I'm currently obsessing over the Gemma Redux Fall 2007 jewelry collection! My favorite pieces are pictured below:

top: Erin (adama) • vintage steel chains braided on one side. Longest necklace hangs past waist.$270; Libby bracelet (green onyx) • vintage and stainless steel chains braided. Green onyx briolettes hang from clasp. Bracelet measures approx. 8". $195; all @ gemma redux

Port2Port latest project, entitled, "A New Emptiness: so that summer came and went...places inside were hollowed out...and all that we imagined sits vacant from now on" is available online now! The Photographs & Prints Project includes 1 Idea, 5 Photographs, & 1 Letterpress Print. The new project will be available online until November 1, 2007.

set of 5 photographs $22
letterpress print $33
photographs + letterpress print $50
purchase online here

Mav also has new card sets available in her shop so be sure to check them out:

top: bronzed -- letterpress printed card set of 5 $21; shadowy -- letterpress printed card trio $12; all @ port2port
bottom: dusky -- letterpress printed card set of 5 $21; all @ port2port

Dawbis is a San Antonio based self taught collage artist who creates wonderful work in a sweet and whimsical style I simply can't get enough of! She never fails to bring a smile to your face through her distinctive style.


"Busy City Folk Take a Walk in the Park" 6" x 6" Collage on Bristol; "You're Like Magic" Collage Collage on Bristol both by Dawbis

View Dawn's trade catalog right here for purchasing information


To see more from Dawbis check out her photos on flickr or visit her blog!!!

Thank you Dawn for sending over these wonderful images!

I'm feeling overworked & overtired lately and for good reason, so to take my mind off the things I am not so fond of I started keeping a list of things I love and the things in life I don't love at all in hopes that the good will outweigh the bad. Sometimes when you see things on paper the situation doesn't seem as bleak, hopeless, and horrible. Instead, it just undesirable and hey I'll take that!


things i love:

• new york fashion week
• free car services home
• comped dinners
• overtime cash money
• having a creative outlet at one girl show
• newman's own organic fat free fig newmans
• pinkberry plain with coconut, raspberries, and blueberries
• marc jacobs
• finding fabulous vintage boots at edith machinist
  
• anthropologie
• farmer's markets
• lemonade stands
• street fairs
• flea market finds
  
• new york city
• chanel sunglasses
• my beagle, sophia loren
• peanut butter m&ms
• frozen lemonade
• watermelon
• kate nash's song "the nicest thing"
• listening to tristan prettyman's album "t w e n t y t h r e e" over & over again
• polaroids
• drawing & dreaming
• snocones
• baseball games
• my nikon d40x
• big brother 8 (go daniele!!!)
• rag & bone
• trips to target
• the feeling i get after a long run
• road races
• green tea
• manicures & pedicures
• vests
• wearing dresses
• wide legged jeans
• layering!
• hats! (select ones of course)
• going to the movies
• going to the beach
• fashion mags

• working from 8:30am to 8:30pm & beyond five days a week
• working over labor day weekend
• working on any weekend
• oh what the hell...working
• any friday that isn't a payday
• mergers
• ordering something online and then having the company take a month (and counting) to ship it to you...wtf?
• mondays
• winter
• cold days
• dog hair
  
• dresses over jeans
• mom jeans
• acid wash jeans (i know they are coming back, but you're going to regret wearing them now next year, TRUST me!)
• ugg boots (esp. when paired with a mini skirt)
• last but not least canceling my vacation so i can work 8:30-8:30 every day, including weekends and holidays! awesome! life is fabulous!
  

The "Queen of Mean" strikes again--this time from the grave! Leona Helmsley reportedly left a $12 million trust fund to her Maltese, named "Trouble", but left two of her grandchildren nothing! Ouch! (Read the full story here.)

I told my beagle, Sophie, this morning that if I had $12 million I would totally leave it to her. Sadly, for her I have about $10 in my wallet right now. This was her reaction to the news:



This is totally unrelated, but, does anyone remember when Leona Helmsley's limo caught on fire outside Saks Fifth Ave.? It happened right around my lunch hour in the summer of 2005, so I snapped a few pictures (see below). She was unharmed in the incident and rushed from the scene in order to make it in time for her lunch date.



Aww, the memories!

Work is beyond crazy right now! I had to reschedule my upcoming vacation, and might even have to work over Labor Day weekend! I spent all day yesterday being pissed off about the situation, but now I decided I'm over it and it is better not to dwell on this kind of thing. I feel it is healthier to just get the work out of the way even if I end up working 80+ hour weeks. While the overtime will be welcomed and will help boost my blossoming fall wardrobe, I simply was not expecting the extra work! Whew! Life is crazy that way. Please forgive me if my posts seem to be less frequent. I will be posting at least once a day and as frequently as humanly possible during New York Fashion week (hello, for more work!). I have been posting frequently over at One Girl Show, so please check that out & be sure to leave lots of love!

Ciao Bella!

