It's coming!!

Was out with friends a few nights ago at Cass Cafe and Lanvin Heart H & M collection (in select stores Nov. 20, everywhere Nov. 23) came up... Rumor is you have to pre-register, get a number, wait in line and then you only have 15 minutes to grab as much as possible WITHOUT trying it on. I haven't confirmed these details anywhere in my not-so-authorative search on the internet. No doubt though the date is in bold in my planner...

From Alber Elbaz's mouth: he's creating a collection that appeals to mothers and daughters... each always wants to wear the others clothes. H & M wanted Elbaz to translate his luxurious, dreamy clothes into something everyone can enjoy. Prices are substantially higher than H & M norm.... jackets for $200, dresses for $150, and shirts $50. No doubt that given Lanvin's brand equity, H & M will have no trouble selling out of most designs.

From a publicity and social media standpoint, the campaign is a huge success. Clever ads driven by video... each major consumer channel (Lanvin, H & M and Youtube) featured different videos ... very viral. Ease of information gets an A+.... as you can see below they fully supported blogger posting by making images available for reposting.

The red dress below is my favorite!!

LANVIN FOR H&M. SEE THE FULL COLLECTION AT HM.COM

LANVIN FOR H&M. SEE THE FULL COLLECTION AT HM.COM

LANVIN FOR H&M. SEE THE FULL COLLECTION AT HM.COM

dr. martens for opening ceremony

   

Ah Dr. Martens, I've loved you so much in theory.... until now. Thank you Opening Ceremony for taking the classic Darcie 8 Eye and giving it a little more interest with animal print and abstract polka dots. Now I can wear you and feel like I'm not trying too hard to cop a style that isn't really mine.

OC always seems to update classic mainstays like Dr Martens and Levis - keeping the brand essence, but adding the unexplainable "it" quality and making it more appealing and/or relevant to consumers.

it's a skin thing

                                                                                   

                                                                                        VPL

Lately I'm obsessed with thinking about a better "relaxed" wardrobe. I've got great work clothes and great lounge clothes, but few solid in between pieces. BOF posted an article about Victoria Bartlett and her self described "innerwear, outerwear, anywhere” clothing line VPL (aka visible panty line) and I was instantly like, "yes... this is my relaxed look realized." Clothes that are comfortable,  but sexy are my favorites even if I'm running into CVS. A dash of sensuality goes along way in clothing.

VPL's Spring 2011 show got RAVE reviews and stopping by VPL's first boutique in Soho is a must when I get settled in NYC. This video explains it all quite well....enjoy!

I spent today watching old movies like Sabrina and catching up on my November magazines... late I know. Curiously they didn't make it to our mailbox this month... perhaps a glitch with my recent mail forwarding. Anyway, I've been going through a slight hat fascination (maybe more of a "I don't want to do my hair, but need to go out..." and the one worn above by Audrey Hepburn caught my eye.


It was 1954 so lady's fashions progressed from full skirts and "tiny" waists below a prominent, pointed bosom and the launching of a straighter, easier and softer silhouette. American designers relaxed waistlines, de-emphasized the bust and placed belts, sashes and drapery at the hip to give a new "long torso" effect.


This turban from Modcloth.com is the closest thing I found which is longer than above. 

rainy daze

I love a good rain boot particularly one that is both heavy on function and fashion. Today's NYTimes featured What I Wore with Paz de la Huerta. One of her outfits included Melissa boots, a new brand to me,  co-designed with Vivienne Westwood.

Not only did Melissa, a Brazilian footwear label, pioneer the movement of the fashionable plastic shoe, they are also the first company to apply aroma to their shoes: each shoe is made to smell like the bubblegum of your childhood to evoke happy thoughts.The shoes are made from big chunks of Melflex plastic, a patented non-toxic, hypo-allergenic, recyclable type of flexible plastic, to form their flats, wedges, and heels.

After a quick look, I'm smitten. Two of my favorites... perfect for a damp day.

fall item: pleated skirts

Louis Vuitton Fall 2010

While long, full and lady like made a strong skirt statement this Fall, I'm gravitating towards a pleated option that is equally feminine but a tad less costume like and a more seasonally transitional piece than a below knee length wool skirt.

My aunts traveled to Shanghi this summer and brought home Oggi, a Japanese fashion magazine, that reminded me this skirt is cool and versatile as well as an excellent substitute for this season's favored silhouette.

