UNEARTHED

Alexander McQueen S/S12 Collection

   OMG, I've been trying not to salk the McQueen Twitter page all day to no avail. I caved and went into full on web stalker mode because today the Spring 2012 collection was exhibited at Paris Fashion Week. And heaven on earth was it so worth it. The collection is riciculous amazing gorgeous. It took Sarah Burton a little while to hit her stride with the house, but she has definitely hit it. I normally hate Spring collections, and while I always get that little giddy and uber excited feeling before a McQueen show I honestly wasn't expecting anything mindblowing... but my mind was totally blown! Everything about this collection is gorgeous, from the color palette of nudes and coral red and black to the the armor-like designs which evoked so strongly the pre-Burton era of McQueen when Lee himself ruled his brand.

The juxtaposition of the inviting ultra feminine with the hard edged aceents was inspired and done to perfection. It's easy to create a harsh juxtaposition of elements, but even harder to do it effortlessly and extremely well, which Burton has definitely done. (I'm obsessing over the shoes though, can not wait to see those in greater detail!) I'm so thrilled to not be disappointed but instead fall instantly in love with this collection. It's part of the reason why I fell in love with Alexander McQueen to begin with all those years ago - the collections inspired a viscreral reaction, and immediate pull, and instant desire to live momentarily in the world walking down the runway. I love having that feeling again.

xoxo

To view the entire collection, visit New York Magazine!

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Mark Laita: Sea

   I just discovered Mark Laita - In an attemot at decompression form a hectic day I was quietly cruising the internets before deciding to turn in for the night and stumbled upon the most amazingly beautiful nature photography. If you can even call it that, because it's so much more than that!

I have always had a strong love for the ocean, for the water, for the animals who live within it, and still find myself inexplicably drawn to this surreal and mysterious world we know so little about. (I actually was so in love with this undersea world that for quite some time I had convinced myself I was going to be a Marine Biologist, until a chance reading of a Jane Gooddall book lead me to an intense fascination with Dianne Fossey. Which, in turn, lead me to profess my love of anthropology and decided to live in the mountains with gorillas like my newfound idol. I was committed to this idea for years, until the apathy that seeps in during the late teen years really took hold and I traded my utopian field research fantasies for some Cure albums, a black wardrobe, and a ridiculous amount of art supplies. But I digress.)

My love of sea life has always been sitting there, just under the surface, and when I happened opn these images I was immediately taken right back to that 9 year old kid who could spend hours in the pet store gazing into the aquariums if she could. The images are so captivating, and pure, and stripped bare of any outside dialogue that you are forced to just see the animals for the complex and incredible creatures they are. They are honest images, and they are exceptionally artistic all at once. I find myself being entranced all over again by the fluid movements of these exotic fish, and I can instantly and vividly remember how innocently I fell in love with them as a kid, and why. I love that Mark Laita has brought that out in my adult self with this collection of images. They truly are incredible. I'll e heading off to dreamland now with a heavy dose of nostalgia and some ethereal imagery which hopefully will find it's way into my dreams.

xoxo

The book these images were taken from, SEA, is available through Amazon.

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Obsessed: The Alexander McQueen Laser Cut Faithfuls

   Anyone who knows me knows I have a borderline unhealthy obsession with Alexander McQueen. there is something ethereal, surreal, feminine, yet distinctly dark and dangerous about his work that speaks to me as if it came from my own subconscious. Needless to say I looked forward to every new season's unveiling like a kid being given a free pass in a candy store! McQueen was the only reason why fashion week ever mattered to me, and when he passed I was sure the house would never be the same, and would never inspire the gut wrenching admiration and near primal awe it once elicited from me.

How ecstatic I am that I was wrong. Sarah Burton has produced some absolutely incredible pieces these last few seasons and although the accessories have had some serious near misses the fall 2011 collection is mind blowing! She's reinvented the Faithful bootie - which has become pretty iconic pretty quickly - and completely taken it to a new level. Actually, make that stratosphere! Fall collections are always my favorite, but this is insane. A winter white bootie with a laser cut overlay?! And the laser cut overlay is a hair on cowhide?! OH. MAH. GAWD.

I'm having heart palpitations just looking at the pic up there taken at Saks. Now if only I could rationalize a way to drop what is more or less a mortgage payment on a pair of incredibly rad shoes. At least there isn't a matching bag (that I know of!) - if there was I would pretty much sell soul for it. Someone stop me from googling..... right .... now.....

xoxo

If you're obsessing over this now as much as I am, you can grab a pair at Nordstroms for $1725.

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Obsessed: Hayden Harnett's Bespoke Scarf Service

    I very recently stumbled upon this most amazing of amazing ideas... bespoke printed scarves! I truly can't think of anything more incredible, more inspired, or just downright cooler than this. Hayden Harnett just launched their bespoke scarf service where you can upload any image you'd like and turn it into a silk scarf! I have to say, I haven't even placed an order yet and I'm already addicted. There are just so many possibilities! This is not only one of the most beautiful ways I can think of to preserve and enjoy that favorite photo you have stored away, but also the completely perfect gift for that person who has everything. I have a million images I'd love to be able to turn into scarves, the hardest is going to be choosing those extra special few!

