Hustlin'

I'm back, and with me my totally natural poses I know you missed so much. Sorry I've been so off the radar. I miss you, I do. It's just that life lately can best be described using the genius lyrical stylings of Rick Ross: E'ry day I'm hustlin'. 

Since the move Jonathan and I have found ourselves pretty damn happy. Ready to bite off more than we can chew. Prepared for what the universe has in store for us. We gotta make dat money tho, so I've been SUPER preoccupied pouring myself into practices that allow me to bring home the bacon. Obsessing over my photography website, creating a pet photography website, making facebook pages for said services, shooting my face off, printing business cards, basically being a fucking business woman, don't make a big deal about it. Check it out the site here if you'd like! 

I've also had some luck selling vintage goodies on our Etsy store. This, I've found, at least pays for our thrifting addiction. 

I'm finding myself drawn towards feminine pieces lately. Without fail I come home from a thrift store or a pile sale, and I take out my goodies only to realize I've purchased 8 floral dresses. Like the one I'm wearing here. I think somehow watching Fried Green Tomatoes as a young girl permanently affected my taste in clothing. It also affected my feelings towards Kathy Bates. Which are positive ones. 

TOWANDA!!!

Dress: For Sale Photogramps Vintage

Sweater: 90s Anne Taylor (similar)

Shoes: Vintage Cole Haan

Fuchia and Green

I know the saying is "a pop of color"... as in one singular color, but I find myself emphatically drawn to overdoing most everything in my life (except for cleaning my house and jogging). So here I am popping 2 colors. In retrospect I can see how just black with fuchia may have been a more streamlined or chic choice, but I wouldn't change a thing about his outfit. 

In my years of overdoing it, particularly in the sartorial category, I feel I have found the balance of overdoing things without overdoing them if that makes sense. (Keep in mind I may be completely delusional). The goals when I get dressed are to feel good in what I'm wearing/stand out a bit in a crowd/find a little bit of hilarity in some aspect of my outfit. (The humor in this look is obviously the black-man-church-going-shoes I found in the men's section of the thrift store. I imagine them once being worn with a full green suit and matching tie one fanciful, soulful Sunday).

After multiple attempts to be more chic or elegant over the years, I've given up and found comfort in this aspect of my style. I understand this isn't the craziest, far out look I've ever rocked, but the simple rule breaking this outfit displays (2 pops of color as opposed to 1) is a unabashedly me. And there's not a damn thing I can do about it. 

Entire outfit thrifted.

Most Popular

When I busted out these platform Superga sneakers for the first time, my friend Rynn said she hated them. They reminded her of the shoes popular girls wore in middle school. Then I thought about it...well I'll be damned if these aren't basically the same shoes Hayley Duff wore when she portrayed black top bully, Summer Wheatley in Napolean Dynamite! (The wardrobe styling in that movie is amazing and incredibly on point). Although the whole "popular girl shoes" thing is a hilarious perk, it's not the reason I purchased them...which is more along the lines of a $14 impulse buy at Ross Dress for Less. 

Rynn's comment did get me thinking about the fashion fads of popular girls in middle school though. I remember arm cuffs having a moment. Adidas shell toes and those hideously thick Doc Martin sandals were definitely a thing. All things GAP and chokers too. Also, for some reason hoards of them would  dress as babies for halloween (was that just at my school?)...pajamas, giant bottles, pacifiers, and somehow body glitter slipped into the whole equation...?

I always thought if you're going to wear pajamas for Halloween whhhhy the F would you go as ANYTHING besides T.L.C. a la the Creep video? (I've got dibs on Left Eye).

I cannot complete this post without mentioning the Dolly Parton belt. It's bold, but I wear it with pride...particularly in LA. No shame. Next to a few diamond rings, it's pretty much the best thing my grandmother (may she rest in peace) ever gave to me. Nana was into glamourous/gaudy accessories.

Jeans: Urban Outfitters (Similar), Belt: Gifted, Shoes: Superga, Bracelet: Thrifted 

Shirt: Thrifted, Sunglasses: Similar

Au Revior, Pee Wee: The Versatility of the Silk Scarf

Silk scarves. The never-ending abyss into which many-a-vintage lover can so easily fall. Typically no more than 3 dollars (if you're shopping at the right places), it's easy to find yourself with a drawer full. But who's complaining? They can transform looks with one tie of a knot, and boy are they versatile!