Melanie

I've always been a fan of printed, colored, and embellished Keds. I suppose I could trace this back to my childhood when I insisted on drawing & puff painting my KEDS. I ditched my puff paints ages ago, but I still favor my printed Keds when it comes to cute, stylish comfort. I loved when Nanette Lepore started to embellish Keds in printed satin with her first collaboration with the shoe company. The skimmers I purchased from the first Nanette Lepore for Keds collection (pictured below) quickly became my favorite:



The idea of having a satin ballet flat with all the comfort of a sneaker was instantly appealing to me, but within a week of walking around New York City I noticed I had somehow torn the satin! Maybe this is why Keds have stayed true to canvas? I patched up my flats, and decided, I might as well give Nanette Lepore for Keds another go. This time the collection is mixing things up sequins and satin in purple and a feather print. I say, bring it on!

top: Nanette Lepore Mini Sequin Slip On $84.99; Nanette Lepore Cross Strap Skimmer Feather Satin $74.99; @ Keds

bottom: Nanette Lepore Bootie Black Sequin $119.99; Nanette Lepore Cross Strap Skimmer Purple Satin $74.99;@ Keds

This blouse would be perfectly at home in my wardrobe closet with its sweet peter pan collar and the simultaneous contrast between black & white and warm & cool weather fabrics. The details on that collar are gorgeous! Beyond that the top is versatile, uber-flattering, and a perfect piece to carry you from summer into fall! It is a must have if there ever was one, that is if you can stomach the price tag:


Thermal Linen Top $468 @ Standard Style


A dress to love from afar:



Floral Sequins Dress $936 @ Standard Style

Reese Witherspoon is easily my favorite contemporary actress. I think she is adorable, but what I love most about her is that she can pose for a magazine fully clothed and look unbelievably gorgeous & sexy! Take this recent Entertainment Weekly Cover+ Photo Shoot:







She has definitely come a long ways since she first came onto my radar, with this Sassy Magazine cover in 1996 & the movie Fear costarring Mark Wahlberg. (I was just finishing 8th grade then!). I bought a few vintage Sassy magazines on ebay awhile back and this happened to be one of them! Reese is still America's girl next door type, but back then she was that girl times 10...so cute & wholesome.






Read the Entertainment Weekly article about Reese & her upcoming political drama Rendition right here. View the Rendition trailer here:

...or laugh, or both. But really this is just sad. I have no idea what this girl is trying to say, to steal a phrase from the Principal in Billy Madison,

"Miss South Carolina, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."


I'm curious if she would be able locate anything on a map.

Congrats to Hilary Carol Cruz, Miss Colorado Teen USA 2007 for winning though, the boy and I agreed at the beginning of the show that she was the "hottest", before he told me in no uncertain terms were we watching the rest of the broadcast. Thankfully, the good entertaining bits were posted on youtube.

Lisa Solomon has teamed up with paper monkey press to create her first ever letterpress prints available in 2 separate editions- one blue bed print with hand stitching & one blue bed print without stitching. Each print is signed, numbered and printed on textured 450g fourdinier, buffered and acid free 100% cotton rag paper. The prints are available framed {for an additional $30 the print will arrive in a simple wood frame} or unframed.



unstitched: 123...., 2007, letterpress print, 8" x 11" ............$45 (unframed) $75 (framed)

stitched: 123...., 2007, letterpress print, 8" x 11"......$75 (unframed) $105 (framed)

Purchase the GORGEOUS prints here!

{photo: sunflowers by melanie/pbl on flickr}

The L Report has been interviewing top fashion & design bloggers on the web and has published the complete. The interviews help you understand how the bloggers got started, why they blog, what's in store for them in the future. In addition the bloggers offer some helpful tips if your are looking to start a blog yourself! Check out the interviews (including one with yours truly) right here.

Heidi Klein
1018 Lexington Avenue @ 73rd Street
Subway: #6 to 77th/Lexington
212.327.1700
The sale starts September 4th!
Get 30% - 60% off Heidi Klein, Le Tarte, Diane von Furstenburg and more!

• Heidi Klein's Mustique Solid (pictured above) was$240 now $140;
  
• DVF Black and White Flower Print Triangle Bikini with bamboo accent was $175, now $122.50;
  
• Le Tarte bikinis was $160 now $112;

Have you always dreamed of becoming a stylist? Here is your chance to get noticed!!! Express and Ford Models are currently running a contest in search of the next best denim stylist! You could get an all expenses paid trip to NYC, where you will get to style a fashion photo shoot with the help of Ford Models' top Stylists and Artists! You will also receive a $1000 Express gift card, and have lunch with fashion experts from Parsons The New School of Design. (56 runners up will receive Express gift cards as well in lower increments)

All you have to do is create a look that demonstrates your BEST denim style. The must use at lease one denim element, & it should be CREATIVE! Style your look, then take photos you can upload digitally for your contest entry. The entries will be judged by fashion experts from Express, Ford Models, and Parsons The New School for Design according to the following criteria:

• use of denim – 50%
• personal style – 25%
• overall look – 12.5%
• overall creativity – 12.5%
  

The jewelry designer, Dominique Cohen's designs normally retail for thousands of dollars at high-end shops like Neiman Marcus & Saks Fifth Ave. For instance, this simple large chain necklace from Dominique Cohen retails for... (you better sit down for this one!!!)

