Epic letdown: Christian Siriano for Payless

I'm not sure if anyone remembers my post way back in February about Christian Siriano's line of shoes for Payless, but the collection involved super high-heeled, Rodarte-esque shoes and boots with spikes, chains, and zippers which were oh so hot. I wanted every shoe in the bunch. But of course, the line was for Payless, and I guess those shoes were too crazy for the Payless crowd. In that post back in February, I wrote "I am glad that Christian stuck to his aesthetic and wasn't bullied by Payless to create "safer" shoes - I really love these designs, but they're pretty out-there compared to the shoes you normally find at Payless." Well, I was wrong, and he was bullied - the collaboration just turned into another safe (re: boring) Payless line. They lowered the heels, which are no longer wood, and lost all traces of spikes and chains. Check out the pics, via Racked, and let me know what you think. I for one am extremely disappointed, but what can you do?


And here's what Christian Siriano for Payless looked like on the runway - so hot!

Lazy Afternoon

Dress: H&M
Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters
Sandals: Matisse

I am loving this weather but it's really testing my commitment to academia! When faced with the choice of an afternoon of studying in the library or an afternoon laying in the sun with my BF, it's impossible for me not to choose the sun! Luckily for my grades it's supposed to be rainy for the next few days, so I should be able to get some work done then. Hope you've all been enjoying the early summer!

Trying to do homework, but ending up on Twitter.

Grainy photobooth pic of me + BF.

Random pretty weed-flower growing in our backyard.

Shigoto Fashion: Samurai Chic

Out of Tokyo comes Shigoto Fashion, designed by Jasper Momma and Mibu Minami. "Shigoto" translates to "work", as the line was inspired by the clothing worn by Japanese construction workers and ancient samurai. Why construction workers and samurai? According to the designers, "ancient samurai warriors apparel allowed them to be fast and fierce. Just like today, the clothes of the warriors were a key part to their success that allowed them to survive their environment and defeat their enemies with the utmost confidence."

All Shigoto pieces are designed and manufactured in Japan and are hand-woven with authentic materials. Jasper and Mibu are committed to staying true to Japan and its history. In fact, in the mission statement, they write:

"The company hopes to succeed in conceptualizing a new phenomenon: engaging people into history through fashion. Momma and Minami hope to bring Japan's history, as well as its unique, trend-worthy apparel to the rest of the world. Who could have predicted that ancient samurais would be bringing the most cutting-edge fashions to the international marketplace? Shigoto Fashion will continue to strive to stay true to this tradition, but always look boldly into the future."

The current Shigoto collection is comprised of both menswear and womenswear, with pants, shoes, t-shirts, and accessories as the focus. Soon Shigoto will be sold at select retailers in the US, but until then you can check out the collection at Shigoto's website.

Currently Craving: Breezy Tunics and Breezy Nights

1. Sophomore Shoulder Cutout Dress
2. Bahia Jersey Sandal
3. Billabong Cross Back Beach Tunic
4. B-Side Geometric Cube Ring
5. Elizabeth & James Double Snake Ring

It's finally warm in Ohio! 84 degrees warm, to be exact. And about 80 degrees in my apartment, ouch. So I'm going to go sit on the front porch, sip an icy margarita, and try to stay cool. Hope you all have a great summery weekend!

Girl Power: Daria Werbowy in Vogue Paris

Doesn't everyone feel like doing this to their boyfriend once in a while? Especially while wearing a tiny bikini, various bleached denim jackets, and kickass boots. Hot.

