I'm a Silly Christmas Baby!

Bwain hurty understandy Cwismus...

xo - joce

Occupy Oakland, Occupy Everywhere

See you there.

xo - jocelyn

Ebay Update - Vivienne Westwood Blazer!

Vivienne Westwood Red Label Blazer - Size 40/US 6/UK 8

This blazer is super haute. It's preppy but also tongue in cheek. The shoulders, bust and waist are flawlessly tailored. It has clean lines and a very posh silhouettte. I love this interpretation of the signature heart collar. Now you'll never wonder what it would look like if Vivienne Westwood designed a prep school uniform...

 This gem will be up for auction starting tonight and ending the evening of November 6th - 10 days only! For more pics, details and to bid see it here.

I will be posting new stuff Thursdays and Sundays all month long. Check out my other auctions and remember to check back here for updates and highlights.

xo - jocelyn

Pendleton - The Portland Collection

Wow. I am crushing hard on The Portland Collection by Pendleton. I stumbled upon this new line on the Anthropologie site and was immediately intrigued. Pendleton is an American classic but with the exception of the occasional vintage piece (The Dude's Cowichan, for example) I've never been a big fan.

The Portland Collection is spendy but the pieces are timeless. Pendleton is known for quality craftsmanship and each of these classic pieces will get years of use in the right closet. The spirit of independent design is prevalent in this line but the look is still very Pendleton. Native American inspired pieces are hot right now and Pendleton has a rich history of perfecting the style. The über hip ad campaign is flawlessly executed (and a reminder that you should never underestimate the power of lifestyle branding). My favorite piece is the Penobscot Poncho. It has definitely made it to the top of my winter wishlist.

xo - jocelyn


Images: Fall 2011 Lookbook, The Portland Collection Blog

A Change In The Weather

 

Dark clouds rolling over Lake Merritt

Oh, Fall.

For as long as I can remember Fall has been my favorite season. I love a drizzly day, a chilly breeze and rolling clouds. I love Halloween and Thanksgiving. I love layering.

This year, for the first time I am actually dreading the "change" in the season. With the exception of a handful of unusually hot days that hit the East Bay over the last few months it was a chilly, cloudy summer. Before that was a chilly, foggy spring. Fall, so far: a week of dark and rainy days followed by a few hot and sunny days.

I live in an area famous for it's moderate climate. Am I complaining? Yes, I am. Without a doubt I am ready for a change. Most notably, I am ready to experience summer again - so I can go back to looking forward to Fall....

xo - jocelyn

Wordless Wednesday - The Details Of The Day

  

  

 

WW, sharing with : Faith, Hope & a whole lotta Love + Project Alicia

xo -jocelyn

Currently Coveting - Alexander McQueen Clutch

I. Love. These. Bags. 

I am most intrigued by the Chained Skull Knucklebox. The chunky gold chains 

and glittering skulls make for a fascinating contrast to the black satin and white embroidery. It is intricate and pretty, opulent and gaudy at the same time.

My favorite of the collection is the bright Orange Pony, just stunning. It's not so spooky and very fashion forward. The gold compliments the orange and as a result the skulls are less gothic, more tongue in cheek. It is perfect for fall. This and the Navy Suede are probably the most trendy and most wearable of the collection.

But, at the end of the day the Leopard Pony is the one that I can actually imagine carrying. It's isn't as glamorous as the others but it's tough and chic and just my style. It is the perfect punk rock clutch - a statement piece that I could pair with almost anything. I love a bag that I can rock with a little black dress or skinny black jeans and a tattered tour tee. Sigh. A girl can dream...

xo - jocelyn

Ebay Update - Vintage Dress Up

I love vintage clothing. I love buying it and I love selling it. I love the variety, how each piece is special, how you can trade in it for years and rarely see the same garment twice. I love the quality, the construction, the fabric, the tiniest of details. I love researching facts, weaving a story and being a part of each piece's history. As much as I love wearing vintage I also love finding the right home for each piece that passes through my hands. 

That said, I'll admit that I have a problem. I can value vintage to a fault. It's hard for me to give up a dress if there is even the slightest chance that I might wear it one day. I've held on to dresses for years that were a size too small, a size too large or not exactly my style. I'm not a collector, just a dreamer. I often find myself tucking a gem away in the back of my closet while imagining the me that might wear it. She may be a little thinner, a little more brave, a little classier or maybe she's just the sort of girl who has the sense to take something to the tailor. 

