Monday, April 30, 2012

Hiatus 2012

Hello and welcome to the last day of April!

Well, there's good news and there's bad news on the horizon for What We Covet. The bad news: we're going on hiatus until July 9th. The good news: we're on hiatus so Cate can finish grad school and take a much-needed break (and also because Maureen didn't put up a fight when Cate first floated the idea of calling a time-out, which Cate took as a sign that it was meant to be). Meanwhile, here are some things you should know:

1) The Tumblr portion of this program will proceed without interruption, in part because it's much easier to blog ahead on Tumblr and in part because Cate has trouble saying no to Tumblr. (Seriously.)

2) Our Facebook page will also be up and running! Cate posts content there on the 5th of each month, and Maureen posts there on the 15th. 

3) Although we won't be posting here between now and July, we will be implementing some changes to the site as time allows. This will include:
- A simple redesign
- New informational pages about Cate and Maureen (because we love to talk about ourselves)
- A different People We Covet format (coming soon to a Facebook near you, on the 25th of the month, as always)
- An updated Blogs We Covet list (if you'd like to be included, please let us know and we'll do what we can to accommodate you)
- Maybe a few surprises? You'll just have to check back to find out!

4) We can always be reached via our e-mail: whatwecovet@gmail.com. Questions, comments, random musings, gifts, and bribes are welcome! 

As ever, we appreciate your support. Enjoy the rest of spring and the first part of summer, and we'll see you after the 4th of July holiday!

Snuggles and sno-cones, 
 
-Cate and Maureen-

Friday, April 27, 2012

Orange You Glad?

Gentle readers, I find myself facing a dilemma, brought on by a recent perusal of Net-a-Porter. As it turns out, I'm growing quite fond of Victoria Beckham's namesake fashion line. On the surface, this doesn't seem problematic, I'm sure. But we're talking about a woman who finds it difficult to smile under any circumstances, even during such a joyous occasion as the royal wedding. Let it be known that I have trouble trusting anyone who can't allow herself to at least feign happiness on the Greatest Day Ever (NO I WILL NOT LET IT GO THANK YOU VERY MUCH).

And yet. There's this, from her handbag line:


A simple leather clutch in the most fantastic shade of orange. It makes me want to smile, even if Poshy resists the temptation herself. Of course, at that price, it's a moot point--sheer covetousness on my part, and barely a drop in the bucket for the wife of Mr. I-Have-Trouble-Keeping-Myself-Fully-Clothed. After all, she has what might be the most enviable collection of Birkins and Kellys on the planet (and, for the record, what you see at that link doesn't even cover the bulk of her Hermès bags). 

I suppose I'll have to separate the lady from her works in this case and focus on the exquisite lines of Beckham's fashion rather than the harsh line of her mouth.


Image via Net-a-Porter.

-Cate-

Thursday, April 26, 2012

DON'T LOOK AT IT, MARION

You've already looked, haven't you?

Today I'm coveting a tiny piece of movie merchandise. If you know me, you know that I enjoy the occasional swashbuckling action movie, and some of my favorites are those featuring good old Indiana Jones, sometimes-professor and most-times archaeologist.

He made his debut in Raiders of the Lost Ark, where he did his part in keeping the Nazis' dirty hands off the Ark of the Covenant.  (According to our sources, top men are now working on it.)

Now, thanks to our pals at Archie McPhee, we can own our very own itty bitty Ark of the Covenant!


The wrath of God is not included (thank goodness).  So you can open it up and store all your favorite tiny things.  I don't know what kind of weird tiny things you have, though, so I'm not offering suggestions.

Buy through Archie McPhee for $12.95.

Image via the same.

Maureen

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

People I Do Not Covet: Design Stealers

All right, let me apologize from the outset: I did not start this month intending to write a People I Do Not Covet post. This is a spur-of-the-moment Bloggy Cate Special inspired by some upsetting things I've seen recently. Please, allow me to share them with you.

Look at this picture:


Now look at this one:


Look at this picture:


Now look at this one:


Look at this picture:


Now look at this one:


Look at this picture:


And finally at this one:


The more sharp-eyed of you will have noticed something in looking at these eight shoes: the top in each series differs only slightly from the bottom. In the first series, it's a color and height change. In the second series, it's a color change, along with a minute buckle change. In the third, it's a color, buckle, proportion, and sole-incline change. In the last, it's a color, stitching, and sole-incline change. In each case, there is also a difference in the quality of the materials. However, each design is similar enough (and, in the case of the second set, so subtly different as to make finding a change difficult) that I experienced a strong sense of déjà vu.

