groping at the drive-in show

Is there anything as fun as making out at the drive-in show? too bad most of them are torn down, gone the way that good old things go. In related news, I've recently become aware that my local RiteAid will stop processing and printing film within the next year. What a profound bummer! Hold tight to the old world, folks, for it is rapidly fading. I'm gonna do my part to keep the good old days alive by skating tonight at the local skate rink, and I compiled some oldies just for you. Hope you enjoy the music.

Image from tumblr

clowning around in a jester dress

Hi! Smiles! I am giddy inside because my photos turned out nicely. This film was perfect for capturing  the super sunny Christmas Eve we spent in the Antelope Valley (though this first photo was taken in North Hollywood, and several of the last photos were taken in San Pedro).  I think I'll admit right here that I don't know much about photography, so a good film can make all the difference. I do however know a thing or two about silly vintage dresses, and this vintage mini "jester" dress is no joke.

In this act, I will scratch up my face with Joshua Tree needles.

my favorite photographer (ok, he's my only photographer but still the sentiment stands).

These next photos of the Jester Queen and the Lemon Princess were taken using Fuji Superia 400 speed film, a few days before Christmas. I hung out with my niece for much of the holiday since I was off work for a few days. I'd hardly call it babysitting though. She is my little bud who accompanies me on hikes ill suited for little legs and lets me hound her incessantly with the camera. She'll even trespass for me.  She is welcome addition to the gang - Anna, my tripod, and me. I call her my vanity alibi because when she's in the frame, it doesn't look like I'm obsessively taking photos of myself.  Why, I'm just taking photos of the cutest lil gal ever.

The last photos in my bag of goodies were taken using the "impossible project" film.  It was my first time using this instant film, and I can't say I'm too happy with the results. The images were very faint so I tweaked them a little in Iphoto.

Well, I'm currently warming my buns in front of the wall heater as I type, listening to the Grateful Dead on record, and intermittently nibbling on random bits of food. I'm satisfied.

Outfit: vintage jester mini dress (Wasteland Vintage in Los Angeles, while shopping with this charming little devil.), Calvin Klein pumps (thrifted).

Christmas hard

I am feeling much more festive than I usually do around Christmas time, and I think my outfit choices have a lot to do with it. This vintage dress is Christmas extreme, and the cut reminds me of the dress Veruca Salt wears in Willy Wonka in the Chocolate Factory. Despite the festive feelings brewing in my heart, I think I'm projecting hardness in these photos (probably so dudes don't approach me while I take photos of myself in front of the old Water Factory). Happy Holidays to the hard of heart!

Outfit: vintage xmas extreme babydoll dress (Imonni, my favorite vintage store in Long Beach. Not to brag, but my town of Long Beach has the best, most affordable vintage in Southern California, perhaps even California), Nine West shoes, AA bamboo jersey tights.

Hanukkah Dance

Happy Hanukhah!

festively falling off a mechanical bull

Happy holidays, everybody.

my Peteheart and sweet fruit embroidered Nudie suit in the window of the Hard Rock Cafe store on Hollywood Blvd.

with my former teammates, Vulvarine (left) & Kubo (right)

Suzy Snakeyes in her sensational sparking vintage dress!

like  old times, the backwards version of this photo

Last Friday was the Derby Dolls Christmas Soiree. Pete and I made a date night out of it. We went to Musso & Frank's, Hollywood's oldest restaurant, for a most delicious dinner and old fashioned libations. Then we walked around Hollywood Boulevard and stopped to have our photo taken in L.Ron Hubbard's Winter Wonderland,which was open to the public, before heading over the festivities.

I was excited to see my old skater buddies, but mostly I was excited to ride a mechanical bull for the first time. There are certain activities that I assume I will be naturally good at, mechanical bull riding being one such activity, but alas, El Toro bucked me off instantly without a care in the world for my reputation. Broadzilla told me I was way too stiff, and I guess I was a little self conscious about gyrating atop a mechanical bull. well now I have another new year's resolution. the bull is going down in 2012.

Outfit: 80s angora blue dress, 80s pumps (thrifted), angora cheetah beret (small boutique in Little Tokyo, LA), 1940s plaid coat (recently purchased for $15 at the Rose Bowl Flea Market. It was so cheap on account of a few moth holes. pssh. who cares about moth holes when a coat looks this good? not me!) 

fall colors

the cutest truck I've ever seen. for sale too, but unfortunately not enough room in it for all the babies in my life.

How beautiful is my best friend's mid century neighborhood?! We walked around it on a crisp day, admiring all the amazing architecture, oversized cactus, palm fronds, and trees. I was most struck by all the sweet vintage rides. I am definitely going to do a better photo shoot around her neighborhood soon.

Thanks to Desi for taking my photo with my point & shoot Olympus.

Outfit: teal overalls, 80s cheetah body suit, 60s mohair sweater, Bass oxfords (everything thrifted).

i'll see you at the thrift store

Honest to goodness, this is some of the best/wackiest styling I've seen in a long time - fresh, unexpected, eccentric, and vintage inspired. I'm sure it wasn't the stylist's intention, but the first and third outfit have the hastily put together feel of a thrifted creation. And a lot of the pieces in this editorial remind me of the thrift store too, with its endless supply of tennis skirts, vests (especially of the quilted variety), pointelle sweaters and turtlenecks. I love that I can be inspired by editorials yet turn to the thrift store to fulfill all my sartorial desires.

Images from Fashion Gone Rogue

Hot Dog!

I love this Hot Dog tote, a collaboration with pop artist Kenny Scharf and Jack Rogers.

if wishes were horses

I would ride, ride, ride.

In 2011, I learned how to cook beans (without burning them), how to take, process, and print photographs, I quit smoking, and I decided to live a healthier lifestyle, but 2012 is going to be so much better. In 2012, I’m going to work hard to sell more vintage, get ready to open a store front, and create my own line of urban cowgirl outlaw clothing for gals with untamed hearts. These are my dreams, and I’m sick of letting them sit by the wayside while I work at job that I’m not passionate about. I am scared to take this leap, but I don’t want to be stagnate anymore. I want to live fully. Seeing so many talented gals online jump in the saddle and ride their dreams has really inspired me. If anyone would like to offer any advice or encouragement, feel free to email me or leave a comment.

Much love,

Crystal Lee


Images from Life, tumblr, and flickr (last image. Click for source). The stylish gal in the St. Germain jumpsuit was shopping at the Rose Bowl, and I was so taken with her outfit, I just had to take her picture.