halcoholic

DRUGS OF YOUTH.

2012-02-07T01:12:00.000-08:00

Finally, Käärme's second collection, FAST DRUMS NUMB GUMS, has arrived. I couldn't be more stoked. I'm so tired that I almost typed "stokeder," What you see in the lookbook that isn't available in the shop yet will be up there later on today.

So much work went into this collection. We toiled. We tweaked. We re-tweaked. We molded. We hammered. We shaped, stamped and tramped, I feel like I just ran a marathon, minus the physical triumph. In essence, it was totally worth it -- thanks to the horde of carnies and Big Book-thumping psychotic throwbacks (aka our retail customers), our wholesale customers, and a few other very special elite juggalos (u KnOw wHo U aRe), we're getting ready to enter the production stage of the spring/summer collection. It's been surreal to experience this little label grow from just a handful of t-shirts to a cornucopia of incredibly crafted RTW and a horde of carnie nutcases who faithfully don our freakwear. We're super thankful for the overwhelming amount of positive response & support; expect much, much more in the very remote future. In the meantime, enjoy our blood, sweat, and tears by wearing it while you bleed, sweat, and cry.

I recently received some mind-blowing jewelry from Australian unisex jewelry label Drawn & Quartered. When I say "mind-blowing," I mean crazy fucking incredible. Like, you wear the shit and it takes your breath away in such a fashion that you nearly suffocate and drop dead. So, I'll be styling that gorgeous stuff on here in my next post. This nonsensical psychospeak is actually relevant: I'm enthralled to announce that Drawn & Quartered and Käärme are collaborating on some criminally badass jewelry. And I'm sorry to say that it is going to be mandatory once ya'll get wind of it. You've been warned.

More soon! &hearts

SLAVE TO CONVENTION.

2012-01-15T14:31:00.001-08:00

Endovanera cloak, Ann-Sofie Back safety pin top, Actual Pain leggings, Margiela heels, Givenchy bag. All jewelry courtesy of Adelina Mictlan.

I don't have to say much about Adelina Mictlan's new collection; the pieces speak for themselves. Here I am sporting my rose gold 2-finger DOOM ring (this is now available in sterling and black or white powder-coat), my new VI VI VI slave bracelet (how amazing is it?), crescent moon earrings (these come in a larger version as well), and borrowed my husband's ram skull necklace because it goes so well with the rest of the pieces. I kept with the theme by pairing everything with these occult leggings by Actual Pain, and my Margiela "hoof" heels which compliment the rusty rose gold tone of Mictlan's jewelry. The Endovanera cloak always reminds me of that sludge band SUNN O)))))))

We're working hard to get Kaarme's new lookbook online within the next couple of days and have the new pieces available to purchase later on this week. This collection cost so much blood, sweat, and tears but is SO worth it and I have to say I'm very proud. I'll keep yall posted. xo

THROTTLE YA BLUE.

2011-12-26T12:41:00.000-08:00

Jac Vanek t-shirt, Twisted Lamb x Skingraft leggings, Skingraft talon bag, Balenciaga s/s '11 boots, "Suspendo" pendant by Käärme, Ann-Sofie Back shade,. devil's hand cuff courtesy of Actual Pain, shit-ton of sterling rings.

Too exhausted to do some actual blogging, so here is this post ~~lazily~~ briefly summarized:

1) My hair is turquoise. Love it.
2) My bag and leggings are both from Skingraft. Love them.
3) The amazing huge stone cocktail rings were sent to me courtesy of Hard Candy Gems. I have some exciting news re: HCG to share in the remote future. Be excited, be-be excited. Jucify you! Love it.
4) The script tattoo on my arm is new and says "Easy Livin'," my little homage to Uriah Heep. Love it.
5) I can't take off our Suspendo (hanged man) pendant. He'll be available for purchase soon -- the Fast Drums, Numb Gums lookbook will go live on 010312, and the new merchandise will be hitting the webshop HARD by 011112. Love it.

Hope you all had joyful holidays! I, myself, am anti-joy. Therefore, I spent Christmas morning (after watching my son devour his mountain of presents, of course) watching the Lifetime Movie Network in footie PJs, eatching Ben and Jerry's peach cobbler ice cream.

FAST DRUMS, NUMB GUMS.

2011-12-20T00:09:00.000-08:00

Impaler spiked leather messenger bag; Der Todesking II shirt.

Browbeater spiked leather hat; Play to Die shirt.

Suspendo sterling pendant.

Maverick splatter jeans in green & red colorways. Fast Drums Numb Gums shirt on Al, Cephalobong shirt on me.

TOTAL shirt.

Some previews of Käärme's new lookbook for our second collection, Fast Drums Numb Gums. The collection in its entirety will be available for purchase through our webshop the first week of January 2012. Ring in the new year by bludgeoning someone with the messenger bag, right? Much thanks to Al Gar for posing for our pictures and looking badass in the clothes.

Suspendo (aka the hanged man)

I've been absolutely swamped in every way recently, but I promise I will give myself a kick in the ass and start being a proper blogger. Tomorrow I'll be doing a feature post on the incredible new Adelina Mictlan collection. My husband has been rocking the rose gold ram skull pendant nonstop, and I am waiting on a really fucking cool slave bracelet that, true to its name, will probably never leave my hand. Gentlemen, I know you're scrambling to buy your lady the perfect xmas gift ... rest assured, she will not snub her nose at these:

powder-coated brass triple pyramid stud ring in black or white.

tall sterling etched cuff.

me wearing my 2-finger rose gold DOOM ring. So many people compliment me on this ring; it's gotten to the point that when I wear it out, I put a bunch of Ms. Mictlan's business cards in my bag before I leave the house. They're usually all gone by the time I get home, haha.

Not only are these pieces (and a boatload of others on the A. Mictlan web shop) ready to ship (most Adelina Mictlan pieces have a 3+ week wait, as they are made to order), but they're really affordable as well, especially for the quality of Ms. Mictlan's work. And just look at them. Who wouldn't want to wear this stuff on the regs?

Hope the holidays aren't kicking your asses too hard ,,, don't forget to kick back, drink a pumpkin latte (I recommend 7-11's rendition of the beverage) and just relax. I hate seeing people miserable around the holidays because they are under a titanic amount of stress. It's not worth it! &hearts

WHITE KNUCKLE FEVER.

2011-11-26T06:16:00.000-08:00

Bebe quilted faux fur trim coat, Analog flannel shirt, Ivan Grundahl belt, Jeffrey Campbell "Tardy" boots, Givenchy bag, DIY cutoffs, cheap mirror lens aviators; Gareth Pugh scythe ring, Margiela powder-coated brass cuff & ring, "the prophet" owl claw pendant courtesy of Blood Milk, family portrait necklace and tooth/hair earring courtesy of L.S.D.

I know it's been a hot minute. All work and no play is making Jack a dull boy. However, I have been receiving a bunch of killer winter apparel lately (and designing a bunch of it), so expect a kick in the ass in posting frequency. This was my Thanksgiving get-up. The JC boots just arrived several days ago. I owned the real-deal Chloe version a couple years ago in red with the higher shaft, but I always wanted the shorter version in a different color (that elusive dark green was my number one choice, but those are hard as shit to come by). I sold my Chloes about a year ago (whoever you are, I hope you're enjoying them), and then I saw JC had designed a very decent-looking knockoff in a cornucopia of different colors. I was in the market for a pair of white Doc Martens with black soles, but for some reason the majority of flats -- with a few exceptions -- have been killing my feet lately. I think I'm so used to wearing heels with massive platforms that most flats now feel awkward. So, when I saw the Tardys in white on Solestruck, I decided to invite a pair to join my humble little shoe family. Honestly, there are very few differences between these and the Chloe version ... one that comes to mind is that the soles on the Campbells are made of a harder rubber than the Chloes. Other than that, they're equally as comfortable and the leather is nice and supple. After much hard wearing on a long U.S. tour with my husband's band, the right sole on my red Chloes started to come unglued from the bottom of the shoe -- I'll have to workhorse the JCs, and then I can assess which have better craftsmanship. But honestly, unless you're hung up on labels, the Tardy is a totally suitable knockoff. I feel like JC knockoffs are black or white: really bad, or really good. These fall into the latter category. If you're thinking about grabbing a pair, they're true to size ... I can't find them on Solestruck right now, but I can't imagine they're sold out. If you're between sizes, they can use a gel insole anyway, so round it off by sizing 1/2 up.

This coat is about ten years old and I still love it. I wore it all throughout high school and everyone thought it was hot shit, because it is. I just found out through Bleach Black that Gareth Pugh made the scythe ring again this year, but the new version has a very pretty gold-ish finish as opposed to the gunmetal on mine. However, it is the same exact ring, down to the little leather handle detail and everything. If they're not gone already, I recommend picking one up as a badass stocking stuffer ... it's a great piece through and through. Mine always finds itself paired with my gorgeous Blood Milk claw pendant and/or one of my many oxidized L.S.D. necklaces; both designers offer a medley of amazing potential x-mas gifts for a chick with slightly unorthodox taste in accessories (hint-hint, gentlemen).

My Givenchy Pandora bag is nearly a year old and gets better with age. This blog is nearly two years old and probably gets crappier with age, but I still enjoy doing my thing. My marriage reached its two-year milestone yesterday, on the 25th. Our son has a cold (his first), so Bobby & I just stayed home, talked, watched movies, and ate leftovers in bed. That is also what we did the day we got married (sans the Thanksgiving leftovers). I will be sappy here and let you readers know that I fall in love again every day. I fall in love every hour, every waking moment. Every time I draw a breath, I love Bobby more when I exhale. One of the only things I know is true in this life is that I will feel that way when I exhale for the last time. Wherever my soul goes, my love for Bobby will be there with it, transcending space and time. I hope all of you who are married feel the same, because there is only one person for whom your heart beats. At least, mine does.

JOCK JAX.

2011-11-21T20:37:00.000-08:00

I've really been digging what seems to be like a varsity/ jacket trend. This one by Raised By Wolves is definitely on my holiday wish list -- love those leather sleeves. Unless Santa snags one for me, my husband's old Deep Purple one will get dusted off and serve as a nice substitute.

I have been the worst blogger ever: my time has been totally consumed with dotting the i's and crossing the t's of the new Käärme collection. Which totally rules. The dearth of photos of my mug will be quickly forgotten when the lookbook goes live and the shop is filled with the new gear.

SALE: 50% OFF @ KAARME.

2011-11-18T23:59:00.000-08:00

Since Käärme's a/w '11 collection is much more expansive than our s/s '11 collection, we need to clean house before tons of fresh meat arrives. This calls for an end-of-season sale. So, for the next few days, select items from the Neo-Natal D.O.P.E. collection are reduced to 50% off (which means t-shirts are 2 for the price of 1).

Also, if you order between now and 11:00 PM Eastern time Sunday, you will receive a 20% discount on any other item on the site -- even high-dollar pieces like the jewelry. After you make your initial purchase, simply email us, tell us the item on which you would like to use your 20% off, and we will invoice you. The 20% off is limited to 1 item per customer and only applies to pieces from the s/s '11 collection. This sale ends on Monday 11/20 at 12:00 AM Eastern time. Stock is EXTREMELY low, so get in there before the bones are picked clean. Happy shopping!

DESCEND INTO A NOOSE.

2011-11-13T15:28:00.000-08:00

"Suspendo" solid sterling pendant available soon as part of käärme a/w '11.

AGGRESSOR.

2011-10-25T14:48:00.000-07:00

Cephalobong t-shirt and Aggressor studded jacket by Käärme, DIY cutoffs, BOYY Slash bag, Hellraiser shoes courtesy of UNIF, Nosferatu necklace and Victorious Vertebrae ring courtesy of L.S.D., large gemstone rings courtesy of Hard Candy Gems, Bless leather snap bracelets, cheap-o oversized shades.

First off, I have lovely Christine to thank for these amazing shoes. If you're looking for a flat that isn't your run of the mill boring ballerina flat, look no further. UNIF's Hellraisers are the ultimate loafer - comfortable, well-made, and eye-catching for sure. They also come in pink, fyi. You need these shoes. Secondly, I have worn a piece from Hard Candy Gems on here before, but how amazing is the huge green ring? The artist responsible for HCG meticulously wraps these huge gemstones in sterling wire (you can also opt for gold or copper), so the price points are very reasonable. The shop mainly consists of huge statement rings in every color you can imagine, but there is a decent selection of necklaces and earrings as well -- I'll share the rest of my goodies from this shop in a future post. Buyers beware, you will spend hours on Hard Candy's shop drooling over all the amazing statement pieces. Don't say I didn't warn you.

The Aggressor jacket is a piece from our a/w '11 collection and it will be available to purchase next month. I like this piece because it is a moto jacket, but it is made of a lightweight denim, so it's a nice multi-seasonal jacket. I like to wear mine with a hoodie underneath for extra warmth, or just wear it open like here, when the weather is in the mid-60s or so.

We're really glad everyone is digging the new Käärme stuff and thank you for your continued support .. for those of you who picked up an Omen shirt, we'll have another shirt available this weekend that you will appreciate for sure, along with a new piece of jewelry that has been in the works for what seems like forever. Cephalobong was brought to us by the same incredible artist who helped design Snakerider; I really love this shirt. Since the print is a discharge print, it is a nice beige color rather than stark white. And the squid's eyes crack me up. Matt Ferri, you never fail us.

Annnnnd ... the winner of the Snakerider t-shirt giveaway is kaleigh brown (elektrodot@gmail.com). Congrats, we'll be emailing you soon. Snakerider is just about extinct now, so enjoy! &hearts

PUNX IS HIPPIES.

2011-10-16T16:08:00.000-07:00

New a/w '11 items Omen, Cephalobong, KAAOS 2.0 t-shirts and Living Dead vest just in at the Käärme webshop!

EGGS & BACON.

2011-10-14T10:07:00.001-07:00

Ashish x Topshop sweatshirt, Prada brogues, Supreme clutch, Käärme pacifier ring, Monserat De Lucca ruler cuff.

Not much to say here, I'm so crazy busy preparing for the new Käärme pieces that will be released this weekend as part of our Fast Drums & Numb Gums a/w '11 collection .. super excited about that. Anyway, I've had this sweatshirt for literally like, a year, forgot I owned it, and then it popped up when I was doing some closet cleaning. Ridiculous, huh? Glasses are custom Ray-Bans.

I bought this little change purse after Amanda blogged about it, and I love it. It's a fun switch-up from my Y-3 wallet and is nice to carry around just this little thing rather than a massive bag sometimes. Still obsessed with our pacifier ring; I don't see that changing anytime soon. My nails are destroyed from tie-dyeing our new "Omen" shirts .. it's worth it though, because they look so fukkin badass.

Are these shoes worth all their hype? Hell yeah! I get compliments all the time. My husband, however, hates them and calls them Pee Wee Herman shoes. Oh, well. More soon! &hearts

KAARME GIVEAWAY.

2011-10-01T16:44:00.000-07:00

So, Käärme's Snakerider t-shirt was by far one of the most popular designs in our last collection. They are almost sold out, with only 2 pieces left to purchase via our web shop. However, we keep at least 1 of each size of every design to use for trunk shows, etc. So in reality, there are still 4 Snakerider shirts left in our inventory: 1 of each size.

For those of you who missed out on this design, this is your chance to get your hands on one before they are gone for good and the new collection comes out. Yes folks, this is a giveaway, and the lucky winner will receive a Snakerider shirt ($53 value) in the size of their choice. Here are the 3 simple rules:

1) You must be a follower of both Halcoholic and either the Käärme facebook, tumblr, blog, or twitter.

2) Place a link to the Käärme website (http://kaarmeconcepts.com) OR a link to this giveaway on either your blog, facebook wall, tumblr, or twitter.

3) Comment to this post with your name, email address, and the link(s) to #2. By that, I mean post the link(s) to where you linked either the Käärme website or this post. Please do not comment with your name, email address, and "http://www.kaarmeconcepts.com." These submissions will not be counted.

You can submit until Wednesday, October 19 and the winner will be announced Friday, October 21. Good luck!

KAAOS.

2011-09-28T08:48:00.000-07:00

Kaarme KAAOS 2.0 tank top, DIY vest & cutoffs, Margiela bag, vintage David Ackerman boots, custom Ray-Ban aviators, Black Plague necklace, tethered claw earring, Victorious Vertebra ring, and Feeling a Little Unbalanced tooth ring all courtesy of L.S.D..

It's been way, waaay too long -- forgive me. I've made a little promise to myself (and a Japanese fashion magazine) that I will NOT forget my camera when I walk out the door every day, so look forward (or dread, whatever) to a little kick in this blog's ass in terms of posting frequency.

I don't like hallucinating; I'm one of those people who would get stuck in the "I'm Never Coming Back" zone, bug out, and just tremble in a corner whilst sucking my thumb. However, I do love me some L.S.D.. Little Sister Designs are so versatile and easy to wear, but also have that element of macabre quirkiness that is difficult to achieve. I think I've said this before, but I'm going to say it again anyway: L.S.D. always make people do a double-take, and it's super fun. It's kind of like the same sensation I had as a kid when I would walk into school with a mouse or a newt in my pocket ... Ms. Burkhart's pieces make the wearer feel like they own this little special secret. At this moment I feel far from eloquent, so I'll STFU and let the pictures do the talking. This necklace is my new appendage -- it is beautifully crafted and makes a statement without MAKING A FUCKING STATEMENT. Obviously I have no problem with the latter, but it is nice to own a piece that falls into my "understated" category.

The vertebrae ring (a matching necklace is also available) has also been a staple for me lately. Sterling blackener is meticulously applied in such a way that the tiny bone has sort of a lovely gemstone-ish affect. The bright silver parts of the piece have an unexpected matte finish which is my personal favorite element of the design. The ease of mix-and-matching is a quality that literally all of my L.S.D. pieces possess; they're just really complimentary paired with everything from highly polished sterling or white gold, to powder-coated brass and tarnished sterling.

I don't know if I ever explained the reason behind my obsession with teeth on this blog. In a nutshell, I suffered a blunt force trauma injury as a kid that knocked out my two front teeth, the bone surrounding them, and the gum line. Nearly ten years of oral surgery and a partial denture later, I ended up with titanium implants (aka fake teeth you can't take out). But I'll never forget the image of my two front teeth laying in a pool of blood, on the cement dock of a whale-watching boat. It was night time, and, as Hannibal Lecter says, blood in the moonlight "... appears quite black." My teeth had been knocked out whole and I was surprised by their largeness and all of their little parts that I never knew existed in my ten-year-old mouth. In the shock of the impact, before my father scooped them up and put them in the breast pocket of his shirt, there was a nanosecond in which the teeth looked almost beautiful as they gleamed in the black pool, and I was numb. Thus my preoccupation with teeth -- human teeth, to reaffirm my freakishness. Surprise though, this super weird story is actually relevant: many of L.S.D. utilize sterilized human teeth, and those pieces IMHO are very special. It's like owning a vintage piece of costume jewelry and imagining the old biddy who wore it on her wrinkled hand as she drank dry martinis, but just a *bit* more primitive. Every tooth is completely different. Some have fillings. Some are pristine. I don't know how Ms. Burkhart obtains the teeth for her designs, but they are all pretty ingenious. I'll stop my rambling with this:

For a limited time, Lotte Burkhart is offering a generous 25% discount on all of the pieces offered in the L.S.D. webshop. Just use the code blogger25 and do like a bull in a china shop with that shit.

