Posts tagged ‘catbird’
The New Casual
There are only two scenarios where you will find me dressed without thought: when going to the gym and/or when walking Finn. It’s not that throwing on a pair of leggings and some comfy shoes doesn’t cross my mind on a regular basis, but I like to look good and find I’m more productive when showered and “properly” dressed.
The last few runway seasons however, have blurred the line between sportswear and ready-to-wear. Colorful running shoes have become as much of a staple for the fashion elite as they have for gym rats. Track pants are no longer just paired with soccer cleats, they’re worn with designer heels. Sports bras have become a new sort of crop top, though you had better have a six-pack to go with them. And that’s just the thing — are all these new athletic style statements boosting peoples interest in exercise? I have no idea. Though I will say that people are far better dressed at the gym (myself excluded). It has also brought a new appropriateness to street style (myself somewhat included).
A few years ago I would never have considered running shoes and athletic-inspired pants as a feasible outfit for anything other than the gym or walking Finn. I have always shunned those women who wear sneakers for their commute to work and I was never one of those girls who looked good in oversize basketball shorts and a hoodie. So how could sportswear as ready-to-wear ever be right for me? I decided to test the trend this weekend.
I felt a little strange at first, mainly because never in my life have I worn running shoes for anything other than working out. But after a couple of hours I felt pretty cool — like one of those aforementioned girls who looks good in mens basketball shorts and a college hoodie. I was also ridiculously comfortable. Like I could have curled up and taken a nap or gone on a run. Had it not been for the blazer however, I would have felt a little slobbish. And that’s where the fine line is. I’m all for this sportswear trend, but if you’re going to wear it for a purpose other than exercising, at least throw something a little tailored and polished in with the mix.
BCBG blazer (similar) | MSGM shirt | LNA pants | Nike sneakers | J.Crew bag (similar & on sale) | BCBG watch | Catbird rings
// photos by Emily Malan
Pink & Purple
I used to be the cynical type that wanted to burn every Valentine’s Day aficionado who came in my direction. Even in relationships I acted like I could care less about this day. But let’s be honest, what girl doesn’t want flowers, chocolates, or in my personal case, a giant bowl of guacamole?
So, a few years ago I decided to kill off my cynical “woe is me, I hate this hallmark day” self, and adopt a more festive and optimistic me. I get into the spirit of every other holiday (Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, Fourth of July…I even wear a shirt with a giant photo of my mom on Mother’s Day. Just kidding.), so why not embrace Valentine’s Day as well.
So here I am, dressed in head-to-toe pink and purple ready to stuff my face with Mexican food tonight. Because that’s just how I roll on Valentine’s Day. More on that in a post later today though…stay tuned.
Until then, Happy Valentine’s Day!
Asos shirt | J.Crew pants (similar) | YSL heels | Tod’s clutch c/o | Catbird arrow cuff, Giles cuff, vintage Casio watch
// photos by Emily Malan
Holiday Gift Guide • Under $50
Finding reasonably priced gifts is a work of art. The last thing you want is for the person receiving your gift to notice that you went cheap on their present (unless this is a person you hate, in which case I say hit up the dollar store). As the saying goes, “it’s the thought that counts,” so if you’re trying not to spend a lot then put some thought into what you’re giving.
I acknowledge that the majority of shit these days is astronomically expensive; the kind of expensive that leaves your jaw dragging on the ground days after you checked the price tag. But I’ve kept my word in finding gifts that are both awesome and affordable for this year’s series of gift guides, and today I bring you 14 covetable pieces under $50.
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• Making cheese plates is a talent of mine (as is making cheese), but far too often I find that platters ruin the presentation. Slate cheese boards not only provide a clean looking cheese plate, but you can write down which kind of cheesy delight you’re serving as well.
2. C. Wonder Initial Necklace – $38
• I come back to this year’s obsession with monograms. I’m into it. They’re pretty. And they give that extra touch of “I took that much more time to put your initials on this.”
3. Great Gatsby Sweatshirt – $43
• Another obsession of 2012, The Great Gatsby. This may not be the chosen novel of your Book Club, but it will no doubt get you extra points with your literary friends (and those who would have no idea who Gatsby is were it not for all the ridiculous press surrounding Baz Luhrman’s remake).
4. Jonathan Adler Phone Dock – $48
• Clearly I’m into phone docks this year, which is funny because I’ve never actually used one. But I love the idea of having a storage place for your phone, especially since I misplace mine all the time.
