Gothic Preppy

Love and Pride

2009-07-21T16:32:00.000-07:00

I won this shirt on ebay the other day; it is amazing how hard it is to find a Thompson Twins shirt on ebay, and even more amazing is how much they go for. But I got this one for cheep.

This rug from Urban Outfitters is really cracking me up. It's pretty enough for a library and funny enough for a kid's room. Or something. I don't need any justification to buy it!

here is a pretty dress I found on etsy, alas already sold. I wish all my clothes looked like this.

Finally, my new favorite song. I wish all songs sounded like this.

My New Dress

2009-07-19T07:24:00.001-07:00

(Hah, I will update more than once a month, I promise!)

I have been, like a lot of you, scouring thrift stores and vintage stores for the perfect old 40s day dress-etsy and ebay are great (obviously) but $40+ for someone else's clothes?

Thrifting in Florida (and I know, since I've been doing it for almost 10 years) is a great thing if you like vintage designer or great old coats that people brought down and then realized they would never need to wear again. It is not so great for sweet little old Edwardian blouses or novelty-printed crepe rayon frocks. I reckon no one really lived in central Florida prior to the 50s-at least no one who would be wearing dainty blouses and high button shoes.

So you can imagine my shock, shock as I was rifling through the racks at Goodwill yesterday, and found Her. This dress is so iconic it looks like a costume-the straight-cut skirt, the drape, the double collar, the feedsack print, the REMOVABLE (!) rhinestone pins, and the belt, still there through 60 years and the indiscriminate hands of the Goodwill sorters.

And the best part is, it was half off day, so she only cost $2.99. I love all my old ebayed and etsyed dresses. But this time is different. I found her. And she's all mine.

2009-06-30T18:52:00.000-07:00

Hi All, have you missed me?

I've been thinking lately that while I love the 20s, 30s, and 40s dresses I have amassed (and there are lots), I'm of the mind that 60s clothes are well-suited to summertime, especially summertime in Florida. Now that I'm finally old enough to not actually be a lolita*, I find myself craving the minis and pigtails I eschewed in earlier days.

*Of course, in the movie she just dresses like a typical kid in the 50s, go fig.

2009-05-19T11:31:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been almost a month since last I posted. I've just been SO BUSY with buying cars, moving out of houses and wearing American Apparel tri-blend tees constantly that fashion hasn't been foremost in my mind. As soon as I get settled in there will be more fashion to be found. Here are some links to keep you busy:

No Good for Me today has a lovely sad little meditation on growing up.

The Likkle Girl is the sweetest woman in the uh Southern Hemisphere. The one opposite from mine. Whatever. Just go enjoy her blog.

Apocalypstick Now, besides being hilariously named, is a wellspring of beauty info, and this week she's doing sunscreen, which is going to be of crucial importance to me since I'm moving downtown (!)

And if you're feeling in a spendy mood, trot over to my etsy for a secret sale... just mention code BLOG when you purchase and receive 25% off of your order!

See you next week!

2009-04-30T18:09:00.001-07:00

Gosh has it really been 2 weeks since my last post? I'm so caught up in work and trying to find a new place, and trying to buy a cheap car...

(Please click on this pic for more...it's too dark to see if you don't!)

But enought about me. Here's a handmade ...40s? dress I found at a local scenester consignment shop. I am having a really hard time dating this dress-it's made out of such a fine feedsack cotton that I'm afraid it will melt if I try to wash it, but it has a zipper, but the length is too long to be 50s, but the sweep of the skirt is too wide to be 30s...we'll just leave it at the 40s for now and be happy.

Here is a close up on the pattern and the hand-done pintucking. Unreal!

Extra for Experts: Don't forget to peep at my Etsy shop...discount for all my readers! (All 8 of you)

Things I Didn't Even Know I Wanted

2009-04-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

-I saw a girl on Friday night at Wal-Mart (don't judge me) with beautiful, soft, matte waves that flowed across her skull like a font of silken beauty. If she hadn't looked like a bitch, I would have asked her what hair products she used. I think I found it, though:

It hits all the rich girl pointers: it's exclusive to Sephora, it is prohibitively expensive, and yep, gives you matte waves. Now if I can only pony up $24 for this stuff.

I'm a sucker for names; if you call your ebay listing NANCY SINATRA DOLLY TWEE DEPRESSION NEW WAVE DRESS I am 75% more likely to bid on it, even if you're only selling a toilet scrubber.

So these Nars nail polishes are really hitting me in the caveman part of my brain; with names like Arabesque, Pussy Galore (ouch) and Schiap, they are impossible to resist.

In my mad search for mattening hair products (and most of the mattes seem to be waxes, ni goed ni), I found this website full of Camellia oil hair treatments, baby food, and these bizarre hair dyes, which come in colors like Cinnamon Milk Tea and Jewelry Pink. I have always wanted pink hair (but subtle, not shocking), and for $8.99, how can you lose? Well I guess you can lose by not being fluent in Japanese and not having any idea of how to apply or for how long. But I think if you're not living on the edge you're taking up too much room.

Which leads me to my last and final covetable; Today on Luxirare, she featured a pair of thigh-high stockings with back zips, and I felt the proverbial apple fall on my head-I could cobble my own Margiela boots, and make them flats so I need not totter around on a pair of nails! And for considerable less expense!

2009-04-08T08:18:00.001-07:00

Hey Goths and Preps,

peep my ebay auctions. Cool stuff now and more to come.

LEATHER HOODIE

HIGH WAIST YVES ST LAURENT SHORTS

AMERICAN APPAREL SKIRT

Oneandahalf-What to Buy?

2009-04-07T07:24:00.000-07:00

Today on Style Bubble, Susie talked about the new clothing line Oneandahalf, and the simple shapes and mostly black color choice piqued my interest. The clothes are so inexpensive, and look so nice, it's hard to decide what to choose!

Zip-crotch pants, $37 (That's like a tenth of those Alexander Wang [or whoever made them, I cba to remember] pants!)

Dress with draped armhole, $27

Detachable blazer, $55. The sleeves detach! DEMASIADO!

Or if you prefer, detachable shirtdress for $55, unreal.

2009-04-01T08:53:00.000-07:00

This is the Reebok Top Down. It looks old, but it isn't. It looks like a boy's shoe, but it isn't that either. You can fold them down to look like regular old low top sneaks or leave them high with skinny jeans tucked in to get the New Edition look we all crave. The canvas ones are around $50 some odd dollars, the leather ones pictured here are a bit more.

2009-03-30T12:53:00.000-07:00

I've never been the girl who needs to be up on the trendy bag and/or shoe (except when I was in elementary school and desperately wanted a Vuitton monogram bag. These things pass). But this YSL bag is absolute perfection. You can see how high quality it is, never mind that it costs as much as a used car.

2009-03-26T13:35:00.000-07:00

all saints - by Lux Interior on Polyvore.com

In my travels, I discovered a blog called Haute Macabre, who directed me to the fabulous UK line (so I'm probably late to the party) All Saints, which seems to do Rick Owens (or is it the other way round) on the cheap. Everything you could want to furnish your gothic lifestyle, from fringed leather vests to bikini bottoms with chains on (so impractical, yet so desirable), to ram's head wallpaper. And they appear to ship to America!

2009-03-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

Keep thinking about this J. Crew "canvas boardwalk magazine tote", it is acid green so there's your springtime neon trend, and if you covered it in badges, it would be the ultimate gothic preppy accessory.

2009-03-23T13:19:00.000-07:00

So I'm going to see Depeche Mode!
That's good.
It's in six months.
That's bad.
But that gives me six months to come up with a suitably gothic outfit.
That's good!
The toppings contain potassium benzoate.
Can I go home now?

would love to wear this dress, don't know if I can drop that much money at this point in life...

with these boots (seriously, be still my heart!)

and this jacket! Just kidding but not really...

2009-03-13T21:30:00.001-07:00

Hey y'all, I've been a poor poor fashion blogger of late. Apologies. Here are some pictures that should soften the blow

LOVE her makeup

this picture is everything that is right about life: 3/4 sleeve coats, big hair, leather jackets, pointy boots, cropped denim, keds, i wish i could live in this picture forever

Credit: TFS, Life magazine archive, stolen variously around the internets

Sweetness and Light

2009-03-06T12:13:00.000-08:00

Spring 09 - by Lux Interior on Polyvore.com

It is springtime, finally (Daylight Savings Time starts tomorrow! Or is it ends tomorrow? I can never remember), and all I can think about are these Cheap Monday "anti-fit" chinos; they are the best possible kind of preppy. Won't get out of it cheaply though, since they can only be found on two sites and neither are in the US, ugh. How fresh with the J. Crew canvas and leather tote (you could put band buttons on it; that's what I'm going to do once I buy it) and chiffon-trimmed tee. Add these Matt Bernson sandals and classic Wayfarers and you are good to go.

The last thing you need for Spring are these Target Alexander McQueen leggings; I didn't think anything of them until I saw this picture from Gareth Pugh:

Wowee wow wow wow!

2009-03-02T08:10:00.000-08:00

from The Fashion Spot

Weird editorial from this month's Harper's Bazaar; reminds me of the surreal Vogue editorials of old.

from My Vintage Vogue

-Built By Wendy is having an online sample sale until tomorrow, there are some sick deals to be had. I picked up the "Ghost in the Machine" pullover for a cool $20.

As far as I'm concerned, you can never have too many 80s themed clothing items.

-Am going to be contributing to a vintage clothing site; when it's live I'll let you know!

Love in Itself

2009-02-25T06:58:00.000-08:00

Well my boots sold for $1,225 (!) As soon as I get paid I guess it's off to the car dealership to throw my weight around and get a fully loaded Mercedes for the price of a sack of potatoes. Just kidding. Not really. If I didn't have to buy a car (oh pity me) I would be buying the Ted coat from Topshop (my finger is gnawed raw from missing out on the silky Bananarama dresses--do they ever restock?) and the zip dress from Miss Selfridge; I know it's just a t-shirt with a zip but oh how I want it!

Sound & Vision

2009-02-24T07:55:00.000-08:00

I feel like I was brave in my youth; I would wear the biggest-belled JNCOs with platform sneakers and crop tops, and huge Elton John shades from Delia's. To that end, here are some recent purchases that I vow to wear in my daily life:

vintage Lanz dress, if I can get it on, the measurements are 36 bust and 24 waist! I need a girdle. Of course if the bust is factored into a kimono sleeve we might be on ez street.

This shirt takes no bravery to wear, I'm just going to be wearing it a lot to offset its cost...oh dear...

2009-02-23T11:59:00.000-08:00

I have been, and am, a crappy blogger. I only have clothes to wear for nights out with Exene circa 1981. No work clothes. Maybe I'll wear my party clothes to work. This office is pretty lax.

I want to dress like this all the time. Damn these Mediterranean hips!

I'm only 24 and I already feel like youth is wasted on the young.

Real post tomorrow.

Sad Day in Gothicpreppyland

2009-02-18T05:39:00.000-08:00

Well friends, it has come down to this;

I am forced to sell my beloved Sam Edelman boots (though no one has bid on them yet, scowl scowl. So I would advise you to get while the gettin's good!)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280314439574

It is also my 100th post! So there's some cheer there. But little cheer.

