Rawr

There are some ridiculously sweet sunglasses out there and I'm beginning to be just as big of a sucker for sunglasses as I am for coats. I'm gonna combine this post with a "purchased item" post because, well, I got some new sunglasses today. I've been coveting these babies since I saw the runway version in the S/S 2011 show:

I wanted the full runway version with the curled sides but it was over $500 at Holt Renfrew so...moving on.

Cat-eye glasses (as seen at Givenchy)
Yeah, I guess these aren't actually sunglasses...but they are furry with panthers on the arms - this makes sense as the collection had a running 'Panther' theme. They are kind of amazing...and really serve no purpose whatsoever. I understand though that the retail version will be sunglasses and it will not be furry, but that takes the fun out it for me.

Legend in the Making

Absolutely IN LOVE with my new Swiss Legend Karamica watch...yes, this will tide me over nicely until I (if I ever) decide to splurge for the J12 by Chanel. I want to wear it to bed. In fact, I'm in my pyjamas and I still have it on. Yessssss

Sally Strikes Again!

I had a manicure last weekend, and while it was nice, every single nail was smudged and imprinted by the next morning. I hate that. Though there are some products that can help with the drying aspect, they can't beat my newest nail obsession - Sally Hansen Salon Effects. I love you Sally!


These little wonders last up to 10 days (though personally I've only made it to six) and needs no drying time. All that, and everyone freaks out when they see them. My favorite is the houndstooth 'Check It Out' - I can actually match them to a pair of Comme des Garçons crops I have!


Not my hand - important because her application isn't good.
They aren't cheap at $10 a box, but for a decent looking polish that chips minimally after several days and can last longer than a week? Yeah, I'll pay. Now I just need to head down into America where the selection is bigger...

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Tilly Bloom

On gloomy days like today (out here on the left coast, anyway), I really like an odd thing to make me smile and remember sunnier times. Cheesy sounding, isn't it?

I first saw Tilly Bloom at the Takashimaya Department Store Shinjuku in Tokyo back in 2009. I was passing through the accessories section, generally overwhelmed by the pearls and delicate gold chains when something completely curious lept out at me.



I immediately flip over the object in question and was greeted by a cute little emblem of the brand - Tilly Bloom. Like the savvy (or cheap) consumer I am, I jotted down the name of the brand and continued on my merry way (because surely I can find this imported item cheaper at home, right?)


Fast forward to Christmas 2010. I order Tilly Bloom for myself and my sister who I have in our gift exchange. I also requested Tilly Bloom from my other sister in the gift exchange. It was a very Tilly Christmas.

Mine:




For my sister:


I was right, ps. Wayy cheaper online! Check out the lass at here.
All images from www.tillybloom.com

Purchases in Memoriam

I'm ashamed to admit that last year after Alexander McQueen died, I joined the crowd that felt the need to try to reach out and grab any residual bits from his empire while they lasted. However, I did this with the thought that he was somehow involved in the McQ line, rather than just supplying the affiliation and inspiration for the brand. Whatever. I wanted McQueen any way I could get it, as some were questioning the very continuity of the entire brand. So I bought some things. First up was this wool/silk blend safety pin scarf.


I appeared as though the online shops selling McQueen were acutely aware of this sudden appeal and prices sky-rocketed. No more $200 McQueen dresses to be found. Maybe the label will finally make some money?

Second item was the next best thing to a $200 McQueen dress - a $200 McQ dress. Unfortunately they only came in S, M, and L...


The dress...fit. But damn it is tight around the bust. I make do and wear it out. This dress assisted me in celebrating my birthday this last December in a dark underground nightclub in Tokyo. Renegade? This is what the brand is supposed to be. I'm going to try to live it.

Boner

I bought this necklace at the end of 2009 - this is a story about the lazy blogger. You see kids, when a blogger is so lazy, they don't attract readers because they are not relevant. This necklace is not relevant. I still like it though and you can probably expect to see this style in your local Claires in a few months, if it's not there already. But how many people can say that theirs is a Rock & Bone branded one!? No one. Because no one knows who that is...? Yep.

Blah post is blah. Tuesdays suck.

Double D

I love fashion because it's a never-ending ride where every once in a while, something cool comes along that is just so different than anything you could have imagined yourself. And I'm like, "Yes!" because it is precisely those things that make dressing yourself interesting. Of course, this is provided that you can afford said items in question. But really, I feel like I'm cooler for even knowing they exist out there (on someone.) It leaves me excited to find out what comes after.

The first place I saw a piece by Delfina Delettrez was at Opening Ceremony in Tokyo - it struck me immediately because my teenage heritage is rooted in punk rock. And man...if I had one any one of these in my repertoire back then, I would have been...well...even more punk rock (minus all the criticism that would be sure to ensue given the fact that to purchase the item alone requires more money than "punk rock" allows...) Accessories can create a look entirely on their own. Remember my bit about statement pieces? Say hello.






