Orange Pants

We girlies have had our discount designer websites since the beginning of the internets. Men, not so much, but ocassionally there are standouts. One of my favorites,  Park & Bond caters more to the on trend yet quality connoisseurs unlike the posh Mr Porter, husband of Gilt.  Sadly,  these connoisseurs must have been in short supply as P&B will be shutting down next month. Good news/bad news: now all  the Rag & Bone, J Brand Vince, and Scotch & Soda is on sale

Fried Egg Gummies

One of the grosser gifts I got, yet surprisingly delicious.

It was a practical Christmas this year: iPhone 5, gun safe, Burbon and guitar pick maker. You know, the essentials

Hey Anonymous, try not using your personal IP address

Genius chefprenteneur Neal Brown has taken it to the next level of confidence with his new line of T shirts featuring bad Yelp reviews of his restaurants Pizzology and Libertine. Both of which are fabulous BTW. I should add these reviews are by amateur critics and should be taken with a large grain of black Agean Sea salt. You can get it at the aforementioned dining spots

I  am thinking about have some IFB shirts made featuring some of the idiotic comments I get. Sadly, they are not the least bit clever or interesting. Perhaps the "Get a Real Job" one would make the cut. That would be so much more hilarious if you knew the occupation of the one who spewed this. I could even do it on zazzle and make mugs and iphone cases! Fun!

INSPIRATION

I love me some art fashioney giant books. Need to get me a present? Check my Amazon wish list; easy peezy. This was the latest from little E, and it is fabulously strange, snaps taken from phtographer Tim Walker's portfolio of magazine shoots and weighs 9 pounds.

On another note, I am finding it nearly impossible to find a cute iphone 5 cover. It's all 4G 4G 4G. I may just have to make my own

Who Arted? #2

Overwhelmed by First Friday Gallery walks? Smaller galleries in the city have come up with a brillant idea called, originally enough, Second Saturdays complete with the usual late night wine and cheese receptions. Never one to shy away from trends, I went to the Indianapolis Art Center where I walked through a room tented in fabric scraps with tendrils of paper brushing backs and shoulders (dislike), scooted around tall wooden aliens with great taste in necklaces and marveled at an entire parking lot of trash compressed and neatly framed. The star of the night was Aak Langeek and his optical illusion busily crumbling paintings. A dapper Dutchman in tall riding boots, his huge works formed a cohesive collection that is rare for a first timer and they are at once soothing in pattern play and fascinating in their intricacy. See it until January.

On another note, El Sol has changed their food prep and I do not approve. Margs are still amazing thank god

William Rast jacket, Juicy thermal top, All Saints skirt, Barneys Co-Op boots, Fox's socks, he has a lot of really great rag ones I am always stealing

Like ID gum but better

Interchangable layers snap off with ease for a myriad of looks, who does not want that in their apparel? I admit to a personal fascination with Affectation Clothing. Probably because my friend, Ian Stikeleather founded it and of course the whole magnet thing which is my family bidness. See it featured in Glamour Magazine and if you likey Kickstarter him

I'd like to buy a vowel

Gosh you just can't lose with gifting a monogram mug. These Johnathan Adler-ish mod pattern cups are from C. Wonder, the Hollywood Regency Preppy mecca. Until Dec 31st, get 25% by using promo code FF25. Sadly, they are out of M, J and S so I have decided not to lust and obsess over these. Sigh

Livin' the dream

One of my favorite local fashion persons is Jamie Dampier. She of  Eimaj Designs who will bling the shit out of pretty much anything. Specializing in custom pageant wear, she will also kit your baby, put a cupcake on a shoe (with real sprinkles) and bustier you within an inch of your life. You need some inspiration or are a stylist looking for the most kick ass shot of your life? You are in luck! Jamie has opened a showroom/workshop at 2435 Shelby St. Look for the pink glitter doorbell

