More Chains On The Brain

Having caught the flu during my trip to Portland, I took it upon myself to improve my mood this week with another DIY project involving chains. In my DayQuil-induced state, I might have gone overboard with the chains and safety pins, but I'm satisfied that I've added a heavy dose of attitude to a regular old Russell hoodie.

Wearing: striped tank - Richard Chai for Target, DIY chain hoodie - Russell, jeans - River Island, boots - Sam Edelman, jewelry - Portland Saturday Market

A heavily spiked cuff, a studded cuff, and skull rings have been on my wish list for several months now. I struck gold at Portland's Saturday Market when I discovered a cool young vendor who made unique embellished cuffs out of vintage leather belts. He had so many lust-worthy styles that my head was spinning (and the steamy, hot weather didn't help, either). In the end, I decided upon these two styles, and I've been wearing them almost daily.

The Sam Edelman wedge boots were a bit of a splurge for me at Nordstrom Rack, and they're incredibly easy to walk in, despite their appearance. Sometimes it's worth it to trade up from sticky faux leather to breathable, buttery soft leather! For my fall footwear choices, I'm gravitating towards wedge boots, peep-toe boots, and anything with fun embellishments, such as the braid detail on these boots.

Because A Girl's Gotta Shop

A quick scan of my always expanding inbox revealed two good reasons to go shopping in L.A. this weekend - sales at Vionnet Boutique (158 N. Robertson) and Choose Chinatown (441 Gin Ling Way).

Gotta love a summer sale...now make me proud and go forth and shop!

Trend On The Rise - Chain Mail

Historically worn by soldiers as body armour, chain mail is quietly making a comeback in the form of chic vests, necklaces, and bracelets. Along with embellishments such as studs, grommets, spikes, zippers, buckles, and chains, chain mail evokes that don't-mess-with-me-tough-girl vibe that's been gaining strength recently. (Given my excessive collection of studded belts and shoes, that's good news for me.)

During my brief shopping escapades in Portland, I picked up this sparkly chain mail vest at Bebe. I look forward to the challenge of making it look more modest by layering it with tank tops, tissue-thin tees, and lightweight sweaters. Also on my style radar are two pieces of jewelry from two of my favorite British high street retailers. Topshop's chain mail necklace comes in an unexpectedly bold hue of purple (and if that's not bright enough for you, it's also available in hot pink), and the bracelet from Miss Selfridge offers an understated take on the trend.

New Store News

I receive dozens of press releases each day, however, this one in particular caught my eye, and if you live in the Santa Barbara/Ventura area, this might interest you as well:

Eclectic buy-sell-trade clothing shop Buffalo Exchange announces the opening of its first store in Ventura County at 532 E. Main Street, Ventura, California, on August 8, 2009. Free parking is available in a garage behind the store. Store hours will be Monday - Saturday 11-7, Sunday 11-6. The 3,900 square-foot space was secured by Buffalo Exchange on July 1.

Staying true to Ventura's laid-back atmosphere, the interior colors suggest retro beach style and poppy flower graphics decorate the walls. The store will open with inventory from Buffalo Exchange stores in New York City, Las Vegas, Houston and other cities. Buffalo Exchange has three stores in Los Angeles. The Sherman Oaks store is located at 14621 Ventura Blvd, phone 818-783-3420. The Westwood store is at 10914 Kinross Ave., phone 310-208-7403. Our store in central L.A. is located at 131 N. La Brea, phone 323-938-8604.

L.A. Times blog "L.A. Unleashed" says: "We are big fans of the secondhand clothing store chain Buffalo Exchange. Fashionable and affordable: What's not to love?" Buffalo Exchange is unique because clothing and accessories are bought, sold and traded directly with store customers. Used clothes can be traded for any item in the store, including jewelry and brand new clothing. The ever-changing inventory includes designer wear, basics, vintage, jeans, leather and one-of-a-kind items. Buffalo Exchange is a sustainable company that works to protect the environment by reusing and recycling clothing. The store donates to local nonprofit agencies in the community through its Tokens for Bags(r) program, which has generated over $320,000 for hundreds of nonprofits since 1994, saving 6.4 million bags. Shoppers are encouraged to accept a token instead of a bag for purchases, and Buffalo Exchange donates five cents to a charity of the customer's choice. Including the new Ventura location, the resale clothing store chain has 36 stores and 2 franchises in 13 states, with $56.3 million a year in sales. The resale clothing store chain celebrates 35 years of business in 2009.

**As a fan of secondhand clothing myself, this is great news for my closet. I'm excited for the arrival of the new store and I'm sure I'll be shopping and trading at this new location, which is close to some of my favorite restaurants and thrift shops, as well as the beach.

