From My Closet: My that's a big belt you have.

"My that's a big belt you have."

Those were Mario's exact words upon seeing my outfit for the day.

He's right it is a huge belt. I bought it at Anthropologie on super sale with the intent of wearing it with shift dresses- somehow I never managed to get around to it. It hung in my closet untouched, simply because of the fact that it is so big! I am not all to comfortable making a huge statement with my clothes, and while I admire brightly colored clothes and love how they look on other people, I tend to stick to natural shades and dark colors. That is part of the reason why the Marc Jacobs skirt I chose for the challenge went unworn for so long. I really need to get over my mild color phobia!

Anyway- here is today's outfit.

Harem Pants- Lamixx

Shoes- Urban Outfitters (I wore these out last summer and now they need to be re-soled)
Belt- Anthropologie
Top- Gift, but also Urbans
Stag Necklace- Gift, Erica Weiner (I adore her jewelery)

Perfect treats for rainy days Chai Tea (it's what I am drinking in the photo), and spicy Indian food.

Etsy Shop of the Week: Dutch Drift

One of the many things I love about Etsy, is that you can really get to the know the sellers. This is great because, it makes shopping more personal. I have had such great experiences with Etsy. Every little shop is like a new discovery with perfectly selected or handmade pieces.

I have recently had the pleasure to discover a lovely little shop Dutch Drift. The delicate little vintage tops and dresses are beyond words adorable. You can just tell each piece is lovingly selected for the shop.

These are some of my favorite items in the shop right now, seriously if you want these hurry because pay day is soon and I may just snatch them all up!

I had the chance to ask some questions of the lovely Maya. The woman behind Dutch Drift, and the super sweet Dutch Drift blog.

Here is what she had to say:

Do you have a process for choosing the best pieces for your shop?

Before I go thrifting, I usually do some look booking online as an inspirational revival. I try to find really nice outfits that I know people can wear for years to come and that they can mix up accessories with. I also like to people watch when I am out. I live in a neat part of town where there are always (umm) creatively dressed people out and about, some of them are quite inspirational.

When/why did you decide to start an Etsy shop?

I have always been into collecting vintage household items. Like SERIOUSLY collecting them. Vintage clothing came a bit later as an extension to the household trinkets and gadgets. I guess it was about a year ago that I decided I would like to do a shop for just vintage clothing.

A lot of my good friends have been collecting and/or selling vintage items for a while and doing quite well at it. I have definitely felt their influence when it came to opening my store.

Could you tell us about the shop name, and the overall concept of the shop?

The name Dutchdrift reminds me of an easy breezy day picking berries on a trail. I find the name flows, is dream-like, and is quite catchy.

The concept of the shop is definitely focused on simple classic euro-style vintage pieces. A lot of my body is covered in tattoos, and I often think about how they appear. Tattoos are like clothing, and you need to be able to work well with what you're already wearing so as not to clash. The easiest way to do this is the stay simple and classic.

Who are your personal style icons?

Oh gosh! I have a hard time finding style icons. I'm usually just looking out on the street for people and what they are wearing. Some people in my neighbourhood have great fashion sense, but I am sorry to say, they are not "iconic" to the world. Honestly, I don't think I have any, but let it be known, I really love the styles found in Lula, and Fudge magazines!

What is your favorite decade to draw style inspiration from?

I love the 1940's. In particular girl's clothing from that decade.


What type of girl/customer do you have in mind when you are choosing items for the shop?

I try to appeal to customers who like classic and timeless pieces . If any, I like simple patterns. I mostly put up solid colours as I find them easier to accessorize with and work into multiple outfits. I try to appeal to the ones who like calm outfits, and calm doesn't have to mean safe or boring.


If you could be the heroine in any book- which one would you be?

I'd for sure be Huckleberry Finn- the girl version! I love adventures.


If you got a ticket to go anywhere in the world where would you go?

Holland, and ride my bike all over the country!

Thank you Maya for sharing a bit about yourself and Dutch Drift. I cannot wait to see what goes up in the shop next!

Of Sailors & Lions & Sustainbility

Grey, grey, grey.

It's been a bit of a long day. I had to run about the city in the rain-not fun when it's for work. So, upon getting home I slipped into some cozy clothes and sipped some Genmai tea.