Leprechans Rejoice

Yo. Those bossypants at Pantone have dictated the 2013 color of the year is Emerald Green. What, no catchy definers likeTangerine Tango or Viagra Blue? Marketing Department is fired

Where's the taxidermy

Do you wish you could shop at the The Inventorialist, but it's like 4 am? Well, you may satisfy your quirky vintage primative industrial urge online by checking out Jayson Home in the FLEA section. This wooden tole train station from the Curiosities section is a mere $396

Get it while you can

Was pleasantly surprised by the Target Neiman Marcus designer collab. Looks rather meh online but in person it is of super nice quality from an amazing array of fashion stars: Tory Burch, Derek Lam, Rag & Bone, Thom Brown and I could go on and on. This Marchesa dress is kids only but maybe you could fit your skinny self into a 16. I really love the Proenzer Schouler scribble sweatshirt, Skist-Levy fur vest and Alice & Olivia floral bike. And it's not all apparel, thank god.  The wonderful metal and glass cocktail glasses, mod lunchboxes and Judith Leiber jeweled mini mirrors would make great gifts (Or not. You deserve it) Weirdly, at the Glendale location anyway, all the items are massed near the dressing rooms, which make it nice to shop all at once but display is clearly the afterthought.

Yeah I'm totally getting that sweatshirt

Great Gatsby

Part of my Anthro score was this jeweled art deco style belt. They had quite a few other more intricate design and gems but they were are dinged and damaged, with missing stones and dented edges. Really, I was kind of embarrassed for the clearance room. Either throw that junk away or mark it down to a dollar so the crafters can take it apart jeez

Todays Finds

Detail of the Tory Burch Fox Loafer. Does not look thrilled to be wearing the barrette, does she? While I love all things fox this is a bit cutesy for me. Plus it's a flat. Need to read the tell all in Vanity Fair about T and C Burch. Apparently their divorce was not as friendly as reported and now he is mackin' on her demographic with his C Wonder line. God, get your own career, you shiny ex!

Who went to the Tuesday Morning shoes sale today? Who was mad they got up early to go to the Tuesday Morning shoes sale today? In a brief survey: aka eavesdropping, I'd say 90%. Everything was damaged, mismarked and just oddly fitting. I did score a bunch of Eiffel Tower stuff. People just LOOOOOVE the Eiffel Tower

Hurry

Victorian Governess Barcelet by Tirana Jewelry found at Of a Kind. $130 only 40 avail. GET IT

Form follows function. I did not make that up myself

Oh dammit, loser photo editing alert. A snap of the swell b day gift my favorite sister sent me (inside joke). it is not only a super cutie hand crafted felt camera but also a receptacle for an actual same as. Get it at Modcloth but skip the squirrel tape holder, just junk

Fox Fox Fox Fox

Close up of graphic. Uh Mazing

This fox shirt from Anthropologie was as elusive as the real thing. Seen first on an employee, then only in XS ont eh folding table and then nowhere to be found the catalog, it resurfaced just in time for my annual (oh who am I kidding monthly) Anthro spree. I love it so much that despite it being short sleeved, I have worn it twice already. 1. with skinny Genetic grey jeans, shaper rust t neck and tall wedge boots then with an a-line snap front suede skirt and flat Merrell low boots and will probably bust out my red Hudson favorites with an 80's vintage jeweled gold snake belt and perhaps a hat within the next 48 hours

I'm really good at this

You won't see me buying a diaper cake or wipe warmer for a new baby gift, I've been there and know what the parents really really need is something to make them cheer them up after the nth poopy diaper. Handmade owl hat from Nurture and moustache paci from At Home in the City should do it

Barney's New York outlet summer score

My new fave boots, totally pre-distressed and lined in shearling and I SWEAR they are hugely comfortable despite the 6" lift. I've been wearing them with skinnies and tall socks, very street urchin

