To Tie or Not to Tie: That is the Question

We have an ongoing fashion debate in our household (at least, in as much as Mike will humor me about discussing style stuff) and that is over tie-neck tops. He finds them a bit too precious. Whereas I'm like: "Bows! Bows! Bows! The bigger, the better! Wheeee!"* Which is the immediate response I had to this highly adorable Marc by Marc Jacobs shantung vest, seen on ASJiNE. Thoughts?

And! Just as I was writing this, I spotted this totally awesome bow ensemble on Tricia's Wardrobe Remix recap (plus, it has a charming handmade quality that seems way more fiscally responsible than Marc's $300 price tag). I now declare myself to be firmly back on the bow bandwagon, any preciousness be damned:


*I'm pretty sure this is quite literally the reaction I have in my head, give or take a "wheeee".

Etsy Love

Design*Sponge has a nice little round-up of Etsy finds today. We don't know about you, but we find Etsy to be perfectly wonderful but completely overwhelming, and we're always really happy when people point us to the good stuff, like the retro print from JennSki, $39, above.

Share With the Group Friday: Currently on Thursday!

We looked at our Bloglines account this morning and realized that we now read 226 blogs on a regular basis – the overwhelming majority of which are fashion- and design-related (though we also admit we have a huge weakness for celebrity gossip and adorable kittens). We're adding amazing new blogs to the list every day – there's so much good stuff out there, we can barely keep up.

And so, we thought we'd ask you, dear readers: What blogs are at the top of your must-read list? We have too many favorites to try and name them all, so we thought we'd just list our newest favorites, in no particular order.

We're really digging:
--the inspiring personal style of Fashion Toast;
--the highly adorable Poppytalk, and her incredibly helpful Etsy Pick of the Day;
--Etsy's own blog Storque (featuring Tricia this week!);
--total fashion fun at That's Chic;
--and a new burst of Singapore street style at WAYW (we especially love the extra info in the snappy q&as).

OK, your turn. What blogs are burning up your bookmarks these days?

{Add to Friends t-shirt via Swissmiss. I just couldn't resist.}

Smart girls love fashion too

Gorgeous designs aside, the thing that always impresses me about Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte is their inexhaustible knowledge of obscure pop culture and historical references. They seem like they'd be awesome – if slightly intimidating – to sit next to at a dinner party. I'm especially enjoying their Top 10 Criterion Collection film picks, found via Cat Party. It's added a whole new dimension to my Netflix queue.

Their website is full of gorgeous photographs of the various stages of their spring 2008 collection. I only picked out a few favorites to show here, but it's total fashion eye candy. Definitely check it out.

One for you youngsters…

How much do I start sounding like Grandma* when I say that sometimes fashion just moves way too fast for my liking? {Bangs cane on ground.} I'm still buying pieces from this year's fall/winter collections; I'm in no way ready to start thinking about what I want to be wearing leading up to next fall. (Plus! There's still six months of gorgeously bright spring/summer styles to get excited about!) That said, I'm totally loving these images of the Lanvin pre-fall collection. So pretty and moody and detailed -- not to mention something to look forward to… eventually.

*Sorry, Grandma. You know I don't mean you literally. {Mwah!}

Perfectly poufy and party-worthy

I really, really love this vintage-inspired party dress by Unique Vintage's own line, Grayson Sofia, via ASJiNE (whose regular "If I had a Sugar Daddy…" feature is threatening to make us very poor. So. Many. Good. Finds!) At just $98, it's completely reasonable and totally adorable. {Hmmm... though slightly less reasonable when you buy the $50 crinoline underskirt.} Now I just need a place to wear it. Ummmm… would anyone like to invite us to a party?

P.S.) I know it looks a little brownish, but it's actually black.

So. Incredibly. Splurge-Worthy.

Loewe is an LVMH-owned Spanish luxury brand that's really huge in Europe and Asia, but almost unheard of in the U.S. and nearly impossible to find (according to the website, its only American retail locations are in the San Francisco airport and Honolulu). Which is probably why it's so appealing to me – that, and the fact the Mulberry alum Stuart Vevers is now helming the brand's design team.

