My Charming Darling Winter Ellips
February 10, 2012 § 4 Comments
I can be a rather impulsive fashion buyer. Actually, instead of impulsive, let’s say efficient. When I see something that speaks to me that I know I can integrate into my wardrobe and if the price is okay (even if it’s a little too high, but the object is worth it) I try it on and if it works, boom! Mine!
My new Ellips boots with a thrifted skirt, American Apparel tights (layered over black Calvin Klein tights), a blouse from Uniqlo with a new cable knit sweater made by my Mom!
However, their are some wardrobe additions that I stalk for months, waiting patiently until end of season sales so that they are within my price range. This was the case with the boots in this year’s fall/winter collection from the fabulous, French shoe designer Priscille Demanche and her label Ellips. The first morning of her winter sale I pounced on the pair I had been eying all fall. Low and behold, they were already sold out in my size! Someone had bought the last pair of my first choice at 12:01 am the day of the sale. Well. That kind of persistence deserves the shoes.
Fortunately, I had a second choice, which was really more like a tie, all picked out. Voila, here they are, my darling bottines bleuette. Like my other two pairs of Ellips shoes (lovely red and grey low heels and some strappy, color blocked sandals) they are incredibly comfortable and I can wear them all day, trotting all around the city with a flash of unique color and style. What I love about these lace up ankle boots is they go with practically everything – slim jeans, skirts, dresses, you name it.
What I love about Ellips is that they are beautifully handmade in Spain from all natural leather and are clever takes on classics. As such they will always look fashion forward and will never go out of style. Definitely a piece that is worth the wait. And investment.
As a note for US readers: If you are unable to order from the Ellips site using the shopping cart function (it may be set up only to ship to France) just email Priscille – she will arrange for payment via PayPal and get your order to you right away!
Black Cat Attack
January 16, 2012 § 1 Comment
Photo by Dandy Prof. Charlotte Ronson blouse (I know, again), Urban Outfitters jeans, Jeffre Campbell Lita's, Melville House tote
I admit that when I brought my Jeffrey Campbell Lita’s I had no illusions that they would be the most practical shoes in the world. I secretly asked myself, “How much are you really going to wear these?” And, yet. I find myself wearing them often! Even to work! My co-workers have asked me, “Are you going to wear your cat shoes tomorrow?” And why not? In my opinion, the idea of fun fashion is to bring levity to the everyday. I have found, however, that the cat Lita’s cannot be worn with any other pattern. The supporting outfit has to be super basic, all black, or all neutral. Voila, here are just a few of the ways I’ve worn them.
American Apparel dress, Hue tights, Jeffrey Campbell Lita's
Merry and Bright
December 26, 2011 § 2 Comments
Modcloth dress, Gap cardigan, Hue tights, Robert Clergerie heels, Modcloth headband
This is just a quick entry to wish all a very festive and lovely season, whatever holiday you may or may not be celebrating. I hope that in this week leading up to the new year you will take some time to rest, reflect, regroup and spend time with the people who matter most do you and remembering what makes your life good. I am home in Maine for a few days to do exactly that, as well as be completely spoiled by my family and enjoy their incredible cooking. 2011 has been a banner year for me and I feel it has set things in motion for an even more rewarding 2012. We never know what the future will bring, but may it be merry and bright!
Cozy by the fire in my Built by Wendy sweater dress
Bright against the snow
The Cat’s Meow
December 20, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Charlotte Ronson top, Urban Outfitters jeans, Jeffrey Campbell Lita's
I promised there were more heels coming up, et voila! As a graduation present to myself I caved into temptation and, after a bit of internet searching, I found the shoes of my dreams. At first I didn’t want to admit it, but I was really smitten with Jeffrey Campbell’s Litas. Especially the ones covered with cat tapestry fabric. Because I love heels and I love cats. It’s as simple as that. But when I finally decided to go for it, after getting over the fear that I had lost all common sense, I found they were sold out almost everywhere. So, I was a little dubious of ordering them a from a shoe store I found after an incredibly precise Google search of “Jeffrey Campbell Lita Cat Tapestry,” but Eilatan Shoes, in California, had them (granted only in size 8.5, my size!) and they arrived within a few days. So here I am, on the streets of DUMBO, with my the cat platforms of my dreams. Tell me, does having a master’s degree and wearing platform heels with cats on them cancel each other out in terms of being taken seriously? I certainly hope not.
