If any of you happen to be in the Soho area December 19….
J Brand is holding a great event at the Henry Lehr store in Soho and with any purchase you receive a gorgeous limited edition J Brand scarf!
(While supplies last.)
SATURDAY, Dec. 19th 1 PM – 5 PM @ 9 Prince Street, New York, NY
-Carly J. Cais
Chrisitan Louboutin High-Heeled Cage Booties, $1595.00.
So the caged heel trend appears to be still going strong, with Christian Louboutin’s latest take on it above. But I’m not feeling the $1500 price tag. I’m looking for something a little more…affordable, shall we say. Lowest price wins!
Steve Madden Cage Sandal, $49.98 (sale). (Free shipping with code SMFREESHIP)
Deena & Ozzy Woven Cage Heel, $29.99 (sale). (free shipping on orders over $75 with code OHJOY until 12/14/09)
Wet Seal Cage Heel, $29.50. (Free shipping with any purchase over $15 until 12/18/09)
The Payless Lattice Chop-Out Sandal (by Fioni), $26.99. ($5.95 shipping on all orders)
Bing bing bing! I think we have a winner! (Though if you count shipping cost, technically, those Wet Seal booties won…but you can always have Payless orders delivered to a store for in-store pickup free)
It’s no YSL cage-heel sandal….but…
if you’re looking to jump on the trend with not a complete knock-off, and want a slightly lower heel height for wearability…for under $30 it’s a toned-down way to cage yourself. And it’s available in silver for those of you bored with the black cage cutouts.
So what do we think? Chic…or cheap?
-Carly J. Cais
Maybe it’s just me who’s behind the times.;-)
Recently featured in New York Magazine’s The Cut, designers Alia and Jamil Juma (a brother-and-sister team) specialize in mens and womens contemporary ready-to-wear, active sportswear and other products. The company designs, markets, manufactures and distributes to leading specialty stores, franchise retailers and boutiques. Founded in Toronto, Canada in 2003, the eponymous label can be found in various locals around the world including Canada, United States and Japan.
The label is awash in nudes, blacks, and greys, rendered in soft jersey, in androgynous silhouettes such as loose cardigans, pants, and tops that fit both men and women. According to Jamil, who handles the sales for the label, the unisex kurta drop-crotch harem pants are the biggest seller. “We’ve been showing those pants since 2005 and the first time we showed it to buyers they laughed at us,” he said. “And now it’s all over the place and people are coming to us for them.”
I am so loving their Anvil Necklace ($355), Vest Dress ($300), Grey Cardigan ($140), Grey Bolero ($195), Knee-Length Overall Skirt ($150), and their Blue-Print Silk Tunic ($250), which feels like a relief in all that sea of black and gray. (My two favorite colors, though, I have to admit.) (items are listed from top to bottom as they appear in this post; all prices are Canadian dollars BTW – about $1 CAD to $0.94 U.S.)
The prices are a little high for me but I’m in love with the design-sense. I’m not so sure I can get behind their drop-crotch Kurta Pant ($150), though.:-)
How about you guys? Have you heard of them? Purchased any pieces? I’m kind of swooning over the minimalist aspect of it – it’s so urban-cool.
See their full collection and shop online at JUMA.ca.
-Carly J. Cais
Image from iStockPhoto – and no, this photo isn’t of me.
I’m sure, if you’re into fashion (and reading about it on the internet), you’re all already following Sea of Shoes, …love, Maegan, the Glamorai, KarlasCloset, FashionToast, Luxirare, childhood flames, Karen-wheredidugetthat, WhatIWore, GaranceDore, Kingdom of Style, and StyleBubble, no?
Sure, those are the really well-known ones (and personal faves). But I also am in love with some other, smaller blogs as well – maybe you’ve heard of them, and maybe they’re all new to you! I love hearing about what blogs other people are reading – and love even more discovering someone new! So here are a couple to introduce to you – definitely pay them a visit if you get a chance! In no particular order… (all photos are sourced from their respective blogs)
Jen Ell has featured a couple of my tutorials on her site and has a slightly goth-inspired Etsy shop which she stocks with handmade jewelry, accessories, and clothing. She also shares craft tutorials she’s sourced from all over the internet (no granny quilts but really chic how-to’s!)
