Monday, February 25, 2008

School Girl Chic

I really like this outfit. I feel very schoolgirl-esque. My tights are very burgandy, but the color doesn't show well in the picture. And my hair is a hot mess, but what can ya' do?

My goal for this week is to think up a character and dress her for the day. That might help with my creativity.

Tomorrow I'm thinking something French... a mona outfit perhaps?

Top: Fresco - thrifted
Skirt: H&M
Tights: Via Spiga
Shoes: Forever 21

Bad Azz Biker Sick


I was really sick for quite some time. On Friday I decided I'd had enough of sweats and tee-shirts and so I wore this ensemble.
I'm not quite sure how I feel about the jacket, but the hubby has convinced me to keep it because he's convinced I can do cute things with it. What do you think?
Top: American Apparel
Skirt: American Apparel
Socks: American Apparel
Shoes: Kenneth Cole
Jacket & Sunglasses: Bona Drag

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

The Flu Makes Me Shop

I don't know why, but the flu makes me shop... or at least that's my excuse for the following damage:

leather jacket from Bona Drag and a ring from there as well...

and from AA a skirt, two pairs of the Prada inspired footless socks, and a basic top...

and some vintage flat black boots from eBay...

and a really cute tunic from eBay...

I'm already feeling better. Who needs antibiotics when there are cute things to be purchased!

Friday, February 15, 2008

The Fashionless Fundraiser

It's been a few days since I've posted. Not for lack of thought, but lack of energy I suppose. Anyway, yesterday I went to a big whoop-it-de-doo luncheon for a benefit with some friends from work. The bay areas creme de la creme (at least for this one charity) were all in attendance and the mayor spoke. One thing that totally shocked me was that the monied people (as it was a fundraiser with table prices and things for auction that cost more than some make in a year).

Before we arrive, I was kinda bummed at my ensemble. I didn't buy anything red because I don't really like red clothing and I don't have tons of pink. I ended up with my stripped BCBG dress , Elie Tahari top, and pink top from Italy. All the items you can see on the blog already.

So... we arrive and walk the little red carpet and all I could think was, wow, everyone looks WACK. I mean, this women are ridiculiously wealthy and the most eye catching outfit was on a man in his 50's that was a black zoot suit with hot pink stripes and a black fadora with white feather. Everyone looked plain, boring and like a super sale at Marshall's. What the dealy-o?

I know that money and taste are not always paired together. Still, I couldn't help for drooling at Louboutins, or the latest "it" bag, or at least a really well cut suit... damn. My first "high society" luncheon and I left wondering 1.) how any caterer could make such an awful dish, and 2.) why was no one dressed interesting?

At least on the way back we passed Gucci and Prada, where I stared longingly at items that I will probably never own, and then pass H&M, where I am going tomorrow.

So, this whole adventure leads me to wonder... where does style come from?

(BTW, the fundraiser charity part of the luncheon was amazing. The things that everyday people can do reminds me that we all really can make a difference. Even the smallest thing can help to spark change. )

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Queen Elizabeth Fires Photographer



I feel like Queen Elizabeth in my shirt. You know in the movie with that big ol' white thing around her. Pardon my lack of creativity in the description, but I'm sleepy and ate one too many wasabi chips. My tummy is not happy.



I will have to find somewhere to set up the tripod to take pics because my photographers have been fired (son age 9 and the hubby). Every sweetly phrased pic request is greeted with "again?!" So, fired! Who needs 'em anyway? (Sorry for the craptastic pics, btw.)


So, this is what I was wearing today in pieces. I can't wait to remix this shirt. It's quite the fun piece.

Top: Thrifted
Belt: Thrifted
Pants: H&M
Shoes: Steven

The French Foundation

I have come to the realization that I need an intervention of sorts. A full on literal and philosophical closet make over. I need to trash (or rather donate) many of the items that have not and will not see the light of day. I hold on to them not because they're timeless pieces that will inevitably come back into style, but because... well... I don't really have an excuse why. They take up space and just sit there. There is the hot pink skirt that was perfect in Cancun with it's scandalously delicious shortness, and there is the teal jersey dress that once had silver studs before I washed it in the washing machine... it seemed like a good idea at the time. Anyway, drastic steps are in order!

I have decided to go French. To adopt the French philosophy of dressing which is to purchase a few quality (i.e. expensive) pieces each season and then to build upon those with trend pieces that are less expensive. The theory being that you hold on to the quality pieces longer and classic styles don't go out of fashion. I realize that I have never had this fashion foundation. I believed that more was, well, more -- even when it was cheap and only got 5 good wears. And more is more, but when you're replacing cheap dress after cheap shirt do you really have more? Me thinks not.

