Viva East L.A. street art!!!

So I was crusin' on my way home one day from work last week near USC, and I nearly flipped a bitch into oncoming traffic because this street art jumped out and said a special hello to my eyeballs.  It is off of Jefferson...near Slauson I think, in the "Arts District" that takes up several blocks of that particular 'hood.  The one on the very top had a web address tagged in the corner that you can go to www.digitalretna.com if you're interested in knowing more about the artist.  As for the rest of them, I wasn't clear...you know the deal by now, if you are/know the artist, holler at me so I can give credit where its due.  

LA street art: Lincoln Blvd and the 10 fwy

The title of this blog post says it all:  This selection of Los Angeles street art is located just before the entrance to the 10 East fwy, off of Lincoln blvd.  Ch-check it out if you're ever by there, its freakin' inspirational.  As always, I suck at reading the tag that tells you who the dang artist is, so, if you know, or are better at reading it than I am, shout it out!!

Totes, Bags n' Satchels With POW!! and Panache

What do I need to say about these lovelies that cannot be communicated through just gazing upon their tremendous beauty?  Ok, I will say that we have a mix of furs, leather, pleather and pure lust going on up in this mix.  Some people get really caught up with notions of what is appropriate for day and night, but I would like to think that with the right attitude, any lady (or dude, because the man-purse is totally IN and forever will be) can sport these with true panache.

In order from top to bottom, I present you with the black Alexander Wang large "Emile" tote, the Marc Jacobs "Quilting" leather bag, the Burberry large black leather hobo, the Proenza Schouler "PST" large satchel, the See By Chloe small party bag, the Asos leather color block satchel and lastly, the Valentino "vavavoom" bag.  All photos credits courtesy of www.shopbop.com, www.asos.com, and www.net-a-porter.com (which coincidentally happens to be where you can purchase them for yourself, if you should be such a lucky gal ;)

A 'Wishful Thinking' List of Fall Fashion

Note the gold sequins smashingly arrayed in a random fashion at the bottom of this Haute Hippie skirt!! (see: above)  Not to mention you can never go wrong with a gold heel, whether your going casual or prowlin' night-owl.

These soft, comfy-sheek corduroy pants by J Brand come in black as well.  Toss on a flowing top from any season and pair with with a structured blazer or jacket such as the A.L.C. number (on the very top of the blog post), and a pointy toed flat, and you've got a no foolin', easy but classic look any day of the week.

Yes indeedy, if I were making mucho bank I would purchase every last one of these little lovelies.  That's why they comprise my 'wishful thinking' list...cuz there sho aint nothing wrong with dreaming :)  I selected a color pallette of browns and blacks because these are colors that can easily be integrated into the brighter palettes that are generally chosen for spring and summer fashion lines (following the theme of previous 'spring into winter' fashion transitions.  So what I'm saying is, don't hide your florals, neons and jewel tones away where they won't get attention until March rolls around again...instead, purchase a couple of key neutral pieces that will tie together what you already own that put a new twist onto your wardrobe so you feel fabulous and new every time you step out the door!

In order from top to bottom- A.L.C. leather jacket; Alice and Olivia pleated leather mini; Haute Hippie embellished mini; J Brand courduroys; Noir jewelry pave bracelet; Rachel Zoe panther print silk maxi dress; Raoul pleated trousers; En Shallah fringe bag in brown suede.  All of the above including the photo credits can be found on one of my all time favorite shopping sites: www.shopbop.com

You might be thinking to yourself...ok so these are brilliant finds but mini's in the fall and winter?  Yes ladies...find yourself an irreverent pair of stockings or knee highs in a deliciously warm wool blend (think black or nude) and pair them with a bright heel with a pop of unexpected color, and accessorize with a punky twist (see the Noir bracelet above) -you'll be well pleased every time you stop to check your reflect' :)

So Help Me, Platforms Are Back!!!

Presenting: illustrious, fantabulous, gut-bustingly funky-fresh platform shoes from one of my all time favorite designers, Jeffrey Campbell!!!  These shoes all come from his 'Lita' line except for the leopard pair of dazzlers who go by the name 'Foxy'.  I am currently trying to work up the gumption to actually purchase a pair and brave the campus of UCLA in high style...but in actuality, I will probably reserve them for late-night foolery.  The 'Lita's' come in dozens of different colors at www.solestruck.com so go check 'em out for that kid-in-a-candy-store feeling.

Take a Dip into the Dye

I've always been a fan of wildly crazy hair colors, like hot hot pink hair and bright blue, etc. The bummer for me is that the amount of bleaching my hair would need to go all out like that would ultimately leave me bald. Then this whole thing about dip-dye hair started and who knows? Maybe it's too fashionable right now to do much with it, but it sure looks purty and fun and easy to do. The best part? When you're done with it, just chop off the bottom few inches of hair, like you're gettin' a trim. No harm done. Here's some photos :

Self-Portraits for Thought

If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera.  ~Lewis Hine

Photography deals exquisitely with appearances, but nothing is what it appears to be.  ~Duane Michals

Photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth which can make them come back again.  ~Henri Cartier-Bresson

I just think it's important to be direct and honest with people about why you're photographing them and what you're doing.  After all, you are taking some of their soul.  ~Mary Ellen Mark

You don't take a photograph, you make it.  ~Ansel Adams

All photos are accurate.  None of them is the truth.  ~Richard Avedon

The goal is not to change your subjects, but for the subject to change the photographer.  ~Author Unknown

And my own:

Los Angeles MOCA: Art in the Streets comprehensive exhibit