More Inspiration

2009-02-13T08:08:00.000-08:00

I have been a lazy blogger. But I have been shopping nonetheless.

A coupla 40s/50s dresses from ebay

Comfy shoes for summer, cos in Florida once things really ramp up, all you wear is cutoffs and tank tops and the comfiest shoes you can find

And the Philosophy Soda Fountain, cos I don't know about you, but I have always wanted to smell like root beer.

I'll leave you with this most excellent picture from Flair magazine. It looks like a still from High School Confidential.

Luggage Roundup

2009-02-10T06:45:00.000-08:00

Have you seen these Fifi Lapin Lesportsac bags? I am honestly dying at how cute they are. And not too expensive, as Lesportsac bags usually are. Even though they're made in China now instead of the US as they once were. Mm hmm.

Of course the real tragedy is this Pucci-for-Braniff suitcase that I will never have, as it is part of this lot which has a buy it now of $250,000. But it has my initial on it...

2009-02-09T06:24:00.000-08:00

Jacket, Dillards, $20
Million year old t-shirt, Gap
Skirt, Target, $10
60s Coach purse, thrifted, $2
60s shoes, thrifted, $2.99

One of my favorite pastimes is finding mall clothes that kinda-sorta fit in with my Deneuveian aesthetic. Though you might think I was off to sit on library steps and be serenaded by a Burgundy-scented guy with a baguette, I was actually going to the Cheesecake Factory and then to Tim and Eric with my sister. Slightly more mundane but fun nonetheless.

And after all my bitchin about how I can never find old shoes in my size, I found these 60s Naturalizers at Goodwill. What do you know?

2009-02-06T12:39:00.000-08:00

I've always been interested with the intersection of 80s teen style, sometime in '84 or '85, right as or before the new wave influences start to wane and the wave of New Kids/mall clothes starts to rise (I say as a weekend expert, I was only born in 85 and really don't know anything about mall clothes; I do own a copy of The Valley Girl Handbook which I can't even find on the internet at all) with a splash of punk, a little bit of skateboard and a lot of baggy-trousered fun. In that spirit I just bought these pants on Etsy

and gosh I hope they fit! I will wear them with a black shirt tucked in, fresh white keds, and wayfarers.

2009-02-03T05:46:00.000-08:00

from lottielulu on flickr

I have no money. I am probably (with heavy heart) going to sell my Sam Edelman Balenciaga rip offs because let's face it, I've never worn them, and they are regularly going for $400-$800 on ebay, and I could use that money toward a car. SO. I am going to start buying vintage patterns and making my own clothes. I am also going to use the vintage patterns to

GO TO THE OPEN SEE AT BLOOMIES ON MAY 1, despite never having sewn anything other than the hems of my pants and loose buttons. Am I allowed to use patterns if I tweak them? Would it be better sense to get a seamstress to help me? I could probably have the people who alter all my clothes help. I always take my old t-shirts in and they yell at me, saying, "you know, if you would just buy smaller shirts you wouldn't have to spend money to alter them." I choose not to tell them about my thrifting habits and just hand over the cash.

But maybe I can shell out for this funny McSweeney's tote bag.

Strange Behaviour

2009-02-02T14:00:00.001-08:00

I like slouchy basics as much as the next girl. Actually I don't, cos my shoulders are so small that I get lost in slouch and require a high armhole and fitted sleeve. That said, I can understand trying to get that sloppy boyfriend look beloved of all and sundry. What I cannot understand is this Alexander Wang tank top:

$75 for this? A bit of dishrag? If your mom found this on the floor of your bedroom, that's what she would use it for! Don't sleep on the baggy denim shorts to go with, yours for the fair and modest sum of $285!

And this is supposed to be Mr Wang's less expensive line?

2009-01-30T07:58:00.000-08:00

Y'all know Liz Claiborne; proto-feminist purveyor of American sportswear. My own personal anecdote regarding Liz is throwing up in my mom's Liz purse at the DMV when I was 3 or 4 years old-she refused to get out of line. Now Isaac Mizrahi, after having left Target (and my one reliable source for cheap, comfortable high heels) is debuting his first collection for Liz, and there is no way these clothes will ever fit me, because I'm not allowed to have nice things.

Tiny sheer 3/4 sleeve gray sweater be mine

This outfit is so American it kills. Can't you see Michelle "I Can Benchpress 400" Obama in this outfit? And the flag watch! Oh!

Windowpane check jacket with contrast lining, this reminds me of Down With Love when Renee Zellweger and friend remove their coats to reveal contrasting dresses.

And if I remember this month's Vogue article correctly, everything is going to be at or below $100. Too good to be true!

2009-01-29T06:29:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking lately that maybe the reason I don't dress up as much as I could or should is because I don't have The Right Shoes. It's hard to get excited about an outfit when your footwear choices are limited to crappy fake-leather flats from the mall or flip flops. On the other hand, buying vintage shoes is always dicey; I once had a pair of sandals literally crumble off my feet. And buying deadstock is even dicier-while you can be fairly sure that in the case of buying clothes and shoes from little old ladies, their things were kept somewhere temperature controlled. Deadstock things might have languished in a warehouse in Louisiana for 40 years, subject to heat, humidity, rain, and God knows what else. Then you have the other problem of looking like you've dressed in costume, which is great for some people, but I already look like a kid playing in mom's closet 99% of the time. What's a girl to do?

"victorian" 40s shoes

Pretty lizard shoes

Sickest Victorian (real Victorian) pointy boots. This is why I love vintage; you can go to Urban and spend $70 on some joe schmo boots or spend $70 and get some weird, one of a kind shoes that have gone through all of time to land in your hot little hands. And isn't that a lovely feeling?

And I would be remiss if I didn't show you the terrifying detail on a 30s blouse I'm bidding on:

WHERE ARE THEIR FACES? Oh, their faces are BUTTONS!!!!

2009-01-27T07:55:00.000-08:00

I have no money, and American Apparel is trying to kill me with their $90 disco pants (would rather have a pair of Le Gambi's but are no where to be found). One of the perks though of living at home is you can spend your food budget on ebay goodies, and bring pb&j's to work!

The seller claims this is a 60s dress, but there's just something about it that makes it seem older than that. Not complaining, of course.

Actually I'm going to complain, cos I'm crap at bringing my stuff to the dry cleaners, and I am terrified to wash my vintage (sometimes antique) clothes for fear that they will bleed and shrink and I will not be the cool person I have created in my mind. How the hell do you wash vintage clothes?

These I will probably regret, but they were only $10 and I've been looking for a super high waist pair of skinny pants; these might require some reconstructive surgery.

2009-01-24T07:38:00.000-08:00

I barely rarely post on the weekends but I thought I'd share with you this flickr album I found of 'Risques', "naughty" pictures from the turn of the century. Not safe for work, obviously, but cute and charming nonetheless.

The thing you notice about women in days of old is how much...thicker they were, but not fat. Womanly. Women don't have that shape anymore, I attribute it to our highly industrialized diet that turns us into calves, not people. But this is a fashion/sexy nude French women blog, not a soapbox.

Wishlist

2009-01-23T09:54:00.000-08:00

It is Cold here in usually not-cold Florida. And this isn't just me being a wimp cos I'm from Florida; it was warmer in Boston yesterday than it was here. To paraphrase J.M. Barrie, God gave us the internet so we might have bathing suits in January. To wit, my spring wishlist:

1. Do you see these Martin Margiela boots with a nail for a heel? Are you seeing them? I am dying. I'm already dead.
2. I like this Urban bathing suit top though it is decidedly unsexy; good though for layering under things.
3. You could wear it with these high waisted twill pants, also from Urban. The problem with (most) contemporary high waisted items is that they only rise to the belly button. I have a pair of shorts from Target whose waist goes to the true waist; e.g., up around the ribcage. Get with the program, people!
4 & 5. These wannabe 30s items (imagine the dress below the knee in seafoam crepe? Now we're talkin) are from F21 and are just charming enough to consider.
6. Finally these SICK winklepickers from Topshop; when I was a wee and tender lass, all of 13, absolutely besotted with Duran Duran (somewhat acceptable behavior in 1988, questionable in 1998), I made it my mission to try and own as many Duranish items as possible. The ruffled shirts, the spiked belts, even the pink leopard print trousers! These shoes are totes John Taylor, to be worn with holey old band shirt and second-skin leather pants.

Oh and by the way, I don't know how interested you are in cute pictures and timely news/how bored you are at work, but I'm updating my tumblr constantly with uh cute pictures and timely news, check it out if you are so inclined:

http://earnenoughforus.tumblr.com/

Gettin' Statistical

2009-01-22T10:46:00.001-08:00

I just installed Google Analytics, which means I'm spying on you now. I now have access to the things that people search to come to my little corner of the internet. Here are my favorites:

"if your gothic is going preppy the right thing to do": wisht I had seen this earlier! Stay goth, little one!

"'obscure alternatives'" blogspot" This is the dilemma of liking obscure music, you think you've stumbled onto a Japan blog you've never seen but no, it's just me being an ass.

"'carine roitfeld''dark circles'" Clearly I'm not the only one who's obsessed with C-Roit's orbitals

"crotch boots" "crotch high boots" "preppy boots" I get a lot of boot-related queries. And I didn't know there was a market for preppy boots; would they have pink and green flannel lining? The mind swims with possibilities!

2009-01-21T09:37:00.000-08:00

Fred Flair Lolitaish sunglasses, Blue Waltz perfume, MSI Wind limited Valentines edition netbook, Le Creuset cookware, 40s dress from ebay (may actually buy but I need more 40s dresses like I need a hole in the head)

I love hearts. I love love, but my love for love is tangential to my love for hearts.

That being said, I bought these hair products from Davines because they're called Love. Also, because I'm a sucker. If I were you though, I would buy them from here, cos they're cheaper for the set. Instead of from Barneys, like I did. Because I'm a sucker.

2009-01-20T06:49:00.000-08:00

It is no secret that I have a jealous nature; some things I am jealous of include professional athletes, movie stars, people in bands (especially if I deem myself to have more talent than they do, which is often), rich people, girls with bigger boobs than mine, people with nice hair, people with vintage Chanel bags, tall people, and short people (they can wear stripper heels, you see). But now I get to be jealous of myself, because these are mine.

They are like the perfect storm of the Chloe winklepicker boots and the Jeremy Scott x Adidas sneaks, and they were $5 at Goodwill, and they are mine.

Now to stretch them out an eighth of an inch so they will actually fit!...

Smilin' Through

2009-01-19T05:44:00.000-08:00

blouse: ebay
skirt: Target
socks: Wal-Mart
heels: thrifted

Here's what I wore to my sushi birthday dinner; the hostess laughed at me, but she was wearing a sweater vest, so what does she know? I just wanted to look like a 40s teen on a date; is that so much to ask?

In other news, I got one of those bendy tripods at the Circuit City closing sale, so no more asking people to take my picture!