The fine folks over here at Käärme have re-stocked the previously sold out KAAOS shirt, and it has undergone a makeover. KAAOS 2.0 (limited to only 20 pieces) has the sleeves chopped off and has been tie-dyed with black, which gives it a nice "dirty" orange hue. I thought the teal Margiela bag was totally appropriate with the shirt, as it is color-treated in the same fashion. Anyway, KAAOS 2.0 will be available in the Käärme shop soon, but in the meantime if you are in critical need, you can purchase one by shooting us an email at kaarme.concepts@gmail.com.

Ahh, my David Ackerman boots ... by far the finest ebay purchase I have ever made, next to my Phi lace-ups. On the subject of shoes, I have an exciting new member of the family to share. But that is for the next post. This one took me an exhaustingly, embarrassingly long time to assemble, for some reason. I am pretty rusty. Thanks for sticking around! &hearts

KICK OUT THE JAMS.

2011-09-03T18:31:00.000-07:00

Topshop U.S. flag jeans, tank top courtesy of Actual Pain, Rick Owens boots, Hellhammer studded leather bag & sterling pacifier ring by Käärme, DIY denim vest, Tiffany's sterling padlock necklace, Ray Ban aviators.

Y'all dig my purple tips? I do, because they make my son smile. I totally want to do my entire head, but I think my husband's head would explode if I did that. Anyway, I used that stuff sold at Sally's called Beyond the Zone in "Not So Shy Violet." If you have bleached hair and want to Manic Panic that shit up, I recommend letting it sit on there for a loooong time. Crazy semi-permanent colors don't have any developers in them or anything, so they're not drying to the hair. I had to do mine a couple of times to get that shade. After I wash my hair, I dip the tips again and rinse (without shampoo) until the water runs clear, to maintain the color. Not so sure how long I'll keep them, but they're definitely fun for now.

And how crazy are my roots already?! Jesus. That ring I have on my pinky (which totally makes me feel like Barnabas Collins, or at least Glenn Danzig) is from Gypsy Warrior, a shop that offers a crazy amount of cool, affordable swag. And their customer service is great. Check 'em out.

I can't take off our binky ring. If you're a regular reader, you know I'm a ring junkie. Every finger, all the time. This ring is like the Titanic of rings, and wearing it with other rings looks rather silly. So, this eliminates some of the time I normally spend rummaging around for the perfect lineup of rings every day. As for the bag, it kind of speaks for itself. I really like the fact that no matter how you wear it, it looks good. The strap has a zipper in the middle, so it unzips into two straps and can be worn as a backpack. Perfect for when I have the baby out and about. It's also deceptive in what it's capable of holding; I have my huge Y3 wallet, notebook, iPod, makeup case, the baby's bottle, and a whole bunch of other stuff in there, and there is still room to spare. Hey, I made a rhyme.

I promise these jeans are the last U.S. flag inspired garment I will purchase. You have my word. That being said, I fucking love them. Surprisingly, they match with pretty much everything ... I think it's because the flag print is kind of washed out, so it's not so overwhelming. I wore them to my son's birthday party, where I took the best photo in this post:

Love that face. That's all for now .. you all enjoy your labor day weekends of debauchery and ill repute. &hearts

PENTANGLED.

2011-08-13T14:25:00.000-07:00

This crazy incredible hunk of solid sterling evil bling is now available to purchase through Käärme for $340. And I should note that there are only 2 remaining, not including my own. Which you would have to pry from my cold, lifeless fingers. Note my my sick BÖC t-shirt I got at Muskelrock.

Also, we now have a blog. Peace! &hearts

THUMBSUCKER.

2011-08-09T05:45:00.000-07:00

Pacifier ring & inverted pentacle by Käärme.

Finally, the Käärme webshop is live and running! We launched the shop in the wee hours of the A.M. and already, we're scraping the bottom of the barrel for inventory. As for the sterling pieces, they will be available to order this week. You can sign up for our mailing list to be notified when they are made available. We totally appreciate your support -- the amount of orders we're filling is bonkers, but we're keeping up.

We're also in the design phase of the next collection, which will be available around mid-December. A few limited edition pieces will be arriving solo in the interim. If you love our first collection, you'll go apeshit over our second. Happy shopping, dudes.

RIDE A WHITE SWAN.

2011-08-06T15:58:00.000-07:00

CTRL denim hooded jacket, zombie t-shirt by Käärme Concepts, Juicy Couture leggings, Ann Demeulemeester triple lace boots, Mandy Coon bunny bag, Charles Anastase x Linda Farrow shades, sterling baphomet ring courtesy of Actual Pain, Chris Habana cage ring, Family Portrait necklace courtesy of L.S.D., talon earring courtesy of Blood Milk.

I recently dyed my hair platinum porn star blonde. You like? The shirt I'm wearing is one of my own, and it will be available for sale on our webshop along with the rest of our first collection tomorrow. I love this hooded jacket by Sweden-based CTRL. The hood can zip inside the collar, but I prefer to keep it out. I have a lot of other CTRL stuff I haven't worn here yet ... they have great shit on their site, so I would suggest checking them out.

KAARME WEBSHOP.

2011-08-04T08:47:00.000-07:00

Deathbird & Der Todesking t-shirts by Käärme.

The Käärme webshop is officially scheduled to go live on Sunday. We had some coding issues, thus the delay. Thanks so much to everyone who have been patient enough to order via email. Stock is moving pretty steadily, so if you would like to place an order, shoot us an email at kaarme.concepts@gmail.com and someone can help you with that. In the meantime, you can stay updated by following us on facebook, tumblr, and twitter. Thanks again for the support guys.

NO HEAVY PETTING.

2011-08-02T09:40:00.000-07:00

Evil Twin plaid button-up courtesy of I Don't Like Mondays, vintage UFO tour shirt, Bona Drag lace bellbottoms, Celine platform wedges, Givenchy bag, "Bad" ring courtesy of Studded & Stoned, 3-finger pyramid stud ring courtesy of Adelina Mictlan, butterfly knife necklace courtesy of Blood Milk, Bless leather bracelets, custom Ray Ban aviators.

These were taken quite some time ago ... but it's something, right? Consistency FTW!

John Lithgow demands your appreciation.

DAYBREAK.

2011-07-31T19:59:00.000-07:00

Käärme tye-dyed Ouroboros shirt, DIY cutoffs, Margiela "hoof" shoes, Jas M.B. leather tote, Ksubi sunglasses, Chrome Hearts necklace, Devil's Hand cuff courtesy of Actual Pain, lightning burst cocktail ring courtesy of L.S.D., various other sterling rings.

It's been sooooo long since I've done a post like this. We had a babysitter today, it was beautiful outside, and we snapped some photos. This has pretty much been my summer uniform, down to the frozen strawberry lemonade. I adore these shoes. They're so comfortable, casual enough to wear with a tank and cutoffs like this, and make this pleasant clop-clopping noise while I walk. The heels have rubber bottoms, so they provide sufficient traction. These also came in a tall version, but I like the slingbacks a lot. That little white stitch makes me smile, as usual. Like everyone else, I'm really into the neon nail polish thing right now; another one of those little things that make me smile. As for the shirt, this is one of my favorite color combos we did. I love shirts you can wear, sleep in, and then wear again the next day. That's how I do. I'm going to make an honest effort to post on a consistent basis from now on, while I'm working on the autumn/winter Käärme stuff. There's a particular sterling pendant that will be available for purchase next month that I'm really buttfunky in love with. I literally worked on it for years, and seeing it materialize into a tangible piece that is exactly how I pictured it is pretty exciting. I'm taking care of that nest on top of my head on Wednesday. My hair is so nuts that I can like, put braids and beads in it and forget they're even there. I know.

In other news: I caved and finally started a tumblr

I'm off to watch a movie with my sweetheart. More soon. No, really!

NO HIPPIE.

2011-07-29T11:15:00.000-07:00

Some snapshots of our tye-dyed Ouroboros logo shirts. Not going to lie, I want to keep all of these. In other news: before the shop is even functional, we've already sold out of the "100% Fucking Authentic" tee in size medium. Thanks for the support, guys! The shop will be up this weekend, so stay tuned!

PERVERSELY ESSENTIAL.

2011-07-27T21:23:00.000-07:00

Hellhammer bag & Snakerider tank top by Käärme Concepts.

Our first lookbook is now up on the Käärme website, so check that shit out. Not pictured is the above piece, our Hellhammer bag. The Hellhammer bag is a nice soft leather number with two pockets, tons of hardware, and can be worn slung over the shoulder, cross-body, and the strap has a zipper which allows the bag to be worn as a backpack. And, like a facebook friend noted, it can also double as a weapon. Pretty sweet, and I love mine. The bag, along with the rest of the collection, will be available to purchase by the weekend. And then I will get back to regular posting .. my hair is absolutely monstrous, so I have to do something with that ASAP. Like, maybe bleach the crap out of it. We'll see. xo

FVCK YOV.

2011-07-17T20:00:00.001-07:00

Photos by Hiep D., ©Käärme Concepts, LLC

The Käärme summer lookbook goes online Wednesday 7/20 and shortly afterwards the webstore will be functional..here are some xtreme closeups to celebrate -- shwing! I swear I tried all day to assemble something cute to wear & photograph, but I just had one of those days where even the greatest of tops were making me feel like a fucking MONSTER .. we all have those days, but needless to say I DID end up putting on a käärme shirt. I still looked like a monster, but just sayin'. xo

EAT.

2011-07-14T09:30:00.001-07:00

Photo by Hiep D., ©Käärme Concepts, LLC

Our tye-dyed Ouroboros tank, available soon. This comes in a bunch of different colorways; Mandy is wearing the pink/yellow/orange. xo

CONJURE.

2011-07-09T15:35:00.001-07:00

Photo by Hiep D., ©Käärme Concepts, LLC

The site is almost done but I couldn't resist sharing this ... the pendant (solid sterling) will be available along with everything else soooon. Can't wait!

kaarmeconcepts.com

ANITFREEZE.

2011-07-02T13:06:00.000-07:00

Photos by Hiep D., ©Käärme Concepts, LLC.

Since the Käärme website will be launching any day now, I have been totally consumed by last minute work for that. So in the meantime, here is another mini teaser of the Neo-Natal D.O.P.E. collection. The photo in the middle is our Pacifier ring, composed of 45+ ounces of solid sterling with the nipple done in contrasting brass:

suck it

So pleased with how this piece turned out. Also pictured are a couple of the disgustingly soft & drapey 65/35 poly/cotton blend t-shirts, though the black shirt in the first photo will be sold sans sleeves. I adore the texture of our shirts; they're like those old Lonely Ladies shirts from the 70s where the screens feel like they're part of the fabric. Even jumbo prints that cover the entire garment are undetectable when you run your hand across them. I have been literally living in our shirts for the past month or so ... once the site goes live, I can start posting outfit pictures again.

Keep checking back at kaarmeconcepts.com to view the entire collection & shop the webstore.

More soon! x

SERPENT VENOM.

2011-06-23T13:27:00.001-07:00

A very little sneak preview of what Käärme will have to offer this summer, modeled by super lovely Abbie Fite. The whole collection will be available to view & purchase online in a couple of weeks ... very proud of how everything turned out, and I hope you will be as well! More soon. xo

WALKING WITH A GHOST.

2011-06-06T16:02:00.000-07:00

Ksubi t-shirt, Jeffrey Campbell boots, Karen Walker sunglasses, Givenchy bag, ruler bracelet by Monserat De Lucca, 3 finger pyramid stud ring courtesy of Adelina Mictlan, butterfly knife necklace courtesy of Blood Milk, vintage costume rings & white/sterling Chanel cocktail ring.

These were taken so long ago, and I have no excuse for the delay. We just returned from an amazing trip to Sweden where Pentagram played the Muskelrock festival. We sat in the sun on the beautiful countryside, spoke with so many good people, and got to check out some great music. I saw Girlschool who I have loved for years. My one regret is that I did not get to see Graveyard, because our shuttle was leaving to get back to the hotel at that time. I also did not take any photos, and have no excuse for that either. I have to go back there next year! Not much of a reason for me to return home from such a lovely place except for our little boy, who has me in constant awe. Him, and the fact that Käärme jewelry finished last week and the shop is just about ready to launch. This jewelry, I have to say, is so fucking cool. One piece in particular I really wanted to wear on our trip, but left it at home in fear that customs could imagine it being used as a weapon, and I do not have the mold immediately handy to make a replacement right away. More soon!

DRAWN & QUARTERED

2011-05-22T19:18:00.000-07:00

This wonderful sketch was sent to me by a very lovely Swedish reader, Pia Simensen. Thank you, Pia!

Honestly, this is the only thing that I felt has been worth posting lately. Aside from Käärme (which is THISCLOSE to being ready and is so late because I am THAT picky), I have felt terribly uninspired lately. Maybe I will feel different tomorrow. Either way, I have not abandoned this lil old thing -- promise. :)

Not sure if I've mentioned you can follow Käärme on Twitter. Well, you can, so do that

xo

CLOAK & DAGGER

2011-05-05T08:44:00.000-07:00

Fraggle cape by Endovanera, Rodarte zombie t-shirt, Topshop maxi skirt, Jeffrey Cambell Lana boots, BOYY Slash bag, cheap no-name shades, nude leather bracelets by Bless, two-finger rose gold DOOM ring courtesy of Adelina Mictlan, Driftwood Skull ring (Opening Ceremony NYC years ago).

Okay, so I've fallen into the JC Lita trap. So what? This is a well-designed and beautifully crafted shoe, and they make pretty much any outfit look decent. This particular pair is the Lana, which has been described as "Lita's curvy twin." I would say that Lana is more like Lita's sister -- I personally feel Lana has a slightly higher platform (I'm probably wrong) and a much sturdier heel. For me, those things make for a reallly comfortable shoe. I don't know what it is, but I didn't even want to take these off at the end of the day (as a matter of fact, it's nearly 12:AM and I'm still wearing them). So, yes these are SUPER trendy, but I love them. Awesome shoe. I'm tempted to get the black/white jaguar ponyhair version, but my shoe situation is a little out of control right now. Still in love with my Adelina Mictlan doom ring; I've been loving a lot of her stuff lately. Expect a post soon with one of her three-finger (yes, three) rings coming up soon, matched with the first pair of bellbottoms I've worn in 12 years. Yay!

>

This cape was an early bday present from my husband -- he got it from I Don't Like Mondays, which is the only shop I know of that carries Endovanera. I have to say it's pretty much my most favorite garment in my wardrobe. I wear this piece with everything. It reminds me of the cloaks the guys in SUNN O))) used to wear. I love the gray/green color with the black detailing, the deep hood & pockets, and the sleeves that "hang like sleeve of wizard." Sorry, I had to.

This shirt fits me again; siked! This is about the smallest shirt I'll wear, especially a poly/cotton blend like this one. I've always loved this shirt. The print is sick, and the material is really nice. These sunglasses are great; after seeing the gold-rimmed ones on the amazing Christine, I knew I had to have them. I picked the ones with the black frames, to match my soul.

Much thanks to the lovely people at Joan Shepp for the birthday shoutout on their blog:

in this photo of us (courtesy of Joan Shepp) at the Ivan Grundahl trunk show, I am wearing *the* most amazing Dries Van Noten maryjanes, but you can't see the best part: the chunky heel, which has a holographic-y, oil-in-a-puddle finish. Really been lusting hard over the green clutch from that collection. Also wearing: Ann Sofie-Back safety pin shirt, Topshop maxi skirt.

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ROTTING AS THEY BREATHE.

2011-04-29T15:51:00.000-07:00

Topshop striped maxi skirt, DIY Death shirt, flannel button-up (?), Balenciaga boots, Karen Walker sunglasses, Givenchy bag, all jewelry courtesy of L.S.D.

I received a parcel in the mail from New Zealand -- this is always a good thing, because they're usually from either Karen Walker, Stolen Girlfriends Club, or Lotte Burkhart, the woman behind Little Sister Designs. Lotte was extremely generous and sent me these 3 stunning pieces from her new collection. I am never, ever disappointed with L.S.D. Ms. Burkhart uses only the finest of materials (the ring is HEAVY solid sterling) and I love the way she oxidizes her pieces. I got tons of compliments on the jewelry yesterday when I attended the Ivan Grundahl a/w '11 trunk show at Joan Shepp. That is where I picked up these gorgeous Balenciaga boots, along with a few other goodies. Very, very happy b-day to me!

I adore these boots. They're so un-sexy (Bobby hates them), but so very, very me. These are probably the most heavy-duty pair of boots I own. I love the shape of the buckles, the placement of the negative space, the Doc-inspired stitching at the sole ... perfection! I'll be getting a lotttt of wear out of these.

I want to thank NYLON Japan for giving me a blogger award in their current issue; I am so pleased! If someone has a scan of the photo and interview of me from that issue, I would be eternally grateful to you for sending it to me at hal.e.liebling@gmail.com.

Aside from that, I have a pretty awesome giveaway courtesy of Full Breach 77 approaching this week, so you might want to ~~lurk~~ follow me on Bloglovin' for a hot minute to get on that.

The Käärme website is now up, you will all get a look at the summer collection in about 3 weeks, and the pieces will be available for sale shortly after that. Finally! I can't tell you how happy I am with this collection. Considering it is my first, I think it's pretty fucking awesome. Sick, wicked, twisted, and dark. I just love it. But of course, I'm totally biased. So, see for yourself in May :)

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WE STAY HIGH.

2011-04-15T21:58:00.001-07:00

"We Stay High" snap-up jacket, Siren's Song tank top, and sterling Baphomet ring courtesy of Actual Pain, No Future cutoffs w/ tights, Alexander Wang Beatle boots, Alexandra Cassaniti newspaper clutch, XL jasper stone ring, DIY bone necklace, tooth/hair earring courtesy of L.S.D., BDG cashmere beanie, Ray-Ban aviators.

Posts have been sporadic for two reasons: 1) Bobby, my default photographer, is on tour in Europe. "Last Rites" dropped on Tuesday -- hooray! You can grab a copy here. 2) All of my time has been consumed by Käärme. But that is okay, because the pieces are looking awesome.

How amazing is the baphomet ring by Actual Pain? The new collection, Icons of a New Mythology, is sick -- how could I resist this jacket? And a few other warm-weather "basics," of course ...

