Spring Wish List: Red Pants

left to right: Current/Elliot The Stilletto, RED Valentino Wide Leg Pants, camilla and mark Eminent Cropped Pants

They're everywhere for spring, so why am I having such trouble finding the perfect-fitting red pants? I think I may just have to order a few pairs online and see what works. Are you jumping on the red pants bandwagon? I say, bring it!

Interior Inspiration: Paint it Black

 [photos via Tiptoe Butterfly, Apartment Therapy, Lonny Magazine]

I've been choosing paint colors for my bathroom, and while I'm going for dark and glamorous, I've opted for a medium gray (Martha Stewart Flagstone to be exact). I love the photos I see of black rooms, and I would most likely paint a black accent wall in my bedroom if I didn't live in a loft, but it turns out I'm just not ballsy enough for an entire black bath.

Have you incorporated black paint in your home decor? Would you?

When Fashion and Architecture Collide

 [photos by Michel Zoeter via Dezeen]

Fashion and architecture are no strangers: just ask Zaha Hadid. But nothing I've seen is quite as impressive as this collaboration from London architect Daniel Widrig and Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen.

This 3D-printed collection is titled Escapism and was manufactured by .MGX by Materialse to show at Paris Fashion Week earlier this month. The sculptural printing technique results in garments with no seams, which means there is absolutely no sewing involved in the construction.

Style Icon: Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift on the Paramount Lot in 1950 
[Peter Stackpole/TIME & LIFE Pictures]

I'm not sure why I was so surprised this morning when I read that Elizabeth Taylor had passed away. After all, she was 79 and had been unwell for quite some time. I guess it's always a shock to realize that beloved icons are as mortal as the rest of us.

I found myself trolling the Life Archives for early images of the actress, and what I found were representations of easy glamor as we rarely see it today. We may idealize decades past, but there's no doubt in my mind that today's stars just can't measure up to Old Hollywood in terms of style. After the jump, some of my favorite images of Liz from the height of her career...

Street Style

[via ChicagoStreetStyle.com]

You may have noticed that I tend to keep the focus off myself here, and I certainly don't like to post pictures of myself, but I couldn't let this one go. I met Amy of Chicago Street Style at the IFB Conference last month and was completely flattered when she asked to photograph me.

Now I just have to learn not to grin like a fool in the rare instance that I'm approached by a street style photographer! I'll be sure to work on my moody, cool-girl pose for next time.

Amy was one of the few people who recognized that I was wearing a real vintage Somali leopard coat. (Girl knows her stuff!) I realize it's terribly controversial, but the coat belonged to my grandmother. She and her twin sister received matching ones as high school graduation gifts in the late '30s, and I can just imagine how chic the two of them must have looked.

Amy does a beautiful job capturing the unique style of a city that is not necessarily known as a fashion capital (much like Boston!), and it's definitely worth checking out. Thanks, Amy!

Going Green

[via Blue Ant Studio]

You've probably seen enough green PS1 bags today to last you a lifetime, so how about some St. Paddy-approved furniture instead? Design by LEFTOVERS takes ornate antiques and transforms them into playful contemporary pieces by reupholstering them with pre-loved garments.

So, who knows? One of the patches on that armchair could be someone's old booze-soaked shamrock tee from last St. Patrick's Day. Though, I'd prefer to think that's not the case.

Prints for Japan

Prints by (clockwise from top left) OPTIKMASS, Alex Liebold, DGPH, Adam Chang

The Poster Cause Project lives up to the admirable mission of exposing emerging artists while supporting philanthropic organizations. With the overwhelming scenes of devastation we have all seen on television over the past few days, Poster Cause artists have created a special series of Japan Earthquake Relief Prints. The artists are donating 75% of all profits to Doctors Without Borders, an incredible organization that happens to be my charity of choice.

The prints each cost $15, so this is a wonderful opportunity to own a piece of unique artwork while doing your little part to help in the recovery efforts. View more of the print designs here, or click here if you would like to donate to Doctors Without Borders directly.

Nerd Alert!

Pi Cuff Bracelet by Kara Wheeler Design

Happy Pi Day, everyone! March 14th = 3.14, so embrace your inner nerd and check out what some very creative Etsy sellers have done with the symbol.

Tutti Frutti Part II

Speaking of fruity, are these Charlotte Olympia shoes anything short of incredible? Carmen Miranda's got nothing on these babies.