Walking by the Beijing store the other day, several gorgeous bags caught my eye – in particular, the "Fiesta" model (which comes in some fantastic super-saturated colors, including – special note to reader Kimmy! – a fab "strawberry" hot pink). I love the classic, oversized shape and the just-distinctive-enough leather link detailing. Perhaps I should start saving now for my next trip abroad?

P.S. I was trying to be good and didn't tempt myself by asking the saleswoman the price. Can any of my readers abroad check it out and share with the group how much it would set us back? Not including the plane ticket, of course.

P.P.S. After a *lot* of internet-ing, I'm reasonably convinced that the brand's name is correctly pronounced "Luay-vay". Although there are many people who insist it is pronounced more like "Loy-vay". Would anyone like to weigh in on this?

Desperately Coveted, Part 491 of 1,237

For the past few months I've been majorly obsessed with the Christian Louboutin Simple 85 Pumps, particularly in a glossy hot pink. (But – fyi to Fashion Fairy Godmother - black patent would work really well too, and would be perhaps a teensy bit more practical.) I have to stop and drool every time I pass them in a boutique, most recently Beijing's amazing Lane Crawford department store this past weekend. Thankfully, they don't stock my size; otherwise, I might not have been able to hold myself back. Must… resist… round-toed amazingness…

When Coco met Mao…

I guess Karl Lagerfeld must have gotten inspired during his China trip for the Fendi Great Wall show last fall: The backdrop for last week's Chanel couture show (above) bears a remarkable resemblance to the oversized Mao jacket sculpture in Beijing's 798 art complex (below, and which I happened to walk by just the other day). I suppose we can just infer that both the Chanel jacket and Mao suit are iconic items, but I'm not entirely sure it's the cultural reference they want to be aiming for?

How do you say "fantastic deal" in Swedish?

This amazing Japanese-published book of the works of Swedish graphic designer Olle Eksell was incredibly popular among the blogosphere last year – so much so that even Urban Outfitters picked up on it and stocked it for Christmas. But I guess the general crowd that shops the Georgetown UO wasn't privy to the hype, because a stack of the books ended up on the clearance rack a few weeks ago, where I've been watching them sit and sit. The price just dropped again to $9.99 and I finally swooped in a snagged a copy. It's really a fabulous book – plus I congratulated myself on my bargain shopping prowess by applying the saved $30 to a cute new top. Which itself cost $50. Hmmm, so maybe it wasn't quite the bargain after all.






*Random side note 1: While scouring the UO clearance section (as I am known to do), I got distracted by an employee taking a hammer to box after box of piggy banks in the basement corner. Turns out that UO doesn't ship non-sold items that are breakable back to their warehouses, so they literally just destroy them. With a hammer, apparently. The staffer told me that they do donate non-breakables to the Salvation Army, but the fragile items – like piggy banks – get smashed up and thrown away. Seems like an enormous waste, no? I'm sure those piggy banks could find a good home somewhere.

*Random side note 2: These images were cobbled together from around the Internet, but mostly here and here.

*Random side note 3: Don't despair if you don't have a well-stocked UO clearance rack near you. The book is only $32.36 from Amazon, which isn't too bad for such a gorgeous find, especially when you start taking into account all the expensive gas you're saving by not having to go pick it up. Yes, I am a master at self-justification.

Coming full circle

I treated myself to a little browsing session at Prada the other day (not to buy, just some very indulgent looking around.) It had been a while since I'd been in, and I went absolutely crazy over their latest pieces -- specifically, the skirts. Oh, the skirts! I love a swingy circle skirt as much as the next vintage lover, and this spring, Prada seems to have gotten it all right with the colorful patterns and thick fabrics and absolutely classic silhouette. Last season's pencil skirt wasn't really for me, and the maxi skirt is just too much trouble to bother with, but a full circle skirt – when done well and in the right proportions – is always just so completely feminine and gorgeous. The Prada ones are extra-amped (perhaps it's the stiffer fabric, or bit of crinoline underneath, or both) for an exaggerated, ultra-retro shape. *Love.*

I think the blue and red one is my favorite:

I'm kind of digging the crazy-funky men's loafers too.

