Rubber Ducky, You're The One

Okay, maybe not so much. And that would be horrific, in an old maid kind of way, if a rubber ducky turned out to be my "the one".

Thanks a lot Ernie from Sesame Street.

Rapidly moving along, espadrille season is here. Normally you say espadrille and think of the tie-up-the-ankle wedge kind that usually dominates the scene via Christian Louboutin, Hilfiger, Nine West and, last season, Steve Madden's Gola version.

Since I'll be city-living from now on, I figured it would be a nice change to putter around the downtown core in flat, comfy and airy Los Drillos espadrilles from Rubber Duck, founded by a great Dane named Eik Braun Ottosen.

Not only has Ottosen found a way to give our footsies a break from cinching shoewear, he also found a way to give back to his workers in Southeast Asia through the "Wear & Care Concept" program -- a tenth of the production costs get re-routed back to these workers as annual bonus.

If you're an Angeleno, you can find the head office on La Brea (on old stomping/working ground of mine) and at fashion haunts like American Rag, Intuition and Kitson. If you're a New Yorker, you can find Rubber Duck in the Hamptons and Brooklyn, but not Madison Avenue.

If you're a Canadian, you'll just have to order online.

Sorry about that, eh?












I'm Lovin' it: Oh. My. God. This look from Chanel's Resort 2008 collection is A-MAY-ZING. I don't mind stepping on a yacht or traipsing through St. Bart's or the French Riveria with this on. I mean, if you love fashion as much as I do, who would? And on that note, does Zara have a knock-off??






I'm Over it: Trying to find transport for my bed this Friday. This task requires a truck and two males. Any takers?

Track of the Day: Summa-summa-summa time means chill beats, like smooth Nate Dogg, Warren G and, of course, the track Summertime in the LBC from Doveshack. It also means "Doobie Ashtray" from Devin the Dude, a super-slick, down south song that conjures up images of guys and gals hanging out on a porch in white wifebeaters, glistening in sweat while enjoying cherry Kool-Aid -- and a blunt or two. So diiiiiiirty south.







* Photos property of rubberduckbrand.com, style.com, Google Images

Grey Goose

My muse for today is my boss' girlfriend Farz J., who strolled into the office today wearing the prettiest suede silver-grey pumps with thin, light-hued wooden heels from -- go figure -- Steve Madden.

She also happens to be a model AND a naturopathic doctor in the making, also muse-worthy.

Anyway, in the past style season I've been becoming slowly more and more obsessed with the color grey, a shade I never really considered to be a contender in my closet before. Grey reminded me of wrinkly elephants, cloudy weather, this terrible stuffed jackal that my family used to have as home decor (don't ask) and grandmotherly garb -- none of which were among my favorite things, though I do love my granny.

My most recent foray into grey happened to come in the form of a navy and greyish-silver dress bestowed upon me as a little thank you-for-the-944-Magazine-article from Joy Han of the kitschy-cute clothing label VOOM. After digging up my silver jewelry -- which was packed up to make room for daily gold accoutrements -- I decided that yes, I did sort of like grey.

And as some arranged marriages go, like -- or major dislike -- turned into love.


















I'm Lovin' it: This unconfirmed graff art piece that showed up on a wall in London, looking suspiciously like a Banksy...








I'm Over it: Friends who move to far places. That's been happening a lot lately.

Artist of the Day: Oh wow, I love Norweigan bands. Ch-ch-check out Datarock. With a band member with the name Ket-ill, how can the music go wrong? And holy mother of god, I just checked their tour dates for North America and they're apparently going to be here on June 9th at Richards on Richards, which is the very date and place I'll be with a whack of my pals taking in a show by Girl Talk. My deduction says Datarock is the opening act, and my mouth is screaming "Yay!"

I love a good Tuesday, like today.

And a good music show.





www.myspace.com/datarock




* Photos property of woostercollective.com, myspace.com/datarock, style.com

Home Sweet Home

In four days, I'll be a downtown girl.

My shiny, happy new apartment is waiting with open arms, bare walls and much space to decorate.

I've said it once -- or twice -- but I'll say it again: if I had to pick one interior designer to revamp my home, to be currently or to be reincarnated as in the future, it would hands down be Kelly Wearstler. Her interiors are quirky, modern art-deco, colorful pop-arty and eccentric.

Check out her work at the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica (as well as other locales), which is -- absolutely not coincidentally -- owned by her husband Brad Korzen of The Kor Group.

