Welly Socks

Just a quick post today, since the reading and coursework is already piling up very quickly! I got an email from ShopBop this morning (as usual - I am bombarded with emails from ShopBop) advertising their newest promotion - a free pair of welly socks with a pair of Hunter boots. I'm not in the market for new rain boots and I'm not necessarily a huge fan of Hunter boots, but I thought the idea of special welly socks was pretty ingenious! I don't know about the rest of you, but I never know what kind of socks to wear under my wellies, plus this pair looks particularly toasty for a cold, rainy, well-appropriate day.

So what do all of you think? Marketing ploy or best thing since sliced bread?

Straight from Paris - The Sartorialist

Spring semester just started this week, and somehow I am already buried under a pile of work! Not to mention that I have been rushing from classes to extracurriculars to work - my Metrocard is definitely getting some exercise this week!

Anyway, I was very excited (as I'm sure all of you will be) to see that the Sartorialist has been posting street style photographs from Paris. I'm already feeling nostalgic about my trip last month - I'm craving French style and attitude! Even if I can't jet over to Paris right now, I can at least admire some fashionable French ladies from the comfort of my own dorm room, right?

As a side note, I do think it is refreshing to see the young, quirky side of Parisian style (mainly in that last photo but to some degree also in the third picture). We are so used to seeing neutrals/black in classic, sophisticated shapes that it is rewarding to finally see a fuller picture of the range of styles found in this fashion capital. And while I will always adore the chic side of Paris and the iconic French woman dressed in head-to-toe black, there is something thrilling about seeing someone break out of that mold and try something completely different and even somewhat shocking.

Project Runway Part II

As a follow-up to my last post about Project Runway, I thought I would post an interesting photo to compare with Chris and Christian's avant-garde creation. Alison Kelly from Season 3 mentioned in her blog that the dress reminded her of a piece by Alexander McQueen. As we all know, Christian did work for Alexander McQueen, so some have suggested that Christian may have taken his "inspiration" from the designer piece. I posted the two photographs so that you can compare and contrast and then form your own opinions. So what do you think?

Reed Diffusers

My (very thoughtful) best friend bought me a Yankee Candle reed diffuser for my dorm room this Christmas. The idea is that the scented oil will be absorbed by the reeds and dispersed throughout the room. Since we aren't allowed to have candles in university dorm rooms (fire hazard!), this is a great alternative option. This item is available in a number of scents, including Autumn Wreath, Christmas Eve, and Sun and Sand (love it!), and it is perfectly affordable at either $10 or $19.99 depending on your choice.

Project Runway

Winter break is quickly drawing to a close, and I find myself scrambling to fit everything in before I have to head back to school for the start of the spring semester. In particular, I made sure to find time to catch up on episodes of Project Runway that I missed while at college.

I remember making a comment on here after the very first episode of the season that my favorite designer was Christian, and I am still completely behind him! With his snarky commentary on the other designers, I can't help but be reminded of Jeffrey from Season 3! Of course, Jeffrey's blend of talent and wit (plus a good dose of sarcasm) brought him all the way to the end, so maybe that combination will work for Christian too!?

I also remember admiring Rami for his elegant sense of style and ability to drape fabric, but the repetitive nature of his designs seems to be getting him in trouble with the judges! I was reading a blog on the Bravo TV website written by Alison from Season 3, and here's what she had to say about Rami.

In the music industry, a one-hit wonder is an artist generally known for only
one hit single. In the fashion world we call it "Rami."

I see what she means, but then again Uli went pretty far with her flowy silk dresses in colorful prints, even after the judges continually asked her to bring more to the table. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what next week brings!

Inspiration: The Container Store

If you're anything like me, then you're probably super-organized and can find any item at a moment's notice according to your own highly-developed System. And if you're not, then maybe one of your New Year's Resolutions was to finally organize yourself so that you won't have to rummage through packed drawers to find what you need anymore.

Either way, I highly recommend The Container Store for everything from office furniture to desk supplies to filing systems. The website will give you access to the full range of ingenious items for your home and office, but I definitely suggest paying a visit to the store if you have one near you. Every time I go in for a particular item, I walk out with a handful of other organizational supplies that I just "had to have."

PBteen Loft Furniture

Sleep and Study Loft, $1,799

Hmmm, does this photo remind you of anything? I just got the newest PBteen catalogue in the mail yesterday and was reminded of the amazing furniture at Espace-Loggia when I saw this great piece. Once again, I can definitely picture this in my 10 x 10 dorm room - stylish and space-saving! Maybe this means that cutting-edge European design will be more accessible to us in the U.S. sometime soon...