Tampilkan postingan dengan label American Apparel. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label American Apparel. Tampilkan semua postingan
Raining Cats and Dogs
It's a hot mess in Southern California right now folks. We've had rain for 4 days straight and there's no end in sight. Yesterday we were supposed to get between 5 and 10 inches and I wouldn't be one bit surprised if it was more. People are either driving like maniacs or grannies - both techniques causing mad collisions: approximately 264 on Saturday alone. Drains are flooding, urban campers are fighting in the alleys over dry cardboard shelters and neighbors are arguing amongst themselves amidst the drone of car horn alarm systems far and wide that are failing due to wind and wet.
A trip to UPS allowed me to survey the damage and report back to you. Warning: unlike television's onsite reporters, I do not care to wear "the make-up" in a torrential downpour. I do however enjoy hauling out the appropriate rain gear. Might as well seize the day!
Flooded drains mean water darn near over the curb.
Cars splooshing through at top speed splashing pedestrians.
Niiiiiiiice last minute shoppers.
I came back home to the neighbors blasting
each other out as one moved out and apparently got
on the older lady neighbor's nerves.
Get over it honey! We're all getting pelted in the face
with rain and playing cat and mouse in traffic!!
(of course I didn't actually say that, but sure did think it)
A trip to UPS allowed me to survey the damage and report back to you. Warning: unlike television's onsite reporters, I do not care to wear "the make-up" in a torrential downpour. I do however enjoy hauling out the appropriate rain gear. Might as well seize the day!
I call this the "wait a minute I think it's stopped".
No. That would be a miscalculation on my part.
They call this maneuver the "wait! there's debris in the road!! I need
to slam on the brakes and get rear-ended by speeders behind me".
Cars splooshing through at top speed splashing pedestrians.
Niiiiiiiice last minute shoppers.
each other out as one moved out and apparently got
on the older lady neighbor's nerves.
Get over it honey! We're all getting pelted in the face
with rain and playing cat and mouse in traffic!!
(of course I didn't actually say that, but sure did think it)
Onward and upward to Friday when I fly out to the motherland aka Canada for Christmas...what are the chances of me making it to LAX in under 2 hours without an ark? (for a 20 minute drive...heeeeeelllllppp meeeeeeee).
P.S. - If you need a last minute gift for yourself or the BFF don't forget Melinda Maria Jewelry is offering 30% off everything in their online store to readers of This Free Bird now through January 15, 2011. Use Promo Code FREEBIRD30 at checkout.
Outfit details: Zac Posen for Target-Rain Jacket, Martin+Osa-Hoodie, American Apparel-Leggings, Hunter-Wellies+Liners, TK Bag
*UPDATE* - Have your guys visited Mara at M Loves M? She is one of my daily reads - I love her kind heart and great outfits, as well as the fun relationship she shares with her fiance. Mara's been hosting a Christmas Cookie Recipe Exchange and featured my Thimble Cookies today...totally check her out and read back through all the amazing and fun cookies that have been previewed!! I think these just might be the cutest ones I've ever seen.
*UPDATE* - Have your guys visited Mara at M Loves M? She is one of my daily reads - I love her kind heart and great outfits, as well as the fun relationship she shares with her fiance. Mara's been hosting a Christmas Cookie Recipe Exchange and featured my Thimble Cookies today...totally check her out and read back through all the amazing and fun cookies that have been previewed!! I think these just might be the cutest ones I've ever seen.
When The Rain Comes
The past couple days have been rainy, damp and cold. It's crazy to think that it was over 110 degrees just a week ago yet now it's sopping wet. And now time for yet another blog confession: yesterday I got up, worked for awhile, ran an errand, and went back to bed until almost 3pm. Oops! I just couldn't help myself. The rain was pouring down, the heater came on, my bed was looking so fluffy and the next thing you knew I was in it. Every once in awhile you just need a nap.
Usually rain highly motivates me. It was probably all those years living in Seattle that conditioned me. Oh yeah they conditioned me all right - to work and to acquire rain boots. They line my closet like little soldiers. Mock me if you will dear friends, but even if it rains once a year I put those boots to good use all day long. It doesn't help matters much now that there are so many fun pairs to choose from!! I know you're with me...I read your blogs!
After it stopped pouring last evening we ran an errand and stopped to catch the sunset. I wore my boots. It was still damp and in Southern California that's reason enough.
Usually rain highly motivates me. It was probably all those years living in Seattle that conditioned me. Oh yeah they conditioned me all right - to work and to acquire rain boots. They line my closet like little soldiers. Mock me if you will dear friends, but even if it rains once a year I put those boots to good use all day long. It doesn't help matters much now that there are so many fun pairs to choose from!! I know you're with me...I read your blogs!
