DarkRoom Obsession

I was on Elle's website looking for some inspiration and I came across a story on DarkRoom, a concept shop in London.  Intrigued by the name alone, I clicked to follow the link to the store's website.  I was quite delighted to see that the page was very clean and streamlined.  The products offered are very minimalist and simple, making them great pieces to withstand the test of time.  Many of my favorite pieces were geometric!  I love anything resembling a pyramid or stud, so it was very easy to please me.  These pieces are all make a statement and can stand alone, or be paired with other large pieces of jewelry to create a layered look.  I want these in my jewelry box ASAP!
 

 Jade Mellor Faceted Cone Ring

Maria Francesca Pepe Double Necklace

Eddie Borgo Gold Cone Bracelet

<3, C.

Perfection.

I was looking around the internet looking for inspiration, and came across this website called Bona Drag.  They have some really great pieces on there!! I fell in love with most all of the jewelry, but this piece was the most eye catching, beautiful piece I've seen lately.  It is made of vermeil chain which is quite delicate and then crocheted to create an open, fingerless glove.  It resembles the texture of a shredded t-shirt, which I LOVE.  It's tough but delicate and comes in oxidized gold and silver.  The designer, Arielle de Pinto, is from Canada and has an array of beautiful designs and artwork.

Arielle de Pinto Vermeil Fingerless Glove

Bona Drag $1725

This glove is absolutely a converstational piece.  It can be worn with a simple silhouette as a focal piece, layered with other jewelry, worn with a bold pattern to add irony, or worn on just special occasions.  The price point is definately high, but for something this special, the sky's the limit.

<3, C

Queen of the Night

As I have mentioned time and time again, ZINK Magazine is one of my favorite sources of inspiration.  The styling of their shoots are so aspirational and unique.  This spread, Queen of the Night, is a beautiful marriage of some of my favorite things: androgynous with feminine touches, ethnic influences with a harder edge, lots of texture, dark and neutrals, and lots and lots of jewelry.  The sequined touches and rich jewelry makes this spread a great holiday look for girls who want to have the extra sparkle with loads of irony to the season.  The head pieces add a theatrical element to the look that makes it editorial, but mixing the combination of other pieces can translate to everyday life.  Accessories can add the right amount of color and contrast to a look without being overpowering.  The colorful necklace of bangles in the second shot is chunky and bright, but balances the headpiece and other textures in the look.

<3, C.

Wishlist

I want to share with you all five things that I'm yearning for, for Christmas.  I hope it gives everyone some ideas or at least some inspiration for the holidays!!

I found the shoes about a year ago on SoleStruck.  This site has the most AMAZING shoes all in one location! I'm obsessed with the claw heel and the covered plaform.  They would look amazing with tights, leggings, or a dress and a cozy sweater.



Gee Wa Wa Fatale Platform

SoleStruck $234

I love this jacket for a quick layering piece.  It comes in black, but I'm trying to break up the solidarity of my color palette.  I've been really into shearling for this winter and a large lapel is always a great statement!

 Shearling Drape Jacket in Camel

  Nasty Gal $68

This Funktional Leather jacket is to die for.  It is lambskin leather, so it's super soft.  The draping in the front is really flattering for someone of my shape and bust.  The back is paneled and darted so it creates a great effect in the back.  This would be my go-to coat for every occasion.

Leather Panel Jacket-Funktional\

Need Supply $304

These leggings are a little risque, but I love the contrast of the sheer front with the opaque black.  They remind me slightly of the Katie Gallagher leggings I've posted before.  The would be perfect under a tunic, with a dress, or a skirt with wedges or combat boots.  It's the right amount of leg for the winter and creates a great contrast.

Nylon Tricot Micro-Mesh Two-Sided Legging

American Apparel $40

This ring has been so popular!! I have a knock off that I bought from a street vendor in New York, but the color is almost completely gone.  I love that this ring is adjustable so you can switch fingers if you wanted.  It is the perfect ring for a little bit of edge while still be sleek and functional.  I love the brass tone because it already looks rustic, so any wear that the ring will endure will be less obvious.  This is a must have!!

