Joyeux anniversaire !

“I hate birthdays, ... It's more like a new starting point in New York. For me, it's an evolution. I don't celebrate the past. I like the present and tomorrow.”
- Karl Lagerfeld

::ALTHOUGH you may hate to hear me say it... HAPPY BIRTHDAY Uncle Karl!!

Style Mascot

::I just moved into a loft in Downtown LA's fashion district, and had the pleasure of moving next to one of the coolest dogs ever- Toogle. Toogle is my neighbor's Beagle with an obsession for fashion magazines. Don't believe me?! Here's proof...

Although my neighbor lives in a pretty spacious loft, Toogle loves to lounge by the fashion magazines and spends his days just hanging out by all the Vogues. Oh, and did I mention that he answers to commands in English and Korean?! Word.

My neighbor is a magazine addict and buys fashion magazines from around the world, every single month... a habit I find a bit too expensive- I'll stick to reading blogs from around the world.

Imagine my excitement when I saw that she had Vogue Korea, China, and Italia in stacks, and dinosaur back issues in pristine condition! She has so many magazines, she even made the coolest coffee table out of magazines just piled in four rows with a clear glass placed on top.

Furniture made from old magazines? Not only is this eco friendly, it's genius.

These pics aren't bad quality considering they were snapped on my brand new Sprint Instinct phone. Cool phone, and has a lot more features than the I-Phone. I wasn't able to get a picture of the coffee table since my battery was super low, but I'll manage to snap one and post it as soon as I can.

I can't wait to flip through all of the magazines with the neighbor and my favorite fashion mascot, Toogle. I loooove animals (especially dogs), and these pictures absolutely make me smile. Hope it did the same for you!

In the words of Miranda Priestly... Thats all.

xoxo
MC.

Rookie Of The Year

::OMG. SERIOUSLY darlings- What were You like at 12? Were you even thinking about fashion? Not just following the masses and wearing what everyone else in your grade is, fashion... I'm talking about starting a fashion revolution at that age, wearing whatever your heart truly desired, even if all the other middle schoolers thought you were weird?!

At 12 I had really bad self esteem, stood at 4'8 and weighed about 72 pounds- baby waif. I was beyond insecure, and wore anything and everything to cover up. Long shirts, baggy jeans, no skirts or dresses or anything that was remotely different than what all the other middle schoolers were wearing. My hair was pin straight, lifeless and long (didn't get my first "real haircut" until 18) a walking disaster.

I think I just discovered the person I wish I was at 12! I'm sure you've probably heard of her by now... An old soul by the name of Tavi. A 12 year old fashion blogger over at Style Rookie, and NO that wasn't a typo. The darling is TWELVE... As in thirteen minus one, 1-2, but let me tell you, this girl's blog is (as Rachel Zoe would say) Ahhhhmahhhziiing!

She's just as competent and informed as many other fashion bloggers out there twice her age, and her posts are engaging, witty and oh so chic- not bad for a style rookie.

Her obsession with "thrifting" rivals mine, and her posts are fun, insightful, well written and addictive.Here's a hysterical excerpt from one of her posts on thrifting...

In shopping news, I went to Goodwill yesterday with my mom. I found the perfect
studded belt, but decided not to get it because it just didn't seem like "me".
Then, after getting some fabric for a skirt I'm making, a decent swimsuit at
Target (not really worth posting), and stopping at Home Depot, I decided I
wanted the belt. I NEED the belt. We went back, thinking it closed at 8 rather
than 9, and was relieved to see it was still open. So here I am, happily sitting
with my belt :) My mom doesn't really like it, she said it was too "aggressive".
Excellent!

Tavi styles mini pictorials, and fills us in on her amazing finds... here are some of my favorites:

Tween Queen

I honestly don't even remember how I came her blog, as I have the tendency to just blog surf and click on random blogs, but a quick google search showed that she's been prfofiled by the New York Times and many other news sites (some not so enthusiastic) with headlines such as "Protect Kids Who Blog From Danger" (valid point indeed!).


I'm thrilled to have stumbled upon this one, because Tavi's blog a gem! I haven't been this excited since Marc Jacob's named the "BB" bag last season after my Love and fellow fashion blogger Bryan Boy.

Oh Bryan I adooooore you! Quiero tener quatro de tus ninos y vestirlo todo los dias en Prada! Dime que tambien me amas?!

***

Tavi= 2 Cool 4 School

PRODIGY!

What's there not to love about a 12 year old who basically encapsulates everything that fashion is supposed to be? lighthearted, fun and never taken too seriously...But don't take my word for it... Ch-ch-check Style Rookie for yourself!


xoxo Much Love!
Model Citizen

The Girl's Got Style

::CHANEL IMAN proves that she's a model citizen as she makes her way to the tents in New York City's Bryant Park.

Love the Tartan. Love the smile. Love model candids.

Pic via Ybf

Blue Chip Catwalk

::FASHION week has officially kicked off in New York City, and the drama has already begun. Vivica Fox was DENIED entry at BCBG, and Beyonce was an unfortunate victim of a hair catastrophe at Fashion Rocks.

Rag & Bone's catwalk looked like a who's who in the modelling industry right now, and here are a few of my favorites from the show...

Fellow Dominicana and one to watch, Arlenis Pena and Jessica Stam in all of their androgynous glory... I love these masculine inspired looks, blended with just the right touch of femininity. A juxtaposition that plays well on the strong yet gentle balance of women- just a tip to remember when wearing these looks- do not skip the heels. These are a MUST.

Veteran lovelies Lily Donaldson and Sasha Pivovarova also made appearances. Overall, the looks were consistent, strong and a great play on soft color, and rugged materials. Casting blue chip fire starters like Stam and Lily was a great move- but I have to say... all eyes are going to be on new comer ARLENIS this week!!!

Score one for Rag & Bone RTW SS09. We like...

Check out the rest of the Rag & Bone SS09 RTW collection here.

Guess Who

::WHICH famed photographer known for shooting some of the world's most iconic individuals and fashion editorials said the following?

"Recently I was in Rio on the beach and I was struck by how beautiful young, very fat women are. I mean really obese. So I did a lot of pictures of young, fat girls, with loads of love handles and big bottoms." His hands are drawing extravagantly curved shapes through the air now, his eyes gleaming beneath their brittle brows. "Real Botero-style women. It really does look good."

Perhaps, I (interviewer) suggest, years of fashion photography have culminated in this flesh binge. "Maybe," he nods, leaning forward and confiding: "what's really, really ugly is skinny women naked. I've photographed a lot of thin women."

!!!

Here's a hint: He was Princess Diana's favorite photographer, and shot the editorial below for Vogue China 09/05 ...

click here to find out!!