Recently, I stumbled upon a blog called Public Personæ and I discovered the creative, stylish and gutsy Sarah X.

When I stumbled upon her, Sarah had just challenged herself — publicly — to come up with 30 days’ worth of original outfits (The 30 Day Challenge). She re-uses some basics, but the ensembles are all distinctly different. 

What I really love about Sarah — aside from the fact that she has the balls to put herself out there like that — is that she is a master at mixing high and low and at accessorizing. Her closet of accessories is, I’m sure, the size of King Tut’s tomb (packed with just as much finery). Sarah really knows how to dress and shop during a depressed economy without skimping on style. She frequently wears Topshop, Forever 21, H & M, Zara, American Apparel, Urban Outfitters. But paired with these items, she will throw in some pretty hot designers, like Boy by Band of Outsiders, Jeffrey Campbell, Bliss Lau, and DKNY. 

I think that Sarah’s 30-day challenge is the definition of “shopping your closet.” She is a master at maximizing her wardrobe and wearing what you love. If you love it, buy it, and WEAR IT. I think she reminds us that it’s okay to spend your hard-earned bucks on things that you love as long as you spend wisely. Why not take a page from her book and challenge yourself to break out of your own style rut? It’s always a good time to try and inject some creativity into your wardrobe. And when you can’t afford anything new, your closet is the only store you’ll be shopping!

Only 3 more days of the challenge left, but definitely tune in to see how she pulls it all off — publicpersonae.com/blog/

McQ for Target ads shot by Gina Garan

I was born in the 1960’s. The late ’60’s, but still. Anyway, back in 2000 when the fabulous Gina Garan published her first Blythe-inspired book of photography (This is Blythe), I had never heard of Blythe. For those of you who don’t know who she is, Blythe is an odd (but utterly FABulous) doll that was produced for only one year — 1972 — and was lovingly resurrected by the brilliant and talented Gina Garan. Blythe has a body the size of a Barbie with a head proportionate to a much larger frame. She didn’t do well — I’m assuming due to her irregular proportions, not to mention the freaky (and awesome!) way that her eyes turn (thanks to a pull string on her back) from blue to green to pink to orange.  

When I discovered this fabulous book and realized that Blythe had been produced during a year when I was at prime doll age, I began to relentlessly interrogate my mother about whether or not I may have had a Blythe doll in my childhood and, if so, where it may be located. You should know that my search and inquiry were in no part related to Blythe’s newly found celebrity status, but instead had everything to do with my wanting to have my very own Blythe doll to dress up and play with (regardless of the fact that I was WAY past doll age).

My incredibly sweet, amazing and unforgettable mother swore she had never heard of, or seen, such a thing. I have to interject here and mention that my mom just passed away. She was my very best friend and my biggest cheerleader and I’m not sure yet how my life is going to work without her. In the days following her funeral, I began to seek solace in some of the normal activities of my day-to-day life. Along these lines, I finally began to look at all of my fashion mags. I opened Vogue and instantly came across an Alexander McQueen for Target ad featuring BLYTHE. I’ll tell you, I just about fell over.

I missed my mother more in that moment than I can possibly express. She would have been thoroughly prepared for, and supportive of, my immediate, unstoppable spiral into Blythe and McQueen obsession. She loved fashion — and loved my love of fashion — and we probably would’ve sat and talked and laughed about the impact that a quirky, misfit doll had on the world of fashion. So, for my mom, and for all you other Blythe fans out there, enjoy the beauty and brilliance of Gina Garan, Alexander McQueen and, of course, Blythe.

Photos courtesy of nitrolicious.com/blog.

I was planning to post this blog on Friday, but I was completely captivated for DAYS!   Favorites from over the weekend….

MY HERO, JANE

This young star rising is just a mere 16 yrs old!  I will be the first to say it is much easier and a whole lot of FUN when you have not one, but TWO closets (thanks mom!) of fabulousness to style from.  BUT I also know that this level of sophistication is either honed through many years of experience or it’s just plain in your blood!  Thanks to mom & dad, this lucky Jane can save YEARS out in the retail/fashion world.  The parents…..

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Jane’s mom, Judy, and her take on fashion.  Mom and daughter also pair up to share their tips to scouting vintage (Oct 24, 08 post)

all photos courtesy of seaofshoes.com

many thanks to dear friend, Elle, for giving us yet another addiction