pantsy

once again my poor body is confused - it's in the 90's and air is thick as pea soup.  yet my mind is wandering to fall clothing because of the crazy cycles of fashion...  ah well. 

aside from the perfect pair of jeans, it seems a lady's other main pantsy quest is the perfect black pant.  that's definitely another story for another day - because as i was putting together some ideas, the idea of black pants upped my body temperature by about 10 degrees.  so it must wait.  in my scouting around, i experienced a moment of distraction (SHOCKING!) and stumbled upon these rather ridiculously cute tuxedo pants from Gap.  (they've just put out a whole new line of pants with Patrick Robinson - upping the hip factor once more.)  this color, which i'm loving quite a bit.  the slate blue version would leave me feeling a bit too much like i worked for the post office.  and i can barely keep track of my own paperwork so that just doesn't work out well for me.  so while it's still to steamy to break out even a THOUGHT of black pants - roll and cuff 'em a bit, and these babies could do quite well with some black gladiator sandals... or a leapord wedge.... or an espadrille wedge... see?  multi tasking pants.  brill!

gap-tastic

they sell like hotcakes, the Pierre Hardy for Gap shoe collections.  every time.  and i am sure this one will be no exception - they are a bit adorable....  i always love a good wedge, much less ankle-risk for daily running around.  (especially for a klutz like myself) and this little denim flat is just screaming out to be worn with everything you own....  yep - shoes speak to me.  it would be rude to ignore them.

the collection hits Gap stores and the old interwebs on May 10th, on your marks....get set....SHOP!

ode to a spring scarf

as it IS an accessory, it will probably come as no surprise to anyone that i am OBSESSED with scarves.  i wear a scarf every day - through every season.  in the winter, as i despise cold, and i like to shake it up, i wear two.  and then comes spring - beautiful spring.  it's warmer - but it can get chilly.  a girl needs a scarf!  i'm most hooked on the linen version - because it somehow keeps you warm and cool all at the same time.  it's some sort of weird scarf voodoo magic that i don't question, i just blissfully indulge.  hands down my favorite is the Love Quotes version, they are HUGE and infinitely cozy, they look fantastic, and they come in almost every conceivable color.  if that's above the realistic spend-y range --  H&M has a pretty rock solid collection of similar scarves - one of my faves is a cream to red ombre scarf that i got there 2 years ago.  loves it.  and as they do, the Gap and Banana Republic are well in on the action.  they both have some really nice scarves at a totes decent price point.  as does the ever beloved JCrew....  aside from the practical solution -- it's pretty genius for adding a pop of color or pattern to an otherwise simple outfit.  add a gorgeous scarf to a t-shirt and jeans or some dull work attire, and it takes it to the next level. 

sunny side of the street?  hot.  shady side?  cold.  solution - scarf.
outside?  hot.  inside with AC?  freezing.  solution - scarf.
boring but totally comfortable outfit?  solution - scarf.
see where i'm going with this?  it's pretty much the solution to all your problems.  next i will put my mind to world peace and ending all bad things.  until then - wrap up dolls!!

a peek inside my head

on a tuesday afternoon.... i'm not on the couch on the 18th floor. my hair is not in a ridiculous pouf pile atop my head (i'm just realizing as i write this that i walked my bf's parents dog with this hair. HOT). there is nothing particularly wrong with the sitcho here... but in my mind, maybe i just got it a little more together today...

let's have a lookie, shall we? ah yes, a cute utility dress from the Gap collection...good place to start. and since it's January, even in my head, a toasty pair of Plush fleece lined leggings (no - i'm not kidding. it's like god turned into a fashion designer) then, perhaps a gorgeous belt from Linea Pelle - probs from the vintage collection. and hey, it's not snowing in my mind, so i'll wear my fave suede booties! toss on a scarf or two from the closet, pile on a bunch of bracelets -- and i'm good to go. to another corner of my mind...

mind the gap!

2010 resolution: to be conscious of my spending. i am holding strong. ok, ok. it's week 1. it's easy to be strong in week 1, when it's frankly too cold to go out and shop anyway ... and all the January sales are rolling around on the internet...but still i am holding strong damn it.

i sit and dutifully read all my magazines, daily reports, scour the interwebs, search and research. in addition to wistfully wanting the weather - i also want the fashion of spring/summer. a few of the prevalent themes (don't really like the word trend...) that i am particularly adoring are lingerie styles (remember the dress yesterday?), denim denim denim (LOVE), patches on said denim (so much better than shredded holey jeans), and khaki. these will all no doubt feature in the way i put myself together in the coming months.