Look at her mouth-watering interiors -- with a few Jonathan Adler vignettes for taste -- and weep at their beauty.

Because I sure am right now.














I'm Lovin' it: Stanley Cup Playoffs, Game #1 tonight! Anaheim Ducks vs. Ottawa Senators at 8pm EST. My parents live in the OC (Orange County, California), which makes one think I might cheer for the Ducks but being a Canadian, I just might have to wave my white towel for the Sens. I've got about ten minutes to decide.

I'm Over it: Doing some research for work today, I came across a local educational institution called the Immaculate Conception School. Yeah, my kids are never going there.

Art Article of the Day: This New York Magazine article on an unnamed, yet-to-be-caught street art defacer in the Big Apple called The Splasher. The anonymous vandalizer of vandalistic art is still wanted by the graff community -- and of course, by the fuzz. Didja know there's a graffiti police force in NYC called the Vandal?? If not, now you do.


* Photos property of Google Images

All Things Ford

My good friend Oli dG. is taking off for the big, bad American east coast in less than a week after landing himself a great gig at an international law firm in Midtown, on the island that is Manhattan.

This means two things:

1. He will be forced -- by me -- to become my supplier/shipper of the Bond No. 9 Eau du Parfum collection that is SO hard to find here in Vancouver -- and not to mention a tad bit more expensive. After all, he'll be closer to their Bond Street (go figure!) headquarters and to Bergdorfs than I'll be. I WILL own every fragrance in the collection, just you see. My first one? The Bryant Park Fashion Week scent, naturally.







2. He will have to get his natty, sharp new suits, ties, shoes, cufflinks, cologne and other such related mens' fare from the new Tom Ford store on venerated -- but never duplicated -- Madison Avenue. There's no better way to walk into a deposition, court room or judge's quarters than in a Tom Ford three-piece. No objection here.

Speaking of Mister Tom, if you're just as big of a Ford fag-hag as I am, read and drool over the new New York Magazine article on fashion's First Man.

Haute Hippie Ford.

Has a nice ring to it, n'est pas?







I'm Lovin' it: Doing design-related research at work today, I came across this revamped confessional created by HULGER. Looks like something I'd probably need to start visiting on Sunday nights, when the debauchery of my weekends are finally over.







I'm Over it: Isn't it 5 pm already?! It's RBVF...I mean, TGIF....


Jewelry of the Week: This "Heartbreak" necklace by Chia Ha Paura. I love how it comes with a mini hachet to obliterate the white heart, if you feel so inclined after some completely unworthy fella has really left you crushed. A stress reliever that's a thousand times better than those cheap, sponge-y balls they sell at the drugstore.

Ring-A-Ling

I love rings.

On my finger, from my cellphone, around the rosey (a pocket full of posies!) or billowing out of a mouth post-mango tobacco-from-a-hookah inhalation -- although certainly not circling my bathtub.

So this long weekend, I indulged in a chunky one from Aldo, a marvelous jewelry confection consisting of a long, diamond pattern-etched gold ring embalmed in a huge, clear square-cut ring. The result is kind of 70s disco queen-meets-vintage lucite. All for a very reasonable $12, too.

I also fell for another ring, this time an ivory domed honey from Kenneth Jay Lane. Oh, and a wood serpent number from Roberto Cavalli.

Now if only that platinum square-cut would make it's way onto my left ring finger.

In about five years, that is.








I'm Lovin' it: The second Louis Vuitton campaign featuring Scarlett Johansson. She's gorgeous, and so is the spread -- the color, the hair, the poses. Good one, Marc Jacobs. You've done it again, good sir.






I'm Over it: Writing real estate content for a client today. I'd much rather wordsmith about shoes, the Chanel Resort 2008 collection that just went down in Santa Monica hangar (literally a ten minute drive from my old apartment!!), frock hit and misses at the Cannes Film Festival, new fashion photography from Mert & Marcus and Williamsburg, NYC design-forward home decor store Future Perfect.






Way Back Track of the Day: Okay, okay. Season one of The OC wasn't that long ago. While Seth Cohen (played by Adam Brody) had a boy-crush on quirky, cool Anna Stern (played by Samaire Armstrong), I had a girl-crush on her -- mainly for her style and awesome haircut. And now, I just can't forget the Nada Surf cover of OMD's If You Leave that played as Seth raced through the airport, trying to catch Anna before she boarded the plane back her hometown Philly.

