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Saturday , July 19, 2008
Thrift Scores with Laura Jane: Value Village, 07.18.08
Few things in this operatic escapade we call life are as straight-up awesome as having a killer thrift-shopping experience. It's impossible to predict precisely when a class-A Thrift Score Day is going to hit you; sometimes, all I want is to immerse myself in rack-scouring for hours on end, yet come up entirely empty-handed. On other occasions, I dip into a Sally Ann or Goodwill to kill a couple minutes and exit hours later, exhausted, red-eyed and reeking of mothballs, weighed down by two giant sacks of crap in either hand.
Thrift Scores with Laura Jane is a brand-spanking new feature dedicated to sharing the results of my positive thrift scoring adventures with the world. Yesterday ended up being one of the "Thrift Scorriest" days of my entire life; check the goods!
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Tags: Albert Einstein, diaper bags, dresses, J.Crew on J.Crack, preppy, punk rock, rompers, scrappiness, sneakers, Snoopy, Thrift Scores
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by Laura in Thrift Scores
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Friday , June 27, 2008
Giveaway: A super-hot Bryna Nicole clutch!
Bryna Nicole is an up-and-coming accessories designer based out of San Francisco, and her bags are pretty awesome: they manage to be vintage-inspired without being hopelessly retro, mostly because she uses the most delectable materials you can imagine, not to mention lively, contemporary colors. Made with soft suedes and leathers, eye-catching colors and versatile shapes and lines, her bags can work in all sorts of situations, from the most straight-laced business meeting to drinks at your local dive bar. They're simultaneously fun yet classic, and even better, you can carry them from season to season without getting sick of them -- or having them break on you. (Quality, my friends, it really works.) Anyway, we have a Bryna Nicole Jaden clutch in turquoise to give away here at nogoodforme.com. (It's the first pic below; plus there are a few more images of Bryna's stellar work. The actual bag we have a bit more teal-ish in hue than the picture indicates.) I've been staring at the Jaden bag for about a week, really wanting to keep it for myself, to be honest -- suddenly developing a craving for a bag that "pops" against an outfit and thinking it's both 1980s roller girl AND a perfect summer "going out" bag. The material is divine and the detailing is super quality -- you'll love it, trust me. So what are you waiting for? Leave a comment below (be sure to register with a valid email address!) -- we'll draw a name in a week and some really lucky duck will be racking up compliments all summer long. I'm already jealous!
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Tags: accessories, bags, Bryna Nicole, contests, giveaway, promotions, summer, turquoise
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by Kat in Contests and Promotions
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Monday , June 16, 2008
Love: Alex & Chloe
This probably should've been my Imaginary Shopping Spree this week, but I didn't want to blitz you with my rampant accessories lust. Which is a newfound thing, this accessories lust: it seems that buying fewer clothes like I've been trying to do causes me to seek more sartorial variety through other means. The old adages are correct: you can "switch things up" with a change in jewelry, shoes, bags, etc. Now I know why people are so ga-ga over these things! I've gone specifically nutsy over Alex & Chloe lately: they have a toughie-chic aesthetic, with so many of their necklaces, earrings and bijouterie reminiscent of studs and chains and hood ornaments and the like, but everything is so beautifully pared down that it's almost minimalist. These are my favorites:
Okay, okay, so many of you are so over the "birds/feathers/animal motif" thing, but honestly I never will be. Animals are awesome, and such awesomeness transcends the cycles of style. I love how this pendant is really stark; it's like the jewelry equivalent of Banks Violette, which you know I love. (That's pretty much the best way to sell me jewelry: all you have to say is "But it's the equivalent of Banks Violette!" and I'm about a third of the way there.) If it's possible for a feather to be bad-ass, this would be it.
