the smoking nuns

beetlejuice, beetlejuice, beetlejuice

2012-03-19T21:16:00.001-07:00

b- after the february edition of vogue featuring nicki minaj and the latest mens line by thome browne, it feels like beetlejuice is in the air. take a deep whiff folks. on our trip to new york last week i bought this striped blouse from top shop and it immediately reminded me of one of my favorite childhood films.  i added my pale skin (winter owned me this year) and some blood red lips to mimic michael keaton's look. 

top shop blouse, cinema necklace, virgin only jeans, wild diva heels, h & m bangles, vintage clutch

femininity with a twist

2012-03-18T20:24:00.001-07:00

d- i was looking over the last few posts the other day and realized that i lied to you guys. i talked about how i tend to stay away from feminine dressing. that is a crock o' shit. i looked through my closet and found soft colors, floral motifs, and even more floral motifs. i decided to right my wrong. it's not that i don't like to dress in a feminine manner, it's just that i tend to throw it off ever so slightly whether it's a neon tool belt or a pair of high-top vans. so i'm sorry, we cool now?

d- forever 21 coat, american apparel top, audrey 3 + 1 pants, vans high-tops, vintage earrings, ring, and purse.

photographs by leon

shiny new things

2012-03-15T23:43:00.000-07:00

b- there are two types of people out there. the first is the type of person that waits for a special occasion to wear a new ensemble they just bought. the other starts putting on new purchases as soon as they get in their car on their way home from the mall. i am the latter. so its no shocker that i was already donning my new H&M blouse and a geometric bib necklace on my flight back to los angeles. such a great trip... can't wait to go back.

h & m blouse, skirt, and flats, forever 21 bangles and rings, aldo's necklace

come fly with me

2012-03-15T07:02:00.001-07:00

d- blair and i arrived at jfk airport around 5am to head back to los angeles and decided to capture the moment. my eyes were still adjusting but we made it happen. this tangerine number was a purchase from topshop, as well as the lipstick color. i wanted to find more items at topshop but was happy with my bold-color finds. turned out that my newest purchase was ideal-wear for cramming my body into the last row of coach. 

d- h&m blazer and ring, topshop dress and lipstick (all about me), aldo heels.

nyc

2012-03-14T07:31:00.001-07:00

d- blair and i made a visit to nyc last week. we packed a lot into a few days. here are some snapshots for your enjoyment. forgive us for the randomness. 

made it over the brooklyn bridge for some photo-ops and pizza from grimaldi's.

celebrating and having a beverage before we made our way to 30 rockefeller for snl.

favorite part of the trip? meeting up with this little lady. college buddy reunions feel so good.

blair got her first kenneth jay lane from me for her birthday. success.

many games of cards were played. it's a numbers game.

spot anything familiar? we found ourselves on the metro in nyc. :)

nip slip

2012-03-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

b- the nip slip. its something that every lady braces for. for me its not so much of an issue though... i'm a mosquito bite kinda lady. and i love it. it allows me to wear outfits like these and i definitely won't be having lower back issues later on in life from having tig-o-bitties. double bonus.

vintage scarf and clutch, forever 21 necklace bangles and belt, thrifted heels

preppy animal

2012-03-12T00:00:00.001-07:00

d- we've been seeing pastels everywhere these days, and this color onslaught is not going to stop anytime soon. i tend to stay away from the uber soft and feminine look, so i added this strong animal print to off-set all the prettiness. blair and i are in new york right now. definitely not wearing my cut-offs today but was still able to take my coat off. spring is upon us. :)

d- vintage coat and purse, forever 21 necklace, precious necklace, eddie bauer shirt, levi cut-offs, aldo heels.

favorites

2012-03-09T08:14:00.000-08:00

d- today i'm wearing two of my favorite items. my bill cunningham pin and my peach asymmetric top. i got the pin when bill cunningham new york came out last year. swooped it up so fast, couldn't believe they were being handed out free o' charge. the top i've had for years from the crossroads up in santa cruz. an entire bottle of wine was spilled all over this piece and still came back to life after a simple wash. that's love. 

d- vintage top, earrings, and beaded purse, h&m jeans and necklaces, pour la victoire heels,urban outfitters bag.

ugly pretty

2012-03-07T23:27:00.000-08:00

b- living in santa cruz, you become very familiar with one of the unspoken fashion movements that trump all others in the land. that movement, folks, is ugly pretty. it is the effort to reclaim that which is old, tattered and ugly in order to make it new and perhaps beautiful in its own way. today i brought that santa cruz mentality to los angeles when i busted out this boxy vintage sweater. my inner tomboy has never felt so proud.

vintage sweater and necklaces, thrifted shorts, american apparel socks, forever 21 bangles, converse

adorned

2012-03-07T07:38:00.001-08:00

d- there seems to be something happening in the world of jewelry and its role in fashion. maybe we have elizabeth taylor to thank or maybe it was just a matter of time, but jewels are no longer accessories thanks to the fall 2012 ready-to-wear shows. precious stones and clothing have combined to create one cohesive look, and i'm not talking about a bunch of small little beads creating embellished motifs. there were HUGE faceted stones and gems sewn to lapels and hems, or pearls hand-painted to dresses. chanel decided to just get over-sized natural stones and gems to cover the runway while the ladies walked past already adorned. all i can say is YES!

