The new "it" fabric? Burlap.

Yup, burlap. As in the material that potato sacks are made of.

Call it a sign of the times, or "recession chic" or what have you, but for those who thought burlap was only relegated to Depression-era farm children swathed in coarse, itchy togas, think again. Burlap is back in a big way -- and not only that, if designer goods are your modus operandi, be prepared to spend big.

How big? Try about $1,400 for the Miu Miu burlap ensemble (above), complete with pink streak of spray paint, of course. I think the streak lends a certain je ne sais quoi, don't you? Or this dress, also about $1,400.

The New York Times is calling this new fad "bread-line chic". Clever. I call it "the Emperor has no clothes" syndrome. If you want a pair of matching shoes for your itchy little dress (move over LBD, the ILD is the new kid in town), then why not try Miu Miu's $600 burlap pumps? But why should we stop there. Why not, say, use the coarse fabric to upholster high-end furniture? Oh wait, that's already been done. I'm just waiting for a burlap bikini. Perhaps I should fashion one once Love and I get through cooking all the potatoes in our kitchen.

Seeing this I can't help but be reminded of that I Love Lucy episode, entitled "Lucy Gets a Paris Gown." In it Lucy decides to go on a hunger strike until Ricky agrees to buy her a designer dress, which he saves for until he finds out Ethel has been smuggling Lucy food. Ricky decides to teach Lucy a lesson by putting together a haphazard burlap dress and passing it off as a Paris original. Lucy believes him and wears it proudly. Hilarity (of course) ensues, especially because this is how ridiculous she looked:

Fashionable Fridays: Mellow Yellow

I'm going to throw a cliche in here and tell you that pink is my favorite color. I know, barf, pink is everyone's favorite color. Whatever. A close second in my "favorite colors" palette is yellow. Oh, yellow, you saucy minx. How you tease me with your vibrant, warm hue and get me thinking of impossibly exotic locations, submarines sung of by a certain four-part British band, and the California sunsets I know and love.

I know not everyone can wear yellow, especially those of us pale folk, but luckily I tan easily (thank you, half-Persian ancestry) and am most looking forward to the warmer weather so I can once again prance around in lighter colors. Y tu?


Untitled - by barbie™ on Polyvore.com


1000 Places To See Before You Die : Rome :) - by Minni on Polyvore.com


learn to walk away - by ♥MOOSEGiRL♥ on Polyvore.com


Perfect Day - by Monypussy (new HAT CONTEST) on Polyvore.com


Untitled - by sugarsugar on Polyvore.com


Escape to the Sun - by DallasTX on Polyvore.com


RACHEL BILSON - by nadiya is a trendsetter ♥ on Polyvore.com


Rest Day, But i'm Still Workin' - by ♥~PrettyBaby~♥ on Polyvore.com


here comes the sun .. - by popbarb on Polyvore.com


Spring getaway - by FabFashion on Polyvore.com


Pastels - Spring/Summer 2009 - by joostyna on Polyvore.com

Here comes the sun, my pretties!

Fashion roundup: High-waisted pencil skirts

Back by popular demand, I'm doing another post on high-waisted pencil skirts. Lots of people have been asking me how to wear them, what to pair them with, etc., so I sifted through endless pages on Polyvore.com, compiling my favorite looks. Many of the pieces used in these sets are a steal, and others are, well, a bit out of our price range. Nevertheless, they serve as good examples of what to look for when you're bargain shopping and need inspiration as you piece together your own high-waisted pencil skirt look! Here are my fave looks -- enjoy....

How to Wear High Waists - by Nina's Closet on Polyvore.com


Untitled - by anettee_ on Polyvore.com

Remember this fact: - by ♡•Simply Moi•♡B Bck N 5 Hrs on Polyvore.com


Senza titolo - by matelda on Polyvore.com


Heaven Smiles Up To Me When I See Your Face - by xxshellxx on Polyvore.com


112 - by Winnie2308 on Polyvore.com


Brightness - by xxshellxx on Polyvore.com


May 6, 2008 - by colormelove on Polyvore.com


Untitled - by andreab09 on Polyvore.com


Untitled - by labrama on Polyvore.com

Fashion on a Budget: Alexander McQueen for Target

The British are coming, the British are coming! And in this case, it's a fabulous thing. Alexander McQueen's Target line is almost upon us, with an official release date of March 1!