I've been reading quite a lot about sustainability and fashion - or, rather sustainability and the production of textiles and the construction of product. When I'm not so tired and crabby (thanks to chilly grey weather), I'll share some of my ideas about what I've learned.

I'm interested in knowing if you have any knowledge on that topic (sustainability/eco-fashion). Is it something that you research or something that you look for when you shop?

From my closet:

Striped Sailor Sweater- Vintage

Wide Leg Jeans- See By Chloe

Belt- Vintage from Pretty Penny- right here in Oakland.

Shoes - shh! They're hiding.

Meditations on Art

I don't really watch much television. I tend to watch movies, or rent shows on Dvd. Which is nice because I can take my time watching them, but then sometimes some fun shows, fall through the cracks. I just found out about this show, Creature Comforts, from a friend last night. I liked Wallace and Grommit so I decided to give it a try, and I spent a better part of last night watching the show clips on You Tube.

Though most of you do not live under the rock, that I apparently do, (and you've probably seen the show) I am sharing this little clip where they asked people for their definition of Art.

Challenge Outfit: # 12 Looks Like We've Made it

Finally, the end! Outfit 12. Why did I think I could do this in two weeks? It was some work, but it was worth it. I have come up with 12 wearable outfits and at least 6 outfits I know I will wear a lot, and now I know that I should not just let things sit in my closet, (that's a waste of space and money). I REALLY need to make sure that before buying anything, I consider what I already have in my closet and what I can wear with it. I know this seems like common sense, but if it were so simple then so many of us wouldn't have this issue! Now that the challenge is over I will try to continue to find new and unique ways of wearing some of my favorite items-items that always seem to manifest themselves into just the same few outfits.

If you participated in/are still forging on with the challenge, and you'd like to share some of your favorite looks, send them to me and I'll post a round up.

Here is outfit #12 I had a little fun with these photos. It's hard not to have fun with Bert and Ernie!

Black Top Erin Fetherston for Target, Shorts Anzevino and Florence, Floral Doc Martens, Teal Headband Barney's. Record of choice, Having Fun with Bert & Ernie.

Sometimes I miss my single days, mostly for my cute little studio and my old hardwood floors.

I envy those of you out there that have wood floors!

From My Closet: The Inlaws

I got all dolled up today since Mario's mom came in for a quick visit. Not that I need an excuse to get dressed up- but I'll take one if you've got one.

Everyday it gets a little greener.

Why yes, our cat is bigger than me.

Purple Cardigan - Urban's from a million years ago. I was a freshman in college.

Bird Toile Print Top - Gap from years ago.

Skirt - Steven Alan

Shoes - (I wear these almost everyday) Charlotte Ronson.

Leopard Print Headband - Anthropologie

Pancake Arts & Crafts

I have been wanting to experiment with dyeing fabric for some time now. It is a really great way to change up basic pieces in your wardrobe, or maybe to restore something that has faded- back to it's original color. There is a denim shop in Berkeley that once or twice a year collects denim from folks and sends them off to be dyed. So you can have your jeans back in a week or two- back to their original indigo, black, or what have you. I would love to try this at home, using natural dyes.

I've also been inspired by lines like Lina Rennell, to take dying to another level- and to try to create my own prints and designs. While I can't sew to save my life, I am thinking of adding my own print designs to an alternative apparel tunic top or dress.

If I am happy with the results, I may try making some items to sell on etsy. I have been spending some time dreaming up print designs of my own.

Whenever I try something I go about it in a manner that can be described as being 'hardcore'.

At the farmer's market yesterday- I barraged the herbal plants salesman with many questions about his dye plants. I am interested in getting the dye chamomile and indigo, but as they won't have that until next week. I'll have to wait a bit. So, yes I will be making my own dye from plant leaves. And, yes I will probably create a huge mess in the kitchen while doing so! But I am excited - and I will share about the process.

Take a look at some of these Lina Rennell pieces. The prints are simple but so beautiful. I think I really want that bathing suit!

About the pancakes. This morning I made some silver-dollar sized berry pancakes. Gluten Free, Vegan Berry Pancakes (I promise you I am not a hippie) that were pretty tasty. Maybe I made too many! I got the Recipe from the Vegan Yum Yum cookbook, and I just substituted the flour for Bob's All purpose gluten-free flour.

