Magazine Faces

First Deadly Sin?

LUSTLUSTLUSTLUSTLUSTLUSTLUSTLUSTLUSTLUST

xo L

Jimmy Choo "Zena" $1095
Image via JimmyChoo.com

Letters On My Neck (In Old English)

The weather today is back to being cold, and feeling more Fall than Spring. I had to break out my Fall coat and wear a long sleeve... sigh.

Days like today call for a nice piece of jewelry to accessorize a blah outfit (and a blah mood!!)



This silver necklace was a gift from my fiance a few years ago, designed by Christie Martin. If you aren't familiar with her jewelry, you can browse her pieces here. I'm a huge fan of the Old English style line she has out. I love how the pieces are edgy and more interesting than just your regular initial necklace.




Christie Martin designs are a favorite among celebrities, (Such as Carmen Electra in her Old English gold necklaces!) and her styles adorned Christina Aguilera for a past Maxim spread. I love the cross necklace and cuff!









The next piece I neeeeeed to have from her line is The Old English Signet Ring. I'm in love with it! (I don't think it helps much that the display for the ring is the exact one I want... right down to the letter!!) The stars on the side of the ring are just a little detail that makes her jewelry so unique and fun!



xo L

Second-hand Treasure

Having a major daily love affair with fashion (when I say love affair... I mean literally sleeping with my clothes) has expanded my closet in ways I never dreamed of. My collection can now be found in the drawers of my night table, under my bed, in my bed, in my car... taking over closets that aren't mine...

Living at home while convenient, has become uncomfortably tight. Which, as of late, has me browsing new options. I often wonder how my new place will look; I imagine my fashion books sprawled out on the mahogany coffee table... fresh flowers in eclectic vases aligning the granite kitchen counter...beautiful chic furnishings - get the picture?

Storage and closet space for me will be the deal maker or breaker. No walk in - no thank you. But where to find this dream place (and how to afford it!) is the big question.

I have no doubt that I will find it, love it, and make it my own. I have a taste for antiques, so the furnishings I inherited from my late grandmother will help get me started and give my place a history. One piece of history that I have recently fallen in love with are antique cocktail trays. Not just any cocktail tray, spefically - ones made by Hermes or Chanel.

They are hand-painted, old, and gorgeous. Hunting one down has proven to be an obsession; and due to my persistance I recently got a hold of someone who does have one of these beauties for sale!! Don't tell him, but he pretty much can name the price and I will bite. The trays also come with stands (original if you're lucky) so they can double as a chic side table as well.

I won't disclose any more information as to where I have been looking, I don't want any competition! But too cute not to share.

xo L

What's In A Name?

You’re nobody, it seems, unless you can be worn. Actresses, rappers, pop singers, athletes … just a few of the many that have lent their names to handbags, shoes, apparel, fragrances, hair extensions, accessories, condoms … yes condoms. If you’re not aware, specifically I’m referring to the “Magic Stick” Lifestyles brand a la 50 Cent. Is there anything that would indicate to anyone that 50 Cent is a reliable source for birth control?

Anyway, it takes more than a well known name to sell to the hardened New Yorker (Lindsay Lohan leggings anyone?? I think not) it actually takes talent and originality to catch any kind of appeal. This is not the left coast. For example, Nicole Richie recently did a jewelry line for Bebe. I like Nicole Richie, but am I really going to pay $35 more for a metal ring, solely because it was “designed” by her and bears her daughters name on it? I think we know the answer. It may seem easy, being that clothes and accessories are sold everywhere. One may see Ralph Lauren, but not truly understand how Ralph Lauren worked over 30 years to build up that business.

An exception is Elizabeth and James, a line of high-end clothing designed by MaryKate and Ashley Olsen and sold at Neiman Marcus and Saks. If you know me I am not one to give credit unless it is due, in fact the Olsen twins actually freak me out a little bit. Admit it, after Full House they became kind of creepy. But after a quick browse in Neiman, I found myself interested in the “Jessica” dress before I knew who or what the label was. The Elizabeth and James style is contemporary; very uptown and downtown, with both extremes of masculine and feminine pieces. I think the part that really impresses me is that Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen have knowledge in every aspect of the design process, from fabric to pricing. Not to mention they actually wear their pieces in their everyday lives; not just for press coverage/marketing. Imagine that.

So props to you MK & Ash. I plan to own a piece of Elizabeth and James… as soon as I get approved for that AMEX. If you shop at Neiman you know what I’m talking about.

xo L

Dress: Elizabeth and James "Jessica" Dress $365 www.shopbop.com

The Gloves Are Off

I have found myself obsessed over many, many things. One, this winter season, being driving gloves. You may hear “driving gloves” and think Dale Earnhardt Jr, Driving Miss Daisy, or brass knuckles hidden under the leather accessorized with a crow bar. Not the ones I have been dreaming of. The new driving gloves have a fashionable edge to them and endless wear-ability… from season to season...outfit to outfit. Not to mention they come in a delightful array of shades, styles, plain leather or embellished, to match any fashionistas unique personality. Even Spring mornings in NJ call for some type of hand cover, especially getting up to walk my four-legged partner in crime. So why not wake up in the morning, throw on my oversized cardigan, argyle rain boots from my college days, complete with a makeup-less face, and wear some bold gloves? At least my hand wear can attest to my taste in fashion for those I see in the AM (even if it may be a few squirrels or my cranky neighbor).

xo L

Gloves: 3.1 Phillip Lim $395
http://www.net-a-porter.com/