carousels and bows

In recent years I have noticed one major regression in my life. That is, I really don't like wearing pants or socks. I've rediscovered the little girl in me that wore smock dresses with tights and patent flats day in and day out, even whilst playing with the boys. Now, 20plus years later, I'll wear dresses and tights any day of the week, but it has to be some sort of an occasion to get me in pants. That, or they must be a really sick, perfectly-fitting, flattering, comfortable, and all around awesome pair of pants. Good luck with that, right? And socks? Fuhgettaboutit, I barely even bother with those anymore. They are, essentially, prisons for my feet.

That being said, I'm constantly on the lookout for tights to add to my ever-increasing collection. I have all sorts: colors, dens, footless/footed, striped, prints, Chanel (!!!my faves!!!), and lots and lots of opaque black--a San Francisco girl can never have enough black tights. The only tights missing from my collection, it seems, are RHINESTONE TIGHTS!!! Well, not for long!

A fall must-own:

i mean, really? AreYouKiddingMe?? these are fantastic! while we're at it, these have to be in my collection as well. that's right, have to.

Now, I just have to start saving up slash reminding boyfriend/mom/friends/all family members that either pair of these tights would be the best.gift.ever.

To buy (which you should, especially if you are buying for me) please go to PixieMart. And check out the rest of the sight, too. You'll find lots of super awesome things--like this (I'll take one in medium, please).

loving it

I've been squinting my eyes and pretending this is me all afternoon.

pic courtesy of style.com lookbook

update alert!

über sneaky sneak-peak at the TARGARTE line!!! but sshhhhh, we're not supposed to know a thing! these pics were obvi snapped on a camera phone but don't think i'm about to apologize for the quality--this is superdupes top secret stuff!!

as for quality...we'll just have to wait and see. it sure looks cute though! loving the yellows and purples for fall. also hoping there are some edgier pieces in the mix. i just got so much more excited...i hope i am not let down!

out of respect for the riskiness involved in taking these pics, i won't disclose where they're from but if you really want to know please email me. thx!

go time

for my pre-class butterflies:

muccccch better! thanks, karl!

back to 'cool

isn't it a little early for school to be starting?? at least i'll have a friend in class (hi, joanne!), but still, it's school on a sunny day in august and i would rather be somewhere else.

today's class is "Image Consulting." I wasn't sure what to expect so i googled it and this came up on the first page of results:

really?!?! that is someone who is going to teach me how to "brand myself" and choose what to wear and how to wear it? this chick is going to help me decide how i want to be seen? NOTHANKS. i'd much rather be taking her advice:

TARGARTE

the genius behind WHITE LIGHTNING coined that little diddy and it is fair to say that everyone should jump on board for that one.

so what is targarte, you might ask??? it is the much anticipated collaboration between rodarte and target for the their "go international" line. rodarte is a fashion and accessories line launched in 2005 by sisters kate and laura mulleavy. their line started as a 10 piece collection and has grown to be one of the most promising, up-and-coming brands around town. always edgy and cool, the sisters infuse tough glam into intricate and feminine and often romantic dresses. the result is phenomenal. for realz, just take a look:

the ratty tights? cutout leggings?? leather boot/pants?? somehow rodarte makes it look delicate and ladylike, and needless to say: i love it.

so natch when i heard about the upcoming collabo with target i was stoked! i have found some awesome things there (never underestimate the targé), but there really is no denying the fact that the less than runway-ready materials can have a fatal impact on a designers' collection. take the alexander mcqueen for target collection. it was pretty. and it was also pretty bad. mcqueen cuts are not going to hold up with stiff cotton and elastic. nothing fit right, the materials looked cheap, and it was an overall disappointment (to me anyways). On the otherrrrrr hand, we have lines like thakoon (surprisingly awesome) and proenza schouler (classic). I have pieces from those collections that have withstood the test of time and wear and sometimes being left in a pile on the floor (oops!). i am hoping TARGARTE falls into the latter of the two possibilities. i wouldn't mind, however, if targarte fell into the third category: looks great but falls apart. sometimes it is better to have loved and lost then never to have loved at all. or love and lose, then take to the cobbler so you can love them again. like these sigerson morrison for target electra booties:

one of my most prized target finds, i hurried right over to the cobbler after i broke the heel last weekend and continued to go out saturday night. nbd, they're all fixed now! on a sidenote, when i was cruising for a picture of these i found out a lot of people thought they were awful and was like "reaaallllly?!? they're actually kindof awesome." whatevs.

and so, my dear sisters mulleavy, it is up to you to do us right by your TARGARTE collection. make us look like a badass glamorous zombie from the future, but please don't make us look broke. thanks!

Rodarte for Go International @ Target. coming DECEMBER 20, 2009

here we go

okeydokes, here we go... my first outfit post. i'm nervous.

 i wore this to work today and with a simple change into flats will wear it to dinner with my bro and sis-in-law. i might need to enlist a photographer's help at some point (ahem, matt) since i liked the outfit a lot more before i started taking dorky pics of myself, but what can ya do. i have to work on my skillz if i want to ANTM anyway.

so laugh away, lord know i sure was as i took the pictures and then loaded them. i promise it'll get better... for all of our sakes!

shoes: nine west

jeans:  brand?? cheapo's from nordstrom

shirt: vintage, from a family friend

blazer: banana republic

sunglasses: brand??  painted bird

speaking of....

i swear, i don't even like Gossip Girl that much (that's a lie) so the fact that my first TWO posts have GG references is just...uncanny. i swear! but look at these two, i mean...how hott is this, really?! SUPERHOTTT! i don't care if their actors or models or what, they. look. good. dayyummmm.

i would love to know and share with you all what Leighton is wearing in this shot for an upcoming issue of Elle, but the deets are yet to be found. will letcha know.

h/t CocoPerez (not sure how i feel about that yet)

today is the day

i decided to start a blog! after months and months of reading the coolest blogs and getting inspired by the coolest girls, i decided to start my own ever-evolving inspiration board, discussion forum, wish list, outfit log, etc. please, bear with me as i learn the ropes and get signature styles into full swing!

xoxo

alexandra

(sorry, couldn't resist the gossip girl reference. it just had to be done. you know you love me...)

ps. haven't figured out captions but the photo up there is from Jane's seaofshoes.com and i am more than soooooooooooooo in love with all her shoes!