Category — That’s Fashion

♥ Betsey Johnson Pollys, Jeffrey Campbell Legal Zipper Wedges, Miu Miu Teacup heels, Stripper Tip shoes and Ballet boots. You can forget about info for the bottom, muthas. ♥

Let’s sit together closely and talk seriously about this religion called Shoes. When other ladies ask me how I can wear high heels most of the time, I let them know there are different categories of shoes in my life that allow me to do so.  I made this Shoe Triangle to illustrate for you. Like a REVERSE Food Triangle, focus on the ones closer to the top and NEVER touch the bottom layer.

First, let’s discuss The Holy Grail of Shoes, which are both sexy AND comfortable. That is the level of shoe perfection a woman must always strive to find. For me those are my beloved Pollys, which originated as a poolside platform stiletto shoe in the 1940′s.

The Holy Grail can then be followed by The Wedge Trick. Lenora helped me figure this out years ago. The right wedge heel can give you that height you desire without killing your tootsies. Nowadays the wedge is so popular you can wear it in various styles, morning, noon and night.

Then there are the ones I call Dinner Shoes, which are pretty shoes that you can actually walk in, but probably won’t last a night of standing up/dancing in them. These are good for dinner out or if you are hosting a get together at home (where you can change into your crip slips after everyone’s too drunk to care.)

Now let’s talk about the other level of shoe that many women think of in relation to high heels. That SEXY OUTTA THIS WORLD shoe that you covet but are so painful, you walk like a geisha in them! I call those Photoshoot/Fucking Shoes since they are only wearable during those two instances.

As you can see I put the Forbidden Items on the bottom aka you better go barefoot like Brit Brit in a gas station bathroom before you wear those nightmares. The stripper shoe is a bit misplaced because everyone knows those are actually comfortable! They really should be higher on the chart, especially since this one comes with a tip jar. What’s your Shoe Triangle like, m’ladies?

♥ Hat from a stand in Harajuku, Betsey Johnson Pollys, Tracy Feith for Target dress ♥

After the wild celebratory night we went for a stroll among the dead at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. It had been a long time since I visited the grounds during the day and not on a Cinespia night.

There were beautiful peacocks strutting around like Vegas showgirls.

PARDON ME, HERE IT IS (I really did do that by accident)

HEEEEEEEY LITTLE GIRL I WANNA BE YOUR BOYFRIEND

Someone left white plastic fangs at Vampira’s grave so I took the black ones I had in the sunglasses holder in my car (YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU NEED ‘EM) and left them there too.

I bought this hat on a stand in Harajuku when I went to Tokyo last summer. It reminded me of the hat the girl wears in The Lover aka L’amant. It’s about the affair of a young French lolita and a rich Chinese man. TABOO AND SEXY

The Witches of Eastwick was one of THEE BEST bruja-themed movies to have ever been made. The coven made up of Michelle Pfeiffer, Susan Sarandon and CHER was the ultimate female power trio of the 80′s! Warning: I appear to have screencapped 220 stills of this film. GOOD LAWT! Based on a book, this movie is about three bffs which include Michelle Pfeiffer as some sort of octomom, a prude violinist played by Susan Sarandon and Cher as a tough, single momma. They all get together one night for martinis and Cheez Whiz to chat about their idea of the perfect mang, and Ol’ Jack Nicholson who is basically the debil himself appears and seduces all of them!

LOL IMAGINE GETTING SEDUCED BY THAT MY LIL’ PONY TAIL? I PROB WOULD. Anyways, let’s talk about the fashunz. It IS the 80′s. That is clearly no joke.

When will hair like this get into fashion again? I’m in the mood for a perm. JUST KIDDIN I WOULD NEVER! I do like those wild locks though.

I liked when SS’s character got a little swivel in her hip and ditched the mousey librarian threads for these little numbers.

She even rocks the current trend of socks n’ heels.

This b gets the shit end of the stick in this movie. That’s what you get for being so squaresville and sticking your nose in other people’s business!

