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Patterns That Occur In Nature
2007-12-26 15:52:00
As I sit here wondering if that last glass of champagne yesterday was a good idea...yes, "mummy is feeling delicate"...I find myself looking over at the "gift chair" (i.e. the temporary resting place for Christmas goodness until it is moved to its permanent storage area) and pondering the fact that the striped sweater which Mr. Heb unwrapped yesterday goes very well with the flannel and leather Day bag which was my gift. They obviously demand to be worn together...and, as Mr. Heb is not a big handbag carrier, I have a feeling we all know who will be borrowing what from whom at some future date..."Coveting thy husband's gift"...the eighth deadly sin...But back to the bag...and the reason for the title of this post...I know that I've mentioned my "look books" before...scrapbooks filled with magazine clippings which act as reference, inspiration, and wish-list all rolled into one. I find it strangely fitting when a new purchase references back to an old clipping...like it was "mean...
More About: Nature , Patterns

Deck the halls...
2007-12-24 17:48:00
Seasons greetings to everyone who reads this blog...your visits, and comments, are greatly appreciated. Wishing you, and yours, a wonderful holiday...with good food, good wine...and a generously-minded Santa.
More About: Deck , Deck The Halls

Familiarity breeds contempt
2007-12-24 15:47:00
In the Christmas Eve lull (similar to the eye of the storm, i.e. the calm before all hell breaks loose) I find myself doing strange things...like visiting Banana Republic's website. I know that some people get great finds there but their site always makes me think of millions of business casual outfits, yearning to be free. And currently, it's also home of the weird wallet semi-knock-off. The s.k.o. being something that's not a total copy of the original but is definitely heavily influenced...like these large and small wallets from Banana Republic...close enough to their Chloe cousins for the similarity to be noticeable, yet lacking the charm and overt shininess of the original.From sweet oranges to slightly bitter marmalade in one easy step...
More About: Breeds , Contempt , Breed , Temp

The Write Stuff
2007-12-24 01:05:00
As I find myself spending more and more time online I am coming to really miss the actual process of putting pen to paper. Not that I'm taking a dislike to my beloved Apple laptop...I'm just feeling a little nostalgic. If I believed in New Year's Resolutions...and didn't regard them as a chance to set yourself up for failure...I'd say that I needed to resolve to "write" more. Instead I'm going to suggest that I need a pen of such beauty that it makes me want to write...like this cast bronze one which features, once again, my beloved skulls though, this time, in such a way that they resemble souls in purgatory. Not necessarily a bad thing as it would remind me of Dante's words...to "be sure that you write what you see".
More About: Write , Stuff

Timing is everything...
2007-12-23 15:57:00
As I worked my way through my emails this morning I couldn't help but wonder...shouldn't a post-holiday sale start, well, after the holidays?
More About: Timing

The Evolution of Mankind...and his hangover
2007-12-22 22:45:00
As we're in an official season of gluttony and excess (I know that personally I seem to be cornering the market on red wine and British chocolate products)...and I have a collection of vintage health and beauty books...I thought it might be interesting to see how the advice has changed over the years.Published in 1931, The Week-End Book works under the assumption that every household has a virtual pharmacy in their medicine cabinet. This is the "kill or cure" method for hangovers because, if you get this one wrong, you could have some problems.THE MORNING AFTEROn the Morning After, comfort the cod and feeble brain by recalling the warning of Mayster Isaac Judaeus who saieth: "It is unpossyble for them that drinketh overmoche water in theyr youth to come to ye aege that God ordained them."If it matters little to you whether the age that God ordained be reached or no, drink the following cordial:Take a Sp. Ammon. Aromat. mx, Sodii Bic. gr.xv, Tr. Capsici miii, Tr. Card. Co. 3i, Tr. ...
More About: Evolution , Mankind , Hangover

