the fashion void that is DC

So I was just having a conversation about gift giving, which tangentially reminded me that it's been a while since I've expressed my insatiable lust for material goods. Even though I don't believe in the holiday season starting until Black Friday. However, I am also avoiding work.

As usual, Etsy is a swirling instigator of said lust. Mostly for some of the in-sane vintage shoe selections some sellers have out right now. Check out these animal-print beauties:



All from James Rowland Shop. Rather pricey, but. Incredible. The whole shop is extremely covetable; these are the kinds of sellers that make me wonder where they pick their goods up in the first place.



Left: Zebra fur print, pointed toe, winkle picker style from Time Echo Vintage. Pretty much everything I could ever want from a shoe. I'd possibly be getting out my credit card now if they were in my size. Damn every shoe-that-is-not-my-size. *shakes fist*

Right: Not always a fan of slip-ons, but these lacy doily ones from seller GoodEye are bizarrely appealing. I don't know, maybe because they remind me of these embellished Keds I saw a while ago in a Baltmore vintage store. There's something endearing about hand-made doilies and beading on shoes.

But let's move away from shoes for now. I think most of the blogosphere knows of Yokoo, though I've never brought up her knitting majesty.



Her hats and scarves remind me that it will, one day indeed, get cold around here, even though right now it's friggin' 70 degrees in November. Mmm, Sweetheart Chain... chain link knit scarves are still all the rage, at least in my mind.

And finally, I ganked this from Kingdom of Style -- as a graphic design major, I am emotionally obligated to be attracted to this helvetica necklace:



Oh, the design world's most blessed and cursed typeface. I don't know how I feel about the letters being so kerned together, however.

...Or not. Regardless, I'm killing time with or without the illusion of consequence.

Sooo I was perusin' this post on Fashionista.com about Benetton. In that "why the hell not vein", I usually check out their seasonal releases because every season, they manage to employ an advertising trick that makes their clothes look appealing.



They just make really effective styling choices. Like these nudes and neutrals with neon pink. Arggg, neutrals and neon. And knit!



On the left, diggin' the quilted sleeves, reminds me of Phi F/W '07 (I'd say with this, it's almost straying into rip-off territory, actually...)

On the right, I feel like neon shiny puffer jackets are generally a Bad Choice in real life, but they just styled this one here so damn appealingly. It makes me wonder why I don't have a grey knee-length knit skirt yet. Indeed, why not.

And on the subject of appealing:



I know Benetton often tries to be controversial in their ads, but I don't think they deliberately went for it in these two (separate) ads. I mean, they're delightful...

While we're STILL on the subject, might as well throw in a couple more coveting things:



SO DELICIOUS LOOKING. Flavored marshmallows... I think it's the cube shape that gets me. They could be viewed as soap or blocks of tofu, which makes them look more delicious to me. Because I love eating soap and blocks of tofu. From Mia Mallows.

Also:



SO... EDIBLE LOOKING? Looks like crumbled pie crust. Oh, right and it's also constructed beautifully. From Crutch.

If you've made it this far down the page, congratulations. Your reward is helping me with this poll. Unfortunately, it's hard to make a poll without feeling snobby... regardless.

I've recently confirmed that I'm going to study abroad in Florence, Italy next semester. Yep, next year the title of this blog will become even more irrelevant.

Anyways, my current school bag is a sad sight to behold, and I'd very much like to look for a new one. I'm wondering, though, if I should try to look around heres (which I have been.. for half a year) for a big bag, or wait 'til I get to Italy, the "place where there are bags everywhere" apparently. If you've been to Italy and know of these things, I'd love to hear your comments. And another thing: I'd probably be magically more willing to drop dolla billz on a bag abroad. Nonetheless:

Should I try to find a bag before I go to Florence or should I eff that and wait til I get there?
	Get one here
	Get one there
	Neither; just pray
	One can never have enough bags.
pollcode.com free polls

Not the most ideal topic for a first poll, but hey~!

A place where you can find the likes of these shoes online:



Glitter, goth, animal print, wincklepickers -- apparently Fantasy Shoes carries all these, in many different sizes and colors. Has anyone ordered from this site and knows it's legit? Because this might be.... the ultimate shoe paradise(tm). My awe can only be expressed in short sentences and periods. Holy crap.

