Cool Artist: John Clark

John Clark turns pages of mystery novels into works of art by drawing portraits onto the pages, strategically leaving words on the page unobscured to title each piece.


l to r, top to bottom: "like a pro," $36; "i've lived without fear many hundreds of miles away" $40; "she put the drink down...i'll keep in touch" $35; "straight to the end" $35; all available at johnclark.etsy.com

New Favorite: Revlon "Just Bitten" Lip Stain in "Cherry Tart"

revlon's "just bitten" lip stain is a water-weight formula made with real fruit extracts. i tried out the "cherry tart" shade and was delighted with with results! the rollerball tip allows for easy & precise application, so it has found a new place on my bag for those touch up moments a girl needs throughout the day! the delicious smelling formula glides on, sets quickly, and gives your lips a perfect tint, that under usual circumstances, cannot be achieved without the help of several red popsicles! the lip stain is available in four shades: blood orange, plum wicked, cherry tart and berry juicy. purchase your tube at a drugstore near you!


for more information on this product visit revlon's website!

kate spade delights

the kate spade website never ceases to amaze me. i should really hide my wallet next time i visit the site! i especially love the "behind the curtain" section that is dedicated to new creative projects & collaborations.

here is a peek at some of my favorite projects featured "behind the curtain" at kate spade:

1. the kate spade "editions" are gorgeous books. i want every single one of them! the matchbook by andy spade & gail bichler is something i need to get my hands on!!
   
2. kate spade recently collaborated with hugo guinness to create floral print magazine totes for the spring line.
   
3. another project i am fond of would be Andy Spade's gorgeously directed short film "Blondie". (see screen shot above) the film is a companion to the 2005 kate spade print ad, and is about a young boy who attempts to return a gorgeous red handbag to its rightful owner.
   

here are my kate spade favorites for spring 2007:


top: hudson street julia $595; casablanca pile $1495; tisbury minu $195; @ kate spade

bottom: pink blowfish coin purse $75; price espadrille $225; patchin place medium heddy yellow cosmetic bag $60; @ kate spade

Sweet Valentines From Egg Press

love is in the air! check out these adorable egg press valentines!

l to r; top to bottom: Love Tree $16 for a box of 16 or $5 for a single card; Pucker Up $5.50; Heart Repeat $6; Clams In Love $4.50; all available online @ egg press from now until valentine's day, eggpress will be adding a little special valentine treat in with every eggpress.com order!

Fashion Week Kick Off with Gen Art's New Garde 2007

THE NEW GARDE

Friday, February 2nd 5:30-10:00pm

Check Out Gen Art's New Garde fashion presentation in New York! This event will feature three top rising fashion designers showcased in a theatrical non-traditional runway presentation. Each designer will show 20 looks from their Fall 07 collections on live models in uniquely designed installations. The venue will house three different installations throughout its 34,000 sq foot space.

Participating Designers -

CHRISHABANA: Chris Habana designs women’s jewelry and clothing. He considers his pieces to be three-dimensional collages with a “hidden iconography” and “a subversive truth.” As a child in Manila, Philippines, Chris developed a strong interest in art and would often design armor for characters in Dungeons and Dragons and other video games he played. At the age of 12, Chris and his family moved to the United States where his interest in color and aesthetic continued. He began re-purposing t-shirts and designing wedding and prom gowns for friends.

FORM: FORM is a New York based design collective dedicated to designing original women’s wear infused with a modern sense of luxury. Jerry Tam, founder and creative force behind the label, is originally from Butte, Montana. Longing to put his artistic talents to use, Jerry left his computer management company and moved to New York to pursue a career in fashion. He became certified in couture at Fashion Institute of Technology while simultaneously earning an Associates Degree in Fashion from Parsons School of Design. Jerry then joined Imitation of Christ, later moving on to work with Perry Ellis and Zac Posen. Eventually, Jerry decided to pursue the dream of starting his own line and held his first solo show during the Spring / Summer 2006 season in New York, which received rave reviews from the fashion press and created a buzz amidst fashion followers.

GEREN FORD: Geren Ford is a Los Angeles based line of womenswear that was launched in 2002. The child of artist parents, she studied at Parsons in New York and Otis in Los Angeles. She is also a stylist and costume designer for brands like American Eagle, Nordstrom, HP and many more. She takes inspiration from a fast paced and mobile lifestyle from the time she was young to current day adventures in places like Buenos Aires, Milan, Paris, Berlin, Istanbul and many other destinations visited for both work and play. The design philosophy behind the line is one of a lifestyle; it is designed with inspiration from those cinematic moments in life that we don’t experience often enough. Each item is meant to be those perfect things that you pack every time you go somewhere; clothes that make you feel a certain way.

