oh i do desire you...

OH OH Dannijo!!!! as they say, different strokes for different folks… Vogue is the fashion lover’s bible.  period.  but not every single piece can rock every reader’s boat.  Candy Pratts Price put together a FAB list of her “most desirable accessories” which was like a dreamy walk through a visual candy store.  LOVE. however not all of the items would really work in my life.  with one exception - this AMAZING Dannijo ring.  this thing is all out BRILLS.  available in June and on my finger immediately thereafter. 

photo - Dannijo

neutral territory

i'm not always a huge risk taker in the color realm. i usually tend to splash out with accessories and stay a bit more to the neutral side with the clothing. it gives you a lot more options in how to play with accessories, which as you may have gathered by now is one of my favorite pass-times! there are arm-fulls of lovely pieces out for fall in a variety of colors that can be placed comfortably in the neutral category. this makes me a happy camper. or shopper as it were. the H&M fall lookbook was just put out - and once again those price-minded mavens have done the season well. any (or all, considering their price point!) of these pieces could slide easily into anyone's wardrobe. i'm already imagining the white shirt over leggings and over-the-knee boots... or the belt cinched around a military jacket... not that i'm picking favorites. i shall remain neutral. (haha)

the ghost of handbags past

one of the services i offer as the-e-stylist is a closet overhaul.  this is based largely upon the immense satisfaction i have had over the years after doing a MAJOR rampage on my closet.  being able to see and find your things and coordinate them makes life much easier.  and as a side note makes it poss for you to dress better!  it's now one of my favorite things to do.  i have in times past made a mistake or two. but  i've mastered it now - through often doing mine and loving doing it for clients.  the ghost that haunts me of my own cleanings is the Botkier Trigger bag.  i bought it about 7 years ago - just when the line was just coming out.  i became obsessed, scoured the world and found the one i wanted.  i called ahead (it was in LA and i was going there for work) and had them hold it - it was the last one in stock. i literally jumped out of a car on the way to the airport home to pick it up.  and MAN did i love that bag.  the design is perfection for someone like me.  my bf frequently refers to me as Mary Poppins, because i am consistently digging around in my bag in search of something amongst the everything.  the Trigger has compartments and pockets that aleviate such woes.  long story short - LOVE the bag.  so the question still haunts me as to exactly why i decided to sell it on ebay...  everything else i have ever sold - never missed it.  this is the one.  my ebay achilles heel.

anyhoo - cut to now.  i've been casually looking for a new one every since. they turn up every season in limited colors - but i don't need ANOTHER black bag, and i've never fallen in love with any of the other colors.  until now.  a little Botkier birdie on twitter sent me looking at LunaBoston - and lo and behold this gorgeous creature.  as they say (whomever "they" are)  seek and ye shall find!

cloudy day cheer up

morning cruises of the interwebs generally offer the "yada yada yada" chatter.  99.5% of the stuff is white noise that i am not interested in.  but let's have a little moment for that other .5%.  it's the high octane fuel that mama needs! 

today's high octane - like a jolt of delicious hot coffee - is offered up by none other than Alexander Wang.  not much of a shocker there, i know.  but the man really shows no sign of slowing down or dropping the ball.  his Fall 2010 accessories are, as is the norm - GORGE.  there are the lovely thick buttery leather totes and the ubiquitous Rocco that we all know and love by now.  do i want one more and more every time i see them?  sir, yes sir.   and this zippered tote is like my siren song.  BUT there are also some new shapes (hello adorable little wristie.  would you like to come live with me?) and, some pretty hardcore structure.   kind of loving it, i must say.  these clutches are beyond hot. LOVE. once again A.W., i tip my hat to thee.   is it too early to make a Christmas list?

