Own: New-to-Me designer, Raoul

I have to thank my Google Reader and blog Mizhattan for introducing me to this designer's creations.  Raoul is a Singapore based designer that I had never heard of, but as soon as I saw the look book images hit my Google Reader, I had to stop.  Looking at the look book, it's not that this designer is something that is innovative or new, but something about the designs are very dressy, yet casual.  A bit of cool without trying to hard.

I'm a big fan of clothes that speak for themselves and don't require a lot of dressing up with accessories and I feel like Raoul is that kind of brand.  The lines are clean in the dresses, the blouses hold a very subtle sexiness, and it's just the right amount of lady-like without being even the slightest bit frumpy.  You could meet your future husband's mother in these clothes.  So prim and proper.  Here are a few of my favorites pulled from the Raoul look book:

 

Like sherbert!

QUARTZ PINK/ORANGE A-LINE SHIFT DRESS
METALLIC BEIGE STRAPPY WEDGE

 CLOUD DRAPED MAXI DRESS
TAN SKINNY BELT WITH PIN BUCKLE
TAN JANICE SHOULDER BAG

This is just plain incredible.  If I own one outfit by Raoul, it will be this one.

NAVY TEE SHIRT
NAVY HIGH WAIST SHORT METALLIC BEIGE WOVEN SANDAL

 SAGE/SESAME EXTENDED SHIRT
QUARTZ PINK CIGARETTE PANT
METALLIC BEIGE INES CLUTCH

OFF WHITE SAILOR BLOUSE
OFF WHITE FIT AND FLARE PANT

SESAME CAMISOLE
SESAME MAXI CLASSIC SKIRT

Luckily for us all, Raoul has an online shop!!  Shop it here.

Ogle...EVA GREEN

I recently read the book, Cracks and saw the movie.  Before I go on, let me say a couple things:

1) I read Cracks for a book club.  I would not recommend this book to friends.  It's slow-moving and has a terrifying ending.  If that's your ish though, then be my guest.  The book illustrates a great deal of girl-on-girl jealousy and brutality that I, personally, was not prepared for when I started to read it.

2) Eva Green is not an actress I just discovered.  I noticed her a few years back when she was a Bond Girl for Daniel Craig.  I remember this one scene towards the end of the movie when she was in an amazing dress with a plunging neckline which was paired with a chunky love knot necklace.  I thought she was beautiful then, but the element of sadness that they add to her in "Cracks," is what really makes her so captivating.

Eva Green, contrary to her accent in both the Bond Movie and "Cracks," is a french actress.  I've always admired this sense of carefree living and reckless abandonment that the French have.  I don't want to be cliché, but it really is some sort of "je ne sais quoi."

Anyway, I found a few pics on the web that really exemplify the oozing frenchness and glamour of Evan Green here:

C'est magnifique, if you ask me.

Own: Very affordable kicks from Marais USA!

These shoes have been featured all over the fashion web, but I finally took the time to really see what all the fuss was about and the variety and prices that Marais offers up are actually great.  No matter what your fashion inspiration is (I think I err on the slightly more hipster side...) I think that Marais has a lot of options for many fashion mantras.  As a shoe fanatic destroying shoes on a daily basis traipsing around Manhattan, one can't always drop a couple hundo on some fancy kicks so Marais provides me with a way to calm my footwear addiction and still keep my bank account entacted.

Take a gander at these lovelies...

These will be in my closet come fall, no doubt

 

 A refreshing twist on the standard peep-toe flat

The flats/sandals are all below $100, while the heels and boots are all below $200.  All images are from https://www.maraisusa.com/- check here to shop all styles!

The only thing I don't know is how comfortable these shoes really are, but let me know if you try them out!  Would love to know if they are 100% worth the investment.  As it stands now, they seem almost too good to be true.

Obsess: Up and coming local NY Jeweler, Michael Alexander

On a random Saturday, I was strolling along the UWS and I happened upon a crafts fair-type market.  There were tons of designers there peddling their creations, but none stood out as strongly as these designs by Michael Alexander.  The booth was well put together and the jewelry he had was beautifully displayed.  I took one look at it and knew it was something special and unique.  I haven't really seen anything like his designs anywhere else.  They are unique, elegant and truly modern.

I'll admit that I'm always a sucker for jewelry, but the freshness of his designs and the interesting way that he sets some of his stones in his designs guarantee that if you own something of his, you'll get compliments.  These are not cheap baubles, though.  A few of the designs I looked at were $3,000+.  Hence, I'll just obsess for now...from afar...woe is me.

Take a look at these beauties from his site, www.michaelalexander.com:

Wouldn't this make a beautiful engagement ring?

 Or wedding band?

These are all gold and precious stone creations.  Drool away.

Own! Cambridge Satchel Company

This company has recently received TONS of press because their bags are pretty much perfect.  They are a great classic shape and they come in a lot of modern colors including the fluorescent ones!  I just ordered one for myself.  The only downside is that because they have received so much press, their orders are completely backed up so expect to wait a while before yours comes.  You can place your order here, though I have to admit that the site is really sketchy looking.  Their customer service over the phone is the tops and they'll provide you with updates when you call.  Forget emailing them- they've clearly been overloaded with emails and are understaffed.

They also have these bags at ASOS, but with much fewer to select from.

Here are some pics!

I placed my order for an 11" fluorescent pink one and I can't wait for it to get here.