While on my way to my fay-vorite bar last night with my dude and friend Alex (more on that later), our car ride was interrupted by a barrage of at least 100 bikers that completely took over the streets of Downtown L.A.  Dudeguy informed me that this group was called Critical Mass and their aim is to raise awareness about how unfriendly the city was to cyclists.

Cool.

They ride around guerilla style ignoring traffic signals, stopping car traffic, and basically shutting down streets.  Apparently, the police don’t support that activity and arrest a few of them.  I tried to take pictures of all of this happening, but none of them came out too clearly.  Oh well.

If you’re a cyclist, I support you.  I may have to dust off my beach cruiser if gas gets to be too high.  For the rest, enjoy this PSA my friend Daryl showed me today:

And I’ll try not to ruin it for everyone, but I want to know how many saw “it” the first time around.  BE HONEST!!!

While trolling the blogs to get my mind off the real world and its issues, I came across this at Mahalo Fashion:

More perusing led to this gem over at C&D:

Ok, I really need to know what animal she has captured and subsequently shaved to make these clothes.  I mean, the rest of the outfits are cool (LOVE the dress in the first pic), but I can’t get with purple people eater pelt for a shrug and pomeranian ankle boots. 

I know SoloStar has been building her cache by going against the grain (no hating from me on that note), and by doing so has become a muse for Giorgio Armani and the face of Armani Jeans (still, no hate), but I don’t know about some of the stuff she wears out of the house.  Her clothes look like they would agitate most PETA supporters. 

Your thoughts?

I’m FINALLY going to experience the Jet Rag $1 sale this weekend.  I’m tired of shopping online and I haven’t gone on a vintage hunt in a while.  Even better, my guy is the one who suggested it.  I’m taking it as license to get all kinds of random ish. 

*Crossing my fingers and wishing on imaginary shooting stars that I’ll get some good stuff* 

I’m expecting a cluster-fuck since it’s a holiday weekend, but I’ll hope that there are enough people who are thinking the same thing and will avoid it.  If not, I’m going to Out of the Closet to make up for whatever I’m lacking in the “Ooh!  Lookie at what I got” department. 

In keeping with one of the original intentions of this blog, I’m going to i.d. one of my many favorite places to give money to.  We’re all familiar with American Apparel, but they also have an offshoot that deals strictly in vintage – California Select.  The brick and mortar store is in Echo Park, but they have made many a piece available on their eBay store.

If you love vintage fashion, but are too lazy tired to hunt through piles and racks and stacks for hours, I’d say give it a go.  It won’t make for the traditional seek-and-find experience, but you’ll probably come out with something great nonetheless.  

I’ve yet to visit the physical store since I’m being a lazy ass and buying online, but since I’m in the mood for it I may go this weekend.  Shopping trip anyone?  Anyone?  Next week then?  After payday?  Ok, cool.  We’ll go next week. 

If you haven’t already, check out the eBay store.  If you find anything (and win it, hopefully), let me know.  We can swap bidding war stories and share in the spoils. 

2111 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026

(213) 483-8331

So…umm…yeah…why does temptation have my phone number and why do I keep picking up? 

I don’t know what is making me go on the hunt for heels (especially since I live in my Chucks), but damn if I don’t keep coming across the most amazing looking shoes.  I’ve seen these before, but as of late, I’m starting to see them more and more.  Usually not a good sign for my wallet.

Now I know these aren’t for everyone, but I think they’re dope.  Strange enough not to see everywhere, but still oddly wearable (even in turquoise).  Plus, BritUgly says they’re comfortable.  Strikes one and two.  We’ll see how long I last before I break down and pay the $148 $195 with shipping for them (damn weakened US dollar *grumbles*). 

Edit: With this new addition of $50 for shipping, I might need to wait until the U.S. equivalent is produced.  Rats. 

Stiletto creepers.  What will they think of next?

I’ve clearly been on a shoe shopping spree as of late, but l HONESTLY could not pass these up.  They are the cutest brown suede ankle boots in the universe.  Not quite the deep-V in front boots that everyone seems to be in love with (already a good thing), these have a split off to the side with what I can only describe as petals folding over the top. 

The best part – they’re $24.80.  No joke. 

I couldn’t resist.  I ordered them on the 18th and they came in on the 21st – fastest shipping ever.  Thank you Forever21.

Girls who are a little rough around the edges never really seem to get the girly thing down.  Personally, frills and flowers were the furthest thing from my mind when it came to picking out clothes from when I was a little kid all the way up until now.  Lately, I’m actually finding some great inspiration looking at all kinds of flowers growing wildly in ungroomed gardens around the city.

Realizing this, I decided to go boldly where I’d never gone before and wear something with a floral print.  I was well pleased with the results.

Shirt, shorts: Forever 21 + Shoes: Bakers

Somehow, someway, I like the mix of the floral and basic stripe.  The addition of my new favorite shoes rounded it all off in a way that I think describes me perfectly:

top – yes, I’m a girl; shorts – yes, I’m laid back; shoes – if need be, I will kick your ass.

Loves it.

I felt the grey morning needed a little reminder that it isn’t quite fall.  By noon, all was well on Miracle Mile and I went out to my favorite reading spot with the book of the moment, Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad.  If you’ve seen Apocalypse Now, this is the book that inspired it.

I realized that I’m wearing a pretty inexpensive outfit today.  Feels good to know I can pull something together that looks decent and costs less than $75 from head to toe.  Sweet!

Shirt, Necklace, Jeans: Forever21 + Shoes: Urban Outfitters

I’ll admit it – I’m a tomboy.  I am truly, madly and deeply rooted in jeans of all cuts, colors and kinds.  But once in a while, some event comes around that beckons me to go further and actually wear some of the stuff that I buy that doesn’t fall into the denim category.  Case in point: my friend’s birthday dinner.  She’s turning 30 this Saturday and is determined to have as many events as possible over the course of three days.  Last night was the dinner and I am pleased to say that I wore a dress (this is a big deal – trust me).

Dress: Vintage via California Select + Shoes: Bakers

I would not be a person of integrity if I did not accurately describe my experiences with the places I mention on this here blog.  Sooooooooooo…umm yeah.  About those shoes I ordered from FlyJane.net.  One pair wasn’t what I ordered and the others that came were too small.  You should have seen me trying to get in them.  I’m sure I could have eventually, but the design of the shoe prevented me from forcing my heel in.  NOT COOL.  Here I am, all excited about my new shoes greeting me at the door and neither of them are working out as planned.  Aggravation called.  I definitely answered.

Note to self: get your ass out of the house and buy a pair of shoes that you know are going to work out and that are of some quality.

It’s funny because I let the financially conscious portion of my brain dictate that purchase and it the result was COMPLETELY wrong.  What to do?  What to do?

I KNOW!  I’m sending them back.  Both of them.  As much as I like that patent brown pair (and they are hot in person), I decided that I’d be better off buying a pair I really love in a material that I can readily identify.  And I did.  Praise be to Bakers for being the ringer in my time of need.  Sure they were as much as those two pairs combined, but I know for a fact that I’ll get more wear out of these puppies than I would out of the others.  Win for me.  Epic win for me.

Those other shoes are SO going back.  These joints just shat.all.over.them.  Srsly.

Shoes: Bakers (as if you needed a reminder) + Jeans: Refuge

Oh, and *ahem* I made a *cough* stop at Forever 21 and picked up a couple of things…So much for fiscal responsibility.