We've moved the blog!

We've moved the blog to Tumblr.  We've enjoyed our time with blogspot, but you know sometimes you just out grow your relationship. You need to move on to new possibilities and places that will let you express more of who you are and not restrain you to a certain font or format.  Who knows how this new relationship will pan out but so far we're totally infatuated and I think it's mutual...xoxo

www.shoppop.tumblr.com

Vintage Inspiration

Vogue February 1957 - Photo by Karen Rutledge

I just discovered an amazing treasure trove of images on a site called myvintagevogue.com which is a nonprofit fashion archive where "Jackie" catalogs images from old fashion magazine and catalogs she's bought, scanned and photo-shopped. There are also links to a couple of blogs and tumblr sites she runs.  It's amazing on a lot of levels, as inspiration, history, and just how derivative fashion truly is.  If you're a designer, a stylist or just an aspiring fashionista, it is pure eye candy. Here's a sampling of a few images I think are relevant for this season, which as mentioned in an entry below, hails the return of the Lady with a capital L!  

Vogue February 1957 - Photo by Karen Rutledge

Enka Rayon 1949

 Harper’s Bazaar Nov 1960 - Coat by Fantasia

McCalls Winter 1962

Danke Ditte

Commercial photographer Ditte Isager, born and raised in Copenhagen, Denmark and living in NYC since 2006 has a beautiful blog where she publishes a lot of her work shooting interiors, personalities, lifestyle and travel. In her words, "The style is simple nordic. Working with contrast in materials, light, color and objects. Inspiration comes from the light in the Dutch masters, storytelling and effects from motion pictures and the style, character and layers of NY." While some shots are overly commercial (a smiling Christie Brinkley!) most are moody, evocative and inspiring and just plain lovely to look at!

How about some Free Music?

Download 7 free music mix MP3's from Gorilla vs. Bear here, one for each month this year. Featuring songs by Deerhunter, Crystal Castles and tons of other great new to you bands. Here's the link.  July mix line up after the jump.

Return of the Lady

Magazine after magazine is heralding "The Return of the Lady" this fall. In case you missed it, she's all dressed up (with hopefully some place to go) in dresses and heals and gold.  Gold is the new black.  Glamor is back. To prepare yourself, check out he picks by stylists and models featured in the "Fall Shopping Guide" on Style.com. The article is great as inspiration rather than recommendations since most of the gems of clothing and accessories cost as much as precious gems!

Joey Baby

According to The Cut, the style blog of New York Magazine, freelance photographer, editor, and art director,  Aaron Richter's new blog is bookmark worthy and so far I'd agree.  The Joey Journal blog is the precursor to the magazine he officially launches next month,  Joey. magazine. Though not a ton of content just yet, the large type blog (seemingly a trend, see, e.g., http://www.hipsterrunoff.com) features videos of Kate Moss, profiles of up-and-coming models, and a photo shoot with Alexis Kraus of Sleigh Bells, all of which are in the inaugural issue’s "Cool, Girls, Fashion" theme.  We'll check it out and let you know, but in the meantime, check out the blog. It's worthwhile way to while away a lunch hour (or half hour!)

Fashion Hole

Courtney Love, the train wreck in red lipstick, has started a fashion blog called What Courtney Wore Today. Her life, as interesting a biopic as it is as disastrous and cringe worthy, has managed to create a site less cringe inducing than it is plain old boring. The site is also a bit of a misnomer, it doesn't post her daily outfits. Rather, it seems to be a glaring attempt to revamp, re-write and archive her image. The blog posts a mix of videos, personal  and professional photographs with commentary from Taylor Mason, her 23 year-old manager and two unnamed others who offer up such gems as "Flat Stomach!" and "She DOES get younger every day!"

          

Design Site Reject

A dear friend recommended my condo for a "sneak peak", an expose of photos and descriptions, on a rather successful design blog, let's call it, Design Mop.  I was elated, both by the prospect of exposure for my shop (there's always a description and links to the homeowner and their business) and for the validation of my personal passion for decorating.  I've been waiting for this moment without realizing it since my reversible comforter at age eight afforded me the ability to change up my decor seasonally.  At first they seemed nearly as excited as I was about the prospect.  We began by a little exchange of what they were looking for;  What was my style?  What was my background and could I take a few preliminary pictures? More than happy to!  (The Complete Essay and more pictures after the JUMP!)

Deerhunter

Download the lead 7″ single from Deerhunter’s new album, Halcyon Digest. The password is: tapereel
mp3:
Deerhunter :: Revival
Halcyon Digest is out September 28.  Via GorrillavsBear.net

Oh So Trend(e)y!

