A Dark (K)night on a hot afternoon

Yesterday morning, before going to the beach, I watched Sandra Dee in Gidget, a 1959 film. I liked her cute one-pieces and cover-ups. I also liked her tight high pony tail, curled at the ends and in her bangs. With this in mind, despite today's humidity, I attempted the style and failed. I looked like an '80s mallrat rather than a shoreline surf-bunny of the hoppin' '50's. I wore a camisole to mimic Gidget's printed bathing suits. At the very least, I got that one down. My father and I saw The Dark Knight, after eating lunch at a local Euro bistro. We liked the movie, but I was on edge the entire time with suspense. I found little fashion inspiration in the action flick, although Maggie Gyllenhaal's curls looked cute. I really feel that smeared red lipstick is a brilliant look for fall, however...Afterwards I got two cute satiny hair bows at that little girl's store, Claire's. I think they are perfect hair accessories for fall. Then we went to the mall and I went straight to Forever 21 to scout-out those pink and white Chloe knockoff heels, but the size 7 was too small and that's all they had! I was disappointed, but my dad got me some cool sunglasses instead. They are half-frame retro ones!



Shading my eyes at the Bistro with my failed Gidget hairstyle!





Added the blazer for the chilly mall at night!



Blazer: Random at Home
Cami: UO
Necklace: Clover Designs
Shorts:Old Navy
Belt: Dad's
Bag: Billabong, courtesy of Betsy
Shoes: Minnetonka, again courtesy of Betsy!!

Tomorrow, with my nephews!!! What have you been wearing to keep cool yet stay stylish? Leave a memo below!

Can I Kick It?

Today, it was so stormy that Billy and I headed out to see The Wackness, which I liked a lot. The music was especially amazing. I was a little disappointed though, I was expecting a little more "pronounced" mid-nineties fashion, especially since the movie was very hip-hop orientated. I was excited to see Method Man in it, and even more excited to see MK, even though she was only in it for like two scenes. She looks cute with dreads and plays a strung-out flower child just as well as she played a pot-smoking Jesus freak on Weeds.I also noticed that MK is once again a sunglasses trend-setter. She has been wearing very round sunglasses lately which I think will soon be picking up as a major trend, just like the over-sized, vintage-y ones she popularized a few summers ago.
John Lennon-Style Sunglasses, $15.99

Is MK imagining she is John?!

Perhaps if I come across a cheap knock-off, I'll try it out. ABSOLUETELY everyone has my black Rayban Wayfarers anyway, even though I got mine over a year ago Every once in a while I'll do a better, more organized celeb style post and maybe I'll include outfits I put together based on whomever's style...Well, this is what I wore to the movies. I can't walk in these shoes. I try to wear heels nearly everyday, but I still am a klutz in them. I need training.



Leotard: AA
Skirt: Found at home
Belt: Mom's
Shoes: BCBG
Bag: F21



Going to the bathroom in a leotard is the worst.

Last Hurrah!!

Scarf: Mom's
Skirt: Banana Republic
Shirt: J.Crew
Socks: Mom's
Clutch: Hobo International
Shoes: Wet Seal

Well, after this experience of wearing a head scarf everyday, I think I'll do so more often. It definitely adds some flair. Although, certain styles of tying them are uncomfortable on humid days in the city, and people stare like you're Britney Spears on her way out of Chili's, I enjoy going incognito or looking excessively retro more than once in a while. What's next? Well I am beginning my own little inspiration board (hopefully this will help with more creative ideas...), a new job in about a week (which will be very conducive to a fashion blogger ), and I am working on some business cards/postcards. I find The Sandlot to be very inspiring as far as retro fashion goes. Billy and I are especially inspired by the PF Flyers.

Scarf Syndrome: Death Rattle

Today was the second-to last day of scarf syndrome (...tear!). It was pouring rain, and hideously humid out. I had my bio final tonight, which I breezed through. Everyone in class, including the professor, thought I was dressed oddly. The people at the restaurant afterwards also thought I was insane, our waitress practically laughed. Yesterday I looked like a gangster and went to a preppy, all-American town. I didn't do any shopping because I forgot my wallet, but I did bring my camera...

Day 8 (I thought it was cooler out!)

tank: H&M
Shoes: from BF
jeans: vintage Levi's from BF
Belt: Dad's
Scarf: Urban Renewal at Urban Outfitters
Bag: Jasmine Sola

Day 9!

