Tuesday, February 26, 2008

On Life and Love.

It's hard for me to let go.

I always find myself in this predicament. I know when it's time to move on to something better, something more worthwhile. However, even when things are falling apart at the seams, I still frantically try to save whatever has been lost because I can't just give up on something that I've invested so much time and money and memories into. I can't help it. I'm loyal. I'll stay true and try my best to make it work and make everything okay. Sometimes, it's them. They start drifting further and further away and everything falls to pieces, and with it -- my heart. Sometimes it is me; it's my fault. Sometimes my interest fades and I find myself wishing for something else which will truly just let me be who I am. Regardless, it's never the same, and whatever we had is lost. Something between us has changed and our relationship with each other is doomed to never be what it once was. You would think it would become easier to say goodbye after the same thing happens time and again, over and over, but still -- I just can't forget.

My first true love lasted for about a year and half. We met at the Buffalo Exchange on La Brea and from that moment on, we were inseparable. We went everywhere together -- to parties, to shows, we even went on a tour through Europe! My beloved was broad and white, and even after our time together was through, I knew that I was hooked and would forever compare any future indulgences to it.

Unsurprisingly, my next handbag (what'd you think I've been talking about?) which is also my current, is rather similar to the first -- big, white, and structured with a minimal amount of gold-toned hardware. Alas, after about another year and a half of constant wear and tear, it seems to be going to way of my first.

Basically, I'm in need of a new bag for my regular, everyday use. It's just that I've been having a bit of trouble trying to find one that I like and that fits my needs/preferences. I've been thinking about something Zac Posen Aurora Frame bag-esque or something reminiscent of YSL's new Majorelle bag -- in white, of course. They both appeal to my big/structured/minimal gold hardware specifications, but still, I'm unsure. Sometimes it's just so hard to commit, you know?


Zac Posen Aurora Frame Bag


Yves Saint Laurent Majorelle Bag


Has anyone else seen un sac that might possibly pique my interest and allow me move on to something new?

Monday, February 25, 2008

02/25 - mod plaid capes, pretty flower dresses, beatnik turtlenecks... american apparel ads?

due to the rainy weather in los angeles last week, we were forced to move our photoshoots indoors. the combination of a blank white wall lit by a single floor lamp resulted in a strange set of photographs that resemble those provocative american apparel ads... is that a good thing, or a bad thing?















and some taken before the gloomy weather...





















all on sale now!
click here to shop!


Sunday, February 24, 2008

Rainy Days and Mondays

To state it simply enough, Southern California and its populace can not handle the rain. The moment the clouds start rolling in and the rain droplets just begin to speckle the pavement like some sort of urban Easter egg -- people start freaking out. The freeways become congested in a state of perpetual rush hour and the news channels promptly launch themselves into a "Storm Watch 200_" frenzy (please fill in the blank with the appropriate year).

So. With that said, Los Angeles has been inundated with rain for the past week. This is relatively unheard of, and I can't imagine that I'm the only one who was not adequately prepared for the torrential downpour (I'm not sure whether or not to be embarrassed to admit that I do not even own an umbrella). However, if I were to find myself properly clothed for the current conditions, I imagine I would be skipping through puddles in something like this:



Yes, I skip through puddles.

In heels.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

gwen stefani... dita von teese... lovelovelove?

thanks to the sweethearts at http://www.mables.com, where our model and clothing are featured right now... alongside the likes of gwen stefani and dita von teese! (who i happened to meet a couple of weeks ago at the vintage fashion expo in santa monica, by the way).


check it out at: http://50sclothes.mables.com. they've been nice enough to make navigating the vintage-shopping-maze on ebay a whole lot easier!

Thursday, February 21, 2008

michelle or grace?

it's the age-old question: the beatles or elvis? paul or john?

michelleorgrace?


michelle phillips, the mamas & the papas



grace slick, jefferson airplane



we're strictly speaking fashion and style-wise, of course. anything else would be another debate...

Monday, February 18, 2008

chronicles of a futile housing quest

finding a nice apartment that has a parking spot, and for under $1000 in silverlake (one of those hipster LA neighborhoods) is pretty much like winning the lottery. so i give up.

how much do you think they charge for rent? (neuschwanstein castle, bavaria).

02/18 - tuxedo dresses, bow sweaters, and hippie frocks





































click the pictures to go and shop!

ebay wishlist - 02/17/08

while everyone else is fawning over the latest fall 2008 fashion runways, i am actually looking back upon spring 2008 couture for inspiration - because...

a) let's face it, it is the ACTUAL next season and i'm obviously not wearing fall trends in 80-degree california spring weather;
b) the artist in me is much more inspired by the conceptuality of haute-couture than boring ready-to-wear; and
c) i love vintage and therefore am probably doomed to always be looking backwards instead of forwards.



with that said, my favorite looks for spring all seem to involve pretty dresses in sweet ruffles and sheer fabrics; then strangely, the absolute opposite - strong black and white matador-inspired looks; and lastly, glittery old-vegas-style metallics.

thusly, as i am hunting for next month's wardrobe additions on ebay ("shopping victoriously", you might say), these are the things that caught my little eye...


i lovelovelove the ruffle detail at the collar. subtle and you won't look like a guy in a bad 70's prom suit.




sometimes i like to go for understated sexy - where you show skin, but in subtle places. other times i just let the girls hang out, but that's not very couture is it?



thumbs up for overall pleating! if only i could pull off the drop waisted look... but at 5'3"? that is but wishful thinking.



this is what happens when a 70's sun dress and the whole barbarella 60's space-age-thing mate and have a cute, sparkly baby.



simple, fits nicely, and has cute lil' trim. (by the way, i hold mama stone vintage to blame for bringing the word "ll" back into ebay descriptive lexicon).



sort of björky-ish. but i'm okay with that.



a little more dramatic with the accordion-pleat ruffles... which makes it a perfect party dress! just don't wear it to dive bars.



adorable ruffling at the collar and bib. this is "hey i'm a guy in the 70's and this is my prom outfit" but then it's like "well i don't care what you guys think i'll wear what i want."



so this dress is sheer, but don't the bands of alternating non-sheer, solid stripe make you feel less exposed? isn't that strange??


Tuesday, February 12, 2008

goodbye, winter wonderland

it's 81 degrees outside, and because of this very reason i am able to bid farewell to the coldest season of the year. normally, i would be too angry and cold to revere any aspect of the wintertime; but as the snow melts from the sierra nevadas, so does my heart.
"dame blanche" editorial from numero magazine, december 2007.
well, i'm off now to pack up my furry winter jackets and liberate my spring dresses from the confines of my closet. ciao ciao! -irita