Coffee (Mug) and Glasses

I've been slowly amassing a ceramic collection starting with my love of tiny vintage bud vases to ceramics with faces. This mug by Tactile Matter is my latest acquisition and it does not disappoint. It's perfectly speckled and has a minimal '80s vibe which I dig. I discovered Kenesha's beautifully handcrafted ceramics via Instagram and seriously want all the pieces for my home. Her West Coast influences definitely shine through each piece in color and motif.

For those who share my love for all things cute, Atelier Stella is what got me started on the ceramic face kick. I have a couple of pieces from her collaboration with West Elm but have not pulled the trigger on her original works (shipping from England can cost a pretty penny!). Her ceramics are charming, highly covetable, and tend to sell out in minutes. You have to keep an eye on her Instagram for sale times and have a quick trigger finger if you want one of her sweet vases.

So check it out! I've got new glasses! Firmoo has come through again with this retro-inspired pair. Since being introduced to the site, I've been purchasing all my eyeglasses (and Bryan's glasses) from them. A complete set of glasses from the optometrist can get pricey, so this site is great for those with ever-changing prescriptions. I've tried several Home Trial Kits from popular eyewear sites and have found that the quality of Firmoo glasses have been equal or better than the glasses I have tried on and at half the cost. Plus, my prescription has always been spot on. If you have any issues with your purchase, the customer service is very responsive and will go above and beyond to make sure you're satisfied. Their newsletter updates me on their fresh inventory, so the selection is never boring. For all you newbies, you can get 15% off your first pair. Not a bad deal if you're in the search for affordable glasses!

Julia Gabriel Studio SS15: Perimeter Series

Photographed by Joshua Anderson
Directed by Tyler Swanner
Styled by Julia Gabriel

I first noticed Julia Gabriel's work at an art show which featured her architectural yet whimsical embroidered backpacks. So cute yet so practical, and so sad I didn't get my hands on one of them. She has since moved on to perfecting her proportionate line of unisex bags based on minimalism, geometry, and the "elegance of ballet."  The bold pops of color in the trim adds a quirky touch that shows off her sense of fun and attention to detail. On Julia's Instagram, she even had her followers help pick out colors for her spring line.

Julia Gabriel will be debuting pieces from her Perimeter Series at a trunk show hosted by one of Houston's top indie boutiques, Myth + Symbol, on March 14th from 4-6pm. I'll be there to check out the structured bags in the flesh and in case you wanted to take a peek too, there will be drinks and light bites to keep you refreshed as you soak in the goods.

Marble & Metal // RillRill

Beautiful shapely neck ornaments mixed with heavenly marble. How could you not fall in love with this beautiful eye candy from RillRill? 

Oh Fall, how I've missed you!

The Surface to Air AW13 Collection is out, and I'm mentally adding several pieces to my wishlist (especially the shoes!).  I've always been a fan of their stylistic vision with a more modern take of effortless French dressing (not the edible kind).  The inspiration in their new collection is endless, and I can't wait to incorporate more cobalt and emerald into my wardrobe! 

Use Your Noodle

Found these adorable bags by Bracher Emden via Fab.com.  Looks like clay spaghetti which brings out both the kid and foodie in me.

The LDJ

// Ecote jacket / Helmut Lang tee / Zara jeans / Isabel Marant boots / Surface to Air bag // 

Hmm... I'm really a sucker for texture, so whilst visiting the sale rack of Urban Outfitters, I found this funky little denim jacket (eh hem, LDJ for short) with puff sleeves and immediately called it my own. Many have mistaken it as vintage, which I have no problem with. I guess I've been on a little jacket kick because recently I picked up a great spring blazer in a salmon color from Apiece Apart. So glad I've rediscovered the brand, which has some beautiful basics in more grown up silhouettes. I also tried on this dress and really loved how it looked on.  Not sure what  kind of occasion I'd wear it to but tempted to stop into Leap for their trunk show in May to see if they have my size.

Has anyone recently discovered a brand(s) that they love?  If so, do share!

The 5' 11" Syndrome

// Zara linen dot tee / Flying Monkey tuxedo skinny pants / Dimoni fur bag / Ash x Asos suede Bea sneakers // 

These Ash sneakers are seriously the best!  They are so comfortable, and I have somehow found them in a pretty forest green color that brings a subtle pop to my outfits.  I know.  I'm still digging the wedge sneaker because I've realized once I go wedge, it's very hard to go back.  You will rarely find me in high heels, but give me a good wedge and I can wear it all day long.  It's even better when it's hidden in a sneaker because then you have people wondering how you grew in just a matter of weeks.  Sure, being 5'8" has its perks, but being 5'11"... 

LUXE SNEAKS // Golden Goose

Find these here and here.
 

These ultra-distressed Golden Goose sneakers are right up my alley. Buttery Italian leather, worn-in look right out of the box, and an array of colors and details to choose from. I've had to throw away most of my Converse Chucks, since they certainly don't make them like they used to. Maybe it's time to invest in a nice, versatile pair of sneakers...

