Two Pieces Of Jewelry I Won't Be Buying

($695, Haute Hippie, Shopbop.com)

This is some Mad Max ish that looks like someone attached some chains to road kill. And I'm uncomfortable with it.

($21.95, Neivz, Amazon.com)

Though not as uncomfortable as I am with this boobs ring! It's fine to have boobs, and fine to have rings, but I'm uncomfortable standing having arrived at the intersection of both. It's an intersection that just doesn't need to exist.

This Necklace Perfectly Captures The Essence Of New York's Nightly Dilemma

($26.95, Steven Shein, Karmaloop.com)

Good question, because they ain't gonna pay for themselves. RIGHT, ladies?

Snowpocalypse Shopping!

My neighborhood. That MIGHT be a car in the bottom left corner.

I don't know if you heard, but New York City basically turned itself inside out after it snowed here. What? You didn't hear that it snowed in New York? Well it did. You could bury bodies in my three-foot snowbanks in my backyard. (Note: PLEASE don't.)

Anyway, here are the things I contemplated buying:

($259, Elly Clay, Stantonjames.com)

I'm really not a clutch girl myself, but if I were this zippery animal print clutch. Oh wait? There's a chain strap? Hm. Considering moving this from "maybe" to "very possibly."

($129, Aryn K, Babelfair.com)

For YEARS I avoided tie-dye for fear of any and all associations with Birkenstocks, dirty toenails, baggy corduroy pants, and the band Phish. (I will admit a BRIEF dalliance with Phish my sophomore year of high school, but in my defense, everyone was doing it, and it was short-lived. I admit that they do possess a certain level of musical proficiency, but if I wanted to listen to the sounds of a vacuum cleaner, I'd plug in my Dyson, feed it an electric violin, and lay on the couch.) Anyway, I've slowly realized that a black or grey tie-dyed garment, and not, say, a rainbow swirl, can be mysteriously cool. I really love Helmut Lang's shadowy, smoky prints. Anyway, the point is, a DARK tie-dye -- like this great asymmetrical jacket -- can be so appealing. Any combination of red, green, yellow and blue = Ben & Jerry's. Don't do that.

Let's Try To Make Turbans Happen, 'Kay?

I can count on zero hands the number of times I've worn a turban. But the other day I made a very spurious decision to get my hair trimmed at Mizu Salon -- FANTASTIC decision, by the way, so look for a GLOWING review on Naag.com post haste! -- and HI! They wrap your hair in a perfect towel turban. I'm being halfway serious when I say I kind of want to make turbans work. Don't I look so relaxed and at ease? It's totally the turban talking.

Now, this all kind of begs the question, WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WEAR A TURBAN WITH, fashionably speaking. I haven't actually tried it (yet), but I'd opt for some super casual jeans, a blazer, and an easy t-shirt in a weekend-wear way. Like, the key is to basically MAKE IT SEEM LIKE YOU'RE NOT WEARING A TURBAN, you know? Like it was a cool, casual afterthought. Like, please don't go all Aladdin and do harem pants, gladiator sandals and everything. Because then it's like HEY Y'ALL! LOOK AT ME! I'M DARING TO WEAR A TURBAN! Just pretend you're not!

Anyway, my all-time classic turban inspiration is the photo of the beautiful Marisa Berenson. Think, more that, less this:

 

And check out Camilla And Marc's Spring/  Summer 2011 collection, because turbans are very much happening there.

Bing Bang, It's Almost My Birthday!

($72, Bing Bang By Anna Sheffield, Oaknyc.com)

My next birthday was exactly eight months ago this past Tuesday! And this charming little lacquered Bing Bang arrowhead bracelet (I'd probably refashion it into a necklace using my pidgin jewelry-making skills) is the PERFECT gift for if you want to celebrate my eighth month of this year, you know? It'd be the perfect companion piece to my hot pink metal Alexis Bittar pendant. We don't want that to get lonely, do we?

Temperley's Holy Trinity

Just when I think I couldn't possibly love Temperley London any more than I do, I realize I actually could love Temperley even more.

I've impulse-purchased far too many gifts for myself (though, lest you think I'm a selfish asshole, I've bought some pretty ruling presents for my friends and family... HURRY UP, USPS!), so this Temperley Trinity bracelet isn't even an option, but if I were still in the market for some me-presents, this would make the cut:

($145, Temperley London, Temperleylondon.com)

It matches the Temperley Trinity Messenger Bag, which appears to be highly sold out.

($950, Temperley, Temperleylondon.com)

... But lust begets lust, so feel free to channel your unrequited love of Temperley's Trinity bag into the Royal Messenger bag:

($895, Temperley, TemperleyLondon.com)

WISH LISTED: Studded Acrylic Burberry Bracelets!

Ooh! Burberry is getting EDGY! Like how when someone classy and buttoned-up blows your mind with a naughty side you didn't know they had in them. But in bracelet form.

($225, Burberry)

Burberry, coming soon.

