archivesilverwriter

[archivesilverwriter]

If I lived in Malibu, this is where you'd find me:

Crouched between two palm trees, making out,

My life explained in Ed Ruscha's painting,

Plain white letters: "A PARTICULAR KIND OF HEAVEN."

  Bracelet by Maria Haj. 1950s western metallic rodeo capris. Shoes by Kaju. Pink floral bandeau halter by ROMWE.

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This post is dedicated to Nina Madrid.

A project launches: Here blooms the patina of aging beautifully. Copper bottoms, fog drip, reinvention, a memory we call home. This is summertime in San Francisco.

Proenza Schouler PS1. Antlers by Jason. Dress by Levi's.

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When my resolute nature wobbles and slumps away from me like ugly potatoes spilling out of a paper bag, I turn to fashion to keep me in form. A summer of adventures in the eucalyptus groves and rose gardens awaits, but first the earth must be purified with poplar charcoal burned down to ash. Time to wear Robert Clergerie and Sonia Rykiel.

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Picking up energy for the holiday season and pleased with the growing mound of exciting art and writing projects coming my way, I knew the search for the perfect piece to refresh my much neglected blog was over upon spotting this gathered white top by young Spanish designer Anjara Garcia. Garbled speech, racing pulse, clumsy steps. All the signs that indicate a major design crush.

Though it wouldn't sit properly over my (let's be honest) curvaceous bosom unless worn a size too large, I can still admire it for the fine bead work and its well hidden breast pockets (which I can't see, but they're supposedly there). Garcia designs for confident Mediterranean women in touch with their femininity and what she calls "subtle sensuality." This top falls in step.

But it's the back I really love--evoking Elizabethan court wear, flannel pajamas, and egg whites. "A happy emulsion," to borrow from a friend. It would be the perfect festive top to wear to a friend's jubilee party, paired with skinny dark green or blue velvet pants, a thin chain necklace, and a giant paste ring.

XO

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French-born designer Jean Charles de Castelbajac (JCC) designed these sexy ski sweaters for winter sports and apparel company Rossignol, and they sizzle! Not one ounce of frump. Who knew winter could be so sensual? Smart man:

"I quite like this idea that intelligence can move mountains and overwhelm power."

The Hepburn Long Half-Zip Pull comes in black and burgundy-chestnut, and is the perfect match for an afternoon stroll following a Thanksgiving day's indulgences. It probably won't hurt if you're leggy, but a trim silhouette, tight knit, and cold-weather gauge mean this sweater dress will flatter any figure.

Available in stores carrying Rossignol.

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you're cute.

Thank you! XO

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My birthday is on Sunday, but this is no red herring.

While I'll actually be wearing long johns and snow shoes all weekend in the northern reaches of California, in my heart I will shimmer like this ASOS BLACK Half Moon mini dress in red paillettes with exposed shoulder seams.

Available in the UK for £150.

XO

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Works in Progress

Intersections of intergalactic flight and nature walks. In the coming months, I'm going to do more anticlasting (which means raising the metal into simultaneous convex-concave planes) in sterling silver. This technique allows me to hand-forge closed, hollow forms, as well as create open, blooming shapes.

The spaceship necklace pendants are coming together very well, and I look forward to adding their Indian rubies soon! The photos I took last night didn't turn out well at all, so the one above is the best I can do for now. Sorry, metalheads!

The irregular chains are taking longer than anticipated, in part due to having lost some down through the porch slats. If it turns out the way I hope, I may have this plated in 18K gold. I am also very partial to sandblast finishes, which translate to greater affordability for my clients. I am not going for a Hipster Mr. T detritus look, so maybe I'll save the gold for another project.

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Fall palette and Taiwanese youth. Hep collar, wide pleats, gilded shoulder panels, bell silhouettes.  All that's missing is a dollop of whipped cream. And the shoes. Love them! With names like "Islamic Jumpsuit," each piece pops from its poetic multicultural steamer trunk and reverberates the unique hipness every street style bloggee ("she who is blogged") hopes to embody. Featured on the Benetton Blog from Taipei-based designer Sophie Aimer. Pumpkin pie cute, Earl Grey tea haute. Yes, please.

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One eyed, one horned, flying purple people eater!

I have an unhealthy obsession with turquoise, purple, aqua, and magenta. Just call me "Cordelia Caboodles" -- I won't mind. Naturally, when I spotted these majestics strutting past my screen, I had to grab.

