heysusy

THE GIRL CAN'T HELP IT { tucker resort/holiday }

Like, whoa. I can't believe the weekend is already almost here. This week has just flown by...

A while ago back in Feb 2009, I posted about Tucker, and it has been quite a while since I've been back to Gaby Basora's excellent collection. Which makes looking at the newest available items even more exciting.

Things I want to note about her line- I love that her collection offers not only playful and chic patterns, but also more basic palettes. There are such a broad array of ideas to choose from, even though the actual structure of the clothing is really simplified. I love the focus, and the total commitment to a great fit. (There are a few core pieces, like the blouse, the dress, the cami that are cornerstones). I really enjoy the confidence that implies.

The second thing is, I like the art direction on the Tucker site. I like seeing a variety of model types, and a variety of ideas of beauty. Usually, that feels really contrived-- especially when a brand is veering towards a more comfort-inspired design direction--it can feel token, and catalog-y, especially if the makeup is overpronounced. But here, you get the sense that a diverse approach is honestly integral to what this designer is trying to do. What she is trying to bring to her audience-- and who she would like her audience to be.

Anyway, I really enjoyed taking another look.

View more HERE

HOW IT'S MADE { stand up comedy }

There's something I really like about these items up here, all found at Stand Up Comedy...

I guess I like the idea that these simple pieces are really stylish- yet also so organic that when worn, they would sort of assimilate with a body's true nature...curly hair vs. straight hair... imperfections. assymetry.

Am I making sense? Can you see it too?

More explorations HERE

LIKE IT { erica weiner jewelry }

Hey all! Running off to Brooklyn as soon as I eat my Nutella-slathered-Multigrain-Muffin-Thing but wanted to be sure and post this excellent jewelry first.

I did glimpse some of Erica Weiner's jewelry at the Renegade Craft Fair this past summer, but her tent was so crowded that I felt a panic attack coming on just looking from a distance.

While some of Erica's items are decidedly delicate (feathers, hummingbirds etc) I personally love these chunky meets clunky 80's inspired pieces. I normally don't wear logos (my theory is they make people look poor) But really, how cool are these Vintage YSL Zipper Pull Earrings?? ...In an ironically, fashionably, referential way, of course...

And just so you know...they also come in brown.

These pieces available in Erica's Etsy Shop
She also has her own website Here
and...blog Here
and...if you're in NYC, you can even arrange to shop her LES studio over the holidays, how fun!

And of course I can't resist this, but for some totally nerdy proto-pop art fun, I also like this Balantine Ale bottle opener. Jasper Johns would also probably like it. Ballantine. The Original Drink of the 1950's New York City Expressionist Movement.

DARKEST GREEN { standout hue }

I just had to stop when I saw this gorgeous pant-suit...what a color! Really, one just doesn't see that much compellingly sophisticated dark green around these days. Perhaps it's an expensive color to really make happen...or, maybe it's just not popular.

Which is why I'm celebrating it today. Whenever I see something that makes me stop, I always like to make a note of it. I love the presence of this lustrous, jewel-tone green. It's understated, quiet, yet makes such a memorable and confident statement. I'm not talking about plain old dark green, or moss green, or bright green, kelly, or malachite. I'm talking about this green...that green.

Here are some links!
Suit: Apiece Apart Spring 2010 (love this whole line)
Jewelry: Elva Fields
Bag (not green, but I thought it was relevant to the suit!): Marni
Photo: Tom Fowlks

DARING FEETS { osborn design studio shoes }

Whimper, whimper...Insanely busy for the next couple of weeks...trying to get orders packed, things accomplished and organized...and projects out the door! Would rather be under desk, rocking back and forth and twirling hair.

Taking a moment to gaze upon these fabulous shoes at Osborn Design Studio...Would look quite groovy with a mini-dress...don't you think?

Also, below...a painting by same, below.
View their website here...MAKE HASTE!

I AM CONVINCED { day and a mysterious visitor }

So...I ended up not posting a weekender "jewelry to go with your gray sweatshirts" post because I got so absorbed in this website and their compelling asthetic that I completely forgot. I'm sorry! It happens.

I make it up to you, hopefully, with this link. Seriously, click on everything available and get lost in Day Birger et Mikkelsen's excellent wild meets urban meets quiet style sense. Wonderful!

In other tangentially related news this weekend, I'd like to share what happened outside our window on Saturday Night....K. spotted a HUGE bird quietly perched across the way on the opposite fire escape. When I say huge, I mean...like...about as tall and wide as a skateboard, maybe taller and wider. It was tucked just out of sight, with it's face in the shadows. It stayed there all night, sleeping, I imagine. When I woke up at 4 AM, it was still there...but it was still too dark to see many details. I saw it take in a big breath, and the shape expanded. The feathers on it's breast blew in the wind, just slightly...it perched completely still...and stayed.

When I woke up and it was light out, it was gone.

This was truly magical for me-- I often feel something magical has happened when I see a large animal in the "wild"...like when I saw that huge fish swim up to the dock at Lake George... It was a moment when I forgot about myself, completely. What it's like to be completely, surprisingly, selflessly, absorbed into something else...something beyond your own world.

Wherever you are, mysterious bird, I hope you are well.

