Three Lines That Say So Much.

Spotted: on an acquaintance's FB profile.

Three simple lines, one poignant message.

It echoes my sentiments right now, that's for sure.






* Photo property of Amy Chan and is used solely for commentary purposes

Happy Friday! Think MinkPink.

It's April.

As the days get longer and the hemlines get shorter, my thoughts are turning to increased patio time, lazy days at the beach, Bulmers cider on Saturdays, gladiator sandals (Sam Edelman has some stellar ones), dresses sans tights, cutoff denim shorts and, naturally, tops to go with them.

MinkPink's Serengeti Cutout Tee, I think, is quite ideal for the coming summer. It's long in the back, short in the front and cutout in the shoulders, leaving more than enough ventilation to cool you down as the temperature rises.

And kudos to whomever styled the shirt on Nasty Gal , because I'm fairly certain the shirt was sold on me on account of the top knot hair-denim-shorts-motorcycle boots combo.

So here's the sun and here's to Friday!

xo
Haute Hippie







I'm Lovin' it: Congrats, Sandy, both for Louis and for making Time's 100 Most Influential People list for 2010. A shining example of grace under fire.


I'm Over it: So tired of so much.


Track of the Day: "Orange Shirt" by Discovery. Like the hip hop beats coupled with Passion Pit-like elements. Makes me want to bop my head up and dizz-own.

Nike True Colors World Cup Launch Party.

Hey Boston!

NIKE Sportswear is throwing a party in your city at Fourthwall Project/Bodega's Gallery tomorrow night.

Nike ID Lab, a laser machine and artist Mister Cartoon will be on hand to help you customize tees. Here are deets:

April 29, 2010 7pm- 11pm
Fourthwall Project / Bodega's Gallery
132 Brookline Ave (Fenway stop on greenline)
Boston MA

Should be a rad event, so go (especially since the event folks are currently hunting down a taco truck for eats).

Thanks for the heads up, Bodega!





* Photo property of Bodega and is used solely for commentary purposes

Dreaming of You.

It's only 8:30am, and I'm already (day) dreaming.

Of these.


Tsumori Chisato wedges with colored fringe. Very hard to walk in, very fun to look at.




These camera bags. My Diana Lomo needs protection.





Pierre Hardy did shoes for Gap once again. This time, I'd buy them (especially the two pairs on top).




Yoko Ono made an art book that turns into a kite you can actually fly. Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth -- who loved the concept so much -- published it.







* Photos property of Gap, FWD, refinery29pipeline.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Music To My Feet.

I get chills when I see creative genius.

Like this Nike ad for the brand's Free Run+ shoe.

Wicka, wicka, what.






Also, here's another Nike nugget from 2009 that I discovered via YouTube. De La Soul (who right now happens to be my laptop wallpaper!) and Nike teamed up to do a 45-minute running mix.

More where that came from at Nike Sport Music.





Here's "Forever", the final track in the DLS/Nike Are You In? mix. They even shout out Vancity at 1 minute 42 seconds.

Saint Diego.

Bag choice, I believe, can say a lot about your personality and style.

For example, my friend Cancansoo often carries around a clothing tote bag as a purse during the day, but at night will go for the vintage Chanel bags. Her closet is full of men's-inspired clothing and secondhand shop finds. Another one of my girlfriend's Steph A. tags off between a cute, small Louis Vuitton bag slung across her body and plush, big bags slung across the body or off the shoulder. Her closet is full of casual-chic items, a look she does so well. My girl Ovitch goes for more structured bags and clutches. Her closet is full of classic, often body-skimming, sophisticated pieces. Another girlfriend of mine AC rocks the motorcycle bags like no other. Her closet is full of trend-conscious things.

As for me? Well, I'm a fan of the big bag, one that can fit everything but the kitchen sink. And the more gold hardware to set off all the fake gold, chunky jewellery I wear, the better. I prefer my bags to be unlike any other, too, just like how I prefer the rest of my wardrobe.

That's why I'd like to move away from the slouchy shoulder bag into drawstring, gusset bag territory, the latter of which can be worn across the body, off the shouler or like a backpack.

I think it'd best be done with the Diego bag from Alexander Wang, yeah?








