Digging on the Gaga

I'm late to join the appreciating crowd but I am happy to finally be a part of the Lady Gaga fan club. As her popularity grows, I'm excited to see designers of all levels embracing the risk taking element that, to me, is her greatest appeal.

This is something I'm in the process of writing about over on Shoe Daydreams. I'm sick to death of designers and companies dumbing down their designs to try and get them to sell in the mass market. In this day and with these economic times, I don't want to spend my money on boring and safe. I want it to be worth my hard earned dollars.

So I was excited to see the Lady Gaga curated pieces in the Not Just a Label shop.

I had to pick up the last one of these awesome spike crown headbands by Savannah Wyatt...



Per the designer:

This piece is from my very first line of headpieces inspired by various things such as flappers, warriors and Jesus' crown of thorns. The pieces are individually handmade and include elastic, fringe, leather, metal and copper detailing.



I love the philosophy of the shop itself too:

“Fashion finds its freedom in the art of individuals; NOT JUST A LABEL is a place for those who find their way off the beaten track, allowing them to express themselves in a community where everything goes...break the mould, redefine the expected, re-colour the palette, inspire and be inspired.”

NOT JUST A LABEL is the leading global business directory for showcasing avant-garde fashion designers of today, nurturing the upcoming talents of tomorrow. It provides an outlet for talent to blossom; a place where visionaries meet collaborators dedicated to the creative spirit of fashion. The platform targets graduates and avant-garde fashion designers, providing a stage where collections are showcased online. Numerous designers have already been discovered by international press and recruited by renowned retailers and prestigious fashion houses via the NJAL website.

Through an unlimited global showroom, matching demand and supply with individuality, creativity, diversity and talent, NOT JUST A LABEL provides a free tool that can be used by designers to present themselves along with their collections. This is a unique way for industry participants and fashionistas alike to access the ideas of tomorrow’s designers.

A global showroom where trend scouts, tastemakers, stylists and retailers can source talent and ideas globally. NOT JUST A LABEL aims to be the source and the epicentre for the creative part of the industry. We see ourselves as oiling the cogs in the wheels of the fashion business.

As a unique network of like-minded individuals with a profound sense of trendsetting, NOT JUST A LABEL offers a rare opportunity to reach and interact with a global community of opinion makers. We offer a wide range of cooperation opportunities for companies, schools and media, both on our site and at related fashion events.

If you would like more information about NOT JUST A LABEL please contact us. Be part of it…be a black sheep yourself

Since I bought the last spiked headband, you can't get it but there are other pieces. I wish I could have bought these too. Like the aluminum eyepatch from "Paparazzi"...




And I love this swarovski-encrusted wrist guard from her Maxim shoot.

These, as I mentioned, were from the Lady Gaga group but they have a lot of other amazing clothes and accessories in the shop. I know where I will be keeping my eye out for new talent and unique pieces.

Sparkle Like Tom Binns

I am a big fan of colorful and sparkly and pine away for a Tom Binns flower cuff. But, well, they are a bit out of the range I want to spend, no matter how sparkly they are.



So when I walked into Anthropologie over the weekend and I saw these giant multi-colored cuffs beckoning me from the jewelry table, I knew I had to have them.



These are big, about 2.5" wide.



They come in two other colors but they are more tonal. I prefer these with all the different stones. I got two and plan on wearing them with an equally bright top to cap off each sleeve. Of course they would also be great with a party dress but I like to wear my sparkle every day.

Anthropologie Earth's Caverns Bracelet $58

Breaking News?

Wow. Net-a-Porter is really on the cutting edge of trends, huh?

Their copy for this Alburtus Swanepoel Wimbledon straw boater is:

After last season's panama comes the new hat du jour, the boater. Albertus Swanepoel's classic shape is the perfect accessory for vacation sightseeing and lounging poolside.




Not only were we talking about boaters back in March but they were 3% the cost! And in my opinion, way cuter!!!




Mine has a green and navy ribbon.



And while I love my Stephen Jones boater because of its traditional look, I'm quite fond of the mini-boater I made.



If you like, I'll make you one too and we can be leaders of the fashion pack together.

Acme Made Laptop - Kate

I have been on the lookout for a good laptop bag for a while now. I've already broken the straps on two because I have a tendency to carry way too much stuff and carry it around all the time.

I have a lot of criteria too and because of this I actually resorted to, after breaking the straps on one bag, tying the straps together just so I could keep using it.

This is not classy or professional.

I don't think what I want is really that outrageous but apparently laptop bag companies do not agree.

