i ain't nothin' but a nasty gal now, a-hey hey

I have nothing but good things to say about Nasty Gal. Whether they're providing me with the coolest styles of clothes and accessories, or giving me a tutorial on how to do the perfect smoky eye, Nasty Gal has always been good to me. I find their lookbooks to be extremely inspirational for my personal style - they're always such a lovely mix of trendy edge and vintage wonder.
Here are a collection of my favorite images from their past few lookbooks:

Photos: from Nasty Gal
Title: from "Nasty Gal" (Betty Davis)

be sure to wear some flowers in your hair

I am having a lot of fun in Photo Booth these days. Here is a look at my outfit today, well my outfit from the neck up. The ivory lace high-neck blouse is a recent purchase from Zara. The garland is a chiffon flower headband by Jane Tran. The details are kind of hard to see in the pictures, but it's a stunning piece. Not visible are a pair of blue skinny jeans, a silver feather wraparound cuff from Free People, and classic brown Frye boots. 

In the background you can see my stunning (sarcasm) cork board of recent magazine clippings to brighten up my room. It was much needed - those bare white walls made me feel like I was going mad!

a real bang up job

I've long had an obsession with bangs, or 'fringe' as they say here in the UK. Last year I took the plunge and gave myself bangs - a decision born out of the stress of exams week at university. I immediately regretted the decision (the decision to use eyebrow scissors and Fiskars as my hairstyling instruments wasn't my finest choice) and pushed the bangs off of my face for the ensuing weeks until my hair grew out enough to push behind my ears in embarrassment.
I have been feeling an itch in recent weeks to do something different - I am contemplating Debbie Harry levels of blondeness or going back to my tried and true ombre look. It was Friday morning when I was scrolling through pictures of Taylor Swift in a recent issue of Vogue that I decided what my change would be: I would get good and proper fringe.
I went to the Rush Salon on Oxford Street after begging to come in for a lunchtime appointment. Upon arrival, I sat down in a comfy swivel chair while my stylist Georgia and I discussed what I wanted. I desired something thick but not heavy across my forehead - something that could be worn messy and wavy as well as stick straight. I told her about my Taylor Swift revelation and showed her pictures of Emma Stone, Kate Moss, Felicity Jones and Zooey Deschanel that I pulled up on my iPhone.
After twenty minutes and inches and inches of hair had fallen to the floor, I had myself a new pair of bangs. I had mixed feelings - on the one hand I loved them because they were fun and edgy, on the other hand I didn't know how to style them nor did I think I had the confidence to pull them off. I am still struggling with styling them - I am trying to do sideswept bangs, braids, and the full-on blunt fringe look, but I still get a little nervous going out into public with the full-on bang look. I'm sure it will come with time - everything takes some time to get used to, at least for me. But hey, I'm having fun taking modeling pics of myself on Photo Booth.

The inspiration: 

The result:

I am kind of obsessed with my fringe at the moment, especially when I am by myself in the bathroom primping, but I lack the confidence to really own them when I go out in public. Does anyone with fringe have any tips or suggestions for a newly banged person such as myself? 

don't let another day go by my love, it'll be just like starting over

This is my first outfit post in quite a while, but I think I am turning over a new leaf ... yet again. It seems like every time I do an outfit post, it's accompanied by a promise to do more of them. Well, now seems as good a time as any to try the whole personal style section thing again. With the help of my trust friend / newly-annointed fashion photog Meg (she made a cameo on the site two posts ago), I am vowing to feature more personal style on the site. 

I look a bit grubby, so please ignore my face and hair. The ivory chiffon top is a beautiful piece by Lily. J that I picked up on Saturday when I visited Camden Market. I really love Lily J. - it's all tremendously girlish and lovely, in soft pinks and whites. The pieces remind me of The Virgin Suicides meets Picnic at Hanging Rock. 

The cream top underneath is actually a nightgown that I purchased from Urban Outfitters a few years ago - I love the delicate details around the neck and hem. The blue jeggings are by Hue and the brown boots are by Frye. The earrings are White House Black Market (I purchased them when I was in the eighth grade), the silver bracelet is Tiffanys, the rings are vintage and my class ring, and the silver star necklace is by Dogeared. 

Title: from "Just Like Starting Over" (John Lennon)

rebel, rebel

Well, my goal to take more personal style pictures back in August failed in a royal way. But it's never too late for a fresh start here so I am re-claiming that resolution and vow from now forward to do more outfit posts. Sorry to those who thought my brief stint in modeling was over, now it's back with a vengeance! 

