Pink Rock Candy – Top fashion trends, news and shopping of 2010

Dear Loves,

I’ll be back in a week. I might update a couple times if I get the chance. Until then, fawn over my favorite ad and maybe even collection of the season, Blumarine.

Grosse Bisse,
Chelsea Rae

p.s. T -18 days until fashion week. Get excited, or stressed, whichever comes first!

Click to Enlarge.

Model: Natasha Poly
Photographer: Craig McDean

Photo Credit: The Fashion Spot

Everyone, including myself has been counting the seconds until they can buy Comme des Garcons at H&M. The past week has been full of small, blurry, and/or pixelated ‘sneak peeks’, but as per usual, the cool cats at Fashionista.com provide us with the first full sneak peek. After first being distracted by the annoying footwear the female model is wearing, and then swooning over the the cropped jacket and polka dots, I scrolled down even more and realized I love the men’s pieces better than the women’s.

When evaluating runway collections both ready-to-wear and couture, I have a tendency to appreciate the impractical collections more than those with and abundance of basics. However, when it comes to clothes I actually intend on purchasing, I do a appreciate a bit of practicality, and over-sized shorts, oddly cut jackets, and drop-crotch pants aren’t really what I call practical. The goth doll-inspired dress is gorgeous and might be perfect for Halloween, but there are only a few people I can think of that might actually wear it on a daily basis and considering those people, I wouldn’t say that is a good thing.

On the other hand, the male model looks like he’s just come from raving in a torrential rain storm, but I can actually imagine myself and others wearing most of those pieces. I’m obviously really feeling cardigans of late and imagine how cute would a t-shirt with giant polka dots be, but my favorite piece from the entire collection is the plaid(?) suit jacket with the single, white diagonal stitch. I think its safe to say, we all have realized the ingenious of a girl in a slightly over-sized suit jacket, and this one has the perfect balance of practicality and eccentricity.

Follow the jump to see the entire sneak peek. What do you think of the collection so far? Would you buy and actually wear any of the pieces? Oh, and thanks Fashionista.com! (more…)

Vintage. Vintage. Vintage. Everyone talks about how they love to vintage shop or about their favorite vintage finds. I, on the other hand suck at vintage shopping. I never know where to look, and even when I actually make it to a vintage shop my mom’s voice is in the back of my head, “Chelsea, this has been worn by someone else!” Sometimes, that doesn’t stop me but most of the time it does. Oddly enough, I have this innate ability to block out what anyone else thinks when shopping online, that’s why I’m seriously contemplating  buying this extra cute dress from 1918 Vintage.

It’s called the ‘Sex Appeal Dress’. It has 3/4 length sleeves which would be perfect for fall, and the diaphanous fabric really fits with the boudoir trend that has been popping up all over.

The only thing that’s actually keeping me from shelling out is that the dress is completely shear, and I don’t have anything to put under it. I don’t really have a problem with showing my bra, but I want a cute petticoat that I could wear so my undies aren’t so visible. Honestly, I’d even settle for a cute vintage slip to pair underneath it. The petticoat is something I’d wear by itself, and I know I could potentially wear the slip with a cute cardigan and some mary janes or oxfords, but I’m not sure if I would.

So I put it to you. Should I buy this dress, and if I do, should I get a petticoat or a slip and in which color? Whew! That’s a lot of questions!

To see more cute vintage finds visit the 1918 Vintage webstore, 1918vintage.bigcartel.com or get the vintage updates at 1918vintage.com.

It’s not secret— I love headbands! Most of the week my hair is spent tied under some sort of headband whether they’re to keep my hair out of my face or simply for decoration I have them on. Sometimes, I even wear more than one, and on the rare occasion when I’m not wearing a headband, one isn’t far from hand. I usually store at least one in my bag, but sometimes I’ve been known to tote around at least 4. In some people’s eyes this may be a problem for which I desperately need help, but Jen and Jamie the wunderkinds behind Ban.do, like me, understand, headbands are more than just accessories, they’re a lifestyle.

Jen Gotch, stylist/photographer/lover of pretty things, and her friend Jamie , who’s last name is yet to be known, recently started this new company called Ban.do, and everyone on this little thing I love to call the interweb have fallen head over heels (no pun intended) over their headgear.

Using new and vintage pieces including flowers, feathers, brooches, ribbon, and tulle, the girls create the most darling headbands I’ve ever seen.  I know a lot of blogs have been featuring these headbands as great finds for your wedding, but personally I  wouldn’t think twice about wearing any of them on a regular basis. If the adorable headbands don’t make you smitten in the least, then maybe the cute haiku poems will endear this indie duo’s headbands to you:

As you scroll through the pieces ranging from Cleopatra revived to Grecian goddess to Pocahontas’ little sister, you can’t help falling for every hair adornment, and you might even find yourself sending Santa frantic letters telling him how much you really need a Ban.do headband, and that stop making all the boys cry when you beat them at soccer on the school yard, or at the very least bookmarking your favorite headbands on your boyfriends computer under ‘she’ll love you forever’ so he knows what you want for your upcoming birthday!

For more information on Ban.do visit their website: shopbando.com. For more information on Jen Gotch visit jengotch.com.

All summer, I’ve successfully fulfilled my pledge to wear skirts/dresses. I could probably count the number of times I’ve worn pants on both hands, and I have a feeling my love for the swishy, breezy, girlie bottoms will continue throughout the fall. However, one of my favorite things about fall is the ability to layer clothes without feeling like a sweaty, over stuffed Michelin Man, but “how am I supposed to layer skirts without wearing leggings/anything with a leg hole,” I thought? Luckily, in our day and age, everything can be layered!

Sure, Miu Miu started the trend with their layered tutu-esque circus skirts, but the awesome merchandising director at Forever 21 did it cheaper. Every time I go into Forevs, a handful of mannequins are dressed in crazy combinations of layered skirts or a fluttery liberty print skirt under one of there basic dresses. Miu Miu’s layering was more of the voluminous skirt over a bodycon skirt. Since I’m still not quite sure of my feelings about bodycon, I’ve fallen for the look of layered voluminous skirts.

I tried the layered skirt look a couple weeks ago when I got my new oxfords, but yesterday, I went shopping and bought a few things to add to my fall wardrobe including two skirts for Forever 21. The ‘Dotted Circle Skirt’ is so cute and the colors are muted enough for fall, and could be matched perfectly with a great bright top. The ‘Academy Weave Skirt’ is a bit preppy, but can be dressed up or down for school. On their own each skirt has great qualities, but together, the skirt they create is simple with a touch of wow!

I sort of wish I could layer the gray skirt under the polka dot one, but it’s shorter than the polka dot skirt so it wouldn’t be seen. Oh well! At least I’ve readied my skirt-filled wardrobe for fall!

p.s. I it’s so hard to have a jumping picture when the camera is set on a timer. Secretista, queen of the jumping pictures, I bow down!