Bette Davis Eyes

Inspiration: Louise Brooks

 

  

I wouldn't mind looking like this. Born a little after the turn of LAST century,  Louis Brooks has looks, style and attitude that would easily ease itself into today. Better known as Lulu, the gorgeous face of Pandora's Box, this lady was an actor of top-shelf caliber, being one of the first of the silent screen stars to act in a naturalistic fashion. What I love most about Lulu is this pure iconic style, that is still striking and fresh almost a century later.

CLICK for A Quick Look at the Life of Lulu.

MIxed to Match

 

  

 

  

This is what I wore today:

Vintage Black & White Wool Plaid Double-Breasted 3/4 Coat- please note the awesome leather trim and button detailing (a recent thrift-store score)

Printed Silk Camisole (Target, clearance, 2008)

Cotton B&W printed sash (thrifted)

                                     

Banana Republic label wool skirt with asymmetric hem ( a hand-me down from a friend)

 Black cotton knee-hig socks with ivory colored band and button decoration (Target)

 Black leather '80's Booties (thrifted)

 Vintage Black Floral Needlepoint Purse (gift from friend.  THANKS EQUINE-BOVINE)

Gingham & Fur

Found this lovely lady and her sweet street style over at www.fashionising.com, which I mistakenly thought was FASHION RISING, lol. Anyhoo, am really digging the gingham blouse paired with the cuddly fur jacket. N-I-C-E.

The Gilda Age

I've already mentioned I'm a big old timey film buff, and that Rita Hayworth is a screen siren to be reckoned with. See previous post here.  Gilda, probably the role she is best known for, is pure eye candy. Also very tasty and on my "wish list" is this amazing toe stopper available on Amazon.  Vintage Remix, an L.A. based shoe company re-makes vintage shoes models. This is fantastic,  because shoes from the 30's, and '40's are next to impossible to find in good condition and big enough to fit a modern grrl's foot.

Right now, they have a store on Amazon, and many of the shoes are on sales. These, christened the Gilda Platform, come in bronze and pewter, are marked down from $190.00 to $74, and would be perfect with all the floral frocks I've been collecting. Do yourself a favor and take a peek!

Sea Breeze, Seberg

Such a great shot of Jean Seberg in her prime. Can't believe how fresh this image still feels, incredibly fifty years later. Dewy with youth, Jean Seberg seems like she looking out to forever, wishful, hopeful and utterly, enchantingly naive.

Everything's Coming Up ROSEBUD

THIS IS HOW I LIKE IT-

Freshly picked fashion, and oh-so-ooh-la-la-CitizenROSEBUD. Seems this spring, florals are coming at us tsunami style, and this little petite fleur is SO-SO  ready for the floral deluge. Swiss dots, stripes, and florals galore. Quirky cuts for the grrl-next-door. I feel like an everyday eccentric.  These photos were picked while surfing the net, and I can hardly wait to doll up in my own Citizen ROSEBUD versions at home.

 

 

 

 

(from the various gardens of Urban Outfitters, Marni Resort 2010, Anna Sui Resort 2010, Lookbook)

Short & Sweet

 

 

Jean Seberg. Julie Christie. Audrey Hepburn.

Gamine. Babe. Ingenue.

The Girl in the Mink Beret.

Some people don't have to work their style, it just seems to work for them. Effortlessly.  Case in point, the relentlessly lovely Kristy Green who for over the past decade has been the unofficial spokesmodel for the Sacramento cult label, Butt Ugly.

I was lucky to spend a day with her last week and we filled it up with much yacking, snacking & shopping   Here, I snapped some shots of her showing off in an ivory mink beret ( a MINK beret!!!!) that we found in a wonderful vintage clothing stall at the Antique Trove in Roseville, California. Adorable, fo' sho!

Better in Leather

Tough-grrl Leather Jacket, circa 1980's.  Note the bulldozer shoulders, the distinctive New Wave sleeves, and the super supple leather. Ah good times.  Somebody pull out their Loverboy record already.

When you have grey skies, it is best to THINK pink

I cannot help but dream in technicolor.

Grey skies leave me running for the bright lights

I crave color and I know

                                                   Storms come & go

 with the crisp certainty of black & white

 

There is always a silver lining

 

                                                 If you know where to find it.


There is no better way to combat the grey skies. Dyed my hair last night. A happy strawberry pink. Goes great with the black wooly beret and bold black & white summer dress that I warmed up with a tuxedo ruffled sweater, a petticoat slip and fuchsia leggings. It made for a glorious day. No matter how gloomy the sky was, I felt bright and lively.

Still Fresh

Flower Power

An easy ensemble for a Saturday morning coffee. The wool beret with rose bouquet applique, floral scarf and purse are extremely recent (yesterday!) thrift store scores, all from the SPCA thrift store in downtown Sacramento. The overall shorts and boots, and 1980's black blazer are also thrifted, although less recently from Thriftown. The beautiful grey and rosebud printed tights are first run, acquired at the Fringe, located at 21st & X Streets. There you may also find many of Citizen Rosebud's embellished treasures available for sale. I found the fit extremely comfortable to wear as well as on the pocketbook.

The Grrl Next Door

The newest collaborator with the Citizen Rosebud is quite literally the girl next door. Meet Lori, my outgoing and vivacious neighbor of the last two years. Her smile, as firm as her handshake is warm and genuine.   More comfortable behind the lens than in front of it, Lori will be contributing to this blog with her eye out and about the town, scoping out interesting style and people. Keep your eyes peeled for her snap and her shots.

Holy Yamamoto!

OK. This guy may not be your cup of tea, but I could drink the whole collection up.

There's an edge to these clothes that could cut rope, and with his signature monochromes, melancholic

silhouettes & unquenchable unique vision, Yohji Yamamoto dresses women as much for their interior lives than  for their external one.

And look a little closer please, many of these these pieces really are wearable. Take a peek at the killer slideslow I found at the NY Times site: 

Yohji Yamamoto Spring 2010 Runway

Just to give it some context, here's a wonderful image that captures Yamamoto's vision in the 1980's.

Cool, eh?

The Edge of the Petal

   "It's at the edge of the petal that love waits."
                             --William Carlos Williams

Take a Bow

How adorable would you feel in this little number from Cuffs? In case you can't make in to Sacramento to shop this sweet little shop, make sure you take a gander at their online store. J'taime this sugary jersey number dosed in fire-engine red & embellished with a sparkly black sequined bow. This is a serious must-have for any self-respecting ingenue!

If you happen to be in the midtown neighborhood, do yourself a flavor & stop by and say hello to the extremely nice woman behind the counter.  They are almost as famous for their warmth and laid-back attitude as they are for their sweet & edgy style.

2523 j street
midtown, sacramento



                                                                                                                 www.shopcuffs.com  

My Favorite Fryes

Got these boots last year. They have a comfortable stack heel, a side zipper and reek of Victoriana. Very old-timey and quaint, yet seem to rock-n-roll with any dress or skirt I pair with them. I wear them whenever I wanna throw-down some style but not sacrifice any comfort.

I love the fact that they are Frye boots, made by the oldest US continously operated boot company in the U.S.  Frye has been around since the late 1900's, and their commitment to quality craftmanship and tradition shows. This style is not available this year, but their inventory is chock full of delcious new styles to wish for.

And color me wishful.