I barely follow models these days. They just don’t compare and they have all started to look the same to me when I check out runway photos – uninteresting clothes hangers. I have never been a Kate Moss fan. She really bores me. Of course, I loved all the “supermodels” of our time. Okay as far as newer models go, I love token redhead Karen Elson. That’s about it.

Growing up looking at fashion magazines in the 80s and 90s, I had a few favorite models: Kristen McMennamy, Stella Tennant, Kristy Hume (they have been making a major comeback lately), Nadja Auerman, and Meghan Douglas (all mentioned here). Douglas often gets overlooked for the buxom powerhouse she is. So, here are a few pics to get you feeling nostalgic.

(I tried to cite as many as I could so if you have any credits, please send them my way!)

Meghan Douglas – Vogue Dec 1991 – ahhh, the end of the 80s!

I had this picture on my bedroom wall.

Pretty Women - Vogue UK February 1995 Photo – Mario Testino

Harper’s Bazaar

W April 1995 Photo – Michael Thompson

with Kristen McMennamy – Harper’s Bazaar Feb 1993 Photo: Patrick Demarchelier

in Vivienne Westwood Photo – Andrew MacPherson

Did you have any favorite models growing up? Jen, you’re going to say Stephanie Seymour, right? :)

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This dress, oh man. Straight off the runway and sold out on Net-a-Porter.

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I didn’t watch the show but I did check out the pics online after the red carpet was over.

Here are my favorites (via):

Kelly Osbourne in Tony Ward, so so pretty

Maura Tierney in vintage, love that it’s vintage, love that she blends in and everything is so simple

Eva Longoria Parker in Robert Rodriguez

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I used to keep a journal full of cut out pictures of things I saw in magazines and I’ve shared a ton with you in the past. So, what does a grown woman do on a Wednesday night? Well this grown ass woman sat with her September issues spread out, a pair of scissors, a glue stick, paper and a pen. In all the magazines, I honestly didn’t see too many things that I fell in love with. I enjoyed concepts and styling ideas but not many individual items, except for these.

Oh, and I totally ordered the DKNY Pure perfume. I rubbed every last microbe of scent on my wrist off that magazine strip and couldn’t stop smelling myself. So cozy and comforting and sexy. The bf loves it. Part of the profit goes to a microfinance program for vanilla farmers in Uganda as well. I haven’t given up on my beloved Kenzo Amour… it just needs a little rest.

PS- I can’t spell Gabbana obviously

Click for the large version:

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NOVICA is associated with National Geographic and for ten years, they have helped artisans from all over the world get exposure. The asked if I would be interested in reviewing some of their products. What impressed me the most was their new microfinance program. These small loans help promote entrepreneurship among poverty-stricken people who have the skills to create beautiful things but little collateral to get their business up and running. They can also help people take their business to the next level, being able to purchase supplies in bulk. A few US dollars go a long way in these regions.

Lately, small zero-interest loans have been getting more press. In fact, 2005 was declared it the International Year of Microcredit by the UN.

A press release from the UN states:

A small loan, a savings account, an affordable way to send a pay cheque home can make all the difference to a poor or low-income family. With access to microfinance, they can earn more, build up assets, and better protect themselves against unexpected setbacks and losses. They can move beyond day-to-day survival towards planning for the future. They can invest in better nutrition, housing, health, and education for their children. In short, they can break the vicious circle of poverty.

So, back to products NOVICA offers… they have clothing, home decor items, paintings, fun gifts… but I was asked to check out their handmade jewelry. There are thousands of things for both women and men. My mom and I sat for an hour perusing and didn’t even see half of it. It’s all neatly organized and the site is easy to maneuver. Rather than clicking on all the sub-categories though, I would’ve liked a “view all” feature to see all of the rings, or all of the bracelets, etc. There are also many different price points. The regional focus was bit narrow but each country had many different artists with various tribal and cultural techniques represented. You can pick from rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings…

Most of the items are sterling silver with a few gold vermeil pieces. There are also plenty of beaded items and some leather, wood, bone, horn, shell and ceramic. There are tons of gemstones and intricately carved pieces, both casual and formal. Each item has the artist’s profile where you can learn more about their story, their passion, and the meaning behind their pieces. You also get a card with the artist’s story along with each piece. This definitely gives a more personal touch to each item, something I really like.