We don't make mistakes. We have happy little accidents.*

So the other day, I accidentally mistyped "gmail" and ended up at the design blog gamil.com, which is really quite cool. (Also a very smart ploy on their part.) I immediately got sucked in by this post on artist Jen Stark, whose paper sculptures have been featured around the blogosphere a few times, but whose work is so incredible that it's certainly worth another look. Imagine how amazing it would be if she used these techniques to make dresses?




*In the immortal words of the incomparable Mr. Bob Ross.

Start spreading the news…

It has been quite an incredible week over here at Spinach Headquarters. To start, we are back from our fantastic trip to Beijing, with two stuffed-to-the-max suitcases in tow, which have now exploded on the living room floor. (There was a lot of squeezing and squishing and somewhat unattractive grunting to get them to close.) Luckily, I suppose, there is not much laundry to do, as I managed to wear my charcoal gray, tunic-length, dramatically funnel-necked Ted Baker sweater almost round-the-clock this week (it being extremely cute but also the warmest thing we brought. Note to self: Arsenal of adorable little dresses and peep-toe patent heels not so practical for bitterly cold Beijing January.) We are very happy to be home.

Bonus good luck: The Super Shuttle dropped us off first! That never happens.

Then, we were alerted to yesterday's Newsday, which said some very nice things about us (toward the bottom, if you're looking). Excuse our happy surprise, but: wow. {update} Our co-"It blogger" and daily must-read Daddy Likey made us laugh out loud with the title of her post on the write-up.

And now, we are slowly unpacking and slowly repacking in anticipation of heading off to New York this weekend. Because, as you may have guessed from our various elusive references these past few weeks, Gucci has invited us up to New York as part of the festivities for their New York flagship reopening (including a big party, co-hosted by Madonna. Um. !!!). We're excited to meet the other fashion blogger-types and catch up with the always lovely Susie Bubble, who has cheerfully been discussing outfit options with us via e-mail these past few weeks. (Er, because isn't that what one immediately starts obsessing about the moment one is invited to some big fancy bash?) No, we have absolutely no idea what to wear (okay, we have a few ideas, but we haven't quite made up our mind yet). And yes, we are really, really excited and somewhat amazed and a teensy bit bewildered. But mostly excited. Immediately upon arrival, we plan on jumping up and down on our fancy hotel bed and ordering a big pink drink with an umbrella from room service. In the Eloise spirit of things and all. Want to join me?

In the meantime, we return to our normal schedule of offering up lots of cute things and other fashiony musings.

More from China...

I've posted some of my China photos from this week over on the other site, if such things are of interest to you. The Bird's Nest + funny Beijing cab drivers = love.

Meet Eloise. She is six.

I can't say I have a lot of obvious fashion influences. I think I tend to cobble together lots of little ideas from a wide range of resources, whether it's more traditional sources like magazines, TV (mostly Gossip Girl these days, if I'm being completely honest) and people I see on the street, or a little more abstract sources like photography, art, all my traveling, even books.

Which probably explains why my current fashion hero is the adorably unique Eloise, star of the iconic children's book by Kay Thompson and illustrated by Hilary Knight about a funny little girl living in New York's famed Plaza Hotel. She's wildly creative, absolutely quirky, highly imaginative, very opinionated and completely adorable. Not a bad package to aspire to, no? Here are some shots from the book (my well-worn copy of which still lives on the bedside table at my childhood bedroom in Delaware). Plus: Pink pantaloon-style underpants? *Love.*

Wish you were here!

I was over in the central part of the city yesterday, and decided pop over to Tiananmen Square for a quick little photo op. Feelings on Mao aside, when I lived here I always got such a kick about having an international landmark practically in my backyard. It's still one of my favorite spots in all of Beijing – a place where you can see people from all over China, an area with so much history, and tons of guards in some fantastically cool earflappy hats. (Who don't like having their pictures taken, apparently. Sorry about the blurriness, but I think you can get the idea.)

