Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Super fly flea market finds.

Ooooh yeah. You know what that means. It means coming home after a fun-filled day at the flea market, sitting down, and breathing out a happy sigh of excitement, satisfaction, and relief. Does the feeling sound familiar? I experienced this euphoric bliss on Sunday, when my boyfriend and I decided to take advantage of the absolutely amazing weather here in the Bay Area and ride our bikes all around Oakland and (some of) Berkeley. Our first stop was the Ashby Flea Market, one of my favorite 'beautiful weather' spots.

During the visit I scored three items (not a lot, I'm a frugal girl): peacock feather earrings, a gorgeous greenish/turquoise-ish ring (my boyfriend bought me the ring because I loved it so much when I saw it.. such a fucking sweetheart!) and pink wayfarers. The vendor who sold us the ring told me it was 'old turquoise'. Hmmm... not sure if that's true but I'll go ahead and believe him because it sounds cool to tell people 'Oh you like my ring? Thanks! It's old turquoise.' You know, like it was handed down from my great-great grandmother or something.

Anyway, the earrings were a surprise purchase too. When I walked past the vendor who was selling them, the bright, vivid color of the peacock feathers immediately caught my attention, and I made a beeline straight for them. They are a little more unique than your typical peacock/any kind of feather earrings (you know, the ridiculously long frayed ones that eeeevery budding 'hipster' chick dons), and, well, I've always adored peacock feathers. Also, I felt like my more simple, casual outfit needed a kick in the accessory department. I thought to myself 'this is exactly the kick I need!' So I asked the vendor 'How much?' His reply, 'Five dollars'. Done. He had me at five dollars.

Oh and the pink wayfarers? Who doesn't love pink wayfarers? That's all.



I think this was my favorite booth at the flea market, if you can even call it a 'booth'. While I didn't buy anything from this particular spot, I was in awe of how beautiful every single item was. When I stepped inside it felt like I was in a different world.. or at least a different country. The way everything was set up was completely breathtaking. I had to snap a photo (or two).


This was where I got my ring! (I see you, ring!) Such beautiful stuff.. I wanted it all.


This photo doesn't do the color of the sunglasses justice. I couldn't figure out how to adjust the camera to capture the pink just right. Oh well. You get the idea.


So to all my flea market lovers who scour your little hearts out every weekend (or when your budget and work schedule allow it) in search of the perfect item to make your day a happy one, this post is for you. Scour on, comrades!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

These are a few of my favorite things (at the moment).

Every time I come across a 'favorite things' questionnaire with a celebrity or some hot-shot in a magazine, I think to myself, 'I wish someone thought I was important enough to ask me about my favorite things.' I mean, I'm a girl. A very girly one I might add. I love clothes. I love fashion. I like to talk about clothes and fashion. So I decided to make my own 'favorite things at the moment' list and post it on my blog, in no particular order. Take that, Nylon Magazine.

Favorite shoe: I know what you're thinking, let's all say this in unison: The Dr. Marten. This is very true, Dr. Martens will always be my favorite pair of kicks. They're classic. You can wear them with anything. They completely transform outfits. This is why they are not my favorite shoe at the moment. Because they are not an 'at the moment' kind of shoe. Recently my favorite pair of shoes have been my bronze faux snakeskin t-strap flats. I am not a sandal girl. I am definitely not a fucking flip flop girl. I have no interest in exposing my feet. It's not that I have ugly feet. I keep them pretty and always have my toesies painted hot pink. I'm not lying, you can ask my boyfriend. I simply don't want you to see my feet, and I certainly don't want to see yours. Which is why I love my t-strap flats. The weather is turning nicer and warmer these days, and my t-straps are the perfect shoe for said weather because they're disguised as a sandal but provide the perfect coverage. Also, they're adorable.

