tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69073368738917112162026-01-04T00:02:06.981-05:00Sartorial Examinations of the Beautiful, the Weird, and the Intoxicating.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-50598422624669491322013-09-30T07:36:00.002-04:002013-09-30T07:36:34.176-04:00

If I'm going to wear (or exhibit) the color red, it has to be something extra special, super minimal, or downright kooky.  It's a color that has big impact in carefully edited doses (awesome), and can easily end up looking ....well, gaudy as hell.  But I say, if you (or your living space) are going to end up looking gaudy as hell, at least do it purposefully.  And

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-30717295811876774172013-08-19T10:00:00.000-04:002013-08-19T10:00:02.992-04:00

Are you speechless yet? So generally speaking, I'm not a big jewelry person (hang on don't slap me yet).  I find that the vast majority of jewelry available, even by high end designer brands, is pretty boring.  Apart from a few classic, simple pieces for every day - thin gold bangles, a slender pendant necklace, etc - jewelry should be carefully edited

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-60666014526767880292013-08-06T11:19:00.001-04:002013-09-02T15:34:11.984-04:00

Just a petite roundup of pretty things in fresh shades and simple shapes; Perfectly Neo-Preppy accessories for the last month of summer.  (I'm kinda sad already, but also looking forward to a season sans bugs) Favorite picks for this week...   /  1  /  Samudra's Canvas Tulum Wave Pouch, $65 because, girl,  the beach looks so good on

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-78005464964889829992013-07-29T09:00:00.000-04:002013-07-29T09:00:04.118-04:00

Whoa!  I can't believe it's almost August.  Forgive me for the sporadic posts this month?  I've been working on several design projects, including this portfolio website for a client, a complete re-design of my Rive Gauche Craft blog, massive tweaking of my  illustration & design studio website (design tweaks and making room for

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-44909045767074727662013-07-15T10:00:00.000-04:002013-07-17T13:31:43.500-04:00

Is it just me, or do bohemian style interiors seem so much harder to replicate in your own space at home? One of my personal on-going projects is the arrangement of my apartment.  While it's generally the sort of project I devour with gusto, I've often found it frustratingly tricky to create this kind of eclectic look and still maintain a sense of order. Maybe it's just a personal

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-24538988998029966672013-07-02T09:00:00.000-04:002013-07-02T09:00:07.782-04:00

Ah, helloooo... It's summer!  Apart from being one of the prettiest sweets (yes dah-ling, that triple-scoop mint chocolate chip looks fa-bulous with that dress) ice cream is also one of the most sensible things left to eat.  I mean, I can't even manage a hot dog in this 110 degree heat.  Are you with me? So here we go, 4 ice cream recipes you can make at home

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-89856739398163809732013-06-27T09:00:00.000-04:002013-06-27T09:00:02.516-04:00

It seems I'm on a (huge) color kick lately.  What happened to my elegant cloak of ever-versatile black!? Well, whatever.  Color can be quite the vacation.  A vacation from winter, and a soothing opioid holiday from reality (i.e. 100 degree temps, mosquitos... and other icky hot weather invertebrates).   Clearly, my current fixation with color has arrived at the

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-86732728658619315702013-06-25T09:00:00.000-04:002013-06-26T13:52:01.347-04:00

Resort often takes a back seat when it comes to the opulence of the fashion world.  Though there may be little earth shattering innovation in the designs, this is one of my favorite seasons (right after Spring).  It's refreshing to see easy, wearable things on the runway for a change.  Plus there's always a delightfully invigorating injection of color. This season I

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-30751806170321002822013-06-12T09:30:00.000-04:002013-06-26T14:15:03.030-04:00

It's lovely how everything gets bright and peppy in the summer, but I don't want to work unless I can have a flamingo on my desk!  And a mug that clearly states how much I want to see everyone in the morning, too. Hah! The illustrated notepad and anti-social mug are both items from my design shop, the Rive Gauche Craft boutique.  Speaking of which, I recently plunged in with a

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-22215147889047551252013-05-31T09:00:00.000-04:002013-06-25T05:54:02.009-04:00

Ahoy there!  Father's Day is June 16th!  Here's to all the coolest, suave-est, badass-est dads out there... a brand new illustrated card and coordinating gifts from Rive Gauche Craft. For this year's card, I took a bit of inspiration from that era of the most handsome dudes of all...the Jazz Age.  This classy daddy-o cat sports a mustache, pipe, and a modern take on the

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-50548226471824779112013-05-27T10:00:00.000-04:002013-06-26T14:15:03.051-04:00

A favorite sentiment from a favorite icon, and a gal with killer style (captured on the street by none other than Tommy Ton).  Editor Julia Sarr-Jamois is a massive risk taker - I mean, those shoes!  And one of my most seriously inspiring girl crushes.

