Lumberjack is in vogue, baby.

Who would have ever thought looking like a bum would become so stylish as of late?

After scouring the racks of my go to cheapie store (the beloved Forever21), I find myself simultaneously horrified and in awe. More than 21 plus variations of plaid can be found in the dressy tops section of the site alone.

This is an ongoing series of plaid gone wrong. My mission is to find the best, better, and worst versions of the classic slacker/British metrosexual man trend. I will look far and wide in order to bring you some of the worst sins in fashion (and no hipster will be spared, intentional or not).

Let’s start off with some of the good. Wait, I can only find one I like. Uh oh.
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Tags: cheap, clothes, cute, eyebleach, Fashion, hideous clothing, plaid, tacky

Don’t be such a pansy! Instead wear them around your neck with a floral embroidered pashmina scarf by accessories and jewelry designer Yumi Chen. Not only will these scarves keep you warm in this frigid weather, but will give you a dose of girly style. Also check out the vast selection of beaded bracelets, necklaces, and earrings, always made with the finest gemstones and swarovski crystals. Check out the Larkspur collection bracelet ($70) with teal silver foil fenicio twist venetian glass paired with light azure blue and blue zircon swarovski crystals. The entire collection is available online at www.yumichen.com or stop by and purchase an item in person at one of Yumi Chen’s holiday sales events. She will being selling her pretty pieces at The Young Designers Market the next few weekends and also at Shecky’s Girls Night Out at the Altman Building December 18-20.

Originally from the wealthy suburb of Scarsdale, NY, Yumi has gone on to become an accomplished concert violinist, professional pastry chef, mathematician, and now a jewelry designer. I had the opportunity to interview Yumi about her collection, inspiration, and personal style.
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Tags: bracelet, interview, jewelry, necklace, pashmina, scarves, yumi chen

Gift wrap yourself this Holiday Season with a silk ribbon bow atop your pretty lil’ head! You’ll be the only thing they’ll want to unwrap underneath the Christmas tree. From super girly and Upper East Side Prepster to slightly goth, these bow headbands and clips are sure to keep his attention on your face, instead of on the twins. Below is a list of my fave bow hair accessories by Angel Lust all available for purchase at www.starsandinfinitedarkness.com. Check out the whole collection of bow headgear by Angel Lust at www.starsandinfinitedarkness.com.

1) Of course, Ms. Jenny Humphrey on Gossip Girl wore the french dyed and swarovski crystal embellished “Jenny Bow” ($70) on the show.
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Tags: bow, clip, Gossip Girl, headband

Yes, I said prostitutes. I’m pretty sure legendary designer Stephen Sprouse would be rolling in his grave if he read todays WWD article about Mr. Marc Jacobs, creative director of Louis Vuitton, taking Sprouse’s artwork and slapping it all over LV accessories. At first glance, I’m like, oh yay I love Stephen Sprouse, and it’s so great that he is getting some much deserved attention again. But then, on second thought, I’m like, no Stephen Sprouse would not want his talents prostituted. In 2001, when Stephen Sprouse originally collaborated with Marc Jacobs and LV, he hated working in such a corporate environment and actually said “I was Stephen Sprouse. Am I prostituting my talents?”. Marc Jacobs isn’t simply reissuing past collaborative projects with Sprouse, but is taking the ideas of Sprouse and almost making them his own. Such as Sprouse signature graffiti print on accessories and his rose paintings. So, I’m still excited that a new generation will be exposed to Sprouse’s work, but this commercialization is sick, especially when Marc Jacobs not only makes money off of Sprouse’s mind, but will receive much credit. Just check out the January Harper’s Bazaar spread with a naked Marc Jacobs covered in LV graffiti and strategically placed accessories. Is it just me, or is Marc Jacobs completely full of himself? ouch, I know. But I’ve got to stick up for the dear departed genius Stephen Sprouse.

Also from Jan. 8 to Feb. 28 2009, there will be a retrospective on Sprouse called “Rock on Mars” at the Deitch Projects at 18 Wooster St. I hope that will be more respectable.
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Tags: accessories, fashion designer, louis vuitton, marc jacobs, stephen sprouse, wwd

So you are probably sale shopping your little heart out today, since it is THE shopping day of the year. But of all the people on your shopping list, come on, the boys are the least fun to shop for. So I have compiled a list of fun gifts that hip guys will actually use/wear. And best of all, if they don’t like it, you can use/wear it yourself! Best of all, you can order everything online at www.starsandinfinitedarkness.com, which is one of the hippest online indie boutiques there is on the web. So sit back, relax, and whip out your plastic.