oscar de la renta:

prada:

altuzarra:

chanel:

louis vuitton:

lanvin:

all images via style.com

tangerine dream

2012-03-06T07:18:00.000-08:00

b- i've written about tangerine before... but it deserves to be written about again. today was the first 80 degree day los angeles has seen in awhile so i wanted my accessorries to match the sunny brightness of the day. i just found this chunky tangerine necklace in the jewelry district in downtown los angeles and its my new favorite.

love culture dress, thrifted blouse, vintage bracelet recolored, jewelry district necklace, h & m ring and clutch, nine west heels,

pink brooches

2012-03-04T20:19:00.000-08:00

d- the brooch is one of my favorite jewelry items. i'm always fascinated with different placements of brooches. waist, gloves, hemlines, you name it. today i arranged four pink brooches in a typical position, but felt the color and amount made up for the lack in creative approach. now looking at these pictures that collar is begging for a brooch or two. 

d- vintage dress, brooches, and earrings, jeffrey campbell shoes, h&m ring.

muddy waters

2012-03-02T07:01:00.000-08:00

b- today i felt like print blocking. but since i went preppy with today's look, i wanted to dirty the look up a bit. Using browns, blacks, dirty yellows, and dusty whites, i used the muddy colors to bind the two prints together perfectly. and there i am, like a school girl that got jumped after school and got my outfit and repuation dragged through the mud.

b- vintage coat, american apparel bow tie, target shirt, forever 21 skirt, ring and belt, wild diva heels, thrifted purse

milan

2012-03-01T07:40:00.002-08:00

d- you all know that i love milan fashion week. the country that gives the world anna dello russo and giovanna battaglia can do no wrong in my eye. here are a few looks from the runways that i loved. enjoy.

bally

dolce and gabbana

giorgio armani

dsquared

gucci

marni

jil sander

you will be missed raf simons.

all images via style.com

bruised all over

2012-02-29T06:14:00.001-08:00

d-  this color combo is the shit and i need to take advantage of it more often. i'm not condoning physical violence at all, just doing my part and creating a far-fetched abstract stance against it. in your face chris brown!  blair and i had a lovely day together this last weekend. a little vintage shopping, some photo ops, coffee, more vintage shopping. an awesome day. it wasn't until i got home when i finally found the perfect birthday present for blair online. get ready to celebrate march 18th. 

d- kristen top, american apparel jeans, aldo heels, ray-ban wayfayers, target purse, h&m ring.

winter blues

2012-02-27T21:17:00.000-08:00

b- its official.  i'm sick of winter.  i'm ready for tank tops and shorts. and i've been ready for awhile.  so these days, i sike myself into thinking its sunny by pairing a short skirt with a warm flannel, beanie and tall boots.  i used black to bind the outift together into one cohesive look and played with jewel tones - an amethyst beanie, ruby flannel, emerald clutch, and sapphire ring, to add a dulled brightness to my look if i can't warm up the weather.

urban outfitters beanie, cc skye earrings, thrifted shirt and clutch, forever 21 skirt ring, patricia fields boots, h & m bangles

the male eye

2012-02-27T06:26:00.002-08:00

d- i wore this outfit to work the other day and some guy on his bike stopped riding and gave his approval. he was impressed that i was in head-to-toe leather for some reason. i didn't want to disappoint and tell him it was faux-leather, so i just thanked him and kept walking along. it is definitely a strong look, especially with the lack of embellishments. though some say that women dress for other women, i'm always curious to see what catches the male eye.  

d- h&m top, skirt, and ring, threadsense turquoise ring, JR bracelet, forever 21 earrings, vintage purse and shoes.

clean

2012-02-24T00:00:00.003-08:00

d- aw, white. it's so clean. there have been a lot of color gradation looks going on out there (specifically pink & red) so i decided to do my version in hues of white. i wore this pairing the other night when blair and i attended the fidm blogger event. it coincided with the 20th annual art of motion picture costume design exhibition at the fidm museum & galleries. this is now my third year installing the show, and though it's a lot of work, it's always fun to get to walk through the gallery and see all the films side by side. 

diane von furstenberg dress, vintage jacket, converse sneakers, mirriam haskell earrings, peire bernie watches.

the jumpsuit

2012-02-23T07:01:00.000-08:00

b- the jumpsuit. its the perfect mix of business and pleasure. it also seems to be a man repeller which makes me like it even more. one of our favorite blogs described the jumpsuit in the best way-- " it eloquently abominates the lower half of your body and [often] leaves nothing to the imagination up above." well all the guys out there that are jumpsuit haters better get used to them because they were all over the spring 2012 runways. in my perfect world, jumpsuits would be the uniform.

vintage jumpsuit via shareen's, thrifted blouse and clutch, h & m earrings, forever 21 necklace and bangles

what my sister said

2012-02-22T00:00:00.000-08:00

d- i remember sitting in saturn cafe with my sister right after i moved to santa cruz and her saying to me, "girls wear dresses over jeans here." that stuck. first i was resistant, but after years in santa cruz my style began to drastically change. blair and i use to rock tied-up vintage nightgowns over jeans. ballsy. 

with the right contrast in textures and balance in colors the look is charmingly disjointed. and i love the slightly peculiar. 

d- lia molly knit dress, isko jeans, audrey 3 + 1 jacket, vintage napier necklace, vintage essex earrings, h&m cocktail ring, jeffrey campbell heels, urban outfitters purse.

