not just pj's

It's no secret around here that much of my favorite clothes come, inexplicably, from a store that specializes in underwear and pajamas.  It doesn't make much sense to me, but I can't help it, I just love Oysho's easy-going, super comfortable, totally wearable pieces. 

maxi dress and asymmetrical hem dress

More on my Oysho wishlist after the jump...

max

Remember I was making a puppet? Without having any idea how?  Well, I think Max came out a-ok in the end.

Turns out he's also a great actor, though everyone on set agreed that he didn't really have a chance to explore his talent to its maximum potential; he basically just had a cameo in the film.  I think Max has a bright future though, and I'm not just saying that as a proud mother.

Right now Max is hanging out in our living room.  It's almost like having a puppy to come home to, he's always so excited to see us, always filled with energy and joy.  You may think I'm losing my mind, but I tell you, having this little guy around is pretty awesome.

Take a peak into the creation process after the jump...

krackin' krakoff

He's done it again.  In fact, it's the same shoe that I lusted after before, but now it's dressed for the summer.

Reed Krakoff's raffia oxford seems like the perfect slightly dressy shoe for these gorgeous spring days, and it would take you nicely through the summer and fall too.

After the jump, a few more Krakoff pieces that I wouldn't say no to...

hood rat

I know what you're thinking: How could I possibly need another hoodie?!  Well, I do.  At least, Rick Owens says I do.

And I believe him.  I totally need this leather-sleeved hoodie.  I mean, who doesn't?

from net-a-porter

dior '07

Remember this from back in the day?

Dior's spring 2007 collection, before we knew what we now know about John Galliano, back when we could appreciate what he did without it being colored by our opinion of the man himself.  Let's just travel back in time for a second and revisit this collection.  I remember it blowing my mind then, and it's blowing it all over again.

It may seem random right now, but I swear it's relevant to a project I'm working on.  All in good time.

More after the jump...

maggie's closet

We shot Jack this weekend! It was incredibly exciting, exhausting, thrilling and nerve-wracking, all at the same time.  Among the myriad of my responsibilities was the styling.  Jack hung out in his bathrobe and pjs for the most part, but his dear wife Maggie dressed for work.  She wore this lovely skirt from Massimo Dutti paired with a simple nude blouse from Zara:

But of course I picked up tons more work clothes for her just in case.  See what else was in her closet after the jump...

jack

I'm back from London, super excited about everything I learned in Blogshop (my brains's still smoking a little bit from all the new information!).  I will tell you all about it and more, I promise, but not until next week.  Right now my cup runneth over with the styling and monster-making for Jack.

We shoot this weekend, and I honestly don't think I'll be able to post again until after we're done, but come monday I will let you know how it went!

marnimania

So we all know what today was: the day the Marni for H&M collection dropped.  10 am, doors opened around the world on one of the most exciting hi-low collaborations in a long time.  I'm not gonna lie, I had it marked down on my calendar.  But then I realized, it's thursday, I have ballet.  I love me some Marni, and I love it even more when it's actually affordable, but apparently I love my morning ballet class even more.  Go figure.

Class was done at 11:30, and I will admit to sneaking out a little early (who needs those big jumps anyway?) to run up to the Gran Via H&M stores.  I got there before noon, less than two hours after the doors opened, and there was nothing.  No.  Thing.  Not one shirt, not one bauble, not one shoe.  At least, not in the women's section.  There were however a few things left in the men's department, and a few hungry-looking women pawing through it all.  Me, of course, being one of them.

I caved.  I bought this coat.

In my defense, it's a beautiful coat, simple but impeccably designed, lightweight like a trench in the body with thick durable knit sleeves.  On the other hand, who am I kidding?  It's a men's coat and it's a too big on me.  I know, I was desperate, I got carried away by the excitement of the moment.  I probably will return it next week.  On the other hand, it does fit Husband pretty damn perfectly...

images from how do shop, toronto life

miista

These are shoes that would make you feel like a superhero.  Like Batgirl or something.  And better still, they almost seem wearable.