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 well dressed head

it seriously just keeps on going with the Target collabs.  i tip my hat (HAHAHA) to the person in charge of coming up with these things - because this is quite a roll they're on.

i'm a bit of a hatter.  i have a happy little collection, from the utilitarian "keep the east coast cold off me" variety to the decorative, to the "i can't be bothered to wash my hair but i still want to look cute".  each and every one has its charm.  it's sort of a random collection, with no particular allegiance to any one designer.  that said, i have always liked Eugenia Kim's hats - they hit the mark in pretty much every above mentioned category.  and now, ladies and gentlemen... Eugenia Kim is coming to Target. the collection hits stores and the old interwebs on April 18 and will be in the under $50 range.  get yer heads ready!

nudge nudge, wink wink

i used to work in SoHo. extremely dangerous for a lady like myself. factor in 12 years of lunch break/ coffee break/after work walks - and what you have is strong support for the fiscal maintenance of NYC. you're welcome, city of mine. there were, a long time ago, little boutiques in that hood. now it's more of a mall store type sitcho, with boutiques sprinkled in here and there, holding fast to their tiny spaces. those are the places i love. one of said teenies was Wink. i wanted so much to love it - but it was never quite right, it wasn't set up properly and it drove me nuts.

cut to today.... i am a self-employed uptown girl. it is a bright sunny day, so i decided to take a walk to get the blood moving. turned out to be both good and bad. it's frickin freezing out, which i hate. but i did get some fresh air, and did do some re-conn on boutiques along Columbus Ave., including Wink. after driving by it a while ago in a taxi i thought "everyone deserves a second chance". i am glad i went. walked in - LOVE! it's small, but perfectly laid out. not at all crowded, but a good solid amount of stuff. they happen to carry the Plush leggings i mentioned the other day - yum. (they come in denim too- tres cute). i began a mental shopping list which includes an adorable chiffon ruffled skirt. (as soon as it's warm out!) and this supercalafragalistic JJWinters bag. they also have some new House of Harlow jewelry - first time i've seen it in person rather than interwebs - and it (of course) is VERY cute. add to the list? check. i would have added a couple of pairs of shoes to my list, but i have placed myself on shoe probation. so i did not. on top of all the goods, the 2 girls working were great - friendly and helpful but not pushy. my kind of ladies.

it's a little bit of an accessory haven i must say. every time you turn your eyeballs around - there is a bag, a shoe, a scarf or a piece of jewelry to make you say "OOH!! hello!" and thus on this day, new addition to the mental neighborhood of "happy place". a new addition to my sunny day walking route. a fab addition to my stylist's arsenal... who knew addition could be so fun?

the scent of a woman

hooo-wah!

the ever quotable madame coco chanel once said of perfume "It is the unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory of fashion that heralds your arrival & prolongs your departure." and i could not possibly agree more. since my very first foray into perfume (Lauren by Ralph Lauren in high school. loved it beyond all possible measure) i have been hooked. i adore having my own scent. i love that perfume smells different on everyone - it is the ultimate in unique accessorizing. i've run through exactly 5 scents in my lifetime - and have landed on the keeper. Coco Mademoiselle. it's a recent addition to the Chanel "library" of perfumes - a sort of twist on Coco (which was my previous scent). i am obsessed with the way it smells. and every person i come in contact with tells me i smell good, that they associate the smell with me, scent related compliments that make me oddly happy. if i go a day without my perfume - i feel weird and naked. it's worse than forgetting my jewelry. i actually do not feel like myself without it.

it is WELL worth a little investigation into your signature scent. things can go horribly wrong with trying, some perfumes make me feel dizzy or sick to my stomach, or give me a headache. so try before you buy - always give them a test run - on your wrist - NOT your neck. (too close to the nose!!) but once you find it - the reward is supremely satisfying.

when in doubt, just ask Mizz Chanel! she always knows what to say.

it's a wildcat monday!

