Once When I Was

I know it’s another stunning spring day in NYC but I have to take a moment to share my latest obsession.  Leather dresses.  Not the Lita Ford hair metal minis of yesteryear.  These mod or edgy/sweet versions that I am seeing everywhere for FW12.  Here are a few great examples I discovered by Max Fowles while visiting my friends at Bollare recently.  I am completely smitten with the tailoring and details in the latest collection as well as the gorgeous emerald green dress with leather trimmed pockets.  

I am happy to be here in the now but it is nice to envision the outfits of fall.  What fashion trends to you day dream about?

Thom Browne is known for his snappy suits.  Did you know he is coming out with eyewear?  From the selection I previewed for fall I think these styles are so dapper.  What do you think? 

Flower Power!  My new favorite floral from @MINKPINK_TWEET but alas I will have to wait til the end of summer to get my grubby paws on this amazing printed dress.  But for now we can fall into a shopping wormhole with all these summer lovin’ options @ASOS.

For a sophisticated print pairing take inspiration from this chain blouse and blazer from Isabel Lu.  I love the rust color for FW12.  To see what Isabel is up to for SS12 follow her here.

Prints Please!  They aren’t going anywhere.  For a girl like me that is totally fine.  I love wearing prints, head to toe.  Today’s round up gives you a peek into some of my favorites that I viewed Bollare’s fw12 preview. 

This horse top and clock dress are courtesy of @QuiksilverUSA from their sweet girls’ line called QSW.  To stay up on all their inspirations follow their lovely tumblr!  

Going out tonight, right?  Get inspired with the serious sparkle from @BlankJeans that I viewed @Bollare #fw12 preview.  So Glam!

Like I said, this is inspiration only as these won’t be out til fall.  In the meantime click here for an awesome pink striped skinny that reminds me of fruit striped gum or these vintage hi-rise flares for a 70’s Ali MacGraw vibe. 

For the past 5 years at ANTENNA magazine we had a strict NO SKULLZ allowed ruled for #menswear but some skulls I can’t be mad at.  These See you at the Souk Skull cuffs by Jules Smith have just the right amount of day of the dead vibe for me. 

Don’t you think they would make any layered wrist a true #armparty? 

Click link to shop!  Want to know more about Jules?  Visit her blog.

I got my eyes on you and you and you.  Super fun and affordable shades are available from Quay Eyeware Australia with free shipping.  No reason not to buy two styles!  Pictured above are the 1550 from the MMXII collection and the 1499 in the What’s Your Is Mine collection. How can you resist?

Pop pop pop!  The envelop clutch is a huge trend right now and these exotic offerings by Robyn Brooks NY will keep you ahead of the curve.  Click the link to shop her store but for the neon styles above you will have to wait till her #fw12 collection drops.  I am crazy about the skull key chains too.

@LuccaCouture had some of the cutest details for their fw12 collection.  Filled with fanciful prints and darling knits.  One of my most coveted pieces were these perforated drawstring leather shorts.  So different and sporty. 

Click to shop the SS12 collections.

Layering colorful necklaces is a great way to up the ante on a simple white tee.  I discovered Adesso Jewelry out of Santa Barbara when I was at the Bollare preview.  To view and shop the full collection click right here. 

I know we are (thankfully) finally coming into Springtime but damn, do these FW12 cozy knit overalls by 6 Shore Road make me want to curl up by a fire and drink spiked hot cocoa looking super chic in a ski cabin.  Tucked into boots and worn over a great long sleeve henley with a knit cap would be such a foxy look.  I am just a teeny tiny bit thinking about winter and snow.  So not like me!  The fantasy of fashion is a strong influence because I don’t even like snow. 

I was quite taken with the precious gemstones clustered just so in the designs by Charme Silkiner that I viewed @Bollare for the #BollarePressDay.  To browse similar styles of earrings that can be purchased here click here and for necklaces here.

Accessories recap!  I mean really?  How glamorous are these DITA over-sized cat eyes?  The style is the Vesoul and can be purchased here.  But if it’s straight up optics you need browse these styles.  Pictured above are my top 3 favorites. 

Self reflection can be difficult.  I’m not talking about the glass mirror kind of reflection.  I mean, deep personal refection.  If you read any self help, business help, mental help kind of book; the first thing it says is to start writing.  Most say 750 words a day.  That’s 3 pages.  Believe me, I know.  There have been periods in my life I have been a master of the Morning Pages.  Impressing my friends with statements like, “this morning when I was journalling…”

But like most things that I try to do in the morning (other than hit the snooze button, I have that skill on lock down) I end up forgetting or rushing late to work or wasting too much documenting my outfit for Pose & WIWT to get the much needed inner reflection out of my system. 

Thanks to the helpful people over at TASCHEN they have released Volume 2 of Keel’s Simple Diary and the witty Philipp Keel has taken the hassle out of getting it down.  Whatever ‘it’ may be.  My only advice is that instead of writing in the morning use the Volume 2 Simple Diary by your nightstand and fill it out in the evening after you have lived the day.  The questions are funny, clever & thought provoking.  Who doesn’t love a good multiple choice?

It’s the perfect gift to start the new year right for yourself or someone who needs a push in the right direction.