egyptian jewelry

2012-02-20T21:35:00.000-08:00

b- i work in the jewelry industry and a huge part of my job is to study the trends that are fluctuating in and out. one of the trends we see approaching quickly is the egyptian trend. dior did it in spring of 2004 and now its back in full effect. this trend is particularly close to my heart because it contains all of my favorite elements in jewerly -- big, bold, colorful, geometric...and mostly gold. i haven't been this excited about a trend in awhile. so i wanted to share some of my favorite pieces i've been seeing with you guys...

and nothing brings me more joy than when my two great loves -- hip hop and jewelry -- come together.  

dressin down

2012-02-20T07:24:00.000-08:00

b- no matter how my fashion evolves and changes over time, there are certain pieces that will never leave my closet. this yellow beanie is one of those guys. first of all, its mustard.... and we all know how much i love me some mustard. but mostly, its cozy. and it always dresses down an outfit. this shirt is loud and proud but the beanie brings its ego back down to earth.

b- vintage top, purse, and spider brooch, urban outfitters beanie and jeans, patricia fields boots, and forever 21 ring

lay it on

2012-02-17T05:51:00.000-08:00

d- there's been a chill in the air these past few days in los angeles, so i layered up a la man repeller. this red beanie is like my second baby blanket. i've had it since my early days of college and there is always a time of year when i need to bust it out. the purse is from the other day but i wanted to give you guys a better look at it. it's so elegant but becomes more playful alongside the beanie and jeffrey campbell heels. the necklace was the last addition before heading out the door. when i jumped into blair's car she looked over and said, "oh hey miriam!" blair's on a first name basis with all the great jewelry designers.   

d- brass plum sweater, peppermint dress, urban outfitters beanie and vest, jeffrey campbell shoes, miriam haskell necklace, vintage purse. 

mint condition

2012-02-15T23:26:00.000-08:00

b- i'm not usually a pastel kind of lady. but lately i've been feeling the color mint draw me in like a magnet. naturally, i have been trying to fill up my jewelry collection with the shade, so i bought a few pieces here and there. i never found a necklace that i liked, so i went home and made one in my new favorite hue. even when worn next to the other bold prints, the mint makes just as much of an impact. i also love mint ice cream....but that has nothing to do with fashion.

thrifted bandana and clutch, urban outfitters top, zara pants, wild diva heels, forever 21 earrings ring, and bracelet, handmade necklace

reworked fashions

2012-02-15T05:19:00.000-08:00

d- i bought this piece from the vintage boutique new/found. it's a reworked textile once destined for a kimono, with beautiful floral and bird motif embroidery. my contemporary garment has exposed hook-and-eyes down the entire front, multiple patch pockets here and there, and beautiful draping that accentuates my hips. the combination of these construction elements left me with no other choice than having to buy the piece immediately. it's one of a kind. i've worn it now as a skirt and as a dress. pairing it with my favorite blouse is the best thing i've ever done. what do you guys think?

make sure to head over to refinery 29 and vote for the smoking nuns as the next big style blogger. look for us under my name, dani. 

d- vintage blouse, dress, and clutch, h&m earrings and ring.

tangerine and emerald color blocking

2012-02-13T22:16:00.000-08:00

b- ever since i saw the shades of emerald that gucci used on their runway last fall, i was in love.  then i found tangerine.  so instead of picking one color for today's shoot, i picked them both.  they are both such strikingly bold colors that neither take a backstage to one another when using them to color block. when i have to keep my patterns simple, i make sure to mix up the textures to keep it interesting.  the leather in my necklace, the silk of my blouse, the sheerness of my nylon socks, and the velvet of on my heels all help to complicate a seemingly simplistic ensemble.

and please remember to take a second to vote for your favorite nuns in refinery 29's the next big style blogger contest here!!!

b- american apparel bow tie and socks, thrifted blouse, heels, and purse, forever 21 jeans and rings, vintage bangle and turquoise ring, h & m necklace.

refinery 29 style blogger

2012-02-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

d- blair and i decided to submit our baby into a contest to see how she holds up against the rest. refinery 29 is holding its second annual next big style blogger contest. we made a special trip to a rooftop in downtown los angeles to capture these shots. we'll go into detail about these looks later in the week, but we wanted to start off your week with some of our favorite shots. let us know your thoughts.

help some ladies out and head over to refinery 29 and vote for the smoking nuns. we had to submit separately so look for us by our individual names, and vote for both blair and dani.

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twisted romanticism

2012-02-10T06:38:00.000-08:00

d- i tend to gravitate towards clothing that hovers over the body rather than the more body conscious looks. not that i prefer one more than the other, but i like manipulating my silhouette as much as possible. both of these pieces are thrift store finds that didn't look very exciting on the hanger, but came to life once on.

this hand-painted 1950s vintage purse throws off the obvious color-blocking theme.

but enough about me, how did we all enjoy the first day of new york fashion week?! i've been watching the fashion fund, so seeing the creatures of the wind show was delightful. the robotic-like shoes, leather skirts, and deliciously over-sized sweaters did the name proud, leaving you with a feeling of twisted romanticism.

d- vintage top, pants, and purse, forever 21 necklace, and aldo heels.

peplums and polka dots

2012-02-09T07:20:00.000-08:00

b- i love me a good peplum - mostly for the silhouette it creates. it accentuates the prettiest areas of a woman's body - a small waist and an exaggerated hip. when dani saw my shirt, she reminded me of all the abstract peplums we saw this year on the runway. the polka dots only add an additional femininity to my shirt. i feel like quite the little lady in this ensemble.