After it stopped pouring last evening we ran an errand and stopped to catch the sunset. I wore my boots. It was still damp and in Southern California that's reason enough.
Sometimes the rainiest days end with the most incredible sunsets.
Take note. This is about as deep as I go in water. Record.
Hunter. Oldies, but goodies. Fleece liners = faves.
Chef said something about "baseball playoffs".
This was just my immediate reaction.
This was just my immediate reaction.
In the distance I heard, "I'll leave you here" mumble mumble.
what-ever
This is becoming a common move of mine.
No rainy day is complete without splashing in puddles
what-ever
and laughing with other adults who might be laughing at you.
It got a little wild. As puddle jumping should.
Outfit details: Club Monaco-Cashmere Sweater, American Apparel-Leggings, Hunter-Wellies and Fleece Liners, J.Crew-Belt and Hat, TK Bags-Handbag, Melinda Maria-Rings
Last night some weather lady (who was totally wearing the most inappropriate "da club" dress while reporting the weather - what's up with that?) said that it's going to be in the upper 80's and 90's for both Saturday and Sunday so she hoped we didn't put our tank tops away just yet. Wait. Was she wearing a tank top that I mistook as a dress? You can never really tell these days. Just ask Laurenne - she saw it first hand. I rest my case.
Back to Basics
For me fall signifies a time to get serious. As a child it meant returning to school with sharp HB pencils in my new pencil case, crisp outfits, and the smell of books in the beloved library. Every year, no matter where I am in the world and what the weather may be, I instinctively become more solemn as we round the corner to September and tend to stay that way for most of the winter months. It's school's fault I think - it forced me to shed the lazy days of summer and get back to business.
This also goes for my wardrobe. It is true that growing up in Canada meant a free-for-all of amazing and wearable fall fashion from plaid and wool to velvet and fur, but it also meant a purposeful acquisition of basics that could be worn mostly together or intermingled between other trendier pieces. I was a basics lover long before my Gap days, but it was my tenure there that instilled an appreciation for the good stuff - a plethora of white, black, navy and grey t's in long and short sleeves always kept on hand, be sure to include leggings in those same basic colors, and don't forget denim in light to dark washes in tops, bottoms and jackets. These lessons I learned at Gap are, in some ways ironically, as valuable to me as an adult as some of the things I learned in high school and university (shhhhhh don't tell!). As long as I have the essentials in wardrobe basics, it is easier to maneuver from season to season without breaking the bank. Fall is a time when I find myself rediscovering these wonderful pieces that have rested patiently in my closet through most of the brighter summer months, and this weekend was no exception.
The bag says "4 friends, 2 sweaters.... 1 cold night @ the beach"
Doesn't get much better than that, in my opinion!
Outfit details: Tom Ford - Sunnies, Big Star - Denim Jacket, James Perse - T, Gap - Tank, American Apparel - Leggings, Target - Leopard Flats, J.Crew - Canvas Bag, Melinda Maria - Rings
This also goes for my wardrobe. It is true that growing up in Canada meant a free-for-all of amazing and wearable fall fashion from plaid and wool to velvet and fur, but it also meant a purposeful acquisition of basics that could be worn mostly together or intermingled between other trendier pieces. I was a basics lover long before my Gap days, but it was my tenure there that instilled an appreciation for the good stuff - a plethora of white, black, navy and grey t's in long and short sleeves always kept on hand, be sure to include leggings in those same basic colors, and don't forget denim in light to dark washes in tops, bottoms and jackets. These lessons I learned at Gap are, in some ways ironically, as valuable to me as an adult as some of the things I learned in high school and university (shhhhhh don't tell!). As long as I have the essentials in wardrobe basics, it is easier to maneuver from season to season without breaking the bank. Fall is a time when I find myself rediscovering these wonderful pieces that have rested patiently in my closet through most of the brighter summer months, and this weekend was no exception.
If you were to happen upon my neighborhood chances are
you would see me strolling in a version of this on any of my "off days".
Okay you got me. On any day.
It's got all the essentials - not too large/not too small denim jacket,
James Perse T (you know how I feel about those), black leggings,
and a zip of leopard in the shoe to bring the unexpected.
As much as I love a leather bag - and girls you know I love a leather bag -
this little canvas bag is perfect for groceries and, well, I'll just out myself...
It's got CATS IN A BLANKET AT THE BEACH ON IT!
(if only my parisian former-neighbors from santa monica who used to take our "shared" cat to the
beach in the basket of their vespa could see this now! bruno...you out there?)
beach in the basket of their vespa could see this now! bruno...you out there?)
Doesn't get much better than that, in my opinion!
And it only seems fitting to pair cats with cat print.
