A College Student's Obsession With Haute Couture

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

George Gina & Lucy

Allow me to introduce the newest addition to my handbag collection:






From George Gina & Lucy, a company specializing in Nylon and Canvas styled handbags with outrageously catchy names and unnerving colors, has graciously offered a few distinct products on hautelook.com today. Don't have an invite? Get yours here. The sale closes in 35 hours. I snagged the Envelope Handbag (shown above) in King/Smoke (fancy for black/gray). It can best be described as an interesting Longchamp tote - with fun bells and whistles (such as the pocket in the front and signature metal clasp). It offers the same fun colors as Longchamp. And they're competitively priced. While Longchamp totes this size are generall $135-180, this bag retails for $250. I bought it for $85 :). Yay holiday shopping! What a perfect gift to buy a friend, no?

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Divine Intervention of the Greatest Kind


Behold: Dolce Vita "Metallic Zip Bold Belted Booties"





The perfect marriage between cowboy boot and bootie. And I fear cowboy boots - I find them old fashioned and confederalist. This way I can turn an outdated white wedding cake that tastes sour into a masterful art-nouveau off-tiered chocolate cake that literally tastes divine. Someone make this marriage happen between the country-singer-turned-pro and me. Sexual favors might just be an option.



Photo compliments of shopbop.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Jackets Galore!

Holiday season is fast approaching, and what better gift to splurge on than a new jacket? Following are my favorite finds:






Rag & Bone "Pris Jacket"- Available on shopbop for $555, I'm obsessing over this statement blazer with just the perfect amount of simplistic detail to truly shine on its very own or to compliment any outfit. I envision it with a white blouse-y tank and black patent aa leggings or with a black tank tucked into high-waisted, thick-banded, wide-leg gray or black wool pants. Night and day perhaps?




Mossimo "Wool Cape" - One of my cheaper finds at Target, this Mossimo cape is just as fantastically designed as any caplet on the runways, and at $44.99 it definitely won't break the bank. I am a huge supporter of the caplet trend, though it is one of the more trendier trends, so always in favor of avoiding those pricey purchases you'll later regret - I suggest getting this adorably chic and affordable jacket. In gray or black, you simply can't go wrong.


Mossimo "3/4 Sleeve Wool Coat" - Also a cheap find from Target, this Mossimo jacket comes in a variety of colors (I'm eyeing the red one...) and illustrates elegance through the feminine peter pan collar and 3/4 length gathered sleeves. Can't you imagine walking down two different roads with this jacket - one with an overhang of gorgeous fall colors, and the other a more barren branches and blankets of white scene? Dreams do come true, you know.


Madison Marcus "Ardent Pullover Leather Jacket" - I dream of leather. I dream of pullovers. I dream of this jacket, often and with vigor. I WANT. What more can I comment about the perfect structure of this jacket: the versatility it offers with short bell sleeves and color and vertical well pockets? There are no words.
--Photo courtesy of shopbop.com


Elizabeth And James "Lizzy Jacket" - Hello there blazer with the most spectacular silhouette shown this fall. How do you do? Oh? You want to be in my closet? Oh you want to be worn with my new patent black leather booties, aa leather leggings, and white v-neck tee? Oh you want me to wear you to class as well with a gray wool mini, tights, and oxford booties? Well maybe I'll let you into my closet. Only if you're good. That means you have to be nice to the other jackets not as fabulous as you. I'll consider it.



Mike & Chris "Clyde Jacket" - Brought to you ON SALE from Rarechic.com, this Mike & Chris jacket has a fantastic neckline, perfect pairing of gun metal grey and nylon, and cropped shape. I want for my marc by marc jacobs combat rainboots NOW.


