tie dyed scarf

I am so obsessed with this outfit.  Unfortunately, I don't remember where I got the photo from. (Please tell me if you know, so I can give credit.)  My obsession has had me searching high and low for a navy tie dye scarf.  I found a couple of options here and here.  And these black and white ones are pretty amazing.  I just really want to take one of Shabd's classes at Lena's studio though so I can learn to make my own.  Although I must admit that I took a dyeing course in college, and I ended up dropping it because I sucked so bad.  All of the super experienced hippies were making me look bad, and I couldn't take it.  It's probably time I swallow my pride and dive back in.

Edit:  Thanks to a few super helpful readers, I figured out where I got the photo.  The original source is Altamira NYC, and I saw it on from lara.

my dream spring wardrobe

My passionate love for anything Steven Alan clearly knows no bounds.  These are the spring pieces that I'm dying to buy, and I swear I really did narrow it down.  It's just that each Steven Alan piece that I already have in my closet is a favorite.  His clothes are infinitely wearable.  They're comfortable, perfectly simple, and effortlessly stylish.  Whenever I don't want to think about an outfit, I just grab for a Steven Alan top, and I'm good to go.

tee perfection

photos from Alternative Apparel

  

I wear t-shirts a LOT, so I'm always on the lookout for sophisticated ones.  I tend to avoid tees with writing or slogans--I want to look like a grownup, not a college freshman.  (No offense to you college freshmen, but I haven't been one for ten years!)  Tees that have graphic prints, stripes, or ones that are plain and slouchy work best for me.  These tees from Alternative Apparel are perfect in my opinion.  There are so many great shapes and colors to choose from that it would be impossible to buy just one.

navajo print cloak inspiration

 A few weeks ago I snapped this photo of my friend in the Lindsey Thornburg cloak that her husband gave her for her birthday.  It's just so beautiful and perfect for spring.  If you don't want to spend that much money and can sew, I don't think it would be too difficult to make one.  I found some lovely wool Navajo print fabric here that would be just right for such a project.

sleeveless button downs

Left: Bodkin, Right: Rachel Comey, both from Frances May.

Left: Opening Ceremony, Right: Pendleton Meets Opening Ceremony

I'm really loving sleeveless button downs for spring, whether in top or dress form.  They're just so casual and practical yet still very chic.  I designed one as well for my own spring collection, which I hope to have ready some time in April.  I've been working my butt off, so hopefully I'll get it done soon!  Until then I can just swoon over these adorable pieces.

i want, i need!

photos from www.rlchateau.blogspot.com

The chambray ballet wrap dress from Rennes.  I swear I had a dream about this dress before I ever even saw it on Julia's blog, so it literally is the dress of my dreams.  Simple perfection.

Also, check out this photo of Julia wearing her Wiksten indigo stripe dress!  Is she adorable or what?  She sent me the sweetest e-mail today thanking me.  Just so you know, I will definitely be selling more of the striped dresses in April and May.  They just take forever, especially the cutting out part.

eley kishimoto autumn winter 10/11

Eley Kishimoto's Autumn Winter 10/11 collection photos are like works of art. 

(via say hi to eunice)

manu

photo from bird & banner

photos from creatures of comfort

photos from manu by lauren manoogian

Colorful and amazing jewelry from Manu by Lauren Manoogian, guaranteed to turn any boring outfit into a masterpiece.  I would like one of each please!

rainy day inspiration

Ilsa Jacobsen rainboots (don't remember where this photo is from).

Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher in Murder She Wrote (via Elly), one of my childhood role models.  I would love to find a vintage yellow raincoat just like this.  Classic.

Cinched waist anorak, Hunter Original Lace Short Boot.

Classic duck boots and long ragg socks for braving any New England weather.

Thick knit sailor tee and another cinched waist anorak.

 I was caught unprepared in quite a downpour on Saturday, and it's been raining ever since.  After my jeans and shoes were completely soaked through, I had a chill in my bones that I couldn't get rid of all weekend.  So I stayed in.  I even missed going to the sale (and my wallet thanked me).  It's clear that I need to buy some rain gear before I dare leave the house again, and I've been researching my options from the comfort of my own apartment.  I don't actually live in New England, but I don't mind pretending that I do while wearing some very classic rain gear.

around my neighborhood

a new habit

Since I started blogging at Habit, I've been taking a lot more photos.  Because I only blog one of them a day over there, I end up with quite a few leftovers.  Mostly they're mundane photos, but that's what I like about them.  There's something so comforting in acknowledging the details of daily habit.  It's nice to slow down and take a look around.

brogues

These new Rachel Comey boots from Creatures of Comfort are so perfect I could cry.

bag crazy

Just had to post another bag today.  This one's from Opening Ceremony, and it's so perfect for spring.

handwoven tote

photo from Kaight

Love this bag!

designer sale

Come to the sale!  I'll have Tova tops and Indigo Striped dresses available.

cute built by wendy tops for spring

Available here.

white tights

After seeing this look, I decided to test drive a pair of off-white tights from Hansel from Basel, which I got on sale here.  I had to bring some color into the look of course, and I figured out that wearing white tights with white Chucks is definitely not for me!  Way too grade school.  In the end I decided that these tights are the perfect transitional piece, a great way to stay warm (still so cold in NY!) while lightening my color palette for spring.

american apparel nail lacquer review

 

  

I meant to post this yesterday, but some idiot (me) spilled water all over my keyboard and mouse. One trip to the Apple store later, I'm good to go.  

When I originally went to American Apparel to buy their nail lacquer, the bottles had been recalled.  I waited until they restocked to go back.  I bought four bottles: Passport Blue (navy), Office (mint green), Mouse (gray/taupe), and Pinto (brick red).  The Passport Blue and Office were gifts for a friend, so I only tried on Mouse and Pinto.  I might go back and get the Passport Blue and Office for myself too though, along with a few other colors.  Since I've only bought something like four bottles of nail polish since high school, I can totally justify the cost!  

First of all, I'll say that I love the colors.  You can view all of them here.  However, I had a really hard time applying this stuff to my nails without making it look like a drunk hobo did it for me!  I'll be the first to admit that I'm not great at painting my nails, but I'd say this particular polish made it much harder than normal.  It's very thick and pretty much dries right away, so you have to get it right immediately.  You can't push it around on your nail until it looks good.  That said, I've read reviews online that say it's good quality stuff.  I won't dispute that, but I just think it's hard to use.  I don't mind taking it to a manicurist though.  Cheap manicures are one great perk of living in New York. 

See photos of nails painted with most of the colors here and here.

sublet fall 2010

            

I just received images from the Sublet fall 2010 collection, and I'm in love!  Tara and Inessah, the masterminds behind Sublet, shot the clothes on Annie Hart (from the band Au Revoir Simone) in her beautiful apartment.  Do you recognize the Wiksten necklace in the fourth photo down?  There are some For Me, For You necklaces in some of the photos too.

I love the prints Sublet is using this season, one of which was a collaboration with Caroline Hwang.  Moreover, the construction details are breathtaking, and the styling is just right.  I had the hardest time only choosing a few images!  See all of them here.

habit

I have some exciting things going on this month!  Phew, it's been a busy year so far.  First of all, I'll be posting over at the Habit blog all month long!  I'm very happy about that because it's a concept near and dear to my heart.  Basically, Habit is about taking the time to notice the little details of everyday life.  I really do believe in celebrating those moments in my day, and the little things are what give me the most joy.  Participating in this project will stretch me and focus my attention on making that into a habit.

I'll still be blogging here every day of course, so check back later today for a nail polish review.