5:30pm: Doors Open
6:00-8:00pm Fashion Presentation
8:00-10:00pm Post-Show Party

The Waterfront
222 12th Ave
(bet. 27th / 28th Streets)
New York, NY

After-Party:
Pink Elephant
527 West 27th Street
(between 10-11th Ave)

complimentary cocktails
10:00-11:00pm

TICKETS:

VIP Tickets: (includes gift bag and access to VIP Lounge)
Co-Producer & Higher Level Members: 2 complimentary tickets
Other Members: $75 / ticket Non-Members: $90 / ticket

Regular Tickets:
Associate Producer Members: 2 complimentary tickets Other Members: $40 / ticket

Non- Members: $50 / ticket

* Portion of proceeds benefit The Gen Art Foundation **YOU MUST BE 21 OR OLDER TO ATTEND**


For more information or to purchase tickets please visit the gen art homepage, or call 212.255.7300

Cool Online Shop: Subversive Jewelry

the subversive jewelry site gives you the illusion of combing through your favorite antique jewelry shop...opening up drawers to see what treasures are hidden within. each of jewelry designer justin giuta's work stands alone and makes a statement! the pieces are gorgeous and unexpected. the jewelry makes for a wonderful, unique, and memorable gift. some of my favorite pieces are pictured below:


top: degas necklace $540; jade eye ribbon necklace $575; sea lei necklace $600; available @ subversivejewelry.com

bottom: bee & pollen necklace $630; wood pollen necklace $460; emerald & pearl bracelet $420; available @ subversivejewelry.com


l to r: orchid cluster earrings $350; emerald gypsy cluster necklace $460; available @ subversivejewelry.com

Lily Allen's "Alright, Still" Is In Stores Today!

with fun emotionally infused lyrics, lily's beautiful voice, and musical influences from electronica, rock, pop, emo, & reggae, this is one debut album you can't resist as you can easily listen to it in its entirety. no ipod playlist will be complete without lily allen's tracks "LDN" & "Smile"!

download lily allen's album "alright, still" available on itunes today


or Buy Lily Allen's "Alright, Still" on amazon

visit lily allen on myspace

Check Out Lily's video for "Smile"

Reminder: Olive and Bettes Winter Sample Sale Is Today!

Olive & Bettes is hosting a winter sample sale at their soho location on tuesday, january 30th get 75% off splendid, free people, nanette lepore, paige premium denium, seychelles, & more!! don't miss it!

where: 158 Spring Street btw West Broadway & Wooster
hours: 8am-7pm
phone: 646.613.8772
web: olive & bettes

in need of a good home

more shoes to love, for every occassion, in nearly every color & style known to
(wo)man:

row 1: All Black 'Pisces' Ballet in yellow $135.00 @ barefoot tess; Corso Como 'Floral' Skimmer $135 @ barefoot tess; Arturo Chiang"ZULEIMA" in black patent leather $110 @ plaza too; Steve Madden Goodie Pump $99.95;

row 2: steve madden tess buckle flat $99.95 ; French Sole 'Charleston' Ballet $159 @ barefoot tess; nine west iorio flat $79; All Black 'Pisces' Ballet in red $135.00 @ barefoot tess;

row 3: Steve Madden Dagny flat pre-order (ships 2/25) $79 (available in leopard, burgundy, black, white); Steve madden Reggall bow pump $89.95; Steve Madden Romantic Pump $189.95; steve madden kelly flat pre-order (ships 2/25) $69.95 (available in black, white, green, purple, & brown);

row 4: Marc by Marc Jacobs 673877 $320.00 Wedge @ zappos; Dolce Vita 'London' Ballet $99.00 in raspberry to match my yellow ones! @ barefoot tess; steve madden elpha peep-toe flat $69.95; nine west moonglow flat $69;

next on the agenda? finding a bigger closet!

