Studded with envy

A beautiful girl came into Petulia's Folly the other day donning this covetable Burberry studded Knight Bag. I swear she was the model Free People often uses for their catalog. Both the bag and the girl are more beautiful in person.

Score

the weirdest fashion moment happened today. Yesterday, I spent $277 at Anthropologie, but decided to take back the two items i bought b/c it seemed like too much. Before I left, i was browsing around Myspace, where my friend Laia posted about her blog, geometric sleep being featured on ELLE. I noticed some amazing pair of shoes she had on and was thinking to myself "I also need an amazing pair of shoes"
So, I left, returned my items, and then went to Joan Shepp where I scored by finding these amazing dries van noten lace up platforms for only $150...thats right...these suckers originally cost $795!!!!
Anyway, I just sat down to blog about my find and while prowling the web for a pic of them. The only pics I could find of the plum color which I purchased happened to be on Geometric Sleep! It turns out Laia has been pining after these shoes for months......she is going to be so jealous of my find!

Fashion Tribes

A few months ago, bloggers posted some pics of designers unknown to me, Stella Valentic & Julie Kéchichian from the Hyeres Festival. I was immediate drawn to their heavily beaded t-shirt dressings inspired by the african Ndebele people. Since EVERYBODY is doing ethnic these days, I kinda forced myself to forget about them.
However, I stumbled upon these Muany pillows at anthropologie a few weeks ago, and I kept visiting them, deciding wether or not I am really over the whole ethnic trend.
well, it turns out I am not. I decided they are actually going to be perfect for Scott's & My new apartment. My new purchase inspired me to go through stylebubble's archives and re-discover S&J's work.

Inferior Vena Cava

someone over at Old Navy was just as much a fan of Vena Cava's border print from their fall '07 collection as I was. Despite the obvious KO (knock-off), I bought the dress, because, hey, I only have to work one night at the art museum to pay for it, instead of like, two whole months for the original.

Punchy Pastels

i like these pastely prints from Spring '08 Dior and Fall '08 Mociun

Come Fly with Me

I've noticed a very interesting silhouette re-occurring on the runways. The belted dress with what I describe as fly-aways at the side. We carried the sawtooth belted dress from Rachel Comey at Petulia's Folly, where I first took notice. Of course, McQueen's butterfly dress has been getting a lot of blog press, but thought "hmmm...that shape looks very familiar". Then, while browsing Christian Dior's resort collection on style.com I found this similar version. I'm guessing this shape comes from something vintage, but I've never seen it before.

Model Dog

I wanted to show you the oversized studded faux wood cuff I bought from Banana Republic yesterday. I am always scouring their sale jewelry and usually find something cool and cheap. Scott said I looked like a "demented S&M" which is what our 8th grade science teacher called him when he wore a dog collar around his neck. And the fact that I made my dog, Finn, wear it in this pic instead of me has less to do with that statement than it does with the fact that I couldn't take a picture off the bracelet on me without my arm looking chubb.

Twin Power!

Just before Christmas, the cutest set of twin sisters came in to Petulia's Folly with their dad. They mentioned they had a jewelry line, and were of course wearing some of their pieces. I didn't particularly take notice that day. However, a few weeks later I was in Boston shopping in a store called Stel's on Newbury St and I immediately recognized some of the jewelry they carried as the twins'. It turns out the line is Lizzie Fortunato...designed by Lizzie, but the business end is handled by her twin sister, Kathryn. I love how Lizzie mixes textiles and tassels with found objects and beautiful semi-precious stones. Since January, I keep revisiting their site and one day hope to own a few pieces. And since I am a twin myself, I doubly support the collaboration!!

