Daydreaming About: Prints on Prints on Prints

Lately I've been just obsessed with patterns. Obviously, I turned to my favorite american stores to find the cutest patterned items, Madewell and J.Crew. Honestly, I've just been dreaming about buying some of their perfectly clean and chic clothing since I went abroad five months ago. Here's some things that caught my eye as I perused their websites this morning. Maybe I'll stop by after my haircut tomorrow?

Daydreaming About Update: SUNO NY + Uniqlo

Big update on my last post on SUNO NY. Although I ended my last post about how unbearably sad I was that I couldn't afford anything from this amazing label I had fallen in love with, this is not entirely true! I was perusing around their facebook page and I noticed that they were having a collab with Uniqlo this season! So while these aren't quite as cute as their original SS collection, they are still quite lovely pieces with adorable prints and a much more affordable price range (think $20-$40). All I have to say is thank GOD for these collabs (I give major credit to Target for starting this great designer for affordable prices trend), and I'm definitely stopping by Uniqlo when I get back to San Francisco. 

PS Did you notice how well this collab goes with my header? too cute! 

Daydreaming About: SUNO NY

I have a crush. And this crush is on a clothing line, SUNO NY. I'm pretty sure I'm behind the ball on this one, but I just discovered it when I was looking through Refinery29's SF street style photos (which I've been stalking obsessively in anticipation for my upcoming return). In their latest edition of park pics, this one girl was wearing the most adorable dress and I fell in love with it. I was so intrigued by the dress that I actually looked up the label she was wearing and once I got to their website I was overwhelmed.

Everything on it was so cool! The entire line was full of this chic, light, quirky preppy look that basically describes what I envision my summer to be. And they address every element of my dream summer from my summer dresses, shorts, swimsuits and even my pj's! As I continued to peruse their website, they only got better. Their shots from their runway show included funny behind the scene shots of the models as they made funny faces walking off the catwalk. I even fell in love with all the images on their Spring 2013 inspiration board, instantly wishing that was exactly what my tumblr looked like.

For a little bit more background, SUNO is a New York based womenswear label founded in 2008 by Max Osterwis and in collaboration with designer Erin Beatty. Part of the interesting element of SUNO (that makes it even cooler than it already is) is its connection with Kenya, which Osterweis considers a second home. SUNO's first collection was launched in 2009, right after the post-election violence threatened the economy in Kenya. This first collection was produced primarily in Kenya, using vintage Kenyan textiles that Osterweis has collected over the years.
Since that first collection, SUNO has continued to use production in Keyna, India, Peru, as well as their home base of New York using a combo of traditional and local techniques with high-end tailoring. Really using the countries they produce in as more than mere factories but also as inspiration for design and technique gives SUNO something a little special in their collections.

Unfortunately, the price range for all their items are a little out of my just-came-out-of-the-most-expensive-semester-of-my-unemployed-college-student-ass. Most of the dresses range around $600, but you know I girl can always dream....

I might be able to afford the shoes though if I save! These are only $60.

What We're Daydreaming About: Closets

This morning I finally decided to unpack. You know, I figured it was about time since I got back home about 20 days ago. Honestly, I don't know how I survived like that with all those giant bags surrounding my bed for all this time. So after unpacking I came to the conclusion that I am a clothing hoarder. Now if you've ever been my roommate or been to my dorm room this past year, you are probably not all that surprised. After all, I managed to fill a double with all my stuff. That means I had two closets, two sets of drawers, and I had more plastic containers. But since this was just my room in my mind, that didn't really occur to me as weird. But today, when I finally unpacked I realized that I fully filled up my closet at home. And that was only the clothes I brought back for the summer. I left the majority of my stuff back at school....
So this was my giant epiphany. I am a clothing hoarder. I have an insane amount of clothes. At this point, I was trying to figure out a solution. Get rid of clothing I don't wear enough? Unfortunately, I've discovered that places like Crossroads hates my clothing. They're looking for strangely specific and in trend things. Like, if I had that currently trendy item, why would I be giving it to you? I would be wearing it! And just giving away my clothing to the Philippines like my mom wants me to do doesn't sound so amazing. Like if I'm not going to get any money, why wouldn't I just keep those clothes? It's not like I hate them. My second solution was to stop shopping. But that just a ridiculous proposition. The only real reason that would lessen my shopping would be an economic issue not to reduce my clothing amount. I just always want new things to spruce up my wardrobe. Don't you?
Now at this point, I was just frustrated. I didn't see any solution. And suddenly it came to me. Hi my name is Rachel and I'm a clothing hoarder but I do NOT have a problem. My shopping addiction is not a problem (yet, let's make sure I don't end up in credit card debt due to this addiction). My shopping and clothing hoarding is simply a means to my creativity and personal expression. The real problem is that I do not have enough space. And that is why I have made it my goal that when I am older and have my own place, I will have a beautiful gigantic closet to fit all the clothes of my dreams.

