Take A Walk With Me :: Bits Bobs and Musings.

Sometimes I have a bunch of different comments and thoughts about things all over the place that I want to cram into one post.

First and foremost-- this post is about Kahlen from ANTM a few cycles ago. I was flipping through my Teen Vogue and I caught this Chloe ad:




She looks identical to Kahlen. And being as Kahlen was one of my favorites in the history of ANTM ever, I went on a search fervor looking for any place mentioning if Kahlen had been doing a Chloe advertisement. I'm still wondering. Anyone happen to figure out whether it's Kahlen?

I found this clip on youtube showing her as a bartender in NYC [who knew she smoked! Then again I would have never expected her as a bartender] so I was still unsure about whether that's her in the ad. Though she gets points taken away for being a smoker, she gets a lot of points for being an animal rights advocate and a vegetarian. ; )

Speaking of America's Next Top Model--- I could have sworn I saw a Miss. Naima Mora on a few pages back posing in an ad for Unionbay. Anyone want to confirm my suspicions?




On a different track, I went to Target when the Paul and Joe collection came out and I have to say it seems like it's very well made-- at least 10 times well-made in comparison to the Tara Jarmon collection. I just hate that the turtle belt is leather though. Out of all the things in Target too. Since otherwise I'd be in love with it.

A few of my up-close favorites (love the owls on the back):




[pictures from target.com]

Here's a bit to chew on though-- I thought these pins were adorable [which they are] but then a reviewer on target.com said they were knockoffs off of a woman named Lea Stein. Being curious, I started researching about Lea Stein and her designs [no rhyme intended]. Sure enough, I found these "celluloid pins" that are quite frankly, exact copies of Lea Stein's designs. What's to say about that, Sophie Albou?





[top pictures from target.com, bottom from decogirl.co.uk]

Through http://www.worldcollectorsnet.com/magazine/issue29/iss29p3.html I found that Lea Stein was born in Paris, France and discovered the process of making her pins. One piece could take up to 6 months. From the 60s to the 80s she made pins, earrings, bangles and other accessories. Her work varied from the amusing caricature to the classic gemometric deco style.

The site says that after the company got into financial trouble in the eighties- after 9 years she started making pieces left over at the factory and that she still as of now is coming up with new ideas from her home in France. I don't know how old this article is so I don't know if she's still making them. I suppose if she is though, it is possible that the people at Target/Paul & Joe asked permission or at least ran it by that they were MAKING THE EXACT SAME THING. And that her designs were going to be not only in the pins, but be the basis of half the clothing designs.

Moving along the Paul & Joe quality aspect- even the magazine insert for Paul and Joe seemed to be of a better quality paper than the ones for Luella Bartley and Tara Jarmon. Love the ad and color scheme btw.




On my trip there I also noticed these great Issac Mizrahi heels. Nope, no painfully derived skins here. I especially love the plaid ones. In person they're a bit darker and they'd go perfect with dark leggings.

While I was reading the September issue of Teen Vogue with Mischa Barton on the cover [I'm one of the few who never understood the big deal about Mischa Barton] this ad/article caught my eye. It deals with Emma Roberts designing her own bag for Dooney & Bourke. My comment does not have to deal with, "Oh, Another celeb taking a hand at design?" Since I think it's nice that she gets to make a bag. No what I'm commenting on is that the bag is named "The Emma." Now I'm sure that's self-explanatory, but I don't think there are many people who design an item that will name it after themselves-- especially adding a "The" in the front. I mean, I'm just saying that if I ever had the chance to design my own handbag (which like every girl- I have dreamt about) I don't think I would call it, "The Gloria."



Another ad I caught was New York & Company with Grey's Anatomy stars Ellen Pompeo & Patrick Dempsey. I just thought I'd post this up for any other Grey's Anatomy fans who haven't come across it yet. Pompeo looks like a sphynx in that ad almost. [Grey's Anatomy and New York & Company? Who would have figured?]

