Fashion: Little Black Dress

I love dresses in the fall. You can pair them with leggings and flats and a coat for a perfect outfit. Since tomorrow is Halloween, I thought it'd be fair to find some LBDs that are a little sexy and very cute. Here are a few picks from Urban Outfitters and Forever21. Look for a dress that hugs your curves and has a little extra that sets your LBD apart.

Fashion: Fall Coats

Fall is here in Portland! The air is crisp and the sounds of college students roaming the halls is back in full swing. This season coats and jackets are back with an edgier feel. Paired with diagonal zippers and fitted silhouettes, these choices are perfect for pairing with a feminine skirt and tights for fall!

Friday Faves: Optical Illusions

honeycomb necklace by harbinger co, confined necklace by aroha silhouettes, radiolara necklacedendrite earrings by nervous system by nervous system,

I found some great pieces of jewelry that use optical illusion and scientific patterns to create beautiful, wearable art. I especially love the dendrite earrings-how cool are they? Enjoy!

Fashion: Shades of Gray

necklace by necklush, sweater coat by forever21, leather bag by valhalla brooklyn, leather bootie by Dolce Vita

I love fall colors, aka black, gray and jewel tones. Here are a few pieces that are perfect to complement any fall look.

Loving It: New York Fashion Week

So this week is New York Fashion Week's Spring 2010 runway shows. Kicking off the week with Fashion's Night Out, a night in which big-name fashion houses and stores stay open til almost midnight for a celebration of their craft, as well as a chance to get some badly-needed sales from fashion's elite and the common folk. How fun would it be to run around NYC and see endless celebs, fashion designers and socialites? I began to browse some shows on Style.com and thought i'd share a few pieces im in love with!

A number from Alexander Wang shows that the trend of the big shoulder is still hot, except this time he shows that volume can be achieved with light fabrics

Cynthia Rowley wanted to show the decay of fabrics and inks by blotting out her prints in her spring looks.

The show to be at this year was Project Runway winner and favorite fashionista Christian Siriano. His play with volume and ruffles is seriously amazing. His fabrics look like they were taken from satellite images of the Earth and Mars.

Ugh, I DIE! I smell Oscar dress...

Talon shoes? FIERCE!

Fashion: Back To School

I just registered for my fall classes yesterday (a mix of art history, business and history classes), which got me in the "back to school" mode. Today I've put together some outfits (from Forever21-I buy all my clothes there!) that will make a great first impression for going back to class in. Happy friday!
I love neutrals, and a simple tank top, linen pants and neutral scarf will make any girl look smarter!

I love this mix of girly and a little bit tough-girl. Just add some leggings and you're good to go!

This outfit is for the feminine girl who is still holding onto that last bit of summer with a punch of color in her skirt and accessories.

Etsy Tuesday: Scabby Robot

I spotted the great shop of Scabby Robot (isn't that a great name?) during a search for back to school items on Etsy. Jill from San Francisco is behind the brand and creates awesome bags from mixed textiles and leathers. I really love the organic, truly handmade feel that her bags show; her bags can be worn shopping in the city and slinging art supplies to school.

I was able to get a little insight into Jill's brain about her work and products, here we go!

Where do you find the materials you work with?
Whenever possible, I buy local, but I buy materials in a variety of places. I'm excited by the cast-off hides, the random scraps, and love to get my hands on vintage pieces. Irregularities in color or finish that are seen as negative for mass manufacturing, I see as gems to be highlighted in my small run pieces.

How do you go from inspiration to final product? Where have you found inspiration?
I'm most inspired by the materials I collect. Sometimes I'll start a project with a sketch, but there's nothing like having material in hand. I feel like I'm having a conversation with each piece of leather by folding and draping, clipping and sewing.

Whats coming up next for your shop?
Coming soon is the official Scabby Robot online store. I've been working on a stand alone online shop to sell my small run items. The etsy shop is great for all of my experiments, but the new shop will be crisp and uncluttered. I can't wait to finish it!

Thanks, Jill! You can shop her bags here and visit her blog here. Happy Tuesday!

Friday Faves: Pre-Fall Fashions

Today I'm combining Friday Faves with our Fashion post. The weather has changed in Portland (who knows how long-perhaps summer will have its last 15 minutes of fame next week!), and I am already seeing some warmer, cozier clothing coming out of those dusty closets. I love seeing knits, coats and beautiful fall jewelry hit the internet-so here are a few pieces I've found that I love! I really can't wait for fall...
Blue Cowl, Tickled Pink Knits, $77


Gorgeous bib-style necklace by Dolores Petunia, $85

Fitted blazer, Forever21, $27.80

Floral Dress, Mary Savel, $58

Yvette Bootie, Loeffler Randall, $575

Fashion Friday: Cirque Twist

Forever21 has just come out with a new line called Twist, featuring circus-themed dresses, jackets and accessories. Now, this style is a bit "out there" for me, but some pieces can look really cute if put together right. The jackets and skirts are perfect to pair with leggings and boots for the upcoming fall season. Visit forever21.com to see the entire collection. But for now heres a preview...

Friday Faves: Workout Wear

yoga bag by rejenerate; halter top by jmorco; pants, lululemon; wrap top, shihar

I own next to no workout clothing, apart from a few pairs of jazz and yoga pants and two sports bras. Etsy has a very small selection of workout clothes but accessories for your yoga mat and water bottle are easy to come by. Inspired by my new goal of exercise/diet change, I found some items that are a great addition to anyones workout wardrobe (I know I should buy some new sports bras and tops other than ratty tshirts). Loose, comfortable styles are sure to please any pilates or yoga class. Happy Friday!

