critter attack!

I thought the animal trend wouldn't last past this winter's animal hat frenzy, but look what I found on Fifth Avenue...

CRITTERS, CRITTERS EVERYWHERE!

an adorable LV bag-turned-owl

a LV frog waiting to turn into a prince

a slightly scary LV squirrel

It-bags turned rats-with-cuter-outfits? I'm kind of digging it. Good thing these weren't real---PETA was just across the street.

accessory love: a peace treaty

I know. I was in love upon seeing jewelry by A Peace Treaty (in the latest issue of Marie Claire), too. I probably don't need to tell you how admirable the company is to get you to fall even more in love, but I will.

APT was founded by a duo who share an interest in creating high-end, ethically-produced goods while employing artisans living in areas of socio-political strife. The owners, Farah Malik and Dana Arbib, have done everyone a favor--including us! Their commitment to seeking out artists who use ancient techniques throughout the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe have led to some of the most scrumptious looking scarves and uniquely crafted jewelry I've seen in a long time! Extra perk? The prices aren't too-high-to-do-good. So purchase away!

Warning: The website may drive you crazy since so many of the fabulous goods are out of stock, but it's for a great reason. All pieces are limited edition, handmade, and some proceeds are even donated to a non-profit development organization called Counterpart International. Still swooning??

today i'm feeling....

Hopeful, but wired! My brain's been buzzing non-stop lately, making it really hard to sleep. But at least I'm feeling upbeat about the things that are keeping me awake (a lovely change!).

So, what's my retail therapy for the day?

....Velvet shoes

via aldo shoes

I'm craving a totally impractical, but comforting purchase. Plush velvet in a sweet style reminds me of childhood--and yet serves as a perfectly unexpected addition to an edgy holiday look. I think that would give me some clothesure, maybe even lull me to sleep!

shoe love: velvet criss cross heels

I don't know how to explain my love for this shoe...

via Opening Ceremony

but it just continues to drool [ha, a Freudian-type-slip?] grow!

Sugar daddy, where art thou?

joining the tribe

If you can't go on vacation, you might as well dress like you did! Anyone else finding themselves drawn to accessories that look like they were picked up from the tail end of a trip to Mexico?

The trend hits accessories in every price point, from Tory Burch's oversized necklaces...

To Forever 21's cheap-but-graphic bangles

And who can resist a [bit pricy] friendship bracelet?

My jaw actually dropped when I saw this AMAZING Cynthia Vincent purse!

I'm always thrifting for the perfect pair of huarache sandals.

Or you could go big with these whipstitched Proenza Schouler wedges [on sale]!

What do you guys like? Wish I'd gotten those tribal sandals from H&M a few weeks back!

WTF thursday: fur tail accessories

While walking home from work this evening--enjoying the rare experience of before-6pm-air--I noticed a girl pass me with a large, fluffy fur tail dangling from her purse. She was so nonchalantly laughing and chatting with the friend beside her, while all I could think was WHAT is that poor animal doing stuck inside your handbag?!

Of course, we really have Louis Vuitton to blame. I know I was in a just-starting-work flurry when the spring/summer shows were going on, but, honestly, I can't believe I missed this. Check out the 'fros and technicolor fox tails dangling from fringed it-bags! They're such a steal at $1200 a pop.

The most disturbing thing I found while researching the phenomenon was an Etsy sellers way of advertising her "coon" tail (that has been for sale since 2008). Look at the multiple uses she chooses to highlight, pictured to the right! And she also so graciously notes that this authentic tail was "humanely removed"--how might that be exactly?!

I think if you want to follow this bizarre trend, you should have no choice but to rock the ginormous 'fro, too. At the very least--go faux!

1. fashion zen

2. shabooya

3. style

4. etsy

bad news: i've got a broken neck

Today my [very new] doctor informed me that I have an abnormal spine. Apparently it curves weirdly in my neck--"scooping" above my shoulders and then going to the left--making my neck jut out a bit more than it should. She even impersonated it for me, which was really the cherry on top. Thanks, Doc. I hardly know you, but I will forever remember you for making me realize I am actually the hunchback of Notre Dame.

It didn't help the situation that every prescription she wrote for me [so freely, too--just, "here, have some muscle relaxers for pain, but, uhhh, you probably shouldn't take them before work if you play with a lot of numbers because you'll be a little loopy"] all had the name Laurel on them. Really? You're sitting directly in front of my chart. You couldn't take one second to double check my name?

The final, most horrific blow? She commented that the cause of my pain might be attributed to two of my favorite things: my "heavy chain" [a turquoise and gold strand necklace I bought a couple weekends ago] and my "one-sided pocketbook" [the black Lamarthe handbag my mom got for me while we were in Paris last summer]. How dare she try to pinpoint those as the problem! Honestly, I'd give up my neck for those. A single piece of non-neck-altering-clothing never makes me as happy, for as long, as accessories do--whether it's a $5 scarf or a $400 pair of shoes. I'd be happy never buying clothes, or moving my neck, again--as long as I got to purchase my damn heavy chains and pocketbooks.