by Candace Bahouth

Her fantastical shoes are mosaic.

"flower" by Candace Bahouth

Imaginative.

"china" by Candace Bahouth

Bold.

"mirrored" by Candace Bahouth

Exceptionally constructed.

another stunning Candace Bahouth creation

Utterly gorgeous.

She designs astounding furniture as well. And her grottos – oh my! But the shoes…

I fall to pieces over them. What say you?

shoes

One of my favorite fashion accessories, piled haphazardly and revealing a certain lack of tidiness or, as I like to think of it, my end-of-days shedding process.

What’s the first thing you do when you walk in the door at the end of the day?

Sungazer Ring via Sundance

GLEE! It’s soooo pretty, soooo shiney and soooo sweetly subtle.

DISMAY! It’s soooo not in my price range… though not quite as bad as the Diorette one I drooled over in Duty Free a while back… Anyone out there feeling compelled to gift me with some finger dressing?

I blame Ez for making me look.

And at what – do tell! – do you keep sneaking a peak?

Take a look at Harper’s Bazaar’s August cover model, showing off Marc Jacobs:

photo by Jeffrey Westerbrook for Harper's Bazaar

The NY Times has more shots of the session, but this is my favorite.

Awesome, no?

Stylish Blogger Award

Once upon a time, I actually worked in the fashion industry. I repped high-end children’s clothes – and when I say “high-end,” I mean toddlers’ dresses that wholesaled for $400. Who buys that shit for a kid who will either a) grows out of it within a month or b) smears purple yam puree into the unrepairable, dry-clean-only threads upon first donning? Of course, I sold it, and I sold it well. Briefly.

But I, myself, have never been a huge fashionista. You probably will never see me on the pages of The Satorialist. (Yes, I do secretly dream of the day…) I’ve only recently started wearing dresses for occasions other than weddings and funerals. Shock of shocks, I’m kinda digging the girlie transformation. If only the acquisition of these newly discovered articles of clothing did not require a visit to the mall.

I detest malls, even the walking ones with ponds and fountains in the middle. People are at malls. And kids. Hyped on sugar. And piped-in music. Heavy on Bieber. I’m sure you’re thinking, why not shop online? That would be a great idea, if online stores took checks… or cash.

You see, I no longer use credit cards. We had an ugly fall-out after a very long, very dysfunctional relationship. We still have a daunting number of joint assets, of which I’m working diligently to divest myself. The extended family keeps calling, trying to get us back together. But we are through, I tell you!

I’ve been consoling myself with chocolate – paid for in cash, of course. And ice cream, even though I’m allergic to ice cream. I can’t help it. I made the mistake of walking into Pazzo, where they make the most SINFULLY DELICIOUS ice cream one can find outside Rome. My current obsessions are Sea Salt Caramel and Lemon Basil Sorbet – which isn’t actually ice cream and, therefore, more guiltlessly consumable. Yes, this behavior makes my tummy hurt on occasion and adds to my current Reubenesque physique. But it also helps me strengthen my resolve to get to Italy this year.

And who can find fault in that?

But what does all this rambling have to do with the Stylish Blogger Award, you may be wondering?

As part of my duties as a recipient of this award, I must reveal seven things about myself. Therefore, to recap:

1. I used to work in the fashion biz.
2. I want to be profiled on The Satorialist.
3. I like wearing dresses.
4. I don’t like malls.
5. I don’t use credit cards.
6. I eat ice cream even though I’m allergic to it.
7. I want to go to Italy by the end of 2011.

I must also direct your attention to five bloggers I’ve recently discovered and to whom I wish to bequeath the Stylish Blogger Award in the age-old tradition of paying it forward:

1. Bob’s Head the Gong
2. Allie’s Hyperbold and a Half
3. Emma Tree
4. Jonathan Fields
5. Tara’s Scoutie Girl

Some of the above bloggers are so well-established that you may feel compelled to slam your head into a cement wall at my claims to have only recently discovered them. Others may be new to you as well. Regardless, I urge you to check them out. The venture will be worth your while, I promise! They are all off-the-charts STYLISH!

