The comfortable yet chic creations concocted by Linnic designer, Lindsay Nichol King, not only go perfectly with a pair of casual jeans or shorts for an easy day with friends or at school, but the same tops effortlessly transform into dazzling conversation pieces paired with a simple black pencil skirt for cocktails with your beau or better yet, topping a pair of oh-so-trendy sequin leggings when you’re ready to club-hop your little heart out.

Though some may simply attribute King’s eye for elegance and sheer talent to years of schooling and hard work— she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design & Marketing and paid her dues as a celebrity stylist— I, however, think such panache can’t simply be taught, and as King will readily admit, “she was born into a family of talented artists, designers, and trendsetting fashionistas.”

I think wearing head-to-toe glitz only works for the Beyoncés of the world, that is why a bit of glamour on something as casual as a t-shirt or tank top works so well. I could undoubtedly create a remarkable outfit using any Linnic top, however, my favorite pieces include the ‘Feliciana’ sweater (above), the ‘Alexandria’ tank and the ‘Carolina’ cardigan (both below).

Check out Linnic’s online store and let me know what your favorite top is, and where you’d wear it!

I’ve given them a chance, months of a chance actually, but their appeal is still lost on me. I understand that having a mean looking gorilla splayed across your body is rebellious and a bit hardcore, but seriously, WHY?

The gorilla looks like some kid has been banging on the glass at the zoo or some wildlife filmmaker just look a silver back in the eye. Angry animals are never beseeching to me. I prefer the docile, or at least, even-tempered.

Not only is the gorilla more awkward that appealing, the whole concept seems like something Animal Planet would sell to promote their show Untamed and Uncut— not that I’m knocking Animal Planet, it’s one of my favorite channels.

I’m sure this tee is a simple misunderstanding between me and Christopher Kane’s creative mind, because I generally like his designs. So, I leave it to you dear readers, please EXPLAIN! ]]> http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2009/07/24/why-the-snarl/feed/ 5 http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2009/06/11/azrouel-on-ebay/ http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2009/06/11/azrouel-on-ebay/#comments Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:06:51 +0000 Chelsea Rae Simmons http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/?p=1096

My designer crush, Yigal Azrouël, is eBay’s latest collaboration. It’s Azrouël’s designers with a slightly smaller price tag on the auctioneers website. Some of the proceeds benefit, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

If the prices are still too painful for your college-student wallet, this tee is perfect. Not only can you say you officially own something designed by Yigal Azrouël, but it’s a simple gray v-neck tee, and it’s only $35.

Thanks for the heads-up TeenVOGUE!

Decisions. Decisions.

How much is that student discount, again? ]]> http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2009/05/12/the-topshop-paradox/feed/ 2 http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2009/04/29/finally-a-trip-to-topshop/ http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2009/04/29/finally-a-trip-to-topshop/#comments Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:30:44 +0000 Chelsea Rae Simmons http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/?p=991

I finally made it to Topshop in NYC, yesterday. I decided I needed to make a pilgrimage to 478 Broadway and convinced my little brother to drink the Kool-Aid with me.

It was just as I expected, amazing! Four floors of  major fashion lusts.

I ended up buying a basic tunic with pockets in bone— cream is my new gray for the summer— and a giant ring that my brother calls my ‘war ring’, only to be used in case I need to fracture someone’s skull. I also bought him a white collared shirt for putting up with being dragged around the city.

Suede Wrap Stone Ring by Topshop, $30  •  Pocket Tunic by Topshop, $32  •  White Stripe Shirt by Topman, $50

The shape is loose and slouchy, but still “trendy” enough to make others think you actually tried to evoke that effortless hipster style when honestly the look is effortless, and you’re no hipster. Plus, for a tee with words on it— I usually hate when there are phrases on t-shirts— the message is perfect for my current ‘I could care less’ mood.

This tee would be perfect for heading to early morning classes without looking too put together or too disheveled. Walking that fine line is always fun! MWMS ‘Oversize Top’, $36 – YourEyesLie.com ]]> http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2009/03/24/my-world-my-style-my-lies/feed/ 3 http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2009/02/02/latex-bows-sometimes-work/ http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2009/02/02/latex-bows-sometimes-work/#comments Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:23:32 +0000 Chelsea Rae Simmons http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/?p=775

I’ve always had a fondness for the imaginative, playful designs of New York Couture, but have never truly gone out of my way to lust after them because they aren’t really practical. I know that “couture” isn’t really practical, but let’s face it, when things are priced so reasonably they aren’t really couture, and how many people truly walk around in tutus, one-sided monokinis, and dresses that look like pandas?

I personally can’t think of one person I’ve actually seen walking around the city like that.

