>> ...I hate to say adieu, but I simply must whisk myself off to Spain and England (and France?) until mid-August.  I'm torn, believe me.  I will try to update as often as possible, but it will likely be very sporadic.  My apologies ahead of time.

And so I leave you with something I like:

TIME Magazine recently did an article on Phoebe Philo that made me respect her even more (if you can believe that).  They stressed the fact that Ms. Philo emerged as one of the leaders in fashion design without the boost of any hype.  When first offered the top job at Chloe, Ms. Philo was "a rebellious, unknown assistant with a penchant for gold teeth, diamente-studded nails and hip-hop.  Although many fashion insiders credited her street smart for Chloe's success during [Stella] McCartney's tenure, she was not not an obvious choice to reinvent a 50-year-old-brand." 

I absolutely love that Phoebe didn't get where she has by "playing the game" and kissing booty.  I love that she's always been herself, and done what she likes to do, and yet has been able to gain the respect of her colleagues.  I mean, she was at Chloe's helm at 27.  And most of all, I love her for showing people that sometimes someone who seems least likely to be right for the job is actually perfect.  The underdog who scores.  I hope she keeps it up, because I hold her way up there in my books. 

And something I don't like so much:

Versace's new face is....drumroll please...Demi Moore.  Yeah, just like that.  Blegh.  I mean, yeah, she looks great for her age, but, come on, Donatella... Demi?  I'm just not seeing it.  Nor will it attract me more to your clothes.

**sources: uk vogue dailies

>> No I mean, really, please stop me. It must be fate that I keep getting lead to these great $20 shoe deals, but I could really use a cease and desist order right about now.  Here I am, about to embark on a great voyage to Europe, and am I saving my money?  Noooo, of course not, why would I ever do something intelligent and responsible like that?  Especially when there's these great pairs of shoes on sale stateside?  I told you I was downright addicted  -- I was not kidding. 

And now, the fruits of my labors (and trust me, it was soooo labor-intensive to walk into the store and try on a couple pairs of shoes):

The first pair kind of reminded me of the Chloe Bow Moccasins -- they're nice Italian leather, comfortable, and perfect for traipsing around Spain (until I find some suitable espadrilles, that is).  And the second pair is just pure whimsy... but its good to have a little of that in your life every once and a while.  Besides, I've been on a bright-colored-shoe kick lately -- I like the punch they add to an outfit.  Let's just say, today, I am a satisfied customer. 

>> Now that I've got your attention with the shocking headline, I've got an interesting little tidbit for you.  Susan Glen, designer extraordinaire of Tit Totes, is fashioning handbags out of bras.  No, I'm not even joking -- she sews the cups together, uses the hooks as a clasp, and the straps as...straps.  Then, she decorates each tote by hand, adding sequins, fringe, and whatever else may strike her fancy.  Her designs are inspired by Old Hollywood -- her "Marilyn" (Monroe) design is above ($230), and her "Audrey" (Hepburn) to the right ($195).

My first reaction is TACKY!, to be honest.  I mean, I like sequins, I'm eh about the fringe, but the whole using-a-bra-as-a-purse thing, not so sure about.  I could see how some people would see it as "empowering" or whatever, but I mean, really do we need to go back to the '70s, when women were doing crazy things like burning their bras?  If you want to show off your bra, I think it's much sexier peeking out of a suit than so...just...out there.  And besides, on more general terms, I just plain don't find them cute.  BUT, if you wanted me to pick my favorite, I would have to say the "Eleanor" (Roosevelt), because it's actually somewhat classy looking (left, $150). 

All that said, I have to hand it to Ms. Glen -- at least she has a sense of humor. When asked about her inspiration:

"...Maybe I should make a Cheeto and beef jerky-themed Tit Tote, and name it Britney."

**sources: venus zine

>> Ever since Alexander McQueen's skull scarf debuted in his pirate-inspired Spring/Summer 2003 collection, the Jolly Roger has been somewhat of a go-to guy.  Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, and Mary Kate Olsen all still wear their scarves, whether tied onto their bags or tossed around their pretty little necks.  I personally have always been a Jolly Roger aficionado myself, but for a slightly different reason -- anyone who grows up in Louisiana can't not be fascinated by pirates.  They're proud of their Jean LaFittes down there.  Even the Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles has crossed pistols all along the rails in tribute. 

