I’ve been obsessed with Fiona Paxton’s ultra-statement necklaces for the past year and I may just need to take the plunge and splurge on one of her pieces. The RCA trained textile designer has worked in fashion for over 10 years developing prints and embroideries for big-name clients- think Chloe, Armani and Moschino. Her eponymous collection puts her past work experience to good use. Bold geometric patterns and intricate hand beading are the signatures of pieces. I love the way that they drape over the neck almost scarf-like.

Now, if only I could decide between the Sylvie, Connie, Paxton Lane or Paxton Dott necklace…

Scott Schuman’s blog, The Sartorialist, began simply because he wanted to share photos of everyday people, going about their lives, that he thought looked great. These “street style” blogs are now quite numerous and have huge influence on designers, stylists, photographers and other taste-makers. What keeps me going back to The Sartorialist is that Schuman doesn’t simply post photographs of outfits- he posts photographs of people. While some street style blogs always have their subjects pose for the shot, awkwardly doing their best model pose, quite often Schuman shoots them unawares and captures a fleeting moment of time. It’s his style of photography, not just the style of his subjects, that makes his blog one of my weekly must-reads.

Now you can give your coffee table a touch of Schuman’s style with The Sartorialist book, which was released earlier this month. Featuring 500 pages of photographs-favorites and many never before seen- and some commentary, I can’t wait to get lost in print version of his beautiful photographs.

Join me? The Sartorialist by Scott Schuman

Do you remember playing with tangram puzzles as a child? The ancient Chinese puzzle consists of seven simple shapes that can be arranged to form different shapes- animals, people, numbers and letters. The objective was to create a specific shape, using all seven pieces without overlapping. While today this may not seem like the most thrilling pastime, and perhaps it never really was, the shapes the puzzle creates are awfully cute and nostalgia inducing.

I came across this totally adorable Clara Tank from Dolce Vita and was completely smitten. The zipper detail, neckline ruffle detail and most of all- the tangram animal print- make this top a must-have. I love the cheeky originality of the print.

In anticipation of the third season of AMC’s “Mad Men”, Banana Republic has partnered with the network to celebrate the influential style of the hit series. “Style and fashion are at the core of ‘Mad Men’ with its 1960’s aesthetic highlighting the classic silhouettes that are still popular today,” says Jack Calhoun, president of Banana Republic. “Banana Republic is known for its modern take on these classics, such as the suit, trench coat and classic white shirt, so the partnership is a natural fit for both brands.” I couldn’t agree more, and am totally in love with this partnership. I stopped by my local Banana Republic and absolutely loved the Mad Men inspired windows and style guides- which feature character profiles with corresponding styled outfits and tips on how to get their look. While I’ve only seen one episode of the show (soon to be remedied by my roommates purchase of the DVD sets of the first two seasons), I don’t need a favorite character to have a favorite piece (or two) from the “Mad Men” inspired collection. I love the structured silhouette of the Lightweight Wool Sheath Dress and sweet bow-tie of the Summer Orchid Silk Geo-Print Bow Top.

Source: Stylist.com

If you’re anything like my friends and I- or Nicole Richie, the Olsens, and Reese Witherspoon (to name a few celebrity Fashionistas)- you have probably been obsessed with the Givenchy Nightingale bag for some time. If you are anything like me, however, that lovely leather work of art is just a tad bit out of your pricerange. Just a tad. Which is incredibly sad, because it is truly one of the best bags out there, in my humble opinion.

Today I stumbled across the Rembrandt Small Satchel from BCBGeneration. Swoooon. The silhouette and straps are reminiscent of the Nightingale, but the zipper detail makes it not quite a blatant knock-off. And the price tag? Almost as beautiful as the real thing…

Lykke Li’s Youth Novels has been in constant rotation in my car for the past year. It’s a great CD for road trips, and a pick-me-up during my daily commute. So, I am totally stoked to be going to see her live for the first time this Tuesday. Even more so when I came across this photo of her on Style.com rocking the couple-years-old trend I haven’t quite gotten over myself- turbans. How cute does she look? (If only a little seasonably inappropriate…):

Turbans are a trend I’ve been obsessed with for years, ever since the Spring 2007 Prada collection. Yet, the closest I’ve gotten to actually sporting the look was a wide knotted satin headband, that I have tragically misplaced. I’m thinking for Tuesday’s concert, I may finally need to go all the way with the look… paired with a vintage concert tee and cut-offs, to tone it down a little.

