we would have been friends alright

I was pretty much floored when i saw Karlheinz Weinberger's 1960s photos of Swiss rebel youth via refinery 29. What style! Dig the over-sized bullet chain necklace, the massive belt buckles, and the 50s cowboy boots. I love how they exaggerate the 50s, creating a style all their own. You can buy the book here, but it's not available until February 8, 2011. I will definitely be buying myself a copy.

one classy broad

I happily spent many frivolous hours today with two of my best buds, Mikey & Jesse. It was quite a treat. We started our day with breakfast at Dale's 50s Diner in Long Beach. I had never been there before, but it was the perfect venue for a classy broad like myself. As soon as we walked through the door, I insisted that Mikey take a picture of me in the red mock hot rod. Later, I posed on the blue vinyl car seat because it so perfectly matched my new pumps. (Notice the tag on the bottom of my shoes)



After breakfast, we headed to the Long Beach Veteran's Flea Market for a day of silliness and consumerism. The first item I bought (within 5 minutes of entering the flea market) was a pair of vintage gold glitter round sunglasses (the ones I'm wearing in today's post) which ended up slipping off my face continuously throughout the day. The arms do not have any curves, so my nose is just about the only thing holding the glasses up, which I fear is going to resurrect a nose twitch I once had, if I'm not careful. I did not buy the psychedelic fur coat that both Mikey and I are playing dress up in, but I thought about it. I love to have a toothpick in my mouth a lot of the time because it keeps me from smoking, and because like I said, I'm a classy broad.



We spent many blissful hours strolling around the flea market and playing dress up. I left with 4 incredible dresses, all pretty affordable, including a 1930s bias floral dress. I can't wait to show them to you in a future post.

Later that day, Jesse and I got some sandwiches from the Italian Deli, and went back to his house so that I could watch tv on his 50" screen. Pete & I don't have reception at our house, so we don't ever watch television, which is probably a good thing because tv is addicting!!! I pretty much forced Jesse to sit through Jersey Shore. Like a good friend, he cut me off after an hour because I was getting sucked in big time, plus he hates that show. Next we watched "In Living Colour" and then "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." I really had to pry myself from the couch so that I could get home in time to do some much needed chores.

ok, friends, I'm off to the back room to try on my new dresses. until next time, enjoy yourself.

Outfit: 50s dress (thrifted), 80s Lacoste belt (thrifted), 80s navy cross-body purse, Nine West blue pumps.

the milk of human kindness & an autumn outfit

Hiyeee!!!!!

My outfit of bold colors encourages the milk of human kindness, and that is a good thing. Yesterday, when I wore this outfit, I noticed an increase in smiles and hellos from strangers, and I believe my outfit was somehow responsible. How is my outfit responsible, you ask? Well, it stands out and, thus, promotes conversation. Also, it suggests an openness; I look like the kind of person who can return a smile. My dad always uses his outfits to open up the doors to conversation, so that he can make friends and minister to people. I guess that’s where I get it from. Somewhere, I have a picture of my dad wearing a white suit with lavender button down and lavender socks, and another picture of with him patriotically donning a white suit with an American flag tie in front of an American flag. I have similar silly sensibilities when it comes to fashion. Anyway, somehow my outfit made me feel sunnier than usual, and I saw the world through mustard amber lenses. I wonder, in your communities, do you notice whether or not people say hello to each other? I find that it is a rarity amongst my age group, especially in Los Angeles. A gal might look me & my outfit up and down, but it’s doubtful that she will show her humanity with the simple gesture of a smile or greeting. I admit I give the once over too, but I really try daily to be more friendly, and less reserved, and if my outfits can help me reach this goal, then, cool.


So what am I wearing: a 50s acrylic floral sweater, 60s orange pencil skirt, and new mustard top by Apostrophe (everything thrifted). Nine West shoes. Jewelry: Vintage earrings (thrifted), seahorse 50s style pin (vintage store in Nashville), ) and new book necklace from The Black Spot Books. The book necklace is made from old books, and contains paper that can actually be used. I’m going to have Pete write something on the first page, though he’s gonna have to write awful tiny.


I’m posing in front of what used to be my favorite book store ever “Acres of Books”, located in downtown Long Beach. It closed down about 2 years ago & has just been sitting there all lonely & abandoned. It was a massive, old, building filled with the best literature, and the intoxicating smell of musty books. I used to hang out there for hours. It reminded me of the bookstore that Audrey Hepburn’s character worked in in Funny Face, before she became a high-tone fashion model.