LAX to PDX

My brief absence the past few days was due to a leisurely weekend trip up to Portland, Oregon. Having been to every other major West Coast city, I figured it was time to see Portland (a.k.a. PDX) for the first time and take advantage of the fact that there is no sales tax. Somehow, the lack of sales tax makes me feel less guilty about buying high end items since my rationale is that the more I'm spending, the more I'm saving on the sales tax.

Wearing: sunglasses - H&M, RUN DMC tank, floral scarf, and leopard cardigan - Forever 21, jeans - Cheap Monday, shoes - Nike

My first night in town included a short walk up 3rd Ave for a nighttime tour of the creepy and supposedly haunted underground Shanghai Tunnels, where thousands of men where kidnapped, jailed, drugged, and then forced to work aboard ships between 1850 and 1941. Pictured below is a photo I snapped of an opium den. According to the tour guide, there are three bunks on the left which could be rented. The lowest bunk had the highest rate, because if you were to fall out of it in an opium-induced state, you'd be closer to the ground.

The following day included a city tour, where I admired the large closets, modern bathrooms, and stunning views of the Pittock Mansion.

Then it was time to smell the roses, literally, at the International Rose Test Garden, which is 5 acres of gorgeous, fragrant roses set high on a hill above the city. This garden is a must-see for anyone who visits Portland and is looking to relax, enjoy the flowers, and admire the views.

After browsing the numerous affordable boutiques on NW 23rd Ave. (aka NW trendy third), Voodoo Donuts provided some late-afternoon energy in the form of vegan, glazed, and vanilla peanut flavored donuts. After a small sampling of each flavor, I must admit they're a bit overrated...or perhaps I'm not much of a donut fan, especially when temperatures are climbing towards 100 degrees outside.

Despite the uncomfortable heat, I walked around the downtown area, and when it became stifling, I made use of the air conditioned buses and streetcars. My overall impressions of the city are that it's got an impressive and user-friendly network of public transportation, a large array of brewpubs, plenty of places to buy coffee, and lots of outdoor space that beckons bike riders, joggers, and sun worshippers. While the lack of sales tax certainly encouraged me to buy, I didn't find the city to be particularly trend-forward, as my people-watching in the downtown area revealed that many Portland women seemed to prefer their basic jersey dresses, short shorts, and casual flip flops in the summer heat.

In Chains

Inspired by both this post on Fabsugar and fall's tough girl motorcycle trend, I decided to make my own DIY boot chains. The project was so simple it's almost ridiculous. I used some necklace chains of various thicknesses and colors from Michael's and cut them each to a 6" length, then looped each end into a safety pin and attached them to the hem of the shoes. Fortunately, the shoes are made of safety pin-friendly microfiber, making the boot chains easy to affix and remove without visible pin holes. I wouldn't have attempted to stick a pin through my faux leather and leather shoes, so these affordable heels from GoJane made the ideal candidates for this project. The best part is that no tools were required, aside from scissors and safety pins. For a novice DIY-er like myself, this was a fast and fun mini project that updated my shoes in a matter of minutes. Now all I need is some distressed knee-patch moto jeans...

Trend On The Rise - Photographic Florals

Nothing quite evokes the feeling of summer for me like a bold floral print. Reminiscent of the blooming flowers we see in early spring, florals are fun, feminine, and cheerful. I equate them with warm weather, long days, and lots of sunshine - hence my strong liking for them. Daydreams of lounging in a lush garden with a cup of tea, some macaroons, a handful of friends, and great conversation come to mind when I imagine the ideal place to wear a floral print. Of particular interest to me this summer are the festive and very realistic photographic florals that I've been eyeing on several sites. Here are some of my best picks.

images from topshop.com, asos.com, dorothyperkins.com, & urbanoutfitters.com

Worthy Wedges

Ever since I bought the Aldo "Maune" wedges that are favored by many a fashion blogger, I've been practically living in them. So far, they've been out to the movies twice, on a thrifting expedition, to a few nightclubs, and to two of my favorite restaurants. (Given the ridiculously large amount of shoes I have, that's a lot of wear for a new pair.) For me, few shoes can transition so seamlessly from day to night. My footwear preferences generally veer towards insanely impractical and uncomfortable high heels when it comes to nighttime, but with these sensible and super comfortable wedges, I can forsee many a night on the town.

Wearing: sunglasses - Forever 21, floral playsuit - vintage, bracelets (on left arm) - Aftershock, bracelet (on right arm) - H&M, studded belt - Styles for Less, wedges - Aldo

The French Connection

When this floral frock by French Connection arrived on my doorstep this week via JB and Me, I was nothing short of thrilled. (You may have read about jbandme.com in the "100 Under $100" feature in the July issue of Lucky, my favorite issue to date.) I'll be the first to admit that I'm like a kid on Christmas morning when I find that a parcel has arrived. Perhaps it's the anticipation of opening up the box and seeing what's inside; that moment is so much more fun than shopping in stores. Anyone else get that excited?