Tutti Frutti

Fashion has gotten all fruity for spring as Refinery 29 pointed out the other day. But how do you feel about fruit in home decor? Is it a fun way to add some color or just too much?

P.S. - It's my first time using Tag Loudly. What do you think? Shoot me an email if you'd like an invite code for your own blog.

Harris Center Forum: DVF Speaks Out on International Women's Day

[image via tumblr]

Clearly, this isn't one of the pictures I took when Diane von Furstenberg spoke at Harvard Business School Tuesday evening. Photography wasn't allowed, and my camera is awful anyways. But it does perfectly represent the designer's keynote address at the Harris Center for Education and Advocacy in Eating Disorders' Annual Public Forum.

On the one hand, Diane made no claims to any expertise in the field of eating disorders, even as it relates to fashion. She barely addressed the topic directly, other than to say that society's obsession with giant fake tits (her words, not mine) is as horrifying as its obsession with extreme thinness. Hmm...

On the other hand, I was pleasantly surprised that Diane's speech was not just a rehashing of last year's panel discussion, which saw Anna Wintour, Michael Kors and Natalia Vodianova discuss the CFDA's health initiatives. Even as CFDA president, Diane stayed away from this well-trod territory and focused, instead, on female empowerment. Did I mention that it just so happened to be International Women's Day?

The designer was perfectly charming in her telling of her own inspirational story. Did you know she lost control of her brand in the '70s after creating her iconic wrap dress? She then went on to launch a successful line of cosmetics and beauty books before introducing DVF in its current incarnation in the '90s.

The message that kept popping up throughout the speech was one of strength in femininity, be it through the wrap dress' accentuation of a woman's natural curves or through Diane's business ambition in the face of criticism. Hers is not a story of rags to riches, though: Marrying a prince and traveling in New York's most exclusive social circles no doubt played a part in her success. So, while her call to reach for the sky seemed a bit trite, the larger theme of self-acceptance and female empowerment was lost on no one. A perfect speech for International Women's Day if there ever was one.

DIANE Collection

[via dvf.com]

In a few hours, I'm off to see Diane Von Furstenberg speak at the annual public forum by The Harris Center for Education and Advocacy in Eating Disorders. My boyfriend said the choice of speaker sounds awfully ironic, but despite appearances, the CFDA has done a great deal to address the issue over the past few years. I attended the forum last year, too, and was very impressed by what speakers Anna Wintour, Michael Kors and Natalia Vodianova had to say.

I plan to post a full recap later this week, but in the meantime, here's a look at one of DVF's latest projects.

T.J.Maxx/Marshalls Spring Preview

T.J.Maxx and Marshalls were kind enough to invite me to a spring press preview yesterday at the Ames Hotel, and they did a beautiful job setting up the space. Vignettes around the room showed off the season's trends - including global, flirty/feminine and nautical influences - and provided a little escape from the below freezing temps outside.

I have to admit that I went on a bit of a T.J.Maxx spending spree on Tuesday with a store credit I had. The Fresh Pond location is filled the to brim right now with designer finds - Stella McCartney, Rag & Bone, Elizabeth and James, Halston Heritage, Vivienne Tam. My oh my! As much as I love Saks and Barneys (especially at sale time), there's nothing quite like the feeling you get when you find the good stuff at off-price stores.

Have you come across any great discount finds lately? I met a girl at the event who was wearing silver Laboutins she had found at T.J.Maxx. I thought it was just an urban myth!

Take the Last Train to Stockholm

[all photos via Entertainment Web]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - Swedes just do it better. Their design, their government, their meatballs, they just seem to get it right. Then I see their subway stations, and I realize how good they really have it. The T should be ashamed of itself right now.

Click through to see more amazing stations.

Anzfer Farms

 

[all images courtesy Anzfer Farms]

I stumbled across these bare bulb lamps by Anzfer Farms on Etsy, and it was love at first sight - warm, modern, simple perfection. If you visit here often enough, you probably know this kind of thing is right up my alley.

In their San Francisco workshop, designers Jon Anzalone and Joe Ferriso find inspiration in their materials, morphing reclaimed wood into objects that fail to mask their origins. In addition to lighting, the Anzfer Farms duo have created an incredible series of vases mounted on wood fragments and imaginative furniture and shelving.