This Chai is Hot

It’s been 24 days since my last post and whew, have things happened. I acquired some bangin’ bangs, I had the fortune of entering a Barney’s for the first time in my life where I purchased not one, but two designer frocks, I bid farewell to my retail job, and I turned a quarter of a century old. I now I have my weekends free to flickr, lounge in the summer sun (hopefully), and blog while I am at it!

I have professed my love of designer capsule collections quite a few times in this blog and currently I am enamored with my cobalt blue dress designed by United Bamboo for Uniqlo that I recently bought in London. I like the idea of collaborations because this lady ain’t got the schrill to go into Barney’s every weekend and buy her some Alexander Wang! I’m a working gal and sometimes Target and H&M will have to suffice. You do lose quality, fit, and the detailing of designer duds but with these capsule collections you do get that designer's aesthetic and design at a reasonable price. Sometimes collaborations work and are highly successful but sometimes they are a miss (hello $12.99 marked down Phillip Lim at the Gap, I’m talking to you!)

So lo and behold, I was perusing the Internets today (shhh… don’t tell my boss) and Nylon magazine had the first look of Richard Chai’s GO International line for Target which is scheduled to debut in August. Richard Chai, a former designer for Marc Jacobs and Creative Director for TSE, launched his own line in 2004 to critical raves. Chai’s GO International looks consisted of sweet separates that would transition well into the early Fall such as long knit cardigans and lightweight coats that could help cover up the vests, skirts, and shorts that were also prevalent in the collection. Varying shades of purple brought the looks together.

HUNGRY FOR EGGPLANT!!!

GIVE ME THAT DRESS, GIRL!!!

Richard Chai, himself. Just because.

I will be waiting to see the rest of Richard Chai's collection and to see whether his collection will be a hit or miss.

xoxo,
Cynthia

Beirut Concert Recap

Last Wednesday night, I went to the Beirut concert at the Grand Regency Ballroom. To sum up the entire night: AMAZING.com or if you will, BOMB.com

After a pre-concert hair appointment with my new stylist (haha), P & I headed over to the venue at 8:45pm. The place was mildly packed with a crowd that thankfully looked old enough to purchase liquor or at least cigarettes and Lotto scratchers. BIG MONEY! We got in line to get our obnoxious over 21 bracelets which were not only red BUT had the word "Budweiser" emblazoned on them. Not fierce at all. After crowding around the merch table and deciding that I would never ever wear a band t-shirt, we got some beers. IPA. As we stood there sipping our alcoholic beverages, we ran into friends, frenemies, enemies, and co-workers.

P & I finally made it into the actual ballroom where The Brunettes were finishing up their set. They were quite cute. We positioned ourselves towards the right (stage left) of the stage and prayed and hoped that nobody would bum rush us later on during the night. Unfortunately, my hopes were soon dashed when 2 Brosephs managed to stand in front of me. I voiced my anger over that fact that they clearly had a foot over me and the two dudes kindly allowed myself and the group we were with to stand in front of them. OMG! How kind of you! Really, are you sure it wouldn't be too much trouble??? Speaking to them for that brief moment somehow gave them license to talk to us between sets. I felt a sprinkle of liquid-y grossness on my leg... one of the douche bags spilled his beer. ARGH! I wanted to kick his Hollister frayed-denim, Rainbow sandals wearing ass. Of course I didn't. Were they the epitome of that new "phenomenon" ALT-BRO? Yes. Quite possibly.

Any ounce of annoyance I had was erased when I saw Zach Condon on stage and the first sounds of trumpet, accordion, and french horn filled the air. His voice was mesmerizing; I just wanted to take him home with me! He is quite dreamy, even when he wore an In n' Out Buger paper hat while performing. Beirut's music is said to be influenced by Balkan gypsy music so I guess that would be the best descrption of it. There were so many people and instruments on stage that it reminded me a bit of Broken Social Scene. After a couple of encores, the show ended. Best concert I've been to in a while? Yesssssssssssssssssssssss!






P.S. Zach Condon, marry me!


xoxo,
Cynthia