I seem to be having mood swings at the moment in relation to J Crew...there are the highs...and the lows...and the things that just make you scratch your head...

For example, I just received their most recent catalog in the mail and as I was flipping through I noticed a rather nice, sparkly bracelet. "Oooh", I thought, "just the thing to quench my current glitter fixation". Then I noticed the small print, Diamond jewelry by Fred Leighton.

Now...this doesn't seem to be playing fair as almost anything is going to look good if you stick a sizeable clump of diamonds next to it. And somehow I don't think those khaki shorts are going to have the same Grace Kelly insouciant vibe when the year's salary worth of gems is missing. But my main gripe is, what is the message here? J Crew makes jewelry...so this isn't a case of bringing in the diamonds because there was no other option...it's a conscious choice (and one that has already been taken by Gap in their ads featuring Sarah Jessica Parker) a choice that, in my mind at least, seems to disparage the jewelry that they themselves are trying to sell.

I think the underlying problem that I'm having is that I've never thought of J Crew as aspirational clothing...they do good, cute, preppy basics...but with the heavy duty jewels and the pricing of their "Collection" pieces they seem to be trying to move to higher ground...but with this transition isn't there a risk they may alienate their current clients and make them feel priced out?

It's a funny old world...what you may find tacky in sofa suddenly becomes appealing in handbag form. In this instance, studded leather...which usually makes me think of the interiors of pubs or hotel lobbies...transforms this black leather bag from Hunting Season into a very lustworthy chic-dominatrix hybrid. The other very tempting aspect about this bag is it originally sold for, I believe, around $1,300 but this (moderately) used bag is currently available at rag nation for $250.

What says ho-ho-holiday better than an ornament of a skull holding a cell phone? Well, okay...probably quite a lot...but I don't care because my skull fixation has reared its ugly head (if you'll pardon the expression) once again and I am completely smitten with these tree decorations based upon the work of L.A. based street artist, Spazmat.

If you're a fellow fan of ballet flats you'll know that there comes a time when the temperature drops and you realize that you no longer have enough coverage on your feet and frostbite could potentially be setting in...my personal "time of discovery" this year? Yesterday...5:45pm...on an evening commute on a bus with no heat. If only I'd had Tashkent's lambswool lined flats to keep me warm...

As we're quickly approaching the time when gifts will have to be bought (no matter how much you may prevaricate, as I do) I wanted to do some posts with gifts suggestions...a few thoughts for the last minute when the only thing that comes to mind is a hat and scarf set or a gift certificate.

So, to start off (and in the spirit of the season) I'm going to go for something non-mercenary (don't worry, the Verucca Salt-like "but daddy I want it now" items will come later)...something that spreads a little of that whole goodwill to mankind thing. Well, actually goodwill to animalkind...because suggestion number one is the adopt an animal program that most zoos have. For a fixed amount, which obviously grows in size in relation to the animal, you can give some assistance to your local zoo in providing bed & breakfast to the aforementioned mammal. In return, you generally get a photograph of your creature of choice, a factsheet, and a stuffed toy.

It sounds a little dorky, I admit, but I have given these as gifts and they do seem to be popular with both adults and children. And though a penguin or polar bear are obviously the seasonal options it's possible for the choice of animal to carry some message...for example, two friends of ours were celebrating an anniversary and we decided upon adopting a swan in their names...on the gift card we explained that swans mate for life, something that we hoped they would also achieve. The end result...tears and a few visits to "their" swan.

I'm not fond of picking people's outfits apart (the old "if you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything" theory)...but this image from The Sartorialist embodied the whole "look in the mirror and remove one thing before you leave the house" concept so well that I couldn't remain quiet. The Louis Vuitton blouse...Chanel bag...embellished, cropped jacket...and graphic shoes...are all items that would look great as "pieces" of an outfit...together they're just overwhelming, and slightly disturbing (like a luxury mall was violently ill).

I just came across this floral dress by Dries van Noten and, as it seemed to scream "perfection in dress form", I felt the need to write about it straight away. Office appropriate? Check. Yet something that you'd actually want to wear while not at work as well? Double check. Muted, but frivolous at the same time...able to transition seamlessly between seasons (warm weather, wear as is...cold weather, a long sleeved t-shirt underneath, turtleneck fully zipped up, thick tights, and you're good to go). The only downside is (yet again) the exchange rate...frenzied checking of Brown's website closer to sale time is obviously the only option.

