come to the sunshine

 

Though I originally intended to sell this 80s romper, after styling it, I think I’ll hold on to it for a while.  It’s a versatile piece - perfect for layering or wearing solo on hot carefree summer days. I think it will be a most welcome piece when I’m in Mississippi at the end of June. When styling this outfit, I was inspired by this brilliant get up by APC from Spring 2013.

For those in the states, yippe for longer sunlight hours! Enjoy the sunshine. Here's a song to welcome warmer days:


Photos by my pal, Hector

Outfit:  vintage 70s sweater (gifted/thrifted), vintage 80s romper (thrifted), vintage sandals (La Bamba vintage, Long Beach).

New in Shop: Summer Play

Vintage Contempo Casuals 2-piece set

90s Express Tweed Bralette Top/50s Rust Red Folkloric Skirt

80s Pastel Plaid Jumpsuit Shorts S/M

50s/60s Turquoise Polka Dot Mini Skirt w/Attached Bloomers

60s Denim Overall Dress (Sold)

90s Moschino Novelty Shorts * Peace, Love, Anarchy *

I’ll be adding lots of summer fun time vintage clothing to the shop this week. Here’s just a handful. Some of these pieces you may recognize, as they used to belong to my wardrobe and were proudly displayed on the blog. But now it's time to share the wealth.

Models: Avalon Lopez (the gal in the first photo, who I’ve known for 16 years, her entire life. She’s interested in being a model, so please contact me if you’d like to work with her.) Courtney Rauchle, and Nettily Fleures.

Styling: me
 Photography by Jill Johnson.

spring time bicycle accidents and pink polyester

Maybe it’s not technically quite spring time in southern California, but mentally I’ve already moved on from winter, and what better way to welcome my second favorite season (after summer) than a leisurely bicycle ride around town. So on Saturday, a bright and relatively warm day, we went apartment hunting on two wheels. (We’re looking for a smaller pad with bigger closets).  It was all spring flowers and birds chirping until my little heart shaped purse that hung from my wrist got caught in my front spokes and over I went.  At least, I think I went over the handlebars. I don’t really recall. I’m bruised and wounded on my right side, and yes, I’ve been bragging about my injuries all weekend. Thank goodness for my agility, as I recovered pretty quickly.  But I still pampered myself after the accident with a beer from the Belmont Brewing Company on the pier, a chili dog from Felony Frank’s food truck, and a soft serve ice cream from the ice cream truck, which featured an airbrushed imaged of a gangster Mickey Mouse on its side panel.

Then Pete and I kicked it underneath a gaudy (in a good way) mural along the bike path, the perfect backdrop for my equally gaudy outfit, enjoying our treats and the last rays of sunshine.

Outfit: vintage pink polyester plaid top; vintage purple shorts, chambray Keds (thrifted), 60s costume jewelry bracelet (cast out by my friend, Stacy, and lovingly scooped up by me), pink sunnies (Linda Farrow for Dries Van Noten via Gilt).

favorites

Hiya buds,

I've been sharing my outfits on this here blog for quite some time now (3+ years), and I don’t think I’ve ever done a round up of my favorites. So here it is. In compiling my favorite outfits, I'm realizing that maybe there is some consistency to my taste after all: polka dots, cigarette pants, sheer 50s tops, western ties, and bright colors. I’m shrinking my wardrobe, but pieces like these will remain because I feel happy when I wear them, and that’s important to me.

My blogging rhythm has been off since I got sick a few weeks back, so here’s some recent happenings to update you:

- I went to the Joffrey Ballet’s performance of “The Rite of Spring” recently. I had never seen “The Rite of Spring” performed before, so it was quite a thrill to watch. Thinking on the outrage that the Parisians  felt upon watching this avant garde piece in 1913 always makes me chuckle. The Joffrey Ballet also performed a very romantic piece filled with many beautiful backbends called “After the Rain” that I never wanted to end. Bonus: Christina Hendricks from Mad Men was right behind me in the will call line. She’s just as gorgeous in person!  

- I’ve been going to Bikram Yoga more frequently these days, and have enjoyed the meditative aspect of it. Also, it feels good to sweat out all the toxins (ie: cupcakes and cookies). I will, admit, however, that the routine at Bikram can get a little boring. I’d like to balance this with some dance classes.

- I’ve been working hard to get some more pieces in the shop. Last weekend, I teamed up with Fancy Disaster in a photoshoot of our vintage clothing. We had about 5 models, and it was so fun to style and hang out with these gals. Photos to come soon.

- I’m going to Big Sur for my birthday at the end of April, and I can’t wait.

- I’m getting so excited for my summer road trip along the Blues Highway, which will start in Memphis, TN, go through Mississippi, and end in New Orleans, Louisiana. It’s going to be hot and humid, so I’ll probably just be wearing lots of white cotton dresses and my reliable Keds. 

Well, I’m looking forward to a super sunny weekend. Do ya’ll have any trips planned that you’re excited about or anything that you’ve done recently that has made you giddy? 

Happy Friday!

cowgirl cool

 I love how very many variations there are in cowgirl attire. I can definitely get behind this remarkable styling. Images via Fashion Gone Rogue.

happy Chinese New Year, buckaroos.

  

photos by Sniderdoodles.

 I’ve been wearing this two-piece Chinoiserie get up a lot recently both to celebrate the Chinese New Year and because I don’t wear it enough. I think it’s been sitting in my closet for years without wear, and that kind of wardrobe neglect is shameful, especially because I really like the cut and pattern. Lately, I’ve been wearing different cuts and styles, while simultaneously purging/selling a lot of vintage clothing that my butt and tastes have outgrown.  It’s been liberating and fulfilling to try new things and also to let go. I’ve been craving a more simplified lifestyle, which is one big reason why I chose to dye my hair back to brown. It was getting to be too much maintenance and dough going to the hair saloon every 6 weeks or so.

But the changes I’ve been trying to institute in my life haven’t been limited to just my wardrobe  choices. I’ve also been attempting to add some grace to my personality. I’ve been a rough neck for most life, and I could use a little softening. After all, I’m not a young gal growing up in a poor neighborhood anymore. I’m not playing roller derby anymore. Getting heated isn't doing me any good. I’ve been meditating on the word “grace” and visualizing Audrey Hepburn when I feel I’m about to lose my cool or tell someone off, and you know what, it seems to be working.

I reinvent myself often, and I love that life affords me the opportunity. With clothing and personality, we are not committed to any one way. I am free, and I am blessed.

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be”   - Lao Tzu  

Outfit: thrifted 2-piece. J Crew ballet flats. 

Darklands

Stayed home today with a sore throat and achey body, listening to The Jesus and Mary Chain's 1987 "Darklands" and The Smith's eponymous 1984 album, and somehow created some images that  vaguely recall the album covers of both of these languid favorites.