Doorway to the Far Far Away

If eyes are the windows to the souls, then what does that make doors? I'd like to think doors are the gateway to your imagination. Opening to worlds of day dreaming possibilities. Wouldn't it be great if you could see what's beyond a door without opening it?

Maybe a castle corridor that leads to a grand ball awaiting your Royal Highness,

Or a mysterious stairwell in the Catacombs

Or even a stack of books that perhaps you hold in nostalgia from your assist in the greatest library heist of all time.

Well look no further, Couture Deco has just the answer to all our Choose Your Adventure door woes. Trompe-l'oeil has generously supplied us with eight, yes eight!, door decals to fulfill our imaginations with tales chalked up to the liking of our hearts desire. Who wouldn't want to turn your boring dull door into journey that depends solely on the viewer.

Not to mention it looks amazing, and could quite possibly confuse house guests to your comedic benefit.... "Sure the bathroom is 1st door on the left, up the escalator.... You'll see it" Hee hee... Who could resist!

But don't worry! It's not all about stairs! There's a gated store front (those guys never open on time!) or an empty closet full of hangers (which I secretly adore because it let's me think I have more room for my overflow of clothes that I currently have NO space for).

So after seeing this collection, I think that maybe, just possibly doors are, well doorways, to the heart because I  sure am loving this idea for special room decor!

Happy Imagining,

Pretty in Pink

Leave it to London to expel such a unique individual that bring a new, errr old, twist to photography. Native UK photographer Ellen Rogers is the genius behind these spell binding works of art. Rogers who is deeply intrigued by supernatural, the occult, religion,and unsolved mysteries pushes that fixation through her work whether she means to or not. Using only analogue cameras, she creates magic and mystification through dark room processes. The only technology involved is the end when she scans the finished piece, a self proclaimed purist.  

I saw these pictures and became completely mystified be the intense emotion portrayed through such a soft and rather haunting display. They all seems to tell a story behind their eyes, as if they are a dream or a memory. This all makes sense, considering a lot of her creative process starts with dreams, both sleeping and wake. Working boxed up in her darkroom, Rogers takes her vision to an experimental level that develops such amazing works of art. 

If this is what trial and error can truly achieve, I hope for a lot more mistakes to come! For more on her work, read interviews, see amazing video of a 8mm project she is working on visit her site http://www.ellenrogers.co.uk/ 

Holiday in Havana

 Eugenia Kim for Target

Heat and humidity has hit the city. Although it's just the beginning, it's already starting to feel like the middle of summer with sticky heat, street festivals, and Sundays full of cool Mojitos.  This kind of activity makes me want to jump into a plane and head to Havana for a quick get away, but in the meantime I can pretend by dressing the part. Havana has played a major part in influencing fashion this season. Take a look at the wild prints Derek Lam laid out for his Spring 2010 collection. These popping floral prints are perfect for a hot Havana night, salsa dancing in a street. 

 Derek Lam Spring RTW 2010

I am especially loving the blue dress and the messy retro updos to tie the look together. 

And let's not forget hats! you can't have a true Cuban feel without a fedora. Good news for us, Target is making it fool proof when picking your perfect summer hat. Eugenia Kim for Target has officially hit the stores April 18th and I have already picked out half the collection to pine over!

 Eugenia Kim for Target

 

According to Target.com, "The Eugenia Kim for Target collection features a range of hats that are trendy, functional and fit into any budget. The designer’s collection, made with woven and printed fabrics, is inspired by Havana, Cuba, and includes cloche, fedora, sun-hat, bucket-hat and newsboy silhouettes. Each of the 12 hats in the collection is embellished with Kim’s unique details such as a chiffon scarf wrap, contrast color/print ribbon bands, and her special signature trims and hardware. The exclusive Eugenia Kim for Target collection is available at a great value, ranging in price from $14.99 to $19.99. "  

  Eugenia Kim for Target

And I am loving this look for their ad campaign! When I think Havana, this is exactly the look I imagine... retro,colorful and full of life.

Eugenia Kim for Target
 

Eugenia Kim is a NYC based accessories designer who is known for her hats. In 2004, Kim won the CFDA Perry Ellis award for Accessories Design. Kim counts Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Lopez, Scarlett Johansson, Madonna, Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Fergie, Nicole Kidman, and Natalie Portman among her devotees. And now her hats are available at an affordable price for all to enjoy!