Elizabeth and James Knuckle Ring
Bloomingdale's
$155

Arrow Love

As I've posted previously, I'm constantly going to the Raleigh Flea Market to look for special items.  I love mixing ethnic, natural pieces with my edgy, harder style.  My recent obsession has been arrowheads.  One of my favorite jewelry designers is Pamela Love.  She has great pieces that are dark and edgy, but many are objects in nature.  For example, she does the crow's head skull and talon pieces that are EVERYWHERE! I also really love the Spring 2010 Arrowhead pieces.

 

 

On my most recent trip to the flea market, I found a man that has at least seven cases of arrowheads.  Some were sharp, some were decrepid, some were crystal, and some were rough rock.  I fell in love with about five of them, but I purchased two that were 9,500 years old!!  He cut me an awesome deal on them too! I decided to make them into necklaces.  I'd love to make them into a great ring, but that would mean I'd need metal working tools.  This is what I've done so far! I hope you enjoy.

<3 C.

Find Your Clinic

I saw the Jeffrey Campbell Clinics over my summer in Philadelphia doing my internship for Urban Outfitters. 

I tried them on in the store, and from that moment on I was obsessed.  The ankle strap hits me perfectly, the platform and wedge make me about five inches taller! Every day I imagined my outfit wearing the Clinics: leggings and a tank, skirt with my leather jacket, dress with tights, and everyday I was disappointed to not own them.  I found them at SoleStruck finally, but not in my size!! I hunted around on the internet for them, and couldn't find them anywhere.  I finally found them on this random website, and used my grocery money for the month to buy them!! I couldn't pass up the chance to own these beauties.  I just got them in the mail and I couldn't be more in love with them.  Fierce is the word that comes to mind.  Now when I go out, it doesn't even matter what I wear, because I have my clinics.  When you have the right pair of shoes, it elevates any outfit and makes you feel incredible.  That is what my Clinics do for me.  So I challenge everyone to find your own Clinic.

<3, C.

I am as vain as I allow..

I've recently purchased season one of The Rachel Zoe Project and when talking about finding your personal style she said, "Style is expressing who you are without opening your mouth."   I think that is an excellent way of describing personal style.  However, sometimes it makes me wonder how people perceive me.  My style has evolved multiple times and has manifested in various ways.  My latest obsessions are dark, drape, interesting shapes, mixing of textures, and as always; lots and lots of ethnic influenced jewelry.  I've taken much inspiration from designers I have found featured on Dirty Flaws, an incredible meca of alternative dressing.  Some designers that really pull at my heart strings lately are Gareth Pugh, Katie Gallagher, Rick Owens and many others sprinkled throughout.  Since I am no where near able to afford the luxuries of such incredible talents, I hunt for items to try and create my own look.  Here are a few pictures that my sister, Lizzy, took of me on a fun, sunny day.

My shirt is a sheer oversized button down from Torrid.  Torrid has some great plus size options, which is great for me since I am well endowed up top.  My favorite part is the longer tail in the back of the shirt.  My skirt is from H&M, where I get most of my favorite basics from.  This skirt gets SO much wear!! I wear it with tights, boots, flats, and various other layers.  This is a MUST have!  My boots are from Urban Outfitters, Deena and Ozzy.  I've worn them out and I'm on my second pair.  I like leaving mine unzipped for a little extra "sloppy chic."   Now, down to the jewelry.  My earrings are from Progress Body Piercing.  They've done most of all my piercings and I wouldn't get any work done anywhere else.  My large cuff stone bracelet is from the Raleigh Flea Market.  I find some great treasures at the flea market everytime I go, which is at least twice a month.  My necklaces are made of antler and cow hide.  I also bought these items to make into jewelry myself from the fleamarket.  I love trying to make my own jewelry! It's a great outlet for creativity and that way, you can get the exact result you want.  The finger shield ring is one of my favorite pieces. I got it on the street on a day trip to NY along with the bronze animal skull ring on the opposite hand.  This is made by Castro.  He is incredible!! He has so many amazing, hand-made leather cuffs as well as intricate rings.  My silver armour ring is from Forever 21, a great place to find inexpensive jewelry.  My bangles are from the flea market, Light Years, and one given to me by my mom from her childhood. 

I like to keep a clean palette for my clothing.  I love black because it's flattering, powerful, and mysterious.  It provides an excellent backdrop to accessories as well. I'm constantly looking for the best new pair of shoes to work into my wardrobe, or that perfect ring to balance out my hand, or the right sweater to layer with effortlessly. Recently I've been on the hunt for the perfect leather jacket for me.  I'll let you know when I find it.