SWAAAAAANK

My girl, J Rice Von D, is the genius behind IndySwank, an ever evolving trend boutique that is loaded with the latest and greatest in accessories, artistinal jewelry and retro inspired fashion in Fountain Square. She has taken a major leap and is bringing the goods to the masses at Circle Center Mall. Finally, an antidote to the insipid chain store us cool people are forced to endure as we satisfy our Annie pretzel craving. Must haves : Liz Alig mixed media huge scarf, tall stripe-ey sock pack and Get Flaskey, by local artist Ashten Hopht, a great gift for the alcoholic on the go

Cute cat videos

Pee your pants website alert! Tard the Grumpy Cat While you might think you would be sour too if your name was Tard, it is actually short for Tarter Sauce and he looks like this all the time, not just when he is being bothered.  I would like a shirt, Santa.  Never mind, I just spent fifty bucks on mugs at zazzle.

OMG LOVE THIS

So forever when I went to parties the room would erupt  in the Sanford and Son theme song or that Oscar the Grouch  "I love trash " mantra. Ha ha, hilair, you jerks, making fun of my job sheesh. Well, here is the latest:THEME 4 EVEAH

BOOYA! New Kid On The Block in the form of white guy rapper. My only hate-ah is all the swearing because I know the children would love this

That is a lot of backs

I cannot believe he agreed to do this. LOVE HIM

jeeze louise thats alot of people,  17, 000 give or take

My family is a whole lot of marathon runners. God, it is so annoying, My philosophy is "I COULD DO THAT BUT I DON'T WANT TO" This manifests itself in our tradition: The Thanksgiving Day Morn Race that be Smoke the Turkey in Toledo OH. Oh Goody there is one here which is called, adorably, Drumstick  Dash.

Truth: Fox and I did it and it was totally fun. No training whatsoever. Next year I am wearing a tutu  and /or tiara and will be well more aware of the finish line placement

Oh yeah it raises huge fundage for starving people. Just sayin'

Also maybe try "The Black Leggings Store"

So I was shopping at Sage in it's new location on Mass Ave next to Nuture and let me tell you it should just be renamed the "Liz Alig" store because that is almost all they had. Not that I'm a hater, Elizabeth Brown's designs are super cute and helps people in need a win win. I saw these crazy leggings at a Pattern event and  I thought what the what, very carnaby street and all that (NO) but really she hits a home run in her super long mixed media scarves, color blocked edwardian jackets and recycled sweater shorts that are really cozy

Shameless Promo

Look at the super cute bows on these adorbs Miu Miu velvet ballet flats? TRUTH. I bought them for myself but my little achilles cannot stand that rub-ey elastic back. You like? sz 8 1/2 buy it here Joyride6

Open 24 hours

$5.99! Can you believe it!

Notice the cute cupcakes ones on the right side

Uusually I despise Meijers despite my friend Dave's insistance they have the best produce ('tis truth). It is just a whole bunch of stuff but never quite what I need and design wise very much the yawn. They have stepped it up a bit with these adorbs owl mugs and totally squee kitchen implements. Put my pink spatula to shame

Shoppertunity

Antlers! Bowl or conversation piece.

Minneapolis based artist screen prints

I popped down to 646 Mass Ave, my friend, Kris Bowman's new shop in the Dean Johnson gallery space. Amazingly curated with a whimsical indistrial minimalist bent. Really fun and changes pretty much hourly

Rube Goldberg-ish

Do you think anyone would notice this switch to your secret bunker? Part steampunk art, part over thinking it, this Toggle Switch Plate from Uncommon Goods makes a simple concept much more interesting

Bad or rad?

From the perfumers's website: "Demeter’s Sushi doesn’t smell like fish; it is a fresh fragrance of rice, seaweed, ginger and lemon."  Maybe a room fragrance but I'm not sure I want to smell like that. Damn, now I'm hungry

Christmas shopping; let me help you

Vacation time is gift shop time and as child, rolling across the nation's hot summer spots looking for bike licence plates, Hello Kitty stickers, shoes laces and pencils with my moniker. (Side note: my mom had a fit about my purchase of  "Property of" stickers with my boyfriend's name on it, something about a feminist manifesto whatev) Well, kids today are no different, loving all they can get that is totally THEIRS. At Krazy Straw you can get these name sippers for about 3 bucks each. At this price, stuff those stockings of like, the whole neighborhood

Butters!

