Have you been to the vintage store lately? Some mighty cute duds await you!
29.5.10
Photoshoot: Freeway Lights
There's a photography technique called "camera toss," and it's just as it sounds: You toss your camera in the air and let it take a photo. Usually it turns out to be a beautiful circular design created by the available light sources. Well, I'm not exactly willing to toss my beloved cameras around because I'm notoriously bad at catching things, but I am quite fond of shaking my cameras while pointing them at lights to see what kind of crazy images I can capture. These were taken on the 101 late one night after hitting up a show. Some of the lights are taillights of the cars in front of us, some are from downtown L.A. And then, of course, there's the still-recognizable street sign.
28.5.10
Friday Night Concert
Seriously, I have a thing for hearing acoustic versions of my favorite songs. When you hear a song you love unplugged, there's something so vulnerable about it (if done well) that it compounds your affection for the song. That's why I've fallen deeper in love with "People Say" by Portugal. The Man after hearing this version, and for Memorial Day weekend the lyrics couldn't be more appropriate.
Flickr Fridays #73
1. Smiley for you!, 2. Untitled, 3. a walk on the beach, 4. Untitled, 5. Pool, 6. Day 21 - The record box, 7. Indie Film, 8. days of the weeks
The sun is out, the windows are open, new wave music is blaring through the house; this is the beginning of a longtime-coming three-day weekend! There will be barbecue, there will be naps, there will be Sex, there will be shopping, there will be beach time. Most of all there will be very little money spent because Seattle is only a few weeks away.
What do you have in store, friends? Do you have any on-the-cheap ideas for holiday fun?
27.5.10
The Thriftster: A Coat That's Just Right
It's so hard to find a good coat. Every winter through the first 25 years of my life was spent searching for one, though. If the fit was nice, it wasn't cute. If it was cute, it didn't keep me warm. It was a constant Goldilocks dilemma. Where was the one that was "just right"? Well, younger self, I found it. Sure, I don't need it anymore because (a) it's summer, (b) I live in Southern California and (c) I don't even wear a coat in winter unless I visit the Midwest. But, irony aside, isn't it great? Super comfy, kelly green, classic trench cut.
And here's the kicker: It was in the $2 bin at the thrift, with tags still attached. Just right, indeed!
26.5.10
OK, This Is the Cake I Want For My Next Birthday.
DSLR. Delicious.
Congrats, fsumaria, for edging out the Tasty Tom Selleck for my choice in custom cake. Or maybe I should just have them both made?
25.5.10
Fashion Forward: Orb Necklaces
I'm enchanted by the idea of wearing glass orbs around my neck. Some of these orbs are empty, which is cool enough. But then some of them have mysterious objects inside. Film, wires, feathers, seeds. I suppose the objects themselves are not mysterious, but how do they get inside? Now that's mysterious. I am not privvy to this knowledge, so I'm just going to say "magic." Now don't you go spoiling my parade by giving me a scientific breakdown of the orbs' construction. It's magic, and anyone who says differently is a party pooper and/or a potential terrorist.* So there.
24.5.10
Guest Post: Serial Thrifter's Bargain Bin
Friends, welcome back Sara, who writes the blogs Confessions of a Serial Thrifter and Anthropologie Treasurebox and a guest blog here about thrifty finds that fall under a keyword of my choosing. This time the word is "skirts."
This past winter was the fourth one that I have experienced as a resident of Southern California and in my opinion, it was by far the coldest. Quite frankly, I think it’s still a little chilly. (Yes, all of my Midwestern friends will probably roll their eyes at this statement, reflecting that I've truly "gone native" out here.) To combat the cold, I started thinking I'd designate May as the "Month of Skirts" because by that time, things surely would have warmed up enough to go bare-legged.
Um, not so much. By the end of April, it was clear that May wasn't going to work for a variety of reasons, including that it was still barely making it into the high 60s. So my skirt project got pushed to June.
This afternoon, I started laying out my plan of attack. Which will be the first skirt? Which skirts will I wear on the weekends? Do I have enough cute sandals to go with all of my skirts? What blouses will I wear? There are so many possibilities – mostly due to the fact that I have waaaay more skirts than the average woman. (Imelda had her shoes; I have my skirts.)
I have several candidates lined up for June 1 – including a few that I found thrifting and/or sale-stalking. Let me introduce you to them.
