Better as sculpture

Prada ($1450)doing a 80's Theirry Mugler rocket motorcycle thing for the spring.LOVE but would it not be impossible to wear? Like those stupid slides that were in style in the late 90's. Clomp clomp clomp down the stairs. Bam bam bam up. Off to my anti Christmas which will involve scotch, an amazing hotel and 24/7 Fox. Bye.

I have this outfit

Goddamn I love the Naptown Roller Girls. Wish I wasn't too old to play that shit but I can sure cheer. If you have not been to a bout you must go at once. Well not at once, because the next one isn't until Jan 21 but at any rate put it on your calender. Leave the kids at home and go ringside, sooo exciting that courting death thing. I did take the children so I had to be in a real seat and they were pretty entertained thought much more by the girl throwing up 2 aisles down. Thanks to Joe Shoemaker for the tix, if you need a realtor to sell you a mid mod home he is it, I tell you and thanks to Kurt Flock whose photo I stole right there off of Facebook, he can also sell you a house if you are looking for downtown living. www.naptownrollergirls.com

Cuteness overload- White Dog Vintage

Just when you thought the east end of Mass Ave couldn't get any better, partake yo self a bit of White Dog goodness. This charming vintage shop begiles with repurposed retro lighting, shabby chic and true 50's wackyness (best example a double Koi fish lamp TO DIE.) Everything has that same general sensibility, some is new and some is not, hence the slogan "Newfangeled and timeworn." A small rack of carefully curated clothing hits the higher end of price spectrum but really, is it too much to be an original? 845 B Massachusettes Ave, 384-1494 Ps Photo credit: Josie Mentzer

not the hideously expensive but so worth it cream

In the event that staging an arm party (Quoteth Leandra)is just to much work, (all that collecting, mixing, matching OI!) hop on over to Le Mer Collection. At heart it is a watch extravaganza with a Chain And Charm section that includes all stacking you desire www.lemercollection.com

The seeker: Historic Indianapolis

It's not fashion-ey but dammit it is by far the best locally based Indianapolis website and I'm not just saying that becasue I have swam in founder Tiffany Benedict Berkson's Greige Garden pool and crashed her kitchen after I got locked out and while obviously in both cases copious amounts of alcohol was involved this should not preclude you from checking out www.historicindianapolis.com. What is the best part? Ladies Lounge on Mondays with photos of adverts and frocks from the past? Or What the Hell Wednesday: the US Weekly equivalent of a fashion don't? Lovely yet comprehensive explanations of the little bits abd structural parts that make up a building big or small (portico anyone)or maybe just the occasional shoutout out to the deceased Antiques on the Square. (oh that's just me). Lordy, there is so much more I can't even BEGIN.... Even if you don't have an old house or are 102 years old dang nabbit you will find something fascinating here. Trust me on this one. PS: Please like on facebook TYVM http://www.facebook.com/#!/historicindianapolis

Valli Girl

Macys Impulse area looks like a bomb went off, what with ultra clearance and just an overabundance of the mediocre INC brand. A small oasis of Not On Sale quiet surrounds the Giambattista Valli display with it's internal riotousness of leopoard print, ruffles and sequins. It is a very fun collection yet seems like it should have come out oh say about 6 months ago. Very summery and absolutley not one bit of casualness. Methinks he may be a little too couture for most midwesterners with no Us Weekly presence and the how the heck do you say that first name being a huge turn off. FYI Last seasons Karl Lagerfeld is waaaay marked down. Whoop!

High Low

Hey remember that awesome feather clutch from Coach for $395 a few posts back? well, here is a little less fancy yet still FUN for.... wait for it.... $59! www.thelimited.com

What to do

So I have these sequin pants (not THESE particular sequin pants, they are Michael Kors $335), actually, I have two pairs. navy leggings from Niche and pink full legged Emma Black ones, and I'm not sure what to do with them. Are they formal and deserve a fitted jacket with bow blouse or are they retro with a t shirt and roller skastes? I thnk I will take the same approach I did with my sequin tap shorts from Anthro and pair with a fluffy sweater (or lace fitted T) for the pink and long navy stripe cashmere tunic for the leggings. How 'bout that huh?