I'm Lovin' it: I can't believe Jane Aldridge from Sea of Shoes is only 18-years-old. She has the sartorial aplomb of an Anna Dello Russo or Giovanna Battaglia. Jane looks amazing in this shot and ensemble.





I'm Over it: Please don't let those Lorenze Martone/Marc Jacobs split-up rumours be true. They made fashion coupledom so exciting of late.




Track of the Day: "Rock Steady" by The Whispers. Oh, '90s R&B. Is it me, or do most of The Whispers look like Steve Harvey? Must be the mustaches.






* Photos property of Alexander Wang, Sea of Shoes, Jane Aldridge, hollywoodgrind.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Oh Heck, Beck.

Sometimes there are songs that are so utterly beautiful in message, but are so very simple in musical composition.

These simply beautiful songs get under your skin -- in a good way -- and somehow change or resonate with something within you.

"The Golden Age" from Beck feels like that for me.

Itchin' for Urchin.

I was doing my usual Facebook check-in this morning and noticed my girl SC, formerly of Quiksilver (and who just got back from Costa Rica), was wearing the raddest summer sandals in one of her vacay photos.

Naturally, I messaged her immediately, inquiring on the whereabouts of these sandals.

It turns out that Roxy did a collaboration with Cynthia Rowley on a collection only available up north through the official Roxy site.

It also turns out that the named of the pair of sandals is Sea Urchin, which happens to come in two of my favorite colors: light turquoise (the thing is tasseled, for god's sake!) and gold.

Summer lovin' begins right now.








* Photos property of roxy.com, Sarah Cameron and are used solely for commentary purposes

Bukey Down Down.

Yaz and Emel Bukey know how to do things: party and make jewellery.

These Parisian sisters (and apparently Ottoman princesses) oversee Yazbukey, a line of bags, brooches, head pieces and necklaces that are definitely fun and most definitely kitschy (see: the Karl Lagerfeld and Fantasy Polaroid necklaces).

There's a hint of pop art in the designs, too, which comes as no surprise since most of the pieces are a nod to something in pop culture.

It reminds me a bit of Steven Shein's baubles in terms of kitsch factor, minus the glitter and rhinestones.

Shake Yazbukey.






I'm Lovin' it: Coachella 2010 is over, but the street style found there lives on in pictures. Music is obviously the number one priority at this festival, but fashion comes in very closely at number two. There were plenty of stylish kittens, from celebs like Kate Bosworth to musicians like Victoria Legrande from Beach House to regular fest-goers. Lots of cut-off shorts, boots, lace details, rompers and long necklaces!





I'm Over it: My daily sugar intake in the last few days has been ridiculous. So much for that cleanse I told myself I was going on.


Track of the Day: "Real Life" by Tanlines, a duo from Brooklyn.






* Photos property of yazbukey.com, refinery29pipeline.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Rest In Peace, Guru.

Gang Starr MC Guru -- nee Keith Elam -- passed away after a long, quiet battle with cancer.

He suffered from a stroke this past March and went into a coma, finally succumbing to his illnesses today.

Rest in peace, Guru.

...Your head'll bop when I drop my crop
of pure bomb, just like the seashore I'm calm
But wild, with my monotone style
Because I don't need gimmicks
Gimme a fly beat and I'm all in it
Word is bond, I go on and on...






* Photo property of mindinversion.files.wordpress.com and is used solely for commentary purposes

Green Dream.

I can name dozens and dozens of awesome things that happen to be green: Happy Planet's Green Machine drink (if you want anti-oxidants, you got it with this one!), Benjamins, Pacific Northwest scenery, detailing on Canucks uniforms, mint chocolate chip ice cream (which I had in Manhattan Beach yesterday), my EcoJot notebook and the Joe Fresh nail polish on my fingertips at the moment.

And then there's this filigree bikini, which I picked up today.

Green and gold: the only kind of currency you need in the bank (and now, apparently, on the beach).






I'm Lovin' it: Why hello there, Manhattan Beach.