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-57651669874878167642013-05-21T10:00:00.000-04:002013-06-26T14:15:03.071-04:00

Does the floral & stripes combo ever get old?  I'm starting to think this look has some real classic potential.    Add splashes of punchy color with a mint bag and vermilion shoes (the understated shapes keep this ensemble chic, instead of discombobulated), and top it off with a tiny pastel charm necklace for a dash of playfulness.  This little Ted Baker

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-31464878247218170912013-05-18T10:00:00.000-04:002013-06-26T14:08:16.574-04:00

A few favorite (affordable!) spring-y baubles from across the web, complete with flowers, nautical stripes, scallops, and woodland critters.  It'll soon be getting too hot out to wear much else, so I say accessorize with substance.     1. lotus flower ring by ara, $49    2. nach porcelain blue bird ring, $103  (oops!  got a little carried away

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-6966525952715712652013-05-11T11:00:00.000-04:002013-06-26T14:15:03.079-04:00

Is there a formula to Bohemian dressing?  One might think not, as this style seems rather intuitive and impulsive (or slapdash - as my sister might say).  For those of us with a hankering for eclectic pattern and print, but without the know-how, I say there is indeed a formula!  The real key to making this look work is balance.  You know, give-and-take.  

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-22049740216670797432013-05-09T10:58:00.000-04:002013-06-26T14:08:16.563-04:00

A lesson on bright red lips from the coolest girls around;  A darling, daring statement that seamlessly works with any style, and every skin tone.  Plus, the little tubes are pretty enough to brighten your day just a tad on their own.  More ideas on how to wear bright lips here.    Here's an honest confession, gals: if you are wearing bright red/

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-79928821726481633922013-04-25T10:00:00.000-04:002013-06-26T14:15:03.100-04:00

This is one of those tricky styles that seems like it was invented for only the coolest gals.    How do you wear the "boyfriend" jean without looking mom-ish?  The biggest secret to pulling this off is confidence.  And no, you can't buy that.  The good news is that confidence is one of those "fake it till you make it" type things.  &

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-75778829847195804862013-04-22T09:30:00.000-04:002013-06-26T14:15:03.093-04:00

Here's to the gals with the chutzpah to throw caution to the wind.    So take that, Monday.  photo by tommy ton, fashion editor joanna hillman via harper's bazaar

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-14696000624876158442013-04-19T09:30:00.000-04:002013-05-17T16:25:57.087-04:00

Huzzah!  It's Friday! Is anyone else craving a decadent sleep-in weekend? Kate Moss's royal baditude sets the mood for my kind of lazy Saturday, photographed by Juergen Teller, via the face of london. I've been lusting after this sorbet colored Araks camisole and shorts lounge set since forever.  And Alexander McQueen's glittery skull emblazoned slippers are so

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-28754881879815417032013-04-18T09:30:00.001-04:002013-06-26T14:02:47.567-04:00

I won't pretend that I love the beach, but i could sure go for a trip to the Greek isles.  There's just something wonderous about that intense ultramarine and those shades of cobalt blue dotted all over an urban-ish landscape.  And how dreamy is that one-piece swim suit?  Oh, you know.  Just another color craving.     repetto ballet flats, $275

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-59963917197526152902013-04-16T09:30:00.000-04:002013-05-17T16:26:46.999-04:00

After much thought and deliberation, I've decided to implement a few branding changes to both StyleMachine and my illustration and design label, Rive Gauche Craft.  My goal is to present each brand in a more focused way, by giving them individually tailored online environments.    Basically, I felt like things were getting just a tad jumbled.  I'd like to keep

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-23655824515872400862013-04-10T09:30:00.000-04:002013-06-26T14:15:03.022-04:00

Denim on denim is one of my favorite looks for any season.  Yes, I said it: any season.  Maybe I like it so much because it seems like such a faux pas, and I enjoy challenging the perceptions of passersby.  It's especially fun to play this game in non-fashion towns, like the one where I live.  My favorite ways to style this look: with leather and

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-43355144013853558212013-04-09T09:30:00.001-04:002013-06-26T14:08:16.583-04:00

What's better than a gold cuff on on your wrist?  How about a gold cuff on each wrist?  Work your urban Amazon mojo with this pair by Asos.  (They come in packs of two for a non-horrifying $25.)    More ideas on how to double up, you know - xena warrior princess style :  one  /  two  /  three  Here's to a

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-74916551668525221602013-04-08T09:30:00.000-04:002013-06-26T14:15:03.086-04:00

A simple thought for a Monday.   Stay inspired, and don't let the bastards grind you down. ! In other news, please pop over to Emphatically Elle today to see a handsome blog and an effervescent gal.  Fellow fashionista and cat lover Elizabeth has featured a bit of my work.  I'm pleased as punch!  Especially since her blog is one of my latest

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-828427975257222362013-04-05T13:40:00.000-04:002013-05-17T16:28:47.750-04:00

Whoa, this week has been hectic, hasn't it?  Or maybe every week is hectic, and I just have the memory of a goldfish.  (I hear they forget everything every five minutes - how exciting!)  This is one of the projects I've been working on for the boutique- a new collection of Spring fancies for the home and office, featuring a sweet and mischievous new little cat who plunders all

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907336873891711216.post-88723186003672692062013-04-01T10:30:00.000-04:002013-06-26T14:08:16.628-04:00

The moment I saw these villain-esque sandals from the 3.1 Phillip Lim runway, I knew I was a goner.  I mean, did anyone see these shoes and not lick their computer screen?  But yeesh, the price of luxury!  Once again, Zara swoops in to calm our little palpitating hearts, and drain our little pockets.  The stylish pauper's hero. shop  /  3.1 phillip lim pj

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