Buzz On: Abejas Boutique

I got the nicest card in the mail from Texas boutique Abejas this weekend. I bought a jersey scarf from there, oh, must've been at least three years ago, and here they are writing me a handwritten note thanking me for supporting their store. And offering me a coupon code for $25 off my next purchase, no less! Can't resist that, now can I? You too should check out the shop. If you've got a few hundred or even thousand dollars lying around, you'll find some stuff to spend it on. Luckily, they have a few affordably priced items as well. Starting with...



Kiwi leather flip-flops, $49. Pretty much the exact thing I've been looking for. Simple brown leather flip-flops. Perfecto! Yay for coupon code web236!



Abejas recylced bee tote, $45.



Bee tee, $35. "Abejas" means "bee" in Spanish, see.



If money were no object, I would totally go for the Shelly Litvak hobo bag, made of ostrich leather. It's $4,500. Dayum!

Geek Fashion With A Hint Of Magic

After the fifth film installment, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, hit the big screens and the release of seventh and final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows , the fashion spotlight has turned its attention to Harry.

It's all about geek chic with a hint of magic. Think V-neck knits thrown over a shirt and tie - diagonally striped, a blazer, capes and hooded robes, bats and rats and Hedwig-esque owls - on everything from earrings and bracelets to printed tees and hoodies.

Following his infamous on-stage disrobing in the West End performance of Equus, all of a sudden, everyone wants a piece of Harry's magic. Check out the trio's photos for Teen Vogue:

Picture Postcard - Guilty Secret

Picture from Manchester Looks

Dear Steve

By now you should be back in London hopefully... hope the journey wasn't too bad. Just a quick message today as, frankly, I've run out of things to say to you, and also because I don't think i need to say too much.

Confession time: I'm starting to warm to cardigans on men. Not the flimsy, thin ones though, ones like the one above: chunkier, thicker knit ones that can be worn as jackets. Absolutely love the colour of this guy's cardie and the pattern formed by the wool- someday I will have to learn to knit something like this for myself. By the way, have you noticed his shoes? I think I'm slightly in love.

Okay, time for a cup of tea. See you soon!

EJ

Dear Eliza,

I just knew you would come round! Normally it is I who has to make a small style u-turn so this is a nice change! To be honest though I believe there is a place for all types of cardigans as the flimsy kind offer great opportunity to layer. I am working on the idea of incorporating your present (polka dot scarf) into a look involving a cardigan. I will experiment and post some pictures (if i feel brave enough). The thick cardigan works well and the collar detail is awesome, but the overal look makes him seem a little heavy set but that might be the picture. As Autumn approaches thicker cardigans as shown here will be the perfect solution for mild days. I need a close up on those shoes damn it! That is your mission if you choose to accept it. Is that a blue belt I can see or am is my descent into madness continuing? I really want a blue belt. Not too sure why except for that fact it will match my shoes.

I am at work now but I really want to be elsewhere! Still, it is your birthday soon so I have Birthday activities to look forward to! Ok, back to work...

Steve

Today's Perfect Thing

Cute, cuter, cutest! I so want this. Even though I hate strapless dressees due to the existence of my boobs. And even though ankle-length dresses are kind of impractical. It seems like the perfect thing to throw on after a day at the beach before you run out to dinner, no? J. Crew long striped strapless dress, was $88, just marked down to $49.99.

One of The Cutest Things I've Ever Seen In My Whole Life...

... Is this:
($6.99, Fred Flare)
It's a plate, by the way. And it's pretty much the only plate you'll ever need.

World's Richest Models

According to Linda Evangelista, models don't wake up for less than $10,000 a day! Perhaps its true. Models did talk shows. They landed movie roles. They inspired franchises . They dated or married movie stars . And, of course, they made millions.

Last July 16, Forbes.com released the 2007's list of The Top Earning Models in the World. Here they come:

1. Gisele Bundchen - $33 Million



The highest-paid model in the world had two high-profile breakups last year: First she split with boyfriend Leonardo DiCaprio and then with longtime client Victoria's Secret. The 26-year-old still commands more money and more contracts than any other model on the planet, gracing ads for Apple, Dolce & Gabbana and Roberto Cavalli. Her line of sandals, Ipanema by Gisele, is expanding into the U.S. and Europe. Her latest paramour is New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

2. Kate Moss - $9 Million



The 33-year-old superwaif continued her comeback from last year's cocaine scandal: She's the new face of Stella McCartney and Italian sportswear company Belstaff. She also recently launched a clothing line for British retailer Topshop (carried in the U.S. at Barneys New York). Moss has also managed to hang onto modeling gigs with Rimmel, Burberry and Dior. Her relationship with drug-addled British rocker Pete Doherty keeps her in the tabloids.

3. Heidi Klum - $8 Milliom

The 34-year-old model and mother of three (hubby is singer Seal) renewed her Victoria's Secret contract and still helms the hit Bravo reality show Project Runway. She also hosted Germany's version of America's Next Top Model. In her "spare" time, she designs and markets a line of jewelry through Mouawad.

4. Adriana Lima - $ 6 Million



The 26-year-old Victoria's Secret model is probably the most famous Brazilian babe since Gisele Bundchen. She's also the face of Maybelline and Italian phone company Telecom Italia. Her April 2006 GQ cover was the highest-selling issue of the year.

5. Alessandra Ambrosio - $ 6 Million



This olive-skinned beauty, 26, confidently stakes her turf among the Victoria's Secret Brazilian trinity, which is rounded out by former roommate Gisele Bundchen and Adriana Lima. She also models for Armani Exchange and Next U.K.