I suppose that my views on "beauty" align most closely to the ones I hold on architecture...that everything generally falls under one of three main categories...

1) the ones whose natural beauty and integrity are allowed to shine through

2) the ones who have been spackled and embellished to within an inch of their lives

3) those for whom the builders have been called in and they are now in a no-man's land...a travesty of their former selves (hello Britney's lips)

As you've probably guessed by now, I am a fan of skin care...minimal make-up...and regard plastic surgery as a form of self-mutilation (I can barely stand the thought of surgery for a medical condition, paying someone to take a knife to you purely for aesthetic considerations is beyond my comprehension). In consequence, I have a love of all lotions, potions, cleansers, toners, and associated goos designed to keep my skin in as good a condition as possible.

In case you're wondering what brought about this beauty-based introspection...I was recently given a "skin gift"...one of Dr. Brandt's discovery kits, a kind of deluxe pick-and-mix of four products (microdermabrasion, r3p cream, laser tight- tighten, and crease release). I can firmly say that I am now addicted to two of them...a twice a week polish with the exfoliating crystals in the microdermabrasion combined with a nightly smear of the r3p cream and not only is my skin as smooth as a baby's behind (not that I've ever actually done a comparison...I'm just going with popular wisdom on this one) but my pores are less visible...as are the fine lines.

The laser tight and crease release are the "big guns" which, thankfully, I don't need right now on a regular basis...so I'm saving them for special occasions...before a big night out...and possibly the morning after as well. So, all in all, this was a perfect gift...possibly the one that "keeps on giving" as popular wisdom is also so fond of saying.

Toile de jouy, the wood-block and copper-plate printed textiles with repeated designs of pastoral scenes and figures. have been around since the 18th century. That's a couple of centuries of bucolic locals frolicking amongst the assorted ruins, bridges, and gazebos that seem to litter the landscape in these kind of things...so it's obviously time for a change. And thanks to this scarf from Morphine Generation we have it...the aforementioned locals are now armed with semi-automatics (at least the children are...ah, the younger generation, bless them)...and the images are interspersed with text, my favorite of which begins with "I cut your name into my arm"...it's just all too, too romantic...in a slightly creepy, dysfunctional, idyllic way that is.

Any semi-regular readers of this blog will have realized that I have slight...um...addiction issues when it comes to APC's cool/classic clothing. So, you can imagine my excitement when I heard that the Madras collection...hitherto a creature of the summer months only...will soon be making its first winter appearance. Yes, the collaboration between Jean Touitou and Jessica Ogden will now be a year-round part of APC's offerings. Unfortunately the image to the right is the only one I have been able to track down so far but you can be sure that I will post more details when I find them.

As I checked out the latest additions to J Crew's website I noticed that I was getting excited every time I saw a bit of sparkle on clothing...which tends to suggest that I've moved into "Christmas party mode"...don't worry, I'll try to contain myself, you won't be seeing twenty posts about Vegas showgirl style outfits.

The oddest part of this is that I rarely wear anything sequined or bejeweled...something which has, of course, no bearing on these seasonally induced feelings. Nor does the fact that the bedecked and bedazzled items that I love in pictures usually end up looking a little...well, cheap...in reality.

And so, as much as I love the shimmering-pool-of-ink quality that their glitter cardigan brings to mind, I shall continue to remind myself that this is a seasonal affliction...like the common cold.

I just got an invitation through the mails: "Your presence requested this evening, It's formal, a top hat, a white tie and tails." Nothing now could take the wind out of my sails. Because I'm invited to step out this evening With top hat and white tie and tails. I don't have any invitations lined up along my mantelpiece at the moment...but as every Girl Guide and Boy Scout knows it's best to be prepared...and I have been coming across quite a few accessories lately that I'm sure Fred would have approved of...namely APC's bow-tie brooch...Tatty Devine's undone bow tie necklace and bow tie ring...and Anthropologie's bow tie bangle.

I previously mentioned my infatuation with French label Heimstone's Fall/Winter collection and, for Spring, I am in love all over again. And, when the time comes, if I can manage to track down one of their leather trimmed jackets...especially the one with the structured shoulders below...my infatuation will be consummated and I will be a very happy little camper indeed.

