i got stripes.

Hiya folks!
   
      Yesterday, I spent the day trying to get a decent self-portrait for the portrait class I’m taking. I guess the photos turned out ok, but for my sour face, which I always end up wearing in an attempt to ward off lurkers when I’m out shooting on my lonesome. At least I got some clear shots of my outfit. The weather has been brisk but not too cold this winter, allowing me to wear a shorts and coat combo. I’m wearing my favorite red 50s shorts with a cream 50s coat that I recently thrifted, and just a week after thrifting an identical black one! It’s been lucky days at the thrift store. To complete this 50s flavored outfit, I’ve topped my head with a pink beret of the same era.

    I’ve been having some nostalgic fun times lately, perhaps in an effort to resurrect my usual sunny self.  Recently, I dined at Sizzler’s restaurant in the town of Orange, where I spent my teenage years.  With every bite of cheesy toast, fried shrimp, chocolate mousse, my memories were revived. Most vividly, I recalled my mother’s insatiable appetite - always trying to get her money’s worth, she piled her plate precariously high each trip to the salad bar, which I never quite understood since it was all you can eat.  Though I expected the trip to Sizzler’s to be simply for nostalgia sake, I found myself raving about my meal in the same embarrassing way my mother would have - for too long and with too much enthusiasm. That same weekend, Pete and I went to Disneyland! It was a rainy day and I accidently wore slippery soled shoes, literally sliding into Tomorrowland, taking Pete along with me. It was funny, but it hurt.  Disneyland looms large in my memory, not just because I am a southern California native, but because I grew up down the street. Before going to Dland, I took Pete on a tour of the apartment complex that I grew up in, where my brothers and I used to jump the fence to pick strawberries from the strawberry field, to the annoyance of the field workers who would sometimes throw stink bombs at us.  Even though I lived just a few minutes from the Happiest Place on Earth, my neighborhood was pretty rough. Never wanting to be taken for a coward, it seemed I was always having to fight off some bully. At Disneyland, my favorite ride is Big Thunder Mountain. I’m a roller coaster lightweight, so Big Thunder Mountain is about my limit. I even think it has gotten faster, but it could just be that I’m becoming more of a wuss.
 
Outfit: chambray Keds, Ralph Lauren striped shirt, 50s cream coat (thrifted), 50s red shorts (Etsy), 50s pink beret (vintage store in Toronto).

when the angels are curling your hair and the devil is scratching your heel.

Vintage 70s space dyed sweaters always sell, and I don’t usually keep any for myself because I generally do not have a very “boho” style, but I’m afraid I might be keeping this long blue hooded one, even though I had every intention of selling it when Stacy took these photos. I’ve been wearing it with everything including a 1930s white eyelet dress, and then with cut off jean shorts with over the knee knit socks. These photos were taken in my favorite little neighboring town, San Pedro, on an overcast day when the sun shyly peaked through to say hello.

The Woody Guthrie convention at the University Southern California and ensuing celebration concert at Club Nokia was a rewarding and exhilarating experience. I learned so much about my hero and his time spent in Los Angeles. My only wish was that there would have been more folks at the convention and more minorities at the concert. I felt pretty embarrassed to be surrounded by only white faces, especially when Woody Guthrie was a social activist for all Americans, which he demonstrated in his songs and his actions, and he’s so relevant today what with all the home foreclosures, and homeless folks, and people out of work, and heartless immigration policies. The highlight of the day was when Ramblin” Jack Elliott, a buddy to Woody Guthrie, performed. He covered Woody Guthrie’s “Pretty Boy Floyd” with so much heart, drawling out the lyrics, that I couldn’t help but tear up. Jackson Brown impressed me too with his song “You know the Night” based on a long love letter that Woody Guthrie had written his second wife, Marjorie. More than ever, I want to write songs like these.

I took photos of this weekend’s outfits, and they turned out mighty cute too I might add, but my SD card got corrupted somehow, so I won’t be able to show em’ to you. I took a few film photos from this weekend that I will show you once they’re processed. I’m definitely gonna recreate my outfits soon because I hate for a good outfit to go to waste. Hope you’re well.

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).

summertime after hours

some uncharacteristically placid photos of me. After 8 hours in an office everyday, it's so nice to be able to spend some time outdoors after work.

I have yet to set sail in Elliott's sailboat, but I'm hoping to get around to it sometime this Summer. These photos were taken after work in San Pedro, my favorite town, which I've mentioned frequently on this blog. I guess I love it because it's an old port town, nearly desolate, and Bukowski used to frequent all the dive bars there.

I recently thrifted both of these dresses. The first dress is from the 70s and features red poppies. The second dress is a 50s wiggle dress. I don't generally wear all black because 1) I'm not trying to look any skinnier and 2) it's too somber for my personality, but this time, it went quite well with the overcast sky.

I have been having incredible luck at the thrift stores. A couple of days ago, I scored a Versace Denim jumper dress. It's unbelievable & fits just right. I'll show it to you soon.

Oh ya, I'll be selling at the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena this Sunday with Fancy Disaster Vintage. I have really amazing stuff in stock, so come on out if you get a chance. Plus, I'd love to meet you.

until next time ....

a birthday hangout sesh

It's my birthday today (same day as Carol Burnett) but I've been having little birthday hanging out sessions since Saturday, and I've still got more to come. On Saturday, I spent the day with my very good pals, Jesse, Stacy, Hector & Elliott (Pete was out of town on work) and we made out way to Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro to skip stones, pose on the rocks, explore, and celebrate me! Thank goodness Jesse & Elliott brought their cameras, cause I took a bunch of pictures, even though my film was not advancing properly. There were many signs that my camera wasn't working right, but I was blinded by wishful thinking, as I so often am. Nevertheless, I had a blissful time with my buds, and I am quite happy to be alive. These photos are from Jesse's camera & taken by Jesse & Stacey. Elliott has yet to develop his film.

I also went to Cirque du Soleil's "Quidam" on Sunday with Pete, Desi, Keenan, and Mikey, which was most inspiring, and I left the convention center half believing I could contort my body like that when I got home, but no such luck. Again, regret over not joining the circus as a child. but still happy to be alive.

Outfit: vintage floral western top, 50s skirt, 60s coat (thrifted), vintage western bow tie (etsy), ballet flats (Nordstrom rack)