why i ever doubted military-style anoraks, i'll never know

This is reaching epic proportions. I seriously wanna whack myself on the head for not buying an anorak in Tokyo. These photos below taken by Jak and Jil's Tommy Ton for Style.com are making me want to implode with their fabulousness. Especially this first one. A military anorak and lace!!! I DIE, DIE, DIE.

And then there's this: anorak + fur fabulosity.

Seriously, there were so many fur-bedecked anoraks in Tokyo! Most of the time, over-thinking my purchases works pretty well for my bank account me. But on the rare occasion, it haunts me like this. *facepalm*

And now, a moment of silence to take in how Ms. Wintour deals with Winter.

*sigh*

i get by with a little help from my friends

Been going through a bit of a rough patch lately, and I have to say, these are the times that make me incredibly thankful that I've been blessed with wonderful friends. They love me and protect me to a degree that just astounds me. I know that I can get through the worst of times because I have them.

So as a lighthearted fashion-y ode to the friends who are propping me up these days when everything else seems to be conspiring to bring me down ... these super fun and very cool images of fun fashion cliques from Teen Vogue:

Thank you for being there for me. I love you guys!

alexander mcqueen ss2010

Having a bit of a dark day, and needing some distraction. Alexander McQueen's otherworldly collection works. Going out for a cup of coffee ... hopefully a little sun and caffeine will do me some good.

garance doré for gap

Images via Garance Doré

Dear Guardian Angel,

You've been pretty awesome to me, especially in that almost-getting-hit-by-limo incident I had on 3rd Avenue two weeks ago. Anyhow, my point is, I believe in you. You can make amazing things happen. So if it doesn't take too much time away from your saving-girls-crossing-streets-and-almost-getting-hit-by-limos time, would you kindly whisper some genius idea into the ears of those lovely people at the GAP so they can figure out how to sell these super über limited edition Garance Doré t-shirts to the general public? Thanks. You are awesome.

Love,

why kate?

Did I need further convincing that I want fur for the coming chillier seasons? Not really. But Kate Moss had to drive the nail into the coffin.

The Kate Moss for Topshop collection for Fall is in and I'm loving the images from the campaign. I say images because honestly, if you click on the pictures of the actual garment, they're kinda .... meh. But I like the ideas these two pictures promote. I'd like a sexy fur too, and I'd really like a little long sleeved dress jazzed up with rocker studs.

If only the clothes really looked like that. And if only I looked like Kate Moss (circa ... before Pete Doherty).

Happy Friday, and hope these glam girl shots get you in the mood for dressing up and partying tonight! Those of us in the US have a long weekend to recuperate after all. Ciao!

EDIT: Well apparently my friends in the Philippines are having a long weekend too! Damn you guys and the bazillion vacations the government gives! Have a wonderful break dears!

the talented mr. ripley

I watched The Talented Mr. Ripley for the first time last night (yay, DVR!). While the story left me profoundly disturbed, I did find myself quite inspired by Gwyneth Paltrow's island attire. I particularly loved the breezy femininity and the lovely combination of florals mixed with gingham or chevron stripes.

Wouldn't we all love to go on a permanent vacation in Italy's islands with her character's trust fund and wardrobe? A tanned hunk like Jude Law's character Dickie Greenleaf wouldn't be a bad accessory either.

Budding romance skirt at Anthropologie ($238), Cotton-silk poplin solid perfect shirt at J.Crew ($64), Seaside seersucker ring bandeau top at J.Crew ($29.99), Chatham Roslyn bag at Kate Spade ($296), Camellia Espadrilles at Anthropologie ($368)

hermione as fashion maven

Has it been really 9 years since Emma Watson took on the role of Hermione? I feel old. But I really love seeing how she's grown up wonderfully. For one, she looks amazing and never dresses like a s*ank. She could live without acting again after Harry Potter (unless the role of a lifetime comes along) and is determined to go to college, period. Totally love this shot of her in Teen Vogue's August 2009 issue. Makes me wanna run out and get a puffy skirt, a field of violets, and something with the Union Jack on it.

UPDATE: Did you know that Emma's also the new face of Burberry. Check it:

So when the wizards graduate from Hogwards they turn into yuppies? Hermione makes magic on Wall Street? Hmm.

loungin' lovin'

I love this layout from the current issue of W. Love Hermes' Peruvian stripes against exotic florals, and the bright and zingy colors. Love the lazy, languid feeling of it. This is what summer should look like, to me. Summer has been excruciatingly slow in coming to New York. Today feels more like spring than the middle of June. If we dress like it's summer, will it come?

To be young

Image by Heather Glison at One Love Photo

After weeks of denial, I took a good look at next month's credit card bills and my current bank balance, and then thought about the expenses of our upcoming Vegas-Grand Canyon-San Francisco-Napa Valley-Seattle trip and felt quite troubled. And then I saw this beautiful picture at this wonderful blog and just had to smile. How wonderful would it be to be that young and carefree again?

