Missing & Hoping

So Missoni For Target is the crash heard around the world. I never thought a luxury label would do that in a chain store. I guess everyone wants a piece of fashion from the iconic design house. Hurray for Target and Missoni but I wonder what these collaborations of bringing high fashion to the masses does to a brand. To the consumer. Is it still special? I have always wanted Missoni pillows for their beauty and exclusivity. I have loved their line for a lifetime with their  Italian sensibility, the famous zigzag, and their bold use of color.

After months of anticipation I decided I wouldn’t buy the clothes. I have a deep fear of seeing someone with an item I have on. The home furnishing I thought would do. Maybe a rug or a vase. A small piece until I save to buy the real Missoni pillows I love. On second thought I will bypass the collection completely. Don’t get me wrong. It is all so beautiful and probably made in China.  Anyone out there with something from Missoni for Target  please let me know where its made.

Then I got thinking… again…if it was made in in maybe, China, it was produced in very high volume in order to keep the cost low as opposed maybe handmade in Italy in a FAR fewer quantity with a higher price tag. I say maybe a lot because this is hypothetical but highly possible just change a few variables like China to Cambodia. Couple the mass quantity of Missoni for Target and the consumers highly frenzied desire to own a name or label. Uh huh, just to own a name. I bet some people don’t even like the lines style and bought it just to say the name when company comes over.  PASS! I will keep saving for my pillows in all of their exclusive goodness. To me Missoni means special, luxurious, exclusive and I felt all of this was taken away and the name cheapened a little. The crash made Missoni a household name and less special. Just a little bit less. I still want my pillows.

Now, before you call me a name I would never write on here but I can imagine if you don’t agree with me, please keep reading. Thank you so much, you look fantastic. I love your shoes!

I asked Elana Pruitt of Good Girl Gone Shopping her take on luxury designer/Chain Store collaborations. Here’s what she said:

I actually appreciate the collabs, because it gives the masses a taste of couture/designer wear at their budgeted level. I can see how it seems to cheapen the brand, but I think it shows good business sense and making it more inclusive for everyone vs exclusive to those who can afford lux pieces.  I just like when places like Target and even H&M offer the public just a taste of couture-ish style.

After reading that I instantly thought, not of fashionistas waking at the crack of dawn but of some girl next door, down the way, in the back woods staring out her window late at night wishing on stars that she could own a symbol of luxury. The same way I dream of adorning my vintage sofa with several $300 pillows.  Just a little piece/pillow of her/my  favorite designer. Something to hold her/me over until she/I could afford the real thing/sweater. Those same months I spent in a funk about high fashion to the masses, she spent saving all her lunch money and allowance to buy her hearts desire, the same way I save for my pillows. And realize we are all the same in our desire for pretty things.  Some of us just want it a little more exclusive.

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Pattern and Texture

Doing what I do at work. Fixing my fro.

I love the pleats and drape across the hip.

Man is it hard to take pics of myself. It’s also hard for me not to look confused. This is one of my favorite outfits.  I love comfort and this dress seals the deal. The slit is VERY open for dramatic reasons. Huge safety pin added for fun and to make the slit higher.

 

Dress/Tunic Transparente a funky little German line we carry in the shop.

Fishnet patchwork leggings from Target

Boots Target.

I love these boots a lady came into the shop wearing them and I ran out to get some. I love them.

Bag It Up

Here’s a little peek of some beauties I have coming into the shop for Fall and Holiday 2011.  I am so excited for these.

 

 

It’s going to be hard resisting taking  all of them. But I will choose a couple and put them on order for myself. I mean, why have a shop if you can’t get a few things for yourself right?

My most used, versatile, and fave purse my Vuitton  Saleya mm get it here or at a Neimans near you. I take it on overnights and to the beach. I love the size and how I can get sooooo much in it. It has definitely paid for itself.

Please do tell, what is YOUR favorite bag and why?

A Garden Study

 

 

 

 

Before Summer loses her color I decided to capture my backyard and garden in their glory.  There are many nooks and crannies in the garden and I did m best to capture each little special bit. The pics are from both my moms and my own patio and garden. While the look similar  we have total different styles, but the overall look is very cohesive.

Most days and nights, if you call me this is where you’ll find me. I love growing all these special flowers. Collecting specimens from friends and random yards is a fun hobby. Finding seed pods is even more special because growing a plant from a seed found on another plant sort of makes the process more natural, full circle.

Often times if I am eating a particularly tasty fruit or veggie I will take the seeds right out and plant them. I took some seeds from a Raspberry in my frozen yogurt a while back, got the seeds and planted them. The seedlings are about 3 inches now.  Get excited!

Sharing my garden with friends always bring a multitude of joy. I counted at one time 60+ varieties of plant life. Lemons, grapefruit, avocados, and sometimes tomatoes and herbs are abundantly shared throughout the seasons.  Creating an environment that people enjoy leaves me with the best feeling. I love when people tell me how at home they feel in my garden whether it’s their first or hundredth visit.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.

Tell me, how does your garden grow?

Drape Me

I was in the shop unpacking boxes, as you can see by the open box in the  back corner, and decided to snap a pic.  This is an outfitted collected over the last 4 years or so. I love mixing things up. For this look I decided to work long angles and flowing lines. The cardigan I’m wearing is from Old Navy, black tunic is from Transparente an amazing European line we carry in the shop, and my PANTS, yes these are pants, are from a Canadian line Simpli also from my shop.
Being so short it’s hard not to look overwhelmed in a lot of fabric, but I know I pulled it off   SO soft and flowy, I felt like a breezy dream.
Oh my necklace or Celebration Rope, as we call it in the shop is from my very own collection.

