Priestess NYC has been all over the press lately in a subtle kind of way — Tyra sported a Priestess NYC sweater earlier in April (the 18th), and full-on articles have appeared on CNBC and Dirty Glam (pp 142-145). Plus a mention in Harper’s Bazaar — but I thought I’d call some of my own special attention to this label that has caught my eye.

Why this line you ask? It’s a little flirty, super versatile, and has a great story. You know how I love stories…But seriously this line is cool: lots of snakeskin, inverted pyramids and volume. The perfect blend of BRIGHT colors and SUBDUED hues. It’s has a sweet edge mixed with a little futuristic rock and roll — right where edgy meets chic. Pieces can be adapted for work, they can be worn out on the town later that night, they make a statement and are not for the fashion faint of heart. What’s not to love?

I had the (lucky!) chance to chat it up with the designer himself, Mr. Cody Ross. Here’s more about the talented designer and his line. Plus a few of my favorite pieces in the collection.

Who wears Priestess NYC?
An opinionated, knowledgeable and highly individualized girl who is a little irreverent and subtly-outlandish. She obsesses over fit and style and is typically well traveled and familiar with the coolest things in the coolest cities: NYC, Paris, London, Shanghai, etc are her playgrounds…

Describe Priestess NYC in 3 words:
‘Kitschy, Punky, Futuristic’ . .. .‘Hmmmmm, a Grace Kelly meets Judy Jetson spirit…

What is your design philosophy?
To feed the demands of individualism in an increasingly homogenized/collectivized world. . .. ‘to make clothes that are provocative, versatile and beautiful enough to excite…’

We want to know more about you!
From Dallas, Texas…Attended the London School of Economics and for many years worked as a hedge-fund analyst in Shanghai, Dallas and NYC. Spent all my free-time looking at fashion mags, dressing/styling cool girls and finally (fed up with repression) quit my job and launched the label 2 seasons ago. Fashion has also been a central interest of mine and sketching, sewing and draping an active hobby that I can now do full time! I got my technical skills from part-time courses at Central St. Martins and lots of do-it-yourself stuff…

Where can we find your clothes?
…On the coolest girls around the world, haha…And at edgy, avant-garde boutiques and stores in most big cities. Look for Priestess NYC in stores like D-Mop, Podium, Colette, TG-170, Lane Crawford, Barneys, WeOneYouTwo, Sucre, etc.. and, of course, the Priestess NYC showroom/atelier in the West Village, NYC (West 4th +West 11th)

Visit www.priestessnyc.com OR www.myspace.com/priestessnyc for more visual appeal and the entire collection.

Thanks for your time, Cody!

You may have heard of designer Diane von Furstenberg (a.k.a DVF) — and by “may have heard of” I mean you definitely know her — this is the woman who brought you the iconic wrap dress, which has come to symbolize “female power and freedom to an entire generation by encouraging women to ‘feel like a woman, wear a dress.’”

DVF is legendary, and now she’s bringing you a contest.

March 8th was International Women’s Day, and in honor and support of that day, DVF has created a “Women You Love” contest. Prizes, you ask? A 5k Shopping Spree at the Flagship DVF store, a trip to NYC, PLUS 2 tickets to the Spring 2009 DVF fashion show (one for you, one for a friend)!

All you have to do is write an essay; an inspirational story about a fabulous, strong, intelligent woman who has nurtured or inspired you. Submit a photo with the story of a woman who has positively impacted your life.

You have until April 19th to enter, and all you have to do is click here to submit your essay. You can also check out the DVF Facebook Fan page, filled with news and information about DVF.

Checkout her fall 2008 lookbook, too — great for both work and play.

Romer Pedron was here! That’s right, you heard me. Undeniable scored an interview with the up and coming photographer.

I first posted about my affinity for Romer’s work here — and the obsession has not yet subsided. The photographer stopped by to answer a few quick questions.

Where do you live?
Manhattan, New York City

Where is your favorite place to go in your city?
I love going out to dinners at restaurants and clubs with friends. I am such a nerd… but any place that sells foreign fashion magazines, I can spend hours there.

What can’t you leave home without?
The usual… Cell phone, I-pod, Metro-card, Credit cards, Cash, Chapstick, Mints/Gum, Keys.

What’s one thing about you that would surprise people?
Even though I’m a potty mouth I find my self very religious…hardly missed a Sunday. I find church to be a place of reflection and meditation and even a place for inspiration…over all Mary is my Home girl

Who are your favorite artists?
Music: Timbaland ( and anything that he has produced), Beyonce, Missy Elliot, Justin Timberlake, B-more Club music ( Hometown Represent) anything thats upbeat, I like to slow it down too with some Alicia Keys and Lenny Kravitz.

Favorite film?
(Recently) Paris Je’ taime , The Hummingbird and the Butterfly… (Overall) Crooklyn, Mahogany, Coming to America, Sister Act 2 , Great Expectations (by Alfonso Curan), and any movie that makes New York look like a magical amazing place.

Any guilty pleasures we should know about?
Chocolate, Numero, French Vogue, and Fried Chicken with Hot Sauce.

What’s sitting on your coffee table right now?
National Geographic: Greatest Images and Dolce and Gabbana’s Fashion Album..It’s soo huge and heavy its basically the size of a coffee table.

If you could photograph anyone in the world, who would it be?
My all time two favorite models…Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell.

What motivates you?
Magazines, possible future importance and influence in the world, and love and support from family and friends

And to close, some pics of the artist himself. Be sure to visit Romer’s site — it’ll be up and running soon!

Thanks for stopping by Romer — we love your work!

