I'm Still Jenny From da Block

Ladies, you never forget your first. And my first (fashion icon…duh!) was Jennifer Lopez, or as I like to call her, Jenny from da Block. For little 8 year-old Chelsea, JLo was the epitome of glamour, class, and taste. The furs, the diamonds, the dance moves, and a rapper boytoy…the girl had everything I wanted. Luckily, of course, as we get older our style evolves, and for some reason or another my JLo obsession waned. (BEN! It was Ben…I mean srsly you’re gonna leave P-fuckin-Diddy for some random white dude?! Snooze.) However, my love for JLo was recently reignited when Britt shouted to me across the aisles of Goodwill, “Chels this looks like something you would have worn in your JLo days,” as she held up the most amazing relic from Y2K that I have even laid eyes upon…a snowy-white, studded Mongolian (JK it’s faux) fur vest from the Mecca of JLo-style dressing: BEBE. Obvi, I had to have it. I mean, one of the reasons we all love fashion is, as the anthem says, we can be a million different people from one day to the next. And today, I decided to channel my #1 fashion icon: JLo…with a heavy sprinkling of 2013 flavah ;)

Thrifted vest. Vintage button up. Vintage suede shorts. Via Spiga boots.

Until next time,

Chelsea

Fashion Lovers vs. Clothes Lovers

The most valuable lesson I took from my brief stint studying fashion design at college (Ok…it was community college. Also should mention that this is South OC we’re talking about so I was basically going to school with the cast of Laguna Beach. Literally.) was that there were two types of students: Those who love fashion, and the social and cultural role it has played in people’s lives throughout history, and those who love clothes. I was part of the latter; and we were in the minority. Sooooooo, I don’t wanna get all Regina George on you guys but like, we could spot the clothes-lovers from a mile away: Tory Burch signature logo flats, Chanel sunglasses, Marc Jacobs handbag, True Religion jeans (all about those back pockets), Juicy Couture chain necklace, Tiffany’s charm bracelet…you get the idea. The clothes lovers always know the ‘Who, What, When, & Where’: Who is the designer? What’s in? What’s out? What should I wear with this? Where can I wear a pencil skirt? When is it appropriate to wear a mini skirt? What should I wear on a date? And sure, that shit is fun sometimes. And Cosmo could always use more writers like that! But we really need the fashion lovers to continue to ask, ‘Why’. Why so label obsessed? Why is fast fashion on the rise? Why are we showing so much skin? Why are the 60’s back in fashion? Why are the 90’s back in fashion? Of course, I don’t wanna be throwin’ shade on those ‘clothes lovers’ as I can never advocate any sort of ‘us vs. them’ mentality. I mean, at the end of the day we all just doin what makes us feel good...like us. And like really…who could resist Chanel sunnies and MJ handbags?! Cuz that shit makes you feel reeeeeeeal good ;) Though you’ve gotta wonder why…

Thrift denim jacket. Thrifted sweater. Vintage plaid pants. Theory booties.

Until next time,

Brittany

Whole Lotta Woman

Lately, I find myself fascinated with Astrology and learning more about my sign, the greatest one under the sun (naturally): Gemini. A Gemini woman could be described, as Beyonce once put it, “A whole lotta woman!” And indeed, it is true. One minute demure and doting, the next ruthlessly sarcastic; the Gemini woman’s personality is impossible to pigeon-hole. One things for sure, Gemini’s are extroverts. The Gemini is represented by the Twins, for their ability to always see two sides of every situation. Interestingly enough, I have learned that Gemini women have a playful and flirty style, and love to pioneer new trends or experiment with different looks. (Um…yup.) Although my Sagittarius girl Britt is technically my sister, we also fancy each other to be BFF’s. And according to the stars we are the perfect BFF match up. Together a Sagittarius and Gemini will come up with new ideas that the other is excitedly ready to explore; though by our very natures we do have a very competitive partnership. Good thing I’m the smarter sis ;) Learning that Geminis are some fierce mamma jammas has influenced my style lately. Feeling a little extra bold and sexy in my tigress pants and don't-mess-with-me topknot.

Foreign Exchange Crop Top. Vintage pants. Charlotte Russe Boots. Forever 21 Jewelry.

Until next time, 

Chelsea

On Fashion and Music: Vibe it Out

Like most people, I enjoy a slew of different musical genres. (Except country…ew.) One of my favorite things to do is sit around with my friends/boytoy and discover new music. Or as we refer to it, “Take a journey down the musical rabbit hole.” I like music that has it’s own steez. I LOVE music that is not easily defined by a genre; music that doesn’t care if it’s easy to digest or what people are going to think of it. (Interesting how my musical philosophy mirrors my fashion philosophy.) Sometimes I think I choose to listen to certain songs over others based solely on what I’m wearing…which makes sense considering what I’m wearing often determines the overall mood of the day. And songs are ultimately about feelings. So, here’s a list of songs that I listened to while wearing this AMAZING dress I picked up at the Pile Sale on Saturday. I wore this out to my BFF’s 25th Birthday celebration at Mesa…and then again the next day because I just love it that much. I’m pretty sure what all these songs have in common is a general air of jovial bad-assery…cause that’s exactly how I felt in this ensemble. Did I mention this entire outfit was $10 out the door? No shit.

