mociun fall at beklina

i love this print, it's so witty and subtle at the same time.


the bottom dress reminds me of shabd's amazing hand dyed clothing.


i've always looked askance at jumpsuit and rompers, but i like how the print really gives it structure and a tough uniform-like feel.


now at beklina
15% off until Sept. 7 with "S15B" courtesy of Style Bite.

a new dress for the end of summer

matta nemi dress from calypso, $69 from $195.

one of my favorite shades of coral. it'll arrive just in time for labor day barbecues and will layer well with a cardigan and jeans later on.

UPDATE.
so apparently the buttons go down the back of the dress, but when i tried it on, it didn't seem to matter which way. so i'm going to take the label off and wear the buttons in front. also, the fabric is pretty thin and somewhat sheer. i need to have it taken in on the sides (a small would have fit better), and also shortened. it goes just past the knees, and i'd rather have it 3-4 inches above the knees so that it looks better with jeans and leggings. overall, though, it's a pretty dress with lots of nice details. the fabric and color do not disappoint.

wiksten fall 09

jenny must have read my mind because those buttons down the front are just what i need right now. plus, that rounded collar, the striped fabric, it's too much. i cannot wait to see what else is in store for her fall collection. and elly makes a lovely model.

shopping list for fall

mociun fall 09

jenny's and stephanie's posts on ankle boots has got me thinking about my wish list for fall. it'll be interesting to see which pieces i'll spring for now and which i'll wait for winter sales to purchase. i'm in the preliminary stages of drawing up a clothing budget. wish me luck!

first off.
things that really can't be on my list:
coats
tall boots

i say the same thing every year. let's hope i can exercise more self-control this season (examples of last year's failures).


to begin.
1. a party dress
tsumori chisato random dot dress at la garconne ($532)


steven alan soma dress in purple paisley, at domahoka ($330)



lina rennell ants shift dress, at beklina ($260)



2. sensible tops
humanoid linen and leather v-neck top at la garconne ($164 from $329)

steven alan heddy shirt ($188)



3. shoes
swedish hasbeens jodhpur boot, urban outfitters ($375)



lina rennell moccasins (by manimal), at beklina ($150, from $220)



4. will buy almost anything from

lebouton
wiksten
mociun


and finally.
5. a bauble

i'm looking for a charm necklace with the initial 'L.' something a bit off-beat, a little rough around the edges, but still substantial enough for every day wear. i haven't found anything suitable yet, but this will definitely be a big-ticket item. i wonder if hannah clark could make me something.

denim and use

although i am now a current elliott fan, i can't help but admire people who tough it out in raw denim. i noticed that apc is now selling pre-distressed denim, but the beauty of apc denim for me has always been how they become an index of your recent past.

here are the past four years of matthew's life, as witnessed by his new standards.

on not shopping

thank you anabela for articulating something that i have been thinking about for a long while now. the main thing that i have been struggling with all summer is my desire to keep buying clothing that has no business being in my closet. my problem is that i bypass the designer collaborations at urban outfitters, target, h&m for the pricey stuff (handmade or otherwise). and instead of buying just one or two key pieces, i buy more than i should.

i created laws of general economy in order to both share what i have and to remind myself to be more cautious when buying. it's a step in the right direction for me. at the end of the day, though, i can't bring myself to stop blogging because i have met so many wonderful people through it. and for me, fashion and getting dressed everyday is a leap of faith, a reminder that play is still a vital activity for us all.

apc sunday antique market

i wore my new apc chambray wrap dress to the Sowa (south end-ish) antique market on sunday. it's supposed to get into the 90s today. maybe i should fill the bathtub with cold water and sit there with leon all day.

also worn:
park vogel leggings on super sale
new necklace by simplyolive

fall inspiration from the little ones

petit bateau autumn/winter 2009 lookbook

it's like isabel marant re-imagined for little girls. i wouldn't mind wearing this, and who knows, maybe i'll find something similar available this autumn. i also love her bob. if only i had the guts to cut my hair short again.

new (to me) apc dress!

photo by tien-ann


tien-ann, who has been posting loads of amazing pieces to laws of general economy, notified me that i won her apc chambray wrap dress. i had been trying to track this down on ebay for years, so i am thrilled that i found it on the clothing blog. i think it'll be perfect for breastfeeding. paired with a chunky long cardigan and boots, it will also work this autumn.

chelliswilson

leon and i drove up to portland on friday to see lisa and her lovely clothing at a new shop, chelliswilson. i tried on the yellow striped silk shorts (hanging in the window), which were so adorable. leon enjoyed hanging out on the dressing room floor.

new jeans update

so if you're planning on buying a pair of current elliott boyfriends and don't want to wear a belt at all times for fear of them falling down, i would highly recommend that you order 2-3 sizes down. mine are a 26, and i usually wear a belt with them. my next pair will probably be 25s even though my regular denim size is a 27/28.