My husband, who is French, has a great wardrobe (although since he works at home he's usually wearing sweats and a white tee shirt or shorts and a white tee shirt). He has Dolce & Gabbana shirts that make him look so hot I need a drink of water to cool off. He has Armani leather jackets, and a nice suit... Chanel, I think. Most of his jeans fit him perfectly. And then he has his flashy colored stripped shirts that he bought here or there and a couple of H&M hoodies. But "the good stuff" is in pristine condition and he always looks perfect in it even when it's paired with a $3 tank top. He didn't run out and buy them all at once. I don't even know how long he's had some of them and I wouldn't be able to guess because they are pieces that are timeless. He set the framework with key pieces and then built around them. For him, I'm sure, this was not on purpose or some conscious thought, like it is with me. It's just cultural and that is what you do.

When I lived there (there being Paris) way back when, my friend was a girl L. She was always impeccably dressed. Her pants fit her well, her shirts always matched and she was the most chic 18 year-old I had ever seen. Quickly, I noticed that when I saw her she was often wearing the same thing. And when I was invited to live in her tiny flat with her, I realized that she would go days wearing the same thing, or the same pants at the very least. It did not have the same feeling of "OH MY GAWD, Becky, she is wearing THE SAME thing that she wore yesterday" disgust that most American youth have, which is probably more related to worries of being seen as poor rather than for hygienic reasons. We shopped together and each piece she picked was done with thought. She always looked great. I always looked for the best deal. When she got one shirt, I got 4. We both paid the same amount. (Ok, so I may be embellishing some here, but you get the idea). She always looked flawless and I just did not compare although I had two times the amount of clothing that she did literally with me there in France.

There is no great mystery to the chicness that French women inherently possess, sorry Cosmo, or Marie Claire. It's about quality control. Pick quality pieces that are perfect for your body (which may require tailoring), pay for quality fabric, cut, etc. Build a wardrobe foundation and then you can buy cheap little pieces to punch it up, so that you actually have more than three outfits to wear. I am American. Here we want more. We want the most -- super size my everything and for the cheaper the better! Even if it hangs in our closets, like my hot pink skirt, and never gets worn. I'm given up more in favor of being chic. I am learning that sometimes less is more.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

What She's Wearing



On our way to Target wearing the teal Converse that she picked out herself. Before heading out she insited on her "Chanel" jacket. "This jacket is a darling," she says.


Saturday, February 9, 2008

It's A Jungle in Here


My son had three friends spend the night (ages 9 - 11). That is the equivalent of one tiger, a girrafe, and an elephant crammed into our flat.
Dress: Forever 21
Jeans: 7
Socks: Sock Dreams
Boots: Andiamo

Friday, February 8, 2008

Freaky Friday


My son described my outfit as "weird" and my friend and I made jokes all day at work about flashdance and my needing a bucket of water over my desk. I love legwarmers, and thick socks... and anything that reeks 80's. I lived through them. Isn't it wonderful how fashion reincarnation can take place during the same lifetime?
Top: INC Concepts - thrifted
Skirt: The Gap (the ONLY item I own from TG)
Tights: Via Spiga - Ros
Shoes: My shoe pavillion Mary Jane's

Thursday, February 7, 2008

My $23 Outfit




My outfit today cost $23 for everything! woo hoo! Ok, not inlcuding the Tiffany's necklacce, but everything else. I like my color mix. I would not have work the pink tank under if I had not been going to work.
Dress: $9.00 at Ross
Tank: H&M
Tights: Via Spiga ($3 at ross)
Shoes: $10 Old Navy

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Getting Dressed in the Dark

Getting dressed in the dark is never a good idea. A black skirt with black knee high socks and a brown belt... well, looked like they went well in the dark anyway. The sweater I got at the thrift store near my house. It's new and I think the old lady who runs the place made it. It's cute... kinda. The pockets usually fall out during the day or make me look like an egg, so I don't wear it often. Love the color though.

top: ??
sweater: thrift store (but new)
skirt: Mervyn's (btw, I got a compliment on it at work and when I told the snooty attorney it was from Mervyn's you could just see the look of disgust. Some people!)
socks: ??
shoes: Nine West (and they're grey and open-toed, but who can tell?)

Three points for anyone who can spot the erroneous piece of popcorn in the shot!

What She's Wearing


I thought it would be fun to post pics of my daughter (who is almost three) since she often picks out her own clothing an is quite the little fashionista! Pink leggings and an oversized tee-shirt... heck yea!!! Can you believe an almost three year-old can have this much style?!

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Totally Lusting


One of my newest favorite bloggers, Style Bytes, posted these mohop shoes and now I am totally lusting. I. Must. Have. These. Shoes. Period. I want the wedge style in Walnut. Yes, they are $300 and that totally doesn't jive with being thrift, BUT... if you think of all the different ways you can wear them (they come with 5 ribbons of your choice and we can always find ribbon, right?) then doesn't that really make it like purchasing a few different pairs of shoes?
I am going to bring up the idea with the husband and see what he thinks. I'm thinking of a birthday present for myself (god, am I always thinking of myself... lol) and since they take 4-6 weeks that gives him until March to order them in time (or to okay me to order them in time). Damn, combined finances! lol....
I showed them to my friends at work who were all "meh." So, what do you guys think? Should I just go for it?