2009-01-15T11:21:00.001-08:00

The Year of Living Thriftily just had a birthday, and listed 27 things that she loves. And since my birthday is today, I thought I would steal the idea. But my cake has only 24 candles. Lucky for me, cos this is hard!

1. Duran Duran: my life, my heart, my favorite band, always and forever. And their fashion sense was clearly ahead of their time.

2. Jane Fonda as Barbarella, the most beautiful woman there ever was and ever will be. And hair so big they couldn't fit it all in the picture.

3. Elsa Schiaparelli's shoe hat. No more need be said.

4. J Brand 10" skinny jeans: there will come a time in my life when I am too old and too fluffy to wear these. Until then.

5. Louis Wain and his sublimely strange kittens

6. Helmut Newton's goddess women. My life's only regret is that I didn't get famous sooner, or that he would have died later, so I could have had a portrait by him.

7.Howard Devoto and his funny haircut

8. Gobstopper Heartbreakers candy. I am currently working my way through my second bag, and there will be more bags to follow. And the colors are so pretty, especially the pink ones.

9. Milani nail polish; you can find it at Walgreens, it costs $1.99 or less, and comes in sick colors like fluoro yellow and coral.

10. Cute, creepy old antique stores where everything smells like old newspaper, and there are a stack of depression glass plates teetering precariously on the corner of an ancient sideboard, and the proprietor is gruff yet wise and throws in an old pinback of Howdy Doody or something

11. Soft, warm, vintage cashmere sweaters. And they only get better with age.

12. Pucci's out of control classic, elegant, flattering prints

13. Dresses with 3/4 sleeves

14. rude boys and rude girls

15. My favorite movie of all time, Brazil

16. the fabulous ladies (and their fabulous clothes!) of Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill

17. Lip Smackers, the only cosmetic I've used religiously since elementary school

18. Aveda tea

19. Sailor Moon; I'm always trying to hunt down pleated miniskirts and the appropriate hair bobbles for the meatball head look

20. Ferragamo flats

21. World's End

22. Cetaphil

23. gingham

24. Gothic

25. and of course, Preppy.

Recessionista Blues

2009-01-13T09:54:00.000-08:00

I am using the word recessionista unabashedly, because I think it's funny how people have to give a name to everything, no matter how stupid or pointless. Shop Bop and Net-A-Porter are both having 20% off of previously reduced items, here's what I found poking around:

WANT these Alexander Wang pants, $90-some-odd dollars. But I would have to sell some of my own clothes first. Maybe I should have a Gothic Preppy garage sale.

I would wear them with this Marc by Marc top.

Then over to Net-a-Porter, where everything in my size is nearly sold out. Maybe you'll find something good, though.

Ugh Marc Jacobs dress from the future, ugh ugh ugh

Pretty printed Marc dress

Diane Von Furstenburg

But for those of us without birthday money to spend, I found the perfect pair of completely opaque black tights at Wal Mart (and I know, because I have every pair of supposedly opaque black tights known to man, from Hue to Nordstrom) for only $5. Later I decided I want to wear bobby socks with my ankle strap heels, and ended up at Wal Mart, where they had a 5 pack for, you guessed it, $5.

2009-01-12T10:11:00.000-08:00

The nice part about having a birthday in January is that it is just far enough after Christmas that everyone forgets about Christmas and you get double presents. The bad part is that it is inevitably dark, cold, and gray, and you can't wear any of the cute clothes you got.

Like this shirt I won last night; I am embarrassed about how much I spent, but 1) it's my birthday, and 2) it has an embroidered zeppelin! (no comments from the peanut gallery about how I could just embroider a zeppelin on my own shirt)

I am trying to amass vintage tops of late; it's so hard to find novelty shirts that aren't long sleeved, pointy collared, and shiny, unbreathable polyester. But I am on the case.

dolphins!

Dogs and Decisions

2009-01-08T06:07:00.000-08:00

My birthday is coming up here in just seven days. I'll be *cough24cough* (time flies when you're having fun, doesn't it?) I wanted to buy myself a pair of knee high boots, but then I realized I can get by on stealth sexiness instead of having to resort to such cheap and tawdry trickery. So I think I am going to go with ankle boots instead. But which ones?

Justin Lacer boot

Pros:
-durable
-available in steel toe option for kicking ass (taking names optional)
-kind of look like these Christopher Kane Manolos that I will never have vis a vis kiltie toe

-cheap; can probably pick them up at any of the western stores around my house (living in Florida is a perfect storm of scenesters/goths, Spanish people, tourists, and hillbillies)

Cons:
-already have a pair of flat black boots

OR

Pennangalan Pixie Boot

Pros:
-beautiful quality
-pointy pointy toe

Cons:
-have to wait for them to get here from England
-coffin buckles might make overzealous Christians follow me around with Bibles

I'll leave you to ruminate over my doggy bookends (I think they must be 40s-ish) that I got at an antique store for $10, since the man running the place forgot to take the previous price tag off! He was going to charge me $25!

2009-01-06T08:32:00.000-08:00

This is what I wore last night for hookah. This year I will be experimenting with unusual cuts and lengths, which is code-speak for I am too lazy to take anything to the tailor. This is one of the 30s dresses from the Parcel of Madness.

Today's inspiration is Chanel S/S 2009 RTW. Can you guess the theme?

This is how I want to dress when I grow up: like a rich grown-up. Seriously, though.

Long Time No See!

2009-01-05T11:36:00.000-08:00

Well, New Years was uneventful. I drank too much South African champagne (yes, I know), wore shoes that left me in unspeakable pain, and saw 75% of some girl's nipple. Not much of interest, indeed.

I am making my New Years fashion resolutions, which are in no order:
-more cashmere
-more attention to how clothes fit and not the size on the label
-more novelty
-more asymmetry
-sell off the things I don't wear, as I have a nasty habit of thrifting clothes too big and too small, and tiny shoes from the 30s that will never ever fit me in a million years
-start my own clothing line (!)
-get clothing and shoes organized so I stop buying another black tank top when I already have four
-take more outfit pictures! This is the most important resolution!

Further inspiration:

Hello, 911? This is not the Black Flag 'TV Party' 12" single on white vinyl I ordered from ebay, etc

My birthday is in two weeks; I am planning on winning (aren't we all) this mourning dress from ebay to wear to my party:

O, the cleverness of me!

Compulsion

2008-12-29T06:47:00.000-08:00

So there I was, day after Christmas at Saks (day after day after Christmas actually), checking the clearance rack for the extra 60% off tenderness and maybe hoping to score a plain t-shirt for $10 or something. But then a ray of light shined down on the Black Halo Jackie O dress, marked down from $345 to $55. XS, walk in the park, easy street. Just try it on.
And wouldn't you know, it zipped up and over my booty, my incongruously big hips. And stopped at my tiny tiny bustline. Go no further, the zipper would. So I had to leave my heart behind on the Saks rack, waiting for some no-hipped socialite goddess to plunder for her very own. At least the saleslady told me I had a cute figure. Damn straight.

NOT me in the dress that is NOT MINE

Like this one better, will bide my time

Do you ever feel like you're dressing wrong? Not that there's anything wrong with your personal style, but that maybe a 24 year old should be not wearing jeans and american eagle t-shirts in downtime. Especially since my take on spring style is going to be pinups of 1934 meets New Edition groupie: Long jersey skirts, zippers, plaid shirts...

Rethinking Steve Madden

2008-12-23T06:07:00.000-08:00

After my Steve Madden thigh high boot disaster, I thought all was lost; I figured all they were good for was fry cook boots and those platform sneakers we wore in high school (I know you wore them; I had silver patent leather and white canvas! Worn with JNCOs!) Then last night I went shopping with my friends at the mall that has a Steve Madden and right away I zoomed in on the "Triumph" (right, top row). Fakey suede Margielas at bargain price? Next I drooled simultaneously at and on "Revenu" and "Sallina" (bottom row l to r). Although Sallina has the cheapy looking elastic gusset, up close they are rich and directional. After these little gems I felt compelled to poke around their website, where I found "Bert" (top row, left). Even more Margielaish, with the weird cone heel. I wish I lived in Antwerp or something so I could wear these shoes without being laughed at.

steve by Lux Interior

LATE BREAKING NEWS! The Topshoppers finally smiled down upon me and granted a Christmas miracle: The wool skinny pants are on sale, half off! Still $15 for shipping though.

2008-12-22T05:38:00.000-08:00

Here is another lightened outfit picture, for your pleasure.
Dress: garage sale, $5
Belt: thrifted, $1
Socks: Celeste Stein, $3
Heels: thrifted, $3

These heels were bought deadstock in their box with original credit card slip dated November 1979. That's what makes thrifting so fun.

Also, if you can help it, try never to drink a half bottle of hard liquor and follow it with two shots. You will regret it later.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

2008-12-19T10:43:00.000-08:00

I went to a sneak preview of this movie last night; I realize I'm probably not supposed to be talking about a movie before it comes out, since a big studio mucky-muck tried to scare everyone by coming out beforehand and talking about how they had night vision goggles and would kick you out of the theater if they saw your cell phone go off. No matter.

It was pretty chick-flicky but if you have any interest in the history of fashion you need to go see it. Cate Blanchett had the most divine wardrobe, from full skirted dresses, to little desert boots and slim plaid pants, and a whole scene of beatniks partying down in crazy ass 40s scenester clothes. The extras were impeccable too, from post-WWI modified hobble skirts, to depressiony floursack dresses with sturdy heeled shoes, velvet bed jackets...

Things I Love Thursday

2008-12-18T08:11:00.000-08:00

-Finding Celeste Stein trouser sox (a 2 pack no less, one printed and one plain) for $6.99 at TJ Maxx yesterday, I chose the Kitty pattern, but they also had Alexander McQueeny skulls and harlequin prints. Get while the gettin's good!

The Vietnamese market downtown is like a fairyland of food: durian, Nutella, those little sprinkles that Dutch people put on toast, shrimp chips, inarizushi supplies, and most of all, a rotating assortment of Pocky. Last time I bought Brazilian Pudding (whatever that is) and these, Chocolate Orange.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair: They say we're young and we don't know, won't find out until we turn 40 and have wrinkles where no wrinkles were before. Always always always use sunscreen, but at night go on and put some of this stuff on. I got a sample and I've only been really remembering to put it on every night for about a month, but I swear my dark circles are lessened. Sometimes I like my dark circles, since they make me feel like Carine Roitfeld sans money, fame, power and a bottomless closet, but other times I worry about the plastic surgery I will inevitably need one day to pad out my orbital. Of course, Rosario Dawson has mad dark circles and everyone seems to like her just fine.

The Medium Was Tedium

2008-12-17T12:33:00.000-08:00

I have nothing to do at work today, so I am looking at ebay. It is dangerous. I am not allowed to look at ebay anymore. Especially after a sign from God in the form of

this dress, and no my boobs aren't that lopsided in real life

and a khaki and black leopard print jumpsuit, and a black maxidress from the 60s of crepe with an attached necktie. all for like $4 apiece. Did you know the Goodwill has a button on the register for "rompers"?

it's good that this isn't my size. Maybe it's yours?

