fringe benefits

Yes, I think this title is pretty clever. Actually, it probably is only clever if you know that in England "fringe" is used in lieu of "bangs"

Velvet shirt - Thrifted; Goodwill

Skirt - Thrifted; Goodwill

Belt - Thrited; Goodwill

Coat - Thrifted; Super Thrift

Tights - Rite Aid

Shoes - Urban Outfitters

I gots bangzzz

sunday

Sundays should be reserved for doing homework and being all sorts of productive. Well, that should be the mentality when I'm in school. I'd much rather catch up on fashion blogs, eat a burrito, and watch a movie. Although I'm not too happy with how I have spend my Sunday evening I offer an outfit post.

Here's what I was initially wearing before I headed off to ballet.

Shirt - Urban Outfitters

Skirt - Thrifted; Goodwill

Tights - Discount Dance Supply; Caprezio

But really I felt like wearing a sweater and switching into my ballet skirt.

Sweater - H&M

Skirt - Thrifted; Goodwill

Belt - Thrifted; Goodwill

I'm quite fond of the pattern mixing going on here. I had been perusing through Boxing Kitten's collection, a label that I must do a post on, and felt as if I needed to remind myself of all the patterns in my wardrobe. 

Shirt - Thrifted; Goodwill

Skirt - Thrifted; Goodwill

Shoes - Thrifted; Super Thrift

 And for fun, here is a shot of my nail polish. I haven't been wearing nail polish too often these days because polish tends to come clean off my nails. Its a recent development that I'm not happy with. Its actually pretty embarrassing to look down at my nails and see that one nail is bare looking as if I had simply forgot to paint it. 

Nail polish - Finger Paints in Oh My Stars

I ain't no black swan

but i can plies like no other....okay, maybe not but, I am taking ballet this semester. What appears to be a normal outfit is actually my ballet gear! Sure the skirt is an ordinary, albeit wonderfully moveable, purchased from Goodwill and the belt makes frequent appearances. But that is an actual leotard I'm wearing! A leotard I could use to do my own Single Ladies dance in even if the trend has passed. I didn't actually wear the belt during the class but needed something to make it seem as if I were just wearing an outfit and not ballet clothes when in my other class. 

Leotard: Discount Dance Supply

Skirt: Thrifted; Goodwill

Tights: Rite Aid

Shoes: Gigi's Dance Closet

I just received the proper dance tights, which are pink so it may be harder to fool others that I'm simply wearing any old outfit when I'm out and about. 

Aaaaaaaand here's my face because I was feeling camera-happy

Oh yeah, I bought tulips that are quickly dying. 

making time

I did say I would try to post more frequently but I just get frustrated with the internet connection at school. So here are some outfits, well two I should say, that I took about a week ago. 

Dress: Thrifted; Salvation Army

Also I'm finally debuting my coat! It wasn't cold enough by far to actually wear this out so it's just for show at the moment. 

Coat: Vintage; Lemon Frog

And an outfit from last Friday

Shirt: Thrifted; Goodwill

Skirt: Thrifted; Salvation Army

Scarf: small store in Uganda

I really love the color of the skirt. Its probably something in my wardrobe that I should make more of an effort to wear. The only thing is I don't feel as if I can move freely about in it because it is so body conscious. So when I went out that night I changed skirts.

Skirt: Thrifted; Goodwill

oh yes it is

a romper!

Romper - Vintage; Lemon Frog

Shirt - Vintage; Dear Golden via Etsy

Shoes (not shown) - same as last outfit

where has winter gone

It is well known that winters in Los Angeles don't compare to the winters of other locales such as New York or Seattle. Out here we don't have to worry about putting on the right amount of layers to brave the cold weather that settles in below 40 something degrees. Mostly, we think about preparing ourselves for weather in the 50's and 60's bundling up lightly enough with not much more than one coat and a sweater underneath. Well, that much can be said for me. I generally can get away with wearing a dress, tights, a cardigan, and coat during the winter. The only thing I can complain about is my face being cold because of wind that may be blowing. However, the winter has come and passed quicker leaving me with little time to enjoy it. Even if I'm a southern California native, I love wearing coats. I can count about five coats in my closet, which may seem excessive. I just love the fact that an outfit can be hidden, or pleasantly decorated like a present if you want to look at it that way, by another garment. But with this week of weather settling in the 70s and 80s there isn't a chance for me wearing a coat without sweating like hell. This may be one of the last outfits with a coat in it for a while. It may be silly of me but, I just recently purchased another coat. That one will be posted tomorrow.

Shirt - Thrifted; Goodwill

Skirt - Thrifted; Goodwill

Coach bag - Vintage; American Vintage

Shoes - Thrifted; Super Thrift

Coat - Thrifted; Super Thrift

girl of my dreams

Issue Eleven

I can say with absolute conviction that Lula Magazine is the perfect amalgamation of all things I love. Dreamy editorials that create a sense of wonder; interviews with people in fashion, music, and film that I admire; and far less advertisements than other magazines makes Lula such a joy to page through. While I can read magazines such as Bust and Bitch for a feminist take on media, Lula stands as one of the few fashion magazines that I find myself enjoying from issue to issue. So twice a year I patiently wait for the next issue fully knowing that I'll be blowing about 15 bucks on one magazine but, relishing in the fact that I'll have some wonderfully soft focused and beautifully styled photo shoots to feast my eyes on.

model: Arlenis Sosa

from the latest issue

The latest issue of Lula was, of course, no disappointment. The way I first read through a new issue of Lula has become a sort of ritual for me. After seeing plenty of other people, on the blogosphere of course, procure their own copies, I head to a couple of newsstands seeing if they have received it yet. I should know by now but, I always go soon after I see others with the magazine hoping that it'll be there immediately for me to read through and love. I should know better because it generally takes a couple of weeks for it to arrive on newsstands near me after seeing other bloggers get their hands on the magazine. After finally getting my own hands on the latest issue, I head home to a clean room (yes, I clean it for the special occasion), a bowl of snacks (usually fruit and yogurt), and get comfy for the enjoyable perusal. 

Bat for Lashes 

not from the current issue

So when I performed this ritual with the latest issue I, like so many others, was struck by the Black Swan feature by Kate and Laura Mulleavy, otherwise known as the head designers of Rodarte. Having provided a number outfits for the film, the sisters provided amazing behind the scenes photos of the film from fittings with Natalie Portman to sketches of the dresses before they came to life. There is no doubt that there is a bit of a Black Swan obsession going on right now but, I can't help but be captivated by these photos. Besides, the film was fantastic in the way it showcased the crippling effects of striving for perfection and how the mind subsequently deals with the unbearable amount of stress. Seeing it as a companion piece to Darren Aronofsky's previous film the Wrestler, brings to light how the body is used as a means of creating art and how the creation of this art puts strain upon the body whether the act is considered highbrow or lowbrow. After thinking so much about it after watching the film, I don't have a lot more to say other than if you haven't seen it go watch it now. 

            

Image sources: 

Lula scans - Google images 

Rodarte sketches - style rookie

I have to admit that this post was in part inspired not only by my interest in the film but also by the Jim Carrey/Black Swan skit on the latest episode of SNL.  You wouldn't believe how stunning he looks in a tutu and leotard.