I’m sure the first time you saw this scene it really messed with your head and stayed in there for the rest of your life. YOU’RE WELCOME!

1. I LOVE THIS DRESS! Sadly I don’t know what the hale it is. I think it’s a couple years old though. OMG VINTAGE! jk (let me know when you are tired of that joke because I am not)
2. Summertime equals SNOW CONES!
3.  I AM CRAZY ABOUT THIS BAG FROM LATICO LEATHERS AHHH!! I NEED IT! I will even do a purse dance for it, much like the rain dances the Native Americans do. Speaking of, when I was a baby Rie, I watched an episode of Reading Rainbow (SEE HOW ITS ALL CONNECTED?) about rain dances and did one outside and it worked! I swear! I swear by the moon and the stars in the sky! I think I told you guys that before but you prob need a refresher.
4. You’ve seen these Irregular Choice Chica shoes on here before but they deserve a second shoutout. Can’t wait for my bff to get them!
5. I adore this bow from Ban.do!! Saw it on Keiko Lynn and fell in lust. Reminds me of a clown bowtie! Oh man, remember back in the 2007′s when we couldn’t find bows anywhere? I had to make mine from clown bowties from the costume shop! Sometimes I miss the days when everything was harder. Das what she said. Sorry I can’t resist.

Helloooo boos! It’s just another picture of yours truly being ADORABLE!!!!

JUST KIDDING (o)(o)

♥ thrifted dress, Olsenboye bewts, my fave moto jacket ♥

I found this floral babydoll during a thrift session last weekend. It had Hulk status shoulder pads but I took them out so let me know if you need to stuff your bra and I’ll put them in the mail for you STAT. These are the best kind of weekday dresses for me. Not too much revealing work cleave…comfy…casual. I also found this amazing black bomber jacket with a GOLD TIGER on the back. With rhinestone eyes! I’ll take a pic soon.

Mmmm…the weekend is nigh my friends. I have a lot of work to catch up on but some fun times are planned too. PURPLE FUCKING RAIN SCREENING AT THE CEMETERY FOR INSTANCE. AHHHH! I’m so excited! I’m ironing my assless chaps as we speak. I was thinking of wearing a purple coat to the show but I don’t want to be “too obvious” which makes no sense because as you may know, I like to dress in theme every chance I get.  Speaking of PRINCE, I still want this bag. Just wish it came in black too. Love 2 Love U. Whatcha got planned for the three-day weekend?

Your Little Red Corvette,

PS. My Itunes Prince play count from the past year: “Little Red Corvette” is currently at 158 plays. Mariachi El Bronx cover of “I Would Die 4 U” has 110 plays. OBSESSED

Last month I went to the Vintage Fashion Expo they hold a few times a year in both LA and SF. I know..”LAST MONTH” SHE SAYS.  I’ve been a little behind on my blog life lately! Don’t hit me! Anyway, it was cool meeting some of the vendors and lurking their treasures. There were a lot of great pieces from vintage experts all around the country!

Donnaland, who is based out of Missouri, was one of my favorite vendors. They had tons of cute dresses,  jewelry and accessories that were right up my alley…especially this CLOWN SWEATER!

GIMME THE GOLD

Smile now, cry later ashtray?!

Meow Vintage was another great booth I visited. There were tons of odd little brooches and hair accessories (My favorites!). Their HQ is located in Long Beach so I’m definitely going to plan a visit next time I’m down there.

One of my favorite things they had were these vintage nameplate necklaces. I adore this “Bunny” one!

You know I love me some vintage nurse dresses!

IF ONLY THESE LEATHER SHAWTS FIT ME! A bashful panda on a pair of leather shorts. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? I would wear these on a safari. Or when I’m onstage singing with my new band Panda Panda and the Cult Jam.

It was a pleasure to meet Marty of Marty’s Vintage who also has an etsy shop! She had some amazing items like a vintage Bob Mackie, frilly Valley of the Dolls-esque dresses and retro swimsuits, which I kept an eye out for at the expo because of my recent research.