Note to self: Find Chinese earflappy hat before departure on Monday.

Sweaters and sushi and Starbucks, oh my!

+FYI, "Week o' China" is now officially "Day o' China, Plus a Few Scattered Posts". I'd forgotten how annoying the censored Chinese internet can be (I miss unblocked Blogspot!). Plus, I've been running around Beijing marveling at amazing architecture and working, working, working. Okay, and watching the entirety of Ugly Betty season 1. Can you believe I haven't seen it yet? *Love.*

+The kitties are apparently waiting for me at home with gifts of amazing faux fur shrugs from Junction Vintage (a small but sweet little vintage emporium on U Street, where I was coveting said shrug last week). I head back to the U.S. on Monday and I can't wait. I'm having a complete blast in Beijing – I seriously love this city so much; there is just something new and fascinating around every corner - but really, there's no place like home. Especially if home is even slightly warmer than the sub-zero temperatures and the absolutely blustery, bone-chilling winds we've been experiencing here this week.

+I must thank my fellow Singaporean blogger Chubby Hubby and his fab assistant Daphne for taking me to lunch yesterday at Hatsune (a.k.a. my favorite sushi place ever, thanks in part to a fantastic dish called the Moto-roll-ah. It is heaven on a plate, I tell you). Also, let it be known that ordering lunch for a well-known food blogger is more stressful than one should be in the noon hour.

+Susie Bubble and I are currently freaking out over the same fashion dilemmas. Which is kind of reassuring.

+And, have you submitted your votes for the Fashion Blogger Awards? I found it just insanely hard to narrow down. Don't say I didn't warn you.

+You must click here and here. Trust me.

+I am also a little embarrassed to report that I have been wearing the same sweater for the past three days. It is the warmest thing I brought, by far, so I will probably keep wearing it until I leave (or until it starts smelling badly of secondhand smoke and fried meats, whichever comes first). Yes, it is really that cold here.

I'm off to swill some coffee and think (rather excitedly) about what to have for lunch!

Week 'o China Starts *Now*

Howdy from Beijing! So far it has been a blur of dumplings and napping. I really thought I had this jet lag thing under control by now, but I've been incredibly wiped out since arriving and most productive between the hours of 3am and noon. Which is great for morning meetings; not so much for a full day's work. We hope to have the situation resolved shortly. There are so many cool things going on right outside that we definitely do not want to miss!

As a nod to our travel destination this week, we're going to be a little heavy on the Chinese inspiration, starting with the new Pirelli Calendar, via the fab Priya. Shot by Patrick Demarchelier in Shanghai, I particularly love the hazy, saturated colors and the deep textures to many of the shots. (Some of the styling – particularly that whole "chopsticks and flowers in hair" thing that tends to typify "Asian shoots" feels a bit… overdone, but it's still lovely to look at nonetheless. I mean, if you're going to go ahead and stick some flowers in your hair, at least they're a breathtaking spray of orchids. No?)





OK. Off to succumb to a sleeping pill and get a good night's rest. I've got places to go!

So. So. Pretty!

I had to buy several sets of these gorgeous gift tags (which may actually become next year's Christmas ornaments, if I can't bear to part with them) the second I saw them on Katy Elliott's blog. Just $3.50 for a set of 18! (Gasp! You don't even find deals like that at Target!)

Um, and I may have bought the last of the pink and blue versions. Sorry 'bout that. (But! There's still a red one left! And some green and yellow! Hurry!)

Thrifty is nifty!

Above are some rejected outtakes from a little vintage-y photo session I put together for DCGoodwillFashions' "Blog the Blogger" series, which today features me! (Er, looking slightly goofy. But that's okay.) Click on over for the full rundown on what I'm wearing* and how much I paid for it, as well as some very detailed** answers about some of my biggest fashion loves.

If you missed it, earlier installments of the series included fun interviews with D.C. fashion bloggers D.C. Pleats, Wardrobe Oxygen and Panda Head. Aw shucks, I'm just happy to be included. Thanks, Em!

*That boots and skinny jeans combo paired with a big faux fur coat? It's pretty much my run-around-town uniform these days.