But I digress.  The reason we're here today, kids, is to discuss the frequency with which I've spotted Mr. Roger lately.  And I must say, he's lookin' good, too.  He must have gotten tired of just hangin' with the unbathed men with gold teeth, only one real leg, and parrots attached to their shoulders, because it really looks as though he's working on expanding his fan base.  I'm impressed -- he's really picking up some credible collaborations here -- we've got the Chanel earrings for the high-end customers (right, $796).  I definitely bit on this product -- these are too cute to just look past.  Perfect for adding a little punk rock to an otherwise sophisticated outfit.

For a more laid-back look, Mr. Roger's got a real one-two punch going.  LA-based underground label Great China Wall has a beautiful tank with Mr. Roger's face just plastered everywhere (left, $415).  The hand-painting is gorgeous, and the crystals are fun.  He must be a creature of comfort, because Mr. Rogers has also shown up on those oh-so-comfy Vans slip-ons (right, $40.95).

And last, Mr. Roger shows us Texas girls that he can be versatile -- on cowboy boots (left, by Liberty Boot Co.).  He sure is comfortable in his manliness to be showing up in all this pink.  And a bow, no less.  But whatever it takes to please the ladies, right, Mr. Roger?      

**sources: style.com, nylon

>> Back in March, when denim giant Seven For All Mankind announced its collaboration with LA-based label The Great China Wall, I was skeptical.  Not only because I am anything but a fan of Sevens, but because the whole deal is sketchy.

Great China Wall has established its popularity by handpainting, embroidering and bejeweling vintage tees, army pants, and hoodies (right).  Alfredo Settimio, founder and owner of GCW, is proud of his label's "underground" rep -- he relies solely on word-of-mouth, and doesn't "like to do advertising."  Funnily enough, however, he is collaborating with the very mainstream, advertising-friendly Seven jeans.  Together, they are producing a "limited edition collection" of 30,000 pieces, which will include 10 denim styles, 2 denim jackets, as well as a selection of crystal-studded t-shirts.  Not only that, but fifty retailers have picked up the line, including Kitson, and huge department stores Neiman Marcus, Saks, and Bloomie's.  All this just doesn't quite ring true for "underground" with me.  And since when is 30,000 pieces a limited edition?

I hate to say it, but so far, my hunch has been correct.  I came across a few of the lovechildren available for preorder at Browns.  I can't say that they are anything special -- where's all the hand-detailing that GCW is famous for?  I'm assuming that's why the prices would be so high, because the crystal detailing they've got going there sure as hell doesn't look worth the ₤465 these jeans listed as.  In my opinion, this is just not the way GCW should have gone -- not if they wanted to continue the underground buzz.  But, after all, that's just me. 

**sources: women's wear daily

>>  This season's resort collections have been far from impressive -- Gucci's looks like a page torn from a Liz Claiborne catalog (far left), Marc by Marc Jacobs' is just barf (left), and Louis Vuitton's is eh...(right).  It's like Goldilocks' dilemma gone bad. 

Thank goodness I've found a fit that was juuuust right, or we would've been in trouble.  I have to give it to Roland Mouret, his collection is a real breath of fresh air. 

A self-taught Frenchman who resides in London, Mouret maintains that all his designs come from a square of fabric.  If the man speaks the truth, which I don't doubt that he does, it's no wonder he's becoming so internationally reknowned -- he has some genuine talent.  Plus, his cruise collection just oozes 40's glamour with a pinch of modern twist.  Never thought I would say this about a trench, of all things, but WOW.  I am in love.  With this trench (left).  I don't even know what it is, because the design is so simple.  It must just be the feminine way that it lays.  Forget wearing a dress underneath, I'd be tempted to wear this trench by itself. 

Like I said, the whole collection is sublime, but I just can't resist rounding it out to my top three.  Second on the list would have to be this gorgeous yellow sheath (right).  It hits all the right curves, and its hemline reminds me of a mermaid.  It's sexy in an understated way, very silver screen siren.  And finally, this top (left).  I love the way it hangs -- the tailoring is amazing, and the psychadelic print...I can't suppress it -- I just have to sit back and: "Ooooh...Ahhh."

I give you a standing ovation, Roland Mouret.  Now if only you would do an encore...

**sources: women's wear daily 

>>  When I first saw this shirt, I didn't really think twice about it.  But I recently rediscovered it, and something about it is just sticking with me, like meat on bones.  It's kinda like when you like something, and you don't know why, but you're positive that that you do.  There's some kind of deeper reason, and you just can't put your finger on it. 

