Currently Craving: Simplicity

James Jeans Couture Skinny jeans (I have a pair of these and they make my butt look gooooood!);
Marc by Marc Jacobs Werdie bag; Mizuki Cross Charm Necklace; Elizabeth & James Wishbone ring;
Jeffrey Campbell Rumi boots

I'm back! Well, no promises. My new job is all consuming, and I only just got a few moments this afternoon to shop for the first time in what felt like forever! Of course I fell in love with a pair of Jeffrey Campbell Rumi boots (pictured above) at LF, but they are nowhere to be found in stores or online in a size 6. Sigh. No worries, I drown my sorrows and drained my bank account at several other stores to make up for the lost boots.

Hope you're all having a great weekend! Will you be watching the Super Bowl tomorrow? Or will you be on the hunt for Jason Wu for Target? Either way, hope you enjoy!

Win a $100 gift card to Shopbop, to spend on Elizabeth and James (or anything else you like)!

Do you love Elizabeth and James clothing? I sure do! And so do Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen! As the designers behind Elizabeth and James, these two ladies have been spotted several times sporting their own label, as seen on Shopbop shoptalk.

If you're also a fan of the brand, you're in luck! Breakfast at Saks has teamed with Shopbop to give away a $100 gift card, to put towards the purchase of any Elizabeth and James item you like (or anything else on Shopbop)! All you have to do is go to Shopbop and find your favorite Elizabeth and James item. Then come back here and leave a comment that answers the question:

Which Elizabeth and James item from Shopbop is your favorite and why?

By commenting, you'll be entering for a chance to win a $100 Shopbop gift card! The most creative, fashion-inspiring comment wins, so have fun with this! Whether you love a pair of Elizabeth and James booties or an item from Elizabeth and James clearance, it's up to you to justify why whatever you pick is your favorite! The giveaway is *open to everybody, including international readers* and will run for 10 days, so you have until June 5th to enter. I will pick the winner that weekend!

About Elizabeth and James

Hollywood's most powerful twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, have been entertainers and marketers since their infancy and have expanded their empire under the company they own and for which they design, Dualstar Entertainment Group. Known for their own stylish (and to some, over-the-top) looks, Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen launched the Elizabeth and James, a contemporary collection inspired by their own personal wardrobes, in the fall of 2007. The line is all about blending different elements, mixing uptown and downtown elements with traditional styles. The women's line is a mix of masculine and feminine styles, while the menswear is created using traditional masculine silhouettes and luxurious fabrics. The brand now encompasses women's wear, menswear, women's shoes and jewelry.

Get lost

Hollister sweater, Elizabeth & James tee, Target scarf, Forever 21 leggings and socks,
Vintage boots, Forever 21 cross + knuckle rings, Amrita Singh ring, Vintage rosary

I think I've been catching the travel bug from watching too many episodes of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations - the BF and I are a little obsessed with that show lately. We've decided we need to go to Vietnam, Tokyo, Osaka, and Provence, as well as a billion other places. But until we save up enough money to do all that, maybe we can just start planning another trip to NYC? My birthday is coming up soon... (*hint hint* to the BF!)

PS: The winner of the Bluegala dress is the lovely Eyeliah of Style Symmetry - congrats and enjoy!

bling bling

These are just some pics of my favorite jewelry lately - it seems I haven't been in the mood to dress up, but I have been in the mood to load up on jewelry!

Amrita Singh, Elizabeth & James, mark., Forever 21, and vintage rings. Cross bracelet from ebay. Dream Mullick angel wing necklace from Gilt.

Vintage bracelets, Elizabeth & James and unknown (probably F21?) rings.

Dream Mullick necklace and vintage rosary. Cross bracelet from ebay.

Vintage and Marc by Marc Jacobs bracelets. mark. ring.

These are my confessions...

