So perhaps in my transitional summer-to-college state I should not be looking to break the bank, but you know what they say about old habits. However, I'm fortunate enough to have an intense phobia of shopping online. Window shopping, or screen shopping I suppose, I adore, but actually buying something I can't bring myself to do. However it is through trial and error that I do decide on what to buy.

My methods involve scouring numerous on hand department store websites for dresses I like. I collect various potential candidates and then venture out to said department stores to view the specimens in person. It is through this method that I have unveiled the magical altering effects of photography. Shockingly obscene colors are somehow muted online, and fabrics that I would never even contemplate putting on my body are configured to seem normal, likable even. This, and my love for carrying around a shopping bag, has kept my shopping selective and strictly physical. By that I mean contact must be made between my hand and the garment.

That said, I thought I'd display my latest finds. A good chic unique dress is hard to come by these days, so it's only fair that I disclose my findings.


Dress #1

Designer: Nanette Lepore

Price: $288.00

Location: Bloomies, Bergdorfs, Neimans, Nanette Lepore boutiques

Comments: It's just so adorable. It's not to dressy, not too pricy, flattering, and, recession rule number one, it's versatile. Come on.





Dress #2

Designer: Theory

Price: $355.00

Location: Anywhere Theory is sold, it's a pretty accessible brand.

Comments: Okay, so Abercrombie and Fitch, which as of yesterday I am no longer a slave, has been vomiting plaid all summer so it's safe to say I'm a bit brain washed. Although this dress is a good marriage between chic fashion and mall rat style. I think I could rock it.



Dress #3

Designer: Topshop

Price: $90.00

Location: Topshop.com or the flagship in NYC. If you're lucky enough to live in Europe, pop over to England where Topshop originates.

Comments: It's cute and flirty. Very Blair Waldorf. It also comes in black, but it's sold out. I don't know about quality, but it's something sweet to throw on with tights or something.



Dress #4

Designer: Milly

Price: $310.00

Location: Bergdorfs, Bloomies, Saks, Niemans, anywhere Milly is sold.

Comments: I saw this on Karlie Kloss (personal girl crush on her) in Instyle or Vogue or something a while back. It was stunning and I screamed when I saw it available to the general public. I am trying to steer clear of my shift dress motif that I seem to gravitate towards. But, I mean, peacock? Done tastefully? I'm salivating as we speak.



Dress #5

Designer: Nanette Lepore (are we sensing a trend here?)

Price: $348.00

Location: Berdorf Goodmans, Nordstroms, Nanette Lepore boutiques

Comments: I saw this dress when I was walking though Nordies, of all places. The fabric is a bit 5 year old party dress, but its the color that really grabbed me. The shirtdress thing is in anyway, so why not do it with ruffles and girlish flare? I'm dying to.

Sooo there are my shopping efforts thus far. None of these wonderful dresses were purchased, but they are in the back of my mind for when I've saved up my money. No telling how well they will fit ON, though. I'll keep you posted on that bit when I get around to it.

As a child of 21st century media brainwashing, my immediate reaction to the likes of apparent drug victims and party girls is distaste and aggressive disinterest.

Take Courtney Love for example. Tainted by the media, her musical connections and achievements I cannot even claim knowledge of, but her trashy and belligerent behavior are what DO come to mind. All that has been changed by one interview. New York Magazine has got to be my one true love. The Cut Blog is my bible, the Party Lines is genius, and I adore the attitudes and sharp wit of every journalist from the Daily Intel to the Vulture. They are so honest and real in how they tell it; not clouded with big words or political jargon. Which is why I knew that their encounter, and I stress the word encounter because it was exactly what occurred, with Ms. Love was real and unfiltered.

It is because of this article that I can honestly say I believe the real Courtney Love, sans photogs and tabloids, is the best friend I've always wanted. She comes off just as impulsive as you would think, but also like some sort of musical historian. Within her few minutes spent with the Vulture, she rattles off musical know how and shockingly mature statements that are entirely unprecedented. Take a look for yourself and see if personal conversion can come of this intoxicating interview. This kind of stuff only happens to a New York Magazine journalist.

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So while bored on a Sunday I like to, for lack of a more modern phrase, surf the net. You know, just segueing from one site to another. Today, while clothes shopping on Kate Spade, I stumbled upon their personal bloggy type thing that is a random smattering of "things" they love. One that caught my eye was this phenomenal video on how Crayola crayons are made. As an past and present avid crayon fan, this process was mind boggling.

The rest of the Kate Spade blog is equally interesting with hours of fascinating links that they too at some point stumbled upon. Some of them are weird old lady things, but all are relatively artistic and inspiring and utterly Kate Spade. I suggest sparing a few minutes to educate yourself on this fascinating tour through the birth of an orange Crayola crayon, it does not disappoint.



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