Perfect for pony tails.
A pop of color tied on your handbag.
As a pocket square in a blazer.
Tied around your neck with a collared shirt for the classic prep look.
As a blindfold for, uh.....whatever you see fit.
To complete a Rosie the Riveter look.
Around your head for a gypsy vibe.
To wave goodbye out the window of a train, "Au revoir, Pee Wee!"

Really, the list goes on.

Are you a scarf junkie? Any more tips on how to put them to good use?

Silk Scarf: Vintage (Similar)

Shoes: Sam Edelman (Here they are in RED! Love it)

Cut Offs: Vintage Calvin Klein (Similar)

Shirt: Thrifted Vintage

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Fights, Faux Pas, Food and Fashion

After an emotional day, it's easy to throw on a pair of boyfriend jeans, but let's face it: Denim is the mashed potatoes of fashion. A go-to? Absolutely. But like mashed taters, jeans are obvious, lack elegance and you can pretty much pair them with anything. Sometimes after a rough day you just need to feel....pretty. 

The day these photos were taken Jonathan and I had a fight. Not just a little tiff, but a full on, don't talk for hours misunderstanding. I'm aware it is a faux pas to discuss personal matters on the world wide webs (personal matters that have any sort of negative connotation anyway, because after all we are all leading picturesque drama-free lives) People come here to escape, and it could be considered classless to air your dirty laundry on the internet. Which is why I won't go into any detail except to share these two things: 1. The happy ending (not that kind, you pervs!) 2. My style revelation.

Thankfully after 7 years together, we've figured out when to walk away and when to come back level headed and discuss rationally, egos aside, what the ef is going on. Truths get told, vulnerabilities are revealed and what's left is a simple fact: we love each other endlessly through it all. We are our number 1 priority, and each of us would not be who we are without the other. There is nothing more satisfying than coming to this place after a disagreement with someone you love. It's peaceful and safe.

You and/or they were being a dick/were scared/were insecure/were being selfish/or what-have-you, and you still love each other. In fact you love each other more, because between the two of you, you've created enough trust to share your fears and show even the weakest sides of yourselves.

After our resolution, we went for a walk in the park and then had an impromptu date night. I wanted to feel pretty...fast. Denim wasn't going to cut it, but I was in no mood for a fuss. I immediately went for this dress. I love the simple things in fashion that are just so elegant and comfortable. In them, you feel amazing just sitting on a porch barefoot or they can be thrown on with a messy pony tail and a few accessories and BOOM! Instant classic beauty vibe a la Grace Kelly.

Colorful vintage dresses, kaftans, pearls, a swipe of red lipstick...these things are to fashion what a great pasta dish is to cooking. It's not just comfort that counts with a great cotton vintage dress, although it is always there. Like pasta, with these things there is always an opportunity for complexity, but they maintain their simplicity, their comfort and their inevitable elegance. 

What easy, elegant pieces do you have in your closet?

 

Smashbox Lipstick · Bebe Sandals · Dorothy Perkins Clutches

Movin' On Up

I must apologise. I have been severely MIA the past (almost) 2 weeks. You see, it was because my life resembled that which can be best described through imagery:

Yep. One big blur. We've been moving. Between packing, garage sale-ing and just sitting in a mess of boxes weeping I felt it was not appropriate to take anyone who reads this blog along on that magical journey. The one where you come face to face with your hoarder tendencies.

We are now officially Culver City residents and no longer Venitians.

(Cue nostalgic piano music/slow-mo footage of banana-hammocked rollerbladers on the 

Venice Boardwalk)

... Although I will miss the feeling that hipsters are too-cooling me as I stroll down Abbot Kinney and the sweet personalities of the schizo homeless people drinking the last half inch of wine out of bottles in my recycling bin, I found this move bitter sweet. I'll always remember fondly streets that smelled like a cocktail of urine and hot garbage, and checking @venice311 on my twitter feed when the I heard the sound of the ghetto bird and saw it's magnificent spot light shining down upon my neighborhood...