Mario's mother is coming to visit, so I'll be pretty busy today. Why oh why are weekends so short?

Challenge Outfit #11 Saturday in Oakland

Are you getting sick of this skirt yet? I am glad that the challenge is coming to an end. I can't believe I was able to pull together so many outfits. I think that I have come out with at least 6 that I really like and can see myself wearing often. This is one of them. I was unsure about the brogues with the skirt, but I think they work, and they are comfy for my daily routine. I just added my favorite cardigan to this (it's old from the gap from like 5 or 6 years ago) And, the little top I bought from Le Train Bleu. I realized that I have a lot of cream/white/taupe and ivory in my wardrobe!

I'm going to share a little bit about what I do on my weekends in and around Oakland.
On Saturdays we make our way over to the farmer's market - and we pass by this abandoned building.





I love the large doors on this building, I wish we could have got a few more shots of it, but I get shy taking photos when lots of people are walking about.

I am excited for the warmer days ahead because it means a much much larger selection of foods at the market.





We also swung by Maribel, the little consignment shop where I picked up the MJ skirt. I love this place they really do have a great selection, and it's not picked over by people. Overall, they tend to have a well edited selection of merchandise, and they carry a lot of locally designed jewelery.







Mario and I don't do netflix- we really like to support our local businesses, so we stopped into the video room to pick out a movie for tonight. This place is the best! There really is something special about going into an independently owned video place. I love the employees there and the fact that it's right around the corner doesn't hurt either!



And that's it, the rest of the day we'll spend cleaning since we have family coming to visit.

I hope everyone has had a fantastic Saturday!

Challenge Outfit: # 10 Challenges Challenges Challenges

So after my previous post's tirade - here is my last outfit with the Navy skirt for the challenge. I am pretty happy that I was able to get to a fourth outfit with this skirt. Today's pairing was a bit of a stretch, but Mario really liked it and I'm going to trust him on that!

Chambray button down was a Christmas gift, but it was from the gap. The bow shirt layered underneath is the same Dear Creatures shirt I wore before with the shorts. Navy Skirt is from Anthro. Socks I bought in Japan. Shoes are Chie Mihara.

A Philosophy of Style Blogs

(Yes, that's Plato and Aristotle)

"Aesthetics is the branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste, and with the creation and appreciation of beauty. It is more scientifically defined as the study of sensory or sensori-emotional values, sometimes called judgments of sentiment and taste. Scholars in the field define aesthetics as "critical reflection on art, culture and nature." Aesthetics studies new ways of seeing and of perceiving the world."

I start this post with that definition, because today I found myself having to justify (and to reflect on) my interest in style and fashion. You see I work in an environment where most of the people view the idea of fashion as frivolous. But is it frivolous? Their belief was that it is ridiculous to spend money on designer cloths. That most people by doing so are trying to be perceived as being upper class. But during the conversation I got the sense that there was also an underlying sentiment, that well, there are more important things to worry about than how you look.

Yes, that is true, there are other things to concern yourself with in life, but just because you care about style and fashion it does not mean that you do not care about those other things. I have to wonder where this notion even came from? That by caring about how you look, and having an interest in fashion that it somehow means you are inherently shallow.

I truly believe that dressing is an art. It is a means of expression- and I believe that individual style as a whole, (and personal style blogs/sites) are art. I know that it is a cliche that the body is a canvas. But, I'm going with that cliche, because you are projecting something about yourself with what you wear. Street style is art.

As for style sites and blogs, they are a platform for communicating ideas - combining design, photography, individual perspectives, and aesthetics. It is a piece of you, the blogger. They have cultural relevance. We can take ideas/concepts from the realm of art and the industry of fashion and reinterpret them as our own. We are a movement that is creating cultural change.

No, I do not regard my little blog as a work of art - maybe it's in the realm of folk art... but there are some amazing blogs and sites out there with very talented women that have an amazing sense of style - and they are creating something of beauty and worth.

I do not believe that caring about beauty and style is frivolous. Astehics are important- expression is important. Enjoying things that you find beautiful is part of human nature. It is not frivolous to enjoy fashion - (and fashion blogs) just as it is not frivolous to enjoy music, paintings, comic books, sculpture, literature, film, graphic art. architecture,or photography.

