Ciblek Mania

A couple of weeks ago the garbage truck rumbled through the alley behind my house making all sorts of mad noise and beeps. When I woke up I could have sworn was at home, in my parents' house, with the school bus waiting in the driveway. As in 20 years ago. 

I'm homesick. And I can't help thinking it's compounded by the 80's and 90's stuff floating around everywhere. Neon, moto, studs, cropped boots, lace--it's out in full force and I wore a piece of all of it back in the day. Jeggings? Can't remember what we called them, but I had more pairs of ribbed jeans than I knew what to do with. Floral denim? Let's just say I swore NEVER AGAIN to anything bright when it was all over and the fog lifted.

Cut to scene and somehow a pair of neon pink pants has found its way into my closet. Perhaps I can blame it on angst over aging and missing my family? Something's gotta give because I'm actually starting to like neon and it's scaring the hell out of me.  In an effort to test for a cure, this weekend I'm taking a quick zip home to Canada. My sanity is on the line and, quite frankly, I'm not sure how much more Home Depot and the local thrift store can take of my wardrobe.

If you've fallen ill in summer then I don't have to tell you how uncomfortable it is.  The sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the ice cream truck is singing its tune in the wind...and you're laid out flat in bed.  Possibly whimpering. Yesterday I woke up feeling super dizzy and just plain under the weather.  Instead of listening to my body I thought I'd give vacuuming a try--not the best idea when you can't stand up straight. Moments later I was back in bed moderately worse for the wear.

The title of this post sounds so ominous.  Nope--just the story of an LBD and a favorite denim shirt.

Yesterday was a race from the moment I opened my eyes until the time I hit the couch just in time to catch Teen Mom (cue the tears over Catelynn's fear of Brandon & Teresa cutting off contact with Carly).  Being busy without scary demands is a good feeling.  Unfortunately it wasn't so great when I reached over to turn on the straight iron only to realize 10 minutes later the thing had crossed over to the great hair appliance factory in the sky.  Why me?  Cut to scene and there I was racing out the door minutes later with a somewhat fuzzed out head of hair and a bag containing various outfit changes to last the day...miraculously I was only 10 minutes late to the first meeting.  Think screeeeech.

It should be noted that cleaning out the closet can yield many a forgotten treasure.  Case in point the little black dress in this post.  I picked it up more than a few years ago and have only worn it once or twice because it always gets lost beneath a hanging jacket.  Imagine my excitement upon rediscovering it this past Saturday.  We're in this weird weather pattern right now:  fogged in for the morning, blazing hot for the afternoon and then fogged in and cold for the evening.  I'm not ready to kiss summer goodbye so am working dresses and shorts to the maximum opting for light layers overtop that can easily be tossed aside once it warms up.  Second case in point:  the denim shirt.  Everyone laughed and called me a cowboy when I picked it up at Martin+Osa (RIP) a couple years ago.  Laughs on you suckahs (ie. friends who teased and read this blog)!  The denim shirt is back with a vengeance and I'm here to claim my rightful seat on the denim shirt throne.  On a serious note:  two wardrobe essentials paired together for chic and easy. You really can't go wrong.

And now let us carry on toward the weekend.  Only two days to go...

I awoke Saturday morning in a completely relaxed state. One whole day of sheer nothing ahead of me. Sigh.

Instead of hopping out of bed I lazed about reading the March issue of Elle, which has some of the most beautiful vibrant shoes I've ever seen, to ease into the day. Two cups of tea later the Chef and I strolled out to be greeted by the warmest summer-like breeze we've had since before last summer's deep freeze.  It actually caught me off guard in the best way possible.  Instead of zipping by the beach on our way to brunch we stopped to take it all in - volleyball players, sailboats in the distance, kids jumping in the sand. For a moment winter seemed so far away.

I couldn't have cared less that I was overdressed.  My legs, on the other hand, were screaming out for sun exposure.  Soon enough ladies, soon enough.

I think the bloody heat has gotten to my mind.  Yesterday morning I woke up from a dream where I was begging my friend Amber to bring me a Pepsi Slurpee from 7-11.  It was the weirdest thing - right in the middle of the dream I remembered I don't even like those and started pleading for a glass of water.  Why I couldn't get my own is beyond me.  All I know is it was hot in that dream, and when my eyes opened it was hot in my house.  (But thankfully I had not sleep-dialed poor Amber! Can you imagine??). 

