volumous texture, contrasting pattern

the garment get-up du jour

i am a girl who can't say no to black&white, especially in stripes. the draping is impeccablable-slightly off the shoulder but the volume isn't swallowing her up-its in balance. the swirly skirt is great for fall with the slouchy boots or some fierce heels. gloves are so lady-like and yet so goth here. yum.

the jacket is sporty but not too much so, its shape&colour -blocking&quilting make it unique, grey is so now

a delicate but modern Lanvin flower brooch, to add to the blouse, more brooches the merrier.

aged black leather-rugged, yet elegantly antiqued "doctor's bag" purse, love the shape&hardware

allesandro del'acqua double ankle strapped pumps, delicious, i can never say to no to things this man conjurs. for a night out on the town, these shoes are very sensual, and i love love love the colour combo....
or really the thigh high boots the model was originally wearing would be hot too, if it wear say raining or snowing...

i am getting my fall state of mind back, slowly

Black Fingernails, Red Wine

i want to make you ALL mine

Eskimo Joe- Black Fingernails, Red Wine

another surprising band at the silly little Indie Fest i attended was Eskimo Joe. they were a last minute *supposed* filler band, after another band had to cancel because the lead singer went to rehab. of course. but they were my favourite and the absolute highlight of the day. the guys came on stage in daper tailored suits with skinny ties, they meant business. kav says to the audience, in a serious tone, "we have fourty-five minutes to impress you, here it goes." and impress us they did. the instrumentals were tight, the vocals were spot on and the songs stayed with me well into the next day. the of course, i did a bit of research on them (because i want to know more!) and it seems they are relatively well known on the aussie indie circuit, but they are trying to break into both- the american and british markets. best of luck to them. lets start the hype, they have the goods to back it all up.

the argument of God continues..

their new vid:
London Bombs
new dreamy video, beautiful song and reminiscent of an old smashing pumpkins video, no?


New York

i love the energy and of course the sights&sounds of my city in this one.

i was driving all the night...

just so i could feel you by my side

Minipop - Like I do

while visiting my parents in northern california a few weeks ago, i went to the first annual bay area indie music fest. in theory, they were trying to put together what most cities need, a summer fest for new bands under super indie labels or the unsigned. it was a bit of a mess, very disorganized (the sound guys they hired quit the night before), remote (it was out in the middle of nowhere), but the musik was mostly awesome, an interesting range of artists from my hometown area and beyond. one of the acts i had already heard of and knew i loved, was Minipop. they are some hometown heros of mine, that i actually found from -your life standard- because they played an awesome, well recieved set at SXSW and was delightfully surprised to know they were from san fran. tricia on vocals, is intoxicating. her lyrics are romantic and haunting, just the way i like them. they play tons of shows in california and they have an up coming show on oct 18 in nyc, i most definitely will be present. check out there myspace for many more songs. they mentioned that their official cd isn't out until october (to accompany the nyc show i am sure). funny how i got the LIKE I DO single months ago...haha. enjoy!

*who loves you?
like i do*

A New Hope

another killer song.they are truly a live performance band. quite stellar.


**i have been writing so sporadically, for this i apologize. i write when i have the inspiration (which comes often) and the time to devote to an awesome post (which occurs less frequently). I am working on my NY fashion week massive post. lots to comment on, so i am taking my time a bit.

applause cheer boo hiss

SPEAK TO ME BONES

Land of Talk will rock your world, if you check them out NOW! just the way they have rocked mine to the core. i even spent money to NOT download their album when i discover them at the wonderous listening earphones of new musik at the union sq Virgin (if you are a new yorker, having a bad day or just craving some new fresh tunes, hit them up....i have never NOT ONCE been disappointed or left empty handed..haha) i spent real money on a hard copy cd (and an additional one for my sister!) impressive for me who doesn't pay for musik much these days-bad me, i know! ok enough about the discovery/buyingand  more about the TUNES! land of talk hail from good old canada, montreal to be exact, that keeps churning out amazing artists. a harsh voiced yet at times so cheery, endearing, charming front lady and some super sweeeeet drum&bass backing up those delicious biting lyrics. they are huge in europe, more specifically the UK. they are out there touring now, but when they get back - check em out! i saw them last summer in brooklyn, and was mesmerized. check out their myspace for a new song (a sneak peek from hopefully upcoming album!?!?!)- Weighty Ghost by Wintersleep (very folky and super smooth, yummy) enjoy!