Love the blog name – love the random but totally chic fashion finds showcased there. Plus the music will have you lipsynching immediately.
Hailing from Honolulu (maybe I’m also waxing a little nostalgic for the 4 years I lived there), Shin puts together stylish, enviable outfits that don’t scream “I live in Hawaii!!!” but instead speak more to being fashion-forward rather than island casual.
Erica’s passion is giveaways and sweepstakes and that is what she showcases on her blog. Though she’s been inactive for a little while I can’t wait to see what she will find next!
The DIY’s here are brilliant. Straight off the runways, Cara shows you how to make everything from Miu Miu embellished socks to Vena Cava chain-straps for your shoes, to Luella-inspired floral pompons for your bag.
A young Japanese seamstress showcases her sewn creations and fashion musings. Love her Etsy shop too! Plus, Chie was featured on Glamour.com. Way to go, girl!
If you’re a DIY’er this blog is probably #1 on your reading list. Outi (from Finland) works tirelessly presenting the best and coolest DIY ideas out there – with a focus on recycling, reusing, and repurposing. Oh, and her zipper necklaces are TO DIE FOR!
Gorgeous fashion and style photos. Beautiful girl. Random, intellectual musings such as photos from the aftermath of the Chernobyl blast, or the sounds of electromagentic waves bouncing off the planets. You feel a little bit smarter and a little more “fashion-fed” after visiting Caroline’s blog.
Relatively new, this blog showcases some cool DIY projects. Stacie made not one but TWO Fendi fabric-rose-covered dresses (her own version). And another holiday dress recently. And a rose-covered scarf. Awesome or what????
Kristin and Megan showcase sweet, affordable picks from around the internet – they have BonBon deal of the day, which is a personal fave – and right now – tons and tons of gift guides (yes, for you AND the kiddies) which will have your holiday wishlist-making wheels a-spinning…or mouse finger a-clickin.’
You all know Chloe, right? Right? No? The petite whirlwind of burbling, over-the-top, verbose and utterly silly, ROFL-posts also showcases her shopping faves (fab picks from Anthropologie, Ann Taylor, and Nanette Lepore, for example) and sweet-as-pie outfits. Head on over for a giggle, stay for the endless shopping eye-candy.
Though not really a “fashion-specific” site per se, Alex’s blog showcases her drawings and paintings, which are dreamy, haunting, haute. She also has a personal site here where you can see more of her work. So inspiring!
If I haven’t mentioned your blog – I’m so sorry! There just aren’t enough hours in the day to showcase everyone. I’m still a loyal reader to many I haven’t mentioned…and I will write about you in another post, promise!
Happy Fashion Web-Surfing!
xoxo
Carly
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Akris printed dress, $1990. A rarely-seen print from Akris. I love how it looks like an abstract image of some technology-related graphic.So the Saks catalog arrived the other day (I had had a gift card to Saks a little while ago and so, when I used, it, I ended up on one of their mailing lists…which is fine with me cuz I love browsing through catalogs! It gives me ideas to make myself!) – and I wanted to share with you a couple images that have me all a-drool.
MAXMARA ruffle-front blouse, $350. These aren’t ruffles so much as origami-style pleats. I love what a fresh take this is on the standard crisp white blouse! Perhaps I’ll DIY a thrift-store find…or maybe cough up the $350 if I get desperate.;-) MAXMARA Printed pencil skirt, $475. The print is abstract and chic – and totally do-able with your own fabric paints and a brush!
Marc Jacobs Cheetah-print Trench Coat, $498, and Pointelle Cotton Top with bows, $138. Leopard is everywhere, no kidding! I love that this top uses bows over buttons (snaps) as closure detail – so sweet! (And so DIY-able!:-)
Jimmy Choo Saks Exclusive Leather Bag with Snake Metal Detail, $1295. Kind of sinister yet high-brow at the same time.You can view (and shop, if you are so inclined!) the entire catalog online here. Whether you shop for Spring items or pieces to update your winter wardrobe (or gourmet food gifts – a new development at Saks! With mini truffle cheeseburgers, caviar, artisan chocolates, and lobster tails available), enter code HOLIDAY9 to get free shipping, and get a free gift box with red ribbon at checkout.
