Seraphim is Truly Heavenly


Don't you just love the fine, lucky accidents which result from random link-clicking? Such an accident led me to Seraphim.

If you're like me and you like aspects of lolita fashion, but find them, well, too juvenile to carry off, then Seraphim could be considered the next step up. The items are almost edgy in their elegant femininity, and carry the same romantic ethos as classic and gothic lolita styles. My favorite item is the gauze and lace jumperskirt; the designer uses antique lace in the items.

Re-inventing silver sandals

Until I can afford to throw $900 on a pair of shoes, I suppose I'll make do with what I have, with a little creativity.

I got these silver sandals for a wedding for which I'm a bridesmaid.  Not wanting to break the bank, I got some nondescript RSVP sandals from 6pm.com for very little.  I was actually impressed with the quality - the soles are made out of leather, not rubber.  They were, though, a bit ho-hum.

Enter: Garry's signature studded belt, which he's worn to death over the last 1.5 years.  It finally fell apart and before he could throw it away, I confiscated it.  I found the studs easy to remove with a screwdriver, and even simpler to apply to the straps of these sandals...they fit perfectly, like they were made for each other. 

I definitely was not going for any specific pattern and eschewed symmetry in favor of a more "abstract expressionist" approach, just adding studs where they felt right.  I'm pretty happy with the result, and they'll be a nice surprise peeking out from under my formal dress.

Can you think of a better way to spend $900?

Ok so maybe a flight to Hong Kong might be worth more than these shoes.  But probably not - trips are temporary.  Shoes are forever.  I've been seeing the Yves Saint Laurent cage booties all over the magazines lately, but what really captures my heart are these sandal versions, with metallic leather and sweetly feminine velvet ribbons.  * melt *  

Originally priced at ~$1500, it looks like they are now on sale for $900!

"Oh, Geo": Speaking of bespoke...

Ok, I know I have to find some other source of inspiration than etsy, all the time, but I'm on a roll here.  I eyed this skirt a long time ago in sohomode's shop, and it sat there for a while without getting picked up and I thought, is everyone crazy, because this skirt is totally fantastic!  So bold! I didn't buy it because of the whole no shopping for Lent thing.  Plus, the original skirt was way too small for me.

But months later when someone finally snapped it up, I was crushed!  I still wanted it.  So I messaged Louise Hedley, the designer, and she very gamely let me know that she had found just one last scrap of fabric just like this one (it was supposed to be one-of-a-kind) and could make it up in my measurements.  After a lot of back and forth on what, exactly, my measurements were, I finally dropped the payment today.  $60 for a bespoke skirt, I think, especially "limited edition" like this, is not bad at all.  I love the contrast of purple belt and bright yellow geometric print, and as long as I was ordering custom, I asked Louise if she could find a lime green fabric to use as the lining, because that would be fun!

Louise makes this pencil skirt in a range of prints and fabrics... check out the link above.  As for me, I am thinking of asking Louise for a knee length, simple A-line red tartan wool skirt (yes I'm already thinking of fall), cut on a bias.

The most kickass necklaces I've seen in a while.

I finally discovered the magic that is Etsy Alchemy, the feature in which you dream up something your heart desires, you post it, and people bid to make it for you.  It sort of hearkens back to the old days of bespoke and custom couture (except--it's totally affordable).  I put out a request for someone to make the grape cluster necklace I missed in an eBay auction last week, and within a few hours I got like 9 bids for it.

One of the artists who offered to make me the necklace was Bejeweled Bespoke, and when I peeked at her shop I was blown away by some of these awesome, bold designs.  My two favorites were a) her feather chandelier necklace (feathers hanging from 12" chains!) and the b) necklace of a million falling leaves.  I also love her "piece de resistance" chandelier earrings, even though chandeliers are so 2004 and I don't have my ears pierced.  It's all so poetic, and so dramatic, I can hardly stand it!

Dilemmas: Which dress do you like?

I was browsing the Urban Outfitters site for dresses. What do you guys think of the following?

Dark Red Scooped Brushed Dress $40 (or a similar V-neck dress which is only $20)

As a side note - I like that they have user reviews on the fit and the wear. That's helpful, esp for online shopping :)

For Men: Check Please!

via paulsmith.co.uk

In general - I like patterned dress shirts more than solid colors. Mostly because they're more visually interesting - especially since the dress shirt generally plays a supporting role in any given ensemble (under a suit, sweater, etc.)

Not to take away from a clean, crisp white shirt but sometimes you want something more fun - like this light blue checkered shirt a la Paul Smith. I wasn't the biggest fan of this pattern at first because it reminded me of a picnic blanket - but it's grown on me with more stores taking hold of this trend and playing with the size and color of the checks.

Paired with a light grey suit it would be dressy enough to wear to work (if you need to wear suits to work). One note of warning - I've seen guys try a bowtie with this pattern and unless you are incredibly British (think Prince Charles) it's really hard to pull off. Stick with a fairly muted (meaning not large print or crazy paisley pattern) or no tie at all.

My favorite look with this shirt - pair it with a darker pair of jeans and a dark chocolate brown tie. Many options if you need to layer for warmth - my personal choice would be a more casual black blazer (but you can go with a grey cardigan or a golf jacket of any color that is gaining in popularity these days).

@jensmccabe Weekend Ensemble Challenge

Talk about working under pressure!  At about 1am I chanced across this note from jensmccabe on twitter:

@slimmette have ultimate challenge. Need weekend ensemble. Stat. Must be deliverable via overnight. Not too girly shirt; good w/jeans?

It was sent on 5/5 (mmyeah I rarely check twitter or FB) so I had quite a bit of time to make up.  I didn't even see the part where she said "not too girly shirt," plus I had no idea where she was going or the occasion.  So I guess this ensemble isn't going to be perfect.  Jen - next time leave a comment on Wearability and we'll get it right away!

Outfit 1: "Disjointed series No. 6" top from artlab. Rhombus earrings from polishedtwo. Kickass Report boots from 80spurple.com. 

Outfit 2: Vintage secretary blouse from allencompany.  Tudor yellowheart earrings from orno. Red Tatiana T-strap heels from UrbanOutfitters.com.

Backups: Eyelet sample dress from makool. Kimono sleeve dress with pleated runner from lisarietz.

Handbag: I like this fun little Deena & Ozzy perforated satchel from urbanoutfitters.com.

Whew--it doesn't even matter if Jen ends up wearing any of this, it was fun to put together =)  I'm going to bed now.

Barbara Cole for Anthropologie May 2009

It's funny how Anthropologie appeals to almost every woman out there in the way that it captures the imagination.  It's some very powerful brand management that communicates a single, cohesive idea: a well-lived and beautiful life.  Everything from the whimsical details (flowers and pearls on a cardigan?) to the lush weight of the fabrics to the jewel-box setup of of the stores works together to create this feeling of romance, creativity, and luxury.  And yes, I love their clothing--but can only afford to buy it on sale.

So whichever marketing manager came up with the idea of teaming with self-taught fine art photographer Barbara Cole ought to get a raise.  What a stroke of genius!  When the gorgeous May 2009 catalog landed in my mailbox, I was intrigued by how Cole's style brings the clothing to life.  And the cover looks almost like a painting, reminiscent of the Pre-Raphaelites, fairy tales, and the Lady of Shalott.  

I don't know a lot about the photographer herself, but I poked around her site a bit and found some more arresting images of dreamy water-color fabrics and burnished floating hair.

To see the "making of" video, visit Anthro's website.

Posted simultaneously to: stephanie.posterous.com