Balmain Bonanza

Perusing Net-A-Porter.com the other day, I fell in love with what I thought was a studded Balmain blazer. Not that I had the extra $5,000 lying around, but I wondered why a blazer - albeit Balmain - was several thousand dollars? A closer glance and some research turned up the blazer's counterpart. This was actually a jacket constructed out of what appeared to be the smoothest, softest leather I'd ever seen on a pixelated screen. Don't get me wrong, the leather is gorgeous, but I actually liked the notion that this leather jacket had been masquerading as a neat little blazer punked out with studs. The rock-n-roll vibe is a bit more ironic on a stereotypical workplace item. With studs popping up everywhere these days, I thought the trend had just about overstayed its welcome. However, there's no one quite like Christophe to transform tacky bling and cliché 80s silhouettes into something fabulous.


What You'll Need:
Blazer
Black or silver studs (about 150 medium sized)
Seam ripper
Pliers

Studs seem to be all over the blogging world, so I don't want to be too redundant by explaining the process again. See this bag and these shoes for a detailed lesson. The design on this blazer entails three rows of studs covering the entire lapel and wrapping all the way around the back of the neck. Make the row closest to the inside of the blazer about four extra studs longer than the second row.
The second row will be three-four studs longer than the third row (and so on). If your jacket has a wider lapel, keep adding rows until you hit the outside edge.


Throw on with cigarette pants and structural heels for that avate-garde Parisian feel or over a silk dress for a night out on the town.

xx,CC

The English Patience

While all fashionable Manhattanites are waiting with bated breath for Topshop's stateside arrival, my anticipation just reached new heights. Their spring look book culls all the best from spring trends: trash and vaudeville mixed with days on the prairie, all with overtones of daintiness and English class. Being the blazer obsessed girl that I am, I'm already D Y I N G for this floral confection.
This is one item that I won't be able to DIY, so you can bet your bottom dollar I'll have my AMEX ready the second it hits topshop.com!

xx,CC

Blazin' to Go

Once upon a time, there lived a young girl obsessed with designer clothes. She always did well in school, performed her chores, and cared for her younger brother. Her parents rewarded her with monthly shopping trips to Neiman Marcus, Saks, Barneys, and other department stores. When she began to think she might like to work in fashion for a living, her parents generously allowed her attend college at NYU and spend her summers interning at fashion companies. This girl knew that one day the gravy train would come to an end, as her parents would not support her spending habits forever, and accepting a job in fashion nearly always ends in poverty. Therefore, she learned to fuel her love for fashion by scouring the best thrift and consignment stores around. She was amazed at the finds she'd accumulated over the years (quilted Chanel flap bag at nearly 80% off retail and Christian Louboutin pumps for $40 top the list)! As the young fashionista's style evolved, she came to realize that a designer label alone does not make an item fabulous. One can look just as good in a $5 blazer from Goodwill as in a $500 blazer by Ralph Lauren, as long as it fits well. From that day forward, the young fashionista built her wardrobe around the good quality designer basics she already owned with cheaper trendy items from Zara, H&M, American Apparel, and, yes, even Goodwill. She saved monetarily and lived stylishly ever after.

And so...in keeping with my 2009 resolution, I present five blazers for $5 each. All picked up at my local Goodwill in a matter of 20 minutes.


xx,CC

Black, White, and Red-olutions

If you're like me, you plan weeks ahead for all the productive things you're going to accomplish over holiday breaks. However, that list usually goes out the window in favor of watching tv marathons (24 hours of A Christmas Story on TBS, hecks yes!), catching up on movies/chick lit, and eating Mom's holiday sweets. Another winter vacation tradition that's come to pass over the years is eschewing traditional Christmas morning gifts in favor of post-holiday sales. Always on the hunt for a bargain, I've been searching for the perfect pair of heeled combat boots to pair with girly frocks and tulip skirts for weeks. Santa must have heard my wish because I scored an amazing pair of Kors combat boots on sale at Intermix!


The best part is that they zip up the side, so I won't be scrambling to tie the laces and fasten the buckles when I'm running late for my morning class.

My apologies for being extremely lazy in crafting this vacation, but a new year brings new resolutions. Everyone claims New Yorkers dress in all black, and I've come to realize that I've totally fallen victim to the stereotype. In 2009 one of my goals is to incorporate more color into my daily wardrobe. Now, I know white isn't a color per se, but it's not black. I've fallen more in love with Ann Demeulemeester every season for her classic black and white palate. My second Christmas miracle came in the form of an amazing deal on this Ann Demeulemeester blazer. I just love the black detailing and how the jacket is slightly longer in the front. This piece will be sure to get a lot of wear this coming year.

My other resolution is to be more economical in my spending habits as I'll be an official college grad come May. Since I'll be spending less money at sample sales, I'll just have to get all the more crafty. I'm taking a jewelry making course as part of my studio art minor (gotta love NYU!), so perhaps I'll even share some of my own designs come 2009!

The original Ann D on the runway

xx,CC

CC <3's Fashionista

DIY: Birds of a Feather


Fashionista, you read my mind.

xx,CC