sixty-five hearts

start of the indian summer.

2010-07-12T20:25:00.000-07:00

excuse my hiatus! been busy moving to Los Angeles, working hard (~*in fashion*~) and having fun. just a quick update that one of my dresses has been featured in a very cool treasury on etsy, Tribal Instinct. i'd looooove to have snatched those pink moccasins up--daaamn, missed it!

thanks, EasterInHarlem!

LBW (little black wedge).

2009-12-11T11:12:00.000-08:00

full disclosure: i was up WAY too late last night searching for the perfect black wedge. i like all the opening ceremony stuff going on, but they just look so chunky. i've convinced myself that they'll be miles more comfortable than my usual heels (which i nearly fainted whilst wearing at the IFB Soiree--i am a heels WIMP). yeah right. heels are heels, no matter which way you wear 'em, and they'll never be as comfy as my favorite flats. but at 5'2" i could use a little lift...
perfect, right? not too high, not too low, nice texture and low-key enough for everyday wear. (some may say 'boring,' i say 'classic.') and then for the little black wedge that's a little more out-there...
!!! totally weird, yet kind of incredible. and still absolutely wearable! i take a size 7.5/8, darlings. ☺

▬ la fresha wedge pumps, $85 @ yesstyle
▬ pinky rose layered suede wedge pumps, $38 (seriously!) @ yesstyle

eat your heart out, theselby.

2009-12-03T21:54:00.000-08:00

i've been busy 'jet-setting' about (like you do) and just got back from LA yesterday (got some reeeeally cool trims & chains!) when i realized the holidays are like, here already! LA's 70° sunny days in november really mess up my time clock. back in the frosty northwest, i've been scouting out cool presents for my friends and family and happily finding some awesome stuff. how amazing are these baroque pink candles? i can totally picture them in my fantasy apartment. oh wait.. i'm supposed to be gifting for others. oops! ☺

→ candles by cody foster & co, $16 @edge of urge

you're so last season: f/w 2009

2009-10-23T11:38:00.000-07:00

THAKOONi love disco, disco balls, mirror tiles... i might have even created a mirror-tile bra (BEFORE i saw lady gaga's video, thankyouverymuch) that caused my friends to dub me "disco tits." so of COURSE i loved Thakoon's disco-inspired pieces! the disco-y shoes he created were fierce as hell, too! auuugh i want.

loved the leather armwarmer/cuffs and the black/white manicure... woooow. and that sequin dress!? must. have. please! it's so perfect and of-the-moment. swoon.

VICTORIA BECKHAMi was surprised as hell to even hear that Victoria Beckham has a fashion line. i mean, i guess it isn't unexpected, but i was even more shocked that i LIKED it! i love this easy black shift, especially the sharp shoulders, and the gold studded(?) dress makes me think of "THAT" jacket. interesting..

again, more easy, simple yet elegant dresses. the pink is a bit Balenciaga-ish in the sleeves and the gray has a beautiful drape in the bust. simple, but i like that.

LELA ROSEwhat else can i say besides "so. cute!" Lela Rose hits it on the head when it comes to making clothes girls just want to wear. that white gown is super dreamy; i can easily see it being a wedding dress for an ultra-modern bride. and i love the sumptuous satin used the in pleated dresses. especially that pink.. yes!!

it's no surprise i love metallics, and i love that easy jumper dress. the one-shoulders are adorable, especially autumned-up with those gray tights! ok, there's not much to say except "it's cute and i love it" but those are the kind of shows i love best. ☺ bravo.

LV does fur i can get behind.

2009-10-22T14:00:00.000-07:00

i really love fur tails. last christmas i asked my taxidermy-loving cousin to make me a raccoon tail keychain, and it's been happily clipped on my purse ever since. while i like the idea of wearing a tail on a purse or attached to a side belt loop, i'm reluctant to look even a smidge like a cosplay-er/furry (no thank you). i've just always enjoyed the cool/creepy/weird side of accessories like a random fox/raccoon tail.
lucky for me, louis vuitton's spring/summer 2010 show featured huge neon-gradient-dyed foxtails amongst some crazy 'fros. OMG. how genius!?
and i've never really coveted any Louis Vuitton accessory (although visiting their flagship store in Paris is the stuff made of dreams..), but man, that purse/clutch on the right here is TO DIE FOR. love the muted color palette, the fringe-y tassels, and love the curly phone cord (!?) handle! want want want!

(and to those who may complain about animal cruelty... obviously my cousin would never use an animal that wasn't already dead of natural causes.)
"As long as we eat meat, we can’t complain about fur." - Karl Largerfeld

designer-inspired... sort of.

2009-10-21T21:35:00.001-07:00

HA! how amazing is this shirt, featuring a print of THOSE chanel sunglasses!? if i can't have the actual sunnies, this tee will have to do. clever!

♥ sunglasses tee, $58 @ needsupply

my perfect party dress!

2009-10-20T15:46:00.001-07:00

though i've been coveting this adorable rachel gilbert dress (left), i would gladly take this knock-off. a silver sequin sweetheart dress is a silver sequin sweetheart dress. sooooooo cute!!
★ rachel gilbert paige dress, on sale for $336 @ net-a-porter
☆ blaque label paris dress, $142 @ karmaloop

buy me!

2009-10-01T18:58:00.000-07:00

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
starmilk.etsy.com

just a peek at what i've been busy working on since i've been back home! more to come, of course. hopefully if you like this blog, you'll like what i've been making. :]

i'm home!

2009-09-28T13:03:00.000-07:00

hi y'all! as you may know, i was on a month-long vacation (with stops in portland, san francisco, los angeles, san diego, las vegas, edinburgh, paris, and new york) and got back not too long ago. i have some amazing clothes and cool photos to share, but i've been super busy creating clothing since i've been back. i know i'm not the best blogger as far as constantly updating, but i've got some cool stuff coming up. promise!

▲ photo credit

still-on-vacation post.

2009-08-25T22:23:00.000-07:00

i've been on vacation for about a week now (can't believe time goes by so fast!!) and am just updating to say that I LOVE THIS. kind of a total josh goot rip-off, but bring it on. so summertime fly yet easily paired with leggings for fall. swoon !

i head back home early september and then leave straightaway to fly out to europe for a week in a half. hopefully i'll come back with tons of fresh clothes &pictures!

◘ printed singlet by something else by natalie wood (love that label), $86, at pixie market

these are hot.

2009-08-09T20:30:00.000-07:00

no words. just wow.

▲ lamé zebra dress, $1,995
▲ sorbet silk dress, $3,250
▲ mixed mono dress, $3,625
all by preen via net-a-porter

¡ɹǝɯɯns ɥɐǝʎ ʞɔnɟ

2009-07-30T17:58:00.000-07:00

loving the neon/pastel colors and native-american graphics on these tees by something else. all i want to do is decorate my (new!!) car with dreamcatchers, weave friendship bracelets with neon string and seed beads, and wear moccasins and feather headbands. not sure if it's a forthcoming trend, or a result of me reading too many beat/hippie books. i especially want the first and last tops; thank god summer is NOT over yet! it hit seattle this week in full force with highs reaching 106°F!! (a HUGE deal to a native northwestern wimp like me. [also explains my infrequent blogging; to all those on the internet all day: GET OUTSIDE!]) if you're not even close to thinking about the phrase 'back-to-school' like i am, check out this marc by marc jacob swimmie--it's miss marc, how cute is she!? loving it/her/summer. ♥

♦ something else, various prices @ asos
♣ miss marc swimmie, $202.29 @ asos

how girly can you get?

2009-07-20T21:19:00.000-07:00

though i could never suffer the indignity of riding a bike built by urban outfitters (my old crappy bike has done me good; plus i couldn't care less about this sort of thing, but: i can already hear my friends sneering), i couldn't help playing around with their custom-color build feature. all this baby needs is a trail of glitter following it. i mean, it's a pink bike!!! eeeeeeeee! love.

anti-traditional wedding style.

2009-07-06T10:36:00.000-07:00

my first thought upon seeing this dress: a glam, modern version of yoko ono's wedding dress!! just add white knee socks, a floppy hat and of course, sperry top-siders. that's it, no fuss & no frills (well, maybe some cool sunglasses wouldn't hurt). definitely one of my favorite couples of all time.

► wool floppy hat (well, they don't have white, yet), $40 @ american apparel.
► white knee socks, $10 @ american apparel.
► white top-siders, $74.95 @ zappos.
► gold lace bodycon dress, $80 @ topshop.

oops.

2009-06-18T16:59:00.000-07:00

so... i lost half of my bikini while on a road trip vacation in portland (the top half. it happens!). while tragic (i LOVED my insight suit!!), there's a happy ending: it gives me an excuse to buy another!

i've been in love with this little fangy guy for some time. how cute is he!? lucky me, scored it for half price too! see y'all at the beach. hell-o summer!

