fashion for nothing, style for free

waitin 4 lakshmi 2 skype

2010-06-30T15:42:00.000-07:00

I'm taking an intensive course in Shakespeare at my acting studio in NYC, and realized today that the deep-v-neck-tee-trend is kind of...distracting, to say the least. I don't think half the class was really listening to my monologue.

The shirt's from Express (on sale--I bought 3 black in varying sizes and 1 white for no good reason), and the juice is pure product placement. Notice how my sunburn totally hasn't healed.

2010

2010-06-20T18:03:00.000-07:00

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

In order:

1. Tiered dress, stolen out of a dorm donation bin. Originally H&M. Awesome t-shirt Wang-esque material, kind of want to sell it but don't have anything like it.

2. Chocolate for my sadnesses

3. Gold Bond for my sunburn

4. Sum boots I bought on store trade @ Buffalo Exchange. (story) I found a pair of huge chunky wedge Jeffrey Campbells at LF today, and they were probs super expensive, so I didn't buy them, but later I found these for $11.50, and I thought yes.(/story)

5. Strapless dress/beach coverup from Target. Love it. It looks good with my eyes, not so good with the sunburn. Can you see the sunburn? It's bad. Really bad. And Gold Bond smells.

But other than that, summer in NYC is the shiznat.

don't put me on hold, don't put me on hold, don't put me on...DAMMIT!

2009-12-23T06:27:00.000-08:00

This is Yessica after:
-her flight home was cancelled
-the airline bureaucracy decided to fuck her over and keep her in NYC for two more days
-her flight home is STILL fucked up and she's on hold with the airlines and can't get on standby and bitch bitch bitch wah wah wah.

I fixed everything, of course, because I'm a very capable woman. However, I am not relishing the prospect of sitting around LaGuardia until 5:30 p.m. At least I'm dressed (relatively) well.

(scarf from street vendor in NY, hand-me-down turtleneck from aunt, Samsung phone)

lawyers, guns, and money

2009-11-27T09:28:00.000-08:00

Happy thanksgiving/black friday, everyone! I'm off to do some shizopping at my friendly hometown thrift store (50% off all clothing--when clothing costs like $5 a pop, you know you're in good hands). Peace and love.

(thrifted dress and shirt)

when did I get a third follower??

2009-10-01T15:22:00.001-07:00

I hate when Blogger doesn't upload photos, especially on those days when you blew your last wad of cash on some amazing shirts (7 tops for $7, y'all!) and increased the quantity of black crewneck shirts/sweaters/just tops in general, y'all know what I mean, and ALSO got some madly needed color into your regrettably New-Yorker-pretension-inspired-neutral-colored wardrobe. Or on those days when you bought the first piece of lingerie-inspired everydaywear that you would actually consider wearing every day. Or when you've been re-reading the archives of Trashforce Reaper just because you can--and screw financial aid meetings and homework and rehearsal and freaking out about your impossibly hot acting teacher who thinks you're a huge fuckup--and, as a result, writing like a crazed cynical demonic gerbil on crack and quaaludes and all those things that people worried about in teen paperbacks published in 1995.

Anyway, after two fervent and wholehearted attempts at uploading photos (and you have to understand, these are some of the most perfect basics I've bought since this one misguided attempt back in June), I'm just going to ramble, and you're going to LIKE IT, BITCHES, because I'll reward you with some very rewarding links that haven't yet been put up on my list to the immediate right. Come to think of it, I probably won't add these links to the list on the right until about a week from now, because that would make this post pretty much obsolete, amirite? But of course, these are merely things other people have raved the shit out of on their own blogs, so this post may as well be obsolete, but let's consider it more of "a Jungian dip into the collective unconscious of fashion blogging" rather than "plugging the same wonderfully amazing shit that errbody and their regrettably style-unconscious mothers knows about". (P.S. My mother is super style-conscious, and is the happy exception to this rule. Can't wait to come back and dress you, Mater!)

SO. LET THE LINKAGE BEGIN.

1. Cheap JAP.
Amazing woman. What the hell. Why did I not discover her until about a week ago? Her thrifty cunning is well-nigh unmatchable, although I like to think I've matched it with my constant visits to Monk's Dollar rack (OH WAIT, did I happen to mention 7 shirts for $7, y'all?! WHAT NOW)(and hmm, maybe I forgot to mention that I picked up a 3/4 sleeve Banana Republic jacket for ONE DOLLA MAKE U HOLLA)(and maybe the cowlnecked sweaterdress, and the H&M polo that fits like a glove, and the Free People duster, and and and and etc.). H'anyway. She's amazing. Her style's nostalgic without old-fashioned, sexy without slutty, and DIY without messy. Luv it.

