autumn allure
Though most bloggers are currently enveloped in the spring shows, I’m still drooling over the bulk and beauty of fall catwalks. Layers and coats are always a requirement in San Francisco, but the chilly Los Angeles weather I experienced this past weekend really made me wish for Alexander Wang‘s ribbed knits and oversized parkas. Who could resist the pinky-nude pullover with an angora halo, or the quilted peekaboo of the poncho-like jacket? Wang’s marriage of form and function leaves nothing to be desired.
If I had to pinpoint my favorite aspect of the collection, however, I’d have to note the silk bias-cut strips that brought romance to skirts and tops alike. Their use brings a minimalistic update to old Hollywood glamour, and their lustrous flow is undeniably chic. With pieces in smoky-white, beige-peach, and black, it’s hard to imagine a palette any more perfect for a soirée somewhere downtown.
but you’re not really here, it’s just the radio
For me today was all about the heavy fog turned sunshine, grilled cheese, Mission Street’s beautiful St. Patrick Church, and the Carpenters. Lunch at The Melt definitely made my day ten times better, but sixties and seventies tunes were the real key. As for my outfit, I was sort of going for an understated grunge feel. And I finally wore my cage necklace! That really made me feel accomplished.
copycat?
Most of my friends are aware that I’m not easily swayed by uber-popular trends and culture, and reality television is no exception. I detest most reality TV, but that being said, I have a weak spot for two shows: Lifetime’s Project Runway and HGTV’s Design Star. Even though the conditions are strained and a little forced, there’s something about watching designers express their creativity and create lavish rooms and outfits that truly entertains me.
Project Runway ended almost two weeks ago, and with it fresh in my mind I was aghast at what I saw in the November issue of InStyle: a head-to-toe look that seemed all too familiar. Anyone who watched the show regularly would recognize runner-up Joshua McKinley‘s futuristic jacket with black sleeves and hot pink pants. The only problem was that the photo in front of me was not an outfit from McKinley’s collection.
i want a doll
There is so much visually stimulating and emotionally fraught goodness in the original Valley of the Dolls movie that I hardly know where to begin. For those unfamiliar with the ’60s film, based on a best-selling book by Jacqueline Susann, it tracks the downfall of three young women whose lives revolve around cinema, the stage, relationships, and stardom. I’ve determined the three superlative aspects that truly define the film are style, scene, and sensation.
The atmosphere/mood, environments, and costume choices were all sources of inspiration for me. The clothes and interiors are timeless, simultaneously serving as a souvenir of the era, while the cinematography turned certain segments into pure art. It’s impossible to isolate scene from style or style from sensation, since they’re all interwoven to paint a portrayal of imperfection, self-destruction, and ostentatiousness. Because of this, I snapped every still I could to impart the perfection that this movie encapsulates.
pretty grungy girls
My best friend Kali surprised me yesterday with a phone call saying that she was coming up to San Francisco. And later that night, we were reunited! The next day, I felt obligated to take her to my new favorite place in the city, Polk Street. After lunch at Toast, Kali, my boyfriend, and I visited stores like Terrasol, Belle Cose/Molte Cose, Picnic, Favor, Cris Consignment, and Out of the Closet. We meandered down Polk (and stumbled across some cute French bulldogs) and finally found our way to Ghirardelli Square, where we briefly encountered their annual Chocolate Festival! We taste-tested a few chocolate cookies, but forewent the $20 ticket for 15 samples. Afterwards, Kali and I visited The Magazine on Larkin St., which has loads of old glossies for fractions of their original prices. And across the street, a beautiful alleyway with painted flowers was too pretty to pass up.