Sigh. Young love.









* Photos property of net-a-porter.com, perezhilton.com, Google Images

Sneak-in' Around

Have you seen Marc Jacobs lately??

His rehabbed, short-haired self has gotten amazingly buff and -- gasp! -- kind of hot. Too bad he only likes to be good friends with ladies, if you know what I'm sayin'.

You know what else is hot?

This Vans by Marc Jacobs limited edition collection.

And seeing as how my ankle is still defunct after nearly three weeks of sprained-ness, I may just have to invest in the Vans empire for awhile.

It might not be so bad being a sneaker pimp.







I'm Lovin' it: The black-and-white short film Wendybird from SoCal-born, Paris-based designer Erin Fetherson, which is directed by Ellen von Unwerth and showcases Fetherston's Autumn/Winter 2006 collection. I know, I know, the collection is seasons old but the film -- starring a surprisingly adorable Kirsten Dunst -- is destined to be a fashion classic.







I'm Over it: Long weekend recoveries, this one having been preceded by the Joel Plaskett show at The Commodore on Friday, hopping to a trio of nightspots on Saturday (limo ride courtesy of O. dG and ensuing 20,000 pics taken by Sher-Bear), the Nordic Trax DJ line-up show at The Commodore on Sunday and followed by a 1:30 pm sleep-in/Seinfeld TV marathon all-day session on Monday with the 1059 crew. Actually, this sounds like an "I'm Lovin' it" post more and more...

Track of the Day: "Singin' In The Rain" remix by Mint Royale, an absolutely fantaculous electronica group out of Manchester, England. I have love, love, loved that Gene Kelly song-and-dance since I was a chubby kid wishing I was in ballet slippers instead of on piano bench, so I take this remix to heart. Big ups to Mint Royale's Neil Claxton and Chris Baker.





www.myspace.com/mintroyale



* Photos property of Google Images, fashionweekdaily.com

How Do I...

Get an invitation to this!?

The Vancouver Art Gallery's Monet to Dali Ball on June 8th, sponsored by Chanel and showcasing art from Dali to Degas to Matisse to Picasso to Renoir to Van Gogh.

First of all, Dali is my favorite artist of all time -- one need only count the number of Dali prints I've collected since my first year of university.

Second of all, I love dressing up for black tie events -- and seeing everyone else dressed up, too.

Finally, I love Chanel.

I need say no more.







* Photos property of Salvador Dali, Google Images

Laugh of the Day

My co-worker buddies Nicky P., The Ry Kearns and I could NOT stop laughing all day at this song by hip-hop/rap/something-or-other group Yo Majesty.

It's called Krytonite P***y" -- and it's rad.

Classic.

P.S. Thank you, Pitchfork for the laughs!





* Photo property of myspace.com/yomajesty4life

Russe-ter Collective

Some of you may know of the mega-street art site Wooster Collective -- it's one of my favorite things.

My art-smart friend Russe (pronounced "Roos") is just as mega-talented -- check out his digitally warped picture of an intersection on Homer Street, here in Vancouver, with a couple image additions.

Funky cool.

And completely Wooster worthy.






* Photo property of Russe Schwartz

Levine It Up To You

Hello sunshine.

There are a ton of ways to beat the heat when it's summer in the city: ice cream and gelato-eating, Sprite slurpee-sipping, pool-lounging, ocean and lake-dipping, Oriental fan-face fanning and Alisha Levine-wearing.

Alisha Levine doesn't have very much bio out, but her tops have been upping the credit card bills -- ever so slightly -- on celebrities' Black Centurions of late, and it's not really a task to figure out why. Levine's wares are easy to wear, super comfortable and absolutely affordable.

Check it here -- Alisha Levine comes in delicious candy colors, too.









I'm Lovin' it: Dance parties on Sunday nights at the Commodore! Nordic Trax is throwing another one of their shindigs this Sunday, May 20th to celebrate the May Long Weekend in Vancity. Tickets for $20 are at the usual haunts: TicketMaster, Beatstreet, Boomtown and Zulu Records. Thanks to O. dG. for the heads-up yesterday and see y'all there.







I'm Over it: Thinking that today was the day to be ambitious and wear my stiletto suede ankle boots while nursing a sprained ankle. Bad idea, especially with a dance party looming on my event horizon in a few days.