2. Garance Dore.
Oh come on, people. I can't NOT post about one of the greatest streetstyle bloggers of all time, who also happens to be smokin' hot but French enough to stay classy and demure even while not wearing pants? What a woman. Also, she's dating The Sartorialist (no need for linking in-post, just look slightly to your right), who is rather a hot hunk of mankind himself. QUELLE FUCKING BADASS. Pardon my French.

3. Trashforce Reaper (look up for the link, you lazy ass).
Basically, the person who I'm trying to write like/stalking now. She's hovering around somewhere inside that smoky-drinky-poor as fucky-but totally irresistible social circle that includes such gems as Kirsty Lee of That's Just My Vibe (now moved to Howl), Sandy, and Sanna. Aka all the people whose blogs I secretly lurk on and never comment on or follow because one, I have no idea how to use blogroll, and two, I'd feel too much like a poser following them around trying to absorb some of their innate cool through my lame boring American pores. WANT. SO HARDCORE. Even more irresistible because I have no idea what she looks like (though I did find one picture of her on somebody's blog covering her face and so I know she's a redhead with big eyes) and because her name is Philipa. COME ON.

Yeah, it's a short list, but that last one actually included like three other people so that should satisfy y'all. I'm off to eat Pork Sung and listen to Death Cab for Cutie.

P.S. Pork Sung is like dried meat, but it's dried in such a way that it's fuzzy. Nobody I room with likes it except for me and the girl who brought the enormous fucking jar into the dorm in the first place. I need to pay her back, because I've probably eaten about half the damn thing. As well as all her dumplings. In fact, I've pretty much eaten all my roomies' food. Such is the life of having no spendin' munies, except for that $7 which I was saving for a special occasion and just ended up blowing on moar clothing. I'M SO COOL.

frescription

2009-08-26T21:12:00.000-07:00

(thrifted dress, Target bra, grandmother's gifted wrist rosary, hair elastic, brother's--costume--glasses)

My broski (check out his blog, over there on the link list ==>) wore these glasses for the purpose of playing Bernard in Death of a Salesman. They are coming to NYC with me (college roolz) for the purpose of augmenting my expansive glasses collection, sun- or otherwise.

I am a pretentious douchey hipster and I dun care

2009-08-25T15:27:00.000-07:00

All thrifted, except for the black hair elastics (Walgreens) and the purple sweater (mom).

Why I like these things:

-Rumi of Fashion Toast is selling this same wrap cuff bracelet for $35 bux, and I got it at an antique store for $3. Woot!

-The cloth cuffs (50 cents each) are actually DIY bracelets made out of ties. I'm considering trying it myself, but I don't know how to attach pearl snaps to things, so for now I'll stick to the ones I bought.

-I feel like a pretentious douchey hipster in this charcoal gray scarf (see above). I even looped it around my neck in the pretentious douchey hipster style. I saw Weezy do this at a concert. It made me question his street cred. Oh well. It's cute and surprisingly warm.

-Navy blue Fayfarers (fake Wayfarers, but you knew that)! Love them. So funky. Forget that I once made fun of a friend for being "super original" in his Ray-Bans. I can be a pretentious douchey hypocritical hipster if I want to.

-Oh, and the sweater's really comfy. It doesn't show in the pictures (damn webcam) but it's a lovely lavender with a nice V-neck. Also, it's a medium and is thus nice and slouchy on me. Just like the real fashion bloggers (I am a fake--I never update and I take shitty pictures.)

The Bella jacket (see below) is treating me rather well too, despite being slightly tight in the arms. Now I just need lots of colors to pair it with. Too bad I only dress in dark neutrals.

the utterly fabulous jacket of yesterpost

2009-07-31T22:05:00.000-07:00

(BB Dakota Bella jacket, gapbody tank, thrifted rainbow miniskirt)

Thanks to the wonderful Sally of Already Pretty, I am the proud owner of the cutest jacket ever. It's industrial, sturdy, girly, edgy, versatile, warm, comfortable, cozy, fitted, flattering, stylish, punky, and downright amazing.

