Garment Wasteland

Lately, my outfits have been popping up in my head with this fresh immediacy previously unbeknownst to the cycle of my everyday routine. It usually consisted of trying on at least five pieces, hating six, completely re ruining my freshly cleaned room, and once again turning it into a garment wasteland. 

But now I've been trying this thing where I just go with what I feel. No second guessing, no "let's just see if this will work instead" stuff. I end up liking my look, and making it to my appointments without the prerequisite "running late" texts as I sit crying in between mountains of clothing. I think a bunch of wise people have talked about trusting your intuition, and I've discovered that this mantra is rather magical when it comes to getting ready. 

This look was one quickly formed early in the morning as I rushed to get completely packed for a full day's work in 20 minutes.

I love this red, silk top from Express because the color is so vibrant, yet the print reels it in with a classic feel. I love red. It's confident, bold, and energizing. 

These are James Jeans. I forgot what the style was called but they're so easy and comfortable that I actually enjoy wearing jeans from time to time now. When it comes to jeans, the waist and thigh area tend to be incompatible for me. They can be sticking to my thighs like liquid leggings but the waist will be reminiscent of a big denim hula hoop. 

These fit nice and roomy throughout though, the wash is really classic and versatile. Out of a billion pairs, these are the ones I continuously go for. I'm sure all my other denim is super jealous. 

Over All the Place

Comfy clothing is my wearable mantra. With Zumba, school, and everything in between, it's nice when your personal style can just fit seamlessly into your life without it having to be another thing to figure out. 

These even more casual take on overalls are from Forever 21. I know, I know, but I can deal with Forever 21 because I get dressed for fun, not flair; and it's awesome to be able to save a little money along the way. 

I'm thinking the actual name for these are coveralls, because they cover, well, mostly everything. But that sounds kind of cheesy so let's just go with "one piece." 

Honestly I lived in these things on and off for a good week. Well, considering I wore the same thing at least three out of seven days, I'm not really sure how good of a week that actually was. But you know when you're wearing something pretty chill but the only people who really see you are your strange next door neighbor while taking out the trash or the bank teller when you're making a quick deposit? On days like that, especially when you feel really good and comfy in your outfit, I believe it's totally okay to "wear peat." 

I made that word up but you totally know what I mean though.

Oh and peep this bag! I'm finally using the sewing machine I got about, oh, 10 years ago; so far so good. 

Black Summer

When you don’t know what to wear, black is that loyal friend that always seems to have the answers, Chuck Taylors too.

I finally dared to wear this romper again after trying once before and having to change for fear of indecent exposure. It was a side boob, cleavage combination to shame some of today’s most provocative celebrities. What is the deal with pieces that are more like puzzles than clothing? Forcing you to become a seamstress in order to wear it and actually look like you’re wearing something. With the addition of a little bralette though, things came together.

I see so many great looks with girls in head scarves and I’m constantly saving them for inspiration but I never seem to get around to trying it. Now I know why. You’d think the turban thing would be perfect with my current hairstyle but it’s not as easy as it looks, at least not for me. Seriously, my arms grew sore from fatigue as I tried and tied til’ I almost died. So I’ll just simply rock mine headband style and continue to lust after all the savvy scarf scientists. 

I can’t believe summer is almost over, though in my triple digit degree town you’d never know it. In looking for just a few key pieces to refresh my closet a bit for fall, I found that Simons definitely has a great selection. I have a few obsessions already mounting, making me really excited for the upcoming season; though it’ll be summer here until at least October. Still, a girl can dream.

Rain Right Now

Doesn't this outfit just outright scream SUMMER? Heh, yeah, no. I guess since the Antelope Valley has been about 200 degrees for the past couple months or so, the weather was finally kind enough to take a chill pill.

I love this plaid jumper, it reminds me of my childhood when my mum actually dressed me like this. I love its simplicity and inherent sweetness. However, just by the addition of the undisputed champ that is Doc Martens, a little bit of grunge snuck its way in as well.

I love sweet, classic pieces, unstained by the modern world. Knee socks and a simple plaid jumper feel good and refreshing in the midst of all the typical, tattered, text covered pieces that are currently on trend. It's nice wearing something not tied to the current stream of fashion consciousness. 

The knee socks, much like 60% of my wardrobe are from Forever 21 (blame it on my 3 years of employment). A lot of people hate on Forever 21 because their clothes are made cheaply. I guess it really depends on what you look for in clothing. In all unashamed honesty, cheap is a favorite feature of mine when it comes to wardrobe shopping because the pieces are usually kind of kitschy and you can easily buy them again once the lint balls really become apparent. 