If only I had a use for a floor-length 30s dress. Hell I could go to Target in this thing and it would be enough use for it. Sigh

And this ~avant garde~ jacket. I could wear them together.

Went and picked up my camera yesterday; went for the Lumix cos it was like $20 cheaper than the Powershot. Here is a picture of my shark dog going for a nom.

2008-12-15T06:45:00.000-08:00

It's 10 days til Christmas. I never get anything for Christmas, just cash, and that is going to my car fund (she says as she bites down hard on her finger). Unless my exceedingly generous grandparents find it in their heart to buy me a car. Which they might and have been known to pull grandiose gestures in past. Writing this all down will make it come true. Anyway here are the other things one of my patrons can buy me for Kurisumasu.

I HATE YOU TOPSHOP. Why is US shipping an option on their UK website? When you go to check out, it forces you to redirect to the US website where everything is double and a half price! The wool skinny pants of my dreams, a reasonable £48 on the UK website, are $110 freaking dollars on the US one! $110 dollars? I don't even spend $110 on the things I like let alone a pair of wool pants from the high street. AND ANOTHER THING, why is shipping on the UK website to the US £7.50 (around $11), when the shipping on the US website to the US is fifteen dollars?? On what planet does it cost less to ship over an ocean than to put it on a wagon and send it Pony fuckin Express????

Needless to say I am well pissed, but if anyone wanted to get me the Tux Delux trousers or this delightfully whacky 'denim frill dress' I would be much obliged.

If I had the wool pants, I could wear them with these Miu Miu lightning bolt shoes. If I had these shoes, that is. They are everything everyone likes: Pointy, snakeskin, lightning bolt shaped. And marked down 50% to $342.50.

Dorky birth control glasses are a trend I hope dies forever of terminal lame, since it makes pretty girls look ugly and ugly girls look stupid, but these Selima Optique for J Crew glasses are fresh to death. Lucky me I found a pair of B&L Rayban Wayfarer II's for a cool 5 bucks at a garage sale this weekend. Wayfarer IIs are bigger than your average Wayfarer which is good for me, since regular Wayfarers are at their narrowest where my skull is at my widest. No good. I think Auds is wearing Wayfarer IIs.

"Keep it fresh, y'all"

Y finalmente, I am going to pick up a blue Powershot later today and then you will see more outfit pics! I will take them by force if necessary...

Dancing in the Shadows

2008-12-11T12:21:00.000-08:00

Black. What can we say about black?

Black is fast, black is cool. Black is the absence, the space between all things. Black lets you hide out and stand out at the same time.

I have a holiday party tomorrow and I have an attendant dilemma. I want to dress in my own way, but I feel an obligation to dress "pretty" or "festive" which usually translates into a sleeveless dress in jewel tone. But I want to wear my Sam Edelman Balenciaga knockoffs and my fur coat (unless the Cardin comes in today) and drink Chinese beer.

2008-12-10T09:32:00.000-08:00

I was perusing Digg today, as is my wont, and stumbled upon this article, which says that the pound has fallen 27.1% against the dollar in the past year. So what does that mean for you and me?

Topshop Shopping Spree!

I really like these skinny wool pants which are 48 pounds, which is $71 dollars US and 30 dollars off the price on the US Topshop website! So get while the gettin's good.

P.S., is anyone willing to step out of the dark and tell me how the sizing at Topshop runs?

Duty Now For The Future

2008-12-09T05:33:00.000-08:00

Well its a conundrum, dear readers: I was going to buy a camera but instead in a fit of delirium-induced ebay lust, I instead bought a deadstock 1960s Pierre Cardin coat (!)

You can't take pictures of clothes if you don't buy clothes, but you need to buy a camera to take pictures of the clothes, but if you don't have money to buy the camera...

2008-12-08T05:41:00.000-08:00

OK Ladies and Gentlemen:

I see you reading my blog and now I need your help: if you want to see more hot'n'sexy outfit pics, help me choose my new camera:

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20P 10 megapixel

Pros:
-it's pink
-4x optical zoom
-has Leica lens that is probably 75% of the worth of the camera
-$143.95

Canon PowerShot SD1100IS 8 megapixel

-it's pink, but not any pinker than the Panasonic
-3x zoom
-everyone has a Canon; 50,000 Elvis fans can't be wrong
-$162

I guess I'll leave you with this picture of how when you put a copy of a Picasso next to the real thing you start to notice the little differences. Not that that's exactly what's going on here, but I think you get the idea.

2008-12-06T11:53:00.000-08:00

Y'all know about rats, right? Rats are like little foam or wire forms that provide oomph to the big hair that we so desperately crave. The bumpit (horrible name yes) is like the 21st century answer to the rat.

But you can't argue with results! I think I'm going to buy one; they have a money back guarantee and $20 is a small price to pay to look like the Ronettes.

Things I Bought, Things to Buy

2008-12-05T06:38:00.000-08:00

This is why I should not go on Etsy; last bastion of online shopping, because I see shirts like these, Lanvin, with birds on wires and wee scenes of pastoralia. But luckily the crappy licensed 70s Lanvin, as far as I can tell. And I can tell because I have one of their crappy polyester dresses.

Got in on the J Crew extra 30% off sale, and scored this little pretty for $20. All the colors are pretty much gone by now though. To be worn in twee fashion with high waisted Black Watch skirt and vintage Ferragamo flats.

Bought these too, I finally broke down and got the tri-blend long sleeve for warming purposes. I think the army shirt will be warming too, but I don't like that model, cos to me she looks like the human embodiment of Mary Anne from The Baby-sitters Club. The girl in the tri-blend on the other hand, is one of the most good looking people I've ever seen. That's not a very good picture of her, so here's another:

Devastating. She needs to not be hanging around an Astroglide-scented photo studio in her dainties, she needs to start an Italo Disco group called something like Sunshine Express and cut a single called "Boyfriend Lover". Or something.

Gothic Gifts

2008-12-04T07:40:00.000-08:00

Giving perfume as a gift is always a dicey proposition; maybe your recipient is anosomic, maybe they are allergic. Maybe they are just immune to the charms of a sultrifying scent. Either way, if you manage to successfully gift a fragrance, everyone wins, because you don't have to smell their stinkiness, and when others ask "what is that intoxicating aroma??" they get to smugly inform them. And none of these will bankrupt your gift budget. Onward!

For five of the stars of Jon and Kate Plus 8

I feel sorry for the two oldest daughters on that show; relegated to limelight's shadow, given the stinkeye like you would not believe when they took their sweaters off under hot studio lights on national tv. Let them pick first from this set of five Harajuku Lovers solid perfumes, then let the little'uns have the dregs. $60 for the set, $12 a person. Of course that still leaves three kids to buy for. That's your problem.

For the girls in the office

One of the perils of working in close quarters is that inevitably someone is wearing Juicy, someone else is wearing Pink Sugar, someone else is wearing Shalimar, and they all choose to talk about last night's Grey's right next to your desk. For $6 apiece, you can buy them each a Demeter "Humongous Mini" (their marketing not mine) in complementary or at least non-offensive scents like Cherry Blossom, Ginger Ale, Clean Soap, Creme Brulee and literally dozens of others.

For your brother's long-term girlfriend who won't get off you about why you don't have a boyfriend, already

There's probably an outside chance that this...woman is going to be your sister-in-law shortly, and while this doesn't please you, you might as well give her something tiny (cos tiny = expensive, right?) Lollia's Wish perfume from beautyhabit.com will scent her in amber and vanilla bean, set you back only 9 bones, and convey the not-so-secret message that you WISH she would leave you alone. Har har. Plus it will make her feel rotten when she just gives you another Starbucks gift card like she has for the past two Christmases.

2008-12-02T10:47:00.000-08:00

Today's earlier post was crappy. I apologize. If you can't have any outfit pictures, I give you the things I would (and might, if I decide to bid) wear, all plucked from ebay:

Outerwear in Florida is really less about keeping you warm and all about "look at my fancy-ass/expensive/etc coat". This is a kid's size 7 so it might not fit at all, but...3/4 sleeves...

Pucci suit for $100. This is really something special.

This is how you can tell that no one who reads blogs ever does any shopping/follows trends for themselves (and how they feel justified in leaving people horrible comments I guess), because these pants are $10, vintage, no bids, four days left, and so on trend it makes me vom.

This is the one I really want. Business in front, party in back. And wool.

2008-12-02T05:37:00.000-08:00

I feel so neglectful of y'all, as I can see you guys had nothing better to do over Black Friday weekend than look at my blog. I just feel so uninspired, in the freezing cold, in my two-sizes-too-small Keds and a cotton cardigan because as previously stated, I have no sense of dressing for the weather. Not to mention I am thinking about Christmas gifts for friends, loved ones, and tolerated ones. I factor little into the equation.

Fitzwell, Stuart Weitzman (pointy toed thigh boots of my dreams), J. Crew, Pleaser

Not to mention, I need boots. Knee high or better, low or no heel. I had black knee high boots once; I bought them razzle-dazzled by New York's lights, and their sale price (but still wayyy too expensive), and their tiny calves. Never mind that they too were two sizes too small. Eventually they dry rotted. I have got to stop doing this.

Underwater Moonlight...And How It Got There

2008-11-24T10:18:00.001-08:00

This picture is a momentous day in Gothic Preppy history: the first time I asked someone to take a picture of me for my blog. Embarrassment!

Me: You know, if I wasn't so skeeved about it, I would ask you to take a picture of my outfit.
Boyfriend: Well, you asking me that probably means that you want me to take a picture of your outfit.
Me: Wouldja? (pleading puppy-dog look)
Boyfriend: Heavy, put-upon sigh

scarf: ebay
dress: thrifted vintage
coat: thrifted vintage
belt: ebay
socks: Prada
shoes: Terry de Havilland via ebay

Ignore my stupid expression and/or the fact that I had to lighten the picture. This is what happens when you wear all black.

But hey everyone loves shoes and socks right? Except for the fact that as I clomped downtown, the sole began to come up! I had to walk extra pony-esque so I didn't just topple over. I think that lady lied about only having worn them once...

Bits and Bobs

2008-11-21T06:20:00.001-08:00

(Do you ever think about making your blog safe for work? I almost called this post "tits and bits" but I thought about how that would look if your boss happened by, and thought better of it.)

It's weird, writing for a global audience as we do, that people look at your blog who can't even speak the language, as evidenced by a couple comments I have gotten! Unfortunately my French is nonexistent and my Japanese slips away a little more each day, so it's English for now.

Above is the advert (I guess) for Boudicca's Wode, which S. Bub already expounded on. And since I don't have $140 to drop on a can of hemlock-scented (actually: Juniper, Cardamon, Nutmeg, Clary Sage, Corriander, Angelica Root, Saffron, Tonka Bean, Styrax, Amber, Treemoss, Musk, Leather-Ed.) spray paint, I and we can purchase a sample on Lucky Scent.

Speaking of, this outfit goes into my Black Is Interesting Instead Of Just A Cop-out folder. I don't like layers because I feel too pudgy to carry them off properly, but that's my own cop-out.

PINK
PINK CAMERA PHONE
PINK CAMERA PHONE WITH LITTLE PINK BUTTONS

A piratey wedding dress from Viv Westwood. For the lady in your life.

