a "gilty" pleasure...

These days everyone is trying to make bank by selling their designer clothes at exorbitant prices. Unfortunately for us, we can't all be millionaires that casually drop $500 on a pair of michael kors cigarette pants. Welcome our saviour, gilt.com. Everyday at various times throughout the day, sales will begin on the website for designer clothing. You can purchase men's clothes, women's clothes, children's clothes, and even home furnishings all at a significantly slower price than offered in boutiques and department stores. Of course, there are still some pieces that are at the $300-500 range, but those are items that would regularly be $700-1000. They offer many designers, from Proenza Schouler to Marc Jacobs, from Roberto Cavalli to Nanette Lepore, from Carolina Herrera to Twenty8Twelve. There is a bit of a catch to the website though, you either have to be invited by someone you know who is already on the website or you must apply to be invited. But go check it out, apply, and you'll be dancing in designer heaven in no time!

www.gilt.com

welcome to the Garden...

H&M released their new "garden collection" on the world yesterday and I am happy to report that it did not disappoint (although I'm sure I will be disappointed when everything sells out before I have the chance to snatch something up!) The line is made with environmentally adapted materials like recycled polyester, organic cotton, and organic linen which the company proudly boasts will "contribute to a more sustainable world". Whether or not you believe in going green, the cheap prices and soft fabrics are still enough to entice you to buy from the collection.

I have not had the chance to go to H&M yet to buy something (although I will report my findings on Saturday), but an employee friend has informed me that it is selling out fast! The collection itself is spring/summer 2010 so expect loads of florals, cute patterned summer dresses, light airy fabrics in white or tan, and a some of adorable shorts (think safari inspired khaki). Also I found there to be a lot of bright blue and bright red garments which just scream WEAR ME. The thing I like most about the collection is that it is not for the weak hearted or fashion scaredy cats. Most collections I've noticed are either too "blah" to bother wearing, or they just don't catch my eye enough. Most of the pieces in this collection however, are loud statement pieces (especially some of the more intensely coloured dresses) and must be worn very simply without a lot of accessories. Finally, a collection that actually makes me WANT to spend money (the prices I found extremely reasonable as well, some pieces I'd even be willing to spend more on!)

Here are some pieces so you can get an idea of the collection.

View the full collection at http://www.hmthegardencollection.com

white eyelet dress $24.95 USD

works as a beach coverup or a sweet dress

a crazy steal at $19.95 USD

also comes in bright blue for the more brave

functions as either a tunic or a dress $24.95 USD

unfortunately not all the pieces can be knockouts

pair extremely high waisted pants, a straw boater hat and gold strappy heels

floral corset $17.95 USD

definitely a statement piece, only for the fearless fashionista!

floral dress $19.95 USD

a mix of two floral patterns create a unique summer look

dress $17.95 USD

one of my favourite pieces, simple but perfect

capped sleeve dress $12.95 USD

be sure to wear with a simple top!

floral shorts $24.95 USD

another favorite of mine

blue overall dress $34.95 USD

searching for the perfect pair of oxfords

I absolutely love oxfords. They are cute and functional, a rarity sometimes in fashion . They seem to be able to be paired with anything from the most girly dress to a pair of slacks that hit just above the ankle.

Urban Outfitters

There is only one problem with these shoes for me, I have a size 10 foot and these shoes don't seem to be very accommodating for us big footed people. They are either too small or too narrow. I feel like a giantess when I go into a store ask for a size 10 and they don't fit and then have to ask if they carry size 11. Gah it's times like these I wish I were shorter or had smaller feet.

I am now running on three failed attempts at finding a pair that fit my feet.

First up we have these cute little things, they were the first pair that I tried on. The salesperson brought them out and I thought she was joking when she pulled out these itty bitty things.... they looked like baby shoes. No lie. So disappointing.

Aldo

Next up we have these. Saw them on a clerk and thought they were adorable (I should probably mention that she was like 5'4" with tiny feet). Asked for a 10 and I couldn't even get my heel in. I asked if they carried 11's and she said yes but they didn't have any in at that time. She then tried to make me feel better about my large feet not fitting into them by saying, "yeah these shoes run a bit small. I had to go up a whole size but they do stretch out." Thanks betch, you made me feel so much better.

Steve Madden

And these are my dream pair.... the ones that I long for and pray will fit me perfectly. I have yet to venture to Toronto to try them on and see if they are meant to be. Fingers crossed.

