all saints.... its not just a girl group

Is there a saying all things that hail from Great Britain are amazing? Well there should be. If you haven't been to an all saints store you need to go STAT. You can find the most interesting pieces in such drab colors. plus if i had a kid how adorable would he or she look in there children's collection?

(PS they have an amazing sale going on right this very minute) 

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the things you stumble upon

Tonight as I was about to update you all about my new obsession I stumbled across yet another. So in the interest to break up a string of post of adorable clothes I will bring you some art.


Laurie Lipton hails from New York. She was the first person to graduate from Carnegie-Mellon University in Pennsylvania with a Fine Arts Degree in Drawing (with honours). She has lived in Holland, Belgium, Germany and France and has made her home in London since 1986. Her work has been exhibited extensively throughout Europe and the USA. Her drawing have left me searching for mats and picture frames that will make this pictures perfect for my room. 


Laurie says, "photographer, Diane Arbus, was another of my inspirations. Her use of black and white hit me at the core of my Being. Black and white is the color of ancient photographs and old TV shows… it is the color of ghosts, longing, time passing, memory, and madness. Black and white ached. I realized that it was perfect for the imagery in my work.”


OK I must get back to my search for picture frames and such! If you want more information check out http://www.laurielipton.com/ 

Dont judge me just because I am considering putting this up in my bedroom! 

This is Laurie Lipton!!

I love shoes. I love having crazy unique shoes. I love being five inches taller. It should come to no surprise that when I found charlotte olympia I felt like I found the holy grail. 

Well most people are still obsessing over a pair of red soled shoes (cough cough Christian Louboutin) or perhaps need shoes they can wear 24/7 ( cough cough Jimmy Choo) I prefer to go down the road that Charlotte is paving. 

New Year New Resolutions

My new years resolution was simple: to update this blog three times a week. Simple but apparently I am off to a bad start since it is now midnight Thursday of the first week of the year. Well I guess I better crack the whip.  Over the last two months (yikes! its been that long since i updated) I have been thinking alot about my style and how without knowing it has become such a signature of who I am. As much as I try to fight it and go out side my comfort zone I always go back to things that are "so me." So this year i plan to embrace my style and be ok with it being my signature.

Days Four, Five, and Six

The next three days have been a breeze. The key is to pick versatile items. For instance, if I would have picked a tutu my outfits would be slim to say the least. However, I must say that a tutu from American Apparel would have been kick ass to wear this week. . Thats not the point though, right? So back the topic at hand:

Day four uses my favorite trick in the book: making a dress into a skirt.  WHO WOULD DARE THINK OF SUCH A THING! 

Day five brought out flat riding boots which turned a frilly, girlie dress into a daytime appropriate outfit.

Day six was a simple grecian dress with sparkley accessories.

7 pieces: Alice and Olivia base dress, Nation Utld shirt
Added: Nordstrom tights, Chanel flats, J Crew glitter clutch

7 Pieces: McGinn dress, Elizabeth and James blazer
Added: DKNY over the knee socks, Corso Como boots, Steve Madden belt, Tasha headband

7 Pieces: Elizabeth and James dress
Added: Nordstrom tights, Chanel flats, Tasha headband

Only one more day to go!

Thanks to: Javier Valle, Nick Harris, and Norma Arbulu for pictures

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Days Two and Three

The upside to this experiment? well nothing has been bought in about three days! this is a feat! Guinness World Record stuff when it comes to ysElle.  the other thing that is so fabulous is that some resurrected clothing that had long been forgotten about has since found its way back into the heart of one very picky girl.

So here is the progress: 

Day Two: went to school and out to dinner feeling pretty chic. I mean one has to look good when you're limited to 7 pieces. Good bye yoga pants, hello silk chiffon!

McGinn dress, Opening Ceremony sweater, Added: Steve Madden belt, Chanel flats

Day Three: went to work today. Doesn't it always feel like your going to work these supposed days off that our bosses give you feel nonexistent? ysElle had to keep in mind that after work a quick outfit change would be required since we have a birthday party to attend to and an image to maintain.  She's also bought (barely) anything.  Her mother is going to be so excited.

