INSPIRED BuY...aztec print shorts

if any of you follow me on twitter, you know that i have an OBSESSION with aztec print shorts.  funny thing is, i have NO idea where this obsession came from.  so i tried to figure it out:

from '08-'09, i wouldn't go ANYWHERE without my white denim cutoff shorts.
in the summer of 2010 i incorporated medium wash denim cutoffs, a pair of silky shorts & brought back a pair with a camo/jungle print (circa 2002).

as summer ended i couldn't fathom 6 months sans shorts!  this led to the year-round shorts obsession (paired with tights, of course).

i started with my denim cutoffs.  next i pulled an old pair of wool herringbone shorts out of my closet. and THEN things began to get out of control when i purchased a pair of sequined shorts.

I figured I'd wear them once (new years eve) but they became my weekend go-to!  i actually wore them 4 times this winter, and will probably get one more wear out of them!

so, anyway, back to aztec shorts.  when i was looking through spring 2011 runway shows i saw a lot of colored and printed shorts.  i'd also been seeing a lot of navajo&aztec prints on the street (sweaters, bags, jackets, etc).  i LOVE shorts (clearly) and i LOVE navajo&aztec prints, so in my mind i decided i somehow needed to find a combo of the two.

I guess my thinking isn't THAT out there, and i'm not the ONLY one who's coveting aztec print shorts, because after some investigation, i found these (yay!):

1. dolce vita 2. tibi 3. stolen girlfriend's club 4. ann taylor loft 5. topshop

my favorites are the tibi and the topshop, but i have a feeling there will be a lot more options this summer!

INSPIRED BuY...summer music festivals (2011 version)

music festivals are my favorite summertime events.  i don't know what could be much better than long weekends filled with music, music lovers, camping out, sunshine, and the opportunity to wear anything (i mean, ANYTHING- yikes!) your little heart desires.

this year i'm heading to DMB's northeast festival, which is in late June (i think this will be my 35th time seeing the dave matthews band live.  madness).  The rest of the line-up hasn't been announced yet, but i'm hoping it'll be good!

i also want to make it to bonnaroo in manchester, tn which is the first weekend in June.  the lineup is pretty eclectic and sweet.  just to get an idea, here are the headliners: eminem, buffalo springfield, widespread panic & arcade fire.  awesome.

anyway, packing for music festivals can be tricky, especially if you've never been to one.  here are some of my must haves:

1. burt's bees sun protecting lip balm - burt's bees lip balm is amazing, and burnt lips are the worst

2. pendleton blanket: something to sit on so you don't ruin your over-priced but beautiful sundress

3. luna bars: so you don't have to lose your amazing spot, right in front of the stage, when you get hungry

4. disposable flask: because sometimes you don't want magic hat or frozen margaritas in giant plastic cups

5. taste nirvana coconut water: hydrates better than water, tastes amazing, and is only 50 calories

6. leyendecker maxi dress: because it's just so lovely

7. ray ban wayfarers: sun protection + timeless style

8. will leather goods backpacks: you need a bag to carry whatever you need for the day that isn't annoying to hold; a backpack or cross body bag will do the trick

9. kiehls super fluid uv defense lotion: because if you get a sunburn you will not be a happy camper for the following 3 days.

10. ecousable filtered water bottle: you'll be drinking lots of water, and sometimes the source of the water is questionable

11. rainbow leather sandals (break them in before you go): they may not be the trendiest sandal out there, but i walked 13 miles to a festival in these puppies and my feet were totally fine.  sometimes comfort > coolness. sometimes.

here's another great "festival essentials" list.

INSPIRED BuY...bar III

last night bar III (the new macy's exclusive contemporary line for men and women) joined forces with refinery29 and threw a launch party at the pop up shop location on 20th and 5th.  the event was PACKED with fashionistas sipping cocktails and munching on treats from pop burger.

the bumbys were also there giving "fair and honest appraisals of your appearance".  pretty hilarious.

i spent most of my time sifting through the racks with the help of my dear friend meg, and in the dressing room.

as i've mentioned i'm pretty small, so it's sometimes difficult to find things that fit.  i'd say bar iii runs a little big, so unfortunately not everything i loved on the hanger looked right on me.  however i did fall in love with three pieces- a black knit maxi skirt, a black silky t-shirt dress and much to my surprise, a tan pleather cropped motorcycle jacket (i normally won't go anywhere near pleather but i love the fit and look of this one).  all three pieces are super versatile and cost less than $90 each.

overall i think bar iii is a big step in the right direction for macy's and i'm excited to watch the line develop.

the pop up shop will be open until march 6th, and after that you'll be able to find the product at your local macy's.

1. vest, maxi skirt

2. tshirt dress, zebra tank(worn as vest), necklace

3. vest, maxi dress

4. sleeveless top, zebra tank (worn as dress)

5. motorcycle jacket, maxi skirt 

INSPIRED BuY...roughing it

here's a little something for the fellas to take away from new york fashion week:

"the great outdoors" seems to be the big theme out there for fall 2011 in menswear; clothing and footwear are inspired by hiking/hunting/fishing gear- rugged looks in brown and green tones.

also, it seems as though we've got a new silhouette on the rise in men's lightweight outerwear- the half zip pullover hoodie:

                                 1. gant by michael bastian  2. band of outsiders  3. nicholas k

INSPIRED BuY...the early '90s

it's new york fashion week and the 1990s are BACK.  in full swing.

i'm talking:
1991-1993 grunge style with overalls, plaid shirts tied around the waist, and choker necklaces
1994 glamour with pant suits, bold shoulders, monochromatic dressing, longer silhouettes, and luxe fabrics

and...DUN DUN DUN the return of the fanny pack.

there are still a lot more shows to see over the next few days.  i'm eagerly awaiting the return of snap bracelets.  if i don't see them on the runway, i may attempt to bring them back myself.

i'll be posting a bunch of stuff for fashion week...starting with this collection of grunge looks:

1.richard chai 2.steven alan 3.nicholas k 4.nicholas k 5.vena cava

i think i'll go listen to nirvana now.

INSPIRED BuY...white stripes

i'm really into shorts these days.  i've been on the lookout for shorts that are new and fresh, but also versatile. striped shorts (especially in blue, tan, or black with a white base) are perfect because they can be worn with a number of different tops.  the silk fabrication is great, too, because it works for day or night. 

*this is a great update for all you seersucker lovers out there

sidenote: The White Stripes (meg&jack) have officially broken up

1. jcrew boardshort 2. t by alexander wang 3. jcrew pinstripe 

4. urban outfitters 5. diane von furstenberg 6. madewell

INSPIRED BuY...the maxi skirt

since i'm a self-proclaimed hippie, i've always been into maxi skirts.  i am loving the fact that they're actually trendy this year because that means i have more options to choose from when i go shopping!

i found this awesome striped maxi skirt at forever 21.  stripes are so versatile so i decided to play dress up to see how many different "styles" i could embody using this skirt as a base.  check out what i came up with:

laid back: forever 21 skirt; marco benevento tee; jcrew cardigan; wallet chain (as necklace); miss sixty shoes

americana: forever 21 skirt; gap tee; american eagle denim shirt; miss sixty shoes

classic: forever 21 skirt; lands end canvas oxford; lucky brand belt; miss sixty shoes

vintage: forever 21 skirt; lands end canvas tee; gap belt; vintage necklace; target pumps

nautical: forever 21 skirt; banana republic tank; vintage belt; miss sixty shoes (this would look great w/ a denim jacket)

grunge: forever 21 skirt; marco benevento tee; jcrew cardigan; gap kids jacket; wallet chain (as necklace); miss sixty shoes

INSPIRED BuY...rodarte

a little blurb about rodarte (pronounced ro-dar-tay) for those of you who don't know: it's a brand that was created in 2005 by 2 sisters from california and has become extremely huge in the fashion industry since then.  you may know them from their collaboration with Target, or from the controversy over the costumes for Black Swan.

rodarte's spring 2011 runway show was predominantly brown and beige in color, and the pattern-work had a very 1970's feel.  the 1970's were a major theme among spring 2011 runway shows this year, and tea-length is the new silhouette in skirts and dresses (basically the love child of a maxi dress and cropped pants) for this season.  

i found this skirt at forever 21 that "kills two birds with one stone" because of it's length and 1970s pattern. it's also pretty awesome because it's under $20.00!  And check out all the different ways you can wear it!

forever 21 skirt (worn as dress); gap belt; h&m necklace; target pumps

forever 21 skirt; free people top; lucky brand necklace; vince camuto boots

forever 21 skirt; forever 21 cropped top; h&m necklace; target shoes

forever 21 skirt; limited tank; bcbg belt; bcbg shoes

forever 21 skirt (worn as dress); gap belt; miss sixty shoes