(1) Stardust Pencil Skirt, J. Crew: When J. Crew came out with this skirt last winter, I was instantly smitten. I loved the bronze color and the tiny netting of sequins was enchanting. Problem was two-fold: I didn’t want to pay $118 and it sold out quickly. I patiently stalked eBay, where the markup on this skirt was outrageous – it was selling for $235 at one point. I finally snagged one in my size that was still new for $80. Way higher than I would have liked, but at least less than original retail and certainly not DOUBLE the retail price.
(2) St. John Couture
Pencil Skirt, mint green with metallic gold thread: Props to my sister-in-law Kim (aka Anthroholic) for turning me on to mint green. She fell in love with this color, and seeing it on her reminded me what a great color it is for pale ladies like me. Believe it or not, I found this skirt at a Goodwill in Long Beach for $5.99. It is in beautiful condition and retailed for over $1,000. Yes, you read correctly. I bought it for more than 99.6% off the original retail price. The fit is divine; it feels like it was tailor-made for me.
(3) Cocoplum Pencil Skirt by Corey Lynn Calter for Anthropologie: This is another one that I missed out on when it was in stores. I wasn’t the avid Anthro shopper that I am now when this was released, so I had to resort to eBay to find it. One finally popped up in my size recently and the seller was gracious enough to add a Buy-It-Now price. I was able to snag it for $50 – still a little high for something pre-owned, but about half what the skirt retailed for originally. When I first got the skirt, I was dismayed because it was quite snug, but 24 hours later, after the onion rings and salt bloat had dissipated, I realized it fit just fine. The best part is that while shopping recently at Target, I found a Merona cardigan
that’s a dupe of J Crew’s more-expensive Jackie cardigans – and it matches perfectly with the shadows on the dots of the skirt. Emma Pilsbury, watch out!
(4) Palmetto Skirt by Viola for Anthropologie: I found this full A-line skirt on a thrifting trip with Vanessa to the Santa Monica Goodwill. Actually, *Vanessa* found it and insisted I keep it for myself. Normally, I prefer pencil skirts (can you tell?), but I do admit that this full A-line has a flirty little 50s vibe to it. Paired with a red T-shirt and some strappy sandals, it makes for a darling work outfit. Now, if I could just get used to swishing more!
(5) Calm Seas Skirt by Leifsdottir/Anthropologie: This skirt … it’s another one from last summer. The Leifsdottir line is the priciest house brand that Anthro carries; many pieces are upward of nearly $300. I think this skirt was $198 when it first came out. I patiently waited … and waited … and waited … until finally it went down to $49.95 on a second price-cut. I’m glad I didn’t pay more than that because I apparently didn’t read the description closely: This skirt is SHORT. But, paired with some boots and a long cardi, I think I can make it work.
So, which is your favorite, friends? Which should kick off Sara's “30 Days of Skirts” project?
This past winter was the fourth one that I have experienced as a resident of Southern California and in my opinion, it was by far the coldest. Quite frankly, I think it’s still a little chilly. (Yes, all of my Midwestern friends will probably roll their eyes at this statement, reflecting that I've truly "gone native" out here.) To combat the cold, I started thinking I'd designate May as the "Month of Skirts" because by that time, things surely would have warmed up enough to go bare-legged.
Um, not so much. By the end of April, it was clear that May wasn't going to work for a variety of reasons, including that it was still barely making it into the high 60s. So my skirt project got pushed to June.
This afternoon, I started laying out my plan of attack. Which will be the first skirt? Which skirts will I wear on the weekends? Do I have enough cute sandals to go with all of my skirts? What blouses will I wear? There are so many possibilities – mostly due to the fact that I have waaaay more skirts than the average woman. (Imelda had her shoes; I have my skirts.)
I have several candidates lined up for June 1 – including a few that I found thrifting and/or sale-stalking. Let me introduce you to them.
(1) Stardust Pencil Skirt, J. Crew: When J. Crew came out with this skirt last winter, I was instantly smitten. I loved the bronze color and the tiny netting of sequins was enchanting. Problem was two-fold: I didn’t want to pay $118 and it sold out quickly. I patiently stalked eBay, where the markup on this skirt was outrageous – it was selling for $235 at one point. I finally snagged one in my size that was still new for $80. Way higher than I would have liked, but at least less than original retail and certainly not DOUBLE the retail price.
