Absolutely Qoo Qoo

All photos by Qoo Qoo.

I obviously don't spend nearly enough time trolling the wonderful world of Etsy, which is why I'm only just discovering the magical label Qoo Qoo.  Latvian designer Alyona Bauska started as a graphic designer before deciding to take her outrageous patterns and apply them to clothes.  The whimsical prints include bears dressed up as astronauts, baroque interiors, and a tribal pattern re-envisioned to include Pacman.  They're perfect for girls who grew up loving Lisa Frank, but are too old (and too big) to wear her clothes in a dignified manner.  I don't know if dog-printed lace dresses are that much more dignified, but they're certainly a slightly more adult answer to all my craving for wacky, candy-colored explosions of unabashed joy.  Another source of unabashed joy?  The wallet friendly prices: almost everything on the site is between $55 and $135.

-Tiffany

Last of the English Roses

All photos by Hermione de Paula.

London based designer Hermione de Paula's elaborately printed garments may be bursting with florals of every plant species known to man, but they're hardly designed for shrinking violets.  Her spring collection, appropriately named "Darlingtonia's Obsession" (who wouldn't be obsessed upon first sight), is a prime example of her work. The designer rarely strays from her favorite blossoming subject, and the florals that she presents are more likely to evoke a trippy, Alice in Wonderland-style Audubon-redux than a casual summer stroll in the garden.  The vivid and fantastical prints are slightly reigned in by the refined tailoring, which is sensual, soft, and decidedly feminine, without being revealing or overtly sexual.  While your eyeballs do double duty trying to take in all the visual information, make sure to take a good look at the shoes: a collaboration with Nicholas Kirkwood, for whom de Paula consults on prints.  I'll take one of each please.

-Tiffany

Happy New Year!

Coven dress, Uniqlo leggings, Chanel bag, shoes c/o 80%20, vintage turban, J. Crew socks, Arms and Armory necklace, Triskaidekaphobia ring.

For New Year's Eve, I finally go to break out the Coven dress that my friend Ashley gave me before I left for Sweden.  I spent my evening celebrating at an extensive pot-luck dinner with Jimmy and our friends, followed by a midnight round of fireworks.  In fact, we started off the New Year with a bang as our friend Oskar accidentally sent a firework whizzing in our direction and ricochetting off an apartment building.  Hopefully Oskar will stick to his forte, baking cakes, and stay away from setting off explosives in the New Year.  Anyway, I hope that you all have an amazing 2012! 

-Tiffany