soft focus

zara vest, uo wide leg denim, fancy bear hat

Autumn in Southern California is an odd time. The weather changes, the general mood changes, and if you're lucky, the trees in your neighborhood change. From the side, it doesn't look like much is different, as my out of state friends often note, but there is one big difference. The light. It diffuses out in this bleary, wonderful way that I'm enchanted by.

(*All photo credits go to my very gifted photographer friend, Bradley. Also, that's his hat too.)

thankful.

... for everything under the sun. From my family to my shoe collection to the prospect of mom's pecan pie. As I am off to enjoy said pie, I wish you all a happy and hearty Thanksgiving.

on me: zara boots, f21 leggings, the boyfriend's camo tee, vintage ralph lauren sweater, zara vest

on jane-e: steve madden boots, f21 shorts, f21 denim jacket, uo striped tee

strong shouldered.

UO dress, tights from who knows where, vintage brogues, Michael Kors watch.

Absolutely everyone may be hopping on the strong shoulder trend, and I'm okay with being on that bandwagon. The fact that I can hide my blackberry in the drapes of my sleeve has nothing to do with the love of this dress.

all for the mountain

I'm having one of those days when I'm not really impressed with anything material. After a short while of ebay browsing, I feel yaaaaaaaaawn, nothing is really worth the clicking. Some time browsing online malls resulted in mmmmmmmeh, seen all this before. Seriously, my consumptive instincts are in a bit of a slump. I just want to be IMPRESSED with something, you know?

Hmm, something like this?

The entire All For the Mountain website is littered with stuff like this, little jewelry treasures that feel new and untired, all on backdrops that make me feel like I accidentally ingested some shrooms. Apparently, the cure to the ho hums lies in creative metal molding, photoshop and hallucinogens. *Just kidding, drugs are bad.

I was your silver lining

vintage fur cardigan, vintage silk cami, f21 pleated trousers, vintage belt, uo leather gloves,

pendant necklace from ABC, vintage boots

The last time I headed out to the Pasadena Flea Market, I got this wonderful fur collared cashmere cardigan that I've practically lived in ever since. Guessss where I'm headed thisssss Sunday?? Yup, that's right, back to the source of vintage wonderfulness. I'll post my treasures asap, promise.

I've noticed that most of my outfit post descriptions go "vintage this, vintage that" more so than they relate to real life, modern stores. I'm not sure if it's because I consider most vintage clothes to be one of kind, priceless little gems, or if it's because my pack rat nature is most at home shopping in dark, antique filled caves, but I do own more vintage than I know what to do with. What are your thoughts on vintage vs. newness? I'm curious :) comment away!

starry eyed.

Halloween 2009. I was a star.

Note the bedazzled shoulder pads and celestially embellished mask. This photo models my favorite pose for the night: "Shooting Star," which I overused painfully throughout the night.

when you stay up long enough

... Everything blends together.

My mind is a mishmash of sleepiness and caffeinated consciousness. Jet lag will do this to a person. Behold, these pictures are of me from last week, taken by my ever talented photographer friend. That's all.

all hallows eve

Happy Halloween everybody! The pumpkins are being carved, the costume is almost complete, the candy is about to go out and so are we. Pictures soon, je promets!

F21 striped tee, (gifted, and of mysterious origins) flutter vest, vintage fur trimmed cardigan, UO wide leg denim, Rayban sunglasses, Sabina bag... and storybook pumpkins.

stay golden

vintage gold cardigan (the bf refers to it as my drag queen cape, fitting, since I did get it at a vintage store specializing in drag queen costumery), American Rag circle dress, vintage boots

Without a doubt, this oversized, gold sequined quasi poncho cardigan is one of my favorite finds, ever. Makes me feel mischievous.

morro bay

vintage blazer, uo crop tee, f21 tulip skirt, knee highs, vintage boots, homemade necklace

The scene in Central California: scenic, misty, utterly freezing. A few laps up and down the 101 does wonders for the soul. It's an entirely different world than the buzzing city a few hundred miles south, and it's easy to see why an entire geographic plot became Steinbeck's muse. The only drawback? I was not dressed for the occasion. Channeling Clueless circa 1995 doesn't look just ironic on a beach in Morro Bay, it looks downright out of place. Also, bundling oneself up into a ball does little for warmth when the ocean is throwing ice-wind at your face.