I love it. To itty bitty bits.

a winner is me!

2009-07-14T07:05:00.000-07:00

See this totally BA jacket? Perhaps you've seen it in a little hit movie called TWILIGHT. What am I saying, of course you have. Everyone's seen TWILIGHT. Who doesn't love TWILIGHT?

Now this jacket is MINE. Mine, I tell you, muahahaha. I won it in the latest contest over at

Already Pretty, which is a blog I highly recommend you check out, not just for the awesome stuff you could win over there (which is a plus), but for the amazingness of its writing and its reassurance that we all, despite our non-model looks and thrift store clothes, are gorgeous and stylish people. GO FORTH AND READ.

p.s. expect the jacket to be shown on this blog. I don't know when (as I don't know when it's coming to me) but expect it.

a contact sport, let the neighbors talk

2009-07-13T00:11:00.000-07:00

Still awake at 2:15 in the ack emma, feeling deeply dippy and strangely fine.
Wearing a thrifted H&M tank, a thrifted straw hat, and a Gilligan&O'Malley bra from Tar-jayy.

A quick peek at my coat (among other things) rack, containing a big chunky circular Western belt, several denim jackets (the blue thingys), a vintage Diane von Furstenberg (the pink thingy), some actual coats (the brown thingys), and several scarves (far right). And towels. So handy for dryness-retention.

One of my latest shoe purchases--thrifted square-toed red platform Tommy Hilfiger chunky-heeled loafers. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, right? And to a certain extent, yes, it is, but these shoes are SUPER TALL (taller than even my go-to Bobbi Blu platform wedges) and thus allow me to put off going to the tailor's to hem my pants for, oh, at least another month or fifty.

Thanks, Goodwill (aka the best-kept secret in the West Suburbs)!

it's up there with Star Wars and pumpkin pie

2009-07-09T12:38:00.000-07:00

I have an intense craving for a ponytail.

Not that my hair was ever this sleek, but there were days when I could pull all of it back and look super sexy. Seriously, you guys. All the boys wanted to do me SO BAD.

THIS is pretty much why I love the ponytail. Look at it! It's elegant, it's flattering, it's slightly sporty, slightly edgy, and has that "I look great without trying too hard" quality which is so important in style. For some reason, ponytails make anyone look five pounds thinner and eight years younger. That's an exact calculation. Thank you, math.

This is just ugly, but not ugly enough to dissuade me from wanting a ponytail. I will conquer you yet, 80's references!

Also, I want a messy bun. For some reason, my mind's self-image includes a messy bun, Batman t-shirt, and dark jeans.

All the sporty girls in my high school had this exact hairdo, like, every day. Messy, slightly curly/greasy bun, minimal makeup, and an elastic headband. I never owned an elastic headband (or could wear one without killing my scalp) but they seemed like the height of fashion to me because, well, all the cool girls wore them. Silly high school girl.

Those of you who have ponytails (which is basically 78% of the female U.S. population, and about 13% of the male): YEA or NEIGH?

Also, stupid "pony"-related puns: yea or nay? (I swear to god, I almost typed 'yeigh' and 'neigh' and had to forcibly restrain myself.)

TThhee OOuuttffiitt

2009-07-02T09:44:00.000-07:00

Necklace: Claire's
Shirt: thrifted Gap
Skirt: thrifted AA
Tights: whateva
Shoes: thrifted Converse

This skirt plus tights equals easy high waist/muffin top coverage. Thank you, tight elastic waistband!

This skirt minus tights, on the other hand, equals people seeing my underwear as soon as I even think about bending over.

So tights are a must.

(P.S. the Converse kind of look like clown shoes because they're a size too big on me. I will not succumb to the buy-it-and-leave-it urge. THESE WILL BECOME STAPLES OF MY WARDROBE, GODDAMNIT.)

I'm pretty sure I have never posted twice in one day

2009-07-01T21:31:00.000-07:00

...except for that one time, I think back when I started. Which was a long time ago, and not at all proportional to how many posts this blog has. Which I think this makes 31. Whatever.

These are some things I found sitting in my unbearably messy room between the bed and the wall.

This is a vase. It was under my bed and I used it for a scene four months ago and had no need for it ever againsies. Now it lives under my bed. With the monsters.