I'm Over it: Today I dragged my dad to about three or four different Aldo stores to find this one bag I spotted in Glendale and, stupidly, didn't buy at the time. And no one else has it but that one store, which happens to be over 50 miles away. Argh. At least my dad was a good sport about my obsession.


Track of the Day: "Rude Boy" by Rihanna. I'm not a radio listener on the regular, but without my iPod hookup here in California, I was forced to tune into KIIS, Power 105.9 and the like. I'm not gonna lie, this song really came through getting me through traffic. And I like the Africana colors in the video, too.





* Photos property of oldnavy.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Oh BOYY.

So a California girl I am right now, lapping in rays of sunshine and killing myself laughing over how I've already gotten my Forever 21 and Cheesecake Factory fill within less than 24 hours of being here.

Though I'm on a mini vacay, my body still woke up at 6:30 this morning, prompting me to get a little bit of work out of the way, as well as a little bit of an a.m. fashion fix, in the form of investigating a bag brand that goes by the name of BOYY.

BOYY, founded by Montreal-born Jesse Dorsey and Bangkok-born Wannasiri Kongman, thrives on quality (like German threads and Italian leathers) and detailing (like raw cut edges and custom metal bands) in its bags. The brand's design headquarters is located in Bangkok, the roots of Kongman's background and also where they recently opened a new store in Central Chidlom, where a made-to-order service desk exists so clients can create their own dream bag.

I've been on the hunt for a great flap of late, so the python-embossed Slash is on my radar. And since fringe has yet to become moot in my fashion books, I'm also salivating over the Sylvester.

Boy, oh boy, these bags are good.






I'm Lovin' it: Speaking of BOYYs, I scored myself this Olsenboye twill bottom dress yesterday for $18. Only in the States, only in the States.




I'm Over it: Not finding these Olsenboye pieces in my size. Boooooo. But me and my mom are heading to San Diego to hunt them down. I'm on a mission.





Track of the Day: I was introduced to J. Cole yesterday by a fella who was my flight mate yesterday enroute to California, and through him realized that "A Star is Born" -- my favorite track off Jay-Z's Blueprint 3 album -- had a verse by J. Cole in it. Maybe hip hop isn't dead after all, with up and coming talent like him.






* Photos property of boyybag.com, olsenboye.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Wide Stance.

For months and months, I've been rocking the skinny denim and tights. I love them to death, but today I needed a change, so out came the wide-leg jeans.

Oh man, I forgot just how comfy they are: no tightness around the crotch and a little bit of give on those days when the thighs are feeling a little flabby.

My biggest question with wide-legs is what shoes to pair them with, and the answer is always the same: platforms or high heels of some sort. This denim looks best when they almost graze the floor and render you shoes nearly invisible. There should only be a peek of the shoe toe, not full frontal.

Spotted these heels via Stylebubble, and they're right on the money.

Especially that golden pair.

I heard gold's a hot commodity these days.








I'm Lovin' it: These Dolce Vita sandals are just what my summer dresses and cut-off shorts need.




I'm Over it: I love Liberte yogurt, but they need to make their tubs bigger for amount they charge.


Track of the Day: "Help Yourself" by Sad Brad Smith.







* Photos property of polyvore.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Happy Monday! California Love.

Me. California. Soon.

This means adventurea to Melrose and 3rd Avenues, Main Street in Venice and Montana Avenue in Santa Monica for a little window (and actual) shopping, soaking up all the clothing and accessories I just can't find here.

I believe there's a stop scheduled for Opening Ceremony, Creatures of Comfort (on the advice on my girl Cancansoo), Confederacy (could there be a Danny Masterson -- aka. DJ Momjeans -- sighting?), Polka Dots & Moonbeams, Planet Blue and, of course, American Rag. I've also thought of trekking to Santee Alley in downtown L.A., but in all honesty, it would be a trek in the name of churros and spiced mango slices rather than the clothing.

If there's time, I'm dying to do the Marina del Rey to Redondo Beach bike ride, too.

Suddenly, I'm feeling like being a SoCal girl again. If only for a little while.





I'm Lovin' it: One Shu Uemura Art of Hair ceremony this morning (ahhhh, hair oils and scalp massages) and one sweet treat facial at Skoah (my skin is squeaky clean), with one wine tasting in between (nothing like a mid-afternoon glass of pinot gris). And you know what? It was all in the name of work. Love my job.