◘ insight 'pluto pup' swimsuit, $40

just a trim, please!

2009-06-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

back in design school i was all about great prints on fabric. now, i'm more into taking solid fabrics and dressing them up with great trims. here are three of my favorites i've found recently!there's a line of 'project runway' brand trims that skew more towards a more young, trend-driven designer/sewer, and it includes the single-sided zipper trim above. this is an AWESOME find, as before, i had to buy zippers (expensive!) and tear them apart.. and even then, the result was usually messy and not continuous. it's hard not to notice that zippers are super-huge right now. my favorite use of them was at 3.1 philip lim's spring/summer 2009 show and in this YSL clutch. i love how they came out so delicate in spite of the relatively 'rough' zips used!the metal triangle trim has a balmain-ish feel to it that i like. unfortunately it's $15/yard, so instead of putting it all over a skirt, i used it sparingly as neckline trim on a dress (proper pictures may come later, if i ever get to wear it out!). and as far as the stretch sequins... that'll be fun for either a headband, or (if i'm brave enough) stocking hold-ups! ☺

any fashion sewers out there??

more pretty dresses. sigh.

2009-05-28T17:10:00.000-07:00

even though my everyday style is basically jeans and tee shirts, lately all my mind's been yearning for are pretty, girly, frilly party dresses. i meant to write about this store JJ on capitol hill (in seattle) months ago, and now it's out of business and gone. whoops! the selection was quite scarce but two dresses in the window made my heart drop (in a good way!).
both are by australian label sretsis, the work of parsons grad pim sukhahuta and her two sisters, from their a/w 08 collection (told you i was late in writing this). it's hard to tell, but the dress above at right is a silk print with owls all over it. OWLS. it's so amazing i can't even stand it.

i'm also in love with her digitally printed tunics. ruffles, tiers, lace, jersey, prints of wildlife that are reminiscent of the retarded animal shirts i wore in elementary school. need i gush more??? i would love this collection if i was blind. even the models & styling are spot-on to my taste.
without even meaning to i stumbled across a dress that's basically a direct recreation of the lace frock! who knew? adorable!
check out more (including their new collections) at the official sretsis site!

(sorry for the extra-long gap between postings. disrupting [but minor--phew] health issues have kept me away for a minute. i'm back though! thanks for the patience. ♥)

f*#king sewing!!!

2009-05-16T21:10:00.000-07:00

let's be honest: it's rare the designer who enjoys sewing. big-name designers don't sew at all, but small fries like me obviously have to do it themselves. while i don't exactly despise sewing, it certainly comes with its own set of frustrations. everyday i spend sewing, i have at least one moment where i throw everything on the floor and say "I HATE THIS AND I'M GOING TO MAJOR IN ENGLISH!!" just recently i had a little incident that nearly made me give up for the rest of the day. seeing the seamstresses at chanel's haute couture house having trouble getting everything right (on probably my favorite chanel collection) and dreading what karl will design next made me laugh a bit and feel a lot better. while i'm not working at the chanel couture level... this shit is still hard!

ffwd to ~2:25 to get right to it! also: i love their tiny chanel sewing pouches!! can i get one!?

and to those of you who don't sew... you have no idea...

holy cute!!

2009-05-13T13:41:00.000-07:00

the weirdest thing happened late last night. i totally fell into a black hole. i was browsing stuff on polyvore and all of a sudden i was some incredible japanese website that had the most adorable shit EVER. i took japanese back in high school but still had NO idea what anything said. nonetheless, cute is universal and it confirmed what i already knew: the japanese are better (than americans) at EVERYTHING. hello, do we have tee shirts that say "dangerous vacation" in a studded bleeding font? how about "peep a doodle" on tie-dye? a prince-like "MADLY IN LOVE WITH U" gym tee!??! i have no idea what all this engrish is supposed to mean, but it totally want to 'add scremies' in my closet.

lately i've been obsessed with ballerina-esque, soft tulle/chiffon ruffles on EVERYTHING. luckily this bermuda triangle website had no shortage of lovely skirts and dresses that are so cute and girly (something i'm not really) that i would totally change out of my everyday jeans AND shave my legs if i had these. sigh.

i wish i had exact URLs for everything but it was a right-click-save-as frenzy. there's so much on here that i want to buy or re-make or just admire. just don't stay up until 4 AM doing it like i did (the shame).

☻ http://my-fashion.jp
☺ http://eruca.jp

close, but not quite..

2009-05-08T18:41:00.000-07:00

hmmm, wonder where they got the inspiration for this little number?

► 'sassy kitten' dress (lol), $62 at lulus.com
► luella spring/summer 2009 collection

i'm still not over this, pt 2.

2009-05-06T10:50:00.000-07:00

for girls who can't get enough chloe (and what girl can?): the elusive chloe studded boots are still covetable after being out for quite a while. they cut a bit deep at $1,245, so either you cop the topshop version, which are pretty cute regardless of its knock-off status..

OR! get creative with your own pair of boots and bedazzle(‼) them with some gold hot-fix pearl studs (144 for $4!). hot-fix crystals and studs are my current obsession. no surprise there, considering i love anything bright, shiny, or sparkly. now i can add some sparkle farkle onto practically ANYTHING. god help me.

▲ topshop 'aztec' boots, $160

(large pic of chloe boots heisted from jak & jil!)

cheap and cheerful

2009-05-03T22:07:00.001-07:00

i mean, look at those sunglasses for a fivespot! they're so marianne faithful, no?

→ sunglasses, $5.20
→ sequin ballet flat, $15.80
→ animal print pocket skirt, $27.60, all from gojane

more local, arty jewelry, please.

2009-04-25T11:14:00.001-07:00

seattle's own cairo gallery has some really cool wearables in their online store.

♥ obsidian wolf head necklace by lulu, $56.
♦ pyramid bronze necklace by all for the mountain, $150.
♣ amFM women's tee, $20.
♠ and my personal favorite... white triangle necklace by lulu, $38!

check out cairo's online store and the gallery's blog for more.

i'm still not over this.

2009-04-23T14:54:00.000-07:00

let's be honest here. girls that are into fashion and clothes and style... all they want in a boy is one who's willing to put up with being dressed up. combine that with Cher's virtual closet (second Clueless reference in two months--zing!) and you've got a perfect time-waster on your hands that still hasn't gotten old. i demand more outfits, devvy banhart!!

☺ clothe devendra (or not) on his 'dress me!' page!

it's almost swimsuit season, right?

2009-04-22T12:23:00.000-07:00

dude. i freaking LOVE these insight swimsuits. my favorite colors all make an appearance, i dig the graphic patterns, the ruffled top is on the right side of retro... insight and i are just on the same page, what can i say? the only issue is which one to get... who cares if i still have my insight suit from last year that wore maybe five times (oh the woes of living in seattle--it would have been only twice if i hadn't had gone to vegas/california!)? i need deese!!!

♥ insight eclipse bikini, $72
♥ insight jupiter sphere bikini, $77

you know you're a fashion nerd when...

2009-04-21T12:12:00.000-07:00

(click still for full video!)

...you can recognize maison martin margiela shoes in a tropicana ad. let's take a deep breath, then step outside into the real world, yes?

▼ maison martin margiela sandal/boots, $641, at farfetch.com

f/w 2009 part 9

2009-04-20T17:24:00.000-07:00

SINHA-STANICingenious cuts and gorgeous fabric dyeing here. i wish it wasn't with the rust-red (bleh) doc martens but still, wow. the dyed effect on the middle outfit is especially lovely, as is the draped-yet-high neckline. nice, yet modest, peek of the midriff, too.

ARMAND BASI ONEi know we're all going to OD on studs by the end of summer but i really like it and this is done simply and effectively. going to have to disagree on the shoes again... sorry, but i'm not buying this creeper trend. it wasn't very cute in my teenage 'punk' years and it's not any better now. oh, and black is always the new black. do not forget.

ABAETEUM, GORGEOUS. from the one-shoulder zipper top (!) to the perfectly uneven-tiered tank (!!) and the hey-i-can-patterndraft-that origami skirt (!!!), i love it. very on-point as far as the season's trends go, but since when is that a bad thing? LOVE!

this is hot.

2009-04-19T13:37:00.000-07:00

also, i want her hair. that is all.