My first and only Moleskine. The lack of spiral binding annoys me, because spiral binding makes drawing so much easier, but I have managed to fill this up with a considerable number of artworks, including this one on the folder in the back:

It IS good, goddamnit.

A B.A. black leather wallet from Claire's ($1! Incontheivable!) with studs and a buckle and stuff. Cow products are nummy.

This fan smells AMAZING. It is the only example of perfumed wood that I have ever actually encountered in the real live world. Did you ever read Memoirs of a Geisha? This fan is like that for me, but brought to life. If I had been Sayuri, I would have spent my entire career sniffing fans.

There are plenty more saved on my webcam, but the last thing the Internet needs is moar picturespamming. Maybe someday I'll reveal them to you. Muahahahaha.

A few of my favorite THINNNNNNGSSSSS

2009-07-01T13:15:00.000-07:00

From the top!

Hair: staying in place, for once.

Marie Claire July 2009: featuring Cameron Diaz, who looks amazing in all-denim.
White cable-knit sweater: once belonged to my mother. Now fulfills all my needs for a hot-weather sweater, a piece of The One Hundred, and Rumi-style outfits.

Straw sunhat: Another piece of The One Hundred. Delightfully girly. Reminds me of The Stylish Wanderer.

Harley-Davidson harness boots: O EM GEE SO BADASS. Thrifted in perfect condition for a mere $10. Slightly One Hundred-y (kind of substitutes for Frye Harness Boots, right?)

Converse: Totally on Nina Garcia's list. Too big on me and totally beat up (shlumpy, doodled-0n, the whole shebang) but thrifted for 5 bucks. Completely worth it.

This list is totally subject to change at any time, btdubbs. Right now I have my eye on this pair of slightly flooding, slightly Western beige pants at the thrift store three blocks away. They look so cool with Converse, you guys. So hipster.

(p.s. I'm such a hipster, I've spent yesterday and today in baggy sweaters and leggings-as-pants. The one you can barely see in the picture is Tommy Hilfiger Jeans, in case you wanted to know.)

Vod

2009-06-29T08:59:00.000-07:00

Things I wore, foods I ate, and faces I made today:

It looks like pig slop, but is actually two kinds of bread with garlicky butter on top. The darker one is banana. It was a bitch to toast. But delicious. P.S. I ate a plum too, but that was before I took this picture.

The dress is an old maxi from my grandmother, the belt is vintage and incredibly long. I'd shorten it but I'm afraid of ruining it. I love it though. So cowboy.

Twice in the past two months, someone has told me I look like Natalia Vodianova. Strange, right? The last one (my darling friend Vlada) sent me links to an old shoot of hers (Dec 03) starring Gaultier, Karl, Donatella, etc...

(ps forgive the chipmunk cheeks I was chewing breadstuffs)

You can find the rest HERE.

Perfectsummeroutfitsexclamationpoint

2009-05-27T11:47:00.001-07:00

Gray tank with black stripes--thrifted H&M
Jean shorts--chopped up brother jeans
Jeans--stolen from brother's giveaway pile
Heeled sandals--thrifted Kenneth Cole Reaction

Apologies for the blurriness.

Most everything basic that I thrift is H&M, Kenneth Cole Reaction, or Divided (sub-brand of H&M). These brands seem to make the perfect (and perfectly unappreciated, judging by the level of wear on the stuff I end up buying) basics. I just thrifted six shirts the other day, all of which were H&M or Divided. Then I went back a day later to buy the sandals. Odd, right?

I was in doubt about this tank top, because I always look at it in the pile and am like "This doesn't suit me at all". And then I try it on and I'm like, "This is PERFECT!" I don't quite get it, either.

In re: the jeans: these are the most perfect man-pants I've ever worn. The other pair (eventually scrapped for shorts, see above) were too blocky and made me look not nearly as lithe and kickass as I am.

SO DAMN COLORFUL

2009-05-22T21:49:00.000-07:00

(shirt, thrifted. rainbow cuffs, street vendor in NYC. star bracelet, claire's. peace bracelet, claire's. peace sign ring, claire's. long beaded necklace, claire's. chunky beaded necklace, strawberry. short beaded necklace, claire's. tiny choker that you can barely see because it's hiding, gift from the family.)