Perfumania

I have always been an avid fan of perfume. Up until a few years ago,when I discovered Commes des Garcons Odeur 53, I would by a different perfume every year and wear that scent daily. Now I ONLY wear Odeur 53, though I had such diffecult time finding a new bottle in January when my old bottle ran out. While window shopping at candystorecollective.com I came across Yosh a San Fransisco based perfume line by Yosh Han. I love her philosophy and also her lableless, minimalistic packaging. I found her Sweet Suite sampler set on luckyscent.com and i am so curious think I may just treat myself. Just in case I'm not happy with Yosh, I can always stick to old faithful, as it looks like luckyscents has plenty of Odeur 53 in stock.

new hair

i'm so tired of my long hair. for a while I've wanted the haircut that my brothers had in fourth grade...the skater cut i think they called it. I imagine i'd look like i had selma blair's haircut as pictured

forgetting sarah marshall

FYI my pade vavra shark tooth necklace is in the movie "forgetting sarah marshall"..... thats pretty much why i bought it

Elephants on Parade

i made this caftan dress thingie this weekend and I am really proud of it. I stenciled elephants along the border and they are so cute. However, my face in this photo looked fug, so I photoshopped Ashlee Simpson's onto mine. Now the photo looks like a becky-ashley hybrib; I'm sure Scott has a boner

Bling Bling my jewelry box is calling

I wanted to show you my new jewelry. I just bought this Pade Vavra shark tooth necklace that I've been wanting for a while. And then I found my leopard ring in the couch yesterday. Its vintage, but they have an even better leopard ring at Old Navy. I know these photos don't do any justice, but I couldn't find the cord to my camera or a picture on the ON website. So here is a picture of me taken on photobooth inspired by kimora lee.

Black Sheep & Prodigal Sons

I saw this "Claws for Alarm" neck piece at the blog.mode: addressing fashion exhibit at the Met a few months back. It was so much cooler in real life than in this picture. But anyway, it reminded me how fascinated I am with momento-mori type things especially of the Victorian era when they made jewelry from hair of the deceased.

Today i stumbled across the website for Black Sheep & Prodigal Sons. They have some really beautiful hand crafted momento-mori inspired jewelry. I especially love all the scrimshaw vintage piano key necklaces.

take note

one thing i love are notebooks. They're something I buy tons of whenever I travel because they are so cheap and cute and fit right in my purse. I recently bought this alice in wonderland, nancy drew, and wizard of oz notebooks while at strawberry jam in new hope. But I also wanted to mention my laughing elephant sketchbooks which are replicas of old french notebooks. And, I picked up some spiral bound sketchbooks whilst in LA last year; they are remade from old library books (later, i saw the same concept at several different craft fairs). My all time favorite notebooks are this Japanese kind.....I couldn't find a pic of them on the web, and was too lazy to scan a pic in.

I see a coffee table in my future

i went to New Hope, PA to my favorite shop, Strawberry Jam. I went to pay for some notebooks, and these Edward Gorey tarot cards were at the counter. I couldn't pass them up as I thought they would be great for my non-existent coffee table.

Fend for yourself, bitch

while I am experiencing some remorse over the $27 worth of food i just bought at Whole foods, i am at the same time remembering a young college age lady who came in the the boutique the other day who obviously had no remorse over anything she purchases. at least not the $1300 Fendi bag so nonchalantly slouched over her shoulder. it must be easy to live guilt free when you're obviously not the one footing the bill. or when you're not equating the cost of goods with the number of hours worked. all I can say is:
bitch.
i can spot these over indulged college girls a mile away....and i am obviously color blocked with envy

Good Leather Goods

Scott and I are saving to go to Europe this summer. So while my $20 old navy bag will have to suffice for a (long) while, I can at least do some window shopping for a nicer one (I've accepted the camoscio will never be mine). While doing some virtual window shopping this morning, I came across Knox, a line of handbags designed by a girl and her dad, who makes the custom hardware. I'm hoping the carriage bag will still be around next year which is how long it will take me to save enough money for it.
I also stopped by FreePeople.com, who has their new March catalog items up. I absolutely love these embossed leather belts. I love the ring closure on the floral one, but Scott was in a band called "and so it begins..." when he was in high school; I think I have to go with the embossed "so it goes" belt...

Ga-Ga for Galliano

A few weeks ago, the Philadelphia Museum of Art (I work there) gave me some literature on their library at the new Perelman Building. The little brochure had a beautiful illustration of Paul Poiret's from the museums collection...it was really inspiring and I thought I had to get to the library to discover some more from Poiret. But, it looks like John Galliano beat me to it. I normally don't care for his over the top, gimicky fashion shows, but I was in awe of his latest collection for F'08. Obviously inspired by Paul Poirets 1910ish illustrations of woman donning some fine chinoiserie, the collection had some pieces I thought were actually very wearable, like the studded chiffon dress above. I loved everything from this collection from the color palatte to the prints, and also the jewelry and shoes. I totally love the look of the rabbit fur coat with the tiny ruffle detail, and I know it was a big thing in the 1910s-20s, but almost a century later, I wish he used a better alternative.

lieu-OW!

I just did my taxes and realized that in '07 I made half of what I made at my former job in '06, though my standard of living hasn't changed (if anything, its improved :) Strangely, my credit card debt has gone up significantly. And while I really think I'm at the point in my life where I should have my three favorite pieces from Emma Cook's f08 line and the Miu Miu Comoscio bag to go with it, most of the time I have to settle for some simpler things (and still manage to dig the financial hole deeper). The nice thing about working retail are the steep discounts (that i get way to carried away with). So, i recently splurged on this easy dress from Philip Lim with an exposed zipper...you can by it in the near future at petuliasfolly.com. Then we recieved some Rachel Comey shoes, which were amazing. Fate would have it that the company sent us one pair of shoes in the wrong color that just happened to be my size. Instead of hassling with sending them back, my boss said I could have them at cost. A girl can't argue with fate, so I bought those too. And, when I woke up this morning, Old Navy updated their website with new items, and they had this really cool tie-dyed canvas bag, so I went to the store and the visual merchandisers where just putting them out. This is what I have in lieu of my beloved Comoscio at an unbelievable 1.5% of the cost (seriously, you do the math). I also picked up this dress for a mere $25; I am completely in love with the ambiguously-ethnic print. Even though I swear I'm a smart shopper and only buy things at a discount, my bank account is still screamin' "ow!" with every transaction....

Fashion Weak

just when i need inspiration the most (sketching some ideas for my imaginary spring 2009 line) Fall 2008 fashion shows have left me more or less uninspired. so much blah blah black and not enough new. Now, some bloggers have been discussing the return of boho, and even my friend, Heather said to me last night on the phone "i'm not just imagining it, am I? the boho look is returning." Is it me, or has this ethnic meets boho meets whatever look never left?
While nothing involved was a new concept in my opinion, the only collection that left me absolutely lusting was Emma Cook's concoction of black and white tie-dyes mixed with frilly lace and latex leggings. I want I want I want.
see my next post for a list of things I bought in lieu of tie-died pretty things I can't afford

The Face of Influenza

did you know that the flu is deadly in .1% of those affected by it? For the past three days, I honestly believed I would be among that tenth of a percent. I have never felt this sick in my life. Make sure to get vaccinated..and thats all i have to say because I am far too weak to write anymore...

Fashion Synchronicity

Do you believe in synchronicity? (c.g jung, not the police) I was just thinking how i really want to make a cool verison of those Ts i made as a girl where you cut the sleeves into strips of fringe then string on the plastic pony beads....later that day, Agathe over at stylebytes did just that. She beat me to my brilliant idea....if i haven't mentioned it before, laziness is my biggest downfall.
I'd love to think of myself as ahead of the trends, but this is not synchronicity at all....this ethnic meets boho meets whatever has been around for quite some time (boho tech as topshop is calling their take on this trend) and I am absolutely loving it. While browsing Style.com I adored the dress Kate Hudson wore to the SAG awards. I've never really paid attention to Balmain, but loved the way they mixed soft floral prints with native american motifs, as in the beaded eagle dress worn by KH.
Since I can't afford a fringed miu-miu bag, anything Balmain, or the shipping charge from the UK, I may just have to commit to making that T shirt or splurging on these beaded earrings from ebay (by way of stylebytes)