Hope everyone had a great weekend. I'll fill you in on mine tomorrow seeing as I've been wrestling with Blogger for, oh, 4 hours and my patience has basically been worn to nil. (death to this picture uploading/crashing nonsense!!)
Outfit details: Tom Ford - Sunnies, Big Star - Denim Jacket, James Perse - T, Gap - Tank, American Apparel - Leggings, Target - Leopard Flats, J.Crew - Canvas Bag, Melinda Maria - Rings
Convertibles
Have you heard the term convertible used to describe clothing or handbags? If not, it's basically when you can wear one piece multiple ways - hence, converting it into multiple looks - convertible! One of my favorite new items is a convertible by Brandy & Melville. I'm not sure they actually intended for it to be one - but it totally is and I love it. So here are the 3 separate pieces it represents:
The Dress
The Tunic
American Apparel has this super cute convertible dress that can be worn seven different ways, Free People has the awesome ruffle skirt that can also be worn as a dress, and check out the Bolu leather backpack that doubles as a messenger bag - it is beautiful! I'm all over anything that can be worn multiple ways because it makes it much easier on the pocketbook. And if I really like a particular piece I want to wear it a lot but not be redundant, so a variety of look options is very helpful in that sense too!
How about you - any convertible wearers or lovers out there? I'd love to get some more ideas!
Dress Outfit Details: Gap Cami, James Perse Ribbed Dress, Brandy & Melville Dress, Mike & Chris Booties, Alexander Wang Bag, Tom Ford Sunglasses, Melinda Maria Jewelry.
Tunic Outfit Details: Gap Cami, Brandy & Melville Tunic, Aritzia Leggings, Joie Military Boots, Alexander Wang Bag, Tom Ford Sunglasses, Melinda Maria Jewelry.
Top Outfit Details: Gap Cami, Brandy & Melville Top, J.Crew Matchstick Denim, Manolo Blahnik Zip Booties, Rebecca Minkoff Studded Rocker, Tom Ford Sunglasses, Dean Davidson Necklace.
The Dress
Cute or what? Check out the slouchy side - love it! First I put on the standard cami, then a ribbed tank dress to make sure there was no see-through action, and finally threw the slouchy dress (convertible) over top. Entirely simple outfit that you could easily wear with flip flops for an afternoon beachy vibe or a bit more sassed with a bootie or heel (as seen here) for an early dinner. It was completely freezing this day, but someday it will warm up and this item will be worn as a dress.
The Tunic
I think this one's my fave look. No check that. It is my fave look. I love tunics. They're great with jeans, leggings, shorts or skirts. They're fun and flexible. Yes. this one is it.
Check it up close. You can pull it up just a little at the bottom so it loses the dress feel, but still covers the butt so it's great with leggings. I don't know about you, but I'm not a fan of the uncovered legging'd butt if there aren't any pockets on the leggings. I just feel uncomfortable, but that might just be my preference.
And, this particular look is excellent with the military boots. If fall-like weather is going to persist, I have no choice, but to haul out the fall attire. At least the fall foot attire. Hopefully summer will reappear soon :)
The Top
Okay. Examine it. First, I must say a wicked breeze had picked up and was blowing straight into me. All I was thinking was 'get to car and turn on heat stat!'. Otherwise the top version is far more blousy in front and not so, shall we say, sucked into the body.
Much more like this, if you can get a better view from the side.
Or maybe this? For the win! Whatever the case, I really do enjoy wearing this as a top as well. It's great with skinny denim and a heel.
In this instance all I had to do was throw a little jacket on and we were off to dinner!
American Apparel has this super cute convertible dress that can be worn seven different ways, Free People has the awesome ruffle skirt that can also be worn as a dress, and check out the Bolu leather backpack that doubles as a messenger bag - it is beautiful! I'm all over anything that can be worn multiple ways because it makes it much easier on the pocketbook. And if I really like a particular piece I want to wear it a lot but not be redundant, so a variety of look options is very helpful in that sense too!
How about you - any convertible wearers or lovers out there? I'd love to get some more ideas!
Dress Outfit Details: Gap Cami, James Perse Ribbed Dress, Brandy & Melville Dress, Mike & Chris Booties, Alexander Wang Bag, Tom Ford Sunglasses, Melinda Maria Jewelry.
Tunic Outfit Details: Gap Cami, Brandy & Melville Tunic, Aritzia Leggings, Joie Military Boots, Alexander Wang Bag, Tom Ford Sunglasses, Melinda Maria Jewelry.
Top Outfit Details: Gap Cami, Brandy & Melville Top, J.Crew Matchstick Denim, Manolo Blahnik Zip Booties, Rebecca Minkoff Studded Rocker, Tom Ford Sunglasses, Dean Davidson Necklace.
Langganan:
Komentar (Atom)
