In major need of a dancing night…

Photos by Darren B.

I didn’t know how sheer this shirt was until people kept telling me they could see my brarrrr. I truly understood when I saw these photos. Wow! Oh well. It’s a cool top though because only the front is sheer and the back is all black cotton. But, it’s definitely not something I would wear in the daytime. This is strictly reserved for the nightlife. And let me say, when you wear a top this see-through, you get a lot of attention. Boing!

• Sheer/gold sequined top: thrifted
• Black bike shorts: Swap Meet
• Black ONT boots: courtesy of Evans

So many darn birthdays in January.

We went out to Verdugo Bar for Nic J. Mor’s birthday. Goth theme of course.

I wasn’t going to post this photo, but it cracks me up so much.

Not such a great photo, but it’s the best out of the lot.

• Black dress, black bag, ring: thrifted
• Black heels: Clarks
• Black tights: Target

This dress is adorable. I love the instant accessory with the attached brooch. I had to shorten it though because it was sister wife length.

Brunch bunch! Another trip to Mo’s and another photo op. Baby thighs!!! Super-duper short dress and me with my leg up looking all cute. Mary Jane Docs, y’all!

Tina and Gabby, together forever.

Ms. Ann Friedman - of Instaboner fame - made a pit stop in Lala Land during her cross-country road trip and of course we had to meet up for brunch. 

We talked about boners (and lack there-of), differences in US cities, Amina (also of Instaboner), male-female BFFs, and dependable Honda Accords. And those were only a few topics we discussed. Ann is firecracker and talkative and completely energetic. I love it. I can be a bit shy at times (I know no one will believe this), but there was never a dull moment and we just gabbed on and on.

We stood far from one another and were a bit hesitant at first; it’s like, we know each other, but mostly through blogging and e-mail. 

A little closer. Hugs are OK.

We love each other!!!

Oh, and can I say, it’s ALL about T-strap shoes! Ann’s are from UO and I have the same pair but in taupe. We were meant to meet!

Outfit deets:

• Floral top, brown belt, blue skirt: thrifted
• T-strap heels: Aerosoles

You can read all about Ann’s trip here.

ETA: Thanks to Nic for taking the photos. You can see his shadow at the bottom of each one! ;)

Guyssss, I think I’m a do it. Think I’m gonna get the “Rachel” haircut. I’m always behind on trends. Whatev, 16 years late!

Look what I wore this past Saturday to hang at The Falls in Downtown. 

My brother told me I didn’t match. I told him to shut the fuck up.

What’s up with my right hand? Looks so static.

I’m from the White Lightning school of blogging.

Black matte nails. Again, late on trends. Wasn’t going to shell out monies for the real thang so I bought a cheapy clear matte polish. Yeahhh boyyy.

Oh, and outfit deets…

• Creme/blue sequined tunic(dress?): H&M - on sale for $5!!!
• Black blazer: Thrifted
• Black tights: Target
• Black suede booties: Deena & Ozzy. 

And because I was just crying and re-watching Mask:

These things are good: ice cream and cake, a ride on a Harley, seeing monkeys in the trees, the rain on my tongue, and the sun shining on my face. These things are a drag: dust in my hair, holes in my shoes, no money in my pocket, and the sun shining on my face.

This past Saturday, I headed to Skybar at the Mondrian to check out none other than Mr. Jens Lekman for a free show. He played a truly wonderful set complete with all my faves (except for A Postcard to Nina. How dare he?!). 

Jeney lounging by the pool

Luz, Me, Marianne, Claudia, Jeney - gosh, we’re adorable!

Jeney, Nic, Blabbo

Hanging with JL himself (photo by Marianne G.)

Jens whispering sweet-nothings and serenading me with a birthday song (Photo by Marianne G.)

Nic, Bigmouth (Photo by Marianne G.)

Synchronized posing!

