On J. Crew

When I was younger, 10 or so, I got into the (totally bizarre) habit of ordering J. Crew catalogues in the mail, then cutting animal heads out of old Owl magazines and pasting them over the model's faces. It was a brief summer craft project that turned into a full-blown obsession. I wish I still had a few of these kicking around--sadly, all of my outsider art was thrown away as kid crafts gave way to teen diaries. Back then, J. Crew was all crinkled khakis and pastel polos; it was more dockside, less desirable. It was the age of Dawson's Creek, what can I say?

(photo via stayinginwithvlada.com)

As much as I love Pacey Witter (which, to be fair--to this day--is a lot) J. Crew had to grow up eventually. And, year by year, it's been getting better and better. Under the creative direction of Jenna Lyons, she of the heavy framed eyeglasses and little boy nail polish controversy, the brand has become more classic and more daring at once.

They've been teasing an entry into the Canadian market for years, but next week it's finally going to happen: at Yorkdale on August 18th. I don't think this will damper my bi-monthly road trips to Buffalo, NY, but it's still a bright spot in a crowded mall. Now we just need to start pulling Madewell up past the border--gently, gently.

From the J. Crew fall 2011 lookbook:

Not so much the pants, but definitely the trench. 

I don't enjoy being swathed in black all fall/winter long, but my coloring (red hair, freckles) usually doesn't give me much choice. This is a combination I can get behind, though. Mint and burgundy? So pretty. Reminiscent of one of my favorite snacks: mint chip ice cream with blueberries. Tastes awful, looks delicious. 

Yes please. 

(photos via fashionolgie.com)

West Elm Summer 2011

I am a sucker for the wares at West Elm. It doesn't help that their prices are reasonable, their colours are bright, their designer collaborations are unexpected, or that their only Canadian outpost (so far) is located in Liberty Village, just a short, pleasant, Parkdale streetcar ride away from my apartment. It's a perfect storm of retail stimulation.

The Summer 2011 catalogue just came out, and it decided it would be fun to read my mind:

Look! A bright yellow architectural pillow. Exactly what I was looking for a month ago, right before I got desperate and was forced to take matters (fabric) into my own hands. My pillow covers are still in the process of being cut out and sewn together, but West Elm's can be had easy for $34 USD.