Do you ever have mornings where you wake up and just know you should stay in bed until the next day?  Like the gong show is just waiting to gong your life all day long?  Well I had that day yesterday.  First was the sweaty, drink-less dream. Then I rolled into my office after a shower where I could barely get cool water - only to discover my internet provider had lost service to at least a thousand customers in my area.  Isn't that special?  Not so much.  How, pray tell dear people, is a person to do their job sans internet?  Oh and never mind the fact that I pay my bills online and several needed to be paid by noon PST.  That's not happening!  I decide I'm going to be productive and do some laundry and clean-up...only to walk into my mudroom and find it filled with smoke from the new next door neighbor who sits in his yard and cigars it up all day and night while the breeze wafts over his fence and into my home.  Welcome neighbor!  When are you moving out again?!?

I could go on, but I'll stop and spare you the details.  Suffice it to say by 11:30am I was huddled under the bed with nothing but a peep hole to the tv where I could see that Victor Newman is being sued by his daughters.  (All I could do is hope the tv didn't go up in smoke like the time my blowdryer almost lit my hair on fire - true story).  Thankfully the Chef stopped by and rescued me from spontaneous combustion.  We strolled the streets and took in a new sushi restaurant before returning home late in the evening to realize My Generation starts at 8 and not 9pm.  Fitting, isn't it?

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.

Well, well, well.  Now isn't that the longest blogger title you ever did see?  I never was one for coloring inside the lines.  Except when I was 5.

So without further ado, let me tell you this is NOT the post I had planned as we head into the 4th of July weekend here in the US.  I was just going to give you a sample of what I might wear on the day and meander off.  Instead I spent this week becoming increasingly more agitated by the Oil Spill Crisis on the Mississippi Gulf Coast (amongst other far less original, basically banal irritations, but I'll stick to the course for this post). 

                                                            image via Bumpkin on a Swing

The past two days, in particular, I have spent a good portion of time on the telephone explaining to close friends and colleagues why they should go check out Bumpkin on a Swing's blog to really see the devastation and hear the heartwrenching stories of people living and working amidst this disaster.  It's been shocking to me.  I grew up on the Prairies in Canada where oil and gas is a healthy chunk of local business.  I know what it's like to have those rigs on our land, and know the people working on them.  It's a high risk job.  But if there was a gusher - because it would be open air - they would be able to cap it much more quickly.  I understand that.

Now that I live in California and see the oil rigs off the coast, and know what has happened in the South - I somehow feel very connected to this tragedy.  Maybe because the industry and the people are so very familiar to me.


Whatever the case for once I literally want to see more of Hollywood get involved.  I WANT TO SEE SEAN PENN WEARING A BASEBALL CAP AND MANNING A DINGY THROUGH OIL RIDDEN WATERS GOING OFF ON HIS CAMERAMAN ABOUT WHY THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.  I can't believe I am actually saying this, but it's true.  I want to see Anderson Cooper diving into the water in some crazy lifegear retrieving sick wildlife in nets and bringing them to safety (they'd be calm for him because he's Anderson and he's got a magic touch).  I want Brad and Angie to come running out and shake their heads in dismay from the sickness that's spreading through the Gulf because of the oil spill and the toxins in the air.  I want them to melodramatically be handing out gas masks for all of the world to see - making the powers that be look inefficient in comparison to two actors.  I just want more of a spotlight on the situation.  To see more outrage.  To see the people helped more quickly.  For everyone to work together to get on the same page.  I couldn't just stroll off into the long weekend without saying anything.  Because the people who have to live with the effects of that spill probably won't have the most pleasant 4th of July, and that makes me very, very sad.  After Katrina a lot of the people in the South thought that a lot of the rest of us had forgotten them.  So even though I can't do much and have no real power, I just wanted to do my little part to say  "hey, we do see and we are with you in spirit"- even though that doesn't feel like much.