*photos courtesy of Romer Pedron

The price tag is steep ($146??), but I’m pretty sure I could make these myself - since a good friend recently taught me how to cable. I’m stoked to put my new skills to the test! Plus, a knit pillow will add the perfect amount of texture to my new living room (pics up soon!)

Remember this?

I found it! Available at Natrona Furniture.

A good friend recently emailed me asking about how to build a wardrobe for your career. My automatic response was “dress for success”. But, a) that’s cliche and b) that doesn’t really help if you don’t know what’s right for you.

So, start defining your style by buying the staples. Remember that just because it’s a staple, doesn’t mean that it has to be boring. Staples can be “you” as much as any other part of your wardrobe.

Staple of the week: Pinstripes

If you want gain some professional respect by looking older, I have 2 words of advice. Pinstripes and lipstick. Armed with these items, your exterior will convey your inner hot shot.

How to wear pinstripes without looking like a businessman (i.e. big, bulky, completely over-bearing), you ask? Simple. If you’re heavy on top - this includes a large chest- go for pinstripes on the lower half. If you’re heavy on bottom, go for pinstripes on your upper half. The reason for this is that the pinstripes, like any other stripe, won’t lay flat on an area with formidable curves. Wavy lines all over your body won’t achieve the hot shot look you’re going for.

Some options to get you started…

• Pinstripe Blouse - would look great with a belt cinched up tight. Forever21, $22.80
• If you’re feeling trendy, try a pinstripe vest. Very of the moment (Jovovich Hawk “Galina” vest pictured above). Fatal, SALE! $121.80
• Cute little bow jacket by Nanette Lapore (pictured at right), edressme, $350
• Wide leg mini-pinstripe pant - the pinstripe’s tiny…but it’s there. Shopbop, $178

One last tip on buying pinstripes - make sure the stripes actually line up at the seams. I love bargain shopping as much as the next girl, but if the pinstripes on your posterior don’t match up, trust me, people will notice and they’ll know you’ve been shopping at the bargain basement…and that’s not really hot shot either.

I know it’s tough to spend money on clothes that you feel aren’t “you”. So start thinking of your work wardrobe as your real wardrobe - it’s what you’ll be wearing most of the time anyway. And, more success in the long run means more money for your “non-staple” attire.

How amazing is this pic? Something about the contrast…and Naima’s super intense eyes.

I was perusing the web checking out what all the ANTM models have been up to lately and stumbled across this photo posted on Naima’s myspace page. (Is it just me or do you have a hard time believing that famous people really have myspace pages?) The photo is credited to Romer Pedron, and that was all I needed to see; I was off and running on a search to find out more about this photographer.

Unfortunately, there’s not much to tell. He’s 21, originally from Maryland, and takes some pretty awesome photographs. Plus, you have to like a guy who believes that everyone has the potential to look like a supermodel. You can count me in; I’m 5′3″ - where do I sign up?

And to conclude, a little shout out to the artist himself: Romer, if you’re around, I’d love to learn more!

Photo courtesy of Naima Mora’s myspace page - credit given to Romer Pedron

I’ll admit I was skeptical. Florals seem so…passe. Perhaps even a more than a little childish. And on the opposite end of the spectrum, grandmotherly/MOB (Mother of the Bride). But after a winter where gray was the must-have color, big and splashy florals provide more than enough cheer to go around.

Undeniable Tips:

• Wear florals to accentuate your better half…
  • Large chest? Try a floral skirt. The vibrance of the skirt will be the center of attention….not the ladies.
    • Need Help? Try this and this.
  • Pear Shaped? We recommend [Read more →]

We all know that jewel tones are so “right now”. What’s more, the similar “snorkel blue” has been chosen by Pantone as a have-to-have color for Spring 2008. It’s always interesting to see how these colors work their way into interior design…

After my trip to Cost Plus, where I purchased a peacock blue jute rug (sorry guys, not available online), I’ve been really digging this saturated hue. I decided to take it one step further and look for
peacock-themed items that would be suitable for any home. The peacock by nature is over-the-top, so some of these choices are definitely for the maximalist, but I think we all agree that this is a great way to add a splash of color.

Check out the peacock-inspired items below:

Feather Wallpaper, available at Ferm Living, $85/roll

Robert Abbey Glazed Ceramic Lamp, available at CSN Lighting, $168.92

Michele Varian Chocolate Peacock Pillow, available at Michele Varian, $244

Yes friends, it’s true. After living in the Scott St Apt with PRD for a good 7 months, I’ve finally gotten up off the couch and been truly bitten by the decorating bug.

Sources of inspiration:

• Cost Plus World Market — I happened to stop in on my lunch break on Friday, and was stoked to find that Cost Plus was having a huge sale. Check out their online sale.
• Sweet Chandelier — I got a great pendant lamp for Christmas that echoes the feeling of a chandelier (something I’ve been wanting for a long while now).
• Quilt — When I was in the hospital in December, my mom made me this awesome flannel quilt to wrap up in.

Keep in mind I started with 2 espresso leather couches, 1 espresso leather chair, and a black wrought iron and glass coffee table with 2 matching end tables. Pretty much a bachelor’s haven, right? My real obstacle in coming up with a concept for our living room was that I didn’t want to strip it of its masculinity. After all, two of us live here, and only one of us is female.

Featured in this article: Capiz Circles Pendant Lamp, West Elm, $99; Segovia Whitewashed Mirror, Cost Plus, SALE! $79.99

I know the pieces I’ve picked look girly, but stay tuned for the results of the makeover to see how they get incorporated into the final “look”.