i seem to have become obsessed on this day with things of the feline nature, and continued leopard looking throughout the afternoon. i am still definitely entrenched in the accessory department - i'm just not sure i would rock a shirt or skirt or dress with the print... like i said earlier - more power to the woman who can! but for moi, perhaps this lovely scarf? i'm a pretty big fan of Tolani scarves as it is... and now it's like a collision of kismet finding this baby...

massive collections of Tolani on Revolveclothing and Singer22, two of my old stand-by online boutiques - and there's also a new one i just stumbled upon today called Boutiquetoyou, and it may just make my little list of favorites!!

ps- don't forget it's "cyber monday" so lots of online boutiques are running sales!!! including the 3 listed above!

equal opp shop!

cold is a bugger. let's just get that out there. i HATE being cold. i always have. as a child i did not enjoy ice skating nor sledding, nor skiing. they all involved being outside in the freezing cold, which even as a child i found absurd and annoying.

each and every one of us should protect themselves from said cold. whether it is walking to the subway, doing a bit of shopping, or if you are so inclined, one of the afore-mentioned outdoor cold sports, we should all protect ourselves because humans are not built to have their fleshy bits out in the open when it is friggin freezing out. i was digging through my arsenal of warmth this afternoon, and happened upon my favorite beret. i went on a beret bender last year. warm, easy on/off factor, and low on the damaging hat-head scale. all around, a winner. my most favorite, a pale grey cashmere, was procured at--- wait for it-- Target. i know i've tooted Target's horn in the past for their visiting designers, but they really come through on some of their own stuff as well. including their little collection of cashmere cold weather accessories...it kind of makes a girl feel better about the spendy days in other stores... it's one of those win win sitchos.

a very useful winter obsession

although now that i think of it, so are bags and shoes... because it's not like i can walk around the city barefoot or carry ALL the stuff i need in my pockets...

before i delve further into that tangent, i'll get back on track here. several years ago, in London, i happened upon a little cashmere shoppe called Brora. inside said happy place, i discovered these little beauties they called "wrist warmers". along with being sinfully soft and lovely looking - the name was too alluring to pass up. i have wrists that are, for lack of a better word, tiny. and for my entire life they would poke out of sleeves and the bit between glove and sleeve would be miserably cold. so a "wrist warmer" was just about the best thing anyone could sell me. fast forward a year or two - and hop the channel to Paris... in the store Bon Marche, i found a couple more pairs of the delightful little fellows. a collection seemed to be forming... back to NY, and 3 more pair joined the fray. i've since lost some of them, which is very sad, as they were souvenirs AND they were part of my daily cold weather-fighting routine every winter... but these happy few remain, and i am still obsessed. fingerless gloves, wrist warmers, whatevs you would like to call them - i call them super fantastic.

not all of these links are to the exact items - as they have been collected over the years... but they are indeed wintery delights to add to your world - so have at them!
left to right: black cashmere -- Nordstrom; pink cashmere -- Brora; white cashmere "fishnet" - Marc by Marc Jacobs; black cashmere/Merino wool and leather -- Intermix.

today's morning obsession

coffee, check emails, twitter, google reader (my lovely bf instructed me in the ways...it's like my own personally designed morning paper. love it) and then cruise the interwebs a little... partially based on what emails i have...

one such (i enjoy saying that because of Henry VIII and his bizarre mental crazed design of None-such palace) pardon me - one such email was from me&ro -- seems they have expanded their line and added some new pieces... so i cruised over to see - and kind of can't stop loving these little earrings. i'm pretty sure it came from when i was little - in England, i was always very into the teeny flowers. my aunt still puts them in my room when i go there to visit. teeny flowers and teeny birds. they make me happy on the inside. and we know that jewelry does that to a girl too. so it's kind of one of those sitchos where there's just nothing bad about it...

past due recap.... alexander wang

i've done my weeding. and i've decided i'm really only going to give a couple of "blog outs" - yo - and i'm sorry for my tardiness.

