3snaps - Mihal Freinquel

sometimes we do this

2012-02-11T10:05:00.000-05:00

He met me for dinner fresh off a plane from LA, where he's been living the last few weeks. Despite hardly communicating on this day (save a few dinner logistics texts), and despite his recent warm LA climate (and my winter(ish) NY one) - my best friend Dushane and I still encountered one another dressed like this: In case you're a dummy, I'll walk you through the alterna-matchiness of these

fashion week smashion week

2012-02-10T12:54:00.002-05:00

Ok so...something has shifted in the New York Fashion Week scene - and I have this nagging suspicion that we're now at the point of no return. Chairs that used to throne editors and industry titans now cushion the boney asses of overpaid (and over-endorsed) bloggers. The Chanel skirt suits and click-clacking classic pumps, formerly donned by the upper echelons of fashion and pop-culture

the only way to make rock 'n' roll uncool

2012-01-29T19:51:00.000-05:00

So ok, obviously rock 'n' roll is in. It was extra in in the 90's, it was even in in the early 2000's when it was actually out because pop reigned supreme...but it was still in because it was so out. Now it's especially back in, not just because it's cool - or because it's uncool - but because it's also nostalgic. And "nostalgic-in" is arguably way weightier than "cool-in". So, one could ask,

a kiss from gawd

2012-01-21T17:20:00.000-05:00

Twice a year for about one month, my favorite writer in the whole wide world gets to tweeting. She tweets things like: Lots of hair gel going down in Paris, now at a less hectic Galliano. Checks, belted coats, more silver toecaps. or... Keep thinking Rei K was doing a punk Jane Eyre. That's right, Cathy Horyn tweets about fashion week in every city she attends - and there's nothing

i'm gonna have Givenchys' Pre-Fall 2012 babies

2012-01-12T12:14:00.000-05:00

Givenchy's Pre-Fall 2012 collection makes me weak in the knees and wet in the undies. Ugh, sorry. I couldn't not take it there: Like, those textures are so good, they remind me why I looooove FALL. Not that I needed a reminder. And those colors?! I fall so hard for vivid neutrals. And the lookbook is shot randomly on the NYC sidewalks, with parked cars and street signs and joggers running by (

American Apparel Winter Coats BLOW

2012-01-04T11:08:00.001-05:00

Jeeeeeez American Apparel - you know I feel affectionately toward you, but DAMN - your winter coats are not only horrendous, but embarrassingly overpriced...even for you. I know AA is supposed to fill a "basics" niche but shit, there's a difference between basics and straight up boring. My suggestion to you, AA (not that anybody asked) is to stick to what you do best: v-necks, sheer things, and

the tie dye onesie

2011-12-28T19:50:00.004-05:00

Anybody who knows me knows I'm pretty adamantly against tie dye. I was raised in Oregon surrounded by too much of it - suffocated by it really - and have grown to associate tie dye with the pungent smell of patchouli, and the moist-dirt taste of tempeh generously sprinkled with hemp seeds. That said, last week in Oregon...I bought a tie dye onesie. Not sure if I did it ironically, or perhaps

oh hey MTV!

2011-12-23T15:13:00.001-05:00

Today my words were featured on MTV, and for that I am a very happy camper.

from mother to daughter, with love

2011-12-22T18:22:00.001-05:00

If you'll recall, I recently posted a really rambly video of myself, spreading the gospel about my new favorite mascara. Though I made several of my own self-depricating disclaimers, protecting myself from the wrath of blogosphere hateration - nothing was too impenetrable to deter my mom from taking a jab. My original video can be seen HERE. And here is the mother: Yes, I'm at home visiting

slit prayers: answered

2011-11-28T20:31:00.000-05:00

Remember yesterday when I really wanted a slit dress? Well Zara has answered my prayers in their new lookbook for "evening": Without being totally dramatic - it's everything I could have ever asked for. I mean, it's everything I did ask for!! Seriously Zara, I love you...now come to mamma.

Holy Slit!