**If by "very detailed," I actually mean "characteristically long winded," which I do. I don't really do concise very well.

Major sparkle

Despite my longterm US Weekly addiction, I'm not really one to go ga-ga over celebrity style. Still, I loved these two silvery looks, first from Katherine Heigl at the 27 Dresses premiere (has anyone seen this? is it cute?) and then Katie "Weirds me out when she speaks but can seem to do little wrong fashion-wise" Holmes.

Also, I decided to use my rudimentary Photoshop skills for the greater good and replace Tom's creepy mug with the much-more-acceptable Zac Efron, who I recognize is not universally beloved (as personally witnessed at a mimosa-fueled debate over brunch this past weekend) but who I think we can all agree is better than Tom any day, even if it turns out that he does have false eyelashes.

Heigh ho, heigh ho, it's off to Beijing I go…

I'm really excited to head off to Beijing on Saturday for a week of (mostly) work. And, all right, a teensy bit of shopping. As you may know, I lived in Beijing for two years from 2003-2005 and this is the first time I've been back. I'm looking forward to seeing old friends and hitting my former stomping grounds (and eating delicious food! we cannot overemphasize the amazingness of Beijing food!) but I'm really excited for the shopping. (I am also ignoring the fact that it will be apparently colder and snowier there than it is here. Beijing in January? Um, not the smartest idea I've ever had.) Still, the promise of delicious gan bien si ji dou and adorable Chinese things should make it worth the journey. Here are the spots on my must-shop list so far -- a full city shopping guide will be coming after my trip:

+Spin Ceramics. It used to be there was only a Shanghai outpost of this amazing ceramics company, but they've since expanded to Beijing as well. I cannot wait: They have the most amazing, modern designs – from gorgeous glazed plates to more avant garde display pieces – and are a great, affordable resource for seriously cool finds and really good gifts. (That's a snap of their "clay wrinkle" plate series above.)

+798 complex. The art scene buzz may be migrating to more up-and-coming areas, but 798 – an old factory complex that became Beijing's first commercial art district years ago – is still worth a visit. (Er, I hope.) Interspersed between the galleries are some very neat stores (there was a great local arts bookshop and a fantastic furniture store among the mix the last time I was there) – be sure to buy a complex map at one of the galleries so you don't miss any of them. And don't skip the galleries either: The ones in 798 are some of the most major exhibition spaces in the country and often feature pioneering shows. (Plus: New ones are still popping up!)

+Ya Show market. I've always refused to go to the "famous" Silk Market (which is now a modern-looking mall – when I first moved there, it was still a string of crowded little alleys. Ah, memories.) Instead, if I want tourist-y finds or a good tailor, I hit the slightly-less-known (but only slightly) Ya Show market in Sanlitun, which has a wide variety of merchandise and tailoring options. The Chinese knick-knacky fourth floor was always my favorite, but if you've got time, you'll find good bargains on every floor. (I haven't been to my old tailor, Ya Shi at stall #3066 on the third floor, in years, but most spots on the third floor are a great place to find reasonably priced – and quick! – tailoring options. I'm planning to head over there pronto to order a little brocade silk dress myself.)

+Panjiayuan, aka the Dirt Market. This weekend flea market has always been one of my favorite shopping spots in the city for its vast selection of unique items. The best finds I've discovered here – including awesome original artwork, carved bangle bracelets, even colorful agate slabs that I use as coasters -- take some poking around to uncover, but it's such an interesting (if somewhat crowded) place that I've never minded spending half a day here. Bargain very, very hard – if you've got "tourist" written all over you, the starting price can often be ten times what the seller will actually accept.

+The new Lane Crawford store. I'm most looking forward to seeing all the new stores that have popped up in Beijing since my departure, starting with the new branch of Hong Kong's venerable luxury department store. The HK outposts of Lane Crawford are some of my absolute favorite stores in the entire world – both for their amazing selection of the most gorgeous designer clothes you could ever hope to stand next to, but also because their exhibition-quality fashion presentations – and I can't wait to see what they've done in Beijing.