Hey, Professori!
2007-12-22 16:12:00
On the face of it, "70's English Professor" shouldn't be a good look...virtually any movie set in a learning establishment during that period should have taught us that. Yet one look at this picture of Mary Kate Olsen and I'm yearning for a corduroy jacket with leather patches on the elbows and a leather bag capable of carrying a small mobile library. Yes, my inner nerd is fighting to be free...
More About: Fess

Do you want fries with that?
2007-12-21 19:46:00
Even though I may, on occasion, silently curse the sheer number of ads in certain magazines I do tend to enjoy browsing through them. I love what they provide me with...the ability to see detailed shots of some of the clothes or handbags I had my eye on...a chance to gain a sense of the woman that the designer sees wearing their clothes (and her lifestyle)...But the ads for Marc Jacobs' Spring/Summer collection just confuses me. I like Juergen Teller's photography but why would a shot of writer/director Harmony Korine tucking into fast food like he hasn't eaten for a week induce me to spend vast sums of money on clothes? Join Weight Watchers, maybe. But shop? Not so much.
More About: Fries

The quest for the Holy Grail
2007-12-21 13:07:00
The clip from Monty Python's Holy Grail has (I admit) very, very, little connection to the rest of the post but, having worked my way through three (count 'em, three) articles on the UK Times' website on "How to shop the sales", I am in need of a change and there is a somewhat tenuous connection between Python's Grail and my own...quite a few things on my Grail List are French.To explain, my Grail List is a selection of items that I have lusted over for a long period of time but which are way out of my budget. They're the things that are always in the back of my mind when I go sale shopping...because hope springs eternal that they may be sitting on a rail, marked down beyond belief. And, actually, I've been incredibly lucky. I have, on two separate occasions, been able to cross things off the G.L...namely a Lucien-Pellat Finet sweater and Chanel jacket.In the spirit of the season, for fellow Grail List-ers, I wanted to mention this canvas Chanel jacket . From vintage onlin...
More About: Quest , Holy Grail , The Holy Grail

Normal service will resume...we hope...
2007-12-21 01:25:00
You only realize how complete your addiction is when you are forced to go cold turkey. No, I am not talking about a shopping ban...instead the loss of internet service for most of today...which caused pangs of anguish and made me fully appreciate how much this blog has become a part of my daily ritual.Providing the internet demons play fair normal service will resume shortly.
More About: Service , Resume , Hope , Normal

The not-so-basic basic
2007-12-19 19:44:00
I found this cute outfit of the day on Lucky's website and it made me want to pay tribute to the thing that makes "business casual" a much less painful experience for me...the not-so-basic basic. The loud, overly patterned, or very bright pieces which have a strange chemical reaction when added to "office clothes" in muted colors. The n.s.b.b.'s become a little more "appropriate"...and the o.c.'s are no longer "drone wear"...a middle ground of individuality is attained.And so, not-so-basic basic, I salute you!
More About: Basic

The unkindest cut of all...
2007-12-19 12:52:00
When I was about ten...and a tomboy...I lusted after a penknife. With monotonous regularity I would submit my request and, with equally monotonous regularity I would be told "no, you'll cut yourself".Then, one magical day, I was given a mother-of-pearl handled fruit-knife.As you've probably guessed, there was a "fruit based incident" and, in my excitement over being able to slice an apple in bed, I plunged the knife into the fleshy part of my palm. Of course, I neglected to mention the incident to my parents (because, well, no one likes a know-it-all) but I still bear the scar, both physically and apparently mentally.Which you'd think would have put me off small, sharp, instruments...but no. When I saw this Whittling Kit all I could think was that it could potentially be the greatest stocking stuffer of all time. Five pieces of wood, a small knife, and a one-page instructional guide...who could ask for anything more? Plus, when I run out of wood I could try to emulate the cr...

