STYLE before STYLISTS.

I have a confession to make.  I strongly dislike the word "STYLIST." It kind of surprises me that people need to pay someone to have "taste" for them, or to tell them what labels to wear or what looks good on them.  I'm of the camp "if it makes you happy and you feel good in it, wear it."

I love fashion, current styles and trends, but alternately I feel like true style has to come from somewhere within your heart, it's not about buying something just because someone told you it's hot, or wearing head-to-toe designer labels, in fact, this is really boring and safe.  Yep, I too would love to splurge on some designer pieces from Saint Laruent, or Givenchy this season, but I realize that solely wearing designer stuff isn't going to give me style...

I come from a background of the visual and performing arts, and I've always approached my personal style more like this: 

"how do these shapes/colors/textures work together?" 

"can i get away with wearing this to the post office and the grocery store?" ("if not, who cares!")

"does this make me look scary/crazy/off/wild/original?" ("if so, GREAT!!!") 

"can I wear this dog collar as a necklace/bracelet/boot harness?"

and

"this is so bad, it's good!"

I look to the past for my own style inspiration.  I often find it on vintage vinyl album covers, like this Sonny&Cher I found recently while thrift shopping:

I mean, look at them! Those jeans! That dress! and I love how casual and un-forced the photographs look, like their style just arrived naturally out of their surroundings and what they were doing at the time.  It isn't forced, it isn't practiced...it's just kind of who they were.  

I feel like this individuality and fearlessness with style is sort of missing from a lot of our popular culture. 

So, here are my general style tips to everyone:

#1 DON'T BE AFRAID TO

a)  mess up

b) look ridiculous

c) have a sense of humor

d) laugh at yourself

#2 OPEN YOUR HEART

#3 FIND WHAT INSPIRES YOU

#4 BE ADVENTUROUS (shop in the thrift store, as well as the mall, cut up your clothes, try to make some clothes or alter stuff you already have!)

#5 STOP LOOKING AT STYLE / BEAUTY BLOGS AND COMPARING YOURSELF TO HOW SKINNY, PRETTY, HAPPY, WHATEVER the other people on the blogs may appear...it's all a facade anyway. ;)

AND ABOVE ALL 

#5 SUSPEND JUDGEMENT (of yourself and OTHERS!)

If you can do that, I think that's the basis of developing your own personal style! (and generally having an easier time getting dressed in the morning).

d.i.y. shredded-t, NO KNITTING REQUIRED!

i've been wanting to do a shredded t-DIY for a while now. i found there was something REALLY satisfying about shredding this top.  it's highly addictive and fun to un-ravel something that's already been machine-knit.  i did most of the shredding on the train/bus.  kinda like knitting, only UN-KNITTING. ;)

i found this excellent tutorial from childhood flames. she even includes a video !! so helpful.  i found a silver knit top at the salvation army for $1...unfortunately, i don't have a before pic, but it was a form-fitting, long sleeve metallic vintage knit, probably from the 1980s.  this is what i transformed it into.  wanted to used a metallic knit for a little more texture/visual interest. below i did just a basic style so you can see how it looks on....

love the sleeves! the great thing about this is it gets bigger as you shred it so you can chop off excess fabric if you want once it's unraveled.  i did this sleeve thing just before i took these shots.  i may cut the sleeves even more and wear it more like a tank dress.  let me know what you think! have you ever done this DIY?

effortless spring/summer style: where to shop

i'm really into uniforms.  winter: it's a long black coat, or a faux fur one, jeans, a grey or black sweatshirt, and moto boots.  now that it's getting to be spring, i'm looking into transforming the look into spring... i felt like drawing today so here's my "fun-with-windows-paint" inspiration (i did this with my finger on the laptop's mouse pad ha ha)...and some ideas on where to get the look x

to make the winter uniform work for spring, i basically turn the long black coat into a summer dress...i'm working on studding the collar of a vintage blazer i found at the thrift store.  denim jackets or boyfriend blazers are pretty easy to find at the thrift shop, and they are perfect for the cooler days. i bought some studded belts at the thrift shop, and took the studs off of them, and now i'm putting them on the blazer's collar....

try looking for a maxi dress here:

http://www.uniqlo.com/us/store/lifewear/women-slub-maxi-dress/076889-57

here:

http://www.nastygal.com/product/own-the-night-maxi-dress/_/searchString/night%20maxi

or here:

http://www.hm.com/gb/product/10848?article=10848-B

and check out these great flats (comfy!):

clockwise from top left: asos, zara, asos, H&M.

for the pendant and/or cuff, and bag, i'd head to etsy or ebay.  look at these gorgeous finds!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/121735055/70s-silver-lion-pendant-necklace-bright?ref=shop_home_active

http://www.etsy.com/listing/117854716/woven-southwestern-silhouette-print-tote?ref=shop_home_active

i'm totally digging that southwestern bag...what a cool piece.  love etsy for the amazing vintage, it's always great when you get an idea of something you'd like to have but can't find in your local thrift/vintage shop.

there are also have amazing sunglasses on etsy.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/119813864/70s-ted-lapidus-sunglasses-red-gold?ref=shop_home_active

http://www.etsy.com/listing/112210420/vintage-1970s-sunglasses-oversized?ref=shop_home_active

but check these out too...they are all amazing.  i'm lucky to have my 70s vintage pair, but if i were going to make a "wardrobe investment" this spring/summer, it would have to be on one of these amazing pairs of sunglasses.  it's an instant statement piece you can wear with anything! (and you'll have it for years to come--this look never goes out of style, imho).

look for a floppy hat in a garden or outdoor store...also there are a ton of hats in department or discount stores..so shop around until you find one that suits you! happy spring, and thanks for reading 

xo

totally random weekly style inspiration.

the jackson 5.

necklace by tom binns.

twiggy wearing lucite jewelry.

another necklace by tom binns.

the full-disco suit.

oh la la.

this is what i wish my life looked like today ;)

xo

thifted FINDS: jacket, skirt, shirt, shirt. and. new western piece !!!

hit up the thrift store yesterday and found some trendy and one (true) vintage piece: a beautiful, perfectly worn western blouse with a great authentic label.  also purchased a 100% leather mini, oversized 80s blouse, bleached levi strauss jean jacket and a sheer black ruffle sleeve blouse.  perfect for fall!

the spirit of a dress.

one of the things i  LOVE about thrift shopping: sometimes i find a garment with a life of its own. i found this authentic bohemian dress at a Maine goodwill thrift store last year. i believe the dress is from the late 1970s-early 80s. i made the bone necklace this morning for the shoot. (will have to make it more permanent). my mom gave me this soup bone, just wrapped a chain around it.

(and, i finally decided on the neon pink
nail polish)

salvation army STYLE !

HAVING AN EYE:
OK. so ...
i realize many of us have ENDLESS good taste, style, and creativity (!!!) but we lack an ENDLESS suppy of $$$$$$$$$$. sometimes, even getting things on sale, or "for less" is not helpful or, even possible!!! being an artist by trade i am always trying to find ways to get around having NO cash. so, i'm starting this new tag "$0.99 store STYLE". i mean, this is REALLY tight budget, as in NO budget

---->i am a FAITHFUL THRIFT-SHOPPER  (my past two trips have been AMAZING, i have found a SONIA BY SONIA RYKIEL dress with THE TAGS STILL ON IT and what i believe to be, AN AUTHENTIC GUCCI BAG !!!)(see pics above--if anyone knows how 2 authenticate the bag, please, lemme know in comments)




Remeber my friends:: NEVER STOP LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION 'CUZ U NEVER KNOW WHERE YOU'LL FIND IT !!!!!