Pricing starts at $110 and turnaround time is about 3 weeks.

I have a feeling this is going to be extremely detrimental to my bank account, but oh, so so worth it!

xoxo

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New Obsession: LOVE Magazine

New issue of LOVE Magazine - just amazing. Completely obsessed. 

xoxo

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Pom ❤

 

New obsession: Sculpted candles from D.L. & Co.

I have been loving these sumptuous candles for some time now, but with my newest score it has officially turned into an obsession! As many of you know I have a pretty strong penchant for the dark and noir, and they first captured my heart with their deliciously dark skull candles and claw footed taper holders. but my lighter side has been completely taken with their sculpted fruit candles. I can't get enough and want my house filled to the brim with these gorgeous things! I recently got my little paws on their most recent addition to the collection - the pomegranate!

It is amazing! From the jeweled crown of the lid to the sultry deep crimson enamel, it's just incredible. And the scent is to die for - all of their candles are rich and creamy and drenched with heady perfumes and this piece is no different. I can't wait to burn it and fill my room with it's intoxicating aroma. I think it's by far my most favorite of them all, and I've accumulated quite a few of these babies!

Plus, who can resist gorgeous candles wrapped in a black silk mini hat box?! This little pomegranate it definitely one of my most favorite things ever. 

McQueen is Back!

OMG. YES. I have to admit I had fallen a little bit out of love with the Alexander McQueen House since Sara Burton took over: The designs up until now, while absolutely beautiful, lacked that certain edgy, dark, unexpected quality that left you staring slack jawed and in awe. Well, with the F/W 11 collection that sense of amazement and wonder is back in full force. I was instantly in love with all of it!

I actually stumbled upon these images before actually knowing who the designer was and couldn't help but think "Who on earth is this designer?! They are the new McQueen!!!!" - how awesome to find out it is not a new McQueen, but THE McQueen. My fashion-loving gothy little soul can now rest as ease. All is right in the world.

Undisclosed Desires

I am so completely obsessed with this song by Muse. It's ridiculous. I'm even listening to it as I write this. So good it's heart stopping. It's as if Muse somehow channeled Depeche Mode at their most goth and then amped it up to 11. I'm slowly realizing that I think I might totally adore this band. 

 

A surprise love affair with a shop window

    I have fallen completely and utterly in love with the work of Tunisian born stylist Leïla Menchari. 

She is the Window Design Director for renowned fashion house Hermès, Paris. I've never been so enamored of something so temporal, and commercial at heart. But these windows transcend marketing, they transcend PR, they are worlds above what anyone could consider simply set dressings. These windows are worlds in themselves, populated by immense creativity which truly overshadows the astoundingly expensive goods they are intended to feature. These windows are works of art, created by a genius of a woman who undoubtedly has an unfathomably rich imagination. Now that she is on my radar I will be watching and waiting with sheer childlike anticipation to see what she comes up with next!

How lucky are those who are able to bask in the beauty of these magical visions she creates in person... 

 You can view an extensive collection of Menchari's work on the official Hermès Facebook page.

On this darkest night... ( a love letter )

  The rain has been pouring steadily for days. This city blanketed in a heavy low grey, the sounds of water rushing and falling, moving and dancing is everywhere. The air is cold and easy to breathe in, and it is the winter solstice. This night, marvelously and perfectly - as if a quiet gift from the universe - the moon will be eclipsed. On this darkest night, the moon is traveling through this seemingly endless eve... holding lovers transfixed, casting her ruddy glow upon the creatures of this world, and creating a moment in time the likes of which have not been seen for centuries.

Although the skies have opened up and are spilling forth oceans - one crystaline drop at a time, thus hiding the moon from our view, it can not wash this event from our hearts and souls.

Christian Tagliavini

    I recently came across the artist/photographer Christian Tagliavini and am so utterly impressed by his work and simultaneously shocked that I haven't heard of him sooner! His images are powerful and elegant and completely enveloping. I'm absolutely in love with his most recent series '1503' - it makes me wish my house had a cavernous hallway which I could line with these amazing images!

Alice + Olivia

                                    
 I am REALLY digging the new Nail Lacquers from the Alice + Olivia collection for MAC. The frost purple color is INSANE! I was rocking it all last week and couldn't stop looking at it, it's this ridiculously metallic magenta plum color. And it happens to match my phone SPOT ON, so the 13 year old me would be sooo pleased! I just decided to bust open the teal color today and it's equally amazing. I'm in total love. Although my little MacBook cam seems to insist the color is more blue than it is! It's not, it's a righteous, bright, electric, 80's-licious teal and it rocks so hard!

 

(Pardon my make-up-less eye!)

Apparently I'm not the only person who feels this way since the collection sold out really fast! I wish I had known this collection was so sought after, I would have bought some spares - I tend to run through my favorite nail polish relatively fast! Oh well. Hindsight and all... I'll have to hoard the bottles I have now and plan ahead for the Rodarte collection coming out in September! I have a feeling it'll be an all out war for that stuff!

