I was at Wal-Mart the other night (car battery, okaayy?) and they had their own version of the bleached-out Balmain jeans. The ones hovering above the illustration are from T Mag’s In-Store: Capitol feature and the author described them perfectly: “Lilly Pulitzer meets Mad Max“.

I am in love with this version because the effect is more subtle than the ones I have seen before. But, I can totally see if someone tried to recreate this in their bathtub, the results may not look as sophisticated. Blotches. Stains. And I’m not talking about that adorable doe-eyed cupcake loving dog that was on It’s Me Or The Dog.

I am a creature of habit. I am an absolute creature of habit. Every morning, I make espresso in my Bialetti and read the Times online and various blogs before starting my day. As of recent, I have left off the Times part. As much as I love technology and fact that it makes life easier, I also kinda hate it. I like tangible things. I am a tactile learner. I read about this architect named Gary Chang who converted his apartment into a perpetually changing space with walls that literally slid around. Keep in mind that the space is small, but he managed to dedicate an entire wall to his extensive CD collection because he refuses to convert to MP3’s.  His preference is so strong and unbudging that he factored that into his design. That makes me really happy.

So, I clicked through TMagazine | Women’s Fashion Spring 2009 this morning. Sigh. I would rather have the physical magazine and turn the ultra-thin semi-gloss, semi-matte pages with my finger. I love the paper that its printed on. I didn’t have much time before I had to get ready for work, so I just skimmed through an article on stylist/editor Katie Grand.

Grand is taking the wheel on the magazine LOVE. I like the look of a full magazine spread. The ones at the top have a nice layout and images, tasteful typography. I came across this excerpt in the TMAG article that I liked:

Although she is generally perceived to be the reigning Empress of Edge, whose quirky individual point of view has enabled many a designer to push the envelope to the point of paper cuts, Grand is at pains to point out that the last thing she wants to produce is a marginal magazine. ‘‘It’s very easy to be cool and self-indulgent,’’ she said. ‘‘I think as an editor you have a responsibility to do an interesting, commercial magazine that people want to look at. We need a readership as well as advertisers.”

I like this balance. I admire this balance. It is absolutely necessary. You must honor and  maintain your creative integrity. But you cannot alienate your audience.

It’s been a while. I have been tinkering with my car and finally today, after four days of trial and error with no result, Benny came and towed it away to the auto-hospital. One thing that most people don’t know about me is that I sometimes enjoy working on my car. When I say work on, I mean normal maintenance like oil and air filter changes. Wiper blades, transmission fluid change- no problem. It fun to get dirty and see how things work.

So, that’s the reason why I have been an absolute hermit. It was an obsession tinkering with the car. I would read a new thread from a mechanic and immediately try it. Now that the car is gone, I can move onto other things. Thank god.

Before I say this, I am going to preface it with this statement. I am not in anyway, getting paid to write this or link this. There are a lot of PR firms that propose stories to the pro-bloggers. You know, the ones who regularly post pictures, descriptions and give shout-outs for all the swag they get.

No, that ain’t me. OK, I am just going to come out with it. I really love going to Disney World. Seriously. Yes, I live in Orlando, and I can admit that I am one of the few people who do not grind their teeth or spit when someone mentions the Mouse. The mere mention of that empire does not incite me to anger or violence. I honest to God really like park hopping, fast passing. I have it down to a science. I step onto Disney property and revert back to age 5. I’m the one skipping around with an emu leg in one fist, sporting a smile that rivals those in the Black Hole Sun video. You can experience overwhelming states of euphoria too. Disney is offering free admission to anyone on their birthday. That’s where I’ll be on the 3rd of March. Oh yes.

I added Mickey ears to Filip Pagowski’s Comme des Garcons Play logo to show you that I am serious. I may receive a cease and desist letter from Eisner himself for that move. Rei Kawakubo collaborated with Disney in 2007 on a project featuring Oswald: The Lucky Rabbit.

Rei has also marched models down the runway with iconic Mouse gear. Do you know the difference between the first Comme des Garcons runway picture and the second? The model looks more content in the second picture. Look closely into her eyes. It may be because the hat covers up what the evil humidity hath done to her flaxen locks or the fact that she has been blessed by the Mouse. She’s all shiny and new now. You decide.