(click to enlarge)




Personally, for all last season, I find myself no longer sympathizing with Meredeith Grey because of her whole personality etc. : ( One of my favorite parts so far are when Yang has a spoon of yogurt in her mouth and dances [or tries to dance] with Bourke in the kitchen. : )

On another note, some of you may have heard a while ago about the Sophia Kokosalaki, Thakoon, and Vivienne Westwood designing items for Nine West which are coming out later this fall. I saw a few of the items in Teen Vogue (once again-- it was a big issue!) and Sophia Kokosalaki's seems sort of...dissapointing. Especially the tacky looking headband for $95 and the dark plain-looking flats for $195.



On the other hand I can't help falling in love with these detailed rainboots by Thakoon for a better $75. Unfortunately, I probably won't be able to get them because well...by then I'll have become on a constricting college-money-saving plan. -sniff sniff sniff-
I'm really excited about the Abaete for Payless line that'll be coming out though. Stuff seems to look great.



PROJECT RUNWAY. Ah. What to say. Last two episodes. Crazy shit. ==SPOILER== I think Angela has redeemed herself. I think the Macy's version of her winning outfit is terribly ugly in comparison and that is why I think I don't have many good words to say about I.N.C. Also, the latest episode's Audrey Hepburn outfit--- my God! Gr!!!! I love it, can you tell? The little flower things on the bottom made the dress move a bit...stiffly and funky but that's just my opinion. But overall it was an amazing modern twist on Audrey Hepburn.

Now, Bradley. -Sniff- Bradley, Bradley, Bradley. Yeah... It wasn't the best outfit. But then again...he was stuck with Cher, which might not have helped much. I never thought of Cher as a fashion icon for some reason. Then again, Bradley seemed a little too lost to win this season's competition anyway.

The new kinda-not-sorta-Keith: Jeffrey. My god! What an ass! Saying that he wished Laura would have a stroke? That's the kind of guy who-- if you remove all of that punk-demeanor-look thing going on, you could only be left saying he's an asshole that everyone hates. Then it wouldn't be "punk-snobbery", it'd just be annoying-guy-snobbery.

Ah, and Michael Knight. I liked him since Day 1. Now I admire him. Actually since before Day 1. Since I saw him at the auditions. My thoughts about him are basically: hip-hop-vibe-guy-creating-crazy-beautiful-clothing. He reminds me a tiny bit of Kanye West and more specifically of this interview with John Mayer & Kanye West [a pair, huh?] who were supposed to be recording Bittersweet which never ever came out.

from mtv.com:

Mayer: Well, your world is what you sing about and what you write about, and artists are kind of defined by that. Kanye's world is like the front porch, Star Wars toys, a nice bowl of soup, a nice bracelet and a watch.

West: And some strippers!

Mayer: And some strippers ... I wrote this thing about Kanye for Teen People and they didn't use this line: "Some rappers come from the wrong side of the tracks, but Kanye comes from the wrong side of the mall." Which I think kind of sums it up: Kanye is from the Food Court, in front of the Orange Julius, right there, on that bench, where you kind of feel uncomfortable eating when there's no other tables available.

West: You really described my life, like, I really used to be in the mall when other rappers were in the streets: trying on stuff, putting stuff on layaway, looking for girls.

Yeah I refer to some weird stuff.

On still another topic-- go out and buy the September edition of Shop Etc. It's a great great great issue with dead-on fall trends that look so brilliant and amazing articles including ones with creating rooms revolving around runway shows. (and I say that about very few mags-- even the Teen Vogue issue I pulled out a bunch of ads from. Though the College Admission on Gender was a good article and the issue about Designers and their Musical Influences). Plus, it has an Urban Outfitters home goods 20% off coupon [sucks it can't be used for sale items though] and free underwear at Victoria's Secret. So it's worth it and definitely pays for itself.

Also, something that doesn't deal with fashion at all-- I watched Crash again yesterday. And I have to say if you've never watched it- you should. That's all. It's very poignant, strong, intense, and Real.

