MORE OF ME

Just a casual day look, I'm really into ankle length skirts. I threw off my coat for about .5 seconds in order to get this shot because its still painfully cold! Dress by Diana Brinks, boots by Rick Owens, nekclace & belt by me. In other news, I'm completely engrossed by the Grammy's!

FISTS OF GLORY

While I'm still working on building a collection of rings (my current count is...one), I am constantly inspired daily by the decorated fingers of two of my coworkers;

Although he usually opts for gold, I can understand why Daniel couldn't resist this incredible talon ring by Bettony Vernon. I was immediately struck by jealousy and the "I need this" feeling. Luckily for me he bought the last one so I can lay that craving to rest.

Megan's daily rotation from left to right is: Diamond-shaped ring by Made Her Think, simple band with black diamonds, tri-link ring by Hoorsenbuhs, and onyx/diamond ring by Wouters & Hendrix. Also to be noted are her gorgeous elbow length leather Margiela gloves, which she is rarely seen without.

MY NEW FAVORITE THING

(Silk Dress - Rodebjer / Lace-up Spats - Thrifted / Boots - Vintage)

As I suggested a couple of posts ago, I indeed turned these thigh high boots into thigh high spats. I simply cut off the shoe portion and added a strap of elastic that runs underneath the shoe's sole so they can be worn over many pumps and a few pairs of boots. Needless to say, I think I have a new staple piece (so what if I can't bend my knees!). I'm always looking for something that can transform a minimal ensemble to an elevated level - maybe even provocative! I also like to think that they have some sort of heat-keeping functionality, as today's New York weather was below zero and I am trying to pull out all of the stops to keep warm (none are working though).

DARKNESS ON THE JOB

This post is somewhat about shoes, and somewhat hoping that our wicked looks will ward away the 20 degree weather outside (good magic, not bad). Back to shoes though - I recently inherited these Frye oxfords from my beloved roommate (aka I forced him to give them to me), and knew that they were the perfect clean canvas for some DIY destruction. Among my arsenal of rivets and studs remained a few extra long spikes and short spikes that I brought back from San Francisco in November.

I went into this shoe surgery not knowing what I wanted to do at ALL, and came out with something purely evil - why not.

...

This is Megan, the mistress in charge of Eva Gentry Consignment (where I work, duh). She is wearing a Leather blazer by Habitual, vest by Rag&Bone, pants by Tripp, and the most amazing laceup stomper killer boots by the one & only Ann Demeulemeester.

I LIKE YOUR BABOOSHKA

Part of the Pants Club

Over the last year, I noticed a pant with a standout-silhouette featured on some of my favorite ladies of blogland. Part angle, part drape, all drama and impact - made by a gal named BABOOSHKA (actually her name's Francesca, but that's beside the point). You can see the infamous jodphur/harem leggings on Jane & Michelle, and another piece on Camille.

One thing that I especially love about the internet, blogs, etsy etc is its power to bring creative types together - there's a sort of mutual understanding. Madame Babooshka and I decided to pull a little switcheroo, and I sent her some leather loveliness in exchange for the "it" pants and a couple of other items. All together there is a casual mystique about her pieces - exaggerated shapes in the most comfortable of fabrics.

Additionally, Francesca has just launched a new online shop, BABOOSHKABOUTIQUE.COM
...and is graciously offering a 10% discount off all items with the code "GARBAGE"

These two turban headwraps have become instant staples in my wardrobe, perfect for my not-so-great hair days or to channel Catherine Baba. They especially come into importance these days since I'm (slowly) trying to let my hair grow, which means awkward lengths all the time.

BABOOSHKA Grey Turban Headwrap

BABOOSHKA Faux Leather Turban Headwrap. I like wearing this one to the gym, when I have to push my hair back away from my forhead. I mean, you don't expect me to wear a sweatband, do you??

These shoes are also from far away lands, sent by post from Edinburgh from an incredibly thoughtful reader who no longer wanted them in her possession. I can't imagine why not, but I am completely obsessed with the mixed material heels!

DISCLAIMER

Thanks for riding out the last couple of days. I finished a few projects, and started some new ones as well. Sometimes during days of high stress and high activity, I tend to revert to comfort dressing, my own personal 'uniform' if you will - practical, but not so interesting. Luckily, the past three days of couture fashion shows have freshly inspired me to kick my dressing back into shape, aka regular posts starting tomorrow! Until then, I will leave you with this nice polaroid from my foxy friend Dana's birthday.

EAT YOU ALIVE

Every Day Aesthetics

I'm in the middle of a whirlwind weekend - all building up to an incredible photoshoot for LURVE Magazine on Sunday!! I'll be able to update more in depth after that is over, but I figured since I've been look a bit of a wreck recently (thank god for stress) I should showcase the awesome looks of two of my cowerkers at Eva Gentry and Eva Gentry Consignment.