Outfits for inspiration...

From Oggi magazine

This week Who What Wear mentioned Proenza Schouler's wool blend take pictured below. Somehow I missed this piece on my daily scroll of what's new and it's now sold out on Net-A-Porter. $600 is a seemingly reasonable price when you consider it's a staple for years to come. Consider that it will cost far less per wear than the $100 trend skirt you buy from Club Monaco and wear once only to give away two seasons later.

Proenza Schouler Fall 2010

my fashion heirloom

When I was in NYC a few weeks ago, most likely in a fashion week tizzy, I bought the Celine Boston tote. My personal style philosophy is that every woman should own a handbag she loves to death.

Two years ago I was lead astray and bought an used Hermes Bolidefrom a friend believing this was the ultimate handbag. At the time of purchase, I believed the "Hermes" label would give me "style" which is so incorrect, I'm ashamed of myself for every subscribing to such foolish thinking. Labels don't matter. Who cares if you fall in love with a bag from T.Maxx or Hermes, the point is to invest in a classic that's your style. It's easy to always assign "luxury" with expensive price tags, when really luxury is buying what inspires you.

My Boston tote is a gorgeous rich navy blue and makes my heart race every time I see it. Carrying this bag until I'm 80 and then passing it on to a kid or grand kid that loves it just as much as I do is a very likely scenario. They will ask, "Grandma - what's bag all about? I bought it in New York City in 2010 when I was 30 on my first visit to Fashion Week. It was a magical and powerful moment in my life."

Celine Boston Tote

Rebecca Minkoff S/S 2011

 

I went to NYC Fashion Week in hopes of catching a few shows... which I did! One of which was Rebecca Minkoff's presentation on Sunday in the Box at Lincoln Center. Besides the fact that her show was PACKED aka she's popular and people want to see what she's up to, but a long wait for me in ridiculous, pinchy heels. 

Inside fashion week

Main space where venues connect.

Detroit Shopping Map

 I created a Detroit shopping map on Google today while I was waiting for my brother to get up...  lately my eyes open at 7am and getting back to sleep is impossible. Not waiting to wake him so early on the weekend, I kept myself quiet by creating... drum roll ... the first ever Detroit shopping map!!! Now that statement might be grandiose and slightly untrue, but I'm claiming it anyway... Ann Arbor boutiques coming next week... plus reviews and more info for each stop.

What do you think?

One thing NYC Fashion Week has inspired in me is how can I help Detroit be more robust in its fashion inclinations.  Maybe its a pipe dream, but in lieu of going to NYC or LA to seek out fashion, could I do something here to bring part of the industry to Detroit? I dunno... still mulling it over.    

One day when I get better at this blog set-up and design/css/html crap, the map will have a more prominent place on the main page rather than a piddly post. Does anyone know a young kid who can teach me about all this stuff?  I swear it could be another full time job for me...
 Here she is ... I need to crop the map to a close up of SE MI, but that will be another day.  
 

View Detroit Style & Shopping in a larger map

sigh...

  
Fashion week set-up

I'm a very unprolific blogger lately; things are dusty around here. Work, work, work is my only excuse and a little bit of a lame one considering I work at a luxury fashion retailer. For some reason, I'm not entirely satisfied with my posting and am trying to figure out what's next. I ponder mainly: how to make posts more relevant and interesting... for another day. Travels to NYC this weekend to Fashion Week will hopefully reinvigorate my creative juices where posting here is concerned.

Everyone should support Fashion's Night Out today by picking up something lovely for your fall wardrobe.I'm heading to Target to pick up a cute trench I saw last week.

Ciao!

Rita Wilson... stop.

  

For the most part, I thought the Emmy's fashion was pretty ho-hum this year. I didn't catch the awards show Sunday evening (sorry, I'm all HBO that night), but did about 30 seconds of extensive research post airing. Did Hollywood stylists fall asleep for the week before? Where was all the drama? The only person I could come up with that looked at all fashion forward was Australian actress Rose Byrne and Julianna Margulies in L'Wren Scott. Bryne's Gucci dress is modern (love the gold hardware) yet not weird or too promy; the accessories are just right.The hair did feel a tad big, but her dress fits well; she looks likes she's wearing it, not the other way around. Anna Paquin's Alexander McQueen and Rita Wilson dripping in Prada (see below) are fine examples of girl hijacked by dress.