Dress: Necessary Objects at Nordstrom
Lace Top: H&M
Shoes: Charlotte Russe
Necklace: Forever21
Scarf:Dress-up trunk from childhood
Bag:F21
Umbrella:Dad

A very special Birthday Shout-out, and antibotics for my scarf syndrome

(note: this is an ORIGINAL painting from the black apple.
do NOT steal it. I don't think I'm stealing it because I am saying where it came from. Everyone should visit her shop and order something because she is very talented. If I had cash, I would.)

That girl looks like my friend, Allison Marie, who is turning 22 today!! Except AM is much prettier and looks like Jessica Simpson!!! I hope she has a great day today, she is very pinkmarshmallow! Happy Birthday Allison Marie!! The little collage I made here reminds me of her!

Well, I had a very important meeting today, and yesterday I spent half the day in my pajamas and the other half on the beach (how difficult my life has become!), so the scarf syndrome has briefly been relieved by the antibiotic of wearing a white floppy hat at the beach for a change and not wanting to look like a freak for my special meeting (I have found that under certain circumstances, like where I am and how I am manifesting traces of my syndrome outwardly in the style of my scarf generates peculiar looks in public, eg: restaurants, movie theaters, Best Buy, etc). So for my important afternoon, I spent all last night trying to "tone" down the fashion craziness that erupts from me and my wardrobe. I wanted to look stylish and a bit quirky. NOT contrived. I came up with some fantastic outfits, yet these weren't appropriate for my specific event. Thus, I settled on this outfit, which, judging from the positive results of my afternoon meeting, was a success!!! I think blue and black is an interesting combo that one should not be fearful of if worn correctly. My general rule of thumb is, if you find yourself intentionally /desperately substituting a navy piece into an otherwise all-black ensemble, don't do it. You could run the rise of looking "bruised business". Anyways, This is what makes my outfit "quirky", along with the three tiered ruffle skirt and the blue vintage purse, which had a black faux-alligator strip across it. The purse has like little cute swirly things, but one had fallen off and I hot-glued it back on, the other was just missing so I glued a plastic elephant in its place, but that fell off too at some point this afternoon. Its always good to "pep" something up, or make a necessary addition. My mom needed to sew a little snap between the buttons on my blouse to save me from the "gap gasp" that I experience thanks to my blessed build. So these little "extras" payed off for something important, and so did toning down my look a bit for the circumstances.

Blouse: Old Navy, 2-3 yrs ago
Skirt: H&M, unknown time
shoes: Nine West
necklace: Mom's
Bag: vintage gift from Betsy!

Ugh, I am so SHINY!

El Scorcho!!

Readers, it is so warm that I spent half the day sleeping and the other half neatening up my room in the AC. Tonight I am seeing Mama Mia! with my Mom and Dad, even though it didn't do so well review-wise. I never listen to those critics anyway, just like I don't listen to people who say I dress crazy in real life. Here is Days 6 and 7 of my syndrome. Day 6 was more subtle than the outrageous look on Friday, mostly because I spent the day swimming in the pool and frolicking about with my little nephews. Today, the heat is unspeakable, so I'm dressed for the warmth!


Day 6

romper: aa (I love this thing!)
blouse:H&M
Scarf: random, looks like Lilia's (worn as headband today!)
Shoes: F21
Socks: Target(my sister is anal about indoor footwear)

Day 7

Dress: Super Lucky Cat, Nordstrom
Shoes: BCBG
Headscarf: Random
Necklace: Mom

PS: JUST got home from Mama Mia! and I loved it! I am probably seeing it again with Lilia, very soon! Abba is AWESOME

Heat: Scarf Syndrome, Days 4 and 5

It is terribly hot here. I think I may cook my internal organs by exposing myself to non-AC air. However, I think it is the perfect time for Scarf Syndrome, since I have felt cooler by wearing them on my head!!! Today's Look is quasi-inspired by Grey Gardens. I am not attempting to toot my own horn, but Lilia and I have adored Edie, the documentary, and her style of dress long before right now, where BUST magazine and others have spreads. It's all because Drew Barrymore (whose voice is too clogged to be her, anyway!) is starring in an HBO movie based on the Mayles Brothers' movie. I was going to do a fall post accurately inspired by the documentary which I have been repeatedly studying for SEVERAL YEARS, but for right now, today I am dressed in an outfit I imagine her wearing when it's summer and really hot in the Hamptons...
Day 5!
Scarf: H&M
Shoes(above): Minnetonka
Shoes(below): Blowfish
Skirt (worn as dress): Wet Seal
Belt: Taken from Dad
Necklace: Clover Designs
Bracelet: Customized from local arts fair
Pin (on scarf, a la Edie Beale!): Mom's from '60s
Bag: From Egypt from Betsy and Chuck.
Tanline: the beach!

