Skulls and BONES!

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Ferocious Fur Goods

Kelly Wearstler Red Fox Jacket & Proenza Schouler Chieko Bags

 

 

 

It's going to be 90 degrees again in Houston today, but that didn't stop me from perusing the fur that is all over the internet. I am dying over those Proenza Schouler Chieko bags! I have one of those hides on my floor from my boo's hunting trip - how the heck can I make it into a bag - who does that? And that Kelly Wearstler coat... Zamazing. Makes me think of Katniss Everdean? Well friends, I am off to Dallas for the TX OU game. Hook 'em!

Ps. It's going to be in the 80's there too. FML. Where are you fall?!

Grouplove at House of Blues Tonight & What I am Wearing

Really excited to see Grouplove tonight at Houston's House of Blues. What will I be wearing you ask? I was just wondering that myself...  

 jacket/ boots/ belt/ bag

Miu Miu Loafer Love for Fall 2012

Get them here and here.

Many of you know that I have quite the penchant for men's wear menswear. There is just something about the cut of a tuxedo jacket on my broad shoulders that screams sexay-laday. Loafers are no different. Femme them up and lookie there you are a lady-boy androgynous super star.I have one pair and have just about worn them out. Time for an upgrade! No one could provide a better upgrade than Miuccia Prada. Mui Mui is my MOST FAVORITE brand. For example, my two best friends were getting married, trying on dresses and how did I treat myself on that non-engaged day? With some vewry-vewry expensive Mui Mui wedges. It was dream. We've been soul mates ever since (pun intended).

The Wisdom of Neon Signs

That is true until you snap from too much pressure. What does the diamond have to do with anything?

Curse you mid-to-late twenties!

Any of my friends would tell you that this is my give it up to the universe saying.

Failure mostly, but also living an unfulfilled life. Plus, spiders?

Ah, the credo of the young and the restless. This also, like the pressure one above, is good until you nose dive into exhaustion.

Must Have for Fall 2012: BOOTS

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Not all boots are created equally - some are a million dollars and some aren't - click through to see. I particularly like these boots because they clearly say, "hey, I can totally kick your ass like a super hero, but still do my desk job with extremely warm shins and kneecaps." 

Ah, fashion I love you so.

Bracelets + Shoes + Poultry = Less Case of the Mondays?

Bracelet/ Shoes/ Luxury Chicks by Peter Lippman

Happy Friday!

1. GREEK FEST: Yesterday marked the first day of the 46th annual Houston Greek Fest. This was one of my first and most favorite events when I moved to Houston last year. Gyros + wine by the bottle + Greek dancing = One amazing block party! See you there?

2. NEW HAIRCUT: In 1 hour and 6 minutes I will be walking into a salon and cutting my hair into what I hope resembles the above. I am nervous and excited all at the same time, but mostly excited. My inspiration was found on Into the Gloss (the most amazing product/hair/makeup blog that I am now OBSESSED with) and I hope that the cut will also make me resemble her? Even just a little...

3. UT FOOTBALL: Tomorrow morning my boo and I are getting up bright and early to make the trek to Austin, TX to hang with old friends and attend the WVU/TX game tomorrow night. He was raised an Aggie so this for sure is going to get weird. Let's just say there is also a high percent chance I will buy him a burnt orange shirt and guilt him into wearing it. Also, did you see that the high is like in the low 70s tomorrow? GO F-A-L-L!

4. LEATHER JACKETS: Speaking of fall, I cannot wait to break out my amazing leather jacket. It's the perfect weight for the faux Texas winter plue it makes me feel like a total rock star. This amazing Chanel jacket was spotted on the streets of FW, but let me be the first to say that the ones from ASOS.com look just as amazing (p.s. that is where mine is from). 

5. PAPER BAGS: Although I am not into this look, but thought it deserved mentioning as a WTF Trend (remember those?). The Jil Sander version is a whopping 300 bones and it is literally paper. The Celine version debuted this week on the runway of Celine and all I can say is... At least it's leather? But is still real-real ugly? And not practical? Like a mangled clutch? Don't do it friends. Unless you are going for that hobo look in which case go for it. At your own risk, of course.

My Latest Obsessions: Fashion, People, Things, Etc.

1. Did you Lena Dunham has a fashion spread for ASOS.com? It is truly adorbs, but the best part is that she is totes a normal girl (that kinda makes me gag bc it is code for a lil chubs?). Check out the five pick spread here.

2. Kan-yeazy-so-sleazy at Paris Fashion Week. This guy really has the charisma/confidence/something (yes, that includes his asshole-ishness) that makes him irresistible to the camera and white girls that love rap all over the US (just like me).

