Malababa

I found out about Malababa from Amlul and immediately fell in love with the bags. I admit that I have a penchant for Spanish designers like Malababa's Ana Carrasco who opened her first studio in Madrid, however take a look at the purses yourself. They are classic designs which makes them easy to pair with any outfit; however some designs have a touch of color and different texture that makes them more interesting.

Here are some of her bags from an older collection that I'm hoping to get my hands on.

My Obsession With Fashion Illustrators

One of the reasons I am completely obsessed with fashion illustrators is because of their ability to display their creative vision on paper, not to mention my absolute jealousy of their artistic talents. I wish I could create the way some of my favorites do, such as Garance Doré and Ruben Toledo. Now fashion illustrator and painter Danny Roberts has completely won me over as well.

Una de las razones por qué estoy tan obsesionada con ilustradores es por la capacidad lo cual ellos demuestran su visión, y por ser honesta, estoy completamente celosa de sus talentos artísticos. Me gustaría crear ilustraciones como lo hacen mis favoritos como Garance Doré y Rubén Toledo. Ahora el ilustrador de moda Danny Roberts, también me ha seducido.


Danny Roberts' blog Igor + André is quickly becoming one of my favorite reads. He features and sells his artistic designs, artwork, and clothing on his blog. He collaborated with Harajuku Lovers (Miss Gwen's fashion line) to make these adorable t-shirts. I have never wanted as many t-shirts as I do right now.

El blog de Danny Roberts, Igor + André, es una de mis blog favoritas. El publica y vende sus diseños, pinturas, y ropa sobre su blog. El colaboró con la línea de Gwen Stefani, Harajuku Lovers, e hizo estas camisetas muy padres. Nunca quise tantas camisetas en mi vida.

Fashion blogger, t-shirt designs have become very popular recently, and favorites like Susie Bubble and Rumi have been selling their designs through Borders & Frontiers. Danny Roberts also collaborated with Borders & Frontiers to make his girls in glasses shirt.

Los diseños de camisetas hecho por bloggers está popularizando, y favoritos como Susie Bubble y Rumi están vendiendo sus diseños por Borders & Frontiers. Danny Roberts también ha colaborado con Borders & Frontiers para hacer su camiseta de mozas con gafas.

Image via: WWD.

Color Color Color

I guess because summer is slowly coming to an end that I have recently become obsessed with color, (ok well more so than usual). Wearing bright colors can make a sallow complexion glow and an otherwise boring outfit interesting. If you're outfit is neutral you can spice it up with colorful accessories like these vintage glass rings from Free People.

Marais USA has tons of colorful sandals to choose from! Marais USA was started by two Parson School of Design students who strove to fill a 'terrible abyss in the market: Simple, Versatile, Essential styles that don't break the bank.'

Images via: Vogue.

Kina Fernandez

Kina Fernandez is a Spanish designer from the province of Galicia. I may be a teeny bit partial to her designs since my dad's family reigns from this mountainous province in the north of Spain, but nonetheless Kina Fernandez has a style that is both classic and uniquely her own. Her pieces are chic are wearable and never over the top. This spring I really liked her fringe skirts and sailor inspired colors.

I was first drawn to Kina Fernandez honestly when I realized that she was born in Ourense, where I had spent a good part of my childhood summers. Fellow Gallegos Adolfo Dominguez and Amancio Ortega creator of Zara, are other notable Galicians who have proved to be extremely influential in the fashion industry.

For fall Kina Fernandez created a collection with many varied textures and colors however they all have a common thread throughout. The design are for the working urban girl, something I would have worn a lot when I had worked at my old office job; however her designs aren't boring, and go far beyond business casual. I really like the animal prints, black and white print skirt, as well as her textured sweater dress.

In Spain, I still remember the way my grandmother would stress the importance of dressing well. If you left the house you had to look your best because who knows who you might run into! No yoga or sweatpants for the Spanish woman.

Balmain Crystal Animal-Print Boots

Balmain crystal animal-print boots, cashmere cape, Phillip Lim fur vest, Alexander McQueen skinny pants.

