Fashion Week Faves (So Far)

So I was a little slow on the uptake with checking out the A/W 2013 shows. I'm not sure what it was but when NYC started a couple weeks ago, I just had zero interest. Luckily the kickoff of Paris this week kind of snapped my attention back to fashion and I am all in. Everything has been really gorgeous. I always love A/W the best, anyway.

Some of my favorites from Milan and Paris so far:

all photos from showstudio.com.

moodboard for september 2012

this moodboard didn't originally start out dark but, well, err, yea...

hey, i tried.

and here is its soundtrack:

accept some substititions (at least temporarily)

i've been lusting after a ysl muse handbag and rick owens wedges for longer than is appropriate, frankly. unfortunately, neither are in my budget at the moment.

in the meantime, i've found two pretty decent and inexpensive substitutions:

i have no idea about quality, except for the fact that it's pretty much a given that the "knock-offs" are nowhere near as well-made as the originals. neither of the "knock-offs" are even leather, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, they just won't last as long, but they might last a few seasons just the same.

let's be real - nothing compares to the originals, i know. it's a little like shotgunning a packet of splenda when you really want/NEED a spoonful of sugar. these are temporary solutions, but hey - this is what you have to do when you're trying to stop hemorrhaging money and refuse to use credit cards. one day, i will invest in the originals. it sounds sort of silly/shallow, but i do like the idea of "investment pieces". i mean, i guess it really is better to buy lasting pieces than it is to be in a cycle of buying cheap, throwaway items.

one interesting (to me, at least) thing i've found while hunting for substitutions like these is that it really makes me question why i want a particular item - is it because of the label/price/status (hahalajhsdlfkjas) or is it because i genuinely like the style of the item?