Track of the Day: "Whatever You Want" by Club 8. The group, one of Swedish music man Johan Angergard's few, gives out some nice Swedish indie-pop with pretty vocals from fellow band-er Karolina Komstedt to take you through the day.






www.myspace.com/club8



* Photos property of shopbop.com, clubzone.com, myspace.com/club8, Google Images

Body Rock Y'All

Net-A-Porter loves it. British Vogue loves it. Tom Ford loves it.

And so do I.

Say hello to drape-y and super-sexy label Bodyamr.

I can't say I can body rock this silk jersey sleeveless pantsuit with plunging v-neck, black trim and ruched calves, but someone out there sure can.

I'm thinking those glamazons of the supermodel variety.








* Photos property of net-a-porter.com

How Swede It Is

Two more photos from my favorite International Man of Mystery, The Sartorialist, who took a Style.com-endorsed trip to Sweden to shoot some stylish Norweigan ladies.

I've also noticed that I've been attracted to the blonde-haired, blue-eyed male type of late -- a far cry from the brunettes of my dating yesteryear.

Perhaps I need to move to Sweden.

For the fashion AND the fair-haired fellas.








* Photos property of style.com

Getting A Dose Of Vitamin V

Though I've settled back into life up north here in Vancouver, there's no need to forget Los Angeles.

Sarah Bancroft (my ex-Western Editor boss at FASHION Magazine) and her friend Tara Parker-Francis (Vancouver publicist extraordinaire) launched Vitamin V -- this city's fashion and lifestyle E-newsletter answer to Daily Candy and my personal favorite, Juli B.

I signed on to be one of their contributors, so here is my first "dose" for you.

Ah L.A., how I miss thee sometimes.

La-La Landed







* Photo property of vitaminv.ca

In Fine FORM

Some clothing labels just make you stop dead in your tracks.

FORM happens to be one of those completely awe-inspiring labels, blending fashion, architecture and style all into one NYC-based design collective headed up by former Zac Posen and Patrick Robinson for Perry Ellis alumnist Jerry Tam. Bringing up the team rear are Kerry Andrews (an art director), Eric Werner (a former model and current architect/restauranteur) and at one time, Jamie Rosenthal (ex-stylist for Donna Karan).

Though the newest FORM bio no longer lists Rosenthal as part of the collective, it doesn't take away from the intense blow this group has executed on the fashion world. The aesthetic of FORM is completely and utterly modern, carefully constructed and comparable to established avant-garde designers such as Yohji Yamamoto and Junya Watanabe. There's nothing fancy, frilly or particularly girly about their creations, but it all somehow manages to exude modern sex appeal.

Showing they have an ear to the streets, the collective is launching an eco-conscious line dubbed FORM Fundamentals, which will feature bamboo tees that will be found at major boutiques like La-La Land's very own Fred Segal. It's been getting tons of buzz from all the uber-publications of late.

I've only been in love once in my entire life.

Now we can make that twice.

I'm Lovin' it: See above.

I'm Over it: My friend Ry Jonesie's bull mastiff Buddy managed to chew one of my black patent, preppy Zara flats on Sunday night. The good news is Jonesie has already promised to take me shoe shopping for a replacement, which is excellent because I already spotted a ballerina flat pair last week at a store on West 4th. Blessing in disguise, I tell you, because my Zaras are SO last year. Oh yeah, and my sprained ankle ain't so great either. Not only am I unable to wear heels, tensor bandages don't seem to match anything in my closet.

Track of the Day: "I've Been Thinking" by Handsome Boy Modeling School featuring Cat Power. Prince Paul and Dan "The Automator" Nakamura teamed up with the smoky-voiced Cat Power for this trip hop-ish track that's just the right amount of blue-sy and jazzy. The cherry topping on this single is the lyric sampling of the phrase "slide, slide, slipp-ity slide" from -- yup, you guessed it -- Coolio's 1990s hit Fantastic Voyage. Gangsta!

www.myspace.com/handsomeboymodelingschool

* Photos property of jerrytam.com, myspace.com/handsomeboymodelingschool

Got Me A Wedgie

Somehow -- post-birthday festivities last Saturday night -- I pinched a nerve in my lower back.

Or is it my leg??

Anyway, the point is I haven't been able to wear heels for a week because my left foot is slightly numb -- meaning everytime I attempt to walk in heels, my ankle tends to roll every few metres or so.

It's a royal pain in the, well, leg, and I've tried to be chipper about it. However, it's the weekend, which means heels are a must for going out on the town.