I'm Over it: You know who you are.


Music of the Day: Mayer Hawthorne. This singer, songwriter, producer and other multi-hypenate music dude and his band (called "The County") opened for Passion Pit last night and, damn, was he good. His influences come the schools of jazz, blues, soul and hip hop, taking from greats like Curtis Mayfield, Barry White, Smokey Robinson and Isaac Hayes. I like that he throws on a slim suit and skinny ties and that his bandmates wear matching red sweaters (or they did in last night's show). I also liked "Just Ain't Gonna Work Out".





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

Sweatpants It Out.

The Wall Street Journal recently published an interesting story on the latest ready-to-wear trend: wearing sweatpants as a fashion piece.

When I saw variations of joggers hitting Alexander Wang, Michael Kors and Isabel Marant runways, I thought it was rather brilliant. Who doesn't want to look good AND be comfortable?!

The brilliance is that these (albeit pricey) sweatpants are cut into silhouettes already deemed as acceptable for day-to-day attire, the difference simply lies in the material (as in the kind of material that's cozy and has give). The downside is that, in my opinion, you have to be a particular body type and/or sartorially-confident sort in order to carry it off with aplomb.

You can wear them with a tank, blazer and heels or with an equally slouchy, loose sweatshirt top. I spotted a petite girl wearing her harm-style grey pair with flats, cozy wraptop, scarf, leather moto jacket and hair in a top knot, which all together equalled adorable.

And just a word to the wise: do not drag out that ratty pair you used to wear in gym class.

Call it a "Glamour Don't" or whatever you want, because I'm pretty sure that was not what Wang, Marant or Kors had in mind when they were designing their pairs.





I'm Lovin' it: Joe Fresh Style has a new line of nail polish with pretty pastel colors for spring. The mint hue is currently on my fingers, and there are some other fantastic baby blue and butter yellow shades. Anything that matches the color of Cadbury Mini Eggs is fine by me, really.




I'm Over it: Finding out that American airline companies are charging $45 for carry-on bags. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? Two words: cash grab.


Track of the Day: "You Don't Know My Name" by Alicia Keys. I totally forgot about this song, whose doo wop beat lends a fun, light air to the Mos Def-stalking Keys does in her music video. That being said, great tune.





* Photos property of thedemoiselles.com, ellecanada.com, Joe Fresh Style and are used solely for commentary purposes

Stillness Is The Move.

Solange Knowles did a recently did a cover of "Stillness Is The Move" by The Dirty Projectors, mixed in with that back beat from Dr. Dre's "Xplosive".

Yay, nay or eh?

Just Incase.

Being thoroughly obsessed with my Apple products, I figured it's probably time to gild my iPhone with as much fake gold as I gild my wrists, ears and fingers with on a daily basis.

Incase has a C3PO-like gold case that's so shiny and bright, it looks like 18K rather than 0.18K.

It'll protect my l'il iPhone nicely. And how awesome would it be if it came with a l'il R2D2 decal to paste on one of the bottom corners?!

May the force be with my iPhone.





I'm Lovin' it: Going to SoCal next week! I CAN'T WAIT. Do I smell a day trip to Coachella?


I'm Over it: When things don't seem to change when you hoped they would. Ack!


Track of the Day: "There's a Place" by The Beatles. Classic.





* Photo property of FWD and is used solely for commentary purposes

Odessa.

Great jam from Caribou called "Odessa".

Can't stop listening to it, but must go to bed now.

Deco Rate.

Ahhhhhhhhh.

I've finally moved into my new place. Time to exhale.

And time to decorate.

I'm part of the Kelly Wearstler flock, meaning I love the bright colors of her mostly modern deco touch that finds comfort in cities like Los Angeles and South Beach, Miami. Sometimes her room creations can be manic in their era, texture, style and shades, but I'd like to take elements of them and insert them into my studio.

Here's something that has inspired me today for my new new home.

Hope you all had a lovely Easter weekend!

xo
Haute Hippie





* Photo property of Green Shoes Wedding and is used solely for commentary purposes