2011-11-27T12:49:00.001-05:00

Last week I found myself admiring some old Jessica Rabbit photos, which ultimately lead me to watching this: Now aside from the fact that Ms. Rabbit is arguably the sexiest cartoon character ever, who manages to seduce real (aka non-cartoon) men, and who walks on her tippy-toes in seemingly zero pain, what I really can't get out of my mind is that slit. The way it sways with her hips, how it

B&W

2011-11-23T17:47:00.000-05:00

Last week at the hair salon I was flipping through a recent W Mag and came across a multiple-page spread, photographed by Mario Sorrenti, of Dakota Fanning and her sister. I stopped - transfixed - when I arrived at this image: Platinum hair, white dresses, white background and black lips. Inspired, I embarked on an aggressive quest to find some black lipstick for myself. No, not super dark

Anna Whosit?

2011-11-15T10:30:00.000-05:00

I know this lady is supposed to be fashion royalty, but sorry - sometimes homegirl can't dress for shit. Just because you've got on some expensive names, doesn't mean you're gonna look nice: Anna Wintour: you look. simply. terrible. I find it oh so sad that nobody on your team steered you away from this obscenely proportioned dress - that might...MIGHT...look good on an 8 foot model - but on

adventures in PR emails

2011-11-13T17:21:00.000-05:00

Last week I got an email from A-list PR (who's that?) with an invite (kind of) to an Apple Bottoms Charity Fashion Show (the jeans?) - yes, the jeans. The show was to benefit Haiti (ok cool) and, at the same time, "EMPOWER women with curves & show them in a positive light" (what's that now?). Alright so maybe the mission statement needed a bit of work...whatever. Here's the promo pic in case

GUESTofaGUEST says I'm a blogger...

2011-11-08T12:39:00.000-05:00

Last week I was featured on the industry party/events site Guest of a Guest in an article called "The Fashionable Bloggers of NYC". Crazy to be featured alongside some of my favorite bloggers like Karen Blanchard, Leandra Medine, and my friendies Josh & Trav. Also weird to be put in the infamous blogger category...not sure the shoe fits, but kind of exciting nonetheless. Screenshots! Anyway...

Are Dr. Martens Going the Way of the Bow Tie?

2011-11-07T21:41:00.000-05:00

Bow Ties used to be the bomb. It used to be (yes, in my lifetime) that bow ties were only worn by a fringy subset of men: nerds, grandpas, Bill Nye the Science Guy, historians, tuba players, Pee Wee Herman...the nostalgics, the romantics, the weirdos... Yet somewhere between Chuck Bass and the popularization of prep style, the bow tie became cool - it became expected - instantaneously

"Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" Line for H&M = Rick Owens on a Budget

2011-11-03T12:04:00.000-04:00

H&M recently released images for their upcoming "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" themed line. I don't hate it...in fact, I kinda dig it. There's no denying, however, that the aesthetic is basically the poor-man's Rick Owens, one of my fav designers everrrrrrr. Observe - H&M "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo": images via And various Rick Owens looks over the past several seasons: images via Will I

Bloggers Wear: Crushed Velvet

2011-11-02T12:02:00.004-04:00

"Bloggers Wear": Highlighting items that bloggers wear, how they wear them, and what they're thinking while they do. Today's edition: the 90's alt-girl's favorite - Crushed Velvet. karls son emily, grace lander, velvet codeine, scandalishious, total recall vintage, (at top: vintage virgin) When people talk about the 90's, like when they act nostalgic about the music or the fashion...I just

watch me ramble on about the best mascara eveerrrrr

2011-10-17T10:10:00.003-04:00

Hi guys!! It's been a long time I know...believe me in pains me more than it does you. Well to make up for lost time I've made a video about my new favorite mascara. It's a totally pointless video, but I was just so thrilled to find a mascara that I actually LOVED, I couldn't help myself. If you'll remember back about 2 years ago my favorite mascara was discontinued, and I've been on the hunt

mac on mac

2011-10-05T21:57:00.002-04:00

"Have the courage to follow your gut and intuition. They already know what you want to become. Everything else is secondary." Dedication on Apple's site...screenshot taken from my Mac.

seems like you have a case of being a little bitch...

2011-10-03T12:38:00.000-04:00

It appears as though the days of rockstar sleep schedules and flighty bohemian tendencies have found themselves brutally smacked up against a 6 month wall. In other words, faced with the real world, I'm back to my main source of income-making until March, and that allows for very little "me-time"...and a shitload of "The Man" time. Hence, posting will be less frequent and bitching will be at an

say FADER!