These, ladies and gentlemen, are cases of design stealing.

Here's some background information for each set:

1) Top shoe: the DeTamble by ALDO (still available for purchase but not for the faint of heart; the heel is 5.75 inches). Bottom shoe: the Peep-Toe Platform Dress Heel from ELLE (also available, with a lower heel, though I of course refuse to link to the imposters).

2) Top shoe: the Maleena Wedge by Coach (sold last year and no longer available for retail purchase). Bottom shoe: the Matisse Joss Wedge Sandal by Matisse (available this year).

3) Top shoe: the Straratata by Christian Louboutin (sold in 2010 and no longer available for retail purchase). Bottom shoe: the Evangel Platform by Jessica Simpson (available this year).

4) Top shoe: the Two-Tone Elastic Espadrille Wedge by Tory Burch (sold last year and no longer available for retail purchase). Bottom shoe: the Ravishing Platform by MIA (available this year).

In the case of the first, second, and fourth shoes, I noticed the copies in the course of my blogging research because I lusted after the Coach Maleena and even tried them on but couldn't walk well in them, ordered the ALDO DeTamble (in a different color) and sent them back because the heel was too tall, and ordered the Tory Burch Two-Tone but returned them because they didn't fit quite right in the heel (a tragedy, I tell you). The third shoe--the Loub--was blogged about at Jezebel and Talk Shoes, respectively.

Here's the thing: I understand the need for affordable, designer-inspired fashion. Not everyone can afford to blow their paychecks on high-end accessories, and there's no shame in that (I'm one of those girls!). However, as someone who strongly believes in protecting intellectual property--including specific designs--I cannot agree with the way these secondary shoes have been produced. They appear to be intentionally made to confuse the consumer (and, in the case of the Jessica Simpson shoe, almost shamelessly so--the Evangel is still available even after two high-profile websites called the company out).

So ladies (and sartorially-inclined gents), please: when you go out looking for affordable things, try to be conscious of what you're really buying. Strive for a look-for-less aesthetic, not a replica-for-less one. As children, stealing is one of the activities we're taught to eschew. Why should that be any different in the clothing world?

Images (from top to bottom) via ALDO, Kohl's, Polyvore, Revolve Clothing, HiddenGarments, Jessica Simpson, LovingYou, and Bon-Ton.

-Cate-

PS On a happier note, this also happened.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Roped In

I'm a pretty big fan of L.A.M.B. shoes and handbags, as well as a black-and-white color palette, so it should come as a surprise to approximately no one that I'm coveting this particular shoe today:


It's a badass take on the resort aesthetic, and it might even pair well with that Reed Krakoff bracelet I coveted two weeks back. Personally, I'd wear this heel with a pencil skirt and a jewel-toned top. How would you style it?


Image via Revolve Clothing.

-Cate-

Friday, April 20, 2012

Chia Obama

My brother, being older and thus infinitely wiser than I, somehow knows exactly what to give me for holidays? Like one time he got me tickets to a David Bowie concert, which was pretty genius. Oh, and there was the time he gave me a Yuengling on my birthday, though that wasn't strictly a gift. And then last Christmas he reached the pinnacle of his genius, maybe with a little help from his wife: he gave me an Obama Chia Pet.


If that doesn't make you want to run out and buy one for yourself right now, I don't know what will.

Unfortunately, since I have no horticultural skills whatsoever, Chia Obama is not flourishing under my guidance. He has a bald spot, and possibly a wasting disease, but he amuses me, so I think I'll let him stick around. Besides, Chia Obama comes with enough seeds for three plantings, so if I fail this time, I can always try again. Wouldn't you like to try it out, too?

Buy through Chia for $19.95.

Image via my kitchen.

-Cate-

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Poetic Postage

So, I'm pretty smug when it comes to the mail. It's always "Stamps this!" and "Save the Postal Service that!"

Well, we have to save the Postal Service, because the Postal Service seems to be in the business of making my dreams come true. Dreams I didn't even know I had. Dreams for stamps with twentieth-century poets on them.



Look at all these poets! Brodsky! Stevens! Williams! Plath! Levertov! On stamps! If you're smug like me, this is what you need. You just stick your favorite poet--or your least favorite poet, or a poet you've never heard of if that's the case--on your envelope and send it off to one of your Philistine friends who will have no idea who William Carlos Williams is beyond something about chickens. (You, of course, know a little something about some plums, am I right? I'm so right.)