NOW the dilemna... sure i can lustily peruse the denim shown by designers (thank you style.com for putting it all in one place so i can throw out my 400 tear sheets from mags)... but will i BUY Chloe or Chanel jeans? with patches???? probs not... and will i buy the amazing Balmain jacket i wrote lustily about a while back? doubtful, unless a nice boat filled with money floats my way... thus my mind wandered. and it ended up at the Gap.

i'm not always a fan of the idea of shopping at the Gap, because of the easy access factor. if everyone and their sister has access to it - everyone, including that sister, will look the same. i like to look different. but recently they have really kicked it up a notch, and have produced a few pieces each season that are a bit perfect. and that can be styled in a myriad of ways to keep the look unique. tres bien. i actually love their jeans - they fit amazingly well. and this pair? adores. and a throw it on over anything denim shirt is something i have been needing ever since i lost mine in some sort of absent minded purge of a few years back. finally - not leastly - this little dress could be sexied up quite right - heels and piles of jewelry and a scarf? good to go dolls.

and so, in the interest of remaining true to my resolve, i believe these pieces will do a spectacular job of satiating my thirst. i love it when i'm responsible! (but um...boat of money - if you're out there and listening - you can float my way. i do still love that Balmain...)

do (good)-esday

today is world aids day. there are lots of different charities out there that give back - so it's a buffet to choose from. one that's been around for a while and to which i am partial is the Gap's partnership with Product-red. they always have a selection of really cute items that give proceeds to fight aids in Africa. different designers pop in from time to time to do products. this time 'round it's Stella McCartney, who did this tee. (who doesn't want a piece of Stella? you know you do...)

most of the stuff is in the $30 range. and come on now - i think that we can part with $30 on world aids day. there's a whole selection of new t's at the Gap. and if you're cruisin' for something else - there is a whole load of stuff available out there. i've even seen a Product-red netbook. (which, i admit, if i hadn't already got my little nettie, i probably would have purchased).

go on - get your charity on kids! it's do(good)-esday!

paris, je t'aime

one of my truest of true loves, Charles, is off to Paris to be inspired tomorrow and wanted me to join. sigh. i wish i could - but i will have to wait till next time...god knows that city inspires like no other place in the world. it is in my blood. incidentally Charles inspires as well... he's in my blood as well. xoxo (he's a BRILL designer - have a look!)

anyhoo - back to business... there is a neighborhood that is my favorite place on this earth - called the Marais. when i lived in Paris, i was there as much as humanly possible. and when i go back to visit - same deal. i love to be there - it makes my heart beat stronger. in this little hood there are GORGE boutiques hidden amongst Judaica shops and falafel joints. stores like nothing else - including Merci, (no website for us web cruisers, sadly) which houses a delicious mash of stuff, from Stella McCartney to handmade beautiful things. now, in the universe's way of making me feel a teeny bit better for not being able to jet to Paris -- Merci is partnering with the Gap in a pop-up store that will be open from September 10 to October 4. a slice of Paris in NYC. HEAVEN!!!!

The Merci Gap boutique will feature the appropriate mash up of things -- gorgeous handmade jewelry and accessories, Gap "boyfriend" jeans with custom embroidery by Laurence Amelie, limited-edition trenches by French artist Soledad, beautiful paper and home products and some vintage pieces as well.

all of this delightfulness will be parked at 54th Street and 5th Ave in New York (next to the Gap flagship). and to make it even better - (i know, you're thinking HOW IS THAT EVEN POSS?!?!) all the profits made will go to various children’s charities and provide work for impoverished youth in Madagascar. tres cool. and Paris, my dear city, a bien tot.

Gap guestie!

as you may recall, i was going on about guest designers at chain stores... AND i was just going on about the Gap! once again kismet rears its head...

the Gap did a shoe collection with Pierre Hardy last year, and there were some really great sandals that for some stupid reason or another i did not get my hands on. (i was particularly enamored of a green chunky wedge) ...but i digress....

he's back! this time with a fall collection that looks like it will be pretty darn cute. they will be available in September. so all you shoe freaks, mark your calendars and get ready to run - they go fast!

coming soon... to my closet!!

oh jeans. how i love you. you are soft and comfortable and you go with everything. we were meant to be together...

i have not, one bit, lost my obsession with Paige or Levi's. never! but there is now an addition to the jeans lust list. the Gap baby. the good old, one in every mall, Gap. they don't let you down, when you need something they usually have it. (they also happen to have my favorite bras - but that shall be spoken of at a later time)

as i do, i was perusing the fashion mags. and there was a picture of these little jean-jeanies here. i glanced at the pic and thought "adorable", and before reading the blurb, imagined they were up there in the 200 dollar range like jeans seem to be these days. but i pressed on - and lo and behold! they were Gap jeans and they were $69. "hello, lover!" i said to them. as kismet would have it, i received the next day in my email a "friends and family" coupon to the Gap for 30% off. and so i wait - patiently (kind of) until July 30th when i can use my coupon.

check out the new arrivals at Gap. there is some very very cute stuff there - and please don't everyone buy these jeans before i can get my pair!