Posts from — March 2011

With my recent Coachella crushing, my 70s fashion radar is in full force.  I am loving the sweet hippie-inspired embroidered detail on jackets, dresses, and bags.  These embroidered designs and the clothes they are featured on are often referred to as Mexican or peasant blouses and peasant dresses.

Years ago, I found this sweet white embroidered peasant dress in my second closet.  The dress was one of my mom’s favorites back in the early 70s.  The dress hit at about mid-calf and the sleeves were puckered (very puckered.)  Over the years I have tried (and failed) to make this look work for me – belt on, belt off, over jeans, with a grandpa sweater, as a swimsuit cover-up, as a “Valley of the Dolls” reenactment costume – but try as I might I looked like a cross between Strawberry Shortcake (and not the new thin-ish version of SS – which I find totally obnoxious, but I will rant about that another day) and a nun on holiday. I should note here that my mom weighed 87 pounds in high school and her cheer skirt makes an adorable bracelet on me.

I have a point here.  It is that, I like the idea of a hippie embroidered bucket bag or tailored jacket over the mumu house-dress any day.  Kudos to fashion evolving.

{images a la who is alibaba; tumblr; and california closet}

I’m swooning over these gorgeous patterned steps.  Wallpapering each and every strip of step would probably be tough, but these steps might be a great stenciling project!

{images a la apartment therapy; momoy; dreams and jeans; and my french obsession}

The ornamental framework featured in this old spread in Elle Decor is stunning, from the cut-out detail along the walls, french doors, and even the window frames.  The Moroccan inspiration is so unique and the latticework adds so much light to the rooms.  These decor layouts are oozing with Moroccan influence, but a summer house with the simple touch of Moroccan lattice french doors or a lattice window frame – so ornate.

{images a la Simply Seductive; via Elle Decor}

I have a borderline unhealthy obsession with spikes and studs.  It began a long long long time ago when I discovered sticking thumb tacks into the heavy soles of my doc martens.  And then came the Bedazzler.  It was all downhill from there.

{images a la high heels and hangovers}

Also, if anyone knows the whereabouts of that fabulous spike-studded Iphone case, holler.  (Yes, I’m aware that the cell phone could become a weapon, and my own worst enemy, but oh how I love those spikes.  Rock on.)

Can someone please get married, wear this fabulous dress, and send pictures my way?  K, thanks.

BCBGMAXAZRIA Layered Organza Gown, $1,048

Nutritionists will tell you that the best way to kick-start a diet is to write down everything you eat.  The mantra – calories in, calories out.  But what if I consume 1100 calories of junk?  Can I lose weight eating 6 cashews, 2 jello puddings, a red jelly bean and a purple jelly bean, Special K bars, and a few pathetic excuses for meals?  Whenever I write down what I eat, I hear myself repeating Cher’s words …

“I feel like such a heifer. I had two bowls of Special K, 3 pieces of turkey bacon, a handful of popcorn, 5 peanut butter M&M’s and like 3 pieces of licorice.” Cher, Clueless

I eat like a bird, and not in that posh skinny way that thin people repeat, “Oh, I’m rarely hungry.”  I’m always hungry.  Stress, break-ups, and viral pandemics don’t get me down – still hungry.  But I snack.  I can eat anything in quarter-cup portions.  Is that weird?

Why are some people so committed when they go on diets?  Do they have a diet gene that I am lacking?  My diets last on average three days – on the first day I complain but mostly stick to plan, on day two I cheat once (twice), and on day three I eat a cup of applesauce, trail mix, two string cheese sticks, and a half box of Honey Bunches of Oats.  Maybe because I was always “commitment girl,” I used up all of my commitment quotient on boys … no room for kale and quinoa.  That solves it.  I think I’ll reward myself with one and a half twizzlers (I subtracted a half because I’m committing.)

{image a la vodka in teacups}