▲ diamond in the rough necklace(?) by bliss lau from 80spurple, $353.

f/w 2009 part 8

2009-04-16T12:02:00.000-07:00

CENTRAL SAINT MARTINSi really loved Central Saint Martins' M.A. show this year! all the asymmetry in Michael Van der Haam's collection above (not to mention the color palette) is lovely. the metallic-paint-spattered tights are a nice touch on top of it all. looks like some interesting patterns and textures in there that i'd love to see closer; is the white middle panel on the first look stitched through in a quilted way? nice!

again, an immensely appealing color palette. real men wear pink. kind of a Thom Brown deal going on with the rolled-up trousers but i like it. quite simple for CSM, but even the most fashion-retarded boy could look instantly dashing in one of these geometric sweaters!

again, nothing to be blown-away by from the pattern-cutting front (the last silky dress is from another student, but hey, it fits with this collection, no?), but the graphics and their placements were enough to make me laugh, hard. the hands sweater reminds of the misfits' girly shirt, and i love the 'kneepads.' the eyes/eyelashes is quite Dalí-esque and i like the trompe-l'œil 'jeans' (check out the back pockets too!). the primary shapes remind of cheap monday's 'no masters' tank top and tee.

wow. shades of Balenciaga's futuristic vision but also quite unique in its own way. i'd like a closer view to see exactly what that metal detailing is! the middle dress's neckline is so lovely and strange that i can't help but want it. CSM really outdid themselves with their talented students this time around. there's miles more to fawn over but i've made this post long enough!

thou shalt obey the kaiser.

2009-04-14T22:05:00.000-07:00

rare is a clothing company named so accurately. rare is the streetwear guy who could tell you who this is. bless them both.

(neptune, this shirt is for you.)

♦ 'gangsta situations' tee by fucking awesome.

i want some new sneakers.

2009-04-10T18:43:00.000-07:00

some nice fresh colorways for spring. i really love these!

☼ Vandal High Premium (mint/mint/white), $89.99. still not over this mint color. it's pretty hard finding the exact right shade of mint in fabric and clothing... this is pretty close!

☼ Dunk High (white/white), $79.99. i would have never thought i'd be wanting and all-white shoe. i love this though! how great would they be with some bright bright shoelaces?

☼ Dunk High Pro SB (dark obsidian/metallic platinum), $99.99. not huge on SB shoes (too chunky) but the colors on this are ace.

☼ Dunk High (white/black), $79.99. if the all-whites are too much, these are perfect. yum.

why do i like this?

2009-04-02T13:21:00.000-07:00

seriously though, why??

maybe 'cuz she has the balls to actually wear outrageous things on-stage? because she's dressing like how a famous, accomplished 23-year-old who doesn't give a fuck should? because her retarded-sounding stage name is actually from a queen song? because i had this disco-ball-bra idea floating around my head for months before i saw her video and now my life isn't complete unless i have one? because i wanted to hate her two current hits so badly, but they grew on me and i can't stop listening to "just dance"!? how about because she has a song called "shake ur kitty," which is kind of the most amazing euphemism ever!?!?!? fuck you lady gaga. i think i like you and i don't care what that makes me. you seem kind of cool and your music is fun to dance to.

actual conversation between me and my (very cool, very music-forward) dad:
dad: what do you think of lady gaga?
me: ugh. like, whatever. kind of annoying. a little catchy, but mostly irritating.
dad: oh, because i was just thinking of getting tickets to her seattle show and was wondering if you'd want to go but i guess not--
me: I WANT TO GOOOOOOOOOOO

hussein chalayan bubble dress FTW, fake or not. show me any other performer who could rock this. i'm just jealous i won't ever get to wear it. as far as being a tacky and obnoxious dresser, totally, but she's a million times more appealing to me than amber rose for some reason. she's high-fashion tacky and i love it. work it out, girl.

my favorite font

2009-03-31T21:33:00.000-07:00

one of my favorite fonts is sackers gothic medium. it's got the appeal of helvetica: simple, easy to read, and quite even all around, but it seems much more "high class" than helvy (if anyone can understand that sentence, it'd be my graphic design friends). recognize it?i'm no graphic designer myself but it's damn close enough for me. ♥♥♥

at random: topshop

2009-03-28T21:34:00.000-07:00

three things i love today on topshop.com:

■ leather wrap waist belt, $60. this is just too perfect! i hate the word "chic" but this really is. this would look way better on my t-shirt dresses than the crappy elastic waist belt i have. also comes in black for the boring amongst us (read: me)!

■ space invader tank, $65. love the loose drapey fit and the pixelated florals. ace colors, too.

■ pac-a-parka, $50, in bright freakin' neon yellow!! this is a huge 'f u' to all the black seattle outerwear (i'm guilty as charged). added benefit: never get lost in a crowd again.

you can't always get what you want

2009-03-26T13:22:00.000-07:00

all i want is an oxford/brogue shoe that is not too pointy-toed, not patent, under $100, and black. is that so much to ask for!? apparently so. sure there are some on topshop, urban outfitters, et al, but there's always something about them that's not totally right. if this PERFECT (vegan, if you're into that sort of thing!) shoe came in black, i'd happily snatch up two pairs, since they're only $56! whiiiine.

▼ navid o'nadia hatch lace-up oxford, $56, at lulu's.

NEWS FLASH!! f u, oak, for not having my dream shoe in my size. i found my tru luv over at karmaloop (for $17 cheaper!).

idgi

2009-03-24T15:06:00.000-07:00

k. i love kanye west, and i love tacky-ass fashion (neon, leggings as pants, matching zebra print, retarded sunglasses, bright pink lipstick, 90s crap), but JESUS, girl!! all at once!? i do not understand the love for kanye's new squeeze, some model named amber rose. i can't believe she showed up for paris fashion week LOOKING LIKE THIS. girl looks like she just won a shopping spree at wet seal. you can see it in the face of the guy in the background on the right. "wtf girl?" somehow her haircut irks me. it totally reminds me of this girl i see around town who is average at best/vaguely pretty, but shaved her head and now she's ~*s0o0o0o unconventional.*~ maybe it's because i'm growing out my hair after having it short forever, or maybe i'm jealous that she's famous and rich and wears whatever she wants. i'm just cranky this week. either way, i'm sure she doesn't care what i think of her, so whatevz. just, idgi. anyone with me? yes? no?

▲ photo via stylesightings!

coming soon

2009-03-12T22:40:00.000-07:00

i've been cutting shopping from my budget lately, so thankfully the two items i'm lusting after most today aren't even available (yet), like...
american apparel's "Sweetheart Two-Tone Mini Dress" is apparently coming soon. ahhhhh! i NEED! i adore bright, obnoxious colors AND sweetheart necklines. sigh.
meanwhile, these denim high-waisted hot pants aren't anywhere on the oak site. not that i have the weather (or stems) required for these. ok, and i guess i already have a pair that are fundamentally similar... but i want THESE!! can't wait for spring...

JC/DC KILLED IT

2009-03-10T20:22:00.000-07:00

Jean Charles De Castelbajac is a huge "FUCK YEAH!" in my book. his clothes are the sartorial equivalent of chugging your energy drink of choice the second your alarm goes off while listening to the tings tings remixed by m.i.a. featuring chromeo produced by yelle. as much as i love "good design" and everything classy, i'm still just a goofy party girl at heart. JC/DC appeals to me so hard.

probably the reason i love de castelbajac so much is that, with every collection, he basically says "fuck you" to fashion. "leopard print is in? how do you like this literal stuffed leopard cape, you vogue bitch?"

"you want exposed zippers as a trend for spring/summer and fall/winter 2009!? you GOT exposed zippers."

i'm not exactly sure why i love these looks so much. maybe it's because i laughed out loud seeing them. maybe it's because someone dear to my heart calls me "their little muppet." maybe i like the idea of a fur coat that requires dozens of kermits to be slain for it. YES.

people are talking about the ugly zebra sweater that marc jacob turned into a cute children's sweater. i rather like the concept turned out in sequins on satin. and then, as if to say, "you want sequins? hot new deatil? eat this" he turns out a fish-dress in HUGE pailettes.

i like the idea of andy warhol's sideburns being somebody's armpit hair.

and yes, he can do pretty, too (but with an edge still). sure those first two dresses i've seen a million times before, but i still like them a lot. and can i just say that these girls look 100x hotter in the white/black rock wigs!? new haircut hell-OOOOH!

in all seriousness, i actually do respect de castelbajac as an artist and designer. anyone can do a jokey, kitschy kind of show, but look at the details! the lions' heads on the red jacket? genius (and looks well-manufactured)! all that shit he did with the exposed zippers? truly creative. jean-charles, you may be as old as my father, but you are a classy french nobleman who creates funny clothes that are a big middle finger to every established fashion house and magazine in the world. can we totes chill with your miss france beauty queen of a fiancé who's half your age? love, taylor.

midriff cut-outs (bonus 90s retrospective part TWO!)