Favorite accessory: It's a tie between my pink studded belt and my hair. I am obsessed with my pink studded belt because it is extremely versatile. Being poor and not being able to have a drawer in my dresser that houses only accessories, I have to be crafty. Therefore my pink belt is also sometimes a bracelet. When I first put on an outfit and I feel like something is missing, I almost always go to my pink belt for help. I wrap it around my wrist, fasten it securely into place and voila! My work is complete. Also, I purchased it through an online store based in London. So you know, I got it from London. Not Hot Topic. That's pretty cool.

On to my hair. I used to hate my hair. It was too long, too blond for too long, and it made me want to cry. Then I realized that hair is just hair and I can do anything I want with it. Because it will always grow back and you can always re-dye it. And so I dyed it bright red. Well, I had a professional dye it bright red. What a fucking transformation. Getting dressed is even more fun now. I don't have to worry as much about accessorizing my outfits. I don't have to worry as much about incorporating color into my outfits. My hair does that for me. It accessorizes and adds color. I can wear a black tee, jeans, and flats, and all I need is my hair to do the rest of the work. On the days when I'm just too lazy to care, talk about EASY.

Favorite purse: I have a ton of purses and clutches that I have collected over the years. It's easy to do. When you're a Goodwill girl like me, purses and clutches are about 3- 5 bucks a pop. So it's easy to build an obscene collection. For now, my favorite one in said collection is a white chain mail purse I bought at 'Clothes Contact', a used clothing store in San Francisco. I love it because not only is it super fucking cute, it's also super practical. Disguising itself as a cute little evening bag, it can actually hold a whole lot of shit. My brick of a phone, my brick of a wallet, my camera, lipgloss(es), cigarettes, a lighter, and the kitchen sink. And it's white. White goes with everything. Also, I ride a bike. My bike is my car. And when I want to go out at night, it wouldn't be practical or safe to try to squeeze a clutch under my arm while trying to dodge drunk drivers. All I have to do is swing my little white purse across my shoulder, and I'm ready to fly.

Favorite item in my makeup bag: Easy. My Covergirl eyeshadow in 'Turquoise Tempest' (ooh lala). No, I don't use Mac. Or Nars. In case you hadn't noticed, and in case I haven't told you, I'M POOR. Also, I have received more compliments on this eyeshadow than any Mac or Nars product I have ever owned. Anyway, for those of you who know me and see me on a regular basis, you know all about this eyeshadow. I wear it almost everyday. It's another one of those items I own that also serves as an accessory. With my hair and my eyeshadow, why worry about color blocking? ('Color blocking' is a fashion term, gents.)



Favorite article of clothing: My romper. I love love LOVE my romper. ALMOST as much as I love my boyfriend. I purchased it at an adorable vintage boutique in Berkeley. It was 24 dollars, a bit of a splurge for me, but worth every penny. Why? Because it is probably my most versatile piece of clothing that I own. I can pair so many things with it. My jean jacket, my leather jacket, my cardigans, or I can simply go sleeveless (weather permitting). I can wear it with tights, I can wear it without tights. I can wear almost any kind of shoe with it. Flats, heels, boots, docs. It's playful, it's bright, and it encompasses everything I love about my favorite season: summer. It is my go-to piece when I am going out on the town and am too lazy to think about creating an outfit. It is perfection.

Favorite 'I could wear this every day' shirt: My boyfriend's Lucio Fulci 'The Beyond' shirt. Remember how I love to raid my boyfriend's closet? This shirt is the reason why. Sometimes a girl just needs to throw on something comfortable instead of something pretty. This shirt is comfortable, and it's also rad as fuck. On the days when I hate the world and would rather look like a badass, I pretty much make a beeline for this shirt. I've even gotten into arguments with my boyfriend when he has wanted to wear the shirt on the same day. Why? I have Dr. Martens. He doesn't. Therefore I look better wearing it by default. (I guess he looks pretty cute in it too, though).


