Head to Toe: Spring Fling

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     While Spring has not quite sprung, a whole day's worth of gloom and grey has made me pine for sunnier days, lighter color palettes, and new shoes (of course). Patrick Ervell's show for Spring '08 was certainly one of the highlights of the season, with its bold colors, simple lines, and fantastic details. And since lighter weather equals fewer layers, it all becomes about bold pieces with loads of detail. But don't get crazy, it's about sprezzatura.

     The new Heutchy boots (from Trovata to Shipley and Halmos to them) are part of their upcoming line which is effortlessly classic. And pair that with the YMC motorbike pants ($133 @ Gargyle) for a rugged blend of Americana and European tailoring. In terms of accessories, you can opt for the bright, as in Raf Simons multi-colored collaboration with Eastpak (£279 @ Oki-ni), or the basic with Rag & Bone's canvas satchel ($175 @ Barney's CO-OP). Light scarves are appropriate for maritime excursions and if I managed to take the boat from my rich future ex-husband, I'd tie a loose knot with this Ann Demeulemeester striped scarf ($340 @ Aloha Rag) to keep things light and layered. But I'd be lying if didn't clearly state that my best find is the zip boots from YMC ($190 @ Blackbird), which come with an interchangeable grey pig leather/navy canvas upper that are easily swapped with nothing more than a quick zip. And there's a reverse colorway if you'd prefer your leather darker.

     But aren't we trying to stay positive here?

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Head to Toe: Robert Geller, Hiroshige, and Expensive Boots

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     Connie's managed to make me feel utterly useless (thanks, Connie) so I felt the urge to be productive, although by other standards (say those measuring how much work I'm getting done on this English essay) this could be considered a complete waste of time.

     My space heater has managed to replace the bone-chilling cold of my room with a comfortable 75.0°F, but my toes have yet to thaw and the sensation brought to mind Robert Geller's absolutely stunning collection for Fall. While Geller took his cue from the winters of Russia, I felt absolutely compelled by Hiroshige's masterful take on a snow-covered scene, Two men by a gate in the mountains. And I also wanted to completely rip off Geller's look, but for less. It's a mix of high and low, mind you, and where it's high, it certainly gets high. But I always try to put out an honest effort to acquire things not merely as things, but as functional and aesthetic investments.

• Rib Hem Storm Flap Bomber Jacket, $125.46 @ ASOS: Any M-65 you have (you do have one, no?) would be best, but if you're lacking one, then this bomber jacket from ASOS has enough military detailing to fit the bill. Sufficiently tailored to be Geller and sufficiently rock-and-roll to be your own.
• Essex Sweater, $18 @ Heritage1981: I abhor Heritage1981 for quality reasons, but that shouldn't stop you from filling those tiny holes that occasionally pop up in your wardrobe with a cheap sweater. At least until you can find the exact James Perse sweatshirt that you want. Drop a Jackson and take some bus fare home.
• Nudie Thin Finn Grey Coated Jeans, $175 @ Oak: My roommates are both very wary of coated denim and I have yet to purchase a pair out of fear that they might mock me endlessly. But that doesn't stop me from drooling over Nudie's grey coated skinny jeans, which add a matte luster to an otherwise, flat color palette.
• Drakes Snowflake Solid Scarf, $50.59 (£25) @ oki-ni: On sale and made out of lambswool? Sold. Not nearly as crinkled as the one in Geller's look (you'll have to look for something woven, not knitted, if that's what you're after), this scarf is still a totally worthwhile replacement. The understated waffle knit adds an extra layer of texture to an extra layer.
• Alex & Chloe Knife Necklace, $48 @ Urban Outfitters: I'm a big fan of the Alex & Chloe stuff, mostly because it's appropriately masculine jewelry at a pretty reasonable price point. And you know how I am whenever I get what I want for less than I can afford. Besides, you need just a hint of shine for visual interest.
• Buttero Work Boot, $375 @ Barney's Co-op: My word, the things I would be willing to do to get my hands on a pair of Buttero boots. Whenever someone posts a picture of theirs on Supertalk, I'm usually left gasping for air-slash-burning with envy. If you're looking for a boot to last a lifetime, then by all means, stop your search and GET THESE BOOTS.

     There, Connie. Who's the lazy one now?

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Das Haus der Geister (das so ehrlich alt ist)

It does not matter whether it happened or not. It was written, and that makes it real enough. Any other conclusion is preposterous and drawn from wild theories and unreliable senses.

Sometimes people worry themselves into cold springs. They sit and sit and groan, like icy pistons pressed too close into themselves. Theirs is the path lined with nettles, grown from flowers that they cast in the front of their course. Sad self saints. So slowly. So slow. And these people forget that they are the saints, they forget their wings and their robes and they forget what it is to bleed sunshine.

Lo, let the sunshine be bled, like some great gory watering of the celestial field. It shall grow, develop, mature into old age, like a comfortable rhythm of rhyme. And the great Scythe shall be rendered blunt, by the flood of bled light, red light.

And still sometimes people worry themselves into cold springs.

You know what this sings? It sings, yes it sings.

Of things.

Of things to be foretold, wheree'er the winter's cold.

Too many tribes for ten fingers, ten toes, two eyes, one tongue.

And sometimes cold springs still themselves into worry people.











And from there, we may proceed towards less important matters.

The product of much time spent knitting brows and needles together. It's grey and fringed, all done by hand. I haven't actually measured it out yet, but I'm guessing it clocks in at around 8, maybe 9 feet.

I added a discreet button loop and a metallic vintage button to keep it wrapped around me when it gets windy. It's also just a nice bit of hardware introduced into something that never has any.

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