2009-03-05T11:37:00.000-08:00

who could be excited about the return of the bare midriff? raise your hand if you've been hitting the gym all winter. let's be honest: working out sucks more "than doing cheap coke with your parents at a Linkin Park concert, in the rain, on your period, with a really itchy rash, during a breakup, in broken sandals" (thx vice). normal people (ie, non-models) just don't have nice stomachs. sorry. mine's ok, but only if i'm laying down, stretched out, sucking in, AND arching my back. thankfully, midriff cut-outs showed up on a lot of the fall/winter 2009 runways, and they're miles more tasteful (and forgiving) than your average cropped, belly-baring shirt*.

never one to be left behind, Sophomore came out with a basic jersey version. how new-york-city-in-the-summertime is this!?
▲ sophomore cut-out dress, $220 at bona drag.

*not to say these can't be worn to a tasteful degree. the ones who can pull this off are few, far between, wearing a high-waisted skirt or pant, and skinny bitches.

f/w 2009 part 7

2009-03-01T17:50:00.000-08:00

THREEASFOURthe weirdos at Threeasfour always have some interesting shapes and stuff going on, but it's their delicate rhinestone/glitter(?)-encrusted tights that i absolutely need... or need to make (future project?). i like the shoes too. aaaah. (click for a closer look! just, please, don't look at her feet.)

VENA CAVAVena Cava is always spot-on, especially with their typical non-runway presentation (although i would really like to see that first dress in motion). pretty, sheer, delicate, fringey, sparkly... be still my heart. and THEN... they throw in a FREAKING MULTICOLORED GLITTER SKIRT!? are you JOKING ME!? i NEED dis. i'm almost tempted to take some glitter laminate sticker paper i have that's the exact same deal and tape it into a tube to form a makeshift skirt.

HUTSONHutson did some interesting stuff with ruffles and i like it. not much else to report except, jesus those heels. no wonder they didn't have a runway show.

PREENaaaand again with me being a magpie (attracted to bright, shiny, sparkly items). you can't throw out a dress that looks like rainbow cake batter swirled and pretend like nothing's happening. especially when it's straight lifted from Kanye West's "Heartless" video (see below)!! amazing. the third dress is vaguely Balmain-ish, no? i hope that's lamé fabric on there. all three of these dresses look more like spring than fall to me, but it's march right now and i'm looking forward more to may than september right now.

f/w 2009 part 6

2009-02-25T14:46:00.001-08:00

TOPSHOP UNIQUE
whoa! what up Topshop Unique!? i really enjoyed their spring/summer show and wandering around in circles when i was in their london flapship store. they always have great patterns going on. LOVING those first leggings (and the leather jacket) and the snood(!?) on the right. the squiggles are working for me, and i like how they took neon and toned it down to socks or shoelaces. rad.

body-con dress: check. spacey shoulders: check. digital prints: yup! motherfucking SEQUIN SWEATPANTS!?: CHECK!!

digging the sequins and prints. although i overall enjoyed this collection, i'm still not completely sold on the 90s redeux. especially this "fuck nu-rave, we're all about ORIGINAL rave" hair and makeup styling. ehhh.. let's face it, it'll probably grow on me.

HOUSE OF HOLLAND
it's a no-duh that i love aggy and her bff Henry Holland. his collection always injects a lot of fun into fashion, and in these serious times, it's really what we need! i've been interested in head-to-toe pantone dressing lately (wearing a bright pink dress, light pink tights and dark magenta shoes), and this is a very cool way to go about it. it was difficult to pick out my favorite looks! i really appreciate the how the stripe on the boy's lapel isn't straight-on with the stripe on his shirt. i'm sure plenty of people will hate this because it's "not serious enough", but i LOVED this whole collection!

i'm suffering a bit from fashion overload trying to keep up on all the runway shows! so forgive me if i slow down a bit and take the necessary time to take it all in and appreciate it. the posts will keep coming...

f/w 2009 part 5

2009-02-22T21:40:00.000-08:00

JILL STUARTso much to love at jill stuart! that first dress is awfully reminiscent of the first miss sixty dress i posted, no? i don't know what else to say because i really love it all. ESPECIALLY those second shoes. i'm sure i could create something similar with shiny vinyl spats...

love, love, love and love. next!

NATHAN JENDENlooking at this post, i'm wondering if maybe i'm a bit goth inside. i feel that i buy and wear lots of color, but my roommate is always teasing me for going out in "black black and more black." Jenden makes a goth-y, yet really elegant, statement in these clothes. he used plenty of black in this collection, yet all my favorite pieces were lighter in color but dark at heart. who else could picture bondage pants in gray wool and what's more, make them elegant?

style.com commented that the first dress here "made the wearer look like [a] giant mutant snowflake. yikes!" um, is that supposed to be a bad thing? i'd love to see what that pattern looks like laid out! and that third dress is to die for. 80s but looks fresh. cute!

f/w 2009 part 4

2009-02-21T17:13:00.000-08:00

MISS SIXTYMiss Sixty blew me away!! who'dathunk!? i love that purple and orange explosion of a dress. talk about hiding figure flaws. but for real, it's adorable and fun and i love the print. love the tights, and the gray acid wash denim vest/dress hybrid with chains and a fur wrap. it sounds like a lot on paper, but it's fierce and sasha is working. it. OUT!

whoa! leather biker hot shorts!? way to blow the chanel sequined ones out of the water! legs for DAYS! i think it looks amazing with the floaty fly-away blouse. sigh. the other two outfits are a little... sloppy for me (the white tee on the right should be tucked in; i could live without the leather belt on the left. and yeah... the hats suck), but the pieces separately are good. maybe i'm still 7 years old, but i want to rock a tutu skirt like that, especially with a nice blazer and leather fingerless biker gloves (neeeed).

that... red... dress!! as i said, i pretty much hate red, but OMG! is that THE perfect dress or what!? since irina lazareneau isn't modeling anymore (more on that later..) meghan collison is my replacement for her. she looks like a pouty, petulant child and i love her for it. i could never pull off that color (i'm a redhead), but her long black hair with the side bangs are the perfect complement to it. i can't get over it.... ahhH! the black dress is pretty good too... i love anything satin, and the sleeves with the lace insets are genius. any other sleeve that length might look dowdy, but this avoids it entirely. it's not rocket science, but i love the contrast of girly (lace and satin) with tough (leather waist belt), and Miss Sixty nailed it.

ELISE ØVERLANDok, call me tacky but i'm still not over my love affair with metallics (i'm still working on breaking up with neon). my fave colors to metallicize are blue and purple. not sure why, they just appeal to me all shiny and annoying! a purple metallic miniskirt with an exposed zipper is so on-trend that it hurts (but i like it). all you need is a towering platform shoe to frame it. the purple blazer just fucking RULES and i need to acquire it. it makes a loose white tee (of an evil dead merman...?) and relaxed jeans look GOOD. i also like the stud details on the belts and bracelets. reminds me of being 14 and "punk" and studding everything i owned. oh those were the days...

f/w 2009 part 3 (bonus 90s retrospective!)

2009-02-19T17:03:00.000-08:00

RUFFIANoh my goodness! so much to love from Ruffian! the lace bodysuit is adorable and obvi versatile, and i own fabric almost exactly in the same lace pattern (hello project!). i ~~even~~ especially like the bra being layered over it with the high-waisted skirt. can't find a top that goes with your skirt? forget about it!! it reminds me of the seinfeld 'bra episode' AND a less-crazers version of maison martin margiela's pseudo-bodysuits from his spring/summer 2007 show. and yes, i also thought to myself, "i like your sleeves. they're real big." (that's a good thing, btw.)

as a rule, i don't do red. i don't wear it, i don't own it, it looks awful on me, i don't really like it on other people. it was even tough for me to get past the carpet on this one. i still maintain that the two red skirts here would be better in another color, but yeah, i "get" it; red's a bold color and yeah, it works here. anyway. how great is that cape/jacket on the left!? the outfit on the right is shades of the same silhouette but the top is probably more covet-able. loose and ruffly on top with a body-con skirt is still good in my book. i LOVE the middle look but couldn't figure out why at first. then i realized who it reminded me of...

so good!! amirite!?

f/w 2009 part 2

2009-02-18T19:10:00.000-08:00

ERIN FETHERSTONsometimes there's not a lot more to say about a collection than "oh pretty!" and you know what? that's totally fine. not everything needs to be some crazy new statement. erin fetherston is the master of pretty. i dig the metallic with tulle with sweetheart necklines. there's a Tin-Man thing going on with the dress on the left but i like it. these subtle-stripe tights make these girls legs look so creamy and shiny! i neeeeed some!

i just made a dress with huge puffy hips like that on the right! cute jacket too. so, can i just say here how much i LOVE the crimped hair here?? i crimped my hair for a 1990s party a few months ago and tried to convince all my friends that it's the new shit. no one was feeling it. as vice magazine once said, "motherfuckers laughed at noah, too."

pretty dresses, shoes and tights.

i like how she delved a bit into darker material here! are those studded fingerless gloves on the right!? i will lose my shit if i don't own those in a minute. the little faux-collar top on the right is adorable too. great jackets and skirts. i just hate the hobo-beanie hat perched on the head like that. otherwise it's all choice!

first thoughts on fashion week

2009-02-17T18:31:00.001-08:00

if you're in a hurry, just look at the pictures because all my text basically says is 'LOVE LOVE LOVE!'