Put It In Neutral

white shoes are on trend right now and i love it. admittedly, i hate that they are impossible to keep clean. my solution? buy more than one pair!

heels & wedges:

row 1: DOLCE VITAMULTI BRAIDED HIGH HEEL $120 @ shop dolce vita; Marc by Marc Jacobs 673582 Low Heel Peep toe $325.00 @ zappos; Kate Spade Karolina $255.00 @ zappos; Marc by Marc Jacobs 673960 Round Toe Pump $325.00 @ zappos;

row 2: nine west lecia in paraspa $79; Isabella Fiore Nouveau $378.95 @ zappos; Gabriella Rocha Gracie $59.95 @ zappos; JEFFREY CAMPBELL $74.95 @ zappos;

row3: nine west freda pump on sale for $29.99; Christian Lacroix 973906 $473.95 @ zappos; Steven Lusta Sling-back $125.00 @ zappos; baby phat Fortuna Mary Jane $90.00 @ zappos;

row 4: Marc by Marc Jacobs 673913 $360.00 @ zappos; nine west lehana mary jane $79; Steven Antigua platform wedge $110.00 @ zappos; BCBGirls Women's Liam Slingback Sandal $97.95 @ endless

flats:

top: All Black 'Erin' Ballet $130.00 @ barefoot tess; Celine 373132 $203.95 @ zappos; Belle by Sigerson Morrison 4322 $288.95 @ zappos; Pedro GarciaAlbany $338.95 @ zappos;

middle: Moschino C10120 Lsxo $198.95 @ zappos; MICHAEL Michael Kors Gillian Flat $98.00 @ zappos; Steve Madden Tipie $73.95 @ zappos; Steve Madden Rudin $49.95 @ zappos;

bottom: Penny Loves Kenny Copa $46.95 @ zappos; French Sole Passport $228.95; French Sole Hip-Hop $163.95 @ zappos; Marc by Marc Jacobs 673275 ballet flat $295.00 @ zappos;

Cool Shop: Austin Jeans

the shop is located on austin street in forest hills, queens is a service oriented men's & women's denim & apparel shop. austin jeans features designer denim and a well selected & stylish stock of clothing, shoes, handbags, belts, sunglasses, and other accessories. stop in to purchase fabulous finds from jbrand, james jeans, D&G, Just Cavalli, True Religion, La Rok, Seven For All Mankind, Free People, AG, Joes, Rock & Republic, Ella Moss, L.A.M.B., Diesel Paper Denim & Cloth & so many more. the staff of denim specialists are there to attend to your every need. simply scan through the denim gallery (pictured above), tell the denim specialist your size, and she will pull the jeans you like in your size--there is no need to search through piles of jeans like at the majority of stores. the service & selection is fantastic and the shop also offers alterations, and will help ensure that you walk out with a proper fitting garmet. if you don't live in queens, this shop will be worth your trip in...(simply take the E, F, G, R, V subways to 71st & Continental).

LOCATION: 70-38 Austin Street Forest Hills, NY 11375
TEL: (718)544-9856
EMAIL: info@austinjeans.com
STORE HOURS:
MON - FRI 11-8pm
SAT 11-8pm
SUN 12 - 6pm
ORDER ONLINE: order@austinjeans.com
WEB: http://www.austinjeans.com/

Celebrate National Wear Red Day at Girlshop

PrettyCity.com and Girlshop.com in partnership with The Heart Truth, invite you to celebrate in style. February 2nd is National Wear Red Day. Indulge in complimentary jane iredale, the skin care makeup makeovers, cocktails, and heart-healthy hors d' oeuvres, while shopping the latest trends.

rsvp by clicking here or email red@prettycity.com

SUPER SUNDAY 2/4/07

Plan Your Party:

Check out the cool decorations available @ Plum Party...from invitations, grass mats, beer koozies, & football shaped everything, you will be all set

If you are cheering for DA BEARS, check out these cool vintage-esque tees currently selling on ebay!:

l to r, top to bottom: women's bears tee on ebay; 80s bears tee on ebay; vintage bears tee on ebay; da bears tee on ebay; ditka tee on ebay & kookietees.com; f u colts tee on ebay;

i'm thinking about getting the ditka tee available @ kookietees.com ...da coach: ...

if you are cheering for the colts, like seemingly everyone in new york is, including my boyfriend, check out these tees on ebay...some of them are pretty funny:

l to r, top to bottom: indianapolis colts tee on ebay; kiss me i'm a colt shirt on ebay;baltimore colts throwback tee on ebay; got peyton? shirt on ebay;

if your pooch will be attending the party, like my sophie, be sure to stock up on yummy treats, appropriate toys & clothing so they don't feel left out. sophie LOVES football, and she is from chicago, so she will OBVIOUSLY be barking for da bears!

row 1: Chicago Bears NFL Dog Jersey ; Fun Freeze Dried Ice Cream for Dogs! $4.99 @ pawshop; Homer the Referee Doggy Activation Toy $13.95 @ barker & meowsky;Vanilla Ice Pudding for Dogs $6.99 @ paw shop;

row 2: Chicago Bears NFL Dog Collar (also available in Colts);Orbee Football$10.50 @ barker & meowsky; Brutie's Barkery Carob Canine Cake Mix @ paw shop; Indianapolis Colts NFL Dog Jersey;

row 3: Mini Canine Cupcakes: 1/2 dozen $6.99 @ pawshop; 6-Bone Shaped Muffin Pan $19.99 @ paw shop; Woofy Pop Microwave Dog Popcorn Treat: 3-pack $4.99 @ paw shop; Security Tank $24.00 @ barker & meowsky;

lastly, no super sunday post would be complete without a superfans video!