Urban Outfitters

I am getting sick of it... the endless search... but let's face it I'll never give up until I find the perfect ones.

lg fashion week

So this year I decided to go and volunteer for Lg Fashion Week. I am so excited! I was assigned to work in the fasion environment, whatever that means. But anyways, I am super excited and I just know that it will be an experience that I'll remember.

First day is on Sunday for the late shift. They told us to wear black bottoms and black shoes (well she said try to make them as black as possible) and then they give us an oversized dress shirt that has the company sponsoring the event.... makes me feel a bit like a walking ad whore but I guess they got to get things out somehow and what better way than have dozens of walking billboards...

Oh, and if you get a chance, come and check out some of the shows, or buy a ticket for one of the parties (yup they sell tickets to the parties). I'll let you know how everything goes and maybe even sneak a couple of pics to show what it's like in for the volunteers.

Wish me luck.

victory...

Remember how a few weeks ago I mentioned the crazy awesome website lookbook.nu and how I was finding it impossible to be invited or be accepted to join?

Well... I (and by I, I actually mean Kiley helped me so much, so we) got on. It sounds silly and vain and all sorts of things I'm not, but the idea of the website intrigued me. Someone sitting on their computer, laptop or whatever and judging your style and the way you interpret fashion is crazy, yet at the same time being apart of something that seems so exclusive, feels kind of weird. Can someone please explain that to me, wanting to be apart of something that clearly isn't just.

Not only does lookbook want to be exclusive in who they let in (and who the existing members invite) they also have a set of rules that you have to follow in order to be considered. You have to take your pictures a certain way (full body, from the knees up or from the neck down) and they cannot be photoshopped to hell.

I really do like finally being apart of lookbook and I am thoroughly enjoying the whole idea of commenting and hyping and what have you, but the concept of the site, and when considering it in a broader concept, (or someone who has never heard of the site interprets it) the idea is very superficial and almost seems like a way to create a fashion hierarchy within the site. The creators of lookbook decide who gets let in and whether your picture remains up (if they don't like it or you don't follow their rules you run the risk of having your photo taken down).

Would lookbook have the same appeal if anyone could post pictures of their personal style and hype the looks they liked? Probably not. Yeah sure, it could possibly open up a door for a person that was not previously interested in fashion but at what cost? Would there be people who posted pictures that showed a disinterest in fashion and thought pictures of skimpy-spaghetti-strapped-barely-there dresses paired with plastic platform heels were acceptable outfits to demonstrate great street fashion (well I guess it is street fashion but not the kind that we want). The site, was after all inspired by websites such as The Sartorialist, and if Scott Schuman has standards well then...

The site is about showcasing some sort of fashion sense or even an innovative and interesting way of wearing clothing. But who am I to decide who is trying to be innovative and interesting with their wardrobe.... Wow this is hard to say without sounding like a bitch.... but anyways, I get why they have rules and standards but I just wanted to get it out that it's a bit vain.... can you tell I'm torn.

I guess in the end it's all in good fun and shouldn't be analyzed as anything further than a website based around youth culture and their desire to fit in yet at the same time be different.... a way for people to show the world what they are trying to be.... and finally a spot where you have an opinion in the fashion world, a place where you can see the results of liking an outfit and a place where you have a voice about what you think is 'hot or not'.

the september issue

Well first off, I'm going to say that I was pleasantly surprised to find that this documentary was not at all what I thought it would be. I'm not exactly sure what I thought was going to happen but what did was a nice surprise. I know that it takes a lot of people and a lot of time and effort to put together a magazine but I had no real grasp on the whole idea until watching this film. There are so many more things going into Vogue then the latest trends and shows. It's a story told through clothing, accessories and scenery. It's amazing to watch it all come together and be able to see the final product.

Not to mention that I love the divine Ms. Anna Wintour a little bit more after this. She works so hard and really loves what she does.

As for Grace (yup, Grace Coddington and I are on a first name basis) is amazing in this. She's such a fighter and I love it (and her). Everyone else kind of let's Anna run shiz but not Grace, if she thinks Anna's wrong she lets her know.

I had one question though, why was there not more Andre Leon Talley. I know he's kind of crazy and over the top (which is why people love him) but really, why is he not in it more.

Go out, rent it, buy it, do whatever, but make sure you watch it at some point. It's super good and really gives you insight on all the effort that goes into making this iconic magazine.