via Cupcakes and Cashmere

via The Skinny

via Rackk and Ruin

via Song of Style

via Little Plastic Horses

via Altamira

via Fashion Gone Rogue

The Vintage Fashion Expo held at the Santa Monica Civic Center was both a hit and a miss for me. It was a miss because, out of the massive amount of vintage clothing there, I only purchased one small piece of jewelry that I plan on turning into a ring (it’s way rad and will end up being a poison ring when I’m done). The hit was the solidification of my absolute love of late 19th century pieces (maybe because everything from that period looks like something a pirate wench would wear…the tiny velvet jackets!!!). I got there at the butt crack of dawn and paid extra money to get in for the “early buy” period because, going into it, I thought it would be a shopping trip. It ended up being sort of like a visit to a museum, though, because I was literally in awe of most of the clothes….and I’m not gonna lie, I got a bit emotional when I saw some of the 19th century stuff (because I’ve never really seen items from that period in person and I now realize how much of an inspiration that time period is for me).

Also a hit was the fact that Diane Keaton was there. She was there for the early buy dressed in jeans, boots, a long black belted coat and a hat. The woman is the epitome of chic. I wanted to ask for a photo with her, but decided not to. She didn’t really make eye contact with anyone and seemed like she was in a hurry…she obviously got there early so she could get in and out before she got recognized. I will say, though, that she is way taller and thinner in person than she is in her movies. She is gorgeous and all the vendors I talked to said she was extremely nice when she visited their booths.

Now…on to the photos.

The whole show was a bit overwhelming for my eyes. There was so much to look at and I really had to have something pop out at me in order to take a second glance. I did find tons of items I would have purchased had it not been for the ridiculous price tags. There is a difference between finding something vintage at a thrift shop and buying vintage at a vintage shop. Thrift shops are cheap, vintage shops aren’t. The majority of the stuff was extremely overpriced – probably because the shop owners knew the people there would pay the extra money. Everything I found that I liked was over $150, and I wasn’t willing to drop that kind of change.

The photo above is the only photo of this booth I could get before the owner told me not to take anymore. I could understand this if the items were re-worked items she personally designed, but they weren’t. They were straight vintage pieces. I seriously don’t understand why she wouldn’t let me take photos.

Side note: having a fancy looking camera is a problem when you’re in LA or close to it. This has happened to me a few times. It most likely has to do with the insane amount of paparazzi and the problems they cause. Note to people and business owners in LA – just because someone has a fancy camera doesn’t mean they are papz. The worst was when I went to The Grove with my mom. My mom was visiting, she wanted to bring her camera. We were literally followed by security guards in every store we went into. It’s ridiculous.

Annnnnd here we go with the emotional late 19th century pieces. I got wrapped up in these items because they were all so gorgeous and I wanted everything I saw. I’d never wear them, though, because they are way too fragile. If I ever had a clothing line, everything would be inspired by this period.

You can’t really tell from the photo above, but the darker jacket on top was an electric blue/purpleish velvet jacket from the late 19th century. It was gorgeous and had a hefty price tag. Items like that are worth the money, though…true craftsmanship. Some of them had the name of the seamstress hand written on the lining along with who the item of clothing was for and the year it was made. Incredible. They were all SO tiny, though, and you could tell how much the women would cinch in their waists with corsets.

The McQueen jacket that literally made me shout out a profanity when I saw it. It was amazing….but $450. Also worth the money, but I don’t have an extra $450 to spend. I think I stared at this jacket for a good 20 minutes as I wondered which credit card I should put it on. I resisted the impulse, but hot damn it was amazing.

$20 and perfect! See them here.

$25..like buttah! check it out here.

I am very excited! I’ve wanted to go to this expo for a long time and haven’t had the opportunity to until now. I’m praying for a vintage Chanel bag for under $100 but I don’t think it’s going to happen. I’m also looking for a white gauzy hippie looking shirt to wear with my Paige’s that have ripped on the bottom..I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to find that. I hope I come home with loads of stuff. For more info on the expo: Vintage Fashion Expo

wearing Cathy Jean ankle boots, leggings from a local boutique, RVCA tank, thrifted scarf, F21 jacket

I’ve said it before, but my girls are not the ones God gave me. They came from a glorious man in Tampa, FL named Dr. Laufer. My reasons for doing so are personal, but I expect them to be the same reasons as about 80% of the women who get this procedure done. The pros: my clothes actually fit and I feel more like a woman now. The cons: all the cute little bras from Target are never in my size, and when I go to a place like Ross or TJMaxx the only ones that fit resemble something a 95 year old woman would wear to hoist her babies over her belly button. But I’m not complaining as there are plenty of stores where I can go and get what I need.