By the way, did you see that FEMA pulled in the formaldehyde ridden trailers for workers to stay in?  What is up with that??  When Anderson Cooper reported on that tonight I almost snapped.  Actually I think he almost did too.  We learned (or so I thought) from Katrina that those things are poisonous and unlivable.  Why are they now being used again??  And for people who are working in completely toxic situations as it is to come in to rest in those things is even more crazy.  My head is sore from thinking about all of this.

So because I feel like I've been breathing in oil fumes for weeks here's that outfit I promised.  It seems crazy to even include it after my soapbox, but it is still the 4th, it's still going to happen, and I'm gonna make myself get out in style with the mob.  I'll be taking in those fireworks displays in the name of every person in the South who won't be able to enjoy it firsthand.  Style on!


Outfit details:  Ray-Ban Metro Wayfarer, Eugenia Kim Toyo Braid Fedora, Alex and Ani Expandable Wire Bracelets, Rebecca Minkoff Lovespell Crossbody Bag, Gorjana Large Horseshoe Necklace, Matt Bernson KM Gladiator Zip Sandal,  Vionnet Leather Self-Tie Belt, Stella McCartney Cashmere and Silk Blend Cardigan, and finally the Forever 21 romper pictured here is sold out - at $22 I can see why - J.Crew has a similar one that is more expensive, but super gorgeous and here's the link J.Crew Stripe Silk Romper. 

If you've been following my blog for even the shortest period of time you've likely noticed that I like to mix studded elements into my outfits. I've recently added a new piece to my wardrobe that many of you have likely seen and some of you probably even own.  Before we get to it - here's a glimpse into my love for studded perfection.  This might be a good recap for my new readers...Welcome everyone!

The Matt Bernson KM Gladiators are one of my absolute favorite pairs of shoes.  This will be their 3rd year with me and they are still my go-to summer sandal:


By adding studs Matt Bernson takes the bad ass factor of the shoe up a notch.  The shoe itself does the same to a more feminine or casual outfit.  You've seen me wear them here and here with sheer glee.  If you are considering I would highly recommend you take the leap.  Remorse Factor = next to zero.

If you're in the market for a brown option, Matt's Barracuda is another excellent option and it's got just a little more stud to it:


Look at the sun catching that one stud on the right giving it just a little gleam!  These ones are entering their second summer and they go great with simple summer dresses or a pair of shorts.  Even though it's been very cool I've paired them with a jersey dress and military jacket for a late afternoon dinner and loved the way the shoes added a spark to the outfit.

And then there's the Alexander Wang Coco.  Remember the story of how I got this bag for my birthday last year?  Complete shock.



That story still brings a tear to my eye - and so does the bag.  The studs are what make the bag.  FACT

And how about the freaking bare-bottomed denim debacle that almost left the Chef  in a muted state.  Neither one of us has fully recovered, but we both agree the rewards of the battle were worth it given this $35 studded score:


This vest has been worn several times already with shorts, dresses and leggings.  It is extremely versatile and adds the perfect punch of za-za-zoo to a very basic outfit (of which I own many).  I almost consider it an accessory.

And finally - how about this little baby?  I paired it with the Lemlem Tiru Tunic and got so many compliments on this particular outfit.


At the end of the day I think it was the soft breeziness of the tunic contrasted with the sharp studded element of Rebecca Minkoff's Studded Rocker that really brought the look home.

Sometimes when people think of studs they think hard or harsh, and I hope these images prove that doesn't necessarily have to be the case.  My newest addition is super simple, but has been a show-stopper each time I've worn them.  J.Crew's Redwood Misfit Chino Short - studded, of course - and coincidentally paired with a belt by Old Stud Handmade.


Without the studs the shorts would still have a wonderful worn-in look and feel to them.  But with the studs added along the pockets it makes them just a little edgy - and the color couldn't be a more perfect compliment for the style.


Notice the worn spots on the shorts and the fray along the hemline.  How brilliant is that?  And the addition of the studs just knocks the shorts right out of the proverbial ballpark.  I had two women stop me on Sunday to ask if these were Current/Elliott.  Woop woop!  Nope!


That day I opted to keep it pretty simple and threw on a simple James Perse white v-neck, a pair of fringed Dolce Vita sandals from last year, and a light denim safari jacket I picked up at J.Crew (I think last summer?).


If the sun ever manages to emerge for more than 10 minutes here at the beach I might actually achieve a tan and the shorts will look even better.  I plan to pair them with a high wooden wedge and a nice blousy button-up for an evening out.


