Its been a year...

I can't believe it has really been a year since I posted anything.... *gasp*

Well here is a post... hooray for motivation!

Lately I have been inspired by 40s looks, tights, fun hair accessories, and the colors purple and teal.

A recent outfit...
In my awesome red coat from Effie's Heart. I love this coat, its extremely versatile.This look includes a very simply black stretch skirt I got at H&M for $6 very recently. The top is from Royal Love and I found it for $12 at T.J. Maxx. I love its beaded designs, it makes me think of a swanky jazz club.I stole this idea from my friend's girlfriend. Wearing patterned tights over opaque tights. I found the floral tights at Forever 21, and the purple ones at T.J. Maxx. When I was at the T.J. Maxx in downtown San Francisco Recently I found oodles of unlabeled tights for $1 or $2 each. I was so happy, since I had anticipated buying them at Urban Outfitters...and they're alot more expensive! I have to say For Love 21 does have some cute ones too, but not much in the way of solid colors. My shoes are T-strap character shoes from Sansha. This 40s inspiration has got me raiding my dance shoe collection.Close up of the beading on my shirt.And my headband that I also found at For Love 21. I'm loving these headbands right now. Also not sure why I look so pissed off in all of these photos.... haha

Welcome back blog!

Adventures with Seth Premiere

The other night I went to the premiere of an independent web serial, Adventures with Seth. I had done a little extra work for it, and my boyfriend helped work on the sound recording. It was at the Four Star Theatre on Geary, and a lot of fun. I suggest everyone go watch Episode *ahem* Chapter 1 on the website. (Link Above.) I got to see Chapter 2 as well, because I'm really cool... But it will be up next month for everyone else. So here are pictures of what I wore and stuffs....

With the boy. I got this dress at Ross for probably $18 for the formal Christmas party we threw a year ago. It's amazing for the price. I also wore my pashmina scarf that I got from the Something Store, my grey leather Michael Kors bag, and an unsigned brooch and earring set that was in my collection of vintage costume jewelry. I never ever hardly have reason to wear costume jewelry, so that was fun.
I actually sort of got my hair to curl too! Because somewhere along the line I got a curling iron that works. Of course the only bit of hair long enough to really curl is the chunk up in front. *le sigh*
The back, I now realize I didn't line the ruching up....
And my make-up continued with my new bronzed face enthusiasm. As my boyfriend pointed out, the pictures don't show it well because the flash washes everything out...but oh well. This time I used Maybelline ExpertWear shadow in "Vanilla" and "Urban Brown", Sonia Kashuk Beautifying Blush in "Papaya", and Sonia Kashuk Lip Palette in "Shimmering Sorbets". For bronzer I used Physicians Formula Summer Eclipse in "Sunlight". I chose the lip palette and blush because they are the same shades as in the Sonia Kashuk Bronzed Face kit, but full size. I like this blush better than the one I used last time because it has a little more of a terra cotta color and no shimmer. I also like this bronzer better since it has smaller particles than the other one. I think this shall be my new make-up ritual for a bit at least...

Fall to Winter Prep for Less

So a look I've been really into lately is preppy, taking notes from vintage looks and school uniforms. I know with our economy its hard to buy new things, so I've found some options for getting this look for less. Many of these items might already be in your closet!
1. Cardigans. I love this Fab Stripe Trim Cardi from Forever 21. Four different choices in color for only $13.50. I love the navy blue and the touch of muted yellow.
2. Again from Forever 21, I am constantly singing the praises of these Lindsey Skinny Jeans. They are only $12.50 and fit surprisingly well. I have 4 pairs and my favorites are the dark denim (shown here) and gray (in stores only).
3. These wedge loafers from CutesyGirl are by Bamboo, a brand I have good luck with, for the low price of $9.99. They come in four different and fun color combinations.
4. These Forever 21 glasses add a girly yet studious edge. They're only $7.80.
5. I really dig these Forever 21 lucite glasses for $4.80. They remind me of some glasses my mom has from the 80s.
6. A great basic and bottom layer, this Mossimo v-neck tee in white is only $7.99 at Target. I originally bought one because it is a stand-by for modeling work, now it is my wardrobe stand-by.