After Work Chic


Ok, for the record, I am a size 4/5.
Top: FCUK
White tank: Forever 21
Skirt: Arden B.
Tights: Walgreen's 2/$5
Shoes: Forever 21 (Fashion Toast also has these shoes!)

Monday, February 4, 2008

Mondays & Rainbow Sherbet Colors



I'm not sure why, but my jacket/shirt combination reminds me of rainbow sherbert. I have been thinking about it all day! lol... I am going to start taking pics in a new area of the house because these always look BAD. Ugh.





That said, I got loads of compliments on my outfit today. I mean, the most I have ever gotten at work in one day. The receiptionsit said, "I love the fun ways you find to combine color. It always looks great," which was like THE best compliment of the day.

The skirt is fishtail, but you can't really tell so much. It is my fav skirt and my butt always looks perfecto in it! Gotta love it!

Top: purcahsed in Italy by my mom

jacket: Forever 21

Skirt: BGBG

tights: Walgreens 2/$5

ankle booties: Anne Smith

scarf: Paul Smith

Sunday, February 3, 2008

An Ephinany

I am beginning to realize where the need to reinvent my style is coming from. I may have mentioned before that when I was younger I was very into thrifting and somewhat unique styles. As I got older I continued to dress how I felt most comfortable and then when I became an adult, a mother with a full time job, etc. then I got lazy. Clothing became a necessity because I had to wear something to work.

In the corporate world one's sense of style can become muted forced to comply with "dress codes" and having to forgo casual Fridays. Dressing became boring, or rather I became bored of dressing and so I began to just wear whatever. Now, that's not to say I just got straight bummy and I always dressed for parties, dates, etc., but just at work I really didn't care anymore. I would go through spurts of wanting to be cute at work and then would go back to the same old slacks, worn the same way, and did I really want to dress up for work anyway?

I realize that I was lazy. I always could find an excuse to come up with why I didn't have to make an effort beyond looking decent. I blamed the dress code for lack of choices when, really that just gives me room to be even more creative! I love dresses and skirts and tights and over-the-knee socks. I can totally let my style run free and not worry about what anyone at work thinks. I realize that in certain circumstances I will have to conform and wear a real suit, without brighly colored tights, in colors that mesh and yet clash at the same time with the rest of my outfits, but on a daily basis fashion can be fun again. Clothing can be fun again. Dressing daily can be more than just something one has to do in this society.

And now I have reason to shop!

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Rainy Day Thrifting

It's raining here... again! I thought I would post my ensemble before I head out thrifting. Wish me treasures!

jeans: 7 -- thrifted ($18)
top: bebe (few years ago)
boots: I forget... lol...

Friday, February 1, 2008

The History of My Black Wrap Dress

I think my camera is on its last leg, which is a shame considering I think today is my cutest outfit to date (since the beginning of this blog last weekend anyway). I tried to get hubby who was half-awake to take a pic with no success. :( I get the settings right and now this? Maybe it just needs to be charged. I'm hoping that's the case anyway.

Today I'm wearing a black wrap dress from The Limited I got like 5 years ago. When my grandmother passed away, I planned on wearing a black pants suit to the funeral only to learn that women can't wear pants in the church. See, my dad's side of the family is from the south and they live in a small town, so I was like shocked. The morning of the funeral my dad drove me to the mall, so that I could find something to wear. I was already physically sick and emotionally drained and basically just grabbed the dress and some black stalkings without even trying it on. Well, the dress looks WONDERFUL and has become a staple in my wardrobe. Some people might think it's morbid or whatever, but I don't see it as "granny's funeral dress" and really just as a nice piece of clothing that I happened upon during a sad time. I wear it to work (like today), on the weekends over jeans, and I've even worn it to a wedding. I can dress it up and dress it down, and it's still as black as it was 5 years ago despite relentless washing and going in the dryer too!

Over the black wrap dress I am wearing an army green/gray/khaki men's Dolce & Gabbana shirt (courtesy of hubby). It fits him like a glove and is moderately big on me. I tied the waist and it looks very military style and I like it. I think he was too tired to notice I had it on because I'm sure he would be cranky since it's his favorite shirt. lol... I tired to "borrow" one of his AX belts with a huge buckle but, alas, it was WAYYYY too big. Oh well...

With the dress and shirt, I have black tights and brown vintage ankle boots. My first shoes were a vintage pair of boots in gray, but they're too small and have been since I got them on eBay. They will be going back on eBay this weekend, sadly.

Anyway, a ramble with no pictures. Hopefully I can rectify the situation later today. In the meantime, I have not one thing to work on at work (how lame is that?) so I will be scouring the fashion blogs and hoping the two pairs of shoes I ordered online this week arrive today!