Dressing Up In Heavy Metals

I spent the weekend in Richmond, Virginia, where I window-drooled at Pink, which is a VERY New York-esque shop at PARIS prices. Needless to say, I walked out empty handed, but I can't stop dreaming of these two metallic dresses:

($396, Lauren Moffatt, Activeendeavors.com)

Okay, this chick's Kelly LeBrock in "Weird Science" hair is totally ruinous to this amazing dress. You'll just have to trust me that in real life, this piece is absolutely stunning. The sleeves are far more delicate looking. You can almost start to tell more in this photo from Lauren Moffatt's site, but I think you'd mostly be able to tell if this dress were on ME.

($308, Graham & Spencer, Activeendeavors.com)

This dress also completely blew me away. They had it paired with a little jacket on top, which is a perfect way to wear it. I actually think this dress, aside from being perfect for all skin shades (it'd even complement pasty peeps like myself, and I can only imagine it'd look radiant on Asian and Black skin shades too), I actually think this dress would flatter just about every body shape and chest types. It's roomy enough to cover tums but fitted enough so that it doesn't look like camping equipment. And, like I said, this looked so great with a jacket on top, that if you were having a chunky tricep day, this dress still looks amazing with something on top.


After seeing those two pieces, I went on a hunt for more gorgeous, dressy metallics and a few greys...

($297, Walter, eDressme.com)

This would absolutely rule with black opaque tights and black heels -- even strappy ones (with a closed toes). Especially for holiday parties. I love the '50-ishness of the beaded detailing.

($430, Nicole Miller, eDressme.com)

I know I shouldn't like this dress, but I love the updated retro-ness of it -- this is totally what I imagine rich ladies in the '60s wearing when they went off with their well-dressed, heavily pomaded dudes to see lounge singers belt out standards in Miami Beach nightclubs. That shit ruled. Expect for the racism, of course.

($374, Mint, ElevenBoutique.com)

Simple but lovely. This could be boring if it were cotton, but the fact that its silk makes it far
more interesting, as does the strap across the back.

($185, Madison Marcus, RonHerman.com)

This fun silk top rules because it needs just about nothing else -- except maybe hair. A pair of dark slim jeans or maybe a black denim skirt and black tights and black flats and you're done.

($275, Mint, Shoptwigs.com)

Another all-in-one outfit piece -- you really need little else with a top that's as elegantly outspoken as this one.

($480, Anya Hindmarch, Ronherman.com)

Simply wonderful. Slim dark jeans, tight black sweater = heavenly. Sexy, not slutty!

($295, Rafe, Shoptwigs.com)

Nothing's worse than one of those metallic bags that are so shiny they're practically reflective (I know, because I've been there). This is the perfect shade -- and size -- to bag it all up!

Most Amazing Jewels Post, Part Deux, PLUS: Accessories + My Ongoing Love Affair With Doucette Duvall

Okay. Here's the second part of a two-part epic jewelry post, and this is the more mature companion of the duo, if I do say so.

I've been hanging onto the following links for months now, then I got busy, then I ate, then I fell asleep, repeat... suddenly... I see that effing DIOR is like peeking into my bookmarks or something because WHAT should pop up in their 2007 Fall runway show in Paris but dark, daring and dramatically oversized gems, like the ones seen above.

Fabsugar, from whence that image was copped, did a piece on getting that look for less... as in like 1/3600th less.

Here, finally, are my aforementioned picks.

($125, Kenneth Jay Lane, Maxandchloe.com)
We both picked these. Yay. I'm a geniyouse.


($35, emitations.com)
Pretty pretty for a pretty princess.


($29.99, emitations.com)
Also very pretty princess! You really can't go wrong with green jewels...if they are just $30.


($69, Palmbeachjewelry.com)
Elegant and understated.


($89, Palmbeachjewelry.com)
Decadent! Would go perfectly with this Dior gown from the Fall 2007 show...

... You know... if you simply MUST be all matchy-matchy.


This .... this I would give an ovary for. God knows... I'd gladly give an ove... until either or both opportunities arise... I'd settle for this...

($9.99, emitations.com)
Gorgeous!



($75, emitations.com)
Or these... Very holiday chic!


Or this...
($75, Kenneth Jay Lane, Shopbop.com)


Okay... some slightly less flashy pieces...
($59, Palmbeachjewelry.com)
Nice. Easy. The way things should be!


($69, Palmbeachjewelry.com)
Love these. Are they for old ladies? I guess I don't care! They're so bright and fun!



($199, Palmbeachjewelry.com)
This is seriously old-ladyish, and I love it because it reminds of this beautiful mini perfume bottle I have that was either my mom's or grandma's -- I think it's probably Avon or something (no big whoop) -- but it has a plastic pink rose stopper that looks just like that. I love it. (-- Note: anyone know WTF the perfume is? The label is long gone, and a Google search has been fruitless. Morts.)



($275, Miu Miu, Net-a-porter.com)
So, speaking of jewels, AND per my ongoing quest to find the perf jeweled flats... these are gorgeous. I may've already posted these, just like I realized I've already posted those two pink/ coral rings. Oh well.



($334, Anna Sui, Net-a-porter.com)
Speaking of Net-a-porter... this top is perfection.