And because we were on Sunset; a trip to Toi

• Jacket, bag, dress (from this post, but shortened even more): thrifted
• Tights: Target
• Black strappy shoes: Clarks via Macy’s

More obscure titles that come from whatever is currently playing on my iTunes.

I went a little photo crazy with this outfit. I surrriously love this dress so much. Why did it take me this long to take photos? 

No altering or hemming needed on this dress. It’s perfect as is. 

Hot damn, look at that collar!

The print, the color!

Those buttons! Gahhhhhhhh.

• Dress: thrifted, Value Center
• White jazz shoes: TopShop
• Taken by Trees tote
• belt taken from another dress
• Sunnies: Bleudame.com

And because no post is ever complete without a random-ass photo. My current desktop. I like a clean workspace. Love you, El Perro del Mar!

Actual outfit post alert!

I thought our summer was done with, but oh no, it’s as if it never left. I was actually kind of glad since it gave me the opportunity to photograph some dresses I didn’t get around to taking pictures of this summer.

Dress in which my boobs look amazing! Love mandarin collars.

I bought this dress back when I was in Frisco in April. Purchased at Thrift Town. Yay! Belt is thrifted from the Value Center and the shoesies are from UO.

I forget what I was describing when Nic took this photo. Bag is from the Gap.

And now for some more random/clothes cell phone shots…

Decisions are the worst. (I ended up wearing the Docs)

Been wearing my Mimmi and Peppi cross a lot lately. (Click to see Nicolette wearing one as well!)

With Maddy from Plus Model Magazine. This was taken at XBar. Again with my Mimmi and Peppi Finnish cross/plus sign. (photo from Maddy’s cell)

Wearing Bleue Dame sunglasses. Damn, I love the buttons on this dress!

I was on a skirt-wearing craze. It’s since passed, but I have photographic evidence of the occurrence. These might have been taken way back in August. Eesh. Is that even a word?

Well don’t I look mad. I swear I wasn’t. 

Black top - Unicorn swap/Paisley skirt - thrifted from NoHo Super Thrift/Black woven Dr. Scholl’s - Atlas in Seattle/Black braided belt - Torrid

Well don’t I look like a zookeeper/animal wrangler. Thanks for the inspiration, Bindi Irwin.

Striped top, skirt (shortened and hemmed), brown braided belt - thrifted/Brown T-strap heels - Aerosoles via Macy’s

When Nicolette of NicoletteMason informed me she’d be visiting Lala Land last week, I jumped at the chance to hang with my fellow YFF Conference gal. We only had a small window to see one another, so of course we spent it eating. Originally we were supposed to go somewhere else, but I’m glad Nicolette had a craving for Swingers. If you’ve never been, you should because it’s definitely a great place for diner-style cuisine. 

Swingers. Love the pink cows!

One of the best-dressed women I know. Always impeccable, always color-coordinated, and always so chic. And oh my God, mac ‘n cheese!

Sadly, Nicolette had to go home to pack for her trip to San Frandisco (as she calls it!), so I was off to Downtown to meet up with my friend Tina. Like I said before, whenever I’m in the Hollywood/LA area, I always make the most of it because I usually dread the 20/30 minute drive. Yes, I’m that lazy. 

Anyhow, I had some time to kill before Tina decided to wake up so I headed to the Marc by Marc Jacobs store. No, I don’t have any photos. No, I didn’t buy anything. I really wanted those darn colored pencils though. In the end, I knew I would never really use them and they’d end up sitting on my table for years. They’re supposed to be used, right? I’m sure most people would just display them, but not me. I hate stuff. There’s nothing on my walls and I keep my living space neat and minimal. I digress. After the MbMJ store, I went to Urban Outfitters and then hung out at Starbucks where I listened to three British gals yammer on about being sluts. I love Hollywood! 

Here’s a photo I took of my Torrid bag while I people-watched. It’s cute and stuff. Ooh, artsy. I love natural light!

I finally got to DTLA so Tina and I headed to Gorbals. Mmm. Oh, hey Ilan from Top Chef!

