My Own Swan Dress

The One. The Only. The Dress. 

Bjork is without a doubt an outlandish style icon, marching to her own beat. She was last decades version of Lady Gaga. One of her most famous dresses, was of course, the Swan Dress, which even has it's own Wikipedia page. (For those of you who don't know, she wore The Dress to the 2001 Academy Awards.) The dress was parodied in everything from the film White Chicks to the Nickelodeon cartoon Fairly Odd Parents. Of course, not everyone can pull of a dress like that and still like gorgeous (i.e., not all of us are BJORK). So, here is my more wearable, more everyday version. No, not as out-there as The Dress, but it is none the less happy. Shirt by H&M. Skirt by Clockhouse. Shoes by Aerosole. 

Pre-Fall Collections: Boxing Day Reinvisioned

 Giambattista Valli.

 Prabal Gurung.

 Stella McCartney.

Zero-Maria Cornejo. All photos courtesy http://www.vogue.com/.

Gone gone gone are the days of body-con, bandage dresses. No, this season designers are embracing a more masculine side of dressing. The go to shape this year (hint: hourglass is not the correct answer)? The box. Square shoulders, straight shirts. No waist line in sight. I am thus a huge fan of this pre-fall season. For the last year or so I've owned a "leather" shirt from H&M with a boxy shape, similar to the shirt by Prabal Gurung seen above. I've always been nervous to wear it, however, because without the proper accessories, it just looks like an oversized leather-bag-converted-into-an-awkward-shirt(?). But this is truly the season to bring it out! Pictures to come soon. I just need to figure out how to make it less, eh, dark. (Black leather? Less dark? It is a challenge I am willing to take!)

On a side note, am I the only one who finds it crazy that it is already pre-fall? Well, technically everything that occurs before fall is pre-fall, but Hello, it's only January! Yes, Easter decorations are already in stores (or is that just here? Should I hold this town to be the national standard? Hm. I should perhaps reconsider this statment.) Nevertheless, I am very proud of designers this year for, again, not falling trap to the idea that the only woman is a 36-24-36 ("She's a brick. House!" ). This years pre-falls shapes are perfect for skimming those extra holiday pounds, or those beautiful folds that those of us not participating in the world of haute couture modeling embrace. Can't wait for normal-fall (un-pre?). Until then, I'll be sporting my leather T with a smile.

Obsessed w/: Cutsey Origami

It is on these blustery winter days, when so many are knitting, baking, or watching SVU marathons, that I realize I need to dive into the pool of hobby-ing. When I was younger, I bought a plethora of origami animal kits from Book Clubs at school or stationary stores, learning how to make origami dogs, guinea pigs, and seahorses. I never learned how to make swans, however, until just last fall. After the awkward stage of making chubby chubby swans, I was hooked. Last year I passed my hours dans la salle d'etude making swans of old chemistry exams and French papers. Legend says that anyone who makes 1000 swans will have their hearts true desire; I've already made nearly 300. (Does that mean I'll become the next Andrea Sachs if I make that many? Future clacker I am!) But nonethless I really don't feel like cutting up worksheet after worksheet, hoping it will be a perfect square. These cute papers (conveniently already cut into squares!) would certainly make my swans more attractive, and their bright colors may help to disguise any badly folded edges (I really don't want to return to my chubby chubby swan phase). This paper is from http://www.muji.us/

New Shoes (a.k.a. Who's That in My Window?)

I am always on the search for "man" shoes, which I find work wonderfully with just jeans and a T. For the last two years I wore the same pair of black ones almost everyday, but after eleven months of walking through the cobblestone streets of Europe, my beautiful shoes finally gave in. I was forced against my will to throw them out. However, here is a new pair I "inherited" from my younger sister (i.e., Her feet are big, my feet are less so.) Shoes by Tommy Bahama. Blazer by Anne Klein. T-Shirt by Merona. Jeans by Jolt. Necklace by Forever Twenty One.

The Outdoorsmen

Over the last year or so I have become quite a Jon Krakauer fan. The most recent book of his I read was Eiger Dreams, and I was thus inspired to create this set. (Is it wierd that I'm inspired by stories of men, mountains and, let's be realistic, frostbite?) Of course, none of these items would be truly helpful were I to venture to Alaska and fulfill my far-off dreams of sitting on the top of the world, save perhaps the hat. Nevertheless, they get me in the outdoors-y spirit, and help me keep in touch with my Montana roots. (Note the cosmic skirt: Montana is called "Big Sky Country"...get it?) So enjoy the weather, snowshoeing, and skiing while it lasts! Happy winter! (I apoligize in advance to all Hawaiians. At least you can say you're on a tropical vacation all year long though!)
From top left: Black tank by Acne. Skirt by Christopher Kane. White tank by Michael Kors. T-shirt by Wildfox. Jacket by Richard Chai Love. Boots by Minnetonka. Vintage earings by Chanel. Hat by Jacqueline Lamont Amelia.

Creepy Crawlies Aren't So Bad...

 I know it's not yet spring, but snowfall is down 73% nationwide this year (this is a fact, I saw it on the news. And everyone knows how trusty weathermen are.), so I may as well dress like it is. Now, I know that most people don't like beetles, but these cute little pieces just make my day brighter. I'm usually not brave enough to use them in a more than minimalist setting (I usually wear the brooch on a black blazer with jeans and the earings with a white button up), but their power to transform an outfit continues to amaze me. Plus, they remind me of The Mummy. Which is a perfectly valid reason to add them to an outfit. Both brooch and earings from H&M.

A Softer Motocross

I've always been a fan of motorcycle jackets, but have had trouble finding the specific one I like. I found this one at Target over the summer. It is made out of sweatshirt material, so not only is it incredibly comfortable, it is also very easy to wear with the rest of my wardrobe. Because of it's relaxed fit, it adds edge to an outfit, but can still look soft with the light brown trousers. Below are more examples of a "softer motocross" seen at Alexander Wang.   

         

Jacket by Mossimo Supply Co. Shirt and Necklace by Forever 21. Pants by H&M. Shoes by Aerosole. Vintage Watch.