Totally embracing the form=function concept with this hilar covered circa 1960's mouse cheese plate. Now that Goose is just down the street I can fill my "amazing special cheese that sadly costs too much" requirement on the grocery list much more efficiently. It has now been joined by a arguably modern Buddha butter dish that fits over my French butter brick perfectly. Thank God

Missing the free ship boat

Beware the unexpected gift. So exited for my Lucky Breaks discount on this Adeline Adeline doggie bike bell. I think it is for human bike, not a dog bike. Anyway, save 48%, regular price $20 down to $13. I'm on it. UNTIL I got to check out and find the shipping is more thren the bell. Really? What was the shipping BEFORE I put in my Lucky code? Yeah , I thought so

So I was in the Anthropologie sale room with my birthday discount card today and I picked up, then put down a few things.  After a quick peruse of the Christmas section, I returned to fondle the aforemention items (a jeweled belt, strappy boots and super furry cardigan) to find they had all disappeared. Every one of those items were being rung up for the same customer. I had a moment where I thought "maybe this person is my cosmic twin and we should totally hang out, like, all the time". And then it went away. Whew

Teeny but they have a dog

All scarves $16

A mere $34!

The newest Bro Rip boutique, as for as I know anyway, is Utterly Pink! on at 839 Westfield. Contrary to the name, Isaw almost nothing pink but lots of cute and way not spendy. Totally on trend with striped shirts, bow blouses and this little jeweled collar number seen above. I picked up a red grey brown mohair scarf since that seems to be my color palette this season and a huge totally bitchen coral and gold skull bracelet, sadly only one available.

CUTIE

I've talked about indie darling Mab Graves before but her new gallery Monsters she shares with her husband Larry Endicott at State and English has taken her to a new level of Fab. Her most recent show 'Candyland" is more of the same big eyed waifs and cuddley menacing furries yet more detailed then ever.I'm on the short list for a custom portrait of Unicorn and Matisse, sadly Dumptruck is out of luck, she specializes in girls

Ten Year Anniversary

FOUND Magazine takes the art of recycling and turns it into the epitome of the human condition. The RothBart brothers started collecting found ephemera (paper stuff to you n me) such as to do lists, free form notes to self and quick dashes to near and dear, and compiling it with commentary in a yearly mag and now blog. I met the bros at a performance at Service Center Art Gallery on 38th St in an old JCPenney car place on Saturday.  The show was by turns hilarious and moving and I was thrilled when they read my 'What I did today" note. (sorry it is rated PG13 so no repeat) Anyhoo, it is a charming look at randomness and is completely inspiring in its future short story essay compilation. I was dressed slightly like a Pinky Tuscadero Finishing School escapee with J Crew leopard cardi, Hudson red skinnies, vintage 'script glasses, Gucci G bag and enormous hair

Posh

This amazingly detailed minaudre bag is from Dillards by Kate Landry for a mere $325. Seriously the Judith Leiber one will be 3 grand at least with the same amount of sparkle. Really really fab

Bookmark

Throwing out some blog love. Penny Pincher Fashion. Why do I like thee: You are a mom, you rock the navy and,  well, you get the art of the deal. holla!!

Simply love love love

A lovely day of shopping with my friend Debbie; treasures to be viewed later. Sad to find The Designer Outlet is closing. I think Ann is OVER IT after 20 years. Also annoyed with Thrifty Threads pricing, sheesh.
As I get older, personal and meaningful trumps materialistic brand fakery. Luckily I can have both with the hand hewn polish wood bangle from Van Cleef & Arpels, embellished with personalized engraved placards in gold.. It is earthy yet oh so romantic. Allison Ford are you listening? I'd rather get one from you........

