Earth Day: Conscious Collection

On the sennight of Earth Day I read up on H&M's new endeavor towards more sustainable organic products. Launching the Conscious Collection, H&M new pursuit helps promote a more sustainable environment through the materials they have chosen to use. Very appropriate for it to launch in the Spring/Summer outlook since I personally think the summer practically begs for organic cottons in shades of blush. Below are a few items I managed to snag:

And what I was on the lookout for but sadly this top was sold out:

*all images via H&M website

I want to be her!

I am  totally, completely, irrevocably in love with this site! Andre Linett is currently the Creative Director of ebay fashion and with the help of her very talented illustrator slash friend, Anne Johnston Albert, has tapped into one of the everyday woman's deep dark secret. We are an envious nature by breed. However the site celebrates this facet of women and highlights what may be misconstrued as envy, to be what truly is admiration. With this the site there lies links to either the same exact item that you can quest your inner yearnings with or something very very similar. Many of times I have clicked on such links and have found the item to be an exact replica of what was shown or more impressively what was drawn. Somehow, in a clear concise manner, these ladies manage to celebrate what we inherently think everyday, feel, and react to in just an image and a few short clicks. It is a highly recommended click away!!

Fashion Conundrum

{Forever 21 - $6.80}

Are these back in and I just not get the memo? Picture it - you're out in the school play lot, hair partially pulled back in only what can be described as a bad Madonna reincarnated side ponytail. Not wispy and romantic a la A Cup of Jo...

{image via A Cup of Jo}

....but rather the type that seen from the back you know the chic has some smeared hideous lip gloss on braces....no names will be identified.
I always embrace the cycle of fashion because one:
      1. Secretly (or not so secretly) I am literally a closet hoarder
      2. Said cycle further drives home a larger cycle - the cycle of life
But man - oh man - I can safely say no hoarding, no embracing here - be gone bike shorts with girly lace seaming. We were never truly friends.

Curb the Urge: Textured Boots

I have trotted my way through this season's biggest trend of utilitarian boots. The multitude of styles available make the "Embrace a trend...Don't marry it" motto very very difficult to stick to. I chose these classic examples because the lines on the heel are classic, the herringbone fabric tasteful and the contrasting toes and outlines an unexpected trust. At a staggering $231 the Pour La Victorie version is becoming in its less flashy outline and shape. However, I'm really enjoying the inexpensive Jessica Simpson version not only for its below ankle cut (a slimming height that will not chop up the look of your legs) but also for its whopping $78.36 (plus 25% off) price tag.

* Note: Today's Ideeli sale offers the JS version for only $39!!! If you would like an invite to Ideeli (an online discount shopping experience that offers department to designer apparel) please leave your email address in the comments.

Color me..good

I've been totally obsessed with this feature article from Lucky Magazine that gives a great concise tutorial of the best shoe/tights combo. To be frank I'm not the biggest tights person but I do enjoy the option it gives me to diverge from denim during these cold brisk days of winter. Today was a balmy 33 degrees - my body almost went into conniptions when i stepped outside. Tights, tights, tights...right. Well I'm looking forward to trying the cream sweater, leopard shoes combo. What titillating tight combo will you tie up your nest day out with?
                                                          

                                                           grey + pale pink = lady lovely
                                                                

mustard  + brown + black = spicy combo 

red + red = fierce

bright green + black = green envy

                           white crochet + leapord print = next on the To-Wear list

Crop Weather

It's strange. I was not really all that into the middriff cut off tees of the 2010 summer but fast forward to Fall? - So digging this crop sweater movement!!

Second Guessing

Loria, my friend, you have done me wrong.

Background story. I was never one to slave over sites and mags for what is up and coming and what next season's trends are to look out for. I prefer that this realization and acceptance for trend to happen more organically. So if I catch onto it via online, in stores, in streetstyles - it's because I truly did fall in love with a look or aesthetic. Not because I read about an aesthetic that was apt to occur in the forthcoming season. Clear as mud?
Well early this past summer I fell in love with a Cynthia Vincent chunky sweater that was ridiculously marked down. I liked how it had a subtle Navajo print in it and it was so incredibly cuddly. I scooped it up at its sale price. I was them summarily talked out of it. My dear dear friend, Loria, commented that it appeared too big for my frame. Her side kick chimed in with "When I'm in Mexico next - I can just pick you up one for a few pesos." They did not appear to be fans. So since it was summer and since I had momentarily lost some of my fashion mojo and since I was of an indecisive frame of mind - I returned it. Enter:

{Cynthia Vincent - Reversible Navajo Cardigan - $495!!!}

{Asos - Wrap Blanket Cardigan - $70.77}

{Forever21 - Shawl Sweater Cardigan - $29.80}

I am, of course, Master Of My Own Destiny. So I am willing to accept 45% of the blame.

Tucker for Target

Since the Cynthia Vincent for Target sale lasted for - oh say, 3 seconds - in all my neighborhood Targets, I was determined to make sure I was on top of my game for Tucker. This is a brand that exudes feminity and saturates its pieces in vibrant hues of color. Before we get into the bevy of beauty I picked up tonight I will provide spoiler alert - most the items were polyester. Residing in Chicago and ergo, subject to the wind tunnels, I'm typically not 100% anti-polyester. I do however think for some of the prices, a thrifty silk blend could have been offered. I mean please, Forever21 (love of my life) has plenty of pieces, albeit the pricier of the bunch, in 100% silk. That aside I do think this collaboration offers the savvy shopper an opportunity to delve in the bohemian world - that which is Tucker.

