line i love: maison scotch

 

Amsterdam-based label Maison Scotch, the women's collection from umbrella brand Scotch & Soda, is the epitome of downtown, globetrotter style. Think Free People's chic-er, Isabel Marant-obsessed older sister. Highlights of the line include gauzy blouses, embroidery-laden outerwear, printed silk pants, and to-die-for denim.

Last week, like a moth to a flame, I was drawn to the tropical prints and neon details of the spring collection on display at their Miami Design District outpost. I've been daydreaming about the collection ever since, especially this palm print button down, rainforest-inspired trousers and southwestern print shorts. And the biggest perk to shopping Maison Scotch? Many of the tops come with a coordinating charm necklace. Free jewelry, I'm sold!

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

all things neon: orange lace, and fp spring '11

FABULOUS news kiddies: this spring, NEON is here. to. stay. I dare say it shall live on forever, even if no where else but my closet (and this here blog, of course). But as long as designers keep sending acid brights down the runway, my favorite stores will continue to dream up neon confections at lower prices that satisfy my perpetual thirst for the brightest of colors and allow me partake in the fun.

H&M, my top pick for fast fashion mega-retailer, is notorious for taking close inspiration for its designs from the runway, which is great for us fashion victims. So when my best friend Alex pointed out this dress to me there, my second thought was: "OH HI Proenza and Christopher Kane Spring '11! So wonderful to see you at H&M on Newbury Street!"

(My first thought, of course, was: "PUT THAT THING ON MY BODY RIGHT THIS SECOND.")

{sequin slip: free people, necklace:

marc by marc jacobs, shoes: nine west}

A modest $19.95 compared to its $5,000 counterparts. Heck, it's practically FREE! How's that for rationalizing unnecessary dress shopping?

But even beyond the price, the dress is perfect. The sleeves make a statement with their elbow-grazing length while avoiding full sleeve overkill. The silhouette is a shift dress, NOT a body con dress, thank todd, meaning that the use of sheer stretch lace here is flirty not slutty. The length is short enough to wear out at night, but long enough to feel comfortable walking into Chabad for Shabbat dinner sporting it. And the color? Well, that just goes without saying.

And don't I look ready to attend my very own NEON TEA PARTY?! That's always the point, after all.

Here are the images of what inevitably inspired this thrilling creation:

Christopher Kane SS '11

Proenza Schouler SS '11

{all images style.com}

SWOOOOON! Oh how I wish I had to budget to acquire the real things for my wardrobe!!

While we're on the topic of neon and Proenza (what else would we be talking about, let's be honest), looky looky the resemblance between something off the same runway and something I tried on yesterday at Free People.

Free People

Proenza

SPOOOKY!

And while we're on the topic of neon and Free People, look what else I got yesterday:

Neon pink flowy collar blouse! $88 YES YES AND YES!

And while we're still on the topic of what I got yesterday at Free People:

English rose print flutter shorts with lace trim!!! $58 Wow, what a combo of elements.

In conclusion, yesterday was quite the exciting day for my closet and I am BEYOND ready for warm weather to arrive and let me wear my new purchases.

More Spring '11 neon enthusiasm to come.

Peace, Love and Neon,

Marisa

want this now: gap x alex wang

Fashionistas love getting a piece of their favorite designers' work at an affordable price-- hence our obsession with high end-low end collaborations.

The latest thrilling collab since this week's Matthew Williamson for H&M is CFDA winner/every it-girl's favorite designer Alexander Wang for the Gap!! According to Gap designer Patrick Robinson, Wang designed a sick khaki motorcycle jacket for under $100!! I wonder if he designed anything else for the classic chain. The collaboration debuts on June 16th, so prepare to head to a mall near you.

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

all time favorite spots

There are few things that excite me more than stumbling upon a great little boutique with unique inventory or a delicious, off-beat restaurant. Whenever I'm exploring, especially in Boston and New York, I love to take the business cards of my finds for future reference. I keep a few of my favorites posted up on my bulletin board at my desk.



