RETAIL PORN: TOTOKAELO MAN

One of the great things about the internet is how it compresses distance, ya? Like when I discovered Totokaelo's gorgeous website and was all like, "Oh shit, another lil' slice of Scandinavian cool to obsess over." Then I realized Totokaelo is actually in Seattle, of all places, which makes no sense to me because I kind of feel like Seattle might as well be in Canada. But I guess now I have a reason to visit the city other than touring all of the sites where 10 Things I Hate About You was filmed. (Photos Jill Wegner; click image for source.)

Totokaelo Man opened this spring. They carry illness from Saturdays Surf, Rick Owens, Yohji Yamamoto, Maison Martin Margiela, APC...I could go on. It's a nice mix, if somewhat par for the course at this point, but I like how their model wears it all with aplomb:

And their blog photography is great, but you bitches know I'm such a sucker for that analog hipster isht. P.S. sorry I called you a bitch, mom, just checking to see if you're still paying attention.

I want that currency necklace so so bad, plus they sell the Dieppa Restrepo platforms I'm obsessed with! And look how stylish their ladymodels are:

I mean, I would wear that verbatim. And before I forget, look at how sex the store's interior is, ungh:

You can visit Totokaelo in all the places: Instagram, Twitter, women's site, home site. Enjoy!

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DRESSING TO FEEL BETTER

"You need to learn to say no to senseless rhythms and schizophrenia. Something fast, something that is supposed to change your personality, your tastes...you have to learn to refuse this mechanism..." - designer Christophe Lemaire talks to Apartamento magazine.

THE EVOLUTION OF STYLE

My style has changed a lot since I was a teen. Like, a lot a lot. Luckily for all of us, the magic of Facebook is here to archive all of those less fortunate life choices and turn them into a handy-dandy Timeline feature you can share with your friends endlessly (and shamelessly). In the spirit of publicly embarrassing myself before some boy I Facebook friend trolls through all of my photos hoping to find something of me shirtless (I know I'm not the only one who does that)[not to myself, to like, other boys], here are five of the biggest changes in my style over the last few years (with pictures!)[duh.]

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EZRA MILLER X TERRY RICHARDSON

I've already declared my love for Ezra Miller as the male beauty icon right now, and Terry Richardson's latest round of portraits of the actor (as seen on Richardson's blog) does nothing to discourage my inner fangirl. I'm particularly drawn to these two shots for their seventies flair and the contrast between sunglasses/arms crossed/hot flash and sunnies off/arms down/natural light. As if Richardson was just like, "Hey man, what would Jim Morrison do?"

There will be some content diversity (or at least something other than men with long hair) next week, te promiso! Actually, come to think of it, I have one more editorial I fell in love with last week that might be shared...where my mind goes, the blog follows! Have a happy Friday, y'all!

INSTAGRAM LIFE VOL. 4

I know Instagram recently launched an online presence (check out my page here), so posting my favorite snaps on the blog seems a tad irrelevant. But...I still like it! And honestly, I haven't looked at anyone's Instagram page since they launched the site (except for Rihanna's?) so re-posting these here will continue until further notice. Above: I like vintage things! Including Vespas (not necessarily vintage), desks, tables and cars.

I really am doing the street style thing I mentioned last time! Doing it on a mobile device feels pretty organic, like it should have its own slogan/hashtag - Street style hits the streets! #style2go

Also, I love graffiti. Here are some favorite outdoor art installations as of late...

Follow me on Instagram @thisfruitsnaps

LATE AFTERNOON

Ari and I and two dSLR's spent some quality time gallivanting around Bushwick last week, takin' snaps and strikin' poses. Actually, there were no poses - just unbridled Fashion oozing out of Ari's effortlessly chic pores. We didn't get to shoot a bunch of outfits as the whole operation was a bit fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, so to speak, but I think the elements of Ari's style shine through pretty beautifully.

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dear internet no. 23

Ohmigod, you guys...this week I discovered Hawai'ian style blogger Tevis Swain and I am OBSESSED. I know a lot of people say that facetiously, so let me clarify for you my exact level of crazy...I: 1) scrolled through his entire blog [it's only like, five or six pages, natch] 2) fanned him on Lookbook 3) Followed him on Tumblr and 4) sent him overexcited fanmail.
Long story short, the internet is TERRIFYING, and I am why.

One of the best and worst things about living in NYC is all the window shopping you can do, but even better is going back online and finding those gorgeous products you saw in a shop and wank- er, blogging about them. Wait, what? These Common Projects derbies are 2-die-4.

Look at this pattern I found on Pinterest! This squiggly ikat is "exuberant chic." I love it most on the bath curtain - it makes the tassel trim fun instead of stuffy. You can find the source images from my decorating board here: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Chickpea + cherry tomato salad. I made this! It was super easy and delicious, right up my alley. You can find the whole list of "main-course" salads over at Martha Stewart, but I also recommend checking out this version, because it sounds, dare I say it? Even better than Martha's. (image via Diana Dishes)

And from Martha Stewart to a track called, "Phone Sex," by an artist named Blood Diamonds. All in a day's work. Featuring Grimes' vocals, it's basically a perfect pop tune...the only thing perfecter is that slammin' cover art.

Enjoy Fri/Sat/Sun and stalk me if you're feeling frisky @thisfruitsnaps on Instagram!

BLEACHED BLACK

My friend Ariel's hair is, for lack of better phrasing, totally wicked awesome. You'll probably see him again on the blog soon because I'm obsesssssed with his style...he's basically the Korean male Erin Wasson. Stay tuned.

