New Dress...New Blog?

My dear, long-lost readers!! I'm certain by now you imagine I have been buried alive under a tumbling mountain of books. In fact, I just needed a bit of time off to think about life, writing, blogging, etc. I hope you won't be completely disappointed if I tell you that there are going to be some big changes...involving the start of a new blog and the end of this one. But, you must stay tuned until my next post for all of the details -- ha, the suspense!

Just to give you a hint: my next blog won't be as "personal" as this blog has been...and it won't be as fashion/shopping related as this one (ok, there will still be fashion...I can't completely give it up!) So, I kind of wanted to leave off on a personal (and fashion-related) note by posting this series of photos that my sweet boyfriend took of me at the park today...showing off the new summer dress I got from Eshakti.

It has been such a fun, wonderful ride my dears! I think my new favorite dress is sort of symbolic of a new start -- I truly hope you will continue on this journey with me.

::OK, over the two year span of this blog, I rarely did product reviews, but this is one I'm thrilled to publicly swoon over -- seriously, Eshakti is my new favorite place to shop!! If you haven't visited their site, you must check it out. The prices are reasonable, the dresses and skirts are so cute, and they make the clothes to order...which means they take your measurements and make the clothes to fit you! Genius. I also love the fact that their dresses are stylish and slightly vintage-inspired, without being overly trendy. And they have caftans for poolside lounging!! Glamorous, darlings.

Penhaligon's: The Anthology Collection.

What's the one thing yours-truly likes more than high-heeled shoes, vintage dresses, AND red lipstick? Yep, perfume! One of my first jobs was as a salesgirl at a perfume shop at the mall. We didn't exactly have a lot of business, so most of my time was spent sitting around spritzing perfume on every area of available skin, mixing scents, and trying to figure out fragrance lingo {head notes, heart notes...I still haven't got it all straight}. These days, I still find it very difficult to walk by a department store perfume counter or pass by Sephora without wanting to try/buy something new. What I wouldn't give to pay a visit to London's lovely Penhaligon's perfumery! Their new re-released line of scents from the Anthology Collection features six scents from 1927 to 1976. I love the idea of wearing something that evokes a bit of nostalgia for a particular period. I also really love the fact that three of scents are from the year I was born {I can't believe I'm giving away my age}: the 1976 Night Scented Stock and the Gardenia sound amazing. Must have been a lush year !

::What are your favorite scents?? Have you tried anything from Penhaligon's?

Rochas 2010: In the Mood for Love

The new collection by Rochas is so beautifully nostalgic, yet so quirky, that I can't quite wrap my mind around it. Here are the elements that I love about the collection:

• Ladylike sheer blouses with vintage-inspired brassieres peeking through.
• Floral belt accessories.
• Adorable, summery boater hats.
• Bright brocade.
• Rich shades of mustard and spice.
• Retro cat-eye shades!

Here are the elements that kind of have me freaked out {i.e. would look horrible on me}

• Flat sandals with ankle socks...yikes.
• Straight, shapeless dresses -- not great for curves.
• Knit swimsuit/onesies?
• Baggy, potato sack pants...again, bad for curves.

What do you think of the collection, dear readers?? Does it remind you a bit of the lovely Chinese film "In the Mood for Love"? The ensembles have a very 1960's Hong Kong vibe...

:See more Rochas 2010 images here.

::I might have to snap up these Rochas sunnies on Ebay!

Spring Wishlist 2010: Better in the Nude

{click image for full details}.

I'm tired of denying it: spring is totally on my mind! I'm completely smitten with all variations of nude right now: pinky, peachy, beige-ish nudes. Here are a few items I wouldn't mind calling my own...

1. A fresh floral perfume-- the new Chloe fragrance is gorgeous!

2. A flowy dress that feels more like a nightgown.

3. A gorgeous nude leather satchel.

4. A wear-everywhere sandal -- soft, suede and strappy.

5. The perfect combination: black sequins and light pink chiffon.

6. A moody floral in a sexy tight pant.

7. A bright pinkish coral to make my lips pop.

8. A classic wedge with great buckle details.

9. The wear-everywhere tee: soft and slouchy.

What are your wishlist items for spring??

Bijoux: Necklaces from J Crew and Anthropologie

{via Anthropologie}

{via J Crew}

I am smitten by the pretty bijoux at J Crew and Anthropologie right now -- the necklaces in particular! They have a 1800's French feel about them. I imagine one catching me eye in a shop window as I stroll about the Paris Arcades in my swooshing gown...

Current Obsession: Dreamy Chiffon Dresses

{All dresses via Net-a-Porter}

If the new spring selection at Net-a-porter is any indicator, the general vibe of spring/summer is going to be a combination of Stevie-Nicks-ethereal and edgy-Greek-goddess. I'm not typically a flowy dress kind of girl, but after a few seasons of seeing hard edges, zippers, spikes, and uber-body-conscious looks everywhere, I'm ready for softer lines, longer hems, and CHIFFON -- lots and lots of chiffon! Stevie would approve...

Now, I just need to find some options that are a bit more price-friendly -- any suggestions?

::And what about you, dear readers? What trend are you ready to say "au revoir" to, and which are you ready to embrace?

List Love!

List-making is like a glorious disease: you are compelled, driven mad by the gnawing desire to makes lists for everything from "All the Food I Still Need to Eat Before I Die" to "Movies I Have Seen That Made Me Want to Remove My Eyeballs." I make lists for the esoteric, the inspirational, the everyday, and the mundane. One of my favorite newer features on this blog is...you guessed it: "The List."