“PAPER TOWEL TUXEDO JACKET” Sheets of paper towel with a variety of motifs are quilted and assembled on a silk taffeta structure to form a tuxedo jacket. (Courtesy of Maison Martin Margiela)

“SHOESTRING DRESS”
A long dress is composed of shoestrings in various materials. Certain parts of the dress (shoulder, waist) are hand-woven to create a motif. (Courtesy of Maison Martin Margiela)

It’s here. I randomly checked the Margiela site to see if the new Artisanal line was on view. It was. Here are my picks. They happen to be the only two garments that are entirely white. Since they are devoid of color, you focus more on the structure and form. These are just brilliant! I wish that I could see these pieces in real life and touch them. The descriptions for each are taken right from the site. Please read the formal definition of the LINE, 0.

Today is a studio day and I am really happy that I got to see the new pieces from the Maison. I also checked out a couple of the new Fall Collections on Style.com. My first clicks in no particular order:

1. Elise Øverland
2. Boy by Band of Outsiders
3. Alexander Wang
4. Vena Cava
5. Stærk

I quickly flipped through to get a feel but will not comment any further on them yet. Oh yea, I am shredding fabric. Yes, I know – a bit behind. I thank Camille for her tutorial. Homegirl just took a Sharpie to her Marni wedges but this is getting off subject. Anyways,  I saw the Raquel Allegra pieces, read a couple of articles on her, then I wanted one. Then, I was looking through old Jak & Jil posts and this image fused in my head. The wanting boiled into a furious, burning desire.

Here’s the dialog between the photographer and the subject:

T: BONJOUR
E: BONJOUR, CA VA?
T: CAN I TAKE YOUR PICTURE?
E: OUI!
T: YOU’RE WEARING A BALMAIN JACKET?
E: YES
T: AND THE T-SHIRT IS MARGIELA?
E: NO, IT IS OLD.
T: OH…AND THE JEANS ARE…
E: MY BOOTS ARE MARGIELA
T: AND YOUR JEANS ARE FROM TOPSHOP?
E: YOU KNOW MY JEANS ALL THE TIME!
T: MERCI!
E: AU REVOIR

The above dialog reveals the charm of a staple investment item. When an industry professional who has only 20 seconds tops can identify your outfit piece by piece while power walking, and then mistake your “old” top for Martin Margiela, you have an oldie but goodie.

Everyone has ups and downs. When I hit lows, my behavior follows predictable patterns. I read the biography and works of Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton. Cliche? Yes, I admit. I told a close friend that one time. She chided me and strongly advised me against it. The dips aren’t always that bad. They make you appreciate the good times. When I feel awful, I cling to good writing and quotes that keep me afloat. I write them out and post them up on my inspiration board. When I feel bad, I imagine being back in Munich walking through the Dan Flavin installation. That always makes me feel better.

When I started this blog, I told myself that I would be good and write in it everyday. And if I didn’t write something, I would at least post a couple pictures. I have been slacking and I am sorry.

Ayyyyii! Friday the 13th! There’s this diner in town called Brian’s that is over in the antiques district of Orlando. I have never been there before. I have been told many times by everyone and their cuz that this place is the bee’s knees. That it is so charming. And I always got the impression that it is a to-be-seen-at for breakfast place. I whispered that last line.

So, Friday morning, I go with Brook to Brian’s for a belated birthday breakfast. We had a great meal, but – I was not all that impressed by this place. One, we were the youngest people in that place. This isn’t always a bad thing. For instance, when you are the youngest people staying in the hotel, that’s always a good thing. Two, I was paying with a card and to put in a tip, you dictate how much to the cashier. She could have just handed me the slip to write in the tip and sign. Oh, it’s also the type of place that has the sign up that hisses “We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone”. Uh, you know what kinds of places those are. If not, OK look, ask a friend who lives in the South. That’s all I’m sayin’. That’s my Zagat review.

Yesterday was Valentine’s Day. I worked at the College Park store and everyone it seemed was in a very good mood. Stefanie from a few door down brought us made-from-scratch tiramisu. I had to take a picture because it looks like a little monster. Then Shanna, a Kiehl’s rep, came in hooked me up with a bunch of samples. Shanna is wonderful! If there’s anyone who knows me, they know that I am a sucker for magazines and  product. Now everyone knows that the company is famous for being generous with samples, especially deluxe size goodies. But, I heard that the last shipments of try-out product to the stores were meager. Shriek! Oh the economy.

The sample packets are the best for traveling. I keep my toiletries in a clear zippered Kiehl’s pouch and I always make sure that the contents meet liquid restrictions. I remember one time at the Heathrow airport, the screening woman tried to confiscate my bumble & bumble, Kiehl’s, and Darphin, but the gentleman that was at the end of the line just rolled his eyes at her and wove me through. Phhew. I would have been a sad sad tomato if I lost all my product at the beginning of my trip.