5. Folk Flora Rolling Pin – $18
• We all have that friend who loves to bake; and God bless her. Why not make her love of baking that much more joyful with a pretty rolling pin?
6. West Elm Monogrammed Champagne Bucket – $41
• Giving someone a monogrammed flask was the gift to give back in high school. Now it’s time to give something a little more tasteful, like a monogrammed champagne bucket. Whether a bottle of champagne ever makes it into the bucket is completely irrelevant.
7. Catbird Heart in Hand Opener – $14
• In continuing with the alcoholic theme, have you ever met anyone who couldn’t use an extra bottle opener? This one works great (someone gifted it to me), and it has a little heart on it. Cute.
• I’ve never met a balloon animal I didn’t like, especially when it can double as a bookend.
• Friends who love books has clearly become a theme in this gift guide. But come on, a book clutch? It may not be by Olympia Le Tan, but it’s adorable nonetheless.
• I don’t use coasters, but if I had these maybe I would.
• Candy lovers or not, everyone could use a little kitsch in their home.
12. BaubleBar Emerald Gardner Cuff – $32
• I’ve never met a girl who didn’t love receiving jewelry. Whether it’s a Cartier ring or a friendship bracelet from a sidewalk stand, bitches love jewels, myself included.
• And speaking of jewelry, every girl (and guy) should have a “catchall” dish. I dig the arrows on this sucker.
14. Topshop Leather Woven Gloves – $45
• Lastly, it’s winter and everyone needs a new pair of gloves. Have you ever approached winter with a pair of matching gloves? They’re like socks! One always goes missing by the time spring rolls around.
A Week in Review
My favorite wintery scent in front of a snapshot of my last trip to Paris
The fact that December is tomorrow is a little startling; wasn’t it just Halloween? But December happens to be one of my favorite months, and my holiday plans are already full of festive occasions. More on that later though…
This week was a good one; long, but good. I finally got that “me time” I’d been looking for, which allowed me to get a bit more organized and practical about what’s ahead. I realize I just made it sound like I’m planning to climb Mt. Everest or bake some forty layer cake (I do plan to make a Bouche de Noel this year, FYI), but what I really mean is that my day-to-day life can get so hectic that I barely have a moment to notice that I haven’t shaved my armpits in a week.
But this week changed all that as I had many a night to myself to mull over all the things I need to accomplish before 2013. Step #1, buy a new razor blade. Step #2, buy a Christmas tree. Step #3, sign up for that class you’ve been meaning to take. And so on and so forth.
Have a good weekend!
I swear I take this picture every year, but I just love these little clementines!
An inspirational note from Diane von Furstenberg
Sometimes you just have to take a moment to sit down with your favorite writers
My least favorite part about the holidays: damage control by way of the gym
Next week on Runway Hippie…
Sports Wear
I’d like to preface this post with two things: 1) I can hear the shrieks from my SF friends about this Mets jacket. This is not a fan jacket, it’s just a jacket. Had I a Giants one, I would wear that too. 2) I’m not a Mets fan. (I actually don’t really care about baseball — way more into football).
Now onto more important matters.
This jacket has been with me since high school. It first belonged to my friend Andie (actually, it belonged to some kid named Justin first. I don’t know Justin but his name is written in sharpie on the tag), but I borrowed it so often that she ended up just letting me have it. Though it’s normally something I’d never even consider when perusing the vintage racks on Haight Street, there’s something about a bright satin line jacket that just rubs me the right way — kind of like a man who normally wears these kinds of jackets rubbing his beer belly at the game (hot dog in mouth should also be a part of this visual).
Since high school however, I really haven’t worn it that much, but it beckons my name every time I peep into my closet. Finally, after four years in this big city, I decided to brave the streets of New York and all it’s crazy Yankees fans and wear a sports jacket for a team I fail to care or know anything about. Because to me this jacket isn’t about the team. It’s about the satin. The almost fluorescent colors. The bubbly fit. The fact that it can add a playful element to the most sophisticated outfits (and leopard pony hair heels). And that it’s just one of those items I will never get rid of.
And that is my lesson in sports wear for the day.
Vintage jacket | Vince tank top c/o | Asos skirt | Walter Steiger heels | Proenza Schouler bag | Ray-Ban sunglasses | Catbird & Gorjana rings | Asos, Tom Binns, Jennifer Fischer, Odette, & 2Bandits bracelets