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by Kat in Accessories
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Thursday , June 12, 2008
Wild Tigers I Have Known (On Scarves) So last winter I bought this really wacky silk scarf at an antique shop in the lovely land of Shell Beach. I don't think I had any intention of wearing it; I just like tigers, mostly because of Mary Timony (who writes songs with "tiger" in the title, and who used to drape her keyboard with this tiger-printed tapestry thing that once inspired me to buy an amazing tiger t-shirt in one of those Las Vegas shops that sells faux-turquoise necklaces and dream catchers). The scarf was something like three dollars and I figured I'd take it home and keep it around just to look at every now and again. And so far that's been dandy, but then the other day after writing about Iggy Pop's snarling-leopard jacket, I started wondering if maybe the scarf wasn't meant for bigger things. The trouble is, I can't think of a damn thing to do with it. (One time, just for kicks, I tried wearing it as a head scarf for three seconds in my kitchen, and I ended up just looking like a REALLY WEIRD pirate.) So, dear reader, I'm asking: Do you have any ideas on what to do with my big crazy tiger scarf? I'm open to using as decor somehow, possibly in my car. (I'm really into tacky car decor; right now I've got a pair of teddy bears on the dashboard and stupid stickers all over the glove box.) All genius and very much non-genius ideas can please be emailed my way. Oh, and the scarf's about 2' x 2', FYI. Thank you; you're grrrrrrreat!
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by Liz in Accessories
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Wednesday , April 9, 2008
Stop the Presses! I FOUND MY SUMMER SHOE! It's called "love at first sight," and while I rarely believe in it for human beings, I totally believe in it for fashion. Keep Company Joie de Vivre slip-on shoes, $50, from Tobi. Cruelty- and sweatshop-free, too! We've talked up Keep a million times before; I think they are geniuses. I love how they combine the sportiness of a slip-on shoe with the old-school classicism of toile de Jouy print. So charming!
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by Kat in Love
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Tuesday , March 4, 2008
Accessories: A.Che Here's my dilemma these days: I need a proper day bag. One that I can drag to school and stuff with papers and books and scripts (and maybe an external hard drive or two), but also one that won't embarrass me when I'm in a meeting and trying to get people to believe that they can trust me with a lot of money to make something for them. Ideally, this bag can go with me downtown when I meet up with friends and do my friend things with them, often involving drinking alcohol and standing in rooms listening or watching people do odd and somewhat crazy things. And you know, it has to be kind of cool and awesome and all that. How can one little bag do so much? Really, what bag exists that can do all that? There are a few, and they are legendary. But I'm putting a new candidate in the ring: the Raina handbag from A.Che, a new line based out of California. It's elegant but roomy, with just a tinge of bohemian to it, and is luxurious but discreetly so -- just a beautiful bag that should have pride of place in a closet for a good, long time. A.Che's bags have a classicism in their proportions and materials, but designer Amanda Che adds elements like natural woods, knotting and weaving to keep things from getting too staid. The results are beautifully crafted bags that are unexpectedly versatile and would be perfect for the most elegant, refined hippie ever -- you can imagine them being toted to some sleek office during the day but also hanging off the forearm of some pretty young thing at an art event later in the evening and then leaning against the back of the booth at some bar in the late, late hours. Amanda was super-kind enough to answer a few questions about her line and work; predicting the future is folly in the fashion world, but I'd keep an eye on this line. How did you get started in fashion? How did this particular line get started? What inspires you and your design process? How do you go about getting inspiration? Where can we find/get your line? What's coming up in the future for your line? What are you listening to lately?
AC: I grew up in fashion; my parents have a lingerie and swimwear manufacturing company that I've been working in since 13 learning all the angles of the business. I went to school at FIDM, where I learned some skills to add to my experience and started building the foundation of the company right after I graduated.
AC: When I design, I love to travel for inspiration. Being exposed to such a vast variety of cultures, colors, architecture, scenery, and materials is what really gets my creative juices flowing! I also read many fashion publications and attend as many fashion shows and trade-shows worldwide to stay on top of trends.
