In the Mood for Vibrance

Not to rub it in or anything, but I officially packed my winter wardrobe into storage this morning.  Calm down - I also live in the most glamorous town in the world.  The one thing to look forward to above all else in South Carolina is the end of a short, mild winter.   

In the spirit of early spring, I'm inspired by these wonderfully vibrant, well edited colors and sweet motifs.  I'm sure I'll be sick of neons again by next week - it's an endless cycle, isn't it?  But for now, I'm wallowing in it.   

As I said to my handsome man yesterday (who comes from a family of dudes), I'm thoroughly happy to be a girl.  I'll gladly eat asparagus with my fingers or spear a whole steak with a knife, but I'd be a bit of an ogre without the whimsical delights of florals, nail polish, dabs of pink, and the occasional lipstick.    

style // floral print by my latest illustrator-girl-crush moniquilla, superimposed onto the april 2011 cover of vogue nippon, via the fashion dealer  // design // product branding for bonnard, a french style confectionary shop from mexico, by anagrama // beauty // fuchsia lips via glitter guide's tumblr, geometric neon nails tutorial via swellmayde // art // "flemish cat in a ruff" illustration by yours truly (!) available in the print shop and on home products and wearables in the boutique // edibles // floral ice cubes recipe and photo by edina ronay, roasted root vegetables recipe and photo by la tartine gourmande   

P.S. Get FREE SHIPPING on everything in the Rive Gauche Craft Print Shop, now through Sunday 3/31/13.  Yay!

Style Swipe No. 02

Rejoice!  It's part 02 of the new Style Swipe series, where I show you how to cheat deliciously at fashion.

If you're going to splurge on anything, make it something you can wear for eons.  Like a simple leather tote.  Natural leather is always in style, whether you're a hippie, hipster, yuppie, grandma, badass, or prep.  But unless you're in the 1%, there's no need to sever your arm for a thousand dollar Ralph Lauren bag when Zara makes an equally handsome version for 90% less.

As far as quality goes, I've personally bought a couple of my favorite leather bags from Zara, and so far they've held up beautifully against the abuse I've inflicted on them over the years.  No telling yet whether I'll be able to pass them down to my grandkids - I'll give you an update in 40 years.

ralph lauren saddle tote  /  zara braided leather shopper

New Fashion Illustrations

These are a few of my latest fashion illustrations (and favorite looks) from the Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collections.  Chloe gets me every time.  Like a tractor-trailer to the forehead.  And Karen Walker always has a few perfectly kooky pieces that I never knew I always desperately needed.  

You can find these illustrations in the Rive Gauche Craft Print Shop!      

Chloe  /  Karen Walker  

  

P. S.  Happy 60th Anniversary to Chloe and glorious founder Gaby Aghion.  

The Cat Lady Strikes Again

It's hardly a secret; I'm a cat lady in the making.  Apart from having one, I also paint them, design them, and pin them like they're going out of style.  Cats are pretty much my equivalent to crack.

How awesome are these old school gals?  All lined up down a Hollywood street with their matching cats, dressed to the nines at a casting for black cats in 1961.  

Photos from Life Magazine via OddStuff

I suspect Consuelo Castiglioni, of the glorious Italian label, Marni, is a cat lady.  I go nuts when luxury designers incorporate fuzzy felines into their work, particularly when illustrated in a sketchy, crazed, or child-like style (1 & 2).  You should see me drooling right now.

The other thing I'm addicted to (I'm almost, but not quite ashamed to admit) is temporary tattoos.  Yes.  I'm 25 years old.  Temporary tattoos.  Because four year olds can't have all the fun.  So, the obvious question: why not get a real tattoo?  Because I'm not a real badass.  I'm a temporary "badass". (?) 

Anyway, no matter what your age, I sincerely feel that there is a certain euphoric elegance about these temporary cat tattoos, designed by super talented illustrator Harriet Gray.       

1/  marni pink resin cat pin, $257  2/  marni cotton poplin "scratchy cat" floral shirt, $680  3/  madewell brass cat ring, $22  4/  tsumori chisato zippered cat pouch, $45  5/  cat origami pin by hug a porcupine, $25 (it's a british company, but they ship internationally!)  6/  temporary cat tattoos by illustrator harriet gray, $8.54  7/  forever 21 cat print cosmetic bag, $7

Style Swipe No. 01 | Stella vs. Topshop

There's nothing quite like style fresh from the runway, but not everyone (read: hardly anyone) can drop thousands on beautiful designs.  Thus, a brand new new blog series called Style Swipe, where I'll share my favorite budget-savvy finds, inspired by high end ready-to-wear.  Yay!

Coveted Specimen No. 1 - Stella McCartney's gorgeous black and white floral tailored shorts, $595  VS. Topshop's black and white floral tailored shorts, $70.  

You might think flowery shorts would only go with so many things in your wardrobe.  However, because these are tailored, and printed in classic black and white, their potential (and staying power) is nearly limitless.    

feminine  /  uniqlo sailor striped tee, $20  /  coach garden flower bib necklace, $498, similar by Betsey Johnson, $55  /  zara yellow shopper, $36  /  yoox leather espadrilles, $98  /  edgy  /  french connection leather tee, $150  /  samma flat cutouts ring, $58  /  swell leather studded fringe bucket bag, $50  /  madison harding heeled sandal, $259, similar by zara, $80

layouts made with polyvore