"There's gunna be a party down at the moon tower later"

 Pretending to be a teenage burnout circa 1976 was all I hoped it could be...even if this took place at an elementary school. I've always had a sort of false nostalgia for the 70s, which is rather strange considering I wasn't even alive in the "me" generation (I don't think I'm alone here). Basically, I just can't get enough of the flashy and somewhat garish images and clothing of the times: bell-bottoms, vests, furs, aviators as huge as your face, paisley, sky-high platforms, hot pants, lots and lots of hair. Of course there's the music, too...there's always the music! And I'm not talking about that pansy-ass disco nonsense, I'm talking about rock legends like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and David Bowie...along with his eccentric brand of glam androgyny.

So, obviously on this particular day I felt that intense need to dress like an extra from Dazed and Confused. The prospect of wearing high-wasted jeans always scared the living crap out of me, but this stretchy (keyword!) pair made me quickly overcome that silly little dressing fear. Oh and I'm in love with this vintage Chanel scarf that I luckily found at my new, favorite Austin boutique, Laced With Romance-it's what I imagine shopping through Stevie Nicks' closet would be like. And Litas really are as comfy as they say; I could wear them for hours-they only look terrifying, I promise!

          

Jeans and vest: F21

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell Litas

Scarf, belt, sunglasses, bag: Vintage

"Let's Start The New Year Right"-Bing Crosby

Prior to 2011, I had never seriously made New Year Resolutions. This is probably because I knew I would break them when considering my sparkling lack of self discipline. Paradox? Self-fulfilling prophecy? Ha...I'm afraid so.

Anyways, this year I have made an extensive list of annual declarations that I'm determined to follow through with. I'll spare you the tedious details and just say that they include a new business venture and posting on my little house in cyberspace regularly. Strangely, I feel overwhelmingly optimistic all without the teeny-tiniest bit of surliness (fingers crossed).

Hello 2011!  

Faux Fur Coat: Express

Dress: American Apparel

Necklace and beanie: Forever21

Boots: random store in my home town

Karaoking With Kenny Rogers and What-Not

I know I really need to post more, but the holidays and my health have finally caught up with me.  Saturday was spent doing some extreme Christmas shopping ALL day long with my boyfriend, through which I did find a new amazing vintage store (will post about the store and my new goodies later).  On Sunday I goofed around at an office party and then somehow ended up singing my lil' heart out at the Highball in the freaking Kenny Rogers themed karaoke room (of all the rooms), complete with an epic velvet painting of the bearded country dude.  In my karaoke experience, two songs that are top notch for obnoxiously crooning along to are, in fact, Heart's "Magic Man" and Linda Ronstadt's "Blue Bayou"-no matter what I will always sing these two gems.  And of course Sunday night I sang with a little too much amateur heart as I ended up exacerbating an already sore throat and worn out body, and to my dismay woke up with the full fledged sickness the next day.  To put it bluntly...I feel like shit, but on the upside I'm not at work!

This is what I wore while I was pretending to have the vocal range of Ann Wilson and this look is pretty much a uniform for me-white t-shirt, denim cut-offs, boots, loads of accessories. I found these beat-up boots at Buffalo Exchange about two summers ago for only $20. So what if they are two sizes too small for my Wiley Coyote feet? Let me reiterate-they were only $20, plus my abnormally large feet have stretched them out since their purchase-it only took a countless number of blisters! And this scarf...don't even get me started! I heroically won this Alexander McQueen beauty about 3 years ago for $40 after stalking it for months upon months online. Isn't ebay great? Nothing beats the feeling of winning something designer for a significantly lower price!

T-shirt and blazer: Forever 21

Shorts: Thrifted Levis, DIY

Scarf: Alexander McQueen

Boots: Buffalo Exchange

Belt: Express from a billion years ago

The Knife, Leopard Print, and Mexico

These shots were snapped before I met my friend for coffee and some impromptu vintage shopping on Sunday. I honestly wasn't planning on buying for myself as I'm in the process of searching for the perfect gifts for others with the holidays just around the corner and all. While harmlessly browsing around Blue Velvet I looked to the back of the store and saw a girl trying on a faux fur leopard print coat complete with a hood (I'd been looking for the perfect one for about 2 years now). The queen deep down inside of me screeched for joy and anxiously waited for that girl to TAKE OFF MY NEW COAT! She did and rightfully put it back on its hanger, so I, of course, ungracefully made a dash for it. I ran to the mirror to try it on and gawk at my lustrous find, then something truly serendipitous happened. The very moment I pulled the fur over my shoulders The Knife's "Pass This On" blared over the speakers-in other words, it was meant to be! 

The rest of my Sunday night was spent preparing for a small party/large gathering at mi casa for my friend's Mexican-themed birthday party to take place that same night. We went on a hilarious trip to Fiesta to find all of the necessary accoutrements-a piñata, loads of Mexican candy, Jarritos soda for mixers, Dos Equis, and chips and queso of course! For the event I ditched the pictured knit sweater as I had to wear my new purchase-not very Mexican I'll admit, but I just told people I was in the Mexican mafia. I will definitely be taking pictures of the ridiculousness that is my new fuzzy coat/robe real soon.