most of NY Fashion week was a bit of the same ol' same ol'. not that things were not GORGE. for example, Calvin Klein was, as usual, minimally stunning and perfection. were there beautiful things? left right and center. but we knew that, did we not? and Donna Karan - same -- beautiful things abound, but nothing that was earth shatteringly shattering. do i want some of it? you bet your cheerios i do. but i don't need to discuss here and now... (if you're so inclined - check out the videos to see said pretty things...Calvin... Donna)

shout out numero uno goes to Alexander Wang. (watch his video here) whom, by my nature, i discovered via the t-shirt. his line of t-shirts makes me melt. i think i've gone on about them before. if i had a school uniform - this would be part of it. love, love, love. so i investigated further, and dang it if i do not adore this man now. COOL would be the first word springing to mind. accessories to die for - and we know how i feel about accessories. and the clothes themselves are cool and absolutely wearable. which is not always something that goes hand in hand with fashion. it's my niche i suppose. the new collection is again all very wearable - and god bless this man, he incorporates sweatshirt material into gorgeous shapes that you can proudly wear out and about. seriously? can it get any better?

now - e-stylist note here - one must know that runway is not real life. no one (except perhaps some horribly misinformed housefrau somewhere) is going to wear these outfits exactly as they appear. the trick is, you find the piece or pieces you like, and you incorporate them into what you have and who you are. tricky? perhaps - but you can always hire me - it's what i do - and i find it beyond fun. it makes me giddy.

ok - note over... one last thing is the hair and makeup. i am usually not a fan of show hair/m.u. it's drama - so it's a bit like stage makeup. fine and dandy but not my fare.... this however is so up my row... i have had my hair in a side ponytail for a couple of months now, out of heat and laziness - and when i saw this side braid - it's like worlds collided. lazy, bohemian, chic, fashion. i sigh deeply and feel happy.

omg it's bdb

oh internet - you are a good invention. for years there has been this amazers bi-coastal sort of warehouse sale type thing going on called Billion Dollar Babes. oddly, i have never been to one in NYC, but i did go to one out in LA, and, in a word - FAN-FRIGGIN-TASTIC. gigantic warehouse filled with masses of clothing and accessories from creme de la creme designers - big time reduced. some might call it heaven...and i purchased. of course i purchased.

and now! - the time has come!! in their infinite wisdom - the ladies at BDB have launched an online version of their sales. i kind of hope they don't stop the "real" ones - because it's a pretty fun shopping excursion i must say. howevs, i am quite happy that they have done this - as miss e-stylist does spend a moment of her time on the interwebs...

right now they have some rather gorge sunglasses from Oliver Peoples on there... hmmmmmm....

Fashion Week Give-away!!!!

that's right - you heard me! give away! as in i have something for one of you!!

at this point, i'm pretty certain that if you are reading this blog you are well into fashion, oui? which would lead me to believe that you may have seen a movie called "confessions of a shopaholic" starring the adorable Isla Fisher. even if you didn't see the movie, i would have to assume you saw the millions of posters or previews or pics in the celeb mags that we all love. and in several of these pics she's sporting this gorgeous green scarf.

now - as it is getting fall-ish - i will be posting a bit on scarves. ok maybe more than a bit. i am obsessed with them. and this one? love it. love love love green on people - blonde, redhead, brunette - love it. and the most fun part? the-e-stylist and the fab ladies at chickdowntown.com have one of these green chiffon lovelies waiting to give away to an e-stylist reader.

send me a description of the outfit you would put together for a girl's night out wearing your new green scarf. write to me at deb@the-e-stylist.com and i will announce and post the winner's outfit description next Wednesday.

