Latest Obsessions: November Edition

Aquazzara Shoes 

         True life: I’m in love with lace-up heels. Ever since seeing the Alaia pair from several years ago on the feet of every street style star from New York to Paris, I’ve coveted some for myself. Unfortunately, the Alaias are nowhere to be found on Ebay, and other brands iterations are just not as cute. Thankfully (well, thanks to the fashion gods), I discovered Aquazzura’s resort shoe collection in both November’s Marie Claire and Harper’s Bazaar. Available at Saks and Shop Bop, this expensive but not outrageous shoe line is just what I’ve been looking for. Some of the best lace-ups I’ve seen. Now, just to save my money and patiently wait for resort to hit stores…

Jennifer Fisher jewelry

        I’ve been lusting after Jennifer Fisher’s jewelry for years, her make-your-own charm necklaces and slightly morbid charms are unique and perfect for everyday wear. Now that she is a CFDA/Vogue fashion fund finalist, I expect her pieces to be popping up at stores all over. While I save up for the perfect charm necklace, spider bangles, and several of her super cool rings, (probably for the next few years), check out her pieces at her appointment-only SoHo boutique or Barney’s Co-Op stores nationwide.

Sachajuan Volume Powder 

        I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: I’m obsessed with dry shampoo. High to low, I’ve tried them all. Just a few days ago, unpacking my mammoth beauty product collection into my new bathroom shelving, I unearthed this gem. While I later found out its quite pricey ($32 a can), it is easily one of the best I’ve used. It’s a spray powder that mattifies, and really stretches your blowout for a few extra days. Sachajuan is a Swedish brand that is carried at salons, I recently saw their products and Fox + Boy Salon on Mulberry Street when I got a hair cut.

Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain in Gothic

         I believe in beauty destiny. What does that mean you, ask? Well, if I read about a certain product in multiple publications, see it on Youtube, have it pop up on Facebook and on some of my favorite blogs, then I am meant to own it. The latest product to find its way into my hands via “beauty destiny”? Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain in Gothic, which is not even a new launch so if I’m reading so much about it, it must be amazing. And it is.  After storming the Duane Reade across the street and finally finding the only Gothic stain on the furthest reaches of the shelf, I’d say I worked hard for it, too. This dual-sided lip marker in a deep cherry red is ideal on its own for a Snow-Whiteish stain (with just a touch of mascara and dewy skin to modernize), or layered underneath a deeper red lipstick to extend lasting power and darken the tone.

My Custom Bedding

I saved the best for last. When I was in Delhi in April, I went to an amazing fabric bazaar and went a littttttle crazy. Well, not that crazy if you consider I spent under $100 and got stunning wedding sari fabric that would go for far more here. As I was frantically buying it, I came up with a plan: I would make it into bedding. Mostly since I don't have any fabulous events coming up to wear custom made gowns to (that would have been nice). So, I found a woman who created a duvet cover and some pillows for me. There are still a few more coming, but I'm so happy with how they turned out!

 I'm now on Tumblr. Check it out here: 

http://charlottespiderlashes.tumblr.com/

A Leather Jacket (or Two)

       For years, I've lusted after leather jackets. Unfortunately, as I hope you are aware if you are reading this, the good ones can get expensive. Quite a chunk of change for a college student. And also almost impractical as it is bound to end up with sticky beer spilled on it by clumsy males and the odor of chain smokers that stand outside the bar.

       This year, I've decided to tone down my shopping, and only buy classics. What does that mean? I'll spend more money on something that isn't a one-season wonder. Things I can pull out in two years and not hate. It's not to say that I haven't purchased a few trendy items, but they've been from stores like Zara, so if I wear them once and the next Prada knock-off is all the rage, it's okay.

         I figured a leather jacket was one of those classics. I mean, I have been trying them on since high school. Well, leave it to me to buy not one, but two leather jackets. I am currently still trying to justify why I bought two.

         The first is made by Mackage, a company that makes gorgeous coats. I've had one for years that has held up beautifully. They just get jackets. I'm so happy I bought this. It's the perfect color of beat up deep indigo (instead of black), and goes with absolutely everything. It's buttery soft, not overly cropped, and well...perfect.

