INSPIRATION: the beautiful audrey's charade

I am a FAN of the old classics. Musicals, comedy, dramas...give me some true wardrobe, beautiful people, and a tidy happy ending, and I am satisfied. Growing up, it was a family pastime to watch old movies together. My sister's alltime fave is White Christmas, but I'll take Doris Day, Audrey Heburn- and some COLOR any day...Brigadoon, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, By the Light of the Silvery Moon, Gone With the Wind...yes, I'll take it all, please.

a better shot of the leopard hat

Most people picture scenes from Breakfast at Tiffany's or Sabrina when they think of Audrey Hepburn. Coming from a family of Audrey fanatics, I thought I had seen many of her films growing up, but caught Charade last night for the first time. I was amazed by the wonderful wardrobe in the film- much  moreso than the movie itself. Cary Grant isn't too bad either.

She is wearing the most simple, clean, and STATEMENT-y hats throughout most of the movie. Though the clothing is very classic, it is done beautifully-in strong shapes and colors. My favorite is a leopard-print hat in a slightly exaggerated conical shape that seriously takes confidence to pull off. (well, that and bone structure as well.) I also love her wool coat in a striking yellow-gold for the climactic chase scene. So simple, yet so elegant and memorable. How I LOVE how this woman can pull off a hat.

who else could wear a hood AND a hat AND glasses, and still look chic??

LIFE: the long sunday

source: twinsniwt

So today is supposed to be the most depressing day of the year. No idea where I read that, probably off a friend's facebook posting. Didn't seem to be too much of a downer, but I thought I ought to finally post something here, at least to let you all know this "depressing" day didn't swallow me up.

It's been SOOO cold here in SF, with our atomic clock posting 44 degrees outside for the last few days- but brrr...it feels like that inside as well! I've been cooking up a storm of cold weather comfort foods, including chili and braised short ribs.

During last week's crazy thunderstorms, I styled the album and promo and shots for the bay area's local star hip hop group, The Pack. When I finally unwrap myself from this blanket, I will post a few pics from the crazy shoot that took place in a frat house...

I've been keeping myself healthy by returning to my regular workouts. Once I'm able to revisit the "skinny rockstar" section of the closet once again, I'll have so many more inspired outfits to keep my creative juices flowing without shopping- CHALLENEGE UPDATE- i have NOT bought any new clothing yet- and it's been 24 days! (haha, it's surprising how long that feels....I've been filling the me-shopping void with cooking and gymming) note-It's fairly hard to keep focused when shopping for a living!! Can't say I won't slip for a hidden treasure-  but it will definitely be worth it, and you'll be the first to see what gem breaks my resolve. Until then....

STATE OF THE UNION: mall shopping and visual merchandising

F21 windows

I stepped out a few days ago to a local mall NOT owned by Westfield. (what?! yes, they exist). Granted, it's not the best quality mall, but it has recognizable stores nonetheless. I was amazed by the window displays (and not in a good way), and thought you all might like a peek.

Okay, so yes, I'm always looking at what F21's doing- but mainly since they're one of the few retailers that seem to be doing decently- they're growing and hiring! Their mannequins looked to be channeling a version of Lady Gaga with the abundance of platinum wigs- and one was brazen enough to go out without bottoms! She's coyly covering her plastic bits with her hands, but I'm not buying her innocent act...

 bench

Okay, so this image of Bench isn't really too interesting. More interesting was the merchandise inside, but the manager was eying me and practically followed me outside as I took this pic. Apparently it's a brand imported in from the Philippines. Gone are the days where our "rich" country would outsource production of our own popular brands to the Philippines- the tables have turned as we are now selling $2.99 body sprays and "Filipino" t-shirts branded in the Phillippines. I really find that sooo interesting. Wonder what it's going to look like as more American clothing companies continue to struggle...and other imported brands take their place?

agaci?! what is this?

WINNER of Worst Display Ever!! Agaci, yet another fast fashion brand in this mall, put together these outfits above. Soooo NOT cute!!! Of ALL the clothing in your store, those are the BEST outfits you could come up with to entice people to buy?! In case you can't tell, there is a ruffled shirt layered under the teal v-neck tee...

Bath and Body Works...did you know they are having a sale??

WINNER of Abusive Marketing!! Bath and Body Works is having a sale...did you know??? How could you NOT? I've never seen a B&BW look like this before, with neon yellow signage in every possible open space. It's probably more horrible it's in yellow. Reminded me of ketchup and mustard. Did it make me want to go in? Nope, I strolled right by- amd it doesn't look like anyone else is in there either. Yellow signs on everything!

i bet they wanted to write "hello SALE" then decided against it. look at those hanging sale letters...wow.

LIFE: sf fashion and merchants alliance event

grape-ape legs leaving the event with norma and nikol

Last week I went to a networking event put on by the San Francisco Fashion and Merchants Alliance. (whew that's a long name). It was a great time at a super cozy spot- The Otis Lounge- and I had a great time getting to know some SF industry insiders (spent time talking, so no pics for you!) There are talks of a revived SF fashion week...we'll see- but love the enthusiasm!

I'll just blame it on the flash though...I'm pretty sure (or at least hope) my legs weren't this purpley in real-life. Very barneyesque...!

WANT: warm legs...plush apparel

photo: plush apparel

Damn I'm too late. I know, I know...I already told all of you about my challenge, so no- I'm not going to get these...but an extra-cold Christmas in DC had me searching for a suitable alternative to my thin skinned staples- leggings and tights. I knew someone (probably an east-coaster) HAD to have had that thought before, and set out in search of some kind of go-to...be it techno thermal tights or something like that. I scoured the web and came across Plush Apparel. Designer Jennifer Kim must have read my mind (or rather, was a few steps ahead of me) when she came up with her fleece-lined collection.

fleece lining!

I've been sitting on this link for over a week...and unfortunately lagged a bit too long as Daily Candy just posted on it the other day. Oh well. Just know you (could have) had it here first!

I haven't seen any of these pieces in person yet, but I think it's just genius. I'm already making my mental shopping list for when my go-to pieces start to wear out and need replacing (or if I make another trip east before the snow clears!). I have my eye on the full tights and leggings. And add those mesh leggings as soon as my new-year's gym resolution kicks in too. Love the beanie too!

INSPIRATION: geico

Doesn't this car look like a gecko? Maybe something that doesn't work so well as car-design inspiration...
and um...yah...I'm not taking a pic while driving on the 405 freeway...no...that's not me....

INSPIRATION: wreecycling wrapping

tin towers and assorted colors

It's Christmas-time! Well, this post is a bit later than I would have liked, but I wanted to show off my edible "recycled" gifts for this year. I felt the need to pat myself on the back for such creative packaging, and hopefully you find it at least cute...

I took random empty tins from around the house (Japanese sweets tend to come in tins) and boxed up an assortment of chocolate and ginger cookies...and topped it off with a multifunction bow- rubber bands both hold the tin securely together and also make up the "ribbon" bow on top, all collected from random newspapers and vegetables. I especially liked the blue-on-blue bows!