Here is a photo of me & my husband from the latest issue of SPIN magazine:

It was so great working with SPIN and I'd like to thank David Marchese for the copious amounts of time he devoted to traveling & research in order to write this article, the SPIN photo crew, and all of the designers (Straight to Hell, UNIF, Angela Monaco, Actual Pain, Adelina Mictlan, and Blood Milk) who helped style the shoot. You can read the article here.

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BRICK HOUSE.

2011-04-04T21:00:00.000-07:00

maroon Defector jacket courtesy of Straight to Hell, Jefferson Airplane t-shirt courtesy of Converse, Topshop snakeskin print leggngs, Chloe Sevigny x Opening Ceremony boots, Charles Anastase x Linda Farrow shades, Givenchy bag.

Jewelryjunk: the underworld owl skull pendant courtesy of Blook Milk. Sterling & emerald fox ring and butterfly skeleton ring courtesy of Concrete Polish. Unisex sterling eagle ring courtesy of Alberto Juan. Vintage sterling/onyx rosary ring (right thumb), XL sterling & jasper ring, Pamela Love cross ring. Devil's Hand cuff courtesy of Actual Pain.

The Defector jacket, like the Offender jacket I wore several posts back, is made of the same supple, pebbly buffalo leather, has Straight to Hell's signature red lining and stamped bottle opener zipper pulls. It differs from the the Offender, however, which is more of a cafe racer style moto jacket, with the half-collar that snaps at the neck. The Defector is a true-to-itself, no bullshit traditional British-style moto jacket, which I generally prefer because they're so versatile.

Once again, I am stunned by the quality of the garment all around. All zippers and snaps are fully functional, which is great because the collar can be popped up or snapped down. The Defector also has both a zippered sleeve pocket and an inner breast pocket, which I love (cell phone in the breast pocket, cash in the sleeve, and I'm out the door). The leather wears in very quickly -- after about a week of wearing it for a few hours every day, it breaks in just the right places. My husband has two Defectors: one black with red trim (which he wore in this month's Decibel magazine), and the other a very sleek, almost electric blue. The rich brick color of my own is outstanding ... while black is always a good option, this color goes with nearly everything in my wardrobe. The sunny, breezy weather in Philly today was perfect occasion to snap some proper photos of this beauty.

How great is this huge marbleized jasper ring? Bobby and I both got ourselves one from this neat shop on etsy called Hard Candy Gems. This girl has virtually every color scheme of every [massive] non-precious stone under the sun, and they're VERY reasonably priced. Granted she does use sterling wire, but the way she sets the stones is pretty remarkable. She even has a policy that if your stone falls out, she'll replace the ring for free. I'll definitely be needing more of these. I was recently re-united with what is probably one of my favorite rings of all-time, my vintage sterling/onyx rosary ring, which was hiding under our bed frame for months. I just adore this ring for some reason, and I'm thinking about re-creating it (with a little bit of a demeted twist) for the Käärme pre-fall jewelry colletion.

Speaking of which, inventory has started coming in for Käärme, we're putting the finishing touches on some other pieces, and our lookbook should be online next month, along with the first pieces of Neo-Natal D.O.P.E. (s/s '11) available for purchase. While we continue working on kaarmeconcepts.com, please feel free to "like" us on myspace and follow our twitter to stay updated.

No sneak-peaks of RTW or accessories yet, that's top secret for now ... but I promise, it's exactly everything Rocky Dennis would wear on his date with that blind chick.

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FRUMPY.

2011-03-29T16:01:00.000-07:00

Long striped button-up (?), pentagram collage tee courtesy of Obesity & Speed, black denim cutoffs by No Future, Chloe Sevigny x Opening Ceremony "mary jo" platform boots, Alexandra Cassaniti money bag, vintage Balenciaga shades, floppy woven hat from Target.

Junk pile: Pamela Love dagger rosary, traditional sterling rosary, vintage XL cross on chain. DIY feather earring. pineapple mineral massacre ring courtesy of Angela Monaco, sterling falcon skull ring courtesy of Blue Bayer Gearworks, sterling & onyx frog ring, skull ring courtesy of Alberto Juan, custom sterling & lapis ring, vintage pinky rings, small vintage turquoise ring (right middle knuckle). Sterling & opal cuff, Liebling family heirloom.

The Chloe Sevigny boots were an early b-day gift from my husband. He actually picked them out himself. Impressive, eh? I adore everything about these shoes; the contrasting wood heel, the elastic gores for easy pull-on, the supple leather, the shape ... perfect. The pitch isn't too steep and the platform makes for some mad crazy foot comfort. These are definitely in the top three most favorite shoes in my closet; I'll probably wear them until they fall apart.

It took me forever to find a friggin hat like this. Everytime I thought I found a decent one, a little detail would turn me off: the brim too stiff or not wide enough, ugly fabric, bad craftsmanship. I found this one in the accessories section at Target, and I love it. Properly floppy, ridiculously huge, and I love the fact that it is black woven straw. I also love the pristine condition in which these Balenciaga shades remain -- an eBay find from several years ago. They still have the logo stamp on the lens! The intricate detailing on these is unbelievable; I'll never get rid of them.

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DARK ENDLESS.

2011-03-24T23:10:00.001-07:00

Pyramid logo hat, Devil's Hand cuff, and Acid Wolf patch all courtesy of Actual Pain, DIY denim vest, Akitsa shirt, H&M jeans, Phi boots, sterling fox ring w/ emerald eyes, sterling butterfly skeleton ring, and quartz crystal drop earring all courtesy of Angela Monaco, Pamela Love cross ring, falcon skull ring courtesy of Blue Bayer Gearworks, BOYY "Slash" bag, Chanel aviators,

Sick-ass goodies from Actual Pain include the infamous pyramid cap in wine embroidery, the Devil's Hand cuff which is surprisingly (and pleasingly) an appropriately subtle, versatile design rather than a crazy statement piece (I also like that it's not oxidized ... might be getting a little sick of that); also this nasty cool Acid Wolf patch with red eyes, which I promptly ironed onto my favorite vest. With my flat iron. We don't even own a real iron; who needs 'em?

Loving Angela Monaco's exquisite rings paired with this cuff ... also have missed these Phi boots a lot, so they have been getting a lot more wear lately. It blows that Phi is gone. Those creeper booties should have a nice comfy place in my closet.

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SIGN OF THE WOLF.

2011-03-14T07:46:00.000-07:00

Acid Wolf nylon jacket, Actual P.A.I.N. tank top, and sterling Dracul ring courtesy of Actual Pain, Ann Demeulemeester triple-lace boots, the prophet owl claw necklace courtesy of Blood Milk, sterling & human tooth ring courtesy of L.S.D., stretch jeans (?), Givenchy Pandora bag.

The wolf on the back of this jacket (which is also my husband's, graciously sent to us from Actual Pain) has a little blotter on his tongue with some sort of weird evil clown on it. Need I say more? Love their clothes.

HAIL TO OLD GLORY.

2011-03-13T07:54:00.000-07:00

American flag button-up by UNIF, Acne wedges, Zara cutoffs, Givenchy bag.

Junk: "the underworld" sterling owl skull pendant courtesy of Blood Milk. Sterling & emerald fox ring (right ring finger), mineral massacre ring (right middle), butterfly skeleton ring (left index), bling ring (left pinky), and quartz drop earring all courtesy of Concrete Polish by Angela Monaco. Sterling falcon skull ring (right index) courtesy of Blue Bayer.

There really is no excuse for me slacking off here lately. Except: our house has been crazy busy lately since my husband is promoting Last Rites. Last week, Spin magazine came over to shoot some pictures of us at home. Thank god for Angela Monaco, who also arrived that day not only bearing many gifts to keep, but also with an arsenal of some of the most beautiful precious metal castings I have ever seen to wear in the shoot. I love Angela's work, and needless to say, Bobby and I decked ourselves proper with her creations (one piece I remember in particular was a custom ring with a massive tourmaline in one of Angela's trademark crystal/"geode" settings, which was breathtaking). Ms. Monaco has a distinctive, unique creative vision. When I first heard of Concrete Polish, I immediately liked everything about the line. The designs are relevant, but not insufferably trendy. They are meticulously crafted and well thought-out. Her take on the whole crystal/quartz trend is fresh, untried. And I totally applaud her for that. She utilizes crystals to make the molds for many of her pieces (i.e. the fantastic mineral massacre ring I am wearing in this post), but a lot of the finished products do not include actual crystals in the setting. Rather, the design takes on the appearance of being constructed from crystals. Sorry, Unearthen ... Concrete Polish wins.

Ms. Monaco can not only make molds like a motherfucker (HOW on earth did she manage the butterfly skeleton ring?!): she can also obtain whatever precious gemstone you desire (thinking about that huge, gorgeous tourmaline again), and offers customization for many of Concrete Polish's designs. I chose emeralds for the eyes in my fox ring; my husband chose rubies for his. There isn't any doubt in my mind that Angela has a bright future as a jewelry designer -- she is opening up the first Concrete Polish boutique in Northern Liberties, Philadelphia very soon.

I adore this blouse, crafted by non other than -- who else -- UNIF. I'm not much of a crop top girl, but the long "tail" in the back is what sold me on thIs garment. That, and the fact that is is something that the guys in MC5 would have worn.

The sterling owl skull pendant was sent to my husband from Blood Milk. This piece was also worn by him in the same photoshoot for Spin. No one does skull/claw/talon castings like Blood Milk. Everyone who sees the pieces in person has the same "WOW" reaction.

BLACK ROSE.

2011-02-27T18:54:00.001-08:00

gray leather Offender jacket courtesy of Straight to Hell, Thin Lizzy t-shirt courtesy of Full Breach 77, vintage David Ackerman leopard print platform boots, leather pants (?), Ann Sofie-Back red drip shades, Chris Habana cage ring, Margiela powder-coated brass black cuff & ring.

Not much else to highlight in this post except for this exquisite jacket. Bobby and I were both very generously sent these gorgeous, soft buffalo leather beauties from Straight to Hell. Bobby opted for the Defector, a classic British style moto jacket in the black with red trim color scheme. After much deliberation, I went for my least-obvious pick: the Offender, a classic cafe-style moto jacket in a stunning gray leather.

You can't beat these jackets; they are simply matchless. The buffalo leather is top-notch quality, the company uses NO cheap hardware, and 2 of the zipper pulls (the main one and the left inside pocket) are steel bottle openers, onto which STRAIGHT TO HELL is stamped with pride. Once Bobby and I put on our jackets for the first time, it was obvious to us why everyone from Iggy Pop to Slash wear only Straight to Hell leathers.

All of Straight to Hell leather jackets have the red lining and are very lightly quilted, so they break in very easily. One problem I've always had with unisex leather jackets is that the shoulders are too wide on me, and it looks horrible. The people at STH helped us pick out what sizes we needed with utmost patience, and as soon as they arrived and we put them on, we knew we would never need to buy another leather moto jacket ever again. They fit perfectly. Bobby will be sporting his in the June (hits stands in may) issue of Decibel magazine. He will also be on the cover of that issue, so keep your eyes peeled come early May.

Straight to Hell's sister company is Full Breach 77. Full Breach offers the largest selection of obscure, original puck rock (pre-'88) and rock n roll band t-shirts I've ever seen. The designs are colorful, and whether it's Bo Diddly or the Runaways you're looking for, Full Breach have it printed on a 100% cotton t-shirt. The best part: they're roughly $13-$16 a piece. I loved this hideously yellow Thin Lizzy print; although Jailbreak is obviously not my favorite album (for the record, it's Black Rose), I couldn't resist the Japanese lettering or Phil's trademark afro and those sad, sad eyes. He was a beautiful man.

Josh, the founder of both Straight to Hell Apparel and Full Breach 77, was kind enough to not only send us a boxload of precious gifts, but also grant me an interview for Halcoholic. When we got these jackets, our first question was: how does this company sell these perfectly crafted jackets for 1/4 of the price of many lesser-quality leather jackets from only slightly more popular companies, and why? If Hall of Fame rock 'n rollers are wearing STH jackets, why aren't they jacking their prices? Is this small company that legitimately dedicated to many working-class punk rock customers who can't afford a $2500 leather jacket? Josh graciously answered all of my questions in detail, from starting Full Breach in 2002 bored and broke in Chicago and working on his hands and knees to screen print shirts, to traveling to Japan in 2009 in order to launch Straight to Hell. Josh spoke with a down-to-earth humility and readiness: cut and dry, no "elitist punk" bullshit, and an inner authenticity that most people simply do not possess. You just have to respect that.

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1. When did you first launch Full Breach 77 and Straight to Hell and what is some history?
Full Breach 77 started in 2002 making original punk rock t-shirts. We were punk rockers in our 20s, sitting around in our Chicago apartment in the hood of Humboldt Park, bored and broke. I had a rough job at a video store whose name shall not be mentioned cause they are horrible, and my upstart partner at the time, partner in rock and roll and partner in crime, well he was struggling to make it as a chef. Must have been late winter or early spring. I remember that apartment well because the cops would pull ya over just for walking home, even during the day. They thought you were in that neighborhood to buy drugs.

Many punk rockers have tried their hands at screen printing their band's t-shirts, so that's really all it was about. Making art, making offensive imagery on a t-shirt, and giving it to our friends. We were printing on our hands and knees with a "borrowed" gas station squeegee and the underside of a welcome mat bought at Ace down the street. Hey our friends like our designs. Really? Cool! Okay let's start a website. What's a website? It probably went something like that. And then cheers-ing our PBRs together. Oh yeah we need a name. How about Full Breach. Like when the swat team bursts into somewhere, full speed and guns ready and dead serious. "FULL BREACH FULL BREACH!!!" And we are pretty influenced by 77 punk rock and all the bands from that era. Dead Boys, Thunders, Ramones, and of course the early English bands. That style, that aesthetic, that sound, that attitude. That's punk rock to me. Of course now in 2011, punk has so many white-washed meanings, but that's another story. To me it's really now about rock and roll in general, real rock and roll - music, attitude, aesthetic, lifestyle. When I was a kid the guitar teacher told me my fingers were too small to fit around a guitar. Well fuck you - I'll still be involved in music. Ain't going anywhere.

We had our record label Full Breach Kicks from 2005 - 2009. Natural progression. Spend what we make on t-shirts and give it back by releasing records. I say give it back because that's about the time the music biz was dying, just no one told us, so it was very hard to break even on a record release. From a business standpoint, a record label is the worst idea ever. From a personal standpoint, it's a great idea and can be very fulfilling - for a bit. Then it's just makes you jaded. Done with it.

Oh yeah. Small thing, no not really... ee went to Japan around 2002 and hooked up with a Japanese company selling Japanese leather jackets here in Chicago and on our website. Fast forward to 2009. Straight To Hell is launched. We wanted to do a full apparel line and to do it right and make and design killer items. Name taken from a great Clash song of course. Personally I've been wearing leather jackets for 16 years, so I know what a good, snug fitting awesome rock and roll leather jacket should be like. The aesthetic of a biker jacket meets the attitude of rock and roll and punk.

2. What was your initial motivation for starting a clothing line that promotes many bands that a lot of people don't know about, i.e. The Saints? Was it personal interest to have shirts you couldn't find elsewhere, the desire to spread the word about "true" punk rock, a combination of both, or something else?
Spreading the word and representing what we were and are about for sure. Trying to get people into the good stuff. Shit music is so accessibly these days, if you're not really a musical person, if you are a weekend warrior desk jockey type, you're not gonna be digging around in the underground getting dirty trying to find good counter culture stuff that can change your life, then you're just not gonna find good music. Hey not everyone has the will or desire or need to go out there on their own and discover something, to be an individual. I'm a weirdo so I've been screwed from the jump. Gotta go out there and be independent. Too much ADHD to sit behind a desk and be a yes man. When I was a kid they told me I had ODD - Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Really, no shit, that's my excuse? Cool... The other night I was DJing at a rock bar here in Chicago that has a stripper pole in the back and a chick comes up and requests "stripper music she can dance on the pole to - like Rihanna". And I'm here playing "Satisfaction" by the Stones at volume 11. Really? I ask her if she knows how many people have fucked to and probably stripped to the Stones before, and she says that's her parents music. It's that attitude by so many people that makes me never wanna be like that. That ignorance. At least when it comes to good rock and roll baby!

3. I know FB77 and STH are small companies; is there a reason why you keep your designs so exclusive, with very little wholesale?
We do actually wholesale out to some really cool stores. Trash and Vaudeville in NYC and Angry, Young, and Poor in Lancaster, PA are our buds. Trash is on St. Marks Place and has been around since the mid-1970s. Super cool people work there and they know what's up. Oldest and coolest rock and roll store ever. AYP are great too, they really know punk. These are the places we relate to. We do sell to a few others stores, but FB77 is so genre-specific that you can only do so much with it. On the other hand, STH has cross-over appeal and all types of people, rockers or not, dig our designs. So stores get in touch! It's a rough economy out there, the Man is trying to take over, wall street screwed over the middle class. Sounds like reasons to support the underground!

4. What do you feel sets Straight to Hell leather jackets apart from any other jackets?
Easy question and the most important. It's all about the fit. Our jackets are designed by rockers, so you're gonna get that perfect fit. If ya buy a thrift store leather jacket, you never know what you're gonna get. And if ya buy some cheap jacket, than that's what you'll get. And if ya buy a nice leather jacket from a large name-brand company, then you're still probably gonna get baggy arms or a bunchy back. Our jackets fit like a glove, and the high quality buffalo leather is amazing and soft and breaks in super nice. Top that off with cool detailing, multiple colors and styles, and red lining with a dangling metal Straight To Hell bottle opener attached to the inside zipper pocket, then you're in business! First drink's on me. And you'll be supporting an independent, do-it-yourself label.

5. You use high-quality leather and hardware on the STH jackets; is there any reason why you price them so reasonably, when people are purchasing large brand name leather jackets of lesser quality for quadruple the price?
We use the best buffalo leather out there. The leather is great and stretches and conforms around your shape and breaks in perfectly, with a vintage leather jacket look and feel in just a few months of wear. A good leather jacket should be a staple in a wardrobe, and it becomes part of you. It's like that perfect pair of jeans you always wear. That's why when I see these jackets out there with so much going on, I don't get it. Classic and simple is always best. We price them at a place that rocker folks can hopefully afford. A punk rock kid in high school can get one and a rocker in a successful band or whatever can get one too. Just examples. It's important for us to have all these types of people wearing our jackets. The price is where it's at so we can continue as a business and grow, and also so it can appeal, at least financially, to all types of people. Thank you for saying they are priced reasonably, because it really bothers me when people say they are too expensive. Which happens. These people have no idea what kind of expenses businesses accrue, they just want something to hate on. Ours our around $250 depending on where you purchase it. A new and comparable leather jacket will run ya around $450 up to even a grand or more. We are not trying to be some exclusive, high-end fashion label. We want folks to wear our jackets, not just trendy people with money. Although we'll take them too, ha ha.

the Defector jacket in black.