Hey Pig
2007-12-18 19:11:00
This little Piggy went to marketThis little Piggy stayed at homeThis little Piggy ate roast beefThis little Piggy had noneAnd this little Piggy cried "Oie, oie, oie"All the way homeAs I typed out the verse above I realized that Piggy number three is essentially a cannibal...what with this, and the porcine totalitarianism of Animal Farm , pigs don't seem to be getting good press. Time for a change...and what better way to spread a little love than with these cute/cool accessories from Henrik Vibskov? The swine-y take on the, now ubiquitous, Keffiyah scarf gets the most points for originality but I actually need a laptop case…not wanting to be hog-gish but it would be a great stocking stuffer...

Spring into my fervid arms...
2007-12-18 13:02:00
I've been severely underwhelmed with H&M as of late...it's seemed like anytime I went in I was surrounded by a sea of decidedly lackluster clothing...I know, I know, "it's H&M"...but it used to be the case that on every trip I found at least one item. In fact, I'd just about got to the stage where I was going to stop even going in. But, based on these pictures from their Spring collection, the tide has turned...farewell uninspired fire hazards designed by the color-blind...hello you chic, but funky, lady.
More About: Arms

Step away from the glitter...
2007-12-17 19:52:00
The seasonal blues...you know, the ones that attack when there are more hours of darkness in the day than light...appear to be taking their toll. At least I assume that's the explanation for my current fixation for "shiny things". The latest? These Swarovski studded Band Aids…they're over-priced, more than a little tacky, and they draw unnecessary attention to the fact that you're a klutz and have injured yourself again. So why do I keep clicking back to Miss Geschick & Lady Lapsus's site to take a look at them?
More About: Step , Glitter

Fur from the Madding Crowd
2007-12-17 13:12:00
'Tis the season for 50's style fur hats...at least if you go by some recent pictures that I came across...as both Sienna Miller and several of the Face Hunter's street-stylers have been sporting chapeaus worthy of the chicest grandmas.To be honest, I'm glad to see a few more people wearing this style...I bought one a couple of years ago at Prada (as modeled by the crazy Christmas cut-out)...when I was feeling flush and the words "mink" and "Prada" closely linked didn't send me into a complete state of shock. I wear it when I'm feeling lavish...and cold...and, though I don't want to be surrounded by people wearing the same thing as I am, it is nice not to feel like the only person alone in the wilderness...even if I am walking along in a fabulous hat.
More About: Crowd

“Lizzie Borden took an axe, And gave her mother forty whacks; When she sa
2007-12-16 20:17:00
I'm not suggesting mass emulation of the "Lizzie Borden Strategy for Settling Family Disputes" but I have to admit that she may have been on to something with the idea of adding an axe to her ensemble. While I was prowling around Urban Outfitters the other day I found a black plastic pendant...a hybrid of Karen Walker's silver axe pendant and the Perspex pleasures of Tatty Devine.Better yet, it was on the sale table for a fiscally responsible $4.99...thereby striking a blow for the cause of affordable accessories.
More About: Mother , Whack

Tales from the Quilting Bee
2007-12-16 15:14:00
I know, I seem to be obsessed with the weather at the moment...but, as we got about a foot of snow last night, I am in serious shut-in mode. I just want to turn on the fairy lights...make a pot of tea...put on something cozy...and hunker down.One look at Alexandre Herchcovitch's print dress and I get a mental picture of patchwork quilt, roaring fires, and log cabins. Somehow it manages to emanate a feeling of warmth and cosiness...pretty impressive for a short-sleeved, mini-dress.
More About: Tales , Quilting

Rack 'em, stack 'em, and pack 'em
2007-12-15 22:35:00
As part of my recent jewelry frenzy I've been obsessively trying different ring combinations...hoping to find one that was wearable for everyday (so no over-sized cocktails rings), yet "different". The winning pick and mix consists of a "One Love" silver ring from Wright & Teague, a Victorian engagement ring, and a faceted red agate ring. If I hadn't found a selection I was happy with though I would have been ordering one of Iosselliani's ring stacks...six separate rings, in silver and gold, with a mix of Swarovski crystal and chain details.Perfection...in an imperfect way.
More About: Rack , Pack

