greens aw2011

I had another post ready for today, but a last minute change of plans turned it into a Sync article instead. It's good though, because now I can press forward with the article, which I was having a little trouble with before. I promise to share it in a few weeks, once it goes to print, but for now I'm going to be weird and cryptic about it.

I was short-handed on a backup post, so I freaked and went to a winter collection. As much as I try not to post winter collections in the grossest part of summer, this is what backup looks like. Plus, I'm really excited about this collection! It's from Argentinian label, Greens, which I also posted about in the spring. The good part about this label is that they're in the southern hemisphere, so all these pieces are on sale right now as they get ready for spring; the bad part is that they don't have an online shop!! What a tease, huh? It's pretty frustrating when you see something you love and can't even look at the price tag on it, but for some reason, I keep returning for inspiration. It's clear that they have an unwavering love for Brenton stripes, which may be the best part about them.

South America is a mystery to me as far as fashion goes, but Greens makes me want to know more.

Fray I.D.

Sorry to be so quiet around here today. I've been a master procrastinator this week putting off both of my Sync articles until today – I submit two every other Tuesday – and skipping out on *most* of my Christmas shopping until now. I still haven't had time to do it, so I'll be a at the store with all the rest of the bozo's tomorrow (raise your hand if you're with me!). 

I have lots of outfit photos on my card reader to show you, but until I find time to edit those I'll just keep sharing some of my favorite collections. I left the Japanese labels alone for a bit (like, half a day), but surprise, surprise, I'm back on track again today. This label is called Fray I.D. and I'm head over heels for the lush 60s vibe in their latest collection! Favorite piece: fur collar camel coat with *to die for* bow buttons. It's going on my thrift list, but I have a feeling this one isn't going to surface.

Twenty Seven Names: Winter 2011

Source: NZ Fashion

I can't possibly understand why this post would need any commentary at all because as you can see, the clothes are out-of-this-world amazing. After seeing the Twenty Seven Names spring collection (and all the delectable lilac that filled the racks), I knew I found a label that really loved. Seeing their winter collection only solidifies the fact that this is my new *favorite* label – right there with Orla Kiely! I love "The Fearsome Five" theme and all the great 90s inspiration with this collection. There's definitely some 90210 vibes coming from the letter jacket and blazers, too! I can't wait to watch the Twenty Seven Names label grow over the coming years.

Penelope and Coco

If you've followed my blog for long, you'll know that I'm an animal when it comes to oxfords. I just can't get enough of 'em! Sky high heels are quite impractical for my everyday life, not to mention uncomfortable and obnoxious (when I walk in them, at least), so I made the decision a few months back to stop wearing them for outfit photos, too (except on occasion!). As much as I'd love to wear a nice pair of Jeffery Campbell clogs, and as slimming as they'd probably make my legs look in that one dress, I just can't do it.

That's why I love Penelope and Coco so much. Their selection of oxfords and boots is great! For the first time in my life I'm taking nicely to leopard print things, and I actually don't mind the hot pink oxfords either! The outfit styling in the lookbook is such a treat, too. And hey, they're not Japanese either. I managed to slip an American label in there. Whatayaknow!

I'll be back tomorrow with a giveaway! xo.

Té chichi

So maybe the Japanese label love is getting a little obsessive. Sorry! I just keep falling in love with everything I find. And just so you're fore-warned, there's no end in sight. I've spent a lot of my extra time seeking out great Japanese labels, and I've got a whole bunch of junk of my desktop to prove it! I'll be organizing lots of folders later today, and hopefully getting all this content into a post (or a few posts) soon. Everything is just so pretty!

Today I'm all about Té chichi and their wonderful Anthropolgie-esque lookbook. Isn't it lovely. Everything looks so cozy!

Masscob Fall Collection

I discovered the Masscob fall collection while working on my recent article about the 70s trend. The colors and materials matched all the things I was picturing in my head perfectly. I wondered how I missed such a fantastic collection until now?

After a little more digging, I discovered the film that went with the collection. It brought a whole new life to the clothing, and added a personality that couldn't be translated through photographs. It's one of those films that your heart attaches to just seconds into the piece. It reminded me of a brilliant video I saw in the school art gallery last semester.