That being said, I still think there are some pieces Cassie K. makes for New York Couture that can actually translate into everyday life. Take this white tank top with a latex bow, for example. The latex bow and kiddie drawings add a bit of whimsy, but paired with something simple, i.e. not a headband with ruffles and hot pink lamé leggings, the shirt could be cute for work or play or even just lounging.

I’m not really trying to bash the design aesthetic of New York Couture, because every girl deep down wants to look like a scene Barbie, but I just can’t help thinking about practicality now-a-days. With work and school and what-not, I have to learn to balance my nutter inside with professional outside.

Finding the perfect graphic t-shirt is like finding the perfect pair of black leather pumps— almost impossible unless you’re willing to majorly shell out. Don’t get me wrong, there are multitudes of amazing t-shirts and t-shirt companies, but none of them really seem right in the context of my situation. I know I can’t be the only person with this simple yet utterly frustrating problem.

I could go through thousands of t-shirts online and even read every single t-shirt blog around and its very doubtful I’ll actually find a tee with the perfect design and fabric quality with a fit to die for.

Why exactly is it so hard to find that perfect tee? I guess part of my problem is I don’t know exactly what I want the shirt to represent. I know I don’t want anything lewd, rude, or childish. I don’t particularly like anything gruesome splashed across my chest, but can deal with a skeleton or two. I don’t want to be a walking billboard, so generally shirts with the brand name on them are out. I don’t really like when there is an emblem splashed across my chest i.e. guns, cartoons, sassy phrases, etc., and I’m not too fond of large pictures with defined edges splashed across the tee.

When it comes to fabric texture I like soft— always and forever— and, when it comes to fit I like something only slightly more fitted than an Alexander Wang t-shirt with a v-neck or a low scoop.

So where does that leave me?

Shit out of luck, and though this topic may seem trivial, I’m completely tortured.

So, instead of driving myself completely nutty, I’ll leave it to you. What t-shirt brands do you suggest? Maybe, through your suggestions I’ll find the perfect tee!

I find great pleasure in working. I know that sounds quite odd, but the fact of the matter is, I like to shop and with out money I can’t shop and without work I have no money, hence the reason I like work. Did that make sense? I have two quasi jobs, one is an office job and the other is being a hostess/whatever else needs to be done at a bistro by my house. For the most part, working in an office and a restaurant doesn’t leave much room for outfit creativity, but for both jobs I do try to bring my own personal touches into the standard semi-professional look.

The general rules I, and I assume most people, was taught about dressing professionally are:

1) Black is always a good choice.

2) Don’t wear crazy color nail polish (i.e. Black, Bright Orange, Electric Blue, anything fun).

3) Pantyhose…

4) Cover your shoulders “The office is always freezing anyway…”

There are more rules, but for the most part I don’t follow these four so why would I follow the others? Actually, I do follow the first, because black pretty much works with every situation. Sometimes I feel bad about wearing navy nail polish to my office job, but it happens anyway. I hate pantyhose, especially when they’re flesh tone, and I only make sure I’m wearing sleeves at my office job, though it isn’t always cold in the office.

The outfit at left is a classic example of something I’d wear to both jobs, with minor adjustments (fyi…sometimes I like to sing MGMT’s “Time to Pretend” before work and act like I could be as frivolous as the song says). Sure the skirt is black (actually black and brown), but the pattern is really fun and fits into my tribal-themed summer. Wearing it with a burnout tank top makes it a little more relaxed, and throwing on a sparkly headband and the bright yellow necklace my little brother made, keeps me feeling and looking young and fun.

Now for the adjustments. For my office job, I would wear a grandpa cardigan over it. It doesn’t really matter what color, since the skirt is black and the top is white, so anything would match. And, for my hostessing job, I’d have to change my cute gladiator heels to flats for practicallity’s sake. Standing in 5″ heels for 6-7 hours straight is a bitch!

Which office dress rules do you follow when you head to work and which ones do you like to kick to the curb?

p.s. I’ve been invited to join a few new sites including: Indies United (from Fashion Indie), Lookbook.nu, and Modpass so if you’re on any of them add me. I promise I’m going to figure out someything cool to do with them other than just having them sit and gather webdust!

Remember when? Its back again! Okay, not really, but sort of. When I was younger MASH (the game, not the show) was the best way to blow 15 minutes of class time, and according to at least one of my MASH plays, I’m supposed to marry someone famous, have 2 kids, drive an Aston Martin, and live in a shack— you can’t win ‘em all! Oddly enough, when I saw this t-shirt from Fred Flare I realized I didn’t resent my predestined modest dwellings and actually wished it was still okay for a piece of paper and a bunch of swirls to tell my future.

