So I wanted to do a post about purses. I feel that there is a big rival in the almost to your hip bag of yesteryear that your mom used to sling over her shoulder with her slightly Farrah feather do when you were just a tiny tot---or at least that is the lucid image they conjure for me. Anyway in my search for the perfect modern "purse" example I came across the Derek Lam Marisa chain handle bag. It was perfect. A great bronze chain, that killer ram's head kiss clasp, the lady like shape....it was love at first purse sight. That was before I saw that it was marked down to a 1/4 of the price! Now I am $450 poorer but happily awaiting my new found love.

Maybe it's the exhibit that has been travelling the world but for the past two seasons the fashion world has been nodding to the great Austrian Symbolist painter Gustav Klimt. Check out Galliano and Missoni for fall. And though she has been crafting her jewelry in the same Art Noveau trademark style for years Dori Csengeri is right now right on trend. Utilizing silk cords, metallic beads, shells, and semi precious cabochons her necklaces, cuffs, and bracelets are wearable works of art. The multicolored pieces are very Klimt-esque but this necklace of varying whites and beiges is my favorite.

As an editor and writer I am constantly on the look out for new, or at least new-to-me designers. This weekend I came across an oddly intriguing ad while catching up on my magazines from across the pond . To become fully acquainted, like any good sleuth, I promptly Googled and found myself in the twisted pop-y world of fashion hyperbole that is Frankie Morello. The SS08 collection is laden with references to Speed Racer, Amy Winehouse, and Esther Williams all done up in a Cheryl Tieg's in the 70's palette of oranges, pale pinks, purples, and beiges and Tippy Hedron in The Birds blues, greys, black and bone. At first, it looks alot like the "SATC Insane Outfits" slideshow---a larger than your head corsage here, an oversized Sandra Dee full skirt there--- but when broken down into pieces the whole line is simply wearable and undoubtebly fun.

I love wearing antique linen dressing gowns that I hem to mini length in the summer.  They are so light and breezy. Though I always carefully accessorize with big chunky sandals and rows of bracelets, so as to not look as though I am going out in my pj's, my boyfried never let's up on the "Good night. I mean I love you" jokes.  I am hoping that since this adorable Swiss Dotty dress can be purchased from a chain retail establishment maybe he will finally realize that it is a socially acceptable style to wear en plein air.  Not that I really care but at $40 it's a worthwhile experiment.

I adore every one of Elise Overland's collections. Mostly I think it appeals to me so because it perfectly typifies the kind of fantasy cosmopolitan woman I dream of morphing into after having a few years of living in Manhattan under my belt. It's that intangible avante garde sophisticated tough girl chic. The kind of clothes that can only be worn by the right woman in the right town. I don't think one would feel comfortable in gorilla fur coats or rubberized dresses in Oklahoma city. Clothes fit for a city mouse, a very sexy fashion loving city mouse.

I am seriously depressed at the idea of a world without Polaroid.  My world relys heavily on the insta camera wonders and has been forever changed. Stylists lay out and record their looks that they have composed before a shoot, they act as proof of transaction for thousands of sample returns everyday, and no one can better deliver joy to a weary intern than a fresh Polaroid taken of them in some crazy little Philip Tracey hat.  It truly is a sad time.  So if you too are a fan keep your eyes peeled for any remaining cartridges that are floating around, seize every opportunity to take last grainy gorgeous pic, and add The Polaroid Book to your library so that you may savor the art of instant photography for years.

Though the critics are split on the little indie flick and it did not fare so well at the box office, I have an unabashed love for Cherish. The story revolves around a daydreaming, eighties pop music loving, computer animator Zoe, (Robin Tunney) who lives in San Francisco. One night Zoe downs one too many drinks while dancing with her work crush (none other than Jason Priestly---yes!) and subsequently finds herself on house arrest for the accidental murder of a cop. From there all turns to Zoe's new little world inside her home, how she interacts with the world outside it, her relationship with her reserved jailer, a complete makeover, a lil rollerskating, a stalker, and plenty of Hall & Oates. Works for me!

It may seem like an odd concept but I believe that the accoutremont that was once suitable for only the likes Sid Vicious has worked it's way into the workplace.  Bear with me but this extra wide studded belt would look incredibly chic with a high waisted pencil skirt or gathering in those trapeze dresses from last summer, very Rodarte or Burberry in feeling.

 

Of course I have fantasies about the big old solitaire that I may be hauling around on my ring finger in a few years but diamonds have never truly had me lusting. That was until I discovered Renee Lewis. I was first introduced to the large crystal heart bubble pendant framed in rose gold set diamonds and filled with hundreds of brillant diamond chips. From that point forward her pieces have kept me in a constant state of swooning. I am mad for this old world style starburst necklace. Though it costs more than a mid range car a girl can still dream, right?

Calling ye of skinny leg. Remember the Chanel knee high gladiator of yesteryear? Or this season's tip of the thigh grazing gladiator/oxford from Balenciaga? Well if you have the gams to rock them I pray of you please do! I love love love the look but at 5'2" with 18 years of ballet and a strong familial trait of "shapely" calves, its never going to happen. If I had different genes I would start with these amazing metallic tall beauties from UO.