1) Steel Couture: Rubber Chainmail Cuff v08 for Men- $52
This is an edgy cuff for guys who like some accessories. It is 130 industrial strength rubber and steel rings woven together for a manly look. But I’d still wear it!
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Tags: boys, cufflinks, gifts, ipod, jacket, leash, men, tshirt, wallet

In my last post I mourned the death of my purple Nokia 5300. But now I’m eagerly awaiting my white Google G1 Phone! It took a while to decide on but now that I have I’m really happy =)

I have to admit it’s costing me a fortune - $215 with a two-year extension of my T-mobile contract ($179 plus upgrade fee and taxes), and it’s an extra $25 a month to operate the thing - but we’re talking about a touch screen, slide-out QWERTY keyboard, internet on the go, all my favorite google gadgets, GPS, music player, video, camera, and of course a deliciously cute and sleek design.

There are a bunch of other features but one I’m particularly interested in trying out is this application that allows you to scan barcodes and do price comparison shopping on your phone so that you don’t have to buy stuff full-price in the store. Budget Shopping Tip #7? It’s up for review as soon as I get my hands on it ;)
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Tags: budget, g1, google, nokia, phone, price, shopping, t-mobile, white

I’m the type of person who likes to personalize/customize everything if I can so it’s only natural that I would want to decorate my cell phone! I’m not just talking about the cute little charm you can attach to your cell but actually decking out the faceplate with decor.

Cell phone decoration has become quite the trend in Japan. Not only do they deck out their phones with rhinestones but small plastic items in the shape of desserts. Yum? While it is a bit on the pricy side, you can actually go to your local arts and craft store and find things that are cheaper or get original pieces from Strappya (Japanese cell phone merchandise store).

There’s loads of ways your can decorate your phone even with rhinestones. Some people would just cover their phones in the same color but it’s gotten a little more advance than that. Now-a-days you can use patterns or even intricate designs like a fish or even your name.

Also thanks to this big décor boom, more and more items are being personalized like hand mirrors or hair brushes. A bit over the top but it’s still cute.

While there’s a million ways to go, I prefer rhinestones because at the end of the day it still has to fit in your hand. While the fatty in me says go for the cookies, my inner diva would rather glam it up then end up on the streets attempting to devour my phone.

Photo Credit: Ping Mag
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Tags: cell phone, charms, decoration, japan, rhinestones, strappya

Can you believe the holiday season has just begun? Ah, the smell of warm cookies, the sound of gift wrap being torn, the stampede of crazed shoppers on Black Friday. There’s no other time like it in the year - besides being my personal favorite season, there’s just something extremely nice about it (probably the free food from all those work parties).

With the holiday season come the parties…and party, you will. The classic little black dress always works well, as the simplicity of it looks amazing on everyone. I have never seen anyone look bad in black (unless you’re Amy Winehouse…ha ha ha). Check out these 4 twists on the little black dress that I found from Forever 21. All are under 30 dollars, so they don’t break the bank. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: black, Design, dress, Fashion

I enjoyed one of the most beautiful and delicious plates of sashimi I’ve had in a very long time today (pictured on the left).

My friend and I took advantage of a student promotion coupon to go to this creative sushi bar in New Haven called Miya’s. They have really amazing and creative sushi creations such as the kiss the smiling piggie roll made with hot sweet potato, mango chutney, and pine nuts - absolutely delicious and a must-have whenever I go to this place.

Today I asked for a recommendation since there were so many choices and the waiter recommended the nine spice sashimi, an “ancient Chinese-style fresh water fish sashimi seasoned with Chinese firecracker sake, citrus & spices.” We had no idea what to expect but when it arrived at the table I was delighted - the arrangement is gorgeous and the flavors explosive! The choice of tilapia was great, since the gentle pink of the thinly sliced fish combined with green cilantro created the perfect edible rose =9

After the jump: more pictures of this sashimi rose and the wasabi/ginger arrangement accompanying it…
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Tags: ginger, miya's, new haven, rose, sashimi, sushi, tilapia, wasabi

Remember that laptop clutch Kimmie saw at the Vivenne Tam NYC Fashion Week Show? Well, we just got word that HP is producing the so-called HP Vivienne Tam Mini Edition “Digital Clutch” to have it in consumer hands before the holidays! Apparently you can reserve one by calling 1-800-230-5752 or visiting hpdirect.com/minivt. This guarantees you the opportunity to buy one in early December.

Now I definitely don’t need to write a birthday/christmas wishlist anymore because this darling toy is enough for both of them (I’m a December baby). I have no idea if I’ll be able to muster up $700 or convince my parents they love me enough in time to get this, but I’m definitely putting one on reserve just in case! At any rate, it’s the epitome of high fashion meets geek meets Chinese design, what is there not to be insanely excited about?! Adorable tiny portable size and weight, gorgeous reds and pinks, Vivenne Tam-designed wallpaper and covering, I’m already drooling.

More info, specs, links, and pictures after the jump!
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Tags: birthday, christmas, digital clutch, hp, laptop, mni, NYC Fashion Week, vivenne tam, wishlist