Sweater: H&M
Jeans: Current/Elliott
Boots: Alice + Olivia for Payless
Jewelry: Elizabeth & James, vintage, gifts from BF
Scarf: American Apparel
Jacket: Thrifted

1. I want to be accepted
2. I'd rather be comfortable than chic
3. I love wearing rings, and I hate wearing bracelets
4. I'm ridiculously short, just barely hitting 5 ft. tall on a good day
5. I'm addicted to Hello Kitty, and collect everything Sanrio
6. I desperately want a Chanel purse, but I judge people who are rich enough to own one
7. I watch soaps, and am addicted to One Life to Live
8. I rarely wear makeup or do my hair

Mary-Kate and Ashley talk fashion

Videos from Olsens Anonymous via styleocide @TFS

Show a lil skin

Tee: Elizabeth & James
Skirt: Forever 21
Socks: Ozone
Boots: Nine West
Jewelry: Marc by Marc Jacobs bracelet,
F21 rings, gifts from BF, etc.

I'm really into this new photo editing option that makes your pictures look yellowed and vintage, I promise not to use it too much but I just couldn't resist playing around with it. Yea, I'm a geek like that. Anyhow, this outfit isn't really special in any way except for the socks - I love these socks! I got them from Ozone Socks and have worn them several times already because they go with almost everything in my mostly black/white/grey wardrobe. They're really comfortable and actually stay up above my knee without sliding down, which is usually a huge problem with thigh-high socks and one of the main reasons I don't wear them more often. But these socks, I love! I especially love their psychedelic print that makes me dizzy if I stare at it for too long.

Currently Craving: 25Park

1. Eryn Brinie Scoop Back Dress
2. Kain Pocket Tank
3. Elizabeth & James Criss-Cross Tank
4. Parker Blue Darla 3/4 Tee
5. Mike & Chris Chapman Jacket
6. Elizabeth & James Celia Skirt

25Park is an online boutique I was tipped off about recently, and I fell in love! 25Park carries some of my favorite designers, including Elizabeth & James, Mike & Chris, Eryn Brinie, Kain, Antik Batik, Marchesa, Michael Kors, and more! The online store has some really cool features that are definitely worth checking out, including a gift guide which suggests particular items as gifts for the women and children in your life and VIP services. The VIP services include VIP Dressing (where 25Park will come to you), Personal Shopping Assistants (who will help you pick clothes to try out), and VIP Rewards (where you can earn store credit for spending certain amounts). 25Park also supports the R Baby Foundation, fighting against infant mortality. Be sure to check out 25Park, especially their sale section, for some great deals and great services!

Currently Craving: Breezy fabrics

1. Kate Moss for Topshop Crochet Shorts
2. UO Sheer Side Panel Tights
3. Rebecca Minkoff Rocker Studded Mini Messenger
4. Free People Jackie Tie Back Platform Boot
5. UO Mesh Back and Ladder Back Bodysuits
6. Siwy Paintsplatter Camilla Cutoffs
7. Elizabeth & James Edge Huarache Sandals

First off, thank you to everyone who wished me congrats on graduating, you all are so sweet! I love my readers :) Secondly, I'm so sorry for being such a bad blogger lately, but I'm back home now and working into somewhat of a routine, so I promise that the posts will go back to normal very soon. Thank you for your patience!

Anyhow, during senior week and graduation, it was in the 80s pretty much every day, so lately I've been craving anything and everything with cutouts, mesh, crochet, and the like. In this heat, the more breathable the fabric, the better! I'm especially feeling those bodysuits from Urban Outfitters, love the mesh and cutout backs. The sad thing is that I know I have leotards from back when I danced that are almost perfect doppelgangers of these bodysuits, I just can't seem to find where I stored them. Bummer! Well, I'll continue my search. Oh, and by the way, I just got the Siwy Camilla shorts in white and they are the most perfect shorts I have ever owned. I've worn them basically every day since I got them. Highly recommended!

Lastly, what do you guys all think of the Elizabeth & James shoe collection? I feel like everything I read about them is negative! Do any of you own a pair yet, or have you ordered one? I really love these sandals, but I gotta say, they seem a bit overpriced considering they are manufactured by Steve Madden...