Loving It: Crystal-like Jewelry

I found this post by refinery 29 via notcouture, and am in love! Mctega's crystalline jewelry line is at once organic and high-fashion. The beautiful chunky jewelry looks as if it was created out of a primordial ooze or in a petri dish. Check out Mctega's website to see their full collections and stockists (one of which is right in downtown portland!).

Fashion Friday: Street Style

I know there are tons of people out there that just love what The Sartorialist has done to show the world how fashion is really worn: on the streets. I really enjoy browsing his and other street style photographer's pages to see what people young and old wear, and it really is quite a treat to see amazing style at all ages. Hopefully one day I'll actually figure out my own style and collect some nice pieces..but for now forever21 is treating me (and my wallet) very kindly! Here are some looks (including a very close friend of mine!) that caught my eye. Enjoy!

This is one of my best friends, Vicen. Hes a student at Parsons and has transformed into a literal piece of art-I love him! Especially jealous that he can put himself together so well and people photograph him for that!

A very "high" style from Chanel Iman. How crazy are those boots?!

photos from style sightings, lookbook.nu

Fashion Friday: Summer Sun

I love seeing floral prints and color when it comes to summer. All the girls and boys are out having picnics in super cute frocks and sandals, and boys don light cotton tees and shorts with boaters. Its such a relief to not worry about boots and raincoats and freezing rain, but to just enjoy the perfect weather and sip lemonade and read a book during this season.

Here are some great summer pieces I've found online- you can always scour thrift stores or vintage clothing shops to find pretty cotton or linen printed dresses in retro styles or crazy jewelry to accent your outfit. Go all out in the summer because you never know when fall will come creeping up!

Flower Bib Necklace, $16.80, Forever21

Bib necklaces are definitely the trend for jewelry this season-huge clusters of metal flowers, fabric petals and chunky facets are all the rage. They have super cute bibs at Forever21 that wont break the bank!

Floral Scoop Dress, $68, Urban Outfitters

I just thought this dress was perfect for the east-coast gal who doesn't get to dance around in fields for the summer. Paired with sheer black stockings, go from work to after work drinks by switching your black flats for super high black heels.

Metal Studded Wrap Cuff, $19.99, Urban Outfitters

The perfect accessory for a breezy summer dress is chunky and bold jewelry. Think Nicole Richie with her piles of bangles and her summer dresses. Its all about the balance!

Tribal Print Maxi Dress, $24.80, Forever21

Next to florals, tribal prints are all the rage. This great maxi dress can be worn next to the pool and at a nighttime pool party! Just dress it up with earrings and some bangles to stand out.

Malini Shoe, $58.95, Chinese Laundry

I love me a gladiator sandal like the next girl, but in moderation. I see way too many gladiators looking like they're taking girls leg's prisoner! These cute jeweled sandals are great dressed up or down.

Spring Floral Strap Dress, $24.80, Forever21

This saccharine sweet frock reminds me of playing tea-time. A perfect dress for a wedding or equally fun party with the girls.

Fashion Maven: Emma Watson

We (meaning the entire generation of now 20 something year olds) grew up with the Harry Potter series. The books were fantastic, the movies are spectacular, and now that the 6th movie is coming out, we only look forward to the 7th and final movie in a childhood staple that has been with us since we were in elementary school. With that, we've also grown with the characters of the movie. One in particular, Emma Watson, has become a huge style icon and is growing up to be incredibly chic and classy. I love her! There was a great article about her at Style.com, so we must give respect to miss Watson as she most definitely is a fashion maven.


Here she is on the new cover of Elle looking something fierce. Not sure about that seat shes on though.

Watson is now the new face of Burberry. Quite fitting for a brit!

Love this vintage dress at the London Premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Heres Watson with the Kaiser himself, Karl Lagerfeld

images via Style.com, Hot Celebrity Photo Gallery

Uber Fashion!

This week was the start of the haute couture runway shows in magical Paris. I've been searching through the collections and they are a-ma-zing. Sparkly, out of control, totally ridiculous and makes me want to throw my sheets together into something fashiony...maybe not. Here are my faves! Have a lovely day you fashionistas!


Lady Gaga is that you?! Oh no, just a look from Gaultier. Theres something happening with the dramatic hip action thing. Beyonce, Gaga, Gaultier. Either way I'm liking it in a strange, fembot sorta way.

I really liked the entire Dior collection. It was very Dynasty meets Dior's New Look. All the models looked like total bitches who use cigarette holders and stomp around their boudoir and fling pearls and pantyhose. Loved it!




These three looks from Valentino capture the nude and black theme of the entire show. There were tons of really beautiful, wearable looks. That shoe is crazy! Ladies better be careful walking the streets of NY or Paris, the pigeons might think its a mating dance.


This dress from Gaultier is just so freaking hot I can't take it. I love that it transitions from silver to gold. HOT.



Oh Karl. You are ridiculous and may or may not be the father of Lady Gaga, but you are hilarious and create amazing clothes, so you're allowed the eccentricity. The girl is giving good face! Work it honey.To top it all of, Christian Lacroix gave us this final piece. A true Madonna come to life. Weird? Yes. Couture (and also batshit insane)?? Totally, utterly and completely. And thats why I love it.

images via Style.com