         The second? The sale guy. BUT I didn't just buy it because it was on sale (a mistake I'm ashamed to say I've made): it was honestly attracting me before I even saw the price. Made by eternally-perfect brand Theory, it's a deep hunter green and black motorcycle-style jacket with quilted sleeves. Perfect to give something a little too girly some edge.

        Boy oh boy am I excited to wear these. Of course, there was a Noreaster this week and I instead had to rock my absolutely stunningly stylish (sense the sarcasm), but super warm bulky parka. But the weather never listens to my fashion preferences.

        Now, onto some inspirational leather jacket photos. Styling!

Pre-Fall Favorites

          I’m sick of summer. More specifically, summer in New York. Yes, beach days are great, but the city in the sweltering heat is quite unmanageable. You leave your home looking what you think is wonderful and by the time you are at work, makeup is smudged and sweat-through, hair is frizzy, and you’ve sweat through your white dress. If fall started tomorrow, I’d be quite alright. I’ve amassed quite a large inventory of fall clothing, all of which I am unable to wear, and it just stares at me, dejected, in my closet. The poor sweaters, coats, and boots!

This fall, there are a couple of things I’m obsessed with style-wise (and beauty-wise, of course).

British Racing Green

Image found on Pinterest

 

           I’ve always been a fan of all the greens - lime, chartreuse, kelly, and most of all, hunter. For fall, shades of green are everywhere, and I’m a fan. My main goal is to get my hands on a deep green leather bag, preferably this one by YSL. You can wear the color with everything you normally would pair black with, which makes an outfit new and exciting. Another way to wear the color is in clothing, and Aritzia’s house brand T.Babaton makes the perfect button-down (only available at Aritzia stores), a steal at $110 compared to the classic Equipment blouses.

          A deep green cat eye is an unexpected, yet subtle twist on a classic – Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Gel Liner in Ivy Shimmer Ink and an angled brush is ideal for this. Or line the inner rim of your lower lashes with MAC’s Technakohl Liner in Jade Way, for a louder look.

 

Deep, Dark Lips

From Oyster Magazine via Le Fashion

 

          As I’ve gone gradually blonder over the past  two years, I’ve tried to go “darker” in my accessory and makeup choices, to prevent myself from looking too bubblegum. Blonde hair needs to be toughened up. I recently picked up these earrings from Topshop, which are almost like a faux gauge, but simple spike studs also do the trick to go bold.

          For makeup, the easier way to go from Barbiesque to something more Daria (the 90’s tv show, obviously) is a dark, plum-tinged matte lip. With clean skin, a touch of highlighter, and just mascara on the eyes, this look is modern and edgy. Don’t be afraid to rock it if you happen to be brunette or redhead, but be sure to prevent it from going too gothic by pairing it with hyper -feminine ruffles or lace.

          My pick for this look is Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella, which I picked up at the gorgeous Nars boutique on Bleecker Street this weekend. A subtler, sheerer option is Tarte's Lipsurgence Lip Luster in Moody.

         I’m just waiting for the first leaf to fall before I pull this soon-to-be-staple out of my makeup archives.

Stubbs & Wootton

Super-heroine shoes

          Ah, smoking slippers – the new ballet flat. This shoe shape is everywhere, from Steve Madden to Christian Louboutin. But my pick for the slipper of the season is the quintessentially preppy classic, Stubbs & Wootton. These embroidered loafers come in every style of embroidery imaginable, from yacht-clubby crests, to a more punky version featuring one shoe with a devil wing and the other with an angel wing.

          While they are certainly not cheap, starting at $330 per pair, these shoes are timeless. Even my grandmother rocks them! J.Crew currently has an exclusive collection, and Stubbs & Wootton also several boutiques in preppy mainstays: Madison Avenue, Palm Beach, and East Hampton, where you can get a glimpse of the entire collection and choose a loafer that truly fits your personality.

Mizuki Jewelry

Image via Fragments

 

          If you haven’t noticed, tiny pendants of crosses, owls, hamsa hands, stars, and everything in-between, are all the rage right now. Featured on the necks of every girl from Brooklyn to Birmingham, they are a fun way to give a glimpse of your personality and tastes. As an April baby, I am partial to diamonds, and when I discovered Mizuki pendants (particularly the moon symbol necklace; yes, sometimes I want to channel Practical Magic), at one of my favorite boutiques, Red Bird, in Berkeley, CA (a must-see for anyone in the Bay Area: they have a perfectly-curated collection of clothing, jewelry, and accessories, that is unmatched anywhere), I was in love. While the moon pendant I am lusting over is a little (read: a lot) out of my price range right now, a girl can dream, right?