DOWN, BUT NOT OUT! { the gray sweatshirt gets some love }

Hoodie zip sweatshirts will always be popular for their versatility (if you're too hot, you can open up and air out). But there is something so great about the basic, gray pullover sweatshirt. I love it because you can't escape from it! ...and it's tempered with that sort of awkward 1950's high-school sports team try-out thing (think Danny when he's trying out for track to impress Sandy in Grease...pompadour and all!).

It may look like a weakling....but it is scrappy!

So...I thought today I'd present some classic varieties, and a few updates on this look. Nice for a Friday, right? Of course, I opt for the classic at the top left as my first choice. But-- the one at the bottom right has the benefit of two big hip pockets. Perfect, perfect.

Links...clockwise from top left:
Classic Pullover $11! - here
Ruffle Dress, I pretty much like anything by Preen - here
Long Sweater- normally can't stand anything Juicy has been even part of but this isn't bad - here
Pocketed Dress $39! - here
Classic Pullover (pricey, but I bet it's worth it!) - here
Elongated Classic Pullover - here

I'll be back later today with a weekender... some accssories that are sweatshirt-approved!

Je me souviens {BONBON OISEAU}

Ah...November! Time to head out into the fall air, but keep the home fires burning.

One of my favorite chilly autumn memories is of a trip I took to Paris a few years back. I was spending a couple of weeks there, just wandering around...and I ended up passing an inordinate amount of time in the little antique and estate jewelry shops of the Left Bank. The variety of art deco pieces astounded me, and it was so wonderful to see all of the delicate yet pronounced shapes of the deco asthetic put to use in jewelry and adornment. It's such a weird and wonderful look. Hooray for triangles!

That is one of the aspects I love about Bon Bon Oiseau...There is a lovely commitment to a strange asthetic. I think of those rambles into rare places, a fortune teller's trinkets with secret meaning...souvenirs.

Deb, you were missed yesterday!

INCREASING RIDERSHIP { DNTX bike accessories }

We all know bikes are the latest hip accessory. I'm torn about that because it *used* to be that you had to know someone to score a fixed gear...or you had to learn to build your own. But now, you can just order one through a pull-down menu at Urban Outfitters.

Anyway, corporate co-opting of indie culture aside (no, I don't plan to ever stop kvetching about that!), I have ridden a fixed gear for years, and highly recommend it. If you're not too attached to your brakes. But if you get a chance, give it a try.

One of the bummers about taking up riding (esp. in the city) is the amount of stuff you end up schlepping even when you're just going to ride down the block. Your lock needs to go somewhere. Your wallet... Your lipstick, of course. Your keys. Your...bag of jellybeans. So you have to carry a bag. Which, if it's hot, prompts your back to sweat through that pretty peasant blouse you're wearing. Not so cute upon arrival.

That's where DNTX comes in. Utilitarian accessories for body and bike that offer a nice alternative to typciall, insect-looking, modern bike gear. Made by a independent lady designer. By hand. Huzzah! For more inspiration, read her profile.

I've got a little cold today, so I'm not going to be back posting a weekender this afternoon....but I thought this would do just fine!
enjoy! xx s

news to me { classic Irish cable knits and family history }

As many of you readers know, I write a lot of posts where I try and re-frame classic (often overlooked!) items from the fashion, decor or accessory worlds in ways that I think might be of interest to the modern...style enthusiast.

I've had it on my brain to do a post about classic, off-white cable knits for a while now...because they're a trend that is coming down the pipeline. They have that wonderful versatility, as the most classic pieces of clothing do (think blue jeans, plaid kilts or penny loafers.) You can wear them preppy, you can wear them punk, you can wear them your own special disco-meets-victorian era style if you like. Which makes them a good item for designers to revisit at this time.

So, you can just imagine how ecstatic I was to find out that the classic cable knit sweater has QUITE a history. I'll put it in a nutshell for you here: basically, there are hundreds of style of Irish cable knit-- and each one actually represents a family clan. For example, my last name is Connor. And if you look up at the top left, at the knit there, you can see my family's own design. Wow!

I'm quoting from a website, here: The O’ Connor clan has left a lasting influence on Irish history, going all the way back to the second century. The name is derived from a tenth century King of Connacht, Conchobhair, meaning ‘hero’ or ‘champion’. The last two high kings of Ireland were Turlough O’ Connor and Roderick O’ Connor. Today, O’ Connor is the ninth most numerous surname in Ireland, and is strongest in the southern province of Munster.

The hand knit O’ Connor sweater has a link centre stitch, flanked by cable, moss-filled diamonds and honeycomb panels on either side. The link stitch represents the unbroken chain between the Irish who emigrate and those who remain at home, cable stitch represents a wish for good luck, diamonds are a wish for wealth, and honeycomb is symbolic of work.

Knitting an updated, slightly more body-conscious hand-knit clan Connor sweater may be  the ultimate in diy projects for me. But since I have no idea how to knit, t's nice that Clan Ralph Lauren, Clan Orvis, and even Clan American Eagle Outfitters and Clan Barney's have their own versions. Ah, just kidding. Now that I know this fashion detail, only the real thing will do. Clan Connor doesn't do substitutions.

The Historical Details
More info on the variety of surnames and their respective designs here
A wikipedia article about Clans and Clan structure here