On the Radar -- Meow!

Audrey Hepburn knows it's true...

It's the year of the cat!  (Well, not really...)  But imagine my delighted surprise when I started seeing cat eye sunglasses in all the designers' spring/summer collections!  We love a cat eye frame -- and we happen to think, both of us Blackbirds, that there is nothing quite as alluring as a raised eyebrow over dark tilted lenses.  Any girl can achieve that sex kitten perfection with cat eye sunnies.  (At least in our own minds we can.  And, oh, by the way, pun intended.) 

Cat eyes are classic but have soooooo much more personality that many other frames.  You can play with colors and sizes, like other glasses, but think of the different tilts that are available.  You can go extreme or subtle, rhinestone bedecked flashy or quiet sophistication.  It's all in how you wear them and how bold you want to be. 

Here's a sampling of some of the new offerings from current designers:

We both agree that these Diors are smoking hot sexy...

Tory Burch

Stella McCartney

And now my two fave vintage finds, because you should always dare to go vintage...

From holdenism on Etsy.  Available here.

From Last Prize Vintage on Etsy.  Available here.

On the Radar -- Love Triangle

Geometry was never one of my strengths, but I have to say, I'm loving the geometric designs that have been out this past year.  What's more, spring seems to be the season of the triangle.  Everywhere I look, I'm seeing them -- from jewelry to home decor to fashion!  So while last week's On the Radar gave you lots of circles to choose from, this week I'm going angular...

This wall hanging was my first find...

By sfettingis on Etsy, available here.

Then came the dresses...both high fashion and low(er) end...

Cushnie et Ochs, Spring 2013

ASOS dress, available here.

Then the jewelry (my favorite part)...

Fendi bangles

Collar by 11Objects

Vintage from FuzzBuster Variety on Etsy, here.

Pin from Sonia Boyajian, available here.

 

On the Radar -- Spring Scarves

Dolce & Gabbana, Spring 2013

If there is one accessory we Blackbird girls can't live without, it's a scarf.  Of course, as you lovely readers know, I collect scarves designed by Vera Neumann.  But you may not know that the other Blackbird collects all different kinds of scarves -- and she specializes in red, white, and blue ones.  We also always have lots on hand in the Etsy shop and in our boutique in Brightside Gallery.  They are very affordable, fun, and easy to wear, and they can really change an outfit.  Plus, they make for a great collection -- I use my Veras as a changeable wall display in my bedroom by using two small decorative towel bars from Ikea, and the other Blackbird has a multi-hook rack on her wall piled up with all of her red/white/blue scarves. We love to see the different patterns and prints!

So imagine how excited we were to see all the scarves popping up on the runways!  Dolce & Gabbana, DKNY, and Marc Jacobs all used scarves to accent their collections, and brands that always have lots of scarves in their lines, like Hermes and Burberry, added even more options. 

D&G, Spring 2013

Hermes scarf

Hermes, Spring 2013

Marc Jacobs, Spring 2013

Recreating this designer look is easy -- we have tons of scarves in our Etsy shop and our boutique, starting at $3. Like this 1970s giraffe design for $6:

Available here.

And if you want a real designer scarf, you can still go vintage for much less than new!  Like this vintage red and white silk Diane Von Furstenberg scarf, also in our Etsy shop!

Available here.

On the Radar -- Quilted

From detnk.com

Whether it's an actual texture, or just a pattern, quilting is showing up in both fashion and home decor.  The puckered texture has, of course, classic appeal, but when you combine that texture with modern patterns and shapes, the effect is quite different than your normal homespun quilt or matelasse.  Not that there's anything wrong with old quilts -- I'm a sucker for them -- but the graphic appeal of this "new" quilting is really fun.

Not sure who the designer is...from Elle.com

Trompe l'oeil quilted patterns are out there, too, but, personally, I think they read a little flat.  The true beauty of quilting is that pucker, whether it's just lightly quilted or extra lofty.  The trend in quilting has been going more contemporary lately -- look at the Oh, Fransson! blog for inspiration -- but these new patterns are to die for.  Can I just say...chevron?