I recently took a big step and passed on a pretty 40s silk dress. It was a little overpriced and it needed some work. That hasn't stopped me in the past but this time I asked myself a tough question: will I really wear this dress? The answer was maybe. Maybe I'll replace the buttons and I'll have it tailored. Maybe I'll wear it but probably not that often. So I left it behind for someone who can answer that question with a much more enthusiastic yes. It felt great.

Now I'm doing the same thing in my own closet. The first step - letting go of a few really fabulous dresses. Maybe each one could be the perfect dress for me some day but it's much more likely that each will be the perfect dress for someone else right now. So I have decided to share. After all, I know how hard it is to find vintage in my size and I know the thrill of finding that special dress that feels like it was made for you...

Dresses above are currently available for sale in my ebay shop. Left to right:

Pink on pink stripe cotton shirtwaist dress - Linda Lane, sz. 20  -  B42 W34

Black & White lace party dress - Lane Bryant Jr. Plenty Shop  -  B44 W34

Red wool wiggle with big bow color - Grace Taylor, sz 22 1/2  -  B46 W40

xo - jocelyn

Wordless Wednesday - Lassen National Park

WW, sharing with : Faith, Hope & a whole lotta Love + Project Alicia

xo -jocelyn

Style Icon: Christina Hendricks

I love: vintage clothing, sassy broads, redheads and curves. So naturally, for me, it doesn't get much better than Christina Hendricks. She has it all - striking beauty, an expressive face, a sweet smile, impeccable style and acting chops. She is the quintessential hollywood bombshell.

Right now I am watching season 4 of Mad Men and re-watching season 1 with my husband. So much Joan. Her character has developed a lot over the years but I've recently had the opportunity to reflect on just how impressive she was that first season. Most notably I am reminded of the initial excitement that came with seeing a curvy gal land a role like that. How meaningful it was. In a country where the average woman's dress size is 12-14 it blows my mind that an "average" sized woman appearing on television can make such huge waves. America may be ready for a chubby best friend but it's painfully obvious that some are still not ready for the curvy sex symbol. Despite being named the sexiest woman alive by Esquire the media and public are still hypercritical of every inch and every outfit.* Such a shame. I'll admit that Joan was a little shocking to me at first too, but only because I am not accustomed to seeing my ideal on television.

Off screen Christina's style ranges from retro to sleek and modern. She wears a lot of outfits that Joan might and many that she would certainly frown upon. Without the restrictive undergarments her shape doesn't change much; she looses a little definition in the waist but she is still a classic hourglass. She is proud of her body and knows how to dress her curves and I respect that immensely. In interviews she comes across as clever and likeable, sometimes even a little goofy. She's the sort of girl that I would love to have cocktails with. We'd talk about Joss Whedon, Tom Waits, 30's era carnivals and good food. I'd ask her how she really feels about her Barbi's unrealistic proportions. Hopefully she would be much more candid in private then she was on Ellen...

xo - jocelyn


* If you are pro Christina, pro curves, a feminist or all of the above and want to get riled up read this article.

Images 1: LA Times Magazine, 2: Marie Claire,3: GQ Magazine UK, 4: NY Post, 5: Huffinton Post,
6: liveforfilms.com, 7: Just Jared, 8: Examiner.com

Socialites & Drag Queens - Unleashed by Garo

"Can I pull you a little bit tighter?" Garo Sparo asks a socialite with self esteem issues as he cinches her waist in six inches, and thus the first episode of Unleashed by Garo is named. It's fortunate that Garo considers himself part artist and part psychologist because it is obvious that all of the clients featured on his new show will need more then a killer outfit to get their heads right. I am not crazy about reality tv and the drama on this one defintely feels forced but regardless I really enjoyed the premiere.