How She Wore It

Here’s what I had going on today in the wardrobe department…

 

 

Vest, tank, and jeans: Old navy

I am a little chubby at the moment. I fell in love and gained a few but still fierce.

 

Purse: Anne Klein from the 80’s it was my grandmothers. She has the greatest taste.

Shoes: Pucci from 03. I love the cat eye ornament and the multi colored platform and heel. I wear these year ‘round. They are so comfy.

Earrings: Fresh water pearl and sterling silver chain.   From my collection @ the shop. Contact me for sales info. 

Today was about achieving total comfort and ease but still having that something special  going on.  I was able to work and still go straight from work to doing fun errands with my boyfriend without changing.  I love Old Navy for their solid colors. I just wish they had a better and more consistent pattern grader.

Should I Stay Or Should I Fro?

About 10 years ago I decided I wanted to be chemical free when it come to my beauty regimen.  I felt I had spent too many hours laboring over my hair to make it do something other than it wanted to do. I wanted the option to get caught in a rain storm and linger with out wondering if my hair was going to go back to seed, back to its roots, back to the natural me.  A long steamy shower would be met by confusion. Do I? Don’t I? Do I want to take the time to re-do what I have just done to my hair? The answer was always no.

So in college I had decided I had enough of chemically straightened hair and for a couple of years I rock a short curly baby fro look and a few years later it became huge, lovely and fluffy.  Then something  very tragic changed my life. And then I cut it. Again. I needed to free myself from something. Not only did I cut it but I relaxed it. I did severe damage to my hair over and over again for two years. I was so sad during this time as id I’d lost myself. Then I cut it off again. When I say cut think Hallee Berry. I had to get back to my roots. My easy like Sunday morning feeling about my hair. My YES! I’m diving into the pool on a whim hair. Romantic shower sign me up. I finally didn’t care about my hair. Well, I care for my hair but I could now have my freedom back. It was like a new life, a full life. A life where I didn’t have to flee the sight of water. How amazing it feels to free yourself and find that you like the natural unaltered self better.

When it comes to your beauty and fashion routine, what have you let go of for a better quality of life? I am currently laying off the powder and foundations. It’s much too hot. And I want to get comfy in my own facial skin and not depend on covering up when I should focus on treating and maintaining my skin. What about you?

 

 

  I have no idea where I found this pic. I wish I had the source because I would love to own her.

Afros in blonde. I heart it.

Find her and her lovely things here.

This looks like Diana Ross only she had those eyes  and I’m loving the asymmetry.

The sweetest pic I have ever seen, so sweet.

 Esperanza Spalding, jazz genius and the best thing to happen to American music since Gershwin. I had the pleasure of seeing her last summer @ the Playboy Jazz Festival where I snagged this pic.

Myself as I grow the fro.

Discover My Dwelling

Here is one of the first things you will see in my 1100 sq.ft.  basement apartment. Yes, a finished basement in Southern Cali. When my mom bought her house I decided to stay a little (a few years) longer. We are divided by the kitchen and laundry room. We also have our own  entrances on opposite sides of the house. I’m even equipped with my own patio and garden, barely visible from my moms patio thanks to strategic potted plant arrangements.  Five or 6 years later it’s still just the two of us. Thank God we get along. I am so excited to start sharing my/our Home Style and all its uniqueness with you.

Back to the lecture at hand, the chest arrangement…

The chest everything is on top of ,and not pictured, stands about 4 ft. high and  was my moms when she was younger. It came all the way from Mississippi in the 60’s when she and her parents moved out here. I love old furniture.The imaginary history I give to my antique pieces makes me feel closer to them. Like are an inheritance of spirit and joy once brought to someone long ago.

The paintings are all done by me, as well as the  glass candle holders. The leopard print is Mod Podge and tissue paper and the pastel is glass enamel. I love to add my own art around my home.

The vase was found at Target a few years ago. The books are a part of my ever growing fashion library which I talk about in my From The Shelf sections. The lamp was my moms but I had to take have it when I scored an amazing vintage couch and arm chair from a Habitat For Humanity Re-Store.  The candle holders are a trio but the duo was enough for this set up.   

This is one of my favorite spots in my home.The chest is a mainstay only the landscape changes with my mood. I hope you’ve enjoyed this as much as I do.

Side note: I really need to paint.

Color Me In

 

Camel, a classic neutral pairs well with my fave color of all time fuchsia.

 

 

 

 

Navy is such a great and lesser used neutral. I love pairing it with icy yellow. Yellow is THE color this season.

 

 

Gray is fantastic next to orange. I love it. VERY fresh.

 

Kelly green and white is like grass on clouds. Simple and clean.

 

A lesser done combo, but super worthy of trying is lilac and mocha. 

Color can be an excellent addition to your wardrobe no matter your lifestyle. If you don’t feel comfortable with color on your clothing make sure your accessories have  Also, tune up or tone down the intensity of a color. Intensity meaning how dull or bright, light or dark Like lilac  and eggplant they are both purples. I’m telling you a little color will change your life and your day.

I am going to wear something bright today.

What are you favorite color combos?