b- h & m blouse, thrifted shorts, wild diva heels, vintage purse, vintage monet necklace

androgyny jewelry

2012-02-08T06:17:00.000-08:00

d- blair and i meet up everyday at lunch in downtown los angeles and grab some burritos. today we mixed in a jewelry line that our lovely friend and her man produce called androgyny. the name reflects the symbiotic design relationship between courtney and jerad, creating pieces that are not geared specifically toward one gender or the other. the common utensil is shaped and molded into beautiful rings and bracelets, with smaller trinkets mixed in here and there. the feel to the line is raw and industrial playing off nicely with any bold print or soft skirt you may want to throw in the mix. i love jewelry that catches the eye, makes you look twice, and leaves you with a smile. :)

brown and black

2012-02-07T06:29:00.000-08:00

b- whenever i go shopping, i like to be hands-free. no purse, no keys, no cell phone. so when dani and i went jewelry parts shopping last weekend, i grabbed for this vintage belt to stick all my essentials in. that way i could sift through the rows of chains and findings without being bogged down by a purse. i paired the brown belt with some black pieces because i am a huge fan of mixing brown and black. i know its considered a faux paus, but i think the combo is divine.

b- target denim shirt, tube top and skirt via crossroads, thrifted boots, vintage belt, yves saint laurent necklace, forever 21 bangles and ring

b- found this ysl necklace at the santa cruz flea market for $1. the owner never saw the signature on the back.... lucky me!

military

2012-02-06T00:30:00.000-08:00

d- blair and i went to the jewelry district in downtown los angeles this weekend and snapped some shots in the theater district beforehand. as i threw on my trench coat last minute i found myself creating a mental list of other items in my closet with military origins. my aviators, bomber jackets, and all pieces with epaulets shared this common characteristic. i guess functionality and timelessness correlates when it comes to fashion. 

d- urban outfitters trench coat, top and skirt, forever 21 necklace, h&m ring, jeffrey campbell heels.

before work routine.

2012-02-02T23:30:00.000-08:00

b- my early morning routine usually consists of getting coffee, a croissant, and getting together with dani before work.  sometimes we snap some photos before we clock in for our day jobs at 9 am.  today was one of those lovely mornings. that's why i love downtown. even though its only 7am, the streets are already buzzin' with activity.  it always gets me amped for the day.

thrifted blouse, purse, and pants, vintage earrings and ring, wild diva heels

the little black bra

2012-02-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

d- the subtle outline of a black bra underneath a sheer, light-colored top will eternally be enticing to wear. there is a large school out there that doesn't subscribe to this aesthetic, but i can't help it. the soft femininity of the top mixed with the bold silhouette of the female form is fun to play with. it's also entertaining to watch people get slightly uncomfortable, not knowing where to look.

my habit and bloglovin' are collaborating together for the annual bloglovin' awards! check out the nominees and vote for the smoking nuns as blogger of the year! 

d- forever 21 skirt and earrings, vintage top, aldo shoes, cc skye bag and ring, h&m ring.

teal fringe ring

2012-01-31T20:50:00.000-08:00

b- this teal fringe ring was my favorite piece in  rocks paper metal's collection. i love statement jewelry that take center stage in an outfit... and this ring definitely qualifies.  its hue immediately made me think of southwestern.  i diluted that theme  down to its color palette - the earthy brown of a horse saddle, the warm buttery yellow of ears of corn and the bright blue of turquoise gems. the cheetah...well, that was for me. 

remember to check out rocks paper metal and like them on facebook!!!

b- shareen's vintage tank top, forever21 jeans, ring and bangle, rocks paper metal fringe ring, h & m earrings, dooney & burke purse, thrifted heels.

complements

2012-01-31T00:00:00.000-08:00

d- i feel like i split myself in two: party up top and business down below. rocks paper metal's neon faceted crystal earrings are the perfect compliment to my bold blouse. it's hard to compete with that sucker but these earrings pop. the subtle texture differences in my ring, clutch, and nails still contribute to the look while maintaining a back seat to the main attraction up top.

d- louis feraud blouse, h&m pants and ring, vintage clutch, rocks paper metal earrings.

featuring: rocks, paper, metal

2012-01-29T20:50:00.000-08:00

b- for the last month or two, i have had the pleasure of working as an assistant jewelry designer to kat leon - a jewelry designer that has worked in the industry for several years.   together with her designer friend diana, they own a site called rocks paper metal - a trend forecasting website specifically focusing on jewelry.... my absolute heaven.  they have developed their own jewelry line under the same name, and dani and i were excited to accessorize with their bold neon and crystal jewels!  there were too many pieces that we loved to include in one post, so we will be featuring additional pieces from rocks paper metal in the following two posts.... stay tuned! 

 check out their tumblr.... it's the best jewelry blog i've seen in a long time.

and like them on facebook!

neon crystal yellow tear drop bib with braided rainbow chain necklace

neon yellow crystal with crystal teardrop post earrings

rainbow neon double wrap braided cord crystal friendship bracelet

neon pink tribal bow earrings with gold plated tubes

neon green cord crystal marquee bib necklace

thanks again to kat and diana!

neon tool belt

2012-01-27T00:00:00.000-08:00

d- this dress once belonged to blair. i'm not big on sharing clothes but if something is given outright then i'm in. the piece is a 1940s home-spun dress with amazing details here and there. the choice of the textile alone is enough to vouch for its awesomeness. i like masking its 1940s silhouette, giving it new character. this neon tool belt is now being made for me in tangerine. very excited.

