since you asked.....

This is my holiday "dress." (Center, coral.)

I've been lusting after Raquel Allegra for three or four years now.... ever since I saw one of her tie-dyed dresses in the window at the old Mohawk General Store. (Which was on Mohawk, incidentally.) That dress used to torment me. It was so well lit, and so gorgeously ACID GREEN, I could see it from my car every time I drove by.

So you'd better believe I snatched this one up when I found it at Wasteland last week. NWT, people!!

Did I just turn into one of those assholes who brags about her resale finds? Oh well.


p.s. The model seems to be rocking it with some sort of leggins (not to be confused with "legginGs") but I think I'll go with jeans. That shit is SHEER.

Where should I shop for my HS Reunion?

Dear ESB,

My 10 year high school reunion is in the fall. I'm really excited to go. I actually liked most of the people I went to school with and because I was a major nerd in HS, I like to think I've grown at least slightly cooler over the last 10 years. Also I came from a tiny cold New England town and now I live in gorgeous, fascinating, lively Los Angeles. 

I'm thinking about my reunion outfit already, and would really appreciate any recommendations for local shops where I could find something unique that reflects my deep love for my adopted hometown. So where should I go to shop local and get a lovely outfit? I know there are probably billions of places I just have no idea about. I'm usually a shirtdress, wide belt, leggings and leather boots kind of girl, if that gives any guidance, but I'm open to ideas.

Also as an open ended question for the commenters, what are the grossest reunion outfits? What screams, "trying too hard?" What looks fabulous?

I promise to send a picture if I end up with something from a local store and let you guys tell me all the mistakes I made!

*****

Yikes, I almost blew this one.

I say go try on dresses at Mohawk General Store (see above) in Silver Lake, or Steven Alan (see below), which has locations in Venice, West Hollywood and Los Feliz.*

Or check out Wasteland, if you've got time to dig. (I tend to frequent the Melrose store, but there are two more, in Santa Monica and Studio City.)

The key is to looking/feeling fabulous is to find a really great version of what you usually wear. 

I.E. Don't rock sequins + heels if you're a shirtdress + boots kind of girl. You don't want to feel like a fraud, you want to feel like yourself. Only... Better.

______________________________

*Steven Alan originated in NYC, but whatever.

happy thursballz!

Don't hate me for saying so, but I could rly use an extra day this week.

I'm script-suping on a six-day shoot starting tomorrow, and next Thursday we leave for Vancouver (WOOT!) Not sure when I'll find the time to scour Wasteland for new (old) t-shirts.

Anyhoo.

There's a scandalous new Dear ESB up on 100LC for you. SCANDALOUS. I'm not exaggerating.

The lovely Kristina even used the word "wh-re" when I sent it to her. I know.

Photo: Kim Noorda by Viktor Vauthier for Tank Fall 2011 via Fashion Gone Rogue

meet my summer wardrobe

I've been talking about buying white jeans for years. This cropped pair from the Gap (via Refinery29) might actually work for me.

"with the granny sandals" says Rob.

EXACTLY, Rob. Exactly.

With the (ahem) vintage Famolares I bought for $24 at Wasteland. No Urban Outfitters grannies for me.

p.s. I finally got a look at the Bass sandals (or a version of them) at the outlet mall the other day. UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGLY. No idea why I was obsessed.

What should my officiant wear??

Hi ESB,

My best friend M is marrying my FH and me in October and we are trying to decide what he should wear to perform the ceremony. FH is wearing a gray suit and I am wearing an off-white vintage dress. What do you think of M wearing a light blue suit (like a vintage blue color)? Or maybe dress pants, vest, tie and sneaks? The wedding is cocktail casual, I think light blue and gray and off white would look nice all together.

You have any ideas on where I should look? We are on a budget too, of course.

Thanks!!
xo

*****

NO VEST + TIE WITHOUT A JACKET. Not a fan. Never been a fan.

It'll just make M look like a) he forgot his jacket or b) he was too cheap to buy one.

Focus on finding a great suit that fits. Who gives a sh*t what color it is?

I highly recommend Wasteland for second-hand suit shopping. (We bought H's Jil Sander there for about $200.)

The Flashdance, who is always well turned-out, swears by Jake Vintage: "like an episode of mad men. the main dude there, jonathan, is a fucking gem."

Photo of Jon Hamm courtesy of Best Life Magazine

want vs. need

Spending time on the blogs makes me want things. And I can't help blogging about the things I want. (Or the things I want other people to want.) It's a vicious cycle.

Yesterday I left home two hours before my hair appointment just so I could go to Wasteland. I escaped without spending my own money, but not before I did a little personal shopping for Christina. Sh*t is getting out of hand.

"What's your point?" you ask me. Um.

I think I need to shop my closet again. Try everything on and ebay or Goodwill* anything not worthy of Charlotte Gainsbourg or Liela Moss. How's that for setting the bar high?**

I'll feel calmer when I love everything hanging in my closet, even if it's two pairs of jeans and five t-shirts. Then I can think about whether I really need anything. (Note to self: I have everything I need.)

H-town could not be more supportive of my creative (ie. currently unpaid) projects, but I'm beating myself up about spending money on clothes when we have to pay our car insurance.***

Know what I'm saying?

(Portrait of Charlotte Gainsbourg by Tina Tyrell)

*Can I use "Goodwill" as a verb? I'm gonna do it.

**Okay, I'm exaggerating. I promise I'll also utilize the plastic tubs under the bed, for things like wide-leg jeans that I hate now but might miss in two days.

***I think I feel more guilty coming home with the groceries from Trader Joe's and (oopsy) the skinny jeans I bought at Crossroads when H-town just smiles his ass off and says, "Hot!"

Groom Style: Wing Tips

H-town could seriously rock these with his fedora. I'm not opposed to dress shoes, after all. Just dress shoes with no personality.

Check out 20 more styles on The Upgrader. But be warned: the prices veer toward horrifying. I think we'll be haunting Wasteland.

(Photo: Chris Astley)

Groom Style (Part I)

I found a little inspiration on Wallpaper.... Jil Sander and Burberry Prorsum from Milan Fashion Week, Paul Smith from Paris Fashion Week.

FH and I found his dream suit today for $200 at the West Hollywood Wasteland. It's Jil Sander, and it fits him like a glove. Now we get to think about shirt and tie and shoes!

I've got to give props to West Hollywood. We're die-hard east-siders, but I found my dress at Meg and now here's the suit.

(Images from Wallpaper.)