Alice and Olivia base dress, Opening Ceremony sweater, Added: Nordstrom belt,  Chanel flats

Alice and Olivia base dress, Prada shoes, J Crew glitter clutch

Can she stretch the 7 pieces all week?  Or will she break down and buy something new??

Thanks Norma Arbulu for pictures!

7 Pieces, 7 Ways, 7 Days?

Elle admits it. She has a problem. She loves to shop (I think Confessions of a Shopaholic was based on her). She loves to buy pretty things. And most of the time, she wears them once and they end up sitting in her closet. If you know her, you pray to be her size because her wardrobe could easily double as a stylist's closet for pulls.

But this week she is going to change that!

The Rules:
- from Wednesday to Wednesday Elle will wear 7 articles of clothing that she already owned in 7 unique ways without any repeated looks
- she will only wear these pieces for everything she does (work, school, out with friends, EVERYTHING)

The 7 Pieces:
1. Elizabeth and James blazer
2. McGinn floral dress
3. Citizens black skinny jeans
4. Opening Ceremony ruffle cardi
5. Nation Unltd striped top
6. Alice and Olivia base dress
7. Elizabeth and James silk dress

Can she do it? Let's find out....

Day One:

7 pieces: Elizabeth and James blazer, Citizens jeans, Nation Unltd top
Added: Sam Edelman oxford booties, 3.1 Philip Lim belt (backwards)

Thanks Eric Bybee for the picture!

Runway. Vogue Way. My Way!

Wow I feel so clever! I mean the concept of taking something you see on a runway or in Vogue and interpreting it in the real world is just beyond original. Please tell me you are sensing my sarcasm because I worked really hard on it.

So maybe this isn't a world changing idea but it seemed amazing at three in the morning when I thought of it, so I am going to go with it. And it will be wonderful and you will love it.

I bought my Vogue two days ago and fell in love with the editorial,"For King and Country." Of course I did ;it was styled by Grace Coddington. If you don't know who she is, go look her up because her work is just so perfect. Not only was I drawn to this spread because of her, but also because I wish I could walk around in tweed suits, Fair Isle, and English hillside garb. However when I am true to myself, I know I can't. My heart is more Alexander Wang bitch-wear than tea and crumpets. I can dream though, can't I?
NormaJean

Prada Resort 2011

Vogue Nov. 2010 "For King & Country"

Marc by Marc Jacobs Cardigan,  T by Alexander Wang T Shirt, Trouve Leather Shorts,
Steve Madden Trouser, Versace Medusa Bag

Rebecca Minkoff

Forever 21 look

D&G Sweater Dress

Vampires, Witches, & Ghosts...OH MY!!!

In the spirit of perhaps on of the most beloved holidays I bring to you a special Halloween post.

Granted I (NormaJean) am not a huge fan of this holiday, mostly because I find it perfectly acceptable to wear a skull ring, pretend I am a vampire, and do ghostly heroin chic makeup anytime of year. However, it must be said that ysELLE thinks that this holiday deserves a dramatic costume (Marilyn) and lots of honor.

I procrastinated writing this post hoping that Halloween would come and go and I wouldn't have to show people my amazing little Halloween inspired articles of clothing. After all, I plan to wear mine all year long and not for a couple of days, but then I stumbled upon inspiration!

OH FRENCH VOGUE! You are so much more risque then your American original. You never fail to get me in the mood. When you unleashed your Halloween extravaganza you gave me endless Halloween inspiration.

    

So now that I am inspired we put together some super cute accessories for Halloween, or for anytime if you're brave!

rabbit fur coat

I originally set out to post my top twelve favorite outerwear items for fall. I was inspired by the rain and the recent need for a sweater. As I was compiling my picks for best jackets, I realized that all I was doing was picking furs. So scratch the best all around jackets and let's welcome in the FUR.

I am a huge fan of vintage furs; however, I tried to mix it up with some faux furs so that everyone can get themselves a fur to rock this wet weekend.

TOP ROW: Vanessa Bruno Fur Trim Vest, Elizabeth & James Two Piece Jacket, Helmut Lang Vest

Models Top Row: Trouve Faux Leopard Jacket, Alice&Olvia Faux Vest, Forever 21 Cropped Faux Jacket,  Shipley& Hamlos Crop Jacket. Models bottom Row: Zara Sweater with Faux Trim, Forever 21 Caplet. 