Duster

Feathers! Sparkle! Teeny-ness! As far as evening bags go, this has it all. White is a refreshing change from the boring black norm, yet still will go with pretty much anything www.coach.com

Gift Guide. Again

When buying gifts for the hard to please you cannot miss by shopping at www.fredflare.com. Well, unless you have uncool friends, then I suggest a box of those drug store chocolates Frannie Farmer or whatever. Top o the list: log pillow, 2012 Nice Jewish Guys calendar or perhaps a anime onesie(for adults) DJ Cat Scratching Deck $40 I LOL'ed at this, literally

Little Monsters Christmas

Oh Lady Gaga I love you and so wish I could go to NYC to see your Barney's pop up shop with all things that are you. Shown above are some highlights from the website: www.barneys.com. Too much? Lots of inexpensive candy if you go to "Treats", including a realistic Gaga cookie. Was hoping for a hair hair bow to match my tresses but alas i have to actually go to New York for that. Perhaps a Christmas trip for after sales?????? Press on flame nails $225, Swarvorski teacup $695, headband/sunglasses $295

Honeysuckle Home

Going green is all right n stuff but I seriously need practical storage options while saving the whales. This recycled tire bucket will do the job. $64 at Honeysuckle Home 948 N Alabama 202-4663

Have you been in this store? Super cute and much needed downtown source for kitchen and gifts. Everything is a quality product from the mundane but wildly practical to the whimsically useful. Then go to the English Ivy next door on Tuesdays and get the Two Fer special

Cyber Monday overload

Betsey Johnson's latest (ok, it's been around since spring. work with me here) collection, Pink Patch, stays true to her wacky style but is geared toward the younger set with price points staying under $100. It's a gateway line, if you will. Get it at Macy's, eBay and www.Betseyjohnson.com where it is on sale 40% tonight ONLY. Get busy

Timer. Yup.

If you follow Minx on facebook you know we kind of have an owl problem. Let us carry that over.

JCPenney is stepping it up with their super modern "Wrapt" department for the holidays. Teaming up with MOMA, Maxim and Dylans Candy bar, this pop up shop has really cute gifty things for low billies. In store or online www.jcpenney.com

Gift Guide #2

Hahahahahahaha

But seriously, once you get the gaffaws, how irritating would it be to have that shit on your face?

http://www.etsy.com/shop/bylauradesign#

Gift guide

Here ya go. A gift suggestion as required by the cultural expectations of bloggers by today's consumer per HOLIDAY. 5 pound gummy bear. I love you

www.worldsbiggestgummybear.com OR www.redenvelope.com

Everything is better with bacon

My friend Amy sent me this candle for my birfday. Since my house usually smells like this on the weekends anyway, I'm going to save it for when I have bunches of guys over. Or perhaps when I am sweet talking a contractor.

Update on the Bond candles as promised: they are divine and worth the money. Really! I am burning Brooklyn right now and Love. It. Hey, my house may not have a ceiling but it sure does smell nice

The glut of Christmas catalogs has begun

Hi there Sundance Catalog! Wow you are looking quite vintage, instead of just boho granola, I likey

See also kitten knit hat, always amazing embriodered cowboy boots and indian blanket messenger that looks suspiciously like the Opening Ceremony one I featured a few months ago. At least I am consistant

Too bad real ones are so durn noisy

Grandinroad is the perfect place to find "All things stylish, functional, and affordable". They said this themselves. I personally do not find scary kissing Santa fish ornaments, a remote controlled lighted garland or moose footrest for $200 any of these claims, and in that order (see how I did that? look again)
I am sort of imnpressed by the tree trim kits especially this blue purple and teal peacock one. 50 ornaments/garland is not nearly enought if you ask me but since Martha Stewarts name is on it, the $149 price tag seems bargin=ish

www.grandinroad.com

Obsession again

There are websites I check pretty much every day. Dlisted, The Cut, Racked, and Lamebook are just a few. Then there is one that is seen hourly, yup, hourly. No, not my blog stats, silly. PINTEREST. and I completely blame by sister for this.Just like it says, it's a virtual pin board where you can post and save cool photos and ideas. A bit heavy on the wedding, inspirational and cute kid stuff but also unusual design concepts, easy and fattening(the best kind)recipes and amazing hair will pop up too. Check it if you dare and *warning* there is a waitlist to participate. I know, i asked WHY as well, just go with it

I'm so confused. Inspired or just a big FU steal-athon?

wow when I first saw the ads in my (subscribed for) New York Times yeah, I'm liberal, I'm cultured, I'm um whateve) for C Wonder i shrieked with delight thinking Kate Spade escaped her Liz Claiborn shackels and was once again opening her own store, then I thought maybe the Juicy Couture girls decided to go cutie then I figured the Contemporary Art Museum in Chicago decided to go mainstream yet NO. Chris Burch, formerly married /giving a poke to designer Tory Burch, has decided to open a lifestyle store and oh yes it is glorious. Pink retro bikes, graphic face pillows and serious mirrored furniture are justa teeny bit of the offerigns chez CB. Tantilizingly, it is storefront only but I say if you are going to pay the big gun adverts you MUST have a shopable website. Retail 101 jeez