And of course, Lagerbear.

Tonight is the debut of the much-maligned de Havillands; they were insanely comfortable walking around my house, but it remains to be seen if the comfort level is maintained across six city blocks and one too many sweet tea vodkas. I always feel bad if I end up taller than my boyfriend (although I'm 5'4" on a good day, and these are only 5", so it is cutting it close), so that just means I get to slouch like a debutante giraffe.

2008-11-19T07:34:00.000-08:00

I was wasting time at work earlier looking at YesStyle, a mecca of reasonably priced, absolutely bizarre covetables. Witness the cute Chloe-ish winklepickers, really nice over the knee boots with zips, and this Banana Fish dress which is so disturbingly weird that no comment is needed. Just soak in its stunning strangeness.

So I bought this Comme H&M sweater on ebay for $40; I figure that a $10 markup is fine, since I didn't have to wait in the freezing cold at 4 am to fight with some mean old ladies just to end up empty handed anyway. And I didn't have to fly to New York! It is a medium though, I hope it fits me in the way I want it to. Or else back on the auction block it goes.

Can I confess that I only really wanted this sweater cos of Tavi?

This outfit is perfection! And assuming she got the XS, since she is such a wee tiny thing, if we adjust for proportion, the medium should fit me in the same way.

2008-11-18T06:48:00.000-08:00

There are many life skills I lack, including talking to grown-ups, talking to customers, cooking a proper chicken, and making my bed. The skill I most regret not having is the ability to dress for cold weather. In Florida it's pretty much a non-issue; you wear cut-offs and flip flops for 9 months of the year, and when it gets cold, you just throw a hoodie over that and continue your business. But I want more. I has no long skinny cashmere sweaters, no mini coats. I can't even wear a hat due to my Dumbo ears. Not to mention being a slave to society's ideal of skintight and slutty butts right up against my animal desire to coddle myself in wool mix and drink tea on the couch with my dog. That said, I will let these lovelies from colder climes influence me:

(p.s., how great is this outfit/girl? She looks like the demented lovechild of DJ Tanner and Sandra Dee. And the Moomintote!)

Stolen variously from the interwebs.

2008-11-14T07:51:00.000-08:00

I've made it a mini micro mission to try and collect anything and everything vintage I can from any of the London designers of old: Granny Takes A Trip, I Was Lord Kitchener's Valet (hah yeah right), Jaeger, Biba, Mr. Freedom, Bill Gibb, Boy London, on down to Katherine Hamnett and Worlds End (again, yeah right). No one in America except us and Anna Wintour knows they even really exist, and so you can get some relatively decent deals on a lot of it (excepting maybe Biba due to the resurgence of the brand). My collection has grown today not by exponents but by a pair of

5"

snakeskin

TERRY DE HAVILLAND PLATFORMS FOR $102.50 ON EBAY

I will probably never wear them, just frame them in a shadowbox. Black and orange Halloween shoes!! Werewolves of London!! AWOOOO!

More for your perusal

I GUESS I KNOW WHO I'M GOING TO BE FOR HALLOWEEN THIS YEAR HUH

OMG OMO

2008-11-13T07:20:00.001-08:00

I feel really stupid that I didn't know that Norma Kamali was doing a line for Wal-Mart, since I've been searching for her jersey bandage skirts on ebay for God knows how long. None of those here though, and to my credit I only go to Wal Mart for Diet Dr. Thunder and Sam's Choice Tropical Trail Mix, so lay off, OK?

I put this picture up, though this cardigan is out of stock. I know, it hurts me too. I personally want the t-shirt, original vintage probably huh?

The Colonel Sanders look is in this season. As far as I'm concerned though, the Colonel Sanders look is in every season.

Who wants a pair of harem pants? No one? Yeah, me neither.

All under $20, but selling out fast (the jersey bandage tank dress, sob sob). I need to renew my subscription to WWD...

WHAT A KAWAII DAY

2008-11-13T06:18:00.000-08:00

In stark contrast to the polished, Joan Crawfordy style I pretend to project, my someday home will be filled with finest cashmere blankets, gingham, distressed old furniture and all manner of bygone comforts.

I've been kind of obsessed with finding a dog lamp ever since I saw one on Greatest American Dog (I do talk about that show a lot, don't I?). Theirs was chalkware Lassie, mine will be a spaghetti poodle.

Back in the day, you could go to the movies every week and recieve a new piece of Depression glass, and drinking an egg cream out of a pink glass makes life so much more wholesome, doesn't it? These drawer pulls from Land of Nod won't give away the naughty knickers that lie inside your dresser.

I knew in my heart of hearts that a set such as this must exist, cos French people practically invented cooking, and I need a place to keep my sucre. Why are you $200-some-odd-dollars, French canister set of my dreams?

They will go great with my Sailor Moon kitchen utensils. Yes, I own these. Stop judging me!

I realize that a pink camera will not ameliorate society's ills, or my own ills, or my own crappy photo taking, but hello, it's pink. And not from Akihibara's trendiest electronics emporium, but from Target. TARGET! And you can draw on the screen with yo finger.

And what goes better with a pink camera than a charm of Kitty-chan riding a dolphin?

I got the Steve Madden thigh high boots in the mail, and I am really sad to have to return them. Plasticky leather and shoddy construction make them more suited to working on say a shrimp boat or in a restaurant kitchen. I guess it's all water under the bridge though, since it now frees up my funds to buy some Terry de Havillands...

Ebayin'

2008-11-10T07:57:00.000-08:00

I felt bad because I saw the spike in people looking at my blog, expecting a new treat, but there was none. So here is a mini post to tide you over til I can get home and take a pic of my outfit (thrill of a lifetime!)

I was looking at the Ebay Fashion Addict and she was talking about this ebay shop: Vagabond NYC. These are not spur of the moment purchases, but if you need a gift for a very special someone, or a birthday dress, you could do worse. Since you will spend $200 or more on a pair of Steve Madden shoes, a Marc by Marc bag, a bunch of F21 junk you will wear once, why not take the splurge and buy something that will (and has) stood the test of time.

vintage gucci, $204

vintage biba, $220

prada dress $198 (!)

rudi gernreich, $1648. It comes with matching socks which are clearly worth the price. DEMASIADO SEXI!

Per Susie Bubble...do you think I could get a passport/inexpensive plane ticket to London in the next two weeks? Or should I just pinch my sister's passport? My next post of the new year will be live from Gitmo...

Friday Night and Saturday Morning

2008-11-07T10:36:00.000-08:00

Friday Night by Lux Interior

It's getting cooler, and my thigh high boots are on their way. I am thrilled. This is what I'll wear with them, but for tonight I'll have to wear my Pennangalan boots (best investment ever, i wish I had more $$$) and tyrolean jacket as pictured below.

And remember, kids, tights and shorts are NOT OK. shorts and silky smooth Prada thigh-highs are ALWAYS OK.

It's all moot, though, because I will never have this dress, because I live in BFE. I will also never be petite and adorable, I'll just be gawky me with my 20.5" arms (Plum Sykes complained about having 19" arms, gimme a break!) and no beautiful rusty orange mini shift.

from Everybody Is Ugly

Long Beautiful Hair

2008-11-06T08:19:00.000-08:00

At this point in my life I have resigned myself to people thinking I'm much, much younger than my 23 (soon to be 24, ugh vom) years. On election day, an old woman stopped my sister and me to say, "HOW OLD ARE YOU? YOU'RE NOT OLD ENOUGH TO VOTE!" This is probably due to the combination of big, childlike eyes, a round butterball face, and long long stringy hair. I think short hair is the ultimate ager; look at Suri Cruise. She could pass for three at least.

Add to that the fact that my hair is irreperably damaged from The Perm (my advice on getting a perm: don't), and it's like a perfect storm of Reasons to Cut My Hair. But I've had long hair ever since 8th grade, and after 10 years together (already?) my hair has become a security blanket, a pet. Jealous girls always comment; they cut off their hair based on fashion's vagaries. I keep my hair long because I am neurotic and assign great meaning to objects.

I gotta say though, that people who cut and straighten their hair to perfect right angles, shiny like obelisks, hair curtains for their frail eyes, probably almost never have sex, because you would have to run immediately to the bathroom afterward to restraighten and aqua net. That's why you can have Louise Brooks, but I'll take Clara Bow. Maybe it's just my own wishful thinking, but I think we share features: the frizzy, wavy hair (obvi), big goggle eyes rolling around in our round skulls, Cupid's bow (politically correct parlance for small) lips.

This was my last haircut before The Perm. Clearly, the Selma Blair/hydrocephalic infant look was in at the time.

2008-11-04T11:20:00.000-08:00

Who do you think is more stylish, the person who strolls into Barneys and buys the first bag, belt, shoe, and coat they see, or the person who sweats and fights at an ebay auction, digs through mold-scented thrift store bins to unearth a Pucci gem, and finds fur coats in abandoned houses (who are these people? I need to be hanging out with them cos clearly they are in on the ground floor)?

Do you think fashion should be a function of your bank account?

This has always been a problem of mine, when I would read through a copy of Vogue and my eyes would be rolled back so far into my head reading about how stylish someone is when they have a stylist and/or clothes given to them, and/or access to the world's finest vintage designer fashions. It all came to a head with Sea of Shoes in French Glamour. Of course it's easy to solve a problem when you can throw gobs of money at it. It's harder, and infinitely more rewarding to dig your heart out like a pig for truffle for the perfect pair of boots, a 20s dress, a diamond ring marked as rhinestone.

This isn't even about her; it's not my place to berate a child for the lifestyle they were born into. Its about the outmoded fashion elite and class system who decree that anyone with money is immediately stylish by virtue of the designer pieces they own.

What do you think?

Halloween Hijinx

2008-11-03T10:12:00.000-08:00

Good Evening.

I'm Vampira and this is my boyfriend Dr. Herbert West.

I got my mom to tease my hair, and as she stepped back to admire her kraftwerk, she says, "You know, you kind of remind me of that vampire lady from the 50s. I don't think she's in Plan 9..." So mission accomplished.

Next year I'm just going to be Dale Gribble, all I'll have to do is smoke cigs and shout "sh-sh-SHA!" at inappropriate moments.

-I recieved my epic parcel of magick on Friday; as I was loosing my treasures from their brown paper prison, I noticed that there were other items within: a dove-gray peplumed (not a real word-Ed.) jacket, another with Tyrolean embroidered trim and devastatingly high armholes, two skirts with such tiny waists that I would have to have a ribectomy just to button them. I was gobsmacked and emailed the seller to make sure it hadn't been some horrible mixup. It wasn't, in fact, and in her infinite kindness, figured that someone who wanted some dresses would probably also want a bunch more beautiful vintage clothes. You will see the rest here eventually.

-And the shirt I am wearing with it is my Goodwill find; I saw a worker taking it off the rack, and I hedged my bets that it wasn't an Old Navy vintage wannabe and took it off her hands. "I was just about to throw that out," she said.

It has a copyright of 1972, making this the oldest t-shirt I've found thrifting by 15 years. What is Fandango?

