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)