Alright, I'm giving Venice a hard time. There are definitely some redeeming qualities about that little coastal corner of LA, but I'm happy to be in Culver City: where Venitians go for peace and quiet/to have babies. Also I'm pumped about our MUCH larger house (the more vintage goodies to fill you with, my dear) AAAAAAND the 800 dollars we are saving on rent. (RECORD SCRATCH) 

Yes, I said 800.

So I'm back, mofos! Wearing all kinds of cut-up thrifted vintage. PTA mom pants are always good to chop off for summer time shorts. Stay tuned for photos of the new house and a how-to on no-sew curtains!

Missed you. xo!

Shoes: Red & Violet (Similar at Modcloth!)

Shorts: Thrifted (Similar)

Shirt: Thrifted (Similar)

Vegan Leather Jacket: Buffalo Exchange (Similar)

Earrings: Vintage

womens Vegan leather jacket black at Beso.com

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Vintage Dresses: The Stories in the Seams

Thankfully (or not so thankfully depending if you're judging by the dollars in my wallet) my mother and godmother taught me to appreciate fine things. I won't ever forget the first time they took me to a vintage clothing store. As we approached the shop, I smiled as I noticed the little cottage with kelly green wood detailing and a green front porch with a porch swing. Ahab Bowen was the name of the store, and it was once a Dallas go-to for vintage. Super reasonable prices and a well curated collection of pieces. It sadly closed down a few years ago.

As I looked through dress after dress I remember having the very simple, but very important realization:

"They don't make stuff like this any more"

What's more is I thought about how each dress came with a memory, and since we typically don't know the story of each piece ... we can make that memory up! Imagining for what purpose the previous owner bought or made a vintage dress is half the fun of buying vintage dresses, amiright?

Made to wear to her best friend's wedding. Bought specifically for her daughter's graduation party. She wanted to make her ex-boyfriend eat his pathetic heart out. She just felt like spoiling herself. It was obvs a Sandra D scenario, and she wanted to impress her bad boy crush. 

The possibilities are endless.

For me, this piece was a gift from my godmother to wear to a premier of one of Johnny's movies at the Tribeca Film Festival. There is not much more classy than black lace/mesh with a nude underlay. I only wear this dress on special occasions, but I plan on passing this bad boy down to my spawn, who I will hopefully teach to love well made clothes.

I was SUPER inspired to do this post for two reasons: 1. The Zogalis twins did this awesome hair and make-up for a ModCloth test I was lucky enough to be a part of. You may have seen pics if you follow me on Instagram.
2. IFB is featuring a few blog posts based on amazing vintage pieces soon. I figured with how much I love this stuff, I'd be a damn fool not to share my link!

Dress: Ahab Bowen

Shoes: Cole Haan

Hair and Makeup: Special thanks to ModCloth and the Zogalis twins. 

Venice Canals

Venice, Ca has some spooky weird history... Amusement park fires, underground tunnels ... rollerblading. Also amongst the weirdness: the Venice Canals. They were built by Abbot Kinney around 1905 to add to the glory of his genius idea, "Venice of America."

Dude wanted to literally recreate Venice, Italy ... but in So Cal. 

Like most things novelty, the canals were a tourist hot spot for a few years, but then cars happened, and everyone got really pumped about cars (not so much canoes) and forgot about the canals. Venice was annexed by Los Angeles and eventually turned into "the slum by the sea" and the canals basically became west nile-trash-heap-swamps. 

Then in the 90's they were renovated. ( I love the 90's). Now that Venice has become super-duper gentrified, houses on the canals are considered prime real estate. And the neighborhood has got to be one of the most charming spots in the U.S.. All the houses nestle up to sidewalks lining the canals, and there are little white bridges for crossing. Each house has a little doc and most of them, paddle boats. 

I should be a history teacher! 

Shorts: Vintage Calvin Klein (Similar)

Shirt: Vintage Gitman Bros for Nordstom: Available Here (sold out)

Necklace: Vintage (Also super rad)

Belt: Thrifted

Bag: Vintage Coach