I missed my 10-year high school reunion this weekend.  No, that doesn’t have anything to do with the rest of this post, but it felt like a great opening.  Roll with it.

Bakers clog wedge thingies
mutilated Hanes shirt
AA jeans
Rossmore necklace

I guess it was only a matter of time before I found a clog incarnate that was worthy enough to add to my incredible shrinking shoe collection (as bass-ackwards as that sounds, it’s the truth).  I blame this one and this blog…and by extension, this one for showing me that blog.  Curse all of you for convincing me that these are best styled with the many pairs of jeans and slouchy things I own.

*shakes fist*

No, they aren’t Celine (sheeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit), but they’re good enough.  Actually, they’re GREAT.  These joints are more comfortable and interesting looking than any flats I own and given my usual lax style of dressing, that bodes extremely well for their future.

Of note: I’m pretty sure these came off of the same assembly line as the Jeffrey Campbell versions which cost nearly twice as much.  The only differences I could spot were stitch size and color/leather combinations.  If you’re in the market, I suggest you get to comparison shopping.  After that (and if you can), go to a physical store to get them.  They run small and the novelty just might wear off before you hand over your money.

Seriously.

In case you missed my not so major announcements on the twitter, there’s new stuff in the Instant Vintage etsy store.

It looks like I ended my shameless self promotion in posts prior a little too early…

My bad.

Chichia London dress
J. Crew belt via Crossroads
Steve Madden Nataliaa shoes

Sometimes…you just know it’s love…

Back when I originally posted about Chichia London, I made a promise to myself to practice what I preach and support this indie.  After a couple of email exchanges with designer Christine Mhando, consulting with dudeguy, and lamenting the GBP-USD exchange rate, I decided on this dress.  I’ve been smitten ever since it showed up on my doorstep. 

Quack…

I have a sneaking suspicion that this is only the beginning of my Chichia collection…the blazer from Christine’s latest capsule collection, Insomnia Luxe, is CALLING me:

COME HITHER.  Immediately, if not, sooner.  Photo via Not Just a Label

Annnnnnnnnnd since I don’t really know how I’m going to cap this post off (because some man on the phone just used “that colored fella” to describe Eddie Murphy in Coming to America and I don’t know whether to laugh or cry), I’m going to end it awkwardly here.

Oh, and HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII to everyone who found me via Coco and Creme!  =D

UPDATE: Thanks to Kemi, we have Chichia’s stockists’ links!

http://www.thelookboutique.com/designer/chichialondon

http://www.notjustalabel.com/chichialondon

http://www.agnesandlola.com/chichia.html

Thanks, Kemi!!  =D

Photo from eshop/blog Kimandra (all of these pieces are currently for sale).  Heads up from Susie Bubble.

Yes.  Yes.  And more YES.  The cardigan may be a bit too much given the weather, but  if I could wear this all summertime long, I would.  Light colors, light materials, and high-waisted shorts  ALL DAY. 

I’m on board with Fashion Intel - blush, beige, and all things neutral are looking REALLY good to me right now.   

Is anyone else feeling a change of color palette preference?  Are we not even thinking that much about it?  No?  Ok, maybe it’s just me.  LOL.

Steve Madden is having a sale that ends tonight at midnight. 

Steve Madden Nataliaa; photo from here

Several pairs of shoes, including the ones above sported by the lovely Joelle of The Owls Are Not What They Seem, are now $39.99.  Because the shoes are on clearance, they are an ADDITIONAL 40% off with the code 40clearance.  After taxes and shipping, they will cost you around $30. 

I figured I’d share the info since I just copped myself a pair about an hour ago. 

Happy shopping.

UPDATE: I hope you guys got a chance to get on these before the sale ended, because they shot right back up to $109 as soon as midnight EST hit.  A friend of mine was actually mid-order when it happened…the site froze and she had to refresh. 

Yeah, she didn’t get the shoes.   =(

California Charm necklace by Maya Brenner

It’s on Gilt right now and I want it.  Yep.  I sure do.

Please excuse my week-long hiatus.  Somewhere between being aggravated with news stories, overwhelmed by Twitter and all of the unfiltered madness that resides within it, underwhelmed by my daily apparel, and unsuccessfully trying to ignore the growing mess in my living space, my head a sploded.  After some much needed time away from my computer and teevee, I realized a few things: Twin Peaks completely PWNS Lost, black jeans have taken over my life, I have too much shit that I’m not getting rid of quickly enough and I’m tired of oversized, gaudy statement necklaces. 

