architect + shoes = zaha + melissa

{Zaha Hadid + Melissa Black}

I just received an email from Adele at fabulous Brookyln boutique Epaulet announcing the arrival of this season's new Melissa styles! There is an amazing collaboration with female Pritzker Prize winning architect Zaha Hadid and beautiful new styles in the Vivienne Westwood collection.

Zaha Hadid created this distinctive shoe with the Melissa seamless plastic construction in mind. Her concepts for the design were fluidity and asymmetry to create a sense of movement. I think this futuristic design will soon be a collector's item...I need someone to go try these on!

{Zaha Hadid + Melissa Silver}

New to the Vivienne Westwood + Melissa collaboration is these completely fabulous three-strap platform Mary Janes. I must have the Teal! They also come in black or eggplant. Lovely!

{Vivienne Westwood + Melissa Three Straps Elevated Teal}

The super popular Vivienne Westwood Lady Dragon (that Katy Perry was wearing!) is back in gorgeous new colors. This open-toe slingback with a bow is the perfect combination of sweet and sexy. My favorite new color is definitely the Emerald, but it also comes in Black, Tortoise, Yellow, and Red.

{Vivienne Westwood + Melissa Lady Dragon II Bow Emerald}

If you live in a climate with rainy and slushy weather in the winter, then the cultural acceptance of the functional Wellie as a fashionable piece of footwear is the best thing that's ever happened to you. I wish these were around when I was growing up in Portland, Oregon. It only makes sense for a waterproof plastic shoe designer to come up with a design for some cute Wellies...

{Vivienne Westwood + Melissa Squiggle Wellington Navy}

Visit Epaulet's online store to see the entire collection of Melissa shoes available. If you live in Brooklyn, check out the store on Smith Street.

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finally moved to the bay

Sorry about the lack of posts recently...I have been in the process of moving. I am getting settled and will be reporting back on bay are fashion very soon!

links a la mode

• 39th and Broadway – Designer Interview; Delirius
• A Typical Atypical – The wonderful Every Little Counts! With 15% off for readers!
• Bobbins and Bombshells – Vintage Finds of the Week: Mad Men Secretary Accessories
• Breakfast at Saks – Enter to win accessories from the eryn brinié Fall 2009 collection!
• BRICK MY LANE – DIY: putting scraps of fabric to good use by turning it into a ruffled neckpiece
• ClandestineChic – Interview: Patricia Valery of Evil Needles
• Denimaniac – Wood Wood’s S/S 2010 collection – a bit of street, a dash of fash and a whole lotta style!
• dramatis personae – Quality vs. Vegan/Environmentally Sustainable
• Fabulous Finds Gal – “Gardens in Grey” By Fashion Photographer Julia Pogodina And An Inspiring Interview
• Fashion Pulse Daily – What was Your Favorite Summer 2009 Trend?
• Fasshonaburu – A review on the now purchase-able Under.Ligne, the diffusion line by Doo.Ri.
  
• Fete a Fete – Dancing all night and your 5-inch stilettos killing you? Bring some Rollasole emergency ballet flats with you!
• Independent Fashion Bloggers – NYFW SS10 Schedule + tips on getting in
• Market Publique – Art Class: Vintage Abstract Prints
• midnight feast – The Jean Genie
• Retro Chick – Win – Reese Witherspoons first fragrance for Avon
• Sterling Style – New York’s Rachel Antonoff Holiday 2010 Collection
• Style Gourmand – Ag Kij of Net-a-Porter discusses Net-a-Porter’s new iPhone app and how technology and fashion co-mingle.
• Style Mom – STYLEMOM holds it down for fashion bloggers as one of the only IFB members at Blogher 2009 in Chicago
• Stylish Thought – Cats with Style: Boxing Kitten
• THE COVETED – Mummy Dearest: Iris Van Herpen taking inspiration from the macabre
• Unfunded – Vintage sequins, sparkles and sprinkles

i still love thread social in fall 2009

Oh lovely Thread Social, how exciting it is to see what you come up with each season!

Thread Social's Fall collection has silky ruffles and bows on minis and long-sleeved blouses paired with slim tuxedo jackets for a sophisticated and feminine look. A brilliant cold weather color palette: matte black with deep purples and blues and pops of bright yellow, turquoise, and peach.

{thread social silk wool folded ruffle tux jacket}


{thread social double bow knit top & color blocked ruffle skirt}


{thread social color blocked matte silk dress}


{thread social silk wool folded ruffle dress coat}


{thread social soft focus silk blouse & color blocked folded ruffle skirt}

Related articles...