Good luck buyng these

Rather Who-ville, isn't it: the thought of having a whole world at your fingertips. Or perhaps just a musing to mess with a stoner. These "Fragmented Chronicles" rings by the Hong Kong design group Shannnam, will do just that, mary jane enhanced or not. While designboom.com coos about their fantastical snowglobe qualities, I see symbolic struggles with extentialism and epic loneliness. But then again, I am German.

http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/8/view/17546/shannnam-fragmented-chronicles-ring.html

While your at it check this site too www.mocoloco.com. Way crazy personal self and house jewelry

Be still my

Whiting and Davis has been making metal chain mail bags since the 1800's. Surprising when you think of how modern metal is to be purposed into a handbag, usually quite small and always gleaming. WAD has certainky tried tried to moderninze, the signature material is being still produced today in the form of hobos and small clutches, all of which I am very meh about. But in time for the holiday festivities they have launched a minaudiere line in a structured heart shape. Red, white, leopard and pink: pick your personality. Way cheaper then those handful of bling Judith Leiber bags @ $150 too. ww.whitinganddavis.com

Look Muffy a book for us

Do you miss the J Crew catalog circa 1990? Yeah, me neither. But in case you beg to differ, Jack Wills University Outfitters will bring you the collegiate sweatshirts, kakhi pants and blazers of yesteryore. Busily selling prepware in England for years, they have made the jump stateside in light of the Will and Kate fascination with all things British. In fact, their tagline is "Fabulously British" with a dapper pheasant silhouette for a mascot. (which I like quite a lot, it is smashing!)A few nods to modernity do abide such as fab beaded flapper dress, shrunken tux jacket, sweatpants worn with heels and skinny colorful jeans. Guy stuff too, but aside from the shoes, quite concservative. www.jackwills.com

Marcia Marcia Marcia

The greatest giant polyester pants ever! Cuffs the size of dinner plates eating my feet whoo hoo. Do not underestimate the power of the stretch. However a bit manrepeller...what say ye?

Swanky Abode yes quite

Have you ever tried to do a U-ie on Westfield Blvd in downtown Carmel? It can be done and so worth it if you are heading to Swanky Abode in the Indiana Design Center. But you must hurry, as this pop up shop is a limited time offer, vanishing in December. Full of serious retro furniture and an amazing turquoise leather sofa, this Columbus Ohio outpost will fill all of your mid mod needs. Cutie Isreal Jones also stocks MTW spray paint which is kind of a big deal, I guess. Taggers?? Even if you are not into retro,(thats Ok, more for me) the "Best seller" candles are worth a sniff and he is happy to enlighten you on the bird chair providence which i assure you, you will find facinating

3 awesome pendant lights $600. My friend Dave also has this design in round chandeliers he snagged from an IGA in rural Illinois, msg me.

Surprise

When did Fossil get so, dare I say, EDGY?

Sadie Bootie $128 www.fossil.com

2K of originality

Fresh off his lawsuit FAIL, Christian Louboutian has actually created a new handbag concept that is pretty amazing. Take your basic clutch, add interchangable handle and, wait for it....fancify the thing and call it shoulder jewelry I really really love this. It's like your bag has it's own fascinator. Choose feather fluff, spikes or satin bows and note the bag is lined in that signature but not exclusive to RED. www.christianlouboutain.com

Smeller's the feller

Is it weird that I'd like my house to have a unique signature scent? OK maybe it is. The bigger challenge is finding ways of dispensing fragrance that does not make the dog cough. Those plug-in are boring and terrible and anything from BBW is a guarenteed choke. I find the soy based not very long lasting and again, I'd like soemthing really unusual. Thanks to a Saks gift certificate I managed to not quite spend $90 on a Bond candle
(yes there does exist a NINETY DOLLAR CANDLE). I'll let you know how that goes.

In my rsearch I did come across this intriging premise from one of the oldest perfumeries in the world, Cire Trudon, in the form of Stink Bombs
Small glass capsules that are meant to be thrown or broken open releasing a burst of scent for, as the press release states, "fragrance emergencies". See title.
www.ciretrudon.com

Guiltless indulgence

Oh how I hate Walmart. Even the semi hilarious site "People of Walmart" makes my teeth itch. But if even I have to enter the tenth circle of hell to get these Girl Scout Cookie lip balms, I will

Beats that Angry Bird idea anyway

With Halloween on the radar, I offer up the most spectacular costumes ever. Called Soundsuits and made by Nick Cave (the Chicago artist, NOT the singer)these fantastical, enormous, full body masks jingle and swish, you know, to make sure even the blind people notice them. I have seen these in person at 21C in Lousiville and they are jubilantly spectacular. Please please bring these to the IMA, Petra! www.soundsuits.com

Unite!