The film from school was very personal and poetic. It's called Outpost and was shot in Super 8, and it touched on the idea of how landscape defines a place and a people. It's based on a true story about a 22-year-old Icelandic fisherman who survives a shipwreck in the middle of the North Atlantic in 1984, and it's one of the first pieces that really made me want to pursue film.

Every time I see a good collection video, my love for story-telling though film is reinvigorated. I usually watch them over and over again!

Masscob Autumn-Winter 2010-2011 from be-poles on Vimeo.

Swedish Hasbeens: 70's Wedding

How authentically 70s are these shots from the latest Swedish Hasbeens campaign? I've spent the evening working on a project that pertains to the current 70s trend, so naturally, this set of photos was of particular interest to me! I think I'm most fascinated by the girl in the chocolate brown mini dress in the big family shot, and the groom in his unbelievable velvet blazer and over-sized bow tie. The shoes aren't so hard on the eyes either! I'm glad I waited on my first Swedish Hasbeens purchase when everyone else was getting them this past Spring, but I would eventually like to get a pair. They totally won me over with their story. . .

"Her name was Anita and she was the hottest mum in all of southern Sweden in the 1970’s. While smoking Camel she screamed at her kids until her curlers fell out and just looked fabulous in her white high-heeled clogs."

"One summer day in 2006 we found the shoes she wore (300 pairs of red, white and black beautiful clogs from the 70’s) in the basement of an old clog factory in the neighboring village and brought them to Stockholm. So for all these people that shared our love for Anita’s wooden shoes and for ourselves we started Swedish Hasbeens."

Animal Sweaters

I think I've confessed my love for animal print sweaters enough here lately. After bringing them up in several different posts and spending a few different afternoons digging through google images for them, I figured I'd just shut-up and show you guys a few of my favorites.

Though my thrifting luck has been good the past few weeks, it hasn't been good enough to bring home one of these bad boys. I've gotten so desperate at this point that part of me has been tempted to spend the $88 that Urban Outfitters is asking for that Peter Jensen bunny sweater. But the practical part of my brain always stops me before I make it that far. I figured if I couldn't get my hands on one, I'd at least live vicariously through these photographs.

1. Caitlin Bellah 2-3. Tiny Owls Magic Attic 4-5. Peter Jensen 6. Mad Girl Vintage 7. Liebemarlene 8. Jean-Charles de Castelbajac 9. Tiny Owls Magic Attic

Eve Gravel Dress Giveaway

A while back a Montréal based designer named Eve Gravel contacted me and a few other bloggers to see if we would be interested in helping introduce her clothing line to the states. She's no stranger to the business as her label has been around in Montréal for 16 years, but for this fall season, she decided it was time to spread her creations to the south.

To make sure the collection was something we'd even be interested in, she sent over her fall lookbook for us to browse through. Of course it was filled with the prettiest dresses, skirts, and jackets made of the most beautiful fabrics and textures, all with charming details that I couldn't help but adore. We were able to pick out our top five favorite pieces and from there the Eve Gravel team narrowed it down to just one. I wasn't able to get my favorite piece, but they did their very best and sent over one of my other favorites, the Edgy Kate dress.

I'll admit, when I first saw the collection I was thinking, "Oh no. Leopard and black. Can I do leopard and black?", but the more and more I scrolled through the looks, the more and more I began to love it. Despite the fact that the pieces seemed a bit more edgy than my typical style, the silhouettes and textures seemed so very feminine. To be honest, it's not that I don't like urban looks, it's that the shapes don't usually work on my curvy body. This girls' got too much ass for skin tight booty shorts and body con dresses–which is why I love free flowing vintage dresses–but finally there's a collection that meshes the edgy aesthetic with a more girlie style. The whole time I was wearing the dress I kept thinking, "oh my gosh, Allison Mosshart would TOTALLY approve of this look"–um, yeah, so that girl crush is still going strong! 

I suppose the best news out of this whole Eve Gravel collaboration–for you guys, at least–is that each one of the five bloggers participating will be giving away their special Eve Gravel piece on their blogs. That's right. Five Eve Gravel pieces are up in the air, and I seriously think I might cry once I have to ship this dress off! The fabric is soft and sheer and the sleeves have just a bit of puff in them to help hold their shape. There's ruffles, there's lining, and it honestly is just about the best piece in my closet right now.

To enter, all you have to do is visit the Eve Gravel website and share your favorite piece from the collection. Make sure to leave your email address so I can get a hold of you and to increase your chances of winning at least one thing from the Eve Gravel line, be sure to check out Lulu Letty, Selective Potential, Sally Jane Vintage, and Liebemarlene throughout the week as they will be giving away their selected pieces too. Good luck!

Photos by my friend Corey.

Alexa Chung Madewell Commercial!

(Refinery 29)

Well, since I didn't have a real post scheduled for today, I thought, why not another fall collection video instead! No more Orla Kiely this time. Instead it's a commercial from the much-anticipated Madewell collection by Alexa Chung, coming out in stores tomorrow! It's super short but reaaaally sweet.

Venetia Scott For Orla Kiely

I guess if there's one good thing about Monkeycat sitting on my pillow, purring up a storm and begging me to get up at 6 in the morning, it's that she led me to this gorgeous campaign by Orla Kiely. Did I really just make a connection between Monkeycat and Orla Kiely? Weird.

Monkey wakes me up like that every morning, but on this particular day I got up and started reading through my twitter timeline. I think there were 197 missed tweets, most of them from people overseas who were awake while I was sleeping, but there was one specific tweet that caught my eye.

I've been waiting for the Venetia Scott photos of the Orla Kiely collection to come out ever since reading a different tweet about it a while back. I waited and waited and even posted about it with a completely different set of Venetia Scott photos a few months ago. And finally the day has come, another Orla Kiely tweet announcing their release.

To say I love them would be an understatement. Orla Kiely has a way of creating the most authentic 60's and 70's scenes with all the beautiful prints and colors she uses, and Venetia Scott is just an unbelievable photographer that really knows how to make a connection with the viewer and her subjects. I just love them both! Seeing these photos actually reminded me of a video I recently watched about the designer. It's the Orla Kiely for Target commercial which I don't remember from back in the day (2007), but I think it tells a lot about the designer.

70's Sweater Giveaway

Today I've reached my 100th post and in honor of that I wanna do a giveaway. I usually struggle to come up with the perfect giveaway prize that appeals to all personalities, shapes, and sizes, so today I ignored all that a selected something that I'm in love with at the moment.

My thrifting adventures have proved my love for vintage sweaters to be higher and higher than ever before so to keep in tune with my thrifting spirit I'm giving away one of my favorite 70's college sweaters. It was instant love when I sorted down the sweater aisle and landed on this beauty and instant sadness when I tried it on to find it didn't fit. So sad for me, so good for you!

The sweater is approximately an xsmall or small with a 34" bust and really tiny 6" cuffs. I'm sorry if your a medium or larger; I'll do another giveaway for you guys later this month! The contest is open to all of my readers and will end at noon next Saturday (the 16th). To enter just leave a comment with the following information.

Urban Oufitters Holiday Lookbook

When I got the Urban Outfitters holiday lookbook earlier this month, I have to admit I thought it was Anthropologie's, and even after scanning in all my favorite images I still thought it was Anthropologie's. It wasn't until I was about to write this post that I looked down and realized it was actually an Urban Outfitters catalog. Now I know they're pretty much the same company and all, it just seems like I'm drawn to the extra girlie feel of Anthropologie's lookbooks way more than the styles I usually find at Urban Outfitters. Well not this time! I love so many things about this most recent issue that I just had to scan it in to show you everything I "need".

What a beautiful and feminine way to incorporate studs, not to mention the fact that I'm all bananas over gold right now.

The art deco feel of the dress on the left is just tuggin' at my heart. Isn't is stunning.

I need all this beautiful wallpaper.

Sooo forties, just needs a set of red lips.

I want, I want, I want. But who could blame me?

And Urban Outfitters is having "Sales On Sales" right now.
What a beautiful yet dangerous place for me to wander.