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hello kitty flash drive

via nitrolicious...
I don't usually post about cutesy electronics, but this one I just had to share....

Are you ready for the cutest little flash drive that you've ever seen?

It seems that Mimobot has been producing cutesy flash drives for years, but in September they will be releasing a special Hello Kitty edition to celebrate the famous bow-wearing kitty's 35th anniversary. If you are familiar with these lovable Japanese Sanrio characters, then you will also recognize USB flash drives featuring Badtz-Maru, My Melody, Kuromi, Keroppi, and ChocoCat.

(My love for Tokyo's Kiddy Land has been revealed on this one...)

peep-toe booties for fall

I am loving the peep-toe ankle booties for Fall!

They are perfect with opaque tights, embellished leggings (plain black is just too plain for this season!), or pegleg ankle pants. Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's debut Elizabeth and James shoe collection has exactly what I'm looking for...

{elizabeth and james lacey bootie}


{elizabeth and james lola ruffle bootie}

{Calvin Klein Raine}

{Seychelles Charm}

{Vince Camuto Gordon Bootie}

Related articles...

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gilt fuse launches tomorrow

There has been a lot of hype about Gilt Groupe's new discount flash sale website called Gilt Fuse that is geared towards a younger and more contemporary crowd than the original Gilt Groupe. The idea is: Gilt Groupe is to Gilt Fuse as Barney's is to Barney's COOP. Sounds great to me!

The site will be launching tomorrow, Wednesday Aug 12 at 9am PST so definitely check it out and let me know what you think. Brands to expect include C&C, Generra, BCBG, DKNY Accessories, and Laundry. Gilt Groupe has been such a success that I can only imagine that Fuse will be quite wonderful....

Related articles...

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melissa shoes on sale at gilt

Of course you can expect me to report that Melissa shoes will be on sale at Gilt Groupe tomorrow, Tuesday August 11 at 9am. Stock up, ladies, before they are all sold out!!

Use my invite if you're not already a Gilt Groupe-obsessed girl: Hello Kelli invite


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flats for fall: lace-up jazz and loafers

I am getting excited about Fall shoes!

I am obsessed with two types of flats this Fall: loafers and lace-up jazz flats. They are so adorable and will look great with super skinny ankle length pants or loose boyfriend jeans (personally I don't do the boyfriend jeans, but they are a popular casual look). I am really a heels girl so it takes a lot to get me excited about flats!

I have already started searching everywhere for the perfect pair of flat lace-ups. I mostly love the black patent leather that look just like the shoes I wore to jazz class in 7th grade, but there are a few colorful styles that are cute too. Here are a few to get you started...

{Steve Madden "Tuxxedo" Flat}


{Repetto Zizi Femme Flat Lace-Up}

{Christian Louboutin Fred Flat}



{d.co 730 Brazil Flat}


{Pour La Victoire Charlie Oxford Flats}

Please share if you find some cute jazz flats...especially if they are under $150! I am still searching...

lady gaga inspired by architects

Two of my obsessions, Lady Gaga and architecture, have now been joined. It has been wittingly discovered that Lady Gaga's extremely unique and cutting-edge wardrobe choices have been inspired by works from some of the world's most famous architects. It seems that she has found the key to devoting a life to architecture, yet withstanding the design field's current recession...

Here is the article from Flavorwire last week:

More Than Just a Poker Face: Lady Gaga as Architectural Cipher

I can't wait until her next video comes out to see if she incorporates a Michael Graves tea kettle into her wardrobe choices.


Related posts...

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Images: Flavorwire

new trends for fall and winter fashion 2009

Fall fashion is here!

About a month ago I made my quick picks for fall 2009. Right before those big fat September issues of fashion magazines come out, I would like to share my ideas about trends that I see coming this fall. There are only a few changes from my initial observations last month...

The looks this season will be very 80's rocker- and menswear-inspired. I think there will be lots of dark leather and metal details, which should be balanced with saturated hues, feminine accessories, and soft materials. Some of the menswear-inspired looks seem to be inspired by the late King of Pop, with flat lace-up oxford shoes and ankle-length cigarette pants. Here are the pieces that I will be watching for this season:

clothes...
{Haute Hippie Wool Boyfriend Jacket}
(7 For All Mankind Motorcycle Ponte Pants}

• long blazers - These will be an update on the 80's version with a slouchy feel, open front, and rolled-up sleeves. The blazers will be menswear-inspired, but will have a long skinny fit and tight shoulders. No shoulder pads please.
  