  

Dress and tights: Urban Outfitters

Over-the-knee socks: Target

Sweater and hat: Forever 21

Boots: Some random store in my hometown

Amber necklace: Gifted from my mom from Mexico

Play Time With Records

(No records were harmed in the making of these photos)

Recordings don't get much better than by way of a classic vinyl ,especially when you consider the audibly natural grain of music that commonly gets flushed out in modern media. Although, I think the main reason why I love to listen to and collect old albums so much is because of the time warp factor. They make me feel closer than ever to a period (the American counter culture ,of course) in music that I wish I had witnessed first hand, along with the social movements of the time. 

On the material side (OH bad pun) this is what I try to wear when I'm hanging around at my house relaxing, but to be honest nothing beats a good pair of dare I say... SWEATPANTS! Yes, I truly love them dearly for their functionality and comfort, but grudgingly agree that most are hideous, sloppy, and even tacky if you consider the Juicy Couture track suit epidemic of the early millennium (seriously, middle aged women should not walk around with the suggestive word "Juicy" stamped across their asses, scratch that no one should). BUT we can all thank the genius Alexander Wang for somehow making the dreaded lounge-wear chic and sophisticated for the first time EVER! 

Robe/Kimono and necklace: Vintage

Over-the-knee socks: Target

Tunic: Urban Outfitters

"Engine Driver"

The sole purpose behind heading out to a random spot on the railroad tracks to shoot some pictures is these here combat boots. The whole utilitarian/industrial feel of my clunky, functional footwear suits the cold desolation of a pair of meandering steel tracks methinks (even if that desolation is right smack in the middle of Austin HA!). I wore this to dinner with co-workers, then out to a wee, tiny playhouse in east Austin to see a rendition of "Steel Magnolias". Yes, it was originally written and performed as a play only two years before the likes of Sally Fields, Julia Roberts, and my beloved Dolly Parton starred in the film adaptation released in 1989. The ladies at the City Theater did a beautiful job and certainly made some patrons shed a few woeful tears.

As for the rest of my ensemble, I pretty much always gravitate towards a neutral color palette (the gloomier the better) and I tend to add a tinge of red, my favorite. Red lips are definitely new to me, but oh-so much fun! I should have bought some ruby lip rouge years ago, but have never been a huge make-up person. MAC wins my vote for best lipstick because it lasts forever and this particular shade (MAC Red) somehow looks amazing on every skin tone.

And my poor tights! I'm convinced that every sheer pair I own until my demise will don an annoying, singular run, as you can see in the pic above. I suppose I don't really care THAT much given their inevitable, destruction-prone nature. Like ripped jeans, slashed tights are just as acceptable these days. Hooray for not living in the prim and proper, restrictive 50s!

Aviator Jacket, Socks: Target
Tights: Urban Outfitters
Skirt: Sola (local boutique)
Boots: Steve Madden
Necklace, Oversize Shirt: Forever 21
Lipstick: MAC Red

Blue Suede Shoe Porn

I cannot stand Jessica Simpson's so-called music, but the girl certainly can design a pair of shoes. Upon first seeing these babies I fell in love immediately-the platform, those curves, that incredible COLOR! So, I splurged and brought these electric-hued stilts home. They are so deserving of black leather...lots and lots of black leather. I can safely say that the little Elvis inside of me is now satisfied.

"A Fool For Your Stockings"

As soon as I found out that thigh-high stockings were back in fashion, the 11 year old girl inside of me jumped for joy! I remember watching the cult classic, Clueless, as a wide-eyed child of the 90s and could not wait to go to high school so I could wear the aforementioned leg-wear along with plaid mini skirt "suits" while clutching absurd, feather tip pens. But of course that trend was loooong gone as I entered my much anticipated teenage years in the early millennium.  

Obviously, the phrase "what goes around comes around" definitely applies to fashion, as well. I'm extremely appreciative of this repetitive aspect of clothing design because I'll ridiculously get to wear my favorite trends from decades past (even the not so far off 90s) and see them reinvented time and time again. I just hope trucker hats don't come back...EVER!

Now back to thigh-highs: What to pair them with has proven to be a bit of a daunting task. One wrong move and the outfit could look a bit Catholic schoolgirl/kinder whore-ish or even streetwalker-esque. Therefore, I find it imperative to keep the top half of my body covered up a bit to avoid looking down right slutty. But hey, if you see the world as your boudoir and that everyone in it is a potential, seducible suitor, then by all means rock those stockings like a giddy lil' playboy bunny...someone will appreciate you for it.

Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You....

