Not Yet

Christian Louboutin "Asteroid" Pumps - $1,595 at Barneys
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Alexander Wang "Bi-Color Rib Tank Dress" - $375 at Forward by Elyse Walker
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Lynn Ban "Black Diamond & Rhodium Double Edge Cuff" - $1,650 at Barneys
Buy it Here

Hmm. Guess I still can't get enough of the spikes. These new CL pumps sport a version in which the tip only has a perfect little cluster of varying lengths of metal. Kind of like what you wished those rock crystal gardens would grow into when you were a kid.
I think pairing these with a dress that also isn't quite shy is the right idea. The cuffs (one worn on each wrist in this case would be the best idea) are strong enough to intimidate.

Maybe your rock garden was cooler than mine.

Until next time,
The Gatherer

Building Blocks

Moleskine "Lego Limited Edition Notebook" - Available At Moleskine
Buy them Here

Comme des Garcones "Tartan Striped T-Shirt" - $335 at La Garconne
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Comme des Garcons "One Shoulder Skirt" - $545 at La Garconne
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Dr. Martens "1460 in Navy Smooth" - $115 at Zappos
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3.1 Phillip Lim "Lark - Small" Duffel - $875 at Nordstrom
Buy it Here

Always a sucker. I need my Moleskine journal with me at all times. And I fall for their limited editions. Yes, I have the "Star Wars" ones. Yes, I have the "Peanuts" day planner. Yes, I just pre-ordered the "Lego" journal. This reminds me of long hours sitting on the carpet with seemingly one million pieces of plastic spread out around me in a mess/wonderland.

Comme de Garcons has some wonderfully playful pieces that have just arrived and I could imagine wearing this now or then whilst building blocky houses. That is not a knock to the clothes; these are not silly pieces - they are well-design pieces that don't take themselves seriously enough not to know how to have fun. That is ideal, since I think a lot of us might look to that concept as a daily mantra anyways. Finish the look off with Docs, which were the next phase of life in the '90s, post-"Lego".

BTW, even if you still like your full on play time, shop here for fun.

Until next time,
The Gatherer

P.S. Upcoming - NYFW faves, Part II

Together

Hortense "Together" Necklace - $315 at Mohawk General Store
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Red Valentino "Ruffled Stretch-Cotton Dress" - $675 at Net-A-Porter
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Agent Provocateur "Baby Lace" Bra - $220 at Net-A-Porter
Buy it Here

La Perla "Belle de Jour" Thong - $270 at Net-A-Porter
Buy it Here

Agent Provocateur "Baby Lace" Suspender Belt - $220 at Net-A-Porter
Buy it Here

Wolfor "Individual 10" Stockings - $52 at Net-A-Porter
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Giuseppe Zanotti "Platform Suede Pumps" - $795 at ShopBop
Buy it Here

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day = Love

Love doesn't have to mean with a significant other. It can mean anything. Anything that you love. Do you love cake? (I do) Then spend tonight with a big slice of it. Ditto a good bottle of rum. Just enjoy the presence of whatever or whomever you love.

A new love of mine is Hortense jewelry. Her pieces are delicate yet strong - a highly covetous paradox. In particular, this necklace is so sweet for today. "Together"! View more about her jewelry HERE.

In the event that you are celebrating with someone else, you certainly want to look your best. This soft colored Red Valentino is perfect in that it flirts and teases rather than screams and demands. That part is for later. And speaking of later: what you wear underneath counts as well tonight. Black commands.

Love them tender.