[SHORTS STORY] AMERICAN PREP

This month I'm embarking on a special journey...a journey to that item of clothing at the heart of summer dressing: shorts. Shorts are tricky because, to be blunt, it's easy to look like crap wearing them. Weird pocket placement, strange and unnecessary seams around the ass/crotch, a plethora of lengths that can be really unflattering...shorts are tricky. Enter the first in my Shorts Story series: American Prep. This is different from Euro-inflected versions of preppiness because boat shoes. Also, see my horse bracelet, vintage kelly green Lacoste polo and whalebone necklace. I'm big into shorts-cuffing and highly recommend it for enhanced cuteness. To switch things up this week, you can see a modified version of the outfit below, topped off with a lightweight vintage sportcoat instead of a cardi.

This was fittingly shot at the gardens at the University of Virginia, speaking of which...I did some gardening yesterday! (BAM life update segue) While wearing something decidedly less preppy I volunteered at Annie Novak's Eagle Street Rooftop Farm here in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. I worked with a few other volunteers to plant rows of peppers - with my hands, y'all! I actually learned about planting stuff in the ground, which was awesome - and what's more awesome is that Annie described our work as "perfect"! So if anyone asks what I''m doing up here you can tell them I'm a gentleman farmer; I've got the Instagrams to prove it!

photos Joel Codiamat // hat Urban Outfitters // polo, sportcoat and bracelet Low Vintage // cardigan American Apparel // shorts H&M // belt Uniqlo // shoes Band of Outsiders for Sperry

LE SHAN, C'EST CHIC

I had the luck to meet Shannon a few weeks ago when she modeled for Get Low. The Irish-Lebanese beauty and I quickly bonded over how we're both bodacious boho-babes (read: she is tall and gorgeous and I am a level three elf lord with big dreams) and how much we love vintage. Her collection of rings is pretty damn impressive, and look - she wears hats too! Shannon's working at Low now, dispensing beaucoup styling advice and being infinitely bubblier and more helpful than I have ever been in a retail setting - be sure to pay her a visit!

PATRON OF THE NEW

T Magazine recently did a profile on new boutique Patron of the New and it sounds wooonderful. The article author declares it "feels far more Parisian than American" and notes that he was encouraged to try on a dress if he felt like it, which is always a good sign. He also demonstrates how to wear a jumpsuit (tying it off half mast in a nice nod to the nineties' flannel-round-the-waist look) and works sweats-for-day, an ensembular phenomenon first legitimized by Alexander Wang. There is one problem, though, with picture two: where the hell is this guy's chest carpet? It's pretty much universally acknowledged by everyone with taste and class that a deep-V requires some serious fur. Unless, of course, your Twitter or other social media handle includes the word "boi," which I guess we'll assume is the case for this heterosexual New York Times writer. #offthehook

photos by Noah Emrich

SPRING COLOR BLOCKING

I asked my friend Lucy to help me with a project I'm working on for Vintage Vixen (more to come on that later), but it took a conceptual turn and I found myself with a model surplus. Lucy was still game for playing dress up, though: here she is wearing a gorgeous silk blouse by French label Equipment and vintage Escada trousers with vintage accessories. The red with fuschia feels very current and a high waist + gold = never better. Consider this post a trend "how-to" piece, if you will! I shot Lucy last year as well and have included some snapshots of that action below...

Follow me on Instagram @xoxofruitpunch

DEAR INTERNET No. 18

Feeling inspired to share...this look from The Locals. Now that winter is seemingly gone - it at least feels that way - I have to share this amazing look before it becomes totally irrelevant. Such perfection!

You may remember I blogged about designer Mark D. Sikes' incredible California home as featured in House Beautiful, and lately I've been turning to his Tumblr-esque blog for inspiration/Pinterest fodder. These dining rooms are super formal, but have an exuberant glamour that I think would translate well in any home.

I have finally really started searching for and finding a lot of great photography on Flickr. This is just a taste, a pretty/moody picture of flowers...a metaphor for my online awakening of sorts? Be on the lookout for some intense foto-bombage in the near future.

One of my favorite blog finds of late is Shiggersonstreet by Dustin Hanke. I have no idea what the name means, but I love Dustin's edgy, androgynous style (and awesome hair). Damn, those are some tight pants!

And finally, Inez and Vinoodh released a video complement to their stunning Vogue Paris editorial I blogged about here. Check it out above, or click here to view it in full quality at the Vogue website.

EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL

My friend and I were talking about SEO the other week and how much what you title your posts matters. I, personally, like my artsy-fartsy-er titles, such as this one. It makes sense because I love so many elements of these outfits...everything but the girl! Oh, vomit. That was terrible! Who let me type that? Well, hopefully you can see past that joke and enjoy this Tumblr-esque post celebrating my continuing lust for neutrals, muted jewel tones, layers, black and white and beanies, beanies, beanies. My favorite part of fashion week is quickly becoming the overwhelming swirl of behind-the-scenes and on-the-street action, though I do have a post or two about the collections coming your way...

For more street style inspiration, visit my Tomgirl board on Pinterest!
photos via: IOULEX, Kevin Tachman and Elle Muliarchyk for T Magazine (their "Photos of the Moment" series is a personal favorite), Tommy Ton for Style.com, The Sartorialist, Phil Oh for Vogue.com, The Locals, and An Unknown Quantity

P.S. Opening Ceremony featured the runway soundtracks for some of their favorite shows on their blog and I am totally in love with Calla's mix - check it out below! Its also available for download, natch.

SHOWTUNES: CALLA FW12 - "Prêtes à Tout" Compiled by Olivier Bobin & Yannick Grandjean by OpeningCeremony