d- vintage dress and boots, h&m sweater, forever 21 necklace and earrings, fanny pack/tool belt by leon roullard.  

raising anchor

2012-01-25T23:57:00.000-08:00

b- im a lady that loves the juxtaposition of masculine and feminine in fashion - especially when its done very subtly. with this in mind today, i constructed this outfit with many different opposing elements to achieve this balance. i started with the light, sheer blouse, added a petite felt coat, and cotton pencil skirt. to balance those soft, feminine pieces i added spiked earrings, gold mesh metallic belt, and chunky bangles. it creates a look that is both delicate and powerful - my favorite kind of lady.

b- forever 21 blouse and ring, vintage bangles, belt, watch, earrings, clutch, and shoes, thrifted pencil skirt.

black texture

2012-01-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

d- my hair went crazy the other day. thought that the shoot was a bust but these shots were fun to look at. i love all the different textures: my tussled hair, leather top, rough beadwork, distorted childhood keepsake. all in the confines of the black color palette.

 i like to think of it as deceptive minimalism.

d- h&m divided top, urban outfitters pants, aldo heels, cc skye ring, h&m ring, vintage necklace and purse.

patricia fields

2012-01-23T21:26:00.000-08:00

b- its rare to have a really stormy day in los angeles.  but that's the hand we got dealt today.  so i broke out my new patricia fields boots that i got at crossroads a week or so ago.  to be honest, i had no idea she had her own line....i just loved the boots.  i was even more thrilled when i found out that she had designed them.  i did a bit more research and found out that patricia fields also has her own jewelry line.  this is one of my favorite pieces.  as always, her style is bold and quirky with a sense of humor -- something i try to echo in my fashion.  in a similar way,  her big clunky boots lighten the mood of the otherwise stiff and traditional look of a button-up and bow tie.  thank you, patricia fields, for always being an inspiration.

b- american apparel bow tie, target shirt, urban outfitters jeans, patricia field boots, h & m ring and bangles, vintage clutch.

menswear fall 2012

2012-01-23T06:11:00.000-08:00

d- i spent this last weekend looking over the menswear shows. so many things i want to say but don't want to bog down your monday morning with words, words, words.

but i will anyway.

the nineteenth century gentleman was everywhere you looked. there seemed to be a nostalgia for that romanticism with rich fabrication, distinct silhouettes, and motifs of the aesthetic movement. here are some contemporary interpretations of the key pieces to this gentleman's wardrobe:

the frock coat 

 (prada) 

thank you gary oldman

the smoking jacket

(dolce and gabbana)

(gucci)

breeches

(alexander mcqueen)

these next three looks are what i'd dress my little brother in.
such sick textures, proportions, and colors.

(acne)

(miharayasuhiro)

(raf simons)

pure joy:

givenchy gave us a little star-spangled americana, with hood ornamentation and all.

thom browne brought to life the characters from the triplets of belleville with their cartoon-ish appearance and ominous feel.

walter van beirendonck gave us a sinister dandy to haunt our imaginations.

(givenchy)

(thom browne)

(walter van beirendonck)

and here is my favorite: berluti. the photography, the models, and the tailoring kept me scrolling through the shots. so incredibly beautiful.

(berluti)

all images via style.com

rodarte, horror films, and the santa cruz boardwalk

2012-01-20T06:41:00.000-08:00

d- wednesday night i attended the director's series with kate and laura mulleavy of rodarte, presented by the costume council at lacma. the discussion was in conjunction with the installation of rodarte's fra angelico collection, a promised gift by the sisters. the collection premiered in florence, italy and has now found its way home here in los angeles.

i was curious to see the sisters speak. i had heard rumors that there have been times when one decides not to talk during interviews, while the other takes on the questioning. that was not the case. the discussion bounced between different inspirations the girls have had for collections, their process, and experiences from their past. they are quite the curious pair, constantly questioning their own observations. through this questioning they have created clothing that tends to balance the light and dark, interior and exterior, of themes they choose to draw from.

i enjoyed watching the sisters shoot each other looks throughout the interview and how they played off one another to answer questions. their story of coming home after college and watching horror films for a year straight was both odd and enviable.

there was a collage of images passing on the screen behind kate and laura that they had put together for the evening. one image was of the santa cruz boardwalk, close to where the girls grew up and the location of the film the lost boys. i appreciated the lost boys reference, having watched the film with my older sisters when i was young, but the image of the boardwalk depressed me. i lived in santa cruz for five years and went to the boardwalk once. its glory days of the lost boys have come and gone. rodarte you're better than that.

ketchup and mustard

2012-01-19T00:08:00.000-08:00

b- after watching the golden globes last weekend, i realized that it has been awhile since i have been stunned by a red carpet look. the last time i remember my jaw dropping was when i saw michelle williams in vera wang at the 2006 academy awards.... and it was all due to the color palate - what i lovingly refer to as ketchup and mustard. but since not everyone can wear a ball gown to work like michelle, i wanted to use the same bold color palate in a more casual, everyday look.