Pretty things to look at

Swarms of little ants and butterflies look so amazing against a stark white background. Bailey Doesn't Bark makes these quirky cups, saucers and spoons that look like they've been swarmed with ants. It made me think of those Dior Homme by Hedi Slimane shirts with a bee stitched on at random spots, and thus found out about the brand's current fixation with butterflies. At Dior Homme's Paris store, Italian artist Andrea Mastrovito created a gorgeous installation of black paper butterflies. So simple but so beautiful.

Images of Dior Homme Paris via Wallpaper

Tilda, Tilda, Tilda

I didn't actually watch the Oscars, which is why I was in complete ignorance of how amazing Tilda Swinton looked. I really love this lady. She rocked that Lanvin. Most adventurous and inspirational look of the night, in my opinion.

Oscar Faves

I fell in love with Penelope Cruz in Vicky Cristina Barcelona, so I'm thrilled that she won an Oscar. And I gotta love her a little extra for gracing the red carpet in an exquisite vintage Balmain haute couture gown. Penelope always does awards nights right.

And Marisa Tomei in that gorgeous Versace! Do you love it, or do you LOVE IT???

Anne Hathaway was stunning in Armani Prive, don't you think?

Finally, I loved Kate Winslet in her Yves Saint Laurent not because the look was extraordinary but because of the attitude she took towards getting dressed for the Oscars. On Oprah today, she said that she did not ask for several designers to make something for her and then pick from the selection because she thought that was not the right thing to do in these tough economic times. When YSL offered to make something for her, she accepted and wore what was subsequently created. What a classy lady.

It's that wonderful time of the year

My great glove-hunt brought me to Fifth Avenue today, straight to my favorite holiday windows: Bergdorf Goodman. Last year was a lush display of Eastern opulance with plenty of gilding and rich jewel tones. This year, I feel that Bergdorf's windows are a tad more subdued, maybe as a reaction to the economic uncertainty enveloping the globe. The breathtaking level of detail and sheer imagination that I've come to expect out of Bergdorf's is still here in spades, but without the unbridled exuberance of past years. I think it's appropriate and done in good taste.

Times may be tough, but as long as there is beauty, love and promise in the world, there's always reason to celebrate. Take a look at the gorgeous windows below. I hope they make you as excited about the holidays as I am!

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Winter

Holiday

P.S. I froze and shoo-ed numerous tourists to take these pics so please credit and link back to my blog if you swipe any of them. Thanks!

Gone Greek ... and Trojan?

I watched Troy for the first time today—how I lived before that, I don't know. Good lord, what a beautiful movie. I've come to two conclusions:

1. Every movie should have Eric Bana and Brad Pitt in it.
2. Every plain dress I have must be embellished in Trojan fashion.

#1 is a given; I didn't rent the movie for the suspenseful plot. The bigger suprise to me was how I would fall for those gorgeous embellished gowns. This was my ultimate favorite:

I love the use of precious stones to anchor an otherwise simple gown. It's inspiring me to run to the fashion district and dig up jewels to sew onto dresses I've tired of. DIY coming soon!

And just cos it would be wrong to mention Brad and Eric without showing their gorgeousness, here are some stills from the movie from Hollywood.com. Don't let the drool hit your keyboard.

HELL YEAH!!!!!

Welcome to the oval office President Barack Obama!!!!!!!

T-shirt at Urban Outfitters.

Fashion Inspiration for the Day

I am obsessed with this chick's look, as captured by The Sartorialist. So so effortlessly chic! I am totally in love with her boots! And she makes me wanna banish my flat iron and break out the curling iron.

Update: I got this Alloy catalog in the mail, and there are these boots for just $39.50 that could be dead-ringers for the ones this Parisian chick is wearing.

Close enough? What do you think?

Let 'er rip!

Balmain has me wanting torn up and bleached skinny jeans, and diva wasteland bejewelled dresses. Never thought I would be the type to bring torn clothing into public sight, but I guess that's where I'm headed. I feel a tad like I'm regressing to those days in high school when I refused to get my jeans washed (much less hemmed and sewn) for weeks on end to get them perfectly beat up and worn out. Fashion is such a cycle that I'm starting to feel like one of those hamsters running on a wheel and always ending up in the same place.

PS: I love love love the footwear too. Sign me up for bedazzled sexy sandals asap.

Hit Snooze

Dolce & Gabbana, you sneaky biatches! You totally made my gloomy rainy day brighter with your awesome collection. Who knew such chic potential was hiding in Hugh Hefner's wardrobe staple—jammies! Fashion that lets me roll out of bed and go straight to work is always revolutionary in my eyes. Designers after my own heart!

My faves, below—the pajama romper especially. Get up, grab heels and Fluffy, and go! What's not to love?

Get off the couch already!

I've been so bad about going to the gym. It's right behind my apartment, and yet I still find excuses to just keep ... well, sitting on my couch and not hitting the treadmill. Maybe if I get some pretty gym clothes like these from Adidas by Stella McCartney for SS09, I'll get motivated? Or maybe I should just look at my bank statements and remember what I'm paying per month ... yeah that helps.

Photos from Style.com