These five top-earning models were followed by Carolyn Murphy ($5 million); Natalia Vodianova ($4.5 million); Karolina Kurkova and Daria Werbowy (both $3.5 million); Gemma Ward ($3 million); Liya Kebede ($2.5 million); Hilary Rhoda and Shalom Harlow (both $2 million); and Doutzen Kroes and Jessica Stam (both $1.5 million).

Most Amazing Jewels Post, Part Deux, PLUS: Accessories + My Ongoing Love Affair With Doucette Duvall

Okay. Here's the second part of a two-part epic jewelry post, and this is the more mature companion of the duo, if I do say so.

I've been hanging onto the following links for months now, then I got busy, then I ate, then I fell asleep, repeat... suddenly... I see that effing DIOR is like peeking into my bookmarks or something because WHAT should pop up in their 2007 Fall runway show in Paris but dark, daring and dramatically oversized gems, like the ones seen above.

Fabsugar, from whence that image was copped, did a piece on getting that look for less... as in like 1/3600th less.

Here, finally, are my aforementioned picks.

($125, Kenneth Jay Lane, Maxandchloe.com)
We both picked these. Yay. I'm a geniyouse.


($35, emitations.com)
Pretty pretty for a pretty princess.


($29.99, emitations.com)
Also very pretty princess! You really can't go wrong with green jewels...if they are just $30.


($69, Palmbeachjewelry.com)
Elegant and understated.


($89, Palmbeachjewelry.com)
Decadent! Would go perfectly with this Dior gown from the Fall 2007 show...

... You know... if you simply MUST be all matchy-matchy.


This .... this I would give an ovary for. God knows... I'd gladly give an ove... until either or both opportunities arise... I'd settle for this...

($9.99, emitations.com)
Gorgeous!



($75, emitations.com)
Or these... Very holiday chic!


Or this...
($75, Kenneth Jay Lane, Shopbop.com)


Okay... some slightly less flashy pieces...
($59, Palmbeachjewelry.com)
Nice. Easy. The way things should be!


($69, Palmbeachjewelry.com)
Love these. Are they for old ladies? I guess I don't care! They're so bright and fun!



($199, Palmbeachjewelry.com)
This is seriously old-ladyish, and I love it because it reminds of this beautiful mini perfume bottle I have that was either my mom's or grandma's -- I think it's probably Avon or something (no big whoop) -- but it has a plastic pink rose stopper that looks just like that. I love it. (-- Note: anyone know WTF the perfume is? The label is long gone, and a Google search has been fruitless. Morts.)



($275, Miu Miu, Net-a-porter.com)
So, speaking of jewels, AND per my ongoing quest to find the perf jeweled flats... these are gorgeous. I may've already posted these, just like I realized I've already posted those two pink/ coral rings. Oh well.



($334, Anna Sui, Net-a-porter.com)
Speaking of Net-a-porter... this top is perfection.



So, speaking of ongoing quests, this vintage Courreges dress is up! for! auction on eBay:
(Currently $99, Courreges, eBay)
Reminds me of those creepy variety shows they used to do all the time in the '70s, where people like Karen Carpenter would come out and sing under a spotlight and then there'd be the inevitable camera trick where they match the soft focus with one single sparkle that was fabricated but they'd make it look like it came from the performer's gown or jewelry, and then they'd fade the whole thing into an unintelligible sparkle-blur effect, know what I mean? Also, whoever shot these images did a good job of capturing that creepy latently homosexual, sexually charged, coke-addled je ne sais quoi of that era. Kudos!



(Currently $49, Courreges, eBay)
More Courreges glasses. I regret not bidding on an earlier pair I posted about. They looked like these:
($49, Courreges, eBay)


($79, Helena Rubinstein, eBay)
These are also rad...


($19, Modcloth.com)
And these are super fun.


Okay... so last week I stole away to the now-defunct (wah!) Find Outlet going-outta-biz sale (wah again!). There, quietly, patiently waiting for me to discover it between the Lauren Moffatt tops and Doucette Duvall dresses was this Doucette Duvall dress:
This photo doesn't really do justice to the hilarious and awesome detail of the print, which is an old Nicole Miller silk print, and it's got wedding images all over, including a pricey bridal gown, a smiling chef, a Torah (holla!), guest list, boobie lady (the stripper, I suppose -- every good wedding's got one!) and more great images of matrimony as we know it. It was the only one in the entire joint, and it FIT me like a fucking GLOVE. I ran to the ATM and walked away with the dress for $79. I almost felt guilty -- as much as I LOOOOOVE me a good deal, I felt bad that a.) Find Outlet is no more and b.) that I was taking advantage of their misfortune for my own fashion gain (woo!) and b.5) that my long-awaited Doucette acquisition was at the expense of point b. and c.) I sorta feel obligated to pay full-price for the hard work of an indie designer. Oh well. I love this dress so much I can barely contain my joy. I couldn't find it anywhere online, so I emailed with Meredith at Doucette (hey girl!), and she informed that, per my GENIUS fashion assumption: it IS in fact an old Nicole Miller print, and it's their "Dottie" style. And it's MINE ALL MINE! I can only hope my legs look as lovely in the dress -- or at least as tan. :/

Now go buy a Doucette dress and um... pay full price...

($195, Doucette Duvall, Revolveclothing.com)



($178, Doucette Duvall, Revolveclothing.com)


($189, Doucette Duvall, Intermixonline.com)