Also - I did an interview with Dora Wilkenfeld for Sang Bleu Magazine's blog, covering all topics from outward perception, goth iconography, and what its like to be a dramatic dresser. Check it out here: http://sangbleu.com/2010/01/20/a-chat-with-a-bat

Dana - in Marc Jacobs, Guidi boots, and jeans from Barcelona

Daniel - in Rick Owens for Revillon and Gianni Barbato

TEMPTATION & I

(White shirt - Stephan Schneider / Tank - American Vintage - Leggings - AA / Boots - From God Knows Where / Necklace & Headband - DIY)
Empty Bedroom at Night

What began as an innocent trip to Beacon's Closet to sell off some old wares, suddenly and unexpectedly took a nosedive into the dark side. While thumbing through the 'black' rack of dresses, out of the corner of my eye I spied a long strip of vinyl and laces for days. At first I thought "stripper", but after a moment that turned to "Givenchy". And uh oh...they fit. There was absolutely no way that I could have left them behind, as I didn't know if I ever would have a chance again to purchase such evil adornments for my legs. I already cut out the tongues of the boots (shredded beyond belief) and will probably cut them into spats so that I can wear them with alternate heels, but they need to be documented in their true, originally sinful form.

Givenchy Fall07 Couture / Menswear Fall09

This post is dedicated to Nadia & Cami of my new favorite blog NODI$COUNT

WHO WILL MY BOYFRIEND BE?

Back in the day, I used to use style.com as a dating website (examples here & here), but I stopped that habi for a while. But now that we're freshly into the mens fashion weeks of 2010 (and I'm still single) I thought it appropriate to give it a go again. Except for something's change - instead of finding eligible bachelors from varying fashion houses, I realized that all I need is a man from Costume National!!! Dark, brooding, boot-wearing gentlemen...what more could a lady like me ask for? Now...help me decide!

(Jethro's all hitched up, so he doesn't really count. I just threw him in there for the nostalgia)

DAYTIME SEQUINS

(Shirt - A.OK / Leggings - DIY / Boots - Jeffrey Campbell)

Some of you might remember the sequined trousers that I bought in October, and most of you might not since I haven't worn them since. They were always a little bit too tight in the hips, and the shape was difficult for me to work into the rest of my wardrobe. Sick and tired of letting them lay in the shadows of my closet, I knew that I had to do some major alteration. I slashed open the inner leg seam, tapered the leg of the shape, and sewed in an inset strip of ribbed fabric, to allow for the pants (now leggings!!) to be both fitted and stretchy. I've wanted sequined leggings for such a long time, but could never afford them - from the Alexander McQueen renditions, to the ones by Alice+Olivia a couple of years ago. Success!

The next step was...what to wear with sequined leggings to downplay them for a day look? Enter the "Side Drape Top" by a.ok , OAK's diffusion line. Comfortable, no nonsense, nice neckline, and dare I say it - casual!

BOOT STRAPS FOR ALL!

(Shoes - Lanvin Sz 38)

You Asked, I Delivered

Now available to purchase for $65 a pop, double strap boot straps for every shoe & occasion.

Road tested on boots, wedges & stilettos.

Get them them HERE

(All shoes can be purchased at Eva Gentry Consignment)

(Boots - Carpe Diem Sz 39)

(Boots - Manolo Blahblah Sz 40)

SERVING THE L-TRAIN

(Coat & Shirt - DIY / Leggings - American Apparel/ Boots - Ann Demeulemeester / Scarf - Juun.J)
+

(Coat - OAK / Shirt - Alexander McQueen / Vest - Margiela / Pants - Tripp)

MINIMALISM & LAYERING

Commentary

This is what I often come to looklike when I'm out & about these days. Layers upon layers, something of a dumpling'd effect. These layers consist of: Dress - Thakoon / Sweatshirt - DIY / Jacket - Harputs Own / Scarf - Juun.J / Leggings - American Apparel / Boots - Rick Owens. Madam The Divinitus has the same dress, but we wear them very differently. The dress is supposed to be oversized, but I opted for one several sizes smaller than my usual measurments so it fits snug.

I custom-made these double-wrap-around bootstraps for a friend of mine (featured on her Guidi boots above), but I'm thinking of putting them up for sale. Who's interested?

(Note - the BOOT STRAPS are the item under consideration. The boots belong to my friend Dana, but you can buy them at my work, http://www.evagentry.com)

THE CONCLUSION OF SATURDAY NIGHT

My Friends. Get Into Them!
PS My ACCESSORIES SHOP is back open again! New designs coming soon.