I recently bought a the Dolce Vita remix of that fabulous YSL pump (I had at one point entertained forking over the hundreds and hundreds of dollars for the real thing so to be able to buy the knock-off for a mere $100 seemed so genius...) Not too bad, eh? Now, I'm completely obsessed with them but have to yet to wear them. What's the cause of this? Not a disinterest in height and how fabulous it is to tower and teeter about BUT the pump (even with a nice pair of massage-y gel inserts) is really a stand around... Continue reading

.... At $63 I think I'll buy two or three to make sure that if I need to wash a pair I'll always have a back-up. Continue reading

This year has been an exciting year for the female pop performer, and it's not only because Lady GaGa has taken over (although I will admit I do love her so, what a surprise). To think only a decade ago the top pop stars were blonde princesses, Jessica Simpson, Britney Spears, Mandy Moore. Now, we find the expectation of the starlette being subverted, challenged. Men were doing interesting things, sure, but it was the women who took control and pushed the expectations of music and presentation into whole new places. Below I present my list of the top ten albums... Continue reading

Cocoa Michelle's, located at 190 Main Street, is graciously hosting a Holiday Pop-Up Shop featuring all the fun things I've been posting about these past months... A perfect place to find that jaw-dropping gift sure to dazzle your friends and loved ones, or to pick something up just in time for a holiday party (don't forget New Year's...). Tomorrow night and next Thursday, 5:30-8:30. Stop by, bring your friends, and see, discover, explore. Continue reading

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How beautiful is this jewelry? Though available information is limited, from what I have uncovered Heaven Tanudiredja is a frequent collaborator with Dries Van Noten and creates these meticulous pieces using an incredible breadth of source materials demonstrating a care for design and attention to detail (one report mentions teams in charge of sourcing throughout the world including Russia and Indonesia). His work has only recently become available within the United States, the only store mentioned being Henri Bendel's. Time for a field trip... Continue reading

Bitching & Junkfood, a shop and blog, recently launched a jewelry/accessories line featuring among other things fantastic headbands made of feathers that drape across the forehead a la fringe. I find them hauntingly beautiful and have been fantasizing of the oily black one, in particular, as its shape and color generally mimics my own hair (well, my hair isn't an oily black, but... you know what I mean). Queen Michelle of Kingdom of Style modeling hers: As I superfan of all things headdress related, I present three more lines I love: 1. Which Goose makes whimsical fairy crowns using twigs,... Continue reading

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Just in time for holiday, Nancy Caten's latest line, Bis, uses silver-treated industrial metals to create delicate yet weighty chain necklaces that are easily layered together yet substantial enough to be worn on their own. I love the play on hard and soft, the different combination of links and the use of this very interesting chain that has rhinestones, adding a subtle sparkle. They are, in my opinion, the perfect level of feminine and at the most amazing prices. Rhinestone necklace with mixed chain fringe, $236 Six Mixed Strand Necklace, $214 Double Strand Necklace with Black Onyx Cross Drop, $102... Continue reading

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Just in time for holiday, Nancy Caten's latest line, Bis, uses silver-treated industrial metals to create delicate yet weighty chain necklaces that are easily layered together yet substantial enough to be worn on their own. I love the play on hard and soft, the different combination of links and the use of this very interesting chain that has rhinestones, adding a subtle sparkle. They are, in my opinion, the perfect level of feminine and at the most amazing prices. Rhinestone necklace with mixed chain fringe, $236 Six Mixed Strand Necklace, $214 Double Strand Necklace with Black Onyx Cross Drop, $102... Continue reading

Today I received an email from Shopbop showing three "go anywhere" looks featuring Fall's "key pieces". Ok, so... Where to start. I guess, yes, the thigh high boot is "in" and the military jacket and the Chanel bag that is just everywhere. But do I really need leather underpants? That I wear with said military jacket and Chanel bag AND thigh high boots? All at the same time? With lace-printed leggings? Who styled this? And then thought "this is a go anywhere look"...? She looks uncomfortable (look at the riding up, and this is just a studio shot) and, frankly,... Continue reading

Today marks my second ever trip to The New Museum, a place that I had sworn off after the Inaugural show featuring piles of ply wood and strange "sculptures" of people's keys and odd collages. I think, actually, that's what the show was about - the "collage" and its potential. The potential for Contemporary collaging is apparently to pile crap on the floor and call it art claiming it alludes to some greater societal plight. No, it's just crap on the floor. Whew, I digress... For the past few months I feel like everywhere I looked there was a tongue... Continue reading

