Pick Your Pocket

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Since the beginning of time (that's when jeans were born right?) Okay, maybe since the California Gold Rush and Levi Strauss around 1853 , jeans have been "one of the world's oldest fabrics, yet remain[ing] eternatly young," according to a writer for American Fabrics magazine. Keeping them "youthful", flirty, and fashionable, the pocket detail has become an art or, if you will, the maker's "calling card". An opportunity for designers the world over who wish to leave their identity in stitches. For the fashion goers, "name that jean" has become a game based on the pocket. And for those of us blessed to participate in the unruly lifestyle of retail, identifying the pocket can allow us to identify the make, color code and even the stock number of your favorite jeans.

Several years ago my stock manager and I would venture out on the town of Savannah, Ga. and play this pocket game. John was particularly good at identifying the pockets of any female in sight donning denim from either Abercrombie & Fitch or Hollister (our mothership) and then further diving into the style, color and stock sku's....sometimes even the size. John's pick up lines consisted mostly of things like "Hey, those 1111's sure look good on you!" and pretty much died upon being released from his mouth. The pocket game expanded for us and today we are jean-ius's of the artful stitching. Here (and in the polyvore above) are some of our favorites....What's yours? 

Rock & Republic

James Jeans & True Religion

Lucky Brand & Marc By Marc Jacobs

 

Joe's Jeans 

 

Til the next story or trend...

-CK

Let's Go CREWzing!

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There is nothing, I repeat, NOTHING about J.Crew that's doesn't make me want to literally pee my pants from head over heels, purely obsessed love. Give me anything with their name on the tag and I'll treasure it like it's the last donut on earth.

This Spring it's worth the minor splurge required to gain a closet full of timeless pieces I swear you'll still be rocking when you're 65 looking 35.

Do you see these sequins! Ah-Mazing!  $495

The Belstaff Roadmaster Jacket in Washed Waxed Cotton $695

paired with denim shorts, dark skinny's, a cotton mini or sequined mini and I'm pretty sure this jacket will make you a few friends. Just don't let them borrow it! 

A few faves... crewz the shop here

Til the next story or trend....

-CK

Home Sweet Home

I can't even explain to you the degree to which the stars can mezmoize you here. The night is so clear. And when you cast your eyes up to the heavens, past the tree tops towering so high, past the mountain peaks so dramatic against the blackness, you can't help but tremble at the awesomeness of God's creation. The stars, what a masterpiece. Tonight they truly stun. I can make out Orion with just a glimpse, the dippers are composed as clearly as I have ever seen in my life. Then I look ahead, the house I grew up in, surrounded by acres of wood and miles of stars. It's good to be home.

...and the stories have already started rolling in, apparently my grandad has it in for the neighbor's cat... More on this tomorrow.

Tutus!

Summer is coming and I'm head over heels for tutu dresses right now. Maybe it's the whole whimsy of Alice & Wonderland still in my head or the fact that summer always makes me feel like a kid again, whatever the reason, these dresses are charming beyond words and there are so many ways to wear it. 


Ala' Carrie Bradshaw in Sex & The City the movie. Carrie's tutu here was a $5 vintage tulle purchase the costume designer found in Sarah Jessica Parker's own wardrobe. 

I survived an entire class of ballet when I was a child. Actually, maybe not even the entire day. I think at some point I waited by the door, slippers already off and LA lights back on thinking in my little head, "mom, when will you ever get here!? You said if I tried it and didn't like it I could play tee ball with my brothers, well, a deal's a deal!" (in secret I still danced around my room in my tutu and read Angelina Ballerina every night).

Now that I've matured (cough) I'm making up for those tom boy days in a major way. Dresses please! And the more layers and lace the better! 

Alice & Olivia 

Etsy

Haute Hippe

And if you are shopping for your little one, please visit Dear Lillie for the absolute cutest little girl's tutu's in the world. They are designed by 3 gorgeous sisters from the east coast with flawless taste and style. Make sure to check out their women's wear as well. The Adeliene Dress is already in my shopping cart!

DearLillie 

Til next time! 

-CK

March Madness...Hatter Style!

"I die", according to Rachel Zoe, when I see a film with costumes done right, I mean absolutely out of this world, you have to be insane to even come up with this stuff but man, it looks amazing under lights! I literally drool over the fabrics, colors and textures, and lose myself completely in daydreams when productions like Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland (premiering in 3D in just 4 days!) come to life through couture creations the average individual wouldn't dare to go public in. It is however, my sincere belief that we all want to play dress up in layers of tulle, strands of satin and oceans of lace. At least for a photo shoot right? 

So what would the average person, then, you know, like you and me (who swear by j.crew because they are always socially acceptable) and who do not have the excuse that Colleen Atwood dressed us for a film with Johnny Depp and we're on our way to our next Oscar? Let's try these: 

I usually steer clear of Etsy (90% crap and 10% I not sure if it deserves a golf clap or a caddy smile - except for my friend Jamie's esty, which I promise to share with you sometime) and frequent Regretsy (where you can find anything and everything you would never want) but in the spirit of dress up, this is actually kinda fun...fun as in I like the looks of it on my dresser but not as a giant top hat on my hand. 

 Mad Hatter Ring

NEXT: You can't have a MaDnEsS!! and a tea party - without tea (cups)! 

Thanks to a fabulous blog I've stumbled upon time and time again: Oh Joy!  for posting the perfect paris market tea cups for the occasion: 

Limoges teacups  Oui! Oui! 

And now, if I were the Hatter, or perhaps even if not....

Shop this selection here, Do It. Seriously, you can't leave that leather jacket without a home, that would simply be inhumane! 

Happy March Madness! And happy shopping - I mean buying! 

-Chels