RAG & BONERag & Bone stole my heart. i really like the leather(?) detailing where the darts basically would be. and that schoolgirl blazer is PERFECT. i've been dying to make a white satin tuxedo blazer for a while, and i can totally see it in this amazing silhouette. cute shoes on both, too! and don't those tights just look luxurious??

perfect party dresses. sigh. i love that the bodycon style isn't going out yet (if you got it--flaunt the shit out of it!). is that textured leather on the left? whatever it is, i LOVE the shape of it, especially the amazing collar. both of these are PERFECT.

YIGAL AZROUËLYigal Azrouël has had the slouchy-bad-girl-downtown vibe DOWN since fall/winter 2007 (i LOVED that collection). this show is so much cleaner, with less layers, but still just lovely. that purple dress is "THE" dress of the season for me (and i'm sure countless others). metallics are toned-down from years past into this, and i love it! i'm loving the asymmetric/strong-shoulder deal this season too. that second dress is simple, but very much on-trend with the "star trek" shoulders (as we call them at the store i worked at). loooove.

digging the fur combined with an all-jersey(? those pants look suspiciously legging-esque) outfit. simple, but chic (i hate that word, but it is what it is!). and that black dress, though i can't see the details on my screen, looks drapey and gorgeous. again with the tights that look silky and beautiful. mmm.

both of these dresses are pretty good (love the shoulders on the left!), but can i just say OMG this girl!? tao okamoto might be my new favorite model!! she's popping up EVERYWHERE this season with that perfect agyness-esque bowl cut. i'd never noticed her before; it seems like she just cut her hair and with long hair, she's a little bland. GIRL!! let me just say... it is so working for you! never go back!!!

i have NO patience

2009-02-08T00:23:00.000-08:00

..which is exactly why i'm a completely crap vintage shopper. two minutes in value village and i'm over it. god help me going into any of the actual "picked-out" vintage stores in seattle like le frock, pretty parlor, or even buffalo exchange. if i can find something i like, i end up scoffing at the prices thinking "i could find this myself for so much cheaper at a thrift store!" ah bless.

lately i've found myself out in the 'burbs (long story!) so i think this might bring greater vintage shopping opportunity, seeing as the thrift stores won't be so picked over. this week i'm determined to find something; at least an xxl leather jacket that i can re-fashion into a cute bag or skirt (one of my favorite sewing projects!). seeing this hot pink leather skirt from nasty gal vintage made me a little weak in the knees; it got me craving a new sewing project at least. too bad it's sold out already. ah well. they have some great stuff up now i couldn't help but share!

oh this dress. makes me wish it was summer and i was partying on a rooftop. what more to say? sigh. // this leather bustier is something i could totally see rumi from fashion toast rocking. me, i'm a bit shy for it.. lovely still!

this cropped leather bomber jacket is also adorable. seeing as i'm quite petite, i'm not sure it would work on me, but on some taller girl? rowr! (ps. can you tell i love leather? real, fake, give it to me!) // this dusty pink oversized coat is something i can absolutely see some beautiful blonde danish girl wearing on the facehunter. loves it.

-minka maui dress, $118
-sadie leather bustier, $98
-sabine snap cape, $148
-iman hooded leather jacket, $268
-chia leather skirt, sold out :[
all available at nasty gal vintage.

insight spring 2009!

2009-02-05T00:14:00.000-08:00

insight finally released their women's spring line images online-- yay!! how much do i love it!? neon rainbow leopard print, exposed zip dresses, tie dye, pastel ruffles and killer prints everywhere... um, a LOT. insight is always the perfect mix of surfer girl vs streetwear girl and i covet it all every season. i would actually love to work on their design team (hint hint!).

the men's line is great too--how perfect is this tee shirt!? forget the boys, i need to have it for myself!!

two last christmas/birthday gifts to myself...

2009-02-01T22:23:00.000-08:00

i'm incredibly picky about the jewelry i wear, which is why simple, understated pieces appeal most to me. my latest purchase was a silver nameplate necklace i had made by trashy deluxe on etsy with my "rap name" in script (T.Crimes). it's a little delicate, a little tough, and totally goofy (kinda like me! except i'm mostly just goofy). one of my friends called me "T.Criminal" the other day and i almost died laughing!

on the same "delicate but tough" note, i've been more than in love with surface to air's three-finger ring for months. long story short, it was sold out everywhere, i'd resigned myself to never owning it, i go to the oak site to check the url for this blog post, and it's back in stock, in my size! needless to say, i just snatched up the last one. stoked.
(this post has been deleted THREE TIMES even though only the first one had an mp3 for download. wtf?)

my sense of humor

2009-01-26T19:39:00.000-08:00

i don't know if forever 21 is trying to be funny with this shirt (my guess is "no"), but somehow it still makes me laugh. a lot.

i want to see the bright lights tonight.

2008-12-12T22:42:00.000-08:00

how great is this dress?? all i can hear when i look at it is "lights and music... are on my mind"!

♫ download - Cut Copy - Lights & Music

PSST! if you live in Seattle, you really have to go down to Zebraclub this weekend! this saturday and sunday only, they're offering a generous 30% off all full-price merchandise! just mention "friends and family" at the register... and thank me later. ☺

- dress by martin margiela 6 at tres bien, $474.80.

knock off hunter

2008-12-10T20:03:00.000-08:00

i do love a good "imitation." funny how i saw the forever 21 plaid and liked it before i even saw the hellz bellz jacket (and i like it more than the jacket)! likewise, a sequinned skirt (even though it's soooo short--eep!) is a bit more wearable than hot pants. i'm still not over "that" chanel collection, even though it's over 2 years old! guess that shows how slowly fashion trickles down from runway to real life...

- ridin' dirty jacket, hellz bellz, $126
- berry plaid, forever 21, $19.80
- sequinned mini, forever 21, $17.80
- chanel s/s 2007

my favorite french word is "soldes"

2008-11-26T22:10:00.000-08:00

hey kids! it's almost thanksgiving, which means it's almost BLACK FRIDAY, the day where nearly all stores have their stock marked way, way down. i spent all day hurrying about the store i work at preparing for it, and luckily i have friday off (i do NOT plan on shopping though--too crazy for me!). what i didn't know is that online stores are already slashing prices too! revolve clothing's stock of slow & steady wins the race seems to all be 75% off, ahh!! these glasses are almost too cheap and crazy not to get (i would feel like a booze-powered superhero in them), and the flats are just snarky. love.

-square circle sunglasses, $35, slow & steady wins the race
-ballet flat ballet flats, $35, slow & steady wins the race

my favorite halloween costume...

2008-11-03T19:58:00.000-08:00

...was The Kaiser, without a doubt. i saw this girl walking around halloween night and gave her mad props on the most original and well-executed costume of the night!

other notable mentions: a line of coke on a mirror with his pal a $100 bill, steve urkel (my original plan), and an 8-year-old superhero (as in, dressing up how an 8-year-old would dress up). my costume? Hello Kitty.

(picture via DISCOFUNBATH!)

good font.

2008-07-24T11:44:00.000-07:00

i'm hyper-aware of great fonts today after watching Helvetica last night. this shirt caught my eye the other day--not only is that a great phase to be wearing on your chest during wartime, but the lettering is pretty good (especially the "yes it is" squeezed in there!). so_me is one of my favorite graphic designers out there right now. this hand-drawn lettering is reminiscent of 60s psychedelic art, which i've always been a fan of. think about it--no computers back then! check out this little nugget about one of my favorite pieces of lettering of all time.

tee, 60€ ($94.61) by Revolver x So_Me from We Sold Out

now topshop will only be 2851 miles away!