I’ve been making a staunch effort to not but t-shirts with words on them…unless they’re really cute, and this may be one of those times when a shirt’s amazingness trumps any sort of functionality. I would normally rather buy a great, slightly over-sized burnout tees that I could wear with pretty much anything, but the ‘MASH tee’ is just one of those shirts you have to buy just to say you have it.

“Hey, Gabe Saporta, king of the ‘Teedom of Radness’, I see you think your t-shirt’s really cool. Well, I have a MASH shirt back home that could kick your tee’s ass…OWNED!”

In all actuality, I just want proof that I will in fact own a Ferrari, live in a mansion, have 2 kids, and marry Zach Morris. What else could a girl ask for?

p.s. Yes I did just name check a certain Cobra Commander, and yes, saying “owned” at the end of my sentences actually happens sometimes. Its my guilty pleasure, pun totally intended!

Though today is my mom’s birthday, its started off quite lazy— on my part that is. I woke up late, not that I thought I had anything to do, but apparently I did. My phone was ringing for almost 2 hours without my knowledge because my brother missed the bus after his last final, he decided to start walking home and by the time I got the message to pick him up, I was already in loads of trouble and he was almost home. I felt like such a schmuck, especially after he let me borrow one of his old shirts yesterday to lounge around in.

Sometimes I like wearing guys clothes. There’s something comforting about being enveloped in a over-sized t-shirt. especially when you’re used to wearing form fitting clothes.

Since my brother is a lot taller than I am, he’s at least 6 foot and I’m only 5′4″, the shirt was giant on me, and a belt was required. I took a plain black tube top and turned it into a skirt, and put on my new brown sandals I bought from Marshall’s.

I wore those shoes on my first day of hostessing— bad move Chelsea! My feet were screaming by the time the night was finished, and would much rather have cut them off and gotten a wheelchair than made the short walk across the street to my car. I still love the shoes and think they’re really cute, but I will never wear 4 inch heels to my hostessing job again!

I’m off to sip yummy drinks and eat good food with my family in celebration on my mom’s birthday— I think she’s turning 26 or something, at least that’s how young she looks!

p.s. Go download Coldplay’s Viva La Vida and Katy Perry’s One of the Boys, if you already haven’t. Both albums are fresh!

The constant rain this week made my first full week off from college a real downer, but today, it’s gorgeous and sunny outside and finally feels like its spring. I know it’s technically been spring for about a month, but the weather is completely spastic and doesn’t know if it wants to be 70 degrees and sunny or 45 degrees, windy, and pouring— I choose sunny. Today, being the fantasmicly gorgeous day it is, I decided to throw on one of my many skirts— apparently I’m rebelling against pants this spring and summer— and wander around my house taking pictures.

The skirt is actually my sister’s. She bought it from Target a couple years ago, and we, yes WE, break it out every year because it’s so cute, but after my first wear of the season our conversation goes something like this:

Blythe: “Hey, that’s my skirt!”

Chelsea: “Yeah, well, that’s my (insert item of clothing)! You know what? I swear to God I just ironed this dumb skirt, like, 10 minutes ago.”

Blythe: “Yeah, that’s what happens when you wear linen. Ironing is futile. Just go with it!”

Never will I buy another linen skirt! They’re usually the only pieces of clothing I take the time to iron, and by the end of the day I look like I just rolled out of bed. The t-shirt, on the other hand, is from Glamour Kills, and I happen to love it more than anything. It says “Stay Fresh!” at the bottom, making me smile every time I look down and decipher the upside down words.

While I was meandering around my abode, I found this little container of water behind a couple of bushes. About a week ago, there was a stray cat hanging around my house, except she didn’t really act like a stray. She came right up to me an let me pet her and she hung around our house all day— I called her Ginger. She was really emaciated and shaking so I went to the store to buy cat food and used that container I just found to give her water. I only was able to take care of her for a couple of hours because my parents wouldn’t let me keep it, but there was a lady who is helping to fix the “historic house” next door to me, and she offered to take the kitty home. A couple days later, the lady came by to tell us the cat was doing great, and she named her Molly, which isn’t as cool as Ginger, but that’s just my opinion.

Anyway, finding the container made me wish I had a pet, that I could walk in such nice weather. I guess I’ll have to add that to my list of things for the future, but for now, I’m going to concentrate on enjoying this warm spring day!

Behind the cut is a picture of the kitty I save.

Spring has officially sprung and it has been effecting me in the funniest ways. Not only have I decided I want lots and lots of Native American tribal things: t-shirts, feather headbands (if I make a more Pocahontas-y one I put it up), and a dreamcatcher (which I’m currently making), but I am really honing my hippie look-a-like skills and starting to appreciate nature a whole lot more. I sort of like feeling as if I should have been an extra in Across the Universe and maybe had Jim Sturgess fall madly in love with me, but that’s just a pipe dream.

