Preoccupation per Diem: Marc Jacobs tortoise shades

I might as well warn you all now this Preoccupation thingy will more than likely focus generously on Marc Jacobs, since I immediately fall in love with most everything bearing his name.

These sunglasses, for instance, are particularly dangerous because they're financially within my reach at $177. If you've got beef with that price, which is pretty great considering how GORGEOUS these are, read this. Plus, with a martini and about 20 minutes I could come up with a convincing list of reasons why I can't affort not to buy them.
It is about Happy Hour, isn't it?
And wouldn't ya know it? My handy dandy new mobile gives me the power to slip these shades into a virtual cart whilst sipping above-mentioned libation. Oh, mercy.

They can be yours, too, here

Preoccupation per Diem: A tradition is born

When browsing the vast ocean of shopping temptations that is the Internet, we all inevitably come across something(s) we salivate over. What ensues is either a purchase, or just a longing stare at the item's virtual image. Most times in my case, though purchases happen more often than they should, it's the latter. And for some reason we are then compelled to tell someone about it.

i.e. "Ohmigoodness, I saw these shoes today that I love." or "My birthday is in two weeks. If you still don't know what to get me, check out (insert object or favorite shopping site here)."

Trouble is, moms, besties, boyfriends and random strangers grow weary of such tales.

Enter "Preoccupation per Diem." (Stylecaster, darn them, already took "Daily Desire" and "Daily Covet" just doesn't have the same ring.)

In an effort to inspire myself (and post more often) I hereby implement a regular Haute in the Heartland segment. I'll post my latest fashion darlings, and then you all can post yours! It'll be like a Shopaholics Anonymous, here goes...

My name is Gabrielle and I'm a Shopaholic.

Omelle's Cecilia bootie, and pretty much every other pair of shoes they make. Look at that delicate banana heel, the precision-cut taupe leather that's so structured yet gives us the illusion it's actually draped over the dorsal foot. You can't see it here but the soles of all Omelle's creations are almost as beautiful as the uppers. Their shoes are wearable art and can be yours at the bargain price of $795. But if you're a Daily Candy member, you can get them this week for around $500.
Believe me, if I had that half-grand, I'd already we wearing these sweet puppies.


Or am I crazy?
What's your preoccupation today?

I've got mine, where's yours?

OK, this is the last time I'll talk about the Gap khakis, I promise.

My original plan for Tuesday morning was to play New Yorker and arrive at The Gap as they were unlocking the doors, in order to be the first in Indiana to have my hands on the CFDA Fashion Fund collection.

But in relating this plan to a stylish friend of mine Monday night over champagne and caviar, I was reminded how silly this notion is.

stylish friend (sf): Um, do you really think anyone else cares?
me: well, maybe
sf: *gives me a "yeah right" kinda look"
me: OK, fine, I'll wait till after work, but they better still have that Vena Cava dress in my size.

So it turns out that stylish friend was right. I got my Vena Cava dress (pictured above) but it was one of SEVERAL and the staff wasn't even aware of the treasures hanging right before them.

cashier: Hey did you know some designer in Ney York did this one?
me: Why, yes, I did know that. Alexander Wang won the $200,000 last night, so I bet his stuff will go fast.
cashier: huh?

Sigh.

There is, however, a band outside my window playing a cover of "Not Gonna Write You a Love Song" by Sara Bareilles as I write this. That makes me feel Urban.

Hoosier shout-out in WWWWD

If you all haven't yet discovered the fashionable hilarity that is WWWWD (Worldwide Womenswear Digest: The Fashion Newspaper), you're missing out.

What began around Christmas time as a mysterious fashion pub spoof, The Onion of the fashion world, has become a somewhat regular stalwart in my already sale-mail cluttered inbox. Knowing this, you can imagine my delight to see an "article" reported from the Kinsey Institute in Bloomington. See Below:

BLOOMINGTON, IN. – On the Kinsey Scale of Sexuality, which ranges from zero to six, designer Isaac Mizrahi has been ranked a J, according to the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction. The scale, developed by Dr. Alfred Kinsey in 1948, measures human sexuality, with exclusive heterosexuality at zero and exclusive homosexuality at 6, and a range of bisexuality and Lohanisms in between. "Mr. Mizrahi's case is very interesting," said Dr. Elizabeth Clay, director of gender studies at the Institute. "We've seen asexuality, and we even gave Christian Siriano an 8, but Isaac's overt homosexual tendencies and demeanor coupled with his fear of physical contact puts him in his own category." She added: "I theorize that for a J such as Mr. Mizrahi, climax might only be reached through vigorous masturbation in front of a mirror, perhaps with Karen Carpenter playing softly in the background. Crying might even cause multiple orgasms." – Mara Amiri

Bah-hahahahaha!
That is all.

Gap's CFDA collections come out tomorrow, in Indy too (cha ching)

So we're not quite cool enough to have CFDA finalists Alexander Wang and Vena Cava show up at tomorrow's launch of their Gap collections, (ahem, like the Fifth Ave. store) but Indianapolis will get the duds. Hip hip, hooray!

Alas, I won't be able to pick up that adorable khaki cocktail number on my lunch break, since only the Keystone store will carry it, but bet your bottom dollar I'll be on the phone with those folks schmoozing them into putting one aside.

Anyone else find it odd there's no mention of the designer collections on Gap.com? Oh, well.

Also, we'll know by tomorrow whether the finalists are winners, since the CFDA awards are tonight. Cross your fingers for A.W. people, he's a genius.

Valentino Documentary plays locally TONIGHT

There are so many reasons to celebrate Valentino.

My heart swelled with adoration when I found out he shares my thoughts about the hideousness that went down the red carpet at the Met Gala. OK, so Kate Moss' turban was kinda cute but only because it was Kate Moss.

And who remembers that fabulous burgundy silk taffeta number Halle Berry was wearing when she won her Oscar? Who doesn't love strategically placed lace flowers?

What's truly astounding, though, is that his documentary, "Valentino: The Last Emperor" is playing in Indianapolis, tonight. I think that's it, according to Fandango, but maybe it's a day for miracles.

It's at the AMC Castleton Square, and you can still catch the 4:40, 7:05 and 9:25 showings.
Just, go, please.

Nikki Blaine Couture debuts swim wear line

Local couturier Nikki Blaine recently spirited off to L.A. to show her brand new swim wear line. (The model to the far left is Miss Indiana Teen USA) There aren't very many beaches here in the circle city, and no girl in her right mind would dip one of these babies ($175-$375, including wrap) into Geist Reservoir, so maybe Miss Blaine was onto something with that whole West coast thing...