Have: Overdue Notebook

Unlike Sam, I don't have a glamorous reason like apartment hunting in the West Village to explain my lack of posts. But the good news is I've purchased something stylish and functional to help combat post droughts: the overdue notebook.

I'm going to give myself a little (a lot) of credit and say that I have some pretty good ideas floating around in my head. Coming up with ideas isn't my issue though—it's keeping up with them. Inspiration strikes and I just figure I'll remember. (I also do this with phone numbers and other tidbits. I never remember them). Of course, the obvious answer to this is an idea journal or notebook.

Once I began my search, it didn't take long to find what I feel is the perfect journal for me—the Overdue Notebook.

The notebook features lined pages, grid pages, blank pages, pages with date stamps, blue pages, gray pages, white pages, and even several pockets located throughout. The chaos is inviting, a comfortable invitation to write, list, chart, doodle, or tear. (I have really, uh, "creative" handwriting so fancy journals make me nervous).

So no more excuses. With this cleverly designed notebook at my side, I will never forget another great blogging topic again. Now where did I leave it?

Available at http://anthropologie.com/.

Ode: Michelle Obama, Beyond the Expected

First of all I apologize for the lack of a post.  I have been so busy preparing myself for my big move in 2 weeks to New York!  I am excited to say I have found my perfect little place in the West Village!

Now on to my post.

There have obviously been a million articles, posts on blog sites, and pictures of Michelle Obama and her fashion choices.

I choose to focus not on the fact that she is obviously stunning, has amazing fashion sense, or that she is the greatest first lady fashion icon since a little gal named Jackie.  Instead I applaud the first lady on her decision to not only focus on established, very American, designers such as Oscar De La Renta as the previous first lady did.

Mrs. Obama obviously chooses a very classic style.  She loves shift dresses in beautiful florals and chooses to add edge in her shoe and especially belt choices.

Yet one of her most commendable fashion choices is brining recognition to young designers.  She famously draped herself in a beautiful white confection by Jason Wu at the various parties on inauguration night.

The choice continued her trend of not only relying on staples like J. Crew or first lady go to De La Renta but instead giving young designers such as Wu an amazing opportunity to show their talent.  At the same time the First Lady made a statement in a dress that showed amazing texture and shape.

For another event the First Lady chose a stunning gold number by the dynamic Mulleavy sisters at Rodarte.  The sisters are known for pushing the boundaries with their beautiful knits and dresses that have ranged from fairy tale fantasy to dark and gothic.

Finally it would not be a true discussion of the First Lady's support for young designers without brining up her love for Thakoon.  A favorite of Anna Wintour, Thakoon has quickly become one of New York and CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund's greatest success stories.  The First Lady brought great recognition to Thakoon by wearing it constantly on the campaign trail and to various events.

We can thank the fashion gods that we were given a First Lady with a sense of style and one who supports young designers.  I'm sure we will be seeing many more designers gracing the First Lady's closet in the next 3, or perhaps 7 years.

Want: Underwater Whimsy

Last week while watching one of our favorite shows, Ugly Betty, I became very distracted by one of Marc's accessories—a pave stone octopus pin.

(Amanda and Marc would just die over this awful screen shot.)

I love his pin as well as its placement on his lapel. In fact, I already took a note from Marc and pinned a golden leaf to my blazer last week. But back to this pin. It's the perfect jeweled interest piece. It's whimsical and unique without trying too hard or being, well, creepy. I did a little searching and found what appears to be the same little guy by Noir in ring form on CUSP.com.

At $150, he may seem a little steep without sterling silver or gold plating. However, I think that his charm more than makes up for his lack of precious metals and earns him a firm place on my want list.

Magazine: W Magazine Demi Moore Photoshopping Nightmare

Photo: Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot for W, Imaxtree

Yesterday New York Magazine's fashion blog posted Demi Moore's cover of W Magazine December.  In the cover photo Demi wore the stunning gold cutout dress from Balmain's S/S 2010 collection.  Simply posting the cover New York Magazine had no idea the controversy that would erupt.  Immediately comments began pouring in that either another photoshop butchering had been committed or that it was not, in fact, Demi's body in the photo.  Demi is famous for staying in incredible athletic shape despite her ever advancing age.  Yet, model thin she is not.  Upon further studying commenters on the post began to notice striking similarity between the model, Anja Rubik's collarbone, shoulders, arms, and thighs and the body in Demi's photo.  Commenters suggested that if Demi were standing at a complete still as she is in the photo why would the tendons in her neck be so stretched?