Love this color! This goes perfectly with cha cha heels, a martini and a baby grand piano (my future scenario.)

Froggy dress!

One thing I love about vintage fabric is the assortment of ~funky~ patterns. You know I want that Corn/Devil one down there.

Do any of you have vintage clothing expos in your town? For my Cali pals, make sure to check out the expo next time it comes around in the fall! Their calendar can be found here!

♥ dress from Nordstrom rack, Betsey Johnson Pollys, Erin Fetherston X Target heart purse, Madame Satan’s School For Girls 666 Kitty necklace, heart and bow rings♥

This weekend I went to the annual Bug Fair at the Natural History Museum, the place where insect collectors and nature nerds meet!

As with tradition I sought out some creepy crawlies to cradle in my arms. First up a lil’ millipede!

I wanted to hold a big one (natural urge) like the African millipede but this one had to do. I like the hundreds of tiny legs and always automatically think of it wearing a mini high heel on each one. IMAGINE

Can you spot the arthropod known as the flamingus cheetous in the center?

ALRIGHT BRACE YOURSELVES. Here I am holding a scorpion which I have never done before. I must admit I was scared. Scared this asshole was going to raise its tail and attack and there was the end of me. Yet, after some convincing by Emi aka the Willard of Insects I wiped the sweat off my brow and held that mutha. I mean, I’ve held scarier things in my hand before.

This is my nervous smile.

Next time I’m sure I’ll have scorpion swagger just like my Asian sistas here. Maybe sport some live arachnid jewelry? Watchew think?

I fell in love with the amazing Elsa Billgren a few months ago when my bff Emi came across her blog on Elle Sweden. Need Help Dressing is filled with beautiful photos that peek into Elsa’s whimsical life in Stockholm with her friends. I love seeing the pictures she takes of delishis food and her FANTASTIC vintage dress obsession. Like yours truly, Elsa prefers dresses and skirts to pants. She has the best dress collection I have ever seen!!! There is something very special about the simplicity of Elsa’s blog and she is such a charming person to watch. Many props to Elle Sweden! I feel very happy and inspired whenever I read it (through Google Translate.) Elsa was kind enough to do a little Q&A with me so we can find out what inspires her.

If you could describe your style as the combination of any two people or things, who or what would they be?

Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte Bardot.

Elsa, you inspire me! Who are some people that inspire you?

Oh thanks! I get inspired by old movies, French cute girls, my mother and everything with a history.

If I came to visit your city, where would you take me for a fun day?

We would go to Tranan bar the first day of summer and have a glass of wine in the sun, then a walk around our boheme blocks for some vintage shopping and end the day with a party on my friends balcony!

What else do you collect besides vintage dresses?

I collect glass jars to keep stuff in for my kitchen, cute comments on my blog and old pictures of my mum from when she was young.

Do you have something you wear every day?

I always wear a dress and a nice pair of stockings.

What is in your purse right now?

You can always find a camera, a calendar and some make up in my purse. And usually some fruits as well.

What music are you currently listening to?

I listen to anything from Love to Lily Allen. Right now I’m repeating a Nina Simone record.

If you could have a tea party with any three people, living or dead, who would they be?

Oh, I would love to party with Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali! I believe the third person has to be Courtney Love.

What is your motto in life?

Live your life as if you are aloud to do whatever. Don’t think about treating yourself, just enjoy what comes your way.

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Here’s Elsa modeling my mint green “Nikki” cake hat! How cute is she! Also a big congratulations to Elsa and her man on their recent wedding! Read more about Elsa at Need Help Dressing.

Can we talk about these ‘lil black boots for a minute? I’ve been wearing them almost every day since I got them a week ago…from JC PENNEY or “Penney’s” as your gramma likes to call it. I know I am supposed to be looking for a new summer shoe but when I tried these on I suddenly felt like Clarissa Explains It All!