If I owned these gold miminette demi-wedges from Christian Louboutin, I'd be a happy girl for three reasons:

a. Rolling my ankle would be slim to none
b. Wedges mean summer is here
c. My feet would look frickin' fabulous

How fast does Net-A-Porter ship to Canada??





Happy weekend, y'all -- and HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALICE!!!!!!!


* Photo property of net-a-porter.com

Champagne Crush

Champagne usually means paaaarty.

Weddings, New Year's Eve, birthdays and Sunday morning brunches -- avec OJ makes it a mimosa, of course.

Which makes this champagne chilling table by 30E Design all the more covetable.

Sorry, Dom Perignon not included.








* Photo property of nytimes.com

Mad-a for Prada

After seven years of attending a private school where the summer uniform consisted of long, pleated, cuffed and completely unflattering navy blue bermuda shorts paired with a baggy white polo that was required to be tucked in, I swore off shorts forever.

A few years later -- okay, maybe more -- and a few pounds of baby fat loss later, I'm all over the shorts again.

Especially these satin, jewel-toned ones from Prada -- they can go from day to night and from flat gladiator sandals to super-sexy heels. Every fashionable young woman could use a pair that can take them from work at a downtown office to cocktails at a downtown lounge!

It's time to break out the running shoes and Thigh Master.

'Cause cellulite and Prada don't mix.







I'm Lovin' it: Lemon Drop cupcakes for breakfast -- thanks, Tom Tom! And the following picture The Sartorialist took of a classy outfit on a chic-ette in Sweden. Oh, and the former incognito photographer is now unveiled! Seeing as how he's blowing up all over the world, why not show a little fashion face?






I'm Over it: Is it wrong to like eating feta cheese as a snack? Yeah, thought so. Over it.


Dresses of the Day: The topic of marriage is not one to cross my mind very often, not at this age and not at this point in my life. However, every girl loves to dream, so here are some mesmerizing wedding frocks from Vera Wang, Marchesa and Roberto Cavalli.

A rock -- and currently, a man -- would be just fine, too.









* Photos property of nymag.com, thesartorialist.blogspot.com

Going Wylde

The sun is out today.

And I can't stop think about these boots from Thomas Wylde.

The metal studs running down the side are teeny tiny skulls and I am completely in love with the grey shade.

Sure, it's gladiator sandal and Havianas weather but there's no harm in preparing for Fall '07, n'est pas?





I'm Lovin' it: Chueh, Chueh, Chueh! Artist-slash-cartoonist Luke Chueh is showing his wares and signing an autograph or two at Munky King on Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles next week for his "Possessed" exhibition. The postcard invite is too dizz-ope.





I'm Over it: Misunderstandings via email. And Paris Hilton begging Govinator Schwartznegger to pardon her prison sentence. Four words for Paris: Do your time, sucka.

Track of the Day: The Chromeo remix of Feist track "Sea Lion Woman".

Okay, okay. Part of the reason I dig the song is because I can't get over the funny-ness/cheesy-ness of the band name "Chromeo". Take a look at their MySpace pictures and you'll understand why.

www.myspace.com/chromeo



* Photo property of bopshop.com

Meet Me At The Met '07

It's the most fabulous bash of the year.

It's the time of year when every major designer, supermodel, A-list/B-list/C-list celebrity, PYT socialite and subsequent hanger-ons beg, borrow and steal to get invites to this VOGUE Magazine-endorsed event.

They clamor to wear the finest dresses and dapper-est suits, put on their most scintillating (and more often borrowed) jewels and grab the hand of a press-worthy male or female arm candy -- the red carpet photo can make or break you.

Welcome to The Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum.

The theme for 2007 was an homage to Paul Poiret, a man who once proclaimed himself as "The King of Fashion". Hosts for the night included VOGUE's EIC Anna Wintour, Balenciaga's main man Nicolas Ghesquiere and the always-stunning Aussie actress Cate Blanchett.

Breathtaking frocks, flawless hair, flashbulbs, one-hand-on-hip poses for the paparazzi, handsome gentleman all cleaned up, every mover and shaker out there in New York society, music, film and fashion -- plus a glass or four of expensive bubbly?

You bet I wished I was there.

































I'm Lovin' it: These Jour & Nuit platforms for the summertime. The interchangeable straps take it from day to night. Hence the name.






I'm Over it: See above. Do the shoes look too Pretty Woman pre-Richard Gere?