Rita Wilson with Tom 

And then there's Betty White...

Ken & Julie...

Ken Downing

... Not Ken and Barbie. Although I am trying to find an outfit so that I do like Barbie when I have my picture taken with Ken Downing, the fabulous fashion director for Neiman Marcus. He is at our store today for a private fashion show and event with a few lucky ladies. I'm looking forward to two things:

the fashion show 
&
his hair 

Having him in store is like having a fashion celebrity in the mix. Ken is engaging and knows our product so well. Seeing what he does with our merchandise for the fashion show is always inspiring for styling with clients in the future.

Pictures tomorrow! I'm hoping to get a picture with him for my blog... here's Ken on Spring 2010...

Fashion's Night Out Beyond New York

      










The second Fashion's Night Out, started by Anna Wintour and the CFDA, hits Paris Sept. 7 and our own Birmingham, Troy and Grand Rapids Sept. 10. Boutiques and brands across the globe will join in the festivities that night to support the fashion economy and create a special experience for fashion savvy shoppers.

Read more about the international experience here:

Fashion's Night Out Beyond New York - Retail Store and Industry News - WWD.com

ALT Monday

I've decided that every Monday should start with Andre Leon Talley. His larger-than-life take on the world is more energizing than any cup of coffee or morning jog. If a giant black man in a cape doesn't inspire you to get your day going - what will? It only makes sense that I should acquire an autographed picture of him for this weekly tribute.

A few titles to his name:
45th in Out Magazine's "50 Most Powerful Gay Men and Women in America"
Editor-at-large for Vogue magazine
Judge on America's Next Top Model
BFF to aspiring fashion designers
.

I'm off to Vegas for the weekend!

It will be a dirty, delicious weekend spent shopping, drinking and carousing with friends. Full details when I get back!

a sparkly something

Every girl needs a beaded jacket in her closet. Definitely a stop above the jean jacket or classic black blazer which can be so expected sometimes. I love this navy one from Parker, a NYC label who is a go-to source for sexy, fun tops and jackets. Its relaxed, swingy silhouette is sophisticated and chic.

Piperlime has this cool function (like Polyvore) were users can create set looks with items from the site.

Here are a few styling ideas I like:

cheap summer entertaining

WWD ran a piece today about chic summer entertaining on the cheap... I loved Anthony Todd's ideas so much I wanted to include them here. 2010 may have flipped home economics on its side, but not even a financial downtown, can squash the desire to gather with friends in style. Bon Appetite! 


ANTONY TODD
An Impromptu Garden Part

I just threw a last-minute dinner in Istanbul in the garden of a friend’s home. 

• Over her large wooden table I ran a piece of “ready-to-go” painter’s canvas or cotton duck, and the salvage on both sides has a cool undone, natural look to it. 

• There were a bunch of cool, tall bud vases in the house, and I placed seven of those along the table and cut light branches and placed them in, creating a light green canopy above the eye line. Twenty small votives at the base lit the water. 

• I made pitchers of sangria (à la Capri) with inexpensive local dry white table wine. In the morning, I put cherries in the wine and cooled it in the fridge, and before guests arrived, cut white peaches and sprigs of mint.

• I bought some roasted chickens and placed them in a large tureen with pieces of pineapple, tangerine, shallots and celery, then made a sauce of sour cream, honey, garlic and lemon, with toasted almonds thrown on top. 

• I served a salad alongside local cheeses and pots of spicy jam, and for dessert, vanilla ice cream and local wild berries.


See more from....
SEAN DRISCOLL, GLORIOUS FOOD Summer Alfresco Entertaining
MUFFIE POTTER ASTON, HOSTESS Cocktails Chez Toi
OLIVIER CHENG, OLIVIER CHENG CATERING AND EVENTS

watch out gladitors

Converting to flats this spring from the sky scraping insanity of last fall makes total sense when you've got these sweet as pie Doris flat espadrille sandals from Paloma Barcelo on Net-A-Porter. Honestly, my eyes cry sometimes... what a much needed visual break from the those damn gladiators. Buy now, I swear this is the next big sandal look.

On a sandal side note, I saw the cutest young woman sporting Jack Rogers yesterday and her look totally washed away any Grosse Pointe preppy I used to see. Hers was so simple, almost Kate Moss simple, that I had to double take... something like cute little jean cut offs and a Winter Kate billowy style tunic.