Even though they are pretty simple and non-descript with nothing special going on, they are comfy as fuck and easy to pair with most of my day-to-day outfits. What’s even better is they run big so it feels like I have petite tootsies. And they are still loose! I probably could have worked a 7.5 like Carrie Bradshaw but I didn’t want to push it. Anyway, I have been wearing these suckas with everything. I even found them to be the perfect match for my H&M tiger dress when worn with black tights (You can see it a bit in the Zac Posen post.) I’ve had that tiger dress since fall but every shoe/legging combination I wore with it just didn’t feel right until now. Also could be that the dress is kind of baggy. Anyhoo I digress. Yesterday I had dinner with one of my favorite baklas and when I asked him if he liked the new shoes adorning my hooves, he said “Yes! They remind me of Clarissa Explains It All!” !!!!!!!!!!! PSYCHIC CITY!!!  I love when shit like that happens.  Sidebar, I lurked the name of the shoe and they are actually an Olsen twin brand! Hilarious! You know I am not one of those Mary Kate worshippers but I must give them props for making these perfect stompers.

♥ Target t-shirt, chola store pencil skirt, Rodarte X Target tights, necklace from some store in Venice, $39 Olsenboye bewts (I just checked JcPenney.com and they are sold out ) ♥

Fashion has Brains

Edited by Ashe

Every week I am always surprised by the selection of posts we receive here at IFB.  I think back to before I started my blog, the discrimination I felt working in retail and adoring fashion, because it was shallow and it wasn’t academic.  Now I look at the community I am a part of and think– how could anyone accuse fashion enthusiasts of being shallow? Or fashion designers, lovers of style?  Indeed, like any frowned upon medium or niche, fashion has brains; it has ingenuity, it has controversy, it has creativity, and it has depth.

This week I want to celebrate those putting fashion and intellect together, to show that there’s more than meets that glittering eye…

Oh, and if you’re looking for something to do this summer… IFB is looking for interns!

Links à la Mode : April 22

• Agent Lover: – On The Search For The Perfect Retro Bathing Suit!
• Alice in Stilettos: – Interview with Edgy, Up-and-Coming Designer Chelsea Sutrisno
• Bay Area Style File: – Interview with Model turned Eco Friendly Beauty Brand owner Josie Maran.
• Bobbins and Bombshells: – Fashionable History: Lilly Dache – A True Fashion Success Story.
• Denim Debutante: – Meet US-Made NAEM Denim and Win Your Own Pair
• dramatis personae: – Back to the Future
• Fashion Pulse Daily: – Cynthia Rowley for Roxy Spring 2010
• For Those About to Shop: – Crystal Renn’s inspiring story of transformation may make you think twice about modelling industry:
• krameymartin: – Being pregnant doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your fashion sense. Check out this post to learn how to jazz up simple maternity pieces.
• La Chanelphile: – “The Allure of Chanel” by Paul Morand with Illustrations by Karl Lagerfeld
• M.I.S.S.: – The Rag Trade: The Sale Mentality. This week’s article looks at how we will get consumers to break the sale mentality and pay full price again.
• Night Watch: – DIY Tutorial: Burberry Prorsum F/W 2010-11 Inspired Blazer
• Oh, the Places You’ll Go!: – ASOS Curve Models – Plus, or not plus enough?
• Oranges and Apples: – Some thoughts on weight, fat activism and health
• Poetic & Chic: – Hamish Bowles, European Editor at Large for Vogue, visits the de Young in San Francisco to announce a new Balenciaga retrospective slated for spring 2011.
• Retro Chick: – Made To Measure – Dresses for those who aren’t a standard size
• shrimp salad circus: – DIY Spring Flowers Headband/Belt for Under
• The Coveted – Craving Miu Miu Clogs?
• the fashionate traveller: – Discovers the emerging Japanese fashion trend Dolly Kei, as seen through a visit to Grimoire, Shibuya’s premier vintage store.
• The Fashionista Lab: – I gave up shopping and gained a new perspective on using and building my wardrobe (hint: shoes are important)
• True Queen: – Warning: Men In Skirts – Examining a taboo trend that attempts to go mainstream