We can now add this to our "Why recessions rock" list we've been mentally keeping track of. As I've written before, every girl should have a little McQueen in her closet, and with the economy in the tank and people being laid off in droves, owning a piece of the pie is now an (albeit bittersweet) option. Ironic how things work out. Anyway, if you're new to the game, Brit fashion designer McQueen is known for his impeccable tailoring, eye for detail and out-there designs, which often seem influenced by the punk persuasion. Although McQueen has his own, high-end label, he also designs for Gucci and can now cross off "design Target line" from his to-do list.

I think that this is Target's best designer line by far, and am impressed with most of the outfits, especially the first two dresses I've posted below (although leggings and booties are definitely not my thing, I'd trade for bare leg and peep toe pumps). Interestingly, Target has opted not to include the McQueen collection in their traditional GO! International category, but rather has dubbed the new line part of its "Designer collaborations" unit. Is the GO! series not worthy enough? Does this mean we may see more higher-end designers now feature diffusion lines through Target? I'm crossing my fingers for Cavalli.

Behold some of the new McQueen looks:


These are only nine of the 18 looks that were released this week; to see the rest, visit Nylon Magazine's slideshow. Although no pricing info is out yet, rest assured that all looks will be priced under $100, probably around $50 for the dresses (this is Target, after all).

What do you think?

Fashion on a Budget: New Target/Hayden-Harnett bag line

Target is gearing up to debut their 7th designer handbag collection, this time with bag designers Toni Hacker and Ben Harnett, Brooklyn natives who founded their fashion house a mere four years ago in 2005 and have risen rapidly to become trendsetters in their genre, selling to high-end boutiques worldwide. Us girls on a budget may not be able to strut into the nearest Apres Peau and plunk down $700 (sigh) for any Hayden-Harnett goodness, but now (much like we used to play dress up and pretend we were the Queen of England ... or was that just me?) we can "play" with a budget of $25 and live luxe. Well, kind of.

The Hayden-Harnett collection will be dropping it like it's hot on December 28th, so get thee to your nearest Target when the big day rolls around to examine the goods mano a mano. Hey, I know you'll be out anyway flitting in retail land on your post-Christmas mission to lap up goodies on sale ... at least I will be. The bags will range between $19.99 and $49.99 (not bad at all), and will include oversized envelope clutches, convertible hobos and flight totes. Snazzy detailing on said bags will include distressed brown or black faux-leather and a multi-color fig-leaf printed canvas. Sweet, because in the floral motif realm, hibiscus flowers are so 1997. Fig leafs are the new hibiscus.

And now for your viewing pleasure:Mary Poppins meets the The King and I, with a fig-leaf twist (above). Interesting Thai-influenced umbrella.
This brown clutch (above) also comes in black. Love the Chanel-influenced woven chain and faux-leather wristlet strap, not sure about the exposed coin pouch. It looks like it was stuck to the outside because they wanted the product to look "different." Is this a clutch, wristlet, or actual handbag? Is defining handbags already passe?Like the previous clutch, this one (above) also comes available in black. I think it's tres cute -- very 70s hippie meets urban chic. The (faux) leather looks like it actually wouldn't look that ... faux ... in person and I love the pleated detail and gold-riveted plates in the center.
I also love this handbag, but I can't decide whether I like it better in brown or black. Regardless, it reminds me of the $1,500 Balenciaga motorcycle bag that I have coveted for, oh, the past four years and will probably continue to do so for a very, very long time. If I buy either of these, I'd ake off the shoulder strap and use the shorter handles -- it'd be cuter held than carried by your shoulder.A fig-leaf -- I love saying that -- canvas version of the above bags.