Day 4!


Scarf: random in house, tied '50s retro style to compliment my high ponytail
Top: A Betsy-hand me down
Pants: From Billy's mom from her trip to Paris!!
Bag: Skunkfunk from Betsy
Shoes: Nine West
bracelet: Grandma's

I love these airy white pants!! I wish I didn't get so tanned, but at the very least, it compliments all the white I've been wearing. I wore this shopping/on errands with Billy yesterday, but when I got home, before class, I nixed the pants, it's just too damn hot!!!

Summer Entertainment!

My Favorite Summer Entertainment

5. It Goes There..Degrassi, The N, Fridays, 8pm EST. The last batch of the "next generation" of this resuscitated Canadian teen drama of the '80s is graduating, and there is no lack of crazyness, bizarre relationships, and trauma! I'm hoping Degrassi '09 lets all hell break loose this season!! P.S., check out Manny's sweet bangs that kind of look like mine after I have them trimmed up...

4. Movie Theaters Crank the AC...Mama Mia! In theaters July 18th. Ok, I am a sucker for ABBA, chick flicks with Meryl Streep, and a big messy wedding movie. And a musical? Sign me up!! Also, I love her wavy, wild blonde hair!! The costume designer was Ann Roth, and the ideal was to dress characters slightly fantastical while still maintaining an everyday aesthetic. Based on the posters, everything looks so breezy, it should be an airy treat!

3. Bzzz...Where did all the bees go? They got stung by these bitches...Queen Bee, The N, Fridays, 8:30 P.M, EST. A good weekly catfight featuring snobby, over-dressed, over-groomed BEE-atches duking it out for a reward for their "nice" behavior? Its like a train wreck you just CANNOT miss! Plus the dynamics in the group are to die for, you've got the brats from Long Island or Texas who spend all of Daddy's money and believe the world revolves around them, ( some literally think they are heiresses-in training, throwing around lines like "Haha, I was like, silly Brody"!), to straight-up home girls fresh from the 'hood,whose mean activities include confiscating their boyfriends' paychecks to shop, lying and telling them they are knocked up to get more "pampering" and distributing their older sister's clothes to the entire school! No she didn't! Oh and let me tell you where being the America's Next Top Model cycle two winner can land you--- a gig on The -N placating a bunch of spoiled bitch-girls who are at each other's throats! That's right, its Yoanna House!!!! I don't remember her being terribly kind on that show, just passive. To successfully transform the psyco-narcissists-in heels, The-N brings in professional psychiatric assistance from The Tyra Banks Show, Dr. Michelle ( bet you Yoanna made a call... it went something like "Hello,Tyra? I need your help... OH WHAT YOU NEED YO YO YO ANNA?!". It is slightly disturbing to imagine that Tyra is left without a shrink whilst Dr. Michelle treats the ladies of Queen Bees, who are almost as deranged as Tyra, and equally shallow. Still, hopefully some of the shallowness will dissipate, but if not, its still hilarious!

2. Once upon a time...The Diving Bell and The Butterfly(2007) Billy commanded me to add this flick to number-one on my netflix queue. I am so glad I did. The movie, from France, is based on a memoir written by Jean-Dominique-Bauby. Bauby was an editor for French Elle before he suffered a massive stroke at age 43, paralyzing him everywhere except his eyelids and his intellect. Consequently, Bauby dictated his memoir to his nurse entirely by blinking his eye at letters of the alphabet, recited by her, to tediously form words. I admired her patience in the film. Like the memoir, then, the film is perceived entirely through Bauby's point of view. It includes stunning editing and visuals, particularly the scenes where he is imagining things. The movie is so beautiful and moving! Also, Bauby's ex-wife dresses tres Anthropology-French-Retro-Chic!