Favorite store: At the risk of sounding redundant, I don't have any money. So my favorite store is my closet. For awhile I used to get super discouraged every time I knew I had to get out of my pajamas. Then one day I realized, I am never going to be a millionaire, or even a thousandaire (hell, i'm barely a hundredaire), so I better get over it and start getting creative. I can make new outfits with the same shit I've owned for over 5 years. It's all about mixing and matching, being bold and having the balls to try something new with the stuff you already own, even if you are unsure of what others will think when you walk out the door. Because, after all, who gives a fuck about what others think? Be yourself. And let your clothes reflect who you are. As I've told so many people who ask me why fashion is so important, your closet is your pallet. Your outfit is an art piece. I am an artist because I express myself through my wardrobe. Fashion is so much more than anorexic models, what's hot and trendy at the moment, snotty rich bitches who dress well because they saw something in Vogue and decided to buy the entire outfit at Chanel, or high-end designers who do way too many uppers so they can stay successful. Fashion is about being able to tell people exactly who you are without having to speak a word. That, my friends, is art.

Favorite inspiration: YOU. Each and every single one of you.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

You are so good(will) to me.

I know, I know. I KNOW! I have been extremely neglectful to you, my loyal readers. I have some great excuses, and some not so great excuses. Let's start with the great ones: Two weeks ago I was sick with the flu. Five days straight of nothing but laying in bed, watching movie after movie (Angus is a good film, Field of Dreams is underrated, The Craft is lame and needs to be locked up in the 1990's vault, and I want to own all of the clothes in Desperately Seeking Susan.), and working up the strength to turn on my side, or on my back, when my body couldn't take being in one position anymore. Also, I ate maybe five saltine crackers and a bowl of chicken broth during said five days.. so you can imagine my less than eager willingness to update my blog. That's an awesome excuse, right? Other not so awesome excuses include work and laziness. Tsk, tsk, I know. Stop rubbing it in. But I'm back! I am! And guess what? Remember how I said I wasn't going to make my outfit posts an 'every post' kinda thing? I lied. Ok I didn't lie, I merely bent the truth, as this post is going to be another outfit post, right after the first one. Something tells me you don't really care. As long as I'm posting. :)

So listen..er.. read up ladies and gentlemen: There is a totally amazing reason why this is going to be an outfit post. One word: Goodwill. On the first day of feeling almost 100 percent after being about .05 percent for the better part of a week, my boyfriend and I decided to take advantage of my full health and the beautiful weather and venture out on our bikes to see what kinds of fun things we might stumble upon. One of those things was Goodwill, and to our convenience is about 4 blocks up the street. We went there to look for furniture, and I left with two pairs of totally fucking hot high-waisted shorts, one of them a regular blue denim, and the other? HOT PINK. I nearly fainted when I saw them.. and almost died when I tried them on and they fit like a glove. I had been feigning for a pair of high-waisted shorts ever since spring peaked its little head into my world, and I was extremely reluctant to go to Urban Outfitters, where I knew I could easily find a generic pair that every other girl in the Bay Area probably owns. Being the stubborn fashion lover that I am, I held out. And OH EM GEE was it ever worth the wait.





The last picture is an outfit I wore on a Friday night date with my gal Lindsay. My... 'photographer' had to work at his other job that evening so I could not get my picture taken when I was actually wearing the outfit. However I loved my ensemble so much that I could not bear to have it go unnoticed.. so I reassembled the outfit sans me, and took a snapshot anyway.

Photos 1 and 2:
Denim Jacket: Urban Outfitters (they have good jackets.. ok?)
Itsy Bitsy Tank Top: Buffalo Exchange
Pink High-Waisted Shorts: Goodwill :)
Tights: Target
Tan Ankle Oxfords: Ebay

Photo 3:
Faux Leather Jacket: Urban Outfitters
Purple Sequined Mini Dress (transformed into a tank.. I'm a crafty lady): Forever 21
Denim High-Waisted Shorts: Goodwill :)
Belt: Vintage
Shoes: The ever so radical Dr. Martens.

Monday, May 2, 2011

I love my boyfriend('s tee-shirts).

Quick(ish) post: This is the first of what I would like to be a constant string of 'outfit posts'. This one is sort of a 'tester', so I apologize if you are less than thrilled with the photos. I am not going to make the outfit posts an 'every post' kinda thing.. but I do plan on having them make a regular appearance on my blog.