I have been epicly remiss in writing about the Indianapolis Fashion Collective now known as Pattern www.patternindy.com. Well, they paid me back by asking me to speak at the launch party last night, which was not hugely terrible except for a dress malfunction (Curley's Cleaners can suck it)
Pattern is an organization that brings Indianapolis fashion lovers, sellers, designers and supporters together. Members are amazingly diverse and unexpected and include Make-up artists (MUA), photogs and seamstresses. Sure, it is a big fat networking thing it is also a really great way to elevate the fashion IQ of our fair city. Check it.

Free Juicer

As a step towerd healthy living and a new conduit for vodka, I bought a Lalanne juicer. As in Jack. I juiced for about 2 days and was immediately over it. First of all: it's a goddamn mess to use. Impossible to clean and every glass I poured it into has an unremoveable film on it. Secondly: it creates a lot of waste pulp. As in heaving mounds of it. As for the suggestion I use it it soups and breads, well, there is not enough flour in the world to create all the muffins you must bake to use it all up. And it broke my garbage disposal. It's not all bad, the chrome does match my appliances, so there is that.

Ba donk

My goodness it has been a long time. Miss me? Been doing a lot of shopping, like a crazy person, hit the Wig Store twice in one week and that alone will really wear you out. I don't know about you but my children's favorite thing there is the fake butts. (What? Don't you take your kids to the wig store?) They were awed and amazed and asked for one for their birthday. I did decline, there was a quality issue I felt, however I found these super nice built-in butt pad underwares ($34)on www.lovemybubbles.com

Wedding dress found! (Part 32)

Maybe tone down the top a bit but still..... *swoon*

http://reddollbytm.com/collection.html

Giant boobs! Sort of.....

The best Vogue shoot ever was when they brought some in Playboy girls and put them next to some supermodels in a typical fashion spread. The PBG looked super weird with their giant boobs and exaggerated facial features, while the admittedly alien-ish models only served to enhance the clothes. I was reminded of this recently with the fuss over Kate Winslet's Stella McCartney Op Il dress. Puh leeze. Genius if you ask me. And, apparently, avail way cheaper on the ASOS site

Chococat actually is mucho better-o

Damn am I not 12 years old again? The Hello Kitty collection from Forever 21 makes me totally squee. So cute and pink and fwuffy. Ya'll know it's gonna be ALSO super cheap and crappy but who cares. Drops Nov 18. Be there.

New cute shop: Crimson Tate

After hanging out at Crimson Tate fabric shop, I actually thought for a hot minute I might actually craft. And who would not after seeing the rows of modern yet vintage-ish colorful fabric,screaming African batiks and buttons tucked everywhere including inside a 1970's gumball machine. Inspired yet cluless? Owner Heather Givans offers classes and patterns, or just buy the premade headbands and coffee sleeves and pretend you did it yourself. Not
Crimson Tate 845 Mass Ave www.crimsontate.com

OOTD

Despite the diabolical expression on my face under the snooki poof, I am delighted to be wearing this Cynthia Rowley apron skirt. The front is super cute with little patch pockets and everythihng, just like a real apron! but the back is by far the highlight with the ruffle bum. Moschino top with tulle ruffle trim, an awesome yet wee bit sheer counterpart

Really really unnecessary

You know what I want in a nail polish? An unusual but not freakish color. Something that will not chip within 5 hours of applying. Perhaps one that deos not cost a hundred dollars, though Chanel is totally worit it @ $32.

What I do not want or need ever in my life is a smell emanating from my freshly polished digits like rose or coffee. Ew! I eat with these things!

Maybe you are different. If so, Tuff Scent polish is for you. www.tuffscent.com

One of those things you think you can do yourself but won't

When it comes to being green, I just cannot make up my mind. I drive a giant car yet bring recyclables home with me just so I can take them out again and dump them at O'Malia's(Marsh, I KNOW.)I appreciate the sentiment of saving the world but you must look cute doing so, put on some lipstick dreadlock girl! As far as re-purposing clothing, Preloved, out of Toronto, has some super cute stuff in a tightly edited collection. I've been in their store and it is pretty awesome but now you can get it online at www.preloved.ca. The Birdie dress is quite nice and so is the children's line

Who made up that name?

A combination of a mary jane, flats and a high platform, the FLATFORM seems like the ideal shoe, you know, in theory. It is indeed a new shoe silhouette, a difficult invention indeed. But I predict trend fail. All girls love a little height but when you schulmp around in something no more comfortable then your Louboutains, it better be sexy.
Derek Lam

Find of the day: furry purse

One of my pickers brought this to me today and I am totally keeping it. Sorry!

Missoni crashed Target

Sorry this is such a late post regarding the Missoni for Target release yesterday, but I needed some time to recover. Did you go? Holy moly, it was crazy. I had to go to 3 stores to find what I wanted (Quick Tip: SOUTHPORT)and the half empty racks tantalized me with what could have been. Very nice quality and deep collection. The kids stuff is adorbs