Dexter Eggs

first of all, I have decided not to sell my eggs. there is a slight risk of death do to all of the crazy hormones and medical stuff you have to do. amazingly, I still am not deterred by the fact that could have been a smaller version of myself running around this crazy world. Anyway, speaking of eggs, Scott and I are OBSESSED with the Showtime series, Dexter. We started watching Season 2 when I moved in with my sister who isn't too cheap to pay for cable. Needless to say, I am that cheap and completely missed out on Season1 of Dexter. Now, I am backtracking and downloading the first 12 episodes from itunes. I have to limit myself to 2 episodes a night, otherwise I know I'd get too overzealous and watch the entire season in one night, not knowing what to do for entertainment the next day because of the writers strike.
Anyway, back to the eggs. I love the opening credits, which inadvertently has inspired my everyday breakfast- fried eggs on an english muffin with heaps of Frank's Buffalo sauce; "dexter eggs" as I call them- in the credits the eggs with hot sauce is supposed to make you think of blood, but i just get hungry. Then again, I started eating McDonalds again after 2 years of abstinence because of reading Fast Food Nation...

Harvest Moon

Even though I am in some major credit card debt from my last trip with Skottles, we really want to take a trip on the trans siberian railroad in August. I have no idea how i am going to pay down this debt and save some cash at the same time. I am seriously considering harvesting my eggs. It would pay down my debt in one fell crane's swoop, but it requires five weeks of injecting myself with hormones and some minor surgery. I really really want to take this trip in August, and it makes me think how there is probably a loving couple out there who really really wants a baby....I really feel for them. I can't tell if i am just so money hungry right now that I am overlooking the weird fact that there could be several mini-mes crawling around. Or is it really not that big of a deal?

lost wax casting

scott bought me erica weiner's porcupine quill necklace which I am in love with, but I am equally as intriqued by her cast animal bones such as this snake vertebrae. Anyway, between her items and pyrhha's cast wax stamps, I have been really itching to learn how to cast things all by myself. So, I searched Tyler School of Art's site and found a continuing ed class for this spring on Lost Wax casting...I don't know much about the process, but it looks like I'll learn how to make some jewelry and I am super excited. Now, if only I could figure out how to download the registration form as its due in about three days.

what i want to buy today

while web surfing for some info on candles today at work, I came across the website for one of my favorite stores in New Hope, PA, called Strawberry Jam. I've always loved their jewelry selection and in fact my sister bought me a ring there over 10 years ago and I still wear it. Anyway, I loved the line of jewelry by Pyrrha design studios. The "seals" serious are peices cast from antique wax seals. I love the anchor, but they also have a bee i wouldn't mind owning since my name starts with a "B"

party on

this kids an asshole, but somehow i think the interviewer is an even bigger one....anyway, it made my day so i thought i'd share

Thai Idol

tonight is the season premiere of american idol. No, i am not desperate to find something on TV due to the writer's strike....its just a guilty pleasure. A couple of years ago, my then roommate and I would have a tradition of eating Herr's sour cream and onion chips during. Even though we don't live together anymore, we still get together for the premier and the finale. I had off today so I prepared some thai food for a little get together. I found a recipe for mango summer rolls here and curry meatballs here and also whipped up some peanut sauce to go along. Then I followed the direction on a box of pad thai. I am also making some key lime martinis to go with. And of course I remembered to make Herr's mine with a big ol' family sized bag of sour cream and onion.

White Elephant

I want this necklace from Jcrew, but I just bought a pair of harness boots, a pair of clogs, two 3.1 Phillip Lim tops, found Odeur 53 and bought that too, and went on a road trip with Scott so I probably shouldn't buy it even though it looks well worth the $55....and brings good luck, which means it could help me to win the lottery