AC: The line is still really fresh and new to the market, but are being sold on my website www.a-che.com, and the following stores: Greta's in Beverly Hills CA, LaTik Boutique in Santa Monica CA, Rich Hippie in Dallas TX.
AC: My next launch will be for Fall 2008! I'm extremely excited to be adding some brilliant colors and many more styles to the original collection! I'll be participating in a lot of fashion events this years and products will be featured in issues of ELLE and LUCKY very soon! :)
AC: Music wise? My new playlist has The Shins, Coldplay, Daughtry, The Beatles, Iio, Amy Winehouse, The Fray and Flyleaf :P
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by Kat in Accessories
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Tuesday , February 26, 2008
Gryson for Target! Subversive for Target! Jesus Christ! Wowza, Target's having a big news day. We knew about accessories designer Gryson doing a Target collabo awhile back, but the images are officially out and I have to say, the bags do look like they'd be part of her main line. (I even like some of the designs better than the bags I've seen in her main line.) The biggest possible disappointment, of course, could be the materials. Some past designers haven't quite been able to grapple with the cheaper materials, but it looks like Gryson drew on vintage inspiration for her Target line, which could help here in that factor. I'm not fond of every piece, and one should always reserve judgment till they can actually hold and touch the goods, of course. But if you're in the market for a non-leather bag that's both elegant and practical, you could cruise these and possibly find something. The big news for me, though, is that Subversive, they of the amazing, amazing jewelry and a CFDA/Vogue darling, is now part of the Target stable! Totally psyched, because while past accessories collections have been on the disappointing side in terms of that magical intersection of materials and design, the jewelry designer collections have been quite excellent. Well, there was only one -- Dominique Cohen -- but I found it to be of surprisingly good quality, where the design considered the nature of the materials while still retaining the designer's imprimatur. This thoughtfulness is reflected in a higher price point for the general Target customer, which may make some people balk. While Subversive's pieces for Target are definitely not as intricate as their thousands-dollars-selling main line, they still have that elegant, imaginative eclectic thing happening and yes, I'm personally excited for these. (Plus, they did a nogoodforme.com interview for us awhile back! So they automatically rock in our book!) Between Subversive and Gryson and Jovovich-Hawk coming up soon -- Target probably just completely pwned your wallets, dudes. Anyway, peep pictures of bags and baubles below from Target.com. (More pics and official press releases available here.) Subversive will be available at Target from March 23rd to July 20th; Gryson will be available from April 6th to June 21st. Enjoy! Subversive for Target: Gryson for Target:
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by Kat in Accessories
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Wednesday , January 2, 2008
Accessories: Travel Carry-On Bags from 31 Corn Lane, LeSportsac, and Surface to Air So if you know me in real life, you'll know that I'm been completely blathering and excited about my upcoming trip to Thailand and other Southeast Asian destinations this month. (Um, anyone know of cool fashion destinations in Phnom Penh?) This means opportunities to indulge in eating some of the world's best street food, perusing the best of emerging Thai fashion (current dominant inspirations: Marni, Chloe and Marc Jacobs), cruising the film industry opportunities, trying to figure out why Thai whiskey is so watery and hanging out with my crazy yet lovable family. But this also means: travel accessories! (I already have the packing bit down.) Travel accessories are some of my favorite things to buy, allowing me to indulge my fantasies of being a jet-setting, glamorously louche adventurer a la Lee Miller in her war photographer phase or Beryl Markham in her aviatrix phase or Martha Geller in her hard-boiled reporter phase. I love travel accessories, everything from luggage tags to toiletry cases to weird shrink-wrap plastic bags that you stuff your clothes in and roll up so that all the air shrinks out of them so you can pack more clothes. And I love carry-on bags. I'm really picky, however, because I can't stand anything impractical (it does have to traverse oceans, after all.) And I hate logos (tacky, ghastly, and will get your luggage stolen more often than not). So, to quote Natasha Khan, what's a girl to do? This