I am really liking more low-key colors for fall and winter, but I think you could do this look with some brighter colors and it would be super fun. The nice thing about it is it can be really simple and minimal accessories will work well. I think some other ideas to explore would be scarves, messenger bags, and corduroy. Maybe thats another post!

Candie's for Kohl's

So what do you think of the Candie's collection for Kohls? I saw it some weeks ago while some boys dragged me to Kohl's. (I was so exciting that day. I bought a black t-shirt (black v-neck has been one of my basics lately), some shorts from Soffe (we used to wear their sweats as our dance team uniforms, very comfy), and a video game.) Anyways, I saw the Candie's line then, and thought it was cute. It was one of those days though and I didn't try anything on, or even molest it to check the quality. I will soon though, I promise. But what do you think of the looks?
I think they are possibly office worthy in a trendy enough office, or mixed with other brands. (Also depending on the quality, if the look/feel cheap or not.) Also cute for going out, every day. I have always liked Candie's shoes, and generally the pairs I have bought in the past have been good quality. But it has been a few years. I do really like teal/brown dress. Overall there is alot of teal and metallic in the collection as well as a slight rocker chic vibe...which is easily toned down.

Lovely Booties

I was slogging around the net, looking for boots for my mom and I ran across these Luichiny Cleo Booties. I just love them! I really like the ones in Storm the most, obviously since I'm on a gray kick lately. However, the black and chocolate ones are the only ones discounted...so if I get them it will likely be the black ones. (There is free shipping though!!!) I put together some polyvore plates to show some ideas I have for wearing them. I'm thinking of Victoran, whimsial, gothic twist pairings, taking some cues from Japanese Lolita/baby doll style. Pairing lots of necklaces, pearls, bows, and throwing in some darker grays and blacks. Maybe wearing tights or even knit socks (knee highs?) with the shoes.

(Forgive me if these are sort of cluttered. I go a little overboard when set loose with polyvore. It is the most fun since paper dolls!)

I'm mellow over yellow...

It seems like yellow is a big deal this season. But I'm not really that crazy about it. I never have been, I have a (possibly irrational) belief that it doesn't look good on my skin. Whether this is true or not, I still can't get past it. But I have to admit that yellow makes the biggest statement. A yellow bag or shoe really stands out and catches the eye. One yellow sighting that really caught me was Hayden Panettiere's ad for Dooney and Bourke. The bright bag really draws you in and makes you want it (or just to look like Hayden). Some people do look amazing in yellow from dresses to tops and bottoms. For example...
1. Denise Richards is radiant in this color, 2. Hayden's Dooney and Bourke ad, 3. Eva Mendes goes bold, 4. Thandi Newton is gorgeous, 5. Hilary Duff looks charming in this mini dress.

However, if I did happen to wear yellow. These are some pieces I would go for...1. I love this light colored Zephyr Top with flutter sleeves from Anthropologie, $29.95. 2. Simple but lovely, is the Coti Dress by Shumaq. You can find it at CoutureCandy, $225. 3. My favorite thing about this Kersh Cardigan is it's puffy short sleeves. It's cute for spring and is such a neutral buttery color that maybe even I could wear it, $15. 4. A coat by Kushcush that is raw silk and has beautiful vintage feel. Also from CoutureCandy, $428. 5. This Lux Christiane Mini from Urban Outfitters is a bold color, it will definitely brighten up any plain white top, $24.99.

But if you're like me and don't think it looks good next to your skin, maybe use it to accessorize? Below are some of my favorites, in a variety of price ranges.
1. Love, love, love this style. I think I would also like them in white, but this color is pretty devine. Secreted Away Heels from Anthropologie, $178. 2. The nice thing about this Designer Details Citrine Hoop Necklace is that you can add some yellow to your look without it being too much, $15. 3. I love this modern looking Concave Enamel Ring, $3.99. 4. A strappy sandal is a great thing to have when you're going to be prancing on sand or grass, heels are just too much of a pain on soft surfaces. Patent is in (as well as yellow), so get these Liz Gladiator Sandals by Isaac Mizrahi for Target, $24.99. 5. Carla Mancini's beautiful yellow Small Clutch is made with Italian leather and definitely "pops" at CoutureCandy, $194. 6. A simple accessory such as the Windowpane Headband from Anthropologie can perk up any outfit without much fuss, $28.