3. This shark tooth necklace from Brooklyn designer, Brash Cat, just shot to the top of my Christmas (in October?) list. Buy it here.

4. No need to explain, just Channing Tatum for GQ looking all abs-y.

5. What is cooler than a black disco ball? Very little. Can you buy it? Does it glisten in the dance floor spot light? TBD. Here's where it's from.

6. Many on you know my obsession with Mui Mui shoes. Mainly because they fit (these wide feet) and also because they are comfortable - truly. These are the right color for fall and just seem serious enough for a workplace (if that workplace happens to be at my office, Laura U, Inc.). Buy them here.

7. Something about Balenciaga's jewelry that always has me going. I still dream about the giant shark tooth necklace (and late night search for it on the internets) and wish that it was mine. This S/S 2013 multi-finger ring is no different. See the entire show here.

8. This street fashion picture from the Milan Fashion Week has me completely hypnotized. That guy? Those old ladies? The hair? The cigarette? The accessories? Amazing. Photo by Jerome Sessini.

9. This shirt was spotted at NYC Fashion Week on a tres stylist fashion show goer (almost typed street walker - true, but not entirely). I want it, but it is SOLD OUT. Hate those words. Wait for it to maybe become available here. Have a sewing machine? Learn how to make your own here.

10. Last, but definitely not least, is this hilarious photo of my dad on the verge of a solid brown out following a show that he invested in in Vegas with his best buds. Let's just say his text message from that night is still pretty legendary on Instagram (don't forget to follow me today: @AftonyBalogna). Out-of-town Gary is the best!

Per the Usual, Dries Van Noten KILLS IT

You like to mix and match patterns you say? Well Dries just out did you.

 See it here.

Case of the Mondays? Words to Consider to Get You Through

Diana Vreeland's Quotes

 “There’s only one very good life and that’s the life you know you want and you make it yourself,” 

-Diana Vreeland  

Diana Vreeland was the creative force behind Harper’s Bazaar (1936-1962), Vogue (1962-1971)  and also revolutionized the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute (1971-1989). She is also famous for having quite an opinion about everything. Thankfully, Into the Gloss did all the dirty work and mined her memoirs for her 50 best quotes. Here are some of my favorites:

7 “You know the greatest thing is passion, without it what have you got? I mean if you love someone you can love them as much as you can love them but if it isn’t a passion, it isn’t burning, it isn’t on fire, you haven’t lived.”

10 “Style—all who have it share one thing: originality.”

16 “I think when you’re young you should be a lot with yourself and your sufferings. Then one day you get out where the sun shines and the rain rains and the snow snows and it all comes together.” 
 
20 “I adore artifice. I always have.”

Read the rest of her quotes here on Into the Gloss. 

See the film Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has To Travel in NY and LA, if you are so lucky as to live in one of those cities. The documentary chronicles her wild, inspiring life full of vim, vigor, and what D.V. called “Faction” (as in both fact and fiction, because, as she once explained, “why not make a story more interesting?”). 

Can't Stop Loving... Rachel Comey Sweater and Purty Ring's "Fine Shrine"

Buy this 470 bones sweater here.

And I have this on repeat, of course...

Haters Gonna Hate

Monogrammimg: More than Just Some Trend

Moon and Lola Acrylic Monogram Necklace

Any person who has ever been in a wedding or graduated from high school (at least from Midland, Texas or UT Austin grads) knows the value of a monogram on everything. There are two parts to this story: 1) For those presenting the said monogrammed item it is a safe bet that the person will hold onto the item for some time because it has their name on it. 2)For the person receiving the gift it screams 'this is all about me' and therefore you will love it forever. Oh, narcissism. Or, in the case of my newly married friends, at least until your name changes and you are forced to discard the item out of reverence to your new initials. 

Lucky for the rest of the non-preppy fashion world monogramming is not just for us WASPs anymore. Check out Clare Vivier's monogrammed clutch. It comes in lots of colors and its only going to cost you about $184 bones. Not too bad in the word of $2K purses that are in this season and out the next. Remember, your initials emblazoned on an item is classic because they are your initials and you rule.

Stella McCartney's pre-fall took consumers by storm with the full on embrace of multiple monograms everywhere.  In multiple colors and styles the monograms took the place of the polka dot in terms of layout and size. I like this, but am partial to my own three letters so will probably pass on the full body monogram and stick just to the single monogram that's all about me. Check out more monogram-able items here on the Who.What.Wear post from last week.