(2) St. John Couture
Pencil Skirt, mint green with metallic gold thread: Props to my sister-in-law Kim (aka Anthroholic) for turning me on to mint green. She fell in love with this color, and seeing it on her reminded me what a great color it is for pale ladies like me. Believe it or not, I found this skirt at a Goodwill in Long Beach for $5.99. It is in beautiful condition and retailed for over $1,000. Yes, you read correctly. I bought it for more than 99.6% off the original retail price. The fit is divine; it feels like it was tailor-made for me.
(3) Cocoplum Pencil Skirt by Corey Lynn Calter for Anthropologie: This is another one that I missed out on when it was in stores. I wasn’t the avid Anthro shopper that I am now when this was released, so I had to resort to eBay to find it. One finally popped up in my size recently and the seller was gracious enough to add a Buy-It-Now price. I was able to snag it for $50 – still a little high for something pre-owned, but about half what the skirt retailed for originally. When I first got the skirt, I was dismayed because it was quite snug, but 24 hours later, after the onion rings and salt bloat had dissipated, I realized it fit just fine. The best part is that while shopping recently at Target, I found a Merona cardigan
that’s a dupe of J Crew’s more-expensive Jackie cardigans – and it matches perfectly with the shadows on the dots of the skirt. Emma Pilsbury, watch out!(4) Palmetto Skirt by Viola for Anthropologie: I found this full A-line skirt on a thrifting trip with Vanessa to the Santa Monica Goodwill. Actually, *Vanessa* found it and insisted I keep it for myself. Normally, I prefer pencil skirts (can you tell?), but I do admit that this full A-line has a flirty little 50s vibe to it. Paired with a red T-shirt and some strappy sandals, it makes for a darling work outfit. Now, if I could just get used to swishing more!
(5) Calm Seas Skirt by Leifsdottir/Anthropologie: This skirt … it’s another one from last summer. The Leifsdottir line is the priciest house brand that Anthro carries; many pieces are upward of nearly $300. I think this skirt was $198 when it first came out. I patiently waited … and waited … and waited … until finally it went down to $49.95 on a second price-cut. I’m glad I didn’t pay more than that because I apparently didn’t read the description closely: This skirt is SHORT. But, paired with some boots and a long cardi, I think I can make it work.
So, which is your favorite, friends? Which should kick off Sara's “30 Days of Skirts” project?
21.5.10
Friday Night Concert
So technically this isn't a concert. But I've been getting sucked into these lip dub videos on YouTube, and in my opinion this is the best. Enjoy. Extra cool feature: This lip dub involves escalators.
Flickr Fridays #72
1. yellow, 2. RocknRollBride-600 copy, 3. Untitled, 4. stortorget
Well, friends, we've survived another workweek. I celebrated last night by drinking an entire beer and passing out within minutes. Oh, if my college friends could see me and my lightweight self now. The shame, the shame.
Today I'm doing lunch with friends, then working on getting some new vintage goodies up in the store. Also, I feel like I've been neglecting my photography store, so I need to go through some recent photoshoots and have some images printed. Any requests?
What do you have in store this weekend?
20.5.10
Design Dialogue: Doodle 4 Google
Have you heard of Doodle 4 Google? Up until approximately 6:30 p.m. today, I hadn't either. That's when Sara suggested I check out the contest for inspiration. The semifinalists in different age brackets are up, and the voting is on, so head on over to see firsthand what's on the minds of America's youth when asked to finish this sentence: "If I could do anything I would ..."
Most of the kids are practical and environmentally conscious, looking to heal the planet via saving animals, getting in tune with nature and curing cancer.
Then there are those who want to "branch out" to understand other cultures.
Others who want to enrich the world through the "exquisite exuberance" of art.
Others who want to travel through time.
But my favorite illustrations are the ones that are so fantastical they have no basis in reality, ones that inspire me to think like a kid again. To be so full of wonder and so original in theory. So innocent and untainted by the world at large.
For instance, can you imagine building a playground in space?
Nine-year-old Jennifer Ann did. In her words:
Most of the kids are practical and environmentally conscious, looking to heal the planet via saving animals, getting in tune with nature and curing cancer.
Then there are those who want to "branch out" to understand other cultures.
Others who want to enrich the world through the "exquisite exuberance" of art.
Others who want to travel through time.
But my favorite illustrations are the ones that are so fantastical they have no basis in reality, ones that inspire me to think like a kid again. To be so full of wonder and so original in theory. So innocent and untainted by the world at large.
For instance, can you imagine building a playground in space?