As an added bonus, these stamps--like all first-class stamps produced from now on--are Forever stamps! So stock up! Send people poet letters for less than fifty cents for the rest of your life! They will be officially issued on April 21.

Buy through the Postal Store for $4.50 for a block of ten or $9.00 for a sheet of twenty.

Image via the same.

Yours sincerely,

Maureen


PS: Blogger just changed its look. I don't understand what's happening right now, so bear with me.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Oh, Canada

I have long envied Canadians for their money. It's so stylish and colorful! The reverses of their banknotes aren't boring old buildings! (The US two-dollar bill also lacks a building, but those are harder for me to get than Canadian coins.)

Then, the Royal Canadian Mint went nuts and started making colorful coins, including a (non-circulating) series based on Canadian cryptids:


That's a Sasquatch quarter, folks. A quarter with Sasquatch on it.

But THEN. THEN, they decide that wasn't enough.


That's a dinosaur. A Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai. I'm not sure what that is, but it's awesome.

Also, its skeleton glows in the dark.

Buy your own glow-in-the-dark dinosaur quarter through the Royal Canadian Mint for $29.95 CAD.

Images via here and here.

Maureen

Monday, April 16, 2012

"I'm Covered in Bees!"

For those of you who don't know, I'm a little bit in love with Eddie Izzard. (Fact: Eddie Izzard does not know this.) (Fact: a girl can still dream.)

If you have never witnessed the genius that is an Eddie Izzard sketch, I feel bad for you. Here's one that you should watch before I launch into my covetousness today:


In the event that you like your women like you like your coffee (covered in bees), here's a shirt for you:


Of course, not everyone will understand it, but this is how you can gauge whether or not you want to be friends with a person. You: "Are you covered in bees?" Potential Friend: "Who would do that?" You: "NEXT."

Or maybe I'm the only one who approaches life that way.

Buy through Eddie Izzard's online store for $32.40.

Image via Eddie Izzzard.

-Cate-

Friday, April 13, 2012

Broken Brilliance

If there's one thing I love more than any other, it's clean lines. But sometimes I find something so great I can't pass it up, clean lines or not, and this week, it's the Reed Krakoff Punk Bangle:


There's something perfect about the destruction here: purposeful, and just this side of overdone. It calls to mind Lisbeth Salander as brought to life by Rooney Mara, and that's a reference I can live with. Check it out today!


Image via Reed Krakoff.

-Cate-

Thursday, April 12, 2012

My Heart Will Go Oooooooon

You guys have heard about the re-release of Titanic in 3D, right? That movie we all know and love from our childhoods when Leonardo DiCaprio wasn't super old even though we were eight or ten or whatever?

One of my fondest memories is of renting this movie and making fun of it with my friends in college. And now I have the chance to see it all by myself in a movie theater in 3D!

Well, 2D, too, allegedly. Anyway, what I'm really coveting here is time with your friends. Though mine are scattered across the country, I wish we could all get together and watch, rapt, as the ship (SPOILER ALERT) sinks to a watery grave. And then eat M&Ms and complain that there was room for Jack on that door.

Grab your pals and go see the movie, folks. But don't text in the theater.

Maureen

Image via Wikipedia.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

In the Red

I recently received a pretty nice Levenger pen as a gift. It's shiny and pretty and fun to write with, and now my only problem is that I don't have a fancy shmancy ink to put in it!

So here's some ink that I've been coveting for a little while:

This is Montblanc's Alfred Hitchcock-inspired ink. It goes with a pen that some say is gaudy. I prefer not to even think about the pen because of its price, even if it does have nifty features recalling the movies.

Now, this ink! This ink is red and, I'm told, resembles dried blood. Perfect for Hitchcock, don't you think? Also perfect for editing papers. Am I right, guys? I'm so right.

Buy through Pen Boutique for $17.00.

Image via the same.

Maureen

Monday, April 9, 2012

Pink Spring

Well, spring is here again, and thus it's time to start rebuilding your wardrobe (assuming, of course, that you're the sort of person who makes annual changes to your closet). I personally find that it's easier to switch out accessories and stick with clothing essentials--the little black dress, cardigans, and so on. In that spirit, here's a fabulous clutch for nights spent dining on terraces or what have you:


It has a natural look about it thanks to the wooden handles, but the pop of color is pure fashion. If you're a fan of fusion, this is definitely the clutch for you. Plus, at under $60.00, it's super-affordable. Check it out today!

Buy through Von Maur for $58.00.

Image via Von Maur.

-Cate-

PS Also, this happened.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Happy Two-Year Anniversary!