Click the titles to go to the YouTube vid....for your listening pleasure :) Also, I tag Ashley of The Photogramps, my musically inclined blogger buddy, to participate in this fun little exercise next. 

Intro by the Xx: If life perchanced me the opportunity of stripping for a living, this would be my jam. Hey, a girl has got to have a plan!

Politik by Coldplay: I once saw Chris Martin bang this out on the piano (HARD)  from the 14th row and lets just say I’ve never wanted to be a piano bench so badly.

Carry On by CSNY: Solo crusing down PCH on the first hot and steamy Spring day of the year. Volume: loud. Windows: Down.

Evil Boy by Die Antwoord: You need to see the music video: Although, if you’re like one of those people who’s easily offended then don’t even bother. Ok if you’re someone who just might possibly even 1% get offended...then this will offend you. But know that you’re missing out on one of my personal style icons…YOLANDI.

Mrs. Jackson by Outkast: Solid advice: You could plan a pretty picnic//But you can't predict the weather

Genesis by Grimes: Grimes is my bbygrl. PS- Video is worth a watch if only for the sartorial inspiration. Grimes is a fashion goddess.

Ceremony by New Order: From Marie Antoinette...an ethereal film with a BOSS soundtrack. Watch it. Love it.

Breathe by Pink Floyd: Wait for it…seriously, wait for it. Vibe it out.

The Future Is Now

This is my time-traveling coat. For when I travel...through time. The clocks make me think of time, and thinking about time can be a tricky thing. I wonder if we can ever live in a world where generally speaking, people value time over money? I always thought that would be my kinda place. Britt sent me this quote the other day and it punched me in the face, so I thought I would punch all of you in the face, too. You’re welcome :)

“As a child, you are sent to nursery school. In nursery school, they say you are getting ready to go to kindergarten. And then first grade coming up and second grade and third grade. They say you are gradually climbing the ladder, making progress. And then in high school, they tell you you’re getting ready for college. And in college you’re getting ready to go out into the business world with your suit and diploma. And you go to your first sales meeting, and the say, ‘Now get out there and sell this stuff.’ They say you’ll be going on up the ladder in business if you sell it, and maybe you’ll get a promotion. And you sell it, and they up your quota. And then, finally at about the age of forty-five, you wake up one morning as vice president of the firm and you say to yourself, ‘I’ve arrived! But I’ve been cheated. Something is missing. I no longer have a future.’ ‘Wrong,’ says the insurance salesman. ‘I have a future for you. This policy will enable you to retire in comfort at sixty-five, and now you can look forward to that.’ And you’re delighted. You buy the policy, and at sixty-five you retire, thinking that this is surely the attainment, the goal of life. Except that now you have prostate trouble, false teeth, and wrinkled skin. And you’re a materialist. You’re a phantom. You’re an abstraction. You are nowhere because you were never told, and you never realized that eternity is now. There is no time.”

Vintage coat. Vintage dress. Thrifted beanie. Demonia creepers.

Until next time,

Chelsea

Fashion, Art, and Holly Fowler

Is fashion art? Is art fashion? Of course, debating the answers to these questions are ongoing conversations amongst the fashion realm. Which actually beg a much larger question, ‘Well…what the hell is art’? To which I always thought a perfectly sufficient answer was, ‘You know it when you see it’. Like love. When I discovered the work of fashion designer Holly Fowler I knew hands-down, no if’s, and’s or but’s about it, that this was art. And I think you’ll agree.

Holly is an English designer based in London who specializes in hand painted fashion. Her work is based on the idea that every garment is, in fact, a painting. She treats the silhouette as her canvas, and paints each print directly onto the clothing, to create a print that wraps around and moves and grooves with the wearer; essentially creating ‘wearable art’. Holly’s muse is ‘Princess Pamela’, a character based on her grandmother as a young woman. Pamela is a modern day princess who goes on adventures in each season’s collection. And we can definitely see the Princess’s influence in the latest collection of regal gowns and ‘off-duty’ pant suits painted with jewels, tassels, and sashes bearing intricate floral designs. Wearble art for the modern day Princess- tres romantique! Can’t wait to see what fairy tale Holly Fowler invites us to dive into next season.

