My Birthday Wish List - The Dream

Hopefully I'm not the only one that has a realistic birthday list and a dream birthday list. As a fashion girl there have always been those quintessential items that I want and long for but for me are not realistic. Mostly, it's because of the cost.  I just can't justify spending that much.  Others, they are possible but not in the budget right now. My realistic list is the one that I give to {msL}or my family when they ask what I want for my birthday. Today  I thought I'd share my dream list with you.  On Friday, my actual birthday, I'll share my realistic list.

 ASOS Leopard fur coat / Christian Louboutin leather pumps / Louis Vuitton Epi Leather Speedy / Alexander McQueen Knuckle Duster Clutch / Stella & Dot Pegasus necklace / Apple® - iPad® 2 / Levenger Circa iPad Foldover Notebook / TOM FORD Black Orchid Perfume

• A Leopard fur coat (faux of course) has been on my list for a long time. I found this version at Asos and love it but spending over $100 on a coat right now isn't in my budget.  I've started saving and hopefully it will still be available when my piggy bank is full.  
• The Stella & Dot Pegasus necklace is fantastic.  It's a little more expensive than most of the Stella & Dot pieces. I'm planning to use my hostess credits to buy it but I'll have to wait a bit to save the rest.
• Oh, Christian Louboutin, why do you have to make such great shoes?  And those red soles. They are irresistible.  There are lots of great styles but if I can only have one pair, they would be a classic pair I could wear for years. 
• Every time I use a friend's iPad, I feel a bit of envy.  My iPhone has become a piece of technology that I can't do without.  I'm sure an iPad would be the same.  
• As much as I love technology, I still love to take notes by hand. The Circa iPad Notebook by Levenger would be the best of both worlds.
• The Alexander McQueen Knuckle Duster clutch has been on my lust list for a long time. It's the perfect combination of pretty and tough.  I'd love to wear it with pretty dress. 
• A few years ago, I tried on Tom Ford's Black Orchid perfume and fell in love.  I didn't fall in love with the cost but it never left my must have list. Someday...
• The Louis Vuitton Speedy is the perfect bag for me. I love the top handles and size.  The simplicity of the Epi Leather and the single monogram are classic. 

My dream list is just that, a dream.  Hopefully, one day, when {msL} wins the lottery, I'll get the items on my list.

Moment of Lust - Alexander McQueen Union Jack Skull Clutch

My skull obsession continues.  I love this clutch from Alexander McQueen.  It's both quintessential McQueen and British. The colors are great and the skull adds something special. The McQueen version costs $1545!  Definitely not doable.  We could take a big chunk out of our wedding catering budget with that money. So of course I went in search of a less expensive alternative.

I found the solution by doing a bit of searching.  One of the retailers on Amazon.com is selling a clutch that is almost identical for only $50!  That's a savings of $1495.  Well not really a savings seeing that I would either find a budget friendly alternative or I'd go without.

I'm thrilled!

Fashion and Style Quote of the Day (#8)

"I think there is beauty in everything. What ‘normal’ people would perceive as ugly, I can usually see something of beauty in it." — Alexander McQueen

 

 

The world lost an amazing talent and visionary when Alexander McQueen took his own life on February 11, 2010.  His thinking that you can see beauty in things that many find ugly or strange is a great lesson.  I think beauty can be found in all sorts of places. I have long been in love with his Gothic style and use of skulls in his designs. I've been trying to recreate his knuckle clutch and I'm still working on it.
 

The coolest cuff links ever!

Feathers and more feathers, WOW!

The details in this ruffle dress are amazing.

You might recognize the peacock dress above from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. Fleur Delacour wore it as her wedding dress when she married William Weasley.  I personally love this dress.  I think it would be an amazing wedding dress and I may have to take some cues from it when making my own.

Lest you think that McQueen only designs gowns and red carpet attire, here is a dress a Real Girl could wear to an event.  A Real Girl with a huge fashion budget, I might add.

 

The house of McQueen also created Kate Middleton's dress for the royal wedding. Sarah Burton from the house of McQueen and protege of Alexander was the designer. 

 

 

Do you love McQueen? 

Inspiration - Alexander McQueen Exhibit

I am very sad that I couldn't make to New York to see the Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The pictures I've seen were amazing. The exhibit closed Sunday. The lines were down the block over the weekend. People were waiting for hours. That shows the amazing power of McQueen's artistry and talent.

Lines the Last Weekend

Alexander McQueen was a genius. The detail of his designs will be studied and copied forever. He is truly inspiring.

Just a Little Bit of the Savage Beauty Exhibit

Moment of Lust: Alexander McQueen Knuckle Clutch

In keeping with my recent obsession with tough, punk, industrial fashions, my lastest lust is the Alexander McQueen Knuckle Clutch. It isn't a recent addition to the fashion scene. I've adored it for some time. When you see the cost, you'll understand why I've only admired it from afar.

There are so many reasons to love this special clutch. The iridescent color is fresh. The sparkles and skulls are so 80's punk. When carrying it to a party, it will be so easy to hold onto the bag. Not to mention the fact that it has built in jewelry.

This version of the clutch is available on Net-A-Porter.com for $1,595. Other versions are available from Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Zappos and Alexander McQueen for $1,895 - $2,295.  Even if I thought it was a good idea to spend that much money on one tiny bag, it would still be my clothing budget for a few years. I don't think I could give up shoes and all other new clothes for one clutch.

I'm working on my own DIY version of this bag. Look for it soon.