Marks & Spencer: Fall 2013

Anyone that has crossed the pond to England (the Atlantic one, not my new pond the Pacific... actually that's probably more of a lake) has probably ventured by if not into a Marks & Spencer. Known for their clothing and luxury food products, it's hard to resist browsing if you happen upon one. Good 'ol M&S is shaking things up this fall with a whole new look thanks to freshly appointed style director Blinda Earl.

While freak-outs are definitely in my forte (usually accompanied with an unjust amount of arm flailing), I'm going to sit this one cool and finally attempt to be proper for once.





I'm loving the plaid, and moody warm colors: pink, red, almost eggplant. I think I see where my fall wardrobe will be heading. What do you guys think of this collection? Don't forget that you can SHOP QUEEN OF MAYHEM on Etsy. :)

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DNA Bling

Beading is just one of those fun things for me. It goes into the same category as sewing: super rewarding, fun, and occasionally extremely frustrating but always worth it. I completely and totally understand that when I say beading the image of some crazy old lady with a beaded glasses neck strap, seven cats, and a plethora of horribly tacky 'beaded creations' come to mind. Let's get this straight:

• I'm not a crazy cat lady... not that there's anything wrong with that, but hey, I'm on the deathly side of allergic to cats and should not be charged with taking care of anything living/breathing.
• I wear glasses no neck strap involved... but let's be real, I totally wish I had one some times
• Beading is a horrible term. I hate it because of the silly stigmas attached to it!

Phew, thank god that's out of the way!! 

The inspiration behind my designs comes from wanting to create a juxtaposition between what we think of as natural and futuristic worlds. My DNA Necklaces are inspired just by that: DNA helixes. I love the earthy tones, the light catching glass beads, and of course the subtle but high-shine quality of gunmetal rollo chain, my favorite chain to work with! Each pin is handcrafted from wire so that a single glass seed bead sits in the eye loop. The pins are then added to the chin cyclically so they spiral around. It's horribly tedious but as I mentioned, totally worth it.

I typically pair these pieces with a basic tee to dress it up or in the evening with a little black dress. They're perfect for that day to night transition. Check out more at my Etsy shop!

Get the goodies:

Purple & Brass DNA Chain Necklace

Green & Brass DNA Chain Necklace

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Gap Fall 2013

When I think of Gap I think of blue jeans, white tees, and a mob og models smiling cheerily at the camera on front of a white backdrop. I also think of brightly knit scarves and perfect pearly whites gleaming at me from some oversized winter campain plastered on a billboard.

What I don't think of is exactly what Gap's fall 2013 campaign embodies: more fashion forward styles and colorblocking. I'm really liking the understated chic of this campaign. While styles are still basic enough to say "Gap" they are way mroe on point... the perfect example being the athletic pants, tomato coloured ensemble, and sleeker coats. I can't wait to check these out in stores... lookbooks can be decieving. What's your take on Gap's updated look?











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Trend: Printed Athletic Inspired Pants

So you want a pair of printed athletic pants... here are a few to whet your palette. I'm in love with the first and second to last pair. Of course if you want to go a little more traditional, there are tons of solid colored pairs to be found out there. I personally have my eye on a black pair with a white stripe down the side. I think it's the Sporty Spice in me calling to my 90s roots.








CLOVER CANYON - Picnic Scarf Drawstring Pant
SAM&LAVI - Gardenia Pant
PJK PATTERSON J. KINCAID - Patterson J. Kincaid Quintin Pant
LADAKH - Tribal Jigsaw Pants
CLOVER CANYON - Woven Pesos Pant
CLOVER CANYON - Orchid Trip Pant
CLOVER CANYON - Turquoise Valley Pant
CLOVER CANYON - Petal to the Metal Pant
CLOVER CANYON - Neon Filigree Pant
CHARLES HENRY - Gym Pants

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Biggest Brain Freeze Ever

If you've been adventurous enough to dig into the archives of my blog, you probably would have stumbled across a post or two chronicling my move to Los Angeles from the east coast and all the necessary anguish we shall call it because typing out bullshit just isn't appropriate (oops) that precursored the big event. You've also probably heard me lament my loss of pizza, schmear, and Italian food. And lest I forget to include real New York bagels in that list, I will have committed some horrible sin in which I would be sent to some hell where sweet confections and bagels surround and taunting me for my newly acquired gluten allergy. Thank god that is just some sick thought and not my reality.