All My Friends- a super summer anthem!

Chloe controversy?

making the dream very attractive.
perhaps too attractive?

Fashionista and Fashion Addict have said their peace on this but i thought i'd throw in my two cents. Apparently my *beloved* H&M ripped off my *inspirational* Chloe for their Fall ad campaign.
The vid is behind-the-scenes at the Hotel Particular in Paris during the youthful Chloe shoot with Freja, Shalom and Anja.

Since I first saw the Chloe ad in Vogue, i've wanted Anja's to-die-for bob cut&coulour (and the "Vitamin" dress haha). Then picked up H&M magazine a few weeks ago, first oogled over Freja in Rome layouts (its brillant and oh so mod!) and then saw Anja's hair again, of course fell in love again. This video shows how she get her cut on the set of the campaign (i love!). As a fashion mag addict, and a bit overstimulated by style.com's instant gratification, I didn't even notice how the photos, models, stark backgrounds (and style of dresses-but that is expected-its what H&M does best) were so similiar, maybe in fact alarmingly identical. Chloe's garments are obviously higher fashion-more extraordinary, so beautiful and very mod. The model choices were a perfect (love when Shalom is in real fashion ads-she is such a unique model-, not Tiffany *puke*), the locale was so structural next to the bold colours of those dresses. H&M saw a perfect idea, decided to copy it and figured who's gonna stop us? this is perhaps crossing into a new line of fashion copyrights faux pas. obviously no legal action has begun and it is only controversy amound the fashion inclined, but what do you think?

She couldn't care less, wearing that dress....

hot little thing and knows it

Fink - Pretty Little Thing

"when she leaves, she's just asking to be followed.."

Fink is a fun mix of R&Besque beats, and emotional rock vocals/guitars. I am currently obsessed with his album, Biscuits for Breakfast. (particularly the song -All Cried Out- check it out )He is quintessential new york city via Brighton, England singer/songwriter. his lyrics are real and speak to the soul, and those jazzy beats behind are truly groovy. this isn't a typical musik sugggestion from me, but i love the tone, the texture and the depth of his voice A LOT.

This Is The Thing

the things that keep us apart, keep me alive
the things that keep me alive, keep me alone

a little more solemn, and slit your wrists, but pain is a beautiful manifestion when made into musik. (ahem...Elliott Smith)
hope ya'll like the new sound i am throwing your way!

Aggy

the hottest poser around


i had a comment on how Stam isn't as current or "popular" or perhaps lovable as other models.... like for instance, say, Agyness Deyn. OK OK I too have LOTSA love for aggy. But she is a different kind of model, not the kind of model that will ever *sadly* be a household "supermodel" name. THOSE classic striking cheekbones, piercing bue eyes, dark fuller deeply arched eyebrows. AND She has the personality, and white pixie cut to take her very far, but.... only time with tell if the masses catch on. Fashionista has been raving about her for eons& i got hooked, and now I always perk up when I hear she is at a party, or will be DJing somewhere. I have seen her walking with her cute little dog in soho multiple times, she is just as striking in person (I always notice her outfits&height, then realize she is in fact a famous model....Ms. Deyn hah). I love her personal style (one of a kind), but more importantly I love her air of carefree confidence. Thus I owe her a montage like i did for Stam. As Aggy is getting around more and more. Currently, Burberry is a huge mainstream contract and oh so beautifully british. (I know, I know Armani was huge too, but first of, she was so new then-& she was very made up&glamourized for the ads, gorgeous but slightly unrecognizable to the untrained eye)

Some of my fav pics...of the delightful, fresh, funky and ultra cool
AGYNESS DEYN









*note this pics are all editorial, backstage or when she was out at after-parties....i prefer her in these. her power on the runway is unflinching in person however she is poser (she was born to strike vogues..i like her face with animation, not dead deer in headlights like i enjoy in so many runway girls), but doesn't translate to the runway photos....like, say Stam. i am just saying.

golly though after this weeks pics on style.com (ahem...Preen), I could do twelve more of these of her. haha you never know, keep your eyes peeled!

