Favorite Things.

Hi kids,

It's time for another one of those posts, a visual collection of all things that have caught my eye in the past week but didn't have time to individually post about.

Voila!


Saw these lace-up boot/heel/sandal things at Forever 21 the other day. Ran around like mad trying to find them in size 6, only to discover this lone size 8 was the only pair left. But they say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here's my own personal snap (which happens to be saying "omigod" a thousand times).




Hello, Lia Kes. The Israeli-born designer -- who taught herself to sew at age 12 -- founded her eponymous line in 2003, a few years after she moved to New York. Now you can find her wares at Bloomie's, Barneys and Neiman Marcus. And her Holiday '09 dresses are absolutely sick.




It appears Karl Lagerfeld is checking out photos during an ad campaign shoot for Chanel. Sans sunglasses. This is the first time I've laid eyes on Kaiser Karl without them on. He ain't no spring chicken, but god, do I love him.




KAWS collaborated with Kiehl's on bottles for the RxArt non-profit organization. Kool.




Really digging this Mario Sorrenti shot of Scarlett Johansson for Mango. Very '80s-inspired. Great graff backdrop.




Demi Moore is killing it in Spring 2010 Balmain on the cover of W magazine.




Sam Edelman's Zoe booties are a blatantly obvious Balenciaga knock-off. That's okay for those like me, who can't support any price tags in the five to six-figure range.






Louis Vuitton has made a first aid kit. Honestly, the only thing that'll be hurting is your bank account after swiping plastic on this, but think about it: LV-monogrammed gauze?! Awesome.






Lately I've been rather hellbent on finding myself a great vest. Here's one.




I'd really like to do a DIY version of these white charm chandeliers by Winnie Lui.






I'm Lovin' it: This weekend, I was telling my fella how much I admire resourceful people. That explains my obsession with the TV show Survivorman. It also explains my constant clicking on the blog PS I Made This. The gal behind it all turned rolls of clear packing tape, ribbon and silver metal hex nuts into a statement necklace. Brilliant.




I'm Over it: Can't wear my new lace-up suede booties because it won't stop downpouring outside. Drats.


Track of the Day: I downloaded N.A.S.A.'s album The Spirit of Apollo this weekend. So good. Check out "Gifted", featuring Kanye West, Santogold and Lykke Li. It sounds like it should be on Kanye's 808s & Heartbreak album.






* Photos property of Haute Hippie, FWD, PS I Made This, Lia Kes, Winnie Lui, Mango and are used solely for commentary purposes

Pants Party.

Generally, pants are not something I throw on the daily.

No, no. I don't mean "no pants" as in Lady Gaga-style, it's just jeans, leggings or dresses are the usual go-to pour moi.

Most pants I've come across in my sartorial lifetime are much too uptight for my liking, making me feel more Bartleby than Balenciaga.

French label The Kooples, however, have a stellar pair that are voluminous around the hips (in a well-tailored manner) and taper down to the ankle, where they end up in tiny cuffs.

The reason I adore these pants so much is because it allows you to show off the amazing heels and wedges that labels are turning out lately (anyone who knows where to score this set of Acne wedges in town, please let me know, because I'd like to stare at them up close and personal).

Down with No Pants Parties.






I'm Lovin' it: The aforementioned Acne wedges will set you back six bills. This pair did not in my case. Oh, check out my new suede babies! I'm debating wearing 'em laced up in haute Victorian-style or open in haute construction worker-style.





I'm Over it: Watched Blood: The Last Vampire with the fella last night, and his downloaded copy ended in the middle of the final, ultimate fight scene. ARRRRRRGH. Stunning cinematography shots in this film, though.




Track of the Day: "Again & Again" by Bird & Bee. Inara George and Greg Kurstin are behind this synth-pop duo from La-La-Land. A little jazz, a little pop, a lot catchy.




* Photos property of The Kooples, Haute Hippie, trendypencil.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Short Cuts.

The likelihood of me getting rid of my long hair is fairly negatory.

But should I one day -- in a crazy, maniacal moment -- decide to chop-chop it off, the result better look like the 'do on Harmony, pictured on the left below.

She's very Leigh Lezark. With bangs.






* Photos property of The Kooples and are used solely for commentary purposes

Snapshots.