Forever Footwear

Of late Forever21 has caught my interest not only in the cute on trend tops and shorts but to my own surprise I find myself perusing their SHOE department. I can honestly say that I have never considered Forever21 a footwear maven but - who am I to judge? To be quite honest I can't believe it hasn't dawned on me before. If I look to this retailer for all things that are trends saturating the market, but items I do not want to invest alot of dollars on (the informal definition of trendy I believe) why not shoes. I'm not too sure about the quality - there will not be any Louboutins here but if these kicks are like any of the other quality of items coming from this franchise - count me in.






Sudette Midcalf workman boot - $29.80






                          
                      




                              Leatherette Oxford Bootie - $26.80









  Vintage Lace up boots - $19.80






                            



                 Sudette Cutout heels - $26.80                                            

      Suedette Ankle boots - $29.80

Crossbodies

This season's infatuation with cross bodies has me muy muy contenta. It marries my love for large carryalls with a hip take on what could have been dubbed a book bag. When selecting one to - ahem - carry you through this season make sure that it has an appropriate drop length for your height. (Something I'm sure short people only think of). Drop length pertains to where the length of the strap drops the satchel to what region of your body. Cross body is very norm for styling just make sure your accompany outfit doesn't stress boobage in a gross strained fashion. I also am very partial to extremes. Either they are worn in leather or bold dramatic statement pieces. Here are some choices:

The Quest for leather shorts

Very recently I started to look seriously for an acceptable pair of leather shorts. My criteria's were non expensive, non hootchie, non ugly. I thought I had hit the head on the mark with these.

They were extremely marked down at Bergdorf's and the leather looked oh-so-soft. I was encouraged by the soft folds of the shorts coupled with the outside of norm crackled leather. But alas - upon their arrival I found they were not for me. The fabric jersey-like waist was very forgiving which normally is a good thing. Unfortunately they also made my extremely marked down pair too large for me. And not in an fashionable unkempt way but more in an adding on the illusion of more el bees. Also what I loved most (aside from the texture) was the rolled cuffs. However, this too schemed against me as it was not a mere one roll but what appeared to be several which was not for someone with short legs. So in the end beautiful Helmut went home. And I was despondent. As the quest for appropriate leather short's to wear with opaque tights and sky high wedges with a perfectly draped sweater top, under the militant anorak....continues.

Fall into me

To Wedge or not to Wedge

...........that is the question.......

Steve Madden Annton - $130

Jeffrey Campbell Mary Roks - $122

Sam Edelman Zoe - $199

Dolce vie Target?

Dolce Vita has joined other fashion friends and are offering their famous soles to the patrons of Target. To be be quite honest I'm not too sure if I can see the exact resemblance perse...

These exact same pair were retailing on Endless.com upwards of $100+ a mere four months ago. They are currently offfered at $24.99 on target.

They have since been 'unavailable' from non Target websites.

Bloomers

There are some trends that you can be sure will never pick up steam again. Bloomers, for instance, apparently only for the settling of the states. Or so I thought. Imagine if you will a flowy summer cotton dress that by design is so airy fabric is barely touching the body. Like this:

Then imagine if you will me flip flopping down the stairs to the underground corridor to catch the Redline. Then imagine a train coming at the speed of light creating a wind tunnel that pushes through the corridor and carries through to said stairwell. Lastly imagine suddenly being able to see your hemline without looking down. Sigh.

In efforts to minimize future embarrassing events I figured some collection of the below would work and help disguise what in reality may be a non sexy Marilyn reenactment with - "Hmmmm, that's a lovely jumpsuit she's wearing but I could have sworn it was a dress"

*all bloomies from Forever21 for $5.80

I Heart Free People

When I saw this look come through on my email I literally sighed. This is the epitome of the look I try to achieve. Romantic, comfort, feminine with an edge. So if you see me strolling through Uptown with every piece exactly as such - don't judge.

It's unkind.

It's a wrap...

These hot sultry days leave me forever on the quest for what to do about my long straight locks. Its whisper thin texture generally feels like a bad curse when I am  forever trying to tuck every last piece back. Enter this fabulous gadget from Forever21. It combines the sweet country nature of chiffon floral with a practical black elastic band to feed to practical yet fashionable side of every girl 'blessed' with long fine hair.

Two dollars and eighty cents well spent!

All laced up

One of this season's hottest articles is the laced up boot. Its ultilitarian look melds nicely with the military trend that just won't quit. Perhaps the utilitarian brought on the military? - Chicken/Egg. Tomato/Tomahto.

Here are some options that should fit the bill. And foot.

1. Steve Madden Harllem - $129

2. Jeffrey Campbell Bradley - $199

3. Prada Lace Up - $790

4. Seychelles Romance - $139.95

Curb the Urge: Bandeau Dresses

I saw a version of this Urge dress at bloomies earlier this summer and I was drawn to its simple lines and summer color. The version I had seen was actually color blocked like the Curbed version in a yellow and grey - now sold old. However, the $195 price tag for the above version still remains. Although a fond lover of Theory, I think the two bills is a tough pill to swallow for what is essentially a casual summer dress. A long time resources for Curbed versions - I found this similar dress at Forever 21 for a fraction of the cost . Twenty four eighty to be exact.