What I Wore- Friday 12/02/11

My wardrobe today was all about function and comfort.  Kevin has taken time off to help me set up for UNIQUE LA today and even with the help I need to be mindful of moving around and setting up so I don't have a fashion emergency.

This dress was bought new- gifted by my friend Alisa for my Birthday.  When I was in NYC in May I was very, very excited to go to Topshop! It had opened just after I left the city and when I heard the description of the store I really was bummed that I left before I could check it out. Everyone, EVERYONE thought this dress looked horrible on me and convinced me not to buy it.  I can understand why they didn't like it- but their reasons were pretty much why I loved it!!! It is really big and ill-fitting but with a belt I think it works just fine.  I believe this dress is a 6-  a super big 6! That was another reason I loved it- LOL. I am OBSESSED with black and grey leopard print, so the pattern alone screamed "KC wear me around LA please!" and It is a great length even with out leggings.  

The outfit wouldn't be complete with out my hable construction apron!  I am so glad I got this lilly pad work apron when I was interning with hable because it is my favorite utilitarian item to keep all my items close at hand when I am working.

Below must be why I love the black and grey leopard print:

It is a picture of me and my Momma- her love of leopard must have been passed to me <3 

Big thanks Alisa for being such a good friend to get me something I love even if I am delusional in loving it ;) You're the best!

XOXO, KC

What I Wore- Friday 11/11/11 Anna Sui + Bows

Today I had my first full wedding consultation out in Chino Hills at the McCoy Equestrian Center.  Too bad I didn't dress in equestrian theme in hindsight- that could have been quite interesting. Shucks, a missed opportunity.

Pretty much this whole outfit was my main score second-hand shopping with Alisa on her last visit.  We found the jacket at the Goodwill on Santa Monica Blvd. I picked it up for Alisa and she had one similar already which was totally lucky for me. Out here in LA everyone has a fitted faux leather jacket- preferably something rocker/ motorcycle  jacket fit to mix that hard edge into your wardrobe.  It is not quite brown, not quite black which I thought would be a bad thing- instead I think it actually makes it better. Unless I am clueless and can't tell myself how drastic it sticks out on top of black, that is totally possible too-lol.

The dress an Anna Sui dress is a find from our trip to Wasteland just after I found the jacket.  On that trip I got two dresses at Wasteland that both look great with the jacket :) For more details check out the post on our shopping trip here. 

The overall cut is one of my favorites and I like that I can wear it un belted since I usually belt all of my outfits. When I wear it loose it makes me feel like its one of those trapeze cut artist smock-like shirt. Shout out for teaching me the beauty of belts Alessandra, this is one of my only exceptions I can wear with no definition- I would have no waist ever in my silhouette if it wasn't for you Ale`;) Looking at the pictures of myself I feel like she really deserves that shout out too because defining your waste is a big help! I'll have to try and snap a picture with a belt for next time.

The dress has this awesome retro neck line with a ruffled bib and a long skinny bow at the neck. I wish the bow could be bigger/ fatter, and it could be interesting if the color was black.  I think that would be really fun.  If you are a bow fan like me, make sure you follow my Bow board on Pinterest.

Speaking of bows, I am rocking this fun bow necklace that we also got on the trip at the Melrose Trading Post included in that blog post too. Man, I am realizing Alisa is a good luck charm. Note to self- shop 'till I can't shop no more whenever I can see her!

Well, Looks like the work flow isn't letting up until mid December.  I am going to sneak a break tomorrow to go to Breaking Dawn Part 1 with Sharon and get my hair cut. I will post some fun pictures of my hair tomorrow- I know its going to be cute because my guy is awesome ;)

Hope y'all have a wonderful weekend & enjoy yourselves!

XOXO, KC

Wedding Wednesday- Art Deco Anyone??? What about Ghosts?

(image from families.com)

Two weeks ago, Alisa and I headed down to Long Beach to check out a Roller Derby shop on 4th St., and some how we found ourselves aboard the Queen Mary.

