Category Archives: Lust Caution

LUST CAUTION: funky fresh jewelry from NY Adorned

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There are a million body piercing/tattoo places in NYC.  Turn a corner and there’s a neon-lit parlor that’s just waiting to fulfill your every whim or fancy, drunk or sober.
But for as long as I’ve been in NYC, I’ve always frequented NY Adorned for my every body adorning need — from hardware to inkware.  One of the reasons why I love this place: the people are CRAZY NICE.
Let’s face it. There’s the tough gal underneath us all, who wants to be able to walk into a place and be accepted by the brutish, gruff tatted attendant at all those other places…but let me tell ya — I’m too old & tired to pretend I’m that tough.
I’d just like to walk in, ask a few questions and not be judged for being nervous or inquisitive.
In addition to the regular body services, NY Adorned has some of the most beautiful jewelry. It ranges from traditional Indian pieces to some great pieces from up-and-coming local designers.
I was just browsing through their site, and here are a few of the pieces that caught my eye:




If you’re ever walking around downtown, pop in and say hi…stay a while…get something done…. :)

New York Adorned
nyadorned.com
Between 2nd and 3rd Streets
47 Second Ave., New York, NY 10003
(212) 473-0007

LUST CAUTION: Dannijo Necklace @ Bendel’s

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I must be somewhat difficult to shop for, because over time, I’ve amassed a stockpile of gift certificates to various places.  Today, I attempted to use one up to Henri Bendel.
The Goal: to get simple, edgy stud earrings. (since my hair has been shorter, I’ve not been rocking earrings as much, so wanted something small)
But then I spied THIS specimen of fabulosity, by Dannijo:

HO MY GAH.
Technically, this is 2 necklaces merchandized together, but according to the Dannijo Website, the one that I’m swooning about is called the Cosima:

But it came with a hefty pricetag: $595. OUCH.
(definitely not enough on my gift card for that one!)
But I can still swoon.  :)

Eyewear Envy: A Saturday morning at Ilori, Soho

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I’ve made it blatantly clear that I want to wear glasses. Don’t ask me why, just always have.  I love eyewear as an accessory, but I refuse to be “that girl”. You know, the one who wears clear-lenses glasses.
I’ve tried everything in my power to try to mess up my eyesight and make me eyewear-eligible: I read in the dark, I’m always on my computer…hell, if I liked TV more, I’d be sitting a foot away from it every night.
But alas, I know I’ll be cursed with good vision until I need reading glasses.
This morning, I met @styleit at Ilori to help her select her newest pairs of Chanel frames. Naturally, I had to try on a few pairs of my own hypothetical frames.
I fell in LOVE with these Oliver Peoples frames. $325. I don’t know the style number, so I’ll lovingly refer to them as my “If I Were a Hipster” glasses:

Then there were the “If I Were a Russian Prostitute” glasses:

*sigh* Even if my eyewear fantasies can’t be fulfilled soon…at least a gal can dream and continue to try them on!!

ILORI
138 Spring Street
New York, NY 10012-3854
(212) 226-8276

www.oliverpeoples.com

LUST CAUTION: American Apparel Leather Bustier

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While looking for bra options at my fave site — American Apparel — I stumbled across this new item:
The American Apparel Leather Bustier.

SWOON!
I’m not sure how I would ACTUALLY incorporate it into a regular wardrobe without having it look too costume-y.
I can totally see it paired with stilettos, skinny disco pants, a beret, matte red lipstick with a cigarette hanging loosely from the lips.  Kinda like Olivia Newton John à la Grease:

Nonetheless, I’m up for the wardrobing challenge!  Will probably get it in the new year…
American Apparel Leather Bustier, $46

LUST CAUTION: Heartbeats by Lady Gaga

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The Twitterverse was all a-buzz today with how amazing Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance video is.

The song itself is infectious, but between the hair, the clothes, the styling and the fashion – it’s probably THE most inspirational video this year.  It’s in a league entirely of its own!  ART.
One thing I noticed today after watching this video repeatedly, were these adorable earbuds Gaga was rocking:
500x_gagaheartbeats111009
Upon closer inspection, I realized they were her own brand of Beats by Dr. Dre earbuds, called Heartbeats by Lady Gaga.
When Dre launched his headphones a few years ago, they were easily recognizable by their distinctive logo, but also their distinctive price: $200 – $350!
But these Heartbeats by Lady Gaga are too fierce-looking to pass up!  And they go for a standard $120 (similar to the Bose In-Ear headphones, which run around $100).
They also come in 3, fashion-forward colors:
r4_large b2_large s3_large
And who can resist a personalized note from La Gaga herself?
s2_large
To be one step closer to Gaga, go and get your own Heartbeats!

Hearbeats by Lady Gaga High Performance In-Ear Headphones
$119.95

LUST CAUTION: Sol Moscot Spectacular Spectacles

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In elementary school, when everyone else had effed-up teeth & got to wear those super “cool” retainers…I was SO jealous.  (I mean, when you’re 9-years old, who wouldn’t want to wear a plastic retainer, custom-molded to the roof of your mouth?!)  I used to un-fold a paper clip and stick it on my teeth, just to pretend that I had a retainer.  (lame!)
These days, my accessory of desire: glasses.
Glasses are all the rage.  Hell, if retailers like Forever 21 and American Apparel sell clear-lensed glasses for $40+, then it’s definitely hipster-approved.
My dilemna is: I have 20/20 vision, and I refuse to be a poser and wear clear-lens glasses.
I’ve tried DESPERATELY to qualify for reading glasses, to no avail.  I even lied on my eye exam once, but I think they caught on to me and I got denied.
If I were to qualify, my frames of choice would most definitely have to be Sol Moscots.  Sol Moscot is a NYC institution; it’s been around since 1915, and is a family owned & operated store that specializes in eyewear & eyecare.  Their shops have an incredible selection of Sol Moscot designs, as well as a healthy designer selection.  With 2 locations in Manhattan, original Sol Moscot frames are also carried at various international retailers.
To me, Sol Moscot is an eyewear CLASSIC.  Here it is, in SAT-analogy terms:

  • Sol Moscot : Eyewear
  • Burberry : Trench Coats
  • Hunter: Rain Boots

If you need celebrity approval on “cool factor”, ya can’t get much cooler that Monsieur Johnny Depp:
image_mini med_lemtosh-tortoise-clear-2798
The 2 frames I would rock, if my eyesight were compromised:
med_yale-black-clear-2772
(Frame style:  Yale)
med_zelig-black-clear-0
(Frame style:  Zelig)
For more info on Sol Moscot: www.solmoscot.com

LUST CAUTION: Barbour Coat

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As much as it pains me sometimes to admit it: I am my mother’s daughter.  Yes, I like to dress in cheap Forever 21 clothing in the “style du jour” as my every day wear.  But I always hear my mother’s voice in the back of my mind, saying: “Classic will always be IN STYLE.”
That credo has definitely stayed with me whenever I buy something above a $100 price bracket.  I tend to lean towards trusted “Classic” brands.  If I want boots, I look to invest in a pair of Frye or Dr. Marten boots – because I know they are guaranteed a certain level of quality.  They are, in a sense, “Classic”.
My mom would like nothing more than for me to dress like a Stepford wife every day: pleated khakis, a sweater/cardigan set, pearl earrings, mocs, topped off with a Vera Bradley bag.  In the past, she’d always BUY me things she’d hope to see me wear.  One such thing was a Barbour Coat.
Barbour is another such “Classic” line of coats.  They’re standard wax-cotton coats are what you would imagine Europeans walking around in the countryside, flanked by their sheepdog, smoking a pipe…in their Barbour coats.  Kinda like this:
092109_barbour_boxtop
Maybe I was too young and rebellious to appreciate a Barbour. OR maybe Barbour has come out with a few more “contemporary” designs.  But I’m kinda itching for one of these coats:
Barbour Cameron Coat:
prod4812_th-1 ← $479 USD

and the Barbour Ladies International Parka:
5757 ←$430 USD

What do you think?  Is it me? Or are these coats worth an investment?  They do not come cheap, but these are the types of jackets you wear for a lifetime.  They’re extremely well-made & timeless!
www.barbour.com

Lust Caution: Late Night Louis Vuitton Lust

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I’m at my parents’ house for Thanksgiving.  Let me paint a picture of what that’s like: no cable, no street noise, no music – it’s like death by boredom.  My senses have atrophied due to lack of stimulation.
The only thing that DOES seem to work is the web.  So whenever I’m here, all I can do is go online and create my fantasy list: What Heather would by if she had unlimited amounts of money. 
I love virtual window shopping.  Why physically go to the stores to deal with pushy salespeople and crowds, when I can browse till my heart’s content snuggled under a blanket with Syd?
Generally, I’m not a huge label whore.  Quality is what dictates my purchases.  But one thing I will definitely splurge on once in a while is a Louis Vuitton bag.  Yes, it’s a “name” brand, but to me, that’s not the main draw.  I really feel their bags are well-crafted, classic and durable. 
Here are my most recent lusts from their offerings:
 
The Epi Leather Alma bag is a classic, but in this gorgeous grenadine color, it’s swoon-worthy!  It comes in for $1290!
10260279_grenade pucca_garu_16
 
 
I think the Epi Leather collection might be my fave.  It’s probably the least obnoxious, without all the LV LV LV everywhere….  This lovely Epi Leather Bowling Montaigne GM goes for a smooth $1760
1755569090_36167f9c9e11422567_cassis
 
I know the Monogram Multicolor collection tends to skew very young, but I really can’t help but think this wallet is fun and light-hearted.  But for $890, I don’t think I’d have anything left to put IN the wallet if I got it.
11929157_black    pucca_garu_13
 
This is just a great, classic belt that I think I could wear with a long cardigan, with a dress, or even with high-waisted jeans.  $385
11871215_black
 
DO YOU SHARE MY LATE-NIGHT LUST FOR LOUIS??? :)

Lust Caution: Canon PowerShot SX110 IS

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I’m a purist in every sense of the word.  
Piano or Synth?  PIANO
Chocolate or chocolate cake?  CHOCOLATE!
Fake gold or real silver?  REAL SILVER.
I’ve always been a Nikon devotee, ever since I took my first photography class in high school, used my parents’ vintage Nikon F1 and felt the thrill of having complete and utter control over how my picture came out.  
I still have an FM10 and an F4 that I still use when I feel like taking some inspired shots….but times, they are a-changin’.  When I’m out with friends, I can’t hand someone my FM10 and ask someone to snap a shot of the group.  The time it takes to develop film is still “too long” for the fast world of digital.
So my latest object of lust is the new Canon PowerShot SX110 IS.  
At first, I bought a Nikon digital, but had a really bad experience with it – there would be about a 4 second relapse between shots.  Although Nikons had the film cameras down, maybe I have to go with Canons, who seem to have their digital came on.
This seems like a nice hybrid in between the regular point and shoot, with a stronger more powerful digital SLR camera.  9 megapixels is all good and dandy, but the picture quality is to die for.  :)
We’ll see if my object of lust can come to fruition soon…