We’re only midway through Summer, it’s 100 degrees outside, and I’m already tired of my drab hot weather wardrobe. But in about a week, I will be comforted with the arrival of every fashion magazine’s most important September issue. I will get a taste of Fall coats, boots, sweaters, and best of all – lots of layering!

But out of all the magazines, I am really looking forward to Vogue’s phone book-sized issue. Under the careful direction of the legendary editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, it is considered the fashion Bible of the year. So when I found out they were making a documentary out of Vogue’s September issue, I was so excited that I had one of those moments where everything around me was a blurry mess. I immediately plugged my headphones into the computer and watched the trailer on YouTube. Wow. Just wow. In the words of Rachel Zoe, “I die.”

The September Issue gives us a behind-the-scenes peek into the fashion world and documents the creation of Vogue magazine’s 2007 issue. The film follows Anna Wintour and her team on a journey through Fashion Week, photo shoots, and staff meetings and chronicles the demanding process of putting together a magazine. It’s the real version of The Devil Wears Prada that I dreamed to see. I cannot wait to watch Anna Wintour kick some ass!

L: Leanne Marshall Bluefly tee, $98 | R: Anthropologie Corolla tee, $78

While perusing Project Runway winner Leanne Marshall’s Bluefly clothing line yesterday, there was a particular top I thought I had seen somewhere else before. I immediately picked up my copy of the Anthropologie catalog and found her little twin.

Which one do you like better? I vote for Ms. Leanimal’s. Though I must admit I was a bit disappointed with her Bluefly collection which looked too basic especially in comparison to her real work. Let’s assume working with eco-friendly materials has many limitations.

Images via Bluefly and Anthropologie

Jane Aldridge Sea of Shoes:

Jane is a fantastically dressed 17-year-old girl from a small city in Texas who blogs about her obsession with edgy and luxurious shoes. Her outfits are avant-garde mixed with a touch of Victorian romanticism which are far more inspirational than many of the young Hollywood celebrity styles.

Jane also has an appreciation for art and a talent for photography which makes her site so eye-catching. She often features her equally stylish mother and together they model their high fashion and vintage finds.

So if Jane can wear her fashion-forward outfits in the middle of nowhere because she wants glamour in her life, then why am I often wearing t-shirts and jeans in a big city?

Arlo Weiner is 8-years-old, he wears ascots, he is inspired by old movies and talks about actors like Boris Karloff. I didn’t know what ascots were until a few years ago and who is Boris Karloff (don’t worry, I already googled it)? I suppose when your father is Matt Weiner, the creator of the television show Mad Men, then it’s probably just everyday conversation over the  dinner table.

He’s got the dapper look down and he sure knows how to mix his patterns. Arlo looks like a little gentleman with his suits and collection of hats that seem to be his everyday duds. I, on the other hand, often get self-conscious about being overdressed.

You would think a boy who wears this to school would be the target for the meanest playground insults ever, but Arlo carries himself with confidence and tells his pint-sized critics that he just wants to dress this way. Wow, is it really that easy? I suppose if Beck admired my look and then followed me down the street, I wouldn’t care what my classmates were saying either.

Tavi Gevinson Style Rookie

She’s a spunky little 13-year-old who takes impressive self-portraits of her outfits with her point-and-shoot digital camera. Her style is colorful with layers and layers of patterns which match her vibrant personality. Just like Jane Aldridge, Tavi knows her fashion and shares her style inspirations on her blog. She adds the most amusing comments that only an excited (and smart) teenager would write. She really makes me miss my teen years when everything felt so fun and new.

Tavi seems like the type of girl you would love to have a conversation with just to see what random quirky comment she would say. Or she might even make up a rap for you as she’s known to do. You can go to a thrift shop with her and look through magazines and it would feel like a fashion adventure. I could learn a lot from her energy and her I-don’t-care attitude. Like Tavi would say, “Whatevs!”

Images via Sea of Shoes and GQ magazine

In honor of Independence Day, here are some of my favorite color inspirations that would be perfect for an outdoor bbq party. You don’t have to sweat and get hat hair from wearing an Uncle Sam hat or wear an oversized tee shirt bedazzled with the American flag. Gotta look good for America right?

Clockwise: Corey Lynn Calter | Orla Kiely | Built By Wendy | Anthropologie

1. Wool felt rectangular placemat, FitzFelt
I know what you’re thinking. They’re just pieces of felt, right? But these are not like the ones you played with in elementary school. FitzFelt’s products are 100% wool felt imported from Germany and they’re sustainable. As simple as they are, the quality and pops of color make them really stand out.

