Black and White

Here I am back to shooting my own outfit shots.  At least my apartment is really cute and clean now. I had to purchase some new pants since I lost about 10 pounds in the last few months, I was lucky to find these and another pair, both Levis one pair was 5$ and these were 10$.  The good thing about living in the shopping district is that I have patience and like to go search for deals.  I am 2 blocks from HnM, 3 from F21 and 4 from Marshall's and Ross.  It's dangerous, I need to start working more.  In my old neighborhood, I was 3 blocks from all the thrift stores and it was much more my style but luckilly I am still fairly close to some thrifts and others are a short train ride away.  

Outfit Details

Shirt-Ross

Pants-Levis/Ross

Sandals-Loemanns (broken, I added the ribbon around the ankles)

Earrings-Burlington

Bracelet-F21

Derosa Art Preserve and My Band of Colorful Characters

First of all, let me apologize for my lack of presence here.  Having just moved I was hoping for a free internet connection which I did have, but it only lasted a few days.  I have now bitten the bullet and paid for it.  It's well worth it, I was getting so bored.  

Last weekend, some friends and I went to the Derosa Art and Nature preserve in Napa.  It was one of the most interesting places I have been, in the area.  I highly recommend visiting if you live close by and if you plan on coming to the bay area.  They have the largest regional art collection in the United States and quite possibly the world.  There was so much to see that I plan to go back in July with my mom, when she is here.  There were no photos allowed inside which is where most of the art is so these are all just outside shots.  

 I was so excited to see so much work by David Best, who I was already a huge fan of.  His art is really touching and invokes many emotions.  I saw a sculpture which was about the invasion of Poland by the Nazi's, it was a full size horse with a young boy on a carriage, it was really dingy looking with jewish stars and symbols all over it and underneath it was a pile of ashes, very intense and beautiful.  

The lake when you walk up to the first gallery.

This is the back of the property where a lot of the sculptures are. 

I was so excited to see so many peacocks, they were at the end of mating season so they were really loud.

The other side of the lake outside the second and largest gallery.

The old barn and stables, this tower was a add on by Rene Derosa who converted this into his home. 

These last two are from a event called ShowNuff I attend every friday night at 111 Minna.  My friend Conrad (playing the guitar) books the happy hour with live music which is so much fun.  It's free to get in with drink specials and great local live bands and is every friday from 5-9.  This Friday Kalri$$ian will be playing, who I preform with.  Come on out and see us!  Add us on facebook too!

Home is where the DIY is

Im all moved into my new studio, I love my new hood and my place is so cute.  It's nice to live alone so far, I'm sure I will get lonely but for now I am enjoying it.  I finally figured out a place in my apartment where I get internet for free, wooo hoooo.  I just hope it lasts.   

I decided to turn a old belt into some boot straps earlier today, I'm so happy with the results.  It was a Zara belt that was super long so it looked like 2 belts.  It never really fit right, so I chopped it up, added the smaller studs that I already had and wallah..... it's perfect!   

The view from the entry way with a partial view of the kitchen.  You can see my vintage pink beauty chair. 

View from behind the bed, I love the 3 huge windows, it's so bright in here!

My bed, new bed set and side table from craigslist.  I think I might paint the bed frame white.  I like the tables the teal color though.  Vintage bedspread from my grammy!

Partial view of the bathroom.  the other view has my silver tray with vintage  silver mirror, brush and comb.

The boot straps!  

Looking up at you!

What a pleasant surprise to run into someone I admire.  Last night I went to a happy hour with a friend and afterwards we stepped into a local dive bar to have a drink and wallah.....Amy Sarabi!  For those who are unaware, she was on the most recent Project Runway, yes the one that Seth Aaron won.  Seth Aaron lives in my home town and I adore him.  I was rooting for him to win.  First because of the home town connection and then because of his talent.  Amy had nothing but great things to say about Seth Aaron and told me that she agreed his win was well deserved.  She joked that he would have completed a whole suit by the time she had finished a half of a pair of leggings.  The show was apparently even more stressful than it looks on T.V, she mentioned they usually only got about 10 hours to complete the garments.  Amy was a absolute doll, I was nervous about talking to her because I didn't want to act all star struck but she was just a normal gal albeit a very talented one.   She also said she loved my outfit which was such a complement coming from her!  Luckily I took some photos of my outfit before I left home. 

Here I am with Amy and her friend Sage (they attended design school together)  Sage now works in L.A designing jeans. 

The outfit

Vintage Jacket- Jones New York/ Thrifted

Vintage 60's Wool Dress-Altered/Thrifted

Vintage Neckalces-Thrifted

Vintage Silk Pajamas/Leggings-60's? thrifted

Vintage 80's Boots-Etsy

Feathered/Braided Headband-My Design, Pretty Pirate Designs

Moving on up!

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, I am going through a breakup (after 5 years) and trying to figure out where to live, ect.  I did find a place and am very happy with the location and the studio.  I will have 2 huge walk in closets which is a dream come true!  In addition to the large closets I will have lots of natural light which is something I am lacking now too.  The apartment is a studio in a old 1020's building so it's not huge but the closet space will make up for it and everything will be really organized.

In the mean time I have a couple random outfit shots that didn't make it on the blog, they are a little silly so bare with me.  Things should be getting back to normal in a couple weeks.  Thanks for your support!