An Ode to Practicality
2007-12-15 15:05:00
As we are in the grip of yet another winter storm I wanted to say a few words on behalf of practical clothing. Especially since during the last few bouts of bad weather I've seen men and women in outfits more suited for a balmy day in June than the middle of an ice storm. And so, a few thoughts...Gentlemen - walking around in minus whatever windchills with no coat, jacket, or scarf does not make you look "tough"...just mildly deranged...and frost-bitten.Shoes - I know it's what your mother told you and therefore horribly un-cool but having wet feet will make you miserable for the rest of the day...and ruin the shoes that you're so desperately trying to wear. Do yourself a huge favor, buy a pair of wellies and carry your nice shoes in your handbag until you get where you're going.Practical does not necessarily mean ugly - there seems to be the general thought that practical and cute are arch-enemies...they're not...though you may need to do some searching to track down their ...

The stuff of fairytales...
2007-12-14 23:58:00
For all the appealingly twisted, fractured fairytale elements of Prada's Spring/Summer 08 collection the one thing that really induced feelings of lust in me were (probably unsurprisingly) the handbags. Specifically the striped bags. Admittedly slightly gaudy...a little tacky, in a 70's disco kind of way...they were, nonetheless, something that I could see myself getting quite a bit of use out of. In fact, the only negative in this love affair was that they looked a tad small. Then I happened upon Dansk's large shoulder bag...a little more 70's college student than disco diva but a definite addition to the "stripey bags I covet" list.
More About: Stuff , Fairytale

Built upon a House of Cards...
2007-12-14 16:27:00
During the winter months I develop an obsession with games...chess, backgammon, Monopoly...you name it, I will try my hardest to win it. Yes, it's not about "playing the game"...it's about creaming the competition. Obviously, with this maniacally competitive streak, I run out of willing combatants before we run out of cold weather and I move onto more solitary occupations...jigsaw puzzles, solitaire, and things of that ilk. Which is why, Dear Santa, I need a pack of these Vivienne Westwood playing cards...
More About: House , A House , Cards

So wrong...and yet?
2007-12-14 01:53:00
On a trip to Urban Outfitters for some last minute Christmas gifts I stumbled across the neon pink Faline lamp base...as much, that is, as anyone can stumble across something neon and a foot and a half high. I know that I shouldn't...Mr. Heb has been vocal that I shouldn't...and yet, I cannot help lusting over the thought of a day-glo effigy of Bambi's buddy in our living room.As UO's website says "For that Miami Vice meets Bambi vibe, try this awesome neon pink lamp base"...I say "how can something so wrong feel so right?".
More About: Wrong

Singing in the rain...
2007-12-13 15:32:00
As my seasonal spending has been a little...well...high...I'm pleased to come across something which falls under the "good deal" category. Enter Market Bags by Jaye Hersh...which are,depending on how you look at it, either the nightmarish blending of the plaid shopping bags from Louis Vuitton's Spring/Summer 07 collection with the silhouettes and monogramming of Goyard or a budget-conscious way to fill a gap in your handbag collection.To be honest, this bag works for me on two levels...one, I have been lusting over the look of Goyard for a while now but not the price...and two, this would be a great addition to my collection of "rainy day bags", i.e. bags that look good but are essentially waterproof.
More About: Rain , Singing

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?
2007-12-12 19:52:00
I love the slightly virtuous feeling that occurs when a purchase does double-duty. “Ah”, you can say. “Yes, I did spend a good chunk of change on this but it’s not just a handbag...it’s a dress as well”. I should say at this point that the last sentence was not some bizarre invention of my mind...it is in fact a bizarre invention of someone else’s mind. Yes, I am the owner of probably one of the few handbag/dress hybrids in existence. But I digress...I was actually going to talk about Philippa Holland’s “Love” ring which, thanks to the ingenious idea of giving the disc that contains the text the ability to spin, can change from being a ring to a pendant in seconds. Decorative and functional...surely the definition of double-duty.
More About: Plane , Bird