This Shiz Never Gets Old: Shit Girls Say Part 4

Currently Sweating the Small Stuff: Loeffler Randall's Editor Bag

Buy it here.

Top 2 NYMag #NYFW Day 7 Pics

Photo: Youngjun Koo/I'M KOO - Those monkey glasses are hysterical/the bomb.com. That's right. I went there.

Photo: Youngjun Koo/I'M KOO - Ah, the best for last. ZOMG where can I GET THIS?? See the rest here.

 

Forever 21: Wallet Friendly, Jewelry Edit

Many folks turn their noses up to Forever 21 26 (insert your age here), but I am not one of those people. Forever 26 has always been a safe haven for my impulsively trendy ways and there is no greater sign of that then their pages upon pages of accessories. Yes, that cuff will eventually turn to a dull gold-green sheen, but damn you loved it when it looked brand new. So,

I went through 55 of the 157 pages of their jewelry section (not kidding) and picked my top seven items of jewelry that you have to have now. Plus they all equal a measly $67ish. Chump change.  

Musical Musings: Music Worth Rolling In the Hay With

Many of you know, some of you don't, that my beloved went off to the Middle East for most of August 2012. While he was away seemingly every song on the radio was about coming home and waiting for someone to come home - it was agony... I swear it wasn't just me, but needless to say that music got me through his absence and, best of all, he's back! 

Lots of this jimmy-jams have some staying power and I rec you click to listen and purchase if you love/like as much as I do.

Here's the list for easy reference/download-ability: 
1. Come Home, Chappo 
2. I Will Wait, Mumford & Sons (no doy, am I right?) 
3. Flowers in Your Hair, the Lumineers 
4. Mountain Sound, Of Monsters and Men
5. Runaways, the Killers (new song from their new album) 
6. Take a Walk, Passion Pit 
7. Tongue Tied, Group Love 
8. Let's Go, Matt & Kim 
9. It's Nice to Be Alive, Ballpark Music 
10. Little Black Submarines, the Black Keys 
11. Reunion, M83

Doing Baroque Without Going Ba-roke: F/W 2012 Opulent Dressing

Alexander McQueen F/W 2012

The entire point of this F/W 2012 trend is to look and feel expensive. However, not all of us have the ability to make it rain, but do not fear because I know how to mirror this 'rain' look without you missing October's rent. Enter ASOS.com - the single most compelling and bottomless eCommerce site on the net. Yes, it is based in the UK, but with free shipping both ways who cares? I can't stop perusing and buying and perusing and buying - it's clearly a slippery slope. Thankfully 100 bones gets you more than a single pant (as in one part pants - ha - me so funny) and I always feel really good about all the compliments from my purchases. 

First things first though, let's go to the source of this trend to examine the details of the expensive-er versions. For my quarterly splurges and day dream online shopping the one and only place for me is NET-A-PORTER.com (did you know 'a porter' is French for ready to wear? These people are clever folks) and Google of course.

Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen at the Oscars, Getty Images

Opulent, embellished, encrusted... Call it whatever you want, but covered in shiny stuff is what it is.  Oh, and don't forget flowers and cherubs...

Check out all of the fancy wares here. These are not cheap, y'all.

Shop all of ASOS' baroque collection here. It's excellent and much more affordable.

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NYC Fashion Week: Someday My Lovelies, Someday

The Cut has gone above and beyond with their coverage of all thing Fashion Week. At the end of week one I am pumped to have access to their treasure trove of street style images. Lucky for you, I did the digging for you and pulled the top-top images for your viewing enjoyment. See the rest of the images here in their slide show.

This woman is SO much cooler than you, oh and skinnier, and did I mention cooler? Zanna Roberts Rassi, Marie Claire fashion editor photo by Youngjun Koo

Give me that purse, right meow! Where-oh-where can I get this?? Photo by Youngjun Koo

Gratuitous male model shot. They are so-o cool with their graphic tees and skinny jeans. Love it. Photo by Youngjun Koo (think that name is a play on 'young gun'? I sure hope so because that is beyond awesome.)

TheWellSet @Simon's Fashion NOW Event

Follow me on Instagram  today @aftonybalogna. I guarantee a few laughs and some thoughtful, not-overly-contrived images.

P.S. Add the new Scissor Sisters song "Let's Have a Kiki" to your party playlists right meow.

