Stella has Sprung

Stella McCartney has continued designing kid's lines for Gap this spring. After a fruitful purchase this fall, I was happy to see the line was back for spring. If you are interested, you have to buy fast, because it goes fast. She has everything from baby to kids up to 8-9 years old. It's a bit pricey for the Gap, since they are typically pretty reasonable for kid's stuff. But it's too unique to pass up.

Save for one pullover stretchy turtleneck which shrunk a bit, and barely fits over Lyla's sputnik head (I kid), the clothes all fit really well, and she's still wearing them.

I put a little collage of the pieces I got Lyla together for your viewing pleasure. I can't wait to get them. I hope you like too.

The 80's Are back, but Am I?

Yes, the 80's trends are in full swing again this season, and I have purchased a studded bracelet or two, some primary colored oversized tees, and yes, a few off-the-shoulder numbers. Why not? I grew up in the 80s, and while it's questionable how well I carried off these trends the first time around, I'm willing to give it another go. Hopefully, long crushed silk blouses with pins at the collar will stay in their respective era. Not sure I could rock that again. Also, I could do without a relaunch of paisley. There was about as much paisley in my closet then as there are ruffles now.

So, I've decided to go through the trends I am glad are back, and those I wish weren't.

Glad You're Back Old Friend
#1
The skinny jean- These of course have been back in style for a while, and if you're still wearing your high waisted mom jeans circa four years ago ladies (and gentleman for that matter), then you might as well keep em, cuz they'll probably come back in about three seasons! Check out the styles of these Bev Hills stars...these are some serious Gap/Levi's classics my friends. We can't forget the oversized cuffed tee which every 90210-er in this pic is sporting. And I thought leggings made me look fat! I've seen a resurgence of Keds lately. A shoe I wore in pale pink all through middle and high school. Big wig wam socks, pegged jeans, and Keds. A fail-safe date outfit to the mall.

The skinny has definitely been modernized with dark rinses that weren't really popular in the 80's, but the bold colored, stretchy styles are everywhere too. In seventh grade I had white stretchies with geometric shapes on them made by Jordache. I thought I was the shit. I also had a pair of super tight pale yellows that I wore with teal suede fringed boots. A tragedy? Oh no, not then...not now.

The skinnies pictured here are great, and look awesome paired with a cool jacket and belt. Unfortunately, my legs are not skinny. This does pose a problem for me, as I cannot successfully pull of this look. I pair my skinnies with long, layered tees, and a big scarf to distract onlookers away from my thighs. This is a trend that is questionable for me, but with a pair of sky high heels, I can sometimes pull it off.


#2
The Oxford- I loved them then, I love them now. For me, the oxford never went out of style. Need your memory jarred? We called them jazz shoes in Jersey...or Capezios (the brand). Last season, before this trend officially came back, I ordered a pair of men's wing tips off J. Crew in my size to wear with slim slacks and cool dresses (another look I can't pull off, but a girl can dream). The shoes came after two months on back-order, and just looked too manly. Then, what do ya know, the oxford comes back in this year in every style you can think of. I've been chasing these reasonably priced Steve Madden's in white suede, but have only found my size in the black patent leather. If I'm going to work this shoe, I have to go all the way baby. White spectator. I have no idea what these shoes will match in my wardrobe. I honestly only see them working with a cool black pant suit with a white tee underneath and an oversized necklace or awesome scarf. Not sure I have that ensemble at the ready though.

I think these bring me back to my days of wearing white bucks in high school. Of course everyone else had the beige Bass ones, but I had to get the white ones. I loved them, and wore them every day. Can you believe I was a total prep in high school? Yikes. I would actually be right in style in Baltimore if I wore all of my high school clothes now. Bucks, Birkenstocks, rugbies, pleated khakis, straight legged faded jeans, and of course a Ralph Lauren button-downs.

#3
The One Piece
I didn't get my first two-piece until I was in eighth grade (I have never called it a bikini for some reason despite working at a swim suit store in college by the name of Bikini Splash where they made me run out to cars with lemonade in a bathing suit top to lure people into the store. After two weeks of that I told the owner it was degrading, and that a polo shirt seemed more appropriate, and she had no choice but to comply. Sorry fellas). I was also unaware I had a body to potentially flaunt or boobies until maybe sophomore year of high school. I was born with no waist. By that, I mean I don't go in on the sides, so I always just felt like a boy. It wasn't until the cute boy that me, my friend Keri, and Amy (both with huge boobs) all liked on the beach chose me to make out with that summer that I realized someone wanted to look and or feel the boy body. By the way, that was the only time in my entire life that I have been chosen over any other girl for this reason. You can imagine it was monumental to me. Luckily I changed out of my fluorescent JAMS and white tee in favor of my white shorts and yellow sleeveless sweater that night. Phfew.