1. Make it Work vs. I've Got NO MONEY: The Battle for Best Summer Fashion Design Show...

The Seasoned Pro: Project Runway, Season five, Bravo, Wednesdays, 9 P.M. EST. Man, I am addicted. The show just premiered tonight. I get a little overwhelmed by the amount of initial designers on the show in the first few episodes. I think this season they should get rid of some of the unoriginals--some are Santino Rice/Daniel/Kit Pistol wannabes with their style and design aesthetics. On what other show could you watch a maxed-out rocker chick bitch and moan about the garbage bags that SHE chose(from an ENTIRE grocery store of materials!!) for her garment. Biker lady pretty much cried! Still, the best was that guy who created a serial killer outfit, complete with rubber gloves, and Kors called him out on it! Classic! This summer, I'll be glued to the TV for more "Watch What Happens" moments!

Bravotv.com , "What They Wore" Gallery
Sometimes I actually dig a designer's personal style. I like the edgy-romantic Kit Pistol look in season 4, for example. I was not aware about this feature until just now, but I apparently PR now has a little "street style" feature where the designers identify where their clothes came from. I think it gives the viewer a better sense of where they are coming from (like if all your shit is Gap, then you are clean, all-american, and possibly boring). I like Kenley's retro-style with her makeup and classic clothes, and for the dudes, I'm down with Daniel's look.

To wear a bikini, you must have a bust...The Newcomer Ashley Paige: Bikini Or Bust, TLC, Fridays, 10:00 EST. Did you know that you don't need money to be a famous designer? No, you just need a little spunk and creativity. You can only float along so long until money drains away though. That's what happened to Ms. Paige. I think the entire show is based on her freaking out over her admittedly cute, yet totally impracticable knitted beachwear. Still, I'd like one. I think since the taping of the show, she has found distributors/manufactures, because on her company website it says you can buy them in like Boston and New York. I feel bad for her mom, whom she treats like steer manure and for her befuddled employees, especially Juan, whom I think she takes advantage of. Still, the show is funny and I'm especially into her knitted designs. I knit myself, you know!

More than anything else, I enjoyed the dark, 1930's theme to the collection she showed at LA fashion week, ripple curls, dark lips, maroon, and defined eyes. Girly, yet totally sophisticated. For some reason it reminded me of La Vie En Rose. I think its her designs that rivet me.

Still Suffering from the scandal of the summer scarf syndrome, day three!!! I know my beach look has been shown before, but that's what I did today! It was great except there were these giant-ass flies which bit me and created massive red welts on my left leg...ugh I guess its pants tomorrow in 88-degree weather about town!! Today Billy surrendered a lovely pair of black slouchy Levi's from Saver's that are so soft that don't fit him anymore!! I've been looking for loose, slouchy jeans for centuries!

Scarf Syndrome!

Well I'm back! And I had a swell time! The only angering aspect was that I had a stupid damn human biology test and had to study so I couldn't do my little "style" thing...These past two days, I have been integrating scarves in my wardrobe. The trendy, "hipster" look is to wear the scarf around the neck...like a golden retriever. I have done that many times myself, but I believe that the scarf as head-wear demands styling attention as it is often time dismissed or deemed either "too outrageous"(see Day 2) or "too casual"(see beach post!). Well, I am trying to prove these ideas incorrect. I am starting a ten-day "Scarf Scandal" during which I will wear head scarves in various ways, showing how they are easily integrated into everyday or special outfits. At the end, I think I'll do a little tutorial about headscarf tying. For instance, in the first look I just knotted a square scarf at the nape of my neck, and since the ends were so long, I kinda twisted them at tied them at the top of my head. In the second look, I used a long rectangular scarf which I folded and wrapped around my head, tying it into a voluminous bow at the side. (bows are in, have you noticed?) Rule of thumb: A Scarf can be printed on any fabric, but IS NEVER a paisley-bandanna print. Those aren't chic and should be reserved for the barn.



Scarf Scandal Day One

Scarf: Old
Bag: Skunk Funk from Betsy
Shoes: F21
Velvet Underground Tee (Snipped by me): Virgin Record Store
Romper: aa
Locket: Ocean Lockets by Hannah Claire Wood

Day Two Of Scarf Scandal

Red "blood Cell" scarf: Mom's
Belt:Pac Sun, ages ago when I was a skater
Sunglasses: random
bag: on sale at UO around two years ago
Wedges: Bp, Nordstrom
Dress: Heritage 1981

fashion inspiration for "bow scarf":
vitamininmotion

Why not join me in my ten-day scarf scandal? What kinda looks can you come up with?