So as mentioned, Rachel Roy, who does truly exquisite dresses and gorgeously tailored blouses and pants, is doing a really well-priced capsule collection for Macy's called Rachel Rachel Roy. A handful of pieces are already in Macy's—like this pretty awesome black dress ($109), which has lots of interesting details around the neck—with tons more slated to arrive later this month. What do you guys think? Anything catching your eye?
I own a pair of antique earrings—small, dainty, understated—that I pretty much never take out. This could be interpreted as loyal (my parents did buy them for me), or just lazy. The funny thing is, though, that it's never inhibited me from stocking up on oversize earrings—I buy them compulsively at markets across the globe, whether it's silver filigree chandeliers in Mexico City or brass Fulani hoops in Kenya (strange, right, since Fulani earrings are actually from Mali) even though I never seem to wear them. I just found the latter when I was organizing my jewelry this weekend and I put them on immediately. They're big, but fun—and the bright yellow shade makes them kind of glamorous, too. If you have no plans to travel to Africa in your future, you can snap them up here. Meanwhile, going forward, I'm forcing myself to swap out my earrings at least twice a week.
As reported by Vogue, Jil Sander is back—as in the original Jil Sander, of the eponymous line (which is now designed by Raf Simons). Her collection of signature, menswear-inspired shapes for Uniqlo, called +J, is hitting the U.S. flagship in October—and there's already so much excitement, I can't imagine that they won't sell-out almost immediately. Sadly, Uniqlo doesn't sell online yet, but if you happen to be in New York, it's probably worth lining up. Meanwhile, check back, as I'll post an update as soon as they announce an exact date.
I can add very little to the Twilight and True Blood fanaticism that's raging around the Lucky offices—I haven't participated at all (eek!). But I can understand why everyone is obsessed with Gothic jewelry. Victorian Trading Post is one of my favorite, under-the-radar resources for reproduction period pieces—a total guilty pleasure (they do, after all, sell truly bizarre things, like witches shoes and maid costumes). I love this two-finger, crystal ring. Am I crazy?
As much as I love to read, it's rare that I have a book in my bag
that's captivating enough to distract me from checking everyone out on the subway. In fact, I've sort of mastered the glazed over "I'm staring at you, but it looks like I'm just spacing out" look. Tricky, right? The other day, I spotted a girl who looked perfect in a very real, attainable way as I was getting out at my stop and I'm pretty eager to copy her entire outfit. She had a totally normal body—I live in a neighborhood that's primarily inhabited by models, which means I see lots of great things on the street, just things that wouldn't necessarily look so great on me!—but the pieces had all the right, flattering proportions. The main item was a tribal-patterned skirt, much like this ikat-print version from Forever 21 ($10.50!!!). When a skirt is full, it necessarily makes your legs look thinner by comparison—and this particular one hit her right at the knee (this is generally a flattering length, but if you hate your knees, feel feel to cover them, too). Next, she had tucked in a slightly-slouchy chambray button-down that looked like it 
had been washed a hundred times—I think this version from the boys uniform section at Old Navy might work if the sleeves were cuffed ($14.50). I also love this option from Martin + Osa (it's for guys, so select the size accordingly), it's just a bit more expensive ($64.50). And finally, she finished the look with some big necklaces, a bit like this Egyptian-esque piece ($14.80).
For me, it's that I don't own rain boots. Every time it pours, as it is this morning here in New York, I sure do wish I owned a pair, but when I encounter them in stores (Which is with alarming frequency: Hunter Wellies are now showing up at cash wraps at the rate of the ever-ubiquitous Hanky Panky thong!), I can never motivate to buy a pair, even though I know I'll use them all the time. What sort of mental block is this? Why am I so lazy about something that is a total necessity (and cute, to boot!)? What's your major shopping stumbling block? On a related note, I love these nicely priced ($48) equestrian-style rain boots from Urban Outfitters. Perhaps they'll inspire me to finally pull the trigger.
I love flip-flops as much, if not more, than the average person (I have 18 pairs, at last count), but I still feel like a dirty person when I wear them around the city (unless I'm going to get a pedicure, for which they are definitely required). I mean, New York City streets are filthy, and there's nothing more unsavory than that line of dirty sweat that forms along the edge of the rubber. Even though I always, always wash my feet before bed every night (my one OCD habit) it's not enough to counter-act what I've just put my toes through. But, I have my Working Girl tendencies, too, and nothing beats something that you can slip on and off as readily as Havianas. This is why I'm always on the hunt for simple, lightweight, easy-to-stow shoes that I can swap for heels when I get to work—and these espadrilles from Talbots, which just got reduced by 40%, definitely fit the bill (DISCLAIMER: these are a Lucky-wide obsession, as documented in this month's Style Spy). I think I might spring for them in Navy. Better for braving the subway than flip-flops, right?
I first saw one of these necklaces at Maryam Nassir Zadeh—
arguably one of the best boutiques on New York's LES—and I was instantly smitten, and then thrilled to find them online here at Creatures of Comfort. Manoogian crafts her pieces from paperclips and vinyl tape and while they're officially necklaces, I almost want to splurge on one to hang on my wall. They're really cool and unusual—and much different than anything I've seen in a long time. What say you all?
Everytime I go to Mexico, or to a Mexican import store, my hand always wafts over the tray of Milagros by the cash register. And invariably I buy at least two (I arrange them on the edge of my kitchen counter which means that they're constantly slipping behind the cabinetry, which is why I feel compelled to constantly replenish my stock). I think they're really beautiful and I love any permutation of hammered tin—plus, they just look so old-world. I can't remember ever seeing them in necklace form, which is why I flipped for these gold necklaces by Erica Weiner. I want at least three, to wear all at once. For more under $100 jewelry (these are $45 each), click here.
Ok, so these aren't exactly a bargain ($75), but they sure are cute
. And the collaboration (a team effort from Loomstate, Keds, and Barneys) is not only crafted from 100% organic materials, but it also benefits The Organic Exchange, a non-profit that focuses on the growing of earth-friendly cotton. Because wouldn't it be nice if all cotton were inherently eco someday?