2011-09-22T19:35:00.000-04:00

I was featured in FADER MAG today...wearing a super see-through outfit that had all the old ladies in my neighborhood shooting me tidal waves of disapproving looks... CLICK HERE TO READ THE BLURB

snapped by Dre

2011-09-13T14:22:00.000-04:00

Gabbing away on the brick Android calls a phone Lincoln Center NYFW Captured by Andre' Wagner

five shows, one look

2011-09-12T21:00:00.000-04:00

New York Fashion Week is still in full swing around here. I went to 5 shows today, and had to cut the day short before hitting the other 4 I RSVP'd to. Exhaustion set in early and I needed food for the belly and a bath for the back. Out of the 5 shows that I went to, each with somewhere between 25-35 looks, only one of the looks - and I mean ONE OUTFIT OF THE 125-175 OUTFITS THAT I SAW - stood

[Review]

2011-09-12T09:00:00.001-04:00

Elle Fashion Next - New Designers Play the Game New York Fashion Week. The cool kid's table in the cafeteria. It's an impeccably dressed party of overly caffeinated and mostly jaded insiders, sinking their dripping fangs into the decorated entrees designers have cooked up for the next season. Sounds thrilling right? Well don't shove your heels into your monogrammed Louis bags just yet,

orange for spring/summer 2012...gag reflex engaging

2011-09-11T19:10:00.000-04:00

I've never really been a fan of the spring/summer shows. It's probably because I have such a strong preference for layers and heavy textures - wools, hides, knits, etc. The s/s shows also lay it on really heavy with the bright colors which I personally tend to avoid...I just love dark outfits - regardless of the trend, regardless of the season. What's the color trend this season? Oh, only my

something different - PETROU\MAN

2011-09-11T15:18:00.003-04:00

I've been to a boatload of shows so far this NYFW season. Unfortunately my coverage of them is next to nothing because really, hardly anything stands out as noteworthy...errr postworthy. Until recently I had never even heard of the brand Petrou\Man. But they impressed me last season with their simple yet unique presentation, and they impressed me the same way this time. It was held in a church

Me in the NYTimes Styles

2011-09-09T10:25:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was a really big day for me. I wrote an article for the NYTimes NYFW Preview issue on emerging designers showing at Lincoln Center. You can read it HERE. If you don't feel like doing that, you can look at the pretty pictures here:

how to make short legs look longer

2011-09-06T16:58:00.000-04:00

I have pretty short legs. Not crazy short, but like, definitely not long. Sometimes I look at really leggy girls crossing their legs...how one just casually flops over the other (while they're smoking cigarettes probably)...and I think to myself, um, mine don't look like that when I do that whatthefuck?! Anyway, over the years I've figured out ways to make my legs look, well...less short. And,

eBay hunt: the brown leather backpack

2011-09-06T09:21:00.001-04:00

The latest eBay hunt began several months ago when my mom asked me where she could find a big leather backpack for her trip to Europe. Me, being the diligent and leather-obsessed daughter that I am - went on eBay for her to check out the potential. Checking out turned into zillions of "Add to my watch list" clicks...for myself...mom who? I still haven't made the leap - but here's what I've been

old navy beats american apparel?!

2011-08-31T12:03:00.000-04:00

By now, most people who pay attention know about American Apparel's iconic v-neck: It's lightweight, it's soft, it's uber-casual...oh and it's $24. For some, $24 for a tri-blend v-neck is whatever, but for some of us - who prefer to look like schleppy bums at a low cost - well, we need a better deal. Enter Old Navy...WHAT? Yeah, Old Navy... Old Navy has a whole wall of lightweight cotton

hurricane procrastination

2011-08-27T18:40:00.000-04:00

Whether you're held up at home waiting for a hurricane, or procrastinating - avoiding work that actually REALLY needs to get done this weekend (like moi) - everybody loves a good gif. Actually I can't really promise that this is a good one, but it's a gif nonetheless. These images were taken over the winter with my friend Lizzy, I did a post about it HERE. Cool, whatever. Blah blah...