I found this definition of Art:

"Art is the process or product of deliberately arranging elements in a way to affect the senses or emotions. It encompasses a diverse range of human activities, creations, and modes of expression, including music,literature, film, sculpture, and paintings."

As, you can see even here they left out, dressing and fashion. But really, "deliberately arranging elements in a way to affect the senses or emotions." - don't we all do this everyday before heading out the door?

Everyday or Eternal & Teenage Riots?

Just how do you get windswept hair? You know, hair that's just slightly tousled by the wind and sexy- My hair gets hit by the wind and it looks like I'm wearing a bird's nest atop my head.

So, I am sparing you the wild wind hair in the photo below.

This is the type of outfit I wear on days when it's chilly,grey, windy and rainy out. Bay Area weather. I have on Cheap Monday jeans, comfy brogue shoes, and a plaid top from Quicksilver. The coat is Mirror/Dash, designed by the queen of cool Kim Gordon. I believe that Mirror/Dash is now a line at Urban Outfitters, but I bought this coat at Satine Boutique in Los Angeles a while back. I had no idea at the time, but only 50 of the jackets were made! I don't really know what happened- that the line sort of became a diffusion line for UO. I am not too crazy about the UO Mirror/Dash designs. But I love this coat - I would have liked to see more things like it. Does anyone remember her line from waaay back in 1994 called X-Girl? Back then my mom still bought my clothes for me so I never would have been able to buy anything that cool.

Um, this picture hi-lights the jacket a bit better than my late afternoon on the way back from the grocery store, shot.

I wish that Mirror/Dash would have gone a different way. I kind of think if they had, it would have had the same cool-chic/modish vibe as Everyday or Eternal.

If I had the budget, these dresses would already be hanging in the closet.

Swede on you...

I have a spot in my heart for Sweden. It is a beautiful country, and I have a history there as well. Long ago I met a Swedish boy, who lived with a boat captain that ferried boats full of summer tourists to and from Cape Cod and Nantucket. I met him on the shores of the Atlantic - we used to watch the boats sail in from the steps of the captain's house. There is a lot more to our meeting, but that story is really more suited to a well-worn paperback novel. Something worthy of a summer read, while sitting on the sand, shaded by a beach umbrella- and not for a long blog post!

I was 17. I saved all my pizza counter tip money, all my record store pay checks, and I hopped a plane and spent a summer in Stockholm, where we spent our days wandering Gamla Stan, and sailing on the Baltic. First Love. I think because of this one summer in my life, I will always romanticize Swedish things, the sea, boys with blue eyes, and being 17.

I truly love the history and traditions of Sweden and, as of late their films and art. My biggest love of all is the music. Most of my favorite bands/musicians are Swedish. Like, The Concretes, and The Acid House Kings. (Yes, I am a lo-fi indie twee-pop nerd, I am aware of that!)

Then of course there is the style! And, those amazing designers. Two design collectives that I have been loving lately are Permanent Vacation and 5th Avenue Shoe Repair.

Stripes, Balloon Shorts, floral leggings, and crisp white tops- did the people at Permanent Vacation read my mind? This is what my dream spring wardrobe looks like.

I am also loving the interesting shapes and architectural details of the designs at 5th Ave. Shoe repair. Voluminous Dresses and Cut-out Brogues? Yes please.

The Linguini Incident

Sometimes minds just wander. Today I had a close friend on my mind, and in thinking about her I remembered some of the fun and crazy things we used to do - she now lives in the southernmost part of CA, it might as well be another country! I haven't seen her in ages. But I ramble. I remembered how we watched this fantabulous movie:

The Linguini Incident. I love it. I mean David Bowie, mugger-proof lingerie, Dee-Lite hairdo's, and two vintage clothes lovin' NYC gals trying to attain their dreams - what's not to love?

Don't judge it solely by the trailer:

Their outfits remind me of this:

Haha the 90's- sorry for that bit o' cheese - but I do love that hair - I totally remember rocking the no bangs stretchy cloth headband look.

Oh! And, since I am still playing catch up with the challenge here is

Challenge Outfit #9

I wasn't very comfy in this - maybe it was just my overall mood for today. The weather turned chilly again, and there were just too many things to do.

Top is by Dear Creatures, purchased from the lovely Le Train Bleu, a while back. Shorts, Anzevino and Florence, Tights from Longs? Belt is vintage, Shoes, Rachel Comey for UO.