Ted Baker Purse

Topshop skirt

Patterns in new quilting don't have to be just geometric, though.  I love this more organic design:

Rachel Comey 2013

Even if it's not soft and squishy quilting, you can still get the same effect.  LOVE this mirror with a quilted mosaic finish.

From Serena and Lily

And as always...go vintage!!  We've got a groovy 1970s maxi skirt in the shop--->

From our Etsy shop

On the Radar -- Emerald Angles

I'm sure by now you've heard that Emerald is Pantone's color of the year for 2013.  I'm on board with that because emerald is my birthstone, and the color is one of my faves.  But you can get even more specialized than just the color -- the angles and facets of the gemstone itself are hot right now, too.  That deep, dark green mixed with hard geometric lines makes for some interesting, and beautiful, home decor and fashion.

Console from bocadolobo.com

This green is all about glamour. It's sharp, classic, but also, new.

Desk Set from apartment48.com

 The lines are crisp, but never boring.  The scale can be bold.

Pillow from Giardino on Etsy.com

Or delicate.

Emerald and tourmaline earrings by Petra Class, from craftcouncil.org

And of course, you can get your fix with vintage finds, as well...

Vintage glass from Lemon Rose Studio on Etsy.

On The Radar -- Wonkavision

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2013

We are candy freaks.  We love candy.  We don't necessarily eat candy all the time, but we always have it in the house.  Chocolate, jellybeans (they have to be Starburst!), Sweet Tarts, peppermint -- you name it, we've probably got it.

So imagine our delight when we started seeing pictures of designers' Spring/Summer 2013 lines.  Candy!  Suits done in slick candy colors with an almost sticky lollipop sheen.  Jelly style finishes to handbags, like the frosted plastic shoes we wore in the 1980s and 90s.  Candy dot designs for accessories, and sweet smelling caramel-like perfumes. Vibrant makeup with rhinestone candy dots.

Candy Bags from Furla, 2013

So indulge in these images of candy-inspired design.  Don't worry, we won't tell!  And we promise they are calorie-free!

Aquazzura, Spring 2013

Fendi bag and keychain, Spring 2013

Dior Spring 2013 makeup, Swarovski crystals, by Pat McGrath

On the Radar -- Bright Tribal

I've been finding myself drawn more and more to the look of tribal patterns.  I, of course, love ikat and suzani prints/weaves (who in the world hasn't been in love with them for the past few years?), but this spring, things are getting a little looser.  That's when I really love design -- when something gets trendy for a while (like ikats and suzanis) and then, a few years later, it gets reinterpreted.  Reimagined.  Design takes over an old idea and comes up with super fresh and bold looks. 

We Blackbird girls love our home at Etsy, and we really embrace that culture of handmade/vintage over mass production.  I can also tell you that when in comes to buying for myself -- I am pretty picky.  I fall in love easily, but it has to be TRUE LOVE before I buy it.  I love all the tribal things I've seen, but when I purchase it, then that's a good sign.

I found this designer, Layla Amber Handmade Creations, from England on Etsy, and I HAD TO HAVE her wooden feather necklace.  What does it have?  A fresh take on a tribal pattern...  Here's a similar brooch from her shop:

So I started looking.  Lo and behold, it's happening everywhere for spring!!  Natural leaf bracelets with playful spins on tribal prints:

Mara Hoffman, Spring 2013

Fun, bright prints!

MSGM, Spring 2013

Even for the home!

From City Girls Decor on Etsy

Geometric and graphic!

Coaster from Wanelo.com

On the Radar -- Walk the Line

Dolce & Gabbana, Spring 2013

Continuing on in our look towards spring, the Spring 2013 runways were covered with stripes -- from Marc Jacobs to Michael Kors to Dolce & Gabbana.  Since stripes are one of those classic elements that never really seems to go away, I thought I'd just give a glimpse at how they have been reinterpreted.

They can be bold and graphic:

Marc Jacobs Spring 2013

Diagonal and bright:

Issey Miyake Spring 2013 from WWD

Sheer and Gauzy:

Dior Spring 2013

Summery and classic:

D&G Spring 2013

Try vintage to get your fix, like this bracelet from Jennie's Junque on Etsy:

Or this 1970s shirt from our shop!