Indie designer Wendy Mullin says of her t-shirt designs: "With most of the stuff I make, I am not really concerned if people will like it or even get it.  Most of the pop culture references are like private jokes with myself...So it's choosing things that I relate to."  And maybe it's that vibe that I'm getting -- there's something in this shirt she designed that I can relate to.  The scene depicted is from one of my favorite books, Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, where 8-year-old Scout is walking home from a Halloween pageant, dressed in a large ham costume.  Wendy draws Scout in an inky dark limbo, waiting, inviting the vengeful Bob Ewell to attack her.  Her ham suit saves her from his knife swipes, and you've got the eerie feeling Scout knows the enigmatic Boo Radley will come to her rescue.  And so she waits, biding her time, an 8-year-old wiser than her years, for the benevolent man to appear. 

I know it sounds a little bit nutso to have such intense feeling about a t-shirt, but I kind of like it.  I think it's better to wear things that mean something to you, than to wear things just because someone else is wearing them, anyway.

Ham Tee, $35, Built by Wendy

>> There's this pair of Chloe Dark Chocolate Boots that I've been ogling recently, like a lecherous old man does a teenybopper in a short skirt.  It's bad.  I've become completely obsessed, really.  In fact, sometimes, I just go to the satine boutique site and gaze lovingly into the boots' chocolatey goodness.  I tried to introduce them to my boyfriend, in hopes that the feeling would catch on:

ME:  "Drool." Well, I was salivating profusely.

HIM:  Laughing nervously.  "Look at you.  They're so...expensive."  I could just hear the cringing in his voice.  And then he says it...reluctantly, but he does want to seem like a good boyfriend, after all. "Do you want me to buy them for you?"

ME:  Yes yes yes YES!  "No, don't be ridiculous."  But they're so pirate-y, and sexy, and angelic.  And I love them. 

HIM: I heard that small sigh of relief!  "I could, you know."

ME:  "Yeah, and then we would have to starve when we go to Spain and England and France.  All so I could have some chocolate yummy soft leather boots."  I wouldn't mind...

HIM:  Still trying to be the noble boyfriend...  "You would be happy..."  He knows me too well.

ME:  "Not when our tummies are so grumbly that they begin arguing while we're trying to sleep next to each other."  My tummy is exceptionally talented at being loud, and his at being grumpy.

HIM:  "We have argumentative tummies?"

ME:  "If they're grumbly, yes."

HIM:  "Then we could eat the chocolate boots!"

ME:  "Um..."

HIM:  "Well, they are chocolate..."

ME:  "That would be a fucking expensive dinner."

HIM:  "You mean dessert?"  He just thinks he's sooo cheeky.

ME:  "Dessert before dinner, always."

HIM:  "Oh, sorry, I forgot."

ME:  "Haven't people eaten leather before, though?  I feel like they have.  In times of desperation...like in war..."

HIM:  "People say steak is tough like leather."

ME:  "...I feel like soldiers ate their boots..."

Sometimes I wonder why he's still with me.  I guess it's because he doesn't mind humoring me when I get delusional about $950 boots.

>> I may be jumping the gun (just slightly) by talking about a trend for fall when it's 100 degrees outside, but I just couldn't resist.  Especially when I saw it pop up atop Kate Moss' head during a photoshoot for a Japanese commercial (left). 

There was definitely a strong Russian influence on the runway for the Fall/Winter Collections.  Costume National, for one, had plenty of tasseled passementerie, luxe furs and velvets, and my personal favorite, the Cossack-like fur toque (above right).  Maybe it's because the hat just looks so cozy, or more likely, in wearing it, I could fantasize about being in my own version of that lovely movie Doctor Zhivago.

I'd be willing to bet that toques are going to be all over the place, come the first freeze, because they're already all over the pages of the July 2005 ELLE.  The faux-fur toque on the left featured is...how do crazy kids say it these days? Ah, yes..."hella cheap" ($8 at H&M).  The toque-like hat with the fur Dumbo ears on the right (which is still cute) is not so cheap, but then it has real fox fur ($450 at J. Crew).  Of course, neither are stocked yet, as we are still in...a-hem...June.  What can I say, I like to be on top of things. So, ladies, I leave you with this piece of advice: Come fall, talk the toque, and walk the walk.