Fashion Reads- Diane: A Signature Life

If you know me at all then you know that i have a deep love for Diane von Furstenberg. Her memoir, Diane: A Signature Life, is in my list of top ten favorite books. Whether you like fashion or not ( if not then I don't know what you're doing here) this is a great read. She married a prince, ruled a fashion empire and started a family all before the age of thirty. This book tells the story of a fashion star in the making, a downfall and a sudden comeback.  This book holds good advice for any young designer looking to make their way in the fashion industry. Von Furstenberg honestly shares her mistakes and successes and off course talks  in great detail of "the wrap", the famous style of dress that catapulted her into fashion fame.

 And while we are the D.V.F. train here are some of the current covetables from her fall collection, you know the stuff I'll be looking for on the Saks Black Friday sale's rack!

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Perfection!

70's geometric, enough said. 

Where would I wear this? To the disco of course!

Are these not Mary Tyler Moore shoes!

Buy it for me and I swear I'll wear it!

You got that where?

Tomorrow starts one of my most hectic weeks yet. Must get so much done before Thanksgiving break!  I spent my day in the windows of Presence creating a display for our 42nd Anniversary. I got so into this project I'm pretty much spent as far as productive energy goes, so tonight a cup of coffee is in order to get all of my other projects and school work done.

 Here are my finds from my mini shopping extravaganza over the weekend. I must say that I got most of these items from, wait for it... Old Navy! What? That place? Yeah, that place. I was heading in to pick up some basic tees and tanks and this coat literally screamed at me from across the store, "Hey! Hey you! You're looking for me over here!". Okay not really, but it certainly seemed that way! This coat was priced at $100 but was 50% off...oh yea, right up my street. I was heading out the door when I heard more crazed screams from the clearance rack, "Hey, cigarette pants over here for ten bucks!". Ten you say? I'm in. No, I didn't pick up sensible khaki, black or green, I needed fuchsia of course. These look eerily similar to the J. Crew ones I have been eyeing but at 1/8 of the price, so until those go on sale these puppies are pretty great. The flats I picked up years ago, but I didn't realize till I got to work that they too were Old Navy. So, call me a "modelquin" or whatever those obnoxious things are called, but somebody there is doing something right.

fuchsia is the new black.

Another friday has come and gone..sigh..why are days off always the shortest? I decided to forgo my weekly Vogue trip and take a little excursion downtown for lunch and little shopping. First of all, can we just take a moment to talk about Max Mara...How gorgeous are their windows?! I mean really, I've mastered the art of window shopping from the bus after five years of cruising the mag mile on my way to school, and two stores never fail to really perk up the ride..Chanel and Max Mara. When I actually have the chance to hop off my bus and check these babies out up close it's never a disappointment. Max Mara always produces the most gorgeous, clean cut, luxurious clothing. I find myself examining seams, buttons, and lapels in awe of just how perfect they are. I always imagine the older, more successful version of myself sporting these wonderful garments.

Here's an outfit of the day. In a hurry, I threw on one of my favorite sweaters in one of my favorite colors, fuchsia! And speaking of fuchsia, I found the greatest pair of fuchsia pants for ten bucks! Along with a pretty awesome leopard coat! No, it's not "the one" but it's pretty darn cute anyways. A much more exciting outfit of the day with these items coming soon!

Sweater: J. Crew, Coat: United Colors of Benneton

Beret: Presence

cause thursday is my friday...

Phew! What a long day! Work, school and some much needed social time.  After trudging through this never ending day I got to meet up with some of my fabulous fashion school friends for drinks and gossip. Walking through the loop at night lately I can't believe I'm living in this awesome city doing all the things I always wanted to do. So, here's to you Chicago, let me just get that out there, before I start cursing you out for your horrendous winters (yet again)!

Everything's a bit better in a new dress though don't you think? Here's the latest aquistion. This little number was a gift from the boy. Navy and white?! Bows?! A peter pan collar?! Yes Please! Here is an outfit (and some snippets) of the day:

Dress: Tulle via Presence

Bag: Forever 21, Tights: DKNY via Nordstrom, Boots: Merona for Target

Some current favorites:

Balle spring rolls

Here's what I'm working on right now, what can I say, I'm pretty into the peter pan collar right now. I think it could've used interfacing though, but I still love it. 

Al Green, all songs, but especially this one. 

News!

Something quite lovely happened this week. I found out that I am going to appear on WCIU's morning show You, Me and the Morning on Thursday Nov. 3rd! I will be on to talk about my recent win at the Star Fruit Fall Fashion competition and discussing fall fashion trends with the lovely ladies of Cheeky Chicago! Let's skip talking about my ensuing nausea concerning live TV, me, and a very early call time, let's talk about fashion instead shall we? What's a girl to wear?! I hit up my favorite of favorites today, Vogue fabrics to get some fabric for a hopefully successful outfit, and I succeeded! I found a gorgeous crinkle silk chiffon in a deep shade of pumpkin with violet watercolor spots, a silk satin rather DVF-ish geometric print and a great nubby wool in the remnants section! What a score! Now only to find the time to construct this little get up! But really, I couldn't be more grateful for all of the opportunities that have come my way in this past year. As anybody in a creative field knows, it can be a very steep hill to climb to find recognition in all of our hard work so having even just one person like our work means everything.
Now enough jibber jabber, here's an outfit of the day:

the loot

blouse: Presence, jeans: Forever 21, boots: Target, hat: vintage, bag/scarf: Presence

now that's a bishop sleeve!

watch: Michael Kors, bracelets: Presence and Forever 21

photos: Jamison Spencer

saturdays call for sparkle sweaters.

Yesterday was my first day off in two weeks! Something about having only one glorious day off makes it quite hard to enjoy. So many plans, not enough time. I feel like I have to get everything done in that one day, which never lives up to the hype. I managed to get a few things done, returns to H&M, lunch with the boyfriend, a little homework. I also went to one of my favorite places, Lee Nail Supply on Argyle, to pick up some new fall colors. This place is great! They sell all the good brands, Essie, OPI etc for $4!! Can't beat that. The girl that runs the place is super nice too, very helpful and knows her nail polish! Here's a little outfit of the day and my new purchases:

jacket: Jack B.B. Dakota (Presence) , sweater: Presence, jeans: H&M, boots: Merona from Target, bag: Fovever 21, scarf: Presence

watch: Michael Kors, bracelets: Presence, J. Crew

from left: Over the Top: a shimmery charcoal, Better Together: a pinky, milky nude, Mucho Dinero: camel nude, A List: a deep true red, Angora Cardi: a brownish purple. 

Mucho Dinero: This is the one I was the most excited about. It does make the fingers look longer and it's pretty sophisticated, but it's the same color as my skin. So, the verdict still's out on this one. 

on the hunt.

For about 5 years I have been searching, hunting, seeking the perfect leopard print coat. Why oh why is this so hard to find?! The print's too small, the coloring's not right, The fit is bad..it's always something. What's a girl to do when she just can't find the perfect Kate Moss-esque coat? Every year I stop in to this great vintage shop in Wicker Park that always has a massive collection in stock, but the fit is always boxy and they all seem to have serious damage.
This season I have seen some good versions however they all run from $200 - $3000. For faux fur!? I spotted a great one in the window of the new Topshop leading me to squeal in delight, "That's it! That's my coat!" I guess I will just have to go in and try it on. I can't seem to find it on their site but here's the idea: