Mango Fall 2012

Mango, what a tease. I'm scrolling over the online catalog, salivating over the "Shop Now" flash capability only to discover the items I want aren't going live until Sept. 10. No matter. I will wait. And then I'm going to buy the entire outfit in the first photo.

There is a serious Isabel Marant vibe going on here -- I mean, they even copped Kate Moss.

It's a good thing the H&M/MMM collab isn't going down until November $$$.

(images via Mango.com)

Still Got It

From the NYT Style section:

Ms. Kahng said, “An old buyer from Neiman Marcus that I used to work with, who’s now retired, recently e-mailed me, ‘You’re still the coolest kid on the block’, and she’s right, I’ve still got it.”

Where can I get me some of that?

There's a strange dichotomy within my person. There's a part of me that decides and does what I want with disregard for propriety or of disapproving looks (admittedly, to the point of insensitivity at times), my internal moral compass my only guidance. (If you were wondering, yes, I get lost often.) And then, usually after whatever deed is done, I look over my shoulder and ask, "That's okay, right?" And then...

"That's reasonable, isn't it?"

"Is that normal?"

"Normal," I believe, is the worst word to ever be devised. 

I admire people with self-assuredness, a cool certainty of themselves. (Note: Not bravado.) What do they know that allows them to say, "She's right, I've still got it"? How do they drown out the rest of the world inhabited by [insert numerical digit followed by many zeros] people more talented, more able, luckier even? An Everest, thanks to my crippling fear of failure.

With each year under my belt, that confident, irreverent person steps with a little more spring, but contrary to logic, that only seems to heighten my insecurities. Is that normal?

Maybe that's just one of the cons of being 23. Pros: no wrinkles. Yet. Cons: self-doubt.

(image and quote via NYT, designs by Gemma Kahng)

Elin Kling

She is legit.

(Kling's blog)

Summer

is here. Or didn't you get the memo? 80+ degrees this weekend, just in time for Memorial Day shenanigans.

That last one isn't meant to be for summer, but I still can't get it out of my mind. I've been looking for a great oversized fuzzy sweater + star sequined leggings combo since last fall. Combing through my Pinterest board reminded me of my lost love.

Iiiiiiit's Friday! Peace out.

(images via Pinterest)

Friday Friyay

It is most definitely the weekend. Because it's 1 p.m. and I am red-day to get outta here!

I've been entirely negligent of my baby (sad face) due to busy, busy weeks at work and working on posts for "It was love when", so here is a boatload of images I've been hoarding and meaning to put up. Cause inspiration is the best of gifts, am I right?

And what's been on my mind? Valentine's Day. Most definitely.

And if I had a really great pair of trousers at my beck and call:

Oh, hands down I would wear this on my Valentine's date.

I took a little departure from masculine-feminine, and I've definitely been channeling 3rd arrondissement-Parisian chick -- light, dewy make up with fringe-y lashes and wide eyes and lots of sleek polka-dots a la Stella McCartney. Photos of Valentine's Day to come after the 14th!

(images c/o Organized Clutter, Smallest Forest, bibbity bobbity boo, Just Cool Kids, Dizzying Dreams, Matte & Sequins, Vogue Gone Rogue, Vogue Gone Rogue again, Take a breath, A-sh, voguelustys, freeyourrmindd, and my own via Tumblr. Whoo! You made it through the credits!)

Christmas Came Late

I know, I'm more than a little late posting the Rory Beca Holiday collection, but more than the clothes (which are awesome), I love the story this tells. You get to know the Rory Beca girl, and I don't know about you but I want to be her!

(images c/o Shopbop.com)

Matchy Matchy

So I've been wanting a really great casual jacket and short suit set for years. I mean years. Ever since I got this issue of Elle.

Actually, I really wanted that (DVF) jacket and shorts set, but unfortunately, it was thousands of dollars. Hmm, I'm sensing a life theme here...

Some trends (especially RTW runway trends) take something like minutes to translate to the average girl's retail stores, but others take foreverrrrr. Example: I wanted a really great boyfriend utilitarian jacket I think a full year to nine months before they really started hitting full stride in stores. Don't get me wrong here. I am totally not on trend and off the mark sometimes, and I'm completely fine with that, too. But sometimes, it can be a little frustrating when the only options you have are spending $$$$$ (which isn't really an option) and waiting a year.
Topshop had a pretty cool knit suit that Susie Bubble picked up:

It's pretty cool. But it's knit. And printed. Translation: my butt's big enough already thanks, I don't need an extra three inches.

And then I found this one on Asos:

It's a little girly, but I liked it. That is until Asos posted it on its Facebook page, meaning good luck finding my size. Eh, I didn't like it that much.

I'm missing the point. The point is: I need to stop spending money. LOL. Yeah right. But really -- I've been pretty good this month! (So far...) And I'm saving to invest in some really great, comfy basic tees and go-with-everything Chelsea boots. Here's lookin' at you Aritzia and Topshop.

Wahh I wish I wasn't so lazyyyyyy about my personal blog! I guess having two writing jobs kind of makes me want a break from computer screens and CMS (gasp).

(images c/o Topshop tumblr, WWW, Asos)

Shameless

This online retailer cracks me up.

Balenciaga

Isabel Marant

Celine

Burberry Prorsum

Miu Miu, the darlings of the fall season (for a gajillion dollars less)

Isabel Marant

(photos stolen from JessicaBuurman.com)

StyleNanda

Some of the coolest styling (and the prettiest models) I've ever seen. (Except for the excessive use of Jeffrey Campbells. If I see another Lita bootie, I'm going to have a physical reaction.) Stylists take note: this is good business. Like, a pink furry jacket? Really? How often would I wear that thing? But the styling makes me think that pink fuzzy thing is the new key must-have addition to my closet. I'll be wearing it every single day! I need to have it, right? (The answer is no. No one needs a pink fur coat.) It's the perfect mix of Korean and American retail, as in not too fobby but definitely more exciting than, say, Zara.

(photos and clothes found at StyleNanda.com)