Here is my outfit for a casual Sunday consisting of the library and meetings. I love this black maxi skirt I got from Sosie - it's so comfortable and it's so incredibly long that I have to wear it on my ribcage so I don't trip over myself - it's amazing! Anything that threatens potential bodily harm to myself is a must-have piece in my book. The faux-suede cutout top is wonderful as well - perfect for a day of studying. I wear this jacket everywhere I go now - it's perfect for the crisp fall air, and I always feel a little badass while wearing black leather. 

Top - Forever 21, black maxi skirt - Lush, leather motorcycle jacket - Romeo and Juliet Couture, shoes - Sam Edelman, rose gold watch - Michael Kors, earrings - Low Luv x Erin Wasson

why am i always messin' with the big guns?

Being from Texas, I have a natural attraction to guns. You see, I am a real badass (as evidenced by the photo in the top right). Real guns scare me though, so I explore my arms interest through fashion. Pistol necklaces, bullet earrings, and this Betsey Johnson sweater fill my gun need (a blue version of the sweater is available on eBay). I paired my BJ sweater with a pair of my favorite black Hue jeggings and Steve Madden 'Pasport' boots. I love all black outfits - it's my color of choice because, after all, once you go black you never go back.  

Title: from "The Big Guns" (Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins)

piano keys

The green strapless dress is actually a chiffon maxiskirt from American Apparel, belted with a linen Catherine Malandrino belt for more structure. The blazer is a really lightweight boyfriend style by the Gap, worn previously in this post. Shoes are Sam Edelman Kasi wedges in Mineral (available here). My necklace is a piece that I purchased in South Africa a few years ago. It's such a statement piece that I can only wear it with certain outfits, but I love it so much - it reminds me of piano keys. My nail polish color is 'Hot Pepper' by Face Stockholm, available at J.Crew. My lip color is 'Coral' Mango Butter Lipstick by Korres. 

i'm double, i'm single, i'm black, blue and grey

In an effort to vary my outfits from day to day, I want to do more outfit posts so that I'm pressured to create different looks. I know it can't be a daily venture, nor should it considering that it would kind of divert from the focus of this blog, which is first and foremost a celebration of retro women, style, and films. But still, that won't stop me from sharing my outfit on this very lazy Sunday. 

Fringe lace kimono jacket is by ark & co. I bought from Nasty Gal (the one I bought is currently unavailable, but a similar style is available for only $68). Cut-off denim shorts are Levi's 501 Roll-Up style. I'm also wearing a grey Elizabeth and James Mondrian t-shirt - and seriously, it's the softest tee I've ever worn. My grey wedges are by Coclico and are available here, or in blueberry over at Anthropologie's site. And my large beaded necklace is from Urban Outfitters. 

I love the fringe on this super-lightweight jacket. As you can see, I've worn it so many times the rose-patterned lace is beginning to wear out!

Title: from a riddle I still don't understand...

on the beach you'll find them there in the sun and salty air, the girls on the beach

I am gearing up for a trip to the beach next week and I've gotten to thinking about how to survive the ocean. As I've said before I hate the ocean, but this time I'll be there with some friends from university so I'm going to buck up and give the beach a second try. While in the process of doing that, I've started contemplating my beach essentials. 

1. Retro-inspired swimsuits like this one from ModCloth, the 'Bathing Beauty' two-piece in black. I own this swimsuit, as well as the 'Beach Blanket Bingo' one-piece in black with white polka-dots and its two-piece version in red.

2. A wide-brimmed floppy straw hat to keep your eyes and skin shaded from those damaging sun rays.

3. A speaker to play music - I am partial to the Yuen'to Balloon USB portable speaker because it reminds me of a clown's nose. Also the sound is incredible.
4. A good book, like Françoise Sagan's Bonjour Tristesse, which I currently have stashed away in my bag.
5. Cute straw beach bags like this one from Tory Burch.
6. A good sunscreen - I love this Kiehl's Super Fluid formula because it doesn't pill like a lot of other sunblocks out there. And with an SPF of +50 I feel confident that I'm getting good protection.
7. A couple of pairs of oversized sunglasses - the bigger, the better I say! So these sunnies by House of Harlow 1960 more than fit the bill.

Do you have any summertime beach essentials? 

Title: "Girls on the Beach" (Beach Boys)

pretty in pink, isn't she?