I was allowed to pick out a few pieces. I wish I could have grabbed up each one of these:

Citrine Cocktail Ring – $42.49 – Bali

Amazonian palm bracelet – $32.95 – Brasil

Sterling cuff bracelet – $77.99 – Thailand

Bull horn long necklace – $84.95 – Peru

Sterling silver drop earrings – $28.99 – Thailand

Sterling silver and enhanced obsidian ring – $99.95 – Indonesia (also in green)

Carved gourd earrings – $29.99 – Peru

Sterling ring – $57.95 – Peru

Turquoise and peridot necklace – $124.95 – Thailand

Sterling cuff links (a great wedding or groomsman gift!) – $49.99 – Mexico

Pair of mango wood cuff bracelets – $21.49 – Thailand

Silver cuff bracelet – $101.66 – India

Huichol beaded necklace – $76.46 – Mexico

Sterling and water buffalo horn ring – $77.95 – Indonesia

Resin preserved and gold plated rose petal earrings – $37.95 – Thailand

Gold vermeil citrine ring – $53.96 – India

Leather bracelet – $19.95 – Indonesia

Pearl cuff bracelet – $319.95 – Indonesia

So, what did I get? Well, I put my order in and on August 19th, I was notified that they would be shipping directly from Bali/Java. I was really surprised when the package showed up so quickly, just 5 days later via Fed Ex!

Each item came in it’s own adorable gift box with tiny booklets for each. The invoice was in a little envelope with a hand-signed card from Bali. Everything was presented in such a special personal way, it truly felt like you were receiving a gift from a far-away land.

I got the the sterling/citrine/bone ring and it’s gorgeous. I haven’t worn it out yet but I know people will ask about it since it’s so unusual. There’s so much personality and every detail of it is perfect.

I also picked out this pale leather adjustable bracelet. My wrists are teeny and this fits just right at the tightest of three settings. I may have to cut off the excess on the strap. It will take a bit for it to soften and conform to my wrist since it’s really thick but, I’m going to wear this constantly.

Well, this was a ton of fun! Love love love the pieces I received! Hope you’ve enjoyed checking out all these unusual items from around the globe. Find more at NOVICA.

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So, I saw this belt.

This belt is $460.

This belt is a strip of leather measuring about 8″ wide x 80″ long, sewn together at a few points.

That’s 640 square inches, which is roughly 4.5 square feet.

An average whole deerskin/cowhide yields way more than 4.5 square feet of usable leather for this project.

After emailing a few leather stores with these pics, they told me it appears to be 2-3 ounce garment leather.

An average whole deerskin/cowhide in a 2-3 oz. garment weight costs +/- $40.

With a ruler, tailor’s chalk, and scissors you can cut the strips.

You can sew garment weight leather on a regular sewing machine.

That is all.

PS – Jen, this will probably be your Christmas present.

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Some of us manage to carry our lives around with us and for those of you who don’t… how on earth do you survive? Last year I did a post on the contents of my bag. I should do a new one soon. It’s gotten better.

The $2000 Proenza Schouler PS1 bag seems to be THE bag this Fall season. It’s being touted as an investment bag that will survive trends. Well no kidding, since there’s nothing too special about it. It’s simply a leather messenger bag but, it’s selling out everywhere. At 16″ wide and 12″ tall, it’s hardly huge but the structure and shoulder strap makes it a great bag for a laptop, work papers, a camera, a large wallet, make-up bag… only it’s $2000!!!

I used to carry a canvas Dickies messenger bag in high school. Didn’t everyone in the 90s? They’re $25 and pretty much indestructible + machine washable. The zippers crap out before anything else does. Serious old school punk appeal and I had a hard time finding any online right now.

Thing is, when I see messenger bags… I think messengers. Bike messengers and avid bike riders use these. The flap is good protection against the elements for your contents. The flat form rests nicely against your back and the strap frees your hands.

This whole crossbody strap trend is really big right now and I jumped on the bandwagon with that covered stud bag I just got but, good grief it kills my neck and squishes the boobs when I have it across my chest! I still find myself using the shorter shoulder strap more than anything but definitely appreciate the longer strap giving me more freedom when I need it.

Here are some bags whose looks I like, that don’t cost $2000.

FOSSIL Vintage Re-Issue Messenger- $168 – leather and also comes in black. Nice vintage feel. The Fossil site has a ton of really nice leather bags.

BCBGeneration Lucy bag – $49.95 – leather and on sale! This doesn’t have the flap but the same general shape. More ladylike and apt for a night out.

Delias – Mallory Military Messenger – $29.50 – canvas

Aldo – Harvley – $45

Cambridge Satchel Company Briefcase Bag – $158 – these are all over the web right now. They come in a ton of colors & different sizes at various stores so do a search.

Will you be sporting this trend? Do you already carry bags like this for work and carry a regular handbag as well?