Nine-year-old Jennifer Ann did. In her words:
I always dreamed of going to space. Well I wondered, wouldn't it be great if there was a playground out there? Riding a shooting star, having a hula hoop contest with Saturn, and having a race to Pluto. "If I could do anything..." I would make a playground in space!Well done, Jennifer. You have my vote!
Fashion Rewind: Desperately Seeking Susan
You're either a bored housewife who reads the personals and writes about your disturbingly boring existence while you eat the rest of the birthday cake in the middle of the night or you're an adventure-seeking free spirit who steals a pair of very valuable earrings and flits from country to country. Or maybe you're the same person. Are you confused? The hit man is confused. The husband, the boyfriend and the other boyfriend are even more confused. Everyone is very confused. One of you has amnesia; the other is looking for the woman who stole her "stuff," including a skull suitcase full of rad clothes, including but not limited to a pyramid jacket that may or may not have belonged to Jimi Hendrix. The only clue you have is The Magic Club, where it all comes to a head. You're Rosanna Arquette ... or are you Madonna ... or are you both?
Items in this set:
Norma Kamali Boyfriend Jacket from Wal-Mart, $20
Tapered Pants, $35
Mossimo Wanette Cage Sandals from Target, $15
Electric Aztec "Pyramid" Drop Earrings, $55
Rosary Bead Charm Necklace, $28
Lucca Couture Tie Bustier, $48
Cats Eye 50's Style Novelty Glasses in Black, $5.99
Lace gloves, $5.99
Black Grosgrain Bow on Headband, $8
Norma Kamali Boyfriend Jacket from Wal-Mart, $20
Tapered Pants, $35
Mossimo Wanette Cage Sandals from Target, $15
Electric Aztec "Pyramid" Drop Earrings, $55
Rosary Bead Charm Necklace, $28
Lucca Couture Tie Bustier, $48
Cats Eye 50's Style Novelty Glasses in Black, $5.99
Lace gloves, $5.99
Black Grosgrain Bow on Headband, $8
Can I just say for the record how bummed I was that I couldn't find a similar pyramid jacket or sparkly slouch boots? These were the items I dreamt of wearing "when I grew up," and they're completely elusive. Hence the boyfriend blazer and cage sandals (hey, it's summer) in their stead.
18.5.10
Media Minded: Who You Gonna Call?
Click here to watch actors dressed as Ghostbusters eradicate the NYC library of three studious ghosts. A quick side note: When I was in first grade we had to craft these little partitions so our classmates wouldn't be able to see our tests. Really, it was just a large, trifolded manila folder. On it I drew scenes from "Ghostbusters," including the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. The place where my name was supposed to reside I neatly printed "Peter Venkman." I apparently thought I would grow up to be Bill Murray, with or without the male pattern baldness.
Improv Everywhere is rad; you should really check out more videos.
17.5.10
Wish List 05.17.10
I am a fool for this blouse. I can picture myself wearing it while sitting on a lounge chair sipping on a mai tai. Do you have a piece of clothing on your wish list (or in your closet) that reminds you of vacation? I think everyone should.
16.5.10
This Week @ A Taste of Honey
I worry that I'll start gushing when I talk about how adorable these mod mini dresses are, so I'll just say it once: These mod mini dresses are so adorable! And don't forget to check out what else is buzzing around the store this week.
15.5.10
The It List
Five things I'm lovin' right now ...
Cats disguised as unicorns.
Mara Hoffman's spring collection. [via]
This birthday cake.
The New Pornographers' new video. Karate! White belts and black belts sparring together! Did you know I'm a yellow belt? True story.
Avant garde paper sculptures.
Cats disguised as unicorns.
Mara Hoffman's spring collection. [via]
This birthday cake.
The New Pornographers' new video. Karate! White belts and black belts sparring together! Did you know I'm a yellow belt? True story.
Avant garde paper sculptures.
14.5.10
Friday Night Concert
This concert was the ultimate. Hollywood Bowl, 2006. The Strokes kill it as the opening act. H and I are sitting three rows from the stage, surrounded by old-timers who pass around joints as soon as the sun sets. Tom Petty walks out on stage with the coolest swagger you ever did see, his confident aura reaching to the back benches. Stevie Nicks makes a guest appearance, looking and sounding like the rock goddess she is. The. Best. Show. Ever. (So pretend the video is better.)