-Sometimes I think I spend compulsively; sometimes I think that I'm the most special person in my life and deserve everything I want. I'm into instant gratification, looking nice and $7 toothpaste. Problem is, I need a car. (I need a license too but first things first.) So it is with heavy heart that I have to declare a moratorium on new (clothing, makeup, magazine, trinket) purchases, at least for these next few months. There will be no shortage of window shopping, lusting, coveting, posting or thrifting, I will just have to get creative with my vast wardrobe.

Spend My Money for Me

2008-11-03T09:33:00.000-08:00

So I was talking about the 30s dress that never was (at least I think I did, take my word on it), a Depression-era column of striped cotton, mini collar, unusual pointy skirt. This is its almost exact dupe:

It's only $26 with two days left and I don't know what to do. Especially since I would have paid $50 in that vintage store.

Stay tuned later today for my Halloween roundup, Ebay surprises, and the coolest vintage shirt I have ever thrifted.

Everyday Is Halloween, Especially Today

2008-10-31T10:12:00.001-07:00

The pumpkins are carved, TP is at hand, Saturn is in the seventh house. Nothin left to do but get skanked out and do beer funnels out of a skull.

Four contestants of the Halloween Slick Chick beauty contest in Anaheim, Calif., 1947. Photo from the UCLA Library.

See, even in the 40s girls slutted it up for Halloween. So indulge!

All I Want for Christmas

2008-10-30T09:29:00.000-07:00

Yes, I realize that it might be a touch too early to be thinking about Christmas, but I am selfish. And there are only 56 days til so I am removing a piece of chocolate each day from my giant, invisible Advent calendar.

I'm not big on big gifts; I'm obsessed with tiny trinkets, seashells, diamonds, rhinestones, japanese candy. Anything that can be stockinged, I'm all over. Here is what I would like to find in my stocking come Christmas morn:

All I want for Christmas by Lux Interior

This Duran Duran shirt conflicts me in many ways; as I am such a ~~purist~~ snob, I wouldn't buy it for myself lest I give my vintage-shirt-dollars to The Man, yet it is tiny and has circa-1988 Big Thing logo, which is hard to find in small size. And given F21's notorious (see what I did there? -Ed.) taking things off their website without notice, I might just order it for myself. Hum.

These are so sweet (again with the puns!), and real gold, and only $50, so you could surprise your little sister or your girlfriend. Especially your girlfriend.

I love tiny things, and the more tiny things you can cram into one small space, the better. So the Make Up For Ever 12 Flash Color Case and Philosophy Classic Cookbook are hitting me right in that animal part of the brain. And would ensure I would never be anything less than peacocky and fragrant for at least six months of next year.

Maybe you were part of the school in, uh, school that would eat scented crayons. My petit dejeuner of choice was Lip Smackers, the most delicious being watermelon or Dr. Pepper. Let's split the difference with Fred Flare's Gourmet Scented Pencil Set.

Last, since it is a wishlist, I wish for electronics; the Leica D-Lux 4 would help me take better pictures to become the blogstar I am destined to be. And for these pictures I could pose in front of my Brionvega RR226 cd-tape-record player, teacher, mother, secret lover. Anyone want to lend me 7000 euros?

Inspiration: Twee as Fuck

2008-10-28T11:34:00.000-07:00

Remember how I said how certain seasons lend themselves to certain eras in fashion? Twee is a (mini microscopic) music/fashion movement (mostly music, but you know how these things sometimes intersect) of the mid and late 80s. Think France Gall filtered through nerd and Byrds, 80s disaffection, Madeline, The Wall. Think black watch and Prince-of-Wales. Think camel, brown, forest, navy. Schoolgirls run amok. Think propriety and decorum. Think black coffee and white opaques.

It's easy enough to be, say, a Blondie fan and express your love through a t-shirt with Debbie Harry's face on it, but how much more difficult, and more creative, to dress as she might? Wintertime for me equals trying to look like an Orange Juice groupie. If they had been popular enough to have groupies. Am I saying that right, groupie?

Further listening:
-Orange Juice-Bridge
-Josef K-Sorry for Laughing
-Aztec Camera-Oblivious
-Talulah Gosh-Bringing Up Baby
-NME's C86 comp

2008-10-28T07:51:00.000-07:00

This weekend I watched Les Yeux Sans Visage, which I was really only interested in watching because it's also my favorite Billy Idol song. Before the movie started, I asked my boyfriend, "So, is this going to be a scary movie or another Boring French Movie Where Nothing Happens™?"

As it turned out, it was a little of both.

Unreal, absolutely stunning cinematography by Eugen Schüfftan. But definitely a case of style over substance. I dunno why I'm talking about this weird little movie; watch it if you need a last-minute Halloween costume, or are interested in the post-New Look fashions of 1959.

Talking Points

2008-10-27T09:38:00.000-07:00

Am sorry there haven't been many outfit posts lately; my bank account is overdrawn and bills are coming up, etc etc. We can still window shop though can't we?

1. These jeans are on sale at Urban Outfitters; they come in four colors and would make me feel like Audrey Hep. Though I usually try to go for the Katherine Hep myself. Blank HiRise Ankle Skinny Jean, $39.99

2. I have a book called Little Black Dress which I regard not as much as a fashion retrospective but rather a shopping list for when I am a wealthy contessa. If they made a 2nd edition, I have no doubt that this dress would have a two-page spread. Lanvin dress, $2418 (!!!!)

3. As you have no doubt figured out by now, I am a ruthless and indiscriminate consumer; no good is safe from my insatiable, Pac Man like shopping hunger. I NEED this hair stuff, because it says it will turn me from Rumplestiltskin to Rapunzel over night. And if it doesn't, they should hire me to write copy for them. Philip B Katira Hair Masque, $40

4. I need a new bag; luckily the Herman is sold out. And $1488. This Lucien Pellat-Finet tote is $200-some-odd dollars, and clearly its saucy pot-leaf motif will contribute to my professional development.

5. Spats! No more need be said. Posso the Spat "The Subject", $253

6 and 7. Saving the best for last, Martin Margiela boots, whether you prefer cone heel or snake print. I will take both, please. $1245 and $975.

No, wait, this is the real final item. They have a knuckle duster in this month's Vogue, but I will settle for one of these. Dior Fine Jewelry "Diorette" rings, $5000 or so. UGH

2008-10-24T09:20:00.000-07:00

have you ever seen so perfect an outfit? i was wondering what to wear out tonight and now i know:

black jacket: YES, a 40s one with a peplum that i have never worn. tonight's the night
tie: NO, still too Avril for these parts
gray sweatshirt: YES from Zara, a million years ago
wife beater: of course
belt: NO I'm not really what you would call a belt person and indeed, my plumber's butt is well documented amongst friends, family and coworkers
jeans: YES, j brand 910s
snake shoes: YES, ancient Prada slingbacks from A/W 2000
tote: NO because I get my boyfriend to hold my money and things when we go out
glasses: NO because you shouldn't wear glasses in the night-time, although it is the easiest way to determine who is a douchebag and who isn't. Also my head is too wide for Wayfarers.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Lean Cuisine 'Tortilla Crusted Fish' has that certain je ne sais quoi that really defines a designer lunch. Really though it's delicious.

I Like My Money Where I Can See It...Hanging in My Closet

2008-10-23T10:03:00.000-07:00

I will assume a mass spontaneous keyboard failure, and that's why no one commented on my last post. Your loss, I suppose.

Maybe I'm weird (well I know I'm weird, but maybe this is a symptom), but I think certain eras lend themselves better to certain seasons. Now that fall approaches, I can dress like a Hitchcock antiheroine, all back-seamed stockings and the following dresses:

It's nice to get the entirety of your fall wardrobe in one fell swoop I have to say. Later to the J. Crew outlet, I am looking for the most elusive of all beasts, a 3/4 sleeved mini coat.

And if my feet were petite I would have bought these without even thinking about it:

Maybe you wear a size 6; if you do, please buy so I can live vicariously through you.

Boots

2008-10-21T06:42:00.000-07:00

We all have our fashion holy grail; that one item that's going to bring our look totally together. mine are, and were, The Sam Edelman Balenciaga Knockoffs (that I haven't actually worn out of the house since I walk a couple blocks downtown and my ankles twist off-and that's in flats), a snake-embossed leather jacket, holey vintage concert shirts, Prada socks. But none would tie the look (The Nancy Sinatra/Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!/Let It Rock/Carine Roitfeld of course look) all together like a pair of thigh high boots.

These are from Steve Madden, $200 with discount. 22" tall, so on my 29" legs will probably be crotch-high.

Pros:

*cheapest pair of pointy flat soled LEATHER thigh high boots I've ever seen
*on slutty scale, rate a 6 of 10 (could wear to dinner with Grandma, but not Grandpa)
*flat soles ensure wearability (see: Sam Edelman clodhoppers) and thus return on investment
*keep legs warm in winter vis-a-vis not having to shave as often
*this outfit

(ugh with this World Wide Love! skirt...I would sell my kidney for that skirt! Both! Then I'd have something to wear to dialysis)

*this outfit

Cons:

If I lose my job, I will not be able to live in a boot.

Now if this won't get you to comment, I will just close up shop altogether:

I have invites to Shop It To Me, a cool website where you put in your sizes and fave brands, and they show you all the things in your size, on sale! I have already started coveting a pair of Marc Jacobs mouse flats for super cheap. If you want an invite, tell me: What is your fashion holy grail?

BE STILL MY HEART!

2008-10-17T07:01:00.000-07:00

ARE YOU SERIOUS??

IS THAT FAKE-SNAKE ON THE TOE CAPS?? YES, YES IT IS

From Jeremy Scott for adidas, per Nitrolicious:
Footwear in the collection ranges from about $120 to $250 which is quite reasonable, look at the designs! The collection is scheduled to release on February 1, 2009 and will be first launched in select boutiques and fashion doors and a month later in adidas Originals stores.

There is a certain set of girls who strut confidently through life with gelled-down curls, tight, tiny t-shirts, doorknocker earrings, an ipod attached to the hip, skintight jeans from Sirens held up with a spike belt, and the hottest new high tops. If I had the winged shoes, maybe I could join their distinguished ranks.

Two Shoes

2008-10-16T09:31:00.000-07:00

Untitled by Lux Interior

(did you know Polyvore won't let you make a set with only one item in it??? Weaksauce!)

So I bought those bobo Urban Outfitters keds the other day, and of course they are too big and shapeless and smell like tires (but I like that smell). I was thinking about how to salvage them when inspiration struck, as it always does, in the form of someone else's blog. Rumi's studded Zara boots gave me fresh hope for the future, and after a quick order from Angry Young and Poor for some pyramid studs, I am ready. You will see them soon.

And the other shoes in that pic are delectable exposed-zip knee high boots of softest calf, yadda yadda yadda, $600 or more. I am always being tempted.

NB: Am I the only one who, on sites like Liebe Marlene, can't see half of the pictures? Like they're cut off by the Blogger format? And I've tried it in all the major browsers (including Chrome). Does no one else notice? If not, all the comments are in Emperor's New Clothes style.

NBB: This is the funniest thing I've seen in a long time.

