All Hail Carine

ir·rev·er·ent/iˈrev(ə)rənt/
Adjective:
Showing a lack of respect for people or things that are generally taken seriously.





The first time I laid eyes on Carine Roitfeld's beautiful style, was when I was about 10 years old. I was looking for the Style Network online, so I typed in "style.com" and instead I was taken away to a magical wonderland of fashion ecstasy. I browsed the site and ended up on the "people" section and I stumbled upon Carine's page. I looked for more information about this beautiful fashion creature and discovered she was the Editor-in-Chief of French Vogue. I was instantly captivated and ever since that day, Carine has been my fashion hero. I couldn't afford to buy French Vogue at 10 years old and my mother would have DIED if she caught me reading it, so whenever I had the chance to go to my local Barnes and Noble (my mother had always taken me there so she could teach me how to read when I was younger) I would sneak peeks at whatever issue they had when my mother wasn't paying attention. Of course I was shocked at how beautiful the clothes were and completely taken aback by the erotic nature of everything she did in that magazine, but I just couldn't look away. Years and years of this "sneak-peeking" ensued then I finally got a job and then BAM!!!- news broke one sad morning, that Carine is leaving French Vogue, a position that she has had for 10 years. I was floored. "Wow, this is unreal," I thought to my self. "I better get an issue before its too late!" So I rushed over to my faithful spot at Barnes and Noble and practically ran and grabbed the last issue they had on the stands of Carine's final French Vogue with Saskia de Brauw on the cover. I hugged my copy ( of course everyone around me was staring at me like I was crazy!) But I didn't care- I finally had my very own copy of French Vogue and no one could ever take it away from me. Then it was announced that Carine was going to release a book with Oliver Zahm about her career called "Irreverent" and of course I started shaking. The moment it came out on Amazon.com I ordered my copy. When it came in the mail I cried. The book was so beautiful. Carine's "lack of respect" for what my mother would call plain decency , is what has allowed her to give us some of the most powerful images that fashion has ever seen. So now I am here to give you little glimpses of the book and some of my favorite snaps of my dearest Carine.
Enjoy!
Love,
Ashley






























Images: upscalehype.com, iwanttobearoitfeld.com, whatsupflo.com, fashionistasworld.blogspot.com, hopehope.ch, www.thefyiblog.com, style.com

Wear Me! Spring Findings

"Single black female addicted to retail"...hmm I'm pretty sure Kanye did not understand the power of those spoken words, because I use them as an excuse for my ridiculous shopping habit. This post is about me playing market editor for the day. I was inspired to do so when I kept seeing all these "I want this, I want that" lists all infiltrate my email and my daily web visits ( we fashion people never seem to stop wanting things). At this point in my life, I don't think I can ever lay my eyes on that white thing we call snow, but the looking Spring clothes provides catharsis to my ailing pupils. I loved this list on Style.com in particular. We got to actually see the editors behind 10 years of fashion greatness and beautiful clothes. What more could you ask for? Here are my picks for Spring. As a forewarning to those of you who expect to see clothing, this is accessories infested. For some reason I've been completely taken by bright fur stoles, crazy jewelry, and mouthwatering shoes. Enjoy!

1. Simply Julia Totes
This line carries the most A-M-A-Z-I-N-G totes and handbags. I've never seen anything like them anywhere. I would know I design them! Plus they're extremely durable and fit pretty much anything you any imagine and they're gorgeous too. The price point isn't too bad either, bags range from $35-$350. Not too shabby! You can check out the website here or you can call 302-339-2345 to have one custom made.





2. Prada Stole
This one's for dreamers. I keep seeing it everywhere and it's eating at my heart. I have to have it and so does Shala Monroque, Marc Jacobs, Katie Grand any other crazy person to walk out of their house with a ridiculously bright, mismatched colored stole!




You can see more pictures of this on Jak and Jil

3. Marni Flats
Who doesn't want brown flats with incredible lime green polka dots on? You'd be obviously crazy if you didn't.



4. Proenza Schouler Boucle Jacket
Perfect with some extra tight skinny jeans and heels that will leave your heels bleeding. Oh the things we do for fashion!


5. Lanvin Canvas Snake Wedge
When I saw these I knew we were meant to be together. Perfect wedge. Perfect fabric. Perfect height. I am five foot two after all.



6. Lanvin Strawberry Earrings
I really could not imagine why anyone wouldn't want to have these beauties dangling from their ears.



7. Alexander Wang Bow Detail Top
I can see this under my tweed jackets with some shiny leather pants and sparkly heels. Plus it's a white button down. The shirt will go with practically anything.



8.Alexander Wang Noemi Peep-toe Leather Boots
These shoes will go with so many things in my closet. Alex never fails. He always comes up with some easy cool collection that women fawn over. How is he so successful and wowing us EVERY SINGLE SEASON?



9. Proenza Schouler PS1 Pouch
I want one of these to tuck into one of my Simply Julia Totes. Jack and Lazaro have finally created the answer to a cool, street chic yet office chic bag that you can wear anywhere and on top of all that, the bag is made in a million colors. Ok, I know I exaggerated, but that's what it seams like when you're shopping and you can't decide on which color bag you want.



10. Charlotte Olympia Dolly Suede Platform Pumps
Ouch! These shoes are HOT! I am burning with desire for these amazing pumps and I can think of a million ways to style them. Every cool girl, editor, and fashion dreamer (who owns this shoe in their head) have been drooling over this shoe since the day it came out.



Hope you enjoyed My top 10 picks for Spring! Stay warm and whenever you get that terrible feeling of discouragement, disappointment, or even disdain from the nasty weather outside, take your mind to a happy, sunny place in the near future, filled with delectable clothing. Hope you enjoyed reading the post.

All Photos from: Net-A-Porter, Kirna Zabete, Jak and Jil, Simply Julia, Fashion Gone Rogue

Love,
Ashley

My Favorites So Far....

DIY dress I made a while ago worn with with Ann Michelle shoes. Kind of reminds me of Proenza Schouler's Spring 2010 collection.

Vintage blazer worn with Fredricks of Hollywood corset Walmart leggings and Ann Michelle shoes. Vintage dress with a Black House White Market cardigan, Walmart leggings and Ann Michelle shoes.

Today I was wondering why we as humans like certain things. How do we come to the conclusion that we find something interesting, or that we want to pursue something? Why do we love certain things and hate others? Hmmm... its always been a question of mine. Anyway here are some really old pictures I took, but nonetheless still cool haha. Hope you enjoy them:)

Love,

Ashley