The beauty that is H&M

Over the years, I've come to realize that when you are looking for a quick, snazzy getup, H&M is usually the way to go. Items are cheap and generally have just the twinge of style I'm looking for. Ok, they don't usually last very long and probably aren't made of the most upscale, expensive-looking fabrics, but they are the best last-minute costume changes (aka work-to-night clothes because I can't get home and back in time to partayyy). Annnnd it's cheap! I've come to find that H&M works best when you pair with something of quality - i.e. a super blazer, some insane shoes, crazy accessories. Actually, H&M has some pretty nice shoes. Anyway, I found some cool stuff there today that I would like to share with you, because as you may or may not know sharing IS caring. And I care! So.. THERE!

Dress with chain shoulder details, which I love, but fear will break (or dissipate naturally, whichever comes first - they are sneaky little buggers) quite quickly.

Also had shoulder pads for sextra 80s volume (typo intended).

Amazing, light jacket made of some sort of crepe type material - studded (my favorite, as you may have been able to tell from some of my previous posts...) - also came in black, but the white one accentuated the studs in a much nicer and bolder way.

Zac Posen for Target

Ok so the lookbook for the Zac Posen for Target collection was just released and... well, I'm not anywhere near as excited as I was for the Rodarte collection. I'm sort of just "meh..." about this one. It's cute and girly with an edge but doesn't quite hit the spot. Not that I was expecting magnificence at the usual Zac Posen level - this is still only a Target line - but come on... flute alors! I do very much like the red number (above), however, and I'm sure will sell out very quickly; the statement pieces always do.

This one isn't too bad, either - I quite like the oversized bow tie thing going on around the chest area (but I don't think I'll be shelling out $74 for it anytime soon).

I guess I'll just wait and see who's next!

In for the kill

I know it's a bit old, but I re-stumbled upon this video today and wanted to share. La Roux is so cool with her rojo caliente-ness.

She also has a very cool (and uber-distracting, procrastinating) website! :)

Watch it HERE (sorry I can't embed it!).

because i care...

Dear Heidi,

STOP perpetuating horrible self-esteem issues.

Sincerely,

Lys-Aelia

This is Heidi Montag, the girl who did absolutely nothing more than exacerbate drama and babble on and on about things we legiterally do not care about including ridiculous gossip on the OC or whatever show she was on because some producer decided her presence there would get him ratings. Or at least this is her now. She apparently has been "hiding" from the spotlights and flashing bulbs of the paparazzi to recover from 10 - TEN! - plastic surgeries. I feel the need to deliberate. This girl (read: imblondcile) is 23 years old. I am sad for the young girls who watch these ridiculous shows and are in any way, shape or form influenced by the people in them. By putting impossible beauty standards, reinforced by impossible financial standards, poor girls across this country and probably even around the world are having their lives set up for disaster - aka body issues and serious confidence lows. I understand producers needs for ratings but it seems that the characters in these shows are intent on ruinous carnage not only against each other but subconsciously against the world. She states, "Every starlet is getting surgery to keep their looks up. They just don't talk about it. I wanted to be honest." Perhaps she doesn't realize that keeping all this under wraps would be better! She does what she wants with her body - it seems her idiot husband doesn't help much in convincing her of her natural beauty (he agreed with the surgeries) - but I think it's too bad. Moreover, I'm highly disappointed in the ridiculous surgeon who didn't oppose doing ANY of this: nose job revision, chin reduction, mini brow lift, botox in forehead and frown area, fat injections in cheeks, nasolabial folds and lips, neck liposuction, ears pinned back, liposuction on waist, hips and inner and outer thighs, buttock augmentation and breast augmentation revision. (via Just Jared) Disheartening.

Help Haiti

I'd like to take a moment to send a bit of hope down to the brave Haitians and everyone else affected by this horrific earthquake. Haitian President Rene Preval has said that hundreds of thousands of people are feared dead after the 7.0 quake, which first hit about 10 miles south-west from Port-au-Prince and was followed by two after shocks of 5.9 and 5.5 magnitude (BBC). I'm relieved to hear that a number of nations are preparing to send aid as quickly as possible (this includes the US, UK and Venezuela). Donate to MSF/Doctors without borders HERE, visit the RedCross's website and you can also check out CNN's list to see how you can help.

UGG-Choo! Gesundheit!

Apparently, UGG and Jimmy Choo will be frolicking hand in hand through a prairie of probable disaster to create 5 pairs of limited edition shoes for evil people to purchase at ridiculous prices ($595 - $795). Tamara Mellon, the CEO and founder of Jimmy Choo, says that UGGs are the "only other footwear I have in my wardrobe". Sweet Jesus.

Lila Horn part deux

Ok, back to LH. Totally my initials, by the way, hence why I love the above picture-by-Kevin-Colombu so much.

I already showed you the skirts (demonstrated, even!) but alas, we are not on The Price is Right, so it's back to plain old photo-of-the-stuff time. Above are some more patterns available for the Super Skirt - all discreetly colorful with a bit of chic luster in each.

Now. Moving on to the scarves. All made in stunning, bright colors with bold patterns for an elegant effect around the neck. Ooh, that almost rhymed. We bought the grey one (that's sandwiched between two red ones in the below photo).

I do love the sparkly striped ones - trés festive! - and the green and red pon-pon ones, which look great draped loosely on the shoulders.

Every one of them is beautifully reminiscent of the Indian culture and demonstrates the amazing craftsmanship of the country's talented workers, which is what Lila Horn accentuates in each item and fabric they choose. I want them all!