What do you think of these Balmain crystal animal-print boots? They are black suede and covered with Swarovski crystals. If only I could get my hands on the 3K price tag I'd be wearing these bad boys throughout all of fall. I love them!

Que te parece estas botas de Balmain? Son de ante negro y cubiertas de cristales Swarovski. Si pudiera conseguir 3 mil dolares para comprar estas botas los pondría durante todo el otoño. Los adoro!

Images via: Net-A-Porter.

Garance Doré

Garance Doré is one of my favorite fashion and style bloggers. She is an illustrator who longed to have more contact with her readers, hence she started her blog Garance Doré. Her talent as an illustrator as well as her keen eye for spotting interesting style has made her blog one of the best (in my humble opinion).

Garance also contributes to Vogue Paris with her "Une fille, un style" column. Also Gap is creating a concept store that will display Garance's illustrations, and the Gap will also sell t-shirts of her illustrations. I for one cannot wait to get my hands on one!

Garance Doré es una de mis bloggers de moda y estilo favoritos. Ella es una ilustradora que quiso tener mas contacto con sus clientes entonces creyó su blog Garance Doré. Su talento de ilustración, y también su talento de encontrar estilo interesante ha hecho su blog uno de los mejores (en mi opinión).

Garance también ha contribuido a Vogue Paris con su columna "Une fille, un style." El Gap va crear una tienda donde van a exponer sus dibujos. El Gap también va vender camisas de sus ilustraciones. Tengo muchas ganas de comprarme una!


Garance takes amazing street fashion photographs that come out natural and seem effortless.

Garance toma fotos increíbles del estilo de la gente que salen muy naturales y sin esfuerzo.

Via: Vogue Paris, View On Fashion, Garace Doré.

Love Affair With Zara

I fell in love with this military style Zara Coat.
Me enamoré con este abrigo militar de Zara.

Can I tell you how much I love this outfit? The boots, the jacket, the headband... Everything, everything, everything!
No te puedo decir cuanto me encanta este traje. Las botas, la chaqueta, la cinta del pelo... todo, todo, todo!

Leather biker jackets are a must have piece, especially for fall. I absolutely love the blue leather, biker jacket that I have had for ages. I especially love the styling on the shoulders of this Zara jacket.
Chaquetas biker de cuero son necesario en tu conjunta de ropa, especialmente para otoño. Me encanta mi azul chaqueta biker que he tenido por anos y anos. Lo que me gusta de esta chaqueta de Zara es el estilo de los hombros.
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More from Zara trends.
Más de las tendencias de Zara.

Images via: Zara.

Style While Riding

Amsterdam may be the city for bikes, but Montreal is not far behind. Last week when I was in Montreal, I felt a small pang of nostalgia for my old bike and the days I used to ride clumsily around the city. Style is not lost among riders in Montreal. There are no bicycle shorts and spandex here. Girls ride around in skirts and dresses with ease, not to mention full length coats in the beginning winter months. It is a skill that you quickly acquire when you arrive in this city and get your first bike.

The big tan sunglasses worn by the girl in black horizontal stripes are amazing, although I don't know if I can pull off those big frames. She looks so chic with her red lipstick and classic shorts. I love the bright blue scarf the other girl tied around her neck. It really makes her outfit.

Image via: Elle Québec

Here are some pictures my friend took while we rode around Montreal.

Sur la route de Montréal je roule.
-Kain 'Jusqu'au Ciel'

Le Comptoir D'ailleurs Candle

Le Comptoir D'ailleurs is a boutique in Montreal's Mile End that sells beautiful, decorative candles. The last time I went inside this unique boutique there were no lights, merely the illumination from dimly lit candles strewn throughout the store. Le Comptoir D'ailleurs carries artisan candles by Amira a brand created by two French artists who decided to live in Marrakech.

The boutique is suited for the Mile End, one of the trendiest and up and coming neighborhoods of Montreal. The boho appeal of decorative candles give a truly warm feel to your home. Photographer Pierre Choiniere created a catalog for Amira that is more similar to a photography book than a typical catalog.

