he'll pay for her wayward ways.

your sunday evening seduction. kind of mary-magdalene-chic, non?

I don't really want to be the queen....

ashley smith for vogue russia. baroque, extravagant tiaras, agent provocateur, and versace. oh, and a dior couture cape. seriously, that cape belongs in my coat closet. I have a major thing for capes. and dior. and couture.

and i thank you

can you believe it's already thanksgiving again?  where has the past year gone?  it's been an absolute whirlwind, and i am so grateful for so, so many things in my life...

*my beautiful and amazing family * my beautiful and amazing friends * my lovely significant other, for no matter what, you have helped me find my way * the health of my family and friends * my health, my body, and all of the amazing things that it can do (it's a gift that i have two legs and can walk, let alone run, ride a bike, do a headstand, and throw a mean right hook!) * yoga (for keeping me centered and giving me time to be inwardly spiritual) * my job, where i've learned so much, not only about business, but about who i am * my boss. he is a gift from god * new york city. you've been everything to me * my apartment. it's small but it's home * my gym, and the associated people (stephanie, jordan, steve, katie, danielle, mary dana, tessa, darryl). exercise is so important to me, and it's great to be surrounded by people who share that view * fashion, for helping me express myself and inspiring me * music, for entertaining me * my blackberry, ipod, and ipad for, if nothing else, keeping me connected to the people i love * my loubs, for always making me look and feel sexy * chanel nail polish, it's so amazingly chip-resistant! * books, for always giving me a delightful escape * 

there are a million other things i'm thankful for (i am truly so lucky and blessed to have the life i have!), but those are the ones coming to mind, in this moment.  i hope everyone has a great holiday, enjoys time with friends and family, and gets some good loot at the sales on friday!

much love.

nyfw ss11 - an addendum: Tom Ford Womenswear

back in september, tom ford showed his first womenswear collection under his namesake in a very small, private setting, only allowing his own photographers and limiting the audience to a group of 100.  naturally, this created mass hysteria amongst the fashion obsessed.  tom ford, womenswear, and exclusivity?  three (or four) words have never whetted the appetite of fashionistas all over the world.  and now, we are finally getting our first look at his collection (along with a glimpse of Ford himself..who is looking better than ever)!  

his first womenswear collection since leaving gucci and ysl is the ultimate in tom ford.  it's sophisticated, chic, grown up, glamorous, and sexy as hell.  but let's be honest here...no one is surprised by this.  tom ford only does chic and sexy.  i think what i love the most about his collection and presentation is that he's not dressing gawky 16 year old models.  he's dressing women, celebrating the female body, celebrating sophistication, and celebrating glamour.  dressing women who get dressed.  i love it.  every piece is flawless.  i particularly love the long column dress with the sheer deep-v top, and love it even more with the boxy, fish-scale sequin jacket.  it's beyond chic.

and p.s. how delicious does tom himself look? 

baby let's just leave...

so fantastically realized!  i LOVE the turbans, the 1950's glamour, the bloomer shorts, the muted pastels with punchy coral lipsticks!  yum!  and oh my gosh, those circle heel wedge sandals?! ah! amazinggg.  and it's all so beautiful against the beachy neutrals.  oh, and the sunglasses...major.

need a little love to ease the pain

ben olson is an incredibly talented local artist.  hailing from minnesota, he is slowly and surely making his mark on the local art scene, and there is just something in his paintings that really moves me.  i think it's the vulnerability in the eyes, the slight hint of torture and conflict in the hands, the romanticized pain of it all.  when i look at his work, i feel it.

i'm lucky enough to have one of his pieces, and i'd go for a second.  i'm not a huge fan of having multiple works by the same artist, but his work just makes me swoon.

i need your soul...

...umm...remember how i said i have a crush on tony ward?  let's rephrase that.
obsession with tony ward.
this is the hottest thing i've ever seen.

star power

part detroit rock city, part sixties love child, part studio 54 disco dust... i love make-up that makes a statement.  there's just something so glamorous about the precision, effort, and wow-factor of it all.  sure it may not be practical, but who ever said fashion is practical? not this girl ;)

celebrate!

it's my birthday, and i'll wear sequins, work a holly golightly-esque updo all day, eat macaroons, and drink champagne if i want to!

girls i love: get stoned - part trois!

lara stone, you kill me.  i'm pretty sure eventually, there will be blog posts titled "girls i love: get stoned - part quatre vingt cinq."  her face, her boobs, her lips...i say it every time, but the girl is the best face in fashion.   

my god pouts on the cover of a magazine

your sunday morning seduction, with a hint of well-placed, twisted religious reference.
you're welcome.

hello little boys, little toys.

non sei altro che un gioco io gioco, il mio amore.

so i can feel you

i love a good texture!  whether it's tulle, organza, ruffles, volume knits, or sequins and sparkles... anything that adds dimension to an outfit is fine by me!  getting dressed should be about making yourself look and feel interesting, not just merely covering up.  it should be about getting out there, being noticed, having fun!  and i think texture is just a perrrfect way to do that.

i want to be shameless like the sun...

this reminds me of where i grew up.  the Midwest.  of fresh air and warm summers and playing in my backyard with my friends.  of climbing the trees unsuccessfully (it's fine, i was never a real 'outdoorsy' gal), of picking cherry tomatoes from my little garden, and of running through the tall grass and weeds and up the small hill to burst into the back door of the house for lunch with my mom and sister.

oh, and rosie is just gorgeous here.  obvs.