the chill and the chillwave.

i've been playing a lot of really laid-back music, and i think it's been inadvertently inspiring my wardrobe as of late: i've been trading the extravagance on most days in favor of simple bottoms and tops, mostly black and white, which just happens to coincide with the spring trend of black and white 4eva. i like a more toned-down version of the desaturation, though, with one piece of white and one piece of black, rather than mixing stripes with checkerboards with plaids and so on. today, though, i mixed the forever-needed black with a plum topshop crop.

also, i have a few shots of my new winter coat, although they're not the clearest to really show off how amazing this zara piece is-- i'll be sure to take some more detailed photos soon. it basically makes me look like i'm from the matrix. cue slow-motion-backbend shots.

my new favorite thing, though, is this pair of black american apparel riding pants. complete with padding on the inside of the knees, these pants are versatile, sleek, flattering, and best of all, comfortable! i've worn them probably four days out of the past week, which is probably a record for me. i keep planning outfits with these pretty babies. they're a dream piece.

also, crop tops, whether form-fitting or loose, are still at the top of my fashion list. they appeared on the runway for last spring/summer, but i feel like they're still in full swing. it's probably my penchant for matching with high-waisted things, but i'm in love. they're simple and chic, and they also show a glimpse of unexpected skin in a way that isn't so over-the-top for my latest interests.

i did just find a cheap pair of clear spiked creepers, though, so. i guess my closet just jumps all over the place.

 the creepy statue head is a piece on campus that i love-- i've always wanted to shoot with it, and i finally found a quiet time to do it.

lastly, the messenger bag tucked tightly to my side is borrowed from my roommate-- she's brilliant with little accessories and things when i just can't find the perfect match to top off an outfit-- and i've used it all this weekend. of course, come tomorrow, it's back to the old school backpack routine, but it's been nice to use a cute little satchel for a while.

bowler hat, ebay / crop top, topshop / pants, american apparel / creepers, gift (y.r.u.) / coat, gift (zara) / bag, c/o

p.s. i've been paying almost zero attention to fashion week and feeling distanced from so many trends, so i'll be looking into that and bringing things up as it feels fit.

more to come soon,

music: so many details -toro y moi

it isn't pretty.

for ages, there have been complaints circulating the blogosphere about the content of personal fashion blogs. what exactly goes into them and what people pick out of them to support is so controversial. i keep reading that the most successful bloggers are the "typically pretty," the "ones with long hair," the "professional pictures," etc.

it might be that many current cultures register certain bloggers as models and confuse the two, but i think the personal fashion blog is a completely different world from the editorial magazine. i don't think it's necessary to pick at the bones and say that the two can't be mixed, like i've heard before, but i do believe that there should be a certain amount of tangibility to the personal fashion blog. i like pictures that are taken by the blogger, or when the blogger actually writes something, over a bunch of photos taken by someone else with few or no words. that's why blogs like the man repeller or the fashion pirate are so wonderful-- there's a personality to each of them, and while they put current trends and opinions out there, they aren't trend victims (let's say, a pair of litas for every post, baroque print, galaxy print, and SO MANY CROSS NECKLACES... but those are just my current bothers).

when someone told me my pictures looked like a certain brand's catalogue, i was caught between feeling flattered and offended: to me, it meant i had a professional potential, but i was also afraid i had some glossy, untouchable look. but then i realized, is the glossy thing a negative point? am i really so pretentious that i require a certain style of picture to pass as a "real" blogger? i forever have an evolving look, and my drawing is also always moving forward, so why shouldn't i have evolving abilities in my photography?

anyway, i hope my photography is gradually evolving to a better state. i'm trying to learn how to accept the change.

here are some photos from this morning. it's the new semester, and i have my first class this evening, so i obviously had to take First Day Photos. not your typical kindergarten ones. i'm happier than i look, i promise!

makeup, sephora / nail polish, essie / ring, vintage / collar pin, etsy / romper, wasteland vintage / mesh dress, american apparel / tights / over-the-knees, gift / creepers, gift

i bought this romper for peanuts at wasteland in the haight the other day. someone tye-dyed a diane von furstenburg jumpsuit and cut the legs off, and the result is just so weird it's gorgeous in my eyes. with the bottoms cuffed just so, it fits me perfectly. also, i'm wearing a lot more eye makeup now (meaning i'm wearing makeup) because my hair is so light i look like a ghost otherwise. a hair change is on the way, though, coming in the mail!

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post soon,

music: idealistic -digitalism

fall preview.

first outfit: bowler hat, ebay / shirt, urban outfitters (ss04) / jacket, gap / shorts, etsy / creepers, demonia

second outfit: mesh button-down, american apparel / sweater, mother's / pendant, atomickatz vintage / skirt, american apparel, shoes, h&m

third outfit: beanie, thrift / flannel, ragstock / tank, obey (ss08) / shorts, urban outfitters / boots, doc martens

while it's too warm in the midwest u.s. to be wearing all this, i decided to throw these clothing sets together for school this fall. i'll just add tights for the chilly moments, and throw them in my school bag-- a gifted dark brown messenger-- if it warms up.

i love dressing for fall as everything has to be in layers. even my winter will be this way, living in san francisco, except i might have to throw a heavy coat on over everything. i hope i have more days where i don't have to do that, as i hate to cover up whatever i've selected for the day.

anyway, this is about as Grunge as i get. i've seen so many people debate the definition of grunge style online, and literally, i'd probably say that it means unintentionally looking like kurt cobain and smelling up something awful, but i firmly believe that i can mix in some nineties flair to my wardrobe and still... wash my clothes.

also, i promise i will get that give-away up by the end of this week! expect sunnies and something simply prada.

enjoy!

music: hell (cover) -streetlight manifesto

just gettin' good.

sorry for the image-heavy post; i just took a lot of pictures today! i accidentally dyed my hair a little more neon than i wanted it to be, but i've decided i like it both bright and pastel, so i'll just let it do whatever it wants now.

... that's all for now, really.

tee, anthropologie / jeans, tripp (ebay) / creepers, demonia (ebay) / jacket, ragstock

music: mornin' -star slinger

project fifty-two, part four.

i need to start posting more of these at once.

music: sylvia (robotberget remix) -miike snow