Tavi Makes Everyone Look Like a Rookie

I spent a good amount of time checking out little Tavi’s blog Style Rookie yesterday night (tells you the kind of life I have seeing as it was a Saturday night). Where do I start? That she’s only like 4″6 tall and inspires me with her throw-random-things-together-and-look-great-doing-it skills? That I’m full of envy (and jealousy) that she’s attended front row at the likes of Alexander Wang and Marc Jacobs? The fact that she’s only 13?!

Yes, Tavi started her blog when she was 12. When I was 12 I wore big t-shirts with 90’s aerobic leggings. Everyday. I wore the only pair of sneakers I owned. Everyday. Oh, sometimes I wore scrunchies in various colors and considered those dress up days. Tavi, on the other hand, started posting her outfits created with cheap buys, vintage finds from dad, mom, and sister, shared anything she felt like on her fashion blog and now has become this little person who gets to guest edit for major magazines on top of attending the most coveted fashion shows. (ok, I admit I’m more jealous than envious). Needless to say, Tavi brings “playing dress-up” to the next level.

Her outfits aren’t always wearable, but they are always creative. Her first entry started by saying, “…lately I’ve been really interested in fashion…” and from there she spun out this witty, quirky, and fun blog of hers. Even though vintage is not my style – I don’t have the talent to shop or wear them – I still very much enjoy reading her blog through her quirky writing.

I did not realize at the time that the following pictures from her blog – which I actually remember viewing in a major fashion magazine (about a year ago?) – were from a mockup “photo shoot” done by Tavi and a few of her friends. I seriously thought they were a photographer’s idea to dress kids in grown up clothes as an editorial spread! Anyway, they’re beyond cute so I share them.

A Month Later…

I rarely wear stuff right after I get them. I don’t know why, but I tend to let them get used to my closet first before I take them out to see daylight again. That includes presents. Here I’m wearing the Rachel Rachel Roy necklace with a LnA skirt, both Christmas presents. So if you ever get me anything, don’t think I don’t like the present if I don’t wear them right away.

J is the Brand

Here is a message to all of you who live in the LA area. Well, at least for the ones that like J Brand: Do NOT ever buy J Brand in stores again! If you don’t already know this useful piece of information, thank me right now. There is a J Brand outlet in the ghettos of Downtown LA. I’m not talking about outlet as in last season, no one wants to wear type of stuff; and  I’m talking about up to 75% off retail!! Last week I went during my 30 minute clock-out lunchtime and below are the jeans tried on. Read on for the outlet prices compared to retail and start regretting all the money you paid for yours. But don’t feel too bad, I had two pairs that I bought full price before I discovered this magical place.

From left to right:

Skinny Tie Dye – Retail $200 Outlet $50

Ankle Skinny Ombre Pants – Retail $185 Outlet $50

Jean Leggings: Retail $130 ~ $230 Outlet $75

Pencil Ripped Jeans: (I got these at the outlet a few months back) Retail $187 Outlet $50

Too Poor for Couture? Jump on this!!

**1225 E Washington Blvd.**

Vroom with Your Feet

The first time I saw Alexander McQueen’s Faithful Booties, inspired by the motorcycle jacket, I was in awe of such an ingenious creation. Retailed at $1,155, I saved a picture of the pair of beauties and stored it in the in-my-dreams folder.

One thing cool about fashion is that when something that ingenious comes along in a matter of months someone will come up with a close enough copy of it at a much more affordable price. Here I present Dolce Vita’s Lana Collar Thong Booties that is a pretty close representation of the original AMcQ. Priced at $298, it’s still out of my price range, but I can put it in the wait-for-sale folder.

Update: I also found the Laurie Zip Cutout Pump on the Bebe website for $189! Check it out!

A Juicy Wedding

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of attending a beautiful wedding at the Richard Nixon Library in Yorba Linda. Before I began slaving away in the corporate fashion world, I enjoyed doing retail at Juicy Couture while I went to school (yes I miss the discounts). I call this weekend’s celebration the “Juicy Wedding” because the bride was my assistant manager – and lots of us Juicy girls were in attendance.

Check out this cool rabbit ring I had to take a picture of!

Afterwards I tried to get Jasper to pose with me in my dress but he wouldn’t give in to my pleas.

Beautiful! Congrats J & C!

Nicole Richie Can Do No Wrong

She DID; but far gone is the bad girl gone wild Nicole. She got two annoying things off her back – Paris Hilton and crazy colored hair extensions (fine, I admit I tried them back in the days). Reformed is the Nicole who is the epitome of California chic. Whether she’s running errands or going to an award show, I love how she always looks so cute and most importantly – comfortable!

Show Some Leg!

I know, I look like a 16 year old tomboy here, but I thought this T-shirt with the scene from The Graduate was pretty awesome. I accompanied my boyfriend, who writes for The Hundreds blog to their sample sale; scored this men’s T for $10 while looking for stuff for my brother. Passing the lines and getting let in at a sample sale was nice, if only I had hookups to WOMEN’S brands…!

The shoes are also new from my Taiwan trip – leather high tops for $58. Taiwan has a plethora of beautiful and cheap shoes, but unfortunately my size 9 feet are considered giant, thus the only type of shoes I can get there are unisex shoes. Sigh.

To the New Decade

Here’s to the next decade! As mentioned here are pictures from Taipei 101, currently the tallest building in the world – as a still and during the fireworks I had a chance to witness. I didn’t do as much shopping in Taiwan as I usually do – but used the time to see different parts of Taiwan instead, which is good for a change. Happy New Year!

AA

Happy New Year everyone! Hope everyone had a splendid celebration. I spent the last few days of 2009 in Taiwan – I’ll see if I can post some pictures of the fireworks taken from right under Taipei 101 later.

This picture is actually from two weeks ago for an American Apparel contest. Here I wear their men’s tri-blend T-shirt and racer back dress.  before I spent the last days of 2009 in Taiwan. I’ll try to post Taipei 101 firework pictures later.

Careful of the Claws

This’s sad – I don’t own this denim jumper anymore. The night that I wore it it ripped when I put my hands in both pockets. I got it at Madewell on sale from $130 down to $39.99 too! There was none left when I went back to exchange it. Boo.