The Infamous Missoni for Target Throw: a Review

It's finally here, the elusive Missoni for Target throw in passione (with the matching pillows from the collection)

One of the most sought after Missoni for Target items aside from the espresso cup set and the copper bike were the throws. The throw was the first thing that jumped out at me from the lookbook and my top priority for purchase when I went to the store that unfortunate morning of the launch. Me and everyone else I suppose! Especially after getting lucky with finding the complete sets of passione pillows, I was even more determined to find the matching Missoni x Target passione throw to complete the collection for my family room couch. We always use throws in that room, as it is the coldest room in the house in the winter (as well as the room we spend the most time in), particularly my usual seat next to the window and french doors. Unfortunately, I've had zero luck finding the throw in the stores, since no one is returning them as they are still going for 3-4x original asking price on Ebay. I won't bore with the details, but I ended up paying more than I wanted for the passione throw through a buy / trade on Craigslist (although still significantly less than Ebay prices). As soon as I got home, I ripped the tags off and unfurled the throw on the couch. The Missoni for Target throw is perfect; thick, heavy and soft, plus the happy colors and pattern make me smile every time I look at them. It's thicker than a normal fleece throw, with a double layer for some heft and plushness. I just love the beautiful magenta, fuschia, violet, grape, with just a splash of lime colors of the throw, it is by far my favorite colorway of all the Missoni for Target throws. Overspending for the throw is part of the reason I'm being extra judicious and returning all the clothes / accessories that I won't wear as much. I'm enormously relieved and happy to say with the acquisition of the throw, finally Missoni mission accomplished and I can stop obsessing about Missoni and visiting the stores (except to return the remaining items).

Unfortunately, I bet the dogs are going to love the throw too. Good thing it's machine washable.

So in love with all the matching colors

Fall Has Arrived

Etoile Isabel Marant Lexy Jacket, Uniqlo heattech long sleeve, Etoile Isabel Marant tweed Cooke Skirt and Opening Ceremony Boots

I'm really enjoying this refreshing crisp fall weather mostly because I've been able to break out my new fall wardrobe.  I even appreciated the rain on Tuesday, got to wear my new Tahari raincoat that I bought for Taiwan and my trusty green original Hunter rainboots.

Like all of my Isabel Marant skirts, I love that it has pockets

I'm sure I will be wearing this (mostly new and of course mostly Isabel Marant) outfit lots this fall, and definitely packing it for my upcoming Seattle trip. The skirt is a herringbone tweed which screams fall to me, and the top is very close to burgundy, which is one of the top fall colors of this season. I'm not quite sure the Lexy jacket is the right jacket for this outfit given the proportion of the paper bag high waisted skirt. Now that I've worn the Etoile Lexy jacket a few times, I'm glad I went with the size 0 as it seems to stretch out a bit after wear; it fits comfortably over my thin long sleeve top. I debated forever between the size 0 and size 1; my other two mainline Isabel Marant jackets are size 1 but feel slightly too big, although they are meant to be worn oversized, so it's not a big deal. Isabel Marant sizing is all over the place, this Etoile skirt is a size 1 and I don't think I could go any smaller, but my Etoile cords are a size 0 and still quite baggy and my other mainline Isabel Marant skirt is a size 1, but needs to be pinned as it's slightly too big. With the variability in sizing and fit, it makes buying her clothes a little bit of a challenge as everything needs to be tried on.

Etoile Isabel Marant Lexy Jacket all zipped up, although I prefer to wear it open for a more casual look, and also especially with this skirt since the paper bag waist is so bulky

Skirt / jacket detail

Shopping in the Kids Section and Other Missoni for Target Clothing & Accessory Finds

American Apparel knit sweater, Missoni for Target colore sweater skirt (girls XL), Frye Veronica Shorties

As is widely known, Target majorly fumbled the Missoni x Target launch when their website was deluged with orders and crashed, causing many confirmed orders, including mine to be canceled. I had to resort to purchasing kids sizes of items as I could never find any of my regular sizes in the stores and online. Fortunately, the girls' XL fits me pretty well, plus they are quite a bit cheaper than the women's clothes, so score! I also managed to find a couple of other returned items in the stores as I was returning a few things over the last few weeks. I'm actually returning / giving away most of these clothes & accessories, as a little Missoni goes a long way. Besides, K thinks the clothes remind him of Charlie Brown. The only items that I'm keeping for myself are the purple passione zig zag infiniti scarf and the blue colore kids sweater skirt, as they are both very easy to pair with "normal" clothes. I'm very happy with what I have from the collection, particularly the home goods, and hopefully I've made some other people happy with some Missoni x Target early Christmas gifts. As for my favorite pieces of clothing and accessories, I really like the blue cardigan: the quality is really nice when compared to my mom's M Missoni cardigan; the weave is delicate and fine and there's a few tiny gold threads running through through the weave for a bit of sparkle. I really like infinity scarves; somehow I can never get regular scarves to drape correctly and they always end up choking me, while infinity scarves just stay put naturally. The sweater skirt is nice and thick, not too short, and great for a little pop of color and pattern when paired with neutrals. And now that I have my elusive throw (details to come), I am officially done with Missoni madness.

Missoni for Target colore blue and brown cardigan, James Perse tee, MiH Marrakesh Star Patch jeans, Hermes belt and Swedish Hasbeens x H&M clogs

I really like this cardigan, particularly dressed casually and worn open with the sleeves pushed up. It's a size M, so it's an early Christmas gift for my mom

James Perse tee, Missoni for Target girls colore sweater skirt, Frye boots. I'm keeping this skirt because it's so comfortable and versatile, you can wear it with anything. Also wearable through winter with tights.