Well, well, well. Isn't this something.

Two years ago today, I published my very first blog post ("Tick Tock"). In those two years, I've started--and nearly finished--a graduate degree, become an aunt, seen my poetry published at Fortunates.org, been to Europe, and embarked on many other adventures. But that's not the point of this post.

Yet again, I'm here to share a guide to the websites that have been very informative and useful when writing posts. This builds on the lists I posted at the six-month and one-year marks, which means that I'm only including here sites that were not referenced then. (Maureen's posts are not included in this list.) Additionally, not every person or company I've referenced has an independent website, so those entities are not listed.

I hope that you'll take the time to visit at least a few of these vendors, news outlets, charities, and assorted others!

Acorn
Akorra
Alloy
Almond, Steve
Antietam Museum Store
Basshunter
Barbie
Bell, David
BibBon
Botkier
Cambridge Satchel Company
Case-Mate
Cave, Nick and the Bad Seeds
Clairol
Coover, Robert
Couture Candy
Crate and Barrel
The Daily Beast
Daisy Knights
Danielewski, Mark Z.
David Meister
Deborah Lippmann
Doheny's Water Warehouse
Dolce & Gabbana
dossier
East Coast Chic
Eugenia Kim
Eugenides, Jeffrey
Facebook
Fandango Groovers Movie Blog
Farfetch
FeelNumb
Forzieri
Fotolog
Gluggle
Gorjana
Harper's Bazaar
Hockney, David
Home Depot
Ivanka Trump
Jean Paul Gaultier
Jes Switaj
Joel, Billy
John, Elton
John Neal, Bookseller
Just a Little Bit of Fashion
L.A. Status
Last Call
Launer London
Lauren Merkin
Le Métier de Beauté
Libbey Glass
Liberty London
Lonely Island
The Love Collage
LUV AJ
MAC
Matisyahu
MGM
Military Channel
Mimco
Minna Parikka
Mint Julep
M Missoni
National Center for Family Literacy
Olioboard
Osprey
Pink Mascara
Pinterest
PlayMusicVideos
POE
Pour la Victoire
Pretty in Pearls
Procter and Gamble
Re:Modern
Russian Tea Room
Savannah College of Art and Design Store
Senba Designs
Shreve, Crump, & Low
SimonSez
Skymall
Smashing Pumpkins
Struggling Single Twenty-Something
Tarina Tarantino
Theyskens' Theory
Total Film Gallery
20th Century Fox
20 Something Bloggers
Twitter
Umlauf, Rodd C.
Untwistedsister
Viktor & Rolf
Vince Camuto
Vivienne Westwod
Where Writers Write
Winterson, Jeanette

Thanks also to our readers. I appreciate your support, and hope you'll continue to stick with us!

-Cate-

Thursday, April 5, 2012

An Artist's Interpretation of Herbert

You know Herbert, right? What We Covet's unicorn mascot? Spends most of his time on Facebook, connecting with all his friends?

Well, we had a sculptor come in and do something a little different. Behold:

I lied. This is just a unicorn clip (not for clipping paper--Cate says it's more of a brooch, but if you have the money for a Tiffany unicorn, you can clip your paper with whatever you want). It's made out of gold and platinum and sapphires and all kinds of crazy stuff that exist mostly to be pretty and sometimes to do useful things.

I still want it. Unicorns! Clips! Diamonds! Herbert!

Buy through Tiffany & Co. for $215,000.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

A Thimbleful of Blood

Let's face it, no matter how hard I try to sew like a civilized person, I prick my fingers more than a phlebotomist will ever manage in my lifetime. Ideally a thimble would protect me, but because I'm just that bad at sewing, I have decided they're nothing more than nifty finger jewelry. So let's go all out and get one that costs real money.

This is a sterling silver nineteenth century thimble in excellent condition. Let's poke ourselves in style, shall we? (Or, there's only one of these, so let's see who will be left to use an awful plastic thimble from a stocking stuffer sewing kit.)


Image via the same.

Maureen

Monday, April 2, 2012

A Shoe with Sting

A material that's growing on me of late is stingray leather. It's super-durable and visually interesting, but not used often. It also sells for more than I'm willing to pay right now, which is why I find this faux-stingray platform sandal from Nine West so appealing:


Of course I'm a huge fan of the shape of this shoe anyway--peep-toe slingbacks are totally my jam. But the faux stingray takes it to the next level, and now I covet it.

Buy through Nine West for $99.00.

Image via Nine West.

-Cate-