Now, I shall take my curtsy…

Living
Where do you live: Los Angeles
Favorite art: Rubens, Lichtenstein, Murikami, my own
Pets: Bella, my cat
Favorite neighborhood restaurant: Solar de Cahuenga
Favorite cocktail: Tonic and cranberry juice.
Who inspires you: my great-grandmother, artists, friends, peacemakers
Necessary extravagance: Starbucks, Arclight, DVR, streaming Netflix
Favorite place in the world: my home, Rome, Lhasa, Meteora, Mikonos, Charles Bridge (Prague), Rocky Mountain National Park

Clothes
Designer: Calvin Klein
Jeans: Gap
Underwear: Target, DKNY
Sneakers: Converse
Watch: Swiss Army (aspirational: Movado)
T-shirt: Old Navy
Day bag: Cole Haan, Chloe
Evening bag: vintage 1920′s beaded satchel
Favorite city to shop: Los Angeles

Beauty
Lipstick: MAC, eos
Mascara: Maybelline
Shampoo: in a constant search for the perfect one
Moisturizer: Rodan & Fields, Arbonne, Avalon Organics, Shea Butter
Perfume: Miss Dior Cherie or amber vanilla oil, depending on my mood
Toothpaste: Tom’s of Maine
Soap: Pre de Provence
Nail-polish color: hands – none, just buffed; feet – whatever color of the rainbow strikes my fancy
Who cuts your hair: Rudy’s Garage, Vidal Sassoon Academy
Who colors your hair: nature, baby!

See, wasn’t that fun? I’ve just filled your head with glorious nonsense. Now, it’s your turn to do the same!

by hallorantaylor / flickr

Today, I wore a ruffle skirt – short, with many layers – to work. All day, I marveled at its power…

It made me feel girlie.

It made me feel pretty.

It made me feel comfortable.

It made me feel happy.

Tulle. Thread. Elastic. Simple things. Blissful result.

I’m not a fashionista. But, sometimes, I surprise myself.

by Shutter Daddy / flickr

I’m off to a baseball game this evening. I know virtually nothing about how the game is played.

But there are Cracker Jacks and a time out for stretching. So what if I’m the only one who does a sun salutation at this point in the game.

I like how some of the athletes look in their little leggings, but appreciate that baseball uniforms are to men what skinny jeans and bubble skirts are to women – very few individuals actually look good in them.

I will be wearing my skinny jeans in solidarity.

by Jenny Zarins for Toast

In fact, I barely got four pages into the Spring 2010 catalogue of clothing before I salivating and dreaming of escaping to some Mediterranean hideaway with a shoulder bag packed with choice pieces of linen, a good book and a feather.

by Jenny Zarins for Toast

I have no idea why I had the impulse to pack a feather, but that is how inspiring this catalogue is to me! Check both the Spring Line and House & Home catalogues for yourself, and let me know what you think.

by Jenny Zarins for Toast

The photographs are by Jenny Zarins, the wardrobe styling is by Lesly Dilcock and Gaelle Paul, and the design and art direction is by Lesley Dilcock. I think I’d like to have them all over for tea.

Is there any particular catalogue you’ve received, unexpectedly or not, that transported you someplace delightful?

From Threadless.com

OMG! Isn’t it the cutest thing ever? I mean, really, who wouldn’t be over the moon for this design by Budi Satria Kwan? I admit I’m extremely partial to the moon, and I’ve always thought cows get a bum rap, but really, doesn’t this Fail t-shirt just make you immediately think of milk and cookies? And what could be better than that, FROM A T-SHIRT no less?

by Budi Satria Kwan/threadless.com

Well, the stuck cow might not agree. I kinda feel sorry for him, don’t you? He looks like a “Bob.” Hope you find your way down, Bob. I’m rooting for you!

by Ross Zietz/threadless.com

I become even more impassioned about endangered species than cows, however. Surprising, I know. Which is why I adore Ross Zietz’ Pandamonium. Quite a profound little statement he’s captured with his design, don’t you think? It gets me all riled up, I tell you! And the panda is so damn cute!

by Lucas de Alcantara/threadless.com

Laughter is the best salve when my emotions get hot. I don’t think you even have to be a Star Wars fan to get a chuckle from Lucas de Alcantara’s clever creation. If only we all could be so transformed with a simple New Hairstyle.

by T.J. Zhang/threadless.com

Bangs may not bring about world peace, but flowers put a smile on almost anyone’s face, even the ones in those little tanks who are bent on hurting that poor panda above. You, my lovely readers, are already familiar with how much I love blooming things, so just image how giddy I was to discover T.J. Zhang’s Blooming tee. It about sent me over the moon all over again!

I swear, if Bambi’s mom had gotten a prom picture, this would have been it!

To be fair, I’ve just pointed out my favorite designs. There are plenty of other graphics on the site that might float your boat with more bounce, so go explore (if you are so inclined). The thing I like best about this company is that it is community-based, meaning the Threadless.com membership/readership creates all the graphics, and design decisions are based on community feedback.

Like a big ole Love-In commune for cool t-shirts.

Do you have a favorite t-shirt graphic, from anywhere? Do tell!