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.

I let the stars get in my eyes, I let the moon steal my heart.

The cutest cowgirl sweetheart polka dot dress is listed in the shop now. A perfect dress for twirling, square dancing, or just plain gettin’ rowdy! It features ruffle cap sleeves, three tiers, and blue ric-rac trim. I will be (slowly) adding more pieces to the shop, so stay tuned for more updates.

Here’s some music from Goldie Hill, the golden hillbilly, which will serve as the theme song for this lovely cowgirl dress. It's also one of my favorite songs to sing along with.

in the industrial zone

Pete’s hot rod shop has always been like a playground to me. On our first date, (we met up at his shop), I was charmed by a vintage car raised in the air, and just had to climb up into it - a move that Pete claims won his heart.  The over-sized wrench in this post fascinated me as well. “Wowser, this a big wrench!,” I exclaimed.  “I have an even bigger one”, he replied. My mind was blown.

 I shoplifted my Elvis button from the mall when I was in 7th grade during the era when I insisted that all my teachers call me “Elvis.” If you are taken aback by my confession that I shoplifted this button, don’t worry, I have already made good on my cosmic retribution - my special keepsake was lost from my life for several years. You can imagine my happiness when I found it again.

My vintage burgundy Vision Street Wears are getting a lot of wear. I think they might be my favorite pair of shoes. I’d like to find another pair for when I run these ones into the ground.

I hope ya’ll had a beautiful weekend!

Outfit: vintage wool shorts, 50s coat, vintage gray sweatshirt (thrifted), Elvis button (shoplifted), Vision St. Wear high tops (Ebay).  

omg, I'm trendy

Look at me, I’m trendy. Socks and sandals, and round glasses. I like that it’s become acceptable to wear socks with sandals because I can finally show off my cute socks in their entirety, but I still feel a little uncomfortable sporting this trend. As a self-proclaimed rebel, I’m kind of embarrassed to be following the latest trends, especially one that was once considered so heinous. I am, however, much more comfortable embracing the round glasses trend. These round glasses are so unique anyway, and they are foldable! Does anyone know what era they hail from?  I’m thinking the 1930s. I had the lenses put in because they were prescription glasses originally. I hope I don’t break them because they’ve become a fast favorite.

I’m wearing my mother’s turquoise fair isle sweater, an item she wore my entire life. My mom definitely did not take part in the game of fashion, but she made a good choice in holding on to this sweater for so long. In step with my usual untidy appearance, I’ve forgotten to button the neckline of this sweater. But what does it matter anyway, I’m sure one day it will be trendy to purposefully forgo the little details.  Fashionistas will consciously leave their fly zippers down or tuck their dresses into their tights all in pursuit of following the latest trend, and then I shall declare, I did it here first.

You know what’s not trendy - wearing hiking shorts for actual hiking. That’s what I’ve been doing with these shorts since I thrifted them a few weeks back.  Practical and cute, they are just what my wardrobe has been missing.

Are there any trends that you were once hesitant about that you now find yourself embracing?

Til next time, stay cool.

xoxo,

Crystal Lee

 Outfit: vintage hiking shorts (thrifted), sandals (La Bamba vintage, Long Beach), fair isle vintage sweater (mom’s), vintage sunglasses (antique mall),  Happy Socks.

a happy sweater for the cold days

One of my dear friends, Mikey, thrifted this sweater for me as a birthday gift when I turned 19 years old, and it will always hold a special place in my heart & my wardrobe. With its cheerful image of a zany gal riding backwards on her bike, it’s the perfect pick me up sweater for those chilly winter days. This has been a particularly cold winter in California (at least that’s what my bones are saying), and I need happy clothes and good times to get me through the dreary days.

My weekend was most ideal, making this winter season seem not so bad at all really.  Most of my weekend was spent in Santa Monica and its environs. Friday night was spent listening to funny man John C. Reilly and friends perform country music at the Sanctuary, a quaint little church with high ceilings in Santa Monica. The vibe was perfectly old-timey, like something out of Oh Brother Where Art Thou, with the performers singing on a raised stage into an old fashioned microphone. The acoustics were heavenly.  I was pleasantly surprised that one of the guest singers was Willie Watson from the Old Crow Medicine Show.  What a voice! Speaking of amazing voices, John C. Reilly also did several duets with one Becky Stark (of Lavender Diamond & the Living Sisters), whom I’ve never heard of before, but she had the voice of an angel, reminiscent of Anita Carter. She did the most beautiful rendition of Dolly Parton’s “My Blue Tears.” John C. Reilly and friends also sang covers from The Stanley Brothers, Faron Young, and the Everly Brothers. And it was a donation only event, which is way cool in my book. On Saturday evening, Pete and I again rode the 405 Fwy to watch outlaw country artist Steve Earle perform at Royce Hall at UCLA.  He is one of my favorites, and I never tire of his gritty, gravelly voice. Coincidentally the Living Sisters, of whom Becky Stark is a singer, opened up for him. She has such a beautifully versatile voice; at times it reminded me of Dusty Springfield and sometimes Margon Timmins from the Cowboy Junkies. Apparently, the Living Sisters have garnished a lot of attention with their version of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.”  I couldn’t be happier that Los Angeles is embracing roots music, and that we have a pretty amazing country music scene all year round.

Sunday, we again traversed the 405 Fwy to hike the Santa Monica Mountains at the Will Rogers State Park. Gosh, it was a gorgeous hike, offering views of the Pacific Ocean, the Pacific Palisades, even downtown Los Angeles could be seen in the distance. This year, I want to hike a whole lot more, and my hike in the Santa Monica Mountains (probably 3 miles) was a pleasant start. After our hike, Pete & I went to the Apple Pan (Thanks Mr. Tiny for the tip!) in West Los Angeles. I never eat burgers, but I made an exception for their famous Hickory Burger. I give it a 10 out of 10!  And of course, you know I had the apple pie (yum!).  The Apple Pan is a tiny joint with limited seating, but Pete & I were lucky enough to arrive when there were plenty of seats available. Major score!

I usually don't fare so well in the winter time - I battle with seasonal depression, but this winter has been different. I have tried really hard not to complain too much about the cold and the lack of light. Instead, I've just tried to go out more, have fun, get exercise and remain positive. At one point during the performance, John C. Reilly, quoted a priest who once inspired him with these words "It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness."  I believe this is also a Chinese proverb. In any case, I am really going to try to live by these words for this winter and beyond.

Did you do anything fun this weekend?  How do you deal with the winter chills?

Outfit: 50s wool skirt ($10 at Vet’s Flea Market), vintage knit sweater, vintage plaid shirt, vintage sandals (thrifted), Hue tights.