Style Envy: Gwen Stefani

My friend Jen and I were just talking about this last night, so I think this post is fitting.  When I was a kid and No Doubt blew up, I found one of my first fashion icons in Gwen Stefani.  The bindis, the long burgundy nails, the baggy camo pants or adidas track pants paired with crop tops, jeweled bra straps under white tanks or tube tops, lace up boots, rasta wristbands; the lady had style!  Everything she wore was very her.

I later read an interview in which she confessed that her style is not original at all, that she draws inspiration from a mishmosh of things that inspire her, such as the chola girl style in Long Beach when she was in high school, the punk rockers, and old Hollywood style.  I still think that she has a superb eye for arranging her inspirations in a way that works on her.  While it may not be completely original, what is nowadays?  She makes her numerous style inspirations work for her, which I think ends up being unique in its own way.  And that is the kind of fashion philosophy I try to adopt as well.

Liberty Ross

Why do I know so much about the whole Twilight cheating scandal??  Even though brain cells were lost after gaining that useless knowledge, at least now the world knows that the director dude is obviously brain damaged.  I mean, look at this lady!  She has flawless style.  Those Alaia boots!  The Balmain button up!  The fur!  It’s perfection!!

Paris BDay Gift

This is the stuff I adore more than anything.  I’ve gotten more than one complaint from loved ones over the years that I am hard to shop for, because when there is something I want, I just get it myself.  So my usual response is to donate to charity, or to make me something.  The handmade gifts are always my favorites.    

My BFF Danette has taken up both options over the years, which is so rad.  This year, she put together this thoughtful gift set:

[Including handmade jewelry and candle, notebooks, beauty products.  My friends are the best!  They know of my  Frenchy obsession.]