We had the roasted corn, bacon-wrapped matzoh balls, and the potato latkes. Yeah, it was that good people!

We rounded out the night with (more) drinks at the Association. Try the organic beer or a Hemingway. Yummers.

Anyhow, I love hanging out and I love eating. Enough said. Oh wait, this is what I wore…

Sunnies off.

Sunnies on.

Outfit schmoutfit:

• Grey flowy top, black patent leather boots: thrifted
• Black harem pants: Faith21
• Black bag, sunnies: Torrid

Last week, my friend Luz and I finally went to purchase our tickets to FYF Fest. And since we were already in Echo Park, we decided to hit up Masa for some delicious panini. If you’re ever in LA, definitely hit up MasaI before a show at the Echo (Smiths night is the best!). Afterward, we wanted coffee and drove on over to Urth Cafe. All in all, it was a lovely Sunday hanging lovely Luz.

Forgot I had my camera until we got to Urth. Better late than never!

Vegan chocolate cake. Mmm.

Lovely Luz

Is that iced coffee? Mmm

My sister gave me this MAC lipstick and I’m trying to figure out the color since it wasn’t in the package. Either way, I like it.

Outfit:

• Levi’s shorts - Macy’s ($5!!! - originally jeans)
• Black buckled boots, cream-colored eyelet blouse: thrifted
• Tote bag: Taken By Trees 

OK, I gotta get back to munching on a bag of goodies from The Sweet Factory. 

Wow, it feels like forevah since I posted an outfit photo. My last few posts have been all about the YFF Conference and I still have one more post to wrap up the last few events.

Jebus, we’re already in August, y’all! I can’t believe it! I’ve been having a lot of fun this summer and actually accomplishing a lot of my goals. One more month left until it’s all over and I still have about ten things on my summer to-do list to complete. It’s totally do-able though. 

Yesterday, I had to go Downtown to fill out paperwork for one of my jobs. And if anyone knows me, is that when I’m in DTLA, I HAVE TO DO HAPPY HOUR. It’s a must, really. Why would I drive all the way down there and not hit up Cole’s or Bar 107. Alas, NJM and I ended up at Cole’s and naturally ordered their amazing garlic fries (try them!). We also hit up Big Man Bakes for some dessert and topped it all off with coffee and lemonade with Kelsey at Lost Souls. 

Below is photographic evidence. See ma, I really was working.

The Scholar. Is that a religious tattoo?

Sunnies: Bleudame.com, ring: Unicorn clothing swap

Yes, the nails are real.

This is one of my go-to summer dresses. It’s airy and super bright. Two of my favorite combos. And of course it’s thrifted.

Sandals: Urban Outfitters, belt: thrifted, Murder City Devils tote: luckyhorseindustries.com

Wow, I just noticed it looks like I have cankles. Gross. I swear I don’t. Haha.

P.S. I decided the theme song for the night was Dead Man’s Bones “Lose Your Soul.” Go listen to it now.

Doin’ it on the Cheap is a bi-weekly feature starring three girls in three different cities, showing you how to work with a budget and still look stylish. For our fifth installment, Amelia chose denim shorts.

I think we can all agree that denim shorts are a staple in any wardrobe. It’s so easy to dress them up or don them casually with T-shirts. 

Here I am wearing mine with simple T-strap flats and a Fourth of July-inspired tee.

When better to wear cut-off shorts than on the most American day of the year: Independence Day! Yay for fireworks, barbecue, and the colors red, white, and blue.

I have to say, though, I wish I was as patriotic as Miss Amelia. Seriously, her FB posts this past week were pretty epic. I think I need to find “my” holiday. Maybe Thanksgiving?

OK, well be sure to head on over to Stina and Amelia’s blogs to check out their posts. 

And a heads up…we’ll be taking a short break from DIOTC; but just for the summer. We’ll be back to our regularly-scheduled programming as soon as our lives aren’t as hectic!