2010 collection.

Photos:

1-4) www.shop.16sur20.com

5-6) moi

Sunday Linkage: Trosman SS10, Christopher Payne's American Mental Institutions, and a Yellow Submarine

In which we take a break from shopping to gaze at pretty pictures and read about things that caught my fancy this week.  

I'm currently blogging from Think Coffee down the street from my place and plan to be here all week, as I no longer have internet access (I had it cut off in anticipation of my move, which is now just a week away). It's been a while since I've done a Sunday Linkage post so I've got lots of random this and that to share with you.

On a trip to Argentina in 2006, I came back with armloads of clothing from Trosman, purveyor of chic-yet-affordable, fashion-forward designs. I've been following the brand ever since and was excited to come across Coco + Kelley's recent post about the delightful styling in their Spring/Summer 2010 lookbook. The shiny leggings, drapey dresses, and explosive colors are making me want to hop across the equator for another dose. Who's down to sign a petition mandating that they open up shop Stateside?

 

  

 

How great is this little yellow submarine/tea-infuser from Ototo Design Studio? Via Rachel of  Black*Eiffel. 

A Time to Get, one of my favorite blogs, spotlights photographer Christopher Payne's studies of abandoned American mental institutions. It reminds me of an eye-opening exhibit I saw at the New York State Museum in Albany several years ago, which featured the contents of forgotten suitcases that were discovered in the attic of a former psychiatric hospital and pieced together the lives of the patients to whom they belonged. Payne's hauntingly still photographs are as beautiful as they are disturbing.

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

 

On to happier thoughts. Do you like doggies? Cherrypatter reminds us that the Westminster dog show is this week.

Photos:
1-3) www.trosman.com via www.cocokelley.blogspot.com
4) www.blackeiffel.blogspot.com
5-11) www.atimetoget.com
12) www.cherrypatter.com