Also...

Double standards. I'm so, so, so over that right about now.

Track of the Day: Dnttakemy Wingzz Away by Islands, out of Montreal, Quebec. It's kind of all over the map, much like the song name's spelling. And chorus sounds like someone who might be really, really inebriated. Kind of fun, no?





www.myspace.com/islandsareforever


* Photos property of style.com, wikipedia.com

Sorronda From Down Unda

Australia is amazing for so many reasons: kangaroos, Hugh Jackman, my high-flying Sydney friends (whom I miss dearly!), the words "dodgy" and "mate", The Crocodile Hunter, Kylie Minogue, vegemite (ok, not really so much this one), wallabees, Sass & Bide and now clothing label Gail Sorronda.

Gail Reid, the twenty five-year old girl wonder designer behind the label, spent the past three years developing her line and stacking her design cred. Reid's breakout moment happened at an Australian Fashion Week, where she scored the chance to show her wares, swill champagne with Oz fashion insiders and dominate with her Gail Sorronda signature black and white color palette. Each of her collections has a distinct theme and name -- Spring/Summer '08 is dubbed "Birds of Prey", while older ones have been monikered "Riders On The Storm", "The Velvet Hour" and "Angel At My Table". I love, love, love the shots on the website as well -- all high-fashion in black and white.

Sadly, the closest boutiques carrying Gail Sorronda are on Robertson Boulevard, Third Street, Abbott Kinney and Sunset Boulevard in La-La Land. But maybe I can get my girl Alice -- who is the Marni specialist at the soon-to-be-opened, revamped Holt Renfrew store in Vancouver -- to talk to her superiors and get this Down Under label in the new Design Lab section.

And in true Aussie speak: I heart Gail Sorronda heaps and heaps.



















I'm Lovin' it: All my fantastically fun, funny and fierce friends who came out this weekend to help me blow out my candles on both Friday and Saturday nights. Thanks for the memories, guys -- or at least the memories I can remember.

I'm Over it: I ate too many chips yesterday during my Sunday recuperation watching the CSI marathon at Stephanucci's place. Oh, and I somehow got a pinched nerve on Saturday night. From what, I wouldn't be able to tell you, but all I do know is I can't wear heels for the next couple days. I tried yesterday and failed miserably.

Also...

The demise of catty, NYC socialite site Socialite Rank! After a year of speculating which socialite mole ran the site, New York Magazine finally got the scoop on its founders, fellow blueblood circuit go-ers and Russian sibs Valentine and Olga Rei. The NY Mag article chronicling both the site and the war beteen super-popular PYT Tinsley Mortimer and hot newbie Olivia Palermo is gossipy entertainment at its best.





Online Radio Station of the Day: Oh, how I love discovering totally mind-blowing free online radio stations. The Bassment is my most recent auditory treasure chest -- I'm currently head-bobbing to Blackalicious' Rock The Spot, by far one of my favorite hip-hop jams of all times and one I haven't heard in a looong time. "One time fo' the funky rhyme I say, two times for the beat and for my DJ..."



* Photos property of gailsorronda.com, nymag.com

Too Funny...

My birthday is today and my boss' birthday was yesterday, so the graphic artists in our office thought it would be funny to post cartoon-y happy birthday pics of us on our iMacs for when we came in.

Here is their interpretation of me as a bunny, which was in the happy birthday scene on my boss' computer screen this a.m.





Though I'm not sure I QUITE look like that, they sure got the red boots and overloaded accessories right!



* Photos property of bradydahmer.com

Haute Hippie Does Marc Jacobs

My friend Aggs B. is gonna be famous.

She is a majorly talented fashion photographer who's got such a creative eye and winning personality, as well as the longest gams on this side of the coast -- so jealous!! In a good way, of course.

Below is one of her photographs. Very Marc Jacobs-y, which is highly appropriate since Juergen Teller tops her list of favorite fashion photographers, and also happened to be the Marc Jacobs ad photographer from 2002 to 2005. Currently, the MJ lensmen -- or woman, in this case -- is Cindy Sherman.

Those pimp ankle boots happen to be mine, as well as the calves.

But the frilly bow socks -- about the awesomest things I've slipped over my feet in awhile -- are property of the lady behind the lens.

The other shot is of our girl Marla L., who's a fashion designer and my ultimate partner in fashion-magazine-buying-crime. I can't even imagine tallying up how much both our mag collections are worth when put together -- it'll most likely equal a bombass outfit from some expensive boutique.