To conclude, here is a picture of beach squirrels. Chubby little guys, I would have never knew they existed if I hadn't seen them hanging out on the rocks of the jetty myself, enjoying an ocean view and not minding the cold.

someone is late for bingo

vintage gold sequin cardigan, vintage pantsuit, vintage belt, UO teal flocked heels, UO peacock necklace

I loved all of these pieces when I found them tucked out thrift stores and mall shops, and I loved them even more when I combined them into an outfit fitting of a crazy old lady. I'm thinking Iris Afpel, or my grandmother. It screams: Anyhoodle, dear, I'm off. To bingo or perhaps a bridge tournament. Then I'll make several casseroles and variations of cookies. Now, hand me my Aquanet, it's bouffant time.

quick and easy

Even though this particular day I hit the snooze button one too many times and grabbed some random hangers in the blind hope that it would make some semblance of an outfit as I raced out the door, I ended up being pleased with the proportions of this outfit. Wide leg jeans are always a favorite, the heels make a delightful clanking sound as I walk without copious amounts of blisters, and the sweater, well the sweater has ponies on it. So it's awesome.

wearing: UO horse sweater, Lux wide leg jeans, We Who See oxfords

warm fuzzies

I'm sort of obsessed with every little thing about this outfit. I didn't want to take it off, I can't wait for it to come back from the laundry. I'm in love with the proportions, the colors, the textures... This is what I want to wear Every, Day.

vintage fur cardigan, uo leather motorcycle gloves, f21 white tee and trousers, tights and brogues

I'm only happy when it rains

Rain is absolutely lovely, and especially since it is so rare in California, I love it. Like a fat kid loves cake. There is something so ... romantic.... about waking up to raindrops or hearing them hit the leaves and windows outside your warm house. It's perfection. And it gives me an excuse to go outside and take pictures while playing in the rain! Oh, oh the scampering.

The handsome devil leaping into puddles with me is my friend/co-worker Gary. Can I just say, that in addition to always being a sport about taking my blog pictures, he's stylish, sincere and pretty much The Most Fun Person to Play in the Rain With. Ever.

Gary wears: Marc Jacobs rainboots, H&M jeans, vintage bow tie from Decades, and Heritage shirts.

I'm wearing: vintage boots from UO, vintage gloves, bolero tie and sequin blouse from Decades, forever21 cape and anorak.

After a week of rolling between the couch and bed, swimming in seas of tissues, and cracking endless jokes about the swine flu while secretly getting super freaked out about having it, I'm recovered! And back in the real world! Yet still not ready to wear pants.

wearing: jcrew henley dress, zara fur vest, we who see via uo lace up boots

I want...

I've been rather good at not falling prey to the gimme gimmes lately. My shopping ban was almost completely effective, keeping me from buying everything but a few must haves (Chanel's Venom nail polish, 'nuff said), but now that my birthday season is coinciding with the weather getting deliciously cozy, I'm finding that old itch creeping up. Here's the short list:

American Apparel's Scoop Back Fringed Mini

The general idea of CovetShop's online consignment genius, starting and ending with these Bottega Venetas.

This fabulously collared winter coat from Urban Outfitters.

The ability to carve a mean jack of lantern would be good too.

And pretty much everything about this picture from the Sartorialist. I want to be her.

'Kay, thanks.

One day William, you'll be cool.