SIGNATURE SCENT //

I've had three signature scents in my lifetime. The first one being ck1, which I started wearing in high school for its clean, cool, and fresh scent.  Apparently, the word got out, and it soon became one of my best guy friends' signature scent as well.  Argh... who knew that whole unisex gimmick would backfire on me.  With that snafoo, it was my cue to find something new.

Next up was Lancome's Tresor, which was soft and feminine with a bit of sultry sweetness.  If a perfume could make you feel pretty, this one did just that.  My narcissistic side loved it when a guy friend would tell me I smelled good.  That began my long love affair with this perfume.  The layered upside-down pyramid bottle looked lovely on top of my dresser, and it made me feel good wearing it.  I eventually had to wean myself off of it after it steadily lost its potency.  It began to wear off quicker as a I got older and the scent no longer felt like me.

A couple of years ago, I found my third signature scent, White Musk by The Body Shop. An unlikely character of the three.  No trendy big brand, but a low key choice from a store in the mall that I normally pass up.  This one was actually found while searching for a gift for my grandmother.  The baby-powderish scent is subtle but girly and the "musk" fragrance has always been a favorite of mine ever since my mom brought roll-on versions of it home with her Avon orders.  I know this is a late post, but the Eau de Parfum, Perfume Oil, and the sweeter Libertine solid in a heart tin were my "big" Black Friday purchases of 2012.  As much as I tried to ignore those crazy post-Thanksgiving sales, 50% off The Body Shop was too good to pass up especially since I was going to purchase the perfumes sans discount anyway.  Yes, I got my mother hooked on the scent as well, and she gets me to purchase them for her as often as I can.  The cute little travel-sized solid is perfect for when you're on the go or afraid of leaking perfume in your purse.  Just don't mistake it for lip balm!

Do you have a signature scent or do you prefer wearing different scents to fit your mood?  I confess I do have other scents lying around (remainder bottle of Tresor and Marc Jacobs Daisy) but White Musk is the one I pick up the most!

More Maje

If you haven't stopped by the Maje store yet, I highly encourage a visit! While in NY, I stopped by 2 locations and got a taste of the French aesthetic that's more streamlined and edgier than what I'm used to with Marant. I saw a lot of bright cobalts, metallics, and beautifully structured silhouettes and was particularly impressed with the quality and construction of the clothing, which I felt could stand the test of time. The pieces that stood out to me the most were the jackets and coats with their twist on the classics. At the second store, I even had my first (and only) blogger sighting when I walked out of my dressing room and saw Leandra Medine browsing the selection. After admiring and trying on several of the pieces, I ended up walking out with a boxy babydoll dress with a leather Peter Pan collar and pockets. Very Alexa Chungesque. 

I wouldn't be surprised if she had a creative hand in the design process, since she is the newest face of their F/W campaign! 

Maje F/W 2012

Fall cannot come fast enough! Coveting some cool looks from Maje's newest collection...

I'm pleased to see that Maje has really made it easy for me to create my perfect winter wardrobe. The French label's fall lookbook has become my inspiration for building the right looks for the cooler weather. Slouchy boots, structured coats, beautiful shades of navy, and maybe even a pair of marigold skinnies to liven up the winter blues.

All I Really Wanna Wear

// Majestic Paris striped linen top / Flying Monkey jeans / vintage boots / Alexander Wang "Diego" bag / Target sunglasses / Lucky Brand nautilus necklace //

Hey guys! I'm wearing stripes from my new favorite T-shirt line, Majestic Paris. I was pleasantly surprised that the shirt, which would normally be 2 sizes too big, fits perfectly oversized to my liking. The loose, slightly flared sleeves and the worn-in look of the print also brings a unique flavor to what would otherwise be just another striped top to add to my count (although you can never really have enough).

You'll be hard-pressed to find me in anything but "easy" clothing these days. Having to wear business/business-casual on most days has really taken a serious toll on my style mojo. All I really want to wear now are slouchy tops and small, comfy bottoms. Boy, do I envy you guys who can wear practically whatever you want at your workplace. It's a privilege, I say!

Back to the 80s

// Feral Childe top from Settlement Goods / Seven for All Mankind jeans / Isabel Marant Bekett sneakers / Desmo bag / Marc New York sunglasses //

Yes, people, there is some major sneaker love going on here. I have fallen quite head over heels for Isabel Marant's sneaks (ok, all her shoes) and have since put my foot in my mouth since this post. I don't know what kind of spell she puts on her products, but she seems to know how to magically make you fall in love with her pieces despite some initial resistance. Is it the old school styling? Maybe the really puffy tongue? Or perhaps those velcro straps? Either way, these shoes make me feel like a kid again.

But enough about Marant, I finally took my new top from Feral Childe out for a spin. The company is based on sustainability, ethical business practices, and healthy working conditions for its workers, and everything is made in the good ole US of A. The quirky silhouettes and fun sketch-like prints are what originally attracted me to the label but getting to support a brand who's mindful of its use of materials and treatment of employees are just more great reasons to support independent labels.