You may notice my puffy eyes & rubbed raw red nose in these photos. I have been suffering from serious allegeries these last couple of days, which I don’t understand. I should be immune since I’ve spent most of my life in thrift stores or outdoors.

Hello, Goodbye, Smiles, and Happy Friday!

Crystal Lee

Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race. ~H. G. Wells

I’ve had such a fun weekend, including my first trip to Hollywood’s oldest restaurant, Musso & Frank’s, with Elliott and Snide (Judy Gloom), Dee-Dee Ramone art exhibit with Pete, Long Beach Flea Market, my niece’s ballet, and I spent most of Sunday redecorating & cleaning the house (I still have loads to do).

Also, my bike got a full make-over. I just got it back from Elliott, who cleaned, tuned, and styled it. (Thanks a lot, bro) Pete had taken it to get powder coated beforehand. (Thanks, Petey) It looks just as I imagined it would. I’m so excited to go for a long ride, though I’ll have to wear bicycling shorts, because the new Brook’s saddle makes my crotch go numb. It’s been such a long time since I’ve gone on a proper biking adventure!

Outfit: what I think is a 50s dress, though I have some doubts, because the print is a little dark for the 50s. gray wool boyfriend blazer from the 90s, I reckon. 90s ankle boots. (everything thrifted)

I hope ya’ll had a great weekend!

my 50th post!

Hot dog, I can't believe I've already created 50 posts on this here blog! Well, I've got so many more outfits to show you, random thoughts and adventures to share, so I think I'll be around a while. How do you like my innards & outards so far?




This pink & orange (a color combination I adore) 50s dress was another recent thrift store score from Lancaster. Paired with my beloved vintage Calvin Klein pumps, and pink AA tights, I'm a regular tropical vixen.

This Labor Day weekend, Pete & I going on a mini-vacation/road trip along historic & scenic Highway 395. We leave early tomorrow morning. One of my summer goals was to explore more of California, and I think I've been doing a good job of that. (Though, I've been slacking on my summer goal of running naked through the forest.) I've yet to explore this Hwy and the quaint old towns along the way. There's so much to see including the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, which is home of the oldest living trees on Earth; Bodie, the best preserved ghost town in California, existing in a state of "arrested decay"; Mono Lake, which is over 700,000 years old, ringed by old and new volcanoes, and containing some awe-inspiring limestone formations called the tufa towers. We intend to drive all the way up to Yosemite National Park, another destination, which I'm shamed to say, I have not explored. I haven't even packed, but I know I will be donning a turn-of-the-century dress that I bought from Secret Lake, a wonderland of beautiful vintage clothing, for $10! I think I'll wear this dress to Bodie Ghost Town & hope to get some good pictures, though I'm not a very good photographer(need to work on that).

Americans, have a great Labor Day weekend - I hope you too have Monday off. Traditionally, I know Labor Day marks the end of the summer for us, but I'm holding on for as long as I can. Everyone else, have a beatific weekend as well!

Ciao for now.

photos by Tor Saharopulos.

It' a Girl!

I find myself dressing like a bona fide girl as of late.

This 50s baby blue beaded wiggle dress has pockets, and never unwrinkles -- it must be linen.


90s pale "Guess" dress. It's hard to see the print because the dress is a pale pastel green. I'm generally not a big fan of 90s dresses (unless they're 90s executive) but I like the cut, color, & simplicity of this one.




I'm going to see Lucinda Williams perform at the Queen Mary in Long Beach tonight. I am so excited; she is one of my favorites, up there with Neil Young. Chrissie Hynde’s new band, Chrissie Hynde, J.P. & the Fairground Boys, will be performing also.

Outfit # 1 - everything thrifted but Aldo shoes.
Outfit # 2 - everything thrifted (pics by Tor Saharopulos)

The older I get, the younger I dress.

I wore this Lolita-esque outfit the other day. I really don’t care about “age-appropriate” dressing; I’m 31, by the way. In fact, I take some pleasure in imaging my older self donning teenage garb, mortifying the youth and my fellow septuagenarians. This outfit is not that crazy or anything, but if you cut my head off, I’d look about 12, I reckon.
Fashion magazines are always advising women on what they should wear given their particular age. I say, wear what you want always.
wearing 50s shirt, shorts, and vintage oxfords. (All thrifted)

Pictures taken by my boyfriend, Pete.