In the meantime, until Spring arrives, I have the video of their collection to keep my spirits up. I should warn you that, like the the one for The Row, this is a short film which causes the viewer to desperately...urgently...passionately...want to switch places with the girl shown in it (I also want to find out the song that is used as the background music but that is a side issue).

EDIT: I just found the song...it is "Merry Happy" by Kate Nash.

You know things are bad when the quest for thick, woolen tights that cost less than $50 begins to resemble that of some knight of yore trying to track down the neighborhood dragon...heck, even attempting to locate a pair under $100 was proving difficult. However, I was not going to be beaten by legwear...a coat, or a dragon, maybe...but tights, never.

Well, I am happy to report that even though my quest has taken me to many strange lands, i.e. more hosiery departments than I ever thought existed, it is finally at an end...thanks to StockinGirl's ribbed and cable-knit Merino wool tights. Not only do these fit my price criteria (they actually come in just under $40 a pair), they also come in a full range of sizes (from 4'11" to 5'11"). And, when they say they fit someone who's 5"11" they actually mean it...naming no names but there are definitely some brands out there who stretch the truth, though sadly not the tights...

As in many other instances I'm going to credit my grandmother for style inspiration. In this case, my attraction to the "quirky librarian" school of fashion...surely this was brought about by all the hours spent in her antiquarian bookstore...well, it was that or I'm just a nerd at heart. Either way, I'm strangely drawn towards United Bamboo's drop-waisted dress. It has a 1920's feel...it's vaguely frumpy...and I can imagine a pre-transformation Audrey Hepburn wearing it in Funny Face...yet, I can't help casting covetous glances in its direction.

At this point my rather macabre love of skeletons and skulls is pretty well documented but, perhaps unsurprisingly, has manifested itself more in the wearable variety than as household objects. Until, that is, I saw these pieces from Royal Tichelaar Makkum...the oldest company in the Netherlands...and one which, rather beautifully, combines historical techniques with modern design.

The candleholder centerpiece and Innocence plate would be ideal for a Miss Havisham inspired wedding (though I'm pretty sure that's not a popular theme for your average blushing bride) or to celebrate a birthday you would rather forget (probably the more popular option)...or just, in the case of the plate, as a place to rest your finger sandwiches...

While it's entirely possible to rationalize down-filled snow boots it's a tad more problematic with a down-filled handbag..."but without this my credit cards might get cold" really doesn't sound convincing. The best that I could come up with, as I drooled over the nut brown Grand Duvet bag from Moncler's first bag and shoe collection, was that it would be the perfect bag to travel with... A travel pillow for long flights...a good-sized carry-all...and credit card warmer...okay, back to the rationalization drawing board on this one, I think.

Yesterday I was greeted by an email with the subject line "You deserve a personal shopper"...and that's fine, it's always nice to know that J Crew is thinking of me...but when I opened the email I saw this:


Now, the idea of a personal shopper I can (just about) understand...you may have a lot of people to buy gifts for...a husband who wants a second opinion, but not yours...or you may just like the idea of receiving a higher and more personalized level of service.

My issue (you probably guessed by this point that I had an issue) is the use of the word "stylist" as one of the descriptions of the service. Maybe if we were talking about a department store, containing multiple brands, this may be an accurate portrayal of the services on offer but...you're going to be in a J Crew store...with someone who works for J Crew...is there any chance you're going to get "styled" in a look that you couldn't have come up with yourself by copying one of the pictures in their catalog? Is this really a stylist...or merely an unusually persistent sales assistant?

And don't even get me started on the "Someone to tell you how it really looks line"...

As today seems to be "Pattern Appreciation Tuesday" it seems fitting to add some images of this delightful parrot print shirtdress from Danish designer Peter Jensen. What I love most about this dress is that from a distance it's a plain cut, if somewhat jazz-ily patterned, little number...and it's only upon closer inspection that the birds really stand out...part fashion Rohrshach test, part visual treat for those who come near...

Variations on a theme...from Street Peeper and The Sartorialist. Though matching can, on occasion, be...well, too "matchy"...both of these ladies have taken any potential hurdles in their stride. And, in spite of the similarities between the outfits (the use of color and pattern), two completely different looks and moods have been evoked.