2008-06-24T21:58:00.000-07:00

everyone seems to be buzzing about the release of topshop's latest autumn/winter collection. while i was enchanted when i visited the flagship store, the exchange rate was so crap i couldn't pick up anything much. but with the opening of the first-ever US store in new york coming in october, perhaps a trip across the country could be arranged to check it out... and to visit family of course! ;]

so much of the lookbook is very london-directed, which is a little too crazy for my style, even for a high street store. but there were a few looks i really loved:

i have been obsessed with buffalo plaid for a while, ESPECIALLY in blue. it doesn't seem so appropriate now for summer, but god help me, i must get my grubby little paws on this jacket this fall! i love the lumberjack/motorcycle feel of it. parfait!

more blue plaid... the way the seams are sewn at the front creates a lovely slimming effect that takes a little bit of patterning trickery to accomplish. i appreciate. // this camisole is bold look for sure. i wonder if the intense flare could be flatteringly worn in the 'real world.' nonetheless, i like it.

these space-inspired sweaters make me giggle. they're nerdy and naive and yet still kind of cool like cheesy animal shirts. i would swap my usual contacts for my glasses with these jumpers for sure.

splattery, messy monochrome. these pieces are shades of cheap monday, which i adore. i can see these being matched with a lot of stuff already in my closet.

yes, not for the faint of heart or even to be seen during the day, but these high-waisted sequin hotpants (a direct rip from chanel s/s 07) are too awesomely perfect for going out at night. just my style! // badass leather miniskirts need no explanation.

"nu-rave? more like nu-disco."

2008-06-12T20:55:00.000-07:00

tonight i'm going out dancing with two of my favorite girls. i made the leggings earlier this week in anticipation for tonight, but now that i've got the outfit together, i worry i'll be far too hot to dance all night! nonetheless, i couldn't help but think that queen michelle might take a liking to these leggings. i'm hoping that they get some wear during the day eventually! likewise, this dress will definitely be daywear as soon as the weather cheers up.

also, the entire world is telling me that my shoes are heinous. sorry, but i love round toes, metallic blue, and oh, i'm 21. which means i can get away with most anything. (i'm so snotty!) but really, they're ridiculous shoes for a ridiculous outfit and i love them. so there.

download » The Knife - Girls' Night Out

- dress: american apparel, $26
- leggings: self-made
- shoes: patricia field for payless, $35
- zim the cat: priceless

mad about mint

2008-06-11T15:47:00.000-07:00

i go through inexplicable color waves. currently my obsession is all about mint green. is it the vintage-y, 1950s connotations? or how the color seems bright and springy amidst the june gloom seattle has been shrouded for weeks? really, all i want is a solid, mint green hoodie. it's incredibly hard to find the exact right shade. american apparel's "lime" color is probably the closest i'll get. if only it came in more than a tank top!

stream The Cure - Mint Car and fall in love.

- L-R: american apparel flex fleece hoodie, $42. color photoshopped :[
- boosted stiloso headphones, $52. these come in a great vintage-y beige. mint green would be just as lovely.
- elmira northstar retro refrigerator, $3995. i would feel like a happy housewife straight out of the 50s if i could furnish my apartment with this appliance.
- hellz bellz 'coco bellz' and 'extinction' tee, $38 each. i have no idea what's going on in the second tee, but i'm still drawn to it 'cause of its lovely color.
- american apparel 2x1 rib u-neck tank in 'lime', $22. the perfect building block for a cheery outfit.
- mint green stella scooter. a timeless, retro shade for the ultimate accessory. a girl can dream!

blue jeans won't cut at the seams...

2008-06-01T19:09:00.000-07:00

i feel so brave posting a picture of my bum on the internet! yikes! haha

new jeans! the shop i work at just picked up a new brand called domino. the website is quite useless to be honest (their 'about' section talks on about fruit, er?), and the brand is canadian but pretends to be japanese. definitely lame. they have two styles of back logo patches; the japanese text (shown here) and the weird anime character that's their mascot. needless to say, i'm glad i got the text.

nonetheless, i'm quite smitten with these jeans! the raw material feels a bit weird by hand, but great on. they're without a doubt the tightest pair i own, yet still very comfortable and stretchy. i'm quite short but might forgo hemming on these. my boss described them as "babely." totally. i'm excited to post pictures of the first day i wore them here, and in some months post a picture of their faded, creased glory.

download » Ladytron - Blue Jeans

-domino 'kochi' jeans, $120
-popsecret microwave popcorn, $1

pink lemonade: more hidden treasures

2008-05-07T20:08:00.000-07:00

(incidentally, i am drinking pink lemonade at the mo!) i'll allow myself one of each. price isn't an issue here, i would just feel too ridiculous having all four. now which color of which!? (ps. if anyone wants to go out one night semi-matching... call me.)

shoes $15.99 at gojane
sunglasses 2 for $10 at wet seal

seen today on the street

2008-04-30T19:54:00.000-07:00

h&m!!! seattle!!! 6th & pike!!! fall 2008!!!

yes!!! vitamin d!

2008-04-26T15:28:00.000-07:00

it's 63° here in seattle, which (in my book) qualifies this as the first (and possibly only) day of summer. considering it snowed less than two weeks ago, i'm holding my hopes out for more gorgeous, sunny days. though this song doesn't scream 'summer' to me, it's sufficiently awesome. enjoy!

Crystal Castles - Crimewave (Crystal Castles VS Health)

fedora, urban outfitters.
drapey tee, h&m.
high-waisted shorts, alloy.
ballet flats, urban outfitters.
sunglasses, redlight vintage.

lust: tres bien

2008-04-18T11:27:00.000-07:00

extremely poor photoshop job, me (i'm a fashion designer, not a graphic designer!). one size tank, $149 by Burfitt. lhasu leggings, $149 by C-Neeon. sigh. i can definitely see myself dancing the night away in this outfit. if only!! luckily, this item seems quite make-able. we'll see... both from tres bien shop.

hidden treasures

2008-03-14T22:41:00.000-07:00

when i shop, i shop high and low. i don't just check out the cool, expensive, exclusive boutiques in the city/online. i admit it: i love checking out places like wet seal, forever 21, alloy, delia*s, girlprops, and gojane. these fast-fashion stores specialize in cheap, trendy items alongside designer knock-offs (which sometimes gets them in trouble, but it's good for me!). and because seattle is generally void of these kind of stores, when i buy select items from these places online, rather than having the same wardrobe as every other girl, people always ask me where i cop my cool shit. ha!

i am so in love with these high-waisted shorts! i cannot WAIT for summer. guaranteed these will be on daily rotation. even better is their whopping $26.50 price tag!

tank top: insight
shorts: highway jeans @ alloy

i can't believe i found these skinny black high-waisted jeans at forever 21! as a rule, i don't buy pants online as there are so many fit issues to factor in. miraculously, both the shorts and pants fit perfectly!! i've been looking for the right skinny high-waisted jeans for ages, deciding i was going to get these cheap mondays. but the f21 pair was only $32.80. even cheaper!

the heels are also an online purchase that fit just right. for $9.99, it's worth sifting through the crap on these cheapie, teen-oriented sites for hidden treasures.

tee: american apparel
jeans: forever 21
shoes: glaze @ gojane

♥ Taylor

lust: alex + chloe.

2008-02-14T05:27:00.000-08:00

"anneua solitaire - diamant inverse" ring from alex + chloe.

love how a+c are expanding their line of perspex jewelry. this seems like the perfect engagement ring for a very cool, urban couple.

♥ Taylor

oh my god shoes

2008-02-05T20:34:00.000-08:00

i'm back!!! thanks for your patience. ♥ i've moved house (more stressful than you would think! pesky landlords) and almost have secure & reliable internet access (thanks neighboring college students with clearwire!!). anyway, what better way to jump back into things than with SHOES!? three new pairs made their way to my closet this past week.

melissa shoes!! the shop i shopgirl at got new ones in after not having ANY in so long! while i'm not a huge fan of pink, and even less in love with pointy-toed shoes, somehow these transcend both of those dislikes. i can't stop staring at my lovely feet with these! the lace looks like it's part of the plastic. awesome!
another pair of melissas... these are also totally plastic, even the suede-looking flock! supposedly you can just rinse them off if you step in a dirty puddle. again, great for seattle weather... and both of them are surprisingly comfy to boot (plastic shoes, i know! it's hard to believe). the ones pictured are black, but i bought the deep purple color. mmm...
i'm not gonna lie. i work with some pretty awesome and stylish sneaker freaks. i've always been more of a "cute flats" girl myself, with the classic hi-top Converse Chuck Taylor thrown in for good measure. i have enough obsessions that consume my $$$ already, so i really don't need or want to become a sneakerhead (sneakerpimp? what do you call yourselves??). with that said, i bought this pair of freaking amazing Nikes the other day and my co-workers all flipped. "those are just... beautiful." "ahhh you betch, I WANT THOSE!!" success!!

looking over my new shoes... can you guess my favorite colors right now?? haha!

