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.]

Cute Cute Cute

I think this image again reinforces my theory that untalented people happen to have more time and effort to put into clothes.

Checked Blazer

I love blazers.  I have them in prob every professional color there is.  Does anyone know where I can get this one?  It's Alice & Olivia.  It's not on their website anymore, and I've tried searching everywhere.  Bergdorf Goodman looks like the last retailer to carry it, and it looks like even they are out.

[This entire outfit is such an excellent combo.]

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.]

Ode to LA

             If you know me, it is no secret that I am absolutely in love with this city.  In fact, on a worldwide scale of cities I have been fortunate enough to visit, LA takes a backseat only to my no. 1- Paris, but is still ahead of San Francisco, Beijing, and London.  LA is wonderful in part for the same reason as any of these cities: endless resources and culture right at your fingertips.  It falls in line that the shopping is amazing here!

            One of my fave shopping spots here is Westfield Topanga.  This is up in the Valley, Woodland Hills.  Although I love Hollywood too, the Valley is not exactly the 7^th ring of hell as Ari Gold would often describe it to be.  It’s actually got some amazing restaurants and shopping.  And you don’t have to worry about parking! 

[So rich, so pretty!  I'm sure Mickey Avalon wasn't talking about these, but it applies!]

              It's a massive space filled with high to low end and everywhere in between.  My personal faves- H&M, Zara, Burberry, BCBG, Marciano, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus. There is also a macaroon kiosk that serves up my most sought-after French dessert in the world!

  

              The boutiques on Melrose- Lots and lots of cute, reasonably priced boutiques that usually contain unique items.  There’s the high end shops in between too.  I love popping into Alexander McQueen and looking at the amazing clothing artwork, or going across the street and perusing Marc Jacobs, and also the more affordable but still cute off brand, MARC by Marc Jacobs.  Fun bonus: a great little bar is just around the corner, on La Cienaga called the Roger Room. 

                Beverly Center- WAY more built for actual shopping than the nearby Grove.  Even the Wet Seal looks upscale inside the Bev Center.  Lots of variety just like the Westfield Topanga. 

                Third Street Promenade- Santa Monica.  This recently renovated space has two of my faves: AllSaints and Ever.  Really pretty, open air space a stone's throw from the beach:

[I mean this AllSaints...]

[...not this one.]

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.]

Tattoos & High Fashion

[Not a lot of things are hotter than tattoos peeking out of a well-tailored suit. I'm not talking about a Fall Out Boy-esque suit with a stupid hat and Chuck Taylors.  A real suit.]

I love tattoos. I have since I was a kid, and saw my first punk rocker.  I remember tugging on my mom’s dress and saying I want “that”- the skull tattoo on the woman’s arm.  I could imagine my mom’s expression was like, “Oh boy.” 

            I know tattoos are not everyone’s cup of tea.  But I imagine people who don’t like them have never liked them, and thus illogically assume people who do like them will regret having them in the long term.  These people are entitled to their wrong opinions. haha

Moving away from the full-on rock aesthetic of my younger days, as an adult I appreciate tattoos in the high fashion context.  A lot of what makes fashion exciting is contrast.  Such as the contrast of high fashion against a rock sensibility.