Just remember when entering the land of fur: start small and keep the rest of your outfit simple. Though wearing sequins, fur and lace is acceptable on the runway, in the real world you will get looked up and down.  In fact its so close to halloween they might tell you to take your costume off.

Why Aren't You Such a Stud?

Today a pair of pants had to be exchanged because they ripped. It was tragic. The pants will be missed. They died at such a young age.


MORAL OF THE STORY: Said deceased pants were replaced with an amazing pair of Siwy Denim Stud Jeans. (please cue music and heavens opening)

Are they not FANTASTICAL!!!!!!! This brought me to thinking about all the other amazing studded items that I love.  I complied my favorite studded items because i am such a stud. (Yes there was a pun intended). 

clockwise from left: TBag stud sweatshirt, Christian Louboutin Spiked Sandals Sam Edelman Zoyla Bootie, Christian Louboutin Spiked Oxford, Burberry Knight Travel Bag Elizabeth&James Spike Double Ring, Siwy Denim Stud Jean

Also got to give a shout out to VALENTINO who made a stud clutch that is TO DIE FOR!!! Can we all say IT BAG! 

Valentino's SS 2011 pictures courtesy of http://becauseimaddicted.net/ 

Bell of the Ball

Yes I know that I am about three months late for professing my undying love for Miu Miu Fall/Winter 2010, BUT I am in love now. The hottest item was the Sparrow mary jane seen here.

HOWEVER the item that makes my heart swoon is the Miu Miu Bell Bottom Pant. I can not get enough of these pants. Talk about a pair pants that will go down in History!!!

Picture courtesy of the Glamourai

Little BOW Peep

DVF Spring 2010, Refinery29, unknown, Juliette Hogan

There is no denying that bows are everywhere. Though most people try to keep their bows strictly as a hair accessory one can rock a cute bow just about everywhere! 

From left clockwise: Betsy Johnson Ring, Wild Fox Couture Shirt,
Tasha Headband, Bing Bang Necklace, Valentino Aphrodite Handband,
Fendi Deco Bow Pump, Thread Social Sweat Shirt, Miu Miu Headband

the first signs of fall

The first signs of fall have finally arrived! I thought California was going to be in summer all year long at the rate we were going.  Thanks to the cloudy day and the hope for rain we will share one of our favorite fall trends, Over the Knee Socks. I know the first thought that comes to mind is Lolita, but think school girl chic not burlesque dancer.

One of our all time favorite duos B&S 

Cynthia Steffe RTW Fall 2010

From www.textileglobal.com

You can call me norma jean...

I am a fashion junkie.

I believe that it doesn’t matter if my shoes are killing me because they make my outfit.

I don’t believe in comfort in fact people who swear by it probably haven’t seen themselves in a mirror.

My favorite months are February and September and if you cant figure out why then we cant be friends.

I am not into classics.

I spend to much time on the internet, but i consider it “investigative fashion research.”

i love music and a five inch heel. Going to a great show in a five inch heel= perfection.

Layering is not is a suggestion its a requirement, i cant possibly be the only person who wears at least 3 shirts at any given moment?

When in doubt put on a scarf… or glasses… or pearls… or all three….

….. BUT THIS ISN’T ABOUT ME IS IT???……..

xoxo

NormaJean

Why YES my name is ysELLE

I am a unique species that is currently under extinction, a classy girly girl. 

I am classically modern and completely orginal. 

I like bows, skulls, stripes, pink and sparkle; together, seperate or mixed and matched. 

I like 4 inch heels and Chanel ballerina flats. 

I collect shoes, sunglasses, scarfs and on occasion handbags.

My vices are coffee and shopping. Not even Promises Malibu could stop me from over indulging in them. 

I enjoy the little things in life: discovering a new lipstick, freshly done platinum hair, hikes that end in coffee, winning a game of words with friends.

My life could read like a chick lit novel.

I like french impressionism, Audrey Hephurn and Scategories.

I read Vogue and US Weekly.

But most of all I love my dog Figo and my cat Evie.

xoxo

-YSELLE