Blue is my favorite color, so I'm instantly attracted to blue florals, and I've been wearing nothing but floral dresses, skirts, and jumpsuits for the past two weeks. The print is punctuated with the occasional butterfly, and the dress has an easy trapeze shape when worn unbelted. It also includes a favorite design feature of mine - inconspicuous pockets. For casual days, I'll pair with it flat strappy sandals and a denim jacket. For now, though, I'm dressing it up with heels, a corsage-y flower bracelet, and one of my favorite straw fedoras.

Wearing: hat - Target, sunglasses - H&M, French Connection dress - jbandme, belt - So Good Jewelry, bracelet and ring - Forever 21, bag - Daisy Fuentes, sandals - Steve Madden

Good news for those who plan on buying from the site... JB and Me was kind enough to provide me with a coupon code. From now until August 7, use the code july20 to receive $20 off your purchase of $50 or more. Happy shopping!

Staycation

Please excuse the infrequent postings this week, as I'll be M.I.A. while I frolick in the sun, hop aboard a boat to the Channel Islands, and enjoy other summery activities with my nephew. Today's escapades at the Santa Barbara Zoo included feeding the giraffe, listening to the lion roar, avoiding the rattlesnake exhibit, and then on to downtown so I could conquer the new multi-level Forever 21 store on State Street.

Although all looks quiet on the outside, the new F21 store was quite busy for a Monday afternoon, and the long checkout lines showed no signs of the recession. Apparently, they're still raking it in.

While I didn't find the key items I was looking for (stretchy belts, rompers, and studded mini bags), I did browse the printed leggings, textured mini dresses, and abundance of floral print tops. In contrast to other F21 stores, the racks were neat and orderly, making it easy to shop. In the end, I picked up a great faux leather moto jacket, some geometric print leggings, a flower bib necklace, and some woven floral shorts.

I'll be back in a few days...

2 L.A. Events This Weekend

What's on your schedule for the coming weekend? For L.A. readers, here are two events that are totally worth your time.

For more info on these events, click here and here.

Wednesday Winner + Random Things Part 2

A few random things today...first, I'd like to announce the winner of the BB Dakota contest. The lucky winner is Heather, and I'd like to thank all of you who entered. There were some creative comments, and I look forward to doing more giveaways in the future, so if you didn't win - maybe next time!

On the blog front, I'm toying with the idea of doing more random posts like this one where I write about new websites I discover, things that inspire me, and include some personal anecdotes. As far as this week:

* A reader alerted me to this website, which has an incredible selection of graphic tees. (I practically live in men's tees when I'm lounging or working out.)

* I browsed lust-worthy leggings and shoulder-baring dresses at Sanity Style from the likes of LnA and Plenty by Tracy Reese.

* After a few keyword searches on ebay, I came across Tin Roof Vintage, whose selection of on-trend vintage pieces had me mesmerized, not to mention the blond model's edgy hairstyle, which I'm thinking might inspire my next haircut...

* Ogled the new arrivals at Steve Madden, including Towwer, Markee, and Raceyy. (I also wondered how they come up with such spellings for their shoes.)

* I lost five pounds but discovered that my dog has gained five...someone needs more exercise.

* Recently developed an affinity for '90s-esque tops and dresses with cut outs in the midriff and shoulder area. Still hunting for the perfect one...

* Patiently waiting for Motel to restock the Razzy dress in tan/black animal print.

* Found a perfectly glittery jacket at a local thrift store to satisfy my desire for a Balmain/Topshop-inspired trophy jacket, and was determined to make it work for daytime.

Saturday Before Last

Bored with the same old scenery the weekend before the 4th, I decided to head out to Carpinteria, a small beach town just south of Santa Barbara. Little did I know what a great day I'd picked to explore the downtown area. After munching on sinfully scrumptious fruit-covered yogurt from Yo Yum Yum (my latest addiction), I strolled down Carpinteria Ave and came upon a charming flea market on Maple St. Upon inquiring, I found out that they hold the flea market on the last Saturday of each month.

Amongst the items for sale were vintage dresses, antique brooches, lots of costume jewelry, and plenty of girly knick knacks. It was like a mini Rose Bowl, but without the crowds and the stifling Pasadena heat. After a walk through the flea market and a quick browse inside the nearby historical museum, I walked to Linden St. with the intent of exploring the small shops that dot the compact downtown area.