6. What sort of individual do you picture wearing FB77 shirts and STH leather jackets?
Anyone reading this. If ya dig the shirts then go for it, and our jackets appeal to all types, so they're killer for anyone in any style or culture. A good leather jacket is timeless and wearable at all occasions, whether riding a motorcycle or going to a show or wearing every day! And all the celebrity rags and fashion magazines are now saying leather jackets are cool! So ya gotta do what you're told! If Justin Bieber is on the cover of Rolling Stone rocking a leather, than it's cool right? Naw just kidding, but in reality our leather jackets are classic designs and timeless and appeal to people who either ride a motorcycle of course or who want that cool street or rocker look. Nuff said.

7. What can people look forward to see in the future from your lines? Anything new, or are you planning on sticking to the stand-bys that have worked well for you up to this point?
We are working on denim right now. It's been a long road with this, because we are very specific. When it's out it's gonna be amazing. Men's and women's with a great tight fit in multiple colors and washes. The James and The Judy. Also we are working on slim-fit polos. Bad Man polos. Are polos only for preppies? Tennis and golf and cricket? Good boys with civilized manners? We say no! This is for the bad man. This is for you.

8. If you could have one "famous" person wear a STH jacket, who would it be, and what style/color combo would you choose?
Interesting... well I would say Sarah Palin. Make her wear the jacket 24/7. Confuse everyone cause that's what she does anyway. Put her in the pink Defector. Now that would be funny. How about Alice Cooper. That would be awesome. Iggy Pop and Slash already have jackets, that's pretty cool.

9. Where do you see your companies five years from now?
Just rollin' with it and keeping rockin' and staying positive and we'll see what happens and hopefully people respond well.

10. Anything else?
Just a thank you to you for your time and your support and for your killer blog. Thanks for everyone's support and shout out to our friends and family. Today is Johnny Cash's b-day so I'm off to the bar to spin some tunes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you, Josh, for everything. Expect to see much more of Straight to Hell and Full Breach 77 on here in the very remote future.

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DEATHCRUSH.

2011-02-18T14:02:00.000-08:00

Mayhem shirt courtesy of UNIF, DIY bleached jeans, Ann Demeulemeester buckle wedges, Mandy Coon bunny bag, Vans plaid button-up, Jil Sander shades.

Junk pile (in no particular order): Foti for Chrome Hearts sterling & leather necklace, eBayed spiked bracelet, 3-D print nude leather Bless snap bracelet, sterling eagle ring and skull ring courtesy of Alberto Juan, sterling "=" ring courtesy of L.S.D., sterling talon ring courtesy of Leviticus, Margiela black powder coated brass ring, Chanel ivory cocktail ring, sterling falcon skull ring courtesy of Blue Bayer, Pamela Love sterling cross ring.

I've been on a roll with posting lately, yeah? What a good blogger. Such a nice, hardworking blogger. Sike (yes, I said it). In reality, the only thing I've been busting my ass doing, aside from child-rearing (my favorite -- see below), is working on designs for this new RTW & accessories line, and I'm so excited. I won't say too much yet, but things are materializing exactly the way I wanted them to, and it looks like we could even open shop as early as mid-May. You won't be disappointed, I promise. No one is completely original, but our shit comes close, and I would wear every single piece every single day (and probably will).

Speaking of wearing a particular line every single day, I can't help it. I am having a very deep love affair with UNIF, and I can't see it stopping anytime soon. This print is on the top of my list for three reasons: 1) the Mayhem band-inspired logo 2) the colors 3) Bambi doin' it doggy, with Thumper gazing happily at the lovemaking. Genius.

These jeans were hand-bleached skin byrd style by me nearly ten years ago. My husband claimed them his own a couple of years ago and wore them onstage until they fell apart, during his brief try-hard Iggy Stooge wannabe phase with the last Pentagram lineup. Thank god that is over. Now the jeans are mine again: his trash, my treasure.

My favorite Mayhem release is Deathcrush (I never cared for Dead's vocal stylings, but I did like the whole story about him inhaling the scent of a dead raven in a plastic baggie before going onstage; that's kvlt dedication right there) -- what's yours?

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HI INTERNET.

2011-02-18T10:48:00.000-08:00

Little Bobby is nearly 6 months old, 14.5 lbs, 23" long, and a very happy, healthy guy.

Much love &hearts

HOT SMOKE AND SASSAFRAS.

2011-02-16T12:44:00.000-08:00

Asymmetrical shearling jacket & reversible Get Layd shirt courtesy of UNIF, Stolen Girlfriends Club jeans, DIY patched denim vest, Proenza Schouler moto boots, Givenchy bag, vintage necklace & Pamela Love dagger rosary, unisex sterling eagle ring courtesy of Alberto Juan, sterling & black gold talon ring courtesy of Leviticus, various other custom and/or vintage sterling rings.

We took a day trip to Maryland yesterday to visit my in-laws. I like Germantown a lot; it is a new suburb, with new homes and beautifully constructed shopping centers. I wore UNIF, as I do pretty much every day now. This shearling coat is unusual -- it doesn't have any buttons, hooks, or a zipper for closure, and it seems to look different every time I wear it. I like that. My favorite part are the sleeves, which are extra long so I don't need to wear gloves.

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Before we even left PA, I spilled a cup of coffee all over myself in the car. I used an entire Tide stick to go to clean the SGC jeans, but you couldn't even really notice it on the shirt. That is one of many things I love about UNIF. They make shirts in which one can bum, steez, sleep in and then in the morning wake up, throw on a pair of jeans and wear it until it absolutely needs to be washed. Then you wash it in the sink and let it dry on your shower rod. They're just those type of tops, the kind of threadbare cotton blend shirts you search for on eBay for months and gamble on, hoping it wasn't constructed in the early 90s when t-shirts were manufactured in stiff 100% cotton with a print so thick you have to go over it with a razor blade until it hangs the right way. UNIF shirts come to you like they were worn for years, but the print kept its bright colors and just became part of the fabric, so you can barely feel it when you run your hands across it. My favorite.

This particular shirt is reversible: the outside print features a relatively offensive print that utilizes the popular potato chip logo and font to read "Get Layd for the fun of it!" The inside print has the MacDonald's arches and reads "leave your number on the nightstand." I can't decide which side I like better, so I switched halfway through the day. The goldtone necklace with the blue stones is a vintage piece from the 70s that my mother in law gave me just about an hour before we took these photos. She gave me some other pieces too: a sapphire ring, some furs, and a vintage squash blossom necklace made from about a pound of sterling silver and some of the largest turquoise stones I've ever seen. I said to her, "Mom, I can't take this stuff -- you don't want them anymore?" She chuckled, adjusted her huge tinted glasses (much like my own), and replied, "Sweetie, when the hell am I going to wear it?"

On an unrelated note, the official press release for Pentagram's new album Last Rites was recently published online by Metal Blade Records ... you can view that here. Last Rites will be available worldwide on April 12.

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I DON'T LIVE TODAY.

2011-02-13T16:08:00.000-08:00

Vintage 70s Hendrix shirt, Topshop snakeskin print leggings, Jeffrey Campbell boots, vintage 70s faux fur & embroidered suede vest, Givenchy Pandora bag, rose gold DOOM ring courtesy of Adelina Mictlan, essence of two earring courtesy of L.S.D., vintage brass spiral cuff, vintage pentagram pendant, turquoise pendant by Lucky, butterfly knife pendant courtesy of Blood Milk, Margiela powder coated brass ring, Ray Ban custom tinted aviators.

Sorry it has been sooo unacceptably long since my last post. Sincerely. Between taking care of the little dude, the new RTW line I am launching with my partner, and the busy year Pentagram is having in preparation for the release of LAST RITES (which will be released in April; the 11th in Europe and 12th in the U.S., as far as I understand), it has been hard to focus on not looking like a total slob a lot of the time.

Aside from my badass authentic vintage purple Hendrix shirt (I only like Hendrix shirts when they say "THE EXPERIENCE" on them, because even now listening to him is such a fuckin experience ... not to mention Mitch Mitchell, god rest his soul, was one of the most incredible drummers in history), I wanted to share a couple particular things in this post: one being the amazing hot pink handmade faux bear skin rug that was so generously gifted to us by the lovely people over at Fringe. The rug will actually be used in a photoshoot with my husband, but I had to get a few with it as well.

The craftsmanship on this bear is jaw-dropping. When we first moved into this apartment, we decided we wanted one room retro-kitschy: the bedroom. I looked for months for the perfect bear skin rug to no avail ... they were all either too goofy/cartoonish-looking, or obviously designed for children's bedrooms. Fringe's bear rug is better than the real thing -- for real. To create the detail on the nose, mouth, tongue, eyes takes true skill ... this lady even has claws. Want one of your own? They make them in pretty much every color under the sun. They're crafted to be rugs, but look great thrown on the bed as well.

I've been drooling over this DOOM ring by Adelina Mictlan ever since I first laid eyes on it. It is a two-finger ring, but -- like her other multiple finger ring designs -- it doesn't feel like one. I'm not sure how she does it, but this ring is so easy to wear. I believe this is rose gold-toned brass ... I'm really into rose gold costume jewelry right now. Like the other brass ring I own that was designed by her, this one doesn't turn me green. It's obvious a lot of care is put into her designs. She also makes this ring in sterling silver, and a matching one that says GLOOM. Love it.

These snakeskin leggings were so cheap on Topshop about a month ago, so Bobby and I both bought a pair. They're remarkably comfortable. And I still love the Lita boots ... sorry, haters.

More soon (no, seriously). &hearts

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CREEP.

2011-01-27T06:50:00.000-08:00

"Disneylamb" muscle tee courtesy of UNIF layered under Rick Owens cropped cardigan & my own DIY Vice Squad sleeveless hoodie; Zara cutoffs, Givenchy bag, Karen Walker sunglasses, gold leopard print creepers by Demonia.

UNIF recently shipped me a very generous care package (thank you, Eric and Christine!), and it included their "Disneylamb" shirt design. There has yet to be a UNIF piece on which I've laid my eyes and didn't adore.

stag shield necklace courtesy of L.S.D.

Everything about their t-shirts is perfect: they're appropriately threadbare and distressed in a very authentic-looking way, they fit beautifully due to the thin [combed?] cotton, and their prints just straight up fucking rule. I love the hot pink of the pentagram against the white of the shirt, Mickey's inverted cross body, and how his hands are (I think) throwing the horns -- though his thumbs are out, so maybe he's sign language-ing "love" to us. Either way, I am buttfunky in love with this print.

Rings from L to R: custom pinkie rings, sterling/onyx frog, sterling/lapis large stone, sterling "equals" ring courtesy of L.S.D., sterling "feeling a little unbalanced" ring courtesy of L.S.D., talon ring courtesy of Leviticus, Pamela Love cross ring.

I haven't owned a pair of creepers in 6+ years -- the last pair I had were white, thick-soled, and I had splattered red acrylic paint on them to make them look like I had been present at the scene of a gruesome homicide (or committed the homicide myself, since I thought I was such a badass with my green hair and 8 gauge septum ring) and they had been sprayed with blood. A ridiculous concept in retrospect, but they actually looked pretty cool. However, I was still primarily a Docs, Chucks, and Vans girl, so the bloody creepers were sold online.

However, when my husband and I were e-shopping for stage boots for him, I stumbled across these gold leopard print creepers, and fell in love. I don't have many flats that are appropriate for the winter or walking around in snow/sludge, and these were very reasonably priced, so I had to have them: the perfect hybrid of geek and gaud. They're by Demonia, and they also come in purple, red, and blue, for those of you who want a pair of these uglies to call your own..

I had mentioned on my Twitter, in response to some people who had asked me about the MeineLiebe project, that I made the decision awhile ago to respectfully withdrawal my association with the line. When I initially decided to launch my own line, I made a vow to myself that I would not rush production or take any short-cuts in the design process for the sake of saving time and/or money, compromise my vision or "settle for less" by using cheap materials for the sake of saving time and/or money, and most importantly, I would not try to sell an inferior design to customers at an outrageous markup. My mantra was and still is: no design is finalized unless I would wear it myself with pride on a regular basis. With all due respect, I just did not feel my partners at MeineLiebe and I had the same creative vision; therefore, I deferentially stepped out of the project, and am no longer associated with MeineLiebe.

However, my departure from the MeineLiebe line does not mean the end of RTW and accessories designing for me. A very gifted artist, who is a "think outside of the box" kind of individual, and I will be launching our own line, consisting of unisex RTW, jewelry and other accessories. We have only had a handful of meetings thus far, and already designs are going into production. My partner in this project and I have very similar creative visions, and witnessing them amalgamate and materialize into kick-ass designs is fulfilling and incredible beyond words. We hope to have our webshop up with pieces for sale around late March to mid-April. We do have a name for the line already, but I'll save that for the next post.

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BITCHES BE TRIPPIN'

2011-01-16T12:38:00.000-08:00

Ann Sofie-Back safety pin shirt, "Bitches be Trippin'" collar by Dimepiece, Marséll patent leather laceless brogues, Juicy Couture pants, blue suede H&M cropped moto jacket, Givenchy Pandora bag, sterling plated skull ring courtesy of Alberto Juan.

I flipped when I saw these Dimepiece collars. I got a black one with white crosses, and couldn't resist this one either. When my friend Josh first saw me wearing one of these, he laughed his ass off: "Is that a fake collar?! Like a dickie?!" But seriously, these go with everything -- well, maybe everything except dresses, but I rarely wear dresses.

I've had this suede moto jacket for eons. It's one of those pieces out of which I don't get much wear, but I love it so much that I could never part with it. It's the most unusual shade of blue; I guess I'd classify it as periwinkle. I felt it suited this ensemble today, for whatever reason. I think it adds to the intentional goofiness of the "Bitches Be Trippin'" collar. I hate it when people are all like "I NEVER try to be ironic in the way I dress! Fashion is ~serious business~" Come on, guys -- it's clothes. What's the deal with everyone wanting to look "timeless"? Sure, I own some stuff I'd consider timeless, but most of my things have playful elements. Hey, I'm milking my youth as long as I possibly can, and that does not entail wearing skirt suits.

I LOVE Marséll. Love. Interestingly enough, I've had these shoes for over a year now. Just recently have I felt it was the "right" time to start wearing them, nomsane? They are truly stunning -- the distressing on the white patent leather has sort of an indigo hue, and they have just the right amount of extra toe space so they look appropriately dorky, but not like I'm preparing to enroll in clown training. Not that there's anything wrong with being a clown, but if you are a clown, you should go all out. So clowns, these are not the right shoes for you. And even if you felt they were, sorry ... they're from several seasons ago.

Against my will, these shoes are the only Marséll I own. A year ago, I ordered a gorgeous black leather backpack that was stolen by a temporary UPS worker (along with *that* Christopher Kane atomic print dress). It pains me to even type this story, because that backpack and incredible dress would be in my closet RIGHT THIS SECOND had some UPS worker not gotten greedy around the 2009 holiday season. So, thanks, UPS asshole. If you ever feel like returning the items to me or even apologizing, feel free to shoot me an email. I'll hold my breath until you do! :D

Ann Sofie-Back never fails to astound me. I got this relatively simple little number from one of my favorite online stores, Stand Up Comedy. Obviously what sold me on it was the gigantic safety pin on the front, which makes the piece drape on the wearer's body in a really unique way. When I first ordered this, I was worried the safety pin would eventually rip large holes in the fabric (which is ~silkeh~ soft, by the way). Silly me for thinking ASB could produce anything even remotely inferior -- the holes where the safety pin enters are re-inforced, sort of grommet-style, but done in fabric because grommets on a t-shirt are yucky. Point being, this piece is a must-have basic for me, and I fucking love it.

Trip on, bitches &hearts

BACK AGAINST THE WALL

2011-01-11T18:46:00.000-08:00

"Channeling" shirt courtesy of UNIF, Stolen Girlfriends Club croc-embossed leather detail jeans, vintage 70s custom embroidered denim jacket, Ann Demeulemeester triple lace burgundy boots, Givenchy large Pandora bag in black.

Junk yard: Pamela love dagger rosary, Nosferatu pendant courtesy of L.S.D., sterling plated large skull ring courtesy of Alberto Juan, sterling large lapis stone ring, sterling "armor" knuckle ring w/ rectangular sterling & onyx ring, sterling & onyx frog knuckle ring, Pamela Love cage ring, black gold talon ring courtesy of Leviticus, sterling falcon skull ring courtesy of Blue Bayer. Large sterling "squiggle" cuff custom design by Donald Pywell; all others custom designs or Tiffanys.

The holidays are over and I have to admit, I'm pretty grateful. I love being around my family during the holidays and especially witnessing my little boy experiencing xmas for the first time, but I'm pretty much all bah-humbug in my old age. Then I was shocked into a spiritual metamorphosis and emerged as Changed Scrooge after I saw what Santahusband had left for me under the tree:

... this spectacular Givenchy Pandora bag. My Bobby picked this up at Joan Shepp. If you've been reading this blog since its inception, you know I've been lusting after this no. 1 stunna since I first laid eyes on it at ... what a coincidence, it was at Joan Shepp! It is truly the most impeccable, breathtaking bag in the world. The single handle instead of two handles may be too unconventional for some, but it totally makes sense. I hate trying to shove two shorter handles up on my shoulder, only to have them slip down seconds later. The single strap also makes the bag "sit" properly when carried in the crook of the wearer's arm (which I still do, and evidently that's totally gauche now, but fuck it). It also features a detachable long strap so the bag can be carried messenger style, or just thrown o'er your shoulder [like a Continental soldier]:

This is *the* holy grail of bags for me. The design is beyond perfect. The roomy main compartment fits everything from my cornucopia of sunglasses to my kids' bottles, bibs, and clean diapers. It also has a large front compartment where I keep my phone, keys, Orajel, Bonne Bell Lip Smackers etc. for easy access. The crinkled leather and high grade hardware would survive the apocalypse, and the gold Givenchy emblem is subtle enough that it doesn't scream, "LOOK AT ME I AM A GIVENCHY BAG, SUCK IT FAUX LOUIS VUITTON IN FRONT OF ME IN LINE AT THE CVS PHARMACY!" because I really don't want a bag that screams that; I just want a bag that will be good to me until I'm six under. I can't put into words how exquisite this bag is, so I will just stfu now. But I highly doubt I will need another bag ever, ever again. Ok, done yakking about the Pandora now.

