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.]

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.]