Street Styles

I saw this girl on my walk to school and there was something about her outfit that I really liked and I think it was mostly that she was wearing over the knee socks + boots (which we all know I love by now). I am definitely not the greatest photographer while running to class and using my camera phone to stalk this girl's outfit so I apologize for the out of focus.


I decided to recreate the outfit for you so maybe you could see it from the front. I have to say, though, that I did not like that she was wearing a fedora with the outfit. I'm not sure if was the hair full of frizz or just an unneeded accessory but I wasn't feeling it. The more I think about it, this outfit can definitely be worn to work. It's fancy enough and it's super cute! If it's cold where you are already you can always wear tights underneath the socks.

Button down: Arden B, Skirt: Mini skirt thecorner.com, Socks: Free People Aran Sheer Tall Cable Sock, Boots: Aldo- Doiley, Bracelet: Kara by Kara Ross (net-a-porter.com), and Bag: DKNY - quilted leather messenger bag.

I know this isn't really fashion related..

...but it's such a great song, that I had to share.

Isn't life great?

While reading Sylvie's post 'My Favorite Thing About Fashion School' , the other day, I noticed that she had included a very cute leopard bag by Mulberry. I soon realized this was a very ironic choice indeed..

For those of you who, like me, simply adore that bag, I have some great news! A mere three days ago, the latest Target Go collaboration was unveiled: TARGETxMULBERRY , and yes it is a line of very cute, very chic, and very affordable purses! just like the one from our sunshine's post. Ahhh yes, la joie de vivre!

I particularly love the pink version of the leopard purse, as well as the simple black over the shoulder. You can check out/purchase the rest of the collection here. I wouldn't wait long though if I were you, these Target collections tend to go fast, and we definitely understand why!

Nail Fraud Alert

Wild Thing- Leopard Nail Fraud Kit (scissors not included)

I've been hearing all about the latest nail craze 'foil manicures' which is basically patterned paper applied to nails. So when I heard about the DIY kit that allows you to apply these fun stickers yourself, I ran right over to Urban Outfitters and picked up my own kit for only 12 bucks!

Here are my thoughts:
The kit told me all I needed to do was put on the sticker that best fit that finger's size and simply file off the rest.. While the stickers did stick to my nails, I expected it to be thinner and less paper like. Meaning when I tried to file off the ends, I ended up with a jagged edge, much like a torn piece of paper. Instead, I found that a pair of nail scissors worked best to remove the extra sticker. Once the nails were on they stayed put and of course I received lots of compliments however, they didn't last much longer than a crazy night out in the city.
So rock on you wild thangssss, and have fun dressin up your digits with Nail Fraud! But don't consider this a permanent replacement for your usual mani.

WANTED

WantedFur Coat w/ Hood

With winter right around the corner, I'm jonesin for a fur coat with a hood, like this one groovy little ATL wore to NY Fashion week in February. So far I haven't fallen in love with any of the ones that I have seen in the stores, perhaps I'll have to go prowl some vintage stores instead!

For those of you who prefer your fur faux, we adore this Juicy Couture coat, ironically, designed by ATL's stepmother, and co-founder of JC, Gela Nash. Hmm we wonder where she is getting her inspiration these days?

You can buy it here at our latest obsession, Piperlime.

Add that rawr to your outfit

An easy way to add leopard to your wardrobe/outfit? A leopard scarf like the one pictured above! I love to see creative uses of scarves when adding them to your outfit like a scarf being turned into a headwrap or a belt. This leopard scarf is perfect for putting that extra oomph into your outfit and making you stand out a little bit. We like this one from Arden B:

The Mad Hatter's Lamp

I don't know what it is about this lamp but it caught my eye and I kept scrolling back up on the page to take a look at it. It might be because the owner of this lamp calls it the Mad Hatter Lamp or because it reminds me of some fairytale turned true life. I just discovered a home goods blog that links back to a personal store called Beadboard UpCountry and I love the almost idyllic pieces of furniture that they carry and search for on their antique buying trips. I'd love to decorate my house in a way that makes me feel like I'm in some kind of fantasy land...

My favorite thing about fashion school is the outfits. Is that sad?

A girl from in my sketching class was wearing an outfit similar to the one you are seeing above and I really liked it so I thought I would create a duplicate to show all of you. The girl is from Taiwan so I'm really hoping she brings in some cool outfits from across the globe. I really like Chino pants for woman and I think Gap has an awesome pair on the cheaper side or Current/Elliot has a really good pair too if you want to splurge. I love this outfit!

Earrings: vintage Chanel. Necklace: Susan Caplan Vintage jewelry, Tank: Leslie vented jersey tank, Chinos: Leon Chino, Shoes: Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent (no wonder I love these shoes! My favorite pair of boots are from her), Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Bracelet: Burberry Prorsum, Bag: Mulberry

But I'm not a teacher!

I looooove requests! One of our readers wants to know how to wear a dress when she wants to hide her arms because she suffers from what most of us do (teacher's arms). There are a few do's and don'ts for wearing dresses when you want to make your arms look slimmer. Do's: do wear dresses that are longer sleeved such as ones that are 3/4 length or long sleeve. You can also wear dresses that have a little bit longer flowy sleeve such as the cream one pictured above. Sticking to flowy-ier fabrics will make your arms look slimmer. Don't ever wear a strapless dress! It makes your arms look even bigger than you think they already look. Also don't do cap sleeves or sleeves that are tight around your arms. You don't want to draw anymore attention to those areas. I hope this post helps!