UNIF is my new favorite. I went crazy for what I assume is their fall collection. Then came the inevitable haul. When I first saw that asymmetrical faux suede/fur jacket/coat hybrid on Nasty Gal, I had to have it. Check. Then when I saw their t-shirts, my lower jaw almost busted off of its hinges and hit the floor. I instantly fell hard for two of the designs in particular: the "Channeling" shirt with the Chanel logo shamelessly defaced with pentagrams (DUH, it's destiny), and an off-white number with a colorful UNIF logo in Mayhem band logo style font (destiny again) atop an illustration of a cheerful Bambi bent over and getting ... hmmm, how can I say this tactfully ... butt-fucked by some dude, with Thumper happily watching -- hooray!

When I couldn't find the Channeling shirt in the size I wanted, I contacted the people at UNIF, who were so, so sweet and helpful. They found both shirts in my size, and the lovely Christine generously tossed into my order a distressed white sleeveless tee with a "Jesus Saves, I Spend" design emblazoned on the front. All three of the shirts are buttery soft, garner tons of WHEREDIDYOUGETTHATs, and the jacket is flawless. I really can't get enough of this line, so expect their beautiful shit to be a large part of my year-round wardrobe.

These jeans from New Zealand design house Stolen Girlfriends Club were my first post-pregnancy jeans purchase. How great does it feel to not have to wear jeggings or tights with bike shorts? So great. These are the most badass jeans I have ever laid eyes on, and they're extraordinarily well-crafted. The denim is heavy-duty with just the right amount of stretch, and the croc-embossed leather panels won my heart.

Thankfully for short women like myself who are too lazy to hem jeans, this pair has inner ankle zippers that allow one to wear tall boots to fill in the extra ankle space. Today, they seemed perfect for my Ann D triple lace stilettos. These also look good with the Lita boot, but I was not in the mood tonight to be tarred and feathered by the online Lita protesters. Haters can e-stone me to death for my stupid fucking trapper hat, pictured below, instead. That way, everyone can be happy :D

This denim jacket was purchased by my husband from E.F. Sly & Co. in 1970. He has a pair of matching jeans that came with this piece, but the jeans sit in our closet considering both of us are noooooowhere close to a 24" waist. I'm sure I would've worn the jeans to death if I were seven years old. However, I wear the jacket all the time. The detail on the bird of paradise embroidered on the back is wonderfully gaudy. Never to be outshined in his ostentatiousness, when Bobby first purchased it, my mother-in-law sewed sequins onto the embroidered parts in such an appropriately 70s matchy-matchy fashion. This piece also looks great with 70s era paisley button-ups with ridiculous collars. This was Bobby's "fuck you, I'm not going to the disco" ensemble. He's worn it onstage a few times ... then he got sober, grew a gut, and now it's mine.

I really hate snow, because in this area it stays pretty for about 5 hours, then is dirtied up by the filthy essence of Philly, and before you know it you're trudging through a pile of gray sludge to get to your car or eating shit on a patch of black ice as you walk out of your house (happened to me last year -- thanks for shoveling the steps, ex-landlord). Last night it snowed hard, and it was pretty. ALSO, I said it last winter and I'm going to say it again: these Ann D boots are great in even deep snow. I challenge you to find another pair of stilettos that are good in the snow. Wearing Comme des Garcons coat, Topshop trapper hat.

L.S.D. sent me this sterling Nosferatu pendant a few weeks ago. I love this piece. It's not excessively cheeky, and the coffin-shaped "picture frame" has her signature antiqued patina. I adore everything she makes -- nothing turns me green, I never get sick of wearing her designs, and on any given day I find myself throwing on at least one of her pieces before leaving the house. Thank you as always, Lotte!

Some people have emailed me asking about the new Pentagram album. All I can say right now is: it is the best album since Day of Reckoning, everyone sounds amazing, and it will come out in late March or early April. I also want to say I am so proud of Greg, Victor, Tim, and Bobby for two very successful performances in Brooklyn and Rhode Island in celebration of Pentagram's 40 year anniversary. This year is going to be a big one for Pentagram, and I can't speak for the other guys, but I know Bobby is totally humbled, very excited, and overwhelmed that his musical vision has survived 4 decades. Pentagram is an entity in its own; a dinosaur just like its frontman ;) Thank you so much to everyone who supported -- it means the world!

I know, too much rambling and too many photos up in this post, but I have been slacking big time as a blogger and ~~acquiring~~ ~~curating~~ ~~snagging~~ buying/receiving some majorly cool shit lately, so I couldn't wait to ~shair with you guise~.

In all sincerity, thank you so very much for the continued support with this blog, which is now over a year old -- the whole thing has given me so many incredible opportunities, I've met some awesome people, and I really have a lot of fun with this this jawn. So again: thank you, thank you, thank you! Wishing you all a blessed 2011 &hearts

FAM; SPECIAL PEOPLE

2011-01-04T08:49:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the delay around the holidays; you know how that goes ... going to have a "relevant" post up super soon.

Photos of Bobby and Victor, credit goes to the ever-generous and continually loyal Jeffrey Lee.

Much love &hearts

IT'S A MAJOR AWARD

2010-12-25T13:58:00.000-08:00

This was RJ's first Christmas. Santa was good to him: a Vermont Teddy Bear, a Baby Einstein chair, an Eagles sweatsuit, and much more. I am a lucky woman to have spent Xmas (and every other day) with my boys. Wishing all of you the happiest of holidays and an even more joyous future. &hearts

On a less important note, this blog is now over a year old. Thank you to all of my readers for supporting (and hopefully enjoying) Halcoholic. Much love to all of you.

WINNER OF L.S.D. EARRINGS GIVEAWAY

2010-12-19T08:43:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to j_balson28@hotmail.com for winning the L.S.D. BALANCE earring giveaway! Lotte will be contacting you ASAP for your shipping info.

Much thanks to L.S.D. for making this giveaway possible, and thank you to everyone who participated.

I will be hosting another giveaway in the very remote future, so keep your eyes peeled! &hearts

shop L.S.D. on etsy

RIPPED TO SHREDS

2010-12-15T00:58:00.000-08:00

Horace sweater overtop Rick Owens cropped cardigan & Obesity and Speed "Stay Sick" tank top, Chanel lucite heel silver & black leather booties, Chris Habana hinged cage ring, "the prophet" oxidized brass owl claw pendant courtesy of Blood Milk, Mandy Coon leather bunny bag.

I love this ridiculously destroyed, loosely-knit Horace sweater ... the "knit" is basically just like looped, thin yarn with a shit-ton of hanging pieces. Lots of things get caught in the knit (rings, jacket buttons, my son just grabbing a string and pulling), and that makes it look even better IMHO. Layered over my Rick Owens cardigan, it was surprisingly warm today in the freezing weather the Philadelphia area has been experiencing recently.

With the gray in the sweater, it was obvious I needed to pair it with my silver & black Chanel booties. God, I adore these shoes. AH-DOOR. Thank you, Jayne!

I was so stoked when I found this Chris Habana hinged cage ring on I Don't Like Mondays. They had one left, and I had to have it. I've admired Habana's work for awhile now after seeing an amazing necklace styled by Zana Bayne. This piece is actually very easy to wear due to the hinges. My husband thinks this ring is completely ridiculous -- he calls it my "Hellraiser ring." Considering Hellraiser is in my top three favorite horror movies of all time (a very close second to Videodrome), I take this entirely as a compliment.

More soon &hearts

SANTA: I'M DEAD FUCKING SERIOUS.

2010-12-07T02:58:00.000-08:00

click for titanic viewing

Pleasure Principle wide neck sweatshirt poncho (Stand Up Comedy), Proenza Schouler open-back wedges (Opening Ceremony), Storm Tharp unisex poncho (Stand Up Comedy), Proenza Schouler black leather tote (La Garconne), Ann Sofie-Back raised shoulder pad sweatshirt (Stand Up Comedy), Maison Martin Margiela 11 magnet necklace (Oki-Ni), Barbara Gongini fur bag (I Don't Like Mondays), Dress & Co. Inverness M-65 jacket (Opening Ceremony), Barbara Gongini spike ring (I Don't Like Mondays), Damir Doma Typha silk mix leggings (LN-CC), Chanel suspenders (RSVP Gallery), Cockney Rejects t-shirt (Angry, Young, and Poor), Isaac Reina Radical classic clutch (Stand Up Comedy), Chris Habana cage bracelet (I Don't Like Mondays), Dress & Co grey stole jacket (Opening Ceremony), Skingraft shearling biker jacket in grey (Skingraft), Anti ring by RottenFresh (Not Just a Label), Alexander Wang Noemi combat bootie (La Garconne), The Defector leather jacket by Straight to Hell in blue (Angry, Young, and Poor), Dark + Dawn for Blood is the New Black "You're Welcome" signet ring (Blood is the New Black).

I really can't get over those rings ... or that Storm Tharp poncho. Or that damn Proenza Schouler tote. That Chris Habana collection really got to me also -- I have the hinged cage ring and it is amazing (more on that later).

Can you sense I have a sterling silver/crazy jewelry fetish? Obviously. Speaking of which, look below and enter to win a pair of amazing asymmetrical cross earrings by L.S.D.

What are you wishing for under your tree? We're getting ours tomorrow.

&hearts

L.S.D. GIVEAWAY

2010-12-01T15:16:00.000-08:00

Awesome news, ladies and dudes: Lotte Burkhart, the artist behind Little Sister Designs (L.S.D.), has generously offered a pair of these incredibly badass BALANCE earrings (valued at $70) to one lucky-ass Halcoholic reader. These mis-matched, beautifully designed crosses (one right side up, the other inverted) are hand-sawed from sterling silver and have been oxidized to a gunmetal finish.

"The balance of good and evil has been discussed and told in stories for thousands of years. With these earrings you don't have to choose if you want to be good or evil, as you are wearing a balance of both: the upside down cross is known to be evil, where as the cross is holy and a symbol of goodness. Or if you are feeling a little naughty or nice why not go asymmetrical and just wear one!"

Like most L.S.D. creations, these are intrinsically bizarre in just the right way. Love them? Here is how to enter for a chance to win:

1. You must be a follower of both Halcoholic and L.S.D. on either Bloglovin' or Google Friend Connect.

2. You must "Like" both Halcoholic and L.S.D. on Facebook.
- If you don't have a Facebook account, you can follow me/Halcoholic on Twitter .. L.S.D. is Twitter-less

3. Leave a comment to this post with your e-mail address and name your favorite item from the L.S.D. Etsy shop.

4. One entry per person

5. Email entries will not be accepted or counted. Please guys, do not enter via email! It only takes a minute to make a Bloglovin' or Google account.

6. International entries are accepted

This giveaway will run through until Friday, December 19 until 12 A.M. Eastern time, and the winner (chosen randomly via random.org) will be announced the following day.

GOOD LUCK! &hearts

shop L.S.D. on etsy

NOW I WANNA BE YOUR DOG

2010-11-26T21:36:00.000-08:00

Acne t-shirt, Bebe leather jacket, 3.1 Phillip Lim stamped pony hair trainers, Mandy Coon bunny bag, Karen Walker shades.

Basic, everyday look -- we snapped these out front of my in-laws' house. Their neighborhood is so lovely. The Acne tee has been worn to death. The Phillip Lim "Atomique" trainers were a gift from Bobby for our anniversary. I adore these sneakers. You can find them at Barneys CO-OP ... there is a different color option where the toe cap is teal leopard print, the "body" is the same print that is on the toe cap of my pair, and the leather parts are maroon. Both styles only have a few sizes of each left, so if you &hearts them, don't drag ass! ;)

Junk yard: Margiela powder-coated brass "diamond" ring & cuff, unbalanced wisdom tooth ring and stag shield pendant courtesy of L.S.D., sterling silverware bangle courtesy of Alberto Juan.

&hearts

AIN'T IT FUN

2010-11-25T19:55:00.000-08:00

T-shirt by Patrick Mohr for Not Just a Label, Proenza Schouler moto booties, Mandy Coon leather bunny bag from Opening Ceremony, Zara cutoffs, unbalanced wisdom tooth ring and stag shield pendant courtesy of L.S.D., sterling & 14kt gold vermeil silverware bangles courtesy of Alberto Juan.

Hello from a hotel in Germantown, Maryland ... my family and I went to spend Thanksgiving with my in-laws. They had yet to meet the baby, so this was a particularly special visit. My mother-in-law ordered a Chinese feast and served pie & cake for dessert; my husband and I ate ourselves sick while his parents fought over the little one. It was beautiful times all around.

L.S.D. recently shipped me an extremely generous goody package all the way from New Zealand containing the feeling a little unbalanced ring, which is crafted from a human molar (complete with fillings) set atop oxidized solid sterling. I think this may be my favorite L.S.D. piece. I love the offset placement of the tooth, and like everything else Charlotte makes, the detail is incredible. Each one of these rings are completely unique, as not one tooth is the same. Certain L.S.D. treasures have such an organic feel, and I love that. Also in the package was another insanely cool piece that I will be sharing on here very soon.

I was equally excited when I received these exquisite sterling & 14kt gold vermeil silverware bangles, compliments of Alberto Juan. I always feel like my words sort of fail me when I attempt to describe the all-around superior design aesthetic of Alberto Juan creations. These bangles are beautiful and so wearable. I liked the way they looked juxtaposed with the L.S.D. pieces today -- the delicate, "antiqued" appearance of the bangles next to the macabre, industrial style of the ring and pendant worked (for me, at least), and I got tons of "where did you get your jewelry?"s this morning during a 7-11 coffee run.

I coveted this shirt for awhile; I love the inside-out stitching and the little NJAL cow logo embroidered on the bottom of the white panel. They have some pretty neat duds at that shop.

Off to sleep I go .. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday spent with your favorite people &hearts

HIKE

2010-11-14T12:09:00.000-08:00

Topshop skirt, Rick Owens boots, vintage plaid button-up, vintage Kreator shirt, Karen Walker "Righteous" sunglasses, Juicy Couture trapper hat, Boyy Slash bag.

Leather strap bracelets by Bless, sterling unisex eagle ring courtesy of Alberto Juan, talon ring courtesy of Leviticus. I need a fill-in badly! The Bless bracelets are too cool-- the one with the colored letters is 3-D! From Ooga Booga.

I love these shades by New Zealand designer Karen Walker ... I had seen them on a local girl (weirdly enough) and then again on Rumi, and I thought they looked so neat and unusual. For some reason I always have to take glasses with those nose pads to be adjusted.

The Topshop skirt is actually a maxi that I have hiked up over my ta-tas. I never iron maxi skirts, I just really like the way they look all wrinkled.

Squirrels are abundant around here, and they always eat the pumpkins. Have a good Sunday afternoon. &hearts

NEGATIVE

2010-11-12T12:55:00.001-08:00

Dig this picture with these Celine wedges .. these are probably my favorite pairs of non-boots, but they're extremely hard to walk in. It's weird how some shoes without a platform (like my Ann Demeulemeester wedges) are super easy to walk in, and others that look easy like these shoes are very teetery. I rarely wear them except maybe when Bobby and I are going somewhere nice for dinner and I can hang onto him while others assume I had a few drinks or something ;) Love 'em anyway, and the Celine bags from this season are gorg. We don't drink, for the record .. it makes us both pukey.

1984. He looks very high on cocaine in this photo, but moreso than that I think he was just very excited and full of adrenaline to interview Blue Cheer, which he did that night.

Speaking of my husband, he's leaving to record the heavily anticipated "Last Rites" album in about five days and will be gone for a whole month! This is the longest Bobby and I have been apart since we got married. Our anniversary is on the 24th of this month. I'm a very lucky woman to have known love this way. The past year has been surreal. I remember getting married with just the two of us and a preacher, holding tulips (at least I think they were tulips) he had bought just moments before in the rain, and the way he looked running back to the car with his hair all wet. Afterwards we ate cinnamon pretzels back at the apartment, told stories and laughed. About three weeks later I found out I was pregnant. We were so excited. I wouldn't change anything about Bobby. I hope to be with him when he's incredibly, incredibly old, with a walker, watching our son graduate college.

Sorry for the boring post, Bobby and I are going to see Roky Erickson play tonight since we missed him in Philly .. I'll try to take some pictures. Have a safe weekend &hearts

SHOES FOUR SAIL

2010-11-07T18:12:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year where I purge some things I haven't worn in several months .. I hate doing this on here, but I hate dealing with eBay even more, so here you have it:

Phi OTK brown platform boots - size 38 - Worn 1x. - $500 (I had originally offered these for cheaper -- due to a ton of people emailing me after my Twitter post and a very confusing bidding war via email, I am now selling these for the highest offer I received thru email .. had no idea they were so coveted!)

Chloe doc tall platform wedge boots, red leather - size 38.5, will fit a 38 or 37.5 (run about 1/2 size small) - moderate wear, these need a minor repair from a cobbler, one of the soles needs a little glue (not sure who to credit the photo collage to -- lmk if you're the owner). - $300 SOLD

Marni platforms, white leather w/ colored stones - size 38, will also fit a 38.5 - worn 1x - $125

Email me at halcoholic@gmail.com if interested. PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE SHIPPING. Please email for a total w/ shipping included. I will ship overseas.

Thanks for looking! &hearts

SUBURBAN HOME

2010-11-06T14:36:00.000-07:00

I love fashion, but I do not consider it a significant part of who I am. I would say what makes me who I am is the unconditional, fierce love I feel for those who are most important to me. I have always been a homebody. I am home when I am with the people I adore the most in this world. The things surrounding me in this dwelling -- the little belongings I see and experience on a daily basis -- are a reminder of the life I have now and what I've gone through to get here: a pair of shoes I was wearing when my husband and I realized we were going to be parents, an old Norwegian knick-knack my mother gave me when I moved into my first apartment, a plush animal I slept with as a child that now sits in my son's crib. I never pictured my life this way ten or even two years ago. I am not sure what I did to deserve the special people with whom I get to share my days, but I try not to ask questions. Life is too short to not cherish and enjoy what matters most to you, whatever that may be.

MOTO MOHAIR

2010-11-03T15:21:00.000-07:00

Sweater by Topshop, moto booties by Proenza Schouler, leather bag by Jas M.B., stag pendant courtesy of L.S.D., scythe ring by Gareth Pugh, ghetto acrylic nails by local nail salon.

Wow guys, I've been such a shitty blogger. I've been terribly preoccupied with this hunky guy:

... as well as other fun IRL stuff. My hair is so ridiculously long now. I kind of shift between wanting to trim it, to challenging myself to see how long it can actually get before I can start wearing it as a belt. I'm really not too distanced from this goal ..

What I do have for you is the winner of the Sparkover ring giveaway:

angelah.1980@gmail.com

Congrats! Sparkover will be getting in touch with you soon. I was really perplexed at the abundance of email entries for (yet again) this giveaway .. I got about an equal number of those as I did proper entries. Why does this happen to me? Dudes, the email entries do not count!

I promise I will be posting again sooner than the next 3 weeks .. let's set a date for this weekend, k? &hearts

CHRONIC GENERATION; SPARKOVER GIVEAWAY

2010-10-14T14:30:00.000-07:00

- DIY studded vest
- Fiorentini & Baker 7040 boots
- Ray-Ban glasses
- Margiela powder-coated brass "diamond" cuff & ring
- Pamela Love cross ring
- repurposed circuit board jewelry (earring, necklace, ring) courtesy of Sparkover

I've resurrected some old school stylings lately, as they're the easiest to wear, fall asleep in, and wear again the next day -- perfect for baby duty. The vest is a neverending work in progress and I did not do the stud work; my dear friend Josh studded it little by little for a good year or so. It is denim painted with black acrylic that ended up looking sort of like cracked leather. Surprisingly, it's very lightweight and comfortable. Not sure how many studs are on this. I've had the boots forever.

I have been loving my Sparkover pieces lately -- whenever I wear these out, I'm constantly asked about them (I've given out a ton of Sparkover cards since I received these designs). I'm really excited to be able to host this giveaway, as Jaci has been generous enough to offer one of her circuit board rings to one of my lucky readers:

I have the same ring, which is high-quality sterling silver and has a nice, thick adjustable band. All of the little details of the circuit board make for such a unique design.

Here are the rules:

1) Subscribe to Halcoholic with either Bloglovin' or Google friend connect
2) After browsing the Sparkover etsy shop, comment to this post with your email address and your favorite piece from the shop.

The giveaway will run until Friday, October 29 and will end on that day at 11PM Eastern time. The winner will be chosen using Random.org and announced Monday, November 1st. This giveaway is open to all readers, but please do not try to enter via email -- your entry will not count.

Good luck &hearts

SHOE FANTASIES, REPURPOSED CIRCUIT BOARDS, BABY FACE

2010-10-07T17:49:00.000-07:00

Watch by La Mer. Shoes L to R: Versace and YSL from Net-a-Porter, Viktor and Rolf from La Garconne.

I'm into the purple/blue suede trend for this season. Though, I wouldn't turn my nose up at those black leather Viktor and Rolf boots.

Little Bobby

This weekend we are taking the baby to visit his Liebling grandparents. I have some pieces to share with you guys within the next few days, and a very cool giveaway courtesy of Sparkover. Check out the designs in the meantime, which are all made utilizing repurposed circuit board parts:

circuit board necklace by Sparkover

The artist was generous enough to send me 3 extremely awesome pieces that will be featured in my next post.

I also filmed a makeup tutorial due to lots of reader requests, but it turned out very hectic and disorganized (lol), so I might be filming another one. Maybe I'll just share the nutsy one anyway.

I'll be sure to snap some photos of our mini-trip this weekend and show you all how I deal with traveling/packing up with the little one. Hope the weekend treats you well! &hearts

STILT

2010-10-02T12:09:00.000-07:00

Vintage Hendrix shirt, vintage distressed leggings, Linda Farrow x Charles Anastase shades, Jeffrey Campbell Lita boots, BOYY Slash bag. Accessories: Pamela Love rosary & cross ring, ram head necklace courtesy of Summer Adeline, vintage cross, tea rose knuckle ring courtesy of Heist, all other rings vintage sterling.

I know I have been really slacking on regular posting. I promise I am going to make more of an effort now that the baby is in a good routine at home. I am amped on my new JC Litas, which were a gift from the hubby. I really like this khaki color. The shade is subtle enough to match with everything (like my burgundy Ann D boots). These are very comfortable and provide for a stable walk. The leather is also really nice for the reasonable price point. I know I'm the 400th blogger to style these in a post, but they're selling like crazy for a reason!

The tea rose knuckle ring was one of two pieces sent to me from Heist. I really love Heist's designs. The artist, Tiffany, offers the coolest personalized rings and necklaces I have ever seen. The majority of the pieces have a sort of brushed silver finish. Tiffany explains that she uses something called .999 fine silver, which is a clay-like medium containing small particles of precious metals. When fired, the clay burns away and the metal is left behind. Neat! The ring has never turned me green and is of exquisite quality. I will be styling the other piece soon -- it is very special to me for a particular reason :)

Much thanks to Charli and Studded & Stoned for their interview with me ... be sure to take a peek at their shop, they have some pretty hot accessories!

Happy weekend! &hearts

CAUGHT IN A MOSH?

2010-09-15T17:06:00.000-07:00

bootleg Anthrax shirt, denim vest, Alexander Wang beatle boots, Jas M.B. leather shopper, Ray Ban aviators. Accessories: Foti x Chrome Hearts sterling & leather necklace, talon ring courtesy of Leviticus, sterling silver eagle ring courtesy of Alberto Juan, essence of two earring courtesy of L.S.D., Gareth Pugh scythe ring, sterling/onyx frog knuckle ring.

Several people have commented and emailed me asking for a makeup tutorial on my everyday makeup. Let me know if any of you guys are into that, and I will make a video. Have a peaceful evening .. &hearts

RAW TO THE BONE

2010-09-13T14:07:00.000-07:00

Margiela sweater, vintage Thrasher t-shirt, vintage distressed leggings, Chloe Sevigny x Opening Ceremony buckle wedges, Jil Sander sunglasses, Jas M.B. leather tote. Accessories: sterling silver eagle ring courtesy of Alberto Juan, Chanel cocktail ring, custom Donald Pywell sterling cuff, sterling crow skull pendant by Blue Bayer, Forever 21 cross ring.

Not too much going on with this look, which is what I like about it. Limited time and that post-pregnancy in-between-sizes figure is pretty constricting to my wardrobe, but I have to say it's been a nice reprieve. I've had this Thrasher shirt for years and it's basically threadbare. It was cool enough this morning to wear the Margiela sweater over it, but by mid-afternoon the sun was beating. It's September ... will the East Coast heat end already?

I really am not too into posting pictures of my kid online .. something about it doesn't sit right with me and it's not relevant to this blog. However, I love this shot of him with his daddy:

I can't believe Bobby and I turned out such a blonde baby! For two very small people, he's also a big boy. We adore him. More soon! xo

SWEET CHILD OF THE RIPPERBON

2010-09-12T14:10:00.000-07:00

vintage sweater courtesy of Kitami Ropa, Chloe wedge boots, gifted 3-finger brass pyramid stud ring by Adelina Mictlan, Alexandra Cassaniti money bag, Ray Ban aviators.

Big thanks to Kitami Ropa for sending me this 80's vintage mohair sweater. I chose this piece because I was really into the kitschy leather Egyptian detailing. The tag says "Dino Valiano - Made in Western Germany." I think this probably would've looked better with my Miu Miu clogs, but it was raining today so I pulled out the Chloes instead.

These boots were an a/w '09 purchase, and I think they'll hold up quite nicely through this season as well. The only minor complaint I have is the complete absence of a platform, which makes for some tricky downhill walking. With a platform, however, I think they might start to look too much like Sketchers. The cream laces and the folded shaft pretty much make the shoe. People tend to either really love or really hate these boots; I love them.

This 3-finger ring by Adelina Mictlan is my new favorite gold-tone piece. Ms. Mictlan recently had some pieces showcased at my hair salon in South Philly, and I was completely blown away by what I saw. Her work is on-trend while still maintaining the distinctiveness of her vision. I can tell a lot of thought was put into this design, and I really appreciate that. The rings are positioned in a way that makes for easy movement of the fingers ... I don't have any trouble changing diapers with this on. The brushed finish is appropriately understated, and the brass has yet to turn me green (and I turn very quickly), so I know she uses high-quality materials. Definitely someone to keep an eye on! The spiked bracelet is a piece of junk jewelry from ebay ... I also have it in silver. These tend to be pretty cumbersome, so it was in my purse by noon.

My boy has been fed so now I'm off to make tacos for my husband ... more soon! &hearts

LOVE IS FOREVER

2010-09-06T18:53:00.000-07:00

The reason I have been so exceedingly absent is because on August 26th, my husband and I were blessed with this beautiful little boy, Robert Joseph Liebling. We have been on cloud nine and are so very much in love with our son. I sincerely apologize for my negligence and I promise everyone's emails, private messages, etc. will be returned as soon as possible. Designers who have sent me things to style on here, I will start shooting again very soon. I thank everyone so very much again for the abundance of support and understanding we have received in this joyous time. The amount of precious cards, packages, emails, meals (!!), and various other congratulations has been overwhelming and truly means the world to us all. This site is still very much a priority of mine and I will resume regular posting very soon. Thank you so much again for the kindness and well-wishes. Much love &hearts

MORE COWBELL

2010-08-16T18:29:00.000-07:00

click for massive size

I'VE GOT A FEVER AND THE ONLY PRESCRIPTION IS:

Clockwise from top left: Alexander Wang platform boots via Colette, Kokon To Zai beetlejuice heels, KTZ devil muscle shirt from Bitching and Junkfood, Wild Fox faux fur & leather jacket by Lirfons at Not Just A Label, Jeffrey Campbell "Stevie" boots via Nasty Gal, Givenchy crown of thorns necklace, Rodarte bracelet for Opening Ceremony, Acne resort 2011 leather boots, Alexander Wang flame clutch, the Black And White T-Shirt by Patrickmohr for Not Just A Label, Robert Clergerie wedges, DOOM 2-finger knuckle ring by Adelina Mictlan.

ASKE

2010-08-14T16:40:00.000-07:00

vintage Burzum shirt (thanks Kristin!), Topshop maxi skirt, Phi boots, Chanel aviators, Blood Milk 2-finger hummingbird skull ring, gifted cascading bullet necklace by Fringe, DIY leather & bone necklace, bamboo cuff, BOYY Slash bag.

The lovely artists responsible for Fringe Collection recently sent me three stunning neckpieces -- this bullet "bib" being one of them. This is probably my favorite out of the three. So much thought was put into this design. In the faux fur-lined box in which the piece arrived, it appeared shapeless and odd; when clasped on the neck, it takes on the "cascading" shape and lays so beautifully. The bullet casings are strung on invisible cord to give the illusion that the piece is floating. The black piece around my neck is the neckline to my t-shirt, not part of the necklace; I sliced it underneath at the seam. Anyway, Fringe is currently offering some of the most unique creations I have ever seen. Each piece is one-of-a-kind and the artists utilize a lot of uncommon materials like stone, wood, seed pods, and more "organic" found objects. Their work is so different from what is trendy right now in terms of jewelry, yet simultaneously current, and extremely beautiful. I've gotten so many compliments on this piece. This is definitely a line to keep an eye on ... I'm dying for the faux bear skin rug they offer in a medley of custom colors to lay on our bedroom floor. I'll style the other two Fringe necklaces soon. The bone necklace is my own DIY piece; just some bleached bones with drilled holes strung on a leather cord. I've been meaning to sew these bones onto a jacket or vest for awhile, but haven't gotten around to it.

I love these Phi boots .. they're extraordinarily comfortable. I'm so bummed Phi isn't around anymore. The Burzum shirt was a gift from a dear friend in Pittsburgh, who gave me a massive amount of super-soft, worn-in band shirts when I was on tour and Pentagram passed through there. I've been meaning to send her a huge package in return, but I keep on finding new stuff I want to send her as we continue to unpack boxes in our new place. I promise I'll send it soon, Kristin! xo

My due date is tomorrow and I'm SO ready to have this baby ... Bobby and I are both overjoyed and very excited. I promise to keep posting throughout this very hectic, very special time in our lives. There are a lot of exciting developments in the remote future of this site and MeineLiebe. I thank all of you once again for all of the endless support and encouragement. I'm so glad so many of you enjoy the blog and I'm confident in MeineLiebe's designs and what we'll be offering for fall. I'll keep you all posted; have a safe, fun Saturday night. &hearts

SLUMMIN'

2010-08-11T13:25:00.000-07:00

Rodarte t-shirt, Alexander Wang sweatpants, Rick Owens boots, vintage flannel, BOYY Slash bag, DKNY shades.

Junk pile: Gifted sterling unisex eagle and XL skull rings by Alberto Juan, oxidized sterling 2-finger hummingbird skull ring courtesy of Blood Milk, Forever 21 cross ring, Margiela powder-coated brass "diamond" bracelet & ring, gifted 2-finger chain ring w/ crosses by Ferociter, Swiss Army watch, gifted essence of two earring by L.S.D., sterling/onyx rosary thumb ring, gifted sterling falcon skull ring by Blue Bayer, Marc Jacobs necklace w/ Erica Weiner & other custom charms.

These Alex Wang sweatpants have been a lifesaver during pregnancy; I never bothered buying any maternity clothes and just stuck to comfortable basics that I can wear post-pregnancy as well. These and my 3 Topshop maxi skirts have been my alternating bottoms lately. I threw them on yesterday with my Rick Owens fin wedges and my Radarte tee to run some errands.

I just recently discovered that the detachable chain strap on my BOYY bag can be clipped up to be made short. I like it better long, but that's still pretty cool regardless; I think this may be my favorite leather bag. It's smaller than my other bags (which prevents me from hauling around too much useless shit) and ridiculously versatile. This is what my hair looks like when I just wash it, brush it out, and let it air dry. I like it better wavy, but I've been slummin' it a lot recently. Having a ton of long hair in this humid weather is totally not fun, and I always fantasize of chopping it all off into a boy-cut. However, I'd probably just look like a little Dutch boy and would regret it terribly, thus I suffer with all of this hair.

Cutting it short today -- I need to finish up a few DIY projects for the nursery. We've been racing against the clock trying to get everything done before baby decides to arrive ... which hopefully is soon, because I can't carry this big belly around in this heat for much longer! Be well. &hearts

SANTA BABY: DO YOU MAKE HOUSE CALLS IN AUGUST?

2010-08-09T21:51:00.001-07:00

click for [massive] size

I GOT A FEVER AND THE ONLY PRESCRIPTION IS NOT MORE COWBELL, BUT:

Left to right, top to bottom: Rick Owens leather jacket, TopShop a/w '10 leather spiked hat, Givenchy Pandora, Eddie Borgo beartrap ring (rose gold or silver plz), Proenza Schouler f/w '10 boots (duh), ridiculously large and amazing Westwood tote, Di$count ring for Meadowlark, green Westwood clutch, Proenza Schouler "paper bag" tote, Alex Wang Diego bucket bag, Phillip Lim two-tone leather jacket w/cuff detail, DSquared spine boots (DUH).

Random black & whites fyvp ...

Chanel aviators, custom surgical steel crucifix earring

custom tie-dyed silk blend cardigan hoodie, Topshop dress, Jil Sander shades, Phi boots, Jas M.B. leather shopper, H&M scarf, the prophet bronze owl claw pendant courtesy of Blood Milk

vintage Hendrix Experience shirt, various accessories

DIY patched denim vest, Givenchy studded flats, Marc Jacobs bag

I'm working on modifying a pretty sick studded vest ... just need to get the back "artwork" finished. Once it's completed, I'll share. More soon; have a fantastic Tuesday! &hearts

EDITED TO ADD: I am selling these fantastic Proenza Schouler purple satin slingbacks that are BRAND NEW and will come with their original box. I don't like hocking things on here, but I can't deal with eBay's ridiculousness right now. These are gorgeous with sculpted heels and peep-toes with a halter-style buckle on the back straps. It pains me to sell these but they're just a little too small for me (late term pregnancy=swollen feet). Size 38, will fit a 37.5 best. $200. Email halcoholic@gmail.com if interested. Thank you!

MOST WANTED

2010-08-04T16:51:00.000-07:00

image credit

I'll have a proper post up soon; we just got a new car and have been going through all of the tedious processes of making it legal. Anyone who lives in PA knows how difficult they make it to drive legally in the state!

For now, can anyone tell me where I can purchase a pair of these magnificent Wunderkind a/w '10 shoes? These are definitely in my top 3 most-wanted for a/w '10; the other two being Proenza Schouler (ALL) and the DSquared spine booties. Though if I had to choose, I think I can sincerely say I'd choose those incredible fucking voodoo-weird mask shoes. xo

COLD SWEAT

2010-07-29T13:32:00.000-07:00

Ann Demeulemeester triple-lace boots, gifted Obesity & Speed "Even Death Can Die" t-shirt, Topshop knee-highs & garter, Zara cutoffs, vintage 1970s silk blend kimono, vintage Balenciaga sunglasses, Alexandra Cassaniti money bag w/ fur tail, Antti Asplund Block mirrored cross pendant, gifted sterling skull ring by Alberto Juan, Margiela matte black brass ring & cuff, gifted eye tooth/hair earring by L.S.D..

Late-term pregnancy + record-breaking heat = cutoffs and t-shirts, so I apologize for the delay in posting! Since the MeineLiebe inventory is coming very impressively into fruition (I've also been ridiculously busy with this) and I want to get a few good new posts in before I deliver baby boy, I thought I'd share my ensemble today ... I'm particularly excited about the jewelry.

This massive (and dangerously heavy) sterling skull ring by Alberto Juan is a true masterpiece in both craftsmanship and design alike; inspired by post-punk street style of the early '90s (and according to designer Bruce Snell, not to be taken too seriously -- just a tough, quirky statement piece), Alberto Juan has once again managed to produce a must-have accessory for any statement sterling enthusiasts like myself. This ring, though monstrously heavy and somewhat macabre, has a certain whimsy I can't quite put my finger on. I will, however, be putting this ring on my finger like, every day. It also comes in a 14k gold-plated version (which is just as striking) and can be purchased at the Alberto Juan webshop.

I absolutely adore this powder-coated "diamond" brass cuff/ring set by Margiela; so quirky & simplistic in its design, yet so unmistakably Margiela.

This 70s kimono was given to me by my mother-in-law and is a heavily rotated piece in my wardrobe. I'm such a sucker for poly/silk blend 70s apparel. It has such a lovely cut and is so functional in both summer and winter ... I thought it complemented my much-loved Ann D triple-lace boots very well (I was going to opt for a pair of purple satin Proenza Schouler slingbacks w/ sculpted heels instead -- I've yet to style these on the blog -- but they were a little "too much" paired with the kimono).

Thanks so much to everyone for your continued support in this joyous (albeit very hectic!) time in my and my husband's life; I vow to continue updating as often as possible, before and after our son arrives! Much love & have a wonderful weekend &hearts

DAY OF RECKONING

2010-07-18T17:47:00.000-07:00

Ann-Sofie Back "Drip" shades, Pentagram tour shirt, American Apparel leggings, Miu Miu halter clogs, Comme des Garcons red silk hobo bag, leopard print scarf (?)

Junk pile: (rings L to R, top photo): gifted sterling antiqued eagle knuckle ring by AlbertoJuan, gifted sterling falcon skull ring by Blue Bayer, custom sterling "shield," Chanel sterling/ivory cocktail ring, matte black Margeila "engagement" ring, custom sterling/onyx ring, gifted black gold/sterling talon ring by Leviticus. Bracelets: various custom sterling chains, custom sterling "squiggle" cuff by Donald Pywell. Necklace: Foti by Chrome Hearts, leather/sterling.