My favorites were the Navajo Hamptons in gold...

september magazines

Good thing the inch thick September issues of Vogue and Elle didn't arrive on the same day... My mail lady is a saint for doing her part to spreading the gospel. Does that shirtless little boy nustling in JR's bosom weird anyone else out?

HAPPY SEPTEMBER!!

And ... because I love the movie...

my better half

J.Crew's Fall look book - inspired by the concept of Edie Beale goes to summer camp - is fantastic. Cat's out of the bag that J. Crew, under Jenna Lyons, is the go-to place for cheap, chic garb any season of the year.

Can't afford the designer inspiration? Use it as just that - inspiration and head to happier price points.

My wardrobe strategy is this: find a few pant styles that work. I've nailed down three or four pants (gap, J. Brand, DVF) that work best for my body leaving ample room for tons of tops and blouses to dress up or dress down. One such is the Novo stripe wrap top .. one of my FAVORITE pieces from J. Crew this Fall. Soft, feminine, and fun, but strong and graphic. An easy, chic top to wear for Fall. Amp up the drama with over the top accessories or let the top do the work with minimal add-ons. Styling options are endless here... Love it!

upcycling your home

A bout of "upcycling" in my apartment this weekend has inspired a search for budget chic decorate ideas. This home tour on The Nest caught my eye and is right on par with the modern, playful atheistic I'm channeling. Enjoy!

funny face

carter kustera.com

THE PERFECT GIFT ... for anyone who loves Jonathon Adler (designer, style icon and BF of Barney's Simon Doonan) and/or his signature modern, quirky aesthetic. 


Or anyone who needs a gift that is personal and unexpected. I'm a sucker for these types of things. Portraits are such a cool way to mark your look at a certain point in time. Here you also get to add a little personal blurb. 


Make your own custom cameo/portrait by Carter Kustera for Jonathon Adler... go to JA's website and click "wall art." Who is Carter Kustera? An artist who does an modern take the classic silhouette portrait. 


Pick your paint color, desired photo and tag line. A few weeks later you get chic wall art and an amazing gift that will blow any design lovers mind. 

gwen, i love you!

instyle.com

Gwen Stefani ... I love you. If I were a boy I would steal you away from Gavin Rossdale. She's perfection in a polka dot Vivienne Westwood dress paired with classic pointy toed pumps. The cut of the dress make the dots look more sophicated and carmel and latte colored fringed bag and wrap soften it all up.

She's always glam without appearing over styled like a lot of other celebrities do. Although I'm sure a lot of thought goes into every element she puts on. Andrea Lieberman is her long-time stylist and near bff; their collaboration is genius. A few hours spent soaking up their styling serum is worth my left arm.

By way of Karla's Closet I arrived at Art Tattler... the colors in "The Window" by Matisse inspire me. I love the cool turquoises, latte browns & crisp lettuce greens. I almost feel the warm Parisian day and hear the mid afternoon street noise coming through the Juliet balcony.

Closet Cleanse

Since I've opted into a two week cleanse/clean eating experiment this week, it's fortuitous finding Six Items or less on NYtimes.com. Perhaps a higher power is telling me to expand my thoughtful consumption to my closet. Six Items or Less is a group of people across the world (one from Michigan) who opted into picking only six items of clothes (accessories and shoes don't count) to wear for one month. Motivations for joining ranged from anti- consumption, creativity, and curiosity to interests in wearing a "uniform." I'm part uniform and curiosity; why not cut getting dressed down from 30 minutes to 2. But then in the same breath with no limits on shoes or accessories - the sky is the limit with how you style it. Right?

Reminds me of something I read that Chloe Sevigny said about her Resort collection for Opening Ceremony. "Girls buy the same silhouette over and over. " For Resort, her five dress silhouettes come in five prints each. If I think about what I gravitate towards in my closet, it's more than six pieces, but certainly falls between a core group of 10 or so items I grab because they are comfortable and cool. 

After checking out a few profiles, it's hard to tell exactly how much everyone embraced the project. Everyone was supposed to post regularly; some did, some didn't. The blog format makes it hard to digest participant posts and see what everyone actually picked as their top six pieces which was what I really wanted to see.

I think this is a challenge I'll take for September. Stay tuned.