Vintage LL Bean leather tote, Jeffre Campbell Lita's
Don't you just love the Jeffrey Campbell box?
Two footnotes: I figured that pairing my Lita’s with plain denim and black would make wearing them seem less crazy. On Friday I picked up this Charlotte Ronson top at a sample sale at Angel Street Thrift Shop for $20. Not bad, eh?
Also, a question was posed to me: Are Lita’s really as comfortable as everyone claims? Answer: Yes. Take it from a New Yorker of shorter stature who rides the subway and walks fast with a long stride. I’m smitten. I want a pair in every color and pattern. Anyone out there want to be my shoe benefactor?
Discovering Miista, Embracing the Modern Shoe
December 12, 2011 § 8 Comments
Winter cool with my Miista boots, Monoprix studded leggings, Built by Wendy sweater dress and jacket, American Apparel beret, the leopard scarf I bought on the street and my lovely Nola bag from Les Composantes
What are the effects of regularly reading fashion blogs? I estimate I’ve been a regular fashion blog reader since the summer of 2010 (yeah, I know, I’m a little late to the party) and I started to write more fashion oriented posts on this blog soon after. I’ve always loved fashion and style and never cared much for labels and trends. I think that clothes are an expression of personality and being able to express myself through what I wear has always been important to me. (If you ask really nicely I’ll show you pictures of my from high school with pink hair, wearing sparkly purple lipstick and a feather boa – yes, the original Killerfemme). Discovering independent fashion blogs is a big of a revelation because it allows me to connect with and admire others who feel similarly about dressing up and getting on with their lives.
So after a year and a half of reading fashion blogs I noticed something. Blogs are changing the way I dress and impacting my aesthetic. Let’s take, for example, shoes. I love shoes. I cannot get enough of them. But one thing I was very skeptical of was the platform shoe trend. “Impractical,” I told myself. As much as I admired Jeffrey Campbell Litas I aked myself how would I ever pull them off? Too glam rock, too disco, too 70′s, and I’m not so short that I need 5 extra inches of height, I told myself. So I resisted. Even while my fashion blogging friends rocked them and looked fabulous.
Built by Wendy Sweater dress, headband from Modcloth, Les Compsantes bag, Monoprix leggins and yes, my Miista boots!
I even went shopping one day this summer with S.G. who told me, “I just can’t embrace the modern shoe,” as we fondled some black strappy chunky platform number in a precious Greenpoint boutique. I concurred.
Then one day, I cracked. I was walking to band practice along Smith street and I walked by the drool-worthy (and wallet emptying) boutique Dear Fieldbinder. I have never bought anything there, but I loved the whole experience of the boutique. Suddenly I wanted everything in the store. And then I saw them. Black, platform, strappy, with a huge heel. The boots that had to be mine. I tried them on. Light. Comfortable. Walkable. Sold.
I could not believe myself. Was I really going to wear these? I showed them to my bandmates. They swooned. A. started calling them my “Kiss boots,” and the few times I’ve trotted them out I get nonstop compliments. I even wore them to work and nobody flinched or threw me out for being unprofessional.
I did a little research into the brand, Miista, and found out they are a small, independent company making “fashion forward footwear and accessories in Hackney,” in London. They even mentioned how excited they were to be carried by Dear Fieldbinder on their blog! With my Miista boots feel like I have something truly original, like a piece of art that I can wear. And isn’t that the whole fun of fashion?
And watch out, now that I’ve embraced the modern shoe there may well be some Litas in my life that take my fashion forwardness (or insanity) up to a whole new level.
Also, psst psst, I’ve just joined lookbook.nu, so I get a double extra fashion fix. If you are on there please “fan” me and maybe if you like this give it some “hype.” I hype back, promise.
Living the Dolce Vita
December 2, 2011 § 4 Comments
Life in NYC is not always easy. Sometimes its downright trying and exhausting. And that’s why a girl needs (that’s a relative term) good shoes that support her arches and add a little spring to her step through pretty details. This year I acquired four pairs of Dolce Vita shoes, not bought because of the brand, but because of their looks and comfort. I got them online at Endless.com and Modcloth, as well as at a fantastic clothing store in Bushwick that I forgot the name of (it’s right off the Morgan stop!). I think this brand is on to something by being fashion forward, yet classic, well made, and fairly priced. I may be a long way from Carrie Bradshaw’s endless budget for Manolos and from living in the European capitals I pine for, but at least I have some fancy feet.