Pics from Vogue Paris May 09 issue, via TFS

Links à la Mode

• 39^th & Broadway: Even fashion designers can get scared of a new and forward trend.
• Agent Dreamer: An interview with Rachel Lanese of Crafttastrophe – designer of beautiful shoes and other wearable art.
• Agent Lover: Hunting for the perfect retro bathing suit, part two.
• Breakfast at Saks: A review of independent designer retailer, Moxsie.
• Broke & Beautiful: Miss Elle experiences amazing handmade jewelry in a video post.
• Consume or Consumed: Review and hypothetically shopping at Net-A-Porter’s sister sale site, The Outnet.
• Culturistas: Update your wardrobe for Spring using the clothes you already have!
• Dirty Laundry: How to wear Maison Martin Margiela without breaking the bank via DIY alternatives.
• Fashion Pulse Daily: Perry Ellis surprises with a fall line-up of classics that will please your Dad and your hottie 20-something boyfriend simultaneously!
• Felicia Sullivan: Eco-friendly fashion on a budget: Toggery by Kate D’arcy.
• Haute World: An inside look to the ever famous Louis Vuitton flagship store in Paris.
• Hello Kelli: New Japanese technology creates a loose wave digital perm.
• Independent Fashion Bloggers: Starting your own blog? IFB helps find the right blog platform for you.
• LuciteBox: HBO’s Grey Gardens – beyond the fashionable women.
• Retro Chick: Celebrating one year blog birthday with a reader goodie bag giveaway.
• Star Fashion Addict: A roundup of the hottest handbag styles for spring.
• Style Symmetry: Inspiration Flashback – a look back at Little House on the Prairie.
• Super Kawaii Mama: Luxe & Less - Pick me up’s for next to nothing.
• The Coveted: Basic Investing, is it better to invest in basics or statement pieces?
• The Curvy Fashionista: Interview with plus size high fashion designer, Monif C.
  
• The Demoiselles: Discussion of ANTM’s Short Model Season, and “under height” models.
  
• The Sunday Best: Why Club Monaco should bring back the crewneck.

G.V.G.V. by Mug

G.V.G.V., designed by Mug, has become one of the top brands out of Tokyo. Mixing masculinity with femininity and powerful shapes with delicate fabrics, G.V.G.V. is a force at Japan Fashion Week season after season. Pieces range from bodycon dresses to oversized blazers, in shades of black and nude with occasional bolts of color.

Personally, I am craving absolutely every piece from the S/S 2009 collection. Here's a quick description of it:

This collection represents primitive as well as graphical by constructing three dimensional effects with patterns and cutting. Three dimensional effects are emphasized with details such as lace up, zipper, or piping and sheer or stretch material to enhance the woman's body line. Also by adding "banded" or tribal accessories, MUG proficiently expresses the strong and fleeting image of woman.

But honestly, pictures speak 1,000 words. I've posted some of my favorite pieces from the S/S 2009 collection below, and you can check out the whole collection at G.V.G.V., as well as collections from other seasons. If you want to shop G.V.G.V., check out Opening Ceremony.

Organ Pump

Sweater: Urban Outfitters

Tank: Forever 21
Shorts: Macy's
Boots: Nine West
Necklace + Clutch: Eryn Brinie

Friday night my BF and I went to the midnight Organ Pump at my school. Organ Pump is a nighttime performance by the organists from the Conservatory, mixed with funny skits and things. It was my first Organ Pump, I figured I should check it out before I graduate. The music was incredible, the skits were, um, interesting... Anyhow, I included a picture of the organ because it is epic! It has 4,014 pipes, is 38 feet tall, weighs 45,000 lbs., and is worth $1,185,000. Craziness!

Also, I'm sorry for the random picture in the mailroom, we checked our mail on the way to the Organ Pump and I wanted to take a quick outfit pic in case I forgot to take a better one later... which I did. Oops.

Target's Fast Fashion

Have you all been keeping up with the Target Go! lines lately? I completely forgot about them until I stumbled onto Target's website earlier today to check out the Loomstate collection. Loomstate kind of disappointed me, so I started clicking around and came across Target's most recent Go! collection, aptly title "Fast Fashion". All of the pieces are under $50, and Target did a great job of keeping up with recent trends. They have their own version of the popular harem pants, which are less drop-crotch and a nice safe choice for those (like myself) who are a little uncomfortable with all of the Aladdin-references they get when they wear more extreme harem pants. Target also has a wonderful Balmain-inspired vest for only $35! You can check out the vest in motion on Melissa of Fashion Trend Guide. Hot, right? And can't forget about the black drawstring jumpsuit, it'd be so easy to throw that on, add some jewelry, and be out the door in less than 5 minutes looking incredibly chic. Target, I am sorry I strayed, but this collection has definitely brought me back to you! You can check out the whole collection here.

Moxsie Love: It's so LA!