My outfits since I returned home from school:

-Black t-shirt and jeans.
-Grey t-shirt and navy skirt.
-Black turtleneck and browny-grey skirt.
-Black button-down and browny-grey skirt.
-Black A-line dress.
-Dark purple t-shirt, black turtleneck, and jeans.
-Any or all of the above with black boots, black ballet flats, black platform sneakers, black belt (hahakarate), black tights, and/or black leggings.

The most interesting piece of clothing I've worn all summer so far has been a pair of electric blue walking shorts, and even those were framed with black. Black t-shirt, black flats. My wardrobe has been, to say the least, BORING. I've justified it with the fact that dark neutrals are chic and timeless, and it's not like I don't look good, I just don't look very interesting.

The cry goes up from the townsfolk, "O Woe! How shall our dearest Yessie Bear save herself from the black abyss of boredom?"

And I state, with a voice as booming as a thunderstorm at sea:

"RAINBOWS."

And the townsfolk respond, slightly confused, "Why?"

And I give them my reasons:

-Rainbows go with everything. It's all the colors put together! It's practically a neutral! You really can't go wrong with rainbows, because they match, well, EVERYTHING.
-Rainbows have positive sociocultural implications (GAY PRIIIIIIDE).
-Rainbows are FUN. Who doesn't look at a rainbow in the sky and crack a smile? NOBODY. Not even Old Man Grumpus can resist good ol' Roy G. Biv.
-Rainbows are PRETTY, too, and they're part of nature. If you're accused of wearing too many brights, or too many colors that can't be found in nature (which, actually, is a bit of an impediment to looking chic, as style should appear effortless and unnatural colors are, well, unnatural), you can toss your chic hair and say in your most chic voice "Why don't you try refracting light through a prism sometime? Maybe you'll learn a thing or two", and trot away. Chicly, of course.

HOWEVER, even I have to adjust rainbows to suit my personal style, because they have the potential for mega tacky if done wrong. Thus:

-I don't own any rainbow tops. Bright colors covering the entire upper half of my body wash out my face (on the pale side of peaches and cream) and my (grayish-green) eyes. I keep them to accessories, or to the occasional skirt (I have one crazy handmade-looking mini that gets worn over jeans, and a plaid pencil skirt).
-I don't wear enormous amounts of rainbow accessories at a time. Today, for example, I wore a black collared t-shirt, boyfriend jeans, and a gumball beaded rainbow necklace. If I really want to go overboard, I might wear my rainbow mini with a bracelet or two, or maybe my peace sign ring. But generally I stick to the tried and true 'neutrals with a pop' method.
-My rainbows don't have primary colors. My necklaces stick to the pastel-y pinks and rich fuschia kind of rainbows; turquoises, teals, oranges, burgundies, magentas, purples, golds, mustards, greens, hot pinks galore, even browns (which is an unexpected neutral to set off rainbow colors with and thus much more interesting than plain old black). While Roy G. Biv is great, I need less expected colors (secondaries, tertiaries, etc.) to make my look a little more modern and funky than classic and, well, predictable. (It took me a while to warm up to my peace sign ring for this reason; it has the 'classic' rainbow coloring and is bordered by black and looked a little twee at first--though now I adore it!)

Lately, all my shopping sprees have drawn me to the accessories aisles to find my latest rainbow bracelet, or ring, or necklace. What's your latest color-related obsession?(closeup on necklace details. ignore the blink. claire's, gifted, strawberry, claire's.)

(the crazy handmade-looking miniskirt; my first and favorite piece of rainbow attire. thrifted.)

(the plaid pencil skirt; not exactly rainbow, but full of poppy fascinating colors that it basically qualifies. also thrifted.)

ehmyuhschmoozetastic

2009-05-06T10:58:00.001-07:00

My new favoritest picture of me, like, ever. That sweater(dress?) cost me a dollar. IT'S AMAZING.

I know, I look like a schmooze. But in a way that's like "DAMN, I look fantastic and I paid about $10 to look this good."

(thrifted sweater(dress), thrifted belt, leggings from a random knockoff shop on 14th, Nine West boots that are invisible in this picture)

sweat suit alternative

2009-03-20T14:55:00.000-07:00

(all thrifted, pants originally from Express)

Tim Gunn knows what he's talking about. I wore this to lunch with a friend, who commented enthusiastically on the duster. I call it my "Jedi Robe". Yeah. I'm a dweeb.

when you kiss me heaven sighs

2009-03-16T13:25:00.000-07:00

(thrifted dress, thrifted cap)

This dress begs to be slouched up with torn, ugly jeans. I met it halfway with a newsie cap.