Also, if you haven't yet signed the One.Org petition asking America's leaders to keep the G8 commitments on more and better international assistance, debt cancellation, and making trade fair for poor countries around the globe including Africa- do check out this site and sign it:

Take Action- One.org

And forward it to your friends and family.

And as always, don't hesitate to share your thoughts with me!

Peace and Love.

Knock-off in a Bubble at Macy's

You ever feel just...blah? Like a sack of potatoes? Cause I feel like a sack of potatoes. In the doldrums. A sack of potatoes in the doldrums.

And I think my whole class failed the Engineering final. Surprise, surprise.

Anyway- no I'm not not mentioning Fur Fashion Week- I just I thought I should square this subject off first:

I went to the Bridgewater mall this weekend. It was then that I realized that shopping alone is very...well...depressing. Like, I hate talking to myself in my head about what looks nice and what doesn't, etc. So you know...if anyone wants to come shopping with me...

First off, Bath and Body Works was having this humongous sale but the lines were so freakishly long that I was like, "There's no way I'm going on that line for 20 minutes to buy some lip gloss." More importantly, they had (maybe still have?) a 50% off sale on Memoirs of a Geisha Fresh beauty products, Nanette Lepore, and Lulu Guinness perfumes. That's a good deal. Also, I went to Delia's, and I finally found the shirt that I was looking for before after I fell in love with it from a month ago. It's by Crafty Couture and I think it's just adorable. It's $20. I didn't get it though...I'm one of those romanticists so I'm still going to wait for a sale. There was a sale at the Menlo mall near me, but they were all gone by then. So that's why I went all the way to the other mall...although I still didn't get the shirt. I know!...I'm impossible. But God...I love this shirt... It's just so...I don't know, it just calls to me.

I also hit up Express...and I was about to get this shirt...but then I saw it was $20. And the fabric is so so shear too- and flimsy. I thought it was $10 on the rack (sales). And then I saw a long tunic type tee that was $10 but I got something else...which I'll tell you later. I love the shape the two tops make together.

I went to Bloomingdale's...and I fell in love with many shoes: Sigerson Morrison Skimmers, Salvatore Ferragamo Kitten-heeled Rain Boots (so cute. so expensive.), Stella McCartney Running Sneakers, Calvin Klein summer-y shoes (he does have some non-leather shoes). And I MUST MENTION before I forget- Nine West. Oh my God. What ever happened to the matronly boring image I had of them? Oh right- it was ditched that day. My goodness, I held like, 3 pairs in my hands and they were all non-leather, and they were so freaking cute! I was squealing inside. So cute. Then I went online, and I couldn't find them. So I must go back there some time and write down the item numbers. Maybe they have a different line for Bloomingdale's? A cuter, more sophisticated line?

I was still walking around feeling sort of empty though and I walked into Lord and Taylor's and saw these 3 unique non-leather Betsey Johnson belts. Betsey Johnson- as I said in my prom post in which I featured one of her umbrellas- is against using fur. I am so glad she makes belts though. After that, I put this outfit on- premier knock-off artist ABS' top- which I really liked, paired with Michael Kors jeans. The jeans didn't quite fit snug though.

Then I bought this- by R.J. Graziano

Before you start with me, I have to say that it was $11.50 (50% off and then the super nice lady cashier scanned me her coupon which gave me an extra 15% off), and no it's not totally on the Plastic Chain Trend Train that died. It's flatter, with a more interesting shape and chunkier and I just like how it rests on my neck. And then...then I went to Macy's. And they should really try making over their interior since it is just very blech and sack of potatoes-y. The junior's dressing room was like...wow...the ground was actually like a stained basement floor. Really disgusting. I wasn't planning on getting anything...but then I did. Before you start with me for the second time- in my defense, it doesn't hang on me so disgustingly like the Luella Bubble Skirt (I almost died when I put that skirt on. I looked like crap). It's a jersey bubble skirt by Necessary Objects and it ended up being $9.50. They're just so interesting. The Bubble silouhettes. I liked them a while back before they were deemed "in" and before some people automatically kept dissing them "out" just because they were deemed "in." Even the ugly ones- which are just mesmirizing and hypnotic.