In the picture I’m wearing an entire outfit I bought from H&M, except at separate times (I didn’t realize that until now). That’s the Art By: Anna Frederiksson tee I swiped from some poor unsuspected shopper. Everything was less than $20 a piece, except for the shoes that are Nine West, but I can’t remember how much they were.

My entire family kept calling me a flower child yesterday. I just bought a couple more sparkly headbands from the Sally Beauty Supply store by my house (they’re not in this picture), one of them is bright blue and as I walked through the mall yesterday, I was complemented-ish on it and my modern day 60s outfit twice. The first time, was by the sales guy at this store called Zumiez or something. I’d never gone in the store before, but my sister is going on a cruise and they had sporty swimsuits she wanted to look at. The guy was sort of awkward and probably hitting on Blythe/me/both of us, but we had a nice conversation about headbands, mostly about how he liked mine and how the guys in Paramore like to rock the sexy sweatband.

After that we went to H&M and passed this model booth thingy. They’ve asked me 4 separate times to sign up to be a model, but after finding out I’d have to pay I decided it was stupid. I’m not going to pay anyone to take a picture of me, that’s what Spencer and Heidi do! Anyway, one of the guys at the booth starts screaming “Peace and Love, man. Peace and Love!” as I walked by, and I think I gave him a dirty look, but it was just sort of obnoxious.

After the mall, my sister and I went to a super market and bought pretty pretty orchids. I have no idea how to take care of orchids, and I hope I don’t kill them. I decided to take some artsy-ish pictures of them. You can seen them after the jump!

p.s. I’m beyond excited to see the pictures from the Met Ball tomorrow, I’ve got more news about that later!

It’s getting about that time. The flowers are blooming, the rain is subsiding, and the temperatures are definitely rising— the summation of all these elements yields an end result of me showing a lot more leg and being able to wear t-shirts with out getting those annoying “do you know there’s snow on the ground” looks. Over my almost 20 long years, I’ve been through quite a few different tee trend obsessions, including the almost clever, boy-bashing tee phase during middle school and my last phase, revolving around graffiti art tees, but now I’ve moved on.

My latest tee-obsession du jour is more of the tribal nature, and by tribal I mean, Native American “tribal”. Think birds of prey, feathers, trees, and maybe even a dear or two.

Luckily, Truly Madly Deeply has a whole slew of t-shirts at Urban Outfitters which were obviously inspired by the phantasms they stole from my dreamcatcher. My favorite tee out of the bunch is the Tribal Feathers Tee, I know feathers again! The shirt not only has this super back-to-nature feel, but is a v-neck which is one of my favorite t-shirt necklines, of late. I think I’d wear it slightly tucked into a voluminous high wasted skirt (though most high waisted things look as if set normally on my extremely long torso) and with the knock-off YSL Tribute sandals from Bakers (I know, I know, knock-offs, but YSL doesn’t fit my student budget, and I love those sandals so much!) strapped around my day-glo painted toes

Are you a tee girl? If so, what are your favorite types of t-shirts, and if not, what do you love to mix and match with your warm-weather bottoms?

Note to self, never try to hide clothes in H&M on 42nd and 5th. Why? Because people, like me, disregard any form of covert shopper etiquette and will gladly rifle through your barely hidden finds and take the t-shirt I’ve been dreaming of right from under your nose. It’s not my fault. You have to be ruthless when shopping in the city— at least that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. My prize however, I’m totally willing to tell you about. It was the freshest t-shirt I’ve seen in a while and part of H&M’s ART BY collection.

The ART BY collection was H&M doing their good deed toward aspiring artists and putting their awesome designs on t-shirts for simple American girls to wear with pride. The tee I hijacked from some poor unwitting customer was designed by Anna Fredriksson, and I first lusted over it in the April issue of Nylon. Anna is a graffiti artist/illustrator and draws these really cute, awkward looking doll-girls. Something about the over-sized glasses and necklace reminds me of myself, and my family members are convinced the girl looks a bit inebriated, which makes me chuckle every time I see it.

In terms of sizing, the shirt I found, and now own, is a US size 8, but totally fits how a medium would on me, a bit baggy and long. I didn’t have the chance to try on any other sizes because this was the only one I saw in the entire store.

p.s. Please tell me I’m not the only one who goes for what she wants when shopping, NO MATTER WHAT!

UNDER THE CUT is a video I found of the super-cute Anna Fredriksson talking about her designs for H&M and how she was tagged to be one of the ART BY designers. The other designers are Lina Boden and Jo Ratcliffe.