This Comme des Garcons bag I was originally going to sell because I don't carry it much, but lately it's come in handy when I need an unexpected addition of color to an otherwise monotone outfit. I love the cocoon shape and the black ruffles ... surprisingly, the satin material holds up beautifully while carrying my usual cornucopia of junk on a regular basis.

I wear these clogs every chance I get, even if I am in desperate need of a pedicure. They're so appropriately retro kitschy-cool, and even at over eight months pregnant, are still relatively comfortable.

More soon ... baby is ready to come out any day now, so we've been so busy getting his nursery together, etc. Thank you once again to all of your sweet emails and well-wishes. Your continued support means the world! &hearts

GONNA BE A MAMMY SOON

2010-07-11T16:40:00.000-07:00

Bobby's plaid button-up, custom MeineLiebe prototype black silk blend dress/shirt, Acne wedges, Linda Farrow x Charles Anastase shades, Alexandra Cassaniti money bag.

Junk pile: gifted eye tooth/hair earring, sterling stag shield pendant & equals ring by L.S.D., gifted sterling falcon skull ring by Blue Bayer, gifted sterling antiqued eagle knuckle ring by AlbertoJuan, custom sterling/lapis ring, sterling/onyx frog knuckle ring, Pamela Love cross ring, custom white gold/amethyst pinkie ring, custom sterling "shield," Juicy Couture watch.

Today was my baby shower; it was so much fun and everyone gave us such beautiful gifts. I actually wore my Chanel booties to the shower because they're more comfortable, but I had the Atacomas on this morning. We love sitting on the back porch off of our new backyard and having our morning coffee ... such a nice change from the deck at our old place that overlooked construction scaffolding.

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! More soon. &hearts

COME TO SILVER

2010-07-08T12:55:00.000-07:00

Leather/lucite Chanel booties, Obesity and Speed shreddy dress, DIY Death shirt, Y-3 leather clutch, Alexandra Cassaniti money bag, various accessories:

Gifted sterling silver eagle knuckle/thumb ring by AlbertoJuan, custom sterling "shield," gifted double-finger dagger chain ring by Ferociter, gifted sterling falcon skull ring and sterling ram skull pendant by Blue Bayer, gifted black gold/sterling talon ring by Leviticus, Pamela Love cross ring, Robert Lee Morris x Andy Warhol $$$ earrings, custom silver leather/glass watch.

I thought an appropriate way to return to regular posting would be to shoot these spectacular Chanel booties in our new bamboo jungle/backyard. These shoes arrived from Jayne (Stop it Right Now) just today, and both Bobby and I are totally in awe of them.

The lucite heel, silver leather, and clear vinyl cut-outs against the color-blocking make for a really exquisite bootie out of which I can see myself getting a lot of wear. Not to mention, they're very comfortable. Thanks, Jayne!

The double-finger dagger chain ring was a gift from Ferociter. I'm very excited about this piece; it is subtle yet totally unique, and allows for complete movement of the fingers (as a matter of fact, I don't even notice it's there).

The sterling silver eagle knuckle ring was a gift from AlbertoJuan, an independent one-man jewelry label that caught my eye when I got a load of his outstanding collection of sterling ram head pieces. The craftsmanship and quality is impeccable, down to the detail on the feathers and the careful oxidization.

Bruce, the man behind AlbertoJuan, was generous enough to send me this stunning piece and also give me a comprehensive interview focusing on everything from the inspiration behind his designs, his internship-gone-wrong with David Yurman, and where he'd like to see AlbertoJuan in the future:

1. How long have you been designing jewelry and when did you start Alberto Juan?
I've been designing jewelry since middle school; about 6th grade. I remember making jewelry from different color electrical wire and glass seed beads. Also from natural coral and other things that I found like hemp. In June of 2007, the first collection of ram motif jewelry was cast, and in early 2008, I incorporated the Alberto Juan LCC.

2. Why did you name your label Alberto Juan?
Alberto Juan became an alternate name for me as I searched to re-identify with my spanish heritage, so in middle and high school Spanish classes I used it as my name. Throughout those years many of my Spanish and Latin friends used to call me variations of that name. When it came time to incorporate, it felt very natural to use it to reflect my perception of design.

Sterling-plated and 14kt-plated skull rings.

3. From where do you draw inspiration for your designs?
I draw my inspiration from my passion in capturing the beauty of different real periods from the distant past to modern times -- recreating them fresh, modern, and timeless.

4. What was the biggest challenge you faced since launching AJ and how did you overcome this challenge?
The biggest challenge in launching Alberto Juan was accepting that I wasn't in control of all aspects of my company, because I am only one person. I want it to be a true reflection of how I feel about the way people should wear jewelry and the way I have overcome this feeling is by simply letting go and trusting that as opposition comes an opportunity will arise to meet that adversity.

Sterling & 14kt-plated rhino horn rings.

5. What is your favorite piece in your current line and why?
It's so hard to pick a piece that's a favorite at any given time, because alot of my jewelry has an ancient significance that we all relate to at different points in our lifetime.

6. You have a lot of ram head pieces in your collection; what compelled you to utilize the ram in these pieces? Was it simply the aesthetic appeal, or is there more to it than that?
Designing jewelry really came out of my search for Divine truth and spirituality. As I researched the ancient Egpytian religion, I realized how the ram was a representation of the God of all Gods, as well as a symbol of many crucial principles of society: defense, war, and fertility. After visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, I realized how many other cultures, like the Greeks and the Romans utilized the ram as a symbol in art, jewelry, and religion. This overwhelmingly convinced me how my first collection had to be the ram and how great the need is for it to stay alive today.

Sterling silver large ram head cuff with antique finish.

7. Which independent jewelry designer do you feel should receive more recognition? Which artist (independent or not) do you feel is totally overrated?
It's hard for me to say, which independant jewelry designer I believe deserves more recognition because my design aesthetic is very different from most other jewelry designers that I know and I weigh recognition based on design point of view. As for jewelry companies that I believe are over rated or not reasonably priced, though I don't like to focus on negativity I must say I'm not impressed with David Yurman design. Mainly, because I had the invitation to work with his head designer several years ago for a free internship. She was very rude, impersonal, moody, and self serving. I decided that no internship especially a free one was worth being talked to like a dog no matter where the experience was coming from, so I quit after only 3 days. Her attitude was an exact opposite representation of what a balanced, artistic, and cultured person's should be.

8. On what type of customer do you see your designs being worn?
My customer base changes with each collection as well as with my one of a kind pieces. My one-of-a-kind pieces are designed for celebrity clients and event-goers. My regular casted and custom pieces are for the more everyday lifestyle. I love this well-rounded diversity of service.

Sterling silver double-headed ram coil ring.

9. If you could pick one person in the world to wear your designs, who would it be?
This is a hard one...but at the same time it's very easy. I'd pick the general public as whole entity to wear my pieces. I want the regular everyday person to relate to pieces of my jewelry from various collections and incorporate them into their daily life. Being a part of someone's real life and having them live in my jewelry continues to bring me the greastest satisfaction.

10. Where do you see Alberto Juan in 2 years and what do you hope for in the future?
I hope Alberto Juan continues to grow and is housed in many independantly owned stores, as with it's diversity I hope it's sold on a multi-faceted level from department store level to one on one, piece by piece.

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Thanks again to Bruce for his beautiful gift and honest, endearing interview. To see more of his designs, you can shop AlbertoJuan on Etsy.

Thanks to everyone for your patience in waiting for a proper post and your continued support; more soon! &hearts

BLOOD MILK WINNER

2010-07-05T11:26:00.000-07:00

A.F. Vandevorst shirt, Acne shoes

I deeply apologize for the lack of posts this past week ... in between the move, refurnishing our entire new apartment, working on getting the MeineLiebe pieces finished, and preparing for the baby, things have been so unbelievably hectic around here. I wanted to post the winner of the Blood Milk joan of arc as duelist pendant today, and tomorrow I will be back in the swing of things with regular posting. Thanks to everyone for their sweet messages and continued support!

Soooo finally, the winner of the Blood Milk pendant. The winner of this drawing was determined using the true random number generator via Random.org. I want to also make it clear that those who submitted via email were included in the draw (37 entrants), though in the future I will not be including any email submissions in giveaways.

Anyway, the winner of the joan of arc as duelist pendant is ........

KATIE SUMPTER
ksumpte1@kent.edu

Congratulations Katie on now owning this gorgeous pendant! You'll be receiving an email soon including details on how you will receive your pendant.

I'll be doing a proper post tomorrow along with another independent designer interview who was generous enough to send me a gorgeous new piece. Have a wonderful evening. xo

SLACK & WHITE

2010-06-26T18:03:00.000-07:00

Since we're in the process of a move and Bobby is on tour, I've spent the past week packing and moving little by little .. this calls for a do-rag and some pretty sloppy attire. Since I've pretty much been living in that and all of my decent clothes are packed away, here are some black & whites to tide you over. We'll be situated soon, and I have a few spectacular new pieces I'm excited to share. In the meantime, don't forget to sign up for my Blood Milk pendant giveaway ... there's still a week left!

old Violent Society tour shirt

Topshop maxi, Jil Sander shades, Rodarte t-shirt, Aldo wedges, Jas M.B. bag

Alexander Wang beatle boots, Alexandra Cassaniti money bag

Gareth Pugh scythe ring, Robert Lee Morris x Andy Warhol suicide jumper pendant

Custom aviators, various accessories

Junya Watanabe denim jacket, Juicy Couture jeans, Marni wedges

Ray-Ban aviators, various accesories

Ann Demeulemeester triple-lace boots, vintage AC/DC shirt

vintage David Ackerman boots, Jas M.B. leather clutch

Also, my partners and I speculate that the initial web-exclusive pieces for MeineLiebe will be available for sale in September. I'm blown away by the designs so far and can't wait to wear them myself!

Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend. &hearts

STAG PARTY

2010-06-22T19:13:00.000-07:00

Striped top from Nasty Gal, vintage red polka-dot silk blend blouse, Balenciaga boat wedges, Topshop thigh-highs, Zara cutoffs, mirrored XL cross pendant from Antti Asplund Block; gifted stag shield pendant, eye tooth/hair earring, and = pyramid ring by L.S.D. (Little Sister Designs), Gareth Pugh scythe ring, Jas M.B. leather tote.

It's hard to make an effort with clothing while over 7 months pregnant in 95 degree humidity, but I had a business meeting today, not to mention a few new pieces I wanted to share ..

A Finnish reader emailed me a link to the Antti Asplund webshop a couple of weeks ago, where I ordered the mirrored cross pendant. Such a beautifully designed, simple statement piece -- it's also very lightweight and not cumbersome whatsoever. For some reason the link to the webshop wasn't working for me tonight, but I remember this pendant comes in a variety of different colors. The mirrored one is good for lazy people like myself who don't want to rummage around in their bag for a compact mirror.

Victor Griffin gave my husband the red blouse on their last tour. Victor and his wife are great at finding amazing vintage pieces. I'm not sure who the designer is, but I love the "airbrushed" polka-dot effect and the ruffled sleeves. The lightweight silk blend fabric allows it to be worn in the heat without any discomfort. The Balenciaga kicks are from a couple of seasons ago. I don't get a ton of wear out of them due to the platform-to-heel ratio, but they're very versatile nonetheless, and still fall into my "must-have" category. Custom Ralph Lauren glasses.

I recently received the sterling stag shield pendant, the equals ring, and the eye tooth/hair earring from L.S.D. ... I so adore these pieces. They're completely appropriate to my style, yet simultaneously unexpected. The earring (not yet sold on the L.S.D. webshop) is a real bleached human eye tooth attached to a lock of brown hair ... creepy to some, but to creepy people like myself, more on the "voodoo-cool" side (the designer sent me the cutest note with it, reading: "if the hair kinks up a bit, just run a straightener through it").

When I first discovered L.S.D. (Little Sister Designs), a one-woman jewelry label out of New Zealand, I was immediately drawn to the dauntless sterling/metal statement pieces. The designs are what I would deem as "appropriately offensive" -- subtle enough that one takes a second glance as opposed to blatantly gawking. From the Area 51 knuckle duster (a massive two-finger ring with a sterling silver UFO atop a green "grass" disc) to the shield pendants/brooches (customers may choose from the stag head I wore in this post to a pair of kidneys, among many other designs), L.S.D. are quirky, brash, beautifully detailed, and vastly unlike anything else I had seen before. Seldom do I take such a liking to a line that I feel compelled to contact its founder, but I found myself immediately emailing Charlotte Burkhart, the designer behind L.S.D., after thoroughly perusing the webshop in its entirety. As it turned out, Charlotte is a total sweetheart; she was generous enough to send me the three beautiful pieces pictured here, and give me an interview focusing on the conception of the line and what motivates her to create such striking designs.

1. How long have you been making jewelry and when did you launch Little Sister Designs?

I started making jewelry when I was about 10 (11 years ago). In the past year I have only started making things I actually love and treasure. It has taken a while for me to get to that place. I changed the name of Little Sister Jewellery to L.S.D (little sister designs) at the beginning of the year.

2. What prompted you to call your label LSD? What is the significance behind the name, if there is any?

It used to be called Little Sister Jewelry, but it never felt edgy enough. The reason I called it Little Sister is because I am the little sister of the family, my fav song was called "Little Sister" by Queens of the stone age, and it just sounded cool. But as my work progressed I felt it grew away from Little Sister. I was contemplating changing the name when my sister said "Why don't You call it LSD??" Short for Little sister designs... it just felt right. It still had elements of the name I love.

Sterling silver "shields" by L.S.D.

3. From where do you draw inspiration for your designs?

I have a strong attachment to pop culture, and draw inspiration from different movies, t.v programs, and symbols. At the moment my jewelry is heavily influenced by the fantasy world of Harry Potter, and elements of True Blood, Star Trek (haha), Rocky Horror Picture show and Dexter. I love the quirky and gloomy side of jewelry but with added humour.

4. Describe the process, both creative and manual, involved in producing such striking statement pieces.

I do a lot of research and planning for most of my work. Lots of drawings help to finalise ideas. Sometimes I just get random ideas and draw them down and come back to them months later. I just think you need to draw or write things down, no matter where you are, or you will forget them. When I have drawn several versions of what I want to make, I will settle on one and photocopy it so i have a few templates to work with.

Area 51 knuckle duster.

5. On what type of person do you picture Little Sister Designs being worn?

I can see people with an edgy style wearing my pieces. A lot of my jewelry can be worn by male or female, and I hope men realize that. My dad rocks the shield brooches!

6. Which is/was your favorite LSD piece and why?

It's hard to say as i am continually making pieces I love (not to sound up myself or anything, I just think if you don't like what you make, what's the point?). I would have to say my favorite piece I have made is probably the stag shield, or my eye tooth earrings. I also love my space ship rings.

7. What was the biggest challenge or obstacle you faced at any point in time involving LSD? How did you deal with it?

I haven't been doing this full time for very long so I haven't faced many obstacles, but at the moment I would probably say the need to prove to people that I want to be successful with my jewelry, and it isn't just a hobby for me; it's my life. And I love what I do. I think I am slowly proving that by being totally committed to what I do.

Peek-A-Boo pendant.

8. If you could choose anyone in the world to wear one of your pieces, who would it be and what piece would you choose?

Oh man that is such a hard choice. I would probably have to choose two! for artistic sake and for advertising's sake I would have to say Lady Gaga, and my area 51 ring (not that i am a fan or anything, but her style is pretty cool!). And for my own personal satisfaction I would want to see J.K. Rowling wearing my Stag Brooch or necklace. I would be the happiest girl in the world, as she is a real inspiration to me.

9. Who is your favorite independent jewelry designer right now whose work you feel is underexposed and under appreciated? Which jewelry designer do you feel is totally overrated?

My favorite independent jewellery designer at the moment is Margaux Lange. She makes the most amazing jewellery out of Barbie dolls! At the moment I am in love with jewellery and items from beetle and flor, i am not sure if they are under exposed but I think they deserve more fame! I am not sure which jewellery designer I see to be over rated, but I know I am REALLY OVER acrylic laser cut jewellery. I find it really plain and lacking elements of coolness. Its too one dimensional!

10. Where do you see LSD two years from now?

I would love to see my jewellery in stores around the world, as well as my home land New Zealand. Of courseIi want it to do well but I also want it to always have the one off, hand made feel - unlike mass-produced jewellery. It would just make me so happy if I can make things people love and treasure.

Thanks to Charlotte for the wonderful treasures -- I can't take them off! -- and the interview. You can currently shop L.S.D. on Etsy, or stay updated with Facebook.

More soon ... in the meantime and to your advantage, I've obviously been on a jewelry kick -- get in your submissions for my Blood Milk "joan of arc as duelist part iii" pendant giveaway. Have a great day. &hearts

BLOOD MILK GIVEAWAY

2010-06-20T13:39:00.000-07:00

How amazing is this brass knife necklace from Blood Milk? The piece, which is called joan of arc as duelist part iii and retails at $85.00, is limited edition and features a dueling pistol/real knife pendant (complete with push button release & safety lock) on a vintage bar link chain with a sacred heart rosary connector and an additional small brass pendant at the clasp. I styled a similar piece (the butterfly knife necklace) several weeks ago ... it is by far one of my favorite pendants in my vast collection:

Good news: J.L. Schnabel, the artist behind Blood Milk creations, has been generous enough to offer one of these exquisite pendants to a lucky reader. All you need to do to qualify is:

1) Become a follower of both Halcoholic and the Blood Milk blog on either Bloglovin' or Google friend connect.

2) Comment to this post with your name, email address, and your favorite piece from the Blood Milk webstore.

Only one submission per reader. This giveaway will run for two weeks and all submissions must be made before Friday, July 2. The winner will be chosen randomly and announced on Sunday, July 4th. Good luck! &hearts

WICKED JUST THE SAME

2010-06-17T15:07:00.000-07:00

Charles Anastase for Linda Farrow sunglasses, Acne t-shirt, Topshop maxi skirt, Celine platform wedges, Y-3 leather clutch, gifted sterling ram skull pendant & falcon skull ring (left index finger) by Blue Bayer, black matte "engagement" ring by Martin Margiela, chain/spike bracelet from ??

I swear the bird-flipping in the last photo was not intentional this time! I was grabbing for my skirt. I thought it warranted posting just for this reason.

We've been super busy this week preparing for our move and my upcoming baby shower, but regardless I wanted to share a few things.

This solid sterling ram skull pendant by Blue Bayer is absolutely exquisite; very detailed and a very heavy piece of silver. My husband and I have been fighting over this one since its arrival.

I adore this Y-3 clutch. The pebbled leather is very sturdy, not to mention it has a ton of inner compartments. It's a nice change-up from my usual massive leather tote.