To expand this post a bit more, here are a few other things that seem too good for the realms of the Internet:



The bag on the left is from Etsy seller de Lacy -- studded, deconstructed majesty. True, I may be falling prey to the studding/deconstruction that is EVERYWHERE, but de Lacy's work is really the cream of the crop. Doesn't help that I've been looking for a new school bag since the last two have fallen apart and am extremely tempted to blow all the money I've collected over the summer on this.

And on the subject of pretending to need things, I had a wallet scare for the past few days. It's since been found, but all in the meanwhile I had sick fantasies of investing in a Martin Margiela wallet on the left, with accompanying shark tooth coin purse. Oh, the simplicity. Oh, the rough, holographic silver sheen. Oh, I need to shut up now.

I know I'm way late in mentioning this, but, this post from Godammit contains the sort of Internet wankfest I thought only existed amongst the secretions of 4chan (NSFW), Harry Potter shipping wars and Anne Rice. Good to know it's crossed over into style blogging! Well, rather, good to know that wanksplosions transcend demographic boundaries.

Essentially, the author of the post asked readers to reveal their opinions on blogs they hated, didn't get, was jealous of, etc. What happened in the comments was a flame war between some big gun bloggers (and an anonymous commenter that turned out to be one of the bloggers many say they hated -- one of the best features of wank), disgruntled readers and everyone in between.

Here's the exchange between the anon, "a reader" (who was really Judy Aldridge of the popular Atlantis Home) and the owner of the site, with my comments in red (this is totally unnecessary, but I liked pasting together comments and wanted an excuse to test drive my old tablet on this computer):



And here are some other classy comments:



In other words, it was amazing. Seems like the opinions of many bloggers and readers held back finally surfaced with this post. Like why so many blogs had the the same boring outfit styling for each day and still got a gazillion daily hits and that it was infuriating when bloggers just posted about the designer crap they bought and then wore out to luncheon or something. I fully admit, nay, emphasize, that I am also one of those boring outfit-a-day blogs. Still, in the end, no one's forcing anyone to read anything, so what does it matter?

Anyways. Now to not make this post just a text-fest, let's veer off in a completely different direction! Here are some more things I shamelessly pulled from other peoples' blogs:

I'm attracted to these disturbingly kitschy fake-watch-bracelet things and these cosmetic pouches featuring creepy looking girl faces:



Susie Bubble said they reminded her of Maruko-chan, a cartoon I watched on Taiwanese Cartoon Network, so I'm thinking that's part of the appeal. Also the seller's name is Wahaha. That is also the name of a water bottle company in China... I drank Wa Ha Ha Rave Party Water. That just about seals the deal for me.

And from Fur Coat, No Knickers -- I don't know how comfortable men's espadrilles are, but these from The String Republic are pretty sick:



Trompe l'oeil espadrilles! The image of brogues or sneakers are painted on. Pretty much the perfect men's summer shoe. Slide on, too! Too bad they only come in men's sizes...... ... .. *trail off*

**Whoops, it seems the blog has seen a bit of neglect lately. In my defense: 3 days of boring outfits + 1 day where I flat-out forgot. Whoops again. This week will be....... different!?!? Anyways, on to the subject on this post.**

I think we're in fair due for another self-indulgent coveting post. I've come to realize that all the crap I want now is pretty much the same as the crap I've wanted before but never got. The list piles on forever, until I finally devolve into a maelstrom of endless greed.

I mean, not that I'm not one now, but it's fun to put it that way. For instance:




#1) American Apparel disco slut bike shorts last January; rainbow disco slut shorts plus other random tight things now. I suppose I could never shake that disco slut feeling.



#2) Panelled stuff. Of course, my horrible DIY came way before James Lillis and his leggings label Black Milk came under my radar. I've been using broke-ness as an excuse to not get his amazing Silver Spartans, but come birthday (aka gaining money) time -- NO MORE. jL, I am coming for you.



#3) THIS skirt from Peeps. I think this post is quickly turning into the Universal Blogger Covet Post (tm). Admittedly, the rope, harness + grommet trim, zipper and floral fabric pretty much pushes all the ubiquitous buttons. My excuse is that I have no pencil skirts anyways (seriously! ....Seriously..!)



#4) THE friggin' Slow and Steady Wins the Race sunglasses, particularly the hinge and the circle frame square lens types. I think I wanted these when everyone else was talking about them a half a year ago -- though whereas people either dropped $100 for them or got over it, I lingered on like the lingering thing I am.



