Monday, November 29, 2010

My Obsession

This clutch from Alexander McQueen is definitely on my Holiday (Super) Wish List. The contrasting yellow and black stripes and the hard metal skull and bling ring-brass knuckle closure is IT for me. So hot. So chic. So badass. Enough said.... Oggle away.

Photo from Net-A-Porter
Photo from Net-A-Porter


Photo from Net-A-Porter

This stunning pièce de résistance is unfortunately sold out. It is from a couple of seasons ago... GASP!

Friday, November 26, 2010

Love This Photo

Let Them Eat Cake!

Wildfox Couture's Spring 2011 look book is an ode to Marie Antoinette and her numbered pre-decapitation days. The images are dark and a little hazy as if shot with a lomography camera or something similar (I have zero photography knowledge), creative look books are all the rage these days. Although I'm not sure how many t-shirts Marie Antoinette would have worn, I still want to be friends with these reckless beauties... but I'll hold on the cake eating part since I just ate my Thanksgiving feast leftovers.



Thursday, November 25, 2010

Turkey Day Thanks

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!


5 Things I am Thankful For:
 
1. My support system: loving family and friends

2. My amazing boyfriend Alex (part of support system)

3. Good health and extreme happiness

4. A paid part-time job (finally some $$$!)

5. My Alexander McQueen booties (shallow as it may be)

Fashion Suicide

I kind of love these fashion illustrations by Belgain artist Achraf Amiri. His sick and twisted illustrations poke fun at the industry I am so madly in love with, but he tells it (or draws it) like it is and I can't help but laugh a little.


Take these illustrations of some of the top handbag designers... Spot on with the reputation each one grudgingly sustains. Looking at his pictures is as entertaining as watching a model turn into fashion roadkill on the catwalk. Yikes! You know it's funny.


Thursday, November 18, 2010

Corradetti at Clipper Mill

So I went to Clipper Mill for the first time last Saturday. It was for an assignment on Becket Hitch- a makers market held at Woodberry Kitchen, which was a huge success, and I was able to make a few early holiday gift purchases. You can read all about it on Baltimore Magazine's Talk Shop blog... Anyway, as I was leaving the craft show I stumbled upon Corradetti Glass Studio. What a gem!

The studio allows for classes and instructional sessions to make your own one-of-a-kind hand blown glass pieces. I went in to watch for a few minutes and about three customers were in the process of finishing their pieces.  The ambiance in general is lively, with furnaces glowing bright, rustic exposed brick and loads of people watching the process go down. There is also a gallery in the studio with colorful mixed glass work to purchase. 


After researching the studio a bit more I saw that they hold events too. What a unique venue to hold a  cocktail party or philanthropic function. Maybe the next spot for a Holly Ball? Below is an image from Corradetti's website from a past shindig... Gorgeous!


Corradetti Glass Studio 
Clipper Mill
2010 Clipper Park Rd # 119
Baltimore, MD 21211-1439
(410) 243-2010

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

A Little Bit Country

In honor of the Carrie Underwood concert I attended this evening (which was pretty good, aside from the cut off leggings she wore for a few songs that made her lose serious credibility... GAG ME! Seriously, gag me.) I feel it is necessary to reach back to the October 2010 issue of Flair Australia. Shot in Texas, and brimming with an uncanny Southwestern "flair", model Daniela Kocianova embodies the fashionable cowgirl flavor that is not readily acceptable on the East Coast. Photographed by Manolo Campion and styled by Jennifer Hitzges,  Bigger in Texas is the kind of editorial that allows you to conjure up your own story. Behold:






** All photos courtesy of Fashion Gone Rogue **

Brogue Behavior

Don't you love when a simple element of your ensemble can make you look both stylish and smart? It doesn't happen too often in the world of fashion, being that most people interested in anything sartorial or a la mode are considered vapid and highly unlikely to succeed in anything other then superficiality. Yes, I have endured both of these stereotypes in my lifetime (Try telling a finance or engineering major that you are freaking out about an upcoming exam. "Oh, what's MY major? Fashion Merchandising." Sighs ensue...), but, back to that special element. Drum roll please... The brogue, a strong oxford shoe, usually with ornamental perforations and wing tips, is the epitome of "smart dressing".

Photo courtesy of the Wall St Journal
Even the Wall Street Journal recently posted an article on the dapper style... I saw it in person, finally, last weekend in New York City. That marvelous celebration for Filippa's 25th birthday brought out some  truly stylish people, and Tom, my friend Eve's boyfriend, was rocking the style complete with argyle socks! Can you say, I DIE.



Monday, November 15, 2010

Aerie Retreat

Have you ever been told, "You eat like a bird."? What about, "You sit like a bird."? Didn't think so... Well there is a home product on the market that allows you to do just that, so long as you have a very sturdy tree at your disposal.  Created by Parisian design duo Daniel Pouzet and Fred Frety, known for their distinctive forms and innovative interior decor, the Nest Rest allows us to experience a little piece of our fine feathered friend's lifestyle.




 
Customizable colors and fabrics for the outside construction, as well as interior cushions and pillows, on the Dedon website, the secluded hanging "nest" is a unique way to decorate any outdoor space.  The price is not available on the website (never a good sign) but catalogs can be mailed upon request. All that's left is a big yellow feathered suit and you are well on your way to becoming the next big bird. (With very impressive furniture!)

