Camera Club Capelet

It was love at first sight and you know it. Did I mention it has a detachable scarf? Available at Anthropologie.

Flapper Girl Wool Hat

For the days you feel like channeling Daisy from “The Great Gatsby.” I don’t think I have ever seen a better kept vintage flapper hat in my life. Made in the 1920s, this hat is the cat’s meow! Available at The Lucky Fish.

Wool Cloche

Today’s French lesson: “Cloche” in French means “bell-shaped.” I love how this hat is a modern version of a flapper hat. Not only can I not make up my mind if I prefer it in wool or in linen, but I suddenly have the overwhelming urge to go to millinery school. Available at Liza Rietz.

White Rose Scarf

With a scarf like this one, I’d surely find any excuse to wear it in Los Angeles’ 80-degree weather. Where there’s a will, there’s a way! Available at Anthropologie.

Classy Necklace

Classy, you say? Thank you for noticing! Available at Supermarket.

Unless you have been living under a rock and haven’t heard the news, Leanne Marshall won Project Runway!

I was on Team Leanne since Day One because she always seemed cool and collected which translated into confidence (unlike what’s her face) and there was this nerdiness about her that I loved. At the beginning of the season she wore these glasses that made her look like Velma from Scooby-Doo. I always thought Velma was underestimated but it was obvious that she was the brains in the gang. The lesson here folks is NEVER underestimate the quiet girl wearing glasses.

Her clothes are so beautifully made that they should be on display in an art museum. The attention to detail and the impeccable tailoring is downright dreamy.

I know it may sound crazy, but her designs are so light and comfortable that I can’t help but think about whipped cream. It’s like she took a can of Reddi-Wip and told the model to stretch her arms out while she circled around her, meticulously applying whipped cream in such a way as to create the intricate folds of a skirt and a ruffled neckline.

While Leanne is out braving the whirlwind of publicity and sudden fame, I check her Etsy shop, Leanimal every now and then. It will be a while until she starts selling clothes again (and who knows how much the worth of her work has gone up!) but I can only imagine that the competition injected into her work an improved loveliness that is Tim Gunn approved.

Tunic dress

This Julia Fredenberg tunic looks so versatile and timeless, not to mention comfy. I love how it looks like paired with red tights.

Amour Paix necklace

I don’t remember much from the three years I spent studying French in high school, but at least I can recognize the words “love” and “peace” when I see them! Made by Anne Kiel and available through Supermarket.

Blaue Blume teacup

Fancy a cuppa… legs? This teacup, made by London designers Undergrowth Design, is the coolest one I have ever seen.

Double the Fun bar ring

This Metal Sugar ring reminds me of something my friend Nancy would wear. She wears the most amazing rings. But this one looks very sleek and intimidating, like, don’t even think about messing with me because I WILL CUT YOU.

Rhino Rose necklace

Internet, I have a confession. I’m in love with a rhino. This necklace is made by Who Made It, who is the same Etsy seller I bought my teacup jewelry holder. The necklace also has matching earrings.

I came across Fleur Northcote’s Etsy shop, Phunk Lab, and after looking at her amazing art, I wish I had more wall space and a gentleman caller.

See the logic in that thought sequence? Pretty art > apartment envy > single.

But really, more wall space would be nice. And a mantle, if that isn’t too much asking.

Northcote is an Australian artist who takes a photograph, blows it up against newsprint and turns into an etched portrait on canvas. As a news junkie, I love the idea and how they can make you look VERY IMPORTANT and FABULOUS on canvas. So you may not be famous enough to book Annie Leibowitz, but this is even better:

This one is a wedding photograph with customized text. (This would make an amazing wedding gift!)

But then I browsed some more and found this:

So it goes, pretty art > apartment envy > single > ovary ache.

I must have one of these handmade crowns made by Which Goose at Etsy. They are so detailed and beautifully made. I can’t even imagine what they look like up close. I’ve always liked the idea of an outdoor wedding at the beach or in the middle of a forest, and these would be perfect for the bride and her bridesmaids… but ahem, yes, college first.

Isabeau

This is my favorite one because I love its simplicity and it reminds me of a Greek wreath, something Athena would wear. The peacock feathers that are pinned to the side? Gorgeousness. More pictures here.

Ariel

Speaking of that beach wedding… More pictures here.

Madame Butterfly

I love the autumn colors of this headband. It’s a shame there aren’t any tea parties or race horses to dress up for here like there is in the UK. More pictures here.

Pleated cap-sleeve top

Oh, Marc Jacobs. You kill me. Available through eLUXURY.

Around the World Illuminated Globe

My parents bought me a plastic light up globe when I was a kid and this one is definitely its sophisticated older brother. Perfect to have in a study to brush up on your geography or to keep track of your travels. More pictures here.

I had no idea nice lingerie was so hard to find until a couple of months ago when I walked into Victoria’s Secret to buy nightwear for a friend who was getting married. The whole experience was like buying a car for the first time. In other words, I was lost and confused. I had no idea what to get her so I decided to pick something I wouldn’t mind wearing. I spent an hour walking back and forth, searching for something that didn’t scream “cheap whore” or that was neon green (I’m not kidding). Finally, I settled on a lacy brown piece that didn’t have any shreds of fabric or strange holes and absolutely NO sequins.

I’ve often joked with friends that I’m going to wear footie pajamas on my honeymoon just because most nightwear is raunchy (and not in a good way), but after discovering Strumpet & Pink, I have changed my mind…

Made by English designers Lisa Z Morgan and Melanie Probert, the handmade knickers are artistic and elegant but still very playful. I love how they are decorated with buttons and flowers and are kind of like costume pieces.

They look like something a nymph would wear, and nymph is EXACTLY what you should be going for right?

