Found My Animal Leashes

Another trend I've never jumped on? Fancy pet stuff.

But, for the second time this morning, I've been unexpectedly won over. I love this adjustable rope leash. I think the picture of it as an awesome fashion accessory is helping a lot.

It's part of a line of handmade pet accessories for adopted animals and their owners called Found My Animal. Proceeds from the sale of each leash go to the Louis Animal Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to providing services and finding homes for animals.

Via Coolhunting.

Pretty Clutch

This is a handmade cotton clutch with silk lining. I really love the stark tree print.

The Wood no. 10 Clutch, $56.

Drew Print Ballet Flats from Target

Enjoy the Isaac Mizrahi for Target goodies while you still can. Word is '08 is our last year to snap up sensibly chic staples like these Drew Print Ballet Flats ($29.99).

Product tip via Black White Bliss.

Images of Jovovich & Hawk for Target

A first look at the Jovovich and Hawk line for Target via Racked (and Harper's Bazaar). I have to say I'm cautiously optimistic after a long string of Target fashion disappointments.

Though I continue to find great deals from the Isaac Mizrahi collection, I really couldn't get into the last three lines from Target's Go! International. Erin Featherstone skewed too young and girly, I was very disappointed with the quality of the Alice Temperley pieces (I think the designs were too ambitious for the price-point), and Libertine was a little too trendy.

I am sad that we have to wait until March for the Jovovich & Hawk collection to debut. So Target, if you're reading, please make it worth the wait.

Relic Necklace from Etsy

I'm not usually big on jewelry, but this yellow coral necklace from Etsy seller Mme. Fortuna is quite intriguing.

The piece is from a collection called Relic. Each hand-blown glass orb is filled with an every-day natural item turned "object", like a feather or a bit of earth.

The series is inspired by Victorian morning jewelry.

Each orb measures approximately 1" and hangs on a gold fill chain.

Via ThisNext.

Sir Leopold III: The Ornithologist T-Shirt

I think "Ornithologist" is a fabulous word. It just looks fun.

And I love this T-Shirt. $25 at Design By Humans.

Via Josh Spear.

The Re-bag

If I had to pick the "IT" bag for 2007, I'd have to go with the re-usable canvas shopping tote.

Once the territory of only the most dedicated environmentalists, the Earth-friendly canvas bag has had a fashionista make-over several times over (remember the lines for the "I'm not a plastic bag" bag?).

The latest incarnation is a series of canvas bags designed by 15 of the UK's hottest designers. Check out more at NotCot.

Peep the new Project Runway Contestants

You can see and read about the new Project Runway Season 4 contestants right now on Bravo.com.

I've caught past seasons' episodes here and there and really liked them. So this Fall I'm on board for the long haul.

The '07 collection premiers Wednesday, November 14th.

Thanks to my friend Krista for the tip.

Another Fabulous Outfit

Here's another amazing outfit snapped by the Sartorialist. It looks fabulous, but the components are relatively simple: a pencil skirt, a graphic tee, and an amazing trench.

I love to shop. And I'd like to think I have decent taste. But I never manage to put anything this spectacular together.

I've decided the solution is to compile a look-book for myself using my favorite Sartorialist pics. That way I'll be focused in on what I really want/need.

Alice McCall

I really like this outfit from Alice McCall's "Welcome to the Dollhouse" collection.

I would kind of need both pieces to be about 6" longer, but I love the contrasting stripes and colors.

The rest of her stuff is equally Paris-cool.

Via StyleHive.

Monday Inspiration

Oh, to be this chic in my car. Much less on my bike.

I just love the vein of red running through the center of this photo. What a great shot.

Photo via the Sartorialist.

Alice Temperley's Target Line is Kind of Totally Disappointing

First, it looks like these little fashion posts are going to become a part of my regularly scheduled blogging. I just can't stay away.

Second, I've been Target-stalking all weekend in anticipation of their new Go International line by Alice Temperley. I wanted to try everything on before the stuff sold out. But I'd have to guess that sell-outs won't be an issue. It was a total disappointment.