Do you recognize this closet? You should. It belongs to the iconic (although fictional) Carrie Bradshaw. I have to say, it's not too shabby for her apartment as a single women in NYC. Too bad the size of this is essentially the size of an apartment in NYC. But hopefully I'll have a super great paying job straight out of college and I'll be able to afford a whole lot of square footage when I'm in my 20s. 

I figured that since I included Carrie Bradshaw, I had to include her all grown up dream closet. I was pretty heartbroken that she didn't end up getting to live in this beautiful apartment after that whole fiasco. But the closet that Big created for her was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. So spacious, polished, and classic. I love the distinct style of the Carrie vs Big size. I also love how her stuff still found their way on his side. The rule should be her stuff gets priority no matter what side it's on.

Now after Oprah got a lovely look into Jcrew's one and only Jenna Lyons closet, I fell in love. This is exactly how my dream closet would be. Quite clearly, this is more than a wall-in-closet. This is a living room centered around clothing. And it makes me wonder why living room isn't focused on clothing. Like why would we ever center an entire room around a TV? Ok, actually now that I've written that I really hope she has a TV in there. I would love that. And a big comfy sofa. Like a big comfy chic sofa so it still fits into this lovely decor. I also love how the bookshelves contain shoes instead of books. The beautiful heels are reasonable replacements for beautiful spines.

 

Speaking of shoes. I love this cubby approach. This way every shoe has a home! Plus, it is just such a organized and clean looking approach.

 

I didn't expect Kate Bosworth to have such a beautiful closet for some reason. But it's honestly gorgeous, although the color pallet of the spring/summer season probably helped the photo out. I particularly enjoy her truck in the background. I'm in love with trucks. Maybe I'll do another Daydreaming segment on them soon

I obviously wouldn't mind if I could just take the entirety of Teen Vogue's closet. They can leave the clothes, I really don't mind.
Ultimately I'll just have to make a weird amount of money or marry rich to obtain this closet and all the beautiful clothes that would deserve a place in such a classy room. But a girl can daydream right?

Daydreaming About: Karen Walker Sunglasses

So when I graduated high school, my brother told me he'd buy me a fancy pair of designer sunglasses. Now my brother has a bit of an obsession with designer goods in general, but designer sunglasses in particular.  He'll be driving around wearing his Gucci sunglasses or whatever other slightly gaudy brand you can imagine. Apparently, he has some smooshy story about getting a pair for every important event in his life. He also has this rule for fancy champagne.
Now at the time, I thought this was a horrible idea. Therefore, despite him being willing to spend like $500 on a pair of sunnies for me, I still rejected his offer. I figured that I break and lose cheap $10 Forever21 sunglasses all the time, why should I be trusted with a designer pair? In fact, $25 is probably the most money I've ever spent on any pair of sunglasses. That's probably a good thing since none of them have survived. Actually fun story. During my schools spring party weekend, I bought one pair just for the weekend. Got a free pair before the Avicii concert. Found a pair on the ground of a frat. By the end of the 3 days, I didn't have a single pair left. The rest of the sunny year was a bit of a challenge.
So for years, I've limited myself to cheap $15 sunglasses. The thing is that I'm actually really into the tortoise look with a slightly different shape than the classic fake RayBan. Unfortunately for me, anything original isn't really offered by that street vendor on Haight street or wherever else. Actually that seems like a pretty common theme for most things I like; they just don't seem to come cheap. But going back to sunglasses. I've actually seen a bunch of really cool sunglasses that perfectly meet my description and potentially even my fat facial structure. And weirdly enough, all of these sunnies have been from Karen Walker.
Now most people don't really talk about this glasses brand. I mean, it's definitely not as commonly known as RayBans. But I recognized this brand because back when I lived in France, before I made my I will never buy expensive glasses rule, I was considering buying this pair for the same reasons as I am contemplating them now! I figure since it's been almost 4 years, and I'm still lusting over a pair of Karen Walker tortoise sunglasses, maybe I should rethink this rule. So here are a couple pairs that I'm lusting over currently:

 

Tell me how y'all feel about them! They're all pretty expensive. And considering my track record, might not be the best idea. BUUT I'm thinking that they're fancy price tag might deter me from being a retard around them and they fancy hard case I'll put them in will protect them from my ass when I sit on my bag for no apparent reason (that was the tragic ending for my favorite pair of sunnies from high school). Tell me your opinions, which one do you like the best, if you think it's a horrid idea etc etc. And remember to FOLLOW if you like my blog and COME BACK!

Daydreaming About: Sandro

 

I am pretty sure that I have previously shown Sandro on this site, but since it's been awhile I figure none of you would remember anyways (I wonder how many more jokes about how much I have failed at being a blogger for the past year or so am I permitted to make?). But beyond your memory lapse, I am showing Sandro for many different reasons right now. First of all, Sandro was one of my favorite stores I found when I was in France. After school, I would often hop of the bus and look through all the clothing.

Sandro has a very clean look to it, chic and simple but still stylish (hmm that just sounds like the French especially Parisians doesn't it?) I presented the darker color palettes from the Fall here, because I am personally obsessed with anti-color (who says that? who is obsessed with NOT color? I'm a freak) but they do have some popping colors for their spring line. What Sandro does amazingly is the detail and fit, rather than anything very flashy. 

I regret not buying more from Sandro, but I am determined that the next time I go to one of their stores that I buy a couple of beautiful items. Previously, I thought that this would mean that I would have to wait until my next trip to France (a place I haven't gone back to since I moved back to the US about 3 years ago), but things have changed this year. In case you didn't hear, Bleeker street in NYC has experienced a French Invasion! Sandro opened it's New York doors this past fall! I am determined to make a trip to New York sometime and take a look. 

I also forgot to mention that the French Invasion on Bleeker street also includes Maje, which is the sister brand to Sandro (not in the way to Madewell is to Jcrew but like literally the owners are sisters!) Back in Rennes, the two stores were next to eachother and apparently they are on Bleeker too. I will definitely stop by there on this fictional trip to NYC, and probably do a review sometime soon.

En Couple Depuis....

In the spirit of Valentines day, I'm going to reintroduce you to one of my favorite french brands: Kooples. Last Valentines day, you could find me roaming the streets of the Marais after getting tea at Mariage Frere with my friends, grabbing a falafel and heading over to Kooples to buy a new skirt. I hadn't realized before last valentines day what the name Kooples meant and what their campaign was: Couples. So there I was. Standing in Paris. A single girl alone. Fun times.

But honestly Kooples has some of the coolest couples, and you kind of just want to be them. They print like a magazine with all their featured couples and they interview each one. Asking questions like, how did you meet? describe your first kiss? Whats your song? etc etc etc. It's super cute. Goal: Be a couple in Kooples one day. They just put up their Spring/Summer collection and therefore they have new kooples couples.

Aren't they all just adorable? Yes. My favorite is Jean-Francois & Tanya (the older couple). Tanya is SO intense. Check out their interviews at kooples.com. Kooples also has a blog where they have concerts and, yes, more interviews with more couples looking very koople-ish.

Gros Bisous!