Anyway, I have never really been able to wear a one piece, because most one pieces aren't long enough for my unusually long torso. I can wear race suits, but not fashion suits. I have bought three one pieces in the last two years including this cut-out, cut-low version by Milly that I so loved. Too bad it pulled on my shoulders so hard and was stretched so long that I had to call it quits on my efforts to make it fit. My boobs were barely covered by the straps, and the side went up like a Jane Fonda workout outfit. I wish I could wear this blue Marc Jacobs number because I love it. I bought a sale one piece off J. Crew last year that is similar, but strapless, thinking without straps it would work. No dice. I wore it to the spa the weekend Trent and I went away for my birthday, and it fell off twice in the hot tub at the spa. It looked more like a high-waisted underwear brief. For those of you who can wear a one-piece, do it now.

#4
The Rhinestone Bracelet
Again, it seems like most of my bold moves took place in middle school, but I rocked so many rhinestones that year, I could have made an EBay fortune reselling them all now. I had pins, bracelets up to my elbow (I also had a passion for wearing multiple Swatch watches up my arm), and earrings in every jewel. My faves were hot pink and white. The chunky pearls, and rhinestone-layered bracelets are back, and you better believe I stocked up at Anthro and Forever 21 for these puppies. I own the first four out of five bracelets listed on this page! If you haven't shopped F21 yet, do so. It's the best place to buy trendy knock-off type stuff for cheap, and you don't feel bad when you're wearing bandanas around your wrist instead of stones next fall.

Stay tuned for the trends I wish did not come back...

Loyal Customer or Chump?

I have received two gifts from J. Crew (my muse, and the subject of many a post on the walter bean) in the last three months. I wonder if they know that I am tying to pay off my credit card with them and then cancel it? They are trying to lure me into their world of exclusivity where I can earn otherwise forbidden gifts that others without the card simply can't have. Gifts worth less than $20 that come twice a year after spending half my salary are the ones I treasure the most. How do they know these little tokens will keep me loyal to their 21% APR interest rate another year? How?

In early January, I received a lovely leather-bound coral planner. For a solid week I decided I would become a paper planner, carry it everywhere and where sling back kitten heels, a pencil skirt and some kind of cashmere cardigan duet to match my new persona. I pictured myself prancing into the office, with my put-together look and organized life and conquer the world. Now it resides in my three tier garbage pile of papers and folders on my desk with the other two books I swore I'd use every day (the daily tear-out to do list, and the mouse pad notebook).

Today, I received a poster canister in the mail with J. Crew's return address. I knew it was another gift, and I couldn't wait to open it. I felt like Charlie with the last golden ticket. It was a canvas shopper with an illustration done by one of the J. Crew designers. Super cute, but I've definitely purchased a shopper or two in the last year that have found their way to various nooks, closets, or wire drawers in storage throughout my house. If only I lived in NYC or London where I could pass by the flower cart or organic fruit stand on my way home and pop a few goodies into my eco-cool satchel. Alas, I live in Baltimore where being cool or fashionable is a borderline sin.

I promised myself that I would throw the bag into my rotation. So, maybe I'll load it with folders that currently get squashed in my laptop bag, and make like I'm a professor carrying important student papers to be graded.

Yes, that's it.

Fold Invites Around Town

My friend Valentina (thanks Vale) mentioned that one of my thank you cards was featured on the "Oh So beautiful Paper" blog. How nice. It's funny, with as little as I do to promote this little business, it continues to grow and get noticed. Here and there I'm featured on a site, a blog, or on Etsy, so it's flattering. One day, I will have a proper web site, and blog, and make money, hopefully with the help of some close friends who may take over the operations of the biz while I play VP at some other job.

If you are interested in looking at the featured thank you, you may find it here. It's quite a nice blog that I actually follow here on Blogger, but didn't even notice the post.

I'm officially almost famous.

Age Old Art is Not Dead

I get pretty sappy when it comes to paper, printing, and the beautiful things that can still be made and felt with natural fibers and printing techniques dating back over 100 years. There's nothing like a tactile piece of art, or even an invitation to make me tickled. When I see a wedding invitation or card I have designed come to life on a press, and I can feel the letters, the flowers, the birds, it makes me want to sing.