RAD! Don't you feel cooler now too? It's so crazy!

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Statement Pieces

One of the easiest ways to kick up your personal style a notch is to focus on a statement piece. A statement piece can be any piece, but there must be only one. This is handy if you aren’t super-rich (like myself) but still want to look like you aren’t completely hopeless on the fashion front. And it’s also handy because you only need to buy one thing! Even if you don’t know what to pick, most gaudy things look OK on their own paired with an all-black ensemble. Think…like, yellow stilettos or something. Catch my drift?

My favourite stand-out items are necklaces, brooches, bottoms, and tights. And some of these can be bought for really cheap. Use your imagination!









I own the leggings and the tights and, well, they are me. But this is just to give you an example of how one item can turn your otherwise mundane black pants/tunic/blazer/dress into an outfit. The list I’ve shown above is a real mix between high and low fashion (Lanvin necklace, handmade brooch, handmade leggings, cheapo $4 tights), so no excuse not to try. No harm – I want to see more of this!

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Home-cooked Sweets

Did I mention that I love watches? Yes? Do you know what I love yet more? Watches that smell like vanilla cupcakes. According to the older ladies I come in contact with, my style is "funky" - in order to maintain this image (oh please, yes!), I continue on in my style conquests. My husband "bought" me this watch for Christmas. Hello, my first Fendi purchase.

I am not a crook.

I like watches. As you may recall, my present to myself once I'm done this grueling coursework is going to be this J12 Chanel watch. But, until that point, I need to buy many cheaper ones to satisfy my cravings. I have three Nixon watches already, so I added a fourth to my collection. Meet the Mazzy:

Celebrity

So two days ago I was blabbing about Tiffany sunglasses and how I bought the cheaper Prada version. I should pony up and show the goods! Here they be:

Holy Grail

I'm getting pretty darn good at these online sale things. Or, maybe not, but I got it when it counted. As you may know, I love Alexander McQueen (pause)..yes yes. As you may or may not know, he creates beautiful things and my favorite-est ones are his scarves. This may sound melodramatic but, I die a little every time I check the price tag on them. Well, I got me one, and it is perfect.

Cheaply Made, Exepensive Crap

Okay, so I wasn't very imaginative with the title of this blog, but I must admit I'm a bit disgruntled with the producers over at Vivienne Westwood. When I was in London last year I wanted to buy something from the Vivienne Westwood flagship on Conduit Street, and I didn't feel like dropping an excessive amount of pounds, so I just bought a necklace. Turns out, the necklace was apt to shedding it's Swarovski crystals and they don't believe in responding to customer inquiries. Perfect...I'll just go over here into my little corner with my broken necklace and nosh on some fish and chippies.

Grocs

I've developed a thing for sunglasses recently...and frankly, I think no one does finery quite like Tiffany. Okay, that's a lie, but the sunglasses were a great shape for my face so I wanted them. Sticker price = $8xx, "discounted" price = $4xx. Um, no. I bought the cheaper Prada version, but I still think these are cuter.

Four-Eyes

Confession time. I don't need glasses. I got laser eye surgery two and a half years ago and my vision is better than 20/20, but my benefit provider doesn't need to know that. I thought I'd like some glasses to wear as an accessory occasionally and, like anything else I buy, I wanted it to suit me and yet be a respected name. As it turns out, the "accessory" glasses I picked cost more than any of the frames I bought when I actually needed them.

Black Ribbon

I'm a fairly recent Lanvin convert...where has it been all my life? Well, who can say why we'd never connected before but I'm sold now. This pretty thing seals the deal.

All Tied Up

Miu Miu's adorable accessories are quickly gaining momentum towards being my favorite accessories period. Actually, since I don't have a current favorite, I think I will make Miu Miu it by default. There, done. This cute bow necklace has been dubbed 'coveted'.

Fatal Attraction to Cuteness

I believe that brooches are slowly climbing back into popularity...unless they have already and I'm not aware of it. I have one so far but I'm looking to branch out and possibly collect another. If you, like me, are a buyer in the brooch market, check out this contribution from Miu Miu.

Heartwarming

My first trip to the UK was an impulsive jaunt to Scotland where I was thrilled to see Vivienne Westwood prominently displayed in shops. Though I gawked, I hardly could fathom spending the kind of money that would be required to own anything (ha ha...how nostalgic). My travel companion was mostly interested in scouring the souvenir shops so I excused myself to the nearby Jenners store when we were staying in Edinburgh. Passing by the jewelery counter, I couldn't refrain any longer and purchased.

Flapper Chic

My hat store has a few more things for your head than just hats - great, hey? Unfortunately, they are of a similar price...would you pay $65 for a headband? What about this cute headband? I swear this blog won't turn into a money talk; that would be so depressing and then I would have to stop dreaming about all these precious objects.