Purple flavor

For "practical" reasons, most people tend to stick to black or earthtone-colored coats for winter. Yeah, yeah, makes sense. Sitting on the subway though, sometimes I wish I didn't blend in so much in the winter. Up pop those thought bubbles...the techno precision of Raf Simons combined with a tasty grape purple would sure look nice against all this snow. And cozy? Look at it, it SCREAMS cozy, even if you get stared at a whole lot more (at least Barney & friends will be on your side).

Blingers

I've wanted a nameplate necklace for a really long time, and it has nothing to do with a certain Carrie Bradshaw. In fact I didn't even want my name, in part because there's too many jerkfaces in the sea of millions here that would abuse that. I guess I wanted something more, er, "clever"? I forget where I saw it, probably some recent editorial, but the model had a nameplate necklace that said "Nobody." That was my AHA moment, so as soon as I had the chance, I headed down to Chinatown, and ordered up "Somebody." I'm kind of a smartass so it suits me well!

While i'm on this topic of shiny bold lady jewelry, I've been coming across some pretty sweet big earrings lately. I'm usually more of a tiny stud person myself (I have these silver cubes that have not left my ears), but look at these hoops...nothing but net!




Mouth hoop earrings, Aurélie Bidermann; Perspex phone earrings, Holly Fulton

Then there's this amazing piece from Ann-Sofie Back I spotted at Daily Projects that I don't remember seeing in her Fall collection. I don't even understand how this stays on your ear but it's totally badass! Instant sci-fi elf status.

Rally for Rowley

Attention New Yorkers (well, fans of Cythia Rowley's colorful, urban, sporty vibes anyway)! She's having a sample sale this week starting Thursday promising 80% clothes and accessories, so you might want in on this action. I just revisited Rowley's Fall 10 collection, which should pop up at the sale, and there's some pretty amazing pieces. Seeing as the end of winter is nowhere in sight, maybe you could still make good use of a sweater or puffy coat.

Still an animal

Here's your January dose of Japanese crazy, this time from Tokyo-bred label BANZAI. A giant stuffed tiger got it on with a jacket...while a matador watched. I like that the tiger looks to be a backpack at first glance, but is really attached to your back. Interested? The jacket is only available at Ilil in Tokyo right now, but its designer, Yoruko Banzai, promises he is "roaring towards large projects" in the near future so watch this man's blog!

Hot mess

Sex sells- that's a no-brainer. Somehow it still has enough shock appeal to stir things up stateside, but for Argentinian label A.Y. Not Dead, it gets the job done...especially with the help of a certain blonde named Dree Hemingway. Moving past the bonerific campaign images, A.Y. Not Dead's Summer '11 range offers a saucy mix of revealing cuts and radical prints...equally effective under a strobe light or the daylight. I have my eye on quite a few pieces, and I'm stoked to recently discover the label is stocked at Asos. You better believe if I ever find myself in Buenos Aires though, I'll be paying one or more of their six stores down there a visit!