It's not often you see shoes that feel really new, really different.  Laura Villasenin of Miista, however, seems to have no problem churning them out.  It's kind of exciting. 

hera

Check out a few more after the jump...

lip boom

I'm a lip balm junkie.  I've heard that it's a vicious cycle, that once you get hooked, your lips lose the ability to stay hydrated on their own and then you are officially addicted.  Well, yeah.  So?  The important thing is to never be stranded without some sort of balm.  Which means one in your gym bag, one by your bed, one in each purse, one on your desk, one in each coat pocket...  That's a lot of lip balm.  I like to make sure I have a nice variety so I don't get bored.  And also so I don't look like a freak at the checkout with twenty tubes of Aquaphor.  Here's a sampling of my current stash.  Yes, that means there's more, but you didn't really expect me to go through all those pockets did you?

Tell me I'm not alone in this.  How many do you have stashed away?  What are your favorites?  Check out my top ten after the jump...

take a leap

Happy Leap Day everybody!

Did you do it yet?  Are you going to?  It's leap year, the planets are aligned, change is in the air.  Seems like an appropriate time to take a risk and just dive in to something new, don't you think?

images from booooooom, deal with pets, grand jeté

Whatever it is, just go for it.

i'm in!

It's official!  I'm going to Blogshop in London in just two weeks!

photo by Angela via Cup of Jo

I mentioned these ladies and their exciting workshops back in september, and now lucky for me they're holding classes nearby!  Check out my earlier post or the Blogshop website for cute videos of previous workshops; it just looks like so much fun (apart from being highly educational, of course).  I almost didn't get in, but at the last minute there was a cancellation and even though I'm super busy right now I'm being impulsive and just saying YES.

Just look at the beauty of Curtain Studios, where we'll be having class:

So excited.  Time to start making travel arrangements!  Anyone have suggestions for affordable yet wonderful hotels in London?  Extra points if it's in the Shoreditch area...

puppet master

Well now I really do have my hands in everything.  My latest endeavor?  Puppet making.  Wait, you may be asking yourself, does she know anything about puppet making?  No.  That's right, say it loud, say it proud, I have no idea what I'm doing.  But that's part of the adventure.  I'm sure he's going to change quite a bit over the next three weeks, but after only a few days he's really starting to turn into someone I want to hug.  Which is a good sign.   Meet the beginnings of Max:

I've been on the project two days and the house is already filled with white fluff and colorful splashes of dye (a purposefully turquoise kitchen sink might actually be my next home improvement project; accidental turquoise sink? not so fabulous).   But I am having a blast.

Max still has almost a month before his film debut, so I'm not too worried, but if any of you readers out there are secretly puppet masters and have any tips on creating loveable beasties, please let me know.  Meanwhile I'll just keep forging ahead, which for now means dying everything I come into contact with. 

grand bazaar, grand ring

The Gaia Repossi rings for Zadig & Voltaire are pretty cool.  But can I say that I think the ring I picked up last year at the covered bazaar in Istanbul is even better?  And it was most certainly less than the $320 they're charging for this one. 

I realize this is basically a gloating post, because I can hardly guarantee you'd be able to find this ring even if you made the trip to Istanbul tomorrow.  But you'd probably find some other wonderful gem.  And I guess what I'm saying is, shop online, yes, shop at net-a-porter, of course, but also hunt for treasures in unexpected, personal, out of the way places; both the booty and the process of finding it are often infinitely more rewarding.

more photos after the jump (can't resist playing with my new camera)...

falta poco

Seven months ago Husband and I started our first joint artistic project, (some of you may remember the very beginning, when I was just contemplating feathers and pinning mohawks) and now here we are, in the final thrusts of editing and color correcting, almost ready to birth this baby.  I'm so excited, I couldn't resist sharing a still from the video.

worth it?

I brought home this amazing chiffon layered sweater from Zara today.  My heart is still racing from the experience.  No, not from the joy of finding a piece that feels like it was made just for me, but rather from today's shopping experience as a whole.

Read on...

my new friend

 

Today I went and adopted a new friend.  And by adopted I mean bought.  Same difference.  I'm so excited.  And ridiculously (and inappropriately) nervous.  But in a good way.  Right now his battery's charging, so I had to use husband's camera to take his portrait, but shortly I will be flooding this space with new photos taken by me and Ralph.  Or Ichabod.  Or August.  Name suggestions totally welcome and much appreciated.