The other day I went on a shopping excursion to one of Dallas' premier vintage boutiques, Ahab Bowen. AB is unfortunately going out of business, which is quite bittersweet for me - I love the store to pieces and I am sad to see it go, but I can't resist the insane sales that they've been having the last few days as they clear out their merch. 

I don't know why, but I went totally Molly Ringwald and wore majority pink - which isn't a bad thing. Andie Walsh was a fashion icon! White tank top and pink dolman top are from Forever 21 - they are surprisingly super soft and have held up in the wash without pilling (I let the dolman top airdry, as I do not want a crop top). Brown leather wooden heels from Madewell. Pink blazer is by Audrey 3+1 (also, light blue available at LuLu*s) and has really great scrunched-up sleeves, which is good for a gal like me whose elbows are not cooperative with such sleeve-scrunching matters. Dark wash jeggings are by Sold Design Lab, and have a very convincing denim feeling to them - I think they are my favorite jeggings to date (and I am a jegging aficionado, as my friends know). They are called the "Spring Street Skinny" which is a pretty fab name, and are apparently 'pull on jeans' - not jeggings. My mistake. 

I purchased the necklace years ago in a market in Paris - it's relatively simple and light, which I like about it. It's not too often that I like subtlety in my jewelry. Same with the earrings - I bought them when I was in the seventh grade and they are probably the smallest earrings that I own. 

As usual, I wore my rose gold Cartier Love bracelet, and paired it with a 'Karma' bracelet by Skova Soul and an intricately designed knuckle 'Skylight' ring by Free People. 

These are some of my goodies from Ahab Bowen - a big Kenneth Jay Lane-inspired snake bangle and a glittery over-the-top snake ring. I've been on a snake kick lately - well, I've been on one for years, but it's really flared up this summer. I have to do a post on my absurd collection of serpent jewelry. 

Anyone in the Dallas area ought to stop by Ahab Bowen while they still can - the store closes its doors and takes down its feather boas on Sunday. AB is restocking everyday so there are always more gems to find. If you miss out this week but still want to see some Ahab Bowen goods after Sunday, Dolly Python will be carrying the remainder of the store's merchandise in their store with the label marked 'AB.' 

Title: from "Pretty in Pink" (The Psychedelic Furs)

* I did not choose this song to reference because I think I look pretty and want you to agree ... it's literally the only song I could think of that talks about the color pink * 

yeah i like you, and i'm feeling so bohemian like you

My good friend and fellow blogstress Melissa of Glamoretta and I attended the opening of Club Monaco's first concept boutique (this is for ladies only) in the West Village neighborhood of Dallas last week. The event was hosted by Jane and Judy Aldridge of Sea of Shoes and Atlantis Home, respectively. We looked around at CM's new collection - a gorgeous compilation of sandy-hued dresses, skirts, and blazers - as well as the store's display of vintage sunglasses, jewelry (chosen by designer Vanessa Mooney), Moroccan tote bags, and vintage Chanel purses. The vintage pieces were hand-selected by CM's vintage curator Selima Salaun, who has the most enviable job in the world (imagine being paid to scour French flea markets for fashionable finds). 

It was fun to roam around the store with some of Dallas's most fashionable - I even spotted girls who I went to school with years ago who are now on the social scene!

I wore a dolman-sleeved buttondown by Brandy Melville, tying it at the bottom to show-off the cool layover detailing of my navy blue high-wisted trousers by 3.1 Phillip Lim. My heels and long-strap chain handbag are both by Madewell. My turquoise and feather-charm necklace is from The Gypsy Wagon, which I matched with a silver feather cuff from Free People that I wore as a bangle. I wore a bunch of other bracelets as well, including my rose gold Cartier Love bracelet, snake-faced brass 'Karma' bracelets by Skova Soul, and Ferragamo black leather wraparound bracelet. I also wore my favorite Deco ring and a gold vermeil hammered ring by Soixante Neuf, and Fool's Gold earrings from Urban Outfitters. 

Also (because I know that you all care!) I darkened my hair a bit by adding a bit of red so that it's more strawberry blonde, or what my good friend Liz calls 'blinge'. I like it a lot - it's different from what I expected, but I'm almost glad that it's not too much of a change because I am freaking out over this super-subtle difference. 

According to her blog, Melissa is sporting a Madewell jumpsuit with a vintage pendant necklace, coral lace bra from Urban Outfitters, and grey PVC sandals by Givenchy. 