2. Tenugui (hand-dyed Japanese towel), tezome
I’ve been meaning to get a tenugui because I like the idea that it can be used a multitude of ways. Tezome has a great line of patterns and each towel even comes with a handmade card.

3. Hibiscus flower table runner, Kainkain
Kainkain offers kitchen and other home accessories that not only have nice designs but are very affordable. It’s not often you get both. Check out their cool pillows, too!

4. Dishwasher magnets, inkjet
A scene from the other day… Boyfriend putting a dirty glass into the dishwasher. Me: Aaahh! No, the dishes in there are clean! These magnets might be handy so I can be less of a spaz.

I signed up for Anthropologie’s “Anthro” card and while I’m still not sure how it works exactly, it was free and came in this cool little bag! Great packaging is always a nice surprise when all I’m used to getting are tri-fold brochures with the card slapped on with rubber cement. It might seem much to have a bag hold a card but I can use it for other things like holding jewelry or as a mini wallet for quick errands. And it’s being green, right? I think that’s what all the cool kids like to hear nowadays.

The description of the perks are written on an accordion-folded paper inside the green card:

Welcome to anthro
We feel that the better we know you, the more we can do for you.
To put it quite simply, we want to offer you old-fashioned service -
No obligations, no catch!
Let’s unfurl the possibilities.

Ease
receipt-free returns

Point-of-View
we’ll share our likes and loves

Early Bird
see it first buy it early

Sprout
shower us with suggestions and together we’ll grow

what we hold dear…

The handmade look of the packaging fits perfectly with Anthropologie’s style and it really adds a personal touch. Signing up for this card just encourages me to shop, or more like gawk, at the store more often. Although somewhat pricey, they go beyond the cookie-cutter style and everything I have bought from there somehow feels unique and extra special.

Did you know peonies change color as they get older? The bright pink one on the right just bloomed today, the top one yesterday, and the pale pink on the left has been open for a couple of days now. I bought them when they were buds and I thought they would never open up but here they are blooming to the size of my hand. They really fill up a vase and it’s a much better deal than roses which are kind of overrated.

While I’m aware of the fact that $10,000 for a purse is insane especially in relation to my bank account, I wouldn’t even hesitate for a millisecond if an Hermes Birkin bag was handed over to me for free. We can all go on about conspicuous consumption and how they should be ashamed when the economy is suffering, but I can appreciate anything that requires attention to detail. This video shows how much work and time it takes to make just one bag. Each Birkin is made entirely by hand with one craftsman assigned to a bag from start to finish. The materials are so special that they won’t even accept an alligator skin with a mosquito bite! It lessens the sticker shock a little and you think, “Oh, I get it.” Still, it’s very much a status symbol and giving one to your middle-school child and using it as a book bag to impress all her friends is a little disturbing. But that’s a whole other issue.

I was leisurely roaming around Target this morning with an urge to shop. This could have been potentially dangerous because it is just like going food shopping when you’re starving. I was just about to leave after a whole internal struggle with myself on buying things I don’t really need when I passed by this Orla Kiely tablecloth all by its lonesome. And what? Is that a red clearance tag I see? Yes! To the check-out counter!

I saw this tablecloth months ago and decided to pass on it at the time. Of course, much of Orla Kiely’s Target line disappeared in a flash and I was just thinking the other day about how I should have bought it. Well like they say, good things come to those who wait – or maybe I’m the only one who likes it or needs to cover their hand-me-down dining table that looks a bit country.

I know all the design blogs have been obsessing over these for some time and I’m sure all of them have at least one Orla Kiely Target product by now. Now I completely understand the hype because the colors and the pattern have really brightened up the room. Yep, this tablecloth totally made my day.

Eon

I bought the scarf and hoodie combo pictured on the left or you can call it “scoodie” to add on some extra cuteness. I had only seen this idea floating around the internet but this was the first time I saw one in person. So of course I couldn’t miss out on an opportunity to have my very own scoodie and Eon had a great selection with many different colors and patterns. The best part is that it’s reversible!

It was obvious at the Unique event that the bf/gf duo that comprises of the Eon team were both so excited and passionate about their creations. What’s even better is that they were so cool and helpful. And who wouldn’t love someone who comes up with sushi pillows?

fomato cards

Is it weird that I like to entertain myself by reading the cards on fomato’s website? Their greeting cards have adorable characters combined with clever humor and are loaded with cute. I got the card above for my music-obsessed cousin who wears lots of graphic shirts. Yes, this card and my cousin were meant to be and I can’t wait to hear his belly laugh when he reads it. Plus fomato cards are perfect for your hip, modern friends. Where else can you get a card for that very special Facebook friend?