The Other Face of Ashley Olsen

Work it! Ashley Olsen posed for the camera and chatted with Marc Jacobs for the latest issue of V MAN - check out just a few quotes from the interview below:

On doing a "celebrity line": "The way I look at it, I had a career as a child. I had a career in an industry in which the media kind of... they're obsessed with the young girl thing. But when I turned 18, I moved to New York, and I haven't really done anything to be a celebrity. I've been transitioning from acting as a kid to doing something that I'm choosing for myself - to be a part of the fashion industry... the outside perception is very different because you do have celebrity brands, people like Jessica Simpson and Kimora Lee Simmons, and those are celebrity brands because they have their names on them."

On working with Mary-Kate: "The Row is really something that I'm doing while my sister still wants to focus on acting. She's my partner in The Row, but she trusts me with the every day. I mean, I see her like ten times a day."

On being different from her twin sister: "When I was 14, 15, 16, 17, it was harder because the two of us were still very similar. We had to work through what's special about us, and then the media had to work through it... I've never been one to engage the media to say that I'm different. I actually did the opposite and I totally went internal. I was like, "See y'all!" I want to be behind the scenes, and I don't want people to know anything about my personal life. I have a job, I take it very seriously, and I work really hard."

Pics from OlsensAnonymous

Currently Craving: Scatterbrained Edition

1. Robert Lee Morris and Elizabeth & James rings @ Rilee and Lo
2. Elizabeth & James Criss-Cross Tank @ Saks Fifth Avenue
3. B-Side bangles @ Moxsie
4. Tasty Cakes Skinny Yellow Jeans @ Need Supply Co.
5. Silence & Noise Wet Nylon Bomber @ Urban Outfitters
6. Knotted Modal Wrap @ Free People

My mind is allllllll over the place right now. This coming week is the last week of classes, followed by finals, followed by graduation! Craziness! So I may be a bit lax with the posting for a while until things calm down, but I'll try to squeeze in time to write because there are some really cool designers I want to tell you all about! Hope you all have a great week!

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!

Mary-Kate in Interview - March 2009

I didn't plan to have two Mary-Kate Olsen posts in a row, but that's how things work out sometimes. And this picture is so lovely, I just had to share it with you all. Mary-Kate will be the cover girl for Interview Magazine's March 2009 issue, and is seen here wearing a stunning Balenciaga design. Here's just a little snippet from the article:

The Mary-Kate that most of us don't know is a very thoughtful, intelligent woman with a blistering sense of humor and an enterprise that makes even hard-working friends feel like they aren't doing enough with their days. She walks quietly into rooms and gives you her full attention when you talk to her. And you always leave kind of wishing you'd hugged her more. Lately, she's been focusing on acting, and won kudos for her delightful performance as a weed-smoking Phish fan in last year's love letter to New York in the '90s, The Wackness. She and her sister are also hard at work on their two clothing lines, the higher end The Row and the more contemporary Elizabeth & James (the latter named after their other two siblings), and they are launching both shoe and men's collections later this year. The two even teamed up to publish a book of interviews last fall called Influence (Razorbill), in which they interviewed other artists and designers who have inspired them.

You can read more of the article and check out a few more (equally lovely) pictures, as well as watch a behind-the-scenes video, at Interview Magazine. And of course, if you're interested, be sure to check out the March 2009 issue of Interview for more!

Pic from Interview Magazine

Elizabeth and James Spring 2009 Lookbook

Here are just a few images from the Elizabeth and James Spring 2009 Lookbook, and from what I've seen, I want pretty much the whole collection! As per usual, the Elizabeth and James Spring line (created by sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) consists of beautifully sculpted skirts, blazers, and shirts, along with unique and stunning pieces of jewelry. The collection perfectly blends masculine, architectural shapes with girly, flower-printed flowing skirts and dresses. If you can't already tell, I'm a fan. You can check out my favorite looks below, as well as the entire lookbook at the Elizabeth and James website. Let me know if you like what you see, and what your favorite/least favorite pieces are so far!
Pics from Elizabeth and James, as seen on TFS