Anyways, lastly, and most agonizingly, HEADPIECES BLAAGH. So vaguely affordable, so many options, and hence so much indecision. My internal monologue, starting top left and going clockwise:

a) See, if these pink headphone-shaped things really were headphones, I would not hesitate. And so... do I really want non-functional, hot pink sea-anemone-like growths coming out both sides of my head? Yes...!?!?

b) Urban Outfitters always has some vaguely desirable crap, but headpieces and mass-retail-that-is-not-dastardly-cheap just... leaves a bad taste...

c) Okay, the seller's on vacation right now, but um. Yeah, money.

d) Spiky pink lacy mini hat. See above comment. Bite tongue.



On a separate-but-really-quite-similar-note, it's that time of year again. The time of year where, up until now, I'm all satisfied with summer and whatnot -- until Teen Vogue and their damn back-to-school editorials start rolling around. And hence the count towards fall season begins again, premature and agonizing.

In particular, their ed "New Balance", in the recent August issue. Sorry for the follow crappy camera pics:





On top of the outstanding styling as usual, check the shoes. Oh, the shoes! I remember Queen Michelle talking about winklepickers some time ago and being taken by the pointy toe, but the Teen Vogue ed really sold them to me. Especially in bright blue and orange. Bright blue and orange...



Hence I was disappointed that the winklepicker carrying e-shop Underground England had only these two colorful options. Still, blue or gold, here I (eventually) come. Hopefully the availability of the shoes online isn't as spotty as QM described.

...I should re-title this post "The Post of Pain" because that's all it's bringing me.

Unless otherwise stated, images belong to respective web sites

...When my eBay watch list is comprised of this:



Sellers, 1st row (L to R): the family vintage, doorag24

2nd row: FUNKIN JUNKIE, holmesisdope, Style Rookie (good cause!), Kingston Avenue Vintage

3rd row: Oou Vintage, DJ Sales

Nope, not sure at all.

Due to further camera difficulties (read: forgetting memory card AGAIN WHAT THE EFF), have an assorted random post instead! Apologies if I've spoiled your secret eBay picks, but hey, I put my own bidding strategy on the line to "spread da love" -- so to speak.

On a completely different matter, anyone out there a fan of typography? ......*crickets* Wellll, in case anyone's curious of my "professional interests", here is the graphic design project that I've been periodically complaining about and FINALLY finished last Monday. It's a 24-page booklet on the typeface "Akzidenz Grotesk". Have no idea what that is? Here's the front and back cover:



Perhaps one might endeavor to read all about it? Oooor not, since the writing is really bad and there are typos littered about (I wrote it in one go at 3 am, okay?!) For all the non-snooping-around people, that links to my "personal" homepage/portfolio, where basically I throw up all my school projects and shiz. Oh man, now I'm really putting myself out there.

Oh, and before I galumph away into the sunset, here is a link to my robust list of vintage/consignment/thrift shops in the DC area. Because I realize, based on the e-mails I've been getting, that new readers are not aware of it! Well, there it is. Freshly updated and everything! Hopefully it's been coming in use for some people.

Since I didn't really have the time to post last weekend, this post shall be a hodge-podge of topics.

First off, reach back in time... Daily Wear 3.20 (last Friday):



This doesn't really warrant its own post 'cuz, well. I took a walk of shame the day before because I slept over at a friend's house. So after dragging my unwashed, disheveled body to the store in last night's clothes, I just decided to change into whatever the store had to offer. So, um. I guess this is also an advertisement for what the store has to offer?

Next up, last Sunday, as I was driving to Nordstrom Rack in Gaithersburg, I noticed a guy holding a sign saying "THRIFT STORE, 2ND LEFT". Talk about simple, effective advertising. Obviously I had to check it out, and it turned out to be Life4Animals, a charity thrift shop for, well, animals.



Truth be told, I had visited the place once before but did not blog about it because I was too lazy/unimpressed the the stock at the time. But boy, that day's goods sure hit the spot.

Along with the acid wash denim jacket, pink crochet vest and polka dot suit I bought there (which... I all wore on Monday), I also got this tuxedo-style houndstooth blazer:



Love the double-breasted-ness. The total turned out to be less than $20. In addition, I found this jacket/top appealing:



My mom said it was very "Dynasty", but it did manage to suit me quite appropriately. Didn't get it though.