usually means, for me, the army-navy store, because they are rugged, handsome yet inexpensive and they earn looks of respect from equally rugged, handsome photojournalist types around the world. While deep down I know I'll be true to my affection for army-navy goods, I still like to fantasize about fancier, girlier things. I mean, who doesn't want to traipse around the world with this adorable bag from 31 Corn Lane slung on their shoulder? Sure, it has horses and hearts on it, but with its neutral color palette and small pattern, it is much more subtle -- more whimsical than childish, if you will. Of course, a girl can never go wrong with LeSportsac, either. (Note: the last time I went to Thailand, LeSportsac was the number one most requested fashion-y item from my gaggle of female cousins. That, and various Maybelline and CoverGirl mascaras: apparently American mascara rocks.) For awhile they had this lovely silhouette pattern that reminded my of the Kara Walker exhibition this fall at the Whitney (but without the incendiary racial imagery, of course.) I missed the boat on that, but I do like this charming, arty Etch print weekender bag as well: While those bags have a girlish charm, there's nothing more luxe than this Surface to Air aviator-style bag, available at the amazing Chicago boutique Hefjina. It has the tomboyish, ragamuffin appeal of the army-navy bags I am so fond of, but there is an elegance to the materials and proportions. This is for the part of my travel persona that checks into fancy hotels and drinks Scotch at the bar while glaring cynically into the middle distance. It is tough and sexy, but sadly, it's $514.
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by Kat in Accessories
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Friday , July 13, 2007
Portrait of the Jewelry Designer as a Young Lady Not withstanding the fact that she is one of my best friends of all time, the incomparable Laura Garland is also an immensely talented artist, illustrator, designer-- let's just say jack of all trades for convenience's sake. Laura has recently set up an online shop at Etsy, which can be found right here. Currently up for sale are her whimsical charm pendants (a veritable steal at $15), one of which you are free to ogle at left. In coming days, silkscreened tote bags, back patches, t-shirts and prints will be available for purchase as well. Each handcrafted bauble comes free with a unique silkscreened card, and, as if that isn't enough, Laura is more than willing to do special orders: to quote the artist herself, "if you don't have an image but an idea, like a hamster sitting down to breakfast, just holler. We will get it all under control!" Seems like a sweet deal to me- but then again, I get all these rad trinkets for free, being a VIP and all. However, not everyone gets to be so lucky as I am, so get yr pocketbooks out and start shopping!
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by Laura in Accessories
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Friday , June 8, 2007
July 15: Devi Kroell for Target So, it's not new news that accessories designer Devi Kroell, she of the super-expensive rock 'n roll socialite handbags, is doing a collection for Target, to be released on July 15th. (It'll be a busy day for the superstore, what with the launch of its Libertine collection as well as offerings from luxury jewelry designer Dominique Cohen.) But the bag is starting to pop up in magazine editorials, and recently a feature in this month's Marie Claire on a Devi Kroell for Target handbag caught our eye. It's one of those "Shopping Deconstructed" features, which takes apart a fashion item and breaks down why it costs as much (or in this case, as little) as it does. I found it interesting, and though I don't have a scanner, I thought it'd be interesting to share the breakdown of how a handbag goes from $2,500+ to $34.99: 1. The handle is flat and fastened with a satin brass-finish rivet, while the original sports a round handle with a tube inside. At any rate, while I'll be avoiding Libertine for Target (it's a bit too Avril for me, although I've got a crush on the whale-print duffle bag and, being a horse rider, anything with a pony screenprinted on it), we'll definitely be checking out Devi Kroell.
2. The zipper is nylon while the original is brass.
3. The vinyl "scales" are "debossed and dipped in metallic dye for a 3-d look" instead of being real python skin from Asia.
4. The satin brass-finish magnetic snaps aren't brass like the original.
5. The lining isn't silk, it's a synthetic poly-satin.
6. And the whole thing is machine-stitched, not hand-sewn.
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by Kat in Accessories
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