So I bought two "trendy" items. (taboo?) But I'm very very satisfied with them.

I need to make a confession now... I hate my calves. (the body part, not the baby cows.) I absolutely abhor them. They're not even like muscular calves either- they're just...big and fat and obnoxious with skirts...I even measured them the other day. I'm really contemplating excercising more now.

Anyway, that's the other reason why I like the skirt. Here is a piece of advice to other people with calves which are not sculpted to your liking: skirts should hit at least above the knee for the most flattering shape. Unfortunately, the shorter the skirt, the leaner your legs will look and the less obnoxious calves like mine will look- unless you like your calves that way. Also, if you're going for longer cropped-type pants (for summer), don't have the him hit at the fattest part of the calves. Hit them at least 2 inches lower. I know from experience.

Before I left, I passed by this certain shoe at Macy's by Marc Fischer on the rack like 3 times, looking over it and Hmm-ing, going, "Hmmmm...where have I seen this shoe before?" It was after the 4th time when I was in the size 9 section (I always look in other sections that my shoe size for some reason) that I finally went, (to myself though, because I was alone) "Ah-ha! I've seen this shoe! It's a Stella McCartney rip-off!"

This might slightly interest Susan from Counterfeit Chic.

Here come the interesting parts. The shoe is pretty much an exact replication of Stella McCartney's. From the appearance, nothing is tweaked. Normally the knock-off-er tweaks a thing or two. Even the color- the one I saw at Macy's- was precisely the same.

Do you know what isn't tweaked though? THE MATERIAL. The Marc Fischer shoe has leather. And as many of you may know- Stella McCartney doesn't design with leather or any animal skins. I mean, I hardly even know what to say. This Marc Fischer has not only taken Stella's design, he's taken her design which was not meant to be made of animal skins at all- and made a leather model of it! And he bothers charging $85. That's just...insane. Even the interior of the shoe (with the scalloped edges) looks like Stella's studded pump shoe. I'll be straightforward...what is wrong with this guy? It just doesn't make sense. It's like (to make it more understandable) someone taking her fall line and making it exactly the same except switching the fabrics for fur, leather, and shearling (which I hate being referred to as "fabrics"- why don't they just say animals or skins? They are, after all).

Oh, it's just insane.

Macy's is having "it's biggest" one day sale- plus 25% off all clearance today.

Nothing comes between me and my Calvins (or my Calvins and I):

Non-leather Calvins on sale- [ranging from $33 to $60]

Macy's Calvin Klein Shoes






Don't worry...there's cuter ones on other sites- or at least at Loehmann's and Bloomingdale's. [I'll eventually make a CK post anyway]

Ten Items I Liked:
Choice Calvin Klein Blazer with Flutter Peplum
BCBG Flared Suiting Pant
Michael Kors Embroidered Tie-Front Tunic
BCBG Ruffled Wrap Shirt
Betsey Johnson Broomstick Charmeuse Skirt
Calvin Klein Voile Skirt
Calvin Klein Soft-Tie Velvet Jacket
French Connection Lightweight Jersey Wrap Dress
A.B.S. Lace Trim Contrast-Tie Dress
Sugar "Macro-Maniac" Flat ($9!)

Pictures of FC Dress, DKNY Jacket, ABS Dress, Kors Tunic, CK Voile Skirt.





The Kors tunic reminds me of Jess' blue top that was in a post a few days ago.

There's also a Petites and Plus Sizes section.

Oh, and jeans are super cheap so browse around. Look at these DKNYs for $6 (and they're not even clearance):
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=179454&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results

...and this Necessary Objects Ruched Mesh Dress for just $14:
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=182267&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results

I will leave you with this image of my dream bubble skirt by DVF-


[There's a 10% off everything discount going on at Bluefly]

Feel free to leave comments. [it's getting awfully lonely around here]