In conclusion! Here is a neat Etsy seller.

Pinkpurse has some FABULOUS ornate neckpieces and other embellished jewelry. So very costumey, whimsical and robust. If I weren't broke enough to only have money to blow on cheap thrift stuff, I would cough it up for these pieces:



'Nuff said.

YSL manifesto eBay search results:



Not that this isn't customary, but these prices on eBay vs. giving it out free on the streets... bah.

I live on flash drives... I wanna be one of the cool kids... I need this in my life... noooooo.....



*futile hand-grabby motions*

image via aforementioned source

Although it pains me somewhat to be writing such a "dur hur hur" post about, well, the boring 'ol high street, it must be done. Or rather, I feel compelled to do it. Because the stock right now in these stores are essentially a mish mash of Alex Wang/Balmain/blogosphere, so it's actually quite amusing. And, dare I say, *gulp* covetable?

For instance, Bebe, land of (allegedly) hoochie-mama ensembles. I usually walk by that place without batting an eyelash, but the store's interior caught my eye...



Ripped, bleached jeans? Slouchy boyfriend blazers? Neutral color palette? Check, check and check.



The jeans were a bit of a joke, but that blazer really was nice.



And these leather vests. They also had a bunch of garments which were essentially large pieces of fabric with various head/arm holes cut out (read: endless experimentation). Surprising to me because I always thought they specialized in the, uh, skintight. Not that they didn't have their share of Herve Leger knock-offs.

And then I remembered that Bebe is unreasonably expensive, so nevermind that.

Second surprising perpetrator: Forever 21. Actually, not really, since blatant copying is their thang. And given the ease of knocking off aforementioned pieces of fabric with holes, there were tons of it. Abounds. And strangely appealing, at that.



Not to mention "fur" vests and paillets, which further pushed my "style" buttons. I caved in the end and bought the drape dress on the left (which I tied into a top in the photo), and it's endlessly versatile.

More caving: these bracelets:



I realize I barely have any large jewelry. Must remedy. Randomly eyeing these on the web site, as well:


source: F21.com

Some explanations: the moccasins? Boring at first sight, but look again? I am internally conflicted about these studded ones. On one hand, they are trendy beyond belief (I mean this in a bad way). On the other, I kind of like it? I don't know.

And that headband. I feel if I had bleach blonde hair and a pixie cut, it would look cute-ly quirky. Otherwise, it looks kind of off in my current hairstyle. Oh well.

I will close this post with pictures of Cheap Mondays. I am about to cave into both these pairs: halp.


Left: eBay, right: UO.

Many, many chances, I'd say. I'm referring, of course, to Second Chance in Bethesda, the #1 (in my opinion) eye candy secondhand shop in the DC area, clothes-wise. I don't go there very often, since it is a bit of a walk from the Metro, but when I do I always marvel at their amazing selection. On top of the "typical" brands, like St. John, Chanel, Armani, etc, they've even got hard-to-find Japanese designers like Junya for Comme and Yohji. Among many other labels, of course.

They are usually very expensive, but when I walked in a few days ago they were having a maaassive sale. As in, most items $50, with a section of $10 shoes. I only have a few pictures, but...



If I had to throw it all away, I wouldn't mind dressing like this forever. The white, loose blouse was incredible, it had loose knit patchy sections similar to Rodarte knits throughout... it was some Japanese label I can't recall. And, of course, the Donna Karan leather pants. I felt so light and comfortable wearing this. I did NOT get the top, however, because it was $40 as opposed to the $30. I felt it was odd to have to pay more for a top than.. leather pants. I'm kind of regretting now, though.

In the end, I also got these Sergio Rossi heels:





They are just gorg in real life. Cream-ish leather, pointy toe, mirrored spike heel, only $10! I've always avoided wearing heels regularly like the plague due to fear of, uh, making a fool out of myself, but with these I might just give it a try.

And if you're a dude, take note, because they've got some amazing shoes for you, too:



In particular, the grey, patent leather pointy toed ones are just incredible. If I were a guy, I would've snapped it up immediately. These shoes just reminded me that I have no grey footwear. Must remedy this. The shoes are possibly gone by now, but it doesn't hurt to take a look at the fine men's goods they have to offer.