Maya

 M.I.A. by Ryan McGinley [via The New York Times Magazine]

Not gonna lie - I'm not a huge fan of dance music, and I have to be in just the right mood to throw on some M.I.A. But this woman is a bad ass like no other. With her politically driven lyrics, the Sri Lankan rapper possesses writing skills (and fashion sense) beyond comparison.

In today's New York Times Magazine, photographer Ryan McGinley captures a softer side of Maya Arulpragasam without sacrificing the edge that makes her M.I.A. Click through for the rest of the photos.

The Cat Came Back... Again

Pinkyotto's version of the Miu Miu cat and bird prints

Look familiar? Yep, those are the now famous Miu Miu cat and bird prints - or at least copies of them. It was no surprise when Zara co-opted the cat print, but Pinkyotto? As a smallish label with stores on Newbury Street and in New York, I was a little shocked to see such blatant copycatting (pun intended) of a luxury brand.

I've mentioned before that Pinkyotto is by far one of my favorite shops, carrying affordable and unique pieces that you're sure not to see on every other girl in town. So I was baffled to see something so utterly un-unique.

Zaha Hadid for Swarovski

Zaha Hadid for Swarovski (clockwise from top left: Glace cuff bracelet, necklace, ring, ring, cuff bracelet) 

[via designboom]

I love it when fashion and architecture come together so seamlessly! Iraqi-born architect Zaha Hadid has designed shoes for Melissa and an "art container" for Chanel. Now the Pritzker Prize winner has collaborated with Swarovski on this five-piece "Glace" jewelry collection. I'm not usually a fan of Swarovski (too sparkly), but see what a little architectural styling can do?

Brimfield Find: When Lindy Met Sandy

 
I know I promised you a report on my Brimfield purchases and my favorite vendor, so here it is: When Lindy Met Sandy. These North Carolina ladies specialize in vintage reproductions, including Vogue, Couture and Harper's Bazaar covers, as well as botanical prints and a "Bathing Beauties" series of flapper-era prints.

Roll It: Fabulous Living for Hamster-People

[via ArchDaily]

Just looking at this makes me dizzy. Roll It is a prototype house designed at the University of Karlsruhe in Germany. The modular space is made up of three cylinders: one with a bed and table, one for exercise (it's a hamster wheel!), and one with a kitchen and sink.

It reminds me a bit of Aristide Antonas' design, but a whole lot cooler.

Weekend Happenings

 The old space (above) was charming, but the new shop looks so much better [image via The Velvet Fly]

I stopped by The Velvet Fly's new North End location last Sunday, and the store looked fantastic. With patterned couches in the dressing rooms and curtains hung from Anthropologie, it all looked complete to me. But, no, the shop keep said, there was still more to be done. Go check out the final product tonight at the boutique's grand opening party, and enjoy 10% off.

More happenings after the jump...

While I'm Sick...

[via  Chrissy Styles]

Sorry for the lack of posts this week; I've been feeling pretty blah the past few days. That doesn't mean I would leave you hanging though! While I'm sick, check out Chrissy Styles. Chrissy describes her blog as "musings on art and fashion," and her idea of turning to paintings for outfit inspiration is pretty brilliant.

Enjoy! I promise to do some weekend posts to make up for my absence.

One Man's Trash...

Sunday turned out to be a perfect day for walking through the fields of the Brimfield Antique Show & Flea Market. I'll be writing about my favorite vendor (and my purchases) soon, but I thought I'd share a few photos in the meantime.

I caught this couple getting frisky behind the tents.

This dress reminded me of a very close friend circa 2003. Comment if you know who you are!

Colorful vintage specs

A junkyard mariachi band

If you missed Brimfield this time around, the show will be back in town July 13-18 and September 7-12. Definitely worth the trip!

Austria Resurfaces

[via Fashion Gone Rogue]

Remember Austria Alcantara from Models.Live? It was a Vogue web show that I was slightly obsessed with when it was on in 2008. I hadn't heard of Austria since, so I was positively giddy when I spotted these photos by Laurie Bartley for Ten Magazine.

