Moo!

Thanks to a little help from my friends, I finally have new business cards and I'm obsessed. Moo Cards allow you to choose the design on the back of each card (repeats or no repeats welcome). I took my love for Liberty prints and created cards with about 30 of their iconic designs and they came out beautifully! Now I think I have to reorder because I can't decide which print to give out with out giving about 5 together!

fall crushing.....

Fall is here and Musings is getting back on track. Very exciting, I know!


rachel rachel roy


So I'm going to start the season by admitting something that I never thought I'd say...I'm totally crushing on crushed velvet! It's showing up in the most unexpected places and every time I see it I'm drawn to it. I love the dresses and a blazer takes it to a whole other level. Am I the only one?????



gryphon


D&G


cynthia steffe

summers off

be back in September...........just taking some time to work/think/sleep/dream/ and enjoy being happy. please do the same in my absence.




(photo by Tim Walker)

knowing is half the battle...

if you're not familiar with Linda Farrow let me get you up to speed quickly.....









making sunglasses since the 70's in London and now collaborating with the best (Luella, Dries van Noten, Matthew Williamson etc) Linda Farrows shapes and colors make me a lover and a fan....and now you know and you really are better for it.

for dad.....or mom, really

I haven't worn a messenger bag since college but I'm starting to reconsider this.....Earnest Alexanders twill and waxed twill messenger bags are perfection in my eyes. Understated and made in NYC and completely worth the under $250 price points. They are great for any guy in your life or any girl too.

dedicated to "you know who you are"....

Rainy Fridays are no good for inspiration. So I leave you with this amazing project, Passive Aggressive Notes and hope you find it as hilarious, and in a weird way comforting, as I do. ( I always feel better knowing that there are A LOT crazier people out there than I am)

it's not just for the boys anymore...

Some obsessions are immediate with me but this one has been a slow growing one that has finally set to stay for a bit. Yes I'm talking about the mustache. The iconic, symmetrical mustache. And obviously I'm not the only one as you can see....



I bought this kit in an old novelty art store in upstate NY while on a shoot this fall with the idea of throwing a mustache themed cocktail party (grow your own or fake it). The party is still a dream but the obsession has grown. I just ordered these necklaces and am seriously considering the key hook. Now I'm hoping by posting this and admitting my problem I will be shamed back into a non-stache reality or maybe you can all join my cult??


Giles & Brother tiny mustache earrings



Little Angels "Mr Pringles" necklace and the original "Dali" necklace above


Half-Pint key holder

i like it, that's all...

I'm really feeling the industrial, unisex look of these bracelets and ring from Giles & Brother. It's that simple today.

block party...

these bright color-blocked dresses are the perfect day dresses for the warm weather and a pair of sandals.......




francis


urban outfitters


thread social


elijah

the 8 year old me would have commited murder for these...

As a kid I remember going to the beach and every summer getting a t-shirt with fringe and beads from the boardwalk. Yup, I totally rocked that look in the 80's and I'm proud of it. So it's no coincidence that I'm in love with these Keds that were designed by Tracy Reese.

space case...

Lately I'm obsessed with creating storage space (since my apt apparently has none). Functional furniture with storage is on my mind and these customizable pieces from Loadbearing are making me swoon!

recession bling...

(necklaces for pocahantas joanna and me)

some days are longer and slower than others......but when you're on one of those shoot days with creative people you never know what people will come up with. today is a great example. after long delays and lots of waiting around, i was more than pleased to see that the hair and makeup artists on set had found their calling in making pipe cleaner "bling". Now it's kitchy i know, but deep down i was also seeing myself making these for wrapped presents instead of the standard card, or maybe as an invite of some sort, or just a rainy day activity. the ideas were endless but products priceless!!!





(ayumi and shawnelle sporting their creations)

i've never felt this way.....heh

Right now I'm coveting these beautiful, bright felt bags by Daff that I saw at the Catherine Malandrino store. They are amazing. I want.




(photos by katherine levin)

do you dare...

THE HAREM PANT:


Over the last month or so, my new assistant Joanna and I have been contemplating the new harem pants that were all over the spring runways (see Alexander McQueen, Betsey Johnson and Chloe above). It's one of those pieces that unless you find the right fit it can look horribly wrong. They need to be slightly cropped and fitted at the bottom and the material needs to be soft and light so it can drape. Well, Joanna texted me the other day to announce her great find at Madewell and I of course ran out to buy a pair too. I couldn't find an image but they look a lot like the Robert Rodriguez pair below. So of course now I am obsessed and think they are the most exciting trend of the season. Here are some great choices to try out...if you dare.....


Free People



Proenza Schouler


Robert Rodriguez

seems fitting these days...

my friends Steve across the pond has just launched his new site and venture Democrazy. The first in this series is his set of "keep spending and stay in debt" posters and they are now available. I like the set of five all together but I'm sure if you get just one it will soon find friends in the rest of the collection to come.

i'm sweet on these boys...

I'm not one to get too nerdy about chocolate but I just opened one of the Mast Brothers Chocolate bars and inhaled it! I had seen the beautifully packaged bars around my neighborhood lately and apparently here in Williamsburg Brooklyn is the only place you can get this chocolate as of now. Well it's worth the effort. This brother team are the only bean to bar makers in New York and one of the few in the country. The flavors range from basic dark and milk chocolate to combos such as almond and sea salt (the one I just devoured), and dark chocolate and fleur de sol. Not to mention each bar is wrapped in exquisitely beautiful paper imported from Italy. So I thank the lovely people who just gifted me with four perfect bars and I also curse them for introducing me to this dangerous addiction.

reason #355 why my friends inspire me...

My friends and family are a constant source of inspiration and I need to be better about posting more of these things here. But here is one and it's a good one:




My friend scott, who is a brilliant styist, has found a great use for something that is otherwise a thing of the past, a tie tac. It's a cute stylish way to hold together all those cardigans that are out there and I think it looks more casual and less "buttoned up". All you have to do is replace your button with the tac of you choice (and see below, there are tons of choices and they are inexpensive).


this one has a cool Masonic symbol on it


this coin one reminds me of the one Scott had



simple and pretty

bring on the snow and rain, i'm prepared...

Bean boot, Duck boot, Moc.....call them what you will, but these slide on rain/snow low boots are a staple in my life and have been since I was a kid growing up in a New England, LL Bean faithful home. But now in addition to the classic LL Bean style you can also get these boots in new fun colors and materials.



I shot this Tory Burch shoe for February's issue of Parenting magazine and spent a lot of the shoot with them on my own feet admiring the bright tomato red patent leather.



This image just doesn't do this shoe justice. Because in real life (and yes they are sitting on my kitchen floor right now) these Sporto duck boots are a neon lime color and make the perfect statement in the dreary, dark winter months. Plus, I got them on sale at Macy's for $19!!

just a reminder of how life used to be...

The Society of Publication Designers has just posted this amazing video and a letter from Deb Bishop (who was my boss for 5 years, my mentor and my friend) about Blueprint and a day in the life of our team. I won't deny a tear or two, but mostly this video was a welcome reminder of the laughs, the tears and the group of brilliant talent that was Blueprint.




I'm sorry I have no idea how to post the video so here in the link!

don't wet your pants...i mean don't get your pants wet

These City Clips are pretty brilliant idea, especially with a winter like the one we are having on the east coast this year. Save your pants and jeans from getting soaked and leave your boots at home!! These clips use strong magnets covered in fabric and come is a variety of styles, from simple to embellished with vintage buttons.