Marios Schwab's Feminist Beetles

London designer Marios Schwab has an uncanny ability to find complexity in the most simplistic of design. For his fall 2008 collection, his inspiration came after reading a Victorian proto-feminist novel, The Yellow Wallpaper, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Why then, might I ask, does each piece resemble a member of the Coleoptera family? (Unless, of course, Schwab was able to make the connection between the hard exterior of a Victorian-era feminist with the hardened shield-like forewings of a beetle.)

Queen Elizabeth, Eat Your Heart Out

Bosnian fashion designer Adnan Hajrulahovic Haad showed us how to rock the oversized collar this week at Sarajevo Fashion Week. (The first one reminds me of a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup wrapper!)

When Orange and Blue Collide

Orange and blue, one of my favorite color combinations, is making the rounds right now -- from soft turquoise blue to deep cobalt blue. And I'm really loving the busy patterns to add to the complexity! Here are some of my faves:

• Lucky Brand Eastern Print Dress at luckybrandjeans.com
• Twisted Strap Jersey Dress at intermixonline.com
• Selma Zig Zag Dress at fashionaddicts.com
  

• Alberto Gozzi Optical Sky Blue Hobo Bag at forzieri.com
• Silvia Bertolaia Wide Strap Sandals at luisaviaroma.com
• Indigo by Clarks Giana Dress Flats at zappos.com
• Chinese Laundry Sinead Sandal at endless.com

Pigs Don't Fly, But Everything Else Does

If you're not a fan of hockey (which would put you in the majority) then you probably aren't aware of the "flying octopus" tradition practiced by the Detroit Redwings before the Stanley cup playoffs (which is now). I won't bore you with the slimy details, but I will give you a link to the video that shows Redwing fans slinging a dead octopus around a hockey arena. (Can I just saw "ew" and, um, "hella no!")

While I draw the line at flying octopi and winged Victoria Secret models [I do have standards], I am open to flying seahorses, cats, hearts, skulls, etc. -- but only in the form of something shiny that I can hang around my neck or pin to my shirt. (These winged accessories are popping up everywhere, and they're really cute in a fantastically creepy way.)

• Steven Shein Wood & Gold Winged Heart Necklace at 80spurple.com
• Fluttering Heart Necklace by Imogene and Dannie
• Winged Heart Necklace by Lotus Jewelry Studio
• Copper Winged Heart Necklace by Natha Perkins

• Winged Skeleton Brooch at hervia.com
• Tom Binns Winged Skull Necklace at net-a-porter.com
• Emma Brite Flying Skull Necklace at emmabrite.com

• Flying Seahorse Necklace by Anomaly Jewelry
• Flying Rabbit Pendant by Roadkill
• Flying Bear Necklace by Kill Taupe
• Flying Kitten Necklace by Anomaly Jewelry
  

New Obsession: Diana Shoes [Japan]

Check out the entire collection at http://www.dianashoes.com/

Rock Star By Day. Rock Star By Night.

• All Saints Rosalind Skirt at allsaintsshop.co.uk
• Neon Green Tights from welovecolors.com
• Neon Zebra Tee at wetseal.com
• Oval Bangle Bracelet at frenchconnection.com
• Fluro Neon Visor Sunglasses at asos.com
• Irregular Choice Eclipse Heel at zappos.com
• Lowlife Electric Blue Belt at ebtm.com
• Tilt Donut Hoop Earrings at pacsun.com

• Nine West Deco Delights Cuff Bracelet at ninewest.com (on sale!)
• Jonathan Aston Ringers Tights at sockshop.co.uk
• Liquorice Stripe Dress, Wide Spot Elastic Belt, Overlay Star Earrings, Sporty 2 Strap Sandal, and Leather Jacket with Zips -- all at topshop.com
  

There's No Place Like Home

In a recent interview, actor Shia LaBeouf (of current Indiana Jones fame) revealed something interesting about his hippie mother's living arrangements. "She lives where trolls live in a magical forest called Angeles Crest Forest. She lives in a little person's house. The house was built by one of the little people who was in the Wizard of Oz."

That, Shia, would make you a lollipop kid. Well, sort of.

In honor of Shia's love [um, er, disdain?] for little houses, I pulled together this collection of wickedly cute accessories. (Just be careful not to poke your eye out with one of them!)

• Cottage House Cocktail Ring by Shimmer Design Studio
• Tiny House Ring by J. Davis Studio
• House of Love Necklace by The Pudding Store
• The Street Where I Live Earrings by Birdland Creations
• Little House Ring by Ardent 1
• House and Tree Necklace by J. Davis Studio

And since we're on the topic of the Wizard of Oz, it just so happens that these current looks make a convincing Dorothy ensemble when put together:

• Sandra Tube Dress at delias.com
• Silver Bow Pendant Necklace at bluenile.com
• Xenos Designs Little Rainbow Earrings at shanalogic.com
• Kate Spade Little Compton Box Basket Handbag at ebags.com
• Missy Bow Mid Heel at office.co.uk
  
  

Jotaro Saito's Electric Kimonos

In March of this year at the Adelaide Banks Festival of Arts in Australia, the city’s historic architectural icons were painted with light over a two week period. These 'electric canvases' (designed by the acclaimed artist group appropriately named The Electric Canvas) featured a constantly changing array of perfect, jaw-dropping architectural projection, reflecting the heritage and function of these beautiful buildings by bringing their 19th century charm into the 21st century.

Similarly, the kimonos in Jotaro Saito's fall '08 collection -- also designed to reflect the heritage and function of traditional kimonos -- were brought into the 21st century with bold color combinations, hard lines, and modern patterns. And, it just so happens that Saito's collection reminded me of the Adelaide Banks Festival electric canvases. (Oh, how I wish I had been there to see the lights in person!) Do you see what I mean?

Am I Really What You Were Looking For?

It has been awhile since I checked my site stats for Google searches. It's always interesting to see the myriad of word combinations [having nothing to do with my site] that bring unsuspecting Google searchers to my virtual front door. Here is a list of the best [and creepiest] combinations, along with my personal commentary and [in]appropriate links, of course.

Note: These are actual screen shots I made into .jpegs for your viewing pleasure, typo's and all. (You seriously cannot make this shit up!)

I also hear it can cause dumb web searches.

I bet that goes well with peanut butter and ass sandwiches.

With mustard, pickles, and a membership to ineedfriends.com

Yes, there is actually a woman who paints with her vagina.

That's a shame. Tights are all the rage right now.

Sorry, can only help you with "sweatpants belly shots."

"White big ass girls" or "big ass white girls"? There is a difference.

As opposed to JLo's elbow in white pants?

Somebuddy needs worked on his grammers before lose virginity

Seriously? How boring must your life be?

Dude. That totally sucks. Eat a pot brownie.

Be careful what you wish for. You might just get two asses in panties.

Do you mean "boy bands in panties?" That's hot.