Harry Winston Commercial x Fall 11'

"Young, self made women spoiling themselves. Brilliant."
Another failed attempt to clean out my laptop led to me finding, and replaying this video for the past half hour - I had forgotten all about it. This commercial was shot by my three group members and myself last November, for an upper-division class I was taking at the time at FIT. This had to have been one of my favorite video shoots.
Our inspiration was Harry Winston jewelry, and our message was simple: Who says independent women have to wait for a man to buy her jewels? We don't. Women working hard and spoiling themselves - Brilliant.
We shot the video on a cold but sunny day in the fall of 2011 - lugging around props, makeup, and a tripod all over the upper west side. At least we managed to stop traffic and make friends with a few cab drivers that morning :)
Model - Sara Elbert Styling - Amarelle Wenkert and myself Production - Ava Willand of Rava Films (check out her site for some amazing projects!)

A Holiday Gift Guide for Her

Tis' the season...of Christmas pressure? It can feel that way sometimes, especially when you're trying to find the perfect gift for your perfect someone. In New York City especially, it can be hard to shop for your special gal - everyone has their own style and there are too many stores to count. To help ease the Christmas shopping blues, I've made an inspiration board for the guys (or girls) who are looking for a gift for their special fashionista. I hope it help. Happy Holidays!

1. River Island 'Leather Look Waterfall Jacket' / 2. River Island 'Black RI Quilted Gloves' / 3. UNIF 'The AWOL Jacket' / 4. ASOS 'TEMPO Peep Toe Shoe Boot' / 5. ASOS 'Limited Edition Two Pack Triangle Stretch Bracelets' / 6. Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Gold Chronograph with Silver Detail Watch' / 7. LeiVanKash Jewelry 'Skull Amethyst Bracelet - Yellow' / 8. Pier 1 Imports 'Silver Mosaic Pillars' / 9. 'What to Wear, Where' / 10. Rebecca Minkoff 'Spikey Studs iPad Case' 

Nokia x LeiVanKash Jewelry 'Persepolis' Mood Board

Gold chains, sunsets, lip stains...

Inspired by Nokia and LeiVankash Jewelry, I present to you my 'Persepolis' Collection mood board. Soft colors and bold gold are what I envisioned when I saw the timeless collection pieces. These pictures represent me wearing that vision. Enjoy. Xx.

#NokiaLVK 

Nokia x LeiVanKash Jewelry 'Damocles' Mood Board

Strong woman, sharp jewelry, the greatest city in the world...

A few weeks ago, I was sent a sleek blue Nokia Lumia 900 phone to play with. The mission - to create a mood board inspired by a collection by LeiVanKash Jewelry. My eyes were drawn instantaneously to the Damocles Collection, featuring swords, daggers, and silver. Taking the phone and the city by storm, and with the help of my best friend Margie as my model, here it is. Enjoy. Xx.

#NokiaLVK

Urban Outfitters x Holiday Catalog

Every New York City girl loves a little Urban Outfitters for the holidays. I browsed the retailer's holiday catalog earlier today and...I wanted everything in it. I'm thinking maybe this Pins and Needles Chiffon dress, paired with Rag Union's camo jacket, and some fun wedges for Christmas. A little girly grunge never hurt anyone, right? ;)

Rihanna x River Island Collaboration

Everyone needs a little River Island in their life. The UK fashion site has recently become a favorite of mine - they have great accessories and dresses for the holidays - so you know I was more than pleased when I discovered who they're collaborating with. 

*Drum roll please* 

None other than one of my favorite bad-asses around, Rihanna. The songstress announced that she's working on Spring/Summer collaboration with River Island, and posted the above photograph on her instagram account. She also debuted her RI Suede Jumper early last week. I can't wait for this :)

DJ So Super Sam x Black Magic Mixtape

DJ So Super Sam x Black Magic mixtape is all I've been listening to for the past three days.

Taylor, one of my bosses at Fiftytwo Showroom introduced me to her work, since she also happens to be one of his good friends. My only question is: why did it take this long for me to come across her mixtapes? Black Magic and Trigger Happy have to be my two favorites - they're beyond DOPE and span so many musical genres. They make for one hell of an eargasm. Check out So Super Sam's website and some of her work. You wont be disappointed. 

My favorite tracks on Black Magic include:

• Destiny's Child - Cater 2 You
• Tinashe - Boss (Ryan Hemsworth Remix)
• Lana Del Rey - National Anthem (Cashmere Cat remix)
• Teen Daze - New Life

(All photos belong to DJ So Super Sam)

Boy London

Every Fall I find myself enter a dark place. I fall in love with dark nails, smokey eyes, and dark lips. This year, I've fallen in love with Boy London. The iconic fashion label that fueled the youth of the 1970's and 1980's is completely opposite of my way of dressing...but I think that's why I find it so appealing.

"From Warhol, to Madonna, Punks through to New Romantics, club kids to fashionistas, all have worn BOY. Adopted as the uniform of choice for every youth movement that has mattered, the brand has outlived them all, with the unmistakable spirit that underpins all things BOY remaining the same today as when it was first formed..."  -- William Wright  

Arizona Muse x i-D Magazine

"Work hard and be nice to people." i-D Magazine features model Arizona Muse, photographed by Richard Bush, in its issue The Wise Up. The spread is immaculate. She can make such masculine pieces look so feminine, as she wears pieces by Jean Paul Gaultier, Marc Jacobs and Celine.  

Thanksgiving Birthdays

It's one of my favorite times of year - not too cold, not too hot and the spirit of love is felt in the air. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving - good food, better drinks :)

I have everything to be thankful for. I've been fortunate enough to have an amazing foundation of friends and family to help guide me through it all, and to keep me smiling. My parents, sisters, brother-in-laws, boyfriend, friends...I love them all. I don't tell them how much they truly mean to me as much as I should. But I know in my heart how thankful I am. 

We celebrated the holiday at my house. My sisters came with their husbands, and their kids. It also happened to be my Kuya (Filipino for older male figure) Ivan's birthday, making the day extra special. We ate our weight in food, which I know we'll all regret in a few days, and sang our hearts out during karaoke. It was the first Thanksgiving that we've all been together in a few years, and it was the best I think I've ever had. ♥

Vulture

Vulture Magazine is full of amazing photography. I found these especially captivating. I wish to work on shoots like this in the future...the near future.

Photo 1: Vulture Magazine, volume 2, photographer Skye Tan

Phots 2 and 3: Vulture Magzine, volume 1, photographer Skye Tan

Ann Street Studio

Fashion done right is a form of art. I've been following Ann Street Studio for a while now, but I hadn't logged on for quite some time until today. I love the videos, beauty, and fashion editorial portions of their website. This recent post, Wearing Zac Posen, encompasses all of my favorite things - Zac Posen gowns, simple backgrounds, and dark lips.

In a few years from now, I hope to get married wearing a Zac Posen gown. So this shoot is especially special to me. The shots are brilliant.

Mikken Jensen x Nylon Mexico

Happy Monday!

I should really start reading Nylon Magazine Mexico more often. I fell in love with this set of photographs, and I'm glad I was able to find them online as well. 

Model: Mikken Jensen

Photographer: Kristiina Wilson

I've come across Mikken in a few other photo spreads, but I like him in this one particularly. I just wish they showcased his chest tattoo in one of the frames. Can't win them all though, right? He's wearing an amazing Osklen hoodie in one of the shots, which I love. I intern at Fiftytwo Showroom down in TriBeCa, and Okslen's one of the designers we host - I've become obsessed with them I think, and Brazil in general.