Seriously.

It could be the impending heatwave synonymous with SoCal summertime that has me shying away from larger baubles and bits.  It could also be overexposure via blogs and my own workstation.  Either way, I’m ready for a change from “makes any outfit POP” to something subtle that can be worn everyday with everything.  Thankfully, I’ve been fortunate enough to weasel my way into befriend a group of very talented people, one in particular who has been the saving grace in an effort to find necklaces that don’t scream at passersby.  I am referring to my darling dear Suzy LeQ, the designer behind local jewelry line Rossmore.

From Rossmore’s “Light” collection:
Four Square
Only Hearts - Cut
Triple Tri
Say Anything
Triangle

When I was first introduced to Rossmore, I was taken by the simple shapes, beautifully executed with just enough “rough around the edges.”  When I met Suzy thirty seconds later, I was equally taken with her positive energy and spirit.  It comes through in her creations as clearly as the craftsmanship.  In short, I <3 her and everything her two hands produce. 

Rossmore Voyage necklace

I spent last weekend assembling a collection of her pieces, first at a sample sale hosted by the lovely Courtney of LA Vintage Exchange (who has an interview over at Mondette – w00t!!) and the following day at the Space 15 Twenty flea market.  Sure, it was hotter than fish grease with the sun trying its hardest to dry up my very essence for two days straight, but it was all worth it.  Saturday, I started with the Laughter necklace mentioned in this post.  Soon after came the Legend ring.  The next day, the Four Square necklace joined the party. 

BEHOLD…the HAUL

Yeah.  Last weekend was a full two days of sun-soaked jewelry hoarding action.  It’s only the beginning.  I can only hope that I become a lottery winner or the lucky recipient of the funds that email from Nigeria mentioned because between Wendy B and Suzy LeQ, I am going to be a broke, but seriously bedazzled citizen.         

Saturday: wearing Rossmore Laughter necklace and Legend ring (on ring finger) among a sea of vintage, DIY and Instant Vintage etsy stuff.   All the clothes you’ve seen before…I won’t bore you. Pictures taken by Suzy LeQ.

Tuesday: Rossmore Four Square and Laughter necklaces, the only black blazer I ever post, DIY three hole vest

Now, before any of you show major concern, I’d like you to know that I’m not alone in my hoarding.  That group I mentioned earlier…every person in it owns (and was wearing) two or more Rossmore pieces each time that I saw them.  It’s contagious…you can’t have just one and you never want to take them off. 

Word.

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Rossmore.  Shop online.  Follow the blog.

If you have any special stone ideas or requests, let me know!

All of this and (hopefully) more will be available this Thursday at the Instant Vintage etsy shop.  This is only the beginning…I can already tell you those bracelets are going to be offered in more than just turquoise.    =D

Shop. Shop. Shop.

Complex Geometries Junction Dress

I won’t say that I’ve been sleeping on Complex Geometries.  The truth is that I’ve been in denial.  “But they’re just big t-shirts.  Surely there is no way I can rationalize paying $150 for an oversized t-shirt… ”

*this is only a slight exaggeration…

But…they aren’t oversized t-shirts.  They aren’t t-shirts at all.  They are beacons, guiding the way to the magical land of convertible clothing where shirts become tanks become dresses become jackets.  If they changed colors, I would feel fine having 10 CG pieces in my closet and not wearing anything else for the rest of my life.*

I think I may have to pull some existing closet items into the main rotation to curb my enthusiasm…or figure out how the hell this thing is made…wish me luck?

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Don’t forget to enter the contest below - OMG Cat commands it.

Norwegian Wood Trench Blouse

Business up front.  Party in the back.

No doubt you’ve been seeing a lot of Norwegian Wood’s latest offerings popping up hither and thither on the internets.  When Angie, beloved designer of said offerings, tweeted about this blouse, I had to share it immediately.  Given my love for clothing that doesn’t quite know what it wants to be, I’m sure this comes as no surprise. 

Half blouse, half trench, and a little bit of sex thrown in for good measure.  Aces.  Get it here.