Quaint surf shops like the one above are a constant reminder that the beach is only a few blocks away. Walking down Linden, I saw that the street was closed to traffic due to a vintage car show and parade. Both sides of the street were lined with pristinely restored cars from the '40s to the '60s. I think the vibrant colors and bold, sweeping lines of classic cars is visually inspiring, and interestingly enough, has inspired me to wear '50s-esque full skirts and dresses.

Trend On The Rise - Hitched Hemlines

images from dorothyperkins.com, allsaints.com, forever21.com, missselfridge.com

Admittedly, there are a few fashion trends that I avoid. For example, bubble hemlines have never appealed strongly to me. I do, however, appreciate a voluminous dress or skirt when done in a refreshing new way. The proliferation of hitched hemlines that I've seen lately has intrigued me and it has also helped to take the edge off of my recent fascination with prom/lantern/full volume skirts. With clever draping and stitching, I suppose this could be an easy DIY update for giving old pieces (perhaps prairie skirts circa 2005) a whole new look. While I haven't yet taken the plunge into the hitched hemline pool, my thoughts on how to wear the trend are to keep the proportions lean on top, choose hefty fabrics that will keep their shape and won't fall victim to gravity, and wear heels to combat the hip/thigh area volume and make legs look longer.

Dorothy Perkins and Miss Selfridge offer printed versions of hitched skirts for those who are more gutsy when it comes to mixing prints and full silhouettes, while Forever 21's shimmer party dress gives a strong nod to the glitzy '80s. I also spotted these two very affordable versions at Papaya this weekend (but I encountered some glitches on their website, so I don't recommend ordering from them online).

Chain Reaction

Feeling newly inspired by the DIY body harness/body chain trend that's quickly traveling through the fashion blogosphere, I got my hands on two of the Shirley drape necklaces from Forever 21, hopped aboard the DIY bandwagon, and embarked on a quick project.

image from forever21.com

While the possibilities for creating a unique body chain are endless, I finally settled on a simple style. First, I connected the two necklaces at the top by removing the lobster clasps and linking the chains together so that they'd be continuous. (Since this is the portion that rests on the shoulder, I didn't want any visible lobster clasps.) The front and back portions of the body chain are the same, except that I removed the fringe-y vertical drape chains on the back portion to keep it more streamlined. The side portions which connect the front and back are chains that I picked up at Michael's. I attached the sides to the front and back with pliers and spring rings. The whole project took under an hour, and while the end result can be tricky to put on and take off, the jump rings make it easy to connect the sides while taking it on and off instead of pulling it on over the head and slipping my arms through.

After some experimentation, I realized that a simple black tee provides the best backdrop for which to showcase the new necklace. So much for the gray AC/DC tee I was previously wearing...

As if I don't already have enough studded shoes, I had to add these platform pumps from GoJane to the collection. I'm currently having a pump revival in my wardrobe, as the leg-lengthening styles are classic and go with just about everything I've been wearing lately.

Wearing: H&M sunglasses, American Apparel tee, DIY body chain, Cheap Monday jeans, and Promise pumps.

Ship Overseas, Please

images via Dorothy Perkins

My love for British high street retailers is no secret. They nail key fashion trends each season, have budget-friendly prices, and are months ahead of U.S. retailers on the trend cycle. So when I discovered this week that Dorothy Perkins now delivers to the U.S., I was thrilled, to say the least. I promptly browsed the affordably priced goods and picked out some of my favorites. For those who browse Topshop's site and follow the GBP/USD exchange rate as much as I do, you may notice that the floral bustier, crop top, and sequin jacket I've featured are similar to Topshop's current offerings, but are priced a bit lower at Dorothy Perkins. (At the time of this writing, the rate is still making me cringe at 1 USD to 1.64 GBP.)

Up until now, I was aware of only three other high street retailers that ship to the U.S. - Topshop, All Saints, and Miss Selfridge. Then there's Asos, whose site I could spend hours browsing. (Those models make almost everything look good!)

When I first went shopping in various parts of London, the selection of high street retailers was so new and vast to me that it was overwhelming, but after a few days, I became familiar with each store's strengths and characteristics. New Look was a strong choice for inexpensive and trendy footwear and dresses. River Island had higher quality boots, jackets, and denim to die for. Office carried oxfords, ankle boots, and colorful pumps that I could never find in the U.S. at similar price points. Oasis, Next, and Warehouse all fit the bill for low-key, sophisticated work and party pieces. Miss Selfridge stocked fun jewelry, trendy tops, and chunky faux fur vests. Dorothy Perkins had great dresses, chic trousers, and a Petites department which interested me. And Topshop...I must have spent hours in the shopper's paradise known as the Oxford St. store.

Now if only River Island and New Look would ship to the U.S., my fantasy online high street shopping destination list would be just about complete.