i don’t think the swearing is going to help January 30, 2008

but if it does, fucking recycle already people! jeez.

I guess the canvas tote is THE new fashion accessory – really, what do you need a purse for when you can put everything you collect on a Saturday shopping spree, plus the cute boy/girl you met that night, in a big  bag to take home? 

I was counting mine today (as I am packing to move AGAIN). Wait, bags, not boys. OK, maybe both. This isn’t that lie-detector test game-show-thing. Just to clarify.

Anyway, in counting I have my old PETA standard, my NRDC  ”Save the Whales” favorite, a weirdly-sized “Free Ballard from Seattle Hegemony” bag I have never used and should probably Freecycle,  a Trader Joe’s signature bag, the really rad Bunny Croquet bag from my friend Shirl, a well-used woven San Miguel de Allende bag that has been my across-the-globe-carry-on for years (before the New Year’s theft of another bag – see post: “Someone’s wearing my jammies”), a well-stained, and very well-used, Timbuktu messenger bag,  blah blah blah blah blah…

Thanks Shelley for the pretty veggie tip on the fucking bag!   

12×12 is the size of my house January 22, 2008

For real’s. It’s pretty funny to have 2 cats, a queen size bed and boxes filled with 1200 sq. feet of house crap all crammed into such a small place. But amazingly, it works. Other than the fact that my poor mom can’t make any art in her art studio anymore.

To make it up to her, I introduced her to Forever 21 today (here we go again). My mom is punk rock so she had a great time getting funky bargains. Her comment? “This place is better than the Goodwill!”

Anyhow, being at Forever 21 brought me to wondering about its “fashion forward” twin Twelve by Twelve. This is apparently only available through said stores in LA but also online so, here we go: 

Army green chiffon dress. This reminds me of nylon cargo pants. Not sure if that’s a good thing for a dress to do.

 Sequined square-neck tunic with cutouts. Not a fan of cutouts, but this is so Alphonse Mucha art deco how could you not salivate just a little? 

Pleated tier skirt. I just like this one because it’s very design-y.

azzzzzzzzs (courtesy of the gorilla yeti)

Tiered tulle dress. I am not sure what I think about this one. Could be enticing. Could be craptacular. You try it on and let inquiring minds know! 

Drape-neck tunic. This is cute when it’s not pulled down to one’s knees. Just an assumption. 

Romance-y blue lace dress. I’m not a big fan of lace, but I like this color and the gathered collar is a nice touch. I like the cut on this dress because it shows off great shoulders!

Sparkly, shiny beaded shift. The cut on this one doesn’t look particularly flattering on the mannequin, but then again, the mannequin has no boobs and weighs 14 pounds.

And on that light note, that’s that. I have exhausted the 144 options of Twelve by Twelve. And after a hard day’s shopping, I am off to bed hoping for a good 12 hours of sleep.   

Frankly my dear… January 18, 2008

…I don’t give a damn about slogan t-shirts. Except that one with the taco and the french fries introducing themselves. “Hola!” “Bon jour!” Too funny.

Anyhoo, hot tipper Monique wrote in about some cute stuff she found at, of all people, Paul Frank!And I must agree – there are some really great 40’s-inspired looks including this trench and this slim plaid pencil skirt. I totally love ‘em! Moving on, I came across a plain, but fun, plaid shirt dress and these cute little squirrel gloves.

Keep the tips coming because my wireless-in-the-woods is spotty at best and I can’t do all the perusing I would like. Case in point: I am almost embarrassed to admit it but, I am so far in the woods, that I have worn the same sweater for 14 of the last 16 days. Shame on me. And here I am telling other people what’s pretty to wear. 

OMG am i really watching Oprah? January 9, 2008

hmmm…am I dreaming that I am watching Oprah and that Sarah Jessica Parker is on it pushing her new clothing line “Bitten”? Because I have never watched Oprah before, yet now, here I am…watching Oprah. And I am, indeed, awake.

There must be a planetary alignment in the third house of cheap clothing that cosmically IM’d me to turn on the TV.

Anyway, I am little upset with SJP for her recent decision to become a fur hag, but I also want all you ladies out there to be able to wear some cute stuff, so I will let you decide if you want to peruse her line.

I will tell you the most expensive item is $19.98, sizes are 2 – 22, and the collection seems to feature a lot of denim and cotton – jeans, sweaters, blouses. Even coats and shoes. “Simple, classic lines,” SJPFH keeps saying. And it’s true. Simple, classic, cute stuff.

And thankfully, no freaking fur. 

Boobies! January 6, 2008

A few months ago, I ran across this great breast cancer group called Keep A Breast and I absolutely love what they are doing to spread the word and create community and support systems for women with breast cancer.

In addition to just being a great group, they have perhaps the best t-shirt ever and every girl should have one. Boobies – you only get two, so take good care of ‘em!

I love you Aunt Ellen!    

Limited edition vegan shoes coming Jan.15! January 3, 2008

Natalie Portman finally did something to make me like her! Apparently the star has designed a line of vegan shoes for high fashion, limited-edition shoe retailer Te Casan. 

Shoes will be available for pre-order beginning January 15 through the Te Casan web site are expected to cost around $200. Not too shabby!

 To top it off, 5% of the proceeds will be donated to an animal charity. Ms. Portman, might I suggest Born Free USA? 

Thanks to Erin for the pretty veggie tip! 

Someone’s wearing my jammies January 3, 2008

Happy New Year! Especially to the sweet, thoughtful soul who felt the need to welcome me back to the home of my birth, after I drove 12 hours with a sick cat and a prozac cat in my trunk, through rain, snow, sleeet, hail and blinding sun, by smashing out the window of my car and stealing my favorite Sigg water bottle, my beloved star jammies, my new H&M scarf, the hat my grandma knitted me, my bestest undies, a bag of half eaten dried bananas, all my new makeup and my camera. What would really make my New Year is if said person would send me a picture of him or herself in my jammies, wearing my new red lipstick and eating a banana. So’s I could shove it down his or her stoopid throat. 

On a lighter note,  I ran across this great online store called Ecocitizen that has some really cute stuff that I might have to get to drown my sorrows and start the New Year off right – by maxing out my credit card with! OK, so my shoes weren’t stolen, but I sure could use a pair of these Veja Volley sneakers. I could also use this gracious little retro dress to wear them with. And maybe this little kitty necklace too. Might as well make a statement. 

The other thing I could use, and bought, was a pair of denim trouser pants. I just bought a great mid-waist pair at Lucky Brand but then ran across a pair of Mossimo trousers at Target today (while replacing my deodorant, makeup brushes, and toothbrush) for only $27.99! And (shhh! don’t tell my mom – who paid for $100 of the Lucky ones) they’re totally comfier and REALLY stretchy for those post-holiday belly/bum/thigh issues. 

And lastly, after a year of whale kissing in Hawaii (for real’s!), Mexico and the Farallon Islands, I felt it appropriate to replace my star jammies with whale jammies.

I hope your New Year is starting off with a bang that doesn’t include smashed glass – save for champagne flutes into a roaring, romantic fire. And remember, now is the time to stop buying crap for other people. So go out and get yourself some stuff now!