I think Austria was only 15 or 16 when she appeared on Models.Live, and it's nice to see she's had some success as she's grown up. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of this Dominican beauty - blond hair and blue eyes be damned!

Wish List: LD Tuttle Fall '10 Shoes

[images via refinery29]

How did you know I was in the market for new ankle boots? I'll take the taupe ones please. Plus the blue sandals and the brogues and the black clogs and...

StyleFixx and My Project Runway Run-In

 Kara Janx and one of the few photos of me you'll ever see here

My best friend and I bought half-price tickets on a whim to StyleFixx Girls Night Out. These girly
shopping/cocktail events are always popping up, so why not give it a try?

The event was at the Cyclorama last night, and after learning that we had five(!) free drink tickets, we headed over to get Stellas and some awful champagne. Then we were off to snake our way through the crowds.

Among the Avon ladies, Lia Sophia reps and vendors of truly ugly handbags, there were a few standouts worth mentioning.

Weekend Happenings

[Brimfield photo by Angelo Dounoucos]

Cannot wait for the Brimfield Antique Show & Flea Market this weekend! I tried to go last year, but for some reason it didn't work out. I'm finally headed to the little Western Mass. town this Sunday to scour through fields and fields of trash and treasure. I'm not looking for anything in particular, but who knows what I'll find?

Lots more going on this weekend (and more beautiful Brimfield photos) after the jump...

Behind the Surface

Can't stop staring at these underwater images by Italian photographer Nadia Moro. [via the lovely Designtegration]

Alice in Wonderland Cabinet

[image via Yanko Design]

Months after the release of the Tim Burton film, the Alice in Wonderland design phenomenon just won't die. And it doesn't bother me one bit. From eye-popping cosmetic sets to a renewed interest in haberdashery, I love all of the crazy that goes along with Alice.

The Alice in Wonderland cabinet by Studio-Ziben is a subtle take on the film's theme, but the asymmetry and contrasting legs give it just enough madness for the Hatter's approval.

Female Scientist Wallpaper by Katie Deedy

[via boingboing]

I've noticed a lot of Darwinist/ecological inspiration popping up lately (more on that later), and I love Katie Deedy's feminist spin on the idea:

"And while discoveries by men such as Darwin and Newton have made them household names, there are countless others whose scholarly work has been lost, forgotten or even usurped by other intellectuals. Our Spring 2010 wallpaper line highlights three such individuals, all of whom are women, whose phenomenal academic stories have fallen between the cracks of history." 

Green bugs may not be not for everyone, but I can see this handmade wallpaper as the perfect base for a curiosity shop themed bathroom or study. Think pinned butterflies, terrariums and bell jars.

Elements House by MOS

 [via Core77]

Described as "architecture for a new ecology," Element House by MOS Architects is designed to be pre-fabricated, modular and run totally off the grid energy-wise. It doesn't exist yet, unfortunately. (The best ones never do.) But the Museum of Outdoor Arts in Denver, where the project is currently on display, plans to build a prototype of Element House this summer!

This would be a dream to furnish. I wonder what prototype real estate goes for these days.

Veiled in Buenos Aires

 
Sebastian Faena shot this pre-fall fashion spread in Buenos Aires for V Magazine. I know almost nothing about V, but it's my new favorite.

Weekend Happenings

A  Jonathan Adler design for the Urban Showhouse [image via style carrot]

I was so relieved to hear that the Urban Showhouse would be open again this weekend since I was out of town the last time around. The four-story loft space has been decked out by the likes of Jonathan Adler and other design stars to benefit the Pine Street Inn. Tickets are available at the door for $10 today and Friday, $20 on Saturday and Sunday. And the house is on the market, too. You know,  in case you've got $2 mil just burning a hole in your pocket.

Click through for more weekend events...

Bedtime in Rajasthan

 

The India-inspired May Anthropologie catalog arrived in my mailbox yesterday, tempting me with sleep in the best way possible,