All images via HollyFowler.com

Life is For Ridiculous Hats and Pink Mini Skirts

Last week, I read a fabulous blog post by the lovely Gabrielle of Look Sharp Sconnie, in which one sentence in particular struck me: “Now, instead of dressing to live, I live to dress, and walks are made to give me something to wear.” FUCK. YES. Story time! I have always loved fashion…ALWAYS. I do not remember a time when what I wore was not of upmost importance to me. I was always known as a “fashion freak” to my peers, a title I cherished and definitely lived up to. College heralded an era when I developed more of an appreciation, no- an outright burning passion for all things relating to style, design, and fashion. Plot twist: In 2011 I had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad, year…because I was BROKE. Like, how am I gonna pay da billz broke. But ya know, that happens to people. The point is, during this period, I alienated myself from the fashion world and my passions completely fell by the wayside. I felt like I didn’t have time, money, or energy to devote to something that felt so, frivolous. And I didn’t quite feel like…me. I mean, where did “fashion freak” go?! One day, my man suggested we go window shopping at some vintage stores. And so we went. And we stumbled across a “Pile Sale”. And it was quite literally a giant pile of vintage clothes, and every single item in said pile is $5…or less. And I think I ended up staying for like, 3 hours. And I freaked out about spending $30 on 7 or 8 drop-dead-fabulous pieces; but I did it anyway. Because I had an epiphany sitting atop that pile; when you are passionate about something you will do it every damn day- no excuses. Find a way. Immerse yourself in your passions as much as you possibly can. Whatever it is; running, sailing, painting, Dance Dance Revolution, reading, writing, being a Mom, trading stocks, your dog, teaching…or maybe a combination of all these things. When you live life with passion, everything feels better. I haven’t missed a Pile Sale since that first one, and never let a day go by without indulging myself in some study of the sartorial sciences ;) Life is too damn short not to wear ridiculous hats and pink mini skirts. Can I get a Amen?

Vintage sweater. Vintage skirt. Thrifted hat. Steve Madden boots. 

PS- Cash flow is good these days so don’t cry for me Argentina. I could certainly go out and buy more “expensive” clothes but…well that would make me a sucker ;)

Until next time,

Brittany

Coachella: Social Media Circle Jerk in the Desert

Obviously, the root of all great advertising lies in making you feel inadequate in some way. (All the fun is happening somewhere else! You’re not sexy/smart/cool enough!) So how about a big BRA-VO to the social media circle jerk in the desert that was Coachella weekend numero uno. This big ass advertising campaign masked as a “noveau-hippie” music festival is the stuff of Freud and Bernay’s wet dreams. A whole Instagram/Twitter feed featuring a smorgasbord of visuals to remind yourself how utterly lame you are in comparison to the members of the uber-cool club. And here’s what’s really innovative: Our peers are delivering the message. Consumers trust social media, after all it’s made up of “real people”. And social media’s got what every brand pines for: a feeling of genuine authenticity. In a world where everyone is for sale and branding is a way of life…are humans the advertising medium of the future? #TrustNoOne

PS- I’m not hating, simply observing. I WISH I could have spent the weekend at Coachella! I die to see Grimes and RHCP. And I would have been 'gramming it up. But don't even get me started on the whole "festival fashion" thing...vomit. JK. We'll  save that topic for weekend #2 ;)

PPS- Moving on from the 90's and rocking an early 2000's zebra skirt. I can so see XTina rockin this. 

Thrifted angora sweater. Vintage Lil Gemini top. Thrifed zebra skirt. Converse All Stars.

Until next time,

Chelsea

Social Media is Cray

I am obsessed with the Vine app. Are you on there? By the way this is not like, a pitch to get people following me on Vine, I just think it’s freaking amazing. Instagram is the shit as well. You know why I love Vine and Insta? They are like extra brain storage that hold memories. How amazing will it be to go through your Instagram snaps say, 40 years from now? Or watching those little 7 second videos of your kitties who have long passed away or you and your girlfriends dancing in the car blaring Britney or even just making stew in your little apartment. Most of us will have memories saved from every single day of our lives on there! On a related note- what about kids who are born like, right now? At what age do they get started on social media? I mean, I’m pretty sure every 3 year old already knows how to work an iPhone. Should you be a responsible parent and nab them their social media handles before they gets taken? Should you start marketing them from the womb? Like, “Hangin’ out in Mom’s uterus! #YOLO #Newb #ItsSoWarmInHere #Fetus #ThanksMom”

PS- You know how people DREAD looking back at photos thinking, “ZOMG what was I wearing?!” That seems LOADS more interesting than the alternative. Let your freak flag fly, people.

F21 Meow tank. Random pink sports bra. DIY skirt (Was a MuuMuu. Until I chopped it off at the top and added some elastic around the waist...I couldn't pass up the gorg print!) F21 sandals.

Until next time,

Brittany

Ch-Ch-Changes

Damnit, guys. I’m obviously struggling with this whole “Spring” thing. In Cali, Winter is the perfect season for fashion. There is a harmonious balance between warm days and cool days, with a variance of only about 20 dees-grees (Rick Dees fo lyfe). This means equal opportunity for both cool weather wear and warm weather wear…or basically more skin vs. less skin. Looks like we’re basically in the final home stretch to Summer dressing. Now don’t get me wrong; I looooove me some Summer time. It’s just that my affinity for fur coats and boots and layering leaves my sartorial subconscious feeling empty inside. I busted out this big ass fuzzy coat for one last time…and ya I was basically burning up. Guess it’s time to retire the furs and bust out the bikinis, bitches ;) C-Bay everyday!

Thrift coat. Thrift crop sweater. Vintage jeans. Thrift hat. F21 booties.

Until next time,

Chelsea