Black & Blue

I’ve been prowling Etsy like it’s my job lately, and cannot get over the wealth of talent and creativity.  As I’ve mentioned many, many times over the past week or so, I’m currently on a mission to create a gallery wall in my bedroom, and so have spent hours searching for eye-catching (affordable) artwork.  These moody cityscapes by Jessica Durrant ($25 each) have absolutely captured my heart.  I must have the black NY cityscape, as I daydream about moving up there and living with my baby sis all.the.time.  (I’ve also been up to NYC twice in the past month — obsessed much?)

The works have more than just a must-have-now effect on me: I’m instantly reaching for my moodiest black and blue get-ups.  While I instantly began to drool over the entire Preen line, which very much centers upon a rich, royal blue and features cool-city-gal styles, I also found a couple of appropriate separates that left me instantly reaching for my wallet.  For starters, I’m thinking of a silky cobalt blouse ($168, Reiss) tucked into a structured, textured skirt (Acne, $510, Browns) and finished with this iconic McQueen scarf (so edgy and yet so elegant in the form of a scarf — $445, Net-A-Porter):

I’d finish with some fun, be-sparkled tootsies (Prada, $520, Bluefly):

I’d finish with chunky gold earrings (Bounkit, $295, Charm and Chain), an oversized gumball rings (House of Harlow, $95, Endless) and a chunky gold link bracelet (Michael Kors, $125, Neiman’s — PSSST, this would make a fab last-minute gift for a mother or mother in law…!):

For something in the more formal vein, I’m absolutely in.love with this silken mini by Elizabeth & James (everything they do just smacks of “coolness” — on sale for $219, Net-A-Porter), which I’d pair with deep blue danglers (Erickson Beamon, $380, Farfetch), black tights, and these unreal deco-styled pumps (ugh…Jimmy Choo, $1,150, Net-A-Porter):

Finish with an architectural ring (only $14! — ASOS), and this geometrical clutchski ($100, John Lewis):

Loves.  Now, I’m going to take a leisurely stroll in la-la land and wax poetic over this houndstooth checked sheath dress (Yves St. Laurent, on sale for around $1,000, Matches), layered beneath an oversized-stone necklace ($25, John Lewis):

— which I’d love to pair with these blue suede platforms ($139, Siren Shoes) and this dream-boat of a bag (O.M.G. — $5,900, Reed Krakoff):

I’d top it all off with the white version of that collarless Old Navy topper I featured yesterday ($74, Old Navy) and a woven knit scarf (on sale for $206, Farfetch) —

— as well as these white fur handwarmers (tried these on at Intermix and was so in.love — they almost make it look like you have fur cuffs on your coat.  Heartsies. — $98, Intermix):

Going back to the inspiration source, Jessica Durrant’s water-colors —

how about this artful blouse (Rebecca Taylor, $295, Net-A-Porter) beneath a black fur vest (Karl Donoghue, on super sale for $286, Net-A-Porter — OR check out this faux-fur style on sale for $148 at TheOutnet), black skinnies, and a pair of architectural heels (Alexander Wang, $525, Barney’s):

I’d finish with a pair of bangles in mixed metals ($125 each, Eclektica) and my current obsession du jour — this metallic-thread Stella McCarney tote (O to the MG — $1,150, ShopSavannahs):

For a slightly different take on the look above, check out this Alice and Olivia blouse (on sale for $192, Net-A-Porter), which I’d wear beneath a cropped black blazer ($130, TopShop) with a big statement necklace ($870, Dannijo) and finish with deep blue skinnies and edgy black flats (finally bit the bullet and snapped these up — eee!  Can’t wait til they arrive! — $150, Zappos):

Also intensely craving this navajo-inspired textile skirt (Proenza Schouler, on sale for $464, Farfetch), which I’d pair with a black silky blouse ($275, Tibi) and a big, bold statement necklace introducing a pop of red (man, I am into Dannijo these days! — on sale for $398, Ssense):

I’d finish with these cut-out tootsies ($140, TopShop) and a folded satin clutch (love that the pleating looks like petals — $164, Shirise):

Or, get the whole navajo blue vibe for less with this little clutchski($144, Stefani Bags), which could pair well with a simple LBD —

— Finally, a few separates to mix into the wardrobe to achieve the same effect as shown above.  First, an artful blue and black scarf (on sale for $151, Kelly Wearstler), which could look bomb with a silken blue blouse (on sale for $77, Madewell)

Or, how about test-driving blue (yes, blue) nail lacquer from YSL in the 127 shade ($20, YSL)?  Could look awesome paired with these Bounkit enorma-studs ($295, Charm & Chain):

Loving the blues!

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And now, DRUMROLL PLEASE, the winner of my Graphic Image iPhone case giveaway is: Meredith Weinberg.  Woot woot!  I admit to an act of favoritism on my end — I had every intention of randomly selecting an entrant, and then Meredith’s sweet post literally brought tears to my eyes.  I read it aloud to Mr. Magpie on the way back from a Christmas cocktail party, and suddenly my voice was wavering.  You were too kind in all of your comments, and the thought of your dear mother (would love to meet Barb) showing up unannounced to offer you the support that only a mother can really hit home.  CONGRATS, Missy! I’ll email you so we can get you set up with your new iPhone case.

And, because I don’t want to be TOO unfair, I also randomly selected an additional winner, who will get a treat or two from TheFashionMagpie as well, including a set of the neon hair ties featured in my Let’s Get Physical post that Emi-Jay has very kindly provided to us.  The winner of this gift is Jen Browne of the Little Black Shop.  Hurray for all!