b- urban outfitters beanie, vintage shoes, bag, and necklace, forever 21 jeans, love culture sweater, h & m ring and bangles

hem lines

2012-01-18T06:32:00.000-08:00

d- the fun in fashion comes when you experiment with proportions and silhouettes, giving new lines and angles to your body and image. so it's understandably disappointing when it seemed like all that was being manufactured in the fashion industry was either mini or maxi. in recent years hem lines have been going through transformations, leading me to find this brown skirt at h&m a few weeks ago. the look of a bare leg is a go-to, but changing it up now and again is needed.

d- american apparel top, h&m skirt, jeffrey campbell heels, urban outfitters purse, trifari earrings, cc skye ring.

bare midriffs

2012-01-17T05:52:00.000-08:00

b- i was very inspired by dolce and gabbana's use of the midriff in their spring 2012 collection. its a tricky thing, the midriff. its one of those areas that can cross over into trashy really quickly. so, to class it up a bit, i layered on a silk blouse, a cardigan and added some trousers. pairing elements of menswear with the contrasting feminity of a bare tummy achieves the perfect balance. and as always with this look, less is definitely more.

b- thrifted cardigan, blouse, and clutch, zara pants, cc skye woven ghetto hoops, wild diva heels, vintage necklace, forever 21 bangles, h & m ring, wild diva heels

off colors

2012-01-16T06:14:00.000-08:00

d- i'm attracted to the group of colors who seem to be the rejected distant cousins of the clean, true colors. my grey blazer is not quite meeting the criteria for its family and my tan shoes veer on the side of offensive with their weathered sheen. adding the red acid-wash jeans that have been through the laundry cycle one too many times adds to the motley crew of hues. but the combination appeals to me. bringing all of these elements together creates a harmony of understated color-blocking. 

d- h&m blazer and ring, express t-shirt, american apparel jeans, purse via target, jenny and jimbob necklace, earrings and bracelet by unknown artists. 

lady prints

2012-01-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

d- it's in the eye of the beholder. some people may offer a formula to use when combining different prints together, but for me i think you'll just know it when you see it. these three prints are playing nicely together. the print of the dress is what hooked me into purchasing her years back in san jose. with art deco echoes everywhere we look right now it's nice to give art nouveau a shout out.

d- elevenses jacket, yoana baraschi dress, free people tights, jeffrey campbell boots, ring via threadsence, bracelet and earrings by unknown artists.

b- i've had this little diddy for quite some time. it was a plus sized dress that i found at a goodwill store in santa cruz. i couldn't believe the pattern when i saw it. so i cut the top right off and made it into a skirt. because the skirt's print was so bold i wanted to bounce it off some other equally loud prints like stripes and polka dots. too much or not enough?

b- urban outfitters jean corset, forever 21 tube top and bracelets, vintage skirt, belt, heels, and necklace.

pacific standard time

2012-01-11T06:29:00.000-08:00

d- i went to the getty the other day for lunch and a look at their contribution to the collaborative effort of pacific standard time. artistic and cultural institutions throughout southern california are celebrating its region's creative culture with an array of exhibits and events.

the getty had a few installations that fell under the umbrella of pacific standard time, but my favorite was in focus: los angeles, 1945-1980. a particular photograph by anthony hernandez caught my attention. the shot is on the streets of downtown los angeles with a glance of a lady captured in a moment of truth. she obviously took her time while getting ready that morning, but we see her slightly disheveled behind the make-up and pearls. the lines of her undergarments are revealed and her demeanor is slightly unsure. hernandez's piece offers an early example of street style with out the expectations of perfection.

i grabbed lunch at the cafe and decided to partake in their themed lunch box. the lunch consisted of the "all-american" turkey club, potato salad, and chocolate-chip cookie. delicious but slightly disappointing. if you're gonna put in the effort to create the lunch at least come up with something unique to southern california. maybe a touch of citrus.

d-  ray-ban wayfarers, h&m sweater and ring, lucky jeans, cc skye onie bag.

photographs by leon roullard. :)

the metro

2012-01-09T06:39:00.000-08:00

b- if i got paid to people watch, i would be stackin' paper.  dani thinks i'm going to get stabbed one day for looking too long at the wrong person.  and she's probably right.  so as you can imagine, i love the metro.  it fills my work commute with the best people watching in la.

b- thrifted graphic tee and blouse, target denim shirt, h&m skirt, bangles and earrings, vintage watch, converse sneakers.

d- when i moved back to los angeles after getting my ba in santa cruz i decided to go back to school. i took the metro from manhattan beach to downtown los angeles at 6am every morning for a year attending classes. the trip was about 1 1/2 hours one way, but i didn't mind. when i wasn't taking in the scene i could catch up on reading or prepare myself for a test. today i take the metro from silver lake to downtown for work. i love mass transit.

i'm wearing a shirt from my brother's band allura. i'm almost positive they're lakers fans. almost. check out their recent release.

d- allura band shirt, silence and noise vest, sparkle and fade skirt, jeffrey campbell heels, h&m ring, earrings and bracelet by unknown artist. 

man about town

2012-01-06T05:52:00.000-08:00

d- there are so many different images of men to emulate as you decide what to wear for the day. menswear usually creeps into a majority of the looks i put together, and today i was thinking about the workman. the classic denim jacket over the blue collar shirt is quintessential, though the pleated floral skirt and heeled lace-up boots were my own additions of what to wear when punching in your time card. and the money-clip ring is ready to showcase my well deserved earnings. not too flashy, right?

d- eddie bauer buttton-up, mavi denim jacket, vintage skirt, jeffrey campbell heels, cc skye earrings, ring reconstructed by blair. 

