Alexander Wang Has Me Wanting one of his fanny packs..

Before I continue with this blog post, I must come clean about something. For all of my conscious memory, my younger brother and I have teased our dad mercilessly about his propensity for wearing a fanny pack. I mean, really dad? A fanny pack?

But now that I am older, I can look back on that and see why my dad has always stood fiercely by his waist-hugging companion. After all, fanny packs are practical, lightweight, and hands-free. And seeing this Alexander Wang fannypack on ShopBop has led me to almost want one for myself...almost.


It has lots of useful pockets, shiny hardware, and an overall carefree cool look. Who wouldn't want that?

Maybe I should listen to my dad's fashion advice more often...

Maybe.

XX
Ema

My Quest for the Perfect Leather Jacket

ETERNALLY COOL
Ohhhh I can be such a sucker for trends sometimes, but I like to think of a great leather jacket as a piece of clothing with a longer lifespan than most. They were cool when James Dean wore his with a plain white tee and hair combed back, and all the way to now, with the Voguettes sporting them left and right.

Just because they're especially cool at the moment doesn't mean they will ever deflate in popularity, right? Maybe the leather jacket is unlike any other trend. Maybe it has eternal lasting power, somewhat like fashion's fountain of youth! Hello conquistadors we have finally found what you were looking for, just a few years later. I am of the opinion that the leather jacket will never die, and that, my friends, is why I am dying to get my hands on one.

[[Or maybe I'm just trying to justify my latest craving for the newest, hottest clothing trend?]]

Shhh.... I like the fashion's fountain of youth spin on it better.

Hmm.. this one from Vince has an awfully heavy pricetag, but it does fit the description of good-quality, classic silhouette, and great leather..

Oh dear, looks like robbing a bank may just be in order..
But can you really put a pricetag on eternity?

XX
Emma

Blog Works at School!

After all the times I have been prevented from logging onto this blog from a school computer, and all the times I have written to the IT department asking them to un-block my blog, they have finally done it!

Hello world, I am blogging from school!

Now this may not seem exciting to you, but to me it is a huge deal. Now if I have spare time at lunch or study hall I can work on YAIS, without waiting until I get home.

Sorry if you don't share my excitement, I guess I understand..

YAY!

XX
Emma

Spotted: Tim Gunn on the Streets of NYC

So I'm walking down a street, somewhere in New York City, with a theatre group from my school . We're minding our own business, getting from our hotel to a theatre workshop, or something, and all of the sudden I hear someone shout, "TIM GUNN!". I look around, look down, and spot myself wearing one of the worst outfits of my highschool career: Nike shorts, black leggings, a black cotton blazer, and a black tank top. (Now if it werent for the black and white striped running shorts it wouldn't have been a crime, but really, athletic clothes?) And surely enough, there he is, in the flesh: Tim Gunn. Ugh, and he was interviewing someone too, probably for their "great street style".

Here's the evidence:


In case of future Tim Gunn run-ins, I will try to stay away from the Nike Shorts. That is my new vow.

XX
Emma

All Right Now

It's been ages, and I've missed blogging like none other! I only have a few seconds to type this up before I run out the door (story of my life lately-hah), but here goes nothin':

What I'm Loving this Fall (The OFFICIAL List)

*Tall Socks under Boots
Taking the layering trend one step further

*Motorcycle Boots in General
For those days when you feel like looking cool

*Warm Blazers as jackets
Boyfriend blazers, schoolboy blazers, etc.. are the jacket of my moment

*New Media
Reader entertainment/source is switching to the internet, and I'm glad to see the change! I just hope magazine companies fare well with the economy, and can catch up technologically..Kindle, anyone?

*Macarons
Not particularly fall-related, but definitely savory. I munched on them while visiting a friend in France over my school's fall break, and I'm kind of, sort of, really addicted..

*Sunglasses
Don't save them for summer, if the sun's shining, wear them. Or just pull a Rachel Zoe and wear them everywhere...

*Natural Hair
As the weather cools down your hair is likely to become drier and more sensitive. Just let it be. Your natural hair texture is probably more beautiful than you give it credit for.

*Blogging > School
School and school-related things have kept me from blogging, but I'm turning over a new leaf. Blogging matters too!