Calvin Klein "Patent Vest with Foldover Collar" - I attended the Redskins game last night (we lost to Tony Romo, if you care) and was inspired by the vests the cheerleaders were wearing to keep warm. While their style was extremely outdated (very 70's-esque v-block colored burgundy, orange and white), I still envisioned a puffy vest being in my closet for those warm winter days. And lo-and-behold, Macy's brought to me this orange updated vest with patent orange leather and a cool foldover collar. On sale for $76, this jacket is a serious contender for my winter splurges.




Calvin Klein "Couture Suit" - Looking for a more vintage version of the Rag & Bone blazer? Or do you have a long torso (if so, you receive primo jealousy points from me)? This suit jacket is GORGEOUS. For every reason stated under Rag & Bone plus some - because you can actually wear this jacket as an overcoat. So it's versatility goes through the roof! Thank you UrbanCollection.com for this fabulous find.



VPL "Denim Jacket" - Last but not least, VPL gives me my favorite find of the season. The blue jewel tone. The puffy 3/4 length closed bell sleeve. Two more words: Metallic. TWILL. 'Nuff said. In my dreams I see myself wearing this jacket all season long, and all next fall, and all next winter, and the year after that, and the year after that, until the jacket comes apart in my hands - in which case I'll break it down into accessory components (headband, handbag, and belt, anyone?). I see this jacket as an all together perfect day jacket. A signature of sorts. Please, couture fairy, give me this for Hannukah?

Saturday, November 15, 2008

I Dream of Dresses

Some fantastic dresses I'm craving compliments of ASOS.com:


TFNC Wool Embellished Tulip Folk - This little diddy screams comfort. The little detailing makes the dress ultra feminine. It would be a perfect day dress.






Rare Bandeau Mini Tulip Dress - Love the geometry! This LBD is no ordinary dress. It's simple and chic and perfect and I desperately want it.



Unique Boutique Gathered Tartan Party Dress - Talk about FUN. Great colors. Perfect poof. Awesome balance. In the words of Rachel Zoe: I die.




ASOS Luxe Sequin Halter Dress - Perfect for going out, this sequin halter dress is flirty and sexy without being provocative or gross. Now THIS is the dress I want to wear clubbing in Vegas over winter break.



ASOS Chiffon Corsage Babydoll Dress - Attention college girls with Semi-Formals! This dress is beautiful, easy, and pretty much sums up how you should feel and how your night should go when your date escorts you to that party. This is the perfect dress to be arm candy with - you're not looking slutty, yet you're not looking too sweet thanks to the length and bare arms, you're looking like the perfect date that can have a good time and your date can take home to mom. Facebook de-tagging not necessary in this dress. Bring on the snaps!




Jones & Jones Peplum Dress with Black Lace Bodice - I'm not gonna lie, I'm having a bit of a bout of lace obsession. And this dress totally satisfies it. I love that it's long sleeve. I love the pencil skirt under the flirty mini. I love the sophistication. I love the lace, obvi. I just simple love it.



Firetrap Metallic Yarn Cowl Roll Neck Dress - I want to wear this dress. Right now. I can't even describe how obsessed I am with those details. The ribbing? The collar? The 1/2 length buttoned sleeves? The pleats? Heaven! Deliver me this dress and I'll be your slave.


Unique Boutique Rose Print Embellished Shoulder Dress - I would feel like a goddess in this dress. I could comment on color, the flattering style, the silk, but I won't. Oh wait, I just did.



That is all. Happy Monday!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Handbag Wishlist

I'm in the market for a new handbag. And here's my (affordable) wishlist. Now which one do you like most?



Tufi Duek ($292 at Bluefly) - Can you think of a reason NOT to have a teal leather and brown suede combination tote?! I can't.






Tracy Reese Patchwork Leather Hobo ($140 at Smart Bargains) - I don't have a white bag in my collection yet. This is a fantastic boho chic option. And I already have Tracy Reese's briefcase bag and it's been the most practical and useful bag I own.



Francesco Biagia ($310 on Bluefly). I don't have a gray bag in my collection - metallic doesn't count as gray. This one looks pretty. I love the combo of materials used here. I'm a total sucker for suede in anticipation of the cold winter months to come.



Elie Tahari Pebbled Leather Satchel (around $470 at Smart Bargains). I don't have a yellow bag in my collection and I've been searching for the perfect one for 2 years now. This fits the bill quite nicely I think :)

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Back from my Hiatus

As some of you might know, I transferred schools this fall and now I'm located in the amazing DC city! Things have been crazy here - I've never known what fun college could be until I arrived. And now that I'm getting better at balancing the fun, the academic, and the rest, I promise to be back. No worries dear readers, I've been a good girl about taking pictures as well so I have lots to post. Unfortunately, there won't be any from my camera until after thanksgiving due to my forgetting to bring the USB hook-up to school. But hold tight, because I promise to tide you over in the mean time!

On my 21st birthday I spent a fashion crazy weekend in New York. Here are some of the wonderful little gems I picked up while I was there:

Blouses Galore!!!
The first one by Diane Von Furstenberg is by far my favorite purchase of the weekend. The silk, the peach, the poof - I feel so girly in it. Not to mention that it definitely reminds me of Christian Seriano circa Project Runway...



Juicy Couture Pin-Tucked Blouse - I was super surprised to find out that this fun blouse with puffy sleeves and a fantastic belt (that can be worn multiple ways) was Juicy. Thank you Bergdorf's!

This Joie Meredith Blouse was my first purchase in New York thanks to Bendel's. It looked awesome with my black faux leather leggings from american apparel, black patent booties from beverly johnson (picture follows below), leather jacket, and fangs for halloween :)
Every girl needs a LBD and I did not have one until this Theory Analba dress came along. Also from Bergdorf's, I feel literally like I'm my idol, Audrey Hepburn, when I wear it. All I do is add my pearls :)


Time for some shoes!
I needed new flats due to the crazy amount of walking that is required in DC! So these Alexandra Demi Wedges from Michael Kors are perfect. I cannot express to you how comfortable they are. Pictures to come with me wearing them :) --Oh, and I purchased them at Macy's.

While I couldn't find a picture of my Beverly Johnson black patent stiletto booties - the Jessica Simpson version will have to do. The BJ's are very similar yet they lack the platform and the strange detailing in the back, the lips dip down to the seem in the front with an added tongue, and the heels are a bit skinnier. I bought them at Saks on sale! They are my favorite shoe in my closet right now.

I'm not much for fun stilettos, so when I see ones I love I go crazy! These Nine West Jewellite Crocodile pumps are actually a lot prettier than the picture shows - there's a lot more depth and variety of purple that's difficult to tell. I love them. They look more like they're tie-dyed a purple pallette. They are super comfortable. And I can't tell you how many compliments I get on them when I wear them out!

ACCESSORIES! This was my favorite part :)
A gift from my siblings, this Tano bag is PERFECT to add to my collection - a collection I promise to share in the future. They bought it at Cusp and gave it to me when I arrived at our hotel. Thanks guys!!!
My mom also surprised me with a few new scarves to add to my collection. This one by Sir Alistair Rai is by far one of my favorites. It says peace (pictured above) one side, the other side says love.
And to go along with the peace theme - she also got me this one. It is vintage from Francis Heffernan in Chicago and quite possibly my most often go-to scarf right now.

And my favorite of all: a new Burberry Green Muffler scarf. Thanks Mom!!! Green is my favorite color. And the little pink stripe detailing makes the scarf super versatile. I love wearing my pink ballet top with it, skinny jeans, flats, and my trench.

HATS HATS HATS! At Bendel's my mom and I went a little hat crazy :). I have the pink one, but I do not like how the model is wearing it therefore I showed you the hat on its own above. I feel very parisian in the beret by Helene Berman.


Another gem from Helene Berman! I feel very Blair Waldorf in this and I wear it EVERYWHERE. My version is completely black.


Needless to say I splurged a little in New York. And it was completely worth it :)