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Had another show last night, with super mod 60s styling (piccies soon, hopefully!)… we’re talking opaque tights, miniskirts, crocheted jumpers and teased bouffants as far as the heavily kohled eye can see. Due to the massive amounts of industrial strength hairspray that my stylist, Brandi doused on my locks, I am currently still sporting a very, VERY teased crown.
So of course, I couldn’t help but attempt to bring out my inner Bardot. Kept everything simple, so as to not take away too much from the hair – an easy cropped vintage sweater from Beacon’s Closet in Brooklyn (snottiest hipsters ever work there, but occasionally you’ll find some good stuff!) and that ubiquitous American Apparel tube skirt. Rounded things out with my new dream boots that I got at Goodwill the other day. I adore the fit and the soft broken in leather of these babies… if only they didn’t have that ridiculous Janeane-Garofolo-circa-1992 chunky heel! I plan on taking them to a shoe guy to see if they can swap them out for something a little more demure.
Behold, my Bardotism:
By some strange twist of events, it appears that I will be attending the Grammy’s at the end of the month. Let’s take a moment…
!!!
Now that that’s taken care of, I have a very serious decision to make. What the F am I going to wear?!!??!! There is absolutely no way that I can compete with the $20,000 gowns of the rich and/or famous. So I just need to make what I have work. Luckily, whenever I’ve had an event or party to attend in the past three or so years, I’ve purchased a dress. Thus, I have a cornucopia of dresses in my closet to choose from.
Initially, I was thinking of going vintage; it’s easy for me… comfortable, familiar territory. And I have this vision of heading down to L.A. carrying a single (vintage) suitcase of fabulous vintage dresses and nothing else. But then I had a possible change of heart.
Perhaps I should go elegant… make them think I’m rolling in green and frequent prestigious Hollywood events because it’s just what I do when I have free time.
Or maybe I should aim for fun. Just a fun-lovin’ gal who likes parties.
Oh the decisions… won’t you help me?
Here are the top three contenders so far and a little about each:
The other Rodarte for Target dress I got is a lot simpler… just a basic, pullover sheathy-type thing with an elasticized waistband… and I love it! It’s made of polyester (it IS made for Target), but the material feels like crepey silk and it has a subtle sheen that makes it look a lot more expensive than it actually is. Like practically everyone else in the world who got this dress, I also wish that it was actually overlayed in lace, rather than just being a printed lace pattern, but it’s still a gorgeous piece!
I accidentally styled this one a little hipstery, but it’s so versatile that I’m sure I’ll come up with something good soon! It’ll probably look great with long cardigans and/or skinny belts and the color options for accessories is practically endless due to the neutral color of the dress. Speaking of the color, this beigey situation is definitely a departure for me; usually I steer clear of “nudes” because those shades are practically never flattering to my skin tone. And I always end up looking muddy and uncomfortable. Not so with this dress! I think the black tempers the beige and makes it more universal. Yay!
Check it:
I waited in consumerist agony, with bated breath, for that most blessed of days to roll around: December 20. Sure, I was pumped for Christmas, but I was almost even more anxious for the 20th to come around because that was the day that Rodarte’s long-awaited collection finally dropped at Target! Yippee! I had missed out on the Pop-Up Store due to my reluctance to wait in a long ass line in windy/icy/rainy conditions just to purchase a bow belt, so I was extra excited to get my hands on the full collection!
Due to a monetary gift from my fella’s mom and stepdad, I was able to procure two lovely Rodarget frocks and a deliciously sheer mesh top with an oversized ascot-ish bow at the collar!
I know there was some apprehension in the fashion world regarding this collection – yeah, yeah, it’s a real departure from their normal aesthetic, but let’s think about this… This is Target. Target is for America. And we all know how (the average) American is with fashion. So keeping that in mind, I really think that these pieces are pretty fashion-forward and I adore them!