I Can Has Ray-Ban Wayfarers?

Ray-Ban Wayfarers are the trench coat of sunglasses -- they're timeless, they look good on everyone, and everyone should own at least one. Or several pairs, if you're me.

The nice folks at ShadesDaddy asked if I'd like to review a pair of sunglasses, and since I'm becoming somewhat of a Wayfarer hoarder, they kindly sent me a pair of Ray-Ban's Button Pins - Summer Special Series #4 Wayfarers, which have fun, hazy badges and little peace signs printed all over them.

($125, Ray-Ban, Shadesdaddy.com)

It's like someone took Kevin Arnold's big sister Karen's political ethic and printed them on a pair of sunglasses.

What I love about Wayfarers is that the style is instantly identifiable, but Ray-Ban keeps renewing a tried-and-true product with unexpected new prints, patterns and colorways (impossible to resist for a collector like myself) without altering the signature Wayfarer shape.

I'm especially into the whimsical pink-striped take on these tortoiseshell Wayfarers:

($125, Ray-Ban, Shadesdaddy.com)

And as a New Yorker of 10 years, I have to endorse the Rare Print Subway Series. (I own them in orange with the Subway print on the inside).

($120, Ray-Ban, Shadesdaddy.com)

Oh, and sidenote: these aren't Ray-Bans, but it's worth mentioning that these plastic black sunglasses, hand-beaded with seed beads by jewelry designer Jenny Dayco, just moved to the top of my very very long covet list. Available at Oliver Peoples.

Thief & Bandit Makes My Very Favorite T-Shirt

($40, Thief & Bandit, Etsy)

My little sister lives in Richmond, Virginia, and she has tons of friends who are making cool things that I always want to buy. Often I'm super lucky and she buys them for me! Such as my very favorite t-shirt made by her friend Amie Cunningham who created Thief & Bandit -- it's all handmade, and it's all fun, craftsy shirts with fun, tribal-inspired squiggles and designs, and fabric accessories in bright colors. JUST LOOK at that t-shirt and TELL me it doesn't remind you of all things Tom Tom Club!

($48, Thief & Bandit, Etsy)

I hope you like this fabric necklace, but I hope you don't like it as much as I do, because I really want it. So I can wear it with a white t and a blazer. Or maybe even a busy t-shirt, because busy is the new black.

Check out Thief & Bandit's site, their blog, and Thief & Bandit on Etsy and get to buying cute stuff!!

Tom Tom Club - New Music - More Music Videos

This Bow Necklace Is NOT Subtle

The bow necklace trend is cute and innocuous enough. But as in life, drinking, and accessorizing, one needs limits.

($28, Claire Fong, Lulus.com)

This just looks like you killed Minnie Mouse and mounted your prey.

At Arm's Length: What's On My Wrist And In My Bag?

I usually don't take and post my own photos. I'm a HORRENDOUS photographer, and I'm not the world's most photogenic girl. The camera doesn't hate me, and it doesn't love me. It's more like "eh?" Indifferent. I'm an adult. I know and accept this about myself. But I was kinda into my bangle selection and nail polish the other day, so I snapped a quick pic, which of course, my dumb cat Rory jumped into. The camera loves him. Anyway, here's what was going on:

+ Green polish: Avon Nailwear Pro in Jade -- This was my first-ever foray into Avon nail polishes, and WOAH, Johnny. This is one of the best polishes I've used in forevs + 1 day. The formula is smooth, and streak- and clump-free AND it dries quickly. Perhaps most satisfying of all, unlike most polishes which chip off after one shower, this one was going strong for days. And the muted, vintagey green apple shade is, um, so a-ppealing if you'll pardon the horrible pun. Look for Avon Nailwear Pro's Jade shade coming soon.
+ Beige polish: Revlon's new Grey Suede from their Daydreamer Collection. I love the grey-brown beige shade (as well as Daydreamer's Peach Petal color), and I'm currently wearing it on my toes and nails, but the formula was really gloopy and clumpy. Boo.


+ Top bangle: Jessica Kagan Cushman's wonderful engraved resin scrimshaw bracelet. This one says "Pay No Attention To That Man Behind The Curtain." Perfect metaphor for so many moments of my waking hours that I can't control. Appropriately, her "Never Never Never Never Give Up" bracelet seems like the perfect complement. And it goes without saying that the "Nobody Puts Baby In A Corner" bracelet is probably the greatest statement ever engraved onto anything, in the entire history of engraving. (I'd even venture to leverage that statement against the stone cold tablets of the 10 Commandments, but I'm all about the golden rule, so I won't push it.)
+ Middle gold bracelets: They're not at all real gold, but the first one is from a Brooklyn flea market. I think I paid $10 for it. Worth every cent. The other is a fake-gold ID bracelet engraved with name, with a heart punched out. I got this when I turned 13 and lived in Florida. I never take it off.