"Like storming the castles..."

Outfit of the day
*i've had this one brewing for awhile, but i couldn't find any stellar jewelry, but i have struck gold...um...pewter*

its sorta a dreamlike funky but feminine late summer ensemble
whatcha think?

basso&brooke seaform-trimmed-vine-coloured sundress *english genuis*

tara's delicious chunky ankle tie peep-toes (for easy spirit)
*i have been seeing a lot of ladies in summer sandals with the heel area thickly covered by fabrics&leathers&suedes with bigknotted ties, i find them so delightfully enticing, an truely original new shoe as we approach Fall hehe*

subversive jewelry by another genuis, justin giunta, a cfda finalist. its vinatge but current, and not one is the same. i am all for ONE-OF-A-KIND.
honestly i could've picked any of his stuff for this outfit, they all speak for themsleves and are so unique in their own right.
i had the pleasure of seeing some of his stuff in person in soho (at the good, the bad and the ugly) and it is even more gorgeous & whimsical in person, check him& his stuff out pronto.

HAPPY WEEKEND!
*my new york fashion week recap will be posted next week! weee

STAM it to me baby...

~un model minute~

anyone who reads this blog knows i love me some j.STAM
ms. jessica is a model for all styles, genres, seasons, she can look old, young, high fashion, lower fashion, she is elegant but edgy. her look is original, unique, but i feel like she'd go and party with me & my girls anytime.
a mini montage on my feelings:




i have been stockpiling my STAM runway loveys from style.com in a folder on my desktop for awhile [i know its a problem]...more to come.

DRESSed down?!?

for fashionistas who like comfort as much as the next person...

i give you, the sweatshirt dress. its bloody briliant!

my obsession with sweatshirts&tshirts began as a 3 year old toddler who wanted to wear her favourite ones to church and fancy family dinners. it worked in my favor to a degree in the 80s that were fond of blucky sweats&long tees with leggings but a mother who worked in fashion for years and burgeoning interest&obvious skills in ensemble assemblage put an end to all that nonsense early on.
but, alas, the urge has returned and now it can be satiated with the uprising of sweatshirty/tshirty dresses out there.
the classic lines &stitching of old skool tees, heather greys, and those comfy cozy fabrics that only get better with age.
[i was already obsessed with the fabrics enough to invest in several sets of tshirt sheets and a sweatshirt blanket for my luxurious bed hah]

i believe the tshirt dress niche to be occupied nicely by the HIP SIMPLE clean lines at american apparel.
my focus is on the sweatshirt dress today. the thick but soft&fuzzy 'on the inside' texture that reminds you of college midterm mornings when you didnt have the strength to throw much else on as you were running on several hours of sleep for 7 days and perhaps stomping you way to impending doom. But that piece of clothing gave your the security and mini-indulge that when it was all over, you'd soon be at home in bed.
the one i got was from forever21 (i know the shame, but its adorable-i can't stop the compliments EVERYTIME i wear it)
the reasonable retail circuit has cute cheap ones at the likes of old navy and urban (respectively). honestly, the dresses are built from basics and these companies has built their empires on that premise, i think they are making these dresses are out quality materials stitched in quality ways.
[these both come in BLACK as well]


the high fashion conquistadoras of ELLE featured the sweatshirt dress (or tunic) as a shop musthave for Fall '07 and i couldn't agree more. They suggested looks from Vera's lavender label hemmed in sequins, a Rebecca Taylor look taken up a notch in puckered merino wool and a Lela Rose jersey tee dress with rouched taffeta sleeves. they (and i) suggest taking your DRESSed down look UP, when necessary, to another level with a chic-chic (think sequins, feathers, evening fabricated, and/or bejewelled) mini/knee-length skirt or cocktail frock underneath with some (Spectator or Low Bootie) spectacular high heels (or new studded Marc flats) to make the comfy, also tre chic.


in conclusion, you know you want to go out there to buy one of these DRESSed down sweatshirt dresses for running out to do errands with your Chucks or out on the town like an ELLE lady. good luck! send pictures of success stories pleaseeeeeeeee*