Can't decide whether I love it or hate it (above). Leather and chain straps? Check. Odd, bottom-heavy silhouette replete with studs on underbelly? Not so check. Must examine in person.Yet another handbag of the fig-leaf canvas variety. Is it just me or is this print somewhat reminscient of the upholstered wicker couch cushions on the Golden Girls living room set? If it is (and I am by no means knocking it, HUGE fan of Golden Girls, I'm a Blanche!) then I must buy it! I do love the tan leather detailing on this fig-leaf throwback to set furniture in a late '80s sitcom.

Thoughts?

Fashion on a Budget: Target edition

On nights when I have nothing to do, I often end up at Target's online storefront. I know, I'm supposed to be saving because Love and I have all these financial goals we want to meet -- such as t0 move back across the country to California and buy a home (while repaying his uber-expensive student loans off) -- after he graduates law school in about a year and half. But when it comes to fashion I can't help myself. And until I can routinely hand my debit card over to a Nordstrom's associate for something that's either a.) consistently above $200, or b.) not on super sale, I'll always have Target. Oh who am I kidding -- even if I had all the money in the world, I'd still skim the racks at the House of Red, wouldn't you? There's just something so satisfying about leaving the store with bags of goodies.

And their new fashion shipments do not disappoint!:I want, I need the Anya Hindmarch for Target black python handbag above ($44.99). Classy and chic? Check. Modern yet retro? Check. Would Holly GoLightly approve? Che-he-HECK. Oh, and then I would need the Anya Hindmarch for Target black python clutch ($19.99) on the days where I can go "light." I love it when designers throw their chips in with Target, it makes everything luxurious feel so attainable. (Can't wait for the Alexander McQueen line!)

High waisted pencil skirt in black, for only $12.99! I hate how they paired it with the black tights (yuck), but throw on a killer pair of black Angelina Jolie-esque peep-toe pumps and you'll be good to go! If I didn't already own a black high waisted pencil, I'd definitely be on my way out to pick this one up.
Black accordian ruffle dress (above), $29.99. I love the simple, timeless cut, cute puffy sleeves and ruffle detailed around the lapel. My favorite dresses are ones like these, that you can throw on in a moment's notice and still look as put together as someone who spent an afternoon trying to figure out what to wear. (Would pair quite nicely with the aforementioned Anya Hindmarch clutch.)
Wrap dress in Phantom Grape, $29.99. Surprisingly, I don't altogether hate this ensemble the way its paired with flats (I'm a heels girl), although I do think a pointed-toe kitten heel pump, at the very least, would look even better. This reminds me of one of those dresses you'd see Sophia Loren wearing in some early 1960s movie set in Italy. A little Tuscan-countryside-girl-spends-the day-shopping-in-Rome (via Vespa, of course).
Saniya pointed-toe black flats, $16.99. FINALLY, a pair of basic black pointed flats for under $20. I think I'll pick up a pair for this fall/winter. They also have them in a metallic hue.Vira fringe pumps in dark camel, $27.99. These are a knockoff of the L.A.M.B. "Yoyo" heels, which retail for about $400, so at $27.99, these guys are a steal. Like all these finds, I'm going to especially need to see these heels in person, because they look like they may have an air of cheapness to them, but then again it may just be the fringe talking.

While are quite a few hits, there are also some misses:

Seriously, are we really going there now, people? It's like some disgruntled fashion intern in the depths of Vogue concocted a devious plan to throw like acid in Anna Wintour's uptight face. "I know how I'll get this cold, mean-hearted fashion world back," surmises said intern, hidden beneath layers of cubicles. "I'll make spandex silver lamé leggings the new 'it' thing to own! That will teach them!"

Honestly, how could anyone dig these appalling things? (Okay, aside from Lady Gaga and any ex-back up dancers from In Living Color?) And it's not just a Target thing; I've noticed them in many stores these days. News flash: It isn't 1979 anymore, and even if it was, this is not one of its shining moments.