The boat is decorated with the most wonderful Art Deco attributes and has wonderful ammenities to hold special occasion events and weddings.  While I was there all I could think about was if this wasn't across the country Alessandra would really love the history that oozes out of the architecture and decor.  One thing they make a big deal about on the tour/ info was how this was one of the greatest examples of the Art Deco style, and it is totally true.

Can't you see your wonderful retro wedding here ?

   
The Observation Bar, 1934

 (Image from quarrygirl.com- she has a great post to check out too.)

 The Observation Bar, 2011

Even More 2nd-Hand Shopping

Yesterday, Alisa, Heather and I, went back to Jet Rag for the $1 Sale I blogged about last week.  You can check out last weeks post here. Whenever Alisa is in town from NYC we always hit up Jet Rag, but this was the first time she had ever witnessed the dollar sale. 

Wanna see the craziness unfold??? Alisa took this video shortly after they cracked open the bundles while everyone was scurrying around for clothes.

We all had a great time and got some super cute clothes which I can wait to get cleaned up and post some pictures of how I style things. I left with less than half as many items this week as I found last Sunday at Jet Rag.  Strangely that is one of the fun things about this sale, you never quite know what you'll find. What I found was totally amazing and we found a bunch of things that were perfect for Heather. I am thinking that I am going to try to post on Fridays vintage finds and/or a  what I wore section... At least this week since I have been crazy shopping.

After Jet Rag I had the most delicious vegan scramble at Swingers Restaurant! This was my first time eating the avocado toast and that was pretty F#$% tasty!!! I don't go up to West Hollywood too often to eat since there is such a wonderful variety of restaurants where I live in Culver City- but Swingers has great vegetarian and vegan options (this should be a whole separate post, but yay! I am going vegan again :) If I called it a themed restaurant I feel like that wouldn't encapsulate everything... basically it has a really great unique atmosphere that I enjoy going to with out-of-town guests. Bonus: it has really tasty and unique takes on some of your favorite diner classics use organic items as much as possible.

Following lunch we headed over to the Melrose Trading Post held at Farifax High School.  This is another Sunday thrifting  must! Over the 3 years since I have moved to LA, this market seems to have tripled!!! There is furniture, clothes, jewelry, artwork, original artwork and much more. Parking is FREE and it is a $2 dollar entrance fee. Included with admission is live music, food vendors, and real bathrooms :) 

I wasn't expecting to leave with more furniture, but Alisa and I came across this cabinet/ shelf  piece that I just had to have!!!

I like how there is a tool box style lid with a handle that flips up. It seems like it could have fit records in the top- I am not quite sure it's original use.  It is light enough that it could have been used as an equipment box for something since it is easy to carry it. There is a door that opens to two shelves at the bottom to where the storage capabilities of this thing are endless!

Cost: Under $50

Then today we continued the fun in Santa Monica where Alisa and I met Kevin for lunch. Afterward we shopped at the Goodwill on Santa Monica Blvd- which has crazy good designer finds, FYI.  

Satisfying the only part of our budget for the higher-end finds we went to Wasteland (There are several locations) where they sell the hottest modern, vintage and designer clothing.  I just found out under their "collecting" tab- they have a huge museum-esque private collection of vintage and designer clothing and accessories  you can rent for movies and special evens- I will have to put a pin in that one for sure!!!

Funny thing happened at Wasteland: I definitely had the girl behind me start talking to me and when I turned around it was totally Zosia Mamet looking back at me! Now you would think I would be totally cool at not embarrassing myself when I geek out over celebrities, but I was the biggest loser cliche today.  First thing, I just generally like things and will become the biggest cheerleader for it. Class superlative: I was definitely most school spirit, crazy to think but true.  

I seem to get totally emotionally engaged in characters and things I like- mind you, I love watching TV and movies while I craft so I go deep into a wide range of all types of media. Sometimes, after watching them I will never remember more that I really liked what I watched than anything memorable, and sometimes an actor will really get me into their part. 

Taking a bite outta the big apple

One of my favorite things about New York City is the fantastic views! There is part of me that likes feeling so small beneath the large buildings- even from a high up view like this!!! But, I think the main part of being in the city that makes everything seem possible.  When you look around at massive buildings and endless neon it inspires a person to dream big.