So sorry about the slowdown in posts over the last few days, but I've felt under the weather. More accurately, I've come down with the flu, so nary an outfit post is in sight, which is for the best since it would include pajamas and crumpled tissues. I'm off to rest and recover, and here are some editorial shots I can't get enough of. (Inspired by Almost Famous, one of the movies currently cycling through my DVD player.)

married to your charms and grace

I'm all kinds of excited that there is actual autumn weather happening around us, it's the most exciting thing to happen to my wardrobe since online shopping. Being able to layer and mix and match is a privilege that Californians forgo in the interest of not being hard boiled in the summer months. I jumped the gun a wee bit and opted for this outfit in the final days of our current Indian summer, and ended up spending the day chugging iced coffees and fanning myself to cool down from all the cozy, cashmere induced warmth. Ahh, the sacrifices that must be made for vanity....

wearing: Forever21 anorak, vintage (mens XL Costco brand!) Kirkland cashmere sweater, vintage leather skirt, vintage booties

slow down, you crazy child

... Just enjoying an impromptu photo shoot this morning. The floating paparazzi head is my friend (who happens to be the gifted photographer who's portraits of me I've shown off on this blog before, including the polaroid that opens this post) Bradley. I gladly ham it up when people with cameras encourage it.

wearing: vintage fur collared cashmere cardigan, French Connection floral blouse, DIY shorts

She can't contain all of that empty space.

It was a rare type of morning here. The fog dipped low, it was hazy, but the sun was still out. The result was this gorgeous bleariness.

UO blazer, tank and bracelet, diy denim cutoffs, vintage riding boots, Sabina handbag.

travel coffee mag and non-bemused expression courtesy of the morning hour.

the ice is getting thinner

As much as I love summer, I'm ready for some real weather. Like winds and fog and chill, mostly so that I can wear my assorted furry vests and coats.

... In the perfect world, all this would be mine. I'll settle for those gloves, world. They should do.

Fendi Mongolian Sherling vest, Alexander Wang tank, Ralph Lauren Suede jodhpurs, Michael by Michael Kors gloves (FANTASTIC!!!!), Burberry suede wedge ankle boots, Alexander Wang Bianca vest purse, French Connection Double Trouble belt, House of Harlow and Me&Ro necklaces, Mesi Jilly ring, Tom Ford aviators, Essie "lacey not racey" nail polish, Tom Ford Tuscan Leather perfume, Jennifer Behr leather turban headwrap, and a moleskin for recording all my musings.

brighter than sunshine

lipstick: Chanel's Coco Pink

ice cream: Golden Spoon's Toffee

pure, sunshine soaked happiness: courtesy of the final day of summer

Rayban Wayfarers: vintage, floral tank: Lucca, diy denim short, sandals/assorted rings/chains: all vintage

announcing...

I'm super excited to have created a couple of necklaces! They turned out even better than I had imagined, even the super finicky cat approves of them. The first one is a collection of staggered silver chains with feathers knotted on them, and the second is some leather laced gold chains with seashells dangling from them. I'm still playing with a few more prototypes, so check back for updates on those...

Soooooo, whatcha think?

let's play a game

I think I've lost my mind a little, or the stars have aligned... or the world is ending, because I've decided to challenge myself to not shopping for a month. GASP. I just walked through a store, saw about 5,000 things I wanted and not a single thing I needed. Then I came home and noticed a pile of newly purchased, unworn and not even untagged new merchandise, and decided to stop the madness.

Rules: No shopping for clothing/accessories until my birthday, October 14th. (I know, it's a little less than 30 days, but shush. This will be hard enough as it is.) Toiletry restocking is okay, new purchases are frowned upon. Books and home goods are passable. LET THE GAME BEGIN.

Also, why bother shopping if I can't have these pieces from the Temperley London show?

The feathers! The art deco patterns! The tailoring! The accessories! Easily, my fashion week favorite.

I'm cartoon, you're a full moon, let's stay up

I've been working overnights for a few days, so my world is quite literally upside down. Waking up at 6pm, getting coffee at 9pm, crawling into bed at 5am... really, I'm mostly upset I missed the premiere of Gossip Girl. That and the pounding headache and general feel of disorientation. Here of some pictures from last week, from the days I gave two shits and goddamn about looking like an adult and not rolling into work in jammies.

Rag&Bone dress, vintage belt and bolero tie, YSL platforms

(those boots in the background are my friend's YSL Tribute boots... they're kind of amazing.)