Until next time,
The Gatherer

NYFW

Cushnie et Ochs

Helmut Lang

Jen Kao

Rag & Bone

All Images via Style.com

Phew. I was a little nervous after the first two days of NYFW, in which whatever was or really wasn't happening at a lot of the shows seemed portentous. But the shows yesterday had some life and brilliance to them and I am finally getting amped for the A/W12 arrivals. Top favorites of yesterday were:

• Cushnie et Ochs - Though I and many others don't fully get dressed to the nines on daily basis, the pieces in here are so finely done and really bleed on both sides of that boundary where a Saturday night dinner and a Thursday night cocktail party both can share the same dress.
• Helmut Lang - This sophomore collection for the house by Nicole and Michael Colovos is further evidence that they are on to something. When an entire collection comes out and you truly feel as if breathing itself might not be possible without owning every single look, then rightness has been achieved. These are the pieces that I would rock every day and every night.
• Jen Kao - Never mind that I have a soft spot for her in my heart, I saw pieces here that caused an effect inside. You know that feeling when you see something truly wonderous and the only way your body or mind knows how to emote that is to get a huge lump in your throat? There were a few looks towards the end. And okay, maybe I am exaggerating just a bit. But being such a sucker for beautiful prints on beautiful textiles with splendid colors, I can't help but be touched here a little bit.
• Rag & Bone - Quite honestly, I was a little nervous to watch this one, not really digging the S/S12 looks all that much. But here was a show to make one forget a lot of the other shows they might already have seen. And maybe to use as a meter for future shows as well. I will always place highly the shows that can nail looks of everyday wear, because that is what our lives need every day. We need freshness and changes in our wardrobe, not just for parties and events (though for some, that is daily life) but for going to work or just walking down the street doing nothing. Anyone who can snap us out of ruts and trends and move us on to fresh breath of air is really the goal every single fashion season. So breathe in Rag & Bone. (Though I could do without the pants/leggings underneath EVERY look)
  

Mmm. Can't wait to see what's next...

The Gatherer

Getting Started

YESSSSSSSSSSS. Fashion Week[s] begin.

And here is what is going to get us started. Even though I am sure everyone has already seen these over a million times, watch again...

Impressions

Stella McCartney "Falabella Python Fold Over Clutch" - $1,075 at Stella McCartney
Buy it Here

Stella McCartney "Rock & Pink Fluo Joplin Faux Python Peeptoe Pump" - $815 at Stella McCartney
Buy it Here

Vanessa Bruno "Draped Dress w/Lace Detail" - $692 at La Garconne
Buy it Here

I don't think I will forget these new Stella McCartney accessories anytime soon. The chain detail speaks to me on the bag, nevermind the perfect play of a bright little color off of a cool neutral skin. Though this concept of neutral + a fluorescent or other saturated little pop has been in effect for the last year or more, I am not quite sick of it yet. And so here it is done just right. In the past I would NEVER match a shoe exactly to a bag. So I don't know why I am doing it here other than that I actually don't think it looks lame. For once. To keep the rest in the background, a simple black dress with a little lace detail is all that is really needed.

Matching bag and shoes, oh my!

Until next time,
The Gatherer

Err On The Side Of Passion

Miu Miu "Suede Flare-Heel Platform Pumps" - $645 at Saks
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Elizabeth and James "Claudia Dress" - $285 at Les Nouvelles
Buy it Here

NARS "413 BLKR" Eyeshadow - $24 at NARS
Buy it Here

Givenchy "Black Leather Cuff" - On Sale For $455 at Ssense
Buy it Here

Though it may not always be the wise, sane, or rational choice, I can't ever help but ultimately make decisions based on where my heart is, rather than my brain. Believe me, a struggle often ensues and even the seemingly most simple of choices can wars of the conscience. But passion reigns supreme.

And in the name of passion: it is impossible to deny the beauty of these new Miu Miu pumps. They are on a whole other level of temptation. Also, these are quite perfect for Valentine's Day, which is less than two weeks away! Always a somewhat anti-Valentintite, I like it a little bit more each year. It really is a day full of gladness and love and whether or not certain companies have capitalized on it, I am glad it exists.

This dress works with the shoes, playing off them in a weird casual-yet-not kind of way. And I think this new shad of NARS eyeshadow (of which I adore, along with most all of their products) really makes an overall unique color combination. The Givenchy cuff then becomes mandatory, if we are talking about passion over reasonableness. It is a leather cuff after all and I have many thick leather cuffs from places like Trash & Vaudeville which were pennies on the dollar to the price of this one. And yet...I must have it.

Passion vs. Practicality: Who has the T.K.O. in your ring?

Until next time,
The Gatherer