Animal Kingdom

Anyone who knows me knows that I have a serious weakness for animal jewelry. The gaudier the better.

When I think animal jewelry, Kenneth Jay Lane's enamel and jeweled pieces usually come to mind. But I was pleasantly surprised to see a collection of critters taking over the current jewelry line at Rachel Rachel Roy- and all at very reasonable prices! I'm particularly partial to the rings (*hint hint- my birthday is coming up!), but there are necklaces, bracelets, and rings as well!

Hummingbird Ring $44

Turquoise Snake Ring $48


Bird Skull Ring $38

Beetle Ring $50

Night Sky Ring $42 (OKAY, so this isn't an animal, but I love it!)

Avedon Fashion

For Christmas this year, I asked for this book of Richard Avedon fashion photography. I have long been infatuated with his work, and wanted a physical collection that I can keep and admire for years to come. I highly recommend this book, but I'm sure any of his other books are equally as fabulous.

Avedon was a visionary and innovator of the portrait. Steering away from the traditional technique of showing models standing still and emotionless, he found his talent in capturing the soul and personality of the subject through emotion and movement.

What amazes me about these fashion photographs from as early as the 1940s is that most, if not all, of the clothing could be seamlessly worn today! I would KILL to get my hands on some of these vintage pieces!

Each and every shot just oozes the kind of effortless glamour I fear has been lost in decades past, but also gives the fleeting feeling that you could have (in my dreams!) very well been present during the shoots. I'm enamored.

Some of my favorites:

Homage to Munkacsi. Carmen, coat by Cardin, Place Francois-Premier, Paris, August 1957

Dovima in Egypt, 1950s

Naty Abascal and Ana-Maria Abascal with Helio Guerreiro. Bathing suit by Brigance. Ibiza, Spain, 1964

Dovima with elephants, evening dress by Dior. Cirque d'Hiver, August 1955

Coveted

One of my newest site obsessions gives us an intimate peek into the homes and closets of some of today's most influential tastemakers.


"The Coveteur takes you inside the closets of internationally influential cultural forecasters, showing us what culminates in their personal style- one item at a time."


The Coveteur provides some serious eye candy: from some of the season's most coveted pieces, to timeless, one-of-a-kind collector's items, every shot is more drool-worthy than the next, and all beautifully photographed by Jake Rosenberg.



My favorite closet so far belongs to Joanna Hillman, Senior Fashion Market Editor for Harper's Bazaar:

3.1 Phillip Lim fur, Ann Taylor & Lia Sophia bracelets, Balenciaga bag, J. Crew pants

Mawi necklace

Dries Van Noten shoes

Proenza Schouler PS11 bag

From the closet of Karla Martinez, Fashion Market and Accessories Director for W Magazine:

Carolina Herrera dress

From the closet of Jane Keltner de Valle, Fashion News Director of Teen Vogue:

Chanel dress