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Genie in a... Box


At this point in my blogging "career" I don't think it is hard for anyone to figure out that I absolutely LOVE photo shoots. After scouring Fashion Gone Rogue, I decided that the first post from today, Mirte Maas for Vogue China's December 2010 issue, was my favorite of favorites. Photographed by Javier Vallhonrat and style by Nicoletta Santoro, Maas' Dutch allure exudes the perfect amount of whimsy and reverie needed to tell this story. In my eyes it's sort of a cross between Alice in Wonderland, Aladdin and The Secret Garden... Enjoy!






Outfit to Love

I've been playing around with Polyvore while writing for the new fashion blog I just started at, Envi Shoes. I love this site. Not only does it give you access to so many high-end designer names, it is the epitome of fantasy "window shopping", via the window in front me... my computer. Here is the latest look I concocted while my boyfriend was ignoring me and playing computer games...




Where to Buy:

Maison Martin Margiela raccoon scarf 625 GBP at Browns
By Malene Birger skirt $265 available at Net-A-Porter
T by Alexander Wang t-shirt $102 available at Far Fetch
Topshop ruched blazer $125 available at Topshop
Alexander McQueen booties $1,230 available at Matches
Alexander McQueen leather skull bracelet $225 available at Net-A-Porter
Chanel "Caviar" duffle bag $2,700 available at ASOS
OPI nailpolish in "Burlesque" $4.15 available at Amazon
 

Monday, November 8, 2010

A Day at Barney's

So I was in New York this weekend for one of the most FAB parties I have ever been to! It was my friend Filippa's 25th birthday party, held at her family's apartment on Central Park South. Top floor penthouse, amazing view, incredibly delicious food (most of which had some type of truffle-infused aspect, Flip is CRAZY about truffles), you get the picture... Anyway, leading up to this fabulous soiree my girlfriend Jaclyn and I spent the better part of our day at Barney's, well before we could ruin our nail and blowout appointments. I must embarrassingly admit that this was my first ever trip to the holy-grail that is Barney's, but am also proud to announce it will be my "go-to" from now on.


Barney's stats:
Nine floors, two sides (a men's and a woman's side, only accessible via even-floor entrances), two spas, a restaurant, a stationer ... the list goes on and on.


Barney's does a phenomenal job buying and editing their merchandise selection, continuing to remain ahead of the curve in promoting upcoming designers and trends.  Walking around the Co-Op, which is their contemporary department, irresistible brands such as 3.1 Phillip Lim, Carven, A.L.C., Richard Chai, and Gemma jumped out at me at an impressively alarming rate. Not only are the clothing and accessories impressive, but Barney's also has entertainment for those of us who are assisting the shopper. Here are a few snap shots I gathered on my BlackBerry, including the Vince display above in the elevator bank on 5, while walking around to find Jackie a dress (which we did!), and then our delicious lunch at Fred's.





Now, Fred's on 9. This bustling bistro and eatery to see-and-be-seen offers everything for brunch, lunch, dinner and even high tea on weekdays. The service was excellent, not even a second look when I realized my glass of champagne (half-drank) actually had remnants of someone else's mimosa pulp. ECK! But I got a full complimentary pour on the house, in a clean glass, and all was right in the world. I highly recommend this dish from Fred's, the wild mushroom risotto with truffle oil and grated parmesan cheese. Pair it with a a glass of champagne and it is an incredibly satisfying meal!

I can't wait to hear about your own Barney's experiences.

Barney's New York
660 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10065

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Baltimore Magazine: Potluck Fête

As some of you may know, I am currently interning at Baltimore Magazine, in the fashion and lifestyle department, assisting the editor Janelle Erlichman Diamond. It is such an amazing experience with much to learn... We shot a holiday potluck inspired story for the Fall Entertaining Guide that came out in this month's issue. The shoot turned out beautifully, with real models (a family and friend of Janelle's) and actual home cooked meals by various local food bloggers. You can only imagine how tempting it was working around all of that food!


Shabdiece (amazing co-intern that is the other half of my brain these days) and I were frantically trying to keep the hundreds of home items/clothes organized during the all day shoot, in a two-story townhouse in Roland Park, on one of the hottest days that occurred in late September beating down on us (the items were organized outback on the patio in order to conserve space on the first floor!). Needless to say the hard work paid off, and the images are gorgeous. I even got a credit for my Ya-Ya's Stuffed Peppers! Recipe to follow... And don't worry, although my cooking is sometimes questionable this is a fool-proof recipe I got from my boyfriend's grandmother... Delicious.


Ya-Ya's Stuffed Peppers:
6 green bell peppers
1 lb ground turkey OR ground beef
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 onion
1 can tomato sauce
1/2 cup rice
2 cubes chicken buillon
2 bay leaves
parsley
salt & pepper
1 tsp garlic

  1. Cook rice. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
  2. In large pot caramelize onions over medium heat until translucent. Add meat and brown until completely cooked through. Drain excess juice if desired.
  3. Add 2 cans of diced tomatoes with juice to the pot, chicken bouillon, parsley, garlic, bay leaves and salt & pepper to taste. Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
  4. Add rice and reduce heat to a simmer. Allow mixture to slowly cook while completing the next process. 
  5. Boil large pot of water with salt. Clean out the inside of each bell pepper and keep the tops. Boil each hollowed out pepper for approx. 30-45 seconds, until bright green and slightly softened.
  6. In a casserole baking dish, pour 1/2 of the canned tomato sauce in the bottom of the dish. Arrange cooked bell peppers so that each is able to stand up on its own. 
  7. Fill each bell pepper with a generous portion of the stuffing. Cover each with remaining tomato sauce and finish with the saved bell pepper tops.
  8. Cover with aluminum foil and bake covered for 2 hours.
BON APPETIT!

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