You can snatch them here for $55.87.

P.S. This model has freakishly skinny calves.

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Found this posted on realfashionreview, and it is to die for. This Chanel pendant necklace is crafted from gold and lapis lazuli, which is one of my favorite gemstones. Its royal blue color explains why for centuries it was equated with royalty and celestial bodies. Most of the world's supply comes from the Sar-e-Sang mine of mountainous Afghanistan, so now you'll understand what I meant about dying for it.

You could try selling body armor to save up enough for this necklace, available online for just $1295. The only lapis lazuli in my personal jewelry collection was a gift -- a delicate silver band with a bezel-set stone the size of a dried navy bean. Hopefully, one day we'll be able to source conflict-free lapis lazuli with which to adorn our bodies in starry dreams.

XO

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Nichelle Gainer of Vintageblackglamour posted these "Quintessential Vintage Black Glamour" beauties, Lena Horne and Hilda Simms, and I couldn't agree more! Just want to let the images speak for themselves tonight. Thanks for sharing!

Content originally from http://www.benitomovieposter.com/catalog/index.php

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Blue Velvet.

One of my favorite movies of all time, as well as a favored material for any sort of draping over oneself or onto (like a handsome wing-back occasion chair, for example). Akira has some cute bodycons this fall season, as well as the usual assortment of flattering-for-all fare. If you are still in summer shape and looking to stay warm all winter, head over to the shop and put some love in your basket.

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Mary J Blige, where did you get those earrings? They are like crystalline skeletal fingers chipped out of a supernova asteroid right before explosion. In essence, celestial bodies of wonder! I don't know whether they're hers or on loan to the shoot's stylist, Marni Senofonte, but I like what I see. The hoops are by Aisha Williams Style and the dress -- barely visible -- is a bodycon Herve Leger. I think these are the ones featured above, though can't tell for certain.

Paper Magazine has a nice but way too short feature on the songstress this month (for a more indepth story, checkout last month's Ebony Magazine), as well as one other gorgeous editorial photo not featured on their website. You'll have to fish around in the coffee shop discarded newspaper piles for that one!

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I love so so much about Caroline's outfit du jour:

First of all, can we talk booties?? It's really hard to pull off this kind of elfin shoe look, but Caroline just busted a Milky Way-sized hole in the bootie glass ceiling. Her kicks soar!

Her tight, shiny black trousers must be from ubiquitous Swedish purveyor of taste, H&M, and are sizzling. Best of all, though, is her off-white cream sweater with what appear to be mashed blueberries and loganberries--er, um, expressive little blobs of joy and angst. With statement nail polish, I too would be blue to leave Paris.

But truth be told, editorial license aside, here's what Caroline is actually wearing:  "I wore a sweater from Balenciaga, coat from Whyred, bag from Chanel, jeans from Zara and boots from Isabel Marant." Zara is Spanish, so those are definitely not from Sweden. I need to have inner compass overhauled.

XO

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Direct from Miss Punky B, the one and only Taylor. Always sans effort, toujours super cool.

If you aren't familiar with Lady B, there's never a better time to be schooled in all that's awesome, drool-worthy, and tres chic: http://www.punky-b.com

Enjoy! XO

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Seems like this blog is quickly becoming an ode to accessories. Can anyone blame me? They're so darn PRETTY, and very much out of reach. A girl can keep on dreaming "Hermes," anyway. Where does Penny Long Couture find these things? And why do they cost $70K?

If we separate ourselves from that atrocious number for just a moment -- if we suspend reality and global capitalism -- then perhaps we won't dip too far into absurdity and can appreciate this boxy yet trim silhouette solely for its aesthetic qualities. I was instantly drawn to this Birkin because of its color kinship with French Surrealist artist Yve Klein's International Klein Blue.

Imagine Jane Birkin holding this on her wrist while, with the aid of her free hand, she rolls and covers her nude self in blue body paint and then -- pure nonchalance, quoi -- presses her hips into a vertical sheet of white canvas. What do you think of my Heritage Hermes ad concept? Would a faux and very ladylike Pollock spray her pearl colored mini-satchel while whipping brushes and throwing torrents of black paint across her canvas-lined floor?

Goodby? Sterling? Saatchi? Are you listening? My rates are reasonable, and I'll work for trade (Hermes, bien sur).