Finally The Wish List itself commented that magazines shoot their cover photos far in advance of actually going to print and Balmain only showed this dress 1 month ago.  For it to have been used in the cover photo an exact copy would have had to be made specifically for this shoot before being showed at Paris Fashion Week.

Here are recent photos of Demi at an awards show in an equally form fitting dress.  You be the judge.

Have: Corpus Harem Sweat Pants

Unless you've been living under a very un-fashion conscious rock you have heard of, subscribed to, and bought from Gilt in the recent future.  The premise of the website is both genius from a business sense and perfect for a consumer.  The website features 36 hour sales of designer clothing from current or directly preceding seasons.  From the runway Alexander McQueen to classic Ralph Lauren Purple and Black label suits, Gilt spans the spectrum.

As you all already know my current obsession is Harem pants.  Recently Gilt had a sale on Corpus a brand carried by my very favorite boutique Oak.  They featured a very now pair of harem sweat pants in grey and black.  I knew the Gods were smiling down on me.

I bought both pairs :).  As always with online shopping I feared for the fit, considering I'm 5'6 and these modes were probably 6'2.  Again the Gods were on my side.  The fit is is incredible.  I have been wearing both non stop all week.  I feel like the fact that they are dramatic pieces in basic colors give me a lot of different options for wearing them.  I have been pairing them with a simple pair of worn oxfords or loafers and a simple slim sweater or sweatshirt.

The key to wearing something like harem pants is to know that they will most likely be the focal point of your outfit and you should try to simplify the rest of the outfit with classic basics.

LONG LIVE GILT!

Have: Commando "Dig Free" Tights

Sometimes, it's the small, seemingly boring purchases that end up being the most thrilling. In fact, one particular small purchase I made last week has me singing from the rooftops: Commando tights.

This lingerie brand, best known for their seamless underwear, has applied their signature "no dig" waistbands to tights. The result is brilliant—nothing short of a miracle.

No more rolling. No more waistband bump. No more uncomfortable digging.

I have never worn a pair of tights that has come close to being as comfortable. And what's more, the nylon/spandex blend is soft, durable, and a great matte shade.

They are definitely worth $34 ($32 for footless) given the comfort and quality. I plan on continuing to spread the word about this break though in the science of legwear. Though I should probably stop approaching people at the office with the creepy, whispered question, "Are you a tights wearer?"

Available at herlook.com

Image credit: neimanmarcus.com

Want: Oak, Everything.

My last trip to New York was defined by my shopping extravaganza at Oak and Odin.  While I loved Odin I as absolutely floored by the beautiful unique variety of clothing at Oak.  The store is both simple and minimal and at the same time highly architectural in design.  I bought a four tanks and two pair of shorts after an incredibly pleasant experience with a salesperson.

If you know me at all you know I am absolutely obsessed with scouring the internet for menswear that is at once well designed, unique, and mildly affordable.  So one day after returning from New York in spring I went on Oak's website and was floored by the amount of merchandise they carry on their website.  It is one of the most comprehensive online stores I've ever seen.  The clothing is well styled and photographed, there are magazine quality clothing editorials, and they are constantly adding new clothes, shoes and accessories.

They carry everything from runway designers like Phillip Lim and Tim Hamilton to smaller startup lines like Wrath Arcane and Rochambeau.  The price point can sometimes be a bit high but the design is so worth it.  Perhaps you can't quite afford the Oak clothing?  Click the tab marked a.ok at the bottom of the right tab and you are shown their items with a lower price point!

I cannot express how much I love Oak and their ridiculous online store.  It is truly in a league of its own.

All Images Copyright Oaknyc.Com

Shop items at www.oaknyc.com

Wish: Lusting After Leather

I must admit, I've been feeling a bit tactile lately. But can you blame me? It's hard not to with sequins, velvet, fur, and leather lining the aisles. I already tend to touch nearly everything as I shop so it takes serious restraint for me to keep my grubby little hands off texturized pieces.

