Happy In Helmut

Helmut Lang is one of my favorite labels. Minimalist but sculptural and the colors are always wonderfully neutral backdrops for my crazy-bright accessories and jewelry. But HL is cost-prohibitive at regular retail price, so I sadly own only one piece of that brand. (It is a grey silk top that is perfectly draped and body-conscious-but-not-remotely-tight so I want to wear it ALL THE TIME but don't want to look like a crazy person so I take a break from it now and again...AKA-- when it is at the dry cleaners... hehe)

Having subjected you to my ode-to-Helmut-Lang, you can imagine my excitement when I saw an email this morning from Shopbop announcing the new, more affordable HELMUT line from Helmut Lang! If you are in to drapey minimalism or just need some great basics to use as a foundation for more flashy pieces, check the collection out online.

Here are a few of my fav's:

Kinetic Jersey Racerback Dress

Overdye Skinny Jeans

Kinetic Jersey Racerback Maxi Dress

Kinetic Side Slit Maxi Dress

Are you a Helmut Lang fan or does the line get boring with season after season of muted colors and simple silhouettes? Any other new diffusion lines you are excited about?

Top of My List...

At home in the desert this week-- sorry for the lack of posts but I am having too much fun playing hooky from life to do anything productive. I did not pack a hat for my trip, so the 105 degrees of blazing sun have me pining for a fedora, panama or wide-brimmed topper. Any kind will do, but here are a few of my favorites from the web:

Another topic that seems to come up this time of year-- any new and amazing sunscreen finds? The Cetaphil SPF 50 facial sunscreen that I used last year did not cause any breakouts, but it did leave my face shinier than acceptable standards of dewiness allow... in my book anyway. Which is a crazy read-- but I digress. If you know of any sunscreens that leave a matte finish, especially in a humid climate, I am all ears! (And face)!

Back on the Chain Gang!

I have been wanting to make a new necklace for some time, but haven't been a fan of anything I have whipped up lately. In need of inspiration, I did a little searching and a little pinning (it's an addiction I fully admit to having) and found some great chain necklaces that I would love to DIY. Some aren't feasible projects for an amateur like me, but maybe they'll inspire me to up my game!

1. Lizzie Fortunato Jewels Cosmic View Necklace
2. Dannijo Galapagos Necklace
3. Maison Martin Margiela Twisted Necklace
4. Rachel Leigh Jewelry Estates Soiree Necklace

This isn't a DIY piece, but I loved the color and statement that this Tory Burch Resin Chain necklace makes:

 What have you been inspired to make lately? And where do you look for inspiration?

Soft Sands

I normally skip over my Shopbop email of the day, but today, they hooked me! The "Soft Sands" shoot was on a sandy beach (natch) with clothing that would certainly be appropriate for urban living, but looked effortless in the wind and surf. Here are some of the looks:






The above dress is my favorite! Needless to say, I was plotting an immediate beach-escape while eating my breakfast, but decided that it was better to go to work...for now at least ;)
Does anyone else get lots of shopping emails and rarely look at them?