Suggested Reading: 8.31.10

31 Aug


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For your Viewing Pleasure


American Dreaming magazine launched their Fashion issue and the event was a smash! Kicking myself for missing it!

What are your recommended reads this week?

Beating the Nothing to Wear Blues

30 Aug

Standing in front of my closet, thumbing through dress after dress nothing sparking my fancy. A wash of sadness and frustration came over me. The clothes before me were uninspiring  and I was tired of looking at them, let alone wearing them, day in and day out. My denim was dull, my frocks a failure and shoes a bore. My wardrobe is more tired than a no good, cheating man, lost my dog, country anthem. It’s clear I have the “Nothing to Wear” blues.

Fashion Gone Rogue

Not those Jeans Again!

We’ve all been there. Our wardrobe has lost its luster. Every item of clothing feels outdated and frankly you feel stylishly uninspired. You’re reaching for the same jeans day in and day out and  you’re feeling the urge to go out and drop some hard-earned cash on new duds because you’re convinced that everything in your closet is tragically unwearable.

As we change and our style evolves, we outgrow items of clothing that we once loved. Compound that with living in a society where mass consumption is celebrated and you have a recipe for a constant feeling of the “Nothing to Wear” blues.

Before you go out and buy more clothes that you’ll be tired of in 6 months time, take some time to think about what you want your style to say. With a little examination and ingenuity you can unearth those hidden gems lurking behind that moldy t shirt you wore 3 times this week (I won’t judge).

How to beat the Nothing to Wear Blues

Assess Your Wardrobe

Before you decide to scrap the lot of your closet and donate it to Goodwill, take an inventory of what you own. So often great items get pushed to the back of our closets (and our minds) and we forget about that amazing cashmere sweater you only wore once. Taking a day to clean out your closet, organize clothes into various categories and try things you haven’t worn in awhile can rekindle your love affair with your clothes.

*Take note of holes in your wardrobe. If you’re a denim lover and only have 2 pairs of jeans you may need to invest in a few more pairs for variety.

Remix your Outfits

While your getting busy playing dressup, mix items that you wouldn’t normally wear together. By mixing and matching pieces you already own, you’ll create new looks that can serve to rejuvenate your wardrobe without spending a dime. Additionally, knowing what works ahead of time will save you from the dreaded morning dress mad dash.

Rethink your Style

Sometimes the Nothing to Wear Blues is less about the clothes you own and more about your own insecurity with your style. If you’re uncertain about your style or developing your look, it may feel like what you own doesn’t mesh with who you are. To avoid having a wardrobe of clothes that you can’t relate to over time, avoid buying tons of trendy pieces. Stock up for well suited basics that you can build any look off of as your style develops.

Do Selective Shopping

Once you’ve examined your wardrobe and have given your clothes a second chance, you can shop selectively, buying items that fit and work with your existing pieces and build a wardrobe full of stuff you love as opposed to pieces that leave you feeling like you have nothing to wear.

How do you deal with the “Nothing to Wear” blues?

Designer Studio: Alexandra Grecco

29 Aug

Vintage inspired? Check. Frilly and feminine details? Check. Love at first sight? Check. These delightful attributes describe Alexandra Greeco’s 2010 Pre-Fall collection. The Brooklyn designer collects a wealth of inspiration from vintage shops, photography and romantic details. The scalloped shorts and heart-shaped cutout are simply to die for. Check out her Etsy shop and inspiring blog.

Is 27 too old for Birthday Wishlists?

24 Aug

Me and birthdays don’t get along. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I had a party every birthday until I was 10 and then my parents had to go and yank the spoiled rug from under me. Things haven’t been the same since. Anticipation and anxiety around my born day always run high. How will I celebrate? Do I want to celebrate? What have I done this year that even deserves celebrating? Neurotic doesn’t begin to define this descent down the rabbit hole.


Swoone

Compound that with the fact that I’m turning 27. What’s wrong with 27 you ask? Why nothing except its age purgatory. It’s a dirty trucker rest stop between 25 and 30 and really we all know 30 is the next birthday that matters. 27 isn’t big enough to warrant a birthday bash and frankly I’d rather slink into my late 20′s with a crab leg hanging from my lip and butter bib draped around my neck.

I’m positive come Friday (27 on the 27th, God is smiling on me yall) I’ll be in a more celebratory mood. In order to improve  my birthday disposition I put together this micro birthday wishlist and if I get any manner of these things I’ll be as happy a camper as the Double Rainbow Guy.

1. DSLR: My writer/blogger/photographer trifecta is incomplete without one.
2. Alexander Skarsgard: Cause I’m a Vamp machine and I won’t work for nobody but E (hell, I’ll settle for a lock of his hair)
3. This Anna Dello Russo ensemble: To be worn on Casual Friday at the office
4. An assortment of Stripper Heels: Again to be worn in some wholly inappropriate situation
5. A Pug Named Elmo: Because Pugs are cuddly clouds from Heaven

Simple requests, non?  Oh yeah and all my family and friends to celebrate with. But when you have Alexander and Elmo who really needs friends?*

*I kid, I kid… BBM straight face

It’s Beginning to Look Alot Like Fall

22 Aug

This post was inspired by Kris Atomic

After summer’s long, hot and oppressive reign I can’t be the only person ecstatic about the return of Fall.  Full skirts, red lips, cat eyes, full figures, breasts, big hair and bouffants are making a comeback.  The 50s and 60s looks and silhouettes are taking over fashion right now and the return of pretty is right around the corner. Kris Atomic posted her delight over the new direction of style and it inspired me show the editorials that are inspiring me for Fall.

Sources: Fashion Gone Rogue/ Trend Land/ Logical Harmony

Shop Girl: nOir Jewelry

18 Aug

I like my jewelry like I like my coffee: strong, full of flavor and takes the edge off.  Noir Jewelry has the kick I love, not to mention the celeb-wearing credentials (my faves Kelis and Rihanna has been spotted in Noir). Designer and owner Leeora Catala, who has done the do at Ralph Lauren and Oscar De La Renta, launched Noir 14 years ago and it has become known for its cheeky and street style influence infused with glamour.


What do you think of Noir’s strong and tribal influenced pieces?

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