So, speaking of ongoing quests, this vintage Courreges dress is up! for! auction on eBay:
(Currently $99, Courreges, eBay)
Reminds me of those creepy variety shows they used to do all the time in the '70s, where people like Karen Carpenter would come out and sing under a spotlight and then there'd be the inevitable camera trick where they match the soft focus with one single sparkle that was fabricated but they'd make it look like it came from the performer's gown or jewelry, and then they'd fade the whole thing into an unintelligible sparkle-blur effect, know what I mean? Also, whoever shot these images did a good job of capturing that creepy latently homosexual, sexually charged, coke-addled je ne sais quoi of that era. Kudos!



(Currently $49, Courreges, eBay)
More Courreges glasses. I regret not bidding on an earlier pair I posted about. They looked like these:
($49, Courreges, eBay)


($79, Helena Rubinstein, eBay)
These are also rad...


($19, Modcloth.com)
And these are super fun.


Okay... so last week I stole away to the now-defunct (wah!) Find Outlet going-outta-biz sale (wah again!). There, quietly, patiently waiting for me to discover it between the Lauren Moffatt tops and Doucette Duvall dresses was this Doucette Duvall dress:
This photo doesn't really do justice to the hilarious and awesome detail of the print, which is an old Nicole Miller silk print, and it's got wedding images all over, including a pricey bridal gown, a smiling chef, a Torah (holla!), guest list, boobie lady (the stripper, I suppose -- every good wedding's got one!) and more great images of matrimony as we know it. It was the only one in the entire joint, and it FIT me like a fucking GLOVE. I ran to the ATM and walked away with the dress for $79. I almost felt guilty -- as much as I LOOOOOVE me a good deal, I felt bad that a.) Find Outlet is no more and b.) that I was taking advantage of their misfortune for my own fashion gain (woo!) and b.5) that my long-awaited Doucette acquisition was at the expense of point b. and c.) I sorta feel obligated to pay full-price for the hard work of an indie designer. Oh well. I love this dress so much I can barely contain my joy. I couldn't find it anywhere online, so I emailed with Meredith at Doucette (hey girl!), and she informed that, per my GENIUS fashion assumption: it IS in fact an old Nicole Miller print, and it's their "Dottie" style. And it's MINE ALL MINE! I can only hope my legs look as lovely in the dress -- or at least as tan. :/

Now go buy a Doucette dress and um... pay full price...

($195, Doucette Duvall, Revolveclothing.com)



($178, Doucette Duvall, Revolveclothing.com)


($189, Doucette Duvall, Intermixonline.com)

Dress Obsessed + Then Some!

I'm hording dresses like your grandma hordes Christmas half-broken ornaments from the '70s.
Here they are, in reverse order of affordability, plus some other stuff below the dress jump-off.


SUGAR DADDY WITH A BLACK AMEX:
($497, Anna Sui, Net-a-Porter)
It's a wee bit Heidi Of The Mountains, but it's also gorgeous.


($386, Temperley London, Saks Fifth Avenue)
I fear I already posted this, but if so, it merits a revisiting. Sooo perfect.


($357, Dahl, Shopbop)
A-dahl-able. Har.


($345, Diane von Furstenberg, Net-a-porter.com)
Love the little-girl-ishness.


($312, Harkham, Couturecandy.com)
So effing sexy and slimming. (You know. Because this chick's a real whale.)


MAKE OUT FOR MONEY
($299, Lauren Moffat, Revolveclothing.com)
Wish there were a better photo of this. Anyway, it'd look gorge with some dark tights in coooolah weather.


($275, Tocca)
Totes pretty. Love the classy turquoise and brown.


($268,. BCBG, Macy's)
Really purdy, but I'm not sure it's worth the price. Also, recently I made an online purchase of dress with ruched sleeves and it ended up making ye olde chest look even bigger. Bew. So I guess the whole point is, I have no clue why I picked this.


($266, What Comes Around Goes Around, ActiveEndeavors.com)
This is half ridiculously costumey, half super comfy looking. Too bad it only comes in "Nicole Richie."


($220, Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, Activeendeavors.com)
When I look back at photos of me as a toddler, whenever I was sitting on my parents' bed or something, the sheets always looked sorta like this. Despite that, I still love this pillowcase-looking frock.


($191, Lauren Moffatt, Shopbop)
See above.


($184, Tibi, Net-a-Porter)
Possibly one of my faves. I love the Marimekko-like print.


DEBIT CARD SWIPEITY SWIPER!
(Apprx $90 USD, TopShop.com)
So fun. I'd love to see this in grass green. Love the '80s snaps.


($78, Sweet Pea by Stacy Frati, Dillards)
Very cute, but that girl's eye is sorta freaking me out a bit.


($78, Trovata, Activeendeavors)
I may've posted this before too, but I bet it's cheaper than it was before! Again, loves the Virginia Johnson-esque pwint.


($26, Fashionjunkee.com)
Another cute bi-seasonal piece.


Okay. Here's some random shit, starting with a... MORTS
($226, Trovata, Activeendeavors.com)
A true don't-you-dare denim nightmare.


NON-MORTSES
($895, Temperley London, eBay)
A gorgeous work of art that's almost exactly the same price as my rent!


($365, Tracy Reese, Dianiboutique.com)
Also artful.


(Top $76; Bottom, $80, Juicy Couture, Bloomingdale's)
Lovely bikini!


($16.90, Abas, Nordstrom)
I really like this in white.


SALE!
Finally, GoClothing.com is going outta bidnez. Sucky for them, best for you, because the whole damn joint's on sale. Here's what I boughted:
($30, Joe's Jeans)
Oh shit! Joe's Jeans for $30! In charcoal, no less!!


($13, Paul Frank)
Green and black = underutilized combo.


($9, Fresh Karma)
Now go forth and spend!