b- i love the look of menswear on ladies. it creates such a classy, sleek, and tailored look. i wanted to add a pop of modernism by incorporating the neon orange blouse and replacing a traditional bow tie with a vintage gold brooch. the combination of the sheer, gold, and red lipstick adds the needed touch of femininity to balance it all out. and the deer ring.... well that's just awesome.

b- forever 21 blouse and bangles, thrifted sweater, vintage bow tie brooch, urban outfitters jeans, wild diva heels and the reindeer ring was a christmas present from my boyfriend.

featuring: kenneth jay lane

2012-01-04T18:15:00.000-08:00

b- ok, so if i had to pick my favorite costume jewelry designer of all time it would be kenneth jay lane.

and here is why...

does anyone recognize the butterfly necklace above? 

kenneth jay lane has a long career in the world of fashion.  he was first on the art staff at vogue and then became a shoe designer for delman and christian dior. his designs were such an instant success that saks fifth avenue sold its entire initial inventory in one day. kjl  was one of the persons included for "high fashion" in the andy warhol screen tests and a guest at truman capote's black and white ball.

kenneth jay lane has created unique designs for jackie onassis, elizabeth taylor, and audrey hepburn. he is probably most well known for his three-strand faux pearl necklace worn by barbara bush to her husband's inaugural ball. and some even say that the duchess of windsor is buried in the jeweled belt he created for her.

kenneth jay lane's continued philosophy is that "elegance, good taste and luxury never go out of style".  and i agree. 

one of our favorite blogs, advanced style, just did a post on kjl as well... check it out to see more amazing pieces! 

and here is an extra little treat.  an interview with the legend himself...

tip o' the hat

2011-12-31T07:00:00.000-08:00

d- i've collected a few hats over the years but i rarely bust them out. it's too bad because it completes an outfit nicely. i've always been curious about hats and gloves, whether or not they will make a comeback into our daily lives. philip treacy has certainly done his part to bring head-wear back to the forefront. i treated myself the other day and bought the isabella blow book from my wishlist. treacy's influence on isabella's style was transformative, arguing strongly for hats and their role in fashion. 

d- goorin hat, alice 3+1 jacket, vintage blouse, express shorts, trifari earrings, h & m ring, cc skye onie bag, pour la victoire heel.

b- besides beanies, i'm not much of a hat girl.  so i borrowed this one from dani.  she inhereted this gem from her mom, but it was actually her grandmothers.  i had the pleasure of getting to know dani's grandma a bit before she passed and she was one of my favorites of the family.  its an honor to wear this beautiful fur hat ... she was the ultimate fashionista.

b- vintage hat, h&m shirt, skirt, and earrings, forever 21 ring, wild diva heels. 

a new year

2011-12-29T23:35:00.000-08:00

 b- this top might be in my top 5 favorite that i own.  and when i wear it i feel like a huge disco ball.  so naturally, its perfect for new years.  

this has been such a special year for me.  a lot of change and transition, one of the biggest of which was the birth of our blog.  its already been such a creatively fulfilling experience and so much fun corresponding with our followers and getting your feedback and support. thank you to each one of you.  we can't wait for more of it in the year to come!

b- vintage top, urban outfitters jeans, forever 21 ring and earrings, wild diva heels.

d- this dress is one of my favorites in my closet and i only bust it out when the occasion is right. the jewelry set i'm wearing is also a prized possession of mine that has trickled down my mother's side of the family (read about it down below). i wanted to put together a special look to signify the end of a memorable year and the beginning of a new one. blair and i launched the smoking nuns in may and it has already passed our expectations. thanks to all who support and follow us.

d- diane von furstenberg dress, jeffrey campbell heels, miriam haskell jewelry.

d- my mother gave me a very unique jewelry set this last birthday and blair immediately crossed my mind when i opened the gift. blair has expanded my knowledge and interest of costume jewelry so much this past year and i'm forever grateful.

this set was designed by miriam haskell, a prominent costume jewelry designer of the 20th century. her clientele included the house of chanel, as well as the duchess of windsor and joan crawford.
unique for its double filigree backing and hand-made workmanship, the business opened in 1926 and was able to survive through the great depression.

my set is unique in that it is an early signed piece. miriam did not begin to consistently sign her jewelry until the 1950s. the earrings, not the necklace, are signed showing a horseshoe with "MIRIAM HASKELL" embossed along the top. i believe the date is somewhere in the 1940s, possibly 30s. i still have research to do, which is fine by me. :)

happy new year!

bloopers part deux

2011-12-28T07:30:00.000-08:00

b & d- to wrap up the year we're returning to a segment that brings a smile to our faces. these aren't our finest moments but they're very special none-the-less. enjoy!

scarf it down

2011-12-26T09:14:00.000-08:00

d- when i put a look together i tend to work in 3s. i like to apply elements in three different ways, whether the element is color, fabrication, or print. here i put together three different floral prints. if you work in 2s the look may come across as incomplete, and 4s can get messy. it can get tricky trying to figure out what the three pieces will be, a lot of trial and error. but the final look is worth the stress. :)

d- vintage dress & earrings, forever 21 coat,  urban outfitters scarf, and pour la victoire heels.
  

b- during my last summer in santa cruz before i left for los angeles, i got to spend one magical summer with some of my best lady friends - rebecca, ashlee, kristina, and juliette. one of our many endeavors that summer was to knit some huge scarves. so we would gather at my house and watch trash reality t.v. shows and knit our asses off. this maroon scarf is the product of that joyous time. the thought of that summer will always make me smile.