Falling All Over Myself - How to Wear Leather Pants

Hey-hey-hey there WellSet readers,

Please excuse the ridiculously long absence from this here blog. I got a new J-O-B and let's just say it rulez. However, a big part of said job is squirting (too graphic?) all my creative juices into the growth of the Laura U brand. That team is very cool and hip and kinda snarky. Which I LOVE and it is 100% me (and them to be honest, couldn't be a better fit out there, ya heard) - so - all creativity go to Laura U|Blog and the other blog spots I manage to hustle us (like the La Dolce Vita spot and the upcoming Fabulous K spot) and lest we not forget the quarterly Laura U|Mag. Thankfully, as Marketing Director of Laura U, Inc. some of my hard work is paying off. All this hustlin' and slangin' of the truly great work of my colleagues has gotten us featured on Houzz Tours and CultureMap. Click through to read the stories, foo.

As for my daily wardrobe and the likes of my Fall 2012 clothing acquisitions lets start from the beginning: with the fantabulous, black leather pants. Always a staple of the rocker set and now the very thin, ex playboy Kelly Wearstler plus a little wear by B-to-the-Yonce leather pants are it for F/W 2012 (Check Neiman's full selection here). I just got some and you should too (those Helmut Lang lovelies - you jelly?). 

With all the amazing options out there from pleather to leather there is something for everybody at most price points. And someday soon-ish (or not) it will be cool enough to wear these bad boys. Maybe they can be worn on Thanksgiving?? 

I can tell it's you, Kelly Wearstler, so skinny.

Beyonce, giving curvy girls everywheres hope.

RIP Jim Morrison, still so sexy right now.

So, now that I have you all primed and ready for the leather pants dance here are my top selections for fall leather pants plus a little outfit that I would gladly wear if the time (and temp) were right. That's right y'all, colors for summer/fall transition. Consider  your mind blown. I can't get enough of a silk blouse with tight pants because lets face it - I am no Kardashian (which spell check just tried to make guardianship - ha).  The floral-esque blouse and watercolor shoes make this outfit lady like rocker chic. LOVE IT.

Can you tell the pleather from the leather? Hint: the price tag gives it away. Didn't stop me!

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Musical Musings: Happy Wednesday - Admiral Fallow

Perfect Memorial Day Playlist + Outfit Inspiration

The Melker Project Remixes by scottmelker

Consider your mind BLOWN. Now please review the following Vogue Street Style pics from Coachella and Miami Art Basel to inspire your Memorial day duds after the jump. Happy LONG WEEKEND!

Daily Music Fix: The White Panda Mashup with Kanye & M83

I Want, I Need: Jimmy Choo Futuristic Bronze Clutch

Holli Rogers is a sage of fashion wisdom (Jimmy Choo, $595)

Marc Jacobs, $489

Holli Rogers is Net-A-Porter's Fashion Director and therefore in my book a fashion saint. She chose a wonderful list of items for Who.What.Wear's packing spread and I absolutely went gaga over this one. So, being me, I scoured the internet to try and find something that us fashion plebeians can afford and rock with equal zeal. It proved harder than expected because when you start searching 'futuristic' things get pretty weird and pretty cheap looking fast. So, forgive me that my cheaper versions are alas not that much cheaper. Maybe you will have better luck than me? 

Z Spoke by Zac Posen, $250

Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby

 
The music! The clothes (no doubt inspiration for the last season's obsession with the roaring '20s)! The ACTORS! I will be seeing this in theaters come Christmas 2012, but I dare say, is it really necessary to see it in 3D? The obsession with 3D has apparently trickled into what I would deem 'real' or 'authentic' cinema. I know Baz Luhrmann (Romeo & Juliet, Moulin Rouge) loves the spectacular-spectacular... Perhaps it will add to the film instead of taking away from it? Here's to hoping.

See some Spring 2012 fashions inspired by the roaring '20s after the jump...

Retail Therapy of a Different Variety

Prada screened a short film (aka, ahem, a commercial) entitled A Therapy, directed by Roman Polanski, at Cannes last night (NYMag). 
I am loving it.

Wedge Your Bets: Statement Wedges for Summer 2012

Expensive selections from Netaporter.com: INSPIRATION

I had too much wine last night and don't want to dumbfound you with my hungover rantings, but my shoe-selecting-spydey sense is working just fine. Check out my favorite fancy-shmancy choices from the mother ship that is net-a-porter.com and then check out my own little R&D from the interwebs (some have color blocking! pastels!). Gotta love a statement shoe. Pair with an easy outfit and let the shoes do the talking. Enjoy my new Nicki Manaj musical obsession "Beez in the Trap" - this white girl loves rap. 

Happy Friday.

Cheap and chic wedges for summer 2012