The first piece that I immediately plotzed over was the icy blue swiss dot dress… just omg. It’s perfectly floaty, the color is delicious and it fits like a dream, despite the weird “juniors” sizing! So far, I’ve styled it two ways: 1). vintage ice princess with a modern sensibility and 2). 80s-ish rocker chick reminiscent of a fuzzy memory I have of Family Ties when either Jennifer or Mallory is in a girl group that performs wearing poufy prom dresses and killer jean jackets. But instead of a jean jacket (which I don’t wear because they inevitably make me feel like I’m 12 years old again), I rocked it with my brand new shrunken leather motorcycle jacket, courtesy of Spencer!
Without further ado… the maiden voyage of my first Rodarget dress:
Look 1
Despite my love of dress-up and gorging one’s self on complex carbohydrates, Halloween has never been a favorite holiday for me. That is until my fella, Spencer, came into the picture. Spencer lives for Halloween, like he begins planning his costume months in advance.
Last year, we had a MASSIVE soiree (6 in the mornin’!) at our Brooklyn apartment. This year, since we’re new to San Francisco, a big bash wasn’t really in the cards. Instead we dressed up to wander around the Dogpatch (eventually ending up at a warehouse party along the piers) and then indulged in the bacchanalian spectacle that is the Dia De Los Muertos parade in the Mission.
Photographic proof of our escapades… Friday in Dogpatch:
I’ve been a busy girl. Here’s the lowdown…
Went home to DC to visit the fam and had the absolute worst Boltbus experience EVAH. Short version – the bus stalled in the Holland Tunnel, and then again en route to the NJ Turnpike, thus resulting in an unscheduled two hour stopover on the shoulder. A personal revelation – damp, sweaty people smell like damp, sweaty bacon.
Took a boat to Annapolis, MD where I ate 4 mussels, 5 steamed clams, and 1 oyster on the half shell; I’m really not into mussels, clams, and oysters.
Gay bar-hopped round 17th St and witnessed a high school friend perform the most rousing rendition of karaoke “I Will Survive” I’ve ever seen. Also, re-discovered my love of Fosse choreography.
Purchased a pair of pre-distressed cut-off denim shorts from Macy’s for $9.99 (see below).
Watched Into The Wild – that shit changed me.
Shared my return ride on Boltbus with Ian Svenonius and he remembered me from my Black Cat, Black Cat days.
My pal, Elan and I headed over to Motor City Bar to have a few Buds and listen to some killer rock & roll 45s spun by said Svenonius. Here’s what I wore…
I’ve had some serious insomnia recently – like I’m awake when the sky lightens and the birds start chirping. I’m not entirely sure why I can’t sleep during normal sleep hours, but at least I’ve been putting those wee hours to good use. I’m determined to get better at flash photography and long/night exposures before the road trip. Determined.
Here’s how I’m doing so far:
I’ve spent the past 36 hours excitedly planning a 10-day cross country road trip. I’m going to get to see (and photograph) America’s square states… plains, corn fields, rolling hills, riversides, badlands, heartland, saltland, deserts and mountains. To say I’m pumped would be a vast understatement. I got to take a cross country train trip when I was 19 and it changed my life; I can only imagine what an effect this trip will have on me, when I have the opportunity, nay, the responsibility to stop often and whenever I please!
So far, I’m planning on gunning it through the northeast since I’ve lived here forever and have been all over this portion of the country. After this corner, maybe we’ll stop off at the Indiana dunes along Lake Michigan and have a swim. Then book it through Illinois and Iowa and head toward South Dakota. Spend a little time at the Badlands (which I CAN’T wait for… the stars will be amazing), swing by Mt. Rushmore (cheesy, but a requirement). Then Carhenge in Nebraska on our way toward Colorado. Through Utah, past the salt flats and then through Nevada along Route 50. Lake Tahoe and then straight on to my new home in San Francisco.
My little brother has bravely offered to make the journey with me, which is absolutely awesome of him. It will probably be the most time we’ve ever spent together in one stretch as adults, so I’m hoping we can have fun and preferably not kill each other.
I’ve spent soooo much time thinking about (and jumping up and down at the prospect of) this trip, that today, I inadvertently dressed as though I were journeying through the middle of America:
Today was the first beautiful, appropriately summery day we’ve had in quite some time… and I spent most of it indoors, of course (planning something VERY exciting, which I will divulge soon). But when I did venture out, this is what I wore… comfortable, breathable, with dancing shoes:
