Wild Wingbacks!
How AMAZING are these chairs from Anthropologie? Um, amazing enough for a dedicated post about them!!
I saw the top two styles when I was at the Chelsea Market location earlier today (see previous post) and they totally blew me away. I NEED one right now. They’re called Josef Wingback Chairs and are upholstered in the most amazing African inspired wax fabrics. The pictures from the site don’t do them justice – the colors are absolutely wonderful, vivid and exciting. I’m not sure if they would fit in my modern styled beige colored apartment, but maybe it is just the thing I need to spice things up (decoratively…)!
What do you think? Would you ever get a such a statement piece for your home?
Anthropologie @ Chelsea Market
On my way through Chelsea Market today to get steaks for a BBQ, I was lured by the sale signs at the newly opened Anthropologie and went in to take a look. The store is huge, as most Anthros are, spanning the ground floor and basement, stocked with apparel, jewelry and a huge selection of homewares, which is terrible for me, since I am easily tempted by a pretty bowl or french country candle.
So, I headed straight down to the sale section for some ‘guilt-free’ shopping. They have a great selection of cotton tops, whimsical dresses and printed skirts, mostly for less than $100, with a lot of items under $60. I saw a lot of things that could be worn right now and also through the fall, some light cardigans, silk blouses and such. The size selection is good and they have some really cute bralettes and undie sets for $40.
One thing I love about Anthropologie stores is that they have great dressing rooms, and this one was no different. It felt a as if you were stepping into a country spa – spacious, clean and quiet, and the room had a wallpapered cubby where you could hang you selections, as if you were in your own apartment with an open closet. I thought that was a really nice touch.
In the end, I left with the blue printed top, which I think will really help brighten up my neutral filled wardrobe. Can’t wait to wear it this weekend in Montauk! Best part? It was only $30! Yay. All in all a successful trip, and a very pleasant one at that.
First & Second Images: Racked
Schouler on a Dime
Usually when luxury brands launch exclusive items, it’s a chance for them to add another zero onto already astronomical prices. Well, the boys at Proenza Schouler have just launched two exclusives on their site, and not only are they super cool and totally on trend with their surf inspired pieces from Spring ’10, but they come at some reasonable prices too.
Wallet, $125; Tote, $325
So while I’m saving my pennies for a PS1, if you’re in the market for a new clutch or a city tote, these might be the ones for you! What do you think of the pieces and the prices?
Image credits: Proenza Schouler
Beach bags for a cause
My mom recently came back from the Galapagos and brought me a fantastic woven straw bag. It’s the perfect bag for toting my sunscreen and Kindle to the beach this summer and has a great tribal feel that’s so chic this season.
But if you’re not heading to Ecuador anytime soon, I have another summer-worthy option for you: these amazing FEED Guatemala 3 bags, available exclusively at Lord and Taylor for $39 each. Not only will this bag make you feel like you’re walking through the most exotic bazaar, but it will help you make a difference in in the world. For each bag sold, FEED, together with Unicef and Lord & Taylor, will be donating $10.50 to the U.S. Fund for Unicef to feed hungry children in Guatemala.
So if you’re in the market for a new beach tote, what are you waiting for? Get yours here today!
Chelsea Flea Finds
Got to spend a Sunday alone this week while E is drumming up some business in SF. So I took the opportunity to do something I rarely do when E is around — hang out at the Chelsea Flea. For me, flea marketing is a solo activity which allows me to spend as much time as I want pawing through costume jewelry and old photographs.
Thankfully for my bank account, everything that I loved was priced under $10! Talk about a guilt-free afternoon. So to my purchases:
One of the stores I stopped by was run by a Chinese couple from Shanghai (upper garage level) and was stocked full of old Buddhist trinkets and antique jade pendants. I loved some of the Chinese calligraphy brushes with jeweled handles, but ultimately was drawn to two silver bangles. As you can see, they are perfectly antiqued (aka dirty) and go really well with my new watch (thanks mom!).
Even more special are the dragon heads on each bracelet — both E and my bro are born in the year of the Dragon, so the bracelets will remind me of my two favorite men every time I wear them.
My other brilliant purchase was two matching elephant pins from another jewelry vendor. I wore one today on the collar of my chambray shirt, and plan to wear the two together on a t-shirt, or even to jazz up a LBD. I mean, how cute is this little guy??
So all in all a good day at the Flea. Can’t wait to see what else I find the next time I get a free weekend to myself!
Manklets
I can’t get this image out of my head. Am dying for E to rock the ankle bandannas too. Sexy!
Image credit: Jak and Jil
Menswear Spring ’11: Prada
There were mixed reviews of the Prada show. Imran from Business of Fashion thought the wide leg bermudas and boxy v-neck shirts looked like ill fitting surgical scrubs, while Scott at the Sartorialist said it was the one of the best Prada collections in years.
I wasn’t a fan of the bermudas either, but I liked the skinny three-button suits a lot, sleek and wearable, although not very innovative. Also, did anyone notice the reflector sunglasses around the boy’s necks? I’m having an Oakley flashback!
Image credits: Style.com
Menswear Spring ’11: Bottega Veneta
And so another show season begins. Tomas Maier showed some great monochrome outfits, but the stars of the show were really his amazingly cast models. Scruffy and sharp, they embodied the road trip warrior that the collection was inspired by. Who said men’s fashion can’t be fun! 
Image credits: Style.com
Accessories Report: The NY Edition
Rounding up the resort accessories:
Marc by Marc showed some great costume jewelry, and reworked the twisted belt look on some of his messenger bags – so cute!
Michael Kors went back to his roots and showed some true resort pieces: fringed bags, agate necklaces and leather sandals.
Alexander Wang kept to the same shoe shapes that we’ve grown to love in new colors and finishes.
Image credits: WWD
Store Review: Les Toiles Du Soleil
Les Toiles Du Soleil means “the fabric of the sun”, so when I was shopping for a summer housewarming gift, I thought Les Toiles de Soleil in Chelsea would be the perfect place to go check out the wares. In addition, I live on the same block as the store and like to support my local businesses and entrepreneurs (karma’s a B, baby).
Stepping into the store is like walking into a rainbow — the colors surround you and fill you with sunniness and a sense of joy. I mean, how can you be sad looking at that wall of fabrics?
They have great gifts for the home and host, including beach chairs, dish towels, tote and yoga bags, table runners and my personal favorite, espadrilles, all for very reasonable prices (most items run under $100). Even better, they make everything in the store itself and will custom make anything for you as well.
Since this is a gift for a friend, I went with something that I know she could use — dish towels that will brighten up her modern kitchen in her Scottish home. I had a great time picking out all the colors and finally landed on a tropical punch combination, totally inspired by summer and very Missoni-esque, if I might say so myself. My friend P also picked up a cute summer tote for his girlfriend to brighten her days in gloomy London.
All in all, Les Toiles du Soleil is a great little store, a perfect gift for the next time you’re a house guest or just a pick me up for your own home.
Les Toiles du Soleil, 261 West 19th Street, New York, NY
My gift, all wrapped up and ready to head off to Scotland!
Luxplorer 