Here is what I was looking for:

- Able to hold my 15" laptop
- Room to hold all the cords, portable disc drive and files I bring home with me every night
- Sturdy straps that are long enough to swing over my shoulder and wide enough so that I don't cut off circulation in my arm in the process
- Be cute
- Not be too expensive (ideally $100 or way under)

I have had cloth bags and vinyl, so the material was less of an issue to me than the style but I did want to avoid leather.

I was reading VegNews a few months back and saw this really cute bag highlighted but at the time I wasn't sure of the material or the size (and my current bag and not fallen completely into shreds yet) so I waited. But I was at BlogWorld this past week and saw a girls carrying the exact bag I was looking at, the Acme Made Kate style. She very graciously let me check it out and I decided then and there to order one from the site.

Even better, when I went to place the order, the bag was 35% off! Just use code AMSIG9 at checkout.

This bag meets all of my criteria above, is made of a great faux animal leather material so it seems very durable and it's super cute!

The inside is roomy with a cushioned laptop sleeve and lots of pouches for pens and space for papers and files. The two zippered outside pockets are perfect for stowing those things you need to grab fast like cellphones, business cards and pens.

It even comes with this cute matching pouch to tuck in side (or use as a clutch).

I just got this tonight but I'm already excited to take it to work tomorrow. It fits on my shoulder great and I was able to comfortably fit in all the crap I carry around. I ordered the white with orange stitching but it also comes in the black with purple.

This is the most perfect case I've seen in a long while but check out their other styles too. If they are made as well as this one, you will be in good shape.

Let the Wild Rumpus Start

Sometimes you just have to go where your heart leads you.

Now I was never a huge fan of "Where the Wild Things Are" as a child. I was never a "wild rumpus" kind of kid and I actually liked going to my room.



So while I may not be anticipating the movie as much as many other people are, I did get a but rumpus-y about the WTWTA collaboration with Opening Ceremony. I think the fur suits are a bit to far into the "furry" realm but I love the coats and shawls and I totally fell for this full skirt.




Who wouldn't want to wear a bit of crazy fuzziness every now and again.




I plan on wearing this with dark brown tights for winter but how cute is this with the strappy sandals for warmer months?

Maybe there's a bit of Max's wolfishness in me after all.

Ironic Iconic

New (ironic) art I want.

I am worthy but still fun.... ; )



Via Raphaël at My Dead Pony

I believe in Pink

Ditto!

Blurring the Lines

I like art. I'm especially fond of prints and photography and have bought quite a few from Etsy, art shows and when traveling.

In addition to supporting artists on Etsy, I am really fond of 20x200. They always have an interesting artist pick or feature. Plus you can't beat the price!

And really, while I don't have much room left at home or at work and I have things I already need to get framed, I'm still drawn to these pieces. So much so that I just bought them.

Vogue July 07: page 145 (Ripeness is All)

These two prints by Laura DiCioccio are created using an interesting tecnique -

I make sculptures and paintings about my anticipatory nostalgia for obsolescing paper media objects. The softness of a read newspaper page and the glossy slickness of a fresh magazine page are sensations embedded in our physical memory — the familiarity of touching these objects allows a relationship to form in the process of consuming the information they provide. When these objects disappear from our culture and assume the homogeneous texture of a back-lit screen, I fear that some of our intimacy with the process of reading will fade.

Fashion magazines are the source materials for my series color codification dot drawings. I make each piece on a sheet of frosted mylar laid over a magazine page. After assigning a color to every letter in the alphabet (numbers are in grayscale, 0=white and 9=black), I apply tiny dots of paint over every character on the page. Each drawing I make has a different color codification, and therefore a different palette. The resulting painting is a legible blur of dots in the form of the article’s layout — like a system of Braille for the color inclined.

Vanity Fair May 2008: pg 269 (and, incredibly, looking not a day older)

As a fan of the printed word, graphics and color, these appeal to me and resonate with me. I think they are going to be a great addition to my work space but they would also be great at home too.


If you haven't checked out 20x200 (or Etsy for that matter), your walls are missing out. Please take down any Michael's print of Van Gogh and get yourself something unique for your space. Plus, who knows, your artist may be famous someday!

Vintage Inspiration - Ears

Whimsical hats (and hats in general) are making quite a resurgance in the market right now. But facinators and, especially, ears are popping up all over. We've seen ears in runway shows, in designer collaborations with Disney, and for Ascot.



While everyone is ga-ga over the "innovative" ears, I think this 1920's girl was the quirky ear-wearing girl of her time. Look at her... she's adorable.

I may need to get a pair of my own. Personally I like these lace ones from Maison Michel.

Now if only I could hop on a plane to Paris to get them in person!