Dolce Vita Polly glitter flat
Dolce vita Polly glitter flat with Nola bag by Les Composantes, leopard scarf, Brooklyn Industries coat
Build by Wendy blouse, Gap pants, Dolce Vita Polly glitter flat
Dolce Vita Aisha ankle boots
American Apparel dress, Antoine et Lili scarf, Brooklyn Industries tights, Dolce Vita boots
Brooklyn Industries blouse, Urban Outfitters pants, Dolce Vita Boots
Petite Bateau dress, Dolce Vita sandals, summer
The perfect NYC summer shoe
The Dance Party That Will Ruin Your Life
October 31, 2011 § 1 Comment
During the day on Saturday I received this Facebook message, “Halloween snow! A white CHERYLWEEN. The dandruff of the gods is beckoning us to have a shampoo ritual! See you tonight at the Bell House!”
Leopard coat bought when I was 20 at Magpie in Portland, Oregon
In my last post I promised to show you what my nice, black outfit with tasteful gold highlights turned into. That’s right, with the application of some goody “Wake Up With Curls” curlers I turned into PRELLRAISER. What? Prell shampoo + horror movies = Prellraiser. That is, if you are CHERYL, the notorious, Brooklyn-based dance party put on by museum educators who love cats, jazzersize, sequins, video art, fake blood and authentic fun.
CHERYL: ARCTIC FURY from CHERYL on Vimeo.
I love CHERYL because it lacks any sheen of New York attitude, is friendly for both queers and hetero people and condones general arty weirdness. Going for over three years strong CHERYL started in a tiny bar (which has since been renamed and redone) in South Brooklyn because aforementioned arts workers were frustrated they had to keep going to Williamsburg to go to the fun dance parties. They made a dance, they made a video, they found really good DJ’s and CHERYL was born.
HOW TO CHERYL from CHERYL on Vimeo.
It’s since grown into a globe trotting phenonemom, the Cherylites have been named some of the “most stylish New Yorkers” and they’ve had artist residencies and gallery shows and made some of my favorite videos. With themes like “Arctic Fury,” “7/11,” “Nausea,” “Administrative Soul,” “Sasquach on Broadway,” “The Great Depression Take Two: Electric Boogaloo,” “The White Cube,” and “Goth Spaceship” this is not your average dance party.
CHERYL: NAUSEA from CHERYL on Vimeo.
CHERYL: 7-ELEVEN from CHERYL on Vimeo.
With all their acclaim, CHERYL remains an amazingly fun party run by nice people who are glad that you are there. It’s still held regularly in South Brooklyn, the videos are as full of socially commentary, catchy beats, and fake blood as ever, and it’s my favorite (and probably only) place I dare to wear ridiculous clothes and cut loose on the dance floor. Here’s a few CHERYL looks over the years. I hope to see you on the floor the next time!
Photo by Nolan Conway
At the White Cube, photo by Nolan Conway
Me and Andy, my friend from high school, at the White Cube
At the 7/11 party, this photo was featured in a slide show on the Village Voice's website. Yes, I made my own Slurpee hat out of pompoms and a stolen Slurpee cup.
Slurpee hat. Masking tape on my shirt. Must be CHERYL.
Customized shoes for CHERYL 7/11
EUROCheryl
The theme was EUROCheryl. Okay. I'm holding a copy of L'Etranger.
Sasquach on Broadway. I made this dress and reused it for the "Nausea" party, the photo of which I sadly cannot find.
Not sure which party this was for - I think "Thanks for ruining my prom, thanks for ruining my life," but I can tell you that Ida the cat stayed home that night.
Arctic Fury, the first CHERYL I ever went to I was too lazy to create a costume. Fortunately there is always a craft table, so I just put some silver sparkly stuff around my waist.
Tendance Transparence
October 31, 2011 § 5 Comments
American Apparel top, BCBG skirt (from Housing Works), Nine West heels, Leila Rowe Necklace, Asos tights (sadly they have a run in them, so I can't wear them anymore!)
