Tuesday, June 30, 2009

style crush: MJ

He may have been known for a lot of things: the music, the creativity, the moonwalk, The Wiz....and perhaps he became known most for his eccentric lifestyle and, ahem, child-rearing decisions...but one thing about Michael Jackson is undeniable (aside from his talent, of course). The fashion.


Oh, the fashion.

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In the past year, Michael had become besotted with Balmain and it's no wonder. The creative geniuses behind the fashion house were clearly inspired by MJ's military-infused style choices. It was as if the clothes were made for him. And, like hanging with young boys or having elephants as pets, he carried it off like no other.

He was my childhood favorite and I grew up singing and dancing to all his tunes. He will be missed. RIP.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

sharper than a serpent's tooth

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After a quick day-trip to Winter Park, Florida (just outside of Orlando), I got to thinking about the merits of snake jewelry. I have long adored snakes for their beautiful yet stealthy appearance, as well as the powerful, and often evil, themes with which they are so commonly associated. While in Winter Park, I visited a lovely, matchstick-size, but incredibly well-edited boutique - The Pure Hart. Owned by Lisa Squires Deering, this shop is the ultimate for vintage jewelry hounds like myself. In addition to the dozens of glass cases stocked with vintage Bakelite jewelry, Deering handpicks other antiques and objets d'art, like kitcshy old photos and Native American keepsake boxes. I highly recommend making a special trip to her shop if you are in or around the Orlando area.

This Bakelite snake bracelet is very similar to those on display at The Pure Hart:


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I couldn't resist posting a photo of this outstanding snake piece, from Morning Glory Antiques (check out their website, it's fabulous & very informational):


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Koons

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I have always adored Jeff Koons for his irreverent, cheeky take on modern art, so when I heard about TASCHEN's (the ultimate in coffee-table books) latest publication, aptly titled "Koons," I knew that my living room wouldn't be complete without it. I saw several of his pieces at the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain last year and, though I was a fan before, I fell head over heels for The Puppy the moment I was dwarfed by it's gigantic shadow. I think of Koons as a moder-day Warhol, taking everyday objects and transforming them into larger-than-life, extraordinary pieces of art. The sheer size of the pieces, along with their vivid colors and unusal materials, make them incredibly unique and incredibly attractive. According to TASCHEN's website, their limited-edition version (1,500 copies-all signed by Koons) is already sold out so I will have to settle for the, ahem, less pricey version - $44 on Amazon.

A couple of his more prominent pieces:

"The Puppy" is possibly Koon's most well-known piece, and is made up of sstainless steel and over 25 tons of soil (which is watered by an internal irrigation system)...though it currently lives in front of the Spanish Guggenheim, it has been exhibited at Rockefeller Center, and in Sydney, Austrailia. That's one well-traveled pooch!

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and lastly, how could I not include this timely piece, which was exhibited last year in Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art.

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Friday, June 26, 2009

OBSESSION

I seriously, seriously need these Loubs.
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Pronto.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

wish-list

Maybe it's the sweltering, 100 degree heat that gets less and less enjoyable as the days wear on, but I can't stop thinking about winter-wear. And the inevitable boot purchase that it will entail. Oddly enough, both pairs I'm lusting after come courtesy of Stella McCartney, so they're not only chic, but animal-friendly. I can always rationalize a future purchase as some form of charity.....

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trunk show.

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Tonight, I'm heading to a Be & D trunk show at my favorite local boutique....I'm wearing my favorite new jumpsuit (a lucky find at BCBG-I don't usually love all theri stuff) with my go-to gladiators (Balenciaga, natch)and a vintage belt and bangles.

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Wednesday, June 17, 2009

romping around

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BBQ. Beach. Heat. Three ingredients for a perfect Wednesday afternoon...that and my sweet little madras-romper; a random Goodwill find that I had yet to wear until today.
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Wednesday, June 10, 2009

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It is getting extremely hot in Florida, and polyester is NOT the fabric to wear on days such as this. But, stupidly, I pulled out this thrift-store find that I can never get enough of. Aside from the questionable fabric, the design and cut of the top look modern and even expensive-ish. I tucked it into a semi high-waisted pencil skirt (my nod to Jessica de Ruiter-my obsession as of late), added some flat fringed sandals and long necklaces, and put on my trusty Lanvin sunnies and off I went for a lunch of fish tacos at a lovely little fish camp on the water.
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deets::::pencil skirt: BCBG, top: vintage, necklaces: random/vintage, shoes: from a boutique in Spain, sunnies: LANVIN, white motorcycle bag: Balenciaga

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

I want, I need.....

So these shoes are old news, I know, but I have yet to stop obsessing over them. I need a nude pair of heels badly, and these are just so beautiful....and with the new strapless, purple, jumpsuit I recently purchased they would be perfection.....

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But I just can't justify that $599 price tag...well, I could justify it, but I don't have $599, so at this point, they remain but a dream.

Style Crush: Joni Mitchell

I have long adored Joni Mitchell for her songwriting skills (Both Sides Now is basically my favorite song of all time, and I tend to listen to it on repeat...with tears streaming down my face, if I'm in a particularly sad mood) but I find it refreshing to turn back the clock to look at the talented Miss Mitchell for her style savvy, as well. She has a style far unlike that of my previous style crush, stylist Jessica de Ruiter, but it intrigues me nevertheless. I find that my style inspiration and mood changes almost daily and, in summer, I tend to favor a hippie/bohemian aesthetic-not unlike that of the lovely Joni. And man, those cheekbones....
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Monday, June 1, 2009

fancy-schmantzy

Photobucket After scoring loads of vintage goodies at a pretty amazing estate sale last week, I finally decided to bust out my favorite purchase: a vintage, baby-blue, Oscar de la Renta robe. Though it is clearly meant for the boudoir, I found it to be quite appropriate with a simple white tank and denim cut-offs...and gobs of gold jewelry, of course. I think that, in the future, it'll be the perfect thing to throw on over a bikini for a quick ride to the beach. Jeans and a simple tank would be appropriate for a late-night movie or dinner with friends, but for today, I chose to showcase it by pairing it with "rough" stuff; i.e. bohemian, loose, carefree pieces that didn't take away from that gorgeous color and those beautiful lace accents. Will be wearing this much more in the future....
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deets: robe/bed jacket: Oscar de la Renta, tank: AA, denim: Urban Outfitters from a while ago, jewelry: vintage, fringed sandals: random, from a cute boutique in Spain