Dress: Itsola, from Moxsie
Studded boots: Colin Stuart
Necklace: Margo Morrison

Have you guys heard of the new online shopping mecca Moxsie? I first discovered Moxsie on Twitter (it's an addiction, I swear!), and since then my birthday wishlist has tripled in length! Moxsie is the independent designer shopping destination, based in California. Moxsie has a team of style scouts whose job it is to "canvass every runway from L.A. to Paris and inspect every garment from trade shows in New York, Hong Kong and beyond". Wow, I definitely have job envy. These scouts handpick only the highest quality pieces that they find and those pieces are put up on the website for you to check out! Some brands that have lived up to Moxsie's high standards are Itsola (my fav!), Meggie jewelry (seen in my last Currently Craving post), and DimePiece (often featured on Nitrolicious' blog). Not only does Moxsie offer only the best of the best, they also donate a portion of each purchase to charity! During the checkout process you can choose the charity that you wish to donate to.

Anyways, Julia from Moxsie ever so generously sent me a package with this dress from Itsola- thank you Julia! It is seriously gorgeous in person. One hundred percent silk, fully lined, bright bold colors, and yes, pockets! I love it! It also has this cute tulip shape to it that you can't really see in any of the pictures I took. But I'm not the only one who gets gifts from Moxsie- Julia offered $10 off any purchase of $50 or more to any readers who sign up for the Moxsie newsletter (click here and scroll to the bottom to enter your email). Happy Shopping!

Links à la Mode

• 39thandbroadway.com - The Evil Fashion Boss
• 3stylelife - Microdesign F: Chalk
• A Few Goody GumDrops: - A Few Goody Gumdrops is “Inspired” by Handbag Designer, Katherine Kwei and Her Eternity Knot
• Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy: - Getting to know… designers of Be & D Handbags
• Breakfast at Saks: - Brand Love: Ellery
• Broke & Beautiful - ECIG: JaJo Couture
• Daisy Fairbanks Vintage: - In Your Easter Bonnet - The Art of the Hat
• Debutante Clothing: - Thrifting Words to Live By - Search High and Low - A Tale of Prada
• dramatis personae - Beach Blanket Bingo! Kiss & Dashing Diva Beauty Giveaway
• fete a fete: - Eminence Biodynamic Collection
• Independent Fashion Bloggers: - Top 5 Traffic Yielding Social Networks for Fashion Blogs
• Instant Vintage - Lil Shop of Horror: Urban Outfitters
• Munique Fashions: - Organizing Carrie Bradshaw’s wardrobe
• Retro Chick - Totally Clueless
• shopfair: - Fair Trade Jeans Special
• Solo Lisa: - From Shanghai With Love: An Interview With Helen Lee
• Super Kawaii Mama - Being Joan
• SwanDiamondRose: - ~the SWANclothing TINY ROSE purse~
• The Coveted: - This Old Rag? Our Lurking Treasures
• The Curvy Fashionista: - Top Fashion Do’s for the Plus-Size Curvy Fashionista
• The Demoiselles - Birds of a Feather: Lady Smaggle

Currently Craving: More Time!

1. Horace black leather tank
2. 80%20 Sophie Peeptoe Boots
3. Forever 21 tie-dyed denim shorts
4. Meggie Dream Ring
5. Heart's Desire Pink Biwa Stick Pearl Collar
6. Nightcap Clothing Les Fleur Tie Back Top

As the semester begins to wind down, I find myself insanely busy with projects and papers and presentations, so I apologize if my posts become a little shorter and less frequent. Just wanted to key you all in to another leather top (as opposed to the Urban Outfitters leather tee everyone went crazy for a few weeks ago). I wasn't a huge fan of the leather tee but in tank top version I really like the look! Also loving the sheer lacey top from Nightcap Clothing, I'd love to pair either that or the leather tank with those crazy-cheap tie-dyed shorts from Forever 21. The Meggie Dream Ring is just beautiful, be sure to check out other jewelry from Meggie here (gossip on Twitter is that Meggie White, the designer, got a call from MTV the other day about her jewelry - she's going places!). Also love the uniqueness of that stick pearl necklace from Heart's Desire Jewelry, especially in pink. I can imagine myself pairing that with plain white tees and tanks all summer long! The 80%20 boots are just plain hot, no explanation needed.

Welcome to the Lonely Hearts Club

Another brand from "down under" has been on my radar lately, this one from New Zealand. Lonely Hearts Club was started in 2003 by Aimee McFarlane and Helene Morris and features items ranging from frilly lace dresses to leather bondage-esque harnesses. The original concept of Lonely Hearts Club was to make street wear with original graphics, but according to designer Helene, "we got sick of just doing t-shirts pretty quickly". She and Aimee decided to diversify their collection by adding hoodies, dresses, jackets, and more, and were pleased with the results.