$8,000!!! It is a gorgeous 18 K rose gold necklace, but I certainly can't afford it so that is why I'm thrilled that Dominique Cohen has designed an exclusive jewelry collection that I CAN afford for budget retailer Target! Each piece in the Target line is signed by Dominique and is available at price points ranging between $14.99 and $54.99. Obviously, you aren't going to be purchasing 18k rose gold necklaces at that price, but you are going to get some fun fashion jewelry that will look lovely with your fall wardrobe! The collection is edgy and yet remains feminine. The collection reminds me a bit of Candace Ang's jewelry:






Dominique Cohen Cameo Chain Necklace - Black $49.99; Dominique Cohen Chain Necklace with Bow Pendant - Black $34.99; @ Target


Dominique Cohen Jewel Pendant Necklace - Black $19.99; Dominique Cohen Beau Coeur Ring - Bronze $19.99; @ Target


row 1: Dominique Cohen Crystal Cameo Ring - Black $19.99; Dominique Cohen Knotted Pearl Bracelet - Bronze $19.99; Dominique Cohen Cameo Pin - Black $19.99; Dominique Cohen Bow Post Earrings - Black $14.99; @ Target

row 2: Dominique Cohen Bow Pin - Black $19.99; Dominique Cohen Bead and Bronze Bracelet $19.99; Dominique Cohen Bow Bangle - Bronze $19.99; Dominique Cohen Lace-Covered Bead Necklace with Ribbon Tie - Black $29.99; @ Target

row 3: Dominique Cohen Chain Ribbon-Tie Necklace - Bronze $29.99; Dominique Cohen Cameo Bangle Bracelet Black $19.99; Dominique Cohen Beau Coeur Bangle - Black $19.99; Dominique Cohen Cameo Post Earrings - Black $29.99; @ Target




Dominique Cohen 3-Strand Pearl Tie Necklace - Bronze $59.99; @ Target




View the entire Dominique Cohen collection for Target right here.

The Nanny Diaries! I read the book a few years ago, and absolutely loved it! While I usually prefer the books to the films, it is sometimes fun to revisit the story (as was true with the Devil Wears Prada movie). This time one of my favorite actresses staring, so I can't wait:

View the trailer here:

A.P.C. has been a staple in my closet for sometime. I have to say I was slightly underwhelmed by the collection. For spring I could always count on them for the cutest dresses, but for fall what I really wanted was a stylish jacket or coat! While A.P.C. has plenty of flattering back to school basics, there is really nothing in the collection that jumps out at me or is overly exciting. I'm sure I'll get over my disappointment soon enough, because one thing is for sure, I will definitely be picking up an owl necklace and a pair of knit tights!






View the Fall collection here

The One In Ten Auction is still going on and my favorite item, the Ellybeth dress by Jen Gordy is up for sale to benefit the cause! The dress is made from pale pink Japanese Nani Iro double-gauze cotton and is complete with an adorable Peter Pan collar. The dress is a one-of-a-kind and is available in a size 2, but because it is loose fitting it is really the equivalent to a size 4. Bid on it here, all proceeds benefit the One In Ten Fundraiser which you can find out more about here.

I must have this Rainy day print by Penelope Dullaghan!!! The image is adorable and the colors & pattern really make this piece really come to life! I have been a big fan of Penelope Dullaghan's work (view her portfolio here) for awhile now so I was thrilled to see her prints are now available online. I am also a frequent participant in Penelope's weekly challenge Illustration Friday


The Rainy Day print measures 8"x10" and is printed on acid-free Hahnemühle German Etching Paper. The print comes in a edition of 50, each is signed and numbered. Purchase it for $60 @ Little Paper Planes.

Be sure to check out Penelope's Sweeping Time print at Little Paper Planes too!

I know everyone else in America is trying to beat record highs, but I've been FREEZING in NYC the last couple of days, so to cope I've already started wearing my fall wardrobe! I really love Rory Beca's fall/holiday 2007 collection with the flirtatious dresses, swingy jackets, punchy colors. I can see myself wearing the looks this fall with boots or layered over tights. My favorite looks are pictured right here:


View the entire fall 2007 collection here.

Fashion is Spinach created a fantastic do-it-yourself tutorial for the latest issue of NEET Magazine that demonstrates how to create fun, colorful, bangle bracelets. I have been obsessed with bangles all summer long, so it was fun to see this easy tutorial in NEET, especially since I am head over heels in love with that magazine. All you need to create your own gorgeous bracelet in a print/color of your choice is a bangle, scissors, a brush, printed origami paper, & mod podge glue.


Check out NEET magazine & the full tutorial right here.

The peter pan collar trend seems to be continuing on into fall fashion. There is something sweet and alluring about the look that I can't seem to ignore. Here are a few adorable dresses & blouses that will help you incorporate the sweet collars into your wardrobe this fall without looking ridiculous:



Marc by Marc Jacobs Liza Print Dress $348 @ Standard Style;

Lauren Moffatt Collared Sleeveless Dress $387 @ Shopbop; Stratus Dress by Fluet $338 @ Anthropologie;