Flickr Fridays #71
1. 20 years, 357 days old, 2. Untitled, 3. zebra mildliner, 4. cheesy mac and rib melt,
5. Dream on the beach, 6. 33 1/3, 7. Breakfast 30.8.08, 8. Untitled
5. Dream on the beach, 6. 33 1/3, 7. Breakfast 30.8.08, 8. Untitled
Happy Friday, friends! Hope you have something great in store this weekend. Me, I'm enjoying every single second of my one day off (read: doing NOTHING) before I have to work on Cannes Film Festival coverage, meaning a lot of sleep deprivation chased with caffeine is on the horizon. But until then, I'll get back to lounging, reading and listening to music with the windows open.
13.5.10
100 Movies: 66, 67
And the countdown continues in my quest to watch and find something inspiring in every single one of Yahoo's 100 Movies to See Before You Die.
A cute embezzler ends up getting caught in a rainstorm and checks into the abandoned Bates Motel for the night. Bad things happen, yadda yadda yadda. If you don't know the plot of this movie, you'll have to sign up for Scary Movies 101. The gist is that Hitchcock is the master of suspense, everyone else the imitator. Also, I am inspired to never ever -- I cannot stress never enough -- get out of my broken-down car in an isolated place to (a) knock on a stranger's door, (b) go to a dilapidated hotel or (c) hitchhike. Stay put till morning and you're 100 percent more likely to not be killed by a man who thinks he's his dead mother.
Jerry: Have I got things to tell you!Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, those zany fellas. They have to flee mobsters and Chicago, so they pose as female musicians and join an all-woman band that travels to Florida. But there's a problem: They've fallen for Sugar (Marilyn Monroe), a not-so-bright lush and ukelele player. Cross-dressing hijinks ensue, but don't fear. Things end happily ever after on a millionaire's yacht. This movie is great fun, and I found myself inspired to take a page from Ms. Monroe's book by thoroughly embracing my curves by wearing risque outfits. OK, you caught me. I'm embracing my curves; the risque outfits will come later.
Joe: What happened?
Jerry: I'm engaged.
Joe: Congratulations. Who's the lucky girl?
Jerry: I am!
Norman Bates: She just goes a little mad sometimes. We all go a little mad sometimes. Haven't you?
12.5.10
UPDATE: 31 things to do before I turn 32
Marking another thing off my list ...
25. Pack a picnic and kick the soccer ball around.
It was a warm Saturday afternoon in April, and we set out to Rancho Palos Verdes to find one of our favorite parks, a vast expanse of green grass high on the hill overlooking the Pacific and, on a clear day, Catalina Island. We kicked around the soccer ball. H, forgetting that he married a klutz, tried in vain to teach me how to juggle the ball with my knees. Then we unpacked our lunch: pesto chicken sandwich, popcorn, pears and cold water. We discussed how we would spend our lottery jackpot when we win it. Then we collapsed onto the blanket and watched the wispy clouds pass by overhead. A perfect afternoon.
25. Pack a picnic and kick the soccer ball around.
It was a warm Saturday afternoon in April, and we set out to Rancho Palos Verdes to find one of our favorite parks, a vast expanse of green grass high on the hill overlooking the Pacific and, on a clear day, Catalina Island. We kicked around the soccer ball. H, forgetting that he married a klutz, tried in vain to teach me how to juggle the ball with my knees. Then we unpacked our lunch: pesto chicken sandwich, popcorn, pears and cold water. We discussed how we would spend our lottery jackpot when we win it. Then we collapsed onto the blanket and watched the wispy clouds pass by overhead. A perfect afternoon.
10.5.10
Design Dialogue: Spring Pastels
(1) The Ruby Kitten (2) Jolly Time One (3) Vintage Avacado (4) Rabbity Vintage
Pastels aren't something that come naturally to me, the gal who is perpetually clad in black. But thanks to my mom's merciless suggestions* in my formative years that I wear pink and coral and lavender and aqua, I've somehow managed to incorporate sporadic spurts of feminine hues into my wardrobe, so why not with home decor, too?
This seems the perfect time of year to try a little light yellow mixer or milky green bowl. Incidentally this is also the time of year I crave pastel mints, which are good for any occasion, not just baby showers, mmkay? Check out these vintage Etsy finds for some killer inspiration.
*In some countries I hear a closet stocked with pastels is considered an act of aggression.
(1) Red Lips Vintage (2) Adventures in Vintage (3) Jadite Kate (4) Prance and Swagger
(1) A Touch of Vintage (2) Modish Vintage (3) The Cottage Cheese (4) A Touch of Vintage
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