rainy days ahead

it's that time of year....winter is on its way. in san francisco that means months of mild gray days with hopefully good amount of rain (yes, i went there and while rain is no fun for anyone, it's certainly better than a drought and fires). unfortch for me, my super cute rainboots cracked and now they don't serve their primary purpose all that well. that is to say, they don't keep my feet dry. i can get away with it on light rains, a.k.a. mist, but not for actual drops of water falling from the skies.

i'm not exactly the biggest fan of boots, rain or otherwise (see carousels and bows wherein i discuss that socks are like prisons for my feet. boots are maximum security, but cute). nevertheless, wet feet are pretty awful so i am embarking upon a search for new rainboots. knowing me, this could last all season and then i could put it off again until next october.

chooka lace-up rain boot. nordstrom's. $79.95

too much?? i like the lace-up cuz it's different. and i love the olive green trim at the top.

chooka signature croc boot. nordstrom's. $79.95

too boring? what's up with that big chooka label on the side. but i do like the croc.

tretorn skerry vinter. piperlime. $60.

too short? hmmm i kinda like that. and fur!! they come in a goodlooking brown also.

hunter original in merlot. piperlime. $115.

too expensive? these are the classics though, so maybe they are built to last. hopefully.

kate spade randi. kate spade. $125.

too absolutely ridiculous? yes. but too cute?? also yes.

can we play the voting game on this one? that was so much fun last time. also, please if someone who lives not in a mostly dry climate has any suggestions i would looooove to hear them. i'm all over the place on this one and clearly need some guidance. thanks!!

alexandra wang

last week i asked you, my dear readers, to help me choose a designer to emulate in front of my class. together, we chose alexander wang. secretly, i was pretty sure i would choose him all along, as i am a longtime fan and have a few of his oldest pieces, and certainly want his newer ones. so good choice, you guys! thanks! and here are the results of last weeks poll and costume party slash midterm project.

   

tah-daH! maybe if i get a good grade on my paper i'll let you guys see that too. we had to present this in class and i went first (i am soooo brave now) and i got some good vibes. what do you guys think of my interpretation? should i get an A+??

happy friday!

i know that on a friday afternoon, the last thing anyone wants to think about is monday morning, but i just want to QUICKLY point out that the pierre hardy for gap fall/winter boots are hitting stores on...you guessed it, monday morning. just a lil something to keep in mind over the weekend!

pic via vogue.fr, but also via nitrolicious (it's the same imgae duh)

which ones are your fave? i'm feeling the tan suede...with black tights and a dress that could look kinda cute!

Gentlemanly Affairs (a.k.a Man Stuff)

After the San Francisco Brooks Brothers absolutely butchered the tailoring job on a new suit I had (almost) purchased last year I thought it was over between the two of us. It was a ridiculous scene. I was pretty bummed too because it was my first suit and I dig the Brothers; their gear is well made, timeless and reasonably priced. If you need a nice suit and you're not Rockafella (said like my folks, with a New England accent) you might as well buy a BB suit. I thought.

Anyways, they say time heals all wounds and I'm thinking it might be worth another shot. Brooks Brothers has teamed up with the costume designer for Mad Men and created this limited edition "Mad Men" suit. Yea yea yea I know every Dick and their dog wants to dress like Don Draper these days but there are several reasons why I'm actually thinking about buying one of these. First, everyone should dress like Don Draper. Second, everyone knows you can't miss, or mess, with gray/charcoal. Third, I'm thinking sharkskin is pretty cool, and definitely NOT the norm over here in the FiDi where I reside from 9-5. Fourth, the cut on these things looks to be RAZOR sharp and, fifth, to top it off I'd be getting a limited edition BB suit for just shy of 1, 000 buckaroos. They're only making 250 of these! This might be the cheapest nicest suit I've seen in a long time. There's 5 reasons why I should make an effort to forgive and forget. I don't know what else to say. Does it come in a 3 piece?

I'll definitely be trying one on, I suggest you do the same.

(via nytimes.com)

ta-hizzle

last week i left you all with some awesome art activities to do while i was in the middle of the woods in tahoe (=taheezy, ta-hizzle, ta to the hoe, etc). i spent most of the time carting around firewood, going on hikes, and eating pancakes, but it wouldn't be a weekend without a great shopping find. behold, the ultimate hipster sneakers that i bought for --are you ready for this? maybe you should be sitting down-- $2.49 at RITE-AID!!!! i know i know, i am one lucky girl.

 

 

 

who makes these puppies?? 

cotton--the fabric of our lives.

ding ding ding we have a winnnnahhh!

dear you guys,

thanks SO MUCH for your help! by the end of the day alexander wang was the clear winner, so i was on a mission to make it work (love you tim gunn). i stopped by forever 21 and got some faux leather shortie-shorts, walgreens for some athletic socks, my roomate's closet and my own to get all the pieces i would need for my outfit! it's looking so good so far, and i still have two days (kinda) to perfect it. i'm so stoked!!!! i took a pic on my phone but i can't figure out how to upload it here, so just wait till saturday for the final product!

i'd like to give a special shout out to the boys that weighed in on the subject---it's so nice to have (an attempt at) gender balance!

stay tuned!!

love,

al

for a sneakie peakie-- these looks are incorporated in my ensemble!

homework help!!

dear you guys,

i need help! i have a big ol' project due on saturday but i want to get it done as soon as possible since Bri is coming to town and work and stuff and blah blah blah. basically, we have to choose a collection from nyfw and write a little report. easy! great! no prob! but WAIT. this is where i need your help: on saturday we have to DRESS LIKE THE COLLECTION!!! that ups the ante major-styles.

so far i have narrowed it down to 2 collections that i love/think are cool new directions, and 1 that is cool and i could probs dress the most like.

door #1: ALEXANDER WANG.

gotta love a hometown hero....been a fan since the beginning and i'm digging the athletic look this season.

door #2: MICHAEL KORS.

too easy? it's nice, but a little...predictible. but i could slash up an old sweater no probs.
door #3: RODARTE.
we all know i love those mulleavy girls and they've done it again this season

PLEASE, go check out the collections at style.com and report back with your favorite/what you liked best/how i could rock it/ etc...

thankYOU!!!!

love,

al