          Black diamonds mixed with gold are less bling-bling, but just as luxe, as the typical platinum and crystal combo. A peek at Mizuki’s website reveals the stunning assortment of pendants, charms, and chains they offer, which are also available at Neiman Marcus stores nationwide. This is not just a fall pick, but a forever pick, the ideal (albeit pricey) gift for a friend, parent, or sibling.

June Favorites: Color Theory

It’s June already? Crazy how time flies. In just a few days, my month spent on the East Coast will be over, and I will be basking in the California sun for the rest of the summer. Hooray! This will be the longest span I’ve spent in the Bay Area (2 months!) and I’m quite excited to explore.

This gets me to another topic, what I will be wearing. Unless you are living under a rock, it’s clear that brights are this year’s “thing”. Here are a few of my favorite pieces I’ve picked up recently.

J Brand 811 Mid-Rise Jeans (in several colors) – J Brand makes my favorite denim, hands down. They always fit me perfectly. In fact, I’d say 95% of my “denim wardrobe” consists of J Brand, with some odd pairs of Citizens of Humanity and True Religion thrown in. The 811 is my ultimate: mid-rise (no risk of underwear peeking out) and skinny. The fun colors they had this season were an extra bonus. I’ve been wearing these with everything – boxy tee shirts, silk blouses (J. Crew’s are my fave, and much more affordable than Equipment!), and neutral colored sweaters on chilly nights.

Zara TRF Floral Pants – I bought this pair back in India, but Zara still has an awesome selection of floral pants. Ever since I spotted prints like this on the Celine S/S runway, I was obsessed. This pair fits well, has adorable tuxedo detailing, and best of all, was super affordable, since unfortunately, I don’t think floral, skintight pants are exactly considered a classic.

Multitude of colorful tees – Joe Fresh, Aritzia (my favorite store for basics), James Perse, Alternative Apparel, J. Crew,  Leslie Fremar for Fruit of the Loom. I love plain tees, and stock up on them every season. There is nothing like a well-fitting tee shirt to wear with everything from boyfriend jeans to pencil skirts to tie-dyed cutoffs a la Isabel Marant (I picked mine up from Forever 21). I am currently loving H&M and James Perse’s mens tees, which I buy in a size small, for that effortless “boyfriend” look, tucked into pants and worn with an oversized rhinestone necklace.

Fun, citron heels from Thailand – Ever since Miu Miu’s polka dot platform sandals from last spring, I’ve been hunting down an affordable pair that uses dots as an accent. I found this pair at Zen Department Store in Bangkok, Thailand, in April, and I love how they add a touch of whimsy to an otherwise simple outfit.

My favorite jewelry right now – Woven Skull bracelet (unknown brand), Tai Shell Bracelet, and Tiffany & Co. Key necklace with additional charms by Dyanne Bell.

The best part about the “brights” look is that dressing is as easy as one, two, three – pick a bottom, add a contrasting color top, and finish with fun jewelry (vintage rhinestone necklaces from Ebay are my go-to).

Inspiration: India

Classes have begun this week, thus, I haven't had any time to go on my usual photography expeditions. So I will focus on something that I saw just about a month before coming to India that reminded me that I was headed to the right place for learning, new beginnings, and exploration.
Chanel's Pre-Fall Metiers d'Art Collection this year was entitled Paris - Bombay. Karl Lagerfeld took inspiration from the menswear, rather than the traditional female dress, as he felt their looks are "more wearable". With classic Chanel touches mingling with the colors, patterns, and motifs of India, the result was stunning. Here are some of my favorite looks from the show. These are styles I would love to emulate in the coming months! I love the white-gold color satin he used - I have been seeing a lot of that here, but as mentioned, typically in menswear shops. When I find a good tailor, I am going to bring them some of these photos to hopefully construct a jacket that is reminiscent. The shoes are extremely refined versions of traditional styles that you can find in roadside shops in places like Link Road in Bandra for $3 or $4. I am thinking of buying a pair and seeing how I can jazz them up, DIY style.