Wishlist Wednesday: Boyy Fall/Winter 2009

It's safe to say that I've never felt this emotionally vested in an entire collection of bags before... Boy oh boy-- I'm crushing hard on Boyy Fall/Winter 2009. How dreamy and beautiful are these lookbook photos?











I'm trying my best to be good; not buy anything I don't absolutely need, but one look at these photos makes me want to break my shopping ban. My birthday is coming up, after all. I had my eye on one of those convertible clutch/shoulder bag, Slash, in either classic black with python print (first photo) or in limited edition python (third photo). But there are other delicious styles that are causing me to rethink my plan. Make one of these bad Boyys yours on the designer's website: http://boyybag.com.

What's on your wishlist today?

Designer Profile: Belle Sauvage

Belle Sauvage is an emerging London-based womenswear label that was established in 2007 by Virginia Ferreira and Christian Neuman. Neuman’s eye-catching digital prints and Ferreira’s imaginative silhouettes are quickly bringing the label much-deserved attention; the designers showed their collection on the catwalk for the first time at London Fashion Week for Spring/Summer 2010. Bright kaleidoscopic prints unified their S/S '10 collection consisting mostly of lean dresses with angular accents, short hemlines and strong shoulders. Despite their high art concept, many of their pieces are affordable and carried at shops such as Pixie Market (you can buy pieces from A/W 09 there). Bravo, Belle!

















Images courtesy of Christopher Dadey.
For more information about the label and to view the full S/S '10 collection, check out http://www.belle-sauvage.co.uk/.

Behind the Blog: Ciao, Chessa!

all images courtesy of Ciao, Chessa!

For this week's Behind the Blog feature, I am proud to re-introduce you to Monica, the talented photographer and blogger behind Ciao, Chessa! (Remember her awesome guest post on fashion photography while I was on vacation last month?) I have gotten to know her through her wonderful posts and also had the chance to work beside her during New York Fashion Week this past season. Learning more about her journey from corporate life to working photographer fills me with inspiration and joy. Believe me, friends. I would absolutely LOVE to leave my dayjob and do blogging and fashion-related work on a full-time basis. Read on to learn more about the fabulous woman behind the blog...

Five Questions for My Favorite Bloggers

Who are you?

I'm Monica Shulman, aka Chessa, from Ciao, Chessa! Chessa is my childhood nickname - Chessa, Chess, Chezi. I'm a wife, professional photographer, art lover, sister, daughter, aunt, blogger, corporate dropout, recovering lawyer, wannabe writer and New Yorker. I left my job as a Corporate Finance attorney two years ago to do what I love.

Where are you?

I live in the Gramercy Park area of Manhattan. I love New York but I'm always thinking about the next place to travel.

What is the concept behind your blog?

Ciao, Chessa! is my looking glass. It's my personal diary and it's an art and lifestyle blog. It's a place where I share my professional and personal work as well as the work of other artists and photographers who I admire from around the world. Sometimes I write about my life and my family, my travels, living in New York City, my experiences as a New York lawyer and as a Corporate Dropout, my passions and other things that I love like design and fashion. I also write about art events in and around New York City. I just love to find and share beautiful, inspiring and evocative things.





When you are not blogging, what else do you enjoy doing?

I always say that I'm a professional juggler because I'm always doing 20 things at once! And that's kind of the way that I like it.

I take photographs every single day. I carry my camera with me every where I go. I constantly enter art contests and juried competitions. I also freelance as a photographer for a travel company and I work as a commissioned portrait, wedding and events photographer.

Outside of work, my husband and I love to travel and we're always daydreaming about trips and planning them out. I am obsessed with my sister's daughter and I try to see her at least once a week. My husband and I also love to spend time with friends, drink wine and when we can't travel too far from home, we love driving out to our home away from home in East Hampton. In my alone time I love to shop - especially for shoes (like A LOT) and I really enjoy visiting galleries all over the city and going to exhibits at museums.

More importantly...what are you wearing? :)

I'm wearing my winter uniform! A pair of skinny jeans from Chip and Pepper, a white V-Neck t-shirt from Banana Republic, my black over-the-knee leather boots that I bought on a trip to Paris last year and my favorite sweater - a longish, dark grey, thin, wool, cable knit cardi that I bought at Max Studio.

I work from home so most days it's all about comfort but I always wear shoes when I'm working - the irony is that when I went to an office I took my shoes off while I was at my desk and now that I can wear my PJs I like to put on an entire outfit. It makes me feel more productive. Some days I just put on a pair of sneakers but today I have a lunch so I'm wearing "The Boots" as my husband calls them. I also LOVE jewelry and aside from my wedding rings, I'm also wearing a pair of small earrings, a few fun necklaces and a big chunky cocktail ring that my mother gave me after a trip my sister, she and I took together to eastern Europe. Since I'm heading out and it's autumn in New York right now, I'll probably throw on my beautiful fall coat from Custo Barcelona that is my current fave.

Thanks for the interview, Monica! To check out her amazing blog, click over to http://www.ciaochessa.com!

Notes from Thailand (Part Four): Phuket

As promised, here are photos from the Phuket leg of our Thailand trip. Aside from some intermittent rain, our days here were full of beach and spa time, attending our friends' beautiful wedding and a one day boat trip to do a little island hopping. Aside from the black pearl ring that I purchased on my last day in Phuket, most of my time was spent by the pool or beach. Ah... to be back in paradise again!


a shot of one of the pools at the JW Marriott resort


yours truly getting ready to board our boat!


the Mr. giving the camera a thumbs up


our first stop... a private island paradise with the softest sand you can imagine


our boat: adorable, but a rather choppy ride!


if you look close: you can see dolphins playing in the water!


on this stop-- we spotted monkeys playing on an island...






I believe this island was the backdrop for the movie, The Beach... a popular tourist stop












the Mr. and me aboard the boat-- we look sunburnt and windswept, but happy!


sunset at the marina...

What's your idea of perfect bliss?

Weekend Links: Chilly New York Edition

"Roussel Cardigan" from All Saints

It's getting unbearably chilly in New York. Time to think about fuzzy sweater and hot cider days... Here are a few Weekend Links to keep you warm!

Kingdom of Style loves Fiona Paxton.

Clutch 22 is participating in America's Most Stylish Blogger competition and I think she nailed this week's Prada bootie challenge. Check out her post! Vote for your favorite!

Six Six Sick takes us to the Dagmar press preview day. Love these looks!

Pink Bow rocks the topknot and cowl. What an adorable look.

Meanwhile, District of Chic rocks a pair of glam gold socks with some strappy shoes. Daring!

You are Cordially Invited... If you haven't received an email from me yet about my virtual birthday party tea, consider this an open invitation to join in on the fun on November 19th. Email me or leave your email in the comments section for further details!