bakersfield is the new palm springs...

The title of this post is a reference to the argument my friend's mom once used to try and convince her that visiting her grandparents in Bakersfield, CA would be a bitchin' good time. We both laughed. Bakersfield sucks.

Anyway, I'm going to the REAL Palm Springs tomorrow with my parents for my mom's 60th. To be more accurate, we're driving there, which is going to take anywhere between 7 hours, 20 minutes and 8 hours (odds are with my dad behind the wheel, it'll be the latter). While I don't relish the thought of trying to sleep in the backseat of my mom's Explorer while the dog farts on me, I am looking forward to the rumored 80 degree temperatures and crazy good vintage stores.  I've decided in advance that my period of shopping anorexia must be suspended for this all-too-grand occasion. My bank account is scared.

Below, my "fantasy" luggage, and some of the actual stuff I'm bringing with me. I'm usually a pretty light packer (my claim-to-fame is that I spent six weeks in Europe one summer with a roller suitcase small enough to be considered carry-on luggage). But in this case, I want to have options. One of the saddest parts about being unemployed is that I almost never have an occasion to get dressed. I must take advantage of this opportunity to put my clothing through its paces in front of a real live audience.




Alexander Wang grey t-shirt and turquoise tank; Balmain studded vest and fringed sandals; Wangler shorts; Balenciaga sunglasses; Future Classics dress; Dries Van Noten necklace; Alexis Bittar bangles; Chloe wedges

Forever 21 white dress; vintage metal belt; Gap white v-neck tee; vintage braided belt; Jenny Jen jeans; Terry De Havilland platforms; AA grey tank; vintage Joan Vass striped skirt; Linea Pelle yellow belt; H&M orange sweater; TnA bikini; Max Studio sandals; Forever 21 shorts, DIY shredded tank; Target necklace; ASOS leather jacket with vintage fur stole; J Brand jeans; H&M leopard print tank; vintage silver necklace; Made by Elves grey booties

Also, before I go to sleep tonight, I'm going to download three new albums:
TV on the Radio, Dear Science
Radiohead, In Rainbows
T.I., Paper Trail

Maybe I'll finally get the fucking Free Credit Report commercial out of my head. 

the little red coat

Wearing: vintage jacket, bleached/ripped jeans from Topshop, Free People sweater, Joan & David shoes, Victoria's Secret sheer nylons, bracelets are vintage/borrowed from sister/Lisa Levine, Timex watch

I found this little coat at one of my favorite vintage haunts in San Jose, Black and Brown. Given the fact that I can barely fit my weedy arms in it without busting a seam, I'm guessing it was made for a child. But I always thought it was kind of charming the way the sleeves hit at the elbows and of course I love the fur collar and bright, cheery red color. It sort of takes any outfit you're wearing and ups the fabulous quotient by about 1,000%. Aaand...I'm debuting my "new" old jeans featured in a previous post, which have now gotten the razor blade and sandpaper treatment, to stunning effect. It's like having a new pair of jeans that aren't new! I win!

And since you may be wondering why my pictures suddenly suck less, it's because I enlisted the help of my boyfriend to take the shots this time, which resulted in a substantially better product. Too bad I can't keep him around more often. He really does come in handy.

cut it out

                                   

Left to right: Alexander Wang, Ohne Titel, Preen.

In a sea of black and grey collections, cutouts provided visual and textural interest and just the right dose of sex appeal. I am especially delighted because there's nothing about any one of these looks that's inherently difficult to DIY/find in thrift stores. Yay me.

But since the whole point of this blog is to feature style porn (aka a bunch of shit that will remain in fantasy land because I can't afford it) I'm loving this StyleStalker dress as seen on Rumi at Fashiontoast. If I could only find a cheap version of this on ebay or at a thrift store, I would die happy. Really, I would.

cushnie et ochs f/w 2009

Everything about this collection--from the muted greys to the body-concious cutouts, to the slick skinny trousers--is giving me a serious case of WANT. According to Style.com, the inspiration behind the collection's spartan asthetic was a photo of a German Volkswagen factory, and the designers purposely explored repetitiveness using a very limited color palette. I will definitely keep an eye out for them in the future. The design duo has already been hailed as the next Proenza Schouler.

let me live, love, and say it well in good sentences...

image via LeLove

Well, it's T minus 24-hours and counting until Valentine's Day. At least the restaurant industry is probably looking forward to it. Unfortunately, the BF and I will not be among the amorous couples paying top-dollar for Prix Fixe menus tomorrow night. In fact, I don't really believe in handing out expensive Valentine's Day gifts...but if I did, I would want some of the stuff below, especially those Alexander McQueen heart peep-toe pumps, which have made their way onto just about every Valentine's Day collage in the fashion blogosphere. And why not? They're perfect for the occasion. The flash of hot pink against the black patent is so A. Wang Spring '09.  Swoon.

As an aside, I totally have my panties in a bunch today because I just found out the government owes me a whopping $4 on my tax return. $4 f*&#$@* dollars! It was my last great hope to be able to do a little shopping sans employment. Looks like I'll have to slum it for a bit longer...maybe try out another one of those DIY projects that have been burning a hole in my "inspiration" desktop folder.