I love Target and I love the idea of democratizing design. But I was really unhappy to find that pretty much the entire A.T. collection was made of synthetic fabrics. I mean the cheapy kind of black polyester you'd expect to find in the costume isle.

Second, the styles just felt so 1990s. Super-short baby-doll dresses made from gauzey poly-crepe in black and navy, bell-sleeved dress coats, unflattering cuts, big metal buttons, a sweater vest that looks like a doily, a blue-jean jump suit, garish prints. I mean the Libertine stuff wasn't my style either, but at least I could see how someone else might look cute in it.

There were a few Temperley designs that might be salvageable when paired with items from outside the collection, including this $140 cropped leather jacket and a Swiss-dot see-through blouse that might look nice under a jacket.

I also thought this cobblestroller might be nice, though they were sold out of my size and I didn't try it on.

So here's hoping that the Erin Featherstone collection will be better.

Celine Platforms

So, I'm a little distracted by fashion this week. Back to home and garden soon, I promise. But I couldn't resist posting these preppy, Asian-inspired pumps.

Via Notcoture.

Fashion Distraction: Vera Wang at Kohl's

This weekend I remembered that Kohl's has a new collection of Vera Wang clothing. Simply Vera Wang debuted a week or so ago. I hadn't heard a lot about it, so I decided to drive out to the north suburbs (the nearest location of Kohl's) to check things out.

My hopes were not high. I assumed that I wouldn't like anything. I'd previewed the looks on the Kohl's site and they seemed a little too conservative. I was very pleasantly surprised.

I tried on 4 items and ended up with this adorable textured dress coat for $128 and this cotton lilac top for $50.

The quality was impressive. Better than Target's Go International! lines. The coat, especially, is a fabulous staple. You can wear it in the office as a jacket. For outdoors, I'm planning to get a pair of full length winter gloves to match. Vera has some in her collection, but they were a little uncomfortable.

The shirt fits beautifully. The shape is sort of like a bubble, and can be worn tucked in with a high waisted pant, or cinched in with a wide belt at the natural waist. I also paired it with the jacket, trouser jeans and a pair of patent leather pumps for a casual office look.

The store was almost out of smalls in every piece. If you order online, the sizes run a little large.

Need a Little Quality, Taste and Style?

If you need a little wardrobe brush-up - heck, even if you don't - I recommend reading the first chapter of Tim Gunn's "A Guide to Quality, Taste & Style," available free at Bravo.com. It was a delight to read, even for a non-fiction phobic like myself. The advice offered sounds like common-sense, but sometimes we just need a wake-up call from a well-spoken fashion expert. Gunn's writing style has made realizing my closet is a travesty a true delight.

I am heading to pick up a copy tonight.

Fashion Obsession: Bling Bling Peep-Toe

Ignore the hopeless name, because, otherwise, this Bling Bling Peep-Toe pump by Christian Louboutin is absolutely stunning.

$1,325 at Saks.

[Source]

Ad Bags

I really like these bags made from recycled vinyl-mesh billboards. The ads once "graced" the Seattle skyline, but have been reused to create these tough totes. The handles are made from used seat belts.

Ad Bag (8" x 12" x 16"), $30

Via Adverlab.

UPDATED: Libertine Line in Target Stores Now - Maybe

Libertine's new line for Target, scheduled to drop this Sunday, 7/15, may actually be in stores right now. Libertine's collection is the latest in Target's uber-popular Go. International Flights of Fashion series.

Getting your hands on this stuff can be tricky. And though Libertine's collection isn't exactly my style, they are sure to have some separates that I will end up loving. The more popular pieces sell like hotcakes, so I was planning a trip to Target first thing on Sunday morning. But I just read that Racked has found the clothing on display in at least one NYC store today!

If you really can't live without Libertine, may I suggest a lunchtime trip to Target?

UPDATE: As of 12:30 PM, Libertine is out for sale at the MacArthur Target. It's already picked-over. :(

Outfits as Art

This display at Fusion Home Fashion would make a great art installation in a bedroom. And it's practical too. More about how to make your own on Shak in Style.