Bebaroque being popular

Almost a year ago (and Queen Michelle even longer) I've been a fan of Bebaroque's range of amazing tights and stockings.

It's good to see them more and more getting the attention they deserve.

According to Vogue UK -

YOU may believe that summer is not the time for buying tights, but if you were to speak to Scottish hosiery design duo Bebaroque you might think otherwise. The label's distinctive decorative tights have been a hit with fashion insiders over the past few seasons and, since arriving in Liberty, have garnered quite a celebrity following.

Florence Welch (of Florence & the Machine) ordered a bespoke pair of tights, Kylie Minogue purchased the entire range for her tour and other leggy stars; including Britney Spears, Girls Aloud, Liberty Ross, Ben Grimes, Daisy de Villeneuve, Erin O'Connor and Charlotte Dellal, have been adding their names to the Bebaroque order list.

"The amount of interest and support we have had over the last few seasons is wonderful and we are thrilled to be stocked in Liberty," Chloe Patience, one half of Bebaroque, told VOGUE.COM.

"I was instantly drawn to the whimsical look of Bebaroque," Alex Stylianidis, Liberty's accessories buying manager said. "The Liberty renaissance at the start of this year saw a Bazaar introduced to the ground floor that is packed with interesting, unique items; Bebaroque is the perfect edition to this room."

I love independent designers getting great recognition.... Now I only hope their prices don't go up too high or they sell out so I can't get more!

For Like Ever

I don't care if everyone and their brother has this For Like Ever poster from Village. I still love it.

It's bright and clashy, especially with my vintage bamboo desk and Olivetti typewriter, but it's huge and pink and bright and gorgeous.

Now I need to go type some pen pal letters.

P.S. If you click on it, you can see the prettier version.

I need this...

Ummmm...

How badly do I need this???

Buy it for me!

That is all.

OMG Shoes print via tuttistudio at Etsy.

Etsy is my Crack

Sometimes I can't help myself. I get the most ridiculous (ridiculously adorable!) things...

Soon to be showcased!

Napoleon Complex

I would just kill for these vintage epulets and hat and case. They are lucious.



They are at the same antiques store where I got my top hat (and many other treasures). This guy has a great eye.

Too bad they are $600+. If you want to chip in for them, I'll share!

Red or Dark? A Survey

Okay, people. It's that time again... hair cut and color time.

As always I'm totally ascared to change my hair color. I love the red but a part of me wants to be dark and mysterious. But I'm also totally afraid I'll look too pasty and washed out. Plus, if I do it and hate it and try to change it back the red might not look as good again.

So I wimp out every time and don't do it.

So, Friday is another chance. Do I keep the red I have (and love)???

(crummy bathroom lighting!)

Or do I go really really dark brown ala Zooey D.

(quick photoshopping)

Help me! Help me! Help me!

Please comment!

Welcome Home, Wendy

One of my favorite people has done a site update, and darn if it doesn't look great!

Wendy B - You are always so stylish and amazing! And your new site looks great.

Congratulations!

Now... to get my site updated.

Winning the Trifecta

Alright already! We get it! I like hats.

Well, I'm excited about them mainly becuase I have now completed my trifecta. Found my holy grail. I got the cute boater and the sassy derby. But they were both new pieces. But this weekend I was down at our favorite antiques store, and as i walked up to the window, I saw it. The MOST AMAZING vintage top hat. EVER!

Look at it:



Those are the eyes of a girl in luvvvvvvvvvv.....



Note: the band was on backwards and I had to fix it later but was too excited to take pictures.

Not only is the hat gorgeous and near pristine but it came with the leather carrying case. This needs to be buffed up a bit and dusted off but inside the hat fits in snugly, it has its satin and velvet and the straps to hold everything in place.




I would love love love to take this with me to New York but it's almost too nice (not too mention delicate) to travel with. I think I'm just going to have to wear this around town and to work every day for the next year.

GLEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pretty Pink - TokyoMade Chapter Pinky Sparkle Ring

I've had my eye out for a Chapter ring from TokyoMade for some time now. With their Spring 2009 collection, I finally got my pink sparkly wish.

Behold!

Oh yes! I know have my very own Bubblegum Plastic-licious Pinky Sparkle ring. I LOVE IT!

This ring is, obviously big. And loud and, oh yeah, kind of heavy. I was wearing it on my right hand but had to switch so I could take a picture for you.

And just to add to the pink fun, I wore my Chinese Laundry Dagger pink glitter slingbacks.

It doesn't get much pinker or Barbie-er than this. This ring is total art. Most people aren't sure what to make of it but they like it. Coming with me to NY for sure.

Product photos by TokyoMade via Flickr