<3
Coveted

Gallagher or Bust

One of my favorite designers is Katie Gallagher.  She does incredible pieces that can be worn in multiple ways.  Her Look Book is so inspirational, and saved on my favorites tab!  The leggings and coats are hands-down my favorite.  All of the colors are neutrals and metallics, but what really makes them special is the way she panels pieces together.  Her pieces are so aspirational and beautiful, but have an obvious edge to them.  The last look is one of my favorite outerwear looks that I've seen for A/W 2010.  The color is great along with the asymmetrical hem line, oversized hood, and sleeve details.  The silhouette of outwear is so important, and this coat has the tie to cinch the waist and accentuate the full skirt.   The details in the leggings are so special.  I haven't seen this kind of paneling in legwear other than from Gallagher.  Her use of materials with different textures and opacity creates interesting and special looks.  The great thing is that each piece can be mixed and paired together to make an incredible wardrobe.

                                

<3. C.

The Relentless Hunt

A few weekends ago, I went to the flea market with my boyfriend Kevin and my fabulous friend Bren.  It was a steamy Sunday at the fairgrounds, but Bren and I were on a mission for jewels.  Luckily, we are both very drawn to the flashy, slightly tacky, yet fantastic finds available at the flea market.  Once Bren found Kevin and I, the first vendor we came across, was by far our favorite.  I don't usually venture the side of the flea market near the arena, but it was a happy accident.  We started purusing what the man under the umbrella had to offer.  We started grabbing the shiny pieces of the past, which immediately burned our fingers, but we were relentless.  I started coming across pieces of an organic nature--I was hoping for bone.  I collected three pieces that I was excited about, and threw them into Bren's tray of finds

                                    

We hunted for another thirty minutes, and took our pieces to the umbrella.  I asked him what my pieces of organic material were and he said "Antler."  I was ecstatic.  My first thought was Ruby Kobo, a design collaboration of Yuvi Alpert and Danna Kobo that I discovered in Zink Mag back in February.  I fell in love with this line of jewelry, a unisex fusion of organic materials and glitz. 

When I discovered my coveted pieces of bone were really antler, I had a stream of ideas flowing.  The remainder of the flea market trip was enjoyable, and I found so many items I wanted!  We decided to end the day before dehydration was a likelihood.  I bought some chain and Swavarski crystals from Michael's and started adding pieces until I felt it was complete.  I pulled additional inspiration from my friend Katie McGinnis, designer of Evidence Jewelry.  She uses mixed metals and various sizes of chain to create an uninhibited look.  Here is my final look:

I'm still deciding what to do with my other pieces.  I have been considering starting an Etsy store.  What do you guys think??

Love always,
<3 Coveted

Style Monster

I feel that an introduction is in order.  Clearly, if you are visiting my blog, you have an interest in style. I feel that there is a distinct difference in fashion and style.  Fashion encompasses the designers and product that is out in the world, from the fabulous to the ghastly.  Style, is how one chooses to interpret these garments into their own lifestyle.  Style is something that can't be taught or acquired from books or blogs, but inspiration can be funneled from them.  I read multiple blogs, hunting for inspiration and new knowledge, new favorites.  Over the years I have been refining my taste and style, to truly portray who I am.  The style that I have developed into may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it gives me a sense of pride and extreme pleasure.  It has been described as "Fashion Goth" or "Glamour Goth" but to me, it is dark, textured, accessorized, and fabulous. 

Allow me to attempt describing my aesthetic..I stick to neutrals--black, grey, white, cream or nudes.  I do splash some yellow and olive in the mix as well.  I typically stick to solids to create a nice backdrop to my other love--jewelry.  I think an outfit can be great, but to be truly fabulous, the right accessories are essential.  Currently, I'm into wearing way too much jewelry.  Just like I love layering clothes, I love layering necklaces and rings.  I'm also into androgynous looks met with feminine touches of drape and flowy pieces paired with combat boots, and leather, well faux leather.

Here are is a spread from Zink Magazine that I fell in love with.  It is a little old, but still amazing! This may give a little perspective of my aesthetic...

I love the chain, the nails, makeup, sequins, and overall concept of the shoot.  Zink has been one of my favorite inspirational magazines for a while now.  I hope you all enjoy, and that you get hooked.

<3 Coveted