Coat Check

{Violet by Soia & Kyo}

This fall weather has me on the hunt for a new jacket, and right now I am all about these structured wool coats by Soia & Kyo. I love the structured necks, oversized buttons and asymmetrical closures that seem to dominate the fall/winter 2010 collection. Just have to decide if I'm willing to dole out the $350 that all the coats I want seem to cost.

{Lucie by Soia & Kyo} 

{Sherita by Soia & Kyo}

Underpinnings & Other Lovely Things

{silk satin cat sleep mask by Naomi Lingerie}

I am seriously in love with the delicate underpinnings and sleep masks created by the ever-so-adorable Japanese designer Naomi (couldn't track down her last name). At any rate, they have a very roaring '20s feel to them and I would like nothing more than to stock my entire lingerie collection with them...unfortunately, the $35-$40 price range is too steep for my wallet. Of course, the sleep masks are only $18 and the silk satin cat sleep mask would surely give new meaning to taking a cat nap. Check out the Naomi Lingerie shop & the blog for more info. In the mean time, below are just a few of my favorite pieces from the collection. Swoon.

{striped chiffon sleep boxer - sakuranbo by Naomi Lingerie} 

{boudoir stripes sleep eye mask by Naomi Lingerie} 

{dots voile flower sleep boxer by Naomi Lingerie}

{white chiffon sleep boxer by Naomi Lingerie}

Count Me In

{A violent, sensual, sensitive girl T-shirt by Every Little Counts}

An ex-boyfriend of mine once bought me a T-shirt that read: "Irish temper, Italian attitude" - which I refused to wear! At any rate, I have no doubt that if we were together today he would buy me this shirt by Every Little Counts - which I would gladly sport. The Brooklyn-based graphic T-shirt line is the brainchild of husband-and-wife design duo Amy Snider and Adam Schwartz, and each piece is hand printed with eco-friendly, water-based inks. Oh, and while the clothes in the shop may be for the lady-folk, the sultry models are sure to entice the men.

Heads Up, Seven Up

{Mustard beau skirt and tea top by Sarah Seven}

All I have to say is I want, want, want this mustard beau skirt and tea top - like right now!!! Not to mention, all the other totally covetable clothes (like this, this and this) by Portland, OR-based designer Sarah Seven. This lady makes some amazing pieces. Oh, and I should mention that 5% of all her Etsy shop sales goes to some great charities. Enjoy more pics of her work over on her blog.

Cape Town

{Check print cape by Zara}

Louis Vuitton fashion director Daniel Piette once described the Spanish fashion retailer Zara as "possibly the most innovative and devastating retailer in the world." Well, now that Zara finally has an online shop (see below before you get too excited), the company is truly ready to start conquering the world. There are some very covetable pieces in the collection and the prices are totally reasonable. Take for instance this check print cape, which retails for a mere $129. I absolutely love it...and if you don't, it's likely that there is something seriously wrong with you. I'm serious, and if you need a ride to the hospital just let me know.

Update: It looks like the online shop is only open to those in France, Spain, Italy, Portugal and the UK. Total bummer. So sad.

Total Rubbish!

{rubbish military knit jacket}

All I have to say is: "Damn, all you lucky jerks who found this rubbish military knit jacket before I did!" It's super cute and totally not in stock anymore. Ugh. Now begins my search for another retailer. Wish me luck!

Leather Heads

{Holly Clutch, $3,200 - all images by Stephen Lewis for Tiffany & Co.}

As is Tiffany & Co. didn't already offer enough swoon-worthy goodness to make us all drool, the company just launched its Leather Collection, a treasure trove of hobos, totes, clutches, wallets and other covetable leather goods. Created under the direction of Richard Lambertson and John Truex, the collection ranges in price from $145 (for a card case) to a whopping $17,500 (for the Manhattan satchel)...yowza!

{various accessories}

{Laurelton top-handle bag, $4,800}

{Manhattan satchel, $17,500}

Feathered Friends

{all photos by sian melton for headmistress)

I stumbled upon Headmistress this evening and absolutely had to share the amazing photos featured in the fall/winter 2010 lookbook - as they are simply stunning. Apparently, the shoot was done on a sweltering day in July and the fur- and feather-adorned models were able to toughen it out, turning out some great shots despite their discomfort. That said, these photos also owe their remarkableness to photographer Sian Melton, who is amazingly talented. And of course, it goes without saying, the photos would be nothing without the Headmistress creations. 

Headmistress came into existence back in 2008, when Toronto-based designer Jillian Wood began creating unique and whimsical feather headbands. In 2009, Wood relocated to London, setting up shop at the Sunday Upmarket on Brick Lane. She's since moved back to Toronto, and has added feathered headdresses, rings, brooches and more to her collection of creations. Wood also sells some vintage and faux fur pieces that have been repurposed into the likes of headbands, cuffs and muff-clutches. Check out her site to see the goods. In the mean time, here are a couple more shots from the lookbook:

All About Eve

{pierrot top by eve gravel} 

Apparently, I'm on a bit of a Canadian kick this morning. I guess I just think the Canadians are pretty cool. Take for instance, Montreal-based fashion designer Eve Gravel. She's one talented lady...and her Web site features tracks by the likes of Ratatat, MGMT and the Beach Boys. Hello? Awesome. Plus, her pierrot top is totally covetable - with its flirty and feminine ruffle-and-button detailing. Love it. Below are a few more of her creations, including her beru shorts, which are fashioned from cotton and feature gold trim!

