My Favorite Show So Far

Perhaps I need to go a bit more in depth for spring, but my favorite show was Yves Saint Laurent this year.
And well, every year. But so far it's the only one that I want every piece in my closet. Now.

I'll use the rest of the designers for inspiration, but Monsieur Laurent? Je t'aime.

Itty Bitty Piggy

Ms. Minaj is definitely one of those people you either love or hate. *

Personally, I love her.
Interestingly, so does my uber-feminist roommate.

Side note: I love my roommate, but as a woman studies major she can be a bit in your face about "Erin, stop upholding the gender normative!"
If anyone can explain to me what the gender normative is, and how I am apparently upholding that and the patriarchy, that would be great.

So while we might have different reasons about why we like her, my reason is that that girl can spit.

Most female "rappers" are actually more pop singers to me. If you are singing it, you aren't rapping.
Niki Minaj however sounds harsh, she raps smart, and big ego aside she can hold her own amongst the guys.
What more do you want from an entertainer?
She's really come into her own over the past couple months. Here's to seeing more attitude and great rhymes in the future.

Itty Bitty Piggy by Nicki Minaj

* Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the girl has crazy-eyes?

Buffalo Trip

I've been procrastinating on writing this French paper on Moliere, so of course I did a closet purge and hauled it down to Buffalo Exchange.
I traded it in, did a bit of shopping, and 52 cents later (yeah, you heard that right. It was a pretty even trade.) I have three new pieces to add to my closet.

Soft, jersey, asymmetrical, cowl neck, ruched, baby blue, top (?). If you can add any more adjectives onto that I'm impressed. Also I think I'm in love with it, especially since it's from some french brand (I think) called Avec. See? I am learning french.

Also check out the jeans. As always, a little too short, but they fit like a dream. Again, by another brand, Deloc & B, I'd never heard of.

But while I was perusing the racks I did spy a pair of Alexander Wang shorts from last season for $34. If you're a size 6 I'd haul ass down there.

Ah, fixed those jeans. Now I have a new pair of pedal pushers for the spring! My last ones unfortunately met a tragic death involving bicycle gears and a tree.

Also I got a sheer, uber soft tank top by Twenty (there's a brand I do know!). I'm totally going to skank it up next weekend with a black bandeau bra, as pictured.

Anyway, once again it was a successful trip down to Buffalo Exchange. 

Love that store.

Mistakes

Mistakes in Wendy McNaughton's Studio

This photo made me smile.

Photo thanks to Juxtapoz

Not Your Grandma's Pearls

I'm not sure how I feel about these. One half of my really likes the idea of concrete "pearl" studs, a perfect way to spin a classic but young/tough look.
The other half says "WHAT??! Concrete jewelery?"
But then again that's what makes it so cool right?

Cement Pearls by Metsa

Thanks to Not Couture for finding these gems.

Classic is Not a Trend

I think it's an absolute riot some of the things that are announced as "trends" every single season.
For example, here is four fall "trends":

camel
black
pants
lace

Since when have these not been in style?
Especially pants.

 I love it when pants are "in" this season, skirts are "in" the season after.
What's next? Shoes are "in"?
Since when is an entire category of clothing not "in"? Trust me, it's not like I'm walking around barefoot because no one has told me shoes are "in" this season.

And the strange part is that people seem to be very perplexed about this. I've had women come up to me at work and ask if dresses were still in fashion.
Um. Yeah. See above argument.
Or if black was still in style.
Trust me. Black is always the new black.
Forever and ever, amen.

So here's to a few things that I believe are classic (btw, classic can't be a trend either. that's pretty much an oxymoron) and will never go out of style.

Camel coats

Black

Lace

Knee high boots

Cardigans

Ballet flats

50's style dresses

Leather jackets

Pencil skirts

Trousers

Straight leg jeans

Button down shirts

Men's watches

Diamonds and pearls

Red lipstick

Leopard print

Sheath dress


As much as the fashion industry likes to declare something trendy, sometimes you just have to realize it was popular before, it's popular now, and it will be popular later.

Also, dressing like a lady is always in, whether it's my mom's definition or my definition (I'm much too young be wearing lady-like clothes without a wink and a smirk).

My theory is that a woman say or do anything she damn well pleases, as long as she looks like a lady.

So what are your classic items? Did I miss any on my list?


Photo thanks

A Girl's Best Friend

I know that most girls swoon over diamonds, but honestly, I'd say that my two favorite gemstones are opals and their less expensive cousin, opalite. A close runner up would be my pearls (what do you call pearls? Precious minerals?).
Just like diamonds they match everything. Not because they are colorless, but because their rainbow bits pick up whatever color you happen to be wearing.
Either way, skip the expensive stuff and check out this gorgeous opalite necklace from Etsy seller All Made With Love.

Opalite Necklace

My favorite part about these stones is how they seem to cast a warm glow from the inside. So flattering and ethereal.