Frenchie Bags by Clare Vivier

Okay, don’t hate me because I haven’t been posting!  I’ll be better in the future, promise!

Currently, I’m visiting my parents in North Carolina so I have tons of free time and I’m being productive and looking (online) for a new purse that is (1) practical, (2) reasonably priced,  and (3) beautiful.  Yeah, I can pretty much use that same checklist for everything in life!  But seriously, this decision is hard!

Not sure how to solve that problem, but I have been drooling over these simple, elegant and professional leather bags by Clare Vivier…

[Images from the Clare Vivier blog, photographer Amy Theilig]

For the love of fast food + clever packaging design

The epitome of high-end fashion would be combining our love of fast food, fashion & clever packaging design.  Wait no more, as McFancy was a Fashion Week collaboration that re-brands McDonalds into something more like a 5-star restaurant, at least for a brief moment in time!  Playful, aesthetically pleasing, and beautifully executed– this definitely brought a smile to my face.

View more pretty photos by the photographer Marija Ivkovic, see pretty things by the stylist, check out the company that did the cupcake wrapper or the plastic cutlery,

4 reasons to look forward to Valentine’s Day

Yes! It’s that time of year! Time to commercialize on romance or the lack of romance in your life! Either you’re in a relationship and looking for something to do or you’re single– and you’re still looking for something to do. Either way, you probably shouldn’t sit at home and ponder the meaning of loneliness.

Design Studio360 is hosting a Valentine’s Day contest “Will you make over my Valentine?” where you can submit unique Valentines! Yes, they are sick of the hearts, the roses, the corniness.

Maybe it’s because I started making my very own Valentine’s Day cards (which I have failed to finished), but I am fascinated with Valentine’s Day cards! Something about the sappy expression of love + appreciation, the candies, the red! Everything just screams novelty. Anyway, I have posted a few favorites from their Flickr feed…if you’re lucky, maybe someone loves you deeply enough to send you one!

(or maybe you don’t want the creepy love message?)

And if that didn’t satisfy your Valentine’s Day hunger, here are some more retro ones! If you like some retro stock art, check this out.

Craving apartment kitsch

I have been meaning to update more frequently but all I could find myself doing was online window shopping! So I figure, better to spread the love than keep it to myself.

I was scoping out the NY Times trend reports and discovered this awesome retailer called Viva Terra. Say what you will, but if I had money to blow here are some kitschy things I would love to grace our Southern Californian apartment.

Misprint kitchen messages, $98

The above signage is perfect for our breakfast sitting area.

Flip flop doormat, $49

This reminds me of childhood Legos, yessssss.

Feed Sack Hamper and Wastebasket, $33

Collage pouf, $129

African market basket, $49

Lord only knows what I would do with the above woven basket– but I could surely find some utilitarian use for it, right?

Flowered enamelware, $55

From fashion to funny…and funnier

I admit it. I am a materialistic, fashion obsessed…girl. Yes, I am a girl. A female to be exact. I shop and I like it. I get excited about those new pair or earrings at Macys or that hot leather handbag at Nordstrom. Fashion is an extension of creativity. I get to control how I am perceived.

Fashion is funny. Whether or not you consciously participate– you’re still a participant. Like if you throw on t-shirt & jeans everyday– then we all know you don’t care. Or you want to be comfortable. Or you’re just laid back. Either way, we know. We’re all reading the signs.

Anyway, I was taking a quick glance at the fashion blog Foto Decadent, when I saw several photos of Claudia Schiffer by photographer Erwin Wurm (Vogue Deutsch, November 2009).

It starts off with her between two couches. Interesting, right? So I am thinking, “That raises some questions!”

Now she’s on the table holding colorful, random objects, with a doll-like expression. Okay…she’s pondering apples & oranges.

Finally, she’s holding a chair, in a very awkward fashion! Okies…

A fellow reader was reminded of this image:

And wait for it…

And somehow, that really summed up my love for fashion + photography.