July 20, 2008

• Thick upper arms: Avoid tank tops, wear 3/4 length sleeves or sleeves that hit the elbow, look into good slimmer fit jackets, steer clear of large chunky knits like the plague, a nice shirt rolled up always looks crisp, unless it looks like you got it from the business section at Old Navy then that just looks like "I got out of college and I'm going to my first job interview."
• Pear shaped: A-lined skirts are the bomb, especially ones that hit a few inches above the knee, avoid pleating around the hips that will just it worse, tread carefully in tunic territory because it will make you look pregnant and/or shapeless, buy things that cinch at the waist because it's sexaaay, when in doubt empire waist it up!
• Big ol butt: Be careful when buying shorter dresses, you have to do the bend over "will I moon everyone" test. Or just don't bend down to get anything and make someone else do it. Omg wear supportive underwear, seriously. Nothing is grosser than a woman with a big butt wearing a thong and tight non-jean pants. REIGN IT IN.

Labels: annie, lessons

July 18, 2008

Casual Everyday
1 comments

Scarf - Neil's
White Blouse - Old Navy
Jeans- Old Navy
Gladiators - Buffalo Exchange

First thing's first. I think I've finally come to a point in my life where I might actually start valuing quality over quantity. I KNOW, what the milestone. Except for jeans, I refuse to pay more than $50 bucks for jeans. But other things like shirts and stuff. I got this white safari type shirt at Old Navy for five bucks, but it has given me nothing but grief from trying to iron the shit out of it and it's STILL really wrinkly. NEVER AGAIN Old Navy or Forever 21! NEVER AGAIN! Unless it's jersey, then no one really gives a shit. But H&M, I still love you. No worries. Also I think I'm breaking a cardinal rule of "What Not To Wear" proportional dressing--making my legs look shorter than my torso. I'm also trying out the gladiator straps over the jeans trend. It kind of makes me feel like a jack ass so I'm probably going to untuck them now.

Labels: annie, diatribe

July 17, 2008

My Favorite Shoes
2 comments

Cynthia Steffe top: Buffalo Exchange
Pants: H&M
Heels: vintage

The top was a recent find at the Buffalo Exchange on La Brea, though I noticed too late that it had come with a seemingly permanent sweat stain under the arm! Yuck! I washed it a couple times and its seemed to mostly come out; I'll dry cleaning it once and see what I can do. It might be too much for a germaphobe like me to bear, so it might go into the sell back/give away bag.

Secondly, I've always wanted to share this pair of heels -- they're among my top three favorite shoes in my collection. They're chewed up around the bottom of the heel, but they're an amazingly perfect cursory illustration of my style (vintage, feminine, bows, muted deep fall tones, librarian chic):



I found them at the thrift store that was on my college campus three years ago. My biggest regret in life is that I didn't buy its sister pair, which were the exact same shoes in my size, in black. They were only $3! What was I thinking?! Obviously I didn't have my priorities in order.

Labels: ann, shoes, thursday

Prosaic Style
0 comments

So during my moratorium on shopping, it may appear that I have also placed a hold on showcasing new outfits. Not so. I will confess to a short bout this week of being overwhelmed at work & with quarter-life-crisis stuff. All that baggage has a way of draining a girl; when faced with all the doors that are open or pounding on ones that appear shut, I just want to flop face down on my bed. I do things I'm not proud of: pouting, gorging on hours of pointless tv, taking it out on others who don't deserve it, repeating outfits.

However, I've also been browsing through a growing list of bookmarked style blogs that are endlessly inspiring, and collecting inspiration images - both for style, for art, and for life. Today I discovered the Conde Nast shop's gallery of Vogue covers - dating as far back as the early 1910s! What I love most is that these are evidence of the golden age of fashion illustration in a time not-so-long-ago. I'm still crossing my fingers that illustration is still gearing up for a renaissance, and not just plateauing right now in a sea of mass-produced, screen printed tees at Urban Outfitters.




all images & prints found in the Conde Nast store

I love the seafoam green frock of the girl in the top right image, but I'd lose the harem pants. The lime green lines are fantastic. In the top left image, I'm just amused with the fact that the woman is riding a white peacock. The bottom right image is from the 50s, but is betraying a little fun and whimsy (dare I say??) of Vogue at the time by playing with the type. And of course, I want that fabulous peppermint candy striped coat on the woman in the bottom left cover.

The photographs of today's Vogue are lacking the style of illustrated covers, but some shoots really do exemplify why photography is now the preferred medium - pushing whimsical Fashion with a capital F into epic images. I'm thinking of the Drew Barrymore Beauty & the Beast themed shoot, and this month's Nicole Kidman spread.

