TREASURE HUNTING: more mass market shopping

costco finds

I needed to pick up a few things from Costco, and stumbled upon a few unexpected finds in the massive bulk cave. I wouldn't really consider this a break in the challenge (read about it here), since they were basically necessity purchases- check out these deals I scored:

Adidas sport socks- $12 for a 6-pack (instead of 2-pack at the sports store)

Speedo one-piece- $20 (instead of $65 at the sports store)

-because swimming at the gym in a bikini makes me feel a bit uncomfortable

Calvin Klein rib tanks- $14 for a 3-pack, returned to the store since I decided I didn't need them

Okay, so not really quite interesting or post-worthy...just felt like sharing. Was a bit surprised to see some decent brands at Costco...

friends and family at old navy (white/grey-$14, heather blue-$7)

Again, not really anything special, but I took advantage of my discount coupon to pick up a basic much-needed black shirt and saw a few sale cardigans. Just some basic, oversized grandpa cardis I know I'll wrap myself up in often (I've already worn them both!), so they were worth it. And of course, all the more attractive at an additional 30% off. Thanks old navy friend! ;)

LIFE: playing tourist- alcatraz

 ferry from alcatraz to sf

No real fashion here, only a few images that got me thinking. A friend from LA came up to SF for a visit and treated me to a day at Alcatraz. Never been there before, so I experienced it through the new eyes of a tourist. This pic from the bay makes me think of NYC/Long Island ferries and SATC life...

Signs in the gift shop- that for some reason weren't on display in the cell blocks- but maybe I wasn't paying the best attention. Ironic, isn't it? The worst prisoners of their day were entitled to more benefits than a normal, law-abiding citizen is now. If you have been "good" and were raised to follow the rules, you are NOT entitled to any of the above- especially food, clothing, shelter, or medical attention. You're left to fend for yourself, however you may come across these life necessities. If you're that desperate, maybe you should just break the law...

REGULATION #20: RECREATION

As a general rule, you will work eight hours a day, 

five days a week, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays 

devoted to recreation.

REGULATION #33: DINING ROOM RULES

Meals are served three times a day in the dining room. 

Do not exceed the ration. Do not waste food.

REGULATION #21: WORK

You are required to work
at whatever you are told to do.

I guess prison is really supposed to be where you learn how to readjust to living among the rest of society. Based on these regulations, I can't quite tell how prison is much different from the life of most law-abiding citizens. Should I really be scared then about committing a crime or being sent to jail??

I guess for convicted sociopaths, living life just like every one else is torture enough.

(UN)INSPIRATION: studying tthe past

Sometimes designers revisit the past to create for the future.

Sometimes they shouldn't.

Sometimes people shouldn't buy things, even if they're in stores.

Sometimes some things need to be buried.

I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw this top at Nordstrom the other day. It has a full on built in T-SHIRT TIE. Do you remember those?? I do. They should have all been burned.

LIFE: google play and inhabitat

image: inhabitat

When I logged into my google reader today, I clicked on the link for the new google play. I'm still a bit behind and trying to figure out what this whole "following people" thing. Have NO IDEA how that works or what it is...so I just ignore- but a bit strange when I get notifications that people are following me (and not my blog). So yes...some other newfangled feature thingie for google. I clicked on it...and was delightfully surprised!

I was brought to a link for Inhabitat, a design blog/zine- and an inspiring story on reverse graffiti. Isn't that cool? The above image is really the cleaned space from a very dirty wall. Hopefully google play doesn't take everyone to the same links, or I guess this story will be moot and blogged to death. But here's to hoping it's a link *really* handpicked just for me.... yeah, right. Enjoy!

TREASURE HUNTING: mini purses!

image: life

In a sea of ordinary, it takes a critical and editing eye to spot the pearls through the grains of sand.

Inundated with mass-marketed apparel and accessories, it is a very fine line that separates great personal style from a fleeting trend. On one hand, great personal style is built upon details and cuts that suit your unique taste and personality- but cross a bit too far over into "unique," and you could have a dated trend on your hands.

This weekend I was window browsing (not even window shopping!) at a local ho-hum Macys, checking to see if there were any hidden gems at insanely low clearance prices. Super deals weren't to be found- or maybe my resolve to THE CHALLENGE has enabled me to hold out on unnecessary purchases.

Though mini cross-body bags have been something of a trend the past year or two, I am always on the lookout for something small with great detailing- and maybe some hardware- to punctuate my outfit. There tons of long-strapped small bags around- and in the Macy's purse section, everything looked just a bit too mom...or rather, sensible. In this setting, it was pretty hard to even find anything remotely attractive. I had scary flashbacks to one of my "first" purses, an oval-shaped Esprit cross-body with a medium brown leather strap and plaid leather body. (yes, plaid).

I spied a springy pea-colored bag and took a few fun pics with it- not too bad, right? I could make it work...

Definitely not IN LOVE with it to break my challenge. Maaaaybe if I saw one of these at Macy's prices, I'd defintely bite. I'd be stupid not to.

 Lanvin at Second City

alexander wang at opening ceremony

Linea Pelle at Bloomies

STYLED: The Pack

 me with The Pack, minus LilB. (Lil Uno, Me, 2800Stunnaman, Young L)

A while ago I had the opportunity to style an album shoot with Shane Nash and The Pack . Here are a few pics with the guys. Enjoy!

INSPIRATION: warm fuzzies!

 by boobookittyfuck

Yay! I've been tagged with a Kreative Blog Award from pretty little thieves! I feel so honored! :)
The rules: Reveal 7 random things about myself, and pass it on to 7 other creative bloggers. Here goes:

1. I like to eat my meals in perfect bites every time, and ration all the things on my plate to last the entire meal. (unless i don't really like something, then i'll try to eat it first)

2. I am a secret nerd and love science museums (well, along with history and art as well). I grew up reading Encyclopedia Brown mysteries and dreaming of being Sally. I used to want to be a marine biologist, but mostly because I love the ocean.

3. I LOVE traveling and spent 12 months backpacking through South East Asia, Australia, and Europe solo.

4. I don't like egg yolks. (or liver...but trying to train myself so I can graduate to the next level of foodie...)

5. I am a certified night owl, and am completely nocturnal if left up to my own devices. Sometimes the OPTION of staying up late or going to bed is comepletely out of my hands, and I just CAN'T sleep early.

6. I love reading magazines cover to cover- even the "filler" stories. (shhh...even Good Housekeeping....you can learn a lot of useful information that way!)

7. I am fairly extreme, and my approach to life is "all or nothing." Because of this, I have played 4 musical instruments throughout my childhood, and haven't touched a single one since college!

fun! hope you enjoyed...and I give this award to:

camille yvette

knit kicks

blushing ambition

 too many tights!

words

cheap jap

one of 365

Enjoy!