This is my friend Emily and I at ShowNUFF which is a weekly, Friday night- happy hour at 111 Minna.   It includes free live music and drink specials.   My friend Conrad started it and does all the booking. 

I am wearing

Vintage/altered fleur de lis dress (cut off the sleeves and made it shorter)

Vintage crochet vest

F21 earrings

This is before going to another Friday night at ShowNuff.

I am wearing

Vintage kimono

Black tunic from Anthropology

Belt from a vintage dress I have

Lace leggings by Hue

Vintage boots by Zodiak

These are my current favorite rings that are attached to my hands. 

Vintage Turquoise ring

Pyramid ring from TJ Maxx

Native American Chief ring from X generation on Haight

Large silver ring from Multi Culti on Valencia

Beautiful, creative and fun!

My new header is courtesy of one of my favorite people who also happens to be an amazing artist!  Her name is Mary Thomas, she is a watercolor artist living in New Mexico.  Her and I used to be house mates in Seattle years ago.  I've always loved her paintings and feel lucky to have a few of my own to gaze at endlessly.  Recently I contacted her about using one of her images for my header, she happily obliged.  I wanted to use the painting she did of me a couple years ago but unfortunately it is long gone, sold.  She doesn't even have a photo of it, I guess I should have saved the picture from her website when I had the chance!

Vertigo!

One of my favorite old movies is Vertigo, (hence the black and white photos for today).  Vertigo is a great, Hitchcock movie filmed in San Francisco.  Crissy field which can be seen in a scene in the movie is where I hung out with friends on Sunday.   For the movie, they built some stairs that were temporary and can be seen when the leading lady walks down to the water and then is saved by her leading man.  In the shot you can see the Golden Gate bridge in the background.   This was my first time hanging out here for more than a drive through.  Some of my friends and I had a BBQ to which I owe all the credit to my friend Sanjay who got to the park at 8:00 am to get the best spot he could find.  I showed up much later to find a sweet spot with lots of great people, food an beverages.  Luckily, I met some great new friends and had a blast hanging out in the sun.  Photos of me by Sanjay, except close up which is a self portrait.  All scenic photos by me.

I am wearing-

Hat-Bought at the Garlic festival in Gilroy when I was overheating (scarf is from a import store)

Dress-Vintage

Belt-Vintage

Necklace-Self made (Pretty Pirate Designs)

Sunnies-HnM

Sidewalk Sale

Sunday was a gorgeous day for a sidewalk sale.  Some of my lady friends and I have been planning a sale for a few weeks.  We were so happy that the weather was finally warm, after all the rain I was beginning to forget what sunshine was.  Living across from a really popular park makes for a busy sale.  It was a perfect location to sell off some unwanted goods, Dolores park was packed.  We had such a fun day and I met some really nice people.  I love when people find the things that were meant for them. 

You can see me in the mirror

My friend Kristy trying to roller skate, it looks more like they are dancing!  Her boyfriend Conrad, is a great sport. 

The new owner of the roller skates came back later in the day wearing them, she was perfect for them. 

We had a cute puppy visitor.  I love the girls pants and sandals in this photo.  This dog was named BeeBot and had the prettiest eyes.

This lovely lady found this dress from India that my friend was selling.  The bird had found her a few hours earlier in a different neighborhood and wouldn't leave her shoulder.  She now is the happy owner of a new bird.  She has never had one before, it was such a sweet story. 

Me cheesing out, I had a huge crinoline on and it make my 60's dress super poofy!  

Professional photos

A new friend of mine is a professional photographer.  Aubrie Pick  is so sweet and adorable, she looks just like Anna Paquin who I adore as well.   She found this great spot while walking her dog and asked me to be the model in which I happily obliged.  We shot the photos at dusk, the lighting was so amazing.  This shot is just the first of many that she has edited so there is way more to come.  This shot was actually one of the last shots, we had not planned on shooting in front of this door, it was a after thought.  The other shots were on stairs, balconies and the driveway at this old apartment building.  I had so much fun modeling, I wish I had someone to do my outfit photos all the time!   I styled the outfit, makeup and hair.  Sorry the picture is so small, thats how it came to me via Facebook.

I'm wearing

 Vintage Hat-Thrifted

Vintage Harley Davidson Tee-Thrifted

Vintage Leather Skirt-Thrifted

Vintage Leather Jacket-Yard Sale in Oregon

My Favorite Vintage Belt-Etsy

Tights-Slashed by me (old)

Vintage Goth boots-Thrifted Years ago in Seattle

Spring Fling

The rain has subsided long enough to finally wear my new spring dresses.  This is the one that I altered from a longer silhouette with crazy poofy sleeves.  These old blue tights I've had for years were a perfect addition to the outfit.  The carpet bag is a new find from last week in unbelievably great condition.  I had been wanting one but they are few and far between in thrift shops, especially ones in perfect vintage condition, yea!!

Outfit details-

Jean Jacket-thrifted/vintage and super soft

Dress-thrifted/vintage/altered

Purse-thrifted/vintage

Tights-old?

Boots-Bluefly/Ash

Necklace-Pretty Pirate Designs, DIY

Sunnies-HnM

I lightened up my hair in a few spots. In the fringe and a few streaks around the front.