Fall fashion on a budget

Hello my pretties! We're in the thick of fall (spring '08, we hardly knew ye), and it's getting cold. Not a charming cold either, like West Coast fog-rolling-off-the-Pacific-Ocean-in-Santa-Cruz-at-night cold, where the chilliest it ever gets in my hometown is light-sweater weather. (Sniff, sniff.) No, this is biting, frigid temperatures-make-me-balk-at-wearing-skirts-to-work cold, which can ruin a girl's daily wardrobe choices. Sigh.

But I refuse to give up my skirts and dresses just yet. That's what winter is for anyway, right? And sadly the winters are long and hard here in Washington DC -- okay, maybe not that bad, but for a beachbum born and raised, I may as well be living in Siberia. So I've put a few key pieces together that are fabulous for indoor, non-Eastern Block temps, yet can all be covered and belted with the perfect trench for cooler outdoor weather.



I bought tickets for Love and I to see a ballet at the Kennedy Center in late November, and I think this outfit I put together (above) would be perfect. Ballet or not, it would also "razzle dazzle them" when worn out for a nice dinner, drinks with friends or just to kick your night up a notch.

• Purple Crystal Rose ring, Butler & Wilson, $35
• Satin Bow A-Line skirt, Forever 21, $19.80
  
• Dressy halter, Forever 21, $17.80
• Multi-chain necklace, Forever 21, $6.80
• Santi Blaire fabric clutch, Amazon.com, $95 (pricey, but very easy to make from scratch. Already bought the fabric, which only cost about $4!)
• Wing Tip pumps, Charlotte Russe, $24.99

Trekking out to Old Navy anytime soon? Then be sure to try all these tres chic finds (above) on when you're ready to hit the fitting rooms! All together they cost a grand total of $104 -- a perfect price for four different, polished looks. Hurry though, sizes (as always at Old Navy) are running out fast!:

• Black Stretch Ponte-Cap Sleeved Dress, Old Navy, $29.50
• Baby Blue Belted Cowl Neck Dress, Old Navy, on sale for $20!!! (Hideous shoes they paired with the garment, but I love the dress nonetheless.
• White Turtleneck Sweater Dresses, Old Navy, $34.50
• Pink Wrap-Front Knit Dress, Old Navy, $20
  

Ah to feel Parisian all year-round! The above outfit I conjured up is fun, flirty and feminine. Stand out in bold colors when everyone else around you is bundled up in grays and blacks!

• Bonjour Eiffel Tower Brooch, KristenGrace.com, $24
• Pink Neck Scoop Cardigan, MissSelfridge.com, on sale for $18.50
• A-Line Floral Skirt, Forever 21, $24.50
• Green clutch, Forever 21, $12.90
• Black Scarf, BonPrixSecure.com, $12
• Pearl necklace, Forever 21, $6.90
• Pink heels, www.Heels.com, $49.50

Everyone needs a good pair of boots, either high heeled or otherwise. I had all high heeled boots until recently when I became obsessed with finding perfect riding boots and found a pair of Nine Wests on sale. I don't know why I'm on such a riding-boot kick lately ... maybe it's all the horse-back riding Betty Draper's been doing in her fabulous black boots on Mad Men. Regardless, above are three adorable boot ideas that I would buy if I didn't already own so much footwear. Oh who am I kidding, I just ordered those Charlotte Russe wing tip pumps. While I work on my willpower, here are the prices:

• Black riding boots, Kohls.com, on sale for $46.99
• Tan Type Z Ashley heeled boots, Zappos.com, $149
• Brown Naturalizer riding boots, Zappos.com, $109 (I like my Nine Wests a little better, but these are cute too.)

And lastly, to keep you toasty and fashionable this fall say hello two of the cheapest yet quality trenches on the Web (above), both on sale right now at the Gap. I want both!! Must....not.....succumb.......

• The "Classic Trench" (on left), Gap, $119
• Long Plaid Trench (on right), Gap, $119
  

Iope that offered some help with your up-and-coming shopping trip. Whenever you feel down and out about the financial crisis, the economy, your future and ... well ... your bank account, remember that it doesn't take a million bucks to look like a million bucks.

In fact, I don't think being on a budget ever looked this fashionable! ;)