Style Icon: Lou Dillon

I just love Lou Dillon.. What is it about those French girls?? Givenchy muse, model-turned actress-turned songwriter, Lou is so cool that she is said to have achieved her unique style by the mere age of eight, and by 11 she already had her first tattoo and a stud in her tongue. What I love most is her effortless bad girl style- rock n roll with a flare of bohemian, and seemingly I-don't-give-a-fuck-what-you-think attitude. Yet, we couldn't imagine her to have a mean bone in her body.

I could just as easily see Lou playing dress up in couture gowns as I could see her hanging around in a dark, seedy bar down a tiny alley in Paris, cigarette hanging from her lips.

Definitely on my best dressed list from
Paris fashion week, here she is at Chanel

You may also remember Dillon from her cameo in the Paris season opener of Gossip Girl, and along side Rock n Roll daughter Elizabeth Jagger, as the model from our post about this past spring's H&M festival line.

Where my shorties at?

We've received a request from one of our viewers today. She said that she loves the over the knee boot paired with the over the knee socks look but she has just one problem: she stands at only 5'1. I'm sure many of you have the same problem as our reader. When you wear boots that are that high it cuts the amount of skin that is shown making you look even shorter than you already are. There is easily a way to get this look without sacrificing your height. If you're shorter, all you have to do is wear shorter boots. You can get this look with wearing socks that come up to just below the knee and boots that hit your mid-calf. You still get the same sock + boot look but this will elongate the look of your legs instead of cutting you short. I hope this helps my shorties and especially CZ.

We like it in the bedroom

The view out of my lovely French doors

The Princess Bed

Both SG and I just recently finished reading The Selby in your place, and as a result I felt inspired to share a few shots of my own space... Unfortunately half of my clothes are here in Chicago and the rest are at my apartment back at school so no shots of Le Placard.
I've lived in the same town my entire life, but a few years ago my family moved (just down the street) and I had the chance to design my own room for the first time. I traded the orange and yellow shag carpet, no I am not kidding, for wood floors, and after months of searching for the perfect color, painted the walls a beautiful shade of 'wintergreen'. I also found an antique canopy bed, my dream since I was a little girl, and appropriately named it The Princess Bed. To me there's nothing better than coming home to my room, my own little haven.

My bulletin board- mostly photos, old concert tickets,
wrist bands, and letters from friends.



I am obsessed with taking pictures in photo booths



Shelf life- lots of clothing tags, candles, postcards and my Lolla pass.



Mostly things I've collected from my travels, including a (now) empty Limoncello
bottle from Sorrento and a Venitian Carnivale mask. My favorite thing is a small
ornate jewelry box from South Africa that I received as a gift. I have authentic
clips of filmstrip from the shooting of Breakfast at Tiffany's (my favorite movie) framed in the
background, also a gift from a friend.



The coolest birthday card ever, handmade by my one and only Sunshine



I found the old Gucci shoe box in my mama's things in the attic.
It was full of old Valentine's from the 1920's!



Collage of a lot of the new diesel ads, a Polaroid from 'Thunder From
Down Under', photos of friends, and an awesome quote by Zoe Saldana-
"I love sex and rock 'n' roll. You have no idea"



My nightstand- overloaded with books, I'm currently reading 'Dharma Bums',
a bottle of Veuve (why not?) that I still haven't found the perfect occasion to
open, and a collage from my road trip across country this past summer with my
BFF. I painted that Warhol style version of Audrey for a school project a few years
ago, and it still needs a proper frame.





Send us shots of your space, we'd love to see some Le Placards! laplacard@gmail.com
xoxo,
LP

All hail McQueen!

Sarah Burton after the SS11 show

I wasn't sure what to expect from the SS11 Alexander McQueen collection, the brand's first time debuting clothes without the iconic designer himself. However, I think that Alexander would be very proud of the latest collection designed by Sarah Burton, who until served as his 1st assistant since 1996.
In my opinion, Burton eloquently captured McQueen's legacy and penchant for the dramatic, while at the same time keeping her own sense of self. A feat that I imagine was not exactly easy giving her challenging role. The SS11 collection included whimsical dresses inspired by nature, from butterflies to feathers to a billowing field of black roses. Although I deeply miss my beloved king and his magnificent creations, I do have to say Bravo to Ms. Burton and her success in carrying on his truly unique legacy.

There were so many beautiful pieces that I could not show you all of my favorites.. I encourage you to check out the entire collection here.

We were also blown away by the unique woven hair at the show!

My clever titles are running out

After giving you my favorite options for over the knee socks, I thought that maybe you might want to hear about affordable over the knee boots to go with them. I went on Zappos and found my favorite six. I personally do not like boots with heels so all of the ones I posted about our flats (sorry!). I think it's cause I'm already so tall I don't need the extra inches.

Matisse - Salem

Sam Edelman - James

MIA - Highness

Nine West - Ganerbury

ALDO - Raffone

Chinese Laundry - Newbie

I'll play a trick on you

I found these sculptures through another blog and I was blown away. The intricacy and psychedelic-ness of them are astounding. Each one of these pieces are made from hand cut paper and are made to trick your eyes with their 3D charm. I don't think I have ever seen such cool paper designs before. To check out more of these go to Jen Stark's website.