(also, since i started talking about scarves i am now thinking about them - and it's getting chilly, so it can't hurt to at least look at the whole collection of scarves at chickdowntown... yum)

hey stud

(can't help it - but that title makes me sing "you're the one that i want" from grease)

i think i'm goin on a binge. i have the tendency to binge. those who know me, know this fact. i have put certain demons to rest, but i allow myself some little demons. everyone needs a vice. i am diggin on the studs. i always sort of have - a bracelet here, a belt there... sandals... but it seems they are studding everything that isn't nailed down right now. some of it is too much for me. not really into the studded jacket or pants... not my thing, perhaps it's yours, and if is - ROCK it.

this little bad boy however, is not too much. either in the stud department nor the money department... seems mister Marc Jacobs is coming out with another lower priced line Jacobs by Marc Jacobs. (how i love these designers that do this for us mere mortals. thank you marc jacobs. i thank you)

i haven't been able to find it yet online - but there's a number to call for info 212-924-6126. and this cute little guy is a designer deal at $47.

casual cuteness

i am more of a jeans girl. always have been, probably always will be. but i admire when a girl can pull of the khaki thing and not look like they just stepped out of the preppy printing press.

yes, it does fall into the "hard not to look good when you are this person" category. it's true. the woman has the nicest hair on the planet, and a body that will not stop. ladies and gentlemen, the wonder of Jennifer Aniston... one of these days i vow to become less lazy and aspire to obtain this bod. i'll do it...in a minute...

the key here, as always, is accessories my dears. this outfit would crash without that belt. if i were to venture into khaki land - i would probably throw on a little jewelry here - but that's me... bottom line is she's pulling it off and doin it well.

bag gorgeousness

my bff Kim lives in LA which is sadly 3,000 miles too far away from me. but it does give me an excuse to go out there, and in addition to getting to see her - i always meet some of her friends, all of whom are amazingly creative. (she's like a magnet for people - she's fab and i love her)

one of these friends that i met years ago, Michelle Frantz, a bag designer, is now working for Donna Karan. the collection is BEYOND gorgeous and i kind of want every single one of them. i love seeing people getting places - and it's even better when they are making beautiful things!

a little cheap thrill

these are a few of my favorite things.... la-la-la.

seriously though, two of my favorite things are accessories and cheap thrills. especially when they come in the form of the "guest designer" for the not so pricey shops. this is something i LOVE. Target does it, (and i get a piece almost every time) H&M does it (scored a pair of Stella McCartney pants and a couple of Matthew Williamson dresses) and now the Gap is in on the action. sadly i missed out on some very cute pieces from their recent Vena Cava collection. you have to move fast with these things! i am always on the hunt - so i will be posting when these things come up...

Target's most recent dealie is with the Hollywood boutique Intuition. it's pretty darn cute, i have made the trek to get there (it's way west on Pico). they do have a website, which is great. but for those of you who are lovers of the Target, as i am - they now have a cute little accessory line together really cute bags - and bracelets that i just may have to go for... it's guilt free pleasure!

the wallet!

most men are not creatures of accessory. there are of course exceptions to the rule - including my impeccibly wardrobed and accessorized friend mark. and of course my bag and shoe loving friend tim. but i digress. back to the topic. men, they like the basics. for work, they have whatever "uniform" may be required of them. a tie usually being the flare in that routine. for casual - maybe a snazzy shirt, or the new hipster sneaker-du-jour. (especially in NY or LA)

the 'handbag' of man therefore - the statement - would be the wallet. and to each his own. there is the George Costanza wallet, causing back pain, ripping pants, and weighing in at 35 pounds. there is the in between. and there is my boyfriend. he wants as little wallet as humanly possible. not a money clip - there are other things involved here people, like ID and credit cards. he wants a wallet, but he wants it to barely exist. yet, it must be perfect. (as must my handbags and shoes, thank you very much. we all want what we want). he had one that was purchased at a street fair. it unraveled. i got him a great replacement - it is now ripping... and so the hunt was on. we did find it, and it is now happily in use. he bought several so that panic shall never set in. he even bought two for his friend. it's a hot man ticket. fyi it's classified as a slim card case, but if your heart desires it, it's this bad boy right here. the thrill of victory is sweet people.