-Carly J. Cais
(vintage thrifted jacket, Roxy tee (thrifted), Sideways Gold Cross Necklace, double waistcoat from Japan, Insight Beanpole Shredded Jeans, Sam Edelman Zoe wedge heels, Claire’s armwarmers)I’m having a problem with Blogger not displaying all of the comments in my past posts.
I usually don’t reply to comments immediately since I’m short on time on a daily basis – I’ll reply to them in bulk when I have some spare time, usually about once a week (or every 2 weeks…yup I got me a goshdarngood system I tellsya!) – and now as I’m going back through my blog I’m seeing TONS of comments missing. (I haven’t deleted them, honest I haven’t! *cries* *random blubbering*)
So if you’ve left a comment lately, and I haven’t replied or you don’t see your comment on the blog – well, I hope Blogger’s working on it, cuz I ain’t done a thing! I do try and visit everyone’s blog who leaves me a comment (if you’ve left your blog addy in the comment) – so me not stopping by and thanking you for your input is either I just haven’t gotten to your comment yet…or it has mysteriously disappeared. (This has only been happening today [Friday], so the problem may be fixed by the time this posts.)
Anyway.
This military vest I got in Japan [at LaForet Harajuku] is so cool because it’s double-layered
I won these fabulous shredded jeans in an Insight x Ladylike Fatlace giveaway last month!!
I was super-stoked. Actually, I won a pair of colored beanpole jeans, and the rep emailed me letting me know they were out of stock, would I like the shredded ones? I said HELL YES! and we had a deal.
‘Cept…she asked my size and I stupidly said 26. I looked all over the site for a size chart and couldn’t find it. I’m a 26 in 7 For All Mankind’s and a 27 in Forever21 stretch skinnies. I figured I should go smaller cuz skinny jeans stretch out as you wear them.
‘Cept I couldn’t get the 26’s over my butt. My thighs were complaining of abuse since they had no room to breathe in the 26’s. I couldn’t even sit down. So I emailed the rep back saying thanks but they didn’t fit oh well – I think I’ll do a giveaway on my blog instead and she emailed me saying she’d replace them for free!!! It doesn’t get any better than that!
BUT WAIT! She even sent along the Halliwell top in the new package!!! I was so flattered I wrote her a gushing (maybe kind of scary??) email. How incredibly thoughtful of her!!
So above is my outfit with the jeans that I put together on Friday. I’m wearing vests layered under blazers lately – for that extra texture/color/sparkle…plus it’s been freakin’ cold lately!
I got this sideways cross on Etsy (for $40!) back in August after falling in love with the Roseark version on Taylor Jacobson from The Rachel Zoe Project. [It’s originally from TheresaMink though right now she’s on vacay so it’s being shipped by someone else.] The funny thing is, Rumi (from FashionToast) has worn the same one lately.
Something I never noticed about these Sam Edelman’s: the cool printed bottom. Now caked with mud from my garden. (Not that I was doing gardening in them LOL.) Ah well – I guess everyone’s going nuts over the Acne Atacoma wedges now, right?
In the background, Muffin and Pudding have made their escape from house arrest and are stirring up some major trouble, knowing those two.
Have a great weekend gals! DIY tutes coming up once I get thru the next mess of birthday parties and Santa Claus helicopter-visits! (Don’t ask.)
xoxox
Carly
P.S. And I really wasn;t going for that totally Taylor look with my hair…I’ve just changed shampoos, and haven’t figured out how to deal with the aftermath of washing it just yet.;-)
Carly J. Cais I am a DIY’er, designer, sewist, maker, and marketer. Chic Creative Life is where I share what I do, and help others bring their unique style into their own lives.