they are by far the most comfortable pair of denim that i've owned. the fabric is so soft and slouchy, and it feels like i'm wearing a pair of sweatpants. i really like them with my worishofer slingback wedges, which are the only high-heeled shoes that i can manage to walk in.

there's an art walk in portland, me, today. lisa of lebouton studio will be at chelliswilson. leon and i are heading out after lunch.

uniform studio easy summer wrap dress

martha is having a shop update this wednesday around 10 am. unfortunately leon and i will be in middlebury, vt, visiting friends. i think this wrap dress would be perfect for nursing. i love the kimono sleeves and pinstripes. you could wear it with leggings and a loose cardigan for fall, too. her gossamer scarves are pretty amazing, too.

keeping it simple

a few months ago a friend of mine was wearing this top from madewell. i didn't realize they had opened a store on newbury st. when we were in nyc at the end of june, we hung out with jenny, who was wearing a cute tunic dress from madewell. i chided myself for not going into boston to check out the store. finally yesterday i went and found this white top on sale for $20, plus 40% off for a grand total of $6.99.

i think i should go back and buy a few more.

laws of general economy update

so it's been awhile since i've looked at the general economy. busy with writing, leon, etc., but if you're in the mood to shop someone's closet, there are quite a few wonderful finds:

steven alan plaid breaker dress, xs
costume national combat boots, 5.5-6
acne purple blackout dress, 34
nwt grey ant black shirt dress, 0
apc liquette dress, xs
vanessa bruno athe, coral pintucked top, size 1
cass guy summer dress, p
frye paige buckle boots, 7.5
hope black magna thin tee, medium (6-8)
makie black shirt dress, 2 (m-l)

new jeans

i tried on a pair of current elliott boyfriend jeans this week and loved how they fit. i wasn't a huge fan of the ready-made holes, though. maybe this is because i usually wear raw or non-distressed denim. anyway, stephanie found these for me at need supply. with a 25% discount on sale items (HECKYEAH, via stylebite), they were only $120. there are only 26s left. i'm usually a 27 or 28. i tried on a 27 at barneys, so the 26s will fit a little tighter, but still baggy and loose.



i also adore how humanoid's fall 09 collection looks like you could comfortably nap in everything. the muted tones, greys and earthy browns and greens, with mustard and plum providing lovely pops of color. i'm ready for fall after this sticky mess of a summer!

last days of july

so the inlaws came and went. we visited many state parks. i wore my shabby summer outfit: really old and baggy cut-offs and button down short sleeved tops (Tina shirt from Steven Alan). saltwaters, incidentally, are great for clambering on rocks.

leon's hair is going crazy thanks to the humidity. i like his duckie pompadour.

i won a mix cd from jennifer of ermie. this is probably the best thing that could happen to me right now. i used to listen to music and go to concerts, but not so much in the past couple of years. it's nice to see a few old favorites along with new-to-me bands.

i'm also in love with this print. i can't wait to see what else jennifer is making for her fall collection.

park vogel is having a huge sale. thanks to a tip from nanashi, i ordered two pairs of the long leggings ($17.50 each) and have worn them nearly every day.

a mini break

1. i'm in a rut. hence the leon photos.
2. my in-laws are visiting for a week.
3. i've been stalling on finishing a chapter for the past 2 months.
4. august = fall season deliveries. i'm holding my breath.

a few parting thoughts:

as Kristien reminded me, the sale at Toast has quite a few amazing deals including oxfords for 44 pounds.


that said, of course i'm drawn to the non-sale items, including these churidar pants. i think the cotton voile would keep me quite cool for the next few months. if only i didn't balk at overseas shipping costs...

i hope the rest of your july is filled with fizzy cold drinks and loafing.

summer, finally. what to wear?

as a native southern californian, i'm used to dressing for high temperatures. however, humidity is another matter. even after a month in Vietnam, another month in Houston (in july), and 6 years in Cambridge, i still haven't found my foolproof summer outfit. right now i've been wearing two layers on top, but maybe it's time to invest in a few nursing camisoles that aren't too awkward looking. i have an old Clu skirt with an elastic waist that's comfortable, but i wish i had a short, flippy linen skirt with a similar waist. i hate constricting clothing when it's hot and sticky, but my wardrobe is falling short of my needs.

what are your standbys for humid summer days? wouldn't it be nice to be Leon right now?

shoe disappointments

i think it's safe to say i resent my feet. these rachel comey derringers would be comfortable if they were a tiny bit longer, and just a bit wider. i ordered them in an 8.5, and i'm not sure the 9s would be wide enough. i sent them back yesterday. it's such a shame, they were only $120! (code 'tulip'). free shipping on returns, even. what's not to love about forward by revolve?

lina rennell dress on sale at beklina

originally $295, now $180 plus free shipping.

if i had this dress, i would hang it on the wall and stare at the print instead of wearing it. i am holding out for the fall/winter version of lina rennell's shift dress, though. such a pretty shape, and think of all the different kinds of belts you could wear with it!