In clothing I really value originality, versatility, and comfortability; I'm rather flexible on quality, depending on the piece. It comes down to owning your style, confidence adds about a hundred dollars or so to any look.

 

Because I'm Happy

Apparently I decided to be 10 today, hahaha.

The day just felt bright and sunny, and I felt full of energy so this is what happened. If you've been following this blog for the four plus years it's been around then you're familiar with my severe affection for all things Hello Kitty related. Also, if you've been reading that long, I love you and you should contact me because I'm always in the market for creative, free spirited friends; that brand of human seems to be in severely short supply. Hmm.. 

I really struggle with the belief that as we age we become too old for things. I mean temper tantrums and candy for every meal were never okay in the first place, but when people start to slap on labels and limits, it stunts our ability to live freely. 

When you become a certain age and you want to go on the swings at the park but tell yourself you're too old, you're inadvertently shaming your self conscious, distancing you from your true spirit and subconsciously training your mind to behave within strict, rigid, and often baseless society governed guidelines.

Often times, people get so caught up in being accepted by others, they fail to realize they're not accepting themselves in the process.

This is normcore

Honestly, I can't help but laugh. There is literally a new fashion trend based on not following fashion trends. Normcore, which I've heard described as hardcore normal people. Hmm, someone up there is running out of ideas, no? Just because a certain look is not all over the runways or filling the manufactured streets of LA does not make it any less cool; it actually makes it cooler. So I guess the wardrobe expressionist elite are suddenly realizing this and subsequently taking a crap all over it. If Normcore means dressing the way you want despite the notoriously overpriced, unoriginally inspired, often try hard trends of the fashion world then I'd have to say I've been a fan before the club even existed.

It always seemed like a serious contradiction to me, fashion trends representing personal style. It is similar to all the goths and supposed freaks in high school that were supposedly so different, yet all dressed the same.

I say it so much it will probably be on my tombstone, but personal style is supposed to be personal, not redundant in the form of all the cool peeps that run this oh so coveted world of fashion looking like different adaptions of the same novel.

You know, I actually thought about Photoshopping this photo because of my lower stomach. But then I laughed because I don't know how to use Photoshop, I never edit my photos in any way, shape or form because I don't know how, and also, that'd just be weird. As we nitpick at all our supposed flaws, we don't register in the fact that most of the people all over magazines and other media look a lot more like us than it seems. Did you see the Huffington Post article about the biggest Photoshop bloopers major corporations committed in attempt to create thigh gaps, Barbie waists, and toothpick arms? I loved it because it affirms what we all need to realize, and that is that we're all human, meaning we're all imperfect. Let's just all be imperfect together, it'll lighten the load, and likely lessen the eating disorders.

In other news, my afros' back! I think I like it better than other hairstyles because it's freeing. This may sound really cheesy but I feel more in touch with myself when donning my natural hair, though for some reason, I get a lot of attention for it.

These bootcut jeans (oh my gosh, I'm wearing jeans!) are from The Gap, but I actually got them thrifting in San Fran. This little crop top is from Forever 21. I often wonder about the whole crop top thing. Because of wear it stops, your lower stomach (the most problematic problem area) is on full blast, like who, other than the bourgeois of body composition can get away with this? I must have felt pretty slim the day of purchase. Either way, I just shrugged and put it on, I mean Normocore is in, right?

After Dark

Have you ever noticed how night time makes you different? How when the sun has set, and the lights are lit, a distinctive sort of light seems to burn within you? The best parties, the most romantic kisses, the moments only you and your journal will ever talk about seem to often take place under the stars. What is it about the energy of the night that brings about sleek, sleuth, and sultry excitement that often seems unattainable amidst hours of the sun?

I cut my hair one night. Leaving the shower, I looked in the mirror at the little wispy Morrisey esque thing my head had going on and decided it was boring now. I ran to my room, grabbed my fabric scissors and just cut. About an hour before a date with my boyfriend, completely unskilled, and totally on a whim, I cut my hair.

Before this three minute transformation, I didn't have the slightest idea of what I would be wearing that night. I kept thinking about what outfit would look good with sushi, though that automatically brought to mind a kimono, or a loose shirt dress suitable for stuffing myself with rice and raw fish. But standing in the mirror with my new cut, the look suddenly came to me. I love when that happens.

I'm not officially sure how to describe what I wore that night other than I felt mysterious, I felt powerful, and I felt hot. The see through shimmery top was an impulse buy, like pretty much all my buys and I just loved the inherent fun it exuded. I'll probably wear it again later with a cool sports bra/bralette. I love these leggings because the red plaid x's add panache to an other wise basic piece. Oh, and I went by Jane that night instead of Dannie. 

