if i had a million dollars...

first i'd pay off all my debt and student loans... then i'd take a trip around the world... and then i'd buy these beauties (and the proenza below too of course).

from top to bottom:

• christian louboutin platform bootie
• givenchy melancholia handbag
• lanvin jaisel chain handle pouchette in yellow

The Eternal Search

i am always looking for the perfect black bag. my current go-to is going on five years old, falling apart, with a clasp that will no longer stay open, but i just love it so much and have yet to find a suitable replacement. 

this black bag by proenza schouler is disgustingly perfect- roomy but not too big, structured but still a bit slouchy, with a removable shoulder strap and in a sick shiny black python. amazing.  too bad it's $4000. and the search goes on...

animal instinct

animal prints/silkscreens have been gaining some underground fashion cred- check out paul and joe's fall 2008 collection if you don't believe me- and lately i find myself scouring ebay for vintage t-shirt versions. from puppies and kittens to wolves and unicorns, most have that great broken-in shape and under $20. topshop also has this horse raglan for $40. i've already added it to my never-ending list!

Crunch time

surprisingly, im really feelin a bit of midriff for spring... nothing close to britney a-la "oops i did it again" but perhaps just a sliver above a pair of jeans. miu miu has the perfect white lace top for this, and i also love this leather bustier from shopnastygal. i'm dying to rock it under a bleached out denim button down with punky black jeans...now if you'll excuse me, i'm off to do a couple hundred thousand sit ups...

(shopnastygal.com bustier)

Indoor/Outdoor

for some reason this outfit makes me feel like naomi campbell and kristen mcmenamy in the famous grunge-era steven meisel shot. i'd kill for that nirvana shirt- i bet it's gorgeously threadbare, soft and hole-y now! 

dress- james perse

cardigan- urban outfitters

knit hat- unknown

boots- vintage

all jewelry- vintage + smorgasboard

fur hat- macys

scarf- h&m

coat- bebe

Single White Sandal

these aldo sandals are totally rock and roll, totally me, but im feeling reaaaally hesitant towards buying them. you see, they are a blatant knock-off of balmain's spring/summer 2009 studded crystal sandals. trust, there's no way in hell i'd pay two grand for a pair of designer shoes even if i could afford them, and the aldo pair ARE a bit tougher and more badass (and about 90% cheaper), but i'm still left with so many conflicting questions-

• would i feel self conscious wearing these to a fashion week party? OR would i get respect for finding a killer similar pair? 
• am i supporting obvious fashion copycats? OR am i just being fashionable while remaining fiscally responsible?
• would i wear these around all the time loving every step? OR would i rather wait and find another pair of black sandals with an original design? 

i suppose that all fashion is inspired by other fashion, and there aren't any true original trends, just a recycling of ideas... but even if no one else knew i'd still know in some way that i was wearing the single white female of sandals. 

Everybody Wang-chung tonight

i think it's safe to say that youd be hard pressed to find a current fashionista that isn't head over heels obsessed with alexander wang. i mean, the guy just gets the downtown rock and roll aesthetic. thankfully, for those of us that can't afford his kickass $500 creations (exhibit a: swoon!), he's come out with a t-shirt line that keeps the prices around $100 and below. now, the mid-westerner in me still thinks that $70 for a freakin tank top is criminal, but the new yorker that is ever-emerging thinks that is a small price to pay to get some wang into my life. you too can ogle the new T alexander wang line on shopbop.com (photo via shopbop.com)

She wore...

jason wu! 

and my girl crush on michelle obama continues to grow! 

between michelle, barack, sasha, mali, jill and joe, this is seriously the best lookin white house EVER. 

The Fabulous First Lady

i couldn't not include a post about the stunning michelle obama on this great day for our nation. 

she baracked (heh) the inauguration no doubt! i saw a lot of comments online about the intricate coat and matchy dress being a bit stuffy, but honestly think that her pairing it with the green shoes and gloves made it utterly modern, fresh, and a bit funky too. i feel like this choice is a nod to the first ladies of the past, while updating it with her own unique touch. i have a total girl crush on this amazing lady! and do not even get me STARTED on those gorgeous girls, sasha and malia. 

i can't wait to see what she's wearing tonight!!!! 

(picture from the daily mirror, uk)

Dream Weaver

my bff is getting married in july and her shower is back home in michigan march 14. i have a ss08 tracey reese dress that im probably going to wear, but it's always nice to get something new- or at least dream about it! hence this polyvore (my latest pass-the-time-when-im-bored-at-work obsession) ensemble. i think the total retail value of everything is over $3000 (!!!), so dreaming about it is all i shall do! the 3.1 phillip lim dress and alexander mcqueen boots especially. le sigh.

oh and i deliberately left out a bag bc i can only picture the chloe below. the messenger style would definitely funk it up and i think the tangerine would be stunning next to the gray dress and pop of pink in the booties. now im thinking maybe i should've added a jacket. mid-march in michigan ain't exactly balmy.

Things Me Likey

• Anastasia Brow Powder Duo: i never thought id be into eyebrow powder/pencil/blahblah... mostly because my eyebrows are like wicked furry beasts that i constantly have to fix throughout the day (and they aren't even that bushy!). but this powder matches my brows perfectly and stays put all day. most excellent. its a bit pricey (about $20 or so) but i reconcile that with the fact that it's gonna last for a while. if i don't lose it that is...
  

• Black leather mittens: i got these babies for Christmas. i have no idea who they're by- the tag inside says "intercontinental leather industries"- but they are flippin AWESOME. the inside has fleece lined finger slots that keeps my hands warm on even the most bone chillingly cold nyc days. ridiculous. 
  

• Chloe Heloise Shoulder Bag: i am SO coveting this bag i can barely stand it. the color is perfect for spring, i have a serious obsession with messenger-style bags and you can never go wrong with chloe. this little beauty is on sale on yoox.com for only $487 (regular price $975). too bad that's still $480 out of my price range at the moment! ::tear::
  

Fashion Blarrrrrrghh!!!

so today my friend tom at work told me i was dressed as a fashion pirate. 

"it's not a bad thing, you look cute! if i was straight i'd be all over you!"

hmmmm... i think this is the first and last time i'll be wearing this ensemble. and i'll be sure to work on my photography skills too, eek!

(special thanks to tom grasso who made a pirate joke possible in my first blog post!)