Easiiiiiide

Finally made it to Julie Crow and Tim Harmon's shop: Another Fine Mess on 10th St. As you recall, Julie used to own Modern Times, the seminal vintage store in Indy on College Ave for, lik,e EVER, and Tim is of the architectural salvage fame. In other words, you know it will be great. I scored a fab huge 1960's jewelry box, some 1940's rum advert lampshades and my friend got some wonderful Indy ephemera. Whoo hoo

It's Toggery Friday!

I'll let you in on a little secret. Every Friday, the The Toggery marks down their merch and you need to be there on the spot at 10 am to score big. Say hi,  I am always there, really, it would be easy to kill me, I have such the schedule. Anyhoo I scored these fab NEW Sigerson Morrison boots for myself and they were totally not on sale, early b day gift I guess. I was hoping for a new iPhone, but will be, as usual, disappointed.

Update: I did not win Best Bite, but got a few catering offers and looked really cute in my vintage apron and retro crock pot. That is enough for me. With 1 blog, 2 jobs and 3 kids I do not need a new career. Nonna said "What is point if you are not going to win?" The journey, not the destination, My little type A Ralph

My score

Sad Face: Eye Candy on Mass Ave is moving to Carmel Clay Terrace. Happy Face: all merch is 50% off, ends next Friday. Paul is also selling the fixtures as well since his new space is a bit more petitie. On another note, Silver in the City has a damn lot of owl themed items, FYI if you are into that

Road Trip!

This little beauty is a Traina Norell from the 1950's that is one of the many lots up for auction at Whitaker Auction Company in Bucks County PA next weekend. Sure you can buy designer and vintage clothes at an auction, in fact you know it's all good stuff since it has been vetted within an inch of it's life. A few old friends from the IMA will be there, not sure if from the Textile or Apparel side of the family. Petra needs to call me first next time is all I'm sayin'. Hope I have enough money left to hit the Black Angus and maybe the last Schupps Grove sale.

PS if you have any Banana Boat UltraMist suncreen saved for your next beach trip, you need to ditch it, and fast. Apparently it has a tendency to catch fire when exposed to the sun. Like: on your person

Oops! Patchouli!

Oh my God as far as your house smelling like you poop thousand dollar bills you better put Jo Malone on speed dial. Her perfume and home fragrances are amazing, unusual and rich rich rich. The latest,  English Pear and Freesia, just die. I am maxing out my Saks card and buying evey candle they have

BURN BOOK

I just lost a day of my life on this. And I'm not sorry

Old, retarded or 2

Isabell Murant $650

Ash $325

I am totally hot for a wedge sneaker for my cas time. All of the height none of the wobble and it really really looks good with graphic skinnies. (Betsey Johnson roses uh huh) My stopper? VELCRO. I refused to let my children have velcro sneakers no matter how much they begged. Only for the infirm, I insisted, is anyone here infirm??? No!! And I still subscribe to that theory, even for myself in the face of ungodly yet comfy fashion. Sigh. WHY! Maybe it is a Reebok 80's throwback, oh retro retro. I hear Ferragamo my have an un-velcro sneaker. Untill then I am rocking my Baker's late '92 high heeled sneakers that, inexplicitly, people at bus stops really seem to love

Woof

Call me a complete weirdo but I kind of love this poodle dress by Markus Lupfer for ASOS. With all the animal motifs going on the fashionland, it was only a matter of time before a $545 dog dress became hot stuff. I found this beauty whilst perusing the ASOS Black lable line by said designer. It is a 10 piece capsule collection of fine laser cut leathers and more glittery glitter on skinny pants and shell shirts that hasever existed. And that is saying a lot since I just had my first experience with a Justice store (my eyes!!!). Seeing as his runway stuff is can be 5 large on up, consider this an early Xmas pressie. www.asos.com