($60, Steven Shein, Shopstevenshein.com)

+ Silver bangle: Steven Shein flecked bracelet in silver! This was a recent acquisition and I love it more and more every day. It's made of resin and wood, and it's laser cut to absolute perfection. I keep taking it off and marveling at the handiwork.
+ Animal print bangle: Ted Rossi. It's snakeskin, the perfect size for stacking, and it's gotten better as it's been lived in, typed in, clattered and clanged upon. (Check out Ted's black denim tye-die bracelets. Increds!)

Now, onto what's in my bag!

The fabulous and inimitable Dina Fierro, who founded and masterfully executes Eye4Style, does her usual exhaustingly thorough and straight-up smart job of style blogging on the regulars. We also have shockingly similar taste in jewelry. (Just yesterday we shared a moment, dreaming of forearms stacked with Jessica Kagan Cushman bangles, discretion be damned!) I allowed her to rifle and rummage through my handbag for her "What's In HER Bag" blog series. Enjoy a look into my life. Or at least my bag.

+ Disclosure: The Avon and Revlon polishes and the Ted Rossi and Jessica Kagan Cushman bangles were all gifts.

Gift Alert: Tracey Tanner

Just ran across these fabulous leather accessories by Tracey Tanner, thanks to one of my favorite wedding blogs (I still read just a few, okay?), East Side Bride. Tracey Tanner's leather wristbands, in particular, are totally badass and would make great gifts. A few of my faves, which would also make great gifts FOR ME, should you happen to be in the market for same:

Sparkle triple-wrap band, $45.

Space stud band, $35.


Mono square double-wrap band, $45.


Bar wristband, $35. You can get up to five rows of studs!


Scale wristband, $85.


Fin wristband, $45.

There are also small, medium, and large bags, wallets, pouches, etc.

Go get 'em!

Storm's Perfect Gold Watch

What's wrong with this gold watch by London label Storm? Absolutely nothing, that's what. It's strong enough for a man but just right for this l'il lady. I so wanna wear this with some comfy wintery wine-colored sweaters... while I sit on my couch and do NOTHING... because it's winter. YAY!

($200, Storm, Shop.moxie.com)

Leather Bridal Bracelets -- Because You Just Don't See Enough Of Those

($107, Littmack, Manjoh.com)

ZOMG I love these soft leather embroidered Littmarck bracelets. The grey one is wedding-able, no?

($55, Day Birger et Mikkelsen, Manjoh.com)

Also, speaking of Manjoh, uh, this Day Birger et Mikkelsen necklace is on cuckoo sale. Ahhh! #linebetweenwantsandneedssteadilyblurring

I Would Step Over Your Mother For This Arielle de Pinto Necklace

($238, Arielle de Pinto, CreaturesofComfort)

I would seriously step over your mother or push your grandma in front of a bike messenger for this mixed-media necklace by Montreal designer Arielle de Pinto. There is no way in FUCK I could make it -- she crotchets metal (!??!), and the little ceramic triangles are hand-painted. I want this so bad it hurts.

Check out more Arielle de Pinto pieces at lambsearshoes.com and No6store.com.

Ettika Bracelets: Bold! Bright! Stacked!

You thought that subhed was about me, right? You're half right. So, speaking of fun, you know what's more fun than having one of something? Having like seven or eight of something. Which is why you need to get your... um, wrist... on not one, not two, but many many many braided satin cord bracelets by L.A. designers Ettika (Ettie and Joey Rafaeli).

You can customize the bracelet you want -- choose from pastels, florescents, and rainbow variations. AND, you can pick your own cute little 18-karat gold-dipped or silver charms. I love the seahorse, the wishbone and the little skull and crossbones, and I'm all for the mix-and-matchiness of wearing pastels and neons together. Why not? Also, careful buyer recession-spending note: each end of each bracelet is reinforced, so no worries about them falling off/ apart.

Each braided Ettika charm bracelet is $24, the satin cord wrap bracelets with one charm are $20, and the braided wrap bracelets are $70.

How I Feel About This Be&D Studded Wallet Should Be Fairly Obvious

($325, Be&D)

It's called the Garbo wallet, but I think they really meant to call it the Tamar.

($535, Be&D)

The Kiss clutch brings tears to my eyes... It reminds me a TEENY bit of the Gustto bag I bought from Tobi.com when it went on sale, and BTW, it's awesome and was worth EVERY cent. Still, this Be&D bag is high. fucking. art.

+ More stud lust.

Joan Holloway's Gold Pen Necklace: FOUND!

OMJ! It's Joan Holloway's pen necklace!

($20, 1928, 1928.com)

So, follow me here. Bust Mag scoped this on 1928.com, then Coquette picked it up, and then I saw it on Budget Fashionista. Anyway, not that I'm opposed to dressing under the influence of Joan Holloway, but I wouldn't wear it because it's a little overly specific. I AM, however, glad it exists in the world.

Also, check out the Don Draper couch I found at CB2. Thanks, Racked, for giving it some lurfs.