The one thing I'm looking for: Just in case any of you have current Beijing shopping knowledge, I'd love to know if there's a boutique that sells local designers – especially amazing Shanghai-based Zhang Da – in Beijing yet. I want some new Zhang Da pieces! (The only place I've ever found his designs is Younik at Bund 18 in Shanghai.) Advice, suggestions, kind understanding would be greatly appreciated.

So many pretty prints

Via Shiny Squirrel, I just love these pieces from By Malene Birger.

I dig the little bow tie and Carrie Donovan glasses too. Fabulous!

We're knitting! (Almost!)

We gave up knitting when we moved to Singapore, because really, who wants to think about yarn (and all the snuggly things you make with it) when it's 90 degrees out? But now that we're back to a place that has things like a wind chill and snow flurries (like today! for only about 20 minutes! but still very exciting!), we're all about the wool again.

Lucky for us, Jenny at wiksten-made delivered up this fantastic knitting project: a cowl neck scarf-y thing. (The pic above is from the original post, but be sure to click on Jenny's link to see her amazing gray version. I won't post it because I'm worried it's a little creepy to put someone else's personal photo here, but it's worth the click.)

I had to take a field trip over to the Georgetown branch of Stitch DC to secure the right needle (turns out I got the wrong needle and should have listened to the friendly knitting expert manning the store instead of taking matters into my own hands, but that's okay. It's such a nice store I don't mind going back.) It also took me about 15 tries to properly cast on – I googled "how to cast on" and kept trying out the various results until one made sense to my brain; for the record, it was this one. Of course, once I got on the stitches this afternoon, I realized the needle was way too long, so now I'm back to square one. But knitting will be happening soon. I feel it. Stay tuned.

PS) I almost forgot the best part! The yarn I'm using is Vanna's Choice, which is – you guessed it – Vanna White's yarn line. It's actually very soft and I loved the deep eggplant color of the Vineyard Grape Purple, but every time I pull it out, I have to giggle at Vanna's cheery face smiling back at me.

Begin convulsions…. NOW.

It is not so often that a tech product can make me as excited as (for example) a pair of amazing Louboutins, but I am pretty much dying over the new MacBook Air. Yes, please!

Highly adorable product alert!

I have been searching for a seriously cute yet practical and well-made wallet for awhile, and finally have a leading candidate: This retro-ish version from Fossil, in an adorable yellow print with a fab contrasting interior. It reminds me of an Orla Kiely, but – at $48 – is just a bit more affordable and not as ubiquitous (I'm sorry Orla, you know I love you but you are just everywhere these days!).

Anyway, I'm all excited about this random find -- spotted while quickly cutting through Macy's yesterday -- and just wanted to share. I'll be back later with some more fashion goodies, once I get one or four more cups of delicious, highly caffeinated coffee in me.

Fluff love

I can honestly say I've never tasted the classic confection that is Marshmallow Fluff (turns out it's not all that weird, since it apparently isn't available anywhere near me). But that little detail hasn't stopped me from being completely obsessed with the Marshmallow Fluff packaging – the logo is so adorably retro (love those fonts!) that I think I'd be happy to have a jar in my cupboard just to look at.

A quick update*

(Subtitle: Instead of blogging, I have been spending my free time this week thrift shopping and eating burritos and riding around with the sunroof down listening to pop hits on the radio. That Jordin Sparks? She's got some catchy numbers.)

Current location: My childhood bed, ensconced in pink flowered bedding. Delaware.

Wearing: Mint green Hello Kitty jammies (at the moment). But mostly, I've been taking advantage of the wackily warm 70-degree days and forgoing winter coats in favor of little boys' navy blazers (so perfectly shrunken and preppy) and my trench cape. (No, I could never bring myself to return it. And now I'm glad. It's way cute!). Also skinny jeans and either Eleanor Grosch Black Bluebird Maryjane Keds or my awesome, awesome Gossip Girl boots.

