Dying For (Some But Not All) Daryl K Dresses

($352, Daryl K, Shopbop)

Probably because I'd see unloved, neglected pieces on the racks at Loehmann's and the like, I used to think of Daryl K as slightly skanky clubwear. But perhaps I think wrong (after all, this button-down couldn't be farther from slutty) because I LOVE this brown "paper bag" dress. This photo doesn't do it justice and only exacerbates its wet-look-ness. In person, it actually looks much classier and less shiny. It's extraordinarly soft too, but what really sold me is the amazing zipper trim. Okay, I will say that the cinched arms flatter absolutely no one, but I love the zipper trim so much I might almost overlook that. Well, what I guess I'm saying is that I love 75% of the dress. Though of COURSE, not with the boots.

I also love some of the dresses she's doing as part of her "Daryl K-189 & Co-Op" collaboration with Barneys Co-op. Check 'em out here.

I do, however, reserve the right to HATE this:

($780, Daryl K, Shopbop)

Um, $780 for a schmatte that looks like the scraps I used to practice sewing on? Um, no. This looks like 10 accidents.

Dresses: Shiny, Sparkly, Bold & Bright

A billion (okay, more like a dozen) drool-inducing sparkly, shiny, luxe and lush dresses for les holiday season!

($456, Nanette Lepore, Net-a-porter.com)

So deliciously late-70s. Glittery and glam yet still sexy and seductive without showing too-too much (yes, it's short, but this would look perfect with black tights.)

($925, See By Chloe, Net-a-porter.com)

Square sequins = manna from heaven. Though for nearly a grand, they better have been handsewn by elves.

($89, Asos.com)

I like this, but is it a little too obviously like "Hey! Look at me! I'm doing the jeweled dress trend!"?

($418, Petro Zillia, ShopPetroZillia.com)

Same thing? The paper bag waist might not be necessary, but it is helpful if you're hiding a fetus... or a food baby.

($300, Dallin Chase, Blaec.com)

Way chiller. And it looked adorbs on J.Lo:

($265, Karta, Net-a-porter.com)

A nice way to work the metallic trend without going too overboard. This piece still has a sorta folksy feel to it. Yay!

($660, Abaete, Bergdorf Goodman)

Or you could go TOTALLY overboard with this amazingly fun Abaete tank dress covered in paillettes. I know I would.

($795, Stella McCartney, Net-a-porter.com)

Also a beautiful holiday piece -- a healthy alternative to the I'm-not-wearing-a-dress-so-I'm-wearing-a-sparkly-top-and-black-pants look.

($348, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Bergdorf Goodman)

Perfect perfect perfect holiday dress. Love the contrast of the elegant eggplant and the more bright and festive sash. Yay!

($450, Abaete, Saks Fifth Avenue)

Absolutely stunning. Soooo Grecian goddess-chic. Though even a Grecian goddess might not be able to rock this very slim-lookin' number. Hm. Best left on the racks and to you rail-thin 55378008 chicks out there.

($587, Viktor & Rolf, Net-a-porter.com)

Oh mah stars. I freaking LOVE this. It's like Knots Landing goes to Colette. Want want want!

'80s DRAMA!

Beautiful Pieces For Beautiful Fall

YAAAAY! It's FINALLY FUCKING FALL! My favoritest time of the year both weather- and fashion-wise! Here are some beautiful deep, rich, dark fall-colory pieces for one to dream about and potentially buy.

($44, Lian Carlo, Vintageamore.com)

I'm not sure how a purveyor of otherwise super-fugz bridal gowns and eveningwear could create such a thing of Abaete-esque beauty, but they done did it. Unfortunately this is only avaible, from Vintageamore.com, at least, in size 6.

($465, Tufi Duek, Nordstrom)

Dude. DUDE. Dude. Tufi Duek is a god among mortals.

($420, Sass & Bide, Standardstyle.com)

Sass & Bide are NOT far behind. I'd wear this thing every day of the week if I had to.

($302, Madison Marcus, Shopintuition.com)

This looks a lot like that blue dress Jessica Simpson's been running around in, though I like this one better.

($205, Development, Madisonlosangeles.com)

Ooooh so perf with a thin black cardi!

($297, 12th Street By Cynthia Vincent, Bluefly)

Casual yet posh staple!

($94, Oh Deer! Nordstrom)

OMG. Check out the obscenely cute sequin detailing. I think I'm slowly warming to T-straps.

($88, Anne Klein, Amazon)

Pure fall jewel-toned beauty!

($59, Style & Co, Macys)

Very nice...

($128, Michael Kors, Nordstrom)
But not as nice as these. LOVE!



($68, Shopsueyboutique.com)

Yes, I know it's a BLATANT Marc Jacobs knockoff, but I sorta almost don't care because I love the Deco hardware so much.

($48, French Connection)
Sheer fall beauty time! All in one bag!

Betsey Johnson Sample Sale (NYC)

I stopped by the Betsey Johnson sample sale yesterday. First of all, it was crowded as FUCK and even hotter than that. The checkout lines snaked around the room and doubled over, and the A/C was non existant. But, the merch was fairly great. I looked online and can't find a lot of what was available, because there's a lotta last season stuff, but everything (it's about 95% dresses) was in perfect shape (no gross stains or tears). Definitely worth checking out. It's only through today though, so go!

A few examples of stuff I saw...

($276, Betsey Johnson)

My absolute favorite!

($238, Betsey Johnson, Amazon)

Though this may seem a little scary, in real life it's actually gorgeous. Wants!

($124, Betsey Johnson, Bluefly)

I tried this on (over my clothes) in the black and brown-trim version. Loved it... but not enough to stand in line.

($276, Betsey Johnson, Revolveclothing.com)

Love this. Very Toni Collette in "The Hours."

($390, Betsey Johnson, Zappos)

Saw several of these. They're pretty but not even worth the $80 or however much they were.

($282, Betsey Johnson, Amazon)

Eek. So early-80s pageanty!

($169, Betsey Johnson, Overstock.com)

Eek! Too "Dallas."

I also saw a few awesome striped sweater dresses, but again, I was too much of an old lady to deal with standing in line, and I actually do TRY to NOT spend money... sometimes... But if I were going to buy a Betsey dress, it'd be this one:

($330, Betsey Johnson, Urban Outfitters)

Loves! Online only = bewz.


PS: Love this one too!
($415, Betsey Johnson, eDressme.com)

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!

Shoppin' For Jovovich-Hawk

A few choice pieces from Jovovich-Hawk.

($193, Jovovich-Hawk, Shopbop)
I'm not hugely into wide-leg jeans (... yet... ), but these are downright adorable.


($375, Jovovich-Hawk, Net-a-porter.com)
Gorgeous '60s wallpaper look!


($483, Jovovich-Hawk, Net-a-porter.com)
Beautiful, but it also sorta, a teensy weensy bit looks like something you could find at H&M, you know? (No offense.) But if you really want it, Blaec.com has it for $460.



($285, Boutique.Jovovich-Hawk.com)
This is prolly my fave of all the items I've encountered online -- and why are there so few items available in general???

Anyway, peace.