Anyway.

Ever since I dyed my hair red (or carrot, copper, blood orange, whatever) last week, I have been leaning more towards the grungy, punky, rock and roll-chic style that I so blatantly advocate on my blog. And what better way to lean than in my boyfriend's closet? He conveniently has quite a collection of old punk t-shirts from his wild child days (his times of overkill in the sex, drugs, and rock and roll department actually worked in my favor!). The outfit below is not really mind-blowing or ground-breaking or even fashion-breaking, but I love it because it's super fucking comfortable and still holds its own in the slightly edgy department. I like to call it 'I woke up hungover and need pancakes ASAP but still want to look cool and not like a hot mess' outfit. Throw on a pair of skinnies, fish out your boyfriend's vintage band tee, slip on a pair of your favorite flats, slab on a light coat of foundation and tons of eyeshadow to mask the bags under your eyes, and you are ready to take on the world (or at least the International House of Pancakes).


Shirt: My boyfriend's closet (duh).
Jeans: Levi skinnies.
Bra: I'll never tell.
Shoes: Vintage.
Pink Belt (transformed into a bracelet, left wrist): Imported from London, England, circa 2001.
Keys (right hip): I ride a bike.

So ladies, the next time you want to be jealous of your boyfriend's past (even though you didn't fucking know each other), don't get mad, raid his closet.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

My Hero

Cotton sweatshirt
$220 - lagarconne.com

Wildfox Couture ribbed top
95 GBP - harveynichols.com

Larok denim vest
$127 - chickdowntown.com

Pepe stone jeans
21 GBP - vanmildert.com

Loewe circular scarve
225 EUR - pret-a-beaute.com

Belt
$15 - sickforcute.com

Duchamp Argyle socks
16 GBP - harveynichols.com

Duchamp Argyle socks
16 GBP - harveynichols.com

Ailleur Jungle Key Holder
$330 - louisvuitton.com

Monday, April 4, 2011

She's got fashion, she's got fire.

I'm usually pretty frustrated with lookbook for a variety of reasons, but every so often some awesome person will pop up on my lookbook widget and completely blow my mind. Enter Olivia Harrison, 18 year old fiery haired fashion vixen from Manchester (well, a small town right outside of Manchester). What I love about her is not only does she dress completely amazing, but she has no qualms about letting you know that she's not some rich bitch who's probably sleeping with her photographer while getting clothes handed to her on a daily basis (my translation). To quote her lookbook profile: 'I don't own that many clothes, my looks always look the same, if this bothers you, feel free to send me some new clothes.' FUCK YES! She is a girl who works with what she has, and creates completely rad outfits based on a specific piece of clothing, shoe, or accessory. She is so talented at this that if you looked at two different outfits in a row, you wouldn't notice that the same pair of shoes or belt or jacket was in both looks. One of my favorite looks of hers is probably also her simplest: A cropped vintage tee, velvet bomber, cuffed skinnies, white doc martens (need I remind you of my favorite shoe ever in the entire universe?), and her hair styled in a loose side 'fish' braid. Simply perfect. Also, she was featured in this month's issue of lookbook's 'Beyond The Hype', and when I saw this I nearly squealed. It is so refreshing to read about a budding fashion icon who is also completely down to earth. To top it off, she has stunning red hair. Red hair is a fashion accessory in and of itself. And for all you ginger haters out there, fuck off. You're just jealous.

Olivia's Lookbook Profile: Click me.

Beyond The Hype Interview: Click me.

Virtual Crack

This is my tribute to Best Coast (see previous post) using Polyvore (think virtual paper dolls, collaging, etc.). I must warn you, if you choose to peruse the Polyvore site out of curiosity, do so at your own risk. I need not say more.

Romper dress
$175 - rittenhouse.com.au

Paul & Joe fringe shoes
215 GBP - theoutnet.com

Kate Spade bow jewelry
$78 - bloomingdales.com

Marie Chavez facets jewelry
$121 - maxandchloe.com

Topshop
$56 - topshop.com