I like Garo. He seems authentic and he's certainly talented. His claim: "With a single outfit I can unleash the real you" seems genuine and he managed to connect with each of his clients on a deeper level. He specializes in costume pieces and all additional creations from wedding to couture are only slightly less dramatic. He loves bias-cut silk charmeuse, beads, baubles, embroidery and a corseted silhouette. Though his gowns are not my style the over the top costume pieces make my heart race. His design house is filled with interesting and immediately likeable characters. Gerrold, the "in house gadgets guy", describes his approach to design as less fashion and more science fiction. Gerrold's steampunk look is quirky and stylish and his work seems very cool. I also have a huge crush on Sequinette, the "corset specialist". Strange that they showed her all dolled up but never mentioned that she is a female-to-female drag performer. In fact, Garo is the head designer for Screaming Queens Entertainment so I imagine that drag will continue to play a big role on this show. Less Hedda Lettuce and more Epiphany Get Paid, please! 

Unleashed By Garo premieres tonight on the Sundance Channel. I caught it on Hulu and will definitely keep it in the queue.

xo - jocelyn



Images: 1-7,9,10: Garo Sparo's myspace page 8: Motherboards NYC, 11.Sundancechannel.com

Climate Change Chic

Tonight I am packing for a trip to the East Coast. A few days back I asked my family about the weather and was told that they have experienced everything from record highs to downpour (and flash floods) this summer. In an email today, Hurricane Irene was mentioned. My first thought: "A hurricane? Oh my! Whatever will I wear?"

My query: In this age of extreme weather what do you pack for a vacation? Of course, when I asked myself this question reality quickly faded to fantasy...

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to pack my entire closet.

xo - jocelyn

Images: 1,2,4,6: Diesel Ad Campaign - 'Global Warming Ready', Adsoftheworld.com  3,5: The fabulous David LaChapelle, Artnet.com  7: High Tide Heels by Paul Schietekat, Upliftmagazine.com

Miu Miu - Fall 2011 Runway Collection

I feel like we've barely had a summer in the Bay Area this year so it's hard to face the fact that fall is right around the corner. Of course, fashion marches bravely forward - magazines and department stores have already made the seasonal switch. When fall collections hit the runway during fashion week earlier this year they offered a lot of rehashed mediocrity: chic ponchos, graphic stripes, leather skirts and awkward silhouettes. The highlights for me were grungy plaids and ethnic prints, some fresh takes on menswear and some sweet 40s inspired pieces. 

I'll admit that I am a 50s girl at heart. I like a cinched waist and a full skirt but I love love love a slinky rayon and a sparse 40s print, too. This Miu Miu collection was love at first sight. It's classic, chic and refined. There are times when it veers in to '90s does 40s' territory with ridiculous shoulders and harsh triangular silhouettes and while I am not a fan of that look I do understand that it's still relevant. On the flip side several pieces are just flawless. The prints, the bags, the cateye sunnies, and the shoes are all pretty killer. Salmon suede on gold glitter? Oh my! With the 40s look popping up in the Vuitton fall line as well,  I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping to see stores offer an affordable homage to this runway look soon. 

xo - jocelyn

Images: Runway: Style.com, Shoes + Sunnies: Fashionologie.com

Yoü And I: Mother Monster, Yüyi, Jo Calderone

Lady Gaga started as a guilty indulgence but she quickly turned in to something more. She's a gem. An odd beauty. A fierce fashionista. Truly talented. A total weirdo. Sometimes she can be too much - Too Gaga and frankly too Madonna. 
Still, I respect that even when she is too much at least she isn't too little.

I've found this new batch of singles disappointing. Contrived, even (but I suppose that is the nature of pop). I don't love 'Born This Way'. I feel neutral towards 'Edge of Glory' and so far I actively dislike 'Judas'. Maybe one night after a few drinks and some serious dancing it will play and I will make my peace with it but until then thumbs down. Ultimately, I had already sort of checked out until today...

'Yoü And I' pulled me back in. It is solid. Totally unlike the others. I love the country twang. Like 'Speechless', it's more classic rock ballad than club hit. It is a welcome reminder that she is an interesting and versatile artist. Like Madonna, Gaga is destined to spend her career trying on new looks and new sounds and though I won't always like what I hear, often I will. The video is strange and beautiful. I'll admit that I'm a sucker for an alter-ego but I am fascinated by Yüyi the Mermaid.

If I'm being real - the song is good and the video is inspired but it's Jo that I can't get enough of. I am smitten. He was shockingly handsome in his Vogue Hommes Japan debut last year (below) but in this video he is more masculine, more gritty and more authentic. Stupid hot.

 And that kiss? Wow.  

xo - jocelyn

Images: 1 Tweeted by Gaga 2,3,6: Popdust 4,5: Showstudio