What kind of lists would you like to see more of here on Nothing Elegant? Personal, art-related, books, fashion-focused, local tid-bits?

...stay tuned for lists I already have up my sleeve, such as: my favorite dirty poetry; the best stop-motion animation films; women rockers whose style I want to steal; weird vacation spots; concerts to put on your calendar this year...and more.


::More links for the list-related: A place to indulge your addiction / Airam also shares my penchant for lists / List-makers with a twist / A secret society / My all-time favorite place to buy list-making materials.

Oxford Heaven at Free People

Did you know that Free People has the most amazing selection of oxfords right now...each one more adorable than the next?? If you've been on the hunt, look no further...

Special Offer for Readers: 20% Off at Digby & Iona!

The talented and imaginative jewelry designers behind Digby and Iona have kindly offered Nothing Elegant readers 20% off their purchase from now until New Years. Just enter the word "holiday" in the promo section when checking out {this even includes their new collection}. My favorite pieces are the spyglass necklace and the porcelain and gold skulls! Happy shopping!

Holiday Wishes and Red Velvet Dreams...

To be fair, I know Santa is already bringing me a few of the items on my wish list...but no one has claimed the velvet dress or the satin PJ's yet!

• Amazon Kindle: I was uber-skeptical about the electronic book idea for a while, but when I realized I could download a ton of classic literature for next to nothing {and save room on my bookshelves}, I was sold.


• Betsey Johnson Satin PJ's: Winter has a tendency to make you feel a little less than seductive {due to erratic shaving habits and more layers of clothing}, but I think satin nighties might help.


• J Crew Annalise Ruffle Cami: the color and the face-framing ruffles just make me smile, and this would work well layered or worn alone in the warmer months.


• Toast Silk and Velvet Dress: A perfect party dress for fall and winter...plus, I cannot stop obsessing about velvet.


• Cuisinart Coffee Maker: This is a sign I'm officially a grown-up. No sir, no more $20 appliances for me!


• Marc Jacobs Lola eau de parfum: such a gorgeous scent...and an equally pretty bottle.

::What is on your wish list this year????

Design Find: Vintage Art Nouveau Lithographs

To me, there is nothing more beautiful than Art Nouveau's swirling, organic lines -- did you know people used to refer to it as "noodle style?" The expression seems a little silly...yet apt. These stunning French lithographs from circa 1900 would make an amazing gift for the typophile {or the Francophile, for that matter}. I'm a complete sucker for repetitive patterns in design and decor, so I imagine an entire wall filled with a variety of these alphabet prints -- it would help me remember to mind my P's and Q's!

::Check out Art Decor and Banana Strudel's Etsy shops for more Art Nouveau lithographs.

P.S. One more day until the Perricone Cold Fusion giveaway ends! Enter here.

The List: Books Worth Kissing Santa For

...fuzzy beard and all!

::Grunge by Michael Lavine.

::Magic: 1400's-1950's / On Ugliness by Umberto Eco.

::1000 Degrees: Deyrolle.

::I Love Your Style by Amanda Brooks / I Know How to Cook by Ginette Mathiot

::Baroque Baroque by Stephen Calloway.

Current Obsession: Lipstick Queen

Not only is Poppy King the creator and founder of the new line of luxury lip products, Lipstick Queen, but she is also a writer, an entrepreneur, and an inspiration to women {and men} everywhere. With no experience or training, Poppy started her own successful line of cosmetics in Australia at age 18. Following her success down under, she worked in New York for a large cosmetics corporation for several years. She recently started her own cosmetics company in NYC.

Inspired by glamorous lips across the decades -- from seductive medieval lip stains to 70's disco shine -- Lipstick Queen features "unusual lipsticks infused with all the glamour, the fun, the style and the cheekiness that is inherent in being female."

Need I even mention the drop-dead-gorgeous art nouveau packaging? Poppy has said one of her inspirations is the decadent artist Aubrey Beardsley {one of my favorites as well}. I'm pretty sure Poppy is my new girl-crush...and Lipstick Queen is my new obsession.

::Check out Poppy's story here; get your hands on her book here, and load up on her beautiful lipstick at Barney's New York.

Holiday Giveaway and Perricone Coupons!

When the folks at Perricone offered to do a giveaway on my blog, I couldn't pass it up. First of all, I'm a total skincare and anti-aging product junkie. Second, I have heard AMAZING things about Perricone products!

The winner of this giveaway will receive a jar of their Cold Plasma {normally $150 retail!}: "Cold Plasma is a universal skin care product; suited for anyone, no matter how old your skin is, what your skin type is, or whether you’re male or female. It works through a patented ionic (i.e. charged particles) suspension carrier system which allows for your skin to extract from Cold Plasma’s formula according to your individual, unique needs." Sounds pretty intriguing, no?

Money is tight for everyone right now, so this is a wonderful opportunity to try something you might not otherwise be able to splurge on [or give it as a gift!]. Be sure to check their site for a Perricone Coupons, too.

Here are the contest rules:

::The contest will last for 10 days starting from the time it is posted [Friday Dec. 11 at around 6 p.m.].

::Leave a comment on this post, including your e-mail address. The winner will be chosen at random.

::Unfortunately, this giveaway is only available for U.S. residents.

**Good luck, my pretty peaches!!

P.S. The winner for my calendar giveaway was Maggie! Her holiday tradition of the Christmas bat was just too cute...anything that combines a bit of Halloween with Christmas is a winner in my book...