The S/S 09 collection by Lonely Hearts is called "Add It Up", and fuses lace and leather, shredded cotton with mesh, and basically everything that is wonderful about fashion! Underwear becomes outerwear, and a bra with a leather jacket becomes a perfectly acceptable, crazily chic ensemble! The styling is just - I hate to say the word - fierce in the pics of this collection, it really makes me want every piece.

Lonely Hearts Club is currently being sold online at General Cucumber and in stores across NZ and Australia (check for locations here).

Interview with Sarah of Rice and Beans Vintage

Rice and Beans Vintage is an independent online store that features vintage and designer goods at incredible prices. Offering items from Chanel, Gucci, Ferragamo, Lanvin, YSL, and more, Rice and Beans Vintage is one of the premier online vintage clothing stores. Just this past weekend there was a private vintage Chanel sale for email subscribers, and if you sign up for their email list you'll be in the know for future sales! I got to talk with the owner of Rice and Beans Vintage, Sarah Korsiak Cellier, and she answered a bunch of questions about what it's like to run a vintage clothing store and more! She also generously offered readers of Breakfast at Saks a 15% off discount code, good for anything on the site! Just enter "BREAKFAST" at checkout. Happy shopping!

What is the significance of the name "Rice and Beans Vintage"?

The name Rice and Beans Vintage actually comes out a nickname that I was given a few years back, Ms. Rice and Beans. Essentially the name Rice and Beans Vintage describes a free spirit, someone who loves to play around with fashion, and has a little bit of sass!

Why did you decide to start an online vintage and designer clothing store?
I've always been passionate about fashion and putting together outfits. I began dealing in vintage 6 years ago. I started on eBay and eventually wanted more so I started Rice and Beans Vintage after the birth of my son. It is definitely my creative outlet. I was going to be an Acupuncturist but decided to deal in Vintage instead and I'm glad I did! Rice and Beans Vintage is a place for hybrid fashionistas, people like me who love to mix current designer pieces with vintage. I hope we have something for everyone.

Where do you find the pieces that you sell in your online store?

Ahh...the question, well I can tell you that I have been amazingly lucky to build such a great collection of vintage and designer pieces. Rice and Beans Vintage is not a consignment store and I handpick each piece you see in stock. That said I do have a few very special pieces that I sell for people, because I just couldn't pass them up!

What criteria do you have when choosing what vintage pieces to buy and sell?

There are a few things I look for when choosing a piece of Vintage or Designer clothing for Rice and Beans Vintage. First, I love fabric, so the material is very important to me. Condition is huge, the piece must be in very good to excellent condition. I also choose pieces that are classic while always paying attention to current and up and coming trends!

What have been your favorite pieces that you have seen come through your store?

Oh, there are so many! I have a soft spot for Vintage Gucci and I still think about a Vintage 70's Gucci Saddle Bag that sold, I think I shed a little tear. I really love every piece at Rice and Beans Vintage.

Do you have any advice as to how a person should go about incorporating vintage clothes into their wardrobe?

Definitely go for it! Incorporating vintage into your wardrobe should be fun. It's really important that you love the piece and that it caught your eye. Take liberties and make it your own. If you are just starting to incorporate vintage and you're not sure how, start with an accessory. Try a fantastic Vintage 70's Platform sandal with a modern dress or add a Vintage Designer handbag to your look. Once you start you'll know what's right for you.

Brand Love: Ellery

Ellery is an Australian clothing line with humble roots. Kym Ellery decided to start her own line in 2007, only after Vogue had already photographed several of her designs, "I thought, you know, Vogue is shooting my stuff, I might as well start a proper label!" Kym describes the line as such: "Ellery is for women who adore fashion but want to push the boundaries and strive to create their own signature". She sees her designs as fashion-forward, with an emphasis on well cut fabrics and unique but wearable pieces.

Before starting her own line, Kym was the Market Director for the Australian fashion magazine RUSSH. She says that she never intended to work in magazines, but that she "saw styling [as] a great way to gain fashion education from a different point of view to design. It gave me an insight into how the media giant operates and having a brain that is part design and part styling helps me when I design and create a collection."

Kym lists Sirens ("long liquid hair but with a certain mystique"), sea creatures, and '80s glam as some of her influences for her most recent collection. You can check out that collection at Ellery's website, and view some pics from it below!

^^Look at these shoes!!!^^