The Smashing Pumpkins - Stand Inside Your Love

Hole - Pacific Coast Highway

Ok ...I am still a little 90s grunge kid on the inside, so when I found out Hole was coming out with their newest album, I was so excited I can't even tell you. Someone on youtube did a video for one of the songs on the album and its not too bad. This album got like no press and to my knowledge there are no official videos for this album either. But, if you like Hole, or 90s alternative, def check it out. I loved it!

Eartha Kitt - "Santa Baby"

Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!! I found this beautiful art deco image and thought it was so chic I just had to share it. I just wanted to wish you all a happy Christmas, and although I am without my other half and my tree, beautifully decorated with depression era ornaments,

I am still very thankful for all I have been blessed with! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and are making memories to look back on fondly.

Illume

I am so excited about this! Those of you who know me know that I love finding new products for the home, skincare, etc. Well, I  discovered my now favorite candle company, Illume, after they partnered with Target to create a line of licensed soy candles called Bella by Illume. The quality of their candles, even the Target candles is amazing. They use only the finest grade waxes and the candles are so saturated with oils, one small candle can fill a room with fragrance within one hour of burn time.

The reason I decided to post about  this today is that I just purchased the set pictured above from Gilt for only $30! This was part of a previous holiday collection I was interested in trying but never got a chance to. This set, called sultry is a mix of, cassis, coconut and tiger lily with seductive notes of patchouli, amber, suede and vanilla. I think I am going to love it which kind of sucks since this was a limited life product. But, if you are interested in checking out the company you can visit their website at www.illumeccandles.com.
And, if you like home fragrance and candles, I strongly recommend that you check out their line. All their candles are soy blends which means that they will burn cleaner, smell stronger, and less paraffin means less carcinogens in the air you breathe. 

Valentino

Valentino Garavani is always my answer when I am asked who my favorite designer is. One of my favorite possessions is my Valentino: Themes and Variations book gifted to me by my boyfriend.

This book is a must for any Valentino fan, or anyone who is interested in fit, silhouette, or embellishment. I can always look through it for inspiration because there is always something new to discover upon closer inspection of the photographed garments. I think he was one of the best at making women look like women. His work is timeless. Whether it is clean and simple,

or embellished,

 Valentino always complimented the woman in the clothes rather than creating something that would pull focus away from the wearer. In my mind, he is the master of taste and elegance. I hope one day to be a fraction of the fashion icon he is.

I just found this photo of one of my fav supermodels, Christy Turlington. I love her face! Hope this inspires you all as much as it does me.

THE BLONDS SPRING 2012 METROVELVET TV

Great vid from Metrovelvet showcasing the Blonds! Glamor Overload!

Detailed inspiration

Last week I posted about my current portfolio work in progress and talked briefly about what was inspiring me, but I wanted to elaborate on it. I have always loved the work of Charles James, he was without a doubt the American Dior. From his construction to the sheer manipulation of shape, everything about his work is beautiful and astounding. The gown featured above, is called the swan and comes from the same collection as the butterfly gown previously posted. Great example of shape and fabric manipulation. There are a few pieces specifically that have inspired my current collection.

All of the pieces above inspire me for different reasons and I often times can't put into words why exactly, but its like something inside is stirred. I know that sounds pretentious and perhaps a little cliche but I don't know how else to explain it.

Seasons Bleatings

I am currently working on ideas for an illustration set I am doing for a dear friend. She has just found out she will be having a baby girl in the next few months and I am thrilled because I don't think it would be sensical to have my illustrations hanging on the wall of a boy's room. That being said I am thrilled to be doing this and I have been playing around with the idea of storybook characters in couture. So, I've decided to do Little Bo Peep a la Betty Grable.

However, while ordering christmas cards I found that one of my favorite illustrators, Andrea Kett, has done her own version of Bo Peep for the holidays. Check out the photo below! I think her work is amazing and just wanted to share it with you all. I find that we seem to share a lot of the same references. (vintage Barbie, Pin-ups, a morbid sense of humor, etc.)

You should all check out her website www.andreakett.co.uk, and her etsy shop if you get the chance. Really really great stuff!

My Harem Problem

So, several months ago I had decided to enter a contest with OUT magazine in which designers were to create a set of men's pyjamas. I however has some setbacks and since I only found out about this competition last minute I was unable to enter my silk charmeuse harem pants. But, I have recently decided to finish the pants, so very soon I will be posting pictures of some really great chocolate silk pants. I think they will look great and I am hoping I can still find the pattern so I can alter it and make some great casual pants as well. I need something to wear in the summer so I am thinking there will be some new pants and some short shorts in the works, soon!

Elizabeth Taylor's Jewels

Elizabeth Taylor is one of my favorite style icons/actresses and her jewels are finally being auctioned off at Christie's next week. You can check out Hamish Bowles's top 10 pics for the auction at Vogue.com but I wanted to share two of my favorite pieces:

First, is this lovely art deco bracelet c.1925. It is exquisite and beautifully showcases Egyptian revival style. I love it when something old is made new again. I love everything art deco so I feel like no one should be surprised that I picked this piece.

Second, is the necklace that shows off the stunning and flawless Taylor-Burton diamond. This is by far one of the most beautiful stones and the setting couldn't be better. This piece is so modern in the way it is put together. Timeless is a word that comes to mind.  I often wish that people still dressed up and had places to which they could wear things like this. 

Current works...

So, as I try to complete a portfolio I can be proud of, I am finding inspiration in several new places and some old ones as well. I am so excited about what I am currently working on! Rite now I am trying to finish a collection inspired by two mid-century icons: Bettie Page, and Charles James.

I'm more specifically working from the Bunny Yeager photos of Bettie. I feel like no one photographed her the same way that Bunny did.

I'm taking Bettie's attitude, her girl-next-door sex goddess persona and melding it with one of my favorite designers, Charles James. He was the first American couturier, and was most famous for his sculptural ball gown created in the late 40's and early 50's. Lots of tulle, leopard, sheers, beading, leather, and tons of cleavage. Here is a little taste...

Gilda (1946) - Gilda teases Johnny

First Post!!!!

So, any of you that know me are very aware that I have been talking about starting a blog for quite a while now. Well, I obviously did it. I wanted to create a blog that would allow me to share all the things I love with all of you reading this. I would describe it as a lifestyle blog. It is my own fashion magazine. I'll be talking about what I'm loving in fashion, my favorite products, books, films,  and I'll also be sharing with you all the things and people that inspire me. Everyone tells me that I have so much to say so I hope this goes well! HAHA!