I’ve been feeling kind of “eehhhhh” lately, so today was the day that I dressed to match my mood.  Call it being influenced by too much Discovery Channel and National Geographic (along with general malaise about my job and massive debt…eww), but grey leopard was heavy on the brain.

I got my cutout oxfords last night and was intent on wearing them today, especially since they fit so well into my theme.  The rest I kinda had to wing because I was running late…per usual.  When this happens, jeans and a shirt are my go-to pieces (diversity in outfit has been a long time in the making for me…)  Anyway, the scarf was added because I was looking a little bit too plain and depressed.  I think I did my muse a solid one today.

I have to say, I really dig these shoes.  They’re comfortable, interesting, and the phrase “fairy tales are true” is written on a tag on the inside.  Too cute!  My best friend said I reminded her of the Munchkins and asked me to sing the Lollipop Guild song.  I thought it was a rather nice compliment.  LOL.

Shirt & Shoes: Urban Outfitters + Jeans: Refuge + Scarf: Thrifted

Happy Monday!  Ok, I told you early on that this was supposed to be a fashion blog with things peppered in here and there.  Consider this one of those pepperings.

If you haven’t already, meet Janelle Monae.  She’s a Kansas City native, has a new album that was just released, and I have dubbed her the feminine counterpart to Andre 3000 of Outkast.  If you pull up any pictures of her, chances are you’ll find her in a heavily tailored tuxedo and saddle shoes, or something I could only define as cyber-afro-punk.  Her music isn’t much different.  It’s a good thing.  A very good thing.

I love people who are comfortable enough with themselves to bump the trend in favor of their own thing.  It’s watching confidence personified.  Janelle is definitely one of those people, and I got to see her perform (read: open for Raphael Saadiq) at the Roxy last night (YAY ME!!!).  I’ve been checking for her since 2006 and always wondered what she was like on stage.  Once I saw that she was going to be in L.A., I got tickets immejiately.

First off, I’ve never seen someone with so much energy on a stage.  Seriously.  Secondly, she can sing pretty damn well.  The clip below doesn’t really do her voice justice, but you’ll get a feel of what her show is like:

Good times – and for $26, I’d call it well worth the money.  I got her CD while I was there, too.

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The look I donned last night was very concert casual.  I don’t do heels at standing-room only venues (although I could have because my feet were KILLING me by the end of the night!), and I really wanted to wear my new American Apparel Slim Slacks.  I love these jeans.  Yes, the size lies, but the fit is fantastic.

Sweater: H&M + Top: Guess + Jeans: American Apparel + Shoes: Bakers + Bag: XOXO

First off, I would like to thank the lovely Entirely Official for being the inspiration for my latest purchase. 

Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks!

After looking at my chosen shoe to buy this week, I decided that I needed to get something that wasn’t so…grey.  After doing some browsing around, I happened upon this post and set out to get myself some “shooties.”  How trendy.

I checked over at Endless.com which led me over to Steve Madden.com where I found a BEAUTIFUL pair that I nearly started drooling over:

The only thing is…(sigh)…they’re not available until October 22nd.  I can’t wait that long.  I was denied two purchases earlier in the day from a store that I’m completely obsessed with (more on that later), and I wanted NEEDED something that I could have my hands on within a week’s time.  On I searched.

(Note: I also thought it was extremely whack that these $129 shoes have a synthetic upper.  For shame Steve!  I’m hoping that is a misprint.)

After spending some time at SM, I found the shoes that Entirely Official was wearing in the post.  “Cute!” I thought.  “These would look great with my (fill in with about half of my wardrobe).”

I got ready to take the plunge and then my brain switched into frugal mode.  Ugh. 

“I/V, you KNOW you can get something like that for cheaper.  You have student loans to pay back and these little here-and-there shopping sprees aren’t going to make paying that off any easier.”

Again…Ugh.  Knowing that I should defer to my financially reasonable side, I trolled over to FlyJane.net and saw a pair that looked ever so familiar for under $50.  Nice. 

Sure they aren’t as sexy looking, but they’re good enough and the price was nice indeed.  So nice that I convinced myself that I deserved another pair for being so diligent at finding a look for less.  As a reward, I got these as well (also under $50!):

The way I see it, I’m never going to spend the same kind of money on something trendy that I would on a classic/ a staple/ a pair of good jeans.  I may even forgo most of the opportunties to wear either of these in favor of something of the Chuck Taylor variety.  Knowing this, I have resolved that buying a look-alike suits me just fine.  I could never justify anything else.  At least not until I get that ever-elusive job of my dreams that pays me way too much money. 

It could happen!

Until then, I’ll be parading around in my new kicks.  And if I happen to run them into the ground, I’ll be paying Mr. Madden a visit.  In October.  When those other shooties make themselves available. 

*giggle* Shooties *giggle*

Out of all the shoes that I own, these have to be my favorite.  I’m not really a flats person, so if I buy them, they must be visually interesting.  These, with the snakeskin print, maryjane-like strap and extra shiny silver color put them past the point of cute to freakin’ irresistable.  I feel like Dorothy from The Wiz when I wear them. 

They have a way of gussying up a more casual outfit and are nice enough to pair with a cute dress on a night out.  With this rationale in mind, I ended up buying them in black as well.  Yay me!

I know I’m late on the whole oxford thing, but damn if those shoes aren’t cute and versatile.  I spied a pair of perforated ivory ones in Lucky Mag but no dice when I went to procure them online.  After hours of searching the site they were supposed to be on, trolling the Lucky Mag forums and Googling every variation of leather oxford, jazz shoe, and Charles Albert “Bossanova,” I decided to settle on the next best thing:

Gray, canvas, cutout detail and they go with most everything.  Plus, at $24.99 on sale, I didn’t need much convincing.  Thank you Urban Outfitters.  I should own stock.  Really. 

Despite the new addition to my shoe family, I’m still on the lookout for my first loves.  If I have to email the magazine and the person they interviewed who supposedly owns said shoes (and I have…), I am going to find them. 

Wish me luck.

I’ve finally decided to try my hand at this blogging phenomenon and to get started, I thought it best to answer some questions:

What is Instant/Vintage? This is supposed to be a fashion blog.  Mainly.  If I come across something hilarious (and I often do), it’s probably going to end up here. 

Why call it Instant/Vintage?  That’s what I like to call my aesthetic – a nice collusion between what’s current and what used to be current 20 to 40 years ago. 

What’s going to be on here?  It’ll be a combination of things that I’m eyeing and buying, pictures of yours truly, the names of some spots where you can find some really great things (in and around Los Angeles and on the web), and other odds and ends. 

How often do you post?  Hmmm…I’m going to try to try to make it at least twice weekly.  If not, blame it on my lack of things really interesting to write about. 

I hope I covered enough for an intro.  If you can think of anything else, leave a comment.

See you soon.