• ankle pegleg pants - Skinny stretchy trousers that push the line between leggings and pants will pair wonderfully with your slouchy blazer. Think skinny on bottom and voluminous on top! Pants with a hem that hits right at the ankle bone are a perfect length.
  
• vests - The thin slouchy vests worn this summer will transform into thick puffy vests for the fall. Vests will be in materials like leather and fur (fake I hope!). Layer a plush vest with soft cotton underlayers.
  
• gray - I love finding beauty in gray. I am interested in gray suede, gray boots, fluffy gray sweaters, gray leather, gray wool hats, gray distressed handbags.

shoes...
{Kelsi Dagger Rosabella Bootie}
{d.co. brazil flat}

• detailed booties - Take the idea of the open-toed rocker bootie and gladiator sandals into Fall and you get an intense heeled bootie with unique details. There will be lots of variations, but I like the styles with flashy embellishments or open toes.
• open toe pumps - You can wear your open toe and thick strap pumps in materials like suede and patent leather with thick opaque tights when the weather cools down. If you wear super warm tights then you should be able to wear them through the season.
• flat lace-ups - Oxfords and jazzy flats will be worn with short pants and no socks until it's just too cold to bare the ankles.

accessories...
{Fiona Paxton Sylvia Necklace}
{J.Crew Pointelle Ribbed Tights}

• bowler hats - Think of it as this year's cloche...cute and vintage-inspired. There will be even more cloche styles this year, but if you want to try something new then the Samantha Ronson bowler is it.
  
• layered statement jewelry - New and flashy accessories paired with basics will be a good way to create new outfits during a recession. Wear pieces with multiple strands that hang down below the chest.
  
• velvet - I want to see the softness and romanticism of velvet explored in new ways. It should be used minimally to bring a feminine balance to the harsher looks this season.
• patterned tights - Again, a great way to spice up your outfits without investing in a clothing piece is to try unique accessories like patterned or colored opaque tights.

outerwear...

• leather jackets - The rock 'n roll vibe will continue through the winter, so look for fitted leather jackets with unique designs and colors. Balance a leather jacket with softer materials like silk and layered cotton..
  

just added bloglovin

I am trying to get more connected through social networking...I heard that Bloglovin is actually better than Google Reader so I'm giving it a shot!

Follow my blog with bloglovin

Let me know if you're a bloglovin lover!

san francisco...where's your style?

{Image: SF Gate}

I just read an article in SFGate about the different styles in the different neighborhoods of San Francisco. I was extremely sad to see that the overwhelming style was...fleece hoodies!? I hope that some true SF residents can read this article and let me know if it is completely stereotyped or if it is at all close to the truth. Please tell me there is fashion in this big city! We need the Sartorialist to visit SF to find the most stylish people on the streets!

SF Gate: The S.F. look neighborhood by neighborhood

I hope to prove this article wrong and find that there can still be unique and interesting style in a land of gray and cloudy days that goes beyond the functional needs of waterproof windbreakers and layered fleece.

I hope they are at least wearing some Prairie Underground hoodies....

how to shop at a sale...

I now write for the San Francisco edition of Examiner.com! I am very excited to be officially the SF Budget Fashion Examiner. My first article posted today and it is a list of my secret little rules for how to shop at sales and not end up buying tons of merchandise that you will never wear.

I'm just starting to understand Examiner.com, but I think you can add me as one of your Favorite Examiners if you want to stay updated on my articles! I write for the local edition, but a lot of my posts will apply to budget fashion shopping everywhere...

Check out my article:

How to shop at a sale and only buy items that you will wear

Hopefully I'll be able to keep up with Hello Kelli, Splendicity, Blisstree, and Examiner!

prairie underground sweatshirt coats

{prairie underground - long cloak hoodie}

Sorry about the huge break in posts...I just realized that it's been a week! I was out of town last week and have been busy getting ready for my move to the bay area. I have a lot of ideas about Fall fashion so I will be posting soon!

Until I have time to write more, here are some super cute, but unfortunately also super pricey, fashionable interpretations of the soft sweatshirt hoodie from Prairie Underground. These lovely coats are made from organic cotton by designers Davora Lindner and Camilla Eckersley in Seattle. I tried some of these styles on at a boutique in Ashland and they are so comfortable and warm...perfect for casual nights in the Fall. I definitely can't afford one now ($242 for a long hoodie is a bit much in this economy!) but I'll let you know when they go on sale!

If you want one now, they are available online at tobi.

{prairie underground - prairie hoodie}


{prairie underground - moth coat}


{prairie underground - dreamcatcher coat}