American Porn

Damn, soft porn?  I guess their ads are cool because they are very minimal and d.i.y., but American Apparel is trying way too hard in my opinion.  "Buy our shit we are so indie and artsy."  I still haven't actually purchased anything from their store.  I like the fact that they have a little photo of what the actual garment looks like on a person next to the article of clothing, but as soon as I see how hyphy the salespeople look I change my mind and put the dress back on the rack.  I mean should I really take seriously an emo kid wearing tight yellow pants, a white tee with a bright red hoodie and a sweat headband?  I'd rather not.

Shoes on the Brain!

The above are the hawt Jeffrery Campbell studded platforms I saw at Nordstrom's while shopping for gifts (April 10th post).  I know, that was forever ago but I can't get them out of my head!  These shoes are so badass and cool, you're sure to be the lady with the best shoes anywhere you go really.

And did you know that Carlos Santana makes shoes?  They sell them at Macy's and that's where I first saw his collection.  The shoes are alright, but there are some gems like the ones above.  My mother almost bought me a pair yesterday, but I had to tell her it was totally not necessary even though I really want them!  They are on sale for $47 and if I'm still thinking about them (I know I will) by the end of the month I'm going to have to go in the store and buy them myself.  Wouldn't they make the most perfect pair on summer shoes?  I'm even more in love because I tried them on when I had bellbottoms on and I couldn't stop imagining that it was 1973.

My Wardrobe

Vintage Aremis Pucci inspired dress.  I bought this little gem and cropped it to a mini proportion at the Wasteland on Haight Street in San Francisco.  Gotta have the gaudy inexpensive pearl ring from Forever 21 and the giant rainbow feather hair piece purchased from an art supplies shop to transform it into the perfect birthday party dress.

My mom hates this blue polka dotted vintage dress I bought for less than $5 at Savers.  I wear it at least once a week with a slip underneath.  I've also worn this dress with "gladiator" sandals since we've seen warmer days lately.  The cardigan is one of my numerous I have stashed up in my closet.  It's from Scotland and it's made from the softest cashmere.

The only truly vintage piece I'm wearing in this outfit is the scarf, which I borrowed from an equally stylish male friend.  The dress I've had for a few years now and it was purchased at Target, shirt from the Gap, and the shrunken jacket is a staple in many of my outfits because it's very soft and and it barely weighs anything.

I fell in love with this orange dress from H&M via Crossroads on Haight Street when I saw it on the rack and I was so giddy that it fit so perfectly well.  The boots are not vintage, but they totally feel like it because the leather is a bit worn off in some spots.

My jungle outfit as I like to call it because of the fabulous photo consists of two vintage pieces: the shirt and ankle brown boots purchased at Savers for pennies.  This was the last time I wore this shirt because every time I put it on to wear I feel like a balloon!  All my jewelry was purchased at various spots here and there across the Bay.

The animal print dress is kick ass in person because it has a built in black lace slip on the inside which peeks out a bit.  I bought it about a year ago from Macy's for like $10 and the emerald beaded cardigan from my last days working for the Gap for less than $10 as well.  Can you tell I like to bargain shop?

Finally, this houndstooth dress which I adore was gifted to me by my little brother when I turned 23.  It's via Target and it's so short I have to wear tick leggings underneath.  It's hard to tell from this shot, but my shoes are the bomb!  They're copper, faux snaked skin platforms from Chinese Laundry and they're the comfiest ever.

I noticed that I don't really post photos of my daily outfits so this may be the first.  I'm bummed that I've been lagging on this, fashion is after all my mistress.  My style is definitely a combination of vintage and modern or vintage inspired with a little dash of rock and roll.  My fashion "muses" are not necessarily women either, Keith Richards and Jimi Hendrix are my main ones, but I adore the style of ladies such as Marianne Faithful and Janis Joplin.  High fashion and street fashion are also two of the spots I always hit for inspiration and I have subscriptions to Harper's Bazaar, W, Nylon, and film noir is always in the back of my brain when putting my look together (check out my cat eye liner).

Summer Festivals!

I look forward to summer not only for the warm weather, but for the music festivals!  San Francisco and the Bay Area in general hosts several festivals.  BFD (Big Fucking Day) used to be the shit a few year's ago when bands such as the Von Bondies, the Yeah Yeah Yeah's and Interpol played together the same day, but lately the station has been in some sort of shitty place because the best they can come up with is the Offspring and Alkaline Trio. No disrespect if you like those bands, but I'm not enticed to buy a $25 dollar ticket to check them out.  The Subsonic Tent, which is a rave/dance party of some sorts enclosed in a tent and happening in alignment with the horrid bands playing is crackin' this year- Crystal Castles, DJ AM, Villains, Steve Aoki, Mike Relm, Zion I, Paparazzi, The Limousines, Designer Drugs, DJ Omar, and DJ Miles.  I missed Crystal Castles twice, once here and also in NYC at CMJ Music Festival and will be the highlight of the day for sure.  Steve Aoki is a menace on those tables, he creates a fun vibe and everyone including him is dancing and jumping up and down.  The awesome Yeah Yeah Yeah's will be the only band on the main stage I am dying to see so it looks like you most likely catch me in the tent.  Can't wait!

A New Tradition

Happy Cinco de Mayo!  I wouldn't be all giddy about it a year ago because even though I'm Mexican  my family never celebrates this day.  You see, this holiday is celebrated here in the states, but not in Mexico (where we were born).  The date marks the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, when Mexico beat the French resistance under Napoleon.  Being the "hard-core" Mexican that I am I never bought into the holiday because frankly it's kinda random.  Why not go all out on September 16th, the date of the Mexican Independence instead?  Yesterday I was doing a little reading about the holiday and I realized that Mexicans here in the states (mainly in CA) celebrate it for patriotism.  Apparently Mexican Americans began celebrating Cinco de Mayo in the 1860's to begin a tradition in the new country.  I'm all about preserving tradition so this year marks the date when I will begin remembering this holiday.  Let the party begin!