Grin.

liberated leopard

button down shirt: J Crew, t-shirt: H&M

I bought this leopard print button down last august, but honestly could never get much wear out of it.  It always came off like some awkward middle child between sex kitten secretary and old lady secretary.  And yes, I did the math, it's taken me over five months to figure out how to wear a shirt.  But now I'm hooked.  Thank god for simple black t-shirts!  I love how the combination makes it feel so easy; it takes away any possible stuffiness or overt self-awareness that the shirt has on its own, and leaves me with a new carefree, lighthearted fun layering piece.

Notice anything else that might have helped change the mood of my shirt?

Yup!  I finally did it!  And honestly, I don't miss my hair one single bit.  I feel young, adventurous, liberated, and unburdened.  Which is odd, because I loved my long hair and never thought it weighed me down at all.  So to any of you out there thinking of taking the plunge, I say go for it.  And as a side bonus, all your clothes and accessories will feel brand new!

this time really maybe

Some of you may remember that about 6 months ago I did a whole post on shorter haircuts.  I was really in the mood to chop it all off, and looking for inspiration and encouragement.  I got both, (thanks!), but still somehow managed to do absolutely nothing with my hair.  What can I say, I kind of love my hair.  It's strong, thick, healthy, and long.  Not that I can take any credit for it, because lord knows I certainly don't do much take care of it, style it, or even, let's be honest, brush it.  But I've had long hair for the past 10 years and I'm fairly attached to it (sorry for the unavoidable pun).  I'm brave with color, but not so much with scissors. 

But it's 2012 now, and I'm feeling bolder and a wee bit more adventurous, and on the verge of actually maybe really doing it this time.  This has me pinning like a mad woman, so I thought I'd share.

Freja, of course, still has a place of honor at the top of the inspiration pile:

ScarJo's shattered bob has also managed to stay burned into my retinas:

But I'm also looking at Alexa (though sometimes she does look a little too bedraggled):

See more inspiration (and some people I'd rather not end up looking like) after the jump...

at last

Happy 2012 everyone!  I am extremely excited about this year.

I know my short break turned into a rather long one, but I really did need the time away from my computer to get back in my own head and reevaluate things.  Part of my new-year new-me involves keeping a bit of distance between me and my machines, so I'm going to have to figure out how to maintain this blog without getting sucked so deep into cyberspace.  Bear with me as I do so, posting may be a bit sporadic in the beginning as I get myself going again.   I am not, however abandoning this little virtual nest I've made for myself, just settling in more comfortably.

For now, take a listen to this magnificent voice.

Thank you Etta.  Rest in peace.

a short break

Dear readers,

I'm taking a few days off from the blog, but it won't be too long.  Just need to get my head straight on my shoulders, focus, and take care of everything I need to do before I leave.  And then I pack my bags and head home!

I'll be back in a jiffy.  And before you know it, it'll be time to celebrate the holidays!

images from retro chick, hello hauteness, une femme d'un certain age, pinstripe mag

december outnet picks

I know, I know, christmas shopping.  For others.  What can I say, I get distracted!  I mean, isn't this burberry jacket, at 60% off, distracting?

And look at these metallic raffia shoes, such a cool twist on the ubiquitous oxfords.

See more of what distracted me at the outnet after the jump...

on rotation

Thought I'd share some music I've had on repeat lately.  The videos aren't too shabby either...

I realize I'm totally late to the game on Florence and the Machine, seeing as how I heard them for the first time a few weeks ago, but I'm officially addicted. I think the new album is so fun with sort of a throwback Siouxsie and the Banshees kind of vibe, while still feeling very current at the same time. Also, my recently colored hair is almost as red as hers, which makes me very happy. Also my christmas seance party will be very similar to this one. Kidding, of course.  Mine will be totally different.

kitty claws

To me these bizarre "rings" look like retractable claws.

I've never seen anything like them.  Could this possibly be comfortable?

I don't see how it would be, but I'm so intrigued that it might be worth a try.  Also never heard of Romwe, definitely going to have to do a little more research when life settles down. 

For now, here's some more intriguing jewelry from their site...

silly rabbit

image from sumally

Rachel Comey bunny slippers, made with baby alpaca fur.  Ridiculously cute.

all of the lights

Happy Sunday everyone.  I'm in a holiday mood today.  Few words, many lights.

images from crush cul de sac, gray sky morning, stephen c. murphy