And like the dawn of day often does, the next morning brought me to my senses and I changed my hair again.  

Throwback Thursday: Thankful Edition

So apparently there are actual statistics proving that acknowledging what you're grateful for makes you a happier person. I've been reading Creative Mind and Success by Ernest Holmes, and along with a surplus of other beneficial live well information, Holmes explains how your thought life creates your daily life. It's a concept that everyone should utilize. It'd literally change the world. It's really funny, yet more so sad how most seem to think that more money is what will make the world a better place, yet fail to realize that the condition of our society begins and ends with the spiritual condition of its citizens.

Last Thanksgiving I finally discovered what I then thought of as the holy grail that is Gossip Girl. I think I was on Season 3 when this look came together. The whole prep meets a touch of posh was really Blair Waldorf-y in my eyes. I never made it past Season 3 though because when pretty much everyone started hooking up with pretty much everyone, the whole needing to throw up mid episode thing kind of took away from the entertainment factor for me. But the outfits definitely had their inspirational qualities.

This faux leather accordion skirt is from Forever 21. The length makes it classy yet the wannabe leather kind of juxtaposes that so it is easily one of my favorite pieces. The sheer button down is by Gianni Bini. I really love how their pieces are so classic yet always feature a little edge element to lament the freshness of the line. My favorite thing I wore is this little velvet esque wine colored piece. One of my friends dubbed it my Jimi Hendrix jacket so I call it that now too, but I had originally thought of Carrie Bradshaw when I got it. I'm really into wine lately (the color, I mean) which is rather interesting because it previously reminded me of my grandma's old Volvo.

Whatever Forever

It's May, so flowers are in order right?

These tights, these tights! They remind me of vintage wallpaper in one of those creepy, old movies where the little girl's bedroom is supposed to be the epitome of preciousness but is actually really eeiry. Like where everything is mostly pastel colored, Victorian porcelain dolls line the never dusted shelves, and a rusty old trunk in the corner that should contain toys is probably filled with great-great grandmother's old bones.

Maybe that's why I wore my brother's Alice in Chains shirt, to add a grungy element to an otherwise eeirly pretty ensemble. But then again I say that about all my outfits. Admittedly, I don't really know very much about Alice in Chains, and I kind of hate to be one of those superficially "down" people that wear band tees and don't even know if Alice is like a chick or why she's wrapped up in chains in the first place. But there's just this cool, effortlessness about band tees that seem to just pull together an outfit in ways a blouse never could. 

Both the skirt and tights are from Forever 21; and so is the princess necklace. I call it a princess necklace because of the pretty little chandelier they kind of make your neck into. I kind of have monikers for all my pieces. Being that I'm not much (as in not at all) of a designer donning, label layering chick, I don't differentiate things by Adam Wang last spring or Isabel Marant circa '09, rather I create titles based on the feel I get from the clothing; ..keeps me inspired.

Raindrops and Reflections

What is it about the rain that breeds reflection, reminisce, and thoughts of life renovation? Maybe it's that everything is all wet and annoying so we're not rushing around as often as usual. Maybe it's the slowing down required to avoid potholes turned enormous puddles. Maybe it is because the sky is dark and cloudy, forcing us to reach within ourselves for that promising, light hearted sunshine that we've come to so breezily rely upon.

I've been thinking a lot about time, how fast it goes. As the years progress, the speed in which time elapses seems to increase. I suppose this is because as we age, our responsibilities grow with us. Suddenly the billion hour days between our birthdays, Christmas, and our favorite cartoons seem to have shrunk into maybe six hours per day instead, with each minute passing in a way that feels more like a second. Things like how to most productively spend our limited amounts of time and knowing when it is okay to let some of that time be recreational, are thoughts that, while important, seem to take up a lot of time within themselves. 

These are not musings that often creep up on days filled with sun filled skies and laughing children rolling in warm grass. It is only when the day takes on a dimmer filter, and the sound of the rain serves as a poignant soundtrack, that we stop and realize that life is beautiful, time is temporary and we must revel even in the rain. 

Good thing Doc Martens are waterproof.

We Found Love

So, time travel back to late summer/early fall when I wore this jean dress that my brother swears is a mumu. It's not, right?

I got this dress at Thrift Town when I lived in San Francisco. It instantly reminded me of Rihanna via We Found Love, and that being one of my all time favorite videos, this find was truly love indeed. 