* Pictures courtesy of Glamoretta

Title: from "Bohemian Like You" (The Dandy Warhols) 

oh my, my, oh hell yes, honey put on that party dress

During a routine stalking/wishlisting of Topshop's clothing collection, I came across this trend of dressing like a 60's Dollybird in fantastically bright swingy shift dresses. I love the great flower detailing at the end of the sleeves and dress hem, as well as the fun beachiness of the crocheted dresses. Personally, I am partial to the orange and blue shift dresses, but I am tempted to get all of them! Who could resist a dress that looks like it came out of the closets of Jane Asher and Jean Shrimpton?!

Snag one here

Title: from "Mary Jane's Last Dance" (Tom Petty)

oh how i've waited so long for summer nights, when there's magic in the air and i don't have a care

Please excuse the messy hair and gross skin - I fell victim to a post-dinner drive in a convertible with my younger brother at the wheel. Speeding around during a hot summer night may sound fun to some, but it wreaked havoc on my 'artfully messy' waves (which are now just 'messy messy' waves) and melted all of my makeup.  

I've been on a very specific binge lately - wanting only turquoise, bronze, golden browns and light creams. I suppose that this binge has come to a head, as this is a 'lost weekend' of sorts for me - wearing my massive turquoise stone necklace to breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and looking at no color but these two non-colors. I love the images that these hues and materials conjure up - Ralph Lauren advertisements, Native American jewelry, Ali MacGraw in her seventies hippie garb while hanging on the arm of Steve McQueen. Who can resist these connotations?

Appropriately, my cuff is bronze with a turquoise center. The butterfly cuff has had a long history in my life - I rediscovered it a few years back while I was digging through my childhood costume jewelry box. It was a piece that my mother had given to me when I was just a little whip of a thing, a little girl who did not realize how cool the piece was. I know that Mariah Carey has sort of ruined the butterfly in recent years, but there is something so lovely, so innocent, and so seventies about this bracelet that I can overlook the Carey factor. A butterfly isn't the only creature on my bod tonight. I am wearing a necklace with a turquoise stone and swallow charm that I purchased at one of my favorite stores, The Gypsy Wagon. The white lace dress by Mystree was also a recent purchase from the Wagon. The hole-y shoes were purchased from Urban Outfitters, but the name of the actual designer of the shoes has long since rubbed off. They're perfect for the summer though - they are breezy and easy like sandals, which is great because I can't abandon my love for the menswear just because it's 102 degrees!

I've owned this caramel-colored blazer since the 9th grade (good choice, fourteen-year-old self!) and I still wear it pretty regularly. It's by Sitwell, one of the labels that Anthropologie carries - I love the delicate ruffle details and the comfy corduroy-style material (but without those corduroy lines ... yet is corduroy still corduroy without the cord lines? I know, DRG is getting existential...) 

Title: from "Summer Nights" (Marianne Faithfull)

lady in a blue dress

Here I am in my room, yet again, snapping selfies of my outfits. Why? I'm not particularly fashionable - at least not above and beyond normal means enough to constitute the desire to share my looks with the world. But my own profound self-involvement knows no bounds. Ergo, I will continue this little fashionista foray with another post about what I'm wearing while standing in front of my collection of books.

I'm in a Liberty of London maxidress, which I quite love because I nurse an addiction to their intricate floral patterns. With it, I am wearing a cropped denim jacket by American Eagle Outfitters which I scored in the most awesome swag bag known to man from the Lucky Magazine FABB Conference back in February. I've never really shopped at American Eagle before, but this jacket is so scrumptiously soft and broken-in that it has become a regularly rotated piece in my (as well as several of my friends') summer wardrobes. Not that they are visible, but the shoes I am wearing are woven wedge sandals by Elizabeth and James. Jewelry-wise, I am wearing my Deco ring and rose-gold Cartier 'Love' bracelet, as well as white stone earrings I purchased at a market in London a few years back. 

Hair-wise, it is easy to see it's doing it's own thing, as per usual. I think I am going to go redder in the next few weeks - I think I am ready for a change in my life, and a change of hair color is one of the easiest and most drastic changes a gal can do! 

baby's in black

I differ from many other Texan gals, in that I wear a lot of black always (in a nongothic way, of course) and I have quite fair skin. In a sea of incredibly tanned, toned, and brightly dressed Southern belles, I stick out like a pasty sea urchin. You won't see a lot of gals in my neck of the woods wearing a primarily black outfit in the middle of June, when it's a lucky day when the temperature doesn't hit the three-digit mark. But, ah yes, I am quite the rebel. 