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Almost 2 years ago, I did a post on nude pumps that’s still consistently getting views. Nude heels will always be in. They make your legs look amazingly long and pretty much go with everything. So, here’s a new installment of  nude pumps that are readily available in the stores. I’ve tried to include different price points and skin tones like last time.
Since they offer free return shipping and colors vary so much online, all are from Zappos. You can still shop around of course.

Oh, and how cute is Zappos?

Now to the shoes:

$295

$275

$130

$83

$88.95

$78.95

$89

$285

$78.95

$298

$78.95

$275

$65.95

$101.95

$298

$108.95

$295

$91

$399

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Geode candle holders made of amethyst are all over the discount home stores lately and geodes are also popping up in jewelry. The super bright ones are dyed. I’m kinda digging this look, especially after getting my sweet rock shirt. (I collected rocks as a kid. Such a dork.)

TONS and TONS of stuff on etsy!

$68

$67

$52.99 (more rings here)

$49.90

$88

$24.99 (tons more here)

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In February, I did my big Fall/Winter 2010 fashion post after all of the runway shows, sharing what tickled my fancy. Now that Fall items are starting to fill the stores and the September issues were starting to line the magazine racks the first week of August, you can begin to see what the buyers picked out and what trends will be prominent in stores. Nothing seems so out of the realm of what you might already have hiding in your closet, or you could pick up that missing piece easily and inexpensively to feel current.

All photos via Style.com.

• If I see the word “classic” one more time, I’m going to scream. Classic styles are never not in style. Do we need to be told that they’re really really in style this season? White button ups, pencil skirts, blazers, trench coats, ladylike bags… got it.
• Lace. I don’t do lace. Never have. It washes terribly. I wasn’t expecting to see so much of it (and really piled on) but I guess the pendulum always swings back after all the hard edgy stuff saturating the fashion world the past few years. The metal bracelets that look like lace are kinda neat though.
• Leopard print! I really think it’s going to be the biggest trend for A/W 2010. I wore leopard so much during my punk rock years and even slept on leopard print sheets for about 10 years so I’m still taking a breather. It would be easy to add some leopard bangles, a little cardi, a belt, some flats… The only leopard things I have kept are heels. They may make an appearance, paired with a bright dress.
• Fur. Everywhere. The vintage stuff doesn’t bother me so much. I mean, that game is over. (I do worry that it encourages new production though, since the vintage market can’t fill the demand.) I have a black fox fur muff that belonged to my grandmother. I’ve never used it but part of me is willing to hop on this furry bandwagon for at least one outing when it gets cold out. It’s a vintage muff for crying out loud! How glamorous is that? I also just like saying muff.
• Capes. Get outta here. I’m not wearing a cape. Maybe if I were taller but, I feel like I would look like a Hobbit at 5’1″.
• Proper trousers. Cropped, wide legged, straight leg… whatever. I may just pull out some of my old wider legged pants for the hell of it and feel chic.
• Statement jewelry. The bigger the better.
• Another thing that my height will be nixing – long body-con skirts. That was also part of my grunge days, with Doc Martens. My poor mom had to hem them. All of my velvet and long skirts are gone and I don’t miss it. Yeah, velvet is back in a big way too.
• Ruffles! My god the ruffles! The only way a ruffle is getting on my body is if it’s part of a structured jacket or interesting cardigan. This is my kind of way to do ruffles:

• I already have enough belts, blazers, coats, and I’m covered in the boot department now. (You’ll be seeing more of my boot shopping soon!)
• Longer strapped bags – messenger or just your average bag with a longer strap. I’m going to admit, after using shoulder satchels for sooo long, I finally got one with a shoulder strap and long strap as well. That long strap across my body drove me insane! I got a neck cramp and It’s difficult to maneuver over boobs. I am glad to have it though because there are times when you simply need to have your shoulder free. So, I will use the cross-body strap for those times only. Maybe I just need to quit carrying 20 pounds of crap with me.
• I’m dying to mix neutrals when it gets cooler. Greys and camels and creams and black all together. So soft and cozy!

• I’ve only seen one editorial include the white tights. Dun dun dun dun! I am totally making that look happen this winter. I can’t get white tights out of my head! They were paired with graphic b&w looks, bright minis and with neutrals. We’ll see how this works out in real life, solid or textured. Maybe just some cream leggings worked into a layered look (which are impossible to find for dirt cheap and not at AA).

• Sweaters, sweater knit skirts, sweater dresses (I have two chunky knit dresses I haven’t worn in 2 years and forgot all about! They’re coming out!)

What is your perfect Fall outfit that you have worked out in your mind?

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