Smoking cigarettes has been the one constant in my life for the past three years (as well as time, but I'm not going there). I have let my nicotine addiction completely and utterly dictate all my actions: "I'm stressed out," what do I do? Smoke a cigarette! "I've eaten an amazing meal (or anything at all)," what do I do? Smoke a cigarette! "You know what would go great with this mocha?" A CIGARETTE! I think you get what I'm saying here.

Despite what I've been told my whole life about the destruction and despair cigarettes cause, I've always been attracted to the act of smoking.  To this day I still find it glamorous in an edgy, rebellious, alluring 'I don't give a $#!%' way. And that my friends is my pitfall-the black beauty of disintegration and all that it encompasses. Plus, I've always thought Kate Moss looked quite fabulous with a cig gently adorning her lips. Oh yeah, and I'm obsessed with the 60s, when coincidentally everyone and their mothers smoked.

BUT I am done, done, DONE! These things make me feel feeble and dependent most of the time and I am way too young to feel this terrible. From this day on I am claiming my health back from potential disease and vow to never play prisoner to these evil little cancer sticks again. It won't be easy though. Hopefully I can remain a nice person and not drive my boyfriend crazy with nicotine-withdrawal induced mood swings. So, in addition to whatever it is I've been writing about on this here blog, I will be chronicling my struggle to a cigarette-free lifestyle; more importantly without turning this endeavor into perpetual complaining. 

Farewell my mischievous little life-ruiners, all the chewing gum in the world will never compare. But at least I'll feel a whole hell-of-a-lot better!

Hello Goodbye

Fate certainly led me in an interesting direction last week as the birth of a beautiful baby girl perpetuated an impromptu trip to Target, or as I like to call it Targét. Yes, I went there for the sole purpose of finding a baby monitor, but first found myself trying on jackets-I cannot help myself! I ended up with two pieces that are definitely on the trend radar this season: A shearling-collar aviator coat and a cognac moto jacket. 

 

The aviator coat definitely is a statement piece which means you're better off pairing it with classic lines and neutral colors in order to keep the look more modern and chic. It is just too easy to look costume-y and ridiculous with this coat, but then again, that's probably why I like it so much. 

As for my other purchase, I'm really loving the cognac color right now because it easily blends well with browns and blacks, making color schemes more interesting. With archaic styling rules gone for good, living in this day and age of fashion is so freeing-it doesn't matter if you wear white after labor day, mix black and brown, or if you'd prefer to don your tights with open-toe shoes. At the end of the day no one really cares, and if they do then you're doing something right!

Target also offered me a little more than just merchandise. I quickly found out that Jessica Alba was shopping at that very same moment. Once again I couldn't help myself as I decided to nonchalantly walk by the aisle she was browsing. I only wanted one quick glance! No Target patrons bugged her for photos and/or autographs which pleased me immensely. It is extremely exciting to spot a celebrity out in the real world, but at the same time they are just people who might shop at Target.  And who wants to be pestered while doing mundane, everyday things? 

We Like What We Like

Ever since I was a little girl music has always been a fascination (rather an obsession) of mine. I would stay up very late gawking at the images and tuned into the sounds beaming from early 90's MTV (unbeknownst to my parents) and was completely enthralled by what I heard. I guess I was inspired before I even knew what inspired meant. Music was so ineffable and powerful to me and to this day it still is. This art form captivates me because it has the masterful ability to excite and ease emotions, conjure memories, and is a catalyst for forward thinking, which all of course is extremely personal and inherently fluctuates from listener to listener.

For my sincere love of music I have my big sis' to thank. She definitely was a huge influence on my musical preferences because she introduced me to a diverse world of genres. From The Mamas & the Papas to Radiohead, she was listening to everything, and I was right there behind her marveling and admiring all those melodious discoveries-as well as her for enlightening me.  Without my sister's guidance I would probably have grown up in some sad, little country & western bubble, completely oblivious of diverse sounds.

However, my passions do not end there.  I am completely head-over-heels (bad pun intended) for fashion and personal style.  Piecing an outfit together is just so damn fun for me, and the options and inspirations out there are virtually endless. I love the paradoxically deceiving and descriptive effects that style can have on our perceptions, and its power to transform the way we feel about ourselves.  Plus, I always enjoy the HUNT for that rare, inexpensive, vintage find. 

 

For me, music and fashion have always gone together, hand in hand, as they both simultaneously conjure vivid images that seamlessly compliment each other. When I hear Jimi Hendrix I can't help but briefly think of outrageous fringe jackets, vivid blue bell-bottoms, and heaps of boho jewelry. Or, consider the Sex Pistols with all the leather, chains, and DIY aesthetics.  These styles are certainly signs of period movements, socially and therefore musically, and I cannot seem to get enough of all the connections and metaphors between image and sound!  After all, I am a visual creature.

(All photography by the beautiful Melody Murphy)

Thus, I give you Candy Store Rock: A place where I will share anything and everything that peaks my interests in both music and style, as well as a little about my life intertwined with the two. And I hope you'll share, too! Listen, relax, and enjoy.