Under where? Under there! Underwear...
2007-11-04 14:31:00
I know I've mentioned my fondness for handwashing clothes before...I'm happy to say that the mania is still with me, so any useful gadgets that I find to assist me in my mission get added to my household shopping list (as you might imagine, I don't come across too many things that fall into this category...the popularity of submerging your hands in cold, sudsy water being what it is). I did come across this underwear dryer recently though...nicely old-fashioned and utilitarian...and, as I live in a condo with no outdoor space, the only opportunity I will have to use a clothes pin (yes, it is strange the things that give one a thrill).
More About: Underwear

As Hagar the Horrible said...
2007-11-03 15:17:00
"O words of love, O words divine!The silver thought, the golden line!Of all men's words, there's none so fine,As these three words: 'I've got mine!'"Yes, there are one more pair of shoes to add to my "adore from afar but that's going to be about it as I couldn't possibly stand up in them" list. This time, it's these spectacular bootie-pump hybrids from Banfi Zambrelli. With 4" heels they are stratospherically out of my league...but, ignoring that one small detail, these would be my perfect party shoe for any, and all, upcoming festive frivolities.

Splendid Reads for the weekend
2007-11-03 12:57:00
Here are the week's best posts from our Splendicity members.BeautyBeauty Secrets Revealed announces a spectacular contest that she will be running soon.Savvy Skin reviews the new book Beauty Junkies.Spa Beautifully shows us how to do our own at home facial.Beauty and Fashion Tech is giving away MAC's Antiquitease Collection.Viva Woman reviews Keys Solar Rx.Temptalia has a thorough review of the MAC Curiositease Collection.FashionPetite Fashionista shows us how to spice up our wardrobe.Painfully Hip has some of the most outrageous street styles on the web.CelebLOOK takes a look back through the celebrity looks of the month.Style...A Work in Progress has a problem that not even the best doctor can cure.Her Accessories shows us her favorite Cocktail Ring, perfect for the upcoming Christmas parties.All That and A... crushes on this Tango and Valssi purse.Indie Style File points us to this Bon&Ging Skirt.ShoppingThe Latest Luxe has her eye on this Tribal Spy Bag from Fendi.Shoe Bli...
More About: Weekend

Just hanging around...
2007-11-02 22:41:00
There are some pieces of furniture that you love...and are utilitarian...yet prove, overall, to be impractical to live with. One such item, for me, was a bentwood coat-stand. It was a handy place to store coats and hats but after a certain point it gained a striking resemblance to Cousin It from The Addams Family (I knew there was a coat rack under there, I just couldn't see it anymore). In addition the parts that I could see (i.e. the feet) seemed to call out to my inner klutz...like sirens of the sea calling sailors to their doom on the jagged rocks...so that I spent a good amount of time tripping up and cursing.My problem, however, may be solved...thanks to a combination of wall vinyl and coat hooks. All of the charm of the traditional...able to hold a few coats, but not so many that you lose the silhouette...and no feet to fall over, except my own.

Preconceived Notions
2007-11-02 14:45:00
You know how it is...you get an idea that such-and-such a designer only designs a certain style (which you're not particularly fond of) so you remove them from your mental designer rolodex. Then, one day, you come across something you really like...see that it was designed by good old such-and-such...and realize that you may have been too sweeping in your previous judgment.When I came across the picture of the color-blocked ensemble below, the skirt caught my eye...daytime silver, it would work well with all my black and grey, but could also hold its own against bright colors. All well and good...then I saw who had designed it...Diane von Furstenberg. Could this be right? DVF made me think 1970's and wrap dresses, but not much else. After visiting her website though I've had to revise my preconceived notions...a military style princess coat...navy leather motorcycle jacket...a rather kinky high-waisted pinafore dress...any, and all, of which would be most welcome to rest in ...