Monday, March 28, 2011

Sunday Best

Another nice day, another three-quarter length sleeve coat!

Last tuesday's mild weather made it the ideal day for me to showcase my latest coat obsession. I had been coveting this coat ever since I saw it in Kate Spade's fall look book, but i just couldn't justify the hefty price tag for a piece that seemed sort of impractical. For months I had been stalking it online waiting for the day that the price dropped. Finally, the cost seemed somewhat reasonable, but to my horror they were out of my size! After many phone calls, I got a store in Manhattan to ship it to me. The story should end there, but anyone who knows me knows it's never that simple. Three days later, the price dropped again so I ordered it online (my size was miraculously back in stock) and planned to return the other one to the retail store here in Washington, DC. Because of Kate Spade's strict return policy on sale items, I had to return the original one before I received the second one in the mail. I had reservations about this, but I really had no choice in the matter. As I opened the new package, my feelings of despair were confirmed, they had sent me the wrong size. I immediately went online and saw that my size was out of stock once again and the DC store had already sold the return I had made earlier that week. After almost an hour of back and forth with the online manager, I was told that one XS had somehow appeared back in stock. I nervously waited for the coat to arrive and my heart sank when I saw that the hanger was labeled a large, but to my surprise the coat itself was the correct size! Happiness!

This story has proven to be the rule and not the exception when it comes to my fashion exploits. Maybe I should take my father's advice and stop lusting after things to the point of obsession, but hey, that's half the fun! And this time, I can truly say that it was worth it.


Studio Mona Coat - Kate Spade
Mossimo Dress - Target
Hue Yellow Tights - Macy's
Faceted Collar Necklace - Banana Republic
Patent Gray Peep Wedges - Target

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Digging on DIN

I go through fonts like Taylor Swift goes through boyfriends. My love affairs are usually obsessive and short. That said, I have been loving on DIN for quite some time now. This is quite the feat considering I usually reserve my affection exclusively for serif fonts. DIN's slightly industrial and severe look make it perfect for adding that little bit of edge to your design.

DIN has a long and storied history, which goes back to the lettering of the Prussian railways. DIN stands for Deutsches Institut für Normung (German Institute for Standardisation) and it has come a ways since its inception in the early twentieth century. In the mid 90s renowned Dutch designer, Albert-Jan Pool, reworked the classic in hopes of giving it more elegance and usability. FF DIN was born. The biggest changes can be seen in the fluidity of the curves and the use of rounded dots for the i and j. The new, more modern FF DIN has been rumored to be used in the corporate identities of Adidas, JetBlue Airways and American Eagle Outfitters.

Even with this new incarnation, i would have to say that DIN Condensed holds a special place in my heart. I just love everything about it. I adore the tail (a diagonal stroke or loop at the end of a letter) of the l and the counter (the negative space that is fully or partially enclosed by a letterform) of the O.


To read a short interview with Albert-Jan Pool go here.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Sunday Best

Sunday Best is a weekly posting that will feature my favorite ensemble from the prior week.

Last Wednesday was a lovely day, so I decided to bust out my shorts (with tights of course) and my wool ruffle layer coat. Although I love this coat, its three-quarter length sleeves and lack of pockets doesn't really make it ideal for temperatures below 55, so this was the perfect day to wear it! I am really happy with the way this look came together.


Layered Coat - Loeffler Randall
Infinity Scarf - Modcloth
Velvet Blazer - J.Crew
Ruffle Blouse - Ann Taylor Loft
Glen Plaid Sailor Shorts - Forever 21
Tights - Target
Me Too Ramira Booties - Nordstrom


Thursday, March 10, 2011

My Friends Call me FTF

If you're wondering what FTF stands for and how I came to have this nickname bestowed upon me, you have come to the right place.

I am a petite, long-limbed, font obsessed graphic designer who just happens to be having a serious love affair with fashion. My penchant for dresses, coats, vintage dress forms and large jewelry has earned me a nickname among those closest to me. Full Time Fancy. It's not just my moniker, it's my mantra.


My posts will mostly focus on my latest obsessions and how far I will go to get them, my font du jour, favorite outfits and things that inspire me. Hopefully, you will enjoy my rants, my raves and everything in between.