The Lucky List

2008-10-14T09:13:00.000-07:00

I am jumping on the Lucky List bandwagon spearheaded by Sara Millionaire, since I love Lucky despite its sometimes, uh, flowery prose, and because of those little sticky tabs, which are God's gift to man and which I use for everything from noting stuff in other books and magazines, to reminding myself which parts of my dog have yet to be petted. On with the list!

Lucky List by Lux Interior

Shu Uemura shampoo (Sham-Shu?), $40. Because I'm WORTH IT! The accompanying conditioner is $50. For that kind of money it had better be made of Nancy Sinatra piss and human tears.

Pssst Volume and Color Dry Shampoo. This is more my speed, since the Bumble and bumble colored dry shampoo is woefully expensive, and because any other dry shampoo looks like a baking accident in my inky inky hair. Except Ojon. But their nozzle clogs.

Mara Hoffmann blanket cape; this is the sort of thing I would put on and never take off. Picture this with those jeans and some fresh white leather ankle boots!

Alexander Wang full-zip jeans. The naughty nadir of the exposed zipper trend. I would wear these except I would be afraid of drunken frat guys unzipping me from behind.

Lorick dress. I don't know Gossip Girl from Adam, but if it encourages a trend toward skinny silhouettes for the mass market, I'M FOR IT.

Swatch "Splendious" watch. I don't wear watches. I would wear this watch.

Savon de Marseille soap; I have such an affection for hand-washing things, I guess because I only hand-wash my delicates and don't have to do it for everything every day. With this soap I could tie a bandanna around my hair and sing "Frere Jacques" while I wash my undies.

Sticks, But A Broken Drum

2008-10-13T16:44:00.001-07:00

I was taking pictures of myself in yesterday's outfit, when I realized my shirt was completely see through, and being a tramp as I am, I wore a black bra with it. Besides, my eyes were all puffy from crying for a funny reason; my boss was saying ignorant, hurtful things about Obama today at work, and when I was relaying the story to my boyfriend later, I started crying. I guess I really am a liberal, haha. I won't leave you hanging though, here are some little gems for your perusal.

dresses by Lux Interior
1. Buckles from Burberry, a trench dress for the Mata Hari within.
2. This Phillip Lim shift is rendered in "viscose wool", doesn't that sound like something Lenina would wear to a hot date at the feelies?
3. Another gem from Phillip Lim, layered loveliness. Must stop browsing net-a-porter
4. F21, more in our price range. When they do a pencil dress in knit, it is a must-buy; I have one that's probably 4 years old and gets me through any "must look nice in a hurry" situation.
5. From F21, high-waisted shiny leggings. But their high waistedness would imply that a shirt is not to be worn over them, which we all know is anathema right? Strange feelings brewing in Duff Man!
6. These I actually bought; $10 on Urban Outfitters. I am going to wear them with all the frothy floral minidresses I don't own.

2008-10-13T09:46:00.001-07:00

Just a quick one...

I am on/using (not sure of the right terminology here) Blog Lovin, so everyone should add me, and we'll add each other, and we'll all be at the top of the listings. Savvy?

Yesterday's outfit later; am I the only one who will put my outfit back on for the picture instead of just taking it when I'm dressed and ready?

2008-10-11T15:57:00.000-07:00

T-shirt, ebay; leggings, AA; boots, thrifted
Last night's outfit. I lightened it a bit so you could see the vinyl leggings, which I intend to wear more often before their inevitable dry rot. Of course that might just hasten their demise. In case you are interested, what appears to be lens flare in the Duran Duran logo is actually my skin, because the shirt is tattered to shreds. An old(er) lady last night told me she liked it, though.

Remember how I was talking about Keds? Of course you do. Well, these little gems aren't Keds, but close; deadstock, pointy floral plimsolls for a dollar at the thriftstore! Deadstock is always a dicey proposition; when you buy something worn, you can be pretty sure that the person had it in their closet, away from heat and light. Deadstock things are subject to so much variation in temperature and location that I will not be surprised if these crumble right off my feet, as happened with a pair of sandals once. Buyer beware!

2008-10-08T19:03:00.000-07:00

dress, vintage Katharine Hamnett
Now I see why people buy designer clothes. Yowza! This dress is wool and so skinny that I will be able to layer long sleeved tops and coats over it in the colder months. I need to ~~steal~~ buy photoshop so I can properly edit my photos!

boots, thrifted
These are the boots I mentioned in my other post that you couldn't see. You can see them now. I usually don't like square toes but these have a go-go cowgirl vibe I dig. And they have a wooden heel which is kind of hard to find on a pair of black boots.

Finally, why not go for the exposed zipper trend with a necklace which is only that. This I found on ebay for a dollar. A DOLLAR! Y'all aren't trying hard enough!

NB: still lifes seem to be my forte huh

Weekend in Review

2008-10-06T16:08:00.000-07:00

I bought this top this weekend and got to wear it downtown for all of an hour when my stomach hurt too much and cut into my funtime plans. My boyfriend said it looks like it belongs to Dave Coulier but what does he know? My camera cut out before I could take a detail pic of my Nancy Sinatra shit kickers. Next time.

shirt: thrifted, leggings: AA, boots: thrifted, $5

I also found this amazing dress while thrifting: parachute, and half gothic and half preppy, with the prim shoulders and button back, and sweeping skirt. Ignore my little noodle of hair that got in the way, such is my luck!
dress, thrifted, $3.95

Is it wrong that I am dying to go to the hockey game my bf is taking me to in December, so I can try out my own version of this:

Ugh I am literally drooling. Her tiny little feet in those perfect little shoes. I sound like a foot fetishist over here. Do you suppose that coat is Montana?

And since it wouldn't be a Gothic Preppy post without ebay buys, this weekend's purchase:

Flapper wedding dress, I am obsessed. Look at the puffy hips! I hope it fits

Gone Shoppin'

2008-10-02T09:14:00.001-07:00

I was at Target this weekend when I saw this dress:

Wooly-ish polyester, exposed back zip. $32.99 for a Target dress. I knew I could do better.

Enter this little gem:

Katharine Hamnett, 80s, wool (I have such a love for natural fibers, maybe cos they breathe), funny sleeves. $32.

You can do better.

Truth Hits Everybody

2008-09-30T12:00:00.000-07:00

There was a time when I was Brave; it was around when I was 13 (I feel that 13 is the best age to experience anything, and the things you experience then will be with you always). Being 13 is being old enough to gain entry into the world of the grown-up, but still having youth's insolence such that you foist every new discovery onto the world as though you were the first to find them. I wore big shades from Delia's, bigger JNCO flares, carried a jumbo vintage Dior doctor's bag, and proclaimed Radiohead the best band on earth. I was roundly mocked for all pieces--your glasses make you look like Elton John; nice pants, you could fit immigrants into the back pockets and carry them across the border; nice bag, Mary Poppins. Eventually the balance shifts, and the world beats you down, and you come to discover that nonconformity is a method of conformity, too, and telling the world about your discoveries, even silently, no longer seems gainly, and you shuffle off to work in black pants and a button down.

I was Brave once.

Nothing really going on in this pic, I just felt like I owed y'all some visual proof that I'm not really a long-distance trucker with an overweening obsession for ladies stockings. Also this picture is to catalogue the one and only time I've ever had "glowing skin", as noted by both myself and my boss. Probably because I puked up everything inside me this weekend. Also to note my sorry-ass Paint editing skills, haha. Snake-print top from Express.

Tighten Up

2008-09-29T10:21:00.000-07:00

I feel stupid in capri leggings; I feel stupid in footless tights. Maybe because I only have a 29" inseam, or because I can blame nature and say that Florida heat is not conducive to an unsweaty legging experience. I prefer socks, knee-highs and thigh highs, cos you can toss some baby powder in your kicks and continue your business. I've been peeping at the selection at Celeste Stein, but have to take a break every so often due to the overwhelming selection of patterns and prints. So you get to help me decide:

Kitties
Doggies
More Doggies
Pucci-style

Vote now! I'm thinking thigh-highs for the kitty print, and ankle sox for everything else. I have a sick addiction to photo prints, I don't know why.

Home Roundup

2008-09-25T13:26:00.000-07:00

Do you know Nagel? If you are reading this blog, you probably do, and if you've ever gotten your nails done at any number of cheapy beauty salons, you do. His devastatingly sexy (and really, when I was a young'in, I figured those Nagelesque Robert Palmer girls were the absolute toppermost of femininity and chic) ladies are now being led to their logical conclusion, with Nagel Leia:

I have barely seen Star Wars (only the first half and then I went to bed), and between my boyfriend and me, we have three Nagels, but dammit I want this one too!

Comprar aquí.

After reading this on Art Brut(e), I have had in my mind's eye an Ikea filing cabinet used as a nightstand, with Thompson Twins stickers all over it. Because I am lame.

I am expecting some goodies in the mail; decants from The Perfumed Court: Costume National, Vivienne Westwood Boudoir, and (this is the one I'm most pumped about) Balmain Ambre Gris, as well as some hair stuff from Mixed Chicks so maybe I can get my mop under control. Also weekend pictures of a party bus that may or may not have a stripper pole. Stay tuned!

2008-09-22T13:56:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's because I've lived in Florida my entire life, or because Florida only has one season (hot), or because my combo of flat and wide feet conspires to keep me out of enclosed footwear for longer than a couple hours, I pretty much only wear flip flops. The only shoes that can daily grace my Cinderella-like piggies, besides my scant few pairs of Ferragamos (seriously, the only high-end shoe worth the money--but mine are all from thrift stores), are Keds. Keds don't get nearly as much love as their scruffy, meth-addicted sibling the Converse All-Star. But Keds are wholesome, Dean's List, apple pie sneaks that add just a touch of innocence to the most hard-boiled ensemble. Here are a few reasons why Keds should be your shoe of choice:

1. They are only $20 a pair at Sears
2. Not owned by a multinational syndicate (yet)
3. When they get dirty, you can write Korn lyrics all over them
3a. Or put them in the washing machine
4. You can design your own, and put pictures of your dog, your friend's dog, the Jonas Brothers, or even the Bonus Jonas on them
5. Much lower profile; make your feet look petite as opposed to the massive sole of a Vans slip on.

That's it really. You know I couldn't find any pictures of outfits con Keds on Flickr (though to be fair I didn't search too deeply), only Mischa Barton ads, and sketchy, stomach-turning fetish shots. So I went with the former

I picked this one mainly because I felt Tillman was robbed!

Of course if you want to go really old school (1830s in fact), you can get yourself a pair of Plimsolls, the idea of which we apparently ripped off from the Mother Country. But I don't like that rubber toe cap on there.

Up on the Catwalk

2008-09-19T10:10:00.000-07:00

If you listen to Them*, they are saying the Little Black Dress is back. Unfortunately for you and me, we won't see it at an affordable price point til sometime next year, and only then in cotton jersey. Where is wool-mix? Where is knit? Being the world's foremost proponent of the LBD (what other item can take you from the Kentucky Derby to Kentucky Fried Chicken to a funeral to a party at David Bowie's house?), it is deeply, personally sad that I just can't drop $300+ on one of these little gems. Luckily we have the internet, and our limitless imaginations, to fuel our shopping daydreams.