I am sharing a video featuring Bryce Knudson (letterpresser of choice for those of us with outstanding taste in printing), who did a project for Colosseo, a company normally selling posters and glyphs online. Nutshell=Cameron and his wife Suzanne traveled to Rome on holiday, and he reinterpreted the Coliseum in type over the course of almost a year. It was painstaking, and he needed the right person to print it; bring it to life. Bryce was his choice.

I have worked with Bryce for several years, and he is a very kind, and patient man, who I think is truly doing what he loves. I sometimes forget there are people like that around, that have chased a dream for more than a fast buck or notoriety. Like me, ha ha ha ha.

The video may seem a little bit long (not for me of course), but tells the story, and of course stars my printer! It also shows (much like the other letterpress video I published a while ago), what goes into printing a piece like this.

The story of the visit to Rome and how the project came to be is also on the web site, so check it out.

Colosseo: Reimagining the Roman Coliseum with type (Canon 7D) from Cameron Moll on Vimeo.

Remember Chan Luu?

Remember when I accidentally bought that $220.00 bracelet a few months back. Well, Bluefly has it on sale right now for 40% off, as well as many others. If you like CL this is the time to scap one up. I'm debating on whether I need the turquoise beaded leather wrap bracelet.

Don't forget ladies, it's also a necklace!
Men, don't forget your ladies. You may get laid after wrapping one of these numbers on her wrist.


Click here for the Bluefly page...

Bangs

Yes, I am obsessed with the child in this photo. I love her short bangs with her long hair. I've always wanted really awesome straight hair like this so I could wear short bangs. I cut mine short a few times in LA and oh boy was that a really big mistake. My round face does not hold the short bang well.

My hair was technically straight as a child. I rocked a bowl until I was in 3rd grade when I decided to grow it out. I don't know what happened because in my pre-grade school years my hair was red, and perfectly sat around my face like a monk. It was classic. I went to the salan and said, "Give me the Dorothy Hamill." Then, my school pictures from 3rd grade through 9th grade are all of a disheveled, unkempt 'do.

My hair is still not smooth. If I let it air dry it looks absolutely horrible. Some of you may remember this from my Dominican Republic haircut fiasco from December. My hair requires very little shampoo or it builds up and doesn't wash out. The result is what appears to be a greasy, waxy look and texture. It never ever looks like short bangs over here's hair. Because we have a low flow shower head (in my opinion the culprit behind many a bad hair days in my house), it never washes the shampoo out all the way. After the shower, I have to let it dry out a bit before drying it or it will take forever to style. It stays very, very wet.

I have fine not thin hair. Many a stylists have said I have a lot of fine hair--which translates to it taking forever to blow dry. I have to clip it all up in multiple sections, brushing it all the while. If I care, this takes about 20-25 minutes. It is smoother and less flippy by doing this extensive procedure, but big on the sides, with poufy bangs. I then have to repeat the whole clipping routine to hot iron straighten it. This helps smooth it all out, and keep it straight all day. However, if I wear a hat, pull it back, go outside in the wind/snow/rain/eat something bad it all goes back to crap. The other day at the gym my iron didn't turn on, and I thought it went cap put. I had to go out with my hair unironed. I pulled it back in a ponytail because it was all Hillary Clinton-esque prior to the ponytail. The bangs were really big, and it looked pretty bad. I ordered the iron from my salon, so replacing it quickly would have caused much nervousness on my part. I have Ali's (sister-in-law) engagement party this weekend and no one there knows my hair woes, so I don't want to roll in stylin' a Mom bob, and the guests think I intended it to be that way. Ali has some well-groomed friends, and it's a risk I'm not willing to take. Luckily, the iron fired back up at home, so I'm in the clear for now.

This is the hair I wish I had.

How did this kid grow her hair so long anyway? I don't think a lifetime of growing would get my hair to this length. Lyla's hair hasn't even started growing on the sides, and she's two and a half. She has my hair. Weird growth, brown, fine, no style. The girls (and the boys for that matter) in her class have Rapunzel-length hair with bows and headbands all over the place. Lyla barely has any hair, has no definitive part, and is bald on the sides the poor thing.

I asked the hair stylist to cut bangs and a short blunt to-the-ear cut the first time we went, and the girl told me to work with what we had, and that the hairdo I clipped from the trendy and unfortunately out of print magazine Cookie was a pipe dream. It's just a shame...Lyla is always so stylin, it would be cool for her to rock a bob like this little kid.

We're about ten years away.

Evil Twin?

I logged into Facebook yesterday to find pictures of our friends Mike and Jill on vacation. Interested to see where they went, I clicked through to their pictures. What I found was shocking. The guy they went on vacation with is a twin of my brother. There are many twins of my brother, I've met at least two, but this guy could double as him. Thoughts? Take the poll to the right!