Reading: The new Lucky, with Hayden Panettiere on the cover. *Love* the outfit on page 120 – it's totally me right now. Also, Positively Fourth Street, about the folksy scene in the 60s. Young Bob Dylan… swoon. (Old Bob Dylan… not so much, but the man is a musical genius.)

Watching: Season 3 of Project Runway. No, I never caught it earlier, but now I get to watch it all in one big sewing-related binge. I love it so much that I actually take notes while I'm watching on all the outfits I love (created or contestant-worn or otherwise. For example, according to my l'il scratchings, Alison had an amazing black dress on in episode three… I'll look for a pic for y'all.)

Listening to: The aforementioned pop hits. Also Old Springs Pike, this phenomenal folksy-fun band from Delaware (now based in New York) that I caught in concert a few weeks ago, thanks to my bearded friend Ryan. (Apparently, beards are big for boys right now. Let's go with it and call it lumberjack chic.)

Crafting: New cushions for my new thrifted mid-century sofa, which we've been sanding and refinishing and laboring over for the past two weeks. Okay, actually my mom is making the cushions, for fear that I would definitely make a mess out of all that beautiful fabric, but I help by standing around and soaking in her sewing prowess.

Drinking: Cherry Coke Zero. A new invention since I was last in the States, and pure deliciousness.

Loving: College basketball! It's been too long since I've seen some live sports games; I'd forgotten how much I enjoy heckling the refs and high-fiveing the other people in my section. Plus, it's a great opportunity to experiment with sports-teamy style (not an easy task, but I've been pairing my blue and gold Blue Hens tees with belted grandpa sweaters and skinny jeans).

Last bought: A perfectly proper slim-cut Calvin Klein wool trench, for those times when you need to look absolutely pulled together. Also a bunch of brightly patterned vintage scarves from Goodwill. And a vintage fur stole from the massive thrift store near the mall. And a vintage navy jacket with red piping – sort of retro Chanel, sort of current Balenciaga – for $1 from the Salvation Army.

Petrified by: I've just been invited to a Very Fancy and Fashion-y Gala next month. (More on that soon.) I have absolutely no idea what to wear. It is unsettling.

Looking forward to: I'm off to Beijing in about a week! There will be bespoke little brocade dresses and roasted duck galore, one hopes.

Making: New Year's fashion resolutions, both for myself and the blog. I'll be sharing them soon.

In the meantime: You should be checking out some of my new favorite blogs, including the insanely hilarious Daddy Likey, the French-chic Punky B and the picture-pretty Ali (who points out some gorgeous shots from the newest Anthropologie catalogue, a couple of which you can see above and below.)


*In retrospect, not exactly quick at all, was it?

Please excuse our technical difficulties*

*If by technical difficulties, we mean that we do not yet have the internets in our new apartment, which we do. We also have not a single piece of furniture, unless you count a metal stepstool, but other than that, it's all going swimmingly.

Well, hello! Happy 2008! How was your holiday break? Ours was lovely, thank you. We traveled up and down the east coast of the U.S., finding some amazing vintage furniture (and then attempting to sand/stain/repaint it into something even cuter, which has kind of been an adventure in itself), grabbing up all kinds of fun finds (we are now obsessed with vintage faux fur coats. we've bought four. is that wrong?) and preparing to put together the most adorable apartment ever. Which we will tell you all about in very minute detail, once the whole no-internet thing has been resolved. In the meantime, we have been traipsing about D.C. searching for free wifi (very hard to come by! naturally, about four hours of lugging the laptop around, we realized they have it at the café right across the street from our building…) and taking part of the great American pastime of post-holiday sales. So far, we have bought a darling printed vintage coat – 6o% off! – from awesome vintage haven Annie Creamcheese in Georgetown and these Orla Kiely rainboots, but in gray (down to $97) and a back issue of Lula magazine from Urban Outfitters for $1.96 (where we found the image above).

And so, we wish you lots of holiday sale karma – there's some gooooood stuff out there! – and will be back shortly, with tales of vintage and Target and my first-ever visit to Crate & Barrel's slightly-cheaper sister store CB2 in Soho (fun! plus, some very good lighting, if that's the kind of thing that interests you…) See you soon!