(left to right, top to bottom)
1. This isn't technically a LBD (obviously), but this Anglomania dress would pass the derby>KFC>funeral>David Bowie's house criteria that I put all my clothing purchases through.
2 and 3. BOATNECKS! Gimme a break, Alexander Wang and Willow! So chic!
4. This Opening Ceremony schoolgirl shift is so desolate, destitute little Gabrielle Chanel, left to her own devices at the orphanage, pobrecita.
5. Wool shift, with exposed back zipper??? Be still my HART, cos it's by ERIK HART! HA HA HA HA just give it to me already
6. Twenty8Twelve brings you a Built By Wendy rip-off, complete with Sienna Miller's initials on the back. Recommended if you want people in the street to blame you for wrecking Balthazaar Getty's marriage.
7. Opening Ceremony yet again, with a vaguely Balmain-ish little shift. You could make this too, pretty easily I'd reckon. I love dresses with little details like this. That's where God is, you know.

*the shadowy, non-elected elite who control all our lives

2008-09-17T19:59:00.000-07:00

Let me just preface by saying I love ebay. In fact, I shop almost exclusively at American Eagle, American Apparel, Old Navy, thrift stores, and ebay. If you don't mind a bit of sport, and the blatant repurposing of thrift store goods and/or frumpy dresses recut to mod-dolly-emo-go-go proportions, you can score some terrific stuff. But what am I telling you that for, you probably outbid me today on a Pucci dress I wanted.

Being a petitely framed person, I sometimes find that regular-sized clothes are too big, and I've had great success in the little girl's department of any thrift store, because they have a tendency to put tiny grown-up clothes over there. On ebay this takes a bizarro turn, as often dresses described as "WIGGLE! TINY FIT! XXS!" are nothing more than children's dresses/coats/blazers what have you, dolled up with Kanye West shades and pigeon-toed stances. As egregious as that was, and is, today I found the following auction, described as "DROP WAIST SHORTS ROMPER":

THIS IS CLEARLY LYCRA-MIX!
THIS IS NO JUMPER!
THIS IS A BATHING SUIT!
Can I be any more greiged??

2008-09-16T18:29:00.000-07:00

In keeping with yesterday's post, and in a desperate attempt to combat my homesickness, we will now discuss a particularly collegiate preoccupation:

Halloween costumes. On October 31, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a slutty bumblebee, slutty Albert Einstein, or slutty nun. It doesn't seem fair that whatever we ladies dress as, it has to show some kind of skin or we are made to feel awkward and/or unfeminine. I tried to combine the grotesque and the gorgeous (?) last year by dressing as Alice Cooper in Wonderland:

Did you guess? BECAUSE NOBODY LAST YEAR DID

The year before that, though, I got as slutty as I will ever and have ever gotten:

vintage dress and shoes, Prada socks

I don't know what I was supposed to be though; little girl? Lolita? I mainly use Halloween as an excuse for wearing false eyelashes and conning someone into curling my hair. This year I will be Pocahontas (warrior, princess, erstwhile Christian), with a 2 foot long feather headdress. Pictures to follow.

So what are you going to be for Halloween? I know you're reading, I can see you doing it!

Sweet Southern Comfort

2008-09-16T09:37:00.001-07:00

There is a time in every girl's life when her thoughts turn lightly to tailgating, drinking beer in the shower at 10 am, and screaming warchants with 80,000 of your closest friends. I am talking of course about college football season, and I am desperately homesick for my alma mater. It is in trying times like these that the Victoria's Secret PINK Collegiate Collection seems a worthy investment. If I was still an undergrad I would probably buy the tote bag, but if I ever get back to Tallahassee (stay tuned for next week's episode, where I reveal my bank account number), I will most likely buy the underwear, which are not available on the site.

Kick In The Eye

2008-09-12T08:44:00.000-07:00

Some other fashion bloggers are lucky (?) enough that their daily lives consists of investigating abandoned churches and serving milk tea to the mice that live in the basement, and are afforded a wardrobe of silk stockings, bubble skirts and tattered blouses in which to do it. Unfortunately, I have to work for my supper and have Work Clothes to do it in. Luckily my office is business casual casual, so I can wear t-shirts and jeans to work. This means that 50% of my closet is plain but necessary deep v's, jeans, and tanks. The other 50% is all manner of impractical high-waist pencil skirts, vulgar t-shirts, floofy dresses, too-short minis, etc etc. In short, clubwear.

I've never been tempted to check asos.com, I think because I believed that it was the same clothes they sell in the supermarket in England (but I think that's actually Primark? Someone correct me if I'm wrong), but I have and it's clear that I probably shouldn't have. Of course I'm still not necessarily condoning it, because I believe we are all better dressers, and shouldn't be trying to emulate exactly Peaches Geldof and Whosits, because we are better than that. Let's say it together!

Two ways to get the Gothic Lolita look without someone asking you if Halloween is early this year.

Silk t-shirt dress! I'm for it!

Were this not $160 or so, I'd so buy it. T-shirt not included, which just makes my brain swell with possibilities. I think those are possibilities.

Some dresses don't need witty captions

However, they have an incredible selection of Terry De Havilland shoes. If there's a celebrity to wish to imitate, be certain first that they have worn a pair of TDHs at some point. Then you have the green light for emulation! Maybe when I pay my credit card down I will buy a pair of $600 shoes. I am feeling faint, must lie down now.

High Times

2008-09-07T21:27:00.000-07:00

I resisted high waisted jeans for a long time, because they give you mom butt, and front butt, and no mass market retailer is willing to source a long enough zipper, and instead they choose to just slap some dreadful buttons on an extra strap of fabric that make you look like you're wearing a denim cummerbund. I can no longer resist.

The night began as most other nights do, with rum and diet cokes and conversation about how poorly dressed all the other patrons were. Until a girl walked in wearing The Jeans.

I really only noticed her because she was wearing everything I own: American Apparel deep v gym shirt and black studded sandals from Old Navy. But the jeans! High waisted, ankle zipped, and they made her butt look like a million bucks. I am not usually the kind of person who goes out of their way to ask someone where they bought something; I assume that stylish people are snobby and/or bitchy, and will shut me down faster than ...a Woolworths going-out-of-business sale? Enron?

This time I decided that my civic duty (to you, dear reader) would trump my babyness so I walked right up to her and asked where they were from. Funny I should find the only kind-hearted person in the place, who practically drew me a map to Urban Outfitters so I could get my own pair.

Next day, I marched into Urban and asked the girl working where the high waisted jeans were. "Really high waisted jeans aren't in this year," she sniffed. I wanted to say "When were they ever?" but I didn't and found them on the clearance rack, for $10 a pair. So I bought two.

They are not really high waisted. That girl was a dolt. And for the record, they do make my butt look fabulous.

When I recieve my vintage Tears for Fears shirt from ebay, I shall show you. I promise.

Mind the Gap

2008-09-07T09:24:00.000-07:00

This is why I shall never be a fashion editor; I get too involved in grocery shopping or Greatest American Dog, and I neglect the constituents and forget what I wanted to say, which is

Usually the Teen Vogue spreads with celebrity spawn make my piss boil for two very specific reasons. First, 12 year olds really have no idea who Barry Levinson or Barishnykov (except for a certain set of 12 year olds, and then they don't care about his weird-faced daugter) are, and secondly, showing 12 year olds wearing "oh, just a Chloe lace mini with Wolford tights and this 30 year old Rolling Stones t shirt that my godmother Jane Birkin gave me, a ha ha!" is demonstrating a knowledge too dear for girls who should be out in the garden with the fairies. And celebrates the very materialism that magazines like that purport to destroy.

But when I was a little one, and chanced upon the editorial of Carine Roitfeld's chubby lovely daughter Julia, I was smitten. They (Carine at least and with a mother like that you practically have no choice in being stylish and beautiful) embody the sexy, eye-baggy gothic elan that we all work so hard to achieve. And now in the Gap's cropped-sleeve peacoat (cropped sleeve! PEACOAT!), we have no choice but to follow, zombie-like, to the mall this fall.

Things to Want and Buy

2008-09-04T19:29:00.000-07:00

I bought the old American Apparel boatneck dress because I believe that boatnecks confer a certain je ne sais quoi a la petites jeunes filles. c'est chic! I am returning it though and I bid you not buy it, since it only comes in size Medium, so if you are smaller than that you will be depressed at how unfortunately batwing-y the sleeves are, and if you are larger than that you will be depressed at AA's bizarro vanity sizing and throw the thing out the window.

With the money I get from its return I shall buy any or all of the following. Or not since some of them are imaginary or 30 years old

My fall look is dying without a pair of high waisted jeans. These are the J Brand Bardot, but they are $200 some-odd dollars. Why, J Brand? Why not send me a pair and let me test them for you? I have nothing to wear my little 40s tops printed with hunting dogs and suchlike, without your Bardot jeans. Size 26 please

New Sounds, New Styles magazine. I mean, give me a break!

Am currently besotted with crappy film Heavy Metal, its fin de siecle/Beavis and Butthead/really horrible 80s-style animation, and most of all this girl's boots, which are like those really gross ballerina fetish heels, only sexy, wearable, cool, and imaginary.

I have an embarrassing, abiding love for Old Navy; they consistently have the best basic tops and tanks, ridiculous sales, and of course their flip flops. I liked going to college up north because our Old Navy had the lovely wool coats and sweaters that down south locations wouldn't dream of stocking. I suppose this is why I missed out on this little number:

From the girls department, only left in gray for a size any of us could fit into. But jiminy crickets! They have this one now, but you better not buy up all the XXL's before I get my hands on one.

Everyday is Halloween

2008-08-21T20:51:00.000-07:00

I would like to believe I'm pretty trendproof; I found a style (that is to say, all black, which on some people like beatniks and mimes is a style, and on others, like me, is not) that suits me, and I purchase according to it. I know if I buy a snake-print mini t-shirt dress with exposed zips, I will have a million things to wear it with at home.

Yes, really.

I know what I like, I don't deviate away from my own style, and following trends blindly makes the back of my throat itch. I am like one little fish swimming defiantly against a mainstream of Gossip Girl and Blackberry phones.

So I can't fathom how many countless soccer moms are queueing up for this BRAND NEW, LIMITED EDITION lip gloss from YSL in, of all colors, PUR BLACK:

From plum to ebony, it dresses lips in an infinite range of shades, depending on how it is applied – feather light or rich and bold. Transparent yet intense, it plays on the depths of black and the pure shine of a sparkle-free formula.

Personally I haven't applied anything to my lips more wild than red since middle school, when we slicked on navy from Sweet Georgia Brown (remember that line? I was ob-sessed), or metallic frosty powder blue from Hard Candy.

It is currently on pre-order, and now it seems, back-order, but my order is in. Will LBL be as perennial as the LBD?

Buy YSL Gloss Pur Black here. If you give them your email, you get free shipping on your first order.

*And I believe this is a Blitz kid; these are the perils of saving things wantonly to your photobucket without saving descriptions!