I'm feeling like sunshine and rainbows today -- who wouldn't be with the gorgeous weather on this November day?!

I also feel like sharing a few snapshots I've culled since my last post, things that have in some way inspired me (or made me smile).


Olivier Zahm of Purple magazine has the most adorable daughter ever, named Asia. She'll be a heartbreaker. And beyond fashionable, I'm sure. I mean, the little tot already has a picture with Auntie Daphne Guinness and wears sequined Converse sneaks. Enough said.






Check out this triad of '90s model supes. What's crazy is that -- right now -- these three don't look like they've aged a day since this was taken.




I'm complete enamored with the so-big-it's-criminal Nasir Mazhar "M" ring in this shot. And no, "M" is not for Haute Hippie, but for...well, that's one secret I won't be telling today.




These House of Harlow tribal heels are driving me insane with wanton accessory-ism (yeah, that last word is made up).




Holy Topshop Unique Shall Collar Check Coat.





I'm Lovin' it: After an early morning hike today, I passed by this. Hi, Mystery Machine! Where's Scoob?!




I'm Over it: The new Starbucks caramel brulee latte I'm currently drinking will be the sole reason I end up with an extra layer of insulation this winter.


Track of the Day: "Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson, in preparation for seeing the MJ documentary This Is It tonight with the fella (finally!). It really is my all-time favorite MJ song.





* Photos property of Haute Hippie, FWD, House of Harlow, Nasir Mazhar, Olivier Zahm, WWWD and are used solely for commentary purposes

What A Daul.

In the world of modeling, there are only a few live mannequins I find fascinating, like Sasha Pivovorova and Daria Werbowy.

Another one of them is Korean model, Daul Kim.

Not only does she rock a mean runway (all the cool glossies love her, as does Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Alexander McQueen), she also has one of the most interesting blogs out there called -- get this -- I Like To Fork Myself.

She posts snapshots of her life, as well as very esoteric, somewhat dark little poetry ditties, random thoughts and streams of consciousness.

Kind of like this post entitled "As Is.":


i stand across the light

holding plastic bags

i respond to the man i dont know who smiles at me

i dont exist

only something almost near perfection

i dont even move my head and

i dont even jay walk in front of the police car.

as it is.

like this.


The long and short of it is I think she's a such an interesting, layered person.

Oh, and these shots she did for RUSSH Magazine are the bee's knees.











* Photos property of RUSSH Magazine and are used solely for commentary purposes

Happy (Halloween) Friday!

Today is start of All Hallow's Eve weekend, and this year is going to be a doozy.

Tonight: House party at Shackenzie's, followed a massive crew of us going to Sander Kleinenberg Celebrities.

Costume: With my girl Aims, we're rocking fashion victim outfits. Think shiny tights, American Apparel headbands, non-prescription glasses all the hipsters are wearing, high heels, fur, trendy bag (mine will be suede brown fringe), leopard print, big belts, tons of statements necklaces, tons of cocktail rings, cigarettes, Jenny Humphrey makeup and a Vogue in hand.

Tomorrow night: My girl Natalia reps Cointreau and is throwing a party at Sanafir, plus the (212) boys are throwing a shaker at their studio.

Costume: My girls Ovitch, Albs, E. and I are going as Ed Hardy, Yaletown girls. So tight leggings, Uggs, Ed Hardy Hats, caked on makeup, press-on nails, Ed Hardy shirts, little toy dogs in logo purses and Starbucks cups in hand.

Pictures to come next week...happy, happy, happy Halloween!

xo
Haute Hippie

Couleurs.

I need some color in my life right now on this Thursday full of rain, rain and more rain (and bad beginnings...boooo).

Here are images that are currently brightening up my day.


Taken during a random stop at Urban Outfitters while walking home this week. Bright blue saddle shoes, nice. I like them shelved on top of the classic ones.




Rainbow bright painting.




Lindsay Lohan's not doing much as creative advisor to Ungaro, and she's really quite the trainwreck, but Ellen von Unwerth did take a gorgeous shot of La Lohan, nonetheless.




A Chloe Early painting.





I'm Lovin' it: The delicious hot chocolate from Bean Brothers Cafe Bistro from last night! It had the richest whip cream to ever touch my tongue.


