How’s that for alliteration? I grew up in a very small town (cows) - and the only way to suppress my desire to leave was by expressing myself through dress (men’s ties as headbands, thick glasses) . I remember being asked junior year what I wanted to go to college for, and so said fashion - nothing but crickets. Then when I did go, my AP (thank you) English teacher actually asked why on earth I did such a thing. Thus the reason why I shun public schools. So much for supportive educators, but thank god for New York! I’m sure you can feel the teenage angst in my tone - the clothes just bring it back! I don’t think I’ll ever let go of the punky aesthetic, I’m a cynical New Yorker at heart and I can’t resist a dangerous looking pyramid stud for the life of me.

Punk chic connoisseur Burberry has really reinvented itself over the past several years - and in doing so has become a modern represenatation of the British punk movement, as well as a huge motivator for mass to translate it in a forward & feminine way. Christopher Bailey (of Burberry) has paved the way in reinterpreting how the tartan, motorcycle jacket, and stud read. Vivienne Westwood as well, the original curator of underground punk dress (she dressed the Sex Pistols) - brought safety pins and shredded garments to the likes of Bergdorf’s & Henri Bendel.

Forget the fishnets, mohawks, and Hot Topic - updated punk is Blondie chic. Think black jeweled heavy bib necklaces, backless dresses, skinny leather, and metal hardware. Heavily embellished accessories paired with a streamlined silhouette, or tartan/animal print/striped pieces with a metallic shoe or bag are easy ways to interpret punk without losing your femininity. And when I say femininity - I do mean looking completely bad ass.

Forever 21 studded tote $34.80

Newport News studded boot $39.00

Asos tulip skirt $35

Alex & Chloe Le Crane necklace $48

American Apparel latex legging $42

Alex & Chloe is a great resource for unusual, but refined tastes. They really only use acrylic, silver and gold - which gives the pieces a very simple and chic style. The actual figurines, however - are very ironic and personal. You can find a charm necklace with anything from a fork, to a runway model silhouette, to a safety pin. They no longer offer it - but I was first introduced to this site because they had a bleeding Chanel (the two C’s) necklace that my best friend was drooling over. Dear Alex & Chloe: bring it back! In the meantime, the bleeding Paris necklace is my new must have. The laser cut acrylic is the best I’ve ever seen laser cut jewelry look. What many are used to seeing when they hear laser cut - is plastic pieces, but this is a more substantial material with a sweet sheen. Now it’s just a matter of picking which color…

Shop Alex & Chloe “Paris is Bleeding” necklace $52

See post “Giddy Gift Giving - His & Hers” for Alex & Chloe runway silhouette necklace

One of the things I hate most about holiday editorial, is the holiday gift guides that have one or two pages devoted to those under $50, and like seven to under $500 (i.e. Elle, which I just can’t relate to – strictly inspiration end use). Beyond that – when they do feature said under $50 gifts, it’s always a tea light holder, lip balm, or coasters. When I buy gifts, pretty much everything falls under that $50 bracket, and how on earth can I give my mom a set of coasters and call it a day? So, for this holiday season this commentary will be devoted to gifts worth giving – that are creative and fun and meaningful – on a working girl’s budget.

For her - runway silhouette necklace by Alex & Chloe $48

For him - skull print flask from Target.com $14.99