At first I was inspired by Stephanie and her successful score of a Stella McCartney-like black dress with transparent cutouts. Then I read it in L’Officiel. Yep, it’s official, transparent is a trend this season. And with the holiday fêtes fast approaching, why not have something to dress up your formal wear (or just your black everyday clothes, if you are a Parisian or a New Yorker)? While I didn’t think I would be drawn into the trend I found a black, transparent chiffon top in American Apparel that I found very appealing (I swear, I only went in there for tights, and walked out with tights, this top and a watch).
In anticipation of a pre-Halloween dance party I put together this ensemble which I am sure will make it’s appearance at more than a few soirees this winter and is almost appropriate for work. Minus the gold high heels, which I think are appropriate for work, though one of my fashion advisers begs to differ. These gold heels were ordered online in an impulse, but I think they are an okay stand-in for the Miu Miu heels of my dreams for the price (if you ever want to marry me please do not propose with a diamond ring, just offer me a pair of those shoes, thank you). Tomorrow I will show you how this stately outfit was transformed into a costume with a few simple beauty products, but for now, enjoy the sparkle!
Close up of my glittery Nine West heels and Asos tights
"Tendance Transparence" spread in October 2011 L'Officiel
The Way Life Should Be in Summer
October 11, 2011 § Leave a Comment
It’s early October, but summer is still hanging on by a desperate thread. Every day that I put on my open toed shoes I wonder if it will be the last until next season. But this little bit of summer in fall got me thinking about to the height of summer and the time I spent in Maine then. It already seems so far away, but I wanted to share some summertime memories with all of you.
My home state of Maine has had some pretty silly slogans over the past few years. I think there was a collective eye roll when “Vactionland” was the phrase that was placed on Mainers license plates. Our other catch phrase is the slightly less insulting “The Way Life Should Be.” Well, the way life should be if you like six months of winter, a sluggish economy, and being cut off from the rest of the United States (but being significantly closer to Canada, which is a benefit in my opinion).
Downeast fashion: Preloved t-shirt, Gap skirt (my "on the road" work uniform)
Relaxing on the farm: Built by Wendy t-shirt, J Crew shorts, Espadrilles from Les Toiles du Soleil
Esther Williams bathing suit. Best bathing suit ever. On Bates and Ministerial islands, Casco Bay, Maine. My favorite islands ever.
For a few short weeks in summer Maine lives up to its slogan. Days are sunny, long and not too hot. The ocean is refreshing, but swimmable. There is ample fresh lobster and seafood to eat. Farm fresh produce is abundant. The bugs of late spring have retreated a little bit. There are opportunities for hikes, beautiful drives along the craggy coastline, and boat rides to islands that can be privately yours for the afternoon.
Sunflower. Hiking in the background by SMH.
Day Lilies. Late summer Maine special.
Causeway. Deer Isle, Maine.
Because I was in Maine for work, as well as hosting a getaway weekend for my friends, I got to drive all through the state. I took highways and byways I hadn’t driven on since I was a small child. I was able to revel in the beauty of the state and see it through the eyes of an outsider. With a place this beautiful it’s no wonder someone thought it was a good idea to call it “Vactionland.”
Eggemongen Reach, Maine
Variations on a Fashion Theme
October 5, 2011 § Leave a Comment
J Crew shirt, Madewell jeans, vintage belt, Dolce Vita shoes, vintage Coach purse stolen from my mom!
These days have been so busy. Sometimes I am surprised about how many lives I can cram into one day of my life. As I go through my agenda I shift identities – arts professional, policy student, indie rocker, cyclist, friend, writer, cook. I’m juggling a lot and trying to accomplish even more this fall and I’m curious as to where all this running around will take me.
Built by Wendy jacket, J Crew t-shirt, Zara red slims, Dolce Vita shoes, Leila Rowe necklace, vintage satchel
It’s during these time that I don’t have time to think about dressing up. I want clothes that will help me get the job done and will support me through all my metaphorical costume changes without necessitating a real one.
Vintage Coach bag and Dolce Vita shoes
I want an outfit that will put a little lift into a long day of appointments. Instead of always falling back on black, I try to pick one unexpected color or pairing. Lately I’ve been relying on my rose and bright pink jeans, different colored bags, and new shoe choices to serve this purpose. How do you dress to support all of your daily identities?
Built by Wendy blazer, Zara jeans, Matt Bernson shoes, Vintage satchel, Leila Rowe umbrella.
