A West Side Story, with a Stella Style Spin

I decided to revisit some Spring/Summer 2010 lines on style.com the other day, looking for vacation inspiration looks, and came across Stella McCartney's Spring '10 line. Always a favorite designer of mine, I am drawn to her simple & chic, yet intricate and thorough design concepts. Stella is ALWAYS fresh. Her printed ruffled pieces immediately reminded me a childhood favorite movie of  mine, the West Side Story... more specifically the "I Want To Live In America" song and dance rooftop number with the beautiful Anita.

And Stella's take...

 

Its no wonder I was drawn to this line though... A closer look at the yellow and pink prints shown on these dresses look an awful lot like the print me and creator of the New York based clothing line, Cloak & Dagger, designed on our shop floor this past May. Brookelynn (company owner) drew inspiration from a vintage antique Givenchy scarf she picked up shopping around the city. We pulled the Pantone book and went to work on two color stories for this print which was used in our S/S 2010 line. We printed on a luscious silk organza, as well as a metallic infused silk, for more of a jazzy feel. Love, love....

Thrif-tay, Thrit-day

So it has been over a WEEK since I have blogged! I'm ready to get back into the swing of things, no doubt! Every Spring semester rolls around and gets crazy busy for the few weeks leading up to Spring Break. 2 Tests and a huge project last week, and 3 tests this week, ughhh I have been doing anything and everything to get out of the house to procrastinate on my studies.

Amidst the snow-ridden gloomy Tuscaloosa days we have seen throughout February, these past two afternoons have proven a flawless gift, mid 60s and sunny. Yes, we even hosted a small, spur of the moment yard party accompanied by mango daiquiris, puppies, and chalk art.

Naturally, this brief stint of bliss led to major Spring Break wardrobe inspiration... so I took it to the thrift store, one of my favorite places to shop. Thrifting takes a skillful, creative, and patient eye to sort through loads of 'not so good' to occasionally get lucky with a rare and hidden gem. But when you hit that sweet spot, it feels Oh. So. Good! $24.00, a bag full of new looks, and a satisfactory smile later, here are my latest finds...

The 'BAND GROUPIES' Collection

"I studied music in college, and it's sad to see the intro-level programs disappearing from schools." From the words of Turya Nations, co-designer of fashion label Guy Baxter. She and her husband, the other half to the label, launched a collection under the Guy Baxter brand appropriately dubbed, Band Groupies. The collection includes an intimately small collection of graphic tees and jersey knit dresses. 10% of each purchase from this particular line is donated to the funding and placement of under privileged kids for enrollment in the Paul Green School of Rock Music.

Go visit: BANDGROUPIES-CLOTHING.COM

I can jam on simple, sexy jersey knit looks like this all day. Love, Love the dresses, and that band tee crop top is simplistically decedent.  The large print over sized tee would definitely be a platform-paired day look stacked with jewels and dark, sultry shades. Worthwhile, worthy cause... so go scope something for yourself.

LEVITICUS Jewlery

These beautifully unique pieces are driving me to refresh my Spring jewelery wardrobe. I mean a harness, why didn't I think of that? I would pair it with a vintage swim suit, black rimmed over-sized shades, and a straw fedora style hat for a glamorous day in the sun. I love accessorizing a beach look. I'm thinking next purchase?

Mother, may I?

If only it were that easy, but those days are long...long gone, if they ever existed that is. This lady has to live vicariously through virtual window shopping efforts, during which I dream of ownership. A girl can dream can't she? Well I do, I dream of leather in blacks, neutrals, and faded metallics, with embellishment to spare. Here are a few bits of inspiration that have caught my eye. To me, there is no better wardrobe purchase than a platform pair of leather in any of these naturally handsome tones. Yum.

Insanity. Don't you agree?