BLK DNM • Cropped Motorcycle Jacket

So anyway, after my big move, job change and understand that I can buy challah bread at the local bakery  I now lead this great amazing life where I'm happily drowning in cotton candy clouds flying on rainbows on unicorns (Pegasus?) and crying tears of joy that turn to liquid gold. Yeah, false. Don't get me wrong, my life is pretty damn awesome. Actually, I shouldn't (notice I don't say can't because I always can) complain, but I do. Seriously, that paper cut hurt and it warranted at least three Hello Kitty Band-Aids. No, for real. 

So the issue at hand is I make life really, really, really hard for myself. Like, unintentionally but completely intentionally. Confused yet? Does it not make sense? If it does make sense then I want to know what you're smoking and where I can get some because it really makes no sense at all to me. Let's break this down and examine some key points.

Why My Life Is Awesome

• I live in a 'bomb' location (bomb is some newly acquired So Cal lingo I'm trying to exercise)
• I love my job, yes, actually
• I love my relationships (friends, family, significant other, etc.)
• What I do after work is so much fun (I'm a grandma so it mostly consist of sewing)

I can't actually think of anything else I spend my time on with the exception of grocery shopping and getting gas and those are pretty neutral tasks. I don't love them and I don't hate them. They're just things I must do like occasionally sleeping. Okay, okay, I absolutely LOVE Sample Sunday at Costco and riding on their big shopping carts.  So this brings us to the big question, why is my life so hard?

Crappy Stuff

• Eating bad food (calories and money spent, TERRIBLE!)
• Losing my cellphone in the sheets with it set to silent (HORRIBLE!!!)
• Consuming too much caramel popcorn and getting stomach ache (there is NO medication for overeating!)
• Not getting my way (seriously, what creep would eat my last bite of pizza? That's just RUDE.)

You get the point. The list goes on, and on, and on... and doesn't just stop at getting disgusting looking trucker tan on the daily morning commute. Basically, I sweat the small stuff. Like, big time sweat it. I'm letting that ity, bity, milkshake, not boba straw sized tunnel vision get in the way of me seeing the big picture. The reality is I have a milkshake. I want it now and I can have it now, so why limit myself to getting a straw sized brain freeze when I can just take the whole damn glass and put it to my face?

I don't know about you but I'm definitely going out into the world from now on with the intention of getting the most epic brain freeze possible. Now the question is... what flavor?

Note: So I may have gone to the local diner and gotten a mocha fudge oreo shake... and finished it... and the extra side cup thing too. The delectability of that milkshake may have been denounced so a trip to Jack In the Box to buy two more milkshakes may have also happened...

W Magazine Korea May 2013

I'm kind of obsessed with how fresh the May 2013 cover editorial for W magazine Korea looks. The black and white RTW made even cleaner with pops of metallic jewelry look just amazing against the cobalt backdrop. Of course the editorial featured the all too popular Alexander Wang Aline T Strap Sandals.







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Behind the Scenes: W Magazine with Karlie Kloss

It's so rare that you can get a full on picture of what a typical day may look like in someone else's shoes. Countless stories, documentaries, and breath have been spent over the history of time to accurately capture such essence. SHOWstudio has done a pretty amazing job documenting over eight hours of footage from the W magazine October 2012 Karlie Kloss editorial entitled Sweet Escape. The images of the editorial are below, but what I find the most mind-blowing is the YouTube video that follows.

From photographers and streamers to makeup artists and photo editors there are so many roles and intricacies this film captures that I dare not try to explain. I took the time to skim through about 45 minutes of footage. I can say that I already learned a ton. So what are you waiting for? Get behind the scenes now... from the comfort of your desk, and of course without the probably 5 AM start to a more than eight hour day.









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