Since 1937

It's actually absurd the amount of Madewell stuff I deem aesthetically pleasing as well as legitimately versatile enough for real life. Here's a free-for-all post with no point whatsoever other than to publish a bare-boned wishlist from now until the end of time. Take note of peripheral pieces like charcoal tights and mid-calf leather boots serving as offshoots from the lace-up combat boot and cousins of the basic riding boot from a few winters past. Let it be established now that my priority colors to test run for winter '10-'11 are mustard, silk blue (a color/texture that I totally just made up), olive green, apple red and as usual, the ever-popular plum. F/W is my very favorite time to experiment with mixing textures and juxtaposing even the most unnatural, unexpected color palettes.

The more I expose myself to certain crazy talented style bloggers, the more willing I become to challenge established boundaries and show off outfits that I'm expecting will warrant confused looks and whispers back and forth between all-too-typical plain janes who hold their Burberry scarves, Hunter boots and Speedy totes in the highest of overly-conspicuous designer logo esteem. (To Wake girl at GSO: yes, I myself shop online enough to recognize you spent several hundred on your Juicy equestrian boots-- congrats! They're certainly nice, but with that fat investment, could you not pick out something with a bit more soul during your latest trip to Neiman's than a pair of boots displaying an obviously branded company crest?) I realize it's all a judgment call of taste and preference, but four obvious designers in a single outfit via logos? Gross. And so begins my never-ending rant regarding esoteric philosophy... how I got here, I'm not quite sure. So I'd better stop before I become too bitter about how much it STS in even more ways than one.

Back to my initial intentions, presenting Madewell.

Base #1: Black Biker Boots

Starry Nights Blazer, $198

Pemberly Blouse in Gemstone, $118

Nightbeam Shimmer Shorts, $125

The Buckled Biker Boot in True Black, $173

Base #2: Brown Biker Boots

Costwold Vest in Hthr Llama, $128

Perfect Chambray Shirt, $68

Campfire Cargo Shirt in Cornflower Wash, $70

The Griffith Pony Bag, $350

The Biker Boot in English Saddle, $230

Base #3: Black Wedge Booties

Sweatshirt Top in Hthr Smoke, $68

Plié Tank in Black Nude, $52

Gilded Racerback Tank, $88

Seeing Spots Tank, $88

Silk Tulip shorts in Dark Olive, $88

The Cinch Sack in English Saddle, $158

The Leather Wedge Bootie, $248

I'm so looking forward to Christmas break when I can go on a full-out spree because God knows my wardrobe and I very much deserve it.

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

It Girls

A change of scenery is always nice.

In the States, we're used to following the club-hopping adventures and paparazzi mishaps of such fun-loving socialites as Lindsay Lohan, Lauren Conrad and of course, M-K&A. Though I'd honestly prefer dissecting celeb outfits on WhoWhatWear to reading the trivialities of their latest romances, it's impossible to deny that each of these girls has created and maintained an individual public persona that's present in nearly everything they say and do.

While this is all fine and good, the truth is that Americans just seem so blah when compared to Brits. Am I right? Maybe it's because I've spent my entire life in a country where I was raised without a charming accent or the refined habit of sipping mid-afternoon tea. Whatever it is, these British It Girls have it, and their fashion sense says it all.

Alexa Chung: Probably the most-revered It Girl of them all, Miss Chung makes her presence known with two of my favorite concepts: layers and balance. The colors and textures always flow effortlessly into one cohesive piece. Utterly inspirational to say the least.

Jameela Jamil: I've already dedicated a post to this exotic beauty, but who's to say I can't do it again? She has a killer body and amazing hair; for her, a fabulous wardrobe is just icing on the cake.

Georgia Jagger: How is it possible that Georgia Jagger is only 17 years old? The last look is definitely my favorite. It involves balance and fit, ending in an outfit that complements her figure brilliantly.

Agyness Deyn: Agyness Deyn. What a badass. Embarrassingly enough, I used to feel rather intimidated by the platinum blonde A-lister, flipping through pictures of her in Vogue and not understanding why she was so damn impressive. Those days are long gone; I now look to her design risks as inspiration and stow them aside for future reference.

 Rosie Huntington-Whiteley: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is one of those Victoria's Secret models you love and recognize but don't quite know by name. If stunning isn't the perfect word to describe her, I don't know what is. Proving that she has more substance than just lace, ribbons and garters, Rosie perfects the monochromatic look and makes me want to go on a spree for more to add to my already autumn-centric wardrobe.

Fab, fab, fab. I love London.

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.