Strumpet & Pink is pretty exclusive and I’m not sure if any US stores carry their items, but some of the pieces can be purchased through Glamorous Amorous.

And for those who want something less cutesy and more zexy, there’s always La Perla.

I first met Raisa in the 4th grade at Brentwood Elementary. We lost touch after I moved to the godforsaken Valley, but now that we’ve reconnected, we can’t get rid of each other–and that’s a good thing.

Besides our mutual love for the United Kingdom, Raisa and I are also fond of a good sale. Raisa recently struck gold at the clearance aisle at the Anthro in Santa Barbara.

See for yourself!

Pink blouse

Sunglasses that shes describes as “a bit too big in a flattering way.”

THE SALES RECEIPT:

Blouse, $48 originally, she paid…… $30
Sunglasses, $38 available online, but she paid……$20.

Alas, the trouble with Anthro is that once you buy something, you always want more…

“Now, I have my eye on these wonderful little things, and goodness knows I barely have enough patience in the morning to make sure my clothes match (or something) before I go to school, but by golly, I will wake up that one minute early so I can put these on!

And don’t get me started on the For the Home section (Why, yes, if I am to start cooking for myself, I DO need those $15 measuring cups!…) My wallet fears the day I get a place of my own to decorate!”

-RS

Here are some things I want but basically can’t have. Let the pining commence.

Coffee table
There’s something incredibly grown up about owning a coffee table. I’m not quite there yet, but I’m in love with this one. It’s artsy and would really brighten up a room. It’s made by Michael Arras and available at Etsy.

Sweetheart hat
I’ve had my eye on this hat by Terry Graziano for a while now. It’s handmade and can be worn in multiple ways. It looks like something Debbie Reynolds would have worn in “Singin’ in the Rain.” I’m not sure if I could pull it off here in LA… but it’s definitely a show stopper.

Three Ring Chain
I know it wouldn’t keep me warm, but this three ring chain made by Yokoo is definitely one of a kind and the sort of thing you wear to an art gallery exhibit. I almost bought this for myself, but it has sold out. I think you can contact her for custom orders. Cross your fingers everyone!

Log pillows
These are so cute I don’t think I would let anyone touch them, especially while we are eating s’mores. Available at My Imaginary Boyfriend, they’re made out of wool felt. That’s right, cuddly wool felt logs. Suddenly, the world is a less scary place.

Milk & Bread tag necklace
You will never lose the bread bag’s clip ever again with one hanging around your neck! This one is made of sterling silver and can be engraved with a name and date. Made by Melanie Favreau through Supermarket.

Maybe it’s the way they hug your body in all the right places. Or the discreetly placed pockets that always continue to surprise when your hands slip inside.

Or maybe it’s the way the belt ties around your waist–like the wrapping bow on a present–and how the ends sway along with your stride. Or perhaps its power lies in the smaller details, in the buttons and intricate stitching.

No matter the store, as soon as I walk in, my eyes scan the racks in search of a well-made coat (preferably in bright technicolor, but I’m not picky).

My coat craziness is so serious that I am well on my way to owning one in every color (This summer I picked up a yellow trench coat in Santa Barbara for $30!). It’s like I’m preparing for a deluge, which is ridiculous because I live in LA, where it rains two days a year if we’re lucky. According to my calendar, it’s the second day of fall, but LA tends to misbehave when it comes to following the seasons. Every morning from September to January I look out my window in search of wind or rain–I’ll even take some drizzle–but all to no avail because LA likes it hot, ALL THE TIME.

It’s hard to find someone who can understand the tragedy of our geographic location, but then I came across a story written by Monica Corcoran, a fashion writer at the LA Times–and I think we are soul mates.

Here is an excerpt:

SEPTEMBER IN L.A. is the cruelest month for a coat fiend like me. Temperatures laze in the 80s during the day, which makes buying a chic camel-hair swing coat about as daft as owning a beach towel in Anchorage. Nevermind the other East Coast sartorial staples — fitted turtle necks and ribbed tights — that taunt this N.Y. expat. Mostly, it’s the coat I crave. Ten years in L.A. hasn’t quelled my addiction to that jolt of static electricity that comes from friction with wool. Or the tickle of twill on my neck.

Every autumn, I still need that fix.

The rest of the article is just as good at describing what it feels to be a coat addict in LA. Interestingly enough, Corcoran’s childhood memory of her “heap red winter jacket from Sears filled with lumpy faux-down filling” got me thinking about the underlying reason for my addiction. As it turns out, I also had the same lumpy, red jacket that made me look like a ripe tomato wiggling its way through the school bus looking for a seat.

Who knew that miserable red jacket would make me susceptible to grow up to be a coat lover, who on more than one occasion, has considered performing a rain dance to correct the fact that she lives on the wrong coast.

I can’t believe it has been more than two years since I saw the amazingly talented Imogen Heap at the Wiltern. After just one listen to “Hide and Seek,” it’s pretty safe to say that she’s unlike anyone you’ve ever heard before. But when it comes to her fashion choices, you’ve probably seen that look on the runway, that strange and fierce, child-like quality that somehow manages to teeter between being really weird and inexplicably fascinating–clearly not something us ordinary folk would dare to attempt. No, it takes a pretty special person to pull that look off. Only Imogen Heap comes to mind, followed by Bjork shaking her fist in the corner.

But someone over at Etsy recently chose her as the inspiration for the Get the Look spotlight, and found some vintage and quirky items that are quintessentially Immi. I could definitely see her wearing the Venetian inspired jacket but I think the red and black laced corset is too Moulin Rouge. Judging from the pictures I dug up from the show, the corset Immi was wearing was very feminine–pink, and Victorian French with a modern twist.

Here’s a better look at her skirt: