J. Crew Obsession

I have written in a previous post about my newfound affinity for the Jenna Lyons-helmed J. Crew.  Here's a toned-down version of an inspired look, that I rocked for a beautiful mimosa brunch with friends last weekend:

[Necklace, denim top, pleated skirt- J. Crew, Yellow silk clutch is vintage J. Crew.  Rose gold watch- Marc by Marc Jacobs.  Patent stiletto pumps- Nine West. Pointless story about these pumps:  These are a knock of the Manolo Blahnik model, which I actually own in black.  They look and feel exactly the same, despite a wide price disparity.  I was in Court the other morning for a hearing, and another attorney asked if they were Ferragamo.  These shoes are ubiquitous.  I should've just picked up a knock off version of the black pair as well.]

Here's my best impressions of Jenna Lyons, neither of which ever made it out the front door:

Vintage Dream

The other night, I had a vivid, crazy dream with this cool image that kept cropping up.  I'm pretty sure I saw an art piece like this in passing somewhere, and it just never left me.  I woke up in the middle of the night with the image still etched in my mind, so I busted out a pencil and bristol paper, got the initial sketch going, and went from there.  By about 4 am, this is what I had:

I wasn't going to add a backround, but lately it's been kind of my thing to fill in a weird, unexpected backround color on my paintings.  Gold felt right for this piece.  I have the sickest shimmery gold shade, but I tested it on this type of paper, and it was horrendous.  So I mixed a deep purple shade and threw some make up glitter on it.  Here's the end game:

This ended up reminding me of my friend Danette, because she loves vintage fashion from this time period.   Danette is my old college roomate.  She has become one of my BFFs, and is one of the kindest, most understanding and supportive people I know.  She's one of those people you can count on for anything.  Over the years, she has proven to be an especially thoughtful and creative gift-giver.  From a pile of amazing books carefully picked to fit my personality, to a Paris-themed gift basket, to a surprise housewarming care package.  I definitely dropped the ball when I got her and her husband a stupid  knife set for their wedding.  So I handed this off to Danette for her early BDay present this year.  It's more her vibe anyway.

Style Envy: Diane Kruger

Diane Kruger was Frau Hammersmark in Inglourious Basterds.  I have no idea what else she has been in, but every time I see pics of her at events, her look is impeccable.

Even for her casual looks, she injects a certain European element.  The best I can describe this, is the ability to mix severely contrasting pieces and making the outfit as a whole look wearable.  This is something I have been trying to master with my own look over the past few years.  I love what she did with the prom skirt here, you barely even notice that the skirt is such a formal piece:

[Cropped T-shirt/ Prom skirt combo.  Stripes/ Patterned bag/ Python sandals combo.  Perfection.]

[Vintage-y dress/ sneakers combo is so offbeat and chic.  How is it possible to be so cute???]

This evening look.  OMG, I die.

[Every element of this look is flawless.  The red lip and nails are the perfect finishing touches.]

Summer Whites

It’s late August in L.A., and it has been HOT.  Like mid-90s hot every single day.  Naturally, I revert to summer whites for as long as I can before Labor Day.  Although, I suspect it will remain hot for quite a bit into September, in which case I will make an exception to the rule of No White After Labor Day.  Who made up that rule anyway?  Whoever did it must have done it way before global warming starting rearing its ugly head.

I like spicing up an entire white outfit with cool shoes or accessories.  Here are some random examples which I think are great combos:

[I got this from an old InStyle I found while cleaning out my room at my parent's house.  Guess which year this is from.  I think this could still work today, and would look great.  This is some soap actress from 1997.]

[Oh Tori Spelling.  Did anyone else used to watch her show NoTORIous?  I thought is was hysterical.  This is another one that I think would work very well today.  Most of this looks vintage to begin with though, save for the obviously late 90's-era platform sandals.]

[This one's more recent.  I LOVE the tan wedge/cross-body bag/ long white blazer combo.]

Vintage

I was watching Shahs of Sunset recently (don’t judge), and the rat-faced girl who screams at everyone made some comment about how “you just can’t get the stink out of used clothes.  It’s always there.”

As rat-faced as she is, I can’t help but agree to an extent.  I can’t go thrifting, even though I think some cute hipster pieces can be found if you look for it, because I just can’t get over the weird smells and second-handness. 

On the flipside, I think I have written before about how I love a great mix of high and low end.  When high-end pieces transcend into “vintage,” it is glorious!  The piece can be worked in with modern pieces, it is one of a kind, and truly shows off a person’s eye for fashion.

[Seen at a couture consignment shop in Beverly Hills.  Cute!  The vintage 70's closure bugs me, but thinking about it.]