{beru shorts and la danseuse top by eve gravel}

{skarf by eve gravel}

Swooning for Swimwear

{dotted darling suit by Anthropologie}

I know, I know. You're probably growing tired of me blogging about things from Anthropologie that I am totally coveting, but can't afford. Alas, here's another item to add to the list: the dotted darling suit. Here's hoping it goes on sale at some point...although, seeing as we're smack dab in the middle of the Dog Days of summer I don't see that happening anytime soon. Damn!

Motley Crew

{image from J. Crew}

If you have yet to see the J. Crew fall 2010 women's lookbook, get your ass over here and check it out. It's truly awesome. There's a short video discussing the idea behind the shoot, which Jenna, the shoot's creative director, describes as "Edie Beale goes to summer camp." The collection features mostly earthy tones and nudes with punctuations of color - predominantly the lips of the models, who are sporting Funny Face lipstick by NARS.

{image from J. Crew}

{image from J. Crew}

Just In Lace

{image from American Apparel}

I am totally coveting this El Salvador Lace Tee by American Apparel, despite the fact that I'm pretty sure in 10 years I will look back at photos of myself wearing it and think: "I should have known better! For God's sake, I went to Junior High in the early '90s!" Alas, the urge to own it might overcome any hesitancy I may have. 

{image from American Apparel}

Le Noeud Papillon

{image from Baptiste Viry}

You know how I love my bow ties! This leather beauty is from the Baptiste Viry Spring/Summer 2010 collection. Leave it to the French to make a bow tie even more fashionable!

The Bronze Age

{image from Zappos Couture}

I am seriously considering getting these Belle by Singerson Morrison bronze oxfords - they are so fabulous! Plus, all the reviews say they are super comfortable, which is simply a must in any footwear choice - at least, for me. Love them!

Recipe for Disaster - Albeit, a Beautiful One

{Season Specialties, Bountiful Bubbles & Kitchen Kaleidoscope aprons from Anthropologie}

Leave it to Anthropologie to make me wish I were a whiz in the kitchen. Alas, me and the kitchen do not get along...save for the fact that it's where my coffee pot resides. Wait, do you need to wear an apron while brewing coffee? I think the answer might be yes!

Back in Black

{image from Nasty Gal}

I'm a bit conservative when it comes to my fashion style, and by conservative I mean that nearly everything I own is black - wait, maybe that makes me goth (kidding!). At any rate, I have about 20 little black dresses and I find that I can always use another, so long as it has some element that sets it apart from the rest. Enter the Riviera Dress. With its cowl neck and plunging criss-crossed back, it really is unique. Of course, it looks pretty short so maybe it's more of a long shirt than a dress. Still, slap some leggings or cute shorts under this baby and you're golden.

London Calling

{images from Nadinoo}

There are so many adorable pieces in the Nadinoo Spring/Summer 2010 collection - seriously, I want it all! The British label was founded back in 2009 by Nadia Izruna, who developed three fictional characters to design for: Pixie (who is quirky and playful), Fleur (who is delicate and dreamy) and Lula (who is bold and sexy). Each piece in the collection is made by hand using silks and cottons from Liberty of London. Also, I should mention that not only is Nadia a talented designer, she also has an awesome blog. Be sure check out everything she does - it's all amazing.

On the Street...Sacramento, CA

I don't normally make a habit of harassing random people on the street, but when I spotted Raquel last weekend at the Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour I couldn't resist! She was wearing the most adorable dress and I just had to know where it came from. Turns out she made it herself! I loved everything about it: the neckline, the material, the simple silhouette - not to mention the shoes and skinny belt she paired with it. I asked if she sold them anywhere and she said no - laughing and joking that maybe she should. We exchanged names and I made her promise to send me a photo of her and her totally covetable dress. Well, she made good on her promise. Here she is with her pooch Benny 2.0. Thanks, Raquel. It was lovely meeting you! P.S. If you decide to start selling these dresses email me!

From Greer To Eternity

{image from Tory Burch}

If anyone feels like whisking me away on a fabulous vacation to Capri - I'm game. Also, I would like to have this fabulous Tory Burch Greer jacquard dress for said trip. So, if you could get this for me that would be great. I wear a size 6. Thanks. Ciao!

Horse Power

{romfh ladies dressage show coat from Equestrian Collections}

I'm going to go ahead and predict that the next big trend (after this whole sailor thing blows over) will be equestrian wear. I'm not really basing my prediction on anything - save a dream I had last night. See, I was cruising the countryside on an all-white horse, dressed in a tailored coat, breeches and riding boots. At any rate, when equestrian wear becomes popular in the near future, you can say you heard about it here first!