Before my procedure, I would walk into VS and get seriously bummed out because absolutely nothing would fit me. I’d try on something and would be swimming in lace and satin. I felt like I was 12 years old. If I had known about Lula Lu, an online lingerie shop specializing in lingerie for petites, my spirits would have been instantly lifted.

If you’re petite, have a small chest, or are just a thin & skinny girl who has trouble finding lingerie that fits (that isn’t stripper-wear), please check out Lula Lu. You’ll love it!

Well, aside from our office phone line getting crossed with a child support line from another state (resulting in baby mamas wanting to know where the hell they child support is fo’ this month), and me having to yell..literally yell…at a homeless man to, “get out of my office!” because he was harassing me…I’d say everything was just peachy.

wearing F21 pants, Via Spiga loafers, thrifted button down shirt, F21 chain necklace (and damn that thing is heavy)

The Love/Hate Relationship With Fashion

Edited by Debutante Clothing

I’m always complaining about going out to fashion events by myself – I just don’t have many friends that are into fashion. While some people think fashion is frivolous and contributes nothing to the world, others are curating museum exhibits featuring 20th century clothing. This week’s links made me think about the love/hate camps in fashion. Starting with Grit and Glamour’s post on bloggers getting backlash from fashion insiders, Houndstooth + Tortoiseshell’s refreshingly funny admission of Tavi envy, or Fab Lab’s hate of people who hate. But there is some love in sight – British Style Bloggers reminds us to look in the mirror and love ourselves. Enjoy!

Note from Editor : Please be sure to check out the IFB Conference at NYFW : Evolving Influence

Links à la Mode: February 4th

• A Dress & A Bike – Why breaking the love of one particular brand has been good for my personal style
• British Style Bloggers – Some gems to remember
• Debutante Clothing – Going to a Vintage Show? Insider Tips & Interview
• dirty hems – lacroix by lacroix
• Fab Blab – Why I Hate People Who Ostracize Fashion
• fête à fête – Review of Guerlain’s Spring 2010 Cherry Blossom makeup & the new Rouge G Le Brillant lipstick
• Friend in Fashion – Luxe Vintage
• grit and glamour – Fashion’s Knickers are in a Twist
• hello beauty! – Benefit Stay Don’t Stray: An innovative new primer to lock down shadows AND concealer
• Houndstooth + Tortoiseshell – Young fashion blogger incites curiousity, envy
• Independent Fashion Bloggers – Get Out There : How To Cover Events Without Feeling Like an Idiot
• Lillys Roses – How to DIY your own Chanel Jade nail polish
• Mariel’s Castle – Haute Couture 101
• Model Max – MAT GORDON: The ModelWatch Interview
• Oranges and Apples – Top websites for ethical shopping
• Retro Chick – Ethical Design Spotlight – Junky Styling
• Styletastic – To fur or not to fur?
• Stylist Diva – : Are Fashion Bloggers taking over the world?
• Tatiana Supports the Arts – Etsy Window Shopping: Queen Elizabeth I Roundup
• the brooklyn posh blog – He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me, red hot
• THE COVETED – Pretty Dresses at the VioletvilleVintage.com launch
• White Rabbit – The inspiration behind my Merlixa Designs millinery collection
• [the3st] – Interview with Amy Smilovic of Tibi

wearing Paige Premium Denim jeans, Cathy Jean boots, thrifted white button down shirt, thrifted cardigan…and my undershirt seems to be giving me a double boob thing…nice…

i’m a simple girl, i don’t like to get too crazy with the outfits. hopefully you guys get some “real girl” fashion ideas from me..it’s all about easy style and trusting your gut….sometimes i’ll go on a blog and the person has just gone completely wild with their outfit and i wonder if it is the result of them trying too hard to be “the fashionable girl” or if it’s honestly and truthfully what they love to wear. do you know what i mean? either way, sometimes i can’t believe what some of these fashion bloggers wear when they walk out the front door. but that’s just me.

also….it’s february, breast cancer awareness month, and I just have one thing to say…..

and no those are not mine in that photo. make a doctor’s appointment to verify that everything in those babies is a-ok….you betta check yo’self before you wreck yo’self.