jonathan adler mug

I still haven't bought myself a present for my birthday which happened almost 2 weeks ago. It's funny -- even though I blog about inspiring, beautiful products, I can never keep track of a wish list! While I'm not a planner, my tendency to make spontaneous purchases counteract the purpose of a wish list... I guess I like the thrill! :)

Today I bought this Jonathan Adler Scale Mug and am so excited to see it pop on my work desk. One of many mini birthday presents to myself, I'm sure. Do you plan your purchases? Or do you buy on the spot, like me?

(Jonathan Adler Scale Mug - $14.40 via Casa.com)

obsessed: coach x james nares totes

Speaking of artful design in the previous post, what do you think of this limited edition Coach x James Nares tote bag collaboration? I've seen artists collaborating with design houses before (i.e. Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami), but this must be the most elegant example EVER. According to the Huffington Post, Nares suspends himself from the ceiling to create his paintings, thus allowing fluid, continuous brushstrokes such as the ones below.

There are five tote bags in total. While marketed as "Men's" totes, I can see anyone, guy or gal, falling in love with these designs. At $798 per bag, they're not cheap, but I think this is an inspiring DIY idea, and one of the coolest new joint ventures in artful fashion design. Love!!

savage beauty

New Yorkers! Have you been to the Met to see the Alexander McQueen "Savage Beauty" exhibit yet? I just went this Saturday after a 1.5 hour wait, but it was absolutely worth it. While McQueen's couture is known to be very dark, hard (& sometimes scary!), I loved his lighter, more whimsical designs the most. Here are a few of my favorites from the exhibit...

The Met did a great job selecting McQueen's most famous work and showcasing them with just the right interior design and music. Had goosebumps and shivers! Check out other McQueen designs in the exhibit here. But hurry quick - the exhibit closes after next weekend!

(Photos via artfashionandhim)

roberta by olivia palerma

Ahhhh! So, Olivia Palermo's jewelry collaboration designs just came out, and they are a total win! Wasn't a huge fan of her on The City, but I sure do love her bib necklaces. (Although I'd like them even better if they were edible! Ha! Like cake necklaces! (Note to self: Must stop being a fatass.))

Also a fan of her outfits on Vogue's "Today I'm Wearing..." blog. Lady's got style... but methinks she should eat more. ;)

simply celine

"Are you a Celine woman...?"

My loves, I'm baaack! (I had the time of my life, I'm just bursting with stories and photos to share with you! Next post, I promise.) But first, I want to acknowledge a question the Sartorialist asked this week about the two hottest fashion shows of the season, Celine and Louis Vuitton: "Are you a Celine woman or a LV woman?" Well, my answer is Celine, indubitably, Celine. (Louis Vuitton can suck it.)

Maybe it's because when I see a Celine collection, I can't help but think Aha! This is what a real woman wears! Because the crisp tailoring and structure seem to embody the strong, sophisticated working woman -- a woman who is comfortable in her clothes and most of all, comfortable with herself.

Or maybe I just have a girl-crush on Creative Director Phoebe Philo, a fashion visionary, BFF of Stella McCartney, and a young mama to boot. Or because Celine is exactly the "older sister" of Chloé, Philo's previous fashion house. Mon Dieu, how we've grown up!

Whatever it is that draws me to Celine, it's undeniable: the Celine woman is fierce. Fierce because she is graceful and tough at the same time. She's a woman on a mission, and isn't that inspiring? (Whatever mission it may be...) Who wouldn't want to be her?

(Pre-Fall 2010 photos via style.com)

loving built by wendy

Independent fashion designers make me feel warm and fuzzy inside -- a good thing, since I'm nearly bedridden with fever and cold! Built by Wendy apparel is absolutely adorable, every collection, every season. Its designer Wendy Mullin (who started her line in college!!!) was a founding designer in the Steven Alan showroom, a brand I also love. And she's a published author to boot. I'm completely smitten with Wendy and her clothes!

spring in a bag

I was never a big fan of Coach and its rigid, old-lady bags emblazoned with C's. But then, Coach surprised me with its Spring '09 "Bonnie" collection, inspired by designer Bonnie Cashin, and created these quirky beauties. I mean, the little flowers are separately attached to the bag! How perfectly appropriate for Spring! I guess you can say I'm a Coach convert. :)

PS: If you're a fan of these fun illustrations, check out Daily Candy. You will love Ruben Toledo's wonderful sketches. I know I do!

designer obsession: Balmain

(photos via style.com)

Ever since Sarah Jessica Parker, Anne Hathaway, and Lake Bell all wore Balmain, I've been a huge fan. Christophe Decarnin's designs are structured and classic with an edgy twist, elegantly rough and rock n' roll, and definitely show-stopping. I love the exaggerated shoulders, and as for sprinkles of sequins and stones on blazers and formal dresses -- what a fabulous idea!! Check out the Spring 2009 Ready-to-Wear Collection.

Uniqlo Collaborations, Steven Alan

(a spring look from Uniqlo)

Uniqlo is partnering up with more designers in its Designer Invitation Project, which include: "a Steven Alan collection for women, and Opening Ceremony line for men, bowing in March. Shipley & Halmos will unveil a women’s collection in May and Gilded Age will offer designs for men. Prices range from $19 to $79."

Personally, I'm most excited for Steven Alan -- I'm a fan of classic silhouettes with a twist. Uniqlo agrees: “women’s shirting is such an important category and it’s really making a comeback to fashion. We wanted to work with someone that had a very strong authority in this category.”

I'm kind of obsessed with casual button-down shirts, and Steven Alan is the perfect solution! Joanna is a fan of plaid, but these pieces are my favorites:

tuxafari striped shirt

la jolla top

piper skirt

tuxafari liberty shirt

Source: WWD

McFabulous! ok, that was cheesy.

A sweater jacket from McQ

So, I don't really shop at Target much, but I'm positive that will change. The main reasons for my previous neglect were because (a) there are no Targets in Manhattan (I know, I was surprised too!), and (b) the designer collaborations never really caught my eye (Isaac Mizrahi? Ha, okay). Until now.

With Thakoon and Anya Hindmarch collaborations released this past year, the brands are only getting better and better. Up next to debut in March, much to my eager anticipation, is McQ Alexander McQueen for Target, which is a version of the designer's McQ collection. I've always loved McQueen's tough and edgy details on feminine fabrics. Studs and zippers on silk and jersey? Yes, and yes please. I'm just astounded by my luck - way to go Target!

For more information on other Target designer collaborations, click here.

(Photo by WWD)