Aren't these Charles Anastase x Linda Farrow shades insane? Ridiculously huge, ridiculously tinted, just ridiculous all-around, and I love them. The incredible falcon skull ring on my left index finger is another mind-blowing Blue Bayer piece. Like the ram skull, it is also solid sterling and incredibly detailed, down the the tiny nostrils and creases in the eye sockets.

I never get sick of these Celine wedges .. if only the back part of the wedge was wider, they would provide a lot more stability for long walks. I still put up with the occasional teeter-tottering while wearing them -- they're just that gorgeous.

The black Margiela ring is a pretty unexpected design for me in its simplicity, but I like it a lot. I think it was the matte finish that ultimately sold me. It's very distinctly Margiela, and I don't own anything else like it. It's also been coated so as to not turn the wearer's finger green. It looks plastic, but it's actually not .. I'm pretty sure it's brass. From La Garconne.

That's it for now .. have an amazing weekend. &hearts

ACCESSORY

2010-06-13T12:34:00.000-07:00

One-of-a-kind distressed blue leather briefcase by Wa Bags; I use this for my Macbook.

Several readers have asked for photos of my entire collection of jewelry and accessories. Based on the fact that I have such a massive amount of jewelry and is strewn literally everywhere around the house -- in drawers, purses, various boxes, hung on doorknobs, wall hooks, etc. -- providing photos of every single piece is virtually impossible. Thus, I've compiled these photos, which represent a very small portion of my accessories ..

Blood Milk owl claw, Chanel cocktail ring, Pamela Love cross ring & Pamela Love dagger rosary, vintage gold men's watch, Juicy Couture charm bracelet, Foti by Chrome Hearts sterling/leather necklace, Forever 21 cross ring, vintage sterling silver bangles, vintage sterling/opal cuff from my mother-in-law, Donald Pywell custom solid sterling "squiggle" cuff, 3-row leather cone stud cuff, Lostmarc'h Din Dan eau de toilette, Vera Wang Princess edt.

L to R: vintage sterling/onyx, Leviticus black gold/sterling talon, sterling ram skull, Forever 21 cross, custom sterling "armor" knuckle ring & black jade band, white & black diamond buckle. Nail polish is "Rise and Shine" by Sinful Colors.

Motorhead "March or Die" pendant, Lucky Brand turquoise/bronze pendant, custom bone & turquoise skeleton, vintage maltese cross w/ gemstone embellishments.

BOYY "Slash" bag, Furla pebbled leather hobo, Jas M.B. leather shopper. These 3 (along with my Marc Jacobs crossbody) are my standard black leather bags on rotation .. I like the fact that they all have different-colored hardware (BOYY bag has black chrome, Furla has silver, and Jas M.B. has gold).

Weird little "shrine" shelf I have in the bedroom.

Blue Bayer solid sterling crow skull, bronze pentagram pendant from Summer Adeline, vintage porcelain "Monet" pendant, various other necklaces/chains.

I have many new incredible statement pieces on their way to me this week (more Blue Bayer, among others) ... I'm very excited to style & share them on here.

My husband carries around this black leather fanny pack. In the 80s, he used a white leather man-purse with a pentagram on it.

Bobby has always loved gaudy clothing and accessories. Here he wears his standard custom sterling silver & white gold pieces and his Prada aviators. Sorry to disappoint all of his kvlt fans; after 35 years of being a virtual pariah in the music industry and playing gigs for $100, he'd rather wear Prada and not trash from yard sales.

Looking like Liberace at Maryland Deathfest '10 (Return to the Pit via The Pentagram Archives)

The choker is engraved "LAMF" and was a gift from me. The large rope-looking piece is antique solid sterling and fully-jointed.

I recently acquired a new Moleskine, since my old one is now completely filled since I started brainstorming design concepts for MeineLiebe. Today I opened up the new one, and found that Bobby had written in it:

"To whomever: No matter how high you climb, think of the principle of the ladder. Each rung may sensationalize one's rise, yet it cannot occur without also first having the gravitational pull of the other foot to stable you. Henceforth: down = gravity = people = earth. Question: is up down? Food for thought 6/12/10."

Based on this pearl of wisdom from the same man who won't let his vegetables touch his meat on his dinner plate, what do you think? xo

OVERCASTED

2010-06-09T15:20:00.000-07:00

Comme des Garcons coat, Rick Owens cropped cardigan, Obesity and Speed shredded t-shirt, Ksubi "Kruger" suede work boots, vintage distressed leggings, Gareth Pugh scythe ring, gifted Leviticus black gold/sterling "talon" ring, vintage sterling/onyx rosary thumb ring, Robert Lee Morris Warhol Collection pendant & earrings, BOYY "Slash" bag.

I've been stalking this Gareth Pugh scythe ring ever since I saw it on withasianstereotypes, and I finally captured my prey. This ring is completely different from any jewelry I own. Despite the fact that it is worn between the fingers, it is surprisingly comfortable. I love the brushed chrome and the leather-wrapped handle, which lays on the palm. Fuck it, I just love everything about this completely insane ring. Who else other than Pugh could've borne something of this nature? Even though it is hard for me to refrain from wearing a shit-ton of rings, this one deserved to stand alone today.

The only good thing about the shitty, rainy weather today is that it warranted donning my Comme des Garcons "army" coat before Filthadelphia humidity rears its ugly head again. The great thing about this coat is that the sleeves and heavy wool can be buttoned in the back and it becomes a canvas "vest." This is the first time I've worn it in this fashion, and it just makes me adore CdG even more. So functional, so versatile, so thoroughly badass. Pared with my extra long-sleeved Rick Owens cropped cardigan, it was the perfect choice of outerwear on a day like today.

The earrings and necklace are by Robert Lee Morris and were a gift from Mom. She snagged them at the Robert Lee Morris boutique on West Broadway in NYC. These exquisitely detailed pieces are both from RLM's Warhol Collection. The necklace is the "suicide jumper" pendant. The "jumper" is hammered sterling and engraved on the back: "I never fall apart because I never fall together" - A.W. He hangs from a framed dollar charm; there is also a small dollar charm on the clasp at the back. The earrings are the same framed sterling dollar charms and are engraved on the backsides as well: "I am a deeply superficial person" -A.W. I had a difficult time capturing the subtle embellishments of the RLM jewelry in the photos due to the fact that they're one-dimensional and the sterling is so brilliant (luckily they came beautifully packaged in a really cool "handle with caution" box which included embroidered pouches and polishing cloths). Thank you, Mom, for such a lovely, thoughtful gift. You know me all too well. &hearts &hearts

I love the distressed suede, waxed leather laces, and the small, sturdy heel on these Ksubi boots. They're the perfect alternative to my 10-year-old 14-eye Docs, which are on a much-needed hiatus.

Even though my Alexandra Cassaniti money bag has pretty much been an extra appendage since I received it, I switched it up today to my trusty BOYY bag. I really love BOYY and can't wait to see what they have to offer for F/W '10.

I need to get to bed early tonight, because tomorrow we have appointments to look at houses in the suburbs. Since baby boy will be arriving in two months, we've made the decision to move out of South Philly and rent a nice little crib for a couple of years in the safe suburbs, about fifteen minutes away from where we are now. I can't wait! I am pretty much done with South Philly and we're going to need much more room ... not to mention, I can actually have my Acura in the 'burbs. It will be so great to finally be able to drive a car again and not have to deal with double-parking or people busting in your windows.

More soon; goodnight! xo

BLUT & KRIEG

2010-06-04T14:06:00.000-07:00

Alexander Wang "Anouck" beatle boots, Alexandra Cassaniti money bag, camo Moonblood shirt, DIY shredded stockings, custom Ralph Lauren oversized glasses (1st photo), custom vintage bronze-tinted wire aviators (4th photo); Accessories: Pamela Love dagger rosary, gifted Leviticus, gifted Summer Adeline, Blood Milk (brass talon earrings), Foti by Chrome Hearts, Forever 21, vintage & other custom designs.

Right-hand rings L to R: gifted sterling silver ram head courtesy of Summer Adeline, gifted black gold "talon" ring courtesy of Leviticus, vintage sterling/onyx, vintage sterling/onyx rosary thumb ring. Left-hand rings L to R: Forever 21 cross, custom sterling "armor" knuckle ring, white gold black & white diamond buckle ring. Foti by Chrome Hearts leather/sterling silver necklace (as bracelet).

I haven't taken the Leviticus ring off since I received it; thank you so very much to Tara for sending it to me. The oxidized finish wears off to reveal the gold underneath, achieving a very cool patina. This design also comes in plain sterling silver. Leviticus' creations are absolutely stunning and very versatile. I can't wait to see what they plan on offering in the future.

I just got these Alex Wang boots, and I have to say they're probably my new favorite shoes next to my Ann D strappy wedges. My pair is in the brown/gray distressed color scheme, but they also come in regular black. The leather is so supple -- not droopy, just really soft -- and the cut-out heel with the chrome panel nailed ontop sets them apart from any other standard pair of beatle boots. They also have an elastic panel with black leather strips sewn on for flexibility, and black braided leather detail at the back, behind the pull-on tabs. Just as one would think they couldn't get any better, they also have arch support for optimum comfort.

These kicks are my first piece of Alex Wang, and I'm totally sold. Just a warning if you're planning on purchasing: size up one whole size. They run VERY small. I normally take a 37.5 or a 38, and these are a 39 and fit perfectly. They're such exquisite boots; I just adore them.

I attached this cheesy fur fox tail to my Alexandra Cassaniti money bag, just to enhance the tackiness factor and make it even more conspicuous. Don't get too excited: if you robbed me, all you'd get is about 20 lip glosses, a medical insurance card, a Starbucks gift card, my husband's old lyric sheets, and about 5 pairs of glasses.

Custom Ray Ban tinted aviators. Yes, black metal elitists, I'm wearing a Moonblood shirt. Yes I actually listen to Moonblood. Sorry if this isn't kvlt enough for your liking. FOAD &hearts And no, I'm not racist. Come on, seriously.

My dear friend Amanda has started a blog, The Malcontent Yogini. If you're into yoga or just good, sardonic writing in general, check her out.

Also, don't forget you can keep track of Halcoholic on Facebook; this includes site update notifications, unseen photos, and updates on MeineLiebe (which will have its own site very soon: shopmeineliebe.com). On the topic of MeineLiebe, I am floored at the designs so far and am so excited to see them worn on other people (and myself, of course). We have made vast progress and are just working on some finishing touches, so our webshop will be up sooner than we had originally thought. I vow to keep you updated!

Lastly, I am very honored to have been chosen for the June/July "Blogger of the Moment" (issue #11) for Fringe Indie Magazine. Keep checking back with Fringe to see the feature on Halcoholic, which includes an interview and photos.

Have a safe, fantastic weekend! xo

WARBUX

2010-05-29T13:24:00.000-07:00

vintage Angel tour shirt, vintage David Ackerman platform boots, Alexadra Cassaniti money bag, vintage flannel, Blood Milk butterfly knife necklace, vintage bangles, Betsey Johnson peacock ring, Lucky Brand copper/turquoise snake ring, Ray Ban aviators.

At the suggestion of Jayne (of Stop it Right Now), I recently acquired this canvas & leather money bag by Alexandra Cassaniti, which is basically the best thing I own.

The long leather strap can either be left clipped to the base so you can wear it as a backpack, or unclipped and it turns into a drawstring shoulder or crossbody bag. Words can't describe the hard-on I have for this bag -- thank you, Jayne!

I can't even tell you how long it took me to find an Angel shirt, but I'll have this one forever. Bobby and I fight over this Betsey Johnson peacock ring, which was a gift from my mother two birthdays ago.

Loving my vintage David Ackerman boots, as always.

All photos by JF &hearts

Angel are/were Casablanca's "white" version of KISS and, like Pentagram, were formed in the D.C. area in the 70s. Although my favorite Angel album is 1976's Helluva Band, which is more progressive than glam, their most notable release is probably 1977's On Earth As It Is In Heaven:

"That Magic Touch," off of On Earth As It Is In Heaven. The only thing I don't like about this song is the weird fade-out in the end; they should've just closed it with a lead, but whatever. I still fucking love this band.

My dear friend Amanda and I are going to the Maryland Deathfest tomorrow. Pentagram hits the stage at 7:30 PM. Say hi if you see us there! xo

CHOOSE DEATH

2010-05-27T19:43:00.000-07:00

"Choose Death" dress courtesy of Obesity & Speed, Ann Demulemeester covered strap wedge sandals, Ann Sofie-Back sunglasses, Furla pebbled leather bag.

Sorry for all of the hands-on-hair shots; it was very windy today and my hair was being difficult as shit.

Today, I received a care package from Obesity & Speed containing this amazingly fucking cool dress, a t-shirt, a printed tote bag, and even a teeny tiny skull & pentagram blue t-shirt for the little one. Thank you so very much to the incredibly sweet people at O&S .. I love everything!

Junk pile: Blue Bayer sterling crow skull necklace; brass talon earrings by Blood Milk; bracelets by Chanel, Tiffany's, Donald Pywell, other custom designs; custom leather & glass watch; rings by Pamela Love, Forever 21, other custom designs.

The little brown/cream 3/4-sleeved cropped cardigan is a custom design I picked up a couple of weeks ago while looking at samples for MeineLiebe (see below).

All photos in this post were taken, once again, by JF &hearts

I am very pleased to share that I, in collaboration with two extraordinarily talented designers, am launching a line of ready-to-wear clothing and accessories. The label is called MeineLiebe. Select web-exclusive pieces will be available for purchase soon, in addition to the lookbook for our debut full collection. I am honored and excited to be involved in the creation of such striking and innovative designs. For any wholesale inquiries or additional questions, please email info@shopmeineliebe.com.

Be well & happy Friday! xo

MANIC DEPRESSION

2010-05-25T15:49:00.000-07:00

Vintage Hendrix Experience shirt, Zara denim cutoffs, Miu Miu halter clogs, Margiela canvas bag, various accessories.

I won this Forever 21 cross ring from Closet Obsessions ... since they're now going for like $100 on eBay and I missed out when F21 first started selling them, I was so stoked to win! Neighboring rings: Pamela Love cross, custom or vintage sterling silver designs; Ray Ban sunglasses.

Since Bobby (who is responsible for all of the photography on this blog) is on tour, JF graciously agreed to snap some photos for me at the park today. We had a lot of fun!

I really can't get enough of these Miu Mius. They're very comfortable and look so good with everything. I wore them the other day while visiting my mom, and her eyes almost popped out of her head when she saw what I was walking in while pregnant. I swear they're a breeze!

I really love this bag. That shade of teal is one of my favorites, and I dig the black airbrushed effect. It holds a lot of shit and the shoulder strap is really comfortable as well.

I got this super soft vintage shirt on the cheap from eBay ... I love the full color print, and obviously I love the Experience.

My new F21 cross ring, custom sterling silver wire skull ring, vintage onyx/sterling ring.

JF is one of the dearest, most special people in my life. We have been very close for about seven years. You don't find a lot of people in this world like Josh. Thank you JF for helping me out today. &hearts

I'll soon be hosting a giveaway for an incredible custom piece by Summer Adeline Jewelry, which normally retails at around $300. In the meantime, check out her site to get a little taste of what you're in for. Her creations are truly remarkable.

Have a fantastic evening. xo

NOT RED ALL OVER

2010-05-20T10:09:00.000-07:00

Some black & whites of previous looks ...

Proenza Schouler boots, Rick Owens sweater.

A.F. Vandevorst shirt, crow skull necklace by Blue Bayer

Obesity & Speed shredded dress

Ann-Sofie Back shades, Acne wedges, Marc Jacobs bag

Ann Demeulemeester boots, Furla bag

Balenciaga boat shoes

Celine wedges

Lindsey Thornburg for Bona Drag sweater, Phi boots

Topshop jacket

Phi boots, vintage jacket & dress

More soon, I'm just very busy today! xo

THE BLACK IS NEVER FAR

2010-05-18T14:33:00.000-07:00

Miuccia Prada Live Alive "tour" shirt by Sandberg&Timonen for Branchfield Gallery, my own DIY denim vest, custom "alligator" tie-dyed leggings, Rick Owens boots, vintage Balenciaga sunglasses, See By Chloe blue leather hobo.

Can you tell I'm really stoked on this shirt? Well, I am. I had meant to order one of these when they came out months ago, but just never got around to it. A couple of weeks ago I emailed Branchfield Gallery asking if there were any left (fat chance), and they had ONE -- in the Muiccia Prada print, no less! I loved all the versions of this shirt; it's such a cheeky, stupid concept that Sandberg&Timonen managed to make really badass. Plus, 100% of the proceeds went towards relief in Haiti. Mine will be all worn thin by the end of the summer, for sure.

It rained yesterday AND today ... what a total buzzkill.

I don't use this bag very often, but I should. I really enjoy the magnetic closure, soft royal blue leather, and quirky gold hardware. Claw necklace by Blood Milk

I love these vintage Balenciaga tinted shades .. they have octagonal frames, which is what sold me on them, clearly. Despite the purple color scheme, they get a lot of use from me.

More black metal propaganda paired with Chloe & Rick Owens ... to piss you off, of course:

Always a good way to conclude a post ;) Rings by Chanel, Pamela Love, and other custom designs paired with a resurrected handcuff bracelet, chain bracelet by Juicy Couture, custom etched sterling bangle.

SLIDE MACHINE

2010-05-17T07:02:00.000-07:00

Custom vintage overall shorts, Acne wedges, American Apparel t-shirt layered over an old altered t-shirt (it's a bootleg Bone Awl shirt .. get over it, black metal purists), custom Ralph Lauren glasses, BOYY "Slash" bag, claw necklace & earrings by Blood Milk, Chrome Hearts leather necklace worn as bracelet.

Nothing special today .. yesterday I wore these overall shorts made by Carly at Sweet Jane VIntage. I have a similar pair in maroon corduroy as well that I styled on here wayyy back. The cuffs, deep pockets, and decorative wood buttons totally make the design. I believe Carly makes these to order; I have a pair of high-waisted houndstooth print shorts she custom designed for me that are so completely cute in an early 1970s dweeb sort of way.

The longer I wear these shoes, the more I adore them. When I first got them, I was like a baby deer trying to walk. They're pretty much like enormous blocks on your feet. I remember I wore them to dinner the night Bobby and I found out we were going to have a baby, and I was gripping onto his arm for support the entire evening while he chuckled (by the way, for the most part my husband hates my choice in footwear, but he loves these). Now, they're a breeze to stroll around in and I find they're quickly becoming my go-to low wedges. Cross ring by Pamela Love.

I can't get enough of this necklace. The fact that it is a cast of the real thing and not a carving makes for such striking detail.

For those of you who haven't yet, you can now find me on Facebook or stay updated at the Halcoholic Facebook page.

R.I.P. Ronnie James Dio

Hope you're all surviving yet another Monday! &hearts