Looking for a little home design inspiration but a little lost in the world since your favorite shelter magazines (Domino, House & Garden, Blueprint, Budget Living) have long since bit the dust?  There are so many design sites and blogs that it's easy to get overwhelmed and lost.  Well, help is here my friend!  Trendey, a Swedish blog begun by two sisters who were swapping design ideas while decorating there respective new pads (one in London, one in Stockholm), posts stories and pictures, oh so many pictures, of design and fashion trends.  It's a great place to start! Tons of links to other international magazines and artists (including the ever affordable etsy!)

Too Fast for Love

We just discovered the super cool print stylings of Jon Contino. Born and raised in New York, he is a designer, illustrator, and typographer and co-founder of design studio Onetwentysix and menswear brand CXXVI Clothing Company. A new way to say "I heart NY"!

all designs by illustrator, designer, and typographer, Jon Contino.

E-I E-I Oh My!

Shoppop

This summer has been all about floral prints, ditsy prints on skirts, roses on jackets, peonies on skirts. I'm not giving up these sweet little blooms just yet but they've had to make way for a new little trend that has been selling out as fast as we can stock them.  For years it's been about the birds; bird necklaces, rings, tee shirts, bags.  But now it's animal prints. Not just any prints; not your typical tiger roarrrring or zebra stripes.  Nope. It's goofy, googly eyed owls, folkloric birds, and smiling foxes.  A psychiatrist might call it the infantalization of fashion but I'd prefer to see it as a lighthearted and quirky approach to fashion. I say bring on the dancing bears! John Irving would be proud.

Shoppop

Coming Soon!

Coming Soon!

Where the Boys (clothes) Are

 

New York is sweltering. I mean New Orleans 105 degrees, 100% humidity and refusing to rain hot.  Or at least if feels like it when you're traipsing around the city (Note: just because the sky is clear and the sun is out does not make it a nice day for a walk!)  Still the walk from Union Square to Chelsea for the (capsule) Menswear Trade Show Spring 2011 for global emerging menswear brands, provided a welcome reprieve of A/C and eye candy of menswear and the dapper dudes donning them. Admittedly, some of the lines were a bit staid and repetitive (sorry boys, it's just hard to muster the same level of excitement for an array of multicolor boat shoes as for I can for women's strappy sandals) and many brands are well above the POP price point but I did find a couple new lines to add including Shades of Grey by Micah Cohen. Based in California, the collection is diverse, interesting and wearable; a little bit hipster, a little bit preppy casual, you know, in between (ah hence the name!)  So even when not buying it was fun and inspiring just to check out what the boys are wearing and what's to come in Spring '11. 

Shades of Grey Spring 2011

 

Sparkle On!

Okay I've been slacking on my music recommendations. And yes, I owe you several links to free music downloads. I know I know. Bad bad blogger. But I'm back in the blogosphere and will do by best to keep you up to date with the latest and greatest. Speaking of, I just ordered a copy of this fantastic new CD. I just had a listen to a few of the tracks and was moved to immediately A) buy it B) blog it.  It's that's good. The CD is the recently released Dark Night of the Soul, a multimedia project  of  Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse with Danger Mouse and director David Lynch (that was tied up in legal issues with EMI for more than a year finally getting an official release.)  The music, evocative, sometimes sad  or alternatively uplifting is all the more moving since Mark Linkous tragically took his own life earlier this year. (One of the guest vocalists on the album, Vic Chesnut also committed suicide last December.) But it's not all sorrow and loss; Like the world we live in, it also contains moments of joy and hope.

In addition to Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse, other artists appearing on Dark Night of the Soul include The Flaming Lips, Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals, Jason Lytle of Grandaddy and Admiral Radley, Frank Black of Pixies, Nina Persson of The Cardigans, Suzanne Vega, Vic Chesnutt, David Lynch and Scott Spillane of Neutral Milk Hotel, and The Gerbils. Take a listen from NPR. Video and more info after the jump...

We got you covered! Skinny Cargos for waaay less!

Yes it's the summer of florals and naval stripes but a new trend has been spotted on celebs and fashionistas alike in NYC and LA, skinny cargos. I admit, I was a little skeptical at first.  Fashionable cargo pants?  But admittedly, I've come around.  They represent the marriage of what I love about casual cargo pants (who doesn't love the comfort and all those pockets! But style wise, they're a little too tomboy for most occasions) and skinny jeans that flatter the form and go with just about everything.  A little edgier than denim without the bulk of and tomboyishness of cargo pants. But there's the little matter of the price.  Balmain's cost around $2000 and J Brand's cargos retail for $230!! Never fear! POP has a skinny cargo for only $68!! Look as fly as SJP but for a pretty penny less! Heck buy a few dresses and a pair of shoes at POP with your savings!

POP Cargo Pants $68.  Available in Olive or Navy.  Online HERE or at the shop here.

POP featured in Time Out NY! Florals florals everywhere!

Time Out New York featured the floral trend that we have completely been smitten with this summer and included bracelets from POP ($15 each) and sunny floral shades ($16). All also available here.