But in the meantime I'm more than content with the laid-back, casual vibe they give off because the studs make me feel like I've dressed up a little even if I'm just running out to the store.  They're on sale right now at J.Crew and if you don't see your size - don't despair!  Call the item locator person and they will find and ship your size to you. 

If you're interested in adding some of the studded element to your wardrobe this summer you might want to consider this super cute summer dress/tunic by T-Bags, this amazing Gryphon jacket (that will go on sale), these hawt Ash wedges, or how about this belt by Madewell or a Free People bracelet (have and love btw).  I'd direct you to this Marni bag, but it sold out within a day of being posted (as she breathes a bitter sigh of relief on behalf of the pocketbook).  Take it as a sign though...it's a pre-fall bag meaning this trend will be around for awhile longer.

You know, there is certain je ne sais quoi about a bunch of studs that, when added to a piece of clothing, a pair of shoes, a handbag or really any accessory, - breathes new life into an outfit. Do you think it could be the bling factor? I mean we are girls after all...And what are your thoughts - studs or no studs?

Have you heard of Lemlem?  How about Liya Kebede?



Lemlem is a wonderful line of gauzy, easy-breezy clothing and accessories, and it is the brain child of supermodel-turned actress-turned designer (and also Goodwill Ambassador for the World Health Organization), Liya Kebede.  She founded the line in 2007 as a way to provide traditional weavers in her native country of Ethiopia with a means to escape poverty.

I have to say I'm usually highly suspect of models-turned actresses-turned designers-turned home interior decorators-turned whatevers - and not without good reason.  A lot of of the time these people are selling their name as an alternate way to make more money (and there's nothing wrong with that in and of itself), but many have very little to do with the actual product that is turned out - or the process it undergoes to get to the consumer.  However this is not the case with Lemlem or Liya at all - and who doesn't want to get behind a woman who is trying to make a difference in the world?  The word Lemlem means "to bloom or flourish":


And I suspect that this is exactly what is occurring for weavers in Ethiopia who are partaking in the construction of these delightful items.

Just prior to Memorial Day I did a post on beach cover-ups.  Prior to doing the post I had been eyeballing a particular Lemlem tunic for weeks in a favorite haunt of mine, so decided to include an alternate dress style in the post.  At the time I was unaware of the history behind the line and more concerned about the price tag on the garment because it was by no means inexpensive.  But after learning a little more about the people my purchase would go to support I jumped off my wallet and got the Tiru Open Weave Tunic and honeys I have not regretted it once.

                                                                   image via J.Crew
      
Examine it.  The one at J.Crew is identical to the one I bought except mine's not on backorder until August 24th - instead it's resting comfortably in my closet.  In the past couple weeks it has gotten a lot of good use and I'm very happy with it because it can be worn for much more than just beach attire.


Think: lounging around your house on a Saturday afternoon wearing denim shorts and a tank.  It's a little breezy, but you'd like to sit outside and read a magazine.  What's a girl to do?  Throw on the Tiru Tunic and relax away.


Maybe it's a super gusty day at the beach. The sun's shining brightly, but you fear a sandstorm might come up and catch you off guard.  No problem.  Tiru's got it covered.

                                  Seriously.  We damn near blew away this day, but it was still rad.

Perhaps you've endured a rather balmy yet somewhat muggy afternoon.  You're going to meet your girlfriends for a cocktail, but don't feel like wearing a dress (sticky legs = no can do) and jeans will be too warm.  Why not try the Tiru over a light cami and a pair of cropped leggings completing your look with a cute heel?

    (Yes the Swedish Hasbeens are on maximum overdrive over here.  If you own a pair you know why.)

Worked charmingly for me.  And this is only one of several options that Lemlem has to offer for Spring and Summer.  You can check them out here, here and here for lots of different styles - there are also plenty of adorable pieces for children.  But if you are interested I would recommend acting fast - these pieces are handcrafted and appear to be selling out quickly.

Outfit details:  Nicole Miller sunglasses, GAP tank, Lemlem Tiru tunic, Splendid crop leggings, Swedish Hasbeens super-high peep toe, Rebecca Minkoff studded rocker