The only other item I'm keeping: the passione infinity scarf. Soft thick knit, matches my plethora of pink & purple clothes, nice pop of color and pattern for neutral outfits, plus now matches my couch and all my throw pillows :)

Missoni for Target Brown and gold marled infinity scarf. The quality of the knit is excellent, very delicate and fine and drapes nicely

Missoni for Target sleeveless multicolor zig zag sweater dress (girls XL). This is the dress I wanted most out of the entire collection. I'm not keeping it because I wouldn't wear over and over again. Plus it's a bit short. The skirt is more versatile.

The back of the colore (brown) ruana (poncho / shawl / wrap thingy). It's quite a unique piece and I like the color, I just don't really know how to wear it / what to wear it with. Plus brown is hard to match with my wardrobe

My best recreation of the Missoni for Target lookbook, although I would never wear Missoni + Missoni + Missoni out and about. What I'm wearing: Missoni for Target sleeveless multicolor zig zag sweater dress, Missoni for Target colore ruana (brown shawl / poncho), Missoni for Target brown zig zag tights, Opening Ceremony boots

Versace for H&M: Coming Soon...

Image from my copy of October 2011 Vogue

I'm a bit relieved for my own sanity and wallet that I will be traveling and far away from any H&Ms when Versace for H&M launches on November 19th, as I tend to get swept away by these collaboration frenzies (see:  Lanvin x H&M, Missoni x Target)... Versace is not quite my style, but I'm sure I'd find pieces that I would need to have from the collection regardless. Including the pieces that I saw in the initial June announcement, my favorite look so far is the tunic dress worn by Shu Pei in this month (October) Vogue, sans the printed leggings as that is just too much print for me. Looking forward to seeing the full lookbook soon.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

It's been a really long time since I've been so captivated by a book as I have been by "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot. Usually non-fiction science / medical reads are not my thing, but this book completely entranced me. I won't reveal too much, but it tells the true story about cancer cells taken from a poor black woman in the 1950's without her knowledge, much less consent, which were the first human cells to be cultivated and reproduced in labs gazillion times over and are still in existence even today. The book deftly weaves many interrelated story lines: Henrietta Lacks' personal story, the tremendous impacts that her cells have had through the years on medical research, the (often similarly heartbreaking) lives of her various relatives and descendants, and overriding socioeconomic historical contexts. Although they are not without their faults, you really find yourself rooting for Henrietta Lacks and her family, as well as for the author, who is the first to tell this complete story with full credit to the Lacks family, after all these years. It's hard to explain without giving away too much, but it's an incredibly touching, fascinating, educational, page-turner of a read.

Isabel Marant SS 2012 Show Review - Paris Fashion Week

Isabel Marant is currently my favorite designer so she's going to be the only designer to get her very own Fashion Week post. Her eagerly anticipated show in Paris on Friday did not disappoint with tons of pieces that I would love to own in signature Isabel Marant fashion; lots of fun knits, cool jeans / pants, flirty dresses, with an overall colorful and fun vibe. Lots of different fabrics and patterns, including shiny metallics, patchwork, lace, plaids and knits, yet still felt like a cohesive collection. With the exception of some athletic inspired pieces (which she did for SS 2011 as well), there wasn't much similarity to the other SS 2012 collections that I've seen, in part because I think her collections are overall more casual than many of the other designers which is actually nice because you can wear her clothes across seasons and years, making it more timeless. The collection was a little shorter and tighter than I prefer, but still plenty of great pieces. One of my favorite fashion week collections so far. I loved Marc Jacobs and Theyskens' Theory shows also, but her clothes are simply the most everyday wearable for me in LA (although Theyskens Theory is quite wearable as well). From what I've seen so far though, lots of great collections from Fashion Week Paris, post to come later. Images from nymag.com

Favorite chunky knits. Big sweaters + shorts = good for LA transitional weather

Favorite pants, particularly the middle pair

Mixing plaids and patchwork. I also really like the print dress on the right (from what I can see at least), looks a little similar to some of this season's Etoile dresses.

I really like the sheer lacy tunic on the left and the middle metallic dress with the details on the top and elbow length sleeves

Signature cool embellished  jackets / gilets

Metallic dressier knits on the left and center

Kiriko Review: Beautiful Omakase on Sawtelle

Ever since my two favorite sushi chefs left Hachi, I've been looking for a good omakase sushi bar that isn't too outrageously priced. I still like going to Sushi King for straightforward fresh nigiri, but occasionally I'm in the mood for something a little more creative and artisan. I'd been to Kiriko only once a long time ago, but ordered a la carte and wasn't that impressed. I've heard good things about their omakase and decided to check it out for lunch with my cousin in town from Paris. I thought the omakase was excellent; beautifully presented, new and exciting flavor combinations and fresh fish. My only complaint is that the blue crab roll came out at the same time as the nigiri, so it got a little soggy, as I like save the roll for last. At $45 per person, it was pretty reasonable for omakase and we left completely stuffed. We didn't really interact with the sushi chef but the service was really polite. I'll definitely be going back to Kiriko for the omakase.

Salad and miso soup starter

First sashimi course: caviar topped smoked salmon wrapped around mango, monkfish liver with ponzu gelee and shiso, octopus

2nd sashimi course: scallops topped with yuzu and olive oil, mackerel with fried garlic and daikon, amberjack with jalapeno

Nigiri and crab handroll course: red snapper sushi, bluefin tuna, hamachi, salmon

Blue crab handroll

Kiriko Sushi

11301 Olympic Blvd

Los Angeles, CA