DA BEARS!

To-Do: Valentine Making Party

make workshop, located at 195 chrystie street #502, is hosting a valentine making party on february 9, 2007 at 6:30pm! the party is free-- materials & snacks will be supplied! the party is open to anyone who is interested in taking a workshop, former students, or current students! here is your chance to have fun & be creative! don't forget to bring a friend! no rsvp is necessary! visit make workshop's website for more information.

(single girl valentine # 3 by wendy mc) don't you love it!!?? have a wonderful valentine's day!!

The Revival of Yuppies & Snobs

there has been an uprising of young urban professionals...the yuppies are back. this resurrected lifestyle was the subject of a recent details magazine article. apparently, we are all embracing the snobs within as this boston globe article discusses. we have our ipods, burberry trenches, flat screen tvs, organic fruits & vegetables, imported bottled water, starbucks, prada handbags, fancy cars, designer jeans, luxury apartments, and the list goes on. if you think about the trends in retail...the demise of the gap, and the success of mid-luxury brands like coach you have to wonder, is it true? did the yuppies invade our brains along with our neighborhoods as jeff gordinier in the details concluded?

it seems to me that this new trend is indeed happening and has become problematic for lower end retailers who have been unable to set themselves apart from the vast competition that exists. target has been successful marketing to those with a taste for luxury through their partnerships with high-end designers. jcrew has been successful with their limited edition clothing & accessories, as well as their efforts to expand their appeal to the bridal market. but on the other end of the equation luxury retailer's increased popularity has been cause for alarm. not only has counterfeiting been a major dilemma in the fashion industry, but becoming "too popular" can bring about negative connotations as well. for instance, in a possible effort to avoid the devaluation of its brand, tiffany & co. raised the prices of their very popular silver jewelry line. along the same lines, business week recently posed the question, "will coach become too popular?", and even went so far as to compare coach's recent soar in sales & popularity to the gap's success in the late 1990s. there are so many designers that have an elitist view about fashion...they want very much to target a niche audience with their goods, and seem afraid to embrace the masses. other designers have not hesitated to strike licensing deals with h&m, target, and others. doing so appeals right to this new yuppie breed, and i'm sure the reason why so many designers are reluctant to venture in this direction. among other things, they are afraid that their brand will in some way be devalued. many brands have suffered once they have hit the discount market- business week cites calvin klein & tommy hilfiger as examples of this.

clearly, it isn't as simple as supply & demand in the fashion world. in fashion retail, image is everything, ubiquity can kill you, and reinvention is always necessary. as consumers there does seem to be something inside all of us that desires the unattainable, and certainly some of the things that give us the appearance of being wealthy. i'm not sure we will ever escape the grasps of consumerism & the pursuit of luxury. we equate those material goods as fruits of the american dream. we live in a world where the celebrity lifestyles are flaunted, idolized, and emulated. there is probably no better example of this than the list of oprah's favorite things, where upon its publication, $500+ burberry sweaters, coats, & handbags will sell out. these items become the ultimate status symbol when we are going in to buy our organic foods, and knowing that we own something oprah or our favorite celebrity also owns gives us euphoric pleasure. it is all a chasm we cannot escape--call it a return to snobbery, yuppieism, or obsessive consumerism...whatever it is it is here.


the yuppie handbook, available used @ amazon.com

Surprising New Favorite

Bath & Body Works Signature Collection Midnight Pomegranate scent! The scent is described as "Juicy red pomegranates sparkle like rubies in moonlight.Enticing. Fiery. Seductive." It is refreshing & suprisingly sexy.

The notes are as follows:
Top: Pomegranate, Sparkling Citrus, Dewberry, Anise, Cinnamon, Nutmeg
Mid: Cassis, Black Berry, Iris, Jasmine, Raspberry
Base: Musk, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Tobacco, Patchouli

The scent is available in the form of a shower gel, body butter, body lotion, body creme, bubble bath, body spray, eau de toilette, candle & more. The individual prices vary but they are offering a Buy 3, get one for free special as can be expected with Bath & Body Works. Buy it online @bathandbodyworks.com

Factory Girl Hits Theaters February 2nd! Really!