This black and gold lame version is exactly what I need in my life.

I keep coming back to these images from Style.com that I saved on my desktop. I can’t get enough of the pale-brights (is there such a thing?) being worn by Hilary Rhoda and Vena Cava’s Sophie Buhai.

Paired with neutrals- black and tan- the colors are summery, feminine and juicy, without being overwhelming or too sugary. By toning down the brights with neutrals, these ladies stay far away from the old adage “too much of a good thing”.

DKNY has some great pieces, like this Colorblock Racer Back Tank and Colorblock Dress, that make getting this sugar and spice look a breeze. Just throw on and go… my favorite!

Image Source: Style.com

If anyone were to feature Bambi and friends in fashion advertising, it would be animal lover Stella McCartney, and for her Autumn/ Winter 2009 campaign that is exactly what she has done. “I’m a huge Bambi fan, and the film reminds me of my mum,” the animal-loving designer told WWD. “And we wanted to have some fun. The clothes in the campaign are looking quite fierce, and we wanted to contrast them with the innocence of Bambi.”

The whimsical ads also feature “almost-as-adorable-as-Bambi” Sigrid Agren, were shot by Ryan McGinley, and will break as double-page spreads in the September issues of French, Italian and British Vogue, V and Another Magazine.

Bambi may actually be, in my humble opinion, one of the scariest Disney movies ever- but I am loving the shot of fun the movie’s characters add to McCartney’s campaign. Makes me want to go frolic in the woods…

What better shoes to take me around the woods than these Bambi-friendly Adidas Stella McCartney Fitness Shoes?

Source: WWD.

I spend some time this weekend cleaning out my closet, which got me thinking about the necessary items of clothing that every girl should own- a pair of jeans that fit perfectly, a basic white cotton tee, a smart professional outfit for interviews, and of course, a little black dress that makes you feel like million bucks. It also got me thinking about all the unnecessary stuff that clutters up our closets, but that is a topic for another post. I have lots of good stuff in my closet, as well as lots of unnecessary stuff, but what I seem to be lacking is the perfect little black dress. Sure, there is a lot of black in there- but what I am talking about is a show-stopper. The kind of dress you wear that puts all eyes on you when you walk into a room. I’m talking about this dress:

In both the long version on Natalie Portman and short, cut-out version on Ashley Olsen, I am absolutely gaga over the neckline of these Balenciaga dresses. The effect is almost like an attached bib necklace- yet way sexier than that sentence implies- it’s unexpected, modern and chic. I am now on a mission to find a dress for myself with a similar dramatic neckline. Unfortuntaly, no matter how many dresses went in the Goodwill bag this weekend, I can’t really justify a Balenciaga purchase…

The eye catching combination of a plunging neckline and criss-cross detailing on this Elizabeth and James Crossfront Technical Chiffon Dress, at thousands less than Balenciaga, makes this dress a totally justifiable splurge.

I was really impressed, per usual, by Phillip Lim 3.1’s resort collection. As always, Lim shows he has a great feel for what the cool girls want to be wearing. The collection felt modern but with a boho 1970’s twist. The patchwork denim, easy jersey pieces, and casual suiting separates were all lovely, but the standout for me was the antique lace.

I love the mixing of the different colored laces, the striking simplicity of the stark white dress, and also the mixing of the lace with urbanite separates. I am definitely inspired to wear more lace this summer.

I have a high-waist denim skirt that never makes it out of my closet, but paired with this Milly Antique Lace Camisole and a brown belt, would have a very Phillip Lim feel to it.

Image Source: Style.com