*NOT wearing jeans
It's not that I dislike jeans, that'd be close to impossible with all the cool varieties out there, but I don't like them a a "wear absolutely every day" item. Atleast not for me.

*Fall Colors
We don't have them yet where I live, but I'm waiting on them...

I've missed you! Blogging hiatuses are beyond lame.

XX
Emma

Jeggings and How to Wear Them

Since their post-80's revival, leggings have taken on many new and exciting forms. In 2005 we saw the trend resurface in the form of cropped leggings to be worn with shockingly short mini skirts, which would have otherwise been deemed "inappropriate" by school dress codes worldwide. Shortly thereafter, popular chain American Apparel released leggings in all kinds of crazy colors, textures, and prints, bringing a cult-like appeal to them. We were introduced last fall to the barely wearable, skintight "liquid leather leggings"as seen on celebrities like Lindsay Lohan and pin-thin models.

Now we have moved onto a whole new realm of legging. Enter the "jegging". A synonym of denim legging, the word "jegging" originates from the fashion origins of jean and legging. Jeggings are defined as an article of clothing that falls somewhere in between jeans and leggings, fits closely to the body, and is usually made of a synthetic-denim blend. Recently popular, comfortable, and easily available in mall stores, jeggings are a new trend worthy of entrance into your closet. Naturally, you may be confused as to how to find the right pair, and maybe are wondering how to wear them. Here are the ways that I recommend wearing jeggings in different situations so that you look well put together and stylish:

Shopping for Jeggings
Most importantly, make sure when you go shopping that you buy jeggings that work well for you. The most flattering options are usually made of a slightly heavier fabric, very stretchy, and a deep indigo wash. Also, look for a pair with a waist band if you plan to wear them more as pants than as leggings.

How to Wear Jeggings to School

The most important factors to consider when dressing for school are comfort and dress-code, so take this into consideration when putting together your outfit. For school it is a good idea to pair a tunic or long top with your jeggings, and wear comfortable shoes that still look polished, like Whitney Port's flats above. A shirt with a sparkly texture, or interesting pattern, is great because it adds some flair to the outfit. Just throw your hair up and you're ready to go.

How to Wear Jeggings on the Weekend

Weekends are a great time for carefree, easy dressing. A great way to try out this trend on the weekend is to wear your hair down, throw on a long tee, an over-sized cardigan, and boots or canvas sneakers. [see Sienna Miller above. Photo credit] This looks great because the big tee-shirt and cardigan add some coverage, and still manage to look cute.

How to wear Jeggings to a Party

When getting dressed for a party, you can take more risks, so don't be afraid to experiment and have fun with your look. Now is the time to try crazy interpretations of jeggings, like the acid wash pair Ciara sports in the photo above. She dresses up the ensemble with platform pumps, a sheer tank, and a fun statement necklace. The best way to wear jeggings at night is to dress them up with accessories, and most importantly to have fun with them.


Hope this was helpful!

XX
Emma

Prada, Paris, and Paradise

La casa di Prada

The most expensive shops I have seen in my life were on rue Faubourg St Honoré in Paris, period. From my experience, these stores are at an even higher level than shopping in New York, London, or Beverly Hills. I'm not kidding you. On this street there is the Hermes flagship store, the offices of French VOGUE, and many stores including Chanel, Sonia Rykiel, Guy Laroche, Lanvin, and YSL.

It's tough to compare which amazing shops are better than other out-of-this-world ones, but my criterion is simple, and straight forward...

Basically, I felt the least fashionable, and the most out of place, on this stretch of boutiques, much more so than in any other shopping district I have visited. That's why when I cruised past the new, temporary Prada store I only gawked at the window, but did not take the chance to go in. It was only one amongst a long road of opulence, haute couture, and Parisian style. It was not until I came home from this trip that I read about the "new Prada store" on rue Faubourg St Honoré, and realized that it was the very same Prada store where I had basically drooled on the outside window. It makes me wish I had gone in, for a more up close and personal feel of the space, shown below:

I think I'm drooling over Prada all over again...

I wonder if any VOGUE editors or fashion big-wigs have had the chance to shop here yet? Seeing as it is only a stone's throw from the offices..

XX

Emma