Merry Christmas to Me

I've been thinking about getting a new coat for a while now, esp after cracking out my old one and realizing how worn down it was. Sad because I really love that coat, but nothing lasts forever, especially when they're cream colored... So after scoping out some coats on the streets/subway/stores, I decided I still wanted a wool coat but with a fur collar of sorts. I went to L&T today to get a last minute gift and walk the Children's floor and walked past this coat and fell in love despite its $400 price tag. I decided to try it on on the way out and after falling more in love decided to put it on hold to think about it, until I heard my discount and just decided to buy it. Eek! Love it. Fox fur lined hood..which, I wish it wasn't fox, but what can I do..

(pardon my silly face)


I didn't buy this dress, but it's another add to my "Things to Make" list, which is already too long. Obsessed with the pearls.. (c/o Calvin Klein)


And finally, lately, I've been on a lingerie (/cute nightwear) kick, and everytime I see Betsey Johnson lingerie, I die. I'm not a huge fan of her RTW (it's just not spectacular enough), but almost every accessory (if you will) she does is golden (possibly minus handbags, which are ok - blame licensees). [If I can add another side note - her jewelry is awesome!] Attached are two slips that I love:



*Note: L&T is a dangerous place, as all these images were captured there*

V Magazine's "Plus Size" Model v. "Regular" Model

V Magazine pit a regular size model v. a plus size model in the same outfits with similar styling. Both are the same height 5'9" (inch taller than me), with the following measurements:
reg: 32/24/34
plus: 36/31/41
(me: 36/27/38 - as I remember, could be adjusted for the holiday)

Fairly interesting because the plus size in no way really large in real life, but I think even my judgement is so skewed from constantly presented skinny girls that she looks larger. Pretty fucked up. But that being said, I think she still rocks these outfits just as well, and esp in the first two, arguably better. Which leads to the question: why always so skinny if it really doesn't make that substantial of a difference?

Christmas Wishlist, Secret Santa & Random Info

So I've been thinking about what would comprise my Christmas wishlist if someone were to ask, and there is nothing that really, really, stands out. My list may grow as we get even closer to Christmas, but I would say first and foremost would be a black or grey boyfriend type blazer. Followed by more black pants, and maybe some type of twill pants..maybe blue or grey. I have a serious lack of cool pants in my wardrobe. After browsing a flea market, I had a fur hat on my list as well, but I took advantage of F&F at L&T and can check that off my list. I'll post if/when I get a cute picture.

On to the randomness:

• I now officially own the rights/space/whatever to kristenelmer.com, .net, and .org! Very exciting feeling, on the right path

• I started a twitter account with Greg about our holiday time with our family. I think I'm already addicted. Follow us at: http://twitter.com/tactless_family

• FCUK dress (I think) from L&T. I have been so impressed and pleasantly surprised with their assortment, that I end up bewildered every time I shop the 2nd floor. This is actually fairly scandolous and I never expected to see it, I love it, and want to make it!

• Had to participate in a Secret Santa at work, which I was none too happy about. Until I received this. Pretty sweet. It's one of those "magical" (if you will) wallets with the little pieces of elastic that you can just fold your money and IDs into. I might now be a Secret Santa believer.
  

Food For Thought

Rediscovered this quote in a book that is on my wish list, applicable for many walks of life I think:

"Reasonable people adapt themselves to the world. Unreasonable people attempt to adapt the world to themselves. All progress, therefore, depends on unreasonable people."
~George Bernard Shaw

Lauren read this in one of her books (probably now posted on her blog) and emailed it to me as a source of encouragement and inspiration, of which it is both:

"Why does everyone wear the same thing at any given place and time? We all have minds of our own, and yet we're afraid to be unfashionable. It's an example of complete irrationality and fear."

V Magazine Pin Up Girl

Image from the December issue of V Magazine, "Pin Me Up, Pin Me Down." Over all an okay spread, nothing too new or profound. This image stuck out to me though; a beautiful combination of a vintage swimsuit and Dior dress. It has more presence than justified by material; if that makes sense.

My Favorite Stylists/Designers

So for whatever stupid reason, I can't type above this image? So anyway, shocker, I'm my favorite stylist/designer! But I rarely can take full credit for everything I make/wear, so I must include Sybil and Lauren in this list as well! This latest outfit was from our weekend birthday celebration; initial design by Lauren (modified by me mostly by time - I, of course, did 95% of the work on this dress the day of the event and finished it in about 6 hours. Shockingly though, it is actually fairly well made.)

Fabulous birthday gift from Sybil (eyelashes). They worked out better than probably any set I've ever worn. I debated putting in my black contacts, but decided not to go toooo over the top.

Finally, a shot of Sybil. I need to find a better pic of her hair (pin-curl bump) and gemstone eye design. It's hard to see, but there are three little stones under her eyebrow that were a perfect addition.

Bad Romance Costume Design

Lady Gaga recently released a new video for "Bad Romance," a mediocre (but growing on me *sigh*) song with an amazingly costumed video; in true Gaga form. The song has grown on me due to the number of times I've watched it purely for her costumes and general look. Here are screen shots of my favs, not including the McQueen she wears, because come on, we already saw it on the runway.

I'm not sure if she put in contacts to make her eyes look cartoonish like this, or if it's just make up, but it looks great; and her hair color that reminds me of cotton candy or the hair of a Rainbow Brite or My Little Pony character is to dye for.

Amazing.

The actual bra/corset in and of itself is fairly tame, but the entire ensemble, also as seen below with the orbiting rings is well played.

She looks like Kat von D at first glance, no?? I can't get enough of pale skin, smokey eyes, and dark dark red lipstick.

This is probably my fav outfit in the whole video and the hardest to get a good shot of. It's incredibly simple...they are really strips over her chest; but I think it's the combination of the stockings, the perfect thickness of the strips that allows them to function almost as semi complete clothing (if you can call it that), and her figure that blows me away. And red and black always works.

Christina on GQ's Cover

She's pretty hit or miss..but this is a hit..granted I think this cover is MaxiM-esq (uncreative overuse of sexuality), but I love that lipstick color and the swimsuit top style...neither of which I've really figured out how to pull off..

My Drawings

At home I attempted to sort through my old stuff and in the process went through some of my old art and stumbled upon old drawings I forgot about. These two I thought were iPhone picture worthy.

Real simple and cute

Cool pic, funny because I'm really good at drawing shoes and now I work in shoes and think about them too much..

Lady GaGa in Out

Lady GaGa photo shoot in Out mag. I happen to really like her, and I like that she pushes the boundaries of what is acceptable to wear, esp in public. Granted, she is also verrrrrry hit or miss, but I think she gets it 90% of the time. Now I wish she'd just drop the act, but on the flip side, it makes her interviews pretty funny to watch. Now, on to pictures!

Probably my least fav, but I love the handcuffs..

Love.......

She wore something similar to this out recently..I think it's best left to the pages of a mag, but what do I know?

Love the black lipstick and the skeleton

Overall I liked a majority of the pics from the spread; they're creepy and a bit weird, and we all know I'm a sucker for anything that seems in anyway related to Halloween.

My First Post!

Here is my first official post on my first ever blog! Only took minimal time to figure it out.. I'm a little surprised to be honest, I didn't think my first post would be of menswear, but what can you do. From a photo shoot in GQ of Ryan Kwanten of True Blood (a show I want to watch, eventually). I dig the overall look, but specifically the boots (duh), hat, and shirt.. if you can pull off a tight unbuttoned (or V-neck) shirt, you get a gold star from me.