Labels: ann, inspiration

July 14, 2008

Feeling tough
4 comments

Scarf - H&M
Dress - H&M
Gladiators - Buffalo Exchange

I didn't post a full picture because I got more bruises and bites so my legs are kind of a mess right now, but it's way too hot to be going around wearing pants! So just make believe and pretend I have Aggy length legs. Oh how I wish and dream.

Labels: annie, monday

July 12, 2008

Cruisin for a Bruisin?
1 comments

Dress-H&M
Heels-Thrift Store

Oh man that bruise on my knee looks way worse than it feels. I have work today. Wee! Hopefully I won't buy anything.

Labels: annie, saturday, work

July 11, 2008

JUUUUST Kidding
1 comments

Heather Grey Tank Top (underneath) - American Apparel
Brown Lacey top - Anthropologie
Cream Skirt - Anthropologie
Huaraches - Payless

So after I posted that picture I actually changed out of it because the espadrilles were kind of making my toes numb (SAD FACE) and the skirt's elastic started to loosen to the point where it was no longer feasible to use it outdoors. Although you bet your ass I'm going to be wearing that skirt to buffets and the Minnesota State Fair. And I thought, well might as well throw the baby out with the bath water and wear a whole new outfit. Weee! Also for Kathy, here is a closeup of the espadrilles. Cute but painful.

Labels: annie, friday, redo

Lazy Outfit
1 comments

Top - American Apparel
Skirt-Thrift store excursion find
Espadrilles- Thrift store excursion find

This skirt is sooo comfortable, it's all elastic all the time. Though I feel slovenly today it makes a difference to not look it. Happy Friday!

Labels: annie, friday, lazy

July 10, 2008

Animal Print
3 comments

Top- H&M
Bottom- Thrift store purchase from yesterday's excursion
Shoes-Nine West

I think I'm the only person who believes animal print is classic. My legs are so banged up. I have like two giant bruises and three huge tumor bug bites. Whatever, it's summer!

Labels: annie, summer, thursday

July 9, 2008

Soooo
4 comments

Top-H&M
Belt-H&M
Jeans-Old Navy
Sandals-Seychelles

I finally got my head out of my own ass. It's been a very lazy summer. I decided to head out wearing actual clothing instead of variations of American Apparel lounge wear because I'm having lunch with my friend and then taking her to the airport. Afterwards, inspired by Ann, I'm going to head to some thrift stores and scavenge like my life depended on it.

July 8, 2008

Office Chiffon
1 comments

Top: H&M
Camisole (under): Nordstrom's
Skirt: Old Navy
Red flats: Bass Outlet

Sorry for the overexposed shot. I was super happy with my new find at H&M this past weekend: the perfect ruffled chiffon blouse with a neck tie. It's perfect for so many different outfits; this is my office version.

Labels: ann, favorites, tuesday, work

July 7, 2008

Work: Thursday & Monday
3 comments

Dress: vintage (found at Jetrag)
Belt: Banana Republic
Heels: Target
Bracelet: from my mom, from Taiwan
















Necklace: smallthings designs
Top: Anthropologie
Skirt: H&M
Flats: H&M

I finally got my H&M fix at the one in Union Square in San Francisco. Here are two of my finds - a floral skirt & bow-topped satin flats. I pretty much love the 50's cinched hourglass shape, it works for my short frame and curvy figure. (Read: curvy = pudgy!)

Labels: ann, monday, thursday, work

July 2, 2008

Happy 100th Post!
3 comments

Gold bow necklace: etsy seller katinkapinka
Vintage dress: Jetrag
Belt: Banana Republic
Slip: Anthropologie
Sandals: Seychelles

I shortened the length of the skirt, and I totally jacked up the tension on my sewing machine trying to learn how to hem on stretchy polyester. In the end it all turned out well for the dress, but if anyone knows what setting I should use for stretchy material...let me know. Stylewise, I love this dress! I need more pattern and saturated color in my life!

Labels: ann, wednesday, work

July 1, 2008

Folk Art
1 comments

Dress worn as skirt: Urban Outfitters
Belt: Reference
Top: Target
Shoes: Seychelles

I recently rediscovered and fell in love again with this folk art belt that's been hanging in the back of my closet for ages now. Turns out it was the perfect way to negotiate this dress I'm wearing as a skirt. I love the color and fabric of the dress, but it's a medium and far too large for me. I couldn't resist the sale price though, so I brought it home and have been scheming of ways to wear it. It also looks better with the back in the front, which is how I'm wearing it here. I just love remixing old wardrobe pieces back into my daily wardrobe; it's the kind of styling and shopping I can afford!

Labels: ann, tuesday, work