This was the outfit while going out last night. The black boyfriend-style blazer is by The Gap - I adore it's brass buttons and the slightly masculine pattern of the coat's interior, making rolling up the sleeves a fashion statement in itself. I'm not sure how I would describe the pattern of this top (sort of snakeskin-y) or really the color of it (sort of goldish-yellow-green) but it's by Sparkle & Fade - a great brand full of colorful, trendy, and perhaps most importantly comfy clothes - and I got it from Urban Outfitters. My bag - a big fringe creation by Rachel Zoe - is a great olive shade and worked well enough with the color of my top without being too matchy-matchy. Plus, I'm on a fringe binge so I wasn't going to not use the bag, regardless of whether it worked with my outfit or not. (See again: I am a fashion rebel, people!)

The leggings are high-waisted black American Apparel leggings in that fantastic shiny material. I'm beyond obsessed with them; I have several pairs. The material makes the leggings look a little dressier and more fun than regular cotton leggings, and they are mayjahh-ly opaque (which is a major plus for me) and makes your legs look thinner. 

These black Joie knee-high boots (currently only available in chocolate brown) first captured my attention because they are styled so similarly after the equestrian boots I wore when I rode horses competitively ... except these boots have never given me blisters, nor have they been subject to horse manure. 

I kept my jewelry completely gold - with big (but thin) hoop earrings, my beloved rose gold Cartier love bracelet, and bangle designed by b-side by Ken & Dana as part of their Rights Collection. The particular bracelet I am wearing features the numbers of the court case of Romer v. Evans - 517 US 620 1996 - a case that protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation. See, style can have a conscience. 

summer romance

This is my first attempt at personal style photos, and I am going to offer up a disclaimer: I am not trés chic. I enjoy fashion, but I do not fancy myself to be a bohemian Glamourai, nor a gal who can dive into a Sea of Shoes (though, in all honesty, I could dive into my shoe collection... it's just not as enviable as that of my fellow Texan). I love photography, but I'm never done selfies so please don't judge the (low) quality of my pictures. Hopefully I'll improve in time. 

I found this fantastic white macramé fringe piece, dubbed the 'Gypsy Rose' vest, by Winter Kate during a recent visit to Neiman Marcus (the vest can be purchased here). Nicole Richie (the designer of the line) has an excellent 70s style and her penchant for vintage-inspired looks is perfectly channeled into her clothing line. 

I paired the vest (which I took the liberty of spinning around like a six-year-old in) with a red paisley tunic from Winter Kate's debut collection. It's not visible in the photos, but the tunic has a super deep v-neck so a camisole and clever styling is necessary in order to maintain my modesty. I love the tunic's light billowy feel made from vintage silk, the long drape-y sleeves, and the rough unfinished edges at the cuffs and hem. 

With the two Winter Kate pieces, I completed the look with a pair of my beloved Hue jeggings, some trusty chandelier earrings in colors of pink and red, and a pair of Deco-inspired shoes by Minna Parikka. I love the combination of red, purple, dusty rose, muted gold, and chocolate brown - it is so romantic and summery to me. The overall look was inspired by the 70s-meets-30s soft photography of David Hamilton, whose models are always the embodiment of vintage and modern. With the 70s-inspired bohemian Winter Kate pieces, with the Deco-style shoes and modern-day jeggings, the look was aimed to reference both past and present. I wanted the colors to reflect the romance of seventies summers. 

I am still in the process of figuring out what I want to do with my hair. A couple of months ago I took the plunge and darkened my blonde locks so that I could try the ombré look. After almost six months, I think I am ready to try something new - I'm not sure if I want to go back to full-on blonde (so boring to me after twenty towheaded years) or try a redder strawberry blonde, or something completely wild altogether - like peroxide Debbie Harry blonde or something. 

My hair is naturally wavy, and I lucked out that the waves were somewhat presentable that day. I've become less and less of a fan of brushing my hair over the years, which usually isn't the best on days my hair looks full-on Carrie Bradshaw during the early years (... and I've learned from personal experience what works on SJP doesn't necessarily work on little old me). One of my favorite looks for my hair is to twist the front pieces back and clip on the sides of my head - it's incredibly easy to do and it looks so cute, and it has helped me out on many occasions when I simply don't know what to do with my still-growing-out fringe. Plus, I think it looks better as the day goes on and pieces begin the fall out of the clips - it looks so effortless and hippie fab. 

So, what do you think? Should I continue with personal style posts, or should I abandon this fashion foray? Is there any missing - or have I rambled on too much? I would love any and all feedback, except comments that one eye is smaller than the other. I am already paranoid about that.