POOR LITTLE RICH GIRL is a small vintage shop whose second location is on on Newbury St. in Boston. (The original one is in Somerville.) The selection is limited, but what the store does have is wonderful dresses, feather headbands, and great vintage heels. The girl who works there is so sweet too! I bought the black romper there last Saturday!! *[See past two posts. Do I seem a bit obsessed with this romper? I think so.]

AKIMBO is this little tchotchke shop in Copenhagen that carries all sorts of cute toys and gifts, including jewelry handmade by the owner. I could have spent all day there admiring all of the pretty nick-nacks and doo-dads.



I couldn't resist this neon pink string bracelet (obv):


I never take this bracelet off- I've been wearing it since I was in Copen in August. Unfortunately, the pink paint has worn off the little bell.

SUGAR SWEET SUNSHINE is a fun little bakery in New York's Lower East Side. A couple years ago, my friend Jessie dragged me across lower Manhattan to try it out, and it was well worth the walk. In addition to a large variety of creative cupcakes (everyone's favorite) they also have amazing old-fashioned banana pudding (the kind with Nilla Wafers-- so yum!).

OAK is a boutique also located on Newbury St. that carries handcrafted items by all different artists. I love the Lego rings and the plastic candy sprinkle heart necklace. It's an awesome store if you're looking to get a gift for someone special- and the prices are very reasonable. My friend Allison and I picked up copies of Boston's Motion Affair Planner here to give each other as birthday gifts. The MAP is a daily planner + guide of cool things to do around Boston. Flip through one if you ever see it! (Or better yet, buy one for yourself!) I decorated mine, obviously.


BARLOLA is, as the card says, a Tapas Lounge in Back Bay in Boston. Though the card isn't as whimsical as the others on my bulletin board, it is equally as deserving of its spot there. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the food is delicious (I suggest the tuna canapés) and they are known for their sangria and other fruity mixed drinks. Allison and I had our birthday party here last month and everybody loved it! Really, one of the best nights ever.

OVANDO on Bleeker Street in New York is the most gorgeous florist I've ever encountered. Every time I walk past, which is often, I always tell whomever I'm with that this florist will be doing my wedding flowers. The first time I saw this shop, the window display was covered entirely with bright blue peacock feathers- love at first sight! They always have the pinkest orchids and the most creative window displays. If The Neon Tea Party lasts long enough to see my wedding (and if Ovando is still in business, of course) I promise to upload pictures of my floral arrangements. I actually dream about what they're going to look like. No joke.

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

WELCOME TO THE THE NEON TEA PARTY!!

What is The Neon Tea Party?

The Neon Tea Party is a blog about all things fashionable, fabulous, girly, trendy and amazing.

Stay tuned for trend reports, restaurant reviews, shopping lists, adventure ideas, and more, obviously.

Also, the banner and layout aren't finalized, but I'm too excited to launch my blog, so this will have to do for now.

In the mean time, check out my new favorite store, pinkyotto -- it just opened on Newbury a couple weeks ago and I'm in love.

I wasn't planning on buying anything, I SWEAR, (I had already been shopping all day and bought two pairs of ripped denim shorts, a tye-dye tank dress and the perfect black halter romper with ruffle at the neck [!!] AND picked up my two pairs of Chanels from the shoe repair), but I was pressured into it by my friends. Obviously I couldn't say no.

After trying on an AMAZING off-white lace skirt with little lace star explosions [obsessed], a grey silk short-sleeved shift with a black lace panel down the front and back and fringe on the bottom, and two other printed silk masterpieces, I decided on this:

Perfectly simple, yet still funky and totally me. I couldn't resist the little owl print. (I had actually tried on another dress in the same fabric.)

Definitely check out the store-- there's no way that you won't find a treasure among the racks and racks of unique printed dresses of amazingness. FYI, there is not one, but THREE locations in New York. (A fortunate discovery just in time to return to the city for the summer!!)

Oh and look for an editorial about the store in the first published issue of The Buzz. I already spoke to one of the owners about doing a collaboration for the magazine!!

Okay, now I actually have to work on my Spanish paper now. Le sigh.

Check back soon for post numero dos.

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

P.S. Check out this video of Boston University's best a cappella group, the Dear Abbeys, performing one of my favorite Coldplay songs. (Who am I kidding? Every Coldplay song is my favorite Coldplay song.)