♥ Taylor

High Waists: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

2007-10-14T15:11:00.001-07:00

every single male i've asked about high-waisted jeans have come back with a resounding "NO!" they are quick to point out that they, too, are sick of girls not being able to bend over without the dreaded butt cleavage; it's just that high-waisted pants "do really gross things to a girl's butt." while i can accept that high-waisted styles will become popular over the next few years, much like skinny jeans did, i believe there are ways to ease into it without turning your cute little butt into some kind of weird denim pancake (ew).

The Bad

i'm sure this model has a cute, model-esque body. but look at what these jeans have done to her probably-adorable butt! it looks inches taller and flatter than what low-rise (or even mid-rise) styles give. ew. i'm sorry but i'm going to have to give these jeans a pass*.

The Ugly

i'm sorry, but there are only a few words i can say about these jeans before the vomit starts to creep up my throat: "80's babysitter/mom jeans/skyscraper pancake ass." MOVING ON.

The Good

nay, THE GREAT. i almost gasped aloud when i saw these jeans. gorgeousity! the first pair of high-waisted jeans i saw in a magazine were Diesels with a scooped stitch-line across the waist where a "normal" pair of jeans would fall. this kinda has the same thing... it draws your eyes lower and makes the high-rise less "shocking." the pockets are also in a lower position than the other styles here, which gives the butt a juicier look. yum!

so LADIES: assume that this is the same model for all three of these jeans. see how these jeans change your body shape? don't be afraid for the new high-waist... just tread carefully and be choosy of the styles you wear.

all jeans are Cheap Monday from Caliroots, a Swedish streetwear shop. best of all, these jeans are ~$57 online and $65 regularly in store. woo!

*for now. i'm sure in 6 months to a year i'll be all about jeans like these. allow me to eat my words when that times comes. :]

Reasons Why I Love/Hate Soia & Kyo

2007-10-09T20:02:00.000-07:00

1. love: they make amazing coats.
2. hate: they cost $300+ each.
3. love: we stock them at the shop i work at, therefore discount!
4. hate: still expensive. (i'm po'.)
5. love: totally worth it, and i might just give in.

the above is my dream coat. it's beautiful. check out the line at Revolve Clothing or at the official website. beautiful!

Minus The Bear

2007-08-20T11:29:00.000-07:00

photo from burnthehighway
my friend and i were talking about the proliferation of bands that reference bears lately. Panda Bear, the Bear Quartet, Grizzly Bear, Bear vs Shark, the Bears, and my long-time favorite Minus The Bear. seeing as both the band and i hail from Seattle, i've had the luck of catching them live a number of time. i think my favorite show of theirs was the intimate setting of Hell's Kitchen in Tacoma where i was able to see how about 5 guys can play maybe 8 guitars. wow.

well, it's time for a whole 'nother freakout, because Minus The Bear is going ~~LASER~~. that's right. you can pick up their new album, Planet of Ice, tonight at midnight at Easy Street Records, following an in-store performance. and Tuesday, the 21st, the Pacific Science Center will be playing Planet of Ice in its entirety accompanying a ~~LASER SHOW~~. yeah.

if you're still questioning MtB's genius, download an MP3 of 'Throwin Shapes' from Pitchfork or my favorite track off the new record:

Minus The Bear - Ice Monster MP3 "she's gone, she's gone 'cross the border, man.."

even though it is hideously rainy here in Seattle even though it is mid-August, i guess i can like any city where lasers team up with my favorite bands.

Kay Kay Fever: Part 2

2007-08-04T16:40:00.000-07:00

i know it's terribly bad form to blog about a band twice in a short span of time, but i honestly can't help it. the more i listen to Kay Kay and his Weathered Underground, the more i'm drawn to their sound. drunk at a party last night, i put on their DVD and proceeded to make the last of the revelers in my apartment pay attention to the line, "to the tune of, da na na na na..." and the seconds preceding it in the song "Simon Courage Flees the Coop," explaining "that measure could change the world!" sober today, i still believe it. it's hard to explain, so just take a listen over at their myspace page.

(yes, that is my foxy roommate on electric violin, and yes, i made that dress. holla! pictures from kay kay's site.)
their performance at the Capitol Hill Block Party was the highlight of the fest for me (yes, overshadowing Spoon. i know). this is one band i highly encourage you all to listen to. i got my hands on their DVD (available on their site) and it's phenomenal. great to watch as well as putter around my apartment, blasting it and singing along whilst i do the dishes.

Kay Kay's next show is August 25th at El Corazon w/ Portugal. The Man, This Will Destroy You, and To My Boy!. they're also playing EndFest in September. woo!

(ps. wiki link 1 and wiki link 2 to help you decipher the meaning behind the band's strange name!)

Pattern Magic

2007-07-22T13:57:00.001-07:00

insert typical excuses for why i haven't updated my blog in a month... moving house, job, lack of internet at new place, etc. now that that's out of the way...

the other day at Uwajimaya's bookstore, i picked up an amazing book called Pattern Magic. unfortunately for me, it's all in Japanese and my grasp on the language is a bit rusty by now, but the diagrams are quite clear and i feel like i might be able to get my way around them. these aren't any ordinary patterns: these are practically puzzles. they look amazing and complex, but once you see the finished flat pattern, you go "oh!" and it makes sense. i wish i had this book while i was in design school! i'm sure i could have impressed quite a few teachers with these unusual techniques...

i love this top on the left--anyone who doesn't understand garment construction might just pass it by saying "oh twisted/wrinkly." but viewing the pattern and all the steps to get there... let's just say i'm impressed. wow.

if you're at all interested in unusual techniques of garment construction, get your hands on this book. your mind will be blown. i spent an hour sitting in my (brand new!) apartment window staring at it!
large pictures credited to bitsandbobbins

Natalie Portman's Shaved Head

2007-06-22T09:18:00.000-07:00

(photo courtesy &y)about two weeks ago, i went to see Cansei de ser Sexy at Neumo's. i had read the name Natalie Portman's Shaved Head, the first act on stage, but always figured they were probably some shitty metal/garage/punk band. foolish, foolish me. my friends and i were treated to awesome, poppy electro-punky nu-rave (is it ok to use that word??) that we danced to the ENTIRE. TIME. we all agreed it was THE most fun we've ever had at a show--ever. (they were so good, you might notice i'm not even talking about CSS.) and this is without knowing any of the songs beforehand. if you get a chance to check out NPSH around Seattle, put on your leotard, matching short-shorts, metallic headband, knee socks and converse (yes, i wore all that to the show and yes, i fit in just fine) and get ready to get down.

(photo courtesy JeanineAnderson)not only that, but their look is "straight from some un-filmed 80's movie by Wes Anderson. I swear they were all Margot Tenenbaum's kids" (Metroblogging Seattle). check out those awesome shirts they were all wearing: did they make them? if so, who's the designer of the group? how can i get one? and lastly, did they get their inspiration from the runways?

Etro spring/summer 2007

Emilio Pucci fall/winter 2007

Temperley spring/summer 2006

hey! now Urban Outfitters is getting in on it too!

How cool is Agyness Deyn?

2007-06-09T12:13:00.000-07:00

there are two models whom i'm absolutely in love with, the first being Agyness Deyn. a few reasons why i adore the platinum-coiffed British it girl:

1. she actually looks like she's having FUN modeling. i love seeing models goof off and SMILE!
ps. how amazing is that sweater!?
2. she eats!

3. her hair! no one could ever say she's a cookie-cutter model type. i read some quote somewhere about something like, when a woman cuts her hair this short, it replaces femininity with style. no other model would even dare to cop her hairstyle ('cuz no one else could ever pull it off).
Agyness was BORN to wear this Anna Sui outfit, including the guitar. wow.
4. her personal style is all about Jeremy Scott, Boombox! in London, and having FUN. models who take themselves so seriously are boring!
5. she just has a cool, rebel girl quality about her. i want to be part of her model posse.

with Freja Beha Erichsen and Irina Lazareanu
6. i just like her face. i didn't know anyone could be gorgeous and adorable at the same time!

gorgeous jewelry, re-thought

2007-05-20T10:36:00.000-07:00

i often have people compliment me on my black spiral earrings, only to realize that they've known me for this long without ever noticing my ears are stretched to a 6G. people who used to think the practice "gross" re-think after they check out my awesome jewelry. even my parents, who were a little distraught when i began the stretching process, have come around and love the earrings i wear. while i'm not a fan of hugely stretched ears, i think "regular" earrings are often boring or tacky and find the selection of jewelry for stretched ears incredibly more interesting and beautiful.
BodyArtForms is my #1 site for buying body jewelry. i think my next purchase will include these gorgeous opalite plugs:

Kay Kay Fever

2007-05-18T18:52:00.000-07:00

my good friend Megan called me to let me know that the band she plays violin in would be playing on Seattle's biggest rock station (107.7 The End) this evening. naturally i tuned in and was amazed. she kind of shrugs it off like it's no biggie but DUDE, they're playing the Carson Daly show next month (wait, Carson Daly has a show? haha, just kidding Megan). meet Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground.Kay Kay sounds like The Beatles, Oasis, Sufjan, Beirut (my friend Troy disagrees on this one, but you know what? HE CAN START HIS OWN MUSIC BLOG!*), and Bob Marley (? yes, there's some reggae-esque qualities in there) to me. the video above is from their "Live at the Pretty Parlor" DVD (PP is only one of the coolest boutiques in Seattle, duh).