For some reason, I've recently zeroed in on leather. Yes leather, the textile that is only second in price to fur. Though my picks may be basic, leather pieces are out of my grasp at this point in my life. A leather vest or paneled skirt just wouldn't be sensible. There's no harm in wishing though. Here are a few basic pieces I'm currently coveting.

Vince Stretch Leather Mini Skirt, $595

Helmut Lang Jersey/Leather Combo Pants, $460

Rag & Bone Raw Edge Leather Dress, $995

Image credit: http://www.shopbop.com/

Runway: I'm A rag & bone Collector

Let me count the ways I love thee rag & bone.  To me rag & bone is the perfect melding of classic british fabrics (think tweeds or heavy wools) and a wholly New York City sensibility.   Designers David Neville and Marcus Wainwright are British expats who started their line just 7 short years ago because they couldn't find a decent pair of jeans in New York.

I can't even begin to count the things I love about this collection.  The effortlessly casual look is so expertly married to the pallet of military greens and slate blues.  As I've already mentioned in previous posts I'm obsessed with both the drop crotch harem trend and fleece pants tailored like jeans.  I have scowered every example of them from Tim Hamilton men's to Fifth Avenue Shoe repair.  I am worried that the collection looks a bit heavy for spring but I guess that just means buy it in EARLY spring and wear the hell out of it until it's absolutely too hot wear them any longer.

I think it's worth being noted that looking at these outfits as pieces they are incredibly wearable.  I have a feeling this collection is going to be a sell HUGE.

Have: Embellished Bib Necklace

The statement jewelry trend has certainly been in our faces this season—and I'm okay with that. Because I tend to choose classic, basic clothes without overt patterns or embellishments, statement jewelry really appeals to me.

One of the freshest subcategories of this trend is the bib necklace, a heavily embellished chest piece that often has a ribbon-tie closure. The downside to this trend is these necklaces tend to cost hundreds of dollars despite only being made of ribbon, beads, and crystals. So when I saw this "Cleopatra" necklace by Tasha at Nordstrom for a reasonable $48, I snatched it.

The photograph truly does not do the beautiful green color justice. Another plus is that it's fun to wear—and turns into a disco ball in the winter sun!

Available at Nordstrom.com (though not in green like mine)

Have: The Perks of Being a Harem Boy: Shades of Greige Harem Pant

As Sarah well knows I spent the better part of the last 6 months looking for the perfect pair of MENS harem pants.  I love the way that mens runways have picked up on the trend.  Yet, the problem is that most stores are too afraid to carry them thinking men won't buy them.  After long last, my search is over! Not to mention they were found at my VERY favorite of online stores Oak.

Shades of Greige thankfully made this rather affordable pair of graphite harem pants for just $132.  I love the fact that the pants are not overstated and gaudy.  There are soft pleats at the waist and a slimmer leg below the drop crotch.  So men (and women) I challenge you to find your own perfect pair of harems!

Pants can be bought at Oak NYC.

Want: Elizabeth and James Jewelry

Slowly but surely, I've developed a fascination with the Olsen's Elizabeth and James. And while items from their pricier, The Row, fall into the wish category, E&J pieces are a definite want—especially with my birthday next month.

Though several pieces from this season's collection have caught my eye, it's the jewelry that has really captured my attention. Many of the pieces are nature inspired and made from mixed metals, which makes them practical for daily wear.

The Snake Earrings, Feather Earrings, and Twig Cuff Bracelet are currently topping my list.

And with any luck, one of these will become a have by the end of next month.

Image credit: http://www.neimanmarcus.com/

Wish: Sheer Dreams of Kris Van

Where to begin... This slightly sheer plaid button up from Kris Van Assche's namesake collection epitomizes one of my favorite trends for menswear right now--Length.

I absolutely love the fact that we're seeing so many long backs or long shirts all the way around. It's a perfect look to pair with a nice pair of skinny pants or jeans.

Yet, at 600+ this beautiful vision in plaid must be relegated to my wish list.

Sam

Sold at ForwardForward.com