Leather & Knee Highs

black sweater {Old Navy} - brown leather skirt {thrifted via Beacon's Closet} - knee-high socks {Joe Fresh} - 

black booties {Topshop} - black leather tote {Banana Republic} - elephant necklace {Flea Market}

Leather and knee-highs is a pretty big departure from my usual day to day wear. I really loved wearing this outfit though. I felt a little edgier, walked a little taller and maybe even pushed people out of my way. I'm kidding...about the pushing people part, but in this outfit I felt like I could've. And that has to count for something, right?

I thought of this outfit this morning as I channeled my inner badass to write a strongly worded email to the owner of the building I live in. We have had so many issues since moving in and now we have no gas, which means no stove or oven. Maybe living in a very old, five story walk-up with exposed brick wall is not all it's cracked up to be. 

I still love the exposed brick wall though. It did nothing wrong.

j.

Gift Giving Guide: {For the Fashionable Philanthropist}

I know it may seem a bit early for a holiday gift guide but I know there are some early shoppers out there (attention: MOM). I'm going to be posting a different gift guide each week from now until the week before Christmas or so. Each guide will be geared toward a specific person (or category of people). If you have any suggestions for a gift guide you would like to see or would find useful, please leave a comment and I'll see what I can do! I should also mention that any item with stars around it means I either have it and love it or know someone first-hand who has it and loves it. I hope you enjoy the first edition of j.love's Gift Giving Guide: {For the Fashionable Philanthropist}.


1. Clutches by VOZ --- Translating to "voice" in Spanish, VOZ has found theirs by connecting fashion designers with Mapuche weavers in Southern Chile. Made out of natural wool fibers that have been sourced locally and dyed naturally, a VOZ clutch is sure to impress even the most environmentally friendly fashionista on your gift list this year.

2. For the Bees Bracelet --- It's time to talk about the birds and the bees. Burt's Bees has teamed up with Canadian indie-luxe jewelry designer, Jenny Bird to bring you this adorable bee bracelet, available in gold and silver. This limited-edition piece is creating a buzz by donating all of it's proceeds to the Pollinator Partnership - a not-for-profit organization devoted to saving Canada's depleting bee population.

3. Sprout Watches --- Be kind (to our earth) and give the gift of time this holiday season. Sprout watches are made out of environmentally friendly materials, such as, bamboo, corn and organic cotton. Watch faces come in cool textures like wood and cork for a truly unique green gift.

4. The Vanity Project Tees --- The Vanity Project (TVP) is all about high quality fabrics with cool logos for clothing with meaning. This Chicago-based company was started by two friends who were searching for something more meaningful to do. They simply work with charities to tweak or redesign their logos and create t-shirts that fit well and are visually appealing, while still maintaining the charity's image and core values. Since TVP gives 51% of proceeds back to the charity, you can look great and make a difference all at the same time.

5. Westward Leaning Sunnies --- Featuring the same fashionable frame on every pair, Westward Leaning sunglasses stand out because of the small unique material they inlay on the arms of each pair. Meant to honor a social cause or progressive issue, materials range from wood to brass and even antler. Based in San Francisco, Westward Leaning donates $10, for every pair sold, to education programs related to the special achievements the sunglasses celebrate. With so many fun options, the hardest decision will be deciding which one to give.

6. Love Is Mighty Shoes --- Love Is Mighty (LIM) was born in 2011 from a passion to preserve the indigenous craft of Indian artisans. All shoes are handmade and 100% vegan. The pumps seen above are made out of recycled biscuit wrappers and hand woven on looms. 

7. TOMS + FEED Shoes --- By now, most of us know about TOMS shoes and how they donate a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair sold. Well, they decided this was just not enough giving so they partnered with FEED Projects to create a pair of shoes that also funds 12 school meals for every one sold. This is a great gift idea for the TOMS lover on your list (and you know there is one!).

8. FEED + Tory Burch Bag --- FEED Projects is on fire these days and has also partnered with Tory Burch to bring you a cross-body messenger bag made out of traditional FEED burlap bags with colorful mochilla webbing handles. Together they aim to raise $100,000 for the FEED Foundation and Tory Burch Foundation. Available exclusively at Holt Renfrew in Canada, buy yours now as this bag is only available for a limited time.


Remember to leave me a comment if you would love to see a gift giving guide for someone specific. Happy Shopping!

j. 

Polka Dots & Indigo Pants

polka-dot sweater {Old Navy} - white blouse {Loft} - indigo pants {Gap} - black booties {Top Shop} - 

black leather tote {Banana Republic} - bracelet {Smart Set} - arrow earrings {cheap jewelry store who's name escapes me every time}

I seem to be at a loss for words tonight. Maybe because I am officially in the middle of midterms at Parsons. So that means that my brain's capacity to form coherent thoughts, let alone sentences, is currently maxed out. I've been thinking a lot about the future lately. And by future, I really just mean May, which is when I will graduate from school. I've been thinking about what I want to do and where I want to live and it's all just sort of jumbled right now. Maybe I've been having these thoughts because of midterms, because that means that I'm mid-way through my second semester. And I only have three semesters. Time just seems to be flying. I met with my advisor this week to make sure I was on track for my May graduation and to talk about registering for my third and final semester. My final semester...but this one just started. I guess not so much. Eeeesh. Anyways, I better wrap this up here before my soul searching and lack of sleep start to get weird.

j.

Let's Talk About Tokyo

Arguably the coolest photo I have ever seen from any fashion week, ever.

Definitely my favorite show that walked the runway in Tokyo last week. Two models with unreal Afros from the Facetasm show.

From interpretive dancing (?) to unusual head pieces, Tokyo turned out things you just don't see in New York or Europe. Left is a model from the Jun Okamoto show and right is a model from Matohu. I'm officially obsessed with that yellow and white knotted necklace.

Again, Tokyo knows what is up. Troll doll hair and the reinvention of tie-dye are bringing me back to my childhood. In the best possible way. Female model walking for Shiroma and the male model is one for Phenomenon.

Tommy Ton was on the beat in Japan's capitol to bring us the best of what was happening off the runway. I loved that the majority of his street shots were of the opposite sex.

All photos via style.com, who's first time capturing Tokyo Fashion Week could be summed up as inspiring. I love seeing the differences between Fashion Weeks in different cities. London is usually a bit edgier and sort of grungy whereas Paris is all glam and avant-garde. Tokyo was out there, in all the right ways if you ask me, and really seemed to infuse it's street culture into the collections that came down the runway.

j.