I'm Over it: When you mess up big time on something, and know the only thing you can do is wait, see and hopefully get the chance to fix it. Big sad face.


Track of the Day: Since today hasn't started off the best for me, I need an old school, feel-good jam to get me through until the events blitz begins this evening. How about "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers? Yes, that's the one to listen to right now.






* Photos property of Haute Hippie, Wooster Collective, London Times, Ellen von Unwerth and are used solely for commentary purposes

Little Bit.

The other day I was conducting an interview at a local retailer, and this song came on overhead.

Here's the CSS remix of "Little Bit" by Lykke Li.

It's a good way to get amped for a Thursday work day -- and, of course, amped for the mega Halloween dance fest I'll be at tomorrow night!

Chance Meetings.

I get to chat with Alexis Bittar on November 7!!!!!

So excited.

Hope he gives me this Gold Gray Cats Eye Oval Klimt ring.






* Photo property of Alexis Bittar and is used solely for commentary purposes

Tiny Dancer.

Almost Famous was on telly the other night.

I was reminded that Kate Hudson is actually quite an alright actress with the right role.

Here's my favorite scene, showing reignited unity within a disintegrating, broken band -- and paying tribute to a truly great Elton John song.

Prance and Preen.

I'm an '80s kid, a fact that reveals why I have such an immense liking for big shoulders and any sort of jacket with that comes with them (Balmain also probably had to do with this).

Janel Molton's amazing vintage and used clothing site RelicNY -- her amazing sartorial sources will never be revealed -- is home to a Preen wool jacket with structured sleeves and front neck tie that is just begging for me to click and buy it.

I'm imagining this with so many things, but I mulling over the idea of a body-con dress and booties for a night out. Or skinny jeans, slim neutral-colored tank and high, high heels.

I like to see and be Preen.








I'm Lovin' it: Congrats to my girl Aggs, who just got engaged!! Much love, dearest Squirrel. Also, going to see the Michael Jackson documentary This Is It with the fella tonight. According to those who have seen it, the film is amazing.





I'm Over it: When I'm working in my home office, this weird lady in the building across the street pops out several times a day to hang over the edge of her balcony and stare blankly at things. Today, she came out with a huge, white cockatoo on her arm. So odd.


Track of the Day: "It Makes No Difference" by The Band. Followed by a pretty great "It Makes No Difference" cover by My Morning Jacket. Great soulful, rock jam for a grey Wednesday.







* Photos property of relicNY.com, thejakartaglobe.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Music of the Day.

The xx from South West London is a band you must listen to and their album "xx" is one you must download today.

Do it.

I promise your iTunes library will be handsomely rewarded. Any musical inclination in your body will thank you, too.

Big fan of "Heart Skipped a Beat" and "Night Time", the latter of which reminds me slightly of a Gui Boratto track.

How exciting am I that they're coming into town with Friendly Fires on November 26?

VERY.







* Photo property of kspace.tv and is used solely for commentary purposes

Lady Gaga x Dazed Digital.

When Lady Gaga first came out, I didn't pay much attention to her.

After awhile, it turned into a matter of how could you NOT pay any attention to the pop phenom, with her outlandish yet curiously captivating outfits, intense performances, dark music videos and bonafide talent (she was a songwriter at Interscope records at one point for several high-profile acts)?

Dazed Digital linked up with Gaga and Belfast-born, Brit-based filmmaker and art director Kathryn Ferguson for a stunning short film set to a piano composition created by the Gaga herself, who wears fashion-forward designers Pam Hogg, David Koma and more throughout the two-minute clip.

Click here to behold.

And yes, I sing hard to "Paparazzi" when it comes on now. Amazing video.







* Photo property of freshnessmag.com, Dazed Digital and is used solely for commentary purposes

This Would Make My Friday Happy!

A London gallery claims they will be unveiling a Banksy self-portrait, finally revealing the guerilla street artist who always seems to allude cameras, photos and capture.

Vrai or faux?

Happy Friday!

xo
Haute Hippie


I'm Lovin' it: Nicole Richie is launching a womenswear line called Winter Kate (after her daughter's two middle names). And yes, I am very, very excited for its debut. Will Richie be bringing back the bed jacket? Seems so, as the silhouette makes up a considerable amount of the 27-piece collection of dresses, tunics and jackets. Huge fan. HUGE. Have you seen her House of Harlow jewellery?!