Oh.Mahhhh.Gaaaaawd.

This morning, in a quest to discover new and amazing footwear I am too injured (and not to mention terrified) to ever wear I came upon the Louboutin collection for F/W10. Which, I might add, is beyond effing INSANE. I want them all just to park on a shelf in my bedroom and stare at all day. No joke.

But what is even more stunning are the images shot by Khuong Nguyen for the ad campaign. Holy living hell are they amazing. And I mean, A-MAAAAAAA-ZING.

Based predominantly on fairy tales, each shoe inhabits an amost Dali-esque technicolor world filled with butterflies, mice, and golden soldiers. The images are breathtaking. Khuong Nguyen is now officially at the top of my radar. 

         

Bag Rapture.

   

 

 
    You have GOT to be kidding me. I have been searching the internet for this bag for literally months. I thought it was completely sold out, but still looked in vain hoping to find it on eBay or somewhere where it's true value was sorely under appreciated and I could snatch it up with lightning speed and revel in my astounding score! Well, when they tell you to be careful what you wish for they mean it. I got my wish, but with it comes a searing cruelty which is almost inhuman... Behold my torment:

 I found it. I finally found it. Out of nowhere! The heavens opened up and rays of angelic light shone down and choirs sang and yes, the bag was found. There it sits, in all it's black and white glory, on the virtual shelf of the pearly gates of fashion that is Saks Fifth Avenue, waiting for me. Calling to me. I can almost feel the wool and smell the leather. I can hardly believe it. I found my holy grail of bags!! The world is good and the bag gods have decided to show me favor. What more can a girl ask for in life, really. But oh, crap. Wait a minute... What a cruel and cold mistress the love of fashion can be.

 This bag to end all bags was not on sale. Not marked down even a dime, but is painfully and sadly retailing at it's original cost which is the sell-your-soul-to-the-devil price of $1995.00, a crushing blow if there ever was one. I guess I could actually sell my soul to the devil for it, or at least sell my plasma to the local medical center, but either of those options would probably cause my immediate family and friends to commit me to an institution for having lost all sense of reason. And really, how do you even get in contact with The Prince of Darkness anyway? It might be difficult to get a meeting and I don't imagine negotiations would be easy either. He probably has lawyers. The logistics there are just plain nuts.

So what is one to do? Throwing all caution to the wind and giddily and greedily snapping it up immediately at that price would leave me too guilt ridden and with far too much explaining to do to my joint account holder and business partner sister. So thats out the window. I don't think taking out a loan based on sheer awesomeness of a designer bag will fly at any lending institution. I'm PROBABLY not going to win the lottery in the very near future or come into some amazing and unforeseen financial windfall either. Oh, the torture. Why? Why did you have to appear in the middle of a recession, during the slow retail season when it's so much harder to justify large purchases? Such a cruel, cruel world.

    What Saks hath giveth, Saks shall taketh away I guess. It was a rapturous find for a moment.

Bittersweet Love and Obsession With Material Goods I Will Probably Never Own

Morning: last minute order packing, breakfast, orange juice, prepping and cleaning for the day, email.

Email! 

Oh my what joys my email brought this morning. A happy little inbox stuffed full of gorgeous goodies I can scant afford! What better way to start your day. Forget multivitamins and flaxseed oatmeal, give me some new McQueen. Which is exactly what I got! A glimmering, glowing, pulsating, heart rate increasing email promising a new pre collection. And omg, seriously, I couldn't click fast enough. 

   

This made my entire day. I love EVERY SINGLE piece in this collection. Every single one. I want my entire closet to look like this. Tweeds, embroidery, lace, ruffles, and holy crap, the color palette is PERFECT. So subdued yet still completely powerful. And is that a skull clutch with a viking helmet I spy? Kill me now this is insane!

  

And check out that new knuckle duster clutch and printed Novak bag! I just died and went to heaven. The accessories alone are worth selling your soul for! Can I have one of each please? And lets not forget the killer furs and the tribal skull print borrowed from the most recent mens collection.

Seriously, this is one of the most universally gorgeous collections i've ever seen. I'm not kidding, I want every single piece. Just stunning. Cause c'mon, most collections have more than a handful of duds, a few pieces that totally feel like they were just kinda thrown in thee and really just aren't all that fab, but this is as close to perfection as you can possibly get!

 And the prints?   Nobody does prints the way McQueen does prints. And let me just say, I effing hate prints, but I could live in any of his. They just always look so organic yet futuristic, like a natural history book churned through a kaleidoscope. Intensely gorgeous. 

But as enthralled and excited and as smitten as I am over this collection, it's really bittersweet considering the loss of Lee Alexander Mcqueen last month. I can only hope Gucci Group somehow finds some brilliant mind to step into the spotlight and uphold the tradition of the brand. It will never be the same, the excitement won't be quite as palpable in anticipation of new collections, and knowing Lee is not behind the work will definitely take a little something away, but hopefully the house will continue with reverence and love for the rich legacy left and make everyone proud.

Now to try and figure out how I can mortgage this house I don't even own so I can scoop this all up.