Stuff I want: Lam's Ram

No doubt Derek Lam's Nyla hobo bag will be whispering to me in my dreams... "buy me, buy me." Other than the sleek, easy to wear shape, the ram hardware caught me eye. If animal lure is true, this bag is certainly the strong, powerful, virile type in the handbag world.  If only I were an Aries... Bag Snob goes deeper into the matter.  A little info about the significance of Lam's ram:

The Fall '10 rams head detail is a new generation version of what I did for my very first bag collection. Everybody kept asking me to bring it back, and so with some updated tweaks, it is back. But the original rams head bags from Fall 2006 remain unique and will not be reproduced ever again. This way, I wanted those who have the original bags, my early supporters, will always know they have something special."

If only I had an extra $1200 in 2006 to spare. Perhaps a new eBay search is in order...

Vera Wang it is!

cashmere mounds

We all know that camel is a major statement this Fall season. This weekend while on vacation in NYC for a friend's wedding I did a little shopping. One of my fullest bags came from Uniqlo... totally stocked up on some very sexy v-neck and wrap sweaters in black and camel.

I do believe investing in cashmere isn't a bad idea. It doesn't ever go out of style - kinda like Santa Clause. However, do you NEED to?... not when Uniqlo exists. Stop by and for the price of one J.Crew piece you can nab three equally good looking, good fitting sweaters. $39.99!!! Leaves you a little more for those fabulous shoes and accessories.

I also met the love of my life... a 3/4 sleeve, deep scoop neck tee fabulously fabricated in 89% cotton and 11% spandex. $9.99!!!

Jus saying...;)

Stuff I want...

Found in Alice + Olivia's 4am finds... Rosalie plaid dress... a top for me. So cute for fall! Good for a low key night out, a weekend at the lodge. 

my new favorite sandals

Love these little guys. Got em at NM Last Call for a steal. I like the strappy, gladiator look but because I have short legs ankle straps are not my friend.  The wee little wedge gives me an extra inch is always help my legs look longer. 

love it or leave it...

Photo from Polyvore

Derek Lam Myrna shoe on sale for $347. No refunds or exchanges which makes me nervous. Shoes run true to size... What does a girl do? What if their 8.5 isn't my 8.5?? These puppies are essentially year round shoes and, because of clever material use, go with everything in my closet.  I'll sleep on it...

Jodi Rosen Jeans!!

photo from Judi Rosen

This month's Glamour features a pair of jeans I'm DYING FOR... Judi Rosen's Comeback Cigarette jeans. I swore off denim after stocking up on Seven's high waisted jeans, Joe's Honey boot cut  and J Brand's black skinny jeans (my fav fav ever) but high waisted jeans are my weak spot. Reminds me of the 70's and stirs up my latent dreams of being a Rolling Stones groupie... I love the seaming down the front and rolled cuffs. At $198 they make me think for a second... only long enough to send an email to clear up Rosen's very confusing and vague sizing system then they are all mine. 

Apparently I'm not a cool kid because Rosen's name is new to me... but I fell in love with her MO immediately upon reading the about us

“I make clothes for people who like to be dressed up all the time -- but also like to be comfortable. You know, slutty daywear.” Judi Rosen’s customers include the usual downtowners, scene-making stylists, and fancy ladies. She designs for women who are looking for clothing off beaten path. “You have to have a sense of humor and a lack of morals.” 

P.S.- the model is Mamie Gummer... can you guess her uber talented mom? And those shoes are Marni... in case you were wondering...:)

california dreaming

I'm back from a little vacation in California for a wedding in the Redwoods which was AH-MAZING. Really. The thoughtful detail from decor to food (prepared by Top Chef Lorraine... she's super sweet) made it the kind of wedding that had all my nearly engaged friends (and me) arguing about who would have to follow up this event. Traveling reminded me how much I love making purchases during my travels - breaks up the monotony of shopping and selection of your local hunts.West coast style is SO different from what we have going on in the Midwest. Plus everything comes home with a sweet story and promise of being a piece you won't see running all over Birmingham or Royal Oak.

What I wore for the wedding... Forever 21.. So comfy!

Blissful Home in Santa Rosa. I got two super amazing necklaces there. Home decor was out of this world. 

Santa Rosa has incredible vintage jewelry... here is the ring that was sent IMMEDIATELY to my BF in case he ever does buy a ring...:)

Bluegrass wedding in the Redwoods