Le Comptoir D'ailleurs
4817 boulevard St. Laurent
Montreal, Qc H2T 1R6

The design blog Design*Sponge had a post how to make travel candles. Check it here.


Images via: Comptoir D'ailleurs

Lemonade The Movie

The recession has affected us all somehow. We all know someone who has lost his or her job or maybe it has affected us personally. No one wants to get that doomed phone call into their bosses office, where they will be asked to close the door behind them and sit down.
The movie Lemonade strives to prove that perhaps something great can come out of one of the worst days of your life. Maybe now you are free to do what you've always dreamed of whether it be an artist, a yoga instructor, or even a female? Take a peek at the video below to see a preview of the documentary.




(Thank you Swiss-Miss)

Fifty People One Question

Where would you wish to wake up tomorrow?

While rummaging through more boutique websites here in Montreal I came across Unicorn. Unicorn is a boutique that I visited today on Saint Laurent, and so far has been one of my favorites. On their blog they posted a very interesting video project by Crush + Lovely and Deltree. Fifty People One Question is a short video montage where the creators stopped people in Brooklyn and London and asked them the simple question: Where would you wish to wake up tomorrow?

It is very interesting to see how people react to the camera and the question. Many people choose to wake up in their own bed. Others do not care where they wake up as long as it is with someone else. One of the participants said that she would love to wake up in a world where your closet open up to someone else's closet and each morning you get to share breakfast with someone new.

The magic closet idea is very appealing, since my answer varies from day to day. Some days I wish I would wake up in Galicia Spain at the house of my grandparents where I spent so many summers as a child. Others times I'd like to wake up somewhere new and unexplored, and more often than not I would like to wake up in New Jersey in my little town with my family and my dog Nico. That's what makes me happy.

So where would you wake up tomorrow?

Fifty People, One Question: Brooklyn from Fifty People, One Question on Vimeo.

Fifty People, One Question: London from Fifty People, One Question on Vimeo.

Angry Little Girls

To continue on with the snarky products theme, I decided to cover the Angry Little Girl brand that I saw at Boutique Onze on St Laurent in Montreal. This particular boutique sells Angry Little Girl bags, but there are plenty of Angry Little Girl products to choose from. The creator of Angry Little Girls, Lela Lee, describes her project as a comic strip about girls who are disenchanted, crazy, fresh, gloomy, and all around angry. They are honest to say the least. The most intriguing part of the line is that the creator Lela Lee seems not at all like her angry Asian character. She herself states the surprise most people experience when they meet her and she isn't spouting profanities or angry comments.
Neverless, Kim, the original Angry Little Girl, is one hot tempered gal. She tells it like it is and if you can't do it yourself maybe one of her bags and accessories might help you out.



Wow! Cute bag!
Get your own bag bitch!


Hi!
Don't bother trying. I'm way out of your league.

What are you doing?
I'm keeping track of how many times you annoy me.


Hey! That's my boyfriend!
It's okay. I'm recycling!

Wow, you speak English so well.
I was born here you dumbass.

Courtesy Cards That Are Maybe a Bit Too Honest

We have all bit our tongues at one point or another whether it be each time your obnoxious neighbor seems to sneak a peek into your blouse, or when your old classmate feels the need to boast his high salary once again, or perhaps when your chatty co-worker who never let's you finish your work comes over to tell you about her weekend. Wouldn't it be easier if you could just slip them a card with your sentiments and just sneak away?

The other day I stumbled upon these brilliant cards on Etsy. Finally, courtesy cards that say exactly what you mean! The cards from Gramkin Paper Studio, are the perfect solution to seemingly disruptive situations, if only it were socially acceptable to say what you feel no matter what. Personally my favorite is the bite me card that has a cookie at the bottom that has been bitten into. Brilliant really. The next time that guy on the bus starts yelling into his cellphone while everyone is trying to sleep, quietly and politely give him the please lower your voice card. He of all people needs one of these cards.