Lily Donaldson WOULD have perfect taste in little black dresses.

2009-03-10T17:18:00.000-07:00

I seriously changed my clothes like four times today, except for the black tights.

Oh, and I've been listening to Roisin Murphy nonstop since last night, so let me know if you're lonely, babe.

(dress, vintage H&M. tights, Strawberry. shoes, thrifted. belt, thrifted. iPod, Apple. Hair, self-cut.)

college girls drink cheap tea

2009-02-28T18:47:00.001-08:00

(shirt, gifted. tank, thrifted. jeans, gifted. necklaces, gifted--yup, all of them!)

Note the Lipton brand. And the haircut.

they call me the cautionary whale

2009-01-21T10:10:00.000-08:00

My laptop camera is a piece 'o' crap, and I haven't access to a real honest to goodness digital camera. Thus, Facebook!
Halloween: Juno MacGuff (moi) and Pauley Bleeker (mah floormate), various floories in the background. Note the epic platform sneakers. Always good to be two inches taller.

(jeans: thrifted American Eagle. shoes: thrifted. skirt: Gap. purse: Target. flannel: KMart. striped shirt: roommate's. black tank top: studiomate's. button-down: Carson's. fake uterus: floormate's blanket, rubberbands.)

put a ring on it

2009-01-13T17:22:00.000-08:00

Sorry about the crappy image quality, again. It's a laptop camera thing.

I stood on a piano bench to get this. Blurg.

(sweater: mom, dress: h&m vintage, jeans: carson's, hair: weird)

More people I love

2009-01-12T21:19:00.000-08:00

NCIS forensic scientist Abby Sciuto (and, by extension, actress Pauley Perrette) is my new favorite person. She's like the Gothic Lolita Badass alter ego I never had.

I want to be best friends with her and have her cut my hair into black fringe and blast pounding techno music in computer labs while we analyze the various molecular structures of delicious cocktails, let cow-eyed cutiepies curl up in the corner, and give our deadpan sociopathic bosses hugs that could crush a camel.

Oh, and the cross tattoo. LOOK AT IT! Who doesn't want a fantabulous Jesus symbol plastered on their backs? Well, atheists. But it's not like Abby or I are big religieuses, anyway.

(Images: google.com)

Gap Teeth

2009-01-12T14:25:00.000-08:00

There is a Facebook group called "I Support All Of Kate Moss’ Past, Present, And Future Endeavors".

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=2204537622&ref=mf

Among the various inspirational foh-toes of La Mossinator, you will find these gems:

Oh, Marky Mark. Never change.

Both Hepburns combined into one tiny tiny model.

"Oh yes, please, some more champagne. And maybe a little crack cocaine, if you can spare it."

WHAT. THE. AITCH.

I want these pants. For absolute srs.

Ironic, yes? Because she's British and too hopped up on the good ol' crack cocaine to even consider fighting in a war. Shooting someone, yes. Shooting someone systematically...that's a probably not.

Always gotta go with the classics. This is probably the best picture of her ever. Maybe.

Punktacular Kate! I want this hair. It's like Victoria Beckham met Morticia Addams.

This is like my life. Except I don't read in the bathtub. More like on the toilet. Hmm, maybe I've said too much.

Flawless. Possibly as a result of high-contrast lighting and some mild airbrushing, but who cares, really? Flawless.

Oh, and p.s:

THIS IS NOT LA MOSSINATOR. Just saying that if you're going to be a member of the biggest Kate fanclub on the FB, much less post pictures on it, you should at least know what the reason for the biggest Kate fanclub on the FB looks like.

(all pictures from ISAOKMPPFE)

Teeth (not the movie)

2009-01-11T21:40:00.000-08:00

(click on the photos for the links)

Big toothy smiles are gorgeous. Basically.

Post-Holiday Jitters

2009-01-03T11:03:00.000-08:00

Apologies for the delay in blogging--it's been a random last few weeks.

I'm cleaning my room right now and went through one of my drawers, and look what I found:

A crazy epic vest! My stepgrandparents gave it to me a few Xmases back because they knew I liked 'vintage clothing.' Ironically, it's not vintage at all (it's Yes London if you care to know).

