So, when Arlene and I launched this website we pretty much did it all by ourselves. Just the 2 of us — buying, styling, shooting, writing, selling, marketing, accounting, shipping, cleaning.  You get the point. Luckily, we came across this fantastic, sassy little sprite named Amanda (that’s the lovely Amanda, on the right)…

She was a recent performing arts grad from Loyola University and had decided to throw away the life of an actor and march forward toward a fabulous life and career in fashion journalism. She was dying to do anything in fashion and when we met it was clearly a match made in Heaven.  Amanda is a gifted and talented (and super-stylish, of course!) writer who has been a contributor on TWENTYTHIRTYFORTY.net since its launch.  Amanda is all grown up now and has spread her wings and started her own blog — sassafras (with Amanda, it’s all about the sass).  It’s a great blog.  And I say that with the utmost objectivity!  Here’s some random pics from her site…

Fabulous, no?  The girl knows her fashion.  And since she’s really a writer, her blog is thoroughly entertaining.  Very refreshing in the blogoshpere!  Get to know her a little better here.

all photos lovingly borrowed from sassafras

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/

Queen Michelle, Kingdom of Style

So, I am not Susie Bubble or Jane Aldridge; I am not The Sartorialist or Garance Doré; I am not Carine Roitfeld or Giovanna Battaglia. I am just an aging party girl who has always loved to play dress-up.

It is exciting yet terrifying to me that blogging has become a part of my life. Terrifying because I am terrified of my own personal take on fashion and the things that inspire me. When I look at Sea of Shoes and I see this young, barely 17-year old confidently discussing — and wearing! — Ann Demeulemeester and Margiela, it just absolutely blows my mind. And then I flip over to the UK and I see the self-proclaimed Queens of Style, Marie and Michelle of Kingdom of Style, blogging about obscure lines like Mother of London and — again, confidently — wearing robin’s egg blue tights with feathered headdresses. I think to myself, what the HELL am I doing in company such as this? What do I know about fashion?

I guess the answer and the thing that keeps me going is that what I know about fashion is that I love it. I definitely know enough to know what I like, what looks good on me and what is age-appropriate. Susie Bubble always refers to herself as a “fashion outsider.” I guess you could probably say that about most, if not all, of us. Those of us who love fashion are willing to take risks, to be different, to draw attention to ourselves. I’m really not afraid to have people look at me a little cock-eyed. Scary, yes, but also intensely gratifying. 

These are just a few of my favorite fearless, blogging, trendsetting fashionistas…

Camille, Childhood Flames

Jane, Sea of Shoes

Alix, the cherry blossom girl

Susie Bubble, Style Bubble

Rumi, fashiontoast

Sarah X, Public Personae

Arabelle, Fashion Pirates

And I have to mention a new favorite of ours, Amanda of Sassafras.

A very special thanks to all these ladies for the images and for sharing themselves with us. Keep on rocking that fashion, y’all!

Have you SEEN the fashion in Helsinki?  Yes or no, grab your favorite libation(s) and flip through here, Hel Looks.…loootts of fun.

Okay, we are admittedly a little behind on this one. In fact, I just can’t believe I hadn’t heard about this before now. Tilda Swinton on the cover of — and in a breathtaking layout in — AnOther Magazine (a bi-annual publication out of the UK). And even better, she’s modeling some pretty incredible fashion from a host of fabulous up-and-comers.

We really love us some Tilda. Hope you enjoy it, too!

photography by Craig McDean

to see the whole spread visit AnOther Magazine.

Aside from Kermit the Frog, who says it isn’t easy being green?

photos lovingly borrowed from the Fashion Spot, Altamira, Style Bubble, Garance Doré, and Jak & Jil with many thanks!

Spring in the city…..Spring is why we endure the snow, the ice, the wind, the sleet, the slush, the no parking, the WINTER!  Yes, all this for spring in the city…spring here feels like love is in the air.  

I couldn’t wait to look at spring again after all these weeks of fall shows.  I immediately started perusing S09 lookbooks and I’m falling for Lover.  What a great vibe…

Fall in love with Lover here

Dear Hat,

You have always been there for me. When I truly had no idea what to do with my style, when I didn’t know what to wear, when I had an enormous crater on my face, when I was trying to be sexy and mysterious. You always lifted me up and gave me confidence and encouragement to just be me.  Thank you!

Love,

Brandon

Burberry SS09

Style Bubble

Garance Dore

Childhood Flames

My recent obsession is due to an adorable new hat purchase. Goorin makes the most irresistible — and affordable — hats.  Tons under $50. Check them out…

Goorin hats available at Hazel. 

many thanks to Style.com, Style Bubble, Garance Doré, childhood flames, and Goorin for all of the above images.

The luminous Tilda Swinton in Lanvin

Oh how I love Tilda Swinton on the Red Carpet. Ladies, if you want to look chic, sophisticated and gorgeous, this is the woman to whom you should look for inspiration. Unlike so many of her peers, Ms. Swinton never looks as though she is on her way to the prom when making her way down the Red Carpet. She takes risks (which I wholeheartedly admire), and always manages to project an image that is age-appropriate, fashion-forward and chic. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that she seems to adore the marvelous Albar Elbaz and Lanvin. What’s not to love, right? I would venture a guess that she doesn’t even work with a stylist. She oozes taste, class and sophistication and is always — hands-down — the one that I am the most excited to watch.

We love a great jumpsuit and I’ve fallen hard for the romper trend this spring.  It’s everything I LOVE LOVE LOVE in my busy lifestyle…easy and chic all in one little effortless piece.

Rachel Comey

Trovata

Loeffler Randall

VPL