Aggs told us pals to "ch-ch-check out" her growing online portfolio -- and I suggest you do, too.










* Photos property of Agata Baranowska

Ricci Rich

The two most famous Riccis in the world?

Indie movie darling (and former Wednesday Adams) Christina Ricci -- who looks absolutely beautiful in a three-page photo spread nestled in the new issue of Elle Magazine (which I picked up the other day because I fell in love with the color palette the Elle art directors used on its cover).

But after seeing Reese Witherspoon clad in breathtaking dresses -- one in deep purple and one in sunshine-y yellow -- at both the Golden Globes and the Oscars, I'd have to say that Olivier Theyskens-designed fashion house Nina Ricci snags first place.

I'm partial to Theyskens, in all his big-eyed, shiny straight-haired, boy-wonder glory. He was the sole reason that almost-forgetten House of Rochas was brought back into the style spotlight -- I shed a tear when I heard he parted ways with Rochas because it was being shuttered.

Ah, but you can't hold the man down! Almost instantly Theyskens was snapped up by Nina Ricci -- with loose, frothy and fancy-free results thus far.

And a Brian Atwood-ed, Giambattista Valli-ed, Judith Leiber bag-clutching fashion world waits on its heels and waits to exhale, as Theyskens breathes life into Nina Ricci.


















I'm Lovin' it: I'm such a Polaroid picture junkie. Not only does the filtered light make you look flawless and airbrushed like a Nylon Magazine cover, the white borders are uber-old school -- and nouveau cool. No wonder why I adore these shots that photog-about-town Jeremy Kost took of our favorite celebutards and Hollywood hipsters at the very recent Coachella Music Festival in the stinking-hot desert of Indio, California. Groovy. Long live Polaroid.





I'm Over it: Cheap drugstore shampoo. Sure, Fructose Garnier rings in at just shy of $4 and glows a Kryptonite neon green, but it's been weighing down my hair, giving me an extra unwanted pound of product overload. Yesterday, Laine -- my hair colorist at Helmet on 4th -- sold me on Gentle Shampoo by Bumble And Bumble, a hair cleanser that leaves your tresses squeaky clean and light as a feather. Fructose Garnier. Never again.






Artist of the Day: Product designer Tobias Wong defected from Canadia-land to New York, New York a few years ago, where he's been generating an audible roar in the art, fashion and product worlds with his sometimes blatant -- but often tongue-in-cheek -- designs rife with social commentary. He's kind of like the product world's Banksy. His creations range from cheeky posters to rubber-covered candle holders to gloves with a hole to insert a cigarette to vibrating ottomans to bulletproof pillows. Though his work gets mad press and he was a key part of the Terminal 5 art exhibition held at JFK Airport in 2004, the man himself likes to remain unphotographed for the most part. Wong deserves a posting all by his lonesome, but if you're dying to learn more about the guy, make sure to pick up the most recent issue of FASHION Magazine -- not only is there a full-blown article, the editors also managed to take a rare photograph of the hot-shot artist. Check out the matchbook cut-out representation of the New York City, pre-9/11, down below. The two matches not chopped up represent the Twin Towers -- the fact that they are the only pieces left untouched and flammable is an very eery, considering the Towers no longer exist after going up in flames on that fateful day.






Also...


Happy, happy birthday to my boss Renee L.!!

May your day be filled with pampering, relaxation and more viewings of the Ashes and Snow film coupled with a few glasses of vino blanc.

xoxo
Haute Hippie





* Photos property of style.com, brokenoff.com, Google Images

In My Birthday Suit

Birthdays can only mean two things.

One, amount of time to Botox days is a year closer, and two, I need a birthday outfit really, really badly.

Here are some impossible possibilities (ie. in my dreams) for me:












You know what would really make my birthday?

If one of y'all decided to send me any of the above.

Best present ever.


I'm Lovin' it: Day's over! Oh, and this fab parachute dress.






I'm Over it: Why all the coin vaccuums at gas stations around town decided to be "Sorry, out of order" on the one day I really, really wanted to rid my car of all the dirt it's accumulated from my roadtrip onward till now.

Art of the Day: Art-smart graffiti artist David Choe covers the walls of the Facebook head office with his work. If you're addicted to Facebook -- as many of us, ahem, are -- then you'll probably be jonesing for some of this dude's pieces.









*Photos property of woostercollective.com, style.com