I rewatched the Alexander Wang and Erin Wasson podcast video from Style.com today. Here are some detailed screen captures of the tights that were ripped directly on the models backstage by Wang and Wasson, his muse and stylist. How fun would it be to work with your best friend and of course, dress an army of models to your liking. Erin’s personal style was obvious in Wang’s collection and in my opinion with no discredit to the designer, contributed to the success. After the debut, the line was coveted by every editor and model and person exposed to it. The look was easy to copy and girls just understood it. Perfect v-neck tee. Check. Razor cut mini-skirt with it. OK.

It was just a matter of time before there would be the inevitable release of Alexander Wang accessories that would complement the clothing, not to mention pull in more sales for the label. I have been waiting to see a new cult bag. A cult bag that would rival the Balenciaga Lariat. Remember that time? That bag that spotted on every A-List It girl and was recognizable by the design features and not by an awful monogram. When I think of the Le Dix, I think of the green one Mary Kate would shlep around like an Eastpack crap bag. Well, MK is the new proud owner of the new Wang purse. One of the first to be seen spotted with it since it has not been officially released.

You don’t really have to worry about damaging the bottom side of the purse when you say, set it on the sidewalk to dig for your keys or phone. It’s the same idea as the heavily studded Sonia Rykiel purse. Leather and studs.

I am writing about this purse specifically because, well, I will explain to you my chain reaction of thoughts. The last posting was about Carine Roitfeld. I remember reading an interview in the Telegraph titled If Looks Could Kill, where she states:

” I prefer to have my hands in my pocket than to have a nice little bag. So I am not good for all these fashions. They have to sell bags, bags, bags, bags, bags, bags. I hate handbags.”

I could see Carine loving this Wang handbag. It fits her. Black. Severe. Violent undertones. Sex-infused. Surely she gets first dibs on the best cult items from Alaia to Margiela to YSL, and this includes handbags, I’m sure. But, she would grab stilettos instead. She truly abhors handbags. That puzzles me. My eyebrows are furrowed yet, I am very intrigued by it. Word on the street is that her daughter Julia is among one of the first to get the Alexander Wang handbag.

After I heard her no handbag comment, I searched all over for candids of her out and about to see what she had in her hands. I chose the picture above from JAK & JIL because her entourage is in black but she is in color which is rare. When she wears a skirt, for instance like above, does she have on garters that secure her keys and phone to her thigh.  Which is a really good idea BTW, especially if you have a flip phone. Just a thought. I’m guessing that the person flanking her is the belongings keeper. Carine would prefer not to ruin the silhouette with a bolsa.

Bottom line, her objective isn’t to whore out Paris Vogue as a catalog and ass kiss the advertisers. About the magazine she says:

“We’re not the sort of magazine to tell people what to buy. With Vogue, we try to make our readers dream.”

Carine Roitfeld is to French Vogue what Anna Wintour is to American Vogue. They have very different agendas when it comes to glossy covers and simply put, very different aesthetic preferences. If you want a crash course on her stats, there is a great lengthy article about her in New York Magazine | Spring Fashion 2008.

The first picture is from Dear Nike and the second from Garance Doré. This is a top to bottom comparison of Madam Roitfeld and a sweet sixteen Madamoiselle Roitfeld. The resemblance is quite striking right? What if the two met? Could Carine possibly alter her own future? Maybe turn her junior version into a … (see example below)? Or would they cancel each other out if say, one of them gave the other a light?

I read the comments on the Garance picture and everyone gave their opinion as to who the young ingenue looks like. The 124 comments included guesses that include Charlotte Gainsbourg, Lou Doillon, Bianca Jagger, Patti Smith, Clemence Posey, and so on. That post generated plenty of participation. The guessing game doesn’t always have to be irritating if given a stimulating prompt.

This is my new screen saver image. I fished this off of Please Dress Up! The blog is by two up and coming designers residing in the city of lights. Oh how I miss Paris! They posted a story about Soldes, the winter holiday that is apparently booked with crackhead sales all over the city.  For instance, 50% off Margiela boots. I shake my head in disbelief. I often ask myself, if someone gave me Tabi boots, would I wear them. Reading their blog inspired me to post my own pictures of their hometown.

I haven’t checked my podcasts lately until this afternoon. Here are stills from the Hussein At 15 video at Style.com. It features Hussein Chalayan’s favorite video moments. My absolute favorite (photo 3 and 4) features a model posing in front of an oversized neon alarm clock, shrouded in shadows, wearing a translucent vest. In less than 15 seconds, the vest magically shrinks upward. The audience gasps and coos. The designer says, ” This moment was made possibly by fairies. So much could have gone wrong (One Hundred and Eleven, Spring 2007).” That’s a charming way to answer reporters and interviewers when they ask how it was done.