Ostensibly, it's a simple jersey cotton, but a closer look reveals:

It's asymmetrical to the max and has about 80 different fabrics on there: gold plastic-y stuff, brown suede, black wool, lace, what looks like the back of a Velcro strip, velvet, and some itchy blue sparkly stuff around the collar (the main reason I don't wear this that often--the itching drives me nuts).

Not that I'm a snob or anything (LOL JK), but there's a fine line between the seamless blending of fabric and pattern a la Missoni:

from http://www.catwalkqueen.tv/2006/11/get_the_missoni.html

And the "throw everything at the dress form and see what sticks" a la Guadalupe Vidal:from Project RunGay

This vest falls squarely into the latter category.

Closeups on the tickety-tack!

Five different fabrics/threads/patterns!

Random fabric paint! Clashing black/brown! Buttons that don't work!

GOLD. EMBROIDERY.

Strange inside-out darts. Or are they pleats? I CAN'T TELL!

The piece de resistance: a giant motherfucking collage of lace, gold thread, pearls, beads, bows, velvet, wool, the kitchen sink, Angelina Jolie, and Master Chief. (The shiny is the pearls, in case you were too BLINDED BY THE EPIC TACKY).

It looks like Jackson Pollock in 3-D. So classy.

cousin bridesmaid

2008-12-18T10:06:00.001-08:00

For my aunt's Christmas wedding. Simple and gorgeous.

Le Masque.

2008-12-15T15:24:00.001-08:00

Attempts of mine to be more edgy and bold and gothic in the ways of fashion. Which is difficult when working with nothing but a dingy laptop camera. But ah well. Soon I shall make use of my family's digital camera, for I am home for the holidays!

I've had that fabric lying around for ages, btdubbs. It's fantastically purpley-brown and teal. FANTASTICALLY, I tell you.

HATS.

2008-12-12T12:23:00.001-08:00

(click for larger images)

I'm a hat person. It's probably not a good addiction. The first picture, one of my fave hats--this ratty old used fedora (still has feathers and everything!!) set me back $25. I know. What the hell. SO EXPENSIVE. I probably could have asked my grandpa for one and gotten it fo' free. Ah well. I get most of them off the street or vintage (the second fedora was off the street--I found its twin in denim for like, a dollar at K-Mart. This one was $10. Gah. New York prices.)

But when I wear it with my fab beige peacoat-esque jacket, I look very film noir. At least that's what one of my filmie friends said. Fedoras are super-fun, even if they are a bit out of style. Only because they're overused. I wear my wool tweed one all the time, because it's old and well-loved. I'll probably show it to my grandpa, who will immediately accept me as his favorite granddaughter.

(P.S. Behind me is my roommate, who is so sartorially fab it's not even close to funny. Someday, I shall get her to take some pictures, and you may all bask in her glory.)

Melissa Haro

2008-12-12T11:37:00.000-08:00

From projectrungay.blogspot.com

From Sports Illustrated 2008

I.
LOVE.
THIS.
GIRL.

Seriously, I want to be best friends with her and play with her silky brown hair and cuddle with her. Look at her. Before she got typecast as slutty 20-year-old SI model (which will haunt her for the rest of her life) she was a surprisingly versatile (but still slutty) 16-year-old PR model.

Look at her in that adorable updated retro chaste silk flowered dress. LOOK AT IT.
Now look at her in that whoretastically fabulous pirate girl bikini. Can you even tell it's the same girl? Only barely. She's like Kate Moss with her versatility, only she's tall, dark, and voluptuous. If she ever breaks free of the SI curse, she could have a fantastic career. Honestly, it'd be good to see someone with a really killer bod after all the twiggy china dolls walking the runway for the past five years.

GAH! She could be Cindy Crawford. The potential, it burns!!

P.S. Look at her creamy, gorgeous skin. Raw as hell, girl!

Sirianology

2008-11-28T12:37:00.000-08:00

The Gayboy of the Western World's Spring 2009 collection:
http://www.christianvsiriano.com/collection_spring.html

Some of them are awesome, like this:

From http://www.christianvsiriano.com/

And some of them are a travesty, like this:

From http://www.christianvsiriano.com/

Honestly, it's the color scheme that was a real problem. He tried to do his characteristic skinny bottoms and tight tops in colors and fabrics that were absolutely wrong for the job. That floaty, see-through stuff is cheap. I'm pretty sure that the pants fabric is charmeuse, which shows every wrinkle and flaw in the execution. Even if it's flawlessly sewn, that color makes it look wrinkled and cheap.