The highly anticipated film, Factory girl, is finally coming to theatres, for real this time. On Friday, February 2nd, there will be a limited release of Factory Girl. Despite the craziness of fashion week I will be finding time to see this movie! I have desparetely wanted to see this film ever since I read Jean Stein's book, "Edie: American Girl".


Factory Girl opened at the Santa Barbara Film Festival, and Sienna looked fabulous in a vintage silk dress:



I am thankful that she shied away from the Edie style she has become accustumed to over the past year. It seems she is moving away from that, and going back to the Sienna style I love & admire. Sienna is currently on the cover of the February issues of Esquire & Nylon magazine. I found the Esquire article, titled, "Girl On Fire", to be especially refreshing. It seems to me that she is too often pinned as someone she is not in the tabloids. View the Factory Girl Trailer Below:





Mary-Kate also has a role in the movie, as seen below, but don't blink or you'll miss her:


Reviews of Factory Girl:

variety.com
la times
hollywood reporter


ShowTimes: fandango.com

Marc Jacobs is Coming to Chicago!!

Marc by Marc Jacobs will be opening its first store in Chicago in Bucktown! The store, set to open late this summer, will be located at 1714 N. Damen Ave. Marc Jacobs currently has 12 U.S. stores, including three Marc by Marc Jacobs locations in New York, Los Angeles and Boston.

pictured:MARC by Marc Jacobs Floral-Print Dress $328.00 @ neiman marcus

Cool Find: Vintage 3-D Floral Bud Vase

anthropologie currently has some gorgeous vases i've had my eye on for months. i was waiting for them to go on sale, like most things eventually do at anthropologie, but the waiting game paid off for me eariler than i anticipated! imagine my surprise when i found a vase priced under ten dollars that could so easily fit into anthropologie's collection!! a 10 minute walk from my apartment to a lovely antique store, and there sitting high on shelf was the vase i had been waiting for, priced at $8. that is right, eight dollars!!! thrift shopping is the bomb! here is my 3-D floral bud vase sitting in my apartment:


pretty isn't it?! there isn't a chip, scratch, or anything...it is flawless!

here were the gorgeous anthropologie vases that inspired my purchase:

l to right, top to bottom: botanical vase, tall $148; porcelain pouring jar, roses $198; porcelain pouring jar, chrysanthemums $198; peony frieze vase $78; all @ anthropologie

i will be posting about more of my vintage & thrift finds in the next few weeks so check back! have a fabulous weekend!!!

style icon: zooey deschanel

i have loved zooey deschanel since her role in one of my favorite movies almost famous (2000) I also loved her in The Good Girl (2002), Elf (2003), and Failure to Launch (2006). she is absolutely gorgeous, with a seemingly flawless complexion...i like her best with her signature blunt bangs & natural makeup. she has a love for fashion, and has an eclectic & often adventurous style. she never shies away from color, prints, and adores vintage. the results aren't always on par, as demonstrated most recently at the sundance film festival with a beaded shift dress, but taking fashion risks is something i admire, & applaud. very often she does get it right, and the result is a unique sense of style that is very difficult to emulate.

on her way in to the "go getter" premiere at the sundance film festival she had the shift dress i referenced earlier covered up with a gorgeous blue coat. this coat is a definite win !

(photo wire image)
here she is in another winning look at the sundance film festival:

the pink & purple detailing are fun & girly yet settle & not over the top. (photo wire image)

looking flawless as sarah jessica's quirky roommate in "A Failure to Launch":




in elle magazine:

in nylon:

british vogue:

zooey was recently featured in dazed & confused magazine

here are some photos from the mag-it features a very cute article so check it out! here is another photo of her sporting blue nail polish at the sundance film festival!

having fun with color & prints:

photos: wire image & rex features

beauty products to use to steal her look:

l to right; top to bottom: Lash Injection $19.50 for those lllllong lashes; essie nail polish in st. barths blue $7 at amazon.com ; Stila Smudge Pots in Black $16; Stila Eye Shadow Trio in Copper Glow $24, Jonathan Product Create Smooth Anti-Frizz Volumizing Serum® , $26 for shiny, silky hair; Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer , $40 for a barely there base; Tarte Cheek Stain $28 in flushed or doll face, Becca Compact Concealer $35 for that flawless complexion...seriously this is the best damn concealer in town; Stila Lip Glaze , $20 try to stick to pinks & neutrals...i like tangerine or papaya @ sephora & amazon beauty