The Man In Our Mirrors

Let's talk about the resurgence of loafers in the wake of MJ's death. I know it's been a while since he left us for Never Never Land, but loafers were so 2 years ago so it speaks to my point. If we really thought about it, I'm sure we could all find several pieces in our closets that were directly influenced by Michael Jackson. Although many of his signature pieces were sported by celebrities and artists before he came along, (Audrey Hepburn and high water pants, Greaser's and plain white tees, Jimmy Hendrix and the Military Jacket, Pirates and billowy white shirts) he recreated and essentially established these looks as staples in popular culture. (Kinda like Benny Goodman did with jazz and swing).

What is soooo MJ in your closet? 

(Besides your sexuality)

Loafers: Sam Edleman, Jacket: H&M (similar) , Sheer Pleated Pants: Thrifted, Belt: Gifted, Sun Glasses & Earrings: F21

No Doubt

This dress is no question, one of my favorite pieces. It's special when clothing is modest and revealing simultaniously. Besides that, ever since the Don't Speak No Doubt video, Navy dresses with white polka dots are like vortexes...sucking me in....waiting to fulfill my teenage fantasy to be as alluring and gorgeous as Gwen is in that video. (psshaaaright). The silk scarf is my signature look when I have had my hair in the same bun for 2 days. This one in particular was given to me by a stranger. Jonathan and I hung the banner we made for our wedding around the perimeter of our house. Shortly thereafter two gents on bikes complemented Johnny on how it looked while he was gardening. 2 days later one guy came back to give Jonathan this silk scarf and told him to give it to me, inviting us to his local vintage shop. That makes this scarf immediately sentimental. What a sweetie. 

Otherwise, we shopped for furniture at the Fairfax/Melrose Flea Market today and enjoyed a BBQ at our friend's house. 

Scarf: Gifted, Glasses: F21, Dress: 2nd Hand DKNY (Beacon's Closet in Brooklyn), Cross: Mama's, Shoes: Kenneth Cole, TX Neck: Flea Market find, Bag: Dolly Python

Seeeeeeecretttssszzzz

I have a secret to share. I'm sharing this because I'm not one of those types to keep good tips from other stylish ladies. You know the girl that won't tell you where she got something... or will say she doesn't remember because she doesn't want you or anyone else to know where to get the good shit. That's a silly way to be a contributing member of a community of thrifters and garage sale shoppers and treasure diggers. So here goes.

There is a muumuu section at Ross, and it's full of eccentric little diamonds in the rough. For example: this one.... $8.99 fools! The muumuus are near the robe section by all the synthetic/nasty/scratchy/"silky" pajamas with printed patterns of cupcakes and whatnot. 

So go check it out and let's start a muumuu revolution. Easily sported with a denim jacket and top knot (seen below) or sandals and gobs of chunky jewelry on a summery day. 

All that aside, please enjoy these iphone altered photos of me and Jonathan enjoying lunch at Gjelina, ice cream (I choose coffee, and him: chocolate) from Nice Cream and a lovely afternoon walk down Abbot Kinney. 

Window Shopping

The more I see of LA, the more I'm sure we moved to the right spot. We could spit on Abbot Kinney from our house, which according to GQ is the hippest street in America. Since I usually take all my life-advice from that publication (like how to simulate Ryan Gosling) we moved here. 

Jokes aside, it is a pretty cool street. Named after some tobacco millionaire who attempted to recreate the Venice Canals of Italy right here in SoCal. It's littered with tons of boutiques and specialty shops and yummy places to grub. Since moving drained our bank account we decided to just go window shopping on Abbot Kinney a few days after we got settled. 

GJelina was one of the first places we heard about. From everyone. There's always a wait because it's DELICIOUS. Thankfully they have a GJelina Take-Out right next door to the restaurant, and we tried the Market Veggie Sandwich. Sooooo we pretty much consider ourselves veggie-sandwich connoisseurs and take it from me....the sandwich is fucking legit! The best I've ever had hands-down. The radishes and arugula add just the right about of bite. 

That's just an old diving helmut on a Virgin Mary statue. NBD. 

Venice is very art friendly and the streets are covered with breath-taking street art. 

Smell Good-ery. 

And lastly but not leastly...this is dog-lovin' country. All shapes and sizes, Abbot Kinney offers the best in dog watching. I'm really pumped about this in particular because I'm wanting to focus my photography business on our four-legged friends. Can't wait to get out and practice amidst all the street-fashion bloggers and photographers who also are 1 in 10 on AK. Here's a good one if you're curious: 

On Abbot Kinney. "No ma'am, I don't want a picture of you and your drapey garb+Isabel Marant sneakers, but your French Bulldog is reeeeal cute, do you mind?"

xo,

a

Crash and Jetson

Jetson and Crash live up in Topanga Canyon. 

They love it. 

Transplant

Hi friends. It's been a while. Sorry 'bout that. We just had to pack up everything what we could fit of everything we own into a truck and drive across the country. All the rest of our mounds of knick knacks and goodies were sold or left in the hall of our building. (You're welcome neighbors!!..with the exception of that one mystery neighbor who stuffed our couch cushion we accidentally left in the hall full of 50 porn mags in the middle of the night. You, sir...eerrr lady are NOT welcome).

Anyhoo, we have arrived in Venice. Ya'll! It's lovely. Although moving is one of the most stressful experiences, I'm doing a lot better than I thought I would be. J has been steadily working to make this house a home. All the pictures are hung, floors are swept, decorative pillows are placed etc.. 

The weather has been beautiful. Each morning we make coffee and sit on our front patio and sip, and watch the doggies run around their new territory. I'm really happy. 

Don't get me wrong. I will forever be a Texas girl. FOREEEV-ER (the way the kid in The Sandlot said it). I miss the oak trees, my family, my gals and Texas style in general. As I was driving out here I was overcome with emotion. The first road trip I've felt I was getting further away from home rather than closer to the destination. Now that we're here, and my husband is bein' a badass, and we've walked to the beach and can smell flowers in the air....I'm alright with it. 

blabbidy blah blah. I finally busted my camera out a week in and snapped some photos. Another post to come about our 'hood. 

I dig this outfit. Yeah It's cute, but more importantly each piece is kinda special. The shirt my mom got me at NY&Co. (I know! Ha!!) when I was in 8th grade and was hostessing at a restaurant. I picked it because it was collared and mostly black and never wore it after that. Thankfully I didn't get rid of it because I wear it all the time now. It has a vintage-y texture and pattern and I lerve it. The skirt is one of those pieces I've owned for years and have never worn. I tickles me when I realize I'm sitting on a treasure (literally...wink wink). The shoes are vintage Cole Haan's. They were my mother's. The vintage RayBans are J's, and my pelican earrings I purchased for $4 at a shell shack in St. Augustine. 

There. Done.