The dresses, on the other hand, are FABULOUS. Actually, anything that's not the Siriano super-fit is fabulous and fierce. The swooshy pants, the swooshy tank tops (except for that dreadful cardigan/blazer thingy), the gorgeous swirly organza dresses, even the hats, those silhouettes are fantastic. It's that silver I have a problem with mostly. If he had done more in the grey-blue, or the red, or even the yellow (ick), or if he had stuck to his characteristic black black black, it might have been a bit fiercer.

Things I Love #1 (Accessories)

2008-11-19T01:00:00.000-08:00

Things I own and am addicted to:

1. Chunky Platform Shoes

platform sneaker, Steve Madden: thrifted, $5.

platform ankle bootie, vibram; thrifted, $20.

So classy, no? I can't walk in heels AT ALL, and I'm 5'3 with a burning desire to be tall, so platform shoes are the way to go. I own two pairs of those platform sneakers, and left the first pair behind when I went off to college; when I saw them at the local Salvation Army, I freaked. It was destiny. I neeeeeeded them.
As for the booties, they're a wee bit tiny on me, but I think I can stretch them out with one of those fake-foot things. I got them the same day I got my jumpsuit (two days ago). My roommate told me I look like a clown when I wear them together. I respectfully disagree.

2. Statement Necklace

necklace, some store on 14th Street, $3.25.

Again, super-classy, right? I have a pretty simplistic wardrobe (lots of tees, jeans, sweatpants) and I need necklaces and jewelry and scarves to make it look good. I have a couple statement necklaces (one of which is my ID lanyard) but this is one of my favorites: it reminds me of some kind of tribal necklace made of tusks or human fingers or the like. I think I would still like it if it was made of human fingers--ANYWAY! It's a bit long, and I prefer the choker look, so I generally just tie it in a square knot behind my neck instead of clasping it.

(P.S. You can see a bit of my jumpsuit peeking out at the bottom of this picture. Smex, no?)

3. Hair Elastics

Ouchless hair elastics, from mother/any drugstore in America.

COMPLETELY NECESSARY FOR GOOD HAIR. Nuff said.

Reference Pic

2008-11-18T22:54:00.001-08:00

A quick approximation of my current outfit, done hastily in mechanical pencil and gray artist's markers (click for bigger and better view):

Of course, it's not nearly as good-looking as the real thing, the pant legs are rolled up to the knees, I have a face in real life, blah blah blah, but it's just a quick reference until I get some IRL pics up with something that's not my laptop webcam.

Note the elastic stirrups on my feet. Poorly drawn, but really funny.

The banner's temporary, by the way; just a quick Facebook picture of me and my classmates. Spooning. Yum.

Well hello!

2008-11-18T15:33:00.000-08:00

My name's Jess. I've been a long time lurker around fashion blogs and the like, and as they've all been rather inspiring, I supposed I should give it a try. I haven't any outfit posts, I'm afraid, as I haven't a camera, but I can give you a quick rundown of what I'm currently wearing and perhaps add an image to it later.

CURRENT UNIFORM:

Black polar fleece jumpsuit, folded over and worn as drop-crotch trousers (thrifted, $20). The look is very American Apparel without the priciness, or the shoddy construction which I so despise about that store. It has those obnoxious elastic sweatpant cuff things, but that just makes the pants part easier to roll up below the knee. My floormate despises the jumpsuit itself, but complimented me on my skillful clothing manipulation.

Skinny brown belt (thrifted, $5). Too small for my hips, but just right for my waist. It's doing rather a handy job of keeping that folded-over jumpsuit top where it should be.

Grey crewneck T-shirt (Gap FavoriTee, some amount of money). I have FAR TOO MANY of these T-shirts. Good thing they look good with anything, otherwise I'd have a problem. This particular one may be getting a tad big on me, but that's probably because of the washer/dryers at this dorm. It's just bordering on unflattering, but it looks good with high-waisted stuff.

Quilted ballet flats (Sam and Libby, $24). The first pair of flats I've owned that don't fall off my feet or make them smell or do anything else nasty. I love them so.

Plus: Various and sundry scrunchies on my wrists, a clip in my hair, etc.

That's it! Lovely to meet you all! Hope I can remember to keep this blog updated (and get a camera, etc.)