Kay Kay is gonna be crazyhuge. i haven't felt this excited for a Seattle band since The Divorce (playing their last show soon) and before that, Death Cab For Cutie. check out Kay Kay's myspace and download another sprawling, epic song from them right here:

Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground - Bowie the Desert Pea - MP3

*well troy just can't take another person's opinion, haha. check out his brand new music blog, foreign audiophiles, where you can read all of his fascist opinions on indie rock :]

LCD, PB&J, Illinois [MP3s]

2007-05-14T19:02:00.000-07:00

here's a few musical treats for you to make up for my lack of updates.
LCD Soundsystem - North American Scum - MP3
possibly the best song i've heard so far all year. if you don't want to start a dance party immediately upon hearing it, you have no soul.

Peter, Bjorn & John - The Chills - MP3
the first two lines are some of the best lyrics i've heard all year. "your tongue is sharp/but i miss the taste of it." steathily acerbic. they played here in Seattle last night, and i was even in possession of two tickets, but alas i don't meet the 21+ age requirement. damn. (my dad took the tickets in my place.)

Illinois - Screen Door - MP3
here's a band (from pennsylvania) i know nothing about (which makes me a musical retard, according to music blogs everywhere), but this song is upbeat and hilarious. i love the opening line: "HEY-lo, all you lovely ladies!"

Petit Mal: fashion comicbook

2007-05-06T22:46:00.000-07:00

is it blogger plagiarism to write about something you heard from another blogger? if so, i apologize profusely to Susie of Style Bubble, but Petit Mal is too good to NOT write about. i ordered my own copy and was laughing the whole way through. what kind of fashion/nerd hybrid created this comic book about "The Pride of Pradastan vs the Galactic Gallianos in... Turban Warfare!"? not to mention "Viktor + Rolf's Venomous Vamps Meet Louis Vuitton's Virtuous Virgins in... Blood Lust!"? too hilarious to pass up.

visit the Petit Mal myspace to check out their insanity and order your own copy.

more American Apparel worship

2007-05-01T21:12:00.000-07:00

over a year and a half ago, i was musing about American Apparel with a friend and said, "do you think they'll ever develop a jean?" my friend scoffed at me saying that the jean market was already oversaturated and creating a jean style would pose far too many options and problems for a company based on knitwear.

well, IN YOUR FACE. loyal fans of American Apparel such as i (call me brainwashed if you will) have been keeping tabs of their first woven pant: The Slim Slack. yes, they've finally released it on their website! visiting most physical store locations in the past few months could score you a variety of colors but meager selection in terms of sizes.

they've still got a ways to go--only Almost Black, Navy and White are available online so far. i will definitely snap up a pair when they've got Bright Purple or Evergreen--oh, and once they figure out what to do about people who don't need a 34" inseam (a petite 28/29" here)!

two things coming soon i'm excited about: the Poplin Necktie and Stretch Corduroy Short Shorts. i can only hope both these items come in as many colors as their tee shirts (and to my woven naysayer friend: CORDUROY!).

American Apparel's Next Top Model

2007-04-28T20:02:00.000-07:00

i've been sick. i spent most of today lounging on the couch watching America's Next Top Model Cycle 3. MTV seems to run marathons on Saturdays, and that being my day off, i take advantage of it. i've never been an ANTM fan, but i found one model, Norelle, to be absolutely adorable and striking.

errr... not so sure about the outfit...
i think most models are so boring-looking, but i just love something about her light skin/dark eyes, eyes and natural smile. i would most definitely choose her as a model over the other girls (despite her sub-par walk).

and since we're on a Top Model thread of discussion... check out this hilarious video i tripped across on youtube.

Streets to Fashion runway show

2007-04-23T21:40:00.000-07:00

a trio of outfits made by me were featured in the Art Institute of Seattle's Streets to Fashion runway show last friday, april 20th. i was actually unable to attend (not only did i have to see the premiere of "Hot Fuzz" that night, i was protesting the $20 cover charge), but i'm happy to share some shots:

crop jacket with high collar; white button-down camisole tank; metallic purple knit cowl skirt

navy/gray knit top; assymetrical jean skirt

assymetrical high-collar jacket, plaid shirtdress, navy/gray knit leggings

the last two outfits actually won me second place in a runway competition hosted by Zebraclub earlier this year. nice to see them on the runway again :) everyone's outfits were great. some were amazing. check out the rest of the photos here.

Seattle's Only Newspaper

2007-04-21T11:45:00.000-07:00

The Stranger, my favorite Seattle weekly, has their featured annual fashion issue out. yippie! check out what 'Seattle street fashion' REALLY means in Worn Out.

the fact that purple jeans have jumped from Paris and New York to Seattle gives me hope.

Break up with your television.

2007-04-20T14:44:00.000-07:00

Vice Magazine is one of my favorite publications/ websites. i don't recommend it if you're easily offended by sensitive subjects. Vice definitely caters to a certain sense of humour, and i'm proud to admit i am of that persuasion. their arguably most popular feature is their "Do's and Don'ts" wherein they more or less make fun of people for their fashion or lifestyle faux pas. Vice has a whole empire that also includes books. the back cover of Vice Do's and Don'ts: 10 Years of VICE Magazine's Street Fashion Critiques explains their aesthetic well:

The DOs are put on a pedestal that soars way past God and the DON'Ts are so cruel they sound litigiously close to death threats. They may not tell you too much about what you should be wearing but they are always mind-blowingly, eye-poppingly, scream-laugh funny...

my newest love affair with Vice is their online video version of the Do's and Don'ts on VBS.TV. the people they get to comment are surprisingly often celebrities and almost always hilarious. seeing the host and Johnny Knoxville in the video below friggin killed me!

if you are ever in a dour mood (and, again, have that Vice sense of humour), i definitely recommend VBS.TV for a booster.

fabulous (yet painful) pumps

2007-04-19T16:33:00.000-07:00

there are two odd reasons why i love the following pair of shoes so much.

1. i go through waves of color-love. for some inexplicable reason, i'll start wearing and surrounding myself with a certain color for a few months. then i move on to a new one. it's purple now; before, turquoise, black, red, and brown, in reverse chronological order. i wouldn't call it trend-following; more just something about my biorhythms and usually the season that makes me fall in love with a certain hue.

2. i have never been a "shoe girl." for years i've been content to wear my collection of Converse Chuck Taylors--high tops, no low tops, thank you. i owned one pair of strappy heels that i wore to both proms and all family occasions since. but lately, i've noticed my shoe collection is beginning to spill out of my closet. i've always loved ballet flats, and since they've blown up in the last few seasons, i've amassed quite a few ("quite a few" means 6+ pairs of essentially the same shoe, with small color and stylistic variations). now that i've got a corporate job in the works, i want to try to appear more grown-up and professional, which naturally calls for heels. as it is i can barely stand in my 1½" wedge peep toes for more than a few hours, but i'm getting better!
both of these forces came together and i fell in complete and utter love with these:

(yup, those are little bows on the back)

last week i modeled for a photoshoot, and my stylist/photographer friend had me wear these vintage purple pumps, bought at Redlight. i was so excited to wear them (though standing in gravel for a few hours out in the cold Seattle evening thrilled me a bit less) that she offered them to me at the end of the shoot. how she knew i had been searching for electric violet shoes mystifies me. now if only i could walk in them without wobbling!

loomstate + purple jeans

2007-04-17T13:17:00.000-07:00

i don't know too much about organic cotton and 'green' apparel, but i love these jeans from Loomstate.

both of those styles are the perfect fit for my liking. that they don't leave a negative impact on the environment doesn't hurt either. i think the reason those white jeans (available at sodafine) pique my interest so much is that i've been looking for the perfect pair of white straight/skinny-leg jeans to dye a purple-violet (a color i've been having a love affair with lately), ala american apparel's slim slacks (shown below) or The Hundreds.

i tried the AA pair on, and they are hopelessly too long on me. yes i could hem them easy, but why not buy some cheapie jeans and dye them to make them my own? colored denim is going to be huge this year. i've had several friends express their doubt for purple pants, but i'll prove them wrong, right?