An odd theme of this blog is my rediscovery of places I thought had disappeared. My newest discovery is that Environment337 is still alive and well and kicking in Brooklyn. Environment337 is a store I happened upon last Christmas season. During my hiatus from the city this summer the store on University Place closed. I learned that this was to allow their expansion in Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, where the original Environment337 is. Only a month old, Retrospect is the newest project, a beautifully curated store. The store is dark, sexy, and the theme eccentric and Victorian (imagine lots of... Continue reading

It is a huge disappointment that the images aren't larger or the lighting isn't better (for instance, if they were studio shots rather than runway shots) because the work by Gabriele Colangelo is incredible. This is true luxe: any velvet-like texture you see is, in fact, shorn mink (yes, a shorn mink shift dress and blazer, amazing) and the crystal embroidery, I'm sure, is infinitely more incredible in person. Even more incredible, Gabriele Colangelo's debut collection was in February 2008. These works are compellingly couture: Like Roland Mouret or Jil Sander, the tiny tucks, layers, pleating, all evoke that high... Continue reading

It seems a week cannot go by where I don't spend serious time here discussing fetishist fashion. I feel this odd urgency to justify, analyze or explain this: is it me? Am I fascinated by this odd place in counter-culture as it merges with avant-garde fashion design practices that brings me back to the subject again and again? Or is the trend just that pervasive, that popular that there it is all there is worth paying attention to at the fringe? I suppose part of it is also our current point in fashion that finds leather, studding, tears and rips... Continue reading

Last week I received by post my newest Bliss Lau piece, a stunning mixture of chain and curious rectangular metal links that drapes across and down the shoulders, part armor part Greek myth. It has been quite a challenge finding ways to testify to its stunning existence as its delicacy mixed with my terrible photo skills makes it quite elusive (part of its charm in person). I appreciate her newest collection for its etherealness. While her past collections have featured larger rope chains, the new Deco collection is far more subtle, more overtly feminine. I will continue to attempt to... Continue reading

Today I discovered Shadowplay, a jewelry company working with crocheted yarn and crystals creating net-like necklaces that drape across and down you, an intriguing hybrid of scarf and necklace. There is a beautiful fantasy-like quality to them; I can't help but envision mermaids or fairies, or birds nests, like these objects have been collected and carefully knit together. Romantic, really. And still avant-garde and edgy, despite their softness, a by-product of the quirky amalgamation of soft and hard, mauve and acid green. Images courtesy the Shadowplay website. Continue reading

My hair is usually short. Then, every two years or so I get this crazy idea that I want hair down my back and I spend a concentrated effort waiting waiting waiting for it to get long only to inevitably wear it up all the time, freak out, and cut it all off. I, surprisingly enough, although my hair is about as long as if ever gets (only once, 4 years ago, was it longer) have remained resolute in letting it grow. That was until I saw Tegan and Sara this weekend at Town Hall: I mean, it doesn't help... Continue reading

Today Roisin Murphy's newest single, "Orally Fixated" hit the internet and it is incredible. Even more incredible is the profoundly sexy photograph taken by Mark Squires that is advertising it (most likely the album cover). I am usually opposed to sepia but this I think works quite perfectly. She really looks stunning. From there I went on to explore Mark Squires's recently launched Photo Diary, a blog of sorts. Of his many shoots, I have to say that his photos for A.L.C. by Andrea Lieberman are unbelievable. The eyes of that model are bewitching. Mark Squires also managing to rekindle... Continue reading

Last week I received by post my newest Bliss Lau piece, a stunning mixture of chain and curious rectangular metal links that drapes across and down the shoulders, part armor part Greek myth. It has been quite a challenge finding ways to testify to its stunning existence as its delicacy mixed with my terrible photo skills makes it quite elusive (part of its charm in person). I appreciate her newest collection for its etherealness. While her past collections have featured larger rope chains, the new Deco collection is far more subtle, more overtly feminine. I will continue to attempt to... Continue reading

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Citrine necklace, $790.00 Gray pearl, smoky quartz, citrine drop earring, $350.00 White topaz and black onyx necklace, $1,300.00 Lemon quartz cuff, $1,050 Cameo and smoky quartz necklace, $890.00 All pieces available for purchase. Please contact for delivery: [email protected] or (203) 856-7463 Continue reading

Nefertiti Royal Jade necklace, $362.00 Black Agate necklace, $338.00 Layered brass, gold, and steel chain necklace, $336.00 All pieces available for purchase. Contact for delivery: [email protected] or (203) 856-7463 Continue reading