b- american apparel leotard, hand knit scarf, urban outfitters jeans, wild diva heels, forever 21 earrings and ring.

merry merry

2011-12-23T06:48:00.000-08:00

d- when i was very young my father would wear the same shirt every christmas: a black t-shirt with green christmas trees creating a rectangle and one red santa at the bottom right corner. he eventually grew out of it and gave it to my older brother. i loved that tradition of a holiday shirt so i decided (later in life) to go out and find one for myself. i found it in santa cruz at a boutique blair and i frequented. it's a thermal tank with a beautiful print of santa and mistletoe. going on 4 years now with this baby. happy holidays! :)

d- scanty top, vintage skirt & earrings, converse sneakers, napier necklace, and h&m ring.

b- i just plain old love christmas. thats it. i hope you guys have a great one with family and friends!

b- vintage dress (via shareen's) and brooch, thrifted shoes and belt.

christmas wishlist

2011-12-21T00:38:00.000-08:00

b- this year all i want is jewelry.  my passion for it has only grown over the last year and i keep setting my sights on bigger and better... namely kenneth jay lane.  i can officially say that he is my favorite costume jewelry designer.  and after all my time researching his work and studying his pieces, these are some of my most desired items.

my absolute favorite piece that i will own one day:

oh. and this alligator stapler by kjl for dani and i's office. thats right. he's makin staplers, bitches.

and these jeffrey campbell boots. i was born to own them.

d- any christmas when i get at least one great book is a good one. i have a few below, as well as some shoes. books + shoes = a merry christmas.

poiret 

by harold koda & andrew bolton

tod's mint loafers

cafe society

by thierry coudert

isabel marant dicker boot

the model as muse: embodying fashion

by harold koda & kohle yohannan

marina purple suede platform pump

isabella blow

by martina rink

knit picking

2011-12-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

d- this sweater is one of my all time favorites. key elements: the color, a large knit, the shawl collar, and a nice back story. this sweater was actually intended for blair. her mom took it from a house she was touring while looking for a new home. yup, she just took it. unfortunately is was too big for blair, so i got it by default. thanks renee.

b- heavy knits always feel so bulky and cumbersome to me. i wanted to use this shoot to showcase lighter, brighter ways to use knit. this neon number is one of my all time favorite thrift store finds. paired with a pair of equally bright palazzo pants, the knit takes on a new, fresher life.

d- vintage sweater, calvin klein tank, giorgio sant'angelo shorts, socks via grandma peggy, jeffrey campbell hells, contemporary jewlery by unknown artists.

 b- vintage sweater, pants, and brooch, off broadway shoes, forever 21 ring and earrings.

rouge

2011-12-15T07:00:00.000-08:00

d- when blair and i were discussing the use of a red lip for an upcoming shoot i just kept thinking of that element as a staple. it's a staple look for so many women, so many time periods, so many styles. so i decided to add all my other staples to the look. i love a white button-up, mostly because it reminds me of my mother. then came the blue skinny jeans, black pumps, and dark purple nails. the final staple is a cocktail ring. if i had to wear one piece of jewelry for the rest of my life it would be a cocktail ring.

b- and my staples? a fur coat, big chunky jewelry, and a kitty shirt. and whereas dani went clean cut and tailored, i have been loving the look of long loose silhouettes. its perfect for winter layering.

d- h&m jeans, cc skye cocktail ring, vintage necklace and earrings, heels via payless.

b- vintage coat, top shop tank, pants via crossroads, wild diva heels, forever 21 necklace, h&m ring.

birthday gift

2011-12-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

d- of course it was blair who gave me the perfect birthday gift. i've been wanting my own copy since it came out in may with its accompanying exhibit at the met. alexander mcqueen: savage beauty blows my mind. i was nearing the end of my first experience of helping to produce an exhibition and catalog for a fashion museum, the fidm museum, when i first saw the catalog. i had a new appreciation for taking on such a task, especially one that is breaking boundaries.

the main point to make is that the objects showcased were not apart of the met collection. all items were on loan, mainly from the mcqueen archive, and were able to be worn by live models in order to be shot by photographer extraordinaire solve sundsbo. with the help of a 6 person retouching team the models were then transformed into mannequins. genius concept. the models gave life and movement to the garments, something very tricky to create with mannequins. well done met, you've set the bar that museum standards can never meet.

i'm sure i was feeling equal parts jealousy and awe at the time, but looking at it now i feel nothing but joy. thank you blair for the perfect birthday gift.

all images via metmuseum.org.

hoodies

2011-12-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

d- the hoodie, for me, is like comfort food for clothing. it always feels right. i bought this dress at shareen's vintage in downtown la a while ago. it's got a lot going on with the details at the collar, shoulders, sleeves, bodice, hem. . . as well as the print. i wanted to add the hoodie to play it down a bit. the primary color scheme brought it all together.

b- hoodies and  hoops.  they've been a part of my wardrobe for as long as i can  remember.  its finally gotten chilly in los angeles and this thrift  store hoodie has been a go-to item for me in the last couple of weeks.   its fluffy, warm, and i can never resist an animal motif.

d- vans hoodie and shoes, vintage dress, h&m ring, alter ego by erika walton bracelet.

b- vintage hoodie, crossroads skirt, thrifted boots, forever 21 ring and hoops.