I'm Over it: When jeans that should cost a reasonable $150 are priced at an astronomical $300. Cough cough, Citizens of Humanity.


Track of the Day: "A Thing For Me" by Metronomy (Breakbot remix). A seriously cool, groovin' re-do of this quirky Metronomy track (the original video is rad, by the way!). I really like when the remix hits at 1:45.





* Photo property of nitrolicious.com and is used solely for commentary purposes

Thoroughly Amusing.

It was years before I saw myself wearing a t-shirt without it:

a) being a lazy day lounging around the house

or

b) being sports or work out-related

But recently I've been embracing the casual sexiness of a perfect tee paired with the perfect jeans.

And throwing on a blazer over it, piling on the mad accessories and slipping on high heels is a Kate Lanphear-esque move that's often imitated but never duplicated, but you really can't blame a girl for trying to be La Lanphear.

Last Saturday, I had the chance to chit-chat with Nicole Castrogiovanni, Director of Sales for Modern Amusement, and Adam Lupton, winner of the brand's recent t-shirt design contest.

Nicole took me through the influences of both Fall '09 (namely travels to Montauk, Copenhagen and Tokyo) and Spring 2010 (a throwback to M.A.'s beginnings with pattern, print and color), as well as through new pieces from the burgeoning women's collection (the silk dresses and androgynous cardigans are must-haves).

I then turned my questions to Adam, who looks every bit the Modern Amusement man. The 22-year-old communication design student blended his love for music (Bob Dylan, K-OS and Jack White are three big muses), hand-written font and Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now into the winning tee (a week-long trip to the Modern Amusement headquarters in SoCal was also part of the prize).

So Modern Amusement will hopefully continue to make the fantastic, need-to-have cardigans and tees it does so well, for all our sartorial sakes.

And as for Adam?

He hopes to be on the back of a restored vintage WWII bike, cruising North and South America, toward a design future that seems very, very bright.









I'm Lovin' it: My girlfriend Saritz is in town for a visit, whoop!


I'm Over it: My tendency to over-pronate when I walk has caused most of my beloved heels and boots to be worn down right to their metal and wood nubs. Dang it, the shoe cobbler's gonna make a lot of money when I visit next.


Track of the Day: "Untitled Love" by Still Going. Funky, electro, jazzy house track from this New York, New York group. They also do a rather good remix of the Doves' "Kingdom of Rust".





* Photos property of Holt Renfrew, Modern Amusement and are used solely for commentary purposes

H&M x Jimmy Choo.

And yet we have another collaboration between fashion behemoths: H&M and Jimmy Choo.

Tamara Mellon has done admirably well bringing the Jimmy Choo brand to where it is today, as in fairly synonymous (and doused) with celebrity, glitz and glamour. There isn't a red carpet that a Choo shoe hasn't liked.

Now Mellon has married her brand with H&M -- and oh, what a holy matrimony it is.

I know it's fall and all, which means a heck of a lot of rain, but those grey suede open-toe bootie sandals with straps that wrap across the front (or however you want to describe them!) have my name written all over them.

And I'm also a rather big fan of the dresses with the suede texture aesthetic. Yes, cobalt blue and grey!

Y'all better get on this Choo-Choo train with me.








I'm Lovin' it: Nautical stripes! On tight mini skirts!!




I'm Lovin' it, Part Deux: This fantastic New York Magazine article on Ayn Rand, creator of Howard Roark and John Galt. If you haven't read The Fountainhead, please do. It'll change your life.


I'm Over it: Lest I say it? Okay, I will. Is it just me, or is Gossip Girl not as good as the last two seasons?? Please let it come back to life soon.


Track of the Day: "Leg Warmers" by Tone Mason from the T-Dot, Canada. I heard this track off the Think Contra online magazine site, and think it's pretty grand. It kind of has the same feel-good beats as "I'm Ready" by Kano, which I blogged about a few posts ago. Enjoy.



* Photos property of H&M, nymag.com, Jimmy Choo, Racked, Shopbop and are used solely for commentary purposes