[Interview]

2011-08-22T07:45:00.001-04:00

Kadeem Johnson: Reinvigorating Men's Accessories In case you haven't been on the internet in the last two years, you should be aware that some things have changed. Streaming music has gotten way more awesome. Top-secret government documents were made available to the public and it caused quite a stir. "Trending" has become a disturbingly popular social media-related word. Finally, and

Bloggers Wear: Detachable Collars

2011-08-15T16:37:00.000-04:00

"Bloggers Wear": Highlighting items that bloggers wear, how they wear them, and what they're thinking while they do. Today's edition: the detachable collar. glisterandblisters, justanotherfashionblog, paniekscelenja, ftbh, outofabook (above: manrepeller) Oh hey guys...yeah you know whatever - just chillin on the street in my detachable collar. Think it's weird? You're probably right. Do I

johnny & kate

2011-08-12T09:29:00.000-04:00

Hottest couple of the 90's? Hottest couple of ALL TIME?! Johnny Depp and Kate Moss. And that is all I have to say.

i wear colors

2011-08-03T11:02:00.001-04:00

Remember when I made fun of "color blocking" as a so-called "trend"? Well guess what...I did it...yes - I, Mihal Freinquel, wore two bright colors together...at the same time...in one outfit. My good friend Kadeem Johnson took the pics...I'm the luckiest girl in the world to have photog friends who can take this awkward unphotogenic girl, and turn me into a...less awkward, still mostly

thick girls need not apply

2011-08-02T11:14:00.000-04:00

I need a new bathing suit. I haven't bought one in years and I had forgotten how FUGGING expensive they are!! So I went over to the Forever21.com to test my luck. Well, it turns out...not only are they cheap, but Forever21 was kind enough to break them down into 2 categories... CATEGORY 1- Bathing suits for skinny girls: CATEGORY 2- Bathing suits for big/plus/thick girls Errrr...I guess it's

Weirdos and Weirdettes: I bring you The Lookbook Cookbook...

2011-07-28T18:02:00.003-04:00

Love girls in skanky poses? Are you gluten-free? UHMYGAWD ME TOO!! Ferreals though. Here's the recipe for the blog "Lookbook Cookbook" (or LBCB): 2 parts naughty hot girls 2 parts gluten-free/vegan recipes 2 parts revealing American Apparel clothing 87 parts girls posing with food in dirty ways 25 parts of the aforementioned food posing should be phallic sucking/licking poses Observe: Hmmm

Bloggers Wear: Galaxy Print...like outer space

2011-07-22T09:28:00.001-04:00

"Bloggers Wear": Highlighting items that bloggers wear, how they wear them, and what they're thinking while they do. Today's edition: Galaxy printed stuff...like, that resemble stars and space and planets... ivy-pink spider, tahti, thisisteamo, mary-kate fashion, so in caramel (above: hey nicole) So like, remember those nerdy space kids in middle school? They ate packed lunches and carried

was Daria just an animated My So-Called Life?

2011-07-19T09:23:00.000-04:00

Warning: This post is totally 90's teen referential...totally 90's teen contextual...if you weren't watching Daria or My So-Called Life you won't get it. So feel free to admit that to yourself and stop reading now. For the restayous...here's the question: Was Daria just an animated version of My So-Called life??!! Observe the little collage I put together: Allow me to break it down: Angela//

an ode to Dr. Martens

2011-07-18T11:13:00.001-04:00

Dear Dr. Martens, Oh how I love you...I really do. I've loved you since I owned my first pair of original black 3-eye shoes in 1995, and I love you even more now for my pair of white 8-eye boots: But listen, Dr. - I'm kind of having a problem. You see, though I've worn these white boots on and off for about 2 years, they continue to give me debilitating blisters every time. Let me show you

$3.99 outfit

2011-07-14T15:38:00.000-04:00

Dress: Vintage (from a country western store in Oregon): $3 Belt: Vintage (Cole Haan): $0.99 I'm being twirly because cheap vintage makes me happpy, duh.

come to me: Tangier Leopard Print Boots

2011-07-12T09:20:00.001-04:00

I've always had an affinity for leopard print. It's true, say hello to wee-Mihal: Yes, that's me and my mom (in pink undies)...proof that I've been up on this trend for a few decades now. Anyway...leopard print. Don't ask me why, but I was recently perusing the Steve Madden site (I know, what?!) and came across these badboys: Steve Madden Tangier Leopard Print Boots. Perfectly funk, perfectly

[Contributing Elsewhere]

2011-07-08T14:32:00.001-04:00

Tavi Talks Conventional Beauty Standards and the Privilege of Hotties