What Do You Love?

Hello friends. It's been a while. I just came back from a much-needed vacation in Jackson Hole Wyoming snowboarding where the people are awesome, the snow is falling, and the food is oh so fattening and good. We went to a place called Il Villaggio Osteria for dinner two nights in a row, and let me tell you, as unoriginal as the name is, the food was so unique and incredible. We sat at the bar, and chatted with our John Cusack look alike bartender Frank both nights, and made lots of friends with fellow skiers from around the U.S. and Canada. The guy sitting next to me was drunk when he rolled up, and upon sitting ordered a bottle of wine for himself. Needless to say, we were all buds, and I was sharing his wine by the end of the dinner. His "friend" was in the room for some reason, so he ended up telling us all of his stories about getting pins in his arms after riding and subsequently falling off an Arabian/Polish horse bare back on the beaches of the Hamptons. I couldn't make this up. He had all kinds of offbeat stories and additions to everyone's comments. I think he was trying to bed down with the Canadian guys sitting with us, even though I'm pretty sure they weren't gay, mostly because he said he thought he was gonna get lucky with them. He also stripped off his sweater to unveil his ripped off sleeveless black t-shirt midway through the dinner. No straight guys do that. However, he did give me an open mouthed goodnight kiss after jotting down his number and where he was skiing the next day, so he might go both ways. Who knows. Wine works in mysterious ways.

We also ate at the Austrian-inspired Alpenhof bistro twice for lunch because the meats, and cheese, and soups were so yummy, and then once at the mountain-side restaurant in the Four Seasons which was equally terrific. I had dedicated over a month to losing weight, and between the snow-in and the food in JH, I've officially tipped the scales. I never thought I would be a fat person, but my love for food now prevents me from ever being thin again. Fine, I said it.

I was also a gross cougher, sneezer, stuffed or runny nosed person the entire time there. The day we flew out, my sinus infection came back out of nowhere, and my cough grew progressively worse from time zone to time zone on the plane. I woke up healthy, and I arrived in Wyoming completely sick with chills, dryness, and the worst cough I've had in years. It was like Everest altitude sickness only at 6237 ft. I slept 12 hours that night, and the morning only brought the most gnarly cotton mouth and tongue, and a whole lot f-ed up dreams involving the lead character from the movie Precious.

I reluctantly had a massage during our stay, and that was a mistake. The intense pressure on my nose while laying on my belly was almost unbearable. I was snorting and my nose was literally honking because the build-up was competing with me trying to breath through my nose while laying face down. Snot actually dripped out of my nose through the head rest thing onto the floor twice. I could hardly stand myself. I had to ask for tissues mid-way, and cough all the while flashing my bare tits and big ass at this poor guy probably struggling to even perform his job. It was ugly. Not to mention in the middle, the massage therapist also had a coughing fit. He kept gulping on his drink loudly and ahhing after swallowing, which made me sick. I hate the sound of people audibly drinking. I hate the sound of lips gently coming apart when people begin to talk. He was doing all of these things at once. Barf.

He also had calluses on his thumbs that nearly cut open my back. At first, I thought he was holding something like a piece of paper, a zipper, or a pocket knife maybe. What tore into my skin, I thought, could not be human. Who knows what was in this man's DNA, but he could very well have been the Wolfman with those hands. Probably something the old Lodge and Spa should consider when hiring. Just a thought.

Anyway, the whole trip was just great, and we got to do what we love to do just a few days a year.

Another thing I love to do is spend all of my free time looking at wedding stuff. I recently came across this stop motion Save the Date video set to Bright Eyes' song First Day of Life, which I also love. So, I have decided to end this post with the video, as well as the lyrics to this lovely song.

Save the date! 31 july 2010 from Kishi-Grover on Vimeo.

This is the first day of my life
Swear I was born right in the doorway
I went out in the rain, suddenly everything changed
They're spreading blankets on the beach

Yours was the first face that I saw
I think I was blind before I met you
I don't know where I am, I don't know where I've been
But I know where I want to go

So I thought I'd let you know
That these things take forever, I especially am slow
But I realized how I need you
And I wondered if I could come home

Remember the time you drove all night
Just to meet me in the morning?
And I thought it was strange, you said everything changed
You felt as if you just woke up

And you said
"This is the first day of my life
Glad I didn't die before I met you
Now I don't care, I could go anywhere with you
And I'd probably be happy"

So if you want to be with me
With these things there's no telling
We'll just have to wait and see
But I'd rather be working for a paycheck
Than waiting to win the lottery

Besides, maybe this time is different
I mean, I really think you like me