See you all in Havana! Until next time,

Mile High Club

In preparation for my trip home to Colorado for a friends wedding/vacation(!!) I have been busy organizing my suitcase with proper attire for the Rocky Mountains.  You can never really be sure on what to bring for a few reasons, one being the temperamental weather. Sometimes it's 90 degrees and sunny in November, while snowing and 40 degrees in May. And two, the laid back fashion doesn't quite par up to the expression I'm used to in Brooklyn. (I mean, they still are questioning my desire to wear skinny jeans over flares) So settling with some jeans, blouse, sandals and dress, sweater, heels combos I feel prepared for any situation, while clearly managing to over pack for a 1 week vacation.  Nothing wrong with options, right Danielle! 

Of course packing is only HALF the battle in my opinion. The other half is what to wear on the plane.  I want to be comfortable, yet classy and fashionable which the latter two ten not to lend to the first so it can be tricky. Especially with all the rules and security regulations. You have to practically disrobe just to mke it to your gate, which often persuades me to under accessorize. Boo! I love bling! In attempt to make my life easier I settled for black leggings, flats, a cream swingy tunic, black grandpa cardi and an oversized floral scarf (in attempt to be springy in the skies). I think its fairly safe to say I pulled off a basic fly outfit that neither hinders nor over accentuates my desire to be fashion saavy. 

Even through my wardrobe indecision, I made it to the airport and zipped through security in enough time to board with ease.  As I was settling into my cramped coach quarters, I started observing my surroundings. Normal people with normal day to day outfits. And when I say normal, I mean normal... This IS a flight to Colorado via Milwaukee, so you get an idea of the cookie cutter company I am in. And seeing it is 11am on a Wednesday, the majority of passengers are 60+.  Scanning the sea of jeans and sweater combos, I wonder what happened to the glamour of flying?  What happened to looking daper and classy in a sauve and sleek outfit while jet setting to a fabulous exotic location? And more importantly, what happened to the highly fashionable flight attendants in their amazing outfits?  Having more than a few friends in the biz, I know their hate of the polyester suits and polkadot blouses first hand. I understand in 1970 the outfits were not PC and a little degrading to woman, but that doesn't mean they have to dress like a frumpy grandma either! 

I was tipped off about a year ago at the possability of Cynthia Rowley redesigning the uniforms for the lovely United crew and am dying to know if it's came through yet. I'm guessing with her aesthetic they will be decked out in mod shifts, sweet pouf sleeve blouses, and of course the wedges I'm so accustomed to seeing her trot around in. Ooookay, so maybe not the wedges.  Think we can commission to get these boots? Rockin!

In my search for amazing pictures I cam across this snap shot of uniforms designed by Emilio Pucci. I adore the colors and the Mod fllair of the sixties they embody,

I read that sometimes they would wear these helmet like hats inbetween concourses to protect their hairdos from the elements... Clever ladies, very clever...

I leave you with some adorable pics of the ladies of the sky, past times.

Now please return your laptops to their full and upright position, and thank you for flying the friendly skies with yours truly!

Prima Ballerina Touches Down

If I had to pick one thing I might consistently be drawn to in the fashion world, its the idea of white. Whether is it a pristine white dress, impeccable white powdery skin, or cool white blond hair it always rouses a sense of angelic nostalgia out of me. These photos from Pablo Roversi, Vouge Italia April 2010, especially hold true to this notion. They have a haunting beauty that almost makes you believe these powdered beauties are really just ghosts, thoughts, memories of a past time. Well ghosts in couture Chanel and Valentino, of course.

I adore he made the models and clothes evoke a this sense of an Old World Ballerina. Like they are in company with the Russian Imperial Ballet circa mid 1800s.

I also am loving the use of laces and straps that is bringing in an element of sport, particularly football, which happens to be another spring trend. Alexander Wang hit the nail on this one.

 

I'm off to find my prima ballerina, adorn her in white, and take her out to play a little flag football (no grass stains of course!). Good game!

Vogue Italia pictures via noirefacade and Alexander Wang via Style.com