H&M "By Night" Collection

     Just about every day, I day-dream about how better my life would be if there was an H&M close-by. How I would only need that one store for all of my shopping! But alas! The closest one is right on the NH/Mass border and it would probably cost more in toll and gas money than buying a t-shirt...although I would consider frequenting that area if I wasn't so directionally handicapped! Anyway, it's about that time when the premature holiday season is starting up. Thanksgiving window decorations are up a month in advance, holiday soirée buzz has launched, and you've already started on your Christmas wishlist! Thanks to H&M, you only need to shop in one store for all your festive ensembles, taking a little stress out of all the extensive shopping to come! Their "By Night" collection brings a little rock-n-roll to elegant party dresses so that your ever-popular LBD will be a bit more kickin' than anyone else's.

(photo credit: hotbeautyhealth.com)

Keeping Busy on a Rainy Day

   Today was the first day of rain we've had for a while so I couldn't spend all day lounging by the pool. I've been sewing a lot this week, but my mom's machine has been temporarily out of order due to a couple jams that occurred while making my knit bikini. So today I spent most of my time on fashionista.com, finding inspiration from blogs, listening to She & Him, watching You Tube videos, and intending on reading the second A-List novel of the series. Without a sewing machine I had to resort to the old-fashioned needle and thread and working magic with just scissors. I cut up another t-shirt that will probably be seen soon in a post all about my ventures in making over my old tees.

This was my lunch that I finally ate at around 4:00pm-tea, peaches, and toast! 

While browsing around online, I compiled a list of things that brightened up such a cloudy day...

1. These cute Lavin sandals that are officially my latest summer obsession in the footwear department.

Lanvin embellished thong sandals-$935

They come in the most adorable shoe box I've ever seen!

(photo credit: www.net-a-porter.com)

2. Isabel Toledo has a new swimwear line out for Target to celebrate their store opening in East Harlem. The pieces for this collaboration will debut on July 25th in the new store and will be available in other Target stores as well as target.com on August 1st.

I really like their approach to these sporty suits and dresses because each one works together. All the bathing suits can be paired perfectly with a complimenting dress. This red one-piece (pictured above) is something I've never seen before...it may look awkward not being on a figure, but I can imagine it looking dazzling once it has a body to be worn by.  

While the clothing still remains within Target's low price range, 5% of every purchase

will be donated to The Fund for Public Schools .

(photo credit: http://www.fashionista.com/)

3. I am dying to try this Korres liquid lipstick at Sephora. It's one of the only Beauty Insiders Exclusive products I've looked into when reading through my Sephora emails.

(photo credit: www.sephora.com)

Paying $22 for 0.12 oz of lip product seems a little expensive, but it claims to have a cooling effect on your lips while protecting against free-radical damage with natural raspberry and pomegranate extracts. Making lips smooth all over, it applies with the texture of  lip gloss and has the finish of a lipstick.

I would really like to try it and see if the heavy price is worth the meager bottle. I also like the idea of something that's as easy to apply as lip gloss, but with a longer lasting and higher pigmented color.

4. This Marc Jacobs terry jumper is so innovative and perfect for beating summer heat. For those who don't mind spending a little extra to get higher quality, it's only $188 at Neiman Marcus.

(photo credit: www.neimanmarcus.com)

What Will Happen to His Label?

  

   As the fashion world knows, Alexander McQueen was found dead on Thursday, in his home in London. He was scheduled to launch his new collection in France next month for Paris fashion week. It is a shame the industry has lost such a creative mind, and I'm curious if anyone will carry on with his label. I would really like to know if he left his company to anyone or if he wanted to it to go down in history with him. As the investigations carry on, I'll be anxious to hear of any developments that answer these questions.

McQueen at his best...

 

  

A Man with Style

Kanye West has become one of the most stylish men in the music industry. He may not be known for being the most humble, but when it comes to fashion he's at the top. He started by applying for internships at European fashion houses and then moved on to collaborating with Nike and Louis Vuitton. He's recently launched his clothing line, Pastelle. Some clothes from this line were worn in his music video "Good Life."

"...I always say I was a designer before I was a rapper, and I really wanted to get into design."

-Kanye West

courtesy of kanyelive

He's a man who...

...attends fashion shows to see the clothes,

not just to be seen in them.

....mixes patterns with ease.

...looks hot in hot-pink.

...can pull off a tux with sneakers.

...isn't afraid of bold accessories.

 ...knows how to wear scarves.

...and has his own shoe line for Louis Vuitton (released this summer).