I have this affinity for kind of grungy, diamond in the rough kind of pieces that most people don't see the beauty in, which is why I really love thrift shopping. It's the perfect combination of treasure chest and treasure hunt. I knew from the soft wash denim and loose fit that this dress would be easy to wear and could go from plain to bang with just a few additions.

These platform low tops are so essential; even now, post summer,  they look great with leggings and a comfy sweater/hoodie. Low top shoes make your legs look longer too. I'm not in the market for that, being 5'9, but extra height can be fun, especially in the form of comfy sneakers.

My friend said I looked so "thug life" this day, haha. Mixing soft and hard is definitely a part of my personal style, and it's fun taking something like a dress and making it look as tough/sturdy as a pair of jeans.

Fame 'n Fashion

Sometimes you don't have to go shopping to wear a new outfit. Creating a fresh ensemble can be as simple as a bright pair of pants landing next to a cool graphic tee in the midst of actually trying to find something to wear; and suddenly realizing how good these two pieces look together.

The fun of fashion, er, personal style (what exactly is the difference again?) is that in its most authentic sense, it is a garment gilded potion concocted exclusively by the wearer. True style is creating a no-rules-barred look that needs no validation or explanation. It is simply a statement about the wearer made by the wearer; that no trend-of-the-moment can harness.

This oversized "Fame is Boring" tee is from Forever 21. I loved it the moment I saw it because I agree so earnestly with its statement. While fame may not appear boring to the everyday person, having any sense of a personal life eradicated from you in exchange for money gets pretty dry after a while I'm sure.

And much like the other 97% of my wardrobe, this tee eventually went on clearance, which led to audible excitement on my part. I guess not many people agreed with its statement, though I really wish they did because I think it'd make life a better, less trash filled place.

Oh and these red-hot animal print pants are from Rave; a shop that went through a billion different names and ownerships so I'm not sure what it's actually called now. Of course I slashed up the front of them for that distressed look which I personally like best layered over fishnets.

Hello Hip Hop

Soo in the world of fashion this is definitely a fashion faux pas, right? The whole sweats in public thing? But uh..I have an inkling that I may altogether be a fashion faux pas in and of myself, so in reality this look is actually pretty casual. As a hip hop dancer (and Zumba instructor) sweats are a God send, I'm wearing these exact ones right now actually, which may or may not be rather embarrassing, though I don't feel embarrassed so it must not be. They're super comfortable and easy and just feel right. You know how basketball players wear warm ups while on the bench or when they're not playing? Yeah, I'm pretty sure thats what sweats and beanies are for dancers, at least for this one.
It's interesting how being a part of something can transform you into dressing the part. Like fashion people, dancers, and ironically hipsters tend to fall into a similar dressing pattern in a total subconscious fashion. How does that work? Is this prospect an insight into our inherent need to belong? Although we revel in being individuals, do we still dress similar to those we can relate to in order to create a sense of community? Is there really such thing as a "group" of individuals?

Don't Think too Mush

Ever since I moved to San Francisco my style has become a lot more..comfortable. It could be due to dancing becoming a more prominent factor in my life therefore upping my desire for comfort and mobility, although the city's laid back hippe vibe could be playing a role as well. All I wear, pretty much, are leggings. I mean I can write, dance, and sleep in them; talk about functional clothing! I really want more though, trying to decide if the high price of really legit ones is worth it or if I can continue shopping at reasonably priced places and thrift stores and still obtain what I'm looking for. It's worked pretty well so far.

These dancer leggings (I think that's their actual title) are from American Apparel. I was so pumped upon receiving these because up until recently American Apparel was solely a wishlist for this poor little rich girl. Being the definition of cheap chic (light on the chic) I just couldn't bring myself to splurge on basics, it had an oxymoron feel to it. But now as a proud owner of these sleek little babies I admit I kinda get the pricing. They're so comfortable, though I sweat a little too hard to actually dance in these, they work for everything else.
You remember this little boy Transformers tee right? Yeah, after a couple of years it's been cut and cropped a bit, and kind of washed into a blithering mess of a garment which of course now makes it perfect. I still get off on the little bling things detailing the face of Optimus Prime, even though a good amount of them have fallen off.

I'm wondering if/when this whole flannel around the waist thing is going to die off for me. It's so weird because I honestly don't remember looking in a mag or blog and being inspired by this styling quirk that has been my almost everyday for months now, but it's kind of everywhere. I kind of think I can just feel trends, which isn't all that great because I'm a little vehemently against them. But this is the billionth time I've been personally feeling a look only to have it pop up all daisy style less than a month later splattered over the fashion world. Hmm..spies..