JOY LOVES FASHION

Life is nothing without inspiration. For as long as I can remember I’ve been inspired by vintage, bold colors, poppy prints. Besides fashion, my other inspirations come from almost anywhere but here are my most recent: watching an amazingly serene sunrise from inside my Harlem apartment at 6am, the cuter-than-cute heart shaped latte that I got from Doughnut Plant last week after lunch with a new friend. Recently, I came across this fun image from an outfit post earlier this year. It’s extra special because it’s shot by my boyfriend and it’s also one of my all-time favorite looks to date. I’m wearing a vintage coat and pants from Biddies + Blokes, layered denim pieces (I love these from Guess), Topshop heels (similar) and an armful of African bangles (I’m lusting after these here and here)

What inspires you? I’d love to know! My friends over at eBay are running this awesome contest asking you to Instagram a photo or video of whatever inspires you (you can enter multiple times). Follow @ebay and hashtag #getinspired. What you can win:

Video:

1. One grand prize: $3000

2. Three runner-up prizes: $1,000 each

Photo:

1. One grand prize: $3000

2. Three runner-up prizes: $1,000 each

Contest dates: December 1-16, 2013

Judging criteria: 25% inspiration, 25% beauty, 25% originality, 15% copy (text), 10% sponsor choice.

I’ve taken over @ebay’s page for the day and will be Instagramming images that inspire me and make me smile. Good luck!

xo

Joy

Special thanks to eBay for sponsoring this post. All opinions expressed here are my own.

But first: Check out my Cyber Monday faves on Pinterest!

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The holidays are officially here and that usually means four things food, friends, family and fashion (aka shopping aka amazing sales!). I’ve scoured the internet and came up with my favorite Cyber Monday deals to share with you! Since Black Friday, I’ve been shopping the sales and was thrilled with so many great finds. I was in particular need for some great pairs of boots and I got a bunch on sale. I also picked up some great basics (cable knit sweaters, pajamas, camo pants and bras/panties) at the Gap! Here’s my go-to guide to navigating all the great sales. Get it while it’s hot! : )

 ASOS

They’ve pumped it up from 20%! Now save 30% off site wide.

 Nov 28 – Dec 2

CODE: GIMMEMORE

Here are some things I picked up at ASOS:

ASOS skirt, boots, snow boots, boyfriend jeans

Aldo

Save 15% off entire site! CODE: CYBERDEAL13A

Nov 27 – Dec 1

Ann Taylor 

Save 50% off entire purchase! CODE: SHOP50

Bauble Bar

Save 20% off entire site and get a chance to win prizes like $100 off! (Dec 2 + 3) CODE: CYBER20 

Bloomingdales

Save up to 50% off

Nov 25 – Dec 1

Boohoo

Save 25% off entire site and stock up on flirty holiday dresses like this one! CODE: PUMPKINPIE

French Connection 

SAve 30% off entire purchase CODE: W13COUPON

*this fab leopard coat*

Gap

50% off everything, Friday 11/29 only. Stock up on cozy sweaters!

CODE: BLKFRIDAY

Glossybox 

Get 20% off your order (excludes limited edition boxes) CODE: THANKS20

Heels.com

Save 30% off entire site! CODE: CM30 

Henri Bendel 

Save 25% off bags and wallets, 30% off jewelry, home fragrance and gifts, 40% off cosmetics, travel and tech accessories. Plus, receive a $20 splurge card with any purchase CODE: CYBER13

Kiehls

Get $20 off on purchases over $65 until Dec 4 CODE: CHEER

Macys

Extra 15% off with $99 purchase  + free shipping

Nordstrom

Save 40% off or more on a wide variety of items

Nasty Gal

Get 40% off anything black!! Awesome!

 Piperlime

30% off entire site!

CODE: CYBER

Reiss

20% off  EVERYTHING!

Sephora

Shop fabulous $10 deals

Sole Society 

Save 33% off jewelry, handbags and shoes (with new offers everyday at 10am)

Topshop

Get 30% selected styles
My pick: Knitted Croc Front Sweater

 Yoox

Save up to 50% off fall/winter 2013 collections. Also enjoy free shipping and an additional 15% off.

Pants above: 7 For All Mankind, Patrizia Pepe, Pinko Black

Happy Shopping!

xo

Joy

 

Last Wednesday, a vacant warehouse in the Meatpacking district was transformed into a modern day disco for the kickoff of alice + olivia (with founder/creative director, Stacey Bendet) and artist David Choe’s new philanthropic venture, the Kindness Project. Inside the warehouse stood a variable feast for the eyes as partygoers were treated to a blast from the past, psychedelic 60s style. Models with blonde bob wigs and oversized round glasses were painted head-to-toe by Choe in vibrant glow-in-the-dark body paint. To the right, an alice + olivia gown painted in Choe’s “A Woman And A Monkey” (the official symbol of the Kindness Project) hung from the ceiling amidst a gaggle of silver disco balls. Close by stood the bar bustling with specialty cocktails enjoyed by a who’s who of the NYC social scene including celebs: Maxwell, Nicky Hilton and Selita Ebanks. DJ Hannah Bronfman kept the party upbeat and there was even a burlesque performer by the name of Hazel Honeysuckle.

I had a chance to chat with Stacey and David about how they started working together for the Kindness Project, the inspiration behind the project and of course, David’s one of a kind beaded red suit.

Joy Adaeze: How did you and David come to collaborate for The Kindness Project?

Stacey Bendet: David and I met and I fell in complete love with his watercolor paintings, which I think are some of the most beautiful pieces of work that exist right now. We were talking about doing something together and he would send me these paintings and in each one I just saw dresses coming out! So, I would look at his paintings and see like 5 prints, 10 dresses and I would go crazy! Each one more beautiful than the last. When David showed me that painting [of "A Woman and a Monkey"] I said I want to make a gown of it but I want to bead the entire thing, which is what’s hanging up there. And I said I think this should be the global image of kindness because this woman just looks so beautiful. It inspired us to start alice + olivia’s philanthropic mission, the Kindness Project. Tonight is it’s launch and also the launch of our collaboration of these beautiful gowns and dresses. This dress (points to her gown) is actually the bottom of the “A Woman and a Monkey” painting. This is a print we created out of one little part. I think the whole concept of being able to share positivity, creativity and kindness around the world is something that we are both in a place in our career that we want to do.

JA: David, what inspired you to create “A Woman and a Monkey”?

David Choe: Everyone always associates me with graffiti even thought I haven’t done it since I was 15. And probably the hardest medium is watercolor because it’s unforgivable. There’s no mistakes. So, I spend almost all my time doing watercolor. I love women and I love monkeys. There’s not really much to it besides that. When I paint or do anything I try not to think too much. I don’t do any sketching, I don’t use any reference, I don’t plan anything and that’s exactly how I live my life also. I also don’t spend a lot of time on painting either. Not long. I never spend more than 2-3 days.

JA: Any collaborations in the future between you two?

SB: Oh yeah, I think we’ll work together again! Our latest collaboration was today when I decided to rhinestone David’s suit. I said ‘You can’t wear that like that’! We had like 4 interns gluing stones to it!

Catch alice + olivia x Daivd Choe’s collaboration out Spring 2014.

More pics!

xo

Joy

Images courtesy of alice + olivia